NORTH WEBSTER — Up to date on its technology, the board of directors of the North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce meet via Zoom online for its Monday, April 13, meeting. A majority of the board was present.

On the agenda was the Dixie Day Festival, chamber projects to unite the community and how to help local businesses during the pandemic.

After much discussion, it was decided to follow the lead of the Tokyo Olympics and not have the Dixie Day Festival in 2020. The next festival will happen Saturday, July 31, 2021. “Be sure to tell everyone we will see them next year,” exclaimed President Mindy Scaggs, RE/MAX Lakes.

While some of the board felt it was too soon to make a decision or to go ahead as planned, several logistical problems were pointed out. They included lining up outside vendors at a late date, asking local businesses to be sponsors of some of the activities during these tough economic times, and making sure the festival is top notch the way it always has been. It draws about 4-5,000 people to town for one Saturday in July.

The festival honors the Dixie sternwheel paddle boat that has toured Webster Lake since 1929. Board member and President of Dixie Sternwheeler Inc. Karilyn Metcalf stated, “The Dixie is unsure of when it will be operational as well. This is the year we had to take the boat out of the water for five-year hull inspection by the state. The boat is not an essential business either.”

After it was suggested a committee of Vice President Emily Shipley, Todd Realty ERA and Scaggs, explore ways to have a smaller downtown event, perhaps in August.

On a positive note, it was voted to adopt a slogan for North Webster at the suggestion of Secretary Tammy Waliczek, Dixie Haven Resort. It will be “We are #WEBSTERUNITED.” All local businesses are urged to post #WEBSTERUNITED on their marquee signs. The chamber will post it online www.northwebster.com and on its Facebook page. “It makes me feel better that we are all in this together to make it through the pandemic,” explained Waliczek.

How the chamber can help non-essential and essential local businesses during the pandemic brought about several suggestions. A hot spot for what local businesses are offering is the chamber’s Facebook page. It has featured many special deals and the procedures for curb side pick up for businesses.

Not only restaurants, but local businesses such as Clayton Garden Center and Sue’s Creations have curb side service currently. Check the Facebook page for plenty of information. Local businesses, whether current chamber members or not, are invited to use the chamber’s resources including the newsletter, website and Facebook page by emailing [email protected] with their offerings, Scaggs said.

In other business, a recap of the awards dinner was given, updates were supplied on the North Webster Community Guide, which will be available April 20, and the April Member of the Month was chosen.