DWACC November 2025 Newsletter

Welcome Joe Ryder with

Rands Trucking, Inc.

Welcome Geri Cadwallader, Studio Director, at Studio 360, LLC

Welcome Brandon Shaw with

Papa Murphy's

Welcome Mary Horras with the Waunakee Bar Buddies

Chamber News & Events

Welcoming Luke Justman as the new Chamber Executive Director

The DeForest Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the appointment of Luke Justman as our new Executive Director, effective November 17, 2025.

Luke brings a deep connection to the community and a strong understanding of local business needs through his service as a Chamber Board member and Treasurer. His enthusiasm for collaboration, partnership, and growth will help lead the Chamber into its next chapter.

“I can’t wait to be part of the DeForest-Windsor Area Chamber’s next chapter and am looking forward to hearing from area businesses and community partners about how the Chamber can be useful to them,” Luke said. “I’m excited to make community partnership my full-time focus with the Chamber starting November 17.”

We also extend our sincere thanks to Heike Compe, who is retiring after 10 years of service. Heike helped shape many of our signature community events and was a vital resource to businesses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re grateful she’ll continue to be active in the community she’s done so much to strengthen.

Please join us in welcoming Luke and thanking Heike for her decade of leadership and dedication!

Are you interested in serving on the DeForest Windsor Area Chamber Board of Directors!

Please let us know!

Please email applications to info@deforestarea.com

Application

Director Position Description

Small Business Saturday

Saturday, November 29th, 2025

Winterfest Week is December 1st - 7th, if you have an event happening, please share it with Heike, so it can be listed in Chamber promotions and advertisement of the Winterfest Week of Community Events!

Member News & Events

Mission Nutrition DeForest

Mission Nutrition DeForest – Serving DeForest Area School District residents

Rest of 2025 Pantry Schedule

SENIOR PANTRY (Ages 60+):

FIRST & THIRD Fridays

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Reserved for guests aged 60 and older

Please don’t line up before 9:45 AM

Bring reusable shopping bags – carryout help available

DRIVE-THRU PANTRY (All ages):

First FOUR Tuesdays OF MONTH

5:00 – 6:00 PM

Drive-thru only – do not line up before 4:45 PM

Be in line by 6:00 PM to be served

⸻

NEW GUESTS: Please bring photo ID showing a DeForest Area School District address, or a current piece of mail for registration.

ALL GUESTS: Must bring your assigned pantry card each visit.

SENIORS: You may visit up to 4 times per month. Need a ride? Call 846-9469 for transportation info.

Visit us at www.MissionNutritionDeForest.org to learn more or to sign up to volunteer.

Thank you for being part of a caring community!

November Caring & Sharing

with those in need!

Hey Businesses ~ How can we Help our Neighbors in need?

Would you be willing to host a Drive during the month of November?

Host a Food Drive and have a challenge to create the largest tower of canned goods. Don't have the space? How about a mitten or a sock drive? Please let me know if you plan to do a drive so the Chamber can promote and share on our social!

Here is another opportunity to help ~ Together We Can!

Together We Can!

Here are some businesses that took on the Food Challenge!

Thank you to the Village of DeForest

for kicking off the Food Fight!

Village of DeForest Kicks off a Food Fight

The Village of DeForest is kicking off a Food Fight! This friendly competition invites local businesses to see who can collect the most non-perishable food items to support community members during one of the most important times of the year. From November 24 to December 7, participating businesses will set out a collection box and encourage customers, clients, and staff to donate. Every item collected helps make a meaningful impact. Together, we can make a big difference for families in our community this holiday season! Donations collected will help restock the shelves at Mission Nutrition.

It’s that time of year again! The DeForest Area Rotary Club’s Annual Cheese & Poinsettia Fundraiser is back!

Brighten up your holidays — and support a great cause — by purchasing beautiful poinsettias and awesome cheese boxes featuring cheese, sausage, and fudge from Mousehouse Cheesehaus!

Proceeds help Rotary provide scholarships, support youth programs, and make a difference right here in our community.

All poinsettias and cheese boxes will be delivered in time for holiday decorating and gift giving!

Order yours today by email (deforestrotary1@gmail.com) or phone (608-219-0055) and spread a little holiday cheer that gives back!

Keep the Memories, Clear the Clutter

Wednesday, November 19 at 6pm

Join us for a fun, interactive session with WellRive to learn all about keeping the memories - without keeping all the stuff. From old photo albums to handwritten recipes and keepsakes, we’ll show you easy ways to digitize and organize your most meaningful items, so they’re preserved and easy to share with family for years to come.

What to Expect:

Live Demo: Learn how to use scanners and smartphone apps to digitize photos, letters, recipes, and more.

Memory-Saving Tools: Explore easy-to-use tools like Google Photos and iCloud to store, tag, and share with family.

Hands-On Practice: Bring 2–3 keepsakes or printed photos—we’ll walk you through digitizing them on the spot!

Registration Recommended.

www.deforestlibrary.org/keep-memories-clear-clutter

Fall Opportunity Fair

November 20 from 9:45am to 10:45am

On November 20th from 9:45am-10:45am, DeForest Area High School will be hosting a Fall Opportunity Fair. The purpose of this event is for local businesses to promote and recruit for job openings they currently have available or will have available in the near future.

You are invited to help showcase all the opportunities our students have! If you would like to participate in this event, please fill out this Google Form.

For those of you that are able to join us, we will follow up with you a week prior to the event for more information about next steps.

Thank you for your consideration!

Unlocking the Library's Digital Collection

Tuesday, November 25th at 10am

at the Cornerstone Community Center

Discover all the ways you can enjoy the library from anywhere!

Join a librarian for a hands-on introduction to our electronic resources, including Libby, Blackstone Unlimited, Comics Plus, and more. Learn how to borrow eBooks, audiobooks, movies, and music on your own device, and get tips for making the most of our digital collections.

Whether you’re new to e-Library tools or e-Readers or just want a refresher, this session will help you feel confident accessing the library anytime, anywhere.