September 2007 Newsletter
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LABOR DAY WEEKEND FIRE - DOWNTOWN MOUNT AIRY
A reminder that tax deductible donations may be made by sending a check to Mt. Airy Disaster Relief Fund, P.O. Box 53, Mt. Airy, MD 21771 or monetary donations can be dropped off at Town Hall or New Windsor State Bank.
 
SEPTEMBER MEMBERSHIP MEETING
Our monthly membership meeting will be held on Thursday September 6th at 8am at the Mt Airy Fire Hall (corner of Watersville Rd and Main St, park at the rear/lower level and enter through the back doors).
We will have our usual hour of introductions, committee reports, and discussions of new and old business.
The Nominating Committee will nominate a slate of officers and accept other nominations at this meeting, ahead of October's election.
Remember that minutes of all our monthly meetings can be found on the Chamber website at www.mtairybusiness.com
Every month members also get to see all the advertising, newspaper coverage and correspondence for the past month.

SEPTEMBER CARD EXCHANGE
Our next Business Card Exchange will be held Thursday September 13th,  5pm to 7pm, at Mount Airy Animal Hospital, 1308 South Main Street (that's just north of the Food Lion shopping center).

MEMBERSHIP REPORT
The following two new businesses joined in August:
EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS.
LIFE DIRECTIONS, LLC
Our membership count currently stands at 365.
[Membership Committee Chair Dennis Emerson, Sherman Emerson Insurance.]

BUSINESS CARD EXCHANGE REPORT
Thank you to Joe Greenville and all his staff at the Damascus Community Bank for hosting our August business card exchange.
With over 50 people in attendance (27 members and 23 visitors) it was a very well attended event with lots of new faces!
Thank you to door prize donors: Ledo's Pizza, Eric Smock HVAC, Costco, Recomm Inc, Bezalel Designs and Damascus Community Bank (and congratulations to $50 savings bond winner John Beck of KCH Business Solutions!).
And thank you also to Diana and Jim Mahoney of Ledo Pizza Damascus & Frederick, for providing delicious pizza and pasta for all.

NEW MEMBER ORIENTATION - SEPTEMBER
Immediately following the September 6th 8am General Chamber of Commerce meeting, a New Member Orientation will be held in the same location.
All new members are invited to attend this informative session, which is expected to start by 9:15am, and will end before 10am.
We want to remind you of the importance of having a description of your business on our website. This is a fabulous benefit of chamber membership.
[Ellie Bonde, Chair, Ambassador Committee]

OCTOBER ELECTION
The Nominating Committee reminds members of the upcoming election process. At the September meeting it will nominate a slate of officers and accept other nominations through that date.
At the October meeting it will supervise elections involving all those nominated, as above. (Prior to the October meeting and election, the committee will ensure that ballots are distributed in accordance with the Chamber's by-laws.)
[Bob Cage, Nominating Committee Chair]

AFTER HOURS JOINT CHAMBER CELEBRATION
Thursday, October 4th 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Ribbon Cutting at 5:00 p.m. at Linganore Wine Cellars 13601 Glissans Mill Rd., Mt. Airy There is no cost to attend. Please register by September 28th. Call Leslie Brenneman at 301.644.1483 or send an email to w330mkt01@costco.com.
Join us for a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for the beautiful new banquet facility at Linganore Wine Cellars.
We'll network with members of the Frederick County Chamber, sample Linganore's delicious wine selections, and enjoy refreshments provided by CarterQue Barbeque, Super Suppers, Ledo Pizza, Cafe 611, Carrabba's and Macaroni Grill.
Door prizes will be provided by Costco, The Greene Turtle, Macaroni Grill, Challedon Golf, Carrabba's, Adventure Park, PNC Bank, Ledo Pizza, Linganore Winery, and Cafe 611. Music will be provided by Hearty Party Entertainment.
 Please remember to bring your drivers license if you would like to participate in the wine tasting.  [Leslie Brenneman, Social Committee Chair]

PLANNING AHEAD FOR 2008
Our annual Planning Meting will be held Tuesday, October 30th from 11-3 at Lorien Assisted Living.
Please RSVP to Aaron Kahn (800-779-6285) no later than October 15th. All are welcomed!

CHAMBER WEBSITE SPONSORS
The following four Chamber members have taken sponsorships of the Chamber website:
The Tim Barkley Law Office
BDG Entrepreneurial Services
The BeneFit Company
Plain English Writing & Design
If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please contact Keir Knight at (301) 829-1982 or klknight@pipeline.com

LIBRARY RESOURCE CENTER
The Mount Airy branch of the Carroll County Public Library has a new Business Resource Center sponsored by the Chamber.
The area features Chamber information, Phone Books, fliers and folders from other local business groups and organizations. It also features all the business magazines and periodicals held by the library, and a constantly updated selection of business-related books.
There are also plans to build a workstation area for laptop use.
The center is designed for use by those already in business, and as an aid for those looking to set up a new business.
The Mount Airy Library serves people from all four counties.

GOLF TOURNAMENTS
The Chamber website has a page dedicated to promoting local golf tournaments. Please check out the page if you'd like to find a tournament to play (the majority are fundraisers).
Please also contact DJ Fenton, Stauffer Funeral Homes, at (301) 829-9410 if you have information on an upcoming event that you would like to share.

CARROLL CO SCHOOLS FUNDRAISER
On October 12th The Carroll County Public Schools Education  Foundation will be holding its first annual Shining Star Tribute Gala at Martin's West in Westminster, Maryland.
The guest of honor is Governor William Donald Schaefer. He has been a strong supporter of Carroll County schools during his years serving in Maryland government.
The guest list will be a Who's Who of Governor Schaefer's personal friends including Brooks Robinson, Artie Donovan, Governor Bob & Kendall Erlich etc.
Details and PDF forms can be found here: http://www.ccpsfoundation.org/

PHONE BOOKS
Copies of the Mount Airy Phone Book are available at all Chamber meetings and events. Copies can also be found at the Mount Airy Library on Ridge Avenue, and at Town Hall on Main Street.

HELP WANTED
The Blossom and Basket Boutique is looking for a delivery driver  and the Firehouse Pottery Co is looking for part-time help.
To learn more please visit our e-mail group:
http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/mtairybusinessgeneral/

CHAMBER FOLDERS
The Greater Mt Airy Chamber of Commerce now has pocket folders available for all members to use. The glossy folders include four interior sheets: committee descriptions, Chamber events, leadership and an application form.
The folders are available at all Chamber events and meetings  or by contacting Ambassadors Committee Chair Ellie Bonde of the Blossom & Basket Boutique at (301) 831-0010.
They are perfect to use to introduce potential members to the Chamber.

INFO TO SHARE?
If you have information you would like to share with other Chamber members  either through the monthly newsletter, the Chamber website, or Yahoo e-mail lists  please contact Advertising & Marketing Committee Chair Keir Knight of Plain English Writing & Design at (301) 829-1982 or klknight@pipeline.com