Chamber Notepad: Warm summer days, lots to do

By Paul Hooper, Chamber of Commerce

Summer came in this past Sunday, Father’s Day, in real style. It has been a stifling week of heat from sun up to sun down. Now is the time for us to pay more attention to our animals and our elderly neighbors, some who may live alone.

Last weekend I found my 83 year “young” neighbor trying to clean out his garage at the hottest time of the day, he had fallen and could not get up, plus he said he had been there for an hour and a half. This gentleman can barely walk and uses a walker when he does. I wondered what made him want or think he could clean out his garage on a hot day like last Sunday. Maybe people who live alone need to still feel useful and productive. Their heart tells them they can, but their physical condition just will not let them.

I thought I would share this story with you so that you may take some time out and think about whom you know or who your neighbors are that you may want to check on from time to time. I believe the attention and time we give them is just as medicinal as any medicine they may be taking.

Chamber member Firestone Building Products is underwriting the second annual 2009 Math, Science and Technology Academy this summer at Navarro College. This is a wonderful program where up to 32 students between the ages of 13-17 will spend a week that includes hands-on classes and going on field trips visiting local businesses like Firestone, Corsicana Technologies and Navarro Regional Hospital. I would like to thank Firestone and every business and person involved in this program as you never know when or how you may impact a student and change their lives in some way. For more information, contact Lisa Dillman at (903) 875-7517, or e-mail her at lisa.dillman@navarrocollege.edu.

Habitat for Humanity dedicated its third home last weekend on the newly dedicated Gioia Circle, named in honor of the late Gioia Keeney. This is great for our community and the Habitat organization, volunteers and the participating local businesses are doing a great deed giving of their time and resources to make this possible. Our City Manager, Connie Standridge, and the city have taken the initiative to provide land to Habitat that can and will be a big improvement in our community. What a wonderful partnership. Thank you all!

Did you know that the Collins Catholic Bears beat St. Bernard 7-4 in the Dallas Parochial League Championship game on June 5th in Dallas? Congratulations to the Bears and their coaches for a having a “Championship Season”.

Why become a Chamber Member? Here are just a few reasons. Look for more reasons each week.

1.To increase your marketing opportunities.

2.To network with other area businesses.

3.To gain knowledge on business issues affecting the community and government.

4.To participate in development projects for the business sector of the community.

5.To support progress for business and the community.

But what if you feel you “can’t afford to join the Chamber?” I can understand why you may feel that way. We all have to watch our expenses these days. I can’t ask you to invest in the Chamber unless I can show you a return for your dollars. Your membership will come to approximately $16.00 a month. That is probably less expensive than a business lunch or a tank of gas. Your membership is an investment in the continued growth and prosperity of our community. You do not “contribute” when you are a member of the Chamber of Commerce – you invest in your own business. The government recognizes that a Chamber of Commerce is a business expense, not a contribution. Your Chamber is an area wide organization engaged in business promotion, in publicizing the area, promoting tourism, and in bringing in more business and industry to the Corsicana area.

What’s Coming Up?

July 4 Celebrations

Blooming Grove Fourth of July parade will be held at 11 a.m. in downtown Blooming Grove. A big Fourth of July celebration will be held in downtown Dawson at 10 a.m. with a parade following a prayer and national anthem. Kerens Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Fourth of July celebration. It will begin around 6:30 p.m. on the brick streets of Kerens. And Corsicana’s annual “Freedom Festival” will take place on July 4 at IOOF Park beginning at 6:30 p.m., with fireworks about 9 p.m.

July 1— STAR (Success Through Active Role Modeling) Information Session

STAR, a Chamber Educational Committee, is actively recruiting role models to work with students in the AVID program at Corsicana High School. If you are interested in finding out more information, please contact the Chamber or log onto STAR’s website at www.star.org, or plan to attend the next Information Session scheduled for 5 to 6 p.m. Monday, July 13 at the Chamber. Please call to RSVP if you would like to learn more about STAR and AVID. You do not have to be a Chamber member to attend the Information Session or to be a STAR Role Model. Everyone is welcome! The STAR Board will be hosting a picnic July 24 at the IOOF Park for the Role models, AVID students and their families starting at 5:30 PM.

Oct. 23 to 25 — C.A.S.T Fishing Tournament will bring 400 people to our community. There will be a banquet held at the Star Hall at the American RV Park on Friday, Oct. 23 that will be catered by Dickey’s BBQ. These folks spend a lot of money while in our community and I would ask any business with a marquee to put up something welcoming them and consider offering some type of “special” inviting these folks to visit your business. Remember that while they may be here during this time fishing, the hospitality they receive while here may bring them back to find out more about what all we have to offer.

Oct. 23-25 — The Corsicana Development Commission has a committee working in conjunction with the Palace Theatre, Warehouse of the Living Arts, Pearce Museum, Magnolia House, Collin Street Bakery, Pioneer Village and many others are working to bring 100 tourists to Corsicana. More information will be forth coming as more information is confirmed and can be communicated. If you are a local merchant you may want to mark these dates as these “tourist guests” will have free time to shop and tour downtown Corsicana and other areas.

Oct. 27 — Tentative date for Chamber Member Reception and Auction. The committee is meeting now and if you would like to volunteer to work on this event with this committee, please contact Semonna here at the Chamber. More information will be coming soon when more details are finalized.

On behalf of the Chamber Board of Directors, I would like to extend our thanks to all the Chamber members and volunteers who are instrumental in the success of the Chamber.

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Click here to e-mail Paul Hooper.

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