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 Looking forward to the Taste of Portage The big summer event is almost here! Start to save some room for tasty samples of menu items served up by our local restaurants and non-profit organizations. This year, visitors can expect some pleasant new twists to Taste of Portage Market Fair. Summer Sidewalk Sales have been added and are scheduled for Saturday along with Camel Rides and a petting zoo featuring barnyard animals and more!
Another twist this year: The car and truck show will be located on Cook St., while the craft fair vendors will move to DeWitt St. Proceeds from the car show will go toward the Portage High Archery Group. We are looking forward to another edition of this great summer event in Portage! Here is a complete schedule of events: Friday, August 22 at Market SquareFood Court/Beer Tent at 5pm and classic rock by Chameleon at 7pm Saturday, August 23at Market SquareFood Court/Beer Tent from 10am to 5pm Music by Late 4 Dinner from 10:30am to 1:30pm Music by Just Merl from 2:30pm to 5pm
Kidville (in front of Wilz Drug) from 11am to 3pm Open Arms Day Care Art & Craft Creation Stations Balloon Creations Historic Indian Agency House Art Creations Kids Tractor Pedal Pull at 1pm
in Downtown Sidewalk SalesArt & Craft Vendors on DeWitt St. from 9am to 4pm Car & Truck Show on Cook St. from 9am to 3pm Camel Rides & Petting Zoo from 10am to 3pm - "Meet the Friends of Frank the Frontier Buffalo" Photo opportunities available. Music by Dixie Sizzlers from 11am to 2pm
The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce is seeking donations to help cover the cost of this event. Please call the Chamber at 608-742-6242. Thank You Sponsors! City of Portage Tourism Business Improvement District Frontier Communications H&M Contracting Weaver Auto Parts Crawford Oil and Propane Blau Chiropractic Don-Rick Insurance Wilz Drug Store NAPA Wisconsin River Title Consultants Schultz Small Engine Fairway Independent Mortgage
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New Chamber Members
Droptine Designs LLC
Pardeeville, WI Ashley Breneman at 608-469-5332 Providing strategy by design as a compass to lead the way for businesses. Our services include branding, print design, web design, social media, and advertising/marketing. The Percolator Coffee House224 W. Wisconsin St., Portage, WI Ben Larson at 608-742-7372 Coffee Shop serving pastries and delicious lunch items. ComfortCare Transportation311 E. Wisconsin St., STE 207F, Portage, WI Hassan Haji at 608-745-8392 We offer top-notch transit accommodations for those with specific or challenging requirements, as well as for those who prize safety, reliability, and comfort.
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Chamber Business Luncheon
The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce is offering another way to network with your fellow Chamber members and make those important connections that can help you in your business or career. Bring your business cards, brochures, or anything you wish to share with other members.
When: Tuesday, August 12 Where: The Ball Room, 112 E. Cook St. Topic: Amplified Digital Marketing Solutions For Your Business, A Multi-Platform Guest Speaker: Jon Kramer, Digital Business Developer, Amplified Digital / Wisconsin State Journal / madison.com, will talk about Current Digital Trends, Cutting Edge Digital Advertising Solutions, The Power of Mobile Advertising
Time: Lunch at 11:30AM, Speaker at Noon
Please RSVP by Monday August 11
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Business After 5
Our next Business After 5 event will be held at Remedy Intelligent Staffing, 104 W. Cook, Suite 103, right around the corner from the Chamber office on Tuesday, August 12 from 5pm to 7pm. Join fellow members for conversation and refreshments. Remember to bring some business cards to pass around.
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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.
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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
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 Downtown Walking Tours - Last tour of summer! Popularized by the Discover Wisconsin - Portage program, the free one-hour Downtown Walking Tour guided by local historian Judy Eulberg is back for a final round this summer!
Meet Judy at the Chamber office, 104 W. Cook St., at 10am on Saturday, August 2 to enjoy the last tour of summer 2014.
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Hands-On History Children's Workshop: Ho-Chunk Clans
Through interactive tours, discussion and crafts, children ages 7 to 12 will learn about the traditional Ho-Chunk clan system, a unique and lifelong source of identity and efficient method of labor distribution. Two sessions are offered and registration fee is required ($10 per child, refundable upon class completion due to program grant assistance.)
The event happens at the Historic Indian Agency House on August 1 & 2 from 9am to 11am.
Visit http://agencyhouse.org for more information.
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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.
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Got News?
What is your business up to? Pass along information and corresponding photos to graphics@portagewi.com and let us help spread the word about the great things your business or organization is doing. The deadline is the 20th of each month.
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Pardeeville Dentistry's Dr. Scott receives AGD Mastership Award
The Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) recently announced that Virginia Scott, DDS, MAGD, of Pardeeville Family Dentistry, received the association's Mastership Award during the AGD 2014 Annual Meeting & Exhibits, which took place June 26 to 29 in Detroit.
The Mastership Award is the AGD's highest honor and one of the most respected designations within the profession. To earn this award, Dr. Scott completed 1,100 hours of continuing dental education. As a Mastership Award recipient, Dr. Scott joins more than 2,300 active AGD Masters who have gone above and beyond the basic requirements to care for their patient's oral health.
Dr. Scott graduated from Marquette School of Dentistry in 1993 and currently practices dentistry in Pardeeville. Congratulations to Chamber Member Dr. Scott!
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Zona Gale Celebrates Friendship Village
Enjoy the 23rd Annual Zona Gale Celebrates Friendship Village event on Saturday, August 16.
The event begins at 10:30am at the remembrance site at Silver Lake Cemetery located on Cemetery Road off West Wisconsin St. Bring your own bug spray and seating.
Come to the Home of the Women's Civic League, 506 W. Edgewater St., from 2pm to 4pm for guided tours and a pie and ice cream social on the shaded lawn along the Wisconsin River. Donations are accepted.
For more information, contact Jeff Grothman at 608-742-2228.
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Portage Theatre Summer Series
The 50 cent movies continue Tuesdays through Thursdays through August 21 at 10am. Movies showcased this month include Legends of OZ: Dorothy's Return; Mr. Peabody & Sherman; and Rio 2.
Call 608-742-6678 for movies and showtimes.
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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.
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St. Mary's Golf Outing St. Mary's is proud to announce their Annual Golf Outing at the Portage Country Club on Sunday, August 3. All proceeds will go toward the technology fund and the Patty Quigley scholarship. Enjoy a great Pre-Event Culver's Shoot Out on Hole 10, a hole in one prize sponsored by Big O's trailers, 50/50 raffles on the course, classroom basket raffle and door prizes. In addition, Travis Hamele of United Country Realty and Auction will be auctioning off some great experiences during dinner. For more information or to register, donate or sponsor, call Marty Krueger at 608-697-3336 or visit http://www.stmaryotic.com/.
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Movie in the Park The Portage Park and Rec, Police Department and Magnum Broadcasting are happy to present our first annual movie in the park on Tuesday, August 5 at Sunset Park. This event is free to the public and all are welcome to attend. 'The Lego Movie' will start at dusk or as soon as the screen is visible. Please bring along popcorn, lawn chairs and refreshments for the family.
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Ho-Chunk Grill Grand Opening
Join us for the Grand Opening with refreshments and menu samples on Friday, August 1 from 10:30am to 11am. The restaurant is located inside the Ho-Chunk Bingo, Casino and Convention Center at S3214 Hwy 12. http://www.ho-chunkgaming.com/wisconsindells.
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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
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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.
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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+.
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United Way Golf Outing
The United Way of Portage is seeking golfers for its golf outing on Saturday,
August 2 at the Portage Country Club. The fee is $75 per person/$300 per team ($60 for PCC members) and includes golf scramble, cart, lunch and great giveaways including: Hole-In-One Car, $500 VISA Gift Card, Kindle Fire, and set of irons. Start time is 8am. Click here for a registration form.
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Benefit Concert for Skate Park announced
A huge benefit concert for the Portage Family Skate Park project is scheduled for August 17 at Club Liquid, 214 W. Wisconsin St. with multiple bands, many featured on stations such as 94.1 WJJO.
There will be drink specials, raffles and prize giveaways during the event from noon to 7pm.
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Elks Lodge Softball Tournament
Happening at Veteran's Memorial Field on Aug 29-31. Register your team with Matt at 617-5875. Texas Shootout Format with 100% payout. 16 Men's team $150 Registration, 8 Co-ed team $100 registration.
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Enjoying Watercolor with Chris Dreyer
Watercolor classes will be starting Tuesday, August 12 from 6pm-8:30pm at the United Methodist Church of Portage. The cost for the class is only $50. Chris will provide supplies for the first class and hand out a materials list then.
The dates will be August 12, 19, 26 and September 2. If interested, call soon to reserve your place, 608-742-1453. If you have taken the class before, Chris changes the demonstrations to keep things fresh. The tentative subjects are Mirror Lake & Bogenvelia.
With a goal of teaching the basic to beginners and expanding the talent to experienced artists as well, Chris will guide you through the techniques and help you develop the skills needed to produce beautiful paintings. For more about Chris and his art, visit www.dreyerdesign.com.
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St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church Annual Garage Sale
The 1st annual St. John's Garage Sale is almost here! The sale runs from Thursday, August 7 through Saturday, August 9. The times are 7:30am to 3pm on Thursday and Friday and 7:30am to 1:30pm on Saturday at St. John's Lutheran School Gymnasium at 430 W. Emmett St.
There will be something for everyone, clothes, toys, furniture, and a bake sale all three days, with yummy baked goodies.
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Organizing an event or having a sale?
Submit your event or sale to us and have it appear on the Chamber website calendar of events.You may enter your event by clicking here. Please note: Your submission will take a while to appear as the Chamber office first reviews the submissions before approving them to appear on the web calendar. For more information, please call our office 608-742-6242.
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August Chamber Events
12 Business Luncheon at The Ball Room 11:30am
12 Business After 5 at Remedy Staffing 5pm-7pm
13 Ribbon Cutting at Forward Service Corporation 9am
22-23 Taste of Portage
29 Ribbon Cutting at Chamber office for Droptine Designs 9am
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August Community Events
Spread the word about your event by posting them on our website!
1-2 Hands On History Workshop
1 Portage Lions Stuff the Bus 2 TRIAD Pork Fundraiser at Wal-Mart 2 United Way Golf Outing 2 Downtown Walking Tour 2 Portage Lions Brat & Hot Dog Fry at Pierce's Marketplace
2 Rummage and Bake Sale at Bethlehem Lutheran Church 2,9,16,23,30 Portage Women's Civic League Summer Tours 3 Bingo at the VFW 3 St. Mary's Golf Outing 5 Movie in the Park at Sunset Park 6,13,20,27 Concerts at the Portage
7-9 St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church Garage Sale 9 Kiwanis Ride To Read Bike Ride Fundraiser 9 Portage Lions Stuff the Bus 16 Silver Lake Triathlon 16 Zona Gale Celebrates Friendship Village 16 Music Fest at Lawton Field 17 Concert benefit for Skate Park project 17 Bingo at the VFW 22-23 Taste of Portage 26 Uncovering Wisconsin's Past-Summer Speaker Series
29-31 Portage Elks Lodge Softball Tournament at Veterans Memorial Field
For more information about these and other events, click here!!!
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Ribbon Cuttings
A ribbon cutting was held at the Alliant Energy's Columbia Energy Center to mark the completion of the $627 million project to add a baghouse and scrubbers to the facility. The project, completed ahead of schedule and $30 million under budget, reduces mercury and sulfur dioxide emissions by more than 90%.
A new $150 million project was recently announced to add a catalytic reduction system, slated for completion in 2018.
Portage Mayor Bill Tierney was on hand (third from left) and gave brief remarks before the ceremony, noting how the project increased local business, particularly for Portage hotels and restaurants.
A ribbon cutting was held at Comfortcare
Transportation, inside Cochrane Court at 311 W. Wisconsin St, to welcome this new business to Portage.
The company offers top-notch transit accommodations for those with specific or challenging requirements,as well as for those who prize safety, reliability, and comfort.
For more information, call 608-745-8392.
A ribbon cutting was held at Portage Asian Cuisine, 123 E. Cook St., to welcome this new business to Portage.
Enjoy our lunch and dinner specials including Teriyaki entrees, Hibachi favorites, soups & salads and desserts. Open seven days a week.
For more information, call 608-745-9031.
A ribbon cutting was held at Percolator Coffee House, 224 W. Wisconsin St., to welcome this new business to Portage.
A relaxing, locally owned hometown Coffee House, open 6am to 4pm, providing quick service while offering lattes, mochas, teas, smoothies, pastries and more!
For more information, call 608-742-7372.
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Give Portage Green Gift Certificates As A Gift
Portage Green Gift Certificates make an excellent gift. Used just like cash, the certificates can be purchased from the Portage Chamber in $5, $10 and $25 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. For more information, call the Chamber at 608-742-6242.
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The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce is providing leadership for
building a healthy economy and a high quality of life in the Portage Area.
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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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