The holidays tend to bring out a sense of nostalgia in all of us.

We try to recapture the sense of warmth and goodness in the community that seems so evident during the holiday season. Now that the holidays are over and our garland, lights and giant inflatable Santas are packed away for another year, how do we keep that feeling and sense of community going throughout the year?One way to accomplish this is a membership in the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce.The Chamber of Commerce office serves as a hub of information for the entire Tamaqua Community. It is the place where the public goes to for information and referrals of anything and everything going on in the area.The Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce will begin its annual membership drive first to current members and then to potential members. Membership in the chamber is open not only to businesses but also service organizations, local governments and individuals. Individual memberships are only $50 a year. Any member of the chamber is also invited to join one of our many committees and help in planning events in our area.Here are some of the benefits you or your organization will gain from being a member of TACC.• Exclusive Member to Member referrals. This year we will be developing a member directory listing. This will be distributed at the annual dinner in April and then also be available throughout the year through the chamber office.• Member to Member Benefits. Some of our organizations will offer discounts or incentives which are only available to chamber members. Just show your membership card at our local businesses to receive discounts.• Networking/Sponsorship Opportunities. The Tamaqua Chamber offers you and your staff many opportunities to build your business through informative breakfast seminars and evening mixers. Your business can sponsor one of these mixers or present a program of your choice at the breakfast seminars. Other sponsorship opportunities exist also in our Summer Concerts in Depot Square Park and other chamber events. Get your business information out there at our well attended public events.• Weekly Newsletter. The Chamber Chatters is a weekly electronic newsletter that goes out to the community and features local events and specials businesses are offering. Only members can have events posted in the newsletter, but anyone can receive the letter. To receive the weekly newsletter, contact the chamber office to be added to our distribution lists. Members automatically receive the weekly distribution.• Posting of your events to our online calendar and Facebook page. Everyone is using social media these days to gather information. The chamber can share your Facebook event on our Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.• Use of highly visible display windows and information center. Organizations and business can display fliers or brochures in our Chamber office. Visitors to the office will be able to browse the fliers and brochures and directory listings provided by your company or organization.• Access to our exclusive business mailing lists. We can provide you with our mailing lists of our business members.• Online membership directory. If you provide us with your website we can link your business through our website Tamaqua.net.Membership creates a sense of unity and trust and brings improvement to the economy and the quality of life throughout the entire Tamaqua community. The benefits of membership far outweigh the investment.For more information stop by the office at 114 W. Broad St. and speak with Vanessa Gerhard, our new administrative assistant. She will be happy to talk with you and get your membership processed.Our office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday.Our next breakfast seminar will be at 8 a.m. Jan. 20 at Lehigh County Community College Tamaqua Campus. It is sponsored by Integrated Insurance, who will present on the topic of upcoming changes in Medicare.To register for the seminar, contact the Chamber office at 570-668-1880.