press releases . . .
chamber holds annual banquet . . .
The Farmville Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Partnership held it annual meeting Monday night, May 10th, at the Plank Road Restaurant. Guests included Chamber and Downtown Partnership members and volunteers.
The annual meeting included a short business agenda followed by a social hour. During the business portion, Chairman Bert Smith introduced fellow board members, Meredith Wright (MyleStone Gallery & Wines), Mike Mullis (Farm Bureau Insurance) for Chamber of Commerce; Trisha Capansky (Planning Board), Brittany Wright Thompson - Secretary/Treasurer (Brittany Wright Photography) and Andy Martin - Vice-Chairman (A&S Realty & Auction Company). Attendees voted to accept the board for continued service during the 2010/2011 fiscal year.
"The Chamber and Downtown Partnership has continued their program of work as outlined at the last Economic Summit," said Smith. "Concentrating on improving Farmville's quality of life, these organizations marketed Farmville as an excellent place to raise a family; and by continuing efforts to keep a vibrant Main Street, they encouraged new businesses to call Farmville their home."
Mike McLawhorn was introduced as the 2009 Volunteer of the Year. A volunteer for years, McLawhorn has been helping the Chamber and Downtown Partnership incognito. Besides serving on both boards, he has portrayed numerous characters with his side-kick as he entertained, as well as directed, the costume contests during Hometown Halloween. "As Santa, he has held many a child on his knee during the tree lighting ceremonies and Christmas parades," said Smith. "He has always been willing to take the lead whenever needed." Smith also thanked the many volunteers who have helped the Chamber and Downtown Partnership during the past year.
Jack A. Farrior, Inc. Steel Works was recognized as the 2009 Chamber Hall of Fame recipient. "From monetary contributions to volunteering time, equipment and expertise, Farrior has always worked hard for the Chamber, the Downtown Partnership, the Economic Development Council, the Farmville Development Partnership, the Boy Scouts, the church or the Farmville community in general," said Smith. "Since 1976, Farrior Steel Works has helped represent our organization with strong leadership on the Board of Directors, stepping up to sponsor events too numerous to mention, and actively participating by making sure we had a reviewing stand each year at the Christmas parade and even offering to cook everything from biscuits and coffee to steaks on the grill."
Please click this link to view the Chamber and Downtown Partnership 2009 Annual Program of Work and view our slideshow of the Annual Meeting here.
December, 2009 - It's That Time of Year!!!
We would like to announce our winners of the 2009 Christmas Parade non-pro float contest. First place goes to Cub Scout Pack 176: Second place - Arthur Christian Church; Third place - Farmville 4-H. Many thanks to our contestants and our judges.
The Farmville Christmas Parade would not be possible without our sponsors, contributors, town employees and volunteers. Many thanks to:
Sponsors:
Alliance One International; Subway of Farmville; Piggly Wiggly of Farmville, Inc.; Farrior and Sons, Inc.; Mestek, Inc.; Best Value Drug; BB&T; Farmville Kiwanis; WarePack Self Storage, LLC; Kue's Pharmacy.
Contributors:
Jack A. Farrior Steelworks, Inc.; McDavid Associates, Inc.; Brann & Sons Heating & AC, Inc.; Charles A. Rice, CPA PA; Davis Enterprises/F.M. Davis Sr. Heirs; Drs. Warren & Hardee PA; Electronic Services, Inc.; Farmville Funeral Home; Farmville Furniture Company; Physicians East, PA Farmville; Pierce Insurance Agency, Inc.; Todd D. Edwards Building & Realty; Willow Grove Animal Clinic and Pat Carr.
Town Employees:
Farmville Police Department: Chief Donnie Greene, Lt. Paul McLawhorn, Sgt. Jeff Smith, Inv. Joel Rypkema, Sgt. Jeffrey Spencer, Sgt. Dale Williams, Officer Chris Baker, Officer Matt Smith, Officer Jason Tyndall, Inv. Ken Adams, Officer Allen Peaden, Officer Robert Ellsworth, Officer Matt Walters & AC Horace Wiley; Farmville Utilities Department: Brian Shackleford, Shelton Cannon & Doug Brann; Farmville Developmental Services: Greg Cornelius, Warren May, Edwardo King, Wes Thomas & Harold Harper.
Volunteers:
Josie Baker; Eddie Jones; Eddie Davis; Lizzie Carraway; Sibyl Kemp; Durwood Little; Sparkie Travis; Patricia Carr; Corbett Hughes; David Gay; and Santa Claus.
And thanks to our Emcee - Commissioner John Moore & his setup crew.
The Farmville Chamber of Commerce and the Farmville Downtown Partnership would like to extend each and every one a very Merry Christmas and many blessings in the New Year.
Please view our photographs from the Christmas Parade.
Please visit our events calendar or call us at 252-753-4670 and join us at all of our upcoming events.
October 27, 2009 - Chamber Presents Downtown Halloween
Please join us for Farmville's Annual Hometown Halloween from 6:00 - 8:00 pm on Saturday October 31st, at the ball field on the corner of West Horne Avenue and Ryon Drive. Sponsored by the Farmville Downtown Partnership, EMBARQ and Burger King, this year's event will offer an inflatable bouncer and crawl-thru along with a fire truck ride by Abrams Amusements, carnival games, face painting by Farmville Central High School's Art Club, Farmville Fire Department's "Lifesavers", and Farmville Police Department’s "Sweet Cops". Concessions will be sold by First Christian Church's Christian Women's Fellowship.
The traditional costume contest will not be held this year; however, secret judges will be roaming the area selecting their favorite costumes and awarding special treats all during the evening. This means more winners than in the past!
Providing a secure environment for children to enjoy the childhood tradition of trick or treating; Hometown Halloween is designed for children 12 and under. We ask that pets not be brought inside the gates for the safety of our ghosts and goblins.
For more information call the Farmville Downtown Partnership at 753-4670. Be sure to visit our new website at www.farmvillencchamber.com in the near future to see if your picture is included.
October 16, 2009 - FDP Announces New Hire
The Farmville Development Partnership Board of Directors is proud to announce the additional of Donna Kemp to their current staff.
With the new budget year beginning in July, the board’s decision to make both positions part-time required restructuring of job duties. Kemp, who has been involved with both the Chamber and the museum for several years, has been a volunteer staffing the office since March of this year.
Her title of Communications/Programs Coordinator will include such duties as press releases, web design and updates, area tourism, public relations and general office duties.
Jan Greene will continue to handle all financial accounting and administrative duties of the office. Her title will be Finance/Administration Director.
Both positions will plan and coordinate events held by the Chamber and Downtown Partnership, as well as, continue to assist the May Museum Advisory Board with day to day operations and museum programs.
The Downtown Partnership’s Hometown Halloween is schedule for Saturday, October 31st from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at the ball field on Horne Avenue. Once again, Abram’s Amusements will have inflatable rides available for the youngsters. The event will include “Sweet Cops”, the Farmville Fire Department “lifesavers”, carnival games and secret contest judges. Concessions will be available for sale.
The Downtown Partnership also will hold their “Christmas Tree Lighting” on December 4th at 6:00 pm, followed by the “Taste of Farmville” from 6:30 – 8:30 pm. The Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Parade is scheduled for Saturday, December 12th at 10:30 am.
October 13, 2009 - Chamber Launches New Web Site
The Farmville Chamber of Commerce and the Farmville Downtown Partnership announces the launching of their new website at www.farmvillencchamber.org.
Although the Chamber was included on the town's website, the board voted to have their own web space that could be updated from their office and could also include more photos and information than could be accomodated on the town site.
"It is more important than ever to maintain a presence on the web," said Bert Smith, Vice-Chairman of the Farmville Development Partnership. "With our own site we can update daily if needed and include much more information than could be contained on the town's site."
The new webpage will feature an events schedule including flyers, news features and press releases, and will also include photos of the events and ribbon cuttings.
Farmville Economic Development has also launced a new website - www.farmvillencedc.org.
New updates and features will continue to be added to the websites. The Chamber of Commerce and the Farmville Economic Development Council invite you to visit their new sites and bookmark them to stay up-to-date with the latest economic and Chamber news.
September 7, 2009 - Congratulations to Our Winners
The Farmville Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Golf Tournament on Friday, September 18 at the Farmville Golf and Country Club. After a lunch of Subway sandwiches with chips provided by Pot of Gold Vendors, fourteen teams teed off for an afternoon of golf. Congratulations to the following winners of the Superball tournament.
First Flight - First Place (sponsored by Farmville Internal Medicine, P.A.)
Dr. Enrique Marana, Billy Parker, Paul Powers and Stephen West
First Flight - Second Place (sponsored by Jack A. Farrior, Inc.)
Joe Jenkins, Jerry Smith, Bob Beasley and Bill Thompson
Second Flight - First Place (sponsored by BB&T)
Kenny Baker, Richard Hicks, Fred Wood and Bobby Evans, Jr.
Second Flight - Second Place (sponsored by Passport Door & Dock Systems)
Dan Hickman, David Callihan, Kevin Wainwright and Patrick Hobbs
Closest to the Pin winners were Mike Baucom and David Callihan. Longest Drive winners were Donnie Greene and Joe Jenkins.
The Chamber of Commerce would like to thank its sponsors and contributors: Alliance One International (Grand Sponsor) and Physician’s East and Mestek (Major Sponsors), along with our
Corporate Team/Hole Sponsors:
BB&T
Farmville Funeral Home
Farmville Internal Medicine, PA
Mark W. Owens, Jr. & Mark W. Owens, III
Corporate Team Sponsors:
American Auto Sales
ElectiCities of NC, Inc.
Heath Plumbing Company
Jack A. Farrior Steelworks, Inc.
Passport Door & Dock Systems
Individual Teams:
Paul Allen, Mike Marengo, Hal Gordon and Paul Bryant
Van Gurkins, P.J. Tess, Tommy Hardy, Bill Powell
Marty Hobgood, Mike Baucom, Tommy Cobb, Walter Jessup
Corporate Hole Sponsors:
Aycock Family Eye Care
Brann & Sons Heating and Air Conditioning
Carolina Meter and Supply
Davis Enterprises/F.M.Davis, Sr. Heirs
Dixie Queen Seafood Restaurant
Drs. Warren & Hardee, P.A.
Farrior & Sons, Inc.
Griffis Development, Inc.
Kue’s Pharmacy
Lewis & Associates
McDavid Associates, Inc.
Piggly Wiggly of Farmville
Power Services
Subway
Willow Grove Animal Clinic
Thanks also goes to BB&T, Bank of America, Black Beard's Guns, Edward Jones Investments, Farm Bureau Insurance, Farmville Hardware, Hobbs Insurance Agency, and Kue's Pharmacy for contributing raffle items, and to Coastal Beverage Company for providing beverages.
As always, we would not be able to conduct our events without volunteers. Assisting the Chamber this year were: Charlotte Batton, Bert Smith, Lynn Clevinger and Steven Hardy-Braz. A special thank you to Mike Hooks and the Farmville Golf and Country Club.
The tournament is an annual fund raising event for the Chamber of Commerce with the proceeds benefiting general operating expenses. We consider this year's event a success!