Chamber Newsletter - Stoughton Chamber of Commerce

The Chamber Bulletin
October 2013
Newsletter
Meetings and
Important Dates
OCTOBER 2013
7
Executive Committee –
11:00am, Depot
14
Board of Directors Meeting –
Noon, Depot
14
Syttende Mai Executive
Committee – 5:30pm,
Quality Inn & Suites
15
Ambassadors Club – 8:00am,
Depot
17
Business After 5 – Sponsored by
Stoughton Trailers – 5-7pm at
Tobacco Junction Bldg. – 515 E.
Main St.
25-27 Destination Stoughton Weekend
– events throughout Stoughton
28
Lunch & Learn – Noon, Hosted
by Eric Christoffersen of David F.
Grams & Associates, at the Fire
Station Training Room
Please join us for a Business After 5 Event
Hosted by Stoughton Trailers at the historic
Tobacco Junction Warehouse Mall.
Connect with other Chamber members,
create new business relationships and
discover the history of the Tobacco Junction Warehouse
through a pictorial history!
Enjoy refreshments, appetizers and door prizes
provided by Stoughton Trailers
Thursday, October 17th from 5pm-7pm
Tobacco Junction Warehouse Mall
515 E. Main St.
(Parking available in back)
Call the Chamber at 873-7912 to RSVP
Third Thursdays – Stoughton’s Night Out
In This Edition
Business After 5 & Third Thursday – Pg 1
President’s Message – Page 2
Renewals & New Members – Page 3 & 4
Italy Trip & Grape Recap – Page 5
Keeping Up With our Members – Page 6
August Real Estate Info – Page 7
On the third Thursday of the month (October 17th), downtown stores
will highlight their businesses and stay open until 9pm!
The stores are providing more opportunity for locals to shop
their own downtown. Make an evening out of it, and
discover why thousands of visitors shop downtown Stoughton!
Attend our Business After 5 event and then head downtown to shop!
Stoughton Chamber of Commerce – October 2013
2
A Message from the Chamber Board President, Randy Olson
Year End Report 2013
You will be pleased to know your Chamber is in good shape financially, continues to have a good membership base and
maintains its strong advocacy role for the entire Stoughton community. Click here to see the 2012-2013 Financial Statement
provided by Stotlar & Stotlar.
One big change in personnel did occur this past year. Dave Phillips took a job at the county level which required us to
recruit a new Executive Director. To the Chamber’s good fortune, Erica Dial was one of the many qualified applicants who
applied for our vacant position. After an extensive review and interview process, we were excited to welcome Erica back to
the Chamber as our new Executive Director. Welcome back Erica!
Membership growth is a key metric for the Chamber. As of this letter, I can tell you that we currently have 229 members. I
can also tell you that 25 new members joined between July ’12 –June ’13. We will continue to make membership value a
top priority. Membership is the key to our financial strength.
Let me provide you with a quick overview of the highlights from the past year.

Accomplished our goals and fulfilled our commitments to the membership and community.

The various festivals and programs for which the Chamber has either full or partial responsibility all experienced
higher attendance and participation. Below are listed those festivals and programs:
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Coffee Break
Victorian Holiday Weekend
Syttende Mai
Business & Community Expo
Community Golf Outing
Grape Expectations

Leadership Stoughton – There was no class in 2012-2013. We made a conscious decision to alternate years in
order to assure we could achieve appropriate class sizes to make it successful. We are having a class this year with
14 participants.

Our monthly membership networking event – Lunch & Learn – continues to show good growth in attendance. Our
average number of attendees has increased to over 40 attendees for each session. If you have not been able to
attend, it is an easy way to promote your business as well as meet other members and learn about their
businesses. Look for more networking and educational opportunities in the future.

We continue to support the growing Holiday Lighting Project being driven by Fire Chief Martin Laemers. We hope
to be able to support this on an ongoing basis. This is a wonderful community asset and thank you to Marty and
his team for driving this project.
Even though I probably don’t need to tell you, everyone owes a standing ovation to the volunteers and staff of the
Chamber. Mickey McCormick, Erica Dial and Laura Trotter are working daily to make the Stoughton Chamber the “best of
the best”. I know you will join me in that well deserved expression of appreciation for all they do.
The Board of Directors deserves accolades also. It is their leadership, involvement and participation that make my job easy
and your Chamber successful. This year we welcome tow new board members: Kate Schieldt and Ann Olson. A special
th
thanks to Joe Conant and Smokey’s Auto Body for sponsoring the July 4 fireworks display.
our
We are looking forward to a great year. We welcome your input as to what we can do to be an even greater resource for
members. Please contact me or anyone at the Chamber if you have any questions, comments or suggestions.
Thank you for being a member of the Chamber.
Randy Olson
President, Stoughton Chamber of Commerce
Stoughton Chamber of Commerce – October 2013
September Membership
Renewals
Thank you to all of our members that
continue to support the chamber
through their membership. Your support
is greatly appreciated!
Asleson’s Hardware
Mark Asleson
Member since 1968
45 year Anniversary!
Bubrick’s Complete Office
Chuck Schwarting
Member since 2008
5 year Anniversary!
Century 21 Affiliated
Marcie Schmidt
Member since 1984
CMA Computer Management &
Accounting
Troy Wieser
Member since 1989
Community Living Connections
Carrie Bublitz-Cardarella
Member since 2000
Conant Automotive
Joe Conant
Member since 2007
Costco Wholesale
Tina Sherbo
Member since 2012
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
Bill Cress
Member since 1997
Dairyland Electrical Industries, Inc.
Mike Tachick
Member since 2004
Edward Jones – Kent Knutson
Kent Knutson
Member since 1987
3
Fuller Excavating, Inc.
Craig Fuller
Member since 1982
Gunderson Funeral & Cremation Care
Mike Smits
Member since 1993
10 year Anniversary!
H & R Block - Stoughton
Scott Spangler
Member since 2010
McFarland State Bank
Steve Swanson
Member since 1980
Nowlin Enterprises, LLC
Patrick Nowlin
Member since 2007
Peterson’s Service, Inc.
James Peterson
Member since 1981
Pumpkin Patch Preschool
Paul Newson
Member since 2009
Quam’s Motorsports
John Quam
Member since 2004
R & S Insurance
Mark Rostowfske
Member since 1990
Radio Shack/Hanson Electronics, LTD.
Dan Hanson
Member since 1998
15 year Anniversary!
Reilly, Penner & Benton, LLP
Meg Veek
Member since 2005
Shaw Building & Design, Inc.
Dawn Shaw
Member since 1995
Stoughton Public Library
Richard MacDonald
Member since 2012
Stoughton Chamber of Commerce – October 2013
4
Stoughton Spirits
Rob Savaske
Member since 2007
Stoughton Village Players
Jerry Lapidakis
Member since 2000
Sugar & Spice Eatery & Deli
Carrie Knipfer
Member since 2007
TRICOR Insurance
Kent Schroeder
Member since1983
30 year anniversary!
Wells Fargo Bank
Teri Sellers
Member since 1981
Wisconsin State Rosemaling Association
Patty Tofsland
Member since 2012
Zalk Josephs Fabricators, LLC
Chris Simonson
Member since 1981
September New Members
East-Side Automotive
Troy Teubert
1641 East Main St.
Stoughton, WI 53589
608-205-6622
www.east-sideautomotive.com
East-Side Automotive Service Center is a full-service auto center. We employ ASE certified
technicians and are equipped with the latest diagnostic tools. Vehicle safety and customer
comfort is our priority, so we provide comprehensive services as well as performing
important safety checks and giving honest advice and fair prices. We offer a discounted
billed labor rate on non-packaged services for seniors-(55+), military, first-responders and
first-time customers. Package pricing is available for common maintenance services such as
oil changes, brake jobs, A/C service, etc.
Main Street Kitchen
Kimmi Jo Goldsmith
334 E. Main St.
Stoughton, WI 53589
608-873-5113
www.mskitchenstoughton.com
At Main Street Kitchen, we have the most delicious subs, burgers, and daily sandwich
specials. We bake our bread fresh every morning, creating homemade goodness in soups
and pasta salads, baking the most delicious cookies, pies, cakes and other goodies. Need a
sandwich tray for any occasion or box lunches for a meeting? Catering is at its best for a
small card club to large gathering, anything on the menu can be combined to satisfy
everyone.
Stoughton Chamber of Commerce – October 2013
5
Is a Trip to Italy on Your Bucket List?
If so, you are in luck!! The Stoughton Chamber is
sponsoring a group tour to Italy from November 4-12,
2014. This guided nine day, 10-meal tour begins in
Rome and ends in Milan. Visit the cities of Florence and
Venice along the way. For more information, click here. An additional benefit to this tour is
that you can invite your family and friends (from Stoughton or from across the country) to
join you! Mary Lou at Chalet Travel will work with them to adjust their air flights
accordingly!
The Chamber, Chalet Travel and Collette Vacations will present an informational meeting
about the trip on 11/11 at 6pm at the Fire Station Training Room. Special refreshments will
be provided. Call the Chamber at 873-7912 to RSVP.
Grape Expectations Food & Wine Event
Bad weather didn’t keep people from enjoying the 4th Annual
Grape Expectations Wine & Food Event on Thursday, September
19th at the Stoughton Country Club. Over 140 people enjoyed
bite sized entrees paired with wine selected by Stoughton
Spirits. Proceeds from this event go to support the two Rae
Ladd Volunteer Scholarships given out by the Stoughton
Chamber of Commerce to graduating SHS seniors.
Thank you to all our event sponsors – Gunderson Funeral &
Cremation, Skaalen Nursing & Rehabilitation Services, Inc.,
Murphy’s Martial Arts Academy, Courier Hub, The Edgerton
Reporter, Thor Anderson DDS, Stark Company Realtors,
Stoughton Spirits, Cress Funeral and Cremation Service, Dean Clinic and Dean Health Plan.
Another thank you to all the businesses that donated raffle prizes for our cork raffle. We
had over 70 prizes!!! And a special thank you to the committee for all their hard work and
dedication to making Grape Expectations such a top notch event!
Raffle Table
Grape Committee
6
Stoughton Chamber of Commerce – October 2013
Keeping Up with our Members
Ambassadors, city officials and
Nelson employees at the Red
Ribbon Cutting ceremony at Nelson
Global Product’s new facility
Stoughton Hospital Survey
In order to provide better services, Stoughton Hospital is asking the public to take a short
survey. Responses are confidential and those willing to share contact information will be
eligible to win a free one hour massage!
The link to the survey is https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/stoughtonhospital
Meals on Wheels – Connecting Generations
By: Ryan Steel, TRICOR Insurance Auto and Home
For the past 8 years, I have served as a volunteer Meals on Wheels Driver in Dane County.
Currently, I deliver Meals on Wheels for the Stoughton Area Senior Center every Thursday.
Delivering meals is always a highlight of my week. If feels so enriching to see the smiles on
the faces of the seniors. I can honestly say that I always look forward to Thursday because I
know I will have a great conversation with one of the seniors I deliver to. As a businessman
and father who is always on the go, it is refreshing to have a 45 minute period each week
where I focus solely on the need of other in a volunteer capacity. Our community flourishes
when we are involved and concerned about making each other’s lives better and being
better people. Meals on Wheels is an organization that strongly affirms that belief. The
success of Meals on Wheels will continue to depend on volunteers who are willing to give a
small amount of time once a week to help care of others in the community. Please consider
becoming a Meals on Wheels driver for the Stoughton Area Senior Center. It is rewarding
and beneficial for all involved.
The Stoughton Senior Center is in need of volunteer drivers. If you are interested in
volunteering, please contact the Senior Center at 608-873-8585.
Stoughton Chamber of Commerce – October 2013
August Real Estate Information
7
Stoughton Chamber of Commerce – October 2013
8
Stoughton Chamber of Commerce
532 E. Main St., Stoughton, WI 53589
TEL 608-873-7912 FAX 608-873-7743
Toll Free 1-888-873-7912
E-mail: stoughton@stoughtonwi.com
Web site: www.stoughtonwi.com
Board of Directors: President: Randy Olson, Universal Silencer, 873-4298; Vice-President: Laurie Dybevik,
Gunderson Funeral & Cremation Care, 873-4590; Secretary: Kari Manson-Hvam, Stark Company Realtors,
205-3001; Treasurer: Ann Olson, McFarland State Bank, 877-7755; Board Members: Tracy Bellefeuille,
Diamonds Direct, 873-3529; Joe Conant, Conant Automotive, 873-8800; Gloria Stehley, Saving Thyme, 8770075; Kate Schieldt, Stoughton Trailers, 873-2635; Tim Onsager, Stoughton Area School District, 877-5000;
Mayor Donna Olson 873-6677. Staff: Erica Dial, Executive Director; Laura Trotter, Visitor Services
Coordinator & Syttende Mai Coordinator; Mickey McCormick, Receptionist;