Published: July 21, 2008 02:33 pm         

Sam Venable to guest speak at Chamber of Commerce meeting Aug. 1

Chambers of Commerce aren't all business all the time. Take, for example, the Crossville-Cumberland County Chamber of Commerce. Its annual membership meeting is set for Aug. 1 at Forte's at Tansi. The meeting will feature business, of course, but will also include awards, introductions, recognitions, presentations and speakers.

Chamber Chair Janice Hamby will present plaques to outgoing board members including Randy Graham, Mike Metts, Charlotte Medley, Charles Daughterty and Bill Startup.

Jane Powers, chair of the community development division, will present members of the Leadership Cumberland Class of 2008. Members and their sponsors include Margo Brown, Art Circle Public Library; Aaron Dale Elmore, Farm Bureau Insurance; Patrick Shane Erickson, Cumberland County Bank; Danny Gibbs, Roane State Community College; Melissa Grant, Third Tennessee Realty and Associates; Daniel L. Hassler II, Progressive Savings Bank; Pam Hofmann, Third Tennessee Realty and Associates; Pat Kerley, Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development; Tommy Lee, Fairfield Glade Community Club; Brian K. McLaughlin, Vol First Telecommunication Services; Kristin Morris, Kids on the Rise; Donna Parker, Crossville Housing Authority; Jason Sitton, Mortgage Investors Group; and Tammy Thacker, Third Tennessee Realty and Associates. The Leadership Cumberland 2008 coordinator is Terri Curran.

Hamby will also recognize the Chamber's board for the 2008-2009 fiscal year: David Gibson, Jerry Harris, Dorine Hatler, Tonya Hinch, Roy Howard, James Perry, Steve Rains, Don Sadler, Bill Schmich, Ken Stephens, Ben Sweeney, Cindy Turner and Jerry Wood. Officer for 2008-2009 are Pepe Perron, Janet Kluender, Ted Meadows and Jane Powers.

The Chamber staff will also be recognized.

Sam Venable will provide the entertainment for the meeting. Venable is a University of Tennessee graduate who progressed from a cub reporter chasing ambulances to outdoor editor for the Knoxville News-Sentinel. He is an author and comedian. It is said that "whether the audiences are local folks or 'furriners' from out of town, they'll love the homespun humor of Sam Venable — author, columnist, storyteller and proud son of Southern Appalachia."

The meeting begins at noon with lunch and business following at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and include the meal. Tickets are available at the Chamber office and advance reservations must be made in advance by calling 484-8444.