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<strong>October</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Community Connections<br />
“Powering up business throughout Martin County”<br />
PM Exchange marks new chapter<br />
Inside<br />
This Issue<br />
Page 2 - Vote for Our<br />
Community<br />
Page 3 - Preparing our<br />
Youth for Success<br />
Page 3 - Teachers Banquet<br />
Pages 4 & 5 - Business Briefs<br />
Page 5 - Annual <strong>Chamber</strong><br />
Membership Drive<br />
Page 7 - Think Local First<br />
Page 7 - Ambassador Visits<br />
Page 7 - Glows Parade Call<br />
for Entries<br />
The Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong><br />
of Commerce hosted a PM Exchange<br />
on Thursday, September 6<br />
in the Footlight Lounge of <strong>Chamber</strong><br />
member Fairmont Opera House to<br />
welcome our new <strong>Chamber</strong> President<br />
Ned Koppen. <strong>Chamber</strong> members<br />
turned out in force to greet<br />
the recent addition to our <strong>Chamber</strong><br />
organization.<br />
The evening was filled with<br />
laughter and congratulations, great<br />
conversation and quality networking<br />
opportunities. Dinner featured<br />
an impressive display of food and<br />
drink, catered by <strong>Chamber</strong> member,<br />
The Blazer Bar & Grill. Over<br />
50 individuals were in attendance<br />
to meet (Continued on page 6)<br />
ABOVE: <strong>Chamber</strong> members gather at the Fairmont Opera House for a PM<br />
Exchange to welcome Ned Koppen as our new <strong>Chamber</strong> President.<br />
Local candidate forums set<br />
As Election Day <strong>2018</strong> approaches, our right, our<br />
privilege, and our civic responsibility to make our voices<br />
heard at the polls begins to weigh more heavily on our<br />
minds. Your Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> will be assisting in<br />
Election Candidate Forums for local offices to help you<br />
make an informed decision and put your mind at ease<br />
before you reach the ballot box on November 6.<br />
Candidate forums for state and national offices<br />
were held on Wednesday, <strong>October</strong> 3rd from 7pm to 9pm.<br />
Fairmont city office candidate forums will take place on<br />
Wednesday, <strong>October</strong> 10 from 7pm to 8pm, followed by<br />
the School board candidate forums between 8pm and<br />
9pm. Forums for county offices<br />
will round out the local coverage<br />
on Thursday, <strong>October</strong> 11th from<br />
7pm to 9pm. All forums will be<br />
held at Fairmont City Hall in the Council <strong>Chamber</strong>s. They<br />
will be broadcast live and rebroadcast periodically leading<br />
up to the elections on local access television.<br />
You can find the full list of candidates, a city precinct<br />
map, forum rebroadcast times and other valuable<br />
election information on our website. Go to www.fairmontchamber.org<br />
and click on "LOCAL ELECTION INFO"<br />
to find out more information!<br />
323 East Blue Earth Avenue • Fairmont, MN 56031 • 507-235-5547 • www.Fairmont<strong>Chamber</strong>.org • Fairmont<strong>Chamber</strong>
Chair<br />
Les Anderson<br />
Martin County<br />
Farm Bureau<br />
Vice Chair<br />
Sara Pierce<br />
Pierce Accounting<br />
and Tax Services<br />
Deb Barnes<br />
Lakeview Methodist<br />
Health Care Center<br />
Stephanie Busiahn<br />
Visit Fairmont<br />
Zephanie Cole<br />
Align Chiropractic &<br />
Acupuncture, PLC<br />
Dave Cone<br />
Kahler Automation<br />
Corporation<br />
Mission Statement: The Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce is an advocate for promoting a healthy business clim<br />
Board of Directors Officers:<br />
Board of Directors:<br />
Staff:<br />
Past Chair<br />
Kerry Nagel Allen<br />
MRCI<br />
Treasurer<br />
Tom Lytle<br />
Bank Midwest<br />
Brandon<br />
Edmundson<br />
Krahmer, Shaffer<br />
& Edmundson, Ltd<br />
Mandi Kosbab<br />
Edward Jones<br />
Luke Long<br />
Hy-Vee<br />
Steve Pomerenke<br />
Compeer Financial<br />
Ann Terfehr<br />
Dan’s Appliance<br />
Ned Koppen<br />
President<br />
president@fairmontchamber.org<br />
Kandi Menne<br />
Office Manager/Director of<br />
Communications<br />
info@fairmontchamber.org<br />
Benjamin Landsteiner<br />
Marketing & Social Media<br />
Coordinator<br />
benjamin@fairmontchamber.org<br />
Miranda Larsen<br />
Finance Coordinator<br />
finance@fairmontchamber.org<br />
Contact Information:<br />
Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce<br />
323 East Blue Earth Avenue<br />
P.O. Box 826<br />
Fairmont, MN 56031<br />
Phone: (507) 235-5547<br />
www.Fairmont<strong>Chamber</strong>.org<br />
Vote for our community<br />
By: Ned Koppen - <strong>Chamber</strong> President<br />
I am just now starting my second<br />
month on the job as the new<br />
President of The Fairmont Area<br />
<strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce and I needed<br />
to consider what I felt ready to<br />
write about after this short period<br />
of time. I have learned a lot and I<br />
continue to learn something new about the job or<br />
our members every day, but choosing something to<br />
write seemed difficult. After thinking about what<br />
my topic should be I decided to fall back on a basic<br />
small community concept that I believe in<br />
and I continue to hear our <strong>Chamber</strong> members<br />
talk about. Shop Local or Shop Local First.<br />
In our world today there<br />
are so many choices and the<br />
world seems to get smaller for<br />
all of us more and more as time<br />
goes on. There are so many<br />
choices to look at online and<br />
driving an hour, two hours or<br />
three hours certainly doesn’t<br />
seem to be a huge obstacle to<br />
many of us. It seems to be easier<br />
and easier to chase the “Good<br />
Deal”. The question is are all of<br />
these deals we chase down online<br />
or in other communities<br />
always the best deal? Do we always save money? I<br />
believe from my experiences that we can often find<br />
the same or similar products for close to the same<br />
investment. And when we do everyone in our community<br />
benefits.<br />
I found this from a source called the “The<br />
Local Good” (www.thelocalgood.ca). They listed 10<br />
reasons why Shopping Local and Buying Local are<br />
beneficial for the whole community. Here they are:<br />
1. Local Economic Stimulus. When you<br />
purchase at locally owned businesses, more money<br />
is kept in the community because locally-owned<br />
businesses often purchase from other local businesses,<br />
service providers and farms. Purchasing local<br />
helps grow other businesses as well as the local<br />
tax base.<br />
“If we shop locally we<br />
are investing in our own<br />
community. We are<br />
investing in ourselves.<br />
I can’t think of a better<br />
cause.”<br />
with your<br />
wallet<br />
2. Non Profits Receive Greater Support.<br />
Local business owners donate more to local charities.<br />
3. Unique Businesses Create Character<br />
& Prosperity. The unique character of your local<br />
community is defined in large part by the business<br />
that reside there, and that plays a big factor in your<br />
overall satisfaction with where you live and the value<br />
of your home and property.<br />
4. Environmental Impact Is Reduced.<br />
Small local businesses usually set up shop in the<br />
town/village center, providing a centralized<br />
variety that is much friendlier to a community’s<br />
walk score than out of town shopping<br />
malls. This generally means contributing<br />
less to sprawl, congestion,<br />
habitat loss and pollution.<br />
5. Most New Jobs Are Provided<br />
By Local Businesses.<br />
Small local businesses are the<br />
largest employers nationally.<br />
Plus the more jobs you have in<br />
your local community the less<br />
people are going to have to commute<br />
which means more time<br />
and less traffic and pollution.<br />
6. Customer Service Is Better.<br />
Local businesses often hire<br />
people with more specific product expertise for<br />
better customer service. You are also going to see<br />
these people around town and they are less likely<br />
to blow you off or be rude because they have to face<br />
you day after day.<br />
7. Local Business Owners Invest In Community.<br />
Local businesses are owned by people who<br />
live in this community, are less likely to leave, and<br />
are more invested in the community’s welfare and<br />
future.<br />
8. Public Benefits Far Outweigh Public<br />
Costs. Local businesses require comparatively little<br />
infrastructure and more efficiently utilize public<br />
services.<br />
9. Competition And Diversity Leads To<br />
More Consumer Choices. (Continued on page 6)<br />
2
ate by facilitating access to leaders, communication and education through programs and services for its members.<br />
Help prepare our youth for lifelong success!<br />
3<br />
Junior Achievement has proven to be<br />
engaging and fun, while stressing the importance<br />
of an education, as economic concepts<br />
and information about the world of work<br />
are introduced to students. For the future of<br />
our community, it is essential for businesses<br />
to work with the schools so our children are<br />
aware of the opportunities here in virtually<br />
any occupation which they may be interested.<br />
Junior Achievement is an excellent way to start<br />
this process.<br />
The Junior Achievement program has<br />
included grades K-6. We are still in need of<br />
22 volunteer teachers to serve one hour each<br />
week for five weeks, during the school day.<br />
The following sessions are available.<br />
OCTOBER START CLASSES<br />
3rd Grade – 1 volunteer teacher needed<br />
4th Grade – 4 volunteer teachers needed<br />
6th Grade – 3 volunteer teachers needed<br />
JANUARY START CLASSES<br />
2nd grade – 3 volunteer teachers needed<br />
MARCH START CLASSES<br />
1st Grade – 1 volunteer teacher needed<br />
5th Grade – 4 volunteer teachers needed<br />
APRIL START CLASSES<br />
Kindergarten – 6 volunteer teachers needed<br />
All materials for your session are provided<br />
along with a training manual. If you or<br />
anyone in your business is interested in volunteering<br />
for this important community program,<br />
please call the <strong>Chamber</strong> at (507) 235-<br />
5547.<br />
Please consider helping the Junior<br />
Achievement program in any way you can.<br />
Your future workforce depends on such initiatives.<br />
We appreciate all past involvement and<br />
we hope that you can help again this year. We<br />
cannot do it without you!<br />
Please send your donation to:<br />
Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce<br />
P.O. Box 826, Fairmont, MN 56031<br />
Join us as we honor our area educators<br />
Teacher Recognition<br />
Banquet<br />
The Business Education Committee of<br />
the Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> is sponsoring the<br />
Teacher Recognition Banquet to welcome new<br />
teachers to the Fairmont area and honor those<br />
that have been in the district for twenty-five<br />
years or more.<br />
The banquet will be held at the Interlaken<br />
Golf Club on Monday, <strong>October</strong> 29th beginning<br />
at 6:00 p.m. The cost is $25 per person.<br />
We encourage you to attend and get acquainted<br />
with our local educators.<br />
This is a good time to meet and extend<br />
a warm welcome to our new teachers and to<br />
honor those who have taught our children over<br />
the years. We invite area businesses to donate<br />
items to be included in the gift bags which are<br />
given to our teachers.<br />
If you would like to attend the banquet,<br />
sponsor the meal of a teacher, or donate items<br />
to be included in the welcome bags, please<br />
contact the Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> by Friday,<br />
<strong>October</strong> 19th. Call Kandi at (507) 235-5547<br />
or email her at info@fairmontchamber.org for<br />
more information.<br />
Tri-County Implement<br />
St. James<br />
Martin County Implement<br />
Truman<br />
Tri-County Implement<br />
Jackson<br />
Feature your business ad<br />
in full color for<br />
only $70 per month<br />
with your annual contract or $80 per month.<br />
www.deerequipment.com
<strong>Chamber</strong> member business briefs<br />
Ameriprise Financial<br />
(507) 238-9722<br />
Stock Market movements can cause panic for investors,<br />
especially those approaching retirement,<br />
but market volatility does not have to cause emotions to run high. One way to<br />
ease concern is to concentrate on your financial goals. Stocks have uncertainty,<br />
so it is important to ensure that your portfolio is designed to reach your goals,<br />
not a specific market outcome. Short-term market swings are common for investors,<br />
so it is important to focus instead on broad, persistent trends when making<br />
investment decisions. The best way to assess your portfolio is based on your<br />
current risk tolerance and retirement date. If you have concerns about the effect<br />
of market volatility on your investments and want additional support, consult a<br />
financial advisor who can review the details of your unique situation.<br />
Century 21 - Gillian Tunnell<br />
(507) 399-9211<br />
When readying your home for sale, DO sweat the small<br />
stuff! Small things can make big impressions, especially<br />
when they are numerous! For instance, cracked or dirty light switches, skirting<br />
board that is hanging off or peeling, broken outlets or those without covers, all<br />
reflect lack of care. Sinks, baths, or toilets that are stained are very off-putting<br />
to prospective buyers. Screens with holes, locks that are difficult to open, dirty<br />
windows and blinds – all these smaller problems make would-be buyers think<br />
twice about making an offer, or may bring in lower offers. Buyers may think<br />
there could be bigger problems because there are so many small ones. So before<br />
you list it, check around your home with a critical eye, and get the small<br />
things taken care of before they become big problems!<br />
Hy-Vee Fairmont<br />
(507) 238-4323<br />
Hy-Vee - 1-90 Battle! Chops for Charity: During<br />
<strong>October</strong>, a portion of sales from each stuffed<br />
pork chop will go to a local Charity. Fairmont’s proceeds will go to Project<br />
1590 - Kids Just Want to Have Fun Group - they are fundraising to build a<br />
Mini Golf Course! Stop and Shop at the Fairmont HyVee to see which store is<br />
winning. Fairmont - Albert Lea – Austin stores are participating in the I-90<br />
- Chops for Charity Battle – Lets do this Fairmont!<br />
Fairmont Opera House, Inc.<br />
(507) 238-4900<br />
In the world of Vitaly Beckman, paintings<br />
spring to life, photographs become mini-movies,<br />
and audience members see their faces vanish from their own driver's licenses.<br />
Come enjoy this show on <strong>October</strong> 7 at 4:00 PM. Come back to the Opera<br />
House for a group named after a haunting Bob Dylan song, Farewell Angelina.<br />
They are an all-female country group with four powerhouse vocalists, dynamic<br />
songwriters and impressive multi-instrumentalists. Farewell Angelina will be<br />
performing at the Opera House on <strong>October</strong> 20th at 7:30 PM.<br />
Vision Statement: The Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce will b<br />
Heritage Acres<br />
(507) 236-1257<br />
Heritage Acres Fall Festival will held on Sunday, <strong>October</strong><br />
21, <strong>2018</strong>. Ecumenical church service will be<br />
held at 10:00 AM in the chapel. Soup dinner served<br />
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM in the Prairieville building. There will be 5 kinds of<br />
soup, egg salad sandwiches,buttered bread, assorted lunch meat & cheeses,<br />
beverages & desserts. The cost is adults: $8.00, 6- 12 yrs $5.00 & 5 & under<br />
free. Activities all afternoon. There is no gate fee just a charge for the<br />
meal. Market Square will be there with their vendors & music. They will<br />
be corn picking, bean combing, pressing apples for samples of fresh apple<br />
juice baking in the house &. Antique cars, engines & much more. Train<br />
rides for kids, wagon rides for everyone. Please come & enjoy the day. The<br />
church service & dinner will be held rain or shine. For more information<br />
contact Jerry Simon at 507-236-1257.<br />
Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont<br />
(507) 238-8100<br />
Baby Bellies and Beyond Expo!<br />
Join Mayo Clinic Health System and Martin County Public Health experts<br />
at the Baby Bellies and Beyond Expo on Wednesday, Oct. 10. Learn about<br />
health and well-being tips for you and your baby and celebrate the grand<br />
opening of the Fairmont Area Baby Café. The event will take place in the<br />
main classroom at Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont, 800 Medical<br />
Center Drive, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Fairmont Area Baby Café, a free<br />
resource for pregnant and breastfeeding moms, is open every Wednesday<br />
from 9 to 11 a.m. in the medical center’s main classroom. The free event is<br />
open to the public and light refreshments will be served. For more information<br />
on the Baby Bellies and Beyond Expo, contact Darla Nelson Phillips<br />
at 507-238-817, or for questions about the Fairmont Area Baby Café,<br />
please contact Patti Kasper at 507-238-4757.<br />
Sweet Financial Services<br />
(507) 235-5587<br />
Sweet Financial Services is hosting a Tax Planning<br />
Workshop on Wednesday, <strong>October</strong> 24th<br />
at the Holiday Inn, Fairmont, featuring guest<br />
speaker Christopher P. Hennessey, “All you Need to Know about the New<br />
Tax Reform”. There will be two sessions: 3:30pm for CPA’s & Accountants<br />
(CE credit provided) and 5:30pm for Business Owners and anyone<br />
else who wants more clarification on the IRS determination. Women Forward<br />
of Sweet Financial Services is very excited to announce the return<br />
of Renee Rongen at the Opera House on Friday, <strong>October</strong> 19th. Renee will<br />
have you laughing & she’ll have you crying as her messages are powerful,<br />
poignant and always hysterically funny. Both of these events are open to<br />
the public so if you are interested in attending either one or just want<br />
more information, please contact Marsha at Marsha@sweetfinancial.com<br />
or 507-235-5587.<br />
4
e recognized as the leader in assisting area businesses to prosper.<br />
<strong>Chamber</strong> member business briefs<br />
Kahler Automation<br />
(507) 235-6648<br />
CONGRATS to Jim Marushin, who was recently<br />
promoted to Electrical Design Supervisor. Jim has been an electrical<br />
designer at Kahler Automation for several years, having previously worked<br />
elsewhere as a Master Electrician for more than a decade. His knowledge<br />
and leadership is greatly appreciated at Kahler. Also, KUDOS to Software<br />
Specialist Max Haake and Training Coordinator Amanda Philipp for putting<br />
together a very successful series of Advanced Software Training sessions in<br />
August. Kahler hosted 64 customer “students” from a dozen states (and as<br />
far away as Tennessee & Ohio) this summer; training returns for the winter<br />
season in January.<br />
“Business Briefs” is a complimentary service provided by the <strong>Chamber</strong> for chamber members. Please limit your information to one paragraph of about<br />
100 words. Example: expansion, new employees, awards, monumental anniversary, etc… A photo or logo can be included. NO Direct Advertising.<br />
Added value for new members<br />
State Bank of Fairmont<br />
(507) 23<br />
The State Bank of Fairmont is proud to announce the addition<br />
of Justin Miller to its lending staff. Justin is a graduate<br />
of Blue Earth Area High School and MSU Mankato. He has<br />
prior Southern Minnesota banking experience that will help<br />
him serve the greater Fairmont area businesses & individuals<br />
with their credit needs. Now having the opportunity to both work & live in<br />
Fairmont Justin is looking forward to being an active member of the community.<br />
Justin resides in Fairmont with his wife Emily, son Peyton and two<br />
daughters Madison & Sidney. In his free time he enjoys boating, carpentry,<br />
church involvement and spending time with family and Friends.<br />
5<br />
What does it mean to be a <strong>Chamber</strong> member,<br />
and why should you belong? It’s about caring for the<br />
community, making valuable connections, and creating<br />
an environment where businesses can prosper.<br />
By working together to take aggressive action,<br />
our businesses and our community can thrive! Your<br />
<strong>Chamber</strong> offers many avenues to help your business<br />
get noticed as well as opportunities to network with<br />
local leaders and professionals.<br />
New members who join before December 15<br />
will receive all member benefits for the remainder<br />
of the year at no charge. Individuals and Non-profits<br />
without paid staff are also encouraged to take advantage<br />
of this opportunity. Just pay your 2019 dues<br />
in full at time of joining and receive the remainder<br />
of <strong>2018</strong> FREE! Join today and help us make a difference!<br />
Call the <strong>Chamber</strong> at (507) 235-5547 for more<br />
information.<br />
We want to encourage all current members<br />
to complete and return their annual Business Verification<br />
Form. These forms help us to keep your business<br />
information up to date, allowing us to provide<br />
helpful and accurate referrals, maintain fair and<br />
reasonable membership dues, and ensure that your<br />
business receives relevant and valuable communications<br />
from your chamber office. Please watch<br />
for this verification form in the mail and return the<br />
completed form to our office by mail or in person.<br />
AS Mobile<br />
Apple/Android<br />
THERE'S AN APP FOR THAT?<br />
The Fairmont Area Community Events Calendar has a Mobile App!<br />
You can access information for all the great events going on in Martin County directly from your iOS or Android-based mobile device<br />
using the free mobile app "AS Mobile" published by rSchoolToday! Of course, you can still view upcoming community events on your<br />
desktop or laptop computer by visiting the community calendar website at www.fairmontareacalendar.com. If you have any questions<br />
or concerns about updating your events to the Fairmont Area Community Calendar, please email the Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong><br />
of Commerce at info@fairmontchamber.org.<br />
Calendar Funding Partners: Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce, Fairmont Convention and Visitors Bureau, City<br />
of Fairmont, Fairmont Area Schools, and Blandin Community Broadband Grant. Other Partners: Fairmont Community<br />
Education and Recreation.
Core Values: We value for our members, employees and community: integrity in all we do, collaboration with all our stakeholders, growth and develop<br />
<strong>Chamber</strong> Events<br />
Wednesday, <strong>October</strong> 10th - 6:00 p.m.<br />
Bureau 14 Meeting<br />
Wednesday, <strong>October</strong> 17th - 3:00 p.m.<br />
Ambassadors Meeting / Ribbon Cuttings<br />
Tuesday, <strong>October</strong> 23rd - CANCELLED<br />
Social Media Breakfast<br />
Monday, <strong>October</strong> 29th - 6:00 p.m.<br />
Teachers Banquet (Interlaken Golf Club)<br />
Tuesday, November 6th<br />
Election Day - YOUR VOTE COUNTS!<br />
Wednesday, November 7th - 7:30 a.m.<br />
Leadership Martin County<br />
REVAMP RETAIL<br />
The Retail Committee of the Fairmont Area<br />
<strong>Chamber</strong> is seeking committee members<br />
to join us as we work to make a positive<br />
impact in our local retail environment.<br />
Call (507) 235-5547<br />
WELCOME<br />
NEW MEMBER!<br />
Rosburg Construction<br />
Energy rebates<br />
for your business.<br />
The smart move for your bottom line.<br />
minnesotaenergyresources.com 866-872-0052<br />
PM Exchange (Continued from page 1)<br />
and greet Ned as he began his transition into the<br />
new role. We would like to thank all who attended<br />
for coming out to welcome our new president<br />
and joined us in celebration as we marked<br />
the beginning of this new chapter in the story of<br />
Fine Jewelry<br />
Sovell Jewelry<br />
Your Professional Jeweler<br />
Since 1954<br />
Full Service-In House Repair<br />
Jessica & Steve Sovell<br />
Gemologist • Goldsmith<br />
the Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce. We<br />
are delighted to have Ned on board and are excited<br />
to discover what the future will hold for<br />
this organization, our area businesses, and our<br />
community.<br />
Shop local first (Continued from page 2)<br />
A marketplace of thousands of small businesses<br />
is the best way to ensure innovation and low<br />
prices over the long-term.<br />
10. You Matter More. We talk a lot<br />
about exerting influence with your purchasing<br />
choices, or “voting with your wallet.” It’s a fact<br />
that businesses respond to their customers but<br />
your values and desires are much more influential<br />
to your local community business than<br />
the businesses in other communities or those<br />
you find online.<br />
Those are 10 good reasons for keeping<br />
your business local. I am sure there are many<br />
more. I am not suggesting that everyone has to<br />
buy everything locally. That isn’t realistic today.<br />
There are going to be times when the item you<br />
are looking for isn’t available or the savings<br />
elsewhere are just too great. What I am advocating<br />
is that we look local first. Engage our<br />
local business people, find out what they have<br />
to offer, see if you can find a price here that is<br />
competitive and doesn’t take you on a day trip<br />
elsewhere or doesn’t send your dollars elsewhere<br />
when they could be spent here. Those<br />
dollars will keep working here when they are<br />
spent here. If we shop locally we are investing<br />
in our own community. We are investing in<br />
ourselves. I can’t think of a better cause.<br />
I don’t think that shopping locally needs<br />
to be a life changing event. I think we could<br />
look at it as developing a good habit. Next time<br />
you need a new hammer, you’re looking for a<br />
home loan or maybe a garden tractor, check<br />
out your local businesses. Ask what they have<br />
to offer and check out the “good deals” you can<br />
find here at home. We can make our community<br />
stronger just by staying home.<br />
One last note. I am looking forward to<br />
meeting and talking to all of the Fairmont Area<br />
<strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce members. If you would<br />
like to set up a meeting or just talk please feel<br />
free to contact me. I can be reached by phone<br />
at (507) 235-5547 or email me at: president@<br />
fairmontchamber.org.<br />
Professional Window Cleaning<br />
Insured<br />
Residential &<br />
Commercial<br />
Cleaning<br />
Wouldn’t it be nice to have the windows<br />
of your home sparkling clean!<br />
Please allow us to give you a free estimate.<br />
You will be pleasantly surprised!<br />
Call Now! Matt Petrowiak at (507) 236-5207<br />
6
ment for our members, recognition of accomplishments, effective communication, and doing all things efficiently and in a fiscally responsible manner.<br />
Ambassadors recognize success<br />
7<br />
LANGE AG SYSTEMS<br />
<strong>Chamber</strong> Ambassadors visit new business Lange Ag Systems in Fairmont and welcome<br />
them to our community with a ribbon cutting.<br />
Glows Parade call for entries<br />
It's time to place your entries for the<br />
<strong>2018</strong> Glows Parade! The parade will take place<br />
Friday, November 16th beginning at 6:00 pm.<br />
Clubs, organizations and businesses are encouraged<br />
to participate is this time-honored Martin<br />
County Tradition. Get creative and let your<br />
lights shine!<br />
The registration deadline is Monday, November<br />
5th. Contact Kandi at the Fairmont Area<br />
<strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce to place your entry by<br />
calling (507) 235-5547.<br />
Medicare can be complicated.<br />
A Farm Bureau agent makes it easy.<br />
Call me to find a Medicare<br />
supplement plan that’s right<br />
for you.<br />
JAKE'S PIZZA - FAIRMONT<br />
Ambassadors congratulate chamber member Jake's Pizza of Fairmont as they celebrate<br />
their 50th Anniversary.<br />
THINK LOCAL FIRST!<br />
DID YOU KNOW?<br />
Apart from a small percentage of<br />
revenue paid to delivery drivers and<br />
third-party sellers, all of the money<br />
spent at Amazon and other online<br />
retailers leaves our local economy.<br />
Local retailers have a proven trackrecord<br />
of growing the local economy.<br />
507.235.5547<br />
info@fairmontchamber.org<br />
Jeff Schlomann<br />
201 Downtown Plaza | Fairmont | (507) 238-4218<br />
jeffreyschlomann.fbfsagents.com<br />
Authorized independent agents for Blue Cross ® and Blue Shield ® of Minnesota and Blue Plus ® , nonprofit<br />
independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.<br />
W-5018029 10/17<br />
(507) 238-4949
<strong>October</strong> programs at CER<br />
8<br />
The new CER Fall/Winter Catalog of opportunities for <strong>October</strong><br />
<strong>2018</strong> through March 2019 is now available. Copies are available at CER,<br />
local restaurants & grocery stores and online at www.fairmontareaschools.<br />
portal.rschooltoday.com.<br />
“Celebrating Cultures in Martin County” invites you to attend a<br />
learning session about inclusion in our community. The event is Wednesday,<br />
<strong>October</strong> 10, 1:30-3 pm, at the Fairmont Elementary School CER<br />
meeting room. Hosted by Fairmont CER English Language Learners Adult<br />
Class and Region 9 Rural Equity Learning Committee. Pre-registration encouraged.<br />
For information, contact the CER office (507-235-3141.)<br />
Free Adult Basic Education classes in Fairmont are available<br />
for adults through CER. Adults can prepare to take their GED Exam (if<br />
no diploma received), improve writing and math skills and more. Distance<br />
Learning classes which can be done in your own home are also available<br />
to study for your GED. Free Classes to learn English are held on Tuesday<br />
evenings (7-9 pm) and Wednesday afternoons (1-3 pm.)<br />
For an up-to date list of activities or to register online<br />
with your MasterCard/Visa, visit the CER Web Store at<br />
fairmontareaschools.portal.rschooltoday.com<br />
and click on the CER tab.<br />
A SAMPLING OF UPCOMING ACTIVITIES<br />
Celebrating Cultures (1-3 pm) free <strong>October</strong> 10<br />
Upholstery/caned Chair Restoration <strong>October</strong> 11<br />
Microsoft Excel Basic <strong>October</strong> 13<br />
Cake Decorating <strong>October</strong> 18<br />
Roller Skating <strong>October</strong> 18<br />
Introduction to Flying Oct 18 or Nov 1<br />
Child & Babysitting/Home Alone <strong>October</strong> 22<br />
2D Video Game Design <strong>October</strong> 22<br />
Girls Basketball (PreK and above) <strong>October</strong> 22<br />
Archery <strong>October</strong> 22<br />
What’s New in Medicare <strong>October</strong> 23<br />
Boys Basketball Jr. Cardinal League <strong>October</strong> 24<br />
…and much more!<br />
For more information, contact the CER office located in the<br />
Fairmont Elementary School Door 15A, 714 Victoria Street, Fairmont<br />
Call 507-235-3141 or Email rdauer@fairmont.k12.mn.us<br />
Advertise in the 2019 Visitor Guide!<br />
Reserve your ad in the ultimate, all-inclusive Martin County Visitor<br />
and Relocation Guide today! Twelve thousand copies are printed<br />
and distributed each year in Martin County and throughout the tri-state<br />
area. Hundreds of copies are mailed directly to requestors who have<br />
expressed interest in visiting or relocating to Martin County. The digital<br />
version is viewed online by tens of thousands at Fairmont<strong>Chamber</strong>.<br />
org, VisitFairmontMN.com and Fairmont.org. This guide is a valued resource<br />
for current and prospective residents as well as area visitors! Be<br />
sure your business, service or event is included.<br />
Reserve your ad today and enjoy<br />
an exclusive 15% discount on your<br />
ad plus additional benefits if your business<br />
is a member of the Fairmont Area<br />
<strong>Chamber</strong>. Visit our website for more<br />
details, rates and deadlines or contact<br />
Kandi by phone at 507-235-4457 or<br />
by emailing her at info@fairmontchamber.org.<br />
VISION CARE<br />
CONTACT LENS<br />
www.fairmontarealife.com<br />
Paul Seibert, O.D.<br />
1307 ALBION AVE., SUITE 102<br />
FAIRMONT, MN<br />
PH: (507) 238-4228<br />
James Busche, O.D.<br />
Spencer Seibert, O.D.<br />
111 E. 6TH ST.<br />
BLUE EARTH, MN<br />
PH: (507) 526-2020