Ellsworth-Kanopolis Area Chamber of Commerce
@Nick’s Notes – July 2006 Update #654
To: Chamber Member
CHAMBER BOARD BUSINESS
At their regular July meeting the Ellsworth-Kanopolis Chamber Board of Directors conducted the following business:
1. Received a report from guest Dennis Katzenmeier, Chairman, Ranch Rodeo, regarding the 2006 rodeo and plans for 2007.
2. Approved an invitation to be extended to Mark & Josie Roehrman to attend the quarterly meeting of the KDDA Kansas Downtown Development Association in Garden City on August 9th on behalf of the chamber. (see KDDA page 2)
3. Tabled action on 2007 Ranch Rodeo to August meeting.
4. Approved transfer funds from Ranch Rodeo Special Savings account to the Operating account in the amount of the shortfall from the 2006 Ranch Rodeo after the Director finalizes accounts.
5. Received reports from the Director on his research for a Scenic Byway and a Roadside Radio Information Station:
A. Scenic Byway – Following the report the Director was advised to contact SB Program Manager Debbie Divine for clarification on the scenic route(s) available to the chamber.
B. Roadside Radio Information Station – The Director advised that he continue research that will include budgetary information and other feasibility issues to present at the August meeting in preparation for a presentation to the Ellsworth City Council.
6. Finalized plans for the Cowtown hamburger feed at Preisker Park on Friday, August
4th, starting at 5:00 pm. The Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Ambassador’s Club will share in the volunteer activities required to conduct this annual fundraising event. A free will offering will be taken.
“Did you ever wonder why six, seven, eight and nine turn to sixty, seventy, eighty and ninety, but two,
three, four and five don’t change to twoty, threety, fourty and fivety?”
BUSINESS “BUZZ”
- Anita Hoffhines, Hoffhines Marketing & Communications, has received her Kansas realtor’s license and has opened a branch office of Millwood Realty, Inc., Salina. She plans to relocate the two businesses to her property at 114 N. Douglas in the space currently occupied by Whitmer Insurance & Financial Planning Services. Stacie Schmidt is her office manager.
- John Whitmer will relocate his agency to his newly acquired property at 308 N. Douglas just south of the CSB Drive-in.
- The planned moves will be effective September 1st.
- Our thanks and congratulations to the Dairy Queen Brazier, Kwik Shop and M & D Service for their 2006 Full member renewals.
- Quarterly membership report: Full Members 86 Friend 20 In-Kind 6 Total 112 Assoc. 33
- Watch this column for other downtown business changes currently in the transition process.
“The honeymoon is over when one spouse phones saying they’ll be late for supper
and the other one leaves a note saying that dinner is in the refrigerator.”
GIFT CHECKS UPDATE
- In June there were three deposits totaling $702. The bank processed 103 withdrawals totaling $1163.23. The June 30 balance was $4086 which reflects gift checks still in circulation.
- Gift Card Legislation – Some of you may be aware that the Kansas legislature has passed a law which eliminates expiration dates for the life of gift cards. I contacted Rep. Svaty about our gift check program to see if the law included our operation. He checked it out and advised me that it is all inclusive of gift cards/certificates/checks/etc. In compliance, I will be marking out the expiration date on all future gift checks issued by the chamber. Business owners and clerks will no longer have to verify expiration dates although a few have come through in the past and I did honor them.
- Inasmuch as we have our latest shipment of gift checks only a short time I will be very busy marking out the expiration line on the 1,388 now in inventory. I will start with City Police Chief Smith’s $1000 order made possible by his department’s receipt of a state grant. He plans to use them during the upcoming Ellsworth celebrations.
“Sign outside a clothing store catering to teen-agers: “Clothes Your Mother Wouldn’t Like.”
MONTHLY CHAMBER GATHERIN’
A great time was had by all describes Robson’s Card & Gift Shop chamber Gatherin’ Thursday morning. Ken and Alice must have done something very right back in 2003 as they repeated a very hospitable environment for their fellow business colleagues and chamber members. The specially prepared eye-opening refreshments were appreciated as was the update on what’s been happening business-wise with this successful Ellsworth business and how they work to meet the challenges of the ever-changing economy. The Robsons expressed their gratitude for the wonderful support the local communities have given during their 26 years of operation. If you haven’t been in their store lately, check them out at http://www.robsonscardgift.com/
“When you put a smile on another’s face, you’re bound to have one on your own.”
SOUND SYSTEM SOLD
The Ellsworth County Extension Service submitted the winning bid on our Peavey Sound System. We thank them for the support and know they will have many opportunities to utilize the equipment in their activities and events.
“One of the tragedies of today is not so much the noisiness of bad people, but the silence of the good people.”
KDDA
The training seminar mentioned in the board’s minutes focuses on historic preservation involved in changing and improving buildings. The presenter is Mike Jackson, FAIA, Chief Architect of the Preservation Services Division of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. His entire professional career emphasis has been Main Street. He championed a program called “Upstairs Downtown.” If anyone besides the Roehrman’s would like to attend the August 10 workshop hours are 9 am – 4 pm. There is no charge. Josie indicated they would be pleased to share the ride. For more information or to register, call me or Josie so you can be included. I must submit reservations by July 27th.
NORTH CENTRAL KANSAS TOURISM COUNCIL
On Thursday, August 17th, the Drover’s Hall of Fame Committee will be hosting an estimated 20-60 visitors from the 17 counties comprising the NCKTC. The chamber will be providing welcome packets and hopes to obtain support from downtown retailers with special shopping incentives during their afternoon schedule. I will try to contact each one of the businesses as soon as possible.
Businesses wishing to furnish 60 promotional items may contact the chamber. Any packets unclaimed will be returned to you. Shopping starts at 4:00 pm. They return to The Antique Mall at 5:00 pm for historic presentations and a tour. Dinner is at 6:30 dinner, followed by a presentation on “The Great American Cattle Drive, Introductions and the NCKTC quarterly business meeting.
CHAMBER WEBSITE
| Date | Total Hits | Daily Average |
| May | 4,042 | 130.39 |
| June | 3,948 | 131.60 |
“There is no use in running if you are not on the right road.”
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
July - Ellsworth Art Gallery – Displaying the works of artist Julie Baldwin, McPherson, oil and watercolor paintings.
August 1- 3 Ellsworth County 4-H and Open Class Fair, Recreation Center. Applications for display booths available at our office.
4-5 Ellsworth Cowtown Days www.ellsworthcelebrations.com. For applications and complete information. Applications for the parade, Cowtown Idol and VFW 5 Mile 2 Mile Walk/Run are also available at our office as well as Cowtown Buttons.
4- Ellsworth-Kanopolis Chamber of Commerce/Ambassador Club annual Hamburger, Hot dog, Corn-on-the Cob Feed, Preisker Park, 5 pm
August 11-12 Ell-Kan Western Rodeo – Recreation center rodeo grounds. 472-3350
August 17 North Central Kansas Tourism Council quarterly meeting at the Ellsworth Antique Mall hosted by the National Drovers Hall of Fame Board (see North Central Tourism Council page 2).
August 17 Monthly Chamber Gatherin; Eagle Communications, Inc., Ellsworth Golf Course meeting Room, 8 am. The program is a power point presentation by Eagle. Mark your calendar. Come and meet our new cable and internet providers.
August 19 Cowtown Demolition Derby, 2 pm, Cleveland Street near the little kid’s ball diamond.
August 21 Ellsworth-Kanopolis Chamber of Commerce monthly meeting, 7 pm.
TOURISM VISITOR INFORMATION
|
| Out-of-State | In-State | Local | Foreign |
| Hodgden | 49 | 105 | 11 | 0 |
| Kanopolis | 13 | 90 | 0 | 0 |
| Ellsworth Art Center | 5 | 13 | 27 | 0 |
Congratulations to the Ellsworth County Historical Society on their new revised brochures.
a I would like to remind all businesses to keep in mind Curator Georgia Smith’s project which is refurbishing of the historic 1911 Caboose. She has done wonders with the basic clean-out and clean-up but much reconstruction is required before the public can truly appreciate it. This requires funds. With all of the other maintenance needed on other properties this has become Georgia’s personal challenge and goal. I encourage us all to help her where we can.
“A sure way to stop a red-hot argument is to lay a few cold facts on it.”
4-H & OPEN CLASS FAIR (Encore)
REMINDER: Businesses are encouraged to support the fair with displays at the Recreation Center. This is an excellent opportunity to showcase your wares. Application forms at the Chamber office.
PASS IT ON! Please pass this update on to employees and friends!
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