Prepping for two 50-year anniversaries in 2020

The board of directors of the Odessa Chamber met for the first time in 2020 on January 13 at Rocky Coulee Brewing Company. Chamber President Zach Schafer told the board that three members of the current junior class at Odessa High School were interested in trying out for the Miss Odessa crown this spring. School staff members had made inquiries and found that there was interest. The Facebook-based group that is pursuing efforts to create a float for the 50th anniversary of Deutschesfest is still seeking people interested in designing and decorating the float in time for Spokane’s Lilac Parade, which kicks off the summer festival season.

Schafer has been in touch with the race chairman for the 50th annual Desert 100 race to be held in April, where a larger than normal crowd is expected to descent upon the campsite at the intersection Irby Road and Highway 28 near Odessa. The 2019 race had an estimated crowd of 9,000, and this year’s figures could climb as high as 13,000. Odessa providers are asked to contact Schafer at the brewery to arrange for a spot in the food court.

The board conducted its second vote to adopt the 2020 budget, as required by the by-laws. A member’s request to hold two board meetings per month instead of one for the next two or three months was also approved to provide a more solid foundation to the planning efforts going into the 50th annual Fest. The first meeting will continue to be held on the Monday prior to the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. at the brewery, and the second meeting will be held at the brewery on the fourth Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m.

At the regularly scheduled meeting of the Chamber membership on Tuesday, January 14, in the public library, a small group of loyal members met to approve the 2020 budget by the required second vote.

Nominations were opened for choosing the Business of the Year and Volunteer of the Year awards. Dale Ramm and Zach Schafer were nominated for Volunteer of the Year, and for Business of the Year there were four nominations: NAPA; Leffel, Otis & Warwick; Odessa Drug and Washington Federal. Nominations will remain open until the membership is ready to vote at the Chamber meeting on February 11.

Odessa businesses were reminded by Odessa Quilt Club members Laura Estes and Lise Ott that notifications, sales flyers, free offers, coupons and the like can be included in the information packets handed out by the club to all who preregister for club events such as the Quilters’ Tea in February, Quilt Till You Wilt in March and the Spring Fling quilt show in April.