By Ken Stickney

ken.stickney@panews.com

PORT NECHES — Nederland Chamber of Commerce’s new chairperson said the two-person, permanent staff can “move mountains” with the aid of a dedicated membership, and urged others to join the excitement.

Speaking Thursday at the annual banquet at Benton’s, Pam Trosclair recounted 2018 chamber successes and laid out planned participation 2019 efforts, including these:

• Host a booth at the Nederland Heritage Festival.
• Honor the Mother of the Year.
• Attend Golden Triangle Days at the Capitol.
• Promote a 2^nd Annual Clay Shoot.
• Plan the city’s Christmas Parade.

“Yes, these are all hard work, but we have so much fun preparing for each one we forget the blood, seat and, yes, broken bones,” she said. “What we do remember are the laughs, the networking, getting to know other Nederland business owners and their employees.

“And before we close out one event, we are talking about ways to improve and grow the next one.”

Chamber President and CEO Diana LaBorde announced recipients of 2018 chamber honors during the program. They included:

• C. Miller Electric, Small Business of the Year.
• Nederland Professional Lions Club, Service Organization of the Year.
• Retired Police Chief Darrell Bush, Citizen of the Year.
• Robin Shelden, Mother of the Year.
• Bush served as master of ceremonies for the evening.

LaBorde also noted that despite the hardship inflicted by Hurricane Harvey, the chamber increased the number of scholarships for honors graduates to five for a total of $5,000.

She also thanked the staff at the Nederland City Museums and the chamber board of directors and recognized past chamber presidents and chairpersons.