Morton Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council
Morton Matters Newsletter
August 2016

In This Issue
Save the Date
August 2

August 23


August 25
4:30 - 6:00 pm

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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 Members
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.
I llinois 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

Pumpkin Festival Honors Past Parade Marshals
For the 50th Anniversary of the Pumpkin Festival, all of the past Parade Marshals will be honored! We are inviting all who are able to participate, to ride in the 2016 parade.
 
New Events for Pumpkin Festival 50th Anniversary
To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the festival, we have exciting new events to announce that you won't want to miss! More new events will be announced at a later date so stay tuned!

Zip LineRace your friends and family on this side-by-side zip line that spans over 300 ft, equivalent to the length of a football field. The zip line will be located on the Apostolic Church parking with the other rides.

Pumpkin Bike Tour: Includes areas of Morton, East Peoria, Tremont and Mackinaw for a total of 50 miles.  All routes begin and end at the Morton Public Library, which will also serve as the Main Rest Stop.

Lip Sync, Soapbox Derby and Tennis Tournament are being brought back this year.

Register for these and other events at  www.mortonpumpkinfestival.org
Chamber Welcomes New Members for July
Located in Groveland, the office represents people  who suffer injuries sustained at work and through wrongdoing, irresponsibility, and negligence of others.  Areas of expertise include, but are not limited to:  Workers' Compensation,  Personal Injury, and  Estate Planning Services

Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins
Look for their new location at 120 West Ashland Street in Morton to be opening in October.

Independent Consultant Emily Bennett offers  the most exciting, engaging, and educational books on the market today. They are high quality, innovative, lavishly-illustrated and best of all they are the books kids love to read. 
Women in Business Features Cooking Demonstration
WIB logo
Date: August 23
Time: 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Location: Kemp 208
Price: $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. Doors open at 5 pm for networking, and program starts at 5:30. Cathy and Jeff's bios and photos are at www.kemp208.com. Seating is limited so register early! Meal included in price of registration.  
Pumpkin Store Online Opens August 19

Starting August 19, you can go to the store at www.mortonpumpkinfestival.org  to order your official Pumpkin Festival t-shirts, hoodies, hats, and more! Online orders can be shipped anywhere in the continental United States for a flat shipping rate of $5. What a great way to share a piece of the Morton Pumpkin Festival with friends and family members who can't be here for the festivities!

Register for Pumpkin Festival Events Now!
Registrations are open for the following Pumpkin Festival activities:

Big Wheel Race
Pumpkin Bike Tour
Pumpkin Business Expo  Almost full!
Pumpkin Classic Race and Walk
Pumpkin Festival Parade  Deadline Aug. 21
Pumpkin Idol Jr.
Pumpkin Lip Sync Battle
Pumpkin Open Tennis Tournament
Soapbox Derby
Brave Launch Business Accelerator
The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Bradley University announces its inaugural business accelerator program, Brave Launch. This program is the first of its kind in Central Illinois. Brave Launch  is designed for anyone with an idea that they would like to develop into a business opportunity. We anticipate applications from startup companies with a new business idea to existing businesses seeking to expand their business. Application deadline is August 22, 2016.
Help Out at Pumpkin Festival!
Over 2,000 volunteers are needed to host the Pumpkin Festival! If you and your co-workers, friends, or family members would like to help out, go the Volunteer page on mortonpumpkinfestival.org to sign up. There are still openings on Friday, September 16 and Saturday, September 17.
Business Briefs

Morton Community Bank completed acquisition of Heritage Bank of Central Illinois. The former Heritage locations re-opened on July 11 as additional divisions of Morton Community Bank.

Shabby Shac is hosting 1st Sunday Market in Morton on Sunday, August 7, at 330 South Main Street. Admission is FREE so come browse the many vendors between 9 am to 4 pm. Rain location is the K of C Hall at 616 David Street.

Morton Public Library will resume regular hours on August 8: Monday-Thursday 9 am to 9 pm. Friday 9 am to 6 pm. Saturday 9 am to 5 pm.

Bean Scene, a coffee, pastry and sandwich shop with cozy dine-in or convenient drive-thru, will be opening soon at 750 W. Jefferson St. Visit their facebook page for updates.

Leaves 'n Beans is relocating their Morton store to 730 W. Jackson St. They will open on August 1. On August 6 there will be a Grand Opening celebration from 11 am to 3 pm with free hot dogs, chips, cookies and lemonade.
Legislative Update and Networking Breakfast

Thank you to Congressman Darin LaHood for spending time with us at Midwest Food Bank in Morton for a Legislative Update and Networking Breakfast, and for staying connected with our Morton community and businesses.