INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Total Eclipse 1&2

Oregon State Fair 3

Visitor Report 3

Wallowa County Fair 4

Final Recognitions, 4th July 5

Wallowa County Event 6-7

Free Business Coaching 8

The Geography of Music 8

WALLOWA COUNTY

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

309 South River Street, Ste B

PO Box 427

Enterprise, OR 97828

Phone: (541) 426-4622

Email: info@wallowacounty.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Joe Wanner, President

Jessie Cunningham, Vice President

Ruby Lathrop, Treasurer/Secretary

Cynthia Warnock, Past President

Kathy Casper, Director

Michael Vali, Director

Jenni Word, Director

Bridget Brown, Director

Liz Neveau, Director

Marc Stauffer, Director

John Williams, Director

Tammy Strampe, Director

Nancy Rudger, Director

Cheryl North-Coughlan, Director

Heather Tyreman, Director

Doris Woempner, Ambassador

CHAMBER STAFF

Vicki Searles, Executive Director

Diane Knox, Admin. Assistant

August 2017

Have You Heard Enough About the Total Eclipse? HERE’S MORE—

Monday, August 21, there will be a solar eclipse, the first one in the United States since 1979. While Wallowa County is not in the path of totality, we will still experience a partial eclipse (98.6%). The difference between the 100% Total Solar Eclipse that Baker County and other parts of Oregon and the United States will see since they fall within the path of totality is significant, according to experts, and they advise people to get into the path of totality to fully experience this rare and spectacular natural astronomical event.

The message from the WMHCD reminds us “If you are not careful, you could risk injuring your eyes — permanently. That’s why we are strongly recommending everyone to get a pair of ap-proved solar eclipse glasses, available at Wallowa Valley Eye Care in Enterprise; Wallowa County Chamber in Enterprise, Wallowology in Joseph; and the libraries in both Enterprise and Wallowa. These flimsy glasses may not look like much, but they are essential to protect your eyesight so you can fully experience the eclipse.”

Inside this newsletter is a tip sheet of ideas to consider during for the dates of August 18 to 23. It is better to be prepared and well-informed than to be caught off-guard. Vicki Searles of the WC Chamber said, “It seems reasonable to infer that of all the places to spend a few extra days during the eclipse in eastern Oregon—I think Wallowa County would be on the short list, but then maybe I am partial to Wallowa County.”

On Thursday, August 17, Wallowology at 508 North Main St. in Joseph is offering a free presen-tation on the eclipse at 7:00 pm. Join them to learn more!

Be safe and get your eclipse glasses early! Emergency Contacts:

Wallowa County Sheriff Department: 541 426-3131 or 911 Emergency Services: 541 426-4543 ext. 165

What percentage of the

Eclipse you will see in

Wallowa County

98.6%

If you or your guests are visiting Baker County for this event the partial phase starts 9:09 am and ends 11:46 am. The totality will occur at 10:24 am and last 1 minute and 35 seconds.

Page 2

Are You Ready for the Eclipse?

Courtesy of: Oregon Office of Emergency Management

The OEM is working with Travel Oregon and a host of other agencies to help ensure that thousands of Oregonians,

and visitors to our state, have a positive and enjoyable experience during the total solar eclipse on Aug. 21.

Emergency managers are planning for an influx of about 1 million visitors into Oregon for several days on either side

of the eclipse. Since August is already a prime vacation season in many areas of the state, they expect nearly every-

thing to be above capacity for a week.

Suggestions for RESIDENTS and VISITORS:

Be prepared for crowds, lines and traffic. Be patient. Bring books, games, etc., to keep busy; Take the time in long lines to get to know Oregonians and other visitors via lively conversation. It’s a good time to learn about Oregon and other areas from which guests are visiting, and to make friends from around the state/country/world.

Have snacks, water and first-aid supplies on hand in case crowds/lines/traffic become paramount.

Become aware of the beauty, splendor and hazards that are all part of Oregon. Know what to do and where to go in the event of severe heat, wildfires, earthquakes and other natural disasters.

Have an emergency kit and an emergency plan; make sure family members or friends back home know your schedule, when you are expected to return and your plan if something happens.

Suggestions for EMPLOYERS:

Prepare for a big jump in customers. Grocery stores, gas stations, hotels, restaurants, transportation services, cof-fee shops, retail stores, urgent care clinics and many other establishments will experience a jump in business. We encourage them to order goods and schedule staff accordingly.

Be aware that many visitors will be camping in both authorized and unauthorized locations; expect customers who may be primarily interested in using rest rooms.

Encourage employees to have a full tank of gas prior to the time visitors begin to arrive in the area. Lines for fuel may occur and you’ll want staff to be able to get to work.

Be prepared for more cash transactions and potential challenges with credit/debit card transactions taking longer than usual because of increased volumes. Consider having tills set up to accommodate more cash transactions.

Be prepared for cell service overloads; there may be service disruptions due to the increase in visitors using net-works. Visitors may have urgent requests to use your business telephone line if they are having trouble with cell service. Decide how you want to handle these requests and make sure employees know what to do.

Talk to suppliers. Some suppliers may be considering delivery schedule changes due to the event(s). Suppliers may also be looking at how the increased traffic on rural roads may impact delivery times.

New! Why do Visitors

Come to Wallowa County

Wallowa Lake 137

Wallowa Lake Tramway 161

Joseph, Arts & Galleries 144

Hells Canyon & Over Looks 141

Hells Canyon Scenic Byway 114

Wallowa Mountains 85

Wallowa Valley & View Points 46

WC Events 65

Fishing, Hunting, Outdoor Rec. 94

Visit Family & Friends 18

Family reunions, wedding, etc. 3

Other: Oregon’s 7 Wonders 9

Chamber Visitor Report for July

Information Contacts July 2017 June 2017 Year to date July 2016

Walk-ins: Visitors/Business 323 379 1353 301

Information Packets Mailed Out

66 47 385 40

Phone Calls, Web & Emails 536 402 2289 389

Total Contacts 925 828 4025 730

Website Visits

16,394 12,157 63,185 10,449

Membership Referrals 1,826 1,714 7,953 2,125

Page 3

A $16,500 radio campaign has been launched in Boise ID, Tri Cities WA and the Greater NE Oregon Region. This campaign is sponsored by the Chamber, Mike Lockhart of the Wallowa Lake Tramway, and the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway Committee. This campaign represents partners working together to maximize Wallowa County’s successful marketing program for the Oregon’s 7 Wonders Campaign, the Wallowas. Our region has been recognized in the 7 Wonders campaign along with other of Oregon ‘s greatest destinations — Crater Lake, Mt. Hood, Oregon Coast, Columbia Gorge, etc.

Update: Radio Stations you will hear WC Events and attractions!

2017 Oregon State Fair, August 25 through September 5!

Wallowa County Chamber To Attend the 2017 Oregon State Fair.

The state fair is a great opportunity to promote Wallowa County and tell visitors why they should come east to Wallowa County! The Chamber will have a booth in the Columbia Building along with Harney County. If you would like to volun-teer at the fair booth please contact Vicki Searles, 541 426-4622 or email Vicki@wallowacounty.org.

Below is a description of the State Fair. Over 250,000 will attend the fair. This will make the 5th time the Chamber has participated in this event. We would like to thank the Wallowa County Commissioners for partnering with the Cham-ber to have Wallowa County represented.

The Oregon State Fair is an 11 day annual event that is will be held August 25, 2017, Friday to September 4, 2017, Monday. The venue of this event is Oregon State Fair & Expo Center and it is located in Salem, Oregon. This event offers high quality exhibits, products, competitions, educational opportunities, and the exciting range of entertainment such as concerts, arena events etc.

The Oregon State Fair will showcase a wide range of products and services related to state & county fair sectors from the leading exhibitors. Over 500 exhibitors are expected at this event to showcase their products and services. Over 250,000 visitors are ex-pected at this event. The first year of this event is 1862.

Sponsored by the Wallowa County Chamber & Wallowa County Commissioners!

Page 4

WALLOWA COUNTY FAIR

“HAVING A BALL WITH 4-H AND ALL”

Schedule of Selected Events

Saturday, Aug. 5

9am – 4-H Dog Show

Sun. – Tues., August 6-8

8am Sun–Tues – 4-H Horse Show

Monday, Aug. 7

4-H Exhibits to Cloverleaf

Open Class Non-Perishable to Cloverleaf

Tuesday, August 8

Open Class Perishable to Cloverleaf

Wed-Sat, August 9-12

10am Cloverleaf Hall opens

Wednesday, August 9

2pm – 4-H/FFA Livestock Entries

Thursday, August 10

Benny Beaver Day

Continued:

Thurs-Fri, August 10-11

8:30am – 4-H/FFA Livestock Show

7pm – 4-H/FFA Grand Champion Classes

Friday, August 11

4:00pm - “Bessie Bingo”

Saturday, August 12

8am – Small Animal Show

10am –Pee Wee Showmanship

11am – Games on the Grass & Balloon

Scramble

4-H/FFA LIVESTOCK SALE 6PM

For a full schedule call 541-426-4097

or check out our Facebook page

Joseph, Oregon

Back Country Bash Chief Joseph Rodeo Grounds Saturday, August 5th Gates Open 3 pm Music Starts 4pm

Beer Gardens and Food

“After Party Breakfast” at the rodeo grounds— Pancakes, eggs, and Bloody Mary’s

For Music Lineup or Other Information Visit:

www.backcountrybashjoseph.com

Presented by the Chief Joseph Days Rodeo Committee

Page 5

A Final Special Thank you to the

Supporters of the 2017 Shake the Lake Fireworks

$2000 GRAND FINALE SPONSOR: FAMILY OF DAVID ALBION

$1000-$2000 CONTRIBUTORS: Triple Creek Ranch, Wallowa County Commissioners, Debbie Surface,

And Joseph Chamber of Commerce

$500-$999 CONTRIBUTOR: Mt. Joseph Family Foods, Wallowa Lake Tramway, Wallowa Lake Marina

$100-$499 CONTRIBUTORS: Wallowa Lake Lodge, Wallowa Mountain Properties, Copper Creek Mercantile, Bank of Eastern Oregon, Alder Slope

Nursery, Esprit, Wallowa River RV Park, Wallowa Lake Resort/Flying Arrow Resort, Thompson Auto Supply, Wild Carrot Herbals, Trouthaven, Bollman Funeral Home, Carolyn Gilbert, Ponderosa Motel, The Wilderness Inn, Edward Jones,

The Sports Corral, Larry, Shirley, Brad & Vikki Snook, Stewart Jones Design, 1910 Historic Enterprise House B&B, Wallowa Lake Vacation Rentals, Jerry King, Cabin Rentals at Wallowa Lake, Log House RV Park

UNDER $100 CONTRIBUTORS Vicki & Kerry Searles, Brian& Pat Adelhardt, Haines Family Trust, Bob & Stephanie Williams, Nancy & Bill Rudger,

Hancock Forest Management, Dick & Carol Burch, The Sheep Shed, Joe & Rita Ehrler, Richard & Sanra Richelderfer, Lyn Wolfe, Dollar Stretcher, Les Bridges Agency, Wallowa County Chieftain, Wayne & Marilyn Bloom, Barton & Karen Nelson, Kim & Anita Metlen, James Falk, Gerald & Charlotte McCoy, Good Time Properties LLC, and Mel Witters Lab

Funds Raised for the Fireworks: $12,800 2017 Goal was $12,000

Without the volunteer ground work there would be no fireworks:

WC Sheriff Department: Chief Deputy Fred Steen (Marine Program Coordinator)

Marine Deputy Lawrence McBurney and all other who helped to move the docks.

Lending of Boat for Firework’s Crew Lem McBurney

Crew for the Assembling the Dock: Lem McBurney, Mike Musia, Ron Hayes, Kerry Searles,

Ross Stenkamp, Community Banks (refreshments for volunteers)

Grand Prize Winner, Flight Over Hells Canyon/Wallowas: Les Bridges Agency (Farmers Insurance) Sponsored by: Pilot Bill Ables, Wallowa County Flyers Association

August Events

August Events

Enterprise

Jenni Word, Enterprise City Council

Joseph

Tammy Strampe Copper Creek Mercantile

Wallowa Lake

Michael Vali, Vali's Restaurant

Wallowa/Lostine

Kathy Casper, Wheatland Insurance

Health Care

Bridget Brown

WV Wellness Center

Education

John Williams,

WC Extension Office

Farm/Ranchg

Jessie Cunningham Rockin J Ranch

Rural/Outlying

Liz Neveau, Double Arrow Veterinary

Natural Resources

Cynthia Warnock,

WC Soil & Water CD

Small Business

Ruby Lathrop, Umpqua Bank

Public Relations

Marc Stauffer, Stauffer Refinishing

Culture & Heritage

Nancy Rudger

Arts

Cheryl North-Coughlan

Josephy Center for Arts

Tourism

Heather Tyreman Bronze Antler B&B

309 South River Street, Ste B PO Box 427 Enterprise, OR 97828

The Geography of Music

Summer Arts Classic August 24-26, 2017

Classical Music, Art, and Literature

Thursday, Opening Reception, Josephy Center 6pm Social Hour, 7pm program Free Friday, Multi-Media Concert Admission $20 Gen/$15 Senior/18 under free Saturday, Panel discussion –How place inspires art. Fishtrap House, 10am free

www.summerartsclassic.com