Happy Fall, Y’all! Final quarter of the year! In business, these days are full of evaluating the current year and setting goals for 2023. This is surely the case at the Chamber! We have had a wonderful year full of meaningful events and we have met new members every month. We are reveling in celebrations and already beginning to schedule events for next year!
Recently at the Brahaha, I was in the room with our models who volunteered to wear the winning bras. I witnessed an extraordinary strength in them. All survivors, they came together and were so powerful – as you saw when they exploded out of that curtain and danced through our tables celebrating the creative winners for 2022. I have thought about that time quite often since that day. It was because of a terrible circumstance that they were there but instead of burrowing down they flew! They bonded and encouraged each other! THAT is community! Which started my thoughts of why being a member of the Chamber is important. It is about being with other businesses and sharing experiences, challenges, and successes. Sometimes you are in need of support and sometimes you are the mentor and boost to others. We are all in this together! We all need our tribe. We need to know there are people to call – and who to call – when the needs arise.
Your Chamber is here to promote, support, and advocate for you. It is our passion and love for this community that drives us every day. Please reach out to us if we can help you. Let us hear from you so we can share your stories with others. We will be talking!
Serving You,
Anya Davis
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JEFF AND DOROTHY DIXON
For more information:
Jeff Dixon
(252) 331-3985
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
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TA TRUCKIN LLC
For more information:
Alvina Simpson
(844) 828-7821
402 Troy Drive
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
TRANSPORTATION, HAULING
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T-MOBILE
For more information:
Jason Goetz
(252) 254-4413
3875 Conlon Way Suite C
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
CELLULAR, TELEPHONE SERVICES AND SYSTEMS
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YADA ENTERTAINMENT
For more information:
Tyrell Houghton
(336) 549-6640
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
ENTERTAINMENT - DJ
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THANK YOU TO OUR AMBASSADOR TEAM |
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The Chamber is lucky to have a special group of people who volunteer their time to further our mission and ensure our members are connected and supported by the Chamber and the business community.
Cheryl Bright - TowneBank Mortgage
Kelly Campbell - TowneBank of Currituck
Tina Cannon - Dwelling Management Solutions
Meleka Dipietro - Water Street Real Estate Group
Emily Dorrman - Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group
Dan Harper - Truist Bank
Jessica James - Taylor Mueller Realty
Travis James - Taylor Mueller Realty
Melanie Metzler - B&M Contractors
Heather Newby - United Bank
Karey Priest - Water Street Real Estate Group
Kristen Simpson - COA Small Business Center
Jennifer Stallings - Southern Bank
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Taylor Mueller Realty
Ribbon Cutting
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Fairfield Inn & Suites
Ribbon Cutting
Business After Hours
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Mid Atlantic
Christian University
Ribbon Cutting
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SENTARA MONTHLY MOMENT OF HEALTH |
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Beyond Cancer: Restorative Yoga for Cancer Patients & Survivors by Sentara Healthcare October 12 at 5:30 pm.
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Happy Fall! As I write, we’re in the midst of responding to Hurricane IAN as it moves across Florida and prepares its approach on South Carolina and Southeastern North Carolina. The Coast Guard is well tied into national, state and local resources for weather and stream, river, and tidal flood information and we’re constantly monitoring the weather forecast and our air and surface asset locations to ensure we’re protecting them from storm damage, but are close at hand once the storm has passed to provide ready assistance. Make sure to take a second and review your own hurricane preparedness as we move into the busy storm season here in North Carolina.
We’re also closing out National Suicide Awareness Month – and we’re keenly aware that our members, and the civilian population at large have gone through a stressful last couple years. We reemphasize in yearly training the need to be cognizant, recognize and engage our shipmates when they’re struggling. Mental health care is no longer stigmatized in the Coast Guard and the diversity of available resources to members in need has never been greater. The photo below is from our 22 Push-Up memorial and suicide awareness event.
In late September, I spent a day in Raleigh at the North Carolina Defense Summit hosted by the North Carolina Military Affairs Commission and the Association of Defense Communities. The daylong event was packed with speakers and discussions focused on better supporting military bases and the military family across the state of North Carolina. Topics included energy resilience, land management, installation sustainment, community advocacy, intergovernmental service agreements, military quality of life, and legislative initiatives relative to the military in North Carolina. It was a great day event – and to top it all, two members from our community received awards during the event. Corrina Ruffieux (Executive Director of Visit Elizabeth City) received recognition for her amazing efforts standing up and directing the Coast Guard Marathon event and HS2 Dany Hernandez received recognition for his efforts as a pharmacy technician at our Base clinic. (HS2 previously earned the Coast Guard Pharmacy Tech of the Year award alongside our own CDR Stephanie Begansky who earned Coast Guard Pharmacist of the Year – as well as our clinic which earned Coast Guard Health Care Facility of the Year.) The Awards were presented by Major General (ret.) Rodney Anderson, the NCMAC Commissioner.
In closing, the Coast Guard Marathon event (2-4 March 2023) is on track to be and better than last year – consider joining us as a runner, walker or volunteer for one (or more) of the three races! https://coastguardmarathon.com/
CDR Brook Sherman, Commanding Officer, Base Elizabeth City
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WHY WOMEN OVER 50?
I started a portrait series which will end in a gallery exhibition and celebration. My goal is to photograph twenty incredible women of beauty, strength, and grace, showcase their portraits and tell their stories, so people can see what 50 really looks like, be inspired, and celebrate with them.
I've got 20+ reasons why you should sign up to be a part of it. Do you have the time to read them all?
Here are my top three reasons:
- They deserve to feel beautiful and they deserve to be seen. THIS IS 50+ portrait experience is all about making them feel special, and showing the different sides of who they are.
- Old is not a dirty word. Aging is simply a part of the life we have been given, and if you're not growing older, you're dead. So we celebrate life, every stage of it.
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We photograph things that are remarkable. And 50 years on earth is remarkable. As is 60, 70, 80, and on. Portraits are about people, and if anyone deserves to have a beautiful portrait of them done, it is the people who have lived.
So I hope you'll join me and the other women who will tell their stories and inspire others to exist in beautiful portraits they love, at every age.
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Albemarle Alliance for Children & Families |
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Albemarle Home Care & Hospice |
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Albemarle Regional Health Services |
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Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group |
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Boys and Girls Clubs of the Albemarle |
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Dear Elizabeth City Community,
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Albemarle, Elizabeth City can't thank you enough for your continued love and support that we have been receiving since opening our doors this past July in our new location. Without your support we would not be able to have the successful program that we have. We would not be able to serve the 150 plus children who attend our program everyday. As good deeds sometimes go unnoticed by some, I promise you that the love and effort that has been poured into our children and our facility from this AMAZING city, does not go unnoticed! Not only do we recognize and appreciate your support, our children are learning that it is a great feeling to give back without expecting something in return- to truly give from the heart. This is a lesson that will last a lifetime and help cultivate kind, giving, and nurturing adults. I feel so blessed to know that so many people and businesses are investing into our future, our youth. Again, thank you thank you thank you!!!
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Captain D's Seafood Kitchen |
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Coastal Carolina Cannabis Center |
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Currituck Metal Specialties |
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Doctors Morris, Taylor, & Hadra |
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Dwelling Management Solutions |
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Elizabeth City Habitat for Humanity |
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Our board of directors made the difficult decision to close our store recently. We closed our doors on September 17 after nearly eight years of service to the community. We made this decision because the building had been sold and we knew that we would have to move in the near future.
Here are some stats related to the impact that our store had locally:
• While the store was operating, we built or rehabbed five houses which provide safe affordable housing to 15 local residents.
• The store kept nearly 500,000 pounds of material out of the local landfill. This is based on an estimate of $1=1 pound, the standard Habitat measurement. In actuality, we probably kept much more out of the landfill.
• We provided emergency support to numerous families through our partnership with the American Red Cross. Most of these families were victims of fires.
Community response to the closing was overwhelming as people came out to support our closing sales. We also had many groups help us during this time: MACU’s basketball team and their coaches, Forest Park Church members, and United Way Day of Caring volunteers. In addition, there were many individuals who donated their time: Dory and James Davis, Frank and Jane Elfring, Pam McPherson, and Woody and Deb Witherow.
All Habitat affiliates have to be self-supporting as we receive no funding from Habitat for Humanity International. Elizabeth City Habitat for Humanity uses mortgage payments from our homeowners to finance new construction and rehabs but these payments do not cover the entire cost of construction. Store sales helped to make up the difference and also covered our general operating expenses.
The board is now looking for another location. We need at least 6000-7000 square feet and room for parking. Ideally, we would like an outbuilding that we can use to prepare items before they are displayed for sale. If you or someone you know has a building that is available, contact Norma James at Taylor Mueller Realty, 252-331-2233.
If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to help us meet our operating expenses and building costs of a house in 2023, please contact Norma James or mail a check to 422 McArthur Dr., Elizabeth City, NC 27909
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Elizabeth City Pasquotank Public Schools |
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Elizabeth City State University |
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In February 1960, a group of students from Elizabeth City State Teachers College (now known as Elizabeth City State University) changed downtown Elizabeth City forever. In defiance of Jim Crow, they chose to sit in at the lunch counter of the W. T. Grant Department store at 301-303 East Main Street. Until now this episode of civil rights history has been largely forgotten. On Thursday, October 13th, at 3:00 p.m., there will be a ceremony unveiling a new historical marker that will mark the location.
When unveiled on this day, it will be apparent that this marker is unlike any other found in this region. Most markers we see around the state are gray in color and are a part of the North Carolina Highway Historical Marker Program, which has existed since the 1930's. This new marker, on the contrary, is from the North Carolina Civil Rights Trail, a venture funded by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation, supported by North Carolina Office of Archives & History and Visit North Carolina, and led by the North Carolina African American Heritage Commission. The Commission is working with communities across the state to designate up to fifty sites where trail markers will be placed.
This will be the very first marker from this program to be placed in Elizabeth City or in Pasquotank County. It is a result of a grant application prepared last year, with the support and approval of the city government of Elizabeth City, in particular, the 2020-2022 City Council and then-mayor Betty Parker.
You are invited to attend the ceremony. Among the special guests will be a surviving member of the original group of five students (he is from the Class of 1962) who began the sit-in demonstrations over 62 years ago. ECSU Chancellor Karrie G. Dixon will also be speaking at the ceremony, which will be a part of ECSU Homecoming Week activities.
The ceremony will be held at the site of the sit-in demonstrations, 301-303 East Main Street. This was the location of the W.T. Grant Department store from 1953 until the opening of the Southgate Mall in the late 1960's. W.T. Grant was a nationwide chain of department stores until its bankruptcy in the mid-1970's. The site of the sit-ins is now an office building next to Pool Street Park.
The February 1960 sit-ins ultimately led to the July 1960 reopening of the lunch counter to all. It is a fact that Elizabeth City/Pasquotank County was one of the very first locales in North Carolina to have at least one desegregated lunch counter. This is something for all citizens, regardless of race or ethnicity, to be proud about.
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As you travel downtown on Church Street, you may have seen a property at the corner of Pool and Church Streets that is in the process of renovation. Renovations are about half-way complete at this point. This property will soon become Entrepreneur Resources Business Support Center (Entre-BSC). Entrepreneur Resources is a new venture from Workforce Resources, Inc., and is being embarked upon to support entrepreneurs and small business owners in operating, innovating, and growing their businesses. We believe this dynamic space will fill a gap not currently being met in the Elizabeth City downtown area, and we hope it is a resource worth waiting for!
Located at 206 E. Church Street, this Center will provide two floors of reasonably-priced office space and serve as a platform for success. We will offer various flexible options for accessing the desired services with NO long-term contracts. So, whether you are in need of a commercial mailing address; desire phone answering services; require a place to work, hold business meetings, or conduct employee onboarding/training; or would benefit from collaborating with other business owners, Entre-BSC is the place for you! We will provide access to subject matter experts in areas such as business development, finance, project management, and government contracting; we will also offer administrative support services to assist with back-office tasks. It is anticipated to be a comfortable space that supports not only business operation but creativity and innovation as well.
We are hopeful that Entre-BSC will be up and running within the next three months. Our “Coming Soon” signed will be placed on the front corner of the lot in the next few days. Should you have questions during the renovation period, feel free to contact us at (252) 336-6800, or take a peek at our website at www.Entre-bsc.com. We look forward to speaking with all interested parties in the very near future!
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Four Seasons Pest Control |
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Fusion Office Business Centers |
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Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast |
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Elizabeth City Girl Scouts Benefit from Albemarle Area United Way
On September 23, volunteers from U. S. Coast Guard Base, Elizabeth City, N. C. along with a member from the SENTARA Albemarle Medical Center (Sentara Cancer Center) in Elizabeth City helped give Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast's Elizabeth City Field Center, an activity and troop meeting space, some updates and improvements. The volunteer service was given as part of Albemarle Area United Way, Inc's (AAUW) annual Day of Caring effort.
AAUW is a non-profit organization that improves residents' lives in the rural counties of northeastern North Carolina through a coordinated response that includes fundraising, certifying agencies, supporting programs, assessing needs and serving as an information and referral service. We are proud to be a partner with them and thank them for supporting Girl Scouts.
About Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast
Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast, a United Way agency, serves nearly 12,000 girls in grades K through 12 with the help of more than 5,000 adult volunteers in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Girl Scouts offers a one-of-a-kind leadership development program for girls in an all-girl environment. Since 1912, Girl Scouts has been building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place. To volunteer, reconnect, donate or join, visit www.gsccc.org or call 1-800-77SCOUT.
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Hall's Hauling & Junk Removal, LLC |
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Heaven on Board Charcuterie |
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Howard Hannah Elizabeth City |
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Jones Family Chiropractic |
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Stress And Pain - 3 Tips to Overcome Your Stress
Exercise
There’s no question that exercise is one of the best ways to reduce stress. It can improve your mood, increase your energy levels, decrease your overall level of stress. Plus and in some cases reverse your diabetes, maintaining an active lifestyle has been shown to improve sleep quality and prevent insomnia, both of which can be exacerbated by chronic stress. When it comes to managing stress, the type of exercise is less important than simply making sure you are getting it regularly. That said, certain activities are better than others when it comes to managing stress. For example, yoga is a great way to reduce stress and promote relaxation. If you’re struggling with chronic pain, a low-impact activity like walking is a great choice.
Talk to Someone
Whether you’re experiencing the death of a loved one, a relationship breakup, or some other significant stressor in your life, it’s important to get your feelings out in the open. Studies show that keeping your emotions bottled up can actually cause a spike in stress, while talking them out has been shown to have the opposite effect. If you don’t have anyone to talk to, there are lots of online forums and support groups where you can meet people going through similar experiences. If you’re struggling with chronic pain, it’s important that you find a way to express the emotions associated with this experience. Keeping your feelings bottled up will only make them more intense and may lead to feelings of frustration or resentment.
Breathing Exercises
When we’re stressed out, our breathing often becomes shallow and irregular. This can exacerbate feelings of anxiety, making it more difficult to calm down. Certain breathing exercises have been shown to help reduce stress, improve mood, and even promote better sleep—all of which can be beneficial if you’re struggling with chronic pain. If your breathing tends to be irregular during stressful moments, there are lots of simple exercises you can do to get back on track. One of the best ones is what’s known as the 4-7-8 breathing technique. To perform this exercise, you simply inhale for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 7 seconds, and then exhale slowly through your mouth for 8 seconds. This exercise has been shown to help people relax and can be especially helpful if you’re experiencing insomnia.
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KEEN EYE INSPECTIONS
Keen Eye Inspections is a veteran-owned and operated company and we take pride in serving our community with friendly, high-quality, attention to detail services to our customers. We provide above and beyond service and easy-to-understand information to ease our customer’s minds. The service we provide certainly does not end when we turn over the final inspection report. If you ever need us, we are only a phone call away. Or email, or carrier pigeon… Whatever it takes, we are here for you.
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The Landings of Albemarle |
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NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
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Select Rental Services-The Julia Moore Team |
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SERVPRO of Elizabeth City/Outer Banks |
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Shaklee Independent Distributor Gwen Bell |
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Join us on Saturday, October 22, at noon at Pineapple Café for lunch and to experience Shaklee’s new body care products.
Gwen M. Bell
Independent Shaklee Distributor
Feel better in 30 days or your money back
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Are you looking for a reputable tree service one that is capable of any tree job? If so, call Undercutter Tree Service!
Owner Jeremy Lassiter is an ISA Certified Arborist and certified in tree risk assessment.
For a free estimate call
252-455-4544 today.
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Vocational Rehabilitation Services |
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Waterbrooke of Elizabeth City |
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Water Street Real Estate Group |
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West Town Bank & Trust Mortgage |
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BAILEY, KING & ASSOCIATES
BANKERS INSURANCE, LLC
BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE ALBEMARLE
BRIGHT'S CONSTRUCTION, LLC
C & L CONCRETE WORKS, INC.
CAMDEN FARM BUREAU
INSURANCE - CHUCK HODGES
CMIT SOLUTIONS
COMPRO COMPUTER PROFESSIONALS
DAIRY QUEEN OF
ELIZABETH CITY
DV CLEANING & HOME SERVICES LLC
EASTERN CAROLINA CARDIOVASCULAR
ELIZABETH CITY DOWNTOWN, INC
EYAS HOSPITALITY GROUP - BURGER KING
FIDELIS COMMERCIAL CAPITAL
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT GROUP
GEORGE & COMPANY
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GHOST HARBOR BREWING COMPANY
GLIMMER BEAUTY LOUNGE
JONES FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC
KATHY'S KREATIONS
KELLY HOSPITALITY GROUP
LIVABILITY MEDIA WATERS COFFEEHOUSE
NC DIVISION OF VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION SERVICES
O'NEAL LAW, PC
PASQUOTANK FARM BUREAU INSURANCE SERVICES
PIEDMONT NATURAL GAS
SANCTUARY DESIGN CO
TADLOCK & ASSOCIATES
THE RICH COMPANY
TWIFORD LAW FIRM P.C.
UNDERCUTTER TREE SERVICE
WILLIAM R. NIXON, CPA, PC
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502 E. Ehringhaus St.,
Elizabeth City, NC 27909
(252) 335 4365
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