Here is the complete list of winners from the Jan. 23 Mesquite Chamber of Commerce Awards banquet along with a few snapshots from the event.

Mustanger President Award — Evelyn Williams, Williams Paint & Body/First State Bank

Mustanger-of-the-Year — Helen Ethridge, Windsor Florist

Tourism Award — Dr. Linda Henrie, MISD

Festival Volunteer Award — Rona Lee Price (for heading up Taste Mesquite BBQ contest at the Real.Texas.Festival.

Committee Chairman-of-the-Year Award — Todd Price, First State Bank

Chairman’s Award — Dr. Linda Henrie, MISD (for staff’s outstanding service in Leadership Mesquite project)

 
Awards by member votes

Large Business of-the-Year — Dallas Regional Medical Center

Small Business-of-the-Year — Smiley's Racing (Tom Lorenz)

First State Bank Chamber Member-of-the-Year Award — Eastfield College
 

We have been helping you with your fitness resolutions this month with our weekly feature “Focus on Fitness.” I hope that it has helped you along the way.
I figured to round out the month, in addition to the last Focus on Fitness section on page 14 of tomorrow's Mesquite editon, I would give you a little peek into my trials on the get-fit wagon.

Back in “the day,” I was a workout queen. I used to work for a financial office that was literally three minutes away from the local mega-gym. Not only that, but the company had a sweet corporate discount to the gym so there was absolutely no excuse not to go. Everyday after work (and I used to get off at 11 p.m.) I would head to the gym for a nearly three-hour workout. I was determined to fight my family genes. Even when I felt I was at my most fit, I was never skinny. At the time I was a tad frustrated because I wasn’t shedding a bunch of pounds. They always tell you muscle weighs more than fat so I just kept pushing upward and onward.

Then the last year of college happened. Workouts were less frequent and by graduation I was off to Nebraska for my first journalism gig. Needless to say I fell off the steady get-fit wagon. Even though I had stints of trying to get back on that wagon, I never did anything continuous until last October after a friend introduced me to Kerry Stallo of Plano.

Kerry is president of her company, Age-Intercept, Inc. She is a Certified Personal Trainer from the National Academy of Sports Medicine and Certified Fitness Specialist for Older Adults by the Cooper Institute of Dallas. Even though she was super friendly with a kind smile, I was a little intimidated at first. I remember being at least half asleep, grumpy and groggy, stiff and worried but ready at 6 a.m. for our first workout. I was boggled by her energy but then again, that’s her job!

Since then I can see a change in my fitness level and I’ve had to realize a few things along the way — nothing happens overnight and I have to be realistic. Kerry has taught me that being fit is most important — even if you aren’t at your ideal weight. In fact, one of her key lessons is that instead of setting goals to lose weight, make your level of fitness your initial objective.

“Manage your health with the same effort and commitment that you monitor your financial portfolio. Budget time every week for exercise,” she said. “Invest in proper nutrition to fuel your engine. Build a long-term fitness plan that ensures continued good health well into retirement. Investing now brings incredible long term dividends!”

On Jan. 20 I watched history from the cubicles of our Dallas Morning News office.

I’m sure many of you as well, with permission from your bosses or not, popped open a few windows on your computer and tuned in as President Barack Obama was sworn in as the first African-American president. This has been something we have heard for a long while — this word "first." I have to say it was a moment that I will never forget. And from the stories of my parents’ past, it was a very significant day moving toward healing the wounds of a time where I may not have been able to even write these words to you today.

But I also know that this huge job of being president works beyond cultural background or the color of one’s skin. And I only hope that President Obama will be able to work to mend America. One thing his new presidency has surely done so far is bring people together. Just ask those in attendance at Tuesday’s inauguration party hosted by the Dallas County East Democrats at La Quinta Inn in Mesquite.

I had the pleasure to speak with and mingle with many city officials and citizens of Mesquite and Balch Springs. Many in attendance spoke of how they felt proud to be Americans and the impact the day had for them. Newly sworn-in State Rep. Robert Miklos was also on hand to meet and greet and answer questions from his constituents.

And for a little fun, people took photos with a life-size cut-out of Obama. The room was filled to the brim with lively conversation, laughs and hugs. I was happy to be a part of it. Look for more photos from the event in the Jan. 31 edition of neighborsgo as well as a special page commemorating President Obama’s inauguration. The page will feature stories from contributors throughout the Metroplex who had the pleasure to visit Washington D.C on this momentous day.