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Chamber Banquet The 2014 Chamber Banquet, ‘A Black & White Affair, with a splash of Purple Pazzaz’ was a great success once again. With its award winners, live and silent auctions, great food and relaxed atmosphere, a great time was had by all. Caffe Firenze catered the dinner, and it was fabulous, right down to the dessert! Special thanks to the Ambassadors for all their hard work and dedication, and to the 2014 Board of Directors. Thanks to the businesses in our valley who generously helped to make our event successful by their donations as well as their attendance year after year. Listed on page 4 and 5 is a listing of those businesses who helped make our Chamber Banquet a success as well as more photos of our Banquet.Rosie Huckstadt being presented with

the ‘Laurel’ Award for her services

Sapphire Lutheran HomesCommunity Asset Award

First Security BankBusiness of the Year Award

The Catered TableNew Business of the Year Award

South Valley Civic GroupEconomic Development Award

Stevensville Main Street AssociationCommunity Service Award

Adele DickenVolunteer of the Year

Larry StrateUnsung Hero Award

Ann BetheaSpark Plug Award

In This IssueLetter from President ............ Page 2

Letter from Director ............. Page 2

Super Host Seminar .............. Page 3

Committee Update ................ Page 3

Ravalli County Map ............. Page 3

Banquet Photos .................... Page 4

Thank You’s .......................... Page 5

Chamber Stats ..................... Page 5

Chamber’s Newest Members Page 6

Ribbon Cuttings ................... Page 6

Calendar of Events .............. Page 7

Brewfest ................................ Page 8

406-363-2400 - fax 406-363-2402105 East Main - Hamilton MT 59840

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER -- April 2014

Ravalli Electric Co-op

Corvallis, MT - (406) 961-3001 - wwww.ravallielectric.com

A Touchstone Energy Partner

Letter from Director Al Mitchell

Letter from our President . . . Sherri Williams

Well, we’ve made it!!!! Spring! One of my favorite times of the year, and I am never more reminded of the freshness of spring than when I experience it in our beautiful Bitterroot Valley. We are so very blessed. I know the world is full of beautiful places and I long pondered the thought of living in one continual climate, and soon dismiss that idea. I LOVE ALL FOUR OF OUR SEASONS. What a party! The 2014 Chamber Banquet was a wonderful time to gather with old and new friends and members. It was so nice to see all of our well deserving award winning recipients there to receive the honor they so greatly deserve. The food pro-vided by John and Patty Stevens from Caffé Firenze was fabulous as usual. Thanks goes out to all the Ambassadors, headed up by Donna Shulund, for the beautiful ambiance with shades of purple. It was so spectacular! Then last but not least, what can I say about our Master of Ceremonies, Bob Thomas, other than GREAT JOB BOB! The world is ever changing as is our community’s events. We have so many great events for 2014 stretching the entire length of the valley. Please check all of them out on our website and don’t miss a one. You will regret it. Also with change comes changes to our website. It is an ever evolving masterpiece. Check it out and don’t hesitate to give us feedback if you would like to see something changed or featured. We are an open door to ideas. Please don’t forget when you are on the site to “Like” us. We want to make this a website that brings tourists to the valley, promotes your business and helps draw new business to the area to add jobs and stability to our beautiful valley. Enough for now. On to enjoying the summer and Brewfest!Best regards everyone ... Page 2 - Newsletter

Gift CertificatesAs a Chamber of Commerce, we have many business members that depend upon local support in order to keep their doors open. With that in mind, we have a gift certificate program that ensures that these gifts will be spent here at home and not in our neighboring larger cities. BUT, instead of the buyer selecting the store and limiting the type of gift that the certificate is used for, the certificates can be used at participating stores in the Bitterroot Valley area. This gives the receiver a wide choice as to what they want or need.

We want to help keep dollars from leaving the Bitterroot Valley. If money is spent here, it will circulate an average of 4-7 times before leaving the area. That is definitely a boost to our economy! So, if you are planning an employee recognition program and wonder what and how you are going to reward your employees, give the Chamber Office a call today at 363-2400. The gift certificates are available in various increments. The certificates come with the list of stores where they can be used – all in a nicely printed gift envelope. They will thank you for letting them choose their own reward!

Happy Spring! It seems Mr. Groundhog made sure we all got enough snow to salvage a successful Winter season. It was great news for all those folks who depend on the white fluff for their livelihoods. Hopefully, we will experience a slow warm up without too much flooding. Spring is a time of new birth for animals and renewal for many trees, grasses and flowers. It is a welcome sight! It is time to get out and start sprucing up our properties in advance of what promises to be a strong tourist season. The great recession has ended, across most of the nation, and experts agree that folks will soon be making their way to the Treasure State for their summer vacations. Your Chamber is working hard to get those folks, in search of the great Montana adventure, to come to our great Bitterroot Valley. (Side note: Don’t miss your opportunity to advertise your business in our reprint of the upcoming Tourism and Relocation

Guide. Contact Pat.) We have many unique businesses and vacation opportunities from Lost Trail Pass to Florence. When visitors frequent your business please refer them to other local businesses in the valley. We want folks spending time with other Chamber businesses or potential Chamber members, rather than zipping through and filling their needs at regional centers like Missoula, the Flathead and Coeur d’Alene. Let’s approach this tourist season with great anticipation and optimism. Having twice visited Dyersville Iowa, which was the location of the movie Field of Dreams, I am a great believer of the saying, “If you build it, they will come.” Let’s build the best and most memorable experience for our visitors. Have a great Spring!

-Al

Committee Updates . . . Leads Committee - Jane Foster, Chair Welcome to ‘Spring in the Bitterroot’ from the Leads Group of the BVCC.

I am so pleased to tell you about the LEADS Group. We are com-prised of representatives of Chamber member businesses, limited to one representative from each business category. Our mission is to network with, learn about, and primarily develop relationships [some say a lost art] with our fellow businesses so that we can intelligently and confidently exchange leads with our fellow mem-bers. Each business has an opportunity to present a brief, focused one minute elevator speech at the start of each meeting. There is also the opportunity to present an in-depth 20 minute presentation detailing their business once each year. Every meeting allows for one-on-one networking time.

One of our other missions is to be active within the Chamber Com-munity. Members of the LEADS Group had the pleasure of pre-senting an educational skit on the value and benefit of Networking at the BBIA March Meeting. In addition to being a fun exercise, it also gave members an opportunity to meet others in the local business community.

We have 23 active members who make an effort each and every meeting to attend. One of the key elements in effective Network-ing is consistency which allows relationships to blossom and trust to deepen. We have some business categories that have openings for representatives and welcome each of you to ‘come and see what we are about!’

We meet the second and fourth Tuesday of every month in the Conference Room at Big Sky Builders in Victor from Noon to 1. We begin and end on time, so don’t be late!! We do not serve lunch, but you are welcome to bring your own.

Jane Foster, ChairFoster & Foster Financial Services

Newsletter - Page 3

Hi and Happy Spring! What a joy to serve as Co chair with Donna Shuland on the Ambassadors Committee. Well another great banquet has past us by and we are on to other ribbon cuttings and Business After Hours. We had good weather for our banquet as we greeted people at the door. There was a lot of purple out there - as the men showed ties and shirts and socks that went with our “splash of purple” theme. Our silent auction was headed up by Pat Easley and her crew. The decorations were festive and pretty. The volunteers come that Saturday morning and put all the tables together with ribbons and balloons for the occasion. Marie Christopher put on another terrific Live Auction and we thank Rick Peverly again for his part in that success. Our awards were handed out to the award winners and pictures were taken by KJ and Amy. I have been told that if you would like one of your photos, all you have to do is contact the Chamber and the ladies will make sure you get them. And oh my, John Stevens and Patty did it again, with mouth watering food and desserts. Caffe Firenze came through once again, serving us and making sure we didn’t go away hungry. We are so thankful to our volunteers and staff at the Chamber and we were proud to acknowledge them for their efforts, along with our fearless leader Al Mitchell. Al makes sure everything goes along smoothly and he does a fine job of that not only at banquets, but every week for us at the Chamber. Bob Thomas was our emcee for the night and did a good job. He has done this before in years gone by and he has not lost his touch. So many smiles and so much laughter as we played a few fun games, ate good food, gave out awards and spent a little money - until Bob told us it was time to go home. Thank you to our members and fellow business people that donate to our cause, thank you to all that donate your many hours and to our ambassadors for your hard work in pulling off another successful banquet. Laughter is good medicine for the soul. And our souls went home happy. As Past President I am thankful for the awards I received that evening and they are in a special spot in my office. We couldn’t do it without all of the team spirit I witnessed. Blessings to all of you as we march into Spring of 2014. Rosie Huckstadt.

Ambassadors Committee - Donna Larson/-Shulund & Rosie Huckstadt

Chamber Community Luncheon The Chamber’s first Community Luncheon was held in Darby on Thursday, March 27 at The Montana Cafe. We had a packed house and those present were able to give a brief report on what their business was doing and what events they may have coming up. Chamber Director, Al Mitchell, gave a brief report on what the Chamber is doing and why you should be a member. Rosie Huckstadt, past president, thanked everyone for coming. Our next monthly Community Luncheon will be held in April with time and place to be announced.

Page 4 - Newsletter

Newsletter - Page 5

363-0266 x fax: 363-0241 x 1711 North First x Hamilton

Professional Investment AdviceServing the Bitterroot Valley since 1981

Jim Moerkerke, CFP®, CWS®Senior Vice President, Financial Consultant

John Passuccio, CWS®Financial

Consultant

Thank You The Bitterroot Valley Chamber would like to thank the following who donated to our Silent and Live Auctions at our recently held Chamber Banquet.AAA InsuranceAlbertsonsAlta RanchAlterations by GraceAmerican FederalArt FocusBella BoutiqueBig Creek CoffeeBig Sky Eye CareBig Sky TravelBitterroot ChiropracticBitterroot DrugBitterroot StarBlazing ShuttersBody Rhythms MassageBR Valley Chamber of CommerceCaffe FirenzeCal RuarkChapter One BookstoreCheers

Cherry Creek RadioCoffee CupDaly MansionDominic FarrenkopfEvans Ace HardwareFarmers State BankFirst Interstate BankFirst Security BankFlorence Ace HardwareFordsFran MilanoGreg CarterHamilton Downtown Assoc.Hamilton PharmacyHamilton Wine & LiquorHelen GurtnerHigherground BrewingJerry WesselsK-MartKJ Kahnle, ArtistLakeland Feed & SuppyLaurel &Bill FrankenfieldMassaMikesell’s Fine JewelryMildenberger MotorsMoose Creek BBQ

Mt. Basket BistroNorma PfaffOld West Gallery, Gifts & AntiquesPaper ClipPurity CleaningRavalli RepublicReal Property Management SapphireRich LandeRosewood Wellness CenterSapphire Lutheran HomeSearsStewart TitleThe Boxxe ShoppeThe Catered TableThe EdgeThe Local PagesTim’s Cleaner CarpetsTownHouse Inns of MontanaTownsquare MediaTricia Bass, American ImpressionistTroy Collins, ArtistValley Mini StorageValley View Estates Nursing HomeWayne Wardwell Photo MinistriesWind River Tails & Trails

Bitterroot ValleyStatistics

Chamber Business Walk-Ins Chamber Business Calls

Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb.

2014 186 225 293 309

Chamber Relocation Walk-Ins Chamber Relocation Calls

Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb.

2014 23 11 25 6

Chamber Tourism Walk-Ins Chamber Tourism Calls

Jan. Feb. Jan. Feb.

2014 45 36 38 41

Chamber Business Referrals

Jan. Feb. 2014 92 142

Web Site Stats

Page 6 - Newsletter

Ribbon Cuttings . . .

Chamber’s Newest Members . . .ELITE BULL CONNECTIONPO Box 1135 in Darby(406) 544-5536www.eliteprobullriders.com Cal Ruark

JFV CONSTRUCTION214 North 8th St in Hamilton (406) 360-2021jimv893@gmail.comJames Vitale

STATE FARM - SPEAR INSURANCE & FINANCIAL170 S. 2nd St #D in Hamilton(406) 363-1544www.insuringmontana.comMarc Spear

TOBACCO FREE RAVALLI170 South 2nd St #D in Hamilton (406) 363-1544www.ravalli.us/222/tobacco-freeLyndsay Stover

STRAIGHT LINE2089 Silver Ridge in Hamilton(406) 381-0425straightlinekearney@gmail.comJames Kearney

THE BOXXE SHOPPE310 North First St in Hamilton(406) 363-4440theboxxeshoppe@gmail.comTeri Horn

FOSS REALTY365 Gold Creek Loop in Hamilton(406) 363-6647www.bitterrootland.comLee Foss

RAVALLI COUNTY COALITION610 North 1st St #4 in Hamilton(406) 830-8003cowens@rc.mt.gov

CHARTER BUSINESS3819 Stephens Ave Ste 1BMissoula MT 59802(406) 317-1382www.charterbusiness.comBill Merrill

BELLA BOUTIQUENew Location: 214 West Main in Hamilton

(406) 375-1900Mary Marsh and Claire Kemp

H&R BLOCK210 North Second Street in Hamilton

(406) 363-2380Jenny Jacobson

Committee Chairs:u Ambassadors: Donna Shulund, Bitterroot Chamber & Rosie Huckstadt, Old West Gallery, Gifts & Antiques

u Agri-Business: Deb Harrison

u Tourism & Marketing: Marie Christopher, TownHouse Inns

u Bitterroot Brewfest: Steve Weber, Speaking Gump & Troy Robertson, Hamilton Polaris

u Government Affairs: Fred Thomas, Paynewest Insurance & Teri Polumsky, By Owner Real Estate

u Membership Outreach: Chamber Board

u Natural Resources: Pat Connell, Timberland Forestry & Wayne Hedman, Retired.

u Leadership Bitterroot: Greg Carter, Greg Carter Inc.

u Leads Group: Jane Foster, Foster & Foster Financial Services

u Tournaments: Al Mitchell, The Paper Clip

4,000 Hours of Service John Trangmoe, a volunteer for the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce, was recognized for his service over the past 11 years by Area RSVP. John volunteers numerous places around the valley and we are very lucky to have him here at the Chamber. This is quite an accomplishment for someone who is supposedly retired! We have five other volunteers here at the Chamber - Bert Bovee, Marvin Edstedt, Lorene Williams, Myrna Wolf. Also Donna Haley-White fills in from time-to-time --- Thank You!

Keeping Our Communities

Connected

Newsletter - Page 7

Chamber Meetings

AGRI-BUSINESS meets the 1st Thursday of every month at 9 a.m. at the Chamber office.

AMBASSADORS meet 1st Wednesday of every month at 12-noon. Call for location.

CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS meets 3rd Tuesday of every month at 5 pm.

LEADS meets 2nd and 4th Tuesday's of every month at 12-noon - Call for meeting place.

Civic Club SchedulesCORVALLIS CIVIC CLUB meets 3rd Monday of every month at 7:30 pm at the Corvallis High School lunchroom. Tonia Bloom 363-3485.SOUTH VALLEY CIVIC GROUP meets the 4th Thursday of every month at 6:30 at the Darby Library. Annie Edwards 370-1309.FLORENCE CIVIC CLUB meets 1st Tuesday of every month at 7 pm at Fire Hall in Florence. Ann Bethea 403-6491STEVENSVILLE CIVIC CLUB meets 2nd Thursday of every month at 12-noon at St. Mary’s Mission Visitor Center. Robin Holcomb 777-7804.

Regular Luncheon MeetingsKIWANIS - Wednesdays at 12-noon at BJ’S RestaurantLIONS - Tuesdays at 12-noon at BJ’s RestaurantROTARY - Mondays at 12-noon at BJ’s RestaurantSOROPTIMISTS - Thursdays at 12-noon at BJ’s Restaurant

Up Coming Calendar Events . . .

April 5 Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Fundraiser/Dinner at the 1st Inter state Center. 363-3411April 5 Daly Mansion’s Spring Speaker Series from 10 to noon.363-6004 for more info. www.dalymansion.orgApril 5 Hamilton Downtown Assoc. is sponsoring a Crab Feed. Call 360-9124April 11-13 Hamilton Players presents Harvey. Call 375-9050April 12 Daly Mansion’s Spring Speaker Series from 10 to noon.363-6004 for more info. April 12 Biggest Indoor Garage Sale at the 1st Interstate Center. 363-3411April 17 Natural History Lecture at RC Museum at 6 pm. 363-3338April 18-19 Hamilton Players presents Harvey. Call 375-9050April 20 Community Easter Egg Hunt at the RC Fairgrounds beginning at 1 pm. 363-3411April 25 Daly Mansion’s Arbor DayApril 25 Masonic Lodges of Hamilton, Victor and Stevensville present Patrick McManus Show at 7:30 pm at the PAC in Hamilton.

April 25-27 Hamilton Players presents Harvey. Call 375-9050April 26 4-H Community Carnival at the 1st Interstate Center. 363-3411April 26 Daly Mansion’s Donor/Member Appreciation Event-Sneak Preview of the “I DO” Exhibit. 363-6004 www.dalymansion.orgMay 1 PAC in Hamilton presents Hilary Hahn Violinist. Call 363-7946May 2 Fourth Grade Farm Fair at the RC Fairgrounds. 363-3411May 2 Pie in the Sky Auction in Stevensville. 777-3773May 2-3 My Kids Closet Community Consignment Sale at the 1st Interstate Center. May 4 Daly Mansion Education Alliance Presentations. 363-6004 www.daly mansion.orgMay 10 Daly Mansion’s Mother’s Day Tea. 363-6004May 11 Daly Mansion Tours Open for Season. 363-6004May 16 SAFE Crystal Ball Dinner/Fundraiser at the BR River Inn, 363-2793May 17-18 BR Gem & Mineral Society Show at the 1st Interstate Center.May 24 BR Gymkhana at RC Fairgrounds 363-3411May 26 Corvallis Memorial Day Parade. Call Doug Mason 546-4244May 30 & 31 Daly Mansion Rummabe Sale. 363-6004 for more infor.May 30 & 31 My Kid’s Closet Spring Sale at RC Fairgrounds. 363-3411June 6-8 Mt. Professional Artists Assoc. Show at the BR River Inn. Call 777-0553June 7 & 21 BR Gymkhana at RC Fairgrounds 363-3411June 13-15 Hamilton Players presents The Music Man. Call 375-9050June 19 Wine and All That Jazz in Darby from 5-7. Call 847-721-7854June 20-21 Western Heritage Days in Stevensville. 777-3773June 20-22 Hamilton Players presents The Music Man. Call 375-9050June 21 Bitter Root Day at the RC Museum 363-3338June 23 thru 26 Daly Mansion’s Youth History Day Camp. 363-6004 www.dalymansion. org for more information.June 27-28 Sr. Pro Rodeo at the RC Fairgrounds. 363-3411June 27-29 Hamilton Players presents The Music Man. Call 375-9050

The Bitterroot Public Library has things going on every month so check their site at www.bitterrootpubliclibrary.org for complete listings

Page 8 - Newsletter

Microbrew Festival

Saturday, July 26, 20143:00 - 10:00 pm

Legion Park in Hamilton$20 for 5 Tastes

& A Commemorative Glassl Great Brews, Meads, Ciders & Wines

l Great Food l Great Music

406-363-2400www.bitterrootchamber.com

20th Annual Microbrew The 20th Annual Bitterroot Valley Chamber Microbrew Festival will be held on Saturday, July 26, from 3 pm to 10 pm by the Legion Park. The cost is $20 for 5 tastes and you also receive a commemorative glass. Come taste over 40 microbrews

and selected wines and ciders. Vote for your favorite beer and enjoy great food and music. ‘Shakewell’ will be our headliner band this year with two other performers set to provide entertainment for you. We also have several opportunities for you to be a sponsor for our biggest fundraiser of the year - ranging from $150 to $1,000. The annual brewfest has become the Chambers best attended event and a great chance

for your business to be associated with a fun summertime celebration. Call us today 363-2400 to ask about sponsorship or vendor opportunities.

Spring is coming . . . As spring approaches, the tourists begin arriving looking for things to do, where to stay, and restaurant selections. The Bitterroot Valley Chamber’s Visitor Information Centers, are open seven days a week from Memorial Day through Labor Day, to help tourists stay in our valley a few more days. If you do not have brochures here at the Chamber, please get them to us to display for you. This is just one of your benefits of being a Chamber member. Last year we had over 11,000 visitors at our Lost Trail Visitor Information Center alone, so it is important that we have your information. Many of the visitors coming

to the valley will be doing their research on the website, and with the Chamber’s site, it will make it easier and more convenient for them to see what we have to offer. Our re-print of the 2014 Relocation and Tourism Magazine will be available with turn-page capabilities on our site as well. The Bitterroot Valley Chamber is here to serve you, our members, so please make sure we have your information so we can promote your business, let’s make this one of the best summers we can offer to those traveling into our beautiful valley.