Delta Chamber of Commerce November 2014 Don t forget to like us on Facebook! Board of Directors President: Tony Porreca Vice President Flower Cole Secretary/Treasurer Michael Paschall Board Members Katie Behrens Kim White Eileen Williams Audrey A Brown LTC Brian Speas Chamber Office PO Box 987 Delta Junction, AK 99737 Now Located at the Delta Junction Visitor Center! 1422 Alaska Highway Phone: 907-895-5068 Fax: 907-895-5141 deltacc@deltachamber.org www.deltachamber.org Mission Statement The Delta Chamber of Commerce is a business organization that supports and represents its membership by promoting business growth and community development through leadership, programs, education and the dissemination of information.
BY CAROLE HAAS David Underhill, owner of Royal Tool and Design, has been in the business of industrial machines for over 20 years, although he has had experience with them most of his life. At 80 years old, Underhill continues to operate milling machines, metal working lathes, surface grinders, and bench grinders. The majority of his recent work is for farming equipment. Underhill grew up in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He first learned about metal work in high school in 1950, and after graduating in 1952, he became an apprentice. He married his wife, Carol, in April of 1956 and they eventually had six children together. He went into the custom machinery business in 1964 in Shelton, Connecticut, with a business named Prestige Tool & Design. He and his two business partners had a branch in Newport, Denmark. Underhill and his wife felt a calling from God to start something new in late 1971. In July of 1972, he sold his share of Prestige Tool & Design, and the family eventually took off to Alaska. The Underhills started out their Alaska life in 1974 in Delta Junction, where they helped start Living Word Ministry. They spent some years in Fairbanks, too, where they ran a hospitality house through their church. Underhill worked for Bering Engineering while in Fairbanks, which eventually sold out in early 2000. The company sold equipment to the military, power plants, mining companies, and even industrial car wash parts. Underhill and his wife ended up in Delta Junction again in 1994, and he started Royal Tool and Design. He got started in his garage, where he ran his business for many years. About two years ago, Delta Industrial offered him the use of their building off Nistler Road. Underhill also became a Chamber of Commerce member about three years ago. In addition to Royal Tool & Design, the family has had other business ventures in Delta. Carol owned Clearwater Bed and Breakfast before her passing in 2009, and daughter Lonnie Miller owns Hillcrest Bed and Breakfast off Nistler Road. Underhill says the biggest challenge of being a business owner has always been the risk. From his first business in Shelton, the question was whether or not it would succeed. Underhill was told by contractors back then, You open your doors, we ll give you all the business you could ask for. Page 2
Welcome New 2015 Board of Directors The Election Committee is pleased to welcome three new members and five returning members to the Board of Directors for 2015. New members will take office at the first meeting of the Board of Directors in January 2015 and are as follows: Eileen Herman, Northstar Bookkeeping Lori Hollett, Northhaven Communities Jackie Becker, The Calico Cow Your 2015 Board of Directors: Jackie Becker, The Calico Cow Katie Behrens, Highways End Farmers Market Eileen Herman, Northstar Bookkeeping Lori Hollett, Northhaven Communities Michael Paschall, Tri Delta, Inc. Tony Porreca, TnT Technical Service Kim White, Smiling Moose Eileen Williams, Copper Current Electric Page 3
The Delta Junction Chamber of Commerce and the Delta High School Booster Club will be sponsoring a Come to Delta Day on Saturday Dec 6th. We ll be advertising in Fairbanks, Tok, and North Pole, inviting people to visit Delta businesses and come to the Holiday Bazaar at the High School. We will be passing out maps at the Bazaar with the location and hours of participating businesses. If you d like to participate, please contact us with your hours for Saturday before Monday 11/17. deltacc@deltachamber.org OR Holiday Open Houses smilingmoosegifts@gmail.com Page 4
SULLIVAN ROADHOUSE HOLIDAY LIGHTING CELEBRATION SATURDAY, November 29th 2:00-5:00 PM FAMILY PHOTOS AVAILABLE (WEAR OUR FURS OR BRING YOUR OWN) LIVE CHRISTMAS MELODIES REFRESHMENTS: HOT DRINKS & COOKIES HANDMADE ORNAMENTS FOR PURCHASE OUTDOOR FIRE PITS WITH MARSHMALLOWS TO ROAST DOOR PRIZES LIGHTING OF ROADHOUSE & FARMERS MARKET 4:30 PM COME CELEBRATE THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS! OUR GIFT TO YOU! "SULLIVAN ROADHOUSE GARDNERS AND ELVES." Page 5
Thanks to our current sponsors They help make chamber programs possible FIRE ART PYROTECHNICS PATRIOT FIREWORKS BUSY BEE OFFICE SUPPLY NORTHERN MOOSED RV PARK TBC RADIO THE WOMEN OF THE MOOSE ALASKA 7 MOTEL ALSO A BIG THANKS TO OUR NEW AND RENEWING MEMBERS!