Chamber considers holiday events

Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce President Sandi Benbrook Rieder told board members Tuesday that volunteers are needed to represent the county on the natural heritage of the area and the Southwest Washington Tourism Board. Anyone who is interested needs to contact the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce.

Judy Brawn told the board a Museum Day is scheduled for December 6, with several events and pictures with Santa Claus. Admission is free, yet the exact time of the event is to be determined.

She told the board that Sargasso Sea is planning again for their annual Christmas Tree sale with all money benefiting St. James Family Center. She encouraged everyone to come and get their St. James Christmas Tree.

In other business, Mayor Dick Swart said the Erickson Park improvement project has gone well. He acknowledged Rob Stockhouse and several area businesses for the work they have done to improve the natural scenery of the area.

Changes to the park include adding walking paths and plaques identifying native plant and tree species. Stockhouse said 60 trees and shrubs have been planted at the park thanks to a donation from the Wahkiakum Community Foundation.

“Kyle Hurley’s class is doing planting and continuing to work out there. They designed a trail system that is about 1900 feet long,” Stockhouse said. The trail will give visitors the opportunity to admire the area cleaned out and the area of native species near the main road.

Rock is scheduled to be delivered later this winter for the students to fill into the trails. They will be about four feet wide and about three to four inches of rock. Signs will be added by the plants for identification purposes. “It should be a learning situation for people as they walk around Erickson Park.”

Stockhouse gave the board a report on this year’s farmers market. The trolley which gave rides to people from the marina to the market at times would have no one on it, but others would have as many as 15 people. “Those were very successful days,” he said.

Every week, between seven and 11 vendors would come to the market to sell their goods. There were often musical guests for patrons and vendors alike to enjoy. This year’s market saw a 58 percent increase in gross sales over last year.

Last year, the market saw an average of just under $1000 per four hours worked for the entire market. This year, the market’s total for hours worked was over $1500.

“We really appreciate all of you that come to the market and direct others to come to the market,” Stockhouse said. “Thank you everyone for coming.”

The market will start up again May 1.