The Chamber office will be closed Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23 for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will reopen on Monday, November 26.
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Chamber!
Ryan Myers Wins $1,000 Jack Frost Jackpot Prize
Updated 12/17/18:
The Jack Frost Jackpot has come to an end for 2018. Congratulations to Ryan Myers, the winner of $1,000 in chamber gift certificates! Myers (right) works at KSR in Pontiac and is pictured below with Paul Kelly (left), chamber board member.
Following is a list of $20 chamber gift certificate winners:
Ben Diaz
Chip Ferguson
Jenn Steidinger
Amy Smith
Brad Solberg
Tim Johnson
Kathy McMillan
Rhonda Myers
Dawn Eckhoff
Manker Family
Thanks to all who participated!
Original:
The Chamber is excited to kick off a new holiday raffle, the Jack Frost Jackpot! One lucky winner will receive $1,000 in Chamber gift certificates – good at more than 200 business in the Pontiac area. Ten second place winners will each receive $20 in Chamber gift certificates. Don’t delay in purchasing your tickets! Quantities are limited so visit the office staff or see a board member to get yours today.
Mechanics:
- $20 per ticket. Only 200 tickets will be sold.
- Qualified to join are all those who have purchased and paid their ticket/s within the selling period.
- All raffle stubs should be legibly filled out with complete name, address and phone number.
- Tickets are available for purchase between November 7 and December 12, 2018.
- Winner will be drawn live on WJEZ radio on Friday, December 14.
- Winner need not be present to win.
Prizes:
- 1st Prize: $1,000 in Chamber Gift Certificates
- 2nd Prize: (10 winners) $20 Chamber Gift Certificate
Purchase your raffle ticket from any Chamber board member or at the Chamber office.
Congratulations ATHENA Winner, Kristy Masching
This year’s ATHENA Award Luncheon honored Livingston County Clerk and Recorder, Kristy Masching. Masching has been an integral part of civic life here in Livingston County for over 15 years, and the results of the recent election mean she will continue to serve the County for more years to come.
The luncheon featured a speech from Linda Lambert, of Heartland Community College. Lambert discussed the importance of leadership as it impacts education,
and in particular, the way that local leaders influence education.
She was followed by Cathi Coppinger of WJEZ who introduced the Margo Kennedy Memorial Scholarship, in honor of the late Margo Kennedy. The scholarship will be used to fund education for non-traditional female students. Contact the Chamber for more information or to make a donation.
The event closed with Mindi Terrell’s introduction of Masching and Masching’s words on her career in Livingston County.
We’re proud to have you in our community, Kristy! Thanks for being a local leader.
How To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
Identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information and uses it without your permission. It is a serious crime that can wreak havoc with your finances, credit history, and reputation – and it can take time, money, and patience to resolve.
Jordan Harcharik, from SOCU, educated a group of chamber members on how to reduce the risk of identity theft happening to them and shared tips on how to help repair damage that identity theft can cause.
10 Things You Can Do To Avoid Fraud
- Spot imposters
- Do online searches
- Don’t believe your caller ID
- Don’t pay upfront for a promise
- Consider how you pay
- Talk to someone
- Hang up on robocalls
- Be skeptical about free trial offers
- Don’t deposit a check and wire money back
- Sign up for free scam alerts from the FTC at ftc.gov/scams
Three Roses Bed & Breakfast to Host November Mix & Mingle
Three Roses Bed & Breakfast will be hosting the November Mix & Mingle on Thursday, November 8 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Come join us at 209 E. Howard Street, Pontiac.
It will be a free evening of socializing and great food. Everyone is welcome.
RSVP no later than Friday, November 2. Call 815.844.5131 or email admin@pontiacchamber.org.
Enbridge Energy to Host October Mix & Mingle
Enbridge Energy will be hosting the October Mix & Mingle on Thursday, October 4 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Come join us at 21979 N 1500 East Road, Pontiac.
It will be a free evening of socializing and great food. Enjoy Jolly Trolley rides to tour the facility. Everyone is welcome.
RSVP no later than Friday, September 28. Call 815.844.5131 or email admin@pontiacchamber.org.
Steamy Weather Didn’t Deter the Threshermen’s Parade
The annual Threshermen’s Parade kicked off on Sunday, September 2. The weather was a bit hot and steamy, but the crowds still came out in droves to watch this annual tradition. Folks enjoyed the steam engines, bands such as PTHS and Flanagan-Cornell, the South Shore Drill Team, the Shriners and, of course, lots of tractors.
Thank you to Mark Osmond for being the voice of the parade every year along with Lane Linstrom for the sound system. Your team work makes the parade a great success.
In addition, a special thank you to the FFA and the Dancenter for sending kids to help carry the sponsor signs through the parade. We couldn’t make the day work without you. And a shout out to the LACC Law Enforcement Club for helping at the barricades around the parade formation.
And last but not least, thank you to all of our sponsors for making this year’s parade such a success and especially our major sponsors. This parade continues to be such an vibrant tradition due to sponsors financial support!
Sponsors:
Bernardi’s II
Compeer Financial
Country Insurance & Financial Services – David Rapp
Country Insurance & Financial Services – Marlon Eilts
Dairy Queen – Pontiac
Dimond Bros. Insurance, LLC
Driscoll Motor Company Inc.
Duane C. Kiesewetter
Durham Electric Co.
Fellheimer Law Firm
First Financial Bank
Fogarty’s Garage
Fraher Ford Inc.
Gem’s Carpet Cleaning Plus
Graymont Cooperative Association
Illinois American Water
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
Joan Bullard Realty
Kelly Electric Inc.
Livingston County Board of Realtors
Livingston County Farm Bureau
Livingston County War Museum
Lucille M WiechmannMcCoy Construction Company
Midwest Dental
Old Log Cabin
Panno Realty
PH Lannon & Co
Pontiac Family Eye Care, LLC
Randy Sancken Farming & Trucking
SOCU – Pontiac
Stamps Body Shop
State Bank of Saunemin
State Farm Insurance – Lisa Kelley
Stilwell Insurance
Striegel Knobloch & Co.
Superior Landscaping
The General Store
Three Roses Bed and Breakfast
Weathersby’s Livingston County Cleaning Supplies
Issues & Eggs – Livingston County Drug Court
Livingston County
Launches Drug Court
When: Wednesday, September 12, 7:30 am
RSVP: No later than Monday, September 10
Where: Pontiac Family Kitchen, 904 W. Custer Ave.
Cost: $10 for members / $15 for non-members
Throughout the country Drug Courts have been extensively researched and have been found to reduce recidivism, ensure client compliance, and save money. After more than a year of planning and preparation the Livingston County Drug Court officially began in March 2018 with a goal to use a combination of accountability and treatment to support and compel drug-using offenders to change their lives and improve the community by reducing drug-related crime.
Livingston County State’s Attorney Randy Yedinak and Circuit Judge Jennifer Bauknecht will give an update the how the program is going.
RSVP no later than Monday, September 10 to 815.844.5131 or admin@pontiacchamber.org
Threshermen’s Parade….Sunday, September 2 Rain or Shine
The annual Threshermen’s Parade on Sunday, September 2 and steps off at 1:15 pm rain or shine!
As always it will wind through the streets of downtown Pontiac. It starts at the Mill Avenue bridge and winds it way to Madison and turns right and then turns right on Main Street.
Currently, the weather currently looks to be a little hot and humid that day with scattered thunderstorms.
Between 10,000 and 15,000 people come to see the parade each year. Hope to see you there!!!!
If you have any questions, contact the Pontiac Area Chamber at 815.844.5131.
Map of Parade Route (starting south of Mill Street bridge)
Lunch & Learn – Pontiac Community Heart & Soul
Phase II: Pontiac Community Heart & Soul
When: Thursday, August 23 @ noon
Where: Pontiac City Hall, 115 W Howard Street
Cost: $10 for members, $15 for non-members
Come find out how you can be part of the city’s Community Heart & Soul initiative. The program kicked off in mid-April and is now moving into the second phase, Explore Your Community. To help gather residents’ stories and build relationships across divides, the organization is hosting small, community-driven events such as Thirsty Thursday Topics and Rock the Block cook-outs. These community driven events will help organizers better understand the needs of the city.
To learn more about the Pontiac Community Heart & Soul project and to stay up-to-date on the progress, follow us on Facebook @PontiacCommunityHeartandSoul or sign up for our e-newsletter by emailing us at heartandsoul61764@gmail.com You can text or call us at 815-419-7015 with any further questions you might have.
Community Heart & Soul is a proven process that actively seeks the collective wisdom of all residents, including those whose voices are missing and brings people together to build stronger, healthier, and more economically vibrant communities. This resident-driven model takes into account both the unique character of a town and the deep emotional connection of the people who live there – a town’s “Heart & Soul®.” For more information on the Community Heart & Soul process, visit orton.org.
To pay by credit card call the chamber office at 815.844.5131.