Downtown Du Quoin Mini-Park Gazebo to Get Makeover; Tourism Website Finished
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Du Quoin Tourism Commission met on Tuesday, April 12 at the tourism office. President Judy Smid opened the meeting at 7 p.m. Members present were Judy Smid, Ellen Conte, Ralph Hemmer, Dave Eaton, Linda Paris, Sheila Haggard, Karen Jackson, Wanda Rednour, Luana Maxton, Candice Manning and the newest member, Maria Smith.
The secretary's report from the last meeting was read and approved. The treasurer's report was also read and approved. There was one bill for two banners to be used in advertising and display for the City of Du Quoin and for the Holiday Lights Fair. This bill was approved for payment.
Old Business:
Pene Harbuck has completed work on the website, www.duquointourism.org. It looks good and the commission's thanks and appreciation to Pene for all the hours she has put into this.
Flowers will be planted Monday, May 2 (weather permitting).
Thanks to Rev. Luh, Susan Buetow, Dave Eaton, Linda Paris and Judy Smid for working at the Home and Garden Show booth.
New Business
The gazebo will be painted in the near future as it has been 10 years since it was last painted.
The commission will start stuffing the welcome bags for the RV groups, possibly in May. There will be approximately 800 to 1000 bags for the WBCCI (Airstream) Rally and approx. 500 for the Holiday Ramblers Rally.
Holiday Lights Fair
The commision is beginning to work on the mailing list for sponsors/donations letters for the Holiday Lights Fair and will soon be ordering the HLF fans that are given out at the Du Quoin State Fair. These fans have proven to be a good advertising tool, as they reach thousands of people. The commission usually order 10,000 and will probably do so again this year.
The next meeting will be Tuesday, April 26 at 7 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend. Our normal meeting dates are the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.