INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Fireworks 1

Travel Oregon Outdoor Recreation 2

Visitor Report 2

Outdoor Recreation 3

Tram Party 4

4th of July Contributors 5

Special Happenings 6

Event Announcements 7-8

Courthouse Series 9

Wallowa Fiddler Tunes Camp 10

WALLOWA COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 309 South River Street, Ste B PO Box 427 Enterprise, OR 97828 Phone: (541) 426-4622 Email: info@wallowacounty.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Jessie Cunningham, President

Jenni Word, Vice President

Cynthia Warnock, Treasurer

Nancy Rudger, Past President

Brooke Pace, Joseph,

J.R. Collier, Wallowa Lake

Kathy Casper, Wallowa-Lostine

Susan Gilstrap, Small Business

Lawrence McBurney, Public Relations

Shannon McNerney, Education

Open, Healthcare

Mike Hayward, Rural Areas

Jennifer Cooney, Tourism

Cheryl North-Coughlan, Arts

Jerry Hustafa, Outdoor Recreation

CHAMBER STAFF

Vicki Searles, Executive Director

Diane Knox, Admin. Assistant

July 2019

WE STILL NEED A LITTLE HELP WITH THE FIREWORKS It’s time once again to raise dollars for the 4th of July Fireworks — we ask that you please give us a helping hand to support this incredible event! In order to sustain the 4th of July fireworks each year it is dependent on donations. Wallowa County has a spectacular fireworks show that has been made possible by our residents and businesses. This is teamwork.

Date of Fireworks: Thursday July 4th at dusk.

Funds Raised To-date for the Fireworks: $7,649

Still Need $6,351

Please send your donation of $25 or greater to

be entered into a drawing for a Jet Boat trip on the Snake River!

River trip is provided by Beamer’s Landing

The Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce is asking both citizens and businesses to help pay

for the Fireworks. We are thankful for the community support received each year. Please send

donations of $25, $50 or $100 to the Chamber to help pay for the fireworks:

Wallowa County Chamber PO Box 427

Enterprise, OR 97828

Shake the Lake Fireworks

List of Contributors and Volunteers on Page 5

New! Why do Visitors

Come to Wallowa County

Wallowa Lake 67

Wallowa Lake Tramway 71

Joseph, Arts & Galleries 68

Hells Canyon & Over Looks 49

Hells Canyon Scenic Byway 77

Wallowa Mountains 17

Wallowa Valley & View Points 20

WC Events 37

Fishing, Hunting, Outdoor Rec. 47

Visit Family & Friends 5

Family reunions, wedding, etc. 3

Barn Tour 7

Other, Geocache 1

Chamber Visitor Report for June

Information Contacts June 2019 May 2019 Year to date June 2018

Walk-ins: Visitors/Business 360 159 949 410

Information & Relocation Packets Mailed Out

50 44 202 43

Phone Calls, Website Requests & Emails

346 298 1513 391

Total Contacts 756 501 2664 844

Website Visits

11,984 8,039 40,819 17,829

Membership Referrals 1698 1507 5,690 1,936

Page 2

Featuring outdoor recreation in the Wallowas: When is the last time you rode a horse in the Eagle Cap? For some of us it has been a long time. Horseback riding is still a loved experience for our visitors. We need to continue referring visitors to our outfitters and the incredible horseback experience of the Wallowas. This experience is a forever memory for visitor families, or for that matter, anyone.

Oregon Outdoor Recreation Network For Oregonians, a strong connection to our great outdoors is in our DNA and is part of our identity.

From hikers to anglers, mountain bikers to hunters, loggers to biologists, ranchers to miners, to outfitters, guides, mountain lodge operators and outdoor equipment producers, many of us rely on Oregon’s bountiful natural resources for our livelihoods and recreation.

From June 2016 to February 2017, a 25-person Oregon Outdoor Recreation Initiative leader-ship team developed a 15-year vision for outdoor recreation in Oregon. The initia-tive launched with several goals in mind: to build capacity and synergy to expand outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors; to create sustainable economic vitality for Oregon’s communities; and to make Oregon a world-class outdoor recreation destina-tion for all.

Recognizing that the success of the outdoor recreation economy is tied to various sectors, nine impact areas were identified. Outlined in the image below, these impact areas provide structure for the 15-year vision for outdoor recreation. To bring focus and clarity to the work, the leadership team identified ten complementary priority strategies for collective action. These strategic actions were selected in part on the recognition that significant pro-gress could be made within 2-3 years. These priority strategies also highlight the interde-pendence of the nine impact areas. To read full article click here

Click here Travel Oregon Newsletter

Wallowa Lake Pack Station Owner: Brian Sanders

59761 Wallowa Lake Hwy. Joseph, OR 97846 541 432-7433 https://www.wallowalakepackstation.com/

Del Sol Wilderness Adventures Owner: Barry Cox 73520 Troy Road Wallowa, OR 97885 541 398-2088 https://www.wallowalakepackstation.com/

The Chamber will be featuring outdoor activities all summer! Here are two outfitters that are mem-bers of our Chamber that provide incredible, guided horse trips into the Wallowas. Remember to refer their services to our visitors for riding, hunting, and the setup of backcountry camps.

Page 3

Enjoy the unique experience of pedaling the inactive portion of the historic Joseph Branch Railway in Oregon’s beautiful Wallowa

Valley. Nature enthusiasts, birders, cyclists, and rail fans are sure to relish the peace and tranquility of one of two tour options or

perhaps both.

You will enjoy amazing views of the rugged Wallowa Mountains which are home to the Eagle Cap Wilderness, Oregon’s largest wil-

derness area. There are 2 options for you to choose, the first one is Joseph to Enterprise. Allow 2 hours for this adventure. From Jo-

seph to the city of Enterprise and back, this trip is for those seeking a fun adventure. This 12 mile round trip starts out with the awe-

some Wallowa River crossing, through a pine forest and into pasture land with vast open valley views. The return trip provides an

unobstructed view of the majestic Wallowa Mountains.

The second option is Minam to Wallowa. Allow up to 6 hours for this adventure. From the confluence of the Minam and Wallowa

Rivers at Minam to the city of Wallowa and back, this ride is for those seeking more peaceful time on the rails. The 26 mile round trip

begins in the timbered canyon. Following the tumbling waters of the Wallowa River upstream, it passes through meadows and stands

of cottonwood, before entering the town of Wallowa. The grade is a gentle 1%. A guide will accompany you throughout your journey.

JO PADDLE GLASS BOTTOM KAYAK NIGHT TOURS & DAY RENTALS

Enjoy a clearly amazing and unique adventure exploring Wallowa Lake above AND below the

surface. Seek out natural treasures, graceful fish, and enormous car-sized boulders hidden be-

low the lake with a 2, 4, or 6 hour rental. Now available explore Wallowa Lake after dark and

peek into the unseen world below with our lighted kayaks.

We offer rentals for an extended season from April 1st until December 12th each year. We

deliver your rental on a set prearranged schedule to the North end of Wallowa Lake (the side

closest to Joseph) at the top of the boat ramp.

Each Glass Bottom Kayak seats up to 2 guests with a max total load of 425 lbs. Children must

weigh at least 30 lbs to ride and Guests must be age 16 and up to ride solo. Every guest is re-

quired to complete a wavier and agree to a special set of rules to ensure your safety and the

well being of our equipment.

We prefer and strongly recommend that you make your reservations in advance to guarantee

your rental. They may sell out quickly as we have a limited number of boats. Online reserva-

tions end 2 hours prior to each start time. It's very possible there may be same day availability.

For same-day availability please call us at least 45 minutes prior to your desired start time. Our

normal business hours are 8am until 5pm.

RAILRIDER CYCLING JOSEPH BRANCH 501 West Alder Street, Joseph, OR 541 786-6149

https://jbrailriders.com For reservations call 541 786-6149

http://jopaddle.com For reservations call 541 886-0086

Page 4

It was a Party!

A special thank you to Michael Lockhart and Bill Whittemore as our hosts for this early season event. The staff was great!

Thank you to Terminal Gravity for the beer.

Music was fabulous, thank you to: Janis Carper & Carolyn Lockhert

A Special Thank you to the

Supporters of the 2019 Shake the Lake Fireworks

$2000 GRAND FINALE SPONSOR: BRENT & CONNIE MCKINLEY, TRIPLE CREEK RANCH

$1000-$1500 CONTRIBUTORS:

Joseph Chamber of Commerce, Wallowa County Chamber

$500-$999 CONTRIBUTOR: Wallowa Lake Tramway

$100-$499 CONTRIBUTORS: Thompson Auto Supply, Mad Mary’s, Wallowa Lake Resort & Flying Arrow, Gary Anger of Edward Jones, Wallowa River RV Park, Wilderness Inn, Ponderosa Inn, Eagle’s View Inn & Suites, Eagle Cap Chalet, Alder Slope Nursery, Wayne & Marilyn

Bloom, Hancock Forest Management, Wild Carrot Herbals, Trouthaven, Wallowa Mountain Properties, Bank of Eastern Oregon, Copper Creek Mercantile, Tram Party Donations, Jolene & Timothy Cox

UNDER $100 CONTRIBUTORS

Les Bridges Agency, MacKenzie Rodgers Agency (Farmers), Vicki & Kerry Searles, Bob & Stephanie Williams, Hillock Insur-ance Agency, Dianne Mitchell, Rayanna Mitchell, Patrick & Colleen McDonald, Joe, Rita, & Heidi Ehrler, John & Elaine Isley,

Mike & Diane Witherrite, Patricia & Brian Adelhardt, Karen Josi, Marcy’s Skin Care, Five Peaks RV Park, Marty & Marcy Ham-ilton, Marty & Marcy Hamilton, John Gorsline, Sally B. Farms Wendy McCullough, David Brunkow, Richard & Sandra

Richelderfer, Lynn Wolf, Railrider Cycling Joseph Branch, The Sheep Shed, First Street Suites, Bollman Funeral Home, Ca-sey Tippett, Charles & Charleen Haines, and Annette Christoffersen

Funds Raised To-date for the Fireworks: $7,649 Still Need $6,351—2019 Goal $14,000

Without the volunteer ground work there would be no fireworks:

WC Sheriff Department: Chief Deputy Fred Steen (Marine Program Coordinator)

Reserve Deputy Lawrence McBurney and all other who helped

Lending of Boat for Firework’s Crew Lawrence McBurney

Dock Preparation: Lawrence McBurney & Crew

Page 5

“The Return”

The Josephy Center for Arts and Culture celebrated the installation of Nez Perce artist Doug Hyde’s granite and bronze sculpture, ‘etweyéewise, which means, literally, “I return from a hard journey.” The celebra-tion was Saturday, June 22. Salmon was served and there was a great turnout for the celebration.

This work was funded by a generous grant from the Oregon Community Foundation’s “Creative Heights” fund. The celebration was sponsored by Cycle Oregon and the City of Joseph.

Left: Doug Hyde, Rich Wandschneider, ? Cheryl Couglan “Travel Oregon”

Oregon Tourism Public Meeting

The Wallowa County Chamber hosted the visit from Travel Oregon June 9—11 in Joseph. We were appre-ciative for our partners: the incredible social hour—Josephy Center (thank you Cheryl for such a great event) and also JO PADDLE. for providing a night tour in their glass bottom Kayaks (20 members of Travel Oregon participated). They all said they had a won-derful time, again, in Wallowa County and all went smooth. A special thank you to the Wallowa Lake Tram for serving breakfast on top of Mt. Howard. Thanks to everyone!

Page 6

Travel Pulse ranks Hells Canyon Scenic Byway One of America's top ten iconic road trips

Join us for the 15th year

Wallowas Fiddle Tune Camp!

Expect to be challenged musically, make new friends, and experience new learning opportunities. Wallowa Fiddle Tunes Camp was begun in 2005 with the goal of offering affordable, group fiddle instruction for individuals and families in a relaxed, week-long camp format. Participating in a musical community through music and dance has resulted in the addition of in-struction in other accompaniment string instruments as well as on-site technique of ensemble participation.

Registration fee for 2019 camp is $200 per person (Kidz Fiddle: $100). Lunch is an additional $62 per person for the week. We also offer a Mini-Camp for Kids and some fun afternoon electives.

Camp is held on the Wallowa School campus in Wallowa, Oregon. Camping is free on the school grounds. Classes run 9AM-noon Monday through Friday, with a nice selection of electives and free time in the afternoons. Enjoy the evening open mic, community dances, campsite jams...fun for the whole family.

www.wvmusicalliance.org