Grafton Chamber Messenger
A Publication of the Grafton Area Chamber of Commerce 
happy-holidays-header.jpg
December, 2015
Rick Novotny, VP 
Cornerstone 
Community Bank 
A Message from your Chamber President
 
Happy Holidays!
 
What a wonderful Christmas Parade and Breakfast with Santa last weekend!  Thank you so much to our sponsors, the Holiday Events committee, Chamber staff and volunteers for their efforts in putting on such amazing events for our community once again.

A special salute to Gene Schmit who was recognized with a Grafton Lifetime Achievement Award and to Grafton Area Live Arts (GALA) as the Outstanding Community Group of 2015.  Thanks to individuals and groups such as these, the Grafton community continues to thrive.

With less than four weeks to finish your holiday shopping, please remember to support your local Chamber retailers. Grafton is extremely fortunate to have a vibrant business community where all your shopping needs can be met. If you just can't decide on a gift, Grafton Chamber Gift Checks make wonderful gifts. They can be purchased in any dollar amount and they are sure to please everyone on your Christmas list.
 
On behalf of the Grafton Area Chamber staff and board of directors, I want to wish all of you a very blessed Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.

Rick 
Community Tree Lighting Winners!

1st Place - Cornerstone Community Bank
2nd Place - Aurora Medical Center
3rd Place - Digital Edge

and the People's Choice, voted on through Facebook was
Aurora Medical Center  
Thank you for for your Beautiful Trees and for ALL our participating Businesses!


Atlas BBQ, Aurora Health Care, BMO Harris Bank, The Charcoal Grill, Connect Cell - A US Cellular Agent, Costco Wholesale, Cornerstone Community Bank, Digital Edge Copy & Print Center, Fire Ridge Golf Club, Grafton Family Dentistry, Landmark Credit Union, Lions Club & Lions Leos Club, meijer, John's Pizzeria, Little Caesars, Phillip W. Graebner Agency, Port Washington State Bank, Portal, inc., sponsored by The  Investment Center of Grafton, Rose Harms Legion Post #355 Family, USS Liberty Memorial Library, and US Bank

 
 
US Bank
Special thanks to US BANK, our Community Tree Lighting Sponsor!
 
 
January 21st 
 Ribbon Cutting 
Framing Systems 
 
January 27th
State of the Community Luncheon
The Black Swan

February 24th
11:30-1:00
ONCE Luncheon
The Black Swan
 
Special Thanks to our Christmas Parade Sponsors
 
PRESENTING SPONSOR 
Columbia St. Mary's
 
Grand Sponsors 
Exacto Spring Corporation
Cornerstone Community Bank
US Bank
Village of Grafton
Town of Grafton
Port Washington State Bank
BMO Harris Bank

Key Sponsors 
Cary Rentals, Inc. 
Environmental Products & Systems 
Hollrith Realty, Inc. 
John Crane  
Landmark Credit Union
Mica Meunier Lawrence Agency
Partnership Bank
RAM Tool, Inc.
Rexnord - Flat Top Grafton
Rose Harms American Legion Post #355 Family
Roundy's Pick n' Save
Schmit Bros.
Schuckit & Olejniczak Orthodontics
Sendik's Food Market
Village Pointe Commons
 
Supporting Sponsors   
Axcesor, Culver's Grafton,
Digital Edge Copy & Print Center,
Holton Brothers, Inc. Blanking Systems, Inc., Carter's Salon,Mueller Funeral Home & Crematory, Wisconsin Vision, Zaun Memorial Foundation,
5 Corners Truck and Auto
Donahue & Associates, LLC
Gillman USA, Grafton Chiropractic, John's Pizzeria, Kaysen Realty Valuation, Red Heads Tavern, Renassance Salon, Rychtik Welding & Manufacturing Inc., Cedar Creek Winery, Heinz 57 Auto Body,
OF Enterprises, Advanced Manufacturing Technologies 
Cedar Creek Motorsports,  
Heim's Shoe Store, Housman & Feind, LLP, Investment Center of Grafton, Koehler Insurance Agency, Inc.,  Schmit Realty, Inc.,
Wayne's Drive-in, Ozaukee LaCrosse, CKC Graphics,
Thomas D. Freed, O.D,Badger Optical
    
In kind Sponsors  
Bloomin' Olive, Home Depot,  Lakeshore Newspapers, Inc.
A&A Towing,  
Fire Ridge Golf Club
5 Corners Truck and Auto
  
Congratulations 
to our Parade Float Winners!
Community/Non-Profit Organization Division
1st Place-Mel's Pig Roast
2nd Place-Cloverleaf 4-H
3rd Place-Helping Hands Healing Hooves
  
Commercial Division Winner
Suburban Harley Davidson 
The holidays are just around the corner!  


Anyone can purchase Gift Checks from the Grafton Area Chamber of Commerce. They are Redeemable at over 200 Chamber Member Businesses and can be purchased in ANY denomination. Makes a Great Gift or Stocking Stuffer or Reward for Employees!
 
Call ahead 262-377-1650 
or email lisa@grafton-wi.org  and we'll have them ready!

Congratulations to
Grafton Area Live Arts 
2015's Outstanding Outstanding Community Group
 
Over the past 15 years, GALA has added to the quality of like in Grafton by bringing family events, activities and entertainment to our community! Thank you for all you do!

Congratulations to Gene Schmit, honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for ALL he has done for Grafton and it's Residents! 

 

We hope you all enjoyed the

36th Annual Grafton Christmas Parade!

  

  

The weather was perfect and the show was grand!

Watch our website - the Parade video will be up soon to enjoy once again!

See you all next year!

 
 
cornerstone bank
Thank You Cornerstone Community Bank for sponsoring
a fun and delicious
Breakfast with Santa

And to all our Breakfast volunteers
Grafton Lions and Leos, GHS Cheer Team, FBLA, and Cornerstone Community Bank employees and friends


 
 

The Office of Business Development seeks common sense solutions to reduce regulation and red tape directly from affected business owners.  In the process we assist business in navigating government, getting answers, troubleshooting to improve services and are a quick guide to resources that exist in Wisconsin.  
 
We are now scheduling 2016 presentations for Chambers of Commerce, Trade Associations, Rotary and other business membership organizations where we share details on how this impacts business. To book a presentation for your organization or receive more information contact Nancy (608-267-7873) or Joe (608-267-7394).

Polar Express

Polar Express
On December 19, a magical journey to the North Pole will happen. This annual tri-community event will be held at Grafton Fire Station, 1431 13th Avenue.
With family activities that include cookie decoration, arts and crafts, caroling, tasty treats, music, and gifts from Santa. Bring the family for a chance to see Santa and the wonders of his workshop.
Tickets are available in advance! Please visit your local Parks and Recreation Department for tickets and more information. Click HERE to view the flyer!
Village Logo
The Village of Grafton  
Planning & Development Newsletter
keeps you informed on what's going on in Grafton.
Click HERE to read the November Edition

Ozaukee Economic Development Newsletter
Keeps you informed on what's going on in Oz County.
Click HERE to read the November Edition

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS


DOOR MASTER  Garage Door Co, LLC. 
Phone: 262-618-2220 / 414-327-1218 
leo@doormasterco.com 
Contact: Leo Moorhead 
Website: www.DoorMasterCo.Com

24/7 Commercial and Residential Garage Door Installation and repair Services in Milwaukee and Northern Ill. When it comes to automatic gates, garage door installation, and garage door repairs, nobody knows more. There isn't a garage door project we haven't seen or been able to handle, so let us help with all your garage door issues. We won't quit until we've provided you with the garage door service you deserve. Often, a garage door can be repaired without the need of replacing the entire door. Including the windows. Commercial high speed garage doors can be repaired quickly, give us a call!


H&R Block 
2283 Wisconsin Ave 
Grafton, WI  53024 
Phone: 262-377-4550 
Contact: Darlinn Verley (Manager) 
H&R Block in Grafton - We look at Life through Tax and find ways to help!  


PourVino Wine Bar  - OPENING SOON in DOWNTOWN GRAFTON
1239 Washington Street
Grafton, WI  53024
Owner/Operator: Sally Maydak
Watch for more information on Pour Vino Wine Bar - A Place to Relax and Wine! 
From Our Chamber Members 


Atlas BBQ Congratulations Atlas BBQ! Atlas BBQ smoked the competition in this year's Best of Dining in an OnMilwaukee poll. 'The Grafton-based beacon of barbecue dominated the rest of the field, scoring almost twice as many votes as the second place finisher The Smoke Shack and stormed past beloved barbecue favorites. Even with the 30-mile trek out of Downtown, barbecue fiends can't seem to stay away from Atlas' delectable dry-rubbed meats and various sauces, spanning the globe from East (Korean-style), West (Texas-style), North (classic tomato-based), South (North Carolina-style) and the forebodingly titled X (spicy, obviously).'  Click here to read the full article!


Ozaukee County Toastmasters Club has been helping create better communicators and leaders for over 50 years! Please join us for an Open House/Christmas Party on Thursday, Dec 3rd from 6:30-9:00pm at Aurora Medical Center (975 Port Washington Road, Grafton). Please call David Reed at 630-862-2711 for more information. Click here for Toastmaster information 


The Cedarburg Cultural Center hosts First Fridays on December 4th with their headliner 'Bound for Branson' at 7:30pm -Family fun for all! Don't miss McMann & Tate's comedy production 'HOLIDAY IMPROV SHOW' on Saturday, Dec 12th. 
Don't miss out on Historic Kuhefuss House Museum Victorian Christmas Holiday Tours on  Fridays and Saturdays in December (see website for dates).Join costumed docents at the museum for a glimpse into the holiday traditions of Cedarburg during the Victorian Era. Enjoy displays of period clothing, flow blue china,  antique toys and more in our lovingly cared for home. Call 262-375-3676 or visit our website for  more information. www.cedarburgculturalcenter.org  
 


The Cedarburg-Grafton Rotary Presents the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra HOLIDAY CONCERT Thursday, Dec 10th at 7:00pm. Enjoy Seasonal Favorites and a Sing-a-Long! Tickets: $40/$55. Students $25. Order today Cedarburgpac.com or call 262-376-6161. Reserved seating only. Proceeds provide scholarships for area high school students. Don't miss this holiday tradition! 

 
 
Please join us for GALA's FREE Indoor Concert Series on Friday, December 11th at the Rose Harms American Legion featuring The Whiskey Belles! Doors open at 6:30, concert starts at 7:00pm. Cash Bar onsite.  Pizza available by the slice from John's Pizzeria. See you there!  www.graftonarealivearts.org




Hampton Inn & Suites has special Home for the Holidays rates! Call today 262-474-1000 to book rooms for your Holiday guests!




   
Kapco's Kids2Kids Christmas is a fun way of teaching children the value of giving. Please take the children in your life shopping and allow them to select and purchase toys for kids who are less fortunate in our community, now through December 11th and drop off at the Kapco Sleigh, or we will pick them up at your business. You and your family are invited to "Christmas at KAPCO" on December 12th. Click on our website for details: www.kapcoinc.com/kids2kids/



Please click HERE to read Partnership Bank's CONNECT #2 Newsletter. ENJOY!


Portal Logo
Portal, inc Holiday Cookie Sale will take place on Dec 3rd, 4th & 5th at the Cedarburg Senior Center (W63 N643 Washington Ave). Homemade goodies ready for your holiday table! Arts & Crafts items made by Portals's Art Applause will also be available for sale. Don't miss this Holiday Tradition!!! Call 377-4410 for info. 
       
  American Legion
The Rose Harms American Legion is hosting BINGO on Tuesday, December 8th. Doors open at 6:00pm Bingo begins at 7:00pm. Come join the fun! 1540 13th Ave
The Legion Family is also hosting their Annual Blood Drive on Wednesday, Dec 2nd from 2:30pm-6:30pm. Call 877-232-4376 for an appointment or more information.  

The 6th Annual St. Paul Lutheran Church & School Cookie Walk will take place on Saturday, Dec 5th from 9:00am-noon. 700 Washington Street in Grafton. Arrive early for the best selection of your favorite Holiday Treats! Each guest will be given their own cookie container to make their own collection!