MIDDLESBORO - You may have seen Bill Landry before - on TV to be exact - and on April 22, you can see him at the Pine Mountain State Resort Park. The host and narrator of the popular show The Heartland Series on WBIR in Knoxville is the featured speaker at this year's Chamber of Commerce dinner.

Since it began in 1984, Landry's Heartland Series has featured over 1,400 short features, including stories about Cumberland Gap, the Cumberland Gap National Park, the tunnel, wilderness road and the P-38 Glacier Girl.

"It even makes it better that he is familiar with our area so he can elaborate on things he has witnessed for himself as an outsider looking in," said Bell County Chamber director Nioma Lawson.

The Chamber holds its dinner each spring to recognize businesses in the area along with their accomplishments while having a wonderful evening of food, good company and entertainment.

Lawson added that the event is an excellent networking opportunity because nearly 200 business people and individuals turn out each year for this gathering.

"We would just like to encourage people to come out," said Lawson. "It's a great evening for residents in Bell County to get out and you never know, you may see people you haven't seen in a while."

The reception will begin at 6 p.m. with dinner starting at 7 p.m. The chamber will present such awards as Community Appearance and Beautification, Community Development, Leadership, Industry/Business appreciation, Historic Preservation and the much anticipated Bell County Volunteer of the Year award.

Award winners are decided by the chamber after they solicit the community for nominations. After nominations close, a nominating committee then sits down and reviews the candidates for selection and puts them to a vote.

Lawson added that if businesses would like to have a display table at this year's dinner, free of charge, they much call and reserve their space as soon as possible. These tables serve as a marketing tool to help put the product and services out to the public and gain awareness.

Attendees do not have to be a member of the Chamber and tickets are still available for $35.00 per person. For more information, please call the chamber at 248-1075.