In summertime, Highway 97 as it passes through La Pine is a constant flow of tourists headed for Crater Lake, Fort Rock, and other places of natural beauty. For Ann Gawith, all those visitors represent an opportunity to sell âMade in La Pineâ products.
Gawith, the executive director of the La Pine Chamber of Commerce, has been instrumental in opening up the Made in La Pine Store inside the La Pine Visitorâs Center. Birdhouses, baskets made from pine needles, wooden toys, metalwork, holiday cards, honey and engravings are a few of the outstanding products on display in the shop.
âWe donât do it for the profit, we do it to support the store and support local commerce, that is the mission of the La Pine chamber, to be the connecting force for the community,â said Gawith, director at the Chamber since 2011.