Pearly’s Famous Country Cooking subject 2015 Easter Seals Christmas ornament

ALBANY — The Christmas season got under way a little early Monday as Easter Seals Southern Georgia unveiled its 2015 collectible Christmas Tree ornament, recognizing long-time Albany eatery Pearly’s Famous Country Cooking.

Pearly’s owner and namesake Carey “Pearly” Gates was joined by his wife, Ruth, and other members of his family at a brief ceremony at the restaurant which featured the unveiling of the new ornament and the reading of a proclamation declaring the ornament the official Christmas ornament of Albany as well as recognizing the important work being done for the community by Easter Seals.

“I, Dorothy B. Hubbard, Mayor of the City of Albany, Georgia, do hereby proclaim the “Pearly’s Famous Country Cooking” ornament to be the Official 2015 City Ornament, and urge all citizens, young and old, to support this project and to be receptive of this excellent program,” said the proclamation that was read in Mayor Hubbard’s stead by Easter Seals Southern Georgia Executive Director Beth English.

The program referred to is the sale of the ornament to help draw attention to and raise money for the various programs administered by Easter Seals Southern Georgia, which creates solutions that change the lives of children, adults and families with disabilities or special needs.

Started in 1992, this year marked the 24th year of the Christmas ornament sale, which each year depicts something unique and special in Albany.

While the sale of the ornament is an established tradition, this year marked the second year in a row that Easter Seals Southern Georgia relied on social media to help determine the ornament’s subject.

According to Easter Seals Southern Georgia Champions for Children Coordinator Kathy Sutton, Pearly’s was chosen based on input provided through social media, primarily the organization’s Facebook page.

Sutton said citizens submitted ideas for the ornament’s subject and that eight final suggestions were then presented for voting, the majority of which was done online.

“We had a lot of interest when we decided to do it that way last year,” said Sutton. “It was so popular, we decided to do it again. We ended up having a lot of votes.”

Gates said he was honored that the restaurant was chosen for the ornament, saying that he owed the success of the establishment to the many customers who patronize the restaurant on a regular basis.

“I think it’s a real a honor,” Gates said. “And who has made that (happen), it’s the customers. We appreciate it and we’re proud to be a part of it. We are the oldest restaurant in Albany and that is all on account of our loyal customers. We’ve been here 53 years and I’m glad to be part of it.”

This year’s “Pearly’s Famous Country Cooking” ornament was designed by ChemArt and is available for a cost of $18 with an additional $2 shipping fee for any orders that have to be mailed. The ornaments will be available until all 1,000 have been sold. Select ornaments from prior years are also available.

Anyone interested in purchasing an ornament can do so at the organization’s office at 1906 Palmyra Road or at Pearly’s Famous Country Cooking at 814 N. Slappey Blvd. They can also be purchased online at www.easterseals.com/southerngeorgia/or by calling (229) 439-7061.