2022 Chamber Officers
Chamber President: Jan Cooper
Vice President: Russell Duckworth
Secretary: Carol Duckworth
Treasurer: Brendan Keane
LIFETIME MEMBER
P.K. Kirkpatrick
VIP Members:
Barbara & Marvin Hobden
Bois D'Arc, Jan Cooper
Cordo Lake Private Fishing, Danielle Rusthoven & Greg Cagle
David Kirkpatrick, Insurance Benefits Consultant, (972) 742-5236
Debby & Eddy Frey
Diane & William Duffy
Ebby Halliday Realtors, Jennifer Long, REALTOR
First United Methodist Church of Ladonia, 301 Bonham St Ladonia, Texas 75449 Phone (903) 367-7797
Granny's Place, Granny's Christmas Store 10 S Public Sq, Ladonia, TX 75449 (903) 367-7095
Heritage Land Company, Holly & Cole Hoskison
Highpoint Treehouses, Nancy & Steve Taylor steve@highpointtreehouses.com
Jason Pierce
Kennections, Inc., Jason Egan
Keane Acres, Kajsa & Brendan Keane
PK & David Kirkpatrick
Pickle Creek Ranch, Cheryl L. McClure & Jan Paul Kruger
Renee Staley Realtor, Nicholson Premier Realty (972) 885-7356, (214) 232-7388
Texas Legends Gun Range, Bull Thomas
The Ladonian, Carol and Russell Duckworth, info@theladonian.com
Todd & Anita Akers
Twin Creek Investments, Naeem Ahmad, 2775 Villa Creek Dr Ste 220 Dallas, Texas 75234 (972) 243-7700
United Methodist, Gloria & Mark Bradley
Business Members
Leslie & Ian White and Abbey, the Pig and Whistle Cafe, Paris St. Ladonia (903) 367-5001
Bill's Auto Body and Glass, 2630 N Center St, Bonham, TX 75418 (903)583-7364
Eastside Grocery & Deli 701 E Main St, Ladonia (903) 367-7210
Fannin County Children's Center 112 W 5th St., Bonham, TX 75418 (903) 583-4339
J & J Cut Rate 248 FM 2990, Ladonia (903) 367-7602
Lawson Communications Contact: Guy Lawson 901 Colchester, Garland, TX 75040 (972) 523-2452
M&M Services, Greg Morris, (903) 456-2474, mmsvcs8444@yahoo.com
Individual Members
John Ryder
Lisa & Bob Smith
Peggy Durham
Kenny Carl
Shonda Magness
IN MEMORIAM
Ground Up Organics, Gail Levy
Meetings are open to the public and are held on the first Saturday of each month at 9am, This and That on the Square
Chamber President: Jan Cooper
Vice President: Russell Duckworth
Secretary: Carol Duckworth
Treasurer: Brendan Keane
LIFETIME MEMBER
P.K. Kirkpatrick
VIP Members:
Barbara & Marvin Hobden
Bois D'Arc, Jan Cooper
Cordo Lake Private Fishing, Danielle Rusthoven & Greg Cagle
David Kirkpatrick, Insurance Benefits Consultant, (972) 742-5236
Debby & Eddy Frey
Diane & William Duffy
Ebby Halliday Realtors, Jennifer Long, REALTOR
First United Methodist Church of Ladonia, 301 Bonham St Ladonia, Texas 75449 Phone (903) 367-7797
Granny's Place, Granny's Christmas Store 10 S Public Sq, Ladonia, TX 75449 (903) 367-7095
Heritage Land Company, Holly & Cole Hoskison
Highpoint Treehouses, Nancy & Steve Taylor steve@highpointtreehouses.com
Jason Pierce
Kennections, Inc., Jason Egan
Keane Acres, Kajsa & Brendan Keane
PK & David Kirkpatrick
Pickle Creek Ranch, Cheryl L. McClure & Jan Paul Kruger
Renee Staley Realtor, Nicholson Premier Realty (972) 885-7356, (214) 232-7388
Texas Legends Gun Range, Bull Thomas
The Ladonian, Carol and Russell Duckworth, info@theladonian.com
Todd & Anita Akers
Twin Creek Investments, Naeem Ahmad, 2775 Villa Creek Dr Ste 220 Dallas, Texas 75234 (972) 243-7700
United Methodist, Gloria & Mark Bradley
Business Members
Leslie & Ian White and Abbey, the Pig and Whistle Cafe, Paris St. Ladonia (903) 367-5001
Bill's Auto Body and Glass, 2630 N Center St, Bonham, TX 75418 (903)583-7364
Eastside Grocery & Deli 701 E Main St, Ladonia (903) 367-7210
Fannin County Children's Center 112 W 5th St., Bonham, TX 75418 (903) 583-4339
J & J Cut Rate 248 FM 2990, Ladonia (903) 367-7602
Lawson Communications Contact: Guy Lawson 901 Colchester, Garland, TX 75040 (972) 523-2452
M&M Services, Greg Morris, (903) 456-2474, mmsvcs8444@yahoo.com
Individual Members
John Ryder
Lisa & Bob Smith
Peggy Durham
Kenny Carl
Shonda Magness
IN MEMORIAM
Ground Up Organics, Gail Levy
Meetings are open to the public and are held on the first Saturday of each month at 9am, This and That on the Square
Become a Member of Ladonia's Chamber of Commerce - make a difference!
Ladonia is small community poised for growth and opportunity. Join us in our mission to promote, preserve and support businesses, and improve the quality of life through devotion of the cultural, educational and economic interests of our area.
Members are encouraged to actively participate by attending regular meetings, volunteering for Chamber projects, assisting Chamber partners and promoting the best aspects of our people and city in the public arena. All are welcome to attend meetings whether or not you are a member. Only members may vote.
Membership levels include:
Members at the individual level by default are published in the member directory on our web site without any personal contact information. You may choose to have your contact information published and by doing so you understand this information is public and may be viewed by anyone.
To join, please download the appropriate file, linked above, fill it out, and return it to P.O. Box 44, Ladonia 75449, along with a check for the membership fees. Make checks payable to Ladonia Chamber of Commerce.
Individual Membership Form
Business Membership Form
Members are encouraged to actively participate by attending regular meetings, volunteering for Chamber projects, assisting Chamber partners and promoting the best aspects of our people and city in the public arena. All are welcome to attend meetings whether or not you are a member. Only members may vote.
Membership levels include:
- $10 basic individual membership - You are welcome and encouraged to participate in any or all of our events, you have a say in what we do as a voting member.
- $25 basic business membership - Entitles you to support of your business with links from a banner marquee on the chamber website and monthly promotion of your business and business events on the website and Facebook pages. You are responsible for submitting your monthly ad to the Chamber Facebook page for approval and promotion.
- $150 VIP membership - In addition to the basic business benefits, you will also receive two tickets to the annual banquet, sponsorship status, weekly promotion of your business, a dedicated page on our website, and mention on all printed advertising. You are responsible for submitting your weekly ad to the Chamber Facebook page for approval and promotion.
Members at the individual level by default are published in the member directory on our web site without any personal contact information. You may choose to have your contact information published and by doing so you understand this information is public and may be viewed by anyone.
To join, please download the appropriate file, linked above, fill it out, and return it to P.O. Box 44, Ladonia 75449, along with a check for the membership fees. Make checks payable to Ladonia Chamber of Commerce.
Individual Membership Form
Business Membership Form
Why do people join the Chamber of Commerce of Ladonia?
Todd and Anita Akers, ANT
The founders of Akers Network Technologies, Todd and Anita Akers joined the Chamber in 2013 having moved
here from the Texas Coast community in Nederland Texas the year before. Both of us love the town and wanted
to be a part of the community to serve the greater good for all those who live here. Ladonia will soon have
a thriving and growing economy and is faced with many issues.
Helping our community to grow in a way that serves and preserves the small town feel for its citizens and provides opportunity for its children is our goal. Our hope is that our continued support of the Chamber and the City will bring great things and a brighter future for everyone here.
The founders of Akers Network Technologies, Todd and Anita Akers joined the Chamber in 2013 having moved
here from the Texas Coast community in Nederland Texas the year before. Both of us love the town and wanted
to be a part of the community to serve the greater good for all those who live here. Ladonia will soon have
a thriving and growing economy and is faced with many issues.
Helping our community to grow in a way that serves and preserves the small town feel for its citizens and provides opportunity for its children is our goal. Our hope is that our continued support of the Chamber and the City will bring great things and a brighter future for everyone here.
Debby and Eddy Frey, This and That on the Square
April 2007, when my daughter and I drove into Ladonia for the 1st time. A cool front had blown in on our drive up we were freezing as we explored town. We wandered into Mike Owens shop to look around and he loaned us a couple of jackets to stay warm for the rest of our walk about town. It seemed as we had stepped back in time. The old buildings the old Victorian homes made it feel like a faraway place This quaint little rural city spoke to me. I think it actually to called me.
I was raised on a small farm in western Kentucky. The town was Boaz I don’t remember the population but it was small everyone knew each other and their business, of course. After Eddy and I were married (42yrs ago) we moved to Texas, First into an apartment and then into the suburbs.
I had yearned to return to small town life. I felt I had found that place here. A simple home with a bit of land and I could live my dream away from the hustle and bustled of the metroplex. I longed for a simple way of life, a more self-sustaining life. A place for my grown children and grandchildren to come and learn about country life.
I loved Ladonia’s quaint atmosphere. The next thing I knew we owned the two Clang buildings on the square. The ones with the dates on the top (1897 and 1898). Oh, how I wish I could be a fly on the wall 120yrs ago to experience what life was like here in this charming town. Now that we are retired, we can continue restoration of the buildings.
Mrs. Burleson once told me about walking home from school and smelling the scent of fresh bread flowing through the square. She would stop at the bakery and buy a slice of warm bread with a dab of butter slowly melting on the top. The warmth from the bread warming her hands. I can imagine her cupping the bread in both hands and breathing in its goodness just before that first delightful bite.
Someone else once told me that 35yrs ago the square looked like a Normal Rockwall painting she drove into town with her husband to start a new life.
Ladonia is a bit worn down now but if you close your eyes you can envision what it could be once more. Wouldn’t it be lovely to be that town again? With a mom and pop grocery store, a barber shop, a bank, drug store and a few general merchandise stores along with restaurants. Giving people a reason to come and stroll around town and mingle with others.
I am jealous of those that have had the gift of growing up here and remembering that Ladonia. I pray that one day we will be able to return to that small town, a little slice of heaven away from the rat race.
I would love to see the square complete one day. The old buildings restored and new ones put in the place of those that are long gone. A quiet little community, a small town we can all call home. That is my dream for Ladonia.
April 2007, when my daughter and I drove into Ladonia for the 1st time. A cool front had blown in on our drive up we were freezing as we explored town. We wandered into Mike Owens shop to look around and he loaned us a couple of jackets to stay warm for the rest of our walk about town. It seemed as we had stepped back in time. The old buildings the old Victorian homes made it feel like a faraway place This quaint little rural city spoke to me. I think it actually to called me.
I was raised on a small farm in western Kentucky. The town was Boaz I don’t remember the population but it was small everyone knew each other and their business, of course. After Eddy and I were married (42yrs ago) we moved to Texas, First into an apartment and then into the suburbs.
I had yearned to return to small town life. I felt I had found that place here. A simple home with a bit of land and I could live my dream away from the hustle and bustled of the metroplex. I longed for a simple way of life, a more self-sustaining life. A place for my grown children and grandchildren to come and learn about country life.
I loved Ladonia’s quaint atmosphere. The next thing I knew we owned the two Clang buildings on the square. The ones with the dates on the top (1897 and 1898). Oh, how I wish I could be a fly on the wall 120yrs ago to experience what life was like here in this charming town. Now that we are retired, we can continue restoration of the buildings.
Mrs. Burleson once told me about walking home from school and smelling the scent of fresh bread flowing through the square. She would stop at the bakery and buy a slice of warm bread with a dab of butter slowly melting on the top. The warmth from the bread warming her hands. I can imagine her cupping the bread in both hands and breathing in its goodness just before that first delightful bite.
Someone else once told me that 35yrs ago the square looked like a Normal Rockwall painting she drove into town with her husband to start a new life.
Ladonia is a bit worn down now but if you close your eyes you can envision what it could be once more. Wouldn’t it be lovely to be that town again? With a mom and pop grocery store, a barber shop, a bank, drug store and a few general merchandise stores along with restaurants. Giving people a reason to come and stroll around town and mingle with others.
I am jealous of those that have had the gift of growing up here and remembering that Ladonia. I pray that one day we will be able to return to that small town, a little slice of heaven away from the rat race.
I would love to see the square complete one day. The old buildings restored and new ones put in the place of those that are long gone. A quiet little community, a small town we can all call home. That is my dream for Ladonia.
Cheryl L. McClure & Jan Paul Kruger - Pickle Creek Ranch
I grew up in the city but for a short while, I lived in the country. As life goes, things happen and I ended up moving back to the city. Never thinking I would move to the country again, here I am. It must be fate!
Jan Paul had been coming to Ladonia for years. He was a teenager when his father had get togethers on the property near what used to be called Silver City, north of Ladonia. There were no stores out there so he would send Jan Paul to the store in Ladonia to pick up supplies. As an adult he came out to the property and started clearing it to plant native grasses and raise cattle. That is the land we call Pickle Creek Ranch. When it became possible to retire (sort of), we made the decision to remodel a house and move out here permanently near Ladonia. We call the home property Pecan Branch Ranch.
We raise cattle, have donkeys, a few ducks, chickens, cats and two pot belly pigs named Hansel and Gretel. And no, they are not for breakfast! LOL! We also enjoy gardening especially when we get enough rain and no army worms or storms of grasshoppers! It’s a challenge but we love our home grown veggies. We also love our sunrises, sunsets, walks at the ranch, peace and quiet and stars in the sky, full moons and half moons. It’s wonderful out here.
The beauty of being out in the country and having an art and printing background, are the many photo ops we encounter daily. I love photography and the inspiration I gain from it to create art for sale through my website. I am also a distributor for Young Living. I can help you with seven lines of products, for those who want to create their own healthy body and home environment, from products that are grown organically.
After we finally got finished with our house and moved in, we realized there was a group called the Chamber of Commerce that met on a monthly basis. Being curious, we started going and found some friendly people that helped others in the community. Since there’s not much commerce here, they are a little different but encourage businesses and try to help the community. We participate in things like the town cleanup day, the annual banquet, Frontier Days, Fossil Day, 20 Mile Garage Sale and Market on the Square, and more! It is a feeling of accomplishment when we can have fundraisers to help pay for community events and make improvements around the square.
Jan Paul and I love the small town atmosphere, but yearn to see the days come back where all the spaces on the square are full and houses are being restored and lived in. We have the vision of a town that, maybe won’t be as large as it was at the turn of the century, but one that is large enough to support itself so that the citizens of Ladonia can have the things that they want and need. Yes, we want more businesses and people to come live and prosper in Ladonia.
Come join us in the fun as we all grow together!
I grew up in the city but for a short while, I lived in the country. As life goes, things happen and I ended up moving back to the city. Never thinking I would move to the country again, here I am. It must be fate!
Jan Paul had been coming to Ladonia for years. He was a teenager when his father had get togethers on the property near what used to be called Silver City, north of Ladonia. There were no stores out there so he would send Jan Paul to the store in Ladonia to pick up supplies. As an adult he came out to the property and started clearing it to plant native grasses and raise cattle. That is the land we call Pickle Creek Ranch. When it became possible to retire (sort of), we made the decision to remodel a house and move out here permanently near Ladonia. We call the home property Pecan Branch Ranch.
We raise cattle, have donkeys, a few ducks, chickens, cats and two pot belly pigs named Hansel and Gretel. And no, they are not for breakfast! LOL! We also enjoy gardening especially when we get enough rain and no army worms or storms of grasshoppers! It’s a challenge but we love our home grown veggies. We also love our sunrises, sunsets, walks at the ranch, peace and quiet and stars in the sky, full moons and half moons. It’s wonderful out here.
The beauty of being out in the country and having an art and printing background, are the many photo ops we encounter daily. I love photography and the inspiration I gain from it to create art for sale through my website. I am also a distributor for Young Living. I can help you with seven lines of products, for those who want to create their own healthy body and home environment, from products that are grown organically.
After we finally got finished with our house and moved in, we realized there was a group called the Chamber of Commerce that met on a monthly basis. Being curious, we started going and found some friendly people that helped others in the community. Since there’s not much commerce here, they are a little different but encourage businesses and try to help the community. We participate in things like the town cleanup day, the annual banquet, Frontier Days, Fossil Day, 20 Mile Garage Sale and Market on the Square, and more! It is a feeling of accomplishment when we can have fundraisers to help pay for community events and make improvements around the square.
Jan Paul and I love the small town atmosphere, but yearn to see the days come back where all the spaces on the square are full and houses are being restored and lived in. We have the vision of a town that, maybe won’t be as large as it was at the turn of the century, but one that is large enough to support itself so that the citizens of Ladonia can have the things that they want and need. Yes, we want more businesses and people to come live and prosper in Ladonia.
Come join us in the fun as we all grow together!
In Memory of Gail Levey, Ground Up Organics
Her story:
How often do we get to realize our life's dream? After searching for just the right piece of property in central and northern California for years with no luck, I ran a nation-wide Google search for the homestead of my dreams. The very first search returned a simple ranch house on 5 acres with Bradford pears in front of the home - in Texas! Bradford pears were my dad's favorite ornamental tree, it was a sign! Best of all, the home was located just outside of a very small town located far enough away from a major metropolitan area to make my heart happy.
I called the real estate agent and made an offer that day, then began making plans to move to Ladonia, Texas to plant and grow Ground Up Organics, a sustainable farming operation using no harmful chemicals, but following restorative agriculture leader Joel Salatin and the humane wisdom of Dr. Temple Grandin. Holistic land management and humane animal husbandry practices, self sustaining, earth-wise and responsible.
Moving here was the greatest gift. I didn't expect to be warmly welcomed, but the neighbors on the next property treat me like family and everyone I have come to know have been so kind. Once I was settled in, I joined the Chamber of Commerce of Ladonia. I've belonged to chambers in the past, both small and large, and small town chambers are so much more than just business promoters, they are more civic oriented and all volunteer.
The Chamber of Comerce of Ladonia is the perfect place for people who have their community at heart. The vision of the chamber is to help shape the future of this small town in order to keep the small town feel while encouraging the types of businesses which can help our small faded town become vibrant, rich in the arts, music, good clean food, fun, family operated businesses which succeed enough to support the family and a small town too.
I look forward to a future in a thriving, creative, small town, where my granddaughter can learn the value of life and community right here in Ladonia.
Her story:
How often do we get to realize our life's dream? After searching for just the right piece of property in central and northern California for years with no luck, I ran a nation-wide Google search for the homestead of my dreams. The very first search returned a simple ranch house on 5 acres with Bradford pears in front of the home - in Texas! Bradford pears were my dad's favorite ornamental tree, it was a sign! Best of all, the home was located just outside of a very small town located far enough away from a major metropolitan area to make my heart happy.
I called the real estate agent and made an offer that day, then began making plans to move to Ladonia, Texas to plant and grow Ground Up Organics, a sustainable farming operation using no harmful chemicals, but following restorative agriculture leader Joel Salatin and the humane wisdom of Dr. Temple Grandin. Holistic land management and humane animal husbandry practices, self sustaining, earth-wise and responsible.
Moving here was the greatest gift. I didn't expect to be warmly welcomed, but the neighbors on the next property treat me like family and everyone I have come to know have been so kind. Once I was settled in, I joined the Chamber of Commerce of Ladonia. I've belonged to chambers in the past, both small and large, and small town chambers are so much more than just business promoters, they are more civic oriented and all volunteer.
The Chamber of Comerce of Ladonia is the perfect place for people who have their community at heart. The vision of the chamber is to help shape the future of this small town in order to keep the small town feel while encouraging the types of businesses which can help our small faded town become vibrant, rich in the arts, music, good clean food, fun, family operated businesses which succeed enough to support the family and a small town too.
I look forward to a future in a thriving, creative, small town, where my granddaughter can learn the value of life and community right here in Ladonia.
