WOW – what a Christmas Party – thank you to everyone who came – I hope you had as much fun as Kim & I did… and thanks for those of you who did the Hokie Pokie with us! Mountain Elegance did an outstanding job and held nothing back.  Owners Pam Roman and Susan Hoffman are ready to help you plan your party, special occasion, or wedding. They are located in the Sequoia Club House at The Ridges at Mountain Harbor; give them a call at 828-389-4135 or 828-389-0981. Mountain Elegance will also be hosting a New Years Eve party with Chef Dennis Barber (of the Copper Door Restaurant) Give them a call for more information.

Josh Ashe – Oak Forest Realty, outgoing President presented awards to the Board members and also to the Business of the Year – Joseph Sorensen - Empty Mug Design, Board member of the Year – Jennifer Ray- Murphy Movers, and Volunteer of the Year – Mary Wiegold – Highway 69 Storage. Linda Godwin - First Citizens Bank – President elect – introduced the 2010 Board Members. Thank you to Linda Godwin – First Citizens Bank, Chair and Sherry Rodriguez – Take-A-Break Portables, Co-chair of this event for doing such a wonderful job.  I’d also like to Thank Wanda & Jace Cotton for helping Kim with sign in and collecting monies.

Once again no one won the membership drawing and we drew about six times.  So the consensus was to donate the $300.00 to the Food Panty so that we can start all over again at $25.00 on January 11, 2010, at the first Business After Hours, which will be hosted by the Hinton Rural Life Center, 5:30PM… make sure to put it on your calendar as well as all of your other events coming up for 2010 – visit our website – www.ncmtnchamber.com or www.claycountycalendar.com for the dates, or come by the office and get your  2009/2010 Directory with all the dates and Business Membership listings.

All of the Artists of Morning Song Studio have been busy creating beautiful items to help you fill your Christmas shopping gift list.  Morning Song will be celebrating the entire month of December with weekly door prize drawings, gift certificates and surprise gifts from Santa.  Morning Song Studios is located at 10950 Old Hwy 64 West in Brasstown. 

I would like to welcome Ben Willingham of The Bear Paints & Inks Art as our newest member.  This gallery and studio is part of the Brasstown Shops.  The artwork and crafts are of the mountains and area including gourds, landscapes, ink drawings of old barns and other art. He is located at 160 Old Highway 64 in Brasstown.  (828) 557-7364

Hope you all have a wonderful week and a safe Holiday Season.

THINK LOCAL! SHOP LOCAL!

Marcile Smith, Executive Director

Merry Christmas! Can you believe it’s already here! That means 2010 is just around the corner! We have had a great year here at the Chamber… lots of fun, successful events, and we have enjoyed watching our Chamber Family grow! Thanks to all the Board Members, Business Members, Individual Members and Volunteers that have helped make this year special!  Retiring Board Members Josh Ashe, Marla Mashburn, Greg Stiles, and Butch Freeman, Thank You! Ya’ll have been a huge help to the Chamber and to me… don’t worry I still have your numbers.

Don’t forget that the Chamber Christmas Party (our December Business after Hours/Annual Meeting) will be Friday night, December 4^th, 7PM at Mountain Elegance/Sequoia.  The Chamber will be supplying the meat, hors d’ oeuvres and drink mixers, we will also be having a DJ for the party. Make sure that you come, it will be another great evening with networking, food, music, and fun. The membership drawing is up to $300, you must be present to win. Tickets are $5.00 per person and please bring an hors d’oeuvres tray to share and either a toy for toys-for-tots or a canned food item.

I’d like to welcome new to the Chamber:

Blake Phillips manager – Tech Place Verizon Wireless, on Hwy 69, 18 Creekside Plaza Suite F. 828-389-2200, authorized Verizon wireless retailer, cellular phone and accessories, laptop computers.

Doyle’s Cedar Hill Restaurant - Chef/ Owner Doyle Smith and Manager Jeremiah Smith, located in Murphy, 925 Andrews Road, Restaurant, Bar, Live Music, and catering. 828-837-3400

Brother’s at Willow Ranch – owners Bobby Burns and Dwayne Sneed, located in Young Harris, 6223 Hwy 76 W., hand-cut steaks, fish, seafood, beer & wine and more. 706-379-1272.

Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday season!!   Get plenty of rest, because we’ve got another big year coming up.

THINK LOCAL! SHOP LOCAL!

Marcile Smith, Executive Director