AUGUST 2018 CHAMBER COFFEES CHAMBER CHATS NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR. Fridays at 9:30 AM

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1 AUGUST 2018 NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR Where has the summer gone? Life at the Chamber of Commerce has been non-stop this summer. As I have shared many times, if you can t find something to do in Cherokee, well you aren t looking very hard. The end of summer means back to school. The Iowa Tax Free weekend will be August 3-4. Remember to #ShopCherokee for all of your back to school needs. The Keep Cherokee Schools Strong committee will host the Chamber Coffee on August 3 at Roosevelt Elementary School. This is a great opportunity to educate yourself before the bond election on September 11. Remember: Strong Schools = Strong Community. As school starts back up, we are also looking forward to our second year of the Partnership in Excellence program. Last year we had 19 businesses paired with classrooms in the elementary and middle school. We may have the opportunity for a few more businesses this year, so give me a call at soon if you want to participate. With the change of season, come a new set of events. The 12 th Annual Scarecrow contest will take place in September. Entry information on this is included in this newsletter. You can either register with the paper form or go online to: form.jotform.com/ Be sure to read your weekly blast or visit our website for other upcoming events. Julie Hering Kent Executive Director Cherokee Chamber of Commerce 1 CHAMBER COFFEES Fridays at 9:30 AM August 3 Roosevelt School August 10 Cherokee State Bank August 17 OPEN August 24 OPEN August 31- Cherokee County Soil & Water CHAMBER CHATS Every Tuesday on KCHE August 7 ISU Extension August 14 Cherokee County Farm Bureau August 21 OPEN August 28 Exit Realty 2018 CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS Terri Brown Perspective Insurance, President Amber Thorson Burkhardt & Dawson, Vice President Jill Byers Cherokee State Bank, Secretary/Treasurer Stephanie Zarr Exit Realty, Past President Jared Koch Cherokee State Bank Amy Loughlin Underground Clothing Cheryl Ellis AgCom Insurance Donna Beier Blooming House Kim Rupp Careage Homecare Kris Badker Kim Lingenfelter Cherokee Schools Zach Freking-Smith Cherokee Public Library Dylan Nelson High School Youth Advisors Payton Haberg High School Youth Advisor Julie Hering Kent Executive Director Leah Niemeier Marketing/Office Assistant

2 AUGUST EVENTS August Art Wall Kimberly Baxter Packwood Program: Meteor Mania Wednesdays, August 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29 4:00-5:00 PM Sundays, August 5, 12, 19 & 26 4:00-5:00 PM Saturday, August 11 8PM 11PM Meteors, A Movie & More! Tuesday, August 28 10AM 12PM Coffee With the Curators Cherokee Area Farmers Market Every Thursday June thru September 4:00 6:00 PM At the Cherokee Depot Fresh Produce, grown locally. Craft items made by the people who sell them! Vendors welcome! For information please call:

3 CHAMBER BOARD MEMBER ELECTIONS COMING SOON In October we will have our annual elections for 4 Chamber Board of Directors seats whose terms expire in December. According to our Chamber of Commerce by-laws, this is how the process works: The current board of Directors will select a nomination committee of outgoing board members. This committee will search for candidates to run for a three year term. Any member in good standing may be a candidate for the Board of Directors. The committee must submit 4, but not more than 8 names for the membership to vote. In October you will receive voting ballots. Each member shall vote for 4 candidates. All ballots must be returned to the Chamber by the end of October. We are looking for candidates who will take an active role in helping the Chamber fulfill its mission and serve its members. Board members will be asked to participate in monthly meetings, be an active member in Chamber events, be creative with ideas for new ways to do projects and to generate revenue, and promote Cherokee, with a POSITIVE attitude and outlook. Would you be willing to serve a 3 year term on the Chamber Board? How about someone you know or feel would be an asset to the board. Please give Julie a call if you are interested or if you want to suggest someone who you feel would be a good board member. Please contact the Chamber at with any questions. SALES TAX HOLIDAY The 17th annual Iowa Sales Tax Holiday will be Friday and Saturday, August 3 and 4, Qualifying clothing or footwear with a selling price of less than $100 will be exempt from sales and local option tax. The holiday does not include Sunday. Businesses that are open on these days and sell qualifying items are required to participate. Lists of taxable and exempt items are available on the Iowa Department of Revenue web site at Information on how to apply the tax to layaway and mail order items, rain checks, gift certificates, coupons, and exchanges is also available. 3

4 Cherokee Trail Expansion Project: Fundraising has begun for the Cherokee trail expansion project! This project begins with the purchase of 50 acres of land that represent the last real estate needed to develop a connected trail system. The initial hurdle of acquiring the property from Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation is to raise $250,000. Once the property is acquired, it will allow development of an additional 2.25 miles of paved trails in a safe and scenic environment. The project will also restore the natural habitat of the land and add 1.5 miles of multi-use nature trails within the property. The trails will provide education opportunities, including outdoor classrooms, historical recognition sites and pollination gardens. The cost estimate for the entire project (including the land acquisition) is $1.1 million. The Trail Committee has been busy submitting grant applications and is now requesting donations from our community. You can support this project through a check/cash donation, a pledge card commitment up to 5 years (automatic withdrawal of payment is available) or a donation of grain. Donations can be made payable to the Cherokee Community Foundation - Trails, a tax exempt (501(c)(3)) corporation. Donations and pledge cards can be dropped off at City Hall. Each gift or pledge of $1,000 or more will be recognized on the new site. The Trail Committee is very grateful for all of the support this community has provided. Cherokee Trails Pedal Paddle Plod Saturday, August 18 Come join in on this fun triathlon hosted by the Cherokee Trail System. This even will consist of a 12 mile bike ride, 2 mile kayak paddle around Spring Lake, and a 2.2 mile walk/ run. You can enjoy this even as an individual or a team of 3. Athletes ages 14 and up can compete - rain or shine! Kayaks and life vests will be available to borrow for the paddle portion of the event if you do not have your own. Helmet is mandatory for cycling and a life vest is required for paddling! Pre-registration requested by August 15. Register online at: 4

5 CHEROKEE - Your Place to Be th Annual Scarecrow Contest Entry Form Please, PRINT all information and complete every field. NAME: For FALL Y all CONTACT PERSON: ADDRESS: CITY: STATE, ZIP PHONE: Please assign our Scarecrow to a spot on Main Street Our Scarecrow will be placed in front of our Business OR Or if you d rather enter online please go to: Important Information and Contest Rules Contest is open to any group, business, family or individual regardless of age. 1 entry per group, individual, or family. All Entry forms must be received by Friday, August 31, Entries may be set up beginning at noon on Friday, September 14th and must be in place by Saturday, September 15th at 5:00 pm. 2. All scarecrows must remain on display outdoors September 15 thru October 20, and therefore are required to be able to withstand the elements. Scarecrow may be picked up anytime after October Entrants are responsible for transporting, installing and maintaining their scarecrow display. Note: All entries must be no taller than 7 ft. high. Each entry must be prepared to sit or stand on its own prop. No props will be provided. All scarecrows must be named, use a small sign no larger than 11 x You will receive a map of Contact: where Julie@CherokeeIowaChamber.com your scarecrow is to placed Phone: when you return your

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7 AUGUST 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat July 29 5 July 30 July 31 6 Rotary 12pm CRMC Foundation Golf Tournament 10:30 am WITCC 7 ISU Extension Lions Dairy Queen- Children's Miracle Network Blizzard Treat Day 9 3 Roosevelt School 10 Cherokee State Bank 4 MILL CREEK FESTIVAL 11 Meteors, Movie & More 8pm Rotary 12pm CRMC Ladies Foundation Golf Tournament 2:30PM 20 Rotary 12pm 14 Cherokee County Farm Bureau 21 OPEN Lions First Day of School 17 OPEN 24 OPEN 18 Cherokee Trails Pedal, Paddle, Plod 8:30am Rotary 12pm 28 Exit Realty Cherokee County Soil & Water Sept 1 O Halloran International All Wheels Show 12pm-3pm 7

8 Cherokee Chamber of Commerce 201 West Main Street Cherokee, IA