Walhalla Chamber presents Awards at Annual Banquet

The Greater Walhalla Area Chamber of Commerce held its annual membership and awards banquet on April 24 with members of the Chamber, City Council and Walhalla Partners for Progress in attendance to hear Katherine Hendricks, City Administrator of Pickens, speak on revitalization, business development, and the SC Main Street program.  Banquet attendees had the opportunity to hear first-hand how the progression of ideas to reality was experienced in downtown Pickens.  Hendricks was very frank in her outline of how the decisions and funding were determined and implemented. Keeping the integrity of the historic area of Pickens while allowing for “improved infrastructure and ‘freshening’ the look of the downtown business district were a key focus” throughout the process, Hendricks stated.  She also commented, “Pickens and Walhalla have a great deal in common as both are ‘courthouse’ towns with a lot of historic buildings that contribute to the small-town charm.” The “Business of The Year” award was presented to Carolina Pizza Company located on Main Street in downtown Walhalla and on Hwy 11 in Fairplay.  Owners, Chad and Leah Duncan as well as their staff were honored for quickly become a part of the Walhalla community. “From the beginning, Chad and Leah have been willing to support Chamber and community events and continue to do so.  We appreciate them and all they do,” stated Darlene Greene, Chamber President, during the award presentation.  Also introduced during the awards portion of the evening, were the high school juniors and seniors serving as Ambassadors to the Chamber for 2013-2014 Martin Cain, Shania Wright, Cassidy Syck, Cameron Cromer and Mackenzie Long.  Ambassadors work as volunteers both at the Chamber offices and at Chamber events and festivals.  Each year, one Ambassador is awarded a scholarship toward college following high school graduation.  This year’s award was given to Shania Wright, who is a senior at Walhalla High School and is concluding her second year as part of the Chamber Ambassador program. Shania is “an excellent example of what wonderful, talented and poised young people we have participating in our program,” says Executive Director, Vanessa Penton.  “We are very fortunate to have such a good group of Ambassadors this year.  They have been a tremendous help to us and we believe they have had a good opportunity to learn first-hand about area businesses as well as services provided to members and the community by the Chamber. We appreciate all our volunteers, both the Ambassadors and local community members that give of their time and talent to facilitate the Chamber’s growth and success,” said Penton.  With continue support from member businesses, area organizations and City Councils of Walhalla and West Union, the Chamber will increase events, education and business development to the area.  Part of the Chamber’s mission is to showcase all we have to offer to current and prospective businesses here in the Golden Corner of the Upstate. Palmetto Sweets & Company located on Main Street in the heart of Walhalla’s business district catered dinner.