Thanks to everyone who attended Tuesday's Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce meeting at the Linton Elks Lodge.

An update was given by Mayor Tom Jones on city of Linton activities. The 2008 Linton Freedom Festival Queen, Ashton Montgomery, and her court, Ashley Sparks and Jessica Markle, were also recognized.

There will be no July Chamber meeting. The August Chamber meeting will be at the Phil Harris Golf Course on Aug. 19. Our speaker will be U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth. Plans are being made to have "celebrity" cooks that day.

* Congratulations to those who participated in last Saturday's Freedom Open.

Flight No. 1 was won by Caleb Dunkerly and Brock Anderson, and flight No. 2 winners were Kenny French and Randy Smith. Flight No. 3 was won by Phil Mason and Tony DeVault, and flight No. 4 winners were Ron Hamilton and Randy Padgett.

Hole prizes were taken home by Caleb Dunkerly, Don Kincaid and Fred Boyd. Jake Yung and Benji Boyd were the door prize winners. Each received new golf bags courtesy of Dever Distributing.

A huge thank you to those who made this event possible. Phil Harris Golf Course staff, Bart Beard, Jerry and Gayle Margraf from McDonald's, Dever Distributing, City Pest Control, Utilities District of Western Indiana/REMC, Greene County Daily World, Greene County General Hospital, Bloomfield State Bank, Crane Federal Credit Union, MainSource Bank, Indiana Railroad, Anderson-Poindexter Funeral Home, Welch & Cornett Funeral Home, Greene County Solid Waste Management, Richard Brown Insurance, Mercury Cleaners, Smith Printing, First Security Insurance, Node1 Technology, Edward Jones, Shields Hardware & Supply, Harrah Realty, Angell Electronics, R. Randall Baker Business Services, Rowe Law, Linton Sporting Goods, Ross's Floor STore, Spurlin's Super Automotive, Lyon's Health & Living, Lamar's, Hunley Realty, Francis' Jewel Box, Quality Refrigeration, Greene County Abstract, Eugene Martin, Citizens Gas & Coke, Jacob Fish Attorney at Law, Linton Elks Lodge 866, Patrick's Restaurant & Bowl and Ken Schrader's Linton Motors.

* Our annual 5-K run will be Saturday 21 at the Linton-Stockton High School. In addition to the 5K run, there will be a 2-mile walk. The course for this event is an out and back.

Registration is available at the door and includes a T-shirt and participant ribbon. Trophies are awarded to the top male and female runners. There are medals awarded to the top male and female in each age category.

* Next Tuesday June 24 kicks off the 2008 Linton Freedom Festival events. The Indianapolis' Colts "Make it Personal" Tour will be making a stop in Humphreys Park from 4-6 p.m. Linton is one of 16 cities selected for the 2008 tour.

This is a remarkable traveling display that will include players and cheerleaders signing autographs, free giveaways from the Colts, a quaterback challenge football toss, an opportunity to register for free pre-season tickets, sponsor tables, merchandise trailer, blood mobile and the Colts In Motion trailer.

It is recommended you arrive early. This will be rain or shine. Make plans now to come join the fun! The Chamber of Commerce will be providing concessions.

* A couple exciting developments have recently been made in this year's Freedom Festival. These are especially great for anyone who has family out of town.

The first is that WQTY Radio will not only be broadcasting the parade live on the radio but they will also be video taping the parade for viewers to watch live on the Internet at www.wqtyradio.com. If you have family unable to attend from out of town, they can now watch the parade live on the Internet. This is perfect for anyone who has a family member serving in the armed forces and are unable to attend the parade to see their children participate.

The second development is that this year's parade will be filmed and DVD's will be available at a minimal cost. Again another great idea to share with family out of town. Additional details will be available on this next week.

* The past few weeks we have focused on entertainment for June 28, 29, 30, July 1 and July 2. This week we would like to highlight our events scheduled for July 3 and July 4.

The James Gang Amusements will open each night at 6 p.m. They recently announced that each night will be a bracelet night at a cost of $20 per night.

The Marketplace open at 5 p.m. on July 3 at the Roy Clark Community Building. Our entertainment for July 3 will be Tapestry beginning at 7 p.m.

July 4 kicks off with the annual Civitan Eggs and "Green" Ham breakfast. This will be at the Linton Fire Station from 6-9 a.m.

Preparade entertainment begins along the parade route at 9:30 a.m. by Doc Ferd and the Hillbilly Brigade and this year's 2008 Freedom Festival Parade rolls down the street at 10 a.m.

The Heavyweight horsepull will be at the Linton Conservation Club on Park Road starting at 4 p.m. At 6 p.m. will be the Double Dog Hot Dog Eating contest at the bandshell with entertainment following at 7 p.m. with Fred Markle & Friends Jam Fest along with Becky Poe-Hancock.

Holly Lynn and the Pearl Handle Band will be performing at the band shell beginning at 9:30 p.m.

This year's fireworks display will be at 10:30 p.m.

We would like to encourage everyone to get their parade entries into the Chamber office as soon as possible. Earlier is always better!

A list of entries will be sent to the Greene County Daily World for posting and you will want to be included in that free advertising!

Cheryl is the executive director of the Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at 847-4846 or P.O. Box 208, Linton, Ind., 47441