Hallmark CHANDLER — Joan Hallmark of KLTV 7 in Tyler is scheduled to speak during the Chandler Brownsboro Area Chamber of Commerce annual banquet and silent auction here Feb. 11.

Hallmark hosts the weekly "Proud of East Texas" and is the producer of "Freedom Fighters." She has been with the news station for 30 years, having interviewed American presidents and other celebrities.

"We're looking forward to Joan Hallmark being here," CBACC Chairman Dennis Mack said.

Danny's Smokehouse Bar-B-Q of Athens, a member of the chamber, will cater the event. A silent auction will also be featured again this year.

"The primary purpose of the banquet is the awards ceremony," Mack said. "The secondary purpose is to introduce the new board members to our general memb ership, and the silent auction."

The deadline to submit nominations for the chamber's Citizen of the Year award is scheduled for Friday. Jerry and Alice Kidd won the 2009 award. They own Kidd-Jones Oil Company, which operates several convenience stores in the area.

A committee reviews the nominations, and the award recipient is honored during the banquet. Last year's selection process included six nominations.

Officials will also recognize their firefighters of the year, police officers of the year, and educator of the year.

"We do this every year," Mack said. "Typically, we have other activities at the banquet going on as well. You may be asked trivia questions that aren't necessarily about Chandler or Brownsboro."

Mack said items for the silent auction are still needed. Last year, gift certificates from several businesses, cakes and pies, hand-made crafts, and other products were contributed.

"Anybody can donate an item," he said. "You don't have to be a member of the chamber to do it. This is strictly a silent auction."

Money raised during the event will be used to fund scholarships and on charitable contributions.

"Every year, the chamber donates funds to different organizations," Mack said. "We receive about $4,000 through various fundraising events."

The banquet is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Chandler Community Center.