| March 5, 2008 |
| Volume 05, Issue 3 |
| Chamber Events |
| Business Directory |
| Community Event Calendar |
| HutchChamber.com |
| March 19 | Membership Breakfast Sponsor: NJCAA |
| March 29 | Legislative Forum Sponsor: AT&T |
| March 29 | Reno County Job Fair |
| The following businesses have recently become members of the Chamber. Welcome! Link for full contact information. | |||
Hedrick's Creations Landscaping Workforce Development Center - H.C.C. Osage Resources, LLC Discount Bobcat Rental Waddell & Reed Gonzalez Construction and Remodel Investment Centers of America Hart Capital Group |
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Promote Your Business in the Chamber Action Pak Get your Business in front of Chamber Members! For only $125, the Chamber will mail your promotional flyer to Save...by planning ahead for 2008, you can save by pre-ordering for future quarterly mailings! 1 Quarter - $125 2 Quarters - $240 ($10 savings) Interested? Payment and materials for the mailing are due Monday, April. 7th. For more information contact Holly Schmidt or Belinda McClanahan at 662-3391. Thanks to Our Sponsors for National Ag Week In observance of National Ag Week the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, its Agri-Business Committee and general membership recognize the economic impact and importance of Reno County farmers in the area. Here is a list of sponsors, and look for the Focus on the Farm ad in the Hutchinson News during the week of March 16-22. A & A Appliance Realty Professionals Boutique Machine Co Solutions Services Operating Hutchinson Acoustics College Foundation (ADM Grain) Division Crematory, & Cemetery Pleasantview/Yoder Improvement Hospital & Supply Inc. - Jim Davis, Auctioneer Title - Charles Brown Title - Todd Brown District Bureau Association Construction Herchel Crainer John M. O'Day, CLU Air Conditioning & Supply |
Membership Services:
Tourism:
Economic Development: |
Left Bar:
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| This issue could be sponsored by your company. For more information please contact Holly Schmidt at 662.3391 or via e-mail. |
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Job Fair Booth Space Still Available Reno County employers are invited to register for the March 29 Job Fair. The Chamber will continue to take registrations beyond the February 18 deadline. The event will take place Saturday, March 29, 2008 at the Hutchinson Mall, 1500 East 11th Ave., from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM and will be sponsored by the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce, Hutchinson Community College, and KANSASWorks– Hutchinson Workforce Development Center. Check out which companies have registered to host a booth at the 2008 Job Fair so far: Participating Job Fair Companies
Booth space costs $25 and includes one 8’ table and two chairs along with advertising for the event. Interested employers may contact Dana Regehr at 662-3391 or danar@hutchchamber.com. |
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CVB Co-Hosts International Travel-Trade Workshop The Greater Hutchinson Convention/Visitors Bureau (CVB) is pleased to be co-hosting the upcoming International Travel-Trade Workshop on Wednesday, March 26th. The workshop will offer the opportunity to understand the international distribution process, why timing is everything, and how to negotiate FIT contracts with tour operators. The workshop will be small and intimate – allowing for all questions to be asked and answered. Attending this workshop will allow participants to increase their share of the international traveler revenue that is arriving in Kansas. The workshop will run from 12 noon – 3pm and be held at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel. Co-hosting the event with the CVB is the Kansas Travel & Tourism Division. If you are a lodging establishment, restaurant or attraction and are interested in learning how to easily encourage international bookings at your establishment, please mark your calendar for this workshop! The featured presenter will be Lisa Weigt, International Marketing & PR Representative with the state travel office. Space is limited so please contact LeAnn Cox at the CVB at 662-3391 or email leannc@hutchchamber.com |
| Wayne Baker to Speak at March Membership Breakfast
Wayne Baker, a native of Buhler, Kan., is the second executive director in NJCAA history. He has been with the NJCAA since 1985, following a short stint as a teacher and coach at Westmoreland High School in Westmoreland, Kan. Baker began his higher education path at Hutchinson Community College before transferring to Kansas State University, where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education in 1979. He went on to receive a master of Science Degree in Business Administration from Regis University in 1989. Married to the former Anita Bridgess of Hutchinson, Kan. Dr. Baker runs a veterinary clinic in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Bakers' have two children: Jennifer and Tyler. In addition, the Chamber will recognize the January, February, and March 2008 Small Business Spotlight Recipients and the 2008 Farm Focus Families. To reserve your ticket for the March Membership Breakfast please go online or contact Belinda McClanahan at 662-3391. Cost is $10.00, and reservations must be made by noon, March 18th. |
The March Membership Breakfast, sponsored by NJCAA, National Junior College Athletic Association, will be on Wednesday, March 19, 7:15 a.m., at Grand Prairie Hotel and Convention Center. The featured speaker will be Wayne Baker, Executive Director of the NJCAA. 
Chamber Recognizes 2008 Farm Families and Celebrates National Ag Week In observance of National Agriculture Week (March 16-22, 2008) the Chamber's Agri-Business Committee has selected three Reno County farm couples on which to focus during the week and recognize them at the Chamber Membership Breakfast, Wednesday, March 19th. The Agri-Business Committee has recognized three Reno County Couples each year since 1985. As Reno County's largest industry, farming generates millions of dollars in the local economy.Vernon & Arlene Bontrager Vernon & Arlene Bontrager grew up on farms in the Yoder/Haven/Hutchinson area and came from several generations of farmers. They started their own farming operation in 1978. Today, south of Hutchinson, they grow wheat, corn, milo, soybeans and have several acres in pasture for their cow/calf herd. Their crop land is made up of 3 1/2 irrigation circles with the rest being dry land.
Arlene worked as a nurse at Hutchinson Hospital, before having children. Today she handles the books, keeps records, and carries out many other aspects for their operation. The Bontrager's truly represent family farming, as their 3 adult sons, Matthew, Brian and Carl are part of the operation. "Farming is in our blood," said Arlene Bontrager. "I can't imagine living in a metropolitan area or doing anything else. The farm was a great place to raise our sons." Along with the normal day to day farming operation, they run a four combine grain custom cutting business. They custom cut from Alva, Oklahoma to Sidney, Nebraska. In addition, the Bontrager's do a lot of combine repair work for area neighbors, in their extensive shop on the farm. The Bontrager's served as 4-H project leaders and were involved in other community activities, when their sons were younger. They are currently members of the St. Paul's Lutheran Church at Haven, where Arlene is a choir member and serves as chair of the Ladies of the Congregation committee. Miles & Joyce Hartman After earning a degree in Business Administration from Kansas State University, Miles Hartman worked in retail in the Kansas City area for about 10 years. Deciding that he and Joyce did not want to bring up their family in a large metro area, they moved to Reno County and started farming in 1968. Today, they farm around 3,000 acres near Nickerson and live on the land where Joyce's great grand father started farming in 1886. They have 400 acres under irrigation, with the remaining in dry land, grass, and CRP. Their crop land is made up of primarily wheat, milo, soybeans and corn. They also have a cow/calf herd of 60. In the early years of farming, Joyce worked side by side with Miles on the farm. Their grandson, Mike Depew, joined them in the farming operation 10 years ago.
They have been active in the community over they years. Currently Miles is treasurer of the Fairview Methodist Church. He served as township trustee for 9 years and served on the FSA committee for 8 years. As their 4 children were growing up, both Miles and Joyce were deeply involved in 4-H. Joyce is president of the UMW at their church and volunteers one day a week at Hospice House in Hutchinson. The Hartman's participated in a mission trip to Pascagoula, Mississippi, in 2007 rebuilding houses damaged by Hurricane Katrina. They both say that they best crop they ever raised is their 16 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Orville & Mary Jane Miller
The Millers have four children: Brandon, who is a software consultant in Columbus, Ohio; Lisa, who is a nanny in Queensland, Australia; Brett, who is a fire fighter and EMT, currently studying nursing in Hesston; and Brian, who is a student at Rosedale Bible College in Ohio. Brett is the only married child, his wife Traci is a student at McPherson College. It is speculated that their youngest, Brian, will one day return to the farm. Orville is an associate pastor at the Plainview Mennonite Church. He has served on the Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) Coop board and currently serves on the Council Resolutions Committee as representative for the local DFA District. He also serves on the Nickerson Co-op Board. Mary Jane has served on numerous committees and as a Sunday school teacher at their church. Please see a full list of our Chamber Member sponsors in the left column. Thanks to all those who participated. |
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Plan to Attend the Upcoming Chamber Legislative Forum The Chamber's Legislative Affairs Committee and AT&T invite you to attend the 2008 Legislative Forum, scheduled for March 29, 9:30-11:00 AM at Mennonite Manor in South Hutchinson.
All Reno County Legislators are invited to attend the forum. Members of the Chamber and the general public are encouraged to attend. There is no cost to attend these events. For more information regarding this event contact the Chamber at 662.3391 or online. |
| Advertisements Available in the 2008-2009 Chamber Membership Directory | |
The 2008-2009 Chamber Membership Directory will publish in late May and will be distributed to members in early June. Know is the time to place your ad and reach many members in our business community. Take advantage of this opportunity to reach the Reno County business audience by advertising in our Chamber directory. The directories are published in late April-early May, and personally distributed to up to 1,400 Chamber members and shown to prospective members. Give your ad a long shelf life by advertising in the Chamber Membership Directory! For more information or to place an ad in our directory contact Holly Schmidt at 662-3391 or hollys@hutchchamber.com |
| Hayes Sight & Sound Has Winning Bid | ||
Hayes Sight and Sound had the winning bid, and purchased the Bruce Springsteen painting, by Erik Wahl, from the Chamber's Annual Meeting. The painting will be on display in their showroom at 501 N. Main. All proceeds went to the Hutchinson Art Center. Thank you for all of those who submitted bids. Thank you for making this year's annual meeting a success. We would appreciate any feedback or suggestions that you may have. Please e-mail Holly Schmidt with your comments. |
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2008 Chamber Report
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