Monitor Photos/Denise York
Gun Barrel City Chapter Chair Marty Mulins (right) presents the Jean Nichols Lifetime Service Award to Joy Long. Long has served the chamber in many capacities, works tirelessly with the Kiwanis Club of Cedar Creek Lake and along with her husband Rob, operates The Refuge of Cedar Creek Lake.

Monitor Photos/Denise York
Gun Barrel City Chapter Chair Marty Mulins (left) presents the Kathy Kendrick Award to Gun Barrel City Fire Department Lt. Michael Bradley. The award recognizes enthusiastic and selfless volunteerism which Bradley exemplifies. He was recognized as a hero by an East Texas TV station as a hero when he helped rescue a dog from a cistern.

Monitor Photos/Denise York
Mabank Chapter Chair Chrissy Adams (right) presents the Mary Helen Myrick Community Service Award to Lynsey Grissom.

Monitor Photo/Denise York
Ambassador President Allison Kartal (right) presents the Ambassador of the Year Award to Lorraine Klohr. Klohr was lauded as someone who has given valuable service and worked behind the scenes and has volunteered to serve at the majority of the chamber events.

Monitor Photo/Denise York
Mabank Education Foundation President Tonya Chapman (from left) presents the Educators of the Year for 2022 at the Annual Chamber Awards Banquet March 20 including High School Science Teacher Bayardo Quintanilla, Eighth Grade English/Language Arts Teacher Amber Dunn, Fifth Grade teacher Olivia Pannell, Central Elementary Kindergarten teacher Ashley Jakeway, Southside Elementary Second Grade teacher Debbie Kines and Lakeview Elementary First Grade teacher Kaitlin Dickson.

Monitor Photo/Denise York
Jean Nichols Lifetime Service Award winner Joy Long (right) is joined by her family daughter Kyla Long (from left), Daniel Van Huss, son John Long, daughter Brandi Van Huss holding Joy’s granddaughter Everly Van Huss, husband Robert Long and grandson Liam Long.

CEDAR CREEK LAKE–The Cedar Creek Lake Area Chamber of Commerce held its 22nd Annual Awards Banquet March 20 at the Cedar Creek Country Club. This year’s theme was “Celebrate Volunteerism, Community, Education, Growth.”
Each year chamber members and the board sift through the many community leaders and volunteers to honor a few who stand out from the crowd as unsung heroes. Gun Barrel City Chapter Chair and Master of Ceremonies for the evening Marty Mullins spoke about moving to the area in 2003 and becoming involved in a caring community of volunteers.
Receiving Citizen of the Year for 2022 was Allison “Ally” Greenville Kartal. The Citizen of the Year Award dates back to 1976 and is given to individuals who demonstrate all-round community involvement and build the community with passion and determination. When presenting the award, last year’s winner Joy Long said, “This individual is all about helping others, putting everyone else in the spotlight, while remaining low-key and quiet in the background.” Long shred that Kartal serves not only the chamber, working on every chamber event but is also active with Kiwanis, Toys for Tacos Coat Drive, GBC July Fest and volunteers at The Refuge at Cedar Creek Lake.
Long was awarded the Jean Nichols Lifetime Service Award which has a history dating back to 1987. This award is bestowed to individuals who have lived in the Cedar Creek Lake Area for at least 10 years and who “give unselfishly of time and energy for the betterment of the area.” Long has worked in the area for more than 30 years and has served the chamber in many capacities, tirelessly serving whether she was scheduled or not.
Long has received Citizen of the Year, Ambassador of the Year and the Kathy Kendrick Award. 2020 winner Marty Mullins said, “She has provided unsurpassed leadership at the Kiwanis Club of Cedar Creek Lake, working on every project. Along with being a Kiwanis International distinguished member, she is also a Kiwanis Presidential Walter Zeller Fellow and a CT Bush Fellow. In her spare time, if she’s not spending time with her loved ones, you will find her alongside her husband Rob distributing food to those in need at The Refuge of Cedar Creek Lake.” Long was joined by her husband, children and grandchildren when she was honored with the award.
The Mary Helen Myrick Award was presented by Mabank Housing Authority Executive Director Chrissy Adams who honored Lynsey Grissom for her “giving unselfishly of her time and energy by routinely, generously and enthusiastically performing acts of volunteerism for the betterment of our community.” Grissom works with not only the chamber, but served on the Mabank ISD Education Foundation, Parrot Heads and Kiwanis. Like other awards, this one was named for a community leader who gave unselfishly of time and energy to make the area better.
The 2022 Kathy Kendrick Award was presented to Gun Barrel City Volunteer Fire Department Lieutenant Michael Bradley for his enthusiastic volunteerism despite having been a resident for only seven years. Bradley not only volunteers as a firefighter, but he serves his community as a meals on wheels delivery person, assists with Gun Barrel City events and even volunteered to give out COVID Vaccinations when it was considered risky to do. When presenting the award, Mullins said he was a true hero, having rescued a dog from a cistern and freeing a woman from a burning car as well as rescuing firefighters overcome by chemicals during a train derailment in Midland County, Michigan when he was a deputy there.
Lorraine Klohr was chosen as Ambassador of the Year for giving “valuable service behind the scenes.” Klohr volunteers for many of the chamber events as well as other charitable organizations. She also hosts the Gun Barrel City Chapter members at Chicken Express, preparing breakfast for the monthly breakfast meetings.
Mabank Education Foundation President Tonya Chapman also presented the Mabank ISD Educators of the Year to the chamber group.