Brewster Chamber elects 2019 officers

BREWSTER – The Chamber of Commerce elected its 2019 officers and board members at its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 5. New officers include:

President - Anna Marie Dalbey; Vice President - Jose Said Velasco; Treasurer - Lainie Hammond and Secretary - Mike Mauk

The vote count for the Chamber’s three-person Board of Directors resulted in a tie for one of the three positions. Joining Julio Talavera and Kathy Lowry will be either Emmanuel (Manny) Hurtado or Ron Johnson.

Chamber Secretary Mike Mauk said the Chamber is considering a revision of its the bylaws to allow both candidates to serve on the Board.

In other business Chamber president Anne Marie Dalbey confirmed that the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus is coming to Brewster for two shows at 5:30 and

7:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 6, 2019. Dalbey said she is submitting a permit application to the city for approval of the event.

Heather Carrington, interim director of the Brewster Boys and Girls Club (BBGC) reported that interviews for a permanent BBGC Director are still underway.

BBGC is partnering with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to host Family Night from 5:30-8 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 18. The event will include dinner, guest speakers, and community roundtable discussions that will focus on the topic: How do you get where you need to go on time and affordably?

How could it be better? Visit WSDOT’s website at www.athenaplace.com/wsdot to learn more. For information or to RSVP, call (509) 689-1192.

Brewster City Council member Avis Erickson reminded chamber members that the Cops & Kids, Christmas Shop, and Winter Carnival will be held at the BBGC from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 15.

The aim of Cops & Kids is to build positive relations and trust with youngsters in the community, Erickson said. Christmas Shop will offer $1 gift shops for both adults and youngsters to purchase gifts, complete with free gift wrapping, for family members. The Winter Carnival will include games, prizes, refreshments, and an opportunity for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus. A Snow Safety Poster contest will give youngsters a chance to win a new sled.

Erickson requested volunteers to help with gift wrapping and the many activities.

Erickson said that a Christmas tree on display inside Brewster Marketplace “has little tags on it for donations to the Food Bank and the Senior Center.”

Brewster Marketplace will collect the donations and write a check to both organizations at the end of the year. As a result of a fundraising drive at its November meeting, the Chamber presented a $250 donation to the Food Bank.

The Chamber’s annual membership drive gets underway in January and all non-member city businesses will receive an enrollment application and invitation to join.

The next Chamber meeting will be at 9 a.m., Jan. 9, at the Columbia Post 97 American Legion building at 102 N. Third Street in Brewster.