Official Newsletter of the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce
THE CHAMBER CORNER
Volume 12, Issue 12
Welcome 2013! You’re Invited!
December 2012
A letter from President Roddie Anne Blackwell
Renewal Time With 2013 right around the corner, it’s that time of year to renew your Chamber membership. Please let your billing contact know that your renewal and sponsorship brochure will be arriving by mail or email, depending on your requested preference. To keep your membership active, please renew by Jan. 1, 2013. When reviewing your renewal, remember, the optional Technology Donation is added into your total. As a member, you have a listing in our online business directory found at www.eatonton.com. The Technology Donation gives you an enhanced online business directory listing for only $15! If you do not wish to include the donation, simply subtract the $15 from your total. Upon renewal, you will receive login information to update your basic or enhanced listing. Enhanced Listing Features Search Results Advancements: Logo, description and website link. Stand out in your category! Business Listing Advancements: Expanded character description, expanded searchable keywords, You Tube video link, photo gallery and linkable bullet points.
First of all, let me say how excited and honored we are that you have chosen to be a member of the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce. It shows that you believe in our community and support business growth. We are proud to be able to serve and assist you in finding ways to grow your business; whether it is the networking opportunities, educational programs, sponsorships, resources and access to special promotions, or community support; we will be there for you. Our Chamber is about to undertake some major changes in our never ending process of evolving and growing to meet your needs. This month, your board of directors, the Chamber Champions and various business partners will be participating in a two day strategic planning retreat to create a new three to five year plan for your Chamber. After several board members attended a “How-To Workshop,” we are all looking forward to an aggressive future of growth and hope that you will continue to be a part of that. In the next few days, you will receive your 2013 annual investment renewal and sponsorship opportunities. Our goal is to double our Chamber Champions and hope you will consider that opportunity. We encourage you to visit www.eatonton. com where you will find all the programs you can take advantage of as a member, as well as a calendar of events. If you should ever have any questions or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to call the staff or your board members. Thank you for investing in the growth of our community and being a Chamber member!
Business After Hours Sponsored by Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee Join us for the last Chamber event of 2012! Business After Hours will be held on Thursday, Dec. 13 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Waterside Restaurant at Cuscowilla. Enjoy networking, refreshments and a 50/50 cash raffle. Cuscowilla is located at 126 Cuscowilla Drive, Eatonton, GA.
Brer Bear
Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce 26th edition, 2012 Christmas Ornament Brer Bear is the second of five limited edition critters by local potter Elizabeth Collins. Ornaments are $15 each.
Networking @ Noon was held on Wednesday, Nov. 14, sponsored by Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance, Putnam County. Approximately 30 Chamber members were in attendance and enjoyed lunch catered by That Pizza Place while getting to know each other through Turkey Talk (questions on Thanksgiving traditions and dishes), commercials and one-on-one networking. Sam McGaughey gave the sponsor presentation. On Tuesday, Nov. 27, Coffee Connections was held at Spillin the Beans. Members enjoyed meeting with Board Member Joe Hudson of Farmers & Merchants Bank. Sponsored by: Smith Communications, Farmers & Merchants Bank, Central Georgia Technical College, Putnam General Hospital, The Peoples Bank, Putnam County Charter School System and Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee.
Welcome!
New Chamber Members Banner Advanced Screening Services, LLC Brandi Mayo
(706) 286-4509 1020 Park Avenue | Suite 103, Greensboro Drug & Pre-Employment Screenings
Law Office of Russell W. Wall, LLC Russell Wall
(706) 453-0089 122 N. Main Street |Suite B, Greensboro Law Office- General Practice
Federalgraphics Joe Day
(478) 750-7444 519 Bartlett Street, Macon Copiers, Printers & Related Software
Cash Mobs were held in Downtown Eatonton (Above) on Nov. 2 and Harmony Crossing (Below) on Nov. 9. An excited crowd of attendees ran from store to store spending their $20+ to give our economy a boost while “Loving the Local!”
Community Newcomers Beverly Elmore
105 Rose Creek Road, Eatonton
Davida Hughes
107 Lower Harmony Road | Lot 3, Eatonton
Joyce Hollis
177 Lakeshore Drive, Eatonton Welcome these new members and residents by sending a note introducing your company’s services! Save the Date for the First 2013 Event: Networking @ Noon
Jan. 16: Networking @ Noon sponsored by Tender Care Clinic, Inc., 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Lodge on Lake Oconee. $15, includes lunch. Agenda includes lunch, Chamber updates, sponsor presentation, table introductions, commercials and general networking. The Lodge at Lake Oconee is located at 930 Lake Oconee Parkway, Eatonton, Ga. 31024. For more information, call (706) 485-7701 or email becky@eatonton.com. December 2012 / Page 2
Member-2-Member News & Events Eatonton Service League’s Annual Toy Drive is underway and desperately needs your donations! Many businesses assist each year; your help is greatly appreciated. Your continued support is needed to provide Christmas for many children of Putnam County. Your donations provide clothes, shoes, coats and toys. Donations can be mailed to our new mailing address at 114 1/2 W. Marion Street, Eatonton. About 60 families need assistance this year. For more information or if you would like to adopt a child or family in lieu of sending in a donation, please email Courtney Butler at courtabutler@yahoo.com or call Hollie Haley at (706) 473-3031. The Lodge on Lake Oconee has a special holiday rate, just $75 plus tax a night. Also, the great room is perfect for gatherings and festivities; and, you don’t have to drive if the eggnog gets spiked. For more information, call (706) 485-7785 or email Katy@TheLodgeOnLakeOconee.com. Crooked Pines Farm’s old-fashioned Christmas Tree Lot is open! Come enjoy some hot apple cider or hot chocolate as you meander through our fresh fraser firs while looking for the perfect tree for your family to enjoy through the holidays. Live wreaths, poinsettias and holiday gifts will be available in our country store. Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (706) 347-0274, email info@crookedpinesfarm.com or visit www.crookedpinesfarm.com. 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. 17. 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, visit www.theplazaartscenter.com. Oconee Nutrition Consultants has a new home! The new address is 1093 Lake Oconee Parkway, Suite 108, Eatonton, located in Plantation Village next to the Blue Giraffe Salon and Sherwin-Williams Paint Store. The phone number, fax number and all other contact information will remain the same. For more information, call (706) 473-5801 or email oconeenutrition@yahoo.com. Allgood Pest Solutions was recognized by Georgia Trend in the annual Best Places To Work roster! “The nature of our business – dealing with things you don’t want in your home – seems unpleasant, so we try to have fun with our brand while giving customers peace of mind,” says Lanny Allgood, whose father started the business 40 years ago”... “Happy employees mean happy customers,” Allgood says.
Dec. 7: Lake Oconee Area Builders Association presents Lake Vegas, 6 to 10 p.m. at Spotlight Theatres. Go all in! Play poker, black jack, craps, roulette and more! Use your winnings to bid on a variety of prizes including a vacation for two in Las Vegas. Enjoy cocktails from the cash bar and heavy hors d’oeuvres. Tickets in advance $50 at the door $60. Proceeds to benefit Fran Faxon Scholarship Foundation. For more information call (706) 999-1591 or visit www.LOBALive.com. Dec. 8: Crooked Pines Farm Holiday Celebration, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Come to the farm and enjoy local vendors, kids activities, hayrides through Christmas Town, and even a visit from Santa and Mrs. Clause! For more information, call (706) 347-0274 or visit www. crookedpinesfarm.com. Dec. 8: Eatonton Elks Lodge #2549 presents a night of dancing and karaoke starting at 7:30 p.m. Enjoy a night of fun and delicious hors d’oeuvres. $5 per person at the door. For more information, call the Lodge at (706) 485-8606. Dec. 11: Eatonton Elks Lodge #2549 finale Country Cook`n for 2012 at 7 p.m. Menu will be pork chops & trimmings. Adults $10 and Children 12 and under $6. Non Members are welcome. The Lodge is smoke free. For more information, call the Lodge at (706) 485-8606. Dec. 14: OPAS presents A Family Holiday Celebration, located at The Plaza Arts Center at 8 p.m. Featuring: Mandy Barnett and Voices of Lee. Reserved Seating - $65, $50 & $35. For more information, call the OPAS box office at (706) 999-1518 or visit www.OPAS.org. Dec. 14: Smith Communications presents a book singing for Ronda Rich at The RitzCarlton Lodge from 3 to 5 p.m. Ronda will be giving a short presentation, followed by a meet and greet of her many fans in the Lake Oconee area. There will be light refreshments, and the event is at no charge. For more information, please email Kim Jackson at kimdjackson@bellsouth.net. Dec. 15: Gatewood Schools - Lake Oconee campus presents “Christmas in the Swamp,” from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Families can enjoy hayrides, trackless train rides, bounce house, spider jump, cookie decorating and pictures with Santa. Holiday Market vendors, live music and delicious food will round out the day. A Silent Auction will be held for Christmas trees decorated by classes. Santa arrives at 11:30 a.m. and will stay until 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.gatewoodschool.com. Dec. 15: Mothers Against Crime Annual Christmas Party, 1 to 4 p.m. at Putnam County Elementary School Gymnasium. Kids ages four to fourteen are invited to have fun with food, games and presents. For more information, call Georgia Smith at (706) 485-5332. Dec. 15: Lake Oconee Lutheran Church presents a Christmas Concert, “Where is Christmas?” at 7 p.m. Enjoy a concert of contemporary popular Christmas music for all ages, featuring Lake Oconee Lutheran Choir, piano music by Brad Rudisail, vocal soloists Dana Beck and Linda Mallam, Georgia College Jazz Band members & String Quartet and a special visitor. A free-will offering will be taken at the concert to benefit The Circle of Love Center. For more information, call (706) 485-4600. Dec. 16: Crooked Pines Farm presents Santa and Sweets. 1 - 4 p.m. by reservation only. Santa and Sweets will be taking place within The Barn and there will be opportunities to decorate cookies, have one-on-one time with Santa while pictures are taken and a flash drive is made for the parents to take home. This event is $20 for the first child and $15 for additional children. To schedule a time slot, call us at (706) 347-0274. Dec. 31: Eatonton Elks Lodge #2549 presents a New Years Eve Party starting at 8 p.m. Come dance, enjoy lots of party favors and toast the New Year in with champagne followed by a breakfast. $15 per person. Kitchen closed for dinner. For more information, call (706) 485-8606. Through January: The Steffen Thomas Museum of Art and The Plaza Arts Center present “Mothers and Children: Beyond Sentiment.” This show features a collection of specially selected paintings depicting the theme of mother and child. For more information, call (706) 923-1655 or visit www.theplazaartscenter.com. December 2012 / Page 3
Happy Holidays! Contact Us: Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce
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Chamber Sta Roddie Anne Blackwell, President Becky Needham, Membership Manager Bonnie Simmons, Tourism Manager Chairman: Wes Lewis, Georgia Power Company Land Department Vice Chair: Jon Butler Treasurer: Lowell White, III, Calvert & White Custom Homes Terri Camp, Rock Eagle 4-H Center Marcia Clanton, Putnam County Charter School System 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 December 2012
Chamber Champions! Thank you to our 2012