CHAMBER CHAT

Like the rest of you, “sticker shock” at the pump has become a regular reality for me. As I turn over more of my paycheck, I joke with the attendant about whether it will cost me the farm or my firstborn male child, though I’m really not willing to give up either. That being said I’m changing the way I do things and putting considerably more planning into any excursions I do around town. That includes any recreation trips I was considering over the next couple of months.

Those thoughts lead to ways to stay closer to home, which lead to thoughts of shopping local, which always brings up the quandary I feel around supporting small businesses and supporting those larger companies that have chosen our community in which to place their business and provide local jobs. You can see where these thought forays could make me wish my brain had tabbed browsing like Internet Explorer.

This month, we’ll click on the tab that’s thinking about keeping my leisure time and entertainment dollars closer to home. I’m amazed by the mindset that says, “There’s nothing to do here…” I suppose it depends on what you like to do for entertainment but the coming months are dazzling for things to see and do as a family without having to leave the community.

One of the jewels of Central Kitsap is the Clear Creek Trail system with its approximately six miles of trails from Bucklin Hill to Trigger Avenue. Yes new readers, amidst the bustle of this economic center there is a beautiful trail system. Parks abound in the community and the County Recreation Department plans a number of events throughout the summer. Check out www.kitsapgov.com/parks to find out what they have scheduled.

Opportunities for fishing, swimming and boating can be found in Dyes Inlet, Island Lake, Wildcat Lake, Kitsap Lake and the Hood Canal.

Did you know there was a forest theater with an amazing history and terrific performances on Seabeck Highway? Visit www.foresttheater.com for more information on their schedule.

If you like things noisy, the Kitsap Destruction Derby Association www.kitsapdestructionderby.com — sponsors events throughout the summer at the Fairgrounds.

Then there are the festivals and fairs…the last full weekend in July brings Whaling Days and its many activities to venues all over Silverdale throughout the weekend — www.whalingdays.com is the place to go for more specific information. The Thunderbird Rodeo brings the best of the Northwest Professional Rodeo Association to the Kitsap Fairgrounds June 28 and 29. This year, they are including a concert and barrel racing event on Friday evening. Hydroplanes return to Dyes Inlet with Silverdale Thunder on August 9 and 10 — www.silverdalethunder.net. The Kitsap Fair and Stampede August 20-24 at the Fairgrounds features concerts with Three Dog Night, Emerson Drive, as well as local talent and the Dodge Extreme Bulls event.

Wander the shops of Old Town Silverdale; enjoy the hospitality and food to be had at any of the terrific eateries. Build an adventure around finding a great picnic treat and enjoying it at the Silverdale Waterfront Park.

The Silverdale Farmer’s Market sets up Tuesdays in the parking lot at the Silverdale Beach Hotel.

This is far from an inclusive list of activities, and I tried to keep as close to the Silverdale core as I could (the price of fuel and all).

In addition to serving the businesses in the community, the Chamber also provides visitor information services. You don’t have to be new to town to take advantage of the information in the office or on our Web site — www.silverdalechamber.com. For more information about events throughout the peninsula, the Kitsap Visitor and Convention Bureau maintains a huge calendar at www.visitkitsap.com.

As always the public is invited to attend our monthly membership meetings, this month’s is at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 25 at the Silverdale Beach Hotel. Reservations are strongly encouraged. Don’t forget you can keep abreast of Chamber happenings by subscribing to our weekly e-mail newsletter. Send an e-mail to subscribe@silverdalechamber.com. Until next month — shop Silverdale!

Darla Murker is the executive director of the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce. She appears the third Saturday of the month in the CK Reporter.