Tonight the Pike County Chamber of Commerce will gather

for its annual banquet.

The mission of the chamber is to increase commerce and industry while strengthening current business and to enhance the quality of life in Pike County. Those are respectable

and worthy goals for the organization and its members.

In the past, the Chamber's annual banquet has included a formal program with a speaker and dinner. This year, however, the Chamber will take a different approach to the banquet. It will be a little less formal and include no keynote speaker.

What the banquet will focus on this year is strengthening its current businesses. This will be one of the biggest opportunities of the year for networking in Pike County. While networking and socializing with other business people in the county, the crowd will be able to enjoy the entertainment, offered by Johnny Barron and The Waterfall Band.

Also, there will be a short program to install the new board of directors and to recognize the outgoing directors.

There also will be a drawing for the $125.00 gift certificate to the Legends at Capitol Hill.

The certificate is good for golf, in the pro shop or other areas at Capitol Hill. The Troy State University Office of Development donated the gift certificate to the chamber.

The banquet will be January 23, 2003 at the Troy Country Club beginning at 6:30 p.m

Reservations are $25.00 per person and you may call the chamber office to make your reservations at 334-566-2294.