Littlefield Chamber of Commerce hosts annual banquet

The Littlefield Chamber of Commerce held their annual banquet on Tuesday, May 30, 2023. The event was held at the M.A.C. Center of the First Baptist Church in Littlefield.

The meal was catered by Locos Restaurant of Littlefield who served a buffet selection of Mexican cuisine including enchiladas, beef and chicken fajitas with all the trimmings, as well as their delicious sopapillas. The meal was graciously sponsored by Continental Dairy Facilities of Littlefield.

The doors opened at 5:30 p.m and guests went through the buffet line as soon as they entered the venue.

The theme was “Summertime” and the décor for the event featured table decorations that brought festive fruit colors to mind.

Eric Turpen, Chamber Board President, welcomed everyone and introduced Lance Broadhurst who presented the Invocation. Mr. Turpen then introduced the board members present: Eric Turpen-President, Jennifer McKinnon-Vice President, Holly Nelson- Executive Director, Reese Rogers-Treasurer, Candy Scales, Rene Nevarez, Clay Hollis, Melisa MacDonald, Rene Davis, Cory Yesel, and Kyla Howell. Reese Rogers presented the financial report, and Cory Yesel then gave an updated report on the upcoming Littlefield Flatland Music Festival.

Following the brief business meeting, the Chamber of Commerce Awards were presented.

FAMILYOFTHEYEAR

Rene Davis presented the Family of the Year Award to the Neil and Kimberley Lorenz family. In her presentation she stated: “The recipients of the family of the year award are both passionate about their family and Christian values. Their faith guides their decisions both at work and home. They married in 2013, and his job led them to make their home in this area. They have since invested their time and money into Littlefield and made it their hometown. He works for an oil and gas company-Enterprise Products. He is also a member of the Littlefield Masonic Lodge, and President of the Babe Ruth Baseball League. He is often doing things behind the scenes to help those in need. This family has invested their money in putting a thriving business in this community. She is a Doctor of Chiropractic practice and they have owned Lorenz Family Chiropractic since 2014 here in Littlefield. She has been involved in the Littlefield Chamber of Commerce and lots of Community events, but the last three years most of her time has been spent making sure her son, Bryce has made all his appointments as he battled ALL Leukemia. Praise the Lord that battle is now behind him as he rang the bell May 4, 2023. Neil and Kimberley have three children, Wyatt age seven, Bryce age five, and Laney 6 months. In their spare time they enjoy spending time together camping, traveling, swimming, and being involved in the community. They attend the Hillside Christian Church in Levelland.

MANOFTHEYEAR

Eric Turpen presented the award for Man of the year to Lance Broadhurst. He stated: “tonight’s honoree was born November 29, 1962 in Denver, Colorado. Growing up he moved around as a child attending school in Borger, Friona, Lubbock and finally in Littlefield where he graduated in 1981. He loved growing up in Littlefield and was a proud member of the Littlefield Wildcats football team where he was an All-District, All South Plains, and Second Team All-State defensive lineman. He also received the Outstanding Wildcat Defensive Lineman.

After graduating high school, he attended South Plains College and West Texas State. He went to work for American Cotton Growers where he stayed for 17 years. An opportunity arose for him to take on a new role where he remains today as the Vice President for First United Bank where he has worked for the past 19 years. The most important decision he ever made besides accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior was marrying his wife Shanda. They have been married for 38 years and are the proud parents of Jordan and his wife, Becca, of Amarillo and Hayden and his wife, Emilee, of Lubbock.

Lance has a servant’s heart. He has been a member of First Baptist Church in Littlefield for 46 years, and a deacon for 34 years. He has served as member of the Littlefield ISD School Board for over 25 years, and is the past-president of the board. He currently serves as a member of the Littlefield Planning and Zoning Board and the Littlefield Parks Advisory Board. He is a Past President of the Littlefield Chamber of Commerce, has served on the Lamb Healthcare Board, and served on the Meals on Wheels board. He has also received the Community Builder Award from the Littlefield Masonic Lodge.”

WOMANOFTHEYEAR

The Woman of the year, Shawna Wagley Hastings, was introduced by Kyla Howell whose speech stated, “ This year’s woman of the year was raised in Littlefield, Texas. She grew up around the funeral business as the “florist’s daughter”. She loved riding along with her dad on floral deliveries, especially to the local funeral homes, and felt an urge to be “one of them”. After graduating from Littlefield High School in 1996, she asked her dad about going to school in Dallas, to pursue a degree in mortuary school. Her dad said there was no way he was sending his 17 year old daughter as far as Dallas. She then enrolled at South Plains College Levelland, to begin her degree in elementary education.

Years later she learned of Amarillo College offering a new Mortuary Sciences Program. Within days she was enrolled and one step closer to following her dream. By then she was a single mother raising two small children, and her only option was to make the two hour drive back and forth twice a week. In May of 2003, she graduated with an Associate of Applied Sciences Degree in Mortuary Sciences from Amarillo College, and became dual licensed in Funeral Directing and Embalming. She saw a need to serve families during their hardest times back in her hometown and in 2007 the opportunity arose, and she partnered with her former classmate and friend, Sam Billingsley, to establish Hillcrest Funeral Home. The two built their business on the concept of dignified care to each and every family that walks thru their doors, and it has worked.

In 2014, the Littlefield Chamber of Commerce recognized Hillcrest Funeral Home as Business of the Year, and in 2015 Shawna was honored to receive “Texas Young Funeral Director of the Year” from the Texas Funeral Directors Association. She says this industry gave her the opportunity to help people in what can be their darkest time and that is an opportunity most people never have.

Shawna is very active in her community. She has previously been a member of the Littlefield Early Risers Lions Club, Littlefield First Baptist Church’s adopt a reading buddy program, served on the board of the Littlefield Chamber of Commerce, the board of the Littlefield Celebration Committee, and the board of the Littlefield Ex-Students Association among others. She is currently a proud member of Littlefield Rotary Club and loves helping with all of their outreach programs.

She also serves in her career field, having just completed a multiple year term on the Panhandle Funeral Directors Association board of directors, and stays current on all industry updates, products are regularly attends continuing education classes and conventions.

Her favorite hat is being a wife to her husband, Brandon Hastings, “Mom” to her two boys, Stetson and Rody, and bonus mom to her four stepsons, Tanner, Rowdy, Ryan and Zachary, and an Aunt Shawnee to her nieces and nephews, blood and adopted. She is an avid Littlefield Wildcats fan, and a proud supporter of all Wildcat Sports and the Band.

She loves living in her hometown and watching the children grow up in the same town as a part of a community where everyone comes together in good times and bad. The families she has served in their times of loss, she now considers her family too, and there is no greater blessing.

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Holly Nelson presented the Award for the Business of the Year to Continental Dairy Facilities and Steve Cooper the COO and General Manager.

Holly stated: “This year’s business of the year has been growing and developing right here In Littlefield. We have watched it’s massive footprint continue to make a great impact in our community. This business has done a phenomenal job of not only supporting our community, but our school district, and our Chamber of Commerce as well. We are beyond blessed to have this special business in Littlefield, and we cannot wait to see how they continue to grow. Please help me congratulate our 2023 Business of the Year-Continental Dairy Facilities.”

Following the presentation of Awards, the assembly was entertained by Mr. Micah Ruthardt of Muleshoe. Mr. Ruthardt performed an impressive collection of contemporary and classic country and pop selections during his two hour show.

The Chamber Banquet Program inside this issue has more information on the Chamber of Commercel