Longtime community leaders honored, new app introduced at Cove chamber banquet
Article and Photo By Joseph Bahr
COPPERAS COVE — Les and Linda Ledger were honored Saturday as the Outstanding Community Partner at the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Chamber Awards Banquet & Casino Night.
Nancy Nelson, the chamber’s outgoing board chair, recounted their decades worth of accomplishments benefitting Copperas Cove, saying, “Les and Linda’s story is a love letter to Copperas Cove.”
Following her introduction, Les Ledger took the microphone, saying, “I can go on for a long time, but I can go on even longer for Copperas Cove.” He expressed his gratitude at receiving the award and encouraged Copperas Cove to maintain what he said is its most valuable asset: its people.
Other award highlights included the Small Business of the Year and Large Business of the Year winners. The former went to RG Construction, a local contracting business run by Rich Gaul, while the latter was won by Central Texas College.
Other organizations taking home awards included the Cove House Emergency Shelter, which won Non-Profit of the Year; Copperas Cove Parks and Recreation, which won Tourism Partner of the Year; and Smile Doctors Copperas Cove, which won Outstanding New Member. The Colleague of the Year award was shared by Rainbow Heart Studio and Not Rich but Enriched.
Juana Groat won the award for Ambassador of the Year.
The event ran from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Copperas Cove Civic Center and drew more than 160 business people and community leaders.
It began with dinner, followed by remarks by Nancy Nelson, the chamber’s board chair, and Beth Galick-Carney, president of the chamber.
Nelson introduced four new members to the chamber’s board and the new board chair, Cliff Sanchez. Speaking about that appointment, she said, “I look forward to seeing all the great things that will come.”
Galick-Carney highlighted a successful 2024 for the chamber, noting that it added 50 new members, provided education to the community and hosted multiple successful events.
She also introduced the Discover Copperas Cove app while on stage. The presentation included a QR code for people to download it, which Galick-Carney encouraged them to do.
“This app is your all-access pass to Copperas Cove,” she said, elaborating that it would revolutionize business in Copperas Cove.
The theme for the event was “Back to the ’80s” and numerous attendees were dressed to fit the theme, with many wearing colorful jumpsuits and others dressed like they belonged in a rock band.
The DJ also played numerous ’80s hits such as Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine” and Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.”
In conjunction with that theme, there was also a costume contest with prizes for the people wearing the best ’80s attire.
Following the award presentations, the casino tables opened and people had the opportunity to bet chips on a variety of games including blackjack, poker and roulette. There were also raffles for numerous prizes at the end of the night, including a grill, jewelry and sports tickets.