Aug 2017
in this issue
:: August Chamber Coffee
:: 2017 Chamber Coffee Schedule
:: Downtown Walking Group
:: Lunch Bites
:: July Chamber Champion
:: Ribbon Cuttings
:: Labor Reports
:: 2017 Chamber Dinner and Auction
:: Chamber Activities
August Chamber Coffee  
 
Hosted by 


Southwestern College invites the community to attend Chamber Coffee and a Ribbon Cutting at the new coffee shop on campus, Stir & Bustle Coffee beginning at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 24. The coffee shop is located in Deets Memorial Library located at 100 College Street.
 
The academic year has begun at Southwestern College. President Brad Andrews reported last week that 192 freshmen had moved onto campus, the largest freshmen class in the 132 year history of the college.

The college also welcomed 80 transfer students on the campus.  In total, the 272 new student class is also the largest in Southwestern's history.  

"We have 272 brand new students arriving at Southwestern College, arriving in Winfield, and that is certainly something we all celebrate," Andrews says.  

Classes begin August 21 on main campus. Students are also busy with Builderfest activities including the annual Moundbuilding Ceremony which will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 24 at Cole Mound Plaza, alumni and friends of the college are invited to attend.
 
Southwestern College is a private liberal arts college, founded in 1885 by Methodists in south central Kansas. Today its Winfield campus is the residential hub that guides students to lives of meaning and service, with well-rounded academic and extra-curricular offerings attracting traditional-aged students from throughout the nation and world. Southwestern College Professional Studies provides option for online students in any location and has been named a top provider for persons serving in the military. The college continues to be affiliated with the United Methodist Church and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission to offer bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.




Thursday, August 24
10:00 AM
Deets Memorial Library
Southwestern College
100 College St.

2017 Chamber Coffee Schedule

Please mark these dates in your calendar and plan to attend to network and hear from other members!

August 24
Southwestern College

September 28
Winfield Isle of Lights

October 26
KanOkla Networks (at CofC)

November 16
USD 465

December 14
Cumbernauld Village/USB


If you would like to host a coffee in 2018,  please contact Megan at admin@winfieldchamber.org

Downtown Walking Group Meeting

The Chamber along with Angels Care Home Health is exploring the possibility of starting a downtown walking group.  If you are interested in this, please join us for a meeting on

Tuesday, August 29
8:30 am
Winfield Chamber

Lunch Bites

Please join us at the Chamber to hear from our community leaders. Lunch is $10, catered by Grouse Valley Grill. 

August 31 - State of Higher Education
Presentation by Southwestern College President, Dr. Brad Andrews and Cowley College President, Dr. Dennis Rittle

October 5 - State of the County

Presentations are at Noon at the Winfield Chamber. Please RSVP to admin@winfieldchamber.org or 221-2420. If you plan to attend a presentation but do not wish to eat, please let us know so we can have adequate seating available.
 


1025 The River is offering $300 in FREE ADVERTISING to new Chamber members!!

Spread the word about this great opportunity! Applications for Chamber Membership can be found online at WinfieldChamber.org or at the Chamber office at 123 E. 9th.

July Chamber Champion


The Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce chose Winfield Area Habitat for Humanity as the July Chamber Champion for their dedication to building homes for families in need.

Ribbon Cuttings

 

The Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting at William Newton Memorial Hospital for their new Wound Healing Hyperbaric Center on August 3rd.

Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings

Coffee Shop at Southwestern College
Thursday, August 24, 10:00 AM, Deets Memorial Library, Southwestern College

Materials for Newcomer Packets

Don't forget! As a free member benefit, you can bring promotional materials to the chamber for packets that we put together for people moving into town! Please bring us about 50 of your brochures, rack cards, pens, or other promo items at a time. This is a great way to make newcomers aware of your business or organization!

July Labor Market Report




Recycle Your Eclipse Glasses!

Give your eclipse glasses a second chance! Astronomers Without Borders and its partners will be announcing a program to collect glasses after the eclipse, to be sent to schools in South America and Asia when eclipses cross those continents in 2019.

If you would like to donate your glasses to this cause, please bring them to City Hall after the eclipse and we will be sure to get them donated.

 
USA & Welcome Flags
 
We are looking for sponsors to get new American & Welcome Flags to hang downtown. The flags are $35 each. If you would like to purchase a flag/flags for Winfield, please send a check to:

Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 640
Winfield, KS 67156

For more information, email win@winfieldchamber.org or call 221-2420.

Resources
  • Visit the chamber's website for all of your business and community needs: 

 www.winfieldchamber.org

 

2017 Chamber Dinner & Auction
Totally 80s

We had one of our best years ever at the Chamber Dinner & Auction on Friday, August 11th at Baden Square! The costumes and tables were AWESOME and the waiters really went above and beyond to raise tip money for the chamber! Thanks to our waiters plus the dozens of great auction items that were donated, we raised about $12,900!!


Our group of volunteer waiters! Thank you all so much for donating your time, money, and resources to help raise money for the chamber!!


The Chamber Dinner & Auction Committee: (from left to right) Marna Handlin, Roiann Young, Roxann Taylor, Keri Shimkus, Sarah Werner, Nancy Revell, and Megan Beeson. Thank you for devoting so much time to making this event the best it can be!!


Best Costume
Cousin Eddie & Catherine - Christmas Vacation (AKA Randy & Anna Johnson)



Most Entertaining
Madonna & MC Hammer 
(AKA Dr. Kori Gregg & Liz Shepard)



Most Tips Earned
The Blues Brothers
(AKA Hannah Peroo & Megan Randolph)
 

Chamber Activities this Week

Chamber Board Meeting
Monday, August 21, Noon, Chamber office

Convention & Tourism Funding Review
Wednesday, August 23, 1:00 PM, Chamber office

Chamber Coffee & Grand Opening hosted by Southwestern College
Thursday, August 24, 10:00 AM, Deets Memorial Library, Southwestern College Campus, 100 College St.

BEST Committee
Thursday, August 24, 3:00 PM, Chamber office

YP Disc Golf for Beginners
Thursday, August 24, 5:30 PM, Cherry Street Park, 15th & Cherry St.

Upcoming Chamber Activities

Downtown Walking Group Meeting
Tuesday, August 29, 8:30 am, Chamber

Leadership Orientation
Tuesday, August 29, 8:00 AM, Camp Horizon

Lunch Bites: State of Higher Education
Thursday, August 31, Noon, $10, Chamber office
RSVP today to admin@winfieldchamber.org or 221-2420

YP Wine 201
Thursday, August 31, 6:00 PM, $10/members, $15/non-members, Wheat State Wine Co., 23622 Springhill Farm Dr.


KANSAS INCOME
 TAX CHANGES FOR 2017
 
July 14, 2017
 
The Kansas legislature passed several bills in June 2017 that will affect virtually
 all 
Kansas business and individual taxpayers. The income tax changes are retroactive, going into effect January 1,2017.  We want you to be aware the changes-to be proactive in any tax planning or action that needs done, rather than be surprised on the 2017 income tax returns.Below is a summary of the major changes.
 
  • FARMS,RENTALS,SELF-EMPLOYED INDIVIDUALS,OTHER BUSINESSES, LLCs,S-CORPORATIONS:NET INCOME IS TAXABLE IN 2017
For years  2013 through 2016, business income  was not  taxable  in  Kansas.  Senate  Bill 30  reinstates the  taxability of all business income  in Kansas.   For  the  calendar  year 2017, all business  income  from  farms, businesses,  LLCs, S- corporations  will be  subject  to  Kansas  income  tax. Business losses  will again be  deductible  from gross income  in  2017.  For  2017  and future  years, federal net operating losses will  flow  through to Kansas income  tax  returns.
For businesses, rentals, royalties,  LLCs, partnerships, S-corporations-you  may  have Kansas tax  liabilities for  2017, and no  estimates  paid in to cover.
 
· KANSAS INCOME TAX RATES INCREASE IN 2017
Senate  Bill  30  increased individual income  tax  rates retroactively  for  2017, and further increased them for  2108  and future  years. At  the end of this  letter is a summary of  the  new  tables.  There are now  three income  tax  rate  levels  for  2017- 2.9%, 4.9%, and 5.2%. In  2018 the levels  increase to  3.1%, 5.25% and 5.7%.
 
Individuals will pay Kansas  taxes on income  at  the  new  higher rates for the  entire  2017 year - even  though  the  Kansas tax  withholding on  their wages for  the  months  January  through June  2017 was calculated  at a lower rate.
 
All businesses  with employees  will use  new Kansas  tax  withholding tables for their employees for  July 1 and  forward.  The  new withholding tables are  based on 2018 tax  rates, in an attempt to  'catch-up'on the withholding  in the  last  six  months of  2017.   If  you are  an employee, you should see  increased  Kansas income  tax  withholding  from your paychecks sometime  in July. Every taxpayer's situation is different, so  the  increased withholding may or may not  cover the  Kansas tax  increase.
 
· NO PENALTY FOR UNDERPAYMENT OF KANSAS TAX,TO THE EXTENT THE TAX WAS UNDERPAID AS A RESULT OF THE RATE INCREASE
 
For 2017 only - Kansas  will  not  impose  an underpayment  penalty or interest for  Kansas income  taxes  underpaid, to the  extent  the  underpayment  was a result  of this rate  increase, and  the  full Kansas tax  amount  due  is paid by  April 17, 2018.
  
The  Kansas  Department of  Revenue  has issued Notices 17-02 thru  17-11 explaining these  changes in greater  detail.  You can  access these  notices  through this  link -

 
Chamber Garage Rental
 
The Chamber's garage is available to rent. If you are interested in using our garage, contact us at 221-2420 for more information. 

 

The Winfield Area Chamber of Commerce is a local chamber without ties to either the Kansas or the U.S. Chambers of Commerce.  We believe that being independent allows us the best opportunity to serve our members with an unbiased approach to issues that are important to the local communities where we serve.  

 

 

Community Events


Begins at 11:36 AM, total eclipse at 1:04 PM

Walnut Valley Farmers Market
Saturday, August 26, 7:30 AM, Parking lot south of Island Park

 

Burden Dayz "Red, White, Blue & You Pageant"
September 9th, 1:00 PM, Central High School, Burden



If you are a business and would like to participate in the Music Crawl, please fill out this form and return to the Chamber by August 31st.


News from Chamber Members
  
Please help us promote your business by sending us information to include in this section! Email information to admin@winfieldchamber.org and we will add it to this email blast. Information will need to be received each Friday by noon in order to be included in the following week's news. 


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Southwestern College to Host Solar Eclipse Watch Party
 
A solar eclipse watch party hosted by the natural science and mathematics division of Southwestern College will be open to the public on Monday, Aug. 21.  The eclipse is set to occur at about midday, and all are invited to attend the event near the main college entrance on the west side of campus.

 A solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between Earth and the sun and the shadow of the moon falls on the Earth's surface. 

According to Bob Gallup, professor of physics and mathematics, for this eclipse the moon's shadow will race across the Earth's surface from the West Coast to the East Coast of the United States at speeds greater than 1,400 mph. 

"When viewed from Cowley County, the eclipse will start at 11:36 a.m., maximum eclipse will occur at 1:04 p.m., when 90% of the sun will be covered, and the eclipse will end at 2:32 p.m.," Gallup says.  

A telescope will be used to project an image of the eclipse.  In addition, personal eclipse projection cards and a limited supply of eclipse glasses will be available for use by participants. 

Gallup stresses the importance of eye protection while viewing the eclipse.

 "At no time will the eclipse be safe to view in Cowley County without adequate eye protection, and normal sunglasses are not sufficient," Gallup says. "Even at maximum eclipse, the 10% of the sun still visible will be able to cause serious and permanent eye damage."
 For more information about the eclipse or the watch party, contact Gallup by email at bob.gallup@sckans.edu.

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Gottlob Lawn & Landscape Hiring

Gottlob Lawn and Landscape is looking for 3 Full time / Year round team members! We offer some benefits and will provide training. Experience welcome but not required. We have positions available in our Property Maintenance and Landscape Installation Divisions with growth and promotion opportunities. Applicants must be 18 years of age with a valid Drivers License, have a willingness to learn, be prepared to work in weather extremes, and be able to work 5 days a week M-F with occasional Saturdays. Request an application by emailing info@gottloblawnandlandscape.com

Come join our growing and expanding company... Become an Outdoor Perfectionist!

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2017 Power of the Purse Fund

The Power of the Purse Fund is soliciting grant requests at this time.  Your request must be received in the Legacy Regional Community Foundation office located at 1216 Main Street, Winfield (KS) by Friday, September 29, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. to qualify.  As updates have been made to the form, only requests using the 2017 Grant Application form will be considered.
 
Power of the Purse (POP) is a women's giving circle that pools donations to make grants to worthy projects. Qualified nonprofit organizations and service clubs are invited to apply.  Grants to be considered will be one-time projects or special initiatives.  Operating funds or overhead requests will not be considered.  The 2017 POP goal is to fund projects that have an immediate impact on the women and children in the Cowley County area.
 
 
Power of the Purse aims to make a difference in the lives of women and children in the community by:
  • Encouraging community within the circle and with those they serve
  • Educating and increasing awareness of local need
  • Building a network to catalyze positive change
 
 
Applicant organizations include 501c3 organizations, quasi-governmental entities, and service clubs willing to team up with a qualified organization.  Organizations that promote a particular religious or political ideology will not be considered.
 
 
 
Questions?  Please call Legacy Regional Community Foundation at
620-221-7224 or (toll-free) 855-470-7224

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Dear Community Partner,

Winfield Recreation Commission would like to announce that the Joe Thornton Memorial Scholarship Fund is almost depleted and WRC is in need of community partners to help us keep this fund going.  This fund was started and dedicated in the memory of the first ever long time WRC Director, Joe Thornton.  Joe served as the WRC Superintendent from 1965-1988 and after his passing on December 25, 1993, his family set up the memorial in honor of his name.   Every year the fund has provided scholarships for the youth from Winfield in need so that they can participate in WRC activities, sports and trips.  Last year WRC awarded 337 scholarships that totaled an amount of $15,916.50.  The amount of scholarships awarded has increased every year since the scholarship fund was started in 1993.   This fund is running very low and needs additional funding.

WRC will host the 1st Joe Thornton Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser Golf Tournament on September 23rd at Quail Ridge Golf Tournament.  The tournament format is a 4-person scramble.   All proceeds from this tournament will go directly to this scholarship fund and our goal is to raise $8,000. 

WRC is offering 3 levels of sponsorship for this tournament and would like to ask your business/organization to consider helping this great cause with a sponsorship.
  1. 1.        Business/Team Sponsorship--$500
    1. a.       Includes full team entry for tournament, hole sponsorship with sign on tee box at golf course, and scoreboard sponsorship with sign on scoreboard during awards presentation.
    2. 2.       Hole & Scoreboard Sponsorship--$150
      1. a.       Includes hole sponsorship with sign on tee box at golf course, and scoreboard sponsorship with sign on scoreboard during awards presentation.
      2. 3.       Hole Sponsorship--$100
        1. a.       hole sponsorship with sign on tee box at golf course.
If you or your business/organization is interested in partnering with WRC for this worthy cause, please contact Troy Moree at the WRC office #620-221-2160.  Thanks so much for your consideration regarding this matter!!
Sincerely,
 
Troy Moree, Superintendent
Winfield Recreation Commission









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