Ode to 2023
WRITTEN & PRESENTED BY MELANIE BAKALA, STATE FARM INSURANCE
Mason County is a well kept secret We have such a special town Just drive down main street in December experience the beauty & lights all around Our Christmastown rep continues to grow The Festival of the Firs, it is now called Families gather for the activities & parade & walk the lighted tree maze, enthralled. As the sun comes out, flower baskets adorn our streets Forest Festival comes to town —celebrating Shelton’s logging feats This year, some legends called it a day Vince Himlie hung it up after year 63 from PUD3 Jorgenson & Gott retired and we are grateful for 30 years from Dr. Gushee We lost some giants who served our town: we celebrated Xihn who always put on a show said goodbye to Fire Chief Richard Knight we mourned the loss of Lary Coppola and Marty Crow Shelton’s had some big changes: Ziegler now the City’s head guy and Kostad is our new police chief —working to help our town reach high Annexation activity stirred the city, Paving the way to needed growth City Council will welcome Blush, Gilmore, and Stearns, as they take the office oath Many new places took the plunge, starting with Cascade Softwash TheCuppiecakesQueen & County Line Fire making good food Prime Legal & Sweet Thyme Massage set out their shingle Hood Canale opened with food and fun —in the Union neighborhood Miss Sally’s Doula &True Vine Floral took the leap Adventure RV Repairs & Medusa Mobile shining our cars Angler Insurance & Rain or Shine Pets, started too and Collie Pest & Madrona Pest are our pest control stars Little Creek unveiled a shiny new starlight lounge
Page 6 - Turning BusinessPointe Matters unveiled the new kitchen they sought;
Taylor Shellfish expanded their farm and the Civic Center has a new court & parking lot Belco had a big expansion Olympic Title & Bradley Air moved to new spaces KMAS is back as local and Shelton Veterans Village unveiled their new places A few of our enterprises welcomed new leaders Alderbrook Golf brought in Jason Reehm At the Chamber up north Rod Olsen is the head & Dr. Lance Gibbons leads the Hood Canal Schools team Rowan from Belco was awarded for excellence Hama Hama Oyster Saloon got props for its food Hood Canal expanded much needed broadband and the Arts Commission turned empty bowls into money for good Klusman took the helm at John L Scott Sierra Pacific donated Studs for Habitat’s House 36 Alderbrook was named #1 best wedding destination and the Mason County Realtors supported our kids Many of our businesses have hit milestones: So Clean & Green, Hardware Distillery, and Zepplin marked 10 years; Cooper Studios at 15,; Walter Dacon Wines hit 20; Shelton Health & Rehab with 25; and AAA Septic hit 30 —Cheers! Nifty Thrifty’s at 35 with Cameo Boutique and Belco noting 40; Hackney Family Dentistry has 45 years of taking care of our chops; Senior Services for South Sound and 2nd Street Design Studio 50 years; Mason Health marked 55 & Verles’ 75 years —Lets give them all props! So we sit here all dressed up tonight Ready to honor the greatness of our town Thanks to our great Chamber and Deidre who wears the CEO crown My hope is that kindness prevails and we give each other grace As we embark on this new year Please join me in raising your glass high And welcoming 2024 with cheer! Business Matters - Page 5
