ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Looking back…and looking forward.

That’s what the 400 plus people in attendance at the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Banquet did Thursday night as the past 35 years were reflected on and a vision for the future was presented.

Held at the Baldwin County Coliseum in Robertsdale with the theme “These are the Times”, the evening kicked off with a social hour of hors d’oeuvres and drinks while James “Milkshake” Patterson entertained the crowd with a selection of smooth jazz tunes.

A silent auction also took place during this time where nearly $7,000 was raised, Jamie Mangion, chamber director said. A buffet dinner, catered by Magnolia Blossom Cafe in Robertsdale, followed.

Steve Brooks, 2011 chamber chairman , welcomed everyone and recounted how four men had a vision for commerce in Central Baldwin 35 years ago and now that vision has grown into a 22 member board of directors and almost 300 member strong chamber.

“I want to thank Jamie Mangion for her hard work as director of the chamber. She’s been wearing many hats this year. I also want to thank you for electing me as your chairman. This is your chamber and the board works for you. We love what we do and commerce is what we are all about ,” Brooks said.

Brooks went on to talk about spiritual markers that have dotted his life and made him who we was. “Those markers make us who we are and we also have career markers where someone, somewhere influenced you and made you the business person you are today. It’s all about service A lot of who I am today is due to the training I have received at Riviera Utilities and being a member on the Silverhill Town Council has shaped me too. Also Mr. Raymond Fell influenced me when I was a red-headed kid growing up . It’s all about people and doing the right thing to help your fellow man. Central Baldwin is the best place on earth. I am truly looking forward to this year and can assure you that your board of directors is committed and ready to move into the next 35 years.”

All four municipalities (Robertdale, Loxley, Silverhill and Summerdale) gave out “Business of the Year” awards to a single business for their hard work during the year.

Loxley’s Mayor Billy Middleton presented theirs to Daybreak Mart. Located on North Hickory Street, owners Vallabh and Sharda Kodinaria have been in business since 2005.

“We are looking forward to and expecting 2011 to be a great year,” Middleton said.

Robertsdale chose Mack Funeral Home, located on Hwy. 59 and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Huey A. Mack, Jr. Operating since 1964, the Macks did major exterior renovations to the parking lot and landscaping and re-bricking the front entrance.

“Even in these difficult financial times our focus is to support our city in a manner which will bring opportunities and stability as we travel together in achieving a brighter future for our community,” said Robertsdale Mayor Charles Murphy.

Silverhill Mayor Tim Wilson presented their award to Silverhill Food Mart , located on Hwy.. 104 and owned by Koung and Chear Ung. Formerly known as “The Station” and built in 1945, the Ung’s spent a year renovating and Wilson said “They took an old business that had been been shut down for two years and restored it. They have truly added to the beautification efforts of the Town of Silverhill.”

Tractor Supply Company received Summerdale’s business award. Located on Hwy. 59, TSC is the largest retail farm and ranch store in the United States and focuses on supplying the lifestyle needs of recreational farmers and ranchers. “We would like to congratulate Tractor Supply Company as our Business of the Year winner for 2010 and say it was a good year for the Town of Summerdale. May God bless you in 2011,” said Summerdale Mayor David Wilson.

Tommy Herndon, chamber board member and next year’s chairman, handed out the “Community Volunteer of the Year” Award to John Mickey Wiley and the “Chamber Volunteer of the Year “Award to Jerry Rezek.

“These men volunteer their time and service just because they want to and it is such a great thing they are doing,” Herndon said.

Sue Cooper, last year’s “Woman of the Year” presented Catholic Social Services director Michelle Prockup with 2011 “Woman of the Year” honors and Joe Kitchens, last year’s “Man of the Year” presented Robertsdale Mayor Charles Murphy with 2011 “Man of the Year” honors.

The “Outgoing Chairman” Award was presented to Joseph Shaw, who has his own law firm in Loxley, by Jamie Hardy, former chairman. “I appreciate the support, wisdom and knowledge i have gotten from the members and am very fortunate to have a board of directors who analyze things and make good decisions. It’s been a good but challenging year and our volunteers worked their butts off. We finished the year in better financial health than ever before. Thank you for allowing me to become part of your community and to serve as chairman to this wonderful chamber,” Shaw said.

Incoming and outgoing board members were recognized as well. Incoming members for 2011 include: Alan Schott, Chris Klinger, Sylvia Mattingly, Kay Gartman, Jared Lyles, Jennifer Cook, Charles Eubanks, Ronnie Givens, Darlene Roper, Douglas Garner, Mike Allegri, Patrick Northcutt, Leslie Sawyer, Wayne Gruenloh, Cindy Brown, Katina Griffin, Mary deLaunay, Joey Knight and Dwain Riebeling.

Sponsors for the event included: Baldwin EMC (Presenting Sponsor), Power Productions (Diamond Sponsor), Riviera Utilities, Golden Living Center, Coca-Cola Bottling Co, Budweiser-Busch Distributing , Century 21 SSM Real Estate (Golf Sponsors), Gulf Coast Newspapers/The Independent and Cain’s Grocery Store, Piggly Wiggly and Cruise Away (Silver Sponsor), Robertsdale Healthcare Center, Baldwin County Sheriff’s Department, Franklin Primary Health Center and Sturma Builders, Roto-Rooter, Sweetpea Services, Sturma Builders, Inc. and Stastka Insurance Agency (Bronze Sponsors).