May 2019 News Break
Portage Area Chamber of Commerce
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Big news for Portage: Canal cleanup to continue
Dredging and cleanup of a nearly three-quarter mile section of the Portage Canal is moving ahead with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources providing $4.3 million to cover the cost of the work.
"In the spirit of Gov. Evers' declaring 2019 the Year of Clean Drinking Water, the DNR is committed to cleaning up contaminated sediments in this section of the Portage Canal," said DNR Secretary Preston Cole. "We're excited to work with the city on this cleanup project and look forward to seeing the bicycle and pedestrian pathways the city plans to construct along the canal."
As the owner of the Portage Canal, the state of Wisconsin is responsible for taking the necessary actions to address the contamination that has impacted the canal. "Completing this project is one of the agency's top priorities," said Cole.
The canal, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a navigable waterway, though it hasn't been used in that capacity since 1951. From Adams Street to the Canadian Pacific Railroad bridge, the 3,600-foot stretch hasn't been dredged in nearly a century and is contaminated with chemicals related to a history of industrial activity.
"This is great news for the city of Portage and the Portage Canal Society. This funding commitment culminates years of planning and demonstrates what can be accomplished through partnerships and cooperation," said Portage Mayor Rick Dodd.
"The city is grateful for the tireless effort by the DNR to recognize the importance of the canal project and its history to the city of Portage. I would like to thank the DNR, especially Mark Aquino and his team for their work in seeing the importance of this project," said Dodd.
Funding for this phase of the cleanup along the canal, which may begin as early as 2020, will come from the state's Environmental Repair Fund and bonding. A smaller section of the canal was dredged in the summer of 2016 in conjunction with the construction of the new Columbia County Administration Building and the county's new Health and Human Services Building.
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Wine Walk 2019
Judging by the laughter echoing through the streets of downtown, people who participated in the Wine Walk were all in good spirits last Friday night. A sunny evening was the perfect setting for the seventh annual Portage spring Wine Walk, organized by the Chamber. A red and white wine sample was enjoyed at each of the 13 locations to the 299 people who participated in the walk.
The Fox Valley Fire added a little heat to the event (pictured above) with their fire dancing and myriad of tricks for passers by. Thank you to our bartenders, registration volunteers, the businesses, and those who participated in the wine walk for making it a smooth success!
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Still time for golfers to enter!
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.
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Harmony for the Homeless
Mark your calendars for a night on the town while helping your community. There will be food, fun, silent auction and musical entertainment at this year's Harmony for the Homeless concert at Portage Center for the Arts on Saturday, May 11 at 7pm. Music guests include AnnaMarie, Kaylin Kole, Olivia & Jonathan Stefonek.
River Haven Homeless Shelter's mission is to provide safe, temporary shelter to homeless individuals and families while providing guidance and connecting them to community resources to promote their independence. Please join us for this special fundraising concert in support of our mission.
Tickets are only $15 each and available at the Chamber Office or at the door the night of the show.
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May 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: Haley Gilman of Divine Savior Healthcare
The health of our workforce is vitally important to the economics and well-being of our community. Marketing & Community Relations Haley Gilman will share some of the services, programs and resources available at Divine Savior Healthcare to help you and your employees. Learn about the impact community hospitals have in rural communities and what you and your business can do to support a stronger community through support of your local health care resources and providers.
Luncheon Information
Date: Tuesday, May 7, 2019
Location: The NorthShore at the Portage Country Club, W7245 Country Club Road
Time: Lunch at 11:30AM, Presentation at Noon
Cost: Pay for your lunch at the restaurant
Space is limited. Please kindly RSVP for the Business Luncheon events!
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Welcome New Members
Wildflowers Wellness LLC
211 W. Cook St. Portage, WI 53901
Kasha Hennes at 715-432-9129
Holistic, natural health store specializing in organic and natural-including CBD derived from industrial-hemp. Artisan products made in Wisconsin including local honey and elderberry tonic.
Wholeistic Healing
141 E. Cook St. Portage, WI 53901
Becky Jo Merwin at 608-622-3415
All natural organic healing products, services, classes and consults. Complete healing on the inside and out with organically and personally sourced materials from the highest quality suppliers.
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Business Profile - 1st Choice Staffing Solutions
1st Choice Staffing Solutions is a Family Owned & Operated Staffing Agency & Payroll Service Company. We offer Entry Level Positions to Executive Level Staffing & a Full HR Department for our Clients.
Payroll can take time away from focusing on other aspects of your business, so we are here to help! We process all W2’s, Payroll Taxes, Unemployment Taxes, Workmans Comp and other Payroll “burdens.”
We opened our 1st Office in the Heart of Downtown Baraboo with 10 Employees, we recently opened our
2nd Office in Downtown Portage and have over 400 Employees, this isn’t even including the employees
we have helped find new careers they have been hired on full time for!!
We chose Portage due to the Growing Employment needs of our Clients in Portage & the Surrounding
Areas. Portage Business Owners and the Chamber have been so Welcoming! We can’t wait to get to
know more of you!
When people hear 1st Choice Staffing Solutions, we hope they think of a Family Working hard for their
Clients and Employees. We have that “small town,” more personable touch that Large Corporate Firms
usually can’t offer. This allows us to be more flexible on Pricing, Contracts, and things that may deter
Business Owners away from Staffing or Payroll Firms.
We offer affordable health, dental, vision, short term disability and life insurance to our Employees.
We have a Referral Program for our Employees; offering gas cards and Chamber Bucks! We also offer
steel toe boots, gas cards for those who may not be able to get to work, rides, clothing and vouchers
for work related items.
Sometimes we are that Jump Start, Job Coach or just a Boost of Confidence that people
need to get back out there and create success!
We are active Members of the Community! We are Members of the Portage Chamber of Commerce,
Baraboo Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Baraboo Inc. You may remember our Parade Float in the 2017 Big Top Parade...we Teamed up with The Red Shed Garden & Gifts to proudly represent Baraboo & Circus World Museum and won 1st Place!
Throughout our years at 1st Choice Staffing Solutions, we have been able to offer a variety of ways to
improve businesses by helping them with staffing needs and advice.
We look forward to meeting you and working together!! We also look forward to helping Portage grow. We can see all the hard work people in this area have put in, and we look forward to being a part of that!!
For more information, call 1st Choice Staffing Solutions, 13 Main St., at 608-745-9292.
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Register now for Canal Days parade on June 1
Canal Days events are scheduled for May 31 - June 2. The Portage Elks Lodge will host a Friday night band, with food and a beer tent. Saturday events start early with the Run/Walk at Divine Savior Healthcare, downtown parade, walking tour, kid’s corner, craft market and more. Sunday will play host to the Elk's Lodge Kids Fisheree at Pauquette Park. Complete list of events, times and parade registration are on the
chamber website
.
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Workforce Shortage Hits Portage, Too
Marianne Hanson, Executive Director, Portage Area Chamber of Commerce, wrote the following article for the Spring 2019 issue of the Wisconsin Business Voice
Portage serves as the county seat for Columbia County and has a population of just over 10,000 people. We are located about 30 minutes north of Madison, right along the Interstate 39/90/94 corridor. Even though some might categorize Portage as rural, we have very similar struggles to communities both big and small. One of the most vexing is trying to fill our workforce needs. Not only with the quantity of workers, but quality.
Almost every manufacturing facility in our business park has expanded in the past three years - some multiple times - in terms of both their physical facility and employment. We will soon see a new industry come into our business park. A vacated big box building is going to be occupied this spring. Our downtown is undergoing a renaissance with many business owners investing in upgrades to their facades.
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Pizza Ranch donates to pavilion in May-June
Pizza Ranch of Portage will donate a portion of proceeds to the Pauquette Park pavilion project during the months of May and June.
Get to Pizza Ranch and enjoy their great tasting pizza, chicken and more! Don't forget to save room for ice cream, too.
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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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Giggles for Kids features Melissa & Doug toys
Giggles for Kids inside the Mercantile carries a great selection of the popular Melissa & Doug toy products. Watch for featured farm-related toys and dinosaur-themed toys in the coming months.
Giggles for Kids always has fun and educational toys and books for kids available. For more information, call Giggles for Kids, 117 W. Cook St., at 608-745-5768.
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St. Mary's Best Fest
St. Mary Portage organizes this annual festival called Best Fest that is held the weekend before Memorial Day each year. This year the dates of the event are May 17-19 on the St. Mary's School and Church grounds at 307 West Cook Street.
It is a community social event as well as the parish's largest fundraiser. The goal of this festival is to promote a sense of community, family, and fellowship throughout Portage.
Many volunteers are needed to assist in different areas of the festival. You can be sure that you will have no trouble finding a spot to lend a hand. This event provides a place where everyone can gather, meet old and new friends and have fun.
Call 608-742-6998 for more information.
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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.
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Portage Furniture Store celebrates 30 years
The Portage Furniture store is celebrating 30 years in business! Thank you Ayers family for investing in Portage.
Find Anniversary Savings on everything in the store from a great selection from the top names in furniture such as Flexsteel, Serta, La-Z-Boy, England, Smith Brothers, Door County Furniture, Best Home Furnishings, Wolfcraft, Ultra Comfort and many more.
For more information, call 608-742-4106.
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Youth Entrepreneur Camp
Youth Entrepreneur Camp for kids currently in Grades 6, 7 & 8 is coming up June 17-21. Register your kids now for this unique day camp at the UW-Madison Small Business Development Center.
This 5-day youth entrepreneur camp will give your kids a head start in business!
During the camp, kids will: Choose a Business Idea and Start Their Own Business; Learn Business Basics from Expert Instructors; Participate in a Business Simulation; Run a Real-life Team Lemonade Stand Business; Visit and Learn from Entrepreneurs; Create Business Cards; Present their Business Idea; Visit the UW-Madison Campus; Have Fun and Make new Friends.
When and Where:
June 17-21, 2019, 9am-4pm at Grainger Hall - UW Madison Campus
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Portage recognizes Strickland
Portage Rotary recognized the recent service milestones of their members. Congratulations to Mary Rose Strickland for 2 years of service! Portage Rotary appreciates her dedicated service and thanks her for the hard work, commitment and contribution to our success.
Pictured is Mary Rose Strickland with Portage Rotary President Rich Jacobson.
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News from Adams-Columbia Electric
ACEC’s Annual Meeting will be on Saturday, May 11 at the Adams-Friendship Fine Arts Center. If you aren’t able to attend the meeting, please use our eVote option and vote for your board of directors through your SmartHub account. Online voting closes Friday, May 10 at 12pm. Meeting details and information about the candidates can be found
here.
Save the date! Our Member Appreciation Picnic will be on Friday, June 14 from 11am-2pm at our Friendship office. Join us for food, games, and prizes!
Sign up for SmartHub before May 1 and be entered into a drawing to win a $50 bill credit! Click
here
to get signed up. For more information about these topics, contact Haley Melby, Marketing Coordinator
Adams-Columbia Electric Cooperative by calling 800-831-8629.
Do you know a current high school sophomore or junior that is seeking leadership opportunities? Encourage them to apply for Youth Leadership Congress (YLC)! This is a three day leadership conference for high school students at UW-River Falls that gives students a chance to experience college life, learn great leadership skills, learn about how cooperatives impact them, interviewing skills, listen to motivational speakers, and more! Plus, ACEC pays for everything! To learn more about YLC and to apply, visit our
website. Registration is available from May 1 – June 14.
Have you heard about the
new STEM Grant? This grant is available for schools in ACEC service area for projects academically focused in the areas of science, technology, engineering or math. The next deadline to apply is June 1. Visit the
ir
website
to learn more about this grant and to apply!
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Transportation & Innovation Expo
Calling all fleet managers, operations and facility planners and transportation specialists! Join Alliant Energy, the City of Madison and Wisconsin Clean Cities on Thursday, May 23 at the Transportation & Innovation Expo 2019 held in
The Exhibition Hall at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.
Attend breakout sessions to hear from industry experts about how sustainable transportation and equipment choices can reduce emissions, achieve sustainability goals and improve their bottom line.
Visit the exhibit hall to learn more about the latest technologies available, and check out the vehicle showcase. Among the vehicles expected are a CNG snowplow, BCycle electric bicycles, a hybrid electric bus, the Honda Insight Hybrid, Tesla Model 3, Tesla Model S, Chevrolet Bolt, CNG Ford Fusion, CNG F150, Tropos low-speed EVs, JLG all-electric scissor lifts, electric fork lifts and much more! Get behind the wheel of a variety of alternative fuel and electric vehicles.
Receive an early-bird registration rate through May 10.
Register here!
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PSCA Golf Outing
Local service clubs in Portage are joining together to raise funds for a performance pavilion, handicap restroom and multi-use trail at Pauquette Park.
Gather a foursome and register to play the outing at Saddle Ridge Golf Course on Sunday, May 19 with tee times at 11am and 2pm. Enjoy music at 2pm from Universal Sound Band.
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Text PACC to 51660
to receive information about upcoming Chamber events
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WI ranked 5th best state for Millennials
A study across all 50 states and the District of Columbia determined where millennials have thrived and struggled. Each state was examined across 36 key metrics, ranging from share of millennials to millennial unemployment rate to millenial voter-turnout rate. Wisconsin ranked the 5th best state for millennials to thrive in.
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Youth Apprenticeship
CESA 5 Youth Apprenticeship student and employer participants have tripled since the start of the program in 2011. That year, the program had 55 youth apprentices and 54 employers. In 2019, there are 180 students and 155 employers participating.
The state investment is $121,500 in 2019 with estimated wages earned of $666,072. Wisconsin taxpayers' estimated return on investment is $5.80 for every $1 invested.
There are a couple of Portage High School students and local employers taking part in the program; Caleb Kreklow (top left) with Pizza Hut and Conner Kallenbach with Trecek Automotive.
Some of the careers Youth Apprenticeship is involved: Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources, Architecture & Construction, Finance, Health Science, Hospitality, Information Technology, Manufacturing, Marketing, Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM), Transportation, Distribution & Logistics.
High school students can now earn the 11-credit Manufacturing Academy including OSHA certification. Classes will be held at Madison College Portage Campus and Portage Enterprise Center. Act fast to take advantage of this grant-funded opportunity. For more information, call 608-243-4478.
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Foot Pain & Plantar Fasciitis Workshop
Learn to manage foot pain and plantar fasciitis, avoiding medications, injections, and surgery, at this free Foot Pain & Plantar Fasciitis Workshop at New Life Physical Therapy. The workshop will be held on Tuesday, May 14 from 5:30pm to 6:30pm at New Life, 2639 New Pinery Road, Suite 2, in Portage.
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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!
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Surgeons Quarters & Agency House to open
Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters and the Historic Indian Agency House are open for the season beginning May 15. An event to celebrate a new season is scheduled for Saturday, May 18.
The Historic Indian Agency House celebrates the opening of its 87th Season, along with the Fort Winnebago Surgeon’s Quarters. There will be an Apple Tree Dedication Ceremony at noon on the grounds of the Agency House, followed by homemade apple pie and ice cream.
As part of a 5-year plan, Agency House is re-creating an 1830’s apple orchard, similar to the one Juliette writes about in her book Waubun. By planting sponsored trees for 5 years, the end result will be a teaching orchard, where they can educate the public on how to care for an orchard, tree trimming, making apple cider, baking an apple pie over an open fire, and maybe even an apple tasting and wine sampling!
Please contact Historic Indian Agency House if you would like to sponsor a heritage apple tree in 2020 at 608-742-6362.
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Ribbon Cuttings
A ribbon cutting was held at Wildflowers Wellness LLC, 211 W. Cook St., to welcome this new business to Portage.
Wellness means caring for mind, body and "spirit," as a whole; not solely treating isolated symptoms.
Wellness is achieved with social, environmental, and health consciousness. We guarantee to provide healthy, organic, and natural wellness to all!
For more information, call 715-432-9129.
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Text PORTAGE to 51660
to receive information about upcoming Portage events
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May Chamber Meetings & Events
7
Chamber Business Luncheon at The NorthShore at 11:30am
10
Ribbon Cutting at 1st Choice Staffing Solutions at Noon
16
Beer, Bacon and Bowling at J&J Fireball Lanes at 4:30pm
21
Ambassador Group at Saddle Ridge at 4:30pm
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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)
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May Community Events
3 Teen Video Game Night at Portage Public Library
3 Wisconsin Regional Art program Opening Reception/Exhibit/Workshop at Portage Center for the Arts
3 Cinco de Mayo at Our House Senior Living
4 City of Portage Spring Clean-Up
5 Bingo at VFW 2019
5 Gale Singers Spring Concert at Portage Center for the Arts
7 Photography Interest Group at Northwoods
7 Chamber Business Luncheon at The NorthShore
7 Poetry in Portage at Suzy's Steak & Seafood House
8 Healthy Cooking Classes at Portage Seventh-Day Adventist Church
8 Program at Museum at the Portage
9 Lions Club Fundraiser at Pizza Ranch for the new Lions Bubbler at Splash Pad
9-10 Geranium Sale at Divine Savior Healthcare
10 Ribbon Cutting at 1st Choice Staffing Solutions
10 Spirit of the Agency House Evening Tour
11 Shredding Event at Waddell & Reed
11 Harmony for the Homeless Music Concert at Portage Center for the Arts
11 Bean Bag Tourney at the VFW
13 Drive-Thru Coffee and Donuts at Our House Senior Living
14 Patsy Cline Tribute at Our House Senior Living
14 Free Foot Pain Workshop at New Life Physical Therapy
15-18 Friends of the Portage Library Book Sale
15 Historic Indian Agency House Opening Day
15 Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters Opening
16 Launch Portage - Young Professionals 'Beer, Bacon & Bowling' event at J & J Fireball Lanes
16-17 Yard Sale at Museum at the Portage
16-17 Garage Sale at Columbia County Humane Society
17-19 St. Mary's Best Fest
18 Historic Indian Agency House Opening Celebration
18 Portage City Flea Market
18 Fort Winnebago Surgeons Quarters Opening Event
19 Bingo at VFW
19 Portage Service Club Association Golf Outing for Pauquette Park Project
20 Portage Sharing Supper at Wayne Bartels Middle School
20 Wauona Trail Women's Club at Dino's
23 Portage Center for the Arts Brown Bag Lunch Series
23 Alliant Energy Transportation & Innovation Expo in Madison
27 Memorial Day Ceremony and Parade
27 Memorial Day Ceremony at Fort Winnebago Cemetery
29 Portage United Methodist Church Pop-Up Food Pantry
29 Endeavor Sharing Supper
30 Mayor Dodd Listening Session at Library
31-June 2 Canal Days
31 Teen Anime Night at Portage Public Library
31 Pie & Ice Cream Social at Our House Senior Living
Weekly Recurring Events
Farmer's Market at Market Square, Thursdays from Noon to 5pm
Beer Bucket Bingo at Jack's Tap every Monday at 6:30pm
Open Pharmacy Forum at Wilz Hometown Pharmacy, every Wednesday, 6pm-7pm
Movie Mondays at the Library, 10am
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