Volunteers to Make 'Parade of Lights' a Success

By Jay Crawford
Editor, Greene County Record

STANARDSVILLE (October 2006) - Many people stepped forward during a recent meeting of the Greene County Chamber of Commerce's Board of Directors to make the Chamber's upcoming "Holiday Parade of Lights" a success.

Cheryl Martino of SunTrust Mortgage agreed to become the chairperson of the "Holiday of Lights Parade" activities, and Trish Crowe and Pearl Hawk accepted responsibility for administrative aspects for the parade.  The Board expressed appreciation for the volunteer efforts of Crowe and Hawk, who were two of the people behind Stanardsville's successful Fourth of July parade.  Bill Welch, a BOD member and former member of the James Madison University Royal Marching Dukes, agreed to serve as the parade coordinator.

Marianne Shepard of Edward Jones volunteered to coordinate the Ruckersville "Parade of Chamber Businesses," and Gray King of The Virginia Shop said he would coordinate the Stanardsville "Parade of Chamber Businesses."

The event also will feature an antique and muscle car show at the Great Valu Shopping Center, which Ruth Parsons of Davenport & Company, LLC, offered to organize.   Parsons also said she would make contact with Santa Claus and arrange his appearance in the parade.

At the suggestion of Board president Alan Pyles, the Board agreed to ask Valerie Ritter of GRACE to organize a group of local churches in a short "sing along" at the close of the parade.

Commitments already have been received by many businesses and organizations, and other interests are being addressed and attracted by the Chamber.  Floats are encouraged to be lit up to highlight the theme of the "Parade of Lights."

Entry forms for the parade, which will be held 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2, in Stanardsville, or for the parades of businesses, which will take place earlier in the day, are available online at www.greenecoc.org.  Simply visit the site, download the form, complete it and return it to Martino or a Board of Directors member.

The Board also is looking for a master of ceremonies to announce parade entries.  If you are interested, please contact Alan Pyles at 985-6345.

In other action taken during the Board of Directors' meeting:

*Stu Andreason, an intern with the Stanardsville Area Revitalization (STAR) group, made a brief presentation regarding the STAR Golf Shootout, which was held Monday at the Greene Hills Club.

*A special membership offer was approved by the Board.  As an incentive to increase membership and participation in the parade or parade of businesses, the Chamber will be accepting membership applications and payments for 2007, which will include access to Chamber events for the balance of 2006 as well.

*The Holiday Social was announced for a December date to be determined at The Lafayette Inn in Stanardsville.  The event will open at 5 p.m. with the annual meeting of the Chamber, at which time officers for the 2007 fiscal year will be elected, and will continue with a reception at 5:30 p.m. or the close of the business meeting.  Sponsors are needed for the event, so interested parties are asked to contact Marianne Shepard at 990-8377.

*Cross-business support and communication was addressed by the Board.  The Chamber is looking into starting a quarterly newsletter.

Return to Archives