brownwood chamber newsletter february 2011

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INSIDETHIS ISSUE

PAGE 2• Chamber Luncheon• Chamber Banquet

PAGE 3• Captains Set

PAGE 4• Ribbon Cuttings

PAGE 5• Art Exhibit Award

PAGE 6• Travel Facts

PAGE 7• Awards Criteria

PAGE 8• Brownwood Store

Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce600 E. DepotPO Box 880Brownwood, TX 76804

February 11, 2011Volume 6, Issue 2

Brownwood AreaChamber of CommercePhone: (325) 646-9535Fax (325) [email protected]

Check outour upcoming

events onPage 6.

Your February 2011 Monthly Chamber Newsletter

Brown County Now Includedin Texas Hill Country Region

The Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerceannounced January 21st that Brown County is now offi-cially included in the Hill Country Region of Texas instate publications, lists and websites. Previously, BrownCounty was included in the Panhandle Plains Region.The change comes as a result of a joint letter submittedto Governor Rick Perry’s office from County Judge RayWest, Brownwood Mayor Stephen Haynes, andBrownwood Chamber CEO Laura Terhune whorequested the new classification in September of 2010.

“Prior to this change, most people assumed we werelisted in the Hill Country Region due to our CentralTexas location and topography,” said BrownwoodChamber CEO Laura Terhune “Many visitors havereported to us that they have had difficulty findinginformation about Lake Brownwood or Brown Countyin state publications—and it was because they werelooking in the ‘wrong’ region.”

This change also comes as a result of work that the Chamber has done over the lastthree years by contacting various state agencies to make sure there would be no objec-tions to the requested change. Officials with the Texas Department of TransportationTourism Division, Texas Historical Commission, and Texas Parks and WildlifeDepartment were all included in these prior discussions and showed support for thechange.

“We believe that this change will be a vital component in drawing more visitors to thearea,” said Terhune. “This new regional assignment will give Brownwood and BrownCounty much more visibility and will undoubtedly help future growth of LakeBrownwood and the state park, the hunting industry, museums, and other attractions.”

The change from Panhandle Plains to Hill Country is already reflected on the state’stourism website TravelTex.com and will be updated in future publications. Brad Smyth,Deputy Director of Tourism for Texas told Brownwood Chamber officials that thechange will be reflected in print publications such as maps and travel guides as they gothough their regular scheduled printings in the future.

For more information, contact the Brownwood Chamber of Commerce andConvention and Visitors Bureau at 325-646-9535.

/ Brownwood Chamber of Commerce / February 2011

The Chamber’s MonthlyLuncheon will be Friday,February 18 at the BrownwoodCountry Club from 11:30 AM to1 PM. The luncheon, which isopen to members and guests,will feature an interesting pro-gram and will also include doorprizes, introduction of newmembers and a cash drawing.

The featured speaker will beBob Turner, Rural IssuesConsultant who has offices atVoss (Coleman County) and alsoin Austin, Texas. He will discussthe current legislative session.Turner was recently hired by theBrownwood Area Chamber ofCommerce & Brown County

Legislative Affairs Committee towork with and provide advice tothe community on a variety ofissues. He will explain how theestimated $25 billion shortfallmay cause drastic cuts to state-funded agencies, with a specialemphasis on those operating inBrown County.

Turner graduated from theArmy Command and GeneralStaff College in FortLeavenworth, Kansas. When heretired as a Lt. Colonel after 35years from the US ArmyReserve, Turner was awardedthe Honor Cross in Silver by theFederal Republic of Germany.He then served in the Texas

House of Representatives, retir-ing in January 2003. He hasserved as a School BoardMember, Chamber ofCommerce President and mem-ber of the Economic

Development Board in his com-munity. He currently serves onthe Board of Directors for theTexas Rural DevelopmentCouncil.

He is a former state BoardMember and Vice-President ofthe Texas Farm Bureau. Still amember of that organization, hehas received the Fred EarwoodMemorial Award for Servicefrom the Texas Sheep & GoatRaisers in 2003 and the TexasFarm Bureau Award forOutstanding and MeritoriousService to Agriculture in 2005.

Bob is married to Mona andthey live on part of the familyproperty that his grandfather

purchased more than 100 yearsago in Voss, Texas. Betweenthem, they have four grown sonsand seven grandchildren. Turneris the Music Director and LaySpeaker for the UnitedMethodist Church.

The cost of the luncheon is$11 per person to be paid at thedoor. Attendees may chargetheir meals to their personalcountry club account. Anyoneinterested in attending the lunch-eon is urged to RSVP to theChamber by calling 325-646-9535. You can also registeronline on the Chamber’s web-site: www.brownwoodcham-ber.org.

Community Partners for Progress

www.brownwoodbulletin.com • 325-646-2541

Luncheon to Feature Legislative Consultant Bob Turner

Every member of the Brownwood AreaChamber of Commerce is encouraged to attendthe Annual Banquet on April 14, 2010. The cel-ebration will be held in the Coliseum with theReception at 6:30 PM, dinner at 7 PM and theawards presentation slated to begin about 7:30PM.

According to Chamber CEO Laura Terhune,“The Outgoing Chairman of the Board (GreggRice) and I want every member to make plansnow to attend this annual celebration.” Terhunecontinued, “The components of the banquet will

be very similar to last year’s successful event: aReception will be followed by the Banquet andconcluding with Awards Presentations.”

Community Service Awards will include thefollowing: Good Neighbors, CommunityPartner, Business of the Year, Man and Womanof the Year and the Groner Pitts “Lifetime ofService” Award.

Terhune noted, “The committee receivedpositive feedback on the décor and layout incor-porated two years ago which features a smaller“center” stage for the actual awards presenta-

tions as well as round VIP tables. She conclud-ed, “Whatever the layout, the evening promisesto be an exciting celebration.”

The Presenting Sponsor of the 2011 AnnualBanquet will be Landmark Life InsuranceCompany; other sponsors will be announcedover the coming weeks. For more informationabout sponsoring the banquet or corporatereserved VIP tables, see a Team Member of theTotal Resource Campaign. Individual ticketprices will be $32 per person and can be pur-chased at the Chamber starting March 1.

ANNUAL CHAMBER BANQUETPresented by Landmark Life Insurance Company

February 2011 / Brownwood Chamber of Commerce /

The Brownwood AreaChamber of Commerce is get-ting ready to begin its firstever Total ResourceCampaign (TRC), and thecompetition is already heatingup with captains being select-ed and teams forming. Underthe leadership of campaignchairman Bert Massey, tenteams are being assembled tocompete for cash, a trip to LasVegas, iPads, and most impor-tantly – bragging rights. Overa seven-week period, begin-ning February 8, dozens ofvolunteers working in teams

will work with Chambermembers to design a cus-tomized sponsorship plan forthe entire year. The most suc-cessful teams will win weeklyprizes and the trip as a grandprize.

“The team captains are get-ting very competitivealready,” said Missi Malone,Director of Member Servicesfor the Chamber. “Severalcaptains were recruiting teammembers by text message dur-ing the first captain training.”

The TRC is designed togive Chamber members an

array of opportunities tobecome more involved withthe organization in new waysthrough greater public aware-ness of Chamber programs,projects, and events. TheTRC also makes it easier forbusinesses to budget for thecoming year and helpsimprove the efficiency ofChamber activities.

The staff at the Chamberevaluated their current pro-grams and identified newopportunities for local busi-nesses to become involved.Through the TRC, a menu of

sponsorship opportunities willbe available to help create acustomized sponsorship planfor any sized business.

For more information about

the TRC program or to spon-sor Chamber activities andevents - call the BrownwoodArea Chamber of Commerceat 325-646-9535.

Captains Set forChamber’s Total

Resource Campaign

2011 TRC Teams*Brian Wade (Brown County Broadcasting,KOXE/KBWD) – Team Captain

• Rick Newton – Bruner Auto Group• Tammy Robinson – IntegraCare Home

Health• Michael Richardson – Farmers Insurance• Edda Ratliff – Citizens National Bank• Mark Campbell – Coldwell Banker• Tom Munson – Landmark Life• Jamie Munson – Landmark Life

*Team Victory• Betty Carruth (Cross Country Health Care

Center) – Team Captain• Jose Trevino – Cross Country Health Care

Center• Greg Stewart – Redstone Retirement and

Assisted Living• Teresa Parker - Encompass Home Health• Judie Turner – Big Country Health Care

*Ramon Garza (Texas Bank) & Bart Johnson(Painter & Johnson Financial) – Team Co-Captains

• Dee Reynolds – Texas Bank• Tim Espinoza – Texas Bank• Greg Dodds – Texas Bank • Lewis Locker – Texas Bank• Rex Tackett – Wendlee Broadcasting

*Meredith Goodwin (Girling Home Health) –Team Captain

• Raymond Moreno – Verizon• Libby Pritchett – Vicksburg Retirement

Community

*Jill Locke (Oak Ridge Manor) – TeamCaptain

• Joan Atchley – Brown County Farm Bureau Insurance

• Alex Garcia – Brown County Farm Bureau Insurance

• Jana Jackson – Blaylock Funeral Home• Suzanne Faircloth – The Chatfield Assisted

Living

*Steve Fryar (PF&E Oil Company/FoodPlaza) – Team Captain

• Diane Fryar – PF&E Oil Company/Food Plaza

• Priscilla Monson – West/Central Texas Valuation Services

• Emily Crawford – Brownwood Independent School District

*Don Bostic (Ranger College) & Ken Harris(Oncor) – Team Co-Captains (Go GatersTeam)

• Bryce Harris – WT Harris Company• Robert Porter – Porter Insurance Agency• Sam Waldrop – Waldrop Construction• Codie Smith – Avalon Custom Homes• Glenda Cook – Ranger College• Carl Mays – Ranger College• Doug Moore – Boy Scouts• Sam Stewardson - Bostick Auto Sales• Steve Weckwerth - Subway• Brian Kight - TSTC


Ribbon Cutting for Staples EasyTechThe Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting ceremony at

Staples on Wednesday, December 12th for the addition of Staples EasyTech to thestore.Staples EasyTech is an in-store and on-site service for "Computer repair technician"PC setup, repair, upgrades, home and office "Computer network" networking setup,and more. Staples has certified experts who provide a full range of services to help getcomputers and devices up and running.

Staples also upgraded their equipment in their full service copy and print center tooffer improved quality and service.

Staples is located at 531 W. Commerce at Commerce Square in Brownwood. Givethem a call at 325-643-1200 for more information or visit their website atwww.Staples.com.

Picture shows Staples General Manager Aaron Diaz with his staff and BrownwoodArea Chamber of Commerce ambassadors.

Ribbon Cutting for 2 SnoopsThe Brownwood Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed 2 Snoops as its newest

member with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, January 6th. Sisters Grace Hefner and Sheila Richardson are licensed private investigators in the

state of Texas. Their law enforcement backgrounds combined offer over 30 years ofpractical experience in the field of investigations.

2 Snoops specializes in locating people – from lost loves and old friends to adoptedchildren and /or birth parents. They work up leads for bail bondsmen, locate witnessesfor attorneys, do pre-employment verifications for employers, and perform individualbackground profiles for clients.

These 2 snoops are also heirfinders. Heirfinders research dormant financialaccounts and then locate and notify the rightful owners or their heirs.

Contact 2 Snoops at 254-842-5830 Monday thru Friday, 8am-5pm or visit their web-site at www.2snoops.com. Consultations are free.

Pictured are owners Grace Hefner and Sheila Richardson with Brownwood ChamberAmbassadors and staff.

Ribbon Cutting for CrossTimbers Health Clinic

The Brownwood Area Chamber ofCommerce hosted a ribbon cuttingceremony for Cross Timbers HealthClinic on Wednesday, January 19th.

Cross Timbers Health Clinicrecently opened their new facility inBrownwood located at 3804 Hwy 377South. They offer affordable andprofessional healthcare to everyonein the area.

For more information, contact theirBrownwood office at (325) 643-5167.

Pictured at the ribbon cutting isCross Timbers Health Clinic staff andBrownwood Area Chamber ofCommerce ambassadors.


13th Annual Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit“More art, more artists, more cities represented, and more vari-

ety” describes this year’s 13th Annual Stars of Texas Juried ArtExhibit. From 361 pieces of art, juror Randy Bacon of Albany,Texas had to choose only 136 for the show.

The variety selected ranged from landscape painting to modernsculpture works, all of which were very deserving to be in the show.

“Removing entries from this exhibition was extremely difficultand humbling, to put it mildly,” stated Bacon. “I did my best to befair and objective.”

Art lovers of all ages may view the Stars of Texas Juried ArtExhibit February 6-18 at the Depot Civic and Cultural Center locat-ed at 600 E. Depot in Brownwood. Show hours are 9am-6pmweekdays, Saturday 9am-4pm, and Sunday 1pm-4pm. Those inattendance may vote for their favorite piece to receive the People’sChoice Ribbon.

Paintings that did not make the Stars of Texas Art Exhibit will befeatured in the Salon des Refuses at the Art Center located at 215Fisk Avenue.

The Stars of Texas will hold a Paint-Off Competition onSaturday, February 12, 2011 at the Depot Civic and Cultural Center.Two cash prizes of $500 and $250 will be awarded to the winners.

The 2011 Best of Show Award went to Robert Cook of Granbury,Texas for his watercolor titled Slokum’s Homestead.

The search for a new Executive Director for theBrownwood Reunion Celebration has been a monthlong process. “On behalf of Brownwood CivicImprovement Foundation and the BrownwoodReunion Celebration Advisory Committee, I amthrilled to announce the new Executive Director for theBrownwood Reunion Celebration, Kim Peterson” saidRobert Porter.

Peterson has volunteered with the Reunion for over6 years and has overseen many of the vital Reunioncommittees and key responsibilities. “She was a clearchoice based on experience and support of the volun-teers she will manage,” said Robert Porter. Petersonwill assume her position beginning Feb. 1st to ensurethe continued success of the Reunion.

“I am honored to have been asked by BCIF to build

upon the success that the Brownwood ReunionCelebration has realized under Randee Green’s leader-ship” Kim said.

In addition to Peterson’s professional duties, she hasserved on many community projects including SoupBowl Good Samaritan Project, Christmas Under theStars, and Relay for Life. Kim and her husband Jasonhave two children and are active members ofSouthside Church.

This year’s Brownwood Reunion Celebration willtake place Sept. 16-18.

For more information and to volunteer with the 11thAnnual Brownwood Reunion Celebration, please logon to BrownwoodTX.com.

Pictured is Kim Peterson and Robert Porter lookingover Brownwood Reunion Celebration info.

New Director Selected for Brownwood Reunion Celebration


UPCOMINGEVENTS

February6-18 Stars of Texas Juried Art Exhibit

Depot Civic and Cultural Center6-18 Brownwood Art Association’s Salon

ExhibitThe Art Center

11-13 Children’s CarnivalHeartland Mall Parking Lot

12 Balcone’s Whiskey DinnerThe Turtle Restaurant

12 Paint off Competition and Silent AuctionThe Depot

15 Legislative Day, Austin, Texas17 The Tipsy Texan

The Turtle Restaurant and Enoteca18 Chamber Monthly Luncheon

Brownwood Country Club18 BALOS presents Texas A&M Singing

CadetsVictory Life Church Auditorium

18-19 Brownwood Coin ShowHeartland Mall

19 Heart Association GalaBrownwood Country Club

19 Pinewood DerbyHeartland Mall

19 Girl Scouts 99th Birthday CelebrationHeartland Mall

26 The Ark Mystery Dinner TheatreBrownwood Country Club

March4-6 Passionate for Picasso Art Auction

The Art Center17 BALOS presents Cristiana Pegoraro

Victory Life Church Auditorium18 Chamber Monthly Luncheon

Brownwood Country Club18-19 Bluebonnet Relays

Gordon Wood Stadium25-27 Become an Outdoor Woman

Texas 4H Center

April3 Brownwood Bass Club Open

TournamentLake Brownwood

7 BALOS presents the Legacy of Floyd Cramer featuring Jason ColemanVictory Life Church Auditorium

9 HPU FestHoward Payne University

9 HPU Stinger DazeHoward Payne University

9 Indoor/Outdoor Expo 2011Brownwood Coliseum

14 Chamber Annual BanquetBrownwood Coliseum

15 Chamber Monthly LuncheonBrownwood Country Club

16 Bowl for Kids SakeAcademy Lanes

29-30 Brownwood High Class of 1961 50 YearReunionTexas 4H Center

First Saturday of Every Month is Family Day at the

Lehnis Railroad Museum

Visitor Profile186 million domestic visitors traveled to and within Texas in 2009. Source:

D.K. Shifflet & Associates

Billions in Economic Impacttotal direct travel spending in Texas for 2009 reached $51.8 billion.

Source: Dean Runyan & Associates

Thousands of Jobstravel spending directly supported 526,000 jobs with earnings of $15.8 bil-

lion. Source: Dean Runyan & Associates

International Marketsinternational travelers accounted for approximately 10% of visitor spending

at texas destinations in 2009 or about $4.1 billion. Source: Dean Runyan &

Associates

Hotelshotel room revenues for 2009 reached $6.17 billion with more than 74 mil-

lion roomnights sold for a 53.5% occupancy rate. Source: Source

Strategies, Inc.

Return on Investmentfor fy 09, the amount of state taxes generated from spending by domestic

non-Texan leisure travelers to Texas influenced as a result of the Office of

the Governor, Economic Development and Tourism (Texas Tourism) advertising

for each dollar budgeted for tourism promotion is an estimated $7.35.

Source: Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M

University

For Brown County$42.2 Million in Direct Visitor Spending

Tax Receipts - Local - $840,000

It would take every man, woman, and child in Brown County spending $1400

each (annually) to equal the same revenue

610 Travel Industry Jobs in Brown County with $13 Million in Earnings

Texas Tourism Travel FactsFor More Industry Information Visit

www.travel.state.tx.us


Brownwood Area Chamber of CommerceAwards Criteria

Nomination Forms on www.brownwoodchamber.orgDEADLINE to Nominate: Feb 23, 2011

Feels Like Home “Good Neighbor” Award:Recipient will receive commendation for hisor her community service as a volunteer. Anunsung hero in our community who volun-teers his or her time and talents to makeBrownwood an outstanding place to livethrough service, community, charitable,church or other organizations.

Volunteer of the Year: A member who has unselfishly given of theirtime and talents to assist in the Chamber’sevents, programs and activities. Recipientmay be a Chamber Ambassador or BoardMember.

Business of the Year: 1) Supporting Chamber programs, events andactivities; 2) Demonstrating “excellence” intheir business practices; 3) Providing or sup-porting community involvement at the corpo-rate and/or employee level.Small Business (1 to 10 employees)

Medium Business (11 to 50 employees)Large Business (51+ employees)

Community Partner Award:A non-profit organization, or governmentalentity that has worked diligently to make theBrownwood Area a better place for us to live,play and work. This award can be for a spe-cific achievement or for years of partnership.

Professional of the Year:A person who has performed their job at thehighest level—going above and beyond inraising the practices, performance, productiv-ity and/or impact of their organization on thecommunity. May be employed by a non-prof-it organization or publicly-funded entity.

Man or Woman of the Year: A man/woman who has excelled in their com-munity service. A single recipient (in eachcategory) who has made a significant contri-bution to the quality of life in our community.

He/She may be from any area of life: arts,business, civic, education, home and family,health, media, historic and from a public, pri-vate or governmental group. He/She maywork behind the scenes or may be a personwho is in the public eye. These individualsmay be cited for an individual accomplish-ment, or for a series of accomplishments overa longer period of time—particularly withinthe past year.

Groner Pitts “Lifetime of Service” Award:Our “Citizen of the Year.”A person who has made an extraordinary con-tribution, touching the lives of the people ofthe Brownwood area with a selfless spirit ofservice and giving more to our community(over the years) than he or she could everexpect to get back. Brownwood’s highesthonor in recognition of long-term communityservice.

Chamber Fax: 325.643.6686

A great place to golf, swim, relaxand socialize. Whether it’s making

new friends or maybe all youwant is a great meal in a beautiful

setting then come to theBrownwood Country Club and

enjoy some of the finest food andfellowship that a private club

has to offer. Call today forinformation on membership.

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Gregg Rice, Chairman3M Company

Stephen Haynes, PastChairman Haynes Law Firm. P.C.

Stan CrawfordRemax

Becky JonesJones Carpet

Steve WeckwerthSubway

Michelle ThomasAldersgate Enrichment Center

Dr. Don BosticRanger College

Dr. Bill EllisHoward Payne University

Jan CateGirl Scouts

Ray GarzaTexasBank

Jill LockeOak Ridge Manor

Chance BarrIndividual

Ken HarrissOncor

Michael RichardsonFarmers Insurance

Priscilla MonsonWest Central Texas Valuation Services

Eric McNeeseBrown County Abstract

Brownwood AreaChamber ofCommerce

Board of Directors2010-2011

CHAMBER STAFF

Laura Terhune, Executive DirectorSunni Holloway, Tourism Manager

Donnette Carmack, Business ManagerRay Tipton, Marketing Manager

Missi Malone, Membership Director Martha Faetche, Receptionist; VisitorCenter & Brownwood Store Manager

Dawn Norway – Administrative Assistant

Gift Baskets &

Speaker Gifts

we deliver!

UniqueBrownwood Items

& Souvenirs

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stuffed lions, armadillos, buffalos, longhorns & EaglesThe Brownwood Store & Visitors Center

Located at the Historic Depot, 600 E. Depot St.646-9535 • www.VisitBrownwood.com

Brownwood Throws

Stop in today for a Texas Friendly experience!

Hours are 8-5 Monday-Thursday and 8-4 Fridays

Special Pricing NOW at

The Brownwood Store

Reg. $55

NOW JUST$28.00!

Proven CommunityPartner

www.texbank.com

TexasBank

Central Texas RuralTransit District

Public Transit: 1-800-710-2277

COUNTIES:BrownCallahanColeman

ComancheEastlandErathNolan

RunnelsShacklefordStephensRural Taylor

brownwood chamber newsletter february 2011

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