The Chamber Chat
 

The Chamber Prayer Breakfast will be held on Tuesday, November 20^th at 7 AM at the Smithville Church of God. Keynote speaker, Bro. Jason Lohorn of Alexandria?s Upper Helton Baptist Church, along with special music and prayers for our county will make this a meaningful and memorable experience. A delicious breakfast will be catered by Jason Evans, chef at The Inn at Evins Mill. Tickets are $12 per person and can be purchased at the Chamber office or from the Chamber Board of Directors. Leadership DeKalb Class of 2008 will serve the beverages. Doors open at 6:30 AM.

 The Christmas season is almost upon us which means it’s almost time to celebrate the 6^th Annual Miracle of Christmas Past! This wonderful holiday event will be celebrated on Thursday, December 13^th from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM on the Smithville Public Square. Crowd favorites will return including a Christmas Concert by the DeKalb County High School and Middle School Bands from 6PM to 7PM, a Live Nativity provided by the Upper Helton Baptist Church, Courthouse Open House, Jackie Smith State Farm Insurance Open House, Channel 4’s Snowbird, the Children’s Train Ride and Inflatables, great downtown shopping, delicious food, hot chocolate and cider. A full night of Special Music from talented singers will be held inside the Courthouse on the east side. We need singers, musicians, singing groups, food booths, etc. If you would like to perform, participate, or volunteer to help in organizing the singing group schedule, call the Chamber office at 597-4163. Pictures with Santa by Studio Six Photography will be taken from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM at the Smithville City Hall with packages starting at $10 and pictures can be taken home that night. Beginning at 6:30 PM, Justin-Potter Library will present "Christmas at the Library" with a performance by magician Bruce Amato and a special visit from Santa.

The Chamber is in great need of generous supporters to help fund this non-profit event. We invite businesses, organizations, churches, and individuals to be a part of the holiday extravaganza by becoming a sponsor for this well-attended festival. If you would like to make a donation toward the expense of the flyers, postage, signs, advertisements, mail-outs, decorations, and other costs, our county and the visitors of this heart-warming celebration would definitely be the benefactors. This is a wonderful opportunity to get involved in our community in a positive way and to enjoy the true blessings of the Christmas season. We sincerely hope that you will be a part of this heartwarming experience. The Miracle of Christmas Past! For more information, call the Chamber office at 597-4163.

The Chamber of Commerce is pleased to recognize its newest member:

• Republic Insurance, Inc., 744 North Congress Blvd., Smithville - Contact Bill Cantrell at 597-2115

 Thanks for supporting the Chamber.

 The Chamber held Ribbon Cuttings at the following locations:

• Jackie Smith State Farm Insurance at their new location, 315 North Public Square, Smithville - 597-8486 - Visit Jackie’s new place during her Open House on Thursday, December 13^th from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM during "The Miracle of Christmas Past" event.
• DTC Communications, 511 West Broad, Smithville – Many thanks to DTC for donating 24” Ribbon Cutting Scissors to the Chamber.  Congratulations on your beautiful new building.

The Chamber presented a well-deserved Community Improvement Award to Lois Farwell, 418 West Main Street, Smithville for the renovations made to her charming home. If you would like to nominate a residence or business for a Community Improvement Award, call the Chamber for a nomination form.

 The Jolly Angels Annual Turkey Fry and Toy Drive is now taking orders for turkeys. Buy a whole, deep-fried turkey (10 to 14 lb average) for a tax-deductible donation of $35. Jolly Angels is an all-volunteer charitable organization that provides assistance to children living in rural areas of Middle Tennessee and to children of our soldiers at Ft. Campbell. 100% of your donation will go to help the children. To place your order, call the Chamber at 597-4163. Your turkey can be picked up at the Chamber office on Wednesday, November 21^st between 2 PM and 4 PM.

Congratulations to Chamber Board Member, Sandy Brown, for being named Smithville B & PW Club’s Woman of the Year! Sandy is owner of SCB Enterprises / TN Barns, 3205 Nashville Hwy., Smithville.

 Our heartfelt condolence to the Jo Ann Hancock Family. Jo Ann has been a long-time supporter of the Chamber. I can’t recall even one time that Jo Ann didn’t support whatever project or event the Chamber was doing. Her generosity and kind spirit was an inspiration to me and will long be remembered. Our prayers are with her family in their great loss.

 Lou Ann and I would like to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving season and to express how grateful we are to all our Chamber members, the volunteers, businesses, organizations, county and city officials, community leaders, and churches that help us in our collective goals to continue positive growth and improvement to our beautiful county.

 Upcoming Events:

*WJLE Chamber Radio Program - 1^st Wednesday of every month at 8:30 A

*November 8^th to 11^th Christmas Downtown Open House, Smithville - extended hours and great gift ideas

*November 10^th - The 43^rd Annual Fall Fest sponsored by the Smithville BPW Club, DCHS gymnasium at 7 PM

*November 10^th - The 6^th Annual Harvest Festival at DeKalb West School - BBQ Dinner starting at 4:30 PM - Lots of Fun & Games, Food, & Door Prizes

*November 15^th - Pizza Night for Parents at DeKalb Middle School - For more info, call 597-7987.

*November 20^th - Chamber Prayer Breakfast, 7 AM, Smithville Church of God annex, 801 West Broad Street, Smithville

Join our efforts in working together to promote our great county and its businesses. For a Chamber membership application, community improvement nomination form, to serve on a committee, or to give us your ideas and comments, call the Chamber at 597-4163 or visit us at 301 North Public Square, Smithville under the green / white striped awning.