Deutschesfest plans A, B and C being considered

ODESSA – The Odessa Chamber of Commerce met Tuesday of this week at noon in the community center for its regular monthly meeting.

Treasurer Larissa Zeiler reported a current bank balance of $73,856 after the board approved the purchase of the JonathINNs trailer from Don Korpinen for $10,000. The $4,175 federal Covid grant received through the Lincoln County EDC is being used to offset about half of that cost, so the net cost to the Chamber is $5,825. The trailer is fully outfitted for providing mobile outdoor food service, and it is anticipated that it will be used this fall at Fest 2021. Zeiler and President Jeff Huiras explained to those present that the board’s current plan is to hold Deutschesfest this year in some fashion or other. Plans A, B and C are currently being worked out. Plan A would be a full-blown Fest such as the Chamber has put on up through 2019 (relatively unlikely to come to fruition given the current health issues). Plan B is a hybrid model that would move as many events as possible outdoors or under tents and awnings to provide social distancing options. Plan C would involve to-go food sales only in the event of another Covid surge in the fall.

Commercial kitchen: Laura Estes reported that a few events had taken place in the kitchen and/or community center and two more are currently scheduled. Even though the Odessa Healthcare Foundation’s wine tasting, microbrew sampling and auction is virtual this year, the auction items will be kept in the community center until they can be picked up the day after the final, live online auction. That same weekend, GO! Odessa Recreation is holding a bouquet sale for Mother’s Day. Arrangements have been made for the bouquets to be assembled at Christ Lutheran Church and then moved to the community center’s cooler for distribution.

Lowe’s grant: Huiras reported that Lowe’s, in honor of its 100th anniversary, will provide grants to 100 small towns in the U.S. Only municipalities and non-profits are eligible to apply.

T-Mobile: This company is also accepting applications for $3 million that will be awarded to one small town.

A vote was taken on whether the Chamber should continue to meet at noon on the second Tuesday of each month or to move the time to 6 p.m. to make it easier for some business owners to attend. Following a brief discussion, the motion to change the time was defeated.