She's got game: Albany's Susan Geeslin not only holds her own in cornhole competition, she and her husband, Arnold, design and build the games for a growing customer base. The regulation-size game sets are portable and the Geeslins' specialty is creating platforms with collegiate themes.

By Kevin Hogencamp

It’s a career change that Albany retiree Susan Geeslin could never have fathomed: From educator to making and peddling cornhole games.

Cornhole?

You bet.

Cornhole is a lawn game in which players take turns throwing beanbags (actually duck cloth bags filled with feed corn) onto a raised wooden platform with a hole in it. Over the past several years, cornhole has evolved from a simple backyard pastime into one of America’s most popular and competitive social activities, especially at tailgate parties, bars and family get-togethers. Indeed, an Albany cornhole association is forming.

Like horseshoes, Cornhole is not difficult to learn to play and is not physically demanding as horseshoes. Unlike horseshoes, it’s perfectly safe and can be played indoors or outdoors.

“Not long ago I hadn’t heard of cornhole,” said Geeslin.“Someone said they were playing cornhole at Seaside and I said, ‘What?’ And then I saw how it was played at the beach and you can see why it’s so popular. Anyone can play it just about anywhere …

“It can be highly competitive or laughable, both very fun and addictive. Hopefully, Albany will catch the cornhole fever.”

Geeslin is a familiar face in Albany, especially around games. She taught physical education for 25 years – five at Deerfield-Windsor, five at Riverview Academy, and 15 at Lake Park Elementary. She served as the Dougherty County School System elementary school physical education coordinator for five years.

Geeslin’s husband, Arnold, is a contractor with an engineering degree. He started building the games in his shop a couple of months ago; Susan paints them in her garage and decorates them. Most of the Geeslins’ creations have collegiate themes – from the University of Georgia (the most popular) to Auburn University (Susan’s and Arnold’s alma mater) to Albany State University.

“We felt there was a market for the games, as we could not find a quality craftsmanship game being sold in the area …” she said. “He (Arnold) is very meticulous and precise when he is building the cornhole games. He developed the concept of using latches to attach the two sides of the game and also the collapsible legs to be stored in the back of the boards.”

Already filling orders for Christmas presents and for tailgate parties on college campuses, the Geeslins have discovered a niche because they construct their games based on custom orders, specialize in collegiate themes, and design their games so that they can be easily carried and stored.

Cornhole can be played as either singles or doubles, like tennis. A cornbag in the hole scores three points, while one on the platform scores one point. Play continues until a player reaches the score of 21. Scoring in the game can be swift and the lead may change hands several times in a match before the winner is decided. The game is generally played tournament style with an individual or team being named the champion at the end of the tournament.

The Geeslins have some local and internet competition, but they aren’t aware of anyone in the Albany area selling high-quality, custom-built games with corn bags as little as $100; basic, uncustomized sets with bags are $80.

“We hope we’re onto something,” Susan Geeslin said. “It’s certainly fun trying.”

Cornhole terms

          Following is a list of selected terms commonly used in a cornhole game:

Ace or cow pie: A bag lands on the board, which is worth one point.

Airmail: A bag that lands directly in the hole without making any contact with other areas of the board. Sometimes referred to as “swishing”.

Back door: A cornhole that goes over the top of a blocker and into the hole.

Backstop: A bag that lands past the cornhole but remains on the board creating a backboard for a slider to knock into without going off the board.

Blocker: An ace that lands in front of the hole, essentially blocking the hole from sliders.

Cornfusion: When players or teams cannot agree on the scoring.

Dirty bag: A bag that is on the ground or is hanging off the board touching the ground.

Frame: A frame consists of both players throwing their 4 bags. After each player has thrown 4 bags, the score is calculated and a new frame begins. Sometimes referred to as “corn row”.

Leprechaun: When a player attains all four bags onto the board without getting any into the hole.

Police: The cornhole referee.

To buy a game

Customer orders can be made by calling Susan Geeslin at (229) 347-2290 or e-mailing her at geeslins@mchsi.com. Click here for a brochure.

Cornhole in Albany

The newly formed Albany GA Cornhole Association will debut with a tournament at nights@Dtown at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23 on the Government Center parking deck at Jackson Street and Broad Avenue. The event is for ages 21 and up. To enter the tournament or for information about playing cornhole in Albany, e-mail news@thealbanyjournal.com.

Special to the Journal

Phoebe Putney Health System broke ground last week on the construction of a $30 million Digestive Diseases Center in Albany.

The facility, being built at Meredyth Place, will expand the hospital’s gastroenterology capabilities and is expected to be complete in 14 months.

“Building this facility at this site creates a non-institutional-like approach to healthcare,” said Joel Wernick, President/CEO of Phoebe Putney Health System. The Health System is expanding healthcare services in Northwest at “a consumer-friendly site” that will include the future expansion of walking trails around the facility.

Site work for the construction of this 85,000-square-foot building began about two months ago, representing Phase 1 of the project. The first phase involved preparing an undeveloped area behind the former Ordinary Coyote for parking. The second phase will take place at the back parking area of Meredyth Place.

“We’re able to reinvest $30 million into a much-needed digestive disease center,” said Wernick.

The construction project will also bring almost 400 construction-related jobs, as well as the recruitment of gastroenterologists to help offset the shortage of these specialized physicians for a disease that is becoming more prevalent in Southwest Georgia.

“There is also an increased need to go upstream with prevention and screenings because the diagnosis of a digestive disease is also a costly diagnosis affecting mostly people 65 and older,” Wernick said.

The Center is being built to meet the needs of a growing prevalence of digestive diseases, particularly cancer of the stomach and colon in this region.

The architectural firm for this project is PageSoutherlandPage. The new facility is being built by Robins & Morton, a general contractor specializing in complex healthcare, commercial, education and industrial projects.Overseeing the Construction Project will be KLMK Group, a leading provider of innovative facility solutions to healthcare owners.

Rock, Roll & Run in Downtown Albany has been selected as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events for March 2012!

We just received this great news regarding the application that was submitted in June. The event highlights all of the Downtown Albany activities the first weekend of March including the Mardi Gras Music Festival, Albany Marathon & ½, the SB&T Bike Race and the Flint RiverQuarium Turtle Race.

With this designation the event will receive extensive exposure in over 1,600 advertisements through newspapers, magazines, web, television and radio in the US and Canada. The listing is also sent to AAA agents to promote to their consumers. The Top 20 Events are listed on the Southeast Tourism Society’s website www.southeasttourism.org and on the consumer website www.escapetothesoutheast.com. The Top 20 Events pages are consistently among the most visited pages on the STS sites.

Lisa Riddle, Albany CVB Director states that “recognition in the STS Top 20 events is big for Albany and will grant advertising, worth thousands of dollars, that otherwise could not be purchased.  This designation will hopefully bring more people to town to enjoy the festivities scheduled for March 3, 2012.”

Lisa Riddle, TMP – Director

Albany Convention & Visitors Bureau

112 North Front Street

Albany, GA 31701

229-317-4760, 866-750-0840

Phoebe Worth Medical Center and the Sylvester-Worth County Chamber of Commerce are inviting media and the public to join them for a premier viewing and dedication on Monday, July 18.

“Scenes of Worth,” a pictorial view of Worth County as seen through the lens of Doug Wolfe, is part of Phoebe’s Centennial Celebration recognizing a century of commitment to the citizens of Southwest Georgia. Scenic images from throughout Worth County will take permanent residence at Phoebe Worth Medical Center to lift spirits and celebrate a true sense of community.

The Sylvester-Worth Chamber business-after-hours event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with the dedication, followed by the premier viewing. The event will be held at Phoebe Worth Medical Center, at 807 South Isabella Street in Sylvester.

The Levee President Vince Detorre (foreground) and CEO Blake Cook are moving their growing business Northwest Albany to downtown.

MUSIC  AND MEDIA COMPANY GROWING, RELOCATING

Staff reports

Blake Cook calls it a synergistic relocation.

Aaron Blair calls it “a huge deal for downtown.”

Whatever you call it, The Levee Creative Group – an emerging music and media company – is moving from Northwest Albany to downtown.

“We saw the momentum that was happening down there and kind of wanted to jump on that train,” said the company’s  CEO, Blake Cook.

The company will move its music component –which includes lessons and a recording studio – in August from Dawson Road to 100 Pine Ave., near Front Street and across from the Flint RiverQuarium . The company’s second and rapidly expanding niche – video production – also will be moved downtown to a nearby, yet-to-be-determined location, Cook said.

“In our original business plan, we wanted The Levee to be more of a musical hub,” Cook said. “Downtown’s a better, more central location. We feel like we’ll be able to give back more musically from that location.

“The RiverQuarium is such a buzzword in this town that I think people will know exactly where that space is.”

The new location, which once was the RiverQuarium’s administrative office, has about 1,500 square feet of space that is ideally divided and won’t take much renovation, Cook said.

“We’ll have to do some cosmetic stuff to get it rolling, that’s all,” Cook said.

The Levee, which has 10-12 employees and music instructors, has steadily grown since it opened in 2008 as music studio and marketing company into a fully operating production business that  has produced more than 50 television commercials and music videos. Moe’s Southwest Grille, Albany State University, Drawdy Roofing, Lincoln of Albany and Loco’s are among The Levee’s  clients.

Blair, the downtown manager, said The Levee is a perfect fit for downtown, and vice versa, and that it complements the broad variety of other businesses that have recently opened or relocated downtown.

Other businesses to open downtown over the past year are Global Essence, Aikido School of Martial Arts, Verge, Farm Market, General Store, Nana’s Ice Cream, Gabe’s, Diva’s Closet, Ethnic Shyne Hair Salon, Jackson Signing, DanielTitus.com, and Heritage Center-CAN Training.

On the horizon downtown are two restaurants – The Pizza Shoppe and Shuckers Oyster Bar – and a new Home Run Foods, which broke recently broke ground on West Oglethorpe Boulevard.

Tuesday, July 12th – 6pm

Downtown Merchant Association Monthly Meeting

Location: Subway- 122 N. Jackson Street

Wednesday, July 13th- 5pm

Wine Down Wednesdays! Location: Chill Bar & Lounge every Wednesday. Mix. Mingle. Sip. Unwind. Hangout with friends, listening to music & mingle with other professionals. Sponsored by Downtown Merchants, Global Essence, and Living Legends Salon.

Thursday, July 14th “Earth, Moon, & Sun” Planetarium Show Premier

Wetherbee Planetarium at Thronateeska Heritage Center

Earth, Moon, & Sun will be playing in the Wetherbee Planetarium all day July 14. Show times are at 10:30, 11:30, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00. Beginning on July 15, Earth, Moon, & Sun will be shown at 2:00 every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Admission to the Wetherbee Planetarium is $3.50+tax per person, age 3 and up. Groups of 20 or more, please contact us for reservations and to inquire about group discounts. Annual memberships are available. For more information contact: Allison Young. Phone: 229.432.6955

E-mail: museum@heritagecenter.org

Thursday, July 14th – 6:30pm

Twilight Paddle — 6:30 pm (trip lasts approximately 45 minutes)

Enjoy a leisurely canoe trip on a pretty section of the river from the Georgia Power dam to downtown Albany followed by hors d’oeuvres at the Flint RiverQuarium. Space is limited and reservations are recommended. Participants meet at the Flint RiverQuarium. Minimum age is 21. Fee: $35 per canoe (paddles & flotation devices provided) For reservations: Call 229.639.2650 Ext. 221

Saturday, July 16th – 8am-1pm

The Downtown Albany Market. Open every Saturday through November 12 from 8AM-1PM at the parking deck on the corner of Jackson St. and Broad Ave.

Saturday, July 16th Youth League Championship Games

Location: Albany Civic Center

Time: Doors open at 9:00 am; First game at 10:00 am

Tickets: FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

——————-

Upcoming Events for July

July 21 – RECESSIONISTA – VERGE Fashion Show 5:30-7:30. $10 per guest RSVP Chamber of Commerce at 434-8700

July 22 – LETS GET WIGGY WIT IT! – Flock of Gulls Event. State Theatr e 7pm – $20 in advance and $25 at the door. 21 and up

July 29 – NIGHTS@DTOWN 8pm – Live Music, Live Art, Food, & Drinks. Top of the Parking Deck. 21 and up.

During the 2010 fiscal year, Albany State University’s overall economic impact on the regional economy was measured at $137,707,545, according to a report recently released by the University System of Georgia.

The report also measured ASU’s employment impact at 1,757 jobs in fiscal year 2010. Of that total, 580 jobs were on-campus and 1,177 jobs were off-campus and existed because of institution-related spending.

Also in fiscal year 2010, the economic impact of ASU’s capital outlays reached $73,900,181 with an employment impact of 654 jobs.

The region ASU covers for the report includes the counties of Dougherty, Lee, Worth, Mitchell, Terrell, Colquitt, Baker, Sumter, Calhoun and Tift.

Overall, the University System of Georgia’s economic impact on the state was measured at $12.6 billion with an employment impact of 130,738 jobs.

Conducted by the Selig Center for Economic Growth in the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia, the report was based on a needs assessment study commissioned by Georgia’s Intellectual Capital Partnership Program (ICAPP).

To view the report, visit http://www.icapp.org/pubs/usg_impact_fy2010.pdf.

By Kevin Hogencamp

Stewart Campbell was downright giddy Tuesday as he contemplated the realization of his company’s acquisition of the iconic Merry Acres Event Center complex at 1500 Dawson Road.

Campbell now owns a critical part of Albany’s past — and future.

“A lot of work has gone into getting this far and a lot more work is ahead of us, but we are very, very excited,” said Stewart, who along with his business partner Bo Henry made the historic purchase announcement Tuesday. “Like everything else we do, we are in this for the long run.”

The Dozier and Stanfill families owned the Merry Acres complex — which includes a 110-room Quality Inn Merry Acres motel, conference center, restaurant and offices – since 1953. Campbell’s and Henry’s company, Stewbo’s, is planning a $1 million renovation focused on modernization, the business partners said Tuesday.

The purchase price was not disclosed.

Stewbo’s’ varied business interests include owning three Albany restaurants: Harvest Moon, The Catch and Henry Campbell’s. Stewbo’s also has an ownership stake in Ad Seen Media and Henry is a professional musician and a partner in the State Theatre.

Henry said that Merry Acres is a good fit for the partners – who are married to sisters.

“It’s great to be a part of such a rich history. We are proud to be able to carry on the tradition of the Doziers and Stanfills – two great Albany families,” Henry said. “This place is immaculate. We are just going to try to modernize it some.”

The hotel rooms – junior executive rooms, executive rooms and presidential suites — will undergo major renovation, as will the “main house,” where the Dozier family once lived and hotel guests now register. When the dust settles, the Quality Inn will feature a boutique-style hospitality setting throughout the sprawling campus and a new upscale lounge in the main house. The hotel will not close during the renovations.

Stewbo’s will focus on catering meetings, weddings, reunions, birthday events and other parties for 10 to 500 people at Merry Acres while deciding later whether to reopen the restaurant.

“We already have restaurants,” Henry noted. “We’re covered there for now.”

With the addition of about 30 Merry Acres employees, Stewbo’s now employs about 170 people, in addition to spurring the economy with the renovation project. Merry Acres’ longtime general manager Cathy Odell and operations director Rhonda Tedder are remaining in their positions and are now part of the Stewbo’s management team.

“They were part of the deal. It was no deal unless they were part of it,” Henry said.

Stewbo’s’ other key managers, Grant Orndorff and Billy Mann, will head the Events Center’s operation by coordinating special occasions.
Following is a historical of the Merry Acres complex compiled in 1999 by the Doziers and Stanfills.

Third-Generation Continuity and Vision

“We feel like we have an extremely distinctive niche here at Merry Acres that goes well beyond just bricks and mortar,” explains Gerry Dozier Jr.

As the grandson of the owners of the original 500-acre estate from which Merry Acres evolved, Dozier has had both a front-row seat in its history as well as an active role in its success. He and his exemplary staff, many of whom have served for decades, show an unsurpassed level of commitment to the quality and standards that make Merry Acres both an esteemed destination for lodging and events as well as a repeat award-winner in its industry and its brand.

“In 1968, when we added 30 units to the original hotel, private dining rooms to the restaurant, and our real estate office to the Merry Acres Complex, I was in high school working for Dozier Construction Company. So I actually dug the footings — with a pick and shovel — and participated in the construction of those six buildings,” recalls Dozier. “That hard work not only made me want to get a college education, but it gave me a vested interest in the hotel, where I would unknowingly be employed as an adult.”

That vantage point also instilled a true in-the-trenches mentality that would later enable Dozier to manage staff in all departments of Merry Acres with an empowering, collaborative approach that motivated them to join in a vision of defying trends and giving all guests an extraordinary experience at Merry Acres.

Merry Acres and Albany, Georgia

Albany has been a commercial hub of southwest Georgia since its founding on the banks of the Flint River in 1836. As a marketing center for the region’s cotton growers in the 1860s, it was also a railroad axis that moved both cotton and later diversified crops such as peanuts and pecans to other regions and vital ports of the U.S.

The area surrounding Albany has a smattering of plantations with prime undeveloped countryside that has for years attracted throngs of hunters of wild quail, doves, upland game birds, and other forms of wildlife.

Into this backdrop, in 1935, Dr. Russell L. Grace, Sr. purchased the 500-acre estate on Dawson Road where the Merry Acres Hotel would eventually come into existence.

“My grandmother, Bessie Johnson Grace, a native Albanian, designed elaborate landscaping to complement the manor house. In fact, many of the pine trees, azaleas, and camellias she planted herself, and many still flourish throughout the complex today. They are superb reminders of her, and they greatly enhance the beauty and serenity of the site,” says Dozier

After completing her work, she was so pleased with her embellishments, that she named the home Merry Acres, an appellation which has somewhat set the tone for the property as whole.”

“In 1947, my parents, George G. “Spec” Dozier and Jean Grace Dozier, got married in a garden wedding right here at Merry Acres. My father was then in professional baseball, managing the Miami Beach Flamingos of the Florida International League. During a visit to Miami in 1951, my grandfather told my parents that he had decided to sell the Merry Acres estate, because it was too large, and the upkeep had become a burden for just him and my grandmother.”

Hotel Beginnings & Birth of a Child

The motel industry was in still its infancy in Florida, and since Jean was pregnant, Spec decided to leave professional baseball and return to Albany. A few years earlier, World War II had been a significant impact on the city since two airfields were established there to train both British and American pilots. Many of those servicemen stayed on or returned to Albany after the war ended, and additional civilians migrated there as well. Subsequently, Albany experienced its greatest population growth in the post-war 1940s and 1950s.

“Thus my parents’ decision to purchase the two-story manor house and 10 surrounding acres for a motel site came at an opportune time,” remarks Dozier. “With the help of supportive local bankers, they opened the 22-room Merry Acres Motel in July of 1953, and it became a member of Quality Courts Motels the following September at their annual convention.”

The Quality Courts Motels franchise has changed its name several times over the past 57 years, making the hotel’s current official name Quality Inn Merry Acres, and placing it in under the auspices of Choice Hotels International, a highly respected hotel franchise company, that has over 5,800 hotels throughout the U.S. and 30 foreign countries.

On July 9, 1952, Spec and Jean Dozier became the proud parents of George Gerald Dozier, Jr., who was literally born into the hotel business, and since 1985 has served as the President and General Manager of the Quality Inn Merry Acres.

Learning and Leading

“Although my father opened Merry Acres, he later got into real estate development, and brought in his brother to manage the hotel,” Dozier explains. “My overwhelming interest was in construction, and I was involved in seven or eight residential developments until my uncle died unexpectedly. So in my early thirties, I suddenly found myself operating a hotel.

“At that time, I didn’t know where to order a sheet or towel, and had to sink or swim. Fortunately, I got very involved with the International Operators Council of Choice Hotels International, who put me on the fast track, and enhanced my learning curve. And, by eventually serving on the International Operators Council Board of Directors, and their national Marketing and Operations and Standards Committees, I was able to contribute to shaping Choice’s franchised brands of hotels. These experiences gave me the vision of how we at Merry Acres could do things better, and then ultimately how we would lead our peers by example.”

“In the early days of running our hotel, someone told me that Merry Acres was too old to win hotel of the year. I took it as a personal challenge and a quest such that in 1989 — within four years — we won our first of (of many) Quality Inn of the Year Award(s).”

“Having loyal and top-notch employees has played a huge part in our success, and set us apart from our competition. Under our current management structure, Cathy Odell serves as the general manager, and under her outstanding leadership has instilled in our employees, the mindset that no matter what their job or role, they, too, had the opportunity to ‘wow’ a guest. We strived for name recognition of our guests, knowing their preferences, and just carrying on that wonderful tradition of Southern graciousness.”

Growth and Expansion

Between its 1953 opening and 1989, the Quality Inn Merry Acres underwent a major renovation and 6 expansions that increased its original 22 guest rooms to the present 110.

“Basically the major renovation in 1985, of the existing guest rooms, swimming pool, lobby, administrative offices, and conference center, gave the hotel complex a fresh new look, and in each expansion thereafter, we paid careful attention to the architectural integrity, such that both original portions and the additions blended seamlessly,” says Dozier

Quail Unlimited Nests at Merry Acres

Of all the gatherings and special events that have brought people to Merry Acres and to Albany, perhaps the most well known is the Quail Unlimited Celebrity Hunt. Quail Unlimited, a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to the wise management of America’s wild quail, upland game birds, and other wildlife, held its original 1986 Celebrity Hunt in Edgefield, South Carolina.

“Knowing that Albany has such remarkable, large plantations and hunting preserves, Rocky Evans, John Sherman, and I met in October of 1986 to discuss moving the event here,” explains Dozier.

“So in February 1987, Merry Acres hosted the 2nd annual Celebrity Hunt, with 35 guest rooms occupied by celebrities like Tennessee Ernie Ford, Ben Johnson, Roy Clark, Dub Taylor, Little Jimmy Dickens, and others, along with hunters from across the U.S.”

“The Celebrity Quail Hunt … now also fills most rooms in area hotels, making a $1.2 million annual impact on Albany’s economy, and bringing positive attention to the area and to Quail Unlimited. We’re already making plans for the January 2010 event, and are just thrilled that this signature event will be hitting its 23rd year.”

Awards & Accolades

In May of 2009, the Quality Inn Merry Acres was bestowed the 2009 Quality Inn of the Year award; this honor recognizes the one hotel, selected from among 1,260 Quality branded hotels, which best represents excellence in the Choice Hotels system and lodging industry. This marked the sixth time that the Quality Inn Merry Acres has won the Inn of the Year award, previously receiving this distinction in 1989, 1991, 1996, 2000, and 2007.

In addition to the Inn of the Year awards, the Quality Inn Merry Acres has received 16 consecutive Gold Hospitality Awards (1990-2005), as well as 4 consecutive Platinum Hospitality Awards (2006-2009), Choice Hotels’ highest and most prestigious award.

“Being in the Choice Hotels system for 57 years, and receiving their highest hospitality awards recognition, validates that the Quality Inn Merry Acres has succeeded in combining the old with the new to achieve something unique and exceptional,” explains Dozier.

The Merry Acres campus, which began in 1953 with a small 22-unit motel, now offers an unprecedented award-winning hotel with 110 guest rooms and suites as well as a high-caliber event center.

“The hospitality industry is all about serving people. Once that gets in your blood, it’s exciting to be able to create a family spirit such that guests actually feel like they are visiting a home and a close friend.”

“And it’s quite gratifying to continue the custom of gracious living for which the South and this area in Georgia is known.”

Merry Acres is a proud product of this heritage.

(News Release)
Bo Henry and Stewart Campbell are proud to announce that they have purchased the Merry Acres Event Center/Restaurant and Office complex along with the Merry Acres Motel from the Dozier Family who has owned and operated the business since the 1950′s.

The Dozier and Stanfill families have had a very successful real estate and lodging business.  The motel was one of Albany’s first lodging establishments with a reputation of fine southern hospitality.

The Merry Acres complex has a proud history behind it and Campbell and Henry are excited to have the opportunity to carry on the legacy of the family tradition.

The Main house that currently houses Registration of guests, was once an old farm house that was remodeled back in the 1920′s and served later as the Dozier family home.  The motel and main house will undergo major renovations over the next several months.

Henry & Campbell realized that during this tough economy it was important to do what they could to keep as many existing employees as possible.  Cathy Odell has been the general manager for 15 years and Rhonda Tedder has been the Director of Operations for 17 years and they both will be a part of the Stewbo’s current management team.  They plan on keeping the 30 existing employees and adding more associates after the renovation takes place.

Grant Orndorff and Billy Mann have been a part of the Stewbo’s management team  and will be heading up the Merry Acres Event Center/Restaurant concentrating on Special Occasions, Weddings, Receptions, Corporate Meetings, Reunions, etc.

Staff reports

Twice a year for six years, a handful of Albany automobile dealers have moved much of their fleets to the Albany Mall for a massive two-day tent sale sponsored by DoCo Regional Federal Credit Union.

But this year, someone called the law – and the gig was shut down toward the end of its first day.

Georgia Department of Revenue agents said that the five dealers failed to purchase the required permits to participate in the sale. Lawanda Peacock, the local agent who handled the matter, referred questions Tuesday to the state office in Atlanta, where an official said that a statement would be issued Wednesday.

Representatives of the participating dealerships said that they regret that “sour grapes” led to a competing dealership complaining to revenue agents rather than informing them that permits were needed. The dealerships’ failure to obtain five $100 permits may have cost taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars in sales tax revenue.

“We’ve done this all of this time, all of these years, and never had a permit. All anyone had to do is let us know and we would have gladly paid the fee, or even paid the fine. But they shut us down,” said Mike Ervin, sales manager for Sunbelt’s Ford Town of Albany. “I think it’s unfortunate that the credit union had put something together that should stimulate the economy with exceptional interest rates and instead, it gets shut down due to a technicality that could have been easily avoided.”

The other participating dealerships were Albany Prince Auto, Finnicum Motor Co., Five Star Nissan and David Smith Auto.

Barry Heape, DoCo’s CEO, said that Friday’s sales were the largest in the tent sale’s history, and that some customers returned to the dealerships Saturdays to make purchases.

“There were still a lot of vehicles sold.

Obtaining permits was the dealerships’ responsibility – not DoCo’s.

“I was out there and they told us everything was fine with DoCo, but that there was some sort of issue that they could not quote to us regarding permitting of off-site sales,” Heape said.

Heape, in response to a reporter’s question, said that he did not receive any complaints from competing dealerships who were not invited to participate in this year’s ale.