Turnage Drug Store Named Business Of The Year
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Binnie Turnage was visibly shocked when Turnage Drug Store was named the Business of the Year during the Water Valley Area Chamber of Commerce reception last Thursday. His son, Bobby Turnage, gives him a hug as grandchildren, Erick and Karen, and his wife, Jo Turnage, are all smiles.
WATER VALLEY – A former mayor and lifelong public servant was awarded the coveted Braswell Hatcher Community Service Award during the annual Chamber of Commerce banquet last Thursday night. The presentation of the award to Bill Norris marked the 27th in city history for the special recognition.
Chamber board member Grant Thompson explaining that the Chamber seeks people who are humble, kind and selfless when making the selection each year.
“People who get things done and don’t care who gets the recognition,” Thompson told the crowd. “I am honored and I’m so thankful to be able to announce the 2025 Braswell Hatcher recipient is Bill Norris.”
Norris has a lengthy list of service areas including 14 years in city government, a National Guard veteran, a deacon in his church and decades in the Lions Club of Water Valley where he has been repeatedly recognized for his contributions.
The presentation of the award is the highlight of the annual event, but this year’s reception included a finale with the awarding of the Business of the Year to Turnage Drug Store. The town’s oldest family-run business, the selection was made by popular vote after a ballot sent to all chamber members.
“When you walk into Turnage, it is not just about picking up a prescription or grabbing something from the counter,” outgoing Chamber president Angie Hodge shared. “It is about the feeling you get when someone behind the counter knows your name, asks how you are doing and really means it,” Hodge said. “The Turnage family and everyone who works there brings warmth and kindness to everything they do. Whether it is staying late to help a customer, delivering medicines to your home, supporting a community event or just showing up day after day with a smile.”
Hodge presented the award to the family’s patriarch Binnie Turnage, who humbly accepted the recognition through tears on behalf of his family.
Chamber board member Grant Thompson presented the Braswell Hatcher Community Service Award to Bill Norris (right).
Chamber board members were able to surprise both recipients with the help of their family members. Norris was duped with the expectation that his daughter and chamber board member, Tracey Varner, was to receive special recognition during the reception. Turnage’s daughter, Dawn Edwards, also prepped him with an explanation that his grandson, Hunter Edwards, may receive an award. “I got a little suspicious when Tracey’s name was never called,” Norris admitted.
Turnage admitted that he had no idea until Hodge’s comments in the presentation about working as a soda jerk.
The reception also included awarding two Water Valley High School seniors with the annual Elliott Scholarship to Water Valley High School seniors Mallory Tidwell and Jenna Trusty. The scholarship is awarded to graduating seniors who reside in the Water Valley area and who demonstrates exceptional leadership capabilities and outstanding community involvement.
Mayor Tommy Reynolds delivered the annual State of the City Address followed by a county-wide economic update from Yalobusha County Economic Development District Executive Director Kagan Coughlin.
Reynolds reported that renovations on the city’s civic auditorium will be completed in time for the Watermelon Carnival. The center has been closed for over five years.
Reynolds expressed appreciation to TVIfiber for the fiber optic cable in the entire area covered by the Water Valley Electric Department.
“TVIfiber is busy at work installing broadband service in our entire city. This is a major milestone,” the mayor explained.
Coughlin said his primary goal is to help attract people who want to work and live in the county.
“They will put their kids in the school system, start businesses and help generate tax revenue,” he explained.
Coughlin also shared a lengthy list of highlights in the county including growth at Solero Technologies, improvements at the industrial park in Water Valley, Rails to Trails in Water Valley and others.
