GBACC NEWSLETTER

NOVEMBER 2007

Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly. -- Robert F. Kennedy

The next monthly membership meeting of the Greater Brunswick Area Chamber of Commerce will be held at 7:30 AM on Wednesday, November 7th at the Green Country Inn, located at 620 Souder Road. The featured speaker will be Delegate Rick Weldon, who will speak about the issues of the 2008 Maryland State Assembly. The "Spotlight" Speaker will be a representative of Blue Ridge Floor and Tile. The meeting will begin at 7:30 AM with networking and light refreshments, followed by the business meeting; the guest speakers will follow.

Monthly membership meetings will be held on the first Wednesday of the month at the Green Country Inn, 620 Souder Road, unless otherwise designated. Each month, the meetings will alternate between morning and evening, as follows:

All minutes to all meetings in September will be posted on the GBACC web site Meeting Minutes link. www.gbacc.net

GBACC NEWS:

The October GBACC General Business Meeting was held at the Green Country Inn on October 3rd at 7:00 PM. David Smith of Smith Home Team and the GBACC Special Events Committee were the "Spotlight Speakers". David discussed his business and gave an update on the upcoming Halloween Gala.

The featured speaker was Robert Hyatt of US Treasury - FinCEN (Financial Crimes Enforcement) Bureau. He is the in-house Emergency Preparedness Specialist. Mr. Hyatt gave a presentation Emergency Preparedness Information from the following: American Red Cross; FEMA; Dept. Homeland Security; CDC; State and Local Governments; Update on Possible Bird Flu Pandemic and more. He sold a DVD that had a vast amount of information about these subjects.

What fun we had at The Halloween Gala on October 25th at the Eagles Club! The fantastic evening was made possible by the event sponsor the Brunswick Eagles Club, with their generous donation of space, buffet, cash bar and much time to help make this a very special evening. Members of GBACC and the Lovettsville Business Association (LBA) gathered to enjoy networking, food, drink, dancing and just plain fun. The costumes were fantastic and there could have been multiple winners for the best and most original costume. Madam Beepho was available for fortune telling and Jim Dronenburg entertained the group with some beautiful harp music. Pictures will be displayed on the web site at a later date.

The November Business Card Exchange will be at Blue Ridge Floor and Home Services on November 15th, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Blue Ridge Floor is located 4014-E Mountville Road, Jefferson, MD. Refreshments will be provide by Jake's Mom Cooks. Please call Kurt or Susan Brown at 301-473-5400 or Jerry Knight at 301-834-5774 with any questions. Check www.gbacc.net for more information about GBACC Events.

FROM THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE: If you know anyone who may be interested in joining GBACC and you would like someone to contact them please email: Brian Roosa blroosa@firsthorizon.com

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO:

Mary McCormick – Sage Small Business Services 11/01
Jeff Austin – First Horizon 11/06
Sherri Wright – Book Crossing 11/16
Pat Baker - Mackintosh Realtors Inc 11/16
Joan Boyer – Court Mary Francis #2421 11/21
Melanie DiPasquale – Beans in the Belfry 11/22
Melody Smith – Sewing Unlimited 11/26
Angel White – Occasionally Handbags 11/28
Ingrid Ayala-Simpson – Squared-Away Solutions 11/28

If your name is not mentioned in this column during your birth month please contact me so it can be added to our GBACC Birthday list.

GBACC NOVEMBER BUSINESS OF THE MONTH

ANTIQUES N’ OLE STUFF

Bill and Edie Sims began their antique business 35 years ago in Georgetown and in 1985 relocated to Brunswick and opened a shop at 24 West Potomac Street (the site of the old grocery store). Later they expanded the business by making an opening into the adjacent Newberry Building after the five and dime closed. Antiques N’ Ole Stuff, now located at 23 East Potomac Street in Brunswick, continues to give great service to the Brunswick area. Their motto is “We specialize in making folks happy” and Bill and Edie live up to their motto.

NEWS AROUND THE AREA:

If you would like to meet new people and learn Brunswick’s history please consider volunteering at the Brunswick Railroad Museum. Interested persons please contact the museum at: (301) 834-7100 or contact@brrm.net

Oneida Heffner of H&R Block took a great trip in October with her husband. They toured Venice and Rome, visited Pompeii and the Isle of Capri, then took a cruise of the Greek Isles on the Star Princess. They traveled with a group of 73 others. Oneida and her husband Lawrence were married on August 16th 1952, and they were celebrating their 55th anniversary. Congratulations to you both!

From Doug at DHR Construction: DHR Construction, a renovation and restoration contractor, recently donated $238 to Middletown People Helping People (MVPHP). The money was generated through a fundraiser at the DHR 2007 Open House. "The Pony rides and Petting Zoo were a big hit" said Doug Rosner, DHR President. "Watching families have great fun while supporting an important local group was very gratifying. We donate to 10 local and 8 national charities monthly. This event is meant to spotlight and raise community awareness for specific charities."

We were happy to learn that Sharon Carey’s (of the Brunswick Eagles) husband came home from the hospital on Saturday, October 27th. We all wish him a speedy recovery.

Editor’s note: If you have any positive news about our area, drop me a line and I will include it in this space

NEWS FROM THE MEMBERSHIP:

Bonnie from Bonnie’s County Kitchen writes: On November 15th 11:00 am to 2:00 pm you can get turkey with all the trimming for only $6.99. You will need to call ahead for carry out. This is a great way to treat your employee’s to an early Thanksgiving feast.

Anytime Fitness of Brunswick, located at 721A West Potomac Street, officially opened on Saturday, October 27th, 2007. The club is a 24 hour, co-ed fitness center offering state of the art cardio, strength, cable motion and free weight equipment, group exercise classes, full service shower rooms, personal training, tanning and access to over 1500 locations nationwide. Please stop by or call 301-834-5100 to take advantage of special grand opening rates! Also, feel free to visit the web site at www.brunswickfitness24.com

Catherine Breeden of Brunswick Wellness Center is pleased to announce the addition of Cecelia's Botanical Skincare. Cecelia Dalzin, an Esthetician who will be sharing the space with Catherine Breeden, has long been utilizing natural organic products. Cecelia has been working in the Metropolitan area, and has recently moved here to be near her family. She is expecting some of her clientele to follow her…at least for visits for their facials and other skin care needs. Please stop by on November's First Friday and help me welcome Cecelia!

Charlotte Klaar of College Consulting advises: I will be presenting a College Planning Workshop at the Brunswick Library on Monday, November 5th at 7:00 pm.

Gallery in the Woods is having their last show for 2007. Everyone is invited to attend the "Open House" and enjoy Bob's photography, Kitty's lovely Silpada sterling silver, handmade dressy and to-keep-warm-with scarves, Linda Tweit's pottery, Roberta Matthai's "warm glass" pendants/jewelry, and other local artisans' crafts. The Open House will be held both Saturday and Sunday, November 3rd and 4th from 10 am – 4 pm. Please come and enjoy lovely music, wine, and a variety of homemade fare and treats! The gallery is offering 20% off all photography, scarves, and Austrian ceramics!

From Total Basket Cases: Total Basket Cases is excited about their NOVEMBER TO REMEMBER! Ladies...join Kristine and her Merry Band of Basketeers for their monthly Tuesday Night Trunk Treasures on Tuesday, November 13th from 6:30pm - 8:30pm! This is a fantastic ladies night of food, fun and friends while enjoying the first peek of tremendous finds. Everyone who attends receives a special gift. Refreshments will be served for this HOLIDAY HAPPINESS themed evening!

Then, on Saturday, November 17 (10 'til 5) and Sunday, November 18 (11 'til 4) come to Lovettsville to help the Basketeers celebrate the holidays with their 3rd Annual Holiday Open House. TBC will reveal beautiful products that will certainly brighten your season. Refreshments and door prizes, too! AND, on Saturday ONLY join the TBC Holiday Open Air Market with over one dozen vendors featuring cash and carry items perfect for stocking stuffers and gift giving :-)

AND for the GENTLEMAN ONLY.... you asked for it...you got it! The first FELLA FRIENDLY TUESDAY NIGHT TRUNK TREASURES will be held on Tuesday, November 20th from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Let the ladies of TBC, PLUS a professional personal shopper, Ms. Indra Books from On the Go 4 U, assist you with your holiday wish list....for clients, family members, and friends. All men who attend receive a special gift. Refreshments will be served! SO GENTLEMAN…make your list, check it twice, and give it to a Basketeer who certainly will treat you nice!!

Total Basket Cases is located at 2 E Pennsylvania Avenue, Lovettsville, VA. (540) 822-9415 www.totalbasketcases.com

Chris from CM Bloomers emails: C. M. Bloomers Florist & Gifts invites all to attend our Holiday Open House Saturday November 17th from 9:00 am - 5:30 pm and on Sunday November 18th from 1:00pm - 5:00 pm. Our annual TENT SALE will be on Saturday only with prices you don't want to miss.....We have everything you need to trim a tree and decorate your home as well as your gift giving needs.....CM Bloomers is located in the Brunswick Shopping Center.

Farms & Fields Art Exhibit

GBACC members are invited to the opening of a nature art exhibit that will take place at Sundance Art & Frame on First Friday, Nov. 2nd, from 5-9 pm. The show is titled "Farms & Fields" and is the work of Purcellville artist Merri Nelson, who is a professional botanical illustrator. She has created wonderful drawings in colored pencil and graphite of landscapes and detailed drawings of trees, plants and animals. Anyone who loves nature will enjoy seeing these pictures.

The exhibit will be at Sundance the entire month of November. Our regular hours are Wed-Sat 10 am – 5:00 pm and Sundays 12 noon – 4:00 pm. You may also call for an evening appointment (301-834-7904). As always, all artwork is for sale, so please come out and support our local artists’ community.

We welcome the following new members to GBACC:

(Check the web directory for more information about our new members)

GBACC welcomes Danielle Leonard of State Farm Insurance in Frederick. Danielle can be reached at 301-695-5245 to discuss your insurance needs.

Mary Troy of Premier Designs Jewelry is a new GBACC Member. If you are looking for quality jewelry, do give Premier Designs a try.

NOVEMBER EVENTS:

November 2nd – "Celebrate America" 5 – 9 pm…First Friday Night on the Town. “Taste of Brunswick" - A Progressive Dinner. Experience small town charm when you join in for this event. It's a friendly way to have fun with other like-minded people, share food, conversation and entertainment while savoring some of the best downtown fare Brunswick has to offer. For more information call Michelle at 301-834-5591 or brunswickmailstreet@yahoo.com

Sunday November 4th is the 75th Annual Veterans Day Parade, which begins at 2:00 pm down Potomac Street. Call Brunswick City Hall for more information 301-834-7500.

Bethany Lutheran is having their annual Fall Bazaar on Sat November 10th, from 10 am - 2 pm. Orders for Country Ham Sandwiches ($2.50each, quarts of vegetable and bean soups $3.00 qt) can be placed in advance by calling the church office at (301)834-8003 or Diane Wenner at (301)834-6526.

Other tasty foods and a bake table will be available along with a craft table located in the Fellowship Hall on the lower level of Bethany Lutheran Church, located on the corner of First Avenue and A Street in Brunswick.

Bethany is known for Dot Moss' Hot Beef sandwiches ($2.00 each and our hot dogs will be just $1.00 each). Chili dogs will be $2.00 and you may purchase soda, coffee, and tea to round out your lunch, while you plan your afternoon snack from our baked goods table!

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 7:30 P.M.

All are welcome at the Community Thanksgiving Eve Worship Service sponsored by BEACON (the Brunswick Ecumenical Assistance Committee on Needs) on Wednesday, November 21, at 7:30 pm. This year the service, which is led by many of the town's clergy, will be held at St. Francis Roman Catholic Church on First Avenue. Each year this worship is hosted by a different Brunswick church, and is a time for members of all the congregations as well as the community to gather in a time of praise and thanksgiving. A freewill offering will be taken to benefit local charities. For more information call the Bethany Lutheran church office at 301-834-8003.

BOOK CROSSING EVENTS: Check their website at www.thebookcrossing.biz for all their upcoming events.

For a complete listing of BEANS IN THE BELFRY EVENTS, please access their website www.beansinthebelfry.com

MARK YOUR CALENDAR - UPCOMING EVENTS

MORE DETAILS TBA ON THE FOLLOWING :

December 7th – First Friday “North Pole Stroll” with the City tree lighting and kids’ holiday party

December 8th – The Hometown Holidays Celebration, Noon to 5:00 pm

December 13th – The Business Card Exchange will be at Stone Manor in conjunction with the Lovettsville Business Association

January 24, 2008 (Thursday) – The 2nd annual GBACC Award Dinner

NOTE: You may want to mark your calendar for the Saturday before Halloween each year. Hundred of kids in costume take to the streets of Brunswick to Trick or Treat. The merchants on Potomac hand out candy from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Potomac Street is blocked off so the kids have a safe place to enjoy a Halloween tradition.