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The Winslow Chamber of Commerce held their annual dinner last week with approximately 100 business owners and Winslow residents attending the gathering.
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The first order of business at the event was to re-instate the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Incumbents Theresa Warren and Connie Gover will retain their seats on the board each for three-year terms. Michael Mendoza will serve as president of the board, Dan Simmons as vice president and Warren as secretary/treasurer. In addition Elana Chacon of Joe’s Glass, was instated as a new board member.
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The dinner continued with a presentation from Chamber of Commerce CEO Bob Hall. He explained the many different aspects of the Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center in Winslow.
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“We participate in many events throughout the year,” Hall explained. “The fireworks show, the Christmas Parade, the Just Cruis ‘n Car Club Show, Standing On a Corner Festival. All of those things are tourism related and they are funded by our bed tax, which is a tax collected from restaurants, bars and hotels in the city.”
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Aside from tourism related projects, the chamber participates in many local things as well. Hall continued, “We contribute to the Winslow Little League, the Doc Wright Wrestling Invitational, just to name a few. We fund those through our two annual fundraisers, the Festival of Trees and the Taste of Winslow.”
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Hall is excited about a new event slated for this summer. “We are calling this Clear Creek Days. It will be July 20 and 21 this year and will have a lot going on. We will have kayak races, horseshoe tournaments, vendors and more. We are excited to get this project underway.”
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The guest speaker this year was Brantley Baird, a local rancher and owner of the Rock Art Ranch. Baird brought with him entertainer Cowboy Charlie Fuentes, who sang songs that elicited laughs and cheers from those in attendance.
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Baird shared stories of life on the Rock Art Ranch, including the fact that he was born on the sheep trail. “We moved to a little old place in Shumway, Arizona. There is an old red schoolhouse in Shumway, and we lived about five miles over the hill from that little school. My brother and I used to ride an old black mare, bareback, we didn’t have enough money for a saddle, to school and then ride her home in the evening. That old school house is still standing.”
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Door prizes donated by local businesses that are members of the chamber were given out and the audience enjoyed a barbeque dinner. The Winslow Chamber of Commerce is located at 523 W. Second St. and also serves as the Winslow Visitor’s Center.
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