Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Date tentatively set for Chamber auction

Gurdon's Chamber of Commerce met on Tuesday, March 9 at the Gurdon Senior Adult Center.

New Chamber President Mary Smith informed everyone on the recent Chamber banquet.

"We had a great banquet. I think everyone had a good time and it was nice to hear Coach Branch speak," said Smith.

Anita Cabe announced the Annual Chamber Auction would be tentatively scheduled for the third Thursday in August.

"We are hoping to be able to have it then. If there is a conflict with the school or something, they are supposed to let me know," said Cabe.

The auction was started two years ago to help raise money for the Gurdon Chamber and the Gurdon High School Auditorium Fund.

A lot of talk has been made from citizens who where concerned whether or not the auditorium project was still in the works. So for those who have been wondering; yes, it is, and almost $500,000 has been raised to go toward the project.

Smith reported to have talked to Tommy Potter who has been working on writing letters to send to certain dignitaries about the restoration of the old Gurdon Pond, also known as Big Timber Lake.

Potter has also been working with the Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce to get Gurdon put onto its website. Therefore, when people look into Arkadelphia, they will also see Gurdon and possible find some interest in it.

Cabe asked if anyone thought it would be a good idea to have a committee to create special gift baskets in order to have something to give to special guests when they come to Chamber banquets and other functions and speak for the organization.

"Kind of a welcoming basket or something of the sort," said Cabe.

Autumn Pennington is to chair the committee and Anita Cabe, Laurie Pilgreen and Rev. Bill O'Connell will also be a part of the committee.

The Second Edition Gurdon Christmas Ornaments have been ordered. This year's special edition ornament will be purple pearl with the Old Gurdon High School pictured on the front. Ornaments should be in by the first of July and will be sold at the Gurdon Forest Festival as well as at the businesses in town.

Chamber member Clayton Franklin expressed his concern about the rumors of the town's only grocery store possible closing.

He said, "I am not sure what is taking place over there, but we don't need to lose our grocery store. Number one it is the only one we have and we need it not just for the tax revenue, but for people of this town."

When Jason Smith, manager of the store, was spoken with he said Charles Sexton, owner of the store, was planning to retire soon and was wanting to get rid of the Gurdon store. Smith is in the process of buying the groceries and items in the store, but is in the process of leasing the building from Elk Horn Bank.

The building is owned by Elk Horn due to the building being caught up in court with a foreclosure from when Terry Thomason owned it previously.

"I am working as hard as I can to keep a store in Gurdon for the people of Gurdon, but I won't be able to if I don't have support from the town. It is important to shop at home in order to keep our tax dollars working for us," said Smith.

Franklin said he knew the people of Gurdon would be glad to stand behind the grocery store, because they knew the tax dollars from the store is what kept this town going.

"I hope people realize how serious this is," said Franklin.

"Well, I buy all of my groceries in Gurdon, because we have a good store and I know we need the tax revenue. I hope everyone will support Smith in his venture," said Mary Smith.