A name change is all that's changed

GENTRY — Main Street Gentry Chamber of Commerce voted at its board meeting Thursday to change its name to Gentry Chamber of Commerce / Main Street, Inc.

The name change was prompted by the fact that Internet search engines and telephone- and other business-directory listings did not include the Gentry organization along with other chambers of commerce. Instead, it often was listed under historical societies.

According to Bev Saunders, executive director for the Chamber, many people misunderstood the name andthought it was a chamber made up only of businesses located on Gentry's Main Street - Main Street, Inc., is actually the not-for-profit side of the organization and was never meant to limit participation to a physical Main Street, Saunders explained.

Though the name has changed, the purpose and work of the Gentry Chamber of Commerce has not, Saunders said. It is still made up of businesses and individuals in Gentry and the surrounding area, and it still is busy promoting the entire Gentry community.

In other business Thursday, the Chamber board of directors discussed plans for the Oct. 10 Fall Festival. Included in the planning are the following activities and events:

◊Miss Octoberfest;

◊Sky divers from Sky Ranch in Siloam Springs;

◊Car show sponsored by the Gentry Fire Department;

◊Softball tournament;

◊Poker run;

◊Quilt show;

◊Kyla Horton concert;

◊Pumpkin painting;

◊Wrestling show;

◊Turning Point worship concert;

◊Tug-a-fire-truck contest;

◊Food and games;

◊Inflatable rides;

◊ Safari rides and petting zoo;

◊Talent show;

◊Wagon rides;

◊ Balloons;

◊Rock wall climbing; and

◊Possibly a televised Razorback game.

An additional band or entertainer was yet being sought by the Chamber with numerous suggestions on the table.