Amherst Chamber Celebrates Centennial

  • The original building built in Amherst . The Amherst Hotel as it appeared in 1933 in the slide show presented during the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Banquet held at the Amherst School Cafeteria.
    The original building built in Amherst . The Amherst Hotel as it appeared in 1933 in the slide show presented during the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Banquet held at the Amherst School Cafeteria.
  • Keeiona Shed, a Senior at Amherst High School was presented the Certificate of Scholarship from Jennifer Sawyer, President of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber Banquet held on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
    Keeiona Shed, a Senior at Amherst High School was presented the Certificate of Scholarship from Jennifer Sawyer, President of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce at the Chamber Banquet held on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
  • Jennifer Sawyer, President of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce presented Senior Isaac Herrera the Certificate of Scholarship at the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Banquet held Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
    Jennifer Sawyer, President of the Amherst Chamber of Commerce presented Senior Isaac Herrera the Certificate of Scholarship at the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Banquet held Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
  • “Case” Vanderlei was selected as Citizen of the Year at the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Banquet. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
    “Case” Vanderlei was selected as Citizen of the Year at the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Banquet. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
  • Larry Sawyer Master of Ceremonies greeted a full house at the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 during the Centennial year of Amherst, Texas. (Photo by Ann Reagan)
    Larry Sawyer Master of Ceremonies greeted a full house at the Amherst Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 during the Centennial year of Amherst, Texas. (Photo by Ann Reagan)

The Amherst Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual Chamber of Commerce banquet on Tuesday, March 28, 2023. The event was held at the Amherst School cafeteria.

Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Larry Sawyer. The invocation was presented by James Price Jr.

Following the invocation, guests were invited to the buffet catered by River Smith’s of Lubbock, Texas. River Smith’s served fish and chicken with all the trimmings and cobbler for desert.

2023 is a banner year for the community of Amherst. The community is in its centennial year. During the meal Mr. Sawyer opened the event with a slide show and commentary on the history of Amherst, punctuated with lively comments by many attendees who were part of that history. According to an entry written by William R. Hunt on the Texas State Historical Association website, “Amherst began in 1913 as a Pecos and Northern Texas Railway station for William E. Halsell’s Mashed O Ranch. A town site was platted a mile from the Santa Fe depot in 1923 and named for Amherst College by a railroad official. The post office opened in 1924. By 1930 thirty-five businesses and 964 people constituted a lively trade center, and amenities included a newspaper, the Amherst Argus. For many years the Amherst Hotel, the town’s first permanent building, was the most popular stopping place between Clovis and Lubbock”. Following the slide show presentation, Mr. Sawyer invited the residents present to speak to how they or their forbears established Amherst as their home during the early days. Many of the guests gave a short presentation on how they got there and why they have continued to call Amherst home. Among those presenters James Price, Jr. whose family boasts six generations who have called Amherst home stated emphatically “If Amherst burned down, I’d pitch a tent.” Mr. Joel Rodgers, Superintendent of Amherst Schools, came forward at the end of the presentations to speak briefly to his tenure at Amherst. He expressed no claim to being part of the founding of the community, nevertheless, he has come to think of Amherst as his home. He also gave a short report concerning upcoming repairs for the school.

Following the presentations, chamber president, Mrs. Jennifer Sawyer, was called upon to present awards. Senior Scholarship Certificates were presented to Keeiona Shed and Isaac Herrera for Outstanding High School Achievement and Community Service.

“Case” Vanderlei was honored as Citizen of the Year. Mr. Vanderlei is the owner of the Five Star Dairy Located near Amherst. When asked for a statement, “Mr. Vanderlei said,” I was certainly surprised. We donate the lawnmower that is raffled at the summer Celebration each year.” He added, “We had a hard time finding one because of supply chain issues, but we finally found one.” He then explained, “You see, when we donate the lawnmower, the Chamber of Commerce gets to keep the raffle money. Then they can use the raffle money for scholarships, and whatever else they may need.”

Mrs. Kimberly Brantley, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce ended the evening by drawing door prizes. The commemorative table arrangements were presented as special door prizes.