Letter to the Editor

Chamber dinner success due to efforts of many

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

To the Editor:

On behalf of the Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce, I would like to take the opportunity to thank all the individuals and businesses that assisted in last weekends very successful and enjoyable 2008 Chamber Annual Dinner. This has become a huge event that requires the time, talent and generosity of many people and organizations. Once again, our members came through and we were able to not only provide a fun evening for our guests, but also raise thousands of dollars to continue funding the Chamber's multiple programs.

We must first thank DePauw University for again allowing us the use of their wonderful Tennis & Track facility, and to everyone at the University who worked so hard to make our evening go smoothly. The organization before the event, the room set-up, the light and sound set-up, the delicious meal we were served, everything was first rate and professional. We could not have asked for a better support system. We are so fortunate to have their assistance.

Thank you to Rev. PT Wilson for his lovely invocation, to Dick Hardwick for coming home to entertain us with his wonderful sense of humor, to The Chiggers Band for providing us with some great music throughout the evening, and to Amber Bowers for giving of her time and talents to offer our guests the opportunity to remember the evening with a professionally taken photograph.

Of course this evening would not have been possible if not for the generosity of our corporate sponsors: Abstract & Title Guaranty, American Equipment Finance, Asbury Towers Retirement Community, Cinergy MetroNet, Co-Alliance, LLP, Collins-Evans Real Estate, Countrywide Home Loans, Crown Equipment Corp., Cunningham State Farm Ins., DePauw University, Duke Energy, Indiana, First Financial Bank, First National Bank, HBG Insurance & Bonds, Inc., Hickory Creek at Sunset, Ivy Tech Community College, Matthew Welker Allstate Ins., Millpond Health Campus, North Salem State Bank, Old National Bank, Parke Co. REMC, RHS-A Republic Serv. Co., Shuee & Sons Great Buys Plus, Teachers Credit Union, Wabash Capital, and the Walden Inn. A special thanks goes to Duke Energy Indiana for sponsoring our music, to North Salem State Bank for sponsoring our dinner, to Old National Bank for sponsoring our entertainer, Dick Hardwick and to Ivy Tech Community College for sponsoring our Silent Auction.

Thanks also to our Table Sponsors; A-1 Space Station, Amber Bowers Photography, Autumn Glen, Banner-Graphic, Barb Young -- Farm Bureau Life Ins., Bright Futures, City of Greencastle, Classic Flooring, Crown Equipment Corp., Culligan Water Conditioning of Putnam Co., Cunningham State Farm Insurance, Ebenezer Retreat & Camping Institute, Eitel's Flowers & Gifts, Eric Wolfe -- Realtor, First Financial Bank, First National Bank, Hardwick Family, Hayes, Murphy, Sharp Insurance, Ivy Tech Community College, Manpower, Mark Hammer, CPA's, Matthew Welker Allstate Insurance, Millpond Health Campus, National City Bank, North Salem State Bank, Old National Bank, Osborn & Associates, Payroll Express Business Serv., Putnam Co. Convention & Visitors Bureau, Sen. Connie Lawson, Sharon Owens for Putnam Co. Treasurer, Taylor Made Awards & Promotions, Teachers Credit Union, Walden Inn, and York Automotive Family.

Once again our Annual Dinner Silent Auction was a huge success and a lot of fun, due to the wonderful donations we received from our Chamber members. We would like to thank the following businesses and individuals for contributing items to the auction; Scorpion Protective Coating, Jameson Coffee, Ivy Tech Community College, Farm Credit Services, Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Hendricks Power Cooperative, Cinergy MetroNet, York Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Curves, Almost Home, Final Approach Bistro, Putnam County Playhouse, Teachers Credit Union, Senator Connie Lawson, Cunningham State Farm Insurance, Dixie Chopper, DePauw University, Putnam County Board of Realtors, Banner-Graphic, Furniture Aware House, Benny's Floor Coverings, Debbie Wachal -- Mary Kay Independent Consultant, Matthew Welker Allstate Insurance, York Chevrolet, Pontiac, Olds, GMC Truck, Wal-Mart Super Center, Indianapolis Colts, Indiana Pacers, Indianapolis Indians, Casino Aztar, Argosy Casino, David Letterman, and Holiday World & Splash'in Safari.

There are also many businesses we need to thank for helping to make our event very special: Thank you to Eitel's Flowers & Gifts, DePauw University Food Services, Silverwood Signs, Progessive Printing, The Walden Inn, Taylor Made Awards & Promotions, Classic Flooring, Greencastle Music Center and the Banner-Graphic.

Thank you to the following Chamber members for providing invaluable assistance prior to and during the event. Nata Parmley, Bonnie Hanlon, Melanie Welker, Colleen Matthews, Laurie Hardwick, Jinsie Bingham, Andrew O'Hair, Tina Johnston, Gwen Costin, Cindy Cross, Gayle Camonte, Ruth Schroeder, Sharon James, Barb Young, and Brad Johnson These people are the best. I couldn't have gotten done without them!

Finally thank you to everyone who attended the dinner this year. We had a record crowd of 348 guests, and we truly appreciate your support and hope you enjoyed the evening. We look forward to seeing you again next year!

The Greater Greencastle Chamber of Commerce

Board of Directors

Tammy Amor,

Executive Director