Have you ever wondered what the Chamber of Commerce can offer you?

If you are not a member of the Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce chances are you do not know the answer to that question. The Chamber will give your business a free listing on the Chamber website, a free link from our website to your website, a monthly newsletter filled with pertinent information about our community and upcoming events, and a free listing of your business by category in the Vacation Guide and Membership Directory. The Vacation Guide is distributed across North Carolina in Welcome Centers, given to newcomers to our area, and used as a recruiting tool for teachers, physicians, and industries interested in relocating to Bladen County.

The membership also provides participation in promotions and activities that support and showcase our local businesses, a referral of your business to the 100 plus inquiring calls and emails received monthly at the Chamber office about Elizabethtown, White Lake and the surrounding communities. The Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce provides businesses membership in a prestigious community-minded organization, dedicated to serving the needs of your business and supporting every effort to encourage folks to shop at home!

The next monthly Chamber meeting is scheduled for Oct. 13 at the Front Porch Restaurant at noon. Our guest speaker will be Bladen County School Superintendent Greg Killingsworth. Join us in welcoming Mr. Killingsworth to Bladen County. We will also recognize each new chamber member at the meeting and hear about upcoming events. This month we will welcome Global Realty and Dan’s Golf Cart and Trailer Sales.

The Kid’s Katch Fishing Tournament is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 3, at the FFA center in White Lake. Participants can register at the Chamber office Monday through Thursday 9a.m. to 3p.m. Late registration will take place the day of the event from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. at the FFA camp. A mandatory meeting will take place at 8am under the shelter at the FFA camp to go over general regulations for inland game fish. Anglers can begin fishing at 8:30 from both piers and boats. Prizes will be awarded in both categories. We would like to thank all our sponsors for making the 3rd Annual “Kid’s Katch” Fishing Tournament a big success. Sponsors for the event are Town of White Lake, Camp Clearwater, Farm Bureau, Front Porch Restaurant, Johnson Law Firm, Maynard Law Firm, NC Wildlife Resource Commission, Southeast Advertising, Sign Logic, Fishers & The Ladies Shop, Wal-mart, Bladen Community College, Town of Elizabethtown, and the Chamber of Commerce.

Plans are currently being made for the “Holiday Shopping Village” scheduled for Friday, Nov. 27th For more information about participating in the event, call the Chamber office at 862-4368. Please support the Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce and let us help promote your business and the economic growth of our community. Visit our website for more information at www.elizabethtownwhitelake.com or email us at chamber28337@embarqmail.com or tourism28337@embarqmail.com.

— Dawn Maynard is the tourism specialist for the Elizabethtown-White Lake Area Chamber of Commerce.