CHAMBER, LEADERSHIP GROUP BOAST
AT ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP BANQUET
Chamber Banquet, Part Two
By TERESA N. SETTLE
Tennessee Express News Writer
Photos by MIKE DAVIS
* When the Houston County Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual membership
banquet Oct. 21 at Tennessee Ridge National Guard Armory, there was much to
brag about.
* Chamber President Dana Miller welcomed over 200 attendees before Kathy
Parchman gave the invocation.
* “Thank you for this day... this gathering. We thank you, dear Lord, for this
group, this community. We thank you for the love and fellowship we all share,”
Parchman prayed.
* Everyone then enjoyed a prime rib dinner made by George Powell and the
Southernaire Restaurant, McKinnon. The meal included salad, baked potatoes,
bread, and dessert. Among the many desserts was homemade banana pudding by
Erin’s own Byde Simpson.
* Chamber members and guests also enjoyed Irish music and the
Leadership/Chamber Three-Star Display, along with fall colors and table
decorations of gourds, leaf and flower arrangements, and candlelit centerpieces.
* After the meal, Tonnie Trotter, with the Tennessee Department of Economic
Development, invited any interested members of the community to attend
“Strategic Planning Meetings” for continued three-star community re-
certification.
* There will be two meetings in November: one at Stewart Community Center on
Nov. 16 at 7 p.m. and one at Tennessee Ridge Elementary School on Nov. 22 at 7
p.m.
* Trotter said a five-year plan is to be drafted with goals, objectives and
steps outlined to reach the goals for our community. The public is encouraged
to attend. {See the bottom of this article for a survey you can complete to
help with this.}
* Phil Armor with the Greater Nashville Regional Council made a special
presentation to the Chamber for their Tennessee River Trails Association
partnership. The organization, composed of nine counties, promotes tourism on
both sides of the Tennessee River.
ENJOYING THE EVENING
* There was an eclectic cross-section represented at the banquet, from local
dignitaries, students, and retirees.
* Among the local dignitaries and business owners were Houston County Mayor
George E. Clark, Erin Mayor Rhyne Largent, 2004 Lord High Mayor Roland Roby,
Larry Rowlett, Chairman of the Stewart-Houston Industrial Park Board, Houston
County Trustee Anne Baggett, Houston County Highway Superintendent Gary Booker,
Standard Gypsum CEO Rick Daugherty, TVA General Manager Bud Hancock, Mitch
Mitchum of Mitchum Drug, and Tim and Bryon Cleghern of Cleghern’s Piggly Wiggly.
* There were also first-time banquet attendants. Willie and Sue Herron used to
visit Houston County when they had a fish camp near Danville. It was quiet and
peaceful, so they eventually retired from Hendersonsville and now call
Tennessee Ridge their home.
* Jim and Janice Byars, also of Tennessee Ridge, were first-timers as well.
* “We think it’s really good,” the Byars said about moving the annual event to
Tennessee Ridge instead of having it at Erin City Hall (where it had almost
outgrown the space). The couple enjoyed the event and were invited by Erin
Police Chief Tommy Parchman and his wife Peggy.
* [The event is a] good place to meet people,” said Peggy. Chief Parchman also
agreed that there was more space in the armory for the event.
* Jim is a member of the new 2005 Leadership Houston County class.
* “I think it’s a good program,” he said. “More people should get involved in
it.”
* Sitting not too far away from them was TVA General Manager Bud Hancock and
his wife, Fonda, who teaches at TRES. Bud is the President of the Leadership
2005 class, which will graduate in June.
* He took a moment to explain a little about the leadership class. They met
recently for a weekend retreat at the Shamrock Club on White Oak and have great
plans.
* “The focus [on the retreat] was team-building,” he said, adding that the 2005
Leadership Class is a diverse group with retirees, people with business
backgrounds, teachers, etc.
* “We’re getting to learn a lot about the community that living here I haven’t
been exposed to,” he said, such as getting a personal tour of the courthouse,
the water treatment plant, and the new jail.
* The group is currently trying to develop a project that will be beneficial to
the community.
MORE ON LEADERSHIP
* During the chamber program, Randall French, President of the Houston County
Leadership Alumni, spoke briefly about the goal of the Leadership Classes. He
recognized Vice-President Tim Cleghern, along with members of the Board of
Directors.
* He also recognized all of the 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005 Leadership Class
members. There are 45 alumni and 15 students.
* “This fourth year has activited a number of people that wanted to become
involved [in the community],” he said, adding that Mary Chappell serves as
coordinator.
* He took a moment to remember Bobby Pitts, a respected member of the community
who passed away last year and was a Leadership alumni.
* “One of the major projects of the alumni has been the three-star program,”
French said, recalling that when state officials first came to Houston County
to discuss the possibility of participating, the officials were doubtful that
Houston County could do it.
* “Kathy Parchman jumped up and made a motion [to go for it],” French said, and
the rest is history.
* French also bragged about what a great presentation Houston County had at the
Governor’s conference recently.
* Other leadership endeavors have included beautification at the courthouse and
landfill, cleaning up an area of the lime kiln, music on the square, and plans
to put picnic tables and a walking trail at the lime kiln/quarry area.
NEW OFFICERS
* Finally it was time for Russ James to give a report from the nominating
committee for next year’s officers and board of directors. Stepping down as
President this year is Dana Miller, who was recognized with a plaque and a very
touching poem read by Bettye McKinnon.
* “This has been a wild, wonderful year,” Miller said. “I thought I knew what I
was getting into... but this has been the most difficult, but most rewarding
year.”
* Miller said it was a group effort and that this has been a labor of love for
her.
* Stepping up at Chamber President is Becky Averitt.
* I do appreciate your confidence,” Averitt stated upon accepting the
nomination. “I am going to count on all of you.”
* Averitt encouraged anyone, whether or not they are a member of the Chamber,
to volunteer to help with community events they might be interested in.
* “Don’t be bashful,” she said. “We need you all year long.”
* Diane Lynch will serve as Chamber Vice-President; Teresa Mitchell will serve
as secretary; and Anne Baggett will remain the treasurer.
* Kristy Spurgeon addressed the members at the close of the banquet to explain
and recognize membership dues. Individual memberships are $25. Silver business
memberships are $25 plus $5 per employee ($50 maximum); Gold members are $75;
and Emerald are $100.
* Becky’s husband Phil auctioned off a five-gun cabinet (donated by Furniture
Warehouse of Cumberland City) to benefit the banquet, then door prizes were
awarded. Many went home with Houston County-grown mums or other fall
arrangements and items donated by area businesses and individuals.
*******
What do you envision for the future of Houston County?
You are encouraged to respond about the following categories:
1. Jobs; 2. Education; 3. Beautification;
4. Economic Development; 5. Tourism;
6. Retail Development; and 7. Agri-Tourism.
What steps should we take to achieve your vision in the above areas?
Send your comments to the Houston County Library, P.O. Box 183, Erin, TN 37061,
or contact the Houston County UT Extension Office at 289-3242 for more
information.
MORE PHOTOS
Updates on the County Courthouse are complete and a beautiful new clock adorns the front of the building.
Saturday,