Business Appreciation 2010

BusinessAppreciation

2010

A supplement to The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle

June 2, 2010

BusinessAppreciation

2010

By Sheila CorsonThe Chronicle

OKANOGAN – A family legacyin the form of Baines Title Co. hasnow reached 110years of service tothe area, with thefifth generationnow in charge.

Will Bainesstarted OkanoganCounty AbstractCo. in 1900 inConconully aftermoving fromEngland at theage of 19. Hejoined friendH.G. Champneys,who operated a stock business inLoomis.

As a single man, Baines spenttime as a log splitter, kept weatherrecords for the newspaper, raisedpigeons and introduced Chineseelms on Elmway.

He wrote letters back home tofriend and future wife ElizaTurnbull for a couple years beforeasking her to marry him.Meanwhile, he set himself up witha home on seven acres, tellingTurnbull that it was much nicerthan anything he could havegotten in England in such a shortamount of time.

He built a nice cabin forTurnbull and raised money for hertravel and wedding ring byworking in a mine.

She arrived by train in spring1897 to Spokane and they marriedthere.

They moved to Conconully,then the county seat, in 1899,when Baines was appointedcounty clerk.

After starting OkanoganCounty Abstract Co. in 1900, thebusiness, along with the bank atwhich Baines worked, moved toOkanogan in 1907.

The business moved to itscurrent location at 105 N. SecondAve. in 1918, when CommercialBank built the structure.

Of Will and Eliza’s threechildren, son John Marquette,known as Jack, took over after hisservice in World War I. He

operated the business for 40years.

Grandson Bill Baines joinedthe business after Will died in1947.

He took over after Jack’sretirement in 1957, moving thebusiness north and out of thebasement of the Commercial Bankbuilding.

In the 1960s, Bill purchasedthe bank building and moved backin.

Bill’s daughter, Anita Hopkins,later became office manager, andher daughter, Kelly (nee Hopkins)Townsend, joined the business aswell.

In 2000, when Baines Titlecelebrated 100 years, Bill said hecouldn’t imagine retiring after 50-plus years working there.

He never did retire. Bill died in2002, and his daughter Anitabought the business then.

In 2008, Townsend purchasedthe business from her mother,making her the fifth generationowner.

In the last few years, Townsendsaid the business has expanded tosatellite offices in Oroville andTwisp for customer convenience.

The downturn of the economyhit Baines Title hard. It had 15 or16 employees, but now operateswith nine, Townsend said. Some ofthat was through attrition, butthere were lay-offs.

Things are OK now and she ishappy with the number ofemployees and offices, and doesn’tplan on much expansion in thefuture. The goal is keep thebusiness on its feet, and it is doingso, she said.

If there’s been any secret to thesuccess of Baines, it’s been in twoparts – work ethic and greatemployees. Townsend said workethic has been a part of the Bainesfamily from the beginning, andshe will teach it to her children aswell.

With “awesome” employees tokeep things running, Townsendsaid that is the second mostimportant part of the business.

Townsend has three children,two 16-year-old boys, Connor andCody, and a 12-year-old daughter,

Cassidy, who all attend Okanoganschools.

She said that after 110 yearsand five generations, it would be

sad to let the legacy go, and shecan find no reason to do so.

She “absolutely” hopes to passon the business to her children,

and Cassidy has already expressedinterest in working there, comingin some days to check out thebusiness’ inner workings.

— Business Appreciation 2010, The Chronicle, Omak, Wash.

Fifth generation carries the title

FounderWilliam Banes

Sheila Corson/The Chronicle

Baines Title building is distinguishable by Okanogan’s downtown electric clock.

Business Appreciation© 2010 The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle • Owned and operated by Eagle Newspapers Inc.

Roger Harnack, Editor and Publisher • Dee E. Camp, Managing Editor • Lynn Hoover, Advertising ManagerP.O. Box 553, Omak, WA 98841 • 618 Okoma Drive, Omak, WA 98841

509-826-1110 • 509-826-5819 fax • 800-572-3446www.omakchronicle.com

Okanogan Library Collection

The Baines building, formerly the Commercial Bank, is obscured by trees early in the 20th century.

Business Appreciation 2010, The Chronicle, Omak, Wash. —

Celebrating

75 Years

HamiltonFarm

Equipment

1 Patrol Street - Okanogan422-5440

Toll-Free 1-877-422-3030www.hamiltonfarmequip.com

Caring for your family since 1934

We appreciate your business!

223 Queen St., Okanogan509-422-6109

Celebrating

87 YearsCelebrating

94 Years

Omak Feed& Supply

“Where you get knowledgeable service!”

Locally owned since 1916

3 E. Dewberry, Omak509-826-1160

Celebrating

100 Years

Essential readingin Okanogan andFerry Counties.

www.omakchronicle.com509-826-1110

Baines Title Co., Inc.Title Insurance and Escrow Services

We are proud to be the oldestbusiness working

in and supporting the countyfor 110 years.Thank you!

509-422-3420 • 800-546-3420105 North Second Avenue

Okanogan, Washington 98840www.bainestitle.com

Celebrating

110 Years

Change is the keyto business longevity

By Dee CampThe Chronicle

OMAK – The key to OmakFeed and Supply’s longevity hasbeen to change with the times.

“You have to keep changing,”co-owner Larry Neely said. He andhis wife, Penny, own the businessat 3 Dewberry St.

At one time, Okanogan Countyhad 120,000 mother cows. There’sprobably a quarter of that now.

As economy and agriculturechanged, the store has added petand small animal products to itsline of cattle, horse and generalfarm offerings.

More people have dogs, cats,goats and pigs than in previousyears, Neely said.

Along with hay, stock tankwarmers, feed, seed, baling twineand fertilizer, the 94-year-oldstore stocks clothing and gardensupplies, and houses a barbershopoperated by Joella Schneider. Thebusiness employs eight people,including the Neelys’ daughter,Heather.

“What we sell changes fromyear to year,” Larry Neely said.

Pat Doheny started thebusiness, which was purchased in1944 by Dave and Del Mundinger.At that time, it was located a blockcloser to downtown, on MainStreet about where the AT&T storeis now, Neely said.

The store milled and sold flour,and also stocked animal feed,paint and fuel products.

As grocery stores begancarrying pre-packaged flour, thatfunction was phased out.

Omak Feed used to process itsown stock feed, a mixture ofgrains, nutrients and heatedmolasses, but dropped it wheninsurance became too expensive,

he said.The store moved into its

current building at the head ofMain Street in 1947.

Repairs after fires in 1953 and1967 brought changes to thebuilding itself.

Joe and Luella Schneiderbought the business from theMundingers in 1979, and theNeelys purchased it 20 years later.Joe Schneider and Penny Neelyare siblings.

Despite the changes, thebusiness still offers plenty of

traditional feed store items.Customers can order day-oldchicks, which are shipped to thestore overnight via parcel postfrom Mount Pleasant, Ohio, andbunnies from local suppliers. Seedpotatoes and local bulk grains areavailable, as are farm-fresh eggs.

“We have one of the oldest egglicenses around,” Neely said.

An increasing challenge tobusiness is complying withgovernment rules as the county,state and federal governments allimpose regulations, he said.

“They kind of compound,” hesaid. “It becomes a headache.”

But despite the regulations,Neely said the best part of being inbusiness is the interaction withcustomers.

“We have some ranchers whosegrandfathers were customers,” hesaid. “I came here when I was akid. It’s fun to see kids andgrandkids running up and downthe same ramps.”

Al Camp/The Chronicle

A variety of inventory, from toy horses to garden spray, surround Omak Feed and Supply owners Penny and Larry Neely.

Al Camp/The Chronicle

Omak Feed and Supply has been a fixture for more than 90 years.


OMAK – While WenatcheeValley Medical Clinic celebrates 70years, its Omak Clinic iscelebrating 25 years and with along history before it took thatname.

The Omak Clinic was formedwhen Family Medical Centerjoined theWenatchee ValleyMedical Clinic in1985 after yearsof partnershipsand referrals.

FamilyMedical startedin 1959 with onedoctor whorecruited twocollege buddiesto join him. Allthree are nowretired and still live in the area.

Pres Bratrude went to theUniversity of Illinois MedicalSchool in Chicago in the 1950s.

He met Lyle Cowan and JimBone there, but all three startedtheir practices by going separateways.

Back then, just about everyonejoined the military for a shortstint, and Bratrude was nodifferent.

He was in the Navy right out ofschool, but after a short timethere, he headed straight forOmak, he said.

He opened his practice as afamily doctor in 1959 at the age of28.

He quickly recruited Cowan,who graduated two years afterhim.

He had been practicing atFairchild Air Force Base.

‘An eventful day’Cowan said he remembers his

first day – “an eventful day.”He was called in to do

anesthesia for an emergencysurgery for the first time.

He was a family doctor,specializing in women’s health, atthe age of 27.

But back then, things were verydifferent.

It was normal for the doctorsto take turns doing the anesthesiaand the surgery.

Specialists didn’t exist inOmak.

Jim Bone, then 30, had beenpracticing in Spokane for a yearafter a couple years in the Navy.

He said he decided he wantedto move to a smaller community,and Cowan and Bratrude met withhim at a convention in the city totalk him into coming.

He moved to Omak in 1962and the three have been togetherever since.

Things have changed greatlysince then.

Bratrude said Thorazine, forthe treatment of mental healthpatients, was brand new.

Breast cancer patients nearlyalways had mastectomies.

The average office visit cost $5.

Now there really is no averagecost because of all the specialists’different charges, Bratrude said.

A hearse to the hospitalCowan said when patients had

to be transported to Wenatcheefor surgery, theydidn’t have anambulance.

Patients werelaid in the backof Precht-HarrisonChapel’s hearse.

Heremembersseveral timesbeing stretchedout beside apatient in thehearse, trying to keep the personalive and pumping blood.

“The strides in medical carehave been just awesome,” Cowansaid.

Whether in medicines ortechniques or testing, Cowan saidthe changes have meant bettercare.

More recent politics insertingthemselves into the situation havemade things more complicated.

Earlier on, a doctor couldspend as much time as neededwith a patient, but now the costskeep doctors running throughpatients quickly, Cowan said.

Changes in insurance, costsand the amount of specialists havemade things more complicated,Bratrude said.

To “keep us smart,” the clinicsigned up with the WAMIprogram to teach medical schoolstudents on the job in the 1970swhen it began, Bone said.

The clinic still participates inthe program.

Followingthe hospital

When thehospital movedfrom its AshStreet location toOkoma Drive, theclinic followed,having been nextdoor on AshStreet.

Theconvenience ofvisiting patients in the hospitaland walking back and forth wouldhave been missed too much, theysaid.

Increased complexity with thesystem led to the merger withWenatchee Valley Medical Clinicin 1985, Bone said.

Having that administrativeforce to take on rules, regulationsand insurance companies wasneeded.

There were six doctors on staffby that time.

Among the staff of the FamilyMedical Clinic was Debi Clark,who remembers going to the officein the 1960s as a child.

She said she best remembersthe big fish tank they had.

She started working with thedoctors in 1976 when they broughtin the first computer, which tookup an entire room and required itsown air conditioning system.

When the clinic joinedWenatchee Valley, she becameoffice manager.

She now manages the OmakClinic.

Bone retired in 1994, Cowan in1995 and Bratrude in 2000.

Bratrude said if a stroke at 70hadn’t stopped him, he would stillbe practicing medicine.

A new buildingClark said the Omak Clinic

built its new building just off U.S.Highway 97 in 1997, bringingmore surgery, optical, physicaltherapy, bigger X-ray equipmentand more into the mix.

Space more than doubled.The staff now includes 99

people, or 65-68 full-timeequivalent positions.

That includes seven doctors,six mid-level practitioners andmany nurses and physician’sassistants.

A new doctor will join in Julyand another is expected in the fall,Clark said.

Physicaltherapy has nowbeen closed, butthe clinic hasplans for thearea.

The OmakClinic officiallyturns 25 on July1. Meanwhile,WenatcheeValley MedicalClinic iscelebrating 70 years.

It was started by three doctorsin 1940.

A party is planned July 17 inWenatchee.

Bratrude said he expects thatmedicine will keep changing allthe time, especially with electronicmedical records, the rise in costs,specialization and universal healthcare.

“You can’t hardly look at a partof medicine without seeing bigchanges,” Bratrude said.


Celebrating

64 Years

Thanks for being thegreatest customers

in the world.4440 Hwy. 155,

Nespelem 509-634-4222

Jackson’sChevron

Service Inc.

Celebrating

64 Years

Thank you,we appreciate

your patronage.560 Riverside Drive, Omak

509-826-2321

PRECHT-HARRISON

NEARENTS CHAPEL

Carrying on a tradition ofcaring, professional funeral

service since 1946.

2547 ElmwayOkanogan, WA 98840

509-422-3333Celebrating

65 Years

Clinic draws on 70-year historyOmak Clinic had itsstart with medicalschool buddies

“The strides in medical care have been

just awesome.Dr. Lyle Cowan

”

Bone

Clark

Bratrude

Cowan

Celebrating

67 Years

Civil EngineeringLand SurveyingMaterials Testing

Omak Office: 509-826-5861Serving Omak since 1994!

www.hcwl.com

HAMMOND COLLIERWADE LIVINGSTONE

Celebrating

70 Years

Serving you in three greatlocations.

• North Valley Family MedicineTonasket

• North Valley Family MedicineOroville

• Omak Clinic

www.wvmedical.com


Larry Campbell &Assoc. Auctioneers

• Estate • Farm

• Household • Commercial

509-422-1165Lic#C002031

Celebrating

46 YearsCelebrating

47 Years

Thank you to all of our wonderful customers for

47 great years!

22 W. Apple, Downtown Omak

509-826-0212

Gene's Harvest Foods

Celebrating

48 Years

Congratulations,Chronicle on your 100 year birthday!

915 Ironwood, Oroville

509-476-2555

OROVILLEREALTY

Celebrating

55 Years

TThhaannkkss ttoo aallll ooff oouurr ccuussttoommeerrss!!

25 Cherry Lane Rd., Okanogan509-422-2658

Celebrating

56 Years

Thank YouFOR LETTING

US BE YOUR JEWELERSSINCE

1954HHaarrrriissoonn JJeewweelleerrss

4 N. Main, Omak826-0570 • 1-800-820-0570

Proudly servicingyour insurance needs

since 1952.

110 Oak StreetOkanogan

509-422-3880

Celebrating

58 YearsCelebrating

60 Years

DDoowwnnttoowwnn OOkkaannooggaann550099--442222--44224477

Established 1950

Celebrating

60 Years

Al’s

212 N. Hwy. 97, Tonasket 509-486-2183

We appreciateyour

business.

Celebrating

62 Years

When you need a little help with collections...

509-422-12001-800-953-1201

www.armadacorp.com

Celebrating

63 Years

457 Okoma Dr., Omak509-826-0161

Thanks for the many years of continued support!

• Heating • Roofing• Air Conditioning

MALLETTSHEET METAL & ROOFING

Seccomb grew up in the grocery businessBy Brenda Starkey

The Chronicle

TONASKET – Al Seccombof Al’s IGA, 212 N. Highway 97,literally grew up in the grocerybusiness.

His parents started thegrocery store, which haschanged locations numeroustimes, but remains in businessafter 61 years.

Seccomb, 65, remembersliving in the back of the storeas a child. The family livingroom doubled as a stock roomand his bedroom served as astock room as well, he said.

Seccomb did a stint in theU.S. Army, then came home toTonasket and got involved withthe store.

The elder Al Seccombdecided to sell the grocery, buthis lack of business recordskept the deal from goingthrough.

“As long as my dad hadmoney in the bank and moneyin his wallet, he figuredeverything was all right,”Seccomb said.

Seccomb took over thegrocery with the idea ofestablishing a good

bookkeeping system and thendoing something else.

“By the time we had a goodset of books, the bug had bittenme,” he said.

The business has been in itspresent location since 1978, butit’s been remodeled four or fivetimes since then, he said.

It has been affiliated withIGA for about 20 years, hesaid.

Seccomb says his momIrene, known as Rene, was abig part of the operation formany years.

“She played the first half ofher life and worked the secondhalf,” he said.

She was the driving forcebehind the business and stayedinvolved until her mid-80s, hesaid.

Al’s wife, Peggy, is involvedwith the business now, keepingthe store’s books at home andhelping out with managementtasks.

“We think of the employeesas extended family,” he said,adding that the store hashelped out with familysituations and tragedies whenit could.

The employees in turn pitch

in to help out in thecommunity when there’s aneed, he said.

“We do what we can do tohelp out,” he said.

“If the community didn’tsupport us, we wouldn’t behere,” he said.

Keeping that support iscritical to keeping the groceryin business, he said.

There is a constant effort atpublic relations tasks. Therealso is a lot of effort expendedto stay current with the needsand desires of customers,upgrading of equipment andadding new products to theinventory, he said.

A business in Tonasket alsohas to diversify, he said.

Managing the operation is abig job, and Seccomb said he’slearned to delegate tasks.

Still, he puts in 50-60 hoursa week, and has no plans forretirement.

“I still enjoy coming towork,” he said. “I enjoy thepeople, the employees and thecommunity.

“Everything we do, we’retrying to think of the customerand what can we do to servethem better,” he said.

Brenda Starkey/The Chronicle

Al Seccomb works on a floral arrangement in his store, Al’s IGA.


Come checkout our books

by local authors.

6 N. Main, Omak509-826-0527

Celebrating

36 YearsCelebrating

37 Years

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37 Years

IItt hhaass bbeeeenn oouurr pplleeaassuurree ttoo sseerrvvee yyoouu!!

Celebrating

37 Years

• Rod Reinbold• Bud Gardner

• Leone Reinbold• Ted Reinbold

550099-442222-33661100

Reinbold& GaRdneR

Celebrating

40 Years

SCOTT M.BESSIRE

Certified Public Accountant

Thank You!209 Conconully St., Okanogan

509-422-6510

Celebrating

43 Years

National Certified MasterSpecializing in small dogs

Call 509-826-3154 forappointments

Clarice Schukar48 Wagon Trail Road, Crumbacher Area

Clarice’s Grooming Salon

Celebrating

44 Years

631 Okoma Dr., Omak509-826-0586

TThhaannkk yyoouu ffoorr mmaannyy ggrreeaatt yyeeaarrss!!

Mac’s Tire

Celebrating

45 Years

826-40501-800-870-4057

739 Haussler Road, Omakwww.GrilloDDS.com

Celebrating

45 Years

Okanogan Truck& Tractor, Inc.

204 3rd S., Okanogan 509-422-3390

Thank you , we’veenjoyed serving you

for many years.


OMAK – The “golden rule” isn’t just forpersonal relationships; it’s also the businesspractice for Harrison’s Jewelers.

Treat others the way you want to betreated.

That’s what owner Dean Harrison, 57,heard from his parents, Charles and Coral,who owned the business before him.Because of that strong sense of customerservice, customer loyalty has kept thebusiness around for 56 years.

Charles had worked at LockwoodJewelers in Omak for several years beforebuying it out and changing the name toHarrison’s.

Charles and Coral Harrison started thebusiness in the window section of a then-hardware store on Main Street in 1954.Harrison said the window now belongs toNowl’s Skate Shop, 12 N. Main St.

A few years later they moved across thestreet to a new building, then moved downthe block.

In 1978, they built the current buildingat 4 N. Main St. and moved in.

Harrison said he never thought he would

come back to join the family business. Forseveral years, he owned a watch repair shopin Spokane, doing work for other jewelers.

In 1979, with a 1-year-old, Harrison saidhe had the opportunity either to grow hisbusiness in Spokane or return to Omak andtake over the jewelry shop. He decidedOmak would be a better place to raise hisson, and so came home and never left again.

His parents transferred the business tohim in 1983. Since then a few things havechanged. Harrison has joined buyers’groups and made a couple trips to Belgiumto buy diamonds at the best prices.

Now, he has five employees: DebraPicard, manager for 15 years, ShanaHammett, Summer Olson, C.J. Harrisonand Yuremi Lopez.

The traditions that started with hisparents of customer appreciation have keptthe business going. Harrison said he feelsfortunate for all the long-time loyalcustomers who keep coming back, evensome who have kept with Harrison’s aftermoving across the country.

In the future, Harrison said he expects tosee the area develop and grow whilemaintaining its fine qualities, making agood place to live an even better place.


Jewelry store owner Dean Harrison advocates strong customer service as a key tobusiness longevity.

Customer serviceis all-important

Celebrating

34 Years

Thrifty Auto & TireL.L.C.

123 2nd Ave. S. • Okanogan509-422-4076

Fast and Friendly Service!

“The home of

low cost”


Celebrating

28 Years

Thanks for yoursupport!

509-486-2902, Tonasket509-422-4881, Okanogan

Dr. Robert Nau, D.D.S.Dr. Stephanie Stinson, D.M.D.

TThhaannkk yyoouu ffoorr tthhee mmaannyyyyeeaarrss ooff ssuuppppoorrtt aanndd uussiinngg

uuss aass yyoouurr ggllaassss sshhoopp!!

69 Kermel Rd., Omak509-826-0658

Celebrating

28 Years

Discount Glass

Celebrating

28 Years

Aeneas VValleyGeneral SStore

1165 Aeneas Valley Rd.509-486-4214

Thanks&PeaceThanks&Peace

Celebrating

29 Years

FoglePump &Supply,

Inc.

Proudly serving theOkanogan Valley since 1981!

1-509-845-3500WA Lic. #FOGLEPS095L4

Celebrating

31 Years

Collision SpecialistsFamily owned and

operated since 1979TThhaannkk yyoouu ffoorr mmaannyy ggrreeaatt

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Celebrating

31 Years

formerly Coast-to-Coast

Locally family owned.

TThhaannkkss ttoo aallll ooff oouurrllooyyaall ccuussttoommeerrss!

661 Riverside Drive509-826-0640

Omak

Hardware

Celebrating

32 Years

Paul Hartkorn, O.D.Thank you for allowing

me to help you with your vision needs.

19 W. Central, Omak509-826-0240

“Thank you”to all of our valued clients

who have supported Carlton Financial over

the last 33 years.

20 N. Main St., Omak509-826-6045

Celebrating

33 YearsCelebrating

34 Years

Cosmetic, Restorative, Surgery.

Dentures and PreventativeDentistry for the whole

family

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J&J Smoke Shop

J&J Smoke Shop

Hwy. 97, Okanogan509-422-4482

Celebrating

34 Years

By Brenda StarkeyThe Chronicle

OROVILLE – Real estate is avery satisfying business, andDiana Milligan of Oroville Realtysaid she believes that accounts forher business’ longevity.

Oroville Real Estate, 915Ironwood St., is a family business.It was established in 1953,

The secret of staying inbusiness is believing in workingfor the customers, Milligan said.

“We value our customers andwe believe in the work ethic,” shesaid.

The business is a family affair.Milligan and her husband,Richard, son Ryan Milligan anddaughter Robin Range all work atthe agency. Agents Tammi

Grunert and Doug Kee round outthe staff.

Diana, who has worked in realestate for 15 years, said Ryan wasthe first of their children to getinvolved with the family business.

He started as a land developer,but watched his parents work withclients and decided that he wantedto do that, too, Diana said.

Robin watched the othersworking in real estate and decidedshe wanted to be an agent, Dianasaid.

It’s an ideal profession, shesaid.

Real estate is one of the mostimportant investments anyonemakes in life, Diana said.

When an agent is able to helppeople find the property that fillstheir heart’s desire, it becomesmore than just a job, she said.

“It just blesses your heart tosee you have brought happiness topeople,” she said.

Brenda Starkey/The Chronicle

The Oroville Realty crew includes (from left) Ryan Milligan, agent; Robin Range, agent; Diana Milligan,owner/broker, and Richard Milligan, agent.

Work for thecustomer,broker advisesA good work ethic willserve a business well


509-486-10967 West 4th St., Tonasket

www.tonasketinteriors.comThank you forsupporting our local business.

Celebrating

23 Years

9 N. Main, Omak509-826-1198

www.needlelyntime.com

Appreciating yourbusiness for manywonderful years.

Celebrating

24 YearsCelebrating

24 Years

The Economic Allianceappreciates Okanogan Countybusinesses. It is you who keeps

our local economy going.www.economic-alliance.com

509-826-5107Free, confidential, one-on-onebusiness assistance available.

Celebrating

25 Years

FamilyHealthCenters

Thank you to our patients for supporting our clinic.

Medical Services1-800-660-2129Dental Services1-888-266-6704

1985 to 2010Celebrating

25 Years

119 2nd Ave. N.,Okanogan826-0549

Celebrating

26 Years

24 N. Main St., Omak509-826-2325

Celebrating

26 Years

Mike Taylor, agent225 W. Pine St., Okanogan

509-422-1456Serving your insurance needs

since 1984!

4 Spring Coulee Rd.,Okanogan

509-422-3364

Thanks to the businesses

and donors whosupport us!

Celebrating

27 Years

Animal FosterCare

Celebrating

27 Years

669 S. 2nd Ave.,Okanogan

509-422-4613

ValleyTransmission

Funeral home remains family ownedBy Sheila Corson

The Chronicle

OKANOGAN – As the years went by,what started as Precht’s Chapel addednames with new owners to become Precht-Harrison- Nearents Chapel 65 years later.

Henry Precht started the business afterWorld War II was over in 1945, currentchapel owner Michael Nearents said.

Precht earned his embalmers andfuneral director’s license in 1930 andstarted Precht’s Funeral Home in Lind in1933. He moved the business to Omak in1945.

Precht, a widower, did arrangements forthe widow Mildred Harrison, whosehusband had died and left her with a son,Ted.

Although they met under sadcircumstances, Precht and Mildred fell inlove and were married in 1953.

Ted Harrison went off to college, comingback in the 1960s to work at his step-father’s chapel, Nearents said. He laterbecame part-owner of the business in 1970,when it became known as Precht-HarrisonChapel.

Precht retired, although never fully untilhis death at 93 years old in 2003.

His son, Andy Precht, also took someownership in the family business when heand Harrison purchased Barnes Chapel inOkanogan and built Precht’s Methow ValleyChapel in Twisp in the 1970s. Andy Precht

broke off and Harrison bought his part ofthe Barnes Chapel later.

In 1983, Nearents joined the business atthe chapel at 23 years old. He was born andraised in Okanogan and went to school formortuary science.

Nearents became sole owner withHarrison’s retirement in 2002, when thechapel became known as Precht-Harrison-Nearents, he said. At that time, the Omakchapel was closed and the business wasrelocated to the 2547 Elmway location oftoday.

Nearents said the chapel has alwaysbeen family run, to keep it small andpersonal so that customers can sit downand talk with their funeral director. It willalways be that way.

Someday, he said he hopes to pass thebusiness on to his family. He has onedaughter, Amanda.

His son-in-law, Glenn Graves, operateshis own business, Okanogan CountyCrematory, out of the same building.Nearents said Graves does the cremationsfor the chapel.

Although Graves has no ownership inthe chapel, he might some day whenNearents is ready to pass it on, he said.

As for the near future, Nearents said heis looking at some remodeling, such asreplacing the red carpet, since it has beenthe same since they first acquired thebuilding and possibly since it was a CatholicChurch before then.

The Chronicle

Former owner Ted Harrison (left) and Michael Nearents in 2002, when Nearents purchasedthe funeral business.

Celebrating

25 Years

Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday 8 a.m. to NoonClosed Sunday

916 Koala Drive, Omak509-826-1800

1-800-591-2765

Bruce Wilson Collection

Ladd Studio

Omak Main Street before 1929. On the left are Central Chevrolet, the Doxey Hotel and Val’sRecreation. On the right are Brownie’s, the Shell station, Meadowmoor Dairy and Maley’s.

Okanogan Library Collection

The Cariboo Inn is under construction. The motel carries a 1922 date and replaced theBureau Hotel, which had burned, and was located a few blocks to the northeast.


The Cariboo Inn now. It houses a restaurant, a couple storefront shops and upstairs livingquarters that are being renovated.

DowntownNespelemhad a bustlingdowntown inthe 1920s orearly 1930s.


Member FDIC

1-800-603-9342www.ncnbank.com

Serving theOkanogan Valley

since 1991

Celebrating

19 Years

Custom screenprinting • Vinyl graphics • Tees •

Uniforms • Signs • Banners • Vehicle graphics

www.heatstrokeprinting.comOkanogan • 509-422-5021

Celebrating

20 Years

HeatstrokeScreenprinting

Celebrating

20 Years

Split EEnd &&Hidden TTreasures

Thank you to all of our customers for all the fun years!

31580 N. Hwy. 97, Tonasket509-486-4496

Celebrating

20 Years

Omak PerformingArts Centerbringing theatre,

music and dance to theOkanogan.

We thank you for your support.omakpac.com509-826-7688

Celebrating

22 Years

TTwwoo EEaagglleessPPaawwnnSShhoopp

14 Crowder Road,Okanogan

509-826-3440

Celebrating

22 Years

TThhaannkk yyoouu ffoorr aalllloowwiinngg mmee ttoo hheellpp yyoouu mmaakkee

ffaammiillyy mmeemmoorriieess..

509-422-4401www.timpatrickphoto.com

Celebrating

23 Years

The Mustard SeedWe are here to serve

your health andwellness needs.

2211 NN.. MMaaiinn SStt..,, OOmmaakk550099--22446633

Celebrating

23 Years

Thanks to our customers,we are here when

you need us!

1112 Hwy. 7 N., Oroville509-486-4373

Exclusively

Celebrating

23 Years

CDFCU has been in business since 1941.The Omak branch opened in 1987.www.cdfcu.com • 800-572-5678

7 branch locations: Almira, Brewster,Bridgeport, Creston, Coulee Dam,

Omak and Republic.

Celebrating

23 Years

Omak Conoco

702 Omak Ave.509-826-4221

Thank you!Let us fill your tankand your car’s, too!

A look back


Celebrating

14 Years

Thank youfor your

patronage.Owned and operated by Connie and John Shaver

17 N. Main, Omak • 509-826-2726

TRAIL OFDREAMS

Celebrating

14 Years

PC NUTHUT

• Wireless Internet• Email Web Domain

Computers, Service, Parts,Repairs, Upgrades

201 S. Main St., Omak509-826-2600

Celebrating

15 Years

Thank you for your support!1622 N. 2nd Ave.,

Okanogan 509-422-3140

Celebrating

17 Years

31 S. Main St., Omak826-5581

Celebrating

17 Years

“Thank you” to all of mywonderful clientele for

17 years of beautiful smiles!!!Because of you, I love my job.

509-322-3133

Jennifer TTollefsonPhotography

Celebrating

17 Years

800 E. Riverside Drive, Omak

509-826-2965

Omak Shell

Celebrating

17 Years

We are in the process of remodeling!

ponderosamotorlodge.com

11003344 22nndd AAvvee.. SS..,, OOkkaannooggaann550099--442222--00440000

PonderosaMotor Lodge

Celebrating

18 Years

PPuuttttiinn’’ oonn tthhee RRiittzz

539B W. 6 Ave., Omak509-422-0718

7:30-7 Monday - Friday Saturday by appointment

Celebrating

18 Years

GGrraannddmmaa’’ss AAttttiiccNew and “vintage”signs, gifts, home

decor, candles,kitchen gadgets,linens, pictures,jewelry, dishes,handmade ice

cream and more.

12 N. Main, Omak509-826-4765

Hometown PizzaThank you foryour support.738 Riverside Drive

509-826-3333

Celebrating

18 Years

Business grewfrom love of plants

By Brenda StarkeyThe Chronicle

TONASKET – For PattyBaker, landscaping and plantshave been a life-long love thatgrew into a business.

Baker, 57, got interested inthe field as a child when hermother cared for her yard andtook the children with her tovisit nurseries, she said.

She loved being in hermother’s yard and thoughtfrom an early age that shewanted to make a living withplants and landscaping.

The resulting business,Baker’s Acres, 2 Rodeo Road,has been a 12-year venture.

In the beginning it was alumber yard. One year, theBakers saved some $3,000 ofthe profit from the lumberbusiness and Patty Bakerstarted a little nursery thatcoexisted with the lumber yard.

Baker’s Acres moved to itspresent location in 2000 and

the Bakers retired two yearsago, she said.

Almost a year to the daylater, she was back running thenursery.

She credits her employeeswith a great deal of thenursery’s success.

“It’s a great group of girls,”she said, adding that Baker’sAcres has the right answers tocustomers’ questions when thebigger department stores maynot.

“We have a good product,and fast and friendly service,”she said.

The business carries plantsand trees, landscaping suppliesand Baker does landscapeplanning.

Baker’s Acres doesn’t doplanting, she said.

“I enjoy my job,” she said.“Everybody here enjoys thework. The growing season isshort enough and all the workis part time, so we don’t getburnt out.”

Jackson’s Chevron istown’s oldest business

By Al CampThe Chronicle

NESPELEM – The oldestbusiness is easy to find in this tinytown on the southeastern edge ofOkanogan County.

Jackson’s Chevron has heldforth as a Chevron distributor onstate Highway 155 since 1980, andbefore that was a Texaco stationlocated on the backside of townfor 35 years.

Jess Jackson started thebusiness in 1945, right after WorldWar II ended, his son ChickJackson said. Doors officiallyopened in 1946.

Chick and his three brothers,along with three generations ofother family members, have keptthe business booming ever since.

“Time flies when you have abusiness,” Jackson said.

“My brother (Dennis) and I

have pretty much run the businesssince the early 1970s,” he said.“He’s the big Kahuna. He’s a goodpartner. He’s as good as a guy canask for. Dad turned over thebusiness to us boys in the early1970s.”

Chick Jackson, 56, is one offour brothers who have worked atthe station.

He got his start when he was 5by washing cars.

“They gold-plated my applebox that I used (to stand on) towash windows,” Jackson said.

“Dad had all of us boys go towork very early in this business.He wanted to get us started right,get us started young so we did notknow about fun like hunting andfishing,” Jackson said with achuckle.

The business continues with agasoline service station, mini-mart, mechanic and 24-hourtowing.

“We’ve had very good helpthrough the years and very goodcustomers,” Jackson said. “We

can’t do it without either one.“We’ve been blessed with good

help, and I have a veryunderstanding wife (Sindy) andnephew (Robert Jackson),”Jackson said. “Good customers,good help.”

Other brothers who worked atthe station include Jim, who isretired after being a powerhouseoperator for the U.S. Bureau ofReclamation, and Lee, whoworked 25 years for McCollumFord in Spokane.

Wives of all four brothers alsohave worked at the station.Jackson said his children workedthere in high school and part oftheir college years.

Sindy Jackson continues as abookkeeper for the business andpumps gas, but also is a cook androunds up cows on the family’sranch.

“When we get a middle-of-the-night wrecker call, she goes withme,” Jackson said. “She’s a very,very good partner. I am amazedshe’s stuck around this long.”

Sons take helmof 65-year-old station


Thanks for your business!

1930 N. 2nd Ave., Okanogan509-826-5771

www. shopxtremepowersports.net

• ATV • Snowmobile • Cycle• Sales • Service • Accessories

Celebrating

8 YearsCelebrating

10 Years

Thanks for visiting our fruit stand!

www.shawsfruit.com3533A Hwy. 155,

Coulee Dam, WA 99116509-633-0133

Celebrating

10 Years

Appreciation to my amazing clients!

22110088 EEllmmwwaayy,, OOkkaannooggaann

550099--442222--33885588

Donna HicksTax Service

Celebrating

10 Years

Lori and Jillsincerely appreciate

your patronage.Downtown Omak

509-826-1968

Celebrating

12 Years

11000011 SSeennnnaa SStt..,, OOmmaakk550099--882266--33559900

Welcoming you since 1998.

Celebrating

12 Years

Bakers AcresThanks to all the

gardeners who havesupported our

business.509-486-88682 Rodeo Road

Next to the rodeo groundin Tonasket

Celebrating

13 Years

208 W. 4th Ave., Omak509-826-2111

Thank you for believing inour

chiropractic services

TThhaannkk yyoouu ffoorr ssuuppppoorrttiinngg oouurr bbuussiinneessss..

WWee aapppprreecciiaattee yyoouu!!

69 Kermel Rd., Omak509-826-0658

Celebrating

13 Years

Rosser’sGlass &

Construction

Celebrating

14 Years

Golden ShearBeauty

826-2137 ~ 15 East Elberta, Omak

Thank you to all of ourwonderful customers for

all the great years.

Agencies, groups are ready to helpBusiness operators can find a

variety of services available fromgovernment, commerce and tradegroups.

Economic Alliance — Thenon-profit 501(c)(3) corporation'sgoal is to create an effectivepartnership in Okanogan Countyamong private enterprise, andcounty, tribal and governments.

Information: 320 Omak Ave.,Omak; 509-826-5107;www.economic-alliance.com.

U.S. Small BusinessAdministration — The agencyoffers aid, counseling andassistance to small businesses.Loan and other programs areavailable.

Information: www.sba.gov.Washington Small

Business DevelopmentCenters — The two dozencenters, located around the state,ffer business advising, trainingand research information. Acenter is located in the EconomicAlliance office, Omak.

Information: 320 Omak Ave.,Omak; 509-826-5107;www.wsbdc.org.

SCORE — The Service Corpsof Retired Executives providesbusiness workshops and

counseling to business owners andoperators.

Information: 300 S. ColumbiaSt., Wenatchee; 509-662-2116;www.score.org.

Washington Departmentof Commerce — The agencyoffers information about doingbusiness in Washington, a varietyof publications, information aboutbusiness-related laws and rules,and more.

Information: www.commerce.wa.gov.

Washington Secretary ofState — Among its functions, thesecretary of state is the chiefcorporations officer forWashington. Businessincorporation is done through theoffice.

Information: www.sos.wa.gov/corps.

Washington Departmentof Licensing — The departmentoffers information on starting abusiness, licensing, creatingbusiness structure, hiringemployees, obtaining specialtylicenses, and some city and countyrequirements.

Information: www.dol.wa.gov.Washington Department

of Revenue — Tax collection

requirements, requirements ofdoing business, workshops andmore are offered by thedepartment.

Information: http://dor.wa.gov.Washington Department of

Labor and Industries— Thedepartment helps employers meetsafety and health standards,inspects workplaces for hazards,administers workers' compensation,enforces some consumer protectionrules, enforces state pay and jobsafety rules.

Offices are located statewide.Informational kiosks are locatedin Okanogan City Hall, 120 N.Third Ave., and Oroville City Hall,1308 Ironwood St. They feature atoll-free phone.

Information: www.lni.wa.gov.Washington Employment

Security Department — Thedepartment offers unemploymentcompensation information, jobsearch information, laborstatistics, hiring services and taxinformation.

Information: www.esd.wa.gov.Cities — Cities may have

business licensing and registrationrequirements in addition tobusiness zoning.

• Brewster — 105 S. Third St.;

P.O. Box 340; 509-689-3464;www.ci.brewster.wa.us.

• Okanogan — 120 N. ThirdAve.; 509-422-3600.

• Omak — 2 N. Ash St.; 509-826-1170; www.omakcity.com.

• Oroville — 1308 IronwoodSt.; 509-476-2926; www.oroville-wa.com.

• Pateros — 113 LakeshoreDrive; 509-923-2571;www.cityofpateros.com.

• Tonasket — 209 S.Whitcomb Ave.; 509-486-2132;www.tonasketcity.org

• Twisp — 118 S. Glover St.;509-997-4081;www.townoftwisp.com.

• Winthrop — 206 RiversideAve.; 509-996-2320;www.townofwinthrop.com.

Counties — Businesses cancheck with county governmentsabout zoning, licensing and taxingrequirements.

• Ferry County — 350 E.Delaware Ave., Republic; 509-775-5229 (commissioners);www.ferry-county.com.

• Okanogan County — 149N. Third Ave.; 509-422-7100(commissioners);www.okanogancounty.org.

Chambers of commerce

and other economic supportgroups — They offer businesssupport, educational programs,promotional services and otherassistance.

• Brewster — www.brewsterchamber.org.

• Colville Confederated TribesSmall Business Center: 509-634-2624; [email protected].

• Conconully — www.conconully.com.

• Grand Coulee Dam Area— www.grandcouleedam.org.

• Okanogan — 509-422-2383or 800-782-1134.

• Omak — www.omakchamber.com.

• Oroville — www.orovillewashington.com.

• Pateros — www.pateros.com.

• Republic — 509-775-3473.• Tonasket — www.tonasket

wa.org.• Tonasket Visitors and

Business Resource Center —215 S. Whitcomb Ave.; 509-486-4543; www.tvbrc.org.

• Twisp — www.twispinfo.com.

• Winthrop — www.winthropwashington.com.

Celebrating

14 Years

Always the best prices!

2042 Elmway, Okanogan


Celebratinga New Beginning

LAW OFFICES OFDOUGLAS G.

WEBBER, PLLC(Formerly the Law Offices of

Michael A. Arch, PLLC)We look forward to serving

our clients for many more years

13 West Dewberry, Omak, WA826-4903

Douglas G. Webber Se Habla Espanol

Rae Jean Kelley, Paralegal

Celebrating

1 Months

Brown’sAdditions

Thank you for all the girlswho bought prom dresses!

Adding fashion withoutthe two hour drive.

21 W. 4th St., Omak509-557-2062

Celebrating

3 Months

Thanks for getting usoff to a great start!103 E. Dewberry, Omak

Celebrating

1 Years

Wishes tothank all who have donatedand adopted pets from us!

Specialthanks

to OmakFeed!

382 Keystone Rd.,Riveside

509-322-7604

Keystone Amimal Rescue

Celebrating

1 Year

118 Main St., Conconully 422-1887

Thank you to all mycustomers for a

great year.

Kathy’sCoffee & Deli

Celebrating

1 Year

Lone StarCafeTonasket

Thank you toeveryone for awonderful year.

Celebrating

2 Years

WWiilldd RRoosseeFFlloorraall DDeessiiggnn

210 S. WhitcombTonasket

509-486-8000Thank you, Tonasket!

The Corner Bistro

Farm to table fresh.Great local food, wine

and coffee.• Breakfast • Lunch • Dinner

19 E. Apple Ave., Omak509-826-4188

Celebrating

2 YearsCelebrating

2 Years

Thank you for your support!

RustyShovel.orgLocated in the historic

Blackwell Building

across from Rawson’s.

203 S. 2nd Ave., Okanogan

The RRusty SShovel

Mickey’sThank youfor your continued

support!

Celebrating

3 Years

15 N. Main, Omak509-826-1401

Celebrating

3 Years

Karro, Smith &Derting, PLLCReal Estate • Business

Estate Planning • Probate

PO Box 845, Okanogan, WA 98840509-422-1601

Celebrating

4 Years

Thanks!! To all ourloyal customers!414 Midway Ave.,

Grand Coulee509-633-1100

OKANOGAN COUNTY

CREMATORY

Omak and Okanogan’sfirst and only localcremation facility.Office located at

2547 Elmway, Okanogan

Celebrating

4 Years

How to care for your flowers:

• Change water 3 to 4 days• Keep out of sun light or

warm environment• Refrigerate over night

Celebrating

4 Years

Downtown Okanogan509-422-0805

DDeerriinnaa’’ss FFlloowweerrBBaasskkeett

Celebrating

5 Years

AWARDSCustom made trophies Plaques • Engraving

Clarice Schukar509-826-3154

email: [email protected]

Celebrating

6 Years

Native American Art and Jewelry

• Beading Supplies • Gifts • Much, much more!

BEADS &THINGS

427 S. Dayton St., Omak509-826-5700

Celebrating

6 Years

Neal’s Gun & Pawn LLC

Buy • Sell • TradeNeal Mix ~ Owner

105 W. Oak St., Okanogan 509-422-4123

Celebrating

7 Years

Strengthening WomenServing the health

and fitness needs of womenthroughout Okanogan

County since 2003.

222266 SS.. MMaaiinn SStt..,, OOmmaakk550099--442222--22333322

Celebrating

7 Years

Dave’s Radiator Service

473 Okoma Drive, Omak 509-826-0750

• Repair• Rod Out and

Rebuild• New Radiators• Clean and

Reseal Tanks

726 Okoma Drive, Omak


3 Years

Business Appreciation 2010

Documents

Transcript of Business Appreciation 2010