By Adam Mauldin
Intern with MyTown Magazine
 
Last Thursday, braving the heavy rains that hung over Macon, more than eighty people gathered in the Georgia Music Hall of Fame for the inaugural NewTown Getdown. This monthly event primarily is sponsored by Capital City Bank and NewTown Macon. The NewTown GetDown venue showcased Georgia’s music history, and provided live entertainment by Macon’s own Crankin’ Daddies. “It’s a networking event geared toward young professionals, and business and civic leaders,” said Kris Hattaway, NewTown’s Director of Place.
 
Unfortunately, young professionals were conspicuously absent from the night’s events. Given that so many influential people were in one place, and in an inviting and open atmosphere, the lacking presence of young professionals in the scene was a surprise. NewTown Getdown provides ample networking opportunities for young professionals. Whether already employed and building relationships, seeking employment, or getting ready to graduate and enter the workforce, networking is key for young professionals, especially given today’s economic uncertainty.
 
In a little over an hour, I talked to and was able to build a connection with nearly a dozen influential people, with whom I would not have had the opportunity to meet otherwise. While I can be shy at times, I found the venue and the people in it to be neither intimidating nor uninterested in talking with me. I liked that there was food and a cash bar, for those who need some liquid courage. However, I also enjoyed the fact that indulging in spirits was not the purpose of the event.
 
NewTown GetDown is held every third Thursday from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at various venues in Downtown Macon. When asked why Capital City Bank decided to sponsor this series, Stephen Jukes, local President of Capital City Bank said, “We want to bring diverse people and live music together in charming places around downtown.  We want to celebrate what is good about Macon.” I say, let us raise our glasses and cheer for its success, and continued support!

Three Hutchings Career Center students were honored as "September Employees of the Month" for their outstanding work-ethic at local businesses and in the classroom.  The Work-Based Learning program at Hutchings teaches students valuable job skills as they earn class credit and a paycheck.
 

 
(L-R) Lawrence Mink, Hutchings Work-Based Learning Coordinator;  Shanell Punch (Business Education);  Megan Mosely (Healthcare Technology);
Jeremy Balkcom (Automotive Technology)
 

On September 8, 2009, American Pride Bank presented its first charitable donation to Wesleyan College, honoring the college’s legacy as the world’s first college chartered to grant degrees to women. President and CEO of American Pride Bank Richard Cathey and Director of Marketing for American Pride Bank Elizabeth Spear presented the $500 check to Wesleyan College President Ruth Knox during an informal ceremony on the campus.

“American Pride Bank stands on the same values and ethics as Wesleyan College,” according to Cathey. “Seeing great value in investing in the women of the future prompted American Pride Bank to make the donation. Wesleyan educates outstanding women, the same women that American Pride Bank is eager to see participating in the community and leading us in the future.”

The Georgia Sports Hall of Fame’s Honors Court met on Thursday and selected Al Ciraldo, Edward Everett, Ernie Johnson, Sam Mitchell, Larry Rakestraw, Ronald Simmons, and Suzanne Yoculan as the GSHF Class of 2010. These 7 individuals were chosen from an eligible pool of 252 nominees as those men and women who best exemplify the tradition of sports excellence in the State of Georgia.