The Haxtun-Fleming Herald - What can we reason but from what we know? -Alexander Pope

Monday evening, April 15 brought businessmen and women, volunteers, community members and Haxtun Chamber of Commerce members together for this year's annual banquet, featuring awards night. The event included dinner by Haxtun's Pi Kappa Cino at the Haxtun Community Center, a Chamber report from Director Jessica Ayala and the presentation of 2023 community awards.

The evening opened with a welcome and word of prayer from local Pastor Jeri Soens. Nearly 60 community members gathered to celebrate the Haxtun Chamber and community members for their efforts over the past few years. Once dinner was served, Ayala gave a presentation on her efforts with the local Chamber of Commerce over the past year. Thus far, the local Chamber has over 76 memberships; that number continues to climb daily.

Ayala gave a preview of the new Haxtun Chamber of Commerce website. A new website comes with the addition of new a new logo designed by Holly Ferguson with Designs by Fergie. The Chamber website is welcometohaxtun.com.

So far this year, Ayala has been a part of several youth engagement endeavors including a Small Business Showcase as a partnership with local FBLA members and she played a role in the Phillips County Youth E-Fair. Now in its second year, Ayala is currently partnering with Haxtun High School to help the senior class gift appreciation plaques to staff members. Local businesses sponsored plaques, which seniors presented to a Haxtun staff member that's made a difference in their education.

Additionally, along with Chamber members' support, community volunteers and Ayala's efforts, the local Chamber sponsored the following 2023 events: Old-Fashioned Saturday Night, Bingo at the Phillips County Fair, Corn Festival, Haxtun Halloween, Hometown Christmas and the annual awards banquet.

New in 2023, the Haxtun Chamber of Commerce with working closely with The Haxtun-Fleming Herald to help spotlight local businesses. Each week a Chamber business is featured on the Herald website. For more information on featuring your Chamber business, contact Ayala.

The evening concluded with the presentation of awards, highlighting work in the Haxtun Community throughout 2023. Nominations are made by chamber and community members and voted on by Chamber membership. Below is a list of each award winner as well as their nomination.

Employee of the Year - Jessica Ayala. Other nominees: Rex Steward, Jr. and Kim Steele.

Ayala's nomination: Jessica hit the ground running as the Chamber Director for not one organization but two! Jessica has had a positive attitude and is eager to learn how to best serve as Director. She is always looking for new and creative ways to serve the community and is always willing to listen to new and old ideas. Jessica has done nothing but demonstrate her dedication to Phillips County.

Volunteer of the Year - Darcy Garretson. Other nominees: Lynda Firme, Sandra Wright and Soens.

Garretson's nominations: 1. Darcy has taken on the enormous task of coordinating the Main Street Program to get Haxtun as an official Main Street community. She is spearheading the Drake Building Project and has been vital for the historical preservation society, Little Sprouts, volunteers for Haxtun EMS and assists with Retreat Threads ... just to name a few of her accomplishments. We are truly blessed to have people like Darcy in our community.

2. There are honestly not enough words to express how important Darcy Garretson is to Retread Threads. For several years, she has volunteered as a board member and has taken part in the efforts to keep Retreads running strong and efficient through Board meetings, community projects, grant writing and being hands on with the daily functions of the store. Retread Threads operates largely through the help of volunteers and without Darcy's ongoing devotion and countless hours spent ensuring that every step throughout the process of donations all the way to the retail side is completely and professionally executed. I could not be more grateful to have Darcy as not only as a volunteer but also as a mentor that I can learn so much from, especially selflessness.

Business Person of the Year -Jose Cardenas, El Paso. Other nominees: Jonathan and Patricia Prescott, Pi Kappa Cino.

Cardenas' nomination: Jose Cardenas is a great businessman. We are so grateful that he picked Haxtun for his next business adventure. With this not being his first business adventure, word spread quickly that the owner of the amazing Wray Mexican food restaurant was moving to Haxtun. We definitely were not disappointed. From the moment he started, he has remodeled, added on and brought an incredible addition to Haxtun. The meals are delicious and they provide a great atmosphere for everyone to have a great time. We had such a huge need for a restaurant in Haxtun and Jose and his crew have done such a great job. Whether it is for an quick take out lunch, a nice dinner and drinks with friends and family, a place to go after a ball game, a place to go watch an away Bulldog game or to celebrate a great El Paso style birthday, you are guaranteed to go home happy and fully.

Volunteer Group of the Year - Mark and Susan Gueck and the Lutheran Youth Group. Other nominees: Little Sprouts Board of Directors.

Gueck and youth group nomination: I nominate Mark and Susan Gueck and the Lutheran Youth Group for Volunteer Group of the Year. Mark and Susan have put countless hours into the youth of this community. The relationships they form with the youth carry from high school to college and even further when they get married and start their families. They work on fundraising so the youth have opportunities to go to the Lutheran Youth Conventions and explore their faith with thousands of other young Christians. The youth group spreads the word by writing Bible Versus and joyful messages on sidewalks around town. They also give pumpkins to families around town while asking for prayer requests for the needs of our community. The amazing Good Friday Service the youth put on is so moving as it depicts the story of Jesus' death on the cross. This has become a main service for the Haxtun Community during Easter weekend. These are only a few of the many reasons why Mark and Susan and the Lutheran Youth Group have my nomination for Volunteer Group of the Year. Past, present and future, this is an amazing group in our community.

Golden Star - Alicia Schram. Other nominees: Ron Carpenter, Kelsey Harms and Town of Haxtun Crew.

Schram's nomination: We are so lucky to have Alicia Schram in Haxtun. When looking for people who leave the house every day and make a difference, Alicia is most definitely one of them. No matter which way you look, you will find something that she is currently helping with or has helped with in the past. Her dedication to the community, especially the youth, is beyond amazing. Her work with the Haxtun Education Foundation, Haxtun Booster Club, coaching and many other communities and groups is incredible. Her new ideas and ability to get them to work is amazing. Thank you Alicia for your past, present and future years of dedication to Haxtun.

Fix-Up/Paint-Up - Every Bloomin' Thing. Other nominees: El Paso.

Every Bloomin' Thing's nomination: Every Bloomin' Thing underwent a beautiful transformation in 2023! The new windows, siding and entryway always pop with each new season's cute window display. The façade improvements do nothing but improve the overall look and aesthetics of Colorado Avenue. Let's celebrate their commitment to revitalizing our main street businesses.

Youth of the Year - Gianna Swan. Other nominations: Mason Bornhoft and Braden Plumb.

Swan's nomination: As a Part-time Marketing Specialist at Haxtun Health, Gianna has exhibited exemplary skills in planning and organizing events, particularly during Hospital Week. Her commitment to excellence is further demonstrated through her active involvement in the Ogallala Commons Internship, where she played a pivotal role in planning the annual golf tournament, creating patient boards for the nursing home, assembling Emergency Medical books for the ER and contributing to the success of the Health Fair. She should be recognized for her outstanding contributions and unwavering dedication to community service, professional development and extracurricular activities. Beyond her professional endeavors, Gianna has showcased a remarkable commitment to community service. Her involvement with Caring Pregnancy, Retread Threads and various other initiatives reflects her compassion and willingness to go above and beyond to serve those in need. Gianna's community service extends to smaller, yet impactful acts, such as assisting neighbors with yard work and participating in food distribution at the local Food Bank. Gianna's dedication to extracurricular activities is truly commendable. Her involvement in FFA, Quizbowl, DLC, Stock Show, FCCLA, Track, GGR/Sources of Strength, Knowledge Bowl, Student Council and more showcases her well-roundedness and leadership abilities. Notably, her roles as Chapter Officer and District Officer in FCCLA, as well as her current position as Vice President of the Class of 2024, demonstrate her commitment to leadership and service within her school community. Furthermore, Gianna's commitment to academic excellence is evidenced by her membership in the National Honor Society, emphasizing her dedication to both scholastic achievement and community leadership.

Employee Group of the Year – Pi Kappa Cino. Other nominees: Sheri Bornhoft and Devon Johnson, F&H Golf Course, and Little Sprouts Learning Center employees.

(Herald photo by Candie Fix)

FIRST DOLLAR of Profit recipients at the annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet are pictured (l-r), Designs By Fergie, Holly Ferguson; Helianthus Massage and Wellness, Salix Gurnsey; Pawesome Pets, Magen Rain; Pi Kappa Cino, Jonathan and Patricia Prescott; and Cricket's Pup Spa Mariah Jones.

Pi Kappa Cino's nomination: Pi Kappa Cino has been a very welcome addition to our community. Jonathan and Patricia Prescott and their employees do an excellent job of treating their customers with respect. They are very personable and show a sincere desire to get to know their customers. Haxtun was in dire need of a coffee shop and the Prescotts stepped in and filled the void. Along with their friendly, personable service, the quality of their coffee and food are very good. They definitely make you feel like you want to repeat your business. Haxtun is extremely blessed to have this wonderful place.

The following local businesses received First Dollars of Profit at the conclusion of the awards presentation: El Paso, Fancy Farm Chic, Town Square Realty, Designs by Fergie, Pawesome Pets, Better Forage, Pi Kappa Cino, Cricket's Pup Spa, Potter Septic Services, 4S Feed, Don's Repair, A Shirt off My Back, Duo Farms, The Turquoise Chandelier, Kneaded Wellness, Helianthus Massage and Wellness, The Bearded Guy Landscaping and Colorado Streamline Gutter Systems.

The Haxtun Chamber of Commerce is led Ayala and board members Jim Helfer, Kristin Hadeen, Gay McDaniel, Brittany Kurtzer, Megan Anderson and Michelle Henry.

For more information or to join the Haxtun Chamber of Commerce contact Ayala at [email protected] or at (970) 466-5540. Ayala holds office hours at the Haxtun Town Hall several days a week and is available by appointment.