I began to panic today when someone said there are only five weeks until Christmas. How can I possibly get gifts for everyone on my list?
Then I remembered - the Holiday Market for Missions. The event, sponsored by the First United Methodist Church, will be Friday and Saturday in the Family Life Center.
This year's theme will be "Joyful Hearts Helping Others." The event is a fundraiser for the mission outreaches of FUMC.
One of the main programs is "Serving Our Savior" (SOS). Food and clothing are provided to those in need.
The chamber has recently become a drop off point for non-perishable food for this program. Join us as we try to make a difference in our community through donations to this food bank.
Hours of the market are Friday 2-6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. Door prizes will be given away. A free weekend getaway from Chestnut Bay Resort will be part of the drawing. Live music and refreshments will be available.
Holiday Market provides an opportunity for community vendors and community shoppers to come together under one roof and get an early start on their Holiday shopping.
A beautiful Christmas story will be told in dance by the Arise students. This performance alone would be worth your efforts to attend.
I bought so many unique items at last year's market. Items will range from purses to pieces of furniture. Not to mention the sweets that never made it as a gift.
If you have any questions, call Marianne Norris at 256-845-1141 for more information.
Carol Beddingfield is the director of the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Halloween event meets expectations
The positive compliments about the successful Halloween Block Party continue to come from all aspects of our community.
The event was a great example of people working together. It was an honor to partner with the Fort Payne Area Merchants Association.
More than 2,000 people enjoyed trick or treating with the downtown retail shops. The chamber gave 1,200 tickets for the door prize drawings.
The merchants not only gave candy but also the great door prizes. WZOB provided the live remote to entertain the crowd and draw for the prizes.
The Fort Payne Police Department started giving out treats many years ago. They inspired us to carry the idea all through downtown.
A big thanks to Chief Randy Bynum and his crew to insure the safety of all the participants during the event.
The purpose of the ticket to be eligible for the door prizes is to get potential customers inside the stores. I heard so many say that they would be back to shop with the merchants.
I know of no other town our size where you can buy artwork from a vendor that has been featured at the Smithsonian to a 14-year-old girl who is just beginning her career.
These artists are Cal Breed at Katherine's Framing and Jonnie at the Green Egg.
The Holiday Market will return to the First Methodist Church Family Life Center on Nov. 18-19.
Christmas Parade entry forms are available at the chamber office. The deadline to register is Dec. 5.
There is a charge of $25 per vehicle if you are not a member of the chamber. That is another good reason to join the chamber.
Carol Beddingfield is the director of the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce.
The event was a great example of people working together. It was an honor to partner with the Fort Payne Area Merchants Association.
More than 2,000 people enjoyed trick or treating with the downtown retail shops. The chamber gave 1,200 tickets for the door prize drawings.
The merchants not only gave candy but also the great door prizes. WZOB provided the live remote to entertain the crowd and draw for the prizes.
The Fort Payne Police Department started giving out treats many years ago. They inspired us to carry the idea all through downtown.
A big thanks to Chief Randy Bynum and his crew to insure the safety of all the participants during the event.
The purpose of the ticket to be eligible for the door prizes is to get potential customers inside the stores. I heard so many say that they would be back to shop with the merchants.
I know of no other town our size where you can buy artwork from a vendor that has been featured at the Smithsonian to a 14-year-old girl who is just beginning her career.
These artists are Cal Breed at Katherine's Framing and Jonnie at the Green Egg.
The Holiday Market will return to the First Methodist Church Family Life Center on Nov. 18-19.
Christmas Parade entry forms are available at the chamber office. The deadline to register is Dec. 5.
There is a charge of $25 per vehicle if you are not a member of the chamber. That is another good reason to join the chamber.
Carol Beddingfield is the director of the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Devan Lowe Celebrates 50 Years
I am ashamed to admit the fact that I love cars. I remember as a small child envying my older siblings because they could drive.
My brother always had the "coolest" cars. Watching him race at Green Valley Drag Strip was a huge thrill for me. He even let me work on the cars with him.
Having grown up in Attalla, we knew that great car deals came from Wayne Lowe. His sons, Devan, Rex, and Larry have carried on the tradition throughout their careers.
Devan Lowe celebrates his 50th anniversary in the car dealership business. He started to work for Cliff West Motors in Fort Payne in 1961. A partnership with the company began in 1968.
From that beginning, Devan has owned dealerships in Rome, Ga., Gadsden, and Rainbow City.
In recognition of his success, Time Magazine honored Devan with the Dealer Award of the Year.
Whether you are purchasing a new vehicle or having your car serviced, the main goal of the employees of Devan Lowe, Inc. is the help you and get you back on the road quickly. They treat their customers like family.
The 75 employees have been trained and certified in their job duties. Service technicians have the knowledge and expertise to perform repair and maintenance on the entire computer driven mechanics of the new vehicles.
Devan Lowe, Inc. takes great pride in the number of second and third generation customers that they serve. The Fort Payne dealerships include Devan Lowe Chrysler, Inc. and Lowe Buick, Pontiac GMC, Inc.
Call 256-845-0922 to schedule an appointment or drop by 1107 Gault Ave., S.
I congratulate Devan on his 50th anniversary. You have grown up strong because of your sturdy roots planted in Attalla.
Carol Beddingfield is the director of the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce.
My brother always had the "coolest" cars. Watching him race at Green Valley Drag Strip was a huge thrill for me. He even let me work on the cars with him.
Having grown up in Attalla, we knew that great car deals came from Wayne Lowe. His sons, Devan, Rex, and Larry have carried on the tradition throughout their careers.
Devan Lowe celebrates his 50th anniversary in the car dealership business. He started to work for Cliff West Motors in Fort Payne in 1961. A partnership with the company began in 1968.
From that beginning, Devan has owned dealerships in Rome, Ga., Gadsden, and Rainbow City.
In recognition of his success, Time Magazine honored Devan with the Dealer Award of the Year.
Whether you are purchasing a new vehicle or having your car serviced, the main goal of the employees of Devan Lowe, Inc. is the help you and get you back on the road quickly. They treat their customers like family.
The 75 employees have been trained and certified in their job duties. Service technicians have the knowledge and expertise to perform repair and maintenance on the entire computer driven mechanics of the new vehicles.
Devan Lowe, Inc. takes great pride in the number of second and third generation customers that they serve. The Fort Payne dealerships include Devan Lowe Chrysler, Inc. and Lowe Buick, Pontiac GMC, Inc.
Call 256-845-0922 to schedule an appointment or drop by 1107 Gault Ave., S.
I congratulate Devan on his 50th anniversary. You have grown up strong because of your sturdy roots planted in Attalla.
Carol Beddingfield is the director of the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce.
Friday, October 28, 2011
Halloween Block Party
Are you looking for a safe, fun place to take your children trick or treating?
Join the downtown merchants for a night of celebration on Halloween from 5-7 PM. The Chamber is partnering with the Fort Payne Area Merchants Association to create the Halloween Block Party.
Candy and other treats will be given by the participating merchants. Look for the bright orange flyer in the store windows.
Adults will also enjoy the party. Discounts at each store will be available. Door prizes will also be offered.
Ghost stories will be told at the Book Shelf. Enjoy music at Roger’s Pawn and Music shop.
To be eligible for the grand door prizes you must have your ticket marked at each of the participating merchants. The Chamber Board of Directors will be giving out the tickets during the event.
The drawing will be at the WZOB live remote at 6:30 PM. Doris and Jack will enjoy interviewing you on the radio.
The Holiday Open House will be November 4, 5, 6th for Fort Payne Merchants. Enjoy great holiday shopping as well as refreshments. Discounts will also be available during the event.
Please remember to shop locally for all your holiday needs. Every dollar you spend locally turns over three times. Thank you for supporting local merchants.
Join the downtown merchants for a night of celebration on Halloween from 5-7 PM. The Chamber is partnering with the Fort Payne Area Merchants Association to create the Halloween Block Party.
Candy and other treats will be given by the participating merchants. Look for the bright orange flyer in the store windows.
Adults will also enjoy the party. Discounts at each store will be available. Door prizes will also be offered.
Ghost stories will be told at the Book Shelf. Enjoy music at Roger’s Pawn and Music shop.
To be eligible for the grand door prizes you must have your ticket marked at each of the participating merchants. The Chamber Board of Directors will be giving out the tickets during the event.
The drawing will be at the WZOB live remote at 6:30 PM. Doris and Jack will enjoy interviewing you on the radio.
The Holiday Open House will be November 4, 5, 6th for Fort Payne Merchants. Enjoy great holiday shopping as well as refreshments. Discounts will also be available during the event.
Please remember to shop locally for all your holiday needs. Every dollar you spend locally turns over three times. Thank you for supporting local merchants.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
It’s time to break the confusion on nutrition
Carol Beddingfield
Director of the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce.
Are you confused and frustrated with all the food pyramids, body mass indexes, good fat-bad fats and food labels?
Well to confuse you even more the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services have now updated their dietary guidelines.
To simplify things for you, these two federal departments have agreed on three basic changes to help you maintain appropriate weight for your age.
• Balancing Calories - Enjoy your food, but eat less. Avoid oversized portions.
• Foods to Increase - Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk.
• Foods to Reduce - Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals. Choose foods with lower numbers. Drink water instead of sugary drinks
More than two-thirds of adults and one-third of children are now considered to be overweight or obese. This excess weight raises the risk of serious health issues.
Bad eating habits lead to vitamin deficiency. Choose foods that provide more potassium, dietary fiber, calcium and vitamin D. If you are over 50, consume foods fortified with vitamin B 12 or take dietary supplements.
The lack of exercise continues to be another multiple factor in the war against weight gain. Seek out advice from your physician and then find a qualified instructor at one of Fort Payne's gyms.
I love David's answer when I asked what kind of sandwich would be suitable for my diet. His reply - half a sandwich.
Director of the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce.
Are you confused and frustrated with all the food pyramids, body mass indexes, good fat-bad fats and food labels?
Well to confuse you even more the USDA and the Department of Health and Human Services have now updated their dietary guidelines.
To simplify things for you, these two federal departments have agreed on three basic changes to help you maintain appropriate weight for your age.
• Balancing Calories - Enjoy your food, but eat less. Avoid oversized portions.
• Foods to Increase - Make half your plate fruits and vegetables. Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk.
• Foods to Reduce - Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen meals. Choose foods with lower numbers. Drink water instead of sugary drinks
More than two-thirds of adults and one-third of children are now considered to be overweight or obese. This excess weight raises the risk of serious health issues.
Bad eating habits lead to vitamin deficiency. Choose foods that provide more potassium, dietary fiber, calcium and vitamin D. If you are over 50, consume foods fortified with vitamin B 12 or take dietary supplements.
The lack of exercise continues to be another multiple factor in the war against weight gain. Seek out advice from your physician and then find a qualified instructor at one of Fort Payne's gyms.
I love David's answer when I asked what kind of sandwich would be suitable for my diet. His reply - half a sandwich.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
It’s time to celebrate fall by visiting nearby Mentone
The Mentone Colorfest weekend will be Friday through Sunday. This local event continues to grow from its beginning at Brow Park.
I must congratulate Neal Whitt and his committee on creating entertainment for all ages.
The children's festival will be next to the General Store. The trout pond, hamster balls and pony rides are sure to be a huge hit with the children.
More than 80 artists and craftsmen will show and sell their work in the beautiful park overlooking the valley below. I have always found special holiday gifts at the vendors' booths.
A bonfire, dinner and music in the heart of downtown Mentone kicks off the event on Friday evening. International jazz ensemble, Watters Felts Project, will perform at the Mentone Inn pavilion.
Local entertainer Leah Seawright will highlight Saturday night's musical lineup. You can also enjoy dinner and a performance by Nature's Way on the outdoor stage at the Mentone Inn. One World Adventure will provide their famous catfish dinner, beginning at 5 p.m.
Do not miss the Mountain Breeze Equestrian Team on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the vacant lot next to the Mentone Post Office.
The festival is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
We wish our Mentone friends great success with the festival. We all prosper when we support each other. After all, Fort Payne is the gateway to Lookout Mountain.
Carol Beddingfield is the director of the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce.
I must congratulate Neal Whitt and his committee on creating entertainment for all ages.
The children's festival will be next to the General Store. The trout pond, hamster balls and pony rides are sure to be a huge hit with the children.
More than 80 artists and craftsmen will show and sell their work in the beautiful park overlooking the valley below. I have always found special holiday gifts at the vendors' booths.
A bonfire, dinner and music in the heart of downtown Mentone kicks off the event on Friday evening. International jazz ensemble, Watters Felts Project, will perform at the Mentone Inn pavilion.
Local entertainer Leah Seawright will highlight Saturday night's musical lineup. You can also enjoy dinner and a performance by Nature's Way on the outdoor stage at the Mentone Inn. One World Adventure will provide their famous catfish dinner, beginning at 5 p.m.
Do not miss the Mountain Breeze Equestrian Team on Sunday at 1 p.m. at the vacant lot next to the Mentone Post Office.
The festival is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.
We wish our Mentone friends great success with the festival. We all prosper when we support each other. After all, Fort Payne is the gateway to Lookout Mountain.
Carol Beddingfield is the director of the Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Seminar to focus on business with federal government
Business organizations in Jackson and DeKalb counties have announced a one-day seminar titled "Doing Business with the Federal Government and TVA." The event will be Oct. 20 in the Alabama Technology Center on the campus of Northeast Alabama Community College from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The Small Business Development Office of the University of Alabama at Huntsville will assist in coordinating the event. David Brock with the Small Business Development office at the George C. Marshall NASA Space Flight Center will also present information on the subject.
In the past, speakers have focused on opportunities with NASA and Redstone Arsenal and their contractors. This year, due to the interest in the Bellefonte project, sessions will feature contracting with the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Lunch and a special guest speaker will be provided at the noon break. Registration is $50 per person. Due to limited seating, 60 registrations will be accepted. Register today by calling the Fort Payne chamber at 256-845-2741.
Avans Machine and Tool of Hytop will present a session that will describe the steps to successful contracting with the federal government. As a former attendee of this seminar, Avans management was able to obtain contracts with a governmental contractor in Huntsville.
No matter the size of your company, valuable information will be gained through your attendance. The deadline to register is Oct. 18. You can also register by calling the other sponsors of the event: The Greater Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, The Impact Learning Center of Scottsboro, the Rainsville Chamber of Commerce, the Jackson County Economic Development Authority and the DeKalb County Economic Development Authority.
The Small Business Development Office of the University of Alabama at Huntsville will assist in coordinating the event. David Brock with the Small Business Development office at the George C. Marshall NASA Space Flight Center will also present information on the subject.
In the past, speakers have focused on opportunities with NASA and Redstone Arsenal and their contractors. This year, due to the interest in the Bellefonte project, sessions will feature contracting with the Tennessee Valley Authority.
Lunch and a special guest speaker will be provided at the noon break. Registration is $50 per person. Due to limited seating, 60 registrations will be accepted. Register today by calling the Fort Payne chamber at 256-845-2741.
Avans Machine and Tool of Hytop will present a session that will describe the steps to successful contracting with the federal government. As a former attendee of this seminar, Avans management was able to obtain contracts with a governmental contractor in Huntsville.
No matter the size of your company, valuable information will be gained through your attendance. The deadline to register is Oct. 18. You can also register by calling the other sponsors of the event: The Greater Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, The Impact Learning Center of Scottsboro, the Rainsville Chamber of Commerce, the Jackson County Economic Development Authority and the DeKalb County Economic Development Authority.
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