The Waukon Chamber of Commerce Announced the Winner of its First Annual Holiday Window Decorating Contest

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1 D E C E M B E R Nov. 30-Dec. 28 (only Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun) Helping Service's Holiday Lights (Pulpit Rock Campground, Decorah) Nov. 30-Dec. 17 Allamakee County Farm Bureau Hat and Mitten Drive (Allamakee County Farm Bureau, Waukon) Sat. Nov. 30 Queen Jean Quilting Grand Opening (Queen Jean Quilting, Waukon) Small Business Saturday (Wauk on) Helping Service's Holiday Lights 5K (Pulpit Rock Campground, Decorah) Tue. Dec. 3, 10, 17 and 31 Tuesday Story Time (Robey Memorial Library) Thu. Dec. 5 Blood Drive (Farm Bureau Building, Waukon) Fri. Dec. 6 Wine Tasting (Waukon Greenhouse) Tue. Dec. 17 Amish Haystack Supper (Waukon Banquet Center) Mon. Dec. 24 Christmas Eve Tues. Dec. 25 Christmas Day Mon. Dec. 31 New Year's Eve The Waukon Chamber of Commerce Announced the Winner of its First Annual Holiday Window Decorating Contest The Waukon Chamber of Commerce would like to congratulate all of the businesses that illuminated their windows with lights and decorations in time for our first annual Holiday Window Decorating Contest! Three Community Members voted on creativity, originality and appearance to determine the winner. The votes were only separated by one point, but the Holiday Window Decorating Contest Winner is Jim's Appliance/JW Kitchens. The winning businesses received a gift basket filled with winter goodies. The Waukon Chamber of Commerce would also like to announce the Honorable Mentions. These two businesses didn't win out grand prize; but have been chosen by the judges as exceptional and deserve recognition. Honorable Mentions go to Stranded Memories and Queen Jean Quilting. The Waukon Chamber would like to thank all of the following businesses for decorating their windows: A OK Well, Allamakee County Extension Office/4-H, Allamakee Realty LLC, Cote Color, Cunningham Hardware, Elliott Jewelers, Epic Wear, Ewing Real Estate & Auctions, Fareway, Fidelity Bank, GFMutual/Cook's Insurance, Good Samaritan Society, Hardees, Hartig Drug, Howards, JaDecc's, Jim's Appliance/JW Kitchens, KNEI, Kwik Star, Lucky Finds, Micah Lynn, Mosaic, Queen Jean Quilting, Rockweiler's, ShopKo, St. Patrick's Thrift Store, Steel Cow, Stranded Memories, Studio M, Teslow's, Village Farm & Home, Waukon Greenhouse, Waukon Harley and Waukon State Bank. Small Business Saturday Small Business Saturday is a day dedicated to supporting small businesses across the country. Founded by American Express in 2010, this day is celebrated every year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This year, Small Business Saturday is on November 30th.

2 P A G E 2 The Waukon Chamber of Commerce is a volunteer association of businesses, industries, professionals and individuals working together to enhance the general business climate of the Waukon area. Waukon Chamber Seeks Nominations The Waukon Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations from community residents for Waukon s Years of Service, New Business of the Year, Business of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Person of the Year honor. The Chamber will bestow the honor upon more than one individual/ group or local business fitting the following award s criteria. Years of Service Awards: Is your business celebrating an anniversary in 2014? If your business has been around 5, 10, years in business (5 year increments), we want to recognize you. New Business of the Year: The New Business of the Year Award, presented by the Waukon Chamber of Commerce, is going to be given each year to a business that offers high-quality products or services, demonstrates strong ethical standards, exhibits leadership with its employees and clients and within its industry and is active in the community. Criteria: In business for at least one year, locally owned or locally owned franchise and an active member of the community. Business of the Year: The Business of the Year Award, presented by the Waukon Chamber of Commerce, is going to be given each year to a business that offers highquality products or services, demonstrates strong ethical standards, exhibits leadership with its employees and clients and within its industry and is active in the community. Criteria: In business for at least five years, locally owned or locally owned franchise and an active member of the community Volunteer of the Year: Person who is exemplifying the spirit of Waukon through dedication and service to the community; making a difference in the community with active and enthusiastic volunteerism; being a leader-defined by actions, not title-by instilling their own community pride, high personal standards and values in others around them; and serving as a positive role model to this community s future generations of leaders by demonstrating integrity, character and trustworthiness. Person of the Year: Person who is exemplifying the spirit of Waukon through dedication and service to the community. Someone who is making a difference in the community by bring financial and/or non-financial benefits to Waukon through their efforts. It is suggested that entrants should be able to show evidence of some or all of the following: Developed and implemented strategic business plans, implemented plans to achieve growth and improve Waukon and has actively taken steps to exceed customer expectations. Nomination forms can be picked up at the Waukon Chamber of Commerce office, located at 101 West Main Street. Forms should be returned to the Chamber office by December 30, Those nominating people for this award are reminded that it is the quality of the nomination that determines the award winner, not the quantity of letters in support of the nominee. The nominations and ensuing awards are intended to be a surprise to the deserving individuals, so it is encouraged that they are not informed of their nomination. Individuals/groups or local businesses with be honored at the Chamber s annual meeting. For more information, contact Waukon Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Stephanie Dugan at or waukoncc@mchsi.com.

3 V O L U M E 1, I S S U E 1 P A G E 3 Holiday Parade Raises Money and Food for Local Pantries The spirit of the season was evident at the recent holiday lighted parade in Waukon, sponsored by the Waukon Chamber of Commerce. Parade-goers and participants donated 294 cans of food, which was split between the Allamakee County Relief Office and the Allamakee County Food Shelf. Please keep in mind that both organizations are always looking for both monetary and food donations. For more information on how to donate, contact the Food Shelf at or the Relief Office at WAUKON AREA COMMUNITY CELEBRATION OF CHRISTMAS The Allamakee Ecumenical Choir will present A CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS service on Sunday, December 15, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Patrick s Catholic Church, 101 Second Street, S.W., in Waukon. Area clergy will read the lessons and carols will be sung by the choirs and congregation while accompanied by organ and trumpets. Choral numbers will be presented by the Ecumenical Choir, Ecumenical Men s Choir, and Ecumenical Children s Choir. Musical selections will also be presented by the St. John s Lutheran Church Youth and Senior Handbell Choirs. The program is prepared and directed by James Bieber. The public is invited to attend and share in this joyous community celebration of Christmas. A reception will follow in the church basement. 2nd Annual Holiday Merchant Madness Punch Card Promotion The Waukon Chamber of Commerce is promoting the 2nd Annual Holiday Merchant Madness Punch Card Promotion. Everyone is invited to play the rules our simple costumers our asked to fill a card with purchases from at least three different participating merchants. Merchants will validate the card for the amount purchased in $5 increments. There is a limit of $90 that may be punched by one merchant for a purchase. Sign your name on the finished card and drop them off at any participating business. There is no limit on how many cards you can fill, but you can only win one prize. Prizewinners of Waukon Chamber bucks will be drawn at the Waukon Chamber Office Monday, January 6, Winners will be contacted by the Waukon Chamber, and listed in the Waukon Standard. The more a customer shops locally, the more times they can be entered in the drawing. Participating merchants include: Cunningham Hardware, Elliott Jewelers, Empty Nest Winery, Epic Wear, Fareway, Floors Plus, LLC, Waukon Hardees, Hartig Drug, Howards Home Furnishing, JaDecc's, Jim's Appliance/JW Kitchens, Waukon Kwik Star, Main Feature/Ironridge Church, Waukon ShopKo, The Standard, Vet's Club, Village Farm & Home, Waukon City Club, Waukon Greenhouse, Waukon Harley, Waukon Power Sports, West Side Waukon Lumber. For additional information, call Stephanie Dugan at Retirement Party for Chuck Bloxham A retirement party for longtime KNEI radio personality & manager Chuck Bloxham will be on Wednesday December 18th from 4 to 6pm at the Vet's Club in Waukon. Come and congratulate him and share your memories of listening to Chuck over the years! Chamber members, area business owners, employees, friends and the general public are invited to this get together.

4 P A G E 4 The Waukon Chamber of Commerce is a volunteer association of businesses, industries, professionals and individuals working Vlora brings a unique dining experience to Main Street in downtown Waukon By The Standard Vlora, a new restaurant located on Main Street in Waukon, opened for business November 4. The proprietor, known only as "Mario," has been a cook for 29 years and took the title of "chef" nine years ago. Most recently, Mario was the chef at the Oelwein Cafe in Oelwein. Originally from Michigan, Mario has two grown daughters. Mario says that he wanted to work for himself and was inspired by his customers, who he enjoys seeing happy. In addition to his desire to serve Waukon area residents great food, Mario says that his main reason for opening his business in Waukon was to help the town rebuild after flooding this spring. He says that seeing the joy of his customers and being able to offer jobs to families in the Waukon area have been the most rewarding aspects of starting his own business. He added that everything about getting his business started has been challenging but that "if you love what you do, that doesn't matter." His good food, how much he cares for his customers, and the pride he takes in the food he prepares (down to the way his food smells, looks and tastes) and reasonable pricing are what Mario says make Vlora unique. Mario hopes to continue to bring joy and good food to his customers in his unique restaurant for many years to come. Vlora is open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, with breakfast served all day every day. Mario hopes that everyone will stop in to try his food and to ask about any specials. together to enhance the general business climate of the Waukon area. NICC Open Enrollment Please contact NICC to recieve a document listing all business training classes offered through NICC. Queen Jean Quilting was presented with Their 1st Dollar The Waukon Chamber of Commerce presented Queen Jean Quilting with their 1st Dollar and welcomed them to Waukon. Although the shop is already opened, Jean Brink would like to announce that the grand opening will be on the 30th of November! She will be adding more fabrics to the selection already available. Jean welcomes everyone to come by and check out her shop. Pictured below are Sherrie Hunstad, Tracey Brink, Jean Brink and Dave Herold.

5 V O L U M E 1, I S S U E 1 "Produce Iowa" Asks for Scenic Iowa Photos P A G E 5 Ace of Spades Saloon opens its doors on Spring Avenue in downtown Waukon By The Standard The Ace of Spades Saloon opened for business October 24 at 7 Spring Avenue in Waukon. Owner Dillon Dietrich and Manager Matt Doubek, both Waukon High School graduates, say they hope to provide a new place for area residents to have a good time in a relaxing, upbeat and welcoming atmosphere. Originally from Waukon, Dietrich said he also wants to try and make Waukon a better place to live and associate with others. Dietrich describes Ace of Spades Saloon as a fun place for all ages with a clean, friendly atmosphere where area residents can enjoy their favorite beverages, events, cards and leagues. He says the most rewarding thing about opening his business in Waukon has been the opportunity to restore and remodel a downtown building. He added that he is very excited to meet and get to know the great people of Waukon and the surrounding area. In the future, Dietrich says he hopes to make the upper floor of the building handicap accessible so that the banquet hall located there is usable by more people. The Ace of Spades Saloon is open Monday through Thursday from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. For more information, call By Travel Iowa Do you have a home or property in Iowa that could be featured in a movie? Do you know of a scenic Iowa view that should be seen on the silver screen or as a backdrop in a catalog? If so, Produce Iowa-- State Office of Media Production is asking you to submit photos and information to their website, produceiowa.com. The photos will be compiled and included in Produce Iowa's Media Production Directory, a free searchable database that will be available to film and media production companies. Working Together Is Winning Together! Congratulations To All of The Waukon Indians Teams on Their Great Seasons! Stranded Memories was presented with Their 1st Dollar The Waukon Chamber of Commerce presented Stranded Memories with their 1st Dollar and welcomed them to Waukon. Stop in today for some coffee, hot chocolate, apple cider or tea while you browse their beautiful inventory. If they don t have what you are looking for they WILL find it for you! Pictured below are Dave Herold, Donna Fletcher, Cindy Shogren and Sherrie Hunstad.

6 Waukon Chamber of Commerce 101 West Main St. Waukon, IA If you would like to receive newsletters electronically