Tuesday, Novemnber 4, 2025

Thank you to our Chairman's Circle investors:

Embrace Change | Drive Momentum | Champion Growth

Join the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber for networking, prize drawings, and all the latest news and announcements from the local business community. The event will take place on Friday, November 7th 7:30-8:30am at The Barn Theatre (321 4th St SW, Willmar). Don't forget to bring your business card for a chance at door prizes. $1 will be collected from each attendee to benefit our Nonprofit of the Month: United Community Action Partnership.

Congratulations and thank you to Ryan and Liv Fuchs and Grant and Cari Huisinga of Foxhole Brewhouse for 10 years of membership and support of the Chamber!

Foxhole Brewhouse is the go-to destination for great food, award-winning craft beer, and a lively brewpub vibe—serving up good times for locals and visitors alike! After eight incredible years downtown, Foxhole launched an exciting new chapter in December of 2023 with Grant and Cari Huisinga, blending bold flavors, creative dishes, and community spirit. Now located across from Robbins Island, the Foxy crew keeps the energy high with dine-in, takeout, and a flexible event space perfect for weddings, parties, and lunch meetings. Christmas party season is filling up fast—don’t wait to book your date!

Representing the Chamber: Jon Rambow (Rambow), Christina Williams (R&J Tours), President/CEO James Miller, Jeff Martinka (United Prairie), Jayme Sczublewski (New London Real Estate), and Carla Kahle-Miller (Design West Ltd).

Congratulations to Emily and Dillon Martin of Old Mill Orchard & The Tasting Grove on their First Dollar with the Chamber Ambassadors!

Old Mill Orchard is the perfect countryside destination for weddings, gatherings, or a romantic date night. Formerly known as Glacial Ridge Winery and The Land, it continues its beloved tradition of music, wine, and community events.

The Tasting Grove invites guests into a speakeasy-style tasting room featuring prohibition-era inspired cocktails, an impressive whiskey and bourbon selection, over 25 wines, local beer on tap, and a variety of domestic and imported options. Enjoy charcuterie boards crafted with local ingredients, fresh salads, and decadent desserts — perfect for sharing and savoring.

The Martins are bringing new life to the orchard, blending rustic charm with vintage flair. Watch for a one-of-a-kind lineup of events including Murder Mystery dinners!

Representing the Chamber: Tayla Boersma (MinnWest Technology Campus), Dave Feist (TPI Hospitality), Amber Barber (320 Real Estate Co), Alana Ziehl (Kandiyohi County Food Shelf), Doug Kuehnast, Dawn Lippert (Mainstream Boutique), President/CEO James Miller, Jeff Jensen and Mary Hagen (West Central Technology, Inc.), Fernando Alvarado, Kim Richardson (Cornerstone Insurance), and Ken Quist (Quist Wealth Management). 

On October 22nd, the Business Education Network presented Classroom to Career at DREAM Technical Academy. Classroom to Career allows business professionals the opportunity to engage with students, talk with them about their career choices here in the Willmar Lakes Area and discuss how the decisions in high school will open future opportunities. The program is designed to show classroom students that they are in control of their future educational goals through personal choice and educational decisions. Thank you to DREAM for welcoming the Willmar Lakes Area Chamber BEN program to present to your students. Special thanks to Adrian Salinas, Universal Kutz Barber Shop, for presenting.

Join us for a high-energy Lunch + Learn on non-traditional career pivots and the power of resilience! Hear from three incredible local leaders who prove that success isn’t always a straight line — it’s built through grit, growth, and bold new beginnings. Don’t miss this chance to recharge your mindset and reignite your career inspiration!

On October 21st, local accounting experts from Anfinson Thompson, CDS CPAs and Advisors, Christianson CPAs and Consultants, and Westberg Eischens came together to share valuable insights during a comprehensive update on the OBBBA, tax changes, and Minnesota’s new Paid Leave program. Attendees gained practical strategies for optimizing their business tax positions, learned how new individual tax provisions could impact their finances, and received a clear overview of the Paid Leave legislation directly from trusted local CPAs.

Thursday mornings on Open Mic, Chamber President James Miller hosts Chamber Chat. Last week, James was joined in studio by members of Kandiyohi CEO.

Hiring? Make sure to log in to ChamberMaster to post your positions on the Chamber Job Board. Job postings are shared in the weekly e-newsletter that reaches over 1,600 people as well as on the Chamber website, and occasionally on social media. This is a complimentary service offered exclusively to Chamber members.

Dooley's Petroleum - Bulk Fuel & Propane Driver, Field Service Technician, Fuel Transport Driver

Employment Plus - Electrician/Sales, HVAC Technician, Part Time Delivery Driver, Building Maintenance Tech/Carpenter, Electrical Assembler, Electrical Engineer, Poultry Farm Laborer

Haug Implement - Ag Equipment Sales, Parts Counter Professional, Service Technician, Professional Truck Driver

Headstart Hatching - Assistant Hatchery Manager, Hatchery Manager, Industrial Maintenance Supervisor

Lake Region Bank - Full-Time Teller

Northern Radiator - Chief Financial Officer, Human Resources Manager

Ridgewater College - Accounting Technician

Southwest West Central Service Cooperative - Physical Therapist or Physical Assistant Long-Term Substitute

West Central Roofing - Foreman/Lead, Commercial Flat Roofing Estimator

Tuesday, November 4 at 12:30pm - Membership Milestone at Janning ENT Center

Thursday, November 6 at 9:00am - Leadership Perspectives - Heritage and Diversity

Thursday, November 6 at 10:00am - Chamber Chat with Copperleaf Senior Living

Thursday, November 6 at 2:00pm - Ribbon Cutting at Bethesda StoneRidge

Friday, November 7 at 7:30am - Chamber Connection at The Barn Theatre

Friday, November 7 at 12:00pm - Public Policy Meeting at Heritage Bank

Friday, November 7 at 12:00pm - Ribbon Cutting at Willmar Wood Products

Monday, November 10 at 10:00am - Ribbon Cutting at MAC Supply & Hardware

Tuesday, November 11 at 7:30am - GrowMN Meeting at the Chamber