JACKSON –The Northampton County Chamber of Commerce has celebrated yet another successful year.

On Thursday, the Chamber held its annual meeting to honor local businesses and members.

This year’s meeting was dedicated to long-time Chamber secretary, member and volunteer Betty Lou Barnes, who passed away this year.

“Betty Lou Barnes was a friend, an employee, a board member, a community player and everyone who knew Betty Lou absolutely loved her,” said Judy Collier, Chamber Executive Director. “We lost her all of a sudden on the 10^th of February. And when that happened, it was like losing my right arm and I miss her tremendously.”

Collier presented a plaque in honor of Barnes to her husband, Talmadge Barnes.

During the awards ceremony, Chamber officials recognized the Embassy Cafe as the Small Business of the Year, Farm Bureau as Corporate Business of the Year and the Town of Conway was recognized as Municipality of the Year in honor of its Centennial Celebration.

Writer and speaker Donna Clements spoke to the crowd about encouragement and community leadership.

Clements said this speaking engagement was one of the most important of her life because of Northampton’s potential for change.

“Not change because you need it, but change because you desire it,” she said. “I went to work for you and I came up with an advertising program and this is what I’ve called it: ‘Come home to Northampton County where we’ll love you back to life’.”

Clements also shared an acronym with those in attendance, H.O.M.E (Hospitality, Operations, Marketplace and Encouragement), to share with their businesses, customers and community.

“The Blues Brothers” (Andy and Lance Jenkins) provided music entertainment.

In other Chamber business, a new slate of officers was chosen for 2013-14 as follows:

President – Lance Jenkins

First Vice President – Wendell Edwards

Second Vice President – Brian Bolton

Secretary – Robin Phillips

Treasurer – Jim Gossip