By LINDA CHEEKWilkes Chamber of Commerce president

A s your Chamber of Commerce, we feel that market-ing the communi-

ty is extremely important as this is what builds the relation-ships between businesses and customers.

Marketing helps attract the best employees to a company, which can also strengthen the company’s relationship with its clients. Marketing our com-munity brings in new people to live, work, invest or maybe just come for a visit.

How does your chamber mar-ket the county? The chamber utilizes a variety of marketing as there are so many different ways to promote and reach peo-ple. Marketing efforts include printed brochures, maps, web-sites, social media, magazines and publications, and feature articles in state and national publications and blogs.

Marketing is completed through the chamber network-ing with various associations such as US Chamber, Ameri-can Chamber of Commerce, North Carolina Chamber of Commerce, Carolinas Associa-tion of Chamber of Commerce Executives, North Carolina Di-vision of Tourism, Blue Ridge Parkway Association, High Country Host, and the Yadkin Valley Heritage Corridor.

Wilkes Chamber markets through two websites, www.WilkesChamber.com, a web-site dedicated to promoting our chamber membership, meetings and programming, and www.ExploreWilkes.com, a tourism promotion website which features a calendar of events, local attractions, ac-commodations, shopping, res-taurants, and other topics ap-plicable to the travel indus-try. Both websites include our membership database, promot-

ing members fi rst is a cham-ber’s top priority.

Through the chamber web-sites, members can purchase banner ad marketing on dif-ferent web pages. Banner ads appear with each view of the chamber website, averaging over 1,200 views monthly.

Wilkes Chamber is fully in-volved with social media mar-keting engaging Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Pinterest. Posting and re-posting content from member sites, maintaining fresh con-tent, and the inclusion of pho-tos and videos continuously brings viewers to our social me-dia marketing. Another way we market on the internet is with a monthly e-blasted newslet-ter, the “Chamber Connection.”

This e-blast features meet-ing schedules, event announce-ments, business briefs, new mem-ber listings and chamber member advertisements. The Chamber Connection is reaching over 2,000 viewers monthly and is posted on the www.wilkeschamber.com website for the entire month.

Wilkes Chamber marketing completes this quarterly news-letter in partnership with the

Wilkes Journal-Patriot. This newsletter is fi lled with new business openings, event an-nouncements, new chamber member news, and interest-ing articles. The newsletter is inserted in the Wilkes Jour-

nal-Patriot’s distribution of 15,000 and is featured online at www.wilkeschamber.com and at www.journalpatriot.com.

The Wilkes Chamber produc-es “Livability Wilkes,” an annu-al business magazine showcas-ing the community’s business and industry, tourism assets and activities, and the excel-lent quality of life available in our area. “Livability Wilkes” is distributed to all the N.C. Wel-come Centers and many of the N.C. Visitor Centers across the state. The magazine is included in each relocation and visitor packet we send and is a market-ing piece for Wilkes Economic Development Corporation and local real estate agencies. “Liv-ability Wilkes” is featured on the chamber website and on www.livability.com.

“Livabil ity Wilkes” had 26,838 viewing sessions in 2016, a 215 percent increase from the previous year. Ad sales for

“Livability Wilkes” are now in progress, contact Deshaun Go-odrich at dgoodrich@livmedia.com; 615-771-0080 for details.

Additional printed materials include a full color rack card featuring the travel and tourism amenities of Wilkes County. These rack cards are distrib-uted to N.C. Welcome Centers, visitor centers, at conferences, events, etc.

The chamber, in partner-ship with Main Street Market-ing, produces a tear-off map of Wilkes County. These smaller directional maps are distribut-ed at the chamber offi ce, NWNC Visitor Center, High Country Host offi ce, local hotels, restau-rants and various retail shops.

The chamber is currently partnering with Lunar Cow Publishing to produce an of-fi cial Wilkes County Map and Wine Guide. This map will in-clude updated streets and roads located within the county, eas-ing the travel for our visitors and newcomers. Ad sales for this map are now underway through Lunar Cow Publishing, email WilkesChamber@lunar-

ChamberNewsletterVolume 72, Issue 1 March 31, 2017

717 Main StreetNorth Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659

(336) 838-8662www.wilkesnc.org

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By TERRIE STACKHOUSEWilkes Chamber chairman

Spring has arrived! It is a season of new beginnings as fresh buds blossom and the beautiful scenery of Wilkes begins to unfold. It is the time of year when more sunshine equals longer days and warmer temperatures.

Many outdoor festivals and farmer’s markets kick off this time of year. I am energized and excited to be your 2017 Chamber of Com-merce chair. It is an honor and privilege to serve you.

Our theme for 2017, “Power of the Past, Force of the Future,” was announced during the annual membership celebration in Janu-ary. Wilkes County has a long his-tory of entrepreneurial spirit for growing businesses. The Cham-ber is anticipating another strong year of growth for Wilkes. Recent expansion announcements to in-crease employment include Tyson, Lowe’s Companies, and Samari-tan’s Purse, to name a few. Our county has seen growth in retail stores and restaurants, which en-courages people to stay local in-stead of driving out of town.

The Chamber has many events planned for this spring. Don’t for-get to add these dates to your cal-endar. April 27 is Chamber Night at MerleFest. There is another awe-some lineup for the four-day event celebrating its 30th year.

May 5 is Leadercast “Power by Pur-pose.” This great event at the Stone Center showcases an outstand-ing lineup of inspirational leaders.

May 25 is the Chamber’s annual golf tournament. It is a fun day to play golf while raising money for the Chamber Foundation.

May 11 is “Wilkes Women in Lead-ership.” This series of quarterly meet-ings brings together women of all ages and careers for a night out with fun, food and fellowship while pro-viding networking opportunities.

Be sure to watch for announce-ments regarding new member rib-bon cuttings and business-after-hours events.

As your chair, it is important to me that Wilkes businesses recog-nize the value that our Chamber brings to the community. Our mis-sion is to promote economic devel-opment and enhance the quality of life of all Wilkes County citizens.

Together, we can grow more business-to-business commerce and more opportunities for local networking. If you are not cur-rently a Chamber member, please consider joining in 2017 and be a part of the Force of the Future. Contact your Chamber at 336-838-8662 to learn more!

‘Power of the Past, Force of the Future’

TERRIE STACKHOUSEChamber Chairman

Your Chamber of Commerce is marketing Wilkes County

By LINDA CHEEKWilkes Chamber of Commerce president

W hat is Leadercast and why should you attend?

Leadercast is a one-of-a-kind event that brings

world- renowned leaders straight to our community via LIVE simulcast. These in-fl uential speakers can empower us with life-changing insights and inspire us to have a positive impact on our organiza-tion, community and beyond.

Leadercast is scheduled for Friday, May 5 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday May 5 at the Stone Family Performing Arts Center in the Wilkes County Schools Administration Building on Cherry Street, North Wilkesboro.

Tickets to attend are $75 and include lunch. Tickets can be purchased on the chamber website at www.wilkeschamber.com and click on Leadercast “Powered by Purpose” link.

In a recent article about Leadercast’s “Powered by Purpose” event, I read how being involved with Leadercast helped save one attendee’s job. Her story is worth read-ing as you too may relate to her situation.

“Recently we heard from a leader who

said that one of our videos might just have saved her job. She explained that she had been in a meeting, presenting the fi nal launch data for an innovative project she had been working on for nearly a year. The presentation was going well—her team had done their homework and it was clear this implementation could be a game-chang-er—when one of her senior executives re-marked, “We’ve tried things like this be-

fore and I don’t think it’s going to work.”Now we’ve all been in meetings with

naysayers—people who toss out negative comments but don’t offer helpful guidance, actual user research or an alternate so-lution. She knew she had to speak up be-cause she had seen this before—some peo-ple in the room would start nodding their

Leadercast is May 5 at Stone Center

See MARKET, Page 2

See LEADER, Page 3

2 • Wilkes Chamber of Commerce Newsletter • March 31, 2017

Wilkes Chamber of Commerce Inc.

2017 Board of DirectorsOffi cers

Name Title Company

Terrie Stackhouse Chair 2017 Carolina Realty Inc.

Shane Gebauer Chair Elect 2018 Brushy Mountain Bee Farm Inc.

Brent West Past Chair Tyson Foods Inc.

Shane Gebauer Treasurer Brushy Mountain Bee Farm Inc.

Charles Johnson Assistant Treasurer United Country-Johnson Realty

Chad Treadway VP Ambassadors/Membership Cube Creative Design

Mark Byrd VP Education Wilkes County Board of Education

Landon House VP Leadership Wilkes Carolina West Wireless

Jody Call VP Youth Leadership Wilkes Communications Inc.

Laurie Brintle-Jarvis VP Small Business Assistance Wilkes Community College

Julia Turpin VP Tourism/Quality of Life Wilkes County Public Library

Chris Robinson VP Workforce Development Wilkes Community College

Nancy Call VP Wilkes Women in Leadership Lowe's Companies Inc.

Jimmy Flythe Executive Committee at Large Duke Energy

Greg Edwards Executive Committee at Large Great State Bank

Directors

Mark Byrd 2017 Board Member Wilkes County Board of Education

Dr. Jeffrey Cox 2017 Board Member Wilkes Community College

Chris Robinson 2017 Board Member Wilkes Community College

Scotti Stevens 2017 Board Member Samaritan’s Purse-North American Projects

Brent West 2017 Board Member Tyson Foods Inc.

Nancy Call 2018 Board Member Lowe’s Companies Inc.

Scott Cranston 2018 Board Member LP- Roaring River

Shane Gebauer 2018 Board Member Brushy Mountain Bee Farm Inc.

Jude O’Sullivan 2018 Board Member Carolina West Wireless

Terri Stackhouse 2018 Board Member Carolina Realty Inc.

Chad Treadway 2018 Board Member Cube Creative Design

Vanya Baker 2019 Board Member Wilkes Regional Medical Center

Laurie Brintle-Jarvis 2019 Board Member Wilkes Community College

Jody Call 2019 Board Member Wilkes Communicaitons Inc.

Gary Daemer 2019 Board Member InfusionPoints, LLC

Matt Reese 2019 Board Member Rose Glen Village

Julia Turpin 2019 Board Member Wilkes County Public Library

Ex-Offi cio

Victor Varela Mayor Town of Ronda

Robert Johnson Mayor Town of North Wilkesboro

Mike Inscore Mayor Town of Wilkesboro

Larry South Town Manager Town of North Wilkesboro

Kenneth Noland Town Manager Town of Wilkesboro

John Yates County Manager County of Wilkes

Greg Minton County Commissioner-Chair County of Wilkes

Dan Little President Wilkes Economic Development

Chamber Staff

Linda Cheek President Wilkes Chamber of Commerce

Terrian Carter Membership Director Wilkes Chamber of Commerce

Natasha Brown Marketing & Communications Wilkes Chamber of Commerce

Lynn Dyer Offi ce Manager Wilkes Chamber of Commerce

NWNC Visitors Center

Stacy Dunn Travel Specialist Wilkes Chamber of Commerce

Treva Frazier Travel Specialist Wilkes Chamber of Commerce

Hunter Jolly Travel Specialist Wilkes Chamber of Commerce

Bill Luck Travel Specialist Wilkes Chamber of Commerce

Ella Rhodes Volunteer Coordinator Wilkes Chamber of Commerce

William Rhodes Volunteer Coordinator Wilkes Chamber of Commerce

Donna Wood Travel Specialist Wilkes Chamber of Commerce

Social media statsWilkes Chamber of

Commerce Facebook Page

Page L ikes ................. 1,738New L ikes ....................... 77Explore Wilkes

Facebook Page

Page L ikes .................... 885New L ikes ....................... 25

Twitter

Tweets ........................7,461Followers ................... 1,223Following ...................... 899Pinterest

Following ...................... 236Followers ...................... 192

cow.com for marketing details.Article marketing is normal-

ly free articles in publications and online blogs. The chamber works closely with the N.C. Di-vision of Tourism to bring me-dia journalists and bloggers to Wilkes for free articles in nation-al publications and online blogs.

The storyline is selected by the writer and your chamber is there to assist them with arranging onsite interviews. Many times these “free” articles have a value of thousands of dollars in adver-

tising, an expense your cham-ber cannot afford otherwise.

Through the relationship the chamber has with High Coun-try Host Marketing Partnership, Wilkes County is included in ads published in national maga-zines, featured on Charlotte and Raleigh based billboards, and ads are displayed on Charlotte’s metro bus “wraps.” This $4,000 a year partnership investment has a marketing return far ex-ceeding the expense.

Wilkesboro Tourism Devel-opment Authority reimburses the chamber for the High Coun-try Host relationship as well as pays for an annual one-half

page advertisement in the Blue Ridge Parkway Travel Guide and Directory, a publication with a 347,000 distribution globally.

The Wilkes Chamber is also a member of the Blue Ridge Park-way Association and through this relationship your chamber is provided a list of requests from individuals wanting infor-mation about the county. These individuals may want to make a visit or possibly relocate to our area. Your chamber addresses each request, providing infor-mation either through the mail or an email.

Wilkes Chamber daily con-ducts referral marketing for mem-

bers. With phone call inquiries on local service or products and with each visit to the websites, your chamber is referral marketing.

Through your chamber mem-bership, you are given multiple networking opportunities to conduct B2B Marketing (busi-ness to business). Individuals and businesses feel less threat-ened and much more comfort-able conducting business trans-actions with people they know and can trust. Having the oppor-tunity to meet one on one during a chamber-held event such as business after hours, committee meetings, ribbon cuttings, open houses, etc., members are pro-

vided with an occasion to build personal relationships and cre-ate business trust.

Making connections, writing articles, creating ads, attend-ing conferences, hosting web-sites, posting to social media, publishing marketing materials all take a great deal of time and can be costly, but your Cham-ber believes creating an aware-ness of “place” is essential for economic growth. Individuals, families, and businesses will not relocate or visit if they are not aware of our “place,” Wilkes County. Support your chamber and its marketing by becoming a member today.

Marketcontinued from Page 1

NORTH WILKESBORO DERMATOLOGY had a three-chamber (Wilkes, Yadkin and Greater Mount Airy) grand opening with a ribbon cutting Jan. 27. It offers Mohs surgery, dermatology care, cosmetic services with advanced technology and other com-prehensive medical, surgical and cosmetic der-matology care. Visit providers Kevin Stein, M.D; Forrest Staton, PA-C; Abigail Plonk, PA-C and staff at 532 West Park Circle, North Wilkesboro. Go to www.skinsurgerycenter.net/location/north-wil-kesboro or call 336-661-6600 for appointments.

RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR CRAIG LANGSTON, an Edward-Jones fi nancial ad-visor at 126 Executive Drive, Suite 240 in Wilkesboro, was hosted Feb. 24 by the Wilkes Chamber of Commerce. Langston focuses on investors saving for retirement, retirees, college savers, insurance needs, estate needs and stocks, bonds and mutu-al funds. He emphasizes investing time to understand goals before investing money. Call 336-818-1678 for an appointment.

HOLMAN DISTILLERY, the county’s newest craft distillery, was celebrated with a ribbon cutting March 2. Co-owners John and Amanda Holman started the farm distillery at the intersection of Hose and Brushy Mountain roads in the Brushy Mountain commu-nity in 2015. It makes single sugar spirits from N.C. muscadines. The Holmans announced the launch of Spur Vodka, which they hand-bottle and hand-pack in hand-printed boxes. The process starts with producing wine, which is distilled into vodka or other beverages. Tours and tastings are offered. The email address is info@alcohollery.com. “From dirt to drink, we believe, the best of anything comes from the best of everything,” said John Holman.

WILKES OFFICE SUPPLIES at 925 Cher-ry Street, North Wilkesboro, celebrat-ed a grand opening and ribbon cutting Jan. 6. The locally owned and operated store is a one-stop shop for every busi-ness need. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with delivery available. Call 336-990-9061 or email @WilkesOffi ceSupplies915. Owner Su-san Roberts is glad to help you. Buy Local, Shop Wilkes County First.

SWEET SMILES CANDY STORE, owned by Bob and Cindy Holloman, held a grand opening and ribbon cutting March 3 at 101 West Main Street, Wilkesboro. Sweet Smiles sells old-fashioned candies, soda pop, ice cream, fudge and items from local artisans. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. “Behind Every Smile Is Something Sweet.” The website is at www.sweetsmilescandy.com or on Facebook at Sweet Smile. Buy Local, Shop Wilkes County First.

MOUNTAIN HEALTH SOLUTIONS/WILKES COMPREHEN-SIVE TREATMENT CENTER held an open house and rib-bon cutting for its new facility at 200 Northview Plaza, North Wilkesboro on Feb. 21. Tours of the offi ce were provided. Western North Carolina Comprehensive Treat-ment Center provides patients with comprehensive treatment to aid in overcoming addiction to opioids. By addressing behaviors on an emotional level with individ-ual therapy, patients can prepare for future situations in a healthy and opioid free manner. If you or some-one you love would benefi t, call 866-353-7742 today.

WILKES JOURNAL-PATRIOTYOUR COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER SINCE 1906

Contact Advertising Department

wjpads@wilkes.net

336-838-4117 Fax 336-838-9864

www.journalpatriot.com

336-667-7129

BUSINESS to BUSINESS SERVICES

KEITH C. BRASWELLWORK: 336.921.4221CELL: 910.783.8322

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DOWNLOAD OUR MOBILE APP Manage Reward Points & Schedule Service Bobby and Nadine Shapiro, Owners

Old Fashioned Candy Store & More

Items from Local ArtisansCindy Holloman 336-990-0599

101 West Main Street, Wilkesboro, NC(Formerly Royalls Custom Framing)

www.SweetSmilesCandyStore.comSweetSmilesCandyStore@gmail.com

Tues.-Fri. 10 am-6 pm

Craig LangstonFinancial Advisor

126 Executive DriveSuite 240Wilkesboro, NC 28697Bus. 336-818-1678Cell 336-466-9111 Fax 855-842-6223craig.langston@edwardjones.comwww.edwardjones.com

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---Carter-Hubbard Publishing CompanyPublishers of Wilkes Journal-Patriot

711 Main Street, North Wilkesboro

336-838-4117

Wilkes Chamber of Commerce Newsletter • March 31, 2017 • 3

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Shana Williams, Sharp Business Systems; Sherrie Joines, Wilkes Communications Inc.; Chad Treadway, Cube Creative Inc.;Greta Ferguson, Wilkes Circles of Care Inc.; Callie Walker-Greene, Callie Walker-Greene REALTOR Ward & Ward Properties;Andrew Holland, NCWorks Career Center Wilkes; Pennie Sawyer,

Wells Fargo-Wilkes Plaza; Chris Eckard, NCWorks Career Center Wilkes; Holly Tedder, The Jazzy Beauty Soirée;Brian Minton, The OZ Group Realtors; Lily Alexander, Rose Glen Village; Janet Vannoy, Allstate Insurance—Tonda Phillips; Matthew Stamper, Carolina West Wireless, Corporate Offi ce.

heads in an effort to sim-ply “agree with the boss.”

So she responded pas-sionately with several key comparisons that showed how this project was re-markably different from those that had been tried previously and that it was already increasing cus-tomer satisfaction in select markets. She also provided real feedback from those customers – feedback that challenged the anecdotal “data” that so often derails a strategic vision.

When the meeting ended and she was walking out the door, the senior exec asked to meet with her that afternoon to continue the conversation. She was a lit-tle nervous. She wondered if she had been too bold. But she also knew that speaking her mind was part of her own core val-ues. Still, she needed some advice—and fast. She says she’d been a Leadercast Now subscriber for several months, and made it a point to watch at least one video a day as sort of her “dai-ly leadership inspiration.”

So she pulled up Lead-ercast Now on her phone and browsed the topics; she clicked on one entitled, Speaking Truth to Power.

That seemed to shout out to her, she says. In the vid-eo, Brian Wells, founder of Flashlight Entertain-ment, says: “I think prob-ably the rarest trait that I see in leaders, wheth-er it’s people who work for me or others who I’ve worked for, is the ability to speak truth to power. A lot of times it’s very diffi cult, when we’re in environ-ments where somebody else is the base of pow-er in that room—maybe they’re your boss, maybe it’s the CEO of the compa-ny, maybe it’s a customer who you have to close the deal with, whoever—when you’re in a position where the other person clearly has the balance of power in their favor. Are you go-ing to just agree with them and say to them just the things you think they want to hear, or are you going to say to them what truth is?” That’s it, she thought. This reminds me of why I speak my mind at work, even when I don’t agree with those around me.

When she met with the senior exec that af-ternoon, she asked if she could fi rst play a two-min-ute video for him. She had selected another one from Brian Wells – Disconfi rm-ing Information. The vid-eo highlights how impor-tant it is for leaders to

have people around them who aren’t afraid to bring them data that disagrees with their theories or as-sumptions. In this video, Brian says: “I think one of the big challenges for us as leaders is actual-ly success, because once you start to accumulate a little success, you have the ‘luxury’ of only having people bring you informa-tion that confi rms what you already want to hear or what you already know. So you can fi nd yourself only having people bring you confi rming informa-tion when you’re looking at a project.”

When the video ended, she said she could feel the shift in the senior exec’s demeanor. As they con-tinued the conversation, they still didn’t agree on every aspect of the proj-ect, but they did agree, as Brian says in the vid-eo, “One of the most valu-able things you can do as a leader is to look for dis-confi rming information.” And they both knew she was very good at that.

How do you respond when someone brings you disconfi rming information? Does your organizational culture support people who “speak truth to power?” What would it take for you to “agree to disagree” with your leadership team?”

We hope to see you at Leadercast. Attending may change your life. I know it will add purpose!

Leadercontinued from Page 1

Chamber Ambassadors listed

13 Bones Ribs Steaks Seafood, A&J Rent-al, A1 Self Storage, Adagio Vineyards LLC, Alarm South, Albert Brown Electric Inc., All-state Insurance—Tonda Phillips, AmeriSouth Mortgage Company, Michael J. Andreski, DDS, Appalachian Lumber Company Inc., Atlantic Auction Service LLC, Aunt B’s Attic, B&R Service Inc., Ball & Ball Enterprises Inc.;

Basic Finance Inc., BB&T, BB&T—Scott & Stringfellow, Belk #0233, Best Images Signs, Best Price Metal Roofing, Better Homes Furniture Co. LLC, Blair Properties LLC, Blevins Building Supply, Blue Ridge Housing of Wilkesboro LLC, Blue Ridge Learn-ing Centers Inc., Blue Ridge Mountain Club, Blue Ridge Tractor, Bojangles #629, Brame Huie Pharmacy Inc., Brewer Brewer & Sorel PLLC, Bridal Traditions, Brock & Scott LLC;

Browse About Book Exchange, Brushy Mountain Bee Farm Inc., Brushy Mountain Ruritan Club, Brushy Mountain Smokehouse & Creamery, Brushy Mtn. Dental—Dr. Chris Roberts, Bumgarner Services Inc., Terry Bumgarner, Burger King—North Wilkesboro, Cagney’s Kitchen of Wilkesboro, Conley Call, Camp Harrison at Herring Ridge, Campbell Roofi ng, Cardinal FG Company, Carolina Realty of Wilkes Inc., Carousel Café, Cavu Printing Inc., Celebration Baptist Church;

Charlie Sink—Real Estate Appraiser, Chil-dren’s Hope Alliance, Church & Church Lumber Co., City Florist & Gifts, Commu-nity Blood Center of the Carolinas, Cook’s, Copper Barrel Distillery, County of Wilkes, Covington Way Apartments, Craftmaster Fur-niture Inc., Creekside Communications. Inc., CrossRoads Harley-Davidson, CS Forester Benefi ts Group, Cube Creative Inc., Cubic

Inc., Cutting Edge Lawn and Landscape, DAVHENCO Inc., Lynn Day;

Dazzle Dog Pet Grooming LLC, Deal Insur-ance Group Inc., Dreams and Kitestrings Inc., Drew Poff Counseling, Duke Energy, Duncan Insurance LLC, Dwight Phillips Auto Sales Inc., Ebenezer Christian Children’s Home, Eckerd Youth Alternatives, Edward Jones Investments—Wilkesboro, Empire Chevrolet Buick, Eyecare Center, Farm Bureau Insur-ance—Wilkesboro, Faw Insurance Agency Inc., Finley Properties LLC, First Citizens Bank, Fleet Master Inc., Foothills Auto Spa, Foothills Outdoors Adventures, Foothills Sanitation & Recycling Inc., Frontier Natural Gas, G&B Energy, Gardner Glass Products, Goodwill Career Connections Center, Great State Bank, Green 2 Go LLC;

Hardee’s of Wilkesboro, Vaughn Hayes, Haynes Insulation, Haynes Lawn Care Inc., Hearing Center of Wilkes, Herbal Innova-tions LLC, Holistic Medical Clinic of the Carolinas, Holly Mtn. Enterprises, Holly Mtn. IGA, Homes of Wilkes—Debo Cornett, Realtor, Dennis Huggins, Jan Huggins, Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital, Impact Colli-sion Center Inc., Infusion Points, Intercon-nect Products & Services, InterFlex Group, Isom Ham Design Group, PA;

J. Martin Productions Inc., JAG Publish-ing Inc., James R. Vannoy & Sons Construc-tion Co., James River Equipment, Jefferson Landing Club, Jimmie Johnson Air & Heat, The Joan and Howard Woltz Hospice Home, Flossie Johnson, Jones von Drehle Vineyard and Winery, Keller Electric Co. Inc., Kestrel Management Corporation, W.A. Lankford Company, Law Offi ces of Justin Dingee, Law

Offi ces of Timothy D. Welborn, PA;Leading to Change Inc., LifeStore Insur-

ance, Dan Little, Lowe’s Technical Services, LP-Louisiana Pacifi c Corporation, Sharon H. Lyall, CPA, Magicvaper, Main Street Market-ing, Mayhew, Scheffl er, Hardaway & Conn Orthodontics, MBI Builders Inc.;

McClure, CPA PA, McDonald’s—Hwy. 18, McDonald’s—Wilkesboro, Donna McNeil, Mike McNeil, McNeill Nissan of Wilkesboro, Meadows Mills Inc., MECI & Associates Inc., MedCost, MenaRick Vineyard & Winery LLC, MenaRick Vineyards, MHS Technologies, Mi-chael’s Jewelry, Mike’s Body Shop, Miller Bee Supply Inc., Millers Creek Pharmacy, Miller Funeral Service Inc.;

Moravian Falls Family Campground, Moth-er Earth Foods & Spirits Inc., Mountain Financial Services LLC, Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care, Myers Tire Ser-vice Inc., Dr. Gary C. Nash, OD, NCWorks Career Center, New River RHA Health Ser-vices, Nichole’s Hair Salon and Day Spa;

North Carolina Mountain Investments, Northwest Automotive LLC, Northwest Gen-eral Insurance Agency LLC, Northwestern Fire Protection Inc., Northwestern Regional Housing Authority, Oakwoods Grocery, Of-fi ce Furniture Concepts Inc., On Premise Solutions LLC, Peek-A-Boo’s Pet Sitting LLC;

Perry Lowe Orchards, Piedmont Federal Savings Bank, Piedmont Hematology Oncol-ogy & Associates, Piedmont Triad Computer Consulting Inc., Pinnacle Architecture, PA, Portante Clan Construction LLC, PPG Indus-tries Inc., Precision Printing, Premier Resto-ration of NC, Project Lazarus;

Pruitt Health Hospice, PSI—Pencare Spe-

cialty Interiors, R.H. Barringer Distributing Co. Inc., Raffaldini Vineyards & Winery LLC, Rainbow Child Care Center, RCD Construc-tions Inc., Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, Rid-A-Bug, RiverStreet Productions, Roar-ing River Vineyards, Rose Glen Village, Ruby Pardue Blackburn Adult Day Care Center, Run In Foods #809, S&J Septic Pumping & Rent-A-Jon, SAFE, Salem Foot Care, PA;

Samaritan’s Purse—North American Proj-ects, Scenic Memorial Gardens, SCORE, Scott Church Land Surveying, PLLC, Second to Nature, Sedgewick Homes LLC, Sharp Business Systems, Shephard’s Heating & Air Conditioning Inc., Shepherd Masonry Inc., Sherwin-Williams Company, Chris Shew, Shinaman, Bradford C. DDS PA;

Shumate Appraiser Service, Southeastern Cars & Parts Inc., Specialty Car Company Inc., Spectrum Hospitality, Spectrum Hospi-tality Management, Terrie Stackhouse, Real-tor, Stanley Heating & Air Conditioning Inc., State Employees’ Credit Union, State Farm Insurance—Burns, Stroud-Miller Insurance Service Inc., Subway of Wilkesboro, Suncrest Farms Country Ham Inc., Susan Whitting-ton, CLU ChFC, Dr. Sandra Swaringen, Tal-entforce, Ted’s Famous Kickin Chicken LLC, Terminix, The Dispensary Restaurant & Pub, The Health Foundation Inc., The Jazzy Beauty Soirée, The Reserves Network;

The Tribune, The Walker Center, Tilley’s Auto Sales LLC, Tim Harrold’s Empire Chrys-ler Dodge Jeep, Toby Outdoor LLC, Town of North Wilkesboro, Town of Wilkesboro, Triplette Lumber Co., Two Rivers Cinemas Stadium 6, Tyson Foods Wilkesboro, Tyson Foods Inc., Ultimate Carwash Hwy 421,

United Healthcare-Baynes Insurance, Uni-verse of Science Inc., US Cellular, Valley Radiology Associates, PA, Vannoy & Lank-ford Plumbing, Vannoy, Colvard, Triplett, & Vannoy PLLC, VFW Post 1142 Campground;

Victory Toyota, Villages of Wilkes Skilled Care, Villages of Wilkes Traditional Living, W.A. Lankford Company Inc., Wake Forest Baptist Care at Home Hospice, Wake For-est Baptist Health-Internal Medicine, Ward & Ward Properties, Bill Warden, Waterhouse Studios, Westwood Hills Nursing and Rehab Center, Whippoorwill Village, Charles & Mary White, Wilcox Marketing Inc., Wilkes Art Gal-ley Inc., Wilkes Circles of Care;

Wilkes Communications Inc., Wilkes Com-munity Foundation, Wilkes County Board of

Education, Wilkes County Crime Stoppers Inc., Wilkes County Hardware Inc., Wilkes Express YMCA, Wilkes Family YMCA, Wilkes Farm & Garden Center, Wilkes Literacy, Wilkes Regional Medical Center, Wilkes Regional Medical Center Auxiliary, Wilkes Security, Wilkes Steel Inc., Wilkes Transpor-tation Authority, Wilkes Vocational Services Inc., Wilkesboro Fire Department, Willardson Law Firm, William F. Lipscomb, Attorney at Law, Window World Foothills;

Window World Inc., Woodfield Oaks, Worldwide Protective Products, Yadkin Bank—North Wilkesboro, Yadkin Bank—Wilkesboro, Yadkin River Greenway Council, Yadkin Valley Gymnastic Academy, Yadkin Valley Heat & Air LLC and Yadtel Publishing.

Chamber’s 110% membership investors listed

Acorn Cooperative

254 Stanley AveMillers Creek, N.C. 28651(336) 667-8822

Appalachian Counseling Services, Inc.

P.O. Box 2686North Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659(336) 667-0705

Details Professional Cleaning & Auto Serv

156 Laurel Mtn. Rd.North Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659(336) 984-5742

Edward Jones Investments-

Craig Langston

126 Executive Drive, Suite 240Wilkesboro, N.C. 28697(336) 818-1678

Edward Jones Investments-Evan Handy

301 Tenth StreetNorth Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659(336) 661-1918

Faw & Associates PLLC

1702 W. U.S. Highway 421, Suite PWilkesboro, N.C. 28697(336) 838-3080

Holman Distillery

385 Hose Rd.Moravian Falls, N.C. 28654(336) 921-0386

Key City Wine Shop

502 Main StreetNorth Wilkesboro, N.C. 28659(336) 990-0711

Meineke Car Care Center of Wilkes

3384 West U.S. Hwy. 421Wilkesboro, N.C. 28697(336) 973-2277

Red Carpet Inn of Wilkesboro

1206 River StreetWilkesboro, N.C. 28697(336) 667-2176

Sweet Smiles Candy Store LLC

101 West Main StreetWilkesboro, N.C. 28697(339) 990-0599

The Cannon Group

345 Nahum RoadMoravian Falls, N.C. 28654(336) 921-4221

Wilkes County Register of Deeds

500 Courthouse Dr., Suite 1000Wilkesboro, N.C. 28697(336) 651-7351

Wilkes/Surry Chapter

Overmountain Victory

127 Young StreetElkin, N.C. 28621(336) 413-6084

Wisco Diversifi ed of America

PO Box 410Wilkesboro, N.C. 28697(336) 838-4000

Welcome to our new members

4 • Wilkes Chamber of Commerce Newsletter • March 31, 2017

The following renewed their Wilkes Chamber memberships since Nov. 29, 2016.

13 Bones Ribs Steaks Seafood, A&J Rent-al , A-1 Self Storage, Alarm South, American Cancer Society, Michael J. Andreski, DDS, Angela D. Jarvis CPA PLLC, Animal Hospital of Wilkes, PA, Appalachian Lumber Company Inc., Applefi eld Realtors, Ball & Ball Enter-prises Inc., Basic Finance Inc., BB&T , Ben-son, Blevins & Associates PLLC;

Best Price Metal Roofi ng, Better Homes Furniture Co. LLC, Blue Ridge Tractor Co. Inc., Brand Jewelry & Gifts, Brewer Brewer & Sorel PLLC, Bridal Traditions, Browse About Book Exchange, Burger King—North Wilkesboro,

Camp Harrison—Herring Ridge, Campbell Roofi ng, Carolina Farm Credit ACA, Caro-lina Mountain Life Magazine Inc.;

Carolina West Wireless Retail Store, Caro-lina West Wireless, Corporate Offi ce, Casey & Company Forestry PLLC, Celebration Bap-tist Church, CenturyLink, Church & Church Lumber Co., City Florist & Gifts, Coca-Cola , Copper Barrel Distillery , Craftmaster Furni-ture Inc., CS Forester Benefi ts Group, Cubic Inc., David’s Car Care, Lynn Day;

Deal Insurance Group Inc., Drew Poff Counseling, Duke Energy, Duncan Insur-ance LLC, Elkin Creek Vineyard & Winery, First Baptist Church of North Wilkesboro, First Citizens Bank, Frontier Natural Gas, Hampton Inn Wilkesboro, Haynes Lawn Care Inc., Herbal Innovations LLC, Hidden Hap-

piness Bee Farm, High Country Council of Governments ‘‘Region D’’;

Holiday Inn Express Wilkesboro, Holis-tic Medical Clinic of the Carolinas, Holly Mtn. Enterprises, Holly Mtn. IGA, Homes of Wilkes—Debo Cornett, Realtor, InterFlex Group, Isom Ham Design Group, PA, JAG Pub-lishing Inc., Jefferson Landing Club, Jones von Drehle Vineyards and Winery;

Journal Communications, W.A. Lankford Company, Law Offi ces of Justin M. Dingee, Law Offi ces of Timothy D. Welborn, PA, Lead-ing to Change Inc., Dan Little, MagicVaper, McClure CPA PA, Meadows Mills Inc., MECI & Associates Inc., Steven Melton, MenaR-ick Vineyard and Winery , Mike’s Body Shop, Miller Bee Supply Inc., Mother Earth Foods & Spirits Inc., Dr. Gary C. Nash, OD;

Nichole’s Hair Salon & Day Spa, North-west Food Service, Northwestern Fire Pro-tection Inc., Oakwoods Grocery, Offi ce Fur-niture Concepts Inc., On Premise Solutions LLC, Perry Lowe Orchards, Piedmont Federal Savings Bank, Piedmont Triad Computer Consulting Inc., Pixels On Paper;

Portante Clan Construction LLC, Premier Restoration of NC, PSI—Pencare Specialty Interiors , Quality Control Inc., Radford Quar-ries Inc., Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home, Robert F. Ricketts, DDS, RiverStreet Pro-ductions, Riverview Animal Hospital PLLC, Roaring River Vineyards, Run In Foods #809, Salem Foot Care, PA, Samaritan’s Purse—North American Projects, Scenic Memorial Gardens, Screen Printers Unlimited LLC, Shephard’s Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.,

Chris Shew, Bradford C. Shinaman, DDS PA, Shumate Appraiser Service;

Smart Start, James Smoak, Spectrum Hospitality Management LLC, Terrie Stack-house, Realtor, The Sterling Group, Suncrest Farms Country Ham Inc., Susan Whitting-ton, CLU ChFC, Dr. Sandra Swaringen, Tal-entforce, The Jazzy Beauty Soirée, Richard Thornton, Tilley’s Auto Sales LLC, Toby Out-door LLC, Town of Wilkesboro, Tyson Foods Inc., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers;

United Healthcare by Baynes Insurance, United Way of Wilkes County Inc., Vannoy & Lankford Plumbing Co. Inc., VFW Post 1142 Campground, Vulcan Materials Company, Waggles Pet Supply & Dog Wash, Walker & Sons Building, Wal-Mart Store #01-1290, Bill Warden, Western Carolina Electrical Sup-

ply Co., Westwood Hills Nursing & Rehab, Whippoorwill Village;

Wilcox Marketing Inc., Wilkes Commu-nications Inc., Wilkes Community College, Wilkes County Board of Education, Wilkes County Crimestoppers Inc., Wilkes County Hardware Inc., Wilkes County Public Library, Wilkes Family YMCA, Wilkes Farm & Garden Center, Wilkes Hour Glass Cleaners Inc., Wilkes Journal-Patriot;

Wilkes Pediatric Clinic, Wilkes Regional Medical Center, Wilkes Transportation Au-thority, Wilkes Vocational Services Inc., Wilkesboro Fire Department, Wilkesboro Tourism Development, William F. Lipscomb, Attorney at Law, Yadkin Bank—North Wilkes-boro, Yadkin Bank—Wilkesboro and Yadkin Valley Motor Co. Inc.

Chamber members renew their memberships

Hosted fi rst in 1946, the Wilkes Chamber of Com-merce held its 71st annu-al Dinner & Awards Cere-mony, “Power of the Past-Force of the Future,” on Jan. 19 at the Walker Cen-ter in Wilkesboro.

Featured guest speak-er was Derek Burleson, corporate affairs, Tyson Foods Inc. An elegant eve-ning was celebrated by Chamber members com-ing together to honor the outgoing 2016 chairman of the board of directors, Brent West, Tyson Foods Inc. and welcome the 2017 chair, Terrie Stackhouse of Carolina Realty of Wilkes Inc.

This celebration of pro-fessional success included distinuished honors and awards. Award recipients were: Small Business of

the Year, Wilkes County Hardware; Ambassador of the Year, Chad Tread-way; Excellence In Busi-ness, Wilkes Communi-cations Inc. and River-Street Production; Chair-man’s Award, Blue Ridge Opportunity Commis-sion (BROC) and Duke Energy “Citizenship and Service Award,” Shirley Randleman.

A wonderful evening ended when everyone held their saber lights high as Terrie Stackhouse, 2017 chair, led a toast “Here’s to 2017, may your light shine and may the force be with you.”

The Wilkes Chamber of Commerce would like to thank those in the commu-nity for making an impact and dedication to growing our community.

71st Chamber annual dinner held

TERRIE STACKHOUSE AND BRENT WEST

WILKES WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP, hosted by Riv-erStreet Production, was held on Feb. 9 at 1400 River Street in Wilkesboro. Over 50 women met to network, build relationships and learn more about RiverStreet Productions. Amanda Perry, director of sales and marketing, gave a short presentation on RiverStreet and shared her own personal professional story. The theme for the evening was “Believers are Achievers.” Wilkes Women in Leadership empowers women to grow and succeed in business to sustain a healthy and vibrant community. Special thanks to our sponsors and exhibitors for the evening, which were Infusion Points, LLC, Mountain Valley Hospice & Palliative Care, Communities In Schools of Wilkes, Inc. and Camp Harrison at Herring Ridge. “Follow your dreams, believe in yourself and never give up.”

CAROLINA WEST WIRELESS sponsored the First Business After Hours of 2017 on the evening of Feb. 23 at Oakwoods Country Club. The weather was perfect, everyone enjoyed the night of premiere networking in a relaxed atmosphere of Mardi Gras-themed fun. Guests socialized and enjoyed great Cajun food from 6th and Main while listening to live music. Door Prizes were given out, including a pair of Air Pods ($159 value) and a beautiful large fl ower arrangement. In honor of National Entrepreneurship Week, the Wilkes Chamber gave away two High Sierra laptop bags with Microsoft Offi ce 365, umbrella and stylus pen. Carolina West Wireless was formed in 1991 and is headquartered in Wilkesboro. The Carolina West staff is committed to providing their customers innovative tech-nology, including data and mobile equipment and competitive wireless plans that provide nationwide coverage. Go online www.carolinwest.com or call 800-235-5007 for all your needs.

WILKESBORO’S HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS/YADKIN VALLEY EVENTS CENTER hosted the March 16, St. Patrick’s Day-themed Business After Hours at 1700 Winkler Mill Road. The guests gathered for hors d’oeuvers and drinks that were donated by the Preferred Caterers, 6th and Main, Brushy Mountain Smoke House, Chick-fi l-A, and Dean’s Bistro. A great door prize was the use of one of the Watson Confer-ence Rooms (valued at $200). The newly renovated hotel and event center offers numerous amenities suited for couples, groups, corporate retreats, families or individu-als. The Yadkin Valley Events Center is located inside the hotel and offers meeting space for conferences, retreats, business meetings, trade shows, reunions, conventions and events. Call 336-838-1800 to book your room or visit www.ihg.com to reserve the events center. Simple, smart travel. At Holiday Inn Express hotel we keep it simple and smart.