Pine River Chamber board members met in February for their first in a series strategy planning session. President Diane Johnson conducted the meeting.

The group listed perceived strengths and weaknesses of the Pine River Chamber and will be formulating those thoughts for upcoming meetings.

Perceived strengths for Pine River businesses included the physical location of Pine River with the five highway systems that come together in Pine River, the natural beauty of Pine River, the friendly but competitive business climate, the Chamber Information Center, current events in the community and more.

Some areas that need attention may include generating a more positive picture of Pine River both outside and inside the community, more chamber member involvement, creating a working mission statement, developing a more informed employee base, setting goals and following through.

More meetings of the group are planned and will culminate with a general membership session where results of the meetings will be shared.

Miss Pine River Pageant set for April 5

Plans are in place for the fast approaching 29th annual Miss Pine River Scholarship Pageant. The event will be held on Saturday, April 5 at the Pine River-Backus performance stage. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the pageant to begin at 7 p.m. sharp. The public is invited to attend.

Miss Pine River 2007 Rachel Peterson and her court will be on hand to crown the new Miss Pine River and her court, and to welcome visiting royalty.

The new Miss Pine River will receive a $1,000 scholarship to the school of advanced learning of her choice. Contestants must be at least a junior in high school and reside within the Pine River-Backus School District.

This year's theme is "Evening in the Orient." Contestants this year include, listed in alphabetical order: Sarah Bergerson, Savanna Daudt, Michelle Dickson, Jenny Gravdahl, Carlie Hamed, Erin Johnson, Kelsey Kline, Ana Nieken, Castona Rodriguez and Scarlett Rudlang.

Miss Pine River and her court represent the Pine River Chamber of Commerce each year at numerous parades and events, assists at the Pine River duck races and are available to attend special events such as open houses and grand openings to welcome attendees.

Duck races co-sponsor group sought

Word was received this past month that the Pine River-Backus Youth As Resources group has disbanded and will not be available to co-sponsor the weekly Pine River duck races this summer. The group worked with the chamber over the past five years to host the popular races on the Pine River.

The chamber is seeking another civic/youth group to help with the races this year. The races begin on Friday, June 20 and continue through Friday, Aug. 15, or nine weeks.

Duties include providing persons to help with registration each week, posting duck race signs through the downtown area the day of the races, organizing prizes and other activities. Youth As Resources has received in excess of $1,000 net each year for their efforts.

If you know of a group that might be interested, have them contact John Wetrosky at the Information Center as soon as possible.

Sixth annual Lakes Bluegrass Festival

now seeking sponsors

Lakes Bluegrass Festival organizers are now seeking sponsors for this year's festival set for Aug. 21-24 at the Cass County Fairgrounds in Pine River.

There are many levels of sponsorship from which to choose and many benefits go along with those sponsorships.

Last year the festival attracted more than 3,100 persons to the four-day event, and this year promises even a larger crowd.

Tim and Cindy Roggenkamp have put together an outstanding line-up of talent, both national and regional.

A separate sponsorship flyer is being included with this newsletter. Feel free to contact John Wetrosky, Roger LaPointe or Tim Roggenkamp with questions.