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.
February 2015- Vol 2015, Issue 2
GALESBURG AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER
February Community Events
Sun. 1 Feb, 2015
Knox College International Fair (Sat. 31 Jan,
2015 4:00 pm - Sun. 1 Feb, 2015 5:00 pm)
Food, arts, crafts and entertainment from
around the world, presented by Knox College
students and visiting performers. For more
information regarding the event, visit their
website. www.knox.edu/internationalfair.xml
Always the last Saturday in January
Discovery Depot: Operation Valentine (Sun. 1
Feb, 2015 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm)
Discovery Depot needs your "Heart Art"!
Come join us in helping to create special
valentines for our armed services! We will
supply the materials and our community
partner, Watson Thomas Funeral Home
supplies the postage to mail to our troops!
Heart full of thanks to Watson Thomas Funeral
Home!
Mon. 2 Feb, 2015
Galesburg Community Chorus begins
rehearsals for Spring 2015 concert (Mon. 2
Feb, 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. 3 Feb, 2015
Discovery Depot: The Engine (Tue. 3 Feb,
2015 10:30 am - 11:30 am)
One weekly theme, two different stories &
activities! Geared up to a child 6 or under but
open to all! This week's theme is
"Groundhog's Day" and we have Katrina
Howard, Hy-Vee dietician as our special
guest! FREE with admission
This week's Carefree Creation theme is
Operation Valentine. Come to Discovery
Depot to create your own valentine that will
be sent to our troops. Art materials and
supplies will be provided inside the Blick Art
Studio.
Thu. 5 Feb, 2015
Discovery Depot: The Caboose (Thu. 5 Feb,
2015 10:30 am - 11:30 am)
One weekly theme, two different stories &
activities! Geared up to a child 6 or under but
open to all! This week's theme is
"Groundhog's Day" and we have Katrina
Howard, HyVee dietician as our special guest!
FREE with admission
Fri. 6 Feb, 2015
National Wear Red Day (Fri. 6 Feb, 2015 7:00
am - 11:00 am)
National Wear Red Day!!! On February 6th
everyone is encouraged to wear red to show
support for women and their fight against
heart disease. OSF St. Mary's Medical Center
is sponsoring a Women's Heart Health &
Fitness Fair on February 6th from 7:00 am to
10:30 am in the St. Mary Medical Center
Cardiac Rehab Center. There will be door
prizes, refreshments, give a ways and a chance
for you to participate in the following; Blood
Pressure Checks, Blood Sugar Screenings,
Body Mass Index, Cholesterol Screenings
($20), Exercise Programs, Diabetes Screening,
Nutritional Information, Personal Wellness
Program Information, Stroke Information, Fall
Prevention Information, Make-Up Booths, and
much, much more!
Sat. 7 Feb, 2015
Knox-Galesburg Symphony presents First
Chairs Forward (Sat. 7 Feb, 2015 7:30 pm)
Knox-Galesburg Symphony presents "First
Chairs Forward" Featuring Carolyn Suda,
violoncello, Eric Ginsberg, clarinet and Bruce
Polay, piano Performing works by Beethoven,
Prokofiev, Polay, and Brahms Saturday
February 7, 2015 at 7:30 p.m. Kresge Recital
Hall, Knox College Tickets: Admission is $12
for adults, children are half-price. Available
at the Orpheum Theatre and at the door.
Tue. 10 Feb, 2015
Discovery Depot: The Engine (Tue. 10 Feb,
2015 10:30 am - 11:30 am)
One weekly theme, two different stories &
activities! Geared up to a child 6 or under but
open to all! This week's theme is "All about
Valentine's Day". FREE with admission
Wed. 4 Feb, 2015
Discovery Depot: Carefree Creations (Wed. 4
Feb, 2015 10:00 am - Thu. 5 Feb, 2015 4:00
pm)
Wed. 11 Feb, 2015
Discovery Depot: Carefree Creations (Wed. 11
Feb, 2015 10:00 am - 5:00 pm)
Carefree Creations is Discovery Depot's
weekly art program dedicated on a specific
theme! CC provides children a variety of art
supplies to help fuel a child's creativity and
imagination to create their own work of art.
Carefree Creations is Discovery Depot's
weekly art program dedicated on a specific
theme. CC provides children a variety of art
supplies to help fuel a child's creativity and
imagination to create their own work of art.
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This week's Carefree Creation theme is
Valentines Collage. Come to Discovery Depot
to create your own valentines collage. Art
materials and supplies will be provided inside
the Blick Art Studio.
Thu. 12 Feb, 2015
Discovery Depot: Home School Hub (Thu. 12
Feb, 2015 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm)
Home School Hub is created from an audience
aged 7-12 yrs. Children will learn about a
certain topic and create a craft along with it.
This week, children will learn about chemistry
and conduct some fun experiments to see
chemical changes. We will even try to make
our own glue! FREE with admission
Discovery Depot: Explore, ENRICH & Engage
(Thu. 12 Feb, 2015 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm)
Go above and beyond with our Explore,
ENRICH & Engaged that seeks to challenge
the minds of children ages 5-12 through
hands-on Art & Science activities! For this
week's ENRICH program, children will be
learning about chemistry and conduct some
fun experiments to see chemical changes. We
will even make our own glue! FREE with
admission
Sat. 14 Feb, 2015
Chocolate Festival - Galesburg Historical
Society (Sat. 14 Feb, 2015 11:00 am - Sun. 15
Feb, 2015 12:00 pm)
Annual festival featuring homemade and
commercially made chocolate treats. It is an
endless buffet of tortes, cakes, pies, cookies,
candies, beverages and much more; a
chocolate lover's dream come true. Event runs
from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. February 14 & 15, $8
per person in advance, $9 at door. New
location: 156 E, located on the corner of E.
Main Street & Prairie Street.
Nova Singers Concert (Sat. 14 Feb, 2015 2:00
pm - 5:00 pm)
Nova Singers Concert!!! Journeys &
Transformations presented by the Nova
Singers, being held in the Kresge Recital Hall,
Knox College. This thematic program will
take surprising journeys and explore different
kinds of transformation, from Vaughan
Williams' extraordinary Three Shakespeare
Songs, to Rauravaara's dark and intense Suite
de Lorca, to the pure joy of Talbot's Santiago.
We will also present the world premiere of a
new work based on Carl Sandburg's poetry by
famed composer Abbie Betinis.
Sun. 15 Feb, 2015
Discovery Depot: Sweet Sundae Creations
(Sun. 15 Feb, 2015 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm)
Join Discovery Depot for our Sweet Sundae
creation stations. You can create your own
culinary masterpiece and enjoy this
sensational favorite! Cost: $2 for
members$2.50 for non-members
Mon. 16 Feb, 2015
Discovery Depot: Presidential Fun (Mon. 16
Feb, 2015 10:00 am - 4:00 pm)
Adults $5.00 Children 12 & under $3.00 All
you can eat at the First United Methodist
church Kellogg at Ferris – Galesburg IL.
Join us at Discovery Depot to celebrate
Presidents' Day. You'll learn of Lincoln and
wise up on Washington. You can even make
your own replica of Mt. Rushmore, presidents’
masks, and pretzel log cabins! FREE with
admission
Sat. 21 Feb, 2015
Discovery Depot: Little Builder's Workshop
(Sat. 21 Feb, 2015 10:30 am - 11:30 am)
Tue. 17 Feb, 2015
Discovery Depot: The Engine (Tue. 17 Feb,
2015 10:30 am - 11:30 am)
One weekly theme, two different stories &
activities! Geared up to a child 6 or under but
open to all! This week's theme is "Winter
Weather". FREE with admission
Wed. 18 Feb, 2015
Discovery Depot: Carefree Creations (Wed. 18
Feb, 2015 10:00 am - 5:00 pm)
Carefree Creations is Discovery Depot's
weekly art program dedicated on a specific
theme. CC provides children a variety of art
supplies to help fuel a child's creativity and
imagination to create their own work of art.
Since Chinese New Year is on February 19th,
come to Discovery Depot's Carefree Creations
to make some Chinese New Year crafts such as
coin pouches and a dragon parade flag. Art
materials and supplies will be provided inside
the Blick Art Studio.
Discovery Depot: Special Night for Special
Kids (Wed. 18 Feb, 2015 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm)
This night is for special need kids and their
families to enjoy the museum Cost: $3
Thu. 19 Feb, 2015
Discovery Depot: The Caboose (Thu. 19 Feb,
2015 10:30 am - 11:30 am)
One weekly theme, two different stories &
activities! Geared up to a child 6 or under but
open to all! This week's theme is "All About
Valentine's Day" .FREE with admission
Rootabaga Jammers Concert (Thu. 19 Feb,
2015 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm)
Rootabaga Jammers!!! There will be a FREE
concert at the Kensington featuring the Big
Band sounds of the Rootabaga Jammers.
Bring your favorite partner and dance to this
great music or just sit, listen and tap your feet
to the beat. Free refreshments will be served
too. Doors open at 6:00 PM and the band
starts at 6:30 to 8:30. Hope to see you there.
Fri. 20 Feb, 2015
67 t h Annual Galesburg Noon Lions Club
Pancake Festival (Fri. 20, Feb., 2015 11am – 1
pm & 5 – 7 pm)
Sausages – Eggs - Pancakes – Coffee – Milk
Have a little handyman or handy gal at home?
Then come to Discovery Depot to have your
little handymen and gals challenge their
carpentry skills at our "Little Builders"
workshop at our own Gerstenberger Build-itRoom. Children will learn safety with tools
and build your own backyard bird feeder!
Suitable for ages 4 to 7. Cost: $5 for your
building kit Call to register in advance; space
is limited. Register by Monday, February 16th.
Sun. 22 Feb, 2015
Discovery Depot: Reading is Fundamental
(RIF) (Sun. 22 Feb, 2015 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm)
We love reading at Discovery Depot! So join
us for RIF Day and each child gets a free
book! FREE with admission
Tue. 24 Feb, 2015
Discovery Depot: The Engine (Tue. 24 Feb,
2015 10:30 am - 11:30 am)
One weekly theme, two different stories &
activities! Geared up to a child 6 or under but
open to all! This week's theme is "Polar
Animals". FREE with admission
Wed. 25 Feb, 2015
Discovery Depot: Carefree Creations (Wed. 25
Feb, 2015 10:00 am - 5:00 pm)
Carefree Creations is Discovery Depot's
weekly art program dedicated on a specific
them. CC provides children a variety of art
supplies to help fuel a child's creativity and
imagination to create their own work of art.
This week's Carefree Creation theme is clay.
So, come to Discovery Depot to create your
own clay creation. Art materials and supplies
will be provided inside the Blick Art Studio.
Thu. 26 Feb, 2015
Discovery Depot: The Caboose (Thu. 26 Feb,
2015 10:30 am - 11:30 am)
Discovery Depot: Explore, ENRICH & Engage
(Thu. 26 Feb, 2015 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm)
Go above and beyond with our Explore,
ENRICH & Engage that seeks to challenge the
minds of children ages 5-12yrs. through
hands-on Art & Science activities! For this
week's ENRICH program, we will celebrate
the Chinese New Year with a party including
making crafts and playing traditional Chinese
games. FREE with admission
Black Earth Film Festival (Thu. 26 Feb, 2015
7:00 pm - Sat. 28 Feb, 2015 10:00 pm)
Black Earth Film Festival!!! Come to the
Cherry Street Restaurant & Bar in downtown
Galesburg. Enjoy dinner and cocktails as you
view wonderful films from all over the world
and as always there are a few local favorites
as well. This is the 11th year for BEFF and it
will have some surprises as well with a panel
of filmmakers on Saturday night. Doors open
at 6:00 p.m. so you can get your meal ordered,
if you so desire.
Sat. 28 Feb, 2015
Class Day 2015 (Sat. 28 Feb, 2015 9:00 am 3:00 pm)
32nd Annual Class Day!!!! Time for the 32nd
Annual Class Day to be held at Carl Sandburg
College on Saturday, February 28, 2015 from
9 am to 3 pm. This annual event is presented
by KCAHCE (Knox County Association for
Home and Community Education and proceeds
go to the Sandburg Foundation Fund for
scholarships. Many different classes to
choose from, low cost of $25 which includes
lunch. Over 50 classes in eight categories Arts
& Crafts, Recreation/Gardening, History,
Food, Technology, Home & Personal, Health
and International. Something for everyone
and a nice way to spend a day. For detailed
class information and to register, program
booklets are available at; Galesburg Public
Library, Monmouth Library, Township
Libraries, Carl Sandburg College, Galesburg
Visitor Bureau, Farm Bureau Office, U of I
Extension, Knox Agri-Center, or online at
http://sandburg.edu/go/classday
One weekly theme, two different stories &
activities! Geared up to a child 6 or under but
open to all! This week's theme is "Polar
Animals". FREE with admission
Discovery Depot: Home School Hub (Thu. 26
Feb, 2015 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm)
Home School Hub is created for an audience
aged 7-12yrs. Children will learn about a
certain topic and create a craft along with
what they learned. This week's theme is
Chinese New Year. We will celebrate the New
Year with a party including making crafts and
playing traditional Chinese games. FREE with
admission
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Thrivent Financial
Ms. Jennifer Sperry
649 W. Highway St, Oneida, IL 61467
(309)368-7515,
[email protected]
Thrivent.com/fr/Jennifer.sperry
Quad Cities River Bandits
Denise Clark
209 S. Gaines St., Davenport, IA 52801
(563-333-2736, [email protected]
www.Riverbandits.com
VFW Post 2257
Mr. Mike Lummis
1001 Michigan Ave., Galesburg, IL 61401
[email protected]
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Our Big Deals store is an online store that offers gift certificates on goods or services to local businesses. The
Big Deals online store is a way for you to save money on goods or services that you buy retail all the time.
You may buy and use as many gift certificates as you like at any participating business. Access our Big Deals
store by visiting our station website at 977wmoi.com, 1330wram.com or 1590waik.com and clicking on the
Big Deals banner.
If your business would like to participate in our Big Deals store in exchange for commercials, please call
WMOI, WRAM and WAIK at 734-9452 to learn how!
Assistant Minority Leader Hammond appointed to House Education Committees
MACOMB –On the heels of being appointed an Assistant
House Minority Leader on Friday, State Representative
Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) announced that she has
been appointed to critical Education Committees for the
99th General Assembly.
Rep. Hammond now holds four important education
committee posts that put her in an excellent position
to advocate for much-needed reform. Hammond
was appointed Minority Spokesperson of the Higher
Education Committee, as a committee member on
the new Community College Access Committee and
Elementary & Secondary Education- School Curriculum
and Policy Committee both created in January, and she
was re-appointed to the Higher Education- Appropriations
Committee.
Rep. Hammond stands as one of the strongest voices in
the Illinois House for Higher Education issues facing
downstate universities and colleges. “Western Illinois
University, Spoon River College, John Wood Community
College, and Carl Sandburg College are all represented in
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my legislative district. I am eager to continue to advocate
for the needs of our institutions of Higher Education in
Illinois,” said Rep. Hammond on Thursday from Macomb.
Rep. Hammond was also appointed to the following
committees: Human Services, Insurance, TransportationRegulation Roads and Bridges, and as Minority
Spokesperson of the Consumer Protection Committee.
Hammond encouraged residents of the 93rd district to
contact her with questions or concerns on this or any
other state issue. Hammond’s Macomb district office can
be contacted at (309) 836-2707 and she can be reached via
e-mail at [email protected]. Constituents can
also visit her legislative website at www.norinehammond.
org to sign up for her electronic newsletter.
Hammond represents all or part of Brown, Cass, Fulton,
Knox, Mason, McDonough, Schuyler and Warren
counties.
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~ PRESENTS ~
Illinois Employment Law Review &
What’s NEW in 2015
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
♦
Ban the Box & Background Check Laws (1/1/15)
Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (1/1/15)
IL Wage Payment & Collections Act (1/1/15)
Employee Classification Act (Required Reporting by 1/31/15)
Human Rights Act: Protection for Interns (1/1/15)
Mandatory Retirement Plans (In effect June 1, 2015)
Victims Economic Security and Safety Act &
Workplace Violence Prevention (7/16/14)
Presented by:
Monday
February 9, 2015
11:45-1:00
The Kensington
311 E. Simmons
Galesburg, IL
Catherine Hughes, SPHR
Director of HR Consulting
309-852-4024
Lunch will be Catered by The Kensington
Please Pay for Lunch at the Door:
Cost of Lunch for Members $15.00
Lunch for Future Members $20.00
Call to Register:
Or email
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309. 343.1194
Chamber of Commerce
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Thank you to the following businesses who renewed
their membership. We value your support and participation!
Aflac Regional Sales Office
Benjamin F Edwards & Co.
Breslin's Floor Coverings
Chuck Hay Insurance Agency,
Inc.
Cratty Insurance Agency, Inc.
Doris Medhurst
Galesburg Christian School
Go Van Gogh's
Heartland Health Care Ctr
Hy-Vee Food Store #1215
Kensington
Knox County Health Dept.
Landmark Cafe & Creperie
Mangieri Electric, Inc
McFall Monument Co
Mel Foster Company
Orpheum Theatre
Shawn Mason State Farm
Insurance
Soangetaha Country Club
Tompkins State Bank
Vervocity Interactive
Webber Rental & Supply
Western Illinois Managed
Home Services
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Azer Medical Supply, Inc.
Bill Johnson
Kentucky Fried Chicken Main
& Henderson
Register Mail
CRM (USA), Inc.
F & M Bank
Galesburg Community School
Dist. #205
Habitat for Humanity/Knox
Co
Heritage Credit Union
Inner Wisdom
Key Outdoor, Inc.
Koppers Ind., Inc.
Lifeline to Africa Inc.
Martin Sullivan
McGladrey, LLP
Merle Norman Cosmetics
Pain Relief Chiropractic
Shelter Insurance
Soderstrom Dermatology
United Facilities
Western IL Builders
Association
Wilson Paper Co.
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Bates Collision Center
BNSF Railway Company
CenturyLink
Costa Catholic Academy
Dick Blick Company
Galesburg Animal Hospital PC
Galesburg Electric Supply
Harvey Brothers, Inc.
Hy-Vee
Jet Air, Inc
Knox College
Lambasio, Inc
Lock & Key Shop
Mattress Station
Mechanical Service Inc.
Miller Dredge Insurance
RockTenn
Sirloin Stockade
SunOpta Ingredients
United Way of Knox County
Watson Thomas Funeral Home
Western Illinois Cancer
Treatment Ctr
WQAD TV-DT
Board of Directors:
AMBASSADOR CORPS
CHAIRMAN
Dave Pearson....Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Home
Carrie Bernett...................OSF St. Mary Medical Center
Vice CHAIRMAN
Jeannette Kleine……..…….MAK Properties of Illinois
Rhonda Dalton…………………………….CenturyLink
Doug Gibb.......................................Hospice Compassus
TREASURER
Tom McIntire………………..Barash & Everett, LLC
Mary Ann Hale............Knox-Warren Special Education
Bob Juraco.....................................Tompkins State Bank
DIRECTORS
Theresa Mangieri........................First Mid-Illinois Bank
Alderman Wayne Allen.....................City of Galesburg
Doris Medhurst.................................Individual Member
Chris Bayer………………………………..…. AFLAC
Kevin Maynard…………………..… Orpheum Theatre
Kelli Bennewitz.............................................City Clerk
Lance Oetting…….. Midwest Bank of Western Illinois
Mike Bond………………….…………….Innkeeper’s
Annette Pickrel............................................F & M Bank
Stephen Browning….…………..………. F & M Bank
Chris Ryner.............IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union
Brenda Egenlauf……………………..…..Chez Willy’s
Jackie Turner............................................Mel Foster Co.
Jeff Pacheco…………………..…..Falcon Safety Group
Candy Webb……………..…….. Stratus Networks, Inc.
Adam Sampson.............................Knox County YMCA
Don Shadensack……..…OSF St. Mary Medical Center
Executive Director
Steven N. Brody
Future Chamber Activities and Sponsors
FUTURE CHAMBER ACTIVITIES AND SPONSORS
2015
2015
Galesburg on the Go - Lunch and Learn
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS
MONTH/DATE
BUSINESS
MONTH/DATE
Monday, February 09, 2015
March
Monday, April 13, 2015
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Illinois Employment Law Review &
What’s NEW in 2015
Available
Legislator Luncheon
KCCDD
Available
Available
Available
Available
Available
Available
Available
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Thursday, March 19, 2015
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Thursday, May 21, 2015
June
July
August
Thursday, September 17, 2015
October
November
December
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BUSINESS
Iron Spike Brewing Company
Ride & Run
Lake Bracken Country Club
Trillium Dell Timberworks
Available
Available
Available
Klingner and Associates, P.C.
Available
Available
Available
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SOLUTION #2 ~ EDUCATION
Know Your Rights
Know The Officer’s Rights
Law Enforcement Interaction Workshops
Feb 10th Churchill Jr. High 6pm
Feb 11th Carl Sandburg College ~ Student Center 2:30pm
Feb 12th Knox College ~ Kresge Recital Hall 7pm
Knowing what’s legal is part of the solution!
Learn how to interact with authorities
# No Mike Brown’s in Galesburg
All Three Workshops Are Open To The Public
Free Community Events Sponsored by Galesburg’s NAACP
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Tourism in Illinois is a statewide
collaboration of the Illinois office of
Tourism (Enjoy Illinois), statewide
convention and visitors bureaus
and regional tourism entities. Our
collective groups work together to
offer an abundance of information
locally, statewide, nationally and
internationally.
Illinois is divided into four tourism
marketing regions. There are four
Regional Tourism Development
Offices in the State: Great Rivers
Country, Chicago and Beyond,
Land of Lincoln and Trails to
Adventure. Great Rivers Country
(GRC) covers 33 counties on the
western and central part of Illinois
from Galena to Cairo. It’s about
490 miles or so from Galena to
Cairo. The four Regional Tourism
Development Offices, including
ours, work with the Convention
and Visitor Bureaus that are located
in their respective coverage areas
to promote tourism for the State of
Illinois. You are welcome to call or
visit the Great Rivers Country office
where all official Illinois tourism
information is available.
The president of Great Rivers
Country is Roger Carmak. He
has been overseeing this office for
decades. Roger also assists the state
with international marketing. He is
often traveling to England, Toronto,
Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong,
just to name a few. Roger and his
staff work hand in hand with our
office to promote Galesburg and
Knox County overseas.
Our regional office publishes guides
for many things including golfing,
bald eagle watching, antiques, a
wine trail, bicycling and more.
They also manage all the tourist
information centers in the region,
coordinating all the information
the TICs provide. We have all the
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GRC information at the Galesburg
Welcome Center. But, you are
welcome to contact them at (877)
477-7007, info@greatriverscountry.
info, or at www.greatriverscountry.
info.
The Illinois Great River Road
National Scenic Byway, which
follows the Mississippi River’s
shoreline, is part of Great Rivers
County and provides ample
opportunities to explore the rich
heritage of the Mississippi River. It
represents four centuries of history
and heritage, a compilation of
thousands of stories that paints the
picture of America’s evolution. Its
550-mile route on Illinois’ western
border offers breathtaking views
and majestic landscapes. The
banks and bluffs of the Mississippi
attract thousands of species that
travel thousands of miles for a
visit or to make themselves a
home. For a map and information
about the multitude of events and
destinations along the Great River
Road visit their website at www.
greatriverroad-illinois.
org.
February brings one
of Galesburg’s most
popular and anticipated
events to the area. The
Galesburg Historical
Society’s Chocolate
Festival is a confectionary’s dream
come true. There will be all manner
of chocolate creations to see and
sample. This year’s festival will be
held at 156 East on the corner of
Main & Prairie Streets. The event
happens on February 14 & 15 from
11 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day.
At the end of February, attend
the 11th annual Black Earth Film
Festival at Cherry Street Restaurant
and Bar. It will be in the side room
on Thursday, Friday & Saturday
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February 26-28.
The doors open at 6:00 p.m. each
night. Come and enjoy dinner
and a cocktail. There will be
films from all over the world with
three sessions of documentaries,
shorts & animation. For
more information visit www.
blackearthfest.com
As I have reported in the past,
tourism in Illinois has had a boom
over the last three years. With
each year we have broken records
for domestic and international
tourism. In 2013, 103.5 million
domestic visitors spending $31.9
billion for increases of 4.5% and
3.1% respectively for 2012. It looks
like 2014 will continue the trend.
A very welcome benefit of all those
travelers is the $237,419,080 is
tax revenues due to the Illinois
hotel-motel tax. State and local tax
revenue was more than $2.6 billion
in 2013. Overall, tourism saves the
average Illinois household $1,300
in taxes each year.
Bill Morris
Executive
Director,
Galesburg
Area
Convention & Visitors Bureau
[email protected]
Galesburg Area Chamber Welcomes New Board Members, Officers for 2015
The Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce recently welcomed Adam Sampson, Brenda Egenlauf, and
Chris Bayer to the Board of Directors. All were elected by the Chamber membership and seated at the
January meeting. They will be serving a three-year term from January 2015 to December 2017.
Adam Sampson has been the CEO at the Knox County YMCA since 2012 and previously worked in the
YMCA movement for eight years.
Brenda Egenlauf is owner of Chez Willy’s restaurant along with her husband Bill.
Chris Bayer is the Regional Sales Coordinator for AFLAC.
In another move, the Chamber Board appointed Stephen Browning to fill a vacant seat for the remainder of
its term. Browning is Vice President, Senior Trust Officer for F&M Bank.
“The Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes Adam, Brenda, Chris, and Stephen to the Board
of Directors and looks forward to their participation, enthusiasm, and fresh ideas to move the business
community forward,” said Executive Director Steven N. Brody.
Also re-elected to another three-year term was Don Shadensack of OSF St. Mary Medical Center.
The Chamber Board of Directors also voted to install its officers for 2015. They are: David Pearson
(Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Home & Cremation Services) as Chairman, Jeannette Kleine (MAK
Properties of Illinois) as Vice Chairman, Tom McIntire (Barash & Everett LLC) as Treasurer, and Don
Shadensack (OSF St. Mary Medical Center) as Immediate Past Chairman.
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.
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BENEFITS OF CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP
Newsletter Inserts
One of the benefits of being a Chamber member is the opportunity to place a flyer
insert (must be in .jpg or .pdf format) in our monthly newsletter. You can promote
a special sale, a new business feature, an upcoming event, etc. The ideas are
endless. Some things our newsletter highlights is our events, new members,
member recognitions (under “Toot Your Own Horn”), ribbon cuttings. It reaches
850 Chamber individuals in addition to anyone accessing our website for
information about the Galesburg area.
“THIS WEEK AT THE CHAMBER”
Sent every Monday to announce Chamber & Member happenings & events for the
current and upcoming week. These emails are sent out to the Chamber's email list
through Constant Contact.
NEW FOR
PAYPAL
When signing up to attend a Chamber event you are NOW able to pay at the same
time by using PayPal. You do not need a PayPal account to do this. When you
select the "Pay with PayPal or Credit Card" option on the registration form, you
will have the option to pay with your PayPal account or as "guest" with your
credit or debit card.
Introducing a member benefit for NEW Chamber members
beginning in 2015!!!!
When a business joins the Galesburg Area Chamber of Commerce, that business will now receive a gift
certificate to use for advertising on any of Prairie Radio Communications’ three stations: WAIK 1590
AM, WRAM Classic Country 1330 AM, or WMOI Sunny 97.7 FM. Certificates cannot be used toward
existing advertising and cannot be redeemed for cash. The certificate is good for six (6) months from the
date of issuance, and is valued at $250.00!
Have you visited our new website yet? (www.galesburg.org)
Galesburg.org reaches not only local people, but is viewed
by thousands of individuals seeking information about the
Galesburg and Knox County area. You are now able to
advertise on our website:
Size 285 x 100 pixel
Price: $300.00 per year
$200.00 per 6 months
For more information contact the Chamber at chamber@
galesburg.org or 309-343-1194.
DID YOU KNOW?
THIS WEEK AT THE CHAMBER has two new links:
•
“Chamber Made” a blog by Steven Brody, published by The Register-Mail
•
The link to our printable newsletter on our website
Promote Your Business Through Membership
You've already made a wise choice by becoming a member of the Galesburg Area Chamber of
Commerce, now you can use that membership to promote your business to other Chamber members as
well as the local community.
WANT TO HOST AN EVENT?
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS (BAH) is the Chamber's premier networking event
held from 5:00- 7:00 p.m. at a member's business location. This evening networking
opportunity is available for hosting throughout the year for only $350.00. Members
visit the sponsor’s place of business at no charge which showcases their location and
products or services. It is also an opportunity for the sponsor to tell us about the business. This is a great
opportunity to meet and get to know other community members while enjoying hors d'oeuvres and
refreshments. Call the Chamber office today to schedule hosting BAH in 2015.
Galesburg On The Go – Lunch (GOTG) is another great networking opportunity.
GOTG is held from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Besides meeting friends and making new
acquaintances, members who sponsor this event present information about the
business or organization to other members and associates. Presentations are 15 20 minutes and the cost for sponsoring is only $200.00. If GOTG is more to your liking, call the
Chamber office today to schedule hosting GOTG in 2015.
WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED WITH THE CHAMBER
1 VISIT THE CHAMBER ONLINE at www.galesburg.org for the most up-to-date information on
Chamber events and issues. The site features an interactive events calendar, a Membership Directory
search engine, and all you need to know to get involved.
2 ATTEND CHAMBER EVENTS. Whether it's networking, advocacy, education, young
professionals or professional development, there is no shortage of events for members. Get involved
and stay informed by clicking on our Events Calendar tab on our website.
3 JOIN A COMMITTEE. All Committees are comprised of member volunteers. We encourage you or
one of your staff to join a committee that is of interest to your business or organization.
Ambassadors
Serves as the Public Relations Arm of the Chamber.
Government Affairs
Monitors legislative activity at all levels.
Develops and maintains relationships with area elected officials.
Develops the Chamber legislative agenda.
Makes recommendations regarding policy positions to the Board of Directors.
Professional Development
Development and implementation of leadership training programs to benefit Members
and the community as a whole.
Transportation
Monitors transportation issues that affect Knox County businesses and residents.
Reviews transportation policies and projects and recommends positions and actions to the
Board of Directors.
Young Professionals of Galesburg
Responsible for enriching the careers of Galesburg area professionals under 40 through
networking, education and community service.
New Chamber Member Benefit
In an effort to expand our membership services and meet our members' needs, the Galesburg Chamber
announces a new marketing opportunity: the Email Blast Program. Many of our Chamber members
inquire about our office sending an email "blast' to our distribution lists, on their behalf. These requests
range from announcing a new product or service to advertising an upcoming event and this new
program allows you, as a member, to send emails to our distribution list with the following stipulations:
•
•
•
•
•
The Chamber staff will send ONE email "blast" per business day.
Similar to our newsletter inserts, you will need to make a
reservation for the day you want your email to be distributed.
There would be NO email blasts on days when the Chamber
office is closed. You may reserve spots on a first come, first
served basis by calling or emailing our office.
Email blasts will be sent "on behalf of' your
business/organization. This would be stated in the email
to ensure that the email is not perceived as being
endorsed by the Chamber. The chamber staff reserves the
right to reject an email due to its content.
You are responsible for formatting and constructing the email
and sending it to our office ([email protected]) at least
24 hours prior to the reserved date. We will NOT edit the email
in any way. The Chamber office will then "blast" it to our list of
over 850 individuals that have the option of forwarding it.
You may choose to send attachments with your email blast,
keeping in mind that it must not exceed the size limit and
have the ability to be forwarded.
The cost for this service is $20.00 per email blast. As a
member, you can send one email blast per month. If you
reserve a space, then fail to send us your email, you will still
be charged the $20.00.
It is not our intention to flood our members' inboxes with emails,
which is why we will limit the email blasts to ONE per day.
We are excited to share this new marketing opportunity with you and hope that this will serve as an
inexpensive, yet highly effective, marketing tool for our members. If you have any questions, please do
not hesitate to contact Mary at [email protected] or call 343-1194.
New for 2015
If you are between the ages of 21
and 40 and work at a business that
is a member of the Galesburg Area
Chamber of Commerce, you can now
join the Young Professionals of Galesburg at no additional cost! Simply provide our office with
the names and contact information, and we will forward to that committee for future contact.
Dues will still apply to individuals who are not employed by a Chamber member, and events will
still have a charge to attend, regardless of your employer.
SCHEDULE
January 8
January 22
February 12
February 26
March 12
March 26
P.O. Box 1784
Galesburg, IL 61402
Dinner Served 5:30 to 7: 00pm
Doors Open at 5:15pm
Dinners are served at Central
Congregational Church
60 Public Square,
Galesburg, Illinois
www.knoxprairiekitchen.org
[email protected]
(309) 342-KPCK
JOIN US AS WE CELEBRATE...
Gala
2015
NAACP GALESBURG
ANNUAL FREEDOM GALA
SATURDAY
FEBRUARY 7TH 2015
5:30PM
KNOX COLLEGE LINCOLN ROOM
DINNER~DANCE~SILENT AUCTION
ADVANCE TICKET SALES ONLY—$30.00
FOR INFORMATION CALL 309-368-5500