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Communique Communique
Communication: The Key to Successful Business
NOVEMBER AND
DECEMBER 2014
UPCOMING
EVENTS
chamber
12/02 Ambassador Meeting 8:30 am
12/09 Business After Hours at Shoals Ambulance
from 5 – 7 pm
12/13 City of Bessemer
Christmas Parade at 2
pm in downtown
Bessemer
12/16 Board of Director’s
Meeting 11:45 am
The Bessemer Magazine is THE Promotional Magazine For
Our Area It’s that time of year again. Plans are being finalized for the 2015 Bessemer
Magazine. The 2015 magazine will include our chamber Membership
directory for Bessemer and surrounding areas and present our area as an
attractive and progressive place to live, work, shop and visit. This
publication will also include color photos of people, places and events as well
as interesting features and profiles. This magazine is a great marketing tool
for your business and the entire Bessemer Area. Over 3,000 copies of the
magazine are distributed to all of our area hotels, churches, business locations
and Alabama’s Welcome centers and family/class reunions. The magazine is
mailed to all tourist and newcomers seeking information on our area.
Reserve your ad space today.
Plan to Support the City of Bessemer Christmas Parade on December 13
th
The City of Bessemer’s Christmas parade
will be held on Saturday, December 13,
2014 at 2 pm in Downtown Bessemer. We
ask that you consider being a sponsor for
this event. This year’s theme is ‘A Heroes
Christmas…Honoring Our Military and
First Responders’. The sponsorship fee is
$150.00 and the registration fee is $25 per
entry.
Harmony MediSpa & Wellness Center
November / December 2014 Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce Communique Page 2
Business News
Councilor Sarah Wallace Belcher Retires After 20 Years of Service as Bessemer City Councilor in District #3 Sarah Belcher celebrated her retirement with elegance on November 7, 2014 at the Bessemer Civic Center. Mrs. Belcher has served five terms on
the city council. She was elected in 1994. She has served on many board and organizations. Of the numerous boards and organizations, we are
proud to say that she has been an advocate for the Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce throughout the duration of her term. She is currently
an active ambassador. Councilor Belcher has done a great job as a servant and civic leader. The one thing that everyone agreed about during
their expressions was, she was a fair and direct lady and you never had to second guess her. Her direction and plans were always made clear.
Belcher plans to remain actively involved in the chamber and her community.
Re-Grand Opening for Susan Schein Chevrolet Susan Schein’s re-grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony was held on November 13, 2014. The dealership is located at 4821 McAdory
School Road. Ronnie Griffith is the manager. We welcome Susan Schein to the City of Bessemer.
Individual
Jack White
2652 Alta Glen Drive
Vestavia Hills, AL 35243
PH 205-266-5126, F 205-460-7203
NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS:
Harmony MediSpa & Wellness Center Nova Law, MD
401 19th
Street North
Bessemer, AL 35020
PH 205-870-4343, F 205-870-0299
www.harmonymedispa.com
Brown Beauty Barber School
Lisa Brown
1724 First Avenue N.
Bessemer, AL 35020
PH 205-424-4247
www.brownbeautyschool.com
Manager Ronnie Griffith is joined by chamber
board member David Darby and board chairman
Charles King along with Ambassador Sarah
Beasley
Business News (continued)
Photo Courtesy of the City of Bessemer
November / December 2014 Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce Communique Page 3
National Business Women’s Week The Honorable Mayor Kenneth Gulley declared October 20
th -
October 26th
, National Business Womens week in the City of
Bessemer. NBWW is nationally recognized. NBWW honors
the contributions of working women and employers who
support working women and their families, Business and
Professional Women’s Foundation celebrates National
Business Women’s Week® (NBWW) during the third week of
October.
National Business Women’s Week® provides an opportunity
to call attention to women entrepreneurs, facilitate discussions
on the needs of working women, share information about
successful workplace policies, and raise awareness of the
resources available for working women in their communities.
Traditionally during NBWW, BPW Foundation singles out
extraordinary women who epitomize what it means to be a
woman leader in the workplace.
During this week Bessemer BPW recognized the 2014 Woman
of Achievement recipient Judge Lynneice Washington and the
2014 Woman of the Year, Mrs. Jenny Schrimscher.
Congratulations to both of these ladies.
City of Bessemer Elected Officials Inauguration Ceremony The City of Bessemer Inauguration Ceremony was held for the school board members, Bessemer City Council and Office of Mayor. The
ceremony was held on Monday, November 3, 2014 at the Bessemer Civic Center. The following officers were sworn in: Bessemer Board of
Education Board members; Claire Mitchell, Vera M. Eades, Renna Soles Scott, Joseph Edwards, Carolyn Hudson Wilson. Bessemer City
Council Members: David Vance, Chester Porter, Cynthia Donald, Donna Thigpen, Ronald Marshall, Jesse Matthews, and Cleophus King.
Last but not least, Mayor Kenneth E. Gulley. Congratulations to our elected officials. The Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce look
forward to working with each of you to do whatever is needed to promote and enhance the City of Bessemer.
Top photo [left to right] – Andie Sloan, LaTasha Cook,
Judge Lynneice Washington, Senator Priscilla Dunn,
Jenny Schrimscher, Speaker – Cheryl Gurley.
Bottom photo [left to right] – Julie Bell, Nikki Jordan,
Doris Lewis, Andie Sloan, Mayor Kenneth Gulley,
LaTasha Cook, Senator Priscilla Dunn, Sarah Beasley,
Claire Mitchell and Shirley Horn.
Chamber News
Bessemer’s Veterans Day Program
The Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce,
The City of Bessemer and the Bessemer Cut-
off American Legion Post 149 sponsored the
annual City of Bessemer Veterans Day
Program on November 7, 2014 at 11:00am at
the Bessemer City Hall Auditorium. The
event was to honor our heroes, the men and
women who put their lives on the line to
protect and serve the citizens of the United
States. The speaker was the commanding
officer LCDR Arlen B. Rose of the Navy
Operational support center in Bessemer.
Those honored were United States Army,
Navy, Air Force, Marines, National Guard
and Coast Guard. Others recognized were
the City of Bessemer Fire and Police
Department. We salute all of our heroes
that have sacrificed for us.
November / December 2014 Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce Communique Page 4
Chamber Board Holds Annual Strategic
Planning Meeting Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Oxmoor Valley hosted the
2015 Board of Directors strategic planning session. The
board of directors sat attentive and received information
from our speaker Jeremy Arthur, with CCAA (Chamber of
Commerce Association of Alabama). Jeremy did an
outstanding job explaining to the board of directors the
purpose and role of a chamber and the board of directors
code of conduct. The board also received a report on the
current finances and 2014 programs. Plans for events and
the 2015 budget were presented during the session. Great
things are in the planning process for the new year. Be on
the lookout for some exciting events and opportunities as
your Chamber promotes the City of Bessemer and your
businesses.
Golf ‘FORE’ Progress The 23
rd Annual Golf “FORE” Progress was a huge success. Tuesday, October 14
th, 117 golfers gathered to enjoy a round of golf and an
opportunity to network with other business leaders. Despite the windy and cold weather each golfer was greeted with the warm hearts of the
chamber ambassadors. This was the first year that the tournament was held at Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Oxmoor Valley. The staff did a
great job in hosting the event and making sure that everyone felt welcome. A box lunch was furnished by Bob Sykes Barbecue and a delicious
steak dinner was provided in the evening by Jazzy Lady Catering. Town and Country Ford and Premiere Chevrolet provided the car for the Hole
in One. Special thanks to Steyr Arms for donating a L9-A1 Pistol for the silent auction. We had great door prizes and wonderful food for
everyone. A great atmosphere, a wonderful game of golf with friendly volunteers and tasty food, what more is there to offer a golfer? We
would like to thank our sponsors for making this event a success.
Our Chamber Members Are Ready to Cater Your
Holiday Events
Give One of Them a Call
BESSEMER CHAMBER MEMBERS
RESTAURANT / CATERERS
Anjel’s Venue @ 450 205-200-0142
Boateng’s Cajun Creations 205-436-2848
Bob Sykes Barbecue 205-426-1400
Chick-Fil-A 205-426-3190
Cloray’s Café 205-424-4366
Destiny on the One 205-425-3533
Discovery Alabama Event Center 205-425-4554
Jazzy Lady Catering 205-572-0045
Kaylyn’s 205-436-2600
Majestic Catering 205-426-6500
McAlister’s Deli 205-426-0387
New Bryant’s Seafood 205-491-5652
San Antonio Grill 205-477-1110
Sneaky Pete’s 205-424-4036
Sonic’s of Bessemer 205-428-2002
Tayoyaki Restaurant 205-477-6400
The Bright Star Restaurant 205-424-9444
The Fish Hook LLC 205-424-6611
The Fish Market Restaurant 205-322-3330
The New Morgan Road Café 205-566-5246
Business News
November / December 2014 Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce Communique Page 5
Hot Dog Cookout…Hosted by Chamber Ambassadors
The Chamber Ambassadors hosted a hotdog cookout fundraiser to
benefit the Salvation Army Angel Tree campaign. On November 7th
,
following the Veterans Day programs, those in attendance were able
to stop by the chamber and purchase hot dogs and smoked sausages
for lunch. The Ambassadors will use proceeds for this event to
purchase items for a Childs wish list. The ambassadors host at least
three fundraisers a year, with all the proceeds being used to benefit
education and childrens’ wish lists. We say thank you to the
companies that support these fundraisers; your contributions ensure
the success of the event.
Chamber News
2014 Board of Directors
Chairman
Charles King, Regional Paramedical Services
Chairman Elect
Eric Messer, Shoals Ambulance
Past Chairman
Billy Parsons, CPA
Treasurer
Joni Holt, Holt Insurance Company
Julie Bell, State Farm Insurance
Don Bratcher, Rural Metro Ambulance
Nathan Clark, Medical West
David Darby, Trustmark National Bank
Terry Dawson, Regions Bank
Regina Doriety, Lawson State Community College
Roderick Evans, Paden & Paden, PC
Connie Fuell, Dex Imaging
Jimmy Hankins, Restoration Xpress
Judy Mathis, Moore Coal Company
Jerrellis Melton, Alabama Gas Company
Dr. Fred Primm, Bessemer Board of Education
Mike Roper, Bessemer Police Department
Jon Staggs, Alabama Power Company
Kim Starling, Brookwood Medical Center
Hank Tyler, Town & Country Ford
Anthony Underwood, Anthony Underwood Auto.
Devron Veasley, Bessemer Business Center
Neil Walker, First Financial Bank
November / December 2014 Bessemer Area Chamber of Commerce Communique Page 8
2014 CORPORATE SPONSORS
2014 SMALL BUSINESS PARTNERS
Paden & Paden, PC
2014 Ambassadors
Coordinator Nikki Jordan, Trio Safety
Co-Coordinator Lula Walter, City of Bessemer
Secretary Nelda Pate, Retired
Kay Baggett, Retired
Sarah Beasley, Joe Beasley Memorial Foundation, Inc
Sarah Belcher, Retired
Lori Chisem, Lawson State Community College
Louise Hickey, Retired
Shirley Horn, Retired
Doris Lewis, City of Bessemer
Claire Mitchell, Visalus - Body by Vi
Daryl Owens, Bessemer City Schools
Minnie Roper, Retired
Trisston Wright Burrows, Moore Coal Co.