Friday, April 27, 2007

Law Enforcement Memorial Service



Please join us for the Nacogdoches County Combined Law Enforcement Memorial Service on Tuesday, May 15th @ 10:00 am downtown behind the Convention and Visitor’s Bureau. The service is a joint effort among Nacogdoches County Law Enforcement Agencies to honor those officers who gave their lives while protecting our community. In the case of inclement weather, the service will be moved to the Nacogdoches County Exposition Center . For any question contact the Nacogdoches Sheriff’s Office at 936-560-7794 or the Nacogdoches Police Department at 936-559-2607.

2007 Texas Blueberry Festival t-shirts are here

Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce interns
Lindsey La Vigne (left) and Adam Blye look super sharp
in the 2007 Texas Blueberry Festival t-shirt.

The 2007 Texas Blueberry Festival t-shirt is available now in sizes ranging from youth to adult. The brick red shirt sports a rustic image of the Texas flag. Stop by the Chamber office or the Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau and pick up one for yourself and a few more for family and friends.
Wear t-shirts to the festival!
Saturday, June 9 18th annual Texas Blueberry Festival, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., downtown Nacogdoches
All volunteers are welcome to participate whether you’d like to join the festival planning committee or work a few hours the day of the big event.
See your business name on the Texas Blueberry Festival website and at the festival!
Festival sponsorships are available and affordable at several different levels.

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Own a Christian business?


The Daily Sentinel recently attended a Nacogdoches County Chamber ribbon cutting for East Texas Christian Business Network, P.O. Box 150206, Lufkin 75915, 936-404-7636.

ETCB-Network is an exciting new online community created for Christian businesses to network and advertise. Memberships for businesses are available right now online at www.etcbnetwork.com.

It also offers a free online resource for anyone who is searching for Christian owned and operated businesses in the East Texas area. Visitors to the website can browse an A-Z listing of businesses, an ad gallery, a Christian business forum + prayer page and a blog. They can also sign up for weekly email update to stay informed of new companies around town.

The ribbon cutting took place at the Chamber office Thursday, April 26. Owner and Operator Nila Bartley was there to greet Chamber member and guests who attended the event.

Monday, April 23, 2007

Masters of the Gardening Universe


Nacogdoches County Extension Agent Chad Gulley, left, works with volunteer Master Gardeners Joe Fuller and Sylvia St. Andry in the garden beds at the Nacogdoches County Chamber recently. The Master Gardeners will be helping plan, plant and maintain the beds to welcome visitors to the Chamber facility. For more info on becoming a Master Gardener, contact Chad Gulley or Crispin Skinner at 560-7711.

(Photo: Bruce R. Partain)

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Friday, April 20, 2007

Constructing the perfect after hours event

Harry’s Building Materials, Inc., located at 7008 North Street, hosted the April Alive After Five event on Thursday, April 19 .



Harlon’s Barbeque at the Link catered the event and refreshments from R & K Distributors and Nacogdoches Coca-Cola Bottling Company were provided.

The Chamber's cash drawing continues to grow. April's drawing was for $650, but since the "drawee" was not present, the prize increases to $700 for May! Harry's door prizes included a Rustic Trash Can - complete with bottle opener, skill circular saw, tool bag and tools, and everyone's favorite - cash!



Alive After Five is an enjoyable, relaxing, after-work event that gives every Chamber member a chance to meet and greet others in business. This could be the ideal event to hold at your business. Please call the Chamber office, 936-560-5533, if you would like to know more about becoming a future Alive After Five host.

Wednesday, April 18, 2007

Fourth Friday Luncheon with Gary Maler

Attend the Fourth Friday Luncheon on April 27 at the Fredonia. Texas A&M Real Estate Center Director Gary Maler will discuss the shake-up in mortgage markets, demographic shifts and problems caused by comparisons, or lack thereof, of the sate and national economies. The Real Estate Center is part of the Mays Business School, and is located in the E.L. Wehner Business Administration Building on the TAMU west campus in College Station.

The information presented is vital for all local businesses, and the luncheon serves as the Chamber's monthly membership meeting. We urge you to attend and stay on top of what is going on at the Chamber and around town. Attendee RSVPs are required. Please call 560-5533, or fax in a form, 560-3920, available at www.nacogdoches.org. Lunch is $15 at the door. Save two dollars by paying at the Chamber by Thursday, April 26.

Harry's Building Materials hosts April Alive After Five event

Harry's Building Materials located on 7008 North Street is hosting the April Alive After Five event on Thursday, April 19, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy delicious food from Harlon's Barbeque and refreshments from R & K Distributors and Nacogdoches Coca-Cola Bottling Company. Join us to win great door prizes at this come-as-you-are reception.

All Chamber members are entered in the $650 cash drawing, but you must be present to win!

Alive After Five is an enjoyable, relaxing, after-work event that gives every Chamber member a chance to meet and greet others in business. This could be the ideal event to hold at your business. Please call the Chamber office if you would like to know more about becoming a future Alive After Five host.

Nacogdoches Floral Company's ribbon cutting

The Daily Sentinel recently attended a Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting for Nacogdoches Floral's second location at 3602 North Street.

Congratulations to James and Karen Ballow and their nine employees on their new 4,000 square foot facility. The original store at 138 N. Mound remains open. The business has served our community since1925.

Tuesday, April 17, 2007

Fun in Animaland



The Daily Sentinel recently attended a Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting for Party ‘N Things - Animaland, 117 Mitchell St., (936) 560-5501. Owner Maury Smith welcomed Chamber members and guests.

Animaland is a new addition to Party ‘N Things, and children of all ages can create custom stuffed animals. Choose the animal “skin” to stuff, the outfit and make a wish to go inside, and create a unique animal buddy along with lasting memories.


Left, Maury Smith shows off one of her favorite Animaland creations.

Thursday, April 12, 2007

Online Auction Open!

Blueberry Golf Bash Online Auction
The first Chamber online auction runs April 2nd through May 2nd and participation is easy and fun for everyone, everywhere. A variety of great items are offered with more to come, so check the website often.

The link to the online auction can be found at www.nacogdoches.org or www.texasblueberryfestival.com. Bidding is open to anybody in the world. Just register and place your bid. Stay abreast of all the auction activity with email reminders and notices.

Instructions for donating a cool item to the auction are available online as well. We link back to your website when you donate!

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

What will you find on the Blueberry Golf Bash Online Auction?

Just one of the interesting items up for bid is the Ultimate Child's Birthday Party.
Are you the parent - or the grandparent - of the Ultimate Child? Then prove it! Throw the birthday party of the year!

Party package includes:
"Tony the Tiger" moonwalk

Red and white striped tent (20x20)
Tables and chairs for up to 24
Snocone machine with all the extras

1/4 sheet cake made with your choice of icing and decorations
Balloon bouquet
The estimated value is $380.00

CLICK HERE to view this item - and take a look at other neat things.
Delivery and set up for rental items included for Nacogdoches County area.
Party package donated by University Rental at 510 E. Main St., 936-560-0800 and Kroger at 1215 North St., 936-569-8226.

Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Services for people with disabilities

Pictured below from left: Kathy Strong introduces Daniel Guyton, Danielle Trevino and Jenarie Alexander at the recent Leadership Nacogdoches session.

The Leadership Nacogdoches class spent an active day with March session leaders Kathy Strong, Nacogdoches Treatment Center, and Nancy Jones Berry, Memorial Hospital. The focus for the March Session was Community Services for People with Disabilities.

Class members began their day at the Nacogdoches Treatment Center. Not only did they learn the services and activities provided there, but they also were given the opportunity to interact with a three-person panel. Each person on the panel gave a personal testimony of living with a disability and answered questions from the group. Interesting points about Nacogdoches and the SFA campus were discussed, also. Our city and university campus have made significant improvements to accommodate people with disabilities and there are more changes to come. Strong said that the improvements made on the SFA campus attracts more people with disabilities to our area than most realize.

After, the class traveled to the Nacogdoches Boys Ranch where each was treated to a personal tour of the facilities by a Boys Ranch resident. Everyone then enjoyed a delicious barbeque lunch with his or her tour guide. Director Bill Harrison explained the purpose, goals and challenges of the Boys Ranch.

A tour of Independence Manor followed. Class members not only had the chance to walk the grounds, but they also took advantage of the opportunity to view several residents' apartments and visit with the Independence residents.

Below: D'nese Haddox, SFA Dept. of Housing, manages to keep her big gulp safe and sound as she works with her new wheels.


The physical challenge of the day came in the afternoon when blindfolds, wheelchairs and ear muffs were distributed among the class. Each person chose a "disability" and then set out to accomplish a list of tasks given by the session leaders. Maneuvering throughout the downtown area and crossing North Street to visit the courthouse facility gave the group a chance to experience a small slice of the life of someone that lives with a disability.


Pictured below from left: Robert Rasberry, BancorpSouth, Vickie Atkinson, Memorial Hospital, Corey Ashley, First Bank & Trust East Texas and Kati Saldana, Etech, Inc. make their way along the busy brick streets of downtown Nacogdoches; each managing a type of disability.

Monday, April 02, 2007

Nacogdoches Christian Academy's ribbon cutting

The Daily Sentinel recently attended a Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting for Nacogdoches Christian Academy located at 211 S.E. Stallings Dr., 936-462-1021.

The school celebrated the recent completion of its new playground for the children. The school's director Dana West, teachers, staff and children welcomed Chamber members and guests to join the fun.