2026 June Chamber Newsletter

Celebrating the People of Scotts Valley

The Scotts Valley Community Awards

Gala was a magical evening celebrating the people, organizations, and businesses that make our community so special at Bret Harte Hall in Roaring Camp. The night was filled with connection, appreciation, and heartfelt recognition for those who go above and beyond to serve Scotts Valley.

Congratulations to each of the outstanding 2025 award winners!

Educators of the Year

The Scotts Valley School District Counseling Team

Lauren Hicks • Abbie Stevens

Grace Wahl • Katie Feickert

Sarah Hershey • MacKenzie Keller

Ryan Navaroli • Allison Baumsteiger

Man of the Year

Adam Cosner

Woman of the Year

Monica Aldana

Organization of the Year Arukah Project

Business of the Year Roaring Camp Railroads

Ambassador of the Year

Cheyanne Donald Diaz

Youth of the Year

Dylan Turzak

A huge thank you to everyone who worked so hard behind the scenes to make this incredible event possible. From the donated wine and beer to raffle baskets and auction items, the amazing dinner from Barbara & Co. and delicious desserts from Hot Pink Box.

To everyone that bought tickets and attended, and those who jumped in to help in all the ways. It takes a lot of organization, management and work by many people to pull off a party like this one! We are also deeply grateful to all the

Curious About HELOC and Reverse Mortgages? Join Chamber Chat with Marina Watts

The Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce invites the community to an upcoming Chamber Chat: Curious About HELOC and Reverse Mortgages, on Wednesday, June 24 from 11 a.m. to Noon at the Scotts Valley Library. Hosted by local mortgage loan originator

Marina Watts of HighTechLending, the educational seminar is designed for

homeowners age 55+ who are interested in learning more about home equity options, including HELOCs, Home Equity Conversion Mortgages, and Jumbo Reverse Mortgages.

Attendees will learn how homeowners are using equity to support aging in place, fund home improvements, increase monthly cash flow, and help cover healthcare costs.

The discussion will also explore the differences between traditional home equity lines of credit and reverse mortgage options available to older homeowners.

The free event is open to the public and offers an opportunity for community members to ask questions and better understand the financial tools available to them as they plan for the future.

For more information, contact Marina Watts at 831-535-9760 or visit marinawatts.com

sponsors whose generosity and support helped create such a memorable evening celebrating the very best of Scotts Valley.

Photos at end of Chamber Newsletter

Calendar of Upcoming Community Events

Monday, June 22

5 – 8:30p.m. — Business Appreciation and Community Night

Wednesday, June 24 11

Saturday, August 15 •Sunday, August 16

Scotts Valley Chamber News

Mission Springs Centennial Summer Kickoff and Welcome Center Celebration

By KELLY GAVIN, Executive Director

We were honored to gather at Mission Springs to celebrate the opening of their new Welcome Center and recognize a truly remarkable milestone, 100 years of faith, service, connection, and community at Mission Springs Camps and Conference Center.

As a valued Chamber member and community partner, Mission Springs has long demonstrated what it means to invest in both people and place. Their presence strengthens not only the local economy, but also the spirit of Scotts Valley itself. By welcoming visitors from near and far, fostering meaningful relationships, and creating unforgettable experiences, Mission Springs has impacted generations of families and guests.

Mission Springs serves as a full-service conference center while also offering summer camps for elementary, junior high, and high

school students through Frontier Camp, along with year-round outdoor education and science programs. The organization continues to provide a unique environment where community, learning, and nature come together beneath the redwoods.

During a recent tour with Jennifer Drummond, Mission Springs Director of Advancement, I was immediately reminded

of the beauty and sense of connection Mission Springs inspires. It had been nearly 40 years since my father first brought me there, and I still remembered how impressed he was by the welcoming community atmosphere. Seeing the property again was a powerful reminder of the natural beauty and experiences available right here in Scotts Valley.

3BR/1BA Sunny Spacious Single-Level Stand-alone Home at 14630 Two Bar Road #5 in Boulder Creek. Newer interior paint and flooring throughout. Deck overlooking the creek. W/D hookups. Parking for 2-3 vehicles. No pets.. AVAIL NOW

4BR/1.5BA Charming Single-level Farm House at 8900 East Zayante Rd in Felton. Large eat-in kitchen w/buffet, full-sized appliances, ample cabinetry and walk-in pantry. LR. FR w/wood burning stove. Mud room. Patio. Garden. Driveway parking for 2-3 vehicles. AVAIL NOW

2BR/1BA Single-Level Home at 455 Maple Avenue in Ben Lomond near downtown. Eat-in kitchen. Fireplace in the living room. W/D hookups in single-car garage. Large yard. 1 pet negotiable. AVAIL NOW

Newly Renovated 1BR/1BA Apartment in a Tri-plex at 120 Beulah Court in Santa Cruz. New flooring & interior paint. No onsite laundry. Terrific commute location. Close to shopping & restaurants. Off street parking. AVAIL NOW

Tranquil 1BR/1BA 2-story Apartment at 5344 Taylor Way in Felton. Full kitchen including D/W. New interior paint. New flooring. Lg walk-in closet. Gas fireplace. W/D. 1 pet ok. Private Patio. AVAIL NOW

Since that visit, I have continued sharing the story of Mission Springs and the incredible opportunities it offers. It is especially exciting to think about the many campers arriving in Scotts Valley this summer to spend time away from technology and immersed in nature at Frontier Camp.

Mission Springs’ centennial celebration is also a testament to resilience and vision. Through floods, fires, earthquakes, a pandemic, and decades of change, the organization has continued to grow while remaining true

to its mission of renewal, wonder, and connection. This ribbon cutting represents both a celebration of history and an investment in the future.

The new Welcome Center stands as a symbol of hospitality, growth, and continued commitment to every guest who visits Mission Springs. It reflects their dedication to ensuring this special place continues serving future generations for the next 100 years.

On behalf of the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce, congratulations to everyone at Mission Springs on this Centennial Celebration, the opening of the beautiful new Welcome Center, and this extraordinary milestone. We are grateful for your partnership, leadership, and continued commitment to the Scotts Valley community. We also extend a warm welcome to all the campers and counselors visiting Scotts Valley this summer, how lucky are we that so many come to our area for their summer trips ... pretty cool.

For more information about Mission Springs and its programs, visit: www.missionsprings.com

Chamber Highlights Community Connection at Valley Women’s Network Mixer

The Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce was grateful for the opportunity to share who we are and what we do at the Valley Women’s Network Mixer in May hosted by MyTherapyWorks, an event that highlighted the power of connection, collaboration, and local leadership among women in the community.

The mixer offered more than a social gathering; it served as a visible example of how community-centered spaces can help women build professional relationships, share experiences, and support one another’s work across Scotts Valley, San Lorenzo Valley, and the rest of Santa Cruz County.

We had a fantastic time meeting so many amazing women and hope more women looking for like-minded, communityfocused groups will try Valley Women’s Network and attend an upcoming mixer, where newcomers are welcomed and local connections continue to grow, all with some delicious wine.

For more information, visit mytherapyworks.com.

Scotts Valley Chamber Welcomes a New Ambassador

For Beronica Espinoza Garcia, hospitality is all about people, connections, and making others feel like they belong. Now, she is bringing that same energy to her role as a new Ambassador for the Scotts Valley Chamber of Commerce, alongside her work as Sales Manager at the Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley.

A Santa Cruz local with more than six years in hospitality, Beronica got her start while attending California State University, Monterey Bay, working the front desk at Fairfield Inn and Suites in Capitola. From there, she quickly worked her way up at the Dream Inn Santa Cruz, moving from Sales Coordinator to Event Manager in just a year,

planning everything from corporate meetings to community events.

Today, she is known for building strong relationships and creating memorable experiences, skills that translate perfectly into her role as an Ambassador. Inspired by her earlier involvement with the Santa Cruz Chamber, she saw joining Scotts Valley as a natural next step and a chance to give back to a community she deeply believes in.

Ask her what makes Scotts Valley special, and she will tell you it is the people. She describes it as a close knit, supportive place where showing up for one another truly matters. Whether it is cheering on local businesses, collaborating on events like the Scotts

She brings a positive, welcoming spirit to everything she does and believes the best ambassadors are those who are energetic, genuine, and ready to connect. Her advice for anyone considering getting involved is simple. Jump in. You might be surprised how quickly it starts to feel like home.

In her words, the Ambassador group is a mix of passionate people who come together, lift each other up, and make great things happen. And with Beronica now part of that team, there is no doubt she is helping do exactly that.