This column will be used to introduce our new Board of Directors and to inform the community of the benefits of our membership, the many events that we have planned, and a reflection on the past.

As the President I would first like to share some of our accomplishments. Our focus concentrated on building relationships within Chatham-Kent, one being the fruition of the President’s Forum. Under my direction the forum allowed for communication across a wide spectrum of local leaders. The first meeting hosted 21 groups and with combined effort great things took place. A great example was when the community rallied in support of WMLA and their quest for $25,000 from TSN/Kraft. The Chamber also entered into a Joint Venture with CiK Marketing. Owner Chantielle Kennedy created a program called Shop Local CK where businesses and community citizens could shop locally and receive discounts. This program was the perfect fit with our Business Membership and ended up replacing the Value Added Member-to Member Discount Program. By building this relationship the Chamber increased its membership above previous projection.

In November, at the Annual General Meeting we elected our new Board. The 2012 Executive consists of President John Ritchie, Integrated Financial Services, Vice President Carmen McGregor, Hyde, Hyde & McGregor, Treasurer Matthew Montague, TurnerMoore LLP and Secretary Mike Hatfield, Chez Denise and Greg Walton of Sobeys. The balance of the Board is made up of Gerry Flynn of M&M Meats, Ron Laroche, Community Living Wallaceburg, Greg Hetherington, CKXS FM, Fran Dobbelaar representing the Farming Community, Dan Chauvin, St. Clair College Employment Centre, John Salisbury, GSL Group, Gloria Tulp, Dresden’s Park Street Place, Kelly Hetherington, SunLife Financial, Whitney McGregor, Goodwill Future Focus and Brad Borland Canadian Tire. We are very excited about the diversity and strength that this will add to the makeup of the current Board. We would also like to make a special thank you to our outgoing Directors that gave of their time and made many contributions to our communities; Stacey Ewing, Benefit Brokers Travis Hooper, Southwest Community Credit Union, Janet Barnes, Community Living Wallaceburg, Lisa Nogeuira, HC Stark, Karen Verstappen, ER Schepens Electrical Services Limited and Karen Debergh, Freedom 55 Financial.

Throughout the coming year we have a slate of events and opportunities for members and the community. Our Membership Committee will be working hard at creating a new Membership Enrolment Packages for 2013.

Our Marketing Committee will be working on creating a Marketing Plan to redevelop our Illuminated Bridging Opportunity signs with target dates of 2013.

Our Special Events committee is working our annual Business Excellence Awards which will be held on April 26, 2012. A call for nominations for 2012 is in the works. Anyone wishing to nominate a Business, Association or Citizen that has worked hard for our community should contact Tina at the Chamber office 519-627-1443. Other events that are in the works are Lunch and Learns to includes information to our members about Toastmasters and another that will present the opportunities available through the St. Clair College Employment Centre that has recently opened on McNaughton Ave. and a Members Fair to inform and entice membership of the benefits we offer.

On February 2nd, the Chamber will be in partnership with the Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) and our local MPP Monte McNaughton to host a roundtable discussion surrounding the concerns with WSIB. If anyone would like details please contact John at 519-626-9772.

Our first Community After 5 (CA5) will be on February 16th from 5-7pm at Crabby Joe’s. The Alzheimer Society will also be on hand with information regarding its growing concerns. The upcoming list can be found on our website or by phoning Tina at 519 627 1443.

Our Golf committee will host our annual Golf tournament to be held at Baldoon Golf Course on Friday June 15, 2012.

At the Wallaceburg & District Chamber of Commerce we are working hard to increase opportunities for our Community.

John Ritchie, President

Wallaceburg District Chamber of Commerce

Dave Simpson, Director Storage and Transmission Operations for Union Gas, presented the cheque to Denise Van de Veire, President, Sydenham Field Naturalists at a Helping Hands in Action event held Saturday, September 10 at the site of the woodlot. Volunteers from Union Gas joined forces with volunteers from Sydenham Field Naturalists, 4-H “Walk on the Wild Side”, and the community to plant native species of plants and shrubs purchased through the Centennial grant. These plantings will help to increase the diversity of the understory layer and promote local natural heritage education and tours in an easily accessible location.

“A passionate commitment to stewardship is central to our business culture and operations,” said Dave Simpson, Director Storage & Transmission Operations for Union Gas. “Our success as one of North America’s premier natural gas storage, transmission and distribution companies is shared with the communities we serve and we can’t think of a better way to mark this occasion than by giving back to a community program that so closely aligns with these business values.”

”We are very appreciative of the financial assistance from Union Gas and recognize this company as a partner in our efforts to enhance this significant natural area,” says Eric Fields, Vice-President of Sydenham Field Naturalists. “Upon the discovery of the Paw Paw tree, ranked rare to uncommon, in this woodlot it has become a club project of conservation to preserve this significant natural area.”

Denise Van de Veire, club presidents says “Today’s planting is a considerable step forward as we work to returning this woodlot to its natural state with the re-vegetation of Carolinian species. We want to thank Union Gas for their community support.”

About Sydenham Field Naturalists

Sydenham Field Naturalists is the naturalists club of Chatham-Kent. We are a registered, non-profit organization whose members aim to enjoy, as well as preserve wildlife and natural history, primarily in the Chatham-Kent area. The club is involved in a variety of projects including prairie restoration and conservation efforts to preserve significant natural areas in the region.

About Union Gas

Union Gas Limited, one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2011, is a major Canadian natural gas storage, transmission and distribution company based in Ontario with nearly 100 years of experience and service to customers. Union Gas is a Spectra Energy (NYSE: SE) company with assets of $5.6 billion and approximately 2,200 employees. For more information, visit uniongas.com.

Enjoy your choice of entertainment at various locations around town of Dance, Live Music, Karaoke, a Soap Box Derby, Police Boat & Fire Truck Parades as well as a Dream Cruise of Classic Cars. Refreshments are plentiful with food, snacks and beverages all around town and a licensed tent at the main stage.

WAMBO has something for everyone and Admission is Free!

For more details visit the Wambo website here.

Event organizer Brian Armitage said in total approximately $20,000 was raised for local charities.

He said the United Way community fund, the Wallaceburg Breast Cancer Support Group, the Wallaceburg Legion and other local groups benefited from the day.

Armitage added that the turn was incredible as well, as an estimated 1,500 people packed the downtown core and shores of the Sydenham.

In the 1920′s, Wallaceburg native Jeanne Gordon was a well publicized celebrity. She was the principal contralto of the Metropolitan Opera in New York. From 1919-1928, she mad several recordings, and even had a national hit with her rendition of ‘Silent Night’

“Jeanne (known to her family as Ruby) was also very photogenic” says David Mann, one of the organizers of the museum project. “She was chosen by famous photographer, Mishkin, as one of his favorite subjects.”

Gordon was seen in magazine advertisements, articles, and gained international attention when she refused a marriage proposal from one of the world’s richest men, J.P. Morgan. In 1929, growing health problems forced her to early retirement, and retreated to a newly built mansion in Cedar Springs. After a few years in Cedar Springs, Gordon died in 1952, at the age of 67.

The Wallaceburg community and Gordon historians gathered at the Museum for a night of music and fund-raising. Their hopes are that a video display, as well as large photographs to be installed in the Jeanne Gordon Theatre.

Amira McCavitt a 4th year Western University Student played the part of Jeanne, and brought the audience to their feet with her rendition of Summertime.

The CK Singers also lent their help to the cause with the singing of several numbers. David and Martha Mann capped off the evening with several piano selections.

Chip Gordon (former councilor in Wallaceburg, and nephew to Jeanne Gordon) said “We’re very proud of the family history. Jeanne Gordon was a amazing woman, with an amazing voice. It’s nice to see her honoured this way”

Several more fundraisers are scheduled in the year ahead