April 2023 Chamber Horizons Newsletter

CHAMBER HORIZONS

Official Newsletter of the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce

Don’t miss the 2023 Duffers Delight Golf Tournament!

Monday, June 5 at 12 pm

Join us for the 31st Duffers Delight Golf Tournament - the main fundraiser for the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce! Sponsor a tee or green and network with the 144 golfers playing the course, or, network with tee and green sponsors by gathering a team of four to play 18 holes of golf. Enjoy a picnic dinner and awards at the clubhouse after golfing!

2023 Pricing:

Individual Golfer

Early Bird: $150

After May 1: $175

Team of Four Early Bird: $500

After May 1: $550

Tee or Green Sponsorship - $300

Golf teams are entered on a first-come basis. 2022 sponsors have first right of acceptance on sponsorship. Prospective sponsors will be added to a wait list to be contacted as spots become available.

Visit alexandriamn.org to register. For questions, call 320-763-3161 or email info@alexandriamn.org.

DUFFERS DELIGHT TITLE SPONSOR:

toHUMAN HOW

These are crazy times! The last few years created a work/life tension that can’t be denied. Video meetings, tech addiction, content overload, and social unrest have eroded relationships. We’re more agitated than ever. We’re wrestling with big issues. We’re less connected to one another. It’s a perfect storm of strained relationships, anxiety, and forgetting what it feels like to… be human!

EVERYONE is welcome!

Featuring... Carlos Whittaker

Carlos will share how to keep disagreements from defining us, how to say no to becoming rage-filled humans, how to shift from ‘me’ to ‘we’ to ‘everybody’, how to become builders instead of demolitionists, and how to be the best versions of ourselves.

In spite of all the divisiveness, unity is closer than we think!

WEDNESDAY

APRIL 26

Alexandria High School

Performing Arts Center

4300 Pioneer Rd. SE

Parking opens: 3:15 pm

Speaker: 3:45 pm

Book signing: 5 pm

FREE to attend thanks to...

With support from Alexandria Public Schools, Lakes Country Service Cooperative, Alexandria Chamber of Commerce, Horizon Public Health & the Blandin Foundation.

Listen & Learn is a one-hour virtual event hosted by the Chamber. It offers information, education and resources on topics that impact the community. Call 320-763-3161 or email info@alexandriamn.org for details. There is no charge for the event and it is open to the public.

Preparing for a Rail Incident

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19

FROM 12-1 PM

Virtual event: Register at www.alexandriamn.org.

Upcoming Chamber Events

Chamber 101 (see details to the right)

Tuesday, April 4 from 7:30-8:30 am

Alexandria Chamber | Virtual Event Visit www.AlexandriaMN.org to register

Wake Up Alexandria!

Friday, April 7 from 7:30-8:30 am

West Central MN Communities Action | 1910 Aga Dr., Ste. 206

Nonprofit of the Day: Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

Listen & Learn (see details above)

Wednesday, April 19 from 12-1 pm

Alexandria Chamber of Commerce | 206 Broadway St. Register online at www.alexandriamn.org

Wake Up Alexandria!

Friday, April 21 from 7:30-8:30 am

Diamond Buick GMC | 5803 State Hwy. 29 S

Nonprofit of the Day: Central MN Chapter Red Cross

Spring Speaker Event: How to Human (see front page for details)

Wednesday, April 26

Parking Opens: 3:15 pm (park in south lot)

Speaker Presentation: 3:45 pm

Book Signing: 5 pm

Alexandria Area High School Performing Arts Center 4300 Pioneer Rd.

Train traffic in Douglas County is expected to get busier in the future due to a merger between Canadian Pacific Railroad and Kansas City South Railroad. The recent train derailment in Ohio showcases the importance for a community to discuss how it will react to a hazardous derailment before one occurs. Learn about the role the county’s Emergency Management department plays in this process, from coordinating with appropriate partners to effectively communicating with community members of the best protective measures for immediate danger and longer term concerns.

The discussion will include preparedness procedures and media coverage strategies. There will be time to ask questions and offer input into community-wide response and recovery.

Learn ways to optimize your membership at Chamber 101 session

Join us for a virtual Chamber 101 on Tuesday, April 4 from 7:30 to 8:30 am to learn more about Chamber programs, events, and membership benefits. Hear from fellow members as they share their experiences of being involved with the Chamber. To register, visit www.alexandriamn.org. For additional information, contact Jess at jess@alexandriamn.org or 320-763-3161.

"The staff treats the residents like they would their own parents or grandparents."

- Julie Urke, daughter of memory care resident

Julie Anderson Douglas County Emergency Management Director and Public Information Officer

Featuring...

Wake Up Alexandria

Wake Up Alexandria is a networking event held the first and third Friday of each month from 7:30 to 8:30 am at a Chamber member location. A dollar gets you in the door, with all proceeds donated to a 501(c)3 nonprofit Chamber member.

March Hosts

Luck of the Irish!

We celebrated three lucky leprechauns at our March 17 St. Patrick’s Day Wake Up event for coming dressed in their best St. Paddy’s attire! Winnings included $15 in Chamber Bucks and some lucky gold chocolate coins.

Winners were Tammy Justin, Alexandria Jaycees; Mona Strege, Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County ReStore; and Jill Wagner, Integrity Title.

Andria Theatre | March 3

618 Broadway St.

Nonprofit of the Day: Lakes Chamber Music Society

Andria Theatre annually showcases five stage performances, live comedy improvisational theatre, and a Student Theatre project. It also organizes the popular Art in the Park event held annually the last weekend in July at Alexandria City Park.

Welcome! March new members

Alexandria Shooting Park

Steve Gould 6533 County Rd. 87 SE 320-763-5315

info@shootasp.com www.shootasp.com

Deja Bleu House of Coffee

Patty Dusing 612 Broadway St. 320-221-5665 tcannmanning@gmail.com www.trend-couture-byann-mannings.mys

Douglas County HRA

Duininck Concrete | March 17

4967 Hwy. 29 N

Nonprofit of the Day: Boy Scouts of America - Northern Lights Council

Duininck Concrete is part of the Duininck Family of Companies, a third-generation family-held portfolio of businesses. Duininck Concrete has 11 plants in Central Minnesota. It offers ready mix, aggregates, construction supplies, and pumping services.

Emajean Hanson-Ford 1224 N Nokomis St. NE 320-762-2954 emajean.ford@ douglascountyhra.org www.douglascountyhra.org

Network Center, Inc.

Parker Christianson 800-723-5353

info@netcenter.net www.netcenter.net

Premier IT Consultants

Travis Shaw 219 Central Ave., Osakis 320-391-8550

travis@premieritconsultants.com www.premieritconsultants.com

Sacred Journey Academy

Angela Heidelberger PO Box 189 320-391-0410

info@sacredjourneyacademy.org www.sacredjourneyacademy.org

Please consider these new members for your personal and professional needs, and welcome them to our network!

The National Rural Health Association has named Alomere Health as one of the Top 20 Rural & Community Hospitals in the nation.

“We are humbled to receive this recognition and extremely proud of the commitment of all our staff and physicians to achieving national standards for quality and safety which is instrumental to achieving this designation.” –Carl Vaagenes, CEO

Top 20 Rural Hospital in the nation.

Membership Team

Volunteers on the Membership Team visit new member businesses to welcome them to the Chamber. They also serve as liaisons, supporting new members with introductions, information, and education on membership benefits.

March Visits

Duininck Concrete is a concrete company serving residential, commercial, and agricultural industries. The company offers aggregates, ready mix, pumping services, and construction supply products.

Johnny on the Spot CPR offers on-site training for CPR/AED, first aid, basic life support, and blood-borne pathogens to companies of all sizes and individuals who wish to get certified in these skills. John is licensed and offers 20+ years of experience.

Primerica is a financial services company serving the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and Guam. Services include Term Life Insurance, Investments, Auto & Home, Pre-Paid Legal, and Identity Theft.

K-Lakes Country is a locally owned and operated radio station serving about a 20mile radius of the Alexandria community. The station plays traditional country music from the year 2018 and prior and focuses on serving nonprofits.

Membership Team visits continued on page 6.

Johnny on the Spot CPR John Frusciante, Owner

Primerica

Ember Tamm, Representative; Robert Pachan, Alexandria Representative; Spencer Linn, Representative

K-Lakes Country/KLKX-FM

Kevin & Connie Lee Cunningham, Owners

Duininck Concrete Edward Peterson, Sales

Ambassadors

The Ambassadors are volunteers who extend the public relations arm of the Chamber. They attend business open houses, groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings; welcome new businesses to the area; and commemorate relocations and major remodels. They are out making business visits the second Wednesday of every month.

March Visits

Natures Wave, located at 1307 Hwy. 29 N, Ste. 80, offers Pulsed Electric-Magnetic Frequency (PEMF) Therapy, which is a natural alternative for a pain-free lifestyle. Benefits include pain relief, blood circulation, muscle relief and more.

Natures

In August of 2022, Palmer Creations acquired Estenson Printing at 117 5th Ave. W and transformed the space into its new Alexandria location. It also has a location in Glenwood. The print and design shop offers digital and offset printing.

After being destroyed by fire in 2020, Charlie’s Bazaar was rebuilt at its same location at 508 Broadway St. Now called Bazara, the store is co-owned by mother-daughter duo Charlie Vernlund and Clista Bradford. The retail store offers various home décor lines including bath, dining, linens, and floral.

Consumers who are told that a business is a Chamber member are 51% more likely to be highly aware of the business and 57% more likely to think positively of its reputation. Let them know you’re a member by adding a Chamber membership logo to your website. A link to download the image can be found on the online member portal at www.alexandriamn. org. For assistance, contact Lauren at marketing@alexandriamn.org or 320763-3163.

BUSINESS.

Palmer Creations - Additional Location

Alexis Reed, Graphic Artist; Jim Palmer, Owner; Bud Prescott, Graphic Artist; Lynn Barton, Graphic Artist

Bazara - New Building

Clista Bradford, Co-Owner

(Not Pictured: Charlie Vernlund, Co-Owner)

Wave - New Business

Rich & Shelly Stanek

Membership Team visits

continued from page 4...

Business Buzz

Realty ONE Group Choice

Kim Kettler, Realtor

Realty ONE Group Choice is a realty group serving the Alexandria area. Its team focuses on serving the customer first and ensuring their needs are met. The company’s philosophy is that everyONE has a voice and is built on the 6 C’s: care, connect, commission, ‘coolture’, community, and coaching.

Business Network International (BNI) Runestone Chapter shared that BNI Members worldwide generated more than $20.6 billion in revenue in the past 12 months. This was made possible by 13.5 million referrals passed between BNI members representing hundreds of professions.

Amy Christopherson - State Farm Insurance qualified for the Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), which represents the top 1% financial service professionals in the world. Founded in 1927, MDRT is an independent association of the world’s leading life insurance and financial services professionals from more than 500 companies in 70 nations and territories. This is the first time Amy’s team has qualified for this award.

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota recognized Jody Shaskey-Setright as one of nine honorees statewide who received the 2022 President’s Leadership Excellence Award. The award recognizes employees who demonstrate outstanding leadership, inspire colleagues, drive innovation, and build community.

The following individuals joined the board of directors of the Central Lakes Symphony Orchestra: Bryan Kellerman of Bell Bank, Jessica Paulsen of Sanford Health, Joann Weber, and Amy Olinger of ALO Realty Advisors.

The National Rural Health Association named Alomere Health as one of the Top 20 Rural & Community Hospitals in the nation. It is the first Minnesota hospital to ever receive this honor.

True North Management Carter Thiel, Co-Owner/Property Manager

True North Management is a property management company serving the Greater Alexandria Area. Services include leasing management, accounting, maintenance, admin communication, lawn care, landscaping, and snow removal. The team can manage single-family homes, multi- or tri-plex units, Air B&B’s, and more.

Sam Steidl and Vic Benzinger, certified financial planners and private wealth advisors with Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC in Alexandria, qualified for the company’s Circle of Success recognition program and will be honored at the 2023 Achievers Conference in Texas. To earn this honor, the men established themselves as top advisors in the company.

To include your business news in the Chamber Horizon Newsletter, email information to Lauren at marketing@alexandriamn.org.