The Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce invites everyone to the 2011 Gala Celebration so mark your calendars for 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Natchez Convention Center.

We are excited about this year’s event as we celebrate our 103rd year as a chamber and honor our businesses. Our gala will have a festive, holiday atmosphere as we enjoy a “Night Under the Stars,” highlighting some of Natchez’s most famed citizens.

How many communities can boast home to Grammy and Emmy award-winning performers, as well as NFL and MLB athletes? I don’t know about you, but I get excited and burst with pride every time I hear the game announcers mention “Stevan Ridley, No. 22 for the Patriots, from the small town of Natchez, Mississippi.” Even more impressive is the amount of pride Stevan has for his hometown.

Other Natchezians making a name for themselves in the sports of football and baseball include Alan Brown, the late Floyd Rice, Hugh Green, Joe Fortuanto, Von Hutchins and Nook Logan , to name a few.

Cathedral graduate Jarrod West continued his basketball career at West Virginia University, where he hit a half court shot to put his team in the NCAA Sweet 16. Natchez High standout Je’Kel Foster had a stellar basketball career at Ohio State University and is currently playing professional basketball in Germany, thus giving Natchez ties throughout the United States and abroad.

Did you know there is a Natchezian serving as dean and vice president for academic affairs at the International Space University in Strasbourg, France? Dr. Angie Smith Bukley (many of you may recognize her as Stephanie Smith Butts’ sister) has nearly 70 technical publications and has received more than 20 awards for technical achievement and has more than 30 years of professional experience in space and defense systems.

Let’s not forget Tia Kaiser Ferguson and Lucien Junkin, who have made remarkable strides in their professional careers with NASA. We have our very own Miss America, Lynda Lee Mead Shea; New York Times best selling author, Greg Iles; and others that will be recognized at this year’s gala.

One very special Natchezian and Emmy Award winner, Jennifer Ogden Combs, will help emcee the night. While Ogden-Combs landed roles in off-Broadway theatre and television, it was her film production career in movies such as “Annie Hall,” “The Verdict,” “Tuesdays with Morrie,” and “The Family Stone,” to name a few, that distinguished her career and won her an Emmy Award as supervising producer on Oprah Winfrey’s “Tuesdays with Morrie.”

Perhaps the names Aretha Franklin, Natalie Cole, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and Alanis Morisette mean something to you in the music world. Did you know that Natchez native Glen Ballard has worked with all of these artists composing scores of songs and winning three Grammy awards?

The list goes on and on, but I hope you get the picture, as well as our theme this year, “A Night Under the Stars.” You will not want to miss our documentary titled, “Natchez Grows Greatness,” as well as an opportunity to meet and perhaps become reacquainted with some of our stars that will be on hand.

Also, on this night, awards will be given to both a man and a woman who have given unselfishly of their time and effort for the betterment of Natchez and Adams County (Natchezian award), as well as a small and large business award given to successful companies in our community. A magnificent menu has been planned, featuring our local chefs, and holiday music will fill the air, compliments of our very own talented Alvin Shelby and his choir.

We appreciate your support of the Natchez-Adams Chamber and our mission to foster a positive business environment. The Natchez-Adams County Chamber is looking forward to a gala fit for stars, as well as your involvement and enthusiasm!

Please call the Chamber of Commerce at 601-445-4611 for ticket information!

 

Kay H. Ketchings is a past chairman of the Natchez-Adams County Chamber.