Annual Legislative Breakfast

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

November 24, 2014

Debbie Stohlman, President/CEO

The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Legislative Breakfast on December 3rd, at Germanna Daniel Technology Center. We begin the program with breakfast at 7:30am and presentations promptly start at 8:00am.  This event gives you, as a representative of an organization, agency or business, the opportunity to present positions to our elected state officials. Culpeper’s senators and delegates welcome this format and use the information presented to plan for the upcoming General Assembly.

Culpeper County benefits from the representation of 3 senators and 2 delegates; Senator Jill Vogel, 27th District, Senator Bryce Reeves, 17th District, Senator Emmett Hanger, 24th District, Delegate Michael Webert, 18th District, and  Delegate Ed Scott, 30th District.  We are pleased to announce each will be present to listen to your comments and requests.  

It is not often that the public has access to the eyes and ears of our state leadership in the same place, at the same time, all listening to the same messages and pleas.  This unique opportunity is open to chamber membership and the public. The fee to attend, which includes breakfast, is $30 while members of the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce are offered the benefit of a discounted rate of $20.

If you have an interest in making a presentation to our distinguished panel, please advise us when you make your reservation. You will be asked to submit a copy of your presentation to  the Chamber office by Noon, Monday, December 1, 2014.  We simply ask that comments are directed to issues appropriate for the General Assembly.

Advance registration is a requirement.  You may let us know you will be attending by registering at www.culpeperchamber.com or call Linda Dodrill at 540-825-8628 x16.

This is your chance to be heard by our state representation and to hear what your neighbors and colleagues deem to be relevant issues.  Consider this your invitation to join us.  Help fill the meeting room as a show of interest and concern for what will take place at the 2015 General Assembly.

Small Business Saturday, #ShopSmall

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

November 17, 2014

Debbie Stohlman, Acting President/CEO

For the past few weeks, my daughter and I have been planning our Thanksgiving menu.  Our nightly phone conversations have been dominated by discussions of recipes, grocery shopping strategies and duty assignments.  Our husbands simply roll their eyes because they know the story all too well - our menu never changes.  Year after year, we go through the process of seeking new recipes, selecting old family favorites and vowing to trim down the quantity of food we prepare for our small family of 6.  We can point to any menu item and tell you the tale of why it continually graces our Thanksgiving table.  Its all about tradition!

Our holiday traditions don’t stop at the dinner table.  We make sure we have a Thanksgiving edition of the Culpeper Star Exponent and other local newspapers, so we can study the sales, events and holiday happenings in Culpeper.    Then we make our lists and check them twice to make sure all is right and nice!   On Black Friday morning, we set our alarms for o’dark thirty to begin our day of shopping sales with the masses.  Our husbands continue their eye rolling but are very glad to stay home with the kids.  Its our tradition!

This year, my daughter and I are starting a new tradition!  Saturday, November 29th is “Small Business Saturday” and we plan to #ShopSmall all around the neighborhood!  In 2010, American Express founded Small Business Saturday with the goal of helping businesses get more customers.   Many small businesses in Culpeper are planning to participate with sales, promotions and giveaways.  Culpeper Renaissance, Inc. and the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce have teamed-up to promote this initiative through a special ad section in the Thanksgiving edition of the Culpeper Star Exponent.     

You will be able to shop ‘til you drop, eat ‘til you pop and get a new ‘do (hairdo that is!) while supporting our local small businesses that have contributed so much to the local economy and our quality of life.  This is our opportunity to be there for them - they have been there for us all year by supporting numerous community events and activities.  It’s the fourth quarter, 6 weeks to go, let’s push our businesses into the ‘black’ with this #ShopSmall celebration.   Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 29th, #ShopSmall Culpeper - make it your tradition!

One Hundred Years In The Making...

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

Publication date:  November 10 , 2014

By:  Debbie Stohlman, Acting President/CEO

It has been a century in the making!  The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce came together for its 100th Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet.  The grand celebration was held last Thursday at Germanna Daniel Technology Center.   In anticipation of this special occasion, the dining room was filled with a capacity crowd eager to honor the organization’s rich heritage.  

The event planning committee began preparation more than a year ago.  They were united in their vision of presenting the Chamber’s story.   A story spanning 100 years can be difficult to capture.  With the focused determination and tenacity of Tom Boyd, Jonathan Krawchuk, Win Carithers and David Durr a short documentary film highlighting the organization’s  accomplishments, collaborations and partnerships was produced and presented that evening.  The film showcased the parallels of the Chamber’s history and that of our community.  The seeds of this business institution were planted shortly after the Civil War.  By 1914, a group of community business leaders formally chartered the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce.

One could not help but be proud of this chamber’s legacy. It is with renewed vigor and commitment, that our 2015 Board of Directors looks forward to opening the door on the next century of service.  The organization is poised to remain a synergistic force in the facilitation of a platform for positive growth, economic vitality, and a vanguard educational system.

Congratulations to the recipients of the chamber’s prestigious annual awards;  Kelsey Carlson, Young Professional of the Year; Al Esh, Entrepreneur of the Year; Cintas, Large Business of the Year; The Free Clinic of Culpeper, Non-profit of the Year; The Ole Country Store and Bakery, Small Business of the Year; Sophie Hudson, 2014 Chairman’s Award; Gary Lee, L.B. Henretty Memorial Outstanding Citizen of the Year.   Thank you for your dedication and service to Culpeper.    

A debt of gratitude is due the event planning committee:  Laura Grigsby, Joann Durr, and Tom Boyd along with staff members Martha Sanford and Linda Dodrill.  Thank you for making this celebration a memorable one.  A special shout out to Culpeper’s own Jonny K, Station Manager, Culpeper Media Network, for the countless hours he spent on the production of the documentary film.    

And the Nominees Are.....

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

November 3, 2014

Debbie Stohlman, Acting President/CEO

Oh, what a party it’s going to be!  The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce is holding its 100th Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet this Thursday, November 6th at Germanna Daniel Technology Center. This centennial gala is shaping up to be a grand celebration of the organization’s accomplishments and contributions to Culpeper.  Following our delicious meal and the telling of the Chamber’s story, the evening will culminate with presentations of business and individual awards - always a high point of the evening.

Historically, the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce recognizes businesses and individuals for their leadership, integrity, contributions to our community and Culpeper’s economic vitality.   We have received an unprecedented number of nominees in all categories.  Certainly a positive indicator of the vibrancy of Culpeper.  Thank you to everyone that submitted a nomination.  The Selection Committee was given an arduous task of narrowing down the lists of deserving nominees to one recipient for each category.  It was a responsibility they did not take lightly.  

We are pleased to announce the following nominations for the business categories -

Nominated for Large Business of the Year (50 or more employees) are Cintas, Epiphany Catholic School and Home Instead Senior Care.  Nominees for Small Business of the Year are Shear Artistry, Harriet’s General, Culpeper Salvage, Association of Social Work Boards, Ole Country Store and Bakery, RE/MAX Crossroads, Atheneans, The Pharmacy of Culpeper, Counseling Interventions, Top Shelf Cleaning Services, Integrity Automotive, MedExpress Urgent Care, Appleton Campbell, White Dove Studios, Clevenger’s Corner Veterinary Care, Culpeper Petroleum Cooperative - Southern States and Healthy Steps.   Nominees for Non-profit of the Year are Options, Epiphany Catholic School, Culpeper  Renaissance, Inc., Friends of the Culpeper County Library, Culpeper Regional Hospital, Omega Partnership, Cornucopia Volunteer Farm, Northern Piedmont Community Foundation, The Free Clinic of Culpeper, Praise Communications, Inc. WPRZ 88.1 - FM, Culpeper Food Closet, Soap Box Derby of Culpeper and Hospice of the Rapidan.

Entrepreneur of the Year, Young Professional of the Year and the L.B. Henretty Memorial Outstanding Citizen of the Year will each recognize one person for their specific contributions.  These categories received a record number of nominees as well.  Another daunting task for the Selection Committee.

Congratulations to all nominees!  We trust you are honored to have been acknowledged as a business or organization that exemplifies the outstanding qualities worthy of recognition.