JOBS, JOBS, JOBS: Albany Industries will open an upholstered furniture operation in the old B.C. Vaughan plant in Galax, VA, creating an estimated 335 new jobs. This is the first plant established in Virginia by the New Albany, MS, based company. No date has been reported for when Albany will start hiring, but applications are available online. Why not fill one out and be first in line!
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS: Sparta Florist and Gifts is celebrating their new location with a Chamber Business After Hours Thursday, Oct. 20, 5-7p. Drop in after work, network with friends and be sure to register for the Willow Tree nativity figurines to be given to some lucky person. Light refreshment served. And old timers: You won't believe what they've done to the former Drugcare building. 336-372-8344
If you missed last week's Business After Hours at Shaw Fine Woodworking, pictures are posted on the Chamber Facebook page, along with a clip of the Shaw Brothers performing "Wayfaring Stranger".
STUDIO TOUR THIS WEEKEND: Enjoy the fall colors as you tour the studios and galleries of local artisans for the NC Mountain Arts Adventure. The weekend forecast is perfect fall weather and the leaves should be at their peak. Check their website for more information or drop by the Chamber for a brochure. I've used the photo of Ronnie Hughes of Hughes Glass several times. Ronnie does beautiful work, but so do the other artisans. I like the picture because fire fascinates me and I'm doubly fascinated watching him use fire like a paintbursh.
Friday, Nov. 4, you’re invited to the Alleghany Chamber of Commerce’s annual Awards Banquet at the Olde Beau Golf Club. The social hour begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by a meal and program at 7:30. The Chamber Board of Directors is recognizing four individuals and groups: The Sparta Lions Club, River Rock Grill and Family Entertainment Center, George White and Sandy Rost. Tickets are $35 and available at the Chamber and will be available from Chamber Board members (as soon as I make the rounds to distribute them). The evening’s menu is salad, petite sirloin and honey-glazed salmon, asparagus with roasted red pepper, herb roasted red potatoes, bread, and pumpkin cheesecake for desert. We always have a great time. If you wait too long, all the tickets may be gone. 336-372-5473
CHAMBER MEMBER MEETING: Please join with your fellow Chamber members at Blue Ridge Electric, Monday, Oct 24 at 5:30 p.m. for the first quarterly member meeting of the 2011-12 fiscal year. This is one way we as residents of Alleghany County, make our county better. I am sure you have ideas of how the county businesses could be better served. Come present your ideas, share and let us work together to make Alleghany a wonderful work environment. Be a more involved member of the Chamber and watch us grow. I will see you at the quarterly meetings. 336-372-5473
~Vickie Scott
President, Board of Directors
QUICK EDITORIAL: Did the lights grab your attention? I think we can all agree that light is special, especially when it twinkles. I want to challenge each storefront to put the power of lights -- Christmas lights -- to work for you. The choose and cut growers of the Alleghany Christmas Tree Association received a $30,000 grant to market the Choose and Cut season. That's more than the Chamber has to promote the county all year! I can guarantee more folks will be in town looking for two things: A Christmas Tree and the Chirstmas Spirit. Think about it. Why would families drive a hundred miles or more if all they wanted was a tree (The corner grocer sells them at a bargain price)? They do so because are hoping to catch the Christmas Spirit.
What is the recipe for the Christmas Spirit? One part cool nip in the air. Two parts excitement of kids running through the tree fields. Three parts lights and sounds of Christmas. Four parts extra courteous merchants. And the secret to a great choose and cut season -- great for growers and great for merchants -- Families returning year after year to the town where they experience that Christmas Spirit. They don't come just for the tree. They can get that most anywhere. They come for the spirit.
I can also guarantee that those who don't find the Christmas Spirit will probably not return next year.
This $30,000 grant can be a one-shot boost to the economy. Or it can move our Choose and Cut season up a notch for years to come, but only if we work together to create that Christmas Spirit. One idea to help create that spirit is for every storefront to be decorated and lit for Christmas. If everyone did this, Sparta would twinkle like a Thomas Kincaid painting. Prove me wrong merchants. Light up Sparta for Christmas and see what a difference it makes. Share ideas with me on how to make Sparta Christmas Spirit USA and I'll share them in future Briefings.
By the way, the grant has created a
website that is being heavily promoted and advertising is a bargain.
Check out the rates. It's one way to get folks from the Choose and Cut farms to your store!
~ Bob Bamberg
COUPON SPECIAL AT NIKOLAS: Click to download and print this coupon for a dinner for two at Nikolas (Good through November). And check below for details on live music this Friday and Saturday nights.
GET IN THE KNOW ABOUT THE BLUE RIDGE: The latest issue of the Blue Ridge Heritage Area newsletter has a number of workshops and seminars on small-town development, artisan retail opportunities and more. I thought I'd share the link to their newsletter. If it's something you want to receive, they can put you on their mailing list.
WHEN WILL THE COLOR PEAK? Hurry, it's looking mighty good right now!
HAPPENING EVERY WEEK: Alleghany Jubilee Come to listen or come to dance to the blue grass and old time musicians who play on Tuesday beginning at 7p and Saturday at 8p. Admission $4. The Jubilee is located on North Main Street, across from the courthouse. 336-372-4591
Weather permitting, there's lots to do in our community. Where provided, click on the links for more information.
Wednesday, October 12
Thursday, Friday and Sunday, Oct. 13, 14, & 16
The Boys in Autumn has been postponed because of an illness in the family of one of the actors. New performance dates to be announced later.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 14, 15 & 16.
Friday, October 14
Saturday, October 15
Is this the swan song for Hillbilly Wes? Come to the
Hillbilly Comedy Show for word from the horse's mouth and lots of laughs.
Enjoy your meal as the
Almost Irish Band plays for your dining pleasure at Nikola's Restaurant in Roaring Gap. And print out this
dinner-for-two coupon before you go!
Tuesday, October 18
Wednesday, October 19
Thursday, October 20
Join the other car buffs for
JB's Cruise In. Wouldn't your antique or classic car look good with the fall colors in the background?
Friday, October 21
Saturday, October 22
Monday, October 24
Don't forget about the Chamber's Member Meeting.
AREA MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT
>> Alleghany Jubilee: Come to listen or come to dance to the blue grass and old time musicians who play on Tuesday beginning at 7p and Saturday at 8p. Admission $4. The Jubilee is located on North Main Street, across from the courthouse. 336-372-4591
>> Crouse House Pickers: Local blue grass and old time musicians jam each Monday, 2 blocks north of the Courthouse at the Crouse House in Crouse Park, beginning at 6p. Come and play or just listen. No charge, but a donation is appreciated. 336-372-5473
ACTV SPECIALS
>> Alleghany Memories: Interviews with long-time Alleghany residents recalling local history Every Thursday at 8p on Alleghany CableVision channel 50 and Skybest cable channel 21.
GREAT ACTIVITIES TO DO ANYTIME>> Alleghany Farmers' Market: Check the
Alleghany Farmers Market Facebook page for information on upcoming vendors at the Thursday (3:30-5:30p) and Saturday (10a-2p) in front of the Farmers' Hardware Parking Lot.
>>Barn Quilt Trails: Barns and other structures throughout Alleghany County are adorned with large squares illustrating quilt patterns and add interest to a driving tour of the countryside. Drop by Alleghany Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Center for a brochure. We are in the rock building with the green awning (58 South Main Street, Sparta). Our foyer is always open and a brochure is always available.
>>Driving Loops: Brochures for three driving loops of the Alleghany countryside are available at the Alleghany Chamber of Commerce and Visitors' Center. Each loop is about a leisurely hour's drive and includes information on historic points along the way. The Chamber office is in the rock building with the green awning (58 South Main Street, Sparta). Our foyer is always open and a brochure is always available.
>> Alleghany Historical Museum is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Stop by to experience local history and to see the new displays, 7 North Main Street, Sparta.
>>
Veterans' Morning Coffee at the VFW: The VFW hosts an informal coffee just for veterans every Wednesday from 8:30-11 a.m.
Click to learn more.
Check for upcoming events: On our website are listings for our
Calendar. Check them often and let us know if your activity is not listed.
Bob Bamberg
Executive Director
Alleghany Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 1237 Sparta, NC 28675
336-372-5473
Director@Sparta-NC.com
Sparta-NC.com
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