By Stephen Smoot
After a spring and summer highlighted with fun activities, the Pendleton County Chamber of Commerce has no intention of slowing down as fall and the holiday season looms. Last week, the regular monthly meeting was held to continue work on upcoming events and other organizational business.
This fall, the Chamber will move its annual dinner to Circleville and make some changes to the usual format. Mountain Cajun Getaways, which hosted a Chamber Meet and Greet for the new West Virginia University Extension agent, will host. It will take place at 6 p.m. on Oct. 3.
“It’s a great spot,” said Elizabeth Scott, executive director.
Unlike recent years, the chamber will bring a more family friendly and less formal tone to the annual dinner. Scott said, “It will be more of a family-friendly, laid back, family picnic style event where you can bring your kids.”
Food options will include hot dogs, hamburgers, different prepared salads, and a variety of desserts. While drink tickets will remain available for attendees, non-alcoholic drinks will also be provided. A small podium will be set up for live entertainment and presenting awards.
Scott said “It’s going to be in October . . . getting away from the holidays and hunting season” with the hope of expanding turnout even more.
Also, “Tasha and Isaac (Sponaugle) would like to bring their mobile bar,” added Scott.
The chamber board also discussed their plans for filling chests with prizes for the treasure hunt at the Treasure Mountain Festival. The grand prize donation has already come from Pendleton Community Bank with others to come. Scott donated items from her own business as well.
Also, the chamber board shared ideas on providing fall-themed decorations to highlight the Welcome to Franklin signs some time prior to TMF.
In other business, Scott reviewed the bingo fundraiser held the previous Saturday night. She reported that the event “cleared $700” with approximately 30 playing.
Board members then discussed the success of the Main Street Beautification project, despite damage inflicted on one of the hanging flower baskets gracing the streets of Franklin. They approved a gift certificate to reward Roger and Diana Kimble for invaluable help in maintaining them.
The chamber and Town of Franklin finalized their joint agreement in renting out use of a large stage recently procured by both. Highland County expressed interest in renting the stage for future events, necessitating some changes to the original draft.
She also shared that the chamber continued to enjoy success in membership recruitment. The board set the original goal for memberships at $10,000, but in the past year blew past that to a current level of $15,700. The chamber also received its regular grant funding tied to the administration of Trout Fest.
