Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce

Ceremony to honor victims, support survivors, and join forces to fight abuse takes place 10/2 Who:                Carol Merna, Executive Director, The Center for Prevention of Abuse                         Sara Dillefeld, Director of Family Centered Services, The Center for Prevention of Abuse                         *Additional speakers pending What:               The plaza fountain outside the Peoria County Courthouse will turn  purple this October in                                     honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month....

WORLD SIGHT DAY CHALLENGE, OCTOBER 12, 2017 — When you visit any Bard Optical before October 12, you can make a donation to OPTOMETRY GIVING SIGHT. Please look for the donation box located in every office. Optometry Giving Sight is the only global fundraising initiative that specifically targets the prevention of blindness and impaired vision due to uncorrected refractive error – simply the need for an eye exam and a pair of glasses. More than 600 million people around the world are blind or vision impaired because they do not have access to the eye examination and glasses they need. Your donations allow Optometry Giving Sight to fund the solution by supporting programs that: ·              Train – local eye care professionals and; ·              Establish – vision centres for sustainability to; ·              Del...

The Pekin Winter Wonderland Committee would like to invite you to join us for our annual Winter Wonderland Festival Parade on Sunday, November 26, 2017. This year’s theme is “Diamonds and Pearls” in honor of our 30 th year. Come and show off your business, organization or group for holiday spectators while you meet members of the community, schools and businesses during this holiday tradition. By entering the parade, you will be competing for a $100.00 cash prize. The winner will be chosen by the Grand Marshall. Date:                      Sunday, November 26, 2017 Time:                     2:30 p.m. Line-up/judging begins 3:30 p.m. Parade begins at 9th and Broadway                  ...

              Area high school students and their parents are invited to Illinois Central College’s “College Night” on Wed., October 18, from 5:30-7:30 pm, in the ICC CougarPlex (the facility that encompasses the Lorene Ramsey Gym). “College Night” brings representatives from more than 60 colleges and universities and from a dozen different states, as well as representatives from the armed forces, to one convenient location. College reps will be on-hand to visit with students and their parents about programs, the admission process, scholarship and financial aid opportunities, as well as answer other questions students and parents may have. Those interested in enrolling at ICC may choose to attend one of two “ICC Admissions Overview” sessions (5:45 pm or 6:30 pm) in the CougarPlex Classroom. ICC admissions representatives will share information on the application process, what tests to take, and when applications are due. Participants will have an ...

Pekin Park District offers a variety of Learn To Skate classes for those who want to get active, learn new skills, develop confidence and have fun!  Classes are available from beginning to the more advanced Jump &Spin.   You do not need expensive equipment to start skating – we have skates that you can use.   Classes are offered Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. and Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. and 6:45 p.m. The first session begins October 7, 2017, so register now! We are also the home rink for the award winning Precise Ice Team.  Registering for at least one Learn To Skate class per session allows skaters the opportunity to join Precise Ice and to enjoy skating as part of a team which allows them to spend time with others who love to skate and enjoy competition.  As members of Precise Ice, skaters build strength, develop artistry on the ice, and learn choreography for performance and competitions.  Practices are Saturday morning at 8:00 a...

Neighborhood House Annual Coat Drive Help us bring warmth to local families by donating new or gently used coats and also new hats, gloves, & scarves to Neighborhood House! We accept all sizes Monday-Friday 6:30 AM-5:00 PM The Coat Giveaway will take place  October 26th from 6:30 AM-5:30 PM Please contact Neighborhood House at 309-674-1131 if you have any questions or wish to donate. Thank you for your support!

Can you walk 132 miles in two months?  The circumference of Tazewell County is 132 miles. After completing the challenge, you will have walked around the County! Tazewell Public Health Foundation is encouraging residents and others to be physically active by walking.  TREK AROUND TAZEWELL participants will track their miles for two months, from October 1 – November 25, 2017. All walkers will receive a t-shirt. Cost is $20.00 per person. Those able to complete the Trek will be entered into a drawing for grand prizes. GETTING INVOLVED IS EASY 1) Register for the tracking system at www.leaptazewell.com . An email from info@benovate.com will verify your account.  Or download the flyer and application at www.pekinchamber.com/2017/Unland-TAT.pdf 2) Mail $20.00 to TPHF, 21306 Illinois Route 9, Tremont, IL 61568 3) Track your steps, and walk a total of 132 miles in two months! Suggested Tracking Devices: • Fitness device • Smart Phone app

The Emerging Leaders hosted a Wine & Nine at Mashies / Sunset Hills Golf Course on September 21st.  You can see a few more pictures of the fun at:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/JEpeSw5LymsodDgX2

Pekin Park District is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Board of Commissioners resulting from the resignation of Board Member Dennis Barron, Jr. This is normally an elected volunteer position. The term will be from date of appointment (11-30-17) to the next general election to be held April 2019. Candidate qualifications, instructions and application are available starting September 11, 2017 at the District’s Robert N. Blackwell Administration Building at 1701 Court Street, Pekin during business hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday and on-line at www.pekinparkdistrict.org. Completed applications must be received by the District’s Board Secretary no later than 5:00 p.m. Friday, October 6, 2017.

Call 877.264.7616 Call AT&T Business at 877.264.7616 Or, visit your local AT&T store . This is an AT&T promotional email. Unsubscribe If you have any questions about how AT&T collects, uses and protects your personal information as a customer, please visit our Privacy Policy . Offers avail. to business customers w/a qual. wireless svc agmt (Business Agmt) for Corporate Responsibility User (CRU) lines of svc. AT&T NEXT ® OR AT&T NEXT EVERY YEAR: For smartphones only. Divides retail price into monthly installments. Requires 0% APR monthly installment agreement and eligible service. Tax due at sale. $0 down requires well-qualified credit or a 30% down-payment option is av...

Illinois American Water’s Pekin District has reached a significant safety milestone. According to Cord Crisler, Operations Superintendent, the Pekin District has gone over 7 years without experiencing any lost-time accidents. Illinois American Water employees work around the clock to provide an essential service critical for daily life, public health and fire protection. The work performed can include daily hazards like working in confined spaces, among motorists and in extreme weather. Employees also handle chemicals, conduct excavation, operate equipment and complete heavy lifting. Crisler said, “Safety is on our minds every minute of every day. There is nothing more important than ensuring our employees go home in the same condition they arrived at work, if not better. We owe that to our coworkers and their families. There is no room for shortcuts when it comes to safety.” Illinois American Water conducts both classroom and hands-on training on a regular basis. Employees also par...

$121,500 one-year grant provides services for young children exposed to violence at home or in the community The Center for Prevention of Abuse recently welcomed back Safe from the Start, a program that provides services for young children ages 0-5 years old who have been exposed to violence at home or in the community. The Center received a one-year grant from the Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority for $121,500. Safe from the Start was initiated at The Center in 2001, but went on hiatus in 2016 due to the lack of funds from the state. The recent passing of the state budget allows for the reintroduction of this program and allows The Center to provide vital services for a vulnerable population. “We are thrilled to bring back this important program and provide crucial services for children in our community,” said Carol Merna, Executive Director of The Center for Prevention of Abuse. “Young children are exposed to many types of violence every day, including in...

Patrick Taphorn, CIC, CSRM, president of The Unland Companies, recently completed the Certified Insurance Counselors (CIC) Program , earning his certification for 20 years in a row. The CIC certification assures agents have the most current information in an ever-changing insurance industry. CIC certified agents are trained not only in the most important industry standards like licensing, state and federal regulations but also client relationship, management and ethical responsibilities as well.  Developed by the National Alliance for Insurance Education & Research , the CIC Program is the insurance industry’s premier, proven source for practical, real-world education since 1969.  The Unland Companies is a full-service, independent insurance agency providing broad personal and commercial insurance coverage, human resource services and financial services at an affordable cost, backed by superior service.  For additional information, call 1-888-874-8408 to speak...

Inspired Style Co. Salon & Boutique is now offering hands on tutorials on variety of topics to help our clients get the fresh from the salon look at home! We will be covering everything from " my first makeup class " for teens to " beautiful braids and beach waves ".  First class is this Thursday, Sept 21st at 6:00 PM . Seating is very limited so register now and check back often as more classes will be added in the coming months! Is there something you would like to see? Send us a message with your suggestion or schedule a one-on-one consultation.  Link to register:  http://www.inspiredstylecompany.com/store/c9/In_Salon_Classes.html

Two photography exhibits open September 27 in the Illinois Central College art galleries, located on the East Peoria Campus.             An exhibit of works by Elizabeth Claffey opens in the ICC Performing Arts Center Gallery, located in the lobby of the facility. A reception for Claffey is scheduled for October 12 from 7:30 pm to 9 pm in the gallery. This exhibit is being held in conjunction with the Midwest Society for Photographic Education Regional Conference, and will be open for four days in Peoria starting October 12.             In addition, an exhibit by Barbara Hoffman opens September 27 in Gallery 336B, located in the Academic Building. A gallery reception will be held September 28 from noon to 2 pm, with a talk with the artist on that date beginning at 12:30 pm.             Hoffman has been practicing the a...

            The Illinois Central College Theatre Program 2017-18 season of four shows gets underway with a wild satire from comedian Steve Martin, The Underpants , opening September 29 for six performances in the main stage theatre of the ICC Performing Arts Center, located on the East Peoria Campus. Written by Carl Sternheim and adapted by Steve Martin, The Underpants is a play about a conservative couple, Louise and Theo Markes, whose reputation is on the line when Louise’s underpants are exposed in a public place. The show takes place September 29 through October 8. Performances on Fridays and Saturdays begin at 7:30 pm and Sunday matinees begin at 2:30 pm. This wild satire, which is adapted from a classic German play, follows Louise and Theo Markes, a couple whose conservative existence is shattered when Louise's bloomers fall down in public. Though she pulls them up quickly, Theo thinks the incident will cost him his job as a government clerk. L...

SECRETARIES / EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS Of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce The management staff position with the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce was originally called secretary or managing secretary.   Eventually the designation was changed to executive director.   These people have served in that position:   1916-1920        Phil H. Sipfle 1920-1923        James H. Braucht 1923-1925        Leonard D’Ooge 1925-1929        Ormond F. Lyman 1929-1938        John S. Patterson 1938-1941        Francis O. Neer 1941-1945               Ross E. Anderson 1945-1952        Britt B. Blair 1952-1953        A.W. Tarter 1953-1959   ...

PRESIDENTS Of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce 1917 – 1917     William. E. Schurman 1917 – 1919     James M. Rahn 1919 – 1921     Franklin L. Velde 1921 – 1922     William J. Reardon 1922 – 1923     James M. Rahn 1923 – 1924     Elmore G. Heisel 1924 – 1925     Franklin L. Velde 1925 – 1926     James J. Crosby 1926 – 1928     Willis M. Beardsley 1928 – 1929     Louis A. Birkenbusch 1929 – 1931     Arthur E. Severe 1931 – 1932     Paul H. Massey 1932 – 1933     Henry B. Koch 1933 – 1935     George B. Stolley 1935 – 1937     Irving M. Weimer 1937 – 1938     E.M. Marshall 1939 – 1939     Charles V. Frings 1939 – 1940     Robert E. Bryan 1940 – 1941  ...

            For over 23 years the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce’s Transportation Committee has worked with a number of agencies, organizations, and governmental units and representatives to advocate for the construction of Veterans Drive.   This road will extend from Illinois Route 29 on the south, and then along the City’s easterly border, eventually connecting with Interstate 474 on the North.   The Chamber believes this project is of vital importance to the community’s economic prosperity.               The Pekin Association of Commerce’s annual report for the year ended March 31, 1928 also noted the importance of roads.   The report from the Good Roads Committee stated:   “The most important project before the committee was the speeding up of action on the paving of the proposed State Route 164 (Pekin to Tremont and Mackinaw).   The new road will be of great assista...

            The longest serving Executive Director is William T. “Bill” Fleming, who was hired in June of 2001 and has served the organization for over 16 years.             The Executive Director with the shortest tenure was A.W. Tartar, who was hired on February 15, 1952.   He resigned 17 months later.             Florence Westphal was the first female member of the board of directors, serving from 1957 to 1959.   In 1991 Carol Shields was elected as the first female president of the organization.   She later became the first female Executive Director in 1996.  

Pekin Mayor John McCabe has proclaimed September 11 through September 15 as Chamber of  Commerce Week in Pekin. The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce has joined the Illinois Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (IACCE) and other chambers of commerce throughout Illinois to celebrate this special recognition of the contributions chambers make to civic and economic life. In his proclamation, the Mayor noted, “Chambers of commerce have contributed to the civic and economic life in Illinois for 179 years since the Galena Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1838.” He also noted, “The Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce and its members strive to provide citizens with a vibrant business environment that increases employment, the retail trade and commerce, and industrial growth in order to make the City of Pekin a better place to live.” Locally the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce traces its roots to 1893.   The not-for-profit organization represents the inte...