Chamber Newsletter - February 2019
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>February</strong> <strong>2019</strong><br />
Community Connections<br />
“Powering up business throughout Martin County”<br />
Vote for Business of the Year 2018<br />
Inside<br />
This Issue<br />
Page 2 - Young Professionals<br />
Network<br />
Page 3 - MCYF Grants<br />
Available<br />
Page 4 - MLS Showcases<br />
Investments<br />
Pages 4 & 5 - Business Briefs<br />
Page 5 - Apply for Ag<br />
Scholarships<br />
Page 6 - ACE Seeks Business<br />
Participation<br />
Page 7 - Ambassador Visits<br />
Nominations are in and<br />
voting is now open for the 2018<br />
Business of the Year! Each year,<br />
the Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of<br />
Commerce honors four businesses<br />
and organizations who are recognized<br />
as setting a standard of<br />
excellence and innovation in their<br />
business practices and community<br />
involvement. Honorees are<br />
awarded in each of the following<br />
categories: Large Business, Small<br />
Business, New Business and Non-<br />
Profit. Nominees have been compiled<br />
and the ballot is now published,<br />
allowing each of you to<br />
cast your votes and decide our<br />
annual (Continued on page 7)<br />
BE OUR<br />
GUEST!<br />
Social Hour, Dinner, Annual Update,<br />
Keynote by Ursula Mentjes,<br />
2018 Business of the Year Awards<br />
THANK YOU<br />
TO OUR<br />
SPONSORS<br />
ABOVE: Our 2017 Business of the Year honorees included Slumberland Furniture<br />
(Small Business), Golden Tie Tuxes Plus (New Business), Hy-Vee (Large<br />
Business) and the Fairmont Opera House (Non-Profit)<br />
MONOPOLIZE YOUR<br />
CHAMBER BENEFITS<br />
2018<br />
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22, <strong>2019</strong> | 6:00 PM<br />
BLACK TIE OPTIONAL<br />
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER, VISIT WWW.FAIRMONTCHAMBER.ORG<br />
323 East Blue Earth Avenue • Fairmont, MN 56031 • 507-235-5547 • www.Fairmont<strong>Chamber</strong>.org • Fairmont<strong>Chamber</strong>
Chair<br />
Sara Pierce<br />
Pierce Accounting<br />
and Tax Services<br />
Vice Chair<br />
Deb Barnes<br />
Lakeview Methodist<br />
Health Care Center<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 />
Stephanie Busiahn<br />
Visit Fairmont<br />
Dave Cone<br />
Kahler Automation<br />
Corporation<br />
Brandon<br />
Edmundson<br />
Krahmer, Shaffer<br />
& Edmundson, Ltd<br />
Nicole Gries<br />
Valero Renewables<br />
Staff:<br />
Past Chair<br />
Les Anderson<br />
Martin County<br />
Farm Bureau<br />
Treasurer<br />
DeAnn Eversman<br />
Dee’s Floral &<br />
Designs<br />
Judy Gustafson<br />
U.S. Bank<br />
Teresa Haycraft<br />
Fairmont Ford<br />
John Kasper<br />
Graffiti Corner<br />
Steve Pomerenke<br />
Compeer Financial<br />
Blake Potthoff<br />
Fairmont Opera<br />
House, Inc.<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 />
Young Professionals Network<br />
By: Ned Koppen - <strong>Chamber</strong> President<br />
The Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong><br />
of Commerce always strives to improve<br />
and support the business<br />
community in Fairmont and Martin<br />
County. Our vision statement<br />
reads: “To be recognized as the<br />
leader in assisting area businesses<br />
to prosper.” A big part of what we do as a<br />
<strong>Chamber</strong> for our membership is to provide<br />
a number of Committees within the <strong>Chamber</strong><br />
to allow work, participation,<br />
networking and more on a<br />
monthly or seasonal schedule.<br />
“The group hopes<br />
to provide an<br />
opportunity for<br />
young people in the<br />
work place to meet<br />
other young working<br />
people, share their<br />
common experiences,<br />
and offer learning<br />
and community<br />
experiences.”<br />
Our committees are Agri-Business,<br />
Ambassadors, Bureau<br />
14, Business Education,<br />
Fairmont Glows, Government<br />
Affairs and Retail. These committees<br />
do work within their<br />
groups. They provide service<br />
to the community and offer a<br />
chance for individual businesses<br />
to come together and develop<br />
relationships, stay informed<br />
and share thoughts, opinions<br />
and information.<br />
The <strong>Chamber</strong> is working<br />
on creating another group<br />
which will provide a chance to<br />
build relationships, gain skills<br />
and knowledge, and give back<br />
to the community. There will<br />
be a new Young Professionals<br />
Network starting in <strong>February</strong>. The group will<br />
meet every 3rd Thursday of each month from 4:00<br />
– 6:00 p.m. The group hopes to provide an opportunity<br />
for young people in the work place to meet<br />
other young working people, share their common<br />
experiences, and offer learning and community experiences.<br />
Each event will be unique. The meeting<br />
places will vary from month to month. Some meetings<br />
will be completely social with other meetings<br />
offering insights to our community through education<br />
or visits to places of interest and importance.<br />
We are looking for a younger age group<br />
from our <strong>Chamber</strong> membership (but wouldn’t oppose<br />
other members who want to attend). The<br />
Young Professional Network will be a functioning<br />
committee of the <strong>Chamber</strong> and will be led by two<br />
Martin County professionals who have offered up<br />
the idea of forming this group and are willing<br />
to put in the effort to get it up and running.<br />
Jarod Mathiason of Supreme Lending<br />
will serve as the Chair of the<br />
committee with Dustin Tino<br />
of Minuteman Press serving as<br />
the Secretary.<br />
You may have received an<br />
email that was sent to our<br />
<strong>Chamber</strong> listing promoting<br />
the event with a sign up form<br />
attached. To join, fill out the<br />
fields on the form and send it<br />
back to the <strong>Chamber</strong>. If you<br />
didn’t see the email, contact us<br />
and we will send it to you. Our<br />
first meeting will be <strong>February</strong><br />
21st at Bean Town from 4:00-<br />
6:00 p.m. and we hope to see as<br />
many young people from our<br />
business community as possible.<br />
If you are an employer, this is<br />
a great opportunity to encourage<br />
your young professionals<br />
to get out into the community<br />
to meet new people and to become more fully engaged<br />
in the community they work in. There is no<br />
fee to join, it only requires taking the time once<br />
a month. Also, if you are an employer, there is a<br />
chance to support this group by sponsoring the<br />
committee.<br />
This is a great chance to make the most of<br />
your <strong>Chamber</strong> membership, meet people with a<br />
similar work experience and engage with the business<br />
community in a way you might not have before.<br />
We hope to see you<br />
2<br />
(Continued on page 3)
ate by facilitating access to leaders, communication and education through programs and services for its members.<br />
Funding available for youth programs<br />
The Martin County<br />
Youth Foundation<br />
grant applications<br />
are now available.<br />
Grants will be<br />
awarded twice during<br />
the year, in the spring and fall. The mission<br />
of the Martin County Youth Foundation<br />
is to acquire, manage, and distribute funds to<br />
enhance the lives of youth in Martin County.<br />
Grants will be made to qualified nonprofit<br />
organizations including those with<br />
501(c)3 status, public agencies, units of government,<br />
and churches that will address important<br />
community youth needs. Funds received<br />
can be used for youth program costs<br />
and support materials. The Martin County<br />
Youth Foundation (MCYF) can not award<br />
retroactive funding, award recipients must<br />
officially receive their funding before their<br />
project begins. Interested groups may pick<br />
up grant applications and guidelines at the<br />
Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce, 323<br />
East Blue Earth Avenue, or visit: www.martincountyyouthfoundation.org.<br />
Grant deadlines are March 15th for<br />
projects beginning on or after May 15th, and<br />
September 15th for projects beginning on or<br />
after November 15th. Return completed grant<br />
applications to Martin County Youth Foundation,<br />
P.O. Box 826, Fairmont, MN 56031 or<br />
drop them off at the Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong><br />
of Commerce.<br />
Consider making a contribution.<br />
Citizens interested in creating a permanent<br />
endowment to serve the evolving needs of<br />
our area youth established the Fairmont Area<br />
Youth Foundation in 2000. In 2005, the name<br />
was changed to the Martin County Youth Foundation<br />
to better reflect the area they serve.<br />
What is distinctive about this foundation?<br />
The Martin County Youth Foundation<br />
is an area endowment fund dedicated<br />
solely to serving youth needs. It has the ability<br />
to provide funding for youth programs and<br />
their support.<br />
Why should you support the Martin<br />
County Youth Foundation? Youth are our<br />
greatest natural resource. Investing in our<br />
youth is investing in our future.<br />
Who oversees the investment? Contributions<br />
are invested and managed by St.<br />
Paul & Minnesota Foundations. Earnings are<br />
then made available through a grant process<br />
to respond to area youth needs. A local committee<br />
of adults and youth serve as the Advisory<br />
Committee.<br />
3<br />
Young Professionals (Continued from page 2)<br />
on the 21st!<br />
If you have any questions or want more<br />
information please contact any of the following<br />
people:<br />
NED KOPPEN<br />
Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce<br />
president@fairmontchamber.org<br />
(507) 235 - 5547<br />
JAROD MATHIASON<br />
Supreme Lending<br />
jarod.mathiason@supremelending.com<br />
(507) 848 - 1902<br />
DUSTIN TINO<br />
Minuteman Press<br />
dbtino@minutemanpress.com<br />
(507) 236 – 6728<br />
THINK LOCAL FIRST!<br />
DID YOU KNOW? Studies find that<br />
the increasing size of corporations<br />
is driving inequality, while local<br />
and dispersed business ownership<br />
strengthens the middle class.<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 />
Profinium, Inc.<br />
(507) 235-5538<br />
Profinium, Inc., is announcing the<br />
election of Neil Hanson to its board of directors. Hanson is an entrepreneur<br />
with deep roots in the agricultural community. Having spent over<br />
11 years in banking specifically working with the ag market, Neil is excited<br />
to be a part of the banking industry again. Current Board of Directors<br />
of Profinium, Inc. is Fred W. Krahmer (Chairman), Fred C. Krahmer<br />
(Vice Chairman), Michelle Krahmer, Marques Doppler, Matt Ketelsen,<br />
Steve Sorensen and Chris Rotthoff. Profinium, Inc., is a locally owned,<br />
home grown community bank and full financial health solutions center<br />
with four locations in Southern Minnesota, including Fairmont, Truman,<br />
Owatonna, and downtown Mankato in the Profinium Place office tower.<br />
The organization has served Southern Minnesota since 1875, providing<br />
clients with services including banking, mortgage, insurance, trusts and<br />
investment services.<br />
Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont<br />
(507) 238-8100<br />
Mayo Clinic Health System in Fairmont recently welcomed<br />
Mark Wikenheiser, M.D., to its Orthopedics Department. Dr.<br />
Wikenheiser joins the current Fairmont team of Stephen Berthelsen,<br />
M.D., and Erika Chirpich, physician assistant. As an<br />
orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Wikenheiser’s special interests include<br />
hip, knee and shoulder replacement surgery, rotator cuff repairs and<br />
sports related injuries. Call 507-238-8500 to schedule an appointment. To<br />
learn more, visit mayoclinichealthsystem.org.<br />
Yes, you can join the <strong>Chamber</strong>!<br />
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP - $107<br />
NAME:<br />
ADDRESS:<br />
Vision Statement: The Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce will b<br />
Fairmont Opera House, Inc.<br />
(507) 238-4900<br />
<strong>February</strong> 3rd at 2:00 PM was the Theatreworks'<br />
production of Charlotte's Web, based<br />
on E.B. White's loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur<br />
and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Renaissance lovers come back on<br />
<strong>February</strong> 23rd at 7:30 PM for a night of excitement! An incredible combination<br />
of juggling, knife throwing, spine tingling thrills and hilarious comedy.<br />
Their unique blend of the hilarious and the dangerous while performing unbelievable<br />
feats of skills has made The Danger Committee one of the most<br />
talked about new acts in the country.<br />
Sweet Financial Services<br />
(507) 235-5587<br />
Complimentary and open to the public event!<br />
Your Bigger Future: Financial Freedom for Single<br />
Mom's. Do you know of someone who would answer<br />
"yes" to the questions below? If so, please forward this invite and join<br />
them! Are you a hardworking single mom? Do you know you need a financial<br />
plan but just haven't found the time to put one in place? Do thoughts of your<br />
financial future keep you up at night? We will be sharing 6 Essential Tips<br />
to help you create your financial plan! Tuesday, <strong>February</strong> 19th 5:30pm at<br />
Red Rock Center, 222 E. Blue Earth Ave., Fairmont. Please RSVP by Feb 15th<br />
here: womenforwardrsvp.com/rsvp-financial-freedom, call 507-235-5587<br />
or email marsha@sweetfinancial.com.<br />
MLS funds community<br />
4<br />
PHONE:<br />
EMAIL:<br />
SIGNATURE:<br />
Please return this form to the Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce:<br />
323 E. Blue Earth Ave | PO Box 826 | Fairmont, MN 56031<br />
Call 507-235-5547 or email info@fairmontchamber.org with any questions<br />
regarding this form or individual chamber membership.<br />
ABOVE: This graphic on display at the Fairmont Municipal Liquor Store<br />
illustrates the substantial investment in our community made possible<br />
through proceeds collected in the store's 40 plus years of operation.
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 />
KUDOS to Test Technician Gary Leach upon<br />
his retirement… and thanks for agreeing to come back temporarily to help<br />
with a surge of business! CONGRATULATIONS to Production Supervisor Jordan<br />
Honnette for winning this year’s Bison Award, Kahler’s peer-voted recognition<br />
of employee excellence. Among many outstanding qualities, Jordan<br />
was noted for his confident tackling of new & difficult challenges. Finally, our<br />
CONDOLENCES to family & friends of Dennis Turner. Dennis, a long-time cornerstone<br />
of our success and spirit of innovation, passed away Dec. 31 following<br />
a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He retired in 2017 after a 25-year<br />
career with Kahler.<br />
Century 21 - Gillian Tunnell<br />
(507) 399-9211<br />
Happy new year! If you are thinking of moving in<br />
<strong>2019</strong>, Century 21 Northland is here to help, with our<br />
19 agents, and collective total of over 260 years of experience! Choose one of<br />
us to list your house, and you are actually hiring all our agents to have input<br />
and endeavor to sell on your behalf. When you choose to search for a home<br />
with a C21 agent, we have knowledge of all the current listings. We are also<br />
able to show you any home that is in the multiple listing service, regardless<br />
of which company has the listing, making it easy for you to refine your search<br />
without the necessity of changing realtors. So give us a call, we are all here<br />
to help!<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 />
Local Agri-Business scholarships available<br />
5<br />
Graduating Seniors of Martin County<br />
high schools who plan to pursue a bachelor’s<br />
degree in agriculture or an area of study that<br />
services agriculture, may apply for up to $8,400<br />
in scholarships. In partnership with the Agriculture<br />
Future of America (AFA), the Agri-Business<br />
Committee of the Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of<br />
Commerce is offering two $4,200 scholarships,<br />
which include registration for the Fall <strong>2019</strong> AFA<br />
Leaders Conference.<br />
To be considered for a scholarship,<br />
please visit www.agfuture.org/scholarships.<br />
Here, you can read more about the AFA Community<br />
Scholarships, as well as other scholarships<br />
AFA offers. Click on the "Apply Now" button<br />
to access the application. You will be asked<br />
to write a 300-500 word essay on your personal<br />
vision for agriculture and how you plan to contribute<br />
through your chosen career in the agriculture<br />
and food industry. We encourage you to<br />
draft this essay in a separate word processing<br />
program and then copy/paste it into the application.<br />
Please note that your application is not<br />
complete until you continue through the last<br />
page of the application and receive an email<br />
confirmation.<br />
Applying for an AFA Community Scholarship<br />
online also makes you eligible for an AFA<br />
National Leader and Academic Scholarship;<br />
however, you may only receive either a local or<br />
a national award.<br />
The Martin County application deadline<br />
is March 13, <strong>2019</strong>. If you have any questions<br />
about the scholarship, please contact Ned at<br />
president@fairmontchamber.org or call 507-<br />
235-5547.<br />
Questions regarding the online application<br />
can be directed to Johnna Wallingford on<br />
AFA staff at johnna.wallingford@agfuture.org.<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>February</strong> 13th - 6:00 p.m.<br />
Bureau 14 Meeting<br />
Monday, <strong>February</strong> 18th<br />
Presidents' Day (Offices Closed)<br />
Tuesday, <strong>February</strong> 19th - 6:00 p.m.<br />
Agri-Business Meeting<br />
Wednesday, <strong>February</strong> 20th - 3:00 p.m.<br />
Ambassadors Meeting / Ribbon Cuttings<br />
Friday, <strong>February</strong> 22nd - 6:00 p.m.<br />
Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce<br />
2018 Annual Banquet (See Pg. 1)<br />
Tuesday, <strong>February</strong> 26th - 9:00 a.m.<br />
Social Media Breakfast (See Pg. 8)<br />
Wednesday, March 6th - 7:30 a.m.<br />
Leadership Martin County<br />
WELCOME<br />
NEW MEMBERS!<br />
D & R Repair<br />
Thate's Tree Service<br />
Energy rebates<br />
for your business.<br />
The smart move for your bottom line.<br />
minnesotaenergyresources.com 866-872-0052<br />
ACE seeks business participation<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 />
Area Career Exploration (ACE) is held the second<br />
Wednesday of April at the Fairmont High<br />
School. Annually, representatives from over<br />
100 area businesses, colleges and technical<br />
colleges and 650 sophomores from 12 area<br />
schools come together for a morning of Career<br />
Exploration.<br />
The goal of ACE is to expose sophomores<br />
to the careers available right here in our<br />
area. ACE offers ongoing “Career Opportunity<br />
Awareness” and also provides a general understanding<br />
of what education will be required to<br />
get involved in a particular career; how much<br />
such a career might pay; the future prospects<br />
for that career and an opportunity to interact<br />
on a personal level with area employers.<br />
By educating students on rewarding career<br />
opportunities in our region, we are hoping<br />
to have them return or stay upon completion<br />
of their high school education. Too often,<br />
students are not aware of the opportunities<br />
available locally in the career field they are<br />
pursuing. ACE is an important component in<br />
ensuring the continued strength of our future<br />
workforce in rural Minnesota.<br />
Parents of sophomores are encouraged<br />
to review the ACE Resource Guide their student<br />
brings home. It can open up that ‘what’s<br />
next’ discussion as they begin to develop plans<br />
for their future.<br />
The Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce<br />
encourages area businesses to attend<br />
ACE. This is a perfect opportunity to showcase<br />
what you have to offer as a career choice.<br />
Businesses who attend regularly encourage<br />
and welcome questions from the sophomores,<br />
appreciating the opportunity to share their<br />
knowledge and offer encouragement. It is a<br />
mutually rewarding experience.<br />
Space is limited but if you would like<br />
to learn more please contact Kandi: 507-235-<br />
5547 or info@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 />
<strong>Chamber</strong> Ambassadors celebrate success<br />
7<br />
GRIFFIN BAIL BONDS/FAST TRAVEL AGENCY<br />
Ambassadors welcome new businesses Griffin Bail<br />
Bonds and FAST Travel Agency to their Downtown location<br />
at 101 W. Blue Earth Ave. in Fairmont.<br />
HAWKINS CHEVROLET<br />
<strong>Chamber</strong> Ambassadors cut a ribbon with <strong>Chamber</strong><br />
member Hawkins Chevrolet as they celebrate 30 years<br />
of service to the Fairmont area.<br />
THE SHEPHERD'S IN SOUP KITCHEN<br />
<strong>Chamber</strong> Ambassadors commemorate the opening of<br />
The Shepherd's In Soup Kitchen at the Pioneer Parsonage,<br />
304 E. Blue Earth Ave. in Fairmont.<br />
Vote for Business of the Year 2018 (Continued from page 1)<br />
award winners. We encourage you to become<br />
involved in selecting this year’s honorees.<br />
All candidates were nominated by individuals<br />
residing or working in Martin County.<br />
All nominees are current members of the<br />
Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong> of Commerce, have<br />
not received the Business of the Year Award<br />
in the past two years and meet all criteria of<br />
the specific award for which they have been<br />
nominated.<br />
You can submit your votes for Business<br />
of the Year by visiting our website at www.<br />
Fairmont<strong>Chamber</strong>.org and clicking on the link<br />
titled “VOTE FOR BUSINESS OF THE YEAR<br />
2018”. All votes must be cast by Saturday,<br />
<strong>February</strong> 16.<br />
The poll results will be tallied and our<br />
2018 Business of the Year award winners will<br />
be announced at the Fairmont Area <strong>Chamber</strong><br />
of Commerce Annual Banquet on Friday,<br />
<strong>February</strong> 22 at the Holiday Inn – Green Mill<br />
in Fairmont. As in past years, the recognition<br />
ceremony will also honor our past board<br />
members and our 2018 committee chairs.<br />
Registration for the Annual Banquet is also<br />
available by visiting our website.<br />
Contact the chamber by phone at 507-<br />
235-5547 or email info@fairmontchamber.<br />
org with any questions regarding the Annual<br />
Banquet or the Business of the Year awards.<br />
Jeff Schlomann<br />
201 Downtown Plaza | Fairmont<br />
(507) 238-4218<br />
jeffreyschlomann.fbfsagents.com<br />
507.235.5547<br />
info@fairmontchamber.org<br />
Auto | Home | Life | Annuities | Business | Farm & Ranch<br />
Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company,* Western Agricultural Insurance Company,* Farm Bureau Life<br />
Insurance Company*/West Des Moines, IA. *Company providers of Farm Bureau Financial Services M191 (1-18)<br />
(507) 238-4949
<strong>February</strong> programs at CER<br />
8<br />
Martin County Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition is sponsoring<br />
a free Family Snowshoe event at Cedar Creek Park with CER and<br />
the Prairie Ecology Bus Center on <strong>February</strong> 9, 1:30-3:30 pm. Contact<br />
CER to reserve your snowshoes by <strong>February</strong> 8. Spend quality time with<br />
your children/grandchildren/friend at this event or others such as Cake Decorating,<br />
Parent-Child Acrylic Pour Valentines or the Tiny Tots Sports Camp!<br />
Join Dr. Cathy LaLonde for a FREE aerobics session at the Fairmont<br />
Elementary School Main Gym on Saturday, <strong>February</strong> 9, 11-12 noon.<br />
This beginner to intermediate aerobics class, open to all ages, will include<br />
warm-up, low-impact cardio, standing core exercises, & stretching. Wear<br />
flexible clothing and bring water bottle. Please enter from Door 15A (CER<br />
Office entrance.) Pre-registration at CER is encouraged.<br />
A very special Thank You to the Pack 57 Cub Scouts for their<br />
generous Christmas donation to the Youth Activity Scholarship Fund.<br />
Also thanks to the Blizzard Snowmobile Club for hosting the Snowmobile<br />
Safety class on January 12 as well as donating to the Youth Scholarship fund.<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 />
Saturday Morning Aerobics (FREE) <strong>February</strong> 9<br />
Family Snowshoe event at Cedar Creek Park <strong>February</strong> 9<br />
Parent-Child Acrylic Pour Valentines <strong>February</strong> 9<br />
Microsoft Excel Basic <strong>February</strong> 9 or 21<br />
Dollars for Scholars Scholarship Information <strong>February</strong> 11<br />
Lights On For Kids Afterschool Begins <strong>February</strong> 11<br />
Cake Decorating <strong>February</strong> 21<br />
Savvy Social Security Planning <strong>February</strong> 21<br />
Archery <strong>February</strong> 25 - March 1<br />
Zumba Flair <strong>February</strong> 25/27<br />
Tiny Tots Sports Camp <strong>February</strong> 27<br />
CER Spring/Summer Catalog Mailout March 22<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 />
A New Year of Social Media [rescheduled]<br />
Sara Broers<br />
SMB INSTRUCTOR<br />
The next Social<br />
Media Breakfast will be<br />
held from 9 am to 10<br />
am, <strong>February</strong> 26 at the<br />
Southern Minnesota Educational<br />
Campus, 115 S.<br />
Park St., in Fairmont.<br />
What’s in store<br />
for social media marketing<br />
in <strong>2019</strong>? This month's Social Media Breakfast<br />
features instructor Sara Broers of Social<br />
Connections, LLC with a presentation titled “A<br />
New Year of Social Media.” Sara will offer tips<br />
and best practices your business can use to stay<br />
ahead of the competition, build online connections,<br />
and help your business thrive in the new<br />
year. Join us and learn how to stand out in your<br />
social media marketing in <strong>2019</strong>!<br />
Visit our website at<br />
www.fairmontchamber.org to<br />
register for this event or to find<br />
out how you can sponsor a future<br />
event.<br />
Fairmont Area Social Media Breakfast is<br />
sponsored this month by United Hospital District<br />
and made possible in part by a technology<br />
grant from the Blandin Foundation.<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