The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce held their Annual Banquet Monday night at the Community Center. There was food, fellowship, and recognition of several outstanding women.
Cil Dixon (above) was named Citizen of the Year. Besides being the woman that holds together the Bridge City Athletic Dept. as the Athletic Director’s Secretary, Dixon was recognized for her many years of volunteer work with CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates). Cil, the ninth of 11 children, said she was raised by her parents to be a servant.
She started with CASA in 2007 as she was sworn in as an advocate/volunteer where she took cases the first 10 years. She’s now a board member. “It’s very humbling that as an advocate or board member, I can help change the trajectory of a child’s like. It’s tough hearing the stories but it is also very rewarding,” she said.
Dixon and her husband, Sherby, who is also a BC City Councilman, have been married 41 years. They have four children and eight grandchildren with number nine on the way.
The Business of the Year is Total Impressions Salon, owned by Terri Gauthier. Terri converted a home into her first salon in 1988. In 1997 her and her husband David decided to make a huge investment in Bridge City and build Grace Plaza on Texas Ave. which is home to Total Impressions and also offers rental space.
In 2020 Gauthier took the next step and the salon added a Cryotherapy Wellness Center, the first of its kind in the area. Cryotherapy helps eliminate pain and inflammation in the body.
Gauthier thanked her employees and called them family. She also thanked her family, including her daughter an granddaughter, who now work for the salon. Gauthier also gives back to the community as Place 5 City Councilman.
The Chamber Ambassadors are the red jacket group you see around town celebrating new business with ribbon cuttings. They host networking coffees along with local businesses, and they help keep the Chamber out front in the community with fundraisers and more.
Candance Mulhollan was surprised with the Ambassador of the Year Award. Mulhollan has her hand in just about every Chamber event held in Bridge City, including the banquet in which she was honored.
Outgoing President Scot Shaffer said the Chamber is in good shape with 215 members after adding 53 new members in 2022. He also thanked Director Mandy Lyda for her efforts with the chamber after celebrating her one year anniversary recently. Shaffer then handed the gavel over to Wanda McGraw. The new chamber president said 2023 will be an exciting year in Orange County, and especially Bridge City. Maureen McAllister was introduced as the new Ambassador Chair.
McGraw’s 2023 Board of Director’s includes Lucy Fields, Eric Andrus, Jim Malain, Kim Smalley, Terri Gauthier, Elyse Thibodeaux, Candace Mulhollan, Dr. Mike Kelly, Brent Walker, Rani Dillow, Kirk Roccaforte, and Brandy Slaughter.
Kirk Ellender was the nights emcee. Carissa Slaughter provided the music and Judice’s served the meal.
-Gary Stelly, KOGT-
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