Brewster Chamber features discussion with Firm Foundations founder

BREWSTER – The Brewster Chamber of Commerce hosted virtual guest speaker Brooklyn Holton, founder and owner of Firm Foundations (firmfoundations.com) at its regular monthly meeting last Wednesday, August 11, at the Brewster Middle School. Holton’s company specializes in business coaching, organizational planning, and economic development services for individuals, businesses, and communities.
Holton is currently serving as the coordinator of the Pateros Pop-up Community Market that has been gathering one weekend per month in Lakeshore Park since June and will hold its final event on Sept. 10-11.
Holton, from Cashmere, explained her background in local government and community planning. Holton said she has worked on “everything from managing federal grant programs that support low-to-moderate income communities to doing neighborhood vitalization and economic development around retail improvement and small business stabilization.
Holton said one of her recent projects involved starting a weekly farmers’ market in Cashmere this year that started last May and runs through October.
Mauk said he is looking for more ways to bring Brewster to the attention of visitors and shoppers and arranged to meet with Holton at the upcoming Pateros Community Market to discuss some strategy options that might work for Brewster.
Chamber director Rebecca Zion inquired whether Holton is familiar with any cities with junior chamber organizations that inspire high school students to become more involved with their communities. Holton mentioned the high school DECA program that prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality and management.
Brewster High School Marketing and Business instructor Jeff Dowd attended the chamber meeting and volunteered that he is tasked with developing a DECA chapter for his classes this year.
“I’m really liking your ideas,” Dowd said.
Holton said her father was a DECA teacher, so she became well acquainted with the concept.
In other business Mauk delivered a brief overview of the 15th annual Brewster King Salmon Derby in the wake of its three-day run from Friday, August 6, through Sunday, August 8. Following a year’s hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Brewster chamber assumed responsibility for the derby organization and management this year. Veteran derby organizers Randy Cole and Lori Kratzer volunteered to help chamber staffers navigate any rough spots.
After prize pay outs and expenses the derby netted nearly $15,000 from the 253 fishermen and 84 boats that turned out for this year’s derby. Unlike past years where winning salmon exceeded 20 pounds, rough weather and water conditions kept the winning catches under 19 pounds.
Despite the uncooperative weather “All-in-all it turned out good,” said Mauk. “Ticket sales were good, raffle was good, payouts were good and everyone had a good time.”
Chamber members discussed Mexican Independence Day coming up Sept. 11 and sponsored by the Brewster Business Association.
The next regular meeting of the Brewster chamber is at 6 p.m., Sept. 8, in the Brewster Middle School.