2024, September 3rd - Brad Sondahl
Sept 3, 2024 Spirit Lake Chamber of Commerce meeting at Sedlmayers.
Present:
Carol Ferguson, Mona Stafford, Brad Sondahl, Colin and Mandy Conway, Becky Demers, Liz Krise, Mitzi Michaud. Guests: Kristy Liese, Hal and Shawn Monheim, and Kelly Carpenter.
Meeting started at 8:02
Mona moved Colin seconded to accept the minutes as emailed. Passed.
Member news:
Colin Conway: Summer craziness over, Labor Day Sunday was insane. They are now looking ahead to plan pairing meals and winter events. Due to lack of staff they will soon be going to winter hours, open Thursday -Friday evenings and Saturday and Sunday.
Mona Stafford: The Community Center had a booth at Labor Day in the Park. Senior center works at a deficit, needs constant financial support.
Kristy Liese is representing the Spirit Lake Community Coalition (SLCC) and Presbyterian Church. She said the church is struggling with lots of needs and challenging attendance.
Mitzi Michaud: Parks and Rec soccer starts this week. More info on the October Fall Festival is further down,
Becky DeMers: Gritty Land Development is Staying very busy and looking forward to hunting seasonk. Foxadoodle changing flavors for fall Oct. 5 Pig roast for their customers… Maine Market will end for the year at the end of September They now have organic fruit, baked goods, and is well worth visiting…
Hall and Shawn Monheim They own investment property in Spirit Lake, but want to be involved in bigger picture stuff happening in town. They have the property which N. Idaho Tire is on.
Liz Krise: with Spirit Lake Community Coalition: The group is working to support the VFW, Parks and Rec, the Chamber, and local businesses. They have met with Jeneva of Spirit Events, and are considering planning a fall event before Trunk or Treat. They have offered to help with the Christmas Parade so Carol is willing to go to the City Council in October about it. The VFW needed help for the car show, so the coalition helped with the car show, as well as Hal Monheim who can help with judging, and Colin also helped with judging..
Kelly Carpenter was invited by Mona to come, is also part of the SLCC. He orchestrated Selkirk Sports donating a pickleball court, and is trying to get free paddles and balls and a place to store them for winter. It was mentioned a suggestion board at Labor Day in the Park asked for instruction to play pickleball. He has played it for over 30 years. He and his wife do health coaching. He helped get Harry Amon from Twin Lakes who was a pro scout for Philadelphia Phillies, and more recently helped to raise funds for the Kroc Center in CDA. He talked to the SLCC also…
Carol Ferguson: Story time starts on Sept. 10th and after school program on Wednesdays.
There will be no change in hours before the new director for the system starts next month…
Treasurer’s Report– Mona Stafford
Portapotty rental was 135
Bullhead Excavating joined the Chamber $70
Chamber bank balance is 917.15
Report was accepted.
October Meals on Wheels Fundraiser at Sedlmayers: will be Oct. 16 Leatha at Comm center will work on getting out a flyer, and a webpage for hosts, It will be an Italian meal limited to 50 patrons, served family style, with a dessert table, and also a dessert auction. $50/person Table sponsorship is possible.
Carol plans to get on City Council for October to apply for the Christmas Parade. The Chamber is again sponsoring it. Possibility of vendors was discussed. Also there was an idea of giving out stockings for kids who could then get treats at the businesses. The tentative date is Dec. 7 with a parade at 5, lineup starting at 4:30 on Washington. Mona floated a cocoa crawl idea—businesses would supply various cocoas, marshmallows, etc.to bring people in the stores…
NITA update: We have $l108 left from this year’s advertising budget, which must be used by Sept. 15th. Because we have to pay the money up front which is later reimbursed, Brad will loan $1000 short term to the Chamber to cover the short term shortfall. By next month we should get $1800 in reimbursement. Brad suggestted sending out the text for the businesses in the pamphlet to the members to proofread their phone numbers and other information. There were suggestions about getting the guides available in town (they are available at the Library, Mrs. C’s, and Sondahl Pottery). They discussed a location for a visitor center. Hal’s or Becky’s highway properties were considered.
We will have an election of officers next month, which will be our last meeting at Sedlmayers until spring. Carol would like someone to replace her as president. If you have any interest in helping as an officer, let one of us know..
Fall Fest is happening Sat. Oct 26, 2-5:30 with vendors, games, music, piebaking contest, pumpkin carving, looking for game sponsors. It will be held at big Park, prior to Trunk or Treat which will be on on 4th and going onto Maine. Vendors can stay or leave for Trunk or treat. You can give candy donations at Police Department, City Hall, or the Comm. Center. There will be no charge to Trunkers—they pay enough for candy…
SLCC is talking about a Cornhole competition for prizes, photo booths with an autumn or Halloween theme.
From Mitzi: Heads up! Winterfest is scheduled for Sat. Feb. 1 Plans include an intermission of human bowling. Moving it to Washington, due to snow moving…
Meeting closed at 8:58
Next meeting will be at Sedlmayers October 1st at 8 am.
