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VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 PAGE Native Son Captain Jon P. Rodgers, native of Humboldt, recently post about took command of the Capt. Naval warship USS Makin Island. The Rodgers ship’s task is to embark, deploy, and land elements of a Marine landing force in an amphibious assault. It’s the first Navy ship to have hybriddrive technology, meaning it uses both a gas-turbine-electric and diesel electric propulsion, depending on the type of maneuver. Chamber Facebook Captain Rodgers graduated from Cornell in 1990 and has received the Legion of Merit (2), Defense Superior Commendation Medal, Meritorious service Medal (4), Defense Superior Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (4), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and various theater/service awards. Good news travels fast, as the Chamber’s share of this story on Facebook reached nearly 6,000 people. Congratulations to Captain Rodgers! Strawberry Festival News This has been an exciting year for the West Tennessee Strawberry Festival. We finished up the 77th annual festival last May 2014 having one of the biggest and best years we have ever had. sent out in hopes that Humboldt and the surrounding West Tennessee area will come together and support the traditions of the longest running festival around. Needless to say, we are ready for all that 2015 has in store for us and cannot wait to bring some new and exciting things to the table. If you haven’t already, go like our Facebook page or follow us on Instagram and Twitter for all of the latest and greatest Festival updates. Currently, sponsorship and concessionaire packets are being Tennessee Strawberry Festival Coordinator. Anna started at the Chamber in October and will be working full-time October through May each year. This is an expanded role for this position, which is a testament to the importance of our festival to this Chamber and community.) (This story was submitted by Anna Surratt, the Chamber’s new West Won’t You Be My Neighbor? We enjoy our location here on Main Street in downtown Humboldt, and we’re excited about a new neighbor coming to the historic former First State Insurance building across the street. When First State consolidated its Humboldt insurance office under the direction of Mr. John Hale with its bank location on N. Central Avenue, many wondered what would become of one of Humboldt’s most historic buildings. Through a generous donation and the acceptance by the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, the City of Humboldt is the proud owners of the circa 1865 building at the corner of 12th and Main. While plans on the specific uses of the building are not finalized yet, we are excited to welcome our city government partners to Main Street. A big thank you to First State and the City of Humboldt for making Hale-Herndon (former First this happen! State Insurance) building 3