Business leaders in Barbour County celebrated with a Civil War style theme Friday at the Annual Chamber Banquet at Heiner Hall on the campus of Alderson Broaddus College in Philippi. Tony Caridi, a sportscaster for the Mountaineer Sports Network, served as guest speaker for the event.
Nearly 200 people attended the dinner, which also included the presentation of annual awards, election of chamber officers, a 50/50 drawing and plenty of door prizes distributed with the help of student volunteers from Philip Barbour High School. Chamber President Dr. Philip Cline served as master of ceremonies.
During his speech, Caridi spoke about growing up in a grocery store and a desire to follow his love of sports that eventually lead him into a broadcasting career. He said his father came to New York as an immigrant from Italy and wanted him to grow up and do "whatever he desired."
"I've got great admiration for all of you here, as a chamber of commerce and business people," Caridi said. "I grew up in business. I grew up in a grocery store. I was that typically guy that you hear stories about, the little Italian kid that grew up in his father's grocery store . I tell people we all grow up in different environments but we have this ability, through the grace of God, to follow our paths and while we don't know exactly where that will lead to, we have the ability to do what it is we have been given to do."
Caridi also spoke to the group about the upcoming West Virginia University Football and Basketball seasons. He shared information regarding players and coaches and his thoughts on the team, along with answering questions from chamber members.
Caridi, now in his second decade with West Virginia Radio Corp., is a radio play-by-play announcer for the WVU Mountaineer football and basketball games on the Mountaineer Sports Network. He broadcasts nationally on ESPN, Westwood Radio and the Big East and Atlantic 10 Television Networks.
Rev. Dr. Danny Franke, an associate professor of Philosophy and Religion at Alderson-Broaddus College, also spoke about the significance of celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.
He also serves as Chaplain for the Barbour Grays, a group that participates in various Civil War re-enactments. Several members of the Blue and Gray Reunion and the Battle of Laurel Hill committees were in attendance dressed in Civil War attire.
Philip Porterfield and his wife, Barbara, were also in attendance. Philip Porterfield is a descendant of Col. George Porterfield, who was the commander of the Confederate forces in Philippi were the first battle took place.
Several awards were presented during the banquet including: Community Service Award, Rev. Ruston Seaman; President's Award, Blue and Gray Reunion and Battle of Laurel Hill committees; and Director's Award, Dr. Philip Cline.
Chamber officers for 2011 include: President Shannon Putnam; Vice President Jeff Rogers; Secretary-Treasurer Melody Jones.
