Chamber News

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.

 

The Carmi Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors met on September 14, 2017 for their regular meeting.  The Board welcomed Campbell Energy LLC as a new member.

 

In addition to welcoming a new member, the Board accepted the appointment of CWCHS Senior and White County CEO Student Faye Yang as the High School Student Representative to the Chamber Board.

 

The Board also approved a contract with Jarrett Pyrotechnics for the 2018 July 4^th fireworks.  Jarrett Pyrotechnics produced the 2017 show and was well received by the community.

 

The Board heard an updated on the Chamber’s Annual Dinner scheduled on October 2.  The deadline for reservations is September 22.  Late reservations will not be accepted.

 

Those interested in Chamber programs are welcome to contact the Chamber office at 382-7606.

The Carmi Chamber of Commerce has awarded $200 grants to each of the following teachers in the Carmi White County School District:

 

Tina Mosier, Washington Attendance Center- Chromebook for her classroom.

 

Jeannie McGarvey, Lincoln Attendance Center- Vestibular swing and Caterpillar Climber for her Early Childhood classsroom.

 

Beth Hart, Brownsville School- New table for student seating.

 

Carol Potter, Washington Attendance Center- Magnetic white boards along with magnetic manipulatives.

 

Karissa Wilson, Brownsville School- Electric binding machine and coils.

 

Melissa Dartt, Jefferson Attendance Center- Whipser phones for independent reading.

 

The grant recipients were selected by the Chamber’s Education Committee and approved during the Board of Directors meeting on September 14, 2017.  The Carmi Chamber of Commerce is pleased to provide these grants to help further the education of students in the Carmi White County School District.  Grants are funded by proceeds from the Chamber’s annual Golf Tournament.