St. Pauls native, and current candidate for the office of Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Agriculture, Walter Graham Smith will be the guest speaker when the St. Pauls Area Chamber of Commerce holds its 58th annual General Membership Banquet on Fri., Apr. 27.

The Tarpackers catered event will be held at the Dr. R. E. Hooks Community Center on N. Third Street. A social mixer begins at 6:30 p.m. and the meeting and banquet will begin at 7 p.m.

During the evening, a short but important membership meeting will be held, and Chamber members will adopt a 2012-2013 budget, confirm a new slate of directors and approve its calendar of events.

A highlight will be presentation of the 23rd annual Dan McCormick Award, which is presented in recognition of outstanding contribution to the St. Pauls area business community. This award, made in memory of longtime merchant and state and national business leader Dan McCormick, will recognize the recipient(s) for support of the St. Pauls area through business.

Other highlights will be presentation of awards selected by members of the St. Pauls Police Department, St. Pauls Rescue Squad, St. Pauls Fire Department and the Big Marsh Fire Department.

Tickets are available for anyone interested in hearing Smith and supporting St. Pauls through its Chamber of Commerce. Tickets are $30 per individual or $50 per couple. For more information, please call Jimmy Taylor, banquet chair, at 910-865-4113.