Portage Area Chamber of Commerce
NEWS BREAK
July 2021
|
|
Beasley Pavilion ribbon cutting
Members of the Portage Service Club Association and City of Portage officials celebrated the Grand Opening of the Beasley Pavilion on Friday, June 25 with a ceremonial ribbon cutting. The Beasley Pavilion at Pauquette Park was constructed in 2020 and is available for rental through the Portage Park and Recreation. Photo credit Solas & Kin Photography.
|
|
July 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 to our Business Luncheons.
Our Speaker: Debbie Drew, Director of St. John's Child Development Center
Debbie has over 25 years of working in early childhood education. Quality child care is critical to a child's development and the ability of a parent to work and care for their family responsibilities.
Debbie will be talking with us on the challenges seen in child care during the COVID-19 pandemic and what now comes with raising a child during and after the pandemic. She will share her ideas and initiatives to move the Child Development Center forward to ensure that every child receives that needed education and care.
St. John’s Child Development Center is a 5-Star Youngstar provider by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. At St. John's Child Development Center (CDC), they believe that children are unique individuals who should always be treated as such. During the early years, children need a stimulating and loving environment that will provide them with experiences that will aid them in development to their full potential. St. John's Child Development Center aids parents by providing a structured, Christian environment for learning and growing. St. John's CDC has been part of the Portage Community since 2001 and most of their staff have Bachelor's or Associate Degrees in Early Childhood.
Please RSVP for Business Luncheons! Call the Chamber at 608-742-6242.
Location: Rendezvous at Saddle Ridge Golf Course
Date: Tuesday, July 6
Time: Lunch at 11:30AM, Presentation at Noon
Cost: Order your lunch at the restaurant
|
|
Bagpipes at the Glen
Saturday, July 10, 2021 5:00PM to 9:00PM
Come on out for a beautiful summer time music fest celebrating Durward’s Glen’s Scottish heritage!
Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, picnic baskets, beverage of choice and relax as performers present you amazing Celtic and Irish folk music and more!
Performers include: Shari Sarazin with her Celtic Harp & Storytelling, The Mears Brothers from Nashville and Piper Mike O’Connell will play his pipes for us! Enjoy the peaceful surroundings and mid-summer’s eve. Food stand with brats and hamburgers available for purchase. Lodging at cost available; first come, first serve.$5.00 Entrance Donation Warmly Welcomed!
W11876 McLeisch Road
(608) 356-8113
|
|
Welcome New Portage Chamber of Commerce Members
Burdick Powersports
2646 New Pinery Road
Portage, WI 53901
Rick Burdick at 608-566-1293
Lawn & garden equipment, motorcycle repair shop,
ATV dealership, parts, sales, service and apparel, too.
Next Level Creative
PO BOX 722
Baraboo, WI 53913
Nellie Schmitz at 608-356-6640
Graphic design creative services including brand development, unique and original creative offerings
in all aspects of graphic design, website, social media, ads, promotions & retail campaigns.
Beautifully Blemished
242 W. Edgewater Street
Portage, WI 53901
Sharon Wade at 608-697-0297
We specialize in refinishing and re-purposing both vintage and traditional furniture.
Our shop is located inside the Lilac Shop Studio in downtown Portage.
MCRO Photography & The Big Picture
242 W. Edgewater Street
Portage, WI 53901
Photographer who is a lover of the little things in life, the simple
beautiful moments that aren't planned or posed.
Family Heritage
3452 State Highway 13
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
Jeanette Meixner at 608-333-3155
Supplemental insurance with refundable benefit.
Mosquito Squad
Paul Murphy at 608-438-2077
Mosquito Squad’s highly trained technicians have shielded 300,000 families from mosquitoes,
ticks, and other pests nationwide. Our signature Protective Barrier Treatment is micro-encapsulated, eliminating up to 85-90% of the mosquito populations on your property.
Reliable Handyman Service
Lance DeJong at 608-235-1431
A handyman to help with all those projects that are on your 'to do' list.
|
|
Kids Yoga
Register your young ones for Kids Yoga at Bee Alive Yoga Studio, 230 W. Wisconsin Street. Classes are Tuesdays & Thursdays from 3:30pm to 4:15pm.
Call 608-745-9333 for more information.
|
|
Prairie Flower Beads 11th Anniversary Sale
Prairie Flower Beads is celebrating 11 years with an Anniversary Sale and Mini Bead Show on Saturday, July 10. Join them for a one-day coupon sale and a mini bead show, with special guests Diakonos Designs and Glass Garden Beads. Also featured: amazing new products from Voyager Beads, specially selected kits from Amy Loh Kupser and fun goodies from Taylor Falls Trinket Foundry.
While you are at the store, enter to win a beautiful piece of jewelry, and don't forget to vote for a 2021 Bead Challenge winner. For mope information, call Prairie Flower Beads, 210 West Cook Street, at
608-742-5900.
|
|
Kids Historical Storytime
Bring your kids to Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters for a fun and educational reading of Nicky’s Bugle by Jane Rietveld on Friday, July 2 from 10:30am to 11am.
Yoga at Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters
Local Portage yoga studio Bee Alive Yoga will lead a session outdoors on the Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters grounds on Saturday, July 3 from 9am to 10pm.
Music on the Hill
Enjoy live musical performances outdoors on the Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters grounds after hours on Saturday, July 10 from 6pm to 10pm. Food trucks and drinks will be available. Buy your ticket in advance for a discount or pay as you arrive.
Book Club at Surgeons Quarters
Members of the Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters Book Club will gather to discuss The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy Reichert on Wednesday, July 21 from 6pm to 7:30pm.
Kids Cabin Crafting Day
Bring your kids to Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters for some guided crafting fun on Sunday, July 25 at 11am. Materials are provided to create paper bag nature crowns.
For details and updates on these and other events, call the Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters, 1824 State Highway 33, at 608-742-2949 or visit FortWinnebagoSurgeonsQuarters.org.
|
|
New sign at Portage Furniture Store
A bold new sign adorns the Portage Furniture Store facade on Cook Street in downtown Portage.
"We actually did quite a bit of research as to how we wanted the design to reflect both the history of Portage while bringing a sense of excitement and attraction to downtown Portage," said Portage Furniture Store owner Aaron Ayers. "The inspiration actually came from the historic images I'd seen of downtown districts from the '50s and '60s with the vertical marquee feature."
Ayers said he was really drawn to that historic, timeless design, adding that Ken Jahn of Two Rivers Sign & Designs was fantastic getting the proper permits and arrangements to make it happen.
"I could tell they enjoyed the collaboration from the design phase to the installation, and they took a lot of pride in the finished product," Ayers said. "It was a true team effort and it was great having their support in completing our vision."
That vision is now on permanent, full display at 126 East Cook Street.
|
|
Speaker Series at Agency House
Come to the Agency House every Tuesday night at 6:30 in July for some fascinating lectures. The theme this year is “History Remembered.” Each speaker will focus on a unique aspect of the ways in which Wisconsin history has been passed down through the generations.
Learn about the contributions of Frederick Jackson Turner, Milo Quaife, Increase Lapham, and the oral history tradition of the Ho-Chunk Nation. This series is co-sponsored by the Museum at the Portage.
|
|
Community Archaeology Dig
The Historic Indian Agency House is in hot pursuit of the hottest place on the hillside: the Agency blacksmith shop. Come prepared to get dirty, learn a lot, and personally play an important part in the quest to expand our historical understanding of how the Agency and particularly the blacksmith shop functioned in the early 1830s.
Adults and children ages five and up with the direct supervision of a responsible adult are welcomed to try their hand at a variety of tasks from digging to screening and more on July 10, 11, 17 and 18. Participants will be guided through a 5-minute "Archaeology Boot Camp" before rolling up their sleeves to help excavate the site's buried history alongside the professional archaeology team. Join in for an exciting and educational time of inquiry and discovery. Fees apply.
Blacksmithing Demonstrations and Hands-On Workshop
Live blacksmithing demonstrations are planned to coincide with the Community Archaeology Dig weekends on July 10, 11, 17 and 18. Explore the history and techniques of blacksmithing in trying to locate and excavate the 1830s Agency blacksmith shop.
Stories of Wisconsin: Dugout Canoe Project
Enjoy a relaxing evening at the Historic Indian Agency House while listening to stories of Wisconsin's days of old around a unique "camp fire" on Friday, July 30 from 6pm to 8pm.
Each evening's story will be accompanied by progressing work on a fire-wrought dugout canoe! Working together, we will learn about and experiment with this ancient historical skill. A hot dog fundraiser will be held concurrently with each event, so come with an appetite for history and fun!
Nature Walk at Agency House
Explore some of our 180 acres of natural beauty on a hike on July 31, guided by Tony Abate, Conservation Specialist with Groundswell Conservancy. Hikers will traverse three ecosystems during a 1.2-mile educational walk. Meet outside the visitor center at 9:45am. Children may participate if accompanied by a responsible adult. The history walk is free, but a donation is greatly appreciated.
For more information about these and other events, please call the Agency House, 1490 Agency House Road, at 608-742-6362 or visit www.agencyhouse.org.
|
|
2nd Annual Toys &Tool Show
Burdick Powersports is holding its 2nd Annual Toys & Tool Show on Saturday, July 17 from 10am to 5pm.
Keeping with the event's theme of "Salute to the Soldiers of past, present, and future," the $1 door admission will be donated to the Portage World War II Museum, the U.S. Military Vets Motorcycle Club will hold a brat fry to benefit Portage VFW, the National Guard will be present with two big trucks for kids to check out and Divine Freedom will have miniature horses for kids to ride.
There will also be lawn tractor races for stock and mod classes. Vendors are welcome to participate. For more information, contact Burdick Powersports, 2646 New Pinery Road, at 608-566-1293.
|
|
Portage Theatre Summer Movie Series
Portage Theatre 50 cent Summer Morning Movie Schedule begins with all shows at 10am Tues, Wed & Thurs through August 5.
|
|
Big Summer Sweepstakes
Portage Center for the Arts is holding its Big Summer Sweepstakes. All proceeds support arts programming at Portage Center for the Arts. Only 1,000 tickets available! $1,000 grand prize - $500 first prize - Performing Arts Concert Series Gift Certificates as second and third prizes!
All tickets must be returned by July 31, 2021. For details, contact Portage Center for the Arts at 608-742-5655.
Youth Theatre Workshop
Professionally trained teaching artists offer advanced skills in stage management, movement, storytelling, improvisation, voice, and more, promoting life skills such as: focus, commitment, self-awareness, positive self-image, and communication during this Youth Theatre Workshop.
Workshop is for ages 12-18 and is held Monday-Friday, July 12-16 (Saturday Rehearsal/Share pending Covid) from 1pm to 5pm. The fee is $150. Click Here to register.
Film Workshop
Help create a short film during this Film Workshop! Whether you’re interested in acting, filming, props, script writing, scenery or music, there is a roll for you in this unique collaboration. Workshop is for ages 12-18 and is held Monday-Friday, July 19-23 (Evening Share pending Covid) from 1pm to 5pm. The fee is $100. Click Here to register.
|
|
Kids Safety Day
The Portage Police Department, Portage Fire Department, Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and Aspirus Divine Savior EMS invite kids ages 9-14 to interact through games and learn safety tips from local first responders on Friday, July 9 from 10am to 1pm at Portage High School Football Field Complex, 300 E. Slifer Street.
Kids will learn about safety and get to look inside an ambulance, police car and fire truck. There will be a free lunch. The event is limited to 50 kids. To sign up you must RSVP by clicking the link here.
|
|
Columbia County Fair
The Columbia County Fair officially opens Wednesday, July 21 with the carnival opening at 5pm featuring specials each day of the fair through Sunday. Grandstand events begin Thursday and continue through Saturday night. The commercial buildings open Wednesday with vendors selling and/or promoting a wide variety of products.
The fair also showcases the hard work of both youth and adult exhibitors. Click Here for a complete fair schedule.
|
|
Goat Yoga with Madleen
Enjoy a unique yoga session featuring miniature goats (yes, goats!) with Madleen Alsabbah from Bee Alive Yoga on Saturday, July 10 from 8:30am to 9:30am. The yoga session will be held at W8197 Dumke Road.
Sign up at beealiveyoga.com/events or call 608-745-9333. Limited space. Bring your mat. Must register in advance. $25 member/$30 non-member fee applies.
|
|
Afternoon Tea at the Mercantile
Enjoy a selection of teas from The Republic of Tea along with finger sandwiches, scones and desserts at Mercantile, 117 W. Cook Street, from 2pm to 3pm on Saturday, July 17.
Please call 608-745-5768 to register. Cost per person is $35 and must be paid at time of registration. Limited seating available.
|
|
CONNECT Retreat
Whole Choice Living is hosting the CONNECT Retreat on Saturday, July 17 from 9am to 2pm. The year 2020 left many of us feeling disconnected from many aspects of life. Join Whole Choice Living as we explore ways to RE-CONNECT…to Self, Others, Nature, and Spirit through meditation, movement, education, and creation. During this retreat you will learn all about ways to connect using herbs & essential oils, crystals, intuitive eating, and reflexology.
This will be an outdoor retreat. A light morning snack and lunch will be provided. You will go home with the creations you make and a folder full of incredible information that you can refer to anytime when you need to reconnect. Registration deadline is July 12. Find out more and register at www.wholechoiceliving.com/retreats.
|
|
News from Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative
Save the date! For co-op month, we are hosting a Community 5K & Fun Day at Adams-Friendship High School on Saturday, October 9. The 5K will begin at 10:30am with check in starting at 10am. Stick around after the 5K for live music from country cover band Genesee Depot, purchase some delicious food from a variety of food trucks, get airbrush or henna tattoos and watch our hotline demo! Registration for the 5K will be available on our website July 1-30. Learn more about this event on our website.
Summer is storm season! Did you know that you can report power outages through your SmartHub account? Or that you can sign up to receive text and email notifications about power outages? Log in to your SmartHub account to sign up for notifications today!
Do you know an individual or organization that could use some extra funds for a specific project or item? Encourage them to apply for our Operation Round-Up Grant! We award grants throughout our entire service area and accept applications all year round with quarterly deadlines. Visit our website to learn more about this program and to apply.
For more information, call Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative at 800-831-8629.
|
|
Keep employees safe by offering paid leave
Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, immediate tax credits are available through most of 2021 to businesses that offer their employees paid sick and family leave. You could see these credits in your bottom line as soon as your next quarterly filing.
These credits make it easy to keep your employees safe and healthy. And, they are good for more than just your business: Offering paid sick and family leave helps fight the virus by helping employees get vaccinated and encouraging sick employees to stay home.
Get paid back for paid leave
If you:
• Are a business with under 500 employees;
• Offer paid sick or family leave to your employees through September 30, 2021; and
• Have employees who take paid leave due to COVID including for illness, quarantine, getting tested or vaccinated, or caregiving.
Your business may be eligible for tax credits of more than $17,000 per employee who takes sick or family leave from April 1 through September 30, 2021.
|
|
Portage VFW Blood Drive
A Blood Drive will be held at the Portage VFW, 215 W. Collins Street, on Friday, July 16 from 12:30pm to 5:30pm. For an appointment call 1-800-733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: Portage VFW
Appointments are preferred; walk-ins welcome! Bring a photo ID or your blood donor card, or two other forms of ID. You can save up to 15 minutes when you donate blood by using Rapid Pass!
|
|
County Fair vendor booths available!
Reach a lot of people at the Columbia County Fair, July 21-28! The Save The Grandstand organization is offering vendor booth spaces in the Bidwell building on a first come-first serve basis. The booth size is 8'x10' with the following fees: $150 for the event plus a $50 deposit for a total of $200 to be mailed in with the vendors' contract at the time of application.
Vendors are required to stay during the days and times the fair is operating. After completion of the fair, a refund of $50 will be given on Sunday at 4pm.
Save The Grandstand will directly receive $25 of the vendor fee. For more information, call Bunny Balk,
President, Save The Grandstand, at 920-392-9730.
|
|
July Chamber Meetings and Events
2 Festival Foods Fireworks 9:30pm
6 Business Luncheon at Rendezvous at Saddle Ridge 11:30am
9 Mollie B & Jim Busta Band at Beasley Pavilion 6pm
23 The Jimmys at Beasley Pavilion 6pm
30 Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra at Beasley Pavilion 6pm
|
|
Ribbon Cuttings
A ribbon cutting was held at the Museum at the Portage on June 5 to celebrate the new Memorial Brick Terrace.
Take a tour of the museum this summer and enjoy a slice of Portage history!
For more information, call the museum at 608-742-6682.
|
|
Ribbon Cuttings
A ribbon cutting was held at the Chamber office to welcome Reliable Handyman Service as a new Chamber member.
Reliable Handyman Service will take care of your small job repairs, replacements, maintenance and even innovations to provide creative solutions around your
home or property. From faucets to ceiling fans, fences to doors and even light welding and metal work, if I can do it right, I'll get it done. Fully insured.
Call Lance DeJong at 608-235-1431.
|
|
Ribbon Cuttings
A ribbon cutting was held at Burdick Powersports, 2646 New Pinery Road, to welcome this business as a new Chamber member.
Lawn & garden equipment, motorcycle repair shop,
ATV dealership, parts, sales, service and apparel, too.
Come to the 2nd Annual Toys & Tools event on Saturday, July 17 from 10am to 5pm. For more information, call 608-566-1293.
|
|
Groundbreakings
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish held a blessing and groundbreaking ceremony for the project to upgrade and expand church facilities on June 1. The project is expected to take about a year for completion. Updates on the project are posted here to review: https://www.stmaryoticandhoc.org/st-mary-renovation-updates.html
|
|
Submit your Events!
Are you planning an event this year? Get it posted on our web community calendar at www.portagewi.com. One of the most popular viewed of the Chamber website pages, the calendar allows you to submit your own events.
Simply click this link and submit your events. If you have questions, please call the Chamber office at 608-742-6242.
|
|
Spread the word about Portage!
Use #portagewi in your social media posts.
|
|
Check out the Chamber's YouTube Channel HERE
|
|
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.
|
|
Want to submit an article for this newsletter?
The Chamber's monthly newsletter deadlines the 20th of the month. Members are always welcome to let others know: about new products and services; introduce new associates or promotions; provide updates about their industry or business; give helpful tips; promote a sale or event. For more information, call the Portage Chamber at 608-742-6242.
|
|
Text PORTAGE to 51660
to receive information about upcoming Portage events
|
|
Join a Service Club - Meetings subject to change
Rotary - Meets Mondays at Noon at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.
Lions Club - Meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
