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Outgoing chamber chair, John Bryan of CedarStone Bank, Sue Vanatta, retiring chamber president and CEO, and incoming president and CEO Melanie Minter. Photo courtesy of the Wilson Post.

On Thursday, February 6, the Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce held its annual awards banquet at Lebanon's Capitol Theater. Over 320 people attended the sold-out event to recognize Sue Vanatta as she retired from the chamber as president and CEO after 23 years of service.

The new president and CEO, Melanie Minter was introduced at the event, and the new board of directors and board chairman John Bradshaw were installed.

John Bryan, 2014 Ambassador of the Year Linda Spencer, Melanie Minter. Photo courtesy of the Wilson Post.

Outgoing chairman of the board, CedarStone vice president John Bryan, reflected on his term of office and expressed his gratitude for the vision and hard work of the chamber’s leadership.

Address by John Bryan

Ladies and gentlemen, 2014 has flown by. We have experienced an action-packed year. We celebrated our 90th birthday as a chamber, we said goodbye to a dear friend and leader for 23 years in Sue Vanatta as she retired on December 31st, and we will said hello and welcome to our new President for 2015 and beyond.

In setting our goals this past year, I know we set the bar high. Many of our goals we accomplished, some we fell short. But for the most part, we succeeded in the task at hand. Your chamber remains strong and vibrant in the communities we serve. And I know, with the leadership we have in place for this year and years to come, your Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber will continue to create commerce, provide services that help equip its membership, and embrace our membership with engaging events and informative meetings.

Tonight is a night of celebration. We plan this event each year to celebrate with our membership. Ladies and gentlemen, everything good that happens in our community, your chamber has its hands right in the middle of it.

Think about it: ground-breakings, ribbon cuttings, educational events, industry appreciation, recruitment of businesses and industry, tourism and special events – anything that we celebrate, Christmas, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day…your chamber is in the middle of it.
Tonight we will recognize many local businesses and some individuals that have stood out among the crowds. These awards are given to very deserving and honorable recipients and the committees that choose these winners take their job very seriously. I congratulate you all and, with that, let us begin the 2014 Cedar Tree Award presentation.

Before I introduce my friend, John Bradshaw, and pass the gavel for 2015, I want to take this time to thank my wife of 26 years for putting up with me. Like I said earlier in my remarks, this year was busy. It was actually an emotional roller coaster for me. In the midst of serving as your Chairman, Kim and I worked on getting our home prepared for my daughter’s wedding. We pulled that event off in June and from that point on, things seemed to get a little bit easier. I would also like to thank my parents, T.A. and Jean Bryan, for their support. Every time I turned around at a ribbon cutting or business-after-hours, T.A. and Jean were there. Thanks for always being there.

Thanks to my employer, Bob McDonald and CedarStone Bank and my co-workers for allowing me to be away each and every week at some sort of chamber function, meeting, or ribbon cutting. Melynda Bounds, our Lebanon office manager, has covered for me too many times to mention and I appreciate you for your friendship, patience and dedication.

John Bryan also recognized the chamber’s board members and those who served in leadership roles:

Economic Development: Jud Nave
Government Relations: Phil Carter
Sports Council: Paul Jewell
Membership: Melanie Minter
Tourism: Debbie Stewart
Education: Scott Jasper
Treasurer: Brenda Burkett

What better way is there to bring together family, friends and community than a good, ole-fashioned Christmas parade? There are three coming right up and we hope to see you there:

Lebanon Christmas Parade: "A Country Christmas"
Sunday, December 7 at 2:00 pm

Mount Juliet Christmas Parade: "A Frozen Christmas"
Saturday, December 6 at 11:00 am

Donelson Christmas Parade: "30 Years of American Christmas Traditions"
Saturday, December 6 at 2:00 pm

Come on out, bring the family and friends, and come to see us at CedarStone Bank soon.

Wilson County has formally dedicated a memorial to all those who serve, at the new Veterans Park next to the Wilson County courthouse in Lebanon. CedarStone's John Bryan, chairman of the board of the Lebanon-Wilson County Chamber of Commerce, was present at the dedication. "It's great to see the community coming together to honor the men and women who serve in the armed forces of this country," said Bryan. "Freedom comes at a price, and we need to do all we can to pay tribute to those who secure our nation."

The park, which was over two years in the making, features a granite wall with the names of those from the county who gave their lives in service to the country, its five parts representing the five branches of the military. Read more about the park at The Lebanon Democrat.

Veterans Day 2014 

The parade in Lebanon starts at 10:25 on Main Street, with a ceremony at the new Veterans Park at 11:00;

Continuing an education after high school can be a big challenge: it's expensive and some students have to work in addition to studying. The Tennessee Promise Scholarship program has partnered with TnAchieves to help local students with obtaining a secondary education. TnAchieves pairs first-generation, low-income college students with adult mentors to help those students enter the world of secondary education and successfully reach their goals.

Two CedarStone Bank managers will be mentoring TnAchieves students in 2015. Beth Schulze, manager of CedarStone’s Mt. Juliet branch, says, “Having a mentor could mean the difference between success and failure for some of these students.” Mentoring will help the students navigate the application and enrollment process and keep them on track during their first semester. Melynda Bounds, manager of the Lebanon branch, added, “I feel very fortunate to live in a state that offers students the opportunity to go to college.” For information, visit www.tnachieves.org.

On September 9, the Lebanon-Wilson County Chamber of Commerce celebrated their 90th anniversary with an open house at their office on the Lebanon Public Square. Sue Vanatta, President/CEO of the Chamber, and CedarStone Vice President John Bryan, Chairman of the Board for the Chamber, did the honors with the cake.

For more information about the Lebanon Wilson Chamber.

The Wilson County Fair is in full swing, and it offers something for every age and interest. On Monday, Bob and Susan McDonald had a great time helping serve at the Senior Citizens Picnic in the Fiddlers Grove area of the Fair.

The Fair runs through Sunday, August 23. For more information about the Fair, please visit their website. Be sure to stop by the Green Gate to visit with friends from your CedarStone Bank family. We have an ATM available for your cash needs.

We are! This year's Wilson County Fair is sure to be the biggest and best ever. This year's theme is "Farmers, Boots, and Country Roots" and it will be all that and more.

From agriculture, art, baking, flowers, music, crafts, and dancing to quilting, rides, beauty pageants, talent contests, this is one of the top county fairs in America. 

An exciting feature of the Wilson County Fair is "The Great Giveaway," where one lucky winner gets to choose from cars and other vehicles. Above, CedarStone Bank president Bob McDonald and Lebanon Branch Manager Melynda Bounds show off one of the prizes. CedarStone branches have tickets; for more information about tickets.

Again this year, CedarStone employees will be working the ticket booth and the Peyton Road "Green Gate," where we will have an ATM for your cash needs throughout the fair. 

For a complete schedule of the Wilson County Fair, visit their website at www.wilsoncountyfair.net and be sure to stop by and see us while you're there.

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It has taken her eight years of growing and cutting, but Tina Winfree has now donated over 30 inches of her hair to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program.

Pantene Beautiful Lengths is an organization that provides the donated hair to HairUWear (wig maker) to make the wigs. The completed wigs are donated to the American Cancer Society to give to female cancer patients through the Look Good Feel Better program.

Tina, CedarStone Bank’s Senior Vice President, Cashier, and Operations Manager, is also active in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life each year. “Donating my hair to Pantene Beautiful Lengths is something I choose to do to help someone in need that really doesn’t require a whole lot of effort,” explained Winfree.

The most recent “cutting” was held in May at New Image Salon in Lebanon. Stylist Mallory Bryan cut nearly a 12” section from Tina’s hair and sealed it up for shipment.

“I have cut hair for several customers donating to this organization and others like it but Mrs. Winfree is the first one I have cut that is a repeat contributor. I am honored she picked me to cut her hair,” Bryan added. For more information, please vist Pantene's website. 

CedarStone president Bob McDonald congratulates John Bryan on his NBJ Impact Award

John Bryan, VP Business Development, was recently honored by being selected for the Nashville Business Journal Impact Award for Wilson County. The award is given to people who are making positive change in their communities. 

In his role at the bank, John helps connect businesses with the right financial services and financing options. He is currently chairman of the board of the Lebanon-Wilson County Chamber of Commerce.

For more about the awards and a full list of winners. 

On Saturdays, August 16 and 23, visitors to the Wilson County Fair can ride up from Nashville on the Music City Star. The $20 ticket price includes admission to the Fair. For information about departure times and to buy tickets.