May 2015

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Concert in the Park update

Join us for some great summer music at the Portage Concert in the Park Fourth of July Celebration on Friday, July 3. Bring your lawn chair to Pauquette Park (corner of Hwy 33 and Pierce Street) and listen to the 132nd Arrmy Band and the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. Enjoy a cold treat of Culver's Custard and Pepsi products during the performances.

Donations are still needed to help cover the cost of the orchestra. If you can help, please call Marianne at the Chamber, 608-742-6242.

Current Schedule

5pm - The 132nd Army Band performs

7:30pm - The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra performs
9:30pm - Fireworks over the Wisconsin River

The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce is holding its 33rd Annual Golf Outing on Wednesday, June 10. There is still time to get your foursome into this fun outing.

Spend a day away from the office and enjoy an afternoon at the Portage Country Club. If you would like to register your group, don't wait, call the Chamber office today at 608-742-6242.

Among the top raffle prizes this year are 4 hours of fishing guide services for 2 people by Reel Good Guide Service courtesy of Klay Vehring - Edward Jones Financial Advisor guided fishing trip and a decorative metal fire pit ring, courtesy of Ken Ryczek of Fairway Mortgage.

Thank you to our 2015 Golf Sponsors:

1. First Weber Realty	11. Dean Health Plan
2. Pflanz Mantey Mendrala Funeral Home	12. AmericanWay University
3. Community Bank of Portage	13. Don-Rick Insurance
4. Forever Your's Jewelry	14. General Engineering
5. BMO Harris Bank	15. Trecek Automotive
6. H.G. Meigs/Meigs Trucking Inc.	16. Cascade Mountain
7. Frontier Communications	17. Zimmerman Plumbing
8. Rhyme	18. Culver's Restaurant
9. Miller, Brussell, Ebben & Glaeske	19. Blau Family Chiropractic
10. Portage National Bank

Putting Green: Wal-Mart

Ball Sponsor: Frontier Communications

Pre-Game Sponsors: Cardinal FG & Divine Savior Healthcare

Cart Sponsor: AmericanWay

Trophy Sponsor: United Country Hamele Auction Realty

Dinner Sponsor: Ho-Chunk Casino

May Chamber Business Luncheon

Featuring Representative Dave Considine, Assembly District 81

Representative Dave Considine will talk with us about his approach to policymaking and how he is working for us in the Assembly. He will give us an update on legislative bills he is working on, the Governor's budget and also talk about resources that you can use.

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.

Reserve your spot by calling the Chamber office at 608-742-6242.
Location: Portage Pizza Ranch

Time: Lunch at 11:30AM, Presentation at Noon
Cost: pay for your lunch at the restaurant

Welcome New Chamber Members

UW-Baraboo/Sauk County

1006 Connie Road, Baraboo 53913

Nicole Thompson at 608-745-4542

We offer the foundation coursework for over 200 majors, along with

a wide range of collaborative, non-credit, and special programs.

Portage Chamber May Meeting and Events

5 Business Luncheon at Pizza Ranch 11:30am
6 Ambassador Meeting at Community Bank 8am

6     Ribbon Cutting for Rural Mutual Insurance - Brad Damon    9am
12   Ribbon Cutting for I-39 Supply    12:30am
12 Business After 5 at Blau Chiropractic   5pm to 7pm
15   Ribbon Cutting for Willy's Weenie Wagon    Noon
25 Chamber office closed for Memorial Day

Business Profile
The Percolator Coffee House

The Percolator is owned in partnership between Benjamin and Jen Larson & Nathan and Jerusha Smith. Benjamin and Jerusha are siblings and grew up in the Montello area but spent much of their childhood in Portage. Our dream was to bring a charming and comfortable coffee house to the Portage community that doesn't compromise on quality of product or service. As of early last year there was not a coffee shop in portage. Finding a comfortable and casual place to meet with friends over coffee was not easy and we sought to remedy that problem. With our rich and varied experience in the field of hospitality (from Canada to the Philippines), we hope you will find exactly what you are looking for in a casual coffee house atmosphere.

At The Percolator you will find quick and attentive service. Whether you are on a work appointment, running errands, have a business meeting or out with friends, you will find The Percolator staff ready to give you individualized attention and fast service that exceeds your expectations.

When you walk into our store, you will be welcomed with clean, comfortable dining spaces, calming interiors, charming lighting and relaxing music. This is your place to wind down, to be inspired and to connect with community. We offer free WiFi, private seating arrangements, a newly remodeled meeting room and now offer lunch.

Our partnership with Collectivo Coffee enables us to serve the best coffee to our community. Our friendly staff is happy to offer you sample beverages, coffee's of the day and pastries. Take a pound of coffee home with you as a pick me up for later. Enjoy a freshly baked scone while you sip on an artisan latte. Try something unique and crafted to your tastes. We offer many sugar free beverages and a wonderful assortment of Rishi Teas. Our coffee is locally roasted with exceptional quality and attention to detail.

The Percolator Coffee House is located at 224 W. Wisconsin St. For more information, call 608-742-7372.

Golf Outing for Columbia County K9 Unit

The Columbia County Sheriff's Office is holding a K9 Unit Fundraiser, which will take place Saturday, June 20, at Kestrel Ridge in Columbus. Golfers, sponsorships and donations are needed with a goal of $15,000 to meet. A raffle and silent auction will accompany the outing, which begins at 10am.

Two multipurpose K9's, Maverick and Recon, currently work on a daily basis for Columbia County conducting searches/tracks for criminals and missing or at-risk persons and detecting illicit drugs. The K9's are also featured at many public/community events such as the Humane Society Adopt-a-Thon, drug education and school presentations.

Any assistance the community is willing to provide for the fundraiser is appreciated. All the proceeds

will go directly toward paying for future K9's, equipment, vet bills and training. Any individual or business sponsorship/donation can be displayed on the Facebook page and linked to any of your websites or Facebook accounts for advertising at https://www.facebook.com/events/1541790369405041/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

Click here for: Participation form; Donation form; Sponsorship form

Goodwill named 2015 Disability Nonprofit Brand of the Year

Goodwill was named the Disability Nonprofit Brand of the Year as part of the 2015 Harris Poll EquiTrend� Study, an annual brand equity study which was released recently. The study ranked consumer awareness and perception of charitable nonprofit brands based on three factors - familiarity, quality and purchase consideration - that result in a brand equity rating for each brand. The study, which was conducted for the 27th year, surveyed more than 38,000 Americans who assessed brands across 148 categories.

For more than 110 years, Goodwill has helped people navigate the challenges they face when seeking employment, including disabilities, lack of education or work experience, and other factors that make it difficult for them to gain employment and build careers. Goodwill staff members work with people to develop their employment skills, including r�sum� writing, job interview practice, job search help and other career services.

Goodwill is located at 2902 American Legion Dr. in Portage. For more information, call 608-745-0616.

Farmers Market begins May 7

The Portage Farmers Market features home grown produce items, homemade items and hand-crafted items. The market runs every Thursday from Noon to 6pm, May through the end of October, at Commerce Plaza in Downtown. For more information, call Scott at 608-617-9232.

Kentucky Fried Chicken now offers catering

Make your day worry free. Make your caterer KFC. Here's what you'll get from KFC's Portage team: The team at Portage is long on experience. Bring them your budget and they'll bring you a plan. Tell them about your event, and they'll help you put together the perfect meal. Big or small, they've done them all. Many customers pick up their order at the restaurant in their specially designed catering packaging. Keeps hot things hot and cool things cool. Or you can have KFC deliver it. They'll even serve it, if that would make you feel more at ease.

Here's what your guests will get...from you: A decades proven meal right out of the Colonel's kitchen. Chicken choices America loves. Whether it is Original Recipe with its 11 secret herbs and spices, Extra Crispy, Grilled, or a mix. Rounded out with homestyle fixins made to perfectly complement whatever your chicken choices are.

The Welcome Home Sew-N-Vac classes

May 2 - Begin-2-Sew: Level 2 - with Patti

May 5 - The Welcome Home Club - with Diane

May 5 - TWH Embroidery Club - with Diane

May 9 - Table Pleasers - with Wanda

May 12 - Magic Moments Table Topper - with Patti

May 13 - Embroidered Mug Rug - with Diane

May 15 - Octagon Birthday Mat - with Diane

May 20 - Embroidered Cuties - with Diane

May 22 - Digitizer MBX - with Diane

May 26 - Cotton Theory - with Alice

May 27 - Lil' Woolies - with Wanda

The Welcome Home Sew-N-Vac is located at 118 E. Cook St. in downtown Portage. For more information, call 608-566-1663.

2015 St. Mary's Best Fest

St. Mary's Best Fest is scheduled for May 15-17 promising a weekend of fun, food, music, carnival rides and so much more. Raffle tickets for sale now at St. Mary's. Teams are forming for the bed races and crafters are needed for the craft/vendor fair.

For more information, go to http://www.stmaryotic.com/bestfest.html.

Happenings at Portage Center for the Arts

Zona Gale Young People's Theatre - Applications are now available at the office or online for our 2015 Children's and Youth Theatre Workshops! Children ages 8 to 13, sign up now for CTW June 15-28, 2015. Youth ages 10 and up, sign up now for YTW July 6-11, 2015. Full or partial scholarship applications available upon request. Join us for another exciting year...stay tuned for additional details on themes, workshops, and staffing!

Photography Interest Group - Meet with fellow photographers at a new location: Northwoods on Hwy 51 south Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at 11:30am to share photos and tips, explore new ideas, and inspire creativity for an upcoming exhibit! Open to new members! The Interest Group generally meets the first Tuesday of each month from 11:30 to 1pm! Please call Fred Baewer with questions: 608-742-4691.

For more information on these events and other performances, go to portagecenterforthearts.com.

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, $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.

Canal Day 2015

One of the highlights of this year's 26th Annual Canal Day is the parade which starts at 10am on Saturday, May 30. All area schools, churches, businesses, clubs and private parties are encouraged to participate. The route begins at Pauquette Park and proceeds along Conant Street, turns right onto Wisconsin Street and then left onto Cook Street and ends at Wilz Drug.

Other planned events include a bartender/waiter's race, music (dispersed throughout the downtown), food vendors, face painting, reenactments (pre 1840) at Surgeons Quarters, canoe rides and race, canal tours and historic downtown tours.

Kite Flying at Divine Savior

Join us on Saturday, May 30 from 10am to 4pm at the Divine Savior Healthcare Portage Campus, 2817 New Pinery Rd.

See giant show kites, precision stunt kites, spectacular ground displays, treat drop, and check out the kite making and flying lessons provided by the Wisconsin Kiters Club.

Participate in the family fun flying or bring a blanket and chair and enjoy the show! (All activities will depend on wind conditions.)

PACT presents Stitch, Bitch n' Die
Portage Area Community Theatre is producing Stitch, Bitch n' Die by Joseph Scrimshaw, an adult-themed comedy murder mystery directed by Bob Viking. This dinner theater production will be held at the banquet facility at Northwoods Inc., two miles south of Portage on Hwy 51 South May 1-3.

The production celebrates and pokes fun at the crafting arts and takes place at K.U.I (Knitting Under the Influence), a yarn store and wine bar. Tickets will be on sale beginning March 15 for $25 including dinner and show; they will be available on the PACT website, or at the Portage Furniture Store in person ONLY.

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.

May Community Events

Spread the word about your event by posting them on our website!

1       Wisconsin Regional Art Program Opening Reception at Center for the Arts
1-2    Laura's School of Dance Recital
1-3    Portage Area Community Theatre presents 'Stitch, Bitch n Die' at Northwoods
2       Bike Rodeo Portage Police Department
2       Portage Presbyterian Church Spring Fling
2       Dinner for Hope: Back to the 60s Tonight
3       Gale Singers Spring Concert at Center for the Arts
5       Chamber Business Luncheon at Pizza Ranch
7       Watercolor Painting Class at The Mercantile
8       Dash & Dine - Our House Senior Living
8       Shawndell Marks Performing at 205 Vino
9       Portage Spring Clean-up
9       Live Music with the The Lower Fifth at 205 Vino
12     Business After 5 at Blau Family Chiropractic
15-17   St. Mary's Best Fest 2015
15     Live Music with Beautiful Buzz at 205 Vino
15     Dixie Sizzlers at Zona Gale Theatre
16     Camp GLOW with Home Health United
16-17   Fox-Wisconsin Heritage Paddle 2015
16     Hero's Weekend Blood Drive at Indian Trails Campground
17     Historic Indian Agency House Opening Celebration
22     UW-Madison Singers present 'Simply the Best' at PHS Auditorium
25     Portage Sharing Supper at Rusch Elementary
25     Memorial Ceremony & Parade
25     Food & Clothing Drive at Our House Senior Living
28     PCA Brown Bag Lunch Series
29     Kite Fly at Our House Senior Living
29     Patsy Cline Tribute Artist Karen Wickham performance at Our House Senior Living
30     Canal Day 2015
30     Divine Savior Healthcare Kite Flying

For more information about these and other events, go to www.portagewi.com.

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.

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.

Our deadline is the 20th of the month. Email your news to graphics@portagewi.com.