In baseball a grand slam is a pretty rare feat. Knocking the ball out of the park when the bases are loaded doesn’t happen often.

To hit one in the “off season” is just plain unheard of, unless you’re the Vidalia Chamber of Commerce.

It was with great pleasure that we enjoyed seeing the “grand slam” hit by the Chamber Tuesday night.

Vidalia Chamber members celebrated its seventh annual awards dinner and the group of winners is among the best ever chosen.

Vidalian of the Year honors went to Percy Rountree, the former publisher of the Concordia Sentinel newspaper and a longtime alderman with the City of Vidalia. Rountree is certainly worthy of such an honor. His quiet, gentlemanly manner makes him the epitome of good, civic leadership.

Barry Loy with Supermarket Operations earned the Bowie Businessperson of the year distinction. He, too, represents all that’s good and right about the Miss-Lou business community, consummately involved in a myriad of community activities and putting people first.

Guylyn Boles earned the Hospitality Award for her work on a number of projects including the Jim Bowie Festival. She’s certainly deserving of praise for her hard work.

Longtime Vidalia business Easterling Music was given the Bowie Business Award and Vidalia Junior High School Principal Whest Shirley was named Educator of the Year.

Yes, it was truly a grand slam and the Vidalia Chamber of Commerce couldn’t have done any better. Congratulations to all.