Chamber honor own in annual event

The Bullard Chamber of Commerce honored its own and the community at Monday's annual banquet.

The event - now in its eighth year - culminated with a new award named for a man whose presence was missed even before the banquet began. "I'll miss Cecil praying," said Bullard councilwoman Pam Frederick. "He prayed so beautifully."

Frederick was referring to Cecil Harper - who died last year - and in his honor, the chamber added a new award to honor longtime and continued humanitarian efforts.

Dr. Marjorie Roper Studdard was the first recipient of the Cecil Harper Humanitarian award.

"So many in Bullard owe their health and well being to her," said Joe Moody, president of the chamber board.

Dr. Marjorie - who officially retired last year - practiced medicine in Bullard since 1947.

Moody said her efforts to make Bullard a better place were too many to name, and retirement has only freed her up to volunteer more.

Just recently Dr. Marjorie helped restart a senior citizens center - complete with a Meals on Wheels program.

Bullard Fire Chief Keith Newburn was chosen as this year's Man of the Year.

In honoring Newburn, Moody called him a leader among men, and quoted an excerpt from a January 2006 Bullard Banner story - which profiled the 17-year volunteer fire fighter.

"Keith Newburn doesn't recognize all the people he's saved, but he'll never forget the faces of the ones he wasn't able to save.

"More than a few times, he said, he's considered walking away.

"He gets frustrated with the politics involved, and said the thought of leaving used to cross his mind frequently.

"But, he said, one thing keeps him there.

"'I could walk away and never hurt myself,'" he said. "'But then I think about why I'm really doing it.'

"'I can't walk away from the elderly woman who calls at 3 a.m. because of medical problems or the family whose Christmas lights shorted out and caused a fire.'"

"These days, he said he's learned to prioritize.

"'I made up my mind," he said. "I want to be there when the fire bell rings.'"

Moody said Newburn was a easy choice for the award committee because of his unswerving efforts in the November 2006 election to create an Emergency Services District for Smith County.

Hazel Mason - who brought Bullard its first free medical clinic in 2006 - was chosen as this year's Woman of the Year.

The clinic - along with the food pantry and clothes closet - are housed at Bullard's First United Methodist Church - all under the umbrella of what the church calls Mission House.

A team of doctors and nurses from around Smith County bring their services once a month to the church - and recipients are charged according to how much they can afford to pay.

Moody said Mason never takes credit for her actions - she attributes them all to God.

Longtime chamber volunteer Dot West was named Chamber Member of the Year.

West - who answers the telephone and greets those who visit the chamber office - is - Moody said - many people's first contact with Bullard.

"Her efforts go largely unnoticed," Moody said. "She could be spending her time doing other things, but she gives selflessly to the chamber."

The banquet - held at Eagle's Bluff Country Club - is held each January to recognize "people who have risen to the top of the community," Moody said.