November-December 2014

Board Members 2014

OFFICERS
Bob Buchanan, President
Irma Mitchell, Vice-President
Robin McCann, Treasurer
Teresa Sheets, Secretary

BOARD MEMBERS
John Boothe, Jr.,
Dewitt Cooper
Larry Davidson
Sharon Gemmell
George Hayes
Reginia Sayers
Dorothy White
Sara White

CHAMBER STAFF
Pam Meade, Executive Director

CHAMBER HOURS
Monday - Friday
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Welcome New Members

New Peoples Bank
Richard Smith
Website
richards@newpeoplesbank.com
Join Date: 09/03/2014
 

Thank you, Renewing Members-September & October

OSIA -Fratelli Tricolore Lodge 2631
Nick Ameli, Jr.
Website
nameli@ft.newyorklife.com
Member Since: 10/01/2001
Renewed On: 09/22/2014

THE PBE GROUP formerly Pyott Boone Elect Inc
Maggie Asbury
Website
masbury@pbegrp.com
Member Since: 05/15/2013
Renewed On: 09/15/2014

Blankenship & Associates Insurance Services
Natalie Blankenship
Website
blanken2@nationwide.com
Member Since: 03/14/1991
Renewed On: 10/14/2014

National Bank
Delphia Blankenship
Website
Member Since: 07/01/1994
Renewed On: 10/03/2014

Assurity Financial, LLC
John Boothe, Jr.
assurityllc@gmail.com
Member Since: 08/28/2012
Renewed On: 10/14/2014

Nancy Greever Brooks
sleepindogs@triad.rr.com
Member Since: 07/13/2011
Renewed On: 09/22/2014

Edward Jones Investments
Ed Clyburn
Website
ed.clyburn@edwardjones.com
Member Since: 10/28/2013
Renewed On: 09/29/2014

Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital
Kathren Dowdy
Website
krdowdy@carilionclinic.org
Member Since: 09/04/1991
Renewed On: 10/14/2014

Clinch Mountain Amish Furniture & More
Bob Gemmell
Website
cmafm@verizon.net
Member Since: 10/27/2011
Renewed On: 10/17/2014

Tazewell County Country Club
Teresa Hash
Website
teresahash@earthlink.net
Member Since: 10/07/2003
Renewed On: 09/22/2014

Brickhouse Cardio
Lisa Householder
Member Since: 04/25/2013
Renewed On: 09/22/2014

Pressley Ridge
Jennifer James
Website
jdjames@pressleyridge.org
Member Since: 03/16/2011
Renewed On: 09/03/2014

Rocky Gap Welcome Center-VTC
Gary Jeffrey
Website
gjeffrey@virginia.org
Member Since: 02/21/2005
Renewed On: 09/22/2014

Kidd Tire & Auto Parts
Kelly Kidd
Member Since: 05/03/2002
Renewed On: 10/20/2014

North Tazewell Lions Club
David Morrison
Website
dmrm4@verizon.net
Member Since: 10/01/1987
Renewed On: 09/23/2014

El Mariachi
Felipe Rizo
felipe.rizo@yahoo.com
Member Since: 05/18/2011
Renewed On: 10/14/2014

Tazewell County Department of Social Services
Rex Tester
Website
rtester@tazewellcounty.org
Member Since: 10/01/1997
Renewed On: 09/19/2014

Van's Gifts & Computer Services
Anne VanDyke
Member Since: 10/14/1991
Renewed On: 09/19/2014

Amazing Southern Graces Catering
Dorothy White
crosego@msn.com
Member Since: 10/15/2013
Renewed On: 09/29/2014

Historic Crab Orchard Museum
Charlotte Whitted
Website
cwhitted@craborchardmuseum.com
Member Since: 09/23/2002
Renewed On: 10/14/2014
 

Your Grate Escape - September Spotlight


Clint Neel was born and raised in Tazewell, graduating from Tazewell High School in 1997.  He attended Sullivan University in Louisville, Kentucky and graduated Cum Laude in 2000 with an Associates Degree in Culinary Arts. 
 
After returning to Tazewell, Clint worked for various restaurants in the area until he opened his own personal chef business in 2001.  Word of his services spread and business increased which resulted in numerous requests for large parties.  In early 2002 he started construction on a commercial kitchen and in September 2002 the catering division of Your Grate Escape was born.
 
Clint is an active member of the Tazewell Area Chamber of Commerce and has served on the Board of Directors.  In 2004 he received an “Alumni Award” from Southwest Virginia Community College. He also enjoys volunteering and donating to charities in the community.  The Chamber recently received this e-mail from Lynda Rakes of AbsolutelyAtYourService.com in Roanoke:  “In a busy world few turn to give a hand.  Clint Neel is a man multi-tasking the responsibilities of restaurant operations with a depth of character above the norm.  We in Roanoke, Virginia have greatly benefited by Mr. Neel’s professional advice and kind gesture of mentoring us.  We would like to join his local community applauding his local support and wide-spread generosity.  Clint Neel is a business leader modeling for all the spirit of neighborly concern that reaches far beyond Tazewell.”
 
Your Grate Escape is located at 1133 East Fincastle Drive  276-988-7867

Hours are:      

Monday - Tuesday
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. 

Wednesday - Friday
11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Sunday
11 a.m. – 2 p.m. 
                       
 

Calendar of Events Import

Thompson Valley Craft Bazaar
11/08/2014
9 am - 3 pm
Thompson Valley Community Center
8925 Thompson Valley Road
Tazewell, VA 24651

Museum Gift Shop Sale and Princess Tea
11/08/2014
Historic Crab Orchard Museum
3663 Crab Orchard Road
Tazewell, VA 24651

Tazewell Veterans Day Parade
11/09/2014
2 p.m. (Line up at 12:30 p.m.)
Main Street (Line up at Tazewell High School)

Community Thanksgiving Dinner
11/15/2014
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
American Legion Building

First Annual Thompson Valley Homecoming
11/15/2014

2014 Southwest Virginia Legislative Breakfast & Forum
11/24/2014
8:00 a.m.
Range Resources Headquarters,
809 Happy Valley Drive
Clintwood, VA

Frontier Christmas
12/05/2014
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Crab Orchard Museum
3663 Crab Orchard Road
Tazewell, VA 24651

Monthly Music Jam
12/06/2014
5:30 pm
Thompson Valley Community Center
8925 Thompson Valley Road
Tazewell, VA 24651

"Christmas on Main" Parade
12/06/2014
5:00 p.m. (Line up at 4:00 p.m.)
Main Street (Line up at Tazewell High School)

Table Runner Class
12/06/2014
10:00 a.m.
Thompson Valley Community Center

Tree Lighting
12/06/2014
3:00 p.m.
Mini Park

Shop With a Cop
12/13/2014

Business After Hours
12/18/2014
6:00 p.m.
Heritage Hall
121 Ben Bolt Avenue

You can submit your events on-line at www.tazewellchamber.com → Event Calendar → Submit Your Event

Community Thanksgiving Dinner- November 15th

The Town of Tazewell Police Department and Tazewell County Juvenile Court invite you to the 2nd Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner on Saturday, November 15th, at the American Legion Building from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

2014 Southwest Virginia Legislative Breakfast & Forum

The Tazewell Area Chamber of Commerce, in conjunction with the other chambers of commerce in Southwest, Virginia, will host the 28th Annual Southwest Virginia Legislative Breakfast and Forum, Monday, November 24th, at Range Resources Headquarters, 809 Happy Valley Drive, Clintwood, Virginia.  This annual event offers businesses, industries, organizations, and individual citizens the opportunity to interact with their state legislators and learn more about issues that will be addressed in the next legislative session of the General Assembly.  Registration begins at 8:00 a.m. and the breakfast reception will begin at 8:30 a.m., followed by the forum beginning at 9:15 a.m.  The cost is $18 per person and the deadline to register is Friday, November 14th. 
 
Legislators are invited from the counties of Tazewell, Buchanan, Russell, Dickenson, Lee, Scott, Wise, Pulaski, Smyth, Washington, Wythe and Bland.
  
Each legislator will be introduced and given the opportunity to present a three-minute briefing of the issues facing the 2015 General Assembly followed by questions from the audience.  Questions may be sent to the chamber at the time of registration, emailed or presented to the moderator at the breakfast. 
 
To make your reservations for the breakfast and forum and for more information, contact  the Tazewell Area Chamber of Commerce 276-988-5091 or email to info@tazewellchamber.org.
 

Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade - December 6th

The annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Parade will be on Saturday, December 6th.  The Tree Lighting will be at 3:00.  The Christmas Parade line up is at 4:00 p.m., parade begins at 5:00 at Tazewell High School traveling to Main Street. 

SAVE THE DATE - ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING & BANQUET

FRIDAY, JANUARY 16, 2015

NEW BUSINESSES COMING SOON!

COMING SOON!!
 
BIG BURRITOS – 104 Carline Avenue
Jessica and Carlos Combs
Burritos, tacos and more…..Chicken, beef and pork.  All meat cooked slow and low.  Homemade rice.
 
LIVE MY LIFE LOCKETS AND JEWELRY
Jessica Clements
Retail jewelry – magnetic lockets and charms and more.
 
More information to come.
 

Contact Information

The Tazewell Area Chamber of Commerce advances and promotes the interests of businesses in the Tazewell, Virginia area through the development of civic, commercial, agriculture, educational and cultural life of the community.  Any individual, association, company, estate or firm residing in Tazewell County or doing business here is welcome to join!  Our office is located just off 460 at Exit #2 near the Magic Mart Department store.  Our web site is www.tazewellchamber.com.  You may contact us by e-mail info@tazewellchamber.org or 276-988-5091.
 

Welcome to our Newsletter!

We are very excited about our newsletter!  The Chamber is striving to keep you well informed
and connected to the Tazewell Area business community.  Each bimonthly issue will
introduce you to new and renewing members.  A calendar of upcoming events and opportunities will be included in each of your issues.  Since we want the newsletter to be as relevant as possible, we look forward to hearing your comments on the first issue.  What would you like to see from our newsletter?  Please e-mail us with your thoughts and ideas at
info@tazewellchamber.org.
 

A Word from the President

Bob Buchanan

Greetings.
 
Thank you so very much for your membership and participation in the events we have sponsored this year.  We have made significant progress this year.  The Chamber suffered a setback earlier this year with the departure of Barbara Layne.  Pam Meade joined the Chamber as our Executive Director the first of June.  Pam has retired from Tazewell National Bank/ BB&T and has worked with most of the businesses in our area.  Our Board of Directors is outstanding. This has been the most enjoyable board that I have worked with at the Chamber. They have your best interest at heart and strive to promote our Town, our various communities and the businesses in the Tazewell Area. It is a GREAT Board with a very positive outlook.   There is one thing that is missing and that is you.  We need your input as to what you would like to see the chamber do to promote our area and your business. We have an open meeting to the membership once a quarter. But of course if you would like to address the Board, please contact Pam and she will be sure to have you listed on our agenda. I am a firm believer that if we can all work together then we can make a big difference in our communities.
 

Danielle Cooper - Fair Coordinator


The Tazewell County Fair Association, Inc. is pleased to announce that Danielle A. Cooper has accepted the position of Fair Coordinator.  Danielle comes to TCFA after 20 years in ministry.  She is married to DeWitt Cooper and the mother of Virginia Jenkins.  The 2015 Tazewell County Fair will be July 31st - August 8th.

What QuickBooks Can Offer

Robin McCann


 
Quickbooks is one of the best business accounting software products available for the small to mid-sized business owners or the multi-business owner.  This software is user friendly and almost anyone can learn the program.  They have several options to choose from and can model the accounting software to your business industry.  Here are a few reasons why you should be using Quickbooks verses other accounting software programs:
 
You save time on paperwork and your accountant will be happy.Most normal day to day transactions can be handled automatically which makes it easier to run your business.
Reports can be generated at the touch of a button.You can find your Profit & Loss Statement or Balance Sheet in one quick motion.This will help you know where to cut expenses or boost revenue.
Quickbooks is very affordable.However, there are prices for each option you use in this software.
Quickbooks can help your business grow.It will design a business plan for you when trying to secure a loan or just plan for the future.
It is a customizable software program that you can fit to your needs and wants.By customizing your Quickbooks it makes your daily activity very easy.
With Quickbooks you can share data among users without having to transfer from one computer to another.Just have your company file on your server or network and anyone in your company can access your file.Just make sure to password protect your company file so only employees authorized to use Quickbooks can access it.
You can print checks, deposit slips, invoices, etc. fast and easy with this software.It saves so much time.
 
Most small to mid-size companies are transitioning to this software and are loving it.  I personally use it for all of my businesses.  It’s fast and easy to use.  We at the Chamber have tried a training course for this product.  It was successful and would love to have another one.  If you are interested in learning more about your Quickbooks product or you are new to the software and want to know more about how to use it then contact Pam Meade at the Chamber office.  We will see how much interest we have and get a class scheduled so you can start 2015 off right.  Pam can be reached at (276) 988-5091.

Robin McCann is owner of Subway in Tazewell and Better Bookkeeping Solutions, Inc.
_______________________________________
We are looking for content from Chamber members about your industry that would be interesting to others.  If you would like to contribute an article of 150-500 words about important things happening in your field or share knowledge that would be of benefit to the membership and community, please contact Pam Meade at info@tazewellchamber.org.

Crab Orchard Museum Corn Maze



The Crab Orchard Museum opened their Corn Maze and Pisgah Pumpkin Patch on September 12th through November 2nd.  Activities included two Native American-themed mazes and the Kids' Knoll, with a square-bale hay maze, corn play box, corn hole games, hay rides, Punkin' Chunkin' and a fall-themed craft.  Approximately 9000 visitors and schoolchildren were welcomed through the maze for tours, pumpkin patch visits and public visitation.
 

Chamber Tours Tazewell County Airport


The Chamber held their September meeting and toured the Tazewell County Airport.  Jerry McReynolds, TCA General Manager, led the tour and gave an informative presentation on the services of the airport.
For more information about the airport - fly.tazewellcounty.org.

27th Annual Burkes Garden Festival

Saturday, September 27th turned out to be a beautiful day for the 27th Annual Burke's Garden Fall Festival.  There was great food, living history, children's activities, live music, many vendors selling everything from arts and crafts to furniture to local produce.  New this year was a history room with stories about the history of the Garden, a room displaying the handmade talent of our residents over the years courtesy of the Homemakers and numerous vendors set up in the Community Center.  We even had Molly Tynes describing her historic ride to warn people about an impending Union attack during the Civil War.  The crowd was happy and of record size.  Be sure to plan to visit the Garden next year on the last Saturday in September for the 28th Annual Fall Festival.


Living History demonstrated what life was like for James Burke in the mid 1700's when he discovered Burkes' Garden.

Your Grate Escape hosts Business After Hours


Your Grate Escape hosted a Business After Hours on October 2nd.  The event was co-sponsored by Tazewell Area Chamber of Commerce and Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce.  Several area businesses enjoyed great fellowship and Clint's fantastic food.  Clint introduced a special holiday event for the week of December 8th.  For more information and menu for the event go to info@yourgrateescape.com.

Please contact Pam Meade at the Chamber office if you are interested in scheduling a Business After Hours in 2015.


Areas businesses enjoyed a time of fellowship during the Business After Hours at Your Grate Escape.

Celebration of the Arts has Another Successful Year



The Third Annual Celebration of the Arts had another successful year.  The festival was held on Friday and Saturday, October 3rd and 4th at Between Friends.  Even though the weather was not great, the festival was wonderful and went on under the big tent.  Everyone attending enjoyed locally made arts and crafts, homemade edible goodies, live music, book signings and so much more.  Stay tuned for more information on the Fourth Annual Celebration of the Arts next year.
 

Customer Appreciation Day at Neek Wireless


Neek Wireless held a Customer Appreciation Day on September 19th.  Juanita Carroll won the drawing - a free phone and free first month service on a prepay account.  They offered Buy one – get one free on all phones and 20% off accessories and free pizza and drinks.  Neek Wireless is located at 720-C, East Riverside Drive. 276-979-4252.
 
 

Ribbon Cutting for new Child Care Development Center at Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens


The ribbon was cut on the new Child Care Development Center at Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens on Thursday, October 2nd.  Agency Board members, staff, friends and area supporters welcomed the children to their new facility.

Cruise-In on Main Street Enjoyed Successful Season


Many enjoyed strolling down Main Street while enjoying classic cars, music and delicious food.   Cruise-In on Main, a summer celebration on Main Street, took place once a month on Saturday from June through September.  October was cancelled due to weather.  Stay tuned for plans for next year's events!

Business to Business Showcase


The Tazewell County Board of Supervisors hosted the twelfth annual Business-to-Business Showcase at the Tazewell County Fairgrounds on Thursday, October 30th and Friday, October 31st.
 
175 attended the reception on Thursday evening and approximately 200 attended the Business to Business Showcase on Friday. 
 
The Showcase provides area businesses with an outlet to display and promote the products and/or services they provide and also gives an opportunity to network with other local businesses.
 
Be sure and plan to attend next year’s event!  If you do not plan on participating as a vendor, please keep in mind that all businesses and employees are welcome to attend the Showcase.
 

2nd Annual Trunk or Treat - Another Successful Year

Although the date and location were changed due to an early Halloween snow, the 2nd Annual Trunk or Treat was a huge success.  The event was moved to Between Friends Parking Lot and took place on Monday, November 3rd.  Several hundred trick or treaters enjoyed Halloween fun as participants handed out treats from their trunks. 
 
The first place winners in the trunk decorating contest were Jennifer Bourne and Daphne Murray with their witches den.   Heidi Waddle placed second with a zombie theme.
 
The winners in the costume contest were Laken Odum, Wyatt Billips and Tucker Hankins. 
 
There was also a Halloween/Fall Decorating contest.  The winners were:
Business 1st Place – The Commonwealth Attorney’s office
Business 2nd Place – Tazewell County Sheriff’s office and 911 Dispatch
Business 3rd Place – Country Variety Store
Business Honorable Mention – Tazewell Farm Bureau
Homes & Yard 1st Place– Susan Reeves, Fincastle Turnpike
Homes & Yard 2nd Place – Jessica Bachtel – Dogwood Road
Homes & Yard 3rd Place – Nancy Horne – Tanglewood Drive
Homes & Yard – Honorable Mention – Ami Patterson
           
Thank you Dorothy White, Vickie Boothe and Renee Steele for your hard work.  Thanks to Vickie Boothe for offering her store location as an alternate location when Mother Nature would not cooperate.  And thanks to our many sponsors who donated to make this a successful event.

1st Place Winner in the Trunk Decorating Contest
Jennifer Bourne and Daphne Murray

 

Southwest Virginia Business Challenge

Tazewell Area Chamber of Commerce Layout - November-December 2014