Chamber News
By Sam Waller
Registration for the Albany Chamber of Commerce’s annual community garage sale began Monday, Aug. 22, and Chamber manager Mary Beth Jones already has names on her list.
Jones said three local residents registered to participate the first day.
“I feel like it’s like anything else – they’ll watch the weather and sign up at the last minute,” Jones said. “But it’s a good start for the first day.”
The garage sale is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10. Registration will close on Wednesday, Sept. 7.
The Chamber traditionally sponsors the city-wide event on the second Saturday of September.
A $10 registration fee covers inclusion on a map of garage sale participants and a yard sign.
“I need a name, address, and phone number in case we have to call if weather is a problem,” Jones said. “The $10 helps pay for yard signs and the maps. Hopefully, we’ll have a good turnout.”
Signs will be ready to pick up the week of the event.
Jones said maps will be available at the Chamber office at 7:00 a.m. on the day of the sale.
For more information or to register, call the Chamber office at 325-762-2525.
Street Decorations
After making and purchasing new street decorations for fall and Christmas last year, Jones expects this year’s installation to go smoothly.
“Because we got the decorations made last year, they’re ready to go,” she said. “All we’ve got to do is get them out and put them up right before homecoming in October.”
This year’s homecoming weekend will be the week of Oct. 13.
Making Plans
The Chamber will begin planning next month for its Cook Field Blowout event, but Jones said a number of pieces are already in place.
“We wanted to get school started and get past Labor Day before we get started on that,” Jones said. “We’ve already got speakers and entertainment lined up. We’ll have Joey Holiday and Sonny Burgess performing, and some patients from Cook Children’s in Fort Worth will sing with them.”
The Cook Field Blowout is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 25 at Stasney-Cook Ranch. The event will celebrate the area’s role in the early days of oil production.
“Lance Thomas will speak about production in the county at that time,” Jones said. “It’s not just about Cook Field; it’s about oil production all over Shackelford County.”
Jones said the event meshes with past Chamber events celebrating the area’s ranching heritage.
“After cattle, oil is what got Albany going,” she said. “We celebrated the cattle industry last time. This time it will be the petroleum industry.”
Jones and other organizers will be reaching out to local families for memorabilia similar to table decorations used for the Hereford Ball.
