Morton Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council
Morton Matters Newsletter
July 2016
In This Issue
Golf Outing Funds
Promote Your Business
Learn about Membership
Women in Business
Help at Pumpkin Festival
Pavers Still Available
Business Briefs
Morton Community Foundation News
Morton Tourism News
Ribbon Cutting Heartland Veterinary
Save the Date
Chamber Calendar
Business After Hours
Buckman 
Portrait  Art

71 E. Queenwood Rd.

July 28
4:30 - 6:00 pm
Welcome New
Chamber Members
Join Our List
Join Our Mailing List
Chamber Board Members
Bill Aupperle
Brian Cross
Jamie Durdel
Nick Esser
Nick Graff
Lindsay Hall
Barbara Heer
Shelly Hunt, Treas.
Mary Jane Johnson, Past Pres.
Darren Martin, Pres.
Aaron Miller
David Mills
Tim Mueller
Alissa Williams
David Zern, Vice Pres.
150% Club 
Aaron Miller, Real Estate Broker
Ackerman Consulting 
Ackerman Farms
Alltrust Financial Management
Apostolic Christian Counseling & Family Services
Apostolic Christian Restmo r
Barbara Heer, Broker
Benckendorf & Benckendorf PC
Billy Daniel Excavating 
Blain's Farm & Fleet
Brandon Wood Retirement Center
Carius Dairy Queen
Childers Door Service of Central IL
China Dragon
ClearPath IT Solutions
CMFS Group
Colby Natural Health 
Coldwell Banker Commercial
CORE Construction
Country Financial
Craig H. Barley
Crossroads Concrete
Culver's of Morton
David Mills CPA LLC
David W. Kinsinger DDS
Deputy Duct, Div. ATC Insulators
DSM-H LLC
Elevate Church
Firehouse Pizza
Grimm Bros. Trucking
Heartland Bank & Trust
Heartland Veterinary Clinic
Heavenly Express
Hometown Title Inc.
Illinois Business Financial Services
IRON-A-WAY
JA ROECKER Architecture/Structures
Jim Maloof Realtor
Jim Yordy 
Keach Architectural Design
Kennel Lake Sportsmen's Club
Kmart
Knapp Johnson Funeral Home
Kuhl Insurance
Lennie's Quality Meat Shop 
Libby's Pumpkin
Lighthouse Buick GMC
Liquor Station
Marie Fisk, Realtor
Marion Manufacturing
Markley's Pest Elimination
Massage with Pauline
McDonald's of Morton
Menold Construction & Restoration
Merlin Birky 
Midstate College
Mike Murphy Ford 
Mike Yordy Excavating & Land Improvement
Millennia Prof. Services 
Mohr & Kerr Engineering
Morton Audiology & Hearing Aid Center
Morton Buildings
Morton Collision Repair
Morton Dental Center
Morton Financial Services
Morton Knights of Columbus
Morton Rentals LLC
Morton Unit School Dist. 709
Morton Villa Healthcare & Rehab Centre
Oak Lawn Mobile Estates
Old Smokey's BBQ 
PC Doctor Computer Consulting
PAAR
Quinn Johnston Henderson Pretorius & Cerulo
Ranson & Ranson Dental
Reading, Rhyming & Romping Preschool
Relax Inn
Reliant Auto Glass
Renewal by Anderson of Central IL
Riverview Senior Living Community
RMH Foods
Robert Schnarr
Rocke's Meats Ltd
Schooner's of Morton
Sherwin Williams
Stephens Electric 
TCRC
The Iona Group 
The Prassas Co./Morton
Town Centre
The Whisler Agency 
Thomas E. Davies PC
Tri County Cleaning Systems
Unity Point Clinic Proctor First Care
Until He Return Prophetic Bible Ministries
Village of Morton
Walmart of Morton 
Web Services 
W. Central IL Bldg. & Construction Trades Council 
Witzig Financial Services 
Wm. Aupperle & Sons 
Yinlun USA
Yogi's Super Liquors
Golf Outing Funds Donated to Project Pumpkin
The Morton Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing, held on May 6 at Pine Lakes Golf Club was a huge success with over $12,000 raised for Project Pumpkin, the endowment fund the Chamber launched in 2013 in partnership with the Morton Community Foundation. The purpose of the fund is to provide access to the Morton Pumpkin Festival for families in need in our community.
Chamber and EDC Seeking Intern
Position: Chamber Marketing & Economic Development Data Outreach Internship
 Location: Morton Chamber of Commerce/EDC office, 415 W. Jefferson St.
Reports To: Director and CEO
Hours: 15 - 20 hours per week (approximately)
Desired Availability: July 20 - November 11
Compensation: Paid internship ($8.25 per hour), letter of employment recommendation and resume building
Overall Responsibilities: Assist the Events and Program staff team through the development of written materials, social media, organize Chamber programs, updating reports, Pumpkin Festival planning, and contact with current members.  Assist CEO of Economic Development on data collection and reports, website and social media updates and research on industry and business sectors.
 
Promote Your Business at Festival
The Morton Pumpkin Festival has some great opportunities to showcase your business including the Business Expo and the Parade. Registration is open at the following links:

Go to www.mortonpumpkinfestival.org to view all the registraitons
Learn More About Your Membership
chamber101
Chamber 101
August 2 from noon to 1:00 pm
Morton Chamber Office
FREE to members (includes lunch)

Join us for this session that helps you make the most of your Chamber Membership.  This one hour, informal get together includes a review of free member services, promotional opportunities, and our events and programs.  We encourage all new Members, new managers, and current Members who would like a quick reminder of their Member benefits to join us!
Women in Business - Special Evening Session
August 23 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Kemp 208    
$30 Chamber Members
$40 Non Members
 
Join us at Kemp 208 for a special evening session that features a cooking demonstration by Executive Chef Jeff Madden followed by speaker Cathy Kemp, Owner. Cathy and Jeff's bios and photos are at www.kemp208.com. Seating is limited so register early! Meal included in price of registration.

Thanks to our sponsor Alltrust Financial Management! 
Help at Pumpkin Festival!
Volunteer PF
There is a need for over 2,000 volunteers to make the Pumpkin Festival a success. W e thank everyone who has already signed up! If you have not signed up, and you and your co-workers, friends, or family would like to help out, visit the link below to secure your spot. There are openings for the Pumpkin Grille, Pancake Breakfast, and the Sweet Shoppe.
Government Affairs Briefing
Morton Chamber Executive Director Leigh Ann Brown  joined the Peoria Area Chamber of  Commerce for the Washington DC Fly-In from June 13-15, 2016. Special guest was Congressman Darin LaHood. Brown  reported, "Great opportunity to connect with Congressman LaHood and his staff to hear and learn federal updates.  LaHood successfully passed his  first bill while we were there, and we also visited the Capitol hearing from Congresswoman Bustos and Senator Durbin." The Fly-In hosted a line-up of speakers representing both parties from the House and the Senate, Department Heads, press representatives, tours and networking with attendees from LaHood's District. 
Memorial Pavers Available until August 1
Construction is underway on the Memorial Plaza, and it should be finished in time for Pumpkin Festival! You can still purchase memorial pavers for as little as $100. Hurry - the deadline for purchase is August 1.

Business Briefs
Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois is proud to announce that Susan Mullen, a mentor in their GoodGuides® Youth Mentoring Program, has been named Volunteer Leader of the Year. This award was presented by Goodwill Industries International.

IRON-A-WAY Inc., the industry leader of built-in ironing centers, announced the sale of the business to Michigan-based CIGNET, effective June 3, 2016.  The business name will change from IRON-A-WAY Inc. to IRON-A-WAY LLC and will remain in Morton with all their employees, continuing their 60 years in business.
Part-Time Employment Expo for Employers
Tuesday, August 23
10:00 am - Noon
Renaissance Coliseum

Bradley University is offering this employment expo for students who will be lined up and eager to attend. Over 800 students are expected. Employers can get more information and register online HERE.
Peoria Area CVB Annual Meeting
Monday, July 11
4:30 - 6:30 pm
Gateway Building


Join the Peoria Area Convention and Visitors Bureau for their 2016 Annual Meeting. Enjoy drinks and light hors d'oeuvres. Guest speaker will be Cory Jobe, Director at Illinois Office of Tourism. RSVP by July 8 to kanderson@peoria.org or call 309-282-3279.
Morton Community Foundation News
by Scott Witzig
Recently, a donor  to the Morton Community Foundation, used his Required Minimum Distribution from his IRA to start the Historic Hamilton Primary School Endowment Fund at the Morton Community Foundation.  The donor's family has many historic ties to this school, the first "free" and "integrated" school in the nation, located in Otterville, IL.  This fund will provide annual grants, for generations to come, to the Otterville historical society, to be used for renovation and upkeep of the school.
Morton Tourism News
classic car
The 2016 Morton Downtown Super Cruise will be on Saturday, July 9 from 5 to 11 pm on North Main Street. Over 500 cars manufactured from 1930 to 2016 converge upon the village for this six hour event, which draws about 1200 visitors. 1950`s music fills the streets and great "All American" food is served in the local restaurants. No entry fee for cars or people.

The 7th Annual Tractor Show will be on July 16 from 4 to 8 pm at 300 North Main Street in Morton. Come see Vintage Tractors and join in the fun!

Brought to you by Morton Tourism. View their calendar for other events and details.
Ribbon Cutting at Heartland Veterinary Clinic
Congratulations to Dr. Sanborn and the team at Heartland Veterinary Clinic on the opening of their new, expanded location at 250 Detroit Avenue!