Chamber Informs Members, Recognizes Business
Donna Butler of Clinton Jewelers, right said, on receiving the Business Spotlight Award presented by Chamber of Commerce President Liza Tucker, “Our main thing is custom jewelry, custom bridal and it’s really, it’s a wonderful, I taught school for many years and so I’ve just been at the store for the last, what, six or seven years after my dad passed,” Butler said. “I did get to work with him about a year and after I retired and that was a blessing to me. But, the main thing, I guess the most wonderful thing that I love about being in the jewelry business is that we get to help people create meaningful things that celebrate the most important moments in their lives, and that’s been the biggest blessing to me. I want to thank you all for your support and for this recognition and we really appreciate being a part of Cumberland County.” PHOTO | Greg Wells
Chamber President Liza Tucker told the assembled members at last week’s meeting, “All right, our community and business spotlight—is a little bit different. I think that unlike some chambers in the surrounding area, we welcome memberships from businesses and individuals outside of Cumberland County.”
She said that the Chamber appreciates that there are people who don’t live here but have connections here, family, or they grew up here and do business here, and support this chamber.
“Clinton Jewelers have been a Chamber member for quite a while, and this is their 75th year in business.” She said in the way of introducing Donna Butler, there to accept the award on behalf of her brother, Mark Shear, herself and their family.
“I’m Donna and I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for this spotlighting our business this month, we truly appreciate it,” Butler said. “My dad started Clint and Jewelers in 1950 and while we’re located right on the square in Albany, we’ve always had a strong connection with Cumberland County, and we feel like this is our second home.
“We’ve got so many lasting relationships, especially with my brother Mark when he had a store here and we just tried to continue that over the years. We’ve recently celebrated our 75th anniversary and we’re proud to be a three-generation business, family business.”
She added that her husband and son are both jewelers at the store and her daughter-in-law is in charge of online sales.
Adding that because we do have jewelers in the store, they do a lot of custom work as well as having a wide variety of gifts and other jewelry. She said they are a fossil dealer, carry women’s lines like Berkeley bracelets and Earth Grace, as well as some popular men’s gifts like Benchmade knives and gloss watches.
“So, there’s really something for everyone in our store,” she concluded.
During the business portion of the meeting Tucker announced, “PayPal is set up so we can collect memberships dues online as well as via credit or debit cards though there will be a small charge.”
Kelly Guffey explained, “Yes, when you do get your invoices for your your membership or your business listing in the ‘Dale Hollow Explorer,’ there will be a handling fee on there and that’s to cover all of the fees that PayPal charges us.
“If you were to pay with the check or cash, then none of those charges will apply,” she added. “We want to make it easy for you, but a lot of people would rather pay that little bit just to be able to pay online, so we’re trying to give people options.
Tucker also asked the chamber members to recognize WKYR, River Country Radio, 107.9. “You know, yesterday was actually the 50th anniversary of WKYR coming on the air—They are also featured on our Christmas ornaments this year.”
She then introduced a guest speaker, Miss Dottie Tangin, the Director of Lifewise Academy, a new program in Cumberland County.
Tucker as Tangin to explain their new educational program our school board has approved.
“Basically, it is a Bible curriculum of instruction,” She explained.
The program is held during school hours, off school property, and requires parental permission for students to participate.
“So that’s exactly what it is in a nutshell,” she concluded.
She gave the group’s website for those interested, or wanting to volunteer, Lifewise.org/cumberlandcounty.
Tucker wrapped up the meeting by giving an overview of the successful tree lighting and Christmas parade recently. She thanked all the volunteers for putting together such successful programs.
Then she had the attending Members tell everyone about any upcoming events, and to be in the know, like everyone there, attend the Chamber general meeting every month on the third Tuesday at noon.
