What’s Happening Orange County? Named BC Chamber Business Member of the Month

The Bridge City Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that What’s Happening Orange County? has been named Member of the Month for July 2017.

Owner Penny LeLeux accepted the award, sponsored by Sabine River Ford, from Chamber President/Ambassador Elyse Thibodeaux, at the July Networking Coffee hosted by Sabine River Ford.

What’s Happening Orange County? received gifts from Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Bridge City, Candi’s Designs, Sabine Federal Credit Union, Mary Kelone of Barefoot Souls, Complete Staffing, and Neches Federal Credit Union.Penny LeLeux was born and raised in Orange County.

Her roots run deep.

She lives on land that has been in her family for over 150 years, surrounded by family members.

Penny has an extensive background promoting the arts and entertainment.

She spent nine years honing her abilities and adding to her toolbox of promotional skills working for the Record Newspapers.

In 2014 she began ‘What’s Happening Orange County?’ a Web site and Facebook page promoting the fun aspects of Orange County with a calendar of events, fundraisers, educational opportunities and more.

She also helps promote Golden Triangle businesses with a business directory located on the Web site at octx.info.

In February of 2016, she started a sister site, The Hub-Outside the OC offering events and info from Lake Charles to Galveston and beyond.In July 2014, What’s Happening Orange County? hosted the very first National Dance Day event in Orange County, partnering with the Orange Convention and Visitors Bureau.

It was a huge success with over 300 in attendance with just three and a half weeks of preparation time from inception to completion.

This celebration of dance consists of performances by dance groups from all over SETX, audience participation in line dances and the National Dance Day official routine.

The event continues to grow.

Last year, Lauren Froderman, winner of So You Think You Can Dance season 7 came to Orange for the event.

Dance classes were added and about 35 youngsters that don’t have the opportunity to take dance classes, was able to have a beginner class with a celebrity instructor.

They also were able to make a small donation to Orange Community Players, Inc. from a meet and greet held at the theater.

They collected school supplies for Back to Orange County with the Business Voices “Fill My Ride” campaign and offered Special Angels Rodeo the opportunity to have a food booth at NDD to fundraise for their event.

Lauren is returning this year, as the event moves to the Beaumont Civic Center.

Area underprivileged youngsters will once again have the opportunity to dance along with other area dancers.In addition to being Bridge City Chamber Business of the Month, What’s Happening Orange County was also named Outstanding Media Partner for the Arts and Humanities 2016 by Southeast Texas Arts Council and OC National Dance Day was named one of "12 Must Do" events for 2017
in Southeast Texas Events Book.The goal of What’s Happening Orange County? is to continue to do everything possible to promote Orange County and Southeast Texas in a positive light.Pictured Left to Right: Chamber President/Ambassador Elyse Thibodeaux, Penny LeLeux, and Gerald LeLeux”

Photo courtesy of Bridge City Chamber of Commerce