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Chamber Cafe raises funds for band [UPDATED]
Published 10:05am Thursday, January 10, 2013 Updated 12:09pm Thursday, January 10, 2013The Fergus Falls Chamber of Commerce hosted a “Chamber Café” Thursday morning at the library.
More than 60 members and guests attended the gathering to find out what’s going on behind the scenes in the community and with area businesses. 16 members had about three minutes to give business updates or promote upcoming events.
At the entry, Chris Buckingham from GoodTimes Wellness had free samples of healthy shakes or juices. Buckingham is a new Chamber member. He talked about his health and wellness business that opened on Lincoln avenue in May.
Tindy Rund from Fergus Falls Public Schools talked about area schools and introduced Denise Wiese, band leader for the Fergus Falls High School band. Weise talked about the schedule of the band going to the Presidential Inauguration parade, and encouraged people to watch for the bus leaving school and driving down Lincoln avenue around 3 p.m. on Thursday.
Also speaking were Mayor Hal Leland provided an update on County projects, Harold Stanislawski, Fergus Falls Economic Improvement Commission encouraging people to sign up early for the business expo on March 6, David Jensen from M State-Fergus Falls his “Dream Big” scholarship program. Barb Miller with a Lake Region Healthcare, Randy Fischer from Ringdahl Ambulance and EMS, Gretchen Boyum from Kaddatz Galleries and Chris Scheulke from the Otter Tail County Historical Society were on hand to give business updates.
Several people contributed information about the Frostbite Festival, coming up in Fergus Falls Feb. 1 – 3. Jill Fazio from United Way is organizing a BUNCO event, Luke Loeffler from Northern Aire Lanes provided information on the Battle of the Businesses bowling tournament Feb. 2, and encouraged teams to show up in costume. Dawn Calson said Trinity Lutheran School and Church will be having a family oriented Snowflake Factory event on Friday, Feb. 1, and Mick Siems said the Sertoma Fishing Derby will once again round out the end of the Frostbite Festival on Sunday at Pebble Lake.
At the end of the presentation, Erin Smith from Fergus Falls Public Library presented a slide show about the library, and discussed upcoming expansion plans.
“Chamber Cafe” is a bi-monthly casual gathering for members and the public to hear brief updates from City and County leaders, education, healthcare, chamber members, major employers, and non profits.
The cost is three dollars for members and eight dollars for the general public.
Fees collected from January’s meeting were donated to the Fergus Falls High School Marching Band to support their visit to the Presidential Inauguration Parade.
