It's June already!

June 2019 News Break

Portage Area Chamber of Commerce

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Festival Foods Fireworks Celebration

Pauquette Park is the place to be for a Celebration of Fireworks, Music and Food on Saturday, June 29.

Enjoy this all new way to celebrate Independence Day in Portage with food, drinks, and 12 delicious flavors of Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream for sale at the park!

The fun starts at 6pm with live music by the Universal Sound Band. Then at 9:30pm, get ready for the spectacular fireworks display over the Wisconsin River.

Prime viewing locations for the fireworks are at the park, along the river on Conant Street or along the Wisconsin River Levee. Set up your own lawn chair or blanket to enjoy the show.

Thank you to Festival Foods for sponsoring a great summer weekend event in Portage!!

June Chamber Business Luncheon

The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce is offering another way to network with your fellow Chamber members and make those important connections that can help you in your business or career. Bring your business cards, brochures, or anything you wish to share with other members.

Our Speaker: Peggy Goodenow, Branch Manager at BMO Harris Bank

Peggy will be speaking with us about the BMO Harris Bank at Work Program. This is a workplace program that brings employees financial education seminars with customized planning consultation. The cornerstone of the program is financial education curriculum to help employees feel confident in their financial situations regardless of where they hold their bank accounts.

Luncheon Information

Location: Portage Pizza Hut, 401 E. Wisconsin St.

Time: Lunch at 11:30AM, Presentation at Noon

Cost: Pay for your lunch at the restaurant

Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Space is limited. Please kindly RSVP for the Business Luncheon events!

Chamber Golf Outing ahead

The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing is scheduled for Wednesday, June 12, and we are asking for your participation. This is the largest fundraiser for the Chamber, helping us fulfill our leadership role in providing a healthy economy and high quality of life for the Portage area.

A great day on the course that will offer many games, prizes, food and drinks is followed by a buffet style dinner at The NorthShore Restaurant. Networking and post-game activities will begin at 5pm and the dinner, auction and program will follow at 5:30pm.

Plan to join other Chamber members, clients and friends. Pre-registration is necessary for both golf and dinner. Tickets are $100 per player and include 18 holes of golf and dinner. All ticket sales are on sale now and are first come, first serve basis for Chamber members in good standing. For more information, please call the Chamber office at 608-742-6242.

Concert in the Park sponsors needed

Sponsors are needed for the Concert in the Park event, scheduled for Friday, July 12 at Pauquette Park.

The event features the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra in the beautiful outdoor setting of the park. This year marks the 27th consecutive year the orchestra has appeared at the venue.

Consider treating your employees and clients with an evening out by purchasing a table for eight.

Welcome New Chamber Members

La Tolteca

2756 New Pinery Road, Portage WI 53901

Alonso Aranda at 608-745-6776

Authentic Mexican cuisine affordable for the whole family. Friendly atmosphere and fast service, too.

Business Profile - Wholeistic Healing LLC

Wholeistic Healing is all about completely healing you on the inside and out. Our products are infused with LOVE and the Most positive energy to bring complete and "Whole" healing to you! All materials used are either grown Organically (and personally) by me; or sourced from only the highest quality suppliers. Always fresh, full of properties and energy... and MADE WITH LOVE!

I am a Certified Master Clinical Herbalist, Certified Master Clinical Aromatherapist, Transformational Shaman, REIKI Master, Reverend, Medical Medium and Earth Angel! My Journey has been amazing and I want to pass on the healing to you that I have received in my life. I have been put on this Earth to heal and spread joy and healing to others. It is my life's purpose to heal You completely (Mind, Body, and Soul).

I honor the Earth and grow most of my own herbs and healing plants and harvest them, distill my own essential oils (limited to what you can grow in Wisconsin of course) to make plant medicines, supplements, teas, body and skin care. Everything is hand made with love and care. You will never get factory made items from us. I have many popular products that I keep in stock, but am always ready and available to custom make what your body needs.

Wholeistic healing also incorporates energy medicine techniques to help the body and mind re-align, relax, and heal naturally. I also use Life force energy/Chi to bless and uplift my products and services. Typically, Clients come in and have been looking for "Something" to help them for a long time and will often share that they have already "tried everything". That is when the healer in me kicks in and I gently take them by the hand and explain how healing is puzzle pieces and that I am happy to help them find their pieces!

Wholeistic Healing is known throughout the United States and we even have international clients. We have a great reputation for helping people turn their lives around 360 degrees; but it is in fact the client that does the work; I just gently guide them in the right direction.

My goal is to get into this community more, help the people of Portage heal; demystify some of this natural healing stuff, now that society is curious about alternative choices they may have. I plan to be a positive role model and resource in the community and to create support groups for like-minded people and children who suffer. We plan to teach, inspire, uplift, and bless all who come into that door!

--Becky Jo Merwin, owner, Wholeistic Healing LLC, 141 E. Cook St., 608-622-3415

Tourism is an Economic Workhorse for Wisconsin, Columbia County

Tourism is an integral part of the Wisconsin economy. It generates millions in tax receipts, and its broad range of employment creation provides jobs that support the state’s economic health. By measuring and monitoring this impact, informed decisions on funding, marketing and also carefully analyze trends, successes and future needs.

Wisconsin tourism reached $21.6 billion in 2018. In Columbia County, 2018 visitor spending was 4.86% higher than 2017, reaching $139.8 million. Among Wisconsin's 72 counties, Columbia County ranks 22nd in visitor spending.

To view 2018 tourism numbers for each county, click here.

Citywide Garage Sales

Portage will host its annual Garage Sales on June 6-8. Who only knows what treasures will be bought and sold, but we do know there is a place to go to find the sales.

The Chamber web event calendar lists address and times of those hosting garage sales. Call us at 608-742-6242 with the address and times of your sale and we'll add yours. Click here for the link.

Portage Lions unveil new bubbler

The Portage Lions did a tremendous job of raising funds to purchase a lion bubbler which was installed near the Splash Pad at Goodyear Park.

The Portage Lions thank Terrytown Plumbing for donating the plumbing installation and the City of Portage for installing the bubbler. They also want to thank the amazing community for donating funds so the club could purchase the bubbler.

PCA BIG Summer Sweepstakes

Only 1,000 tickets are available in this year's BIG Summer Sweepstakes event, with a Grand Prize of $1000! All proceeds support programming at Portage Center for the Arts!

Call 608-742-5655 to request tickets, or stop by the office beginning May 24. All tickets must be returned before July 31, 2019.

CrossFit Kids coming June 2019

Portage CrossFit Cooperative is excited to offer CrossFit Kids to the Portage CrossFit Community! This summer they are offering 2 three-week sessions of CrossFit Kids to youth ages 9-12. Classes are anywhere from 45-60 minutes and will meet three days a week.

Your kids will never get bored because no two workouts will be the same. Over this three-week session, your child will be focusing on skills that will make him or her a well-rounded athlete. All the workouts are scalable, so no particular level of physical fitness or athletic ability is necessary to reap the benefits of the class.

There are only 12 spots available per session, held 3pm to 4pm each of the days.

Session 1: Week 1 - June 12-14; Week 2 - June 18-20; Week 3 - June 25-27

Session 2: Week 1 - June 9-11; Week 2 - June 16-18; Week 3 - June 23-25

Reserve your spot today! Session 1: http://bit.ly/2Hyuxku Session 2: http://bit.ly/2W3X9v3

CrossFit Teens coming July 2019

Teens ages 13-17 will stand out while they're fitting in! There are only 12 spots available for this 4-week session, so reserve your spot today, 9am to 10am each day.

Week 1: July 9-11; Week 2: July 16-18; Week 3: July 23-25; Week 4: July 30-Aug. 1

Reserve your spot today: http://bit.ly/2JpjYDl

Bank of Wisconsin Dells named Top 200

Bank of Wisconsin Dells has again been named to the Top 200 Healthiest Banks in America list. Our bank was rated #72 in America! That places our bank in the TOP 1½ % of commercial banks in AMERICA (#72 of 4,852 banking institutions)!

This ranking is performed by DepositAccounts by Lending Tree, who annually acknowledges its list of healthy banks based on its determined financial criteria. This is the second time that they have made the list (previously 117 ^th of over 6,000 banks).

Community Bank Customer Appreciation

Community Bank of Portage will kick off their Customer Appreciation event on Monday, June 10 with Shred Day, where you can bring in all your items to be shredded. On Thursday, June 13 they will be celebrating with Custard and Friday, June 14 is the big Cookout.

Community Bank of Portage is located at 2930 New Pinery Road. For more information, call 608-745-4300.

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.

Rotary recognition

The Portage Rotary Club honored Carol Heisz with its 2019 Quiet Hero Award. Rotary gives this award to an individual who contributes to our community and does not get or expect recognition for their service.

Heisz serves as Youth Exchange Counselor and Promotions Chair of Portage Rotary and has been an active member since October 2004, as well as a member of Columbia County Teen Court and board member of the Friends of the Portage Library group.

Portage Rotary also recognized the recent service milestones for their members. Congratulations to Anastasia Kinney for three years and Jenna Krenz for ten years of service! Portage Rotary appreciates their excitement, energy, dedication and commitment to Rotary. Pictured below are Anastasia Kinney, Rotary President Rich Jacobson and Jenna Krenz.

In addition to recognizing some great members, Portage Rotary also donated two sets of bedding and $1,005 to help Sleep in Heavenly Peace WI mission and move more than six kids off the floor.

For more information on Portage Rotary see their website at: PortageRotaryClub.com or follow their Facebook page: facebook.com/RotaryClubofPortage

American Legion Celebrates 100 Years

American Legion State Headquarters in Portage will be celebrating 100 years with activities at Veteran’s Memorial Field on September 4-8, 2019 at Columbia County Fairgrounds.

The Legion will be celebrating during the week by bringing veterans and their families, veteran service organizations, firefighters, police officers, EMT’s and Wisconsin residents together to celebrate our freedom, honor those who have and continue to service and teach others about the importance of patriotism and freedom. This is a state-wide community event showcasing our shared respect for our veterans and public safety officers whose efforts have allowed us to enjoy our freedom.

Event details will be updated on the Chamber website event page and in future newsletters. Highlights of the event include the American Vietnam Traveling Tribute Wall and Chris Kroeze, 2018 Runner-up on The Voice.

Sponsorships and various vendors are wanted. Click here for more information and forms.

Text PACC to 51660

to receive information about upcoming Chamber events

Portage Sharing Supper looking for sponsors

The Portage Sharing Supper is in need of some sponsors for July, August and September. Contact Angie Gulrud at gulruda@portage.k12.wi.us.com or call 608-742-2165 if interested in sponsoring.

If you live within the Portage School district, you are invited to come and "share supper" together on the last Monday of each month at Wayne Bartels Middle School from 5pm to 6:30pm. In addition to the free meal, there will be a "Kid's Corner" for young people to do a craft and hear a story as well as informational tables for adults. There will also be a free blood pressure station available.

Come, join your friends and neighbors for good food and good conversation with this free meal.

The purpose of these suppers: to build and nourish community relationships by providing a dining experience that is free of all economic and social barriers.

St. John's Blast from the Past event

St. John's Lutheran Ministries, 850 Armstrong St., invites everyone to Blast from the Past, a family fun event happening June 14 & 15.

There will be a car show, good music, face painting, fantastic food, kid's activities, and more! On Friday night enjoy a drive-in box car movie theater in the gym where families can decorate their own box car and bring it for the drive-in. On Saturday, join the sock hop dance! For a complete schedule of events, click here .

Looking for a Hot Deal? See our list?

Check out our Hot Deals webpage for deals our Chamber members are

offering. Have a Hot Deal of your own you want others to know about? Post

your deals on our webpage and join the Hot Deal brigade! There is no charge

for posting a Hot Deal, so post away!

If you have questions, call the Chamber office at 608-742-6242 to get started. Click here to see the specials that are currently running!

Ribbon Cuttings

A ribbon cutting was held at Wholeistic Healing, 141 E. Cook St., to welcome this new business to Portage.

Wholeistic Healing LLC is a natural health and healing business that was started after my own health

came to a crossroads where I had to make a choice to continue doing what wasn't working or to choose a different path of the unfamiliar and unknown. I chose to explore what nature had to offer. Once that

bug bit, it led me to helping others with this business.

For more information, contact Becky Jo Merwin, owner, at 608-622-3415.

A ribbon cutting was held at 1st Choice Staffing Solutions, 13 Main St., to welcome this new business to Portage.

1st Choice Staffing Solutions recently opened its 2nd location in downtown Portage. They assist with all aspects of Staffing and Payroll Services and are

Family Owned and Operated.

For more information, call Amberly Edwards at 608-745-9292.

Text PORTAGE to 51660

to receive information about upcoming Portage events

June Chamber Meetings & Events

4 Business Luncheon at Pizza Hut at 11:30am

12 Chamber Golf Outing at Portage Country Club at 11am

29 Festival Foods Fireworks Celebration at Pauquette Park at 6pm

Join a Service Club

Rotary - Meets Mondays at Noon at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.

Lions Club - Meets the 2 ^nd and 4 ^th Wednesdays 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)

June Community Events

4 Chamber Business Luncheon at Pizza Hut

4 Poetry in Portage at Suzy's Steak & Seafood House

5 June Craft at Portage Public Library

5 Free Back Pain and Sciatica Workshop at New Life Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine

6-8 Citywide Garage Sales

7-July 27 Art That Blooms at Portage Center for the Arts

7-9 Sky High Softball Tournament

7 Teen Video Game Night at the Portage Public Library

7 Ribbon Cutting at Solas & Kin Photography

7 Euchre Card Party at Portage Presbyterian Church

8 Backyard Party at Jack's Tap

8 Portage Lions Club Brat Fundraiser at Festival Foods

8 Alison Margaret Jazz Quintet at Portage Center for the Arts

8 Meat Raffle at Jack's Tap for Columbia County CASA

10 Shred Event at Community Bank of Portage

10 American Legion Post #47 Annual Steak Fry

11 Teen Movie at Portage Public Library

12 Chamber Golf Outing

12 Program at Museum at the Portage

12 CrossFit Kids Class - Session 1 begins

13-14 Customer Appreciation Days at Community Bank of Portage

13 Teen Magic: The Gathering Club at Portage Public Library

14-15 Blast from the Past Event at St. John's Lutheran Ministries

14 Customer Appreciation & Ribbon Cutting at Century 21

14 Spirit of the Agency House Evening Tour

14 Teen Perler Bead Class at Portage Public Library

15 Historic Agency House Flag Day Celebration

15 Flag Day Celebration at the Elks Lodge

17-20 Summer Dance Classes at Laura's School of Dance

18 Teen Movie at the Portage Public Library

19 World Elder Abuse Day

19 Laura's School of Dance Princess Camp

20 Laura's School of Dance JoJo Camp

21 Teen PlayStation VR Night at Portage Public Library

22 Portage City Flea Market at Columbia County Fairgrounds

23 Corpus Christi Mass & Procession at Durward's Glen Retreat Center

24 Portage Sharing Supper at Wayne Bartels Middle School

25 Healing Powers of CBD Oils program at Portage Public Library

25 Teen Movie at the Portage Public Library

26 Portage United Methodist Church Pop-up Food Pantry

26 Pregnancy Resource Center Ribbon Cutting & Open House

26 Endeavor Sharing Supper

27 Yoga Day at the Portage Public Library

27 Grief Support at Our House Senior Living

27 Teen Magic: the Gathering Club at Portage Public Library

28 Teen Anime Night at the Portage Public Library

29 Pancake Breakfast and Auction at Portage VFW

29 GPYEF Hall of Fame Banquet & Golf Outing

29 Festival Foods Fireworks Celebration

Weekly Recurring Events

Farmer's Market at Market Square, Thursdays from Noon to 5pm

Concerts at the Portage, Wednesdays June - August, 6:30pm behind VFW

Beer Bucket Bingo at Jack's Tap every Monday at 6:30pm

Open Pharmacy Forum at Wilz Hometown Pharmacy, every Wednesday, 6pm-7pm

For details on these events and more, click here.

Portage Area Chamber of Commerce | 608-742-6242 | pacc@portagewi.com | www.portagewi.com