Chamber mixers start again
The Chamber is pleased to announce we will once again be presenting a variety of mixers and presentations in 2012.
Membership Renewal for 2012 is underway
The Cumberland Chamber of Commerce thanks its members for their support. Highlights of 2011 include record-breaking visitation to the website and Visitor Centre as well as increased participation (both vendors and attendees) in Market Day and WinterFair events.
And the Christmas in the Village Winners Are…
Christmas in the Village was another great success in Cumberland this year. Participating merchants report that traffic was up, conversations were lively and customers were keen to shop locally. Special activities at several locations livened up the week, as did the fabulous decorations by many retailers, service industries, restaurants and wholesalers.
Cumberland As Muse
Art Inspired by the Village Landscape.
The Cumberland Museum and Archives is presenting an exciting new seasonal event called “Cumberland as Muse” on Friday December 2nd and Saturday December 3rd at the Cumberland Cultural Centre. “Cumberland as Muse” features creative works inspired by the physical, cultural and historic landscape of the Village of Cumberland.
Chamber welcomes Sue Moen as Coordinator
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Sue Moen is the new Cumberland Chamber of Commerce Coordinator. Sue brings 30 years of management experience, the last 20 in non profit and social enterprise development, to the position. Moen states “I’m excited to work with the Chamber members and all Cumberland businesses, groups and residents to support sustainable economic activity. I’m proud to be part of the coolest little Chamber in BC.”
Call for Artist Entries
Call for Artists for Village Museum Show
This December 2nd and 3rd the Cumberland Museum and Archives will be presenting a very special art event inspired by the physical and cultural landscape of the Village of Cumberland. ‘Cumberland as Muse’ is a multi-media art show featuring paintings, sculpture, photographs, short films, art cards and more all inspired by the people, places, stories and impressions of Cumberland. website for more information.
Organizers are putting out the final call to local artists to come and be part of the show. “Cumberland as Muse’ is both a celebration of Village life and an important fundraiser for the Museum. Exhibitors can have a full exhibit space or be part of the “Community Exhibit Area”. Whether you have one piece or 10 your are welcome to apply to be part of the show. Exhibitors agree to a flat fee or to share a percentage of sales with the Museum. The final deadline to be part of this show is the 15th of November.
The Cumberland Museum will also be pulling photos and paintings from the collection to be viewed for the first time in years. From old pictures of Cumberland’s Chinatown to photos of the Big Time Out and everything in between - this show is sure to be an incredible journey though the Cumberland landscape.
Space is limited and it is likely there will not be room for all submissions. To be part of the latest “People’s Museum of Cumberland” project .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)today at the Cumberland Museum or go to their
Chamber Hosts Municipal All Candidates Forum
It’s municipal election time…....and that means it’s time for the most colourful, diverse and engaging all candidates event the Comox Valley has to offer. The Cumberland Municipal All Candidates Forum!
Doors open at 6 and the Forum starts at 6:30 sharp on Tuesday November 1st at the Cumberland Cultural Centre
All 9 candidates for council will be attending.
Opening remarks “what is your vision of Cumberland in 2030” at 6:30 will be followed by questions from the citizens of Cumberland.
Names will be drawn from a ‘hat’ for questions from the floor. Requests to present questions of candidates must be received by 6:40 at the registration table.
Question period will run from 7 to 8:20 and we’ll get through as many as we can! We ask the awesome citizens of Cumberland to try to keep their questions specific and concise (no speeches - run for office if you want to do that) so we can cover tonnes of territory. If its a simple yes/no question we’ll ask the candidates to keep the answer simple and short.
Presented by the Cumberland Chamber of Commerce and moderated by Chamber Chair Meaghan Cursons.
Join us for this high energy and informative event and find out about the folks that want to represent YOU and make the decisions that will shape the future of our community.
Cumberland Winter Fair Pure Magic
One of the first signs that winter is around the corner in the Village is the annual Cumberland Chamber of Commerce “WinterFair”. This magical annual event features the very best of local arts, crafts and food products. Hundreds of shoppers attend the event and enjoy live music, friendship and seasonal shopping.
With over 50 vendors, Cumberland’s WinterFair is one of the biggest community craft fairs in the Valley. But the event has also grown to be one of the best ‘social days’ in Cumberland with friends and neighbours gathering to sip mulled apple cider, listen to tunes and share their plans for the Christmas season.
The 2011 WinterFair will take place on Saturday December 3rd at the Cumberland Recreation Institute from 10 am till 4 pm. Application forms are available HERE and a local jury will select the vendors for the event to ensure a good mix of crafts, art, baking, jewelry, kids toys, clothing and preserves. Come for the shopping but stay for the music, the delicious sweet and savoury treats from the Canteen and the great community vibes!
Coming up October 1st- Blackberries, Apples & Bears!
Blackberries, Apples and Bears oh my!
The Cumberland Museum is joining forces with a host of community partners to present a special harvest event called “Blackberries, Apples and Bears” on Saturday October 1st from 9 am till 5 pm at the Cumberland Museum, Cultural Centre and beyond! 
This Mountain Village Style Fall Fair will feature interactive workshops, films, kids activities, walking tours, information focused on heritage food growing, harvesting and processing, hands-on apple arts and crafts, Bear Awareness, an edible wild plants tour and more. Local community groups, businesses and volunteers will be sharing their skills, expertise and interests with community members of all ages.
A big focus this year will be on Bear Awareness and finding ways address the issue of bears in the Village in the fall season. This includes informing and educating the public about garbage, compost and fruit tree management and opportunities to share surplus fruit. The Village of Cumberland is on board to share important resources that can help make the Village safer for both residents and bears.
“Blackberries Apples and Bears” will culminate with the “2011 Cumberland Pie of the Year Contest” where local pie makers compete for cash and glory. Registration forms are at the Cumberland Museum now or download it here: 2011_Pie_of_the_Year_Entry_Form!.pdf . The Cumberland Pie of the Year Contest features local fruit pies from pie makers of all ages, experience and backgrounds. Special prizes will be awarded for the ‘most creative entry’. Judging is done by a carefully selected panel of pie experts.
“Blackberries, Apples and Bears” will also mark the launch of a new temporary exhibit at the Cumberland Museum focused on heritage food methods and artifacts. This exhibit will run until January 2012.
So mark your calendar for yet another fun filled day in the Village! All ages are very welcome and shops and restaurants will feature sales and specials all day long in Historic Downtown Cumberland. Be prepared for a bear costume or two as well! For more details or to get involved, download registration forms, check schedules and more go to http://www.cumberlandmuseum.ca
Become a Citizen of the Republic!
Village Market Day 2010 marked the debut of the Cumberland Chamber’s Republic of Cumberland T-shirt. (Design by Nik Szymanis). You can outfit yourself and your loved ones in the colours of the “republic” for just $20 at the Cumberland Visitor Centre! A new shipment of Tees are available in army green with red logo in both men’s & women’s styles.
Get ready for a blistering hot summer: Brand New this month are Republic of Cumberland Koozie Can Holders in red with black ink. $4 each or 3 for $10! Keep your beverage cold, not your hands.
Proceeds from t-shirt sales go directly into supporting Chamber sponsored community events such as Market Day and Winter Fair.
Drop in and check out the Museum’s two floors of Cumberland specific displays & artifacts and awesome selection of Cumberland-centric gifts at the Company Store...CDs by local artists, books, archival photo cards, t-shirts, and more!!
Cumberland Visitor Centre - 2680 Dunsmuir Ave in the Cumberland Museum. Open 9am-5pm Monday-Saturday. Closed Sundays and holidays. OPEN 7 DAYS IN JULY & AUGUST!
