Comedian, singer, songwriter Tim Lovelace is the special guest for the 29th annual Keene Chamber of Commerce Awards Banquet at 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27, at Keene Community Center, 1000 N. Old Betsy Road in Keene. Doors open at 5: 30 p.m.
Lovelace was a Keene Chamber banquet guest in 2016. He is a longtime member of the Gaither Homecoming concerts that fill auditoriums nationwide, and follows in a long line of comedians to entertain at the Keene Chamber banquet including Kevin Williams, Dr. Dennis Swanberg, and the late Aaron Wilburn.
Tickets are $300 for a table of eight, or $40 per person. Tickets can be ordered by calling the Keene Chamber office at 817-556-2995.
The banquet features the presentation of six citizen awards and seven educator awards. The awards are:
The Community Improvement Award honors businesses for contributing to the beautification of the city through new buildings and/or well-manicured grounds and landscaping, thus presenting a positive image and improving the quality of life in Keene.
The Community Service Award is given to an individual and/or organization who has given extensive and continued service to the community.
The Educator of the Year Award honors one who demonstrates excellence in the classroom and goes the extra mile by being involved in the lives of students outside the classroom. This award is selected by campus educators and administrators. One educator from the each of the three public schools and one from the each of the four private schools are honored each year. The award is accompanied by a cash honorarium of $100.
The Pioneer Award recognizes an individual or organization whose long-ago contributions and influence helped make Keene what it is today.
The Young Entrepreneur Award is presented to a young business person who has made a commitment to Keene.
Phillip Sparks Helping Hands Award, honors an individual who provides continued assistance without seeking compensation or recognition.
The Citizen of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has been a model citizen and given dedicated and extensive service to individuals, organizations and the community on a continued basis.
Readers can nominate someone for non-educator awards by calling the Keene Chamber of Commerce at 817-556-2995 before noon Friday, Oct. 7.
