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  • Beth Hinshaw Kurtz wipes away tears, while accepting the Community Spirit Award for her late father Al Hinshaw as Sandy Stewart and Laurie Baldwin look on during the Duncan Chamber of Commerce & Industry Banquet Thursday. Toni Hopper

    Beth Hinshaw Kurtz wipes away tears, while accepting the Community Spirit Award for her late father Al Hinshaw as Sandy Stewart and Laurie Baldwin look on during the Duncan Chamber of Commerce & Industry Banquet Thursday.
February 10, 2012

2012 Chamber stars illuminate night

Toni Hopper The Duncan Banner

DUNCAN — Al Hinshaw would have loved the party.

Hinshaw would have been talking and laughing with everyone in attendance, the more than 335 folks who came out Thursday for the 2012 Duncan Chamber of Commerce & Industry Banquet.

Hinshaw would have been hoping all of them would shine as bright as the stars.

But it was Al Hinshaw’s star that was shining brightest, when the late Duncan mayor was announced as recipient of the Community Spirit Award. There was pin-drop silence from the crowd for a moment, then an outpouring of applause from those at the Simmons Center that would have caused Hinshaw to blush.

With the exception of a handful of people, no one — least of all Hinshaw’s family — anticipated “Duncan’s biggest cheerleader” would be honored. But it wasn’t just the moment of recognition that brought tears to the eyes of Hinshaw’s daughter Beth.

Chamber administrator Sandy Stewart announced that in coming years, the Duncan Community Spirit Award would be known as the Al Hinshaw Community Spirit Award.

“Al enriched the lives of everyone he came in contact with,” Stewart said. “As mayor, Al served this great city well and worked tirelessly as a volunteer for so many of our local organizations.

“He was an extraordinary friend and advocate. I want to convey that Al was an ambassador not just for the Chamber of Commerce, but for Duncan.”

Those who knew Hinshaw knew of his generosity, cordial demeanor and sincere appreciation of Duncan and its residents.

His many acts of kindness included helping Stewart through a dark time, when her husband Russ was ill in the hospital for seven months.

“Al and Miss Thala (Hinshaw’s wife) were somewhat like Oprah Winfrey — they loved to share their favorite things,” Stewart said. “One thing I learned about my relationship with Al was it wasn’t unique. Most of us in this room share a very special common bond — we were friends.”

This was the first time in many years Hinshaw, who died in April 2011, wasn’t there to share in the festivities. Beth Hinshaw Kurtz realized it was going to be a difficult night, but she was surrounded by her family for the event, and her daughter Tara Harper was one of the nominees for Woman of the Year.

Stewart also talked about Hinshaw’s daily visits to the Chamber office and the history lessons he shared about the community, which was unusual, since he wasn’t a Duncan native.

“I fell in love with this city through his eyes,” Stewart said. “Al was an outsider who was accepted and loved by Duncan, and he made it his mission to do the same for others.”

And while Hinshaw may have not been physically at the banquet, his words resonated among those who were. Recited by Stewart, Hinshaw’s oft-heard phrases included: “Always stay busy. People need help all over the city. There are United Way agencies and churches. Do not just sit and while away your time.”

The night was also highlighted by plenty of entertainment, including that delivered by Dr. Che Miller as emcee. And awards were presented to those who exemplify the “Al spirit.”

Man of the Year was Mayor Gene Brown; Woman of the Year was Honor Vaughn; the Free Enterprise Award went to CherryBerry; the Community Improvement honor went to My Dentist; Rookie Ambassador of the Year was Stacy Heare; Ambassador of the Year was Loisdawn Jones; and Jaycees Distinguished Service Award was Billie Price Strutton.

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