JANUARY 14, 2020   
WELCOME NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS!

Tornado Alley Lanes-Bar & Grill
2209 N Buckeye Ave
Abilene, KS 67410
Phone: (785) 200-6225


Taco Grande
200 S. Buckeye Ave
Abilene, KS 67410
Phone: (785) 263-3939

SCHEDULE YOUR 2020 BUSINESS AFTER HOURS TODAY!

Host a Business After Hours
Host a popular business after hours and welcome the community to your business.  These casual gatherings will promote your business and provide an opportunity for you and your staff to meet potential business partners and clients while making those who attend aware of your business and facilities along with a healthy dose of good cheer.

In promoting the events, the Chamber does the following: 
  • Creates an event on the calendars in the newsletter and website
  • Creates a Facebook event and directly invites over 300 community members (with a secondary reach of approximately 1,000 people)
  • Event flyer goes in the newsletter to 1,900 people (with about 580 opening the newsletter)
  • Event flyer sent as a separate email blast to 1,900 people   
  • Mailing list made available to the sponsoring business for direct mail, if desired
  • Newsletter post event photos and write ups, when applicable
  • Announcement on radio (KABI 1560 am)
The sponsoring business is to provide:
  • Refreshments
  • A door prize of at least a $50 value
  • Logo and content for event flyer in both paper and digital formats
  • Business pays just a $50 marketing fee to the Chamber to host the event 
Contact the Chamber office to reserve your spot today at (785) 263-1770!
2020 ANNUAL CHAMBER BANQUET
Reserve Your Tickets and Sponsorships for the Annual Banquet Today
This Event Will Sell Out! 
The  92nd Annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet is set for Monday, February 24, 2020. The annual meeting and awards ceremony will begin with a cocktail hour at 6 PM dinner and program beginning at 7 PM. As in years past, it will be held at the Eisenhower Presidential Library Courtyard. 

Formal Invitations were mailed to Chamber members earlier this week. Tickets for Chamber members are $40/person or $320 for a table of 8. Non-member ticket prices are $50/person. 

Table Sponsorship Opportunities* Are  Available for the 2020 Banquet!
 
For just a $100 donation, your company has the chance to decorate a table at the banquet. Create a beautiful centerpiece featuring your business or design something completely unique. Guests from other organizations will sit at the table you've designed, so this is your company's chance to impress them! We'll also have a drawing to give away the centerpieces to guests at the end of the evening.
 
*NEW THIS YEAR! Companies who participate in the table decorating will be entered into a drawing for a $200 credit toward their 2021 Chamber membership!
 
Don't want to decorate a table, but still want to participate?  For a $75 Spirit Sponsorship , your company's name will be listed on the program as a sponsor, as well as on the event page on the Chamber website. In addition to the donations given at the bar during the event, Spirit Sponsorships help cover the cost of the drinks and wine for the banquet.


Seeking Nominations for the 92nd Annual Banquet Awards
 
Each year, the Chamber honors community members who have made a difference in our community.
 
Please nominate an individual or business for the awards listed below.
 
[ ] The Quiet Hero Award is presented to an individual who has helped a non-profit organization in the community without fanfare, who has quietly donated their time, talents or financial support to make that entity better.
 
[ ] The Volunteer of the Year Award is bestowed upon someone who has selflessly volunteered their time and talents to a business, a non-profit organization or the community throughout the year.
 
[ ] The Distinguished Business of the Year Award is a business that has shown organizational growth and success, high standards of excellence, innovation and incorporation of new research and technology, and significant contributions to its industry and the community.
 
[ ] The Community Legacy Award recognizes a pioneer in the community, who through the years, has fought, worked, advocated, and produced change through their community service, their voice and their dedication. Through their efforts, this individual has created lasting change and measurable difference in our community.
 
Nominations will be accepted through February 14, 2020.
To submit a nomination, submit the following info to:
chamber@abileneks.net or to the Chamber office at
201 NW 2nd Street, Abilene, KS.
 
Nominee Name: ________________________________________________________________
 
Nominee Occupation: ___________________________________________________________
 
Home Address: ________________________ City: _______________ State: ____ ZIP: ______
 
Business Address: ______________________ City: ______________ State: ____ ZIP: ______
 
Home/Mobile Phone: __________________ Business Phone: __________________________
 
Brief Background of Nominee: ____________________________________________________
 
_______________________________________________________________________________
 
Reasons for Nomination: _________________________________________________________
 
_______________________________________________________________________________
 
_______________________________________________________________________________
 
Nomination Submitted by: _______________________ Signature:_______________________
 
Contact Phone: ________________________________ Date Submitted: ___________________

COMMUNITY EVENTS & EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
2020 WINTER FILM FESTIVAL SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED  

Abilene, Kan. - The 2020 Winter Film Festival begins Sunday, January 12 at 2 p.m. The series continues each Sunday through January and February in the Eisenhower Presidential Library Visitors Center Auditorium at 200 SE 4th Street, Abilene. The free films are open to the public. Registration is not required.
 
2020 Winter Film Festival Schedule  
  • January 12 | 2 p.m.: The Bookshop | PG. In a small English town in 1959, Florence Green decides, against polite but ruthless local opposition, to open a bookshop.
  • January 19 | 2 p.m.: First Man | PG-13. The riveting story of NASA's mission to land a man on the moon, focusing on Neil Armstrong and the years 1961-1969.
  • January 26 | 2 p.m.: The Peanut Butter Falcon | PG-13. A young man with Down syndrome escapes from a residential nursing home and befriends a wayward fisherman on the run. As the two men form a rapid bond, a social worker attempts to track them.
  • February 2 | 2 p.m.: Maiden | PG. The story of how Tracy Edwards, 24-year old charter boat cook, became the skipper of the first ever all-female crew to enter the Whitbread Round the World Race in 1989.
  • February 9 | 2 p.m.: The Biggest Little Farm | PG. An environmental advocacy documentary with a side dish of hope for the future, the film follows two dreamers and a dog on an odyssey to bring harmony to their lives and the land.
  • February 16 | 2 p.m.: On the Basis of Sex | PG-13. An American biographical legal drama based on the life and early cases of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
  • February 23 | 2 p.m.: Green Book | PG-13. A powerfully dramatic film set in 1962 inspired by a true friendship that transcended race, class and the Mason-Dixon line.
  The 2020 Winter Film Festival is made possible courtesy of the Arts Council of Dickinson County.  
2020 IKE BOOK TALK SERIES
Ike's Book Club starts the new year with Eisenhower's At Ease: Stories I Tell to Friends.

Abilene, Kan. - The 2020 Ike Book Talk series begins Tuesday, January 14 at 7 p.m. The book club meets in the Visitors Center Auditorium at 200 SE 4th Street, Abilene. This free program is open to the public. Registration is not required.
 
The first book in the series is At Ease: Stories I Tell to Friends written by Dwight Eisenhower. Ike's popular memoir is full of anecdotes about his life and stories told for the simple pleasure of telling them. In warm and personal terms, the military hero who became our 34th president writes about his life, his acquaintances-- both celebrated and little known-- and the history that unfolded before his eyes.
 
Ike's Book Club meets the second Tuesday of every other month. The informal gatherings often include a guest facilitator and may be paired with a movie.
 
2020 Book Talk Schedule
  • January 14 | 7 p.m.: At Ease: Stories I Tell to Friends
  • March 8 | 2 p.m.: Mrs. Miniver (movie)
  • March 10 | 7 p.m.: Mrs. Miniver
  • May 12 | 7 p.m.: One Soldier's Story: Bob Dole (facilitator: Sandra Wiechert)
  • July 14 | 7 p.m.: The Alice Network: A Novel
  • September 6 | 2 p.m.: Teach Us All (movie)
  • September 8 | 7 p.m.: Warriors Don't Cry
  • November 8 | 2 p.m.: To Hell and Back (movie)
  • November 10 | 7 p.m.: To Hell and Back
The 2020 Ike Book Talk series is made possible courtesy of the Eisenhower Foundation, Union Pacific Foundation, Humanities Kansas, and the Abilene Public Library. All books are available at the Abilene Public Library or in our gift shop. You can shop online at www.ILikeIkeStore.com.  

GET FIT IN 2020 WITH OUR MEMBER EXERCISE FACILITIES

 
DK Sports & Fitness is offering an 8-week bootcamp session from January 6th - February 28th. These one-hour classes will be led by our new strength coach, Kelsee Moore, and will be held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays with two timeslots to choose from - 5:00AM or 8:00AM. Regardless of which timeslot you sign up for, you can attend either session. These classes will be for all fitness levels and will involve full-body circuit training and strength training in order to lose fat mass, tone muscles and gain overall strength.
Registration is $160 for the 8-week session. To sign up, click here: https://www.esoftplanner.com/v3/planner/login.php?access=0dG81LSVxNmo65a4uXeCvpqLpA%3D%3D and select "Camps/Classes" from the Scheduling header. The classes are under the Strength and Fitness section.

You do not need to be a member at DK to participate in these classes. You are welcome to bring your child
provided that they remain in a car seat or stroller during the class. Once you register, you can just show up to the session that works best for your schedule regardless of which session you registered for.

This is a great way to get to work on those New Year's resolutions to improve your health in 2020!

CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS
New MHS Respiratory Care Director, Matt Mead (left) stands with retiring Respiratory Care Director, Eric Kohn.
MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM'S RESPIRATORY CARE DIRECTOR, ERIC KOHN, RETIRES

MHS Respiratory Care Director, Eric Kohn will retire today, Monday, January 13, 2020. After a thirty-seven year career in respiratory therapy, Kohn is ready to move on to other things. "I am sure my wife, Debra, will have a list of honey do's for me," Kohn said with a smile. "I have also signed up to be a volunteer for the American Red Cross National Disaster Relief. So, we will just have to wait and see where that leads me."
 
Kohn says his wife plans to retire from her job as the School to Career Coordinator at Salina South in 2021. "We have two grandchildren, who don't live too far away, and we have a new puppy, Riley, who will keep me busy until my wife retires in another year."
 
Taking care of others is how Kohn has spent his entire professional career. Even as a director, he says he never gave up time working with patients because he did not want to lose touch with what his staff was doing and he enjoys people and building relationships with his hospital coworkers.
 
"Eric has brought a wealth of knowledge and experience to the respiratory care department, and has done an excellent job working with his staff to ensure he leaves them prepared for a successful future," Chief Nursing Officer, Angie Johnson said. "I will miss his ability to have a quick, witty joke during morning huddle time on particularly challenging days. He really enjoys his grandkids, and has some super interesting hobbies - I'm excited for him to get to spend more time enjoying these things!"
 
Kohn came to MHS in the summer of 2008 as a part-time respiratory therapist. "I would fill in as they needed me," he said. In 2009, he became the director of the department. "At the time, respiratory care was a very small department, with one full-time therapist, one PRN therapist, and one LPN on staff."
 
Over the past 10 years, Kohn has seen the respiratory department grow in size and services. "We've doubled our staff size and offer more services to provide our patients with the local care they need," Kohn said. Respiratory care oversees the cardiac rehabilitation program, the sleep lab, and they work closely with the obstetric unit at Memorial Hospital to provide infants with respiratory care when needed. "We've built strong relationships with our physicians, APPs, and nursing staff, and we are proud to be able to help them provide patients with excellent health care; we make a great team because we all work well together."
 
Kohn says he is very comfortable about leaving the respiratory care department in the hands of Matt Mead, who he has worked with since 2010. "Matt is an instant fit for this role," Kohn said. "I am glad Matt wanted to take on this position because I feel like he is the best person for the job... why would we look outside of the organization for a new director when we have a great leader right here in the department?"
 
Mead is no stranger to the way Kohn has led the department, "I am proud and heavily invested in the organization," Mead said. "I am looking forward to continue building our department and adding services for our patients."
 
"Respiratory care is a small part of health care in Abilene, but it is a great feeling to be able to help the community be healthy, and know we will see our patients out and about in Abilene, as they are our friends and neighbors too," Mead said.
 
"I'm excited for this opportunity for Matt," MHS Chief Nursing Officer, Angie Johnson said."  "He's going to be a great leader for the Respiratory department, and the energy he brings is simply awesome! He's truly committed to MHS and the community, and I'm excited to work with him as a manager."
 
Matt and his wife, Keely, have three daughters Ashley (12), Kristin (almost 10) and Shannon (6), and a dog named Turbo.

Front Row, Left to Right, Debra Dragoo, George Kinser, Rena Bishop, Clark Shenk, Tawnie Heard, Daniele Whitaker. Back Row, Left to Right, Terrell Green, Trell Grinter, Leslie Greenemeyer, Gerald Funk, William Arehart, Tim Dickinson, Leon Swanson, Kenny Waldman, Larry Holmgren, Trudy Morton, and Joe Dickinson.
OCCK DRIVER SAFETY RECOGNITION AWARDS ANNOUNCED

Salina, KS - OCCK Transportation is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2019 Driver Safety Recognition Awards. We honored 32 drivers with more than 121 years of safe driving.
 
The OCCK Transportation Division Safe Driver Recognition and Award Program is designed to distinguish and honor OCCK Transportation drivers who have proven their skill in avoiding accidents and consistently perform their jobs in a safe and efficient manner. Recipients exemplify professional driver standards and a commitment to safety.
 
One Year Awards went to Christina Burch, Gerald Funk, Leslie Greenemeyer, Kenneth Hartzell, George Kinser, Scott Poulton, Leon Swanson and Melinda Wolfe.
 
Two Year Awards went to Richard Anderson, James Bean, Elizabeth McCormick, Timmy Morris, Clark Shenk, Dennis Smith, and Mark Stokes. Paulie Downie and Tawnie Heard received Three Year Awards.
 
Four Year Awards were given to William Arehart, Terrell Green, Shelley Hanchett, Trudy Morton and Kenneth Waldman. Jaimie Wintholz received her Five Year Award. Debbie Dragoo and Susan McMahan received their Six Year Awards. Jason Tieking received his Seven Year Award.
 
Rena Bishop, Joseph Dickinson, Timothy Dickinson, Paula Stark and Daniele Whitaker received Eight Year Awards. One driver received a Nine Year Award: Larry Holmgren.
 
This program was created as authorized by the National Safety Council (NSC) Safe Driver Program. The NSC Safe Driver Awards are the recognized trademark of professional drivers who have proven their skills in avoiding accidents. They are the highest honor for professional safe driving performance. This program recognizes the number of years each eligible driver has worked without incident.
For more information about OCCK, Inc., visit www.occk.com . For more information about transportation services, visit www.salinacitygo.com . Or, contact the OCCK Transportation Center at 785-826-1583.
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ABILENE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Allison Blake, Executive Director
Phone: (785) 263-1770