July 2014 - Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce

Volume III
Partnering for Success
in this issue...
The Chamber’s Agri-Business Committee
is hosting the
30th Annual Steak Fry in the Country
Page 5
August 7
6:00 p.m. at Gerken Farms
Entertainment: Olivia Dvorak
July 2014
We will be honoring former and current scholarship recipients!
Page 7
Page 8
Tickets available from Agri-Business Committee
members or at the Chamber Office for $20 each.
Partnering for Success
2
Calendar of
Events
July 2, Noon
July 8, 8am
July 8, Noon
July 10, Noon
July 14, Noon
July 15, 7:30am
July 16, Noon
July 18, 7:30am
July 23, Noon
July 24, 5-7pm
Exec. Board Meeting
Board Meeting
Hispanic Committee
Ambassador Luncheon
Holiday Parade Meeting
Agri-Business Committee
PWN Committee
Breakfast before Business
Golf Wrap-Up Meeting
Business after Hours
Sauk Valley Area Chamber of
Commerce Directors & Staff
Executive Committee
President: Jerry Binder
First Vice President: Brian Hawkins
Second Vice President: Karen Voss
Treasurer: Jon Byar
Past President: Tim Determan
Board of Directors
Term Ends December 31, 2014
Jon Byar, Midland States Bank
Brian Hawkins, Hawkins-Cassens Ins.
Tony Miller, Ward, Murray, Pace and Johnson
Heath Olson, Wal-Mart D.C. #7024
Eric Shaffer, Sterling Federal Bank
Pam Topper, Riverside Community Bank
Did you know as a Chamber member you can offer
discounts to other Chamber members and their employees?
The Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce Partner to
Partner member loyalty program encourages members to use
members. What a great way to shop and help the community
at the same time!
For example, a new discount available to members is the
“Papa’s Pal” key chain through Papa Murphy’s. This key
chain is an offer for $3 off a family
size pizza. To take advantage of this
offer your business simply has to call
Papa Murphy’s in Sterling and ask for
Vickie or Lydia and they will provide
the key chains for your employees.
Please be sure to check out our Partner to Partner deals in
the insert section of the newsletter and if you are not
currently offering something to other members and their
employees call today to start! Not sure what to offer call us
today and we will offer suggestions on what to offer for
your business.
Breakfast before Business
July 18th - 7:30 a.m.
Term Ends December 31, 2015
Jerry Binder, Sterling Public Schools
Jim Cesarek, RE/MAX Sauk Valley
Tim Determan, Pinney Printing
Dr. Paul Steinke, CGH Medical Center
Karen Voss, Hospice of the Rock River Valley
Terms Ends December 31, 2016
Mike Loos, Edward Jones Investments
Sheila Martinez, US Bank
Rick Turnroth, Turnroth Sign Company
Mary White, Community State Bank
Executive Director ~ Kimber ly Ewoldsen
Executive Assistant ~ Kande Chee
Financial Specialist ~ Ronda Borgmann
City of Sterling
212 Third Avenue, Sterling
Business after Hours
July 24th - 5:00-6:30 p.m.
Sauk Valley Community College
www.saukvalleyareachamber.com
173 IL Route 2, Dixon
July 2014
Partnering for Success
Member Welcome June 2014
3
New Members ~ Manny’s Cantina ~ 312 Locust Street, Sterling, 815-535-0707
Premier Designs Independent Distributor, Deborah Cole ~ Sterling, 630-940-5966
John & Jacqueline Neville ~ Sterling
Membership Renewals
The Chamber would like to thank the following members for renewing their memberships.
Allied Waste
Brent Martin Agency/American Family Ins.
Deer Valley
Farmers National Bank
Froet Industries
Hartland Controls
Heritage Woods
New Life Lutheran Church
Northland Park Apartments
Pete Harkness Auto Group
Pet Supplies Plus
Poolside Pools & Spas
Rock Falls Tourism
Sauk Valley Association of Realtors
Schilling Funeral Home
Shippert Moving & Storage
Tractor Supply Company
Wells Family Dentistry
Special Recognition
We would like to give special recognition to the following groups who provide extra support to the Sauk
Valley Area Chamber of Commerce. This extra effort and support is truly appreciated. If you have the
opportunity to express your sincere appreciation to these members, please do so!
Investing over $1000 in Dues
CGH Medical Center
Community State Bank
Midland States Bank
Sauk Valley Bank
Sterling Federal Bank
US Bank
Wal-Mart D. C. #7024
Ward, Murray, Pace & Johnson
150% Club Members
Sterling Moose Family Center
Sterling Commercial Roofing
CliftonAllenLarson
D & E Furniture
Amazing Grace of Sterling
United Electric
Froet Industries, LLC
Lance’s Plumbing
Illinois American Water
Wiersema Waste Service
Greater Sterling Dev. Corp.
Koch, Wolf & Linnea
Dern Ins. Agency/State Farm
Whiteside County Enterprise Zone
Phil Mattox Ins. Agency
Select Employees Credit Union
Happy Tails Animal Shelter
Penney Fillmer & John Lorentzen
New Life Lutheran Church
July 2014
10/89
08/94
11/96
02/99
03/00
12/03
08/04
09/04
02/08
04/08
05/08
01/10
02/10
06/10
01/11
04/12
06/12
02/13
06/13
Cater Construction
Twin Cities Homeless Shelter
Moore Monument & Granite Co.
Brent Martin Agency/Amer. Family
John & Jacqueline Neville
Massage Works by Becky Murray, Inc.
Melton Seed & Service, LLC
Moore Tires, Inc.
New Millenium Directories
Plainwell Brass, Inc.
Prescott’s
Radio Ranch, Inc.
110% Club Members
Reitzel Roofing Company
A & A Flooring
Rock Falls Comm. Development Corp.
A Brush With Dentistry
Rock River Ready Mix
Advance Auto Parts
RRCA Accounts Management
Al J. Dieterle Decorating
Sandrock Farms / Sauk Valley Angus
Andersen Statewide Buildings
Sauk Valley Community Concert Assoc.
Avonlea Cottage
Savant Capital
Bargain Exterminators
Scholl Insurance Agency
Brown Construction Company
Schuneman Insurance Agency
Candy Bouquet
Carlson Acupuncture & Chiropractic Clinic Sedona Staffing
Servicemaster
Cassens Drainage
Sherwin Williams
Centennial Community Players
Showplace Antiques & Treasures
City of Sterling
Smeltzer Insurance Agency
Creative Cuisine
Sterling Township
Dale Carnegie Training
Thompson Truck & Trailer
Garage Door Specialists
Trissel Graham & Toole
Hawkins-Cassens Insurance
US Cellular
Hill’s Electric Motor Service
Wal-Mart DC #7024
Imprintable Memories
Wendler Engineering Services, Inc.
James S. Ferris, DDS, PC
Whiteside County Genealogists
Ken Nelson Auto Plaza
Wilco Rental, Inc.
Kiwanis Club of Sterling
Winter Construction
Loescher Heating & Air Conditioning
www.saukvalleyareachamber.com
09/13
10/13
10/13
5/14
6/14
Partnering for Success
4
Community
Initiative
ASSETS OF THE MONTH
#13 Neighborhood Boundaries
Neighbors take responsibility for monitoring young people’s behavior.
#27 Equality and Social Justice
Young person places high value on promoting equality and reducing hunger and poverty.
www.saukvalleyareachamber.com
July 2014
Partnering for Success
New Member Spotlights
5
Next Generation Wireless started in 2001 with two retail locations in
Cedar Falls and Cedar Rapids, Iowa and now consists of 12 locations
throughout Iowa and Illinois. The Rock Falls location is at 1021 1st
Avenue next to Subway. Our leadership team has years of knowledge
and experience in the wireless phone market. These qualities and our focus on the superior customer service help provide
our customers with the best experience possible. We treat you as a person, not a number and we will take care of you today
and in the future.
We are invested in the communities we serve. All of us at Next Generation Wireless are involved in the community as a
company and on an individual basis. Here are some of the charities and organizations we contribute to.
Alzheimer’s Association
American Cancer Society
American Diabetes Association
American Heart Association
Aspire Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
Catholic Worker House
Cedar Bend Humane Society
Cedar Heights Elementary Partners in Education
Cedar Valley Food Bank
Exceptional Persons, Inc.
Habitat for Humanity
Hartman Reserve Halloween Hikes
House of Compassion – Marshalltown
Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity
Iowa Women’s Foundation
Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa
Junior League of Waterloo-Cedar Falls, Iowa
Magical Mix Kids
Make-A-Wish
March of Dimes
Meals on Wheels
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Partners in Education
Pink Ribbon Golf Classic
Pink Ribbon Run – Cedar Falls, Iowa
Ronald McDonald House – Iowa City, Iowa
Salvation Army
Sartori Festival of Trees
Toys for Tots
University of Northern Iowa Foundation
Various High School Booster Clubs
On July 1st, the Angie VanderVinne Agency joins an elite group of Farmers Insurance
agents accepted to participate in a nationwide Farmers Platform Program. Angie’s agency
was selected because of her team accomplishing specific business objectives: exceeding
sales goals, being Financial Services licensed, having a broad book of business, and being
considered a Farmers “model office”.
We are very excited about the growth of our agency and about the impact we’ve had on clients and perspective clients.
Our mission is to leave people better than we found them, by consulting with them on their insurance needs while
educating them on finding the right coverage to meet those needs. We’ve become a resource for clients as they check
things off their financial “to do” list including establishing proper liability coverage, planning for retirement, creating
a personal budget, and planning for college expenses.
I chose to start a Farmers agency to utilize my skill set in marketing, sales, training, banking, and investing while
creating a work hard/have fun environment that puts “doing the right thing” first. The majority of our clients are from
Whiteside County, but we also have clients from Rockford, the suburbs, the Quad Cities,
and Clinton, IA. All of our clients chose to be with us – they were booked by our team –
we weren’t given a book of business to take over from another agent.
We specialize in Auto/Home/Life/Business/Motorcycle/Camper/Boat/Investment
Property/Vacant Property/Liability Insurance and through Farmers Financial
Solutions we offer a full range of retirement and college planning products.
*Securities offered through Farmers Financial Solutions, LLC Member FINRA & SIPC.
Trust your current agent enough to see if you have coverage that’s right for you? Contact
us for a free consultative quote; 815-772-8900 or [email protected].
July2014
www.saukvalleyareachamber.com
Angie VanderVinne
Partnering for Success
6
Members in the News
Illinois American Water Names a Vice President of JULIE Board of Directors
Illinois American Water’s non-revenue water supervisor, Brent Oest, has been named to the Joint Utility
Locating Information for Excavators (JULIE), Inc. Board of Directors. Oest will serve as
Vice President of Sewer and Water Utilities. In this position, Oest will work in conjunction with
the other board members to determine organizational policy, planning, finance and public and governmental
relations.
Brent Oest
While a member of JULIE’s board of directors, Oest will serve on the public education and the operations
committee. JULIE, Inc. provides Illinois excavators and underground utility owners with a continuously
improving, one-call message handling and delivery service committed to protecting underground utilities and
the safety of people working or living near them.
CGH Medical Center Appoints New VP/Chief of Quality and Process Improvement
CGH Medical Center announces the appointment of Dr. William Bird to the position of Vice President/Chief
of Quality and Process Improvement. Dr. Bird, who has been employed by CGH (and the former Sterling
Rock Falls Clinic) since 1997, also brings nearly 10 years of experience as Medical Director of the Clinic.
In this position Dr. Bird will help identify areas at CGH that need improvement, decide which processes can
be changed to improve outcomes, build a plan to make changes and then track the results to measure and learn
from the outcomes. He will also oversee the CGH Wound Healing Center and co-manage the Population
Health Department and the Risk and Quality Team.
Dr. Bird currently administers CGH’s Population Health department, oversees the CGH Hospitalists and also
serves as a family physician at the CGH Morrison Clinic and Vision Center, where his current hours will
remain the same. He is board certified with the American Board of Family Medicine and is also a Certified
Physician Executive with the American College of Physician Executives.
Dr. William Bird
WQPT Receives Grant
WQPT, Quad Cities PBS, has been awarded $30,000 from the Illinois Arts Council for the creation of a new documentary “Letters
Home to Hero Street.” The film will deal with correspondence from Hero Street soldiers to their families as they fought and died in
World War II and the Korean conflict. The project is being conducted in cooperation with Fourth Wall Films, headed by Kelly and
Tammy Rundle. The documentary will be completed by the end of the year and will air on WQPT in early 2015.
WQPT, Quad Cities PBS, is a media service of Western Illinois University in Moline, Illinois.
Extension Announces New Director
The University of Illinois Extension Carroll-Lee-Whiteside Unit is pleased to announce their new Unit Director
Janice McCoy. McCoy took over as Unit Director on June 1, 2014 from retired Director Joe Schwamberger.
McCoy joined University of Illinois Extension in 2001 as a Family Life Educator. McCoy has primarily been
responsible for educational programs for families with children and professionals who work with families.
Janice has a bachelor's degree in mass communications and a master's degree in college student personnel, both
from Western Illinois University.
Janice McCoy
McCoy has spent her career working with educational and not-for profit organizations. She worked for the
YWCA of the Sauk Valley for nine years as the Director of Crisis Services. McCoy looks forward to serving
the counties of Carroll, Lee and Whiteside and can be reached at the Extension Office located at Sauk Valley
Community College at 815-835-2070. Janice is a native of the Sauk Valley area and graduated from Dixon
High School. She and her husband Jim live in Dixon with their daughter.
www.saukvalleyareachamber.com
July 2014
Partnering for Success
Members in the News continued...
7
Self Help Thrift Store Gets New Location
Stage Two Resale Shop has moved from Rock Falls to the former Video Villager building just south of Kroger at 205 St. Mary’s
Road in Sterling. They are happy to accept donations of all kinds. Stage Two benefits Self Help Enterprises which provides
employment training and residential support for adults with disabilities. The thrift store is open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.—5 p.m.
For more information call 815-626-7323.
Mercy Nursing Celebrates 30 Years of Service
Mercy Nursing Services, 229 First Avenue, Rock Falls, is celebrating 30 years of providing 24-7 in-home care and other services to
Sauk Valley residents. Mercy also offers CPR and first-aid training for anyone who wants to learn and will go to businesses to
provide the training. All skill levels can be accommodated. Its parent company is Corporate Resource Services which provides
staffing and recruitment services. The office is open Monday through Friday 8 a.m.—5 p.m. Go to mercynursingservices.com or
call 815-564-0977 for more information.
Business after Hours
Warm temperatures didn’t stop
Chamber members from having a
great time at The Depot’s Business
after Hours on June 26. Members
enjoyed great food from
The Depot Deli.
Brian Grummert, The Depot
& Grummert’s Hardware
and Ambassador Roni
Chavez, RRCA Accounts
Management
Thanks to Brian & Michelle
Grummert and Depot staff for a fun
night of networking!
Johnny Cruz, IL Dept. of
Employment Security and
Rod Johnson, SBM
July 2014
www.saukvalleyareachamber.com
Partnering for Success
8
48th Annual Golf Play Day
1st Place Team
Pete Harkness Auto Group
Andy Blackburn, Josh Eggleston,
Jim Eggleston, Barry Goodwin
Thank you to CJ and the staff
at Emerald Hill for getting the
course playable even with
considerable rain! A special
thank you to this year’s
presenting sponsor Pete
Harkness Auto Group, Hole in
One sponsors HawkinsCassens Insurance and
Douglas and Frye Motorsports
and to Knie’s TV & Appliance
for the donation of the TV.
New Millenium Directories
2nd Place Team—RRCA
Jeff Galle, Kevin Heller,
John Miller, Nick Hubbard
2014 Golf Sponsors & Raffle Item Donors
1st Farm Credit Services ~ A&A Flooring ~ Accents ~ Advance Auto Parts ~ Advocare, Pam Martinez ~ air Play
sports & Espresso ~ Angelo’s ~ Applebee’s ~ Brent Martin Agency, American Family Ins. ~ Buffalo Wild Wings ~
CGH Medical Center ~ CliftonLarsonAllen ~ Community State Bank ~ Deer Valley ~ Farmers National Bank ~
Grummert’s Hardware ~ Halo Branded Solutions ~ Imprintable Memories ~ Jim Prescott’s BBQ Shop ~ John
Deere Classic ~ Johnson Oil ~ Manpower ~ March of Dimes ~ Mary Kay Cosmetics, Sandy Fritz ~ Maurice’s ~
Midland States Bank ~ Midwest Dental ~ Moore Monument & Granite ~ New Millenium Directories ~ Next
Generation Wireless ~ Paone’s Blackhawk Lanes ~ Papa Murphy’s ~ Pinney Printing ~ Poolside Pools & Spas ~
Riverside Community Bank ~ Rock River Golf & Pool ~ Sauk Valley Bank ~ SBM ~ Sedona Staffing ~ Select
Employees Credit Union ~ Skoog Landscape & Design ~ Smeltzer Insurance Agency ~ Sterling Commercial
Roofing ~ Sterling Federal Bank ~ Sterling Park District ~ Sterling Rock Falls Family YMCA ~ Supreme Cleaners
~ Team Underwires ~ The IFH Group, Inc. ~ Tractor Supply Company ~ US Bank ~ US Cellular ~
Wal-Mart DC #7024 ~ Ward, Murray, Pace & Johnson ~ Wiersema Waste Services ~ Willett, Hofmann &
Associates ~ Willy’s ~ Wipfli
www.saukvalleyareachamber.com
July 2014
Partnering for Success
9
Maisch Takes Reins at the Illinois Chamber:
"Great Responsibility...Move Illinois Forward"
It is a great honor to write to you today as the new President and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. I am humbled
by the support of a great board of directors and business leaders from across the state that share my vision of a stronger
climate for business and a better quality of life for our citizens.
I am also honored to lead a tremendous team of individuals here at the Chamber. They are committed to the cause of helping
employers be successful and work every day on your behalf. The array of talent and expertise assembled at the Chamber
means we can engage on an unparalleled number of issues confronting Illinois' employers. Our team has a great record of
accomplishments and only have plans for more.
The role of President and CEO of the Illinois Chamber has always carried great responsibility as the voice for Illinois
business. Yet, that responsibility seems only greater now considering the current state of affairs in government. Illinois is,
indeed, a great state blessed with so many economic advantages. However, to be blunt, the status quo in government is simply
unacceptable. It must change before our state's advantages are unable make up for the fact that government is broken, no
longer able to meet the needs of employers nor citizens alike.
I have always believed that part of what sets the Illinois Chamber apart from other advocacy organizations is that our members
have given us a "dual mandate" to satisfy. On the one hand they expect us to be engaged with policymakers to get things
accomplished by passing laws and reasonable regulations. Yet, they also expect us to push those same policymakers to do
something they have been very reluctant to do, make the hard political decisions that are vital to returning Illinois to
prosperity.
The fact that so few organizations are willing to take on that second task makes it imperative the Chamber is ready to do
so. Let's be honest, the process surrounding government decision making is rigged with a "go along to get along"
mentality. The Chamber likes to get along with policymakers too, but we are also ready to take necessary action, even if that
action makes the status quo uncomfortable.
As we engage on these tasks we will celebrate success and good news as well as pointing out the need for improvement. We
will work with Democrats and Republicans, liberals and conservatives. The Chamber will engage anyone with a genuine
desire to see Illinois improve its fortunes. We won't always agree, but the staggering issues that confront us demand inclusive
conversation to find a way forward.
Much work awaits. Let's get started.
BWW
July 2014
www.saukvalleyareachamber.com
Partnering for Success
10
AMBASSADOR REPORT
Sauk Valley Area Chamber Ambassadors held their monthly lunch meeting at CGH Medical Center on June 12, 2014.
Ribbon cuttings were held for new members on June 25 at Rock Falls Rehab and Health Care Center in Rock Falls and
on July 1 for Country Lane Apartments. Welcome! A great time was had at the June Business after Hours held at The
Depot on June 26. Thank you for hosting!
We are looking for businesses to honor for the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce monthly customer service
award. If you have experienced great customer service please send your nomination to the Chamber office.
The Chamber Ambassadors are the public relations arm of the organization. If you or someone at your business is
interested in becoming an Ambassador please call the Chamber office. It’s great exposure for your business.
The next networking event will be the July Breakfast before Business on Friday, July 18 at the City of Sterling and will
include a tour of the newly renovated coliseum. The July Business after Hours will be held July 24 at Sauk Valley
Community College to celebrate their 50th anniversary. Hope to see you there!
Ambassador Co-Chairs
Nicole Bollman, CGH Medical Center
Katherine Eilers, Brent’s Upholstery & Auto Accessories
www.saukvalleyareachamber.com
July 2014
Partnering for Success
11
SAVE THE DATE
September 12
Chamber Week Lunch is on Us—member thank you event
September 17
IDES Unemployment Workshop @ CGH Ryberg Auditorium
October 16
Business after Hours @ SBM
October 17
Breakfast before Business for United Way of Whiteside County
November 21
Breakfast before Business @ Frary Lumber, Sterling
November 22
Twin Cities Holiday Parade
December 1-7
Seasonal Sights & Sounds
December 6
Sterling Christmas Walk & Tree Lighting
Partnering for Success Sponsorships
Business Card Ad = $30 per month * 6-month commitment = $25 per month
Quarter Page Ad = $70 per month * 6-month commitment = $60 per month
Half Page Ad = $90 per month * 6-month commitment = $80 per month
Cover Banner Ads/Website Ad = $125 per month * 6-month commitment = $100
Inserts = $100 per month; non-profits = $25 per month
July 2014
www.saukvalleyareachamber.com
Partnering for Success
12
Rock Falls Rehab & Health Care Center
430 Martin Road, Rock Falls
815-626-4575
Country Lane Apartments
1016 Yost Court, Sterling
815-716-8230
Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce
Member since 1972
211 Locust Street, Sterling, IL 61081
Phone (815) 625-2400 Fax (815) 625-9361
E-mail: [email protected]
website: www.saukvalleyareachamber.com
Chamber Mission: To enhance the economic climate and quality of life in the Sauk Valley Area.
BREAKFAST
BEFORE
BUSINESS
ASSETS
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RACE

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