December 2019 News Break
Portage Area Chamber of Commerce
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Citywide Cookie Walk
The Portage Chamber will be holding its annual Citywide Cookie Walk on Saturday, December 7 from 9am to Noon. Cookie boxes are just $5 and contain a map of participating Chamber member businesses.
There are a limited number of boxes available for purchase, so don't wait. Start the holiday season on the right foot....Pick up a box and collect a delicious cookie from every location on the Cookie Walk! Gather your group at the Portage Library, which is offering hot cocoa at 9am. For more information, contact the Portage Chamber at 608-742-6242.
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Culver's Breakfast with Santa
Santa will make an appearance at the Portage Culver's on Saturday, December 14 from at 8am to 9pm. There are a limited number of seats still available. Participants are asked to bring non-perishable food items for the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry.
Thank you to Culver's for providing this great breakfast event!
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Advertise on new Portage maps!
The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce will be printing new City of Portage maps. The new maps will be larger, enabling more Chamber member businesses to advertise on the backside. A full 4"x9" panel is $400 and a half panel 4"x4.5" is $200.
The Chamber plans to print a quantity of 10,000 maps, a supply which typically lasts about three years. Maps are available at no cost to the public at many locations including local hotels, gas stations, campgrounds, realtors, and people relocating to and requesting information of Portage.
Spaces are limited! If you are interested in advertising on the map, please call the Chamber at 608-742-6242.
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Spread the word about Portage!
Use #portagewi in your social media posts.
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Lions Club Cookie Dough
The Portage Lions Club still has cookie dough available for purchase as part of
their Annual Scholarship Cookie Dough Fundraiser. Choose from an assortment of delicious flavors. Pre-portioned package and scoop and bake tub sizes are available. Call Kristi at 608-697-6648 to order.
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ADRC Food Drive
For the past five years, Health and Human Services, specifically the ADRC, has conducted a successful food drive for the ADRC Home Delivered Meal Program. We are again asking for the generosity of others to help us support our Home Delivered Meal Food Drive this year. Please keep in mind that food items that can be easily opened & easily prepared are appreciated. The goal is to collect enough non-perishable, microwaveable food items for each of these residents to have at least two “balanced, back-up” meals in reserve in the event weather interrupts meal delivery again this winter.
Items requested for donation include non-perishable, microwaveable foods such as: low sodium soup/stew, crackers, canned chili, fruit/pudding cups, pasta meals, canned meat, applesauce, granola bars, beans/canned vegetables, or single serve juices. Please avoid: expired food, baking supplies, perishable items, non-microwaveable foods.
Drop your donations (monetary donations also welcome) off in the designated bin or box at the ADRC in the Health and Human Services Building, Courthouse, Administration Building Lobby, Wyocena Health Care Center, or Sheriff’s Department through December 30. If you cannot get your donations to the ADRC, please feel free to e-mail
Ashley.Jahn@co.columbia.wi.us
or
ADRC@co.columbia.wi.us
and they will work to get them picked up.
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Rotary donates to
Fishing Club
On Monday, November 18, Portage Rotary Club donated $100 to the Portage High School's Winter Warriors ice fishing club. The fishing club was formed four years ago at several students' urging.
Mr. Meixner proudly serves as their coach and routinely takes 52 students to five annual meets. Winter Warriors also attends the annual state meet, bringing a team of only 12 students. Ice fishing is a sport for everyone!
Shown above left to right are Portage Rotary President
Tracy Waldinger, Coach Brad Meixner, and Portage Rotary Treasurer
Anastasia Kinney.
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Wisconsin job growth slowed dramatically in first half of 2019. Economists say don't worry.
By Rick Romell, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin’s job growth dropped dramatically in the first half of 2019, but two economists find little in the slowdown to worry them. The picture of declining growth comes from a quarterly census of employment that is the most comprehensive tally of jobs nationwide.
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Check out the Chamber's YouTube Channel
HERE
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Job postings on portagewi.com
Check out these
job postings on our Chamber site from our member businesses. You are welcome to post job openings your business may have at any time. Call the Chamber office at 608-742-6242 for more information.
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Text PACC to 51660
to receive information about upcoming Chamber events
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Facade loan program available
The Portage facade loan program is available to help Chamber member Portage businesses upgrade exteriors.
For more information about the loan program guidelines,
click here
. For the application,
click here
.
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Join the River Haven Fundraising Committee
River Haven Shelter needs your help! They are looking for a few outgoing and caring individuals with fundraising and/or event planning experience that would be interested in serving on a volunteer Fundraising Committee. As a member of this committee, you will assist with:
- Determining the annual fundraising budget
- Developing an annual calendar of fundraising events which, in the past, has included the Harmony for the Homeless concert, bowl-a-thon, golf scramble, fall festival, etc.
- Developing and fostering relationships with current and prospective donors
- Members of the Fundraising Committee will attend monthly meetings and participate in organized fundraising activities
If you are interested in serving on the Fundraising Committee, please send a brief letter of interest with your background experience to Raquel Schwanbeck:
riverhavenshelter@yahoo.com.
River Haven is also looking for a few individuals that would be willing to add their names to a list of volunteers available to help with fundraising events. Members of the Fundraising Committee or River Haven staff would reach out to you occasionally, as needed. Contact 608-742-7687 if interested.
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Agency House planning a dig in 2020
The Historic Indian Agency House has a theme for 2020: Archaeology and Frontier Blacksmithing. They have an exciting season ahead! Archaeologist Ryan Howell is volunteering his time to lead an archaeological excavation on the grounds of the Agency House. Visitors, both children and adults, will have the opportunity to work right alongside the archaeologists! Their goal is to try to locate and excavate the 1830s Agency blacksmith shop. General Engineering Company of Portage is sponsoring the dig.
Stay tuned for details on these and more events they have planned in 2020!!
13th Annual Kiddie Christmas at Agency House
Come to the 13th Annual Kiddie Christmas at the Historic Indian Agency House on Saturday, December 14. At 1pm, there will be a fun and educational puppet show. At 1:15pm, enjoy story time with Juliette Kinzie, followed by a photo opportunity with John and Juliette. By 1:45pm, several fun craft stations will be up and running. Pick your favorite, or make them all! At 2:30pm, join in for a wintry nature walk (please dress for the weather).
Children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The cost is FREE, but donations are appreciated. For more information, call the Agency House at 608-742-6362.
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Create a beautiful centerpiece!
Create a beautiful Holiday centerpiece for your table or gift for your hosts, using fresh evergreens, flowers, ribbons and cones at this workshop at Edgewater Home and Garden, 2957 Highway CX, on
Saturday, Dec. 21 from 10am to Noon. There is a $25 fee for this workshop. For more information, call 608-742-6558.
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Historic Living Windows
Enjoy this historical celebration of Portage by strolling the streets of downtown Portage and viewing numerous vignettes of times past on Saturday, December 14 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 past and look at on this night.
At right, the 'Turn of the Century Singers' greet visitors with popular carols during the 2018 event.
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AMPI positions available
Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI), a leading Midwest dairy cooperative, is looking for great people for its Portage location. They are currently seeking a Plant Operations Manager, 2nd Shift Maintenance Supervisor, 3rd Shift Production Supervisor, 2nd and 3rd Shift Maintenance, and various production positions. To learn more about AMPI and the opportunities available, visit
www.ampi.com, click on careers.
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Wauona Trail Women's Club
Join the Wauona Trail Women's Club for their monthly meeting on Monday, December 16 at 11:30am at Dino's Restaurant. Women are encouraged to join and participate in the club. Membership is $10 per year and you pay for your own meal at the restaurant. This month's meeting will feature Country Music Artist
Jesse Walker.
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Veterans, Service Members and Military Family Job Fair
Join companies from throughout the state for a veteran, service members and military family members Job Fair on Saturday, January 18, 2020 from 2pm to 5pm at Ho-Chunk Wisconsin Dells, S3214 Highway BD, Baraboo.
Also available is a 2.5 Veterans Employment Transition Seminar where job seeking veterans, service members and military family members can learn transition skills, resume preparation, interview tactics and more. The seminar is January 16-18 at Ho-Chunk. If you would like to be an employer at the Job Fair or attend the 2.5 day seminar, contact Angie at 608-745-1090 or
angela@wilegion.org
.
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Is 2020 time to start your OWN business?
If you are ready to take your business ownership aspirations to the next level, Biz Smart is a great place to start. This 8-week evening series provides you with a cost-efficient, comprehensive overview of business basics taught by industry experts. With the foundational knowledge you will learn, you will be able to make smart decisions about your business and better understand what questions to ask as you transition from employee to entrepreneur.
Topics include: Understanding your Market and Industry; Marketing Your Product or Service; Legal and Operations; Human Resource Management; Accounting and Record Keeping; Financing.
Want to learn and complete a business plan?
Apply for the Entrepreneurial Training Grant Program (begins Winter 2020)!
Click here to learn more
about the Program and Apply!
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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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December Chamber Meetings & Events
3
Business Luncheon at LaTolteca at 11:30am
4
Ambassador meeting at Community Bank at 8am
7
Cookie Walk
14
Breakfast with Santa at Culver's
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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 Wednesdays 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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December Community Events
3 Madison College - Portage Blood Drive
3 Chamber Business Luncheon at LaTolteca
3 Agrace New Volunteer Orientation
4 Canadian Pacific Holiday Train
5 Love Light Celebration at Tivoli at Divine Savior Healthcare
5 Portage High School Choir Winter Performance
6 Revita Dance Studio presents the The Nutcracker 2019
6 Local Artist Showcase Reception Opening at Portage Center for the Arts
6 UW-Platteville Baraboo Sauk County Fighting Spirits basketball team at home vs. UW-Oshkosh Fond du Lac
6 Teen Video Game Night at the Libary
7 Photos with Santa at Edgewater Home & Garden
7 Citywide Cookie Walk
7 Historic Indian Agency House Wreath Making Workshop
7 Holiday Make-N-Take at Portage Library
7 Holiday House at Presbyterian Church
7 Columbia County Humane Society Bring Your Paws to Santa Claus
7 Ginger Bread House Kids Workshop at Edgewater Home & Garden
8 Revita Dance Studio presents the The Nutcracker 2019
8 Gale Singers Holiday Concert at Portage Center for the Arts
8 Open Gym with the Park and Recreation at Bartels Middle School
10 Agrace New Volunteer Orientation
12 Smart Cookie Sale at Divine Savior Healthcare
12 Grief Support at Our House Senior Living
13 Teen Holiday Cookie Decorating at the Portage Library
14 Breakfast with Santa at Culver's
14 Historic Indian Agency House Kiddie Christmas
14 Historic Living Windows
15 Bingo at VFW
8 Open Gym with the Park and Recreation at Bartels Middle School
16 Portage Sharing Supper at Wayne Bartels Middle School
18 Endeavor Sharing Supper
18 Portage United Methodist Church Pop-Up Food Pantry
21 Fresh Centerpiece Workshop at Edgewater Home & Garden
24 Santa at the Elks Lodge
25 Christmas Day Dinner at Portage Presbyterian Church
Weekly Recurring Events
Beer Bucket Bingo at Jack's Tap every Monday at 6:30pm
Open Pharmacy Forum at Wilz Hometown Pharmacy, every Wednesday, 6pm-7pm
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