march newsletter

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.

GALESBURG AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER

March 2015- Vol 2015, Issue 3

March

Community

Events

Sat. 7 Mar, 2015 Discovery Depot: Reading is Key with Kappa Kappa Gamma (Sat. 7 Mar, 2015 4:00 am) Our friends from Kappa Kappa Gamma at Knox College are spending the day at Discovery Depot to read to children & give away a free book to each child! Don't miss this great opportunity to add a book to your child's library! FREE with admission Western Illinois Home Builders Association Home Show (Sat. 7 Mar, 2015 4:00 am) Helping You Build Your Dreams! Come to the Western Illinois Builders Association Home Show and Build your plans for your dream home or project! Stop by the WIBA Booth to enter to win a $100 gift certificate to participating vendors and to vote for Little Mr. & Little Miss Homebuilder 2015. The winners will be drawn on Sunday afternoon. Playhouse ticket sales all go to Knox Prairie Community Kitchen and cost $2 for a chance! The winner will be drawn on Sunday afternoon. Mon. 9 Mar, 2015 Galesburg Community Chorus begins rehearsals for Spring 2015 concert (Mon. 2 Mar, 2015 7:00 pm) The Galesburg Community Chorus will hold the first rehearsal of the second half of its 2014-15 season at 7 p.m. Jan. 12. Rehearsals are every Monday from 7-9 p.m. in Jay Rehearsal Hall, Ford Center for Fine Arts, Knox College. The chorus is a non-auditioned group, and all are welcome to join. Dues for singers are $10 per semester (free for students), and there is a $5 music fee each semester. The final concert of the season is a May 2 performance of the Requiem Mass by Giuseppe Verdi with the combined forces of the Community Chorus, the Knox College Choir, and the Monmouth College Chorale, and a guest performance on Nov. 16 by the world-renowned Anima Children’s Choir. The Galesburg Community Chorus, directed by Tim Pahel, is the oldest community music organization in the Galesburg area. It was founded in 1945 at Knox College, and the chorus retains its affiliation with the college, which provides rehearsal facilities. Tue. 10 Mar, 2015 Ham and Beans and Cornbread (Tue. 10 Mar, 2015 11:00 am - 2:00 pm) Lunch at the OAKS!!! Ham and Beans and Cornbread, or Potato Soup, Pie, Coffee or Tea - Fundraiser Lunch 11 - 2 Flea Market, Crafts

Knox County Right To Life Monthly Meeting (March 10th 7 p.m.) Monthly Meeting will be held at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church, 1372 West Fremont, Galesburg. There will be education, letter writing and refreshments will be served. All are invited to attend. Sat. 14 Mar, 2015 Discovery Depot: "I Tried It" Series, Freak Fruits and Outlandish Vegetables (Sat. 14 Mar, 2015 9:00 am) Join Discovery Depot for the first event in our brand new programming series! Challenge your taste buds and test your savory bravery with "Freaky Fruits and Outlandish Vegetables"! Special thanks to Hy-Vee dietitian Katrina Howard! FREE with admission Sun. 15 Mar, 2015 Discovery Depot: Bubble Wonders Magician "Anything is Possible" (Sun. 15 Mar, 2015 3:00 pm) Do you love playing with bubbles? Then come to Discovery Depot on March 15th, 3pm to watch some bubble magic with Bubble Magician, Geoff! Come see him create bubble caterpillars, ice cream cones, volcano bubbles, dancing bubbles and much, much more with his bubble magic! Discovery Depot would like to kindly thank Dave's Autobody for sponsoring this event! Cost: FOR ALL AGES$2 for members$3 for non-members Tue. 17 Mar, 2015 Galesburg CUSD #205 Candidate Forum hosted by Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, The Register-Mail, and WGIL. Tuesday March 17 at 7:00pm at Galesburg City Hall Council Chambers. Event will be broadcast live on WGIL and Channel 7.

Wed. 18 Mar, 2015 Discovery Depot: Special Night for Special Kids (Wed. 18 Mar, 2015 5:30 pm) This night is just for special needs kids and their families to enjoy the museum. Thank you to the Vitale Family Foundation for funding this program. Cost:$3.00 Galesburg City Council Candidate Forum hosted by Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, The Register-Mail, and WGIL. Wednesday March 18 at 7:00pm at Galesburg City Hall Council Chambers. Event will be broadcast live on WGIL and Channel 7.

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Thu. 19 Mar, 2015 Rootabaga Jammers Concert (Thu. 19 Mar, 2015 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm) Rootabaga Jammers Free Concert!!! Grab your best friend, partner or just come by yourself to this FREE concert by the Rootabaga Jammers. Dance or just listen to this concert featuring the Big Band sounds of the Jammers. Doors open at 6:00 PM and the band will play from 6:30 - 8:30 PM, Free refreshments will also be served. Fri. 20 Mar, 2015 GCS Auction & Fiesta (Fri. 20 Mar, 2015 5:30 pm - 9:30 pm) On Friday March 20th join us at the Knights of Columbus. Featuring silent & live auctions, a $50,000 raffle, and much more! KC Hall will be catering this event with their famous Tacos, Nachos, Tostados, Taco Salad, French Fries, & Chicken Tenders! Children's activities (such as face painting & craft projects) will be available but no "childcare" will be present. Doors will open at 5:30, the first silent auction section will close at 6:45, the second at 7:00, third at 7:15, & the fourth at 7:30. Shortly after that the Live auction will begin. The winner of the Raffle will be announced sometime during the evening. Galesburg Christian School Spring Auction & Fiesta (Fri. 20 Mar, 2015 12:30 pm) Food & Kid Activities, Silent Auction, Live Auction, $50,000 Raffle Chance! We'll pick up & you pick 'til you win! For a $10 raffle ticket your name could be drawn to win: $500 Carnival Cruise Voucher, $1000 Hy-Vee Gift Card or $50,000!! Winner for the drawing must be present to win the opportunity to make prize bag selections. Integrating Faith and Learning 3&4 Preschool - High School For more information call 309-343-8008 or visit www.GalesburgChristian.org Sat. 21 Mar, 2015 Discovery Depot: Brainminders Program! (Sat. 21 Mar, 2015 11:00 am - 2:00 pm) Come to Discovery Depot to learn about safety with a fun puppet show! The Galesburg Pilot Club invite you to meet the Wise Old Owl and his friends L Gerald Giraffe, Penny Panda, Martin Monkey, and Fiona Fox. Hear their stories of how they play safe and protect their brain for life! Enjoy treats and a craft, too Puppet show will begin every half hour, beginning at 11am with the last one beginning at 1:30pm!FREE with admission

2015 Chili & Soup Cook Off (Sat. 21 Mar, 2015 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm) 2015 Chili and Soup Cook Off!!! Attention Local "Foodies" and Chili Snobs. Join us at the cook off at 156 East Banquet Hall on the corner of Prairie and Main in downtown Galesburg. Cash bar for beverages alcoholic or non-alcoholic available. Event sponsored by Alternatives for the Older Adult where your quality of life is their passion. $8 tickets, seniors $7, children 4 - 12 $5, 3 and under free. To learn more about this event or Alternatives, call Ellen Berberich at 309-277-0167 or visit our website at www.alternativesforyou.org Sat. 28 Mar, 2015 Discovery Depot: Annual Easter Egg Hunt! (Sat. 28 Mar, 2015 9:30 am) Enjoy the Easter holiday by coming to Discovery Depot's annual East Egg Hunt! Explore high and low in the museum to find eggs with hidden surprises inside of them! Cost: $2 for members$3 for non-members Sun. 29 Mar, 2015 Knox County Right To Life (Sun. 29 Mar 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) DO NOT MISS!!! THE ANNUAL PANCAKE AND WHOLE HOG SAUSAGE BREAKFAST at the Knights of Columbus Hall Fremont Street. We will have our amazing bake sale capable of tempting anyone. The best bakers bring their best efforts touched with love. You can’t beat it. Knox County Right to Life needs your support so please come out and join us at a wonderful community breakfast. Just like family! Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, applesauce and beverages. Price: $5 for adults, $2 for children under 12 and a maximum of $15 for a family. Please if you wish to bring your favorite baked good for the sale you may drop it off on Saturday March 28th from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall or you may bring baked goods by on Sunday during the breakfast (earlier is better). We look forward to seeing you there.


2015 2015BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

MONTH/DATE BUSINESS MONTH/DATE BUSINESS

March Available Thursday, March 19, 2015 Ride & RunMonday, April 13, 2015 Legislator Luncheon Tuesday, April 21, 2015 Lake Bracken Country Club

May KCCDD Thursday, May 21, 2015 Trillium Dell TimberworksJune Available June AvailableJuly Available July Available

August Available August AvailableSeptember Available Thursday, September 17, 2015 Klingner and Associates, P.C.

October Available October AvailableNovember Available November AvailableDecember Available December Available

Galesburg on the Go - Lunch and Learn

FUTURE CHAMBER ACTIVITIES AND SPONSORSFUTURE CHAMBER ACTIVITIES AND SPONSORS

Ribbon Cutting

Galesburg Historical Society

February 6, 2015

Anderson Distributing Bill's Auto Body Bracken Holdings IncChez Willy's Derby Industries, LLC Edward Jones - Todd

VanVelsorEuclid Beverage Ltd. Farm King Supply First Presbyterian ChurchGalesburg Heritage Days Goodwill Industries IL. Small Business Dev.

CenterImaginethat Graphics J.P. Benbow Jim Maloof RealtyKnights of Columbus Knox County Child

Advocacy Ctr.Knox County Farm Bureau

Knox County Housing Authority

Knoxville CUSD #202 Merlin Company

Office Specialists, Inc. Pizza House Progress Rail Services Corp.Thrushwood Farms Quality Meats

Wells Fargo Bank

Thank you to the following businesses who renewed their membership. We value your support and participation!


Ferg’s Tire & Service NetworkJason Ferguson

1105 Monmouth Blvd., Galesburg, IL309-342-3157

[email protected]

Sitka Salmon SharesNic Mink

109 S. Cherry Street, Galesburg, IL309-342-3474

[email protected]

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Board of Directors:

CHAIRMANDave Pearson....Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Home

Vice CHAIRMANJeannette Kleine……..…….MAK Properties of Illinois

TREASURERTom McIntire………………..Barash & Everett, LLC

DIRECTORS

Alderman Wayne Allen.....................City of Galesburg

Chris Bayer………………………………..…. AFLAC

Kelli Bennewitz.............................................City Clerk

Mike Bond………………….…………….Innkeeper’s

Stephen Browning….…………..………. F & M Bank

Brenda Egenlauf……………………..…..Chez Willy’s

Jeff Pacheco…………………..…..Falcon Safety Group

Adam Sampson.............................Knox County YMCA

Don Shadensack……..…OSF St. Mary Medical Center

Executive DirectorSteven N. Brody

AMBASSADOR CORPS

Carrie Bernett...................OSF St. Mary Medical Center

Rhonda Dalton…………………………….CenturyLink

Doug Gibb.......................................Hospice Compassus

Mary Ann Hale............Knox-Warren Special Education

Bob Juraco.....................................Tompkins State Bank

Theresa Mangieri........................First Mid-Illinois Bank

Doris Medhurst.................................Individual Member

Kevin Maynard…………………..… Orpheum Theatre

Lance Oetting…….. Midwest Bank of Western Illinois

Annette Pickrel............................................F & M Bank

Chris Ryner.............IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union

Jackie Turner............................................Mel Foster Co.

Candy Webb……………..…….. Stratus Networks, Inc.

F&M Bank and Office Specialists, Inc. Make Donation to Knox County Child Advocacy Center, Inc.

Doug Sanders, President and CEO at F&M Bank and Trent Pearson, Owner, Office Specialists, Inc. state, “Both F&M Bank and Office Specialists, Inc. are very proud to be able to contribute to this organization in this capacity. The services that Knox County Child Advocacy Center provides our community are invaluable and we are very fortunate to be able to contribute to their success.”

Knox County CAC provides forensic interviews to children who are alleged victims of sexual or physical abuse. They also provide support to the children and their families throughout the life of their case by providing therapy, court advocacy, case management, community referrals and medical support.Knox County CAC holds one annual fundraiser. The fundraiser will be held at Knights of Columbus on Saturday, March 28th and is open to the public. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and events include appetizers, beverages, dessert, cash bar, entertainment, auctions and more. Tickets may be purchased for $20 in advance or $25 at the door. For more information or to make a donation to the fundraiser, please contact Knox County Child Advocacy Center at (309) 344-8416.

Date: February 25, 2015Contact: Rhonda Houzenga, Director of Marketing and Public Relations, F&M Bank,(309) [email protected]

Toot Your Own Horn!


Galesburg, IL – Doug Sanders, President & CEO at F&M Bank, 21 E. Main St., Galesburg, and Trent Pearson, Owner, Office Specialists, Inc. present a donation of $1,000 to Knox County Child Advocacy Center for their Annual Child First Extravaganza fundraiser. Accepting the donation is Judy Guenseth, Executive Director of Knox County Child Advocacy Center.


You’re Invited To Our

OPEN HOUSEFRIDAY, MARCH 6

FISH FRY: 11:30AM - 1:30PMTRACTOR CLINIC: 1:30PM

GALESBURG

Galesburg, Illinois (March 3, 2015). Approximately once per year, the City of Galesburg offers various city owned properties for sale. The purpose of selling the City’s surplus property is to eliminate the need for City property maintenance and to place the properties back on the property tax roll. The City of Galesburg currently has 48 vacant lots and 1 residential structure available for sale. Legal notice of the property locations will be published in the Register-Mail newspaper on March 6th, March 13th, and March 20th. If you are interested in receiving a copy of the Request for Bid document, which

lists the locations of the properties and provides bidding instruction information, please contact Julie Main at 309/345-3614 or [email protected]. A paper copy or electronic copy of the Request for Bid document will be sent to your attention. The bidding document will also be available on the City’s website, www.ci.galesburg.il.us. The City is not conducting an auction for these properties. Written sealed bids must be submitted by interested parties to City Hall Purchasing by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 6th. The bids will be opened at the City Council meeting that evening on Monday, April 6th.


In these trying times for the State of Illinois with so many economic indicators putting us near the bottom in growth, it’s nice to know of one area of government spending that has worked very well. Tourism in Illinois has been a banner industry enjoying four straight years of growth in our state. In fact, our image as a destination has been expertly crafted and implemented with minimal impact on the taxpayer while providing a bright spot for Illinois tax revenue.

I have shared these numbers before. But, in lieu of the need to reduce government spending, it is prudent for me to share the impact on tourism in the State of Illinois. In 2013, for the first time ever, 105.7 million visitors chose Illinois. That includes 103.5 million domestic visitors (a record) and 2.2 million international visitors (a record). Combined, that’s a 4.5% increase over our record-breaking year in 2012. Visitors spent $34.6 billion in Illinois in 2013. That’s 3.1% higher than 2012. Illinois hotel-motel tax revenues for fiscal year 2014 were $237,419,080. State and local tax revenues for tourism were more than $2.6 billion in 2013. This equates to an average savings of $1,300 per household. How much of an impact on government spending was the Illinois Office of Tourism? It was about $57,000,000. $57,000,000 benefited over 300,000 tourism industry jobs and generated nearly $35 billion in spending by visitors. This is a success story that doesn’t need restructuring or cuts. It needs the endorsement of our governor and legislators. All of these numbers come from the U. S. Travel Association.

For those that like rankings, Illinois moved into 8th place in total domestic visitors ahead of

Nevada for 2014. In 2013, we were ranked 9th. We rank 6th in traveler spending and 8th in overseas visitors out of 50 states. In short, Enjoy Illinois has not only been good stewards of taxpayer money, they have provided valuable revenue for the state budget.

The Mini Abe television campaign is a very good example of the power and effectiveness of Enjoy Illinois (Illinois Office of Tourism). Mini Abe was effective domestically and internationally. In 2014, Mini Abe helped improve total web traffic by more than 86%. In the UK this traffic was up more than 68%. In Germany, web traffic was up over 320%! The Mini Abe “Be More Whoa-ed” TV ad had over 2.5 million views on YouTube alone. These varieties of impactful Mini Abe ads were seen all across America, Canada & the UK. In Japan, Big Lincoln made a huge impact in a land obsessed with mascots.

Enjoy Illinois likes to hit the road in our state. They took the Enjoy Illinois Bus all over the state. Last year, they stopped in Galesburg to honor Discovery Depot with a Lincoln Award for an outstanding public and private partnership. The Director of Tourism for Enjoy Illinois was on hand to deliver announcement after announcement highlighting the record success of tourism in our community and our state.

All of these successes are due to wonderful partnerships across the state. Last month in my newsletter posting, I explained several of our connections and partnerships throughout Illinois. These partnerships are effective and allow every corner of our state to benefit from the Enjoy

Illinois efforts to grow our tourism industry. If you still want to enjoy a $1,300 tax savings per household from tourism in Illinois, tell our legislators and Governor Rauner to fully fund Enjoy Illinois (Illinois Office of Tourism).April is a great month for events in Galesburg. From April 9-11, get ready for some Jazz! The Rootabaga Jazz Festival will be invading downtown Galesburg with several concerts. Headlining the festival are Anat Cohen Quartet and Lowdown Brass Band. Clarinetist and saxophonist Anat Cohen is renowned for her expressive virtuosity and delightful stage presence. Visit knox.edu/rootabaga for more info. Those without internet can call 309-341-7265 for the lowdown.

April also means the Sandburg Days Festival. The Festival runs from April 21-25 in various locations including Carl Sandburg College, the Galesburg Public Library, Galesburg High School and more. New York Times Best Selling Author Jennifer Niven will be the honored guest. In addition, the Sandburg Birthplace State Historic Site will be honored as a Children’s Literary Landmark. Sec. of State Jesse White is scheduled to help commemorate the occasion.For more info visit sandburg.edu/festival. You can call 309-341-5221 for info as well.

Bill MorrisExecutive Director,Galesburg Area Convention & Visitors [email protected]


Owner

Voices of Experience

&

Terry Cavanaugh

FEATURING

Moderated By

$20 Chamber Members $25 Future Members __________________________________________

Phil Dickinson Elvith Santoyo

Presents

An Evening of Leadership Excellence from

Experienced Local Leaders

The

Leadership Perspectives

Series

5:30—7 pm March 26, 2015 G & M Distributors, 200 N. Linwood Road

Owner

Acapulco Restaurant

Ticket prices are $8

$7 for Seniors

$5 for children (ages 4– 12) (Children 3 and under are free)

Cash bar for beverages (both alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks)

Tickets can be purchased at the door of the event or in advanced by calling

1-800-798-0988.

To learn more about this event or Alternatives visit our website at www.alternativesforyou.org

or call Ellen Berberich at 309-277-0167

Join us at the

2015 Chili and Soup Cook Off (Potluck)

March 21st from 5:30-8pm at

156 East Banquet Hall Galesburg, IL

Live Entertainment By The Dani Lynn Howe Band!

Attention Local “Foodies” and Chili Snobs!

Integrating Faith & Learning 3&4 Preschool—High School 309.343.8008

www.GalesburgChristian.org

Galesburg Christian School

AUCTION & FIESTA Knights of Columbus

March 20, 2015

Food & Kid Activities 5:30 Silent Auction 6:15 Live Auction 7:30 $50,000 Raffle Chance!

We’ll Pick You & You Pick 'Til You Win! For a $10 raffle ticket your name could be drawn to win:

$500 Carnival Cruise Voucher $1,000 Hy-Vee Gift Card OR $50,000!

If your name is drawn, you will select one bag at a time from a group of 40 bags. Each bag contains an envelope identifying one of the three prizes. When you have selected five of the same envelopes, you win that prize – either the Carnival Cruise Voucher, Hy-Vee Gift Card or $50,000. Winner for the drawing must be present to win the opportunity to make prize bag selections. Only one name will be drawn. The $50,000 prize is underwritten by Odds on Promotions under contract with Galesburg Christian School Association, Inc.


GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

Each 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month at 5:30 pm

The first session will be held on March 1. The intent of the

group is to create a safe, confidential place to talk about and

walk through the grief journey. The resources and materials

used and provided are grief centered, and not necessarily

Christian or religious in nature. It is a drop in group – you can

choose to attend any or all sessions. The group is open to

anyone from the community.

Grief comes from loss, and loss comes in many forms. Each

loss that we experience causes us to encounter some level of the

grief process. When we fully explore and work through our

grief, we can experience wholeness.

Allowing others to walk with us through this journey can give

insight and companionship during what can be a lonely and

solitary time. One of the ways to facilitate healing in our lives is

to be part of a supportive community.

Beacon of Hope Hospice, in conjunction with First

Lutheran Church, Galesburg, would like to provide

opportunities for the people of the wider Galesburg

community to engage in the grief work that is essential to

our healing and wholeness. Chaplain Vince Marolla is an

ordained ELCA pastor who has worked in hospice since

2000. He is called by the Northern Illinois Synod of the

ELCA to do grief education. Vince says, “I have learned

one simple truth about grief – as we share our grief with

one another in a safe place, healing is present.”

For more information call Beacon of Hope at: (309) – 344-4673

or email Vince at [email protected].

GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP

1st and 3rd Sunday

Every month

5:30 pm

At: First Lutheran Church

364 E Water Street

Galesburg

Leader: Chaplain Vince Marolla

Beacon of Hope Hospice

Sponsored by:

364 East Water Street 102 East Main Street

Galesburg, IL 61401 Galesburg, IL 61401

(309) 343-3176 (309) 344-4673

SCHEDULE

Dinner Served 5:30 to 7: 00pm Doors Open at 5:15pm

Dinners are served at Central

Congregational Church

60 Public Square, Galesburg, Illinois

[email protected]

(309) 342-KPCK

P.O. Box 1784 Galesburg, IL 61402

www.knoxprairiekitchen.org

January 8

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February 12

February 26

March 12

March 26

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