By Mary-Justine Lanyon
The now annual tri-chamber mixer was held on Oct. 16 at the Hootman Center in Running Springs. Members of the Crestline, Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs chambers of commerce came decked out in their finest Star Wars garb.
Diana Lee (right) won the costume contest; she was congratulated by Cecilia Ponce de Leon (Lake Arrowhead), Louis Boehle (Crestline) and Kevin Somes (Running Springs).
Emcee Suzanne Krainock – dressed as “A Galaxy Far, Far Away” – asked that “the force of collaboration be with us all.” She suggested that by coming together the three chambers can “create a brighter future for our communities.”
Each chamber had the opportunity to share recent and future events. In referencing the Line Fire, Kevin Somes – in his 18th year as the Running Springs board president – said that they weren’t sure “if Running Springs would be here.” Their ongoing farmers market has been very successful and they recently put on a Bigfoot festival. “We work hard to support our business community,” he said.
“It’s exciting to see all three chambers of commerce come together,” said Louis Boehle, president of the Crestline chamber board. They are working on getting free WiFi on Lake Drive and in Top Town. The chamber will be hosting Holidays in the Pines with 75 prelit trees; there will be a tree decorating contest as well as appearances by Santa and the Grinch.
Ken Witte, chairman of the Lake Arrowhead chamber board, said the workshops the chamber has been offering to its members have proven to be very successful. “The only way to improve is to network,” he said.
Each year each of the chambers honors a nonprofit. Milet Lizarraga Gaytan from Senator Rosilicie Ocha Bogh’s office and Robin Bull from Supervisor Dawn Rowe’s office presented each nonprofit with a congratulatory certificate.
Honored were:
- Golden Oaks Seniors (Running Springs chamber)
- Mountain Fifes & Drums Corp (Crestline chamber)
- Mountain Communities Boys & Girls Club (Lake Arrowhead chamber)
The judges had a difficult decision but, in the end, it was Diana Lee, the evening’s bartender, who won the costume contest.
Golden Oaks won the Running Springs chamber nonprofit award.
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