ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — It was billed as a “Night with the Stars.” But, instead of Hollywood celebrities walking the red carpet at the Baldwin County Coliseum, it was the ordinary people in civic and business life who made the evening special. “The stars are you,” said Joseph Shaw, the 2010 chairman of the Chamber.

Of course, the annual banquet is a time to hand out awards and this year was exception. The CBCC’s communities, Robertsdale, Loxley, Silverhill, and Summerdale presented business awards to Sweat Tire, Loxley Dental Center, Habison and Hoytt, LLC., and White Sands R.V. respectively.

The Robertsdale city council has a new distinction — the Chamber’s Man and Woman of the year. Walter Penry, last year’s Man of the Year named Joseph Kitchens as “Man of the Year.” Aside from his service on the Robertsdale council, Kitchens ran a volunteer ambulance service, and served as a volunteer sports coach.

The “Woman of the Year” was announced by last year’s winner, Sylvia Mattingly.

“I challenge you all to look around,” said Mattingly. “You do not have to look far to find someone in need.” Mattingly added that the Chamber has been recognizing men and women who did “not walk away.”

Robertsdale councilwoman Sue Cooper was named Woman of the Year. She began her career in education in Foley and is a member of the Literacy Council and many other committees.

Both recipients were surprised to find family members streaming out behind the curtains behind the dais to greet them.

Longtime Chamber volunteer Patty Sykes received the Chamber Volunteer of the Year award from outgoing Chamber President Peggy Nelson.

“A volunteer gives back and is willing to give back,” said Nelson. “I can think of no one better than Patty.” Nelson added that Sykes has served as a Chamber Ambassador and she can be seen at a number of Chamber activities.

The “Community Volunteer of the Year” was the Rev. Jim Batchelor of the Loxley United Methodist Church.

The award for table decorations went to the Golden Living Center, and outgoing Chamber President Jamie Hardy recognized the outgoing board members and passed the gavel on to Shaw.

Dinner at the event was by the Magnolia Blossom Cafe.