DWACC November 2025 Newsletter

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

Thank you Dan Straus & Hometown Pharmacy for the very enlightening presentation on PBM's

Healthcare costs aren't just rising - they're being manipulated.

Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBM's), the powerful middlemen in our healthcare system, are quietly driving up costs that drain your business, your employees, and your family's wallets.

SAVE THE DATE - DECEMBER 4th

Lake Windsor Country Club from 5-7pm

Chamber Holiday Party &

Heike's Retirement Party!

More Information to be emailed soon!

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!

Welcome Lake City Glass to our Business Community!

747 Stevenson Street, DeForest

President, Mark Sheskey, gave us a tour and showed us some of the projects they are working on currently: new building on Epic campus, the Elvehjem, UW Indoor Practice Facility, a school in Monroe and more! He is looking to expand the new building soon!

"Pink Friday shopping" refers to an event encouraging shoppers to support small, local businesses on the Friday before Black Friday, promoting community investment before major retailers. The movement takes place on Friday, November 21st, 2025. Shoppers can also participate by visiting our local retail shops, coffee shops, restaurants, and local small businesses EVERYDAY!

Small Business Saturday takes place on Saturday, November 29th!

Member News & Events

Madison Capitols

Seats for Service

Friday, November 7th

This is a fun and meaningful way for your organization to support local military personnel while enjoying a Madison Capitols game.

Seats for Service Packages:

The All-Star – $600

-20 tickets for military personnel

-20 complimentary tickets for your group

-20 Chuck-a-Pucks for the game

-2 PA announcements during the game

-Website and social media recognition

-1 logo on the videoboard

The Captain – $300

-15 tickets for military personnel

-8 complimentary tickets for your group

-2 PA announcements during the game

-Website and social media recognition

The Starter – $150

-10 tickets for military personnel

-4 complimentary tickets for your group

-1 PA announcement during the game

It’s a great way to give back to veterans, create a memorable night for your members, and gain exposure through PA announcements and online recognition. Spots fill quickly, so the sooner we secure a date, the better your group's selection will be.

Kyle Trapp

Account Executive

Madison Capitols

kyle@madcapshockey.com

(608) 663-6083

Christ Lutheran Church Lutefisk Dinner

Saturday, November 8th, 11am to 6pm

Join close to 1,400 other Lutefisk enthusiasts for one of the best lutefisk and meatball dinners in the Midwest!

Reservations are open until October 30th and can be made on the hour from 11am to 5pm.

Dine in or carry out. Also check out the bazaar and bake sale that day!

Reserve your spot one of three ways:

1. Online – Use the Sign Up Genius at https://www.christlutherandeforest.org/outreach/lutefisk/

2. Call the Church Office at (608) 846-4718

3. Stop in the office at 220 S. Main, DeForest, WI. Lutefisk

Office hours are Monday-Thursday – 10:00 am – 2:00 pm.

Discover valuable services and meet the professionals who support our senior community at The Legacy of DeForest’s Senior Resource Fair!

Connect with hospice and home health providers, massage therapists, nutritionists, therapy providers, funeral homes, and many more. Enjoy complimentary snacks and refreshments while learning more about local wellness and care options.

Date: Wednesday, November 12th

Time: 1:00–3:30 PM

Location: The Legacy of DeForest, 6639 Pederson Crossing, DeForest

Open to residents, families, and community members!

Business-to-Business After Hours Thursday, November 13th

Hometown Pharmacy 6pm - 8pm

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.