Ellsworth-Kanopolis Area Chamber of Commerce (ellsworthkschamber.net)
@Nick’s Notes: First Edition 2007 Update #760
Office hours: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
To: Chamber Member
CHAMBER BOARD BUSINESS
At their regular January monthly meeting the board of directors conducted the following business:
Approved:
a 2007 Bed Tax tourism projects for submission to the Ellsworth Tourism Committee
a Appointment by President Morford of board member Megan Muchow, former board member George Stover and volunteer Ona Crawford, Ellsworth County Deputy Clerk, to the 2007 Ad Hoc Audit Committee.
a Reaffirmed board goals for 2007:
o Membership Improvement
o Partner in Downtown Revitalization/Beautification Project
o Provide new street/highway banners
o Conduct Two Fundraisers
o Review/Update and distribute the “Historic Ellsworth Merchants & Events Guide.”
o Scenic Byway project, Highway jct. 141 & 140 to Ellsworth city limits.
In other business the board: tabled plans for the Annual Meeting until a speaker confirmation is received. (see 2006 Annual Meeting below); Reviewed the preliminary 2007 budget as presented by the director; agreed to provide board member and director partial underwriting support for the 2007 Chamber recognition ad in the Ellsworth County Independent-Reporter advertisement; recognized new chamber member: Friend; Smoky Valley Appliance Repair, Salina; and Associates: Nancy Lamia and Stacey Gustin.
“The only thing that saves us from bureaucracy is inefficiency”
BUSINESS “BUZZ”
WELCOME NEW 2006-7 MEMBER
a The Chamber Board is pleased to welcome new Friend member Jeremy Milbradt, owner, Smoky Valley Appliance Repair, Salina. Jeremy, a native of Ellsworth, acquired the business interest of Larry Adamek in appliance service, repair and installation. He has been in business for two years. The Ellsworth area remains an important aspect of Jeremy’s services. You can find his e-mail address in our Chamber business webpage, Home & Garden or Specialties and Service, for quick input or at levimilbradt@yahoo.com, telephone 785-493-1368. We appreciate Jeremy’s desire to support his home-town Chamber and encourage him to attend as many of our functions as his schedule will allow.
a OOPS! In last month’s update I listed the owner of the JL Canyon Ranch as Jack Canyon. Jack Lill is the owner. Sorry Jack.
a We also welcome two new Associate members who are also members of the Chamber Ambassador’s Club; Nancy Lamia and Stacey Gustin. Thank you ladies, for your continued service to our Chamber in this special volunteer service.
“In-laws never get old. They always stay the same age; meddle-age.”
BUSINESS CHANGE
Due to changes in family activities and a desire to be more active in her personal family life, Tammy Kruse has sold her business, Oxhide Arrangements, to Kelvi Peschka. Tammy has been an active and enthusiastic supporter of our Chamber. She has been a co-sponsor for much of our co-op advertising in national publications; invested in advertising in the annual Kansas Travel Guide, which is great for our community as well as her business, and in supporting chamber sponsored activities. I will miss her positive and enthusiastic responses to my many requests and personally, her kindness to me as director of the Chamber. I hope you will join me by stopping in before January 31st and wishing her well.
NEW BUSINESS
We welcome Kelvi Peschka to our business community. Kelvi is no stranger to Ellsworth having been raised here. Her parents, Randy and Nancy are my neighbors. Kelvi went to market this week in Atlanta to make her selections for her new business, Lux Interiors. She hopes to be open for business around the 1st of March. She has committed to visiting with me next week to learn more about our Chamber. I know you will all join me in welcoming Kelvi to the downtown business district and wish her success in this new and exciting business venture.
NEW MANAGER
If you have not met him yet, I encourage you to look for the new store manager, Jeff Gose, the next time you shop at Gene’s Heartland Foods. Jeff and his wife Amy have relocated from Anthony and have enrolled their two children, Logan, 11 and Noah, 8 in our school system. We welcome Jeff and family to our community.
“A man or woman blames most accidents on fate, but feels a more personal responsibility when he or she makes a hole-in-one on the golf course”
2007 RENEWALS
Thanks for the following chamber annual renewal investments:
Full Members: Acme Brick Co.; American Family Insurance; B & B Plumbing, Htg & AC; Brooke Financial Services; Buchholz, Inc.; Cashco, Inc.; Citizens State Bank & Trust ; Cliff’s Body Shop; Drovers Mercantile; Crossroads Restaurant; Ellsworth County COOP; Ellsworth County Medical Center; Ellsworth Good Samaritan Village; Ellsworth Service Center; Finke’s Retail Liquor; Gene’s Heartland Foods; G. Darrell Gwinner, D.O.; Ideal Realty; Kirkham Michael & Associates, Inc.; Mark Herzog, D.D.S., P.A.; Mosaic; Martin’s Pro Auto; Morford Greenhouse; Paden’s Place Restaurant & Bar; Parsons Funeral Home & Industries; Peterson & Kasper Attorneys; Robl Farm Supply, Inc.; Robson’s Card & Gift Shop; Rolling Hills Electric; Rolling Hills Radio Shack; Slechta Enterprises; Torkelson’s Chiropractic; True Value Hardware; and U.S.D. #327
Friend: Barton County Community College; Bennett Autoplex; Bolte Electric; Conklin Cars, Inc.; Edward Jones Financial Planning; Long McArthur, Inc.; Moly Manufacturing, Inc. Novak Insurance; and.
Associates: American Legion Post #174; Ampride; Bev Connally; Bill Gwinner; CSB Drive-in; Dave Brownback ; Don Hanson; Ellsworth Area Arts Council; Ellsworth County Historical Society; George Jones; Heather Barta; JH Robbins Memorial Library; Jim Morford; Lewis McAtee; Lobby Shop; Machelle Connally; Nick Slechta; St. Bernard’s Church; and Wendell Truhlar;
In-Kind: Hoffhines Marketing, Inc.; Eagle Radio, Great Bend; Russell Radio, and NRG Radio, Great Bend.
“A woman was describing her husband to a friend. “He’s the kind of man who always hits the nail right on the thumb.”
OFFICE EQUIPMENT SURPLUS
I recently had to replace our office telephone. The new system is all-in-one. I have an AT&T 1710 answering machine and a Radio Shack Caller ID (4-5-05). Both work well. Anyone interested in either or both may contact me. No reasonable offer will be refused. 472-4071; F: 472-5668 or nslechta@ellsworthkschamber.net.
JANUARY CHAMBER GATHERIN’
A tip of the Ellsworth-Kanopolis Chamber of Commerce hat to Board President Sheryl Miller of Family Connections assisted by Ellsworth City Manager Jonathan Mitchell, for hosting the ‘After Hours” Gatherin’ January 18th. I believe I speak for those in attendance that we were impressed and pleased with the recent renovation of the units which serve visitors to the Ellsworth Correctional Facility. Ms. Miller introduced her fellow board members and presented an informative overview of the progress made this past year in renovating the temporary living units. She credited the many local organizations and individuals who provided time, labor, financial resources and in-kind materials and services for the project. Jonathan provided an informative power point presentation highlighting the organization’s mission of services to the families. The facility Manager is Becky Hawks. The overflow crowd that attended enjoyed refreshments, door prizes and a tour of the remodeled guest rooms. Ellsworth is fortunate to have so many caring supporters of this exceptional facility. To see how you may also contribute in some way, contact Ms. Hawks 472-3062.
“Be careful if you stretch the truth. It may snap back on you.”
2007 BANNER PROJECT
The street & highway banner replacement ad hoc committee met Friday the 12th. After reviewing banner samples for quality, the committee made their selection. Fortunately, it was the best quote as well which made their decision much easier. Street Décor, Reno NV, has been advised that their banner and quote have been accepted. The firm has provided other banners for the City in the past which have been judged very satisfactory. The total estimated cost of the banners and replacement brackets is $3,400. The board will consider the possibility of adding some spares depending on membership support. We thank the following businesses for the pledges/contributions received with membership renewals; Finke’s Liquors; Kirkham, Michael & Assoc. Inc.; Millwood Realty; Torkelson Chiropractic, Slechta Enterprises, Best Western Garden Prairie Inn and
G. Derril Gwinner, O.D. If anyone missed in the January billings and wishes to participate, let me know.
“City Slicker: “Is it right to say a ‘hen lays’ or a hen lies eggs?” Farmer: “Where I come from, the people lift her up to see.”
GIFT CHECKS
In December there were five (5) deposits totaling $5,546. The bank processed 284 checks for $3,520.
The checks outstanding total is $6,314. The reconciliation listed checks on 52 pages. Needless to say, my review of the 284 cancelled checks and review of check recipients took some time. My task was made much more difficult by the number of checks that had no payee entered. Since I do a review of where checks are spent, this becomes a significant disadvantage as the bank cancellations on the reverse side are, many times, extremely difficult, if not impossible, to see the depositor’s business name. I would ask that business owners remind cashiers and/or clerks to stamp or write your business name on the payee line or when making a deposit. Over 50 gift check holders did not do that although the participant listing we provide has a very bold reminder to do so. I did find two $10 checks processed by a non-chamber business. I called them and reminded them that this is not acceptable. If you have questions or comments, please call me.
“A good boss is someone who takes a little more than his share of the blame and a little less than his share of the credit.”
KUDOS
Our thanks to Vi Richards, Richard’s Cleaners, for the annual dry-cleaning of our Santa suit at no cost to the Chamber. This was another very active Christmas season for the suit. I hope some of you will let Vi know we appreciate it. It has become obvious that the suit requires major renovation in order to continue use. The boot leggings required re-stitching which I have arranged for. I had a seamstress assess the damage on the trousers and coat and to proceed with repairs. The coat lining has been patched. The trouser lining was cost prohibitive to replace. I had her remove the lining and stitch around the bottom pant legs. The suit should now be good for another year or more. The total cost for this repair service was $20.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Feb 12- Ellsworth-Kanopolis Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting, 6 pm, Chamber office.
Feb 13 – Senior Center Valentine Day Dance 7-10 pm. Bring snack or finger food. Coffee and tea furnished. Admission by donation.
Feb 22 - Monthly Chamber Gatherin’, Ellsworth Good Samaritan Village, 8:00am.
FROM CHAMBER FILES: DIDJA KNOW?
1957 – Ellsworth Centennial, Inc. PROUDLY PRESENTS “A CENTURY IN THE SUN”. The saga of Ellsworth County. A JOHN RODGERS PRODUCTION. Written, Produced and Directed by Edward J. Hamilton. (More next month)
Don’t forget your valentine on February 14th with the perfect gift – “Chamber Gift Checks” 
PASS IT ON! Please pass this update on to employees and friends!
