'Twas a Busy Year for the Garden Valley Chamber of Commerce!

A message from

Diane Caughlin, Chamber Prez

Happy New Year everyone!

It was an eventful year for us, starting with the

“Thinking of You from Garden Valley Idaho” campaign for our soldiers serving in Afghanistan and for the Afghan Children, and then going right into the Exergy Tour. Next came Spring Fling, where we raised monies for the two $1000 scholarships for deserving GVHS Seniors. This was followed by the Northfork Championships, 4^th of July Celebration, Rod Run, "A Country Affair" (that was Darl’s, but it brought in business), Trunk or Treat, and ending today with the GV Holidays in the Mountains. 

 

  

I’ve heard from many businesses that there have been a lot more people here because of these varied events.  The marketing committee (all volunteers dedicated to promoting the Chamber and Garden Valley) is working hard to bring more and more people into the valley to spend their money at all of our businesses, so if you have an idea or would like to join the marketing committee, please let me know.  The more folks we have working on these events and future events, the more success we will all have.  We have to WORK SMART AND WORK TOGETHER! 

How did the Chamber spend their advertising money in 2012 to promote Garden Valley and all the Chamber members?  We produced a video about Garden Valley, ran radio ads and upgraded our Website with the $10,000 grant money we received from SWITA. We also have been advertising through the local newspaper, The Idaho World, many free websites, print publications, two Christmas shows in the Treasure Valley, TV Advertising and Radio Advertising Campaigns (2 last year). One was our “Just turn Right” campaign that ran through the summer and into the fall, and most recently, the GV Holidays radio, TV and print advertising.

All of this was not paid for by our grant of $10,000 which, although most generous and greatly appreciated, doesn’t go far in the advertising world. To supplement our advertising, we also rented a booth in the new Crouch Merc Exchange, to sell the GV Gear, vests, hats, t-shirts, cups, tumblers and shot glasses. We also sold many Santa & Elf type hats during the GV Holidays event. 

Another way we have tried to raise money is by bringing in new members--the more members we have, the better it is for all of us. Word of mouth is a great advertisement along with all the other areas we have been utilizing.  So….do you know anyone with a business that is not a member?  Just the list above of what the Chamber has done for the community this year should be enough evidence for non-members to see the value ($80/year) of what they receive as a member, not to mention...

1) your own webpage

2) notification of events and anything else of importance

3) Social Media updates (continual blogging on FaceBook and the website to promote our Valley and businesses)

4) monthly meetings with dinner, and a lot more!

Wishing you all the best for the coming year!

Diane

Diane Caughlin, President

Garden Valley Chamber of Commerce

PO Box 10

Garden Valley, Idaho 83622

208-462-5003  info@gvchamber.org

Terrace Lakes Wine Room Open!

According to Liz Bramon, Terrace Lakes is using their "unused prime real estate of the Pro Shop" for a Wine Room, during the winter.

"Come swim in our Hot Springs Pool, Sled on the Hill, Cross Country Ski/Snow Shoe the groomed trail of the golf course," says she. 

Then you can enjoy a meal in the restaurant, watch "the" game upstairs -- and now available -- purchase and sit and enjoy a bottle of wine in their winter Wine Room. They will also have special tastings. 

The Wine Room opened the week-end of December 28 for the New Year and is open Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays.

Contact Liz Bramon, at lbramon@frontiernet.net, or call Terrace Lakes, at 208-462-3250.

So Much to do in Garden Valley!

Notes from GV Market

What a beautiful Christmas Day we had with the fresh snow and clear skies at least through late afternoon.  We hope you are having a great Holiday Week.  If you have friends or family in town for a visit, here are some activities you might plan

SLEIGH RIDES

            Garden Valley Trail Rides - 462-0121

            Idaho Sleigh Rides – 462-3416

SNOW TUBING

            Idaho X Sports Tubing Hill - 462-2555

LOCAL SHOPPING AT RED ROOSTER, RAVENS NEST, CROUCH MERC CRAFT AND ANTIQUE MALL, BOOKS IN THE ATTIC.

Of course, we have some great snowshoeing opportunities, snowmobiling, and hiking into hot springs.

Sky Lantern Lighting

On New Years Eve, we will have the sky lantern lighting.  It’s very casual so think about coming out.  Tailgate in the parking area of the park.  Bring a thermos full of hot chocolate or other warm drink or get some coffee in town.  Show up between 5 and 5:30 in the park and gather around the bonfire.  Let the kids build snowmen and have fun in the snow.  There will be a very short presentation regarding the new park pavilion and then we’ll prepare to light the lanterns.  Our goal is to let them float at 6pm.  If you want to come out and watch, that’s great!  If you want to participate and release your own lantern, they are $3.00 each and you may purchase at the Customer Service Desk in the Market.  The lantern will be available for pick up at the park on New Years Eve.

On your next trip to the Market you’ll see much of our Christmas selection at clearance prices so take advantage and stock up for next year!  We’re still in Holiday mode as we now prepare for New Years.  Coke 20 packs are priced again to move at $4.99 and our remaining 12 packs are 3 for $11.00.  It is nice to see bread on the shelves again and even though it might get thin, we have another delivery of bread on Sunday.

**Check out our New Year’s Meat Department sale items:  Through New Year’s day, we have King Crab @ $16.99 lb, Snow Crab @ $7.99 lb and Prime Rib @ $5.99 lb.   

Have a great weekend and we look forward to your next visit.

Greg and Gerold

SNOW BALL SATURDAY NIGHT!

Syringa Club Celebrates a Good Year

Wendy Gardner, Donna Landauer, Carol Wyckoff, Carol Smith
(ex long, long-term Prez of Syringa Club), and Marcie Pyorre.

 At their annual Christmas gathering, members of the Garden Valley Syringa Club looked back over the past year to take stock of what they have accomplished.

  From its inception in 1915, the club has been concerned with the welfare of the community, with education being a high priority. This year, members supported Desiree Goff, as delegate for the American Legion Auxiliary Girl’s State. $300 were donated for the program, which provides a valuable learning ground for young women, by instilling a deeper understanding of government operations.

  The club also donated $200 toward Garden Valley School’s HOBY (Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership) participants. This program enhances leadership and teamwork skills, and three sophomore girls have been chosen to attend.

  Project Patch has also been the beneficiary of Syringa funds in the past. This year, they received $200 from the club.

Carol Smith kept on shoveling!
while Jayne, Marcie, Carol, Ione Messick,
Judy Prachyl and Angel made big plans.

  Under the enthusiastic guidance of Syringa Club president, Georgianna Goetsch, and with co-sponsorship of the Idaho Commission on the Arts, they brought Artist in Residence, Troy Passey, to the school. Fifty children participated in workshops over three days in April. The techniques of Garden Valley artist, James Castle, were the focus of the artwork produced by the children, and the week ended with an artist’s reception and student exhibit of their wonderful creations.

  Syringa Club also played a vital role in starting the Garden Valley Library. This past August, the Idaho Commission on the Arts donated a reproduction of possibly the only James Castle triptych, to the club; they turned around and presented it to the library board. They also purchased a plaque to be exhibited with the triptych. Club member, Marlo Glauser, was sworn in as a library board member, last January, thus carrying on tradition.

Golden Eagle Radio DJ and Program Director,
Terry "Babe Boomer" Loyd, left, was a special guest.

  This year, the old library building was renamed "The Syringa Building”, by the Crouch City Council. Syringa Club has been honored to partner with the City of Crouch, which has opened the Crouch Museum in the building. Club memorabilia is on exhibit in the museum. City Clerk, Kim Bosse, has done a tremendous amount of work to refurbish the interior, and Syringa Club donated $200 to help toward the building renovation. Members have been given permission to hold meetings there. The City Hall was moved to the building this December and recently held their first council meeting in the intimate interior.

  Members of Syringa Club were caring for the Pioneer Cemetery as early as 1917. They fenced the site, provided gates, and the sign on Banks Lowman Road was authentically reproduced. Rudy Prachyl, husband of member Judy Prachyl, recently restored the sign.

  Records of who was buried in the cemetery were found this year. In June, some members were assisted by scouts from Nampa to clean around the graves of those people who lie under the stones. The property on which the cemetery sits was sold this year, but the club will remain its keeper.



New member, Lois Davison, left, and Wendy Gardner
are right in there with ideas for fundraising.



  The Charles Ostner monument, on Alder Creek Road, was erected by Syringa in 1976. They purchased a Historic Site marker this year; it was installed by County Road Supervisor, Bill Jones.

  In October, members voted to donate $200 to the Crouch Volunteer Ambulance Service, in appreciation for the devoted work the EMTs do for the valley.

  The club holds fundraisers every year. The annual Syringa Calendar has flourished even more, under the care of members Judy Prachyl and Carol Wyckoff. The new calendar will again display a photograph by photographer, Carol Scharf. They may be purchased for $5, at Messick’s Repair, 69 Village Circle, or by calling 462-2511 or 462-2576.

  The club sells plants that they raise themselves and this year, they donated surplus plants for the GV Library landscaping. They are appreciative of the support received by Bill Partridge, who allows them to nurture the plants in his greenhouse.

Hosts Marlo and Gary Glauser flank long-time
member and Treasurer, Ione Messick.

  Club members have determined they would like to take the club in a new direction, with new projects. They recently donated $200 to the new radio station in Crouch, Golden Eagle Radio 97.5. When it went off the air three weeks in November, members had the conviction that this radio is necessary for the Garden Valley area. It serves in emergencies, keeps residents up on local events, and will be a new educational tool, serving the school and the valley.

  As president for two years, Georgianna Goetsch has been a powerful motivator for the club and she deserves a hat’s off.

Jayne Carlson has already taken the helm
of the club, but says, "I know I have umpteen
women helping me!"

  Newly elected president, Jayne Carlson, was installed at the holiday potluck, on December 14. Carlson says, “I’m excited about supporting the community, particularly the radio station, through fundraisers.”

  Syringa Club meets every third Thursday, in their homes or at the Syringa Building in downtown Crouch, and they welcomes visitors and new members. Fell free to call for information.

Jayne Carlson, President: 462-4698

Wendy Gardner, VP: 462-3388

Ione Messick, Treasurer: 462-3284

Anjali Angel, Secretary: 462-2511

Holiday Season at GV Market

Hello Market Shoppers,

The weather is beginning to change!  We have rain in the Valleys and Snow up in the hills. This weekend appears to be one with snow on the way, but we’ll have to wait and see.  We know the tubing hill is getting anxious to get a layer of snow and we have two great outfitters offering sleigh rides who are also anxious.  Winter will be here soon enough and even though you wouldn’t recognize it outside, inside the Market, it’s looking like Christmas.

It’s Fruit cake time.  We don’t sell fruitcakes, but we have all the “fixins” including the liquor if you like to soak your fruit cake.  It’s time to start now!   

More Poinsettias have arrived from Warm Springs Greenhouse.  We have a selection of 6.5 inch, 8 inch and 10 inch in either red, burgundy, pink and marble colors.

With Christmas parties on the calendar don’t forget to order your party trays from the Deli.  

In the Deli area, you’ll also find gift packages of Smoked Sockeye Salmon, Lobster pate and Salmon caviar.  The Christmas party season is all about crackers and cheese and we have a wide assortment located in both the Deli section (gourmet and gluten free) and in our Cookie/Cracker aisle.  This week our Cheezits brands are 2 for $5. 

Looking for Hickory Farms meats, crackers and mustards? We have them for you too!!!!!!!

In produce, we have gift boxes of oranges and tangerines, as well as fruit gift baskets.  For the holidays we also have bulk nuts (in the shell) and nutcrackers!

If you are baking, our Betty Crocker cake mixes are $1.49 each through next Tuesday, 10 lb bags of Gold Medal Flour are only $3.99 and C&H 4lb sugar is only $2.79.

Coke products are at a great value this week.  12 packs are 3 for $11.00 (must buy 3 to get the price) and Powerade is 15 for $10.   That just happens to be the size of 1 case.

New Breads are in to replace the breads we lost when Hostess went out of business.  We are now carrying Grandma Sycamore wheat, multi grain, and sunflower seed sandwich breads.

What’s happening this weekend in Garden Valley?   The Terrace Lakes Cookie Exchange is on Sunday, Dec 9^th.  You can call them for details or check out the information on www.gvchamber.org .  Also listed on the Chamber website will be any other special events.   Still looking for a Christmas tree?  Consider buying from the Garden Valley Contractors Association.  The trees are on sale each Friday, Saturday and Sunday in Downtown Crouch, until the trees are gone.  The prices are excellent!  $45 for 6 – 7 ft trees, $60 for 7 – 8 feet, $75 for 9 ft tree and $95 for the tallest 10 ft.   

Have a wonderful week and we look forward to your next visit.

Greg Simione

Garden Valley Market

462-3817

greg@gardenvalley-market.com

Friends of Library December Meeting Cancelled

Happy Holidays, All!

Just a quick note to let you know our December meeting of the Friends of the Library has been cancelled (due to some of us being out of town or 'way busier than we ought to be!). Our next meeting will be January 10th, 10:00 a.m. at the Library.  Everyone is welcome to visit or join (ed. note: for 'way cheaper than it ought to be!).

So to all of our Friends and yours, the very best of this holiday season, and have a safe, healthy 2013.