Chamber Gives Out Annual Honors

STUDENTS PARTICIPATE, PERFORM AT EVENT

PRAIRIE GROVE -- Sonic was named 2014 Business of the Year and Joe Geiger was named 2014 Citizen of the Year at the Prairie Grove Chamber of Commerce annual banquet last week at Prairie Grove High School.

Greg Reed, who just retired after 28 years with Arvest Bank in Prairie Grove, was given one of the Chamber's most distinguished honors: a Chamber lifetime achievement award for his long-time commitment and contributions to the Chamber, community and city of Prairie Grove.

Chamber President Dale Reed presided over the banquet, which included Christmas songs performed by Tiger Honor Choir, directed by music teacher Katie Young. Members of the high school's Arvest Junior Bank Board served the meal, prepared by Steve and Mary Bartholomew.

Reed gave out business and citizen of the year awards but then handed off the podium to chamber board member Larry Oelrich to make the last presentation. Dale Reed is the son of Greg Reed.

Oelrich said the Chamber has recognized citizens over the years for their lifetime achievements and for displaying exemplary leadership within the business community. Other recipients include Delford Rieff, Donald Parks, Barry Parks, Paul Jones and Jim Rieff.

"These are all persons who were great role models and mentors and showed their commitment to community, and worked throughout their lifetime for the benefit of their businesses as well as the city of Prairie Grove as a whole. Tonight's honoree absolutely fits that description as well," Oelrich said at the banquet.

In all, Greg Reed's banking career spanned 45 years, beginning with Farmers and Merchants Bank in Prairie Grove in 1969. He left Prairie Grove in 1986 to start a new bank. He then joined Arvest Bank and returned to Prairie Grove in January 1990.

His service to the Prairie Grove community is noteworthy, Oelrich said. Reed served as recorder/treasurer for the city, president of Prairie Grove Lions Club, Chamber president and secretary/treasurer of Prairie Grove Rural Health Board. He also has served on United Way of Washington County Board, Washington County Ambulance Authority Executive Committee and Fayetteville Area Community Foundation Board.

Greg Reed received another special award at the banquet from Becky Stewart, executive director of Central Emergency Medical Service. Stewart said Reed would come every third Wednesday and help Central EMS with its finances.

"This is a small token for his service to the ambulance authority," Stewart said in presenting a plaque to Reed.

Geiger, as the Chamber's 2014 Citizen of the Year, is active in the city, his church and civic organizations. He was born in Fayetteville and grew up in Prairie Grove.

"On early mornings in the heat of the summer you can find him watering the flowers around the library or on a Saturday morning kicked back in his lawn chair presiding over the Farmers Market for the Chamber," Dale Reed said.

Geiger serves on Prairie Grove Planning Commission, is involved in activities at First Presbyterian Church and is a member of Masonic Lodge. He is a veteran, serving in the U.S. Air Force from 1956-1977. Reed quoted from an article in the Prairie Grove Enterprise newspaper dated July 8, 1965. At that time, Geiger was awarded the Presidential Service Badge for outstanding service while assigned to the crew which maintained the Presidential aircraft at Andrews Air Force Base.

"We are grateful that he returned to Prairie Grove in retirement and began serving the people of this community, never expecting and especially never wanting any recognition for this service," Reed said.

Kristina Bilbery accepted Sonic's Business of the Year award with Reed joking that in the dry city of Prairie Grove, "Happy Hour means one thing -- half price drinks at Sonic."

Sonic opened in 2001 and brought with it that "burst of afternoon energy" for teachers and what Reed described as "semi-conscious office professionals."

The business, though, also has supported the community in many other ways. A few of these activities include the July Fourth fireworks show, Chamber golf tournament, Angel Tree project, Teacher Appreciation Day, Prairie Grove Pound and Clothesline Fair.

Reed said Sonic was well deserving of the Business of the Year award for its contributions to schools, the Chamber, churches and city events.

Reed also remembered Buddy Lyle, who died this summer. Lyle was a city alderman, active volunteer in the community and a past recipient of Citizen of the Year. A new honor, called the Buddy Lyle Volunteerism Award, will be given annually by the mayor to an individual who has volunteered time and service to make the city a better place.

General News on 12/17/2014