News and Announcements Archive

A Celebration of Excellence!

The thunder and lightening, the pouring rain, and the flickering lights couldn’t keep members of the Olney Chamber of Commerce from their annual Awards and Installation Dinner. Special guest County Executive Ike Leggett spoke to those in attendance and helped honor the Chamber’s Awardees. The Chamber honored Ellen Coleman as the Business Person of the Year, awarded The Olney Tavern with its Partner in Business Award, recognized Dr. Ed Hoffman of Olney Chiropractic for his service to the Chamber Board of Directors and recognized four outstanding students, Casey Fletcher, William Thomas, Christopher Palumbo, and Erin Washburn with $1000 scholarship awards. County Executive Leggett then installed the Officers and Directors of the 2009-2010 Board of Directors. John Austin of Austin Wealth Management will lead the board that consists of several seasoned veterans and some new faces. The Chamber is looking forward to an exciting new membership year. The Chamber would like to thank the Inn at Brookeville Farms for hosting the event. It was lovely as always. They would also like to thank Penny Chocolates & Gelato, Clark Concepts, and Quinter Design for their help making the evening a success.

Rise N Shine Olney

The Olney Chamber’s Speed Networking Event is back. Join fellow Chamber members on Wednesday, June 10 for another round of Speed Networking. Polish up your 30 second elevator speech and bring plenty of busines cards-this is an event you won’t want to miss! Register online or call the Chamber at 301-774-7117.

Annual Awards & Installation Dinner

The Olney Chamber of Commerce invites you to "A Celebration of Excellence" on Thursday, May 28 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the Inn at Brookeville Farms. Join your fellow Chamber colleagues to recognize Ellen Coleman as this year’s Business Person of the Year, The Olney Tavern as the Partner in Business and four local high school seniors receiving this year’s scholarship awards. County Executive Ike Leggett will be our speical guest and install the 2009-2010 Board of Directors. Register today by calling 301-774-7117 or here on the website uncer Chamber Events.

IBUYOLNEY

The Olney Chamber of Commerce launched its new IBUYOLNEY campaign this weekend at Olney Days. Representatives from the Chamber participated in the parade with a banner announcing a new website www.ibuyolney.com and gave out static cling window stickers with the site listed. The campaign is to draw awareness to local businesses. The Chamber hopes the site will make residents think twice when shopping at retail and specialty shops, when hiring local professional and trade specialists, and when dining out at local restaurants and specialty food stores. It will be a true partnership between businesses and the community because we all know that wonderful things happen when local businesses thrive! For more information visit www.ibuyolney.com or call the Chamber office at 301.774.7117.

Chamber Founder will be Missed

Clyde Unglesbee, founder of the Olney Chamber and its first President passed away this weekend. Owner of Olney Electric, Clyde gathered several other businessmen with the major objective of improving business and seeking to build a better community. They wanted to serve the best interest of all the people of their community. He wanted to seek improvements to the appearance of downtown Olney. Clyde started the ball rolling and we are still working to strengthen Clyde’s original ideals and goals. Clyde was true asset to the community and he will be sorely missed. Visitors will be received at Barber Funeral Home in Laytonsville on Wednesday, May 13 from 4-7 p.m. A service will be held on Thursday, May 14 at 11 a.m. at the Salem United Methodist Church in Brookeville. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Salem Legacy Fund. The Chamber sends its condolences to Ana Unglesbee. The Chamber will be making a donation to the Salem Legacy Fund in memory of all that Clyde has done for the Chamber and the business community.

Legislative Wrap Up

The Olney Chamber of Commerce would like to thank Clark Kendall and everyone at Kendall Capital Management for hosting last week’s Open House. It was a great opportunity to talk to our local delegates and senator about legislative issues. Senator Rona Kramer and Delegates Anne Kaiser, Karen Montgomery, and Herman Taylor took a few minutes to talk to those in attendance about the success and struggles of this year’s session. They encouraged an open dialogue with business owners and would like to hear from us during the entire year, not just during the session.

In the Mail

Many of you have already received the mailing containing the ballots for elections and Business Person of the Year. Please refer to the Bio sheet to get more information about this year’s candidates for the 2009-2010 Board of Directors. Also look over the information for Business Person of the Year. Your choice can be selected by placing a check or X by the persons name or by circling the name. Please take a few minutes of your time to fill out each ballot and return them to the Chamber office by Friday, May 8. The new Board will be installed and the BPOY honored at the Awards and Installation Dinner on Thursday, May 28 from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the Inn at Brookeville Farms.

Kulley Bancroft Named ATHENA Recipient

Kulley Bancroft of Sandy Spring Bank was selected as the recipient of this year’s Annual Olney-Sandy Spring ATNENA Award. The award was presented during an afternoon tea at Brooke Grove Retirement Village on Friday, May 1. The ATHENA Award is given to a woman who has shown “dedication of self and generosity of spirit” in her personal and professional life.

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LOCAL WOMEN NOMINATED ATHENA AWARD

Seven local women, each heralded for their “dedication of self and generosity of spirit,” have been nominated for the Fourth Annual Greater Olney-Sandy Spring ATHENA Award. Established by the Olney Chamber of Commerce and Brooke Grove Foundation (BGF) and named in memory of BGF founder, Eleanor Howe Marston, R.N., the program was created to honor women for community service and professional and personal leadership. The nominees for the 2009 award are: Kulley Bancroft, Vice President, Sandy Spring Bank, Elisabeth Deal, Executive Director, Olney Boys & Girls Club, Sandy Fletcher, Secretary/Treasurer, Fletcher’s Service Center, Dr. Carole Levy, Community Volunteer, Karen Montgomery, Maryland House of Delegates, Ida Singleton, Deacon and Community Volunteer, and Lisa Stancik, Creator & Executive Producer, “The Olney Loop” The nominees will be honored and the recipient announced during an afternoon tea at 3:00 PM on Friday, May 1, 2009 in the terrace level conference room of Brooke Grove Rehabilitation and Nursing Center. Cheryl Kagan, former member of the Maryland House of Delegates, will emcee the event. Seats may be reserved for $20 each. Proceeds will benefit the Olney Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Fund and the Brooke Grove Foundation Sue Howe Memorial Scholarship Fund. Community members may also pay tribute to a colleague, family member or friend by including their name in the ATHENA Award Luncheon Program at $10 per name. To reserve a seat or make a tribute, contact the Olney Chamber of Commerce at 301.774.7117 or visit www.olneymd.org.

Get Involved

Would you like to be more involved in your Olney Chamber of Commerce and make a difference in your business community? One way to become more involved is to serve on the Board of Directors. There are two ways to serve, one as an “at large director” and the other is on the executive board as the vice president or as the secretary. For more information contact Ellen Coleman at 301.538.4049 or call the chamber office at 301.774.7117.

ATHENA Nominations Now Being Accepted

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2009 ATHENA Award for Greater Olney-Sandy Spring. The ATHENA Award, presented in memory of Brooke Grove Foundation (BGF) Founder, Eleanor Howe Marston, was founded by BGF and the Olney Chamber to recognize and honor women for their community service and professional and personal leadership. Previous winners include Robyn Quinter, Lisa McKillop, and Carolyn Snowden. Particular consideration is given to nominees who have demonstrated a “dedication of self and a generosity of spirit” toward the Greater Olney-Sandy Spring community. The 2009 ATHENA Award will be presented on May 1 during an afternoon tea at Brooke Grove Retirement Village. The nomination form, which includes award criteria, is available on the Chamber website at www.olneymd.org and the BGF website at www.bgf.org . Nominations must be received by March 6. Also available online are forms for sponsorship and for program tributes. For more information about the ATHENA program call the Chamber office at 301.774.7117.