Huntingburg Chamber of Commerce

Calendar of Events

JULY 2003

1�� Huntingburg Merchants Association Meeting 7:30 am at Overtime

4 �� July 4 Holiday � Office Closed please attend the YMI Picnic at the City Park

5�� Huntingburg Chamber of Commerce Farmer�s Market begins each Saturday until October 4 from 7:00 am to Noon

10�� Huntingburg Foundation Board Meeting 7:00 am at OTH

11�� Huntingburg Museum Steering Committee meeting� @ 8:00 am

15�� Huntingburg Park Board Meeting at 5:45 pm at City Hall

16�� Chamber Board of Directors at 7:30 am at OTH

19�� Back Porch Concert 6:00 pm � SwallowTale � Celtic music

22�� Foundation Executive Committee Meeting 11:00 am at OTH

22�� Foundation Marketing Committee Meeting Noon at OTH

23�� Chamber Tourism Committee Meeting at 7:30 am OTH

26�� Huntingburg Foundation Gala at 6:00 pm at OTH

29�� Hispanic Outreach Board Meeting at 8:00 am

MEMBERSHIP IS OUR LIFEBLOOD

Membership is the life blood of our organization.� Yet even though it has such an overwhelming significance to the success or failure of our organization it is one of the hardest things to do.�

Normal shrinkage for a chamber is estimated at 5-10% annually due to turnover of businesses.� However, under a distressed economy such as we are currently experiencing, a chamber may loose a higher rate.� This year the Huntingburg Chamber has experienced 12% shrinkage.�

In years past shrinkage has been absorbed by new members and the Chamber has continued to grow.� With shrinkage this large, recruiting new members is even more important then in previous years.

Although membership is the �life force� of our organization, volunteers and staff really don�t want to be appointed to the task of recruiting new members.� But nobody is going to be a member of the chamber unless some one asks them and we are asking for your help in recruiting new members.

Often, people are reluctant to ask a new business associate to join the Chamber, because they are not sure of what they are selling.� The chamber is where the business community joins together to build the community, advocate for business interest, serves members and to empower businesses to accomplish what they could not accomplish alone.� Lets look at these individually.

Build the Community � the chamber is active in community issues and projects because business is interested in the quality of life for its employees.�� Employees who have the opportunity for social, cultural, and recreational pursuits are happier, healthier, and more productive workers.

Advocate for business interest � The chamber argues in favor of and actively supports initiatives and issues that strengthen the business climate in our city, county, region and state.

Serve our members � the chamber provides for programs and information to help members be more competitive.

Empower businesses � in our small community it is important to use collaborative efforts to be heard and recognized in the larger community of the international market place.

As business people, we understand the difficult economic times our community is experiencing and the tough business decisions that must be made daily.� One conscious decision that all of us have reached is that if we expect the economic climate to improve, we must make it happen, as a business community, working for economic development together.� Please ask your business associates to join us in this effort.

Buyer Beware

Scammers are using the �no call list� as a way to get personal information from consumers by saying that they are confirming information when registering.� Remember to be on the no call list, you need to contact the Indiana Attorney General�s office at 1-888-834-9969 and they will not contact you to confirm information at a later date.

A new product on the market suggesting you will never have to paint again after using their product may be too good to be true.�� Homeowners in Indianapolis have been disappointed with the product especially those in the historic district.� Be sure to ask for references and then ask those references how long it has been since they have had it done.

Farmer�s Market

SATURDAYS 7am � NOON

Rain or Shine! July 5-October 4

Market Street (behind Old Town Hall)

Tell A Friend

Mammograms are an important part of early detection and survival for breast cancer patients.� Women over the age of 40 are especially at risk of this disease.� The Tell A Friend campaign promotes breast cancer awareness and urges women to include mammograms as part of their preventative care routine.� If you would like to know more about Tell A Friend contact Christine Prior at (812) 683-5699.

October 3-5, 2003

The City of Huntingburg will lead the charge for the 2003 Herbstfest.� Please remember that this is your community�s festival and offer your support both financially and by being there.� You may contact Sara Songer at (812) 683-2211 with questions.

West Nile Virus

Protect Yourself

Most people infected with West Niles may experience only mild symptoms, but it can become more serious and has been fatal.� Make sure you protect yourself, your family, and your employees.

The best way to be protected from the West Niles Virus is to use a mosquito repellent that contains DEET.� Follow the directions on the package and be especially careful when using it on young children.

The best way to reduce the risk is to get rid of any standing water available for mosquito breeding.�� Many everyday outdoor accessories or low spots on company grounds can collect water to act as a breeding ground for mosquito.� Eliminate these.

A vaccination exists for horses and you may wish to discuss this with your veterinarian.� Check with Dubois Distributors for products that they have available to help reduce mosquito breeding.

First Annual BBQ Contest

In conjunction with the Huntingburg Merchant�s Old Fashion Bargain Days the Chamber will sponsor a BBQ contest on September 20.� Please contact Christine at (812) 683-5699 to sign up.

Serving Our Members

Serving our members is an essential part of the Chamber of Commerce and having board input is critical to developing an effective Program of Action.� The Chamber board would like to know what your thoughts are on making the Chamber a dynamic business association.� Please take time to think about the following questions and let a board member know what you think.

From your point of view, what are the Chamber�s most important positive characteristics?

From your point of view, what are the most apparent negative issues in regards to the Chamber?

If you could do anything you wanted to improve the Chamber, what would you do?

Are you willing to be a part of this vision for the Chamber?

Something for the

Fourth of July

The ball at the top of the flagpole upon which the American Flag is flown is called a �truck�.� On an official government installation, inside the truck is a .45 caliber bullet, a .38 caliber bullet, and a bullet from a M-16 rifle.� In the event a truck falls, it is designed to break into 13 pieces, representing the original 13 colonies.

At the base of each American flag flagpole on an official government installation is a box buried in concrete containing one saber, a .38 caliber pistol and a book of matches.� In the event the enemy overtakes the last government installation, the survivor is to defend the flag with the saber and pistol, and burn the flag with the matches so that the enemy does not capture the flag.

Have a great 4^th of July!

Golf Outing Results��

It pays to be a Gold Sponsor at the Huntingburg Golf Classic.� German American Bank finished first and third for the day while both of St. Joseph�s Hospital�s teams took home prizes at second and twelve place.�

1^st Place � German American Bank - 59

Mark Clemons, Gene Mattingly, Don Leper, & Craig Greenish.

2^nd Place � St. Joseph Hospital - 60

Chad Sturtevant, Scott Stienkamp, Charles Tollet, Jr., & Jim Terpestra

3^rd Place � German American Bank - 60

Dean Schmitt, Josh Morrison, Dale Alstadt, & Gene Thewes

4^th Place � Styline/OFS - 61

David Lubbehusen, Tony Eckert, Joe Schaefer & Brad Fleck

5^th Place � Old National Bank - 62

Phil Helmerich, Jason Schmitt, Mayor Bill Schmitt, & Bill Hauser

6^th Place � City of Huntingburg - 64

Ron Bowling, Ron Drew, Bill Land, & George Lewallen

7^th Place � Farbest � 64

Jerry Jones, Greg Meyer, Kurt Heise & Joe Michael

8^th Place � Bob Lueger�s - 66

Chesty Luegers, Jim McDaniels, Ron� Bellner, & Dave Siegel

9^th Place � Styline/OFS � 66

Doug Wurmnest, Phil Mehringer, Jennifer Abel, & Dave Schlaf

10^th Place � DMI Furniture

Rick Rosbottom, John Niehaus, Jeff Sibrel & Mark Gogel

11^th Place � United Minerals � 70

Terry Kissel, Shannon Baumgart, Jerry Douglas, & Denise Merkley

12^th Place � St. Joseph Hospital � 71

Ryan Sherer, Marlin Grey, Sheila Clark, Becky Rainford

Longest Putt on #3 & #12

Tony Eckert and Ron Bowling

Straightest Drive

Denise Merkley/United Minerals

Closest to the Pin on #8

Joe Michael/Farbest

Thanks to Our Sponsors

Thanks to all those companies who contributed to this year�s golf outing.� This function is a great way to meet and socialize with other businesspeople in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.� Put it on your calendar for next year.

Gold

German American Bank

St. Joseph Hospital

Styline Industries

Silver

Bob Luegers Motors

City of Huntingburg

DMI

Farbest Foods

Old National Bank

United Minerals

Bingham, McHale

Bronze

BR Associates

Brookside Village

The Brown Antique

Hudson Office

Supplies

Insight Communications

JH Rudolph

Universal Design

Woods Printing

Hotel Under New Ownership

What many of us refer to as the Dutchman Inn is under new ownership.� New resident to Huntingburg, Hemang Shah, has purchased the facility and are in the process of refurbishing the rooms.� Several of the rooms are completed and the hotel is open for business with free continental breakfast, King size beds, and an exercise room.

2003-2004 Chamber Board of Directors

President

Bill Land

City of Huntingburg

Vice President

Bob Brown

Brown Antiques

Secretary/Treasurer

Ken Schnaus

Integra Bank

Travis McQueen

Dubois County

Airport Authority

Gene Thewes

German American Bank

Maggie Kerkhoff

Styline/OFS

Robert Yost

Southwest Dubois County

School Corporations

Jim Hunsicker

NSWC Crane

Mary Mundy-Uebelhor

The Purple Plum

Staff

Christine Prior

Executive Director

Sharon Welp

Administrative Assistant

309 N Geiger Street

Huntingburg, Indiana 47542

(812) 683-5699

Fax: (812) 683-3524

[email protected]