The SCC Chamber Honors Annual Award Winners

Written by

Diane Dillard presents Trent Dolyniuk with the award

 

Last night was the Annual Awards Meeting and Banquet at the Columbia City Community Hall. The event was well attended by local business people who were there to network and support those being honored with awards.

Diane Dillard, Board President, conducted the meeting, and Ronda Holdridge was the Mistress of Ceremonies.  Guest speakers included Justin Bush with Les Schwab, Mark Samuel with ORPET and Toby Harris with Fultano’s.  The theme this year “United We Stand, For Growth & Prosperity,” and the hall was decorated in red, white and blue throughout. Blackbird Catering did a marvelous job, as usual, in providing dinner and beverages, and Bart Hafeman did a nice job with pre-meeting entertainment.

 

 

I’d like to offer a big congratulations to the 2012 award recipients:

Blackbird Catering, HF McCormick Award for Business of the Year

Tim Lammers, Swep Morton, Jr Award for Chairman’s Award

Jeff Kemp, Henry Knighton Award for St Helens First Citizen

Julie Stephens, James Grant Watts Award for Scappoose First Citizen

Richard Gochnauer, Outstanding Scappoose Community Club Member

Alan King, Outstanding Kiwanis Club Member

Rosalie Sumsion, St Helens Educator of the Year

Gail Sykes, Scappoose Educator of the Year

 

 

January Real Estate Stats

Written by

January has been a busy month in real estate. Prices remain down yet activity is strong. Distressed properties (bank-owned and short sales) still tend to dominate thus adding to the lower prices. With interest rates remaining below 4%, it’s a fabulous time to buy a home. But if you’re a seller, times are tough.

If you need any assistance in analyzing these stats, feel free to contact me.

(Click on each graphic to enlarge.)

Provided by Molly Hruska
Provided by Molly Hruska
Provided by Molly Hruska

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provided by Molly Hruska

 

The 20th Annual Kiwanis Daybreakers’ Children’s Fair Comes to St. Helens!

Written by

Face painting makes children smile!

Come and spend the day dressed in costume, playing games, visiting a petting zoo, making jewelry, having your face painted, watching a dance performance and learning how to throw a pot or how electricity works.

The 20th annual Kiwanis Daybreakers’ Children’s Fair is Saturday, Oct. 29.

If the past two decades are any indication, the event will be a blast for kids of all ages. Taking place at the St. Helens High School commons from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., parents love it, because nothing is for sale commercially. (However, there will be food and drink sold by Lion Catering.)

From county 4-H groups and Columbia River PUD to the OPUS school of dance, Shriners and Michael Curry studios, the event is geared for kids in strollers up through sixth grade … there’s something for everyone.

Windermere’s Annual Masquerade Ball is tomorrow night! A rockin’ great time!

Written by

Annual Masquerade Ball presented by Windermere Real Estate

It’s time for the Seventh annual Windermere Foundation Masquerade Ball, tomorrow night, October 22nd, at the Columbia County Fairgrounds and Event Complex, starting at 6:00 pm.

This year’s gala event will include music by a  local favorite, Backstage Pass, a rockin’, party playin’ LIVE country rock music band that’s sure to get everyone up on their feet! The live and silent auction is pack-filled with a huge assortment of items to bid on, including a Las Vegas vacation, beach house rentals, fishing trips and so much more!  Attendees will also be treated to several dinner entrees donated by St. Helens and Scappoose restaurants.

Costumes are optional but encouraged — there will be a contest! However, this ball is more than masks, costumes and dancing; it’s about helping. Last year’s gala raised nearly $15,000 which helps ‘fill in the gaps’ by supplementing the work of these vital groups. Windermere Foundation uses the funds raised at the annual ball to support local charities such as the Women’s Resource Center, Amani Center, St. Vincent Food Bank in Scappoose and a Chance to Become Scholarships. The foundation also donates money each year to area school districts, establishing a clothing and shoe fund for needy students.

Tickets are available at the door…individual tickets are $15, or 2 for $25. It’s a guaranteed great time!

Harvest Festival Fun Comes to Columbia City!

Written by

 

A beautiful landmark in Columbia City

Harvest Festival Fun for the whole family this Saturday, October 15th from noon to 5pm at Caples House Museum in Columbia City. Activities to include cider pressing, butter churning, story time, pioneer kids’ games and demonstrations by old-time craftsmen. There will also be a fundraising raffle with dozens of great items.

Admission is free to the Harvest Festival, but for museum tours: $4 for adults and $3 for children 5 and older.

Caples House Museum is located on 1925 First Street in Columbia City, OR.

Halloweentown Returns to St. Helens

Written by

The scarecrows line the streets of St. Helens

Ushered in by the lighting of the Great Pumpkin on October 1st, the Spirit of Halloweentown is upon us in Saint Helens. Visit Olde Towne for a month-long celebration of the season and see the giant scarecrows, fall colors and merchants turned to immortal forms as fairies, witches, ghosts and ghouls from Friday afternoon until Sunday at 3pm. Wear your costume and take advantage of special offers at local businesses, or browse boutiques and thrift stores to  find the perfect costume.

This year, activities include an I-Spy Adventure and Coloring Contest, The Chronicle’s Little Spooks Parade, Kids Carnival put on by Kiwanis, and the most anticipated activity in the Spirit of Halloweentown:  the Scarecrow Contest. Scarecrows line the streets of the Houlton and Riverfront Districts of Olde Towne as local shops and eateries try to outdo one another to create the most creative and clever scarecrow. Vote for your favorites with raffle tickets to benefit the Columbia County Food Bank.

For a full list of activities and their dates, times and locations, please visit http://sccchamber.org/SOHA

 

Rake the Town – Helping seniors one leaf at a time!

Written by

 

Fall brings us beautiful orange and yellow leaves in the Pacific Northwest

Do you know of a senior who needs help raking their yard this fall? Well, Rake the Town may come to their rescue! This group of volunteers will set out on November 19th at 11:00 am to rake up the fallen leaves at various seniors’ homes in St. Helens and Scappoose who are in need of assistance. If you know of someone who may need their help, you can contact David Greenleaf at 503-543-0909 or email him at david@greenleaftreerelief.com.

And on the other side of the event is finding volunteers who want to help with the raking. It is a BYOR (bring your own rake) event, so let David know you would like to help and he’ll get everyone coordinated. What a great way to spend some time with your friends and do your good deed for the community!

This event is sponsored by Ace Hardware, Beaver Bark, Greenleaf Tree Relief, Hudson Garbage, Paulson Printing and Ticor Title.

Come on…jump in!

 

Ready for Some Sauerkraut Ice Cream?

Written by

 

It's amazing what you can do with cabbage!

Once again, it’s time for the Sauerkraut Festival in Scappoose!  This long-time tradition has become an annual event for our area for 22 years. Scappoose, once home to Steinfield’s pickle and sauerkraut factory, still brings in nearly 10,000 visitors to participate in activities such as cabbage bowling, sauerkraut eating contests, children’s cabbage patch and such treats as a chocolate sauerkraut cupcake, sauerkraut ice cream and the very delicious Sauerkraut Sandwich.

This free festival is organized by the Scappoose Community Club and sponsored by the City of Scappoose.  Popular local vendors will be set up around the park offering food, activities and crafts for the kids. 

Rain or shine, Scappoose’s Sauerkraut Festival will be held this Saturday, the 17th, from 10am to 6pm at Heritage Park.

 

 

Time for the Amani Center Luau and Auction Fundraiser!

Written by

Cheers at the Amani Center Luau

Amani Center : Columbia County’s, non-profit,  Child Abuse Assessment and Treatment Program, will be hosting their 9th Annual Luau and Auction this Saturday, September 10th at the Columbia County Fairground Event Complex beginning at 4:30pm.

This year, selected donors will be invited to a VIP pre-event reception from 3:30-4:30 p.m.  Attendees will enjoy light fare and specialty drinks while having the opportunity to meet special guests  like state Sen. Betsy Johnson and 105.1 radio personality Sheryl Stewart, along with other prominent community members and business leaders.

Tickets for this annual fundraiser may be purchased in advance ($40/seat) www.amanicenter.org and include a seated dinner catered by Hawaiian Island Café & Catering. Throughout the evening guests will enjoy live Hawaiian music and performances by Polynesian & fire dancers. The evening will conclude with a silent and oral auction as well as a delicious dessert auction!

The Amani Center was established in 2000, here in St. Helens, as a community-based center to come alongside alleged child victims of abuse and neglect, offering access to evaluation, counseling and support services in a child-friendly setting.

While this event raises money for the children of our community, guests must be 21 and over in order to attend this fundraiser.

Pamper your dog at Vonnie’s Dog House in St. Helens!

Written by

Vonnie and KK make dogs beautiful!

If you’re  looking  for a great place to have your dog groomed, check out Vonnie’s Dog House in St. Helens. With over 25 years experience, Vonnie and KK surely know how to make your little (or big) buddy look beautiful! I have a sweet labradoodle, and I know that not everyone knows how to make these often shaggy dogs shine, but KK certainly does! They’re busy gals, so call today for an appointment!

Check out Vonnie’s at 244 N. Columbia River Hwy, St. Helens, OR 97051 or call 503-397-6684!

Such a beautiful girl with her new hairdo!