Chamber finishes year of serving community
By Sandy Morris
The Albany Chamber of Commerce ended a successful year of promoting the community when the winners of the Holiday House Decorating Contest were announced on Christmas Eve.
Albany Chamber of Commerce director Mary Beth Jones announced the winners live on Facebook on Thursday, Dec. 24.
The first place award for the most “Beautiful” home went to Samantha Isbell, earning her a prize of $100 in Albany Bucks.
Second place went to Red and Shirley Alexander with a prize of $50 in Albany Bucks.
The first place award for the most “Creative” home went to Bonnie Jaco who also won $100 in Albany Bucks.
Ragan Riley won second place in the category and earned $50 in Albany Bucks.
“The House Decorating Contest was great,” said Jones. “This is definitely something we will do again next year.”
As with previous Albany Bucks winners, the winners may use the “Bucks” until Feb. 1 at local participating businesses including Blanton Caldwell, Vintage Vanilla/Erlines’s, Sassifrass, Rustic Charm, Southern Comfort, Nostalgia, Buds for You, Neighbors Lawn, Mary B’s Tees, Icehouse, Beehive, Albany Food Mart (food or drinks only, no gas or tobacco), Albany Wellness and Provisions, Fringe Salon (Amber Boland, Woodson), EZ Feed and Supply, Stiche and Niche, Prairie Star (food or drinks only, no gas or tobacco), and the Albany News (no dry cleaning or UPS).
Memorial Ornaments
For the third year in a row, the Chamber sponsored a memorial Christmas tree and offered ornaments to the public to be placed in memory of loved ones.
A total of 25 ornaments were purchased and hung on the tree which was located in the gazebo on the Courthouse lawn.
Citizens who purchased ornaments and did not remove them from the Memorial tree may pick them up at the Chamber office.
Annual Meeting
The Chamber Annual Meeting is currently set for Friday, Feb. 5 immediately after the noon luncheon.
The agenda for the meeting typically includes reviewing the finance report and electing directors and officers.
According to Jones, current Chamber president Ramby Anderson is meeting with his nominating committee this month to fill any empty spots on the board. The committee’s recommendations are submitted and voted on by all of the Chamber members in attendance at the Feb. 5 meeting.
Directors whose terms are expiring this year but are to be reconsidered to stay on include Lisa Barton, Robert Dacus, Jana Kitchens, Chris Beard, and Jonathan Scott.
Hereford Ball
Plans are in place for the Hereford Ball set for Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Whitney Theatre.
“All advertising tables are sold for the Hereford Ball,” said Jones. “Invitations to Chamber members will go out next. If all tables are filled, then the event will not be open to non-Chamber members.”
Chamber members will have until Monday, Feb. 15 to purchase their tickets, and any tickets left will be available to the public.
“If we have any tickets available for sale to the public, they will be sold on a ‘first-paid’ basis and no tickets will be held,” Jones emphasized.
The ball, which was last held in February 1921, is intended to be a dress-up celebration of Shackelford County’s ranches and history, according to Jones.
Chamber Luncheons
The first Chamber luncheon of 2021 is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 8 at the Beehive.
Chamber luncheons are held each Friday from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m. and are open to anyone who would like to get involved and help with the various Chamber projects throughout the year.
For more information on any current or future Chamber events, contact Jones at the Chamber office at 325-762-2525.
