The Starbuck Chamber’s monthly meeting was Aug. 15 with seven board members attending and seven guests.  Much of the meeting time this month were reports given for three previous Starbuck events.  

First (chronologically) July 4 was the Little Miss Minnewaska review and plans for this coming year.  An itemized financial report was provided, and a request made for a deficit in covering the needed special outfits, shoes, and accessories for the two Little Miss royalties.  Covering this cost was voted upon and granted by the board, as was the requested amount for the Miss Minnewaska Royalty.  The board also voted to approve the budgeting of a similar amount for each Little Miss and Miss Minnewaska royalty serving in the upcoming years.  These young women represent Starbuck for a full year, and many don’t think about what goes into this yearly responsibility beyond seeing a photo on Facebook or in the paper of their waves to the crowd.  Many thanks to the leaders and each family for the investment of time and money it takes to do all the behind-the-scenes preparation, travel, and incidentals.  May the parades, teas, tiaras, and travels be “so much fun”!  (I couldn’t think of a synonym for parade that starts with a “t”!)

Next, we reviewed the Vintage and Artisan Market (Aug. 4-5).  The financial report will be given next month, but it was reported that all went well.  The setting with the trees and lake is so inviting and it’s fun to have an outdoor event.  There is also no doubt that we are lucky to be sharing the park with the classic car show, HS reunions, and family parties.  Many told us that they loved having the two events happening in the park at once.  With a 90% chance of rain predicted, but not more than a drop of rain all weekend, we felt very blessed.  

One significant improvement for our vendor events was initiated because of this Market.  We have created online registration and payment.  Ellie (Musselman) Ochieng, who does marketing for the Vintage and Artisan Market, volunteered her time and ability to create our new webpage; www.starbuckmnevents.com.  It’s got some kinks however, and the board voted to hire her to complete the site for easy navigation of registration and payment.  We realize that the days of “send in a check” are quickly disappearing and now it’s “do you have Venmo?”  Recently a younger barista saw my check blanks and said “whoa! old school”.  Yes, I felt it.

The last review was for the Dragon Boat Races (August 14th).  The city park was packed, the participants loved the event, most plan to come again, and the day was glorious.  However, there were essentially 3 people pulling off this huge, complicated event, with the last-minute help of their families.  They were exhausted, and rightfully so.  Are you reading this and thinking- ‘I’ve never gone to this event, it sounds interesting’.  Would you be willing to help next year?  Just for the day is all that’s needed.  You’ll be on the lake and can work on your tan!  Helpers are needed to launch boats, run errands, notify teams they’re up, or even empty garbage cans when full.  Please consider joining the event, you’ll have a blast.  Next year is the 15th anniversary of the races here in Starbuck, and the organizers are planning for it to be extra special.  Come be a part of the fun.  

New business items discussed in our meeting included the following calendar items; cleaning our office; noon on Aug. 25th, confirming that we’re serving the Thurs. Night on the Town meal on August 17th, and WCI’s presentation to the board on Aug. 21st held at the Neon Loon.  Also discussed is that we’ll have a table at the Night to Unite on Sept. 16th, we’ve reserved the VFW and the Starbuck Community Ctr. for our Christmas Extravaganza on Oct. 28th and very exciting; the ribbon cutting for Mustang Seeds’ new building on Hwy 28, west of downtown to be held on Sept. 6th @ 6:30 pm.  Drive by and check out their horse sculptures. 

Final items were to confirm rental space for the parade float at the Starbuck Lumber warehouse, paying for an ad in the West Central Trail Blazers, and a gift of $100.00 to help with the Lowry Nature Park development now in planning and development stages.  The meeting adjourned at 8:35. Much discussion in 2 and a half hours.

Respectfully submitted, Rita Larson, secretary