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20th Annual . . . Make your plans now to attend the Bitterroot Valley Chamber’s 20th Annual Micro Brew Festival to be held on Saturday, July 26 from 3:00 to 10:00 pm, on 2nd and Bedford Street by the Legion Park in Hamilton. We will be serving your favorite brews plus many new ones from across Montana and the Northwest. Our event is one for the whole family with great food, music and of course, the best brews around! Shakewell will be our headliner band for this year’s fest along with entertainment from: Dan Dubuque and Three Eared Dog. Admission will be $20 per person, which will include a commemorative glass with five (5) drink tickets. We are still looking for volunteers to work the event by selling tickets or pouring, if you are interested, please give Pat a call at 363-2400. Make sure to mark your calendar for Saturday, July 26 to attend the Bitterroot Valley Chamber’s 20th Annual Micro Brew Festival, it is an event you will not want to miss!!

IN THIS ISSUE Letters from Director ........................... Page 2 Letter from the President ..................... Page 2 Chamber BBQ ..................................... Page 3 RC Fair Parade .................................... Page 3 Committee Updates ............................. Page 4 Ribbon Cuttings ................................ Page 4 Calendar of Events .............................. Page 5 Community Luncheons ...................... Page 5 New Chamber Members....................... Page 6 ABC Clinic .......................................... Page 6

The 2014 Leadership Bitterroot Class had their final session on Wednesday, May 28 at the residence of Linda Olson with Bitterroot Therapeutic Riding. This year’s class will continue by facilitating next year’s Leadership sessions as well as host the 2014 Ravalli County Fair Parade which will be held on Wednesday, August 27. Co-presidents elected were Chris Edwards and

Henry Silverio Jr. This year’s participants were Kyla Blaine, Chris Edwards, Amy Fox, Robyn Hegland, Traci Henderson, Hunter Kashdan, Sonja Kearney, Dan Mitchell, Jimmie Rude, Henry Silverio Jr., Trista Smith, and Jennifer Wood. If you are interested in attending next year’s Leadership Class, which will begin in September, please give Pat a call at 363-2400. Leadership Bitterroot program is designed to provide the substance needed in all community and business leaders - to expose and educate - our graduates progress to a higher level of community involvement. This year’s class will also be traveling to Helena in March of 2015.

Leadership Bitterroot’s Year

Chris Edwards & Henry Silverio Jr Lead the 2014 Class . . .

406-363-2400 - fax 406-363-2402105 East Main - Hamilton MT 59840

QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER -- July 2014

Letter from Director . . . Al Mitchell

Letter from our President . . . Sherrie Williams

Hello to all our terrific members!

Summer, summer! Don’t you just love sum-mer here in Montana and more importantly the Bitterroot Valley. When considering the wild, wacky and dangerous weather around the rest of the country, I’m very happy to call this beautiful place “Home”.

As you may or may not know I manage First American Title Company. I get to see a real diverse cross section of existing community members and new ones coming here to live. Every time I ask the question, “so what brought you to the Bitterroot Valley?” it is usually answered in the same fashion, “I have been coming here since I was a child and always promised myself that someday I would live here”, or “We drove through here on a recommendation from a friend or relative or by accident and fell in love with this beautiful valley and vowed to return”. Almost never do the answers vary.

The one sad thing I find with those answers is that I never hear, “I’m moving here for work”. When they tell me they are coming because they love it, they are bring their job with them or they are retired. And if they do not already have a job, they soon learn they cannot eat these beautiful mountains and have to move on.

The Chamber is working hard to encourage new business to lo-cate here in the valley. With the loss of our timber industry there has never been a replacement for that on that scale. Through our new website, relocation packages and information centers here in Hamilton and at the top of the Pass, we are diligently getting out the word to possible new business to locate here in the valley. We have a great workforce to draw from not to mention beautiful surroundings.

Greetings! Summer is here and both our main office and the Lost Trail Visitor Information Center are alive with folks living their greatest Montana Adventures. They are looking for information on local events, where to purchase local products, and some are looking for information on relocation to this beautiful valley. This is the time of year when your investment in the Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce kicks into high gear. Your basic membership gives you year round advertising in our membership guide and on our new website. It allows you to place your business cards in our visitor center and your business is given preferential treatment, by our staff, when the folks are looking to purchase local goods and services. If you are a nonprofit organization, your events are posted on our updated events calendar which is sent out weekly via-email to all chamber members. Our members receive a lot of year round publicity for a small fee! If you choose to make your membership work even harder for your business, you can become active on any of our many committees. We are always looking for fresh ideas and many hands make light work. Currently we are looking for volunteers to help us on our Annual Brewfest Event which takes place July 26. Another great way to get involved, network with others, and learn about our valley is to invest in the Leadership Bitterroot Class. This involves participating one Wednesday each month, September through May, and is a great way to meet new friends and potential business contacts. Time commitment in our opportunities varies by committee, but if you take the time to check us out, I’m confident you will find one to your liking and interest that will provide us both with mutual benefit for years to come. Please accept my invitation for you to join us. You will find it a rewarding experience. Best wishes for a great summer! –Al Mitchell, director

When trying to draw new business here, I’m not talking about big box stores that if they choose to locate here may cause the closure of some of our local mom and pop business that have been here for decades. I’m talking about businesses that employ anywhere from 10 – 100 of our local people in a diverse enterprise that the valley currently does not have. I know we don’t have a Walmart or Costco and that is ok. I would like to see unique businesses that tackle an employee’s mind and challenge their senses. A work place that you love to work at because it is fun and stimu-lating rather than a place you just mundanely put in your hours, collect a check and have to have a road map to get back to work every Monday morning.

YOUR Chamber is hard at work to make your business the best it can be as well as bring in new, totally different business so that our valley can be a destination and home for many people to live comfortably and breathe in the beauty we have to offer.

Happy Summer to all of you!

Sherri WilliamsPresident

Page 2 - Newsletter

The Bitterroot ValleyChamber

encourages you toShop Local

to help keep ourBusinesses Strong

Newsletter - Page 3

RC Fair Parade One of the largest parades in the Bitterroot Valley, the Ravalli County Fair Parade, will be held on Wednesday, August 27 at 10:00 am. This year’s theme will be ‘Buckles, Boots & Rodeo Chutes’ and the Parade Family for 2014 is Rollie Lewis & Family. The Leadership Bitterroot Class will host the fair parade and the class is looking forward to a fantastic event. Sign-ups for the parade will begin on August 1 at the Chamber and there is no charge but you must come in to the Chamber office to register.

Annual Membership BBQ Celebrates its 16th year . . . The Annual Chamber’s Membership BBQ has been scheduled for Friday, September 19 in Florencefrom 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Everything is provided at no cost to you and your family, it is our way of saying ‘Thank You’ for your continued support throughout the year! This is an excellent opportunity for you as members, to come and meet other Chamber members and enjoy the evening with friends, good food and a relaxing time without cooking for the evening. Our Chamber’s Membership BBQ began in 1998 by Cindy Beck, who was manager of Albertsons, and has been going strong since. Cindy along with the Chamber’s Ambassadors, is the reason our BBQ has been so successful. Cindy simply decided that it would be a good way to thank our members and so it began . . . 16 years ago!

Summer Time ~ Summer time in the Bitterroot Valley is sometimes a long wait but when it comes - everyone is outside and taking advantage of summer time in the Bitterroot! This summer is no exception ... this past week the temperatures have begun to rise and lots of events have been taking place up and down the valley. From north to south every community is hosting some kind of event so no matter what you are looking to do, we have it here in the Bitterroot. So take time to view our Calendar of Events on page 5 or www.bitterrootchamber.com.

Summer Fun

Business After Hours The Chamber sent out a survey regarding our Ribbon Cuttings and Business After Hours. We were requesting your input to see how we can entice better attendance our events. We will be changing the hours from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm in hopes to attract more business people to these events. These functions are put on by various businesses to showcase what they have to offer - and it is always free of charge. The businesses hosting these events go to a lot of work to make them special for you, so the Chamber Ambassadors are doing their best to let businesses know when these events are happening so they are well attended. Where else can you sit back and enjoy the best the Bitterroot has to offer all at no cost - along with visiting with friends and networking with other businesses. So the next time you receive an email from the Chamber, please check to see when we will be hosting a Business After Hours. These events are put on for your enjoyment and gives you an opportunity to visit various businesses to see what they have to offer. We hope to see you at our next Business After Hours . . .

Page 4 - Newsletter

Committee Updates . . .

Thank You to the Ambassador group.. The Chamber is as good as its members and the Ambassadors bring a whole new meaning to the words “Chamber members!” Always ready to support the Chamber any way they can. …

April 4 = Ribbon Cutting to Welcome the New Real Estate office for Exit Realty with Nicole Jones as Broker.

April 24 = Attended the Hamilton Community Luncheon at BJs Restaurant

May 8 = Business After Hours at Valley View Estates we visited with personnel & management, toured the new transitions rooms, enjoyed refreshments.

May 19 = Business After Hours at The Signal Grill we met the New owners Tom & Char plus the entire Staff was on point to welcome us with incredible food & beverages.

May 22 = Attended the Corvallis Community luncheon at the Wild Mare

June 24 = Ribbon Cutting at the Bitterroot River Ranch B&B on West Fork Road in Darby, we meet the New owners Dorothy and Lynn.. Enjoyed a fantastic lunch did a tour of the B&B and visited with the Builders

June 26 = Attended the Victor community Luncheon at Triple Peaks café

June 26 = Business After Hours at Big Sky Eye Care they introduced Dr Wilkins, we enjoyed refreshments and beverages, and some of the members and Ambassadors won fantastic door prices.

We meet again at First American Title August 6 at Noon.. Please give me a call if you would like information on Business After Hours, Ribbon Cuttings or would like more information on the Ambassador membership. Thanks and look forward to seeing you soon……… Donna

Ambassadors Committee - Donna Larson/-Shulund

Valley View Nursing Home in HamiltonBusiness After Hours

Ribbon Cuttings & Business After Hours

Big Sky Eye Care Business After Hours

in Hamilton

Bitterroot River RanchRibbon Cutting

COMMITTEES . . . * Agri Business - promoting better understanding of agriculture * Ambassadors - promotes new businesses and hosts Business After Hours - The Banquet - Membership BBQ * Leads - supplies qualified leads to other Lead members - helps promote them with marketing & advertising ideas * MicroBrew Festival - fundraiser for the Bitterroot Valley Chamber with a variety microbews, food and music *Tourism/Marketing - promotes tourism as an industry for further economic development through implemention of projects to encourage reasons for visitors to stay in the Valley

Up Coming Calendar Events . . .

Newsletter - Page 5

JULYJuly 18-19 Darby Logger Days in Darby. Call Barb Liss 369-6120 or loggers@darbyloggerdays.comJuly 18 Free outdoor concert at Sapphire Lutheran Home at 7 pm featuring Chip JasminJuly 21-24 - Aug. 4-7 Nature Connection Summer Camp at Teller Wild-life 961-3507July 24 Daly Mansion host Bitterroot Community Band Concert. Call 363-6004 for more informationJuly 25-26 Art In The Park at Legion Park in HamiltonJuly 25-26 Daly Days in Hamilton. Call 360-9124July 25-27 Daly Days at the Mansion. www.dalymansion.orgJuly 26 BR Valley Chamber’s Annual Microbrew Festival. 3 pm to 10July 25-26-27 Hardtime Bluegrass Festival in Hamilton. www.hardtimesbluegrass.comJuly 27Music at St. Mary’s Mission beginning at 7 pmCall 777-5734

August 22-24 Hamilton Players presents Boeing Boeing. 375-9050August 23-24 BR Scottish Irish Festival held at the Daly Mansion. Call 406-274-8886August 27 RC Fair Parade at 10 am. 363-2400August 27-30 RC Fair & Rodeo

SEPTEMBER September 6 An Afternoon of Cowboy Music & Poetry at 2 pm aqt RC Museum 363-3338September 11 Memorial at Veterans Park in Stevensville at noonSeptember 13 Bella Boutique Fall Fashion Preview, benefit for Emma’s House. 375-1900 at 1st InterstateSeptember 13 Children’s Harvest & Lawn Party at the Daly Man-sion. www. dalymansion.org or 363-6004September 19-21 Sports Connection Gun Show at the 1st Interstate Center. September 20 Bronc Bustin’ Barrel Burnin’ event in Darby. Call 544-5536September 21 Salish Pilgrimage 777-5734 for more informationSeptember 27 RCRCC Fundraiser at the 1st Interstate Cntr. 363-3411September 28 Founders Day in Stevensville. 777-5734September 28 Walk for Wildlife call 961-3507

Community Luncheons ___

AUGUSTAugust Junior Olympic Boxing Tournament at the 1st Interstate Cntr August 1-2 Creamery Picnic in Stevensville. 777-3773August 19 .... Shakespeare In The Park at Sapphire Lutheran Homes at 6 pmAugust 2 Roundup at Riverside Fundraising Event at the Daly Mansion 363-6004 or www.dalymansion.orgAugust 2 Bitterroot Therapeutic Riding’s ‘Valley Olympians Community Event & Horse Show. Held at the Sapphire Event Center at 10:00 a.m. Call 880-6599.August 8-10 Hamilton Players presents Boeing Boeing. 375-9050August 9South Valley Quilt Show at Darby Community Club-house from 10 am to 4 pm http://stitchintimequilters.wordpress.comAugust 15-17 Hamilton Players presents Boeing Boeing. 375-9050August 21-23 Garage-A-Rama in Darby. Fundraiser for Darby Library. Call 847-721-7854

Hamilton - BJ’s Corvallis - The Wild Mare

Victor - Triple Peaks Cafe

The Chamber’s first Community Luncheon was held in Darby on Thursday, March 27 at The Montana Cafe. Since that time we have had one in Hamilton, Corvallis, Victor and Stevensville. Our next Luncheon will be held in Florence at Caffe Firenze on Monday, August 11.

Stevensville - Catered Table

Page 6 - Newsletter

Chamber’s Newest Members . . .MUTUAL OF OMAHA162 Golf Course RdHamilton (406) 363-5411www.mutualofomaha.com/agentDel Reynolds

SUSAN REYNOLDS ENTERPRISES162 Golf Course RdHamilton(406) 381-7799www.bitterrootcabins.comSusan Reynolds

RAVALLI COUNTYAVIATION SAFETYFOUNDATION INC501 Darla DrVictor(406) 360-3283dhr29@bitterroot.comDavid Hedditch

BITTERROOT RIVER RANCH4301 West Fork Road Darby(509) 531-4934www.bitterrootriverranch.comDorothy Eppich

VIVA OAXACA201 Main StreetVictor(406) 777-0014Luis Martinez

MORRISON MAIERLE, INC3011 South Palmer StreetMissoula(406) 542-4824www.m-m.netShaun Shea

NORTH VALLEY PUBLIC LIBRARY208 Main StreetStevensville(406) 777-5061www.northvalleylibrary.orgDenise Ard

ABSOLUTE FIRST AIDAND SAFETY LLC1110 Pine Street #AHamilton(406) 375-5188barry-dicken@hotmail.comBarry Dicken

Chamber MeetingsAGRI-BUSINESS meets the 1st Thursday of every month at 10 a.m. at the Chamber office.

AMBASSADORS meet 1st Wednesday of every month at 12-noon. Call for loca-tion. No meetings in June and July.

CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS meets 3rd Tuesday of every month at 5 pm.

LEADS meets 2nd and 4th Tuesday's of every month at 12-noon - Call for meet-ing place.

MICROBREW COMMITTEE meets 1st Tuesday of every month at 5:15 pm.

LEADERSHIP BITTERROOT meets September through May the third Wednes-day of every month - all day sessions.

Civic Club SchedulesCORVALLIS CIVIC CLUB meets 3rd Monday of every month at 7:30 pm at the Corvallis High School lunchroom. Tonia Bloom 363-3485.SOUTH VALLEY CIVIC GROUP meets the 4th Thursday of every month at 6:30 at the Darby Library. Al Milton 821-3226.FLORENCE CIVIC CLUB meets 1st Tuesday of every month at 7 pm at Fire Hall in Florence. Ann Bethea 403-6491STEVENSVILLE CIVIC CLUB meets 2nd Thursday of every month at 12-noon at St. Mary's Mission Visitor Center. Robin Holcomb 777-7804.

Regular Luncheon MeetingsKIWANIS - Wednesdays at 12-noon at BJ’S RestaurantLIONS - Tuesdays at 12-noon at BJ’s RestaurantROTARY - Mondays at 12-noon at BJ’s RestaurantSOROPTIMISTS - Thursdays at 12-noon at BJ’s Restaurant

Assistance For Business Clinic The Assistance for Business Clinics are designed to assist new and established employers, accounts, bookkeepers, human resource professionals and lawyers to pro actively prevent unnecessary claims and/or charges by providing updated reporting of state withholding, unemployment tax requirements, minimum wage laws, overtime laws, safety and tax incentives. This clinic is offer through the Bitterroot Chamber of Commerce and will be held on Wednesday, October 8 at the Bitterroot River Inn in Hamilton. Cost for this clinic is $45 for Chamber members and $50 for non members. You can register by contacting the Chamber at 363-2400. Registration fee covers all your information and includes lunch. Enrollment may be limited, so please contact the Chamber as soon as possible. Clinic Schedule: Registration from 7:30 to 8:00 amOpening Remarks & Agency Presentations 8:00 - 5:00

Lunch break may vary slightly, but usually is around 11:30 am

Chamber Gift Certificates If you are looking for the perfect gift to give for birthdays, weddings, holidays, thank you’s or any occasion, the Bitterroot Valley Gift Certificates are your solution. We have over 50 different stores where they can be redeemed and what better gift than to give local to help keep our businesses here strong and healthy. Stop in at the Chamber office to purchase your certificates or call ahead and we will have them ready for you. Remember to buy local and one of the best ways is to purchase Bitterroot Valley Chamber’s Gift Certificates.

Ravalli Electric Co-op

Corvallis, MT - (406) 961-3001 - wwww.ravallielectric.com

A Touchstone Energy Partner

Newsletter - Page 7

Looking for another financial option during your retirement? Think Reverse Mortgages!*

During retirement your home could be your greatest asset.

NMLS ID#3274/Individual NMLS#402121/Branch NMLS#398152

FHA Insured Reverse Mortgages

Free consultation for homeowners *minimum age 62

Kathy G. Earle Reverse Mortgage Advisor

406-258-7526 1001 S. Higgins Ste. A2 Missoula, MT. 59801 kearle@guildmortgage.net

Chamber Planters . . . A huge ‘Thank You’ to Emma Gantt and Zoe Martin for painting the Chamber’s two planters

in front of our office - they look beautiful!

Bert, one of our volunteers, picked some Bear Grass from our Lost Trail Visitor’s Information Center last week. Just one of the many beautiful wild flowers that grow here in the Bitterroot Valley.

Events __ The Chamber is always receiving phone calls asking “What is going on in the Val-ley”? So please make sure you give us a call so we can let people know and help promote your event. You do not have to be a Chamber member to have us post your event in our email broadcasts or on our Chamber site. This is a service we offer and it helps us keep people here a few more days, which in turn, helps businesses up and down the valley. You can also send us video clips and/or photos of your events and we will post them on our web site and on our Facebook page. If you have any questions regarding events, please give Pat a call at 363-2400.

Chamber Stats Summer season is a busy time for the Chamber not only at our 105 East Main location but also at our Visitor Information Center at the top of the Lost Trail Pass. We have been averaging around 200 people a day at the VIC at Lost Trail Pass and with our phone calls and walk-ins here at the Chamber about the same. Please give us a call to make sure we have your brochures available for visitors to pick up as we have a hard time keeping them on the shelves. In the October Newsletter the summer stats will be available to give you a more accurate account of how many visitors we have had during our tourism season.

Page 8 - Newsletter

363-0266 x fax: 363-0241 x 1711 North First x Hamilton

Professional Investment AdviceServing the Bitterroot Valley since 1981

Jim Moerkerke, CFP®, CWS®Senior Vice President, Financial Consultant

John Passuccio, CWS®Financial

Consultant

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

President - Sherri Williams - First American TitlePast President - Rosie Huckstadt - Old West Gallery, Gifts & AntiquesPresident Elect - Scott Henderson - First Interstate BankTreasurer - Andy Polumsky - By-Owner/Polumsky PropertiesVictoria Howell - Bitterroot StarGreg Carter - Greg Carter Inc.Dixie Dies - Public Information OfficerAnn Bethea - Florence Ace HardwareMike Sadowski - Ravalli Services CorporationBobbi McEwen - Farmers State BankFenn Nelson - Higherground BrewingCal Ruark - Elite Bull Connection

Al Mitchell - Director

PAt eAsley - office MAnAger

DonnA shulunD - MeMbershiP Director

Cast One for HopeCasting for Recovery presents the 2nd annual

October 3 and 4, 2014 Hamilton, Montana

An exclusive single-fly event on the legendaryBitterroot River to benefit women with breast cancer.

photo: Bradley Marlow

This will be the 2nd Annual event for ‘Cast One for Hope’ here in the Bitterroot Valley. Friday, October 3 from 6:00 to 9:00 pm, there will be a kick-off party with live music at the Pinevew Lodge in Hamilton. On Saturday, October 4 from 8:30 to 5:00 pm, will be the Single-fly fishing event. Then at 6:30 pm and celebration dinner and live auction at the exclusive Stock Farm Club. Casting for Recovery’s program combines counseling, education, medical information and the therapeutic sport offly fishing to address quality of life issues for breast cancer survivors. Retreats are offered at no cost to women at any ageand in any stage of breast cancer treatment and recovery. Participants are introduced to the rhythmic motion of fly casting – an ideal physical therapy for exercising the joints and soft tissues affected by treatment and surgery. More importantly, participants also have the opportunity to learn ways to improve their quality of life after diagnosis, bond with other women insimilar circumstances, and find new strength and confidence. This event is limited to 30 anglers, 2 anglers per boat. For more information regarding Casting For Recovery visit www.castoneforhope.org.