August 2025 August 2025
NEWSLETTER
Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce ugust 2025 Newsletter
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A Message from Chairman of the Board, Caroline Noya As we turn the page on summer and gear up for a busy fall, the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome Gabriela Romero as our new Membership Engagement Manager. If you haven’t met her yet, keep an eye out—she’ll be visiting or calling members over the next few months, and you’ll have a chance to meet her at upcoming events as well. Gabriela is here to help strengthen member connections and continue building a strong Chamber network. We’ve had a great start to the back-to-school season! The Chamber proudly delivered welcome goodie bags to new SISD staff on July 30, made possible by the generous donations from our amazing Cornerstone Partners and members. A big thank you also goes to Charlesetta and her team for organizing the MLK Backpack Giveaway. We’re looking forward to hearing from Dr. Molley Perry at our Quarterly Luncheon on August 27 —tickets are available online now. Looking ahead, we’ll soon be calling for nominations for our Board of Directors. Be thinking about who you believe would serve our Chamber well—we’ll share more details soon about qualifications, timelines, and voting. Fall is full of activity here in Smithville, from mixers and luncheons to community-wide events, festivals, and more. We’re proud to be part of such a vibrant and supportive town, and we thank you for being on this journey with us.
In This Edition Welcome Message New Staff Chamber Events Board Member Spotlight August Calendar Cornerstone Partner Spotlight: Roscoe Bank SISD New Staff Welcome Home 2 Texas Interns Celebrating Frontier Bank Member Events City of Smithville Advertising Opportunities New & Renewing Members SISD Academic Calendar Chamber Board Membership Investment Levels & Benefits
Membership Engagement Manager Gabriela Romero
We're excited to welcome Gabriela Romero to the Smithville community! Originally from San Antonio and raised in Houston, Gabriela brings a strong sense of family, connection, and community spirit to everything she does. With over a decade of experience in customer service—including leadership roles at Apple and work with Medicare—Gabriela is no stranger to supporting and guiding others. Gabriela is passionate about creating the kind of welcoming, close-knit environment she’s always valued—where neighbors come together, celebrate, and support one another. Gabriela is looking forward to getting involved, volunteering, and helping bring that “family feeling” to our town. Please join us in giving her a warm Smithville welcome!
Cornerstone Partners
Connect. Welcome. Grow. The Chamber is excited to roll out two new resources designed to strengthen connections and support business growth in Smithville! Are you a current or future Chamber Ambassador? Be sure to review our updated Ambassador Guidelines! These outline expectations, responsibilities, and tips for representing the Chamber at events, ribbon cuttings, and within the community. Our ambassadors are the friendly faces that help welcome new members and promote engagement. To ensure consistency and professionalism, we encourage all ambassadors to stay familiar with these simple, clear guidelines. Let’s continue to grow and represent the Chamber with pride!
Discover What’s on the Market in Smithville! We’re proud to announce a brand-new addition to the Chamber office: a Real Estate Listing Binder featuring the most current property listings in the Smithville area! This resource was thoughtfully compiled after reaching out to our Real Estate Chamber members, who graciously contributed their latest residential and commercial listings. Whether you’re new to the area, looking to relocate, or simply curious about what’s available, this binder is a great place to start. Stop by the Chamber office to browse the listings and learn more about the vibrant opportunities within our growing community.
Questions? Reach out to Gabriela Romero at gabriela.romero@smithvilletx.org
Join Us for the August Mixer with the Frost Bank! We’re excited to invite you to the August Chamber Mixer, hosted by Frost Bank at the Smithville Recreation Center! This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow Chamber members, meet new faces, and strengthen community ties. We hope to see you there! Date & Time: Thursday, August 21, 2025 Location: Smithville Rec Center 106 Royston St., Smithville, TX Don’t miss out on the fun. Mark your calendars and bring a friend!
Your Ad Here! Contact us at Chamber@SmithvilleTx.org to purchase your ad.
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August 2, 2025 Recap Nicole and Dave Stanley—new to Smithville from Shiner—have opened Mutt’s Last Stand on Loop 230. With a portion of their proceeds supporting local animal shelters and their involvement in running a dog sanctuary, their mission is as heartfelt as their atmosphere is fun. They’re planning a rotating schedule of community-focused events including open mic nights, karaoke, live music, and jam sessions—more details to come! The space features local art, including work by a Smithville artist, and tables covered in stickers added by guests, creating a relaxed and eclectic vibe. While they don’t serve food, they offer snacks like peanuts and chips, welcome outside food, and hope to bring in food trucks in the future. Join us for their Ribbon Cutting on Friday, August 8 from 4–6 PM and help us welcome them to the Smithville community!
RIBBON CUTTING RIBBON CUTTING
Join us as we officially welcome Mutt’s Last Stand to the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce! Friday, August 8, 2025 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM 205 NE Loop 230, Smithville, TX Come celebrate this exciting new business in Smithville with us! Enjoy good company, a great atmosphere, and a warm Chamber welcome. We’ll cut the ribbon and raise a toast to their success—see you there!
CHAMBER MEMBER CHAMBER MEMBER RESOURCE: RESOURCE: PROMOTE YOUR PROMOTE YOUR EVENTS EVENTS Did you know that as a Chamber member, you have access to post your events on the Smithville Chamber Event Calendar? It’s a valuable tool to help you promote your business, increase visibility, and connect with the community. We encourage all members to take advantage of this free resource! Whether you're hosting a sale, workshop, fundraiser, or grand opening, your event belongs on the calendar. Need assistance? We’re happy to help. Call us at 512-237-2313 Or email Chamber@SmithvilleTx.org Let’s work together to keep Smithville vibrant and informed!
Cornerstone Partners
Join us for the third installment of our 2025 Quarterly Chamber Luncheon Series! These luncheons focus on education, advocacy, and governmental affairs, providing valuable insights and networking opportunities for business and community leaders. Doors open at 11:15 AM for networking before lunch is served at 12:00 PM. Our program will feature Dr. Molley Perry, Smithville ISD Superintendent and will conclude promptly at 1:00 PM. To assist with catering logistics, we strongly encourage advance registration and payment. Tickets are $25 in advance. Day-of registrations are $30 and cannot be guaranteed. Reserve your seat and be part of the conversation shaping our community!
Dr. Molley Perry Smithville ISD Superintendent
Date: Wednesday, August 27th, 2025 Time: Doors open at 11:15 AM | Buffet at 12:00 PM | Event ends at 1:00 PM Location: Dr. George M. Jones VFW Post #1309, Smithville Guest Speaker: Molley Perry, Smithville ISD Superintendent Tickets: $25 (includes a catered lunch) | $30 for day-of registration (subject to availability) Tickets: https://smithvilletx.chambermaster.com/eventregistration/register/9762
Upcoming Chamber Events Community-Wide Garage Sale October 4, 2025
Reel Film Festival November 15-16, 2025
Smithville Wingfest October 18, 2025
Festival of Lights December 6, 2025
Cornerstone Partners
Getting to Know Our Board Members Alexis Peck How did you first come to Smithville, and what made you stay? My family and I moved to Smithville in 2014, and we were immediately drawn to its small-town charm and sense of community. It didn’t take long for us to realize this was where we wanted to grow roots and raise our family. Smithville just felt like home. What inspired you to serve on the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce Board? Serving the community has always been a passion of mine. Joining the Chamber Board felt like a natural extension of that —an opportunity to support local businesses, foster connections, and help make Smithville an even better place to live and work. What is your current role or profession, and how does it intersect with your work on the Board? I currently serve as the Rental and Special Event Coordinator for the City of Smithville. My work involves planning and managing community events, which aligns perfectly with the Chamber’s mission. I bring event planning experience, strong local relationships, and a passion for connecting people to every board meeting and initiative. What’s your favorite local tradition or annual event in Smithville? Hands down, the Smithville Rec Center’s Fall Festival! I might be a little biased, but it’s such a fun, family-friendly event that brings the entire community together. It’s a great reminder of what makes Smithville so special—neighbors of all ages coming together to celebrate and enjoy each other’s company. What’s a hobby or interest people might be surprised to learn about you? I love being creative—whether it's crafting, DIY projects, or turning “trash into treasure.” I enjoy finding new purpose in old things and putting a creative twist on the ordinary. What’s one Chamber initiative or event you’re especially proud to have been a part of? Supporting WSSISD holds a special place in my heart. From showing appreciation to our amazing teachers to helping provide scholarships for graduating seniors, it’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to programs that invest in our students and educators. Education is the foundation of our future, and I’m proud to support it in any way I can.
Cornerstone Partners
August 2025
LOOKING AHEAD September 4, 2025 Diabetes Class - Smithville Community Clinic September 6, 2025 Smithville Heritage House & Museum Open House September 8, 2025 Smithville Stitchers Quilt Guild Meeting September 11, 2025 Smithville Community Gardens Meeting September 18, 2025 Diabetes Class - Smithville Community Clinic
September 20, 2025 8 Annual Boots and Barbecue Fundraiser September 21, 2025 Smithville’s Farmers Market: Kids Entrepreneur Market September 28, 2025 Bastrop County Republican party - Monthly Informational Meeting Every Sunday Smithville’s Farmers Market th
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CORNERSTONE PARTNER CORNERSTONE PARTNER SPOTLIGHT SPOTLIGHT
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Welcoming Smithville ISD’s New Staff! The Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce was proud to present welcome goodie bags to the new staff of Smithville ISD—a gesture made possible thanks to the generous support of our Chamber members. A special and heartfelt thank you to A+ Federal Credit Union for graciously hosting lunch for the new staff. Your hospitality and support made the day even more memorable and welcoming. We also extend our sincere thanks to the following businesses who donated goodies for the welcome bags: Frost Bank • Smithville Florist • Notary - Peggy • Roscoe Bank • Frontier Bank • Edward Jones Financial Services • Brookshire Brothers • First National Bank • Mixologie • Ascension via John Chabot • Katy House • Signs and Banners TX • Bastrop Signs and Banners • Fiesta Capitol • Main St Gifts and More. We are so excited to welcome these incredible educators and staff to Smithville and can’t wait to see what this new school year brings!
Cornerstone Partners
Celebrating Our Home to Texas Interns Celebrating Our Home to Texas Interns Please join us in celebrating the incredible contributions of our Home to Texas interns, Bryan Castenada and Samantha Dworaczyk! Bryan worked with Career Tracks and the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce, while Samantha served with the City of Smithville and the Smithville Public Library. Both interns brought fresh perspectives, valuable skills, and genuine enthusiasm to every project they touched. Their time, energy, and insight made a lasting impact, and we’re grateful for their commitment to the Smithville community. It was a pleasure to have them with us this summer, and we can’t wait to see where their bright futures take them!
Cornerstone Partners
Celebrating One Year of Frontier Bank in Smithville! Congratulations to Frontier Bank on their 1-Year Anniversary in Smithville! The celebration was nothing short of fantastic—with snowballs, snow cones, cookies, mini bundt cakes, and a lively Plinko game filled with fun prizes like branded hats, car sunshades, rain gauges, sunglasses, and more! It was a joyful day shared with the community, and we’re thrilled to have Frontier Bank as part of the Smithville family. Thank you for your commitment to our town, and here’s to many more successful years ahead!
Cornerstone Partners
MEMBER EVENTS
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MEMBER EVENTS
Members, want to see your event flyer displayed here? Contact us at info@SmithvilleTx.org
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From the Desk of Robert Tamble, City Manager Comprehensive Plan Community Engagement Portal Launched - The City of Smithville invites all residents, business owners, and community stakeholders to review and provide feedback on the DRAFT Resilient Comprehensive Plan, now available through the city’s On-Line Community Engagement Portal. The comprehensive plan initiative is being funded through a $300,000 grant from the Texas General Land Office (with no cost to the city) and will help guide Smithville’s growth and development over the next 10 to 20 years. It focuses on strategies that promote sustainability, equity, and resilience, while addressing key issues such as land use, housing, infrastructure, economic development, parks and trails, downtown revitalization, stormwater management, and historical preservation. The final version of the Comprehensive Plan is expected to be adopted in December 2025. This effort is led by the City of Smithville, in partnership with Langford Community Management Services, Inc. Ongoing community input is essential to creating a plan that reflects shared values and goals. Please review the DRAFT plan, share your thoughts, and help us shape Smithville’s future as we manage growth. Access the DRAFT Resilient Comprehensive Plan, now available through the city’s On-Line Community Engagement Portal at the link below:
https://langfordplanning.com/smithville-rcp
2025 Newsletter Advertising Opportunities Banner Ad 8.3" x 2"
$50 per issue or $240 for 6 issues (20% Discount) Requirements: Graphic provided by business Quality: 300 DPI (jpeg, png, or pdf)
Your Ad Here Standard Business Card 3.5" x 2"
$25 per issue or $120 for 6 issues (20% discount) Requirements: Graphic provided by business Quality: 300 DPI (jpeg, png, or pdf)
Your Ad Here
Contact us at the Chamber to secure your ad today! The mission of the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce is to enhance the success of its members, to help improve the quality of life for the Smithville community, to provide opportunities for business owners and to serve as the collective voice in the business community.
512-237-2313 | www.SmithvilleTx.org | Chamber@SmithvilleTx.org
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS We would like to thank these new businesses/organizations that have joined the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce. Remember to support your local business and those that continue to support our community.
Thank you to all businesses and organizations that have renewed their memberships, your continued support is very much appreciated.
RENEWING MEMBERS Anytime Fitness Smithville Bastrop County Democratic Party Caroline Noya Consuela Davis Ranch Retreat Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Micah Oliver, CFP, AAMS CRPC Fayette Memorial Funeral Home First Presbyterian Church Janis Penick, Kuper Sotheby's International Realty Linda and Bennie Rooks Lori Tuggle State Farm
Marrs-Jones Funeral Home All Faiths of the Pines Chapel Mike Shell Molly Todd, Realtor Partners of The Smithville TX Memorial Park Red, White and Blue Veterans of Bastrop County R E S Construction Roving Volunteers in Christ's Service Ruby's Foxcroft Cottage Susan Nogues Real Estate, LLC The Winning Shot Vincent's Roofing Inc
Join the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce today! Being a member of the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce means more than just joining an organization, it means being part of a thriving community. Your membership connects you to valuable networking opportunities, increases your visibility, amplifies your voice, and provides resources for learning and growth. We are deeply grateful to our current members for their ongoing support and engagement - you are the heart of our Chamber! If you've been considering joining, now is the perfect time to invest in your business and our community. Let’s grow, connect, and succeed together! Visit https://business.smithvilletx.org/member/newmemberapp to learn more.
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REMINDER: TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP If you're a Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce business member make sure to take advantage of your membership by submitting your events, sales, or business information to us to include in our Monthly Newsletter. Please email your information to us and be sure to include a supporting image for social media to Info@SmithvilleTx.org. The deadline for submissions is the 3rd Monday of each month by 12PM.
Click HERE to stay up-to-date with events hosted by the City of Smithville. (Scroll to the bottom of their page to view the calendar.)
2025 CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Chairman Caroline Noya
Secretary Cathy Meek
Rockin’ M Ranch
Ellie Thomas Frontier Bank
Treasurer Craig Strickland
Karrie McKeown Smithville Jamboree
Josh Coy
First National Bank
Alexis Peck Smithville Rec Center
Sandra Greaney Kids Outdoor Zone
Nicole Smith
BACA Entertainment
Cornerstone Partners
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THANK YOU CORNERSTONE PARTNERS
Point your guests to VisitSmithvilleTX.org for local lodging, dining, and shopping—all the essentials to help them feel right at home in our one-of-a-kind town. This is a monthly publication of the Smithville Area Chamber of Commerce.