Text Box: 2008 Chamber Officers, Directors:   Chairman  Steve Padgett   Chair-Elect  Mark Hudson   Secretary Larry Fox   Treasurer Shannon Kennedy   Past Chairman Roger Holland   Board of Directors Ted Alexander Suzanne Amos Janet Berry Martha Bivins Dr. Bruce Boyles Larry Corry Darlene Davis Larry Hamrick Jr. Charlie Holtzclaw Dr. Linda Hopper Kitty Hoyle Allen Langley David Schweppe Seth Stevens Sandy Tallant Dr. Steve Thornburg Rick Washburn John Young

Text Box: InterAction Text Box: Tourism Update The Visitor Center billboard is moving!  It will still be located right before the mall entrance but now facing west bound traffic on Highway 74.  A 10 X 10 section is available for rental for $350 a month on a month-by-month basis.    In April several tour ideas were submitted to the NC Tourism Division for consideration to be included in a travel itinerary for our area.  They have combined several ideas and written a wonderful tour of Cleveland County on VisitNC.com the state’s tourism website.  Take a look: http://www.visitnc.com/_itineraries/_downloads/UptownShelby.pdf   New Projects It would be wonderful for local businesses who have marquee signs to put a message welcoming American Legion fans to Cleveland County.  The teams and fans will be arriving August 12 and staying through August 26.  If your business has a marquee sign please consider the message “Welcome American Legion Baseball Fans!”   We have 7 private homes opening as temporary bed & breakfasts during the American Legion baseball events.  Some of the homes will offer a farm stay experience while others are stately homes in town.  Guests are sure to have a welcoming experience and make new friends during their visit to Cleveland County.    Lodging News On Highway 74 you will see some new signs.  In addition to the bright blue American Series World Series signs you will see a brand new America’s Vest Value Inn sign.  Econolodge on 825 West Dixon Boulevard, Highway 74 Bi-Pass West, Shelby, NC  28152 has changed its name.  America’s Best Value Inn specializes in corporate and commercial travel and would love to show off their new look and franchise.  Gary Patel welcomes guests to Cleveland County every day.  He can be reached at 704-482-3821 for more information or to arrange a tour of the property.    Hampton Inn of Shelby will soon have a new manager.  We wish Todd Blanton the best of luck on his new ventures.   Valu-Place, on highway 74, has passed all the necessary inspections and is expected to be open in time for the American Legion baseball events.    Travel Council The next Travel Council meeting will be October 28 at J. Oliver Coffee Shop in Kings Mountain at noon.  Bring your own lunch and enjoy a great coffee drink.  Travel Council serves as the “round table” for all the organizations, attractions and event coordinators of Cleveland County.  Everyone shares a meal together and updates the other groups about each organizations plans, events and issues.  Having a council where everyone has the same goals in mind and can share ideas, frustrations and build partnerships is a wonderful asset for Cleveland County.  RSVP is necessary by July 22 to Jackie@ClevelandChamber.org or 704-482-7882.   National Tourism Trends Smith Travel Research (STR) reports that through mid-year 2008, industry ADR across the country rose 4.2 percent to $107.64 nationally and 5.6 percent to $83.55 in North Carolina. However, the same report found that the industry’s occupancy dropped 2.6 percent nationwide to 61.4 percent and was down 4.2 percent in North Carolina to 58.1 percent.   The accommodation sector in North Carolina has seen a reduction of consumer demand for six of the past eight consecutive months after previously posting increases for 28 of the past 36 months.  “It appears that the down-turn in the economy, including rising gasoline and commodity prices, are taking a toll,” according to Lynn Minges, executive director of the N.C. Division of Tourism, Film, and Sports Development.  “Fortunately, room rates are still holding strong across the state and overall hotel revenue is up year to date 2.5 percent.”    August Events: Through 08/26  Baseball as Art Exhibit M-F 9am-5:30pm Coincides with the 2008 American Legion World Series held in Shelby. Cleveland County Arts Council, 111 S. Washington St., Uptown Shelby704-484-2787 www.ccartscouncil.org   07/29-08/02      Bethware Community Fair 6 -10:30 pm.  Carnival, music, food and more.  Bethware School, 115 Bethware Drive, Kings Mountain, 704-734-1947   08/02              Foothill’s Farmers Market 8am-1pm Washington St. in Uptown Shelby on the Court square and buy some certified locally grown produce from our own area farmers. Uptown Shelby Association 704-484-3100 www.FoothillsFarmersMarket.com   08/01                Downtown Kings Mountain Friday Farmers Market.  8am-12pm every Friday through September 27th! Come early! Historically, we sell out by 11am. Patriots Park at the gazebo.  Mountaineer Partnership, Inc., Downtown Kings Mountain.  704-730-0283. www.mtnparnership.com    08/05                South Mountain State Park Summer Kids Club  11am.  Hey kids, join a Park Ranger this summer to learn all sorts of fun stuff about water critters, trees, animals, and fish just to name a few.  South Mountains State Park, 3001 South Mountains Park Avenue, Connelly Springs, NC  28612. (South Mountains State Park is located south of Morganton off of old Highway 18) 828-433-4772 www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/somo/main.php   08/05                National Night Out in Kings Mountain 6-10pm Meet at the Gazebo in Patriots Park City of Kings Mountain www.cityofkm.com   08/06              Foothill’s Farmers Market 8am-1pm Washington St. in Uptown Shelby on the Court square and buy some certified locally grown produce from our own area farmers. Uptown Shelby Association 704-484-3100 www.FoothillsFarmersMarket.com   08/07                South Mountain State Park Summer Kids Club  2pm.  Hey kids, join a Park Ranger this summer to learn all sorts of fun stuff about water critters, trees, animals, and fish just to name a few.  South Mountains State Park, 3001 South Mountains Park Avenue, Connelly Springs, NC  28612. (South Mountains State Park is located south of Morganton off of old Highway 18) 828-433-4772 www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/somo/main.php   08/08                Downtown Kings Mountain Friday Farmers Market.  8am-12pm every Friday through September 27th! Come early! Historically, we sell out by 11am. Patriots Park at the gazebo.  Mountaineer Partnership, Inc., Downtown Kings Mountain.  704-730-0283. www.mtnparnership.com    08/09                Foothills Bridal Fair 12-4pm. This wedding expo will feature exhibits, fashion shows, giveaways, entertainment, and bridal helpful hints. The 2nd Annual Foothills Bridal Fair serves Cleveland, Rutherford, Polk, Gaston, and Lincoln counties. Cleveland Mall, 2001 East Dixon Blvd, Shelby. 704.484.2001 www.shopclevelandmall.com   08/09              Foothill’s Farmers Market 8am-1pm Washington St. in Uptown Shelby on the Court square and buy some certified locally grown produce from our own area farmers. Uptown Shelby Association 704-484-3100 www.FoothillsFarmersMarket.com   08/12                South Mountain State Park Summer Kids Club  11am.  Hey kids, join a Park Ranger this summer to learn all sorts of fun stuff about water critters, trees, animals, and fish just to name a few.  South Mountains State Park, 3001 South Mountains Park Avenue, Connelly Springs, NC  28612. (South Mountains State Park is located south of Morganton off of old Highway 18) 828-433-4772 www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/somo/main.php   08/13              Foothill’s Farmers Market 8am-1pm Washington St. in Uptown Shelby on the Court square and buy some certified locally grown produce from our own area farmers. Uptown Shelby Association 704-484-3100 www.FoothillsFarmersMarket.com   08/13-20           American Legion Baseball Regional Playoff Tournament Regional teams compete for the opportunity to represent the South East region in the American Legion World Series.  Veteran’s field at Keeter Stadium located on the campus of Shelby High School. www.2008worldseries.com   08/14    South Mountain State Park Summer Kids Club  2 pm.  Hey kids, join a Park Ranger this summer to learn all sorts of fun stuff about water critters, trees, animals, and fish just to name a few.  South Mountains State Park, 3001 South Mountains Park Avenue, Connelly Springs, NC  28612. (South Mountains State Park is located south of Morganton off of old Highway 18) 828-433-4772 www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/somo/main.php   08/15-17           Civil War Encampment (See website for demonstration times.) Meet at the Phifer cabin. . Broad River Greenway 126 Broad River Drive, Boiling Springs, NC 704-434-2357 www.Broadrivergreenway.com   08/15                Downtown Kings Mountain Friday Farmers Market.  8am-12pm every Friday through September 27th! Come early! Historically, we sell out by 11am. Patriots Park at the gazebo.  Mountaineer Partnership, Inc., Downtown Kings Mountain.  704-730-0283. www.mtnparnership.com  08/16              Foothill’s Farmers Market 8am-1pm Washington St. in Uptown Shelby on the Court square and buy some certified locally grown produce from our own area farmers. Uptown Shelby Association 704-484-3100 www.FoothillsFarmersMarket.com   08/16&23          Trolley Ghost Tours 7:45-9:15pm this tour tells “untold” ghost stories of Cleveland County.  Sit back and learn some history as the stories unfold. Trolley Lynx, 2001 East Dixon blvd, inside the Cleveland Mall, Shelby, 704-482-9077   08/20              Foothill’s Farmers Market 8am-1pm Come join us on Washington St. in Uptown Shelby on the Court square and buy some certified locally grown produce from our own area farmers. Uptown Shelby Association 704-484-3100 www.FoothillsFarmersMarket.com   08/21                Alive After Five -Coming Up Brass 5:30-8:30pm.  One of our most popular concerts because it appeals to everyone.  Come and celebrate the return of school with the “Back to School Bash” with free activities for kids.  Free concert on the Court Square in Uptown Shelby. Uptown Shelby Association 704-484-3100 www.Uptownshelby.org.   8/21                 Art, History & Wine Trolley Tour 9am-4pm Take a guided tour of Shelby’s art studios and galleries and visit the historic Banker’s House.  Also included on the tour is a visit to the fully restored 1919 Carrousel and Owl’s Eye Winery. $48 per person includes lunch and souvenir wine glass from Owl’s Eye Winery.  Reservations must be made in advance at Trolley Lynx, 2001 East Dixon Blvd, inside the Cleveland Mall, Shelby 704-482-9077 www.travellynxtours.com.   08/22                Downtown Kings Mountain Friday Farmers Market.  8am-12pm every Friday through September 27th! Come early! Historically, we sell out by 11am. Patriots Park at the gazebo.  Mountaineer Partnership, Inc., Downtown Kings Mountain.  704-730-0283. www.mtnparnership.com   08/22-26           American Legion Baseball World Series   History will be made as teams from all over the world compete for the title of National Champs on Veterans Field at Keeter Stadium located on the campus of Shelby High School.  This is the first time in American Legion Baseball history that the Regional and World Series will be played in the same location. www.2008worldseries.com.   08/23 & 27        Foothill’s Farmers Market 8am-1pm Come join us on Washington St. in Uptown Shelby on the Court square and buy some certified locally grown produce from our own area farmers. Uptown Shelby Association 704-484-3100 www.FoothillsFarmersMarket.com   08/29                Downtown Kings Mountain Friday Farmers Market.  8am-12pm every Friday through September 27th! Come early! Historically, we sell out by 11am. Patriots Park at the gazebo.  Mountaineer Partnership, Inc., Downtown Kings Mountain.  704-730-0283. www.mtnparnership.com    08/30                Redbone Willy’s Bluegrass and Peddler’s Festival 1-8pm in the spacious open field right behind the store at the crossroads of Highway 18 and Highway 27 in Lawndale, NC. The opening act will be Mama Said and the headliners are The Chatham County Line. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic and spend the day. Tickets are $10.00 and children under 12 FREE.  For more information, contact Glenda Miller at 704-538-3670 or go online at www.Redbonewilly.com   08/30            Foothill’s Farmers Market 8:00 am-1:00 pm Come join us on Washington St. in Uptown Shelby on the Court square and buy some certified locally grown produce from our own area farmers. Uptown Shelby Association 704-484-3100 www.FoothillsFarmersMarket.com          

Text Box: August 2008

Text Box: Quick Links Text Box: Tourism News

Text Box: In This Issue:

Chamber Homepage

Chamber Calendar

Community Calendar

Business Directory

Member Services

 

Leadership Cleveland Class of 2008-2009
Letter from the Chairman
Business After Hours / Alive After Five

Tourism News

Register Now:
Golf Tournament

Cleveland Women's Network Tea

Baker Dental Care 100th Anniversary
Community News

Event Pictures
Referral Summary
Thank You Corner

Upcoming Events