2023, September 5th - Brad Sondahl
Sept. 4 2023 Spirit Lake Chamber meeting:
Present; Carol Ferguson, Mona Stafford, Brad and Althea Sondahl, Colin and Mandy Conway, Karen Carpenter, Marc Kroetch
Treasurer’s report:
$95 paid to Aseptic for portapotty at the trailhead
Stamps $30.19 paid to Carol for Chamber mailing
Bank Paper fee $2
$2254.44 in the general fund
trail fund $1808.59 plus $1000 more soon to be transferred from general fund.
Member News
Carol Ferguson: Library is quiet—fall programs including story time starting next week
Marc Kroetch He’s been busy gardening and racing sailboats. The Merc is fully rented upstairs, with a new cigar shop and Roxanne’s massage service moving in, who now has new salt sauna.
Mandy Conway It has been a really busy summer, place was full for Labor Day. Restaurant keeps busy and there’s lots of positive feedback. Pairing meals start again in October—with a French theme. Hours will be cutting back as winter approaches, currently open 5 days per week, may cut back to 4.
Karen Carpenter: Insurance still plugging along business is going great—one office with assistant in Spokane, two assistants training in Priest River. Insurance rates going up due fires, inflation etc.
Althea Sondahl: September is the last month for the museum season 1-4 on Saturdays. The Labor Day celebration was very well attended included 4 speakers. She explained how offering a Labor Day event for old-timers is the continuation of a long tradition in Spirit Lake. Regular board meets 1st Wednesday, County preservation committee attending. Our local city historical commission will also meet with this county group. The historical commission used $11,000 Urban renewal funds recently for demolition of lath and plaster in the Woolen Brown building. The commission is also working with library and elementary school for future use, and hoping for future urban renewal funds. City applied for a new urban renewal district. Althea is in conversation about offering Old time crafts after school.
Mona Stafford: Priest River Ministries free Lunch from shed next to Comm. Center is now closed but fed 18-20 per day, with many thankful moms appreciating it. The Senior center continues struggling to meet supplying meals. A new group is meeting to consolidate local food efforts—especially one Christmas arrangement to gather and distribute baskets.
Carol offered these items:
NITA Brooke (social media travel influencer) and husband visit scheduled for Oct 12-13—Oct 12 Brad will give them a guided canoe tour on the lake, and they will camp at Sedlmayers that night.
Visitors guide
Northern lights and Stoneridge phone numbers were mixed up in the brochure. Discussion recommended asking a partial refund from Keokee or discounted membership for next year.
Mitzi from Parks and Rec was unable to attend—Reminder that the Fall Festival will be Oct 28 12-6 on Maine St. Candy will be prizes at game activities, there will be a kids costume parade down from 4th to 3rd on Maine Street. They are trying to discourage trunk or treat, but if people show up they can do it. Spirit Lake Police have scheduled on Oct 21 a Halloween movie at the large gym at HS and Halloween activities in the auxiliary gym.
We discussed the idea to have a business fair for micro businesses in comm. Center. Could be for networking for local businesses. Althea pointed out that it was a total failure when tried previously.
Another idea was a theme like Ladies Night Out…
Marc Kroetch spoke for the Empire Trails. They are looking for a new Portapotty provider Excess Portable from Priest River was recommended by Karen Carpenter. The lawnmower race trailer is still up for sale for $1500. John Bowman, Dave Kreis, and a few others have been doing trail management, but plans to expand the system are on hold as there aren’t enough people now to keep the current trails in good order.
Marc also said that Brews and Brats would have a new owner by the end of the month. adjourned 8:56
