8A •
COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL • SEPTEMBER 5, 2018
CHAMBER NEWSLETTER
Our Mission: Th e Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce promotes economic vitality through advocacy and collaboration with its members and the larger community.
Director’s Note
As you may have heard by now, we were not successful in our attempt to break the world record for
largest toga party but we are far from disappointed in the results from our eff ort. Our true goal with this
event had very little to do with getting our name back in the record books. Th e real goal was to create an
opportunity to showcase Cottage Grove as a unique, destination community that people want to visit.
In that respect, we created a smashing success!
Our community was in the news nationwide and not just on social media. Cottage Grove was featured
in the LA times and heard across the country on National Public Radio. We were visited by internet
bloggers and freelance writers who published numerous articles about Cottage Grove both online and
in print and every writer we spoke to had positive things to say about their experience. We were in
statewide news publications such as the Oregonian, Oregon Live, Oregon Public Broadcasting and Th at
Oregon Life. We were in regional publications such as the Register Guard, multiple television and
radio stations and we made the front cover of Lane Electric’s Ruralite Magazine. Universal Studios even
posted about our event on one of their facebook pages which has nearly a half-million followers. To say
that we generated some interest in visiting our little town would be an understatement.
We were also very successful in generating commerce in the area. As we had hoped and predicted,
numerous businesses and organizations jumped on the “Animal House Anniversary bandwagon” and
created events and opportunities to promote themselves. Th e Aviation Historical Museum hosted a fl y-
in and Th e Village Green promoted a movie night with lots of fun games. Every hotel, motel and bed and
breakfast in town was booked for the weekend which means we generated room tax income as well as
gas tax income from all of the people traveling through town. Businesses like Homestead Furniture and
Th e Brewstation had events to bring people into their establishments and many other businesses each
found their own way to participate in the festivities. Most of our local shops and restaurants reported
excellent numbers for their weekend business and folks from the Western Oregon Expo Heritage Fair
reported an increase in new patrons along with some of the best attendance numbers they’ve seen in
many years.
We saw the birth of a new and hopefully annual event in the form of the Bohemian Film Festival. In
just 3 months, two of our event planning committee members went from having an audacious idea, to
hosting a full-fl edged fi lm festival which received over 180 fi lm submissions from 28 countries. 60 fi lms
were selected to be featured at 3 diff erent venues which drew even more people into town for their 3 day
event. Plans to show the 5 award winning fi lms again are already being discussed.
Th e ripple eff ect from hosting the Animal House 40 th Anniversary event will not be fully visible for some
time. Th ere are too many stories to mention about how people and businesses within our community
benefi ted. We learned valuable lessons when things didn’t go as planned and we showed the world what
we’re capable of. We opened the eyes and minds of a lot of people who thought Cottage Grove was just
a small town with small events and small possibilities.
While it would have been nice to have another certifi cate from Guinness World Records to put on the
wall, I’m not concerned in the least that we didn’t break the record. We were wildly successful in all of
the areas where it really counts and for that I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish. Th anks to
a group of dedicated volunteers and all of the people who decided to join in the fun, we threw the best
party Cottage Grove has seen since 1978.
If not for the people below, none of this would have happened. I thank you all and give you full credit
for a successful endeavor:
Kate Brown, Stephen Lawn , Meg Trendler, Gary Manly, Th e Cottage Grove Sentinel, Bruce Howard,
Brandon Ross and the team at Hop Valley Brewing, Bill Oxley, Lloyd and Carla Williams, Joann Gray,
Julie Johns, Danny and Candace Solesbee, Cassie Barrong and the Cottage Grove Greeters, Th e Cottage
Grove Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Bob Stanphil, Jeff Gowing, Mike Fleck, Jake Boone,
Peter Billups, Greg and Rhonda Chambers, Dawn and Samantha Colbert, Scott Shepherd and the entire
CGPD, John Wooten and the entire team at SLCFR, Otis Day, Ron Stien, Th e Kingsmen, Th e Cry!, Jon
Swan and the Revelators, Keaton Simmons, Greg Lee, Chalice Savage, Garrett Bridgens, Len Blackstone,
Mike Dilley, Dianne Danowski-Smith, Amy Ruddy, Eric Johnson, Bob Laird, Ginger Caviness, Debra
Olson and the entire CGHS Class of 1978, Steven Swift fox, Jim and Joyce Settelmeyer, Jon Stinnett,
Jim’s Automotive, Al Jenkins, Randy Hettwer, Chris and Jennifer Holoman, Kris and Tyson Woodard,
Sean Kelley, Nadine Kelley, Connie Ourada, Richard Meyers, Faye Stewart, Bruce Stewart, Russ Kaleese,
Missy Estep, Chloe Beckes, Nevin Beckes, Ruth Linoz, Rhonda Worley, Faith Wellman, Dan Hill, Tim
Williams, Beth Martin, Katherine Wilson, Th e RV Corral, Th e Village Green Resort and Gardens, Th e
City of Cottage Grove, Cameron Reiten, KNND AM 1400, Buck’s Sanitary Services, Cottage Grove
Garbage Service, Builder’s Electric, Halvorson Construction, South Lane School District, LaQuinta Inn,
Darryl and his team from Guardian Security, and all members past and present of Th e Double Secret
Society.
Everyone who attended this great event.
I sincerely apologize if I’ve left a name off of this list. Please
know you have my heartfelt gratitude for your contribution.
Harrison Elementary Community Open
House
Set for September 15th!
You are invited! Come and tour the new Harrison Elementary
School on Saturday, September 15th from 9am - 2pm. We
are so excited for the community to see this amazing school.
Th ank you for building a brighter future for our children and
our community! Tours will start at 9am and run every 30
minutes until 2pm.
Executive Director Travis
Palmer welcomes
Dr. Samantha Joseph, new
member of the Cottage Grove
Chamber of Commerce.
Service Dogs
Th e Fall term is arriving soon. Instructor Coutts will be giving another Service Dogs Class for the Fall
term. Class Starts September 26 to November 6, 2018. Th is class is designed as an information class to
teach Service Dog Handlers and soon to be Service Dog Handlers the:
• Laws Temperament
• Rules of Taking your dog out in public
• Neuro-Biology
• Anatomy
• How you and your dog should act in the public.
• And many more subjects.
Th is class is Not a bring your dog class, it is a classroom instruction. We will not be working with dogs
in class but will give you information how to train your dog for service.
Th is class is on Tuesday nights from 6:00 pm (18:00) to 8:00 pm (20:00) for 7 weeks
Call the Cottage Grove LCC annex to register. Veterans have a special price but must have proof of
being a veteran. 541-463-4217 • E-mail: lanecc.edu/cotgrove
Board Elections
As a membership organization our members have the right to petition additional names of candidates
for directors on the board. Nominations by Petition as stated in our by-laws: Additional names of
candidates for directors can be nominated by petition, bearing the genuine signatures of at least three
(3) qualifi ed members of the Chamber. Such petition shall be fi led with the Nominating Committee
within ten (10) days aft er notice has been given of the names of those nominated. Letters will be in the
mail near the end of September asking our members to petition additional candidates for the vacant
board seats.
Member Benefi t Highlight – Chamber Membership Directory
It’s time to prepare for the production of our 2019 Chamber Membership Directory. Letters will be in the
mail soon requesting members review the listing information we have on fi le and make any corrections
you want to occur in the new directory. It is also an excellent reminder to “Shop Chamber Members
First”. In addition, the directory is another one of the ways we promote our member businesses. As
a chamber member you receive a free listing in our directory and have the opportunity to purchase
advertising. Travis will be contacting you to discuss a variety of ways you can promote your business
through the directory.
For those of you who have thought about membership, if you wish to be in next year’s directory, now
is the time to move ahead with your plans to join the Chamber. Participate in chamber membership
and watch your marketing dollars stretch. To those of you who are already members, we thank you and
hope you enjoy this great chamber benefi t! Please contact Travis at the chamber offi ce regarding your
intent to join so that we do not miss including your business in the 2019 publication.
September Business aft er Hours
South Lane County Fire & Rescue will host Business After Hours on Thursday, September 20 at 233
E. Harrison from 5:30 – 7:00pm. Please join us for a time to network with others, learn something
new, and have some fun! And don’t forget your business card to enter the door prize drawing. Your
attendance reinforces the spirit in which the Chamber provides these monthly activities. Cottage
Grove and Creswell Chamber members are encouraged to attend this classic, fun networking event!
Future Business aft er Hours:
October – Banner Bank
November – Village Green Resort
December – Cottage Grove Sentinel
Th e chamber’s number one goal is to create a strong local economy. All of the programs and benefi ts
supported by your membership investment go toward achieving that goal. Your membership is also a
commitment to the entire community and a pledge of support for the economic growth and vitality of
the Cottage Grove area. We thank each of you for your New and Renewed commitment to the Cottage
Grove Area Chamber of Commerce and your support of contributions through volunteered time and
service to the Chamber.
New Member in August
PastelleNoel Italian Sodas & Bakery
Amanda Noel
PO Box 1534
(541) 517-7201
pastellenoel@gmail.com
Bakeries
Renewing Members
Apothecaria, LLC, Bob Stanphill, Buster’s Main
Street Café, Don Strahan, Elu Fusion, Eugene Area
Radio Stations, Farmers Insurance Group, Grove
Racing Promotions, Hope in the Grove, Hoyer
Accounting, Jim’s Point S Tire and Auto Service,
Joy Serkowney, Kevin L. Pillow, PC, CPA, Lloyd
Serkowney, Magnolia Gardens, Saginaw Vineyard,
Sean Kelly, P.C., South Lane Wheels, Inc., Sweet
Springs Family Farm, Territorial Seed Company,
Yoss Team Real Estate Professionals.
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2018 Chamber Board of Directors, Advisors and Staff
Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce
700 E. Gibbs • Cottage Grove, OR • P. (541) 942-2411
info@cgchamber.com • www.cgchamber.com
2018 Chamber Board of Directors:
Thank you for your hours upon hours of volunteer time, commitment, and service!
Offi cers
Chloe Beckes, President
Jack Sprats Restaurant
Danny Solesbee, Vice President
5 Flying Monkeys
Ruth Linoz, Secretary
South Lane Wheels
Gary Manly, Treasurer
Cottage Grove Sentinel
Candace Solesbee, Past President Shampoo Dolls Salon
Directors
Cassie Barrong, Greeters Chair
Oregon Aviation Historical Society
Don Williams, T.E.A.M Chair Retired, Past Board President
Judd Van Gorder
Carousel House B&B and Catering
Lloyd Williams
South Lane Television
Ryan Gifford
Gifford & Gifford Attorneys at Law
Shauna Neigh, Promotions Chair
Busterʼs Main Street Café
Cameron Reiten, Legislative Chair KNND AM 1400
Advisors
Tim Herrmann
Richard Meyers/Mike Fleck
Garrett Bridgens
PeaceHealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center
City of Cottage Grove
South Lane School District
Visitor Center Volunteers:
Heidi Abbott, Dotti Bittner, Suzanne Heubner-Sannes, Tara Sue Hughart,
Susan Jeppesen, Marie Longfellow, Judd Van Gorder,
Sharon Van Gorder, Penny Westling, Sherry Wendt, Nolene Wheeler.
Staff:
Travis Palmer, Executive Director
Beth Martin, Offi ce Manager
Mavis Bradsby, Bookkeeper
Five Year Vision Statement:
Th e Cottage Grove Area Chamber of Commerce promotes Cottage Grove as a prosperous destination community. Economic vitality is at the heart of everything we do. As a resource for businesses, we are the conduit that
provides advocacy, marketing, education, and networking opportunities to over 300 members.
