PRAIRIE GROVE -- Daniel Rivera was named 2017 Citizen of the Year and Fat Rolls was named 2017 Business of the Year at the annual banquet for Prairie Grove Chamber of Commerce.
Prairie Grove High School's jazz band entertained about 100 guests at the banquet, held in the high school cafeteria Feb. 28, and members of Arvest Prairie Grove Junior Bank Board assisted with the meal. Tooley's BBQ catered the dinner.
In presenting the Citizen of the Year award, Chamber board member Larry Oelrich said many people in the community have made an impact with their service over the years. Previous recipients of the award have included business and city leaders, firefighters, police officers and judges.
These were people who had the common goal to make Prairie Grove a better place, Oelrich said.
"What it takes to be a good citizen is easy," he added. "You see a need and you reach out and try to help."
Rivera exemplifies that model of service, Oelrich said, noting he sees someone in need and jumps in to help anyway he can.
"Daniel Rivera is a rare individual. In a society where it's getting harder and harder to find people to volunteer, and pitch in, and put others ahead of themselves, he exemplifies all those qualities," Oelrich said.
Rivera moved to Prairie Grove in 2010 and can be seen helping out at events and activities in the community. Many people may not know his name but will recognize him.
"This man seems to love all and treats everyone he meets with his friendly spirit," Oelrich said.
Rivera was born in California and spent time growing up in Hawaii. He is a wood carver, skilled artist and loves music. He has provided music over the years at the Farmington Senior Center. He helps at the annual Clothesline Fair, with community Christmas activities and has been known to play Santa Claus.
"He loves children, animals, music, art, his community, his country and most of all he loves God. He is a man of deep faith and loves his church family as well."
Rivera also is a regular patron at Prairie Grove Aquatic Center and spends countless hours playing with children at the park and volunteering to help with any work that needs to be done.
Taryn Golden, Chamber president, presented the Business of the Year award to Jacob and Jean Aldridge, owners of Fat Rolls, which recently celebrated its one-year anniversary at 116 N. Mock St.
"We are very fortunate to have such a wonderful business community that it makes picking just one difficult," Golden said.
She shared a few comments from the Fat Rolls' Facebook page: "Never had something here that I didn't like, everything" -- "Delicious food and great staff!" -- "Can't stop myself. Great for breakfast, lunch, brunch, elevensies, snack time, treats or between meals."
Her favorite, Golden said, was "Great people. Great food. Great combination."
Golden pointed out the couple steps up to help with community events through its business. Fat Rolls has provided samples at the aquatic center and opened up its restaurant for events, such as providing a place for Santa Claus to visit with children.
"Whatever the event, they are always excited to help," Golden said. "Their website says they set out to make great food in a setting where people can come together and enjoy themselves. I would say that they've achieved that and so much more."
Fat Rolls is located in a building that is more than 100 years old and the Aldridges renovated the building, working on weekends and evenings. Jean holds a baking arts degree from Northwest Arkansas Community College and Jacob has a bachelor of arts degree in sculpture from the University of Arkansas.
Their baked goods are made from scratch and include orange rolls, cinnamon rolls, chocolate rolls and peanut and butter and jelly rolls.
General News on 03/08/2017