The Jay Area Chamber of Commerce met Monday, December 2, in the Jay Community Center's social hall at noon. Lunch was provided.
Before lunch, all stood for the Pledge of Allegiance. Mike Avery gave the invocation.
After lunch, Vice President Mike Avery brought the meeting to order. He thanked Greg Brown and the Property Appraiser's Office for the delicious lunch. You can't beat catfish and hushpuppies.
Guests were introduced. They were Megan Larson, External Relations Manager for the Bay Area Food Bank, Milton, and Briteny Mckeithen, a volunteer and coordinator for the Bay Area Food Bank's Food Drive.
Greg Brown, Property Appraiser for Santa Rosa County, gave a little information about the Property Appraiser's Office. He said that it has of staff of 30 full-time and two part-time employees. He also said that citizens can now go on line to pay their Tangible Tax. He thanked his team for helping him with lunch: Bubba, Speedy and B. J.
The guest speaker, Captain Walt Reese, arrived just in time to tell us about the U.S. Navy, the Navy League, ROTC, and the Seabees. He said the Navy League has about 90 members, but could use more. The Navy League was established in 1902. I told him that I would like to get the Seabees to open the next Peanut Festival (Oct. 4-5, 2014). We had them open several years ago. It is very emotional to see our colors presented.
The November minutes were approved, as was the treasurer's report.
There was no Military Affairs report.
The Iron Gate, Jay, will make the huge bow for our community Christmas tree. They will only charge us for the ribbon to make it.
Linda Carden thanked the chamber members who helped with the Christmas Parade, Saturday, November 30.
Sabrina Owens, Marketing, with Escambia River Electric Cooperative, handed out information on the upcoming Century's Christmas Land to Lake Lighted Boat Parade to be held on Thursday, December 12. Lineup will be at 4 p.m. and pull-out at 5 p.m.
It will begin on Front Street and end up at Lake Stone. There will be Christmas caroling, and hot cocoa, cookies and Santa Claus for the kids. The event will be hosted by Gulf Power and Escambia River Electric Cooperative.
The next Jay Chamber meeting will be held Monday, January 6, 2014 at noon in the Jay Community Center's social hall. Lunch will be provided by The Town of Jay.
A reminder: Full-color Santa Rosa County maps are ready. They are on sale for $5 each, or 25 for $3 each. You can pick them up at the SRC Chamber of Commerce, Milton.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Jay Chamber meeting again on January 6