Tonasket Chamber wants to welcome Olympics travelers

TONASKET – The Tonasket Chamber of Commerce is looking for a way to welcome travelers through town on their way to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, B.C. next month.

During their meeting on Tuesday, Jan. 12, the Chamber discussed what wording they can and can not use on a sign to welcome travelers to stop on their way to Vancouver. The sign they would like to put up would be between 20 and 24 feet across and three to four feet high. Chamber Treasurer Terry Mills suggested putting up a simple “Welcome Travelers” sign.

In other sign business, the chamber approved a rough draft sign design by Jerry Bradley for the RV Park. This sign would have white around the edges and white letter which would be reflective so that if headlights hit it, it will be more easily readable by people driving by.

The chamber also approved a request from Mills to purchase wooden plaques for members to display membership cards in. The chamber will start with 16 plaques and purchase more as they go along.

Mills reported to the board there are 48 members right now. She said a lot of members who usually pay dues haven’t yet but she has sent reminders out. There were 62 members last year and the chamber would like more this year.

After President Kari Alexander suggested the theme of “75th Jubilee” for the Founder’s Day Parade, the membership agreed. Geri Beeman said she thinks the format for the rodeo weekend from Thursday, June 3 to Saturday, June 5 will be the same as last year.

Herb Wandler announced to the chamber that the North Valley Hospital Health Association has recently received part of an inheritance of over $105,000. This money will be used by the association for the extended care and to improve health. Wandler also announced that the Groundhog Dinner will be on Saturday, Feb. 6 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The next Chamber of Commerce meeting will be on Tuesday, Jan. 26 at noon in Whistler’s Family Restaurant.