Click HERE to get your 2012 Woodfest applications!

Our 2012 Directory is being prepared to be printed. We have recently been calling our members to verify the information we have is correct. I will be updating the website with these corrections as quickly as I can over the next week or two. Please consider purchasing an ad in our Directory. It is a great benefit to you as a member and the Chamber receives a percentage of the proceeds from Skagit Publishing. If intrested please contact Marcus McCoy at Skagit Publishing. He can be reached by telephone at Cell:  360.201.9760. Thank you!

 

We have our own commercial! Check it out!

 

Recently, while attending a Leadership Skagit training, I heard a presentation based on the book “The Servant as Leader,” by author Robert Greenleaf, and as the concept was outlined for our class the vision of Kalob kept coming to mind.  You see Kalob may not be everyone’s idea of a leader, but I believe he is the epitome of the servant leader.  You see, everyone can make a difference and make someone else’s day better by the service they provide. Kalob demonstrates every day the incomparable power of customer service delivered from the heart. Kalob is a young man who makes a positive choice to provide from-the-heart service and in doing so he brings smiles to many faces.  When I first met Kalob, he was introduced to me by Michelle Dods of Chinook Enterprises.  Michelle told me Kalob was going to work for A Cup Above delivering lunches 3 days a week.  Kalob left me that first day with a big smile on his face as he told me what a pretty smile I had and that he liked me and I felt better about myself.

Over time I came to often order from Kalob when he made his rounds, He always knew when I would like the specials and when I would not.  He was always prompt with his service, but my main reason for choosing to order became the simple feeling of joy he left in my heart.  Even when I don’t order he has a smile or hug for me, always a kind word, and best of all the most cheerful attitude. 

Recently. Dom Sanchez, of Save On Furniture, too was impressed by Kalob’s great attitude and offered him a position as a sign holder.  Dom told of how he had hired some other boy who worked for less than an hour, dropped the sign and ran off not even coming in to get paid.  But anyone who sees Kalob at the task realizes he waves the sign proudly and with enthusiasm, if everyone I encountered in town always provided such exemplary service, I think Sedro-Woolley would be the most popular place to shop in the valley.  Exceptional service creates community, it is that which distinguishes the fine store from the good or mediocre store.  It is why a person chooses one line at the grocery store over another.  Do you have a story of someone you know who demonstrates excellent customer service?  Let us know and we will be happy to feature their story in our next newsletter.

Pola Kelley
S-W Chamber Executive Director

We’d like to thank everyone involved with this years Loggerodeo!

Our 2010 Parade Winners are as follows:

                                2010  LOGGERODEO PARADE WINNERS

 Floats:   
1^st place    Marysville Strawberry Festival
2^nd place   I’m Proud to Be An American
3rd place Wild Women of Woolley

 Marching Bands:
1^st place     Skagit Valley Marching Band
 2^nd place  Edmonton Saber’s Marching Band

Drill / Marching Unit: Nile Shriners

 Equestrian: Miss Pro West

 Horse & Wagon: Shagren’s Belgian 6 horse hitch

 Pooper Scooper: Miss Pro West

 Antique Car / Truck :  Big Lake Fire Dept. 1939 Pumper Truck

 Antique Tractor/Equipment : Cascade two Cylinder Club

 Log Trucks:
 1^st place       Frank Harkness Logging
 2^nd place     Janicki Logging and Construction

 Youth Group: Sedro Woolley Youth Cheerleaders

 Church / Community group:  First Baptist Church – Sea Quest

 Loggerodeo would like to thank parade judges James & Anassa Hall, Dennis & Joy London, parade announcer Mike Schweigert, the Lions club and American legion volunteers and the Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce who helped to  make this parade such a great success.

Footrace Winners:

Sedro-Woolley Chamber Member Benefits

YOU are the Chamber!

We address key issues close to home. For you, membership means local influence, regional clout and bottom-line benefits for your firm – all with a minimal investment.

As a member, you will benefit from networking with potential clients, promotional activities designed to boost your business, professional growth opportunities, direct access and representation to local and state decision makers, valuable news and information for YOU in the Chamber’s monthly publication.

A Chamber That Responds To You

The Sedro-Woolley Chamber tackles issues head-on. Taking the lead in city and regional issues, the Chamber will continue to initiate programs which benefit area business.  We work with all areas of the community to promote your business. Direct benefits include PR services, business-to-business referral system, bulk mailing permit, lobbying, political and business contacts and more – all made possible by your Chamber.

Unbeatable Value For You

Join others in creating a strong business climate. A healthy community attracts professionals, skilled labor, new business, excellent educational systems and a large and growing industrial base, as well as business partnerships. Better jobs mean better wages.
Your voice joins countless others giving strength to our position on business, industrial development and environmental issues.
Whatever your investment, you stand to gain personally and professionally.

Join the Chamber Today!

Membership in the Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce is open to any business, industrial firm, organization or civil group. Individual memberships are also available. The “Investment Schedule” is established by the Board of Directors and is based on a “fair share investment” concept. Investments are paid annually.

Note: if you have two (2) registered businesses under one roof (owned by the same people), you pay one half-investment fee for the smaller of the two companies.

New 2010 Fees for membership:

Individual (non-business) or (non-profit): $90
Sole Proprietor: $140
2-4 Business owners/Partners or employees*: $160
5-10 employees*: $225
11-25 employees*: $290
26-50 employees*: $350
51-100 employees*: $500
Silver Kinsey: $1,000
Gold Kinsey: $2,500
Platinum Kinsey: $5,000

Base Membership privileges

• Two listings in the annual membership directory
• Receipt of the monthly newsletter
• Display of your brochures and business cards at the Chamber offices
• Organization and promotion of Grand openings and ribbon cuttings
• Monthly lunch meetings where you can make new friends, network and get informed!
• Bulk rate mailing permit use
• Weekly receipt of the Chamber email newsletter
• Tax deduction as a business expense
• Your business Web site listed and linked through the SW Chamber website
• Access to free or low cost business workshops and conferences
• Two-minute infomercials for all new members at a Chamber Lunch
• Free business announcements in the weekly E-Newsletter

Kinsey Silver - $1,000 investment

• 1 month premium block ad on the SW Chamber web site
• Sponsorship for one minor event each year
• Your logo prominently displayed in each SW Chamber Newsletter
• One paid ticket to each SW Chamber Lunch for an entire year
• A 5×7 plaque commemorating your Silver Membership
• Three inserts in the SW Chamber newsletter at no cost
• A special display of your business logo in the SW Chamber lobby

 
Kinsey Gold - $2,500 investment

• Prominent display of your company logo on our events page in the annual directory.
• 6 month premium block ad on the SW Chamber web site
• Sponsorship for one major event OR 5 minor events each year
• One Chamber Lunch Sponsorship
• Your logo prominently displayed in each SW Chamber Newsletter
• Two paid tickets to each SW Chamber Lunch for an entire year
• An 8×10 plaque commemorating your Gold Membership
• Six inserts in the SW Chamber newsletter at no cost
• A special display of your business logo in the SW Chamber lobby

 
Kinsey Platinum - $5,000 investment

• Prominent display of your company logo on our events page in the annual directory.
• 12 month premium block ad on the SW Chamber web site
• One Presenting Sponsorship for one major event AND
• A Major Sponsorship for one major event
• One Chamber Lunch Sponsorship
• 12 advertisements in the monthly SW Chamber newsletter
• Your logo prominently displayed in each SW Chamber Newsletter
• Four paid tickets to each SW Chamber Lunch for an entire year
• An 11×14 plaque commemorating your Platinum Membership
• Twelve inserts in the SW Chamber newsletter at no cost
• A special display of your business logo in the SW Chamber lobby
• First option for available Chamber Board seats. 

Levels of Event Sponsorship

Presenting Sponsor:   Cost: $3,000                 

Major Sponsor:   Cost: $1,000

SW Chamber events:

            Major events:

                         · Blast From The Past
                        · Wood Fest
                       · The Magic of Christmas
                      · Outdoor Movies

            Minor Events:

                      · Founders Day
                      · Easter
                     · Fishing Derby
                     · Sample of Sedro-Woolley
                     · Halloween

However, most citizens began to feel as if the hospital their tax dollars had built was being bled to death in the process meant to benefit all citizens of Skagit Valley.  In reclaiming the hospital the community also found an excellent administrator to put the hospital back on the course desired by the inhabitants north of the Skagit River.

Greg Reed, was hired as the new Superintendent and Chief Executive Officer in June of 2003 to oversee the process of officially separating the two entities.  While Mr. Reed is at the helm he always gives credit to the great team assembled at United General Hospital, the board, the staff, and the crew.  The hospital website states “We could not have reached this milestone without the enthusiasm and dedication of everyone at United. Our goal is to remain among the top five hospitals in the state. Our community deserves the very best care.” - Greg Reed, Superintendent/CEO after being rated one of the top hospitals in Washington state.  Reed says, the hospital’s goal is to be the “very best community hospital in the state,” and defines the very best as:

1.      Highest quality of care
2.      Best in patient safety, and
3.      The best place to work.

In the past 6 years the hospital has acquired the best technology available in many areas and is better than most in critical areas like Oncology.  They have achieved Number One status in Critical Care within their hospital size and are ranked among the top 5 in the state.  Reed is also rightly proud of how the entire team is also committed to serving the communities in their district which runs from the Bay at Bayview to the top of the Cascades to the east, 2300 square miles in all.

When asked where the hospital would be heading next, he admitted that a master growth plan was in place but everyone in the industry is sitting on pins and needles waiting to see what Congress will do.  The hospital has received stimulus money to meet the federal mandate for universal health records and was a step or two ahead by implementing electronic medical records and charting, the next order of business is to make it interactive and to allow doctors to have access for real time order entry.  Greg has tried to follow the Healthcare Reform Act but found it too difficult and fears unanticipated consequences and the inadvertent omission of coverage or persons.  He does applaud the administration for taking the first steps but worries about unfunded mandates.  Currently the uncompensated care at United General is at an all time high having risen from 5% to 8 ½ percent during the recession.  He sees the main culprit being the lost jobs which also meant lost health insurance.

When asked about his new role as a director on the Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce board, Mr. reed felt the biggest need was to continue to look to the future.  The Valley’s potential for growth is still greatest here in the eastern part of the county.  The job is to regain momentum lost during the recession and to start planning for growth once the economy begins moving again.  He sees the need for fortification of current business to serve the increase of population that will inevitably head this way.   He stated that if a customer comes to you once and can’t find what he needs, a pattern is established and bringing that same client back will always be a challenge.  Just like the hospital which is evolving to meet 21^st century medical styles so must the City of Sedro-Woolley adapt.  Trying to fit new needs into old styles or facilities in neither efficient or practical.

The Sedro-Woolley Chamber of Commerce is proud to have such a stellar facility in our community and welcomes Greg Reed to the board.  We thank United General Hospital for the support to our community and are proud to have them as our first Platinum Kinsey Member.

Morgan owns the adjacent business Cascade Mountain Loans, and noticed a need when a prior sporting goods store left downtown Sedro-Woolley.  Mark began carrying fishing poles in the Pawnshop and noticed how quickly they were moving and the requests for more equipment kept coming.  According to Taylor Morgan, “that is when he decided to    negotiate for the adjacent space and the idea for a full-fledged retail space took off.”

Mark comes across as a man with strong principles and values.  He speaks his mind and talks straight.  When he talks of being a single father for the past 13 years and you see what a fine young lady he has raised, it is apparent he has imparted those values to the daughter he loves.  Taylor Morgan, 20, who owns the building housing Morgan Creek Outfitters, is also a full partner in the business.  Mark opened his first business in town February 1, 1992 working 6 days a week to keep his business and family afloat.

The building MCO occupies was purchased from Greer Drummond.  Local artist Sheila Stewart created vignettes of old time stores throughout the space.  Mark had a vision and basic design in mind, but wanted to be sure it did not look like a Yosemite Sam cartoon. 

You can visit the Armory, the Boot and Sock Store, the Mercantile, or the Bait and Tackle Shop all attractively showcased and well organized.  In addition you will also find yourself gazing upward at the elk antler chandeliers and wagon wheel lighting fixtures.  You’ll see Canadian Geese flying a V formation across the ceiling, and many stuffed animals from deer to bobcat, to cobra and mongoose.

Big sellers this time of year are camo gear, rain gear, hats and gloves as it is duck and deer season.  But the store sells everything from custom arrow cutting to citronella wristbands and “ass blaster hot sauce.”  You can find a ring to cook on, a pot to put it in and the equipment to catch or shoot your dinner. MCO features spices, rubs, cures, and brines repackaging some for sale in smaller quantities.

The store is managed by Heindrick Matthiesen and has a total of 5 employees.  Including, Dick Raymond, a qualified archery expert & bow technician with over 30 years experience in the field according to their website at www.morgancreekoutfitters.com.   Mr. Raymond is an archery instructor for a local Scout camp during the summer.

In the armory, you can purchase firearms, subject to state and federal law, including pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, and ammunition.  An area where Mr. Morgan is  adamant that all things be done correctly and within the law is in selling firearms,  hunting and fishing licenses.  People ask the staff  “can you use live bait,” “where am I allowed to hunt” and his employees need to be able to answer those questions.  He   insists that everyone be provided with a copy of the regulations, as he does not want to be liable for providing improper information. 

Morgan was born in Monroe, graduated from Everett High School and has always had a passion for the outdoors and small towns.  He saw Sedro-Woolley as the perfect place to raise a daughter on his own.  His wife died at the age of 30 in 1996, leaving Mark to raise Taylor by himself.  At that time he begin hiring others to work for him at Cascade Mountain Loans to allow him more time for his daughter and her activities.  He has a strong work ethic and believes in a principled life.  Cascade Mountain Loans is not the kind of place to bring ill-gotten goods as he sees places that do so as a black mark on an industry he strives to run in an ethical and legal manner.

He understands the locals and says their main demand is they don’t want to drive to Burlington to shop.   MCO has received support for carrying the items requested by those customers, and has steadily grown the business. 

Initially catering to the male oriented market place he has seen a demand for women’s outdoor wear as well.  Evidently the pink camo gear flies off the shelves. Soon he will be carrying Bog Boots for Men and Women.  He likes selling products like Bog Boots because the manufacturer stands behind the product, with a 100% guarantee another reflection of Morgan’s key values.

So if you want to shop local, take a good look inside Morgan Creek Outfitters I am sure you can find an item to suit your fancy.  Mark really wants to thank the people of Sedro-Woolley for the support he has received in the past 17 years.  Taylor stated her goals were to build a good name, keep the employees working and have a stable business presence in the community.  We, at the Chamber of Commerce, are proud to have Mark and Taylor     Morgan as business owners in the community and to have them as November’s business of the month.

Through Northwest Agricultural Business Center, the partners found the resources, grants and talents to launch a new product line. The NABC website states that they provide “… farmers with the skills and the resources required to profitably and efficiently supply their products to     consumers, retailers, wholesalers, foodservice operators and food manufacturers.” The trio received grants and advice and Skagit Fresh was born. You have to check out the marketing website, another perk they received from NABC, www.skagitfresh.com. The website claims “Skagit Fresh Natural Beverages are a refreshing alternative to soda that is all natural sparking juice beverages … squeezed from Jonagold apples grown by three entrepreneurial farmers on their family farms …”

“The four Skagit Fresh flavors are:

Ramblin’ Raspberry, Big Bad Blackberry, Sassy Strawberry, & Bodacious Blueberry.”

The Perkins moved to the farm on Sims Road just east of Sedro-Woolley off Highway 20 in 1968. The Perkins family planted their first apple orchard at the site in 1972. Gradually acquiring properties until they now have 35 acres of apples, 5 acres of grapes, and another 5 acres in other crops. Most of the apples are sold directly from the farm with 20 percent being sold off farm at produce stands and to some school districts. Jim says despite his passion for wine his primary source of income is the orchard.

The orchard may be his “day labor” but nine years ago, Jim began his vineyard, and Eagle Haven Winery, offered its first wines in 2004. Jim admits the winery is “more fun.” For a new entrant on to the wine scene, Jim is particularly proud of the medals his wines have earned at the Mount Hood Wine Summit. Out of 1200 Entries, our own Sedro-Woolley vintner can boast of these awards in the past two years.

• 2009 Eagle Haven Winery & Vineyard -Silver NV Madeleine Angevine WA Puget Sound – Bronze 2004 Syrah WA Puget Sound
• 2008 Eagle Haven Winery – Silver 2006 Madeleine Angevine-Siegerrebe Puget Sound – Bronze NV Apple Washington – Bronze       2005 Sangiovese Yakima Valley

What makes good wine according to Jim is climate and Terrior. Terrior was originally a French term in wine, coffee and tea used to denote the special characteristics that geography bestowed upon particular varieties. Want to sample these wines? The winery tasting room is open Friday through Monday, along with the orchards and several acres of vines on sandy, rocky, fertile soil that is “perfect for vines” says Jim Perkins.

Eagle Haven produces Siegerrebe, Madeline Angevine, Siegerrebe Madeline Angevine, Pinot Noir, Apple, Blackberry and Winter Pear wines from fruit grown at the vineyard. This year they are introducing a new fruit flavor, Peach wine as well. Its Syrah and Sangiovese wines are made on site from grapes selected from the Yakima Valley area.

Eagle Haven Winery is also available for parties, weddings, reunions and other events. This summer new partner Chris Doorn, Marketing & Events Coordinator, helped produce a music and education program. The Summer Music Series started off June 26 featuring a Northwest Washington favorite, “Gertrude’s Hearse”.  Not wanting to miss out on the fun we caught the music of the Gadjo Gypsies on August 21. They presented “some of the Puget Sounds freshest and most inspiring gypsy music.” According to the Eagle Haven website “Their style is indicative of the French “Quintette du Hot Club de France”; a jazz group founded in France in 1934 by guitarist Django Reinhardt and violinist Stéphane Grappelli. One of the earliest and most significant continental jazz groups in Europe, the Quintet was described by one music critic as “one of the most original bands in the history of recorded jazz.” In the same vein as the Hot Club, the Gadjo Gypsies perform a mix of American Swing, Gypsy and French Musette songs with a jazz flair and nuances of European and Gypsy flavor.”

If you get a chance, go out to the winery on the weekend and sample and purchase some of their wine, you won’t regret it.

As we prepare to celebrate our 4^th annual Sample of Sedro wherein we feature the foods prepared by our local restaurants we are showcasing our business of the month the Iron Skillet Restaurant. Once I read a poster with a picture of St George the Dragon Slayer on its face that said “Who if Not You, When if not Now,” and in taking pictures of one of the long-standing businesses I found it applicable. Reba Sines keeps her business fresh and alive. A haunt of many locals, a home to the Wildcat Steelhead Club, and the place of proclaimed “good food, lousy service”, there is still something new at this long established restaurant.

The Iron Skillet recently revitalized the look of their restaurant, thereby, winning our kudos for their efforts. With a beautiful bright red awning, fresh paint, hanging plants on the east end and planter box near the door, a person feels welcome approaching the restaurant. Two chainsaw carved statues stand like doormen, adding that truly Sedro-Woolleyesque touch of whimsy. Then one opens the door and finds the use of vibrant color everywhere. Bold red lighting fixtures, festive colored walls and mugs greet the patrons old and new. Reba says when the orange paint first started going up she wanted to cry and then they put the yellow up and she felt sick to her stomach, but she stayed with it and as the accents were added in she applauded her sister-in-laws vision of the décor and says it makes her happy to come to work. She said some of the things everyone expected her to keep were the saws on the walls and the Loggerodeo pictures which look great against the bright yellow paint. 

The establishment is full of color much like the lady, Reba Sines, who has owned and managed the restaurant for years. Like Saint George, Reba does not wait for a committee, when something needs changing she just goes to work. In the past twenty years this is probably her business’ third uplift. If such attention to stewardship were displayed throughout downtown how sharp looking our town would be.

Reba opened the business on February 29, 1980. She had been working for 16 years in the food service industry starting in 1964 at the old hotel in Concrete, where her mother Leatha Snyder worked as a cook. Reba continued to waitress and many will remember her from her days at the Liberty and Gateway restaurants. Ms. Sines truly values loyalty as well; many of her staff have been with her for years. Hazel who cooks for her, used to work for George Bellos at the Liberty and try as she would, she could not woo her away until the Liberty closed. But besides her cooking, another trait Reba valued in Hazel was her loyalty. She tries to buy locally; John Hinton, at Sedro-Woolley Glass, put in her new windows. Reba, in conjunction with the Chamber of Commerce, has helped keep the Outdoor Movie Project alive in Downtown Sedro-Woolley stepping up as a sponsor this year. Her loyalty to Sedro-Woolley is clearly apparent.

The idea for a place of her own started as just a soup and sandwich place but she kept hearing input from others which first convinced her to add breakfast, then dinner. While fishing at Baker Lake she put together her menu and ideas for the restaurant. Specialties include her chili, which she describes as mild, the homemade soups prepared daily by Jamie Perkins, her hamburgers, and chicken fried steaks. But everybody, especially the Steelhead club, would agree the meatlover’s omelet and fisherman’s breakfast are multi-star worthy. When Reba first opened it was her country biscuits and gravy that received rave reviews and many other local restaurants soon followed her lead, trying to emulate her product.

Good food, lousy service has brought many a visitor to town some coming in the door giggling about the fact that the sign just made them stop. Once a visitor told her she had done a real disservice to her staff, which were fantastic, by advertising her place in such a way, and she asked him what the sign said about the other restaurants? He stammered and said, “what other restaurants?” Her response was, “exactly, my sign did what it was intend to do, it brought you here”, then her eyes twinkled and she graced him with that charming smile of hers. Reba we thank you for all the meals you have served and for being apart of our community for so many years.

Roy Engel opened Protech Automotive in the current Puget Avenue location in Sedro-Woolley in August of 2006. The Protech Automotive crew consists of James, Peter, Brian and Nancy and combined they have experience exceeding 60 years. Protech Automotive takes pride in being able to take care of all automotive repair concerns.

Roy’s extensive mechanical background began while in the US Navy where he was an aircraft mechanic and shop supervisor. As a 2^nd class petty officer, he was a flight deck troubleshooter. After leaving the military, he received his degree in technical science and continued working in mechanics.

Roy married wife Evonne in 1991 and they have two beautiful daughters. Elizabeth is 14 and a freshman at Sedro-Woolley High School, while Emily, 13, is in 7^th grade at Cascade Middle School. Both girls are on the honor roll and are involved in cheerleading and sports. Evonne helps coach youth and high school cheerleading and has worked at Whidbey Island Bank in Sedro-Woolley for 7 years.

Roy and Protech Automotive are greatly involved in the community and regularly give to charities and sponsor many functions such as Blast from the Past, Founders’ Day, The Wildcat Steelhead Club Auction/BBQ, Youth Fishing day at Northern State Pond, the Cascade Middle School History Club and SWHS Cheer. Roy is also an active member in the Coastal Conservation Association (CCV) and a member of Puget Sound Anglers.

With four generations of their family in Skagit Valley, they as a family love their community and look forward to continue providing their specialized service to their community.

Sedro-Woolley Licensing was recognized at the televised Commissioners hearing titled “Department Heads and Elected” on May 19 for their transfer transaction audit conducted by the Department of Licensing. 

The DOL took several days of transactions totalling 73 transactions, audited each one and found all of those transfer transactions to be 100% accurate.

Skagit County Auditor Jeanne Youngquist and Liaison & Support Services Manager Sheila Hadden both gave their praise for an excellent job.