February 2019 News Break
Portage Area Chamber of Commerce
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Annual Chamber Awards Breakfast
Frigid winter weather pushed the Portage Chamber awards breakfast back one day to February 1, giving the Portage Chamber the opportunity to recognize businesses and individuals for their outstanding work and contributions in a little warmer conditions.
The event featured guest speaker Kelly Lietz, VP of Marketing for the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). Kelly discussed how the WEDC is targeting millennials, University of Wisconsin system grads and military veterans, enticing them to move to Wisconsin. Kelly introduced the slogan and accompanying logo, Think-Make-Happen in Wisconsin, which is applied in WEDC marketing. Kelly said all are encouraged to use the messaging, customizing it as desired (Think-Make-Happen in Portage, for example), further spreading the WEDC message about Wisconsin as a great place to live, work and play.
After our presentation, Marianne Hanson, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director announced the winners of the Chamber awards. Congratulations to the 2019 Award Winners:
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Business Excellence Award
(20 or more employees)
Rhyme
Joe Sommers
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Susan Weyh Business Excellence Award
(less than 20 employees)
Portage Furniture Store
Rosie Endres & Aaron Ayers
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Rising Business Star Award
Neil's Wine House
Neil Shortreed
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Community Service Award
Jack's Tap
Jackie McGowan & Tara Glendenning
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Thank You to our 2019 Awards Breakfast Sponsors:
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February 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.
Luncheon Information
Attorneys from Chamber member law firm Cross, Jenks, Mercer & Maffei will be talking with us about Employment Law.
Location: Portage Pizza Ranch, 2905 New Pinery Road
Time: Lunch at 11:30AM, Presentation at Noon
Cost: Pay for your lunch at the restaurant
Date: Tuesday, February 5, 2019
Space is limited. Please kindly RSVP for the Business Luncheon events!
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Business Profile - Baraboo River Equine-Assisted Therapies, Inc.
Baraboo River Equine-Assisted Therapies, Inc., was founded in 2016 in response to a market study revealing a need for supportive, individualized and group recreational activities designed around the specific abilities and challenges of children and adults with disabilities and special needs in Sauk County and nearby areas. Families with a disabled child or adult dependent are often stressed financially, emotionally and physically. Recreational choices and participation in traditional sporting activities are often limited. Our program offers an affordable, positive experience with physical, emotional, cognitive and behavioral benefits.
The mission of Baraboo River Equine-Assisted Therapies, Inc. (BREATHE) is to provide equine-assisted activities and therapies to children and adults with disabilities and special needs, while supporting the physical, mental, and emotional health of each individual in their interactions with horses and staff.
BREATHE began offering therapeutic riding activities in June, 2017. Five riders quickly increased to eight, and when we finished the 2017 summer season we had twelve riders and over 40 trained volunteers participating on a weekly basis. During the 2018 riding season (April – October), BREATHE conducted over 480 therapeutic riding lessons for individuals with disabilities and special needs. Riders are referred from local schools, county offices, specialized service professionals, and private referrals.
BREATHE is a member center of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship, International (PATH). PATH sets standards worldwide for therapeutic horseback riding and therapy programs. All instructors at BREATHE are PATH-Certified Therapeutic Riding Instructors. No staff, volunteers or board members receive compensation.
The benefits of therapeutic riding for individuals challenged by physical disabilities include increased strength and flexibility, improved balance and coordination, greater self-esteem and self-confidence, and better breathing and circulation. Individuals with emotional, behavioral or cognitive impairments gain trust, self-confidence, patience, critical thinking skills, attentiveness and concentration.
BREATHE is a 501(c)(3) Non-Profit Corporation that
relies on donations, sponsorships, grants, rider fees and fundraisers to meet monthly operating expenses. Rider fees cover only about 10% of the budgeted income. Check out our main fundraising events in 2019: Night at the Races on March 23; Scott Helmer Country Rock Concert at Holiday Shores Resort on July 6; and Harvest Hoedown at the Ranch in Fall (date TBD).
For more information, contact BREATHE, E12311 County Road W, Baraboo, at
608-504-2299.
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Saddle Ridge offering competitive golf leagues
Join the Competitive Business Golf League - 18 weeks, 36 businesses - at Saddle Ridge Golf Course this summer, kicking off with a 5:30pm shotgun start. Mondays will feature Battle of the Bars and Thursdays will feature Battle of the Businesses. Both leagues are comprised of 18 teams with 2 people per team playing a scramble.
There will be different tees and and games each week with flag events at each hole for a drink chip and $5 Skins available. First place wins $100 and a traveling trophy and second place gets pizza and a pitcher of beer. For more information, contact Margie at 608-742-2181.
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Meet Todd Schneeman
I joined Baraboo State Bank (formerly known as Baraboo National Bank) as a Vice President in December of 2016. For the most part, my career has always focused on consumer lending. I have over 25 years of experience in the banking and consumer finance industry. My current responsibility is heavily focused on mortgage lending (first mortgages, home equity lines
and construction loans). In the fall of 2019, I had an opportunity to relocate to the Portage State Bank with further emphasis on business development.
I reside in Sauk City with my wife Lynn of 30 years. We have three grown children, Derek, Hannah and Haley. I am excited to be part of the Portage market area and a new Ambassador to the Chamber.
Todd M. Schneeman | Vice President, Portage State Bank, a Branch of Baraboo State Bank
2838 New Pinery Rd. Portage, WI 53901
608-742-0940; ext. 4810
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Business Day in Madison
Business Day in Madison will take place on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at the Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center. This event brings business leaders from all over the state together to discuss important issues facing the business community and our state.
This year’s program will feature Ed Henry, award-winning political journalist, chief national correspondent for FOX News and New York Times bestselling author; Dennis Prager, bestselling author, columnist and nationally syndicated radio talk show host; Travis Mills, retired United States Army staff sergeant, recalibrated warrior, motivational speaker, actor and advocate for veterans and amputees; and Governor Tony Evers (invited).
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Donate while you dine at Culver's
Visit Culver's of Portage on Monday, February 11 from 5pm to 8pm as they will donate 5-15% of sales to benefit Portage Public Library programming.
While you are there, enjoy an adult game of Mad Gab. Kids can create a Valentine's Day card. Friends of the Library will also be giving out used kid's books.
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Anytime Fitness Sale on Personal Training
Come visit the Portage Club and meet the Professional Career Certified Trainers with 7, 8 and 9 years solid personal training experience. They are dedicated to helping you reach your goals - together!
Enjoy 20% off sale valid until February 15.
•Posture is More than Sitting Up Straight
•Endurance is More than just Going for a Walk
•Strength is More than Lifting Weights
•Mobility is More than Doing Yoga
Ages 14+! Learn how the Science of your Body makes up the Wonderful Person you are! Goals are not just Dreams! We will help you achieve your Fitness Goals! For more information, contact Anytime Fitness, 2800 New Pinery Road, at 608-745-0250.
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31st WI Manufacturer of the Year Awards
Register today for the 31st Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year
Award Program. The Wisconsin Manufacturer of the Year Award (MOTY) program is an annual recognition of excellence in manufacturing. It celebrates the successes of manufacturers in the state: their innovations, philanthropy, technological advances, commitment to customer satisfaction and quality jobs.
Nominees are celebrated and winners are revealed at a black-tie awards ceremony on Thursday, February 21 at The Pfister Hotel in Milwaukee.
Register here
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Rotary welcomes Darryl Teske
Portage Rotary recently welcomed Darryl Teske of Columbia County CASA to the club. Shown at right are Darryl and Portage Rotary President Rich Jacobson.
Portage Rotary meets every Monday at noon at Dino's Restaurant. For more information or to join Portage Rotary, visit
portagerotaryclub.com
or find them on Facebook.
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Job postings on portagewi.com
Check out these
job postings on our Chamber site from our member businesses. You are welcome to post job openings your business may have at any time. Call the Chamber office at 608-742-6242 for more information.
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WSC Conference and Expo
Wisconsin Safety Council’s annual conference and expo is one of the largest in the country, bringing together more than 1,700 attendees and over 200 exhibitors. Safety professionals are given the opportunity to attend nearly 60 training sessions taught by safety experts and also hear from nationally-renowned keynote speakers.
This conference brings out the best of the best and should be on the calendar of every safety and human resources professional in Wisconsin.
Register here and for details.
77th Wisconsin Safety Council Conference
April 14-17, 2019
Kalahari Resort and Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells
Wisconsin Safety Council 608-258-3400
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Madison College High School Police Academy
Learn about various policing tactics, investigation techniques, and career options through this affordable and interactive program, happening Saturdays from 8am to noon, March 30 through April 13.
For more information, call 608-745-3100 or visit madisoncollege.edu.
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Introducing Bonnie Dixon
Hello Portage! I'm very excited in my new role as Manager of the First Weber offices in Portage, Pardeeville, and Montello. I like to say "...this isn't my first Rodeo" as I've been in real estate since 1996 - mostly working as a manager, coach and Realtor for Stark Co. Realtors in Baraboo, Sun Prairie and Madison. During that time I've also been involved in real estate on the state and national level.
I'm a past president of the Realtors Association of South Central WI and most recently was awarded the Ed Coburn Pride Award for outstanding service to an organization. In addition to my "day job" I teach an Ethics course to all new Realtors in South Central Wisconsin and I'm an instructor for the WI Realtors Association - teaching several courses to realtors who want to improve their skills. Can you tell I'm very passionate about EVERYTHING REAL ESTATE?
I'm a graduate of Portage High School and have raised my children here. These days my husband and I enjoy riding one of his many motorcycles (he's an enthusiast - I'm a passenger) or hanging out with any of our five grandchildren. I'm looking forward to meeting you all...Happy New Year!
Bonnie Dixon, First Weber, Inc., 608-697-9579
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Madison College Fun with Torches
Help your child explore the world of welding with our interactive summer camps! Students aged 12-15 are encouraged to apply for one or both of our fun, hands-on events. Campers will design and build projects from start to finish, creating finished pieces they can show off with pride! They’ll also visit local manufacturers for behind-the-scenes tours and demos. All camps take place at the Portage Enterprise Center, 1800 Kutzke Rd.
Fun with Torches 1; July 8-July 12, 8:30am-3pm; Ages 12-14; $59
Fun with Torches 2; July 15-July 19; 8:30am-3pm; Ages 12-14; $59
Advanced Welding; July 29-August 2; 8:30am-3pm; Ages 12-15; $59
For more information, call 608-745-3100.
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WEDC has Portage demographical info
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation has compiled information regarding Portage demographics and has such statistics on housing; household income and spending, businesses and jobs, and more.
Click here to view our community demographic profile.
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Capital Newspapers: New calendar entry procedure
All Capital Newspaper publications have moved to a digital community calendar. The publications no longer will accept calendar submissions via email.
The new digital calendars make it possible for readers to submit items for publication directly on their websites. From there, they will be displayed digitally in a reader-friendly format for anyone to see. Calendar items submitted through our website also will be printed in their newspapers. Please be sure to fully fill in the digital form, including the time, date and complete address of your upcoming event for it to appear in their print publications.
To submit a calendar item on our websites, you must be a registered
WiscNews.com
user. Registration is free, but requires a valid email address. Registration also offers additional access to content from WiscNews.com publications including the Baraboo News Republic, Beaver Dam Daily Citizen, Portage Daily Register, Columbus Journal, Juneau County Star-Times, Reedsburg Times-Press, Sauk Prairie Eagle or Wisconsin Dells Events.
Submitted events must be approved for publication and may take up to 3 business days to display.
Contributors also may adjust events after they are submitted through the user dashboard under “Manage events.” Events that are edited through the “Manage events” option will start over in the approval process.
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Get your SHRM Certification
Are you ready to obtain your SHRM Certification? Learn from expert instructors with the proven SHRM Learning System! Prepare with the Wisconsin Small Business Development Center at UW-Madison’s SHRM Learning System for CP/SCP course.
Classes are held at
Grainger Hall, corner of Park and University Avenue, from 6pm to 9pm Wednesday evenings, February 20 through April 24. For details and to register,
click here.
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Lions 43rd Annual Radio Auction
The Portage Lions Club 43rd Annual Radio Auction will be held on Saturday, March 30. Tune in to WPDR 1350AM.
Booklets containing a list of the auction items will be available on the Chamber website and at the Chamber office soon.
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Glacier Valley Campground ready for fun summer
Your friends at Glacier Valley Campground have a fun summer planned and would like you to be part of it! A family-run and family-oriented campground (and day-trip destination) between Fox Lake and Pardeeville awaits. Since the property was acquired 4 years ago, there is now a 3/4-acre sandy-bottom lined pond, several playground areas, dog park, disc golf, mini golf, fishing ponds, hiking trails, and more. Every weekend has a theme and most weekends feature a live band or DJ-led music.
RVers can select from over 60 water & electric sites, some of which are pull-through. Tent campers can be in the middle of everything or can venture off into 70 acres of woods and fields. Sleeping cabins are available to rent. Come for a day trip, stay for a weekend, or become a seasonal camper!
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Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative news
Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative announces a new program. A STEM Grant is available for teacher/schools in their service area to be used for STEM-based (science, technology, engineering, math) projects. Learn more and fill out an application on their
website.
If you are interested in running for a board position, visit their
website to learn how. If you have an
idea for the co-op? Submit an advisory resolution before Friday, February 8.
Learn more.
For more information, contact Haley Melby, Marketing Coordinator, Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative at 800-831-8629.
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PCA Call for Artists
Adult artists interested in participating in this year’s Art that Blooms exhibit held in June, please submit one piece of original art for consideration by sending a digital image via email or CD, along with an application form, available on the Portage Center for the Arts'
website
or at the office at 301 E. Cook St. For more info, call 608-742-5655.
Deadline for artwork submission: Friday, March 15. Sponsored by Herb Kohl Philanthropies.
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Text PACC to 51660
to receive information about upcoming Chamber events
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Looking for a Hot Deal? See our list?
Check out our Hot Deals webpage for deals our Chamber members are
offering. Have a Hot Deal of your own you want others to know about? Post
your deals on our webpage and join the Hot Deal brigade! There is no charge
for posting a Hot Deal, so post away!
If you have questions, call the Chamber office at 608-742-6242 to get started.
Click here
to see the specials that are currently running!
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Text PORTAGE to 51660
to receive information about upcoming Portage events
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February Chamber Meetings & Events
5
Chamber Business Luncheon at Pizza Ranch at 11:30am
6
Ambassador Meeting at Community Bank at 8am
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Join a Service Club
Rotary - Meets Mondays at Noon at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.
Lions Club - Meets the 2
nd and 4
th Wednesdays at 5:30pm at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd., summer month meetings change locations
Kiwanis - Meets on Wednesdays at Noon at Pizza Ranch, 2905 New Pinery Rd.
Optimists - Meets on Tuesdays at 7am at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.
Elks - Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday at 7pm; 4th Tuesday only during July and August
Women's Civic League - Meets 2nd Wednesdays of the month at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.
Wauona Trail Women's Club - Meets 3rd Mon. of the month at 11:30am at Dino's Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.(Sept-May)
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February Community Events
5 Poetry in Portage at Suzy's Steak & Seafood House
5 Portage Chamber Business Luncheon at Portage Pizza Ranch
6 Free Lower Back Pain Workshop at New Life Physical Therapy
8-10 5 & Under Bonspiel at Portage Curling Club
8 Teen Craft: Guitar Pick & Charm Necklace at Portage Public Library
9 Meat Raffle at Jack's Tap
9 Trivia Night at St. Mary's
11 Dine at Culver's for the Library
15-17 Alumni Basketball Tournament
15 Our House Senior Living Community Bingo
15 Teen Snack Food Taste Test at Portage Public Library
16 Wayne Newton at Ho-Chunk Gaming
17 Bingo at VFW
22 Teen Anime Night at Portage Public Library
23 Alison Margaret Jazz Quintet at Portage Center for the Arts
23 Goodwill Tax Prep Assistance
25 Portage Sharing Supper at Wayne Bartels Middle School
27 Endeavor Sharing Supper
27 Portage United Methodist Church Pop-Up Food Pantry
28 Brown Bag Lunch Series at Portage Center for the Arts
Weekly Recurring Events
Beer Bucket Bingo at Jack's Tap every Monday at 6:30pm
Portage United Methodist Church Bible Study at Heritage House, Tuesdays at 10am
Portage United Methodist Church Worship Service at Heritage House, Tuesdays at 11am
Open Pharmacy Forum at Wilz Hometown Pharmacy, every Wednesday, 6pm-7pm
Medicare Workshop at Retirement Specialists, every Thursday at 4:30pm
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