Chamber Notepad: Saturday in the Park

By Paul Hooper, Chamber of Commerce

Here it is Saturday afternoon and I just left the Chamber’s 1st Annual County Wide BBQ at Bunert Park. I will apologize if I miss mentioning other events and activities in our community.

All the planning and time put in by the Chamber’s new Community Outreach Committee delivered a well attended and successful event. One of the objectives of this Committee is to plan events that will bring people from all districts in our county and communities together working to further develop better community unity and pride.

I “feel the need” to recognize all the committee members who put all put a lot of time and energy into this event. So, on with the recognition: Diary Johnson, Navarro College (Committee Chair and Chamber Director), Sina Ruiz, Navarro College (Committee Co-Chair), Semonna Battenfield, Chamber Executive Assistant, Aric Bonner, Chamber President, Susan Bruce, Orkin (Chamber 1st Vice President), Darcel Shelman, The Day Spa (Chamber Director), George Burrell, Chamber Director, Lynda Sloan, Voice and Terry Bowling, Lone Star Barbecue. You are all awesome, congratulations to each of you for making this a successful Chamber and community event. I personally thank you for all the volunteer time and leadership you give to our Chamber of Commerce.

There was another “special group” of volunteers that have made so many contributions to the Chamber and our community through the giving of their time, leadership and ability to make positive changes in Corsicana and Navarro County. These were our barbecue judges who were all past Chamber Presidents with the exception of our current President, Aric Bonner. Dan Wilkie, True Value Company (Chamber President Elect) volunteered to contact some Chamber Past Presidents and what a group he selected: Dr. Linda Timmerman (2007 President), Tom White (1976 President) and Terry Fauble (2008 President). Each one of these people have served nine (9) years or more on the Chamber Board in a number of different committees and offices. Thank you Dan and judges for taking time out of your schedules to volunteer to be judges.

Our first Chamber County Wide BBQ had a distinguished list of participants and I want to briefly mention them all. In our barbecue contest we had eight contestants: Runway BBA, Shane Mansell; Pappy’s Fixins, Terry Bowling; Burnt Offerings, Rod Dickerson; Cody Dickerson; Roy Williams; Micronesian Committee, Community National Bank & Trust and Mack 10, George McDonald. Another food vendor was Ruby Williams and the Mt. Olive Youth who sold drinks, water, pinto beans and corn bread as fund raisers.

There were five (5) Art and Craft vendors who displayed and sold their crafts to a steady flow of shoppers. They were: Kris Cross Threads (Chrystal Canty had some really neat things), B Froggie (Kim, had some really cute baby outfits that she made herself. Those brought back a lot of fun memories), Sam’s Designs & More (featuring the Chamber’s own Semonna Battenfield who sold water toys, visors and many other craft items), Regina Sepedy,(a Micronesian Island group who had straw hats and other crafts representing their island customs. Trivia question: Did you know that there are over 500 Micronesian Islanders living, working and going to Navarro College in Corsicana and Navarro County? ), and last but certainly not least JR Millers Knives where unfortunately Mike Miller could not make it due to an accident this past week with a shop saw, but a good friend step up and filled in for Mike. Mike, we will you well, a full and quick recovery!

I guess you are wondering what we had for all the children, well, The Spa of Corsicana, Darcel Shelman, was busy decorating all their faces with paint and from the looks of all the children, she was very busy all day long. Plus, there were two (2) bounces houses for all children with more energy than I can even dream about.

Okay, I guess you would like to know who all the winners were. First, let me tell you that were contest in sauce, chicken, ribs and brisket. There sure was some good food out there.

Sauce Winners: 3rd Place had a tie between - Shane Mansell, Runway BBQ and Rodney Dickerson, Burnt Offerings

2nd Place – Roy Williams

1st Place – Gayland Thomas, Community National Bank & Trust

Chicken Winners: 3rd Place – Susana Olsingch, Micronesian Committee

2nd Place had a tie between – Rodney Dickerson, Burnt Offerings and Terry Bowling, Pappy’s Fixins

1st Place – Shane Mansell, Runway BBQ

Rib Winners: 3rd Place – Terry Bowling, Pappy’s Fixins

2nd Place had a tie between – Rodney Dickerson, Burnt Offerings and Shane Mansell, Runway BBQ

1st Place – Cody Dickerson

Brisket Winners: 3rd Place – Rodney Dickerson, Burnt Offerings (2nd Place had a tie between – Roy Williams and Gayland Thomas, CNB&T;

1st Place – Cody Dickerson

The People’s Choice Award was decided by people who bought a $2 ticket that allowed them

To visit all eight cook-off contestants booths and sample the contestants “specialty”. They then turned in a ticket with their vote for People’s Choice and the winner was Community National Bank & Trust. Gayland Thomas was there to accept their trophy.

A 50/50 raffle was held and George McDonald’s ticket was pulled and he was the proud winter of a $50 cash prize.



What’s Coming Up?

October 23 – 25– C.A.S.T Fishing Tournament

Prior to this weekend there will be a number of people fishing at Richland Chambers Lake for the C.A.S.T. Championship Tournament that will bring 400 people to our community on the above dates. There will be a banquet held at the Star Hall at the America RV Park on Friday, October 23rd that will be catered by Dickey’s BBQ.



October 23 – 25– “Entertainment & Heritage Package”

The Corsicana Development Commission has a committee working in conjunction with the Palace Theatre, Warehouse of the Living Arts, Pearce Museum, Magnolia House, Collin Street Bakery, Pioneer Village and many others are working to bring 100 tourists to Corsicana.



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