The Park Hills - Leadington Chamber of Commerce is hosting the "Blankenship Insurance Christmas Parade" on Thursday, December 4, 2014 and we are inviting you to participate.

This year's theme is "A Disney Christmas".  Parade participants are encouraged to decorate their entries to reflect their favorite Disney Movie.  Because there are numerous Disney movies to choose from, parade officials will be discouraging duplicate theme entries, so we encourage you to register early to reserve your preferred theme.

There is a $10 entry fee to participate.   This year, the Chamber, along with Farmer's Agent, Blankenship Insurance, will be distributing 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Cash Prizes, along with a 1st Place Trophy and Gift Basket.

As tradition has it, there will be entertainment and tree lighting ceremonies at both Leadington Plaza (prior to the parade) and the Farmer's Market (immediately following the parade).  Spectators will also enjoy games, goodies, and more at the Farmer's Market beginning at 6:30 p.m., and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus immediately following the parade.

Vendors interested in hosting a booth space at the Farmer's Market are encouraged to register online or call the Chamber office at 573-431-1051.  Spaces are limited, so reserve your spot today!

To find out more about entering the parade, hosting a booth, or to register online, CLICK HERE.

 

Sponsored by: The Park Hills - Leadington Chamber of Commerce
Collecting we are collecting new undies and socks for Children Ages 5-11

• Undies Any Size from 0 to 12
• Socks Any Size From 1 to 10

Benefiting Children of Central R-3 Schools

Drop off donations at any of the following locations between now and December 16:

• Park Hills - Leadington Chamber Office - 12 Municipal Drive, Park Hills
• Parkland Lawn Equipment - 980 Woodlawn Drive, Leadington
• Reese Financial Group, Bill Skaggs, Financial Advisor - 206 Hyler Drive, Farmington
• East Missouri Action Agency Outreach - 903 E. Chestnut, Desloge
• Hefner Furniture & Appliance, Inc. - 4850 Hwy 67 North, Farmington -  **Offering Specials To Participants - See the "news" tab on their page for details!**
• Habitat Restore - 712-C East Main Street, Park Hills
• Central Methodist University - 5270 Flat River Road, Park Hills
• Special Memories - 210 Woodlawn Drive, Leadington
• C-Barn, Desloge - 108 S. Desloge Drive, Desloge
• Belgrade State Bank, Desloge - 414 N. Desloge Drive, Desloge

Join us at  Parkland Health Center from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30. a.m. for coffee and doughnuts at the December First Friday Coffee Event!

First Friday Coffee Events are held the first Friday of each month at various investor locations. 

This is a relationship building event for Chamber Investors, clients and potential clients.

Visit with other investors and members of the business community and learn about the sponsoring business or organization and their products and/or services while enjoying coffee, a light breakfast provided by the sponsoring business or organization.

Reserve your attendance here:  FFC December 2014

Congratulations to Chamber Ambassador, Brenda Jordan of The Printing Co.  Brenda was named the Chamber's 3rd Quarter Acclaimed Ambassador at the October Investor Meeting at Mineral Area College! Along with the title, she received a fabulous gift basket valued at over $100 from the many gracious Chamber Ambassador Sponsors!

Brenda earned the most ambassador points by attending all but one of the eleven Chamber hosted meetings, ribbon cuttings, and events throughout the third quarter. Congratulations Brenda!  

Gifts were compliments of the following Chamber Ambassador Sponsors: Serenity Hospicecare, Belgrade State Bank, William Bess - American Family Insurance Agent - Park Hills, MO, Parkland Health Center, Main Street Grill, The Printing Co., Central Methodist University, Home Pools and Spas, Mineral Area College, and Pharmax Pharmacy!

At the November meeting of the Park Hills - Leadington Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, board members voted to appoint four individuals to three year terms on one individual to a one year term on the Chamber board.

Danielle Basler, Mineral Area College.  Danielle was appointed to the board earlier this year to fill the unexpired term vacated by former board member, Jean Merrill-Doss.  With that term expiring in January, board members agreed, Danielle has done an outstanding job in the short time that she's served on the board, and they felt retaining her for a full three year term would be benefit the Chamber tremendously!  Danielle will continue to serve on the board until January of 2018.

Linda Dickerson, Habitat for Humanity.  Linda has served on the Chamber board numerous times, and always proves to be a tremendous asset.  She served from 2002-2003; was appointed to fill an unexpired term in 2009; and was elected to a three year term in 2011;  Linda has served as Treasurer of the organization for much of her time on the board.  We are honored to have her on the board for an additional term!  Linda will continue to serve on the board until January of 2018.

Brad Dush, C.Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Homes.  Brad has been a dedicated Chamber Investor, representing Boyer Funeral Homes for several years now.  He has served as a Chamber Ambassador since the program began in 2012, and has recently taken on the role of being the Chamber's official chaplain, administering blessings, as requested by local businesses and organizations, at Chamber ribbon cutting ceremonies.  Brad is excited to become more active in the leadership of the Chamber and we're blessed to have him on board!  Brad's term will run from January 2015 to January 2018.

Kelly Valle, KFMO/B104 Radio.  Kelly also is no stranger to the Chamber board.  He first served one year on the Chamber board in 1987.  In 1993 he was again appointed to the board, retaining an additional three-year term from 1994-1997. During that term, Kelly served as Vice-President in 1994 and President of the Board in 1995.  Kelly has served as an Ambassador of the Chamber for the past 10 months, claiming the title of Acclaimed Ambassador in both the first and second quarter.  We are excited to have Kelly back on the board!  Kelly's term will run from January 2015 to January 2018.

The board recently learned that one of it's own would be resigning.  Eric Phares, formerly of Culligan Soft Water, took a leap of faith, he resigned his position at Culligan and followed his dreams -- substitute teaching!  Turns out, he has succeeded tremendously in catching his dream - he's been hired as a Supervisor of Valley of Caledonia Alternative School! Unfortunately, as you may know, teaching doesn't allow for time away to do Chamber activities, so Eric felt it best to allow another individual the opportunity to fill his shoes... What big shoes to fill! Eric did an incredible job as a chamber board member, leader, and team member.  He is going to be missed tremendously.

However, if there's anyone who can fill Eric's shoes, we're certain Brenda Jordan of the Printing Co. can!  Brenda is the final of the five individuals recently appointed to the board.  Brenda has been active in the Chamber since 2012 representing first The Coffee Grill and now The Printing Co.   Brenda has served as a Chamber Ambassador for the past 10 months and was recently named the third quarter Acclaimed Ambassador.  The enthusiasm she has shown while participating in the Ambassador Program made her an outstanding candidate for the Chamber board and we look forward to putting that enthusiasm to use over the next year as she completes Eric's unexpired term.  Brenda's will serve from January 2015 to January 2016.

Congratulations to each of our newly elected board members!  We look forward to learning about all the great ideas you each have to help improve our Chamber and increase our Investor benefits!

Chamber Office Closed For Thanksgiving

The Chamber Office will be closed Thursday and Friday, November 27th and 28th for the Thanksgiving Holiday.

We will reopen on Monday, December 1st at 7:30 a.m.  We apologize for any inconvenience and hope you all have a safe and blessed Thanksgiving spent making memories with family!

Holiday Investor Meeting - December 16 - Special Location, Entertainment, & More

The December Investor Meeting is a Special Holiday Meeting!  This meeting will be held at Elizabeth Hall and will last 1/2 hour longer than regular investor meetings!

Join us for a special Chamber "Holiday" Investor Meeting on December 16, 2014 at 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Elizabeth Hall in Leadington.  

 

 

Read more about the luncheon or register your attendance now on the Chamber's Website at HOLIDAY INVESTOR MEETING.  

 

Visit Quaint Villages and Lively Cities on this 2015 Chamber Sponsored Trip!

Journey through spectacular mountain scenery and picturesque cities, as you experience the enchanting Alpine cultures of Switzerland, Austria, and Bavaria. Spend four nights each in the UNESCO world heritage city of Bern, and the charming Alpine city of Innsbruck.  

 

Walk the halls of the 13th century Chateau de Chillon, a princely residence on the shores of Lake Geneva. Ride the legendary GoldenPass Panoramic Train from Montreux to the Alpine ski resort, Gstaad. Explore Lucerne, the "Swiss Paradise on the Lake." Visit Mozart's birthplace and the Mirabell Gardens, featured in the "Sound of Music", during your time in Salzburg. See the fairy-tale castle, Neuschwanstein. Visit Oberammergau, a perfect picture traditional German Alpine village. Sample traditional regional cuisine, including cheese fondue and schnitzel, at some of the oldest and most famous restaurants in Europe.

 

 

Your To-Do for Today: Spotlight a Superstar Employee

By: Janine Popick  Inc.com

5 Things Small Businesses Need to Know This Fall

 

By: Joyce M. Rosenberg  Inc.com 

Health care, technology, and an evolving Internet: What you and your business need to pay attention to this fall.

 

What do small business owners need to pay attention to this fall? Health care, Internet security and new technology make the list. Here are five things that small businesses need to be on top of over the next several months:

 

Health care

Small business owners who bought employee health insurance policies before the end of 2013, sidestepping the law's requirements for a year, could pay between 10 percent and 20 percent more when it's time to renew, says Michael Stahl, chief marketing officer of HealthMarkets Inc., a broker based in North Richland Hills, Texas. They'll also have to decide on plans. Policies issued under the law have significant changes including the requirement that pre-existing conditions be covered. Some owners may decide it's better if workers purchase their own government-subsidized coverage on health insurance exchanges.

 

Companies whose coverage took effect Jan. 1 of this year and complied with the law could see increases between 5 percent and 10 percent for 2015, Stahl says. Not all small business owners will have to make these decisions this year. Employers with 50 to 99 workers have until 2016. Companies with fewer than 50 workers are exempt.

 

Continue reading here:   5 Things Businesses Need to Know