The hallway was jam-packed at 6 p.m. as the business and public service leaders of Russell County made their way past booths, toward the banquet tables.

The booths offered notepads, pens and other assorted items from the local businesses and socializing was the order of the day as everyone filed past on the last Thursday of April.

In the main hallway of the Natatorium - Auditorium Complex the tables filled quickly, as the servers began their rounds, serving a Florentine chicken and spiced shrimp dish with vegetables, side salad and cheesecake.

After several door prizes the attendees filed into the auditorium for presentation of chamber awards and entertainment.

First up was the Business and Professional Women’s Club awarded Manners Cafe the Barbara Burdette Beautification Award for the year.

United Citizens Bank was honored by the chamber as the New Business Award.

The Business of the Year Award was presented to Donna Diaz in honor of the Lake Cumberland Development District’s work for local businesses and governmental entities.

The President’s Award was presented to the Russell County School Board, with Superintendent Scott Pierce accepting for the board.

Receiving the final award for the evening was Donna Diaz again, as this time she was honored individually as the Hall of Fame recipient, for distinguished service and leadership to the chamber and community.

Diaz, who had argued that all the honors belonged to the staff at the LCDD when presented with a plaque earlier was had a hard time speaking when presented with the very personal honor.

As Chamber President James Gray presented the awards he took a break to have Joy Fletcher this year’s vice president give a report on the year’s membership drive before he had presented the past president’s award to Cory Stearns.

Gray handed off the crowd to Tom Mabe, a comedian, who provided the evening’s entertainment.