Milner Recreation Center was a glamorous place to be Friday evening as the McMinnville-Warren County Chamber of Commerce banquet was held.

The banquet is themed each yeah and, for 2025, the decor and dress code were centered around “Old Hollywood Glam,” complete with two red carpets for photo opportunities. To kick the event off, a social hour was held beginning at 5 p.m. with dinner and awards to follow at 6 p.m.

Over 300 Guests were treated to food prepared locally, including filet mignon from The Butcher on Main, sides of green bean almondine, rosemary herb potatoes and yeast muffins from Warren County High Schools Culinary Arts class, a signature cocktail named “Warren County Whisper” and J. Henry and Grassroots beer provided by Calfkiller Beer.

“We try to do something different every year for the theme and it’s really important to us to do something fun and exciting for our chamber members. We want them to come and have a great time and feel celebrated every year. A theme is decided early on and we figure out how we’re going to shake it up as we go along. This year we went very formal; it is the most formal we have ever been,” Chamber Visitor & Relocation Coordinator Jackie Borowiak said. “It’s great to celebrate what a great year we had. It’s important to look back and we have a video put together by Lakelinn that is playing on the stage and it highlights everything we’ve done in the past year, all of our ribbon cuttings and celebrating members new and old. It helps to bring our business leaders together to celebrate everything going on in Warren County.”

With the help of Leadership Warren County and Warren County Youth Leadership classes of 2024-2025, the night went off without a hitch. Youth Leadership filled plates and tended to glasses while the adult leadership class was responsible for helping setup, teardown, dispensing desserts and manning several parts of the night’s offerings.

In addition to showcasing the culinary delights of local businesses, the banquet highlights several members of the chamber’s memberships. However, a special memorial space was provided beside the stage for the late Phyllis Prater, who was later honored for her community impact.

Presented by CK Cayce, the Phyllis Prater Distinguished Citizen Award was preceded by a tearful and emotional speech.

“Before we go any further with the rest of this night, we would like to take a moment to honor the remarkable life of Phyllis Prater, an amazing woman whose presence illuminated our lives and whose impact will resonate for generations to come,” Cayce said. “While the silence left by her absence is deafening, the echoes of her contributions, her spirit and her life remain vibrant.

Cayce continued, “We are not here to dwell on the loss, but to celebrate the extraordinary life that has left an indelible mark she’s made. Phyllis was more than a business owner and a board member; she was a powerful force with a kind spirit and a pure soul. She possessed a rare combination of gentle forcefulness, unwavering dedication and profound empathy. Phyllis’ legacy extends beyond her professional accomplishments — it lives on in the lives she touched, the hearts she warmed and the community she strengthened; Phyllis had a huge impact on so many in this room and beyond, not only through the meals she provided, but the jobs she offered and the border battles she made happen through Prater’s BBQ. Today, we present the Phyllis Prater Distinguished Citizen Award to the family of Phyllis Prater as a testament to the enduring power of her life.”

Cayce fought tears as she concluded the speech.

“This is a small token of our immense appreciation for all that she was. Phyllis’ legacy will continue to inspire us to be better and to live fully,” Cayce said. “Let us remember Phyllis not with sorrow, but gratitude and celebration. Let us honor her memory by bringing forward her values and continue the work she so passionately did. Let us never forget her contagious smile.”

In addition to Phyllis, the following chamber members were also recognized:

• Ambassador of the Year Award — Carla Savage, presented by Melissa Mullins

• Edwin Partin Retail of the Year Award — The Hitch Outfitters and Hitch General Store, presented by Justin Womack

• Free Enterprise Award — Security Federal Savings Bank, presented by Carla Bush

• Employer of the Year Award — Ben Lomand Connect, presented by Justin Scott

• Volunteer of the Year — Harold Lough, presented by Jackie Borowiak

• Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award — Kelly Walker, presented by Lakelinn Simmons

• Community Impact Award — Meals on Wheels, presented by Dale Humphrey