Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

(April 29, 2010) – Pekin Hospital and Lite Rock 107 are proud to recognize Pekin Community High School students Dylan Broombaugh and Austin Flynn as recipients of the Pekin Community High School (PCHS) Student Award for April. Dylan Broombaugh, a senior, was nominated by Mrs. Pat Smith, a guidance counselor. In her nomination, Mrs. Smith cited Dylan’s involvement in Stand Up and Save Earth, Peer Mediation, boy’s swim team, girl’s swim team manager, People to People, and Operation Teen Safe Driving. She explained, “Dylan goes beyond expectations. He is willing to help in and outside class. He is polite, helpful, works exceptionally well with others, and is a true leader.” Mrs. Smith also indicated that Dylan stood out among his peers because he “is always the first to volunteer his services. He follows through with the plans and is very responsible.” Austin Flynn, a junior, was nominated by Mr. Joel Steger, a faculty member. In his nomination, Mr. Steger cited Austin’s classroom inv

Please welcome a new member to the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: Grumpy Pete's Steakhouse 1440 N. 8th Street Pekin IL  61554 (309) 477-8325 Frank Gianessi , owner Pekin's Premier dining and catering facility, conveniently located at 1440 N. 8th Street, Grumpy Pete's serves up an array of food from rib eyes to their famous fried chicken. Stop in for lunch or dinner and enjoy their indoor fine dining or relax in their outdoor beer garden. Grumpy Pete's has something for everyone. Open for lunch Monday through Friday, 11:00am to 2:00pm; open Monday's from 4pm to 9pm, Tuesday through Friday from 4:00pm to 1:00am, and Sunday from 11:00am to 9:00pm.

McDaniels Marketing Communications recently received a first place “Best of NAMA” award for the digital presentation, Illinois Soybean Association’s “Think’n with Lincoln,” as well as a second place award for Heritage Seed’s “Secret Six/Lead Hybrid,” a local multi-media campaign. Presented by the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA), the ceremony in Kansas City, KS honored the nation’s “best of the best” in agricultural communications. To participate, entrants first achieved top awards at the regional level. Think’n with Lincoln This interactive game was created for the Illinois Soybean Association (ISA), a statewide organization for soybean growers located in Bloomington, IL. “Think’n with Lincoln” was unveiled as part of ISA’s new exhibit last September and supported ISA’s key message – “Illinois Soybean Growers: A Legacy of Leadership.” The game shows how Illinois soybean growers lead in agricultural production, research and education, while tying in with Abraham Lincoln’s

Spruce up Pekin - Saturday May 1, 2010 From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 1, Pekin residents can drop off their trash at four locations: The Mineral Springs Park parking lot, Fire Station No. 2 at 14th and Willow streets, 1130 Koch, and the intersection of Knapp and Sapp streets. At the Mineral Springs Park location, Safety Kleen will pick up used oil, and Interstate Batteries will collect anything from small batteries to car batteries.  The site will also be a drop-off location for any iron, from lawn mowers to truck parts, besides propane tanks.  Oil & antifreeze will only be accepted at this location only. Going Green Computers will accept electronics at the Mineral Springs Park location only. It will accept all computer-related items and wiring EXCEPT monitors and televisions. The service Center at 1130 Koch is the only site that will accept tires.  A disposal fee will be charged.

The Census Bureau is getting ready to hit the streets.  This is in an effort to make sure that every one is counted and that Central Illinois preserves its "voice" in government. Most residents who sent back their forms will not get a visit from a census taker.  However, it could happen for a variety of reasons including the following: - They did not completely fill out their form or the response was unclear. - They mailed their form back and the form did not get processed before assignments for the door-to-door operation were handed out. - They filled out a Be Counted form and it could not be matched with an address in the Master Address File. The Census taker will ONLY ask and record the questions on the Census form.   They will make up to three visits and up to three phone calls in an attempt to reach the home owner.  The census worker will leave a double-sided (English and Spanish) NOTICE of VISIT in the doorway that includes a phone number for the resident to sch

Kyle's Care at Home is pleased to announce that they have recently become a Community Care Provider.  The Community Care Program is a state funded program.  This program provides homemaking and care giving services to low-income seniors who require assistance to remain independent in the comfort of their own homes.   If you would like more information on this program or the other services offered, please call Kyle's Care at Home .  347-8600.

On a Seasonally adjusted basis, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.1 percent in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. Over the last 12 months, the index increased 2.3 percent before seasonal adjustments.

1st Ambassadors Committee, CJ’s Café, 7:30am / 8:00am 2nd Executive Committee, Chamber Office, 4:00 pm 3rd Pekin 1st Committee, Pekin Union Mission, 7:30 am 3rd Business After Hours, NTS Telephone Company, 4:30~6:00 pm Reservations Appreciated 8th Member Services Comm., Chamber Office, 7:30 am 9th Transportation Committee, Pekin City Hall, 8:00 am 9th Board of Directors Meeting, Herget Bank, 4:00 pm 11th Puttin’ on Pekin Breakfast, Knights of Columbus Hall, 6:45 am Reservations Appreciated 16th Marigold Committee, Pekin Public Library, 6:30 pm 29th Business Advocacy Committee, Chamber Office, 7:00 am

4th Ambassadors Committee, CJ’s Café , 7:30am / 8:00am 5th Executive Committee, Chamber Office, 4:00 pm 6th Pekin 1st Committee, Pekin Union Mission, 7:30 am 6th Business After Hours, Avant’is Ristorante , 4:30~6:00 pm Reservations Appreciated 11th Member Services Comm., Chamber Office, 7:30 am 12th Transportation Committee, Pekin City Hall, 8:00 am 12th Board of Directors Meeting, Herget Bank, 4:00 pm 19th Marigold Committee, Pekin Public Library, 6:30 pm 21st Breakfast 2.0, Pekin Public Library, 7:00 am Reservations Appreciated 25th Business Advocacy Committee, Chamber Office, 7:00 am 31st Memorial Day, Chamber Office Closed

Don't miss May's Business After Hours on Thursday, May 6th from 4:30pm to 6:00pm.  We'll be at Avanti's Ristorante, 3610 Kelly Avenue.  Please call the chamber office, 346-2106, to RSVP.

Thank you to the following businesses and organizations that recently renewed their membership with the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: American Motor Trends ~ Artistic Community Theatre ~ Best Western Ashland House & Conference Center ~ Bond Eye Associates ~ Boys & Girls Club of Pekin ~ Brad Campbell Memorial Fund ~ Bridgeway ~ Carl & Nichols Shell ~ CEFCU ~ Comcast Spolight ~ DHS/Division of Rehabilitation Services ~ Dragon's Dome (Central Illinois Sports Management) ~ East Side/Goodyear Tire & Auto Service ~ First Federal Savings & Loan ~ Sylvan Franklin ~ Godfathers Pizza ~ Greg's Garage Door Service ~ Griffin-Rahn Insurance ~ J H Car Wash ~ Charlotte Jibben ~ Jimmy Johns ~ Dr. Brendon J. Johnson, OD PC ~ Kiwanis Club of Pekin ~ Kyle's Care at Home ~ Lange Animal Clinic ~ National City Bank ~ Pekin National Bank ~ Pekin Trophy House & Engraved Gifts ~ Regent Broadcasting of Peoria, Inc. ~ Carol Shields ~ Southside Business Association ~ Staples

By Bill Fleming The annual meeting of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce was held on April 21st at the Pekin Country Club. Two hundred chamber members were in attendance. Outgoing board members (Charles Hanley, Roxanne Heiser, Tom Hornstein, Gregg Ratliff, and Kay Sutton) were recognized for their service, and the newly elected board members were introduced. The board of directors also elected officers for the coming year: President, Althea Geiser; President Elect, Skip Schermerhorn; Vice President, Drew Leman; Treasurer, Tom Hornstein; and Past President, Mike Vonderheide. Hornstein is President/COO of Excalibur Seasoning Company. He has a BS degree from Illinois State University and an MBA degree from Bradley University. He also sits on the boards of the United Way of Pekin and Pekin Insurance, and is a Peoria Notre Dame board trustee. Tom and his wife Maria have 2 children, Tom (18) and Antonio (12). In his free time Tom enjoys hunting and fishing. Outgoing President Mike Von

The I’m Stepping Up community campaign is underway and receiving great publicity but we need your help! The first Project Pack the Place (sponsored by PNC) is Sunday May 2nd with the Peoria Chiefs. If you haven’t ordered your tickets yet, please do so ASAP. You can purchase a block of tickets for your employees, volunteers, or friends to attend the game and pack the stands. Tickets are $8 each for a minimum 20 tickets. Each ticket includes an I’m Stepping Up/Pack the Place T-shirt and kids 12 and under get a free hotdog and soda. To reserve your tickets, call 309-680-4000 ext 0 and ask about Project Pack By participating, your company/organization will be announced during the game and be placed on all the signage the day of the event.

Put Illinois to Work is a program created by Illinois Governor Pat Quinn and the Illinois Department of Human Services. This program, utilizing state funds and federal stimulus dollars, will be administered in partnership with Heartland Human Care Services, Inc® ( HHCS ) and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to provide subsidized wages for eligible unemployed, low-income parents and young adults throughout Illinois. Employers offering entry-level positions are needed to host subsidized workers for up to six months, ending September 30, 2010. Benefits offered by Put Illinois to Work include: ■ NO wage expenses for employers ■ The opportunity to train new workers on your unique internal processes/procedures ■ The option to hire skilled workers after September 30, 2010 For all the details, visit http://www. putillinoistowork . illinois .gov/

Please welcome another member to the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: Treasures & More 345 Court Street Pekin, IL 61554 (309) 267-1401 John Riley, owner Open from 9am to 5pm, Monday through Saturday, Treasures & More offers antiques and collectibles, crafts, rocks, knives and a little bit of everything.

The Tazewell County Jaycees will hold their monthly membership meeting on Monday, April 26th at 6pm at Schooner's in Morton. Individuals interested in joining this organization are welcome to attend.

(April 22, 2010)--The public joined with local dignitaries to officially open the area’s newest outpatient health center. Methodist North at Allen Road opened its doors for the first time March 29th but observed a public open house and ribbon cutting Thursday, April 22, 2010. Methodist North at Allen Road is now home to Methodist at Allen Road-Pediatrics and Methodist at Allen Road-Family Medicine as well as Methodist Medical Group Cardiology and Methodist Comprehensive Foot and Ankle Center. In addition to physician offices, Methodist North at Allen Road features an advanced Imaging Center that offers the latest 3T MRI, a low-dose-radiation CT scanner, comfortable all-digital mammography, plus ultrasound, x-ray, echo and vascular lab, and bone density scanning. Also included at Methodist North is the full-service Methodist Pharmacy for easy access to prescriptions and over-the-counter pharmacy items, plus physical and occupational therapy from Professional Therapy Services. In

The Girl Scouts of Central Illinois and Udry Jewelers cordially invite you to join us for an evening of hors d’oeuvres and entertainment to celebrate Girl Scouting in Pekin and honor the contributions of Paula Davis for being a leader in our community and demonstrating the Girl Scout values of courage, confidence and character. Thursday May 13, 2010 5 to 7 pm Udry Jewelers, Inc. 1100 Derby St., Pekin, IL Each ticket purchased entitles you to attend the event and provides a chance to win a unique, handcrafted diamond necklace valued at $4,200, courtesy of Udry Jewelers, Inc. Tickets are $50 each; all proceeds benefit Girl Scouts of Central Illinois. Please RSVP by Monday May 10, 2010 For more information, please contact Kimberly Weeks at 309-688-8671 or 800-640-8671 ext.1414 or kweeks@girlscouts-gsci.org.

(April 21, 2010) - Pekin Hospital recognized its volunteers at the Annual Volunteer Recognition Luncheon held today at the Pekin Moose Lodge. During 2009, hospital volunteers recorded a total of 41,362.5 hours of volunteer service. Volunteers donated 11,042. Volunteens donated 456.5 hours, and male escorts donated 9,264 hours. In addition, the Pekin Hospital League members donated 20,362.5 hours. Forty-eight volunteers were given special recognition for their hours of service: 100 Hours – Don Benassi, Michael Cook, Rita DeSollar, Bob Ganson, Pamela Ganson, Hal Hanes, Marilyn Hasty, Michael Hodapp, Judy Krupps, Kathy Pogeman, Byron Rabb, John Ritchie, and Jackie Schoon 500 Hours – Diane Arrenholz, Millie Cordes, Mary Gardner, Keith Kells, Emma Morgan, Dennis Stoller, and Mabel Urish 1,000 Hours – Jim Busch, Dale Cook, Sharon Cook, Frank Hatton, Ann Heimer, Suzanne Hochstetler, Gene Smith, Beulah Snyder, and JohnTurnell 1,500 Hours – Bob Green, Sue Hurd, Mary Kay Lutz, Bob Mor

Please welcome the newest member of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: 8th Street Sweet Spot 211 N. 8th Street Pekin, IL 61554 (309) 353-3340 Lisa Stetler, owner Located across from West Campus, and open daily from 11am to 9pm, the 8th Street Sweet Spot is a family-owned business offering ice cream, sandwiches, and iced coffee.

REPORT TO THE MEMBERSHIP From the Board of Directors - Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce April 19, 2010 The Chamber’s business IS business – We promote the growth of the Pekin area through the collective efforts of our members. Below are the four goals of our strategic plan. During the past year, the Chamber’s Board of Directors, committees, volunteers and staff have contributed the following efforts: Goal 1: Create a vibrant business environment in the Pekin Vision: Creating a vibrant business environment requires our participation in the legislative process - advocating those issues that will benefit our membership and keeping our membership informed of legislation that will impact their business interests. Creating a vibrant business environment also requires that we seek out organizations that share our goals and collaborate with them, actively pursuing our common goals. Advocacy: The chamber staff and members of the Business Advocacy Committee promoted issues that will cr

A charity basketball game between the Pekin Police and the Pekin Fire Departments will be held Tuesday, May 4, at 6:30pm in the Pekin High School Gymnasium.  Admission for adults is $5, students are $3, and children 5 and under are free.  Proceeds from the event will support Special Olympics.

(April 21, 2010)--Methodist Medical Center will be offering three free Women’s Health Awareness Programs for the general public. Programs will include information on women’s health issues as well as the latest information on robotic hysterectomies using the DaVinci Robotic System. Programs will include a presentation on Pre and Post Menopause with Dr. Tracy Bochantin on Tuesday, April 27 at 6 p.m. That presentation will be held at Curves at 3709 N. Sterling in Peoria. Adolescent Obesity will be the topic for a presentation by Dr. David Kindred on Tuesday, May 4th at 8 a.m. That presentation will also be held at Curves at 3709 Sterling. The final presentation will be held on Wednesday, May 5th at 12:30 p.m. Dr. Marc Boyd will be discussing urinary incontinence at Methodist on North Allen Road. Refreshments will be served at all three presentations and attendees will receive a free one-month membership to Curves.

Arts Open House Speakeasy Art Center of Central Illinois Come and check out what is sure to be the newest hot spot for the arts in Central Illinois.  The Speakeasy Art Society in Pekin, Illinois offers prime, affordable studio space for visual arts, performing arts, music and photography.  We house more than twenty unique spaces to choose from, both raw and finished. Be a part of Pekin's Historic Downtown Revitalization.  Be one of the first to secure your opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the newest events and gallery opportunities. Saturday, April 24, 2010 12-8 pm 353 Court St. - Pekin LIVE MUSIC - ART - REFRESHMENTS Studio Tours Available All Day

(April 20, 2010)--Methodist Medical Center honored its volunteers at the 38th Annual Volunteer Appreciation Banquet Tuesday, April 20, 2010 at the Paradise Hotel. The luncheon is held in conjunction with National Volunteer Week. Among the volunteers, special recognition honored Aubrey Atkinson of Bartonville with seventeen thousand volunteer hours and Barbara Spurgeon of Washington with sixteen thousand volunteer hours. Michael Bryant, President and CEO of Methodist Medical Center made the presentation of awards, which included a service pin and gift catalog. National Volunteer Week recognizes the support that volunteers provide to hospital staff, their patients, their family members and the community at the local, state and national levels.

Champion Fitness Physical Therapy encourages you to educate yourself or someone you care about. All you need is a computer and an internet connection to view, listen, or read from our library of health related topics. Go to our website, http://www.champfit.com,/   click “blog” and scroll to read the latest blog entries or select a topic of interest. You will find information on topics such as ankle sprains, spinal decompression, dynamic stretching, and more! Find out how Champion Fitness Physical Therapy can help you “GET BUSY LIVING!”

I would like to thank the board of directors, the staff (Bill, Jamie, and Diane), the executive committee, and all of you, for giving me the opportunity and privilege to serve as President of the Board of Directors of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce during this past year. I have learned so much from all of you during my eight years of service with the chamber. When I spoke last year at the annual meeting, I set a few goals for the organization as we embarked on a difficult, recessionary year: to maintain all the programs we possibly could, to try to implement new ones, and just keep the status quo with our membership. If you remember a year ago, I challenged you with a 1-line quote I like to use: “The difference between try and triumph is a little umph!” Well, I can assure you, the staff and the board took me literally and gave this year an extra umph. Even in a year with uncertainty in our economy, I’m very happy to report we broke a record for new membership. We added 44 new

WOW!!—Little could I have imagined that a number of years ago when I volunteered to be a Chamber Ambassador that it would lead me down this path. I couldn’t be more proud or happy to take this next step and represent the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce as your President. As you have heard, this evening we have been recognizing our volunteers. Volunteerism, as defined by Wikipedia, is the practice of people working on behalf of others, or for a particular cause, without payment for their time or services. What better way is there to connect with your community and give something back? But people also volunteer because they want to make new friends, increase their self-confidence, or want to make a difference. 98% of the work completed by the chamber is done with the help of volunteers. The Chamber would find it difficult to carry on our day-to-day business without all of these people who give so much of themselves. I can remember a number of years back a comment was made that the av

The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual meeting on April 19th at the Pekin Country Club. Two Hundred people, representing 62 businesses and organizations, were in attendance. The results of the recent election of new directors were announced and the board of directors elected new officers. New directors elected to 3-year terms by the membership were: Daryl Dagit, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney; Paula Davis, Pekin Community High School District 303; Debbie Davison, Home Health Care Plus; Neal Johnson, Ameren Illinois Utilities; and, Ty Lemaster, CenturyLink. Officers elected at the annual meeting by the Chamber’s Board of Directors include: President, Althea Geiser, B’Ribboned, Etc.; President -Elect, Charles “Skip” Schermerhorn, Herget Bank; Vice-President, Drew Leman, Leman Property Management; Treasurer, Tom Hornstein, Excalibur Seasoning Company; and, Past President, Mike Vonderheide, Vonderheide Floor Coverings. Directors who completed their 3-year terms were also r

One hundred five Pekin Hospital and ProHealth Inc. employees were recently honored at the 51st Annual Service Awards Dinner held at the Pekin Moose Lodge on April 15. Employees honored have more than 1,290 years total service to Pekin Hospital and ProHealth Inc.  Employees and their years of service are as follows: Thirty-five Years: Kathy Blake, Kathy Guidi, Gretchen Norton, and Sue Seymore. Thirty Years: David Berry, Patsy Bowers, Lori Delaware, Kathy Garlock, Sheila Kamp, Craig Redshaw, Francy VanDyke, Kay Weast, and Bonnie Wills. Twenty-five Years: Sharlene Butterfield, Mike Erickson, Wendy Fox, Pam Lohnes, Sherry Thompson, Debbie Williams, and Karen Woiwode. Twenty Years: Kathy Beaird, Sherry Collins, Theresa Mickens, Jan Simpkins, Teresa Sparks, and Janet VanDyke. Fifteen Years: Carla Allen, Bennie Artman, Bonita Justice, Teresa Kazense, Nancy Lenox, Dorothea Reed, Tracey Sackett, Laurel Sharp, and Bettyanne Thies. Ten Years: Mary Altman, Julie Barth, Tammy Blackmore,

Join us for a complimentary hard hat tour of the General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport new terminal construction site. Thursday June 3, 2010  4:00 - 7:00 pm Hors d'oeuvres provided, Wine tasting hosted by Kickapoo Creek Winery RSVP by May24, 201 to: www.flypia.com/events

The Columbian Exposition of 1893, also known as the Chicago’s World Fair, will be highlighted in a presentation by Wayne Rethford at the Tazewell County Genealogical and Historical Society general meeting on May 11, 2010. The fair produced a profound effect on architecture, the arts, and American industrial optimism. Wayne Rethford is President Emeritus and Historian of the Saint Andrew Society in Chicago.  He was born in the foothills of the Missouri Ozarks and raised in the Oklahoma oil fields. Though he considers himself an Okie, he currently resides in Chicago IL. He authored, along with June Skinner Sawyers, The Scots of Chicago: Quiet Immigrants and Their New Society. In addition, he maintains a blog and writes about various historical topics. The meeting, which is open to the general public, will be held on Tuesday May 11, 2010 at the Society’s Erlicher Library, located at 719 N Eleventh St, Pekin, IL. The program will begin promptly at 7:00 PM, with a business meeting imm

Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, Inc. has signed on to be a sub-contractor in a 14 county region for the Put Illinois to Work program. Put Illinois to Work is a statewide initiative aimed at stimulating the economy and local job market by creating thousands of job opportunities throughout the state. The counties Goodwill will serve are: Peoria, Fulton, Tazewell, Mason, LaSalle, Knox, Putnam, Henry, Bureau, Stark, Woodford, McLean, Marshall, and Livingston. Employers offering entry-level positions are needed to host subsidized workers for up to six months, ending September 30, 2010.  Job Seekers and Employers may register to participate online http://www.putillinoistowork.illinois.gov/ Job Seekers - What's In It For You! * Obtain subsidized employment paying $10 an hour lasting until September 30, 2010. After that date, the employer may hire you permanently! * Obtain additional job skills and career experience Who Qualifies? * Age 18-21 and living with their parent(s

The Tiny Tots Childcare, located at 2400 N. 8th Street, held a grand opening on Saturday, April 17th. Representatives from the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Pekin held a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially welcome the new business. Owner Araceli Lear was joined in the ribbon cutting by Sara Ruhaak, the director, and other staff, family and friends. Open from 6:30am to 6:00pm, Tiny Tots Childcare offers quality childcare in a safe, warm, caring atmosphere. Their staff have associate degrees in child development and the director is certified in sanitation, CPR and First Aid. They can be reached at 642-6551.  You can see more pictures from this event at:  http://picasaweb.google.com/PekinChamber

(April 19, 2010) - The Pekin Hospital Auxiliary is soliciting applications for the 2010 Pekin Hospital Auxiliary Financial Assistance Program. This award of financial assistance is presented annually to students who are enrolled in qualified, professional health-related programs. Students living in the Tri-county area are eligible to apply, with priority extended to applicants who intend to return to the Pekin area to practice their skills. Applicants must apply annually, and recipients will not be eligible for more than four years of assistance. The scholarship committee reviews applications and selects the award recipient(s) based upon course of study; financial need; scholarship achievements, including honors and grades; experience/extra-curricular involvement, volunteer and work-related; letters of recommendation; and general qualifications and goals. The scholarship(s) will be presented in August 2010. All completed applications, grade transcripts for the most current semester

Don't miss the Pekin 5K  Run / Walk 2010, benefiting the Salvation Army Youth Programs and Activities.  It's Saturday, May 15th at Coal Miners Park.  Check-in opens at 6:00am, the run starts at 7:00am and the walk starts at 8:00am.  There are lots of age divisions, and t-shirts for registrations paid by April 30th.  A registration form and more information is available at:  http://www.pekin.net/newsletters/Ads/Pekin5K.pdf

Please welcome a new member to the chamber... Nelson Catering, Inc. 3005 Great Northern Road Springfield, IL 62711 (217) 787-9443 fax 528-6308 http://www.nelsonscatering.com/ nelsonscatering@springnet1.com  Josh Lindvall, owner Ashley Belue, Sales/Event Planning Representative From catered corporate picnics, employee & customer appreciation meals, golf outings, and elaborate weddings - to our delivery and fundraising programs - whether it's a group of 1,000 or a smaller group of 25, we enjoy exceeding the expectations of both our clients and their guests!

Do you know someone who, even at an early age, has made this area a great place to live?  Do you know someone that you see as a future leader of our community, or even our country?  In Late June, The Pekin Daily Times will publish its first "20 under 21" edition, and they are looking for nominations.  The two main eligibility criteria are:  1) the person you nominate must be younger than 21 years of age as of May 31, 2010; and 2) the nominee must live in Tazewell or Mason County.  Deadline for nominations is April 30th.  Contact the Pekin Daily Times, 346-1111 for more info.

THE GRAND VICTORIAN OF PEKIN One Year Anniversary Celebration! Join us for a Hawaiian Luau May 19th, 2010 3:30pm - 7:00 pm Food, Fun, Prizes and Entertainment 2700 S. 14th. Street, Pekin (309)346-1310

Special Mother’s Day Lunch Join us for a Grand Mother’s Day Lunch at the Grand Victorian of Pekin For your convenience there will be two seating’s 11:00 to 12:00 or 12:00 to 1:00 Menu Includes: Chicken Cordon Blue Stuffed Pork Loin Duchess Potatoes Fresh Asparagus Cheese Cake Cost is $10 for visitors RSVP before May 3rd by contacting Angie at 309-346-1310 Carnation Corsages for all Mothers

(April 10, 2010)-Methodist Medical Center has announced the April, 2010 Employees of the Month. Their peers in the areas of patient care, nursing, and non-nursing support recognize three separate employees. The three selected were Paula Mailloux, RN of Metamora selected for the category of Nursing. She works in Surgical Pre-Op. Also selected was Julie Thames of Morton for non-nursing support. Julie works at the Methodist ChildCare Center. And for the category of Patient Care, Linda Doubet of Elmwood was selected. She works in OB Labor and Delivery. All three will be honored at a hospital reception on Wednesday, April 21, 2010

The Pekin Public Library kicked off National Library Week with an open house and ribbon cutting on April 10th. The ribbon cutting celebrated the library's recently completed renovations to the lobby. Pekin Mayor Rusty Dunn and Chamber Ambassador Les Rosiere joined Library Director Jeff Brooks and representatives from the Library's Board of Directors and the library staff for the ribbon cutting.

Representatives from the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce assisted the Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois with the Grand Opening of their new Pekin retail location. Representatives from Goodwill's Board of Directors and local employees joined Patty Fuchs, President & CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois, for the ceremony. The new store is located in the former Kroger space in the Courtside Shopping Center at 3245 Court Street. The new location increased the shopping area from about 10,000 square feet at the old Veteran's Drive location to about 12,000 square feet. Computer classes, community outreach and educational programs will be offered in two classrooms located in the back of the new store.

Craig Hopper, Account Executive with Cybernautic, cuts the ribbon welcoming the firm to the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce. Joining him for the ceremony held on April 9th were representatives from the chamber's Board of Directors and Ambassadors. Cybernautic is located at 900 W. College Avenue in Normal. Cybernautic is one of the most innovative and decorated full-service web design companies in Central Illinois. Started 11 years ago, they have a large portfolio of diverse sites, which are all custom-designed from the ground up. They make the web easy, offering design, hosting, SEO & promotional services.

Representatives from the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce recently presented a membership plaque to one of their newest members, Avon Independent Sales Representative Teresa Ann Tucker. Avon is the world's largest direct seller of beauty and beauty-related products. Choose the best in affordable beauty care from a wide selection of products, including makeup, fragrances, anti-aging skincare, jewelry and accessories, wellness products, and unique gifts and home decor items. Avon's Beauty category includes leading brand names like: Avon Color, Anew, Skin-So-Soft, Advance Techniques, Avon Naturals and mark. Many busy customers enjoy the convenience of ordering online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at http://youravon.com/ttucker8816 with direct shipping to their door. You can contact Teresa at (309) 698-8160.

Anderson Insurance & Financial Services, located at 1508 North 8th Street in Pekin, was recently welcomed into the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Financial Representatives Patrick Hanlon and Cole Munge, were assisted with the scissors by representatives from the chamber's Ambassadors and Board of Directors. Anderson Insurance & Financial Services is a full-service insurance and financial services firm.

Vista Audio-Visual, Inc., a new Pekin business owned by Bill & Melanie Long, recently opened and joined the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce. Welcoming Bill to the organization were representatives from the Board of Directors and the Ambassadors of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce. Open 8:30am to 4:30pm, Vista Audio-Visual, Inc. is a full service audio-visual equipment rental company that specializes in LCD projectors, projection screens, microphones, speakers, mixing boards, flat screen TVs, 27" monitors, carts, skirts, and overhead projectors for corporate events, private celebrations, courtroom presentation, etc. Bill can be reached at (309) 750-3643.

Representatives from the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and the chamber's Ambassadors, welcomed Edward Jones - Drew Eilts Financial Advisor to their organization with a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 9th. The business is located at 521 S. Parkway Drive in Pekin and open Monday through Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm. Edward Jones, a full-service financial service firm and member of the New York Stock Exchange, is committed to helping individuals meet their long-term financial goals. They provide investments, advice, and planning with face-to-face local service.

The Puttin' on Pekin breakfast was held on April 9th at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 715 N. 11th in Pekin. The every-other-month breakfast features positive events in Pekin, and is coordinated by the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce's Pekin 1st Committee. Our emcee, Renna Hadsall, presented Rick Tyler with the early prize and Nicholas Evans with the late prize. The Spotlight on Business was presented by committee member Nichole Bozarth to Kirk Cranwill from Cranwill's Drive-in. The Blue Ribbon Award was presented by committee member Jason Kreiling to Ralph Mickley for the new construction/remodeling done by Good Shepherd Lutheran School. Nichole Bozarth presented the Sunshine Award to Jay Fitzanko and the United Way of Pekin. Pekin's own Josh Bradshaw spoke about his many mission trips to Haiti as part of the Friends of the Children of Haiti (FOTCOH). He also shared pictures of his most recent trip, which happened shortly after the tragic earthquake. You can see mo

Pekin Main Street - Downtown District Thursday April 22, 2010 4:30 - 8:00 pm (open house) Speakeasy Art Center. 353 Court St. Local food, wine, art & entertainment $10.00 per ticket, (food, 1 drink, art display & entertainment) Tickets available at Main Street office at 111 S. Capitol or call 353-3100

Downtown Business Networking Meeting Agenda: Main Street Happenings; Downtown/City Update Business Spotlight Networking Time Date: Wednesday, April 14, 2010 Time: 4:30 - 6:00 pm Location: CreativEngraving & Marking, 19 S. Capitol St. RSVP: appreciated but not required RSVP: Leigh Ann Matthews, 353-3100 or mainstreet@grics.net

(April 9, 2010) – The students of Pekin Community High School Encore Orchestra and Pekin District 108 Concert and Prelude Orchestras will be performing at the Annual Encore & Co. Fundraiser Concert on Tuesday, April 20. The concert will begin at 6:30p.m. in the Patricia Hackler Auditorium, Washington School, Pekin. The Annual Encore & Co. Concert is a fundraising dessert concert event to enjoy “A Journey Through American Music”. Each orchestra will perform various pieces such as Star Spangled Banner, Kentucky Jam, Music of the Night, Pirates of the Caribbean, the Best of Abba, and many more including a special tribute to Michael Jackson. Tickets are $4 per person through April 16 or $5 per person after April 16 ($5 at the door) and can be purchased from the PCHS Branch Finance Office, District 108 Suzuki Strings Office or an orchestra member. A complimentary dessert is included with each ticket. The concert is open to the public. For more information, contact the Suzuki Str

On April 12, The Greater Peoria Mass Transit District (CityLink) will begin providing service to qualified Americans with Disability Act (ADA) passengers on a demand-response basis. In cooperation with the City of Pekin, CityLink will provide a van to be used only by passengers in Pekin to get to their appointments as required by ADA. Only certified passengers will be able to ride. Contact John Williams 309.679.8139 or Marcia Whitehead at 309.679.8183 to inquire about certification. Certified passengers can set up appointments one day in advance by calling MV Transportation directly at 1-877-808-5438 for door-to-door transportation to their destination. This van was added to Pekin routes to alleviate the delayed deviated route previously used. Fixed-route service will remain the same.

(April 6, 2010) - The Pekin Hospital Auxiliary is soliciting applications for the 2010 Pekin Hospital Auxiliary Financial Assistance Program. This award of financial assistance is presented annually to students who are enrolled in qualified, professional health-related programs. Students living in the Tri-county area are eligible to apply, with priority extended to applicants who intend to return to the Pekin area to practice their skills. Applicants must apply annually, and recipients will not be eligible for more than four years of assistance. The scholarship committee reviews applications and selects the award recipient(s) based upon course of study; financial need; scholarship achievements, including honors and grades; experience/extra-curricular involvement, volunteer and work-related; letters of recommendation; and general qualifications and goals. The scholarship(s) will be presented in August 2010. All completed applications, grade transcripts for the most current semester,

Please welcome a new business to the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: Vista Audio-Visual, Inc. Pekin, IL 61554 (309) 750-3643; fax 642-6425 Bill Long , Owner. Open 8:30am to 4:30pm, Vista Audio-Visual, Inc. is a full service audio-visual equipment rental company that specializes in LCD projectors, projection screens, microphones, speakers, mixing boards, flat screen TVs, 27" monitors, carts, skirts, overhead projectors for corporate events, private celebrations, courtroom presentation, etc.

Please welcome to the membership of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce: Citizens for Unes PO Box 8171 East Peoria, IL 61611-8171 http://www.mikeunes.com/ mike@mikeunes.com Dan Pelphrey , campaign manager. Citizens for Unes supports the efforts of East Peoria Councilman Mike Unes' bid to become State Representative of the 91st district, which includes portions of Tazewell, Fulton, and Peoria Counties.

The 14th Annual John M. Evans Scholarship Golf Tournament has been scheduled at Lick Creek Golf Course in Pekin , IL.  This tournament is specifically designed to raise money to perpetuate this scholarship fund so Laborer's Local 231 can continue to give financial assistance to qualified recipients. The Local Union would greatly appreciate it if you would sponsor a golf team and/or a tee sign or both, if you choose.  If you cannot sponsor a team or a tee sign, please feel free to donate a gift certificate or prize.  Gift certificates and prizes will be raffled off at the Golf Tournament. The cut off date for tee signs and team sponosrs will be May 25th, 2010. What: John M. Evans Scholarship Golf Tournament When: Wednesday, June 9, 2010 Where: Lick Creek Golf Course Registration at 7:30 - 9:30 am Shotgun start at 10:00 am Please contact Laborer's Local 231 at 347-7106 for more information.

Nominations are being accepted until April 15 for YWCA of  Pekin's Annual Women's Recognition Day Luncheon.  Awards will be handed out in the following categories: Arts, Business, Professions, Sports, Community Services, Outstanding Employee and new this year will be an award in recognition of an individual, business or organization demostrating significant dedication to achieving the mission of the YWCA. Date: Thursday, May 6, 2010 Time: Noon - 1:30 pm Place: Pekin Country Club For more information please call 347-2104 or visit: www.ywca.org/pekin

March 31, 2010 – Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois will hold the grand opening of its new Pekin location on Saturday, April 10th. The move to this new location makes Goodwill’s Pekin store its largest. Boasting over 24,000 square feet, the store also includes two classrooms. These classrooms will be used as the setting for free computer and job readiness classes. “Using a portion of the store for classrooms will allow us to conduct free classes for people in and around the Pekin area”, says Patty Fuchs, Goodwill President and CEO. Director of Retail Operations Dyrke Maricle says, “Not only does the store contain more merchandise and more selection, it also has a drive through donation drop off. We have found that donors really appreciate the ability to donate items without even leaving their vehicle.” The Pekin Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, April 9th at 11:00 a.m. Photo opportunities and interviews will be available at that time. The stor

Just a reminder that nominations for the Jeff Bell Customer Service Award are due this Friday!! Everyone appreciates being recognized for his or her efforts in a business and knowing their hard work is valued. The Better Business Bureau is giving BBB Accredited Businesses an opportunity to honor an employee for his or her outstanding commitment to customer service in the market place. Every single nominee will be presented a prestigious certificate from the Better Business Bureau recognizing their outstanding achievement. To nominate someone, visit the link below to complete the nomination form. All entries are due prior to April 2 2010. The winner of the Jeff Bell Customer Service Award will be announced at the BBB Torch Award event on May 6 2010, at the Hotel Pere Marquette in Peoria. To reserve your seats, call Jessica at 309-681-6704 *100 today.

(April 2, 2010)--Methodist Hospital Services is seeking caring, compassionate individuals to join a team of dedicated volunteers. Flexible individualized opportunities range from assisting patients and families to working on administrative or special projects. Free volunteer training sessions will be held April 26, 27 and 29. To obtain a volunteer application or inquire about the program, contact Kristen or Karen at

Peoria, Illinois (April 2, 2010)--Methodist Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs Rick Anderson, MD has announced a series of updates to the Methodist Medical Group organizational structure. Joan Golemon, MD has been appointed Medical Director of the Methodist Family Medical Center. Stephanie Lindstrom, MD has been named Medical Director-Rural Health/Primary Care. John Miller, MD has been named Medical Director of Methodist North Allen Road Family Medicine and Pediatrics. Brian Cohen, MD has accepted the position of Medical Director-Specialty Care for the Methodist Medical Group. Tony Dawalibi, DO has been named Medical Director-Primary Care/MedPointes. Gregory Johnson, MD has accepted the position of Medical Director-Growth and Innovation. Keith Knepp, MD has been named Chief Medical Informatics Officer. Alex Adler, MD is now Medical Director for Methodist Medical Group Cardiology.

(April 2, 2010) – The Pekin Hospital Foundation will host a wine and dine event on Saturday, April 24 at 6 p.m. at the Pekin Country Club. Net proceeds from the event will benefit the Pekin Hospital Foundation. Wine and food sampling will be held from 6 – 8 p.m. DJ Diamond Dan will provide music and dancing from 8 – 10 p.m. The attire is business casual. Tickets are $75 per person, a portion of which is tax deductible. To purchase tickets, please call (309) 353-0559 or visit www.pekinhospital.org. “This event, which is open to the public, is our community’s chance to support Pekin Hospital while having a fun time. With community support that we have received over the years, Pekin Hospital continues to provide high-quality healthcare to Pekin for our residents and their families,” adds Kevin Andrews, CEO of Pekin Hospital. For more information, please visit www.pekinhospital.org.

The April Business After Hours was hosted by Hometown Title on Thursday, April 1st. Chamber members enjoyed the refreshments, door prizes, conversation and hospitality. Hometown Title is located in Sunset Plaza.

Date: May 1, 2010 Place: AMVETS Hall - 1426 South 2nd Street, Pekin, IL Time: 2 – 6 PM Games start at 2 PM sharp - doors open at 1:30 Trivia Contest – Auction – Kids Table First 50 arrivals win Derby Memorabilia! Derby Attire is requested but not required Ladies we can’t wait to see your Derby Hat! Pizza, Salad and Dessert served $5 kids/ $7 Adults http://www.pekinridingclub.com/     pekinridingclub@yahoo.com Come join us as we watch the RUN FOR THE ROSES and help support the Pekin Riding Club!

The Pekin Riding Club is launching its 66th year and has announced the dates for the 2010 Open Fun Shows, which take place the 2nd and 4th week of each month from May to October. The Pekin Riding Club is a membership-based, non-profit organization that is open to horse enthusiasts of all skill levels. The Pekin Riding Club offers a great place for casual riders, competitors participating in the Paint Alternative Competition, and anyone warming up horses for 4-H shows, breed shows or even NBHA (National Barrel Horse Association) shows. Fun Shows offer horse enthusiasts of all skill levels to participate in events such as Halter, Showmanship, Western Pleasure, English Pleasure, Trail, Walk-Trot, Equitation, Scudaho, Pole Bending, Barrels and Flags. Age brackets include youth, teen and adult. Members and non-members are welcome to attend and/or participate, and members are eligible for year-end awards. Show dates this year are May 14th, May 28th, June 8th, June 22nd, July 13th, July

(March 22, 2010) - The Pekin Hospital League’s 19th Annual Golf Classic will be held on Monday, May 3, 2010, at Pekin Country Club.  The entry fee is $125 per person and includes green fees, cart, lunch, beverages, and a buffet dinner. Lunch will be available at 11:30 a.m., followed by a 1 p.m. shot-gun start. The format will be a four person scramble. The right hole-in-one could net the winner $5,000 along with chances to win other bonus prizes. Mulligans and skins will be available. Proceeds from the golf classic will go toward the Pekin Hospital League’s special projects.  Entry forms are available online at www.pekinhospital.org, or by calling (309) 353-0559. Entry deadline is April 26, 2010. For more information, call Colleen Ingersoll at (309) 347-1716 or Lila Hoffert at (309) 346-9498.

The United Way of Pekin would like to announce its' 10th Annual Golf Outing to be held May 8th, 2010 at Lick Creek Golf Course. The event is $85.00 per player to participate.  Participants may sign up as individuals or as a team of four.  The day will begin with a 7:00 am breakfast, then we will have a shot gun start of events at 8::00 am.  We will also be having lunch for all participants at approximately 1:00pm or at the end of play, with an awards ceremony at the Pekin Country Club. If you are interested in being a participant or would like to find out about sponsorship opportunities please contact Executive Director Jay Fitzanko at 309-346-2433 or e-mail at unitedway@gallatinriver.net.

Most of us can handle a harmless prank or two on April Fools’ Day, but being a victim of a scam is no laughing matter. The best way to avoid being fooled is to be aware of the various scams and how they work. CenturyLink wants to help keep its customers from falling prey to scams that could result in identity theft or loss of financial assets. Here are some common scams along with ways to protect yourself: U. S. Census Scam How it works: Someone calls you claiming to be from the Census, the IRS or other “trusted” organization and asks you to divulge personal financial information, donations, and/or Social Security numbers. In addition, fraudsters now have devices that can make Caller ID display any number or name they choose such as "U.S. Census" or a similar identifier. In rare instances, a Census worker may call to clarify information you've submitted, according to the Census Web site. How to protect yourself : Never give out financial or personal information over

If children did not get their fill of hunting for eggs over the Easter holiday, there will be another chance for them to load up on sweet treats at the Tazewell County Jaycees first annual Rotten Egg Hunt. The Rotten Egg Hunt will be held Saturday, April 10th at Baseball Diamond #2 in Mineral Springs Park in Pekin. Children 4 & under will hunt at 1:00 p.m., the 5-7 age bracket will participate at 1:45 p.m., and the 8-12 age bracket will begin at 2:30 p.m. Eggs will be replenished between hunts. If children find an egg that contains a slip of paper announcing it is “rotten”, they will receive a grand prize. All children are responsible for bringing their own bags or baskets. The Rotten Egg Hunt is free and will take place rain or shine. For more information, please contact Joy Pennell at 309-265-6762. The Tazewell County Jaycees is a leadership training organization for individuals age 18-40. Jaycees programs stress the development of leadership and managerial skills through

Diana Hall, President and Mike Renner, CFO of Bard Optical were recently the guests of VSP for the Transitions Championship Golf Tournament in Florida.  The event was attended by VSP organizations from around the country and focused on the relationship between Transitions and VSP and their support of this golf tournament and the promotion of "Healthy Sight in Every Light".

The Pekin Riding Club was awarded $2,000 by the Illinois Equine Industry Research & Promotion Board toward improving lighting and spectator seating at its club grounds south of Pekin on Route 29.  “Light poles around the arena are rotting, creating a safety issue,” said Nicole Storer, club president. “This grant will partially fund purchase of new poles, which our volunteers will install,” she said.  The grant was part of the more than $83,000 awarded by the Illinois Equine Industry Research & Promotion Board.  The grants were funded by the Illinois equine checkoff program, which provides for the voluntary assessment of a nickel per 50-pound bag of horse feed sold at retail.  The grant presentation was made earlier this month at the Illinois Horse Fair.  The Pekin Riding Club offers low-cost, open fun shows to Central Illinois and serves a membership of 187 individuals. “Some weeknight shows boast over 200 class entries,” Nicole said, “so you can understand our need for lig