Official Newsletter of the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce
THE CHAMBER CORNER
April 2013
Volume 13, Issue 4
Chamber Annual Awards Banquet
34t h Anniversary Celebrat ion The Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce Cordially Invites you to the 34th Anniversary Celebration Monday, May 6, 2013 at Rock Eagle 4-H Center Dining Hall
Scholarships are available 6:30 p.m. - Cocktails | 7:15 p.m. - Dinner | 7:45 p.m. - Awards Ceremony for entrepreneurs (start-up On Your Mark, Start. . . Grow! Designed specifically for new entrepreneurs, Owning your own business is the American to two years) to participate SBDC StartSmart provides the resources and Presenting Awards for Business Person, Volunteer, Citizen dream, but building it to withstand the test of support to launch your company and put your time takes a unique set of tools—and a lot of dreams within reach. hard show you the way. in work. theStartSmart™ SBDC will StartSMART. and Edward Rice Youth in Excellence. StartSmart will help you launch a business Evaluate and refine your SBDC StartSmart™ Gets Results: built for today’s challenging times. In just 8 three Evaluate & refine your business concept $40 Per Person | Cash Bar hour sessions, learn to evaluate and implement business concept; improve Improve your knowledge of business concepts your vision by creating a thorough, well Research markets and competition researched business plan. Payable Upon Ordering; Cash, Check, Visa or MasterCard youra financial knowledge of busiDevelop forecast to improve chances of success StartSmart covers these important topics in Developfundamentals; a thorough, practical business plan ness conduct eight high-energy, interactive sessions: On-going consulting from SBDC professionals Attire: Business Casual keeps you on track for a Successful Business research about your markets 1.2. Foundations Marketing Research & Analysis 3. Capturing the Market and StartSmart competition; develop SBDC was developed by The 4. Efficient Operations RSVP by April 30 to (706) 485-7701 or becky@eatonton.com. Georgia SBDC Network. The program is 5. Financial Foundations facilitated by specially trained SBDC a thorough, yet practical 6. Financial Plan Consultants and an award winning textbook by 7. Bringing it All Together renowned author Rhonda Abrams. and Presenting the Plan business plan; and receive 8. Implementing Sponsored by: Sponsor a Table Centerpiece: A favorite traon-goingMacon consulting from Putnam General Hospital Program: April 5 –dition May 10, at2013 the Annual Awards Banquet is the sponsorships of Small Business Development 478-757-3609table centerpieces by our Chamber members. These fun arGeorgia Power Company Center professionalswww.georgiasbdc.org/startsmart to keep rangements, that represent the uniqueness of each business, Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee you on track. Sessions begin will be raffled off through a pick-a-prize raffle. If your business Farmers & Merchants Bank April 5. For more informa- is interested in sponsoring a table centerpiece, please email Bug House Pest Control tion, call (478) 757-3609. The Peoples Bank becky@eatonton.com. Remember to be creative with your Smith Communications centerpiece by making it a reflection on your business. For exPinnacle Credit Union Mission ample, a bank could create a money tree or a dentist office The Eatonton-Putnam Putnam County Charter could use toothbrushes to create a unique arrangement. The Chamber of Commerce is School System only costs are the materials you use to create the centerpiece.
A PROGRAM OF THE GEORGIA SBDC NETWORK
If you can dream it, we can help!
• • • • • •
StartSmart™ Statewide Sponsor
committed to the promotion, enhancement and unity of the business community, and is vested in the development of Eatonton-Putnam County as a premiere tourist destination.
Strategic Goals
1. Support Business & Community 2. Support Tourism
Values
Growth Prosperity Unity
Board of Directors Nomination Report The 2013-2014 nominating committee met on March 19 with the following recommendations for serving a two-year term. Nominations to serve a second term include Dr. Rita Daniel (Eatonton Chiropractic Center). Nominations to serve an initial term include Brett Mauldin (MarbleWorks, Inc.), Brandy Huskins (Huskins Law Firm LLC) and Duncan Criscoe (Crooked Pines Farm). According to the Chamber’s bylaws, members have the right to submit nominations by petition. To make a nomination by petition, call the Chamber at (706) 485-7701. If there are no nominations by petition, then the Board will accept and close the nominations at the April 18 meeting and the nominees will be elected in May at the Annual Awards Banquet.
RSVP for Events
RSVP: (706) 485-7701 | becky@eatonton.com
Allgood Pest Solutions Business After Hours
Thursday, April 11 from 5 to 7 p.m. at The Lodge on Lake Oconee, 930 Lake Oconee Parkway, Eatonton. Leave work on time and attend Business After Hours to meet and reconnect with members of the business community.
Coffee Connections
Tuesday, April 30 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Chamber office, 305 N. Madison Avenue, Eatonton. Let us fill up your cup with new contacts, information and of course coffee. Sponsored by Pinnacle Credit Union, Georgia Power Company, Putnam County Charter School System, Putnam General Hospital, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Bug House Pest Control of Lake Oconee Inc., Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee, Smith Communications and The Peoples Bank.
Mosquito Authority Networking@Noon
Wednesday, May 15 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Lodge on Lake Oconee, 930 Lake Oconee Parkway, Eatonton. Agenda includes lunch, table talk, sponsor presentation, commercials and general networking. Tickets are $15 for members, $25 general admission.
Coffee Connections is Early in May!
Tuesday, May 21 (due to Memorial Day) from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Spillin’ the Beans, 646 Old Phoenix Rd., Suite B, Eatonton.
Welcome!
New Chamber Members
Bo Trawick State Farm (706) 484-9744 | statefarm.com 103 Harmony Crossing, Suite 5 Eatonton, Ga. 31024 Insurance & Financial Services
North Ridge Roofing
Jason Easley & John Roper (770) 657-2013 |northridgeroof.com 703 Bascomb Commercial Parkway, Suite 107 Woodstock, Ga. 30189 Premium Roofing
Tiffany Baker
(770) 316-8393 105 Lower Harmony Road Eatonton, Ga. 31024
Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage The fifth annual, award-winning, Georgia’s Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage will take place April 18 through 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., daily. The Antebellum Trail Pilgrimage is a tour of homes through seven historic communities including Macon, Old Clinton, Milledgeville, Eatonton, Madison, Watkinsville and Athens. It will feature events and tours along the Trail as well as entrance into private, historic homes not open to the general public.Tickets are $25 and provide a pass with unlimited access to the attractions on the Pilgrimage itinerary. Groups of 10 or more receive discounted tickets at $20. Eatonton attractions will include (attractions vary each day): Slade Hall: Circa 1852-1854. It is the only known Greek Revival house in the area. According to John Linley in Architecture of Middle Georgia States “Greek Revival architecture seems to have reached a certain classic perfection in this house.” Ezell-Tatum Home: A Queen Anne Victorian originally built in 1886 by Evan Ezell, a prominent merchant, banker and planter. Napier-Reid-Rainey-Stubbs-Eagle Tavern (Bronson House): Originally a Piedmont Plain house built in 1816-1822, the home was remolded in 1846 to Greek Revival. Uncle Remus Museum: The museum features artifacts, murals and storytelling of Brer Rabbit and Uncle Remus, the character made famous in the folklore tales of Joel Chandler Harris. For more information and a complete itinerary, visit www.antebellumtrail.org. Tickets can be purchased at the Chamber office. The Antebellum Trail is a 100 mile trek through seven communities that escaped Sherman’s burning march through Georgia. April 2013 / Page 2
Event Recaps___________________
Looking for Member-2-Member? Serenity Hospice Care sponsored Networking @ Noon on Wednesday, March 20 at The Plaza Arts Center. Attendees sat at one long dinner style table and played bingo to help learn each other’s businesses and hear Chamber updates. For more information on Serenity Hospice Care, contact Scott Watkins at (478) 454-1884 or serenityhospicecares.com.
Member-2-Member has changed to give you the most exposure. Instead of being located in the monthly newsletter and weekly email, these updates will be available on either the Chamber’s website or on one of our social networking sites so that we can promote you to the community. This new method will enable you to submit events whenever is convenient for you. Send submissions to becky@eatonton.com. Plain text that we can copy and paste are preferred over flyers and PDF’s.
Community Events: www.visiteatonton.com
If your event is open to the community, send us a photo and a short description with the event title, presenter (business or organization planning the event), date, time, location, short description, cost and contact information.
Coffee Connections was held on Tuesday, March 26 at Spillin’ the Beans. Members enjoyed conversations led by Vice Chair Jon Butler. Pictured Chip Johnson, Louie Herron Auto Sales, meets new member Shane Williams, CitruSolution. Leadership Putnam 2013 is almost complete! The class will hold a graduation ceremony on April 4 where students will also present their class project. Pictured, Matt Powers, Georgia Power Company, prepares for the high ropes course with the support of his classmates. Coffee Connections and Leadership are sponsored by Farmers & Merchants Bank, Bug House Pest Control of Lake Oconee Inc., Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee, Smith Communications, The Peoples Bank, Pinnacle Credit Union, Georgia Power Company, Putnam County Charter School System and Putnam General Hospital.
Business to Business Events: www.eatontonchamber.com
If your events are for businesses, send us a photo and a short description with event title, presenter (business or organization planning the event), date, time, location, short description, cost and contact information.
News, Updates & Emails:
www.facebook.com/epchamber www.twitter.com/eatontonchamber
Have something you would like to get the word out about on our social media networks? News/updates include employee updates, new services, business expansions awards and more. Send us a photo (if desired) and a short description with your organization name, news and contact information. We can also share your social media status updates. Do you have an email list that you are trying to grow? Include the Chamber on your email list and we will be happy to share it on our social media networks, as long as it includes links for easy sharing.
April 2013 / Page 3
The Chamber Corner, April 2013
(706) 485-7701 | fax (706) 485-3277 PO Box 4088 | 305 N. Madison Ave. Eatonton, Ga. 31024 Becky@eatonton.com www.eatontonchamber.com www.facebook.com/epchamber www.twitter.com/eatontonchamber
Presorted Standard U.S. Postage PAID Eatonton, GA Permit No. 6
Chamber Staff: Roddie Anne Blackwell, President Becky Needham, Membership Manager Bonnie Simmons, Tourism Manager
Board of Directors: Wes Lewis, Chairman Georgia Power Company Jon Butler, Vice Chair Lowell White, III, Treasurer Calvert & White Custom Homes Eric Arena Putnam County Charter School System Terri Camp Rock Eagle 4-H Center Rita Daniel Eatonton Chiropractic Center Carrie Dietrich Central Georgia Technical College Jay Gregory Gregory Bridge Company Joe Hudson Farmers & Merchants Bank Bryce McCuin JBM Creative Marty Phillips Techknow Gurus Cynthia Wallace Real Estate Agent
2013 Chamber Champions!
Member News & Events
Please remember to submit your Member to Member News & Events formatted in a 50 words or less paragraph to becky@eatonton.com by the 20th of each month to be included in the following month’s newsletter. R&R Insurance Group, LLC has relocated! Visit the new location at 1060 Salem Walk Drive, Suite 1, Greensboro, GA 30642.
child. Reservations are required. For more information: (706) 342-7557 | info@steffenthomas.org | www.steffenthomas.org.
Putnam General Hospital was listed as a Top Critical Access Hospital in rural communities in the December 2012 issue of Georgia Trend in the article “Finding the Right Hospital.”
Jan. 22: Eatonton Elks Lodge #2549 Country Cookin’ at the Elks Lodge, 7 p.m. Menu includes country fried pork chops and trimmings. Adults $10 and Children 12 and under $6. Non Members are welcome. The Lodge is smoke free. For more information, call (706) 485-8606.
Jan. 3-13: The Plaza Arts Center Second Annual Fine Art Show call for artists! Get your brushes, paints, pencils and canvas ready! Applications and photos of work will be accepted Jan. 3-13. The artist’s reception will be on Feb. 8 and the show will open to the public on Feb. 9, running until Feb. 18. Ribbons awarded to those placing in their categories and a cash prize will be awarded to the piece chosen as “Best in Show!” For more information: (706) 923-1655 | www.theplazaartscenter.com. Jan. 8: Eatonton Elks Lodge #2549 Country Cookin’ at the Elks Lodge, 7 p.m. Menu includes country fried steak and trimmings. Adults $10 and Children 12 and under $6. Non Members are welcome. The Lodge is smoke free. For more information: (706) 485-8606. Jan. 11: Lake Oconee Living Red Carpet Awards Gala at The Plaza Arts Center, 6 p.m. The community is invited to join the magazine as it reveals the winners of the 2012 Readers’ Choice Awards in true “Oscars” style. Winners will hit the red carpet beginning at 6 p.m. and the awards ceremony will begin following a cocktail hour. Free food and drink will be provided by winners of the “Best of Food & Dining” and a silent auction will benefit winners of “Best Non-Profit Organization.”The event is free and open to the public. Black tie attire is optional. For more information: www.LakeOconeeLivingMag.com. Jan. 12: Steffen Thomas Museum of Art presents a Family Workshop: Post-Impressionist Pillow Prints Saturday, 10 a.m. to noon. Artist Nan Demsky teaches you how to make amazing fabric soft-sculptures using line, form, color, texture and shape. Working with muslin, string, paint and a prepared template, so creative and fun, you’ll be hooked! You can’t make just one! Fee - $10/adult, $8/ January 2013 Insert
Feb. 9-18: The Plaza Arts Center Second Annual Fine Art Show will open to the public. For more information: (706) 923-1655 | www.theplazaartscenter.com. Feb. 9: Steffen Thomas Museum of Art presents a Family Workshop: Pop Heart Valentines, 10 a.m. to noon. Marjean Meadow pulls out all the stops in this pop-up class for Valentine’s day! Make a super Valentine for someone special or create a dimensional centerpiece for your table to celebrate love’s holiday! All ages will enjoy working with decorative scissors, paper, fringe, hole-punches and a variety of mixed media to create this work of HEART! Fee $10/adult, $8/child. Reservations are required. For more information: (706) 342-7557 | info@steffenthomas.org | www.steffenthomas.org. Feb. 15: The Plaza Arts Center presents Wine Lover’s Opera,7:30 p.m. Opera South, Kazanetti and Classic Wines join forces to bring you an incredible night of Amore! Celebrate the Valentine Holiday at The Plaza with a taste of music and wine from Tuscany... a lovers paradise! Wine tasting included in ticket price. For more information: (706) 9231655 | www.theplazaartscenter.com. Now through March 30: The Steffen Thomas Museum of Art presents “Steffen Thomas: Prints and Printmaking,” an exhibit of Steffen Thomas hand pulled prints, printmaking plates and tools. These works have been assembled from private collections as well as from the Steffen Thomas Archives and are outstanding examples of Intaglio, Lithography, Block Prints, Mono Prints, Collography, and Rubbing. For more information: (706) 342-7557 | info@steffenthomas.org | www.steffenthomas.org. Advertise in this newsletter:
Reach over 600 contacts with a newsletter insert for only $50. Submission deadline is the 20th of each month. Supply 250 copies and an electronic file.
Member Events & News
...Member Events continued from front.
November 2012 Insert
Please remember to submit your Member to Member Events & News formatted in a 50 words or less paragraph to becky@eatonton. com by the 20th of each month to be included in the following month’s newsletter.