November 2020 Minutes

November 7, 2019, Thee Garage

Members present: Jade Boggs, Karol & Steve Zachmann, Tammy O’Donnell, Mona Madler, Shanny Spang Gion, Alissa Miller, Kyle & Emily Medearis, Shyla Hadley, Tasha Losing, Shanya Stoddard, Gretchen Mahon, Beth Epley, Darlene Hornung, Deb Ranum

President Jade Boggs called meeting to order.

Asked for approval of October minutes. Karol moved to do so, Mona seconded, all in favor.

Old Business: 

Calcutta: We had a great turnout and lots of positive comments. 

Moonlight Madness and Appreciation Supper, Thurs., Oct. 17, Thee Garage, served a lot less than in previous years. Agree that we need to move it back to Wednesday

Downtown trick or treat on Halloween: Despite the bad weather, there was a great turnout. Most of the Chamber’s teal bags were given out.

NEW BUSINESS:

Light up the Town event Saturday, Nov. 23, 5:30 p.m. at the City Park. Discussed the Chamber decorating a tree. Adamson & Sons offered use of their boom truck to anyone needing it to decorate. Boy Scouts are serving hot dogs, chips, hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts. Community Concert will sing. The Country Christmas Countdown Group will meet again Dec. 13 at noon at the SMART office.

Chamber Lighting Contest will be judged, Monday, Dec. 9. Karol, Alissa, Mona, Trish & Emly will meet at the SMART office at 6 p.m. to judge.

We will again sponsor Be A Winner! Shop in Baker! Drawings will be held 3 weeks in Dec. with each winner getting $100 in Baker Bucks. Karol will get the Baker Bucks for this drawing and the Lighting Contest.

Christmas Stroll, Wednesday, Dec. 11: Santa will be at Fire Hall from 4-6 p.m., FMC Chili Feed will be 5-7 p.m. at Thee Garage

Beth Epley talked about moving the winter carnival to a later date in the winter. A decision will be made at the Dec. 13 planning meeting.

REPORTS: 

Karol Zachmann, Fallon Medical Complex - The complex is doing a new phone install. There will be new extensions, but the old ones will work for now. Cookbooks are in and for sale for $15.00. Festival of Trees will run Nov. 25 thru Dec. 11. Fantasy Food Fair will be Dec. 7.

Steve Zachmann, City of Baker - City crew got new machine for sewer clean out. They finished that work this week. Street patching is done for the year. They have oil sealant to use if weather allows. They have had to do snow removal and sanding already. They try to reach critical areas first (schools, hospital, main roads) then get to the rest. Call the city office with any concerns. Two new alderman will take office in January. Tracey Goerndt and Brittany Hoversland.

Shyla Hadley, Fair manager - Her baby is due in Dec., but someone will be in the office weekdays from 3-5 p.m. during her maternity leave. The next fair board meeting is Nov. 18, which is just before convention, so would be a good time to tell the board of any suggestions.

Gretchen Mahon, McCone County Federal Credit Union - They are holding an open house Friday, Nov. 15 to announce their name change. They will have refreshments and giveaways.

Jade Boggs congratulated Darlene Hornung on her upcoming retirement from the Fallon County Times. Tammy O’Donnell invited members to her retirement party Nov. 15 from 2-4 p.m.

Deb Ranum, Fallon County Commissioner - County Auction went well. Proceeds from the auction were $169,000, some of which is hospital, city, etc. Road crew is preparing for winter. Bridges will be started in the spring.

Tasha Losing, T’s Traveling Table - She is selling homemade pies for the holidays. She served at the county auction and will be at the bazaar.

Shanya Stoddard - will have her Arbonne set up at the brewery in Oct. & Nov. She will have a Black Friday sale at Old Skool.

Beth Epley, EPEDC - They received a $32,000 grant to promote motorcycle tourism. Will do a photo shoot in the spring. A sign will be located in Baker to promote motorcycle tourism in the area including Baker, Wibaux, Makoshika park, the Black Hills and back to Medora.

Shanny Spang Gion, SMEDA & SMART - Quickbooks training will be held Nov. 13 5:30 - 8 p.m. in the library basement by Rachel’s Accounting. Child care survey received 207 responses. They used the results and listening sessions to apply for grants thru the County. There are also other grant opportunities they are looking into as well as other financing options. SMART helped Ekalaka Public Schools apply for a grant for $750,000 to connect their elementary and high schools. Plans to meet with Extension agent and Rec Dept. personnel to set up more adult ed opportunities.

Next meeting will be Dec. 5th

Alissa moved to adjourn the meeting. Mona seconded. All in favor. Meeting adjourned