Let business ring
Annual Business Expo set for Thursday at Wesley Center

Jasper's fourth annual Business Expo will be held tomorrow, Sept. 13, from 5-7 p.m. at the Wesley Center next to First United Methodist Church.

"We have over 50 businesses signed up and almost all are giving door prizes," said Liz Street, events coordinator for the Jasper Lake Sam Rayburn Area Chamber of Commerce.

Free to the public, it offers people an introduction to a variety of area businesses. The event this year is sponsored by Axley & Rode and JEDCO (Jasper Economic Development Co.).

One new business owner, Vicki Pickles, hopes the Expo will jump-start her homebased clothing business. Sweet Deal Pickles offers specialty work clothing that, depending on need, is flame retardant, highly-reflective or heavy-duty to meet industrial and safety standards.

The Vineyard from Kirbyville is another firsttimer at the Expo. They offer winemaking supplies and lessons.

Other vendors run the gamut from food and entertainment to clothing, decor, jewelry, cosmetics, insurance, financial and health institutions and services.

Jasper Community Theater will recap a favorite performance from last season with Amber Stroman and Becki Mayhar doing a skit from Greater Tuna. As a door prize, they will offer tickets to one of this season's plays.

The Jasper independent School District is introducing the new Ed2Go program.

Street also reported that First Bank and Trust donated $300 toward the purchase of the metalwork sculpture in front of the Chamber office.

The 2006 Fall Fest royalty will make one of their last official appearances. The Fall Fest pageant for 2007 takes place Sept. 29.