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| Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc | May 2010 |
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Welcome Our Newest Members!
A&B Printing
Becky Bowman
Avery Cornett
Cornett Jewelers
Chilhowie Pizza Restaurant
Sam Afara |
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Have an Upcoming Event?
Contact the Chamber office to have your event included on our Community Events Calendar and website events listing.
276-783-3161
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Have News to Share with Chamber Members?
Contact the Chamber office to have your news posted in our next Newsletter.
276-783-3161
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 Bike Smyth County - June 5
The Chamber of Commerce is hosting the Third Annual Bike Smyth County event on Saturday, June 5, 2010 at Hungry Mother State Park. There will be two routes for riders to choose from that travel through rural Smyth County: A Family Ride of 16 miles and The Advanced Ride of 30 miles. Registration begins at 8:00am with rides beginning at 9:00am. All riders must wear helmets and complete the registration form. Cost is $8/person or $15/family if paid in advance, $10/person or $20/family on the day of the ride. This year, we are adding a new ride event to the Bike Smyth County day: Kids FREE Sprint Races. Registration for the Kids Sprint Races will begin at 10:00am. There will be a Bike Safety Presentation by the Marion Police Department at 10:30 with the Sprint Races to follow at 11:00am. Races will be held in the field behind the Hungry Mother Restaurant. The Chamber is also seeking sponsors for this event. |
 Family Fish and Fun Day - June 5
The Chamber of Commerce is once again joining forces with Hungry Mother State Park to host the Annual Family Fish and Fun Day on Saturday, June 5, 2010. It's Free Fishing Weekend in Virginia, so no license is required. We encourage families to join in the fun for a competitive Fishing Tournament. The Tournament will begin with registration at 8:00am and continue with weigh-ins until 12:00noon. Cost for Tournament registration is only $2/person. The day's events will conclude with a FREE hotdog lunch for all registered participants and an awards ceremony from 12-12:30pm. There will be prizes, giveaways, and lots of family fun!
Want to make a donation or sponsor the event? Contact the Chamber: 276-783-3161 or info@smythchamber.org. |
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 Memorial Day Parade Lemonade
The Chamber of Commerce will once again participate in the VFW Memorial Day Parade activities by setting up a lemonade stand. We will be moving our tent downtown so that patrons can more easily access our FREE lemonade. Look for the big green tent and be sure to stop by to visit with the Special Events Committee members.
Want to volunteer? Contact the Chamber office: 276-783-3161.
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 Seasons of Smyth County Photography Contest
The Spring submissions deadline for the "Seasons of Smyth County" Photography Contest is June 30. Help us share the beauty of Smyth County!
Winners will be chosen from each seasonal deadline in 2010 and an overall winner will be published as the cover of the Seasons of Smyth County photo book, to be published by the Chamber of Commerce in early 2011.
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 You-Link-Twit-Face Social Media Workshop - Coming Soon!
The Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. is updating technology use by using social media, and we want to help you make the best use of these free online tools for your business! The Chamber is joining forces with the Virginia Department of Business Assistance to sponsor "You-Link-Twit-Face" a social media for business workshop. The workshop will be held at the Old Chilhowie High School and Library on Thursday, August 26. The workshop is FREE for Chamber members, $10 for non-members. For details contact the Chamber office: 276-783-3161. Follow the Chamber on Facebook. |
 April Area Beautification Awarded to St. John Evangelist Catholic Church
Congratulations to the St. John Evangelist Catholic Church in Marion for being named as the winner of the Area Beautification Award for the month of April. The Church has recently completed a construction project that included a new entryway. In additiion, their award recognizes the beautiful new landscaping that adds to the overall beauty of the building and the area in which it is located.
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 Director's Corner
The Chamber is kicking off summer with a day of Family Fun at Hungry Mother State Park. We are excited to work with the HMSP staff to host the Bike Smyth County and Family Fish and Fun events on June 5. We hope that this will be a great start to a busy summer as the Smyth County community is host to various events including: Lunchtime on the Lawn, Farmers' Markets, Hungry Mother Arts & Crafts, Downtown Days, Apple Festival, Labor Day Festival, Rich Valley Fair, and much more! Look for the Chamber's big green tent, friendly volunteers, and staff at summer events. Stop by, say hi, and learn about business and community events! |
 Business Appreciation Week Success
The Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc. took the lead in encouraging the recognition of our local businesses and industries for the statewide Business Appreciation Week 2010. Throughout the week of May 16-22 Smyth County was host to various events designed to compliment the theme "A Commonwealth of Opportunity." Each of the Town Councils from Chilhowie, Marion, and Saltville and the Smyth County Board of Supervisors joined the Chamber in adopting a proclamation recognizing the benefits that businesses bring to our local community. Business Appreciation Week also served as a time to thank businesses for all that they do to provide jobs, contribute to the tax base, and support charitable causes. The BAW 2010 theme highlights the opportunities that businesses have, as well as those that they create in our community. The Chamber worked with the Towns and County to host Business Open Houses in each of the towns. These events offered special sales and door prizes from participating businesses. They also continued the Chamber's efforts for a "Shop Smyth County First" initiative that encourages citizens to support local businesses. In addition, the Chamber was host to nearly 80 guests representing more than 50 local businesses and industries for the Business and Industry Appreciation Luncheon. The luncheon was held at the Riverfront Restaurant in Chilhowie on Thursday, May 20 and featured speakers Jack Talley of First Fruits Beverage Company and Beth Merz of Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area. The Chamber would like to thank all of the local governments, businesses, and industries that worked to make Business Appreciation Week 2010 a success. For details about upcoming business events, contact the Chamber office: 276-783-3161, info@smythchamber.org. |
 Student Government Day
The Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County and Smyth County Schools once again joined forces to conduct the Annual Student Government Day on May 12, 2010. More than 130 High School Seniors representing Chilhowie, Marion, and Northwood participated in the day's activities that began with a presentation at The Lincoln Theatre. After a welcome from Larry Estep and Dr. Michael Robinson of Smyth County Schools, Lincoln Theatre volunteer Alvin Crowder gave the students a brief history of the facility. The students were then introduced to guest speaker, Delegate Bill Carrico. Delegate Carrico shared stories of success that served as inspiration for the students as they prepare to move into the next chapter of their lives following graduation.
The remainder of the day was spent with the students shadowing adults that work for and with local government agencies. The 33 participating agencies included Smyth County's Board of Supervisors, Sheriff's Department, each of the Towns of Chilhowie, Marion, and Saltville, the Commissioner of Revenue, and Commonwealth's Attorney's office. Students had the opportunity to learn about how each of these organizations function and the people that lead our community.
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 Farmers' Markets in Full Swing
With spring comes the opening of our local farmers' markets. The Marion Regional Farmers' Market has been host to vendors throughout the month of May and is looking forward to bringing even more fresh produce as summer arrives. The Market hours are Saturdays from 8:00am-12:00noon and Tuesday evenings from 5:00-8:00pm. The Marion Market will feature local produce and meats, organic products, crafts, flowers and vegetable plants, and more. For information about securing a booth at the Marion Regional Farmers' Market contact Ken Heath: 276-783-4190.
The Chilhowie Farmers' Market will also be opening for the spring season during the first week of June. Beginning on June 3, the Chilhowie Market will be open on Thursday evenings from 4:00-7:00pm. It will be located in the lot across from the Old Chilhowie High School. Opening at the start of the growing season, the Chilhowie the Market will focus on local produce. Those interested in selling at the Chilhowie Market should contact Kelly Spencer-Hill: 276-646-3232.
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 Town House Launches Retail Line
The Town House restuarant in Chilhowie is expanding their brand once again. To match with their Riverstead lodging, they are launching a retail line named Riverstead Provisions. The new line features fresh baked pastries by Chef Karen Urie Shields and artisanal products from local producers. The line is offered online for your shopping convenience! Town House is also celebrating Chef John Shields who was named among the Top Ten Best New Chefs of 2010 by Food & Wine Magazine. |
 GFM Hotel Featured in Tri-Cities Business Journal
The May issue of The Business Journal of the Tri-Cities Tennessee/Virginia featured Smyth County business owner and entrepreneur, Joe Ellis. The story shares his successes with TEDS', his technology company, and tourism efforts that include investments in the restoration of Marion Downtown buildings such as the General Francis Martion Hotel.
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CHAMBER CA$H!
Want to earn some extra "cash?"
Make the Most of your Chamber Membership: Help the Chamber to recruit new members and earn "Chamber Cash" for yourself! For each new individual member you refer you can earn $10 credit and for each business or organization $15. "Chamber Cash" can be used toward almost any Chamber function, from events to next year's membership!
For more information contact the Chamber office at 276-783-3161.
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| | Upcoming Events
CELEBRATING THE YOUNG AT HEART
May 28, 2010
Old Chilhowie High Schol
$5 Admission
11:00am-2:00pm
RELAY FOR LIFE - REMISSION POSSIBLE - BIKE RIDE
May 29, 2010
Saltville' Salt Trail
$25/Rider
7:00am Registration, 8:00am Ride
ERIC ALBANO BEACH VOLLEYBALL MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT
May 29, 2010
Hungry Mother State Park
VFW MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
May 31, 2010
Downtown Marion
FREE Lemonade from the Chamber of Commerce
10:00am
LUNCHTIME ON THE LAWN
June 4, 2010
Courthouse Square
12:00noon
SMYTH COUNTY FAMILY FISH & FUN DAY
June 5, 2010
Hungry Mother State Park
8:00am
June 5, 2010
Hungry Mother State Park
9:00am
LUNCHTIME ON THE LAWN
June 11, 2010
Courthouse Square
12:00noon
ALIVE AFTER 5 - SECOND FRIDAYS ARTWALK
June 11, 2010
Downtown Marion
5:00-8:00pm
SMYTH COUNTY RELAY FOR LIFE
June 11, 2010
MSHS Track
LUNCHTIME ON THE LAWN
June 18, 2010
Courthouse Square
12:00noon
LUNCHTIME ON THE LAWN
June 25, 2010
Courthouse Square
12:00noon
SPRING PHOTO SUBMISSION DEADLINE
June 30, 2010
Chamber of Commerce Office
LITTLE SALTY'S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
July 4, 2010
Museum of the Middle Appalachians
1:00pm-3:00pm MARION'S HOMETOWN INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONJuly 4, 2010 MSHS Stadium
6:00pm-10:00pm
CAR NUTS CAR CLUB SHOW
July 4, 2010
Chilhowie Park
8:00am-3:00pm |
Contact the Chamber
Chamber of Commerce of Smyth County, Inc.
276.783.3161
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