By Jamie Miller
The 38th Annual Winter Banquet, sponsored by Everett GMC, began[more] promptly at 6:10, delayed only slightly by the threatening frigid weather that coated central Arkansas last night.
After the silent auction was complete, Ann Clemmer, Master of the Ceremony and State Representative, began the night by recognizing city officials, introducing Pat Bradley and stating that it was Bryant’s first time to hold a large group of people in one place and it was all made possible because of the construction of Bishop Park. Bradley, who is a native of Massachusetts, was a four-time letterman in basketball at the University of Arkansas from 1996-1999. He still holds the record for most 3-point field goals attempted and made for the University of Arkansas and all of the Southeastern Conference. He also has a record for 60 consecutive games of making a 3-point shot with a career total of 1,765 points overall. He graduated with a degree in Communications from the University of Arkansas then went on to play basketball in France and for the Rim Rockers, a semi-pro team that previously played in Little Rock. He currently works on a sports talk radio show at 103.7 The Buzz.
After playing overseas, Bradley returned to Arkansas, regardless of his Eastern roots, and lived in Saline County. During this time, he became familiar with the area and grew to love Bryant and the people that make it. “Leaders and businesses of this community make the difference,” Bradley said. He went on to stress that the raising of children in the area is what makes the Bryant community stand apart from other areas in Arkansas and across the United States.
The night continued with Joe Wishard, the outgoing Chamber President, addressing the crowd and then handing the microphone over to Carla Harris, the incoming Chamber President. Harris spoke to the business owners present and urged them to become a part of the Chamber and the committees that run it, to help make a difference in the community.
After the silent auction results were read, everyone was dismissed to weather the cold with a couple of coffee mugs and some hackie sacks as party favors.
