The Chamber's annual "Carols on the Square" will be held this Thursday, December 6, at 5:30 p.m. at the Downtown Pavilion. All local churches and choral volunteers are invited to participate in the event. Choral participants are asked to gather at 5 p.m. for a brief practice.

The event will include Christmas hymns and holiday favorites. In addition, a special solo will be sung by Donald Jenkins and trio of Elizabeth Lawson, Ann Rogers and Monica Woodward will perform. The choir will be under the direction of Betsy Johnson with John Neighbors featured on the organ.

Santa Claus is also expected to arrive about 6 p.m., thanks to members of Beta Sigma Phi, Kappa Omega Chapter. A photo session will be available for children with proceeds raised by the club going to support families in need during the holiday season, the Emanuel County Homeless Student Relief Fund, and Relay for Life.

Hot chocolate and apple cider will be served by the Emanuel Arts Council, while Beta Sigma Phi, Xi Delta Psi Chapter will offer Christmas treats for sale.

The Emanuel County Ministerial Association and the Pilot Club will assist in sponsoring the event.

"With the additional sponsoring organizations, we are excited about this year's expanded event. Bring your folding chairs and enjoy a wonderful kickoff to the Christmas season," added Bill Rogers Jr., Chamber president.

The 5th Annual Beta Lights Talent Show will be held on Thursday, December 6, at East Georgia College Auditorium beginning at 7:00 p.m. The program will showcase local talent from both students and adults. Tickets are $5.00 and may be purchased from any SHS Beta student or may be bought at the door.

Would you like to have your pet and family picture taken with Santa? Beta Sigma Phi, Kappa Omega Chapter is planning a special picture day on Saturday, December 8, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The photo session will take place at McRae Veterinary Clinic. According to club officials, proceeds will go to the Swainsboro Animal Shelter for the spay and neuter program and other club projects.

The December 8th Art Stroll will feature new and exciting art exhibitions, as well as live music at the Emanuel Arts Center on Green & Church Streets. The newest exhibition at Gallery RFD will feature artwork inspired by the news from 2007 in a themed exhibition juried by the University of Memphis. The Emanuel Arts Council will feature work by Luis Santana and Julie Lumley-Ducker featuring new and selected works of pottery and jewelry at the Kalmanson Gallery. Take a stroll down Green Street and visit other exhibitions at 114, Folds Photography, Brantley's Billiards, Jacks Java Cove, Designs on the Square and at Rainbow Antique Mall. The Stroll takes place from 5-8 p.m. with an artists talk at RFD at 7 p.m.

On Saturday, December 8th, there will be a live performance by Bottles N Cans. This Blues Band is a Savannah favorite and will be performing at the Emanuel Arts Center off of Green/Church Streets at 8 p.m. The lead singer is originally from Las Vegas but migrated to Savannah two years ago and has become a popular attraction at local music venues. This performance is a "must see" on the Art Stroll! This live performance is brought to you by the Downtown Commission for Arts and Commerce (DCAC). The DCAC is made up of The Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce, Nordson, Gallery RFD, Mill Creek, The Emanuel Arts Council, Radio Jones, The Forest Blade, the GREDC at EGC and Daniels Chevrolet.

Emanuel County's newest brochure was unveiled in special ceremonies Thursday, Nov. 15th, at the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce.

Approximately 50 people gathered for the event, including representatives from the Chamber's Board of Directors, members of the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Joint Development Authority, Swainsboro city officials and Emanuel County elected officials.

Also displayed for the first time was a new, large- scale county map given to the Chamber and Joint Development Authority by Altamaha Electric Membership Corporation.

The new map will assist the Chamber and Authority in their on-going efforts to attract industry, commercial and retail establishments to the area.

Local employees of Altamaha, along with several regional and state EMC officials, assisted in co- sponsoring the event.

The new brochure is a 12-page, 4x9 paneled, full color piece listing many of Emanuel County's points of interest, annual events, parks, recreation opportunities and sporting activities. Over 30,000 copies have been printed and will be distributed to the state's welcome centers, regional tourist centers, as well as local hotels, motels and other tourist destinations.

Mark your calendar! Swainsboro will once again host the 2008 Economic Outlook Luncheon. Sponsored by the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business, the event will be held at East Georgia College on January 15th.

Tickets can now be reserved by calling Donna Freeman, East Georgia College, at 478-289-2108 or go online dfreeman@ega.edu.

Dear Chamber Members:

Last year our December newsletter dealt primarily with a year-end report listing some of the Chamber's accomplishments for the year. To not break with tradition, you'll find below a listing of noteworthy achievements and activities in 2007.

While we are pleased that we have made strides, we are more excited about the possibilities that lay ahead. Chairman Ken Warnock, the Chamber Executive Committee and the Chamber's Board of Directors are to be commended. Not only have they provided guidance and leadership, but they have provided the tools and funds necessary accomplish the job.

I would like to personally thank the Chamber staff for their help and dedication during the year. Without them many of our accomplishments might have fallen short of the mark. We are very fortunate to have Crystal Glisson and Donna Brinson, both whom have worked diligently to promote and enhance our county every day.

As we look to the start of this next year, we hope 2008 will be a bountiful year for you, your business, our cities and county. We look forward to working with each chamber member to make Emanuel County an even better place to live, work and play.

We hope this report meets your approval and again in 2008, we can count on you for your renewed interest and membership. Sincerely Bill Rogers Jr., President

Here is a partial list of our undertakings:
1) Sent out 12 monthly newsletters to the membership in 2007
2) Reviewed, audited and revised chamber budget
3) Held weekly meetings with the chamber staff to coordinate activities
4) Held five membership "Coffee Connections" meetings to update membership
5) Attended the State Chamber's Annual Meeting and Eggs and Issues Breakfast, Atlanta
6) Membership banquet was held in February, largest attendance ever.
7) Chamber staff attended 2007 GACCE Staff Clinic at Brasstown Valley
8) Assisted with the formation of a "Festival Foundation Committee" to work with Pine Tree Festival
9) Attended Emanuel County's "Joint Comprehensive Plan" meetings
10) Attended the Georgia Young Farmers State Convention in Augusta
11) Hosted a series of small business classes for local businesses and entrepreneurs
12) Visited five local industries with JDA President Andy Riley
13) Assisted Joint Development Authority with National Nano-Manufacturing Center event at East Georgia College and Swainsboro Technical College in March
14) Constructed the Chamber's new 22-page website, launched in June, 2007
15) Designed and had published a new brochure on "things-to-do" in Emanuel County; unveiled in November
16) Held STAR Luncheon for STAR Students and Teachers
17) Worked on design for "gateway entrances" to be located on Swainsboro Bypass; funding sought
18) Assisted Joint Development Authority with planned call center, PharmaCentra
19) Created and developed a "marketing plan" for tourism for Emanuel County
20) Applied for tourism grant with the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Grant in the amount of $7,237.00 received in August
21) Held Administrative Professionals Day in April; 108 in attendance
22) Co-sponsored music events for Second Saturday Art Stroll
23) Submitted monthly articles for inclusion in the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives' monthly newsletter concerning events and happening here in Emanuel County
24) Submitted a grant request in the amount of $113,700 with the Georgia Department of Transportation Enhancement (TE) projects for construction of gateway signs on the Swainsboro Bypass; awaiting grant decision
25) Hosted a community leadership meeting with the Georgia Department of Corrections on proposed changes to Emanuel Probation Detention Center
26) Established a Personnel and Procedure Manual for Chamber Staff and Board
27) Visited over 40 Chamber members throughout year
28) Participated in three "Georgia On My Mind" days at the state's Welcome Centers to showcase Emanuel tourism and products; Savannah, Sylvania and Augusta
29) Contacted Chamber members to verify website information
30) Participated in nine ribbon cuttings for new businesses
31) Hosted four business-after hours events
32) Assisted Emanuel County Young Farmers in hosting the Georgia Young Farmers Summer Tour
33) Initiated a "Back-to-School Shop at Home Campaign" on WXRS, WJAT, WELT, and WRJS
34) Completed a "How to Start A Business Guide for Emanuel County"
35) Received designation from State of Georgia as an "Entrepreneur-Friendly" county; one of 64 in Georgia
36) Held annual Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic; 119 golfers & 10 local industries participated
37) Created a full color, 11x17 map for handout to visitors; placed in motels, bed & breakfast operations, and other points of interest.
38) Worked with Retire in Georgia magazine to establish Emanuel County as a destination for retirees; webpage to be launched in December or January, 2008
39) Assisted in AT&T Competitive grant application with Swainsboro Technical College for purchase of electronic bulletin boards to be located in downtown kiosk. Awaiting grant decision
40) Joined with the Joint Development Authority in hosting NanoValley Consortium meeting at Flat Creek Lodge in October.
41) Hosted Georgia State Chamber of Commerce "Legislative Listening Session" in November.
42) Attended Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executive Leadership Conference in Albany, Ga.
43) Assisted Emanuel County Farm Bureau with annual Farm/City Banquet
44) Coordinated the Second Annual "Christmas On The Square" event
45) Attended Classic South Regional Tourism quarterly meetings

Community Action for Youth
Rita Faulkner
615 Gumlog Street
Swainsboro, GA 30401
478-237-7036