Times & Free Press managing editor Michael Swisher was named Kingfisher’s Citizen of the Year and retired school teacher Terri Peck was named Volunteer of the Year at the Kingfisher Chamber of Commerce banquet Monday night.

Swisher, who has advanced from sportswriter to sports editor to managing editor during his tenure at the Times & Free Press, was nominated by Morgan Winters and KT&FP Senior Editor Christine Reid.

“He loves sports, all sports and he is not just a news writer but a consummate storyteller, so the sports stories he writes are so immensely readable that he’s made us all sports fans,” Reid said in her introduction of Swisher.

“Over the last couple of decades, he’s built relationships with coaches, players and parents that give his sports stories breadth and depth with insights and reactions from those who are coaching, playing or even watching the games.”

Several years ago, Swisher started his own media company, Michael Swisher Media, expanding his promotion of county sports to include live streaming of games and interviews with coaches and players at local venues.

Even before the pandemic, those services allowed distant friends and relatives access to local games and athletes for the first time ever. But over the last two years when virus outbreaks limited live attendance and left people quarantined, the ability to watch every game from home is appreciated more than ever, Reid said.

He’s also utilized his time and equipment to livestream other events, like the annual chamber banquet.

In addition to covering sports, Swisher also is re sponsible for much of the newspapers news content and layout as managing editor, but sports remains his passion, Reid said.

“His heart-and-guts reporting of local sports has probably made more dads cry and more moms cheer and is a true reflection of the genuine heart he has for Kingfisher and its young people – athletes and nonathletes alike,” Reid said.

“It’s great to get an award for just doing your job,” Swisher said in accepting the honor. “It’s an honor to cover the best coaches, the best schools and the best kids in the state.

“I genuinely love what I do.”

Dana Golbek introduced Peck as the volunteer of the year.

“As long as I have known her, she has always been one to serve this community in any way she can,” Golbek said.

After retiring from teaching, Peck has served on the board of Kingfisher Winter Nights and Chisholm Trail Museum and as an officer in Kingfisher County Retired Educators, Kingfisher Study Club, Altrua Club, Theta Tau chapter of ESA, Plainview Home Extension and as a chamber ambassador.

She is also an active member of the First United Methodist Church and a driver for Meels on Wheels.

“This amazing lady is always willing to make our community a better place to live,” Golbek said.

Retiring Board President Brian Henderson introduced other board members and welcomed guests.

Jalene Jackson presided over the rest of the banquet in place of incoming President Heath Redwine, who was ill.

Virgil Bonham played the National Anthem and Kingfisher FFA Chaplain Caden Kitchens led the invocation.

With the help of chamber board members, Iron Wheel BBQ and Mimi’s Sweets & Eats provided the meal, which was served by FFA members.

John Johnson introduced the speaker and Chamber Executive Director Shauna Rupp introduced her staff and summarized the year.