By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—Longevity and service seemed to be the theme as long-time contributors to the good of Henry County were given the year’s top awards at Thursday night’s Paris-Henry County Chamber of Commerce banquet.
Awards were given to Person of the Year Bobby Milam, Business of the Year Buchanan Resort and Conservator of the Year Paschall Farms.
Milam is a lifelong farmer who has served on numerous boards with with numerous programs over the years including Farm Bureau, Fair Board, County Road Board, all while farming and serving in the Navy and Army reserves.
An emotional Milam said he believed God “put me here to serve and that’s what I’ve tried to do.” He thanked his parents for his upbringing, his ‘awesome’ family, including his wife, children and siblings. “We’ve tried to do everything as a family, as a group,” he said.
Business of the Year Buchanan Resort has grown from a small family operation in the 1950s to one of the largest and most popular resorts in the area—and is still operated by the same family.
In announcing the award, John Fuqua said Buchanan Resort has become one of the premier resorts in our area and has built an important legacy representing four generations of the same family.
Rusty and Pam Robison accepted the award, with Rusty noting, “This is such an honor for us. To stand here and have our names called with all the other businesses that have won this award is such an honor.”
Henry County, he said, “is such an amazing place, with such an amazing group of people. We never expected this and it’s such an honor.”
Also representative of a lengthy and multi-generational operation is Conservator of the Year Paschall Farms of Cottage Grove. In accepting the award, Family Patriarch Dan Paschall said he didn’t deserve an award. “I just happen to be what I am. And I’m lucky. I’m from the best county in the best state in the United States.”
He thanked his family, notably his wife, Betty. “She’s a good woman and she did a good job raising those kids.”
In presenting the award to Paschall Farms, Ron Harrison of the USDA said the family manages 2,700 acres of row crops with 100 percent conservation tillage that protects the environment. Their farming practices promote soil health and water quality and protect the environment, he said.
At the conclusion of the program, outgoing President Gary McIntire presented the honorary red jacket to the new Chamber President Kevin Buie.
Photos: Bobby Milam; the Buchanan Resort extended family and the Paschall Farms family. (McFarlin photo)
Milam is a lifelong farmer who has served on numerous boards with with numerous programs over the years including Farm Bureau, Fair Board, County Road Board, all while farming and serving in the Navy and Army reserves.
An emotional Milam said he believed God “put me here to serve and that’s what I’ve tried to do.” He thanked his parents for his upbringing, his ‘awesome’ family, including his wife, children and siblings. “We’ve tried to do everything as a family, as a group,” he said.
Business of the Year Buchanan Resort has grown from a small family operation in the 1950s to one of the largest and most popular resorts in the area—and is still operated by the same family.
In announcing the award, John Fuqua said Buchanan Resort has become one of the premier resorts in our area and has built an important legacy representing four generations of the same family.
Rusty and Pam Robison accepted the award, with Rusty noting, “This is such an honor for us. To stand here and have our names called with all the other businesses that have won this award is such an honor.”
Henry County, he said, “is such an amazing place, with such an amazing group of people. We never expected this and it’s such an honor.”
Also representative of a lengthy and multi-generational operation is Conservator of the Year Paschall Farms of Cottage Grove. In accepting the award, Family Patriarch Dan Paschall said he didn’t deserve an award. “I just happen to be what I am. And I’m lucky. I’m from the best county in the best state in the United States.”
He thanked his family, notably his wife, Betty. “She’s a good woman and she did a good job raising those kids.”
In presenting the award to Paschall Farms, Ron Harrison of the USDA said the family manages 2,700 acres of row crops with 100 percent conservation tillage that protects the environment. Their farming practices promote soil health and water quality and protect the environment, he said.
At the conclusion of the program, outgoing President Gary McIntire presented the honorary red jacket to the new Chamber President Kevin Buie.
Photos: Bobby Milam; the Buchanan Resort extended family and the Paschall Farms family. (McFarlin photo)