Fourth Annual Liberty Chamber Antique Car Show A Hit
This year was another great turnout of antique cars and visitors to downtown Liberty. The Liberty Chamber of Commerce has been working since spring to bring another great car show. Last year they added motorcycles and this year also added tractors. This is truly growing to be a great tradition to the area. The Chamber could not do this without the help of the following organizations: The Zooland Car Club (represented by Bill Roach and Ron Johnson), Mid-State Tractor Heritage Assoc. (represented by Doug Nixon) and the Randolph County Concerned Bikers' Assoc. (represented by Anthony) all helped organize and put on this show. As you can see from the pictures the crowds came out in great force as also the exhibitors. The vendors were top notch as in years past. Just a few of them were Homeland Creamery with ice cream, Grays Chapel Girl Scouts with their fresh lemonade, M & M Concessions with breakfast and lunch (all made fresh), the Liberty Ruritan with their famous barbecue and fried chicken plates and others. Lining the streets were every year and type of car you could imagine. A total of fifty-eight trophies were presented for first and second place. As all the locals know, the true backbone of the Liberty Chamber of Commerce is a silent secret. Executive Director Pike Johnson has always been in the background making the chamber and the board look great. This event was no different. Manning the phone for the numerous calls and dropping off registrations to the last-minute finishing touches on the trophies. Central station this year was The Coggin Agency who this year donated a large gift basket for a door prize. The owner of every car in the display was entered in the drawings. This year's winner was John Rodgers who also won two first-place trophies for his cars. The tractor club and bike club also gave away prizes. This was more than a show, it was also a reunion for many. The vehicle owners all got to catch up with each other, but it did not stop there. In the street you see fellow classmates to friends embrace in strong handshakes to hugs, for it may have been months since they saw each other. This is truly what makes a small town event. Fun was had by the vendors also, you can see in the great candid photo, the workers of Loflin Funeral home had fun while giving away free popcorn. A special thanks to all that worked behind the scenes (I apologize if I miss any) the town works for blocking the streets, to local business to opening their doors (such as the Coggin Agency and Liberty Chiropractic), Liberty School and the Liberty Early Childhood Center for the use of their bathroom (while there you could see the two new murals finished by local artists via a grant from the Randolph County Arts Guild), the police for traffic control, the chamber board, all the vehicle entries, the vendors, the public and last on the list but the origin of this all, The Liberty Antique Festival for starting a great tradition in the Liberty area. See you next year. Never know, there may be another new addition.
2007 Car Show
2007 Tractor & Bike Show
Annual Fall Chamber Of Commerce Luncheon Success
Once again the Chamber pulled off another great luncheon at the American Legion Hut on Wednesday Sept 19 at noon. This year's menu was same as years past, great subs and chips from our own local Subway. Oh, did I mention, Subway cookies. Plate was clean in no time. This event went off like clockwork with no hitches, thanks to this year's chairperson. One of newest board members, Denise Ingram (of CCI—located in Rousch Racing Building), did an outstanding job of putting on this year's luncheon. As you entered the building you were greeted by another board member, Susan Primm (Liberty Librarian) and were asked to sign in. Following receiving the food, President of the Chamber, JB Griffith III (Liberty Advisors) welcomed all to another chamber event and gave a quick update on the Chamber. He asked David Hobson (Pastor of Rocky River Friends Meeting) to give the prayer. Following this David had a surprise he was not expecting, for a little bird let it slip that it was actually his birthday. So without a second thought, JB recognized and led the group in a chorus of Happy Birthday. LT Smith (American Legion Hut) was recognized and thanked for allowing the Chamber to use the Hut for this event. LT stated, “We have always been there to serve the community and we will always have open doors for the chamber.” Denise Ingram, Chair of the event, introduced the first guest, Lori Ann Cobb, Faith Community Nurse. Lori gave the community an update on the new Faith Community Nurse program. She stated they were working closely with Celebrate Liberty's Children to bring the county agency to the renovated Old Liberty School building (now known as Liberty Early Childhood Center). They have started a play group every fourth Wed. at 1 PM, there will be a free retirement planning program and on Oct 18 a free Eating Smart program at FUMC. She stated she welcomed calls from businesses to contact her for health program and any other needs they need in their workplace. Reminding everyone this program is not just for the elderly but for all the community, Lori then introduced Steve Johnson, Pastor of First United Methodist Church of Liberty, who informed the group that the funding they received from Duke Endowment was for three years and they would have to sustain an average of $6,000 a year to keep this free service active in the Liberty area. He also informed the group that three local churches have received a tract of land from a local lady (Margaret Rietzel) that was willed jointly to them and they have worked with Habitat For Humanity to build three homes on the S. Fayetteville St. land. On Oct 23 at 7 PM there will be kickoff meeting for this. The introduction of our Keynote Program followed. Marylyn from Hospice of Randolph County (twenty-two years of service) related her experiences and the focus of Hospice. She showed how she got involved in Hospice and how it touches lives all over. She continued to note that they have reached 60% funding for the hospice home in Randolph County. They will have a kickoff program on Oct 18 at 4:30 PM for a community campaign kickoff to try and reach the balance of the funding to start on the construction. Make a point to check out all the great things happening at Hospice of Randolph County. JB Griffith III recognized several special guests in the audience and gave them a chance to speak. Liberty Town Manager, Rodger Davis, stated that the Committee To Revitalize The Town was underway and that on Oct 7 at 4:00 PM a free concert by the Randolph County Jazz Band will be at the Liberty Town Hall/Library. This is just another of the many programs that the Chamber provides the community. If you have not joined the chamber, give them a call to learn more. You will be glad you did. You can contact Pike Johnson, executive director of the chamber at 622-4937. Upcoming events are the Antiques Festival, Liberty Chamber Antique Car, Tractor and Bike Show, the annual Christmas Tree Lighting in November and in December the annual Chamber Christmas Parade. See you there.
Chamber Luncheon