Pauline Kirbo Thames
February 10, 2009
Julia H. Richard
February 12, 2009
Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce’s honored local business and community leaders at its annual awards banquet at Nicholls State University on Jan. 22.
Bourgeois Meat Market won the chamber’s Business of the Year Award.
Thibodaux Regional Medical Center was named Member of the Year because of its strong reputation and teamwork with the chamber, said past chamber chairman Norman Loeske.
Thibodaux Regional helps with sponsorships for chamber events and mans a booth at the annual Thibodeauxville Fall Festival.
Loeske said the hospital’s reputation as a top-notch inpatient care facility helps to bring residents to the area.
“Just recently, a relocating couple told the chamber staff that the No. 1 reason they have decided to retire in Thibodaux is because of the reputation of our medical community, specifically Thibodaux Regional Medical Center,” he told the chamber crowd.
Thibodaux Regional CEO Greg Stock accepted the award.
“It’s a great honor for our hospital,” Stock said. “We try to be an integral part of the community and support the chamber in any way that we can.”
Richard “Gibbens” Robichaux was presented the Frank Kennedy Citizen of the Year Award, given in memory of Kennedy’s service to education in Lafourche Parish.
Robichaux, known as an unofficial historian, said he can remember the effort that Kennedy put into education, which makes this award that much more pleasing.
At one time, Robichaux was a substitute teacher in the Lafourche Parish School system. However, the majority of his time has been spent as an organist for St. Joseph Co-Cathedral Church in Thibodaux.
He boasted that he has lived in Thibodaux for 70 years and has watched the city grow economically.
“Thank you all for the work that you do,” he said. “I love Thibodaux.”
Melvin Baudoin was presented with the Music’s Unsung Hero Award, sponsored by C. Lindy and Mary Anne Delaune Hoffmann. The award has honored the musical contributions of people who volunteer for community work since 2000.
After Hurricane Katrina, Baudoin, a guitarist and trombonist, worked for Louisiana Spirit, where he composed the music and wrote a script for a puppet show to help children cope with the stress of the disastrous event.
“Music has been a passion with me all of my life,” Baudoin said. “I love bringing joy to people through music. I’ve been singing since I was a young boy and I am still doing it as an adult.”
Thibodaux High senior Alex Plaisance was named Teenager of the Year, an award established in memory of late City Councilman Norman Swanner.
The award includes a $500 scholarship to the school of Plaisance’s choice. He is planning to attend the University of New Orleans to study film development.
The 18-year-old senior is the son of Christopher and Becky Plaisance. He said the award solidifies his senior year. Plaisance has been named Thibodaux High’s Student of the Year all four years he attended the school.
“It’s a real honor that so many great people have gotten the award before me,” he said. “It feels good to know that the city appreciates what we do in school.”
Premeaux, president-elect of the chamber’s board, received the Chairman’s Award, given by Loeske. The award is given at the discretion of the chairman.
She was very surprised to receive the award. She said, “I appreciate that Norman thinks that I have such a strong service to the chamber. But all that I do, I don’t do alone. The things that are done, are done as a chamber. It’s a team effort. We all deserve this award.”
The night ended with the chamber being presented with its official certificate of accreditation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
John Gonzales, regional manager for the National Chamber of Commerce, presented Benoit with the award.
“This signifies good leadership and the chamber’s commitment to its community,” Gonzales said.
Bourgeois’ Meat Market garnered the Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year award. Kathy Benoit, the chamber’s CEO, presented third generation owner Donald Bourgeois with the award. * Photo by KYLE CARRIER
