At 1031 Gurnee in Anniston, on May 14th, 1961, the first bus of Civil Rights activists, known as the Freedom Riders, was met by a hostile crowd at Anniston’s Greyhound bus station. The Freedom Riders, who were testing out the south’s segregation laws that were still being enforced despite the outlawing of it nationally, had left Washington D.C. on May 4, 1961 and were scheduled to arrive in New Orleans on May 17, 1961.

Their stop in Anniston, Alabama on May 14th on Gurnee Avenue would forever embed the city in Civil Rights history.

Today, Gurnee Avenue mirrors that of the 1960s, with the building that served as the Greyhound station and other local businesses still intact. Through the Spirit of Anniston’s Civil Rights Trail, everyone has a chance to experience a piece of history.

As you stand there looking at the bus mural, informative panels recap the infamous day’s events as they unraveled.

When the bus pulled into the alley, the stations doors were closed and locked. The crowd, awaiting their arrival, surrounded the bus, and the undercover agents onboard the bus prevented the unruly group from getting on the bus. However, the smashing of windows and slashing of tires could not be prevented. When the police finally arrived, a path for the bus was cleared, and the bus was motioned to exit.
The gathered mob rushed to their cars to follow the bus as it made its way down Highway 202, but the bus was eventually forced to stop due to flat tires.
The riders, trained not to acknowledge attackers, remained in their seats until a fire bomb was thrown on the bus, exploding, and setting fire to the bus.
The explosions scattered the crowd, but as the passengers exited the bus, some were beaten by the remaining crowd or had severe smoke inhalation and were in need of medical treatment. After they were taken to Anniston Hospital, the hospital began to receive threats, so fearing the worst, hospital administrators asked the riders to leave. With the help of Civil Rights leaders, they were able to depart for Birmingham.

Today, 901 Noble Street, the site of the 1960’s Trailways station, also has a bus mural and informative panels recapping events that also occurred May 14th, 1961.
The second Freedom Rider bus arrived in Anniston about an hour after the first. Upon their arrival, Klu Klux Klansmen came onboard the Trailways bus, beat the passengers, moved the black passengers to the back and white passengers to the front, and made themselves comfortable in between the segregated passengers for a long ride to Birmingham, where another unruly mob awaited their arrival. There, the passengers were beaten again.

Events like this and others of historical significance have occurred in and around Calhoun County, and thanks to organizations like the Spirit of Anniston, these historical sites and details are preserved, and the stories live on today. With the incorporation of the Civil Rights Trail in the Alabama Tourism’s Civil Rights Museum Trail brochures, Calhoun County’s place in civil rights history is being highlighted.

Self-guided tours of the Civil Rights Trail are available!

For more information about Anniston’s Civil Rights history and the Civil Rights Heritage Trail, contact Betsy Bean at the Spirit of Anniston by calling 256-236-0996.

The purpose of this series is to assist Chamber members and other area businesses in developing strategies to implement an online presence, provide insights that assist in connecting technology to their existing goals, give various ways the implementation’s success can be measured, and describe how to manage the time and staff needed for a successful online presence.

The first presentation focused on Website Basics for the Technologically Challenged, meaning the importance of a website and how to plan an effective website for those who might be hesitant in developing one because of their computer knowledge.

Members Services Coordinator Emily Duncan spoke on website usage and trends. Did you know 90% of Americans use internet search engines when searching for information on a brand or product; however, 46% of small businesses do not have websites, which could promote all their products and services 24/7.

Derek Brown of WideNet Consulting spoke on the planning of an effective website & elements one needs to consider when developing a website, including organization and basic web design.

Chris Williams of WideNet Consulting spoke on the technical side of website planning, including html and pixels.

Future topics for this series include:

March 14- The Importance of Social Media in Today’s Business World

April 11- Facebook for Business

May 9- Twitter & Blogs for Business

June 13- LinkedIn for Business

July 11-BrandBuilding with Youtube, Streaming Video, and Photos

August 8- Online Marketing

September 12-Mobile and Email Marketing

October 10- QR Codes, Living Social, Groupon, and Foursquare

November 14- Social Media Policy and Plan Development

 For more information or to RSVP, please contact Emily Duncan at 256-237-3536 or by email at emilyd@calhounchamber.com.

The charge to attend these workshop luncheons is $10 for Chamber Members, per workshop, and $20 for non-Chamber members, per workshop.

The 2012 Economic Forum and 33^rd Annual Meeting were held on Thursday, January 26^th, 2012 at the Bridge at Anniston First United Methodist Church.

The Economic Forum featured speakers like JSU’s Dr. Mark Hearn and Dr. Richard Cobb, BB&T’s Bucky Hellwig, and Anniston Army Depot’s Jack Cline. These presenters provided economic updates from the local to the national levels.

“I had a great time at the Economic Forum and Annual Meeting,” said Joe Jankoski of the Calhoun County Community Development Corporation. “It’s a great networking opportunity with people I don’t normally get to see, and the number of people in attendance shows how many people truly care about making Calhoun County the best it can be.” 

The Annual Meeting, which was wonderfully catered by Garfrerick’s Café, featured Alabama’s Governor Bentley as guest speaker. Speakers and awards presented highlighted the year before and looked forward to the possibilities of the future.

On award recipient, Deidre Mundy of The Anniston Star, said “The Annual Meeting is a great event, bringing a very large number of Chamber members from all over Calhoun County together to reflect on the past year and gear up for the coming year. The Annual Meeting truly “Connects our Communities.” Deidre was awarded Ambassador of the Year at the Annual Meeting for her participation in Chamber events. “I am very proud to play such a rewarding role with the Chamber. Being involved in the Chamber connects me to all of Calhoun County, not just businesses but to the people involved in the businesses. Through my involvement with the Chamber, I have met some amazing people, helped businesses grow and prosper, and made some lasting friendships,” said Deidre.

“Interning at the Chamber is great experience and I get to go around with Sherri Sumners, President of the Chamber, and see everything she does and it is very enlightening,” said Jordan. “This has given me a better idea of how my community works.”

“Some people overlook all the special events happening in and around town, and I never realized what an important role the Chamber played in the planning and organization of these events. I honestly didn’t realize all the things the Chamber does and how involved they are. Now, I realize, if I am ever visiting somewhere, I should go to the local Chamber if I have any questions or need any assistance.”

Jordan is considering continuing her education at Jacksonville State University. She is heavily involved at her church, Grace Episcopal Church, by helping out at various events and singing in the choir. If not volunteering, singing, or playing her clarinet she will probably be caught reading a good book.

Thanks Jordan for all you do!

Anniston’s newest salon and Boutique is the place to be for the most current trends and classic styles. With its upscale feel, you will be pampered with a massaging shampoo and aroma-therapy hot towel. Our stylists are nationally trained and ready to serve you with professional, beautiful results every time! From wine tasting on Wednesday night to our boutique full of clothing fromL.A.and N.Y.C, you will be amazed and refreshed when you leave. Names like MISSME denim and D-9 (made by Lucky brand) are some of the fashions you will love from ICON.

We are now offering the MYSTC Tan, an automated, private, u-v free tanning system. We are very proud to say it is the only one in Calhoun County!

ICON is offering a “try me” price of 19.99 on Tuesday. So, come in and try the newest innovation in tanning…No worries of skin cancer, age spots, or dry skin. MYSTIC will produce bronze, moisturized results that last 7-10 days with no orange or streaking…Guaranteed!

Located at 22nd & Quintard inAnniston,AL

Call 256-236-7771 for an appointment or walk-in today!

“Like” us on Facebook – www.iconsalonandboutique.com

ICON Salon & Boutique carries a full line of PAUL MITCHELL, REDKEN, MOROCCAN OIL, I.C.O.N and HEMPZ hair care products.

EXCLUSIVE…YET AFFORDABLE!

For a complete listing of Chamber members, please visit www.calhounchamber.com.

The Chamber was looking for a way to reach out to all Chamber members and get feedback. The “Bringing the Chamber to You” Campaign was developed to accomplish this goal.

Anna-Marie Moorer is just one of the many Ambassadors participating in this campaign. Below is a summary of her experience with the campaign.

“Ambassadors are paired with a board member and given a list of companies to meet with each quarter. My partner is Rodney Owens with the Anniston Water Works. Together we have visited our members asking for feedback on current Chamber activities, the direction they would like to see the Chamber go, and filling them in on upcoming Chamber events.”

Thus far, certain themes are emerging from the collected information. For instance, many members enjoy the many networking opportunities they receive as Chamber members, but they would love to see more opportunities added. Other suggestions received through this survey revealed that Chamber members want to tell people things they don’t know about the community, form new partnerships in order to reach new people and areas, and recognize those who volunteer and support the Chamber more often.

The volunteers, like those participating in the “Bringing the Chamber to You” campaign, are doing a great job and gathering great information for the Chamber to utilize.

Anna-Marie summarizes the success of the campaign with “We have had the opportunity to meet new people and visit with old friends, all to help benefit the Chamber.”

Thank you volunteers and Chamber members for all your contributions to Calhoun County, which make it a great place to work and live.

The Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce

256-237-3536

www.calhounchamber.com

Today, I skipped a state library meeting for what I consider a “once in a lifetime” experience, an adult field trip to The Depot and The Center for Domestic Preparedness.  First and foremost, I learned that if a soldier drives it, shoots it or eats it, the Depot probably had something to do with it, and the military is the largest industry in the state.  The Depot has continued to remain in operation as it partners with other industries to help meet their goals.  They do there best to add value to their current clients, but are also always seeking new partnerships.  The Depot has won 2 “Shingo” awards, which is like the manufacturing equivalent to the Nobel Peace Prize.  We got to see Strykers being made and newly refurbished machine guns being tested.  I encourage each of you to talk to your friends, who work at The Depot, and find out for yourselves why it is such a great place to work.

Next, we went across town to the CDP atFt.McClellan.  Class members went through a metal detector, but no gun parts from The Depot were found.  Mariah almost got squirted by fake blood spurting from the newly amputated leg of a $35,000 mannequin used in medical catastrophe training situations.  We also viewed what I’ll affectionately refer to as “Teddy Bear Triage,” which related to a mass casualty situation.  Finally, we saw where they train folks to respond to chemical disasters and terrorism.  It was a real eye opener to think about what it would be like to be a leader in such a situation.  Sure made me appreciate my day job.

Contributing Author: Donna Satterlee Ross

TheCalhounCountyChamber of Commerce

www.calhounchamber.com

Hundreds of people perused the exhibits of our Chamber members.

Around 100 exhibitors displayed their goods and services to those in attendance.  This year, there were pirates, golfing, food, and more.

Exhibitors saw the EXPO as a great way to visit with current customers and meet new clients.

There was a smorgasbord of food for lunch during the first “Taste of Calhoun County” competition of the day. Covalli’s Italian Kitchen took home the prize for Best Lunch.

Later on, awards were distributed for Best Non-profit Booth to both YMCA and Relay for Life. Thanks to Buster Miles, the Chamber’s donation was matched so that both non-profits received $300 for their organization.

The awards for Best Booths went to the following: 3^rd place to Northeast Alabama Surgical Association, 2^nd place to AOD Federal Credit Union, and 1^st place to Abbey Carpet & Flooring.

That night, the “Taste of Calhoun County” 2011 Winners were announced as follows:

Best Authentic Dish: Mellow Mushroom

Best Dessert: McAlister’s Deli

BestSandwich: Honeybaked Ham

Best Ribs: Heroes

Best Wings: Sonny’s Bar-B-Q

Best Chicken: Covalli’s Italian Kitchen

Best Pizza: Covalli’s Italian Kitchen

Best BBQ: Smoke-N-Hot BBQ

The Overall Taste of Calhoun County 2011 Winner: Smoke-N-Hot BBQ

If you didn’t get to attend this year’s EXPO, join us at next year’s event!

The Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce

www.calhounchamber.com

Dear Calhoun County,

Help us say thank you to our local businesses by spending an extra $20 on the 20^th of each month.

Most things you need can be found locally. Shopping locally provides jobs and not only supports our local merchants but also our schools. Not only is shopping locally convenient, but it also helps fund local police, fire stations, emergency agencies, and our roads.

For instance, if you purchase an average priced, new automobile locally, it adds around $688 in sales tax revenue. Purchasing gasoline locally contributes more than $112 to the local economy, and purchasing groceries locally contributes $312 to the local economy each year, in sales tax.

Local merchants often support community groups, clubs, teams, and charities. So, as you can see, everyone wins when you buy local, and the money circulates through the local economy, again and again, aiding in business growth, job creation, lower taxes, public services, and civic pride.

If we simply switched just 5% of the money we spend elsewhere and buy local, over $2 million in local sales tax revenue would be generated and result in more jobs, better schools, better parks, lower taxes, improved public safety, and better streets and highways.

So, join us by spending $20 on the 20^th. You too can make a difference when you shop local!

The Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce

www.calhounchamber.com

The week started with a networking opportunity for Chamber members as AOD Federal Credit Union hosted “Business After Hours.”

During the week, Chamber members also had the opportunity to tour and learn about three local industries: Advantage Logistics, Monarch Windows & Doors, and B.R. Williams Trucking and Logistics. These industries had the opportunity to introduce those, who one might not expect to see in their facilities, to their business in a short period of time. Much was learned about these industries throughout these tours. For instance, did you know that Advantage Logistics has 3.5 miles of conveyor belt in their facility?

The Chamber’s Salute to Industry Golf Outing was help at Cider Ridge Golf Club. 130 participants played an enjoyable round of golf and had the opportunity to play or be paired with someone they might not have known before the golf tournament. Participants and sponsors had the opportunity to spend fours hours getting to network with one another. We want to thank these participants and various sponsors for making this event possible.

The week was brought to a close with the Salute to Industry Breakfast at McClellan Park Medical Mall. Those, who attended the tours on Wednesday, were quizzed on their gathered knowledge in a friendly game of “Industrial Pursuit,” and Robin Scott of the McClellan Development Authority addressed those gathered about the Fort property and its future. The breakfast served as yet another wonderful time to socialize and network.

So, as you see, this week allowed participants to see the various contributions local industries make to the Calhoun County area, and for that, we are so grateful because they truly help make Calhoun County a great place to work and live.