Mountain View Chamber banquet rides again

Under new leadership for only 34 days, the Mountain View Chamber of Commerce hosted a Wild West-themed awards banquet in the Community Center Saturday night. Attendees were encouraged to dress in costume, and many did. Zero-stakes saloon gaming tables were available to while away the pauses in networking.  A chuckwagon barbecue meal was served, and the banquet featured fundraiser mainstays like door prizes, raffle tickets, and a silent auction. 

 

The evening’s keynote speaker was Walt Belcher, long time middle school principal at Mountain View-Birch Tree School District. He shared his experiences being welcomed into the community. He recalled the culture shock of being in line at the grocery store with just a few items to buy and being waived ahead of other shoppers with full carts. 

 

“When you live here your whole life, you may not think about how special that is,” Belcher said. 

 

He recalled when the big tornado ripped through Fox Circle, causing a lot of damage at his home, and people he didn’t even know showed up to lend a hand. His speech had half a dozen more examples of kindness and neighborly charity. He said the impact that business owners and citizens have on the town is huge. 

 

This year, the Chamber opted to name both nominees and winners and gave awards to five businesses. The Lifetime Achievement Award winner was Betty Hockman. Presenter Ricky Baker said she, “shaped Mountain View,” mentioned her essential role in beginning and continuing Pioneer Days for 34 years. Hockman serves in the Chamber, in the Youth Center, on the boards of Mercy St. Francis, Southwestern Baptist University, the Jack’s Fork Community Foundation, and Simmons Bank. She is a devoted wife and mother, Baker said, while also running a successful business. 

 

Taking the stage, Hockman spoke of her Aunt Erma, known to most in the room as Miss Erma, who was pulling weeds downtown well into her old age. 

 

“Service is something we all have to do,” Hockman said. "Sometimes pulling weeds is more than pulling weeds.”