10 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER December 2020
Charbonneau community waves goodbye to familiar face
BY CLARA HOWELL
Karen Pratt is leaving her position to go into a bakery business with her daughter
Karen Pratt , the first face
many Charbonneau residents saw upon entering the country club , left the community Friday , Nov . 13 .
Karen worked at the CCC for about three and a half years , starting in June 2017 . She was a receptionist at the CCC , a greeter and a jack-of-all-trades when it came to country club administrative responsibilities .
“ Whatever needs to be done , I just kind of jump in and take care of that ,” Karen said .
BY CLARA HOWELL
Steve improved many aspects of the Charbonneau Tennis Club during his 16 years as manager
Steve Hall ’ s duties as manager of the Charbonneau Tennis Club didn ’ t fall short of a full-time job , especially during the COVID-19 pandemic .
Steve tackled many issues and challenges as manager , and recently retired after 16 years .
“ There is going to be some extra time , quite a bit of extra time ,” said Steve , adding that he will devote more time to his tennis history website — he ’ s been involved in tennis history as the chairman of the United States Tennis Association Historical Committee and chairman of USTA Hall of Fame Committee — and alpine gardening . “ I ’ ve got a pretty extensive garden . I enjoy working in , and collecting , plants from the high country .”
Steve moved to Charbonneau 20 years ago and joined the tennis club after moving from Portland .
He was the manager of the club and the president of the Charbonneau Tennis Club Board for the first 10 years , though he remained manager for another six years after that .
When Steve first began as the club ’ s manager in 2004 , he said there were many issues that required his attention .
“ The building needed maintenance , needed a new roof . The siding was rotted out ,” Steve said . “ We had a problem back then of keeping board members and as a result , we went a number of years without having a board .”
Other problems Steve addressed were vandalism and security , managing court availability and utilization of the outdoor courts . He also worked on building a management infrastructure , forming bylaws , plans and processes .
One of the highlights during his time as manager was starting the Charbonneau / Wilsonville Tennis Tournament .
“ Also we conducted a summer social utilizing the new country club barbecue area , which was well attended ,” Steve
Karen said her decision to leave Charbonneau wasn ’ t an easy one . She decided to help one of her daughters , Kelly , fulfill her dream of owning a retail bakery shop and went into business with her .
Kelly owns Sprinkles of Joy and has been selling her baked goods at farmers markets . She is also known for teaching classes , like the cupcake decorating classes at the CCC .
“ I ’ ve helped her along the way at different markets or if she has big events , I ’ ll go and help her sell , bake , whatever is needed ,” Karen said .
So when an opportunity arose for Kelly to open a brick and mortar in Newberg , they couldn ’ t say no . Karen decided to go into business with her and open the retail bakery space located at 621 East 1st Street , Newberg .
Sprinkles of Joy ’ s grand opening was planned for Nov . 28 .
“ We ’ ll be open Tuesday through Saturday and we ’ ll have retail treats and a few breakfast items — quiche and some scones and cupcakes , cookies — and then eventually down the road , ( we ’ re ) hoping to add some lunch items like soup and salad ,” said Karen , adding that her daughter wants to create sweet , fun drinks as well . “ So lots of big plans ... She ’ s super creative and business is doing very , very well so this is kind of the next step .”
Karen said this will be a big change and she will miss the Charbonneau community the most .
“ I would not be leaving Charbonneau had it not been for this opportunity ,” she said . “ We ’ ve ( my daughter and I ) always talked about working together in a bakery anyway so this opportunity came up and it was something she wanted to do and she needed help so she asked me to join her and has made me a partner in her business . I feel very privileged to have her ask that . It ’ s just
COURTESY PHOTO
Karen Pratt and her daughter , Kelly , opened a retail space for a bakery together .
something that ’ s been incorporated in our family too .”
Karen said she grew up in a family of bakers . Her mother made sweets and had a tradition of baking Christmas cookie plates . They would deliver them together to friends and family . She also remembers visiting with her aunt to talk about recipes .
“ Lots of good memories ,” Karen said . “ I ’ m sad to leave Charbonneau but excited about this next opportunity .”
Steve Hall steps away from tennis club leadership
COURTESY PHOTO : JOANNE SMITH
Steve Hall retired as the tennis club ’ s manager after 16 years . said . More recently , he helped make improvements based on member feedback like installing video cameras , implementing an automated tennis booking system and adding a new type of membership that just involved the outdoor courts and pickleball .
“ That was Charbonneau ’ s introduction to pickleball ,” said Steve , adding that it ’ s now expanding and Charbonneau is considering adding a cover to the outdoor courts so pickleball can be played year-round . “ One of the things that really illustrated that we were doing a good job was Portland put in a new tennis center there at Meridian Park Hospital , which is in our own backyard .”
It opened four years ago , and Steve said they lost minimal members .
“ That was a tribute that illustrated our members like it here ,” Steve added . “ They didn ’ t make the change .”
One of the most recent challenges has been figuring out how to manage the club during the pandemic .
Specifically , Steve said it was difficult “ trying to understand what the governor ’ s rulings are and providing an environment for our players that allow them to participate ( while ) keeping in mind their safety ,” he said .
Kathi Gray , who ’ s been the president of the tennis board for the last couple years , replaced Steve as manager .
“ I think we built a wonderful infrastructure . I think things are going to be in good hands in the future ,” Steve said . “ I ’ m looking forward to retiring but I think that we ’ ve got a good board and a good manager to maintain things .”