December 2022
Dear Chamber Members,

The Holiday Season is upon us, and it's that time of year for brandy and eggnog, and there's plenty of cheer! The lighting of the Grafton Community Christmas Tree was a perfect start to the holidays with plenty of cheer for all. The Grafton High School Chamber Singers set the mood with some of our favorite carols, and if you haven’t had a chance, I would recommend that you take a stroll in the Paramount Plaza to view our Gnome Neighborhood. Kudos to our 14 local businesses and non profit organizations on the creativity! Congratulations to Meg Canepa, this year's Outstanding Citizen award winner, and the Rose-Harms Post 355 Sons of the American Legion, our Outstanding Community Group award winner. It was wonderful to celebrate them at the Tree Lighting and at the reception that followed.
 
The Breakfast with Santa and 42nd Annual Grafton Christmas Parade brought joy to many in our community last Saturday! Both events went really well and we are grateful to our business community for the financial support that it takes to bring these types of events to our community.
 
I hope that you will take time this holiday season to check out our Holiday Home Decorating Contest and vote for your favorite on Facebook. 14 homes throughout the Village and Town of Grafton have entered, and a map and more details are available on our website.

Don’t forget that Chamber Gift Checks make the perfect holiday gift for friends, family, co-workers and employees. Feel free to contact the Chamber Office to preorder them, and the staff will have them ready for you to pick up. 
 
As we near the end of another year, I would like to thank you for your support of the community and the Grafton Area Chamber of Commerce. Just a reminder, please watch for your membership renewal information in the coming weeks. 
 
On behalf of the Chamber Board of Directors and the Chamber Staff, here’s wishing you the very happiest of holiday seasons! 
  
Sean
Sean Fahey
GACC Chamber President



International Volunteer Day
Monday, December 5th


St. Nicholas Day
Tuesday, December 6th


Pearl Harbor
Remembrance Day
Wednesday, December 7th


Dewey Decimal System Day
Saturday, December 10th


UNICEF Birthday
Sunday, December 11th


National Poinsettia Day
Saturday, September 12th


National Guard Birthday
Tuesday, December 13th


National Salesperson Day
Tuesday, December 13th


National Cocoa Day
Tuesday, December 13th


YP Ugly Sweater Party
Wednesday, December 14th


National Ugly Sweater Day
Friday, December 16th


Wright Brothers Day
Saturday, December 17th


Hanukkah
Sunday, December 18th


Winter Solstice
Wednesday, December 21st


Christmas
Sunday, December 25th


Kwanzaa
Monday, December 26th


New Year's Eve
Saturday, December 31st



Village Logo
The Rose Harms Post 355 American Legion - Sons of the American Legion is this year's Outstanding Community Group .

The SAL is being recognized for the work its done including the renovation of the Post parking lot to improve community events held at the Legion, its impact of support during annual Memorial and Veterans Day ceremonies, scholarships for Grafton High School students, and its ongoing efforts to maintain the cabins and property at Camp American Legion.




Congratulations to Meg Canepa this year's Outstanding Citizen.
Canepa is being recognized for her contributions to the Grafton School District as a Para Professional and also a Sunshine Committee Member, and Grafton Community Scholarship Committee President and member. She has chaired the St. Joseph Parish's Funival, is the current Chair of the Grafton Park & Recreation Committee and much more!

Canepa and SAL both received commendations for their achievements during the Outstanding Citizen and Community Group reception held at the Twelve 18 Event Hall on Sunday, November 20.
Suit up in an ugly sweater and come celebrate the holidays with the GACC Young Professionals Group. $25 registration includes a craft beer drink voucher and heavy appetizers.

Prizes will be awarded
for the ugliest sweater!

Be sure to bring a small gift for the white elephant gift exchange and get ready to play the plastic ball speed-unwrapping game.
(Yes, that's the official name.)
Dress up and join us!
Is your business looking for staff?
Offering Hot Deals? Or Hosting an Event?
List your news on the Chamber website!
In the upper-righthand of the GACC Home page,
click, "Membership Login" to access the portal & simply fill in details.
Welcome New
Chamber Member
18 Minute Fitness
Jerome Armstrong
1009 Washington Street
Grafton, WI 53024
262-236-7456
18minutefitness@gmail.com
https://18minute.fitness/
Private personal training. If you're a total beginner, have special accommodations, or are pinched for time, this style of training is perfect for you. Improve your health and fitness with only one workout per week.
Dan Knodl-District 24 State Assembly Representative
Dan Knodl
P.O. Box 8952
Madison, WI 53708
608-266-3796
rep.knodl@legis.wisconsin.gov
www.danknodl.org
Daniel Knodl (R) represents District 24 in the Wisconsin State Assembly, which is the lower chamber of the Wisconsin State Legislature. He has been in office since 2009.
News from Our
Chamber Members
The Bloomin Olive invites you to come join them this Friday night and Saturday, December 2 and 3 for their Holiday Open House. Shop the store for holiday goodies, while enjoying sweets, treats and specials. Click HERE to view their Holiday mailer ad!
Cedarburg Artists Guild is hosting a Holiday Art Fair from December 2 through December 4. Chamber members are invited to come shop more than 40 local artists and their handmade creations. Admission is free - CLICK Here to view the flier for event hours and further details.
Cedarburg Grafton Rotary presents the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Holiday Concert at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 15, at the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center. Enjoy seasonal favorites and a sing-a-long. Proceeds provide scholarships for area high school students. Reserved Seating only- Tickets start at $60. Click here to order tickets.
Eaton's Fresh Pizza December Pizza of the month is their take on the popular holiday cocktail, The Grasshopper. The dessert pizza starts off with a grasshopper sauce, topped with graham crackers, Oreo cookies and Marciano cherries.
Ozaukee Family Services is offering the following:
Cookies & Milk with Santa Thursday, December 15, from 9 -11 a.m. FREE for parents and children ages five and younger. All are welcome. Take your picture with Santa and enjoy a variety of activities and make-and-take craft items plus snacks. FREE to attend, but please call to RSVP at 262-376-7774. Click HERE for more event details!
Anger Management and Self-Regulation Monday, December 12, 6:00-7:30 pm Gain an understanding of the more common forms of anxiety seen in children, adolescents, and adults. Learn the neuroscience underlying and driving these anxieties and the healthy practices we can teach our children, and adopt ourselves, to manage them. Facilitated by Dr. Nathanael Schwarz of North Shore Center, LLC. FREE admission and free limited childcare is available. For more info or to register, call 262-376-7774 or CLICK HERE FOR MORE.
Want to Help a Child Who May be Struggling with The Holidays this Year? The Rainbow Program at OFS needs your help! (Rainbows is for kids and adolescents who are dealing with major family changes such as divorce or death.) In December, children in the program have a Holiday party with a chance to pick a gift for their mom and/or dad. You can help by donating items for them to choose from. It's easy, just CLICK HERE to view the Wish List for Rainbows on Amazon.
St. Paul Lutheran Church invites you to its annual Cookie walk being held at 701 Washington Street, Grafton, from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, December 3. Come select from a variety of holiday cookies, candles, and treats. It's just $10 per container. Gluten and nut-free options available!
Port Washington State Bank is the proud sponsor of the Polar Express, which is making a stop from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, December 3, at John Long Middle School in Grafton. Make a magical journey to the North Pole and bring the family to see Santa and the wonders of his workshop. Tickets must be purchased in advance. CLICK Here to view the filer for more details.
Portal, Inc. is welcoming back it's, "Purchase with Purpose" online auction, being held from December 1 through 15. A variety of fantastic donations have been collected and the auction is filled with one-of-a-kind gifts you can only see here. Even better, all the proceeds from this auction go directly to Portal inc. and supporting services from meaningful days and impacts to people throughout our local community.