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SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3, 2015
Florence Area Business Beat
A service of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
JUNE 3, 2015 UPDATE
Welcome New Members!
www.florencechamber.com
541-997-3128
Underwriters
2014-2015
Three Rivers Casino & Resort
Distinguished Sponsors
101 Things to Do
Banner Bank
Bi-Mart
Burns’s Riverside Chapel
Driftwood Shores Resort
Florence Heating & Sheet Metal
Fred Meyer Stores
KCST/Coast Radio
Oregon Pacific Bank
PeaceHealth Peace Harbor
Medical Center
Sea Lion Caves
Shippin’ Shack/Siuslaw Signs
& Graphics
Spruce Point Assisted Living
TR Hunter Real Estate
The Siuslaw News
Be sure to thank these
members for their investment
in our community!
Coming Events
For even more information on
other exciting local events, visit
www.FlorenceChamber.com/
Calendar.
Noon Forum:
Th ird Th ursday of each month at the
World Market Buff et at Th ree Rivers
Casino. Lunch is $11.75. Come enjoy
food, friends, and fun! Meet area
business leaders and fi nd out what’s
going on in the Florence business
community!
June 18: “Together We Prepare”
presented by the American Red
Cross Oregon Pacifi c Chapter
Representatives will discuss both
man-made and natural disasters that
can occur in our area, and how to
prevent, prepare for, and respond
to them. Each audience member
will receive a Red Cross “Prepare!”
booklet.
Business Aft er Hours:
Chamber members and the public
are invited to Business Aft er Hours,
an opportunity to network at a
local business, exchange business
leads and tips, and learn about the
business that is hosting.
June 4 Laurel Bay Gardens, 88493
Hwy. 101, Florence, 5:00 p.m. –
7:00 p.m.
June 18 Banner Bank, 777 Hwy. 101,
Florence, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
OTHER IMPORTANT
DATES & EVENTS
July
4: Fireworks Display in Old Town,
Wings & Wheels Fly-in/Car Show at
Florence Airport
September
11-13: Rods ‘n’ Rhodies Invitational Car
Show
12,13: City Wide Garage Sale—FEC and
everywhere
October
3: Oktoberfest—FEC
11: Chowder Festival—Historic Old
Town
President’s Message
June 2015
Call or visit these new Chamber members and tell
them you’re glad they joined!
By Brian Castleman,Chamber president, senior
credit analyst at Oregon Pacifi c Bank
Bill’s Rentals - 85113 Hwy 101-S, Florence
Provides rental of kayaks, canoes, sandboards,
sandsleds and SUPS (stand-up paddleboards) as
well as sales of dry fi rewood.
It’s been a pleasure to
serve as your Chamber
President this past year.
We
have
just
completed a successful
108th Rhododendron
Festival weekend with
all its pageantry and
are preparing for our
annual Independence
Day and Wings &
Wheels celebration.
Executive
Director
Cal Applebee, the Chamber board, and the many
sponsors and volunteers have invested signifi cant
resources to make these events successful. 
In the past year we have continued to build on
the progress made to strengthen the Chamber
events and increase tourism dollars coming into
our community through our partnerships with
the City of Florence and our marketing agencies.
We have increased the visibility and usability
of the Chamber website, and are eff ectively
using mass media to get our message out to
visitors about all the fun Florence has to off er.
As a result, our Visitor Center has experienced
an 8.5% increase in activity over 2013, highlighted
by a fi ve-year high for walk-in visitors and a
34.5% increase in requests for mailed-out visitor
packets. Our website had a 27.6% increase in
activity within Oregon alone.  Our downtown
revitalization team will soon hang new Welcome
to Florence banners along our commercial areas.
We are also proud to welcome 28 new members
this year who want to build upon that success.
If you aren’t currently a Chamber member,
come join us to keep this momentum going.
To all current and past board members,
volunteers,
Distinguished
Sponsors,
Underwriters, and members: thank you for your
service and your continued strong support.
Darlings Marina & RV Resort - 4879
Darlings Loop, Florence, 541-997-2841, www.
darlingsresortrv.com.
Stay and play on beautiful Silcoos Lake!  Located
at the head of the Oregon Dunes, they off er
aff ordable lodging with a million dollar view.
Kreations Hair Studio
498 Hwy 101, Ste. B, Florence, 541-997-8440
Full service salon; waxing , men’s and women’s
haircuts, colors, perms, pedicures, and coming
soon – massage therapist.
Lane Monthly
1430 Willamette, Ste. 622, Eugene, 541-228-9644,
www.lanemonthly.com
Lane Monthly covers the people, places, and events
that make our region a beautiful  place to visit and
call home.
R&R RC Hobby Shop
2515 Hwy 101 Florence, 541-991-3335
RC cars, planes, heli’s, quadcopters, toys, games,
and more!
If you’d like to know more about the Florence Area
Chamber of Commerce and what it can do for you,
call 541-997-3128 or e-mail Cal Applebee at Cal@
FlorenceChamber.com
Meet Our Distinguished
Sponsors
TR Hunter
TR Hunter Real Estate is your home grown,
independent broker on the Florence, Oregon
Coast. Comprehensive marketing is just part of
the TR Hunter advantage that gives their sellers
the confi dence that keeps them coming back.
Th ey also have a user friendly website at www.
trhunter.com to make property searching easy for
buyers, with a number of virtual tours for buyers
to browse.
Th e staff and members of TR Hunter Real
Estate are also active in our community – helping
out with Florence Food Share, Annual Veteran’s
Day Parade, one of the founders and avid
supporters of the Oregon Coast Military Museum,
and more.  We are grateful for their support at
the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce as a
Distinguished Sponsor.
Spruce Point
Spruce Point Assisted Living and Memory
Care Community is a beautiful 65-apartment
senior living community located on the majestic
Oregon Coast, just off of scenic Highway 101.
At Spruce Point, residents enjoy the comfort of
independence, coupled with the convenience and
camaraderie of community living. Apartments
feature private baths, full kitchenettes, and the
peace of mind knowing that you’re always steps
away from programs and services designed to
make life easy and exciting.
Th ey provide numerous community
participation activities for residents throughout
the year, and Chamber members really enjoy each
year when we visit with our Rhody Court young
ladies. Spruce Point’s staff and management are
great people to work with! We have enjoyed their
support as a Distinguished Sponsor for many years
here at the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce.
Banner Bank
Banner Bank is a full-service bank
headquartered in Walla Walla, Washington, with
roots dating to 1890, and now with a branch
in Florence. As a community bank, they are
committed to supporting the communities in
which they operate with employee volunteerism
and
corporate
philanthropy.
Available
banking services include commercial banking,
construction and residential lending, and
personal banking services. Th ey also off er online
and mobile banking services for personal and
business accounts. Th e Chamber is proud to have
Banner Bank continue the tradition as one of
the Chamber’s Distinguished Sponsors. Banner
Bank is a member of FDIC and an Equal Housing
Lender.
Why I Am A
Chamber Member
By Susy Lacer, Grant Professional Certifi ed
Susan Lacer Consulting Services
I am a member
of
the
Florence
Area Chamber of
Commerce because
I want to support the
Chamber in its many
eff orts to help local
businesses
thrive,
and to help our entire
community prosper.
  Along with
countless others in
our area, I volunteer
with the Chamber to
help conduct local events, assist with fundraising
eff orts, and promote our community. Chambers
of commerce, oft en combined with visitor’s
centers, are universally understaff ed and
overworked. Th ese organizations accomplish
an amazing amount of work with generally very
few employees. Our Florence Chamber is no
exception and Cal Applebee is to be commended
for his incredibly generous dedication to his job
and our community.
 From a business standpoint, I have received
multiple new clients simply by being a Chamber
member and having my business listed on their
website. Being a member of the Chamber adds
credibility to a business and inspires trust from
potential customers. Joining the Chamber was
a sound business decision for me, as well as a
vote of support for our community. Th e Florence
Area Chamber is also an eff ective and enjoyable
networking organization—Business Aft er Hours
are my favorite events!
Get the Chamber’s
Membership
Advantages
• Networking
• Business Tips
• Cooperative Promotions
• Preferred Trade Status
Candidates for 2015-2016
Florence Area Chamber of
Commerce Board of Directors
Th e Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
is managed by a Board of Directors elected
from the membership. Each serves a three-
year term with staggered terms to ensure
ongoing continuity. Th ese individuals do
more than just invest their dollars within
the Florence business community – they
also invest their time and talent to manage
the Chamber’s aff airs. Election ballots were
mailed out to members in late May and are
due back to the Florence Area Chamber of
Commerce by June 19. Terms of offi ce begin
on July 1, 2015.
Th e following Chamber members are each run-
ning for one of the fi ve open three-year board
positions.
Jenna Bartlett, Th e Siuslaw News
I have lived in Florence for the past fi ve years.
I have been involved in the community and
have sat on many boards and committees
from day one, including the Boys and Girls
Club, Relay for Life, Veteran’s Day Parade,
and have been on the Chamber board for
the past three years. During my time on
the Chamber board I have sat on many
committees including e-committee, Siuslaw
Awards, Rhody Showcase, Marketing,
Oktoberfest, City-wide Garage Sale, and
the Old Town committee. I have a passion
for this community and the businesses in it,
and would love to continue to serve on this
board.
Gary Cargill, Flowers by Bobbi
I have been a Florence resident since June
2005 when my wife, son, daughter, and son-
in-law moved from Northern California.
We had vacationed in Florence several years
prior and the small but friendly community
environment was the main reason for
our move. My occupational background
includes US Army, State of California Dept.
of Corrections, self-employed accounting
and tax preparer, and owner of Flowers
by Bobbi for the past year. Community
involvement includes Florence Rotary Club
since July 2011, Rotary Club board since July
2013, and budget chair for Rotary’s annual
auction and annual golf tournament. I also
have also served on the Chamber’s Rods n’
Rhodies Invitational Car Show committee
since 2013. As a merchant and business
owner in Florence I feel I may be able to
bring fresh ideas and motivation to keep the
forward momentum that the Florence Area
Chamber of Commerce has been working
so hard to maintain.
Jennifer Connor, Florence Events Center
I have lived in the Florence community
since 2011 and am the marketing specialist
and event coordinator for the Florence
Events Center. I am currently a member
of the Florence Rotary Club and am the
bookkeeper for the Last Resort Players.
My past experience includes professional
affi liations with the Yaquina Bay Optimist
Club board, Rotary International Group
Study Exchange with District 5110, Porthole
Players Th eatre Company, Writer’s on
the Edge board, Newport Chamber of
Commerce member, Newport Swim Team
board, and fi ve years as a volunteer for
the Santiam Chapter of the Girl Scouts of
America. I have a passion for community
events and look forward to having the
opportunity to contribute to the Florence
Area Chamber of Commerce.
Sue Gilday, State Farm
I have been in Florence for fi ft een years. I
feel my experience in business, fund raising,
and community service may be of benefi t
to the Chamber board. My company was
awarded the Stu Johnston Business of the
Year Award for 2010. I currently serve on
the Oregon Coast Military Museum board
where I originated the annual Christmas
Tree Festival, and am a Florence Rotarian.
Robbie Wright, Siuslaw Broadband
As a small business owner in Florence for
nearly fi ve years, I am very familiar with
the challenges of running a business in
a small town. Having sat on the board for
more than a year now, it is abundantly clear
the critical role the Chamber plays in the
tourism industry and helping to support
our member businesses. I hope to continue
my role as the Chairman of the e-committee
and help push the Chamber and the City of
Florence forward using the most eff ective
technologies possible.
Join the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce! • www.florencechamber.com • 541-997-3128
November
11: Veterans’ Day Parade
December
Florence Holiday Festival
Have some good business advice? An event to promote? A story about your Chamber membership? To get an
article or notice published in Business Beat, e-mail Cal@FlorenceChamber.com by the third Friday of the month.
Publisher: Cal Applebee, Executive Director. Editor: Scott Steward, Creative Wave Marketing Solutions.