Ronda Rich is a book author. She pens columns for newspapers and she makes about 80 appearances throughout the nation for speaking engagements a year.
But the message Rich had for Screven County Feb. 4 at the annual chamber of commerce banquet was one well-intended for business leaders and citizens the like.
Rich was a working journalist in 1989 when Darrell Waltrip miraculously made the last seven trips around the Daytona 500 oval on just a few drips and fumes of gasoline.
On the last lap, Rich told the 336 in attendance, you could hear Waltrip’s stock car spurting, but the remaining gas in the tank shifted enough to make Waltrip that year’s winner of Daytona.
“Don’t give up. Don’t give up,” said Rich in the First Baptist Church family life center. “I want you to jiggle that car to find any gas.”
Rich told the crowd that no matter what it takes to bring in industry and other businesses “keep going.”
“This is a beautiful place with beautiful people,” Rich said.
“For this community to survive, this community has to care,” said outgoing chamber president Tripp Sheppard. “It originates right here.”
Sheppard said people, even in this difficult economic climate, must have faith in their chamber of commerce. Sheppard thanked all those connected with the now-closed Sylvania Yarn Systems. He said he was proud that businesses know how to work in a tough economy.
As part of the evening that was catered by R&D’s Restaurant, each person in attendance received a copy of the newly published “Screven County Business Membership, Government, Tourism and Economic Development Guide.”
The audience also became the first to view a Screven County promotional video that highlights the positive attributes of the area. The video depicts the county’s location, agriculture, school system, industry and recreational activities.
The video, designed by Frank Fortune, is designed to be broken down into segments to promote certain aspects to prospective businesses and individuals.
Along with the numerous faces of Screven Countians, a collection of people have speaking parts in the video. Some of those people include Sheppard, Margaret Evans, J.C. Warren, Ray Hicks, Becky Martin, Voncinna Kirkland, Heidi Jeffers, George St. George, David Boddiford, Carter Crawford, and Will Boyd.
This year two individuals – Ginny Burns and Dru McBride -- and were honored with the Agnes Tebeau Volunteer of the Year Award. Burns and McBride were instrumental in gathering silent auction items that have raised money for the Screven County Historical Museum.
“The speaker was great and I am thankful for all the businesses who supported your chamber of commerce,” said Jeffers, the executive director of the chamber.
Jeffers said approximately $2,000 was generated through the silent auction last week. Thus far the upstairs at the museum has been completed. The next part of the building on East Ogeechee Street to be renovated will be the hallway, then the boardroom, restroom and kitchen areas.
Hilda Boykin recognized Dee Gurka, the Georgia Downtown Association and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs outstanding volunteer, with a plaque for her dedication. Kim Mundy thanked the gold, silver and bronze Chamber Champions.
The 2010 chamber president is Connie Roe.