Memorial ornaments still available, decorating contest open
By Sandy Morris
The Albany Chamber of Commerce continues to stay busy promoting the local community and businesses as Christmas draws nearer.
Memorial Ornaments
Residents are reminded that it isn’t too late to purchase a personalized ornament for the Shackelford County Memorial Tree.
The cost of each ornament is $5, and the name of the person to be memorialized will be placed on it before the ornament is hung on the Christmas tree.
The is the third annual memorial Christmas tree, and it can be seen in the gazebo on the Courthouse lawn.
Memorial ornaments will be available to purchase from the Chamber through Wednesday, Dec. 23.
The ornaments may be removed and taken home after Jan. 1.
Decorating Contest
A new event sponsored by the Chamber this year is the Holiday House Decorating Contest.
Local residents who have decorated the outsides of their homes for the holidays are encouraged to enter their creations in the contest.
Prizes will be awarded for the most “Beautiful” home and the most “Creative” home.
Residents can enter their homes until Friday, Dec. 18 with judging on Dec. 20 and 21.
Homes can be nominated or entered by calling the Chamber at 325-762-2525 and leaving the name of the resident, address, and category to be entered.
Winners will be announced on Facebook on Tuesday, Dec. 22.
Albany Bucks
After the recent overwhelming support of the annual “Albany Bucks” promotion, the Albany Chamber of Commerce received additional money for more prizes to be awarded to recent local shoppers.
First Financial Bank, First National Bank Albany/Breckenridge. and Prairie Star made donations that provided 35 winners with additional Albany Bucks.
Chamber director Mary Beth Jones announced the winners live on Facebook from Vintage Vanilla last Thursday, Dec. 10.
Previous Albany Bucks winners were not eligible to win, and only one certificate per person was allowed for the second drawing.
Recipients of the Dec. 10 drawing includes –
Dee Balliew, Vickie Kubiak, Dan Ruff, Gaye Davis, Hattie Braly, Mary King, Mona Gardenhire, Kendye Henry, Kendra Cook, Emma Hudman, Kari Nelson, Daphne Holcomb, Donna Smith, Beth Carter, Mia Kisigliane, Sue Balliew, Joyce Demsted, Haley Warner, Michaela Smith, Ashley Marks, Mary Wersebe, Lee Sherrin, Melanie McCarthy, Lisa Miller, Bobbie Black, Sue Agee, Addison Dickerson, Brittani Lefevre, Sadie Price, Shelby Pharr, Beth Trubenbach, Molly Moorman, Ginger Bumguardner, Ellie Cormack, and Dana Pharr.
Albany Bucks are only valid at local, non-chain stores, including Prairie Star, and expire March 1.
Chamber Luncheons
The last Chamber lunch of the year will be held tomorrow, Friday, Dec. 18 at the Ice House starting at 12:00 noon.
The first Chamber luncheon of 2021 will resume on 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.
“All work is done by Chamber volunteers, and we are always looking for more help,” said Jones.
For more information on any current or future Chamber events, contact Jones at the Chamber office at 325-762-2525.
