la pine rocks! - La Pine Chamber of Commerce

“LA PINE ROCKS!”
CHAMBER CONNECTION
YOUR
“We are the hub of the business community, promoting commerce and tourism
making La Pine a vibrant community to work, live and play!”
Heather
Boys, left to right, Michael & Shawn
Heather’s Bitchin’ Stitchin Custom Embroidery
Definition: Bitch-.in (bich – uh n) –adjective
Slang; marvelous; wonderful.
Heather started her home-based custom apparel/embroidery business in
December of 2004, just after moving to La Pine from Arizona. Her husband
had a job with the US Forest Service in Bend as a mechanic, but Heather
needed work. A friend of her husband thought it would be a perfect business for
Heather, who did not want a 9-5 type job. She wanted to work out of the home.
They bought the equipment and hired an experienced person to teach them the
business. Then, by trial and error (Heather says mostly trial), they perfected it.
The first thing she did was join the Chamber, who just happened to be in
the market for some “La Pine” hats (see photo). So the Chamber was her first
customer. In the beginning, they went door-to-door among local businesses, and
it has taken off from there.
Heather has built up a loyal local clientele, as well as servicing several
contracts with promotional companies. She sells on Ebay and Craigslist, too. One
of her clients is an Alaskan Military Youth Academy. Heather enjoys making the
embroidered banners for 4-H Fair projects, too. Her favorite part of the business
is the creative and artistic side of the business, and she does most all her own
design work.
“A little quirk is how people react to our name. Some people are
uncomfortable and don’t understand the actual connotation of the word Bitchin’.
Now we actually show it with a definition of Bitchin printed on our Business
Card.” When they see our work, they understand. We’re “Bitchin’!”
Our Slogan: “Make an Impression”
The future: We have added more machines and, this year, we plan to expand
into handling a variety of promotional materials, like imprinted pens and
magnets, etc. We are starting to offer all types of silk-screening, as well.
Give Heather a call. She’ll work up a design and show you a digital sample
before you pay a dime.
Heather’s Bitchin’ Stitchin Custom Embroidery - 541-536-3683
Email: [email protected] - Web: heathersbitchinstitchin.com
Sponsored by:
KITC FM 106.5, Wise Buys Ads & More
and the Greater La Pine Chamber of Commerce
541.536.9771 • www.lapine.org
Home Federal Bank
Left to right, Misty Cram, Venessa
Carpenter, Sharon McDermott
Home Federal Bank
“Same Faces – Different Logo”
Community First Bank is now Home Federal Bank! It seemed like it all
happened overnight! In a single weekend, the signs were changed and the
bank was under new ownership. But… not much has really changed. Sharon
McDermott is still the Vice-President/Branch Manager, the staff is the same and
the friendly and warm atmosphere that the La Pine Branch is known for, is still
there.
Sharon just takes the change in stride. “I’ve been in banking for over 20 years
and can’t even remember how many mergers, buy-outs and sell-outs I’ve gone
through with various institutions. It is not even alarming anymore. And this
change has only been positive.” Even the Bank’s customers seem to be taking it
in stride. It’s kind of “Business as Usual.”
Sharon: “I was attracted to Community First Bank in 2006, because it was
sort of a “Cheers Bar” Bank, “Where Everyone Knew Your Name.” It was so
refreshing after being in the California market. What is nice is that Home Federal
seems to have the same type of culture. The other thing is that Home Federal
wanted us! They outbid several other banks in order to acquire Community First
Bank. They recognized us as a good fit into their organization. They kept all our
staff and assured us there would be no major changes. Home Federal Bank has
been in business since 1920, so they have weathered many storms, through the
Great Depression, through many recessions and other depressions, and have only
become stronger. They are conservative and responsible in their practices.”
Sharon and her husband discovered La Pine and vacationed here repeatedly
in the 90s. They were RV’ers and enjoyed staying at Cascade Meadow RV Resort
at the Paulina Lake turn off. They were continually drawn back to La Pine and
decided to move here. They took a year off work to develop their property and
that is when she went to work at the bank, in 2006. They still enjoy reminiscing
about their vacation experiences, like the one where their 15-year-old daughter
caught the biggest fish at East Lake (she is now 26 years old). Sharon and her
husband are expecting their 7th grandchild this month.
What do you like best about La Pine? “We love the freedom of space, things are
not crowded, the air is clean and the drivers are courteous. The thing we noticed
first was the people are so friendly and nice.”
Sharon would love to have you stop and see her and the friendly staff (Gloria
Dilley, Sigrid Davis, Vanessa Carpenter and Misty Cram) at Home Federal Bank.
Home Federal Bank, 51366 S. Hwy 97, La Pine, Oregon 97739 - 541-536-1746
Email: [email protected]
To learn more about radio
sponsorship, email the sales
department at [email protected]
or call the Chamber at
541.536.9771