The Center News ~ December 2008

From The Front Office

November was a very full month, opening up with the 3rd Annual Benefit Auction on the 1st, the biggest General Membership Meeting in recent history mid-month, and finishing up amidst last minute planning of the Annual Holiday Bazaar. Wow--all these fun and entertaining annual events!

The fundraiser auction was a wonderful evening, with approximately 60 people attending. The delicious meal was prepared by board members Julia, Mary and Carol, with help from Cilla DeGraff, Michael Blair and the Pier twins. It was a fabulous start to a very successful event, which netted approximately $6,000 in all. Those funds will go a long way in the daily operations of the CCC. I especially liked seeing all the divergent folks in the building--some who had never been in before. And, I noted that auction bidders were especially generous this year, in spite of our questionable economy. That made me feel heartened and particularly supported by our wonderful Okanogan community.

As already mentioned, this year’s Membership Meeting was very well attended. Thank you to all who came--your encouragement and input were greatly appreciated. Minutes from the meeting are at the end this newsletter, with a brief report midway down the page, including more on the alcohol-in-the-building question.

The Board of Directors decided to uphold the rule of no alcohol allowed in the building at their regular meeting held on Tuesday, November 18. However, we are not opposed to considering other venue options, such as helping to sponsor an event in one of the city parks which might include wine tasting.

I would like to welcome our two newest board members: Susie Shaddox and Suzanne Daley Howard. If you’ve come to very many events in the past year, it’s likely you would have seen them here at the CCC, either helping out or out on the dance floor. Now, along with Curt Howard, Susanne’s husband, they’ve made the significant commitment of joining our Board of Directors, appointments that were ratified at the November 15th Annual Membership Meeting. Glad to have you all, and again, a very big thank you for giving your time and energies to the CCC.

Susie Shaddox has offered to take on the job of Volunteer Coordinator, so please be sure to sign in and be counted. Volunteers are vitally important to the Community Cultural Center, and we want to be sure to recognize and honor all who put out that extra energy for this organization.

In closing, I’d like to say thank you CCC members. Thank you for believing in this vision and sticking with it to help create the Community Cultural Center. Happy holidays to all!

Until next time,

River

Family Talent Show Coming In January

Fall’s backdrop is fading. Time to find some good books, wax up the skis, plan for some extra indoor doings and prepare your hidden talents for the next Community Cultural Center Talent Show, to be held on Saturday, January 31, 2009.

Here in the Okanogan we must entertain ourselves. Yes…we’re in dire need of your hidden talents to help us make it through the long winter months. Just think of all the stories of years past, “I like Big Butts and I Can Not Lie” was the hit of last year. Oh…yeah. It was funny!!! That was definitely outside the box. So…this year’s theme is: OUTSIDE THE BOX.

The biggest change is that Clare Paris is taking a break as main organizer of this annual event. Many thanks to Clare for all the great shows. This year’s organizers are Janet Culp at 486-2061, and John Jones at 486-2479.

Our MC will be the amusing Bud McSpadden, so be prepared for a little comical abuse and join us Outside the Box on January 31st. Please remember, this is a family event, so we request that acts be suitable for all ages to enjoy.

Introducing Our New Board Members

Susie, a long-time Tonasket resident, has this to say

I've been attending various CCC events and doing a little volunteering here for about a year now and I've found that I really like this place. I enjoy the people, the music, the danc­ing, the food, the ever-evolving building and especially the way everyone comes together to get things done for the benefit of so many. The CCC is a thriving organization with a mission I believe in and right now I have the time, energy and desire to step up and do what I can to help make it all happen.

An intentional Tonasket resident, I fell in love with the Okanogan Highlands 10 years ago. Finding the vibrant community that exists at the Cultural Center has been a bonus. It’s a privilege to be able to give back to Tonasket. I know your talented existing Board will challenge my creative and entrepreneurial skills.

CCC

Community: holding hands loosely, holding hearts tightly

Cultural: dancing ideas, singing paint, spiraling creativity

Center: the absolute core of the universe

Annual Membership Meeting Well Attended

Although there were roughly the same amount of votes pro and con on the subject, the members who were not in favor of allowing alcohol in the building were emphatically opposed to it, which is certainly a very strong statement that the CCC Board must consider. The evening ended with a fabulous performance by Tonasket’s Hippies on Vacation playing well into the night. The dance floor was filled with people enjoying the lively music--Line Dancers and Circle Dancers intertwining amongst them. It was certainly an evening to remember!

For those who missed the show, Hippies on Vacation will be returning to the CCC on Saturday, January 17, so be sure to watch for more info.

HOV: John Jones, Tim Alley, and Reed Engel at the November 15th Membership Meeting Extravaganza

Thank you to the following Auction volunteers:

Michael Blair, Janet Culp, Tryg Culp, Cilla DeGraff,
Mary Engel, Reed Engel, Curt Howard, Suzanne Howard,
Chelsea Hull, Su Ianiello, John Jones, River Jones,
Carol Lanigan, Sunny Lanigan, Meghan Pier, Rachel Rier,
Julia Sanderson, Susie Shaddox, Troy Shaddox, Raina Skye,
Spurlin Soya, Dave Sunde, Gail Sunde, Peggy Tofte

Without you we could not have done it!

Tonasket Winter Fest begins Friday December 5th

Friday, December 5: Activities begin at the new Day Park in downtown Tonasket.
Santa arrives at 6 pm with the tree lighting.
Lots of fun activities for children and adults alike.

North Valley Hospital Guild Bazaar
at North Valley Assisted Living, 204 S Whitcomb Ave
Friday 4 to 8pm & Saturday 10 to 2

Tonasket Community Church UCC Bazaar
24 East 4th Street
Friday 4 to 8 & Saturday 9 to 4
Cinnamon rolls at 9am • Lunch 11 to 2 Saturday

Community Cultural Center Bazaar
30+ Vendors
411 S Western Ave
Friday 2 to 7 & Saturday 10 to 4
Lunch, dinner, baked goods all day
Children’s activities 12 to 3 on Saturday

The Treasure House Bazaar
20 Vendors
Tonasket Senior Center, 22 East 5th Street
Friday 4 to 8 & Saturday 10 to 3

Tonasket Civic League Bazaar
Tonasket Grade School Commons
Friday 5 to 8 & Saturday 10 to 4

Sitzmark Ski Club presents:
a Warren Miller film Children of the Winter
Tonasket High School Commons, 34 Hwy 20 East
Saturday 3:00 and 7:00 showings.

Spud Feed at Middle School Commons
Saturday 4:30 to 6:45

All Bazaars will serve snacks and lunches!
For more info: Tonasket Chamber Office 486-4543
or Helen Casey 486-2066 home, 486-2154 work.

HOLIDAY GIFT IDEA:
Give someone on your list a GIFT MEMBERSHIP TO THE CCC
Call the office at 486-1328, or see our membership page for more details.

2008 General Membership Meeting Minutes

CCC Board president, Carol Lanigan, called the meeting to order at 6:00 pm. Carol welcomed everyone and introduced River Jones to give the opening reports.

Executive Director/Finan­cial Report:
Executive Director River Jones stated that member­ship was at approximately 230 people/160 households; our newsletter had been increased to 8 pages, with an increase in advertising from local businesses; we had developed a wonderful new website; and felt that we had made great strides in answering the needs of the people of Tonasket.

We have several different dance classes each week, and are providing a great venue for various organizations and individual groups throughout our community. She also reported that the Farmers Market had grown and en­joyed a very successful year, particularly thanking Matt Welles for his management, and Suzanne Dailey Howard for her newspaper articles.

River gave the bank account amounts: CD $100,00.00; checking $9,948; savings $20,433; and maintenance fund $870.00.

Grant Report
Board President Carol Lani­gan said the grants have raised $467,220 to date. These grants have come from the following: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, MJ Murdock Charitable Trust, Federal Appropriations, Okanogan Family Faire, US Bank, Kongsgaard Goldman Foundation, Washington State Arts Commission, Community Foundation of North Central WA and Okanogan County’s Tourism Advisory Board.

Events Report
Board Secretary Janet Culp presented a handout that was reviewed by the attending membership. It showed what various events had netted, what the month-by-month events were, how many attended, and volunteer hours put into the event. Janet reviewed these items and thanked all of the board members and countless volunteers who made these events and fundraisers possible.

Building Committee
Carol Lanigan reported on our improvements in this last year: the heating and cooling systems that were installed; the finishing of the front room; and the completion of the beautiful new bathrooms. She stated that we were going to start the remodel on the upstairs, and as soon as the $196,000 appropriations grant money arrived we would be seeking bids to renovate the back dance hall.

General Business
Carol thanked outgoing members Pat Gauthier and Jody Olson for their time on the board.

Carol asked each of the board members up for re-election and the interim board members to introduce themselves and explain why they would like to be on the board. Each person gave a short statement of what they would like to do for the Cultural Center.

Following this introductory time we addressed voting onto the board interim members Curt Howard, Suzanne Dailey Howard, and Susie Shaddox; and the members who were up for re-election: Janet Culp, Carol Lanigan, and Mary Engel. Morningstar Sweeney made the motion to approve of all of the above people to be placed onto the board--it was seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

Carol introduced the idea of having a wine tasting event sponsored by the CCC board here at the Center. There was much discussion, pro and con, and several suggestions were made. A general vote was taken to get an idea as to where the membership stood on this issue. Carol counted the votes for having a board function event including alcohol, or having no alcohol in the building. These issues will be further discussed at the next board meeting.

Good of the order: Rob Thompson brought up the issue of safety in the back room, especially for children. This issue will need to be addressed at a board meeting in the near future.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:20.

--Respectively submitted, Janet Culp, Secretary

We hope you have enjoyed this online version of the articles in our print newsletter. For updates on items above, and for classes/workshops/events not in this newsletter, please see our Calendar. The Center News is published as a service to the Members of the Community Cultural Center. Letters and articles are welcomed from Members. Deadline for articles is the 20th of each month, and are best emailed. Send to
Acceptance of advertising does not indicate endorsement by the CCC of the product or service offered.

More Printable versions of 2008 newsletters January , February , March , April , May , June , July , August , September , October , November , December