Chamber honors Sims for Lifetime Community Achievement

On a night dedicated to its 100 years of community service, the Greater Blytheville Area Chamber of Commerce paid tribute to community leaders past and present, all part of its annual banquet, held Monday in the Briggs/Seabaugh Wellness Center on the campus of Arkansas Northeastern College.

"If you think about it, this is our turn of the century," said Chamber President Peggy Lemons to open the evening. "This is a time to look back at our accomplishments, and a time to look forward to our future."

The highlight of the evening came in the presentation of the Lifetime Community Achievement Award, which was presented to Jerry Sims. Sims was recognized for his years of community service, which has included leadership as owner of First National Bank, president of the Chamber of Commerce and president of the ANC Board of Trustees. He has also been an active leader on the Great River Economic Development Board, has been president of Blytheville Unlimited, and has been a member of the Blytheville Kiwanis Club.

Chamber Past President Mark Brown made the award presentation, which included anecdotes about Sims' trumpet-playing ability -- a talent he displayed at both the high school level and at the University of Arkansas; and his nickname -- "Golden Toe" -- earned for his punting skills on the football field. Attendees at the banquet learned that Sims was born in Jonesboro while his father, Edward Jerald, fought in World War II in Italy. And hours spent in the pool hall attached to his parents' restaurant earned him the title of family "pinball wizard."

"A good leader and a rock-solid businessman, Jerry is also a family man," Brown said. "He married the beautiful Angie Hasty, still his companion and best friend, and he is grandfather to Ava, a gift from his daughter Shannon Maxwell. To all of his family, he is known for his devotion, his integrity and his great affection. His sister Patty sums it up. She says, 'He may be winning a community award this year, but he is the brother of a lifetime.'"

In accepting the award, Sims paid tribute to previous winners, including Dale Briggs, whom Sims noted made the building where the banquet was being held possible. He also said the award held extra significiance because he isn't a native of Blytheville, noting that he and his wife moved to the community in 1981.

"I truly hope we've left this community a better place," Sims said. "That's always been our goal."

Previous Lifetime Community Achievement Award winners have included Bo Huffman in 2005, Mason Day in 2006, Dale Briggs in 2007, Mary Gay Shipley in 2008, Mac Williams in 2009 and David King in 2010.

Also presented Monday night was the Citizen of the Year Award, which went to Bill Kenner. In presenting the award, Chamber executive director Liz Smith said the award is designed to recognize "volunteer work beyond the call."

Other award winners were as follows:

-- Large Business/Industry of the Year: Houseworth Hotels

-- Small Business/Industry of the Year: Mailboxes and Beyond

-- Pride in Property: Olympia Steak & Seafood

-- Educator of the Year: Cindy Shelton of Gosnell Public Schools

Also Monday, the most recent graduating members of the Blytheville Leadership Institute were recognized.

In her remarks, Lemons spoke of the strength and resilience of the community, noting it has been this determination not to fail which has carried the area through some tough economic times. In this sense, she said, Blytheville is like a diamond.

"When a relationship reaches the 100-year mark, it is celebrated with 10-carat diamonds," Lemons said. "As I stand here and look at this room tonight, I think nothing could be more fitting -- diamonds aren't just decorative, they are the toughest of stones, resilient even to fire. They respond to the light by making a light all their own, and they last forever.

"Our Chamber of Commerce is sparkling tonight in the light of this celebration. We are tough, resilient, and we will not just last forever -- we will shine and succeed forever."

aweld@blythevillecourier.com