Our annual Women in Business Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, April 21st at noon.  We will transform the Community Center into a dining area for the special women in our business community.  You can download and print the application to attend and a nomination form for the Woman of the Year!

Nomination Form

Registration WIB 2010

On Tuesday, February 23rd, we held a Business After Hours kick off for 2010.  The event was hosted by Wal-Mart DC #6073 at 5:30 pm. 

We had a very good turn out and we were pleased with the response from the business community.  A marketing presentation was given by True Blue Advertising, focusing on “Branding” your business and name.  They also had lots of good information for us to take home.

Other business presentors were:  Chesco Services, John Johnson Signs, and Snack Time Vending.  Each business informed the group on how they could assist their needs.  We had time for networking before and after the presentations. 

We also had a little fun with some door prize give aways and light refreshments.  The Chamber will be hosting another event similar to this one in May. 

Wednesday, February 27, 2010

The Chesterfield County Habitat For Humanity Advisory Board met last night at the Walmart Distribution Center in Pageland. We discussed, debated, and approved a number of exciting initiatives that will evolve over the next few months and bring us closer to our mission of building affordable housing for those with limited resources in Chesterfield County. Although our presence has been quiet to the general public over the last few months, there has been a flurry of activity and work directed toward creating a firm, sustainable foundation for Habitat in Chesterfield County. We anticipate releasing some very exciting news within the next 30-45 days that will bring us closer to that goal.

Last night we approved land, announced our first approved homeowner to the board, and discussed several of our current and upcoming fundraising events.
*     Walmart Distribution Center announced an approved Community grant of $5,000 dollars and another $7,000 dollar / 50 volunteer commitment through their Volunteerism Always Pays program.

*     We are currently raffling a new car in partnership with Hendrick Chevrolet in Monroe, NC. Tickets are $25 dollars each or 5 for $100 dollars. We limited tickets to 5000, so you have a    worst case 5000-1 shot at the vehicle. The winning ticket holder will choose between a 2010 Camero, Equinox, or Colorado Pickup valued in the $34k range. Tickets are available from   any board member, the dealership, or the offices located at the ReStore in Monroe. Call 843-320-1014 for more information.

*     Our first CCHFH Golf tournament will be held this fall.
 
Perhaps the least costly but most exciting development last night was the recent purchase and presence of the CCHFH construction trailer (photos attached).  Finally, something we can all physically see and touch!

Lastly, after I shared this information with my staff this morning, I was approached by someone interested in donating 1-2 parcels of land to us in Pageland!

It’s going to be a great day! I hope you have one too.

Phil Ingram

1ST Annual Art Show at the Center

We had a blast at our first annual Art Show at the Center.  If you missed out, check out these great pictures of the event.  Plan to attend next fall!   We hope to have this as an annual event at the Community Center.  Check back often for more information.

 The evening program will be held in the cafeteria and will begin at 6:00pm. Carolyn Evans, an actress and professional story teller, will deliver a moving performance about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, as seen from the eyes of a child. She will begin around the time of the Civil War and travel back in time, using dialect, songs and dancing to bring to life the story of Harriet Tubman.

Join us at New Heights on February 16 at 6:00pm.  This event is free and open to the public.

We are planning a Business After Hours that is sure to be a great event!  This will be held on Tuesday, February 23rd 5:30 – 6:30 pm, at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Pageland.    It’s only one hour, so it will be a compact but intense event.

Are you reaching ALL of your potential customers?  What’s new in advertising?  What’s FREE in advertising?  True Blue Advertising will be on hand to give us some great and unique marketing tips.

This event is for businesses, civic organizations, schools, churches, etc.  Converse with fellow business owners and use this networking time together to bump up your sales and/or services.

Bring your business card to enter a free door prize drawing.  Light refreshments will be served.

What’s Happening Around Town?

Check this spot for upcoming events in our area.

Every Thursday and Friday in January and February – The Pageland Recreation Department will host volleyball and basketball games at the Community Center.

 February is Black History Month

An evening program will be held in the cafeteria at New Heights Middle School and will begin at 6:00pm. Carolyn Evans, an actress and professional story teller, will deliver a moving performance about Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad, as seen from the eyes of a child. She will begin around the time of the Civil War and travel back in time, using dialect, songs and dancing to bring to life the story of Harriet Tubman.

Join New Heights for the FREE celebration event on February 16 at 6:00pm.

  Game Night  -  Tuesday, February 23rd 7 – 9 pm.  Pageland Recreation Department is hosting this event at the Pageland Community Center.  Bring your own board games or cards!  Call 672-6858 for more information.

 Business After Hours – Tuesday, February 23rd – 5:30 – 6:30 pm.  Location is the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Pageland.

Join fellow business people and network together.  Are you reaching ALL of your potential customers? 

True Blue Advertising will be on hand with Marketing Tips.  Light refreshments will be served.  Door prize drawing for those who attend and drop in a business card.

Annual Planning Session

This space will be under construction for a few days.  The new 2010 Chamber Board will be meeting during the last week in January for our Annual Planning Session.  After the meeting, the next event to come will be featured here.  Check back soon!

WOW,  What a night!  On Tuesday, January 12th, the Chamber of Commerce held our Annual Awards Banquet at the Pageland Community Center.  Again this year, our businesses jumped for the chance to decorate tables reflecting their company.  Beautiful tables and unique ones were admired by approximately 150 guest for the event. Our theme “It Starts with Us” got off to a good start with all of the participation for the evening.   Be sure and check out the loads of pictures below.

 Beautiful music filled the air, thanks to Wingate University student Taylor Vansil.  The guest enjoyed judging the table decorations and voting for their favorite.  A wonderful meal was provided by Mickey’s Restaurant. 

We heard from 2009 President Greg Lawrence on some of the highlights from the year, especially the 1st Annual Art Show at the Center and the Candidate Forum.  2010 Chamber President, Joe Steen promised to keep things interesting for us and to continue the drive to make Pageland a wonderful place to live, work and do business.

Our speaker, Mr. Larry Stinson, Principal at New Heights Middle School gave a serious and sometime humorous look at how we should perceive ourselves and the people we encounter.  Be happy in your situation, be happy with how you look and who you are, and accept imperfections.  He also introduced us to FIDO, who sits in his office window and reminds him to Forget It and Drive On.  Never waste time on revenge or being mad.  Mr. Stinson reminded us that “If  you don’t do it, someone else will”.  Sticking to our banquet theme “It Starts with Us”, you may miss out on a true blessing or an opportunity for personal growth if you don’t let change begin with you!

Awards were presented as follows:

Joanne Woehlkens presented 5 Years in Business- Sims/Thaxton Insurance Co, LLC; 10 Years in Business – Pizza Hut and Dr. Thomas Hendley, DMD; 15 years in Business – Guest Lodge and T&L’s Food Shop.

Greg Gause presented 20 Years in Business – Kentucky Fried Chicken of Pageland; 25 Years in Business – Cedar Lane Supply; 30 Years in Business – Bilo; Pageland Floral & Gift; South Pointe Christian School.  35 Years in Business – Attorney, W. Lee Youngblood.

Greg Lawrence presented 40 Years in Business – Conbraco Industries; 50 Years of Service – USC Lancaster; 70 Years in Business – Lynches River Electric Cooperative; and 80 Years in Business – Sutton/Baumgartner Funeral Home

Karen Brock presented Business Improvement Awards to Lynn’s Cafe, Cowboy’s Corner and Mack Nicholson (South Pointe Student Center Building).

Joe Steen presented Community Spirit Awards to Central High School 2009 Football Team, Derrick McManus, and Pepsi Cola Bottling Company of Bennettsville.

Shawn Freeman presented Community Service Awards to Pageland Pride Partnership and Linnett Foard for her work with Guardian ad Litem.  

John Barr also present Community Service Awards to Wal-Mart DC 6073 and the Town of Pageland Maintenance Department.

Phil Ingram presented Friend of the Festival Awards to Josh Johnson and the Pageland Police Department.

Karen Brock continued with Friend of the Festival Awards to Parade Grand Marshals Betty Ballard and Teenie Blakeney.

Steve Kirchen presented the Chamber Service Award to Steve Crisp for fund raising efforts toward our Golf Tournament. 

Phil Ingram presented a $600 check to the Pageland Pride Project to help with redecorating the Pageland Town Hall.

Joe Steen presented the Past President Award to Greg Lawrence.

Tony Nolan announced the Corporate Citizen of the Year – Lynches River Electric Cooperative.  They were chosen especially for their works through WIRE (Women In Rural Electric) and Operation Round Up.

Sarah Decker announced the Citizen of the Year – Bruce “Eddie” Rivers – our Fire Cheif for the last 40+ years, Chesterfield County Councilman for the Pageland area for 20+ years and retiree of the Town of Pageland.

The night ended with the announcement of the $50 prize for Best Table – Wal-Mart DC 6073.  Wal-Mart will donate that money to the Pageland Pride Project.

Thank all of you for making this event a success.  Go ahead and start thinking about next year!

Have you been looking for something new to do in town?  The Pageland Recreation Center has some new ideas for you to consider. 

Adult volleyball and basketball are beginning soon.  Volleyball will be played on Thursday evenings beginning January 14th.  Basketball will be on Friday evenings beginning on January 15th.  The season will run for eight weeks, allowing for 6 regular season games and 2 playoff games.

Family Game Night will be offered on Tuesday, January 26th.  The public is invited to attend this FREE event, which will take place from 7 to 9 pm in a meeting room at the Center.  You are encouraged to bring your own board game, card game, etc.  Tables will be set up for play.

For more information, call Andre Singleton at 672-6858.