FOLEY, Ala. — Friday night the Foley Civic Center was a packed house as the South Baldwin Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 70th anniversary with its annual Gala.

The evening included the presentation of several awards. They included Diplomat of the Year Renee Jones and Volunteer of the Year Lillian Mothershed.

In addition, the Chamber presented its Small Business of the Year award to Oak Hollow Farm in Fairhope.

Watts explained that the Little family ran a farm, as well as a shrimping business before turning their family homestead that spans several generations into Oak Hollow Farm in 2001.

“Now a nice, big barn stands where the crops once grew,” she said.

The Littles accepted the award to a standing ovation.

“I’m totally surprised,” Boyd Little said. “This is totally unexpected.”

Another award of sorts took place in the form of the changing of the gavel of 2013 Chamber Board of Directors President Christi Koehle to 2014 Board President Angie Johnston.

“I’m very humbled to be given the opportunity to learn and to lead,” Johnston said. “2014 is going to be an amazing year.”

She explained that efforts are already under way to update logos and rebrand events, such as the Leadership Series and Magnolia Run.

“High-Speed Networking is now A.M. Connections,” Johnston said.

The night also included a silent auction and a lively auction called by Baldwin County Sheriff Huey “Hoss” Mack. Proceeds benefit the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation, which provides education enrichment programs for schools in the Foley feeder pattern. The live auction, alone garnered more than $5,500.

According to Michelle Nelson of Meyer Vacation Rentals, the South Baldwin Chamber Foundation chairman, such fundraising is important as $1,242 are spent per student, per academic year. Plus, Baldwin County’s continued influx of new residents means that pricetag is increasing.

“At our current growth rate, the Baldwin County School System will be No. 2 in Alabama by 2024,” she said.

As part of the celebration, which was themed “Flashback to the Forties,” Watts touched on the year 1944, when the South Baldwin Chamber was formed.

“In 1944, a gallon of gas was 15 cents and an average annual salary was $2,400,” she said.

Watts explained that on July 24 of that year, a special meeting was held at Riviera Utilities to discuss the idea of developing a chamber to help promote and cultivate the area’s business and commerce community.

“In August, a meeting was held at Foley School,” she said. “Ninety-four members applied.”

The fee was $12 per application and an office was rented at Foley Hotel, with a Chamber manager hire for a salary of $100 per month.

“They had two applicants,” Watts said.

Among the charter members are Rivieria Utilities, Ebert Insurance and WHEP Radio.