Chamber Business Profile - Rayovac  

Rayovac is celebrating 50 years in Portage this summer. Officially started as a business in Madison on January 17, 1906, the Rayovac Portage facility was first founded in October, 1963. Due to business growth, the facility moved to its current location at 2851 Portage Road from its original spot in the old downtown creamery building, where the manufacturing of silver battery cells for watches began in January, 1964.

Since that time, production has expanded. In 1982, the manufacturing of zinc air battery production began; in 1999, Lithium chemistry and batteries was added; the production of Remington razor cutter blades started in 2004; and in 2010 the production of the world's best zero mercury zinc air hearing aid batteries began.

A Division of Spectrum Brands, Rayovac is a publicly owned business with stock traded on the Nasdaq board. Its most typical clients are retail and professional hearing aid manufacturers. Clients choose Rayovac for its world leading quality systems and performance (world's longest lasting hearing aid batteries) along with Rayovac's brand recognition. A global leader in the production of hearing aid batteries, the business has grown continually and sales are fairly consistent year-round. The goal of the company is to maintain superiority in the market place.

In addition to its stature in producing high quality products, the company is also highly involved in our community. The company is a member of the Portage Area Chamber of Commerce with an employee, Pamela Eastman, currently serving on the board. The company donated equipment and machinery to the Portage High School and Madison College-Portage while consistently donating money and products to several charitable events. Also, each year they provide the fire department with 9-volt batteries.

Kiwanis Ride to Read - Bike Ride Fundraiser  

Please join the Portage Kiwanis Club in their Metric Century "Ride to Read" fundraiser pedaling through scenic Amish country with 4 routes available. The pre-registration cost is $25 and includes continental breakfast, refreshment stops in route, detailed route map, complimentary gift and SAG wagon if needed. All proceeds will be used to purchase and distribute children's books.

Ride on carefully marked and mapped routes on low traffic roads through Columbia, Marquette and Green Lake Counties. There are four route options of 15, 30, 45 and 62 miles (metric century) with travel through scenic and historic Amish countryside.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, August 9. For more information, call 608-742-8841. 

Visit http://www.kiwanisridetoread.com  

Uncovering Wisconsin's Past - Summer Speaker Series, Installment 3 

Enjoy a closer look at the "non-traditional" research such as archeology, oral histories, and other non-book sources that have shaped our understanding of Wisconsin history. Join us on Tuesday, August 26 at 6:30pm at the Historic Indian Agency House for an evening of edification and entertainment.  

Check www.agencyhouse.org for updated information or contact Director Destinee Udelhoven at 608-742-6362 for more information. 

Silver Lake Triathlon  

The Silver Lake Triathlon is a beginner-friendly event scheduled for Saturday, August 16 at beautiful Silver Lake and continues in the gently rolling countryside of Portage. Each participant will receive a t-shirt, goodie bag, and food.

Visit http://www.silverlaketriathlon.com or call Myrna at 608-742-4888 for more information.  

Portage TRIAD Pork Roast

Come out to the Portage Wal-Mart on Aug 2nd and purchase a pork sandwich and support the TRIAD.  Proceeds raised go towards helping Senior Citizens host educational workshops to reduce crime.  Serving 10AM-2PM

Music Fest 2014

Enjoy this music festival to support the Greater Portage Youth Education Foundation. Hear the Red Hot Horn Dawgs and Aaron Williams & the Hoodoo at Lawton Field (south end of the Fairgrounds) on Saturday, August 16 from 6pm-11pm. Tickets are $10 and food and beverage will be available at the event. For more information, call Tom Pinion at 393-9945.

Portage Lions Club Stuff the Bus

Drop off school supply and book donations on Aug 1st from 2-6pm and Aug 9th from 10am to 4pm at Wal-Mart. Sponsored by the Portage Lions Club, all supplies and books collected will benefit Portage Public School students.  You may also drop off supplies through August 9th at Anytime Fitness, Hair Lair, Salon 51, Precision Hair Designers or Hair Works+.