OH! So much to do!

What a month we just finished! It's hard to believe that it is already May.

The Whidbey Island Marathon was an OHmazing success! We heard amazing things from the runners, the cheering squads, and even one brave reporter (read her article here)!

How can we not mention Holland Happening?! It was a great weekend. This was my first Holland Happening, and what an experience this wonderful city gave me! We had Chainsaw Wood Carvers. You know, the type you see in the Pemco ad? (Watch that ad here) As a matter of fact, we had the guy from the commercial, along with his sister at Holland Happening, and what can I say? Steve and Lynn Backus were awesome to work with and have at the show! I ended up buying a totally awesome eagle. Now I don't want to say it's the coolest thing I own, but it is, it totally is the coolest thing I own.

Plus, how can we forget the Wooden Shoe Carver we flew into Oak Harbor just for this show, all the way from Holland!!!! Eh, Holland, Michigan that is... But nonetheless, he flew a long freekin' way! If you didn't see him in action, can I suggest that you check him out next year? Because seeing someone work the wood like he did, it was quite fantastic.

This is a photo of Elmer Veldheer using his tools to carve a klompen out of a block of poplar. It's amazing that he can so simply turn that into a wearable piece of footwear.

Working towards and during Holland Happening was so fun that the time just flew. We produced some awesome videos to get everyone ready for Holland Happening.

Video 1 is about a pair of wooden shoes, a pair of wooden shoes and a dream... to make it on youtube:

Video 2 is the story of one woman. This woman found a look that worked for her, and she wasn't shy to show the world her Dutch heritage!:

In Video 3 our honorable protagonist finally finds her match in a similarly clad young fellow and wins his heart, and he wins hers-- with a simple bouquet of tulips:

I know one person whom did not miss a second of the awesome action we had at Holland Happening, that was our Parade Grand Marshal Rob Hause, he was grinning ear to ear from Friday night until he helped us tear down the Klompen Canal on Sunday.What a guy! He has been coming religiously to Holland Happening since 1986 not missing a beat, loving every second of it! He begins planning in January for his trip up, and who can blame him? I got to know Rob over the weekend, and I know that I gained a friend for a lifetime. I can't wait until next year when I get to sit and listen to the Oompah Band with him again!

This is a photo of Grand Marshal Rob Hause enjoying his day in front of the Klompen Canal.

But don't you fret, because we are not just looking back, because we have some cool things on the horizon going on as well... This month we have Comedian Keith Barany coming to the Oak Harbor Elks Lodge to give us his stand up act. If you haven't heard of him, maybe you should check him out on his website. Tickets are available at the Chamber for $25 for General Admission and $50 for VIP. The VIP tickets are pretty awesome because you get a reserved seat, you get to meet Keith after the show, and if you get together with 7 other friends to form a table of 8 you get entered into a drawing for a free Limo trip to and from the show from Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle. That is a pretty awesome offer as far as I'm concerned. I just wish I could win that Limo ride. Let me take this second to thank the sponsors of this event, because without the Swinomish Casino, Windermere Real Estate, Whidbey SeaTac Shuttle, and the Whidbey Marketplace and News, this event couldn't happen.

Now, it's not all sales and praise, it's also a time of reflection... Or so I'd like to pretend. I find that with a little determination and decisiveness you can find anything you'd like to do at time you'd like in Oak Harbor.

There are ton's of things to do around here, softball season just started for Whidbey Island Softball... Yes, I play Softball, and yes, I am proud of that fact. I love Softball, while opening night may have been a bit colder than I am used to (I moved here from South Carolina and played Softball down there... I'd say 104 and humid is a bit different than 45 and windy) but I worked it out and really enjoyed myself. I get to play with awesome people from around the area, people whom without Softball I'd likely never know nor associate with. That is the greatest thing about places like this and community events, you get together with people of all different creeds, colors, religions, and backgrounds and you bond together in one commonality. Be it the Whidbey Island Marathon, Holland Happening, Softball, the various Bowling Leagues, meeting at the Oak Harbor Market (back to our fair city on May 20 from 4 pm to 7 pm), or just meeting a new face at Honeymoon Bay Coffee. There is always something to do for those who look, so make sure you keep your eyes open, because things come so quickly in Oak Harbor, if you blink you might miss it.

Oak Harbor the OHmazing!

It's easy to gloss over and forget how OHmazing the place you live is. But then when you start talking about it, you realize, it is pretty awesome.

This past week we went down with the Deception Pass Tours crew to Seattle to get some of the magazines, newspapers, and TV stations to write and report about our area. When you start talking about Oak Harbor, it really is unique, between the Bridge, the massive amounts of Parks, the waterfront, the Harborside Shops, the influence from Holland, and the people!

We are blessed not only to have fantastic things to see and do, but we also have a fantastic community. To become more appealing to the writers for these various media outlets, we put together a basket of uniquely Oak Harbor items. Besides the Chamber providing a klompen and shirt for Holland Happening, and a beautiful Oak Harbor tourism poster, our Chamber members came up huge, and really gave great items and support! Seabolts provided Salmon, the Shifty Sailors a CD, Harbor Glow a candle, Lavender Wind Farm a Lavender sachet, A Knot in Thyme Lavender Soap, Joan Nienhuis a Deception Pass Bride Photograph, Anacortes Kayak Tours and Deception Pass Tours gave a tour each.

It was a lot of awesome stuff to get the writers interested in Oak Harbor, and the Chamber greatly appreciated the help! Now we just hope that they all take the hint and come write about our city!

We also found out that stories about Dog Friendly locations is popular right now... Good thing Oak Harbor loves our canine friends because that was a big selling point!

Right now I have a ton of pride for living in Oak Harbor, and I hope you do too, because it's not every community that comes together like this!

There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays

During the Holidays my thoughts quickly turn into checklists....meals to prepare (and wine to buy!), cards to send, a tree to trim, presents to wrap and of course gifts to purchase. But in the midst of all this holiday list-making, there is still a palpable feeling of excitement that hovers in the

air like a light fog rolling in off the Sound on a classic

Pacific Northwest morning. Needless to say, I LOVE Christmas.

There are so many reasons why this really is the best time of the year. Many of these reason

s are personal and involve my family, others are closely held and involve my faith, and some are just downright unique to life on Whidbey Island and the wonderful experience that comes from calling Oak Harbor home.

Shopping the downtown streets of Oak Harbor is one of those things. I love the lighted snowflakes that hang off the street lamps, the holiday displays in the windows, the scented candles burning in the shops, and I get a thrill when I run into people I know and we quickly peek into each others shopping bags to show off our new purchases with whispered promises that we will keep the item a secret!

So when it comes times to shop for the holidays...shopping locally in Oak Harbor is the place for me.

This year, shopping local takes on even more meaning. In addition to the ambiance, the personalized service, and the chance to connect with my neighbors, I know that the purchases I make are doing a lot to improve the quality of life for many people I care about and for a community I love.

Today's economy has taken its toll on many, and if I had a choice (which I do) of spending my money with large faceless corporation, or with one of the local stores in my community, I am choosing my hometown.

It's not that going to the mall is bad. In fact, it can be fun. But th

e holidays are more than just pure capitalism; they are a time to give generously, and a time to take stock of our values. By doing my holiday shopping locally I am supporting local shopkeepers and helping preserve jobs in my community. My shopping decisions create jobs, and those jobs support families. It makes me feel good to know that just by changing where and how I shop; I can have this type of impact.

Local gift-buying supports the local tax-base and funds other thing I value, like parks, roads, and public transit.

Shopping in Oak Harbor preserves our choices, and preserves our community. I read recently that local businesses donate to community

charities and causes at twice the rate of national chains. That means that the money I spend with a local merchant will have twice the effect....and I feel good about that.

I can't give to every great cause, but my shopping can support merchants in our community and give them a chance to give where I can't. It's all about paying it forward. Just doing what you can to care for the people and the places that you love.

So this holiday season remember, there's really "No place Like Home for the Holidays" and that anyone can HO! HO! HO, but the best Holiday's begin with OH! OH! OH!

The Importance of Being Thankful

As the holiday season approached we all become aware of our blessings and our reasons to be thankful. Then we begin to consider those who are less fortunate, those who have less to be thankful for. We are so lucky to live in a caring, generous community where there are so many OHmazing service organizations such as Rotary, Kiwanis, and the Lions Club. All just looking for a chance to help an individual or a family who needs it.

You may decide (in the spirit if Thanksgiving) to volunteer for the school district, the senior center, or... Maybe the Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce. These organizations need volunteers to give their time, talents and passions to help those in need. You may also share great experiences with others by volunteering at the Community Thanksgiving dinner or gift giving for the Soroptimist’s Tree of Hope.

Volunteers are always needed throughout the year at all our local service organizations and charities, so while you are counting your blessing you may decide to volunteer and be a blessing to someone else. For some ideas or suggestions on volunteering please feel free to email us at info@oakharborchamber.com.

Opinions are like (*ahem), they're necessary

If it were up to me, I would be the only person to ever be given a ballot. How many times have you ever thought that same thing? Come on, don't lie....I know your with me. About this time of year it seems everyone has an opinion on something; I-1033 will destroy the universe (possibly true), the library is a vital part of our community and should be supported (true), Bob Severns will make an excellent City Councilman (an obvious choice since he is unopposed). Go into any coffee shop and listen, everyone has something to say.

When your the Director of a membership organization you are called on to lead and represent the diverse interests of a variety of business and community leaders. You make decisions, implement programs, and fund efforts all in the best interests of your members. But what happens when those members stop sharing, stop talking, stop brainstorming, or stop investing? What happens if they become complacent?

Not sharing your thoughts on how to strengthen the Chamber is a little like letting me be the only person with a ballot. Is that something you would really want? (I already know the answer, you don't have to be so adamant about it!) If you have ever had a great idea, share it. If you don't agree, speak up. Being a part of a community means that you have a chance to help mold this town into the place you would like it to be. So comment, share, engage. You may not always win....but you know at least your opinion was counted.

Fall Colors Everywhere

Isn't it wonderful when you live in a city that has crisp fall air and the ground covered with soft brown and gold leaves. We should tell the South Sounders about our wonderful secret up here. Beautiful weather, little rain, and clean fresh air!

I think if our Seattle friends knew about how OH-mazing our falls were, they would come here in droves. There just isn't anything like catching a late lunch, grabbing a coffee to go and walking along the beach at Windjammer on a beautiful, calm, wonderful Oak Harbor fall day.

We have so many events to get ready for here on Whidbey, Friday (tonight) we have OkSOBERfest at the Elks Lodge and the Wildcats are playing at home. Tomorrow night (Saturday) we have the Rotary Auction, Dan's Classic Ballroom is having a Waltz Workshop, and the Great Apple Rescue at the Coupeville Farmer's Market... Among so many other things. I hope everyone can check out our event site http://www.oakharborchamber.com/eventcalendar.aspx to see if there is anything I forgot to mention that you'd like to check out.

How are we such a well kept secret? I think we'll work on bringing more people up here to see what our hospitality really is all about!!!

An Oak Harbor Kind of Day

The sun has shone through yet again today. It is hard to believe that it is already October, between the fantastic weather and the amazing people it feels like the trees may always stay green, and the sun will never set.

I guess that is just what you get for living in such a wonderful place like Oak Harbor.

This past week we have seen so many smiling faces come visit us from up North of the Border (and because of our location, some from the West). It has been fantastic seeing all these people who have been happy and surprised by our fantastic weather. They have been staying in our campsites at Deception Pass, they have been staying in our hotels such as the Coachman Inn and Auld Holland Inn, and they have been staying with their families on the Island.

We have seen Navy Men and Women who have been formerly stationed at NAS Whidbey, and knew that they had to come back to visit the beautiful, majestic beauty that is Whidbey Island.

I just love the feeling of a crisp fall day with the sun rising, and the kids laughing and playing soccer in the field across from the Chamber. It makes you really appreciate what we have living in Oak Harbor. Between the natural beauty and the awesome people, I think I can stay here forever...

I want someone to promise me that we will have this weather for the rest of the year, and pass that "rainy" season that the Northwest expects and then go directly into an another awesome summer...