Old photos, new partners

By Tim Eberhart, executive director
Rainsville Chamber of Commerce
Newspaper column for the Times-Journal - March 19, 2010 edition

I love old photos. I like the way they draw me in and make me ponder about what life must have been like in the 19th Century or early 20th Century.

Looking at faces in old photos usually makes me a little sad because they make me realize how quickly life passes by. But, whether its historically-significant images or old family snapshots, old photos always make me feel thankful for the good life I have enjoyed during the middle and late 20th Century, and the early 21st Century.

I have a growing collection of old local photos on my hard drive. I am a member of the Rainsville Heritage Commission which was formed about six years ago in order to celebrate the City of Rainsville’s 50th anniversary, and to preserve the community’s history by collecting old photos and stories.

So far, there are about 150 photos in the Rainsville Heritage Collection, most of which may be viewed online at rainsvillealabama.com (access them on the “photo galleries” page).

I would like to welcome two business partners that have chosen to invest in the Rainsville Chamber by becoming our newest members.

The first new member is Aldrich Publishing of Scottboro. The company publishes The Clarion, a free publication distributed across Jackson County and Sand Mountain.

The second new member is Kitchens Construction. Headquartered in Rome, and with offices in Fort Payne, Augusta, and Covington, GA, they specialize in re-roofing hail damaged homes.

Almost 75 percent of the viable businesses in Rainsville are members of the Chamber. If your business is not a member, you have an open invitation to join. Annual investments are an insignificant outlay at only $85 to $125 for most businesses. For what amounts to as little as $1.63 a week, you can partner with this organization that provides an information center for the community, and sponsors a scholarship program, and many worthwhile events including the Administrative Professionals Day Luncheon, the Christmas parade, and the Sand Mountain Dessert Bake Off.

Members get membership signs and a web page or link on our online business directory. Only members may share messages on our online and printed newsletters.  And, only members may host a Rainsville Business After Hours, or vote during the Chamber board elections.

For more information about the Rainsville Heritage Collection photos, our new partners, or Chamber membership, contact me by phone at 638-7800, or email me at timeberhart@farmerstel.com.

Contact info

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

115 Main Street West
PHONE: 256-638-7800