You would never believe how many people from our Church were involved in this year’s annual “Sweetheart Banquet”. These people are not paid, just volunteers to help in having a successful Banquet.
At our first meeting in January, there were 22 volunteers ready to do whatever they were asked. First was the Decorating Committee and Sherry Roberds and Linda Butler volunteered to be co-chairs of that committee. They did a very professional job and the Community Center, the tables, entrance and staging area were beautifully decorated. Many of the ladies helped in arranging table decorations. Sherry sewed and made the table center pieces. Linda Butler designed and printed the very unique programs. Other ladies set the tables with napkins, silverware, salad bowls and dessert dishes.
The food preparation was done by “skilled red potato washers” consisting of Biddie Hileman and Sally Jones. Pat Ekstrom was Chairman of the Food Committee and she was assisted by Pat Turk, Wanda Lewis and Pat Irvin.
The Charcoal Broiled Steak Committee consisted of Chairman Doyle Adams, Tommy Smith, Tom Ekstrom, Ray Roberds, Victor Leach and Jim Cooley. The first chore was to thaw out the frozen steaks, which is no easy chore with the large amount of steaks. This took three days. The morning of the banquet was the time to season the steaks with special seasoning and let them stand for several hours. At 3:00 p.m., the cooking started, with three hot pit cookers and the steaks were packed ten to a package in aluminum foil and placed in an Igloo cooler to keep them hot. We completed cooking all 200 steaks at 4:00 p.m. Time to shower and get ready for the Banquet.
The Banquet began at exactly 6:30 p.m. with a blessing of the food by our Pastor, Brother Donnie Martin. The delicious steak dinners were rapidly and professionally served by the men and youth of the Church. Everyone was served in less than 15 minutes. The Church youth continued serving hot coffee, ice tea and water.
Doyle Adams started the program by introducing the many dignitaries and special guests who were present. Seriff B.B. Browning and his wife Tiny, Chief Deputy Mark Daigle and his wife Pat. The special guests were former pastors of the Church, Marcos Gohlke and wife Sue, George Yarbrough and wife Barbara, and J.V. Helms and his wife Ola. J.V. and Ola have attended all 17 of our Sweetheart Banquets.
Brother Martin welcomed all those in attendance and thanked all those who worked so hard in preparing the Banquet.
Doyle Adams recognized all those who had been married 50 years and longer. Approximately 45 couples raised their hands, signifying they were married 50+ years. Evelyn and Howard were married the longest at 65+ years and were presented with a vase of flowers and a box of chocolates. The couple married the least amount of time was Alissa and Julian Garcia, who had been married three weeks. They, too, were presented flowers and candy.
Howard & Evelyn Lewis
Alissa & Julian Garcia
Door prizes were presented to Judy Jackson, George Yarbrough, Henry Kubecka, Marie Richter, John Jordan, Ola Helms, Mary Covarrubias, Bret Williams, Michelle Fay, Twiggy, Marg Hoops, Chris Harpster, Dennis Whittnebert and Paul Baird.
The 2012 “Citizen of the Year” Award was presented to our Port O’Connor Librarian Shirley Gordon. Shirley has been our librarian for 23 years.
After the final award, Doyle Adams led everyone in singing “Let Me Call You Sweetheart”. John Sisk then entertained everyone with his outstanding musical performance.
Brother George Yarbrough led a prayer of benediction and the 2012 Sweetheart Banquet became history.
