On the Inside…After Hours Mixer Recap ....... 2A Note from the President ...... 3Calendar of Events ................. 4Annual Dinner Recap ..............5Welcome New Members ...........6Business Spotlight ..................7Ambassador of the Month ...... 7Board Spotlight ..................... 8Marketing Opportunities .........9Chamber Golf Tourney .........10

Chamber E-NewsA monthly publication of the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce

February 2008

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Monthly BreakfastTuesday, Feb. 12th

Guest SpeakerPiedmont Mountainside

Hospital

Doors open at 7:00am for CoffeeR.S.V.P. by February 8th(See Page 4 for Details)

2008 Membership DirectoryThe process has begun towards publishing our 2008 Membership Directory.

We have begun contacting members to confirm information, as well as offer the op-portunity to advertise in the directory. The directory is distributed to all members, and will be included in all newcomers/relocation packets. Additionally, copies will be placed in racks at local banks for general distribution. In order to be published in the directory, your membership investment must be paid up to date by April 22nd. We hope to have the directory ready for print by May 1st!

Tourism Day at the Capitol

On Tuesday, January 29th, the Tourism Development Alliance of Georgia, Geor-gia Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus and the State of Georgia hosted Tourism Day at the Capitol. Chamber Board members: Marty Callahan;

Jeff Downing; Joanna Kearns; Charlie Messner; Dawn Popadics; Earl Whiteley; and Jerrold Young along with Tourism Council members: Karla Howard; Mari Livsey, and Sherstin Batista attended Tourism Day.

Each travel region set up a booth representing tourism in that area of Georgia. These booths are viewed by employees at the Capitol, state legislators, and tourism representa-tives from all over the state.

There was also a program on the steps of the Capitol where Governor Sonny Perdue accepted a check representing $811.5 million in state tax revenue generated from tour-ism-related expenditures in 2006. The Governor also unveiled the 2008 travel guide and discussed the highlights of the publication.

After the program, the group that rep-resented our Chamber of Commerce spoke with State Senator Chip Pearson and State Representative Tom Graves. Representative Graves invited our group to sit in on some very interesting debates taking place in the House. After some exciting debates, the group had lunch at Sloppy Floyd’s cafete-ria, and then returned to Jasper.

The trip provided the group with more information on Tourism, and how to make Pickens County more prominent in that industry.

The next Tourism meeting will be held on February 5, 2008 at 5:30pm in the Chamber Board room. All those interested are invited to attend.

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Those members displaying their ban-ners at the January after-hours mixer were:

Bent Tree CommunityChestatee State BankCommunity Bank of Pickens CountyCrescent BankETCGhostNet, Inc.North Georgia Living MagazinePickens Today.comPied Piper Pest ControlR&R Trikes and BikesRenner ConstructionSeventy-Four RanchSlater Floors & Design CenterStoneledgeTDS TelecomUnited Community Bank

Thank you for your participation

••••••••••••••••

Banner Program

January After-Hours Mixer A Success

Build a Relationship with your…

Hometown Bank

(706) 253-9600www.cbopc.com

15 Sammy McGhee Blvd.Jasper, GA 30143

“We can make a difference”

State Farm®

Providing Insurance and Financial Services

Home Of�ce, Bloomington, Illinois 61710

Parish Lowrie CPCU, Agent746 W Church Street, Suite AJasper, GA 30143-1410Bus 706 692 6920www.parishlowrie.com

24 Hour Good Neighbor Service®

The Chamber of Commerce held the first After Hours Mixer for 2008 on Tuesday evening, January 22nd. It was a great success with nine businesses participating in the event and over sixty people in attendance from the community. The evening consisted of food, entertainment, great door prizes and demonstrations, one included a makeover given by North West Salon and the second was hand-building pottery techniques provided by ArtSmith: A Pottery Sudio.

Businesses with tables at the mixer included:

ArtSmith: A Pottery StudioCommunity Bank of Pickens CountyCreative Advertising SolutionsKnowPickens.comNatures FarmacyNorth West SalonSheryl Messner CPAUnited Community BankWYYZ

The food was catered by Fireside Café and the entertainment was provided by The Instructors, Amber Fountain & Thomas Fountain. Our next mixer will be held April 22nd from 5:00 to 7:00pm. If you are interested in hosting a table please contact Karla at the Chamber, (706) 692-5600.

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Executive President .... Denise M. Duncan

Administrative Assistant ..... Candy Mullis

Membership Coordinator Cassie Chastain

Information Specialist ....... Karla Howard

Drugs Don’t Work .................Vicky Miller

Denise M. DuncanExecutive President

Jeff Downing, ChairmanFoothills IGA

Marty Callahan, Chairman-ElectMarty Callahan State Farm Insurance

Jerrold Young, Past ChairmanETC

Donna Torres, SecretaryRegions Bank

Charlie Messner, TreasurerSheryl Messner, CPA

Mike BallewPickens County Schools

Dr. Sanford ChandlerAppalachian Technical College

Mary GhorleyPiedmont Mountainside Hospital

Angie JonesCrescent Bank

Joanna KearnsCentury 21 - Lindsey & Pauley

Ed LovernPiedmont Mountainside Hospital

Dawn PopadicsCarriage House Coffee Shop

Gary ReeceJasper Banking Company

Jack ShortTrouts Beverages

Earl WhiteleyIndividual Member

Our Chamber Staff

Board of Directors

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A Note from the President…

Chamber E-news is a monthly publication of the Pickens County Cham-ber of Commerce. All efforts have been made to check the accuracy of the information included in this newsletter. The Chamber, its employees or subcontractors shall not be held liable for any errors or omissions contained within.

As President of the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce, I have the opportunity to see what the Chamber does for your business and our community on a daily basis. Did you know that the Chamber receives close to 10,000 calls a year ask-

ing for information on what to do in the area, where to stay, where to shop and where to dine? Our information specialists who answer those calls are referring all of those poten-tial customers to your business. In addition, the Chamber welcomes more than 5,000 visi-tors a year to our office and again, our information specialists are here to help (This does not count the visitors from Marble Festival). I’ve watched people stop in to ask about the area and leave with an array of brochures, maps, magazines and visitor guides to educate them about Pickens County. Now with most visitors having access to the internet, they are doing their research before they come to Pickens County. That is why your Chamber has worked to create a website that you as a member can be proud of! These are just a few of the ways that the Chamber works for you every day, all year-round.

I recently had a conversation with a member who provided me with some very con-structive criticism, which I greatly appreciated. It is the a wonderful feeling to hear from people the good things you are doing, but there are times you need to hear the other side to help you take that next step. I do hope to make some improvements in the areas suggested; and at the end of the day, the reason we do what we do here at the Chamber is because you support your Chamber and your Chamber supports you.

Membership Decals – 2008To allow members to display their continued support of the Pickens County Chamber of

Commerce from the very beginning of 2008, all members who were in active status January 1, 2008 were mailed their 2008 membership decal. I hope this was not too confusing as this is a new procedure. There has been no change in renewal dates, procedures, etc. Each members renewal dates vary from January to December. Invoices will be mailed out to members 30 days prior to your due date. Upon renewal, you will be recognized in the following months newsletter as well as receive a thank you note. Should you choose not to renew your member-ship, the decal should no longer be displayed at your business. If for any reason you have not received your 2008 membership decal, please contact us immediately!

Member to Member Discount Program (m2m)

The Pickens County Chamber of Commerce wants to remind you of the Member to Member Discount Program (m2m)! Members and their full-time employees can take advantage of amazing cost-saving opportunities offered by other Chamber members. The m2m program is designed to enhance membership value, encourage members to buy from other members, increase member visibility, and save members money. If you would like to offer a discount with your company to fellow members, contact Cassie Chastain at (706) 692-5600 or at cassie@pickenschamber.com with your information.

Ideas and suggestions to makethe Chamber more valuable

to your business are encouraged.

Calendar of EventsFebruary, 2008Date & Time ............... Event LocationMonday, February 4th7pm ................................. Nelson City Council Meeting ..................... Nelson City Hall

Tuesday, February 5thVOTE9am .................................. Ambassadors Meeting ....................... Chamber Board Room5:30pm ............................ Tourism Meeting ............................... Chamber Board RoomThursday, February 7th7am .................................. Optimist Club Meeting ..............................Savor Bar & Grill12 noon ........................... PWPC (Professional Women of Pickens County) ..........CCR7pm ................................. Marble Valley Friends Meeting .......................Old Tate GymMonday, February 11th6pm ................................. Jasper City Council Meeting ...................................City HallTuesday, February 12th7am .................................. Monthly Chamber Breakfast ....Chamber Community Room4pm ................................. Town of Talking Rock Council Meeting ...............Town HallThursday, February 14th7pm ................................. Lion’s Club Meeting .................................Dunn’s RestaurantMonday, February 18thChamber Closed .............. President’s DayThursday, February 21st7am .................................. Optimist Club Meeting ..............................Savor Bar & Grill4pm ................................. Ribbon Cutting ................................. Gold Star ConstructionMonday, February 25th6pm ................................. Youth Leadership ............................... Chamber Board RoomTuesday, February 26th......................................... CLCP Spelling Bee.................................................................Thursday, February 28th8am .................................. Leadership Pickens - Capitol Day ......State Capitol - Atlanta7pm ................................. Lion’s Club Meeting .................................Dunn’s RestaurantFriday, February 29thAll Day ............................ Chamber Board Retreat

Wednesdays - 12noon ..... Rotary Club Meeting ........... Appalachian Technical College......................................... (Note Location Change)Wednesdays - 5:30pm ..... Intenders Circle .....................................A Touch for Healing

Tuesday, February 11, 2007 7:00amChamber Community Room

Doors Open & Breakfast Line Begins at 7:00am7:15 - Invocation and Pledge

7:30 - Program Begins

Sponsored byPiedmont Mountainside Hospital

Speaker:Piedmont Mountainside Hospital

Catered by: An Eclectic Kitchen

EVERYONE MUST RSVP BY 5:00 pm Friday, February 8th

Cost is $5.00Click here to R.S.V.P. online

ORCall (706) 692-5600 or

e-mail: candy@pickenschamber.com

FebruaryMembership

Breakfast

Click here to see any calendar updates on our Website!

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Pay in advance for 2008Membership Breakfasts.Here is your chance to have

breakfast on the Chamber. Pay in full for 2008 breakfasts and

receive a free breakfast.8 breakfasts x $5.00 = $40.00 and your 9th breakfast is free.

If interested, contact the Cham-ber or pay at the February 12

breakfast.

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Below is list of businesses who have notified the Chamber they would not be renewing their membership or have gone out of business. Please make note in your directory of this information.

Non-Renewing MembersNone to report!!!!!!! •

Non-Renewals forJanuary, 2008

Chamber Hosts Annual Dinnerby Candy Mullis

The Annual Dinner for the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce was a mystery; Mystery Dinner Theatre that is. The Tater Patch Players performed a witty murder mystery that entertained the crowd of over 200. The evening was finely catered by The

Woodbridge Inn. Held in Appalachian Technical College’s Educational Center Friday, January 11th, it was the occasion for passing the gavel, introducing new board members, announcing Ambassador of the Year and officially presenting the Citizen of the Year.

Denise M. Duncan, Executive President of the Chamber, opened the program with a welcome to everyone in attendance including numerous local and state constituents, among those were: Jasper Mayor John Weaver; Sole Pickenas County Commissioner Robert Jones; Dennis Pitts, North Georgia Representative for Lt. Governor Casey Cagle; State Senator Chip Pearson; State Representative Tom Graves; Mike Evans, Chairman of the Board of Georgia DOT; Darren Kendal, North Georgia Representative for U.S. Senator Saxby Chambless; and Denise Clopton, Senior Representative for U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson.

Outgoing Board Chairman Jerrold Young gave remarks about Chamber Year 2007. A record was set for number of new members in a year; with well over 10 new members each month. The gavel was officially passed to incoming Chairman Jeff Downing who acknowledged the 2008 Board of Directors, as well as outgoing Board Members, present-ing them with a token of appreciation.

Mr. Downing introduced “Ambassador of the Year” Susan Wright. Besides her full-time position with Community Bank of Pickens County and her many civic endeavors, Su-san manages to assist in running several Chamber-sponsored programs. As an Ambassador, she does an excellent job in promoting Chamber activities and cultivating new members. Susan volunteers her time and participates in the many Chamber events throughout the year. Her eagerness to further the Chamber is truly appreciated.

“Citizen of the Year” Regina Camp was invited to the stage for the unveiling of her portrait which will be displayed in the lobby of the Chamber of Commerce. The portrait was provided by Pisconeri Studios.

The Chamber wishes to thank the following companies for their sponsorships of the 2008 Annual Dinner:

Gold Sponsor: NICORP Development, LLC

Silver Sponsors: Lexington Precision and Regions Bank

Bronze Sponsors: Appalachian Technical College, Cherokee Bank, Foothills IGA, Lawson Chevrolet, M&M Contracting, North Georgia Living Magazine, Sharp Mountain Grill, Sharp Mountain Vineyards, Trouts Beverages and United Community Bank.

Welcome Our New Members for January

Keep your directory up to date. Just print this page out and place in your directory to keep all member’s in-formation close at hand.

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These are the members who renewed in the month of January.

Alfa InsuranceChestatee State BankCrescent BankDaystar Apparel, Inc.Denson Insurance Agency, Inc.Duplicating ProductsEconomy Mini Storage of JasperEnvironmental Management ServicesERA Sunrise Realty1st Franklin FinancialGenSpring Power, Inc.Georgia Mountains HospiceGeorgia PowerGhostnet, Inc.Mountain PeeksMullinax Truss Co, Inc.NAPA - Service Auto PartsNorth Georgia Community Action, Inc.Pickens County ProgressReinhardt CollegeTate Elementary SchoolThe Hair HutchThe Right Stuff Food Stores, Inc.United Country - Talking Rock Realty

••••••••••••••••••••••••

January Renewals

Thank you for your continued support!

AFLACM. Darryl Anderson10450 Big CanoeJasper GA 30143(404) 538-4717 • Fax: (706) 268-2016m.darrylanderson@tds.netAFLAC.comHEALTHCARE CONSULTANTSupplemental insurance.Blackbird Helicopters, LLCLonnie Slade, David Clark & Tim Warren1946 Enchanted Woods TrailMarietta, GA 30066(404) 550-8091slade@blackbirdhelo.comAVIATIONFlight training, private flights.

Cheshire Heating & Air Co., Inc.Barry & Brian Cheshire395 Groover St. Ball Ground, GA 30107(770) 735-2724 • Fax: (770) 735-4488scheshire@cheshirehvac.comwww.cheshirehvac.comHEATING/AIR CONDITIONINGHVAC sales & service.Georgia Mountain CommunitiesCindy T. West399 Mountain View DriveEllijay, GA 30540(706) 515-7070 • Fax: (706) 515-9464cindytwest@gmail.com www.georgiamountaincommunities.comREAL ESTATEReal estate.

Need Aprons, Inc.Michelle Davenport5240 Henderson Mtn. Rd.Jasper, GA 30143(770) 755-1606shellqc@tds.netwww.needaprons.comRETAIL SPECIALTYProfessional aprons, retro aprons.Prudential Georgia RealtySherstin Batista529 Bill Hasty Blvd., #3312Jasper, GA 30143(404) 567-9633 • Fax: (706) 253-7273sbatista@prudentialgeorgia.comwww.sherstinbatista.prudential/georgia.comREAL ESTATEReal estate.

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Business S�pot�i�ht on…pot�i�ht on…

Creative Advertising SolutionsIn business since 1998, Creative Advertising Solutions has been providing the best in

Promotional Products to their customers. Their main office is in Douglasville, GA. with branch offices located in Pickens and Dawson counties. They offer over 500,000 pro-motional items that can be imprinted with your company’s logo. These items range from

smaller everyday items such as badges, cups, golf items, letter openers and magnets to larger wearable items. Their wear-able items: golf shirts; jackets; blazers; t-shirts, etc., can be custom embroidered or screen-printed with the customer’s logo. They also offer the con-venience of in-house graphic design and camera-ready artwork preparation.

Creative Advertising Solution considers customer service their greatest asset. They diligently work to match

a promotion to the advertising budget and reflect the company’s image professionally. They would love to make an appointment to visit your office or visit them on-line at www.CreativeAdvertisingSolutions.com to search their products. They look forward to working with you!

Ambassador of the Monthssador of the Monthfor January

The Cham-ber hopes you will join us in congratulating our Ambassador of the Month for January. Susan Wright is the Market-ing & Business Development Officer for Com-munity Bank of Pickens County. She has been a Chamber member for 10 years and has been an active Ambassador since the Ambassador’s program began in 2006. Susan has been very involved in the Marble Festival since 1998. She is involved with the committee to achieve Entrepreneur Friendly status for Pickens County, the Pickens County Economic Development Task Force and also serves on the Board of Keep Pickens Beautiful. Susan can be reached at (706) 253-9602 or susan.wright@cbopc.com.

Thank you, S�usan, for a�� your hard work on beha�f of the Chamber of Commerce.

Any member of the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce who would like to become an ambassador, please call the Chamber at (706) 692-5600.

S�usan Wri�ht

E-Friendly Update

The E-Friendly Steering Committee and volunteers are really moving things into high gear. The date has been set for the review and hopefully a designation to be awarded to Pickens County for Entrepreneurial Friendly Community Status in

mid-March. In the meantime, there is still much work to do.The committees are busy with a great deal of activities like development of a county-

wide resource guide for entrepreneurs and start-up businesses, development of county-wide open forums with panel discussions to address the concerns of entrepreneurs, com-piling the data and results from all the interviews and surveys collected for presentation to the community, and developing sustaining measures for new E-Friendly programs here in Pickens.

More updates regarding the E-Friendly review day and Community Celebration will be announced soon. The entire community will be invited to join in this celebration and accomplishment. In the meantime, visit the Chamber website for more updates.

Chamber Board Secretary

Donna Torres

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Board SpotlightEach month we will be spotlighting a member of the Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, giving the membership a more personal look at the people representing them on the Board.

This month’s spot�i�ht is on Donna Torres, Chamber Board S�ecretary.

You can tell Donna is not a Pickens County native as soon as she opens her mouth. Raised primarily north of the Mason-Dixon Line, Donna says that she has found her true home in Jasper. The big reason for Donna and her family’s

move to Pickens in 2001 was to be closer to her parents, as well as to enjoy the warmth of both the climate and the people.

Donna received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Northeastern University in Boston in 1986. She completed her Master of Science degree in Management and Organizational Behavior in Illinois in 1992. Donna worked for DuPont for 15 years before starting a family. She spent 12 years happily ensconced as a stay-at-home mom until her move to Jasper.

Donna works at Regions Bank as a Business Banker covering Pickens and Gilmer Counties. She started with Regions in 2004 and states emphatically that this is the best job she has ever had. Donna was recognized as Regions’ “Top Business Banker for North Georgia” in 2006 and was also awarded the coveted President’s Cup that year for service above and beyond expectations.

Donna enjoys her Chamber Board responsibilities tremendously—feeling that this opportunity allows her to serve her community and her job and still have time for her family. Donna was inducted into the Rotary Club of Jasper in late 2007 and serves on the local American Red Cross committee and the Pickens County Comprehensive Plan-ning Commission, to name a few.

Donna and her husband Alberto built their own home in 2003. They have two boys—Alberto, a 9th grader at Pickens High School and Andi, a 4th grader at Jasper El-ementary School. The Torres family also consists of two dogs, two cats and a koi fish.

Her spare time is spent at home enjoying her family and her favorite hobby—mak-ing beaded jewelry.

Kel Kelley

The Pickens County Chamber of Commerce is sadden to announce Kel Kelley passed away on Tuesday, January 29th. Mr. Kelley was instrumental in helping to form the steer-ing committee for the Youth Leadership Council. He also helped a great deal with brain-storming and providing his personal contacts in the business community for the kids to meet. He would drive 1½ hours each way to do this for his love of helping the kids.

Mr. Kelley, the father of former Chamber Board member Patrick Kelley, was a vi-sionary whose impact made GhostNet a stronger company, not only working directly to support technical writing needs, but to also assist in the growth of the surrounding com-munity. Mr. Kelley will be sadly missed and our support goes out to his family.

Youth Leadership SupporterKel Kelley Passes Away

Blue Ridge Career Center OffersOpportunities for Business Owners

Do you have job openings for well-qualified applicants? The Blue Ridge Career Cen-ter has several applicants on file who are seeking employment. Many of them are qualified for the Georgia Works Training Initiative!

The Georgia Works Training Initiative enables employers to audition potential em-ployees while training them! Qualified Unemployment Insurance recipients can simulta-neously receive on-site workplace training while drawing their regular U.I. benefits and a special training allowance of up to $240. Upon completion of the training period (maxi-mum of 8 weeks, 24 hours per week), the trainee will be considered by the employer for employment.

The following services are offered to all local businesses at no cost! We can:List your job openings on the internet and screen applicants for you. Take your applications and forward them to you for your review.Offer free office space for you to conduct interviews and assist with schedul-ing interviews.Provide wage surveys and labor market information, including statistics on employment, unemployment, family income and labor availability.Support the North GA Employer Committee providing networking opportu-nity with other local business leaders.

If you would like more information on any of their services, please contact the Blue Ridge Career Center at (706) 632-2033.

They want your experience with their office to be the best! Remember, they’re not just the “unemployment office” any more… they want to be of service to the employer community that we all depend on and appreciate!

•••

•

•

The Pickens Chamber of Commerce continues to increase sponsorship and advertis-ing opportunities throughout the year, each designed to fit almost every budget. We are excited to announce an addition to our advertising opportunity on our new website which will be live by the end of January!

By including the Chamber of Commerce in your marketing, public relations and ad-vertising plans, your business will:

Reach a highly targeted audience of Pickens and metro Atlanta decision-makersMaximize the return on your investment by knowing your audienceIncrease your brand awareness among the business communityMake a difference in your business and your community

Our ad rates are as follows:Home Page Banner Ad

$350 - one year (Includes logo beside Directory listing)$275 - six months$150 - three monthsIf you advertise on the home page you are also seen on all sub pages and your advertisement provides a direct link to your website.

Sub Page Banner Ad$200 - one year$150 - six monthsYour ad is seen on all sub pages and your advertisement provides a direct link to your website.

*Note: All Banner Ads can be no more than 150 x 60 pixelsLogo beside Directory Listing

$50 - one yearClicking on logo provides a direct link to your website.

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New Marketing Tools To Be Available Through New Chamber Website

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Advertisement Opportunity

Monthly NewsletterThe Chamber E-News is a monthly publication of the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce. We offer very reasonable ad rates to our members. As an incentive to advertise in 2008, we are offering a 10% discount if you commit to a 12-month run and a 20% discount for payment in full by January 31, 2008. Committing to either discount does not mean you are locked into a specific ad size. We know that you may change your mind on size, content, etc. and we are flexible with that and can re-bill you when those changes occur. Our ad rates are as follows:

Full Page - $275.00Half Page - $175.00One-Third Page - $75.00Quarter Page - $65.00Business Card - $40.00

For more information, contact Candy Mullis at (706) 692-5600 or email karla.pickenschamber@yahoo.com

•••••

500 Stegall Drive Jasper, GA 30143 Phone: 706-692-5600

Fax: 706-692-9453 E-mail: denise@pickenschamber.com

Date: March 26, 2008 Shot Gun Start 10:00 a.m. Where: ARROWHEAD COUNTRY CLUB 260 Camp Road Jasper, Georgia

The golf tournament will be a 4-man Modified Lauderdale. Please see

the sign up sheet below. The cost for the tournament is $50.00 per

player. Please participate in this worthy event, funds raised will go

directly to Pickens High School Seniors.

Contact person:Denise Duncan

PRIZES

SIGN UP FORM Sign up Handicap

TEE SPONSORS

Pickens chamber of commerce Snowball golf tournament

ForPickens high school Seal of responsibility

scholarship