PICTURED ARE MARIPOSA ROTARY PAST PRESIDENT DUANE ROBINSON (RIGHT) AND REID MARKS. ROBINSON IS PRESENTING A PLAQUE TO MARKS THAT WILL BE PLACED IN THE GARDEN OF THE EWING WING. IT COMMEMORATES HIS SPEARHEADING ROTARY'S WORK ON THE GARDEN. GETTING IT FENCED, PLANTED, PAVED, AND SUN PROTECTED MAKES IT POSSIBLE FOR THE RESIDENTS TO ENJOY THE OUTDOORS. The May 8 Gold Rush Golf Tournament, sponsored by the Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce, was just one item of interest presented to the Rotary Club last week. Proceeds from this event will support the North County Volunteer Fire Department.

The chamber's Executive Director, Peter Schimmelfennig, listed other community events sponsored by the chamber such as the Merry Mountain Christmas events each year. The organization earns its dues by serving its members and the business community at large. The goal is to address issues that impact the business community.

Schimmelfennig answered questions from the audience regarding funding for the chamber. This is a not-for-profit organization and is not funded by Mariposa County. Peter elaborated on the relationship between county government and the chamber. The chamber operates two visitors' centers for Mariposa County government, one in north county and the second in south county. The chamber has a service contract to staff the centers and pay the rent and utilities with a small fee to supervise the operations.

The south county center operates 8 hours a day 7 days per week in the "off season." During the height of tourist season that changes to a 12 hours a day 5 days a week schedule during the week and 8 hours per day on Saturday and Sunday.

The chamber opened the original visitors' center on Bullion Street years ago in response to requests by local business owners. Visitors' centers are recognized as a business builder for local communities by encouraging tourists to stop and stay longer.

The Mariposa County Chamber of Commerce has a Web site. Visits to the Web site since the beginning of this year to Feb. 17 total 15,869. Some of those are repeat visits; first visits by individuals total 11,657 "hits" during this period. Find thesite at www.mariposachamber. org.