November Business Builder Newsletter Girl pupils at the Sixth District Agricultural and Mechanical School farm operating a 12-25 Intl. Tractor in Barnesville on Thanksgiving Day, 1914. Photo credit: Vanishing Georgia, Georgia Archives, University System of Georgia Inside this issue Calendar of Events Page 2 Awards Banquet Page 10 Ribbon Cuttings Page 4 Illumination Celebration Page 6 Member Spotlight Page 20
Page 2 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Rotary 5K 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Schedule of Events Board Mtg/BAH November 7: Swint s Christmas Open House November 8: Goggans Florist Christmas Open House (8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) November 11: Veteran s Day November 13: Leadership Lamar Graduation November 18: Business Exchange November 20: Business After Hours November 26: Illumination Celebration November 27: Thanksgiving Day Business Exchange Please join us on November 18 at Maxi s for our monthly Business Exchange meeting. Breakfast will be sponsored by Purchasing Alliance Solutions and will begin at 7:30 a.m. The business meeting will begin at 8:00 a.m. Jaki Turner, Broker Sales Vice President with Purchasing Alliance Solutions, will be on hand to discuss Chamber member benefit programs centered around health insurance her company offers. Remember, the Business Exchange is the new monthly Chamber membership meeting and is open to all Chamber members.
Page 3 The Chamber would like to say a special Thank You to everyone who participated in this year s Farmers Market. We would also like to thank Bruce Akins for allowing the farmers to set up in the lot adjacent to Akins Farm and Home and Ag South Farm Credit for sponsoring the market. The farmers appreciate all of the support from the community and they thoroughly enjoyed meeting new people this year. We strive to make the market better each year for the farmers and the community alike. If you have any suggestions on what you would like to see next year, or just general comments about the market, please e-mail those to president@barnesville.org Thank you!
Ribbon Cuttings & Open Houses November 3 Lamar-Spalding Carrera Teen Center November 5 ZOe Pediatrics Relocation November 7 Swint s Pecans & Candies Christmas Season Open House 134 Main Street in Milner The ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 11:00 p.m. General Election Political Forum We would like to thank Robert Devane & Charles Glass, candidates for the Lamar County Commission Chairman seat, for their participation in the political forum held on October 23. We would also like to thank the Lamar County Farm Bureau for sponsoring the event, Dick Esco, Mayor Peter Banks, Walter Geiger, Mark Farmer, the Barnesville Civic Center, and the community for their assistance in helping make this event possible.
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Page 5 This November is Membership Drive Month! According to a recent national Chamber study, when consumers know that a small business is a member of the chamber of commerce, they are 49% more likely to think favorably of it and 80% more likely to purchase goods or services from the company in the future. In the same light, businesses enjoy an increase of 73% in consumer awareness and see a local reputation increase of 68%. -The Schapiro Group, Inc. Research Study To refer a new member or to renew your own membership, call (770) 358-5884 for more details.
Page 6 All Aboard! Join us at the Depot on November 26 for: The Polar Express Christmas Illumination Celebration! The night begins with the Community Church Service held at the Barnesville First United Methodist Church beginning at 6:30 p.m. Immediately following the service, the Chamber will host the Annual Illumination Celebration at 7:30 p.m. There will be Christmas Carols, reading of the Christmas story, pictures with Santa at Reflections Photography Studio, and the lighting of downtown. We are also bringing back the window decorating contest and gingerbread house contest. This year we will have boarding passes for you to have stamped at local merchants for a chance to win up to $100! We will also have opportunities for you to set up a vendor booth for FREE and you have an opportunity to broadcast your business/organization information on our slideshow for $25. We are moving full steam ahead with this event and hope that you will hop aboard and join us on November 26 for a night of community togetherness and fun.
2014 Illumination Ceremony Advertising Sponsorship During the 2014 Illumination Ceremony, there is an opportunity to advertise your business. This year, the ceremony will be held at the depot on November 26th, 2014. During the ceremony, we will be presenting a continuous slide show of the Illumination Celebration Sponsors. If you do not have an ad/logo ready, the Chamber of Commerce will be glad to create one for you. Sponsorships need to be paid by November 21, 2014. Artwork ready $25 Artwork needed $30 Business Name: Contact: Email: Phone Number: Please contact the Chamber of Commerce for more information 100 Commerce Place PO Box 506 Barnesville, GA 30204 (770) 358-5884 (770) 358-5886 (Fax) president@barnesville.org
The 32nd Annual Community Awards Banquet will be held at the Barnesville Civic Center on January 22, 2015 beginning at 7:00 p.m. This is an important event for our community because it is a time where many of Barnesville s most valuable citizens are recognized. Tickets for this catered event will be $25.00 and will be available at the Chamber of Commerce until January 16th at 5:00 p.m. The Chamber of Commerce sponsors two awards: Outstanding Citizen and Business Person of the Year. Last year s recipient of the Outstanding Citizen Award was Barnesville City Manager Kenneth Roberts and the recipients for the Business Person of the Year Award were Mr. William Bill Lindsey & Mrs. Susan Lindsey. The deadline for nominations will be December 12 at 5:00 p.m. Forms are available in this newsletter, online at www.barnesville.org, and at the Chamber located at 100 Commerce Place. Other awards that will be given out include: Volunteer of the Year Award (Barnesville Lion s Club), Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award (Dewaine T. Bell Difference Makers), Farmer of the Year Award (Barnesville-Lamar County Farm Bureau), Career Woman of the Year Award (Barnesville Rotary Club), the Brittain Cauthen Firefighter of the Year Award (Barnesville-Lamar County Fire Department), and the STAR Student/STAR Teacher. For more information about the event, please contact the Chamber at (770) 358-5884. Please remember, ALL NOMINATIONS FOR OUTSTANDING CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AND BUSINESS PERSON OF THE YEAR MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:00 P.M. ON DECEMBER 12, 2014.
November Business Exchange Meeting Hosted & Sponsored By: Purchasing Alliance Solutions Please join us on November 18 at Maxi s for our monthly Business Exchange meeting. Breakfast will be sponsored by Purchasing Alliance Solutions and will begin at 7:30 a.m. The business meeting will begin at 8:00 a.m. Jaki Turner, Broker Sales Vice President with Purchasing Alliance Solutions, will be on hand to discuss Chamber member benefit programs her company offers. Remember, the Business Exchange is the new monthly Chamber membership meeting and is open to all Chamber members. We encourage you to attend or send a co-worker in your place so that you can benefit from this great networking opportunity. Chaired Enthusiastically By: Jan Hatten, Reflections Photography Studio
Page 15 7 Since our Founder, the late S. Truett Cathy purchased The Rock Ranch 25 years ago, the farm has become a favorite place for families to make treasured and wholesome memories together. The fall season was particularly special for Truett as he enjoyed coming to The Rock Ranch during our annual Fall Family Fun Days to spend time with the kids and to see families uniting with the land and each other. We dedicate our 2014 Fall Season to our founder, our mentor, our friend; Truett Cathy. We hope you will join us this year in celebrating his life and memory with us at The Rock Ranch. Fall Family Fun Days at The Rock Ranch Saturdays, September 27 - November 15, 2014 Every Saturday will provide a completely different and wonderful experience with a unique theme and special entertainment. In addition to all of our wonderful events planned for the fall season, this year's corn maze celebrates "75 Years of Oz." The maze is our most interactive and exciting maze ever. It features the likeness of Dorothy, Toto, The Scarecrow, The Cowardly Lion and The Tin Man. Guests will enjoy character meet & greets and photos with their favorite characters from Wizard of Oz. This family fun experience in the corn field is sure to have you saying "There's no place like The Rock Ranch."
National Roll Call Event More than 1,000 flags will line the paths that cross Lambdin Green on the campus of Gordon State College November 11 for the annual National Roll Call event. Guest speaker for the 2 p.m. event is Lt. Col. Brian W. Lassetter, commander of 1 st Squadron, 108 th Cavalry Regiment of the Georgia Army National Guard. Also scheduled to speak is Anne Purvis, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Sciences, and professor of nursing at Gordon. Purvis served as a nurse in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years, serving all over the world. The National Roll Call project began on Nov. 11, 2011 when students, faculty, staff and community members at more than 180 colleges and universities nationwide came together and demonstrated their commitment to remembering those who, as President Lincoln described, gave their last full measure of devotion while serving our country. The Lamar County Sheriff s Department will present the colors and the Gordon State Choir will sing The Star Spangled Banner. A member of the music program will blow taps. We are so honored to participate in the annual Roll Call event, said Carey Lisk, president of the Student Veterans Association. This program honors all veterans as well as our current student veterans and also recognizes Gordon s rich heritage as a former military school. This event is free and the community is invited to attend. Griffin Choral Arts Presents Follow That Star FOLLOW THAT STAR will be presented on Thursday, December 4, at 7:30 PM at Griffin First Baptist Church (106 W. Taylor Street). Christmas with Griffin Choral Arts is a community tradition. Join us for a choral holiday celebration featuring Kevin Memley s Magnificat, accompanied by piano, Macon s Barrister Brass, and percussion. The choir will also perform Star in the East, arranged by one of our very own singers, William Allen Pasch. Join your voice with the choir for familiar Christmas carols and enjoy the spirit of the season! Tickets are $15 and available in advance through December 2, in Griffin at Artistic Flowers and Gifts and Safehouse Coffee Roasters, in Barnesville at Goggans Florist, in Zebulon at A Novel Experience bookstore, and in Thomaston at the TUAC Gallery. Tickets will also be sold at Griffin First Baptist Church (enter through Hill Street doors) on Dec. 3 & 4 from 10 a.m.-noon & 2-4 p.m. Tickets may also be available at the door, but advance purchase is recommended. This is typically a sell-out, so plan early! Further information (including program notes) is available at the Griffin Choral Arts website: http://www.griffinchoralarts.org or call 1-888-SING1-88 (888-746-4188).
Member Spotlight Want to win a free ad in our newsletter? Join us at the November Business After Hours event and you could be featured here next month! J. Joseph Edwards, CEO United Bank Corporation 308 Thomaston Street Barnesville, GA 30204 (770) 358-8025
P.O. Box 506 100 Commerce Place Barnesville, GA 30204 Office: (770) 358-5884 Fax: (770) 358-5886 www.barnesville.org This Newsletter is brought to you by: President s Corner One of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in what is now the United States occurred in 1621 when the Wampanoag Indians and Plymouth colonists bound together to celebrate a successful harvest in the Plymouth Colony. With the help of the Wampanoag Indians, the colonists learned how to extract sap from Maple trees, they learned which plants to avoid, and most importantly, learned how to plant crops. The colonists first harvest was so successful that William Bradford, the Governor of Plymouth Colony, held a grand feast in honor of the great harvest. He extended a special invitation to the neighboring Wampanoag Tribe to take part in the celebratory feast, which ended up lasting for three days. On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation that officially declared the last Thursday of November as a day of thanksgiving and praise. This marked the first time Thanksgiving would be both a national and annual holiday. For 75 years, Thanksgiving was recognized as the last Thursday in November. In 1939, Thanksgiving was to fall on November 30 upsetting retailers who wanted the holiday pushed up a week to allow more time for Christmas shopping. Roosevelt honored the requests and issued a proclamation in 1939 declaring Thanksgiving to be on November 23, the second to last Thursday of the month. Some state governors recognized the new date, whereas others did not, but many individuals felt that changing the date of a cherished holiday for the sake of business was not a good enough reason for the change. Texas and Colorado were the only states to honor both dates. Due to much confusion and public dissatisfaction, Congress passed a law on December 26, 1941, declaring that Thanksgiving would occur each year on the fourth Thursday of November. The passing of the Thanksgiving Day law came only 19 days after Pearl Harbor was attacked, igniting what would become World War II. Marshall Hooks