The Greater Fair Bluff Chamber of Commerce honored three people and heard an inspirational talk from a local motivational speaker and author at its 37th annual banquet in the Christian Life Center at Fair Bluff Baptist Church.

The Rev. Kelvin McGeachy, owner of S&L Funeral Home, was presented the chamber’s Community Service Award in recognition of his having turned the building and parking lot of his business over to disaster relief personnel and first responders for over a week immediately after Hurricane Matthew in October 2016.

Sherman Axelberg, a Fair Bluff native who returned home after completing professional studies as a chef, was recognized as Citizen of the Year.

Axelberg founded and leads the culinary arts program at Columbus College and Career Academy. Her students prepared the meal for Thursday’s banquet.

Al Leonard, the full time Tabor City town manager who is also in his 21st year as a part-time consultant for the Town of Fair Bluff, was recognized for his services to the town, especially his record of having brought so many grants to the town.

The keynote speaker for the dinner was Fair Bluff resident Phyllis Elliott Elvington, a former educator who founded Phyllis Elvington Ministries and is the author of three books and numerous periodical publications, primarily Baptist Sunday School curricula and materials.

Her well-received talk recognized the chamber banquet’s theme, “Still Standing,” and its stated goals: “Building from our Past,” “Living in the Present,” and “Planning for the Future.” Her speech was peppered with personal testimony of her faith experiences.

Chamber officers installed for new terms Thursday night included President Kathy Ashley, Vice President Rev. Neill Smith, Secretary/Treasurer Tiffany Burroughs and Directors Carolyn Foley, Shirley Foley, Gene Martin, Carol Williams, Jeff Axelberg and the Rev. Todd Padgett.