Portage Area Chamber of Commerce
NEWS BREAK
April 2021
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Portage Wine Walk 2021
The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce is holding the Portage Wine Walk on April 30 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Come spend time with your friends enjoying great wine inside 16 various businesses.
Tickets are $35 each in advance and available by cash or check at the Chamber of Commerce Office, Main Street Consignment, Big Dog Saloon, Prairie Flower Beads, Bee Alive Yoga and are also available online.
Participants must be 21 or over and a photo ID is required to participate. Tickets are limited, so hurry!
Businesses are also welcome to provide a flyer or business card promoting their business, a special discount coupon, a sample product, etc., to include in goodie bags given to the participants prior to the walk. Please contact the Portage Chamber at 608-742-6242 for the details.
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2021 Stations of the Cross at Durward's Glen
Please join in this beautiful procession along the Stations of The Cross on Good Friday, April 2, at 3:30pm at Durward's Glen! Fr. Pedro Escribano will lead through each station as the cross is carried alongside. This is an annual event and a excellent expression of the passion of Jesus Christ.
Please meet at the entrance parking lot of the Glen, W11876 McLeisch Road, Baraboo. The Way of The Cross booklets will be available at the entrance to the Stations' pathway for this free event. For more information, visit http://www.durwardsglen.org. Donations are welcomed and appreciated.
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Portage Lions Club Easter Egg Hunt
The Portage Lions Club will distribute thousands of foil wrapped chocolate eggs by drive-thru outdoors at John Muir and Woodridge School grounds on Saturday, April 3 from 10am to 10:30am.
Anyone who is interested in joining the club and providing this and other services is welcome. The club needs and welcomes more men and women who care about helping in their community. Please call Nancy Schaper at 608-742-7242 if you are interested.
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The NorthShore Restaurant is back!
The NorthShore Restaurant at the Portage Country Club is back open for the season. Enjoy Easter brunch on Sunday, April 4 from 9am-1pm. Call today for reservations 608-742-3553. Prices are $25 for adults, $10 for children under 12. Kids under 3 eat for free!
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Restaurant Revitalization Fund on the way
The new Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) is coming out through the Small Business Administration(SBA) as part of the recently signed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The SBA also announced that they are targeting early April to launch a phased rollout of the RRF. Additional information about this program should come out soon.
The RRF will offer $28.6 billion in grants to hard-hit restaurants and bars, with these able to apply for grants based on lost revenue. Additionally, $5 billion of that total will be set aside expressly for businesses with 2019 gross receipts of less than $500,000.
Most American restaurants and bars that lost revenue in 2020 versus 2019 will be eligible to apply for RRF grants. The ARPA explicitly names the following types of establishments that should be eligible: “restaurant, food stand, food truck, food cart, caterer, saloon, inn, tavern, bar, lounge, brewpub, tasting room, taproom, licensed facility or premise of a beverage alcohol producer where the public may taste, sample, or purchase products.”
However, any restaurant or bar that is part of a publicly-traded company or owned by a state or local government is not eligible to apply. Also, owners that operate more than 20 restaurants are ineligible. Notably, if you are the owner of a franchise and you do not control more than 20 locations, you are likely eligible to apply.
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Welcome New Chamber Members
608 Nutrition
2800 New Pinery Road, Unit 3 Portage, WI 53901
Brittany Graak and Katelyn Spink at 608-566-1276
A healthy cafe serving smoothies, protein shakes and a juice bar with energizing teas, iced protein coffees and much more. They will be holding various classes onsite for you to participate in.
Dunkin'
2950 New Pinery Road (inside Walmart)
608-745-5760
Long-running popular chain serving signature donuts,
breakfast sandwiches & a variety of coffee drinks.
Nature's Way Landscaping & Snow Removal
Angela Applegate-Herwig
608-408-0585
Specializing in landscaping, lawn mowing & snow removal services.
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April Chamber Meetings and Events
7 Ambassador Meeting at 8am
7 Ribbon Cutting at Green Berry Smoothies at 9am
30 Portage Wine Walk from 5:30pm to 8:30pm
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Free Spirit Travel Has New Contact Information
Reach Ginger at 608-617-5558 and Gail at 608-742-5533
Send them an email:
Hours include: Mon, Tues, Thurs 9am-3pm and Friday 9am-2pm
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Chamber Golf Outing
The Portage Chamber holding its annual Golf Outing on Wednesday, June 9 at the Portage Country Club. The outing 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.
Join other Chamber members, clients and friends. Pre-registration is necessary for the outing. Tickets are on sale now and you can contact our office at 742-6242 for all the details.
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Century 21 Affiliated is Hiring
Century 21 Affiliated is looking to sign on a few additional Real Estate Sales Associates, offering assistance with licensing, education, and training. Commission only. Potential earnings $10,000 - $100,000. Part and Full Time available. Please call 608-742-8521 or email adminbooburg@c21affiliated.com for more information.
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Columbia County, Portage featured on
Discover Wisconsin
Get your popcorn ready! Discover Wisconsin will re-air the Columbia County episode, a portion of which features Portage on Saturday, April 3 on WKOW TV 27 (ABC) at 6:30pm. In this Discover Wisconsin episode, hosts Mariah Haberman and Marie Justice highlight Portage, Poynette, Cambria and Columbus.
In case you are not able to watch as it airs, here is the link to the episode.
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The Ins and Outs of Facebook Audiences
Part of the Digital Marketing & Social Media Conference
April 12, 2021, 1pm - 2:15pm
There are millions of advertisers on Facebook; how will your brand stand out? Join Matt Nelson, one of five expert presenters at our Digital Marketing and Social Media Conference to learn more about how to target audiences on Facebook.
In this workshop, Matt Nelson with MadtownSEO.com and LocalRouteLabs.com will walk you through the basics of Facebook’s Saved, Custom, and Lookalike Audiences, which allow marketers to create highly targeted ads during any part of the sales process. Register for the conference today.
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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, April 16 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 at https://fb.me/e/1dvf3pkma (one registration per team).
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Adams-Columbia Electric Now Hiring
Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative is currently accepting applications for an Electrical Engineer and a Member Services Representative position. Applications for our Member Services Representative is April 9 and the deadline to apply for the Electrical Engineer position is April 30.
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Drive Thru Job Fair
The Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin (WDBSCW), along with the Job Center of Wisconsin and partners, are leveraging a wide range of tools to connect job seekers with employment opportunities throughout the region with a series of recruitment events.
A Drive Thru Job Fair will be held on May 5 from 3pm to 7pm as part of a regional approach with event locations in all six counties (Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Jefferson, Marquette, Sauk) to let job seekers know there are still opportunities available in their area. There is a $100 “booth fee” to cover printing and other costs related to the event. They will print 750 copies of your job posting flyer to distribute in bags in all of the counties. Employers do not need to attend in person, the venues will be staffed with volunteers who will distribute the bags of job postings.
The Workforce Development Board of South Central Wisconsin will also host all of the job posting flyers on its website and share the page with job seekers starting the week after the job fair.
There will also be an exclusive Virtual Job Fair for participating Drive Thru Job Fair business partners via Premier Virtual. Each employer participant will be provided with a booth for the event to be held from 10am - Noon on May 11. This format will provide additional opportunities to connect with job seekers who will be encouraged to also connect with employers via a virtual platform. Employers hosting a booth are required to set up the virtual space prior to the event date and will be provided more information on how to do so.
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Sam Bieno Memorial Blood Drive
Sam's kindness touched everyone who knew her. When she was diagnosed with Leukemia, the generosity of blood donors helped her endure grueling treatment. A marrow donor's selfless gift also gave her more time with loved ones. Although Sam lost her battle in April 2015, her spirit inspires others to help those in need.
Register today for the Sam Bieno Memorial Blood Drive to be held at the Best Western Resort & Conference Center, 2701 County Rd CX, on Thursday, April 15 from 11am to 5pm. Call 877-232-4376 or register online at https://bit.ly/sambieno. FDA mandated face covering required.
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Ribbon Cuttings
A ribbon cutting was held at 608 Nutrition, 2800 New Pinery Road, to welcome this new business to Portage.
608 Nutrition is a new locally owned small business focusing on healthy & delicious shakes that provide essential vitamins and nutrients to help you make it through your day.
They offer 50+ kid friendly yummy flavors that take your taste buds on a thrilling ride while reviving your system with a boost of energy and nutrients. Their Herbal Energizing Tea will give you clean natural energy with no jitters or crash like other caffeinated beverages. It’s a great replacement for coffee, soda and energy drinks... Perfect for starting off your morning or recharging mid-afternoon.
Their delicious, healthy nutritious shakes are all under 250 calories, provide 21 vitamins & minerals and can be enjoyed as a breakfast, lunch, snack or even a dessert on a hot summer day! They are proudly offering lactose, vegan, and Gluten Free shake options, too. Their goal is to offer a healthy alternative to traditional dining/snack/dessert options that although are very delicious… lack nutrition.
For more information, call 608 Nutrition at 608-566-1276.
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Ribbon Cuttings
A ribbon cutting was held at Main Street Consignment, 13 Main Street, to welcome this new business to Portage.
Gently Used or New Name Brand Clothing at "Thrifty" prices. Men's, Women's, Infants, Children's, Juniors, Maternity, Nurses Scrubs,
Purses, Shoes, Jewelry, Hand Made Home Decor & More!
Consign your Seasonal Items for up to 50%, track your items and your account online!
For more information, call 608-566-1644.
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Portage Library Foundation Looking for Board Members
Portage Library Foundation is looking for members of the business community to serve on the Board of Directors! The mission of the foundation is to financially support enhancements to the local Portage Library that are beyond regular budgetary expenses.
Board Members also provide assistance with fundraising events and other sponsorships at the Library. The commitment is minimal with only 6 morning meetings per year! If you would like to know more information, please contact Jon Crawford at 608-742-2414.
Homebound Delivery now available
The Portage Public Library is now offering homebound delivery to any Portage resident, who because of temporary or permanent physical disability, finds it difficult or impossible to visit the library in person. A valid library card in good standing is required to be eligible.
Homebound delivery will be provided until the patron no longer desires it, or when eligibility
criteria have elapsed. For more information, call Linda at 608-742-4959, ext. 206.
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Spring Cleaning with Essential Oils
Register now for a “Spring Cleaning with Essential Oils” program at the Portage Public Library! The program will be held on Wednesday, April 14 from 6pm - 7pm. Becky Jo Calhoun from Wholeistic Healing, LLC will teach you how to make cleaning products using essential oils.
You will go home with your own scented all-natural cleaning and sanitizing spray! To register, email programs@portagelibrary.us or call 608-742-4959. The library is located at 253 W. Edgewater Street.
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Art Exhibit & Workshop at PCA
Wisconsin Regional Art Program Art Exhibit and Workshop will be held at Portage Center for the Arts with the virtual exhibit opening Friday, April 9 and the onsite exhibit running April 9-30. Please note that gallery hours and capacity limits are reduced until further notice.
A Virtual Artist Workshop with Angela Johnson, artist creativity coach and educator, will be held on Saturday, April 17 via Zoom from 9am to 10am with awards and discussion at 10:15am. The cost is $5 for general public and free for participating artists. Workshop RSVP is required by April 9.
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Submit your Events!
Are you planning an event this year? Get it posted on our web community calendar at www.portagewi.com. One of the most popular viewed of the Chamber website pages, the calendar allows you to submit your own events.
Simply click this link and submit your events. If you have questions, please call the Chamber office at 608-742-6242.
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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.
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