~ Saint Peter Area Chamber of Commerce ~
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“Doing things most people think just happen.”
National Volunteer Appreciation Week
APRIL 2012
Please join us for…
A Magical Night
April 15-21
By Anders Ringdahl-Mayland, President/CEO Our community, at times rather subtly, is defined by volunteerism. Surely, many valuable contributions are made during working hours by folks paid to accomplish tasks and exceed goals – but in my experience some of the greatest demonstrations of community leadership are undertaken in the service of our many community organizations by ordinary people committed to doing something extraordinary in their spare time. For an organization like the Chamber of Commerce, which relies so heavily on volunteers to accomplish its mission, National Volunteer month is an opportune time for us to reflect on the many ways in which our community is impacted by the generous contributions of our many civically-oriented Chamber volunteers who generously donate their time and energy to make our annual events and programming successful. Service is an excellent way to stay connected, build relationships, and give something back to the community. It is also a great way to identify and support personal priorities in a day and age when for many of us “spare time” seems to be an anachronism. This month, if you enjoy some of the great community events and festivals that make Saint Peter a great place to live, work, and raise a family – please consider showing your appreciation by lending a hand with a favorite communitybased event or organization. Your service will be conspicuous in its generosity and will inspire others to help strengthen our community.
YOUR BUSINESS CONNECTION PHONE: (507) 934-3400 FAX: (507) 934-8960 E-MAIL: spchamb@hickorytech.net WEBSITE: www.stpeterchamber.org MAILING ADDRESS: 101 S. Front St. St. Peter, MN 56082
Chamber Annual Social
Friday, April 20 Gustavus Adolphus College 6:00 p.m. – Social Hour • 7:00 p.m. – Dinner Wine and beer tasting The magic of Michael Callahan Silent and Live Auctions Music by D.J. “Hombre” Great Food★ Appetizers Strawberry Romaine Salad Pork Tenderloin Twice-baked Potatoes Asparagus Lemon Raspberry Torte Vegetarian option available upon request
★
30 per person
$
Reservations are required by 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 17. Call the Chamber at 934-3400 to reserve your tickets! A sincere thank you to members who have reinvested in the Chamber with their 2012 dues through 3-28-12. A reminder that not all member dues are payable in January. Higginbotham Design 4 the Team Comfort Systems, Inc. Christine Gerber – Re/Max Nicollet County Fair Board St. Peter Herald S.M.I.L.E.S. Center for Independent Living Creation Technologies – St. Peter Center for Rural Policy & Development Mary Fisher’s Hair Thairhappy Photo Shop Studio
Holiday City Grille Community Addiction Recovery Enterprise Shoreland Country Club Brandt Law Office State Farm Insurance – David Detlefsen Agency Nelson Printing Co. Mackenzie Agency Copier Business Solutions Southern Minnesota Orthodontics, P.A. Arrow Ace Hardware
Nicollet County Bank Red Men Club United Prairie Financial Foot & Ankle Clinic of St. Peter Radio Mankato KEYC Fox 12 Thrivent Financial Skrove Automotive Lager’s, Inc. Ecumen Prairie Hill 2011 Renewals Family Dollar Country Inn & Suites – Mankato
Administrative Professionals Day April 25, 2012
Administrative Professionals Day will mark its 60th anniversary on April 25, 2012. Over those decades, the job of an administrative professional has changed dramatically thanks to new tools, techniques and seismic shifts in the economy and culture itself. But admins have remained the steady center of efficiency through it all, helping ensure that jobs get done right, on time and under budget. Admins are one of the engines of business, particularly in a complex economy. And they do this while maintaining their more traditional role as the gatekeepers for many customers, clients and employees. Quite simply, admins are the pulse of the office. Since 1952, the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP) has honored office workers by sponsoring Administrative Professionals Day. Today, it is one of the largest workplace observances outside of employee birthdays and major holidays. In the year 2000, IAAP announced a name change for Professional Secretaries Day. The name was changed to Administrative Professionals Day to keep pace with changing job titles and expanding responsibilities of today’s administrative workforce. Today, there are more than 4.1 million secretaries and administrative assistants working in the United States, according to U.S. Department of Labor statistics, and 8.9 million people working in various administrative support roles. Typical duties of today’s administrative professionals include: - Prepare documents, correspondence and presentations - Produce spreadsheet reports - Coordinate multiple schedules and calendars - Maintain computer files, directories and databases - Plan meetings and special events - Purchase office equipment and supplies and work with vendors - Participate on, or even lead, project teams - Conduct Internet research - Integrate new office tools - Manage websites We encourage you to take this opportunity to express your appreciation to the administrative professionals in your life!
July 4th is Coming! The Chamber is knee-deep in planning for the 42nd annual Old-fashioned 4th of July! If you are interested in entering a unit in the parade, applications are available online at www.stpeterchamber.com, at the Chamber office, or you may call and have one emailed to you. Entries must be decorated in a patriotic theme, and creativity is encouraged! Sponsorship opportunities are available for various parade units or activities throughout the day. Please contact the Chamber office (934.3400) for more information. We encourage businesses to provide four volunteers for a two-hour shift in one of the food booths. Workers may wear company shirts, etc., and we will provide signage acknowledging the help from the business. Any group that provides four employees will be eligible for a drawing for a donation of $150 to be given in the group’s name to a charity of their choice. If the group is a non-profit organization, the charity may be their own organization. This event is a great way to showcase our community, and we would appreciate any help you can provide. July 4th Steering Committee
From the City of Saint Peter… Regarding Catered Events Several events take place throughout the year where groups or individuals hire caterers to serve food and alcohol. In order for an event to be catered with food and alcohol, the caterer must be licensed through the Minnesota Liquor Control Board. State Statute stipulates the holder of a caterer’s permit may sell intoxicating liquor “as an incidental part of a food serve.” The Statutes do not allow the caterer to sell liquor if either there is no food service provided, or if the caterer providing the liquor is not the same vendor supplying the food. If you plan to hire a caterer and want to serve alcohol at your event, the caterer must provide the food in order to provide the alcohol. It is unlawful to hire two different vendors to provide the food and alcohol. In a related matter, caterers are required to notify the Police Chief prior to any catered event taking place in the City or the County Sheriff if the event will take place outside the corporate limits of the City. If you have any questions about this information, please contact the Community Development Office at 934-0661.
Welcome New Members!
Please welcome the following new members to the St. Peter Area Chamber of Commerce. We want to thank them for their investment and encourage them to become involved with the Chamber. Be sure to add these new members to your membership directory. Lawn Care Unlimited • Dale Wilson, Owner P.O. Box 104, St. Peter, MN 56082 • 931-2728 Dale has been doing lawn care in St. Peter for 25 years. Services offered include snow removal in winter, spring and fall cleanup, mowing aerating, fertilizing, spraying, landscaping and seeding.
Steve Boese P.O. Box 352, St. Peter, MN 56082 • 351-6503 • www.steveboese.com Steve is a web and database programmer/developer to businesses, professionals, and artists. He worked with ENVISION to develop the Chamber’s new website.
ST. PETER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Board of Directors 2012 Jane Anderson – Good Samaritan Society Heritage Meadows Heidi Boyum – Jarraff Industries Mike Bresnahan – First National Bank Minnesota Peggy Carlson – River’s Edge Hospital & Clinic Treasurer David Detlefsen* – State Farm Insurance Chair Brian Grey* – Volk Electric, Inc. Past Chair Jay Hansen* – Nicollet County Bank Vice Chair Dr. Laura Hulsebus – Hulsebus Chiropractic Second Vice Chair Nathan Idso – Nelson Printing John Mayer – Patrick’s Dr. Jenny Miller – Valley View Dental Douglas Minter – Gustavus Adolphus College Lee Pell – Pell Insurance & Real Estate Paul Peterson – St. Peter High School Keith Wenner – Keith & Kevin Wenner Farms Anders Ringdahl-Mayland* President/CEO * Executive Committee
Our thanks to: Gus Davis, Culligan…for providing the water cooler at the Chamber office. Visitors always have nice comments (and the staff also appreciates it)!
Mary’s Flowers…for donating a floral arrangement for Business After Hours each month.
Larry Biederman, LJP Waste & Recycle...for donating trash removal and recycling for the Chamber office.
St. Peter Greenhouse St. Peter Greenhouse and Floral...for donating a plant for Business After Hours each month.
ALL I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT LIFE I LEARNED FROM THE EASTER BUNNY
Community Calendar
Don’t put all of your eggs in one basket. Walk softly and carry a big carrot. Everyone needs a friend who is all ears. There’s no such thing as too much candy. All work and no play can make you a basket case. A cute little tail attracts a lot of attention. Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day. Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits. Some body parts should be floppy. Keep your paws off other people’s jelly beans. The grass is always greener in someone else’s basket. An Easter bonnet can tame even the wildest hare. To show your true colors, you have to come out of your shell. The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.
Thursday, April 5
The Real Dirt on Farmer John 7:00 p.m. Documentary Film Screening
Treaty Site History Center
Saturday, April 7
Jaycees Easter Egg Hunt Open to kids 12 and under.
Minnesota Square Park
Wednesday, April 18 Salad Luncheon 11:00-1:00 p.m. American Legion Sponsored by Catholic Daughters of St. Peter Court #1601 Salads, Hot Dish, Breads, Bars, Deviled Eggs, Beverage $7.00
Recent U.S. Department of Energy regulations have started prohibiting the manufacture of inefficient T12 fluorescent lighting. Saint Peter Municipal Utilities is helping our business electric customers save money and prepare for this national phase-out. Fluorescent lamps are measured in eighths of an inch. The “T” number is the diameter of the lamp. So a T12 lamp is 1.5 inches in diameter, while a T8 lamp is 1 inch. The narrower the fluorescent lamp, the more energy-efficient it is. T8 and T5 fluorescents are longer lasting, have better quality light, and can reduce your lighting costs by up to 45 percent. In fact, some T8 fixtures are rated to last up to 4,000 hours longer than T12s - nearly two years longer for a typical office! If you use T12 lamps, now is the time to switch to efficient T8 and T5 lighting systems before our rebates are discontinued. Through June 30, we’re offering a $1.50 BONUS REBATE for each qualifying lamp installed - over and above our standard rebates - when you replace your existing T12 lighting with T8, Super T8, low-wattage T8, or T5 lighting. The Bonus Rebate Form is available at http://smmpa.com/upload/2012_T12_bonus_ rebateSP.pdf and the standard Business Lighting Rebate Form at http://smmpa.com/upload/ SP%20lighting%202012.pdf Just complete and submit them to your utility by June 30, 2012, to approve and reserve your rebates. All new lighting must be installed no later than December 31, 2012. If you have any questions about how you can save money with efficient lighting, contact LuAnn Nelson at 507-990-5846.
Thursday, April 12
Blood Drive
1-7 p.m.
Friday, April 13
Blood Drive
8 a.m. - Noon
Monday, April 23
Jose Cole Circus National Guard Armory Sponsored by Nicollet County Relay for Life (1120 N. Swift St.) Tickets available at the gate beginning at 6 p.m.
Tuesday, May 1
May Day Party 1-4 p.m. Benedictine Senior Living Free High Tea & Gardening – Public invited (1907 Sunrise Dr.)
COMMITTEE CALENDAR 8:00 a.m. 12:00 Noon 7:30 a.m. 12:00 Noon
Friday, April 27
Tourism Bureau Board of Directors
8:00 a.m.
NEW at Nelson Printing Advertising Specialties
City Grille Subway River Rock Coffee President’s Dining Room Gustavus Adolphus College Whisky River
Anything from golf balls to umbrellas; drumsticks to guitar picks; cups, mugs & pens Over 800,000 items to choose from!
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Diplomats Executive Committee Discover St. Peter Board of Directors
St. Peter • 931-1207
River’s Edge Hospital Conference Room For more information or to make an appointment, call Becky Gahler at 931-2200. River’s Edge Hospital Conference Room For more information or to make an appointment, call Becky Gahler at 931-2200.
Free Women’s Health Expo
5:30-8:00 p.m. River’s Edge Medical Office Bldg. Women’s health issues are unique. Stop in for up-to-date information on the issues and challenges of concern to women.
Mission Statement “The St. Peter Area Chamber of Commerce is a business organization that provides leadership which fosters and promotes economic growth and the quality of life through community cooperation.”
Boats & Canoes Since 1946 Manufactured in St. Peter, Minnesota
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Don’t Miss This Lighting Bonus Rebate
Tuesday, April 10 Friday, April 13 Wednesday, April 18 Friday, April 20
10:00 a.m.
The Chamber of Commerce Diplomats invite you to attend
Business After Hours Tuesday, April 17 • 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. Proudly sponsored and hosted by
Counseling Services of Southern Minnesota 1305 Marshall St. Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and register for door prizes!
Chamber Diplomats officially opened Counseling Services of Southern Minnesota’s new facility at 1306 Marshal St.
★ FUN ★ FELLOWSHIP ★ NETWORKING ★ DOOR PRIZES
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS DOOR PRIZES The following people each won a flower pot provided by Mary’s Flowers. Linda Ellefson - Nicollet County Fair Board
Gayla Rodning - Gala by Gayla
Gil Carlson - Individual Member
Joe Metzen - Sew Boutique
Jackie Hoehn - Stone Valley General Store
Dave Neiman - Arrow Ace Hardware
Wayne Steffen - Steffen Electric
Dale Wilson - Lawn Care Unlimited
BUSINESS AFTER HOURS SCHEDULE Chamber members enjoyed Business After Hours hosted and sponsored by MARY’S FLOWERS.
SPONSOR A BUSINESS AFTER HOURS We are now accepting reservations to sponsor Business After Hours for December 2012 and most months in 2013. Sponsors provide complimentary hors d’ oeuvres and can either provide complimentary beverages or make arrangement for a cash bar. They are also responsible for providing 6-8 door prizes. This is a great way to highlight your business and make your fellow members aware of what your business has to offer. Call the Chamber office at 934-.3400 to reserve your date.
April 17 May 15 June 19 (AMIGO) July 17 August 21 September 18 October 16 November 20 December 18
2012 Counseling Services of S. Minnesota Nicollet County Fair Board August Schell Brewing Co. Stained Glass Studio St. Peter Woolen Mill CenterPoint Energy & River Rock Coffee Wells Federal Bank Hobber’s Hwy. 99 Bar & Grill
Counseling Services of S. Minnesota Fairgrounds Shoreland Country Club Stained Glass Studio St. Peter Woolen Mill River Rock Coffee Wells Federal Bank Hobber’s Hwy. 99 Bar & Grill
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Consulting Engineers & Surveyors Peter Nelson Located at: Nelson Peter Nelson Nicollet County Bank at:Third Street Located at: 220 South St. Peter, MN 56082 Nicollet County Bank County Bank Office: (507) 931 - 3310 South Third Third Street Street 220 South peter.nelson@lpl.com
Peter, MN MN 56082 56082 St. Peter,
Securities and Insurance products offered through LPL Financial and its affiliates, Member FINRA/SIPC. Not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value. Not a Deposit. Not Insured by any Federal Government Agency.
Municipal Engineering
Water Resources Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Land Surveying and Mapping
Transportation Engineering
507.625.4171 | bolton-menk.com
1960 Premier Drive, Mankato, MN 56001