The Canadian Pacific Holiday Train rolled into the Portage depot on Monday. Country music star Terri Clark was the featured performer this year. Donations were collected for the Portage Food Pantry and St. Vincent de Paul to help those in need.
December 2017 NewsBreak
Portage Area Chamber of Commerce
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Submit Your 2018 Events!
Are you planning an event for next 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.
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Cookie Walk
The Citywide Cookie Walk was a great success as the Chamber sold out of the 120 boxes early on Saturday morning. Walkers basked in the mild December weather as they collected cookies from the 21 participating businesses.

The cookie boxes cost just $5 each and are available to purchase the Monday prior to the event. Each box contains a map of the participating locations along with some special deals businesses offered.
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Culver's Breakfast with Santa
Santa will make an appearance at the Portage Culver's on Saturday, December 9 with the 7:45am time slot still available. Tickets for this delicious breakfast are free, but limited. Participants are asked to bring non-perishable food items for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry. Click on this link to register for the event.

Thank you to Culver's for providing this great breakfast event!
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December 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
Portage High School Principal Robin Kvalo and Guidance Counselor Terry Gilman will talk about changes coming to our schools with Academic Career Planning (ACP) from the Department of Public Instruction.  

 Where: The Ball Room, 112 E. Cook St.
 Time: Lunch at 11:30AM, Presentation at Noon
 Cost: Pay for your lunch at the restaurant
 Date: Tuesday, December 5

Business Profile - ADRC of Columbia County
The Aging & Disability Resource Center is a place for the public to get accurate, unbiased information on all aspects of life related to aging or living with a disability.
 
Who we help:
-Older adults 60+ and adults (age 18-59) with physical, developmental disabilities or aging issues
-Children with disabilities as they transition into the adult services system
-Adults with mental health or substance abuse concerns
-Caregivers
-Concerned family members, friends, and guardians
 
We can help you:
-Maintain your independence in the community
-Find services to help you remain at home
-Make plans for your future housing and care needs
-Locate health and housing assistance
-Evaluate your eligibility for financial benefits
-Fulfill your role as a caregiver

Services we offer:
-Information, assistance, and referral for local community resources
-Counseling on options to meet immediate or future needs for care
-Assistance to apply for public benefit programs such as Medicare, Social Security, or Medicaid
-Advocacy to cut through problems with benefit programs, health insurance, housing or consumer issues
-Prevention and health promotion programs
-Link to help when someone is being abused (physically, verbally or financially) or when someone is neglecting their own care
-Determine eligibility for publicly funded long term care programs such as Family Care
-Transportation, Foot Clinic, Home Delivered and Congregate Meal Program, Volunteer Opportunities, Alzheimer Respite Services, Ensure and our Grapevine Newsletter

The Aging & Disability Resource Center does receive some government funding for many of our programs but grants have not kept up with the growing older adult population. Donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, call the ADRC at 608-742-9233.
Looking for child care services?
The Child Care Center at Divine Savior Healthcare has one full time opening for the nursery, ages 6 weeks to 1 year old, and one part time opening (Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays) for the preschool room, ages 2.5 to 4 years old.

See why our child center goes beyond the ordinary services and works with you to ensure your child is learning, growing, and having fun. Call Jenn, Center Director, at 608-745-5935 to schedule a visit today!
More information about our services can be found at: http://dshealthcare.com/child_care_center

Love Light Celebration
Join us for our 27th Annual Love Light Celebration on Thursday, December 7 from 5:30pm to 7pm at Tivoli. Hosted by the Partners of Divine Savior Healthcare, remember those we miss this holiday season in the special lighting of the holiday tree along with our Red, White & Blue tree to honor those who have served our country. Enjoy refreshments and entertainment on this memorable evening. 

The Partners of Divine Savior Healthcare invite you to participate by donating a light to honor or memorialize your loved one(s). Each $5 donation purchases a light for a person you wish to remember.
For more information, call 608-745-5166.
Holiday Book Sale
Friends of the Portage Public Library will hold their Holiday Book Sale on Friday, December 8 from 9am to 3pm. A variety of books and tapes will be offered with an emphasis on Christmas-themed items and a large selection of cookbooks. Most items will sell at $1.
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Historic Living Windows
Enjoy this historical celebration of Portage by strolling the downtown streets and viewing numerous vignettes of times past on Saturday, December 9 from 4pm to 6pm. There will be hot beverages and treats on the streets to keep you warm and toasty! Window scenes will be set-up for you to walk through and look.
Kiddie Christmas and more at Agency House
The Historic Indian Agency House will hold an Evergreen Wreath Workshop on Saturday, December 9th from 10am-2pm. Come out and learn how to make your own wreath, $15 each. 

A Poinsettia Fundraiser Sale will be held December 9 & 10 from 2pm to 4pm each day. Plants were grown locally at Link's Greenhouse and are $10 each.

After the Living Windows event in downtown Portage on Saturday, December 9, come to see Santa at the Historic Indian Agency House. He will listen to children's wish lists by the fireside and have pictures taken. 

Decorating sugar cookies, drinking hot chocolate, and other surprises are in store. Please call 608-742-6362 or email historicindianagencyhouse@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. A free will donation of $5 is appreciated.
Ribbon Cuttings
A ribbon cutting was held at Neil's Wine House, 235 W. Pleasant St., to celebrate this new family-owned and operated business in Portage.

Enjoy their cozy atmosphere while sampling a diverse wine and beer selection or sipping one of their seasonal craft cocktails. Try a delicious appetizer, too.

For more information, call 608-617-8463. Gift certificates are available for the Holiday Season.
A ribbon cutting was held to celebrate Columbia County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) at its location inside Cochrane Court, 311 E. Wisconsin St., Suite 207F.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) promote the best interests of a child in need of protection or services. For more information, call 608-745-9977.
Stuff the Sleigh event
Kick off the holiday season with the Stuff the Sleigh Fun Run with Santa PLUS family activities on Thursday, December 14, at Portage Ford CDJR at 5:30pm. The Fun Run with Santa is scheduled for 6:30pm. Bring your families and friends to Portage Ford CDJR and burn some energy and some calories, all while supporting five great causes in our own community and having a lot of fun!

Stuff the Sleigh is an event with a purpose: benefiting Sharing Supper, United Way, Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry and Columbia County Humane Society.  To participate, a $10 per person donation or $10 minimum value of items donated will be requested (or $30 family rate). 100% of money and donations raised will benefit the non-profits.  
Bring Your Paws to Santa Claus
Columbia County Humane Society will hold their annual Bring your Paws to Santa Claus Photo Event on Saturday, December 9th from 11am-3pm. Registration preferred but walk-in appointments are accepted. The cost is a $10 donation to CCHS and you get free 4"x6" photo.  Packages available and CCHS receives 50% of sales on packages. Please make sure your pets are up to date on vaccinations. Register by calling CCHS 608-742-3666.
An Evening with Scrooge
A dramatic reading of the Charles Dickens Holiday Classic happens at Portage Center for the Arts, 301 E. Cook St., on Friday, December 15 at 7pm and Saturday, December 16 at 2pm! Adults are $15, $5 Students and $35 Family Special (2 adults and up to 5 of their children). For more information, call the PCA at 608-742-5655.
Christmas Party at Remedy Intelligent Staffing
Bring your camera to meet Santa and Elsa on Thursday, December 14 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. Remedy is located inside the Phoenix Building at 104 W. Cook St. (DeWitt St. side).  Details here.
December Community Events
5 Madison College - Portage Campus Blood Drive
5 Chamber Business Luncheon at The Ball Room
6 Ribbon Cutting at Saddle Ridge Golf Course and Johnny B's
7 Love Light Celebration at Tivoli at Divine Savior Healthcare
7 Griefshare at Portage United Methodist Church
8 Holiday Book Sale at the Portage Public Library
8 Teen Anime Night at the Portage Public Library
9 Kiddie Christmas at Historic Indian Agency House
9 Breakfast with Santa at Culver's Restaurant
9 Meat Raffle at Jack's Tap
9 Evergreen Wreath Workshop at Historic Indian Agency House
9 Historic Living Windows
9 Bring Your Paws to Santa Claus event at Columbia County Humane Society
9-10 Pointsettia Fundraiser Sale at Historic Indian Agency House
10 Holiday Dinner at Seventh-day Adventist Church
12 Card Making Workshop at Portage Public Library
13 Bingo at the Portage Senior Dining Center
13 Columbia Sauk SHRM meeting
13 Endeavor Sharing Supper
14 Stuff the Sleigh event at Portage Ford CDJR
14 Travel Series Program at Portage Public Library
14 'Smart' Cookie Sale
14 Griefshare at Portage United Methodist Church
14 Christmas Party at Remedy Intelligent Staffing
14 Blood Drive at Divine Savior Healthcare
14 Cocoa and Cookies with Santa at Blau Family Chiropractic
15 Bingo at Our House Senior Living
15-16 An Evening with Scrooge at Portage Center for the Arts
17 Almost There- A Christmas Cantata at Portage United Methodist Church
18-19 Mosaic Stepping Stone workshop at Portage Public Library
18 Portage Sharing Supper at Bartels Middle School
21 Griefshare at Portage United Methodist Church
21 VFW Meat Raffle Night
22 Magnum Opus Ballet at Portage Center for the Arts
24 Santa at the Portage Elks Lodge
25 Christmas Day Dinner at the Portage Presbyterian Church
27 Bingo at the Portage Senior Dining Center
31 New Year's Eve Party at Cascade Mountain


Weekly Recurring Events
New Movie Mondays at Portage Public Library at 10am
Beer Bucket Bingo at Jack's Tap every Monday at 6:30pm
Portage United Methodist Church Bible Study at Heritage House, Tuesdays at 10am (Except week between Christmas/New Year)
Portage United Methodist Church Worship Service at Heritage House, Tuesdays at 11am (Except week between Christmas/New Year)

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