Lead, connect, and collaborate for a thriving community.
CHAMBER HORIZONS
Official Newsletter of the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
Alex Rubbish & Recycling named 2024 BIAD honoree
Chamber Board nominations sought
Alex Rubbish & Recycling has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Business & Industrial Appreciation Day (BIAD) award by the Boards of Directors of the Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission (AAEDC) and Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce (ALACC). The company will be honored for its success and local and regional economic impact at a luncheon on Wednesday, October 23 from 11:30 am to 1 pm at Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center. Tickets are $30; a table of 10 may be reserved for $350.
A publication focusing on the accomplishments of Alex Rubbish & Recycling will be distributed through the Echo Press prior to the event. If you would like to advertise and offer your congratulations to the honoree in the publication or purchase tickets to the event, visit EventCreate.com/e/BIAD. Ad sales end Friday, August 23. Ticket sales end Friday, October 4.
32nd Duffers Delight a success!
The Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce held its 32nd Duffers Delight Golf Tournament on Monday, June 3rd at the Alexandria Golf Club. More than 200 people gathered for a day of fun, networking, and golf, including 37 golf teams and 55 sponsors. The event is the main fundraiser for the Chamber, supporting its purpose to lead, connect, and collaborate for a thriving community. Duffers continued on page 2.
The Chamber is accepting nominations for 2025 Board of Director positions. Any member in good standing may be nominated or self-nominate. Members may serve 2 terms; terms are 3 years. A nominating committee will review all nominations and create a slate of officers, which will be published in the September newsletter and presented to the Board for approval. Email nominations by July 31 to tbitzan@alexandriamn.org.
Upcoming Chamber Events
Hello Neighbor: Meet & Greet at Carlos Creek Tuesday, July 9 at 5 pm Bold North Cellars | 6693 County Rd. 34 NW
Ribbon Cutting: Lake Brophy County Park Playground Shelter Tuesday, July 16 at 7:15 pm Lake Brophy County Park | 2175 Brophy Landing NE During intermission of the Summer Sounds by Brophy Concert
Wake Up Alexandria! Friday, July 19 from 7:30-8:30 am Gardonville | 800 Central Ave. N, Brandon Nonprofit of the Day: United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties
Business Buzz
The Village Cooperative of Alexandria was selected to receive Individual Support reimbursement funding for a Fall 2024 Lawns to Legumes pollinator habitat project. They qualified for project costs associated with creating a new pollinator habitat in their yard.
Business Buzz continued on page 6.
Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce
2024 Duffers Delight Golf Tournament Results Continued...
The tournament featured sponsors at every tee and green plus 10 150-yard sign sponsors spread throughout the course and three hole-in-one opportunities including a $5,000 cash prize sponsored by Alomere Health, $10,000 cash prize sponsored by Glenwood State Bank and $25,000 toward a vehicle sponsored by Alexandria Motors, Diamond Buick GMC and Juettner Motors. Unfortunately, there were no hole-in-one winners this year. Other major sponsors include: C & L Distributing, Vaultas, Vance Thompson Vision, Hook and Slice, Winning Edge Graphics, Marcus Construction, Tri County Foam Insulation, and ProfitMax.
A special thank you to our Title Sponsor:
Putting Contest
$200 Chamber Bucks - Nate Meyer, Alomere Health
$100 Chamber Bucks - Keith Meyer, Billmark’s
$50 Chamber Bucks - Rick Johnson, Brophy Bay Mart
Skins Winners - 1: Alomere Health
Team members:
Carl Vaagenes, Nate Meyer, Nathan Nelson, and Matt Laven, all of Alomere Health
Skins Winners - 2:
Terra Construction
Team members:
Jason Whiting, Terra Construction
Todd Whiting, CENTURY 21 First Realty
Tyler Whiting, Dentistry at the Center
Steve Kluver, Alexandria Public Schools
To view all team photos, visit: AlexandriaMN.org/DuffersDelightGolfTournament
2024 Champions
The Bell Brothers Team members (left to right):
Eddie Reif, Alomere Health; Peter Sanstad, Individual
Jeff Patience, Bell Bank; Robb Buttweiler, Buttweilers Do All
2nd Place:
Brophy Bay Mart Team members:
Rick Johnson, Brophy Bay Mart; Greg Johnson, Retired Scott Johnson, MNDOT; Mitchell Brown, Individual
3rd Place:
The Classics Team members:
Toby Weibye, HPS Rental; Dave McFarlane, Retired John Madsen, Productive Alternatives; Will Weibye, Student
Team Spirit:
Birds Of A Feather
Team members:
Barb Lind and Curt Lind, Lind Family Funeral & Cremation Services
Stacey Doege and Robin Doege, ProfitMax
Orange Ball Winner:
Jim’s Electric
Team members:
Shawn Becker, Jim’s Electric; Derek Nack, Dakota Supply Group
Chris Becker, Custom Comfort Heating & AC
Joe Leesch, Douglas County Public Works
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.
June Hosts
Douglas County Fair Board (DCCA) | June 7
300 Fairgrounds Rd.
Nonprofit of the Day: Alexandria Senior Center
The Douglas County Fair is put on by the Douglas County Agricultural Association. Association membership is open to all residents of Douglas County. Dues are $5 per year; meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month at 7 pm. This year’s fair is scheduled for August 14-17.
Alexandria Golf Club | June 21
2300 N Nokomis St. NE
Nonprofit of the Day: Alexandria Area Hockey Association
Alexandria Golf Club (AGC) is a semi-private, scenic, historic venue established in 1915. It is nationally recognized for three greens shaped like the states early local resort visitors called home - Minnesota, Texas, and Oklahoma. AGC is also home to the Resorters, the largest match play golf tournament in the U.S.
Off the Clock
Off the Clocks are available upon request and are structured similar to our Wake Up Alexandria events but in the afternoon from 4 to 5 pm at a Chamber member location. A dollar gets you in the door, with all proceeds donated to a 501(c)3 nonprofit Chamber member.
June Host
Alexandria Farmers Market | June 13
Big Ole Park - 200 Broadway St.
Nonprofit of the Day: Outreach Food Shelf
The Alexandria Farmers Market operates at Big Ole Central Park and features a variety of vendors providing fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, flowers, eggs, jams, jellies, baked goods, mushrooms and more!
Gate City Bank wins Pot of Gold
Gate City Bank won the Pot of Gold valued at $6,296 at Wake Up Alexandria hosted by Alexandria Golf Club on June 21! Donations include discounted services, gift certificates, and promotional items. Donors are promoted through Chamber email blasts, at the event, and on the Chamber website.
Pictured: Meghann Edwards, Retail Manager, Gate City Bank
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.
June Visits
Adler Ranch is a wedding and events venue located in Alexandria. Established in 1995, the family-owned venue spans 59 acres of pastureland, mature trees, adjoining wetlands and consists of a vintage-inspired environment.
Crossing Life’s Bridges, owned and operated by Dr. Myra Heckenlaible-Gotto, offers services for those seeking personal/professional growth, guidance through life transitions, healing, recharge and renewal, and leadership/team development.
Rock N’ Willow Ranch is a non-traditional western setting for business and networking events, social gatherings and micro weddings. There are two conference rooms available to book for full or half days as well as two rentable office spaces.
Rolling Acres Retrievers & Pet Boarding in Miltona is a full-service pet care provider offering dog boarding, doggie daycare, basic pet grooming, and stay and train services that will be coming soon.
Caring for you
in Alexandria & Parkers Prairie
No matter your health needs, at Sanford Health we’re committed to providing you with the care you deserve. We o er a full range of services right here.
Crossing Life’s Bridges
Myra Heckenlaible-Gotto, Equine Gestalt Practitioner, GiANT Coach & Owner
Rock N’ Willow Ranch
Irmadene Hanson & Wayne Freimuth, Owners
Rolling Acres Retrievers & Pet Boarding
Cory & Janelle Negen, Owners
Adler Ranch Weddings & Events
Marlys Steidl, Owner
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.
June Visits
Exquisite Soaps & MoreNew Business
Kassandra
Cisneros, Owner
Caribou Cabin is the newest caribou location in Alexandria, located at 4303 Dakota St. The Caribou Cabin menu is smaller but still offers a variety of food and beverage options that are available for drive-thru or walk-up only.
Ray’s Sport & Marine recently acquired Stub’s Marine along with some products from Alex Auto & Marine. Products include boats, pontoons, preowned inventory, outboards, dockss, lifts, and more.
Exquisite Soaps and More, is located at 614 Broadway St. Products are created from unique recipes formulated to provide distinct benefits. The store carries a variety of hand-crafted products including soaps, lotions, and more.
Ann and Kenny Proctor are the new owners of 2 Guyz Pizza at 1405 Broadway St. S, Ste. A. With the new ownership, the menu remains the same featuring take-andbake pizzas and a variety of salads, sides, and desserts.
Caribou Cabin - New Business
Aubrey Born, Assistant Manager
2 Guyz Pizza - New Ownership
Ann & Kenny Proctor, Owners
Ray’s Sport & Marine - Business Acquisition
Talitha Horkey, Office Administrator; Dave Hernesman, Owner; Matt Carstens, Manager; Bryan Lewis, Sales; Andy Gunderson, Parts/Service Manager; Cole Gunderson, Boat Rigging Tech; Jackson Cavers, Intern; Clay Larson, Boat Rigging Tech; Don Clarquist, Sales.
Ribbon Cuttings & Groundbreakings
Ribbon Cuttings and Groundbreakings are a service offered by the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. To learn more, email info@alexandriamn.org or call 320-763-3161.
Runestone Community Center (RCC) held a groundbreaking ceremony June 4 to celebrate the start of the initial phases, which include renovations. The RCC Capital Campaign Committee continues working to raise $8.8 million, to allow Phase 3 of the project to proceed.
Rock N’ Willow Ranch held a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house June 20 to celebrate its grand opening. The special event venue welcomes conferences, workshops, micro weddings and more, and has private office spaces and conference rooms for rent.
Leadership Alexandria Class of 2023 held a ribbon cutting ceremony June 22 to unveil its community service project, which features 18 outboard motor sculptures that will be placed throughout the community.
Business Buzz continued...
Studio 78 Platinum Design, a creative services and marketing solutions company, announced two new hires: Patty Hoffman, APR, is the new marketing and sales assistant. Patty will focus primarily on supporting the agency’s marketing efforts and growth goals. Arian Weishair is the new administrative and accounting assistant. Arian oversees the agency’s office needs while providing administrative assistance to the president and sales team. She is also responsible for general accounting services for the company, helping to manage budgets, invoicing and accounts receivable/payable.
Welcome! June new members
Alexandria Sanitary Services
Jamie Wendlandt 3723 Centennial Dr. NW, Garfield 320-760-1083 alexsanitaryservice @gmail.com AlexSanitaryService.com
Christ Church of Alexandria Rev. Gary DeSha 2109 Lake Park Pl. 320-237-7448 pastor.symphonyministries @gmail.com
Home Instead
Josh Ice 504 Broadway St., Ste. 303 218-332-8770
josh.ice@homeinstead.com HomeInstead.com
Jake Joy Drywall
Jake Joy 320-760-9683
jakejoydrywall@outlook.com JakeJoyDrywall.com
Please consider these new members for your personal and professional needs, and welcome them to our network!