Good Weekend for Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce

Performance of the people who put on the New Year’s Weekend events was as crisp and cool as the weather.

Friday evening's Ring of Fire and Hope once again demon- strated the promise of making Birch Bay the go-to place for New Year's Eve. Down by the Alderson entrance to the beach, there were more flares lighted than in previous years.

On Saturday morning, there were folks waiting at the door of the Visitors Information Center when registration started at 9:30. Credit goes to Tammy Pearce, Chamber VP and co-chair of the event, with organizing the registration process efficiently – less congestion than in previous years. John Haas and Marty Stauffer, with assistance from Marty's charming daughter Emma, greeted registrants warmly. Maxine Beebe and Molly Ernst, sold bundles of t-shirts.

With Chandra Dunn spinning music over the sound system, the scene became a party. The star was Brrr the Bear, manned by Ken Lord, who operates the Birch Bay Hostel and Guesthouse at Bay Horizon Park. He is a talented performer, dancing to the music and posing with many. For those who wanted prints, Linda Taylor and Dena Jensen took pictures and made prints for $10, a new income stream for the Chamber.

Dave Bucknell, of the Bay Cafe, served complimentary coffee and cocoa. Enterprise was served by Patti White, who showed and sold her stylish line of Tide Catcher garments. John and Nancy Ellis brought three superbly-behaved mascots to represent their Pooch Palace and Kitty Kastle.

Tammy Pearce stoked the crowd and by 11:30, when costume judging began on schedule, there was a mob. Lynn Roberts of KAFE Radio, FM 104.1, served a Mistress of Ceremonies, giving the event genuine production values. When it came time to plunge, an estimated five spectators routed for every one who went into the water. Yes, it was cold, but some swam around far longer than others did.

Our congratulations to all the Chamber members who made the event successful, particularly to John Gargett, the event co-chair and new president. John is a past Commodore of the Bellingham Yacht Club and is active in a number of non-profit organizations and boards of for-profit businesses. He combines organizational effectiveness with a modest ego. When congratulated, all he said was, “We had a good time.”

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