Chamber Chatter

by Sandra Brittian, Chamber Presidet

Fall edition, 2008

The Independece Day Kickoff on July 3rd was a fun afternoon (we don't start until 3 pm) leading into a truly grand fireworks display at dark. Wonderfully imaginative children's games were coordinated artfully by Judith and Adam and everybody won little prizes. Adam is a photographer and took delightful pictures of the event all during the day and has them displayed on his website. The Newberry Fire Department did a demonstration of how they extricate a person trapped in a vehicle. The Search and Rescue team from the Sheriff''s Department provide information and brought their large display of off-road vehicles used in their program. Colorful and unique desigins by the face painter were proudly on walkin displayed by her many customers. The "Main Stream Band" entertaied us with live music from 5 pm until after the fireworks. The mural depicting "What I Love About Newberry Springs", painted by the home-schooled children of Newberry Springs and designed by David and Jane Brockhurst, was dedicated to the wall of the Community Services Building. Our newly elected Mayor, Daphne Lanier, officiated at the dedication as her first official duty. Jackie O'Brien, elected as Grand Marshal of the parade officiated at that event on the following morning. Prize drawings were held just prior to the fireworks. Our thanks to Morgan's dedication of gathering incredible prizes of everything from movie tickets and oil changes to a recliner chair. The fireworks were absolutely spectacular. It was larger than we normally can afford because it was a double celebration, not only to honor the holiday but to also honor the 50th year anniversary of the Newberry Community Services District beginning. The District donated additional funds for a larger display. The donation can is already available at Deel Plumbing for next years' celebration. The fireworks are paid totally from donations and that is what determines how large the display will be. So, be sure to drop in at Deel's and put your extra change in the can. We have to get our order in by early in May and our normal display averages $5,000 or more.

The fall and winter events are well underway. The first one is the 'Punkin' Patch' providing a safe trick or treat Haloween environment at the Community Park on October 18th. It starts at dark in the ballfield where the lights are shut off and treat stations, illuminated by a lighted pumpkin, are set up by members of the community like a little neighborhood. It operates for approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours and is very well attended. Ribbons are awarded to the best treat stations in their categories. If you would like to participate as a treat station, you will need treats enough for at least 200 treaters and a lighted pumpkin. For more information and to register as a treat station, call Kris Watson, coordnator, at 257-3435.

The largest event of the year, The Pistachio Festival, is always held on the first Saturday in November which is November 1st this year and it is in its 11th year. It is being held at the Community Services District and Park and attracts many vendors. A vendor application is enclosed within this newsletter. Hours of operation are 9 am to 5 pm or later. We now have additional new lighting in the area so it can continue longer. Live entertainment by The Main Stream Band begins at mid-afternoon with a full range of country, pop and oldies music. Food vendors include Rib/Chicken barbecue, Mexican food, Beverage and sno-cone booth, Bakery, Pistachios and more. The Fire Department tells me they anticiapate using a good portion of he ballfield with displays, demonstrations, search and rescue units and emergency preparedness information. There will also be pony rides in the ballfield. There will be prize drawings throughout the day with the big prizes drawn last. You will need to be present to win. I am sure Morgan will manage something really grand for the big one. 11th Annual Pistachio Festival tee-shirts and other memorabilia will be available at the Chamber booth. Shirts are newly designed each year and screen printed all at once and the design then destroyed. We sometimes have tee-shirts from previous years available whose designs have been destroyed. The Festival is coordinated by the Newberry Chamber of Commerce and is co-sponsored by the Newberry Chamber of Commerce, the County of San Bernardino and Southern California Edison.

Christmas events begin on December 5th with the tree lighting ceremony at the Community Center. There will be the trees inside the building and what is decorated outside the building. The angel tree will also be lit at that time and cards can be chosen off the tree for children (infants through 12 years) who will not have such a nice Xmas this year. The information on the tag will include age and gender of the child and necessary items the child may need if we know of it. Please have your gift back to Deel Plumbing or the Fire Station next to the elementary school no later than December 18th so the Fire Dept. can make out the schedule to deliver the gifts to the children. We deliver to the child's home in the fire truck with Santa on board. If you know of, or have a child in the age catagory who will not have such a nich Xmas that is not already known about, please get their information to the secretary at the Community Services District no later than December 3rd to get the tag on the tree. The office is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 am to 2;30 pm. The phone number is 257-3613.

The House Decorating Contest judging is scheduled for Friday, December 19th. The judges will be leaving the Community Building at approximately 6 pm. If you wish to caravan the houses along with the judges, please be at the Community Center by that time. The announcement of the wiinners will be done at the Community Center on December 20th at the Chamber Bingo at 6 pm and prizes awarded. You will find an application for the contest in this newsletter. There is no charge to enter.

THAT'S ALL FOLKS!

 

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