chamber connection - Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

CHAMBER connection
We promote the growth of the Pekin area through the collective efforts of our members.
7
Established in 1893
December 2011
402 Court Street
Pekin IL 61554
Phone: (309) 346-2106
Fax: (309) 346- 2104
New Members P.1
Website
www.pekinchamber.com
Email
info@pekinchamber.com
Ribbon Cuttings P.2
Upcoming Events P.3
New Members
Pekin Area Business
Expo „12 P.4
Recent Events P.5
Membership
Announcements P.6
Biz Barometer P.7
Lunch „n Learn P.8
R. David Tebben
Community Leadership
Academy 2012 P.9
Membership
Renewals, Chamber
Board, and
Ambassadors P.10
Pekin Lions Club, PO Box 751, Pekin IL 61555-0751;
www.PekinLions.org; Terry
Knollenberg, Director; Joy Knollenberg, Treasurer. The Pekin Lions Club is one of over
45,000 Lions Clubs around the world which create the International Association of Lions
Clubs. The mission of the Pekin Lions Club is to provide services to the underprivileged of
the local community and the world with special emphasis on sight and hearing impaired
individuals. Since 1947 the Pekin Lions Club has run a Christmas Basket Distribution each
December. They are able to serve the community through fundraisers and through private
donations.
The Unique Twist, 3002 N. Mission Road, Peoria IL 61604; (309) 370-6811;
www.theuniquetwist.com; doug@theuniquetwist.com; Owner. Doug Smith, and his
Professional Balloon Twisting Crew are unlike any other Balloon Artists that you may have
encountered. If you are looking for just swords and dogs, then don't look here...because at
The Unique Twist "Balloon Animals are not just dogs anymore!”
Comfort Plus Hospice, Inc., 2400 N. 8th Street, Pekin; (309) 620-9821; fax: 6209822; Teri Rhoades, Administrator; Deron Boyer, Chaplain; Candice Wright, Social
Services; Areceli Lear, Owner. Comfort Plus Hospice is a new private hospice agency that
provides palliative and holistic care of patients and families who have terminal illnesses.
Jake's Place, 407 Radio City Drive, North Pekin; phone: (309) 382-1115; Jacob Ista,
Licensed Master Barber/ Owner. www.jakesplacebarbers.com. Open Tuesday to Friday,
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Jake's Place is a full
service barbershop offering a range of services from haircuts to hot shaves and straight
razor shaves.
One More Time, 521 Court Street, Pekin; (309) 346-5211; Joanne and Robert
Falkingham, Owners; Onemoretime521@yahoo.com. Open Thursday to Saturday, 10:00
a.m. to 4:0-0 p.m. One More Time is a consignment furniture store, also selling antiques,
collectibles, and household goods. They also coordinate estate sales and downsizing
sales.
1
Ribbon Cuttings!
Visit our website @
www.pekinchamber.com
Use the drop down box for
Chamber Resources
Click the Calendar
Tomorrow's Hope Christian
Academy
Representatives from the Pekin Area Chamber of
Commerce joined the students and staff of
Tomorrow's Hope Christian Academy as they
celebrated their membership in the Chamber with a
ribbon cutting on November 4th. Located at 246
Derby, Tomorrow's Hope Christian Academy is a
501c3 not for profit organization. Their mission is to
equip their students academically and to prepare them to lead Christ-like lives with a
Biblical world view, excelling in old-fashioned principles and Christian values. They
are registered with the Illinois State Board of Education. Donna Hall is their
administrator. More information can be found on their website at www.thca.webs.com
Jake's Place Ribbon Cutting
Jake's Place, 407 Radio City Drive in North Pekin,
held a grand opening on November 16th and the
Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce was there to help.
Licensed Master Barber/Owner Jacob Ista was joined
by his family and customers, and representatives from the Village of North Pekin and
the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce. Jake's Place
is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00am to
5:00pm and Saturday from 8:00am to 3:00pm. Jake's
Place is a full service barbershop offering a range of
services from haircuts to hot shaves and straight razor shaves. They can be reached at
382-1115 and more information is on their website at www.jakesplacebarbers.com.
One More Time Opens in Downtown Pekin
Joanne and Bob Falkingham, owners of One More
Time, celebrated their grand opening at 521 Court
Street with a ribbon cutting on November 18th.
Representatives from the City of Pekin and the Pekin
Area Chamber of Commerce participated in the
ribbon cutting ceremony. Open Thursday through
Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., One More
Time is a consignment furniture store, also selling
antiques, collectibles, and household goods.
They also coordinate estate sales and downsizing sales. Contact them at 346-5211 or
onemoretime521@yahoo.com.
You can see more pictures from these and other events at
http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber
2
Upcoming Events
Contact Us
December 1 – Pekin 1st Committee
December 1 – Business After Hours
December 6 – Ambassador Meeting
December 7 – Member Promotion Meeting
December 7 – Executive Board Meeting
December 7 – Board Christmas Party
December 9 – Puttin on Pekin Breakfast
December 9 – Christmas on Court
December 13 – Member Services Committee
December 13 – Lunch ‘n Learn
December 24-26 – Chamber office closed
Dec 30 - Jan 2 – Chamber office closed
402 Court Street
Pekin, Illinois 61554
Reservations
Appreciated
346-2106 or
email us at
info@pekincham
ber.com
Ph: (309) 346-2106
Fax: (309) 346-2104
E-mail: info
@pekinchamber.com
Website: www.
pekinchamber.com
Blog:
http://pekinchamber.bl
ogspot.com
Liberty Village
1540 El Camino Dr.
December 1st
Join us for
networking,
refreshments,
door prizes, and
more.
Marigold Blog:
http://marigoldfestival.
blogspot.com
RSVP to 346-2106
or e-mail us at
info@pekinchamber.
com
December 9th
Scan to add the
Chamber to
your contacts!
Knights of Columbus Hall
715 N. 11th St., Pekin
6:45 – 8:00 am
Your Chamber Staff:
Bill Fleming,
Executive Director
Jamie Di Donato,
Events Manager
Diane Sego,
Receptionist
Don‟t Miss The Big Year End Door Prize Drawings
Special Holiday Music Program
Additional features of the breakfast include:
 Door prize drawings provided by local businesses
 One minute reminders
 “Meet the new Chamber Member”
 Spotlight on Business presentation
 50/25/25 Raffle
Brittney Beal,
\ Office Assistant
3
Reserve your booth space now for the
Pekin Area Business Expo ‘12
Saturday, January 14, 2012
9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Avanti‟s Dome Events & Sports Center of Pekin
The Pekin Area Business Expo is a great opportunity to
showcase your products or services to the public. Last year 65
businesses and organizations participated.
This year‟s attractions will include entertainment, kids‟ activities,
and Martin Luther King, Jr. activities by the Pekin Coalition for
Equality.
Reserve your booth space now!
Call the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce at 3462106
Or download the application at
http://www.pekinchamber.com/2012/EXPO.pdf
Thanks to our sponsors:
4
Recent Events
Chamber Challenge Trivia Nite
13 teams competed in the 2011 Chamber
Challenge Trivia Nite. This was the 7th
year the Chamber's Ambassadors have
hosted the event - a fun evening of
networking and trivia. Congratulations to
the Herget Bank team, who recaptured
their title as champions. You can see
pictures from the event at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber
Business After Hours Held
The November Business After Hours was
hosted by Camp of Champions USA. They are
a non-denominational Christian Summer Day
Camp for 5 - 12 year olds. In addition to the
Pekin facility, they have summer camp
locations in Peoria, East Peoria, Eureka, and
Morton. For the After Hours they served chili
and hot apple cider, which was perfect for the
cold, damp November evening. You can see
more pictures from this and other chamber
events at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber
5
Membership Announcements
For all the details regarding these announcements, visit our blog @ http://pekinchamber.blogspot.com
Join Best Western Ashland
House for their Holiday Murder
Mystery Dinner and Wine Tasting
on Saturday, December 10, 2011,
in Morton inside the Ballroom.
"North Pole Naughtiness" will
involve a 6:00 cocktail hour and a
7:00 dinner. The cost is $40 per
person plus tax and gratuity. For
more information visit the
Chamber Blog at
http://pekinchamber.blogspot.com
/2011/11/best-western-ashlandhouse-hosts-north.html
95.5 GLO’s very own Bob & Tom
will be stopping by the Avanti‟s
Dome in Pekin for the first ever
Bob & Tom Beach Bash on
January 14th. Not only will Bob &
Tom be there, but co-host Christy
Lee will be there too. Plus you
get special guest comedians Tim
Bedore and Pat Dixon, and live
music from Peoria‟s very own
WGLO House band Coco Loco!
For more information visit the
Chamber Blog at
http://pekinchamber.blogspot.com
/2011/11/bob-and-tom-beachbash.html
Paul Scherer has joined
Associated Bank as vice
president, residential loan
manager. In his new capacity he
works with customers to
determine their best mortgage
solution, while also supervising a
team of loan officers. Scherer
brings 14 years of lending
experience to the position, and is
very active in the community
serving as a board member of the
Pekin Area Chamber of
Commerce and a member of the
Pekin Rotary Club. His office is at
300 S. 4th St. in Pekin.
Champion Fitness presents “5
Easy Ways to Stay Fit During the
Holidays”. The joyful time
between Thanksgiving and New
Years can leave you with a few
(or 10) un-joyful pounds. Holidays
are all about family, friends, food,
and fun; but unfortunately fitness
seems to get pushed aside
during the busiest time of year. In
order to stay on track during the
holiday season, it is important to
make time for yourself and your
health! To learn the 5 tips to
staying fit during the holidays,
visit Champion Fitness‟s
November newsletter at
http://www.champfit.com/wpcontent/uploads/billboards/Nove
mber2011-screen.pdf
Congratulations to Christal
Dagit, President of the Tazewell
County Museum and
Educational Center, and
Regional Director of the Illinois
War of 1812 Bicentennial
Commission. She was recently
awarded the Guardian Award by
the Peoria Historical Society.
The award is presented to a
woman from the Tri-County area
that has made an outstanding
contribution to the preservation of
local history.
AAIM Employers’ Association
is pleased to offer the Annual
Payroll Tax & Fringe Benefit
Update workshop on Tuesday,
Dec. 6, and Wednesday, Dec. 14.
The time will be from 8:30am –
4:30pm. The cost is $165 per
person. The event will be
presented by Joe Romolo. For
more information:
http://pekinchamber.blogspot.com
/2011/11/annual-payroll-taxfringe-benefit.html
6
Mackinaw Valley Vineyard
Holiday Wines, Beers, and Gift
Shopping, Saturdays: December
10th & 17th from 5:45 to 9:00pm.
The cost is $45 per person and
includes show, dinner & dessert.
Stars of Radio and TV, George
Burns and Gracie Allen portrayed
by Timeless Presentations actors
invite you to be a part of our recreation of the old-fashion
Christmas specials from the
golden years of television! Guests
are welcome to dress up in
festive old time attire to add to the
fun! For more information visit
www.mackinawvalleyvineyard.co
m. Call Diane at 309-645-5054 to
reserve a spot
Pekin Life Insurance has
announced a new Health Claim
Service. Group Plan Solutions
(GPS) Benefit Administration, a
division of Pekin Life
Insurance Company, was
established to help guide
employers through the maze of
healthcare reform while providing
direction to finding the optimal
solution to employee benefit
needs. Terrie Strebing is the
company‟s new TPA
Administrator. For more
information visit the Chamber
Blog at:
http://pekinchamber.blogspot.com
/2011/11/pekin-life-insurancecompany-announces.html
Biz barometer
Selected economic indicators from The Illinois Department of Employment Security, Illinois Department of Revenue, and the
Peoria Area Association of REALTORS
Municipal Sales Tax Receipts
550,000
500,000
450,000
$$$
400,000
Pekin
350,000
Morton
300,000
East Peoria
250,000
Washington
200,000
150,000
Residential Unites Sold
2011 Real Estate Sales
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
PEKIN
EAST PEORIA
MORTON
WASHINGTON
Pekin Labor - Employed
17,500
17,000
16,500
16,000
15,500
15,000
14,500
14,000
1990
1992
1994
1996
1998
2000
7
2002
2004
2006
2008
2010
8
9
Thank you to the following members who recently renewed their investment in the
Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce:
Acorn Properties and Investments ~ Animal Communicator Carol Schultz ~ Artistic Flowers
Automotive Machine ~ Kirk W. Bode, Attorney ~ Camp of Champions USA ~ Todd Campbell
Dr. Michael Danner D.D.S., ~ Girl Scouts of Central Illinois ~ The Harvest Café ~ Illinois Corn Processing
Leman Property Management Co. ~ Lewis Industries ~ Morton Villa / Morton Terrace ~ Lloyd Orrick
Pekin Glass & Mirror ~ ReMax Home Realtors ~ Rogy's Child Care Center ~ San Juan Pools & Spas
Schwartz Electric ~ Sun Valley Subdivision ~ Suzi Davis Travel ~ Tazwood Mental Health Center
Trouble Free Heating & Cooling ~ Wal-Mart
Board of Directors
Ambassadors
President
Skip Schermerhorn, Herget Bank

President Elect
Drew Leman, Leman Property Management



















Vice President
Tom Hornstein, Excalibur Seasoning Company
Treasurer
Aindrea Balagna, Wolf Tesar & Company
Past President
Althea Geiser, B'Ribboned, Etc.
Board of Directors
 Kevin Andrews, Pekin Hospital
 Courtney Antonini, Tazewell County
 Denise Comerford, Sound Choice Hearing Clinic
 Daryl Dagit, Savant Capital Management
 Paula Davis, Pekin Community High School
District #303
 John Dennison, Ray Dennison Chevrolet
 John Franks III, Pekin-Peoria Yellow Checker
Cab
 Yancy Green, Riviera Tan
 Renna Hadsall
 Greg Henderson, Henderson Funeral Home
 Neal Johnson, Ameren Illinois Utilities
 Scott Kriegsman, Elliff, Keyser, Oberle &
Dancey
 Brent Morgan, Timbercreek Rehab & Health
Care
 Paul Scherer, Associated Bank
 Diane Steiner, Pekin Insurance
 Laurie Barra, Mayor, City of Pekin


10
John Abel, Preston Hanley Funeral Homes
and Crematory
Angie Atherton, McDaniels Marketing
Communications
Beau Austin, Enviro-Dry
Daryl Dagit, Savant Capital Management
Amy Darling, Pekin Insurance
Brittany Dorf, Pekin Community Bank
Arlene Heine-Meyer, World Wide Travel
David Homerin, Advanced Media Partners
Cathy Lusch, Herget Bank
Rose Melz, Illinois Collections Unlimited
Stacey Mutchler, Harbor Light Hospice
Christie Perry, Pekin Hospital
Amanda Rogy, Amanda’s Closet
Les Rosiere, Jim Maloof Realtor
Paul Scherer, Associated Bank
Bill Shock, Unland Companies
Diane Steiner, Pekin Insurance
Kim Tarpley, Morton Villa / Terrace
Robin Thomas, Chemtura Agrosolutions
Teresa Ann Tucker, Avon Independent
Representative
David Vaupel, Preston Hanley Funeral
Homes and Crematory
Milissa Welborn, Busey Bank