Key Chamber positions unfilled

Chamber of Commerce members were reminded at their January 10 meeting that several key Chamber positions are open, including that of Biergarten Chairman. They were also reminded that new officers will be installed in March, and were asked to serve if possible.

Community Kitchen

Members learned that the plan to upgrade the community center kitchen will not be able to begin until late December or possibly January, 2013. Events already scheduled at the venue don’t allow a long enough window of opportunity for construction until that time.

After Chamber vice-president, Deutschesfest food chairman and kitchen project coordinator Lindsy Starkel presented a design plan and equipment list, members voted to continue, giving Starkel the go-ahead to complete the design phase and begin work with the contractor. The organization is hoping to use volunteer labor to minimize remodeling costs as much as possible.

Readerboard

The group then voted to revisit their support of the proposed new readerboard for the Festplatz, which is being spearheaded by the Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO). At an earlier meeting, members had approved a $2,000 donation to the sign fund. The vote at Tuesday’s meeting will allow the group to revisit that amount at a future meeting, pending review of the total cost of the project and the 2012 Chamber budget.

Spring Fling

Laura Estes, representing the Odessa Quilt Club, spoke to the group about plans for Spring Fling, which is scheduled for the weekend of April 27-29, 2012. Estes reported that the group is expecting as many quilts as in 2011, and that the downtown “quilt walk” will be a feature again this year. She also reported that a request had been received from the Harrington Chamber of Commerce to coordinate advertising and promotion efforts, as Harrington’s community-wide yard sales occur on the same weekend.

In addition, Estes said, the Odessa volunteer firemen’s consignment auction has been scheduled for Spring Fling weekend, which will hopefully draw additional people to town. She added that Spring Fling organizers would still like to have other events which could be coordinated with existing events, such as a car or motorcycle show.

Oilseed workshop

Members went on to approve the use of “Chamber Bucks” to promote local businesses at the Oilseed Crop Production Workshop which to take place at The Odessa Community Center on January 24. The Odessa workshop is one of two Washington State University sponsored workshops which will take place; the other in Colfax Jan. 26.