Hallettsville Chamber
Chamber

Neumeyer couple claim Citizens of the Year

  • The Neumeyers — Annabeth and Charles — accept their Citizens of the Year Award from Hallettsville Chamber of Commerce and Ahriculture Directors Jennifer Hagan, left, and Christine Brown. Photo by Jimmy Appelt
    The Neumeyers — Annabeth and Charles — accept their Citizens of the Year Award from Hallettsville Chamber of Commerce and Ahriculture Directors Jennifer Hagan, left, and Christine Brown. Photo by Jimmy Appelt
  • The 92nd Hallettsville Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture Membership and Awards Banquet was held Wednesday evening, Jan. 31 with Alexandra Kraatz and Lauren Lundy named Outstanding Senior Students from Sacred Heart Catholic and Hallettsville High Schools, respectively. From left Chamber president Jennifer Hagan, Lundy, Kraatz, and Chamber vice-president, Jon Lamson, who presented the award. Photo by Jimmy Appelt
    The 92nd Hallettsville Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture Membership and Awards Banquet was held Wednesday evening, Jan. 31 with Alexandra Kraatz and Lauren Lundy named Outstanding Senior Students from Sacred Heart Catholic and Hallettsville High Schools, respectively. From left Chamber president Jennifer Hagan, Lundy, Kraatz, and Chamber vice-president, Jon Lamson, who presented the award. Photo by Jimmy Appelt

    The 92nd Annual Hallettsville Chamber of Commerce and Agricultural Membership and Awards Banquet was held Wednesday evening, Jan. 31 with Charles and Annabeth Neumeyer named Citizens of the Year.

    Recognized by CCA secretary Christine Brown, the Neumeyer couple are very much involved in a number of volunteer efforts in the community.

    Charles and Annabeth are both dedicated members of the Hallettsville Lions Club with Charles serving as president and Annabeth, secretary.

    Annabeth was co-head of the Sun Shade Project, which raised funds to have a shaded area constructed over one of the playscapes in the Hallettsville City Park.

    Charles spearheads the club’s annual Arts and Crafts Show and is a Master Gardener who provides plant growth advice to individuals as well as the Hallettsville Garden Club.

    Annabeth is an avid home baker and bakes over 200 dozen kolaches each year for community activities, including the Sacred Heart Church picnic lunches. She was named Kolache Queen at this past year’s CC&A Kolache Fest.

    In addition, Annabeth serves the Sacred Heart Catholic Church as an organist and Charles is a cantor.

    Also nominated for this year’s CCA Citizen of the Year award Ginger Kirk and Nancy Obelgoner.

    This year’s Hospitality Award went to Lora Berckenhoff, which was presented by CCA treasurer Barb Koehn.

    Berckenhoff works in the Brookshire Brothers Deli and is known for her friendly attitude, humor and cheerfulness, whether she sees you in the store or in public.

    Lora is a hard worker and loyal employee, who goes above and beyond to help her customers.

    The other nominee for the Hospitality Award were Juanita Kirk with Beauty Boutique and Sally Zappe with Ehler’s Furniture

    Sacred Heart Catholic High School senior Alexandra Kraatz and Hallettsville High School senior Lauren Lundy were chosen as the Outstanding Senior Students.

    Alexandra (Aleigh), the daughter of Trey and Jennifer Kraatz, is involved in many extracurricular activities including head cheerleader, president of the National Honor Society, the Leo’s Club and participates in sports.

    Aleigh plans to attend Texas Christian University in Fort Worth and major in pre-med or kinesiology. She hopes to pursue a doctorate and eventually work in Katy as a Sports Medicine Physician at the Physicians Orthopedic Clinic.

    Lauren, the daughter Robert and Heather Lundy is involved in many extracurricular activities including the FFA Hallettsville Chapter president, and a member of the National Honor Society and Rotary Interact Club as well as a cheerleader and plays sports.

    She plans to attend Baylor University in Waco and plans to double major in Finance and Professional Selling.

    Lauren plans on applying to the Hankamer Scholars Program, which is an honors program at Baylor.

    Other senior students nominated were Ava Matias and Klayton Chance from Sacred Heart Catholic High School, and Olivia Etzler and Macy Herring from Hallettsville High School.

    Texas Thunder Radio personality Laura Kremling served as Master of Ceremonies for the banquet and Pastor Jerry Tanner delivered the invocation.

    Kremling led the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and Tex - as Pledge, while Blaire Koudelka led the singing of the National Anthem.

    Following a different format for this year’s banquet, 7 Gram Soul Entertainment provided music during the evening.