January 2019 News Break
Portage Area Chamber of Commerce
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Annual Chamber Awards Breakfast
It's time to recognize businesses and individuals for outstanding work and contributions. We invite you to join us at the Portage Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Breakfast and be part of the Business Event of the Year! The awards celebration is held as a breakfast at Dino's Restaurant on Thursday morning, January 31 at 7:30am.
Network and get to know your fellow Chamber members while we recognize some of the activities of exceptional businesses and people whose service or performance positively contributes to the quality of life in the Portage community.
We will be recognizing nominees in four categories: Business Excellence Award (20 or more employees); the Susan Weyh Business Excellence Award (less than 20 employees);
Rising Business Star Award; Community Service Award.
Nomination forms are due back to our office by Friday, January 18.
Click here
for the awards nomination form and/or to register for the breakfast. The cost for the breakfast is $30 per person. Sponsorships are also available. For more information, contact the Portage Chamber at 608-742-6242.
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2019 Awards Breakfast Sponsors
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January Chamber 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
Dr. Kevin Blau will be our featured speaker. Our topic this month: Digital Dementia, The Tech Epidemic Of The New Millennium. How over utilization of technology results in brain dysfunction and cognitive decline.
Digital Dementia is a modern day health epidemic resulting in a sensory mismatch in the brain from over utilization of technology and excessive slouched sitting posture. People with digital dementia demonstrate a decline in cognition and short-term memory loss, symptoms associated with dementia. You and your children may be at risk for developing digital dementia if you spend hours per day seated in front of technologic devices with poor posture and little movement.
Posture is declining at the speed of technology and modern day children and adults are suffering from ill health effects and a decline in cognition. Your brain is changing due to technology. Learn how to prevent and overcome digital dementia with Posture Tech Tips. How you engage with technology can change you and your family’s life.
Please kindly RSVP for the Business Luncheon events!
Location: Portage Pizza Hut, 401 E. Wisconsin St.
Time: Lunch at 11:30AM, Presentation at Noon
Cost: Pay for your lunch at the restaurant
Date: Tuesday, January 8, 2019
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Business Profile - Retirement Specialists
First and foremost, we are here to provide guidance and education to individuals. Our passion is really helping people. Marie Miller and I, Kelly Krueger, can help individuals make their insurance choices with the Health Insurance Marketplace. We are here to guide you in the right direction when it comes to planning your Insurance needs heading into retirement. We at the Retirement Specialists – Portage Office are more than just insurance agents, we are advocates for individuals. We have a background of understanding when it comes to Medicare and other programs of assistance. We can help you with dental insurance, life insurance, cancer protections, Medicare Supplements, safe options for your investments and Marketplace guidance.
The Retirement Specialists was created in 2015 by two individuals with more than 20 years of experience assisting elders in their respective communities and it has evolved from one office located in the Sauk Prairie area, to offices in Portage, Baraboo, Reedsburg and Madison.
Kelly Krueger and Marie Miller have been in the business since May of 2018, but come with 25+ years of experience helping community members understand their benefit needs.
Our business is really old school. Treat others like you would like to be treated with kindness and respect; we pride ourselves on providing good customer service, ethical information and education to everyone. A typical client is someone who is approaching Medicare age or looking to retire. Backed by years of experience and a knowledgeable background, we assist in any way we can to make the transition into retirement as seamless as possible. We are more than insurance agents, we are resource advocates.
Our goals are to be a rock solid part of the community and continue to grow in providing educational opportunities for individuals heading into their retirement. As a new business in Columbia County, I participated in the Sale of Champions this past summer and found great joy in purchasing an animal from a hard working 4-H Child. That is definitely something that made my heart sing in seeing the smiles. I have volunteered some of my time to the Touched Twice event and plan to be getting more and more involved.
Kelly J. Krueger, Retirement Specialists, 311 E. Wisconsin Street, Suite 108, Portage, WI 53901
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Culver's Breakfast with Santa
The 2018 Culver's Santa Breakfast was another terrific event. Families, 150 people in all, turned out to enjoy a wonderful breakfast while the kids got a chance to greet Santa.
The St. Vincent de Paul food pantry was the recipient of the many donations collected during the event. Thank you to Culver's for providing this great breakfast event and spreading holiday cheer!
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2018 PSCA fundraising finishes with flourish
The Portage Service Club Association (PSCA) capped off a terrific fundraising effort in 2018.
The club has been steadfast in raising money to complete a project to bring a band pavilion, connecting sidewalk and handicap restrooms to Pauquette Park. The Knights of Columbus prepared a Santa pancake breakfast to help the PSCA raise funds for the project on December 16. The breakfast raised $2000.
Pictured at the KC Hall are civic collaborators Mary Winkler, PSCA; Gary Anderson, KC Deputy Grand Knight; Tom Lynch, KC Grand Knight; George Beasley, PSCA President; Joe Mauer, KC Past Grand Knight; Bob Wachuta, Community Bank of Portage Vice President, Commercial Loans; and Nancy Beasley, PSCA Secretary.
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Welcome New Members
Wauona Trail Women's Club
P.O. Box 835 Portage, WI 53901
Veronica Kamrath at 608-617-9139
A community service organization.
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Rhyme selected 2018 Elite Dealer
ENX Magazine and ENX The Week In Imaging announced that Rhyme has been selected as a 2018 Elite Dealer. This annual Who’s Who of the office technology dealer community, which is published annually, will be featured in the December issue of ENX Magazine.
The 130-strong 2018 Elite Dealers were selected based on numerous criteria, including growth initiatives, innovative marketing programs, outstanding customer service, charitable contributions to the community, progressive workplace cultures and adaptability to an ever-changing market.
Rhyme has consistently been recognized as an Elite Dealer and is on track to record its 20th year of growth, which it feels is a considerable achievement in a highly competitive industry.
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Night at the Races B.R.E.A.T.HE fundraiser
Plan to join Baraboo River Equine Assisted Therapies (B.R.E.A.T.HE) for a Night at the Races on Saturday, March 23 at 5:30pm. Enjoy a cocktail hour, plated dinner, 8 horse races, silent auction, wine pull and funny money for betting.
The cost is only $75 per plate and includes betting bills and souvenir glass. Tickets go on sale Saturday, January 5.
Click here
for more info.
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Wauona Trail Women's Club meeting
The Wauona Trail Women’s Club will meet on Friday, January 21 at Dino’s Restaurant at 11:30am. Ruth Jones will share the popular sport of curling in Portage.
All women in the Portage area are welcome to attend.
Only guests need to make a reservation for this meeting before January 17 by calling Sherry at 608-742-4067, Veronica at 608-617-9139, or Sue at 608-244-1472. The Wauona Trail Women's Club meets the third Monday of the month at Dino's. (Sept-May) The meetings feature a different topic each month.
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DSH Child Care Openings
The Divine Savior Healthcare Child Care Center has current openings for a full time infant, full time 2-year-old, and one Monday-Wednesday for a 3 to 5-year-old. They are also enrolling for May 2019, when four openings for 2-year-olds will become available.
For more information, contact Alli A. Achterberg at Divine Savior Healthcare, 608-745-5996.
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Anytime Fitness Portage Sale - Join for just $1
BIGGEST SALE OF THE YEAR! JOIN for $1 - PLUS Get 30 days of Unlimited Personal Training!
- Multiple Options for Membership based on your Fitness Goals!
- Experienced, Certified Personal Trainers & Training Available on Weekends!
- TEAM TRAINING!
- Free Nutrition Consultation - Learn what to eat
- 24/7 Access - 365 Days a Year!
- Immediate access to 34 local Anytime Fitness Locations
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River Haven and Men's Shelter news
Raquel Schwanbeck is the new director of River Haven, beginning full-time duties on December 17. Pete Bartaczewicz, recently retired from the Portage Police Department, will continue to assist with interviewing applicants for assistance and the distribution of Clergy Relief funds.
A specific need at this time are funds to pay the rent for the Men’s Shelter. St. John Episcopal Church graciously offers the use of a house that they own for a nominal rent. We are looking for 12 individuals or businesses to “sponsor” the shelter by paying the rent for one month at the cost of $333. Two individuals have already come forward, so we are only in need of 10 others for March to December 2019. If you would consider being a “sponsor” for one month please contact Fr. Gary at St. Mary Church 608-742-6998 or Pete at River Haven Shelter 608-742-7687.
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ACEC scholarship; energy savings
Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative’s Educational Scholarship is now available. Visit their
website
for more details. The deadline to apply for the scholarship is Friday, February 8.
Have you signed up for your FREE energy savings kits from Focus on Energy?
Click here
to order your kit! For more information, contact Haley Melby with Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative at 800-831-8629.
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Kathy Manthey named Paul Harris Fellow
Kathy Manthey passed away last month. She was an active member of the Portage community who will be greatly missed.
The Portage Rotary Club recently named First Weber's Kathy Manthey a Paul Harris Fellow. The Paul Harris Fellowship is named for Paul Harris, one of the founders of Rotary in 1905. This recognition is the highest honor and is intended for those people who demonstrate the Rotary ideal of Service Above Self. Kathy has been a member since June 2001.
Manthey is the wife of Harold and mother to Lisa Foss and Peggy Braun. Portage Rotary Club believes her life exemplifies the humanitarian and educational objectives of the Rotary Foundation. Her life and vocational commitment to helping people in need locally and around the world does not go unnoticed.
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MadREP disaster recovery loan program
The Madison Region Economic Partnership (MadREP) has received funds from the Wisconsin
Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) to loan to businesses in the region who experienced damage to property and inventory due to the severe weather events since July 1, 2018.
The easy to complete two-page applications can be found
here or by calling MadREP at 608-571-0420.
For more information, call Gene Dalhoff of MadREP at 608-571-0403.
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Portage Junior Bonspiel
The Portage Curling Club Invites you to attend the 11th Annual Junior Bonspiel on January 19 and 20. This bonspiel is an open format, so teams can be all male, all female, or any combination. Players must be 21 and under.
For more information, contact the Portage Curling Club, 107 W. Albert St., at 608-742-3237 or visit
portagecurling.com
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Black Marigold at PCA
Praised for their "uncanny precision," this dynamic wind quintet advocates while also highlighting classic woodwind quintet repertoire,
Black Marigold performs at Portage Center for the Arts on Saturday, January 12 at 7:30pm.
Brown Bag Lunch Series
The Portage Center for the Arts brings its Brown Bag Lunch Series into the new year with a presentation by author John Markestad, who will share tips from his own journey in writing and self-publishing. Bring your lunch and invite a friend to this event on January 24 beginning at Noon.
Portage Center for the Arts is located at 301 E. Cook St. For more information about these and other PCA events, call 608-742-5655.
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Rotary, Interact Club donates to River Haven
The Portage High School Interact Club (pictured left) collected donations for River Haven Homeless Shelter in Portage. Their donations were received, along with a check for $403 from Portage Rotary--the members of Portage Rotary collected $203 and the Portage Rotary Club matched $200--by the shelter.
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HIAH introduces Artifact Ambassadors
An ambassador is a chosen individual who represents his country to a different corner of the world. The Historic Indian Agency House's Artifact Ambassadors are objects from the past which have the important job of relaying the stories of their own time to us living today.
In 2019 the Agency House will highlight two unique artifacts each month. Each artifact contributes to the story of America starting at its pre-discovery period all the way through the lives and work of John and Juliette Kinzie. The new artifact ambassadors will be unveiled on the first and fifteenth days of the month, on both Facebook and the Agency House website.
Starting soon, there will be an opportunity to “adopt" an artifact! Stay tuned for details. To see our first ambassador from 2,000 years ago, follow this
link
! For more information, call 608-742-6362.
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Text PACC to 51660
to receive information about upcoming Chamber events
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Looking for a Hot Deal? See our list?
Check out our Hot Deals webpage for deals our Chamber members are
offering. Have a Hot Deal of your own you want others to know about? Post
your deals on our webpage and join the Hot Deal brigade! There is no charge
for posting a Hot Deal, so post away!
If you have questions, call the Chamber office at 608-742-6242 to get started.
Click here
to see the specials that are currently running!
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Text PORTAGE to 51660
to receive information about upcoming Portage events
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Ribbon Cuttings
A ribbon cutting was held at Baraboo River Equine-Assisted Therapies, E12311 County Road W, Baraboo, to welcome this organization as a new Chamber member.
They provide equine-assisted activities and therapies to
children and adults with disabilities and special needs, while
supporting the physical, mental, and emotional health of each individual in their interactions with horses and staff.
For more information, please call 608-504-2299.
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A ribbon cutting was held at Agri Business Insurance Services - Rural Mutual Insurance, 201 DeWitt St., to welcome this business as a new Chamber member.
Agri Business Insurance Services meets all of your insurance needs. They offer home/auto, life, and specialize in business and farm insurance. Call them today at 608-742-4444.
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A ribbon cutting was held at the Portage Chamber for Klearvue, LLC to welcome this business as a new Chamber member.
Karla Gilles is a Certified QuickBooks® ProAdvisor &
Bookkeeping Specialist and owner of Klearvue, LLC. She meets
the accounting needs of small to mid-size business entrepreneurs.
She offers competitive rates and possesses the expert resources to unravel and reconstruct financial records in QuickBooks ®
databases. Daily, weekly or monthly bookkeeping, consulting and training is also offered. For a free 15-minute QuickBooks® “health check” please call 608-669-2857 or KarlaGilles@KlearvueLLC.com.
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January Chamber Meetings & Events
8
Chamber Business Luncheon at Pizza Hut at 11:30am
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Launch Portage Tubing Night at Cascade Mountain starting at 4pm
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Chamber Annual Awards Breakfast at Dino's Restaurant
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Join a Service Club
Rotary - Meets Mondays at Noon at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.
Lions Club - Meets the 2
nd and 4
th Wednesdays at 5:30pm at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd., summer month meetings change locations
Kiwanis - Meets on Wednesdays at Noon at Pizza Ranch, 2905 New Pinery Rd.
Optimists - Meets on Tuesdays at 7am at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.
Elks - Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday at 7pm; 4th Tuesday only during July and August
Women's Civic League - Meets 2nd Wednesday of the month at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.
Wauona Trail Women's Club - Meets 3rd Monday of the month at 11:30am at Dino's Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.(Sept-May)
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January Community Events
4 Teen Video Night at Portage Public Library
5-6 Ringing in the New Year Bonspiel at Portage Curling Club
6 Bingo at the VFW
8 Chamber Business Luncheon at Pizza Hut
11 Teen Board Game Night at Portage Public Library
12 Black Marigold at at Portage Center for the Arts
14 Launch Portage: Cascade Mountain Tubing Event
17 Prism Art Quilts Arts Work at Tivoli (show runs through March 2019)
18 Teen PS VR Night at Portage Public Library
19-20 Portage Junior Bonspiel at Portage Curling Club
20 Bingo at the VFW
24 Brown Bag Lunch Series at Portage Center for the Arts
24 Teen Magic: The Gathering Club at Portage Public Library
25 Teen Anime Night at Portage Public Library
27 2018-19 Student Recital Series at Portage Center for the Arts
28 Portage Sharing Supper at Wayne Bartels Middle School
30 Portage United Methodist Church Pop-Up Food Pantry
30 Endeavor Sharing Supper
31 Annual Chamber Awards Breakfast at Dino's
Weekly Recurring Events
Beer Bucket Bingo at Jack's Tap every Monday at 6:30pm
Portage United Methodist Church Bible Study at Heritage House, Tuesdays at 10am
Portage United Methodist Church Worship Service at Heritage House, Tuesdays at 11am
Open Pharmacy Forum at Wilz Hometown Pharmacy, every Wednesday, 6pm-7pm
Medicare Workshop at Retirement Specialists, every Thursday at 4:30pm.
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