Official Newsletter of the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce
THE CHAMBER CORNER
January 2013
Volume 13, Issue 1
Guiding Putnam Strategically A note from Chairman Wes Lewis
2013 Chamber MEMBERSHIP
Thank you to all of our members who have already renewed their Chamber membership for 2013! If you did not receive your renewal or have any questions, please email becky@ eatonton.com. We will start sending out the 2013 membership packets this week which will include your 2013 decal for your membership plaque along with login information that gives you access to update your information on file! Enclosed with your renewal was the 2013 sponsorship brochure that includes many options for you to further promote your business from paid sponsorships to programs. 2013 will be a very exciting year for the Chamber as we’re guided by our new strategic plan. We look forward to having you get involved in the growth of the business community.
Simmons named Member of the Year and President of HHTA
On behalf of the Board of Directors, it is my privilege to inform you of some of the recent and exciting happenings going on at the Chamber and around the business community. For the first time in the history of our Chamber, we have developed a Strategic Plan to help GPS our mission, goals and objectives. You might ask, GPS? That’s right, we are doing our part to help Guide Putnam Strategically! With the inclusion of the Chamber staff, Board of Directors and some of our local Chamber members around the community, we assembled together last month to evaluate where the Chamber is at present and how we can improve going forward. Considering the current economic climate, on a world stage to be
The Chamber’s own Bonnie Simmons received the Member of the Year award presented by the Historic Heartland Travel Association. The Member of the Year award goes to someone who has gone above and beyond the call of duty for the HHTA. Effective Jan. 1, 2013,
Strategic Plan continued on page 2...
Simmons continued on page 3...
Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce Strategic Plan
RSVP for Events
Networking @ Noon Sponsored By:
Welcome!
New Chamber Members Amedisys Home Health Care
Wednesday, Jan. 16: Networking @ Noon sponsored by TenderCare Clinic, 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Lodge on Lake Oconee. $15 for Chamber Members, $25 for non-members. 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.
Coffee Connections
Tuesday, Jan. 29: Coffee Connections, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at Spillin the Beans. Connect over coffee with a representative of the Chamber board and staff along with fellow members. Spillin the Beans is located at 646 Old Phoenix Rd., Eatonton, Ga 31024.
RSVP to becky@eatonton.com or (706) 485-7701.
...Strategic Plan from page 1. frank, many communities are facing similar challenges as we are. How we overcome these issues can only be achieved through the result of unity, communication and collaboration to help enhance the quality of life in our area and by introducing the world to what great opportunities lie in store in this great county we are fortunate to call our home. The Strategic Plan and its initiation is a progressive and evolving effort. Our hope is to have an articulate message which we can share with our residents and visitors alike in the coming future. We have so much to offer to outsiders; quiet small town life, abounding recreational opportunities and shorelines of two beautiful lakes all fall under the boundaries of our county lines! I’m confident that the Chamber staff, Board of Directors, our strong united membership and community will see the value in these initiatives. My promise to you is that the Chamber will be a “willing partner,” dedicated to the process and vested in the end result. Thank you again for your association with the Chamber; opportunities abound and there’s never been a better time for all of us to make a difference! Sincerely, Wes Lewis, Chairman January 2013 / Page 2
Home Health Care Contact: Alicia Ramfos (478) 454-2012 521 W. Montgomery Street, Suite 5 Milledgeville, Ga. 31061 www.amedisys.com
Greensboro Cosmetic & Family Dentistry General Dentistry Contact: Cathy Rountree (706) 453-7860 1590 S. Main Street Greensboro, Ga. 30642 www.greensborofamilydental.com
Leadership Putnam 2013 will begin classes on Jan. 24! Leadership Putnam 2013 will begin classes on Thursday, Jan. 24 and will continue for ten weeks. Leadership is a program sponsored by the Chamber and the University of Georgia’s Fanning Leadership Foundation. Our Program began in 1990 and has graduated 18 classes. It is a program that provides instruction, information and assists participants in developing their leadership skills as well as teaching them about our community. Leadership Putnam consists of classes, each held in a different location, a tour of county properties and other locations of interest, a weekend retreat, two ropes courses, and a lot of interaction with other members in our community. Each class is diverse in age, race, gender and occupation. We look forward to getting to know the Leadership Class of 2013 and see the impact it will have in our wonderful community.
Maximize My Membership
2013
Sponsorships Available for 2013! Put your business in the spotlight by signing up to sponsor an event for 2013! Sponsorships range from our top investors, Chamber Champions, exclusive title sponsors such as Business After Hours to sponsoring a table centerpiece at the Annual Awards Banquet. If you would like another copy of the sponsorship brochure, please contact the Chamber at (706) 485-7701. 2013 sponsorship brochure available online: www.eatonton.com/chamber/programs/sponsorships.php
...Simmons from page 1. the Historic Heartland Travel Association installed a new board of directors making Simmons the new President. Simmons will represent the 19 county region for two years at Georgia Department of Economic Development events, trade shows and conferences, and lead the organization. Simmons has been actively involved with the organization through her role as Tourism & Special Events Coordinator at the Chamber. The Chamber has always been a member of the travel association and Simmons served on the Board as Vice President of Membership throughout 2011 and President Elect in 2012. The HHTA was developed by the state as one of nine regional travel associations to serve as a liaison for sharing information and education on the value of tourism, becoming more proactive in the development of new tourism products, packaging to attract visitors, stressing the importance of cooperative efforts and state tourism office programs, and promoting tourism in Georgia. HHTA is unique in that it incorporates 19 of Georgia’s finest counties, including Putnam, in the central part of the state with a diverse mix of urban and rural areas.
On Thursday, Dec. 13, Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee sponsored Business After Hours. Chamber members enjoyed getting to know each other during the Waterside Restaurant’s Happy Hour. Pictured, Carrie Vanderver, Allison Haynes and Michelle Rice, part of the Cuscowilla team that hosted the event.
For more information about the Historic Heartland or Eatonton-Putnam County tourism, contact Bonnie Simmons at the Eatonton-Putnam Chamber of Commerce, (706) 485-7701. Photo on page 1: Award recipients included (left to right) Special Recognition Award: Mandy Barnhart of GDEcD; Best New Marketing Campaign: Milledgeville Convention & Visitors Bureau for the new, interactive smartphone tour; Member of the Year: Bonnie Simmons of Eatonton; and Industry Leader of theYear: Stefanie Paupeck of GDEcD. Not pictured: Lifetime Achievement Award: Marsha Buzzell of Warner Robins.
President Roddie Anne Blackwell gave a tour of The Plaza Arts Center to the 2012 Region Partners Workshop presented by Georgia Department of Economic Development, Department of Community Affairs and Georgia Power Company. The workshop was held at Cuscowilla on Lake Oconee. Pictured, attendees of the workshop have fun posing as Brer Rabbit in the Chamber’s Welcome Center. January 2013 / Page 3
The Chamber Corner, January 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 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
We’re signing up 2013 Chamber Champions!
Jay Gregory Gregory Bridge Company Joe Hudson Farmers & Merchants Bank Bryce McCuin JBM Creative Marty Phillips Techknow Gurus Cynthia Wallace Real Estate Agent
Thank you Pinnacle Credit Union and Bug House Pest Control for being the first to sign up in 2013!
Display your logo here and other exclusive places as a Chamber Champion!
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.