Magical night with the Chamber
By RAINER ARNOLD

New Chamber President Cindy Williams (L) poses with Renai Brock, past President of Chamber for many years who retired but assists Williams as needed.

Whoever did not attend the Annual Membership Banquet of the Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce last Thursday, missed an event that will be remembered fondly by all who attended. And it was "Magical" since the highlight of the evening was Bill Clary a world renowned Magician, comedian and singer. Clary who entertained for four different Presidents of the United States, entertained troops in war zones almost 100 times and in many countries all over the world impressed the guests at the event before he even was on stage. Before and during the wonderful meal prepared by Grinds-n-Glazes, he wandered from table to table of the overflow crowd and changed dollar bills into $100 bills and made balloon dogs with puppies inside.

However, once on stage he mesmerized his audience and made them laugh and wonder in amazement. He tore up paper and magically made it appear as one again. He included his audience as he utilized the daughter of former Chamber President Renai Brock, Madison, on stage for some of his trickery. He also sang songs that forced the audience into standing ovations.

Magician Bill Clary levitates good natured volunteer and Chamber Chair Elect, Erik Brinke, to culminate his show.

He concluded his performance by dressing the Chairman elect, Erik Brinke, with a magi- cians outfit complete with coat and cap. Mr. Brinke was a good sport as Clary interchanged his hands with those of Brinke and entertained with card tricks to paper wonders. Concluding with some kinetic experiments that levitated Brinke horizontally into the air. Of course, MAGICALLY.

Prior to Clary's appearance new Chamber President, Cindy Williams took to the podium and welcomed the large crowd. She told all that she was very happy to be here since she had taken the job a mere six months ago. The vivacious and personable young President advised all that she was looking forward to great things with the chamber.

According to Williams the Chamber added 74 new members to their rolls and totaled out at 511 members. Williams continued with her annual review and told of the new hire in the front office as well as receiving 334,000 hits on the chamber website. Good news for new members is that the date of joining will be the annual date for each member instead of the beginning of each year.

Above and above right: Magician Bill Clary has his audience in stitches through trickery and humor.

Williams also took the opportunity to thank her board, the office staff and all members as well as the community for making her feel welcome in her new community.

Next Williams introduced outgoing chair of the chamber, Rusty Royston who made a brief speech and then quickly introduced the new Chair of the Chamber, Jason Karnes.

After presenting Royston with a gift, Karnes took to the podium and began by praising the quality of work that Royston had done for the Chamber and the community and singling out that Royston had almost single-handedly made Leadership Union what it is today.

The 2007 plan for the Chamber will include more Chamber awareness work as well as a marketing plan. The Chamber will promote tourism and increase chamber memberships.

Volunteer Madison Brock takes being a guinea pig for Clary's trickery with a great deal of poise and humor.

There will be more chamber sponsored events, an improved website and newsletters. Karnes concluded by stating that there will be more open lines of communication between chamber members and the chamber itself.