December Newsletter - Highland Chamber of Commerce

Highland Chamber of Commerce
CHAMBER NEWS
907 Main Street ~ Highland, Illinois
(618) 654-3721
www.highlandillinois.com
December 2005
A Note from your President...
My term is almost half over – almost half begun . . . perception is the way we view
things. There is so much more that I want our Chamber to do; therefore, I look at my term
as almost half started.
Jami is busy working on plans for the Chamber’s Winter Quarterly meeting which is scheduled for December 14th at Popeye’s Chophouse. George Marron, who is serving as the chairperson for the Valentine Dinner, Dance & Auction, has already booked the band for this
much anticipated annual Chamber fundraiser. Donna Zobrist is working on plans for a
new Farmer’s Market in Highland. Marvin Warner has several plans in place for next year’s
annual Clean-up Day and Gordon Smith is tracking down speakers for the
installation banquet. What a list for a small Chamber!
Thank you to all for a good half-year. The Peace and Promise of this holiday
season to you and your family.
Jay
the cold
When it snows, ain’t it thrillin’...though your nose gets a chillin’...Despite
...
temperatures, a record number of people came out to line beautiful Lindenthal Avenue to
watch the Annual Lighted
Christmas Parade. Due to the
Square renovations, the
parade route was changed this
year, ending at Lindendale
Park, which thanks to the
generosity of many local
businesses and citizens, was
transformed into our very
own Winter Wonderland.
Kids of all ages had the
chance to visit with Santa and
even pet a couple of his
reindeer. Everyone enjoyed
the free hot chocolate from the Lion’s Club and the free Christmas cookies from the
Chamber of Commerce along with kettle corn, hot coffee and cider.
Service
is the December
Very Important Principle
Standing Up for What is Right
WELCOME NEW
MEMBERS!
•
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Groomingdales of
Highland
R&R New Home
Construction LLC
Title & Escrow Plus,
Inc.
Waylind Inc.
Inside this Issue
Executive’s Letter
2
Christmas Luncheon
2
BEA Program
2
Holiday Shopping Made
Easy
2
New Members
3
Holiday Happenings
4
Business Counsel Corner 4
Highland Optimist/Rural
King Shootout
4
December Calendar
5
Chamber Members
6
Chamber Members
7
Chamber Referral
Card
8
Page 2
Chamber News
Letter from the Executive Director...
Happy Holidays! I can hardly believe
this great season is already upon us! As
you begin (or wrap up) your holiday
shopping - remember that your dollar
goes farther when you spend it locally. We
have some wonderful gift giving ideas right here in
our own home town! I promise you – you will not
get the friendly customer service, gift wrapping or
curb side parking at the mall! Take a moment to
look at our Great Gift Guide…..it has many wonderful suggestions for gifts to meet every budget.
Pick-up your copy today in the Chamber lobby or at
Santa’s House! Watch the Highland News Leader for
a new creative way we advertised the Great Gift
Guide this year!
Here’s wishing you and yours a magical holiday
season! I hope to see you at our Christmas
Luncheon on December 14th!
Jami
Business Education Alliance Corporate
Responsibility Program
Please take a moment to view the enclosed
insert regarding the Business Education Alliance Corporate Responsibility Program. As you
begin your 2006 budgets, please remember
the Highland School District Foundation in your
planning. The BEA funds vital programs like
Mini Grants, Parenting Plus, School Reach Program, P.I.L.L.A.R.S. and VIP to name a few.
Your tax-deductible donation will help meet the
educational needs of the children of our school
district above and beyond what is available
through regular school district funds. Thank
you for investing in our community’s future.
Holiday Shopping Made Easy!
Wonderful gifts. No traffic. Door-front parking. Friendly customer
service. Put it all together and you have everything it takes for stress-free
holiday shopping.
The Highland Chamber of Commerce is once again offering its “Great Gift
Guide” to help area residents find all the items on their shopping lists this year. Gift items
such as jewelry, spa packages, vintage coin sets, outdoor fire pits and figurines can all be found
right here in Highland. The Great Gift Guide features hundreds of gift ideas, starting at less
than $20.
The guide is free and is available at the Highland Chamber of Commerce office at 907
Main and at Santa’s house in Northtown Shopping Center. Be sure to pick-up a copy
before you start your holiday shopping.
And don’t forget about the Chamber Gift Certificates! They can be redeemed at
nearly 100 local businesses. You can purchase gift certificates at the Highland
Chamber of Commerce or at any of the local banks.
Chamber News
Page 3
Welcome Aboard New Members!
Waylind, Inc.
Linda Korte
PO Box 592
Highland, IL 62249
618-654-7570
Waylind, Inc. provides commercial and residential locksmith service and can handle light construction
projects and repairs as well. They offer on-site service, free estimates, keying and master keying, and
sales and service of all door hardware. They are a licensed and bonded locksmith in the State of Illinois.
Whether it’s that door that just doesn’t close right, the leaking faucet in the restroom or a room addition,
Waylind, Inc. takes on each project with the courteous and prompt service customers deserve.
Groomingdales of Highland
Linda Boxell/Tiffany Davito
818 Broadway
Highland, IL 62249
618-651-1012
Groomingdales of Highland is a professional dog grooming facility operated by Linda Boxell and Tiffany
Davito, who have an endearing love for dogs. They offer a full-line of grooming services including a “ShedLess” treatment that is unique to the Highland community. They are welcoming all new clients and look
forward to meeting people in the community. Linda and Tiffany invite you and your pet to stop in and say
hello or call 651-1012 for an appointment.
R&R New Home Construction, LLC
Rob Wutzler
13799 Waffler Road
Highland, IL 62249
618-304-7075
R&R New Home Construction, LLC builds quality and affordable custom, spec and investor homes. They
look forward to continuing to build homes in the Madison and Clinton County areas for years to come.
R&R New Home Construction, LLC prides itself on keeping the building process organized and worry-free
from start to finish, including securing financing and locating property. Please don’t hesitate to call today
for a free estimate on your next home.
Title & Escrow Plus, Inc.
Miriam DeVries
1119 Washington
Highland, IL 62249
618-654-5545
Title & Escrow Plus, Inc. offer flexible scheduling for real estate closings, including off-site closings when
necessary. Their service area includes Madison, Bond, Clinton, Fayette, Macoupin, Monroe, Montgomery
and St. Clair counties and other counties upon request. They provide a friendly atmosphere and explain all
paperwork in easy-to-understand terms. Office hours are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and evenings
and Saturdays by appointment.
Page 4
Chamber News
HOLIDAY HAPPENINGS
There will be gift wrapping at the
Pregnancy Care Center on
December 10th from 1pm – 4pm. Kathy
Sherman's 6-7-8 grade confirmation class will be
doing this as a service project. Shop that morning and then let them do the wrapping for
you! They will be taking donations for this
service that will be donated back to the
Pregnancy Care Center.
St. Paul Catholic School 6th Grade Class will
be hosting their Annual Spaghetti Dinner on
Sunday, December 11, 2005 from 11:00 a.m. to
6:00 p.m. at St. Paul Parish Center. Once again,
the dinner will be prepared by Chef Todd
Schrage. The menu includes spaghetti
with meat sauce, italian salad, bread
sticks, fresh baked desserts, coffee, tea
or milk. The price is $7.00 for adults,
$4.00 for children 5 - 12 years old
and 4 and under are
free. All proceeds will benefit the 6th Grade
Class educational field trip to Space Camp in
Hunstville, Alabama next fall. This trip has
been an annual tradition at St. Paul since
1990! The kids look forward to it and work very
hard to make it possible.
Highland Business and Professional
Women (BPW) will be hosting their
Annual Christmas Auction on Monday, December 12th at Michael’s Restaurant. Appetizer buffet and cash bar
opens at 5:30 p.m. and the auction will begin at
7 p.m. Cost is $10 per person. Be sure to reserve
your table of eight for $80 (reserved tables are
limited). The proceeds from this event help fund
college scholarships for women and many other
local events. For more information, reservations
or to pledge a donation, you can call Connie
Madron at 618-779-2531 or contact her via
email at [email protected]. For information
o n B P W , v i si t t he i r web s i te at
www.highlandilbpw.org.
T
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Customer Service Tips
1.
Know who is boss. Never forget that the customer
pays our salary and makes your job possible.
2. Be a good listener. Take the time to identify customer
needs by asking questions and concentrating on what
the customer is really saying.
3. Identify and anticipate needs. Customers don’t buy
products or services. They buy good feelings and solutions to problems.
4. Make customers feel important and appreciated.
Treat them as individuals. Always use their name and
find ways to compliment them, but be sincere.
5. Help customers understand your systems. Your organization may have the world’s best systems for getting things done, but if customers don’t understand
them, they can get confused, impatient and angry.
6. Appreciate the power of “Yes.” Always look for
ways to help your customers. Look for ways to make
doing business with you easier.
7. Know how to apologize. When something goes wrong,
apologize. The customer may not always be right, but
the customer must always win.
8. Give more than expected. Since the future of all companies lies in keeping customers happy, think of ways
to elevate yourself above the competition. What can
you give customers that is totally unexpected?
9. Get regular feedback. Encourage and welcome suggestions about how you could improve.
10. Treat employees well. Treat your employees with respect and they in turn will have a higher regard for
customers.
C
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N SEL
CORNER
The Highland Optimist/Rural King Shootout
Saturday, January 7, 2006
Highland High School
FREEZE DRY TRAIL CHALLENGE sponsored by
the Highland Parks & Recreation Department
will be held at Silver Lake Park on
Saturday, December 17th. Participants for the 5.5 mile trail are to
meet at the J.C. Pavillion at
9 a.m. — the event will be held
regardless of weather conditions. Early registration is $15 and $20 on race day. For more information call the Korte Rec Center at 651-1386.
1:00 p.m. Breese (IL) Central vs. Mason City (IL) Illini Central
2:45 p.m. Troy (IL) Triad vs. St. Louis (MO) Jennings
4:30 p.m. Bethalto (IL) Civic Memorial vs. Memphis (TN) Mitchell
6:15 p.m. Highland (IL) vs. Hartford (KY) Ohio County
8:00 p.m. Carbondale (IL) vs. Nashville (TN) Brentwood Academy
This annual event brings well over 1,000 people to our local
restaurants, hotels and area merchants. Mark your calendars
now and come out and support your hometown team!
Chamber News
Page 5
December 2005
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
1
4 Holidays at
the Homestead
5
6
7
8
Friday
2 Candle Glow
at the Latzer
Homestead
Saturday
3 Holidays at
the Homestead
9 Business
After Hours at
Scheffel & Co.
10 Holidays at
the Homestead
Library’s “ Swiss
Christmas Festival Dinner
11 Holidays at
the Homestead
Gift Wrapping at
The Pregnancy
Care Center
12 BPW’s
13
Annual Christmas
Auction
St. Paul’s Spagetti
Dinner hosted by
6th Grade Class
14 Chamber’s
Winter Quarterly
Meeting at
Popeye’s Chophouse
15
16
17 Freeze Dry
Trail Challenge at
Silver Lake Park
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Thank you to Waylind, Inc. for their services in re-keying the
Highland Chamber of Commerce building
Page 6
Chamber News
Please Support our 2005 Chamber of Commerce Members
9th Street Café
AAA Lawn Mowing
Ace Hardware
Allstate / Haller's Tax Service
American Legion Post #439
Anderson Hospital
APCI
A-Pet's Corner Grooming Salon &
Boarding
Apex Physical Therapy
Appearance Center
Artists’ Touch, The
Bank of Edwardsville, The
Basler Electric Company
B-Dry Systems
Becker Jewelers
Blue Springs Café
Box TV
Bradford National Bank
Brendel, Rhonda – R.E. Agent
Broadway Bar & Grill
Broadway Battery & Tire
Brookside Agra
Bruegge Furniture
Bulldog Barber Shop
Burgett Group, The
Business Network International
Buzzie's Drive Inn
Carol's Forget Me Knot
CC Food Marts
Cedar Creek Dental Associates
Chey’s Family Restaurant
China Restaurant
Chipwood Acres Nursery
Chocolate Affair/Tibbets House
City of Highland
CLEAN The Uniform Company
Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors
Community Title & Escrow
Compustitch Embroidery
Connie's Faux Finishing
Cool Cats Café & Custard
Cooper B-Line, Inc.
Cutting Connections
Cygan Delaney Catering
Dairy Queen
Dempsey, Kris Ann – R.E. Agent
Diamond Mineral Springs
DiMaggio's Pizza & Pasta
DJ Howard & Associates, Inc.
Dynamic Technology, Inc.
E. F. Express
E. L. Flanagan's Sports & Spirits
Edward Jones – Kevin Dewaele
Edward Jones - John Jatcko
Energy Aerobics & Tan
Enterprise Rent-a-Car
ESS Data Recovery
Essenpreis Plumbing & Heating
Executive Drive Mini Storage
Excel Bottling Company
Facial Designs by Deb
Faith Countryside Homes
Family Bible Church
Family Care Medical Services
Family Care Pharmacy
Fantastic Sam's
Farm Credit Services
Farmers Insurance/Sherry Kapp
Farmers Restaurant & Bakery
FCB Highland Bank
Finish Line, The
First American Title Insurance
First Baptist Church
First Mid-Illinois Bank & Trust
Foppe Designs
Frames by Three
Fresh Words
Frey, Judy
Frey Properties
GCS Federal Credit Union
Girdler, Darin
Giving Tree, The
Glik's of Highland
Gould Flooring
Grace Community Bible Church
Groomingdales of Highland
Guillot Technology Services
Habitat for Humanity
Hard Road Theatre Productions
Hardee’s
Hardis, Phil—R.E. Agent
Head Lines Express
Hediger, Ann – R.E. Agent
Help-U-Sell Real Estate
Helvetia Sharpshooters
Highland Animal Shelter
Highland Area Community
Foundation
Highland Arts Council
Highland Business & Prof
Women
Highland Civic Womens Club
Highland Community Schools
Highland Garden Club
Highland Golf & Sports / Leroy's
Barber Shop
Highland Health Care
Highland Historical Society
Highland House of Plenty
Highland Hope United Methodist
Church
Highland Jaycees
Highland Lion's Club
Highland Machine
Highland Masonic Lodge
Highland Moose Lodge 2479
Highland News Leader
Highland Optimist Club
Highland Pain Relief Center
Highland Pediatrics
Highland Physicians, LTD.
Highland Pistol & Rifle Club
Highland Pool & Spas Inc.
Highland Printers
Highland Quick Cash
Highland Recycling
Highland Rotary Club
Highland Spring & Specialty
Highland Veterinary Clinic
Highland VFW Post 5694
Highland's Tru Buy
Hill Law Offices
Holiday Inn Express
Holt, Stephen
Holzinger, Sue – R.E. Agent
Holzinger, Wilford – R.E. Agent
Home & Garden Party
Home & Leisure Lifestyles
Home Telephone Co.
Homer Rusteberg, CPA
Hometown Phone Books
Hype Initiatives
Illinois Power
ImageWorks Creative Group
Chamber News
Page 7
Please Support our 2005 Chamber of Commerce Members
Information Technology &
Computers (IT&C)
Internal Medicine of Highland
James Apken, Accountant
Jerry's Tackle & Guns
Jody's Sports Stop
Johannes & Marron PC
Journal Printing
Kalmer Landscape Supply
Kaye & James Plocher
Keith's Performance Shop
Kelly Tracy Advertising & Design
Kennett Portrait Design, Inc.
Kentucky Fried Chicken/Taco Bell
Ki-Do Karate, Inc.
Klaus & Associates
Kleinhoffer Family Eye Care
Kloss Furniture
Kloss, Bonnie – R.E. Agent
Knights of Columbus
Kokomo Tan
Korte Company, The
Korte Luitjohan Contractors, Inc.
Korte Meat Processors
Korte, Diane – R.E. Agent
Larry's Tire & Battery
Lee's Loans, Jewelry & More
Luallen, Cearlock & Barth, Ltd.
Luitjohan's Flooring America
Madison County Fair Association
Madison County Transit
Manpower Temporary Services
Marx Brothers Lounge
Mazzio's Pizza
McDonald's
McGinley, Inc.
McKendree College
Meridith Funeral Home
Mia Bella Candles
Michael's Restaurant
Mid-America Advertising, Inc.
Miken Technology Group
Nails by Wendy
National Rent to Own
North American Outfitters
Northtown Chiropractic Clinic
Northwestern Mutual Financial
Network
Oberbeck Feed Co.
Office Environments
O'Reilly Auto Parts
OsBec Medical
Pak Mail
Peoples National Bank
Personal Preference Landscape
Care
Plaza Dental Care
Ponderosa Steak House
Popeye's Chop House
Portell Financial Services
Preferred Mortgage/ Waggoner
Bellm Dugan
Pregnancy Care Center
Prudential One Realty Centre
Qualified Plan Services
Quizno's Subs
R&R New Home Construction, LLC
Raeber, Sally–ABR, GRI R.E. Agent
Red Door Interiors
Regions Bank
Rehberger Chiropractic
Richard S. Jacob Insurance Agency
Ron Hunsche Excavating
Rosenthal Optometric
Rural King
Safe-N-Secure Self-Storage
Salon De Guerra
Scent-Sations, Inc.
Schantz & Sons, Inc.
Scheffel & Co.
Schrumpf, Sheila
Schwend's Dry Cleaning
Schwend's Ready Mix
Scott Credit Union
Sear's
Seascape Hair & Skin Care
Sexton Plastering
Shopper's Review
Silver Lake Financial
Silver Lake Group
SIUA / Rogier Insurance Agency
Smile Shoppe, The
Smith Barney/Matt Powers
Smurfit-Stone Container Corp.
Something Special by Penny
Sonic Drive In
Southwestern Illinois College
Special Olympics, Area 12
Spengel Boulanger Funeral Home
St. Joseph's Hospital
St. Joseph's Hospital - Breese
St. Paul's Church & School
State Farm, H. Robertson
State Farm, J. Sugg
State Representative Ron
Stephens
Steve Schmitt, Inc.
SuperValu
Swiss Gift Shop
Taste of New England Antiques
Terra Properties
Title & Escrow Plus, Inc.
TNT Plus
Toner Technologies
Travel One
Tri County Petroleum
Tri Ford Inc.
Trouw Nutrition
United Way of Greater St. Louis
US Bank
Verizon Group Services
Vicky's Hallmark Shop
Victorian House
Voegele Photography Studio
Wallpapers Ready to Go
Wal-Mart
Waylind, Inc.
Wedding Belle
Weeke Sales & Service, Inc.
Wellen Tax
Wellness Forum, The
WGEL Radio Station
Wick's Aircraft
Wick’s Custom Woods
Wicks Pipe Organ Co.
Widmer Floral Co & Greenhouse
Williams, June — R.E. Agent
Will-o'-th'-Wind Radio Shack
Wings-To-Go
WSMI - WAOX Radio Stations
Wurth, Sue – R.E. Agent
Ziegler Jewelers
Page 8
Chamber News
Highland Chamber of Commerce
907 Main Street
Highland, IL 62249
Phone: 618/654-3721
Fax: 618/654-8966
[email protected]
Next Two Chamber Events!
•
•
Dec 9:
BAH at Scheffel & Co.
Dec 14: Winter Quarterly
Meeting at Popeye’s
Staff
Jami Jansen, Executive Director
[email protected]
Stacey Howard, Assistant Director
[email protected]
Executive Committee
Jay Boulanger, Spengel-Boulanger Funeral Home
President
George Marron, Johannes & Marron, P.C.
Vice-President
Howard Held, Scheffel & Company, P.C.
Treasurer
Marilyn Frey, Basler Electric
Secretary
Board Members
Jim Burgett, The Burgett Group
Skip Butler, Terra Properties
Ben Carmitchel, ESS Data Recovery
Kevin Dewaele, Edward Jones Investments
Jane Dotson, Highland News Leader
Tom Foppe, Foppe DeSigns
Claudio Fort, St. Joseph’s Hospital
Kevin Hemann, Highland Machine
Tom Hill, Hill Law Offices
Steve Holt, Suburban Journals
Mark Latham, City of Highland
Bonnie McGinley, McGinley Motors
Ron Moss, Dairy Queen
Sally Raeber, Prudential One Realty
Vicky Rankin, Vicky’s Hallmark
Erik Rehkemper, Tri-Ford Mercury
Steve Schmitt, Steve Schmitt, Inc.
Gordon Smith, First Mid-Illinois Bank
Bill Sullivan, Highland Machine
Marvin Warner, Highland Community Schools
Donna Zobrist, First Mid-Illinois Bank
Since October, the Chamber has mailed over 40 postcards
to various merchants to let them know the Chamber office
made a business referral to their company. The Chamber
answers several phone calls per day from local and area
residents seeking information about specific products or
services. This is just one of the many ways the Chamber is
at work for our business community. If you are interested in
joining the Chamber and taking advantage of the many
other benefits the Chamber has to offer, contact Jami
Jansen at 654-3721.
We would like to extend a special “Thank you” to
Highland Printers for printing the newsletter and
to Basler Electric for donating the paper.