Ellsworth-Kanopolis Area Chamber of Commerce ecofc@eaglecom.net
@Nick’s Notes – August 2006 Update #655 www.ellsworthkschamber.net
To: Chamber Member
CHAMBER BOARD BUSINESS
At their regular August meeting the Ellsworth-Kanopolis Chamber Board of Directors conducted the following business:
- Approved the Director’s request to solicit bids for renewal of the chamber’s $5,300 CD which comes due September 7th.
- Approved the quarterly financial reports.
- Conducted an executive session to review the Director’s performance appraisal and voted to extend Employment Letter of Agreement for another year.
- Approved support of provisions of conditions to be met by the Ranch Rodeo Committee for the 2007 Ranch Rodeo.
- Approved a fundraising event featuring the KWU Choir and Jazz band in a split concert on Sunday October 29th.
- Approved a revision of Policy 305 Membership & Investments which provides for a full membership to the City of Ellsworth in conjunction with their annual Grant Distribution. (see Business Buzz below)
- Received a report from the Director regarding a proposed Scenic Byway for this area which will not be possible due to the close proximity of a new Scenic Byway which as been approved for a group from the Friends of Maxwell Refuge near Canton in McPherson County. (see Scenic below)_
“Today’s news is too true to be good.”
BUSINESS “BUZZ”
New Member: We welcome City Administrator Jonathan Mitchell and the City of Ellsworth to our chamber membership. Based on a policy revision, the board of directors decided that the long-standing partnership with the city deserves the official membership recognition provided to organizations within our community. We invite Jonathan and the city staff members to participate in our chamber functions whenever their schedules will allow. We encourage our members to let Jonathan, his staff and the City Council members know how much we appreciate their financial support for on-going operations.
Member Loss: Pennington’s This n That, 304 N. Douglas, has closed their business. We wish Rene and Edith much success as they pursue other interests while remaining within our community.
Relocation: M & J Furniture & Appliance will be relocating to 304 N. Douglas at the end of August.
Relocation: The Mosaic Lobby Shop Too will be moving to 117 N. Douglas in the space formerly occupied by Hoffhines Marketing & Communications and Millwood Realty. Hoffhines’ move was reported in our last Update and will occur on August 28th.
More business changes will be announced in the near future.
Relocation Sorta: The chamber has utilized the storage room within the ECED office for several years. Both of our inventories have grown and it is time for us to move on. I have been sorting and, with board member help, identified items for disposal, give-away and need to save. We have a very nice boxed 7’ Spruce Christmas Tree; a 36” new vinyl aluminum threshold; and a Smith Corona XD 4600 memory typewriter to offer to chamber members. First come/call can have dibs. A contribution is welcome but not mandatory. I need to know before Thursday, 31st.
“A smile improves your face value.”
GIFT CHECKS UPDATE
a In July there were 73 checks processed with a value of $710. There were two deposits totaling $440. The ending balance representing uncashed checks is $3,816 as of July 31st.
a Our current batch of gift checks have all had the expiration dates blacked out in compliance with the new legislation. My thanks to Della Dietrich and Tina Dohe, Mosaic, for completing the mark-out on over 1,275 checks while covering the office for me while I took a one day vacation.
SCENIC BYWAY
The recently approved Kansas Scenic Byway for the Maxwell group extends from near Canton, through Lindsborg, Marquette and across the Kanopolis Lake area and ends at the intersection of 140 and Old US 40, a distance of 53 miles. Fortunately corridors extend many miles off the route where noteworthy historic sites are available. The chamber hopes to convince the Maxell consortium to list Ellsworth and Kanopolis historic sites and events in the Scenic Byway brochure that will be developed by that group after all their requirements are finalized. The benefit will be enhanced for those visitors who take the tour from the southeast to the northwest. At the 140-40 jct, we would hope that they would be encouraged to turn west instead of east to visit our sites as well. Besides the drive from the jct. to Ellsworth has a great beauty attraction of its own.
“If you’ve done better than you thought you could, then it’s a victory.”
MONTHLY CHAMBER GATHERIN’
Eagle Communications, Inc. put their best foot forward at the August 17th Gatherin’ at the Ellsworth golf course meeting room. Several eagle staff members assisted in the welcome and hosting with refreshments catered by Crossroads Restaurant. General manager Joe Engle presented a very informative power point program that spanned the history of Eagle Communications over its years from a single radio station in Hays to its present network of radio, television, cable TV, internet and other telecommunications services. Mr. Engle noted that he would be pleased to make the presentation available to any area civic clubs, church groups, etc. To do so, contact the chamber and I will assist with the arrangements. Three lucky attendees walked away with $35, $25, and $15 in Chamber gift checks. The September gatherin’ will be hosted by the Good Samaritan Retirement Village.
CHAMBER WEBSITE www.ellsworthkschamber.net
| Date | Total Hits | Daily Average |
| May | 4,042 | 130.39 |
| June | 3,948 | 131.60 |
| July | 3,934 | 126.9 |
“A lot of good arguments are spoiled by folks who know what they are talking about.”
TOURISM VISITOR INFORMATION
|
| Out-of-State | In-State | Local | Foreign |
| Hodgden House Museum | 23 | 36 | 11 | 10 |
| Kanopolis Guard House | 43 | 63 | 16 | 0 |
| Ellsworth Art Center |
|
| 20 |
|
GEORGIA’S CABOOSE PROJECT
Last month I shared information on Georgia Smith’s pet project, restoring the 1911 caboose at the museum. I have a good friend in Salina who owns a business I am trying to recruit as a Friend Member. I send her my updates to keep her apprised of our activities. This week I received an envelope which appeared to have a check inside. It did but in this instance it was for Georgia’s Caboose. When I called and invited her to my office for a surprise, it was worth a million to watch her eyes light up with much joy for such a generous donation. My sincere thanks to Ms. Barbara Hauptli for making our day!
Georgia’s Caboose Countdown: Goal: $14,000 ______$10,000_________$5,000 ____$3,158
“No one ever ruined his eyesight by looking at the bright side of things”.
CHAMBER FUNDRAISERS
The Cowtown hamburger feed at Preisker Park was a great success as the Chamber and Ambassador Club grossed $1,386.25 and netted $735.39. The chamber and Ambassadors split the profit.
The KWU Choir and Jazz Band Concert on October 29th at 3:00 pm will be a free-will offering.
“Those who have it all will never know the happiness of those glad to have some of it.”
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
September 2 –St. Ignatius Catholic Church annual Mexican Fiesta, 11:00 am. Food, games and prize drawings.
September 8 – VFW Garage Sale at the Hall, 8 am – 5 pm. For donor information, contact Della Ranker, 472-3317
September 9 – VFW Garage Sale at the Hall. 8 am – 3 pm.
September 18 – Ellsworth/Kanopolis Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting, 7 pm, 114-1/2 N. Douglas
September 21 – Chamber Gatherin’ Ellsworth Good Samaritan Retirement Village – Chapel, 8 am
September 28-30 – “The Great American Cattle Drive Experience”
PERSONAL NOTE: I will be starting my fourth year as your director on August 29th. It has been a really neat ride to this time. One of the many rewarding aspects of my work is that this office has not been closed for any reason in three years. I am fortunate and grateful to have several faithful volunteers to make that possible. May the chamber family continue to grow and prosper as we strive to serve our communities.
PASS IT ON! Please pass this update on to employees and friends! 
