June 2022 Chamber Horizons Newsletter

CHAMBER HORIZONS

Promoting the Alexandria Lakes Area as the ultimate destination to live, work, play and prosper.

Official Newsletter of the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce JUNE 2022 | VOLUME 115 | ISSUE 6

Think local when shopping online!

Find what you need locally by searching with the newly launched Pride of the Lakes Chrome extension! You’ll see recommendations from the Pride of the Lakes local business directory based on your search keywords on Google and Amazon. It is an easy way to support your community and keep dollars local.

HOW TO INSTALL: • • •

Visit chrome.google.com/webstore and search for “Pride of the Lakes”.

Select the Pride of the Lakes Chrome Extension from the list.

Click “Add to Chrome” and then “Add extension”.

For step-by-step instructions, visit PrideOfTheLakes.com and click “Chrome Extenstion”. We recommend pinning the extension to make it easier to use on Amazon.

Upcoming Chamber Events Wake Up Alexandria!

Friday, June 3 | 7:30-8:30 am Precision I.T. Solutions 1229 N Nokomis NE Nonprofit of the Day: Lake Carlos State Park Duffers Delight Golf Tournament Monday, June 6 | 12 - 7 pm Alexandria Golf Club 2300 N Nokomis St. NE Off the Clock Thursday, June 9 | 4-5 pm Cowing Robards, Inc. 514 Broadway St. Nonprofit of the Day: Vikingland Curling Club Listen & Learn: Local Labor Market See Page 2 for details Tuesday, June 21, 11 am - 12 pm Virtual Event | Visit alexandriamn.org to register

Example of a Google search with the Pride of the Lakes extension.

DON’T SEE YOUR BUSINESS LISTED? The businesses that populate on the search result are based off of businesses that have taken the pledge to do business local. Visit PrideOfTheLakes.com and click “Pledge Now” to learn what it takes to be a pledger! For questions reach out to hello@prideofthelakes.com or call 320-763-3161.

Support the community you love!

Wake Up Alexandria!

Friday, June 17 | 7:30-8:30 am Theatre L’Homme Dieu 1875 County Rd. 120 NE Nonprofit of the Day: Cardboard Cares

Tune in to the Chamber’s Open Line spotlight on KXRA the fourth Tuesday of each month at 9:05 am!

Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Chamber Horizons, USPS 330070, is published monthly by the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce.

Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, MN 56308. Postmaster: Send address changes to

Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce | 206 Broadway St, Alexandria, MN 56308 info@alexandriamn.org | 320-763-3161 | www.alexandriamn.org

Leadership Alexandria The Leadership Alexandria program includes a community service project collectively chosen by members of the current class. A variety of projects are brainstormed by the group and then voted on to determine one final project. The 2021-2022 Leadership Alexandria class chose to assist in garden cleanup at the Legacy of the Lakes Museum in its Legacy Gardens. This was done on Monday, May 16 to prep the gardens for planting.

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

TUESDAY, JUNE 21 AT 11 AM

Virtual event: Register at alexandriamn.org.

Local Labor Market

Layoffs, Lost Labor, and Alexandria’s Economic Recovery

Members of 2021-2022 Leadership Alexandria Class that participated in the community service project include (back row) Eric DelZoppo, Glenwood State Bank; Blaine Green, Widseth; Dave Currens, First Western Bank & Trust; Jason Rosha, Alexandria Police Department; (middle row) Amanda Schueler, Horizon Public Health; Leona Hurlbut, Gate City Bank; Macy Merkel, Hagstrom Engineering; Kristi Greathouse, Ellingson Plumbing, Heating, A/C & Electrical; Trina Wilke, Amy Christopherson – State Farm Insurance; (front row) Laura Wacker, ITW Heartland; Sara Justison, Bethany on the Lake; Katie DeGier, Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce; Courtney Bitzan, McCarten Design.

Welcome!

May new members

The Alexandria lakes area didn’t escape the economic repercussions of the pandemic and unfortunately the shortest recession in history has left many employers struggling to replace lost workers. Stop scratching your head about the current difficulty hiring and get some answers Luke Greiner, and ideas on filling Labor Market Analyst, MN Department of Employment your openings.

Greenleaf Learning Studio Susan Flynn | 320-759-1441 | 2605 Aga Dr., Ste. 6 sue.flynn@greenleaflearningstudio.com greenleaflearningstudio.com

& Economic Recovery

New Kingdom Healthcare Stephanie Frentzel | 952-999-0333 510 22nd Ave. E, Ste. 103 info@newkingdomwellness.com newkingdomwellness.com

Integrated Therapy Solutions West Central Technology Deann Reese | 320-634-6434 McDonald’s Allen Hillstrom | 320-441-7050 316 Broadway St., Ste. 7 Erin Johnson | 320-759-7272 307 5th St. SW, Ste. 1, Willmar dreese@intherapysolutions.com mcdonalds.com allen.hillstrom@wcthelp.com integratedtherapysolutions.clientsecure.me westcentraltechnology.com Mounsdon Stump Grinding Monte Mounsdon | 320-760-5686 Please consider these new members for your personal and 12322 County Rd. 8 NW, Garfield professional needs, and welcome them to our network! mounsdon-stump-grinding.business.site

2 Chamber Horizons | June 2022

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.

May Hosts

Runestone Community Center | May 6

WELL & Company, PLLC | May 20

802 3rd Ave. W Nonprofit of the Day: Central Lakes Symphony Orchestra

1103 Broadway St. Nonprofit of the Day: Alzheimers’ Association of MN-ND

The Runestone Community Center (RCC) is a valuable asset to the City of Alexandria. It can host dry floor events year-round, including concerts, sales expos, graduations, community events, trade shows, and more. Ice is also available yearround, offering skating, hockey and curling lessons, games, and tournaments.

Well & Company provides direct primary care and integrative services, offering medical care and treatments that are affordable, accessible, and personalized to each client. The company also includes a medspa, fusing together healthcare and medical esthetics by treating visible concerns as well as overall wellbeing.

Serve on the Board!

The Chamber is accepting nominations for 2023 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 appointed by the current board president 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 30 to tbitzan@alexandriamn.org.

Creative Touch Boutique (CTB) held a groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, May 17 to celebrate the start of its build at CTB’s future location of 5th Ave. and Broadway St.

Home Care Contact us today at 320.287.6960 or visit knutenelson.org to learn more.

June 2022 | Chamber Horizons 3

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.

May Visits Alexandria Jet Ski Rental has six new jet skis that can be rented by the day, weekend, or week. The jet skis are delivered to you and come equipped with everything you will need including gas and life jackets.

Alexandria Jet Ski Rental

Joe Stadt, Co-Owner; Not Pictured: Nolan Marthaler, Co-Owner

Cardinal Consulting Solutions (CCS) is a workforce development company that works with employers on recruitment and retention strategies. CCS also offers services for veterans to ease the process of finding housing and rejoining the workforce.

Cardinal Consulting Solutions Amy Johnson, President

Custom Cuts Lawn Care & Snow Removal is owned and operated by Nyles Lesner, who has more than 10 years of experience in the industry.

Nyles offers spring and fall clean ups, lawn mowing and trimming, snow removal, and more.

Custom Cuts Lawn Care & Snow Removal Nyles Lesner, Owner

Northern Haus is a custom residential home design company owned by Shania Pederson.

Shania offers professional drafting services in new home builds, remodeling, and landscape design.

Northern Haus

Shania Pederson, Owner

Membership Team visits continued on page 6.

4 Chamber Horizons | June 2022

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.

May Visits Johnny on the Spot CPR is owned and operated by John Frusciante. John does on-site CPR training for businesses or anyone looking to get certified or re-certified. John has a background in law enforcement and has served on various fire departments.

Johnny on the Spot CPR - New Business John Frusciante, Owner

Wave Aviation Solutions is a new business owned and operated by Kreg Anderson in Alexandria. The aircraft dealership offers help with the process of buying and selling aircraft and offers aviation insurance.

Wave Aviation Solutions - New Business Kreg Anderson, Owner

Master Networks is industry exclusive. Once someone is accepted into the organization, no one else serving that specialty will be accepted.

Weekly meetings include training, development, and time for members to educate others on their business.

Master Networks - Alexandria Chapter New Organization Members Kami Schefers, Homeowners Financial Group; Ruth Molloy, Edward Jones; Gary Johnson, Lakes Health & Wellness

Dr. Tom Tardif is a physical therapist who has a goal for his clients to build a foundation for optimal performance.

He does this by providing a whole body approach to improve how the body moves and responds to stressors.

Dr. Tom Tardif - New Business Dr. Tom Tardif, Owner

Caring

FOR YOU IN ALEXANDRIA AND PARKERS PRAIRIE

Call (320) 762-0399 to make an appointment today.

Samuel Hintz, PhD Psychology

Marie Anderson, PhD Psychology

Carolyn Klehr, PsyD Psychology

Juan Carlos Belalcazar, MD Psychiatry

511-669-173 4/22

June 2022 | Chamber Horizons 5

Membership Team visits continued from page 4...

Business Buzz Smokin’ Brews & ‘Ques Jason Schmidt, Owner

Jason Schmidt of Smokin’ Brews & ‘Ques smokes brisket, tri-tip, chicken, ribs, and more, and produces his own barbeque sauces. His food truck is often out and about and he offers catering for weddings, graduations, birthdays, and more.

Christine Reilly was named Andria Theatre’s new executive director. Reilly took over the position April 1 from Ann Hermes who served as director since 2017.

Reilly has been involved as a choreographer of numerous shows and has an extensive background in dance, coaching high school dance for 22 years (15 years in Alexandria). Most recently Reilly was the executive director for the Alexandria Education Foundation.

Leif Johnson, PG, joined Widseth as an environmental scientist. Johnson has more than 15 years of advanced geological, engineering, and environmental experience in mining and heavy industry projects. He is responsible for project management of solid waste projects and environmental site assessments.

Dr. Dan Kryder has accepted the position of Chief Medical Officer for Alomere Health. Since joining Alomere Health in 2013, Dr. Kryder has held multiple leadership positions including Medical Director for both Knute Nelson nursing home and hospice, and for Douglas County Public Health.

Knute Nelson is partnering with health-tech company K4Connect to integrate technology to serve and empower older adults and individuals living with disabilities. Knute Nelson is the first senior living facility in Minnesota to do this.

With K4Connect, residents have access to digital engagement, communications, and informational tooling that keeps them informed with real-time updates and enables greater socialization and connection to loved ones.

Alternative Senior Care (ASC) in Alexandria has new owners - Paula Bromenshenkel and Lainie Berg. Previous owners were Cindy and Mike Karasch. Cindy will still be in office minimally and Mike is retiring. ASC is a private duty home care company that serves central Minnesota.

This N’ That Repair & Handyman Services Blaine Kalahar, Owner

Blaine Kalahar of This N’ That Repair & Handyman Services offers numerous helpful home services including repairing small engines, repainting decks, replacing windows, and more.

6 Chamber Horizons | June 2022

JLG Architects’ Derek Maher, AIA, received the 2022 Ralph Rapson Traveling Study Award from the Minnesota Architectural Foundation. He will receive funding of $16,000 to advance his education in architecture through travel. He plans to study Renaissance Architecture throughout Italy.

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