Bight | October 2012

SHELTONMASONCOUNTY

In ThE loop pumpkinFEST Get in the Fall mood with fun for the whole family – including pumpkin catapults & hayrides – 10

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OctoberOctober2012 2012

Shelton Mason County Chamber

Message from Chamber President, Drew MacEwen SHELTONMASONCOUNTY Board of Trustees President Drew MacEwen Falcon Financial, Inc. Past President Patti Case Green Diamond Resource Company Vice President of Marketing Kathryn Kamin Hood Canal Communications Vice President of Member Services Melanie Bakala State Farm Insurance Treasurer Rick Verbarendse Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club Steve Andrewski CareerQuest Janene Bandes Pier 101 Gift Shop & Boutique Herb Baze Black Star, The Strip Steakhouse Kevin Cronquist Prudential NW Real Estate Kelly Crabtree Maple Glen Senior Living Rod Olsen Olsen Furniture Jennifer Owens Peninsula Federal Credit Union

Dear Fellow Members, When you receive this newsletter we will be into the 4th Quarter of 2012… can you believe it?! This past month was once again a busy month for the Chamber. We held our second annual golf tournament in which we had a full field of players.

This event continues to grow and I anticipate it will become one of the major golf tournaments in our area going forward. Thank you to all who played, sponsored, or volunteered to make it happen. I especially would like to thank Kevin Cronquist for chairing this year’s tournament… THANK YOU, KEVIN! As our Chamber continues to grow we have hired a new team member. Janelle Rutter joined the staff in September and brings a wealth of knowledge from administration to marketing and will be a tremendous asset and resource for our Chamber.

I would like to draw your attention to October’s monthly member meeting. It will be held at the Pavilion at Sentry Park in Shelton and our guest speaker is Washington

Shaun Tucker

Shelton Mason County Chamber of Commerce Box 2389 |215 W Railroad Avenue Shelton, WA 98584 426-2021 • (800) 576-2021• FAX 426-8678 www.sheltonchamber.org

Our October meeting also serves as the official nominating meeting for next year’s board of trustees. If you are interested in serving on the board please contact Patti Case or the Chamber office.

Believe it or not, soon we will also be calling for nominations for our annual awards gala. So start thinking about the business, volunteer, or member that you believe deserves special recognition at our gala in January.

As we enter this final quarter of the year I want to extend my personal gratitude to each and every one of you.

Our Chamber is on solid footing and is constantly working hard to promote and foster a vibrant local business environment. I don’t know about you but I can feel the energy in the air.

We are seeing new businesses open, planning to open, and others planning to expand. This is positive for our community and will help us weather future storms. Without your support the Chamber would not be here to serve. Thank you for all you do.

I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming Chamber event.

Drew MacEwen President

Chamber Mission Statement

Alderbrook Resort & Spa Produced by Image In Action Design and the Shelton Mason County Chamber of Commerce All rights reserved.

State Senior Economist Bret Bertolin. This annual meeting has always provided some keen insight into our state economy and what the economic forecast looks like. This can be a great tool for planning in your own business. So please mark your calendar for Thursday, October 18th, 6:00 PM at the Pavilion.

To encourage and maintain a vibrant business community, promote tourism and facilitate economic development.

COVER PHOTO:

Dedicated Pumpkin Chuckers Unite in Union

See page 10-11 for PumpkinFest event details.

Photos courtesy of Kristina Wunsch, Poppi Photography

October 2012 Shelton Mason County Chamber

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Message from Chamber Executive Director Autumn is here. I have to say that though I hate to see the summer months come to an end, there’s just something about this season that I love. With the turning color of the leaves, cool evenings, and brisk mornings come hot beverages, comfy sweaters and cozy fireplaces.

Our second golf tournament was a great success! Thank you to the committee, chaired

by Kevin Cronquist of Prudential Northwest Real Estate, for all your hard work and planning – it was an amazing time. New phrases were mumbled across the greens (“that’s almost licorice”) golfers talents were put to the test (“did they really land on the line?!”) and it was especially rewarding for me personally, as my team beat my husband & father’s team, which earned me huge bragging rights through the next year. It was a great day!

You may recall that the Member Services Committee recently sent out a survey to you via email asking what opportunities you’d like to see more of in the Chamber.

Your response clearly defined three priorities: marketing assistance, collaboration with the schools, and networking opportunities.

This month marks the kickoff of a new networking opportunity, “Good Morning, Mason County!” On the 2nd Tuesday of each month we’ll be at Rooster’s Restaurant from 7:30 – 8:30 AM where we’ll have

round table discussions on various topics over breakfast. Conversations will flow from questions such as, “Do you have a Facebook page?” and “How do you encourage your employees?” to “What kind of medical insurance do you have?” Bring both your business cards and your questions for this open conversation.

In October, we also begin looking toward the next year. At our membership meeting on October 18, we accept nominations for the Board of Trustees. Though we do have a Nominating Committee who works hard at selecting people to serve on the Board, we also open the floor for nominations from you, our members, at this meeting. If there is a Chamber member in good standing who you would like to nominate, you can do so at this meeting… just make sure that they agree for you to nominate them in advance. If you need more information about the role and duties our Board members serve, just let me know. I’m happy to share that information with you.

Rutter joins Chamber staff, comprised of director McCutcheon and office manager Deidre Eaton, with a background in marketing, public relations, communications, computer admin and community outreach.

She is originally from the Shelton area and holds a degree in computer administration. Rutter says “I am excited about my new

Heidi McCutcheon Executive Director

Newest Members!

DJM Designs Photography 218 W Cota St, Ste 1 Shelton, WA (360) 285-3566 djmdesignsphotos.com Photography

The Chamber is pleased to announce and welcome Janelle Rutter as the Chamber’s Administrative Assistant. Rutter will provide a point of contact for walk in traffic, incoming telephone calls, granting access to the building, and supporting the highest level of customer service for members, staff, and visitors. She will also assist with the maintenance and operation of all information technology products, communications and marketing efforts.

Start thinking now of who you would like to see named as Business, Volunteer and Citizen of the Year. There is no greater compliment that you can give someone than a nomination to honor them for their hard work and dedication over the past year.

SHELTONMASONCOUNTY

Administrative Assistant Hired to Chamber Staff

Chamber director Heidi McCutcheon says, “I was thrilled to receive a candidate with Janelle’s qualifications. She is a wonderful asset to our team and I have no doubt that she will greatly compliment the professional atmosphere and high level of customer service that our members have come to expect.”

And, as we look toward the upcoming year, we’ve begun planning our Awards Gala. Save the Date of Friday, January 18, 2013. It will again be held at Little Creek Casino Resort and is already shaping up to be better than ever!

position with the Shelton Mason County Chamber of Commerce.

I am delighted for yet another great career opportunity and thrilled to become a part of the Chamber’s continued success.”

If you would like to contact Janelle, she can be reached at janelle@sheltonchamber. org or at (360) 426-2021.

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Edward Jones – Eric R. Thompson 301 E Wallace Kneeland Blvd, Ste 219 Shelton, WA (360) 426-8054 Financial Investments Shelton Liquor & Wine 330 W Railroad Ave Shelton, WA (360) 427-2168 Liquor & Spirits Retail Know someone else who should join the Chamber?

Please call (360) 426-2021 or email heidi@sheltonchamber.org.

Shelton Mason County Chamber

October2012

Members Make Second Annual Golf Event a Success The Second Annual Shelton Mason County Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament was held September 14 at the beautiful Alderbrook Golf Course. It was a fabulous day of networking and golf – raising more than $12,000 to support Chamber events and programs.

Nearly double the number of golfers participated in this year’s best-ball tournament and at the end of eighteen holes (and with the help of some licorice rope!) the competition was fierce. An array of highend golf clubs, accessories, and prizes were awarded to the top four teams courtesy of Awards Sponsor Green Diamond Resource Company.

First place this year went to Team Gateway Property Management - Kevin Cronquist, Bob Buhl, Curt Creswell, and Tom Uszynski; second place to Team West Coast Bank - Lisa Woodard, Cory Woodard, Kurt Chase, and Gregg Neff; third to Team Our Community Credit Union - Mark Nault, Leigh Devaney, Tracy West, and Brad Bosner; and last year’s overall winners, Team Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club - Rick Verbarendse, Marc & Karen Burns, and Ginny Chitwood, held on to fourth place.

The men’s Longest Drive went to Mark Schmidt from Team Green Diamond and Jamie Ogg from Team John L. Scott won for the Women; Matt Ledin from Team Career Quest

Senior Economist to Present Forecast to Chamber Members Join us Thursday, October 18 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Pavilion at Sentry Park. In addition to the 2013 Board nominations, Washington State Senior Economist Bret Bertolin will present the economic forecast.

Bertolin has been with the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council (ERFC) since its inception in 1984. The ERFC is charged with preparing economic analyses and revenue forecasts for the Governor and the Legislature.

He is well known within the government and outside as an expert on the state’s economy and is highly regarded by his colleagues.

This is a unique opportunity to gain insight to the status of the economy, where we have come,

claimed Closest to the Line; and Dennis Pickard picked up the KP! The day started off nicely thanks to Cart Sponsor West Coast Bank and the whole day’s play was filled with fun by way of a $10,000 Hole in One provided by Bakala State Farm as well as on-course games, giveaways, and “purchasable advantages”! As comedian Dave Hill says, “Golf is the hardest game in the world to play and the easiest to cheat at.” Our purchasable advantages made it a little easier for participants to uphold their moral character on the course.

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to this year’s golf tournament committee led by Kevin Cronquist.

Kevin and his crew (Drew MacEwen, Curt Creswell, Bob Buhl, Mike and Judy Callaghan) worked diligently with our staff to ensure this year’s tournament was a memorable

and valuable event– thank you!

Thank you to this year’s hole sponsors: Brady Trucking & Landscape Supply, Cut Rate Auto Parts, Fir Lane Health & Rehabilitation Center, Gardner Accounting, Hackney Family Dentistry, Heritage Bank, Hood Canal Communications, Lake Cushman Golf Course, Maple Glen Senior Living, Mason County Title Company, Newman Family Chiropractic, Our Community Credit Union, Peninsula Credit Union, ProBuild Shelton, Prudential Northwest Real Estate, Richard C. Downing, DDS, Richard D. Thornbrue, CPA, SERVPRO of Mason County, The Strip Steakhouse, and Windermere Real Estate/Himlie Inc.; And to all of our member businesses who donated items for contest prizes: Dr. Richard C. Downing DDS, Arnold Smith Insurance, Dominos Pizza, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and Skipworth’s Saw Shop.

Thank You Tournament Sponsors!

Washington State Senior Economis, Bret Bertolin

what the impact is to you and your business and what is predicted for the near future. For more information or to RSVP, visit sheltonchamber.org/ mmm or call (360) 4262021.

October 2012 Shelton Mason County Chamber

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Title Sponsor

Awards Sponsor

Cart Sponsor

Hole in One Sponsor

Senior Center Provides Outreach Opportunity for Local Businesses & Organizations Responding to the needs of the community, the Mason County Senior Activities Center in downtown Shelton offers low cost lunches to local seniors each Friday. The Center is currently seeking partnerships with local businesses and organizations to continue this service.

Participating groups are asked to assist in planning and to provide three or more volunteers to prepare and serve lunch for 25-35 people. The meal may be donated or may be purchased using the program’s limited budget. Groups are encouraged to sponsor two or more lunches during the year.

The Friday lunch program depends heavily on donations to supplement the proceeds of just $3 per person. Monday through Thursday lunches at the Center

President’s Circle Platinum Members

are prepared by the Senior Nutrition Program operated by Senior Services for South Sound. Their respected program is supported by funding from the Area Agency on Aging and through local fundraising.

To participate in the Friday Lunch Program, or for program details and requirements, please contact the Center’s Director Terri Shaw at (360) 426-7374 or email terri@ mcsac.net.

Chamber Board Gains Recognized Community Leaders The Chamber is proud to announce that two new trustees have joined the Board:

Gold Members

Janene Bandes of Pier 101 Gift Shop & Boutique

Janene Bandes, the owner of Pier 101 Gift Shop & Boutique in Hoodsport, is a Shelton High grad. Bandes was honored by the Mason General Hospital Foundation in 2010 as an American Business Women’s Award recipient for her involvement in a number of community groups such as the Hood Canal Business Association, Union Tourism Association, and the Evergreen Chapter of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association. Janene and her children live in Union and enjoy traveling.

Rod Olsen of Olsen Furniture

Rod Olsen Jr. is the owner of third-generation family business Olsen Furniture. As a 1994 Shelton High School Graduate, Olsen is a hometown success story. Olsen, along with his wife Gigi and their sons Owen and Cassius, continue to live in the Shelton area and to contribute both professionally and personally to the community.

Your Chamber of Commerce is run by its members and a Board of Trustees that determines policies and set goals. Trustees are eligible to serve two consecutive two-year terms and new members are nominated each October at the regular monthly meeting. As vacancies arise, the nominating committee and Board members invite interested members to join, fulfilling existing terms. See the article on page 8 for more information about the upcoming elections.

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Silver Members

A Lighthouse on Hammersley Bed & Breakfast Community Financial Center Skokomish Farms, Inc. Windermere Real Estate/ Himlie Inc. Shelton Mason County Chamber

October2012

Chamber’s Membership VP Receives Prestigious Award Melanie Bakala of State Farm Insurance was presented the prestigious ESGR "Above and Beyond" award on September 5, 2012.

The Above and Beyond Award is an employer recognition award presented

by Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR). The Above and Beyond Award was created by ESGR to publicly recognize American employers for providing “extraordinary support and cooperation to their employees, who like the citizen warriors before them, have answered their nation’s call to serve.”The award is given in limited numbers by state committees.

Bakala was nominated by her employee, Chris Meyer, who says, “Melanie has been so supportive of me and my military service. There were numerous reasons I nominated her for the award.” Meyer says that while he was overseas, his office sent

him care packages, kept in touch with him and his family, maintained his employee benefits, and put him right back to work upon his return. “Those were just a few of the reasons I felt she deserved more than just a basic award. I was excited to learn they selected her!”

Bakala has owned the local Shelton State Farm Agency since April 2010. Her office strives to provide its customers with exceptional experiences, gaining acknowledgment both regionally and nationwide.

She has over 17 years experience in marketing, sales, and sales management in the banking and insurance industries. She is married to Jim Belleville and has three children: Jimmy, Sierra, and Maddie.

SHELTONMASONCOUNTY October 5 11:30 am-1:00 pm

Business Builder Workshop Small Business Loan Success

October 10 5:30-7:00 pm

October 18 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Business After Hours presented and sponsored by 

Membership Meeting & Economic Forecast Sponsored by

19330 N US HWY 101, Shelton

October 5 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

October 16 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Keep up to date on Chamber news and events!

October 9 7:30 am – 8:30 pm

Roosters Restaurant 3001 Olympic Hwy N, Shelton

October 2012 Shelton Mason County Chamber

The Pavilion at Sentry Park 190 W Sentry Dr, Shelton

Candidates Forum presented by

330 W Railroad Avenue, Shelton

Good Morning Mason County Free Member Networking Breakfast

The Chamber is proud that Bakala serves on its Board of Trustees– setting an example as amazing leader and an exceptional business woman.

October Events

Grove Street Brewhouse 233 S First St, Shelton, WA 98584

Ribbon Cutting

Above from left: Bryon Burgess from ESGR, Chris Meyer, and Melanie Bakala.

Oakland Bay Junior High School 3301 N Shelton Springs Rd, Shelton

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Text CHAMBERNEWS to 42828 to join our email list *message and data rates may apply.

SAVER Committee Update Patti Case | Green Diamond Resource Company and SAVER Committee Chair Your Chamber’s SAVER committee has been busy, as evidenced by the progress at First and Railroad… and other work.

SAVER stands for Shelton Alliance for Viable Economic Revitalization (only Bob Buhl could come up with an acronym that good!) and was created in 2011. Their mission is “to advocate and support enhanced economic vitality and an improved quality of life for Shelton residents.”

Toward that goal, the committee is currently focused on downtown business core improvements though discussions range more broadly.

SAVER is unique, in that Steve Goins, Community Development and Public Works Director for the City of Shelton, sits on the committee so that a free and open exchange of ideas and potential projects can occur. Other committee members include downtown business and building owners Scott Barnard, Holly Cahoon, Kevin Cronquist, Dave Mariano and Len Williams. Patti Case chairs the committee and serves as the Chamber board liaison.

Additional committee members include Tracy Moore, who represents the City of Shelton Historic Preservation Commission, Dick Taylor representing the Port of Shelton and Brad Patterson for Mason County Transportation Authority.

SAVER’s first project was to partner with the city and local businesses to revitalize the corner of First and Railroad to improve both pedestrian and vehicular traffic through the downtown business core.

The median, which is owned by the city, was sorely in need of an upgrade. The diseased trees, which were buckling the sidewalk, were removed and the sidewalk demolished by the city. New sidewalks were created, courtesy of Miles Sand & Gravel, who donated the concrete and by Kory Cline of Cline Construction, who performed the pouring of the sidewalks.

This fall, volunteers will add landscaping that will invite visitors to area businesses rather than hiding them. Landscape design was executed by Keith Hansen of Oakland Bay Landscaping. The finishing touch for the intersection is a monumentstyle sign, designed by Foster & Williams Architects ,to compliment the clock tower just two blocks down, which will welcome visitors to historic downtown Shelton and direct them to businesses on Railroad Avenue.

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Mark Tuson of Tuson Masonry will construct the sign which will have full uplighting, thanks to the electrical work of Vic Strickland of Ares Electric In addition to the First and Railroad project, SAVER has also made several recommendations to the city asking for relief from transportation impact fees for new businesses occupying existing buildings and other short-term relief from fees and ordinances. These recommendations were designed to encourage new businesses while strengthening the downtown core.

City elected officials were scheduled to be briefed on the transportation impact fees and voted to approve the recommendation at their retreat on August 30, 2012.

Stay tuned for other news from SAVER as they partner with other groups to take a comprehensive look at how various economic, historic and other elements work together to connect our community and create a positive downtown experience.

Shelton Mason County Chamber

October2012

Board Nominations to be Announced at October Meeting Each year at the October Membership Meeting, nominations for the ensuing Board of Trustees term are announced, in accordance with the Chamber’s bylaws. Nominees are recommended by the Nominating Committee and must be members in good standing whom have consented to serve; additional nominations will be taken from the floor during the membership meeting, so long as the nominee is also in good standing and has given their consent to serve.

The meeting will be held on October 18 from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Pavilion at Sentry Park where the forum topic will be the Economic Forecast presented by WA State Senior Economist, Bret Bertolin.

Executive Director Heidi McCutcheon says that this nomination and selection process is crucial to the organization's future. "Our success is based upon a strong Board who can represent an assortment of our member businesses," she said. "The Board

is charged with the strategic direction of the Chamber and provides valuable insight on behalf of our members."

Following the October Membership Meeting, ballots containing all nominations will be mailed to members in good standing via USPS. Newly elected Trustees will be announced at the Membership Meeting on November 29 and formally installed at the Annual Awards Gala on Friday, January 18.

Board Candidates to Appear on November Ballot Current Members Nominated for Re-election Herb Baze — The Strip Steakhouse / Black Star (2nd Term) Kathryn Kamin — Hood Canal Communications (2nd Term) Janene Bandes - Pier 101 Gift and Boutique (1st Term) Kelley Crabtree — Maple Glen Senior Living (1st Term) Rod Olsen — Olsen Furniture (1st Term) Members in Good Standing Nominated for Election Jill Himlie — Windermere Real Estate/Himlie Inc. (1st Term) Russ Denney — Pantorium Cleaners (1st Term)

BUSINESS BIGHT| Lessons from a mouse with big ears With National Customer Service Week falling October 1-5, 2012 it seems the perfect time to share these “magical” lessons: 1. Focus on the right stuff and the money will come – The top three priorities of Disneyland management is leadership excellence, cast excellence and guest satisfaction. The fourth priority is financial results. The interpretation is that if you do the first three things right, money is a natural outcome.

2. Take care of your employees (cast members) – Disneyland has “team centers” to serve the needs of its employees. These centers provide insurance, discounts, tickets, transportation services and payroll services.

The message is “be good to your employees, and they’ll be good to your customers.”

3. Everybody should do the “dirty jobs” – How many people are there in the park sweep-

ing up trash? Take a guess. The right answer is an astoundingly low number: eight. This is possible because every employee is supposed to keep the park clean, not just the janitors.

4. Everybody is customer service – How long do you think the training is for the people with brooms sweeping up the trash? Six weeks. This is necessary because guests ask janitors questions, so the folks with brooms must be experts about the park. The training for parking lot attendants can be as long as eight weeks.

5. Pay attention to the details – Walt Disney himself specified the type of trash can for the park. These cans are currently swapped out every two years and Disney repaints them every four months.

6. Pay attention to even more details – A hairdresser in the wig department takes 30-45 minutes to wash and set the

October 2012 Shelton Mason County Chamber

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wig for Ariel. Then it takes 90120 minutes to dry it. Finally, there’s another 30 minutes to comb it out. This is for a wig. Most entrepreneurs don’t spend this much time practicing their pitch for venture capitalists.

7. Make your customers feel close and important – The buildings on Main Street are 5/8th scale. This is to make people feel like they are closer to the action and important.

Most companies erect edifices to make their customers feel small, and their bosses feel big.

Disneyland does the opposite.

Walt Disney used to crouch down to see Disneyland from a child’s perspective.

8. Know the facts – What is the ratio of adults to kids at any given moment in the park?

Believe it or not, there are four adults for every kid. I would have never guessed that. This has big ramifications: Disneyland can’t just be a place

for kids since kids are only 20 percent of the customers.

9. Green is good – The floats are all battery-powered. The fireworks are launched with compressed air, not explosive charges. The trains are bio-diesel and burn the oil from the park’s restaurants. Currently, 80 percent of the 1.3 pounds of trash that each guest produces per day is recycled.

9. Keep customers coming back – The Star Wars inspired ride called Star Tours has six different destinations, two beginning scenes and three holograms. This means that there are 54 different combinations.

If you’re very lucky, you can see all the combinations in three rides—or, much more likely, you’ll have to keep coming back for more.

Adapted from the article What I Learned From A Mouse With Big Ears, Guy Kawasaki CoFounder, Alltop

OysterFest Preview, A Long-Standing Tradition Shelton Skookum Rotary hosts Business After Hours Shelton Skookum Rotary Club hosted the Chamber’s Business After Hours on Wednesday, September 20. The member networking social was well attended as guests vied for a preview of the upcoming festival.

Nearly 50 Chamber members and guests gathered at St. Edward’s Catholic Church, where Skookum Rotary meets weekly, for an unveiling of this year’s premium label wine and a sneak-peak of what's up and coming for this year's OysterFest! And as always, there was an amazing collection of OysterFest posters, buttons and vintage clothing from years past.

The 31st Annual OysterFest will be held October 6 & 7 at the Mason Fairgrounds & Events Center. With five stages going full time, delicious fare, the shucking competition, cook-off, and Art & Photography competitions, it's sure to be their best year yet!

OysterFest is a community service project planned, organized, staged and evaluated by Skookum Rotary Club. Over 100 Mason County non-profits, organizations, and governmental agencies support OysterFest to make this Small Town/Big Event happen!

All income earned from these activities support a wide variety of community projects, services, charities, and educational endeavors.

For more information on this fun, community festival visit oysterfest.org.

Ziplocal is everywhere local customers are!

The Ferry Harstine II at Harriman’s Float House Justin Cowling, Executive Director | Mason County Historical Society

Harstine II went into service ferrying passengers between Harstine Island and the mainland in March 1945. Its last official run was on June 22, 1969 – the day the Harstine Island Bridge opened. This picture, along with eleven others, is featured in the Mason County Historical Society's 2013 calendar, which sell for $10 each and are available at the Museum. The Museum is open Tuesday through Friday 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM and is located on the corner of 5th and Railroad in downtown Shelton.

Weaving a strong business foundation for the Squaxin Island Tribe’s Future

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Where local customers are ready to buy

Where local customers search online.

Where local customers search on the go.

TO ADVERTISE CALL

800.553.0801 Shelton Mason County Chamber

October2012

LIVE WORK PLAY October is National Book Month!

Take advantage of the array of programs and resources available at Timberland Regional Library’s three Mason County locations. And, right now, you can participate in their Shop Local scavenger hunt for a chance to win LOCAL BUCK$!

Ballots drop this month for the November 6 General Election, remember to get out there and vote! To become better informed, be sure to attend the Candidates Forum on October 16.

Support the organizations that make Mason County an amazing place to live, work, and play. The annual OysterFest is a huge fundraiser for local non-profits. What a great excuse to indulge in spectacular seafood or a delicious elephant ear?!

In an effort to preserve nature and maintain a safe environment, fire restrictions have been announced on WDFWmanaged lands, statewide, and here in Mason County.

In addition to the month-long PumpkinFest celebration in Union, October boasts several fun, safe community events planned to celebrate Halloween.

Going to the movies is a long-time American tradition! This month you can enjoy your favorite films – like Dr. No and The Godfather – while helping Shelton Cinemas to upgrade their equipment for the fun of future generations.

FALL Bight | Union's Pumpkin Festival Brings Together the Best of Lo-

cal Community and Culture

The residents of Union bring in the fall season with a bang – or more specifically – a volley of flying pumpkins! Held in the fields of Hunter Farms, PumpkinFest celebrates the coming of fall with a mixture of the quaint country charm and innovative spark that makes the town of Union so unique. Throughout the celebration, visitors can participate in a number of fun, family-friendly events, including hay mazes and tractor hayrides to Hunter Farms' scenic pumpkin patch in the foothills of Mason County. sion will compete for three catVisitors are immediately immersed in egories – accuracy, distance, and the scenery, from the sprawling fields of design – with trial runs available orange pumpkins to the verdant mural of every Saturday of PumpkinFest gold and green in the surrounding hills.

Nearby you’ll find that merchants, artisans, until the competition. Winners will receive over $1,000 in cash, in and restaurateurs alike come forth with addition to other prizes provided the season’s finest. Shop for a few seasonal courtesy of sponsors Hunter items, take in the expansive panorama of Farms, Lucky Dog Casino, and Puget Sound with a glass of vintage wine Pro-Build. in hand, catch a performance of talented local musicians, or sample some of the Saturday, October 27, kicks off delicious cuisine. the grand finale with the famous catapult contest, which takes PumpkinFest's month-long event builds place in the Hunter Farms fields up to a grand finale on Halloween weekat noon. From 10:00 AM to 5:00 end; which includes costume contests, parties, entertainment, tours of a genuine historical McReavy House will be exhibPM, the Cameo Boutique will also be haunted house, and an exciting catapult ited and live attempts at communication holding its' 29th annual Holiday Open contest where contestants gather in the with these entities will be made.

House, complete with free wine tasting. fields of Hunter Farms to compete for Following this will be the Hood Canal the title of Union's masters of pumpkinPumpkinFest's grand finale finishes on School's annual Kiwanis K-8th Party at launching.

Sunday, October 28, with Robin Hood's five o'clock. For the adults, there will be “Haunted Village” event. This includes a a Halloween Cocktail Party at Robin The catapult contest, which is one of Children's Costume Contest sponsored by Hood Village from 5:30 to 7:30 PM, as PumpkinFest's most unique and definithe Union Tourism Association, trickwell as a “Monster Mash” adult costume tive events, is open to any high school, or-treating, and a live remote broadcast party at 8:00 PM. All proceeds from the nonprofit organization, business, or private Halloween Cocktail Party will benefit the from 94.5 ROXY. The day concludes with group of people interested in entering.

Alderbrook Country Store's “Trunk or Union Tourism Association. Finishing off Both catapults and trebuchets – catapultTreat”, which begins at 4:00 PM. the evening will be a “Ghosts of McReavy like devices that use counterweights rather House” presentation and costume party than tension to propel the projectile – are Go to visitunion.com for more event infrom eight o'clock to midnight, during acceptable for entry. Teams in each diviformation, ticket prices, and entry forms. which evidence of paranormal activity at October 2012 Shelton Mason County Chamber

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October Chamber and County Events October 1-5 National Customer Service Week October 1 Chamber Governmental Affairs Committee Meeting 12:00 – 1:00 PM Grove Street Brewhouse 233 S First St, Shelton October 2 Chamber Ambassadors Committee Meeting 12:00 – 1:00 PM The Strip Steakhouse 405 W Railroad Ave, Shelton October 3 Union Tourism Association Meeting 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club 330 Country Club Dr, Union October 5 Business Builder Workshop Small Business Loans 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Grove Street Brewhouse 233 S First St, Shelton Hood Canal Communication Customer Appreciation Day 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM 300 E. Dalby Rd, Union 2218 Olympic Hwy, Shelton

PUD 1 Customer Appreciation Event 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM PUD 1 District Office 21971 N Hwy 101, Potlatch

October 10 Chamber Marketing Committee Meeting 8:00 – 9:00 AM 215 W Railroad Ave, Shelton

Ribbon Cutting 3:30 - 4:30 PM Shelton Liquor & Wine 330 W Railroad Ave, Shelton

Business After Hours 5:30 – 7:00 PM Lucky Dog Casino 19330 N US Hwy 101, Shelton

October 6-7 31st OysterFest and West Coast Oyster Shucking Championship Mason Fairgrounds & Events Center 751 W Fairgrounds Rd, Shelton

October 13 Safety Day 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM 100 E Wallace Kneeland Blvd, Shelton

October 7-12 Public Power Week October 8 Columbus Day Chamber Member Services Committee Meeting 12:00 – 1:00 PM Roosters Restaurant 3001 Olympic Hwy N, Shelton October 9 Good Morning Mason County 7:30 – 8:30 AM Roosters Restaurant 3001 Olympic Hwy N, Shelton

October 16 Candidates Forum 6:30 – 8:30 PM Oakland Bay Jr. High 3301 N Shelton Springs Rd, Shelton October 18 SAVER Committee Meeting 7:30 – 8:30 AM Nita’s Restaurant & Gallery 325 W Railroad Ave, Shelton

October 21 Karen Hilburn Brest & Cervical Cancer Fund’s 9th Annual Denim & Diamonds 4:00 – 7:00 PM Alderbrook Resort & Spa 10 E Alderbrook Drive, Union October 26 Donnie J O’Neill Orthopedic Guild Holiday Bazaar & Salad Bar Luncheon 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Shelton Civic Center 525 West Cota St, Shelton October 27 PumpkinFest Catapult Contest & Special Events Union, WA October 28 PumpkinFest “Trunk or Treat” & Special Events Union, WA October 31 Halloween

Chamber Membership Meeting & Economic Forecast 6:00 – 8:00 PM The Pavilion at Sentry Park 190 W Sentry Dr, Shelton

COVER PHOTO: Chuck a pumpkin

Union’s PumpkinFest Catapult Contest, October 27, is sure to be a treat for the whole family.

Photo courtesy of Kristina Wunsch, Poppi Photography

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Shelton Mason County Chamber

October2012

NEWS SHELTONMASONCOUNTY

Shelton Mason County Chamber of Commerce

PO Box 2389 | Shelton, WA 98584

October 2012 Shelton Mason County Chamber

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PRSRT STD RATE US POSTAGE PAID SHELTON, WA, 98584 PERMIT #60