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INSIDERINSIDERC O N N E C T | E N G A G E | I N S P I R E | E M P O W E RC O N N E C T | E N G A G E | I N S P I R E | E M P O W E RI S S U E N O . 1 0Q 2 | 2 0 2 3T H E O C O N E E C H A M B E R

INSIDERwww.oconeechamber.orgPage 2 | Oconee Chamber of Commerce55 Nancy Drive, Watkinsville Georgia 30677Chamber Executive BoardChairman of the BoardAmy Parrish, Highland Trust PartnersChair ElectBrad Tucker, Look Ahead Business ConsultingTreasurerPaige Fuller, Mary Kay CosmeticsSecretaryMichael Gill, Michael Gill State FarmAt-LargeLorie Petersen, BankSouthImmediate Past ChairStuart Cofer, Cofer's Home and Garden ShowplaceOconee Chamber of CommerceQ2 | Issue 10PresidentCourtney Bernardi

T A B L E O FCONTENTS3Table of Contents4Word from our PresidentSecond Quarter AwardRecipients6Summerfest Overview10Home Entertaining Guide with WIB1819Chamber Golf Tournament Highlights227Chamber Crossword Puzzle24Partners In ActionQ& A with Rosie's Hometown MeatsOne the Cover:Oconee Joe, Kayak ToursHistoric Barnett Shoals, GA

business and receiving a greeting similar to that which you receive walking into your neighbor’s home – awarmth that isn’t part of a scripted greeting, but rather a verbal hug, often followed by a physical embrace,welcoming you in. A feeling of delight as you take in the charm of those around you. As you venture out this summer, no matter where you are headed, take time to shop and dine local. Choosethe path less traveled. Meander off the interstate – there are so many places well worth the extra time it willtake you to get to your final destination. From a stop at Golden Pantry to grab a biscuit and a bit of caffeinebefore heading out of town, to taking a minute to enjoy a delicious, family owned lunch spot like Five Loavesin Monticello, GA, to a stretch break and a little shopping at a boutique like The Farmer’s Wife boutique indowntown Bainbridge, GA, to dinner and cocktails at a lovely restaurant like Fortify Kitchen & Bar in Clayton,GA – small businesses are worth the stop every single time. Let the adventure begin the minute you pull out of the driveway. Make a point to choose the journey ratherthan to just take the trip. Take a few extra moments to choose to enjoy what makes small towns like ours sogreat - the people and their local businesses. Those you’ll meet along the way are likely some of the mostamazing folks with the most heartwarming stories – stories you’ll tell again and again, and remember muchlonger than the hi and bye of a drive thru window. CourtneyFROM OUR PRESIDENTM E S S A G E Some would argue that Oconee County is no longer a small community but, witha population of just over 43,000 and 186 square miles, we are still very much asmall community. And for every small town, there is one thing that remains vitalto success – small businesses. The importance of small businesses to localcommunities is passionately connected in the buying and selling with friendsand neighbors. There’s a bit of magic in walking into a local

For More Information on Becoming a Corporate Sponsor Pleasecontact us at the Oconee ChamberPLATINUM CORPORATE SPONSORSSilver CORPORATE SPONSORSBronze CORPORATE SPONSORSGold CORPORATE SPONSORSChairman's Circle

PartnersINAction!Georgia Home Partners -Grier & Co Gives Back toLocal HeroesUCBC Opens TheirOconee Cancer Center Chamber Partner, Metal + Petal,Opens Charleston Office!Freestone Peaches HaveArrived at Farm 441!Oconee State Bank TeamMembers Volunteer at OARC Kique's Kitchen Explodesinto Oconee Becoming Oneof the Hottest Restaurantsin Town!BankSouth TeamMembers SpottedVolunteering at ESP, Inc.!

The 2023 Oconee Chamber Golf Tournament held on April 20, 2023,presented by Downtown Ministries, was one for the books! With 34 teams vying for the top spot, there was no shortage ofcompetition on the greens! 136 Golfers34 Teams16 Hole SponsorsThe prestigious University of Georgia golf course was the picture perfectspot yet again - somehow; however, year two was been even better thanthe first!Hundreds of smiles, dreamy weather, a few drinks, and a fabulous round ofgolf made for an amazing time. Following the tournament, golfers were treated to lunch and awards. Over $2500 in raffle prizes were presented to several lucky participants - making the day extra sweet.

A BIG thank you to all of our awesome sponsors and volunteers who made this year'stournament a HUGE success. We are truly blessed with the best at the OconeeChamber! We're already busily planning next year's tournament, also to be held at the UGA GolfCourse. Make sure you're on the look out in January of 2024 for registration information -you'll want to get your team registered early as the tournament will sell out quickly!

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Vendors attending this year's Summerfest event showed upand showed out - each taking the theme to an award winning new level! From a swarm of bees to Darth Vader, Elsa andAnna, to our very own T-Rex, Summerfest movie night was aroaring good time.The "Family Movie" themed event showcased local vendors,20 of which were first time exhibitors, providing servicessuch as estate planning, real estate, banking and financialplanning, pest control, insurance, entertainment, food,healthcare and so much more! The awesome swag formembers of the whole family, amazing giveaways, fantasticmovie sets and friendly cast members made for an Oscarworthy performance. How will we top this year's event? You'll have to stay tuned!Summerfest 2024 will be here before we know it! Summerfest 2023, was filled with LIGHTS, CAMERAS and lotsof ACTION! This year's event proved, once again, to be a hugesuccess for our business partners and our community! With over 300 attendees and 60+ vendors, our Family Movie Nightexperience was truly a box office SMASH!

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Mu nc h Hu t De li & S to rePEOPLE'SCHOICE AWARDFAMILY MOVIE NIGHTVOTED FOR BY THE ATTENDEES AT SUMMERFEST 2023

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Help Us CongratulateHelp Us CongratulateO u r s e c o n d Q u a r t e r A W A R D r e c i p i e n t s

How long have you lived in Oconee County and why did yourfamily choose Oconee County as home? We are a blendedfamily of 8. My husband, Brad, and I were born and raised inOconee, including multiple generations before us.ROSIE'S HOMETOWN MEATSMeet Roslyn and herHusband BradThe Dickens FamilyRosieget toknowq & a

Know your cuts!What has been the most exciting part of your journey to open Rosie’sHometown Meats? What's been most exciting and fun is meeting so manywonderful people we share the community with that we've never had theopportunity to meet until now and seeing familiar faces that we've had theprivilege of already knowing for many years. Whether it's introducing newpeople to our products, to our current customers, serving all of them brings joyand is so fulfilling!What sent you dreaming about owning and operating your own business in this wonderful community?Brad grew up in the livestock business and farming, while I grew up more of a city girl (the city ofWatkinsville, that is) aspiring to run a business as I did with my family years ago. Processing our ownmeat is nothing new to us; we have done so for many many years for our personal consumption. Based onpositive feedback from friends and family, we prayerfully considered going public. We launched ourbusiness online in November 2022 and are now celebrating our Grand Opening of our first brick andmortar in July 2023. Mine and Brad's union birthed this dream of creating and running our own familybusiness, leveraging our strengths while pursuing our passion. https://www.rosieshometownmeats.com

roslyn@rosieshometownmeats.com"Fresh from our local family farm to your table, Rosie'sHometown Meats is known for its amazing flavor,beautiful marbling, and tender cuts of meat. All cuts arevacuum-packed fresh and then frozen to preservelongevity. Our beef is grass-fed, grain finished and dry-aged from 14-21 days. This process helps the beefachieve its maximum flavor and tenderness. Rosie'sHometown Meats does not contain any addedhormones, antibiotics, additives, preservatives, ornitrates. Our meat is 100% USA beef and is certifiedUSDA inspected."(706) 207-53751973 Hog Mountain Road, Suite 101Watkinsville, Georgia As entrepreneurs, what is something positive you have learned from starting your business thatyou would like to share with others who might be toying with the idea of starting a business oftheir own? Just go for it! Exercise your God-given purpose, talents and abilities. What do youhave to lose? If you enjoy what you're doing, you'll never work a day in your life!What makes farming and supplying fresh meats to our community so important? We truly feelthat it's important to know where your food comes from and that's where we come in. We knowfirsthand what our livestock is being fed and the conditions they live in. Our cattle have access tograss, but are also grain-finished to achieve that maximum flavor, marbling and tenderness. Ilove the slogan, "know your farmer, know your food" and it's so true! What we feed our familyis just as important as what we feed yours.

Down:1. City located less than four miles south of Watkinsville 2. OCCOC 4. Chamber events and marketing guru 5. Number of Chamber staff members 9. Convenience store chain - locally owned and operated 10. County Seat11. World's leading manufacturer ofconstruction and mining equipment15. Oconee County High School mascot 16. Chamber's largest event - hosted annually20. Oconee Chamber morning networking event Across:3. First of its kind to open in Oconee County6. Largest sales tax generator in Oconee County 7. Retired after 15 years last year8. Event celebrating the past year12. Current Chamber Chair13. Location of Fall Festival14. Chamber President17. Business Expo18. Newest Chamber staff member19. Watkinsville's newly opened live, work, play21. North Oconee High School mascotChamberCROSSWORD Download the Crossword Here!

WOMEN INBUSINESS LUNCHEONThe Oconee Chamber Women in Business MayLuncheon, hosted by Remarkable Mortgage atOconee State Bank Headquarters, was filled withfun, fellowship and delicious treats for all inattendance.The SOLD OUT Home Entertaining themedluncheon delivered a mocktail how to, acharcuterie board building workshop and a buildyour own floral arrangement demonstration.Those in attendance were able to leave with giftsand loads of tips on easily entertaining guests intheir home. If you haven't attended an Oconee ChamberWomen in Business event, you are DEFINITELYmissing out! Registration for the August luncheonwill open soon! Don't wait, these events sell outquickly!

At HomeAt HomeEntertainingEntertainingGuideGuideEVENT SPONSOREVENT SPONSOR

MocktailsMocktailsneeded toolsneeded toolsCocktail ShakerStrainerCocktail JiggerStoveSaucepanIngredients:- 1 cup granulated sugar- 1 cup water- 4 tbsp Dried culinary lavender buds1. Combine water, sugar and lavender in amedium saucepan and bring to a simmeruntil sugar is fully dissolved.2. Cover and remove from heat, allow tosteep for at least 20 minutes.3. Strain the lavender and pour into a cleanglass jar. Serve as desiredIngredients:- 1 cup granulated sugar- 1 cup water1. Add the sugar and water to a smallsaucepan over medium heat.2. Stir until sugar is dissolved.3. Let cool, then pour into a glass jar andseal tightly with a lid.4. Simple syrup will keep, refrigerated, forabout one month.If homemade isn't your jam, that's okay!simple syrupsimple syruplavender simple syruplavender simple syrupSimple syrup is sold at most grocerystores. Lavender simple syrup can be found onAmazon and at specialty stores - the Monin or Torani brands arerecommended.

Named after Mary Pickford. Mary was aCanadian stage/screen actress and producerwith a career that spanned five decades. Knownas “America’s Sweetheart” during the silent filmera. Pickford is considered to be one of themost recognizable women in history.Ginger Rogers was an American actress, dancerand singer during the Golden Age of Hollywood.She won an Academy Award for Best Actress forher starring role in Kitty Foyle, and performedduring the 1930s in RKO's musical films with FredAstaire. During her long career, Rogers made 73films, and she ranks number 14 on the AFI's 100Years...100 Stars- List of female stars of classicAmerican cinema.Named after Anne Catherine Hoof Green. In 1767, Green took overher late husband’s printing and newspaper business, becoming thefirst American woman to run a print shop. The next year, Greenbecame the official printer of Maryland. Green's portrait waspainted by Charles Willson Peale in 1769. The words "Annapolisprinter to..." appear on the paper she is holding in the portrait,referring to the Maryland legislature's choice of Anne to succeedher husband as the official printer of the Maryland colony. Underher guidance - business thrived and Anne Green became one ofthe few women of her time to gain success in the male-dominatedbusiness worldPickford pineapplePickford pineapple Method : SHAKE/STRAINAdd fresh ice to cocktail shaker and then add:- 2 oz grapefruit juice- 1 oz lavender simple syrup (may use pre-made or Home-made)- Spanked mint ( Place the leaves or sprig in one hand andgently smack it with the other— this warms up the mint slightlyand starts to extract the oils)Shake the ingredients until the shaker feels icy on the outsideStrain the ingredients in a glass with fresh iceTop the drink off with soda waterGarnish with spanked mint or Lavender springPairs well with - Gin (1.5 oz)the ginger rosethe ginger rosePairs well with - Vodka (1.5 oz)Method : SHAKE/STRAINAdd fresh ice to cocktail shaker and then add:- .5 oz agave- .5 oz lemon juice- .5 oz lime juice- 2.5 oz tart red cherry juiceShake the ingredients until the shaker feels icy on theoutsideStrain the ingredients in a glass with fresh ice.Top the drink off with equal parts soda water + ginger beerGarnish with spanked rosemarymrs. annemrs. annePairs well with - Tequila or Rum (1.5 oz)Method : SHAKE/STRAINAdd fresh ice to cocktail shaker and then add:- 1 oz simple syrup- .5 oz lemon juice- .5 oz lime juice- 1.5 oz pineapple juice- 1.5 oz lemonade (can be pink or original)Shake the ingredients until the shaker feels icy on theoutsideStrain the ingredients in a glass with fresh iceGarnish with dehydrated lemon wheel or fresh citrus

CharcuterieCharcuterieGROCERY LISTCheese (Brie, Goat, Cheddar, BellaVitano, Etc.)MeatJellies (Pepper Jelly, Fruit Jelly)Fruit (Apple, Grapes, Cherries, Blackberries)CrackersBreadDried FruitNutsSweets (Pretzels, Chocolate, Etc)Check Trader Joe'sfor meats andcheeses!

Select your color scheme. You can purchase a premade boutique with various colors, and find othercomplimentary flowers to add in. Be sure to pick different shapes and sizes. Do not forget the greenery. You can either purchase additional greenery with your flowers OR check youryard for fresh greenery.Select a traditional vase, pitcher, or any container that will hold water. Shop your house!Make sure your flowers have a sturdy foundation. Tape a grid with floral tape, add floral foam orpurchase a floral frog for extra stability.Fill the container about ¾ full with water.If you have flower food be sure to add it in. Remove lower leaves and cut all stems at an angle to fit the container.Create an inverted triangular shape with your greenery.Reserve a few pieces of greenery for the finishing touch.Remove leaves and cut stems at an angle to fit the container.Think about the desired shape of your arrangement. Circular and triangular arrangements tend to be themost simple to create.Remove leaves and cut stems at an angle to fit the container. Think about your shape and fill in all angles.Spin your container and make sure all sides appear symmetrical. Continue adding flowers until you are happy with your final product. It can also be fun to add a few surprise sprigs to give your arrangement that extra “wow” factor.Every few days trim the stems in your arrangement and replace the water.Decide on an arrangement design1.2. * HELPFUL HINT: Check Trader Joe's and our local Farmer's Market for fresh flowers!Choose a container1.Prepare the flower vase1.2.3.Create a base with greenery1.2.3.Add focal flowers, the largest blooms or the flowers with the most unusual color or texture1.2.Add filler flowers, smaller flowers and textural elements1.2.Fluff until you’re happy1.2.3.Make your flowers last longer!1.FloralsFlorals

FASHION SHOW@oconeechamberJULY 27, 2023JULY 27, 2023OCONEE COUNTY CIVIC CENTEROCONEE COUNTY CIVIC CENTER2661 HOG MOUNTAIN RD, WATKINSVILLE, GA2661 HOG MOUNTAIN RD, WATKINSVILLE, GA 11A-2PLADIES LUNCH OUT, POP-UPS & FASHION SHOWLADIES LUNCH OUT, POP-UPS & FASHION SHOW@waltonchamber@barrowchamber@athensgachamberTICKETS ON SALE NOWTICKETS ON SALE NOWPresenting Sponsor

C H A M B E RThe One Where Y O U Attend ...For Our Lunchtime Networkers2 0 2 3 E V E N T S C A L E N D A RFor Morning NetworkersFor Our After Work NetworkersOur featured events are the biggest events of 2023!Other Events to Make Note OfJuly 27th | Women In Business Fashion ShowSeptember 18th | State of the Schools August 10thOctober 4thDecember 7thJuly 18thSeptember 7thNovember 2ndNovember 14thJuly 21stSeptember 22ndSeptember 12thOctober 21st | Rocket Field November 30th and December 1stSummertime is Biscuit Time