a word from

your chamber leadership

3April 2

010

Main Line – (256) 353-5312, to reach extensions dial 353-0763

John Seymour President & CEO – ext. 103

john@dcc.orgCharlotte McKelvy

Director of Workforce Development and Education – ext. 107

charlotte@dcc.orgJim Page

Vice President of Public Policy and Business Development

– ext. 109 jim@dcc.orgCory Wilbanks

Director of Membership Development – ext. 104 cory@dcc.org

Leissa Hill Chief Financial Officer

– ext. 102 leissa@dcc.orgAnita McDonald

Director of Operations and Events – ext. 100 anita@dcc.org

Tiffany Brightwell Director of Investor Relations – ext. 101 tiffany@dcc.org

Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of CommerceDirections (USPS 516-530)

PO Box 2003 Decatur, AL 35602-2003

Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce

PO Box 2003 Decatur, AL 35602-2003

E-Mail: chamber@dcc.org

Website: www.dcc.org

Contact Information

As I conclude my term as Chairman of the Board of the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce, I’d like to reflect on a year of many accomplishments. The mission of the Chamber is to promote busi-ness and commerce for the area through volunteer leadership in economic, political and social development. I was blessed this year to help carry out this mission with a very dedicated Executive Committee and Board of Directors.

The Chamber’s Program of Work focuses on several areas. In the area of business develop-ment, we supported the efforts to create, restructure and help obtain funding for the Decatur-Morgan County Entrepreneurial Center, formerly the Decatur Business Incubator. This is a very positive change for small business growth in Decatur-Morgan County and will serve our community well. Perhaps our most ambitious achieve-ment this year was the implementation of “One Vision. One Voice. One Morgan

County.” This program will address six areas in our community that will be the founda-tion for our future while addressing current issues in business, healthcare, education, leadership, recruiting and retaining young talent, and diversity in our community. We supported the Partnership for Progress initiative for Downtown Redevelopment, which began several years ago as Envision Decatur – a joint effort of the City of Decatur and the Chamber.

The Chamber’s Excellence in Leadership class took on its first community project and chose to conduct a night golf tournament to help raise much needed funding for Decatur Youth Services, and 35 area high school stu-dents were able to participate in Edge Student Leadership.

This year our Workforce Development Coalition launched a joint effort with the Morgan County Economic Development Association called CareerPathway.info. This new website will be used as a valuable tool to provide career and training resources to employ-ers, job-seekers, educators and students.

The Chamber has had a strong year. We’ve attacked community problems head-on and built a plan for our future. It has been an honor to serve as Chairman of the Board and I am very appreciative of the opportunity to do so.

Table of Contents

2010/2011 Executive Committee ..............................4

Member Spotlight ....................5

New Members .........................6

Renewing Members .................8

Ribbon Cuttings ......................9

Total Resource Campaign ......10

Special Events ......................11

Events Calendar ....................14

Special Events ......................15

Sheila Davis2009/2010 Chairman of the Board

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2010/2011 Executive Committee

Wade WeaverChairman of the Board

Valley Budweiser

Ellen DidierChairman of the Board ElectRed Sage Communications

Tommy DanielsTreasurer - Financial

ManagementRBC Bank

Blake McAnallyVice-Chair Business

DevelopmentPugh Wright McAnally

Gloria ArthurVice-Chair Community

Planning and Quality of LifeBank Street Antique Mall

Doug BachussVice-Chair Member and

Investor ServicesNowlin, Bachuss & Gray Law Firm

Chris PriestVice-Chair Public PolicyBlackburn, Maloney &

Schuppert

Scott LandgrafVice-Chair Workforce

Development and EducationAscend Performance Materials

Sheila DavisPast Chairman of

the BoardUnited Launch Alliance

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April 2010

Julie McKibben, M.D., M.S.North Alabama Worker’s Care

Dr. Julie McKibben joined the Parkway Medical Center team in 2009 as the only full-time board certified Occupational Medicine Physician in Morgan County. As a U.S. Navy veteran who served in Iraq, she brings a wealth of experience with her. With services ranging from physicals and OSHA required workplace testing to drug and alcohol screening, North Alabama Worker’s Care is dedicated to serving all occupational needs for local industry and employers, offering 24-hour outpatient care. Patients can be seen in the office during regular weekday hours and acute injuries can be treated in a specially designated area in Parkway Medical Center’s Emergency Room after hours and on weekends.

“A comprehensive occupational and environmental medicine program is a great asset to all members of the community- employers, employees and citizens. Collaboration between businesses, industry and healthcare results in a net gain for all and I am pleased to have the opportunity to practice here in Morgan County. I enjoy meeting the unlimited challenges Occupational and Environmental medicine offers and I am excited to be a part of what Parkway is doing for the community,” said Dr. McKibben. North Alabama Worker’s Care is located inside Parkway Medical Center adjacent to the Emergency Room at 1874 Beltline Road, Suite 180. For more information regarding services provided, please call (256) 301-3266.

Member Spotlight

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All State Fence CompanyBo Pierce 1701 4th Ave SEDecatur, AL 35601

American Family Care, Inc.2664 Hwy 31 SDecatur, AL 35601

Animal Friends Humane Society, Inc.Linda Smith 240-B Johnston St SEDecatur, AL 35602

Boys’ and Girls’ Club of Morgan & Lawrence CountiesCasey Coleman 245B Jackson St SEDecatur, AL 35601

C & H Cooling & Heating, Inc.Tim Hopson 721 S Court StFlorence, AL 35630

Certified Roofing & RestorationRandy Brown 9694 Madison BlvdMadison, AL 35758

CIMS Global Technology SolutionsRon Casto7500 Memorial Pkwy S, Ste 215-CHuntsville, AL 35802

Exit Realty of the ValleyGina Szinegh 113 2nd Ave NEDecatur, AL 35601

Focus Radio Communications/WEKIFred Holland2305 Holmes AveHuntsville, AL 35816

Integrity Electric, Inc.Darren Bogan 3498 Hwy 20 W Ste 1Decatur, AL 35601

Kabel Hearing, LLCRyan Kabel 2699-B Sandlin Rd Ste B6Decatur, AL 35601

KC MediaKelly Pate 1710 Eastwood DrDecatur, AL 35601

Longhorn SteakhouseEric Dreffin 1213 Point Mallard Pkwy SEDecatur, AL 35601

New MembersWe thank the following businesses and organizations for their commitment to the Decatur-Morgan County area by their investment in the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber during the months of February and March 2010. We look forward to serving you!

we’re here for you... just like family

When times get tough, it’s good to have family. And at Redstone Federal Credit Union,members are like family. Your credit union is convenient, safe and secure with a varietyof accounts to meet your needs.

If you’re not already a member, visit any of the 20 branches to learn how easy it is to join.Redstone Federal Credit Union is Alabama’s largest member-owned financial institution.You can trust Redstone Federal Credit Union – just like family.

This Credit Union is Federally Insured by the National Credit Union Administration.

Inform. Inspire. Interact.

I should. I want to. I must lose weight. I did!

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www.parkwayinspired.comat Parkway Medical Center

Medicare Approved Bariatric Surgery Facility.

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Renewing Members

A Digital Reflection Photography & VideographyAdventure TravelsAlabama Mail ServiceAll Needz Rental Center, Inc.Allegra Print and ImagingAmerican Midstream, LLCAmerican National Insurance Webb Awtrey AgencyAmerican Red Cross Morgan- Lawrence Co. ChapterAnesthesia Services of Decatur, PCAshwander Animal ClinicAutomatic Screw Machine Products Co., IncBBVA Compass BankSammy Becdach, MDBeltline ElectricBest Western - River City HotelBig Brothers/Big Sisters of Morgan CountyThe Brick DeliBridge Builders Church InternationalBrown Recycling & Mfg., Inc.Ronald E. Brown, DDS, PCBurger King - 6th AveCalpineCedar Springs Retirement CommunityCentral Baptist ChurchCF Properties, LLCCity CafeCommunity Relations AssociationComprehensive Automation & DesignContracting & Materials, Inc.Contractor Service & Fabrication, Inc.Corr Wireless Communications, LLCCorum’s Building & Farm CenterCricket By The CreekCumulus Radio WZYP-WVNN- WUMP-WHRP-WWFFJ. Felton Davenport, DMDDecatur Career CenterDecatur ChiropracticDecatur Decorating CenterDecatur Dermatology, PCDecatur Downtown Redevelopment AuthorityDecatur Emergency Medical Services, Inc.Decatur ENT Associates, PCDecatur JayceesDecatur Optical Dispensary

Decatur Pet Cemetery & Crematorium, LLCDoublehead Resort & LodgeDoyle’s Supply, Inc.Dunagan Yates & AlisonEFP CorporationEMI Power & Automation, Inc.FeralloyFiltech ServicesFite Building Company, Inc.Freedom Light ProductionsFSI - Fleet Services, Inc.Galilean ApartmentsGenesis USA Development Sweetwater Development Glee InteriorsHardwick & KnightHardy ChiropracticWalter S. Hargett, Jr.Holaway’s MarketHome Pest ControlHousing Authority of DecaturHousing Developers, LLCSam L. HoustonHutto Printing & Advertising, Inc.Instant Diagnostic SystemsInstrument & Valve Services CompanyJ & L Mobile Home PartsJimmy Smith JewelersJMS Russel MetalsGordon JonesKaleidoscoopsKinder Morgan Bulk Terminals DecaturOtis E. Kirby, Jr., DMDDon KyleLabor FindersThe Light HouseLowe’s Home Centers, Inc.Marketing WorksMarx OpticalJ. Calvin McBride & Associates, PCMcCollum’s Catfish & SeafoodMcWhorter Communications, Inc.Mental Health Center of North Central AlabamaMi Hacienda Mexican RestaurantMicrotel Inn & SuitesMitchell Computer Services Inc.Mobile AtticMorgan County Association of RealtorsNAMOS

Nephrology of North AL, PCNinth Street United Methodist ChurchNorth Alabama Center for Educational ExcellenceOffice Depot #383Open MRI of DecaturOSCO, INC.Payton Price Construction, Inc.Price-Denton Endodontics, LLCRacking Horse Breeders AssociationRailroad Bazaar, Inc.RBC Bank - Johnston StReal Estate Showcase/ Publications PressRealty Group of AlabamaRemax Platinum - Judy SmithTerry Reynolds, ODRiver City Equipment Rental & Sales, Inc.Riverside Pediatrics of Decatur

Riverside Senior LivingSend Out CardsThe Sherwin-Williams Company

Southern Printing Co., Inc.Southern StaffingSt. Ann’s Catholic SchoolStovall Marks Insurance, Inc.Summer PlaceSWS First ResponseSystems, Security & Network Solutions, Inc.Talley, Mauldin, & Peete, PCThe Terrace at PricevilleRonald Terry Electric, Inc.Tru-Green ChemlawnTurner Industries GroupUniversity of Alabama in HuntsvilleVision Wheel, Inc.WAAY 31 TVWal-Mart Discount CityWHNT-TVWho’s Who in Decatur MagazineWillo Products Co., Inc.Wilmer & Lee

The Chamber would like to thank the following members who reinvested in Decatur and Morgan County by renewing their Chamber memberships during the months of February and March 2010.

Southland Plaza • Decatur353-2512 • 1-800-354-2512 • jsmithjewelers.com

Merchants of Fine, Distinctive Jewelry Since 1973

Jimmy Smith Jewelers

• Diamonds imported direct from cutters in Antwerp, Belgium

• All diamond shapes, qualities and prices

• Fine gold jewelry

• A unique selection in all categories

• Expert service after the sale

• Full appraisal services, American Gem Society Laboratory

• Computer diamond color grading system

• Locally owned and family operated

• Prime source for investment diamonds

• Financing available

We’ve been your friend

for over 37 years.

Jimmy Ray Smith and Jimmy Smith

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ribbon cuttings9

Cottage House719 Bank St NE, Decatur • (256) 566-9268

Family Security Credit Union1305 6th Avenue SE, Decatur • (256) 301-9306

Holiday Inn & Suites1101 6th Ave NE, Decatur • (256) 355-3150

River City Fitness3110 Hwy 31 S, Decatur • (256) 350-2009

Milestone Pediatrics at Parkway Medical Center1874 Beltline Rd SW, Decatur • (256) 301-3435

Baugh Wiley Smith Wing Dedication at Parkway Medical Center1874 Beltline Rd SW, Decatur

American Family Care2664 Hwy 31 S, Decatur

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April

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TRC Victory Celebration

F – Patricia Pegues, Donna Oliver*, Carol Boyd*°, Deanna Nel-son*, Anne Hurt*, Linda Robinson*°, Donna Puckett*, and Ellen Didier*°B – Clyde Bateman, Jennifer Self, Norman Roby*, Ken Butdorf*, and Brandon PriceNot pictured: Terri Collins, Jason Putman, Gloria Arthur, Sharon Price, Robin Forrester, Chris Priest, Monday Cleghorn*, Tricia Thornton, Bill May, Kathy Hammond, Ana Allen*, Cheryl Hicks, and Deborah Day)*Trip Winner°Team Captain

The Chamber’s 2010 Operation TRC V was a tremendous success thanks to our 26 volunteers and the nearly 200 com-panies who chose to market their businesses during this year’s campaign.

Volunteers gathered for a celebration after hours at the Brick Deli on April 1 and toasted to a job well done. This year’s campaign featured three teams of volunteers led by Linda Robinson (Team R&R Strategies), Carol Boyd (Team Bravehearts) and Ellen Didier (Team Code Red).

Linda Robinson, Ellen Didier and Monday Cleghorn were the campaign top producers, and Donna Puckett was voted “Outstanding Rookie” by her peers.

Thank you to the following companies that participated in Operation TRC V

3MA-Z Office ResourcesAlabama Farmer’s Co-OpAlbany BistroAll State Fence CompanyAllegra Print and ImagingAlliance Sand and Aggregate, LLCAllied Waste ServicesAlphaPet, Inc.

American Red Cross Morgan- Lawrence Co. ChapterAnswerTelApple Lane FarmsAscend Performance MaterialsAT&T Advertising SolutionsAthens State UniversityBaggette Construction, Inc.Bank IndependentBank Street Antique Mall

Barge, Waggoner, Sumner & Cannon, Inc.Bender’s GymBentley Consulting, Inc.Better Business BureauBig Bob Gibson BBQBig Brothers/Big SistersBlue Cross Blue Shield of AlabamaBoy Scouts of AmericaBP

Bridge Builders Church InternationalBrooks Lock & KeyBungeBurningtree Country ClubC&H Cooling & Heating, Inc. Calhoun Community CollegeCandy & The Divas Personal Assistants, LLCCanteen Vending ServiceCaring StrategiesCasual Gourmet

Rick Paler

Sponsored by

2010 State of the City AddressDecatur Mayor Don Stanford gave his second State of the City Address in March to a group of over 200 Chamber members at the Turner-Surles Community Resource Center. While updating citi-zens on issues such as the progress on the Animal Services Center, Stanford also sang the praises of departments such as Parks and Recreation and the City’s Fire and Police services. This event is held annually and gives our members the opportunity to hear from city leadership first hand.

Presented by

special eventsMontgomery Trip

In February, the Chamber took its annual trip to Montgomery to meet with our legislators and spend time touring the capitol. The group of more than 80 also attended a luncheon and heard from keynote speaker Dr. Joseph B. Morton, State Superintendent of Education. Dr. Morton spoke about the ‘First Choice Program.’ This program was designed, said Morton, to make sure all high school graduates are fully prepared to enter college without having to take remedial classes.

According to Morton, when students are enter-ing high school and are given the choice of a regular diploma or an advanced diploma, they will inevitably choose the path of least resistance. Following the ‘First Choice’ plan, students are required to start their high school curriculum on the highest level and only a parent can remove them from the advanced program.

“We make it too easy to drop out – we give people a wide open door to leave the educational system,” said Morton. To motivate students to succeed, ‘First Choice’ is designed with a credit-recovery element. If a student performs poorly on a particular section of a subject, the student can be reassessed on the section in which they were lacking, rather than being required to repeat the entire course. Morton believes this will lead to decreased drop-out rates in our high schools, which in turn leads to higher overall education

levels and better recruitment for economic devel-opment and expansion.

Morton touted programs like the Alabama Reading Initiative and distance learning class-rooms, saying “Alabama young people can com-pete with anybody when given the right tools.” Programs such as the ARI, along with others like the Alabama Math, Science & Technology Initiative and a strong partnership between K-12 and the two and four-year college systems have brought Alabama students to the forefront, but a decrease in funding threatens to halt progress. Morton said that without additional funding, we stand to lose thousands of teachers this year, leading to increased classroom sizes and less opportunity for students – a future he hopes not to see for Alabama students.

To learn more about ‘First Choice’ or any of the initiatives of the Alabama Department of Education, please visit www.alsde.edu.

Sponsored by

Mental Health Association in Morgan CountyP.O. Box 1502

207 Commerce Circle, SW, Decatur, AL 35602(p) 256-353-1160 (f) 256-353-1163 www.mhainmc.net®

A two week camp for children in Morgan County, grades 1-5, who have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and other emotional

disorders. For more information, call 353-1160. There is a

registration fee, but scholarships are available.

June 14-18 July 19-23

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Thank you to the following companies that participated in

Operation TRC V

CB &S BankCertified Roofing & Restoration, LLCCharles F. Betts, Jr., D.M.D., P.C.Charter BusinessChick Fil AChurch’s ChickenCintasCity of Decatur Parks & RecreationCoca ColaCommunity Action Partnership of North Alabama, Inc.Congressman Robert AderholtCook’s Pest ControlCook’s Pest Control Sales & ServiceCR CompressorsCricket by the CreekDecatur Baptist ChurchDecatur City SchoolsDecatur General FoundationDecatur General HospitalDecatur Heritage Christian AcademyDecatur Plumbing CompanyDecatur TransitDecatur UtilitiesDecatur-Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau DHS Systems, LLCDMS Inc.Domino’s PizzaDoyle’s Supply, Inc.Dr. Thomas T. WillisDrs. James & Kathryn MizeDunagan, Yates, & AlisonEarly ServicesEaton CorporationEdward JonesEFP CorporationElite FlooringElite TravelENERSOLV CORPORATIONEnterprise Rent-A-CarEyster, Key, Tubb, Roth, Middleton and AdamsFamily Security Credit UnionFerguson EnterprisesFirst Baptist ChurchFITE BUILDING COMPANY, INC.Five Guys Burgers & FriesFreedom Light ProductionsFulin’s Asian CuisineFunding Solutions, Inc.GDF SUEZ Energy Generation NAGirl Scouts of North Central AlabamaGobble-Fite Lumber Co., Inc.Goss Electric,IncHannah Lawn and Landscaping Service, Inc.Hargrove and Associates, Inc.Harris, Caddell & ShanksHonda of Decatur

79th Annual MeetingThe Chamber’s 79th Annual Meeting took place on March 25 at Burningtree Country Club. Among the night’s speeches from out-going Chairman of the Board Sheila Davis (United Launch Alliance) and incoming Chairman Wade Weaver (Valley Budweiser) were two award presentations: The Rosie Hennessy Award and the Citizen of the Year.

The Chamber’s Commodores are a very special group of volunteers that assist the Chamber in many ways. The Rosie Hennessy Award is given to the Commodore voted by his or her peers to be the most exemplary Commodore of the Year and is named after the late Ms. Hennessy, a graceful leader who displayed energy and great character in her service to the Chamber and the community.

After Rosie passed away, the Commodores decided to honor Ms. Hennessy by giving an award in her name to the “Commodore of the Year”. This distinguished and prestigious award is to be given to the Commodore who reflects the remarkable characteristics exhibited by Rosie herself.

This year’s Rosie Hennessey award winner is Tom Owczarzak. Tom has been a mem-ber of the Commodores for four years. He grew up in Pittsburg, Penn. and moved to Decatur in the late 1980’s. He is the owner of Avanti Computers and was chosen for qualities that he displays in his service to his

customers and his service to the community. He runs his business by a simple set of rules: Be nice to people; Offer good service at a fair and reasonable price; Only sell quality parts; Don’t use technical language that the customer doesn’t understand; Spend time with customers; Get the job done quickly; and Do a good job.

We congratulate Tom Owczarzak for being chosen as this year’s Rosie Hennessy Award recipient and thank him for his continued ser-vice to the Chamber’s Commodore Program.

The 2010 Citizen of the Year was awarded to Wally Terry, a man who truly has a passion and willingness to give to his community and never slows down in doing so. As sum-marized by nominator Sheila Davis, “To call Wally Terry a dedicated community leader is like calling Bear Bryant JUST a football coach.” Davis added that she would be will-ing to bet that there’s not a project on recent record that positively influenced Decatur-Morgan County in which Wally Terry was not involved.

On Terry’s short list of activities are: Carnegie Visual Arts Center Board Member, Decatur School Foundation Board Member, Decatur General Hospital Foundation, Decatur Planning Commission,

continued on page 15

Tom Owczarzak Wally Terry

Sheila Davis turns over the gavel to Wade Weaver

Proudly serving North Alabama’s hearing impaired for over 20 years.

1218 13th Ave., SE, Decatur • 355-2096 • Mon. - Fri. 8 am to 5 pm

Physician Hearing Care is a division of Decatur ENT Associates

At Physician Hearing Care our patients can be assured of the very best in hearing healthcare. We offer a complete medical environment for the diagnosis and treatment of hear-ing disorders. Have your hearing tested by a qualified medical professional and reviewed by an M.D. at Physicians Hearing Care, there are no pushy salespeople, only qualified hearing healthcare professionals.Call today for a complimentary hearing screen

and diagnosis of your hearing problems.It could change your life. 256/355-2096Call today for

your appointment

Thank you to the following companies that participated in Operation TRC V

Honeymoon FloristHumana MarketPointHuntsville International AirportIndependence Tube Corp.Instant Diagnostic SystemsIntegrity ElectricITW SextonJ. Felton Davenport, DMDJ.F. Drake State Technical CollegeJimmy Smith JewelersJoe Wheeler Electric Membership CorporationJohn C. Eyster and John C. Eyster Jr.JW SteakhouseKBRKinder Morgan TerminalsLee CompanyLonghorn SteakhouseLucky’s SupermarketLynn Layton ChevroletLyons HRM & D Mechanical Contrac-tors, Inc.Manpower Temporary Service, Inc.

Marketing WorksMarMac Real EstateMcAbee Medical Meow Mix/Del Monte Pet ProductsMicor IndustriesMorgan County Schools - Bill HopkinsMorgan KeeganMorningside of DecaturMortgage AmericaNorth Alabama Chemical Co., Inc.North Alabama Worker’s CareNucor Steel DecaturOscoPanera Bread LLCPapa Murhpy’s PizzaParker Real Estate, LLCParkway Medical CenterPeck - Glasgow Agency, inc.Peoples Bank of North AlabamaPepsi DecaturPlastic Recyclers Southeast, Inc.Platinum Mortgage

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APRIL16th Decatur Jaycees’ Cajunfest Rhodes Ferry Park www.decaturjaycees.com

17th FREE Community Shred Day 9:00 a.m. to Noon Calhoun Community College Call 351-5170 for more information.

21st-24thRacking Horse Spring Show Where: Celebration Arena Hwy 67 East Decatur, AL Contact: 353-7225

22nd Coffee & Cards at Progress Bank 255 Grant Street, Decatur 7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Email Anita@dcc.org for more information

23rd and 24th Hartselle Relay For Life 6:00 p.m. - 6:00 a.m. JP Cain Stadium

25thWomen’s Chamber Spring Pilgrimage Tour of Homes Contact: Dawn White 340-2000 ext. 4200 or 221-8272

25th-27th 2010 Washington Trip Email Jim@dcc.org for more information

29th Breakfast & Biz Sykes Place on Bank St. 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Email Jim@dcc.org for more information

30thMorgan County Homebuilder’s Association 4-man Golf Scramble Point Mallard Golf CourseContact: 341-4925

MAY1st Somerville Celebration: Celebrating Alabama’s Small Towns & Downtowns Contact: Sam or Regina 256-778-8282

2nd Spring Garden Tour of Homes Held at Old Decatur & Albany Historic Districts Contact: 350-2028

7th and 8th Decatur Relay for Life 7:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. Ingalls Harbor

15th Wings of Thunder Charity Ride Roundtree Airport, Hartselle, AL Contact: Susan Hines – Hartselle Chamber 773-4370

15th Strawberry Day 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Morgan Co. Farmers Market Contact: Times Martin 256-654-0570

18th Business After Hours at Chick-Fil-A 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Email Anita@dcc.org for more information

22nd Soulstock Concert Point Mallard Park Contact: 256-341-4903

28th Daikin Festival Daikin America, State Docks Road Contact: Justina Willingham 306-5000

29th and 30th Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Festival Point Mallard Park Contact: 350-2028

29th Point Mallard Water Park opens 341-4880

Thank you to the following companies that participated in

Operation TRC V

Point Mallard ParkPro-Air Services, Inc.Progress BankPugh Wright McAnally, Inc. RBC BankRBC Bank MortgageReal Estate Showcase/ Publications PressRed Sage Communications, Inc.Redstone Federal Credit UnionRegions BankReliance Financial GroupRenasant BankRick PalerRiver City FitnessRiverside Senior LivingRonald Grantland - AL House of Representatives District 9Sam Frank & MooreShumake FurnitureSimply Delicious Bakery & EaterySimpson’s FloristStone River Inc.Suez Energy Generation NAAlabama Decatur Energy Corp Sykes Place on Bank St.Tennessee Valley Training CenterTexas Smokehouse The Brick DeliThe Enrichment CenterThe Paper ChaseThe Terrace at PricevilleThompson Tractor TIMBUCK2Turner UniversalUnderwood Associates ArchitectureUnited Launch AllianceUniversity of Alabama in HuntsvilleUrogynecology Center of North AlabamaValley Budweiser, Inc.Vulcan MaterialsWachoviaWal-MartWaters Brothers Contractors, Inc.Wayne Farms, LLC.Wear, Howell, Strickland, Quinn & Law, LLCWiregrass Construction Company, Inc.Women’s Business Center of North Alabama

Decatur-Morgan CountyThe Community of Opportunity

special events15

Avanti Computers1042 Beltline Road SE, Decatur • 355-9273

dawn@ammsystems.comwww.ammsystems.com

tom and dawn owczarzak, owners“You can’t beat hiring a geek”

Custom Systems • HardwareUpgrades • Repairs • NetworkingService for all makes and models

Friends of Delano Park, First United Methodist Church Finance Director, Tennessee Valley Corridor Board Member, Lions Club, Decatur Morgan County Convention & Visitors Bureau Board Past-President, Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce Past Chairman, among countless others.

According to Davis, “Wally does not talk about being a good citizen and doing

the right thing. He lives it. And we are all extremely blessed that he lives in our community.”

Annual Meeting Presented by

Gold Sponsor

Silver Sponsor

Entertainment Sponsor Elite Travel

Audio Video Sponsor Freedom Light Productions

Floral Arrangements provided by Simpson’s Florist

Edge Student Leadership

Law and Criminal Justice Day was held on February 18. After our local judges explained the court system and the Edge stu-dents observed court in session. A tour of the Morgan County Jail was also included in the day. Thank you to Judge Shelly Waters conducting Law and Criminal Justice Day.

The Edge Leadership class held their State Government Day in February along with the adult leadership class. While in Montgomery, they were able to debate current bills and Dr. Joe Morton, State Superintendent of Education, addressed the group during the Leadership Luncheon. The highlight of the trip was touring the Judicial Building and spending time with Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb.

Excellence in Leadership

The Excellence in Leadership class held their State Government Day in February. While in Montgomery, the class toured the Rosa Parks Museum and the Capitol. They observed the Alabama Legislature in session and were able to see our state government in action.

The March session was Law and Criminal Justice Day for the Excellence class. Our local judges spent time with the class explaining the court sys-tem. A tour of the Morgan County Jail and Hands Home were included in the day’s events. The highlight of the day was a mock trial conducted by the class with help from our local judges and attorneys. Thank you to Judge Shelly Waters for conducting Law and Criminal Justice Day.

The Excellence class continues to read Ken Blanchard’s book Leading at a Higher Level. The book review is led each month by class members. Thank you to Michael Tubbs for facilitating the monthly book review.

Edge Law and Criminal Justice Day Sponsor

John C. Eyster and John C. Eyster Jr.

Edge Law and Criminal Justice Day Lunch Sponsor

Canteen Vending Service

Edge Government Day Sponsor

Periodicals Postage Paidat Decatur, AL

(256) 353-5312 Fax: (256) 353-2384

E-Mail: chamber@dcc.org Internet: http://www.dcc.org

Address Service RequestedPublished for the Decatur-Morgan CountyChamber of Commerce by

Tennessee Valley Printing Company, Inc.P.O. Box 2213 • Decatur, Alabama 35609-2213

The information in this newsletter is gathered in such a way to ensure maximum accuracy.Tennessee Valley Printing Company and the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of

Commerce cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of all information furnished to it,nor the complete absence of errors and omissions; hence

no responsibility for the same can be, nor is, assumed.

Debbie TurneyGraphic DesignGraphics ConsultantJoel McWhorter, McWhorter DesignGwen BakerEditorial Coordinator

Cereta HollingsworthCommunications & Member ServicesDecatur-Morgan CountyChamber of Commerce353-0763, ext. 101Charles W. RogersSpecial Projects,Tennessee Valley Printing Company, Inc.340-2354

Published for the Decatur-Morgan CountyChamber of Commerce by

Tennessee Valley Printing Company, Inc.P.O. Box 2213 • Decatur, Alabama 35609-2213

The information in this newsletter is gathered in such a way to ensure maximum accuracy.Tennessee Valley Printing Company and the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of

Commerce cannot and do not guarantee the accuracy of all information furnished to it,nor the complete absence of errors and omissions; hence

no responsibility for the same can be, nor is, assumed.

Debbie TurneyGraphic DesignGraphics ConsultantJoel McWhorter, McWhorter DesignGwen BakerEditorial Coordinator

Cereta HollingsworthCommunications & Member ServicesDecatur-Morgan CountyChamber of Commerce353-0763, ext. 101Charles W. RogersSpecial Projects,Tennessee Valley Printing Company, Inc.340-2354

Charles W. Rogers Special Projects,

Tennessee Valley Printing Company, Inc. 340-2354

Stephen V. Johnson Graphic Designer

Tiffany Brightwell Editorial Coordinator/Writer

PO Box 2003 Decatur, Alabama

35602-2003

In the fight against breast cancer, experts agree: early detection is the best defense against the

disease. That’s why Decatur General is proud to bring state-of-the-art digital mammography

machines to the Decatur/Morgan County community. Digital mammograms are more detailed

than traditional scans, making it one of the most powerful diagnostic tools for the early detection

of breast cancer. Don’t let breast cancer stop you. Mammograms save lives, get one. Learn more

about the Power of Pink at WEAREdecaturgeneral.org.

256.341.2000 WEAREdecaturgeneral.org

Picture a WorldWithout Breast Cancer