Congratulations to Sage Dental of Lebanon! Friday, December 6, Sage Dental hosted a Ribbon Cutting ceremony at their new location. The ceremony was conducted by the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce.
Sage Dental, established in 1998, has grown to 138 locations as of 2024, including three practices in Middle Tennessee. The Lebanon location, which opened in July 2024, recently celebrated with a Ribbon Cutting ceremony. Sage Dental is dedicated to promoting overall health through comprehensive dental care. Offering services like general and cosmetic dentistry, orthodontics, teeth cleanings, dental implants, dentures, and oral surgery, they utilize advanced clinical technology to deliver affordable, family-friendly dental care all under one roof.
Sage Dental is located at 1443 West Main Street Suite 200, Lebanon, TN 37087
Pictured with Rony Jfouf Ibrahim, DDS and staff is Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Melanie Minter. Sage Dental staff includes Stephanie Jeffers- District Manager, Cherita Hill- Office Manager, Monica Tapley- Dental Assistant and Chase Brown – Field Marketing Manager. Chamber Ambassadors and representatives are also pictured.
This past Tuesday evening, we had an incredible Business After Hours hosted by our wonderful members, Corey & Misty Shadd, owners of The Village Play Place.
The Village Play Place is indoor children’s play place — a unique and family-friendly venue perfect for bringing Chamber members together!
This event offered the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow Chamber members, grow networks, and learn about a fantastic local business. What made this event extra special was the invitation for members to bring their families, creating a warm, community-oriented atmosphere where parents and kids could connect with others!
As always, attendees had the chance to win big with our Chamber Pot, but remember — you must be present to win! Unfortunately, neither winner was present this time.
A big congratulations to our lucky door prize winners who received tickets to this year’s Cocktails with Santa, generously donated by our friend Krys at Give A Little Christmas!
These Business After Hours events provide a relaxed, engaging way for our members to network, showcase their businesses and welcome new members. We are so grateful to everyone who attended and to our hosts for creating such a memorable evening!
Our new members at Durci Chocolate hosted a Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening on November 14.
Founded by Cassandra Durtschi and Dr. Eric Durtschi — a visionary chocolatier, Durći Chocolate has become a leader in the world of artisan chocolate-making and education. Durći Chocolate is dedicated to sustainability and ethical sourcing. For nearly 15 years, Dr. Durtschi has worked closely with farmers to teach them superior cacao processing techniques, empowering them to produce some of the finest beans available while earning a premium for their hard work. With a reputation as pioneers in the artisan chocolate movement, the Durtschi family is dedicated to sharing their knowledge and helping to elevate the entire chocolate industry.
Now based in Wilson County, Durći Chocolate has made our community their home, and we couldn’t be more excited to support their continued success. We encourage everyone to visit their facility, sample their exquisite creations, and learn more about the art of chocolate-making from a true expert.
Durći Chocolate is located at 1221 South Hartmann Dr, Lebanon, TN, 37087
Pictured with owners Dr. Eric Durtschi and Cassandra Durtschi are friends, family and supporters. Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Melanie Minter, Chamber Ambassadors & representatives are also pictured.
Ribbon Cuttings are sponsored by Edward Jones-Financial Advisor: Lyn Williams
First Presbyterian Church of Lebanon hosted a Columbarium Dedication ceremony. The Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce conducted a Ribbon Cutting ceremony following the dedication.
Reverend Sherard Edington led the dedication ceremony for the church’s new columbarium — a sacred space for the cremated remains of beloved church members. The columbarium provides a peaceful and respectful place for families to honor their loved ones. The vision for the columbarium began in 2019, when the church recognized the need for such a space to meet the growing needs of our congregation. A dedicated committee was formed to explore the project. Hal Bone, a church member and the owner of Horizon Construction, helped in bringing the vision to life — making the construction process a reality.
Pictured with Reverend Sherard Edington are members of the columbarium committee and members of First Presbyterian Church of Lebanon. Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Melanie Minter, Board of Directors, Ambassadors and representatives are also pictured.
The columbarium committee includes: Pat Bone, Suanne Bone, Jane Hay, Wayne Patton, Jim Stueck, Margaret Ann Trail, Van Turner, Caroline Walker, Allen Vance, and Reverend Sherard Edington.
We kicked off Thursday’s workday with a fantastic Business Before Hours event at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Lebanon! Guests enjoyed a delicious complimentary breakfast while networking with fellow Chamber members in a relaxed environment.
These events offer a great way to connect, and today was no exception! With a packed-room, it was a wonderful opportunity for new members to introduce themselves and share more about their businesses. We love seeing our members come together and build strong professional relationships.
Today’s Chamber Pot drawing was valued at $250, with Cumberland University was drawn as the winner. Unfortunately, no representatives were present to claim the prize, which means the Chamber Pot will now increase to $275 for our next event! Remember, you must be present to win!
A big thank you to Holiday Inn Express & Suites for hosting, providing fantastic door prizes for our members, and for your active involvement in the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce since 2008! We appreciate everyone who attended, and we look forward to seeing you at our next Business Before/After Hours networking event!
Earlier this year our Chamber and Ambassadors embarked on a journey to visit 100 members in 100 business days, to celebrate our 100th anniversary. We are happy to announce that we have officially completed our goal at the beautiful Cedars of Lebanon State Park. Completing our 100th visit with such an amazing organization makes this achievement even more special. This huge milestone is another testament to the diverse community we serve.
Friends of Cedars of Lebanon State Park is a non profit volunteer organization that was founded in 2014. Their mission is to promote conservation and education in support of the Park and to assist its efforts to preserve and protect the many natural, cultural and scenic features. Thank you to Ranger Sarah Geeslin, Friends of Cedars of Lebanon President Renee Morris and staff for allowing us to stop by!
Cedars of Lebanon State Park is located in Wilson County and is surrounded by the Cedars of Lebanon State Forest. The park is named for eastern red cedar trees found throughout the area. The trees reminded early American settlers of the famed Biblical cedar forests that thrived across Mount Lebanon in what is now the Mediterranean area. Cedars of Lebanon became a state park in 1955.
The 1,139-acre park has 117 campsites equipped with picnic tables and grills, and electric and water hookups. A modern group lodge, open year-round for organized groups, has a total sleeping capacity of 80 people.
We have many more visits to share with you in the coming weeks. Thank you to all of the members, businesses and organizations that have welcomed us on this journey! Here’s to 100 more years of connecting with our community!
The Chamber had the pleasure of visiting another local business that has made a significant impact on our community. Today, we shine a spotlight on EXIT Rocky Top Realty-C & D Team. This team is more than just a real estate agency — they are passionate about selling you not only a home but also the community that comes with it! They are adept at assisting in relocation, ensuring families find the right school for their children and connecting new residents with essential business and healthcare providers. Their dedication to integrating new residents into our community is truly unmatched.
Judy Cox, a lifelong resident of Wilson County, brings invaluable local knowledge and experience to her clients and Chamber members. She is a Lifetime Member of our Chamber, showcasing her long-standing commitment to our community. Judy and Medana Hemontolor have both served on the Chamber’s Board of Directors for several years. Judy, Medana and Diana Cavender are active members of our Chamber Ambassadors Program. Their presence is a staple at member Ribbon Cuttings and networking events, where they consistently show their support for our community. We are so thankful for these three ladies whose active involvement help make our community a better place.
Here’s to celebrating not only our 100th anniversary, but also the members who have helped us reach this milestone!
We visited Witt Sign Co., Inc. as we continued visiting 100 businesses this year. This business has been a pillar of our community for over a century and a Chamber member for over 60 years.
The following excerpt is taken from page 48 of our 100-Year Anniversary Chamber magazine. Magazines are available at the Chamber Office for those interested in the rich history of our Chamber and community members like Witt Sign Company.
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Witt Sign Company was established in 1922 and over the last century has changed ownership only once. The business, started by Russell Witt Sr., was passed down to his son, Russell Witt Jr., and in May of 2022 it was purchased by Toby and Vickie Vaughn.
“Russell Witt Sr. passed away when Russell Jr. was young. His wife, Ruth Witt, took over the business. She operated the company until Russell Jr. was old enough to take over as owner of Witt Sign Company,” Vaughn shared, noting that Mrs. Witt continued to work in the Witt office for many years. Russell Jr. worked until days before he passed away. “They were a hardworking and dedicated family.”
Vickie Vaughn currently serves as vice president of the company – which employs five, including herself and her husband. The Vaughn family has been in the sign industry for three generations. Toby worked for his father’s sign company starting at the age of 16. The Vaughns also own General Sign Services. Their son, Tucker, works for GSS. Over the years, Toby and Vickie have worked hand-in-hand with Witt Sign Company doing subcontract work.
When Mr. Witt passed away in August 2021, his daughters managed the company before the Vaughns purchased it the following year. “We wanted to maintain the name, the reputation and the history. Witt Sign Company has been in business for almost 102 years. We wanted to continue to provide quality signs and services to the area under the Witt name,” Vaughn said. “We had to keep the business rolling and not let it disappear.”
Vaughn added that it was important for people to know the history of the business and the hard work that has gone into it. The Vaughns plan for their son to eventually take over General Sign Services, while they focus on Witt Sign Company.
Witt Sign Company provides services of design, engineering, manufacturing, installation, maintenance and leasing across Middle Tennessee, as well as parts of Kentucky, northern Georgia, Mississippi and Alabama. For more information or to view their gallery, visit wittsigns.com.
Our celebration cake continues to make its way through Wilson County! REI is a specialty outdoor retailer, with a state-of-the-art distribution center located right here in Lebanon, Tennessee. As the nation’s largest consumer co-op, REI is a growing community of over 24 million members who expect and love the best quality gear, inspiring expert classes and trips, and outstanding customer service. The new distribution center serves more than 60 stores and 5.6 million REI members in the area.
The facility’s design focuses on enhancing the connection employee’s have to nature with “trails” worn into the concrete floors, wood siding from a decommissioned barn installed in the atrium and furniture, and handrails repurposed from trees removed from the property prior to construction. The co-op is also completing a habitat restoration project across the 41-acre property, which will soon feature a trail for walking and biking!
REI is located at 1400 Murfreesboro Rd, Lebanon, TN 37090 (Hwy 231 headed towards Cedars of Lebanon)
REI staff pictured: Charles Dwyer – Operations Manager, Danielle Riendeau – Senior Administrative Assistant, and Brandon Sather – Inbound Manager
Stephanie Hollis – Chamber Support Admin, Lyn Williams – Ambassador Vice-Chair, and Ambassadors Diana Cavender & Debbie Moss are also pictured
Thank you to Sherrye A Clem with ExtensisHR for stopping by for a member visit! We are so appreciative of your continued support of our Chamber. Sherrye was voted by her peers as the May Ambassador of the Month. Sherrye is a regular face at new business Ribbon Cuttings, she has been a guest speaker for several Chamber events, and has hosted Business After Hours at our office.
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