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The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce's monthly coffee was at Trendz in Bridge City.

The event doubled as a ribbon-cutting for Trendz, which relocated to Bridge City from Orangefield after Hurricane Ike.

Trophies by Lee and Bridgefield Storage was named businesses of the month.

Greg and Marlene Deslatte purchased the trophy shop in 2004 from Freddy and Carolyn Lee and added Bridgefield Storage in 2007.

Greg works for Newtron Inc. as an electrical superintendent while Marlene manages the businesses located on Farm Road 1442 and Stonewood Drive on the dividing lines of Bridge City and Orangefield.

They have two sons, Sterling and Stephen who attend Orangefield.

An employee of AT&T for almost 13 years, serving during an ice storm and two major hurricanes, Daniel Lee Buffington has been named the BC Chamber of Commerce Employee of the Month.

Prior to his employment with AT&T, Buffington was a carpenter and built many homes in the area.

Born March 5, 1962 in Port Arthur, to Lee and Charlotte Buffington, he is a graduate of Bridge City High School.

A resident of Bridge City all his life, Buffington has three children, Josh, 22, Jacob, 17 and Jared, 14.

The chamber presented a Special Citizen of the Month Award to Nanette Graham.

‘Net’, as she is known, along with her husband, Greg Graham, opened the newest preschool and childcare center in Bridge City.

Traditions Child Enrichment Center, Inc. opened  July 14, 2008 with help from her parents, Tommy and Billie Downey; brother, Keith; and Aunt Jan. Greg’s step-dad and mom, Jan and Pam Tullos, came in on weekends from Pineville, La., while Greg’s sister and brother came from Texas A&M to help out.

Graham taught in Orangefield for several years, working with special needs and regular students.

“I never made a conscious decision to be a teacher, it just happened,” she said.

“Children are my ministry.” Graham believes that the Lord gives us all an assignment in life.

“My assignment, as my mama calls it, is to work with children,” she said.

“I always told the parents...

once their child had come through my door, they were mine as well.” The nurse at the center is a former kindergarten student of Graham.

The first nursery worker hired was a former first grade student of Graham as well.

“I knew the employees before we ever opened.

I either taught them in school, taught their children or knew their parents.

We are called Traditions because we believe in the traditional family morals, values and family unit,” said Graham.

“We are a family here and it is well noted by the employees that are related to one another.

“I know that I am doing what I’ve been assigned.

My husband’s uncle, George Harvey, who has helped us immeasurably, tells me all the time, ‘I knew you could do it, I never doubted you for a minute.’” BCCC will honor students of the month at their next coffee, since students were out of school for spring break.