Cuero's December Events Committee received the Chamber of Commerce Community Service Award at the annual banquet last week. Shown are, from left, Alton Meyer, Shelley Pennell, Kay Lewis, Joann Edge, Buzz Edge, Mary Polansky, Larry Carter, Jim Hedrick, Tony Allen and Roy Johnson. (Record photo)
Chamber gives top awards
(Posted 2/3/2010 08:27 am)
The 2010 Cuero Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture Membership Social and Awards Ceremony was held Thursday. This year marks 100 years of service to the community for the Chamber. Retiring directors were honored, and the new directors and executive board were introduced. The following awards were also given to several well deserving citizens of Cuero.
Agricultural Achievement
Award
Tim Pennell was chosen for the Cuero Chamber of Commerce Agricultural Achievement Award. He was born in Cuero at Bohman Hospital and was delivered by Dr. Bohman. His mother was a surgical nurse for Dr. Bohman. The family moved a short time later to Nixon where his father ran a dairy. Later, he graduated from Lanier High School in Austin and one of his first jobs was at the Capital Cattle Company in Austin.
He went to college, first at Southwest Texas Junior College in Uvalde, and finished his degree in 1970 with a Bachelor’s of Agri-business at Southwest Texas University in San Marcos. During that time he “rodeo’d” on the college team as a bulldogger and competed in several National College Finals.
Pennell spent a lifetime in the cattle industry doing various jobs. He worked at Clifton Cattle Company in Clifton as an order buyer. In 1973, in Pecos, he sold fat cattle and bought feeder-cattle for two area feed yards. and In 1978 he started his own cattle business near Cuero.
He is a lifetime member of the San Antonio Livestock Show and Rodeo and was on the calf scramble committee for over 10 years.
He is a 20 year member, and a directors, of the Texas Southwestern Cattle Raiser’s Association. They are involved in protecting the stewards of land and livestock in the Southwest. He is also the chairman of the Ag Research Committee and a member of the Marketing Committee.
Pennell is an active environmentalist, supporter, and member of the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board for DeWitt County where he is chairman. This board administers Texas’ soil and water conservation laws and coordinates conservation and nonpoint pollution abatement programs throughout the State.
Locally he is a supporter of the DeWitt County Livestock Show and has been member of various buying syndicates over the years.
In addition, he supports the Cuero Community Hospital and the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum as well as other civic organizations in Cuero.
Pennell has 4 children and 11 grandchildren. Community Service
Award
This year, the Chamber of Commerce did not present the Community Service award to an outstanding individual, but rather to a group of outstanding individuals that make up a strong organization. The award was presented to December Events Committee.
This group of individuals began as a committee of six, and over the years has grown to an organization of 20 members. Their purpose was to “attract” visitors and tourists to Cuero, and have they ever.
They began by wrapping trees with lights and placing a small Christmas tree in the park gazebo. Over the years that little display has grown to include over 100 lighted and animated scenes that “attracted” almost over 13,000 cars in 2009. This Committee is also responsible for purchasing the downtown lighting, and decorating the library courtyard and other city buildings with help from the City of Cuero.
Over the years, They have added a live nativity and free hot chocolate nights to the event. The whole event is put on with the assistance of businesses, churches, organizations, individuals, the City of Cuero, the Stevenson Unit, the Cuero Development Corporation, and many more that help to make this event what it has become today.
This past year was a little rough on December Events Committee, but with the help from the entire community, this well-loved community tradition did not skip a beat. This year, marks their 10th anniversary.
Business of the Year
Award
In the Winter of 2003 this business became an idea. And in February of 2004 the doors to this business opened for the very first time. Parkside Family Clinic received this year’s Cuero Chamber Business of the Year award.
Walking into this business, you feel right at home. This business serves “customers” from conception to …currently 102 years old.
Under the leadership of Dr. Mike McLeod, who is also devoted to Cuero’s growth and development, Parkside Family Clinic has expanded to 12 exam rooms, a procedure room, a full lab including digital x-ray, digiscope, capability to do in-house sonograms and other advanced technology.
“Where traditional values meet modern medicine” is not just their motto, it is the heart of Dr. McLeod’s dream.
Citizen Of Tomorrow
Award
This year, the Chamber Citizen of Tomorrow award went to Dustin Hajek who is currently the president of National Honor Society, and member and treasurer for Anchor Club. He is also member and treasurer of the Campus Christian Club. Hajek has been a PAL for two years and a member of “Friends Of Rachel”. He is a member of JETS and will compete in UIL math, science, number sense, and calculator, and also a part of One-Act Play.
He likes to play tennis, runs, and sings in the high school choir. He is a TAKS tutor and chemistry is his favorite subject.
Elvis Lamp
Bill Hickey migrated to the “Promised Land” in 1976, attended Cuero High School, and graduated in 1977. Hickey was chosen to care for Cuero Chamber’s famous Elvis lamp for the next 12 months.
Hickey knew the minute he got here that this was the place to be. He left briefly to attend college but couldn’t wait to get back to marry his sweetheart and begin a family in the town he knew he would never leave.
He has devoted his life to the betterment of this community and to the lifelong friends he has made here. He has served on numerous boards and committees including the Cuero Rotary Club, Keep Cuero Beautiful, Cuero Turkeyfest, Cuero Young Farmers, and the Chamber of Commerce while continuing to be active in his church.
Hickey made a quite a landing in Cuero in the early 70s when he arrived by helicopter dressed as Santa Claus at the old Western Auto Store, where Alamo Lumber Company is now.
Today, he proudly drives around Cuero dressed as Santa during the holidays receiving the most curious looks from the people he passes and continues to thrill young and old alike as Santa.
He is the son of Pat Hickey Barlow, the late Bill Hickey, and Don Barlow. He is married to Holly Sheppard and they have two sons, Fassett and Fielding, who are also graduates of Cuero High School.
