Chamber of Commerce celebrates tourism with ice cream day

Chamber of Commerce celebrates tourism,
greets visitors to county with ice cream

    Although a chilly reception isn't typically a good thing, visitors to the Cullman rest area on Friday, May 10, didn't seem to mind.
    Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce representatives and a host of volunteers spent the majority of the day at the rest area, handing out free ice cream cones and chatting with visitors as they passed through Cullman county.
     Co-sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and the North Alabama Tourism Association, the ice cream day was held in celebration of National Tourism Week. According to Chamber Tourism Director Veronica Hadley, the event provided Chamber members and other volunteers with a chance to showcase Cullman County hospitality and spread a little cheer in the process.
     Hadley also noted that the event has been something of a learning experience as well as a social one.

Gene Nickerson of Fairfax, Va., passing through Cullman on his way to New Orleans, is greeted by Veronica Hadley, Director of Tourism for the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce, and Ja Williams,
a Chamber member who volunteered her time on behalf of Smith Lake Fishing Resort.

"I'm absolutely amazed at how many people pass through the Cullman rest area on a daily basis," Hadley said. "The staff here is wonderful; they're very friendly and helpful to visitors."
"We're grateful for all their help in promoting Cullman County attractions, local lodging facilities and restaurants. And, of course, we couldn't have done any of this without our great Chamber volunteers."

Karen Beasley of the North Alabama Tourism Association,
at right, hands an ice cream cone to Beverly Millis of
Flat River Falls, Wisconsin.

      Chamber Executive Vice President Alan Arnett was on hand for the event and stated that the Chamber was ecstatic about the use of the rest area for the event.
      "In the past, we were only allowed to hold events like this at the state welcome center, which is located in Ardmore, Alabama," Arnett said. "It's great to be able to be in Cullman County to promote tourism in Cullman County."
     "It's also great to be here because this is one of the best rest areas in the state. The staff is friendly and helpful, and we really appreciate what they do."
     To find out more about tourism in Cullman County, visit the Chamber website at www.cullmanchamber.org, which features an events calendar and information about attractions in the Cullman County area.


	At left, Best Western Assistant Manager Denise Box, Chairperson of the Chamber Tourism Committee, presents a grateful visitor with a huge multi-flavored double cone. Above, Veronica Hadley beams with delight at creating, in her words, "the perfect cone". At right, the sign that greeted visitors to the Cullman rest area on Friday, May 10, 2002.