Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce
 Business Brief
Advancing the Agricultural, Industrial and Civic Interest of the City of Hillsboro and the Greater Montgomery County
October 2010
In This Issue
Spooktacular Business After Hours
New Member Spotlight
October Membership Meeting
B&I Dinner Record Turnout
Welcome New Members
Membership Renewal
Halloween Parade
Farmer's Market
WANTED
Member Announcements
President's Club
Calendar of Events
Quick Links
 Find us on Facebook
Dear  ,

Here we are in the month of October, the Harvest month.  The farm harvest is well ahead of schedule for this traditional time for harvest.  This is the time we think of fall colors, crisp nights, apple orchards, hot cider, and jack-o-lanterns.  This is the time we really feel fall has arrived.  Another great place to pick up pumpkins, gourds, Indian Corn, and fall craft items is the Farmer's Market. Keep in mind we are still running the Farmer's Market through the end of the month and are still in need of volunteers to watch over the market for the remaining weeks.  Please contact Lesley to volunteer.


Although we are several weeks away from the Schlafly Beer Pairings Dinner,  it is not too early to purchase tickets.  We have a limit of 70 people for the dinner and as of this writing, we have sold over 30 tickets. Not bad for only two weeks of selling.  The point is they will go fast so be sure to purchase your tickets ASAP. Tickets are available at the Church St. Pub or the Chamber office.  If anyone has an item to donate for the silent auction to be held at the dinner, contact Lesley.


You will also receive a notice from Lesley regarding a new membership class called the President's Club that is open to all existing members.  The form explains the benefit of membership, but if you have any additional questions, contact Lesley or myself. Anyone signing up by January 31st will receive the benefit of becoming a "Charter Member" of the President's Club. 


I hope to see you at the next monthly membership meeting October 15 at 12:00 noon at the Country Club. Have a good October!

 

Gene's White
Gene White, President
Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce



"Life's too short to drink cheap beer" - Anonymous
This dinner is expected to sell out! Get your tickets today.


SPOOKTACULAR
CHAMBER BUSINESS AFTER HOURS


Sponosred by the Journal-News


Thursday, October 28
5:00-7:00pm
Church Street Pub




All ghosts, gouls and goblins are encouraged to attend! Come to meet new Chamber members and to network with fellow business men and women.  Costumes welcome!
New Member Spotlights
*photos courtesy of Journal-News Photo


Hillsboro Moose Lodge
411 S. Main St., Hillsboro
Pictured above from left are Angie Eickhoff, Chamber Director, Kim Noyes, Chamber Director, Mike Ryan, Chamber Treasurer, Lesley Pollard, ChamberExecutive Director, John Downs, Moose Lodge 1377 Past Governor, Melissa Durbin, Chamber Vice President, and Gene White, Chamber President.


Top Tier Cakes
108 S. Main St., Hillsboro
Pictured above from left are Gene White, Chamber President, Angie Eickhoff, Chamber Director, Melissa Durbin, Chamber Vice President, Mike Ryan, Chamber Treasurer, Kim Noyes, Chamber Director, Lesley Pollard, Chamber Executive Director, Paige Meyers, Top Tier Cakes Owner.




Salvation Army
237 S. Main, Hillsboro
Pictured above from left are Cheri Ernst, Salvation Army; Veronica Boas, Salvation Army store assistant manager, Mike Ryan, Chamber Treasurer, Kathie Gonet, Salvation Army store manager, Alan Holman, Chamber Director, Lesley Pollard, Chamber Excecutive Director, Susie Galer, ChamberDirector, Marci Stewart, Salvation Army and Jenni Parish, Salvation Army.




Bre's Bee Hive

321 S. Main St.
Pictured above from left are Terri Miller, Chamber Second Vice President, Cassandra Roach, Chamber member, Mike Ryan, Chamber Treasurer, Angie Eickhoff, Chamber Director, Melissa Durbin, Chamber Vice President, Bill Baran, Hillsboro Mayor, Susie Galer, Chamber Director, Breanna Spinner, Bre's Beehive owner, Gene White, Chamber President and Lesley Pollard, Chamber Executive Director





Tee Shirts, Ink
308 S. Main St., Hillsboro
Pictured from left are Alan Holman, Chamber Director, Melissa Durbin, Chamber Vice President, Angie Eickhoff, Chamber Director, Mike Ryan, Chamber Treasurer, Lesley Pollard, Chamber Executive Director, Tysha Mullen & Tammy White, Tee Shirts, Ink and Gene White, Chamber President.



Thank you 
 
People meeting Membership Meeting,
October 15

Hillsboro Country Club

 
Please join us at the Chamber monthly membership meeting, Friday, October 15th at 12:00 noon upstairs at the Country Club. 

Featured speaker is Dennis Yokley. Dennis will be speaking about his business, Roger Jennings, Inc. and what it's like being a business owner in Hillsboro.

In order to ensure a productive lunch, please CALL AND ORDER YOUR LUNCH AHEAD OF MEETING TIME 532-2045.

If you have an item you would like placed on the agenda, please contact Lesley at 532-3711.

Save-the-date and plan to attend next month's meeting as you won't want to miss it! November 19th at the Douglas-Telfer Outpatient Clinic conference room.  Valarie Ross from the Small Business Association in Springfield will be the guest speaker.
Record Turnout for
Business & Industry Dinner

The Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Business and Industry dinner on Thursday, September 16 at the Hillsboro Moose Lodge and a record number of 130 was in attendance. 

Attendees enjoyed a wonderful catered dinner provided by Milanos' Catering and delicious cupcakes by Top Tier Cakes. 

A special thank you to the following Chamber businesses for supporting the Business and Industry Dinner: CNB Banking Center, City Hall, Journal-News, Hillsboro Moose Lodge, Milanos' Catering and Top Tier Cakes.


Award Winners
Award Winners
Pictured from top left Lesley Pollard, Chamber Executive Director, Gene White, Chamber President, Greg Holcomb, Chamber Director, Rex Brown, Hillsboro Area Hospital, Dennis Fenton, State Farm Insurance, John Mekala, RehabEdge and Chris Sherer, City Councilman


Dollar General
2009 Business of the Year Dollar General

Welcome New Members

On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce it is our pleasure to welcome our newest members:

Church Street Pub
Rich & Susan Armbruster - Owners
202 S. Broad Street
532-6060

Church Street Pub features American cuisine with a European accent.  Our menu includes steaks, seafood, pasta, and irresistible desserts. Original stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings, hardwood flooring and exposed brick walls radiate a warm coziness whether you dine in the bar or the main dining room. Complete your meal with a drink from our full service bar or a selection from the most extensive wine list in the region
.

Tee Shirts, Ink
Tammy White & Tysha Mullen - Owners
308 S. Main St.
532-3661

Tee Shirts, Ink provides silk screening and custom made tee shirts.


Membership Renewals

The Chamber appreciates your membership and we hope you are taking advantage of the value the Chamber has to offer.

PrePaid Legal Services, Inc.

Halloween Parade

Downtown Hillsboro
Sunday, October 31
6:00 pm


It's time again for the ghost and goblins to walk the streets of Hillsboro! The annual Halloween parade is scheduled for the 31th of October at 6:00 pm.  The parade is sponsored by the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce along with the Ladies Civic group. Donations are needed to stuff the treat bags that will be handed out to each of the participants in the parade. Can your business donate a bag of treats? Please drop off your tricks or treats at the Chamber office or contact Lesley for pickup.  
Illinois Where Fresh is Farmer's Market
Now through October

The Farmer's Market is still going strong!  Vendors set up on the Lincoln Plaza every Thursday from 4:00-7:00 pm loaded with fresh sweet corn, eggplant, green beans, onions, peppers, cantaloupe, pumpkins and more! Autumn is here which means a whole new batch of produce! Come out and support our local farmers!

Volunteers are needed to manage the market.  The following dates are in
need of volunteers:

October 7, 14, 21 & 28. Call the Chamber office to schedule at date.
 
The Chamber is focusing on making the market one of the best in the area.
If you have a craft, are a grower/producer or if you have entertainment ideas please contact the Chamber office at 532-3711. 
 
Quad County Ad


WANTED: Your Ideas

The Chamber Program Committee is seeking new ideas for our monthly programs.  What types of topics are you interested in learning more about?

Would you like to be a featured speaker and educate the membership on your business and what it's like to own a small business in Hillsboro?

Submit your ideas to [email protected].

Pepsi 
 

1st Annual Schlafly Beer Pairings Dinner
& Silent Auction 

Schlafly                

 The silent auction will be the most visual part of the dinner.  Gift certificates are great, but visuals are what sells the package.  The more extravagant in decoration and theme the better!  It isn't necessary to use a "basket" - sometimes themes center around a grill, wheelbarrow, bench, etc.  You are encouraged to be creative and have fun!!!


Donations are needed for the auction.  If you would like to donate a themed basket or a product or service please contact the Chamber office at 532-3711 for more information.

 Member Announcements

Top Tier Cakes
108 S. Main
532-2300


They are more than just an average cookie! October's featured flavor is Pumpkin Cookies. They are soft, full of fall flavor and topped with cream cheese icing. They are to die for!

You can come by and pick up one or a dozen of these tasty treats for a price of $0.85 each or $10.20 for a dozen

Call ahead and place an order for them....they will be going fast!

Tuesday-Thursday Noon-6pm
Friday Noon-7pm
Saturdays By appointment please

Thank you for all your support!


Bre's BeeHive
421 S. Main
532-Bres(2737)

Bre's Bee Hive wants YOU to BEE AWARE that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!!

Get a Manicure or Pedicure with the OPI "PINK" Polish or have Bre put a "PINK" Panel in your hair and she will DONATE $5.00 towards the cause!
 
For more information or to schedule an appointment please call Bre Spinner 532-2737, email [email protected] or Bre's BeeHive / Facebook.
 
Hours:  Tues-Wed-Thurs ~ 10 am - 7 pm; Fri-Sat ~ 10 am - 5 pm (After-hour appointments available.)


Chamber Office
The Chamber has two jars of pickles, two boxes of mustard packets and one box of ketchup packets left over from this years pork patty sales.  Can your business use these before the February expiration date? Contact the Chamber office if interested.
National Bank Logo

Let's Go Green Together! Sign up for any of our Free Green benefits today and go paperless tomorrow. Green benefits include Secure E-mail Statements, Online Banking, Bill Pay and more.


Call us today at 1-800-717-3991 for complete details. GO GREEN with National Bank and together we can make a difference-Your Bank for the Future.


Member FDIC.   www.national-bank.com

The Chamber President Club 

 

The Chamber is excited to announce a new program that is being offered to our members. As a member of the Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce you already know the value of business and community partnering together to achieve success.  Now you have the opportunity to affirm your leadership within the business community and be recognized for your dedication to and suport of a vibrant community by becoming a Chamber President's Club member.

The President's Club helps to support all Chamber activities and programs.  Membership is $100 annually and is open to all members in good standing. The Chamber will honor your membership in the President's Club with special recognition on the Chamber web page and Chamber letterhead, listing in the annual Chamber Business and Industry dinner program, and your name will be displayed at all Business After Hours and Chamber sponsored events. You will also be eligible for President's Club special offers and discounts during the year.  If you enroll before January 31, 2011, and for as long as you maintain your Club membership, you will be known as a CHARTER MEMBER of the President's Club and will receive a certificate of recognition for display in your place of business.

The following businesses have already taken advantage of this new program:
Montgomery County Realty
Pre Paid Legal
Miller Enterprises

Act now to become a Charter Member! Contact Lesley at 532-3711 or [email protected] for questions or for an enrollment form.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS


October 7, 14, 21, 28      Farmer's Market
4:00 - 7:00 pm                 The Plaza


October 8                       2000 & Beyond Committee Meeting
12:00 noon                      Journal-News Office. Christmas Kickoff planning. All is welcome!

October 15                     Chamber Chat with Lesley Pollard
9:05 am                           WSMI 1540 AM

October 15                     Monthly Membership Meeting
12:00 noon                      Hillsboro Country Club (call your lunch in ahead)

October 28                     "Spooktacular" Business After Hours
                                         sponsored by Journal-News

 5:00-7:00pm                   Church St. Pub

October 31                     Halloween Parade
 
6:00pm                           Downtown Hillsboro

November 12                 Schlafly Beer Pairings Dinner
7:00 pm                          Church St. Pub

November 19                Monthly Membership Meeting
12:00 noon                     Douglas-Telfer Outpatient Clinic conference room