WORLD WAR II VETERANS TO BE HONORED DURING CURRAHEE MILITARY WEEKEND
The ninth annual Currahee Military Weekend is only three weeks away—Friday through Sunday, September 30-October 2. The event is sponsored by the Stephens County Historical Society, Main Street Toccoa, and the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce.
Other community organizations involved in the weekend include the Civil Air Patrol, Marine Corps League, American Legion, VFW, Stephens County High School Junior ROTC, the Pilot Club of Toccoa, Toccoa Lions Club, Rotary Club of Toccoa, Toccoa Falls College Brass Ensemble, and the Stephens County High School and Toccoa Elementary Choruses.
Several World War II veterans who trained at Camp Toccoa in the four parachute infantry regiments (PIR) will be attending the weekend festivities. As of today, the following men have registered to attend: Carl Beck, Robert Meyers, and Robert Wright (501 PIR), Ed Pepping, Ed Shames, and Al Mampre (506 PIR—Easy Company), Robert Parks, Ken Johnson, Ira Moorehart, Fred Bahlau, Pee Wee (Jim) Martin, Mario Patruno, Malcolm Martin, and Jake McNiece (506 PIR). At least five children of Camp Toccoa men will also be in attendance.
These gentlemen will be arriving in Toccoa Thursday, September 29, and Friday, September 30. They will be speaking to students in the Stephens County School System Friday morning; autographing books, pictures, and other memorabilia from 1-4 p.m. Friday afternoon in the Mitchell Allen Memorial Hall at the Currahee Military Museum; participating in the parade Saturday morning at 11 a.m.; attending the banquet Saturday evening; and attending the memorial service at Currahee Mountain Sunday morning. You might even see some of them at the hangar dance to be held in the LeTourneau hangar at the airport Friday night at 7 p.m.
Living historians (re-enactors) from Florida, South Carolina, and Tennessee will be present for the weekend and will set up their camps on the Stephens County Courthouse lawn and other areas near the museum.
The Currahee Challenge Run/Walk, sponsored by the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce, will begin Saturday at 7:45 a.m. for the 3M run and at 8:30 a.m. for the 6M run. The run, of course, is held at Currahee Mountain.
Participants in the parade will include the Stephens County High School Indian Band, Camp Toccoa veterans, re-enactors driving military vehicles, Stephens County High School JROTC, and Shriners. Grand Marshal for the parade will be James Madio, the actor who portrayed Frank Perconte in the HBO mini-series “Band of Brothers.” Madio appears in nine of the “Band of Brothers” episodes. This is the first time that one of the actors has participated in Currahee Military Weekend, and he will be here to honor the veterans and celebrate the tenth anniversary of the mini-series release. The parade will begin after a parachute jump by the Special Forces Association Parachute Team.
Activities at the airport will begin Friday night with the hangar dance and will continue Saturday with plane and helicopter rides, vintage planes on display, and army recruiter displays (including a climbing wall).
Opening ceremonies will be held at the depot following the parade. The Blue Ridge Rifles from North Georgia College will perform; and Rev. David Ritcey, pastor of First Baptist Church will sing the national anthem following the presentation of colors by the Stephens County High School JROTC.
Julie Beyrle Schugars, daughter of Joe Beyrle, will speak at the opening ceremonies. Beyrle trained at Camp Toccoa and jumped into Normandy on D-Day. He was captured by the Germans, and after several attempts he escaped. Unable to locate Americans, he joined the Russians and fought with them against the Germans, their common enemy. . The Joe Beyrle exhibit, “A Hero of Two Nations,” will continue to be displayed through October 2 in the museum.
Visitors to Toccoa/Stephens County are encouraged to visit the Camp Toccoa property recently donated to the Stephens County Historical Society by Pacolet-Milliken, Inc. and the memorials that are nearby.
The Currahee Military Museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day during the weekend, and local citizens are encouraged to visit the museum and become a part of the excitement of this event. Admission prices are $8 for adults and $3 for students under 18.
Currahee Military Weekend gives the community and Northeast Georgia an opportunity to honor the veterans who trained here, the thousands of veterans who have served our country on many other battlefields, and the active military men and women who are currently serving the United States on several battlegrounds and on military posts around the world. There will undoubtedly be active military men and women in attendance during the weekend. Show your appreciation to the active military, as well as to the veterans, when you visit Toccoa during Currahee Military Weekend.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Friday, September 2, 2011
Toccoa-Stephens County Prepares for the 9th Annual Currahee Military Weekend
Toccoa, GA, August 29, 2011 – The Stephens County Historical Society, the Toccoa Stephens County Chamber of Commerce, and the Toccoa Main Street are once again teaming up to host the 9th annual Currahee Military Weekend Sept. 29 – Oct. 2, 2011. The events will take place in downtown Toccoa, the Stephens County Airport, and Currahee Mountain.
The event began 9 years ago to honor the men of Camp Toccoa and as a show of appreciation for the sacrifices they made. It is estimated that as many as 17,000 soldiers from the 501st, 506th, 511th, 517th Parachute Infantry Regiments trained at Camp Toccoa during the two years that they were located at the base of Currahee Mountain. With the paratrooper population being greater than the town’s population, one can imagine the impact of the soldiers on the community.
“We look forward to the paratroopers who trained at Camp Toccoa and their families coming back to Toccoa for the reunion to reminisce about their experiences with their friends who shared this very significant time in their lives,” says Brenda Carlan, County and Currahee Military Museum Executive Director. Each year, some Camp Toccoa veterans return for the first time since they left in the 1940’s. It can be very emotional for them to see some of the places they frequented while they were in training. During the weekend visitors can meet some of the paratroopers who trained here and listen to their stories. Each year the veterans and re-enactors visit local school and teach the students about WWII from a firsthand perspective.
New this year is a traveling exhibit from Russia made possible by Russia, the United States and the Joe Beyrle family that will be displayed in the Currahee Military Museum during the event. Beyrle’s story of being captured by the Germans, escaping and then joining up and fighting with the Russians against Germany is a fascinating story. Beyrle returned to Toccoa on many occasions to attend reunions, meet with old friends and to visit Stephens County Middle School, where he was very close to the students. He often shared some of his WWII experiences with them during his visits. His daughter, Julie Schugars will be the guest speaker at the Opening Ceremonies on Saturday, October 1 at 11:30 a.m.
Also, this year marks the tenth year anniversary of the release of the HBO miniseries “The Band of Brothers.” This story immortalized the lives of some of the courageous men who trained at Camp Toccoa and fought as paratroopers during WWII. James Madio, who portrayed Frank Perconte in the film, will be the special speaker for the banquet on October 1 at 7:00 p.m. at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center. “Events like this are a small fraction of what I can give back to the men and women who have served our country. It would be pleasure to join you guys,” said Madio about attending the events during the weekend. Tickets are $50.00 and can be purchased from the Stephens County Historical Society. The event is open to the general public.
This will be the first year that the Stephens County Historical Society will have possession of a part of the original property that made up Camp Toccoa. Recently the Pacolet-Milliken company donated nearly six acres of the property as well as the last remaining building of the camp, a long concrete block building that was once a mess hall. Initial plans are for a pavilion holding about 300 people to be built there. Visitors can go and visit the site during the weekend.
The weekend events also include the Hanger Dance on Friday, Sept. 30 at 7:00 p.m., a spectacular parachute jump on Boyd Field, Sat at 10:50 a.m., a Veterans’ Parade, the famous Currahee Challenge Run/Walk “3 Miles Up-3 Miles Down”, special opening ceremonies, as well as weapons displays and living history displays.
There will also be an Airport Show at the Stephens County Airport with the opportunity to ride in one of the vintage WWII aircraft flown by the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Dixie Wing and the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation.
A solemn remembrance service on Sunday morning at the foot of Currahee Mountain is a fitting end to this special weekend. As “taps” is played in the early morning, the lives of the heroes of the past are remembered as well as the heroes of today.
This is a community-wide collaboration and celebration of Toccoa’s rich military history. The event would not be possible without broad support from community sponsors, volunteers and civic clubs.
For more information, contact the Toccoa Stephens County Chamber of Commerce at 706-886-2132 or the Stephens County Historical Society at 706-282-5055.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Weekly Chamber Update July 6, 2011
The 2011 Currahee Military Weekend planning has begun! Please mark your calendars for Friday September 30th through Sunday October 2nd.
Thursday July 14th is an Education Seminar: 12pm Ara Joyce of Edward Jones in Lavonia is offering a seminar titled “Women’s Investments 101”
Thursday the 28th is an Education Seminar: 12 pm Ken Lash of Business Coaching Dynamics is offering a seminar titled “5 steps to freedom in business”
} Learn the top 5 business dangers
} Review the plight of the Entrepreneur
} Introduce business coaching
} Introduce the 5 steps to freedom in business
} Discuss “Rapid Impact” Strategies
} Review strategies to help you move to the next step on the way to business freedom
Both seminars will be held in the Mitchell Allen Conference room. They are FREE for Chamber members and $5 for Non-Members. Please bring your lunch and your drinks and dessert will be provided.
Finally, The Lake Hartwell Marketing Alliance is hosting the Wake Hartwell Wakeboarding Competition on Lake Hartwell July15-17th at the Big Oaks Recreation Area in Hartwell. Admission is free.
Established in 1945, your Chamber is dedicated to furthering the interests of our Members who represent all business and organization sectors. Did you know, you can join the Chamber for as little as $190 a year, that’s $15 a month or .52 cents a day. If you get ONE new customer it will pay for itself. Consider it an investment in our Community that is affordable, tax deductible and will be returned to you many times! Visit our web site, and click the Join Now button today!
Thursday July 14th is an Education Seminar: 12pm Ara Joyce of Edward Jones in Lavonia is offering a seminar titled “Women’s Investments 101”
Thursday the 28th is an Education Seminar: 12 pm Ken Lash of Business Coaching Dynamics is offering a seminar titled “5 steps to freedom in business”
} Learn the top 5 business dangers
} Review the plight of the Entrepreneur
} Introduce business coaching
} Introduce the 5 steps to freedom in business
} Discuss “Rapid Impact” Strategies
} Review strategies to help you move to the next step on the way to business freedom
Both seminars will be held in the Mitchell Allen Conference room. They are FREE for Chamber members and $5 for Non-Members. Please bring your lunch and your drinks and dessert will be provided.
Finally, The Lake Hartwell Marketing Alliance is hosting the Wake Hartwell Wakeboarding Competition on Lake Hartwell July15-17th at the Big Oaks Recreation Area in Hartwell. Admission is free.
Established in 1945, your Chamber is dedicated to furthering the interests of our Members who represent all business and organization sectors. Did you know, you can join the Chamber for as little as $190 a year, that’s $15 a month or .52 cents a day. If you get ONE new customer it will pay for itself. Consider it an investment in our Community that is affordable, tax deductible and will be returned to you many times! Visit our web site, and click the Join Now button today!
Toccoa Gets Grant for Schaefer Center Report
07/06/2011
A state grant will help the city of Toccoa create a report to take a closer look at the Schaefer Center.Last week, the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Tourism Division of the Georgia Division of Economic Development, and the Fox Theater Institute announced that Toccoa would receive $2,000 to help the city create a historic structures report for the Schaefer Center.
Katy Sides with Main Street Toccoa said this report will provide information needed to preserve and care for the theater moving forward.“What a historic structures report does is it gathers documentary information, as well as takes pictures and getting a better understanding of the physical shape of the building to know its current condition, as well as the history of the building, how it was first built, and any additions put on the building over time,” said Sides.The grant provides 50 percent of the funding for the project. The city will provide $750 in additional funding, along with in-kind work to make up its 50 percent.The city plans to use a historic preservation planner or architect to produce the report.Sides said that the grant provides a wonderful opportunity in regards to the building and downtown.“(We are) very excited to be included in the project and hopefully developing some future plans for the Schaefer Center,” said Sides.According to Sides, the city hopes to begin work on the report in late summer or early fall and complete the report either by the end of this year or early next year.
The Currahee Arts Council, which operated the Schaefer Center, announced in February it was closing the downtown theater and performing arts center, which is located at the corner of Doyle and Broad streets. However, just a couple of weeks later, Woody Woods announced that his Southern Gospel Jubilee Concert Series had raised enough through donations to take over operations and keep the center open. The center plays host to the gospel concert series and it has remained open since for those concerts.
The grant program awarded $10,000 in all to a number of projects throughout the state. Georgia Historic Preservation Division Director David Crass said the program’s goal is to provide seed money that can spur other preservation and tourism projects at a historic theater and in its surrounding community.
07/06/2011
A state grant will help the city of Toccoa create a report to take a closer look at the Schaefer Center.Last week, the Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, the Tourism Division of the Georgia Division of Economic Development, and the Fox Theater Institute announced that Toccoa would receive $2,000 to help the city create a historic structures report for the Schaefer Center.
Katy Sides with Main Street Toccoa said this report will provide information needed to preserve and care for the theater moving forward.“What a historic structures report does is it gathers documentary information, as well as takes pictures and getting a better understanding of the physical shape of the building to know its current condition, as well as the history of the building, how it was first built, and any additions put on the building over time,” said Sides.The grant provides 50 percent of the funding for the project. The city will provide $750 in additional funding, along with in-kind work to make up its 50 percent.The city plans to use a historic preservation planner or architect to produce the report.Sides said that the grant provides a wonderful opportunity in regards to the building and downtown.“(We are) very excited to be included in the project and hopefully developing some future plans for the Schaefer Center,” said Sides.According to Sides, the city hopes to begin work on the report in late summer or early fall and complete the report either by the end of this year or early next year.
The Currahee Arts Council, which operated the Schaefer Center, announced in February it was closing the downtown theater and performing arts center, which is located at the corner of Doyle and Broad streets. However, just a couple of weeks later, Woody Woods announced that his Southern Gospel Jubilee Concert Series had raised enough through donations to take over operations and keep the center open. The center plays host to the gospel concert series and it has remained open since for those concerts.
The grant program awarded $10,000 in all to a number of projects throughout the state. Georgia Historic Preservation Division Director David Crass said the program’s goal is to provide seed money that can spur other preservation and tourism projects at a historic theater and in its surrounding community.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
What is a Chamber of Commerce?
WHAT IS A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE?
A Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization that unites business and professional leaders. It creates a central agency designed to improve the business climate and build a better community. The Chamber’s mission is to be a business advocate, a community partner and an economic development stimulator.
The Chamber of Commerce is people. There is a place in the Chamber of Commerce efforts for ALL who share the desire to improve the community and the conditions under which business is conducted. It directs the energies of those who believe that a community worth living in is a community worth improving.
A Chamber of Commerce enables the members to accomplish collectively what not one of them could do individually. Its strength lies in attracting the greatest number of individuals and firms into membership, creating a pool of resources from which can be drawn ideas, energy, and finances.
A Chamber of Commerce gives a voice to the business person’s natural instincts to improve the local market and the community. The Chamber is not a department of the city, county, or state government, a political body; a civic club or society; a social service, welfare or charitable institution, a private advertising, publicity or public relations agency.
Originally, its function was to protect commerce in transit, in the marketplace, and to promote the sale of goods. Currently, the successful Chamber of Commerce is the one which recognizes all the factors which affect the community and adjusts its programs accordingly.
For more information on how you can join the leading association that is creating positive change for Toccoa-Stephens County please call 706-886-2132.
A Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary organization that unites business and professional leaders. It creates a central agency designed to improve the business climate and build a better community. The Chamber’s mission is to be a business advocate, a community partner and an economic development stimulator.
The Chamber of Commerce is people. There is a place in the Chamber of Commerce efforts for ALL who share the desire to improve the community and the conditions under which business is conducted. It directs the energies of those who believe that a community worth living in is a community worth improving.
A Chamber of Commerce enables the members to accomplish collectively what not one of them could do individually. Its strength lies in attracting the greatest number of individuals and firms into membership, creating a pool of resources from which can be drawn ideas, energy, and finances.
A Chamber of Commerce gives a voice to the business person’s natural instincts to improve the local market and the community. The Chamber is not a department of the city, county, or state government, a political body; a civic club or society; a social service, welfare or charitable institution, a private advertising, publicity or public relations agency.
Originally, its function was to protect commerce in transit, in the marketplace, and to promote the sale of goods. Currently, the successful Chamber of Commerce is the one which recognizes all the factors which affect the community and adjusts its programs accordingly.
For more information on how you can join the leading association that is creating positive change for Toccoa-Stephens County please call 706-886-2132.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Leadership Toccoa Stephens County Accepting Nominations for 2011-2012
Good leadership skills are essential for a successful business or organization. They include communication skills, decision-making skills, conflict-resolution skills and the ability to cast vision. These skills are intended to empower people, provide clear direction and keep members of an organization informed.
Leadership Toccoa-Stephens County (T-SC) operates under the umbrella of the T-SC Chamber of Commerce. It is a community awareness and community education program.
It is designed to acquaint emerging and potential community leaders with the needs, issues, services and resources of T-SC. It is hoped that as a result of this improved awareness, participants will be challenged and motivated to assume an active leadership role in making T-SC an even better place in which to work and live.
A new Leadership class is selected each year by the Leadership T-SC Board of Directors. Each class is made up of approximately 20 individuals representing business and industry. It is a diverse group of participants, living and working in the City and the County, and representing a variety of social, economic and professional concerns.
Each year, the participants attend five learning sessions. They learn from each other’s different perspectives and the experience provides them with a broader view the future. With this deeper understanding, and increased knowledge, participants are better prepared to be leaders serving our community.
The Leadership Board is now accepting nominations for the 2011-2012 adult and youth classes. For more information, please call Vicky King at the Chamber, 706-886-2132.
Leadership Toccoa-Stephens County (T-SC) operates under the umbrella of the T-SC Chamber of Commerce. It is a community awareness and community education program.
It is designed to acquaint emerging and potential community leaders with the needs, issues, services and resources of T-SC. It is hoped that as a result of this improved awareness, participants will be challenged and motivated to assume an active leadership role in making T-SC an even better place in which to work and live.
A new Leadership class is selected each year by the Leadership T-SC Board of Directors. Each class is made up of approximately 20 individuals representing business and industry. It is a diverse group of participants, living and working in the City and the County, and representing a variety of social, economic and professional concerns.
Each year, the participants attend five learning sessions. They learn from each other’s different perspectives and the experience provides them with a broader view the future. With this deeper understanding, and increased knowledge, participants are better prepared to be leaders serving our community.
The Leadership Board is now accepting nominations for the 2011-2012 adult and youth classes. For more information, please call Vicky King at the Chamber, 706-886-2132.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Popping In to See You!
Weekly Chamber Update as heard on WNEG Radio AM630
Thursday June 2, 2011
Your T-SC Chamber of Commerce serves over 400 business members with only 2 full-time paid staff! We are fortunate to have the support of a team of Ambassadors who act as relationship managers with our members.
Each Ambassador is assigned a group of new, existing and potential members. The Chamber values our members and our Ambassadors walk-the-talk.
Every year from April through June, the Ambassadors compete in a challenge. This year the challenge is to see who can make the most personal visits and conduct the most one-on-one survey interviews.
The challenge is called “Popping In to See You” and they are distributing packets of microwave popcorn to all they meet with.
The Ambassador Team is led by Chair Tammy Riddle of Stephens Federal Bank. The Ambassadors competing include: Ann Ash - Georgia Baptists Conference Center, Cheryl Harris - Reins of Life, Christy LeCroy - Next To Me Medical Supplies, Danette Smith - Georgia Department of Labor, Brenda Sorrells - Northeast Georgia Bank, Brooke Stowe - North Georgia Credit Union, Eric Swilling - Habersham Bank and Leon Womack.
There will be prize drawing and a celebration luncheon in July. The biggest and best prizes go to the top three Ambassadors with the most interviews.
So expect a call from one of our Chamber Ambassadors to interview you! We’ll summarize the responses and use them to focus our 2011 Business Plan, based on the needs heard directly from the members.
A strong Chamber reflects a strong Community! Your support enables us to continue to provide the quality support and services you expect from a 4-star chamber. Thank you for your support!
Thursday June 2, 2011
Your T-SC Chamber of Commerce serves over 400 business members with only 2 full-time paid staff! We are fortunate to have the support of a team of Ambassadors who act as relationship managers with our members.
Each Ambassador is assigned a group of new, existing and potential members. The Chamber values our members and our Ambassadors walk-the-talk.
Every year from April through June, the Ambassadors compete in a challenge. This year the challenge is to see who can make the most personal visits and conduct the most one-on-one survey interviews.
The challenge is called “Popping In to See You” and they are distributing packets of microwave popcorn to all they meet with.
The Ambassador Team is led by Chair Tammy Riddle of Stephens Federal Bank. The Ambassadors competing include: Ann Ash - Georgia Baptists Conference Center, Cheryl Harris - Reins of Life, Christy LeCroy - Next To Me Medical Supplies, Danette Smith - Georgia Department of Labor, Brenda Sorrells - Northeast Georgia Bank, Brooke Stowe - North Georgia Credit Union, Eric Swilling - Habersham Bank and Leon Womack.
There will be prize drawing and a celebration luncheon in July. The biggest and best prizes go to the top three Ambassadors with the most interviews.
So expect a call from one of our Chamber Ambassadors to interview you! We’ll summarize the responses and use them to focus our 2011 Business Plan, based on the needs heard directly from the members.
A strong Chamber reflects a strong Community! Your support enables us to continue to provide the quality support and services you expect from a 4-star chamber. Thank you for your support!
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