The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

There's something in the air in the Touchet Valley and it's not just spring. It's an awakening to the importance and potential of tourism as a catalyst for growth.

Consider the following:

At least a dozen businesses have embraced the newly formed Touchet Valley Tourism Alliance, which is considering a number of initiatives to put this area more firmly on the travel map.

Dozens of businesses signed up to be in the new "Destination Touchet Valley" visitor's guide, a collaborative project of the Times, the Blue Mountain News and the Dayton Chamber of Commerce.

Two candidates for mayor in Waitsburg - incumbent Walt Gobel and challenger Bart Baxter - are strong advocates of tourism development as a way to make the town's economy more viable and take advantage of its unique location at the crossroads of highways 124 and 12.

A number of property owners have recognized the need for more accommodations in Waitsburg. Already, Paul Gregutt and Karen Stanton Gregutt have added a two-bedroom guest cottage to existing local inventory: Nothing New Antiques, PJs and Hiromi's House.

Soon, Robbie and Marilyn Johnson will follow suit when their two-bedroom apartment above the Plaza Theater becomes available for stays. Some time this year, the new boutique hotel (and dance studio) in the Loundagin Building is expected to open.

By summer, there will be more things to do in town when the new coffee shop opens in the former Mock Building next to the Times and the American Legion building is back in business as a tavern, complimenting the appeal of the Whoop Em Up Hollow Cafe, the jimgermanbar and Don Miguel's Mexican restaurant as food establishments.

Meanwhile, a small group of organizers, including Gobel, councilman Karl Newell, Cycle Oregon volunteer Deanne Johnson and Lois Winchester, "grandma" of Izzy the camel, are hoping to create a new draw: "Fridays At The Park," a seasonal farmers market and then some.

In Columbia County, the chamber this summer will help host the first Mule Mania event expected to bring hundreds of participants and enthusiasts to Dayton.

The new owners of Ski Bluewood have already done much to bring more people to the area, hosting former Supersonic Shawn Kemp, experimenting with night skiing and organizing other events that add to the skiing experience. They are planning to explore summer activities to make the mountain a year-round attraction.

Of course, challenges to this path of growth and economic sustainability remain. Horse racing, a big annual attraction, will have to wait a year. Trouble in the Arab world is sending up oil prices, potentially reining in summer travel.

Another challenge is for communities to fully embrace this type of growth. The travel business is seasonal. Retail businesses can't survive on tourists alone, particularly in the winter months, so local residents should be encouraged to patronize their retailers in town instead of buying all their goods in towns further away.

Initiatives such as "Fridays at The Park," the Touchet Valley Tourism Alliance and Mule Mania need volunteer support to be successful.

But community participation will bear fruit for communities. Local youth and service clubs have an opportunity to raise money through selling merchandise at the events they help stage.

Support of local retailers will provide tax revenues for the cities, provide employment opportunities for young people and save Main Street buildings, the historic legacy of its pioneers.

For small towns like Waitsburg and Dayton, embracing tourism might mean the difference between revival and mere survival.

We hope you can play a part.