Dear editor,

In October, Southgate Lanes hosted a Trivia Night and Wine Tasting event to benefit the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce. That makes us the most recent beneficiary of the bowling alley's generosity, which includes their Summerfest fundraisers for a variety of local organizations.

It was a fun and educational evening. Emcee Derek Dukes did an excellent job at the microphone, supported by an enthusiastic and quite competitive audience.When I discovered that I did not know that four--not three--U.S. presidents have been assassinated, I suddenly felt my high school education was lacking!

On behalf of the chamber, I want to thank Southgate Lanes and all of the teams that participated that evening. As a 501c6 organization, we are primarily supported by our dues, which we work hard to keep affordable. When the chamber coordinates the Blaze of Lights Festival, Arts & Crafts Festival, and Fireworks after National Night Out, these events are only possible because of our generous member sponsors.

It's my job to convince local businesses to join the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce. Having been a member long before I started working for the chamber, I don't think it's a hard sell. But in this season of thanksgiving, I'd like to note that the relationship is an unequal one. Businesses can exist without the chamber, but we are only as strong as our membership base.

Please join me in thanking Southgate Lanes and all of our members and sponsors for the gifts of their ideas, time, and financial support throughout the year.

Sincerely,
Paula Scott
CEO, Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce