MAY 2019

WHAT’S INSIDE Resources...... 02 Economic Impact...... 03 From the Board...... 04 New Members...... 05 Ron Tonkin Subaru Parade...... 05 Business of the Month...... 06 MISSION 2019 Cherry Idol...... 07 Chamber News...... 08 STATEMENT Gorge Works ...... 09 Ambassadors...... 10 To provide value to our members Cruise Ship Schedule...... 11 through advocacy and leadership, Window Decorating Contest.... 11 Networking and Events...... 12 promoting a vigorous economic Member News...... 13 climate for business, community, 2019 NW Cherry Festival ....14-15 tourism and education. www.TheDallesChamber.com NEWSLETTER RESOURCES MAY 2019 2 INVESTORS CHAMBER STAFF DIRECTORS DIAMOND LISA FARQUHARSON MINDY MCHALE Google President/CEO Hire Electric [email protected] • (541) 296-5574 [email protected] PLATINUM [email protected] SHANNON RED CLOUD Mid Columbia Medical Center Pure Yoga LLC Fred Meyer KATIE MCCLINTOCK [email protected] • (541) 296-5414 Executive Administrative Assistant GOLD [email protected] BILL TIMINISKY Hire Electric BET Construction, Inc. [email protected] • (541) 980-2886 U-Haul Co. of CHLOE GOODWIN City of Moro Visitor Services Manager ANDREW STANEK Spooky’s Pizza SILVER [email protected] [email protected] • (541) 298-2211 Blue Zones Project – The Dalles MARY CALDWELL RANDY ANDERSON Brown Roofing Company Accounting NWCSD #21 [email protected] •(541) 506-3424 Camp’s Plumbing [email protected] Cheri Belander Real Estate JAMES MEJIAS MARY GAILLEY Helping Hands Home Care City of The Dalles Gorge Works, Intern Coordinator [email protected] Columbia Bank [email protected] (541) 769-1221 Columbia Gorge Community KARA SIMPSON College Columbia Bank Cousins Country Inn [email protected] • (541) 296-1157 Discover Rentals JEFF NICHOLS Gorge Athletic Clubs Jeff Nichols CPA PC Gorge Outfitters Supply [email protected] • (541) 769-1157 Greater Oregon Behavioral LISA REITEN Health, Inc. BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Dalles Inn [email protected] • 541-296-9107 Helping Hands Home Care NW CHAIR: ANDREW MYERS Insitu Peachey & Myers JENNIFER GONZALEZ One Main Financial ISU Insurance Services -The [email protected] [email protected] Stratton Agency (541) 296-6375 (541) 296-4666 Last Stop Hotel & Saloon Lilo’s Hawaiian BBQ CHAIR-ELECT: RICK LEIBOWITZ DAVID SHEPARD Small Business Development Center Griffith Motors Luna Designs [email protected] • (541) 399 -5013 [email protected] McGrath Chiropractic Hand (541) 506-6121 BRIAN LAUTERBACH and Foot Clinic Windermere Real Estate Gorge North Wasco County SD21 VICE CHAIR: CONNIE FORD [email protected] 541-298-4451 One Main Financial Zim’s Brau Haus Oregon Veteran’s Home [email protected] Platinum Marketing & Design LLC (541) 296-2368 EX-OFFICIO Rivermark Community Credit PAST CHAIR: LISA RUNDELL DIRECTORS Union Federal Sky Heating & Air [email protected] KATHY SCHWARTZ Conditioning (541) 298-5585 Wasco County Skycam Construction, Inc [email protected] • (541) 506-2524 Steamtrain Glass SECRETARY: MEGAN THOMPSON Cascade Cherry Growers DAVID GRIFFITH The Springs at Mill Creek [email protected] Port of The Dalles Union Pacific Railroad (541) 980-6753 [email protected] • (541) 296-2271 Wasco County TREASURER: FRITZ ELLET JULIE KRUEGER Wilson Orchard and Vineyard Ellett’s Green Ridge Tree Farm City of The Dalles Supply [email protected] [email protected] • (541) 296-5481 (541) 296-3036 NEWSLETTER ECONOMICS MAY 2019 3 YOUR ELECTED BUSINESS STATISTICS LODGING REPORT OFFICIALS MARCH 2019 MARCH % OF OCCUPANCY Chamber Walk-in Count...... 140 2018 2019 U.S. SENATOR JEFF MERKLEY Incoming Phone Calls...... 192 Wasco Co...... 52.9%...... 62.2% 107 Russell Facebook Impressions...... 124,913 ...... 68.4%...... 68.4% Senate Office Building Washington D.C. 20510 (202) 224-3753 WEBSITE STATISTICS www.merkley.senate.gov MARCH 2019 MOST VIEWED PAGES: #1 Home Page, #2 NW Cherry Festival, U.S. SENATOR RON WYDEN Visitors...... 1,664 #3 Events, #4 Membership Newsletter, 223 Dirksen Page Views...... 4,906 #5 Events Calendar Senate Office Building Washington D.C. 20510 LOCAL TOURISM CHAMBER VISITORS (202) 224-5244 MARCH 2019 MARCH 2019 www.wyden.senate.gov Columbia Gorge Discovery Center...... 000 STATES: U.S. REPRESENTATIVE Maryhill Museum of Art...... opens in March Alabama, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South GREG WALDEN Old St. Peter’s Landmark...... 695 Dakota, Washington, and Wyoming 1282 Rayburn Wonderworks Children’s Museum...... 630 House Office Building School Dist Museum...... closed for season COUNTRIES: USA, Mexico Washington D.C. 20510 The Dalles Wasco County Library..... 13,629 (202) 225-6730 The Dalles Farmer’s Mrkt...... opens in June Fort Dalles Readiness Center...... 650 www.walden.house.gov Sunshine Mill ...... 820 OREGON GOVERNOR KATE BROWN 160 State Capitol PERMITS Salem, OR 97301 RESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS 2018 2019 (503) 378-6827 New Construction...... 14...... 33 www.governor.oregon.gov Additions...... 1...... 12 Alterations...... 7...... 30 OREGON SENATOR CLIFF BENTZ 900 Court St, NE S-301 COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS 2018 2019 Salem, OR 97301 (503) 986-1730 New Construction...... 2...... 12 Additions...... 4...... 3 [email protected] Alterations...... 7...... 8 OREGON REPRESENTATIVE (County) Construction Value...... $127,720...... $15,403,460 DANIEL BONHAM Source: Building Code Service Department 900 Court St, NE H-483 Salem, OR 97301 (503) 986-1459 WASCO COUNTY LABOR FORCE [email protected] LABOR FORCE STATUS 2018 2019 OREGON SENATOR BILL HANSELL Civilian Labor Force...... 12,642...... 12,566 900 Court St, NE S-423 Unemployment Rate Seasonally Adjusted...... 4.1...... 5.0 Salem, OR 97301 (503) 986-1729 NON FARM PAYROLL EMPLOYMENT [email protected] Total Nonfarm...... 10,120...... 10,030 OREGON REPRESENTATIVE Trade Transportation & Utilities...... 2,010...... 1,980 GREG SMITH Leisure and Hospitality...... 1,240...... 1,230 900 Court St, NE H-482 Salem, OR 97301 GOVERNMENT (503) 986-1457 Federal Government...... 280...... 290 [email protected] State Government...... 250...... 250 Local Government...... 1,460...... 1,380

Source: Oregon Employment Department NEWSLETTER FROM THE BOARD MAY 2019 4 WOW - SPRING IS HERE! Greetings members! This year’s Cherry Festival was a huge success! It would not have been possible without the tremendous level of sponsorship, community support, and event participants. I’d like to thank all of those involved for your enthusiasm, hard work, and participation. The 2019 Tonkin Subaru Cherry Festival Parade had the highest attendance of any Cherry Festival parade ever. Congratulations to our first place float winner, Orchard View, Inc., our first place equestrian winner, Fort Dalles Riders Club & Queen Summer, and our first place marching band, The Dalles Middle School Marching Wildcats. Winners of the Cherry Festival Window Decorating Contest included Columbia Bank, Columbia Gorge Title, and Emma’s Boutique. You all did a great job! The 2019 Cherry Idol winners, Smrithi Chary (under 15) and Chloe Goss (15 and older), were both outstanding. Finally, a very special thanks to all of our volunteers. Without you, the festival would never have been possible! Mark your calendars because our next major event, Hops and Hogs, is right around the corner (June 15th). I hope you can join us for some award winning BBQ, craft beer and wine, live music, and backyard games. This event is only in its second year and we’re looking forward to seeing it grow. If you are looking for an opportunity to contribute/volunteer, please contact the Chamber. Opportunities are numerous and available. Lastly, if you have not been by the Chamber lately, I would encourage you to stop in to say hello to CEO Lisa Farquharson and the Chamber Staff. Ask what they can do to help promote and grow your business. They are here to serve you and would welcome the opportunity to get to know you and your business more. Your Chamber membership offers so many services, you might be surprised to learn of some of the many membership benefits you’re not yet taking advantage of!

Andrew J. Myers Peachey Davies Myers & Dunn PC Chair of the Board, The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce

Social Events Lunches Cards First Friday Prime Rib Friday Specials Great value Consider Joining

Not a golfer - Consider A Social Membership Iniation fee waived with one year commitment $35/ Month plus food assessment $100/quarter Call Rachel at the club house: (541)296-5252 or Doug (541)980-8610 for Details May 2019

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

On the Air with 1 2 3 4 Gorge Country Media Wired with Government Affairs 7 am The Chamber 7am BBQ Restaurant Y102, 103.1, KLCK 7 to 9 am 1400 Kainos Coffee

Every Monday (every WEDNESDAY)

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Wired Government Affairs Economic 7am BBQ Restaurant Development 7 to 8 am

12 13 14 15 Wired 16 17 18

Food Art and Wine Ribbon Cutting Government Affairs Committee Events Committee Curtiss Homes LLC 7am BBQ Restaurant 9 am Ground Breaking 12 pm 12:15 pm Business After Hours

Executive Board Springs at Mill Creek Meeting 3:30 to 5 pm 5pm to 7 pm

19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Morning Show Wired Government Affairs 103.9 KACI 7am BBQ Restaurant 8:35 am General KODL Coffeebreak Board Meeting 10-11am 4:30 to 6:30 pm 26 27 28 29 30 31 Office Closed Coffee Connections Wired Government Affairs Columbia Gorge Title 7am BBQ Restaurant 7:30 am NEWSLETTER NEW MEMBERS MAY 2019 5 WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER!

Wamic Market & Supply Hood River Care Center Jennifer Kennedy 57016 Wamic Market Rd 919 Cherry Heights Rd The Dalles, OR 97058 Wamic, OR 97063 Hood River, OR 97031 (213) 305-5955 (541) 544-2333 (541) 386-2688 Face Painting Extraordinaire www.prestigecare.com/loca- tion/hood-river-care-center 2019 Tonkin Subaru Cherry Festival Parade

FOLLOW THE CHERRY BRICK ROAD ... Equestrian

Some say it takes a whole village to pull off a large event and we agree! We want to say a very special thank you to The Dalles Kiwansis who arranged the parade line up on paper and then put it into action. The Dalles Rotary club sharpended their pencils and judged all the entries, this is not an easy task. The Dalles Lion’s club hopped into their golf carts with hand held radios to make sure that the parade moved along smoothly and without 1st Place 2nd Place incidents, but more importantly we couldn’t have had Ixtapa Dancing Horses Fort Dalles Riders Club this beautiful parade without YOU! We know it took lots Queen Summer of volunteers, coordination, time, creativity and energy to put together your floats and parade entries! We have 3rd Place an awesome community and we are so proud of all of Arlington Saddle Club you for showcasing our amazing spirit in this place we Queen Bella call HOME! Klickitat Co Fair Floats Queen Savannah

Marching Bands

1st Place 2nd Place Dalles Middle School Hermiston Middle School 1st Place 2nd Place Marching Band & Color Guard Marching Wildcats Orchard View, Inc. Eagle Quest

3rd Place People’s Choice 3rd Place The Dalles High School Oregon Army National Guard Oregon Veteran’s Home Riverhawk Marching Band Delta Troop I-82 Calvary Squadron

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH 6

BUSINESS OF THE MONTH BROUGHT TO YOU BY... The small business of the month program is designed to recognize the dedication, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit displayed by small Business businesses within The Dalles community. The goal of the monthly of the award is to highlight a small business and give them extra marketing exposure to aid in growing their business.

We asked Helping Hands Home Care, our 2018 Business of the Year, Month to select the Business of the Month. The business is selected based on their quality customer service, willingness to go above and beyond and overall impact to our community.

CONGRATULATIONS DEVCO MECHANICAL

Ed DeVlaeminck, Owner/Founder & with many of their customers. They enjoy President of Devco has been in the trade since community outreach including helping local 1986. He founded Devco Mechanical in 1993. elementary schools by donating items such Along with his Journeyman plumber license, Ed as gloves, hats, and very much needed school is also Fire sprinkler certified, Med Gas certified supplies. and has his Aquatherm Installer Certificate They have financially assisted field trips You will often find Ed working alongside the and other needs to help bridge the gap. Once guys in the field supporting their growth in the a month they partner with a local church and plumbing industry. contribute to faculty and staff appreciation Jessica and Ed were married in 1999. events. Jessica has DONE IT ALL! She currently oversees all accounting processes, manages the large contract billing, oversees all office needs, is involved extensively in local ministry services and enjoys life - in her spare time. When asked, Ed and Jessica attribute their strength from the professional crew and office staff. Devco owners Ed and Jessica DeVlaeminck have a longstanding relationship NEWSLETTER 2019 Cherry Idol MAY 2019 7 Fun and Talent on the Main Stage

Our 4th Annual Cherry Idol had the most Dr. Marta Cronin, Columbia Gorge Community auditions yet! We had 20 auditions turned into College; and Mr. Paul Viemeister, retired Music our office for the 2019 Compeition. Our judges Educator. had a tough time picking their top 5 for each Age Category. The top 5 picked were sent on to AND NOW our WINNERS .... compete live on the Main Stage during the 40th Annual Northwest Cherry Festival. We want to Under 15 say a special Thank You to our sponsor: 1st ~ Smrithi Chary / $150.00 Cascade Square Merchants Association 2nd ~ Pyeper Walker / $100.00 as they provided the prizes money for the top 3rd ~ Tiffany McPherson / $50.00 3 places for our contestants in the two age brackets. 15 and Older The emcee for the afternoon had so 1st ~ Chloe Goss / $250.00 much fun with our contestants and the 2nd ~ Elizabeth Skinner / $150.00 competition. A big THANK YOU to our very 3rd ~ Renae Mclung / $100.00 special emcee, Kim Birchfield, for keeping our Entertainment program running smoothly and Thank you to everyone who came and making our contestants comfortable on the cheered for our contestants and thank you to main stage. our contestants who Our three judges had the tough job of showed us just how scoring and choosing who was going to the be much talent we have in the next Cherry Idol of the Gorge. The judges the gorge! We are look- gave great feedback to our contests after they ing forward to hosting performed. A big THANK YOU to our local the 2020 Cherry Idol! celebrity judges: Tonya Brumley, NW Natural;

CHAMBER NEWS 8 HAVING A GRAND OPENING OR paragraph or press release about the business’ RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY? grand opening. (for a Sample Press Release please send a request to membership@thed- Let The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce alleschamber.com) help you celebrate. We want to help your business • If using invitations/fliers, please take celebrate with a Grand Opening, Ribbon Cutting, or unaddressed invitations/fliers to the Chamber Groundbreaking Ceremony. To be eligible, your office for distribution to the Chamber board business must meet the following members and community leaders. The criteria: invitations should state the date and time of • Has opened its doors in the last 12 months the ribbon cutting, location, and name of the • Has changed ownership or is under new business. Please have this to the Chamber management office at 404 W 2nd Street, The Dalles, OR, two • Has moved to a new location weeks before the event. • Has been remodeled or expanded at its present • Prior to the day of the event, please send us a location list of the names and titles/roles of A ribbon cutting ceremony is an important management at your business, for our reference. part of your overall marketing and advertising plan • Send invitations and announcements to those and is a great way to kick off the grand opening of within your own company, your partners, ven- a business. It offers an opportunity to meet key dors, and family and friends. This is YOUR leaders in the community and get acquainted with celebration! If your business has an annual your neighbors and Chamber members. Chamber membership, we are happy to help The Chamber can help take digital photos you execute a mailing to the other Chamber of the event, which will be shared via email at no member businesses, but such a mailing would cost. Scheduling your ceremony with the chamber be at your business’s expense. should take place a minimum of four weeks prior to • The Chamber Administrator will send emails to the event. Your plan can be as simple or elaborate the Chamber Board of Directors, and to Chamber as you like, depending on your budget. We recom- members to encourage attendees on behalf of mend hosting an open house for the public at the the Chamber. The Administrator will also make time of the ceremony. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages sure that the event is listed on the Chamber’s are often served, but it is your decision and your website and/or Facebook. expense. • The Chamber will provide a wide red ribbon for The Chamber’s staff and volunteers will help ribbon cuttings and will bring their own make things go as smoothly as possible by: ceremonial scissors. The photos will be taken by • Notifying the Chamber’s Board of Directors and a Chamber representative and can be emailed Chamber members, encouraging them to to the business owner; they will also be added attend your event to the Chamber’s Facebook page. • Announcing the ceremony to the public on the Chamber website and/or Facebook • Bringing the giant scissors, providing ribbon, and taking pictures at the appointed time.

GRAND OPENING/RIBBON CUTTING CHECKLIST • Please contact Katie McClintock with a few desired dates and times for the event. The Administrator will be able to confirm which date representatives from the Chamber will be available to attend. • The business owner should email or fax a 2019 Saturday, June 15th Free Admission 8:30a.m.- 9:30 a.m. -- BBQ Team Check-in 9:00 a.m. -- BBQ Challenge Kicks Off 10:30 a.m. -11:30 a.m. -- Beer Yoga 11:30 a.m. -- Kids’ Zone Open 12:00 p.m. -- Craft Beer Tent Open 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. -- People’s Choice Judging 3:00 p.m. -- Tri-tip Judging 3:30 p.m. -- Ribs Judging 4:45 p.m. -- BBQ Challenge Awards Ceremony 6:00 p.m. -- 9:00 p.m. Live Music 8:30 p.m. -- Beer & Food Vendors Close

For more information on this event, visit www.gorgehopsandhogs.com or contact the chamber at [email protected] or 541-296-2231. Stay informed of the latest event updates by following Gorge Hops and Hogs on Facebook. NEWSLETTER GORGE WORKS MAY 2019 9 difficult to find employees with good basic work skills. We began exploring opportunities to improve that situation. Oregon Works, a collaboration of McMinnville Economic Development Partnership and The Talent Council, provided training that allowed us to establish our own community-based internship program. Gorge Works is the result. The goal is not only to provide career-seekers with paid Hiring is almost complete for Gorge Works’ internship opportunities, but to provide them with Summer 2019 season, set to kick off June 10. “A professional training that can help enhance their few of our Host Employers are still in the hiring skills. process, but a number of interns have already been finalized,” says Kathy Ursprung, Gorge Works proj- Our goals for the program are: ect manager. “So far, our interns will be working in • To prepare career-seekers for the workforce. heavy equipment operation, water treatment, qual- • To connect employers with viable job ity assurance, inventory, customer service, program candidates. management, mand manufacturing maintenance.” • To promote the employment opportunities James Mejias, Gorge Works Intern Coordinator available in the . Some of this year’s hosts include Powder Pure, Oregon Cherry Growers, The Dalles Public As part of this program, our interns will Works, Waste Management, The Dalles Area attend a Professional Development Workshop each Chamber of Commerce, SDS Lumber, and Gorge week. Each session will be led by either an intern Works itself. host site, community leader, or local business. The James Mejias is Gorge Works’ intern. He was session topics this season includes Workplace hired with the help of a grant Expectations & Ethics, Resume Building/Interview from East Cascade Works, the Skills, and Civic Participation. More personal skills workforce investment board. He such as Financial Planning, Health/Wellness in the will serve as Intern Coordinator Workplace, and Volunteerism are also in the works. and help with the transition from James would like to thank Mayor Rich Mays, Port of The Dalles, its organizer, Wasco County HR, NCPHD, Six Rivers Mediation, to The Dalles Area Chamber of The Dalles Main Street, and numerous other Commerce, its long-term individuals & organizations in their continued operator. support of this program! If you’d like to become a James spotlights one of the differences part of this program for the 2020 intern season, between Gorge Works and other internship reach out via email: [email protected] programs: Rather than a student looking to start a career, he is in a career transition. There is no requirement that applicants be attached to an educational program. “My goals are to a have a good learning experience and to make connections with a lot of people,” James says, who moved here two years ago. “I haven’t branched out yet into meeting other young professionals.” Gorge Works was organized as a result of discussion within the business community here and across the nation about the need for better prepared workers. Employers were finding it AMBASSADORS 10 WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE AN AMBASSADOR?

One of the largest standing committee in the Chamber, the Ambassadors are a group of business leaders and an extension of the Chamber team, committed to helping the The Dalles Area Chamber fulfill its mission of building a strong, vital business community. The Ambassador program is a premier business-networking program and the Ambassadors are the backbone of the Chamber volunteer force.

PURPOSE • Ambassadors actively promote the The Dalles Area Chamber in the business community, referring prospective members to the Cham- ber for follow up, providing assistance to new Chamber members to connect them to the organization and working with existing mem- bers to help them remain active and involved. • Ambassadors are the hosts at Chamber events and activities. They greet and intro- duce new members and guests to Chamber members, answer questions about member- ship and participation and assist with regis- tration or other activities as requested. • Ambassadors work to welcome new mem- bers and retain existing members through their efforts as a face of the Chamber. • Ambassadors represent the Chamber by attending ribbon cutting ceremonies and grand opening ceremonies and by attending as many other Chamber events as possible. • Ambassadors are an extension of the Cham- ber team and are expected to support and assist the Chamber employees and Liaison, in a positive manner. NEWSLETTER CRUISE SHIPS MAY 2019 11

WINDOW DECORATING CONTEST LOCAL BUSINESSES HELP Here are the 2019 Winners...

DECORATE OUR COMMUNITY!!! The Dalles Main “All Things Cherry” Street joined The Columbia Dalles Area Gorge Title Chamber and asked the community to decorate the town in cherry red! It was a City-Wide Window Decorating Contest for 2019 Northwest Cherry Festival in The Dalles. All busi- nesses within in The Dalles city limits were invited to participate. This year’s Cherry Festival Theme “Best Branding” was “Follow the Cherry Brick Road” and partici- Emma’s pants could compete in three categories: Follow Bowtique” the Cherry Brick Road, All Things Cherry, and Best Branding. The public voted for their favorite win- dow displays on the and winners were announced during the Tonkin Subaru Cherry Festival Parade on Saturday, April 27th! The top three winners are receiving prizes, “Follow The ribbons, and their pictures on our social media Cherry Brick channels! We are looking forward to 2020!!! Road” Thank you to The Dalles Main Street! Thank you to all the businesses who worked so hard to decorate Columbia their amazing store fronts! Bank NETWORKING & EVENTS 12 MAY RIBBON CUTTINGS CURTIS HOMES LLC WEDNESDAY Park Place (West of Sorosis Park) (541) 436-0736 Get connected. Give and receive business 15 www.curtishomesllc.com advice. Be heard. Stay tuned. Come enjoy a cup 12:15 PM of coffee with a new friend! We hope to see you there. WAMIC MARKET THURSDAY WHEN Every Wednesday, 7 am to 9 am 57016 Wamic Market Rd WHERE Kainos Coffee REG Not Necessary Wamic, OR 97063 23 (541) 544-2333 12:15 PM

ELLSON HEATING, WEDNESDAY AIR CONDITIONING & BUSINESS DUCT CLEANING AFTER 714 East 1st Street 29 (541) 288-3478 12:15 PM www.hvac.ellsonllc.com HOURS Networking at its BEST! Great food, prizes and 50/50 drawing. PUBLIC Welcome!

WHEN May 16, 2019, 5:00 pm WHERE The Springs at Mill Creek REG Not Necessary

June 15-16 A fun-for-all-ages day showcasing PNW Breweries, a BBQ Challenge, Motorcycles, Beer Yoga, Music, games, and other activities on Father’s Day weekend! Followed by “All Hail The Jeep” Networking at it’s BEST! Always FREE, always military car show on Sunday! FUN. Public Welcome. Sponsored by Grinders. WHEN May 21, 2019, at 7:30 am www.GorgeHopsAndHogs.com WHERE Columbia Gorge Title 541-296-2231 REG Not Necessary Membership News 13 Congratulations to the Mobile Clinic Offers Vision Services Mid Columbia Senior Center for a One Community Health (OCH) in The Dalles new program: ‘Circles of Care.’ hosted the Casey Eye Van on Saturday, March 23, Are you interested in receiving periodic volunteer helping nearly 100 people with its free vision exams, assistance from neighbors in your community? Or glasses, and ophthalmology and additional health are you interested in lending a hand to friends and care referrals. community members around you? In The Dalles and the surrounding area, the Jessie F. Richardson In total, 95 patients who were either uninsured or Foundation is launching a pilot program called underinsured received services from Casey Eye “Circles of Care.” Institute’s mobile clinic, which opened its doors for Circles of Care matches seniors with trained local eight hours to qualifying patients. volunteers who are available to lend a hand with everyday tasks such as transportation, meals, er- rands, light cleaning, technology support, friendly check-ins, minor yard and household maintenance and more. Circles of Care is a way for older adults to feel sup- ported by local volunteers with various tasks that may have become more challenging to complete. The Casey Eye Van sets up at One Community Health in The Dalles And it gives both older adults and volunteers the “Many people in our community don’t have access opportunity to engage in meaningful connections to eye care, and we’re so happy that we can part- while bridging generational gaps and strengthening ner with Casey Eye Institute and Pacific University our communities. (written by The Dalles Chronicle) to provide this service,” said Michele Guerrero, RN, enabling services manager at OCH. “The staff The Explore The Dalles Bus will be worked hard to schedule patients, provide retuning for the Summer season for its second year. The Blue Bus will pick up passengers in Hood River assistance and offer interpretation on the day of the and bring them to The Dalles for a hop-on-hop-off event. We are so pleased that our patients were able service for the day. It returns to Hood River before to get glasses and referrals that will significantly the last bus leaves to head back to Portland. This improve their quality of life.” (written by The Dalles Chronicle) service will allow a visitor from Portland to trav- el to The Dalles car free. The hop-on-hop-off also includes stops at The Dalles Dam Visitor center for guided tours of the dam. This service is available at no cost due to the sponsorship of the Gray Line of Portland, The Corp of Engineers (The Dalles Dam Visitor Center), and Explore The Dalles Visitor Center. NEWSLETTER NW Cherry Festival MAY 2019 14 There’s no place THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS like The Dalles…espe- FOR MAKING THE cially during Cherry Festival. We want to 2019 NORTHWEST CHERRY extend our gratitude to FESTIVAL AN AMAZING EVENT the sponsors, volunteers, and staff that helped the The Gorge Business News 40th Annual Cherry Festival go off without a hitch! So much work went into planning, coordinating, Bishop Sanitation and collaborating this event and it showed. Friday NW Natural afternoon when the yellow brick road was laid, Discover Rentals rainbow inflated, and the bubbles started drifting up Google Inc. into the blue sky, all fatigue faded away, revealing Tonkin Subaru the true heart of this event- a desire to appreciate, celebrate, and connect with our community. Speedy Septic Forty years is a long time, and the Northwest Oregon Health Insurance Marketplace Cherry Festival has had many themes and Rivermark Community Credit Union undergone many evolutions. But at the core, it has Cascade Square Merchants Assoc. always been about us-each of us in this community. Oregon Cherry Growers, LLC It is about appreciating what we have; walking down the street and seeing friends, coworkers, and family One Community Health all gathered to watch the parade and try to win the Orchard View, Inc. ring toss. Cherry Festival allows us to reconnect, Hattenhauer Distributing Co. to contribute, to celebrate with one another which Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers is why this year’s theme “Follow the Cherry Brick Underwood Fruit Company Road” is so dear to us at The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce. The Dalles Fruit Company The Dalles is our home, it is our community. You AT&T are our community. We look forward to many more Wasco Electric Cooperative, Inc. years of working with and for you. Together we will Cascade Cherry Growers grow. Here’s to 40 Years of joy and service! Thank Wasco Title Co. you all! Les Schwab Tire Center Columbia Gorge Title Columbia Gorge Real Estate Wheatland Insurance Center, Inc. Spooky’s Pizza Restaurant Northern Wasco County PUD Polehn Farms, Inc. Zim’s Brau Haus The Dalles Inn McDonald’s Sawyer’s Ace Hardware & Just Ask Rental

The Dance Club Academy NEWSLETTER MAY 2019 15

King Bing ~ Ken Bailey Little Royal Ann & Andy Queen Anne ~ Shirley Bailey Caliee Foote ~ Mayor Rich Mays ~ Trent Anderson

Parade Grand Marshals 2019 Cherry Pie Eating Contest Winner Virgil & Carolyn Choate Zander Tally

2938 E. 2nd St. The Dalles, OR Exit 87, Off I-84

541-298-5051

Open Daily 10AM-9PM Open Until 10pm Summer

Phone-in orders welcome. MAY MEMBER FOCUS BROUGHT TO YOU BY

GOOGLE RIVERMARK COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION DISCOVER RENTALS CRESTLINE CONSTRUCTION CASCADE SQUARE MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION TONKIN SUBARU POLEHN FARMS CITY OF THE DALLES, OREGON

404 West Second Street The Dalles, Oregon 97058 (541) 296-2231 www.thedalleschamber.com

AFFILIATED WITH: Associated Oregon Industries Oregon State Chamber of Commerce Oregon Festivals and Events Association Travel Oregon Columbia Gorge Visitors Association Oregon Tour & Travel Alliance Columbia Gorge Arts & Culture Alliance US Chamber of Commerce Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Western Assoction of Chamber Executives