40th Annual Chamber Christmas Creations Craft Show Nov 28
Come one, come all to the Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce 40th Annual Christmas Creations Craft Show and Sale. More than 45 vendors will be on hand offering a wide assortment of handmade craft items perfect for holiday decorating and gift giving.
The one day show is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov 28. Admission is free and is held at two convenient locations, the Fennimore Memorial building gym (860 Lincoln Avenue) and Fennimore Elementary School gym (860 Madison Street). Please use the 8th Street entrance to gym.
The Memorial building is also the site of a Scholastic Book Fair sponsored by Dwight Parker Library. The book fair offers a wide assortment of books and stocking stuffer items. They will be located along the front hallway of the Memorial building. Proceeds from the book fair are used to purchase items for the library.
Just across the hall in the Legion Annex Legion Auxiliary members will be serving food from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Menu items include coffee, juice, rolls, biscuits and sausage gravy along with a lunch menu. They will also be holding a silent auction of kitchenware items, some believed to be of collectible value.
Shop Local Weekend Nov. 27-28
Craft Show shoppers are also encouraged to “Shop Small” and take advantage of specials being offered by Fennimore area businesses during our two-day “Shop Local” promotion.
Download Shop Local & Small Business Saturday information
- BD’s Eagles Nest $1 off sandwich basket or $1 off pizza;
- Bender’s Foods, Cool Whip or Stovetop Stuffing 99 cents each;
- Carr Valley cheese, mention special and receive 15% discount;
- Carquest/Krantz, 5% discount on parts/products 11/27 & 28;
- Children’s Clothesline all clothing buy 1 get 2nd item free (no limit-must be of equal or lesser value;
- Creative Appeal 15% off merchandise (excluding consignment)
- Creative Appeal Bakery 15% off prepaid holiday bakery orders;
- Fennimore Depot Exchange 15% off storewide, sign up for gift basket give-a-way;
- Fennimore Lumber 20% Regal Rail;
- Fenway Tavern $1 off homemade bread bowl soup and sandwich;
- Future Creations 25% off in-stock & custom orders or 50% off all summer and second time around items;
- Hammerand Farms local produce – buy one get one free (produce only);
- Hardees BOGO Bacon Egg Biscuit breakfast special or BOGO Big Roast Beef during lunch hour;
- Hartig Drug (Friday only) buy one giftware item get 50% off second item, spend $25 on giftware and receive $5 off total purchase;
- Hometown Florist 25% cash and carry Nov 27 (hours 8 to 5 and Nov 28 8 to 4)
- Ideal Art Sources 50% off most items – in-store drawing for Terry Redlin plate.
- Kwik Trip offering pizza specials thin/$4.99 or Traditional $7.99;
- Lengthz and Lengthz x 2 (Saturday only) 30% off product or purchase a $100 gift certificate for just $80 – offer good through Dec 24;
- The Quilt Peddler 10% off all fabric and kits;
- Serendipity Salon and Day Spa Black Friday bag sale 15% off anything you can fit in our Serendipity bag or 15% off gift certificates (not good on services);
- Speedy Mart save $2 on a 2# bag (raw, deveined and peeled);
- Subway purchase a sandwich or salad ad get a bowl of soup for just $1;
- Sugar and Spice Bulk Foods holding annual open house – lots of free sampling and 10% discount when you mention our special;
- The Cottage Baker receive a gift certificate with a $15 purchase – also offering extended hours on Sat Nov 28 offering our delicious cream puffs and beverages prior t the Unity Tree lighting;
- Timothy’s Cafe Friday check out our breakfast, lunch and dinner specials. Saturday lunch special – order any menu lunch sandwich and receive our soup, salad and dessert bar as a Super Saturday bonus;
- World of Variety Black Friday bag sale 20% off and Saturday and Sunday $5 off (with in-store coupon on $10 minimum purchase).
Shop small and get the chance to win big with $1,300 in prizes paid out in Fennimore bucks. Simply fill out a form at any of the participating business locations on Friday and Saturday Nov 27 and 28. A total of $1,300 in prizes (paid in Fennimore Bucks) will be awarded to 21 winners as follows: Grand Prize $300 and twenty $50 winners. All entries will be merged together for a drawing on Monday, Dec 7 at noon during the December Chamber board meeting.
Prize money made possible by these generous sponsors:
Corporate Sponsors: American Bank, Fennimore Times/Reminder, Fennimore Good Samaritan Society, Goodman Gutters, Gundersen Boscobel Area Hospital and Clinics, Immuno-Dynamics and Wood Law Firm, LLC.
Gold sponsors: Nelson Properties, Brechler-Lendosky Insurance, Hall Automotive, Kwik Trip and Clare Bank.
Silver sponsors: Barb Romberg Photography, Fennimore Utilities and Midwest Builders, Inc.
American Express Small Business Saturday
In 2010 American Express started the Small Business Saturday promotion. Each year more and more shoppers have participated. An estimated 88 million people “Shopped Small” in 2014. This year could be even bigger!
In order for communities to grow and survive, our small businesses need to thrive. This year Fennimore has signed up with American Express to be part of their Small Business Saturday. Actually we are suggesting you “Shop Small” Friday and Saturday Nov 27 & 28. We thank American Express for providing the chamber and Fennimore businesses with their Small Business Saturday kits. You will notice large banners, rugs and canvas bags around town which were all provided free of charge to any business that requested them.
We realize you probably can’t purchase every item on your holiday list here in Fennimore. However if you visit our businesses you may be surprised of the wide assortment of merchandise and services offered here locally. Remember it is up to all of us to do our part to keep Fennimore thriving and our businesses profitable. Just think if you could purchase 50% of your gifts locally what a difference it could make right here where we live, work and play. Whenever there is a fundraiser or event for a special cause, local businesses are the first place asked to donate. It’s our turn for payback by “Shopping Local.”
Unity Tree Lighting Saturday Nov 28
City folk and Country folk are all invited to meet at the Unity Tree located between Dwight Parker Library and the gazebo for the Unity Lighting activities. Santa and Mrs Claus will arrive at 6:10 p.m. with the tree lighting ceremony to follow at 6:30 p.m.
Following the lighting of the tree, entertainment and refreshments will follow at the Memorial building.
Businesses, organizations, families and individuals are encouraged to sponsor lights on the tree in memory of or in honor of someone for a $5 donation per recognition. Recognition forms were mailed with city utility bills, or may be found at local places of worship, banks, City office or Dwight Parker Library. The deadline to have your sponsorship listed on the flier is Monday, Nov 23.
The “Friends of the Library” project will be the recipients of funds raised from this year’s Unity project
Fennimore Bucks Make Perfect Gifts
Can’t decide what to buy for hard-to-buy for businesses on your holiday list? Fennimore Bucks make perfect gifts for everyone of all ages. Fennimore Bucks may be spent the same as cash at any of our 100 plus chamber members businesses. Fennimore Bucks make a quick and easy gift while also supporting Fennimore Chamber members businesses. Fennimore Bucks are available starting at $5 and up; there is no processing fee added compared to charges for many of the gift cards. Fennimore Bucks order forms are available online. Send or call in your order in advance and the bucks will be ready for you to pick up at the Promotions Coordinator’s office. If it is more convenient, send a stamped self-addressed envelope and they will be sent to you. Orders received by Monday, December 21 will be processed in time for Christmas giving. Please note the office will be closed Dec 24, 2015 through January 1, 2016.
Fennimore Chamber Holiday Party
The fifth Annual Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce Holiday party will be held on Thursday, Dec 17 at Canterbury Garden from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. The Chamber board invites all members to join us for complimentary hors d’oeuvres and beverages. A cash wine bar will be available. Chamber members are encouraged to attend and to bring along their staff. This is a great networking opportunity, a time to reflect and celebrate all the great things that happened in the Fennimore business community in 2015. Chamber members are also encouraged to invite a non-chamber member to attend so they can learn more about why chamber membership is a good investment for their business and the community. There is no cost to attend however we would appreciate reservations by Dec 10 for food planning. Please call the Promotions Coordinator’s office 608-822-3599.
Rayovac to host Community Blood Drive on Tuesday December 1
Rayovac will host a community blood drive from 2:00 pm to 6:30 pm on Tuesday, December 1 at 100 Rayovac Court. The drives will be held in the MVRBC Donor Bus in the Rayovac parking lot. To donate, please contact Brian Day at (608) 822-3272 ext. 22524 or visit www.bloodcenterimpact.org. Walk in donors are welcome. A photo I.D. or MVRBC donor card is required to donate. For questions or eligibility, please call the MVRBC at 800-747-5401. Donors who last gave blood on or before 10/6/15 are eligible to give at this drive.
Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center is the provider of blood and blood components to more than 85 hospitals in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri and Wisconsin. In our area, MVRBC is the exclusive provider to Grant Regional Health Center in Lancaster; Memorial Hospital of Lafayette County in Darlington; Mercy Medical Center and UnityPoint Health – Finley Hospital in Dubuque; and Southwest Health Center in Platteville.
Cookie Walk – Dec 12
Members of the Bethany Women’s Group will host their annual Cookie Walk on Saturday December 12 from 8 to 11 am. or until they are sold out. Come early for best selection. The cookie walk will be held in the Legion Annex in the Fennimore Memorial building.
Choose from three box sizes, small, medium and large boxes sell for 7.99, 9.99 and 11.99. Cookie helpers assist with filling boxes as shoppers choose their holiday favorites. Simplifying your Holiday baking, giving a sweet holiday gift or buying a box just to enjoy are all good reasons to visit the cookie walk. Proceeds are used to fund camp scholarships and mission projects. For more information, call the Bethany Alliance Church at 608-822-6946
Fennimore Lions Club Birthday and Anniversary Calendars
The Lions Club is now collecting birthday and anniversary information for their March 2016 thru February 2017 community calendar. Please email info to garycham@tds.net the cost for each calendar is just $5 proceeds are used to support a wide variety of community projects, organizations and events.
To learn more about the great things the Fennimore Lions Club is involved with check out their website www.fennimore.lionsclub.org. The Lions Club’s Lucky 26 drawing is now in progress, a list of winners is listed on their website.
Alternate Side Parking
Just a reminder to those having family and friends visiting during the holidays that alternate side parking on all streets is in place through April 1, 2016. Vehicles are required to park on even numbered sides of the street on even numbered days and park on odd numbered sides of the street on odd numbered days. Keep in mind the day starts at midnight. For questions, please contact the Fennimore Police Department 608-822-3215.
Happy Thanksgiving
As we celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday it is only fitting for all of us to reflect on everything we have to be thankful for. Fennimore is a great place to live, work and play. That doesn’t happen by accident – it is made possible due to our local leadership efforts from everyone in the community. This column isn’t largest enough to list separately all of the volunteers, organizations, business owners and managers I’ve had the opportunity to work with during the past year. I’m wishing you and your loved ones a Happy Thanksgiving. I look forward to working with everyone in 2016.
Offices Closed for Holidays
City offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and Friday, Nov 26 and 27.
The Promotions Coordinator’s office will be closed Wednesday Nov 25 through Friday Nov 27.
