Ellsworth-Kanopolis Area Chamber of Commerce
@Nick’s Notes – June 2006 Update #653
To: Friends of the Chamber
CHAMBER BOARD BUSINESS
At their regular June meeting the Ellsworth-Kanopolis Chamber Board of Directors took the following actions:
a Recognized Eagle Communications as a new In-Kind member of the Chamber of Commerce.
a Approved policy 2004 Audit revision
a Accepted the 2005 internal audit report presented by board member George Stover on behalf of the chamber audit committee.
a Appointed board member Kim Torkelson to conduct research on visitor’s directional signage for use with Ellsworth-Kanopolis events. If feasible the project will be partially funded with some of the chamber’s uncommitted 2006 Bed Tax funds.
a Approved offering of the chamber’s Peavey sound system for sale by sealed bids. Announcement to be published in the Ellsworth County Independent/Reporter. (see Sound System below)
a Approved purchase of software “Front Page” to enable local control and inputs into the chamber’s website.
a Reviewed chamber 2006 goals to include: Director to continue feasibility study on possible AM radio roadside information station; and pursue information on a Scenic By-ways on Old US 40, Brookville to Wilson.
“A committee meeting is when a person gets up and speaks for a while, says nothing, nobody listens,
and then everybody sits there and disagrees with him.”
NEW MEMBER:
Associate: After a brief absence from chamber activities Tom Sauer has reinstated his Associate membership and will continue his service to our communities as a member of the Chamber’s Ambassador Club. Ambassador President Georgina Bates noted that Tom has been missed as he has been the Club’s “go-to guy” for many activities including parades and hamburger feeds. We welcome Tom back with appreciation for his commitment to our organization.
Child: “Mother can I climb the tree in the back yard?”
Mother: “Yes. But if you fall and break both legs, don’t come running to me.”
NEW BUSINESS and MEMBER
With the recent sale of the Cebridge cable and internet service, we are pleased to welcome the new owners, Eagle Communications, Inc. of Hays. Eagle Communications has extended the offer of free internet hookups to the Chamber and ECED offices as did their predecessor, Cebridge. This generous offer carries an in-kind membership to the Ellsworth-Kanopolis Chamber. Marketing Coordinator Kristin Briney visited the chamber office recently to introduce herself and express support for the Ellsworth-Kanopolis Chamber of Commerce. Their current business focus is radio broadcasting, cable television and internet services. They are committed to providing efficient and high-quality communications services to their customers. Anyone not currently connected to the Cebridge system (classicnet.net) is welcome to stop by our office and check out Eagle Communication’s high-speed internet on our office computer. Congratulations to Board Chairman Robert Schmidt, President Gary Shorman, Kristin and Eagle Communication Associates. We look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship and encourage their participation in our chamber activities and events as time will allow. They may be contacted at: 2703 Hall, Hays, 67601. 785-625-5910; kriney@eaglecom.com and www.eaglecom.net.
NEW BUSINESS
Since our board meeting we have received a new Friend membership from Tim Holm, Holm Automotive Center, Abilene. We congratulate and welcome Tim and his associates to our Chamber business family. As a native of Ellsworth Tim is no stranger to this area. We are all aware of the recent move of the Ellsworth operation to Tim’s dealership and the Holm family involvement with this progressive and highly respected automotive center. Their new auto line features, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, and Pontiac. They are GM certified in Parts, Used vehicles and Goodwrench service. We wish them continued success and are hopeful that they will remain active in our community events. They can be contacted at 2005 N. Buckeye, Tele 785-263-4000; www.holmauto.com.
2006 RENEWALS
Our thanks and congratulations to the following 2006 investment renewal:
Associate: Bill Gwinner.
“Thinking twice before speaking may cause you to say something even more aggravating.”
COWTOWN DAYS SIDEWALK SALE
At the request of the Cowtown Days Committee I recently contacted local merchants and determined that there is sufficient interest for sidewalk sales during the August 4-5 event. Hopefully, we can all be in the spirit of this annual heritage celebration with appropriate signage, attire and other creative activities for our many visitors.
FARMER’S MARKET 
Operating hours for the Ellsworth Farmer’s Market are 8:00-10:30 am on Saturdays located south of the UP Railroad on east side of N. Douglas.
“Howe’s Law – Every man has a scheme that will not work.”
GIFT CHECKS UPDATE
In May there were two deposits totaling $470. The bank processed 71 withdrawals totaling $796. A re-order of 1,500 checks was received with that payment to be reflected in the upcoming June reconciliation and reported in the July update.
“Ninety-Ninety Rules of Project Schedules – The first 90% of the task takes 90% of the time,
and the last 10% takes the other 90%.”
MONTHLY CHAMBER GATHERIN
Thanks to Ken and Alice Robson for postponing their June Gatherin’ until July 20th. The June Gatherin’ will be incorporated with the 2nd quarter County-wide Open Forum at the Ellsworth Golf Club Meeting room, Monday June 26th, noon. A catered lunch will be available for those who choose to do so, $5.00 payable at the door. There will be gallery seating for members and public to listen to the reports. Steve Miller, Sunflower Electric, Hays and Dave Schneider, Trego will be chamber guests. They will offer some remarks regarding their recent Aquila acquisition and have some hand-outs. Reservations must be made by noon, Friday, June 23rd. And yes, there will be some prize drawings.
“If you were another person, would you have yourself as a friend?”
NEW SOUND SYSTEM
The board of directors has purchased a new sound system from S.M. Hanson Music, Inc., Salina. The unit consists of a wireless handheld microphone, Yamaha loudspeakers with speaker stands and a Yamaha Power Mixer. The new unit replaces the Peavey system which had been purchased from S.M. Hanson in June 1987.
PEAVEY SOUND SYSTEM FOR SALE
1987 Peavey – Power mixer – 2 loudspeakers w/cable– Speaker Stand - PVM Unidirectional Dynamic Microphone. Sealed bids only. No bid under $100 accepted. The Ellsworth-Kanopolis Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to reject any and all bids. Bids must be received by 4:00 pm. Wednesday, July 12th. Please mark BID on the envelope. (Equipment can be seen at the chamber office)
‘A study of economics reveals that the best time to buy anything is last year.”
CHAMBER WEBSITE
In May our chamber website, ellsworthkschamber.net, registered a total of 4,042 hits as compared with 5,633 hits in April. The daily average was 130. The peak day was May 30th. Since our last month’s report we have added some information under “Recreation” in our chamber site. Our chamber website committee met with the county-wide committee to add our county’s two Lake’s features. Our chamber improvements are also linked to the County site. Committee members are seeking digital photos and will be taking photos of the lakes and other recreation areas to add to our websites. Please contact us if you have some digital photos to share. We have also added the Ellsworth-Kanopolis churches to our business directory. Take a look and let us know what you think. Your comments and input are important to us as we strive to make Ellsworth-Kanopolis attractive to potential visitors and possible residents.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
June/July Ellsworth Art Gallery – Displaying the works of artist Julie Baldwin, McPherson, oil and watercolor paintings.
June 26 – 2nd Quarter Ellsworth County Open Forum and chamber gatherin’, noon, Ellsworth Golf Club Meeting Room. Reservations for lunch required, $5.00, by noon, 25th. Audience seating available.
July 1 – Ellsworth Fireworks Extravaganza – Recreation Center
July 7 – Fort Harker Days- Volleyball – Hamburger feed – Carnival – Historic Displays
July 8 – Food Vendors – Carnival – Parade- Buffalo Soldiers – Run/Walk – Sand Volleyball – Car Show
Stamp Cancellation – Kids games –Ft. Riley Mounted Guard – Watermelon Eating Contest – More
TOURISM VISITOR INFORMATION
OUT-OF-STATE IN-STATE LOCAL FOREIGN
Hodgden House 24 80 7 1
Kanopolis 23 25 0 2
Ellsworth Art Center 0 16 43 1
OFFICE TIDBITS
a The welcome home plan is alive and well as I have had two recent calls, one from up state New York and one from California. Both were for similar reasons, i.e., seeking a slower pace and life style. NY has 2 school age children coming with her for a site visit. The other has one senior, one 6th grader and a 3 year old. She is also planning a visit this summer. I sent them the usual information welcome packet.
a Requests for 2 and 3 bedroom housing have been overwhelming. I have none on our current housing listing. I had a young couple from Herington in this week. Both have applied for local employment, he at ECF and she at the Ellsworth County Med. Center. If hired they may have to take temporary housing in Salina until we find space. They have a 6th grader as well.
a I have received many requests from all around the state for information on our July 1 Extravaganza and Ft. Harker Days. I expect the same in July for Cowtown Days. Our Kansas Tourism and local websites are creating interest in our area activities. We are fortunate to have the authentic historical facilities where they are. Abilene appears to be preparing to do major relocations of theirs to I-70. I guess if you can’t get visitors to come to the mountain, you move the mountain to them. $$$$’s speak loudly!
PASS IT ON! Please pass this update on to employees and friends!
<< Home