Member Spotlight: Stalling's Florist

This picture is worth a thousand words! Spring has definitely sprung at Stallings Florist. Peggy, Beth and her staff have captured it in the beautiful floral arrangements and wreaths that fill the shop.
Peggy started her business in 1962, working at first out of her home. Stallings has been at their present location at 918 N. Norwood St. in Wallace since 1984.

You’ll find bunnies of every size and color, and ceramic birdhouses and teapots are tucked among the tulips, lilies and roses in pink and yellow and white. Rejuvenate your spirit with a beautiful bouquet of fresh spring flowers or send some to someone special and brighten their day!

Call Stallings Florist today at 910-285-3896, visit the shop, or visit them online at www.stallingsflorist.com

April Speaker: Harvey Case

Our speaker at the April Wallace Chamber of Commerce meeting is Harvey Case. Harvey Case has been the President and CEO of Duplin General Hospital since January 2007. Case most recently served as vice president of operations for East Carolina Health, the holding company for University Health Systems of Eastern Carolina community hospitals. He also worked at Heritage Hospital in Tarboro as Chief Financial Officer, controller and as a financial analyst. He is a graduate of East Carolina University and holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Business Administration. A native of North Carolina, Case grew up in New Bern and worked on his grandfather’s tobacco farm in Croatan as a youth. Case and his wife Dawn have three children. The April meeting is scheduled for April 8, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the Western Sizzlin’. Please plan to attend, and bring a guest!

Wallace Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic

The 7th Annual Wallace Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic will be held Friday, May 7, 2010 at the River Landing Golf Course. This is the largest fundraiser held by the Chamber of Commerce each year, and many of the other activities we sponsor depend on the funds raised by this event. Breakfast and lunch will be provided, and will be delivered to the course so play will not be interrupted. Make your plans now for your team pairings, and plan for your sponsorships on shirts or tees or the leader board. We are always in need of volunteers, so put in your request now for the day off and join us for some sun and fun this year! Team applications and sponsorship forms are available from Lou Powell at the Chamber of Commerce office, 910-285-4044

Candidates Forum

You are invited
to attend a Political Forum of
Wallace District/NC/US Candidates
for the upcoming May 4th Primary
at the

Wallace American Legion Post No. 156
529 E. Southerland St.
Wallace, NC 28466
Thursday, April 22, 2010

6:00-6:30pm “Meet & Greet the Candidates”
Social time (refreshments provided)
6:30-8:00pm Candidates speak
(5 minutes each)
Question and answer period
to follow the candidate platform announcement.
Sponsored by
Wallace Chamber of Commerce

What you missed...

Did you miss the March chamber meeting? You thought about going, you meant to make it this month, but then….you got busy, you lost track of time….and it was cold and wet outside, etc. You missed a great meeting. Hugh Caison and Steve Paes had an awesome slideshow presentation on their recent trip to India as part of the Rotary’s mission to eradicate polio in the world. Auston Pusey had a video presentation about the Optimist Club forming in Wallace. Carrie Welton spoke to us about Girl Scouting in Duplin County and we found out about the Red Cross “Run for the Red” run and walk. We knew also to mark our calendars for April 22 and to bake cookies for the candidates “Meet and Greet” Political Forum that the Wallace Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring. You weren’t there. While we were enjoying the hospitality and fantastic lunch at the Mad Boar, you probably ate some crackers at your desk. You didn’t connect with the other business leaders who were there. You don’t know what the pulse of Wallace business is these days. You didn’t make a connection with someone who may be looking for exactly what your business has to offer.

Too bad….maybe next month will be better….

New Member Spotlight:Cape Fear Red Cross

The Cape Fear Chapter of the Red Cross currently serves Brunswick, Columbus, Duplin, New Hanover and Pender Counties. In accordance with the organization’s mission, the Chapter provides vital programs and services, many of which are unduplicated, to residents including: emergency communications for military members and their families; support for area blood drives, donor recruitment and education efforts; dissemination of disaster prevention and preparedness information; immediate relief to local victims of disaster that is focused on meeting their emergency needs; lifesaving safety training courses in CPR, first aid, water and workplace safety; and international tracing services that reconnect loved ones with family members separated by conflict throughout the world. Contact: Vicki LaBelle 910-762-2683

New Member Spotlight: The Sactuary Project

The Sanctuary Project at old Magnolia Golf Club
171 Country Club Lane
Magnolia NC-28453-8047

910-284-9169
www.TSPweb.us

The Sanctuary Project is a unique coalition of over 20 State, County and Non-Profit agencies who address the needs of Veterans, Seniors and others in Duplin County. Veterans can obtain help with problems of unemployment, education and health during the day's session. The most attractive part of this coalition is that applicants can reach the right organization for assistance, as they are all present at once.

The Sanctuary Project plans to renovate three existing buildings to provide Veterans services for an Internet Cafeteria; a Lending Library; a Thrift Store with Clothing Bank; a Mechanic's Shop; Accounting Services for tax returns and a Notary Public, all aimed at providing Veterans with services at minimal cost. The Sanctuary Project therefore needs donations of hardware, construction materials and furnishings to achieve this renovation. Please let us know if you know of any Federal, State, University, Hospital or Military organizations that might be upgrading or renovating their facilities and could donate the old equipment and fittings for this Veterans Service Center.

Among other plans The Sanctuary Project expects to address the needs of Veterans through Transitional Housing within the next few months.

Please give Kip Tomkin a call at 910-284-9169 with any questions or suggestions.

New Member Spotlight: Gordon Vermillion

Gordon Vermillion is running for the NC State Senate seat being vacated by Charlie Albertson. The seat represents the voters of Duplin, Sampson and Lenoir counties.
Gordon and Linda, his wife of 45 years, moved to Kinston nearly 30 years ago. They have raised two sons, educated them in the public schools and state universities, and now they each serve their own communities.
In 1981, Gordon bought a struggling food service company and built the largest independent food service company in Eastern North Carolina. He sold Vermillion's Vending in 1999 and has owned and operated a number of other small businesses over the years.
Most recently, he started Select Food Service for the Mingles Bottling Group and serves as General Manager. He understands what it takes to meet a payroll while paying bills, taxes and utilities.
Community service isn't a job, it's a passion. Gordon has served two terms on the Kinston City Council and is currently president of the Lenoir Committee of 100 along with numerous other boards and advisory committees.

Downtown is ready for spring

from the Downtown Diva

It may not seem like spring is ready to break out...but the downtown stores are ready. Peek-a-BooTique has received a lot of their spring goods, and The Verandah looks like a bloomed garden. The spring Vera Bradley and Chamilia are in at the Polka Dot Zebra, and if it's time to do some flooring- Farrior's is the place to go! Add custom window treatments from Divine Fashions and a piece from Johnson's Furniture, art work from the Art of Hope, and make your room beautiful.

Pamper yourself with a new reverse-a-bag from The Fancy Farmer, rejuvenate your soul with a book from the Mustard Seed. Add some sparkle to your life with Brighton jewelry from Cavenaughs, gold from Honeycutt or the Treasure House and pearls from Evan's Jewelers. Lillie’s Boutique has some amazing new necklace and earring sets in- they are perfect for prom time or evening wear! There are bunnies of all sizes and Easter candy, including Jellie Bellies at Wallace Drug, and Graham Drug has Easter cards. Delight your senses with Bridgewater candles- just in at Willa's- word has it that they will soon be carrying the Pampi jewelry line by Fran Jackson.

www.discoverdowntownwallace.blogspot.com

Duplin Times wins awards

Congratulations to the Duplin Times, who has won two 2nd place awards in the 2009 NC Press Association Editorial (News) contest. Bill Rollins picked up one of the awards for his sports column, SportsBill. The newspaper's editorial page was cited for the other award. This is the 4th consecutive year of winning in the editorial contest, with 8 total awards for those years.

Carolina East Golf Tournament

Carolina East Home Care & Hospice is holding their 13th Annual Golf Tournament Wednesday, May 5, at River Landing. Tee times are scheduled for 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. The entry fee for a four person team is $400, and Player’s Packages will be available on the day of the tournament for $35. The entry fee includes breakfast for morning tee times, lunch, refreshments, range balls, cart and green fees, goodie bag and door prizes. Sponsorships for holes and teams are available starting at $50 (by 4/2/10) For more information and forms, call Julie Howard at 910-296-8061 or email her at Julie@carolinaeast.org.