The Konawa Community Banquet was this past Friday night and was a tremendous success. Community members joined together for a great meal prepared by the JOM volunteers and Leander Yellowfish.

Karis Reavis, Superintendent of Konawa Schools, gave the group a report on the happenings at the school and Danny Bruton, Konawa City Manager, reported on the ongoing improvements that are taking place in the city.

The guest speaker for the night was Congresswoman Stephanie Bice, who acknowledged Bobby Hatter, this year’s winner of the Konawa Citizen of the Year Award.

Hatter has played many roles in the community. Over the years, he has been seen volunteering on Konawa Band Day, working booths at the Band carnival, placing flags on veterans’ graves on Memorial Day and Veterans Day at the local cemeteries, and putting up flags along Broadway. For many years, he helped sell fruit for the Lions Club, and organized and worked side by side with other volunteers in the Lions’ concession stand at the Konawa All Night Singing.

Hatter was a member of the Konawa School board for 10 years, The Clinic board of directors for 25 years, and was a member of the original Konawa Lions club for 19 years, serving as president for 10 of those years. He served for 34 years in the US Army, retiring in 2003, and retired from OG+E in 2005, after 28 years of employment.

The Citizen of the Year is a member and deacon at Konawa First Baptist Church, commander of the local American Legion, Post 70, and a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars.

It is said that Mr. Hatter is always ready to lend a helping hand whenever there is a “hint” of a need. He is also a long-time member of the Konawa Chamber of Commerce.

The Konawa Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event with help from the FCCLA, FFA and the Konawa Band. The Konawa Chamber, along with many individuals and businesses, donated items that were put in a silent auction. The final event of the evening was a live auction of several cakes and cinnamon rolls, led by Leslie Henderson.

Left, Ronnie Branscum of the Konawa Chamber of Commerce (right) presents Bobby Hatter with the Citizen of the Year award at last Friday’s Community Banquet. Hatter was a member of the Konawa School board for 10 years and served on The Clinic’s board of directors for 25 years. He was also a member of the original Konawa Lions club for 19 years, serving as president for 10 years. (Courtesy photo)