South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER UPDATE

April 2007
Volume 14, Issue 4

Chamber Statistics for February 21st—March 20th, 2007

 

Written Correspondence
(Mail & E-mail)

1009 pieces of mail or e-mail

 

Visitor Services
(Walk-ins & Phone Calls)

650 people served

 

Relocation Packets
(Given out or mailed)

25 packets

 

Events & Attraction Info
(Walk-ins & Phone Calls)

350 requests

 

Directions & Maps
(Walk-ins & Phone Calls)

225 People helped

 

Business Services
(Inquiries about local business)

400 questions answered

 

Chamber Membership Info

21 Inquiries

 

 

From The Desk of your CEO – Marna Gatlin

 

Greetings and Salutations South Columbia County!  It’s spring once again, and here I am celebrating another spring with my favorite county ever.  I’ve been at the helm leading your Chamber for a year now.  Wow!  An entire year!  Little did I know when I stepped into these shoes what a life changing year this would be for me.

 

In reflecting over the successes and progress of this Chamber in the past year, I am amazed at it’s growth – this community is comprised of many incredible people who have helped South Columbia County achieve some really great things!

 

Just to name a few:

 

· Many of our Chamber members volunteered for our first annual Arts and Eats Festival.   The turnout - mind blowing!

· The Chamber and its volunteers organized and pulled off a very successful May Clean up Day for Scappoose, St. Helens and Columbia City!  The Band Patrons added several hundred clams to their bank account!

· Our Chamber Members helped with, and strutted their wares at 13 Nights on the River as well as The Fourth of July.  (And for anyone who didn’t participate, this is something not to miss.)  The music, food, fireworks, entertainment, and people are fabulous!

· We as a community were selected by the Ford Family Foundation to participate in The Ford Institute Leadership Program.  This program provides training on leadership development, effective organizations and community collaborations; all training is provided in the community. The program classes, which span over four years, are presented in our community.

· Our Chamber dropped the St Helens and Scappoose name and converged into one becoming The South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce to encompass and recognize Warren, Columbia City, and Deer Island.

· The Rotary Club of Columbia County help pay off the mortgage to the Columbia Food Bank through the Barbara Bullis Golf Tournament.

· Our tourism division is really going places --  Julie Beehler, our Tourism Director, has taken the bull by the horns and is working extremely hard to put South Columbia County on the map not only with the development of new programs, but working in tandem with Kristin Dahl who is heading up our Sustainable Tourism program.

· The South Columbia Winter Hoe-Down and Awards Ceremony was by far one of the largest Chamber events we’ve ever thrown!  The turn out was the largest the Chamber has ever experienced for a Chamber related event.

 

You all should be patting yourselves on the back because without your help none of the above could have happened! 

 

On a sad note – Ruby Carroll the Chamber’s tourism administrative assistant has retired.  We aren’t sure what we are going to do without seeing Ruby or her beaming smile on a daily basis here at the Chamber.  She is sorely missed.

 

Please let me know how you like or dislike the electronic newsletter – your feedback is important!  And for goodness sakes stop in and say “hi”!  You can catch me from 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM Tuesday – Friday.

 

Kindest Regards-

 

Marna D. Gatlin, President – CEO

South Columbia County Chamber of Commerce     www.sccchamber.org

503.397.0685 ext: 106

APRIL EVENTS

Please call or e-mail the Chamber with information on your local 2007 event! We’ll include it in this listing for FREE 503-397-0685 or email jenny@sccchamber.org

April  —  The Month of April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Wear a blue ribbon to show your support for our children!  Volunteer for programs like CASA 503-397-0028 x 233 or Healthy Start 503-366-6556. Report suspicious drug activity to the Columbia Enforcement Narcotics team 1-877-397-1167. Learn how to recognize and report signs of suspected abuse or neglect by requesting a speaker or in-service training 503-397-3292 or 1-800-428-1546. Contact the Columbia County Commission on Children and Families at 503-397-7211 or www.co.columbia.or.us/home.asp

 

April 7th  -  MEGGA Easter Egg Hunt at the Columbia County Event Complex 58892 Saulser Road in St Helens. FREE EVENT!!  Over 25,000 Eggs & Special Golden Egg Prizes!  Petting Zoo, Pony Rides, Coloring Contest, Horse & Carriage Rides, 4-H Archery Demo, Veggie Tales Movie, Pictures w/Easter Bunny, Face Painting.  (The Easter Egg hunt is for children 12 years and under. A customized hunt will be available for physically & mentally challenged children.)

 

April 13th  -  Spring 2007 Regional Economic Development Forum 10:00 am—3:30 pm at Columbia River Maritime Museum located at 1792 Marine Drive in Astoria. The NW Oregon Regional Partnership and Columbia-Pacific Economic Development District are sponsoring a one-day workshop following-up on last year’s Transforming Rural Economies session. Register by April 6th. Cost is $20.00 and includes lunch.  For registration information contact Karen Kent, Conference Coordinator, at 503-397-3099 or ColPac@NWOregon.org

 

April 21st  -  Grant Watts Elementary School Auction . Doors open at 5:00 pm starting with 3 silent auctions. Oral auction begins at 7:00 pm. Bartholomew Productions will be providing DJ and music. There will be raffles and door prizes, as well as on-site childcare. Admittance is free. Refreshments will be available. Event will be at Grant Watts Elementary School, 52000 SE 3rd Place in  Scappoose. For more information or to make a donation call the school at 503-543-6371.

 

April 27th  -  A Night of Pageants—St Helens High School Commons. Open to the Public at 7:00 p.m. St. Helens Festivals Queen and Scappoose Sauerkraut Festival Queen.  Both Queens represent their respective festivals throughout Columbia County, appearing in parades, civic events, and other promotional activities. The Scappoose Community Club sponsors a $500 scholarship to the Scappoose Sauerkraut Festival Queen. If you would like more information or a pageant application, please contact Jean McPherson at 503-366-1945 or ccrodeo@hotmail.com.

 

April 28th —  Spring Clean-Up Day 9:00 am—3:00 pm.  Drop sites at 3 convenient locations: St Helens High School, Scappoose High School, Columbia City School.  Yard debris, trees & limbs—Free. Extra bulky waste or hard-to-dispose-of items, such as old furniture, lawn mowers, mattresses, etc. will be $5 for a carload, $10 for a truckload, and $15 for a trailer load.  Hazardous waste materials may be delivered to the transfer station between the hours of 8:00 am—noon.  This is a community event sponsored by many organizations— For more information see the flyer inside our new April On-line Newsletter!!!     

MAY EVENTS

 

May 3rd -  For The Father’s Glory—Announcing the Columbia Pregnancy  Center’s second annual fundraising banquet & silent auction, Thursday,     May 3, 2007.  Grace Baptist Church located at 58690 Ross Rd in St Helens. Seating  begins at 6:30 pm. Dinner and Program at 7:00 pm. During the event an opportunity to make a financial gift will be extended. Dinner is complimentary. Semi-formal attire.  Please contact the Columbia Pregnancy Center if you would like to attend, host a table, sponsor a table, or donate an item for the silent auction.  RSVP by April 16 503-397-6047. or cpc@colcenter.org

 

May 3rd—Ticor Title Scappoose Escrow Branch Office Ribbon Cutting.  Ticor Title will be holding their Ribbon Cutting and Open House for their newly located Scappoose Escrow Branch.  It will be held on Thursday May 3rd, from 4 - 7 pm.  The Ribbon Cutting will take place at 4pm. It will be catered by Wild Currant Catering. This will truly be an event you will not want to miss.  Address is 51669 Columbia River Hwy Suite # 110 in Scappoose next to Family Vision in the new Scappoose Business Center.

 

 

May 19th  -  5th Annual Touch the Heart of a Child Art Auction and Benefit Presented by: The Friends of Sacagawea  Request for Contributions of Art to Support Children’s Health Care.  This year Touch the Heart of a Child will be held on Saturday, May 19th 2007 at the landmark Olde School in historic downtown St. Helens, 251 St. Helens Street.  Doors open at 5:00 pm  Artists making donations will receive one   complimentary admission to the event. Tickets will be sold in advance for $30 or at the door for $35.  Participants will enjoy a silent and oral auction, a delicious buffet, and no-host bar. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to Sacagawea Health Center, 503-366-7645 so we may ensure a place of honor for you.  If you wish to participate you will need to complete a form and return it to Betse Thielman, Executive Director, at Sacagawea Health Center, 1060 Eisenschmidt Lane, St Helens OR 97051. Call 503-366-7645 for the form and for more information.            

Home—Page 1

2007 Board of Directors
Community Awards Results

About the Chamber Update

 

Page 2

Letter to Chamber Members

Sustainable Tourism Report

Board of Directors & Staff

 

Page 3

Press Release—Rainy Day Fund

Membership News That’s New

Press Release—Columbia City School

New Members

Newsletter Ad Drawing

 

Page 4

From Marna’s Desk

Chamber Statistics

April Events

May Events

Member to Member Discounts

Ticor Title Ribbon Cutting

 

Page 5

Education Survey Results

Chamber Events

Technology Article

Spring Clean Up Day

 

Page 6

Legislative Report

Megga Easter Egg Hunt

Kiwanis Raffle