Produced by the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce

connection
chaMBer
Business OppOrtunity COmmunity Heritage

november 2012

The Greater North Augusta Chamber of Commerce advocates for the business community and provides opportunities for business engagements and growth.

Our MissiOn

A Grand Re-Opening for Belks was held at 9:30am on October 10, 2012 for their 20,000 sq. ft. total remodel and expansion of

Belks Grand Re-Opening

their North Augusta Store. Ribbon for the Ribbon Cutting was provided by Jim Bush Florists, catering was provided by Nancy Payne. Music was provided by Henry Wynn. Belks invest in the southern communities, they are grateful for the support they give to Belks, so in turn Belks gave a $5,000 donation to North Augusta 2000. With over 600 people waiting

for their new store to open, Belks gave 400 gift cards to the waiting public!!! Great day for North Augusta!

BOard Of directOrs
EXECuTIVE COMMITTEE
Michelle Bennett Chair Serotta Maddocks Evans & Co. CPAs Paul Brewer Past Chair WFXG-TV Jon Dawkins Chair-Elect Chick-fil-a Rodney Ingle Treasurer Southern Bank & Trust

DIRECTORS
Bernard Kitchens Bridgestone Firestone Bill Hixon Hixon Realty & Ins. Co. Rechelle Dallas The Star Hap Greenway Allstate Insurance Co. Susan Everitt Goodwill Industries Brett Turner Rhodes Financial Michelle Jones Ga-Lina Physical Therapy Patricia Allen Savannah River Remediation, LLC Nyles Ellefson ADSI Kevin Toole First Citizens Don Goggans Austin Industrial

2012 Women in Business Series

Thursday, October 11, 2012 concluded our 2012 Women in Business Series. Our Networking began at 11:30am, with our program beginning at 12(noon). Our Speaker was Dena Thomas, Advanced Services. Her topic was From Multi-Tasker to Efficiency Expert. Our Sponsors for this event were SRP Federal Credit Union, Bridgestone, The Star/ Aiken Standard, WFXG-Fox 54, and WNRR 1380, talk radio. Events 20-20 was our caterer with Jim Bush as our Florist for the event. A Big Thank You to our Committee who help with the 2012 Series. Our program was prepared by Maura Ordyna, Superior Office Systems. Table-Tops for this event were SRP Federal Credit Union, Bridgestone, WNRR 1380 Radio, The Star/Aiken Standard, Fox 54-WFXG,

Advanced Services, Rotary Club, Augusta Entertainment and TransWorld Business Advisors. Please look for our 2013 information on the Women in Business Luncheons to be out shortly!

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERS
Todd Glover City of North Augusta Ray Fleming Aiken Co. School Board Will Williams Economic Development Partnership

cOntact infOrMatiOn
406 West Avenue PO Box 6246 North Augusta, S.C. 29861 VOICE: 803.279.2323 FAX: 803.279.0003 E-MAIL/WEBSITE: northaugustachamber.org

Armed and ready to fulfill our mission

by: Terra Carroll Thank you, North Augusta for welcoming me to the community. Eight weeks ago I began my journey as president and CEO of the Greater North Augusta Chamber of Commerce. And let me tell you, I am loving every minute. With a strong team of Board Members, Ambassadors and Staff great things have happened in two months. We have: Crowned our 2012 Small Business Person of the Year Janet Baumgardner of Comfort Keepers Hosted U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham and Congressman Joe Wilson for a Legislative Update Taken part in the Grand ReOpening of Belks Department Store Held Ribbon Cuttings for About Thyme Caf and Pizza Central Hosted a Business Expo and After Hours Networking Event Presented AM Connection and Women in Business Programs discussing successful work environments, signs of hunger in youth, and time management But wait, there is so much more to come, including a regional discussion on the future of technology. We are armed and ready to fulfill our mission of advocating for businesses and providing opportunities for engagement and growth. Look for me out and about in the

Terra@northaugustachamber.org Judy@northaugustachamber.org Suzanne@northaugustachamber.org

community. I am going to be everywhere learning what you do, why you do it and making sure the chamber is doing the right things to keep you moving forward. Join me on this journey of promoting collaborations and partnerships that maintain positive business environments and enrich the communitys quality of life.

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North Augusta Chamber of Commerce

Our A.M. Connection was held on September 26th 2012, at the North Augusta Community Center at 7:15am. Our Speaker and Sponsor was Golden Harvest with Chris Turner, the South Carolina Development offices as our Speaker. Chris spoke to us on what as a Community we can do to help stop hunger, especially with the children and the elderly. Terra Carroll, the President/CEO of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce gave the welcome and introduced the

A.M. Connection
Head Table. Also introduced were 2 students from the FBLA program at the North Augusta High School, Joey Baldwin and Bradley Moody. A THANK YOU was given to the City of North Augusta along with Als Family restaurant for being our caterer. All Members introduced themselves. Door prizes were donated by Rhodes Murphy, Bushs Flower Shop and Golden Harvest. Terra gave those present information on our upcoming Calendar of Events for October.

43-year-old school. With seven more phases proposed in the master plan, thats a 40-year With work or preliminary process. planning under way at Jackson Forty years to get a new Middle School and Aiken and high school is not realistic, Ridge Spring-Monetta high said Bornscheuer. Its unacschools, next up is North Auceptable to me, not only here at gusta High School. North Augusta High but across As principal Todd Bornthe district. Weve got to find a scheuer told state legislators way to speed things up. and other visitors on Monday, S.C. Rep. Bill Hixon, who the school will get a muchrepresents North Augusta, needed new wing through the worked with the high schools Aiken County School Districts School Improvement Counfive-year building plan. cil to set up a meeting and But thats just the first phase luncheon to discuss the overto ultimately rebuild the crowding and facet issues at the

Alternative funding sought for school facilities

By RoB Novit Aiken Standard school. The visitors included S.C. Rep. Tom Young, R-Aiken, S.C. Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, Aiken County Council Chairman Ronnie Young, Will Williams, director of the Aiken-Edgefield Economic Development Partnership; Aiken Superintendent Dr. Beth Everitt and Dr. Tim Yarborough, the school districts academic officer for high schools. The only viable alternative, at least for now, would be an educational capital sales tax that would allow a one-cent sales tax increase for 15 years pending voter approval, said School Board Vice Chairman Ray Flemming. However, current state law allows only Horry and Charleston counties to have such a tax, and both do. In Aiken County, the tax would raise $18 million to $20 million a year. That could speed up existing projects and get others started earlier than currently scheduled. Were looking for any alternative that would provide infrastructure to those schools that have needed it for many years, said Everitt. At North Augusta High, its clear that weve outgrown the facility. High school seniors led the visitors on a tour of the high school, among them Leah Mitton and Jonathan Mills. They acknowledged that they will be graduating next spring, but this could affect my own kids someday, Mills said. The issue is competitive in terms of showing schools to new families and prospective businesses and industry, said Williams. I have to sell the schools, he said. I know the instructional component is outstanding, but the schools over in Columbia

County look better than they do here. Some 70 percent of the community are without children in the schools. Many are retirees who came here for the climate and low taxes, but we havent done a good job of convincing them about our schools needs. School Board member Keith Liner pointed out that the board has established a communications subcommittee. Were looking at how the district is communicating and seeing how effective we are, he said. We need to win over the nonparents.

member of the month

The Riverfront Marines Detachment #1132 is our featured Member of the Month for November. The Riverfront Marines Mission is simple. They support two primary and most important Missions. The First and most important is our Nations Veterans. They help those who have given of their time and talents to maintain our freedoms. They provide direct service to our veterans both current and past. Their second Mission is they support our future through support of children that are our Nations future. Connie Maxwell childrens Home and Toys for Tots are their major focus for this mission. They also give ROTC Scholarships to Aiken and Edgefield Counties. The Riverfront Marines are a 501c3(non-profit) organization and therefore tax deductible. All and any contributions would be greatly appreciated.

Join the Chamber

By Judy Whaley Director of Member Services

they are an intregral part of the community. Our local North Augusta Chamber of ComIn this day of uncertainty, merce is a great place for such and in this era of Business business leaders to get to know chains and franchises, it is easy other business leaders in our for the local owner/managers area. We provide a good source to think they have no need to of networking. If your busiparticipate in local organizaness is here and youre making tions. Because so many busiyour money here, you need to nesses are indeed run remotely, show that you care about our it becomes even more critical community. Please contact our that the local management Chamber at 803-279-2323; our participate in local organizaChamber is willing and able to tions such as the Chamber of serve you!!! The cost is nomiCommerce. Local managenal but the benefits are great!!!! ment needs to show a comExcerpts taken from The Star panys patronage and know article, 11/04.

To advertise call Rechelle at 803-279-2793.

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North Augusta Chamber of Commerce

November 2012 Page 3

Trinity Hospital of Augusta Opens Inpatient Geropsychiatric Unit

Trinity Hospital of Augusta announces the opening of its Generations Unit, a multidisciplinary, 16-bed inpatient geropsychiatric unit. Renovated to provide a safe and supportive atmosphere, the unit offers the community a local alternative to diagnostic assessment and evaluation of patients 65 years or older. Depression and other emotional illnesses are a significant problem among the elderly and we are pleased to be able to offer this service to our community, stated Jason Studley, President/CEO of Trinity Hospital. Under the medical directorship of Dr. David Steiner, the monitored unit offers patients individualized and group therapy, education, group activity, medication management, and aftercare planning, while also pecially if dealt with early. About Trinity Hospital As the areas only faith-based hospital, Trinity Hospital of Augusta is an acute care hospital offering progressive health care through cutting-edge technology. For more than 60 years, the hospital has provided surgical, and inpatient and outpatient services to meet the support the patient upon discommunitys needs. Accredcharge, she continued. ited by The Joint Commission, Symptoms of an altered men- Trinity Hospital is recognized tal status such as insomnia, sig- as a provider of quality health nificant confusion or memory care designed to meet its paloss, self-inflicted wounds, so- tients physical, emotional, and cial isolation, anxiety or severe spiritual needs. depression should be moniThe hospital offers a range of tored and communicated with services, including emergency the patients physician who can care, bariatric services, womultimately recommend admis- ens health services, cardiopulsion for inpatient evaluation in monary, obstetrics, neonatal a geropsychiatric unit. Most intensive care unit, radiology, behavioral/emotional illnesses rehabilitation, sleep lab, and in older adults are treatable, es- wound healing.

New Members
DayBreak Adult Care Services Augusta Economic Development Authority Jane Paige Thompson Lark Jones Riverfront Marines Detachment #1132

Renewing Members
South Company Christ Community Health Services Magic Shrink Wraps by It Works!

focusing on the other family members affected by the patients condition. Our specially trained staff works with the patient, family and other healthcare providers to develop a course of treatment that best meets the needs of the individual, commented Phyllis McNeil, Program Director. However, our care doesnt stop with the patient, we work with the families to re-establish healthy communication, so they can in turn

Artist of the Month: Michael Drake

Michael Drake started painting in October of 2009 and it has become his passion. Painting is intriguing to him and is relaxing and challenging at the same time. He mostly enjoys painting Landscapes, beaches, mountains and anything with water. Michael attends workshops and plans to take art lessons in the near future to enhance his natural ability. He really enjoys creating something from nothing. Michael says that we must Believe in ourselves and in a Higher Power to explore what might be. Michael Drake can be reached at 706-726-2548, mdrake13608@yahoo.com, and his works will be on display at the North Augusta Chamber for the month of November.

EVENTS
November 7 Ambassadors Meeting, Chamber Office 8am November 8 Business After Hours, Comfort Keepers, West Ave. 5-7pm November 14 AM Connection, Sponsor, Augusta Chronicle, Speaker, Keith Wood November 15 Toys for Tots Box arrives at Chamber office November 22-23 Office Closed for Thanksgiving Holiday December 5 Ambassador Meeting Chamber Office 8am December 5 North Augusta Chambers Christmas Drop-In, Arts & Heritage Center, 5-7pm December 9 North Augustas Christmas Parade, downtown Georgia Ave December 19 A.M. Connection, Sponsor, The Star / Aiken Standard, Speaker, Todd Glover, North Augustas City Administraton

Upcoming

Walk to End Alzheimers

Join us for the 2012 Walk to End Alzheimers on November 3, 2012. This is an annual three-mile walk through downtown Augusta, beginning and ending at the Augusta Commons. Funds raised at the Walk help us provide our educational programs and many services at NO COST to our caregivers in the (17) county area that we serve. The Alzheimers Association is the world

leader in private funding for research into the causes of and possible cure for Alzheimers disease. For more information about what the Alzheimers Association does in this community, visit www.alz.org/georgia. Register your Team today at: http://www.alz.org/georgia/ in_my_community_walk.asp

North Augusta Christmas Tree Lighting

Come one, come all to the annual North Augusta Christmas tree lighting festival at Calhoun Park and Lookaway Hall!

Tuesday, 11/27/2012 5 - 8 p.m.

From 5 to 6, enjoy the sights and sounds in Calhoun Park and in the parking lot of Lookaway. Bands, carolers and more!

Just after 6, watch as Mayor Lark Jones pushes the magic button to light the Christmas Tree in Calhoun Park, followed by a big surprise! After the tree lighting, continue your evening at Lookaway Hall and show your support for The Friends of Lookaway, SmartKids and the North Augusta Parks and Recreation Department with a visit to our chili-cook-off area, popcorn cart, hotdog cart and hot coca. For an added treat, bring the kids in for some marshmallow roasting at the Courtyard fire pit, sponsored by The Lions Club.

Last year was loads of fun, so join us in making this years festival even BIGGER and BETTER!
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North Augusta Chamber of Commerce

Lindsey Graham visits North Augusta

On October 1, 2012, Senator Lindsey Graham made a stop in North Augusta to talk with our Chamber Members. The talk was held at the Council Chambers at the Municipal Center with around 60 people in attendance. We Thank our United States Senator for taking time out of his very busy schedule to visit with the people of North Augusta!

On September 21 at 10am, Holding the Ribbon, a Ribbon Cutting was held donated by Jim Bush for About Thyme Caf on Florists, was Michelle Georgia Ave. Bales and Cutting the

About Thyme Ribbon Cutting

Ribbon was Liz Victor, owner, Bill Victor and Terry Wilson. Honorary cutters were Liz and Bills children, Coleman and Ava (twins) and daughter Lila. Approximately 55 people were in attendance. Ambassadors attending were: Terra Carroll gave a

welcome and a few words on how happy we are they are in North Augusta.

Pizza Central Ribbon Cutting

October 3rd at 11:30am, a Ribbon Cutting was held for Pizza Central, located at 515 Georgia Ave. in North Augusta, S.C. After the Ribbon Cutting we were treated to a sampling of their Pizzas and Calzones. Very Good items. Holding the Ribbon was Darren Bennett, Regional Manager, with manager Tom Duke cutting the Ribbon. Attending were David Cadden, Ambassadors Rachel Franklin, Steven Beckett, Diane Daniel, Rechelle Dallas, Diane Lariviere, Rod Barrie,

Rick Berry, Susan Igel and Chamber personnel, Judy Whaley and Suzanne Fletcher, with president Terra Carroll. Ribbon was provided by Bushs on Pine Grove. Phone number to order is 803-599-7606, they offer Take-out and Delivery.

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