April 2015 - Gordon County Chamber of Commerce

www.gordonchamber.org
NEWS OF THE GORDON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
“Making Gordon County a Better Place to Live, Work and Play”
April 2015
Volume 46 No 4
GEM Theatre Hosts Business After Hours
Thursday, April 30, 2015 5:30-7:00 p.m.
114 North Wall Street Calhoun, GA 30701
[email protected]/events by April 29, 2015
Calhoun’s GEM Theatre is pleased to host the April Business After Hours on Thursday,
April 30th beginning at 5:30pm. The Theatre is located at 114 North Wall Street, Calhoun,
Georgia 30701.
The GEM Theatre was established in 1927. It was Calhoun’s only movie and performing
arts venue until its closing in the seventies. In 2001, after being closed for over twenty
years, a local family bought the building and donated it to the Friends of Calhoun’s GEM
Theatre for restoration. The Friends of the GEM then hired an architectural firm and
contractor that specialized in historic restoration. After ten years of fundraising, the
GEM Theatre re-opened in August 2011 and was recognized as a 2012 Georgia Trust for
Historic Preservation Rehabilitation Award recipient. The Theatre is a member of the
League of Historic American Theatres and the Fox Theatre Institute.
Since re-opening the GEM has emerged as a major presence in Calhoun’s historic downtown area, presenting classic movies, concerts,
plays and private rental events. The GEM is managed by Clare Lewis and guided by a Board of Directors, with local photographer Andy
Baxter serving as the current Board President and Ruth Mathews as Vice President/President Elect.
The events produced by the GEM will continue and expand. With the recent purchase and future renovation of the neighboring Bailey
Building, the Theatre will add theatre-related classes to its repertoire. Access to talent and ideas is unbounded. Calhoun’s GEM Theatre-our past, present and future.
---The GEM Theatre Mission Statement--Enlist community support to restore Calhoun’s landmark theatre building to its 1939 grandeur, ensure preservation for future generations,
and to enrich the community by providing a premier facility to be used for viewing, learning and participating in the arts.
A Ribbon Cutting and Open House was held for the City of Fairmount and
its new City Hall Building on Monday, March 23. The building is located at
2661 US 411, Fairmount, GA 30139, 706.337.5307. Mayor Harry Pierce
welcomed guests, invited them to enjoy a light lunch and provided tours of
the property. The building was completed debt-free and houses City Hall,
the Fairmount Courtrooom, the police department and the city library. Mayor
Pierce cut the ribbon held by Calhoun Junior Mayor Tripp Morrison.
EVERY POOL NEEDS A HERO
Cline Pools is proud to introduce
its Backyard Oasis Store, featuring
outdoor living essentials such
as Pawley Island patio furniture,
hammocks, swings, and rugs. Cline
Pools stocks a full line of Primo
Ceramic Smokers and accessories,
BBQ sauces, rubs and seasonings.
Their new display pool area gives
them room to demonstrate cleaners,
automation and the newest pool
technology. Cline Pools warmly
invites everybody to shop the April
17-18 Spring-A-Poolooza Sale. Cline
Pools is located at 1326 1/2 Highway
41 South, Calhoun, GA 30701. Give
them a ring at 706.625.8812.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
The Gordon County Chamber of Commerce Board, Ambassadors
and invited guests enjoyed a sampling of dishes at The Curry House
ribbon cutting located at 912 Highway 53, Calhoun. Stop in and
enjoy the Chef’s authentic Indian cuisine.
Tami Richardson with 365 on Piedmont decorated
The Curry House. There’s power in partnerships!
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS 03/01/15 TO 04/06/15
Battle of Resaca
Andy Baxter Photography
Bojangles
Max Brannon & Sons Funeral Home
Brian’s Auto Sales
Calhoun Dental Associates
Calhoun First Presbyterian Church
The Calhoun Lodge
Calhoun Plastics & Chemicals
Charlotte’s Café
Community Foundation of Northwest Georgia
COS Business Products & Interiors
Coulter Hampton Foundation
Cox, Byington, Brumlow & Twyman, LLC
DHM Adhesives
Dub’s High on the Hog
Billie Jean Erwin
City of Fairmount
Family Connection of Gordon County
First United Methodist Church
Fitness First of Calhoun
Flipper Pools & More
Georgia Power Company
Gordon County Farm Bureau
Greeson Insurance Associates
h2bcreative Advertising & Public Relations
Habitat for Humanity of Gordon County
Halstead New England
Harbin Clinic Calhoun Family Practice & Cardiology
Housing Authority of the City of Calhoun
John C. Leggett, P.C.
Mrs. Don O. Lewis
Midland Communications
Momon Construction
Morning Pointe of Calhoun
Mother Nature’s Eden Health Food
Northwest Georgia Christian Academy
Northwest Georgia Surgical Associates
Orizon IPE
Party Liquor
Payne Farm and Produce
City of Plainville
Quality Staffing
Ramada Ltd.
Rome Radio Partners, LLC
The Salvation Army
Sam Thomas Accounting Service
Sharion’s Silk Flower Outlet
Stanton-Royal Dutch Carpets
State Farm Insurance Agency
Milton Stewart Company
Super 8
T.J.’s Office Supply & Sign Works
William R. Thompson, Jr., Attorney at Law
Tot Roost & Teens
Walmart Supercenter
WJTH Radio AM 900/FM 101.7
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!
Manufacturing Events in April
Manufacturing Appreciation Week
Atlanta, April 13-17
Manufacturing Appreciation Luncheon
Atlanta, April 14
Manufacturing Trends Luncheon
Dalton, April 16
Manufacturing Display at Chamber
706.625.3200
KEEP IT IN
THE COUNTY
There’s more than one way to stop traffic
MEMBER FDIC
Northwest Georgia
Regional Fair
K
AT RA 706.602.2244
It’s time
to get
cooking!
The wait is almost over, BBQ Boogie & Blues returns to Downtown Calhoun April 24 & 25 and is going
to be better than ever! We aren’t the only ones excited about the weekend…over 1200 individuals entered
to win our BBQ Boogie & Blues Weekend Getaway! We look forward to welcoming the winner, Glenn
from Hixson, Tennessee, to Calhoun.
In addition to being a fun event for residents, BBQ Boogie & Blues attracts visitors, resulting in increased
expenditures and a positive economic impact on our community. We have BBQ teams traveling from
across the Southeast, including Texas, BBQ judges from as far away as New York, plus the “BBQ Pit
Wars” film crew who is spending several days in Gordon County. And that is only the BBQ portion!
The weekend offers something for everyone, from eating to exercise to entertainment, and is a perfect
example of how great things happen when organizations and businesses work together. Be sure to
review the next page for the schedule of events and visit www.bbqboogieblues.com for updates and more
information. There is still time to participate and volunteer.
BBQ Boogie & Blues is not possible without sponsors. Thank you to the following for their support:
Mohawk, City of Calhoun, Hamilton Sports Medicine, Hamilton Neurosurgery & Spine Center, Hamilton
Spine Health and Sport, Farmers Insurance/Kacee Smith Agency, AllAroundGordon.com, Dub’s High on
the Hog Restaurant, Gordon County Antique Engine & Tractor Club, Great Clips, Husser & Husser, P.C.
Attorneys at Law, Invista Travel, March of Dimes, Northwest Georgia Regional Fair, RaceTrac, Stephen
Poloney Agency/American Family Insurance, Calhoun KOA, Cooper F. Spence Law, Country Inn &
Suites, EVCO Plastics, Gordon County Young Farmers, Greater Community Bank, Momon Construction,
OMNOVA Solutions, Payne Farm, Santek Waste Services and Townsend Bobcat & Excavating, LLC.
Also, a huge thank you to the Chamber Tourism Committee for organizing the event.
Help welcome BBQ visitors to Gordon County!
If your business has a sign, please consider
posting “Welcome BBQ Visitors!” BBQ teams
will start arriving on Thursday, April 23.
Amazing Race Registration Form
April 25, 2015
Registration and Questions: Joni Harbin, Gordon County Chamber of Commerce
Event Sign-In: April 24 6-8 PM Downtown or April 25 9-9:30 AM Downtown
Start of Race: 10:00 AM Downtown
Registration Fee: $100 per team with four members
Team Name: _________________________________________________________
Preferred Shirt Color __________________ Second Choice ____________________
Team Members:
1. ______________________________________ Size Tee Shirt: _________________
2._______________________________________ Size Tee Shirt: _________________
3._______________________________________ Size Tee Shirt: _________________
4._______________________________________ Size Tee Shirt: _________________
Team Captain: __________________________________________________________
Phone Number: __________________________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________________
Email: __________________________________________________________________
Thanks to our “Amazing” Sponsors!
DRO Property Management, Gordon Hospital, Mohawk
Industries and Shaw Industries Group, Inc.
along with
Andy Baxter Photography, City of Calhoun, DiPrima’s Shoes, GEM
Theatre, Georgia Bank & Trust, Gordon County, Gordon Hospital,
Greater Community Bank, Market at RAK, North Georgia National Bank,
North Georgia EMC, Northwest Georgia Regional Fair, RAK Outfitters,
Starr-Mathews Agency, Tai Ping Carpets Americas and The Fitting Room
Follow the Leaders...
Dr. John Bledsoe, Honorable
Scott Smith, Calhoun Junior
Mayor Tripp Morrison,
Honorable Rosemary Greene,
Shane Starkey and Drugs
Don’t Work Committee Chair
Peter Coombe participated
in the annual Lunch and
Learn Event at the Depot on
April 02. The event was cosponsored by the Cherokee
Circuit Drug Court and the
Gordon County Division
Office of District Attorney
Rosemary Greene.
Calhoun High School senior Ella Holden received the 2015 Howard
Baker Memorial Scholarship from North Georgia Electric Membership
Corporation. She and six other recipients are featured in the April edition of
Georgia Magazine. The daughter of Rickey and Lisa Holden, she plans to
attend Samford University, where she will study Pharmacy and Religion.
Local leaders, Ford professionals, educators and Chamber representatives gathered to celebrate Gordon
County Schools’ designation as a Ford Next Generation Learning Community on March 26, 2015 at Velo
Vineyard. Gordon County Schools worked with Ford NGL for more than a year to develop a five-year master
plan to increase the number of students learning in career academies within its district and broaden its reach
in the Gordon County area through affiliations with senior business, education and civic leaders. The plan will
provide emphasis on college and career preparation for students PreK-12 throughout the district.
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
10:00am-2:00pm
Gordon County Chamber of Commerce
will host regional Chamber Executives.
Membership Director
Kim Gallman and
Communications Director
Joni Harbin represented the
Gordon County Chamber of
Commerce at the GACCE
Staff Development Clinic
March 3-5
in Valdosta, GA.
Mohawk Industries was honored for its Sustainability Efforts at the Coosa River
Basin Initiative’s Green Gala April 02, 2015 at Barnsley Gardens Resort. Mohawk
representatives Jenny Cross and Sarah Tuck attended with their spouses, Eric and
Amos. Mohawk regularly appears on Newsweek magazine’s Greenest Companies
rankings. The company’s sustainability efforts were promoted by Cross during
the Gordon County Chamber of Commerce Booster Breakfast in May 2014. Past
Chamber Chair David Repp, a Mohawk officer representing the Chamber Executive
Board at this event, appears with his wife Jill in the photograph below.
.....Out and About
YOUTH LEADERSHIP CALHOUN/GORDON
COUNTY GRADUATES 46
Forty-six members of the 2015 Youth Leadership Calhoun/Gordon County class graduated on the
evening of April 2 at Calhoun First Baptist Church after eight months of intensive training. The purpose
of the Youth Leadership program is to develop future leaders in our area and to educate them as to
the issues and opportunities present in their community. Members of the Youth Leadership Committee
comprised of Judy Bailey, Dr. Cawood Cornelius, Larry Deaton, Jeff DeFoor, Kelli De Guire, Billie
Jean Erwin, Randy Gallman, Dr. Brandi Hayes, Carol Holland, Renee Hughes, Charley Little, Gay
Little, Christina Long, Danny Stephens, Deborah Theus, and Dr. Rob Thompson oversee the program.
Members of the 2015 Class of Youth Leadership Calhoun/Gordon County include: Laura Avery, Garison
Baker, Zamira Barnett, Kathryn Barton, Ali Beasley, Ashley Benson, Anna Blalock, Chloe Bowen,
Amber Burns, Kyleigh Carney, Sarah Chance, Raquelle Conner, Maria Cordero, Calli Davis, Spenser
Dunn, Leslie Fagan, Raleigh Fitch, Tucker Foster, Draik Grant, Lydia Henson, Ella Holden, Davis
Husk, Ashlan Jennings, Brittany Jenson, Clark Johnson, Abigail Jordon, Keris Kennington, Cara Key,
Destiny Patterson, Landon Martin, Sonia Mendoza, Carly Nesbitt, Nidhi Patel, Stephen Rademacher,
Caroline Ridley, Jasmine Salazar, Colton Schild, Jeanna Schrimsher, George Seddon, Trevor Serritt,
Jennifer Slyer, Caroline Tarpley, Samantha Turner, Jeannette Toscano, Macy Wilbanks, and Kenzie
Williams. Superior Court Judge Suzanne Smith was the guest speaker for the event. Congratulations
were extended to the recipient of the Youth Leadership Scholarship. Each year, an anonymous donor
provides an annual $1,000 scholarship and this year’s recipient was Calli Davis, Calhoun High School.
There is no cost for the students to participate in Youth Leadership Calhoun/Gordon County and
the program is completely funded by corporate sponsors who make financial contributions to the
program. The corporate sponsors for the 2015 class were: Calhoun Housing Authority, Chickfil-A at Calhoun, Billie Jean Erwin, Georgia Bank & Trust, Hall Realty, Bobbye F. Harris, Alvin
Long, Mathews & Parlo Carpet Wholesalers, Thomas E. Shanahan, and Starr-Mathews Agency.
The 2015 Youth Leadership group
pausedfor a photo at the Gordon
County Justice Center (left) and Judy
Bailey presented CHS Senior Calli
Davis the Youth Leadership Scholarship
during the graduation event (above).
Gordon County Chamber of Commerce
Golf Tournament
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2015
Fields Ferry Golf Club
Tournament Details
September 23, 2015
Awards
Cash Awards presented to 1st,
2nd and 3rd place winners in
each flight
Chamber of Commerce Contact
Kim Gallman
Phone (706) 625-3200
or [email protected]
Sponsorship level:
______________ Gold
$1500
______________ Silver $1000
______________ Bronze $ 500
______________ Hole
$ 250
______________ Team $ 500
Name: ________________________________________________
Company: _____________________________________________
Return form and payment to:
Gordon County Chamber of
Commerce
Attn: Kim Gallman
300 South Wall Street
Calhoun, GA 30701
Directions to
Fields Ferry Golf Course:
From I-75, take exit 315 and go
east on Red Bud Road
approximately 4.5 miles.
Turn left onto Hunts Gin Road go
1 mile. Fields Ferry Drive will be
on your left.
Fields Ferry Golf Course
581 Fields Ferry Drive, NE
Calhoun, GA 30701
(706) 625-9001
Address: ______________________________________________
Phone: ________________________________________________
Email: ________________________________________________
Player 1 (Team Captain) __________________________________
Player 2 _______________________________________________
Player 3 _______________________________________________
Player 4 _______________________________________________
Check enclosed for $___________
Credit Card Payment: Visa, MasterCard, Discover (Circle one)
Card Number:_________________________________________Expiration:_____________
Security Code (from back of card)_______________ Amount: ___________________
Sponsored by
Gordon Central High School
Blue Wave Marching Band
$$ MILLION DOLLAR $$
HOLE-IN-ONE SHOOT OUT
Qualifying Dates - April 15, 16 & 17 (10am—7pm)
Million Dollar Hole-in-One Shoot Out - Saturday , April 18th
Semi-final Round—10am Final Rounds—12 Noon
Host Location: Elks Lodge, Calhoun GA
143 Craigtown Rd NE Calhoun, GA 30701
HOW IT WORKS: Attend one of the qualifying dates above, purchase as many shots you wish, get
your shot inside the circle around the flag and advance to the semi-final round with an ultimate
chance for a shot to win ….
For more information email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Phone—(706) 879-5177 – GCHS Band Room
Raffle Tickets on sale for a
chance to win a hole-in-one
shot for a
Nalley of Decatur
Luxury BMW (value $100,000)
or Cash Option
** Photo for publicity only.
May not represent actual vehicle.
KERS CTechnology
OMPENSSolutions
ATION
WORInformation
LUNCH AND LEARN
2015 Gordon County
MARCH FOR BABIES
WHY:
Every baby deserves a healthy start! As the March of Dimes biggest
fund-raiser, March for Babies supports research and programs to help
LUNCH TO BE PROVIDED
WHEN:
THURSDAY,
MAY 7TH
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
prevent or treat premature birth, birth defects and other threats to
babies’ health.
WHEN:
April 25, 2015
HOW:
Register online at www.marchforbabies.org
WHERE:
GORDON COUNTY
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
300 S. WALL ST.
CALHOUN, GA 30701
City
Park in Downtown
START/FINISH: BB&T
Calhoun
Recreation
Department Calhoun
REGISTRATION: 10:00 AM
Ê
Ê
Ê
Ê
Ê
Ê
Ê
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MARCH FOR BABIES START: 11:00 AMÊ
JoinÊtheÊcelebration!Ê
ÊÊÊPicnicÊProvidedÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊÊ
PRESENTER:
WESLEY ALEXANDER
STARR MATHEWS AGENCY
(404)502-2822
[email protected]
MARCH FOR BABIES TAKES PLACE RAIN OR SHINE!
Sponsored by:
This program has been
approved for 1 (General)
recertification credit hours
toward PHR, SPHR and GPHR
recertification through the HR
Certification Institute.
Your Experience Mod calculation has changed in
2015 and will continue to change. Learn to
understand and control your Workers
Compensation Experience Mod and Workers
Compensation premium.
TOPICS DISCUSSED
 2015 Workers Compensation regulations and
changes
 Short and long range costs of claims
 Techniques to minimize the effects of claims
on your Workers Compensation Premium
 Experience Modifier.
 Controllable workers compensation costs
 Claims Management Systems
RSVP:
Wesley Alexander
(706)629-4441 (w)
(404)502-2822 (c)
[email protected]
During the Business After
Hours Event on April 30,
2015, GEM Theatre will
offer discounted prices on
commemorative theatre
seats. Don’t miss this
opportunity to honor a loved
one, show your support of
the GEM or promote your
business.
C H A M B E R
Monday, April 13
Young Professionals
12:00 noon
Voluntary Action Center
Wednesday, April 15
Executive Board
12:00 noon
Thursday, April 16
Board of Directors
8:00 a.m.
Ambassadors
12:00 noon
Friday, April 17
Marketing & Business Dev.
12:00 noon
Leadership Session
Outdoor Adventure
Williams River Camp
12:00noon-4:00pm
Monday, April 20
Community & Govt. Affairs
12:00 noon
Tuesday, April 21
Tourism
C A L E N D A R
Thursday, April 23
Existing Industries
12:00 noon
Friday and Saturday
April 24-25
BBQ Boogie & Blues
Saturday, April 25
Amazing Race
10:00am start
Tuesday, April 28
Development Authority
12:00 noon
Wednesday, April 29
Leadership Development
Economic Session
10:00 am-2:00 pm
Calhoun Depot
2015 EXECUTIVE BOARD
Raina Sanford, Chair
Gordon Hospital
Chrissy Bryant, Vice-Chair
Tai Ping Carpets Americas
Robert Mathews, Secretary-Treasurer
Starr-Mathews Agency
David Repp, Past Chair
Mohawk Industries
2015 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jeff Briggs, Mohawk Industries
Kristy Stoner Brown, Greater Community Bank
Peter Coombe, Calhoun City Schools
David Konter, Santek Waste Services
Jim Ledbetter, Gordon County Attorney
Pete McDonald, Georgia Northwestern Technical College
Amanda Ruddell, North Georgia National Bank
Thursday, April 30
Education & Workforce
12:00 noon
Buiness After Hours
5:30-7:00pm
GEM Theatre
Justin Timms, Gordon County Schools
Kim Townsend, Calhoun Recreation Department
Shane Watson, Apache Mills
Michael Wilson, Georgia Bank & Trust
Paul Worley, City of Calhoun
photo courtesy of Charlie Long
Orr-Mill Road Farm