A local observance for the National Day of Prayer will be Thursday, May 3 at noon on the east side of the DeKalb County Courthouse.

Isaac Gray, minister at the Smithville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, said everyone is invited to attend the event which is non-denominational.

“I want to invite you to come and join us on Thursday, May 3 for the observance of the National Day of Prayer. On that day, our community will gather and pray for our nation, our state, our city, our communities, and our churches. It is a great privilege for God’s people to come together with the purpose of seeking His will and His ways. This event is not sponsored by any church organization. It is simply a gathering of God’s people with the purpose of seeking His face and His glory. We will have local pastors from Smithville and surrounding areas lead us in this time of prayer. We will gather at 12 noon on Thursday, May 3 on the east side of the DeKalb County Courthouse, facing Smithville City Hall. Our rain location is the basement of the courthouse at the same time on the same day. We hope to see you there as we seek God together,” said Gray.

The National Day of Prayer is an annual observance held on the first Thursday of May, inviting people of all faiths to pray for the nation. It was created in 1952 by a joint resolution of the United States Congress, and signed into law by President Harry S. Truman. The Task Force is a privately funded organization whose purpose is to encourage participation on the National Day of Prayer. It exists to communicate with every individual the need for personal repentance and prayer, to create appropriate materials, and to mobilize the Christian community to intercede for America’s leaders and its families. The Task Force represents a Judeo-Christian expression of the national observance, based on the understanding that this country was birthed in prayer and in reverence for the God of the Bible.

Suntex Marina Investors, LLC has acquired Hurricane Marina, located on Center Hill Lake according to a report by “Boating Industry”. With the change in ownership, Hurricane Marina received a new 25-year lease with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and also extended the lease of the existing restaurant tenant, Blue Water Grille.

Hurricane Marina consists of 600 wet slips (48 of which were built in 2015), 40 personal watercraft slips and 25 enclosed boathouse slips.

According to Suntex, the slip composition can accommodate boats and houseboats ranging from 20 feet to over 100 feet. The property’s amenities include a boat rental fleet of 11 boats (six newly purchased), security services, bathrooms, shower and laundry facilities, three fuel pumps and a pump-out station.

The property includes a 6,600 square-foot restaurant building, a fully-stocked ship store and a common area with patio for parties and live entertainment. A courtesy golf cart shuttle service provides customers access to the docks from the parking lot.

“We are very excited about this acquisition,” said Ron TenEyck, senior vice president of operations, Suntex Marinas. “Hurricane Marina is a beautiful location and has a great deal of potential for development. By investing in the facility, we are looking forward to enhancing the services and overall customer experience offered to visitors of Center Hill Lake.”

Hurricane Marina’s location in the deeper waters of the southern end of the lake has made it an extremely popular location for the houseboat market. The entirety of the property lies on a 107-acre (69 acres submerged) lease with the United States Army Corps of Engineers.

The winners of the annual Leadership DeKalb Alumni Association awards were honored Thursday night during the Chamber of Commerce Membership Banquet at the County Complex.

Blake Cantrell received the Community Leader of the Year Award and the Legacy Award went to Jackie Smith. The awards were presented by Leadership DeKalb representatives Jen Sherwood and Beth and Darrell Gill.

The Community Leader of the Year is awarded to the individual who most emulates the definition of community trustee and servant-leader in his or her recent service to DeKalb County. Nominees are considered who have made a significant and positive impact on our county specifically in 2017 and in a capacity beyond their professional role. The 2017 Community Leader of the Year is Blake Cantrell. Blake works in IT professionally, but while attending the DeKalb County Citizen Fire Academy in the fall of 2014, he saw the opportunity to give back. He became a volunteer fireman in 2015. His commitment didn’t stop there, however. Since January 2016, he has served as the DeKalb volunteer fire department communications officer. Blake was recognized for his many volunteer hours to the county fire department as the recipient of the 2017 “Git-R-Done” Award. He is the current President of DeKalb Emergency Services Association, President of 2017-18 Project Graduation Committee, and has served as Vice-President of the DCHS Quarterback Club for 9 years. Blake also gives freely his IT and technical services to many community groups throughout DeKalb County, such as Help, Haven of Hope, and Lighthouse Christian Camp, and various churches. Darrell and Beth Gill presented the award to Blake and thanked him for his leadership and service to DeKalb County.

The Legacy Leader Award is awarded to someone who most emulates the definition of community trustee and servant-leader in his or her continued service to DeKalb County. The winner has made a significant and positive impact on our county over a considerable period of time and in multiple and lasting ways. This year’s award was presented to Jackie Smith. Jen Sherwood awarded Jackie this year’s Legacy Leader Award, with the support and backing of so many in DeKalb County who have been influenced by her as a teacher, a friend and State Farm agent, and through the many community boards and organizations she has served.

Leadership DeKalb also announced that Darrell and Beth Gill will be taking over as directors of the Leadership DeKalb program. The monthly leadership training series was previously under the direction of Jen Sherwood from 1997-2016. “I am thrilled to announce the continuation of the LD program, and feel the Gills are amazing leaders in our community, and have the qualifications and passion for leadership development to guide the program for years to come. It is with great pleasure that I pass the LD baton off to such proven servant leaders.” Anyone who would like to learn more about the community, meet existing business and government leaders, and explore increased leadership opportunities are encouraged to consider participating in Leadership DeKalb. For more information, call the chamber office at 615-597-4163.