“LITTLE ROY” LEWIS AND LIZZY LONG The Lincolnton-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual banquet Tuesday, February 7, at 7 p.m. at The Lincoln Center.

It will be a night for native Lincoln Countians because columnist and author Tom Poland and musicians “Little Roy” Lewis and Lizzy Long will be making an appearance at the event.

A resident of Columbia, South Carolina, and a “Georgian at heart always,” Poland has published five books and more than 600 magazine features in local state, regional, and national publications.

In 1994, he won a GAMMA from the Georgia Magazine Association for “Best Feature Writing” in magazines with budgets of $750,000 or more.

In addition, he has served as a college professor, a columnist, an editor, and a speech writer for South Carolina governors and former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates. He has also won Gold ADDYs and “Best of Show” for his marketing and advertising copy.

Poland’s works include “A Just and Noble Cause;” “Reflections of South Carolina,” now in its third printing; “Forbidden Island;” a play titled “Solid Ground;” and “South Carolina: The Natural Heritage,” with a foreword written by James Dickey, author of “Deliverance”.

The author’s latest novel, “Bury My Heart at Ocean Drive,” will be released this spring.

He is the son of Ruth Poland of Lincolnton and the late John Poland.

Little Roy Lewis and Lizzy Long have been touring as the Little Roy and Lizzy Show for close to three years. The duo was born after the Lewis Family, “American’s First Family of Bluegrass Gospel Music,” retired in May of 2009.

Their CD, Tradition With a Twist, was named “Best Old Time Bluegrass CD” by the Rural Roots Commission last fall. At the same time, Lewis was inducted into America’s Old Time County Music Hall of Fame, and Long became one of the youngest members of America’s Old Time Fiddlers Hall of Fame.

Winning numerous awards as a member of the Lewis Family, Lewis is one of the most talented banjo and guitar players in the music business. USA TODAY described him as “a banjo master, truly a picker’s picker.”

He also sings; plays the autoharp, bass, and mandolin; and tells tall tales.

A relative newcomer to the music scene, Long sings and plays the fiddle, guitar, autoharp, bass, banjo, and mandolin, alternating between these instruments as part of her entertainment repertoire.

In addition, she is an award-winning songwriter.

According to Long, her first fiddle cost $50 and was purchased at J.C. Penney.

Among the duo’s albums are Straight From the Heart of Dixie, Front Porch Pickin’, and Lifetimes with Earl Scruggs.

In addition to all of the homegrown talent, another highlight of the chamber banquet will be the presentation of the Lincolnton-Lincoln County Community Service Awards, which include “Fireman of the Year,” “Public Safety Officer of the Year,” “Teacher of the Year,” and “Business of the Year,” which recognizes notable entrepreneurial and business accomplishments in the Lincoln County area.

Other groups and individuals who will be honored during the course of the evening are Faye Butler, grand marshal of the 2011 Lincolnton Christmas Parade; the 2011 Miss Freshwater Coast; the 2011 Junior Miss Freshwater Coast; “Chamber Director of the Year;” and the 2011 Chamber Board of Directors. The 2012 Chamber Board of Directors will likewise be introduced to the audience.

“We hope all members of the community will attend the banquet to get an overview of what the chamber accomplished in 2011 and familiarize themselves with our plans for this year,” said Sherry McKellar, executive assistant for the chamber and the Lincoln County Development Authority.

“The chamber is here to serve all county residents,” she continued. “We welcome your suggestions and input.”

Tickets for the banquet are $20 each and may be purchased at the chamber office, located in the Blanchard House at 112 N. Washington Street, or from any chamber director.

Furthermore, tables for six to eight persons may be reserved by calling the chamber office at 706-359-7970.

The deadline is Friday, February 3, at 5 p.m.

The public is cordially invited to attend.