Flora Chamber of Commerce

February Newsletter

Happy Valentine’s Day 1 Circus News 8

Chamber Member Spotlight 2 Sips & Sounds Wine Fest 8

Chamber Member Spotlight 3 Chamber Member News 9

Business After Hours 4 Community News 9

Lunch & Learn 5 Community Calendar 10

Murder Mystery Dinner 6 Chamber Meeting 10

Award winner Recipients 7 Crimestoppers Info 10

With Sympathy 8 Contact Us 11

In this issue:

PAGE 2

New Chamber Member Spotlight

FEB R UAR Y N EWSL ETTER

Amy Lee Realty LLC, located at 201 E. 2nd Street, here in Flora, is a Residential,

Commercial and Land Real Estate Company and is owned by Amy L. Bailey-Michels,

Managing Broker, CRS, SRES, e-Pro, Realtor. Amy was licensed in 2011 and opened

her business in 2013.

Amy puts in 100 plus hours a week investing time in her clients and her business, and

it doesn’t leave much time for a social life. Her community involvement is helping to

fund several community projects, from the County Fair & festivals, all County sports

teams, but her main focus is with needy families in the community. 1/6th of all

commission received, is donated by Amy, back to the community.

Amy comes from an agricultural family and her father, Fred Bailey, was an implement

dealer, and her mother, the late Nyla Bailey, was a hairdresser. On January 8 of this

year, Amy became Mrs. Michels! She is thankful to have a great man who supports her

and is there for her in every aspect of her life. He never complains about the time she dedicates to her clients

and the business, and is always supportive. She feels lucky to have a man with such a kind heart.

Her love for animals range from her 2 Labradors, known as her kids to have owning and raising well over 50

quarter horses in her life. They have 2 farms, one located south of Clay City and one just South of the

Clay/Wayne County line South of Flora, and she enjoys country life as much as possible.

Amy’s hobbies and interests include continuing to further her education by striving and receiving Designations

and Certifications, as well as keeping up to date with new laws and regulations in the industry. Amy has

received her CRS (Council of Residential Specialists), these agents must meet stringent education and

experience requirements. That’s why only 3% of REALTORS® are Certfied Residential Specialists. Her SRES

(Senior Real Estate Specialist), as well as her e-Pro Certifications, which gives her the most up to date

education on marketing and technology. Amy has set goals for acquiring 2 additional designations in 2017.

Awards that Amy has received: in 2013—Illinois Association of Realtors-Platinum, in 2014—Illinois Association

of Realtors—Garnet, and Egyptian Board of Realtors 10 million-Garnet Pyramid Award, in 2015—Egyptian

Board of Realtors—Diamond Award, Illinois Realtors Presidents Award-Diamond, in 2016-Distinquieshed Real

estate Designation © from the Expert Network which is only conferred upon the top 3% realtors/brokers in the

nation. She also is a member of 4 committees with the Egyptian Board of Realtors.

Career/Business goals that Amy has set for herself are to continue to serve her community with honesty and

hard work. Continue to stay on top of the every changing Real Estate Industry. But most of all continue to love

what she does every single day.

Amy quotes—”Being born and raised here I feel that I have a true sense of what people want. I am dedicated,

devoted, and driven to prove to my clients that I will treat them with honesty and give you the results you

deserve. Real Estate is a Career and Lifestyle for me, thus, it is not a “part time” job or “hobby” for me. I am a

lifelong resident of Clay & Wayne Counties I have been raised my entire life in sales & business management.

I was taught early on that if I wanted something it took determination and work. I have always enjoyed a

challenge so this is the perfect fit for me. When starting my career in Real Estate, I wanted to see what I could

offer to our area. I found that Real Estate needs in our area could not be met just working a 40-hour week,

that this area could benefit from newer ways of marketing. I am very proud to be a REALTOR, and offer the

MLS. I am very thankful of my brokerage, as it has taken much

work, will and prayers as I continue to help those who need us.

2016 has proved to be our most productive year yet and since

opening the brokerage it has been #1 in listing as well as total

Sales Transactions every year, and I am humbled and thankful

for our community and clients, for making this possible.”

Thank you Amy Lee Bailey-Michaels for your support of the

Chamber and your involvement. We are happy to have Amy Lee

Realty, LLC as part of the Flora Chamber of Commerce.

PAGE 3

Chamber Member Spotlight

FEB R UAR Y N EWSL ETTER

University of Illinois Extension Office, located in

the beautiful Historic Flora Depot, serves Clay,

Effingham, Fayette and Jasper Counties. Their

main focus is education programming and

services and they have been doing so for 102 years. There are 7 employees that make

up the Extension office, with 3 of them being in the Flora office. Carl Baker-County

Director, Tabitha Welch-Youth Development Educator, Ken Larimore-Community and

Economic Development Educator, Michelle Fombelle-SNAP Educator, Erin Maxwell-

SNAP-Ed Community Worker, Stacy Bare-4-H Education Program Coordinator and

Cathy Schnepper-Administrative Support Staff.

The Extension office delivers 4-H programs to local youth throughout the year, 4-H

clubs, workshops, junior fair and community service projects, SNAP education pro-

grams to Pre K-2 grade school kids, working with the Clay County Health Department

with the 2017 IPLAN, Master Gardeners working with Clay County Hospital developing

and creating a new community garden.

The Extension continues to work with community partners to deliver programs,

services and information like North American Lighting Employee Resource Fair, Clay

County Hospital Community Health Fair, Clay County Farm Bureau and Appleknocker.

Extension is available to assist all community members with horticulture questions

and entomology questions through the Distance Diagnostics Digital Imaging System

(DDDI) at University of Illinois Extension. The high-tech system is for diagnosing plant

disease, weed, and insect problems for homeowners and farmers. The DDDI system is

a digital-imaging, web-based system that is actually an on-line plant clinic.

Stop by the Extension office to see what else they have to offer right here in Clay

County!

Thank you, University of Illinois Extension Office, for your support of the Chamber and

your community involvement. We are happy to have you as part of the Flora Chamber

of Commerce!

(l to r) Stacy Bare, Tabitha Welch and

Cathy Schnepper

Erin Maxwell

PAGE 4 FEB R UAR Y N EWSL ETTER

FEB R UAR Y N EWSL ETTER PAGE 5

PAGE 6 FEB R UAR Y N EWSL ETTER

There is still time to purchase your tickets!

Contact the Chamber office to reserve yours before

February 6th. Cost is $50.00 per person.

This would be a perfect date night celebration,

or grab some friends and get a table together! If you are at the winning table,

you have a chance to win one of the prizes below!

Thank you to the following businesses that have

donated prizes: ATI Physical Therapy, Country Lamb,

Flora Bank & Trust, Frank & Bright Funeral Home,

Heather Blank-Edward Jones Financial Advisor, Kohn

Funeral Home, L & M Professional Detailing, Nicole

Heath-Jamberry Nails Representative, Sears Hometown

Store, Shirt Tales, Wabash Communications & WalMart.

PAGE 7 N EWSL ETTER TITL E

Congratulations The Flora Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet was held on Saturday, January 28th in

the Banquet Room at Anthony’s Wild West. Attendance was great with everyone happy to honor

those receiving the awards! The welcome came from outgoing Chamber president Stephanie

Hemphill, followed by the pledge of allegiance led by Stephen Hough and a prayer led by Bill

Thompson. A delicious meal was served by Anthony’s and then it was time for the awards. Chelsea

Williams, Chamber Vice President presented Derek Bailey, owner of Sears Hometown Store, with

the Business of the Year Award. Lisa Cash, Chamber President, presented Dustin and Kathy Smith

the New Business of the Year Award for the opening of their new event venue, Johnny & June’s.

Then Amber Davis, former DQ employee, said some touching words about Melissa Billingsley and

the late David Billingsley and presented Melissa with the Citizen of the Year award. All three recipi-

ents were well deserved. All three gave some great thank you speeches with all of them happy to

be a part of this community! Stephanie Hemphill shared the State of the Chamber address and

talked about all the activities we did in 2016 and shared some upcoming events as well. Phil Wiley

then gave the City of Flora address and Lisa Cash closed out the evening. Congratulations, once

again, to our award winners!!

Business of the Year

Sears Hometown Store

Owner: Derek & Kayley Bailey

Award presented by Chelsea Williams

Chamber Vice President

New Business of the Year

Johnny & June’s

Owners: Dustin & Kathy Smith

Award presented by Lisa Cash

Chamber President

Citizen of the Year

Melissa Billinglsey and the late

David Billingsley

Award presented by Amber Davis

FEB R UAR Y N EWSL ETTER PAGE 8

The Chamber is saddened due to the loss of our Chamber Board Member

and Treasurer, Judy Mearns. Judy joined the Chamber in 2005 and

became the treasurer in 2008 and she held that position

until her passing on Sunday, January 29th. Judy was a

valuable asset to the Chamber, as well as to the

community with her involvement in many organizations

throughout the years.

A memorial service for Judy will be held at 1 p.m.

Saturday, February 4th, 2017 at Frank & Bright Funeral

Home. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. prior to

service. In lieu of flowers the family asks that memorials

be made to the Flora Southern Baptist Church, Vinsans Trace Chapter

NSDAR or FCDC Depot Fund.

Our deepest sympathy to the family of Judith Mearns.

The Flora Chamber of Commerce, will once again, be

bringing the Kelly Miller Circus to town on Sunday,

April 30th. The telemarketing team from the Circus will

be calling area businesses on behalf of the Chamber

for pre ticket sales. We wanted you to be aware you

may be contacted and we thank you for your support of

the Flora Chamber of Commerce.

We will be having our

2nd Annual Sips & Sounds Wine Fest

on Saturday, June 17th, 1 to 6 pm

at Johnny & June’s.

Mark your calendars now, watch for further

details and plan on attending!

FEB R UAR Y N EWSL ETTER PAGE 9

The Chamber of Commerce, as well as the entire community, is

saddened to hear the news of the Southwire plant closing their Flora

facility after serving this area since 1974. Southwire has been an

important partner in many community, Chamber and City events. This

is a huge loss to the community and their presence and participation

will be missed. The City of Flora will be working with Southwire to find

a new owner for their facility. Our thoughts are will the employees and

their families as they transition into new employment.

Lickin My Chicken and Pullin My Pork BBQ,

Kemper CPA Group, Holland Travel and

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3999

Please be on the lookout for fake counterfeit $100 bills within our area. This past Saturday fake

$100 bills were passed to local businesses here in Flora. The fake bills have "Motion Picture Use

Only" on the back of them and across the top. Any information you may have please contact the

Flora Police department or text a tip to Tip411 (847411) with Xcrime in the body of your text.

At a Monday meeting of the Board of Directors of the Clay City Banking Company, the Board appointed Herb Henson, Jr., of Flora, as the new President of the Clay City Banking Company and their branches the Flora-Louisville-Fairfield Banking Companies.

Henson replaces Ron Hart who died unexpectedly last month. Hart had led the Clay City Bank through considerable growth including adding branches in Flora, Louisville, and Fairfield. Henson began his career after graduating from Eastern Illinois

University, in Charleston, in 1986, when he went to work for the accounting firm of Gray-Hunter-Stenn, in Marion, IL. He then went to work for First National Bank, in Flora, (now U.S. Bank) in 1989; then in March of 2001 Henson began working for the Clay City Banking Company. In 2001, the company’s first new branch, the Flora Banking Company, opened and Henson began serving as Vice-President at that location. He has held that position until his appointment to President this week.

Henson was born in Flora, and is married to Michelle, a teacher at the Flora Elementary School. They have two daughters Anna Henson, and Alyssa (Aaron) Rogers, and grandson, Owen. The Clay City Banking Company Board of Directors consists of Robert Coble (Chairman), Claren Hosselton, Larry Hosselton, Bill Bayler, Nathan Bayler, and Herb Henson, Jr.

(Information taken from WNOI news 1/11/17)

PAGE 10 FEB R UAR Y N EWSL ETTER

Chamber Member Meeting

will be Tuesday, February 14th

12:00 noon @ Anthony’s

We welcome all Chamber

members to attend.

February 2 CCH Life Masters Senior Club 1 Year Celebration at CCH conference room at 9:30 am

February 6 Chamber minutes on Mix-FM WNOI 103.9 at 8:32 am

February 6 Clay County Hospital Auxiliary South Bend Chocolate Fundraiser

Hospital Conference Room 7 am to 4 pm

February 7 Business After Hours at South Central FS 5:00 to 6:30 pm

February 10 Matt Poss Band Live Taping at Johnny & June’s at 6 pm

February 11 Murder Mystery Dinner at Johnny & June’s at 6:00 pm

February 14 Chamber member meeting at noon at Anthony’s.

February 14 Frank & Bright Funeral Home Ladies Valentine’s Luncheon 12 noon at Community of

Christ Church.

February 14 Grand opening of the Human Milk Donor Depot at the Clay County Health Department

at 1 pm. Contact the Health Department for further information.

February 18 UKC Hunt at Charley Brown Park

February 20 President’s Day

February 20 Chamber minutes on Mix-FM WNOI 103.9 at 8:32 am

February 20-23 Anger Management Psycho-Educational Class-CCH Conference Room 5 pm

February 28 Lunch & Learn-Springfield Clinic at noon at Anthony’s.

These events are those that we are aware of.

If you want your event added to the calendar, be sure and

send me your events/activities to add to our calendar!

Clay County Crime Stoppers Up and Running Anyone with a cell phone may send an anonymous tip to the Clay County 911 Dispatch Center by texting XCRIME

and their message/tip to 847411 (tip411). Tip411 allows a safe and secure way for area residents to share

important information with police without the fear of retribution. At the conclusion of your tip submission you will

receive a personal pin number for your tip. If an arrest is made thanks to your tip, an announcement will be made

on WNOI MIX-FM and on Clay County Country 99.3 and in area newspapers stating suck, and you will be given

additional information at that time on how to claim your reward. Clay County Crime stoppers will be paying

rewards ranging from $100 to $1000 dollars for an arrest.

Those will questions regarding this are asked to call the Flora Police Department or the Clay County Sheriff’s

Department.

The Members Creed

I belong to the Chamber of Commerce because: I realize in unity there is

strength; it is the best medium for serving my community as a whole; I

believe in the future growth and progress of my city; it’s only qualifica-

tion for membership is good citizenship; I want to work with my

fellow townsmen for the common interest of all; I want to benefit from

their concerted planning, counsel, and action; it is a clearing house for

business information, business service, and community effort; member-

ship pays a high rate of interest in service, personal contacts,

community betterment and civic pride; experience and the records of

the past have conclusively demonstrated its usefulness and justified

existence, not only in this community but in practically every other

part of the world.

223 W. Railroad St.

Flora, IL 62839

618-662-5646 phone/fax

Email: commerce@wabash.net

Office Hours: Monday through Friday

8 am to 5 pm

Business Name

President: Lisa Cash Vice President: Chelsea Williams

Treasurer: Judy Mearns

Directors

Derek Bailey, Shirl Bily, Brenda Conrad, Dan Graham,

Mandy Hargis, Joe Harris, Stephanie Hemphill, Jennifer Henson,

Michele McGee, and Jessica Muskopf

Executive Assistant

Chris Thompson

Board of Directors

www.florachamber.com

And check us out on Facebook!