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Chamber NewsBreak - May 2012
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| Ladies, get ready for your Night Out! |
 Ladies, local stores and restaurants are lining up to offer up special discounts this one evening just for you! Save the date of Thursday, May 3 from 3pm-7pm for the second Ladies Night Out in Portage. We've expanded the hours and are rolling out the red carpet for you.
Begin at the Chamber office that day and for only $5 you will receive a shopping tote bag, a flower, and a passport to savings featuring all the participating businesses and the one-night only specials they are offering, plus a chance to win a Portage Green Gift Certificate. Stop by Edgewater Greenhouse and learn how to create a fairy or miniature garden. (Fees based upon materials used.) Mary Kay Consultant Debbie Holland, Tastefully Simple Consultant Sue Hon, Pampered Chef Consultant Jamie Herrmann and Vikki Shackett L'Bri Pure 'N Natural Independent Consultant will be set up at the Chamber office and will be providing samples. Learn how to make earrings at Prairie Flower Bead with demonstrations at 5:30 and 6:30. Learn a variety of scarf tying techniques from Fancy Pants and Smart Woman. Forever Your's Jewelry will hold a gift basket drawing. Ladies should come in to fill out Hint Hint Cards or make their Wish List. Ladies will also receive 10% off purchases of non-clearance items.
Stop by these business with your passport to check out their special this-event-only deals! Corner Pocket Sports Bar & Grill Salon 51
Dino's Restaurant Smart Woman
Edgewater Greenhouse Super 8
Fancy Pants Tangerine
Forever Your's Jewelry Tamarack Pizza
L'Bri Pure 'N Natural Consultant Mary Kay Independent Consultant Tastefully Simple
Mercantile The Flower Company
Pampered Chef The Welcome Home Sew-n-Vac
Portage Lumber Do-It Best Walsh's Ace Hardware
Prairie Flower Beads Wilz Drug & Home Health Care
B&B Hitching Post Zimmerman PromotionZ
Roger's Gifts & Gallery |
| Fore! Chamber outing coming up! |
The golf committee is hard at work planning the 30th year of the Portage Chamber Golf Outing, which will be held on Wednesday, June 13. Don't miss out on this great opportunity to network with many Chamber members. A few foursomes are still available for those who want to get in on the fun. Click here to get your reservation form.
Thank you to this year's golf sponsors:
First Weber Realty Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home
Community Bank of Portage Forever Your's Jewelry
BMO Harris Bank H.G. Meigs/Meigs Trucking Inc.
Land Title Rhyme
Miller Brussell Ebben & Glaeske Portage National Bank
Witt Agency Farmers Insurance Cascade Mountain
Don-Rick Insurance General Engineering
Trecek Automotive Associated Bank
Two Rivers Signs & Design Culvers Restaurant
Wal-Mart Cardinal FG
Frontier Communications Zimmerman Plumbing
AmericanWay United Country Hamele Auction Realty
Divine Savior Healthcare
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| Independence Celebration lights up June calendar |
 Portage is gearing up for another great Fourth of July Celebration this summer. The fun is scheduled for Saturday, June 30. Miss America, Wisconsin's own Laura Kaeppeler, who is brought to you by Frontier Communications, City of Portage Tourism, and the Business Improvement District, is headlining our Independence Day Celebration Parade at 4pm.
Following the parade, members of the UW Marching Band, brought to you by AMPI, will perform a Fifth Quarter performance at Pauquette Park. The Concert in the Park, celebrating 20 years of the Chamber of Commerce bringing the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra to Pauquette Park, begins at 6:30pm with the singing of our National Anthem by none other than Miss America!
Local musician Madison Malone performs following the Orchestra at approximately 8:15pm. At dusk we will have a breathtaking display of fireworks set off over the Wisconsin River.
Get your business noticed by being a part of the parade or by sponsoring the concert. Call the Chamber office to sign up at 608-742-6242. Invite your friends and family to Portage for this event.
Thank you Sponsors! City of Portage Tourism Frontier Communications
Ho-Chunk Casino AMPI
Culver's Business Improvement District
Divine Savior Healthcare Community Bank of Portage
Portage Daily Register Cardinal Glass
Alliant Energy Friends of the Concert
Wisconsin River Title Consultants
Rayovac Portage Lumber Do-It Best
Johnson Chiropractic Pat Halasz
John Holmes Curran & Seubert Dental
Crawford Oil Edward Jones Investments - Klay Vehring
Sean Malone State Farm Insurance
Bremner Granite Dave and Judy Eulberg
Portage National Bank Malone's State Farm Insurance
BMO Harris Bank Rotary Club of Portage
Portage Lions Club Davis Duehr Dean-Portage
Chuck Miller Agency Hill Automotive
Pardeeville Family Dentistry Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home
Judge Howard Latton
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LMS Construction, Inc.
W7550 State Rd. 16
Pardeeville, WI 53954
Donna Meister at 608-742-8618
A construction company. Eye-Deal Eyewear, LLC
215 W. Cook St.
Portage, WI 53901
Diana Haertel at 608-742-2020
Offering great prices and service on eyewear and contacts.
Pampered Chef Independent Consultant - Jamie Herrman
2606 Hamilton St.
Portage, WI 53901
Jamie Herrman at 608-516-8079
Developing kitchen tools, providing expert cooking tips and creating simple recipes that enhance shared mealtime and suit busy lifestyles.
L'Bri Pure 'N Natural Independent Consultant - Vikki Shackett
630 E. Howard St.
Portage, WI 53901
Vikki Shackett at 806-662-3695
Pure and natural skin care products |
| Business Profile: St. Vincent DePaul |
The St Vincent de Paul Society has been helping people around the world since 1833. Today, over 50,000 local chapters of the organization help millions of people worldwide. Expenditures to help those in need are over $300 million in the US alone. The St Vincent de Paul Society assists with various needs such as food, clothing, financial assistance, medical and dental clinics, disaster relief, job training, low-cost housing, shelters for the abused or homeless and much more.
The Portage conference, now located at 1311 W. Wisconsin, has been proud to support our local community since 1973. We strive to serve our community by offering low-cost, clean clothing and general household merchandise to the general public. Using income from our sales, we support people in need by offering a number of assistance programs. Our current resources are an emergency food pantry which is open during normal store hours, clothing and household donations to those in need, emergency rent and utility assistance, and a free medical clinic. We also are a job experience work-site for programs such as W2, DVR, and Experience Works.
Our free medical clinic was launched in November 2010 in the fitting rooms at the retail store. At launch, we were seeing 8 patients per week. By February 2011 we were up to 15. In 2011 we served over 1000 people. We currently see 40-60 patients per week and have helped over 2500 people since the clinic's inception. Due to generosity by Larry Wilz, the clinic is now located at 140 East Cook in the lower level of Wilz Drug.
The clinic serves anyone who has need (with or without insurance) and currently offers chiropractic services, physical therapy, basic screenings, general healthcare on Wednesday's from 9am - Noon. The response by the community has been wonderful. Nearly 10 local doctors and 20 nurses volunteer their time in generosity. Dean Clinics have provided many services for the doctors and we have over 20 other wonderful volunteers doing everything from clerical work to light remodeling.
The retail store offers various monthly specials, usually 50% off a rotating selection of items. For the month of May we will also offer 25% off all clothing on Saturdays only. We are open Monday-Saturday 9am-5pm and Friday evenings until 8pm.
If you haven't visited us in a while, come check us out. It's a good way to help your wallet and your community! Questions? Call Aaron Ramquist at 608-742-5513.
Find us on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Vincent-de-Paul-Portage/265755270137904
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| Kentucky Derby Day at Portage Center for the Arts |
 And They're Off!!! Watch the Annual Kentucky Derby and support the Portage Center for the Arts on Saturday, May 5 from 3pm-7pm. Wear your favorite Derby Hat to be judged and have your photo taken with a real live horse with a rose garland in the Winner's Circle.
There will be multiple TV's, games and prizes and a cash bar with Mint Juleps. Music will be provided by Mike Powers and Joel Engelland. Admission tickets are $20 each and entitles you to admission, sandwich with sides. You must have an admission ticket to participate in the games and events. Additional fees required for some activities.
Sounds like a wonderful FUNdraiser, so get ready because it's POST TIME! For more information, visit
www.portagecenterforthearts.com or call 608-742-5655.
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| Don't miss St. Mary's Best Fest! |
Save May 18-20 for St. Mary's Best Fest! This year's highlights include a carnival, live music, run/walk, raffles, dunk tank, bed races (yes, bed races!) and more!!!
Click here for a schedule of events or call 608-742-6998 for more information.
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| Call on Martin Security to protect you and your business |
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 American Security & Investigations provides Property Managers and Owners with custom-designed programs to meet their specific needs. We partner with your organization to assist you in your efforts to ensure the physical and personal safety of your employees, visitors and guests, as well as that of the property.
We provide the following services: Property Site Checks; Alarm and Surveillance System Monitoring; Alarm Response Services; After Hours Employee Escorts; Building Lock/Unlock Services; Interior Building Patrols; GUARD ONE Verification.
Our Portage Mobile Patrol security service has been offered since the 1960's. To find out more information about how Martin Security can help you, call 800-506-9269. |
| General Engineering Company turns 100 years |
Celebrate a prestigious time as General Engineering Company turns 100! Join them in thanking the community for their business over the past century on Tuesday, May 8. An Open House will begin at 2pm leading into Business After 5 from 5pm until 7pm at GEC, 916 Silver Lake Drive, in Portage.
They will be giving away door prizes from 2pm until 7pm, as well as a grand prize--a one-night stay in Wisconsin Dells! There will be refreshments, appetizers, and cake. Many vintage-framed photographs will be on display that range from the early 1900's until now, as well as many historical archived items. People can tour the office, as well as watch featured slide shows of GEC.
For more information about this historic event, call GEC at 608-742-2169.
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| Museum at the Portage turns 100 years |
 The Museum at the Portage marks 100 years with an open house on Thursday, May 10 from 5pm-7pm to celebrate the anniversary of the museum's building, built as the home of William and Jessie Blackman Breese in 1912. View the exhibit of the William Breese family and home movies of the family that include Zona Gale. Refreshments will be served. Artifacts, maps and photographs capturing the history of Wisconsin's third oldest settlement are featured in the Museum. The past is illuminated through hundreds of authentic pieces from this unique place at the intersection of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. Explore area history and culture shaped by the influences of rivers, native people, early explorers, brickyards, railroads, and local residents. The Museum is located at 804 MacFarlane Road. For more information, call 608-742-6682. Tour hours are April, May, September and October, Thursday-Saturday from 1pm-4pm and June through August, Tuesday-Saturday from 1pm-4pm. |
| WaterWalk showing at Portage Theatres |
WaterWalk, based on a true story and adapted from the acclaimed book is showing at the Portage Theatre May 4-10. The movie, billed as the extraordinary true story of a father and son who traveled 1000 miles and found each other, was shot on location in Michigan, along the Fox River and the Wisconsin River.
Showtimes are Friday-Sunday at 11:15am, 1:30pm, 4pm, 6:15pm and 8:30pm and Monday-Thursday at 1:30pm, 4pm, 6:15pm and 8:30pm.
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Friesland Men's Choir to perform
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The Friesland Men's Choir performs at St. John's Lutheran Church, 850 Armstrong St., at 7:30pm on Saturday, May 5. This is a free will donation event with the proceeds going to the Pregnancy Resource Center. The PRC provides pregnancy testing, supportive counseling, a library and educational materials, infant clothing and bedding as well as supplies for mama and baby after the birth.
Contact Jessica Heesch, Director of Columbia County Pregnancy Resource Center, at 608-432-2450 for more information about this event. The center is located at 311 E. Wisconsin Street, Suite 202 in Portage. Help line: 1-800-705-4710. |
| Sand County Fine Arts Festival event coming to Market Square |
 The Sand County Fine Arts Festival will be held on Saturday, July 7 in Market Square from 10am to 5pm. The festival committee is partnering with Portage Center for the Arts to direct the proceeds toward furthering the arts in downtown Portage.
The Portage Rotary will also be hosting a beer and wine tasting during this event. Food and other beverages will be available for purchase through the Portage Center for the Arts booth. Entertainment will be provided throughout the day, featuring Nathan Russell and his band Scuttle Buttin' blues band from 10am until 1pm, The Santas Boys (Cody, age 11 and Nicholas, age 13) will be doing violin/fiddling from 1pm unitl 2pm, and Harmonious Wail (gypsy jazz with an American flavor) from 2pm until 5pm.
The Sand County Fine Arts Festival committee and Portage Center for the Arts strongly encourage area businesses to support and help promote this wonderful event.
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Eulberg to guide summer walking tours again
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 Local historian Judy Eulberg will again lead the Historic Downtown Walking Tours this summer. The one-hour tours will depart from the Chamber office, 104 W. Cook St., at 10am. The tours are free to the public and will be held on the first and third Saturdays of the month, June through August.
We are happy to have Judy back as a guide and look forward to another great season of enlightening locals and visitors alike with the history of our downtown. |
| Upcoming Business After 5 |
Business After 5 - General Engineering Company
Tuesday, May 8th from 5pm-7pm
Join fellow Chamber members for networking, conversation and refreshments at our monthly Business After Five. Hosted by General Engineering Company, 916 Silver Lake Drive.
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Community Events
www.portagewi.com |
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| Take a field trip with Edgewater Greenhouse |
Join Edgewater Greenhouse on a field trip of some beautiful gardens on Thursday, July 26. Take a deluxe motor coach ride to Janesville and spend an amazing morning strolling through the internationally themed 20-acre garden. Enjoy lunch at the gardens and then head off to Allen Centennial Gardens in Madison.
Space is limited, so sign up today by calling Edgewater Greenhouse at 742-6558. Tickets are $50 and include transportation, admission and lunch.
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| Books needed for Portage Library Book Sale |
 The annual Friends of the Portage Library book sale will be held July 26-28, 2012, at the Portage Public Library. Donations can now be brought to the library and must be in good condition with no mildew. Books (no Readers Digest, condensed books, textbooks or magazines), as well as books on tape/CD, VHS tapes, DVD's and comic books are appreciated. Proceeds from the book sale are used to support the children's programs and to purchase recorded books, DVD's, books and other items for the library. For more information, call the Portage Library at 742-4959. |
| May Chamber Meeting & Event Dates |
2nd: Ambassador Meeting at Community Bank 8am
3rd: Ladies Shopping & Dining Night Out 3pm-7pm
8th: Business After 5 at General Engineering 5pm-7pm
17th: Business Luncheon at Portage Library 11am
23rd: Ribbon Cutting at Historic Indian Agency House (Trail) 9am
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| Ribbon Cuttings & Groundbreakings |
 A ribbon cutting was held at Eye-Deal Eyewear to welcome Diana Haertel as a new owner of this business in Portage. Located at 215 W. Cook St., Eye-Deal Eyewear offers great prices and service including Revolution and Legre eyewear. Call 608-742-2020 for more information.
 A ribbon cutting was held at B & B Hitching Post, 2503 W. Wisconsin St., to welcome new owners Steve Boelter and Mike Bergman. Now open daily for breakfast, lunch & dinner: Monday-Thursday 7am-9pm; Friday & Saturday 7am-10pm; Sunday 7am-3pm. Enjoy nightly specials: Monday Senior night; Tuesday Mexican specials & Chicken & ribs; Wednesday Irish night Thursday Italian night; Friday Fish fry Saturday Prime rib; and Sunday Breakfast/brunch buffet. Call 742-4208 for more information.
 A groundbreaking ceremony highlighted by
an appearance by Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker was held at Alliant Energy's Columbia Energy Center just south of Portage. Alliant Energy officials detailed a $627 million project that will employ about 600 workers and reduce mercury and sulfur dioxide emissions by 90 percent.
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| Give Portage Green Gift Certificates! |
Portage Green Gift Certificates make an excellent gift. Used just like cash, the certificates can be purchased from the Portage Chamber in $5 and $10 increments. Recipients of the Portage Green may redeem them at these participating Chamber member businesses. By buying Portage Green Gift Certificates, you are helping to boost local business by keeping thousands of dollars right here in Portage. Don't get worked up over figuring out what to get someone; make it easy on yourself and give them Portage Green Gift Certificates! For more information, call the Chamber at 608-742-6242. |
The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce is providing leadership for
building a healthy economy and a high quality of life in the Portage Area. |
NEWS BREAK is a monthly publication of the Portage Area Chamber of Commerce. Please contact the Chamber if you have news about your business that you would like to include in the next issue.
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