The Tennessee Career Center business representative Arthur Moran met with Tony Cates, county executive Michael Hudson and myself and shared information about a program that will elevate those seeking employment in the near future.

The annual meeting was well attended by approximately 125 individuals.

Many business, schools and individuals have made the area more beautiful with their fall color displays.

The “Show Your Fall Colors” judging took place on the morning of Oct. 15. The winners will be announced at the annual chamber meeting on Oct. 22, where plaques and certificates will be awarded.

The “Show Your Fall Colors” are beginning to show as different business and individuals are setting up the arrangements. The judging will take place on the morning of Oct. 15. Notify the chamber office by calling 949-7608 if you wish to have your display viewed and judged.

It's time again to use your imagination and the bounty of this beautiful season to join the fun and show your fall colors. This year's categories will be business, residential and non-profit. The judging format for these areas will be proportion, originality, overall theme and color arrangements. The judging will take place on the morning of Oct. 15. Plaques or certificates will be awarded at the chamber annual meeting on Oct. 22.

The leadership class of 2009-2010 had its first meeting Sept. 16. We have 15 members from the business, education and community at large attending the first of 10 monthly meetings.

This will be my last scheduled report to submit, but the column will continue. Winston Pickett, The Sequatchie County-Dunlap Chamber of Commerce’s new director, has agreed to be Dunlap’s community correspondent.

Winston Pickett reported for work at the Chamber of Commerce office on Aug. 18 as its new executive director. Winston has served as a school principal, a county superintendent of schools and as a teacher at the college level. He should do an exceptional job communicating at all levels and working with the chamber's leadership class. Several have already signed up for the class. Anyone interested should contact the chamber at 949-7608.

The chamber board of directors has named Winston Pickett as the new executive director of the Sequatchie County-Dunlap Chamber of Commerce. The decision was made at a special called meeting Sunday. Mr. Pickett was among 12 applicants.

The Sequatchie County-Dunlap Chamber of Commerce office received 11 applications for the organization's executive director position. The 11-member board of directors was scheduled to meet Aug. 10 to review and evaluate the applications and would like to name the new director on or before Sept. 1.

I was one of an estimated 300 people who attended the Mantria ribbon cutting in the Fredonia community on Aug.1. Mantria is the company, headquartered in Philadelphia, that purchased 5,542 acres from Bowater on the Cumberland Plateau in Sequatchie County. The ribbon cutting was for what is said to be the first biorefinery in the United States. Mantria’s CEO, Troy Wragg, said plans call for 3,000 homes, green spaces, lakes and two golf courses. The biorefinery will be used to turn wood waste into energy.

About 150 people attended the Sequatchie County-Dunlap Chamber of Commerce's quarterly membership meeting on the morning of July 23. Twenty-five dozen eggs, 10 pounds of bacon and 10 pounds of sausage were served. Omni Rehab sponsored the meal.

The new People’s State Bank of Commerce opened for business on July 1. It is located in the new structure just south of Dr. Hatfield’s dental office. Monty McBee is branch manager and loan officer. Stephanie Sherman has the title of customer service and Josephine Stephen is teller. The office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. The drive-in window opens at 8:30 a.m. Peoples State Bank of Commerce is headquartered in Nolensville, Tenn.

The next Sequatchie County & Dunlap Chamber of Commerce quarterly membership breakfast will be July 23 at Citizens Tri-County Bank Training Center. Serving will take place from 7 to 9 a.m. Omni Rehab will sponsor the meal.