Advertising Options
Reviewed At Special
Happy Camp
Chamber Meeting

By Linda Jo Martin

The Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce hosted two advertising information meetings on March 23, 2005 - with special guests Marcia Armstrong, Roger Abbott, Karen Whitaker, and Joanne Steele. The first meeting was at 1pm and the second was 7pm.

Marcia Armstrong is our County Supervisor for District 5. This photo was taken right outside the door of JavaBobs Bigfoot Deli where the events took place.

Karen Whitaker is the tourism and development manager for Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association, pictured here with local resident James Buchner, event organizer, at the afternoon meeting.

Joanne Steele is director of tourism for Siskiyou County, pictured here talking to Chris Sorenson of Mosaic Press. Steele publishes the Siskiyou County Visitors Guide and had many good suggestions on niche-marketing for the Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce.

Roger Abbott was at the evening meeting representing Pacific West Marketplace, which soon will have a high quality print magazine to represent the best of Northern California and Southern Oregon culture.



The Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce hosted two advertising information meetings on March 23, 2005 - with special guests Marcia Armstrong, Roger Abbott, Karen Whitaker, and Joanne Steele. The first meeting was at 1pm and the second was at 7pm. A comprehensive agenda set by meeting organizer James Buchner helped participants focus on advertising opportunities and how they could affect our businesses.

The first thing on the agenda was for each person to introduce himself and talk about business, life, concerns, and expectations from the meeting. Listening to everyone speak about their businesses and lives was a wonderful way to get to know people, especially those who are new to the community.

Participants at the meetings included representatives from Mosaic Press, Evans Mercantile, Pioneer Press, Ron's Used Cars, Elk Creek Campground, Klamath Web Design & Hosting, Health & Harmony, JavaBobs, Happy Camp News, Klamath River Resort Inn, and the United State Forest Service.

Joanne Steele is director of tourism for Siskiyou County. She spoke at length at both meetings and was generous in imparting helpful and encouraging advice. She said that the last time she was here in Happy Camp, the town seemed to be at a low point in its history but since then she's noticed a change. Now she sees a high level of optimism and a feeling that Happy Camp can make the kinds of changes needed to attract the visitors we want to have here.

She advised niche marketing and during the evening meeting facilitated a brainstorming session to help us identify ways to interact with the rafting businesses and their clients. One of the most important suggestions to come out of this was that people need to realize we're a friendly, welcoming community and willing to go out of our way to make visitors feel wanted, cared about, and at home.

Steele said her publication, Siskiyou County Visitor's Guide, goes to press April 20 and before then she wants to solicit more ads in this community. This annual guide has a circulation of 60,000 and is placed primarily in visitors' centers and lodging. The Guide is totally self-supporting from advertising sales and does not rely on income from the county. Steele said the lowest ad price is $100 for 1/16th of a page, and that everyone should be able to afford at least $100 per year for marketing.

Karen Whitaker is tourism and development manager for Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association. She spoke at the afternoon meeting after a long drive north from her office in Anderson. She said she's a member of the Society of American Travel Writers and does a weekly radio show in Redding to let people know about road trips they can take to areas like ours - within easy reach of the Sacramento valley population.

She spoke of the Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association as a regional entity. Their goal is to promote eight counties in our section of the country extending all the way from Butte County north to Siskiyou and Modoc counties. She shared a lot of information about different promotional opportunities and initiatives she was aware of, and related them to the needs of Happy Camp.

She gave everyone a copy of her publication, The Official Visitor's Guide to Northern California's Shasta Cascade Region (circulation 60,000). Also she passed around two other booklets, one focused on the many scenic byways in this region and the other promoting backcountry road trips in the eight counties, including one south of Happy Camp near Somes Bar. She said years ago the organization got a grant to produce these publications but now they're paid for through advertisements.

James Buchner, meeting organizer, was next to speak. He shared information about a number of regional travel publications. He researched these thoroughly on behalf of our Chamber of Commerce. The publications included The Redding Record Searchlight's Welcome Guide and Recreation Guide; Pioneer Press' Fun Guide; Super Saver's PlayLander, Siskiyou County Scene, Restaurant Raves and 101 Things To Do In Siskiyou County; Visitor's Guides for Humboldt County and the Shasta Cascade; Siskiyou Daily News' publication, Siskiyou!, the Siskiyou County Official Guide put out by Joanne Steele; the Yreka Chamber of Commerce's guide which comes out in May, the Shasta Cascade Guide, and California Welcome.

He also showed us a few niche-marketing and travel magazines he'd researched including Cal Fly Fisherman, Western Outdoor News, Fish Sniffer, Fishing & Hunting News, Sunset, and Via. He is still looking for information on publications from or about Cave Junction, Grants Pass, Medford, Ashland, Eureka and the coast, and Willow Creek.

Joanne Steele of the Siskiyou County Visitor's Guide suggested we call the various newspapers and offer articles about our area. Since Happy Camp is home to the Klamath River Writers' Club and there are many good writers living in the region, we have the opportunity to ask them to help promote our town by writing about it.

Marcia Armstrong, our District 5 representative on the County Board of Supervisors was at both meetings, as cheerful and encouraging as always. It is always uplifting to see her continued interest in helping the people of our corner of Siskiyou County, even though this is a long drive from her home in the Ft. Jones area.

She told us her entire passion in life is being our Supervisor - and she works at it constantly. It is hard to imagine anyone having more enthusiasm for the job.

Armstrong said she was there to find out what our vision for Happy Camp is so she can help us achieve that. She recommends that we prepare for groups from outside our community that might want to have retreat weekends here - artists and writers, for example. There's a possibility Humboldt State may be giving credits for such retreats and this would be a great way to introduce our area to people from other areas who haven't been here before.

During the morning meeting Rosemary Boren, long-time resident and member of the Chamber's Board of Directors, said her greatest concern now is regarding fuel prices and how they might hurt business and tourism in this area. Joanne Steele suggested that because of this problem, which we expect will worsen, it would be good to concentrate our efforts on attracting visitors from other parts of Siskiyou County.

It is amazing how many people have lived in our county for years without ever taking a trip west on Highway 96 to Happy Camp. We need to find ways to reach those people to let them know the welcome mat is out and there's plenty to do while they're in our historic and picturesque town. We've got the friendly and welcoming atmosphere of a remote mountain village, natural beauty, swimming holes, hiking trails, back-country roads to explore, a river that's great for fishing and rafting, gold prospecting, and so much more.

But Happy Camp is more than just outdoor recreation. We have accommodations for people who just want to sightsee and stay in a decent hotel for the night. We have restaurants, wonderful pizza, two parks, a grocery store that isn't a rip-off just because it's in a remote area, a clinic, an impressive art gallery and artists' community, the Karuk Tribe's People's Center which is open to the public, and a wonderful Visitor's Center at the US Forest Service office that includes interactive activities for children. Some people consider a trip to Happy Camp to be a vacation opportunity of a lifetime, yet others make a point of coming here for spiritual regeneration year after year.

At the evening meeting during introductions Bob Schmalzbach, the Chamber's Vice-President, said we should be "making Happy Camp known for what it is - not for what it used to be." Though our town has gone through hard times with the closing of the mill and resulting depression and high-crime, it's not that way anymore. Crime has lessened and most of the boarded up and vacant buildings that were empty only five years ago are enjoying a renaissance of restoration and new business use. One can drive down the highway here and point to one building after another that was empty and decrepit a few years ago - that now sports new paint and new occupants. As vacant commercial buildings are becoming rare it is hoped those desiring a business here will move fast to take advantage of what's still available.

As Cheryl Wainwright, the Chamber's President, said, "there's more opportunity here than I have time to take advantage of." Indeed this is true. Anyone who thinks there isn't much to do in Happy Camp just hasn't been here recently. This town is blossoming, growing, and full of activity.

Schmalzbach said, "We are in a position to make this town a destination rather than a place people pass through."

Of course, for many people it already is a wonderful vacation destination, and many of us are lucky enough to make our homes here, yet there's still many people out there in the rest of the world that haven't been here and should be reached with our message - that Happy Camp is a great town to visit. It's one of the few places in California that is still in a very remote wilderness area, but that has all the vital accommodations. We have a lot to share with travelers from the outside world.

At the evening meeting Joanne Steele said there's an infusion of new blood, and that we'll be able to achieve prosperity here based on our willingness to work with newcomers. Steele said, "This town is a jewel. This is an opportunity waiting to happen."

She said, "When you live in a town that has gone through some pretty tough economic times it requires that new vision to step forward." She said there's two thoroughfares going through our town. One is Highway 96, and the other is the Klamath River. She said the Karuk Tribe sees this river as being sacred and it may affect the way the rest of us view it - but that it could become a source of greater revenue for Happy Camp while still retaining the sacred nature revered by the natives who still dominate this region. She said, "The number of rafters coming through here increases exponentially every year," and suggested that we get word to rafters that there are places to stay here and things to do.

She told us about a motel in Yreka that markets specifically to bikers. She said because they specialize, using niche-marketing techniques, they are full all the time and can fashion their lodging service to meet the needs of bikers - who are their primary customer base. She said everyone here could recommend a niche market for Happy Camp - for example bikers, birders, fishermen, hunters, rafters, artists, or writers. However we should come together and decide on a niche. She recommended rafters because she enjoys Klamath rafting every summer.

The final out-of-town speaker at the evening meeting was Roger Abbott, a U.S. Forest Service employee and owner of a printing business who was there to tell us about his work on a new publication, the Pacific West Marketplace. This started several years ago as a web-based project with a grant funded through Great Northern, but Abbott's intent is to produce a high-gloss, high-quality print publication that features only the best in Northern California and Southern Oregon.

For example he said he'd visited our local Knot Space Art Gallery and was very impressed with the art of Gail McDowell on display there. He liked Happy Camp's new image as an artists' retreat and community. He mentioned Sisters, Oregon which twenty years ago was run-down and nearly deserted. He says now the town is completely different. They've adopted a western theme complete with wooden sidewalks and the community is beautiful - completely revitalized and attractive.

The topic of Yosemite came up about that time. He said 3.3 million people go there every year to "get away from it all," which is ridiculous when you think of the number of people you're sharing the park with at any given time. If a person really wants peace and quiet in the mountains and a place to get away from it all, the Klamath River Valley is a great destination.







Bob Schmalzbach and Cheryl Wainwright

Bob Schmalzbach, Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce Vice President, with Cheryl Wainwright, Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce President.

Joanne Steele speaking at the evening meeting.

Joanne Steele speaking at the evening meeting. Marcia Armstrong, our County Supervisor, is on the right.

Karen Whitaker and James Buchner

Karen Whitaker of the Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association based in Anderson, California, talking to James Buchner, owner of the Klamath River Resort Inn here in Happy Camp. (Formerly the Angler's Motel.) Buchner organized the two advertising information meetings and gave a presentation on the many publications he researched for the Happy Camp Chamber of Commerce.

Participants at the evening meeting.

Participants at the meetings represented many local businesses including JavaBobs Bigfoot Deli, Health & Harmony, Evans Mercantile, Elk Creek Campground, Pioneer Press, the Klamath River Resort Inn, Klamath Web Design & Hosting, Happy Camp News, Mosaic Press, Ron's Used Cars and the U.S. Forest Service.

Joanne Steele and Chris Sorenson

Joanne Steele, director of tourism for Siskiyou County, speaking with Chris Sorenson of Mosaic Press after the 1pm meeting.


Two energetic, enterprising young women from the East Coast, sent to the remote Klamath River Valley to live with the Karuks, produced this fascinating record of life in our valley in 1908-09.



Acres of Diamonds
By Russell Conwell

Book Description:
This book is small, eloquent, and easy to understand. It is about life, success, money, and priorities, what these things are and aren't, and will continue to challenge the way most of us choose to live our lives for years.--This text refers to the Audio CD edition.
Download Description:
Yet Conwell did not get readily into his life- work. He might have seemed almost a failure until he was well on toward forty, for although he kept making successes they were not permanent successes, and he did not settle himself into a definite line. He restlessly went westward to make his home, and then restlessly returned to the East. After the war was over he was a lawyer, he was a lecturer, he was an editor, he went around the world as a correspondent, he wrote books. He kept making money, and kept losing it.--This text refers to the Digital edition.
From the Publisher:
A new edition of the classic inspirational speech--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
About the Author:
Russell Conwell (1843-1925) was a lawyer, Baptist minister, decorated Civil War officer, and founder of Temple University, which is now the largest post-graduate training institute in the United States.



Success Is Not an Accident: Change Your Choices, Change Your Life
By Tommy Newberry

An Amazon reviewer wrote: "What makes this book very very good is the way he brings you to conclusions, without you realising you have done it. An example; I have always struggled trying to set goals, usually the authors get you to brainstorm, pick a few suggestions and use them as goals. Newberry doesn't mention picking goals until chapter 3. By chapter 3, with your assignment work from the prevoius 2 chapters, the author has brought you to the right conclusions so you can EASILY set your 3 year goals.

His approach is brilliant, each chapter builds up to the next one, so logical are the conclusions, you never have to jump a massive mental valley to find answers to the questions posed in the assignments at the end of each chapter.

The author brilliantly takes you several steps futher than a mere goal setting book, he teaches you the basic fundementals of Physco Cybernetics and Visualisation. If you study success/goal setting and have failed in the past to get results, it will be down to the fact you have not reprogammed your "servomechanism" as in Physco Cybernetics/Visualisation. This book teaches you what other goal setting books do not, combing Maxwell Maltz's Cybernetics to Lee Pulos's work on visualisation.

If I could give this book 10 stars I would because this book has got it all. The only thing it does not have is an author who loves himself, and loves telling his audience how great he is. A refreshing change from some other authors!

HIGHLY RECOMENDED - Christopher Mark-Cotton



How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling
By Frank Bettger

A business classic, How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling is for anyone whose job it is to sell. Whether you are selling houses or mutual funds, advertisements or ideas -- or anything else -- this book is for you.

When Frank Bettger was twenty-nine he was a failed insurance salesman. By the time he was forty he owned a country estate and could have retired. What are the selling secrets that turned Bettger's life around from defeat to unparalleled success and fame as one of the highest paid salesmen in America?

The answer is inside How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling. Bettger reveals his personal experiences and explains the foolproof principles that he developed and perfected. He shares instructive anecdotes and step-by-step guidelines on how to develop the style, spirit, and presence of a winning salesperson. No matter what you sell, you will be more efficient and profitable -- and more valuable to your company -- when you apply Bettger's keen insights on:

• The power of enthusiasm
• How to conquer fear
• The key word for turning a skeptical client into an enthusiastic buyer
• The quickest way to win confidence
• Seven golden rules for closing a sale


Stella Patterson, a city lady at age 80, told by her doctor she had "young legs" vowed to spend one full year on her remote mountain mining claim.

A reviewer on Amazon wrote: "I first purchased this book while on a vacation trip exactly 14 years ago (1989); since then I've tried to read it at least once a year. I laugh my way through the book, and the author's courage & zest for life continues to inspire me! I only hope I am able to always view life with the same gusto & joy she had, trials & tribulations notwithstanding. She was quite a remarkable woman."



Visit the remote Northern California region from the Siskiyous to the Cascades. Meet the locals, learn the history, enjoy the landscape that includes whitewater rivers, old growth forests, and lava-strewn backcountry.