August 29, 2010:

Big Lots Distribution Center hosted a great Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours this past Thursday evening.  Chris Pierce, Membership Co-Chair of the chamber, presented a program on the benefit of chamber membership.  Several members from the chamber gave testimonials of what the chamber had done for their business. 

Our Business After Hours is an opportunity to network with your business partners within the chamber membership. We sincerely appreciate the hospitality of Edwin Boothe and Big Lots Distribution Center for hosting our Business After Hours.

Another opportunity to become part of the 2010 Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Centennial will be held on Tuesday, August 31 at 6:00 p.m. in the Paulette Reed Conference Center at the Durant Area Chamber of Commerce.  The continuation of our Historical Presentation, 1990-2010, will be given by Tommy Kramer, Executive Director of the Durant Industrial Authority.  Don’t miss this “once in a life time” opportunity to be part of our Centennial Celebration. 

The Durant Area Chamber of Commerce and the Choctaw Casino & Resort present the 1^st Annual Wild Hog Cook-Off & Outdoor Show featuring Colton’s Durant Main Street Run.  This event will be held on Saturday, October 23 at the Choctaw Event Center with vendors exhibiting outdoor vehicles and goods, family entertainment, Wild Hog Cook- Off and much more.  The official website is www.wildhogdays.com. If you are interested in becoming a vendor or participating in the Wild Hog Cook-Off please call the chamber office at 580-924-0848 for additional information.  The 1^st Annual Wild Hog Cook-Off & Outdoor Show featuring Colton’s Durant Main Street Run is an official 2010 Durant Area Chamber of Commerce Centennial Event.   

Congratulations to the Centennial Leadership Class who held their commencement ceremony on Saturday, August 28, 2010. Graduating this year are: Brandon Beaver, Trent Castleberry, Melissa Galbraith, Waddel Hearn, Judy Hodges, David Houser, Cindy James, Jason Manous, Stephanie Makke, Jeff Monroe, Kelby Owens, Shane Patterson,  Heather Smiley, Tim Sneed, Mike Stout, Patti Sterling,  Sandy Stroud, Angie Sullivan, Jordan Sullivan and Mike Woodruff.

The Durant Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to welcome our two newest members of our chamber family, Racing J Signs and Simply Safe. We want to let you know more about the new businesses in our community, so this week’s article features Marla Yandell, co-owner of Simply Safe.

“Simply Safe Compliance Services is proud and excited to be a new member of the Chamber of Commerce family.  SSCS wants to thank the Chamber for their support in helping grow business relationships since opening in 2009.

Simply Safe Compliance Services is a Drug/Alcohol/DNA testing and collection agency.  SSCS provides services to Southern Oklahoma and North Texas area businesses and individuals.  SSCS specializes in DOT and Non-DOT certified laboratory results and offers on-site testing as needed for clients.  SSCS also provides company drug and alcohol testing, hair follicle for pre-employment, post-accident, random, reasonable suspicion, return to duty, follow-up and court ordered testing.  DNA Paternal and family reconstruction are also available by appointment. 

Simply Safe also specialized in total federal compliance; D.Q. files, MVR, employment verification, log auditing, annual review, etc.  DOT audit support, database management, employee and supervisor safety education and background checks.

SSCS is located at 398 N. 49th Ave., Durant, OK and truck and trailer parking is available.  Simply Safe office hours are Monday-Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.  but remain on-call 24/7 – 365 days a year. 

Company owners Kristi Whatley and Jeremy and Marla Yandell contribute 35 years of experience to the community and surrounding area.  For more information please call 580-924-9797.”

For additional information or upcoming events you can find us online at www.durantchamber.org, Facebook, or visit our office located at 215 N. Fourth Avenue, business hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday.