Wake Up Alexandria! Friday, September 2 | 7:30-8:30 am Kvale Real Esate - 609 Broadway St. Nonprofit of the Day: The Written Gift Wake Up Alexandria! Friday, September 16 | 7:30-8:30 am Amy Christopherson - State Farm Insurance 218 3rd Ave. E, Ste. 100 Nonprofit of the Day: Toys for KidsMCL Runestone Detachment 1409 Ribbon Cutting: Scooter's Coffee Friday, September 16 | 11 am Scooter's Coffee | 55 Carlos Ave. Chamber Fall Luncheon: Own You Discover and Ignite Your Ultimate Potential Monday, September 26 Serving: 11:15 am Program: 11:45 am - 1 pm Broadway Ballroom | 115 30th Ave. E 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 SEPTEMBER 2022 | VOLUME 115 | ISSUE 9 Upcoming Chamber Events CHAMBER HORIZONS Official Newsletter of the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Promoting the Alexandria Lakes Area as the ultimate destination to live, work, play and prosper. Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce OWN YOU Discover & Ignite Your Ultimate Potential With Certified EOS Implementer, Business Coach and Speaker, PATRICK METZGER. co-sponsoredGenerouslyby: Presented by: MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 Serving: 11:15 am Program: 11:45 am - 1 pm Broadway Ballroom 115 30th Ave. E $25/ticket or $200/table of 8 Ride along with Patrick as he brings you to tears and gut-busting laughter with his personal journey of the challenges of growing up in a poor, large family, the fears of following his heart in leaving a 10-year teaching career, the triumph of becoming an adoptive parent, the keys to finding direction and clarity, and more. He shares his story to help others learn how to discover their potential and follow their passion. Ticket deadline: September 15. For tickets or information visit alexandriamn.org. Learn to optimize your membership at Chamber 101 session Join us for a Virtual Chamber 101 on Tuesday, October 4 from 7:30-8:30 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. Visit alexandriamn.org to register. For more information, call the Chamber at 320-7633161 or email info@alexandriamn.org.
The Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce launched the Commit to Kindness campaign in April 2022. Kindness materials are being displayed throughout the community in an effort to remind everyone to spread kindness. A portion of these materials have been funded by the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce and a grant provided by Horizon Public Health. Businesses and community members are wel come to order these materials from the Chamber to help circulate this message through the com munity. Business and are provided at no cost. Banners with business logo can be purchased in two different Ordersizes. online at www.alexandriamn.org/commit tokindness or call 320-763-3161 to request an order form.
YOU CAN BANK ON US. Football and banking have a lot in common, like experienced coaching and trust. First Western is a locally owned, community bank — trusted for over 50 years. We are your friends and neighbors, people you can count on, providing local decision making. firstwestern.bank Member FDICAlexandria • Carlos • Miltona 2 Chamber Horizons |September 2022 Welcome! August new members Please consider these new members for your personal and professional needs, and welcome them to our network! Chamber News Boomerang Marine & Sports held a ribbon cutting ceremony Friday, July 29 to celebrate a grand reopening at 1110 N Nokomis St. NE in Alexandria. New owners Mike and Dave Pearo rebranded the business with a new logo and website, expanded showroom, new product lines, and more. Aquarius Home Services/Kinetico Tom Leary | 218-760-4703 | 3608 Hwy. 29 N tom.leary@aquariushs.com | aquariushomeservices.com Dentistry at the Center Deanna McCabe | 320-762-5216 | 2306 S Broadway St., Ste. 4 info@dentistryatthecenter.com | dentistryatthecenter.com Kalon Prep Academy Chris Kragenbring | 1877 Aga Dr., Ste. 220 info@kalonprep.org | kalonprep.org ResortForward Brian Schmitz | 952-393-9288 | 1905 Lexington Ln. N, Mankato info@resortforward.com | resortforward.com Realty ONE Group Choice Paul Ekstrom | 320-338-7860 | 316 Broadway St., Ste. 8 paul@rogchoice.com | ROGchoice.com Stay in the know! Stay up-to-date on news and events by subscribing to Chamber email communications. Whether you want to receive all communications or just specific types, we’ll get you set up! Contact Katie at 320-335-2869 or membership@alexandriamn.org for assistance. #CommitToKindnessHelppromotekindness!
cards, vinyl decals,
your
window clings
Everything you need under one roof. Everything is provided here and it’s such a blessing to me. Now I have time to socialize with other people and have fun, and join in on the activities here. It’s a wonderful life Learn more at knutenelson.org or 320.208.9683
Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union |
Michelle Wencl, Karrow Jewelers Representing Retail/Downtown Term #1 effective 1/1/23 thru 12/31/25
Any member may request to be added to the ballot by filing a petition at the Chamber office bearing the signatures of ten (10) other members in good standing on or before September 21. At that time, nominations shall cease and the proposed slate will become the nominating slate.
Following is the proposed slate of candidates for the 2023 Chamber Board of Directors. The proposed slate was recommended by the Chamber Nominating Committee and approved by the Chamber Board at its August 18 meeting.
Nonprofit of the Day: Vikingland Community Support Program
Wake Up Alexandria
August 5 418 3rd Ave. E, Ste. 108
Jeff Meland, Databae Systems Representing Media/Technology/Communications Term #1 effective 1/1/23 thru 12/31/25
Important Election Notice! Chamber News
Proposed Slate: Molly Comer, First Lutheran Church Representing Nonprofit/Service Organizations Term #2 effective 1/1/23 thru 12/31/25
Tickets to the 2022 Business & Industrial Appreciation Day (BIAD) luncheon honoring Ollie’s Service are $30 per person or $300 per table of 10 and may be purchased com/biad22/.livingalexarea.ticketleap.at Wednesday, October 25 from 11:30 am to 1 pm Arrowwood Resort and Conference Center Get your BIAD tickets!
Matt Hagstrom, Hagstrom Engineering Representing Construction Services Term #2 effective 1/1/23 thru 12/31/25
August 19 7300 39th Ave. NE, Nelson
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.
- Carol, Senior Living Resident
Kreg Anderson, Alex Municipal Airport Representing Utilities/Government Term #2 effective 1/1/23 thru 12/31/25
September 2022 | Chamber Horizons 3
Nonprofit of the Day: Gabriel Media/K-yes Radio & Spirit 92.9
August Hosts
Affinity Plus Federal Credit Union is a financial institution that operates as a nonprofit through a membership model. Membership comes with all accounts and loans, and a $10 share makes clients owners of the institution. Affinity Plus offers full-service banking services.
CM - Woodworks |
CM - Woodworks designs custom architectural spaces, cab inetry, and furniture that make your home more functional, beautiful, and unique. Team members meet with clients to learn about their vision, style, and plans for the space so they can customize the design accordingly.
Membership Team
Dr. Tom Tardif, Owner Wildfire Sauna is a mobile sauna and wellness service owned by Dr. Tom Tardif. Dr. Tom offers three different options for sauna use: private rental, community pop up, and employee wellness.
Drew Donnay, Owner; Nate Stiles, Account Executive Point MKTG is located at 316 Broadway St., Ste. 9. It spe cializes in video production with script writing, filming, green screen, and more. It also offers social media man agement services.
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.
Membership Team visits continued on page 6.
4 Chamber Horizons | September 2022 O SEPTEMBERFESTIVAL16TH-18THMAKE YOUR PLANS TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW
August Visits
American Cancer Society is an organization that is best known for cancer research. The orga nization also provides support for those battling cancer such as lodging, transportation, and more. Point MKTG
American Cancer Society
Alexandria Lions Club Clarke Comer, Board Member; Ron Branch, Treasurer; Dave Lundy, President; Darrell Staley, Past President; Paul Skorheim, Board Member
Alexandria Lions Club is a service organization originally formed in 1917. The Lions are known most for their work with the blind and youth. The club also has a mobile waffle maker to use for waffle feeds and graduation parties.
Wildfire Sauna
Sherri Maanum, Senior Development Manager
This N’ That Repair & Handyman Service - New Business Blaine Kalahar, Owner Kalon Prep Academy - New School Chris Kragenbring, School Director
Northern Haus - New Business Shania Pedersen, Owner/Architectural Drafter
Best Hearing Center: Alomere/Lakes E.N.T. Best Medical Facility: Alexandria Clinic Best Physical Rehab: Heartland Orthopedics Best Physician: Dr. Kryder, Dr. Walz, Dr. Warzecha Vote your
faves!
Shania Pedersen is the owner and architectural drafter for a new business called Northern Haus. Shania does custom residential home design for Al exandria and surrounding area. She designs entire homes, additions, remodels, barns, shops, garages, and more.
Kalon Prep Academy is a new tuition free charter school in Alexandria for grades 9-12 that is strengths-learning based, college and career focused, and has a whole student ap proach. Core subjects can be done online or in person.
Dunn Brothers Coffee - New Owners Courtney Keller and Ryan Schmitz, Owners Courtney Keller and Ryan Schmitz recently became the new owners of Dunn Brothers Coffee in Alexandria. It is located at 405 50th Ave. W, Ste. 101 and offers a variety of coffees, teas, blended beverages, and food items. This N’ That Repair & Handyman Service is a new business owned and operated by Blaine Kalahar. Blaine offers many services for your home such as maintenance services, small engine repair, fixing garage doors, and more.
month. September 2022 | Chamber Horizons 5 August Visits
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
To include your business news in the Chamber Horizon Newsletter, email the information to Lauren at marketing@alexandriamn.org.
Homeowners Financial Group
Business Buzz 6 Chamber Horizons | September 2022
Kami Schefers, Licensed Mortgage Professional Homeowners Financial Group is a full-service residential mortgage company. It recently opened a branch at 316 Broadway St., Ste. 6 in Alexandria with Kami Schefers as its Licensed Mortgage Professional.
Vance Thompson Vision welcomes Brent Kramer, MD to the sur gical team in Alexandria. He is board-certified and will specialize in cataract, cornea, complex anterior segment surgery, and laser vision correction.
E. Arthur Brown Co. (EAB) announced that Royce Roers is the company’s new vice president of production. Roers started work ing for EAB 24 years ago. In his new position, he will continue to expand the company’s production capabilities, while developing new leaders for the future from the production staff.
Kelli Minnerath was hired to serve as executive director of the Alexandria Education Foundation (AEF) and Cardinal Athletic Foundation (CAF). Minnerath will oversee the AEF foundation, programs, and strategic plan. For CAF, she will serve as adminis trative and marketing support.
The Alexandria Area Community Foundation announced its new est board members: Diann Drew, publisher of Echo Press News paper, and Mary Gorghuber, an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity of Douglas County and St. Mary’s Church.
Burr Vineyards, a small family-owned and operated vineyard and winery, recently won ‘Best of Class’ with the 2020 Burr Vineyards Marquette while the 2021 Frontenac Rosé and 2019 Frontenac both placed silver at the International Cold Climate Wine Com petition.
SunOpta announced it has achieved “zero waste to landfill” status at its two Alexandria-based manufacturing facilities. This means it is diverting at least 90 percent of its waste from being placed in a landfill. By the end of 2022, it is targeting all 12 of its manufacturing facilities around the world to be zero waste to landfill.
Alexandria Area Economic Development Commission welcomes Jordyn Cantalope as its new Community Outreach Coordinator. Cantalope will lead economic and workforce initiatives and help coordinate activities with the Alexandria Public School’s Acade Formies.the third year in a row, Alexandria Technical & Community College is No. 3 in the country for the Best Community College and No. 1 Best in Minnesota as ranked by WalletHub in their ranking of Best & Worst Community Colleges.
Membership Team visits continued from
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