BLKRT U.S. POSTAGEPAID

PERMIT NO. 102Commerce, Texas 75428

Commerce McDonald’s Celebrates Grand Re-OpeningBy Doug Rohrabaugh

When Larry Ingram purchased the Commerce McDonald’s in 2012, his mission was to operate a McDonald’s that would be attractive in appearance both inside and out. Early in 2013 construction began on a new Play place for children as well as a full remodel of the dining room. It was his vision for the store to become an asset to the local community.

After visiting with Larry for a short while it is easy to see that Mr. Ingram is very passionate about what he does. “Everyone deserves a good McDonald’s” said Larry “we want the community to feel like this is their McDonald’s and we want them to be proud of it.”

When it comes to running a successful McDonald’s Larry Ingram knows exactly what he is doing. Larry has over 50 years of experience with the McDonald’s corporation and more than 25 years of experience as an owner/operator. In 1973 Larry opened the first drive-thru for McDonald’s Corporation on April 1st in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Today, Larry owns eighteen (18) McDonald’s throughout Texas.

On Tuesday, April 23, 2013 members of the Commerce Chamber of Commerce, the City of Commerce, and Texas A&M University-Commerce gathered at McDonald’s for a ribbon cutting ceremony to help celebrate the newly remodeled McDonald’s and to thank Mr. Ingram for his investment in the Commerce community.

A PUBLICATION OF THE COMMERCE CHAMBER OF COMMERCEJune 2013

InsideChamber President’sLetter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Our Town . . . . . . . . . . . . 4Business Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Backpage . . . . . . . . . . . . 16Sponsors

CongratulationsC la s s o f 2013 !

T IGERS

Good Luck On Whichever Path You Choose ToStride!

Page 2 June 2013

Executive BoardPresident Julie GentleExecutive Vice-President Lisa MartinezSecretary Jalinna JonesTreasurer Taylor ForePast President Ladonna Patterson

Board of DirectorsRobin AlexanderMarc ClaytonBlake CooperTaylor ForeBonnie HunterMichael GlasNiki GrobeDr. Dan Jones

JoAnn KrischerMichael OdomJoel ShanksLinnea SmithArvie TurnerCatherine Wiseman

Executive Director Doug RohrabaughOffice Administrator Sheryl Millar1114 Main Street, P.O.Box 290Commerce, TX 75429903.886.3950f 903.886.8012commerce-chamber.cominfo@commerce-chamber.com

To place an ad in the CONNECTION, e-mail connection@commerce-chamber.com

C H A M B E R President ’s Letter C H A M B E R Board of Directors

Dear Chamber Members,

Congrats again to all the graduates! It seems like this time every year that the town slows down and gets that relaxed feel for the summer. I love that small town feel that the summer offers here in Commerce. It’s time to enjoy the snow cone stand and softball games, picnics at the city park and shorter lines at Walmart!!!

Mark your calendars for July 6th! We will be having our 4th of July celebration with bands, food, entertainment for the kids and of course our spectacular fireworks display!!!

As always, let us know how we can help your business. We have great advertising opportunities through the chamber so take advantage.

Sincerely,

Julie Gentle

More interesting Commerce facts:

The Commerce Public Library began as a paper back book collection effort located in the city park.

Bonham Street was known as “Silk Stocking Row”

Our streets are named for generals, trees and presidents and notable public figures

Student . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 25Individual . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 57 .50Clubs and Churches . . . . . . . . . $ 57 .50Business Membership . . . . . . .$172 .50(1-10 full-time employees)Business Membership . . . . . . . . . $230(over 10 full-time employees)

Hotels, Motels & Apartments . . . $230Banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$287 .50Manufacturers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $575Utility Companies . . . . . . . . . . . . $5752nd Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1/2 priceEnhanced Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 50 Directory Listing

Display Ad (Horz . 5” w x 3” h or Vert . 3 .25” w x 4 .625” h) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 30Event Showcase (6” w x 4” h) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 35Back Cover Ad (10 .25” w x 10 .75” h) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $300Website Link Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$ 25

Do you want to run an ad in the Connection?

Chamber Membership Levels

Advertising in the Connection is a great way to increase your businesses visibility beyond the Connection or Chamber website Directories

Call 903.886.3950 to join the Chamber today!

June 2013 Page 3

Commerce 4th of July Celebration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .July 6th Centennial Park 28th Annual Bois d’Arc Bash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 27th – 29th Downtown CommerceCommerce Kiwanis Club Pancake Breakfast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . September 28th Downtown Commerce20-mile Yard Sale from Ladonia to Ben Franklin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . June 15, 8 a .m . to 2 p .m ., (maps/info available at Granny’s on the square in Ladonia)

If you would like to us to showcase your event or have it added to the Calendar of Events please e-mail your event information to the Chamber of Commerce at

info@commerce-chamber .com

Showcase

here

C H A M B E R Calendar of Events for 2013

Commerce Chamber of Commerce Mission StatementThe purpose of the Chamber of Commerce shall be to promote the common business in-terests of merchants and citizens living and working in the City of Commerce, Texas, and in the immediate area; promote the free enterprise system; encourage the commercial, in-dustrial and agricultural development of the City of Commerce and the immediate area; assume a role of active leadership in community improvement. The Chamber shall stand for local harmony, cooperation, and progress and shall be non-partisan, non-sectarian and non-sectional in its activities.

2203 Culver Street Commerce, TX 75428l o n e s t a r e a t e r y . c o m | f a c e b o o k

903.886.2121

New! “French Dip” roast beef & cheddar only at L

ones

tar E

atery Grill &

Bar.

Oak Meadows Town Homes150 Maple StreetCommerce, TX 75428903.886.1555M-F 8a.m.-5p.m.Susan Oliver, Manager

Get HappyMake Us Your

Home

Is there a wedding in your future? These Chamber members can help!

All Star Enterprises (for t-shirts, hats, favors) 903-886-0300Latson’s Print Services(invitations, etc.) 903-886-2710Personalized Printing (invitations, etc.) 903-886-7173New England Flare (catering) 203-558-9395

Summer is a great time to make sure your finances are in order. Contact these Chamber

members now for a “money check-up”.Active Wealth Management 903-455-6956AIS Financial Services 903-886-8050Edward Jones & Company 903-886-3333State Farm Insurance 903-886-7774

Member Spotlights

Page 4 June 2013

C H A M B E R Our Community

If there is one thing that I have learned about business is there are certain laws or keys that must be applied with consistency in order to truly achieve success. Success can mean different things to different people, for some it will mean a dollar amount and for others it will be a quality of life they and others get to enjoy. Realize that I said, “….they and others get to enjoy”. Mr. Scrooge may have seemed very successful to those that saw money as a means to an end, but we quickly discover that no matter how much money he appeared to have he was miserable.

Anyone that is in business surely knows the first law, the law of AIM. A business that opens without aim or purpose will quickly find they are struggling and trying to make ends meet no matter how passionate they are about what they do. This law is so profound and powerful that it can take a person from lack of focus to rising on the ladder of success if applied in all endeavors.

A person that follows the mind of others in believing in a failing economy is one of a weak mind and this must be met head on with a strong aim and desire for success. When we first heard about a “recession” many lost their jobs, but the internet and news reports became flood with stories of people that overcame the appearance of a “recession” and began new businesses and prospered. If we are looking to make a buck by just opening a store and hoping that people will come to buy is not success. Hope is like leaving our fate or destiny in the hands of others. Hope is good while we discover our own inner aim and goodness.

I welcome you to discover the truth in these words by applying them in your own lives. Whether you own a business that could use a little more profit or whether you are dedicated in helping others in school, home, or the community YOU must have your end goal in mind.

Once I am able to obtain from my own mind what my aim is I’m able to put into action that means to the end. If I want to sail to Japan but I’ve left the port without

my map, compass, and common sense I’m not going to make it very far on good luck and hope. We never set sail in uncharted territory without the proper tools to get us there. With this in mind, what are some of the proper tools that we need to set our AIM in motion?

Purpose or Passion – We must be somewhat passionate about the field we are in or at least love it to some degree. If you are already in a field that you love then remember to stay current and excited.

Imagination – This is the fuel behind the desire. When we set sail we usually have another piece of land we want to arrive to. We know that we want to get there because of stories that have been told of this place or because we’ve been there before and want to experience it again. Either way, when we are sailing we are always looking for the land. The imagination gives us this material, physical sense of arrival. What will it look like and feel like when I arrive at my AIM.

Faith – If we are putting our faith in others we must first have this faith in ourselves that we know where we’re heading. Then we know that everyone else on board wants to get to the same destination (for their own reasons and imagination of course), but we are all traveling on the same ship. Faith in knowing that you are going to arrive safely because of the “action” you took to get there. My husband said, “I have faith that the sun is going to rise in the morning, but I must do my part to get up to witness it.” This is so true in our daily lives, to get up and witness what we have faith in.

Action – Now that you know where you are going it’s much easier to sit down and write out what action must be taken in order to arrive to your destination with as much ease and grace as possible. If I say I want to open a store, but know nothing about my vendors, where to get merchandise and/or who my customers are going to be, then I will not know the steps or action I need to take in order to open my store with ease. If I see a storm coming while on the sailboat and I don’t take action in turning my sails away from the storm there’s a good chance I might experience loss. Even if I make it through I’ve loss time and energy that could have been more productive. I am also not going to try to sail my boat in the desert either. Our action is based on truth of our AIM.

Put the first law into action in any business and you will have a recipe of success. It is never too late to redirect your ship to success, so if you didn’t have an aim before, it’s okay. Start today by asking yourself where you want to be one year, five years, even ten years from now and then work backwards in achieving this aim while moving forward with ease.

Stay tuned to learn more about how to take action and in what direction to fully feel the effects of success and well-being.

Principles and Keys to SuccessBy Dr. Velvete H. Womack, PhD, LMT, CE, MI, Owner and operator of Fire & Ice Massage

A Member of the Texas A&M University System

www.tamuc.edu

June 2013 Page 5

CenturyLink recognizes employees during “Technician Appreciation Week”

$10 Off To Chamber Members

positive results for life™

400 Maple Street, Commerce, Texas 75428, 903-886-3153

C H A M B E R Our Community

Company applauds technicians in TexasKilleen, TX – CenturyLink, Inc. (NYSE: CTL) designated the week of May 20 as “Technician Appreciation Week” to thank its more than 11,000 installation, maintenance and repair technicians nationwide who work night and day, often in inclement weather, to serve the company’s customers across the U.S.

“CenturyLink’s technicians are committed to maintaining our high standards of customer satisfaction, and it shows in the work they do every day to provide quality service to our customers across the country. They work tirelessly, in all sorts of weather and all hours of the night, to keep our customers connected to the people and information that are important to them,” said Karen Puckett, executive vice president and chief operating officer. “Our dedicated technicians are an important part of the public face of our company, and sometimes they are the first and only face that customers see. We appreciate them each and every day of the year; however, we have set aside this week to ensure they know just how much we value their hard work, sacrifice and dedication to our company and our customers.”

Events for the week included celebrations at the technician work centers and an all-employee effort to send thank-you notes to technicians.

There are 250 CenturyLink technicians in Texas. Over the past year, technicians have responded to service outages due to wildfires and localized flooding; turned-up higher capacity circuits for Internet services and participated in many local community service projects. CenturyLink Texas provides services in 126 communities in 51 counties from the Gulf Coast to the Oklahoma border. “We’ve been known by other company names over the years, but we’ve been serving Texans for over 100 years,” said Steve Hanik, CenturyLink’s Market Development Manager.

“CenturyLink has a dedicated employee base with a customer-focused culture, and our technicians do an excellent job upholding our company’s commitment to our customers,” said Darrion Bowers CenturyLink’s vice president and general manager for Texas “We’re excited to keep this annual tradition of dedicating a week to recognize our hard-working techs, and I want to personally thank all of them for the work they do every day to serve our customers.”

Randy, Wineinger, newly elected Tax Assessor/Collector of Hunt County is pleased to announce the re-opening of the Eastern Branch Tax Office in Commerce, Texas which had been closed by prior administration over three years ago. Wineinger stated that “I want to serve the people of Hunt County the best ways possible. We have a target date to open on July 10th.” The sub-station will be located at the Commerce Chamber of Commerce at 1114 Main Street in Commerce. Even though this office will only be open on Wednesdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., we plan to offer full service to our taxpayers including motor vehicle registration and property tax collection services. Mr. Wineinger also wants to remind the people of Hunt County to visit their online services available at www.hctax.info.

For further information please call 903.408.4000 or by email rwineinger@hctax.info

Hunt County Tax Office to Re-Open Commerce Sub-Station

Page 6 June 2013

Dyer Insurance Agency, Inc.Serving Commerce and the University

for over 75 years

1504 Washington St.,Commerce, TX 75428903-886-2131 dyerinsurance.com

C H A M B E R Our Community

The Texas A&M University-Commerce Department of Curriculum and Instruction held its 9th annual Bill Martin Jr. Symposium recently in the Sam Rayburn Student Center.

Bill Martin, Jr. was one of America’s most beloved children’s authors whose pen wrote Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. He spent the last eleven years of his life living in Commerce and as a friend of the university. In 2000, Bill Martin, Jr. donated his professional library to A&M-Commerce, and it is held in a special room in Sowers Education South building. This library includes numerous manuscripts, letters from the greats of children’s literature and many of his published works. His honorary degrees and a majority of his awards are also displayed in this collection. For the last nine years, A&M-Commerce has hosted this symposium to bring in educators near and far for the ability to learn from friends and colleagues of Mr. Martin.

“We have this wonderful symposium where we invite back friends of Bill to enlighten us on their great ideas in literacy,” said Dr. Martha Foote, Head of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

This year’s symposium featured poet and speaker, Brod Bagert, a friend of Bill Martin, who also attended many of the Bill Martin, Jr. Conferences that were held while he was still alive. Bagert also read aloud a poem from his book, Rainbows, Head Lice and Pea-Green Tile, the majority of which he mentioned were actually written at Bill Martin, Jr. Conferences. Session attendees were invited to register at 8 a.m. before the 9 a.m. keynote session with music, prizes and the 5th grade children from a local Greenville, TX elementary school read aloud the book they authored and illustrated. Several breakout sessions were hosted throughout the day across the A&M-Commerce campus for teachers to attend and learn about children’s literacy and writing. Vendors were available for those who were interested in purchasing teaching supplies or the various authors’ children’s books that were on display.

During the conference, two students were recognized as the recipients of the Bill Martin, Jr. Literacy Endowment Scholarship for $800 each in tuition. Meghan Methvin is a junior pursuing her EC-6 ESL teaching certification, and plans to attend A&M-Commerce for her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. Elisha Rivera is working toward her EC-6 generalist teaching certificate and plans to graduate this December.

“This is a day I look forward to all year long, said Dr. Gail Johnson, Interim Dean of the College of Education and Human Services. “It’s a happy day. A&M-Commerce has been educating teachers now for almost 125 years. We are so happy to continue doing so through events like this symposium.”

Preparations are already being made for next year’s symposium, so save the date for May 2, 2014. For more information on the Bill Martin Jr. Symposium visit http://www.tamuc.edu/BillMartinJr.

Texas A&M-Commerce Hosts 9th Annual Bill Martin, Jr. SymposiumBy Taelor Duckworth

June 2013 Page 7

MAKE TODAY YOUR PAYDAY!CASH ADVANCES & CAR TITLE LOANS

2210 A Live Oak Street903-886-6252

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C H A M B E R Our Community

L-3 Mission Integration donated 12 iMac computers to the Texas A&M University-Commerce Computer Science Department on May 9.

“We’ve done things we wouldn’t be able to without the help of L-3,” said President Dan Jones. “It’s a wonderful partnership.”

The computers, valued at approximately $2,000 each, total just under $25,000, will be used as part of a Mobile Computing and Applications Lab (MCAL) to develop applications for use on platforms such as iPhones, iPads and other mobile devices.

“L-3 is exemplary at being just as passionate toward students as we are,” said Dr. Grady Blount, Dean of the College of Science, Engineering & Agriculture. “We really appreciate, not just hardware like this, but the internships and the employees that L-3 shares with us. It’s the kind of connection that we all know is required in the twenty-first century.”

The ceremony was held at 9:30 a.m. on May 9 at the Journalism building. Several faculty attended the event including: Dr. Dan Jones, A&M-Commerce President; Dr. Grady Blount, Dean of the College of Science, Engineering & Agriculture; Dr. Sang Chuhl Suh, Computer Science & Information Systems Department Head; Dr. Daniel Edelman, Associate Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs; Jim Gibson, Vice President Engineering at L-3; Frank Brandon, Director of Advanced Technology at L-3; and Jack Cooke, former L-3 executive and now A&M-Commerce Distinguished Lecturer in Marketing & Management.

“Mobile computing is a recently emerged and rapidly growing computing paradigm,” said Dr. Sang Chuhl Suh, Computer Science & Information Systems Department Head. “It implies taking computer and all necessary resources out into the field and involves mobile communication, mobile hardware, and mobile software. The newly created MCAL in the department of computer science will be used to provide a software development platform for all applications related to mobile computing. MCAL will support a new Mobile Computing and

Programming track in the newly established computational science master’s program. Students concentrating on this track will be able to develop various mobile apps to experiment with iPhone/Android programming. Furthermore, the department plans to use this lab for K-14 summer outreach to recruit students for STEM majors.”

Headquartered in Greenville, Texas, L-3 Mission Integration (MID) is a division of L-3 Communications Integrated Systems Group, an internationally recognized systems integration organization. MID’s focus is on the design, development and integration of advanced avionics, special purpose airborne systems and aircraft maintenance and modernization for government and military customers worldwide.

L-3 Mission Integration Donates 12 iMacs to Computer Science DepartmentBy Sydni Walker

L to R: Suh, Brandon, Cooke, Edelman, Jones, Gibson, Blount

Page 8 June 2013

C H A M B E R Our Community

Tax relief for businesses is key for jobs and continued growth Texas spends $43 billion annually on tax breaks and targeted business incentives. At issue: Do Texas businesses need the relief? Should the incentives be evaluated?

It doesn’t matter where you look, Texas consistently ranks as one of the best places to live, work and do business. While we can pat ourselves on the back and comment on how lucky we are to have earned these distinctions, the fact is luck had nothing to do with our success; and luck certainly won’t guarantee our future success.

Texas is among the best of the best because of the commitment of Texas leaders and due to the great leadership of Gov. Rick Perry. Our leaders understand that for Texas to be economically sound, the Texas Legislature must invest in the businesses that are the backbone of this great state. Our leaders’ records speak for themselves through the accolades that our state has received and through the voters who continue to elect them.

Whether a business has one employee or a thousand employees, each business and every worker contributes to the success of this state. With a Texas Association of Business membership made up of every size business and representing almost every sector and industry, we know firsthand the struggles of employers of this state. These struggles are the reason we will always champion business issues on behalf of our state’s entrepreneurs and job creators, and why we always will look for solutions that are broad-based and benefit as many employers as possible.

Low taxes attract and keep business in Texas. The franchise tax has been scrutinized and criticized, but in reality it is the best system available. Because Texas is constitutionally barred from basing tax businesses on actual income, it is important that we keep finding ways to provide broad-based relief to Texas businesses.

It is in seeking positive solutions that provide real relief to businesses in Texas that TAB is proud to fully support Gov. Perry’s tax plan. Among numerous tax cuts and other positive relief, Gov. Perry’s recommendations will help every business trying to make payroll, not just businesses in one specific industry.

Included in the governor’s plan is the intent to provide a $1 million deduction to every business grossing $20 million or less. Gov. Perry’s proposal will allow small businesses that barely miss being eligible for the current exemption to finally receive its benefits. The governor’s office estimates that this exemption will keep close to $1 billion in the hands of small- and medium-sized companies to add more workers and equipment. That’s a win for all Texans.

The governor’s proposal also calls for a 5 percent reduction in franchise taxes for all businesses. For businesses struggling to provide ever-increasing health benefits to their employees, this solution may be just the ticket that employers need to be able to continue to offer health benefits for their employees.

Other recommendations that TAB fully supports include lowering the rate for EZ Form filers and giving companies relocating to Texas from out of state a one-time deduction of moving expenses in the first year they pay the franchise tax. These recommendations are simple and straightforward. Deducting moving expenses for companies moving to Texas is just one more reason for companies to choose Texas. The fact is, every company has many choices on where to locate its business. While I would choose Texas any and every day of the year until the day that I die, it is important for Texas to provide incentives to seal the deal.

TAB also firmly agrees with Gov. Perry in his support of money for infrastructure, including water and roads. The investment in tax cuts, water and roads is an investment in Texas. We can achieve these goals while at the same time meeting the needs of Texans in every other area of the budget. Texans will reap benefits from the foresight of this plan well into the future. The only ones complaining about these initiatives are the ones who have always complained and will continue to complain. TAB is more about solutions and results, and we believe that these initiatives will keep Texas moving for decades to come.

Hammond is president and CEO of Texas Association of Business.

The views expressed in the above article are not necessarily the views of the Commerce Chamber of Commerce.

Hammond: Tax Relief For Businesses Is Key For Jobs And Continued GrowthBy Bill Hammond | May 18, 2013 | Updated: May 18, 2013 2:49pm

June 2013 Page 9

C H A M B E R Big Events

th

JulyC e l e b r a t i o nJuly 6th • Centennial Park

Contact the Chamber to Get InvolvedEVENT STARTS AT 5 P.M. • FIREWORKS BEGIN AT DARK

Event Emcee – Daniel Starks • www.commerce-chamber.com

Page 10 June 2013

AZUL2207 Culver St.

Commerce, TX 75428Phone: 903-886-4777 • Fax: 903-886-8737

C H A M B E R Our Community

Hotel Azul & Suites will soon be flying under the new flag of Magnuson Hotels as Magnuson Hotel Commerce. Founded in 2002, the Magnuson chain is the world’s largest group of independent hotels with over 150 hotels in Texas alone. In fact, Magnuson is named the #1 Hotel Company of Inc. Magazine’s 5,000 fastest growing private U.S. companies. Each hotel with Magnuson remains independently owned and operated, so guests can feel confident in knowing that they will be treated with personalized hospitality at each location. From Magnuson Grand Hotels featuring upscale resorts to M Star Hotels offering economy hotels, guests can find a Magnuson hotel to match any budget or trip. Hotel Azul’s owner, Mrs. Patel, is very excited to introduce the new name for this former Holiday Inn Express.

Still located next to Walmart and across from the University, Magnuson Hotel Commerce offers the same beautifully decorated one and two bedroom suites. For those looking for a romantic getaway or some well deserved R&R, the Jacuzzi Suites include a king bed, separate living room with kitchenette, and an in-room jetted tub. Magnuson Hotel Commerce has an indoor heated pool and hot tub, fitness center, business center, and free high speed Wi-Fi. The hotel also provides guests with a complimentary hot breakfast every morning with a variety of items. Magnuson Hotel Commerce has a meeting room available for parties, meetings, and gatherings. Weekly rates and group discounts are available as well. For more information or to make online reservations, please visit magnusonhotels.com.

Hotel Azul & Suites to Become Magnuson Hotel CommerceBy Joanna Noel

Hunt Regional Medical CenterGreenville

4215 Joe Ramsey Blvd .903-408-5000

We’re Growing To Serve The Commerce Community’s Health Care Needs

Hunt Regional Community Hospital Commerce

2900 Sterling Hart Drive903-886-3161

Hunt Regional Medical centeRGreenville

Hunt Regional coMMunity HospitalCommerce

Texas A&M University-Commerce Athletic Director Ryan Ivey announced a major addition to the Lion Athletic Department as A&M-Commerce will begin competing in softball beginning the 2014-15 athletic season.

“This is an historic moment for the Lion Athletic Department,” said Ivey. “The northeast Texas region is full of quality softball talent and we look forward to having the opportunity to provide for them a place to participate in intercollegiate athletics. Adding a softball program will be a tremendous benefit to the institution and Commerce community. What a great day to be a Lion.”

Ivey announced the search for the program’s first-ever head coach will begin immediately with the position to be filled by July. Softball student-athletes can begin enrolling at A&M-Commerce in the fall of 2013 and will be given a redshirt season as skill and conditioning exercises will commence during the 2013-14 season.

The Lion softball program will then begin competing in fall exhibitions in 2014, leading up to the inaugural season in the spring of 2015. A&M-Commerce softball will play its home games at the Cain Sports Complex, north of Lion Soccer Field and adjacent to the throws areas for track and field.

Currently, A&M-Commerce offers six women’s sports in addition to five men’s sports. With the addition of softball, the Lions will also become the final Lone Star Conference school to sponsor the sport.

“Softball will bring a whole new dimension to our athletic program” stated Dr. Dan Jones, President and CEO of A&M-Commerce. “Talented women athletes will now have one more great reason to make A&M-Commerce their university of choice.”

For more information on the newly formed Lion softball team and the 11 other A&M-Commerce Athletic programs, stay tuned to LionAthletics.com, as well as the A&M-Commerce official Facebook and Twitter accounts.

A&M-COMMERCE TO ADD SOFTBALL; FIRST PITCH SLATED FOR SPRING 2015

June 2013 Page 11

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Judy PettyResidential Services Coordinator

Commerce Housing Authority500 Tarter

Commerce, Texas 75428903-886-2946

www.commercehousing-tx.com

C H A M B E R Our Community

Page 8 May 2013

Texas A&M University-Commerce was showered in gold on April 16 as it welcomed Olympic gold medalists, Ryan Lochte and Misty May-Treanor, along with ESPN SportsCenter’s Linda Cohn.

The William L. Mayo Prestigious Speaker Series, which previously brought Dan Rather to campus, hosted these special individuals for dinner and a question-and-answer panel event in Ferguson Auditorium.

“It was our goal as a committee to bring a group of speakers to A&M-Commerce that would really have an impact on the students,” said Taylor Fore, the Associate Director of Development for Athletics and a committee member for the Series.

“We wanted to bring someone who would be relevant to the student body; someone to be excited about. This experience was intended for collegians to realize that all of their wildest dreams can come true, and we sincerely hope that everyone enjoyed having Ryan Lochte, Misty May-Treanor and Linda Cohn on campus.”

The series invited students to apply for an opportunity to meet the sports icons and eat dinner in an intimate setting. Approximately 25 students were chosen for the esteemed honor which included a picture for each student with the trio. These student leaders were hand-selected based on their essays submissions and a recommendation letter from a faculty member on campus. The applicants were split into three tables with one of the celebrities at each, and the groups got the chance to converse through dinner and learn more about their respective speaker. At the end of the meal, Lochte, May-Treanor and Cohn were invited up to a small stage to answer questions from the small number of students and faculty in the room.

The doors of Ferguson Auditorium opened early for the question-and-answer panel as lines formed to fill seats. The two athletes answered questions from the A&M-Commerce community moderated by Cohn in front of a packed venue. Students were able to send in questions from Twitter, and Amy Yzanga won the Twitter contest to meet the Olympians, sending in over 250 tweets with the hashtag #GoldInCommerce. Some questions were comical and some were more serious, and ticket holders got an insight into the lives and minds of two of the world’s top athletes.

Texas A&M-Commerce Brings Gold Medal Olympians to CampusBy Taelor Duckworth with Sydni Walker contributing

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The Lion’s DenStudent and Corporate Lodging

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C H A M B E R Our Community

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi has allowed the colonization of a chapter on the Texas A&M University-Commerce campus for the upcoming year and held its installation ceremony on May 21. The A&M-Commerce chapter received notice of its approval after a spring board meeting in March of the Phi Kappa Phi Board of Directors.

Phi Kappa Phi is the oldest national honor society for all academic disciplines, founded in 1897 at the University of Maine. PKP is a selective organization for individuals with exemplary academic accomplishments. Membership may be obtained through an invitation-only process in which offers are only given to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and just 7.5 percent of juniors. Having achieved outstanding scholastic recognition, faculty, staff and alumni may

also qualify to join. There are over 300 chapters of PKP in North America and the Philippines which initiate around 30,000 persons per year. Members are required to pay annual dues and in turn are given a multitude of benefits, including the opportunities of $1 million each biennium in scholarships and awards.

“The commitment to excellence at Texas A&M University–Commerce is evidenced by the superior academic environment, highly motivated student population, strong honors program, and exceptional faculty and staff,” said Society President Dr. Diane G. Smathers. “We are confident A&M-Commerce’s commitment to recognizing and honoring academic excellence will benefit both the university and Phi Kappa Phi, and we look forward to developing a strong working relationship with the chapter.”

The society’s motto reads “Let the love of learning rule humanity,” and that is what the group hopes to bring to the A&M-Commerce campus. Their mission in Commerce and nationally is “to recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.” Author John Grisham, President Jimmy Carter, former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and the Co-founder of YouTube, Chad Hurley, have all been inducted into Phi Kappa Phi. The non-profit group governs itself nationally with a 15-person Board of Directors with input from Regional Vice Presidents and a Council of Students. Individual chapters are presided over by chapter officers at each campus.

For more information on Phi Kappa Phi, contact Dr. Raymond Green, chapter president, at Raymond.green@tamuc.edu or visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Comes to Texas A&M-CommerceBy Taelor Duckworth

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Kathy Johnson, RNBRANCH DIRECTOR

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COMMERCE101 Kings Plaza, Suite HCommerce, Texas 75428

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A C C O U N T I N G – C PA’ sConway Company CPAs, PC 886-2123Kenneth Foust 886-3106Naeem Ahmad, CPA.P.C. 214-808 0551A D V E R T I S I N G | S P E C I A L I T I E SGiggles & Grins 450-4746Hoss Outdoor Adv. | Billboards I-30 972-212-9315A I R C O N D I T I O N I N G | H E AT I N GDMP Services 903-274-7637Ken Parker Service, Inc 886-6990Progressive Air and Heat 886-8322A M U S E M E N T | E N T E R TA I N M E N TEagle Golf & Gift 886-4653NE TX Children’s Museum 886-6055Planetarium 468-8652A N I M A L W E L F A R ECommerce Humane Assn 903-496-2412A PA R T M E N T S | P R O P E R T Y M G M TAmerican Eagle Properties 886-4430Bradford Place Apts. 886-8855Charlinda Villages 886-8807Churchill at Commerce Apts. (Culver) 886-4444Gant Apartments 886-6863Landmark Properties 886-7038Maple Place Apartments 886-4050 MyApartmentMap.com 603-319-1712Oak Meadows Townhomes 886-1555Oglesby & Associates 972-742-5099Sparks Enterprises 817-460-3347Valentine Properties 886-8881A R T G A L L E R Y / S T U D I OCommerce Office of Cultural Affairs 217-8050A Space 325-760-8869A S S I S T E D L I V I N G / R E T I R E M E N TColonial Lodge Retirement Inn 454-6636Country Homes Estates 886-7754AT T O R N E Y SCurtis, Alexander/McCampbell & Morris 455-8113Edgar J. Garrett 886-3146The Law Offices of Jim D. McLeroy 885-6476A U D I O P R O D U C T I O N S T U D I OBrad Davis Audio Production 886-6027A U T O M O B I L E D E A L E R SCommerce Auto Group 886-4014Commerce Chevrolet/Buick 886-2188North TX Hyundai 455-4949A U T O M O B I L E S E RV I C E S / PA R T SD & E Auto Supply 886-8040Hoover’s Automotive 886-7781J J’s Quick Lube 886-8775O’Reilly Auto Parts 886-1755BAKERIESBraum’s 886-6242Brookshire’s 886-3252Sweeties Donut Shoppe 886-6111B A N K S / C R E D I T U N I O N SAlliance Bank 886-3244Cypress Bank 886-7425Dixie Turman/State Farm Bank 886-7774Guaranty Bond Bank 886-2274Heritage Land Bank 455-2835Inwood National Bank 886-2126Lone Star Credit Union 800-588-6928B O O K S T O R E SEast Texas Book Store 886-3248

B U S I N E S S D E V E L O P M E N T / T R A I N I N GCenter for Applied Leadership 886-5086Commerce EDC 886-1121Northeast Texas Teambuilding 903-886-5164C A B I N E T M A K I N G Keystone Mfg. Co. 886-1551C A R P E T C L E A N I N G & R E S T O R AT I O N Jeff’s Carpet Cleaning & Restoration 885-1320C AT E R I N G / M E E T I N G F A C I L I T I E SThe Lodge/Catering Company 886-7586New England Flare Catering 203-558-9395Sodexo 468-7586CELL PHONES AND SERVICEACN-Independent Rep. 903-335-6034Wireless TNT (AT&T) 886-1062C H E C K C A S H I N G / L O A N SChaney’s Check Cashing Express 886-8080Commerce Cash Express 886-6252C H I L D D E V E L O P M E N TDNJ Learning Center 886-2414Wee Care at Sha’s Sha’s World Care Center 886-4911C H I R O P R A C T O R SJensen Chiropractic 886-4333C H R I S T I A N S C I E N C E P R A C T I T I O N E RJudy Biggs 903-413-5086C H U R C H E SBread of Life Church of Nazarene 886-1515Commerce Church of Christ 903-886-6136 Commerce Community Church 513-2699Cross Trails Cowboy Church 886-9114 Disciples of Faith Bible Fellowship 886-3644First Baptist Church 886-3189First Christian Church 886-2542First Presbyterian Church 886-3783First United Methodist Church 886-3220Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship 886-8585Healing Waters Assembly of God 886-7112Ridgecrest Baptist Church 886-6034St. Joseph Catholic Church 886-7135Word of Life Family Church 886-0917C L E A N E R SCountry Cleaners 886-1609C L O T H I N G / G I F T SThe Bargain Box 886-8306Dressing Divas 903-272-4198My Sister’s Closet 886-1224Sister Babyz 886-3020C O M M E R C I A L C L E A N I N GQuality Home Service 903-243-1854C O M P U T E R S E RV I C E S / F O R E N S I C SWolf Security Analysts 366-6721C O P I E R SAdvantage Copy Systems 885-3375C O N C R E T ED. L. Lennon, Inc. 886-3174C O N V E N I E N C E S T O R E SFlying L Fast Mart 886-8091New Way 886-7684 C O S M E T I C S / S K I N C A R EMary Kay Cosmetics - Betty Teel Malone 496-2292Southern Spa Sisters/BeautiControl 886-6124 Violet Spell, Avon Cosmetics 903-453-5916C O U N S E L I N GLakes Regional MHMR 903-455-5770

C O U N T R Y C L U B SSand Hills Golf/Country Club 886-4455D E N T I S T SCozart’s Dental Office 886-3081Mary/Marc McDaniel, DDS 886-6945D I R E C T S A L E S / P R O D U C T S & S E RV I C E SAML - Direct Sales Marketing 903-513-3636DISTRIBUTORSBen E. Keith Company 886-2158Coca-Cola Bottling Co. 903-784-3336E C O N O M I C D E V E L O P M E N TCommerce Economic Dev. Corporation 886-1121E D I T O R I A L S E RV I C E SWord Magic 886-6498E D U C AT I O NTexas A&M University.-Commerce 886-5081Commerce ISD 886-3755Paris Junior College 782-0330E L E C T R O N I C S U P P L I E SKartridge Korner 886-3312Country Cleaners & Electronics 886-1609E M B R O I D E R Y / P R N T G / P R O M O P R O D U C T SAll Star Enterprises 903-390-7022E M E R G E N C Y M E D I C A L E VA C U AT I O N SAir-Evac Lifestream 886-1551E M P L O Y M E N T A G E N C I E SKelly Services 454-4227E N E R G Y P R O V I D E R SACN-Independent Rep 903-335-6034Atmos Energy 800-460-3030Eagle Energy 903-422-2960FEC Electric 455-1715Oncor Electric Delivery 888-313-6862E N G I N E E R SHayter Engineering, Inc. 785-0303F A R M S U P P L I E S / F E E DFix & Feed Commerce Hardware 886-7917Twin Oaks Farm 903-886-5358F I N A N C I A L S E RV I C E SActive Wealth Management 455-6956AIS Financial Services 886-8050Continental Credit 886-8500Edward Jones & Company 886-3333Financial Network Investment Corp 886-2823Dixie Turman/State Farm Bank 886-7774F L E A M A R K E T / F A R M E R ’ S M A R K E T Jackson Square 903-366-6092F O O D S T O R E SBrookshires 886-3252F R U I T & V E G E TA B L E M A R K E T STwin Oaks Farms 886-5358F U N E R A L H O M E SCommerce Funeral Home/Cremation Serv. 886-8600F U R N I T U R EAffordable Furniture & Etc. 886-6096The Funky Attic 886-0100G O V E R N M E N TCity of Commerce 886-1100State Representative Dan Flynn 455-0971G R A P H I C S1st Choice Spirit, Grvl 454-8326Pride Shop 886-5818H A I R / B E A U T Y / N A I L S A L O NTanasha’s House of Style 886-1607 H A R D WA R EFix & Feed Commerce Hardware 886-7917

COMMERCE Business Directory

June 2013 Page 15

COMMERCE Business DirectoryH O M E B U I L D E R SLegacy Housing 886-7394Siena Home/Dale Stotts 214-957-8549Under Construction 903-468-2683H O M E H E A LT H1st Choice 886-2666Encompass Home Health 886-8877Home Health Associates 886-0612Visiting Angels 903-784-3902H O M E I N S P E C T I O NJK’s Professional Inspections 903-886-3069H O M E R E PA I R / M A I N T E N A N C E /R E M O D E L I N GAmerican Eagle Home Maint/Remodeling 886-4430Under Construction 468-2683HOSPICEOdyssey Hospice 454-1107HOSPITALSHunt Reg. Comm. Hospital-Commerce 886-3161Hunt Regional Medical Center-Greenville 408-5000 H O T E L / M O T E L S / B & B ’ sBois d’Arc Bed & Breakfast, 886-7705Commerce Inn 886-8756Holiday Inn Express, Sulphur Springs 903-885-6851Horse Apple Hill Inn 903-413-8118Magnuson Hotel Commerce 886-4777H O U S I N GCommerce Housing Authority 886-2946I N S U R A N C EDiversified Insurance 886-6943Duncan Insurance 886-2183Dyer Insurance 886-2131Farm Bureau Insurance 455-6782State Farm Insurance 886-7774I N T E R N E T / C O M M U N I C AT I O N SACN-Independent Rep 903-335-6034CenturyLink 800-788-3500L I B R A R I E SCommerce Public Library 886-6858M A N U F A C T U R E D H O U S I N GHenly Land & Homes, Inc. 886-0112MANUFACTURINGCovidien 886-3153Hydro Aluminum Metal Products 468-5012Legacy Housing 886-7394Zurn/Pex Hydronics 886-2580MASSAGE/NUTRITIONFire & Ice Massage by Velvete 886-0304MEDICAL SERVICESHulsey Therapy Services 886-7669Live Oak Professional Ctr. 886-8818Lowery Medical Supplies 395-4508Raffa Clinic 877-707-2332Air-Evac Lifeteam 903-390-7022MENTAL HEALTHLakes Regional MHMR 903 455-5770NEWSPAPERSThe Commerce Journal 455-4220The Commerce Connection 886-3950NURSING HOMES/LONG TERM CAREBriarcliff Health Center 903-455-8729Oak Manor Nursing Home 886-2510OFFICE EQUIPMENTAdvantage Copy Systems 903-885-3375

OFFICE SUPPLIES/PRINTINGLatson’s Office Solutions 885-1553Personalized Printing 886-7173Pride Shop 886-5818ORGANIZATIONSA&M-Commerce Alumni Chapter 886-6175A&M-Commerce Athletics 468-3033A&M-Commerce Interfraternity Council 468-3087Aglaia Club 886-1968American Legion Post No. 1 886-8479Beginning Farmer & Rancher Dey 886-5353Boys & Girls Club of NE Texas 903-455-9233Celebrate The Children, Inc. 886-8365Commerce Classroom Teachers Assn. 886-3758Commerce Humane Society 496-2412Coterie Culture Club 886-6263Commerce Office of Cultural Affairs 903-217-8050Commerce Parks Foundation 886-7697Keep Commerce Beautiful 453-7201Kiwanis Club 886-4733Lions Club 886-4034Louise Drake Garden Club 886-6263Masonic Lodge 886-3549N. Hunt Co. Retired Teachers Assn. 886-7695Pi Kappa Alpha 903-422-0316Pi Sigma Alpha 886-5317Psychology Club 886-6078Republic of Texas Parrot Head Club 366-2737 Rotary Club 886-7047Silver Leos Writing Club 468-7391Thalian Culture Club 886-6209Woman’s Culture Club 886-2624 P E C A N SCampbell Pecans 903-366-1141Southern Pride Pecans 903-513-9825P E T S U P P L I E S / G R O O M I N G / B O A R D I N GC&P Bark & Purr 886-2524Pet Degrees 886-8469P H A R M A C I E STotal Care Pharmacy 886-8888P R I N T E R S , P U B L I S H E R S & G R A P H I C SAll Star Enterprises 886-0300Latson’s Print Services 886-2710Personalized Printing 886-7173Pride Shop 886-5818P L U M B E R SAshley Plumbing 886-2355DMP Services 903-274-9987Powers Plumbing 886-3300R A D I O S TAT I O N SE TX Broadcasting, Inc. (95.9) 885-1546KETR 88.9 886-5848R A I L R O A D SBlacklands Railroad 438-1324R A N C H E SOats Ranch 886-7951R E A L E S TAT ECentury 21 First Group 886-1200Hunt County Real Estate 903-450-7273 Jack Chapin Real Estate 886-6373Janet Williams Real Estate 903-450-5407R E A L E S TAT E D E V E L O P E R SOglesby & Associates 972-742-5099

R E S A L E S H O P Goodwill Industries of NE TX 886-3600My Sister’s Closet (WIN) 886-1224The Bargain Box 886-8306This & That Resale Shop 214-226-2046R E S I D E N T I A L C L E A N I N GQuality Home Service 903-243-1854R E S TA U R A N T S | C L U B SBraum’s 886-6149Domino’s Pizza 886-2116Good Donuts 886-1011Lone Star Eatery, Grill and Bar 886-2121Los Mochis Mexican 886-8200Luigi’s Italian Cafe 886-2000Lulu’s Burgers 886-3888McDonalds # 10645 886-7771McKay’s Country Kitchen & BBQ 886-8160Panda Chinese 886-4008Plain & Fancy Sandwich Shoppe 903-246-3048Pizza Hut 886-9600Pride Coffee 903-449-2074Sonic Drive-In 886-7166The Drunken Mule 886-3289R E M O D E L I N G R E PA I RUnder Construction 468-2683R E TA I LWal-Mart 886-3108SAND AND GRAVELSpeight Sand & Gravel 886-6457SELF-STORAGE FACILITIESAll-American Self Storage 886-7575The Guard House Self-Storage 886-6040SEPTIC SYSTEMQuality Concrete Products 886-3055STORM SHELTERQuality Concrete Products 886-3055S T U D E N T & C O R P O R AT E L O D G I N GLion’s Den 903-246-3174TA N N I N G S A L O N SHealthy Glow Tanning Salon 886-0100TA X P R E PA R AT I O NH & R Block 886-7252T I T L E C O M PA N YNorth Texas Title of Hunt County 454-3364T O B A C C OChaney’s Tobacco Station 886-8080T R A N S P O R TAT I O NHill Grain Company 886-3133T R A S H H A U L I N G - C O M M E R C I A LCity Sanitation 886-2314T R U C K I N GBL II Logistics L.L.C . 886-2900V E T E R I N A R I A N SCommerce Vet Clinic 886-7941Gregg Animal Clinic 886-3911W E B S I T E D E S I G N & D E V E L O P M E N TLuminous Productions 903-851-3183W E D D I N GThe Lodge/Catering Company 886-7586Sodexo 468-4890W R E C K E R S E RV I C E SBenson Bros. 886-2765

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