Archive for ◊ 2012 ◊

A recent study by Feeding America found that over 1,012,500 Virginians are considered “food insecure.” This represents a 54% increase since 2006. A large number of these individuals are children, senior citizens, disabled adults, and the new face of hunger – individuals who have lost their jobs and are having problems making ends meet. Summertime is typically one of the most challenging times for food banks in Virginia, especially with the number of children who are out of school and do not have access to before and after school feeding programs.

In response to this urgent need, Governor Bob McDonnell, The Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Virginia Food Banks are joining efforts in 2012 to create the first Chamber of Commerce Challenge Food and Fund Drive — a food and fund drive competition among all Virginia Chambers of Commerce, their member businesses, and state government offices. In this friendly competition, the Chamber or government office that raises the most pounds of food will be awarded a prestigious and highly coveted “Governor’s Bowl” in the categories of small, medium, and large for Chamber offices and a special bowl for the top government office.

During our last fiscal year,  (the Central Food Bank) distributed 513,637 pounds of grocery products through 6 partner agencies in Mecklenburg County:

• Amazing Bibleway Church ~ Clarksville
• Lake County Area on Aging ~ Mecklenburg
• Holy Name Church of Jesus ~ Mecklenburg
• Young Memorial C. O. G. I. C. ~ Mecklenburg
• Mecklenburg Senior Citizens ~ Mecklenburg
• SOuth Hill Breadbox Company ~ Mecklenburg

Click here to read Governor Bob McDonnel’s letter about the project

Project Dates

May 28 through July 4

Drop off Locations:

• Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce, 105 Second St.,
• Virginia Avenue Mall 317 Virginia Avenue
• Dollar General Market 1013 Virginia Avenue
• Southside Marine & Auto 916 Noblin Farm Road

Food

Canned Meats & Fish, Canned Fruits & Vegetables, Peanut Butter, Hot & Cold Cereals Pasta & Rice or,

Donate Online ( $1= 4 pounds of food )

to donate, click here and remember to select Clarksville Lake Country as your local branch.

The Clarksville Lake Country Chamber & Clarksville Community Players team up to create a new Fundraiser for Lakefest! We are happy to announce a fun Singing competition for those who love to sing and compete for a chance to showcase their talent at the opening ceremonies July 20th at 7 pm at the main stage area behind Wells Fargo.

Mirroring some of the exciting features of American Idol, The CCP & Clarksville Chamber will have a panel of judges, auditions and finals. The winner of the final competition will be named the First Official “Lakefest Idol’ title winner and sing the night of the opening ceremonies.

We are really excited to add a new element to Lakefest and hope that the community will get involved. Everyone will be able to come see the talent on the audition dates and the audience will even have a chance to vote at the top 15-finalist competition for their favorite singer on July 7th. So get your vocal cords ready and come be apart of the fun!! Download an application HERE.

In the Photo: Sheila Cuykendall - Clarksville Chamber of Commerce, Rhonda Tate - Virginia Avenue Mall, Tara Murphy - Town Hall

Come to Clarksville, Virginia Saturday, May 12, to the Big Lake Flea Market, for more unique finds and great bargains. Virginia Avenue will be a buzz with a special selection of vendors and downtown merchants offering arts and crafts, fresh produce, antiques, yard sale items and one-of-a-kind treasures. Treat your tummy to delicious tastes including freshly picked strawberries straight from the patch. Come hungry, too, because the best of the food vendors will be onsite preparing your favorites and the local restaurants will offer specials on their menu throughout the day.

Vendors will be located on the pavement (in the parallel parking spaces) along Virginia Avenue from 3rd Street to 7th Street. Thus, vehicle parking will be available in the lots of Wells Fargo Bank and behind the Virginia Avenue Mall, plus on the side streets of Downtown Clarksville.

So, hit the streets early (vendors will be ready at 8:00 a.m.) and make your plans to spend a fun day in Virginia’s only lakeside town.

The Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce hosts the Big Lake Flea Market. For more information or want to be a vendor, call 434-374-2436

Spring into May on the first Saturday for Sales, Sales, and more Sales. Participating Chamber merchants are having a Sidewalk Sale from 9 am to 2 pm and they are cleaning off their shelves & racks to make room for new products.

So come shop and spend your Saturday, May 5, at Virginia’s only lakeside town. These stores will have merchandise in front of their businesses with clearance items, sale items or featured items, so come see what bargain you can find! Below are the confirmed participating merchants in the Sidewalk Sale:

Here are some other Chamber Merchants that invest into their community, so make sure you stop & support them too! EAT, SHOP, TOUR & STAY!

For a complete listing of all our supporting Chamber Members, please visit our website at www.clarksvilleva.com

The Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit business organization representing the interests of member companies throughout the Lake Country Area. Its mission is to enhance small-town atmosphere while promoting economic growth without compromising our natural resources. We want to promote our area and encourage you all to Shop & Buy Local!

Cruise back from 4 pm-9 pm for the Lake Country Cruise-in! Bring your old “ride’ or just come and celebrate Clarksville on the Lake with great food, fare & fun & some merchants plan to stay open late. Virginia Avenue from 3rd to 7th street will be closed to accommodate over 130 cars. Free Admission! This event takes place the First Saturdays of each month thru October.

photo courtesy of Greg Carhuff

Drawing held April 14th

Tickets
$5 – One
$12 – Three
$20 – Six
(participants need not be present to win)

Enter to win all of the following:

• Wine Rack (filled with one bottle from each 2012 Clarksville Lake Country Wine Festival Winery)
• Cabernet Franc – Annefield Vineyards
• Elderberry Wine – Coltsfoot Winery
• Chardonnay – Fincastle Vineyard & Winery
• Merlot/Temptation – Hunting Creek Vineyards
• 2009 Merlot – Lazy Days Winery
• Chocolate Covered Strawberry, Pow Wow – Mattaponi Winery
• Cranberry Delight – Mt. Vale Vineyards
• Blueberry Muffin – Peaks of Otter Winery
• Sweet Briar Rose – REBEC Vineyard, Inc.
• 2009 Kilravock – Rosemont Winery
• Blackberry Wine – Sans Soucy Vineyards & Winery
• Chambourcin – The Home Place Vineyard
• Tobacco Blue Road – Tomahawk Mill Winery
• Toscanello – Villa Appalaccia Winery
• Oster Electric Wine Opener & Chiller
• 4 Wine Festival Glasses
• Cheese & Cracker Tray
• Embroidered Wine Festival Shirt & Tote

Raffle proceeds will benefit future projects of the Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce

Click images below to view the latest Wine Festival Gallery

The Annual Lake Country Wine Festival will be held:

April 14, 2012
Noon-5 pm
Historic Downtown Clarksville

Come out and enjoy the Clarksville Lake Country Chamber of Commerce’s SIXTH annual “Lake Country Wine Festival” in beautiful Clarksville on the Lake.  This year’s event will host 15 Virginia Wineries, live music, some fine foods and the opportunity to taste nearly 100 varieties of fine Virginia wines and speak with those who have made these vintages possible.

The entry gate to the Festival is at 412 Virginia Avenue. Tickets prior to event day will be $20.  Tickets purchased at the gate will cost $25. With the purchase of a ticket you will receive a complimentary wine glass at the gate. Please take advantage of the pre-event ticket prices and purchase yours online today! (please use the “buy tickets” button to the right to purchase tickets through paypal, which is safe and secure. You can purchase multiple tickets once you click on the button). Tickets purchased online will be held for you at the front gate. You will receive an email confirming your purchase. Tickets are available online until April 8th at 5pm.

Wineries attending this year’s  2012 Wine Festival are:

• Annefield Vineyards, Saxe www.annefieldvineyards.com
  
• Bright Meadows Farm, Nathalie www.brightmeadowsfarm.com
  
• Coltsfoot Winery, Abingdon www.coltsfootwinery.com
  
• Fincastle Vineyard & Winery, Fincastle www.fincastlewine.com
  
• Hunting Creek Vineyards, Clover www.huntingcreekvineyards.com
  
• Lazy Days Winery, Amherst www.lazydayswinery.com
  
• Mattaponi Winery, Spotsylvania www.mattaponiwinery.com
  
• Mt Vale Vineyards, Galax www.mtvalevineyard.com
  
• Peaks of Otter Winery, Bedford www.peaksofotterwinery.com
  
• REBEC Vineyard Inc, Amherst www.rebecwinery.com
  
• Rosemont of Virginia Winery, La Crosse www.rosemontofvirginia.com
  
• Sans Soucy Vineyards & Winery, Brookneal www.sanssoucyvineyards.com
  
• The Homeplace Vineyard, Chatham www.thehomeplacevineyard.com
  
• Tomahawk Mill Winery, Chatham www.tomahawkmill.com
  
• Villa Appalaccia Winery, Floyd www.villaappalaccia.com

This event is for those 21 years of age and over ONLY; PEOPLE MUST HAVE PHOTO ID with them the day of the festival.  It is a rain/shine event.  No refunds/no returns.  No pets; only assistance animals allowed.

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