A publication of the Chamber of Commerce of Jefferson

Chamber News
A publication of the Chamber of Commerce of Jefferson – February 2014
Board of Directors:
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
President
Cindy Wade
Good evening and welcome to our 2014 Jefferson
Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner.
Badger Bank
President Elect
Gail Vogel
First, I would like to recognize and thank Bill Lust for the
wonderful job he has done this year. I do hope that I can
continue the success he has had as Chamber President.
I would also like to thank Janet Werner and Amanda Damp. All the hard work
you do for the community is appreciated.
Wow 2013 sure has come and gone. We have seen a lot of changes within this
last year. We are now at 181 members and continuing to grow stronger. The
new members I would like to welcome are Bethesda Lutheran Communities,
Crawfish Junction, Carpentry by Chris, Derek Hambly, FLEX Consulting,
Immanuel United Methodist Church, Jefferson County Locksmith, Kwik Trip,
One Source Imaging, Port Light Technology, Ry-Mak Services, The Heron’s
Landing and The Wisconsin Dream Center. If I missed anyone I am truly sorry.
What a list. I hope we continue to get many new members.
The Jefferson Chamber had another year of successful fundraising events. We
had great weather, for once, for the Spring and Fall Car Shows. There was our
City-Wide Rummage Sales and Fair bartending that turned out good this year.
One again we had three fun filled days for our Gemuetlchkeit Days celebration.
Autumn Fest had mild temperatures and we had many calls saying how well it
was attended. The 2013 Golf Outing had 11 teams and 11 hole sponsors. Great
times and lots of fun. Fidelity Land Title was a big winner once again.
Congrats. The Christmas Lights Parade was a little cold, but the crowd braved
the weather and made it a fantastic event. Good Morning Jefferson has seen
great success again. And we are sure we will have another full year of
informative topics. Next Good Morning Jefferson will be February 19th at
7:30am in the Puerner Room on the third floor of the Fort Community Credit
Union.
Continued on page 2.
First Merit Bank
Vice President
Robin Novesky
St. Coletta
Matt Janz
Individual Member
Dawn Koch
Sylvan Crossings
Toby Krause
Krause Custom Builders
Sarah Lembrich
Brickhaus Café
Todd Goldbeck
Xcel Physical Therapy
Barb Kersten
B.E. Hive Hair Salon & Spa
Danielle Thompson
Brantmeier Law, LLC
Dr. Bill Lust
Pain Relief Chiropractic
Robby Wedl
Wedl’s Hamb. Stand & Ice Cream
David Zarwell
Zarwell Law Office, LLC
Tom Merfeld
Premier Bank
Nicole Pupanek
Council for the Performing Arts
Ex-Officio Members:
Tim Freitag
City Administrator
Wayne Hartwig
Steve Cross
Crosstown Floors
Craig Gerlach
Superintendent of Schools
Officer Jeffrey Schultz
Janet M. Werner
Executive Director
Amanda Damp
“To serve you, our Members and Community through PACE, we Promote,
Advocate, Connect and Educate our Members.”
Cindy Wade
Badger Bank
1
Administrative Assistant
Phone 920-674-4511 or 674-4632
Email coc@jefnet.com
www.jeffersonchamberwi.com
December 2013
My Credit Union
It’s not a bank.
It’s better.
THE CHAMBER OFFICE RECEIVED
Incoming Phone Calls: 135
Year 2013 Phone Calls: 2046
Visitors: 90
Year 2013 Visitors: 1113
Tourism Guides Mailed: 0
Year 2013 Tourism Guides Mailed: 14
Jefferson Profiles Mailed: 1
Year 2013 Jefferson Profiles Mailed: 17
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Continued from page 1
Taking a quick look back at 2013 there has been many changes. We are looking forward to many more in 2014.
I would like to take this time to once again thank everyone for your support and hard work. The success of our
community would not be what it is today without each and every one of you. Keep getting involved with our
upcoming events or even join one of our committees. This will only help you and your business.
And for a personal Thank You to Badger Bank for giving me the opportunity to work in such a great community
which allows me to live in the same community and get the chance to know many of you.
I am looking forward to serving as President of the Jefferson Chamber this year. It will be great to see the new, fresh
Board of Directors in action with a lot of exciting ideas and what we can bring to you in the upcoming years.
Thank you, and I hope you enjoy the rest of you evening.
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Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
2013 Annual Dinner
Our Annual Dinner was held on Monday, January 27, 2014 at the Jefferson Area Business
Center. Once again our Annual Dinner committee did a terrific job of organizing and
decorating this event; creating a wonderful night for all who attended. It was a night of
networking, fun, and good food. River’s Edge did the catering again this year and as in years
past did an incredible job providing a delicious meal and amazing desserts. Congratulations
go out to our “Citizen of the Year” recipient Ron Michaelis of Schneider-Michaelis Funeral
Home, and “Business of the Year” to Brickhaus Cafe. Also during the evening we held a
50/50 raffle and silent auction. Thank you to the following list of businesses for your generous
silent auction donations.
10-33 Liquor
B. E. Hive Hair Salon & Spa
Badger Bank
Brantmeier Law & Rock River Gallery & Coffee House
Brickhaus Café
Citgo
City-County Credit Union
Council for the Performing Arts
Cross Town Floors
Edward Jones-Tom Moore Office
Father Coyle
Fort Community Credit Union
Fort Medical Equipment
H & H Fire Protection
Havill Motors
Holiday Inn Express & Suites
Jefferson Advertiser
Jefferson Area Business Center & FedEx Office
Jefferson Café
Jefferson Movers & Storage
Jefferson Piggly Wiggly
JM Carpets
Krause Custom Builders
Kwik Trip
Lake Country Heating & Cooling
Little Caesars Pizza
Main Street Station
NAPA of Jefferson
Pain Relief Chiropractic
Pitz Stop Liquor
Premier Bank
Presidential Limousine
River Bend RV Resort
River’s Edge Farm Market
Rock River Power Sports
Schneider-Michaelis Funeral Home
St. Coletta of Wisconsin
Super Wash
Sylvan Crossings
The Drug Store
The Works Hair Salon
Town & Country Homes
Town Inn
Twice is Nice
Waldmann’s Shoe Store
Wal-Mart
Wayne & Jean Hartwig
Wed’s Hamburger Stand & Ice Cream Parlor
Wine & Roses
Winter Woods
Wisconsin Plastic Drain Tile
Xcel Physical Therapy
Thank you again to all those that attended the dinner, River’s Edge Farm Market,
Jefferson Area Business Center and the 2014 committee: Cindy Wade-Badger Bank,
Danielle Thompson-Brantmeier Law, Dawn Koch-Sylvan Crossings, Dr. Bill Lust-Pain
Relief Chiropractic, Robby Wedl
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CITIZEN OF THE YEAR
AWARD
Don’t be shy about your
Jefferson Chamber of
Commerce
membership!
This year’s nominee is
recognized for being, dedicated
to the community, thoughtful,
supportive, business owner, a
Jefferson Chamber of
Commerce member and served
the country in the military.
This person has been dedicated
to the community, not just with
the business and the Chamber,
but has been involved with
other organizations including
the Jefferson Rotary Club, the
Council for the Performing
Arts. Served on the Planning
Commission and
Redevelopment Authority as
well as the Jefferson
Community Foundation. He
seems too always be there
when you needed. His favorite
statement when volunteering is
● Network with other chamber members and
members of the business community.
What
Dive In!
This person has been an active
member of the Jefferson
Chamber of Commerce.
Making suggestions and
helping to make all our
fundraisers more successful.
Working hard to accomplish
whatever the goal may be.
Always cheerful and pleasant
to be around,
Good Morning Jefferson
● Find out what is happening at the Chamber, in
the community or promote your upcoming
events.
● Get information on business concerns during
“Ask the Expert”. This month’s presentation by
Humane Society of Jefferson County.
● Brainstorm with your table mates during “Table
Talk”. This month’s topic: Chamber Betterment.
* Are you a member? Why or why not?
* How can we improve the chamber?
* What can we do to get you to want to join?
When
Wednesday, February 19
7:00am-8:30am
Where
Puerner Room 100 N. Main Street
Fort Community Credit Union
Jefferson, WI
I can help “unless we get a call then I may not be
there or I might be late.”
Ron along with his wife Marla devote their valuable time and money, supporting local events and
fundraisers, as well as the Jefferson Senior Center.
Ron not only gives it his all but does it with a
smile.
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BUSINESS OF THE YEAR AWARD
This is the ninth year we are presenting the business of the year award to one of our chamber members
whose business has been in business for more than three years, grown during its existence, and
contributed to the community in some way. Curiosity always builds when we see some remodeling/
renovations taking place. We see the transformation from old to new as a real asset to downtown
revitalization.
Participating in specials events and chamber functions is a great way to show presence in the
community and this holds true for this business. The need was seen for a warm hometown café with
great food and a relaxing atmosphere with a beautiful landscaped patio for summer dining.
We are happy to present the Business of the Year Award for 2013 to Brickhaus Café. Sarah Lembrich
Fort HealthCare Slimdown Challenge
weigh-in begins
January 27
FORT ATKINSON – It’s been reported that the
most popular New Year’s resolutions made are
related to losing weight, staying fit or becoming
healthier. If you are among the thirty-eight
percent who made a weight-related resolution,
or if you’ve come to the conclusion that you
need to lose weight after the time for
resolutions had passed, then Fort HealthCare
encourages you to join this year’s version of the
successful Slimdown Challenge.
The Fort HealthCare 2014 Slimdown Challenge,
offered free of charge to all participants, begins
on February 10 and continues for twelve weeks
until May 4. Teams of four to six persons can join
through a participating employer or through a
community-based organization such as the
Cambridge Activities Program (CAP), Fort
Healthy (Fort Atkinson), JUMP (Jefferson), CHIC
(Johnson Creek), Rock Lake Activity Center (Lake
Mills) and Working for Whitewater’s Wellness
(W3). Confirmed sponsoring corporations to
date are Fort HealthCare, Fort Atkinson School
District, Fort Community Credit Union, McCain
Foods, Nasco, Premier Bank and the Village of
Palmyra Fire Department. Persons not employed
by sponsoring corporations are encouraged to
weigh-in and weigh-out at one of the community
-based organizations. In an effort to encourage
physical fitness and reduce obesity in the
community, Fort HealthCare is providing
monetary incentives to the non-profit
organizations based on the number of
participants that weigh-in and complete the
twelve week Challenge.
Persons interested in participating should visit
www.FortHealthCare.com/Slimdown for more
information and to register. Teams of four to six
persons can join. On-site registrations and weigh official start and end weights only. Individuals
-ins will begin at community and employer
may participate on only one Slimdown challenge
locations on January 27.
team. Locations for weigh-ins and weigh-out are
listed on the Slimdown Challenge website and
Players can win prizes for team and individual
additional times and locations will be added as
weight loss accomplishments, and any person
they are scheduled. All participants must be
has multiple chances to win. The team with the weighed in and registered by February 7, 2014.
highest weight loss percentage, calculated by
An official weigh-in and weigh-out is required for
averaging each team member’s weight loss
every team member to be eligible for the grand
percentage, based on official weigh-in and weigh prizes. Weigh-outs will be scheduled for May 5,
-out will win one $250 Visa gift card per team
2014 at participating community agencies and
member.
employers.
Every team that achieves a 10% weight loss,
calculated by averaging each team member’s
weight loss percentage, based on official weighin and weigh-out, will be entered into a drawing
to win one $250 Visa gift card per team member.
Four teams will be drawn as winners.
Prize winners will be announced by Wednesday,
May 7, 2014. Team and individual results will be
shared with local media. Additional rules are
specified on the Challenge website.
A similar Fort HealthCare weight loss challenge
held last year had a very favorable result: on
Each participant who achieves a 10 percent
average, each player lost about six pounds- the
weight loss, based on official weigh-in and weigh equivalent of losing one point on the body mass
-out, will be entered into a drawing to win a
index (BMI) scale. The combined total weight
$100 Visa gift card. Ten individuals will be drawn loss was 6,403 pounds- nearly three and oneas winners.
quarter tons. The number of participants who
completed the challenge was 1,050.
Last, every person who is actively participating in
the competition each week, by recording a
As the leading healthcare provider in the region,
weight and completing a short quiz about
Fort HealthCare has determined that widevarious wellness topics, will be entered into a
reaching health and wellness campaigns such as
weekly drawing to win one of three $25 Visa gift the Slimdown Challenge can positively affect
cards.
individual and community-wide health outcomes
and behaviors. The call to action and campaign
Players may participate in an official, proctored
brand is: Let’s Do This! The theme is a literal call
weigh-in with one of the following employers or to action, intended to be positive, motivating
community agencies: Fort HealthCare,
and appealing to all audiences, from individuals,
Cambridge Activities Program (CAP), Fort
to employers to community coalitions.
Atkinson School District, Fort Community Credit Accomplishing the campaign’s long-term goals
Union, Fort Healthy (Fort Atkinson), JUMP
will help Fort HealthCare achieve its Vision: to be
(Jefferson), CHIC (Johnson Creek), McCain Foods, the healthiest community in Wisconsin. For
Nasco, Premier Bank, Rock Lake Activity Center
more information and to find resources that will
(Lake Mills), Village of Palmyra Fire Department help individuals become as healthy as can be,
or Working for Whitewater's Wellness (W3). The visit FortHealthCare.com/LetsDoThis.
percent weight-loss will be determined using
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2013 Report
In 2013 sixteen businesses were welcomed to Jefferson. Fourteen businesses were presented membership
plaques. We ended the year with 181 members.
The Chamber website www.jeffersonchamberwi.com is your link to everything going on each month. Email is
our fastest means of communication. Be sure we have yours.
Our Relocate.org video link is on the website and our new community profile/map will be published in a few
months.
The Chamber promotes economic development with links to City www.jeffersonwis.com and County
www.co.jefferson.wi.us government, and Jefferson Economic Development Consortium www.jcedc.net.
The Chamber promotes tourism www.enjoyjeffersoncounty.com, community awareness and business
opportunities. We are the visitor information center, promoting Jefferson through the Chamber website and
Jefferson County Tourism Guide and their website. This guide is our invite to Jefferson and what we have to
offer. The more businesses that advertise the more we show the outside world what we have to offer and a reason
to come to Jefferson.
Our gift certificate program started several years ago as benefit to Chamber members and 2013 saw a huge
increase over the previous year. Over $10,000 in gift certificates were purchased and that money goes back to
our chamber members. Shopping local and using the services of our businesses is what keeps them open. Our
Santa House proved a hit again as over 280 children were seen this year. We continue to promote Jefferson
through our events held each year. We hope you can find time to join us at our bi-monthly Good Morning
Jefferson meetings. February 19, 2014 is the date for our first one in 2014. If you would like to sponsor one of
these meetings please give us a call.
These are informative meetings held in the Puerner Room to keep you all informed on what is happening on the
chamber and city level and our Ask the Expert segment deals with different topics.
Is Jefferson a wonderful place to be? Yes, we think so. Proud of where we are, of what we’ve accomplished and
what we will continue to do to promote our members, businesses and our city. River’s Edge Farm Market &
Citgo opened in spring. Kwik Trip opened on the south end of town. Foremost Buildings moved into their new
building in North Industrial Park, DJC CPA moved into their new building. Ground breaking for two memory
care facilities Jefferson Memory Care and Sunset Ridge took place in fall. The solar plant is up and running.
With all the development this year we have a lot to be proud of. Jefferson is moving in the right direction.
Communication and working together is the key to great success. When this takes place we all prosper and grow
and our dedication and love for Jefferson is see by all.
Thank you to all of our dedicated volunteers who come forward year after year to help make all of our events run
smoothly. We hope you will join us at one of them this coming year which also provides for some good
networking opportunities for you.
Thank you for supporting the chamber throughout the years.
Janet M. Werner, Executive Director
6
2014 “Our Chamber Members are GREAT!”
Abendroth Water Conditioning
ACT 4HIM
Aumann’s Service
Badger Bank
Bethesda Lutheran Communities
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Rock,
Walworth & Jefferson Counties
Brantmeier Law
Brickhaus Cafe
Brown Cab Service
Carpentry by Chris
Comfort Suits of Johnson Creek
County-City Credit Union
Country Nurse’s
Crawfish Corners
Crawfish Junction
Daily Jefferson County Union
DDR Insurance
DJC CPA’s & Advisors
Duntley Water
Endl-Gruennert VFW Post 3589
Family Promise of Jefferson County
Fidelity Land Title
First Merit
FISH
FLEX Consulting
Foremost Buildings
Fort Community Credit Union
Fort Health Care
Fort Health Care-Jefferson
go.Jefferson.com
Goodwill Industries of South Central WI
Gordon Flesch Company
Green Links Lawnscaping
Ground Affects Landscaping
Hans Bros Ready Mix
Hilltop Motel
Hi-Way Harry’s
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suits-Fort
Atkinson
Immanuel United Methodist Church
J & L Tire
Jan Niebler Interior Design
JDP HVAC
Jefferson Advertiser
Jefferson Area Business Center
Jefferson Blue Devils Baseball Team
Jefferson City Administrator
Jefferson County Fair Park
Jefferson County Headstart
Jefferson County Literacy Council
Jefferson County Masonic Lodge #9
Jefferson Glass
Jefferson Lions
Jefferson Public Library
Jefferson Rotary Club
Jefferson Travel
Jefferson Veterinary Clinic
Jelli’s Market
John’s Fire Protection
Kearns Motor Car Co.
Ken Olsen
Kiwanis Club of Jefferson
Krause Custom Builders
Kwik Trip of Jefferson
Lake Country Heating & Cooling
Lawton & Cates
Lemke Fence of Jefferson
Madison College-Fort Atkinson
Main Street Station
Maple Grove Homes
Miller Law Office
MK Cellular
NAPA Auto Parts of Jefferson
Netwurx
Once & Again Consignments
One Source Imaging
Oregon Mental Health Services
Pain Relief Chiropractic
Parkway Center
People Against Domestic & Sexual
Abuse
Pepsi-Cola Bottling
Pine Cone Restaurant
Pitz Stop
Premier Bank
Port Light Technology
R & S Insurance
Rainbow Hospice Care
River Bend RV Resort
River’s Edge Meat Market
Robin’s Nest II Styling Salon
Rock & Bowl Hall of Lane
Rock Bottom
Ron’s Korner
Ry-Mak Services
Schneider-Michaelis Funeral Home
School District of Jefferson
SK Windows & Doors
Smiles by Turley
Sport & Spine Clinic of Jefferson
St. Coletta of Wisconsin
St. John the Baptist Catholic
St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran
Congregation
St. Vincent de Paul
State Farm Insurance-Eric Felth
Stauffer-Klug Insurance Agency
Subway-Jefferson
Sylvan Crossings
The Drug Store
Town & Country Homes
Vetro Winery
Waldmann’s Shoe Store
Wal-Mart
Wedls’ Hamburger Stand & Ice Cream
7
Parlor
WFAW-WSJY-WKCH
Xcel Physical Therapy
Zarwell Law Office
Ziggies
THANK YOU FOR
SUPPORTING
YOUR CHAMBER
Thank You to all of you that have
renewed your 2014 membership.
For those of you that have not
done so please get them in as soon
as possible.
Jefferson Chamber of Commerce
623 W. Racine Street
Jefferson, WI 53549
www.jeffersonchamberwi.com
February 2014 Calendar of Events
Feb 1
Feb 1
Feb 2
Feb 3
Feb 4
Feb 7-9
Feb 10
Feb 15
Feb 15
Feb 16
Feb 17
Feb 19
Feb 22
Feb 22
Feb 22
Feb 23
Feb 24
Jefferson Optimist Trivia - Jefferson County Fair Park
Pigeon Show - Jefferson County Fair Park
Flea Market - Jefferson County Fair Park
CPA Bingo Night - Rox’s Banquet Hall
Antique Auction - Jefferson County Fair Park
Gun Show - Jefferson County Fair Park
CPA Bingo Night - Rox’s Banquet Hall
Valentine’s Day Raffle - Jefferson Rotary - Jefferson Area Business Center
“Family Game Night” Workshop - Humane Society of Jefferson County - Tractor Supply, Watertown
WI Swap Meet - Jefferson County Fair Park
CPA Bingo Night - Rox’s Banquet Hall
Good Morning Jefferson - Jefferson Chamber of Commerce - Puerner Room
Taste of Literacy - Jefferson County Literacy Council - Soulful Toad, Fort Atkinson
The Choir Boys - Council for the Performing Arts - Jefferson High School Auditorium
Pet Swap - Jefferson County Fair Park
Flea Market - Jefferson County Fair Park
CPA Bingo Night - Rox’s Banquet Hall
8