February/March 2014 Newsletter
Dates to Remember:
“To be successful, you have to have your heart in your business,
March 17
March 20
March 21-22
March 31
April 7
April 8
April 14
April 15
and your business in your heart.”
-Thomas Watson, Sr.
Dueling Pianos
March 7, 2014
8-11 pm
Ted Oliver Productions Dueling Pianos lit up the pianos at 8 pm and played until
11 pm with people singing and dancing the entire night. Strikers Lounge provided
the cash bar that evening.
Ted and Dan took requests from the audience and also made sure to get a few
laughs in from the crowd while playing their baby grand pianos. Bill Schimmel put
on a spectacular Elvis impersonation. There were several crowd members that
got on stage to perform their smooth dance moves.
St. Patrick’s Day
First Day of Spring
Noble RV Open House
Wee Care Tip Night at Pizza Ranch
Stew Morning Lions Meal with A-Peel 4:30-6:30
The World of Downsizing Class 7 pm
Assisi Heights Brunch & Tour 11:30
Social Security Class 7 pm High School
Chamber Board
President:
Robert Hruska, Fareway Foods
Past President:
Deann Stowers, Skip N Dales
Vice President:
Melissa Leuning, Teigen Paper & Supply
Board Members:
Jeff Bagniewski, Dairy Queen
Al Chihak, Mystic Moon Antiques
Matt Smidt, Grisim Bus
Rodney Spencer, Wells Fargo Bank
The attendees were very pleased with the entertainers this year and asked for
them back again next year. Ted’s business donated all of the tips back to the
Chamber for our funds to host Summerfest and the many other activities we have
Stewartville Chamber Office
all year long.
PO Box 52
Stewartville, MN 55976
507-533-6006
Thank you to everyone who came. We’d love to have your comments about the
show. Email admin@stewartvillechamber.com for your personal review of the
Administrator: Gwen Ravenhorst
admin@stewartvillechamber.com
show.
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Meet the 2014 Board of Directors
Mr. Robert Hruska
Robert Hruska is this year’s President of the Board of Directors. Robert is the store
manager of Fareway Foods in Stewartville, MN.
Robert and his family moved here from Decorah, Iowa in April of 2011. Robert is
married to the lovely Jennifer and has two boys in 3rd and 5th grades. He started working at
Fareway on April 4th, 2011. Robert began his career with Fareway July 31st, 1990, almost 24
years ago – now that’s loyalty!
When asked what Robert likes about Stewartville he said “the people”. He also
enjoys our town’s dining establishments.
Robert enjoys working on the Board of Directors for the Chamber. Being a part of
the Chamber has afforded him a great opportunity to meet new people. He also hopes that
his time working with the Chamber shows growth for the town.
Summerfest is Robert’s favorite Stewartville event. He says “it draws the biggest
crowd, there’s tons to see, and it is two days of fun – a real celebration of Stewartville!”
We thank Robert and his family for his time invested into Stewartville and the
Welcome
To the Board of
Directors:
The Chamber Board is currently
seeking two people from the
membership to serve on the 20142016 Board of Directors. Please
contact Gwen at 533-6006 for more
information.
To the Chamber:
Creations for Donations
Discount Mattresses
Pit Stop Portables
Smith Schafer Associates, LTD
Wells Fargo Home Mortgage
Chamber. He’s doing a fine job at Fareway – the employees work hard, are nice, and very
helpful. Congratulations Robert for leading a successful business in town!
*Look for their Ambassador visits this
Spring in the Stewartville Star!
Brought to the Stewartville Community
By
Stewartville Area Chamber of Commerce Shop Local Committee
Business Exposed is a project that is similar to the Cash Mobs held in 2013, except one thing, Business
Exposed does not discriminate. It is open to all types of businesses and organizations.
The community will be invited to the City Hall parking lot on a specific date and a specific time, for
example our first date is Monday, April 21st at 5:45 pm. The attendees will be surprised with a
business location that we will “Expose” at that time. The group will walk or travel to the designated
business. That business will provide refreshments and/or snacks and educate the group about their
business.
It will be up to the business to decide how to capture the audience. If you need assistance the Shop
Local team will help you plan a program.
For further details to participate please contact Beth Schmidt at tbschmidt91@charter.net or Gwen
Ravenhorst at admin@stewartvillechamber.com / 533-6006.
10 Year Anniversary
Stop in for:
Savings!
Drawings!
Gifts with Purchases!
Congratulations Chris Dahle!
We are very excited to offer these events for the community and the businesses.
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Membership Classes Offered – 2014
Small Town Living
“Living in a small town...is like living in a large family of rather
Community Education and the Chamber of
Commerce are partnering to provide our
community and local businesses opportunities for
education on a variety of subjects. Chamber
members will receive discounted prices.
The World of Downsizing
uncongenial relations. Sometimes it’s fun, and sometimes it’s
perfectly awful, but it’s always good for you. People in large towns
are like only-children.”
Tuesday, April 8
7:00-8:30 pm
Stewartville Civic Center
Al Chihak, Mystic Moon Antiques

We are retired and want to downsize to a
townhouse, how do we sell our extra
possessions?

My mother and/or father is in a nursing
home, what do we do with all of their
stuff?

My mom passed away, who can we call
to help go over what will sell and what
will not?
― Joyce Dennys, Henrietta Sees It Through: More News from the Home Front 1942-1945
The Board of Directors 2014
The Board of Directors has two positions available for 2014-2016. Our
next Board Meeting is at 5:30 pm on Tuesday, April 1st at the
Stewartville Civic Center in the lounge. We ask anyone that is
interested in one of these positions to attend this meeting for more
information.
The term for a board member is three years. We ask our board
members to be involved in at least one event or committee during their
term. There are many possibilities to choose from.
Our board meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30
pm in the Civic Center Lounge. They last around one to one and half
hours. Much of our communication is via email.
This kind of opportunity is a great way to get to know people in the
community and have pride in your town of business or home town. It
leads to a whole new network of people to share your business with
and maybe make some new friends!
If you feel this is something that would interest you or someone that
works for you, please contact Gwen Ravenhorst at 533-6006. It’s a fun
group, and we have many prospective ideas for the next year.
These are very real questions for older adults and
family members. There are many options that you
can look at: garage sale, estate sale, Craigslist, live
auction, online auction, consignment shop, and
sell to shop. Come learn about these options,
what your role would be and which one fits your
needs. We will have individuals on hand to
answer all you questions so you can make the
right choice.
Class Fee $8
Chamber Member Fee $5
If your business would like to host a class, please
contact the Chamber Office at 533-6006!
8th Annual RV Open House Sale
March 21st & 22nd



FREE hotdogs, soda, and popcorn
Register to win MN Twins Tickets and Flat
Screen TV
FREE Camping to anyone who purchases an
RV during the open house
LOW, LOW Sale Prices!
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Stewartville Area Chamber of Commerce
Quarterly Meeting
Thursday, April 17th 5:30 pm
American Legion
Agenda Includes:
- Vicki Snyder, Epilepsy Foundation
- Dr. David Thompson, Superintendent of Stewartville School District
Please attend this quarterly meeting to hear about the Bond Referendum on May 20 th, 2014. Dr. Thompson
will be presenting the proposal of the new school and answering questions. Vicki Snyder from the Epilepsy
Foundation will be speaking for a short period of time about Stewartville becoming a “Seizure Smart
Community”. A light dinner or appetizers will be provided. Please RSVP to Gwen at 533-6006 or
admin@stewartvillechamber.com by April 10th.
Volunteer Opportunities!!
Stewartville Chamber of Commerce
*Committee Volunteers – call 533-6006 for more details
*June 17th, Pizza Ranch Tip Night – donations will fund Chamber events: Summerfest, Oktoberfest, Winterfest, and
many others!
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Young Entrepreneurs
The local Girl Scouts are selling cookies until the end of March. The girls are in the midst of selling door-to-door,
to family and friends, and soon in booths in Stewartville and Rochester. Please consider buying cookies from
these girls as this affords them to attend camps, help in the community, and most important build character
strength. If you have not approached to buy cookies but would like to, please call 507-533-6006 and Gwen will
happily give you information on who or where to buy from.
If you aren’t able to eat sweets but want to help out the girls you can buy and donate the cookies to a charity the
girls have chosen.
The sale ends March 23rd.
Local Parade Sign Ups
Preston Trout Days
May 16th – 18th, 2014
Parade: Saturday, May 17th at 4:00 pm
Contact Preston City Hall at 507-765-2153 or
jhoffman@prestonmn.org
The Stewartville Area Chamber of
Commerce was mailed a registration form.
Please call 507-533-6006 for a copy.
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Chatfield Western Days
August 7-10th, 2014
Parade: Saturday, August 9th at 1:00 pm
Contact: Pam at 507-867-3870
The Stewartville Area Chamber of
Commerce was mailed a hard copy of the
registration form. Please call 507-533-6006
for a copy.
Deadline to enter: July 10th, 2014
Deadline to enter: May 1 , 2014
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Join area leaders for a time of
LEADERSHIP
LEARNING
NETWORKING
2014 Theme: BEYOND YOU
Our jobs ask much of us. And so do our lives. Employees, families, our boss. We have every reason to
spend our time focused on what we need to do in order to succeed. And yet, leadership calls us to
more.
Leadership is beyond the confines of our daily tasks. Beyond the borders of our roles and responsibilities.
Leadership asks us to look beyond the everyday and consider the larger community around us — our
employees, colleagues, neighbors, and cities.
Leadership beckons us to look longer, wider, larger. We are
asked to look not only inward, but also outward. Beyond
ourselves. Join us at Leadercast this year as we explore
together what leadership looks like Beyond You!
Friday, May 9th, 2014
8 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. (Registration at 7:00 a.m.)
Rochester International Event Center
7333 Airport Drive SW
Rochester, MN 55902
Tickets: $99 (Includes seminar materials and catered dinner)
Purchase tickets online at: http://leadercast.com/location/rochestermn
Hosts: BeyondMaverick LLC~Sharing goodness beyond ourselves
tailwind@beyondmaverick.com
507-358-4750
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Committee Updates
Community Sign
Chairperson: Jim Kuisle, Kuisle Siding
The sign has been up and running
for a couple of months. There is a
$25 weekly rental fee to advertise
events and fundraisers. The ad
will appear every 6th message.
Please watch for exciting
advertising opportunities for your
business!
Senior Honor Banquet
Chairperson: Stacy Schimmel,
Eastwood Bank
Mark your calendars for May 21st!
More details coming soon!
Shop Local
Chairperson: Beth Schmidt, Eastwood Bank
Mission:
“Promoting and advocating locally
owned Stewartville Chamber Members
businesses to maintain our unique
community character & provide
opportunities to build community
economic strength.”
The Shop Local team has been meeting
consistently to bring our local businesses
opportunities to interact with the
community.
Dog Days of Summer
Chairperson: Gwen Ravenhorst, Administrator
You heard it here! The Chamber will be hosting a
pet event in early August. Look for a trail walk with
your pet through Bear Cave Park, pet vendors, food
vendors, games, talent show, and so much more!
This event will donate funds to a pet shelter or
adoption agency.
End summer on a fun note with your best friend –
your pet!
The date for the first “Business Exposed” is
planned for Tuesday, April 21st.
Watch for dates to include Business
Exposed, Sidewalk Days, and a Business
Expo!
Strategic Planning
Chairperson: Open Position
Summerfest
Chairpersons:
Arts in the Park: Robert Hruska, Fareway
Dance: Cheryl Roeder, City of Stewartville
Parade: Deann Stowers, Skip N Dales
Arts in the Park committee will be
offering new events and
entertainment for 2014! It will truly
be a “work of art”.
The Parade will be better than ever –
remember Chamber Members can
enter the parade Free of Charge,
normally a $75 fee.
The Dance Committee has some
exciting new opening entertainment
this year!
Voice of Stewartville
Chairperson: Lonnie Boe, BCG Technologies
This is a new committee that will focus on long
term goals for the Chamber of Commerce.
Please call 507-533-6006 or email
admin@stewartvillechamber.com to sign up
for the committee.
The Voice is working on some research to
answer questions from last Spring.
Oktoberfest
Other meeting topics for the year will
include taxes, healthcare, and building
codes.
Please watch for a calendar of
meetings/events.
Chairperson: Ryan Ravenhorst, Insul Seal
Oktoberfest is in the works to follow the Fall
Festival on September 20th from 5-8 pm. End
the evening with a Pub Crawl!
Winterfest
Chairperson: Melissa Leuning, Teigen Paper
The committee will be looking at adding many
new activities for 2014. One goal will be to
have a backup indoor plan for inclement
weather.
Stewartville Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 52
Stewartville, MN 55976
507-533-6006
admin@stewartvillechamber.com
www.stewartvillechamber.com 11