2015 Board of Directors Chairman WESLEY BRINKMEYER Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative First Vice Chair MICHAEL PITTMAN Scott & White Hospital Second Vice Chair KURT ALFRED Brenham National Bank Treasurer MICHAEL GROVES NOV Elmar Artex Secretary BRICE MILLIORN Edward Jones Immediate Past Chair LIZ HOPKINS Stella Designs & Solutions ERIC BERG District Attorney’s Office SHARON BRASS Kwik Kopy Business Center CATHY COLE Heritage Texas Country Properties DENNIS CROWSON Blinn College CHAD GERKE Gerke Law Firm BECKY HANATH Rodney’s General Repair SUZY HANKINS Ant Street Inn TAMMY JASTER City of Brenham – Blue Bell Aquatic Center ASH PATEL Best Western Inn – Brenham JAMES PHARAON Germania Insurance GRACIE SLATTERY Brenham Clinic CYNTHIA SMITH Oldham Goodwin Group NATHAN WADE Lazy “D” Ranches RANDY WEIDEMANN Van Dyke Rankin Insurance REV. RANDY WELLS Faith Mission and Help Center TIFFANY WINKLES Blue Bell Creameries AUGUST 2015 ChamberWorks WASHINGTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BRENHAM, TEXAS The countdown is on! TAILGATE 2015 will be held on Thursday, Aug. 27, and tickets are on sale now. The Chamber will host this exciting and fun tailgate-style event at Silver Wings Ballroom in Brenham. It is the one an- nual fundraising event for Chamber programs and activities. Everyone in the community is invited. Get some friends together and plan to be there! Football fever and spirited rivalries will be happening that night…between fans of Texas Longhorns, Texas A&M, Blinn Bucs, TCU Horned Frogs, UH Cougars, Texas Tech Raid- ers, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Burton Panthers, Brenham Cubs and more. Tickets Are Only Sold in Advance Tickets will not be sold at the door. Stop by the Chamber and pick up tickets by August 20. For the price of $35 per person, you can enjoy all the delicious food you can eat (from Design II Catering), foamy cold beverages, a fabulous silent auction, deck-of-cards raffles for guns, a “big board” auction, and lots of mingling with colleagues and friends. The auction is always a major highlight of the evening. Chamber members donate fan- tastic items! See below for some highlights. A huge round of applause goes to all of the generous sponsors who are making this night possible. Please join us in thanking them, and then come to the TAILGATE 2015 to enjoy the party with them! CHAMPION SPONSOR SUPER BOWL SPONSORS TOUCHDOWN SPONSORS Appel Ford Ballard & Fleetwood Attorneys at Law Bluebonnet Electric Brenham Collision Scott & White Healthcare-Brenham St. Joseph Health System Here’s a peek at just a few of the auction items you can bid on at the TAILGATE Par- ty. A complete list of all donations will be in next month’s newsletter to recognize all the fantastic donations from Chamber member businesses. TICKETS NOW ON SALE TAILGATE continued on A2 Lunch & Learn with the Chamber Wildflowers and Prairies: A look at cultural practices Presented by Betsy Ross of Sustainable Growth Texas Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2015 11:30am-1pm at Ant Street Inn $12 (Lunch Included) Tickets available at the Washington County Chamber or call 979-836-3695 to make your reservation.
Transcript
2015 Board of DirectorsChairman
WESLEY BRINKMEYERBluebonnet Electric Cooperative
First Vice Chair
MICHAEL PITTMANScott & White Hospital
Second Vice ChairKURT ALFRED
Brenham National Bank
TreasurerMICHAEL GROVES
NOV Elmar Artex
SecretaryBRICE MILLIORN
Edward Jones
Immediate Past ChairLIZ HOPKINS
Stella Designs & Solutions
ERIC BERGDistrict Attorney’s Office
SHARON BRASS
Kwik Kopy Business Center
CATHY COLEHeritage Texas
Country Properties
DENNIS CROWSONBlinn College
CHAD GERKEGerke Law Firm
BECKY HANATH
Rodney’s General Repair
SUZY HANKINSAnt Street Inn
TAMMY JASTERCity of Brenham –
Blue Bell Aquatic Center
ASH PATELBest Western Inn – Brenham
JAMES PHARAONGermania Insurance
GRACIE SLATTERY
Brenham Clinic
CYNTHIA SMITHOldham Goodwin Group
NATHAN WADELazy “D” Ranches
RANDY WEIDEMANNVan Dyke Rankin Insurance
REV. RANDY WELLS
Faith Mission and Help Center
TIFFANY WINKLESBlue Bell Creameries
AUGUST2015 ChamberWorks
washington county chamber of commerce brenham, texas
The countdown is on! TAILGATE 2015 will be held on Thursday, Aug. 27, and tickets are on sale now. The Chamber will host this exciting and fun tailgate-style event at Silver Wings Ballroom in Brenham. It is the one an-nual fundraising event for Chamber programs and activities. Everyone in the community is invited. Get some friends together and plan to be there!
Football fever and spirited rivalries will be happening that night…between fans of Texas Longhorns, Texas A&M, Blinn Bucs, TCU Horned Frogs, UH Cougars, Texas Tech Raid-ers, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, Burton Panthers, Brenham Cubs and more.
Tickets Are Only Sold in Advance
Tickets will not be sold at the door. Stop by the Chamber and pick up tickets by August 20. For the price of $35 per person, you can enjoy all the delicious food you can eat (from Design II Catering), foamy cold beverages, a fabulous silent auction, deck-of-cards raffles for guns, a “big board” auction, and lots of mingling with colleagues and friends.
The auction is always a major highlight of the evening. Chamber members donate fan-tastic items! See below for some highlights.
A huge round of applause goes to all of the generous sponsors who are making this night possible. Please join us in thanking them, and then come to the TAILGATE 2015 to enjoy the party with them!
CHAMPION SPONSOR
SUPER BOWL SPONSORS
TOUCHDOWN SPONSORSAppel Ford
Ballard & Fleetwood Attorneys at LawBluebonnet ElectricBrenham Collision
Scott & White Healthcare-BrenhamSt. Joseph Health System
Here’s a peek at just a few of the auction items you can bid on at the TAILGATE Par-ty. A complete list of all donations will be in next month’s newsletter to recognize all the fantastic donations from Chamber member businesses.
TICKETS NOW ON SALE
TAILGATE continued on A2
Lunch & Learn with the
ChamberWildflowers and Prairies:
A look at cultural practicesPresented by Betsy Ross
of Sustainable Growth Texas
Wednesday, Sept. 2, 201511:30am-1pm
at Ant Street Inn$12 (Lunch Included)
Tickets available at the Washington County Chamber
or call 979-836-3695 to make your reservation.
Page 2 | Chamber Works | August 2015
GROUP BUYING POWERChamber members can now get major savings on
credit card payment processing.Learn about our new member benefit program.
Black Buck Hunting TripDonated by Appel Ford and Citizens State Bank
Dinner with the Docs
Donated by Brenham Clinic
Glock 380Donated by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Leather Portfolio Embossed with State Seal
Donated by State Senator Lois Kolkhorst
Mexican Dinner for 10Donated by Bevers Kitchen
Texas A&M vs Mississippi State
Football Tickets (2)
Steak Dinner for 20Donated by Miracle Farm
and Chamber Board Members
Party for 10Donated by Horseshoe Junction
Cub Home Game Sideline PassDonated by Brenham ISD
Lunch for 16 with DessertDonated by Must Be Heaven
This is the only fundraising event of the year for the Chamber. All proceeds are put back into the community in the form of programs and services to enhance the busi-ness industry and economic climate. Join the crowd on August 27. Enjoy this great opportunity to support your community, promote your business, and have fun at the same time!
TAILGATEContinued from A1
New Chamber Members
BRENHAM CELL PHONE GURUOwners: Salman Amirali & Moiz Meghani1610 S. Day StreetBrenham, Texas 77833Phone: 979-551-2328Cellular Phones/Accessories
CAJUN CREATIVE PRINTINGOwners: Allen & Sharon SteelePO Box 575 Brenham, Texas 77834Phone: 866-942-2586www.cajuncreative.comAdvertising-Specialty/PromotionalMonogramming, Screen Printing, Heat Transfer
CLAYTON HOMESOwner: David Kelly1602 HWY 290WBrenham, Texas 77833cPhone: 281-223-8783david.kelly@claytonhomes.comwww.claytonhomesofbrenham.comMobile/Manufactured Housing
FAMILY HERITAGE BENEFITSOwners Steve Pauze & Sarah Hudgins19019 Canyon Frost Drive (Mailing Address)Tomball, Texas 77377Phone: 281-684-6904stevepauze@gmail.comwww.familyheritagelife.comInsurance
ROCKIN MC RUSTICOwner: Michael McCoy17223 Hwy 36Somerville, Texas 77879Phone: [email protected] & Home Décor & Accessories-Retail
YPO Happy Hour on Thursday, Aug. 20at The Stone Cellar
550 N. Washington Street(Hwy 237 North), Round Top
5-7 p.m.Join in for some good food, good drinks and a
great time!Sponsored by the Brenham Rotary Club
For more information about the Washington County YPO, send your contact information to
Korth & Linke Welding — 38 yearsSpiess Insurance Agency — 38 yearsMark Hyatt Insurance Agency — 36 yearsGary Appelt, M.D., P.A. — 34 yearsMiracle Farm — 33 yearsWashington County Fair Association — 31 yearsK-Bob’s Steakhouse — 30 yearsChris McCarty, DDS, Pediatrics — 30 yearsBrenham Country Club — 26 yearsLube Rite — 26 yearsWilliam L. & Dee Pennybacker — 26 yearsLive Oak Resort — 25 yearsLuedemann Feed & Farm — 24 yearsSears — 23 yearsArtesian Park RV Campground — 22 yearsK & H Portable Toilets — 22 yearsWashington-on-the-Brazos State Park Assoc — 22 yearsMoorman Tate Haley Upchurch & Yates — 21 yearsBest Western Inn of Brenham — 18 yearsLaBahia Antiques — 18 yearsMargie Routt Young- Events by Room Service — 18 yearsOak Creek Apartments — 17 yearsRobert’s Service Station & Grocery — 16 years
Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst — 15 yearsBlissWood Bed & Breakfast Ranch — 13 years2TR Investments — 12 yearsA & L Hot Oil Service — 12 yearsFrank Blizzard — 12 yearsBrenham Catering Company — 12 yearsBrenham Cemetery Association — 12 yearsFirst Finance — 12 yearsFoehner Funeral Home — 12 yearsPlumb Level — 12 yearsPomegranate/Funky Art Cafe — 12 yearsScoops at Westwood — 12 yearsSt. Peter’s Episcopal Church — 12 yearsWashington County Republican Party — 12 yearsBrenham Carpet & Tile — 11 yearsBrenham Elks Lodge #979 — 9 yearsBrenham Party Rentals — 9 yearsChappell Hill Lavender Farm — 9 yearsCross Creek Construction & Design — 9 yearsAAA Self Storage-Brenham — 8 yearsWCT OUTDOORS — 8 yearsCricket Cruise & Travel — 7 yearsProServe Automotive — 7 years
Grace Community Fellowship — 6 yearsM.C. Byrd Wealth Management — 6 yearsDon C. Wilhelm — 6 yearsHonest Builders — 5 yearsPeggy Kramer, County Treasurer — 5 yearsLinda & Paul Pipes — 5 yearsMr. & Mrs. Glen Prenzler — 4 yearsCentury 21 Holton Realty — 3 yearsQuestVapco Corporation — 3 yearsWe Manage Properties — 3 years1st Step Dog Training & Grooming — 2 yearsFactory Connection — 2 yearsM Bar Land & Cattle — 2 yearsMid-Continental Insurance Services — 2 yearsMutscher, Gus — 2 yearsRound Top Real Estate — 2 yearsTexas State Optical — 2 yearsC.C. Creations — 1 yearRyan Frieben, M.D., PA — 1 yearRussell Hall Construction — 1 yearSay I Won’t CrossFit — 1 year
Renewing Chamber MembersJuly 1-31
Thanks to the following members for continuing your investment in the Chamber. You are long-term “partners” in our missionto promote and preserve this great community, and we appreciate your confidence in the Chamber’s ability to promote your business.
August 2015 | Chamber Works | Page 3
Business SpotlightsBrenham Youth Football League
Vincent’s Roofing
The Brenham Youth Football League (BYFL) is a non-profit organization for youth football and cheer.
The primary objective of BYFL is to devel-op well-rounded young people who learn the fundamentals of football and cheerleading in an organized, supervised environment.
BYFL inspires youth to practice the ide-als of good sportsmanship, scholarship and personal integrity. The program is funded by donations, registration fees and fund-raisers. Run entirely by volunteers, the pro-gram constitutes 100% of the organization’s time and effort.
The league recently had almost $20,000 of helmets and shoulder pads stolen. They had budgeted to have the items cleaned and
certified and were to use them for multiple seasons. The league was faced with replac-ing all of the equipment to play for the cur-rent season.
An overwhelming number of Brenham businesses and individuals have given to the league. Because the community came to-gether as a “team” and provided numerous donations, BYFL replaced all the equip-ment that was stolen.
A special thanks to Stylecraft Builders for their extreme generosity!
The success of BYFL will not be solely determined by wins or losses, but will be measured by a demonstration of sportsman-ship, teamwork, respect for others and the experience of working together as a TEAM.
At the beginning of summer when “Bill” came through our area, many trees were down, properties were damaged and flood-ing occurred.
Vincent’s Roofing staff worked day in and day out to ensure roofs were tarped and that the community received the services needed to recover from the storm.
Vincent’s Roofing is a locally-owned and operated multi-service roofing company specializing in re-roofs in metal, shingles and tile.
They also repair roofs as well as build metal buildings and help with painting and
windows, and are Hardie siding certified. Gutters are another one of Vincent’s Roof-ing specialties with 5”-6” seamless gutter systems, half round gutters and leaf guards in a variety of colors.
In business for 20 years, they maintain an A+ Better Business Bureau rating and are the only Master Elite Certified Roofing Contractor in the area. For quality local ser-vices, call Vincent’s Roofing for a free pro-fessional estimate.
Call 979-247-4587 or stop by 7000 High-way 77 South in La Grange to view roofing samples and to meet their friendly staff.
A “Leaders in Education Forum” was held on August 4 at Blinn College. Pictured are (LtoR) Chamber Board Chair Wesley Brinkmeyer, Blinn College President Dr. Mary Hensley, Burton ISD Superintendent Dr. Edna Kennedy, and Brenham ISD Superintendent Dr. Walter Jackson.
The Chamber hosted a free “Wise Up Wednesday” workshop on July 29 cov-ering the Basics of Facebook. Another class for Advanced Facebook is being planned for September, so watch for the announcement!
Washington County Chamber of Commerce314 S. Austin Street, Brenham H 979-836-3695
www.facebook.com/Brenham.Texas H www.brenhamtexas.com
Thank you to our Presidential Level members ...
Bluebonnet Electric
Metropolitan Water
Company, L.P.
OF BRENHAM
BrenhamClinic
Brenham National
Bank
BRENHAM
Thank you to our Chairman’s Circle members ...
Page 4 | Chamber Works | August 2015
Blue Blazers Make Surprise Celebration Visits for Membership Anniversaries
Westwood GiftsBlue Blazer Kristie Wensel with Rita Perkins
Washington County FairBlue Blazer Kristie Wensel with Debbie Schroeder
Washington County Appraisal DistrictBlue Blazer Kristie Wensel with Willy Dillworth
Moorman Tate Haley Upchurch and YatesBlue Blazer Linda Pipes with SteveHaley and staff
Overhead Door Co. of South Central TexasBlue Blazer Linda Pipes with Jeff Ross
Moeller Electric/Countryside LightingBlue Blazer Linda Pipes with Diane Pieper
August 2015 | Chamber Works | Page 5
Introducing the Leadership Class of 2016The new class of Leadership Washington
County participants convened this month with an Orientation held on August 5 and will be followed by a day-long Leadership Communication session on August 18. There will be a Team Building Retreat at Camp For All in September. The partic-ipants will graduate from the program in May 2016.
The twenty-five professionals listed below will be challenged, inspired and educated about the many facets of effec-tive leadership and the structure of this community. During this program, partici-pants will experience eleven in-depth ses-sions, meet top leaders in the community and form relationships that will aid them in their professional careers for years to come. They will also be treated to amaz-ing, behind-the-scenes tours of some of Brenham’s most unique businesses.
Here are this year’s Leadership Wash-ington County participants:
Eric BenitezCitizens State Bank
Courtney BensonDel Sol Food Company
Ginger BishopBrenham Police Department
Michael BrantonSeidel Schroeder
Clint CarrollGermania Insurance
Victoria ConarroeWashington County
Amy EspinozaGermania Insurance
Cheryl GaskampBrenham National Bank
Dr. Mary HensleyBlinn College
Cathy HolderMIC Group
Dr. Walter JacksonBrenham ISD
Susie JohnsonBrenham State
Supported Living Center
Zuhair KademLongwood Elastomers
Kim KaliszewskiGermaia Insurance
Sarah KubeczkaLongwood Elastomers
Richard ParkerWells Fargo
James ReedBlinn College
Janice ScheveCamp For All-Camp Friends
Marcia SheltonSelf Employed
Erik SmithCity of Brenham
Tara Lancaster-VegaBrenham Clinic
Gretchen VoglerWashington County
Adult Probation
Daniel WatsonSt. Joseph Health System
Gena WilimitisMiracle Farm
Bernie WilimitisPatriot Mergers & Acquisitions
Leadership Washington County is hosted and coordinated each year by the Washington County Chamber with assis-tance from alumni of the program. It is one of the most meaningful ways to give back after you have received all the valu-able training and experiences in the LWC program.
Watch this newsletter for photos and articles about the new class over the next several months as they learn and grow to-gether as professionals and leaders.
Leadership participants learn what makes this community work! They form new relationships and forge lasting bonds while touring community sites and hearing from local leaders.
Time to Plan for Visitor Guide 2016
Details on how to participate in the 2016 Brenham/Washington County Visitor Guide will be mailed this week to all “tourism partners.” This is an extra, optional printed piece for Chamber members to promote themselves to all leisure and business visitors.
Because of its low cost per participant and high circu-lation, the Brenham/Washington County Visitor Guide is the perfect marketing tool for both small and large busi-nesses and attractions.
Tourism partners: watch your mail for an envelope with a bright red sticker. You will have just one month to decide and complete a listing to be in the Guide. Materials and payment are to be submitted by September 14. Any new members interested may call to have the info emailed to your attention.
This Visitor Guide will be distributed starting in Janu-ary 2016. Supplies are sent to all Texas Travel Information Centers state-wide! It is also distributed to hotels, busi-nesses and visitor centers in major cities around the state, as well as mailed to individuals upon request year-round. Supplies will also be available for any tourism outlet in the area.
Remember: Watch your mail for that red-labeled enve-lope! Or call for the details.
Brenham HistoricalTour Package Planned
Five historical sites in Brenham are scheduled to open their doors for public tours with regular hours this fall, to share the community’s colorful heritage. The grand open-ing of Step into the Past Historical Tours will be launched in early October.
About 8,000 walk-in tourists visit the Washington Coun-ty Visitor Center each year. Most are looking for things to do in the area. With the new Step into the Past package, a variety of unique attractions can be offered that appeal to both adults and children.
The venues being opened are already toured each May by Brenham ISD students during the annual “Local Histo-ry Day” event. This plan calls for the same sites to open on Saturdays for self-guided tours by all visitors.
The tour package includes Glissmanns Historic Drug Store, Brenham Fire Museum, Brenham Heritage Muse-um, Toubin Park, The Giddings Wilkin House Museum, The Giddings Stone Mansion, The Barnhill Center at the Simon Theatre, and the Antique Carousel at Fireman’s Park.
Read full details about all of the amazing features at these historic sites in a press release on the Chamber’s home page under “Latest News.”
Step into the Past is being planned by volunteer Sha-ron Brass; Jennifer Eckermann of Main Street Brenham; Doug Price and Cynthia Eben of Brenham Heritage Muse-um; and Washington County Chamber-CVB staff. Project funding is being provided by Main Street Brenham and Brenham Heritage Museum, with contributions from Bar-ry and Sharon Brass. The project is a collaboration among Main Street Brenham, Brenham Heritage Museum, Bren-ham Fire Department, Glissmanns, the Heritage Society of Washington County and the Washington County Cham-ber-CVB.
Volunteers are needed! Each of the participating orga-nizations has reached out to supporters but more manpow-er is still needed. The hope is to find more residents who would like to help share our rich heritage with visitors. There are great videos and brochures to help tell the story, but real-live volunteers are needed to greet visitors. For more information on how you can get involved, please call 979-836-3696.
Living History SaturdayOn the third Saturday of each month, staff and volun-
teers dressed in period clothing bring to life the people and events of Old Washington providing a unique opportunity to discover various aspects of life surrounding the birth of the Republic of Texas. Step back in time and discover the spot where Texas became Texas on Saturday, August 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission fees apply. For more information, call 979-878-2461or visit www.wheretexas-becametexas.org.
Back Lot GalleryNew artist, new art. The second artist’s show in this
new downtown gallery is Colorful Soul by Leiann Klein of Houston. Her paintings and linocut prints are a rendition of how color and shape defines character. Colorful Soul runs through Thursday, August 23. Back Lot Gallery is open Friday and Saturday from noon to 7 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Back Lot Gallery is located at 308 S. Park Street. For more information call 979-836-7393.
Music at Festival Hill Come experience the wonder of four hands, two key-
boards in the Split Second Piano Duo Concert at Festival Hill Concert Hall on Saturday, August 22, from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased in advance but will also be available at the door. Lunch will be available at 12:45 PM in the Menke House Dining Hall, by reservation only. Overnight accommodations are available on campus for this concert weekend. Festival Hill is located at 248 Jaster Rd, Round Top. For more information, call 979-249-3129 or visit www.festivalhill.org.
Antique Carousel RidesThe Antique Carousel at Fireman’s Park will be open on
Saturdays from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays from 1p.m. to 4 p.m. through October. Rides are only $1 per rider! Fireman’s Park is located at 940 N. Park St. For more in-formation, call 979-337-7200 or visit www.cityofbrenham.org/parks.
Page 6 | Chamber Works | August 2015
Tourism News
Working for YOU!As a Chamber member, your promotional information
is seen by thousands of people every month.
WALK-INS
WEBSITEwww.BrenhamTexas.com
Unique VisitorsJuly 2015 — 7,124
Total PagesJuly 2015 — 14,153
Visitor CenterJuly 2015 — 569
HQ BuildingJuly 2015 — 733
WEBSITEwww.VisitBrenhamTexas.com
Unique VisitorsJuly 2015 — 19,763
Total PagesJuly 2015 — 43,905
The Washington County Chamber con-tinues the summer Buy Local “Go Loco” campaign by offering cash prizes to those wishing to participate in a Geo-Loco Trea-sure Hunt which, through geocaching, also encourages shopping, playing, and eating locally.
Geocaching is a fun hobby for all ages. Special containers have been hidden throughout the county. In the Chamber’s Geo-Loco hunt, points are earned by locat-ing caches, eating, shopping and visiting lo-cal attractions. You need 50 points to have a chance to win.
By downloading a geocaching app to your smartphone, and then picking up a Treasure Hunt Passport at the Chamber of Commerce or Visitor Center, you can be on your way to the Grand Prize $100 VISA gift card or second and third place prizes of $50 VISA gift cards, sponsored by Brazos Valley Schools Credit Union in Brenham.
As the summer winds down, take ad-vantage of the local fun that is right here in Washington County. There are movies, swimming facilities, lavender picking, his-toric sites, picnic areas and much more. Remember to look for the “We’re Going LOCO” signs in participating businesses for some fun deals.
If you want to know more about geocach-ing, visit www.Geocaching.com or www.VisitBrenhamTexas.com/geocaching.
Geocaching contest in August encourageslocals to explore the fun in their own backyard
August 2015 | Chamber Works | Page 7
What’s Happening in AugustAug 13, 17, 20, 24, 27, 31Play in the ClayOne night make your own pieces then re-turn a second night to decorate/glaze, $80 per person for 2 classes, includes clay, dec-orating/glazes and two firings. Class times Mondays and Thursdays 7-9pm. Arrange-ments can be made for other nights, BYOB, Bluebonnet Pottery, 12341 LBJ Dr., Bren-ham, (www.BluebonnetPottery.com, 979-289-3765).
Aug 14-Aug 23 “Colorful Soul” Art ExhibitNew artist, new art by Leiann Klein of Houston. Gallery open Friday and Satur-day noon-7pm, Sunday 11am-4pm, Back Lot Gallery, 308 S Park Street, behind Ant Street Inn, downtown Brenham, free ad-mission (979-836-7393).
Aug 14-15 Brenham Guns & Hoses Blood DriveA two-day event, Friday at City Hall, 200 W. Vulcan St., Brenham, 9am-3pm, and Saturday at Fireman’s Training Center, 1101 Hwy 290 W., Brenham, 9am-3pm (979-337-1213, www.giveblood.org use sponsor code L126).
Aug 14, 21, 28 Live Music at Nathan’s BBQEntertainment varies, check website or Facebook. 6-9pm, Cajun specials, 1307 Prairie Lea, Brenham (www.nathanbbq.com).
Aug 14-15, 21-22, 28-29 Live Music at The Stone CellarLive bands, pizza and drinks every week-end. Acts include Black Cat Choir, Tubie & The Touchtones, Tres Dux, Jack the Sax, Aaron Gross, Eugene Eugene and more. Friday and Saturday 11-7pm; Sun-day 5-8pm; some Saturdays 3-6pm; 550 N Hwy 237, Round Top (www.StoneCellar-Wines.com).
Aug 14 Live Music at Buffalo CreekTexas based songwriter, Max Stalling, 8-11pm, 10827 TX 36, Bellville. Tickets available online or at the door, $12 (www.BuffaloCreekEvents.com).
Aug 14-15, 18, 20-21, 25, 27-28 Live Music at The Kenney StoreLive music by varying artists every Tues-day, Thursday, Friday & Saturday nights. Go early for dinner and stay late for live music and dancing. Most nights are free, but occasional cover charges, 811 Loop 497 South (www.TheKenneyStore.com).
Aug 15 Hands On History – Corn Husk DollsStar of the Republic Museum, program of-fered throughout the day while supplies last. Participation is included with regular ad-mission fee, $5 adults, $3 kids, 10am-5pm.
Grand Opening New Location — Bluebird off the SquareRefreshments, opportunity to meet the dealers, 202 W. Alamo, Downtown Bren-ham, 10am-7pm.
Aug 15, 22, 29, Sept 5 Live Music at Home Sweet FarmVisit the new Biergarten every Saturday night for live music, craft beer, wine and fun in a relaxing outdoor environment. Musical acts change weekly. Biergarten and market opens at 6pm, music starts at 9pm, 307 S. Park Street, Downtown Bren-ham, free admission.
Aug 16, 23, 30, Sept 6 Dirt, Dirt EverywhereExperience the 1850s at Barrington Living History Farm, 10am-4pm (www.Birthpla-ceofTexas.com).
Aug 16, 23, 30, Sept 6 Farmers MarketAt Home Sweet Farm, 307 S. Park St, Downtown Brenham, local farmers, ar-tisans, craftsman, live music, street food and free pony cart rides, 11am-4pm (www.homesweetfarm.com).
Aug 16 Recital by Andie SackreiterPart of St. Peter’s Summer Concert Series, Sackreiter, soprano and a junior at Augus-tana College, will sing selections by Mo-zart, Brahms, Irish folk songs such as Dan-ny Boy, Sound of Music, Les Miserables and Frozen, at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 2310 Airline Dr., Brenham, 4-5:30pm, free admission (www.stpetersbrenham.org).Aug 18 Texas Extension Education Association Open HouseWashington County Fairgrounds VIP Building, 5-7pm, free admission (washing-ton.agrilife.org).
Aug 19Ribbon Cutting —Amy’s Pet Sitting of BrenhamHelp welcome this new member, Chamber of Commerce Conference Room, 314 S. Austin St., 1:30pm.
Aug 20 Ribbon Cutting —Center Stage Dance & FitnessCome and help welcome this new member, 707 S. Austin St., 4pm (www.alwayscen-terstage.com).
Bluebonnet OpryFriends of the Bluebonnet Opry featur-ing McKenzie Jones, Cody Rhodes, Myra Rolen and Bluebonnet Opry House Band. Doors open at 5:30pm, Silver Wings Ball-room, 4100 Hwy. 105, Brenham (www.friendsofbluebonnetopry.org).
Aug 21 Free Carousel RidesSponsored by Arts Council of Washing-ton County, 6:30-8pm, Fireman’s Park in Brenham (979-836-3120).
Aug 22August to April Series beginsSplit Second Piano Duo, Festival Concert Hall, 248 Jaster Rd., Round Top, 3pm, $25, students $10, (www.FestivalHill.org).
Walk with a DocWalking program for those interested in a healthier lifestyle. Held the fourth Sat. every month through December, 9-10am, Hohlt Park, meet at amphitheater. Opens with volunteer doctor and short discussion on popular health topic, followed by 30-45 minutes of walking, finishing up walkers can have blood pressure checked, get wa-ter, fresh fruit, and a healthy snack. Free.
Aug 23 Choir Sings the OldiesChoir members will bring back popular American songs from the 20s-50s. Includes selections from iconic Broadway musicals and songs made popular by Sinatra, Pres-
CALENDER continued on page 8
Washington County Blue Blazers
Darlene DenmanWashington County Chamber
Joyce DickschatBrenham National Bank
Wendy FrazierBBVA Compass Bank
Eddie HarrisonRetired-Brenham Municipal Judge
Chris JacksonCity of Brenham Police Department
Tammy JasterCity of Brenham-Blue Bell Aquatic Center
Florence JulianRetired-Health Care Director
Brice MilliornEdward Jones Investments
Michelle PankoBarking Ranch Pet Resort
Linda PipesRetired-School Teacher
Kathy RandermannKTTX 106.1/KWHI 1280
Christy SchlottmannAllstate Insurance
Randy WeidemannVan Dyke Rankin & Company)
Barbara WilganowskiSpherion Staffing)
Kristie WenselBrenham State Supported Living Center
The Blue Blazers is a club with 15 members and 40 years of tradition. They support the mission of the Washington County Chamber. The volunteers in the club act as official greeters and hosts of our community. Their activities include monthly meetings, greeting at Chamber functions, recruiting new Chamber members, and conducting ribbon cuttings and grand openings.
The third annual Fall Frolic “Ladies Day Out with the Cham-ber” will be held on Thursday, October 29. The past two year’s events were such a great success that the planning committee decided to extend the hours.
Last year’s event had over 300 in attendance, nearly 75 exhib-itors and almost 20 sponsors.
The ballroom at Silver Wings will once again be full of ex-hibitors with wonderful products and services! There will be a great raffle plus delicious food, cold drinks, music, fashion
shows and entertainment. Sponsors are currently being sought for this 2015 event. There
are several levels with a variety of valuable benefits and publicity exposure. Send an email to [email protected] if you would like to know more.
Exhibitor spaces are now open to vendors and Chamber mem-bers who would like to have an exhibit.
Find more details on www.BrenhamTexas.com under “Cham-ber Happenings.”
Sponsor Spots Available for the annual Fall Frolic Extended Hours to make this a ‘Ladies Day Out’
Page 8 | Chamber Works | August 2015
ley and Cline, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 2310 Airline Dr., Brenham, 4-5:30pm, free admission (www.stpetersbrenham.org).
Aug 27 Tailgate Party 2015Washington County’s favorite FUN-raiser, Silver Wings Ballroom, $35 tickets, table sponsorships available, stop by the Cham-ber, 314 S. Austin St., Brenham (979-836-3695, [email protected]).
Aug 28 Basic QuickBooks WorkshopAll-day, basic level course, 9am-5pm, Bob Bullock Building, Blinn College, Bren-ham, $100 per person, registration by 5pm August 27 (979-830-4333, 979-830-4137, www.blinncollege.sbdcnetwork.net).
Wildlife Society Summer Meeting, DinnerDinner and presentations, featuring special guest speaker Glenn Hegar, Texas Comp-troller, 6-9pm, Washington County Events Center, 1305 E. Blue Bell Rd (Dr. Bill Eikenhorst, 979-830-3814).
A few September highlights….Sept 2Lunch and Learn – Wildflowers and PrairiesPresented by Betsy Ross of Sustainable Growth Texas, 11:30am-1pm, Ant Street Inn, $12, lunch included (979-836-3695).
Sept 4 ThreadlessLocal artist Henry Kmiec is making his artistic debut with his show Threadless. A combination of digital and tradition-al mediums this show will inspire you to think outside the box, Back Lot Gallery, noon-7pm, artist reception on Sept 11 from 4-8pm ([email protected]).
Sept 5 Burton Farmer’s and Artisan’s MarketFarmers Market is open 9am-noon. Cotton Gin tours at 10am and 2pm, Burton Rail-road Depot and Cotton Gin, 507 N Rail-road St., Burton (www.burtontexas.org).
Sept 8 Total You Wellness Health SeriesSecond Tuesday of every month, a work-shop series on everything from physical health, nutritional health, mental health, technology, Brenham Clinic, 600 N. Park St., noon-1pm, free admission, limited seating (Mary Sanders 979-277-6212, Jeannie Kroll 979-830-0508).
Sept 11-19 Washington County Fair“Oldest County Fair in Texas!” Shows, rodeos, Nashville entertainment, carni-val, crafts, food, livestock and poultry auctions, commercial exhibits and attrac-tions. Activities and entrance fees vary by day, view the schedule online (www.washingtoncofair.com).
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The Club Med Experience – Feb. 2016It’s only six months away, and you truly do not want
to miss out on this sun-filled all-inclusive getaway. The Chamber is hosting a group travel tour of the only Club Med in the United States in February 2016.
Thanks to Chamber member Cricket Cruise & Trav-el, we are able to offer your choice of a five-night or a seven-night stay at the Club Med resort in Sandpiper Bay, Florida for an all-inclusive amazing price. The tour will take place Feb. 5-10 or Feb. 5-12, 2016. Guests will enjoy unlimited sports and water activities, attentive hospitality, gourmet dining, premium liquors, spacious accommodations, and live entertainment.
Everyone in the community is invited! Your fami-ly, friends, and non-members are also welcome to join you on this trip at the Chamber rate! Make it a girls get-away!
Find full details on the Chamber website under “Chamber Happenings.” Call LeAnne Rigsby with Cricket Cruise & Travel today to reserve space: (979) 836-6600.
A special discount of $150 is being offered for those who book by September 4 (fully refundable until Octo-ber 4)! Reward yourself and enjoy this extra savings!
WASHINGTON COUNTY “ADOPT-A-SIGN” PARTNERS
To ensure the long-term care of the Welcome Sign monuments at the five entry points to Washington County, four landscaping companies from our community have volunteered to oversee their maintenance.
Precision Lawn Management — U.S. 290 West Sign
Designing Landscapes — U.S. 290 East Sign
Glasco & Company Landscaping — Hwy. 36 North and South Signs
