Speaking to New Tech Academy Students at Seaford High School
EARLY SPRING
IN WESTERN SUSSEX COUNTY
What a fantastic weekend – Spring was in the air and small businesses in our area got a boost from friends and neighbors shopping locally!
I spent some time at Scott’s Furniture in Bridgeville where Renee Morris and Michelle Bell held a Longaberger Extravaganza throughout the store. The parking lot was overflowing when I got there and the showrooms were packed with people sampling refreshments, checking out baskets and admiring the home furnishings.
I also spent time at Burton Bros. Hardware on High Street in Seaford. Ron and Ric Marvel were nearly overwhelmed by the turnout that resulted from the viral “shop small, shop local” campaign. It was a testament to great marketing and loyalty to a “legacy” local business. Shoppers were leaving with everything from seed potatoes to pink tomato cages, from toasters to bug spray. The support of the local community was amazing – just as the support Ron and Ric have given back to the community through the volunteer fire department has been amazing over the years. It made me proud to support local businesses and proud to represent nearly three hundred Chamber member businesses!
Thinking about our members reminds me that we had a New Member Breakfast this month – with about twenty-five of our newest members learning all about what the Chamber of Commerce has to offer and how we can help them make connections. Several Board members, along with a number of committee volunteers were on hand to let new members know what we do and how we can help them. The Membership Services committee hosted the breakfast and the 50/50 sales paid for it. Lynn Brocato, chair of the committee, had an enthusiastic presentation that outlined all the things the committe was responsible for and how much fun they have at meetings and activities. It looks like Lynn and the rest of “Paula’s Posse” may have brought in five or six new volunteers!
The Chamber is looking forward to great things this year. In late March, there is a groundbreaking at Delmarva Teen Challenge, a county-wide mixer at La Red in Georgetown, the Spring Artist’s receptions at Gallery 107, the Rise ‘n’ Shine Breakfast feturing Seaford mayoral and councilmatic candidates, a joint mixer with Laurel Chamber at Delmarva Digital and a ribbon cutting at Freedom Academy Mentoring in Greenwood.
In April the Chamber will attend T. S. Smith’s press event for their unveiling of Delaware’s first “hard apple cider”, assist with a ribbon cutting ceremony and “tasting” for Pier 22 Catering [Pizza King], attend the arrival of the Missouri Gun in Georgetown as it makes its way to Ft. Miles, check out Local on the Menu in Millsboro, and host the Staff Appreciation Luncheon at Heritage Shores with Charles Paparella as guest speaker.
Whew! What a schedule we have this Spring – but isn’t it fantastic that your Chamber is offering you so many activities and events to choose from – so many chances to “make connections”? Our volunteers make all of this possible – and they have a lot of fun doing it. Wouldn’t you like to join one of our committees? It won’t take much of your time, it will be reqarding, and it will be fun! Let me know what you’re interested in and we’ll hook you up with a committee that mirrors your interests.
And if you have ideas for new activities or anything that will improve your Chamber of Commerce, let us know… we listen!
Paula K. Gunson
Executive Director
