Congratulations to Blue Fox Drive-In, the Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce’s May Business of the Month.

2012 marks the 53rd year of The Blue Fox Drive-In. It is currently owned and operated by the Bratts, the third family to do so. It is now one of only five drive-in theaters remaining in the state of Washington. The Bratts have seen many changes in their 24 years of operation. The most significant change of all, however, is yet to come. 

Movie companies are phasing out 35mm film, forcing theaters to convert to digital Theater projection systems. Most small theaters are unable to afford the switch as the cost of a digital projector can run from $75,000 to $150,000 depending on the conversion. Nationwide, many small theaters will be closing, and many of those will be drive-ins. The Bratts now have a decision to make – convert to a digital projector or close the Blue Fox Drive-In forever. In the current economy, they need to be creative in finding ways to finance a digital
projector. 

If you would like to do your part to help the Blue Fox Drive-In stay open, you can support them by buying a Save the Drive-In t-shirt (available through the snack bar and/or contact information below). 

Other ways you can help…

Most people don’t realize that movie companies take a large percentage of the box office sales, usually 80% or more, followed by booking fees and business taxes. The Blue Fox is dependant on customers purchasing food from the snack bar. Prices are kept affordable so that families can come to the movies and enjoy the snacks. The Blue Fox absolutely needs your support if they are going to remain a Whidbey Island attraction for years to come.  

www.bluefoxdrivein.com

360-675-5667: Movie line 

360-675-2794: To order shirts

bluefoxprints@gmail.com

Congratulations to Wallin Funeral Home & Cremation, the Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce’s April Business of the Month.

Gary and Martha Wallin, owners of Wallin Funeral Home and Cremation, LLC are proud to be selected as the April Business of the Month and consider it a privilege to serve the community of Whidbey Island.  Both Gary and Martha are local residents.  Martha was born in Coupeville at Harpole’s Maternity Home.  Gary moved from Aberdeen to Oak Harbor in the 4th grade.  They met each other in Junior High. 

Gary began his funeral service career in Oak Harbor at the age of 14 and has been a licensed funeral director and embalmer since 1970.  He has spent his entire career caring for the people of Whidbey Island. Feeling that a locally owned funeral home would best serve the needs of their community, Gary and Martha opened Wallin Funeral Home in November 2010.

Located at 1811 NE 16th Ave,  (formerly Cemetery Road) next to Maple Leaf Cemetery, Wallin Funeral Home provides a comfortable setting for families as they plan a service that is unique to their loved one.  Whether it be a simple cremation or a full traditional funeral service the staff at Wallin Funeral Home endeavors to provide the highest quality service.

Wallin Funeral Home is an 11,000 square foot state of the art funeral home built by many local contractors.  It has a chapel that seats 125, a large open reception area, and an on-site crematory.  The Wallin’s offer a full range of funeral and headstone options and provide advanced planning guidance.

  A unique aspect of the funeral home is a separate facility housing Evergreen Pet Cremation.
Gary and Martha are active members of the community.  Gary has served as a member of the School Board for the Oak Harbor School District for the past 12 years.  In addition, he serves as a board member for Help House and the Oak Harbor Police Explorers Post.  Martha is also employed with the Oak Harbor School District as the Community Resources Coordinator, organizing and assisting volunteers for the district.  Both Gary and Martha are past presidents of the Kiwanis Club of Oak Harbor and, for the past 15 years, Martha has served as Kiwanis Advisor for the Oak Harbor High School Key Club.

Wallin Funeral Home is truly a local partnership.  They are committed to serving the community.  Gary, Martha and staff work together to provide Service Beyond Expectation.  “ Oak Harbor has always been our home and we are most fortunate to be able to live in such a caring community,” Gary says.  “Funeral service is my life career.  We are not just serving families, we are serving friends.”

Congratulations to Bayview Embroidery N’ Print– the Greater Oak Harbor Chamber of Commerce’s March Business of the Month.

Bayview Embroidery ‘N Print opened on 2003 and for the last 9 years, owners, Kerry and Mercy Speth have built a solid reputation as  an Embroidery and Screen-printing business in Oak Harbor.  Kerry grew up in Southeastern Idaho and retired from the US Navy in January of 2003 while Mercy grew up in the Philippines, where she got her start in the apparel industry.  They have one daughter who is currently serving in US Air Force.

The Speths’ are committed to providing quality service to the community. They believe that a reputation as an honest and reliable business is the recipe for success.  Bayview Embroidery has also expanded and added a DBA of Whidbey Island Gifts at our new Downtown/Pioneer Way location!

Both Kerry & Mercy are actively involved at the church they attended. For the past 4 years they have both served as mission council members, members of the Downtown merchants association, and organized the first “Downtown/Pioneer Way Fun Run” last fall. They love to get involved in the community by donating products, time and services.

Please visit their website at http://www.WhidbeyIslandGifts.com . Thank You Oak Harbor for choosing us as your March 2012 Business of Month!  …It’s an Honor!!! 

Please join the Chamber in once again congratulating Bayview Embroidery N’ Print, our March 2012 Business of the Month