Freedom to appreciate

Meridian Chamber honors McMahon's with lifetime achievement award

• The Meridian Chamber of Commerce, represented by President Patti Wagner and member Jimmie Lou Lewis (from left), presented Mark and Teresa McMahon with the Chamber's 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award in the Meridian Civic Center on Saturday, February 10, 2024. Nathan Diebenow | Meridiian Tribune
• Freedom to appreciate
• Freedom to appreciate
• The Not So Jazz Band Jazz Band (pictured top) performed at the Meridian Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Saturday, February 10, with Chamber President Patti Wagner leading the awards ceremony after the meal prepared by Rockin' K&C. Nathan Diebenow \\ Meridian Tribune
• The 2024 Meridian Chamber of Commerce's officers are (from left) Patti Wagner, president; Jason Hurley, vice president; Kay Duke, treasurer; and directors Linda Calhoun, and Debbie Mize. Not pictured is director Debi McKamie. Nathan Diebenow \\ Meridian Tribune

The Meridian Chamber of Commerce honored Teresa and Mark McMahon with its Lifetime Achievement Award for 2024.

Jimmie Lou Lewis presented a plaque to the couple during the organization's annual banquet at the Meridian Civic Center on Saturday, February 10, 2024.

“From the time they moved here, they began to immediately be of service to our community,” Lewis said.

Among the areas where the McMahons have been active include their church, the National Champion Barbecue Cookoff, the Chili Gang, the Masonic Lodge, the Meridian Public Library, and the Meridian Chamber of Commerce.

“We know that you couldn’t have done all the things you’ve done without her by your side,” Lewis said. “For your outstanding service and continued commitment to the betterment of our community, we present you Mark and Teresa with this plaque.”

The couple were visibly surprised by the honor because both assumed Mark was the sole awardee this year.

“This is really a shock, and we really appreciate it,” Mark said. “We’ve been loved ever since we’ve got here. It’s a great, great honor.”

Teresa said she also appreciated the community welcoming them and the Chamber’s board for bestowing the award on the couple.

“I fought tooth and nail to come to the country from Galveston,” she said, “I said, ‘Mark, we’ll give it a year, and after a year, it’s either a divorce or we move.’ Well, we got here, and we got involved, and the community welcomed us. I love it here.”

During the banquet, Chamber President Patti Wagner commented on the Chamber's upcoming activities, most notably the event happening the weekend before the total solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024.

Wagner then recognized the Chamber's officers Jason Hurley, vice president; Kay Duke, treasurer; and directors Linda Calhoun, Debbie Mize, and Debi McKamie.

Wagner also offered special thanks to the table sponsors, gold members, business partners, and banquet committee.

The table sponsors were Carlisle Realty, First Security State Bank, Linebarger Goggan Blair and Sampson, LLP, Sunflower Bank, Tryggr Roofing and Construction, and United Cooperative Services The gold members were Brookshire Brothers and Cobra Tech Knives. The business partners were Black Oak Plumbing, FSSB, Hilltop on Main, City of Meridian, Goodall-Witcher Healthcare, Tryggr Roofing, and Texas New Mexico Power.

The banquet committee included Linda Calhoun, Teresa McMahon, Cynthia Gann-Swor, Kaye Duke, Debbie Mize, and Dana Davis.

Wagner also thanked Meridian ISD's ag department and its students for setting up the tables and chairs and the art department's students for creating the decorations.

The musical entertainment for the evening was provided by Meridian's Not So Jazz Band – Jazz Band.

The banquet's theme was “Mardi Gras Texas Style” because it occurred the weekend before Fat Tuesday.

Roger Bushee won a prize for finding the little plastic cowboy in a banana pudding – after the banquet's theme.

Rockin' K&C catered the dinner with barbecue, beans, potato salad, cole slaw, and all the fixings.

About the chamber

The mission of the Meridian Chamber of Commerce is to promote expansion and growth of local businesses through commerce and tourism and to partner with other local organizations to promote civic programs designed to increase civic pride in the community to make Meridian a great place to live, work and play.

The chamber hosts a regular luncheon with guest speakers on the second Thursday of the month at the Senior Center located at 201 North Main Street in Meridian.

The chamber also:

• offers relocation packets to people interested in relocating to the area.

• lists members on its website for free.

• shares members' posts on social media with its followers.

• hosts ribboncuttings for new businesses and businesses with new additions.

• also hosts and partners with others to participate in other special events that bring visitors to the community.

The chamber’s annual membership renewal period is in December. Dues are prorated for new members who join later in the year.

The chamber’s office is located at 111 North Main Street in historic downtown Meridian. Its office hours are Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

For more information about the Meridian Chamber, visit www.meridianchamber. com, or connect via email at chamber @ meridian-chamber .com, or the office at (254) 435-2966.