An abundance of activities are planned for the month of November in Fennimore!
Small Business Saturday
In 2010, American Express started promoting their Small Business Saturday promotion. Each year more and more shoppers have participated. An estimated 88 million people “Shopped Small” in 2015. This year could be even bigger!
In order for communities to grow and survive our small businesses need to thrive. This year FACC has once again signed up with American Express to be part of their Small Business Saturday. Actually we are suggesting area residents “Shop Small” this entire holiday season. Many businesses have already signed up with American Express for FREE 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.
2016 Shop Small Win Big! Nov 18 – Dec 10
The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce marketing committee is pleased to announce the “2016 Shop Small – Win Big!” Shop Local promotion and Fennimore bucks giveaway. Last year’s Small Business Saturday promotion was deemed a success. The only changes being made this year is expanded time frame for entries. This year’s promotion will run from Deer Hunter’s weekend, November 18 through December 10. The drawing for this year’s Fennimore Bucks winners will be held Tuesday, Dec 13 during the Chamber’s “Life at the Crossroads” radio spot held at the Century 21.
Prize money will come from business sponsors, all promotional items will be paid for from marketing funds from profits from chamber fund raisers. Prizes will be paid in Fennimore bucks with one large prize winner and multiple $50 winners. See the 2016 Shop Small Win Big poster for participating business and their featured specials. Sign up at participating businesses between Nov 18 and Dec 10 for a chance to win Fennimore bucks. The drawing for this year’s Fennimore Bucks winners will be held Tuesday, Dec 13 during the Chamber’s “Life at the Crossroads” radio spot held at the Century 21. Winners need not be present to win.
The Fennimore Area Chamber of Commerce marketing committee would like to announce an addition to this year’s holiday promotions. They are asking businesses to join in the holiday spirit by displaying a holiday tree in their business place or if space doesn’t permit to put up a window display. This year’s holiday decorating will feature a Christmas tree theme . Businesses are encouraged to have decorations in place by Friday, Nov 18 the same time as the Shop Small – Win Big promotion begins.
In coordination with the Wisconsin Department of Tourism’s “Bundle Up” promotion the chamber marketing team suggests those businesses with trees consider turning the tree into a giving tree. Encourage employees and customers to bring in “warm” items to place on the tree. Warm items like hats, gloves, socks, scarves etc. are encouraged. All donations will be donated to those in need within the Fennimore area and Grant County. Please contact the Promotions Coordinator office or Joy Bussan at Carr Valley Cheese for more details.
Fennimore Chamber’s 41st Annual Christmas Creations Craft Show
Mark your calendar for Saturday, November 26 and plan to attend one of the largest and best quality craft shows in the Tri-State area. Two gyms will be full of vendors and high quality homemade items perfect for holiday decorating and unique shopping items. Christmas Creation will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Fennimore Memorial building (860 Lincoln Avenue) and Fennimore Elementary School (860 Madison Street), please use side door entrance. All vendor space is full for this year with a waiting list of vendors. The Chamber thanks long time craft show veteran, Jeri Novinska, for heading this committee.
Scholastic Book Fair
Dwight Parker Library will hold their popular Scholastic Book Fair Saturday, Nov 26 in the front hall of the Memorial building. A large assortment of books will be available for all ages along with smaller items perfect for filling stockings. Your support of this book fair allows the library to trade out books for our local library. So the book fair is a win-win for everyone.
Legion Auxiliary Offers Food
Auxiliary members will offer food in the Legion annex. During the morning they will offer biscuits and gravy cinnamon rolls, coffee and beverages. The lunch menu includes barbeque, hotdogs and homemade pie. They will be serving starting at 8 am through mid afternoon.
November 26 also date of Annual Unity Tree Lighting
The Annual Unity Tree Lighting Event will be held Saturday, Nov 26. The committees goal is to bring Fennimore area residents together to celebrate the joy of the coming holidays and to benefit a local project. We invite everyone to support the event by sponsoring a “recognition” for a local business, a civic organization, a loved one, a friend or a neighbor. This may also be done for an anniversary, graduation, marriage or another special event. The cost to participate is just $5.00 for each “recognition”. This year’s proceeds will be given to the Friends of the Fennimore Library projects to help with expenses for various projects in Fennimore’s’ beautiful Dwight Parker Public Library.
To kick off the Unity Tree Event, Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by Fire Truck at the gazebo on the Dwight Parker Public Library grounds to visit with the children of the community at 6:10 p.m. Holiday music will fill the air. At 6:30 p.m. there will be a ceremony to light the Unity Tree. Following the program, everyone is invited to come to the Memorial Building for refreshments, conversation and more holiday music . The evening is expected to conclude around 8:00 p.m.
Everyone is encouraged to participate in this community event, it promises to be another great evening! The committee also welcomes new members, please call 608-822-6557
Veterans Day Activities
Fennimore Veterans Day recognition will be held Friday, Nov 11 at Fennimore High School. The public is encouraged to attend the service and should arrive around 10:30 a.m. The program begins at 10:45 with the traditional moment of silence at 11 a.m. The program will have two speakers a FHS student and a Veteran.
Later that evening Veterans and their spouses are invited to a potluck dinner at the Legion annex starting at 6 p.m. A tribute will take place in honor of the veterans who have passed during the last year.
Kiwanis Pancake Supper
Monday, November 14 the Fennimore Kiwanis will hold another one of their popular Pancake Suppers at the Fennimore Legion Annex located within the Fennimore Memorial building.
Serving will be held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Tickets are available from any Kiwanis member or at the door.
Plans Begin for 4th Annual Taste of Fennimore
Members of the Chamber’s Taste of Fennimore committee has been meeting for the past two months on plans for the 2017 Taste event scheduled for Saturday, March 4, 2017. They are currently encouraging sponsorships and are enlisting vendors to showcase their cheese, meat, beer and wine and local fare during this popular event. Vendor space is limited and will be filled on a first come basis. The deadline for vendor registration is December 1.
Look for some new twists to this year’s competition and vendor line up. For more information on sponsorship or vendor space please contact any of the following committee members. Ryan Rands, Ben Wood, Joy Bussan, Tina Frye, Samantha Goss, Brad Bodenbender or Linda Parrish.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 4, 2017 and plan to join friends and neighbors for an afternoon of great food, beverage and conversations.
- 2017 Taste of Fennimore Vendor Letter and Registration Form
- 2017 Taste of Fennimore Sponsor Letter and Form
Fennimore Depot Exchange
The November Depot Exchange newsletter reports they are stocking the shelves with warm clothing and fall and winter merchandise perfect for holiday decorating. New items are added daily so stop by often to check out the treasures and bargains. The Depot will be closed on Thanksgiving day but will be open for all of those Black Friday and Small Business Saturday shoppers.
Thanks to all of the donations and for Depot Exchange customers the Food Depot was able to serve Fennimore area families in need in October. On Oct 5 forty-six families (129 people) and on Oct 19 forty-six families (120 people) were served by the Depot Exchange food pantry. If you would like to donate non-perishable food items, please place them in the basket near the cash register. Items they need most at this time include: vegetable beef soup, whole kernel corn, tuna, spaghetti sauce, canned fruit and shampoo.
With the onset of winter clothing being more bulky, the Depot is also in need of larger size shopping bags and zipper type bags used for displaying bedding items. These may be dropped off at the front counter. Last but not least the Depot is always in need of volunteers to help, stop by and talk to Shelly or Sheila to find out more details. High praise to the Depot Gals, Depot board and community volunteers that allow Depot to live up to their motto of “recycling goodness.”
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 120 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 sell addressed envelope and they will be sent to you. Orders received by Wednesday, December 21 will be processed in time for Christmas giving. Please note the office will be closed Dec 23, 2016 through January 2, 2017
Fennimore Lions Club Birthday and Anniversary Calendars
The Lions Club is now collecting birthday and anniversary information for their March 2017 thru February 2018 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 start 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 2017. City offices will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday and Friday, Nov 24 and 25. The Promotions Coordinator’s office will be closed Wednesday Nov 23 through Friday Nov 25.
