March 2024

2024 Community & Visitor Guide

The 2024 Portage Community & Visitor Guide has arrived! Containing information on all the great things our area has to offer, the guides are available at local businesses including hotels & campgrounds, interstate rest areas, City Hall and more.

Click the cover at right to view the guide! >>>>>>

We are currently in the process of distributing the guides around town. If you would like a copy, please contact the Portage Chamber at 608-742-6242.

Thank You 2024 Visitor Guide Advertisers!

Portage State Bank

Portage Community School District

Agrace Hospice Care

Madison College - Portage

Historic Indian Agency House

Wisconsin River Title

Nature's Way Landscaping and Snow Removal LLC

Pride of America Camping Resort

Sheila Link Agency American Family Insurance

The Mercantile

Portage Center for The Arts

Community Bank of Portage

Haareway Laser and Skin Rejuvenation Center

Best Western Resort Hotel & Conference Center

Cardinal FG

General Engineering Company

Hart & Olson Family Dentistry

Culver’s

Fenske & Associates LLC

Kratz Funeral Home

Ho-Chunk Gaming WI Dells

Pointon Heating and Air Conditioning

Terrytown Plumbing, Heating & Cooling

La Tolteca Authentic Mexican Cuisine

Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital & Clinics

Portage Lumber Do-It Best

Suzy's Steak & Seafood House

SSM Health

Wine Walk Tickets on sale March 15

The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce will be holding a Wine Walk on Friday, April 26 from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Advance ticket sales will start March 15. 

Portage Wine Walk (ticketsignup.io)

Peace, Love & Wine! We are having a 70s party for the Portage Wine Walk, and you are invited to bring out your Disco Flair! Get out your bell-bottoms, flared jeans, button-down shirts and beaded necklaces. Bring your friends along to enjoy what is sure to be a fun evening in downtown!

2024 Chamber Annual Meeting & Breakfast Awards

The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce held its Annual Breakfast Meeting and Awards on Wednesday, February 14 at the Best Western Resort Hotel & Conference Center. We showed our "Love for Local" and recognized some of our members who were nominated for their accomplishments and dedication to the Portage community.

Among the winners of the awards, Suzy’s Steak & Seafood House won the Susan Weyh Business Excellence Award, Canape Sandwiches won the Rising Business Star Award, and River Haven Homeless Shelter was selected as the Community Service Award winner. For the full award descriptions as well as list of nominees for each category, click here.

Suzy’s Steak &

Seafood House

Susan Weyh Business Excellence Award

River Haven

Homeless Shelter

Community Service Award

Canape Sandwiches

Rising Business

Star Award

March Business Luncheon

Steve Sobiek, Director of Business Development and Planning for the City of Portage, will be our speaker. He will be giving us an update on projects, programs and development in the City of Portage.

Location: Portage Pizza Ranch

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

Cost: pay for your lunch at the restaurant 

Date: Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Bring business cards, brochures, or anything you wish to share with other members!

Coming Soon: AI Workshop - ChatGPT

The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce is holding an AI Workshop featuring ChatGPT in March and April comprising three sessions: Thursdays - March 28, April 4 and April 18 from 8:30am to 10:30am at the American Legion State Headquarters, 2930 American Legion Drive, Portage.

Monica Gunderson, of ActionCOACH, leads the sessions, which will give attendees an understanding and confidence to use ChatGPT to build a business plan and marketing plan, as well as provide an introduction to Canva for graphic design. Attendees will practice creating marketing collateral for social media posts, mailings, newsletters, menus, brochures, & more! Everyone who attends should bring their laptops.

We will have more details about the workshop coming soon. If you are interested, contact the Portage Chamber at 608-742-6242.

Welcome New Chamber Members

Ping's Massage Therapy Center

702 DeWitt Street, Portage, WI 53901

Jonathan Land at 608-745-9083

 Therapeutic massage services designed to calm the body, reduce the symptoms of common conditions, regain your center, and improve your quality of life.

20% off of all services for Portage residents.

pingsmassagetherapycenter.com

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Wisconsin Dells

461 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Wisconsin Dells, WI 59365

Jackie Kuzminski at 608-678-2225

Spacious hotel suites, complimentary breakfast, indoor pool and 24-hour fitness center equipped with cardio equipment and free weights.

marriott.com/

Fairfield Inn & Suites Wisconsin Dells

511 Wisconsin Dells Parkway, Wisconsin Dells, WI 59365

Jackie Kuzminski at 608-678-2225

Modern amenities, warm service, indoor pool, spacious hotel rooms. 

Ask us about The Fairfield 100% Guarantee™, where we

promise you’ll be satisfied, or we’ll make it right.

marriott.com/

Profit Path SEO

Rio, WI 53960

608-218-4585

Providing Website Development and

Digital Marketing Services throughout Columbia County!

profitpathseo.com

Ribbon Cuttings

A ribbon cutting was held at KlarCare DPC to celebrate with Dr. Amy Doherty as she opened her medical practice in downtown Portage. Located at 108 East Cook Street, she is now accepting patients and providing direct primary care.

Discover true health through transparent pricing, clear answers, and personalized care. Experience root cause medicine at this Direct Primary Care practice. Call 608-566-1319 for more information.

An Open House will be held at KlarCare on Saturday, March 9 from 2pm to 4pm where you can visit and meet the staff. A Grand Opening Celebration for KlarCare

will be held at 205 DeWitt Street from 4pm to 7pm on Saturday, March 9 with

appetizers and beverages. Members only. RSVP klarcare@klarcareDPC.com.

Upcoming Ribbon Cutting

Join the Portage Chamber as we celebrate with Runnings, 2935 New Pinery Road, as they transition their Portage store with a grand opening celebration on Thursday, March 7 at 1pm. Specials will be taking place in store all weekend

You will find all sorts of home items, farm and outdoor products, plus a large selection of quality brands. Learn more and visit store specials at www.runnings.com.

WIFR-TV visits Cascade

Cascade Mountain was featured live on WIFR-TV in Rockford, Illinois the morning of February 15. Weatherman Aaron Wilson made a return visit to our area, this time to check out the fresh snow that had fallen that morning and to chat a little with Evan Walz (pictured left) from Cascade Mountain.

Portage Tourism has participated in a long-standing summer and winter ad campaign with the news station, enticing our southern friends to come up and explore all that we have to offer.

Wilson broadcast from a number of Portage sites the last time he was in town, Surgeons Quarters, Portage Center for the Arts, and Prairie Flower Beads among them.

Improve the comfort of your home; lower energy costs

Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative is pleased to work in partnership with FOCUS ON ENERGY® (Focus) to help you improve the comfort of your home, while lowering your energy costs, through insulation and air sealing improvements. Plus, you may be eligible for more than $1800 in Focus rebates or more (based on income), which may be combined with federal tax credits. Click here to learn about rebates.

Portage Area Job Fair

A Job Fair will be held at Portage High School, 301 E. Collins Street, on Tuesday, March 19 from 1pm to 3pm. Meet with up to 30 employers from the Portage & surrounding area. Bring your resume, dress for success, and be interview ready.

If you would like your resume reviewed prior to this event, email your resume by March 12 to DETBJSRRWDA10@dwd.wisconsin.gov. Please indicate the event you are requesting your email be reviewed for. The Job Seeker Preparation Area will be open from 1pm to 3pm. Meet with Job Service staff. Bring your resume on a flash drive or in your email for easy access. Computers and printer will be available to use.

Complete this quick survey; help a hometown student

The Portage Chamber is committed to business and entrepreneurship. Within that framework lies a chance to help a hometown student complete a college project. Therese Blau is a junior at UW Platteville studying Finance. She is helping the School of Business at Platteville conduct a research study on managerial accounting practices within small businesses (50 or fewer employees).

Those of you who own a small business, please take some some time to fill out the survey. Click the link to the survey here. It takes less than 10 minutes and is anonymous. If you would like the results of the study, please click this email link.

Portage High looking to expand Youth Apprenticeship

Portage High School is seeking to expand its Youth Apprenticeship Program by building collaborative partnerships with businesses in our area. Employers have the opportunity to turn young adults into possible future employees while students can earn valuable job skills in an area of their interest while earning school credits.

The program is open to 11th and 12th grade students. Students can start a Youth Apprenticeship job as soon as the summer between their 10th and 11th grade school year. Students must work at least 450 hours over the course of one year, with a minimum of 250 hours worked during the nine months of school.

The program has been growing steadily each year. Currently, 307 students from 26 school districts in our CESA 5 region participate in the program. Wisconsin taxpayers' estimated return on investment is $6.80 for every $1 spent.

For employers wanting to know more about the program, please reach out to Tim Belleau, Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator, Portage High School Counseling Department, at belleaut@portage.k12.wi.us or 608-742-8545, Ext. 1019.

BrightStar offers in-home care and medical staffing

BrightStar Care® of Baraboo helps individuals maintain their independence safely, in the comfort of their own home through in-home care and medical staffing that goes above and beyond. Caregiver hours are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day in Baraboo, Portage, Reedsburg, Wisconsin Dells, Lake Delton, Prairie du Sac, Sauk City, Pardeeville, Poynette, Lodi, and Lake Wisconsin.

One-on-one, In Home & Skilled Care Services include medication reminders, companion care & respite, personal cares (bathing, dressing & grooming), meal prep and grocery shopping, light housekeeping and laundry, and skilled nursing care. For inquiries call 608-355-5015.

VIBE Salon & Spa celebrates 15 years

VIBE Salon & Spa is celebrating its 15th Anniversary in March. Owner Brenda Klapoetke (left) and her staff have been taking care of their guests with the latest trends in hair styles and colors, manicures, pedicures, messages and many other offerings.

They also continue to give back generously to the Portage community. Contact VIBE Salon & Spa, 218 W. Wisconsin Street, at 608-742-8423 or visit their Facebook page here.

(Photo courtesy VIBE Salon & Spa)

Ping's Coffee hiring Barista

Come be part of Ping's Coffee Bar located at 702 DeWitt Street. Full and part-time help wanted. Barista training provided. Stop in for more details and to apply at Ping's Massage Therapy Center, 702 DeWitt Street, or call 608-745-9083.

Johnny B's opens back up March 1

Johnny B's Rolling Smoke will be back open on Friday, March 1 after a brief vacation. Enjoy their flavorful BBQ and delicious drinks once again at their location at 214 N. Main Street in Pardeeville. Live Music will be held on March 2 starting at 1pm. For more information, call Johnny B's at 608-429-8020 or visit their Facebook page here.

Show Appreciation for Nurses in May

Portage Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to partner with UW Health to encourage member businesses to consider offering discounts to nurses in our community during National Nurses Week, May 6-12 or throughout the month of May.

Nurses Week poses a unique opportunity for local businesses to show their appreciation for all the highly valued nurses in our community who make a difference in the lives of patients, families and the community, every day.

If your business is able to offer a discount to nurses from May 6-12 or throughout the month of May, please send your information or questions to: Bethany Steindl, MSN, RN, CPN, UW Health Nurses Week Committee Member and Pediatric Perioperative Services Nurse Manger, at bsteindl@uwhealth.org or 608-890-6834 by Friday, April 12. UW Health and the participating chambers will share the final list of participating businesses on their respective websites to make all community nurses aware of these local discounts.

Madison College Vision 2030 Survey

As a community member of the Madison College district, your voice matters, and they appreciate your input on Vision 2030. This short survey will ask what about these four themes matters to you. Your responses are anonymous. Click the link to the survey:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CommunityV30

Art That Blooms: Call for Poetry/Florals

Poets, amateur and professional florists, stop by Portage Center for the Arts anytime beginning March 15 to choose your Art That Blooms inspiration piece. Images of artwork are available for viewing in the office, or via Google Drive/Dropbox. Deadline for poetry submission: May 1. Completed florals can be dropped off at PCA Thursday, June 6 between 1pm and 3pm.

Performing Arts Series

Andreas Transø & Lilies of the Midwest perform at Portage Center for the Arts on Saturday, March 9 at 7:30pm.

Hear from award-winning Portage author Jeff Nania

Award-winning Portage author Jeff Nania is featured during this month's Brown Bag Series at Portage Center for the Arts on Thursday, March 28. Jeff draws upon careers in law enforcement, conservation, and a passion for our natural resources in his bestselling Northern Lakes Mystery series.

Enter now for Chili Madness event

Join the St. John’s Youth Group for Food & the Final 4 Games on Saturday, April 6 from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at St. John’s School Gymnasium (Armstrong Street entrance)! Free will suggested donation of $5 per person. Enter the Chili Cook-Off and showcase your favorite chili at the Chili Madness Event. Email youth@stjohnsportage.com, text 608-697-2649, or Sign-Up Genius link: https://shorturl.at/nxyEI, with your name, chili name, chili recipe, and category: spiciest, unique, or best all-around. Free will suggested entry fee donation of $5 per chili.

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.

Portage Service Clubs - Meetings

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

Lions - 2^nd Wednesday, 5:30pm at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd. (summer month meetings change locations)

Kiwanis - Wednesdays, Noon at Pizza Ranch, 2905 New Pinery Rd.

Optimists - Tuesdays, 7am at Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.

Elks - 2nd & 4th Tuesdays at 7pm; 2nd Tuesday only in July, August and December

Women's Civic League - 2nd Wednesday, Dino’s Restaurant, 2900 New Pinery Rd.

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.

March Support Group Meetings

4 ADRC Alzheimer's & Dementia Support Group, Portage Library, 1pm-2:30pm

4, 11, 18, 25 NA Recovery Meeting at The Harbor Recovery Center, 6pm

6, 13, 20, 27 Portage Al-Anon Group at The Harbor Recovery Center, Noon

7 Diabetes Support Group - Aspirus Divine Savior-Classroom A/B, 1:30pm-2:30pm

7, 14, 21, 28 AA Big Book Study at Harbor Recovery Center, 7pm

14 ADRC Alzheimer's & Dementia Support Group in Columbus, 1pm-2:30pm

15 Rise Up For Recovery! at The Harbor Recovery Center, 6pm to 8pm

21 ADRC Alzheimer's & Dementia Support Group in Lodi, 1pm-2:30pm

26 Riverwood Senior Living Caregiver Support Group, 10am-11:30am

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 popularly 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.

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

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