Getting old, trying new things 

By Tim Eberhart, executive director
Rainsville Chamber of Commerce
As it appeared in the Times-Journal on March 5, 2010

There must be hundreds of people who are wondering why they are seeing this new column in The Times-Journal, so let me introduce myself.

Believe it or not, I will be 50 in 19 months. I am a 1980 graduate of Fort Payne High School, and a 1984 graduate of the University of Montevallo. I have been involved with the Rainsville Chamber since 1997, and became its executive director in 2003.

I am the only staff member at our Chamber, so I am also the office manager, membership recruiter, webmaster, and resource desk coordinator all in one. I also serve as the director for the Tom Bevill Enirichment Center which averages over 520 events per year.

I hike. I bike. This summer, I hope to try outrigger canoe surfing for the first time.

Last June—when I was only 47—I started writing a column for The Weekly Post every other week. I now have 17 columns under my belt, so I guess I am now officially a columnist.

Last week, The Weekly Post and The Times-Journal merged. Mr. Felkins, the editor of The Times-Journal, asked me to continue writing my column, but to do it EVERY week. I asked him to give me some time to give it some careful consideration. I could not help but wonder if I should try any more new things.

So after about three minutes, I accepted the challenge. After all, I am now officially a columnist, and this is what columnists do.

With my introduction now out of the way, I will use future columns to provide information about Rainsville-area activities such as our Admin Professionals Day luncheon on April 21st,  and the big circus coming up on April 26th. Occasionally, I may share unique business or community news such as the ribeye special on Friday night at the Mountain Grille, or the new location for Zoom-In Photography.

Did you know Rainsville is one of the youngest small cities in the region? It was incorporated in 1958, making it much younger than Fort Payne (1889), Albertville (1891), or Scottsboro (1870). But, in regard to our business community, Rainsville is quite mature. We have 10 businesses that are over 40 years old, and three of them are over 50.

Look for my column every week, where I hope to share even more amazing facts that will amaze you.

Contact info

Rainsville Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 396; Rainsville, AL 35986

115 Main Street West
PHONE: 256-638-7800