The members of the Lavaca Area Chamber of Commerce met on Monday, May 6, 2019, in the Lavaca Municipal Building. Thunder and lightning and torrential rain dampened the spirit of attendance but the loyal remnant of members appeared anyway.
Jack James, LACC president, called the meeting to order, welcomed the members and guests and led a prayer. Our treasurer was on family business so the financial report was not presented. Reporter Angela Gillooley had emailed the minutes of the April minutes to the chamber members earlier in the month. The motion to accept the minutes as written was made by Zach Johnson, Sebastian County Assessor, and seconded by Drake Smith, of Pinnacle Communications. Motion passed unanimously.
Leann Steffey Ellison, owner of Steffey’s Pizza, presented the plans of the chamber to celebrate the Centennial of Lavaca’s incorporation this October 5. The chamber is working alongside of the City of Lavaca to organize events and activities. Leann and Mayor Hugh Hardgrave a time capsule being buried on the city property in a small vault donated by Wilbert Vaults and a monument donated by Stonecrest Monuments. They discussed a bluegrass band playing in the city park, free hotdogs and drinks and a 100 square foot birthday cake. We plan to have a parade down Main Street with a real cattle drive, floats, band and cowboys. Exhibits from Lavaca’s history will be on the sidewalk and in the parking areas in front of the museum. The “Oldest Living Citizen in Lavaca will be presented with an award and we will honor the “Oldest Living Veteran’ as well. A ‘Womanless Beauty Pageant’ will be held on the south side of Main Street as well. Other activities were discussed and may be added as well.
Leann presented t-shirt designs and discussed banners that could be posted on the telephone poles, celebrating our birthday. After the centennial, the banners could be switched to other themes such as Christmas, July 4th, etc. Jack James reported that he has wanted to do this project to honor Veteran’s Day and even have banners that are sponsored by families to honor their own veteran. Each banner and the reusable hardware for the display will run somewhere around $100 each. After that initial expense, the banners are much less expensive. Drake Smith made a motion for the chamber to purchase ten of these banners and its hardware, and to be purchased as soon as possible, giving Leann the permission to get things in motion, representing the chamber. Zach Johnson seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
In discussion about the 100 square cake, it will be presented to look like a quilt when on display, celebrating our 100 years as a community. Sections of the cake can represent a person or family, present or past, and a company who wishes to sponsor different squares. More information will be posted. We want everyone to attend this once in a lifetime occurrence.
The Lavaca Cruise Night, scheduled for October 12, was discussed by Chairperson Leann Ellison. She discussed t-shirt designs and where the band would be playing that afternoon. There will be no concession stands allowed. All the area businesses will be open to take care of any pang of hunger of thirst.
Jack James announced that the chamber will be hosting a night of Bluegrass/Gospel featuring the band “Wild Card” on Friday, May 31st. The venue will be the Lavaca Senior Center. There will be free admission but a donation jar will be at the door to help defer the cost of the rent and cleanup of the facility. Concessions will be available. The next day is the annual Lavaca Alumni Reunion and we’d like to invite all of the celebrants to come and join us for an evening of fun entertainment.
Angela Gillooley, chair of the Movie in the Park program, said there will be no movie for May but she will be showing the movie “The Wizard of Oz” on Friday, June 14 at 6:30pm in the city park. Please, mark your calendars!
With no other business to discuss, the motion to adjourn was made by Drake Smith and seconded by Zach Johnson. The rains had finally stopped so the motion passed unanimously.
The next regularly scheduled meeting is planned for June 3, Lavaca City Hall at 6:30pm. As always, members and the public are urged to attend and participate.
