Residents, officials and business owners throughout the county gathered at East Central Community College Saturday for the annual Decatur Chamber of Commerce Banquet.
The annual fundraiser and celebration of local businesses featured a silent auction, a dinner prepared by ECCC’s Aladdin Food Services and recognition of local leaders and residents who go above and beyond to support their community.
Chamber president Mark Buntyn said the chamber board had previously decided to recognize Melvin Tingle, who was known throughout the state as Mr. Outdoors for his work on the Mississippi Outdoors television program and unwavering enthusiasm for conservation and outdoor recreation.
Sadly, Tingle passed away Oct. 18, 2019, Buntyn said, but his contributions to Decatur, Newton County and the state live on.
“Last year, when it came time to select our honorary for Citizen of the Year, Melvin Tingle was chosen,” he said. “After the passing of Melvin, the chamber board of directors were all in agreement to continue honoring the legacy of Melvin Tingle.”
Joining the chamber at Saturday’s banquet were Tingle’s wife, children and grandchildren, including his son, Mingo Tingle, who spoke of his father’s efforts in conservation, support for the outdoors and passion for preserving history.
“Many of you know my father’s life of being Mr. Mississippi Outdoors and his love of fishing and hunting, and of course he can tell those stories greater and better than anyone I’ve ever met,” Mingo said. “However, his love of history is almost just as strong, especially his love of local history.”
From restoring antique furniture and collecting more than 300 Choctaw baskets to republishing the 1964 “History of Newton County,” by A.J. Brown, to founding the Okla Museum in his backyard, Mingo said his father loved to uncover, collect and preserve Newton County history for future generations.
“If you don’t know, Okla means people in Choctaw,” Mingo said, “And that’s what it was. It was the people’s museum, dedicated to the people of Newton County. It told the story regardless of what ethnicity or background they came from.”
Mingo Tingle said it meant a lot to himself and his family to see his father recognized by the chamber, and he said he was honored to have the opportunity to share his father’s legacy with the community.
Also recognized Saturday was the Danny Cherry Family, who for years have led efforts to decorate the Town of Decatur for Christmas. In 2019, after the death of Merita Cherry, the Decatur Chamber of Commerce dedicated the first-place award in the annual Christmas Parade float competition in her honor.
“The chamber in Decatur is fortunate to have members and citizens to make a difference in our community,” Buntyn said. “One family here tonight is living proof. The Danny Cherry family decorates Decatur for the Christmas season.”
While the annual chamber banquet is a time to recognize local citizens for their efforts, it is also a fundraiser for the Decatur Chamber of Commerce, Buntyn said. The Chamber is a purely volunteer effort, where residents of the town give their time and energy to support local businesses.
Throughout the year, the chamber organizes many events and activities to support the town, including the Decatur Christmas Parade, Treat Street, Bugs Plus, which recognizes third graders for improving their grades, and the Decatur Dollars program.
Buntyn said the Decatur Chamber of Commerce works hard to support local businesses and the community, but the organization itself needs support. Through Chamber membership, local businesses, residents and families can help support the chamber’s mission and contribute to the continuation and growth of their town.
