Chamber News

 

The Carmi Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce plans are well underway for the 2017 “It’s a White County Christmas” celebration. This year’s theme is “A Magical Christmas.”

Chamber Executive Director Holly Healy noted the celebration schedule is still tentative with events still being added.  Organizations wishing to add an event to the schedule should contact the Chamber office at 382-7606.

It’s a White County Christmas will kick-off on November 11 with the Miss Merry Christmas Pageant.  The Baby and Toddler Miss will be at 1pm; while the Little Miss, Junior Miss and Miss Contestants will take stage at 6:30 pm at Carmi White County High School Auditorium.

Holiday Shopping Strolls will once again be promoted November 17-18 and November 24-25.  The Chamber of Commerce urges everyone to shop Carmi first during these weekends for their holiday needs.

November 18 will be filled with activity.  The Reindeer Run for Jefferson School will take place.  The Wabash Chapter DAR Festival of Trees will be held in the First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust Community Room from 9am – 3pm.  The White County Senior Citizen’s will host a Soup Luncheon from 11am- 2pm.

November 25 the Lighted Christmas Parade, starting at 6pm, will welcome Santa to Carmi.  The Parade will be followed by the Tree Lighting in Veteran’s Park then Santa will visit with children in his house until 9pm.  In addition, the Robinson Stewart House will be open for tours from 5-7pm.  A craft show will be held earlier in the day at Washington School.

On December 2, First Christian Church will host A Cornerstone’s Kids Christmas- a one day Christmas VBS.  Additionally, Emmanuel United Methodist Church will host their annual cookie sale at 9am.

December 9 the Carmi Public Library will host Story House with Santa as a special guest from 1-2pm.  In addition, a craft show will be held at the floral hall.

Wabash Christian Supportive Living will have a Christmas Open House on December 3 from 2-4pm.  A hot chocolate and desert bar will be available, along with tours of the facility.

December 16 the Carmi Lions Club will again host Breakfast with Santa.  On December 17, the Carmi League of Arts plans to present the Holly Jolly Follies at the Carmi White County High School Auditorium.

Again this year, Santa will visit with children in his house near Veteran’s Park in Carmi on the following dates and times:  November 26, December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16 and December 23 from 2-5pm.  On December 17 and 20 Santa will be available to visit with children from 6-9pm.

“Once again, we are looking forward to a successful It’s a White County Christmas celebration.  Be sure and visit whitecountychristmas.com and follow It’s a White County Christmas on Facebook for the latest schedule updates,” noted Healy.

The Carmi Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting for Gracie Mae’s Flowers & Gifts, located at 1626 West Main Street at 8:45 on am Friday, November 3, 2017.  The public is welcome to attend.  An open house will follow the ribbon cutting at 9am.

Gracie Mae’s Flowers & Gifts is a full service florist.  In addition, they will offer home décor, gifts, jewelry, purses and repurposed furniture among other items.  “We are pleased to welcome this new business to Carmi,” noted Chamber Executive Director Holly Healy.

The Carmi Chamber of Commerce, along with the City of Carmi, is organizing a Trunk or Treat for area children on October 31, 2017 from 5:30pm- 7pm.  Thanks to the generosity of First Bank, the Trunk or Treat will be held in the parking lot behind City Hall which is located at 225 E Main Street in Carmi.  All children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The following local business will be participating in the Trunk or Treat event behind City Hall: Carmi Kiwanis Club*, Southern Illinois Showstoppers*, First Christian Church*, Wabash Christian Village, City of Carmi, Carmi Elks Lodge, Joyner Therapy Services*, First Baptist Church, Hamilton Memorial Hospital District*, People’s National Bank, Button Chiropractic Natural Health Center, Baptist Children’s Home and Family Services*, First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust, and Carmi Chamber of Commerce*.  (Those marked with a * will be participating in the Teal Pumpkin Project, offering non-food treats for children with food allergies.)

Businesses offering Trick or Treat at their location include: Wabash Christian Village (4-8pm), Wabash Christian Supportive Living (4-8pm), State Finance Company Carmi Crossing Location (5:30-7pm), James Cook State Farm (5:30-7pm) and AT&T Live Mobile (5:30-7pm).

“The Carmi Chamber of Commerce appreciates the cooperation of the City of Carmi, First Bank and the many local businesses and organizations making this opportunity available for the children in our community,” noted Chamber Executive Director Holly Healy.

The Carmi Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting for Dartt & Company, LLC on Friday, October 13, 2017 at 10am.  Dartt & Company, LLC is located at 114 S. Walnut Street in the former Stanley Law Office building.

Dartt & Company, LLC offers tax, accounting and other professional services.  Following the ribbon cutting, an open house will be held until 5pm.  The public is welcome to attend.

“We wish Justin and his staff well in this new endeavor,” noted Chamber Executive Director Holly Healy.

 

As part of It’s a White County Christmas the annual Miss Merry Christmas Pageant will be held on November 11, 2016 at the Carmi White County High School Auditorium.  Baby Miss Merry Christmas contestants, ages 0-23 months, will take the stage at 1:00 p.m.  The Toddler Miss Merry Christmas contestants, ages 2-5 (and not yet in kindergarten), will compete following the baby contestants.

At 6:30 p.m. Tiny Miss Merry Christmas contestants (Kg- second grade), Little Miss Merry Christmas contestants (grades 3-5), Junior Miss contestants (grades 6-8) and Miss contestants (grades 9-12) will compete.

Veterans will be recognized during the 1pm and 6:30pm competitions.

Those wishing to compete in the Miss Merry Christmas pageant must live in or attend school in White County.  A completed pageant application, entry fees and release form must be turned in by October 24.  In addition, a mandatory informational meeting will be held on October 24 at the Carmi City Council Chambers, located at 225 E Main Street in Carmi, at 5:30 pm or Baby and Toddler Miss and 6:30 pm for Tiny, Little, Junior and Miss contestants.

For more information about the pageant, or to obtain a form, please visit whitecountychristmas.com or contact Emily Williams at (618) 384-0178.

The Carmi Chamber of Commerce held their Annual Dinner on Monday, October 2, 2017 at First Christian Church in Carmi.  The audience heard the State of the City from Mayor Jeff Pollard.  In addition, Barbara Mitchell told those in attendance about a new community foundation for the Carmi White County School District.  The White County CEO Class was introduced to the audience with Hayley Fulkerson being presented an award by the Illinois Sheriff’s Association and White County Ambulance Service for performing CPR during a class tour which saved a life.

 

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of several awards.  First Bank was awarded the 2017 Large Business of the Year Award.  First Bank is involved in several community events and activities including, but not limited to, The Giving Tree, White County CEO Program, No Child Left Hungry and The Reindeer Run.

 

Nancy J. Winter CPA was awarded the 2017 Small Business of the Year Award.   Nancy J. Winter and her staff are involved in many community activities and events not limited to investing in the White County CEO Program and helping raise money for Corn Day each year. She has also previously been instrumental in the Booster Club.

 

David Templeton, owner of Hale Body Shop, was named 2017 Citizen of the Year.  David has been a long time pillar in the community from his involvement in his church, The Gideons, the Carmi Lions Club, an investor in the White County CEO Program, and he is Past President of the Carmi Chamber of Commerce.  He also puts together a community Thanksgiving meal each year.  A letter nominating Templeton stated he “has a servant mentality and is not interested in being publically recognized for his service.  He does things because they are the right things to do- not because he will gain anything from them.”

 

During the dinner, new Chamber of Commerce President Toby Brown made remarks and gave outgoing Past President Andy Acord a plaque for his service.  Chamber Executive Director Holly Healy thanked outgoing directors Dr. Jessica Cook and Josh Foster.  Those continuing service on the Board of Directors include Vice President Bryan Cowling, Secretary Justin Dartt, immediate Past President Caleb Hughes, Brock Bolerjack, Keith Botsch, Ryan Mitchell, Sally Weber, Abbey Gholson, Sheri Stevens, Michelle Winters and Katelyne Wolff.  Incoming directors include Treasurer Lisa Wolff, Shon Mosier, Jc Tinsley and Sandra Bryant.

The Carmi Chamber of Commerce is once again hosting a Lunch and Learn program the Chamber hopes will be of benefit to the business community.  The October Lunch and Learn will be held at the Carmi Public Library on October 16, 2017 at noon.

 

The October featured speaker is Carmi native and Carmi Community High School graduate Scott Wylie presenting “Legal Update 2017:  How to Avoid the Ten Most Common Legal Mistakes Made by Small Businesses.”  Mr. Wylie is the Executive Director of the Volunteer Lawyer Program of Southwestern Indiana.  A long-time public interest lawyer and educator, Mr. Wylie is a founding member of the Indiana Supreme Court’s Coalition for Court Access and serves on the Board of the Indiana Bar Foundation and Indiana Legal Services.  Mr. Wylie is the Family Law Project Coordinator for the Vanderburgh County Courts and has served as an instructor and peer consultant for the American Bar Association for nearly a quarter century.  From 1999 until 2002, he served on the Board of Governors of the State Bar of California ending his term as Vice President.  From 2003 until 2006, he served as President of the California Bar Foundation.  Now living in Evansville, Indiana, Mr. Wylie received his BA and JD degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign.

 

To cover the cost of the meal, the cost for Carmi Chamber of Commerce members is $7 and not yet members is $8.  The public is welcome to attend.  Reservations are required by October 11, 2017.  For more information, or to make a reservation, please call the Chamber office at 618-382-7606.