Free admission tickets to Cram the Coliseum games available

SFA Athletics and the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce have teamed up for Cram the Coliseum, a two-game promotion designed to increase attendance at Lumberjack and Ladyjack basketball games.


The tickets may be used for entrance to either the Lumberjacks game against Sam Houston State, 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 10, or the Ladyjacks game against Central Arkansas, 7 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 14. Both games will be in William R. Johnson Coliseum at the intersection of E. College St. and University Dr.

All chamber members received 10 tickets in the January mail packet. The public is invited to Cram the Coliseum, too.

“More free admission tickets are available at the Chamber,” said Roby Somerford, SFA-Chamber Connection committee chair. “The Chamber is working with SFA Athletics to get a record number of people to go to these games. Give these tickets to your co-workers, your customers, your family, friends, neighbors and any one else that will go and support the Jacks.”

Ticket supply is limited. Pick up tickets at the Nacogdoches County Chamber, 2516 North St., during business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, or contact the chamber at 936-560-5533. Tickets are also available at the Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau, 200 E. Main St.

“To encourage SFA student attendance for the televised Saturday Lumberjacks game, the campus residence halls will be open to students with spring housing assignments,” said Cole Campbell, SFA Athletics marketing and development. “Campus housing isn’t officially open at that time for the spring semester, but accommodations have been made for students coming in to town for the game against Sam Houston. Their assigned rooms will be available for Saturday night.”

Cram the Coliseum tickets are compliments of SFA Athletics Department. For all SFA athletic event schedules, please visit www.sfajacks.com. Go to www.nacogdoches.org for more information about the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber member wins $250

Corey Ashley, First Bank and Trust East Texas, left, presents Heather Harris, Edward Jones, with a $250 cash prize.

Harris attended the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce Fourth Friday Luncheon, December 19. Her membership was drawn from all Nacogdoches County Chamber memberships, and because she was present, she won the cash.

The drawing is sponsored by First Bank and Trust East Texas.

The next scheduled Fourth Friday Luncheon is at noon, at Hotel Fredonia, on Jan. 23. At the luncheon, sponsored by TXU Energy, Brian T. Tulloh, TXU Energy vice president, will present “Competition: Unleashing the Possibilities.” Tulloh will discuss the competitive electricity market in Texas, and a resulting model to deliver long-term energy solutions for all Texans.

Luncheon attendees will also have free admittance to the New Member Showcase, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jan. 23 at the Hotel Fredonia. The public is invited to attend the showcase, meet new Chamber members, view products and services available here and make new business contacts.

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 by Jan. 21. Lunch is $16 at the door. Please fax a completed registration form to 936-560-3920 - click to download registration form.

Workshop for counties, municipalities and school districts

Texas A&M University College of Architecture presents

Community-Based Energy Management
a half-day workshop sponsored by
State Energy Conservation Office and Rebuild Amerca Rural Community Building Initiative

8:30 to 11:30 a.m., January 14
Nacogdoches City Parks and Recreation Building
1112 North Street
Continuing Education Units are available upon request.

Participants will learn the answers to the following:

• Why do we need energy management?
• What can we accomplish with energy management?
• How can I create an energy management plan?
• How can we achieve our energy management goals?
• What resources are available for energy management?
• What FUNDING is available for energy efficiency projects?
• and more!

Click for registration form or online registration
Contact Gloria Harvey, Texas A&M University, 979/862-2370 for more information.

Chamber member wins $50

Allison Mann from Stallings Court wins the $50 cash prize drawing at the Nacogdoches County Chamber’s Fourth Friday Luncheon held December 19. Pictured is Mann with the prize provided by First Bank & Trust East Texas. Everyone who attends the luncheon is eligible to win the $50 drawing, and all Chamber members are entered in a $250 drawing, also sponsored by First Bank & Trust East Texas.

The Fourth Friday Luncheon program was presented by Neil Meyers, vice president of Keystone XL Pipeline Project for TransCanada.

Click here to read article at DailySentinel.com

Click here to read article at KTRE.com

Click here to view photos from the event

Slaten takes top award at chamber event

Pictured is Neal Slaten, the Chamber Membership Event top chair.


Volunteer Neal Slaten received the top award for his Camo Teams’ performance at the Nacogdoches County Chamber Membership Event celebration. Slaten and eight other community leaders chaired teams consisting of nearly 100 volunteers that assisted businesses by telling the good news about how to join the Chamber.

Chamber membership grew as 85 new members signed up during the three-day event in early December.

“We’ll celebrate with a New Member Showcase on January 23 at Hotel Fredonia,” said Membership and Marketing Manager Kelly Daniel. “Everyone who has joined the Chamber between October 1 and January 15 will have free display space and one free lunch at that event.” The public is invited and encouraged to attend. “You’ll learn more about new businesses in town, and hear TXU Energy’s latest information on energy deregulation,” Daniel said.

Daniel said business people can still come by the Chamber, 2516 North Street, or call 936-560-5533 to discuss Chamber membership and exhibiting at the New Member Showcase. “We have a number of ways to invest in the Chamber,” she said, “including a ‘stretch’ plan that gives you twelve months to pay for the membership.”

Click to view more event photos.

Chamber kicks off membership event

The Nacogdoches County Chamber kicked off its Membership Event Tuesday as more than 100 volunteers hit the streets, asking businesses to join the organization.

Below, volunteers Mike Mazarakes, left, and Sharon Brewer lean in for secret instructions to sell Chamber memberships.

“We’ll celebrate with a New Member Showcase on January 23,” said Membership and Marketing Manager Kelly Daniel. “Everyone who joins will have free display space and a free lunch at that event.” Daniel said businesses could come by the Chamber, 2516 North Street, or call 936-560-5533. “Businesses can join anytime, but we’ll wrap up this special event on Thursday at 3:07 p.m.


Volunteer Frank Still, right, adjusts his battle helmet as he prepares to visit with prospective members.

Photos by Bruce R. Partain

Business moves to Main Street

Lyric's LaTeeDas & OohLaLas is now in the new location at 409 E. Main St. in historic downtown. Owner Lyric Muckleroy invites you to her store for unique gifts for friends or yourself. Visit the downtown location or click here to visit her online store.

Pipeline project will run through county

Neil Meyers, vice president of Keystone XL Pipeline Project for TransCanada, will give details of the 36-inch crude oil pipeline that will traverse more than 2,000 miles from Canada to the Gulf Coast at Fourth Friday Luncheon, noon to 1 p.m., Friday, Dec. 19 at Hotel Fredonia. The buried pipeline is expected to carry 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day into Texas refiniries and will cross through Nacogdoches County.

The presented information 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. Lunch is $16 and attendee RSVPs are required by Wednesday, Dec 17. Please call 560-5533, or fax in a form, 560-3920, available at www.nacogdoches.org

Nine Flags Festival Raffle Winner

Fred Keller, 73 of Fort Worth, Texas won the raffle drawing in conjunction with the 2nd annual Tour de Nac Bike Ride. The Bike was donated by The Bike Shop. Mr. Keller also completed the 53.3 mile bike ride route.
For more information on the Nine FLags Festival please visit http://www.nineflagsfestival.com/

Holiday Tour of Homes set for Dec. 13

The Tour of Homes will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec.13. Tickets are $10 and available in advance at the Visitors’ Center, 200 E. Main St., as well as at each home the day of the tour.

“We are very excited about the four beautiful homes being featured this year,” said Patsy Hallman, co-chair of the Tour of Homes committee. “The homes on this year’s tour are just outstanding, we are certain this will be the best year ever.” The homeowners have been hard at work decorating their homes since early this fall.

The featured homes are:
1. Jack and Doris Ledbetter, 2517 Glen Hollow Dr.
This contemporary house was built in the 1970s by Henry Schmidt and later it was redesigned by Carl Maynard, AIA, and Jerry Sutton, AIA, for the McGough Family. In 2006, the Ledbetters bought the 9000 sq. ft. house and made extensive renovations to both house gardens. Contemporary furnishings and dramatic holiday decorations made this a must-tour house. The Ledbetters are active in the community and they are happy to share their beautiful house and grounds with Nacogdoches. Christmas decorations were designed and implemented by their daughter, Lisa Ledbetter Vella.

2. Kenneth and Gloria Durr, 3723 Tudor
This 2-story house was built by the Durrs in 1973. It was especially designed to meet the needs of a family of seven: three daughters and two sons. Dr. Gloria Durr, retired chair of The Department of Human Sciences at SFASU, recently redecorated the entire house. The home accommodates large family gatherings as well as large groups frequently entertained in the Durr home. The beautifully appointed house is set in a garden that enhances the whole neighborhood. Christmas decorations are especially delightful – ones people will not want to miss seeing during this holiday season. Of particular interest to many people will be the family collection of holy figures.

3. Rachel Underwood, 3310 Huntington Circle
This beautifully appointed town house features unique uses of space. The outstanding art work, accessories, and decorative elements reflect the skills of a homeowner who has taught housing courses in SFASU’s Department of Human Sciences for many years. Antiques and exquisite art objects enhance the special Christmas decorations. The outdoor areas welcome visitors to enjoy well-tended and well-designed natural beauty. This home, in a quiet neighborhood, showcases Nacogdoches’ popular town houses and garden/patio homes.

4. Pattye Greer, 3320 Churchill Dr.
This contemporary Texas style house is the dream home of the late Hoover Greer. A family architect, Mandy Wright, worked with the Greers on the design, then Mr. Greer hand-picked each piece of lumber that went into the house, selecting choice logs as they came into the family lumber mill. The unique design of the kitchen accommodates entertaining for both family and community groups. Mrs. Greer’s work as an SFA Regent frequently brought university groups to dine in the exquisite Italian-furnished dining room. Throughout the house, visitors will find furniture purchased to complement each unique space. Among the appealing art work in the house is Pattye Greer’s portrait by Pam Hall.

5. The Old University Building
This building is a Texas State Historic Landmark, one of three in Nacogdoches that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Erected in 1858, The Old University Building is the only existent building which originally housed a university chartered under the Republic of Texas. Operated today by the Federation of Women’s Clubs as a public event facility and a museum, it is a must-see for any resident who is not familiar with this town treasure! Stop by for a cup of wassail and a tour of this historic place.

Click for more information.

~ your invitation

Please join us this month as we celebrate new businesses and a new business location:

December 4 at 4:30 pm
Ribbon Cutting - Lyric’s LaTeeDas & OohLaLas
New business location: 409 E. Main St.

December 12 at noon
Ribbon Cutting - The Heart Institute of East Texas
1108 South St. - new business!
Open house - noon to 2 pm

December 16 at 1:20 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting - John Smith Massage Therapist - new business!

1105 N. University Dr., Ste. 103