Louise-Hillje banquet honors tomorrow
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

Big honors will be presented tomorrow night during the 49th Annual Louise-Hillje Chamber of Commerce Banquet, including presentation of Citizen of the Year and Educator of the Year honors.

Current Chamber president Darryl Chromcak took the reins from outgoing president Kinnon Stockton at last year's banquet, then introduced Citizen of the Year Robert Harold Bridges Jr., a supervisor at Entex. Sandra Green, a 19-year veteran teacher at Louise Elementary, was named the Chamber's Educator of the Year during last year's festivities.

Round Rock-based hypnotist/ comedian Rodney Rash will be the guest speaker at the banquet, which begins at 6 p.m. with a social hour and silent auction, followed by a rib-eye dinner and a program beginning at 7 p.m.

Rash is a professional motivational speaker, magician and stage hypnotist who has spent the past 16 years engaging his audiences with unique presentations. He has served on staff of the educational departments at IBM and Celestica corporations. As a professional trainer and performer, he has had the opportunity to share his knowledge and talents with thousands of people.

Rash often entertains at corporate and business events, as well as creating motivational comedy, hypnosis and magic programs for schools.

"A comedy stage hypnosis show is a very unique experience for both the audience members and those who choose to participate on stage," he said. "There is no other entertainment like it."

The Chamber banquet will be held in Hillje at St. Andrew's church hall. Tickets are $10 per person, but Chamber members receive two complimentary tickets. Tickets are available in advance at the First State Bank of Louise in Louise.

"We do have sponsorship tables that may be reserved in advance, all the way to Thursday at noon," said Jill Snoozy of the Chamber. Those tables of eight are available for $300 per table, and come with a number of perks, including table service, wine and specialty desserts, she said.

For more information on the banquet, call Jill Snoozy at First State Bank, (979) 648-2691.