Do you know any ordinary SuperStars?

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Business Monday

September 29, 2014

Debbie Stohlman, Acting President/CEO

The Culpeper Chamber of Commerce is deep into planning our 100th Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet.  The November 6th celebration will focus on this organization’s history and the role it plays in making Culpeper an attractive place to locate a business, raise a family or simply visit.  

The mission of this Chamber is to be “The voice of the business community working to promote, build, and support the most effective climate for economic development.”

It seems we’ve managed to obtain this goal since we began in 1915.

Obviously there have been countless leaders and ordinary citizens that championed numerous causes and issues and made difficult decisions along the way.  It is easy to look back through time to get a clear picture of the many that were instrumental in moving our community forward.   But that picture isn’t quite so clear when you look at the here and now.  Why is that?  Could it be so obvious that it escapes our everyday notice?  Trust me, there are folks out there making Culpeper a better community for business, family and recreation.

The Chamber recognizes these ordinary Superstars each year at our Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet - its the highlight of the evening, especially in this, our 100th year.

And who are these ordinary superstars?  You tell us!   It could be the local business, large or small, that demonstrates growth, integrity, innovation, community engagement, volunteerism, customer service, and workforce development. It could be an entrepreneur that  willingly accepts the challenges of entering the business world in exchange for the potential benefits thereof.   Do you know a young professional that demonstrates creativity, innovation, character, consistency, and excellence in their field?  Do you have a soft spot in your heart for a non-profit organization that may offer a breadth and/or depth of services that improve the well-being of the community?  What about that certain person that consistently gives freely of himself or herself for the betterment of Culpeper?

If any of those questions bring a superstar to mind, please take a moment of your time to nominate them for one of the Chamber of Commerce awards - Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year or the prestigious L. B. Henrelly Memorial Citizenship Award.

It’s easy…go to www.CulpeperChamber.com/Awards    Go ahead….do it!

Culpeper has A Robust Education System

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Business Monday Article

September 22, 2014

Debbie Stohlman, Acting President/CEO

Last week our Lead Culpeper participants were immersed in Education.  The group started the session at Eastern View High School.  It was deja vu for many and a distant memory for others. The session began  with a presentation by Dr. Bobbi Johnson, Superintendent, followed by a tour of the facility by Randi Richards-Lutz, Career and Technical Administrator.  The general take away was “Wow, they didn’t have this when I was in high school!”  A few of us were ready to sit in on a class or two.

We boarded a school bus to make our way to Pearl Sample Elementary.  Kristin Williams, Principal, and Assistant Principal, Andrea Kilby, welcomed us into their school.  We were treated to lunch and a very informative talk from Greg Beamer, Director of Food Services.  He spoke of the challenges faced with feeding the school population and remaining within the guidelines set forth by the National Lunch Program.  Our meals were tasty and nutritionally balanced. While we ate, scores of young children paraded by our group.  Their little faces seemed happy and eager to learn.  Our tour of Pearl Sample took us past rows of neatly hung backpacks and walls lined with students’ works of art.  It was a happy place - a setting conducive to learning.

Upon our return to EVHS, Chuck Gyory and Mike Dale spoke to us about Career Partners and the program E Squared.  The importance of the collaboration between business and education created by this long standing program, demands recognition.  Many volunteer hours have been given in the development of E Squared - a program designed to take a team of students through the process of successful entrepreneurship.  E Squared alumni, Emily Ray and Mitchell Luckinbill, spoke to us about the demands of the curriculum and the rewards of completion.  It was refreshing to hear young adults speak so articulately and passionately.  

We concluded the session with presentations from Germanna Community College’s Dr. Ann Woolford, VP of Academic Affairs & Student Services, and Ben Sherman, Business & Career Coordinator.  Both spoke on various programs offered through Germanna, all with the goal of offering affordable secondary education and workforce development training opportunities for our businesses.

Culpeper is fortunate to have this robust education system.  It is poised to offer our residents many opportunities and choices for education.  Education is the lifeblood of a community.  It may be cliche to say the future is in their hands - but how else can it be described?  Without a stellar education system, our chances to attract business and industry are diminished.  It is important that we all recognize the need to support our educational system and the educators.  After all, they are our first line of defense for a healthy future.  

Autumn in Culpeper

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

September 15, 2014

Debbie Stohlman, Acting President/CEO

I absolutely treasure the autumn season.  The crisp, cool air, the changing color of the landscape and football are heralded in with the turn of the calendar to September.  It also signals the beginning of many community events.

CRI will hold the season’s final Third Thursday Concert on September 18th with  the foot-tapping beats of Groove Train. Guests won’t be able to resist dancing to a popular blend of well-known disco songs. Groove Train also offers plenty of entertainment with groovy costumes, big hairstyles and outrageous showmanship. Concertgoers are sure to enjoy this fantastic voyage back in time.  www.downtownculpeper.com/3rd-thursday-concerts

This coming Friday, September 19th the Culpeper Fiesta returns to celebrate Latino Culture.  The festival is held in the streets in front of the Train Depot at 109 S Commerce Street from 6-10pm. The event is free and open to the public.  Music, dancing and authentic food are hallmarks of this celebration. For details and up to the minute information follow the event on FaceBook - www.facebook.com/culpeperfiesta

The State Theatre continues the celebration of Hispanic Heritage by offering an afternoon of free exhibits and performances on Sunday, September 21st.  Photography exhibit by David Cea, World Drums by Mark Sawasky, Traditional Dancers, Guadalupanas and the showing of the film Cantinflas will round out the weekend of celebration. www.culpepertheatre.org/events/culpeper-fiesta/

The Chamber of Commerce hosts the 12th Annual Pepper Open on Monday,September 22nd at the Country Club of Culpeper.  The tournament’s popularity has grown over the years making it necessary to have two flights - a morning and afternoon.  Opportunities for golfers, sponsorships and donations to our golfer goodie bags are available. Contact Martha Snider for more information - marthas@culpeperchamber.com

As the calendar turns to October, the weekend of the 4th and 5th, Culpeper Department of Economic Development showcases the rich agricultural heritage of Culpeper with the 17th Annual Harvest Days Farm Tour.  Details on this family friendly event can be found onwww.culpeperfarmtour.com.  

The skies over Culpeper will be filled with vintage and historic aircraft on Saturday, October 11th as the community opens it doors for “The Best Little Airshow in the East”.  Culpeper Regional Airport will have the world's only privately owned Harrier, aerobatic aircraft and vintage warbirds. This is a chance to see exciting stunts performed by some of the best pilots in the airshow community while enjoying the many static displays, airplane rides, model airplanes, games for kids and more!  For more information, check out www.culpeperairfest.com

On Sunday, October 12th, Culpeper Renaissance fills the streets of the Depot District with vendors offering tastings of wine and specialty foods along with unique artisans and quality crafters for the Annual Taste of Culpeper.  It is always a fun-filled afternoon - for more information visit www.downtownculpeper.com/taste-of-culpeper

If you've been waiting for a special occasion to explore the robust and diverse mix of downtown Culpeper restaurants, you now have one: Culpeper Renaissance's 6th Annual Restaurant Week.  Savor Culpeper and Take a Culinary Cruise During Culpeper Downtown Restaurant Week October 13-19. www.culpeperdowntown.com/restaurant-week

CRI continues the tradition of downtown Trick or Treating on Halloween evening. From 5 - 6pm, the many businesses along E Davis Street hand out candy and treats to crowds of costumed children.  

The Chamber of Commerce rounds out the autumn events with its 100th Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet on November 6th.  This special celebration will tell the story of this business organization - its history and the people that helped make it possible.   We continue to ask for nominations for our business and individual awards.  To submit a nomination go to www.tinyurl.com/CulpeperAwards

And then we entered the Holiday Season - start planning now to spend your holiday budget dollars with local businesses.   More on that subject later……..

100th Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

September 8, 2014

Debbie Stohlman

The Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet is a highlight on the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce calendar.  Annually our members gather to celebrate the accomplishments of the past 12 months while looking ahead to the new year.  This November 6th, the Chamber will celebrate its 100th year.

We have a robust committee working to formally recognize this milestone.  Our celebration will focus on the story of the Chamber.  We managed to find quite a few interesting facts in the Local History Room at the Culpeper County Library.  Of particular interest was an article written in July 1949 by Newman Bailey.  At the time he was the organization’s secretary.  As I was reading his article and others contained in the Bicentennial Edition of The Virginia Star, it occurred to me that not much has changed with this Chamber’s mission.  A few tweaks of names, places and dates and you would never know the articles had been written 65 years ago.  The one obvious commonality - it’s the people that made the difference.

Our story and that of Culpeper could not be told if not for the tenacity, determination and dedication of many business owners, residents, volunteers and visionary leaders.  The Culpeper Chamber recognizes the importance of these individuals and values their contributions.  The most anticipated portion of our Annual Meeting is the recognition of individuals and businesses through various awards - Small Business of the Year, Large Business of the Year, Young Professional of the Year, Non-profit of the Year, Entrepreneur of the Year and the LB Henretty Outstanding Citizen of the Year.  It is a joyous occasion for all recipients - there have been big smiles, tears, disbelief and standing ovations.  

The time has come to gather nominees for these prestigious awards.  We have streamlined the nomination process by accessing the forms at www.culpeperchamber.com.   Membership in the Culpeper Chamber of Commerce is not a requirement for either the nominee or the person making the nomination.  The awards are reflective of the contributions made to the community as a whole.  The criteria for each award, as well as the selection process,  is outlined on the forms.

We invite you to take some time to nominate a deserving person or business.  What better way to recognize their accomplishments and contributions!  Submit your nomination soon, the deadline is October 15, 2014.  The Selection Committee stands ready for some difficult decisions.  

We Did It!

Culpeper Chamber of Commerce

Culpeper Star Exponent

September 1, 2014

Debbie Stohlman, Acting President/CEO

We did it!  Our move to 629 Sperryville Pike is complete.   Staff has been busy unpacking, arranging and re-arranging furniture while managing business as usual.  It is exciting to have a new address with room for our members to gather and committees to meet.  

We didn’t get to this point without ordinary folks doing extraordinary things.  The Chamber is fortunate to have a base of members willing to give their time and talents.   It always amazes me how prevalent the culture of volunteerism is in Culpeper.  Thank you to the House Committee for having the vision to purchase and renovate this property; thank you to the Town of Culpeper and the Public Works Department for helping make this a smooth transition from the Depot; thank you to Sheriff Scott Jenkins for his Trustee Workforce Initiative and supplying the manpower we needed to move furniture and boxes; thank you to Andrew Morgan of Andrew Morgan Photography, for the many pieces of furniture he moved numerous times;  and thank you to the many members that stopped by to lend us a hand throughout the day. 

It seems the Chamber is once again in the midst of an area of revitalization, growth and renewal.  In 2000, the Chamber moved to the Depot at the east end of Davis Street during the early phase of CRI’s Downtown Revitalization program. We were witness to the positive growth and changes in Downtown Culpeper.  The view from our new front porch shows the construction progress on the town’s inner loop.  Judging by the number of cars traveling in front of our office, further commercial development can’t be far behind.   We are eager to watch the changing landscape.

During our 14 years at the Depot, the Chamber managed the Visitors Center while continuing to build an organization of business leaders committed to the economic vitality of Culpeper.  As we pass the Visitors Center ‘baton’ off to the Culpeper Department of Tourism, we look forward to continuing our partnership with them.    

 

As the chamber enters its second century of service,  the organization remains committed to being “The voice of the business community working to promote, build and support the most effective climate for economic development. “  We invite you to stop in for a visit; our front door is open and the coffee pot is on.