Rusk Chamber hosts an Enchanted Evening

He’s lived in and loved Rusk a long time.

Rusk resident and Austin Bank-Rusk Location President Larry Long was named the Rusk Chamber of Commerce’s Citizen of the Year during the 78th annual Chamber banquet, held Saturday, Jan. 26 at the Rusk Civic Center. The theme was ‘Enchanted Forest’ and everyone had an enchanted time during the annual event. Entertainment was provided by Ian Chandler

Sen. Robert Nichols, one of 2018’s Citizens of the Year, presented Long with his award after dinner, which was catered by The Daily Grind coffee shop. He said, by way of an intro, “He was born at Rusk Memorial Hospital and graduated from Rusk High School in 1968. He’s a member of the Rusk High School Alumni Association and has served on the Rusk State Hospital Volunteer Board for four decades and on REDCO’s board for more than 10 years. He’s been the Chamber president, the past president and Businessman of the Year in years past. And he’s been married to his wife for 44 years. I give you, Mr. Larry Long.”

Long said upon accepting his award, “Thank you so much. I very humbly accept this and thank the Chamber of Commerce for this honor. I want to thank my family and my coworkers, too.

“There are so many great people in Rusk, who do a tremendous job in supporting our community. I’ve always said this is a great place to live and a great place to raise a family. Thank you.”

The Chamber’s 2019 Business of the Year was Dr. Jerry Ocker’s DDS Complete Family Dentistry, located at 917 W. Sixth St., in the Cherokee Plaza shopping center in Rusk.

“I was highly honored to have received this award,” Dr. Ocker said after the banquet. “I give all the credit to the wonderful ladies I have working here, Laurie Hassell, Mary Lamar, Jessie Collins, Bridgett Tosh, Misty Radcliff and Teddy Pearman.”

Chamber officials also awarded the 2019 Businessman and Businesswoman of the Year awards, to James Newman and Betty Marcontell.

Newman owns and operates Cherokee Warehouse feed store, 1945 S Dickinson Dr., in Rusk.

“I’m very proud and pleased with this,” Newman said after the banquet. “We couldn’t do it without a great staff and our great community.”

Cherokee Warehouse offers farm, ranch and vet supplies; feed, seed and hardware; lawn and garden décor, equipment and supplies; tack; welding supplies; western wear, gifts and accessories; and more.

Marcontell is the curator of the Heritage Center of Cherokee County and has been instrumental in expanding the museum’s exhibits, generating support and keeping the county’s history alive. The museum’s exhibits – 13 in all – tell the history of Cherokee County with many one-of-a-kind artifacts, rare items, oral history with slide shows and documents and photos dating back to the late 1890s and features three hand-made dioramas that children and miniaturists especially seem to enjoy.

“Thank you, Rusk citizens, and everyone in the county and beyond for helping me, as curator, and the Board of Directors make the museum a very special attraction. Cherokee County history is amazing and just think -- you are all a product of that heritage,” Marcontell said in a statement published on social media.”

Joanne Jackson, longtime owner and operator of J&J Jewelry, received the Chamber’s Lifetime Achievement Award. J&J Jewelry has been a landmark on the square in Rusk for 64 years this year and owner Joann Jackson attributes some of that longevity to being located on the square.

“That’s where everything was,” Jackson said. “And even now, being located between the two banks, around the corner from the Post Office, and across from the court-house – it’s so convenient, we see a lot of foot traffic because of that.”

Jackson said she and her husband originally came to Rusk to work in another jewelry store before buying out a jewelry repair shop located on the north side of the square. J&J Jewelry moved into its current location in 1980.

The Chamber’s 2019 President’s Award went to Rusk attorney Anthony King.

“Mr. King shows the epitome of community service at every turn,” 2018 outgoing Chamber President DeLeigh Haley said upon presenting King with his award. “He and his wife have been so important to me as Chamber president this year. They’ve given generously of their time, their talents and themselves. I could not have done it without them.”

King, a partner in the Law Offices of Sinclair & King on the square in Rusk, has opened the law office up for the last three years during Halloween for the Haunted Offices – a popular part of the annual Scare on the Square trick-or-treating event – and is planning on offering the attraction for the fourth year, too. King also worked with other Chamber members to get the organization’s by-laws updated.

“I was pleasantly caught off guard with this award,” King said after the banquet. “I was am very honored and appreciative of the recognition and am looking forward to continuing to work with my fellow Chamber members to make Rusk all the better.”

Costume contest awards went to Monica Thomasson for best dressed female, and Steve Goode for best dressed male.