| Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce |
Chamber voting is due!
Don't forget to return your chamber ballots for the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Eight names for nomination to the Board of Directors of Swainsboro, Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce have been selected by the Nomination Committee.
Nominated are DeAnna Moore, Clay Hall, Daniel Massa, Mitchell Fagler, Jim Roberts, Dustin Vernon, Peyton Frye, and Wes Wilkes.
Members are asked to vote for four positions on the board. Also appearing on the ballot is a place for write-in candidates. Ballots must be postmarked no later than October 1, 2011 to be counted.
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Minitown Playhouse & Parties is now open
Emanuel County has a new business. Kevin & Shirley Epps have opened Minitown Playhouse & Parties at 317 North Main Street in Swainsboro. Minitown is a family entertainment center for kids ages 3-12. The business features a three-level mega maze, 3-story climbing and crawling experience, 15-ft. spiral slide, games, and much more. The new business also serves a variety of snacks including pizza and ice cream.
According to the Epps, the business is great for birthday parties, special events, or just a day to play. For more information call 478-289-7766.
Welcome to our newest chamber member!
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October 20th tribute to "Mrs. Luck" is announced
Mrs. Luck F. Gambrell has made a tremendous difference in the lives of the citizens of Swainsboro and Emanuel County, often with little or no recognition. Her contributions have included many different areas of interest including arts, music and education. In appreciation of her interest and support, a musical concert series involving local talent has been established at East Georgia College. The events will be scheduled each October. One of the major purposes of the series, in addition to honoring Mrs. Gambrell, will be to promote and encourage local performers in some musical area.
The inaugural concert program will feature Swainsboro native, John M. Neighbors, pianist, in a program entitled, "Remember When: The Music of a Lifetime." The evening will include piano music from the 1920's to music of today. The series is sponsored by East Georgia College Foundation and East Georgia College. The event will be held October 20th, in the Luck F. Gambrell Auditorium on the East Georgia College campus. The program will begin at 7:00 p.m. There is no admission charge.
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Festival of Crafts is set for October 15th
The annual Arts Emanuel Festival, this year entitled Festival of Crafts, will be held in conjunction with American Craft Week on October 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event will feature free craft activities for kids, an artist market, artisan demonstrations, local entertainers, and more. The event will conclude with a "Battle of the Bands" which will be held at the Boneyard Pavilion. For more information contact the Emanuel Arts Council at 478-237-2592.
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Job Fair & Career EXPO is planned
The Swainsboro-Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce will co-sponsor a "Job Fair & Career EXPO" on Tuesday, October 18th. The event will be held at the gymnasium at the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Parks and Recreation Center, 632 McLeod Bridge Road, Swainsboro. Other sponsors include Heart of Georgia Altamaha Regional Commission; Job Training Unlimited, Inc.; Georgia Department of Labor; and the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Joint Development Authorities. For more information on the event, call 1-800-503-0204.
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Is high cost of training prohibiting your firm from hiring?
On-the-Job-Training (OJT) is a program designed to give employers an incentive to hire employees that do not have all of the specific skills and, or knowledge needed to work within their company. Workforce Investment Act funds reimburse the employer using a sliding scale based on the size of employer. A firm with 1 to 50 employees receives up to 90% reimbursement for training; a company with 50 to 250 employees receives up to 75% reimbursement, while a business with 251 or more would receive up to 50% reimbursement.
The reimbursement of the "OJT" worker's wages is to compensate the employer for time and extraordinary effort it takes to train the unskilled worker to do the job.
For more information on the Workforce Investment Act call the Chamber at 478-237-6426, or Job Training Unlimited at 1-800-503-0204.
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Swainsboro Raceway plans Halloween party
Swainsboro Raceway will be celebrating Halloween with a "Monster Truck & Mug Bogging" on Saturday, October 29th. There promises to be lots of thrills and chills with a costume contest for kids and adults. The "mug bogging" will begin at 4 p.m. followed by a Pit Party at 5 p.m., and Monster Truck event at 7 p.m. There will plenty of racing, too. For more information on the Halloween event go swainsbororaceway@yahoo.com or call 478-252-1300.
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ESPLOST vote is set
Emanuel County voters will head to the polls on November 8th to vote on a special one percent local option sale tax for education. This is not a new tax but a continuation of a present tax.
Referred to as ESPLOST, Emanuel County taxpayers have selected this method to help fund facilities and capital outlay expenditures in the past. Voters have seen fit to vote in favor of this special tax in three succeeding elections. Since 1977, this tax has added up to millions to support badly needed projects with the school system that would have been dropped, discontinued, or paid through an increase in property taxes.
Emanuel County citizens have seen many improvements in our school system through the use of ESPLOST. Students have benefitted from this one cent tax with new buildings, new buses, textbooks, instructional & administrative technology, safety and security equipment, music and athletic equipment.
This 2011 vote will enable the System to pay off current bonded indebtedness and provide important updates including new textbooks, technology, renovation and improvement to facilities. |
'Carols on the Square' and Santa slated for December 1
Mark your calendar! This year's Swainsboro "Christmas Parade and Carols around the Square" will be held on Thursday afternoon, December 1st. The parade will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Last year's event saw over 70 entries in the parade including a visit from Santa Claus himself. For more information on this year's parade and entry information, please contact Swainsboro Downtown Development Authority Director Lynn Brinson at 478-237-7025.
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DOT approves plans
Final construction plans for three signs on the Swainsboro bypass have been approved by the Georgia Department of Transportation. This word comes from Jeanne Kersey, Transportation Enhancement Project Manager with Moreland-Altobelli Associates, coordinators of Georgia's Transportation Enhancement grants.
"We continue to move through the various criteria of this grant program," stated Bill Rogers Jr., chamber president. "We hope to be able to move into the bid process and actual construction within the next several months. This has been a long process but we think it will give Swainsboro appealing gateway signs into our community," he added.
The chamber project was approved for a Transportation Enhancement (TE) grant in December 2007. Since that time, the chamber has worked to complete the various grant requirements which include archaeological, environmental, right-of-way certification, and other evaluations. The project is co-sponsored by the City of Swainsboro. The chamber is now awaiting a "Notice to Proceed."
Assisting with the project are Angie Cooper, DOT Area Engineer; Jerry Brinson, Highway Engineer, Moreland-Altobelli Associates; and Ken Warnock, Vice President, James W. Buckley & Associates, architects for the project.
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Vision Series to host Orchestra
The Symphony Orchestra Augusta will be presenting performances at East Georgia College on Thursday, October 6th. Under the musical direction of Shizuo Z. Kuwahara, the performances will be held at 11 a.m. and at 7 p.m. in the auditorium of the Luck Flanders Gambrell Center and are part of the college's Vision Series. The performance is free and open to the public.
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Pine Tree Festival dates announced!
Mark your calendar! May 3rd, 4th, and 5th, 2012, have been selected as major event days for the 2012 Pine Tree Festival. A complete list of activities, events, times and places will be released soon. The parade is slated for Saturday, May 5th at 10:30 a.m. so mark your calendar now!
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Chamber's Industry Appreciation Golf outing is a success!
 A great day was experienced by all during the 18th Annual Industry Appreciation Golf Tournament. Held at the Swainsboro Golf Course on Thursday, September 29th, over 100 golfers representing business and industry enjoyed the outing under bright sunshine and warm weather. This marked another year of tremendous support for the tournament since its inception in 1994. The event is sponsored by the Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce and Joint Development Authorities to pay special recognition to local industries.
Following registration and lunch by Maryland Fried Chicken, Chamber President Kenny Griffin and Golf Rules Committee Chairman Peyton Frye welcomed golfers and industry participants.
The highlight of the day was the "hole-in-one" recorded by Brian Tanner on Hole Ten. The par three, 133 yards, yielded the first "hole-in-one" in the history of the tournament. Tanner won a 3 day, 2 night stay at Treetops Resort. Swainsboro Ford-Lincoln sponsored the "hole-in-one" contest.
Taking top honors for the day was Atkinson Pecan Products. Lash Atkinson, Brandon Cobb, Slade Clements, and Lance Hancock shot a sizzling 19-under to take top honors. A tie for second and third place resulted when Nordson and Buckley & Associates posted identical scores of 15-under. A regression of scorecard comparisons gave Nordson second place.
Stitch N Print took the 2nd Flight top spot with a 11-under score. Playing for Stitch N Print were Chris Oliver, Jeremy Oliver, Billy Sherrod, and Bill Donaldson. An individual team of Dr. Bobby Sasser, David Cieslica, Rocky Gokal, and Brian Tanner took the 3rd flight honors with 8-under score.
Following golf, door prizes were given away, along with prizes for the winning teams. The group then enjoyed barbecue cooked by Papa Buck's Barbeque. The lunch and barbecue were sponsored by the Forest-Blade Publishing Company.
"We had a wonderful time today. This tournament is one of our ways of thanking our local industries for their commitment to our county," stated Chamber Golf Committee Chairman Jill Harvey.
Chamber golf committee members also include DeAnna Moore, Wade Johnson, Heather Cook, Doug Brown, Peyton Frye, Clay Hall, Jack Bareford, Donna Brinson, Shanna Taylor and Bill Rogers Jr.
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Lane Bros. Auction holds record auction
Lane Bros. Auction will undertake their 100th farm and equipment auction on October, 1st. What makes the event so unusual is the auctions are conducted via the internet attracting buyers from around the world. According to Adam Lane, owner of the company located at 389 Meadowlake Parkway, buyers are as far away as Japan, Taiwan, and United Arab Emirates. Auctions have sold equipment to all 50 states and internationally as well. Congratulations go to Adam, his staff, and this growing Emanuel County business on this historic event! |
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Business after Hours is set!
Thursday afternoon, October 20th, is the setting for the next Chamber's Business after Hours event. Daniel Massa and Emanuel County Clinic of Chiropractic will host the event at their business office located in the Professional Building, 120 Jackson Street, Suite C. Dr. Desiree Brown will be welcomed and introduced at this time as a new addition to the staff. Refreshments will be served from 5 pm. to 6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend!
In addition, "Business after Hours Cash Drawing" continues to grow. There was no winner at the BAH's last event, so the amount increases to $100. Each chamber member is eligible, but you must be present to win!
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| September 2011 Chamber New Members |
Hotset America
David Cieslica
713 Kite Road
Swainsboro, GA 30401
912-289-1844
Minitown Playhouse & Parties
Kevin A. Epps
317 North Main Street
Swainsboro, GA 30401
478-289-7766
minitownplayhouseandparties
@hotmail.com
Shepeard Community Blood Center
Pam Rascon
1533 Wrightsboro Road
Augusta, GA 30904
706-737-4551
Mary Shepherd
212 Ponderosa Drive
Swainsboro, GA 30401
478-237-5670
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| September 2011 Chamber Member Renewals |
Allgood Pest Solutions
Anderson Homes
AT&T
Candler Wireless
CBS Insurance Services
Days Inn & Suites
Deluxe Inn
East Georgia College Foundation
Emanuel County Farm Bureau, Inc.
Jones Central LLC
Mark Williams Studio
Pittman & Avery, CPA
Shepherd, Gary & McWhorter
Tom'es Pawn Central
Youmans, Mr. & Mrs. J.R. |
Saturday, October 1st - Lane Bros. Auction-100th farm & equipment auction
Tuesday, October 4th, 6:00pm - Leadership Emanuel Class
Thursday, October 6th, 11:00am & 7:00pm - Augusta Symphony Orchestra, Luck Gambrell Auditorium at East Georgia College
Thursday, October 6th, 12:30pm-1:30pm - USDA "My Plate" icon replacement of the food pyramid, public meeting, Emanuel Medical Center
Thursday, October 6th, 6:00pm - Sunshine House Dinner & Auction, Beaver Creek Plantation
Friday, October 7th, 11:00am - Roof Raising for Strange Clubhouse, Bobcat Villas, East Georgia College
Sunday, October 9th, 2:00pm-4:00pm - Emanuel County Historic Preservation Society Open House
Tuesday-Saturday, October 11th-15th - Southeast Georgia Jaycee Fair
Tuesday, October 11th, 9:30am - Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce Executive board meeting, Chamber building
Tuesday, October 11th, 6:00pm - Leadership Emanuel Class
Thursday, October 13th - A Day for East Georgia College
Thursday, October 13th, 12:00pm - Swainsboro/Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce Regular board meeting, Chamber building
Saturday, October 15th, 4:00pm-7:00pm - Arts Emanuel "Festival of Crafts", Downtown Swainsboro
Saturday, October 15th, 7:00pm - Arts Emanuel Battle of the Bands, Boneyard Pavilion
Tuesday, October 18th, 1:00pm-4:00pm - Job Fair & Career Expo, Swainsboro Recreation Department
Tuesday, October 18th, 5:00pm - Swainsboro/Emanuel County Joint Development Authorities board meeting, Chamber building
Tuesday, October 18th, 6:00pm - Leadership Emanuel Class
Thursday, October 20th, 5:00pm-7:00pm - Emanuel County Historic Preservation Society Annual Spaghetti Supper, Earl Varner 4-H Center
Thursday, October 20th, 5:00pm-6:30pm - Business after Hours, Emanuel County Clinic of Chiropractic
Thursday, October 20th, 7:00pm - Luck Gambrell Appreciation Event, East Georgia College
Friday & Saturday, October 21st & 22nd - Go Kart Racing, Georgia Sports Arena
Saturday, October 22nd - Emanuel County Historic Preservation Society Tour de Pines bike ride
Saturday, October 22nd, 9:00am - 5K Bobcat Dash & Fun Run
Saturday, October 22nd - National Collegiate Disc Golf, East Georgia College
Tuesday, October 25th, 6:00pm - Leadership Emanuel Class
Saturday, October 29th, 4:00pm - Monster Truck & Mud Bogg, Swainsboro Raceway |
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