"We're very excited that Jari Askins, our new lieutenant governor, will be our keynote speaker," Judy Martens, chamber executive vice president, said.
Askins was elected to the office on Nov. 7, and took office for her full term Monday.
According to Askins' Web site, Askins, who was born and raised in Duncan, has served Oklahoma in all three branches of government. She was the first woman to become Democratic leader of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. She served eight years as a judge of the district court, and she has also been chairperson of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board and a legal counsel in the governor's office.
Askins' community involvement includes serving on the board of directors for Goodwill Industries of Southwest Oklahoma and as a director of Arvest Bank in Duncan. She is a member of the Duncan Noon Lions Club, the Duncan Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Oklahoma, and the Oklahoma Academy of State Goals. She has also received numerous awards and accolades from various organizations and associations during her work in government.
Askins, who has journalism and law degrees from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, is an active member of the First Christian Church of Duncan.
BANQUET DETAILS
Prior to the banquet, which starts at 7 p.m., Martens said a social time will be held from 6 to 7 p.m., where event goers will be entertained by the Sallisaw High School Jazz Band. Appetizers during the social time will be provided by Alta Matthews of Sallisaw, who owns Elegant Edibles by Alta.
During dinner, music will be provided by Rhoda Wilson, pianist at First Baptist Church in Sallisaw, who will play selections written or produced by famous Oklahomans, Martens said.
This year, the chamber is serving a steak meal, which will include chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes and creamed gravy, fried okra, cornbread and biscuits, and dessert will be either a bowl of strawberries or pecan pie.
Corporate tables, which seat eight people, are available again this year for $250. Individual tickets are $25 each.
As part of being a corporate sponsor, corporate sponsors will receive recognition in Your TIMES, as well as in the banquet program. Martens said corporate sponsors will also have a special table tent bearing the name of the business, and will receive recognition from the podium on the night of the banquet.
Table decorations and the room will be adorned in an Oklahoma theme, both past and present.
Martens noted that people don't have to be chamber members to attend the banquet.
She said the banquet is a time when the chamber recognizes achievements and hard work of members and celebrates the successes of the past year.
She emphasized that there will not be tickets sold at the door on the night of the banquet.
"We're expecting a huge crowd."
For tickets, call the chamber by Feb. 2 at (918) 775-2558.
