Master of Ceremonies was Christian Person.

 

Cultural Diversity Celebrated With
"Best Meal In Town"

 

by: Bobby McDonald

There was homemade fried chicken, meat loaf, hot-water cornbread, potato salad, turnip greens and ham hocks, banana pudding, pecan pie, chicken and dumplings, macaroni and cheese, pasta salad, baked ham, peach cobbler, yeast rolls, bar-b-que ribs and sausage, sweet potato pie, and any other kind of food one might imagine, as invited guests and this year's honorees were ushered into Wal-mart on Friday, for lunch. It was the occasion of the 2010 Cultural Luncheon in conjunction with Black History Month, hosted each year by employes of the local Wal-mart Store.

Friday's event began at 11:00 with Christian Person serving as Master of Ceremonies, and calling on local Wal-mart manager, Stan Francis, for the welcome. The group gathered said the pledge of Allegiance to the flag and then received the "occasion" from Sulphur Springs Police Chief, Jim Bayuk. Shelly Dean entertained the group with a beautiful vocal number, as she accompanied herself on the guitar.

 

Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jim Bayuk spoke to the group as he
delivered the Occasion.

 

 

Selected from the Hopkins County Community for their commitment to recognizing cultural diversity and making a positive impact were: Brad Cummings, Deborah Caraway, Lana Van Vleet, Don Sapaugh, Bobbye Skidmore, Christine Street, Lewis Hawkins, Triston Abron, McDonalds, First Baptist Church, Vivia Mejia, Dawn Sheffield, William Blaylock, Gale Roberts, Sgt. Harold McClure, Lt. Ron Plaxco, Sgt. Tony Crouse, Wendell Sapaugh, Harry Lewis, and Mike Gaston.

Invited guests and former award winners included: Rev. Lee Huff, Pastor C.J. Duffey, Judge Robert Newsom, Patricia Dorner, Rex Morgan, Sheriff Butch Adams, Judge Amy Smith, Judge Phillis Rogers, Judge Yvonne King, Judge Ronny Gossup, Chief Jim Bayuk, Freddie Taylor, Oscar Aguilar, Bobby McDonald, Shawonda Eaton, and Martin Braddy.

Following the awards ceremony, Pastor C.J. Duffey offered a prayer on behalf of our community and the great "spread" of food that had been prepared. The even ended with the entire group being "foundered" on the delicious food!

 

Vocalist, Shelly Dean, entertained the crowd with this musical selection, as she
accompanied herself on the guitar.

 

Judge Yvonne King warned the new pastor of First Baptist Church that he would be miserable, when he left, because the food was such that you just couldn't resist!

"It's the best meal I eat all year!" declared Ronny Glossup. "You know not to eat for a couple of days before, and you still go home stuffed!"

The food and fellowship was great and everyone enjoyed the time spent celebrating the different cultures of Hopkins County!

 

 

_____