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Monday, August 30, 2010

Hampton Inn Business After Hours (8/19/10)

It's time for some FUN in the SUN!

As the summer of 2010 rolls in to a close, the August Business After Hours was themed to be a dedication to the heat by having a Summer Block Party!  Hampton Inn was gracious enough to host the event both inside and outside since the weather was indecisive. There was hours of entertainment from games, delicious food from the "cook-out," and lots of fun.

The Hampton Inn provided games of all sorts to keep attendees busy with a wind tunnel full of prizes, a super-sized Wii, and several other games that required skill to win.  Those who won or accomplished the goal won a raffle ticket for prizes like Starbucks, iTunes, and gas gift cards.  A real treat for everyone was a dunking booth set up outside with the general manager as the "volunteer."  She was gracious to be dunked about a dozen times.


For the food, the hotel provided almost everything that is at a normal "cook-out" to feed all of the people including hot dogs, hamburgers, corndogs, chips, drinks, cookies, and even cake for those who stuck around long enough.  Just imagine it as an picnic indoors with air conditioning!


Also at the event was the launch of the new tourism website Explorewilkes.com by the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce.  This is the result of a new brand put in place to help promote tourism to the area and business to local companies.

Everyone who attended had a great time! The food was great, the games were fun and entertaining, as well as many familiar faces that brought the laughs. As the summer ends, the Business After Hours will continue throughout the rest of the year, so keep you eye out for when the next one is!

Silver Spur Saloon Business After Hours (7/22/10)

Ride 'Em Cowboy!
For the July Business After Hours, Silver Spur Saloon hosted the event in Love Valley, NC! The town is known for being the Cowboy Capital of the area, but on this day the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce invaded to bring a little bit of city to the country.  Bob and Judy Adams, owners of Silver Spur, were gracious to open their little "saloon" to us, providing the visitors with food and drinks. 

The "Chamber Chicks" started getting into the western mood as soon as they started their journey towards the little town.  You won't know you are getting closer until you turn onto a dirt road and you see more horses than people.  Mind you that the Business After Hours events always happens on a Thursday of each month, it felt like a ghost town.  As soon as we stepped out of the car, we were immediately thrown into an Old Westen movies, with our Membership Director pretending to walk like she has been riding a horse for hours.  The town was modelled after the Old West towns in the Hollywood classics everyone has come to love, including town rules and ordinances that apply to keeping the small main street untouched by the 21st century.  We admired the Miss Kitty's Hotel (idolized after the Miss Kitty of Gunsmoke), browsed the General Store stocked with unique local crafts, and walked down the street filled with dirt and dust.  Walking into the Silver Spur Saloon highlighted the start of the event when we pushed our way through the old western swinging saloon doors.  The saloon was divided into three sections: the restaurant with dance floor, a smaller NASCAR room with a pool table, and then finally the outdoor bar with chicken wire.  We made sure we explored almost every inch of the place, taking in the sights and sounds.


A cowboy and Bob talking about horses!
As we listened, laughed, and enjoyed great time together, a "posse" of cowboy hat and chap-wearing Cowpoke came walking into the Saloon ready to "wet their whistle." It didn't really hit those who came to the event that the only way these people arrived was either by cars or by...HORSES! And there they were lined up, tied to the hitching posts that lined the street, nine beautifully, big horses just waiting for a rider to get on.  The few of us who went outside to see these remarkable animals that we rarely see in the city and asked questions to the riders/owners.  We then went inside and settled down for a little food as Judy brought the founder's wife, Ellenora Barker for storytelling and advise. This is the woman who backed her man on his dreams of becoming a cowboy and creating a christian town. She reminded us to never stop dreaming because one day they will come true.  Soon afterwards, Judy and Bob's son walked in and offered if anyone of us would like to ride a horse.  When you are offered a chance to ride, you hardly turn it down.  So we all were assisted onto a horse, a few that had more experience were sent on their way to explore the area while others were assisted to ride up and down main street.  It is amazing how riding several trips up the small main street could be so entertaining! 
Judy and Ellenora
As the day was winding down but the humidity wasn't, we had to say our thank yous and goodbyes to the people of Love Valley and  to Bob & Judy for their hospitality and allowing us to come enjoy the Old West brought to life.  The great news is that they have asked to host again next year! And the only way to end this post is to sing...

"Happy trails to you, until we meet again.
Happy trails to you, keep smilin' until then.
Who cares about the clouds when we're together?
Just sing a song and bring the sunny weather.
Happy trails to you, 'till we meet again."
The Chamber Chicks Ride Again!

Friday, August 27, 2010

The Wilkes Chamber of Commerce


“PROMOTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND STRIVING TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL WILKES COUNTY CITIZENS.”
Your business connection to profit and growth”
Wilkes Chamber of Commerce, established in July 1946, is a non-profit membership organization.  The Chamber celebrates sixty-three years of encouraging and promoting business opportunity and growth within Wilkes County.  Wilkes Chamber of Commerce has over 30 years of US Chamber of Commerce affiliation as well as the North Carolina Chamber of Commerce, the CACCE and the ACCE  and the Wilkes Chamber was awarded a 3-Star rating in 2006.  This prestigious honor was earned through the Chamber’s program development, membership recruitment and retention, and governance. 
www.wilkesnc.org