GRITS author will speak at chamber dinner

By Staff
Jason Cannon, FCT Publisher
Deborah Ford, author of GRITS (Girls Raised in the South), will be the guest speaker at the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce's annual Chamber Banquet March 27.
This year's banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the A.W. Todd Center in Russellville.
A Florence-native, the trip to Russellville will be a homecoming of sorts for Ford as she prepares to deliver her story to the county's business community.
"I've actually heard her speak before and she's wonderful," Lisa Stockton, Executive Director of the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce said. "She's a good example of someone having a dream, acting on it and she turned that into a business. That's what the chamber of commerce is all about."
Before her appearance that night, the chamber will also host a ladies luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. at the A.W. Todd Centre with Ford as its guest.
Prior to both engagements, GRITS merchandise and books will be available for purchase.
Tickets for the luncheon are $10 and this includes a meal.
Aside from the guest speaker, the highlight of the evening will come in the form of hardware. Awards will be given in six categories: Distinguished service; Beautification; Business of the year; Industry of the year; Volunteer of the year and the Unsung hero.
Nominations are now being accepted. Call, fax or mail nominees to the chamber office by March 16.
All citizens of Franklin County are encouraged to nominate persons or businesses in any of the categories.
For more information about the luncheon or the banquet, or for information about making nominations for awards, please contact Stockton at the chamber office at 332-1760.