It’s been two weeks since our last Chamber meeting and it feels the time has flown, yet so much has happened since then with our country’s major holiday, July 4th (family, family, family) and Starbuck’s biggest event of the year, Heritage Days, that it seems like long ago!  

Starbuck’s chamber members met eight strong with three guests and only one member missing at the monthly meeting on June 20.  As you may guess, our main conversation was to confirm and finalize all the Heritage Days plans.  I must say, we are SO grateful for all the volunteers willing to come alongside to help.  Each chamber member took on an event or two, and somehow it felt we’d get it done with the help of many of you reading this.  

A few last-minute details were discussed, such as confirming the radio spots, and the Color Run plans were slightly changed to be an “up and back” race instead of “Point A to Point B” as we didn’t have a bus this year.  Assignments for the craft show were made and confirmed as this event’s set up is early morning.  The location of the new climbing wall was determined, we’re always thrilled to have a new offering for the kids!  It was confirmed we’d use cones to block off street parking in front of the Depot and the craft fair area for easier visibility.  There is so much crossing of the street between the food trucks/crafts and Depot events.

The pancake breakfast set up, plans for the parade, a new visitor, Riley Spindler performing at the coronation, and potentially adding more flowerpots at the parking lot across the street from Peddler Dan’s were discussed and finalized. 

We did talk about a few other things!  Amy Camp confirmed a meeting with Karen and Rita, continuing the “refresh and clean up” of the Chamber’s website.  This is a far longer process than we realized, and Amy is amazing to tackle this site as a newcomer to Starbuck.  

Rita reported that we have now set up our ability to take registrations and payment online for vendors coming to the events in Starbuck.  As with the website, we have details to work out, but it’s a strong start.  Purchasing online is certainly the future as fewer people even have a checking account.  (I flipped open my wallet to get a credit card not long ago, and the barista saw my check blanks and said “oh…old school.”  I was chagrined) When you have time, check out our new website; www.starbuckmnevents.com.  Right now, it appears to be the Vintage and Artisan Market only, which is the next event in Starbuck, but we’ll be adjusting this page to fit for all our events.

Our BikeShare program is up and running, thanks to Linda Hoffman for bringing the idea and taking this on!  We’re excited to be sponsoring a fun and healthy way for locals and visitors to tool around Starbuck!  If you have company and need another bike or two, run over to the Depot and check them out.  We are offering this service for free, however your credit card will be needed to unlock the bike. 

We discussed the Murder Mystery Dinner that was held on May 27.  What a fun evening and great fundraiser for the Beautification Committee.  More details to follow, but we’re sure glad Dan Jahn’s murder was fictional only!

Our meeting adjourned at 8:06, the second longest day (not meeting-ha) of the year.  Nice to exit into sunshine.    

–Respectfully submitted, 

Rita Larson, secretary