September 2018 News Break
Portage Area Chamber of Commerce
taste of portage logo
Taste of Portage Market Fair
The Tastiest Weekend of the Year has come and gone with the 27th Annual Taste of Portage wrapping up this past weekend.

Eleven local vendors served up tasty foods at Market Square to keep hungry visitors satisfied. One hundred autos turned out for the Car Show along Cook Street under gorgeous summer skies.

Craft vendors sold their wares under the shade of tents and kids rode the camel and pet small animals along DeWitt Street. Music from the Dixie Sizzlers, Copper Box, Best Practice and Me & My Fat Uncle filled the downtown. It was an all-around great event! Thank you to our volunteers and sponsors for helping make this a successful year.

Mark your calendars for next year's Taste of Portage scheduled for August 23 and 24, 2019!
Raffle tickets available
A drawing will be held on September 15 as part of the Dinner in the Garden event (above) to determine the lucky winner of the top prize of a free week long resort stay in Marco Island, Florida. Cash prizes ranging from $1000 to $250 round out the prizes.

Tickets are $50 each with a maximum of 300 tickets sold. Proceeds from the raffle will go toward the Pauquette Park pavilion, sidewalk and restroom project. Call the Portage Chamber for more information at 608-742-6242.
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September 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
Tricia Pionke of St. Vincent de Paul will talk with us about the services and programs they provide for our community.  
 
Location: Johnny B's at Saddle Ridge
Time: Lunch at 11:30AM, Presentation at Noon
Cost: pay for your lunch at the restaurant
Date: Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Please reserve your seat by calling the Chamber office
at 608-742-6242 to register. Seating is limited!
 
September is Chamber of Commerce month
The month of September proclaimed by Governor Walker is recognized as Chamber of Commerce Month. We at the Portage Area Chamber of Commerce take great pride in serving our tourists, residents, and Chamber member businesses through advocacy, tourism, economic development, entrepreneurship, young professionals, workforce and community events.
Edward Jones downtown office moves
The office of Edward Jones Financial Advisor: Klay Vehring will be moving a little west down the block to 240 E. Cook St. in downtown Portage. Contact Klay at 608-742-8841.
Around the Corner selects Portage
Portage will be featured by Emmy Award winning actor John McGivern as he explores living, working and playing in Wisconsin's unique communities. Around the Corner with John McGivern is a MilwaukeePBS production that began in 2012 to showcase Wisconsin’s fabulous communities through the stories of people as they live, work, and play in the place they call home.

John and the show’s crew are now shooting Season 8. Filming in Portage will begin this month. After 94 episodes and 12 more scheduled for 2019, viewers look forward to discovering the new places John finds, and the people he meets along the way.
 
This Emmy Award winning show also includes a short history of each community told by well-known Milwaukee historian, John Gurda. Radio host and John’s brother, Mike McGivern, tells what prep sport is popular in each town they visit.

The new season of Around the Corner with John McGivern begins January 2019.
new agency house
Reenactment; Garlic Fest! at HIAH
Back by popular demand is the Living History Reenactment on September 15 at the Historic Indian Agency House, this year featuring what it was like to have and attend a funeral on the Frontier in the 1830's.

The 3rd Annual Garlic Fest! will be held on Saturday, September 22 from 10am to 3pm at the Historic Indian Agency House. There will be garlic vendors, an expanded farmers market, lunch and food on grounds and unique artists and crafters. For more information about these events, call 608-742-6362.
Get rid of that old fridge
Want to be $35 richer? Get rid of that old fridge or freezer.
Focus on Energy is Partnering with utilities across the state, including Alliant Energy, to help residents and businesses reduce energy waste.

Visit www.focusonenergy.com/fridge to schedule a free pick up of your old fridge or freezer.
DSH Child Care
Looking for a child care center that cares about you and your child’s needs? Divine Savior Healthcare Child Care Center goes beyond the ordinary child care services and works with each family to ensure your child is learning, growing and having fun!

Beginning September 4, they will have two openings in their toddler room for children at least two years of age. Please call DSH Child Care Center at 608-745-5935 to learn more.
MacDuffee at Prairie Flower Beads
Join Melody MacDuffee for a trunk show of colorful West African beads, jewelry and symbolic findings with her as well as beautiful cabochons and stone pendants at Prairie Flower Beads, September 20-23.

Author of four books, three of them on wirework, Melody has taught distinctive jewelry making techniques all over the U.S. and as far as Morocco and West Africa. She has been a guest artist on Jewelry Television Jewel School several times and is also the co-founder and director of Soul of Somanya, a fair trade non-profit that offers paid training and steady, living wage employment to disadvantage Ghanaian artisans. Melody will be offering classes while she is at the store. Click here for more information.
End of Summer Party at Jack's Tap
Come to the End of Summer Party at Jack's Tap, 1207 Dunn St., on Saturday, September 8. The outdoor event features live music by Pat McCurdy and The NuBlu Band, a rib cook-off and raffle. For more information, click here or call Jack's Tap at 608-566-1666.
Text PACC to 51660
to receive information about upcoming Chamber events
Relax at VIBE Salon & Spa
VIBE Salon & Spa is excited to announce that Krystal will be taking appointments Tuesdays thru Saturdays now. Call 608-742-8423 to set up your reservation for a facial, manicure, pedicure & body waxing. She soon will be adding body wraps.

VIBE Salon is located at 218 W. Wisconsin St. in downtown Portage.

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!
Fall trap leagues start
Following a successful gun safety & learn to shoot skeet event with the Badgerland Girl Scouts on August 17, the Portage Rod & Gun Club is looking forward to its Singles and Doubles Fall Trap League.

The league runs September 5 to October 3. For more information, call the Portage Rod & Gun Club, W10450 Highway 16, at 608-742-6885.
PCA Performing Arts Series tickets on sale
Reserved season tickets and individual tickets for the upcoming Portage Center for the Arts Performing Arts Series are available beginning September 1. The beautiful 279-seat Zona Gale Theatre is home to the annual six-concert Performing Arts Series on select Saturdays throughout the year. 

Season Tickets (for all six shows) are only $75 for adults! This includes one free ticket for a friend for any one of the six shows...that’s a $105 value! For more information, call Portage Center for the Arts, 301 E. Cook St., at 608-742-5655.

September is jam-packed with Portage Center for the Arts happenings. Enjoy their events!
Portage Parks & Rec Fall activities
The Portage Parks & Recreation Department has packed the Fall season with all kinds of great opportunities to stay active and learn. Their first-ever Fall-Winter Activity Guide is now available. Inside you will find information on upcoming classes and workshops such as dance, swimming and college planning to updates on park projects and much more.

For more information, call 608-742-2178. You can view the guide by clicking here ! 
Goodwill now hiring
Goodwill is hiring a Retail Assistant Store Manager, Store Supervisor and Store Associate for their Portage location. Goodwill is a growing company with retail outlets that help fund programs and services like Supported Employment and Community Housing that strengthen our community.

More information about each position can be found by clicking here .
Rotary welcomes Ayers
Portage Rotary is proud to welcome their newest member, Aaron Ayers, owner of Portage Furniture Store. He pictured standing to the left of Rich Jacobson, president of Portage Rotary, in the photo at right.

Portage Rotary meets on Mondays (except this Labor Day) at noon at Dino's Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Road.

For more information or to join Rotary, check out their website at: www.portagerotaryclub.com
Rotary pledges toward Snack Packs
Portage Rotary is proud to pledge $500 per school year for the next 5 years for the Weekend Snack Pack Program. Portage Rotary raised $5000 in 2017 and received a matching grant from Rotary District 6250 for an additional $5000 to be the driving force behind the creation of the Weekend Snack Pack Program at John Muir and Woodridge schools. Rotary is proud to continue to support this worthy endeavor.

Shown at right accepting the check is Elizabeth Hansen with Portage Rotarian Robin Kvalo. For more information about Portage Rotary check out their website at:  www.PortageRotaryClub.com
Touched Twice
Touched Twice Portage/Columbia County is happening on Saturday, September 15 from 10am to 2pm at the Columbia County Fairgrounds. Touched Twice Clinics offer a range of services including (upon availability) medical care through diabetes screenings, blood pressure readings, health education and referrals; chiropractic care through adjustments and manipulations; dental care through screenings and cleanings; spa services through haircuts and mini-massages; financial counseling; family photographers and many more services.

For more information, call 608-742-1300.
Text PORTAGE to 51660
to receive information about upcoming Portage events
Ribbon Cuttings
A ribbon cutting was held at Retirement Specialists, LLC, 311 W. Wisconsin St., to celebrate this new business in Portage.

They educate you about Medicare and the types of insurance choices when going on Medicare. They help individuals sort out their Medicare Part D plans during open enrollment which is always October 15 - December 7. They sell dental
insurance to all age groups, life insurance and also provide a safe place to invest your money in annuities. There is never a fee for their services.

For more information, call 608-697-8282.
Ribbon cuttings were held at the Columbia County Administration Building, the Health & Human Services Building and the Courthouse to celebrate the opening of these buildings after construction and remodel projects.

Those assembled for a celebration ceremony at Market Square migrated to the Administration Building where Portage Mayor Rick Dodd, pictured left, joined Columbia County Board Chairman Vern Gove in cutting the first of the ribbons.
September Chamber Meetings & Events
4 Portage Chamber Business Luncheon at Johnny B's at Saddle Ridge 11:30am
5 Ambassador Meeting at Community Bank 8am
11 Ribbon Cutting at Durward's Glen at 9:30am
15 Dinner in the Garden at Edgewater Home & Garden 5pm
Join a Service Club
Rotary - Meets Mondays at Noon at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd. (no meeting on Labor Day)
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 Wednesday of the month at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.
September Community Events
1 Anniversary Party at The NorthShore
1 Portage Presbyterian Church Brat/Hot Dog/Hamburger Fry at Festival Foods Brat Hut
2 Bingo at the VFW
2-3 Free Rummage at Portage Seventh-Day Adventist Church
4 Chamber Business Luncheon at Johnny B's
4 Poetry in Portage at Suzy's Steak and Seafood House
5 Portage Rod & Gun Club Fall Trap League (through October 3)
7 Opening Reception for Floral Patterns exhibit at Portage Center for the Arts (exhibit on display through September 30)
8 Portage City Flea Market
8 End of Summer Party at Jack's Tap
8 Pregnancy Resource Center Golf Scramble at Saddle Ridge
9 Portage Police Department K-9 Golf Outing at Portage Country Club
9 Alzheimer's Walk at Riverside Park
12 Lions Club Meeting at Dino's
12 Free Workshop Natural Solutions for Pain at New Life Physical Therapy
13 'Smart' Cookie Sale
13 Friendship Supper at Portage Seventh-Day Adventist Church
14 Spirit of the Agency House Evening Tour
15 Dinner in the Garden at Edgewater Greenhouse
15 Historic Indian Agency House Living History Reenactment
15 Touched Twice Columbia County
16 Bingo at VFW
18 Jukebox Memories at Portage Center for the Arts
20 Eye Vision Event at Our House Senior Living
20-23 Trunk Show at Prairie Flower Beads
21 Bingo at Rock N Wool Winery
22 Historic Indian Agency House Garlic Fest
22 Prevent Suicide Walk for Hope at Portage High Track
24 Portage Sharing Supper at Wayne Bartels Middle School
25 Portage Area Community Fund Meeting at Portage Enterprise Center
25 Hearing Aid Event at Our House Senior Living
26 Autumnarts Dinner and Auction at The NorthShore
26 Coffee with Our House Senior Living
26 Endeavor Sharing Supper
26 Lions Club Meeting at Dino's 
27 Brown Bag Lunch Series at Portage Center for the Arts
29 Varshavski & Shapiro at Portage Center for the Arts
29-30 Wisconsin International Poultry Show at the Fairgrounds
30 Student Recital 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
Farmers Market at Commerce Plaza every Thursday from Noon to 5pm
Portage Elks serving burgers during Farmers Market every Thursday
Open Pharmacy Forum at Wilz Hometown Pharmacy, every Wednesday, 6pm-7pm
GriefShare Support Group at Portage United Methodist Church, Thursdays, 2pm to 4pm
Medicare Workshop at Retirement Specialists, every Thursday at 4:30pm.

Portage Area Chamber of Commerce | 608-742-6242 | pacc@portagewi.com | www.portagewi.com