FEBRUARY 2024

2024 Chamber Annual Meeting & Breakfast Awards

The Portage Area Chamber of Commerce invites you to join us at our Annual Breakfast Meeting and Awards on Wednesday, February 14 at the Best Western Resort Hotel & Conference Center. Come join us as we 'Show Some Love For Local' and recognize our members for their accomplishments and dedication to the Portage community. Call the Chamber office at 608-742-6242 to make your reservation or register online.

Location: Best Western Resort Hotel & Conference Center, 2701 South Highway CX

Registration: 7:45am

Breakfast Buffet: 8am with program to follow

Cost: $30 per person

Launch Portage event: Sips N' Salsa

Connect with Portage Area emerging and experienced professionals over sips and salsa with us at La Tolteca, 2758 New Pinery Road. Meet someone new, share your business information, and make some new connections on Thursday, February 1 from 4:30pm to 6:30pm.

The Portage Chamber of Commerce is bringing individuals together to build professional relationships, socialize, make connections, and create community involvement. One of those ways is through our Launch Portage group of professionals. This is a group to encourage and launch connections for all professionals, both emerging and experienced, to help our community thrive. If you are a member of the Portage community or surrounding areas, we welcome you to join and paddle along as we LAUNCH Portage!

February Business Luncheon

Kasey Fragoso of Bracket and Bin Organizing will be our featured speaker this month.  Kasey is your one-on-one professional organizer, helping remove clutter from your home or business, creating systems for you that all work together to maintain order. Do you need help creating that more organized environment? Are you feeling overwhelmed or dissatisfied with all the clutter in your life? See how she can help you minimize things and take back some of those life experiences that you are missing. Kasey is also certified as a Feng Shui consultant and can help you improve positive chi (energy).

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

Location: Dino's Restaurant 

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

Cost: Pay for your lunch at the restaurant 

Date: Tuesday, February 6, 2024

St. John's Open House

All families are invited to tour St. John's Lutheran Ministries School and Child Development Center, 430 W. Emmett Street, from 3:30pm to 6pm on Thursday, February 1. Come and meet the teachers, tour the facilities, ask questions, and enroll your students for the '24-'25 school year! Visit stjohnsportage.com or call 608-742-9000.

Take Your Child to the Library Day

Come to the Portage Public Library, 253 W. Edgewater Street, on Saturday, February 3 for Take Your Child to the Library Day beginning at 9:30am. Listen to guest readers including Marianne Hanson of the Portage Area Chamber of Commerce! Enjoy delicious popcorn from the Craig's Popcorn Corner, too.

New Ownership

We welcome Capital City Equipment, LLC to Portage as a new Chamber member as owners Pamela and Jared Wentz transition ownership from Schultz Small Engine at 1110 Thompson Street. Call 608-445-0043 or visit capcityeqip.com for more information.

Thank you to Don and Gail Schultz and their staff for many, many years of supporting the Portage Chamber and serving our community! Enjoy your retirement!

News from Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative

Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative’s scholarship program is now available! They are accepting applications for our Educational and Jon Steinhaus Lineworker scholarships until Friday, February 23. The application process is easy and convenient with one application form, available on their website. Be sure to review the scholarship page you’re interested in applying for to make sure you meet the eligibility requirements prior to applying. To learn more and to apply, click here.

Are you interested in joining Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative’s board of directors? We’re accepting nominations by petition for districts 1 and 2. Visit our website to learn about director qualifications, townships that are located in each district, and details on how to run for a board seat.

Do you know a class that teaches curriculums in the areas of science, technology, engineering, or math that could use extra funding for a project? Encourage local educators you know to apply for Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative’s STEM Grant! Classrooms can receive up to $1,000 per year towards a project or curriculum in the STEM field. Visit their website to view a list of previous classes awarded a grant, grant details, and to apply. The next deadline is approaching soon. Be sure to submit applications by February 1 to be considered for the upcoming quarter.

50 Years of Photography

Come to the Opening Reception of '50 Years of Photography' by Pete Price on Friday, February 2 from 4pm to 6pm at the Drury Gallery inside Portage Center for the Arts. Free and open to the public with light refreshments served. Exhibit runs through February 23.

Pro Arte Quartet

Pro Arte Quartet performs at Portage Center for the Arts on Saturday, February 17 at 7:30pm. For more information, call 608-742-5655 or visit portagecenterforthearts.com.

Brown Bag Series: Historic Indian Agency House

Explore the stories and lessons of the Historic Indian Agency House's past in a new way on Thursday, February 22 at Noon as part of the Brown Bag Series at Portage Center for the Arts. Examine artifacts from the HIAH collection as you investigate the big picture of this important place in Portage—and national—history.

Empty Bowls event

Support the Bartels Middle School Music and Art department at the First Empty Bowls event on Friday, February 2 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at Bartles Middle School Commons. Bowls (decorated by BMS Art students) will be sold for $20, which includes a dinner meal and live performance. Performance only tickets available for $5. For more information, contact Sam Clemmons 608-742-2165, ext. 7500.

Fish Fry at the Elks Lodge

The Portage Elks Lodge Fish Fry will be held on Friday, February 9 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. Click Here for menu options. Take out available by calling 608-742-6040.

Ribbon Cuttings

A ribbon cutting was held at Plumer Karate America Portage to celebrate their new location at 2851 New Pinery Road.

"Plumer Karate America offers martial arts classes, including self defense, for ages 3 and up," said Ms. Beth Schmidt, owner and chief instructor. "Each month we work on personal development as well as building self-esteem and confidence."

For more information, call 608-566-1600 or click here.

Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings

Join us as we celebrate with Dr. Amy Doherty at KlarCare LLC as she opens her medical practice in downtown Portage with a ribbon cutting on Friday, February 23 at Noon. Located at 108 East Cook Street, she is now accepting patients and providing direct primary care. She can be reached at 608-566-1319.

A grand opening will be held on Saturday, March 9 with tours of the office and the opportunity to meet Dr. Doherty and ask questions. Visit her website at www.klarcaredpc.com/.

St. Mary School Pancake Supper

St. Mary School will hold its Pancake Supper on Tuesday, February 13 from 4:30pm to 7pm. All you can eat pancakes! Everyone is welcome! Pay what you wish (free will donation).

All donations go toward the 6th grade class field trip.

Studio 301 February events

Thirsty Thursdays at Studio 301 brings acoustic Americana artist Jeff Hanson on February 8, featured country artist Matt Schmidt on February 15, and Jake Shirley on February 22. Other February highlights include DJ Dance Night on February 3, Black Crown Comedy Night on February 9 and Classic Rock Night with John Masino Band on February 10.

Check out a complete list of the events at Studio 301, 214 W. Wisconsin Street, by clicking here. For more information, call 608-628-7990.

Kiwanis Fisheree at Silver Lake

Come help the Portage Kiwanis raise money to purchase books for children during the Kiwanis Fisheree on Saturday, February 17 from 8am to 3pm at Silver Lake Beach. Registration starts at 8am and fishing continues until 3pm. There will be food, games and prizes. $10 adults and $5 kids.

Upcoming Portage Referendum - Feb. 20, 2024

The City of Portage faces a decision on how to invest in EMS service - either through continuing to pay the third-party hospital system or by creating a locally controlled, fire-based EMS service. Both options will require an investment, either through significant budget cuts or a referendum to increase the property tax level to fund the services. Voters will be asked on February 20, 2024 whether or not to support an increase in the City’s annual tax levy,....Click here to read more.

Riverwood Marketplace

Come to the first Riverwood Marketplace on Friday and Saturday, February 23 & 24 from 10am to 3pm! There will be several different vendors from crafts and antiques to gluten free food and homemade salsas, jams and jellies. There are openings for vendors to participate with no fee. Riverwood Senior Living is located at 115 Bowman Road, Wisconsin Dells. Call Sue at 608-684-0123 for more information.

Fun Things to do in February!

1 St. John's Lutheran Ministries School and Child Development Center

Open House, 3:30pm to 6pm

1 Launch Portage Professionals' Sips N' Salsa event at La Tolteca, 4:30pm to 6:30pm

1 Celebrate the 90's at Studio 301, 5pm

1, 8, 15, 22, 29 Bingo at Saddle Ridge (through end of April), 5:30pm to 9pm

2 Pete Price Opening Reception at Portage Center for the Arts, 4pm-6pm

('50 Years of Photography' exhibit runs through February, 23)

2 Empty Bowls Fundraiser at Bartels Middle School Commons, 5:30pm to 7:30pm

2, 24 Two Stages of Rock and Metal at Studio 301, 6pm

3 Saturday Theatre Workshops Ages 5-9, Portage Center for the Arts, 9am to 11am

3 Take Your Child to the Library Day, Portage Public Library, 9:30am to 10:30am

3 DJ Dance Night at Studio 301, 7pm

6 Portage Chamber Business Luncheon at Dino's Restaurant, 11:30am

6, 13, 20, 27 Cornhole Tournaments at Portage VFW, 5:30pm

6, 13, 20, 27 Community Camaraderie at Portage VFW, 1pm to 4pm

7, 14, 21, 28 Texas Hold'em Poker at the Portage VFW, 7:30pm

8 Cookie Sale at Aspirus Divine Savior lobby, 10am-2pm

8, 15, 22, 29 Bingo with the Portage VFW Post at Saddle Ridge, 6pm

8 Jeff Hanson at Studio 301, 7pm

9 Fish Fry at Portage Elks Lodge, 4:30pm-7:30pm

9 Black Crown Comedy Night at Studio 301, 7pm

10 Vertical Marriage Seminar, Freedom in Christ Church, Baraboo, 9:30am to 3pm

10 John Masino Band at Studio 301, 7pm

14 Portage Chamber Meeting & Awards at Best Western at 8am

15 EMS/Ambulance Informational Meeting at Portage City Hall, 5:30pm to 7pm

15 Matt Schmidt at Studio 301, 8pm

16 Rise Up For Recovery Event at The Harbor Recovery Center, 6pm

16 'A Love For Comedy' at Studio 301, 7pm

17 Kiwanis Fisheree at Silver Lake, 8am to 3pm

17 Pro Arte Quartet at Portage Center for the Arts, 7:30pm

18 UW Varsity Band at Portage High School Gymnasium, 1pm

22 Brown Bag Series at Portage Center for the Arts, Noon

22 Open House at Riverwood Senior Living, Wisconsin Dells, 3pm-5pm

22 Jake Shirley at Studio 301, 7pm

23 & 24 Riverwood Marketplace at Riverwood Senior Living, WI Dells, 10am-3pm

23 Community Bingo at Riverwood Senior Living, Wisconsin Dells, 1pm

24 Meat Raffle at Portage Rod & Gun Club, 2pm to 4pm

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.

February Support Group Meetings

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

1, 8, 15, 22, 29 AA Big Book Study at Harbor Recovery Center, 7pm

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

5, 12, 19, 26 NA Recovery Meeting at The Harbor Recovery Center, 6pm

7, 14, 21, 28 Portage Al-Anon Group at The Harbor Recovery Center, Noon

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

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

27 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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