Author: Mia Gibson

The Third Edition of Tillamook Living is Here
by Justin Aufdermauer

The third edition of the Tillamook Living Lifestyle and Relocation Magazine has arrived at the Chamber! Featuring new articles, pictures, and highlights of local businesses. There is a great amount of potential in local publications, and Tillamook Living is no exception.

As you may already know, the Chamber started publishing Tillamook Living two years ago. The idea for the magazine was born out of several conversations with local businesses, organizations, real estate agents, and other community leaders about how we could highlight our community to attract and retain talented workers, as well as help newcomers settle in as they moved to Tillamook.

Last year the magazine went through a major redesign, and this year we focused on writing new articles with local community members and gathering new photos to showcase how great our lifestyle in the Dairylands is. Covering all the questions or concerns a local or newcomer might have, from medical and emergency services to summer entertainment and holiday festivities, Tillamook Living is the perfect resource for local needs. The final product is a seriously impressive resource that the entire Chamber team can be proud of.

The goal of Tillamook Living is to showcase how our community lives, celebrates, and all that we offer here. Our farming industry, our love for hiking, biking, camping, and even our obsession with cheese. Tillamook is a unique place for many reasons, but mostly because we’ve managed to adapt and grow with a changing world while preserving important traditions.

One of the Chamber team’s favorite parts of the magazine is how genuine it is. All the content was written in-house at the Chamber, and the photos come from local photographers who have a special eye for what makes Tillamook great. This isn’t a promotional publication made by a company that has never been to Tillamook. It’s an authentic look at this place we call home, created by locals who not only live here but also care deeply for this community.

You can pick up a free copy of the Tillamook Living Magazine at Chamber HQ at 208 Main Ave. The magazine will also be available at local businesses and realtor offices for potential residents to take home and enjoy.

If you would like to receive a bundle of magazines to distribute through your business or just to your family and friends, please call the Chamber at 503-842-7525 or email info@tillamookchamber.org.

 

A Peek at the Upcoming Seasonal Excitement
by Justin Aufdermauer

It felt like summer flew by this year! We enjoyed the Tillamook County Fair, the Farmers Market, the 2022 Cork & Brew Tour, and many other activities and events. We might miss the sunshine and river days, but the colder months bring some of the best seasonal events to Tillamook.

This year, we introduce Tillamook’s first Downtown Harvest Festival and Market! Local vendors will be lined up at the Second Street Plaza on October 15 from 2-6 p.m. With activities for kids, great local food, and holiday shopping, what’s not to like? Bring the whole family downtown and enjoy an evening of fun with the community.

But it doesn’t stop there, running from October 28-29, there’s the CO.STARTERS Bootcamp, a two-day course from Reinventing Rural, a statewide effort funded through Rural Development Initiatives and Business Oregon. At this Bootcamp, individuals will learn the skills needed to get their business idea off the ground or fine-tuned, discuss ideas with peers, and learn how to bring a business to life.

And of course, it wouldn’t really be fall without Tillamook’s Halloween events! Out in full force this year, there’s plenty to do with friends and family for Halloween. The Chamber Team is distributing flyers for the annual Downtown Trick or Treat this week. Come downtown to see costumes and grab candy on Monday, October 31 from 3-5 p.m. Look for the flyer in businesses windows, that’s how you’ll know they are participating!

Plus, the YMCA’s Trunk or Treat and the Tillamook Revitalization Association’s Monster Mash Bash events are both on Halloween this year too. And don’t forget the Trick or Treat Trolley from the Tillamook County Transportation District! Look for the decorated Trolley to catch a ride to the next stop. The Trunk or Treat will run from 4-6 p.m. at the YMCA, the Monster Mash Bash from 3-7 p.m. at the Second Street Plaza downtown with a costume contest, and the Trick or Treat Trolley will be stopping to drop off or pick up at the Pioneer Museum, the YMCA, and PUD from 3-6 p.m.

Moving forward into the seasons, the Shop Small Sweepstakes will continue to run until December 30, so don’t forget to shop locally and enter for your chance to win in the Chamber’s weekly drawings. Each entry will be put back into the drawing for our grand prize, a $1,000 local shopping spree! Drop your receipt off at the Chamber HQ downtown or send a photo of it with your name to 971-410-7458.

Get ready for a big holiday season with events and activities for everyone to enjoy. From Tillamook’s first Harvest Festival and Market to the last Shop Small Sweepstakes drawing, this season will be packed with fun.

Tillamook Young Pros Leadership Team
by Brooke Johnston

The Tillamook Young Professionals will be welcoming a leadership team! We are excited to have Britta Lawrence, Bryton Dorland, Haley Emerson, McKeon Moser, and Jesse Kane heading our Young Pros program. To better connect our Young Pros members, multiple perspectives and ideas in leadership are necessary. Our leadership team will focus on creating and planning our events, gaining sponsors, and volunteering. Whether we are hosting a networking or community service event, our leadership team will help steer Tillamook Young Pros toward a successful future.

The members of Young Pros represent the future workforce in Tillamook and connecting them with each other is one of our main goals and is essential for our economic growth. With the help of our new leadership team, events will be more common and diverse, creating more opportunities for our Young Pros members to connect and share ideas.

Looking to the future, our leadership team will play a large role in establishing a variety of events to engage our Young Pros members. Family-friendly events are essential, but so are personal and professional development and community engagement activities. Having our members in the forefront of the community through social engagement or professional development with local businesses will open various opportunities for multiple interests, forging the way to a new career path or a business idea becoming realized for these young professionals.

For the rest of the year, Young Pros will be hosting monthly networking events for young professionals to build stronger relationships with one another. And with the help of our leadership team, organizing a few as family-friendly will be an easy feat. Not to mention all the fun games and conversations that our members will have while exploring ideas and connections. Being a member of Young Pros is also about supporting one another, and our leadership team will be focused on creating environments that all our members can access and take full advantage of professionally.

As our Young Pros members grow, so will our leadership team. With multiple people involved in the hands-on process of developing the Young Pros program, we can turn Young Pros into a premiere opportunistic program within the Tillamook community.

To become a member of Tillamook Young Pros visit youngprostillamook.com/join, or contact Brooke at brooke@tillamookchamber.org.

by Mia Gibson
Communications Manager

Changing leaves and brisk air have greeted us all in the morning these past few days. And as Halloween decorations begin to edge into my mind, I am reminded that the Shop Small Sweepstakes will be starting soon!

Now in its sixth year, the Sweepstakes is one of the Chamber’s ways of encouraging everyone to shop locally over the holiday shopping season to help our local economy thrive. With so many amazing retailers right in your backyard, why not buy your Christmas presents at a locally owned business? The Sweepstakes rewards you for doing just that, with weekly gift card giveaways and the chance to win a $1,000 local spree.

It’s been a busy year, so whether you forgot, or this is the first time you are hearing, here’s a recap of the rules for the Sweepstakes. Whenever you shop at a locally owned business in Tillamook County between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, keep your receipts to enter weekly drawings for gift cards and a final $1,000 grand prize. You can enter two ways: drop your receipt off at the Chamber HQ at 208 Main Avenue in downtown Tillamook or send a photo of your receipt and name to 971-410-7458. You can enter one receipt per day, each day of the Sweepstakes.

Every week, the Chamber will draw one winner from that week’s entries, and the winner will receive a gift card to a local business. All entries from each week will be entered into a pool for the grand prize drawing for $1,000 in Sweepstakes Bucks.

All Sweepstakes winners will appear on our Facebook page, we recommend following the Chamber, so you don’t miss any updates! We also encourage shoppers to join the Chamber’s Shop Tillamook Facebook group. Many of our local retailers are part of the group, and they often post information about sales or special deals, so you can be the first to know about a good offer! You also can use the group to share photos of the places you’re shopping or the items you’re buying — at least when they aren’t gifts! Don’t want to ruin any surprises.

And we’d be remiss not to mention our sponsor, US Bank. They’ve sponsored the Sweepstakes all six years we’ve hosted it, and they are absolutely amazing partners! We are lucky to work alongside them to promote local shopping!

The Sweepstakes officially starts on Friday, Oct. 1. If you have any questions about the Sweepstakes, feel free to contact the Chamber at 503-842-7525.

by Sayde Walker
Tillamook Farmers Market Manager

Well, just like that, summer is coming to a close, and with it the Tillamook Farmers Market season. This Saturday, Sept. 24, is our season finale. You can join us from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the corner of Laurel Avenue and Second Street. Tillamirimba will be playing from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the Seafood Stock Up is happening on the south end of the Market that day as well.

What’s the Seafood Stock Up? It’s your chance to stock up your freezer with locally-caught seafood you can enjoy all year long. Just place your order through Food Roots at www.foodrootsnw.org and then pick it up at the Tillamook Farmers Market from 9 -2 on Sept. 24. If this is your first time ordering through their online marketplace you will have to create an account to place your order.

Then, while you’re at the Market picking up your seafood you might as well grab some fresh vegetables perfect for canning and getting your pantry ready for winter. We have so much colorful, delicious produce still from Josi Farms, Pitch n Plow Farms, ZM Family Farm, Brickyard Farms, Fawcett Creek Farm, McMurphey’s Microgreens, and Miami Foley Farm. Don’t forget to stock up on smoked cheeses from SeaSmoked Foods, and peanut brittle from Sweet Treats by George (it makes great holiday gifts!).

Speaking of holidays, we have all kinds of unique gift ideas as the holidays approach. Find hand-made wind chimes, fragrant soaps, hand-sewn aprons and blankets, bottles of gourmet olive oil, candles, wine, jewelry, healing creams made with essential oils, and more. There is something for everyone! I encourage you to think about your holiday shopping a little early and support these small businesses and artisans while you can.

A huge shout out to the Tillamook Creamery and TLC, a Division of Fibre Federal Credit Union for being our premier sponsors this year. If you’ve brought your kids and enjoyed the $2 Kids Bucks, or painted rocks at the craft table, you can thank these wonderful sponsors for making it all happen.

And of course, thank you to all my vendors who show up rain or shine to make our market one of the best on the coast. Thank you to Bewley Creek Woodworking for always going the extra mile; PNW Life for sharing your amazing art with us; Faraway Mushroom Madness for adding some whimsey to our vendor lineup; Bamford Bakery for the BEST brownies ever; Phil at Pacific Restaurant for joyfully carrying my speakers back and forth; and everyone in between. You are all my favorite.

What a treat it’s been to get to see everyone and welcome you every Saturday to the market. I will miss seeing all my regulars (I’m looking at you, Jessie) and hope to see you again next year. It is truly one of my greatest pleasures to get to manage this vibrant, home-town market. Come say hi (and goodbye) this Saturday for our season finale!

by Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

A few years ago, the Chamber started Tillamook Toolkit. A simple yet important element of our community that shows how inclusive we are and what it’s like to work with those invested in Tillamook’s future. The toolkits are a great way for employers to embrace and appreciate the valuable staff they hire, especially when those employees move to Tillamook from outside our community.

Each toolkit includes an assortment of small fun gifts perfect for new employees to find their footing on the job and in our community. As a bonus, each item in the box comes from one of our Chamber members, so we can promote some of the amazing resources that are available in our community. It’s a smorgasbord of what makes Tillamook a great place to live, work, and play! Taking advantage of this program at the Chamber is a great investment in your employees and your business.

Make no mistake, this is much more than an edible arrangement or a box of chocolates. Without giving too much away to potential recipients, the toolkits have products from Five Rivers Coffee Roasters, Jacobsen Salt Co., and Werner Beef and Brew among others. Let’s say that the boxes are packed to showcase the benefits of living in a caring community.

The Chamber sends these toolkits out for members, for free of course, to let your new hire know we are here for them as they jump into their new venture. We want our members’ staff teams to know that they can contact us for any questions, advice, or networking opportunities we need. Don’t hesitate to reach out because we are here for you.

The toolkit is available for new business owners, managers, leaders, and supervisors. The packages are shipped from the Chamber HQ downtown at the request of a member employer. With our economy growing, keeping track of each new hire or promotion in town is hard. Help us help you by contacting us directly when you know someone who should receive a toolkit.

To order a Tillamook Toolkit, simply email info@tillamookchamber.org with the name, position, and mailing address of the person you’d like to receive it. If the phone is easier, call our office at 503.842.7525.

If you want to show your employees their worth, and support local businesses and the community, then the Tillamook Toolkit is the way to go.

 

by Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

One of the biggest savings benefits that a membership with the Tillamook Chamber offers to employers is access to an association health insurance program. Many years ago, the Bend Chamber of Commerce established an association health plan through the Oregon legislature, and we are excited to partner with them and Corey Bush at Hudson Insurance to bring that health insurance program to Tillamook. But sometimes this feels like our best-kept secret, so we’d like to remind you that it’s available and we are here to help.

Here’s how it works: Any member in good standing at the Tillamook Chamber of Commerce can also become an associate member of the Bend Chamber of Commerce. This associate membership allows local businesses the opportunity to access the Bend Chamber’s association health plan.

The great news is that you don’t have to jump through any hoops with an out-of-town contact or agent. You can simply contact Corey Bush. As the local agent, he can walk you through the process and let you know if it’s the most competitive policy for your business.

There are six different options from PacificSource, so you and your employees can get the health benefits that best fit your needs. We know that health insurance is not one size fits all, so we are proud to be able to offer the option to choose.

One great upside to these plans are the competitive rates. You may end up with better-suited coverage at a lower rate. That’s something we’ve already heard from members who have taken advantage of this benefit!

For businesses that don’t already offer health benefits, you might find that this program finally makes doing so affordable. It can be difficult to find plans that cover what you and your employees need without breaking the bank.

I won’t get into the specifics of each plan here, but I can tell you that all the health plans cover essential health benefits, no-cost preventive care, and calendar-year benefits. Plus, all member out-of-pocket costs for covered services apply toward the annual out-of-pocket limit. PacificSource is a great network both in Tillamook and throughout the state of Oregon, and the Tillamook Chamber team wants you to take full advantage of the benefits and programs that work best for you.

One small reminder: The plan is only available with a Chamber membership. We’ve talked before about giving our members an appropriate value for their membership, and this is one way we can do that. Considering that most memberships cost less than $250 a year, I’d say access to a health plan like this – and a slew of other membership benefits – is well worth it.

Open enrollment for federal programs starts in November, so it’s a good time to get started and see if these plans are a good fit for you and your employees. This would give you time to work through the details and ask any questions you need before insurance companies get busy later in the fall.

If this healthcare plan sounds like something you’re interested in, I encourage you to reach out to Corey Bush at Hudson Insurance to learn more and see if it is a good fit for your business. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

And for information on Chamber membership (step one of accessing these competitive health plans), call our office at 503-842-7525 or visit www.tillamookchamber.org.

 

by Lisa Greiner
Chamber Board President

There is a saying in the Chamber industry that “if you’ve seen one chamber, you’ve seen one chamber.” However, since the first Chamber of Commerce was formed in France in 1599 there is one thing they all have in common – advocacy.

This week’s Chamber Chatter comes from me as the Board President letting you know that the Chamber Board is proud to have recently approved our 2022 Collaborative Advocacy Engagement Strategy. This strategy puts a structure in place that provides local governments, businesses, and the community with clear focus areas where they can expect to see the Chamber’s engagement.

The Chamber has established the five priority focus areas to determine how and when we engage in public policy and candidate races:

• Workforce Development

One of the biggest challenges facing local businesses as we emerge from the pandemic is workforce development and securing a pipeline for the next generation of employees. Many of our industries are faced with an aging workforce, limited access to students entering the workforce, and a reduction of opportunities for the future workforce to become aware of the opportunities in our community.

• Regulation & Taxation

The Chamber supports a fair and equitable tax system that stimulates growth, innovation and job creation while minimizing compliance costs and administrative burdens on businesses. The Chamber also supports sound regulatory systems that allow for businesses to operate free of undo hardships. Land use regulations should support economic development and regional vitality. Good stewardship of public funds is essential to our local economy operating efficiently.

• Housing

Tillamook County is facing a severe shortage of affordable housing units. Our community’s housing shortage is multifaceted and has been exacerbated by the number of people moving to Oregon, higher construction costs, inadequate infrastructure, and land-use regulations restricting the creation of housing units. The Chamber is committed to working with local government and community partners to create missing middle workforce housing in our community.

• Transportation

The Chamber supports investment in an efficient, sustainable, and well-maintained transportation system, which is vital to the health of our region’s economy and environment. We will monitor and advocate for transportation services that enhance community livability and support regional economic development including, efficient public transit, multi-modal transportation, and responsible transportation system planning.

• Economic Development

The Chamber supports state and local government investments into programs and projects that spur on economic development within the region. This includes the protection of funding sources such as lodging taxes, lottery dollars, and urban renewals being applied to economic development within Tillamook County.

It does not escape me that you may still be asking “why is our local Chamber involved in politics?” The answer is simple – our membership. The Chamber membership is made up of diverse local businesses, non-profits, and agencies. In several years’ worth of membership surveys, advocacy shows as high importance to them. On the most recent Chamber membership survey, the following percentage rated these areas as high importance:

84% – The Chamber INFORMING AND EDUCATING members about issues, opportunities, and problems affecting the business community

75% – The Chamber REPRESENTING the interests of businesses with the government on issues that affect the business community.

78% – The Chamber being a champion for business friendly, or opposing negatively impacting, PUBLIC POLICIES.

54% – The Chamber supporting business friendly CANDIDATES for public office (recruit, endorse, etc.).

In the same survey, we received positive feedback when asked “How does the Chamber do in these areas?” We know we cannot represent the interest of each and every member of the Chamber, however through this Board-approved strategy, the Chamber is making an intentional effort to provide a transparent and clear focus on why we make the decisions we do regarding public policy and candidate engagement. If you are interested in our full strategy, you can find it at tillamookchamber.org/collaborative-advocacy

by Mia Gibson
Communications Manager

Tillamook County had a great weekend at the fair! The Chamber Team was slinging sweatshirts, the Pig n’ Ford was packed, and the derby was exciting as always. While back at the office, I’ve been working on updating GoTillamook.com. The Chamber launched this website in 2019 for visitors as a place to explore the Dairylands, showcase our culture, and let people know what we have to offer as a community.

Making significant updates to this website means that local businesses, parks, campgrounds, excursions, and more will be at the forefront of GoTillamook.com. Different from the Venture Coastward Guides, GoTillamook.com focuses more on Tillamook and its surrounding areas like Rockaway Beach, Netarts, and Oceanside rather than the entire county. It’s important that Tillamook itself has this exposure. Promoting locals, attractions, and activities is essential!

Keeping up with the “big guys” has never been difficult for us because Tillamook has just as much to offer as other coast towns but updating GoTillamook.com provides a lot of opportunities for new or updated listings. Listings on GoTillamook.com range from lodging to restaurants, shopping to city parks, and more. Places you shop, businesses your neighbors own, and all the places that make Tillamook County special are highlighted on GoTillamook.com

Updating GoTillamook.com and maintaining it keeps all our listings fresh while they’re stored in an even larger database. That’s right, the listings you see on GoTillamook.com are also listed on  ThePeoplesCoast.com and TravelOregon.com. Using the Oregon Tourism Information System, Tillamook’s listings are integrated into those large websites. This creates even more exposure for our local businesses, promoting them to people who might still be planning their trip from afar!

Along with GoTillamook.com comes the Explore Tillamook Facebook and Instagram accounts. Although these accounts have been put on the back burner, I’m working on getting them more active to highlight the lifestyle of the Dairylands. If you’re looking for breathtaking pictures, interesting facts, or just some inspiration, check out what’s going on with Explore Tillamook’s social media accounts.

Maintaining these aspects of communication allows Tillamook to remain a destination to visit and reside on the Oregon Coast. The tourism industry in Tillamook helps our economy thrive, and if local businesses can be promoted to visitors, it sounds like a win-win for our community.

Check out GoTillamook.com and the Explore Tillamook social media accounts to see what’s new, and keep your eyes peeled for even more to come!

by Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

Grab your sunscreen, bring your day bag, and get ready for a great weekend—the Tillamook County Fair is here next week! Our county looks forward to the fair every year, the Chamber included, and we’ve been working hard to create some great apparel to represent Tillamook.

This year we have something for everyone that showcases just how great Tillamook County is. From something in the sea to something that eats green, this year’s apparel will—once again—promote our lifestyle and love for Tillamook.

Before the Chamber launched its apparel line nine years ago, many residents and visitors at the fair could be seen wearing Seaside, Newport, or Rockaway Beach branded jackets and shirts. Now, there are Tillamook sweatshirts and t-shirts all over our county fair and even after. In the spirit of the Chamber’s mantra, all the clothing is printed at our local member business, PSI Screen Printing & Embroidery Services, Signs & Vinyl Graphics.

Sporting Tillamook merchandise gives us a chance to promote our community and its greatness. You can find yours at our booth in the main pavilion, adjacent to the delicious Tillamook Ice Cream booth. They almost sell as fast as the ice cream so don’t miss out!

When I see all the Tillamook apparel during the fair and after, it reminds me of why I love this community. You are all passionate about our way of life, supporting local businesses, and creating a sense of unity in our community. Wearing your Tillamook apparel shows that you know why the Dairylands is the best place to be.

We are so excited to continue bringing Tillamook apparel to our community. Please continue promoting Tillamook with a great new addition to your closet. Plus, it’s a steal at $30 for adult sizes and $25 for kids. Enjoy the fair and stay cozy for the nighttime entertainment with a Tillamook sweatshirt!

So come grab a cheese blimp, watch the horse races, and catch us at the Tillamook County Fair from August 10-13 in the main pavilion. We hope to see you there!

by Sayde Walker
Tillamook Farmers Market Manager

The Tillamook Farmers Market has been in full swing all summer. We’re almost at the halfway point, so if you haven’t been to visit yet, get down there this Saturday. You won’t want to miss out on all the amazing produce and handcrafted products our community has to offer

We have live music every market day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Among others, we’ve enjoyed Buffalo Kitty featuring Scott Casey and Eric Sappington so far. There are many more amazing local musicians to come. On August 6^th, up-and-coming Jesse Meade will be filling the market with the sounds of soul, and on September 3^rd the surfer-duo of Lincoln County, ZuhG, will be back!

Join your friends and community members with fun games like connect-four and cornhole, or let your kids express their creative selves at the kids activity table. Don’t forget to bring the family dog, all are welcome at the Farmers Market. Please stop by and join the fun.

There is a large variety of vendors this season; some returning favorites and brand new ones! The Hummus Stop was a hit last year, and they’re back every week along with Josi Farms and their vibrant, locally grown produce.

This year we were also able to double the SNAP/EBT match! Now, Farmers Market customers who are SNAP/EBT eligible can receive a match of up to $20 for extra fruits and vegetables. Bring your SNAP/EBT card to the Farmers Market HQ and we’ll charge it in exchange for SNAP dollars that can be spent on eligible Farmers Market products. Double Up Food Bucks is made possible by the Farmers Market Fund.

Speaking of the Farmers Market HQ, we are excited to unveil a new look for the Tillamook Farmers Market that represents the community much better. Check out the Farmers Market HQ Trailer and its new skin this Saturday! A special thank you to the North Coast Food Trail and the Tillamook Coast Visitor Association for making this possible.

With all the amazing things the Tillamook Farmers Market has seen so far, we can’t wait to see you for the rest of the season! So come stop by, bring friends and family, shop to support local, but stay for a great time.

The Farmers Market runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday through September at the corner of Laurel Avenue and Second Street.

by Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

We are excited to announce that the 2022 Venture Coastward Adventure Guide has arrived in all its glory! A huge thank you to the Tillamook Coast Visitor Association. The design, content, and advertising sales of the guide are entrusted to us through our partnership with them. Their desire to keep the content of the guide localized is a blessing to this community.

Along with the new guide comes updated information, contact numbers, and new breathtaking pictures to give visitors a taste of what to expect. With just over 100 pages, the new Venture Coastward guide features sections on local shopping, crabbing, restaurants, family adventures, and more. A complete guide to the perfect visit, hike, or life on the Tillamook Coast.

This year there is an accessibility section because everyone should be able to enjoy our beaches! Beach wheelchairs, ADA-accessible boat launches, and fishing excursions are things that everyone should enjoy while on our coast. The new guide covers many locations that are accessible to the whole family.

Along with accessibility, there are more eateries listed than ever before. There are also two additional fish markets, a new winery, and an updated kayaking section. Another thank you to all who wanted to be included in the guide this year. We couldn’t do it without your additions and updates.

Thank you, to all who helped us build the 2022 Venture Coastward Adventure Guide. The Chamber team is grateful to be supported by the community and looked to by the Tillamook Coast Visitor Association for creating this amazing guide. Your businesses, organizations, Tillamook’s beaches, and rivers are what make our County great. The 2022 Venture Coastward Adventure Guide highlights the best of Tillamook’s Coast and County—you.

Copies of the new guide will be distributed to local businesses within the month. If you’d like to grab a copy early, stop by the Chamber HQ downtown, we’d love to see you!

We are very happy to formally welcome back Brooke Johnston to the Tillamook Chamber team! Many of you may recognize Brooke as she interned at the Chamber last summer to assist with the Tillamook Farmers Market and got the Tillamook Chamber Community Foundation on its feet.

This time around, Brooke will be much more than an intern. She will be our Development Director, facilitating the Tillamook Chamber Community Foundation and its Young Pros program. “Young Pros aims to bring younger community members together, network with each other, and learn about business opportunities in Tillamook County. The Community Foundation will focus on coordinating different leaders, fundraising, and finding the capacity for projects that enhance our community.”

We are very excited to have Brooke at the head of these programs. Her education, skills, and passion are exactly what the Chamber needed to get things off the ground. When asked about how her education will play into her new role at the Chamber, Brooke said, “This is exactly what I went to school for. Yes, because I enjoyed it, but also because I wanted to help Tillamook grow. I grew up here and have only seen us flourish, now I get to be part of that.”

Brooke was born and raised in Tillamook and recently graduated from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor’s in Planning, Public Policy, and Management. Her interest in non-profit work comes from her desire to “positively impact the community”. Brooke told us, “I love Tillamook, and having the chance to make changes for the better not only makes me feel useful, but it makes me proud of our community.”

While Brooke settles in here, she’s also getting used to her new life with her husband Sam Johnston. The two were married last summer and have been enjoying time home with their families. Brooke is also hopeful that their wish for a corgi puppy will soon be granted as they work on the adoption process.

Brooke’s dedication and hard work will see that the Community Foundation and Young Pros programs find their place and fill gaps that our community is missing.

Feel free to come by the Chamber and introduce yourself to Brooke if you have the time. She’ll be in the office Mondays through Thursdays and Saturdays at the Farmers Market.

by Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

While enjoying the past few weeks and soaking up the sun, I was reminded of how grateful I am to spend time with family and friends. Not so long ago, gatherings, backyard BBQs and dining in were put on hold, and each of us in the county felt the impacts. The COVID-19 virus may not disappear but returning to a semblance of normal is refreshing.

Our community has been able to enjoy the June Dairy Parade, Cloverdale’s Clover Day Celebration, Rockaway Beach’s Fourth of July Parade, the Tillamook County Rodeo, the annual Cork & Brew Tour, and firework shows across the county.

Around the corner is Garibaldi Days, the Tillamook County Fair, additional Farmers Market weekends, and more. It’s important to remember how our community came together during the hard times so that we appreciate the good times even more.

Tillamook County’s residents supported one another beautifully through the pandemic. Restaurants like the Blue Heron offered take-n-bake options, while others like The Fern offered delivery services when available. The Chamber started the Tillamook Coast Takeout + Delivery page on Facebook for all things food, which is still active and full of information from local restaurants. Local businesses also came together, offering contactless delivery or pick-up like Sunflower Flats.

The unity that Tillamook County exemplified is why we are such a great community. Both residents and visitors alike fall in love with our county. We have built local businesses up, groomed beaches, parks, and roads—we have some of the best views in the PNW, but you can’t beat the warm feeling that comes from a supportive community.

Tillamook County is a community that cares for one another beyond the surface and thrives socially and economically. That’s what businesses and individuals support when they are part of our community. With the amazing events planned around the county this summer, there is plenty to enjoy and support.

As the weather warms, it’s hard not to look back and be grateful for our community’s perseverance. Visitors and locals can enjoy Tillamook County, and our semblance of normal, all summer because we all pulled together. So, while you light the grill this weekend, stroll the Farmers Market, or plan for visitors during the fair, remember what we all pulled through together to appreciate where we are now.

by Justin Aufdermauer
Executive Director

I am pleased to welcome Mia Gibson to the Tillamook Chamber team as our new Communications Manager. Mia is originally from Pennsylvania but grew up in Tillamook, so some of you may already recognize her.

You may also know her from The Schooner in Netarts, where she worked for a few years serving while getting to know the community. Now, as Communications Manager, she plans to be more involved with our community by helping the Chamber connect with local businesses and engage our community members.

Mia spent her childhood in Tillamook playing Little League Softball, lounging by the Kilchis River, and camping with her family. “I fell in love with Tillamook as soon as my parents and I took our first outdoor trip. I remember playing on the beach, walking through the forest, and swimming in the river so often as a kid—it’s no wonder I’m happy here,” she said.

Mia graduated from Tillamook Bay Community College in 2019 with two associate degrees. This August, she will graduate from Eastern Oregon University with a bachelor’s degree, majoring in English/Writing and minoring in Communication Studies. We are just as excited to have her fresh perspective and skills as she is to “break into [her] career field through the Chamber.”

Concerning her role at the Chamber, Mia said, “I’m excited to be involved with the Chamber and their mission to create a thriving community while supporting local business, and to help showcase why Tillamook is a great destination and residence.”

Mia brings her extroverted personality and social skills to the Chamber team, both valuable skills that contribute to the success of what we do.

Please stop by the Chamber and introduce yourself to Mia if you have time! When she isn’t in the office or studying, she likes playing video games, bowling, and playing with her and her boyfriend’s dogs.