Chamber News March 2010

The Greater La Pine Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center
Congratulations To the Cast of LuLu’s Luncheonette
on an Oscar Winning Performance!
The Cast From Left to Right:
Back row; Young Couple-Martha & Tom Lawler, Miss Phoebe NewberryDulcy Pierce, Robbie Roberts-Justin Cutler, Old Trapper-Mike Jensen, LuluJane Gillette, Ernie Earp-Tony DeBone, Evelyn Earp-Kathy DeBone, Mayor
Michael Magill-Rick Surrey, Mrs. Mary Magill-Sandra Jones, Mrs. Cecelia Sutton-Jayne Benner. Front Row: Kid-Mike DeBone, Fireman #-Dan Varcoe,
Fireman #3-Darrell McAllister and Fireman #2-Art Uecker.
Excellence in
Community
Service - 2009
Community Service
Organization - 2009
Business Person
of the Year - 2009
Ann & Gerald Gawith Art Uecker
Accepting the award
Dayle Boucher
Business of the
Year - 2009
Books, Boxes and B.S.
Corporate
Community
Support - 2009
Midstate Electric
Cooperative, Inc. Bill Kopacz,
General Manager
St Vincent de Paul
Accepting the Award
Linda Bauman
Volunteer of the
Year - 2009
Carol Swendsen
Excellence in
Community
Service - 2009
Tony & Kathy
DeBone.
Outstanding
Professional
2009
Graham Balcer
La Pine Chamber
Officers & Board
of Directors
Art Uecker
La Pine Insurance Center
President
Bob Cox
Edward Jones Investments
Vice President
Andy Meeuwsen
COUNTRY® Financial
Treasurer
Jane Gillette
Re/Max Sunset Realty
Linda Johnston
Re/Max Sunset Realty
Tom Weller
Midstate Electric
Robin Mirrasoul
Books, Boxes & Business
Services
Ted Scholer
Re/Max Sunset Realty
Graham Balcer
La Pine Eyecare Center
Chamber Staff
Executive Director
Dan Varcoe
Office Manager
President’s Message What a great month February turned out to be. I say that because
we experienced, what I have heard many say, was the best Chamber
Banquet ever! I can tell you that it was an evening that I will remember for a long, long time. We had a huge crowd of about 130 people. According to those who have the details, twice as many people
attended this year than the previous year. Judging from the laughing,
applause and audience participation it was a great success and a fun
Arthur D. Uecker time was had by all.
I want to thank the members of the best Chamber of Commerce in
the Northwest for making it a rousing success. Without our fantastic members and
their generous spirit we could not have pulled it off. I also want to thank Teri Meyer,
our director and the writer of the play, “Lu Lu’s Luncheonette” for her patience and
understanding during the rehearsals. She helped us bring a smile to the face and laughter to the lips of the entire 130 folks who witnessed the one act play. For those who
missed the event, I can only say that you may never know just how much fun you missed
out on.
I would like to thank all the Chamber Members for voting for the recipients who received awards at the banquet this year. I cannot imagine a more deserving group. Receiving the award for “Business Person of the Year” was a huge surprise and a humbling
one as well. I am honored to be a member of the Chamber and do not take lightly this
award. I would hope that as I move forward I can continue to be deserving of this
award which I will certainly treasure as one of the high points in my career.
Another subject… as a clarification… In “The Presidents Message” of last month, I
pointed out that we had been told that the City Council had voted to begin the process
of recruiting a City Manager and that the Council had begun the process of establishing
a City Charter and would be considering an “At-Large Council Position” in said Charter.
Contrary to my understanding of statements made by City Councilors at the Chamber
Breakfast, we have been informed that final vote of approval has apparently not been
reached among all Councilors regarding those issues (as of the time of this writing).
In closing I would like you all to know just how much I appreciate your support and how
honored I am to serve you. As I enter my second year as your President, I want you to
know that I will continue to work to help make La Pine the best place to do business in
Central Oregon.
Until next month...
Jane Gould
Lead Volunteer
Sharlene Baumgartner
Volunteers
Linda Moore
Carol Blackwood
Martha Lawler
Roger Allen
Judy Keller
Committees
Economic Development &
Gov’t Affairs Chair
Jayne Benner
Join us on March 19th for “The Chamber Breakfast”
Featured Speaker
will be Bill Kopacz, General Manager for Midstate Electric Cooperative, Inc. He will be giving
updated information about Midstate, where they have been and
where he things they are heading.
Breakfast Sponsor
Door Prizes Donated by:
High Lakes Feed, JensenOne Marketing & Consulting, and Wise Buys. If you would like to contribute a
door prize at the Breakfast call the Chamber at (541) 536-9771 or e-mail us at [email protected].
Membership Chair
Sharon McDermott
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Call now (541-536-9771) and sign up for Breakfast with the Chamber! Now only $7.00.
(541) 536-9771 ● E-mail: [email protected] ● Website: www.lapine.org
To all who participated, volunteered, and attended.
Special thanks to Teri Myer writer and director extraordinaire
Table Decorators:
Travel Counsellors
Books, Boxes & BS
Family Health Clinic of La Pine
Home Federal Bank
La Pine Insurance
South Valley Bank
La Pine Senior Activity
Center
La Pine Feed and Pet Supply
L & S Gardens
Thorson Bookkeeping
JensenOne Marketing
& Photography
La Pine Community Health
Center
Patricks Woodworking
Wise Buys
Tammy Baney - Deschutes
County Commissioner
Costume Prize Sponsors:
Corporate Sponsors:
The Outdoors at your Front door
Raffle Prizes Donators:
Travel Counsellors
High Lakes Feed
Little d Technology
Family Health Clinic of La Pine
Home Federal Bank
La Pine Rodeo
La Pine Frontier Days
Newberry Eagle
La Pine Feed & Pet Supply
Midstate Electric
Eagle Crest Resort
Sun Country Raft Tours
Patrick’s Woodworking
Newberry Hospice
La Pine Physical Therapy
Ray’s Food Place/Shop Smart
K&P Remodeling
Floral Designs by Linda
South Valley Bank
Thorson Bookkeeping
La Pine Senior Activity Center
Twigs Gift Company
Page 3
Executive Director Message
Making a Tough Economy Work for Your Business
A Small Town with a
Bright Future
Many business owners are discovering that more and more of their customers are cutting back, doing things for themselves. People are cleaning their own
carpets, cutting their own lawns and even building their own fences.
Why not? They may be unemployed and have time on their hands to
do it. That is not to say that you have permanently lost your entire
customer base forever, but you may have lost a portion of them until
an undetermined time in the future.
So the question is… What can I do about it? If I am to stay in business,
Dan Varcoe
I need more business. You may have to “Think outside the Box!”
We hear that a lot… and it is easier said than done.
A few ideas for you to consider:
1. Get together with a few other trusted Chamber Members. Share your challenges and Brainstorm… Sometimes they will see opportunities for your business
and you may have ideas for their business. Sometimes we are so close to our own
stuff, we can’t see solutions.
2. Make an effort to get referrals from your faithful customers and then ask
those that are being referred, to do business with you. Ask them to “Shop Local…
at Your Place.” Ask those who now shop in other areas, “What would it take for me
to get your business and for you to shop in La Pine?”
3. Consider Email Marketing. Almost any business can do
it. Constant Contact or a similar program can help you do
this efficiently and effectively, in a professional and consistent manner. Keep yourself “Top of Mind”. The Chamber
does it and it works.
4. Have you thought about going after customers in the surrounding communities? Take Your Business Opportunity to them! With today’s technology you may
have an advantage over businesses in other areas that help you compete very well.
One of the advantages in La Pine is generally lower overhead than some other locations. You may be able to provide and deliver a service or product and save your
new customers some money… which is what everyone is looking for right now. And
be sure to take the time to impress them with the extra quality that you can provide
as an added bonus. Present yourself professionally…. The way you dress, the business cards and marketing material you offer, the way you answer the phone and the
vehicle you drive.
5. Be sure to have an up-to-date website, be good at email communication
and be responsive and follow up on leads in order to be considered professional in
today’s business world. You might want to consider marketing on
FaceBook and BlogSites, too.
Consider your business location. Are you highly visible to your target customer? Are
you conveniently located. Location can make or break you. One of the positive factors of
a slow economy is the opportunity to buy real estate or establish leases on flexible terms
and reasonable pricing. Seize the opportunity if you can!
Several of your fellow Chamber Members are in business to help you with these
tools. You may be surprised to see how affordable technology is. Just call me at
the Chamber and I will be happy to help you make connections with those who
are willing and eager to help… YOU WILL BE SHOPPING LOCALLY, TOO!
Here’s Wishing you the Best of Success in Your World of Commerce.
Dan Varcoe – Executive Director – La Pine Chamber of Commerce
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(541) 536-9771 ● E-mail: [email protected] ● Website: www.lapine.org
Welcome Our New Members!
Roberta Stopler, LPC,LMFT Psychotherapist - Bronze Member
I am a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist with twenty five years of clinical experience. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can help you to change how you think (cognitive) and what
you do (behavioral). These changes can help you to feel better. Unlike many other talk
therapies, CBT focuses on the “here and now”. Instead of looking for causes for your distress in the past, it looks to improve your state of mind. For more information contact
Roberta Stopler, 541-318-4277.
Thanks to our Renewed Members!
Rebound Physical Therapy LLC - Bronze member - 6 years
Quail Run Golf Course - Bronze member—20 years
Drug Mart Pharmacy - Bronze member - 18 years
Red Rooster Coffee House & Coffee - Bronze member - 1 year
High Desert Tax Service - Gold member - 13 years
Highlander Motel & RV Park & Shell Station - Bronze member - 17 years
Central Oregon Community College - Bronze member - 13 years
DiamondStone Guest Lodges/B&B, Vacation Rentals - Bronze member - 17 years
La Pine Lodgepole Dodgers Snowmobile Club - Bronze member - 13 years
La Pine Rural Fire Protection Dist. - Non-Profit member - 23 years
Central Oregon Realty - Gold member - 11 year
La Pine building Supply ACE Hardware - Gold member - 24 years
Heathers Bitchin Stitchin - Bronze member - 4 years
Home Entertainment Systems, Inc - Bronze member - 1 year
Hidden Pines RV Park - Bronze member - 7 years
Wickiup Storage - Bronze member - 6 years
Thank you for your continued investment and confidence in
The La Pine Chamber of Commerce
Benefits of
Chamber
Membership
• Referral Service
• Free internet link
from Chamber
web-site to yours
• Your flyer distributed in the newsletter
• Building business
contacts & customer base through
Chamber networking activities such as
monthly breakfast
and other events.
• Display your business brochure &
business card in the
Chamber Office
• Your business information placed in
Welcome bags for
new La Pine residents.
These are all ways to
improve & grow your
business - and there
are many more benefits to your Chamber
membership not even
listed here. We are
working for you Take advantage of
us!
The Chamber Needs You!
We are moving forward with plans to enhance our Programs including Government
Affairs, Tourism, Economic Development and Membership Development and Benefits.
We invite you to get involved. For more information contact Dan Varcoe at the Chamber office at 541-536-9771 or by e-mail at [email protected].
Mission/Vision
Statement
“We are the hub of the
business community, promoting commerce and
tourism making
La Pine a vibrant
community to work, live
and play!”
Visitor Center Stats
for February 2010
48 Visitor* Packets mailed.
103 Visitor walk-ins
178 Visitor phone calls &,
3 Welcome Bags
PO Box 616, La Pine, OR 97739
(new Residents)
P: 541-536-9771, F: 541-536-8410 *Visitors are non-resident tourists
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.lapine.org
The Outdoors at your Front door
Changed your
phone, fax,
website, or email?
Contact the
Chamber to
update your
business listing!
(541)536-9771or
e-mail us at
[email protected]
Page 5
“Chamber Perks”
Remember to “Shop La Pine” and “Shop CHAMBER Members” first!
The following Chamber members are offering benefits to fellow Chamber members. Call the Chamber today to find out how you
can be included.
La Pine Eyecare Clinic
La Pine Tax
Services
New customers receive
10% discount on three
months bookkeeping or
tax preparation on first
visit for services at
LPTS offices. Call
Sharon for appointment
at (541) 536-1675.
Chamber members receive a 5% discount on all optical purchases and 10% discount on a complete pair of
glasses. Eye exam discounts also available. Some
exclusions apply. Call (541)536-2911 for details.
Precise Plumbing
New customers receive 10% off labor for service
call. Call (541) 536-2464.
Little d Technology
L & M Painting
Chamber members receive a 10% discount on a house painting or stain job
services. Call Mark or Leslie at (541)
536-4229.
S & R Storage
New customers receive
10% off the rental of any
storage unit for the entire time the unit is
rented. Available 7 days
a week, call (541)5367926.
Mt. Mazama Water
New customers receive 10% off for the
first 6 months of service. Call Brad at
(541) 884-1888.
Thorson Bookkeeping
New customers receive 10%
discount on three months bookkeeping services on the first visit
at Thorson Bookkeeping. Call
Mary at (541) 536-2912.
Heather’s Bitchin
Stichin
New customers receive a
25% discount off total
embroidery order price.
Minimum order required.
Call Heather at (541)
536-3683.
Peggy Boone, Consultant
Take advantage of this one hour in-house Customer Service
Training for your team. This $100 session is offered to Chamber businesses for just $25.
Isagenix—World Leader in Nutrition—Health and Wellness Group: Improve the health, attendance and quality of life
for everyone in your organization by scheduling a lunchtime
nutritional briefing session for your team! This special offer is
just $2 per employee. Contact Peggy at 541-678– 3734.
Special Offer!
Flyer inserts for
Chamber Newsletter.
Full color copies 29¢
each* or color paper
- B&W copies 10¢
each*
*single side copies only
AFLAC!
We ‘re excited to announce Group Rates for Chamber businesses and individual members. Aflac pays
you cash when you're sick or injured and can't work. Aflac offers supplemental, dental, vision, cancer
and disability, for individuals and businesses. Call Steve or Sue Meyer at 541- 598 4440
Barter Exchange Cooperative (BEC)
Very simply most business owners have a fee structure for their goods and
services every 10 dollars would be equal to one BEC credit. For more
information call Patti King,, Timberline Consulting, LLC, at 541-914-5110.
Cro’s Fencing
Chamber members receive a 10% discount on fence services. Call
Chris (541) 480-8603.
Purchase a New
Dell Computer
System from Little
D Technology and
we will transfer data and
Programs from your old
computer and more FREE:
We have great onsite service!
**Limited to stock
on hand.
541-536-1079.
MyOregonHorseForSale.com
Increase your business
exposure by taking advantage of reduced rates. We
offer Website banner
advertising (including
newsletter advertising) for
$50.00 a month. Space in
our newsletters for $10.00
a week. Want to advertise for FREE? Refer a
client to me, or swap links.
Have a horse to sell? Buy
an ad and we’ll upgrade
your ad to feature status.
Call Bonnie at (541) 7880444.
Travel Counsellors
Discount to Chamber Members. When a Chamber
member makes a referral
they will be entered into the
Ambassador Program and
start earning incentives that
will be awarded upon completion of the referred parties travel. Consider joining Linda Stephenson’s Panama Canal Cruise, January
2011. Call Gina Wearin
(541) 610-6719.
Highlight your Chamber Perks Coupon in Color! Only $20.00
Page 6
(541) 536-9771 ● E-mail: [email protected] ● Website: www.lapine.org
Business Roundtable & Events
March 5th - 7th - The Bachelor Butte Dog
Derby...is a return to racing sled dogs in the Cascade
mountains near Bend/Sunriver, OR. The event is a
trophy race scheduled at Wanoga sno-park. For more
information contact Bino Fowler at: [email protected]. Entry forms, when they become available, will be posted here: RaceEntryForms
March 5th - Newberry Habitat for Humanity...is
having the ribbon cutting for their new ReStore in La
Pine (Wickiup Junction, just north of One-Buck &
More). Friday 10:00am. The Grand Opening will be on
Saturday March 6th from 9:30am to 5:00pm.
March 6th - Cold Climate Gardening...L & S Gardens is presenting a Cold Climate Gardening seminar
on Saturday, March 6, from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the
La Pine Senior Activity Center. Linda Stephenson,
owner of L & S Gardens, will present the What, When
and Where of gardening in south Deschutes county.
For more information call Linda at 541-536-2049.
March 10th - Computer Fraud, Identity
theft...As computer use continues to increase so does
the use of computer to commit crimes. Deschutes
County Deputy District Attorney, Wells Ashby, presents information on cyber crime and how to avoid
being a victim. He will also present timps on how to
protect yourself and family against common computer
related crimes. Please join the La Pine Lions Club on
Wednesday, March 10th at noon at Finley Butte lPark
Bldg. Free and open to the public.
March 11th - Discover Italy. Really discover Italy...Olive Oil Tasting...Time: 4.30 pm – 6.00 pm.
Location: Marcello’s, Sunriver. Presentation by “Gina’s
Italy” of Bend who specializes in offering unique, small
group tours to Italy. Importer of Casanuova di Ama
Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Gubbio's Pottery Art. Offering
classes in language, cooking and Italian culture. No
Host Bar. For questions or to RSVP a meeting please
contact Gina Wearin at 541-610-6719 or SPONSORED BY GINA Wearin of Travel Counsellors and
the Sunriver Travel Club.
March 13th - 8th Annual Crab Feed...All you can
eat crab fresh from the Oregon Coast. Lots of sides,
beer & music. For information go to
www.lapinefrontierdays.org. Tickets available at the
Chamber.
March 20th - Folk & Country concert at Ghost
Rock Ranch...Ghost Rock Ranch in La Pine will host
a top rated folk & country concert featuring Ed Swendsen on Saturday, March 20th, starting at 5:30 pm. Information & reservations call 541-536-1335.
The Outdoors at your Front door
Lodgepole dodgers - Snowmobile Club …2010
Raffle for a Gold Beach Get-Away. Four 104 Mile Mail
Boat trips, One Night Lodging for Two at Jot’s Resort,
$200.00 cash card. $10.00 per ticket, only 500 being
sold! Contact Gary Pankey at 541-593-5927 for more
information.
Home Federal Bank Announces Ultimate
Checking! Now you can have it all – a safe, secure,
local, friendly bank AND 3.01% APY* on qualifying
balances. No minimum balance, no monthly fees and
up to $20 in ATM fee refunds if monthly qualifications
are met. This account is available beginning January 27,
2010. Visit our La Pine branch today to sign
up! *APY=Annual Percentage Yield. $50 opening deposit required. Fees may reduce earnings on the account. Some restrictions apply. Member FDIC.
LPRD needs Budget Committee Members...The
La Pine Park & Recreation Dist. Is in need of volunteers to provide feedback on the 2010—2011 budget
for the district. For more information contact Justin
Cutler 541-536-2223.
La Pine Park & Recreation Dist would like to announce that there will be a soccer program for the
spring of 2010. The soccer program will run for several weeks and will include weekly practices and
games. The details are still in the works, but registrations will be taken the first week of April. Watch the
La Pine Park & Recreation website for the most current information. If you would like to help make this
program happen by either coaching or volunteering
your time to coordinate teams, please call the Park
Office at 541-536-2223.
Chicks Rocks & Gifts...is sponsoring a 50/50 raffle
for La Pine Park & Recreation District. As part of a
monthly Craft & Collectible show. The money raised
from this raffle will support scholarships for yuth in
our community who have financial barriers to participate in Parks and Recreation Programs. The raffle will
occur on a monthly basis with the winner drawn at the
show each month. You can purchases your raffle
ticket at: Desert Rock & Gems, La Pine Feed & Pet
Supply, Little d Technology or at the Show on Saturdays. For information on the show contact Cindy
Beckwith at 541-536-3882.
Do you have an upcoming event? Let us know &
we can post it .
Page 7
February Chamber Breakfast Meeting
Breakfast Sponsor
Corinne Martinez, Board
of Directors, President
Joy Croker, Thrift
Store Manager
Joy and Corinne
Breakfast Speaker
Photographs by Mike Jensen
Giving One
Minute Speeches
to share their
business.
Mike Spukis, Fire Chief
Member
Networking
February Breakfast door prizes donated by:
Announcing door prize winners: Rodeo Queen, Crystal
Bates and Robin Mirrasoul from Books, Boxes and B.S.