July 2015
Concert in the Park
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 Army Band, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and Madison Malone perform. Enjoy a cold treat of Culver's Custard and Pepsi products during the performances.

A great fireworks display over the Wisconsin River follows 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 
5:30pm - The 132nd Army Band Brass Ensemble  
7:30pm - The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra
9:00pm - Madison Malone
9:30pm - Fireworks over the Wisconsin River
madison malone  fireworks 12
Travis Hamele (in white) presents the United Country Hamele Auction & Realty trophy to the winning team of H & M Contracting. From left, Kim Standke, Tyler Hoel, Justin Olson, and Greg Holland claimed the trophy for the second consecutive year.

Chamber Golf Outing 

Thank you to all the volunteers, sponsors, and golfers who took part in the The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce 33rd Annual Golf Outing on June 10.

   

 

 

 

 

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 &
                         Integrated Wellness

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 Sponsors: Ho-Chunk Gaming & Crawford Oil & Propane
 

Welcome New Chamber Members 


LegalShield 

 904 Waters Edge Ct.   Marshall, WI 53559 

Lisa Taylor at 608-345-0557

We provide identity theft protection services and affordable  

legal solutions to businesses, employees and families.

ActivateChurch.tv
Portage, WI 53901

Jared Pierson at [email protected] 

A new, micro-church with a mega vision to launch in 2016. As a Network Church, we are excited to host our teaching pastor, Craig Groeschel.

July Business Profile

Once upon a time, a friend took Jim Firari to an existing Pizza Ranch for dinner. Jim fell in love with the food, concept, and mission of the business, and (even without fairy dust!) his wife, Sheryl, did too. A magical partnership formed, and Jim & Sheryl started their fairy tale in January of 2006 in Reedsburg.  

Both Jim, Sheryl, and many family and friends worked in Reedsburg to provide guests legendary food at a great value. Their Pizza Ranch provided employment, supported causes through hosting fundraisers, and gave donations when the flood came, and other local challenges.  

 

Jim & Sheryl loved serving guests & employees in Reedsburg so much, that they opened in their hometown of Portage in May of 2012. They even partnered in a third location.....well before midnight! Today, Sheryl and her crew strive to give every guest crave-able food with a legendary experience in the restaurant and out with Carry-out, Delivery, and the new Catering focus.

Grandpas & Grandmas love the chicken, parents love the convenience, and with the "Buffet Your Way," even the kids get what they want!

 

Gaze into the crystal ball for the future and you'll see Sheryl and her crew working diligently to deliver consistent legendary experiences, great food at a great value with expanded catering options and services. The sun sets at Pizza Ranch where everyone is seeking to give guests a "happily ever after."

 

For more information, call Pizza Ranch, 2905 New Pinery Road, at 608-566-1750.  

plastic-place-ware.jpg
July 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.

       

Our next luncheon features Jack Harkins, who will be talking about Leadership Fundamentals. He puts a straightforward, common sense structure in place, to give people the tools to become great leaders and managers. He offers more than three decades of proven success in business, industry, and non-profit organization leadership.   

 

Date: Tuesday, July 14 

Location: Dino's Restaurant  

Time: Lunch at 11:30am, presentation at Noon

Cost: pay for your lunch at the restaurant  

Ribbon Cuttings  

 

A ribbon cutting was held at Crawford Oil & Propane Car Wash, located next to Jim's BP, at 

2211 W. Wisconsin St.   

 

Now Open! New state of the art car wash in Portage! A convenient location to serve the community better. For more information, call 608-742-0444.  

 

 

Portage Chamber July Meeting and Events 

3    Concert in the Park at Pauquette Park   5:30pm 

3    Chamber Staff/Volunteers at Park for set-up, office closed

4    Chamber office closed for Independence Day 

14  Business Luncheon at Dino's Restaurant    11:30am

14  Business After 5 at The Percolator Coffee House

Columbia County Fair

It's Fair Time!! Make plans to attend the 164th Annual Columbia County Fair happening July 22 through July 16.

Highlights of the fair include the 1-94 SuperCross Series, Tractor/Truck Pull, Rodeo, and Demolition Derby! Plenty of fair exhibits and entertainment, too!
 


For more infomation about being a sponsor or to sign up for a vendor booth, please contact Paul Becker at 608-697-9293.

 

For more a complete schedule of events go to columbiacofair.com. 

welcome home sew logo The Welcome Home Sew-N-Vac classes   

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

 

Upcoming Classes:

July 1st - Peppermint Candy Embroidered Runner - with Alice.

Note: We will be closed Saturday, July 4th 

July 7th - The Welcome Home Club - with Diane.

July 7th - TWH Embroidery Club: Pleather Pillow - with Diane.

July 8th - Embroidered Mug Rugs - with Diane.

July 9th - Freestanding Embroidered Lace Birdhouse - with Estee.

 July 10th - Acu-Design Beginner Class - with Diane.

July 11th - Park Bench Block of the Month - with Patti.

July 11th - Begin-2-Tat: Lacy Pendant - with Johanna.

Closed July 14th - 18th for remodeling

July 21st - 25th - Christmas in July!

Additional summer Kidz Klassez: July 21 - Log Cabin Pillow, July 28 - Chalkboard Mat


golf5.jpg Golf Specials at Coldwater Canyon  

Fourth of July Week Special

Enjoy this golf special at Coldwater Canyon, 2501 River Road, through July 5. Play 18 Holes for only $42 (9 holes for $25) and receive a free lunch in the new Tavern Restaurant ($10 Value)! All players get entered in for a chance to win a Free Nike Vapor Driver and fairway wood.

 

2015 Ladies Day!

Interested in playing a great lady friendly beautiful golf course at a fraction of the price?

Call or come out and learn about the Cold Water Canyon at Chula Vista Thursday ladies day!

No long term commitment, weekly sign-ups for the following week.

$25 (plus tax) to play 18 or $15 to play 9 holes on Thursday's before 10 am and after 2pm

All ladies get entered for a chance to win a NEW TaylorMade Aero Burner Club each month!!

Tee Times can be booked 7 days in advance. Based on availability.

 

2015 Seniors Day!

June-July and August!

All Seniors 60+ Play 18 Holes for $36 and 9 Holes for $25 and receive free drink (Choice of Soda, Gatorade, Domestic Beer or Rail Mixed Drink)! Call or come out and learn about the Cold Water Canyon at Chula Vista Tuesday Senior day! No long term commitment, weekly sign-ups for the following week. Tee Times can be booked 7 days in advance. Based on availability.

 

For more information, call 608-254-8489. 

pierces logo

Pierce's Markets Offer DMV Service

Pierce's Markets has announced that their Baraboo and Portage markets will be offering vehicle license tab renewals for the DMV. Vehicle owners can renew and receive their annual license plate stickers at Pierce's Markets located at 815 Hwy 136 in Baraboo and at 2915 New Pinery Road in Portage.


Renewals are available 7 days per week; please call 608-356-6671 for store hours. The process takes approximately one minute to complete and requires a small fee. This in-store option affords vehicle owners a convenient and simple alternative to the traditional license plate renewal process.

Pierce's tradition of quality, service and value started in 1924 with founders William and Anna Pierce and a small store on Walnut Street in Downtown Baraboo. Since then they have grown to meet the needs of customers with locations in West Baraboo, Madison, Muscoda and Portage.

judy walking tour Downtown Walking Tours

The free one-hour Downtown Walking Tour guided by local historian Judy Eulberg is back this summer! Meet her at the Chamber office, 104 W. Cook St., at 10am on one of the following upcoming Saturdays:

 

Remaining Downtown Walking Tour Dates:    July 11     -     August 1

 

Portage Theatre Summer Series
Portage Theatres 50 cent Summer Morning Movie Schedule:
All shows are at 10am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays
July 1, 2                   PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR
July 7, 8, 9               HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2
July 14, 15, 16          NIGHT AT MUSEUM 3
July  21, 22, 23         DOLPHIN TALE 2
July 28, 29, 30          BOOK OF LIFE
Aug 4, 5, 6               SPONGEBOB: OUT OF WATER
Aug 11, 12, 13          TBA
Aug 18, 19, 20          TBA 

For more information, call Portage Theatres, 322 Wisconsin St., at 608-742-6678.

Friends of the Portage Library Book Sale 2015

Come to the Portage Library for the annual book sale, July 23 to July 25, held to support library programs and services. The sale for members only, with memberships available at the door, starts Wednesday, July 22.   

 

The Portage Library is located at 253 W. Edgewater St. in Portage. Call 608-742-7783 for more information. 

prairie flower beads logo Prairie Flower Beads celebrates 5 years 

Prairie Flower Beads, 201 W. Cook St., is holding special sales to mark 5 years in business. July 1 through July 15 is the Dakota Stone Trunk Show with 40% off of a special shipment of stone strands.  

 

July 6 through July 14 - Pick up a sheet of coupons, at the store, for great discounts also approximately 700 specially selected C-Koop Items at 40% off. On July 11 stop in for cake, refreshments and in-store specials.

 

For more information, call 608-742-5900. 

 

  

Summer Meals at the Portage Library

Free summer meals for kids and teens 18 and under served through August 13 at 

Portage Public Library, 253 West Edgewater St., from 11am to 11:45am and at Goodyear Park, 1100 MacFarlane Road, from 12:15pm to 1pm.

Meals based on USDA nutrition guidelines and no application or proof of income needed.

For more information contact:

Shannon Schultz Portage Public Library 608-742-4959

Pastor Dave Hankins Portage Presbyterian Church 608-742-6006

Karen Nelson UW-Extension Columbia County 608-742-9684

portage center for the arts

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 Youth Theatre Workshop! Children ages 10 and up, sign up now for YTW July 6-11. Full or partial scholarship applications available upon request. Join us for another exciting year.


 

Youth Sharing Event - Students from this summer's Youth Theatre Workshop will share performances and class work in the Zona Gale Theatre on Saturday, July 11 beginning at 6:30pm! Please joins us...the Sharing Event is free and open to the public. Come support our local student talent!


 

Photos at Tivoli - Portage Center for the Arts at Tivoli is proud to present a Photographer's Choice exhibit featuring work from the Portage area Photography Interest Group, running July through September 2015. Plan to join us and Meet the Artists on Friday, July 17, 2015 from 4-6pm. Free and open to the public. Tivoli is located at 2805 Hunters Trail, behind Divine Savior Healthcare in Portage.


 

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.

Got News?

What is your business up to? Pass along information and corresponding photos to [email protected] 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. 

July Community Events
Spread the word about your events by posting them on our website!
1 Concerts at the Portage behind the VFW
1-15  Anniversary Trunk Sale at Prairie Flower Beads
2   Portage Farmers Market at Commerce Plaza
3   Concert in the Park - Fireworks at Pauquette Park
5   BINGO at the VFW
6-11   Youth Theatre Workshop at Portage Center for the Arts
7   Portage Community Blood Drive at VFW
8   Concerts at the Portage behind the VFW
9   Portage Farmers Market
10-12   Garden Tractor Daze at Veteran's Memorial Field
11   Portage City Flea Market at Market Square
11   Downtown Walking Tour begins at Portage Chamber office
13   Activate Now Banquet
14   Portage Chamber Business Luncheon
14   Business After 5 at The Percolator Coffee House
15   Concerts at the Portage behind the VFW
16   Portage Farmers Market at Commerce Plaza
17   Photography Interest Group exhibit at Tivoli
19  BINGO at the VFW
22-26  Columbia County Fair at Columbia County Fairgrounds
22   Portage Memory Cafe at Portage Public Library
22   Concerts at the Portage behind VFW
23   Portage Farmers Market at Commerce Plaza
23-25   Friends of the Portage Library Book Sale 2015 at Portage Public Library
25   VFW Post #1707 Golf Outing at Pine Trail Golf Course at Saddle Ridge
27   Portage Sharing Supper at Rusch Elementary
29   Concerts at the Portage behind VFW
30   Portage Farmers Market at Commerce Plaza

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.
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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. 
 Our deadline is the 20th of the month.  Email your news to [email protected].