Last week we had exciting news about the upcoming Chamber Youth Leadership program which would include local students from the 9th and 10th grades and we look forward to the inaugural class this fall. We are also looking forward to the next (adult) 2015-2016 Leadership Logan Class.
You might have wondered about Leadership Logan ... what is it? What will it require? And, how do you go about being a member of the next class?
Basically, Leadership Logan is an experience more than some sort class or lecture. There are themed days — such as taking a look at local history, how government works, the importance of agriculture, tourism, human services and an intense look at Logan's industry just to name a few — and there is also the camaraderie of those in the class with you who share the experience of Leadership Logan. Most of all, though, is the point of the class which is to equip current and future leaders with the knowledge of the place they call home.
If you want to be part of the next class hit the link below and let's get going on your application!
LEADERSHIP LOGAN APPLICATION
Here is the link to the application for the 2015-16 Leadership Logan class: http://www.loganchamber.com/leadership-logan. The deadline is Aug. 1.
CUSTOMER SERVICE SEMINAR A SUCCESS
There were 51 participants Tuesday in the CLASS customer service training seminar hosted by the Logan County Chamber of Commerce. Leslie Witty, the Program Manager at WKU's Career and Workforce Development Division of Extended Learning and Outreach, provided the training and did a wonderful job. We are looking at perhaps another customer service seminar in the fall. Stay tuned to this channel for more workforce training seminars in the future!
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AND
RIBBON-CUTTING COMING UP
Next Friday (May 29) the Chamber will be helping Brown Animal Hospital, located on S. Summer Street in Russellville, celebrate their first anniversary from 12 to 2 p.m. Along with the grand re-opening there will also be a fundraiser for Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue. There will be a raffle and prizes along with a cookout and bake sale. Today (May 15) from 12 to 2 p.m. there will be an Art Fest featuring local artist Brenda Brown.
Handbags and More will be having a ribbon-cutting on June 4 starting at 8 a.m. The new business is located just across the street from Burt's Auto Parts in Russellville. Let's all make sure we come out and support Brown Animal Hospital and Handbags and More!
TOBACCO AND HERITAGE FESTIVAL SPONSORSHIPS
We are sending out letters and brochures asking for your help with sponsorships of Logan County's biggest event, the 2015 Tobacco & Heritage Festival. This year's theme is "Past + Present = Future." The Festival committee has already begun working hard and we are looking to have a hum-dinger of a festival this year. So, please, if you can, help us by sponsoring the festival because it is never too early to prepare for the magic that is the Tobacco & Heritage Festival!
DRAWING FOR WINNERS
We want to congratulate Jeff Manley and JoAnn DeArmond for being the winners we drew at random from those who filled out the annual survey for us. Thanks to Jeff and JoAnn and all who filed out the survey. I think there was a great deal of constructive information for us to use toward our Strategic Plan which came from those who helped the entire Chamber by giving us their opinion.
PAC-MAN TURNS 35, RYAN WAXES POETIC
If you are of a certain age you either spent a good portion of your childhood playing Pac-Man, or your children stayed inside on a pretty day playing a game where a yellow thing eats dots and is chased/chases ghosts. It makes no sense when you say it out loud, but it was such a revolutionary idea at the time and it has turned gaming (with its fancy 3-D graphics and role-playing nonsense) into a multi-billion dollar industry. Now, like my parents before me, I sit around and shake my head as my children "play" MineCraft and the younger children watch "Hobby Kids" — people who open up toys and tell kids how to play with them — on YouTube. I guess the cycle is complete, I have become old, just like Pac-Man.
Still, the genius of Pac-Man was how it was so much different than anything else out there. The ghosts all did different things — some would chase you, some would just bounce from side to side and one would stalk you like prey — and the idea was phenomenal that even Pac-Man's wife became a video gaming legend in her own right.
The real lesson in Pac-Man is the genius of taking a frankly insane idea and using it to influence generations of computer players and programmers. He chomps dots. That's about it. He chomps dots. Genius.
So, here is to Pac-Man's 35 birthday! I was a Donkey Kong man myself, but even in my old age I get just how much the little yellow chomper has changed the world.
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That is all for this week. Have a great Memorial Weekend, but take time to remember those who gave all for our freedom!