President Nancy's Message
Dan Garrett Delivers Hilarious Presentation on Turning the Gold Club into a Church
At our recent Rotary meeting, Dan Garrett had the room in stitches with his unforgettable presentation about the transformation of the infamous Gold Club strip club into a functioning church. With his trademark humor and storytelling, Dan recounted how he brought this unique story to life during his talk, detailing the unlikely and humorous journey from nightclub to place of worship. His ability to mix humor with a thought-provoking message made for a fun and engaging presentation, leaving everyone both entertained and inspired by the surprising ways communities can evolve.
Stephanie Stuckey to Speak at Next Week’s Meeting
We are excited to announce that Stephanie Stuckey, CEO of the iconic Stuckey’s roadside rest stops, will be our guest speaker at next week’s Rotary meeting. Stephanie has been leading the revitalization of the beloved brand, known for its pecan log rolls and classic Americana charm, and will share her journey of taking over the family business. Her leadership has brought new life to Stuckey’s, expanding its offerings and bringing manufacturing back in-house, all while preserving the brand’s legacy.
There will be samples of Stucky's world-famous peanut logs( first come first served) as well as opportunities to purchase books and more. Join us to hear Stephanie’s inspiring story of innovation, resilience, and her vision for the future of Stuckey’s as a cornerstone of the American road trip experience. You won’t want to miss it!
Stephanie Stuckey to Speak on Thursday!
What a treat we have on Thursday! Stephanie Stuckey will be joining us and her presentation is sure to be amazing! Who doesn't know the iconic big red Stuckey's brand or stopped for a pecan log when on a road trip? Good times and memories!
Stephanie Stuckey is Chair of Stuckey’s, known as a highway oasis serving up pecan log rolls, rubber alligators, and snow globes to generations of Americans. Founded in 1937 by her grandfather, W.S. Stuckey, Sr. in Eastman, Georgia, Stuckey’s grew into over 350 stores nationwide by its peak in the 1970’s. The company was sold and sadly declined for decades under a series of outside corporate owners. Fortunately, Stuckey’s returned to family hands in 2019 when Stephanie acquired the then-failing brand. In 2020 she joined forces with her business partner, R.G. Lamar, Jr., a pecan farmer from Middle Georgia.
Stuckey’s acquired a pecan snack and candy manufacturing plant in Wrens, GA in January of 2021. Since then, sales of Stuckey’s pecan snacks and sweets have grown from $2 to 14 million. Retail outlets selling Stuckey’s products – including TA, Wawa, and Food Lion – have increased from several hundred to several thousand. Stuckey’s also operates a distribution center, a fundraising business, a corporate gift program, and an online store.
Stephanie received both her undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Georgia. She worked as a trial lawyer, was elected to seven terms as a state representative, served as Director of Sustainability for Atlanta, and taught at the University of Georgia School of Law. Stephanie’s achievements include being named one of the Most Admired CEOs of 2022 by the Atlanta Business Chronicle, 100 Most Influential Georgians by Georgia Trend Magazine and a graduate of Leadership Atlanta. She serves on the corporate board for Bealls, a Florida-based retailer with more than 550 stores, and Full Course, an Atlanta-based firm that offers investment and consulting support for minority-owned restaurants.
The Stuckey’s story has been featured recently in the New York Times, the TODAY Show, The Washington Post, and a tweet by Martha Stewart. Stephanie’s book, “UnStuck: Rebirth of an American Icon,” was released in April of 2024 by Ben Bella Publishers and favorably reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. When she’s not running Stuckey’s, Stephanie enjoys road tripping across America, pulling over at every boiled peanut stand, petting zoo, and World’s Largest Ball of Twine.
