Chamber to mark 40th




The Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce-Tourist Bureau has been a focal point of the community for 40 years, and that will be celebrated on Thursday, Nov. 13. Past presidents and former Citizens of the Year will be inducted into respective Halls of Fame at the festive event at the Port Aransas Civic Center. The chamber was the place to go in 1984 for these Port Aransas High School cheerleaders who had just returned from cheerleading camp in August of that year. They are, on top from left, Sandy Simanek and Trish Scales; standing left to right, Katrina Hutchins and Rebecca Sheppard and, center, Sandi Smith.

The Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce-Tourist Bureau has been a focal point of the community for 40 years, and that will be celebrated on Thursday, Nov. 13. Past presidents and former Citizens of the Year will be inducted into respective Halls of Fame at the festive event at the Port Aransas Civic Center. The chamber was the place to go in 1984 for these Port Aransas High School cheerleaders who had just returned from cheerleading camp in August of that year. They are, on top from left, Sandy Simanek and Trish Scales; standing left to right, Katrina Hutchins and Rebecca Sheppard and, center, Sandi Smith.

Walk down memory lane as members of the Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce-Tourist Bureau celebrate the agency’s 40th anniversary on Thursday, Nov. 13.

Festivities will start at 6 p.m. at the Port Aransas Civic Center.

In addition to recognizing charter members that remain in business today, former Citizens of the Year and Past Presidents of the chamber will be inducted into respective Halls of Fame.

“It will be a fun, festive evening that we hope all businesses will want to attend,” said Ann Bracher Vaughan, president and CEO of the chamber.

Tickets are $25 per person or $200 for a table of eight. Deadline to RSVP is Friday, Nov. 7.

Reserve tables or tickets by calling (361) 749-5919 or email members@portaransas.org .

The chamber continues to solicit pictures, interesting questions and stories about the 20 charter members as soon as possible.

Stories and questions may be sent to lobby@portaransas.org.

Charter members who were on board with the chamber in 1974 and remain in business today are AEP Texas (CP&L), Island Boat Works (Glenn’s Marine), Bay Tree Tennis & Yacht Club, Jetty Boat, Beachhead Condominiums, Nueces County Water (Control and Improvement) District #4, Bilmore & Son, Scat Cat, CenturyLink of Port Aransas (CenturyTel, Mustang Telephone Co.), South Jetty, City of Port Aransas, Travelodge (Driftwood Motel), Dolphin Dock, Inc., Tropic Island Motel,

Apt. & RV Park, Executive Keys, ValueBank Texas (International Bank, Island State Bank), Family Center IGA, Wharf Cat, Fisherman’s Wharf and Woody’s Sports Center.

Citizens of the Year

Dale Bietendorf …….. 1991
*Lillian Graham …….. 1992
Mark Creighton……… 1993
Una Farley…………….. 1994
*Wanda Barr &
J.C. Barr………………… 1995
Georgia Neblett……… 1996
Mike Hall……………….. 1997
*Barbara Sheppard… 1998
John Thompson…….. 1999
First Responders…… 2001
George Horner, Jr….. 2002
Pam Greene…………… 2003

Betty Crawford………. 2004
Linda &
Charlie Zahn………….. 2005
Richard Safford……… 2006
Chuck Borders………. 2007
Arlene Hughes &
Barbara Behrens……. 2008
John Fucik…………….. 2009
Jack Dreessen………. 2010
Glenn Martin………….. 2011
Suzanna Reeder…….. 2012

*Deceased

Port Aransas Chamber of Commerce-Tourist Bureau

Past Presidents and Spouses

*Lynn Gavit
Joleta)………………….. 1974
*Steve Janovsky……. 1975
*Don Stimson………… 1976
Frank Lazenby………. 1977
George Harris………… 1978
*Maisie Stimson…….. 1979
Jim Atwill………………. 1980
*Edward Sheppard
Karen)………………….. 1981
Virginia Corn…………. 1982
*J.C. Barr………………. 1983
*J.C. Barr………………. 1984
*Bob Carlough………. 1985
*Bob Carlough………. 1986
Jack Nichols
Debbie)………………… 1987
Jack Nichols
Debbie)………………… 1988
Mike Hall
(*Karen)…………………. 1989
Mike Hall
(*Karen)…………………. 1990
Jack Nichols
Debbie)………………… 1991
*Bill Morgan…………… 1992
Mike Hall
(*Karen) ………………… 1993
Mary Judson
Murray)………………… 1994
*John Corder
Becky)………………….. 1995
Bill Bauder
Deedee)……………….. 1996
Bill Bauder
Deedee)……………….. 1997

Bill Bauder
(Deedee)……………….. 1998
Bill Bauder
(Deedee)……………….. 1999
*Sam Poteet
(Charlene)……………… 2000
*Sam Poteet
(Charlene)……………… 2001
Barbara Hamilton
(Jim)……………………… 2002
*Maurice Halioua
(Linda)…………………… 2003
Becky Corder………… 2004
Francis Stokes
(Pat)………………………. 2005
Francis Stokes
(Pat)………………………. 2006
Francis Stokes
(Pat)………………………. 2007
Francis Stokes
(Pat)………………………. 2008
Bill Bauder
(Deedee)……………….. 2009
Bill Bauder
(Deedee)……………….. 2010
Suzette Freeman (Jim)…..
2011
Glenn Martin
(Judy)……………………. 2012
Glenn Martin
(Judy)……………………. 2013
Suzette Freeman
(Jim)……………………… 2014
(Chairman)
*Deceased


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