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DMA Gab-RRRDMA Gab-RRRDMA Gab-RRRDMA Gab-RRRVolume 16 No. 4 DULUTH MERCHANTS ASSOCIATIONDULUTH MERCHANTS ASSOCIATIONDULUTH MERCHANTS ASSOCIATIONDULUTH MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION April 2004April 2004April 2004April 2004
April 6, 2004Meeting
Sponsored by
SoutheasternRailway Museum3595 Peachtree Rd, Duluth
770/476-2013
April 6… DMA Members andGuests ride the rails into thepast at Southeastern RailwayMuseum, our host for thismonth’s meeting.
Once upon a time… a shallow rivermeandered through the forestedfoothills in quiet, uninhabitedland… land considered unsuitablefor civilization due to its lack oftransportation facilities as Americaentered its second fifty years….Land destined to become the siteof this country’s first majorlandlocked city. Twenty-five milesto the north, Evan Howell settlednear the Chattahoochee River andbegan building a community.
In 1871, the railroad came toHowell’s Crossing bringing anew, more efficient way for localfarmers to move their productsto market and for merchants abetter way to receive goods fortheir stores. In 1873, the com-munity’s name was changed toDuluth as it continued to growand prosper.
Nearly 100 years later, theSoutheastern Railway Museumopened at Berkeley Lake Road to
the public in 1970. Slowly andsteadily the museum developedinto a tourist attraction operatedby the Atlanta Chapter of theNational Railway Historic Society.
In 1997, the museum was alteredforever when the Atlanta Chapterformally accepted a donation ofthe present 30 acre site whichhad formerly been the J.J.Finnegan railcar repair facility.
When you visit the museum, youwill notice many differences fromthe last time the DMA meetingwas held there over 8 years ago.During those 8 years, the muse-um has relocated its entire collec-tion, gutted and remodeled twoindustrial buildings, and expand-ed its hours and offerings to ourcommunity. The museum hasbeen recognized by the state asthe Official Transportation HistoryMuseum, Gwinnett Convention &Visitors Bureau as the Attractionof the Year for 2003 and receivedthe Gwinnett Historical SocietyPreservation award in 2000.
Today, the museum features twoexhibit halls encompassing over50,000 square feet of exhibitspace. Included in this is over3.500 square feet of climate-controlled space for preservationand presentation of more climatesensitive items from themuseums collections. Themuseum has expanded its giftshop and created an audiovisualroom with modern electronicpresentation equipment.
The museum is home to over 90pieces of retired railway rollingstock of which about 40% isavailable for touring.
The museum continues to beoperated primarily with volun-teers and some supportingcontracted staff. Each year com-munity volunteers put forth over15,000 hours of effort in opera-ting the museum, hosting schoolgroups, having special events,restoring historical equipmentand expanding displays. In 2003,over 15,000 folks visited themuseum from across the UnitedStates and 15 foreign countries.
This year’s major special eventsinclude: Caboose Festival March27; RailFair Sept 25 & 26; visits& breakfast with Santa Nov 13 –Dec 18. Other events will beplanned throughout the year.
The museum is proud of its longinvolvement with the DuluthMerchants Association and welook forward to your visit onApril 6.
Page 2 DMA Gab-RRR
from theDesk of the President
This month of March has been atruly active one! We wish tothank the Gwinnett CommunityBank for hosting the DMAMonthly meeting in March!What a great turn out. I can’tbelieve everybody turned out tosee me! Oh, and Dan Reeveswas there too. What a honor tohave Dan Reeves address theDMA Meeting and he delightedeveryone with his commentaryon the 23 years of coaching andwe thank him for taking thetime to sign footballs foreveryone and even more thanone for many folks!
If you missed the FosterChildren’s Foundation Dinner,you missed a special event. Thefood was delicious and plentifulthanks to the expertise ofVirginia Ashe and staff atGourmet Catering. Tonight’sEntertainment was wonderfulwith their mix of music and weneed to invent a few morewords to describe the range ofvoice and talent in LoriO’Brien’s. I personally believeshe will sing before thePresident this year…or he will bemissing out on some mighty finesinging. The infamous BrooksColeman was as advertised…andhe did not just act as anauctioneer, he puts on a show.Those of us who witnessed it arestill talking about it. Brook’senergy and skill greatlycontributed to the amount ofmoney we were able to raise atthe Auction. I will announcegrand total at our April meeting.
I want to extend my heartfeltthanks to all the people thathelped make this event sosuccessful. The amount of time
and effort put in by thecommittee and volunteersturned this into a wonderfulbenefit. I truly thank you.
I would like to extend one lastthank you to the FosterChildren’s Foundation. Whatyou do for foster children isimmeasurable. I take my hat offto Suzanne Geske, a truedriving force behind a cause if Iever saw one.
For everyone, please rememberthe Benefit Dinner is just a one-time help event to thisorganization, as with all ourformer recipients, and they needour help year round.
Dana WhitePresident, 2004
Meditation MomentThe obvious signs of Spring are everywhere!
Many of the trees have beautiful blossoms,daffodils are blooming and birds are singing.Isn't it amazing that nature just happens soeffortlessly? Flowers and grass just grow
where they are planted. Why, I've even seena crack in the center of a driveway, and rightin the middle of the cement crack was a tiny
purple flower. It stood so straight and proudas if to say "What's the big deal? This iswhere God put me!" We humans, on the
other hand, with our "superior" intellect, seemto effort life and often have such troubleblooming where we are planted. It is when
we allow ourselves to embrace the changingseasons of our lives, express gratitude for
every situation and the opportunity to learnand grow through it and from it that we
become outward expressions of our innerbeauty. Some of us are late bloomers -
to that I say, better late bloomersthan no bloomers at all!
Blessings,Rev. Marlene
2004Duluth Merchants AssociationOfficers & Board of Directors
OFFICERS
DANA WHITEPresident
DERECK WHITESMITHVice President
Alisa WilliamsSecretary
John MonkTreasurer
BOARD of DIRECTORS
Pam Adams 770-564-0876Laura Heck 770-814-8984
Jennifer Ingalls 678-376-9700Marion Maloof 770-923-1111Albert Marquez 770-623-6069
John Martin 770-476-2775Thom Mash 770-689-2600John Monk 770-495-8900
Sunny Ramsay 404-906-4677Allan Roth 770-497-8776
Dana White 770-476-1659Dereck Whitesmith 678-957-8030
Alisa Williams 770-476-3434Mark Williams. 770-441-0945
Jim Wilson 770-813-8947
The Gab-RRRis a publication of the
Duluth Merchants Associationwww.duluthmerchants.com
Printed and Distributed byAccent Mail Service
678-473-4643
Layout & Photography byLaura Heck, Heck Design Group
Phone/Fax [email protected]
Edited bySunny Ramsay, Dan Cook Assoc.
Database by:Jim Wilson, ASK Staffing, Inc.
770-813-8947
April 2004 Page 3
The DMAStars & Stripes 5K
Run/WalkPeggy Mitchell
MemorialPLEASE GO TOwww.duluthmerchants.comFor Sponsorship Information!
The Duluth MerchantsAssociation (DMA) 5k Run/Walkis just around the corner,Saturday, May 29, 2004 @9:00AM!! This year, DereckWhitesmith, of Floristique, andJennifer Ingalls, of HiltonEnterprises, Inc. are co-chairingthis major fundraiser.
As you all know, Randy Sutt,Rock, Paper, Scissors, LLC hasco-chaired this event for the pastcouple years and has been ex-tremely instrumental for thegrowth of this fundraiser. We
Cody MoranHonored Twice
The beautiful face is familiar toall of us… she is always therewith a smile and a helpinghand… no wonder our very ownCody Ann Moran was recentlyrecognized with the two mostprestigious awards in the RealEstate Industry! Not that weare surprised…
Cody Ann was just honored withthe NAMAR PRESIDENT’SAWARD. This award is given bythe out-going President to theBoard Member who contributedthe most outstanding service tohis/hers term in office.
And in the same year Cody Annwas again honored as theREALTOR OF THE YEAR 2003by Northeast Atlanta MetroAssociation of Realtors (NAMAR).
are grateful for his wealth ofknowledge and help.
We need your support. First,we’d like to ask for your financialsupport with a sponsorshipand/or a donation. These fundsare given to a worthy student ofDuluth High School as scholar-ship money for the furthering ofhis/her education. Many Duluthfamilies have been honored withthis special reward that ulti-mately benefits our town, state& country. In addition, thesedonations support The GwinnettFoundation. Please review theSponsor Information page and
The recipient of this award isnominated and selected byother Realtor and Brokermembers of their Board ofRealtors. The recipient of thisprestigious award is selectedfrom over 3600 board members.The criteria encompasses thefollowing areas; Realtor Spirit,Business Accomplishments,Realtor Board Contributions andCivic Contributions.
decide what you can give as acompany or individual. Havingyour name, and/or companyname on a t-shirt is greatadvertising!! Truly, any donationto this worthy fundraiser for ourcommunity is appreciated.Secondly, we need yourvoluntary support on race day,for such duties as registration,course monitors, timers, fluidsdistributors, & finish line. (Weshould be done by noon).
Please contact Dereck at678-516-8498 [email protected], andJennifer at 678-376-9700 [email protected] your volunteer contributionsfor this annual fundraiser.
Thank you for your support,
Dereck Whitesmith &Jennifer Ingalls,DMA Board Co-chairs
Cody Ann is a native of Atlantaand moved to Gwinnett Countyeighteen years ago. Thechallenge of real estate calledafter leaving the ranks of thesuper successful women in theHeating and Air Sales Industry.Century 21 Findley Real Estate,Inc. is the agency Cody hung herlicense and she has been withFindley for her entire career.
Success can be a long and hardroad…it is an honor to berecognized by ones peers andfriends. Cody makes it look sosimple but it takes what she ismade up of…professionalism,integrity, enthusiasm anddedication…along with amultitude of other virtues. Todate her business accomplish-ments are: Life Member Million
…continued on page 10Cody Moran with Donna Daluga at thisyear’s DMA Spring Benefit.
Page 4 DMA Gab-RRR
Dia
T
The DMA Third Annual Spring Benefit Dinner
Brooks Coleman, Roy Rogers, Mark Williams, Suzanne Geske
ne and Dana White, our DMA President
Kathryn Willis with Mike and Kay Montgomery
Cinderella’s Fairy God Mother has beenhard at work in Duluth… along hundredsof hours of labor, donations of furniture,clothing, toys and generous communitygifts… turning an old worn out Tanneryinto The Foster Children’s Clothingand Needs Center. The perfect site forour Annual DMA Spring Benefit Dinnerheld on the 13th of March… benefitingthe Foster Children’s Foundation thisyear. It was a grand evening!
om Svoboda and Marlene Schaper
Randy and Cindy Sutt of Rock, Paper, Scissors
April 2004 Page 5
Marlene did a fine job as emcee again this year!
JaPo
The DMA took the opportunity torecognize Suzanne Geske with a“Plaque” citing her dedication to thefoundation and community.Suzanne’s incredible energy broughtthe Foundation benefiting FosterChildren to reality and the NeedsCenter a welcome addition to theDuluth landscape!
ne Royal, Rowell and gu
Benefiting the Foster Children’s Foundation
Dana White presents a “Plaque” to Suzanne Geskerecognizing her generous efforts for the Foster Children
Frank and Lori O’Brien providedentertainment for the eveningbert Wadley, Volunteer Server, Sherri
est
Page 6 DMA Gab-RRR
Donna
Marion Ma
Thanks to all our Generous Volunteers . . .
Daluga and Jim Wilson provideservice with a smile!
loof and Jennifer Ingalls make a great team!
Rich Daluga is no stranger to service –food or community!
New member Tunji Rabiu enjoys thesilent auction with his wife Tosin
Silent Auction items tempted theearly arrivals at 5pm and thebidding grew as the evening offestivities continued. The crowdwas entertained by Lori O’Brienand Tonight’s Entertainment!What a voice!
Brooks Coleman gets a commitmentfrom Dave Cook for a Roy Rogers cup
April 2004 Page 7
Brooks Colea
The eveningwork of GinnCatering. Whcombinationvolunteer seguests! The anticipated LBrooks Colemfurious and tRogers”… anBrooks knowup a notch! level for Offi
Chuck Ray
. . . and to all our Auction Contributors !
man was wonderful and generouss our guest Auctioneer.
’s delicious dinner was the arty... Virginia Ash Gourmetat a wonderful winning
… great food, wonderfulrvers and generous caringevening proceeded to the much-ive Auction by our very ownan! The bidding was fast and
hen Brooks brought out “Royd anyone who has ever heards what that means! It is going
The bidding was taken to a newcial Roy Rogers Cups!
Mark Williams gets his precious raccoon!
nor surveys the auction itemswith other guests.
Jim and Shirley Wilson enjoy show off theirauction acquisition.
Marion and Laura Maloof show off their auctiontake – a Laura Heck Photography original!
Page 8 DMA Gab-RRR
The benefitprecious timwonderful
Larry a
Donna and
Thanks to all for another great Benefit!
evening wrapped up with more music, dancing, new and old friends enjoyinge together… gathering to benefit the Foster Children’s Foundation. What a
way to spend the evening!
nd Mary Roberts of Hands of Christ,last year’s beneficiary.
Rich Daluga with Carol and Dennis Keller– thanks for all you do!
Arlene and Marlene Marquez join the fun,while Albert freezes his lens off in Alaska!
Renee and David Dudovitzadded delight to the evening!
Board member Thom Mash withhis wife, Susie.
Thanks to Laura Heck and Sunny Ramsayfor their Benefit photos, and to SunnyRamsay for her write-up.
April 2004 Page 9
Top 7 ReasonsWhy You Should UsePromotional Products
Part One
Think about it…you are inbusiness, you joined the DMA,and you are active in your com-munity and business commun-ity…why should promotionalproducts be important to you?
1. Promote Goodwill
Are you involved in your com-munity? Do you exhibit at thecommunity expos, trade shows,health fairs, community serviceevents, charity golf tournaments,fundraising events? If so, provideyour audience and fellow exhibi-tors with a tangible reminder thatyou were there.
2. Advertise your Goods andServices
Going to the trade shows relativeto your industry is a given, butwhat about trade shows/events/
appointments you don’t considerrelative to your company? Insur-ance companies naturally go tohome shows, auto shows, (hope-fully) health fairs, but what abouteducational fairs, safety eventsand schools? All elementaryschools know that safety beginswith our little ones! Take a gift tothe K-8 students with a reminderfor safety and health appropriateto their age. For the High Schoolgroup, emphasizing car safety,anti-gang, peer pressure,smoking, drinking and drugreminders are a must! Takethings to our local law enforce-ment, fire department and socialservice departments for them togive out to the kids in thecommunity. They will appreciateyour consideration!
3. Build Customer Loyalty
Do you have customers who youwant to thank for being with youfor ‘X’ amount of years, ‘X’number of referrals, ‘X’ amount of
SummeA Children’s A
Saturday, ApFor children
To Benefit Foster C
Gwinnett Civic Center Free Admission9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Contact 678-344-4345Presented by
Northeast Atlanta MetroAssociation of Realtors
In Conjunction WithWells Fargo Home Mortgage
r Dazectivities Fairril 24, 2004 of all Ages!
hildren’s Foundation
This event was planned primarily to appeal toparents and their children from infants to highschool seniors. Those attending can expect to findout information on various child-orientedorganizations, entities and companies such as:camps for arts, cheerleading, and sports (soccer,baseball, horseback riding, diving, football, etc.);child care facilities & programs; and children’slearning facilities/services for languages, computerskills and sciences. …continued on page 10
items purchased from you, or ‘X’amount of money spent at yourplace of business? This would bea great thank you to them forhelping your business grow.
4. Store/Trade Show Traffic
Going to trade shows is onething, getting people to yourbooth is quite another! Havesomething interesting for themthat they will not only hang onto,but others will see and say “Hey,where did you get that”? Onepromotion I did for a customerthat was not only inexpensive,but brought numerous potentialclients to their booth, was apersonalized Polaroid pictureframe and we took Polaroids(with flash) of the folks who cameto the booth. The flash broughtother onlookers who wanted toget a ‘keepsake” that was unique.This was a great promotion,inexpensive and “Flashy”.
Look for Reasons 5-7 in the MayGab-RRR, plus some bonus tips!
Page 10 DMA Gab-RRR
Cody Moran…continued from page 3
Dollar Club, Century 21 QualityService Award and Century 21Findley Top-Ten Club. She hasserved on the Board of Realtors asa Board Member, a CommunityService Committee Chairpersonand on the Professional StandardsCommittee.
Her current and past Civic Contri-butions read like a Who’s Who ofGwinnett…Co-Chair SummerDaze: A Children’s ActivitiesTrade Fair, active volunteer andfundraiser for Foster Children’sFoundation, Coordinator ofChristmas Parties for ShelteringArms, 3 Gwinnett locations,Volunteer Duluth MerchantsAssociation Spring FundraiserDinner, Top fundraiser for AtlantaChapter of American DiabetesAssociation, Past-President DuluthMerchants Association, Founder& Director of Duluth MerchantsAssociation’s 5K Run & Walkand DMA Board of Directors!
So, what does she do in herspar time? She is a wife, afriend and a dog rescue mom!Well Cody Ann…you have setthe bar and it is wonderful thatyou have been recognized byyour industry! We are so proudof you…but we knew it all along!
Summer Daze…continued from page 9
Planned exhibitors include Sci-Trek, Gwinnett Parks & Recrea-tion, Fernbank, SoutheasternRailway Museum, DunwoodyNature Center, Zoo Atlanta, andmore. Everything from balloonanimals and face painting, tokarate demonstrations, wallclimbing, gymnastics, arts andmore will be available foreveryone to enjoy. Stageentertainment by various youthperforming arts organizations will
Rainbow Village9th Annual
Charity Golf ClassicMay the 4th (Tuesday)
The Legends at Chateau Élan
10 am ~ 11:30 am
Registration, Driving Range,Putting Contest, Box Lunch
12:00 Noon ~ Shotgun Start
5:30 pm ~ Social
DinnerAwards & Raffle
For Reservations call:(770) 497-2361
Or Visit the web site at:www.rainbowvillage.org
Sponsorship Opportunities –Call Rainbow Village
at 770-497-2361
begin at about 10:00am andcontinue throughout the day.
The Foster Children’s Foundation,Inc. (FCFI) partners with publicand private organizations to meetthe various needs of fosterchildren and works to improvetheir quality of life. FCFI providesclothing, hygiene products andother personal needs, as well asteaching life fundamentals andother needed educationalexperiences, hosting activitiesthat allow siblings to re-unite andsponsoring attendance to cultural
Kiwanis Club of Duluth15th Annual
Golf TournamentMay the 13th (Thursday)
St. Marlo County Club
10:00 am ~ Sign In & Practice
10:45 am ~ Putting Contest
11:30 am ~ Boxed Lunch &Beverage
12:00 pm ~ Shotgun Start
5:00 pm ~ Bar & Grill Open
6:00 pm ~ Cookout & Awards
For more information orto learn more about Kiwanis,
please visit the web site:
www.duluthkiwanis.org
Sponsorship OpportunitiesAvailable
arts, sporting events and camps.Their website iswww.fosterchildrensfoundation.org.
Sponsorships and a few exhibitbooths are still available. Mer-chants are asked to place postersin their storefront windows.Posters and promotional flyers willbe available at the April meeting.Volunteer positions on the day ofthe event are also available. Formore information on how you canparticipate, contact: Cody AnnMoran at 770-476-5238 ext 255,[email protected].
May is the Monthfor Charity Golf Tournaments…
The month of May has two offerings from two of DMA’sMembers…Take a look and sign up for both…it is a great way tospend the day with your clients and help these great charities!Both of our Member Golf Tournaments are seeking Sponsors andGift/Auction items and Golf Bag Goodies! Let’s all get out andsupport them!
April 2004 Page 11
Aurora TheatreSchedule
Life is a Dream/La Vida esSueño
by Pedro Calderon de laBarca
March 19 - April 18, 2004,No Show on Easter
The Spanish fairy tale abouta captive prince will beperformed in English withSunday evening shows inSpanish. Spanish show onSunday evening at 7:00 pm
Pete ‘n’ Keely - a MusicalComedy
by James Hindman,Additional music by PatrickBrady and Mark Waldrop
May 21 - June 20, 2004
Through a non-stop parade ofAmerican song hits, relivethis couple’s roller coasterride that got them wherethey are today …DIVORCED!!! FeaturingKathleen McManus and AlanKilpatrick.
Showtimes are Thursday -Saturday at 8:00 pm, andSunday at 2:00 pm unlessotherwise noted.
Prices are $22 Adults, $20Seniors, $18 Students forThursday, Friday, Sunday,and $25 Adults, $23 Seniors,and $21 Students forSaturday.
For reservations:www.auroratheatre.com or770-476-7926
Southeastern RailwayMuseum Eventswww.srmduluth.org.
Effective April - December, themuseum will be open Thursdays –Saturdays 10am – 5pm. For grouptours, call (770) 495-0253 x2.Reservations for parties or groupmeetings are accepted only duringmuseum hours at (770) 476-2013.The museum has decorated a railcarfor parties and group events.
The museum proudly announces it’sfirst annual spring fundraiser “TheHobo’s Bar-B-Q” on Saturday, April24 from 6pm to 9pm. The Bar-B-Qwill be served by Williamson Bros.Bar-B-Q, music by Whistle Stop,and others. There will be doorprizes. Raffle prizes include a pair ofAir-Tran tickets; a mountain cabinfor a weekend, Bi-Plane rides andmany more items. Bar-B-Q ticketsare $30 each. Raffle tickets are $6each or 4 tickets for $20. Fortickets, please see a museummember, stop by the museumduring business hours or call ourreservations coordinator, Judy Pirkleat 770-622-7268. Seats are limitedand advance tickets are required.
There are a limited number of seatsfor new volunteers training to serveon the museum’s train crew. Classsize is limited to 15. Classroomsession on rules, safety, radio oper-ations on Monday, April 5 at 7:30 atthe museum. Hands on trainingSaturday, April 10 at 1:30pm. Youmust attend both sessions in orderto begin “cub” (apprentice) training.There is NO fee for the class, how-ever insurance requires all personsbe members of the Atlanta Chapter,NRHS, Inc. For more information,contact Dale Grice at 770-638-9014or [email protected].
The museum is partnering withGeorgia’s Operation Lifesaver tohost training sessions beginningin April, to become a certifiedOperation Lifesaver presenters,helping to reduce highway-railcrossing collisions. Contact:Georgia Operation Lifesaver, 770-393-2711 or www.georgiaol.org.
2004 Calendar of Events
All Meetings begin at 6:00 p.m. on thefirst Tuesday of each month, exceptwhere otherwise indicated with a *.Locations will vary.
April 6, 2004 SoutheasternRailway Museum
May 4 The Hooch GolfCourse
May 29 5K Road Race
June 1 Esposito’s Tavern
July 13 Maloof Chiropractic
August 3 Duluth Fall Festival
September 13 American LegionPost 251
October 5 Atlanta FlooringDesign Centers
November 2 Mario’s DuluthCorner Café
December 7 Aurora Theatre
January 4,2005
Gwinnett Chamberof Commerce
February 1 The Sharing Centerfor Women
March 1 GwinnettCommunity Bank
April 5 Foster Children’sFoundation
May 3 Open
June 7 Accent Mail
Anyone interested in hosting a DMAmeeting or providing refreshments,please contact Albert Marquez at770-623-6069.
Is Your Company Making News?",
If it is, we want to spotlight you in the DMA Gab-RRR. If you have any significant news about yourbusiness: awards, big wins, new expansions, relocating, please e-mail them to Sunny Ramsay [email protected] or fax it to 770-813-9923. It is your newsletter and we rely upon you.
Are you using your association's website to the fullest? Add your web address and a businessdescription to your entry in the online membership directory.Send an email to [email protected] with your updates.
ALL NEWSLETTER ENTRIES must be submitted by the 12th of each month for the next issue.
"Change of Address”
Please e-mail your address changes to Jim Wilson at [email protected] or call him at770-813-8947.
"Are You Next?"
We want to showcase our DMA members in our meetings. If you would like to host a meeting or if youhave an educational 30 minute presentation that you believe would be of benefit to our members,please call Albert Marquez, 770-623-6069 with your ideas.
"The Network Table Is Available!"
Yes, we want you to invite all of you to bring your literature (in small quantities) about your productsand services to our DMA meetings so fellow members can learn more about you. BUT, FAIR WARNING:at the end of the evening, you must take your literature with you, or it will be thrown away.