Chamber hears reports, plans for park

Tuesday’s Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce meeting was full of information regarding upcoming and recent events.

Chamber President Sandi Benbrook reported this years Bald Eagle Festival was a huge success. There was a good turn out and people seemed to stick around all day, she said. This year’s celebration turned a profit of approximately $3500.

The 5th annual Buzzard’s Breath Chili Cook-off will take place at the Elochoman Slough Marina on Saturday, August 30 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. There will be musical entertainment and events to last throughout the day.

Aspiring chili cooks can pick up an application packet at the kiosk in the Scarborough Building in Cathlamet, or contact Executive Director Tanja Winebrenner at (360) 795-9996.

Donna Hughes, Employment Specialist from, WORKSource in Kelso, told the group what they have available for employers and perspective employees. She said they are trying to get more of a presence in Wahkiakum County for job seekers.

Daria Johnson, owner of Wahkiakum County Yard Maintenance gave the board a brief presentation on her ideas for a campground in Cathlamet on Nelson Creek Road. Johnson has previously purchased the land and will be seeking a small business loan to finance the rest.

She said what will set this campground aside from others is, “it will be the first alternative energy, environmentally friendly resort in the county and possibly the state.”

To create the family camping experience, a common area for outdoor movies to be shown as well as a community barbecue pit and picnic area. Each of the 10 campsites, she said, will have two hammocks, a picnic table and a barbecue grill.

Winebrenner said the Chamber of Commerce website has received 1100 hits and 418 people have watched the tourism video on YouTube.

The Wahkiakum County Fair starts on August 21 and runs through August 23.

The community photo taken by Dimmick Photography on Bald Eagle Day is now available for view on their website, 1amazingphotographer.com.

The next chamber meeting is September 9, at 12 p.m. at the Riverview Restaurant.