September 2015 Newsletter - Washington Illinois Chamber of

Taste of Washington p.1 & 2
Upcoming Chamber Events p.3
September BAH p.4
Member Renewals p.5
New Members & Welcomes p.4 & 5
Member Memos p.6
The Taste of Washington 2015,
sponsored by CEFCU and hosted by
the Washington Chamber of
Commerce, will be held on Tuesday,
September 15th. The event is
scheduled to begin at 5:00 pm and
end at 8:00pm at Countryside
Banquet Facility, 659 School Street
- rain or shine or heat.
P: 309.444.9921
E: [email protected]
W:washingtoncoc.com
Parking will be available on the west side of the parking lot, as well as in
neighboring businesses’ lots. The event will be set up on the east side near
the tent and in the grassy area. A ticket booth will be located at the pedestrian entrance to the Taste where tickets may be purchased with cash.
Those wishing to purchase Taste tickets by using their credit card may do so
at the Chamber booth. Tickets for the Taste of Washington will be available
for purchase for $1 each at the event only. (No early tickets sales.) Each
vendor will accept Taste tickets only for their food. All Taste food selections
will be in the 1 to 3 tickets range per item.
Visitors to the Taste are invited to pull up a chair (or bring your own lawn
chair!) in the eating area where several businesses will be sponsoring a
table. There will also be seating available inside the air-conditioned tent,
where beer and wine can be purchased, courtesy of Countryside Banquet
Facility. There will be music, a fun photo booth, line dancing, plus a Kid’s
Fun Area (sponsored by Deiters Pet Services, LeFleur Floral Designs &
Events, and Prep.Freeze. Cook) with inflatables, bubbles, and more!
Alexander Financial Services and Alexander-Murray Agency are co-sponsors
of the “Dunk Your School Tank”, giving you the chance to dunk different
representatives from each of the school districts in Washington to raise
money for the Superintendents’ Funds. And, of course, there will be all the
delicious food samples provided by these 2015 Taste vendors: Countryside
Banquet Facility, Maui Wowi Hawaiian, The Ice Cream Shack of Sunnyland,
Kep’s Sports Bar & Grill, McMahon’s Pints & Plates, The Blacksmith’s
Steakhouse, Gracie’s Sports Grill & Pizza, DeMarchi’s Espresso, Chef’s
Catering, Firehouse Pizza, and Bernardi’s. Cub Scout Pack #163 will be
selling bottled water and can sodas for the WCOC, with a portion of the
profit going to the Pack. (continued on pg. 2)
One food vendor will be awarded the traveling trophy for being the Best Decorated Booth. New this year is a Table Decorating
contest for the eating area. Different businesses will be sponsoring a table at which our Tasters may dine. The best decorated
table will earn that business the honor of winning the Taste Table award! Awards for the Best of Washington Taste overall; Best
Appetizer; Best Entrée; and Best Dessert will be presented around 6:30pm, allowing everyone the opportunity to try all the
winners’ tasty morsels. The People’s Choice Award will be back, so you can vote for your favorite choice of the evening. The
Chamber’s booth will have details and ballot cards for this competition.
“We are more prepared for a crowd this year! Our new location, at Countryside Banquet Facility, comes with lots of space to
spread out,” reports Events chair, Dennis Hermann. “We’ll be utilizing the east side of the parking lot for our food vendors and
entertainment; the grassy area for kids’ activities; and the tent for an air-conditioned area to sit, eat, and even purchase beer
and wine, courtesy of Countryside Banquet Facility. We’re excited for the Taste this year, and look forward to seeing everyone
come out to enjoy this annual event.”
Maps and menus are available on the Chamber’s website: www.washingtoncoc.com,
and will also be available at the Taste of Washington.
Watch for announcements on the Washington Chamber of Commerce Facebook page, too!
21st Annual
Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast
• November 19, 2015 •
Countryside Banquet Facility
659 School Street
Washington, IL
6:30 to 8:30 am
SAVE THE DATE!
Peoria Area Convention &
Visitors Bureau
More details will be available and invitations will be sent in October.
Save The Date
October
15th-19th
Monday .
November 9, 2015
Four Days of
Shopping &
Gaming
Madness
@ Plaza
Lanes
Teams . Prizes . Silent Auction . Raffle .
Food . Bowling . Sponsor Opportunities .
Fill in your MM
game card
for the
chance to
win $$$$$
FUN!
Proceeds go to the Business Recovery
Fund . Watch for details in September
21st Annual
Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast
• November 19, 2015 •
Countryside Banquet Facility
659 School Street
Washington, IL
6:30 to 8:30 am
SAVE THE DATE!
NOV 28
2nd Ever WCOC Trivia Night
Saturday, January 23, 2016
@ Countryside Banquet Facility
Plan to SHOP LOCAL &
SHOP SMALL on
Saturday, November 28
SAVE THE DATE & GET A TEAM
TOGETHER!
More details coming soon!
September 8, 2015
5 to 7 pm
Bastien Wireless
1606 Washington Road . Suite B
Washington
Oct 13 . Heartland Bank & Trust
Nov 10 . Washington Times Reporter
Subject to change
Are you interested in hosting a Business After Hours in 2016?
Contact the Chamber office TODAY. 444-9921
Business After Hours was created to provide opportunities to local business people to meet each other in an informal setting. It also allows a superb time to
showcase a particular business. Hosting one of these events, as well as attending, can have long range positive effects on business and networking.
Besides providing opportunity to network, Business After Hours also provides a chance for new or potential members to meet face to face with current members
and see what the Chamber can do for them.
On Thursday, August 13, 2015, a ribbon cutting was held to welcome
Homestead Antiques to the Washington Chamber of Commerce.
Owners, Joann and Glen Smiley, were joined by their son and
granddaughter, Justin and Sofia Cordes, and booth vendor Sandy
Welsh, along with Lee Cleary, Heartland Bank & Trust Co. and Ed
Foster, Foster’s Moving & Delivery Service/Foster’s Pro Lawn & Snow
Removal representing the Chamber, for the ribbon cutting.
Homestead Antiques, 2407 Washington Road in Washington, has
been open since last November, with several dealers set up in booth
spaces to sell their wares. “This has been a dream of mine for a long
time – to have an antique mall with great pieces from the past,“
states Joann. “We have primitive, vintage, antique, and unique
items all under one roof; and we’re excited to be here in
Washington.” For more information about Homestead Antiques,
call Joann at 698-8765.
DeMarchi’s Espresso
Ignite Payments Strategic Alliance
Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
as of 8-31-15
The Blacksmith’s Steakhouse
Gary Heider
661 N. Cummings Lane
Washington, IL 61571
309.444.5111
If you are a new chamber member (having
joined within the last 6 months) and have not arranged to have your official welcome
scheduled…please contact the Chamber office 444-9921—so we can set a date! For more information, contact the Chamber staff.
Sunrise Supply
David Blundy
401 Peoria Street
Washington, IL 61571
sunrisesupplyinc.com
309.698.7028
The Blacksmith’s Steakhouse, 661 N. Cummings Lane, Washington, held a ribbon cutting with the Washington
Chamber of Commerce to celebrate its grand opening on Friday, August 14, 2015. Owners Gary and Linda
Heider and Brock and Elizabeth Heider, were joined by Chef Andy Sepich, staff, and representatives of the
Chamber and City at the ribbon cutting. The Heiders, who also own Kep’s Sports Bar & Grill, wanted to bring
to Washington an upscale dining experience
featuring steaks, seafood, salads, appetizers, and
desserts. Representing the Chamber and City were:
Melissa Wireman, CEFCU; Emily Geerts, PNC Bank; Jill
Webb, City; Wendy Wagner, Art at the Bottega;
Debbie Bradd, B&J U-Store; Brian Tibbs, Washington
Park District; Cara McGowan, Paula Arnold, Becky
Holmes, Mayor Gary Manier, Pat Brown, Jon
Oliphant, City of Washington; Eric Obalil, Alexander
Financial Services; Chevie Ruder, Washington
Chamber of Commerce; and Blake Mishler, Black,
Black & Brown. For more information about The
Blacksmith’s Steakhouse, call 444-5111.
A ribbon cutting was held on Tuesday,
August 18, 2015, at Moehle Supportive
Living of Washington, 1150 Newcastle
Road, Washington, to welcome them as a
new member of the Washington Chamber
of Commerce. Moehle Supportive Living of
Washington opened in September, 2007,
to provide senior housing and supportive
living for those over the age of 65. The
following residents and staff, along with
Chamber representatives were present at
the ribbon cutting: Chevie Ruder, WCOC
Director; Lee Cleary, Heartland Bank &
Trust; Max and Belva Tessier, Florence
Craig, Beth Edwards, Charlotte Cerny, Nola
Zimmerman, Jenny Sikula, Laura Hoffman, Richard Bell, Christine O’Rourke, Linda Wilson, Kimberly DuPage
(manager), Leisel Lavery, all of Moehle Supportive Living of Washington; Blake Mishler, Black, Black & Brown; and
Melissa Wireman, CEFCU. For more information about Moehle Supportive Living of Washington, call 444-3641.
Grace Bible Church . Want to get out of
debt? Want to understand how to plan for
retirement? Want to have an actual conversation about money with your spouse instead
of an argument? Grace Bible Church is proud
to host Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University on Wednesday nights at 6:30 this fall.
Classes start September 2 and childcare is
provided through our Awana program. For
more information call 444-4147.
Goodwill’s Forward March & Run . Volunteer
and Honor Veterans . Support local homeless
veterans . 2 mile march . 4 & 8 mile runs . September 12 . 8:00am . Peoria Riverfront . Participate by Volunteering . volunteerforvets@
goodwillpeo.org
Building Better Moms . A mom’s group focused on learning, growing and serving together. Mission & volunteer opportunities.
Relevant speakers & themes. Brunches.
Friendly & supportive atmosphere. Starts 9-1815 and meets 1st and 3rd Fridays, September May at Crossroads UMC multi-purpose room.
$40 per mom; $40 per child for entire year
with an $80 cap per family. For more details,
go to www.crossroads4all.org.
Teen Challenge . Annual Fall Banquet - “The
Power of Change” . Featured speaker Rev.
Ken Johnson, Indianapolis Colts Chaplain.
Tuesday, September 29th, 6:00pm. Peoria
Civic Center Ballroom. Tickets $35 each, table
of ten $350. For more information or to advertise in the banquet journal, call 309-673-3716
or go to www.Teenchallengepeoria.org
Hopewell Grange . Hosting a Fall Craftsman/Vendor Fair on Saturday, October 17,
2015. Rental spaces are available (before
September 26: $15/a large table and 2 charis
or $25/2 large tables and 4 chairs; after 9-26:
prices go up to $25 and $33 respectively). To
get involved by contacting Elaine Hecathorn
at [email protected] or 309-361-0006 to
get a registration form for the fair.
Member Memos is the place where a short
announcement can be made to convey
information about your business. Your
information needs to be submitted by the 20th
of the month preceding publication. Chamber
members are encouraged to submit notices of
accomplishments, upcoming events, or data
that would be of interest to the membership.
It is our goal to provide the most current and
accurate information; however, we are limited
to the information that is provided to us. Details
are subject to change between the time information is received and the time of publication.
Heartland Festival Orchestra . Season 7
opens with Viennese masterworks by Schubert, Haydn, and Brahms. The magnificent
Double Concerto will feature the return of
celebrity virtuosi Elena Urioste and Nicholas
Canellakis. Concert benefits Peoria Area
World Affairs Council. September 5th, 2015 .
7:30pm at Five Points Washington. $35
Adults/$8 Students & kids. For tickets, call
309-444-8222, buy them at Kidder Music in
Peoria, or go to www.heartland festivalorchestra.org . 309-339-3943
Sunnyland Christian Church . Hosting a contemporary Christian concert featuring Red
Letter Road on Saturday, September 12.
Doors open at 6pm; concert starts at
6:30pm. Public welcome. No admission
charge - free will offering to support. Washington Weekend Snackpac program . 2401
Washington Road . 309-699-1332
Crossroads UMC . Hosting “I Was Broke, Now
I’m Not”. Need help getting ahead? Join us
for a financial study based on a book written
by dynamic speaker Joseph Sangl who went
from broke to debt free in only 14 months.
Open to all. 5 weeks. September 13 October 11. 6:00-7:30pm. Sign up online @
www.crossroads4all.org.
Washington Park District . Needs some help!
Looking for businesses in Washington to be a
stop during the Washington Amazing Race
to be held on Saturday, October 17th.
Please contact Brian Tibbs at the WPD by
September 15 with any questions or interest.
309-444-9413.
Bard Optical takes the World Sight Day Challenge by raising funds to give sight and hope
to people in need. When you visit any Bard
Optical between September 15 and October 8, 2015, you can make a donation to
Optometry Giving Sight. Please look for the
donation box located in every office. Your
donations allow Optometry Giving Sight to
help fund programs that include: training
local eye care professionals and establishing
vision centers for sustainability to deliver eye
care and low cost glasses. For more information on World Sight Day Challenge, go to
www.givingsight.org.
President
Brad Mahony • South Side Bank
Vice President
Yvonne Andresen • The Blend
Treasurer
Kim Hess • Washington Park District
Secretary
Pat Brown • City of Washington
Deborah Bradd • B&J U-Store
Shane Bruer • Portrait Life
Kristi Cape • Countryside Banquet Facility
Lee Cleary • Heartland Bank & Trust Co.
Stan Cohen • Firehouse Pizza
Dennis Hermann • Alexander Murray Agency
Amy Morgan • LeFleur Floral Designs & Events
Nick Robertson • Bernardi’s Restaurant
Susan Wise • Plaza Lanes
President
Melissa Wireman • CEFCU
Vice President
Kim Felker • Washington Community Bank
Faye Clark • New Image Laser (@ Illini Family Medical)
Ed Foster • Foster’s Pro Lawn & Snow Removal/
Foster’s Moving & Delivery Service
Emily Geerts • PNC Bank
Blake Mishler • Black, Black & Brown
Tracy Molendi • Simply Organized & Stage
Eric Obalil • Alexander Financial Services
Denise Shelton • LeFleur Floral Designs & Events
Brian Tibbs • Washington Park District
Wendy Wagner • Art at the Botegga
Tricia Yocum • Coldwell Banker Honig-Bell
Executive Director
Chevie Ruder • [email protected]
Communication Manager
Candy Liggin • [email protected]
Finance Manager
Gail Nettles • [email protected]
[email protected]
www.washingtoncoc.com
114 Washington Square . Washington, IL 61571
September
9
Business After Hours
@ Bastien Wireless, 5:00pm
15
Taste of Washington
@ Countryside Banquet Facility, 5:00pm
19
Autumn Fest*
on Washington Square, 5:00pm
October
2
Homecoming Parade*
Parade Route, 2:00pm
13
Business After Hours
@ Heartland Bank & Trust Co., 5:00pm
1922
Moonlight Madness
Citywide in WASHINGTON
November
8
Veterans Day Celebration*
@ Deiters Funeral Home, 2:00pm
10
Business After Hours
Washington Times Reporter, 5:00pm
19
Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast
@ Countryside Banquet Facility, 6:30am
26-27
28
Thanksgiving Holiday - Office Closed
Small Business Saturday - Keep It Local!
#ALLIN4WASHINGTON
events & dates subject to change . *not a chamber event