Henryetta Chamber Ambassador Committee and Tourism Committee Chair Bruce Jones gave a special presentation during the June 21 monthly meeting of the Chamber Board of Directors on Tuesday.
Henryetta Chamber Ambassador Committee and Tourism Committee Chair Bruce Jones gave a special presentation during the June 21 monthly meeting of the Chamber Board of Directors on Tuesday.
During last months meeting, a $1,500 budget was approved to allow Jones to deliver historic films and have them converted to DVD by a Tulsa company.
“I found six big reels of movie film at the library that were collecting dust,” Jones said. “Four of the six were of the same thing - 1939 Henryetta (businesses, schools, houses and the town in general). One other reel was of the 1954 Labor Day Parade - in color. It was produced by AFL, CIO and united mine workers and filmed by Howard Golightly.
“The final reel was a black and white film of the 1957 Labor Day Parade, 50 years after Oklahoma became a state. The parade marshall during that parade was Governor Raymond Gary.”
All three reels were successfully converted to DVD.
During last month’s chamber meeting, a $1,500 budget was approved for the conversion. The total conversion cost came in at $650.
The Chamber will have it available online in the near future, Jones added.
Jones presented the DVD’s to Henryetta Library Board members Robin Lollis and Joann Hott, Librarian.
Special guest during the meeting was Ray Penny, Chief Executive Officer of G & H Decoys.
“There are a lot of things going on at G & H Decoys,” Penny said. “We hired 26 people in the last four months and are still looking to add more staff.
“It might take us a minute to get back to the 157 employees like there were in 2005, but we are very proud to be in Henryetta and proud to be open for business again.
“G & H made the decision to lease the northern 20,000-square-feet of the warehouse to anyone looking to sub-lease the space.”
Agenda items approved during the meeting included:
• Minutes of the May 16 Board of Directors meeting.
• Financial report for May. During the Tourism Committee report, Jones announced there were over 10,000 visitors who attended Troy Aikman’s Highway to Henryetta concert on June 18 at Nichols Park.
Christy Jeffcoat, Cruise Knight Chair, said there were more vendors than ever before and a lot of traffic at last Saturday’s Summer Cruise Knight.
Jeremy Roberts, Beautification Committee Chair, commended those for volunteering and helping with the three clean-up events and other beautification efforts within the last six months.
Main Street Development Committee Chair, David Dykes, reported a new antique store, Vintage & Sun, recently opened on Main Street and the addition of a new salon coming soon.
“It’s nice to see activity up and down main street,” Dykes said. “Let’s remember these folks are new and need you to come visit.”
Chamber Executive Director Ron Richmond gave thanks to all the volunteers who aided with the recent Roy Madden Spring Roundup Rodeo.
“The spring rodeo has really grown from the previous year,” Richmond said. “Next year, the fall rodeo, Jim Shoulders Living Legends PRCA Rodeo, will celebrate its 30th anniversary.”
Street Lighting Chair Lyle Stogner said he is still looking into special lighting options for Main Street and the city. He has been in talks with Public Works Director Ron Casey.
Under new business, Amy Nix was welcomed to the Chamber by Billie Been. Nix is the Sales and Marketing Coordinator for East Central Electric.
Been also announced there is a weekly cornhole tournament, hosted and sponsored by Been’s Workshop, on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at The Briefcase.
“The tournaments are bringing in players from all over the state,” Been said. “The tournaments are open to anyone interested in the game.”
Henryetta Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly Board of Directors meeting on the third Monday of the month at 12 p.m. at Shoney’s Restaurant, unless it falls on a national holiday.