‘Wild About Amherst’ Banquet was lots of fun

  • KENNETH WINCHESTER delivering his “first sermon” to the Tuesday night audience at the “Wild About Amherst” Chamber of Commerce’s 40th Banquet. His “mixed-up” Bible people doing “mixed-up” things that were supposed to have been in the Bible, drew heavy laughter throughout his presentation of how he preached his first sermon many years ago to a church, that was considering a new pastor. (Staff Photo by Joella Lovvorn)
    KENNETH WINCHESTER delivering his “first sermon” to the Tuesday night audience at the “Wild About Amherst” Chamber of Commerce’s 40th Banquet. His “mixed-up” Bible people doing “mixed-up” things that were supposed to have been in the Bible, drew heavy laughter throughout his presentation of how he preached his first sermon many years ago to a church, that was considering a new pastor. (Staff Photo by Joella Lovvorn)
  • CITIZENS OF THE YEAR – These three women of the Amherst Community were honored for their past years of community service in going to the Amherst School to read to students, to help them gain skills to learn to read. Each was introduced by Robyn Patterson, before they were presented their award plaques. Shown, left to right, with their plaques, are Sue Ellen Priddy, Dixie Sanders and Joy Patterson. (Staff Photo by Joella Lovvorn)
    CITIZENS OF THE YEAR – These three women of the Amherst Community were honored for their past years of community service in going to the Amherst School to read to students, to help them gain skills to learn to read. Each was introduced by Robyn Patterson, before they were presented their award plaques. Shown, left to right, with their plaques, are Sue Ellen Priddy, Dixie Sanders and Joy Patterson. (Staff Photo by Joella Lovvorn)
  • MARIA GONZALEZ Master of Ceremonies
    MARIA GONZALEZ Master of Ceremonies
  • AMHERST SENIOR SCHOLARSHIPS –These two Amherst Senior students were awarded $1,000 scholarships Tuesday night, at the 40th annual Chamber of Commerce’s “Wild About Amherst” Banquet. Maria Gonzalez, Chamber president, introduced Omar Reyes and Katarina Amalla as the award winners. (Staff Photo by Joella Lovvorn)
    AMHERST SENIOR SCHOLARSHIPS –These two Amherst Senior students were awarded $1,000 scholarships Tuesday night, at the 40th annual Chamber of Commerce’s “Wild About Amherst” Banquet. Maria Gonzalez, Chamber president, introduced Omar Reyes and Katarina Amalla as the award winners. (Staff Photo by Joella Lovvorn)
  • SPECIAL BANQUET GUESTS – Participating in the “Wild About Amherst” Chamber Banquet Tuesday evening, April 20, 2021, were, left to right: Pastor James Price, of New Hope Baptist Church, who gave the invovation. Beside him is his wife, Natasha Price. Donna Winchester, seated beside her husband, the featured speaker, Pastor Kenneth Winchester, Baptist minister from Slaton. (Staff Photo by Joella Lovvorn)
    SPECIAL BANQUET GUESTS – Participating in the “Wild About Amherst” Chamber Banquet Tuesday evening, April 20, 2021, were, left to right: Pastor James Price, of New Hope Baptist Church, who gave the invovation. Beside him is his wife, Natasha Price. Donna Winchester, seated beside her husband, the featured speaker, Pastor Kenneth Winchester, Baptist minister from Slaton. (Staff Photo by Joella Lovvorn)
  • HE LEARNED TO READ – Before the “Citizens of the Year” were introduced by Robyn Patterson, she and her grandson, Harvey Patterson, demonstrated the reading of a book. The three women honored were readers who went to the Amherst School to read with children, to help them gain skills to read. Robyn then introduced Dixie Sanders, Sue Ellen Priddy, and Joy Patterson, who were applauded for their community service of reading to students. (Staff Photo by Joella Lovvorn)
    HE LEARNED TO READ – Before the “Citizens of the Year” were introduced by Robyn Patterson, she and her grandson, Harvey Patterson, demonstrated the reading of a book. The three women honored were readers who went to the Amherst School to read with children, to help them gain skills to read. Robyn then introduced Dixie Sanders, Sue Ellen Priddy, and Joy Patterson, who were applauded for their community service of reading to students. (Staff Photo by Joella Lovvorn)

    It was a joyful, fun time Tuesday night, April 20, 2021 during the Amherst Chamber of Commerce’s 40th Annual Banquet, held in the Amherst School Cafereria.

    Everyone who attended the “Wild About Amherst” event, enjoyed a lot of laughter, having a good time with their friends, and applauding those who were honored.

    Maria Gonzalez, Chamber Board President, was Master of Ceremonies, and called upon the participants.

    After the invocation by Pastor James Price of New Hope Baptist Church, the fish and chicken meal was served by River Smith Catering.

    When the meeting opened again, the Master of Ceremonies called on Larry Sawyer to introduce the speaker, Baptist Pastor Kenneth Winchester of Slaton.

    His presentation kept the audience laughing all the way through it. He was repeating the “first sermon” he said he gave when he was asked to give a sample of his preaching, so that church might like to consider him to be their pastor.

    The fun came, when his “first sermon” was a mixture of events he reported that were (supposed to be) in the Bible, that supposedly involved a “wild mixture” of the names of people who were supposed to be involved with the events.

    People in the aucience who have read their Bibles, gone to Sunday School, or heard their preachers talk about events in the Bible, knew immediately of his mixups, and always drew heavy laughter, because it was so funny.

    After he was through, he commented about how good it is to have a good laugh.

    Next on the agenda was the presentation of the Awards, by Robyn Patterson, who gave a reading demonstration, with her grandson, Harvey Patterson. As they flipped the pages of a book, Harvey read the words, demonstrating that he can read.

    That demonstration was given to show how important these readers were, when they went to the school to read to students, to help them gain confidence in the ability to read.

    She then introduced them as the “Citizens of the Year,” giving appreciation to the readers, who were devoted to giving instruction to youngsters about gaining reading skills.

    Robyn then separately introduced Dixie Sanders, followed by Sue Ellen Priddy, and Joy Patterson.

    Senior Scholarships

    President Maria Gonzalez introduced the recipients of the $1,000 Senior Scholarships.

    The first went to Omar Reyes, and the second was awarded to Katarina Amalla.

    Before the banquet was closed,several door prizes were drawn for the table decorations, and special decorations that were donated.