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Membership Renewals - Thanks to the following businesses & individuals for renewing their Chamber membership:Lillian’s Closet New Members - A special "welcome" to the following new member(s): Daniel and Sheila Barbuck Highlights of 4th Quarter 2003 Board Meetings & Events:
A new Wellness Center for the Grant area is being
considered. It was reported that the new owners of the cleaners are
Richie & Tina Burns. Brent Parker, an attorney, will be locating to
Grant. The Chamber is still pursuing a restaurant and an optometrist for
our area. The Student Chamber Association sponsored two high
school students by buying Christmas gifts for them. Terri Powell, Tourism Committee Chair, stated that we
had submitted a request for a matching grant for 2004. She asked that
the Chamber consider the possibility of some type of TV advertising, if
we receive a request for a matching grant for 2005. Terri also reported
that our printer, Four Star Printing, might be willing to print
postcards with a Grant theme in exchange for the waiving of Chamber
membership dues. After discussion, it was decided that this is something
the Chamber will pursue. Russ Hamilton reported that many Chamber members had
expressed a desire that the wording on the monument that is going to be
installed in Verlon LeMaster’s memory be from the Chamber members, not
just the Chamber Board. It was agreed that the wording would be changed
to reflect that the monument was placed in honor of Verlon by the
Chamber membership. The monument will be paid for out of Chamber funds. The Chamber received a request to sponsor the DAR
Calendar of Events at a cost of $150. This calendar will be dedicated to
Verlon Lemaster. The Board unanimously approved donating $150 for this
project. The rifle raffle fundraiser was a success. The gun
was won by Stan Summerlin, who purchased his ticket at Waterfront
Grocery. Profit from the raffle was approximately $300. The Cathedral Caverns Ribbon Cutting held December 2
was a huge success. Approximately 300 people attended. Special thanks to
the SCA for helping with refreshments & greetings and to the DAR
ensemble for their fantastic program. Governor Riley was so impressed
with the ensemble’s program, he asked them to perform at the Governors
mansion December 17, 2003. (Note: They did perform at the mansion and
had a wonderful time!) The Beautification Board and the Library held a
Christmas event - Christmas on the Mountain - on Saturday,
December 13. This event involved the selling of luminaries (as a
fundraiser) to line Main Street. Other activities such as a live
nativity scene, booths, caroling, food, hayrides, etc., were also
included in this event. Jeanie McBride, Director of the Mountain Valley Arts
Council, made a presentation to the Board regarding the upcoming
Winterfest to be held at Becker Hall January 19 - February 29, 2004.
Tentative times of the exhibit will be 11:00-4:00 Monday-Friday and from
1:00-4:00 on Saturday & Sunday. She asked that the Chamber consider
hosting the artists’ reception and awards ceremony, which will be held
on Sunday, January 18, from 2:00-4:00. This reception will be held at
Becker Hall. It was decided the Chamber and Town of Grant will jointly
host this reception. Hilda Page & Naomi Barfield were appointed head of
a committee to organize this event. The Chamber’s annual banquet will be held in March.
Watch your mailbox for additional information. The Freedom Festival will be held at Kennamer Cove
Trading Post July 3, 2004. The festival will be promoted on the Grant
Chamber of Commerce website at
http://grantchamberofcommerce.com. Two new Board members have been elected by popular
vote of the membership. Hilda Page and Chris Clark were
elected to serve three-year terms beginning in January 2004. The following slate of officers for 2004 were elected: President – Don Milligan President Elect – Russ Hamilton Vice President - Chris Clark Secretary/Treasurer – Hilda Page Goodbye - I have enjoyed serving as your Executive Director for the past two years. During this time it has been my privilege to meet some of the greatest people in Alabama -- those who call Grant home. The willingness of Grant’s citizens to offer their time or services so graciously made my "job" so easy. Communities such as ours are few and far between. Unfortunately, due to personal matters, I find that I must give up my duties at the Chamber. My parents, who live in Birmingham, are in declining health and require more and more of my time - time I am glad to give, but time which must come from somewhere. Everyone considers their family to be their first priority, so I know you will understand why I have made this decision. Sheila Barbuck has graciously agreed to become your director effective immediately. Sheila has worked with the Chamber as an Ambassador for the past year and was instrumental in purchasing and installing our new computer system. She also designed our new website. For those of you who haven’t met her, you will discover that Sheila is a very personable, hardworking lady and I am confidant she will do an excellent job. In closing, I want to thank each of you for welcoming a "newcomer" into your midst, and I would be remiss if I didn’t pass on a special thanks to the Board members I have worked with these past two years. Their professionalism and dedication made my time at the Chamber both fun & rewarding. Thank you. - Jerry AnnPresident’s Paragraph - What a great year we shared in 2003. Under the leadership of Past President Naomi Barfield, the diligence of Executive Director Jerry Ann Holt and the Watchful Eye of the Executive Board, we enjoyed great success surpassing most of our goals set for the year. To mention a few: Hosted a Members Banquet with a packed house at Kennamer Cove Held a very successful Golf Tournament (Special Thanks to Joe Powell) Participated in a fun "Founders Day" Participated in the Official Grand Opening and Ribbon-Cutting of the Cathedral Caverns Welcome Center with Governor Riley in attendance Shared in the Grand Opening – Ribbon Cutting of several new Business in Grant Held a successful Shotgun Raffle Furnished several Beautiful "Grant" signs on entry Highways Collected over 800 names on a petition in support of a Wellness Center And more We also grieved with all of Grant Citizens at the loss of our Police Chief Verlon LeMaster, providing a memorial in his memory. Although it would be impossible to replace Chief Lemaster, we did have the opportunity to celebrate the selection of another fine gentleman and police officer, Allen Edmonds, as our new Police Chief. This year promises an even greater opportunity for growth. New business potentials, to include a new restaurant and a wellness center; new members – both business and individual; two golf tournaments and much more. I would like to give a special welcome to Sheila Barbuck, the new Executive Director, and look forward to working with all of the Chamber Executive Board Members, Executive Director, Committee Members, Ambassadors, and Student Chamber Members to continue our successful support of Grant Merchants and Township. Also, thanks to Jerry Ann Holt for a great job as Executive Director. I wish a very special Successful and Happy New Year for the Members of the Grant Chamber of Commerce. Thank you, Don Milligan President Grant Chamber of Commerce Director’s Corner - I retired from East Tennessee State University in June of 2002 after 35 years of service in the Office of Information Technology as Systems Analyst III. My husband, Dan, and I moved to Grant from Hampton, TN two years ago because his job transferred to Raytheon in Huntsville. We love the town and are anxious to work with the Grant COC. Thank you for the opportunity to serve as the executive director of the Grant COC. - Sheila BarbuckNewsletter - Remember that our Newsletter is now published quarterly. Any items for the 2nd Quarter 2004 Newsletter must be received no later than March 15, 2004. You can either mail the item(s) to the Chamber office or send them by e’mail to Sheila Barbuck (sheila@nehp.net) or to the Chamber office (grant@nehp.net). Thank you. |
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