Chamber celebrates gift from Rick Franklin

Chamber celebrates gift from Rick Franklin

The Lebanon Chamber of Commerce held a special ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate a fence.

Rebecca Grizzle, the chamber’s executive director, explained during the June 20 ceremony that as the chamber was renovating its building, staff realized they would need the addition of a fence to protect the updated property.

The chamber approached Rick Franklin of Albany & Eastern Railroad to see if he would provide a fence around the building, adding that he could include a plaque with information about the railroad. Franklin went a step further – actually several steps further, “because Rick doesn’t do anything small,” Grizzle said – and designed a fence commemorating his company’s Santa Maria 205 steam engine train.

The intentionally-rusted metal sheet fence features a cutout of the Santa Maria with its iconic steam ribboning above the rail cars.

“He could have done the minimum, but (instead) over-delivered in the most spectacular way,” Grizzle said. “We’re proud to call this piece of art part of Lebanon’s story.”

Jacob Snodgrass, general manager of Albany & Eastern Railroad, was present at the ribbon cutting. He shared the company’s dream of providing a family-friendly activity to Lebanon that would attract others to the city. That vision resulted in Santiam Excursion Trains, something they believe brings positivity to the community, he said.

“Already we have people that are coming, checking it out, taking selfies with it,” Grizzle said of the new fence. “It is stunning.”

It’s a functional piece of art that, according to Grizzle, was a costly endeavor donated to the chamber.

“Thanks to Rick for his vision, his generosity and his heart for this community,” Grizzle said.

Source: Google News