Portage Area Chamber of Commerce
NEWS BREAK
December 2020
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Santa visits Portage
The Portage Chamber asked Santa Claus to take a little time out of his busy schedule to greet families at Portage High School last Friday. The drive thru event gave children a chance to let Santa know exactly what they want for Christmas.
St. Mary's Community Outreach Committee was also on site collecting cleaning supplies for the River Haven Homeless Shelter.
Thank you to the families who came out, the Portage Fire Department and, of course, Santa!!
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Portage Christmas Stocking Hunt
Santa and his Elves have helped the Portage Chamber place special Christmas Stockings throughout our Chamber member businesses this Holiday Season. Can you find one? Once you find a Christmas Stocking, bring it back to the Chamber office to redeem a gift. Christmas Stockings will get you various gift certificates that can be used at our Chamber member businesses.
The Portage Christmas Stocking Hunt begins Saturday, December 5. Everyone is eligible to participate. No purchase is necessary. The hunt will end on Wednesday, December 16 or when all Christmas Stockings have been found, whichever occurs first. Only one Christmas Stocking per person is redeemable during the Portage Christmas Stocking Hunt.
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Madison College Portage Campus & Community Blood Drive
Madison College Portage Campus will be holding a community blood drive at Portage United Methodist Church, 1804 New Pinery Road, on Tuesday, December 1 from 9am to 2pm.
Appointments are preferred, however, walk-ins are welcome. For an appointment call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org. You can save up to 15 minutes when you donate blood by using RapidPass! Visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.
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Portage Holiday Shopping Days
The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce is promoting some holiday shopping days in December! Treat yourself or find a gift for someone - while saving money at the same time.
Follow the links to savings at these Chamber member businesses...
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City COVID-19 Business Relief Loan Program
The City of Portage in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce has established a loan fund program to provide financial assistance to privately owned businesses in the City that have been adversely affected and/or required to shut down in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The source of funding for this program is the Building Facade Loan Fund Program, which was made possible through the City of Portage and Portage Area Chamber of Commerce grant award in the
America's Best Communities Program, sponsored by Frontier Communications.
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Portage Presbyterian Church Holiday Season
The Portage Presbyterian Church also has a number of events scheduled for the holiday season. Find a complete event list here. Here is just a sampling of the great events they have planned:
"White Gift" Offerings - During Advent, non-perishable food items will be collected. You can leave your "white gift" near the Christmas Tree outdoors or you can drop them in the box near the entrance of the Church Office (or in the box in Parry Hall). Food items will be used to stock the "Little Pantry" at the church.
Quiet Times In Advent - Monday, December 21 and Wednesday, December 23 at 11am and 6pm
We will have the sanctuary open for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle for a while. Prayer Stations will be set up for you or you may just come and sit for a time and take in the beauty of the sanctuary, the music and the quiet.
Stay tuned for details on the Free Christmas Day Dinner.
Portage Presbyterian Church is located at 120 W. Pleasant Street. Call 608-742-6006 for more info.
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St. Mary School Virtual Trivia Night
The popular trivia nights are back - live and online, where you can participate from the comfort of your own home on Saturday, December 5 from 7pm to 9pm.
This event is brought to you by the St. Mary Home & School committee (in partnership with “Andrew’s Bar Exam”) as a community event and fundraiser to refresh the school playground. A $10 donation is requested per household, payable electronically during the event. Form your "quaran-teams" today, pick a captain, and have them pre-register here:
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Bee Alive Yoga Studio Presents: 12 Days of Christmas
Beginning December 1 until December 12, Bee Alive Yoga Studio will be offering a 24-hour special sales each day. Mark your calendars! These sales cannot be accessed outside of their sale date.
All items may be gifted, too. If you wish to give a gift please call or email us at beealiveyoga@gmail.com on the exact date of the special you would like to gift. If we miss your call that day, we will return the call within one to three days.
Here is a sampling of some of the deals awaiting you:
1st day of Christmas: Buy 1 class pass, get 1 free. This item is not sharable. Applicable to yoga and/or Belly Fusion classes. Second pass must be used within 1 month of first used pass.
2nd day of Christmas: Buy 2 class passes for $20. This item is not sharable. Applicable to yoga and/or Belly Fusion classes. Second pass must be used within 1 month of first used pass
3rd day of Christmas: Buy 3 class passes for $30. This item is not sharable. Applicable to yoga and/or Belly Fusion classes. Second and third passes must be used within 1 month of the first used pass.
Click Here to view all the days!! Bee Alive Yoga Studio is located at 230 W. Wisconsin Street in downtown Portage.
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After Hours Private Shopping Event
The Mercantile and BonBon and Bordeaux will be hosting “After Hours Private Shopping.” Monday through Fridays, the shop will be available for your personal shopping experience during December. The first appointment will be available at 5pm and the store, located at 117 W. Cook St., will be open to you for a one-hour shopping experience.
Call 608-745-5768 to schedule your shopping trip. Three shopping trips will be offered per evening: 5pm-6pm, 6pm-7pm and 7pm-8pm. Masks will be required for the safety of staff.
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Salvation Army Bell Ringers
Our Portage Kiwanis will be coordinating the Salvation Army Bell Ringers this season. If anyone is interested in Bell Ringing, you can register and sign up online at: RegisterToRing.com or call Salvation Army number at 608-617-3237.
Ringing runs through December 24 at the following places: Two doors at Festival Foods, one door at Walgreens and two doors at Walmart.
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Holiday Train at Home
Join Canadian Pacific online to celebrate the holidays by listening to great music and donating
to help food banks in Canada and the U.S. on Saturday, December 12 at 7pm Central Time. Through this Facebook Live Premiere you will hear musical guests Serena Ryder, The Trews, JoJo Mason,
Logan Staats and Kelly Prescott.
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Silver Lake Cemetery Tour 2020 Quiz
The City of Portage Historic Preservation Commission created a fun quiz to accompany the Virtual 2020 Silver Lake Cemetery Tour. The virtual tour can be viewed on YouTube. As you journey through the virtual tour of historic figures buried at the Silver Lake Cemetery, see if you can answer the questions about their lives.
Click Here for the quiz. For a chance to win a prize, submit your completed quiz by midnight on December 31, 2020. There will be 5 individuals randomly drawn from the quiz submissions that will win $20 in Portage Green Gift Certificates, which can be used just like cash at participating Portage Chamber member businesses. You do not have to have all the answers correct to be eligible to win the prize; however, you do need to submit a valid name and email address for question 8. Must be 18 years of age or older to be eligible to win prize. Winners will be contacted in January 2021.
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AMPI cheesemakers defend title
For the second year in a row, the cheesemakers of Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) are bringing home the coveted Chairman's Trophy following the National Milk Producers Federation Championship Cheese Contest.
The contest awards were announced during NMPF’s joint annual meeting with the United Dairy Industry Association and National Dairy Promotion and Research Board as part of a virtual ceremony. Nearly 200 entries from cooperatives across the country were submitted for this year's contest.
In addition to the competition’s highest recognition, AMPI cheesemakers received the following awards: First-place Mild Cheddar, Blair, WI; first-place, Processed American Flavored-Pepper Jack, Portage, WI; second-place, Pepper Jack, Jim Falls, WI; second-place, Processed American Plain - American Swiss Slice-On-Slice, Portage, WI; second-place, Processed American Flavored - Hot Pepper Loaf, Portage, WI; third-place, Processed American Plain - EZ Melt American Loaf, Portage, WI.
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Office remodel available
The remodel of the First Weber office at 333 W. Wisconsin Street in downtown Portage is complete and the office space is available. It has a variety of uses and has a great location. There is a possibility of some additional remodeling costs credited, if needed, by a new tenant and possibly some free months of rent while getting established.
Another option: The building is also for sale. The building is available for purchase now and will be officially on the market after the New Year. All details can be discussed to interested parties.
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Kid's House Decorating, Santa at Edgewater Home and Garden
Kids, come have some fun and decorate a graham house all your own on Saturday, December 5! Space is limited so sign up early! Social distancing and all safety precautions will be in place. Masks are required.
Also on Saturday, December 5, come say "Hi!" to Santa. He will be at Edgewater Home and Garden from 10am to 2pm. Tell him what you would like for Christmas. Enjoy a cup of cocoa and a fresh baked cookie! Don't forget to bring your camera. Masks are required and social distancing will be in place.
For more information, call Edgewater Home and Garden, 2957 County Highway CX, at 608-742-6558.
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HIAH Kiddie Christmas
Join the Historic Indian Agency House for their 14th annual Kiddie Christmas on Saturday, December 12! What fun...An outdoor treasure hunt! Bring along a bag to collect your goodies as you follow the clues...and learn a little history along the way! Drop in anytime between 1pm and 3pm. Start just outside the visitor center where you’ll receive your first clue, and you’ll be off on your adventure!
The cost is free, but a donation would be very much appreciated. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult. Recommended for kids ages 5 through 12. For more information, call the Historic Agency House at 608-742-6362. Please wear a mask for everyone’s safety, even though it’s outdoors.
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TAKE3 - Spreading a Little Holiday Cheer! Virtual Concert
Enjoy this free, 45-minute, family friendly virtual concert event on Saturday, December 12. Please register for this event at www.portagecenterforthearts.com/special-events. You will be emailed a link to the concert the week of the event.
For more information, please call Portage Center for the Arts at 608-742-5655.
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Drive-Thru and see Santa at the Elks Lodge
Come drive-thru along Conant Street to wave and see Santa at the Portage Elks Lodge on Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24 from 6pm to 7pm. For more information, call the Portage Elks Lodge, 608-742-6040, 201 W. Conant Street.
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Spread the word about Portage!
Use #portagewi in your social media posts.
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Check out the Chamber's YouTube Channel HERE
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Job postings on portagewi.com
Check out these job postings on our Chamber site from our member businesses. You are welcome to post job openings your business may have at any time. Call the Chamber office at 608-742-6242 for more information.
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Want to submit an article for this newsletter?
The Chamber's monthly newsletter deadlines the 20th of the month. Members are always welcome to let others know: about new products and services; introduce new associates or promotions; provide updates about their industry or business; give helpful tips; promote a sale or event. For more information, call the Portage Chamber at 608-742-6242.
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Text PACC to 51660
to receive information about upcoming Chamber events
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Text PORTAGE to 51660
to receive information about upcoming Portage events
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Join a Service Club - Meetings subject to change
Rotary - Meets Mondays at Noon at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.
Lions Club - Meets the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 5:30pm at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd., summer month meetings change locations
Kiwanis - Meets on Wednesdays at Noon at Pizza Ranch, 2905 New Pinery Rd.
Optimists - Meets on Tuesdays at 7am at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.
Elks - Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday at 7pm; 4th Tuesday only during July and August
Women's Civic League - Meets 2nd Wednesdays of the month at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.
Wauona Trail Women's Club - Meets 3rd Monday of the month at 11:30am at Dino's Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd. (Sept-May)
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