Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (April 7, 2018)
SIUSLAW NEWS | BUSINESS QUARTERLY | APRIL 7, 2018 “I love to help people buy and sell property” Delbert lb L. "Del" l Phelps hl Real Estate BROKER Berkshire Hathaway Home Services Northwest Real Estate 1875 Hwy 101, P.O. Box 276, Florence, OR. 97439 C- 541-991-7787 * 541-997-6000 * 800-788-3319 dphelps@bhhsnw.com • oregoncoastallistings.com Greater Florence Area B usiness Quarterly Siuslaw News’ Business Quarterly is a new way to seasonally highlight local businesses and economic development updates. It will be published next in July and October. To advertise, call 541-997-3441. To submit, email pressreleases@thesiuslawnews.com. C&M Stables shows ‘Horse sense’ Florence’s premier corral takes Oregon coast visitors on horse rides to the beach, trails By Mark Brennan Siuslaw News C&M Stables is celebrat- ing a birthday. And while the popular tourist destination is not having a party, staff fi nd themselves celebrating. “We fi rst opened our doors for business on April 1, 1980, so I guess that really makes me an April fool,” stable owner Jeff Chastain said. “We have been giving people the chance to take a ride on our spectacular Oregon beaches for about 37 years now.” For nearly four decades, visitors to the Oregon coast, and many Florence residents, have been able to get back to nature by taking a horseback ride on the beach from C&M Stables, 90241 Highway 101 north of Florence. “It’s springtime, which is always when we start to get busy. We get a lot of calls asking for informa- tion and then we get customers that come here from all over the world. We do get some visitors from Oregon and we get lots of folks from Canada, but a lot of our other customers come from Europe and some come from as far away as China,” he said. Th e trees and bushes on the long hillside behind the main corral at C&M are starting to bloom, and the fresh, clean smell from the ocean mixes with the earthy aromas of the nearby horses relaxing in the warming late morning sunshine. Th e sun is shining brightly and there is a steady breeze blowing in from the nearby ocean as Chastain takes a short break from his duties and gazes out the window, smile in place. “A lot of our visitors are traveling by, and they make a special stop here to take a ride on our beautiful Oregon beaches,” he said. “Some people come back every couple of MARK BRENNAN/SIUSLAW NEWS C&M Stables staff regularly takes groups of riders on trails and to the beach, from visitors from across the world to local neighbors from Florence. years and bring kids and grandkids, making this a family part of their vacation trip.” A well-maintained area houses the horses that appear to be ready for the day’s tours and beach rides. Th ere are about 10 horses waiting calmly in the corral and a group from Eugene is lined up at the entry gate, preparing to meet the horses that will take them for a ride on the beach. Staff members speak briefl y with the riders, asking a few questions of each, to determine the experi- ence level of the individual before matching them with a horse. Th e process takes a brief time, during which the newly paired horse and riders get acquainted while waiting for the group to form for the day’s ride. I have some experience riding, although it has been years since I rode more than a short distance. My horse is a large, light brown gelding named CJ. I introduce myself to CJ and give him a slice of apple I brought with me, remem- bering a neighbor’s horse from my youth that loved the fruit. He is a friendly horse and he snuffl es and lightly snorts as I swing my leg over the well-worn brown saddle and settle into the saddles. He gives me a second to get my bearings and then starts walking steadily towards the gate that leads to the short trail that will bring us to our fi rst major obstacle, Highway 101. Th e group makes its way down a slight incline that skirts C&M Sta- ble’s main corral, the horses walking in line as we head the short distance west to the ocean. Th e traffi c on 101 is fl ying by, and the slipstream from the fast-mov- ing vehicles is unsettling to me but seems second nature to CJ as he stands calmly by the side of the road, his mane blowing back and forth. Th ere is a gap in the traffi c and our two guides post themselves on either side of the road, acting as crossing guards. Th e traffi c approaching from both directions comes to a stop, allowing the line of horses and riders to cross Highway 101 safely. Next, we come to a short, paved road, lined with 3 new distinguished sponsors support chamber Florence Area Chamber of Com- merce has gained three new distin- guished sponsors, Christina Voogd, principal broker with Berkshire Hathaway Northwest; Darci Clark, broker with Keller Williams Realty Florence Coastal Team; and Best for Hearing. “Th e purpose of the chamber is to help our members develop their business,” said Chamber Executive Director Bettina Hannigan. “I am thrilled to welcome these business- es to our prestigious group of dis- tinguished sponsors. Distinguished sponsors are just that — their gener- ous support contributes to chamber events and operations.” Florence Area Chamber of Com- merce off ers memberships ranging from $125 for associate membership (nonprofi t or individual), business partner at $225, premier member- tion, promotional material place- leaders. Members receive timely, ship at $500, distinguished sponsors ment in relocation and visitor in- relevant information so that they may be kept informed; professional development workshops and seminars so that they may gain valu- able knowledge and skills to help them succeed; and policy and communica- tions expertise to assist them in advocating their at $2,500, all with extensive tiered formation packets distributed over positions and business interests. membership advantages. Corporate 500 times per year, and newspaper “Th e chamber is part of provid- Underwriters contribute $10,000 and radio advertising, just to name ing the resources for businesses to per year and receive many chamber a few,” Hannigan said. “Th e cham- grow. And the businesses support resources. ber is honored to receive Christina the chamber. It’s a circle,” Hannigan “Being a sponsor comes with a Voogd, Best for Hearing and Darci said. plethora of benefi ts, including pre- Clark’s support.” For more information about join- mier placement on the website and Th e Florence Area Chamber of- ing the chamber, visit fl orencecham- inside the Visitors Center with video fers its membership various net- ber.com/chamber/join/ or stop in presentation and materials, weekly working opportunities with peers, to the Florence Visitor’s Center, 290 e-blasts, printed directory recogni- government offi cials and business Highway 101. trees that are 50 to 60 feet high and swaying in the wind. Th e horses are clearly used to this walk and quick- ly fall into a single fi le line, heading towards the waves now visible in the distance. Th e wind doesn’t deter the animals from walking the familiar route to the long, open stretches of sand that await. CJ starts to trot as soon as we hit the open sand and I hold on a little tighter, squeezing my legs around the leather saddle that suddenly seems much less comfortable than it did just a few minutes ago. CJ and a couple of the other horses canter, seeming to take pleasure in the opportunity to stretch their legs. See STABLES page 3 BONFIRE sets tastebuds ablaze at Th ree Rivers BONFIRE, the region’s newest culinary destina- tion, is now open. Located at the Th ree Rivers Casi- no Resort in Florence, 5647 Highway 126, BONFIRE provides a fi ne-dining experience for Florence resi- dents and visitors alike. With the opening of BONFIRE, the vision of a spe- cialized dining experience in Florence has now be- come a reality. BONFIRE diners will enjoy a selection of special- ty appetizers including coconut shrimp, pan-seared scallops and Dungeness crab cakes. A signature wedge salad with smoked pecan bacon and imported Danish blue cheese has already become a popular fa- vorite. Entrees include only the fi nest certifi ed angus steaks, prime rib cooked and served on the bone, the freshest salmon, halibut and succulent lobster tail. BONFIRE is fi ne dining at its best. Th e restaurant is open Th ursdays through Sundays from 4 to 9 p.m. For more information or to make a reservation, call 541-902-6619 or visit threeriverscasino.com. “67.3% of Florence Area adults have read the local newspaper in the past 30 days.” ~ Pulse Research More than just a newspaper. There is no job too big or too small. We can come up with ideas and solutions to any of your marketing challenges. UPCOMING SPECIAL SECTIONS April- MidCoast WAVE, Visitors Guide June- 2018 Business Card Directory May- Offi cial Program of the 111th Rhododendron Festival Father’s Day and Graduation Gift Guide Mother’s Day Gift Guide Siuslaw News For more information or to be included in these special sections, contact us today! 541-997-3441 or advertising@thesiuslawnews.com
