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Chamber NewsBreak - July 2012
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| Don't Miss these Misses at Independence Celebration |
 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.
Not only will Miss America be here, but new Miss Wisconsin Kate Gorman, Miss Heart of Wisconsin and 1st runner-up Katie Williams, and Miss Wisconsin Junior Teen Rachel Higgins will all be on hand-- lending credence to this year's parade theme: America the Beautiful.
The event kicks off with a parade through downtown heading west on Cook St, right on Wisconsin, and west on Conant St. to Pauquette Park. Local World War II Veterans serve as parade marshals this year. Also featured in the parade this year are the New Glarus Fire Department with their ladder routine, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, the Zor Shriner's Mini Cars, the Dual County Community Band, and the UW-Marching Band which, following the parade, will perform a Fifth Quarter performance at Pauquette Park. Look to the skies following the parade as Doctor Foskett pilots his classic yellow 1943 military plane near 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!
At 8:30pm, the 115th Fighter Wing unit will cruise over Pauquette Park and along the river. The fireworks display has been postponed and rescheduled for Saturday, August 25. Local musician Madison Malone's performance has been moved to the air-conditioned comfort of the Blarney Stone, 220 W. Wisconsin St., and will start after the Military Flyover. 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 Pepsi
Portage Daily Register Business Improvement District
Divine Savior Healthcare Community Bank of Portage
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
Penda Corporation Mike and Carmen Griffith
Trecek Automotive Sean Malone State Farm Insurance
Bremner Granite Dave and Judy Eulberg
Portage National Bank BMO Harris Bank
Rotary Club of Portage Portage Lions Club
Davis Duehr Dean-Portage Chuck Miller Agency
Hill Automotive Pardeeville Family Dentistry
Judge Howard Latton Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home
U.S. Bank Kwik Trip
Nona's Tailoring and Tuxes Kathy Houzner
Jean Kuhn Aramark
General Engineering Dave and Ellen Voelker
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| Great day for the Portage Chamber Golf Outing! |
 Spectacular weather greeted golfers in the 30th Portage Chamber Golf Outing at the Portage Country Club. A day away from the office filled with laughs and good times is business as usual--or par for the the course--at this outing! Taking home the travelling trophy this year was the team of Tyler Hoel, Justin Olsom, Kim Standke and Greg Holland. Our sponsor Travis Hamele of Hamele Auction and Realty presents the trophy to this winning foursome.
Thank you to this year's golf sponsors:
First Weber Realty
Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home
Bindl Family Chiropractic
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 Dean Health Plan
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| Business Profile: Evolution Agency |
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Evolution Agency (Erie Insurance) was officially open for business in July of 2010 from my home in Coloma, a small town 35 miles north of Portage. I grew up and attended school in Westfield which I consider a "suburb" of Portage, so I am familiar with and enjoy conducting business in the Portage area. We are an independent agency, meaning we contract through various insurance companies in order to give you a selection of options. Our primary carrier is Erie Insurance, an A+ rated company formed in 1925. We are the only office to offer Erie Insurance in the Portage area.
My hobbies include all shotgun sports, from trap and skeet to primarily sporting clays. In fall, I can often be found in the middle of a marsh overlooking duck decoys or chasing my yellow lab on a pheasant field. Summers include kayaking, running, and attending my boy's baseball games. I am a licensed federal firearms holder and gun enthusiast as well.
I first started here in Portage over on W. Wisconsin in August of 2010, moving to my current location at 2559 New Pinery in October of 2010. The Agency is privately owned by Dave Wacholtz with occasional help from Laurie, Dave's wife of 21 years and their three boys, Logan(18), Seth(14) and Zachary(11) .
I transitioned into Insurance from the real estate field, of which I was involved in since 1998. While real estate remains a hobby, I've developed a passion for protecting people's auto's ,homes, businesses, and also offering life products. I consider myself more of a consultant than a salesman. My Agency's motto is: "We don't sell you insurance;we help you buy it." Often when quoting insurance for folks, they will comment that they have never been presented this many options or actually had certain terms or coverages explained in the manner I explain them. I consider myself to be a commnonsense guy. If it makes sense, consider it. If what I propose doesn't make sense, I wouldn't ask you to do it. That simple.
My agency goals are also fairly simple. Keep on keepin on with steady growth while always keeping the customer in mind. We have no plans on being the biggest insurance agency in Portage, but simply doing our best day in and day out for our clients and customers.
So whether you are looking for an insurance quote or just want to talk hunting or shooting, stop in at 2559 New Pinery Road or call 608-745-4680.
Thank you for your business,
David A.Wacholtz, Owner/Principal, Evolution Agency
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| Miller, Brussell, Ebben and Glaeske is moving |
 Miller, Brussell, Ebben and Glaeske is moving to a new location at 611 E. Wisconsin St. in Portage. For more information, call 608-742-2103. |
| First Flea Market of summer kicks off June 2 |
 The next Portage City Flea Market will be held Saturday, July 7. The flea markets are held the first Saturdays of the month, June through September and are located next to and inside the Bidwell Building at the Veterans Memorial Field at 300 Superior St. The market features crafts, produce, antiques, collectibles, and rummage sale Items. The event is held rain or shine! Citywide Rummage Sales will take place each of these Saturdays to coincide with the flea markets.
The Flea Market hours are from 7am to 3pm. For contact information, call the Portage Parks and Recreation Department at 608-742-2178.
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| Sign up now for St. Mary's Golf Outing |
 Get ready for our our 16th annual golf outing at the Portage Country Club. Our goal is to put together an enjoyable, high quality event for those who participate, and to raise money to continue to purchase technology equipment for the school and fund the Patty Quigley Scholarship. This year we are looking to expand on last year's event in all areas of the tournament including sponsorships, prizes and participants.
Our golf outing is a great opportunity for your business to gain exposure for itself while, at the same time, helping to support a very worthy cause. As a family this is a great way to show your support of Catholic Education.
If you would like to participate, we would greatly appreciate your support. Click on the image to the right for access to golf registration and sponsorship forms. Call Kari at 608-742-6998 for more information.
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| 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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| Kowald joins Portage Summit Credit Union |
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 Dawn Kowald has joined Summit Credit Union as financial service specialist (FSS) for its Portage branch located at 110 Henry Dr., in Portage. Kowald brings more than 20 years of experience in banking and finance to her role at Summit. She was most recently a personal banker at Harris Bank in Portage for more than 15 years. Prior to that, she worked in the trust department at U.S. Bank in Madison.
A life-long resident of Poynette, Wis., Kowald is actively involved with the community and coaches the area Youth Optimists softball team as well as the Poynette Fast Pitch softball team with her husband, Brian. She has two daughters - Brianna, age 10, and Jackquelin, age 18.
Established in 1935, Summit Credit Union is a member-owned financial cooperative open to anyone in Wisconsin. Summit holds $1.8 billion in assets and has more than 125,000 members with a total of 23 locations throughout the Madison and Milwaukee areas. For more information, visit www.summitcreditunion.com or call (608) 243-5000 or (800) 236-5560. |
| Become a Social All-Star from Frontier Communications |
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How to Become a Social All-Star presented by Frontier Communications
Live Webinar on July 12th 11:30am EST
This engaging live webinar features a distinguished panel of experts who will bring together case studies, tips and tricks to help your business become a Social All-Star. RSVP and learn more by clicking here.
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| Smart Woman opens next to Fancy Pants |
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Preparation has been underway for a few weeks for the new look of Smart Woman now located in the middle of the block next to Fancy Pants. You can now walk from one store to each other without even going outside. The new location is much bigger with large mirrors, nice dressing rooms and lots of new inventory for you to select from. The old location will soon be Smart Woman Shoes, Handbags and Accessories so stay tuned to see all the new fashions in the windows. Be sure to come in and see Megan and Cindy and check out the new store. Smart Woman is now located at 120 West Cook Street. Call 742-5733 for more information. Read more about their move by clicking here.
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| Half Off Half the Store Sale at Forever Your's Jewelry |
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Half Off Half the Store Sale at Forever Your's Jewelry
July 6th - July 13th at 3pm
Half the Jewelry store will be Half Off while some exceptions do apply.
Forever Your's is located at 123 W. Cook Street in downtown Portage. Call 745-3330 for more details.
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| Elks Lodge serving lunch during Farmers Markets |
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The Portage Elks Lodge will be seving lunch from 11:30am to 2:30pm on Thursdays in summer at the Elks Lodge porch located to the north of Commerce Plaza across from the Farmers Market. Brats, burgers, chips, soda and water are a great offering and are the perfect compliment to those shopping the market. |
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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.
Join us Saturday, July 7 or Saturday, July 21 at 10am! |
| Upcoming Business After 5 |
Business After 5 - Riley's Bar & Grill
Tuesday, July 10th from 5pm-7pm
Join fellow Chamber members for networking, conversation and refreshments at our monthly Business After Five. Hosted by Riley's Bar & Grill.
August Business After 5 - Northwoods Inc.
September Business After 5 - Bindl Chiropractic
October Business After 5 - Indian Trails Campground
November Business After 5 - Free Spirit Travel
December Business After 5 - Prairie Flower Beads
Reserve a month in 2013 for your business before they're taken!!
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Community Events
www.portagewi.com |
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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. |
| July Chamber Meeting & Event Dates |
10th: Business After 5 - Riley's Bar & Grill 5pm-7pm
18th: Portage Chamber Ribbon Cutting at The Friendly Tavern 5pm
25th: Concerts at the Portage - the Chamber is serving desserts.
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| Enjoy music and more at Taste of Portage |
 We're turning up the volume on the fun dial this summer with the Taste of Portage, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, August 24 and 25. The Taste of Portage Market Fair has grown over the years and evolved to include multiple days and a variety of activities like a car show and kiddie pedal pull along with a variety of musical acts. The event draws more than 5,000 people each summer.
Music takes center stage at this year's event. Friday night features Main Street Wisdom with News Anchor Carleen Wild. Saturday brings Late 4 Dinner to the intersection of Cook and DeWitt Streets and the Midwesterners under the afternoon sun at Market Square followed by 76 Juliet on Saturday night.
Longtime staples of the Taste are back as the art and craft vendors and car show fill Cook and DeWitt streets on Saturday. The food vendors serving up delicious cuisine are coming again to take care of your appetite. Kids activities, including The Green and Gold Experience, the kids' pedal pull, Canadian Pacific Railway kiddie train, Lochlan the Magician, and the Open Arms Daycare Kids' Creation Station are back again, too.
The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce is looking for sponsors and volunteers. If you would like to help, please call our office at 608-742-6242.
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| Ribbon Cuttings & Groundbreakings |
 A ribbon cutting was held at Jim's BP, 2211 W. Wisconsin St., to celebrate this new business in Portage. Located at the corner of Silver Lake Drive and West Wisconsin St. (Highway 16) behind Murph's Chop Shop, Jim's BP is a great locally owned convenience store for those on the go. For more information, call 608-742-5500.
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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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