| | October 2026 Newsletter | | |
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VENTURE LAB
Six modular workshops for
ENTREPRENEURS
Find more information below in the Economic Development section.
Sponsored by the Chattooga Chamber
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October Chamber
Lunch & Learn
10.27.26 HCDC
Breast Cancer Talk
Sponsored by
Atrium Health
MORE INFO
| | The Calendar with links to click for more information | | |
GOVERNMENTAL & OTHER PUBLIC MEETINGS
Third Tuesdays at 6p-- Menlo City Council Meeting, Menlo City Hall
Second Mondays at 5p-- Summerville City Council Meeting, Summerville City Hall
Second Tuesdays at 7p-- Lyerly Town Council Meeting, Lyerly Town Hall
Fourth Thursdays at 6p-- Trion Town Council Meeting, Trion Town Hall
Bi-monthly (Jan, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov)---Chamber Board Meeting, HCDC Board Room
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CIVIC CLUB & ORGANIZATIONAL MEETINGS
Rotary Club meets First Thursdays at noon at Torres in Trion, then the rest of the month Thursdays at 12p at Jefferson's (Georgia Room), Summerville
Optimist Club meets Fridays at 12p at Dos Maguey's, Summerville
Menlo Lions Club meets the first Monday at 12p at the Menlo Elementary School cafeteria, Menlo
Trion Lions Club meets the fourth Friday at 12p in Trion---location TBA
Friends of Sloppy Floyd meets the third Monday at 6:30p usually at the Park, Summerville
Chattooga Garden Club Second Mondays Aug-Jun, location TBA, Find Us on Facebook
Chattooga Family Connection Fourth Thursday, 11a, Community Resource Ctr, 50 Eleanor Dr, S'ville
Chattooga GICH Team Next quarterly meeting, April 29, 2026 at noon at the HCDC
Chattooga Literacy Council meets the third Wednesday at the Multipurpose Bldg, Senior Dr, S'ville
Young Farmers, First Thursday 7p, meal & educational program included, Ag Center, Summerville
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The Chattooga Chamber invites you to our October Lunch & Learn, sponsored by Atrium Health Floyd. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Atrium will be hosting a talk. Speakers will be announced at a later date. Please, follow us on FB and get more info on our website: ChattoogaChamber.org.
The public is invited to this catered lunch. Reservations are requested for catering, please.
A huge thank you goes to Atrium Health for sponsoring the lunch.
| | Salita Siffles, Chief of Staff--Director | | | |
Leadership Chattooga Student Edition
Meet the new class!!
| | L-R Xander Pauley, Ryder Harris, Jacey Wiggins, Emma Smith, Claira Moseley, Bluesy Harrell, Gabe Smith, Heather Casey & Diane Vinyard (Trainers), Jaxon Gravley, Meila Treadaway, Jet Johnson, Kennedy Dodd, Lyla Warren, Emily Gonzalez | | |
UNDERSTANDING VALUES SESSION
The adult leadership class had a full day in September getting to know some of our local nonprofits and the work they do. We started off at the Department of Family and Children Services where they were hosting an open house for the community. Director Kim Humphrey and key staff members gave the class an overview of the services DFCS provides. They highlighted the need for foster parents so that children could live and continue their education locally.
| | A quick drive away, we stopped by Head Start to tour that wonderful facility. This is not just child care; this is an engaging learning environment, each age-appropriate classroom bright and fun and fully staffed. Ashley Campbell, as the new Director with the Summerville Housing Authority, welcomed us into her office and presented a slideshow of their housing options. Time and availability constraints kept us from touring one of their homes. | | Before lunch, we dropped in on Jane Cooper at the Pregnancy Resource Center. She showed us around and talked about how they help educate, guide, and support women through their pregnancy. Our lunch coincided with the Chamber's September Lunch & Learn which was held at the Boys & Girls Club. After lunch, Deb Stowe, Director, gave all the attendees a tour of this pivotal community resource. | | |
We want to thank the nonprofit leaders who opened their doors to us and shared their WHY they do what they do. YOU are the reason why this community is so strong!!
This month we will see true collaboration as we dive deep into the tourism in Chattooga County---
Why is it called Angel Country???
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NEW PROGRAM!!!
The Chattooga Chamber is offering CHATTOOGA VENTURE LAB---
An entrepreneurial program designed to nurture and grow ideas into thriving businesses. Six modular workshops offered in different formats* to accommodate schedules and paces. Shared workspaces available. Mentoring and one-on-one consulting offered to enhance the experience.
MODULE 1: Biz Planning Workshop October 28, 2026 1:30p-4:30p.
Learn how to develop your idea into a company and plan out its future in small achievable steps over the course of a month with hands-on guidance and advice.
*Virtual and taped options available within 48 hours.
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We are excited for another year!
The new Chattooga FLEX cohort had their first workshop on creating a business plan. Next month, after a blind judging, we will announce the companies advancing to Round 2.
FLEX is Foundational Leadership & Entrepreneur X-perience for high schoolers.
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The Chattooga River Group
follow us on Facebook & our website
Social Paddles & Clean Ups
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RIVER LAUNCHES & BRIDGES CLEAN UP
Monday, October 5th at 10a.
Land lubbers welcome! Contact Cindy: 706.466.9014
Partnering with UGA Extension & Chattooga 4-H.
FIND more details on Facebook.
| | ALSO, some of us in CRG will be kayaking and installing river signage on the Blue Leg (Trion to Summerville) with the Chattooga County Sheriff's Office. If you want to clean the river, please contact Cindy McGraw NOW 706.466.9014. | | |
Your Place in Paradise Garden
For decades, visitors have wandered the winding paths of Paradise Garden, discovering the extraordinary world created by Rev. Howard Finster. Built from imagination, faith, and found materials, it has always been a place where people come not only to see—but to connect.
Artists once brought their work to Finster, and he welcomed and celebrated it. Visitors brought meaningful objects—a broken platter, a cherished fragment—and watched them become part of something new. Paradise Garden has never been static. It has always grown through the hands and stories of those who love it.
In celebration of Howard Finster’s 110th birthday, the Living Pathway continues this tradition—inviting you to become part of Paradise Garden itself.
Who will you honor?
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Find us online at TheTooga.org OR Contact Cindy McGraw at 706.857.4033
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STAY TUNED FOR THE PROGRESS
RENOVATION SET TO START VERY SOON!
The Tooga will once again be a performing arts venue and centerpiece in downtown Summerville. Until that time, please support the local arts in our schools, in our events, in our art environments and everywhere that is Chattooga.
A world without arts is a world without creative thoughts, chosen words, inspiring visuals and magnificent sounds.
| | Are we in your business? Are you in ours ? | | It is ALL about building relationships. | | | | |
