Chamber Chicken BBQ Celebrates 53rd Year!
The Chamber’s Annual Chicken BBQ is July 10 in the Fennimore Memorial building with serving from 4:30 to 7 p.m. or until all tickets are sold. Carry out meals are available. The delicious meal includes 1/2 BBQ Chicken, coleslaw, dinner roll/butter and beverage. Advance tickets are $11 or $12 at the door. Tickets are available at all local banks, Carr Valley Cheese, and Promotions Coordinator office until noon on Tuesday or at the door until all tickets are sold. Advance tickets are recommended.
The Chamber’s Annual Chicken BBQ has been held for many decades. It is believed the original BBQ was held at a cabin in rural Fennimore in 1951. Several Fennimore business owners organized the BBQ as a business networking and appreciation meal for business owners and their employees. Today that same tradition continues and has also been opened up to the entire community to network with business owners and community members.
The 37th Annual Chamber’s Annual Community Awards recognition will be held at 6:30 p.m. at which time they announce the 2018 Citizen of the Year, Family of the Year and Business of the Year and Organization of the Year. The Chamber will also recognize Casey’s General Store and Hickory Grove Golf Course who are each celebrating their 50th Anniversaries in business along with H & N Plumbing and Heating who is celebrating their 60th Anniversary in 2018.
Southwest Tech to Host U.S. Army Golden Knight Parachute Jump
Fennimore has a golden opportunity for a once in a lifetime activity on Monday, July 2 when Southwest Tech hosts the United States Army Golden Knight Parachute Team with a planned a jump into Southwest Tech west lot (the one just behind The Butcher Shop). The college is hosting the free event in celebration of the July 4 holiday and to honor military personnel, past and present. Gates open at 8 a.m. with the jump planned for 10 a.m. Everyone is invited to attend; this is a family friendly event with many activities planned for youth and some special surprises for veterans who attend.
Children will be able to help the parachute team pack parachutes, get autographs, and tour the helicopter. In addition, there will be a face-painter on site that day as well as an information table with special Southwest Tech prizes.
Officially named the Strategic Army Command Parachute Team, the group was formed in 1959. Since then, the team has conducted more than 16,000 shows in 50 states and 48 countries, breaking 348 world records.
2018 Steve Woodard and DoIt4Derek Baseball Camp – July 23-26
Mark your calendars now for the 2018 Baseball Camp! Plans are in place for the camp which includes some changes from last year. Just a reminder, the camps will run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. all 4 days.
For those of you unfamiliar with how our camp works, here is a quick run through of how it works. We offer a unique 4-day camp that offers 2 separate 2-day camps or the choice to go to all 4 days. The camps are taught by Steve Woodard (ex-Milwaukee Brewers Pitcher) and 6 of his former teammates and ex-Brewers players. We also have some very wonderful local coach volunteers that assist at all of the stations (10-12 coaches).
The first day of the 2-day camp focuses on the defensive aspect of the game. We teach your kids the correct way to throw and pitch (girls have a softball pitching instructor) and all players are taught proper defensive techniques as well, which includes proper fielding and defensive positioning. The second day focuses on offense and includes hitting, bunting, and running. The same structure occurs on the 2nd camp as well. 50% of the kids choose to go to all 4 days. On the final day of camp, the players will sign autographs for the kids. We also give away many items to the kids for hustling and listening as well. This year’s coaches are back by popular demand: Steve Woodard, Cecil Cooper, Jim Gantner, Pete Ladd, Willie Mueller, Bill Castro, Erin White and Paul Wagner.
The Fennimore Grid Iron organization will have an on-site concession stand going on during the four day tournament. In addition to the 4 day camp for kids, nightly events for families will be held. Plan to participate or just come and watch the fun and activities.
See the Do It 4 Derek page on this website or go to DoitforDerek.com for more information about the foundation.
The registration form is available online. The completed registration form and payment should be mailed to or dropped off at Brechler Insurance, 950 Lincoln Avenue in Fennimore, WI 53809. If you have any questions in regard to the camp, please do not hesitate to give Steve Lendosky a call at 608-988-6222.
Please note all of the proceeds (100% of them) from this event will go towards the Derek Lendosky Memorial Fund, which is directly responsible for local ballpark upgrades, multiple annual scholarships in local communities, and many other local projects. Check out the DoitforDerek.com website for more details about the foundation.
Shop Local for Fresh Produce and Plants
I’ve had a few calls asking if Fennimore Chamber will sponsor a Farmer’s Market this summer. The chamber has decided not to hold a farmer’s market but to rather encourage area residents to support local businesses offering fresh produce. Those businesses include: Hammerand Farm Market, Sugar and Spice Bulk Foods and Hummingbird Garden, Benders Foods who are all chamber members. Other options include Just Like Home, Fennimore Livestock, and the Fennimore Produce Auction.
Fennimore Brochure
With the recent opening of ATV/UTV routes in Fennimore and the fact less than a case of the current brochure is left the Chamber marketing committee reports it’s time to print a new Fennimore brochure. Once again, the Chamber will be working with the Shopping News on the set up and printing of the brochure. The brochure is made possible through the ad sales that are also done by Shopping News sales staff. The brochure is used as a promotional piece at businesses, area attractions and Wisconsin Travel centers. The brochure is also included in any recruitment materials prepared for potential new business and industry, those looking to relocate for a new job in the area and most recently retirees looking for a great place to buy a retirement home.
Those who advertised in the brochure previously will have the first right of refusal for the position on this year’s brochure. Since we are currently ready to run out of brochures we have a quick turnaround for the brochure, the advertising deadline is Tuesday, July 10. Brochure distribution will begin early August. Thank you in advance for your kind consideration to businesses for helping to support the brochure project.
If you would like to know more about the advertising opportunity contact the Promotions Coordinator’s office or your Shopping News sales representative.
Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce is recruiting some “Grouvie Kids”
The Chamber marketing committee has just invested in a new marketing program designed to help collect photos and videos of events to use in Fennimore marketing materials. The Chamber is recruiting Middle School and High School age students to assist the chamber at community functions to take photos and explain what the Grouve marketing program is all about and encourage people to get involved. Participants will get a chance to win Fennimore bucks. This is a great way for Fennimore Middle School and High School a chance to involved in community service by being one of the “Grouvie kids.” It’s a great activity to include while preparing scholarship applications. Please give me a call for more details.
The Grouve program will kick off July 10 during the chamber’s Chicken BBQ and Community awards.
Cooling Centers
With summer officially arriving on June 20 it also means we are getting close to some of the highest temperatures of the year. For those who do not have access to air conditioning to get a little relief from the heat Fennimore has the following cooling centers that are open to the public.
- Dwight Parker Library, Cathy Smith, 925 Lincoln Avenue, 822-6294 is open Mon-Thurs 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to noon.
- Southwest Tech, 1800 Bronson Blvd, 822-2401 contact Dan Imhoff for space available, hours open Monday-Thurs from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Good Samaritan Society, Grant Nerison, 1850 11th Street, 822-6100, they are open to the public from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, meals are available at guest price.
Fennimore Rescue Squad Recruiting Members
During the recent Fun Fest parade members of the Fennimore Rescue Squad part of the parade and were handing out fliers with information and application forms for those interested in learning more about being a member of the EMS squad. Some of the criteria needed includes: must be 18 years of age or older and have a valid drivers license.
As a member of the Fennimore Rescue Squad you may be called on to do CPR, extricate someone from a wrecked vehicle or just hold the hand of an elderly patient. Members do whatever is needed and whenever it is needed.
Want more information email fennems@tds.net or call 608-822-3766 and leave a message. Online fenninoreems.com – like them on Facebook.
Fennimore Scholarship Foundation Golf Outing
Fennimore Scholarship Foundation will hold their 5th Annual Golf outing on Saturday, July 21 at Hickory Grove Golf Course. Registration begins at 8 with tee of at 9 a.. sharp for the 4 person, 9 hole best ball outing. The fee per person is just $40 including cart; lunch and raffles will follow.
Pre-registration is needed by contacting Ben Wood, 1180 Jackson Street, Fennimore or email office@woodlawgrantco.com or via Facebook event page.
Chamber Hosts Circus Aug 5
As you make plans for summer activities there is a new event coming to Fennimore on Sunday, August 5. The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce will host the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus bringing two shows to Fennimore on Sunday, Aug 5 at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Watch for more details on the circus as they become available. Advance tickets will be available at area businesses.
163rd Annual Grant County Fair
Save the dates Aug 14-19 for the 163rd Annual Grant County Fair held at the fairgrounds in Lancaster.
The fair book is now available online www.grantcountyfairwi.org or Grant County Fair – Wisconsin
All event tickets are just $30 if purchased before July 1. Tickets may be purchased at the fair office or from any Grant County Board member. Any questions, please email aolson@co.grant.wi.gov
Community Events Calendar
Additional community events are added to the Fennimore online calendar events on a regular basis. Check things out www.fennimore.com/calendar
