Lions Club gets C of C update

Carol Hinton and Mike Coston delivered a report on Chamber of Commerce activities to the Kilgore Lions Club Thursday. Mike Coston, Kilgore Chamber of Commerce president, and Carol Hinton, Kilgore Chamber tourism committee chairwoman, spoke to the Kilgore Lions Club about upcoming chamber events.

Coston said the Shot in the Dark golf tournament will be played Friday and players are still needed.

"The fun will start at 4 p.m. with the first round shot in the daylight and then dinner will be served followed by the nighttime round," said Coston. "This is a par three tournament."

On March 21 from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., Coston said, the chamber along with the Kilgore Economic Development Corporation will sponsor a breakfast seminar featuring Senator Todd Staples and Ron Walenta, vice chair with the State Office of Risk Management.

Coston said the seminar will cover House Bill 7, dealing with workers compensation. "The seminar includes breakfast and costs $5 per person," said Coston.

Also, Coston said, "step-on guides" are needed to take tour groups around Kilgore. "We really need people with a good knowledge of Kilgore and if anyone is interested they should contact the chamber," said Coston.

On May 3 the chamber will host a game between the Ft. Worth Cats Shreveport Sports, two minor league baseball teams, in an exhibition game at Driller Park. "This will be a Wednesday night game and all little league players accompanied by their parent will get in free," said Coston.

Coston said the chamber is spending $9000 to sponsor a machine-pitch tournament in July with more details to come as it gets closer to tournament time. "This will be a state tournament and should bring in business for the community," said Coston.

Hinton said the Taste of Kilgore will be held this year on April 25 and the location will be on Commerce St., adjacent to the World's Richest Acre. "Tickets are just $7 per person and that includes drinks and all you can eat from many of the 55 restaurants in Kilgore that will be participating," said Hinton.

Hinton said children eight and under will eat for free. "The time is from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and during that time there will also be entertainment," said Hinton. Kilgore singer "Lana Phillips will be one of the featured entertainers."

Hinton said if the event is rained out the alternate date is May 2, same place, same time. "Tickets are available from the chamber, Citizens Bank, City National Bank, Guaranty Bank, Kilgore National Bank, Regions Bank, from chamber ambassadors and at the gate," said Hinton. "Sponsors of the Taste of Kilgore will be Chem Serv and Made-Rite with thanks also going out to Citizens Bank, LTW Services, Bob Davis, Jim Oubre, the Kilgore Historical Preservation Foundation and the Kilgore Improvement and Beautification Association."

Hinton said she will represent Kilgore at the Shreveport Travel Show this weekend. "The chamber goes to these type shows to tell people about what Kilgore has to offer and what is around Kilgore so they might use Kilgore as a hub to take day trips from," said Hinton.

Coston said for any information about any of these events or information about the Kilgore Chamber of Commerce call the chamber at (903) 9845022.