CELEBRATING 115 YEARS OF COMMUNITY
In partnership with
M A Y, 2 0 2 1
CAROL HOLMAN
AVP, REAL ESTATE LOAN OFFICER 1713 NORTH 1ST STREET HAMILTON 406-375-5381 NMLS ID# 478584
YOUR MONTANA HOME LOAN EXPERT Buying, building or refinancing your Montana home? Our experienced Real Estate team can find the solution that best fits your needs. Local knowledge and expertise. Discover the difference.
Montana’s Brand of Banking
Member FDIC | Equal Housing Lender
Ravalli Republic, Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - 3
Hamilton Packing Company, owned by Jason and LaRynn Schlange, has been selected Business of the Year. They purchased the meat packing company in 2019 and have plans for expansion.
Hamilton Packing, Business of the Year The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce has selected Hamilton Packing Company, owned by Jason and LaRynn Schlange, as Business of the Year for its tremendous growth, expansion of employees and goal of quality meat with excellent customer service. Jason Schlange said they are “honored and humbled” to be selected as Business of the Year. The couple purchased the meat packing company in 2019.
“We are definitely here to keep Hamilton Packing going, to keep everything they had going, and to improve or bring more to the table as the years go on,” he said. “We’re going to keep it local as much as we can to support the local ranchers and community. We’re thankful for all the support that we’ve gotten in the first couple of years of business.” He called the company as a work in progress.
“We are working on having more and plan to expand,” Schlang said. “We want a larger showroom and retail display so we can bring in more new items. Quality and excellent customer service are our main focus. No matter what it is – retail, wholesale, wild game, custom livestock from start to finish – from the time you bring it in, to the time you leave we want to provide excellent customer service.” He said the number of employees
has varied, starting with eight, going to 18 at the start of 2021 and now at 16 plus he and his wife. “We are looking for more if there are good hard workers out there,” he said. “We could use some help and can train on the job. Experience helps but as long as they are willing to work hard and show up on time every day with a good attitude I’ll take that and we can go from there.”
4 - Ravalli Republic, Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Photo Michelle MCCONNAHA
Jaime Devlin, owner of A2Z Personnel in Stevensville and Hamilton, has been selected the Business Person of the Year by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce for 2021.
Biz Person of the Year: Jaime Devlin Jaime Devlin has been selected the Business Person of the Year by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce for 2021. Devlin owns A2Z Personnel in Hamilton and Stevensville and attributes her business success the fact that her business fills a need in the community. “In 2020 we had a record year and we are exceeding that currently,” Devlin said. “Last year we had a 30% increase, I think this year we will have a 50% increase in placements, which is just crazy. She also attributed her success to her employees. “At the end of the day I wouldn’t be able to do the things that I do or
have a successful business without my staff,” Devlin said. Devlin said she may have been selected for the award because she is involved. She is on the Stevensville Town Counsel, vice-president of the Stevensville Playhouse, a board member on Project 59870 and on the committee for Western Heritage Days. She helps on the Stevensville Civic Club and has been a member of the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce for years and is a past president. “I have my fingers in a lot of different things,” Devlin said. “I don’t know that there are words to express how I feel about being selected Business Person of the Year. It is an
honor and very humbling.” She was the president of the BVCC for 2020 and said she “feels robbed.” “With Covid I wasn’t able to accomplish some of the things I set out to in that role,” Devlin said. “But the chamber stayed strong and is still here today so I’m thankful for that.” Devlin said she doesn’t know how to say no. “When there is a need in our community, all of our communities, I feel a need to step up and participate,” she said. She campaigned for the Splash Pad in Lewis and Clark Park making a challenge to other businesses to donate and matching their donations up to $10,000. That amount was met
in three weeks. “I try to be a leader of our community and set a great example to our you, because I do work with the youth of our communities,” Devlin said. “It’s a part of who I am, I try to fill those needs.” She is “super proud” of being part of Project 59870. “In a very short amount of time it has changed a lot of lives,” Devlin said. “That speaks to our board and their dedication. Very quickly it has become a resource that is used and talked about on a regular basis within Stevensville. I absolutely can’t wait to see where Project 59870 goes and it’s future impact.
Clearwater team members at a Habitat for Humanity build.
Banking can be a force for good. We believe banking should be a force for good in the communities we serve and in the lives of our members. We’re proud to support the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet and Awards.
clearwatercreditunion.org Federally Insured by NCUA.
6 - Ravalli Republic, Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Photo Michelle MCCONNAHA
Chris, Tessa and Emerson Lynn own the Backyard Tap House in Florence that focuses on fresh, local food with a family-friendly atmosphere. The Backyard Tap House has been selected by the Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce as the New Business of the Year, 2021.
New Business of the Year
The Backyard Tap House in Florence has been selected by the Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce as the New Business of the Year, 2021. The family-friendly restaurant and community hangout opened in May 2019 and is about to hit its two-year mark. They never fully closed during Covid closures, continuing to meet the needs of their customers. Owners Chris and Tessa Lynn agreed being selected for the BVCC award was exciting. “When we found out about it a
few weeks ago it caught us off guard,” Chris Lynn said. “It is quite the honor and shows the hard work we put in is all worth it. The customers definitely made it happen for us as well. We’re proud to receive it and will keep going.” At the Backyard Tap House, everything is made fresh, nothing is frozen and they don’t have fryers, meaning there is no fried food. “It is a little different for barstyle food,” Chris Lynn said. “We’re just trying to fill something that we
thought was needed in the Florence market.” He said the Backyard Tap House has 32 beers on tap, wine, signature cocktails, premium liquor and a full menu of fresh food options. “Our main focus is just to provide a family-friendly place to meet with friends and family, eat good food and have delicious beverages,” he said. “We have tons of outdoor seating. In the summer everyone is running around, we have yard games and everybody plays.”
The Backyard Tap House is in the building that used to be Caffe Firenz, 281 Rodeo Drive in Florence, and has around 10 employees. Head chef Nicholas Cebalo has been at the Backyard Tap House since it opened and created the food menu. “He has been a rock star at providing delicious fresh food,” Lynn said. “We use local beef from just down the road and try to partner for local products as much as we can. We are keeping business local.”
Ravalli Republic, Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - 7
Economic Development: Hamilton Business Relief Fund
The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce gives their Economic Development award to the Hamilton Business Relief Fund organizers Matthew Rohrbach, City Planner; Donny Ramer - Public Works Director, Naomi Gary – Brookshire Hathaway, Jenny West – City Council, Robin Pruitt City Council, Claire Kemp – Hamilton Downtown Association, Dan Harmon - HDR Engineering; and Julie Foster Ravalli County Economic Development Authority. These community members were the action committee behind the Hamilton Business Relief Fund created during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic to help local businesses in financial need. Julie Foster said Covid created a lot of scrambling. “People were fine, but then in five to 10 days the governor initiated a shutdown,” Foster said. “We had already formed a team because we were working on planning for Hamilton.” The group had just taken a workshop in Colorado, returned to a shutdown and immediately created a Go-Fund-Me donation site with RCEDA serving as the financial entity to take in the funds and provide a tax deduction to donors. Hamilton City Planner Matthew Rohrbach made a website and donation page as soon as the group decided to create the fund. “It was early on when the impact of the pandemic was becoming apparent from an economic standpoint, with the impact on local businesses and local employees,” Rohrbach said. “Small retail, restaurants and just not knowing how long this will be. Initially, we thought we’d be working from home for a week or two. Then the reality sunk in. We thought ‘what can we do to get money in the hands of businesses right away?’” He said they were working to build community unity. “It was never intended to be sustainable but to help people get through tough times,” Rohrbach said. Foster said the best part was that it made local funding immediately available for local businesses who were hurting. “In those first four to eight weeks
Photo Michelle MCCONNAHA
Hamilton Business Relief Fund organizers Naomi Gary – Brookshire Hathaway, Donny Ramer - Public Works Director, Matthew Rohrbach – City Planner, Julie Foster- RCEDA, Claire Kemp – Hamilton Downtown Association, Robin Pruitt - City Council and Jenny West – City Council show their version of the Beatle’s Abbey Road album cover and are happy to have helped the city during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.
before the governor’s money to started rolling out there was nothing,” she said. “There was family and friends and asking people who also needed money like landlords, but they have to survive too.” She said that without the effort the business landscape in Hamilton would look worse. “Most businesses around here don’t have a huge safety net,” Foster said. “Big companies have a big payroll, but money has to come in for them to meet their obligations. It’s a big merry-go-round.” Donations came in and the group sent it out. “We tried to figure it out as we were doing it,” Rohrbach said. “We got tons of applications. We set up a website where people could learn about the program and submit an application. We just asked some basic criteria to make sure we were being responsible, but we always had a quick turnaround to get money out quickly.” Claire Kemp, then the executive director of the Hamilton Downtown Association, said the community stepped up with big donations. The final total was $85,338.36 and the Hamilton
Business Relief Fund helped well over 50 local businesses. Kemp said they started the same day the stay-in-place order was given. “We just thought ‘people need help and we’ve got to do something,’” Kemp said. “Lots of small businesses can’t go two weeks without an income, or a week even. How can they pay rent, employees, power bills and supplies that they ordered? This was before the governor stepped in with relief, that took a couple of months and at that time we didn’t know if he would.” The initial goal was $20,000 but donations quickly went beyond expectations. “There were larger donations but most of them were small from the community, $50 or $100,” Kemp said. “We had many people apply and we didn’t treat it like a grant but kept it simple. I was writing checks as fast as I could. Most requests were modest like $400 to pay the rent.” The group met at over zoom at all hours and reviewed the many requests. “We gave everyone something but there were some requests we just couldn’t
fund,” Kemp said. “We didn’t make it restrictive. People just needed support.” Kemp said the Economic Development award from the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce is appreciated. “It was the highlight of my year to do something that was helpful to the community,” Kemp said. Naomi Gary, Real Estate Broker, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Montana Properties, said she is grateful she participated in the Hamilton Business Relief Fund. “It was a huge honor to be a part of HBRF and to have the privilege of connecting people in our community who were in need during COVID to others who were so badly wanting to contribute and help,” she said. Foster agreed. “It was just a cool little team doing what they could,” she said. “This is a lesson for the future and should be included in disaster preparedness. Thank goodness this could start with a grassroots effort. It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen. Most of the time it’s not that easy to just be able to hand someone a check.”
Volunteer of the Year: Kerry Hanson Hamilton resident Kerry Hanson without you’ or ‘there really is a Santa is awarded the Volunteer of the Year, Claus,” Hansen said. “It’s really power2021, by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber ful and I try to go under the radar. It’s a of Commerce. In her generosity of time huge blessing as I have individuals and and effort, she has put together Adopt- businesses that sponsor every year. It’s A-Family, Adopt-A-Cop programs and incredibly humbling that they know me works to fill needs in the Bitterroot and trust me to get that money where Valley. it needs to go. It is tons of work but so Hansen said she feels humbled and rewarding.” honored to be selected. The idea for the Adopt-A-Cop proHanson contributed to the third gram came from Hanson’s cousin in grade Adopt a law enforcement in Family program Arkansas where they for many years had the program. while working at “He was being It’s incredibly Daly Elementary blessed and I asked for School, then took the specifics, talked to humbling that over the program friends and they said they know me when she retired ‘let’s do it,’” Hansen from teaching in said. “It was last sumand trust me to 2014. mer, in the midst of “In my heart, I Black Lives Matters get that money just couldn’t let it and distrusting offiwhere it needs go,” Hanson said. cers and all of that. “It is so vital. It I felt our local law to go. It is tons is more than an enforcement needed Angel Tree. Often, to know they were of work but so when I deliver appreciated, believed to a family the in and supported.” rewarding. entire back of my She met with Denali XL is full. Sheriff Steve Holton -Kerry Hanson It is items for the of the Ravalli County family, grocery gift Sheriff ’s Office and cards plus wants Chief Ryan Oster of and needs for the the Hamilton Police kids. It is amazing. Last year I had a Department and arranged for the prosingle mom who needed work on her gram to be all anonymous for reasons of house, my sponsor arranged for that to confidentiality. happen.” “Just like Adopt-A-Family, I’m the In August, Hanson reaches out to only one who knows who the families sponsors to confirm participation. are and who their sponsor is,” Hanson Then by October, 30 – 50 families are said. selected through a process that includes Officers completed a quick quesa personal interview. Hansen then tionnaire of their hobbies and likes, begins collecting the items. then Hanson put requests out on “I’ve had grateful and crying parents social media and officers were quickly say, ‘we wouldn’t have had Christmas adopted.
Photo Mindi Hogan
Kerry Hanson is the Volunteer of the Year, 2021, as selected by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. She has put together Adopt-A-Family and Adopt-A-Cop programs and works to fill needs in the Bitterroot Valley.
“People put together amazing baskets,” Hanson said. “The baskets were incredible, from the heart and just blew my mind. The officers were so touched to know that there are people in our valley who truly back them. I think it is important that they know that.” Hanson does more for the community. She is busy with planning the Hamilton High School senior party,
a member of Kiwanis, Faith Lutheran Church and the HHS booster club. “It’s just so important to give back and if everyone would give just a little of their time or effort,” Hanson said. “It’s a great valley and we’re so blessed to be here. God’s work, our hands, that’s what it’s all about.”
Ravalli Republic, Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - 9
Spark Plug Award: Rebecca and Mike Swanson
Rebecca and Mike Swanson, owners of the Old West Candy & Antiques in Darby, have been selected for the Spark Plug Award by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce for stepping up community events and adding a new “farm to table” deli. Rebecca Swanson said they are excited for the award. “We stepped up community events because there were so many things that were closed down for Christmas due to Covid and we decided Christmas was going to happen anyway,” she said. “We gave people more options.’ They provide horse-drawn carriage rides every weekend, held a campfire and outdoor activities. “We had Santa Claus that you could actually see and if you felt led to do so you could sit on his lap and get pictures taken,” Swanson said. “The community was shocked and I can’t tell you how many parents were so grateful that their newborn baby could have her picture with a live Santa. It was just a fun time and there’s not a lot going on the in the Valley for Christmas, regardless of Covid.”
“It’s not a consignment,” Swanson said. “We just buy them outright and put them on display to show off their business, so hopefully they get more people to buy from them as well as buying from us. We tried hard to put the focus back Photo PROVided to Montana.” Old West Candy & Antiques owners Mike and Rebecca Swanson She said the “farm cut the ribbon with the Chamber of Commerce when they opened. to table” deli came together as an idea to She said they plan to continue it every be more aware of food sources. year with themed Christmases. “Last year we had all the travelers com“Next year will be the Nutcracker and ing through wanting some sort of quick but we’ll have the entire store decorated in that good food service,” Swanson said. “There’s theme,” Swanson said. At the start of 2021 the couple refocused great food in Darby but not quick.” After several conversations with the the store from carrying such a diversity of health department they received approval products to having a focus on local. The for sandwich shop in the candy store. process began last summer with attending “I didn’t want just a regular sandwich every farmers market to find and contract shop,” Swanson said. “I wanted to bring in with local vendors to bring in Montana local food.” made products. The Old West Candy & Fresh is key and Bagels from Bagels Antiques store has products from 35 differon Broadway come every day. There are ent local vendors.
Congratulations, Kerry!
SETTING THE STANDARD FOR COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY
also meats from Hamilton Pack, Lifeline Products, and the Heritage Market in Stevensville, for Amish cheese and turkey. Choosing “farm to table” and locally sourcing foods was a bigger task than she originally thought. “I love the plan behind keeping it local and supporting your neighbor but Montana is not really set up for that,” Swanson said. “Around here you have to drive a long way to get your food to make it local. We’re hoping to be part of the grassroots movement to start a better plan.” She’s working with the local co-op and farmers market to bring in fresh local produce. “We’re really trying to know where our food comes from and support local growers,” she said. “That’s the focus of the business.” Swanson said she grew up in the Bitterroot Valley and is working to improve the image of Darby with more community events. “Darby has been very welcoming to bring us in,” she said. “Everyone has been very excited and so supportive that we are there. We are eager to be part of the community, we just love it.”
We are so proud of Kerry Hanson, and thankful for her dedication to making the place where we live and work the best that it can be. She selflessly gives her time and resources to local organizations that strengthen our community. Her contributions will ensure that the Bitterroot Valley remains a beautiful place for future generations. Bitterroot Valley’s Volunteer of the Year
Kerry Hanson, Real Estate Broker (406) 240.4672 | KerryH@PurewestMT.com 140 Cherry St , #101 | Hamilton PureWestRealEstate.com
10 - Ravalli Republic, Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Community Asset: Project 59870 The Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce has selected Project 58970 in Stevensville for the Community Asset Award, 2021. Board member Victoria Howell said the project grew out of the 60-yearold Stevensville Civic Club when the Stevensville Main Street Association (SMSA) was folding. Project 59870 is a charitable organization, 501c3, meaning donations are tax deductible. It started with seven board members, Victoria Howell, Joan Prather, Jaime Devlin, Brandon Dewey, Cheryl Burgmeier plus Maureen and Tonu Wali, who named the project and designed the logo but later resigned for family reasons. Howell said everyone on the board represents a segment of the community. “The American Legion and Auxiliary with Cheryl, the business community with Jaime, the local government with Brandon, the civic club with Joan, and the media,” she said. “We just hit the ground running in 2019.” Howell said the mission of Project
59870 is to help people do projects in the community that need a 501c3 designation or other kind of help. The first project was a successful Christmas fundraiser on Main Street allowing them to donate to the Stevensville sharing tree. When Covid hit many businesses were in trouble and some were too small to qualify for the Covid relief through the state. Project 59870 noticed the Hamilton Downtown Association had started a Business Relief Fund and they learned from them to start a Stevensville Relief Fund. They put out the word that they were raising money to help small businesses and generous community donations soon equaled around $12,000. “We just started giving out grants and kept the requirements very simple,” Howell said. “We were able to give a grant to almost business that applied. We helped 11 businesses with rent, insurance and utilities, just to keep them from going out of business. It just give us a great feeling.” Project 59870 is the fiscal agent and Photo Michelle MCCONNAHA
Project 58970 board members Brandon Dewey, Jaime Devlin, Cheryl Burgmeier, Victoria Howell and Joan Prather gather in Lewis and Clark Park in Stevensville near where the Stevensville Civic Club’s Splash Pad will be complete by July 31. The Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce has selected Project 58970 for the Community Asset Award, 2021.
Real Estate (406) 531-6038 Joni Zinkovich
Broker - CRS, ABR, GRI jzmtrealty@gmail.com
Top producer since 2004 175 S. 2nd Street Hamilton, MT 59840 www.JZMTrealty.com
raising money for the Stevensville Civic Club’s Splash Pad efforts. The total cost is $145,000 and in three months has raised $76,000. “It is a concrete pad with a fish theme and six water features for kids,” Howell said. “It will be in Lewis and Clark park, free to the public, usable by every age but great for young kids just learning to play in water. The town council approved it, with a recirculating water system, and donated $25,000.” Board member Jaime Devlin, of A2Z Personnel, put out a business challenge agreeing to match every donation up to $10,000. That match was met, but fundraising continues and the goal is completion by July 31. Dewey said having Project 59870 as a partner with the Civic Club is a natural
relationship because of its non-profit status. “We experienced projects like Bear Mountain and the Skatepark, where a 501c3 is necessary, sometimes the SMSA would fill that. We feel this keeps those projects going,” Dewey said. “We are really a support group. If there is an organization that needs a physical agent, we are available. If we have funding we’ll help it is all for the benefit of the community.” Howell credits the “amazing board” of Project 59870. “They are all just doers, they see a need, figure out a solution and take action,” she said. “We don’t allow any negativity to creep in, we just plow forward.”
Ravalli Republic, Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - 11
Unsung Hero: Cameron Criddle Cameron Criddle owner of BeeHive Homes of Hamilton has been selected to receive the Unsung Hero Award 2021 for the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. He said he feels surprised and honored be selected. He started BeeHive Homes of Hamilton, to serve the Bitterroot Valley community. “We saw a community that was in need of high quality elder care that felt more like a home,” Criddle said. “We saw families who wanted to take care of their loved ones, but weren’t sure where to place them. We saw an employment opportunity and truly have the most amazing team of caregivers, cooks, activities leaders, housekeepers, and management and administrators.” Criddle said the community has been good to his family and business. “I feel I need to give back as much as we can,” he said. “We’ve been blessed with so much.” He is a member of the Chamber, a newly elected Corvallis School Board member and helps at a variety of opportunities in the community. “We try to donate to programs that the kids are doing,” he said. “We like to do our Christmas light display because we love how over the years, it has become something that the community enjoys and people take time to come and see. One of my favorite things is to come in early to work and see a bus driver who
cameron criddle owner of Beehive homes of hamilton has been selected to receive the Unsung hero Award 2021.
has pulled over to let their students see the lights and look at the decorations.” BeeHive Administrator Virginia Villemez said Criddle truly cares for his staff and the residents. “He is considers all of our staff an extended family,” Villemez said. “He helps out in all of the homes. During the Covid pandemic he would cook and fill in as a caregiver when needed. He is
Wetzsteon Electric, INC
Proudy serving the Bitterroot Valley since 1983 (406) 363-2522
truly a genuine person, he loves our residents and loves the community. He is an excellent, all-around boss and it is just a joy to work with him.” Criddle said the Unsung Hero Award is not something he was working towards. “Anonymity is my favorite thing,” he said. “I am honored to accept this award and will continue to be motivated
Photo Michelle MccONNAhA
to serve and to bless the lives of those around me, as they have been a great blessing in my life and the life of my family. I hope that we can each serve one another and put our differences aside. If I have learned anything in my life, it is that service is the great unifier. God bless this country and especially this community.”
Proud Supporter and Member of the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce f i n e
j e w e l r y
201 W. Main • 363-6236 Tu-F 10-5:30pm • Sat 10-4pm mikesellsfinejewelry.com
12 - Ravalli Republic, Wednesday, May 19, 2021
Carol Saylor chosen for Laurel Award
Carol Saylor has been awarded the Laurel Award, 2021, by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. The award is named after past Hamilton Mayor Laurel Frankenfield and Saylor said the award is special and she feels honored to receive it. “Laurel is one of my closest friends,” Saylor said. “I haven’t seen her for several years. She’s been in a retirement home in Missoula in the Alzheimer’s unit. She still greets people and talks to people. She doesn’t know any of us anymore but she’s happy.” Saylor moved to the Bitterroot Valley in 1992 and has been involved with the Chamber of Commerce, the Building Association, Trapper Creek Job Corps, and school groups like Girls Scouts, Odyssey of the Mind, and class projects of her daughter and grandchildren. Saylor said her welcome to the community came when she walked downtown to find a job and found herself in the BVCC office. “I got information and Jerry Dye was the volunteer on the desk,” she said.
knowledge of volunteerism and construction and willingness to put in time to the Chamber for many years. She became an ambassador, helped with Brewfest, was on the Leads committee, developed the Tourism Marketing website, was the Chamber’s Administrative assistant 1998 – 2001 part time while running the Building Association. She was involved in the Trapper Creek Photo Michelle MCCONNAHA Job Corps Industrial Carol Saylor, a Bitterroot Valley resident since 1992, has Council, spent nine been awarded the Laurel Award, 2021, by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. years helping to oversee the Food booth that the Chamber provided for “Within 15 minutes I was volunteering the Senior Pro Rodeo entrants and more. to run the volunteer desk the following “But my mainstay is networking,” Friday.” Saylor said. “I always networked for Saylor offered her outgoing personal- myself and the Chamber. Really, what I ity, ability to learn computers quickly, did better was ‘net weave.’ I specialize in
connecting people to people.” She helps with the BVCC Facebook page. “I’ve always had an ability to quickly understand a computer program,” Saylor said. “My brain works that way.” That came in to play heavily last March at the start of the pandemic. “I realized that so many restaurants were having trouble, places were closed and there was fighting about masks, and so I started a Facebook page about who was open, who was delivering, or curbside,” Saylor said. “I stayed away from the whole mask thing and called it ‘Bitterroot To Go.’” When the page had 1,200 members in a week she realized that people were looking for this information. She posts events on the Bitterroot Events site and jokes that she has many virtual friends. “I love it here, I have grandchildren here and I chose to live here,” Saylor said. “I chose to get involved and that’s what is most important.”
Lifetime Achievement Award winner Pat Easley Pat Easley has been selected for the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce, for 2021. Easley said she can’t believe she was selected for the award. “I don’t think I deserve it,” she said. “I was totally overwhelmed, every time I think on it I cry. I mean really, with Dan Seaverson and Wayne Hedman, please. I don’t even come close to that.” Easley worked at the Hamilton Computer Service before becoming the BVCC office manager, a position she held for 24-years. “It was the most fun I had working anywhere,” she said. “I felt like I should pay them for having me work there.” BVCC Director Al Mitchell said, “Pat Easley is the face of the chamber.” “You just can’t think of the BVCC without thinking of Pat,” he said. “She served under four different directors and 70-plus board members in the time she
was here. She was the glue that held the Chamber together, through good times and bad.” Mitchell said that Easley put together the Tourism and Relocation Magazine, ran the chamber’s Leadership Program, the LEADs program, and was active in the Brewfest, the annual banquets and all chamber activities. She coordinated with the downtown merchants to help run the Hamilton Downtown Association when it was a subcommittee of the chamber. “Her friendly smile will always greet people at the door and she was a wealth of information about the valley and the chamber,” Mitchell said. “She wore a lot of hats here. Pat has been a trooper through thick and thin, she and her faithful dog Bria. She’s been missed but will fill in for us for the next eight weeks, it’s really nice.” Easley agreed. “It will be fun going back for a while,” she said.
Photo Michelle MCCONNAHA
Lifetime Achievement Award winner Pat Easley with Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce Director Al Mitchel.
Bitterroot Valley Chamber presidents Past Presidents 1923-1925......C. E. Hartley 1926-1927......Dr. N.A. Lyman 1928-1934......Fred Parker 1935...............C. H. Raymond 1936...............T. M. Skinner 1937-1941......W. E. Pollinger 1942...............V.C. Hollingsworth 1943...............Dr. Foss 1944-1945......Dr. Bucher 1946...............Otto Bernatz 1947...............A. L. Kleve 1948...............Ed Nobles 1949...............Bob Savage 1950...............Melvin Kyle 1951...............Hugh Elmore 1952...............Charles James 1953...............Fred A. Willard 1954...............Jack E. Coulter 1955...............Bill Fullerton 1956...............K. J. McDonald 1957...............Glenn Shults 1958...............Gardner Brownlee 1959...............Charles Bohac 1960...............Kenneth Robbins 1961...............Tavy Parker 1961...............Vicki Barter 1962-1963......Jack Dowling 1964-1966......Fred Parker 1967...............Vic Vadiem 1969...............Doug Klein 1970...............Dr. Palmer 1971...............Lincoln Shonkwiler 1972...............Frank Popiel 1973...............Don McGourty 1974...............Bob Lake 1975...............Chet McCullough 1976...............Bill Larkin 1977...............Richard Pulis 1978...............Ben Longbottom 1979...............Marvin Bell
1980...............Dave Hardy 1981...............Shirley Dowling 1982...............Larry Black 1983-1984......Rem Kohrt 1985...............Ken Senn 1986...............Jim Carpita 1987...............Wayne Hedman 1988...............Jim Miller 1989...............Bill Perrin 1989...............Shirley Dowling 1990...............Bill Perrin 1991...............Jay Klawon 1992...............Jo Gmazel-Bartley 1993...............Emil Erhardt 1994...............Donna Larson 1995...............Dale Berry 1996...............Mike Williams 1997...............Al Mitchell 1998...............Jim Moerkerke 1999...............Jerry Wessels 2000...............Roger Linhart 2001...............Rosie Huckstadt 2002...............Cindy Beck 2003...............Bob Thomas 2004...............Cindy Mikesell 2005...............Bill Bean 2006...............Tim Bozik 2007...............Al Hill 2008...............Patti Furniss 2009...............Tom Pool 2010............... Mike Pflieger 2011...............Dr. Dirk Beyer 2012...............John Stevens 2013...............Rosie Huckstadt 2014-2015......Sherri Williams 2016...............Fenn Nelson 2017...............Chris Edwards 2018...............Lucas Pernsteiner 2019...............Susan Wetzsteon 2020...............Jaime Devlin 2021...............Carol Holdman
Ravalli Republic, Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - 13
Proud SuPPorterS and memberS of tHe bitterroot CHamber of CommerCe ™
Locally Owned & Operated Serving the Bitterroot since 1977
1111 South 1st Hamilton (406) 363-3526 avhcr.com
T hank You!!
EXIT REALTY BITTERROOT VALLEY ALLEY
We have been blessed by the support of our
Amazing Community We look forward to serving & giving back in
g Y Your y ng orSelling? Buyi
2021!
Trusted Advisor
We are in your corner Give us a call today to start the process!
LOCAL EXPERTISE. HIGHLY TRAINED. PROFESSIONAL. 99 Marcus Street, 3rd Floor | Hamilton, MT, 59840 www.EXITMT.com | 406-375-9251
14 - Ravalli Republic, Wednesday, May 19, 2021
History of the Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce is 450-members strong and will celebrate 115 years of community and business support at its annual award banquet. A photo of the Hamilton Chamber Office appears on a post card dated 1899, showing the building sitting where the Safeway parking lot is currently located. Chamber minutes go back to 1923 and tell some of their early accomplishments including starting a park just north of the old silver bridge, now called Rotary Park, where they had a summer visitor center. When the Rocky Mountain Lab came to Hamilton, the chamber purchased the land and donated it to the lab. Mitchell said that each town in the valley had a chamber or a type of civic group, but in 1975 the chambers got together and decided to cre-
ate the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce. “We represent seven communities Sula to Florence,” Mitchell said. “We do have members in Lolo, Missoula, and Phillipsburg, but they came to us. It’s good to have members outside the area who support the Bitterroot Valley.” The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce promotes tourism and works with the Tourism Business Improvement District, Glacier Country, Montana State Tourism, and the Economic Development Authority. The chamber also works to bring in tournaments, teams, and their supporters. The chamber has a quarterly newsletter and maintains a calendar of events that anyone, not just chamber members, can call with event informa-
Supporters of the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce Coldwell Banker Western States Associates Real Estate 115 West Main Street, Hamilton MT
(406) 363-1250
www.coldwellbankerwsa.com
tion for the website – 363-2400. The chamber has a “Super Host” (customer service) training in the spring, and an Assistance to Business Clinic (ABC) in the fall with state information about workman’s comp, state and federal unemployment, and tax laws. Leads Group is where common businesses have one representative and meet once a month to share business leads. The chamber Ambassadors put on the Ravalli County Fair Parade, host political forums, and an annual barbecue. The BVCC Leadership Team attends Montana legislative sessions in Helena to keep in touch with legislators on business issues. Mitchell said that the chamber, rather than being too political, is “probusiness.” “We’re not big enough to fight and are just trying to get along,” he said. “We’re just trying to make this a better place.” The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce also hosts the MicroBrew Festival as its largest fundraising event the fourth weekend of July. More than 3,000 people are attracted to the event with live music, food vendors, and microbrews from across Montana and the Northwest. The core 10-member festival group plans the event and 60 chamber members help run the party in downtown Hamilton. Being a chamber member has benefits. Members place their business cards and information in the chamber office, and are listed and linked on the chamber website, and in the chamber magazine. “We’re a referral agency basically,” Mitchell said. “We’re tourism related but into business referrals and promotion. We rotate business to business referrals. We like to do business with
our own members - if someone comes in looking for a motel we first refer our active members.” Tied into that is the chamber’s gift certificate program, where consumers can purchase gift certificates any time of the year to be used at 50 locations throughout the valley. “We are keeping money local,” Mitchell said. “The businesses that want to participate buy into that at $25 a year. It is very popular.” The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce has members beyond retail including medical, real estate, title companies, non-profits, and individuals. “It is open to anyone who is probusiness in the valley,” Mitchell said. “We send relocation packets to people or businesses who are considering relocating here.” The chamber offers networking opportunities such as ribbon cuttings, after-hour events, a Leadership Bitterroot class (one day a month, October through May, to learn about other businesses), and a monthly luncheon that rotates throughout the valley. “The first thing you should put in your tool box when you go into business is your chamber membership,” Mitchell said. “If you don’t use the tool, it’s not going to work for you you have to show up once in a while to make it work.” The Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce building is open Monday through Friday year-round and is open seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day, at 105 East Main St. in Hamilton. The volunteers meet and greet people, help them find maps, brochures, business and tourist information.
Bank Greener!
It’s easy to do your part with our innovative options. Personal & Commercial: Paperless Statements • Mobile Banking App • Internet Banking
Farmers State Bank www.farmersebank.com
Member FDIC
Your Montana Bank Since 1907 Victor• Darby• Hamilton•Stevensville•Florence•Lolo•Missoula•Helena• Kalispell
Welcome to the Beautiful Bitterroot Valley... You have reached your destination!
We want you to know that our business is promoting your business around the clock. Your membership investment is important to us and we are continually working hard to enhance the economic vitality of the Bitterroot Valley. bitterrootchamber.com ~ (406) 363-2400 105 East Main - Hamilton MT 59840