Bitterroot Business News
406-363-2400 - fax 406-363-2402 105 East Main - Hamilton MT 59840 QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER -- February 2020
Chamber Officers for 2020
The 2020 Bitterroot Valley Chamber President is Jaime Devlin. Jaime is the owner of A2Z Personnel in Hamilton and Stevensville. Susan Wetzsteon is out-going President. Susan and her husband Lonnie, are owners of Wetzsteon Electric. President-elect is Carol Holman. Carol has been in banking for over 30 years and has been with Stockman Bank since 2017. Treasurer is Bill Capko. Bill is employed at First Security Bank in Hamilton. Congratulations to our newly 2020 elected officers!
Board Members
The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce is pleased to welcome our newest Board Members for 2020: Bridger Biggins- Bridger is a true Montana native. He was born and raised in Billings and now calls Hamilton his home. He works for AFLAC and prides himself in creating long lasting business relationships with clients and members of the community. - Welcome Bridger to the Chamber Board. Ann Bethea - Ann is owner/Operator of the Florence Ace and Eastside Ace Hardware stores in the valley. Ann previously sat on the ChamberBoard for two sessions and we look forward to having her on the board again. Andrew Kilian - Andrew is the Marketing Representative for Grizzly Broadband LLC, the parent company of Cybernet1. Andrew is very involved in his community and has some great ideas. We welcome Andrew to the Chamber Board. Melissa Greenwood - Melissa is the Manager of Communication for Ravalli Electric Co-op. She stays very involved in her community and enjoys spending time with her family and outdoor activities. Melissa will provide valuable input to the Chamber Board.
In This Issue Letter from President .............Page 2 Letter from Director ............. Page 2 Chamber Banquet ................. Page 3 Ribbon Cuttings .................... Page 4 Membership Benefits .............Page 5 Chamber Magazine ................ Page 5 New Board ............................. Page 6 Calendar of Events ................. Page 7 Banquet Photos.....................Page 8-9
Left to right: Terry Berkhouse, Scott Watters, Jaime Devlin, Bill Capko, Carol Holman, Al Mitchell, Susan Wetzsteon, Ann Bethea, Ronda Lang and Bridger Baggins. Not pictured are Melissa Greenwood and William Schrock.
Letter from our President ...
Jaime Devlin
The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce is at a very exciting time of change and growth. Our Board of Directors are dynamic people who are full of positivity and are forward thinking with having our communities and businesses’ best interest at heart. I have several goals for this year to include adding a Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce satellite office in Stevensville and forming a Leadership program for local high school students. Did you know, statistics show that being a member of Chamber of Commerce makes your business more desirable to customers. When a small business is a Chamber of Commerce member, consumers are 80% more likely to purchase goods or services from the business in the future? As a member of the Chamber, you have amazing networking opportunities as well as numerous resources available to you. Being involved in the Chamber has led to growth for my business. The possibilities are endless for what it can do for yours. Moving into this new year and new decade, let’s build, grow and market your business together. The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce as always, will be open to any and all members who have questions, problems, or who are in need of information, etc. And we’ll be happy to guide any new, interested businesses through the membership process. Sincerely, Jaime Devlin 2020 BVCC President Page 2 - Newsletter
Letter from our Director ...
Al Mitchell
The beginning of a new year always brings hope for better days ahead. I usually make some unrealistic resolutions that I break shortly after the ink is dry. This year however, I’ve got the perfect resolution. My resolution is to do just one thing better each day! It really doesn’t matter what you do - it can be as simple as picking up litter, saying ‘hi’ to a passerby, complaining less while doing more, or attending a meeting that benefits your community. We all have the ability to make this beautiful valley a better place to live. Random acts of kindness and a glass half full philosophy go a long way in establishing your mental and physical health. I know it is easy to get bogged down by deadlines and the problems that crop up each day in our business and personal lives. We all have the power to do one thing each day that will make us feel better, lift the spirits of others, and improve our surrounds. Collectively, we can make a difference. There is a saying that a trek of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Take that first step and make this year the best ever. We here at the Chamber are staring out with four (4) new Board Members for 2020. They will be a great asset to our Chamber Board and will bring with them new ideas. We are working hard on keeping up to date on social media platforms to help our members get more exposure to a broad mass of people. Business After Hours, Ribbon Cuttings and Monthly Chamber Luncheons are only a few of the things that the Chamber continually hosts to let businesses valley wide know what is going on with their businesses. Make sure you take advantage of the opportunities the Chamber has to offer - remember being a Chamber Member is only the first step in making your business thrive - you have to take the next steps and become involved! Al Mitchell Director Bitterroot Valley Chamber
Chamber Award Winners for 2019
Business of the Year: Burnt Fork Market Jimmy Edwards
New Business of the Year: Bitterroot CrossFit LLC
Business Person of the Year: Ann Bethea
Community Service Award: Exit Realty, Max & Tina Coleman
New Business of the Year: Bitterroot Bouncers
Volunteer of the Year: Susan Wetzsteon
Economic Development: NorthWestern Energy - Tim Moody
Spark Plug Award: Andrew Kilian
Chamber Office Volunteer of the Year: Marvin Edstedt
Laurel Award: Mary Lyn
Unsung Hero: Katelyn Andersen
Community Asset: Dominic Farrenkopf
Newsletter - Page 3
Ribbon Cuttings/Open House
Below photos - BAH Direct Source here in Hamilton
Below are photos from Lora Lin Aesthetics Open House
Below are photos from Ravalli Electric Co-op Grand Opening
If you would like to have a Ribbon Cutting or Business After Hours for your business, please give us a call at the Chamber 363-2400, and we will be happy to help you. Our regular monthly Chamber Luncheons will resume in March. The Chamber will be sending out more information as to where. The luncheons are always on the fourth Thursday of the month at noon. We travel up and down the valley. This is a great opportunity for you as a business owner to attend and let us know what is happening in your business world. Page 4 - Newsletter
Membership Benefits
The one thing most people ask is ‘What Does The Chamber Do For Me?” Since working at the Chamber - this being my 24th year - I have had to answer that question more times that I care to count. So for all of you who are new as well as those who have been with us for several years, here are some of the many benefits that you receive by being a Chamber Member. 1) Display of brochures and business cards in our lobby. 2) Rotating business to business referrals. Chamber members like to shop with Chamber members. 3) Listing in the Chamber Membership Directory. Many of our members look in the Membership Directory before the standard phone issue telephone directory. This is an excellent way of networking and shopping local. 4) Chamber sponsored business seminars. The Chamber hosts seminars designed specifically for our Chamber members to better help you operate, manage and expand your business. 5) Ribbon Cuttings. As a new member, you re entitled to have a ribbon cutting at your place of business when you join the Chamber. You can also have a Ribbon Cutting for a new location or remodel. 6) Attendance to the annual Membership Barbeque. Every year the Chamber hosts a free picnic for our members and their families. 7) Chamber Monthly Luncheons. Every month the Chamber hosts a Community Luncheon up and down the valley. Businesses are invited to attend and bring along a guest. This is an opportunity for you to let us know what is going on with your business as well as your community. 8) Business Referrals to visitors and phone traffic. Our office staff and volunteers greet thousands of visitors every year and not all of them are tourists. In addition, they field thousands of telephone calls inquiring about businesses in the valley. Chamber members are always referred first. 9) Business After Hours. This is a great way for you to network with other businesses, meet people and hand out business cards. Our Business After Hours are hosted by our Ambassadors. 10) Free event driven membership emails. If your business is hosting an event for the community or having a grand opening
etc. you will receive a free email blast to our entire membership, listed in our calendar of events and posted on our Facebook Page. 11)Free Chamber website listing. Our website gets a tremendous amount of traffic every month. As a member you are listed on our website in the membership directory. 12) Committee participation. As a member you are welcome to attend and be a part of our committees in action. We have a listing of various committees that you can belong to. 13) Leads Group Participation. This group is made up of different types of businesses that meet every second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. 14) Listing in the “Chamber Recommends” brochure. Since we have so many different types of businesses inquiries, we have published a few ‘categorized’ brochures of our larger categories. Real Estate, Contractors/Builders, Restaurants and Lodging are the four we have in our office. 15) Hospitality bags. These are a favorite among people who are visiting our valley and are here for a convention, tournament or other events. The Chamber helps promote our valley by helping organizations with an assortment of various coupons, brochures or novelty items that welcome visitors to our valley and encourage their business. 16) If you are reading this article then you are receiving one of the benefits of being a Chamber member. Our Newsletter comes out quarterly and is emailed to our entire membership and posted online. These are some of the benefits of being a Chamber Member. Think about them and realize the many opportunities you could be taking advantage of. There are also effective advertising opportunities that you can purchase to help your business. If you know of a business that would benefit from being a Chamber Member, please have them give us a call 363-2400. We will be more than happy to help their business become a part of our Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. Or if you are already a member and need more information regarding any of the benefits listed, please let us know. We are here to help you in any way we can. Thank you ... Pat Easley Office Manager
Newsletter - Page 5
Welcome Your 2020 Board of Directors
Jaime Devlin President A2Z Personnel
Carol Holman President Elect Stockman Bank
Susan Wetzsteon Out Going President Wetzsteon Electric
Ann Bethea Florence Ace Hardware
Bridger Biggins AFLAC
Melissa Greenwood Ravalli Electric Co-op
William Schrock Schrock Construction
Scott Watters Watters Edge Design
Ronda Lang Alpine Realty
STAFF:
Al Mitchell Director
Pat Easley Office Manager Bitterroot Valley Chamber Volunteers
Marvin Edstedt - Bert Bovee - John Trangmoe Ruth Hazelton - Ida Mann Marie Christopher and Jim Mason
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Committee Chairs: u
Ambassadors: Dr. Lucas Pernsteiner,
u
Tourism & Marketing:
u
Government Affairs: Fred Thomas,
u
& Teri Polumsky Membership Outreach: Chamber
Board u
Natural Resources: Pat Connell
u
Leadership Bitterroot: AJ Cranston
u u
& Brian Klemonsky
Leads Group: Jasmyne Myrick and Rachel Kramer Tournaments: Al Mitchell
Bill Capko Treasurer First Security Bank
Andrew Kilian Cybernet1
Terry Berkhouse Bitterroot College
Calendar of Events 2020
MARCH DALY MANSION SPEAKERS SERIES WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAYS IN MARCH Call 363-6004 Ext. 2 or www. dalymansion.org for more information.
MARCH 1 Hamilton Playhouse presents “Mary Poppins” March 1, at 100 Ricketts Road in Hamilton. Friday and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 2:00 pm. Call 375-9050 for more information or email boxoffice@hamiltonplayers.com MARCH 5 Join the Bitter Root Water Forum for the 2020 International Fly Fishing Film Festival, Thursday, March 5 at the Bedford Building. Doors open at 6 pm with viewing at 7 pm. Festival will showcase produced by professional filmmakers from all corners of the globe, highlighting the passion, lifestyle and culture of fly fishing. Tickets available at the BR Water Forum office, the Freestone Fly Shop and BR Brewery, they are $13 in advance and $15 at the door. Door prizes and a raffle for a float trip for two. More information call 375-2272. MARCH 5 Movies at the Museum from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Admission is $7 per person. Featuring: Rough Cut of Dawson’s Adventures: The Compass. Hollywood shorts from Nancy Bevins, Producer and clips from John D. Niles, Director, Feature Film. A Film Production Package from With A Cause Productions will be auctioned. Call 363-3338 for more information MARCH 7 NRA Fundraiser at the First Interstate Center in Hamilton MARCH 7 Daly Mansion presents their Roaring 20’s Gala Event at the Daly Mansion. Call 363-6004 2# or www.dalymansion.org for more information. MARCH 7-8 Snowmobile Hill Climb at Lost Trail beginning March 7 at 8:00 am ending March 8 at 3:00 pm. Watch top snowmobile athletes race at Lost Trail Ski Area. Location at Lost Trail Powder Mtn, 9485 US Hwy 93, Sula. Call 8213211 for more information. MARCH 14 Linda Massa Youth Home – Bitterroot’s Finest Hour Annual Gala at the First Interstate Center. MARCH 19 Protecting the Skin You’re In class FREE. Thursday, March 19 at MDMH. Doors open at 5:00. Class begins 5:30 to 6:30 with Andela Covington, MD, Bitterroot Dermatology. Call 363-2111. MARCH 20-22 The Bitter Root Back Country Horsemen is hosting the Back Country Horsemen of Montana State Convention on March 20-22, 2020. It will be held at the First Interstate Building, Ravalli County Fairgrounds. The public is welcome to visit vendors at the convention. Vendors, educational sessions, raffle prizes and more. Contact person: Christy SchramDuggan, (406) 360-5947. MARCH 27 Renown for harnessing the emotional fire and mournful tonalities of traditional flamenco music. Will be held at the Hamilton Performing Arts Center, 327 Fairgrounds Road in Hamilton. Beginning at 8:00 to 11:00 pm. For more
information https://bitterrootperformingarts.org/20192020-season/ MARCH 28 Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Banquet at the First Interstate Center beginning at 4:00 pm
APRIL 10-11, 17-19, AND 24-26 Hamilton Playhouse presents “Clue on Stage” APRIL 1011, 17-19, and 24-26, at 100 Ricketts Road in Hamilton. Friday and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 2:00 pm. Call 375-9050 for more information or email boxoffice@ hamiltonplayers.com APRIL 12 Eagles Easter Egg Hunt at the Ravalli County Fairgrounds beginning at 1:00 pm Call 363-3411 APRIL 16 Reducing the Risk of Hernia class FREE at MDMH Thursday, April 16. Doors open at 5:00, class begins 5:30 to 6:30 with Dr. Joshua Waggener. Call 363-2111. APRIL 18 RC Republican Central Committee Banquet at the First Interstate Center. Call 961-6935 APRIL 25 4-H Carnival at the First Interstate Center. MAY 1 406 Consignary Sale at the RC Fairgrounds MAY 1 4th Grade Farm Fair at the RC Fairgrounds MAY 2 Antique and Collectibles Auction at the RC Museum from 1 to 5 pm Auction Preview: May 1 from 10 am to 4 pm and May 2 from 9 am to 1 pm. For more information call 3633338 or go to www.museum@ravallimuseum.org MAY 9 Daly Mansion’s Annual Mother’s Day Tea. Call 363-6003 ext 2 or www.dalymansion.org for more information. MAY 16 Daly Mansion is now open for the season Monday through Sunday. Walk in tours 11 am to 3 pm. Call 363- 6004 or www.dalymansion.org for more information. MAY 16-17 Bitterroot Gem and Mineral Show at the First Interstate Center. MAY 23-24 My Kids Closet Consignment Sale at the RC Fairgrounds. JUNE 12, 13, 14 Montana Professional Artists Association 16th Annual Art Show & Sale at the Bitterroot River Inn in Hamilton. Contact Mari Bolen 406-360-3936 or www. montanaprofessionalartistsassoc.com JUNE 12-14, 19-21 AND 26-28 Hamilton Playhouse presents “Crazy for You” JUNE 12-14, 19-21 and 26-28, at 100 Ricketts Road in Hamilton. Friday and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 2:00 pm. Call 375-9050 for more information or email boxoffice@ hamiltonplayers.com
JUNE 13 American Cancer Society Relay for Life at the RC Fairgrounds JUNE 13 40th Annual Bitter Root Day at the Ravalli County Museum from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. For more information call 3633338 or www.museum@ravallimuseum.org JUNE 20 Bitterroot Dairy Goat Association 4th Annual ADGA Show at 7 at the RC Fairgrounds JUNE 27 All day 50 Mile Garage Sale. For more information call 363-3338 or www.museum.ravallimuseum.org JULY JULY 23 Daly Mansion will host Community Band Concert at the Daly Mansion at 7:00 pm. Call 363-6004 ext. 2 or www. dalymansion.org for more information. JULY 24, 25, 26 Annual Hardtime Bluegrass Festival with performing bands, band contest, awards and lots of jamming. Call 821-3777 for more information or www. hardtimesbluegrass.com JULY 24-25 Daly Days in Hamilton - Hamilton Downtown Association host their Annual Daly Days in Downtown Hamilton. Music, vendors, food, crafts, store sales, street dance, beer garden, fun and games for the whole family to enjoy. Call 360-9124 or go to www.hamiltondowntownassociation.org for more information. JULY 25 Daly Days at the Daly Mansion. Call 363-6004 ext. 2 or www.dalymansion.org for more information. JULY 25 Annual Chamber’s Micro Brew Festival on Bedford Street, by the Legion Park. 3:00 - 10:00 pm. Music, food, and lots and lots of microbrews, wines and cider. Call 363-2400 for more information. AUGUST 1 Round Up at Riverside will be held at Daly Mansion. Call 363-6004 ext. 2 or www.dalymansion.org for more information. AUGUST 7-8 108th Annual Creamery Picnic in Stevensville, presented by the Stevensville Civic Club. For more information www. creamerypicnic.com AUGUST 7-9, 14-16 AND 21-23 Hamilton Playhouse presents “Steel Magnolias” AUGUST 7-9, 14-16 and 21-23, at 100 Ricketts Road in Hamilton. Friday and Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Sundays at 2:00 pm. Call 375-9050 for more information or email boxoffice@ hamiltonplayers.com AUGUST 15-16 Bitterroot Celtic Festival will be held at the Daly Mansion. Go to www.bcgg.org for more information regarding this event.
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Mardi Gras 2020
Mardi Gras 2020 Page 8 - Newsletter
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