The Express Track - Galesburg Chamber of Commerce

The
Express
Track
The Galesburg Area Chamber
of Commerce advocates for
area business and member
interests, while providing
quality resources, services
and leadership to its current
and future members.
January 2016- Vol 2016, Issue 1
GALESBURG AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER
January Community Events
Sat. 2 Jan, 2016
Sat. 23 Jan, 2016
Kat Kaffe (Sat. 2 Jan, 2016 8:00 am - 5:00 pm)
Kat Kaffe (Sat. 23 Jan, 2016 8:00 am - 5:00 pm)
Hosted by the Knox County Humane Society every
Wednesday and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m, in the Free
Roaming Cat Room at 1855 Windish Drive. A variety of Keurig
coffee and hot cocoa is available for a donation of $5 or
more. All proceeds go to help raising awareness and caring
for cats at the shelter that need homes. Spending time with
these lovely animals is a wonderful stress reliever, so we
hope to see you there!
Bingo at VFW Post 2257 (Sat. 23 Jan, 2016 12:45 pm)
Bingo at VFW Post 2257 (Sat. 2 Jan, 2016 12:45 pm)
Join us at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2257, 1001
Michigan Ave., for Bingo every Saturday! The kitchen will be
open for the Bingo events.
Sun. 3 Jan, 2016
Radar Run (Sun. 3 Jan, 2016 10:00 am)
Come out and have some fun at our annual Radar Run!
Concession stand will be available and again this year you
will be able to the racing action on your radio!!!! Contact us
online or give us a call for more information.
Hosted by the Prairie Drifters Snowmobile Club
Tue. 5 Jan, 2016
Coffee and Doughnuts at VFW Post 2257 (Tue. 5 Jan, 2016
9:00 am - 12:00 pm)
Coffee and doughnuts will be served from 9 a.m. until Noon
for a free will donation! Open to all veterans regardless of
time or area served!
Wed. 6 Jan, 2016
Kat Kaffe (Wed. 27 Jan, 2016 8:00 am - 5:00 pm)
Sat. 30 Jan, 2016
Kat Kaffe (Sat. 30 Jan, 2016 8:00 am - 5:00 pm)
Bingo at VFW Post 2257 (Sat. 30 Jan, 2016 12:45 pm)
The Wonder Bread Years (Sat. 30 Jan, 2016 7:30 pm)
A part of The Orpheum Theatre RED CARPET SERIES A fresh
and funny salute to Americana, THE WONDER BREAD YEARS
Starring Pat Hazell (former Seinfeld writer) is a fast-paced,
hilarious production that gracefully walks the line between
stand-up and theater. Audiences across the country are
enjoying a show that not only restores a much-needed sense
of wonder, but leaves audiences laughing and savoring the
past like never before. From sitting at the kids table to riding
in the way back of the Country Squire Wagon, The Wonder
Bread Years is a comic bullseye for Baby Boomers
everywhere. TICKET PRICES MAIN FLOOR and
BALCONY: Adults - $25.00 Children/Students (College and
under) - $15.00 MEZZANINE: $30.00 To purchase
Children/Student tickets stop by or contact the Box Office 309.342.2299.
Sun. 31 Jan, 2016
Bridal and Prom Expo. (Sun. 31 Jan, 2016 12:00 pm - 5:00
pm)
Presented by:
Kat Kaffe (Wed. 6 Jan, 2016 8:00 am - 5:00 pm)
Sat. 9 Jan, 2016
Kat Kaffe (Sat. 9 Jan, 2016 8:00 am - 5:00 pm)
Bingo at VFW Post 2257 (Sat. 9 Jan, 2016 12:45 pm)
Wed. 13 Jan, 2016
Don't Miss this Fabulous Expo, over 60 Vendors lots of
giveaways, door prizes and FREE admission. Be sure to join
us for a fun filled day on Sunday, January 31st! The event will
be hosted at the Sandburg Mall here in Galesburg, with the
Bridal and Prom fashion show taking place at 4 p.m. For
more information visit our storefront at 224 East Main St. in
downtown Galesburg!
Grand Prizes: Twogether Diamond Ring Kohl’s Diamond
Gallery ($800 value)
Kat Kaffe (Wed. 13 Jan, 2016 8:00 am - 5:00 pm)
Sat. 16 Jan, 2016
$2,000 Dream Vacation - Three day, two night stay in Las
Vegas with a $500 fun book ($1,000 est. value)
Kat Kaffe (Sat. 16 Jan, 2016 8:00 am - 5:00 pm)
Bingo at VFW Post 2257 (Sat. 16 Jan, 2016 12:45 pm)
Wed. 20 Jan, 2016
Wed. 27 Jan, 2016
$500 Wedding Package &much more! (check store for
complete details on all door prizes)
Kat Kaffe (Wed. 20 Jan, 2016 8:00 am - 5:00 pm)
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We ar
ea
multit ll influence
d by a
ude of
especi
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a
exper lly the wor ctors…
ienced
ld eve
nts
as
other we grew up we
words
. In
…
Age M
a
tters!
Date: January 12 &
February 16, 2016
Better understanding generational differences
helps us gain greater insight into family and
friends, but also those whom we come into
contact with in our professional lives. Whether
we are in direct contact with customers, or
supervise a workforce of multiple generations,
the Age Matters program can provide a great
deal of understanding of influences, motivators,
and impacts of age.
The Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce is
offering two “Lunch and Learn” Workshops
targeting different aspects of the business world.
Presented by University of Illinois Extension,
these research based programs highlight
generational differences in purchasing,
behaviors, and motivation.
Consumer Age Matters. January 12, 2016. 11:30
am-2:00 pm, G and M Distributors Conference
Room. This program is designed for those who are
on the front line of customer service. Retail Clerks,
receptionists and salesforce personnel can all
benefit from this program.
Time:
11:30 am—2 pm
at
G & M Distributors
Conference Room
200 N. Linwood Rd., Galesburg, IL
Workplace Age Matters. February 16, 2016.
11:30 am– 2:00 pm, G and M Distributors
Conference Room. Designed for
supervisory staff, this
program outlines work
motivators and
expectations of the
generations in the
workforce.
Register through the Chamber
Price:
Chamber Member—$25
Future Member—$35
(lunch is included with registration)
Company:
185 S. Kellogg Street
P.O. Box 749
Galesburg, IL 61401
Phone: 309-343-1194
Fax: 309-343-1195
Email: mplue@galesburg.org
Individuals
Attending:_________________________________________________________________________
Email address:
check enclosed
bill
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Thank you to the following businesses who renewed
their membership. We value your support and participation!
1st Farm Credit Services
Acapulco Restaurant
Accounting Systems, Inc
Aflac Regional Sales Office
All That Dance
Allegra
Animal Medical Center
Azer Rehab Systems, PC
B. Deo-Volente, Inc
B. Lance Renfroe, DDS
Barash & Everett, LLC
Best Western Prairie Inn
Big Brothers Big Sisters
Birkey’s Farm Store
Blucker, Kneer & Associates
Bondi Building Corp
Bridgeway Inc.
Bruner, Cooper & Zuck, Inc
Century 21/Tucker Swanson
Chuck Hay Insurance Agency,
Inc.
Courtney & Aldrich
Crop Production Services Inc
David Reid Clark Law Office
DCM Transport, Inc
Delino’s
Discovery Depot
Dr. Gaylen Johnson, DDS
Edward Jones
Eichhorn Jewelers
F & M Bank
Fairfield Inn by Marriott
Falcon Safety Group, LLC
Ferg’s Tire & Service Network Inc
First Glass Inc.
First Presbyterian Church
Frame Works The
G & M Distributors
Gale Credit Union
Galesburg Broadcasting Co.
Galesburg Castings, Inc
Galesburg Civic Art Center
Galesburg Community
Foundation
Galesburg Community School
Dist. #205
Galesburg Cottage Hospital
Galesburg Hospitals’ Ambulance
Service
Galesburg Public Library
Galesburg Sewing Center
Galva Family Dentistry
Gavilon Grain, LLC
Getz Fire Equipment
Go Van Gogh’s
Habitat for Humanity/Knox Co
Happy Joe’s Pizza & Grille
Harvey Brothers, Inc.
Heat & Control
Hinchliff-Pearson-West, Inc.
IH Mississippi Valley Credit
Union
Independent Accountants Assoc.
Innkeepers Fresh Roasted Coffee
J.P. Benbow
Jet Air, Inc
John Bicego, DDS
Kandy Sayrs, DDS
Karmark Tire & Automotive
KCCDD
Kehoe Eye Care PC
Key Outdoor, Inc.
Klingner & Associates, P.C.
Knox College
Knox County Nursing Home
Knox County YMCA
Knox County Health Dept.
Knox County Nursing Home
Knox Pet Clinic
Knox Prairie Community Kitchen
Knox-Galesburg Symphony
Lacky Monuments
Ladner Orthodontics, Ltd.
Liqui-Green Lawn Care of Gales
Mangieri Electric, Inc
Mattress Station
McDonalds
Mel Foster Company
Midtown Chiropractic Clinic
Mississippi Valley R. B. C.
Mr. Dennis Twitty
NAEIR Inc.
Nova Singers
Olson Packaging Services Inc
OSF St. Mary Medical Center
Pete’s Auto Body
Plue’s Tree Service
RE/MAX Preferred Properties
Representative Norine Hammond
Representative Don Moffitt
RFMS, Inc.
Seminary Estates
Shelter Insurance
Simpson Peterson
Sirloin Stockade
Southard Enterprises, LLC
Stoerzbach Law Office PC
Stone Hayes CIL
The Kensington
Thrivent Financial
Tractor Supply Company
Store#115
Tri-States Water
United Facilities
Vervocity Interactive
Webster Tax & Financial Service
West Central Chapter of the
Capital
Western Illinois Title Company
WELCOME NEW MEMBER
Blues Media Group
Ms. Larye Thompson
102 N. Side Square, Ste. B,
Macomb, IL 61455
(309)421-0324,
larye@bluesmediagroup.com
www.bluesmediagroup.com
We at the Chamber are looking
forward to seeing you as well as
your staff at upcoming Chamber
events. A few upcoming events
include: Age Matters workshops
on January 12 and February 16,
Business after Hours sponsored
by the Kensington on January
21 and our Annual Dinner on
February 25. The Annual Dinner
will feature recipients of the Young
Professionals 20 Under 40 and
Ambassador of the Year.
The Chamber is seeking to add
additional Ambassadors if you know
of someone that enjoys meeting
new people and learning about
their business. The Ambassador
Corps reaches out to our members
through personal calls. Last year,
the Ambassador Corps completed
over 300 calls which included
new member prospects and also
attended several ribbon cuttings on
behalf of our members.
The Chamber will be going
paperless for the Business after
Hours announcements. Please
be sure our office has an e-mail
address so you have the ability to
see a listing of our events. Check
out your directory listing on our
website to make sure everything is
up to date.
Welcome to our newest
Ambassador!
Kelly Corbin
of
Knox County YMCA
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Sabrina’s Bridal Presents:
Bridal & Prom
Expo. 2016!
Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016
12pm - 5pm
Sandburg Mall · Galesburg
Bridal & Prom
Fashion Show 4pm
Grand Prizes: Twogether Diamond Ring Kohl’s Diamond Gallery ($800 value)
$2,000 Dream Vacation - Three day, two night stay in Las Vegas with a $500 fun book ($1,000 est. value)
$500 Wedding Package & much more! (check store for complete details on all door prizes)
For More Information: 309.341.0842 • 309.335.3211 • SabrinasWedding.net
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o
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MARK MANGIERI QUALIFIES FOR
RAYMOND JAMES FINANCIAL SERVICES,
INC. 2016 ACHIEVERS CLUB
program offers a
comprehensive range of
investment services to
bank customers, as well
as individuals and
businesses. For more
information, please call
(309) 344-1203.
MATTOON, IL – Mark Mangieri, Financial Advisor
with First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, has been
recognized as one of 12 bank-affiliated financial
advisors from across the country, in the 2016 Raymond
James Financial Services Achievers Club. Mangieri’s
office is located at 1535 North Henderson Street in
Galesburg.
The Achievers Club is comprised of the top 100 Financial
Advisors in FY 2013 who demonstrated production
growth of at least 20% in FY 2014 and FY 2015.
Mangieri joined the First Mid team in 2010 and has over
20 years of experience as a Financial Advisor. Prior to
joining First Mid, he worked as a Financial Consultant
for First Brokerage America, as a Trust Officer for First
Bank, and as a Financial Advisor for American Express
Financial Advisors.
Mangieri earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Economics
from the University of Illinois, and holds Series 7, 63 and
66 Licenses and is Insurance Licensed for Life, Health
and Long Term Care in both Illinois and Missouri.
Securities offered through
Raymond James Financial
Services, Inc., member
FINRA/SIPC, and are not
insured by any financial
institution insurance,
the FDIC/NCUA or any
other government agency,
are not deposits or obligations of the financial institution, are
not guaranteed by the financial institution, and are subject to
risks, including the possible loss of principal. Raymond James
is not affiliated with the financial institution or the investment
center.
About First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, N.A.: First
Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. is the parent company of
First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust, N.A. (First Mid) and
First Mid Insurance Group. A community bank with
over $2 billion in assets headquartered in Mattoon,
IL, First Mid offers comprehensive banking, trust and
wealth management services, and insurance services.
First Mid’s mission is to fulfill the financial needs of
our communities with exceptional personal service,
professionalism and integrity, and deliver meaningful
value and results for customers and shareholders. First
Mid-Illinois Bancshares, Inc. stock is traded on the
NASDAQ under the symbol FMBH. More information
about First Mid is available at www.firstmid.com.
Through a joint marketing arrangement between First
Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust and Raymond James Financial
Services, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC, the investment
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Wells Fargo Home
Mortgage Names
Denisar Home Mortgage
Consultant
Galesburg, IL, December 11,
2015 – Christine L. Denisar
recently joined Wells Fargo
Home Mortgage, a division of
Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. and the
nation’s leading retail mortgage
provider, as a home mortgage
consultant in its Galesburg office.
Denisar has more than 15 years of
financial and industry experience.
Prior to joining Wells Fargo Home
Mortgage, she served as a Branch
Manager IH Mississippi Valley
Credit Union as well as Loan
Originator at Members Mortgage
and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.
“We are excited to have someone
of Christine’s background join our
organization,” said Jerry McCann
branch manager of the Galesburg
office. “Christine has extensive
knowledge of the mortgage
financing industry and the Illinois
real estate market. I’m sure she
will have an immediate impact
on our ability to better serve our
customers when, where and how
they want to be served.”
Wells Fargo is the nation’s
leading originator and servicer
of residential mortgages, funding
one of every five mortgage loans
and servicing one of every five
mortgage loans in the United
States. Wells Fargo offers home
loans to consumers through
the country’s largest mortgage
network including more than 1,800
mortgage locations, on the
Internet, and via phone.
services company with $1.6 trillion
in assets. Founded in 1852 and
headquartered in San Francisco,
Wells Fargo provides banking,
insurance, investments, mortgage,
and consumer and commercial
finance through more than 8,700
locations, 12,500 ATMs, and the
internet (wellsfargo.com), and
has offices in 36 countries to
support customers who conduct
business in the global economy.
With approximately 265,000 team
members, Wells Fargo serves one
in three households in the United
States. Wells Fargo & Company
was ranked No. 29 on Fortune’s
2014 rankings of America’s largest
corporations. Wells Fargo’s vision
is to satisfy all our customers’
financial needs and help them
succeed financially. Wells Fargo
perspectives are also available at
Wells Fargo Blogs and Wells Fargo
Stories.
About Wells Fargo
Wells Fargo & Company
(NYSE: WFC) is a
nationwide, diversified,
community-based financial
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In November I had
the opportunity
to meet several
immigrants from
the Democratic
Republic of the
Congo (DROC). The
Convention and Visitors Bureau
had the opportunity to give a
lecture about affordable Galesburg
to parents of students enrolled in
Bright Futures at the “All About
Children Community Conference”
hosted by CUSD #205 at Galesburg
High School. One of the lectures
was interpreted into French by Lisa
Bourial, a CUSD #205 teacher, for
several Congolese parents.
On a Sunday in early December I
participated in a English Language
Learners (E.L.L.) event at Steele
School attended by several
Congolese families. I handed out
information and Visitors Guides
to about 20 families. This inspired
me to investigate the reason for the
Congolese immigration to Western
Illinois.
My investigations lead me to John
Pratts of CUSD #205. John is fluent
in French and teaches at Neilson
School in the E.L.L. program. He
suggested I talk to Ado Tshiamala,
senior pastor and founder of
the "Glory of God International
Church, (GOGIC Church) in
Galesburg. So I composed a list of
questions for both men to answer.
First, a little background on
DROC.
In 2010, after Smithfield Foods
completed their $20,000,000
expansion of Farmland Foods
in Monmouth, our community
experienced the arrival of several
French speaking Congolese from
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the DROC
in Central
Africa.
These
individuals
and
families
immigrated to Western Illinois
to work in the expanded hog
processing facility.
The Democratic Republic of
the Congo; French: République
démocratique du Congo), also
known as DR Congo, DRC,
DROC, RDC, Congo-Kinshasa,
or simply Congois a country
located in Central Africa. From
1971 to 1997 it was named Zaïre.
The DROC borders the Republic
of the Congo, the Central African
Republic, and South Sudan to the
north; Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi
and Tanzania to the east; Zambia
and Angola to the south; and the
Atlantic Ocean to the west. It is the
second largest country in Africa
by area and the eleventh largest in
the world. With a population of
over 75 million, the Democratic
Republic of the Congo is the most
populated officially Francophone
country, the fourth most populated
nation in Africa and the nineteenth
most populated country in the
world.
As you may have guessed a
Francophone country is a French
speaking nation. Including
France, Belgium and Canada
there are 29 countries where
French is an official language. Of
those countries, the DROC is the
most populous. Twenty-one of
these countries are in Africa.
The Democratic Republic of
Congo is extremely rich in natural
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resources, but political instability,
a lack of infrastructure, deep
rooted corruption, and centuries
of both commercial and colonial
extraction and exploitation have
limited development. Besides
the capital, Kinshasa, the other
major cities, Lubumbashi and
Mbuji-Mayi, are both mining
communities. DR Congo's
largest export is raw minerals,
with China accepting over 50%
of DRC's exports in 2012. As of
2013, according to the Human
Development Index (HDI), DR
Congo has a low level of human
development, ranking 176 out of
187 countries.
Now that you are up to speed on
the DROC here are the questions
and answers from John Pratts &
Ado Tshiamala.
Where do most of the French
speaking immigrants come from?
John - Although there are some
families coming from other
French-speaking countries in
Africa, the majority of the Frenchspeaking immigrants have been
arriving to Galesburg from the
Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Ado - Democratic Republic of the
Congo is the country where most
of immigrants come from.
Bill Morris
Executive
Director,
Galesburg
Area
Convention
& Visitors
Bureau
bmorris@visitgalesburg.com
Are they all employed by
Farmland Foods?
99% of the African immigrants are
hired at Farmland Foods
What community organizations
support them or reach out to
them?
John - Galesburg School District
currently provides English as a
Second Language services to nearly
90 French-speaking children from
Pre-K through 12. In addition,
the district reaches out to families,
helping them navigate American
schools and become involved
in their children's education. A
number of local organizations
have been extremely helpful
with medical care, children's
involvement in sports, clothing for
new arrivals, and other services.
Ado - There are churches (3)
that help them. Especially the
GOGIC Church (Glory of God
International Church) the first
church conducted by a Congolese
located at 1580 E Knox Street suite
7, Galesburg IL 61401, www.gogic.
com, email: gogictv@gmail.com,
Tel. 309-509-2886. Person contact
Pastor Ado Tshiamala. Founded
since 2011, it is a Bilingual
(French-English) church.
Beside of GOGIC Church, at
the same address, there is a notfor-profit organization “African
Immigrants Assistance Inc.”
(AFIA Inc.), these programs are
organized:
Basic English
1.
2.Housing
3.
Job search and Application
4.
Citizenship and civic
education
5.
Transportation from
airport
Interpreter services
6.
7.
Basic health education
8.
Office referral
All these services are for free, but
the candidates need to contact us
in advance.
2.
How easily are they acclimating
to our rural environment?
John - I'm not sure if I can
accurately answer this question
but many new families come from
the very large city of Kinshasa.
Some challenges surface upon
arriving here, such as access
to transportation, adapting to
Midwestern winter weather, as well
as other adjustments.
Are all or most of them planning
on becoming citizens?
Ado - Same proportion expected to
become citizen.
Ado - At the 2010s it was tough
due to limit number of French
speaking at the area. Right now it is
more easier for them (immigrants)
to acclimated
How can our community assist
them in feeling at home?
Ado – We can help by mobilizing
local business to open their door to
those do not speak English, Intense
Basic English classes are needed,
provide French translator to most
of offices and businesses
Are they learning English? What
programs are available to them?
Ado - That is the biggest concern
for this community. Learning
English constitutes their need. We
(Gogic Church and AFIA Inc)
are trying to offer a Basic English
Program one day a week. That it is
not enough to learn quickly. Due to
lack of finance(s) we are not able to
respond positively to their request.
Our goal is to organize the English
program 5 to 6 days a week.
Carl Sandburg College/learning
center is doing a great job to
support the immigrants by
offering to them the ESL program.
However, it is facing with 2
problems:
Insufficient fund to support
1.
the program. To make it available
for the all community.
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Cultural barrier.
How long do their VISAs last?
Ado - 99.9% of them are the
permanent residents (Diversity
Visa)
What faith(s) do they practice?
Ado - All are the Christians; about
40 % pray at Gogic Church, 30 to
others church, 5% Catholic, and
25% doesn’t go regularly to each of
these but they get help from these
organizations.
If people want to assist them, how
do we go about it?
Ado - Churches and African
Immigrants Assistance Inc. are the
ways by which they should be help.
What motivated them to
immigrate to America?
1.
Better life
2.
Dream to live at the world’s
superpower
Better school
3.
Any way that we can help the
Congolese feel welcome is
appreciated. To find out more
contact Ado Tshiamala at 309-5092886.
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Marketing Opportunities for 2016
Newsletter – The Express Track: Monthly publication highlighting our events, new members, ribbon cuttings, “Toot Your
Own Horn” member recognition. Reaching 1,000+ members and those accessing our website for information.
As a Chamber member, you also have the opportunity to take
advantage of marketing through our website, newsletter and
“This Week” Monday e-mail which provides Chamber
and member information
Ribbon Cutting
PRECISION FAMILY EYECARE
RIBBON CUTTING
Dr. Nathan Dieckow, O.D. and his wife Debra (office manager) opened the Precision Family Eyecare at 1115
N. Henderson Street in Galesburg the end of July.
They are happy to be in the community and serving the Knox County area. Their passion is your vision.
For appointments, call (309)343-1107 or stop by. Open 8:30a - 5:30p Mon, Tue, Thu; 1p-5:30p Wed,
8:30a-Noon Fri and by appointment Evenings and Saturday
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