2nd Annual Art & Treasure Weekend fun & food!!

2nd Annual Art & Treasure Weekend: Jaime 2nd Annual Art & Treasure 4 H Barbecue

By Judy Bushy

The weather was beautiful, as it “always” is in Happy Camp. It was a busy weekend with lots of fun activities going on.

Parry’s Market had their meat and produce sale under a big tent. Shopping for groceries was never more fun!  The big tent and the red Hawaiian shirts were fun! They also invited Radio Personalities to come and play music and entertain the pedestrians on Davis Road.

The River Valley 4-H Club served hot dogs and hamburgers with all the trimmings as a fundraiser. There was also popcorn and ice cream by the Happy Camp Resource Center.

The Klamath/Siskiyou Art gallery was the scene of supper. They’ve been serving Friday suppers to Happy Campers in an effort to raise funds toward their new art gallery. They offer some really delicious and unique fare that you will not find at any otter place.

The Freshman Class of Happy Camp High School (2010 graduates!) had a car wash and were very successful in their fundraising!

The Cub Scouts had their Pinewood Derby at the Elementary School on Saturday morning and then went to the Davis Road activities.

Although the events were different than anticipated at the first Art & Treasure event, this 2nd annual Art & Treasure event was a lot of fun and good food!

New Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors Elected

Chris Sorenson

Chris Sorenson is the new president of the Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce.
By Judy Bushy

The Happy Camp Chamber Of Commerce elected a new board of directors in March. The new board will take office in April and serve until March 31, 2008.

The new President of the Chamber is Chris Sorenson of Mosaic Press. Chris and Beth Buchanan moved to Happy Camp several years ago. For Chris, it was a new experience, but Beth grew up in Happy Camp. They bought the printing part of Naturegraph publishing, and began Mosaic Press.

Vice President is Jon Grunbaum who works in fisheries in the Happy Camp District of the Klamath National Forest.

Instead of one secretary the job will be shared by two co-secretaries, Roberta Arneson and Rita Manley King. Roberta served as secretary when Bob Schmalzbach was Chamber President and helps her husband, Ray the Painter in his sign painting business. Rita is with Jade Springs Development, which is headquartered at the Happy Camp Mini-Mall on Davis Road.

Treasurer is Lehel Garami who, with Laura, manages the Evans Mercantile. Evans is the oldest continuously operating business in Happy Camp but Lehel and Laura have added hardware and expanded the gardening and feed parts of the business.

Roberta Collum of Elk Creek Campground and Montine Blevins of the New 49ers’ Prospecting Club are also on the new Chamber board of directors.

When the new board recently met they gave a word of appreciation for the previous board of the Chamber. James Buchner was a great president and his leadership in the advertising and promotion of the area was greatly appreciated. He also attended sports shows to widen the contacts with potential customers. Roberta Collum was a good Vice President and took over in the chair when James was unable to be in town. Montine assisted her in preparing great meals for Chamber events and planning the Community Tree Lighting in December. Rosemary Boren took over the treasurer position a few years ago after a lapse in treasurer postion left the accounts in unprecedented array. Rosemary got them entered on her computer and got organized with top efficiency for several years now. Judy Bushy served as Secretary since Janeen Snopl resigned except for the years Jean Dulong, Joe and Becca and Roberta Arneson volunteered for the job. Eugene Kravis and Lehel Garami filled out the membership of the board of the Happy Camp Chamber.

The Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce was started twenty-one years ago at the Elk Creek Campground. Jim Jones, Merilee Adamson, Ben Roeser, Gini Hyde and Howard Garthwait were some of the first presidents. Howard Garthwait was called into service several times through the years, Rick Huston; Liz Ramos Cochran was the President from 1994 to 1995. Harvey Shinar, Debbie Wilkinson, Eddie Davenport, Cheryl Wainwright, Bob Schmalzbach, and James Buchner have been in the presidency in the last decade.

As James Buchner stated, the job of the Chamber is “to promote and encourage business, commerce and quality of life for the citizens of Happy Camp and the Highway 96/Klamath River Corridor.” In order to do this the Chamber has often entertained town meetings with political candidates or elected officials of the county and state. The Chamber of Commerce started the Neighborhood Watch on the recommendation of Charlie Byrd and Kay Bryan when there was a great deal of burglary and theft every night. This action turned the situation around and the crime rate plummeted when the Watch became active.

Over the years the Chamber has hosted St. Patrick’s Day dinner, Show & Shine auto events and World’s Sweetest Bike Rally Fourth of July weekend at the River Park.

In all these ways the Chamber has promoted and enhanced life in Happy Camp and along the beautiful wild Klamath River.

9th Reunion for Karuk Tribe in Happy Camp

The rain mostly held off for the Reunion although it was threatening or giving sprinkles at times. The day began with those wanting to register for volleyball and horseshoe games getting there early.

After Alvis Johnson opened in prayer, there was a song by the Vice Chairman of the tribe Leaf Hillman. Chairman Arch Super welcomed all to the 9th annual Karuk Reunion. In the past it has been held in the fall but this year it was moved to June to accommodate those who want to travel to Happy Camp for vacation when the kids are out of school. There were well over three hundred there with some coming from a distance.

Elders who are eighty-five years of age and older were all honored. Then Lucille Albers, Charron Davey Davis, Margaret Vera Houston, Lafayette Robert Jerry Sr. Violet Ruth Super, Nancy Lee Super, Charles Robert Thom and Anthony Joe Jerry Sr. were all recognized as Karuk full bloods. There were sixteen at one of the first Karuk reunions but they are passing away. The Karuk Tribe is honoring and desiring of preserving their wisdom and knowledge.

Volley Ball games and the Texas Hold’um Poker tournaments began. Never did find out about Texas Hold’um. There was also a “Make and Take Activity” room for children at the TERO office. There was a “Language Jeopardy Game.” Sue was also telling stories in Karuk to the youngsters. Craig Tucker was scheduled to do a presentation on the Department of Natural Resources. Julian Lang presented songs from the Center of the World.

Dinner was traditional fish and acorn soup with pork barbecue ribs; bake potatoes, beans salad and dessert. At the River park the evening dance was with the live band, “Taxi.”

Florrine Super and Carrie Davis were Co-coordinator of the event and gave a special thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of this years reunion. Sara Spence did a great job as Vendor Booth co-coordinator. The booth that was the most fun was cutouts for men, women, boys and girls where they could place face and hands through holes and look traditional, holding basket weaving supplies or drum or tomahawk. Myrna painted the plywood pictures with Michael Thom’s assistance. Sara Spence, Ellen Johnson and others helped in printing out the photos.

Other booths had food. The High School Indian Club served hamburgers and hotdogs. Indian Taco’s were available also. There was a unique old blue bus whose occupant was selling beautifully tie dyed shirts and things.

Many of the booths were very informative. Each of the departments of Karuk tribal government had booths. The health exhibits were especially informative and helpful. Everyone there seemed to be having a good time. It was a good opportunity for those from a distance to visit the People’s Center Museum and gift shop also.

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