Chamber to host membership party

TheAlbany Chamber of Commerce is in the midst of its annual membership drive, with a Chamber Boil and Fish Fry set for Thursday, April 11 for all members.

“We are changing the name this year to Chamber Boil and Fish Fry, because there is a shortage of crawfish this year,” ChambermanagerBrandi Lehew said. “We will still have some crawfish, but the price has gone up a lot because of the shortage.”

Lehew said that the Chamber will substitute fresh shrimp for the Boil and is adding more fried fish.

“There will be plenty of food, and some people have said they would rather have shrimp or fried fish anyway,” she said.

The membership party will be held in the front parking at the Chamber building starting at 6:30 p.m.

“We have a back-up of moving to the Feed Store if there is bad weather,” she said. “We are hoping for our biggest crowd yet.”

Lehew said that the response to membership letters this year has been good.

“We have had a much bigger response to our membership letters that went out in January,” she said. “We encourage all members to come join the fun.”

Lehewaddedthatmemberships can be renewed at the dinner, and new memberships are always welcome, even on the evening of the event.

“You can still pay dues when you arrive, and we will be taking new memberships as well,” she said.

The Chamber has several levels of membership dues including $50 per year for retired citizens and $60 for other individuals and families.

There are four levels of membership for businesses based on the number of employees. The range is $125 to $300 for businesses, with a $35 fee for non-profit organizations.