AM 630 WNEG WEEKLY CHAMBER UPDATE

Hello this is Wendi Bailey your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President with your Weekly Chamber Update.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!

Your Chamber continues to actively promote our “Christmas Hot Deals” including Feral Outfitters, Organic Spa & Salon Anastasia, Meadows Surgical Arts, Cornerstone Restaurant, Rose Lane Bowling, Brother Johns and many more! These businesses have come together to offer you promotions on their hottest items of the season.

The best part is they are all right here in our hometown! The Chamber encourages you to shop Toccoa-Stephens County FIRST, before going out of town or online. Please visit our web site at www.toccoagachamber.com to see ALL the Christmas hot deals.  

Your Chamber also continues to promote hospitality and customer service training.  We are now following up with a "Mystery Shopper Program".  Consider having secret shoppers visit your business, restaurants and stores to report back to you on the service they received. We are striving for EXCELLENT customer service in all Toccoa-Stephens County stores and restaurants. Please call the Chamber to learn more.  

Today at 10am is a special Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Celebration for Square One Fitness at their location on North Big A Road. We will have refreshments and door prizes to celebrate. Come meet Steve and Chris Burtt, Brian Lingle and Manager Pheonix Carroll and take a tour of the new fitness facility to learn more. Hope to see you there!    

This past year has been an exciting one for the Chamber. It’s because of the guidance and support from investors like you, throughout the County, that we are able to be an effective advocate for Toccoa-Stephens County’s businesses and community.

Our Chamber offers opportunities for you to learn, to lead and to make a difference. We have over twelve different committees, all doing great work, for you to choose from.  Whatever your passion we need you to volunteer and get involved! Join us today!  

That’s your Weekly Update. I’m Wendi Bailey your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President.

Chamber Members Offer Christmas "Hot Deals"!

Hello this is Phaleck Silien, your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce Intern with your Weekly Chamber Update.

Countdown to Christmas! 

Christmas is closer than you think with only 41 shopping days left this season. Every year the Chamber asks our members to submit a “Christmas HOT DEAL” on a featured item.

The Chamber takes the "Hot Deals" and posts them in the “Weekly Chamber Update” emailed to over 800 contacts. We also post them on our website at www.toccoagachamber.com and we print them on glossy, color, handouts to distribute in the Welcome Center and at member locations. New this year, we will host a special event to showcase what local businesses have to offer.

WHY do we do this? (1) So customers can get a jump start on Christmas shopping. (2) So we can keep customers buying local. (3) So we can market our Chamber businesses. 

Also, “Small Business Saturday” is coming up on Saturday, November 30^th.  Get ready to “keep it local” and plan to spend “$30 at a Chamber business this November 30th.

I have one announcement for you:

Today is the “Business After Hours” sponsored by Feral Outfitters at 5pm at their location on Doyle Street in historic downtown Toccoa.  Did you hear that Feral will be open from 12am-6pm on Black Friday? Their “Hot Deal” is for the month of December. If you buy one item of jewelry, you get 25% off the second item!   

Your Chamber helps you market your business, meet other business owners and continue your business education. Visit toccoagachamber.com to see the list of businesses who are building a better community.  Join us today!  

That’s your Weekly Update. I’m Phaleck Silien, your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce Intern.

Stephens County School System's Annual Report

Hello this is Wendi Bailey, your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber President with your Weekly Chamber Update.

The Stephens County School System’s “Annual Report” will be presented by School Superintendent Sherrie Whiten next Tuesday at the Rotary Club of Toccoa meeting. 

The Chamber’s Education Committee is Co-Chaired by Greg Pitts of the department of Labor and Karen Caudell of the Pruitt Foundation.  

The committee is inviting the public to attend the luncheon and learn about the School System’s academic achievements, important issues, challenges and future initiatives.

The Forum is next Tuesday, November 12^th at Gate Cottage on the campus of Toccoa Falls College from 11:00am – 1:00pm. Doors open at 10:30am.

Reservations are required. Lunch will be served by Cabe Crest Catering and the cost is $10 for pre-registered guests and $12 for day-of registration. 

The Chamber’s Education Committee facilitates business support of the School System’s activities events and efforts to enhance student achievement and to build a skilled workforce. The Education Committee connects your business with our schools through the Partner-in-Education program.  Call the chamber at 706-886-2132 to learn more today.

I have a few announcements for you:

Today is the Grand Re-opening, and day-long celebration, at the Ingles grocery store from 11am to 4pm. They are offering free samples of Boar’s Head deli meats and there will be a Hot Dog Cart with all proceeds going to the Salvation Army.

This Saturday is a concert at the Currahee Vineyards benefiting the restoration of the Albemarle hotel and finally, don’t miss the 2013 Southern Living Custom Builder Showcase Home at the Currahee Club, open every Friday through Sunday, through December 22.      

Your Chamber helps you market your business, meet other business owners and continue your business education. Visit toccoagachamber.com to see the list of businesses who are building a better community.  Join us today! 

That’s your weekly Update. I’m Wendi Bailey, your Toccoa Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President. 

SPLOST VI

Hello this is Wendi Bailey, your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President with your Weekly Chamber Update.

Early voting has begun and continues through November 1st. Election Day is November 5^th. Stephens County voters are casting ballots on SPLOST VI, a continuation of the one-cent Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.

Would you like learn more about SPLOST?  Barry Hodges, Chair of the “Stephens County Friends of SPLOST VI” committee will present at a Town Hall meeting set for Monday October 28^th at 5:30pm in the Historic Courthouse.

The presentation includes an overview of the SPLOST, a review of the completed SPLOST “V” projects and a review of the proposed SPLOST “VI” projects.  There will be a question and answer period following the presentation.

Barry recently spoke at the Rotary Club of Toccoa.  He and his committee have been distributing SPLOST VI informational fliers.  If you would like to have Barry present to your civic or church group meeting please call the Chamber at 706-886-2132.

I have a few announcements for you:

Please mark your calendars and save the date for the Stephens County School System’s “Annual Report Forum” presented by School Superintendent Sherrie Whiten.  The luncheon is set for Tuesday November 12^th from 11am to 1pm at Gate Cottage.     

Today we have a Business After Hours from 5pm-6:30pm hosted by the Power House for Kids at their location on highway 123.  Jackpot is up to $100 and you must be present to win.

On Friday we have a Ribbon Cutting for the Royal Foods Store new owner at 10am at his location on 123 just past PTL Equipment on the right heading to Jeanette Jamieson Parkway.

·         Have you seen the 2013 Southern Living Custom Builder Showcase Home at the Currahee Club yet? It’s open every Friday through Sunday, now through December 22.  The home is beautifully decorated and features furniture made by Habersham and art created by local artists.   

Your Chamber helps you market your business, meet other business owners and continue your business education. Visit toccoagachamber.com to see the list of 465 members who are building a better community.  Join us today! Call 706-886-2132. That’s your weekly Update. I’m Wendi Bailey, your Toccoa Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President. 

2013 Currahee Military Weekend A Success!

The Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce, Stephens County Historical Society, the Toccoa Main Street program, and new this year “Camp Toccoa at Currahee Project”, want to congratulate everyone on making the 13th Annual Currahee Military reunion and weekend a huge success!  

Together with your support we "rolled out the red carpet" for the Camp Toccoa veterans, their families, and the re-enactors. It was a memorable weekend to honor the men of Camp Toccoa, as well as all veterans, and current active military.   

AM 630 WNEG and The Toccoa Record once again gave this event priority and we are forever grateful for the support.  

We sold out of chicken at the Chamber BBQ, had record participation in the Currahee Challenge, our hotels and restaurants were full, an overall positive report for us all. We welcomed six Camp Toccoa veterans who were delighted to return to Currahee Mountain and eat their banquet dinner on the old Camp Toccoa site.

A special thanks to local artist Carl Fennell who provided the design of “Currahee Mountain” for the Currahee Challenge t-shirt and to architect Garland Reynolds for the Reunion t-shirt featuring Phase I of the Camp Toccoa Project. 

A special thanks to the Toccoa-Stephens County Community Theater for performing a “Musical Tribute to Our Veterans” for guests and the community.

There are so many who volunteer and sponsor the weekend activities we are at great risk for not recognizing someone’s act of support. Please accept our sincerest apologies and know we appreciate you!  Our sponsors are listed on the Chamber’s web site at www.toccoagachamber.com.

Once again, thank you Toccoa-Stephens County for welcoming back our veterans; for dressing yourselves in military and 1940’s outfits and for showing our visitors your southern hospitality and patriotic spirit!    

That’s your weekly update! I’m Wendi Bailey your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President.

Currahee Military Weekend is Here!

Weekly Chamber Update as heard on WNEG AM 630 every Thursday at 6:45am, 12:45pm and 5:45pm.

Thursday October 3,  2013

Hello this is Wendi Bailey your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President with your Weekly Chamber Update.

Here we go! Currahee Military Weekend is finally here!

Show your patriotic spirit by placing American Flags in your business windows and store fronts. Welcome the veterans and active military on your business marquis. Dress yourselves in military or 1940’s outfits.

There are Currahee Challenge runners coming from 26 different states, there are nine Camp Toccoa veterans registered for the reunion weekend and there are over eighty soldiers from Fort Gordon, GA.  Please come downtown and thank them ALL in person for coming to Toccoa for Currahee Military Weekend.  

Visitors to Toccoa-Stephens County are encouraged to visit the Camp Toccoa property donated to the Stephens County Historical Society by Pacolet-Milliken, Inc. and the memorials nearby. Plans for the project can be seen in the Historical Society gift shop at the Currahee Military Museum and include restoring the headquarters, replicating the barracks, a pavilion, theater, sentry building and more.   

Camp Toccoa at Currahee is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve the legacy of the great American heroes who trained on Currahee Mountain. In June, Tom Hanks donated $25,000 to restore Camp Toccoa. There is still money to be raised and work to be done but it’s a mission that we must complete.            

Tickets for Currahee Military Weekend activities are available at the Welcome Center and you can find a complete list of our activities, volunteers and sponsors online.

The Musical Tribute to our Veterans kicks everything off tonight - at the Schaefer Center at 7pm – and is a free concert. Listen to WNEG AM 630 for your chance to win complimentary tickets.  

One announcement for you:

Did you know the 2013 Southern Living Custom Builder Showcase Home is now open at the Currahee Club on Friday, Saturday and Sunday - now through December 22. Admission is $10 and tickets can be purchased online, at the house or at the Welcome Center.  

 

Your Chamber helps build a stronger community by involving our members in the top business, civic and social priorities. Join us today!

 

That’s your weekly Update.  I’m Wendi Bailey your Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President.