Easley Hosts Big League Baseball World Series for 10th Year

Easley proudly hosts the Big League Baseball World Series for the 10th consecutive year July 28-Aug 4. Eleven teams from around the world meet in Easley to compete for the title of World Champions. Teams from Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Canada, Mexico, and Europe-Middle East-Africa will make up the International Pool. The US Pool will be represented by teams from the East, West, Southwest, Southeast, Central, and the local host team representing SC District 1. Big League is a division of Little League International. The players age range from 16-18 years old.

Each year, the series grows in popularity, as changes are made to continually improve the event. This year is no exception. On Aug 4th, the championship game played in “Prime Time”. ESPN will televise the championship game under the lights for the first time.

So while other towns slow down in the heat of the summer, Easley pulls out all the stops and comes together to create an experience to last a lifetime. The shops of Easley see new customers. The hotels welcome guests from near and far. The restaurants in town will introduce their local cuisine. All because the boys of summer come to Easley, SC to play a game. All because of the Big League Baseball World Series.

BLWS Schedule:

• July 27th Fan Fest – Homerun Derby and Free Concert; ‘Boys like Girls’
• July 28 – Aug 2 World Series Pool Play
• Aug 3 Pool Championship Games
• Aug 4 Championship Game Live on ESPN2, 8:00pm

In this issue…

• Page 2: President’s Corner, July Calendar of Events, Business of the Month
• Page 3: Welcome New Members, Member Renewals, Business After Hours Scheduled, Ambassador of the Month, Powdersville Council Luncheon
• Page 4: Leadership Pickens County Graduates 14, Powdersville Council Takes Part in Saluda River Rally, Business After Hours
• Page 5: Powdersville Self Storage Holds Ribbon Cutting, Tri Tech USA Hosts Manufacturers’ Group
• Page 6: Spotlight on… Maynard’s Home Furnishings
• Page 7: Searching For a Good Night’s Sleep?

17th Annual Easley Chamber Golf Tournament a success!

With nineteen (19) teams and ten (10) sponsors on the tee boxes, participation was great for the 17th Annual Easley Chamber of Commerce golf tournament and business expo held at Smithfields Country Club on May 4. Lunch was provided by Bellacino’s and the steak dinner was prepared by Applebee’s.

Miss South Carolina, Kelly Sloan, Miss South Carolina Teen, Ali Rogers, and Miss Easley, Maegan Garner helped in the awards presentation as well as having photographs with each team.

For the first time, each team was professionally photographed by Southern Wesleyan University and quickly developed by Wal-Mart of Easley and the framed photography given to the team members at the awards banquet.

Southern Wesleyan University had four (4) of their golf team members on hole #5. Tournament players could purchase a drive from the SWU team member. They were routinely driving 290 yards.

Winning teams were:

Professional Flooring: Left to right: Kevin Chappell, Maegan Garner- Miss Easley, Ken Palmer, Wade Dodgens, Eric Chappell, Kelly Sloan-Miss SC

First Place: Professional Flooring – Kevin Chappell, Eric Chappell, Wade Dodgens, Ken Palmer
 

Second Award: TriCounty Technical College – John Lummus, Chase Christopher, Joe Hooper, John Powell

Third Award: Duke Energy – Emily DeRoberts, Mike Wilson, Scott Miller, Mike Panasko

Closest to pin given by CommunitySouth Bank: Ken Palmer
Longest driven given by SC Telco Federal Credit Union: Matt Porter

The 33 Tournament sponsors were:

17th annual golf tournament sponsors: Left: Ali Rogers, Miss SC Teen, right: Kelly Sloan, Miss South Carolina

Platinum Level

• Sulzer Process Pumps
• CPM Federal Credit Union
• Carlton Motorcars
• Signature Point Apartment Homes
• TriCounty Technical College
• Servpro
• City of Easley
• Duke Energy
• Easley Combined Utilities
• Baptist Easley Hospital
• Easley Living Center

Gold Level

• Greenwave Travel
• Southern Wesleyan University
• The People’s National Bank
• Garrison Tax and Business Service
• SunTrust Bank
• Wal-Mart
• Sardi’s Den
• Charter Business
• BB&T
• Dixie Lumber
• Sweet Creations
• Coca Cola
• Bilo
• Kevin Whitaker Chevrolet
• Verdae Green Golf Club
• Brights Creek Golf Club
• Sharp Business Solutions
• Techtronic Industries
• Land Rover of Greenville
• Allstate – Michael Dent agency
• CommunitySouth Bank
• SC Telco Federal Credit Union

CPM – “Anchor Team”: Left to right: Marc Metcalf, Drew Posta, Bill Billingham, Abe Emory

VIEW ALL 2010 GOLF PHOTOS>>> 

In this issue…

• Page 2: President’s Corner, June Calendar of Events, Business of the Month
• Page 3: Welcome New Members, Member Renewals, Business After Hours Scheduled, Ambassador of the Month
• Page 4: 3rd Thursday Luncheon, United Way Day of Action
• Page 6: Spotlight on… Easley Periodontics, Business After Hours, Valentin Occasions opens, Washington Issues Forum
• Page 7: Kevin Hill Allstate Agency Joins Easley Chamber, Meals on Wheels Holds Ribbon Cutting 

For relocating families it highlights the recreation, library facility, schools, hospitals, real estate information, veterinarians, and lists important telephone numbers newcomers would need. It gives some Easley history as well as some facts on the community. New for the brochure are two testimonials from newcomer families, Tina Shelp and Jean Hohenberger, talking about why they moved to Easley.

“This is a quality publication with many photos that will stand out among other brochures on a rack,” stated Kent Dykes, President of the Easley Chamber. “It will be distributed to SC Visitors’ Centers, local hotels, and public areas, as well as the Chamber Visitors’ Center.”

Brian Spears of Discovery Media designed the brochure and it was printed locally by Martin Printing.

In this issue…

• Page 2: President’s Corner, May Calendar of Events
• Page 3: Welcome New Members, Member Renewals, Business After Hours Scheduled, Ambassador of the Month
• Page 4: 3rd Thursday Luncheon, Business of the Month
• Page 6: Signature Pointe Holds Ribbon Cutting, Interim Healthcare Celebrates 30 Years
• Page 7: Palmetto State Chiropractic joins Powdersville Council, Powdersville Council Luncheon, Regional Business After Hours

17th Annual Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament & Business Expo at Smithfield’s Country Club

Spring is in the air and the golf bug is on the move! Don’t miss the 17th Annual Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament and Business Expo on May 4th at Smithfield’s Country Club. Lunch provided by Bellacino’s and steak dinner provided by Applebee’s.

Be a part of the best golf tournament in Easley! Make plans to join Miss South Carolina 2010, Miss Easley 2010 & Miss Easley Teen 2010 (provided by Garrison Business & Tax Services). Sponsorships are still available but are going fast. Contact the Chamber office for more information! 859-2693 CALL TODAY!

Thank you to the following sponsors:

• City of Easley
• Coca Cola
• Easley Combined Utilities
• Duke Energy
• Dunlop Sporting Goods
• Tri-County Technical College
• Carlton Mercedes Benz
• CPM Federal Credit Union
• Charter Business
• Easley Living Center
• Baptist Easley Hospital
• The Peoples National Bank
• Southern Wesleyan University
• SunTrust
• Garrison Business & Tax Service
• BB&T
• Sharp Business Systems
• SC Telco Federal Credit Union
• Techtronic Industries North America

In this issue…

• Page 2: President’s Corner, April Calendar of Events
• Page 3: Welcome New Members, Member Renewals, Business of the Month, Ambassador of the Month
• Page 4: 3rd Thursday Luncheon, Business After Hours
• Page 6: Powdersville Council Luncheon, SWU Hosts Countywide Tourism Summit
• Page 7: Spotlight on… American General Financial Services, Wayne Kaye & Associates
• Join Easley Chamber, Business After Hours Scheduled

Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce 62nd Annual Gala

Left to right Emily DeRoberts (Duke Energy), Richard H. Gettys, Maegan Garner & Joel Ledbetter (Combined Utilities)

Left to right Chris Mann, Sid Collins (YMCA), Rep. Phil Owens

The 62nd Annual Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce Awards Gala was held on Saturday, February 6, 2010, at Southern Wesleyan University. At the “Red Carpet Event” attendees were treated like stars walking down the red carpet while being photographed by paparazzi.

Dr. David Spittal, President of Southern Wesleyan, gave the invocation followed by a “Red Carpet Dinner Buffet” and recognition of the outgoing board of directors: Stan Brooks, Ginnye Lusk, Danny Youngblood, David Whittemore and Jeff Willis. The first award of the evening was “2009 Volunteer of the Year”, presented to Pam Jeter of First Citizens Bank. Pam has gone “above and beyond” the call as chairperson of the Easley Chamber Ambassadors, with her time and energies donated to Easley Chamber events.

The “2009 Ambassador of the Year” award was presented by Pam Jeter to Ronny Hall of the Bynum Financial Group. Ronny excelled in achieving the most contacts with chamber members, attending chamber functions and helping with chamber events.

The “2009 Business of the Year” award was presented to the Pickens County YMCA by Roddey Gettys from Baptist Easley Hospital, the award recipient for 2008. The Chamber Board of Directors selected the YMCA from among the twelve (12) Businesses of the Month for 2009. The YMCA launched the highly successful “Save a Life” program, due to community drownings. The YMCA hosted the 2009 Carolina YMCA State Championship Swim Meet with over 300 swimmers in attendance. The YMCA provided over $43,000 in financial aid to the community in 2009 and reached a new record of 10,000 members in June of 2009. To say they are community minded would be an understatement.

The Duke Citizenship Award was presented by Emily DeRoberts, Duke Energy, and Joel Ledbetter, Easley Combined Utilities. Richard H. Gettys was the recipient of this year’s award because of his outstanding contributions to his community, his state and the nation. Dick Gettys served as a commissioner of Easley Combined Utilities for 42 years and has been a key driver in the construction of utility infrastructure for the city of Easley that has allowed its recent growth.

Eric Goodwin, Chairman of the Easley Chamber Board for 2009, “Passed the Gavel” to Alex Dye of The People’s National Bank, who will be Chairman of the Board for 2010.

The surprise speaker for the Gala was nationally acclaimed entertainer Durwood Fincher also known as “Mr. Double Talk”. Check out the video interviews on YouTube.

The Easley Chamber of Commerce gratefully acknowledges the presenting sponsors for this year’s gala:

• City of Easley
• Duke Energy
• Easley Combined Utilities
• Garrison Business & Tax Services
• Easley Living Center
• The Peoples National Bank
• Southern Wesleyan University
• SunTrust Bank
• Occasions at Wedgefield
• Albright Associates Tax & Bookkeeping
• Baptist Easley Hospital
• Charter Business
• Alice Manufacturing
• CommunitySouth Bank & Trust
• Easley Dental Center
• The Palmetto Bank
• SC Telco Credit Union

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In this issue…

CLICK HERE to download the entire March 2010 CHAMBER NOTES as a PDF file

Easley Mayor Larry Bagwell to give ‘State of the City’ Address

Mayor Larry Bagwell will present the annual “State of the City” address on Thursday, February 18th at the 3rd Thursday Easley Chamber of Commerce Luncheon held at Dunburks Premier Events from 11:45 am – 1:00 pm. Dunburks Premier Events is located at 110 S. Pendleton Street in downtown Easley. Please join us at Dunburks Premier Events on Thursday, February 18th for this important event. Reservations only by February 16th to 859-2693. $15-Members $18-Non-members.

What: Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce 3rd Thursday luncheon featuring speaker Mayor Larry Bagwell delivering annual “State of the City” address
When: Thursday, February 18 —11:45 a.m.- 1p.m.
Where: Dunburks Premier Events in Easley
Cost: $15 for Chamber members, $18 for non-members
To RSVP: Contact Easley Chamber of Commerce at (864) 859-2693 by February 16

In this issue…

• Page 2: President’s Corner, February Calendar of Events
• Page 3: Welcome New Members, Member Renewals, Business of the Month
• Page 4: New Intern at Chamber, Business After Hours
• Page 5: Ambassador of the Month, 3rd Thursday Luncheon
• Page 6: Chamber Co-Sponsors Washington Issues Trip
• Page 7: Watson to Speak at Powdersville Luncheon, Business After Hours Scheduled
• Page 8-9: Spotlight on… Interim Healthcare, Marathon Church
• And more…

CLICK HERE to download the entire February 2010 CHAMBER NOTES as a PDF file

The Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce requests the pleasure of your company to attend a red carpet evening to celebrate the accomplishments of 2009. Wear your bow tie and fancy dress as we walk the red carpet together.

Jack Roper to speak at 3rd Thursday luncheon

Jack Roper to speak on Positive Attitude to the Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce January 21.

The Easley Chamber of Commerce’s January luncheon will be at DunBurks Premier Events at 110 South Pendleton Street, Easley from 12:00-1:00 PM on Thursday, January 21. Lunch is $15. Jack Roper of WSPA will be our speaker. RSVP is required to 859-2693 or ecc@easleychamber.org by January 19.

Jack Roper is one half of Your Carolina with Jack and Kimberly on channel 7 as well as the weather anchor of WSPA Channel 7. Jack has been awarded the South Carolina Broadcasters Association’s Local Broadcast Personality of the Year award three times. Locally, readers of the Greenville News have also chosen him as Favorite Upstate Television Personality for two years. In 2003, Jack received an Emmy for his weather presentation in the News Channel 7 5pm newscast. Jack is also the on air host for News Channel 7’s Caring for the Carolinas Campaign.

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In this issue

• Page 2: President’s Corner, January Calendar of Events
• Page 3: Welcome New Members, Member Renewals, Business of the Month
• Page 4: “Taste of Easley” and “Festival of Trees” huge success
• Page 5: Miss Easley tours Chamber, Dreaming of starting your own business?
• Page 6: Manufacturers’ luncheon
• Page 8: FibrenewTM franchise joins Easley Chamber, Robinson Funeral Home honored by BBB
• Page 11: Spotlight on… Human Technologies, Inc., Subway on Fleetwood Drive

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CLICK HERE to download the entire January 2010 CHAMBER NOTES as a PDF file

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Click HERE to Learn How to Advertise in Chamber Notes

In this issue

• Page 2: President’s Corner, December Calendar of Events, Welcome New Members
• Page 3: Baptist Easley wins national satisfaction award, Member Renewals,
• Page 4: Business after Hours, Ambassador of the Month, 3rd Thursday luncheon,
• Page 5: Business of the Month, Easley Chamber speed networking
• Page 6: Powdersville Council 1st Annual Golf Tourney a Success
• Page 7: Excellence in business series begins in Powdersville
• Pages 8-11: Spotlight on… Foothills Playhouse, 605 W. Main, Given Innovation joins Easley Chamber, Chamber member named president of SCATR

Easley Chamber membership elects five new directors for 2010

Five chamber members were elected to the Easley Board of Directors for a three year term beginning January 2010. They will replace current board members — David Whittemore, Ginnye Lusk, Danny Youngblood, Jeff Willis, and Stan Brooks who will be completing their three year terms in January.

The new directors are:

Gordon A. Brush – Powdersville Water District
Gordon is the Director of Finance and Administration at Powdersville Water District. He received his bachelor’s degree in accounting from Bob Jones University in 1982 and his CPA designation in 1986. He is currently vice-chair of the Powdersville Council of the Easley Chamber and is a member of the Ambassadors.

Michael Dent – Allstate Insurance/the Michael Dent Agency
He started his insurance and financial services career 13 years ago and now owns two agencies in South Carolina. Michael attended Winthrop College and then served six years active duty in the United States Marine Corps. Michael has been an active member of the Chamber. In 2006 he was elected to the Easley Board of Directors and is a past chairman of the board.

Tracy Martin – CommunitySouth Bank & Trust
Tracy serves as Vice President and Community Banker for Easley based CommunitySouth Bank & Trust. In her position she is responsible for developing, managing and expanding consumer and business banking relationships. Tracy has been with CommunitySouth since the Bank opened in 2005, and has more than 21 years of banking experience. Tracy is an Easley Chamber ambassador and has been an Ambassador of the Month.

Todd Merriss – Dixie Lumber Company
Todd is the General Manager of Dixie Lumber Company in Easley and attends Marathon Church in Powdersville. Currently, he’s Chairman for the Southern Builders Material Association (SBMA); a trade association serving lumber dealers and associates in NC, SC, TN and Virginia. Todd has served on the SBMA board since 2006, is past President of the Kiwanis Club of Hatteras Island. He’s a graduate of North Carolina State University with a BBA.

Dr. Brian Swords – Tri-County Technical College
Brian Swords is the Director of Operations and Business Analyst for Tri-County Technical College’s Corporate & Community Education Division. Brian received his undergraduate degree in Business
Administration from Southern Wesleyan; his Masters’ and Doctorate degrees are from Clemson. He has served on the Pickens County Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and Liberty Recreation Board for over ten years. He is currently Co-Chair of Leadership Pickens County.

In this issue…

Page 2: President’s Corner, November Calendar of Events
Page 3: Welcome New Members, Member Renewals
Page 4: Business of the Month, Ambassador of the Month
Page 5: 3rd Thursday Luncheon, Chambers of Commerce celebrate new welcome center
Page 6: Powdersville Council 1st Annual Golf Tourney a Success
Page 7: Powdersville Council Luncheon
Page 8: Professional Flooring holds ribbon cutting, The Mad Hatter opens in downtown Easley
Page 9: Easley Chamber welcomes new school teachers, Ethan Ware addresses Manufacturing Luncheon
And much more…

Dr. Henry Hunt to speak at 3rd Thursday Chamber Luncheon in October

The Superintendent of the School District of Pickens County, Dr. Henry Hunt, will speak at the October 15 meeting of the Easley Chamber of Commerce. The luncheon meeting will be held at the Captain Kimberly Hampton Library in Easley at 12:00 noon.

Dr. Henry Hunt has worked in the School District of Pickens County for 38 years and in 2009, Dr. Hunt was chosen Superintendent of the School District. He will speak to the group about his plans for the school system as the new superintendent.

Event Details:
What: Greater Easley Chamber of Commerce 3rd Thursday luncheon featuring speaker Dr. Henry Hunt
When: Thursday, October 15, at noon
Where: Captain Kimberly Hampton Memorial Library in Easley
To RSVP: Contact Easley Chamber of Commerce at (864) 859-2693.

In this issue

Page 2: President’s Corner, October Calendar of Events
Page 3: Welcome New Members, Member Renewals, Business of the Month
Page 4: Powdersville Council Luncheon, 3rd Thursday Luncheon, Business after Hours held at Countryside Village
Page 5: Local companies set pace for United Way of Pickens County campaign, Albright Associates holds ribbon cutting
Page 6: The Hayes Agency holds, ribbon cutting ceremony, New Smart Storage units open on Saco Lowell Rd., Easley Electric joins Easley Chamber
Page 7: Spotlight on… Shadowbrook & Brookfall apartments and Travel World