Chamber News

The Carmi Chamber of Commerce will host its 73rd Annual Dinner Monday evening, October 2 at the First Christian Church.  The event will begin with a social hour at 6 p.m. with dinner to be served at 6:30 p.m.

This year’s event will once again include the State of the City address which will be delivered by Carmi Mayor Jeff Pollard. The evening will also include the announcement of the Carmi Citizen of the Year along with the presentation of the Large and Small Business awards. The night will also include the introduction of five new directors who will assume their duties in October.

This year’s featured speaker is Barbara Mitchell, Carmi White County School Board Member, who will be addressing the audience about a foundation for the school district.  White County CEO Facilitator Tracy Orr will also introduce this year’s CEO class.

Chamber Executive Director Holly Healy noted invitations have been mailed, but anyone who would like to attend the dinner may do so by contacting the Chamber office to reserve a seat at a cost of $20 per person for Chamber members and their guests or $25 per person for not yet members.  Pre-paid reservations are required by September 22nd to provide a proper meal-count.  One may make reservations by phone at 382-7606 or e-mail at chamber@cityofcarmi.com and arranging for payment or mail the reservation along with payment to Carmi Chamber of Commerce, 225 East Main Street, Carmi, IL 62821.  Reservations will not be accepted after September 22.

In preparation for the dinner, the Chamber of Commerce is once again asking for nominations for Citizen of the Year and Large and Small Business of the Year.  A list of Chamber member businesses may be found at www.cityofcarmi.com/the-chamber.  Nominations for these awards should be sent to the Chamber office no later than August 25.

On October 20-21 the City of Carmi, in conjunction with the Carmi Chamber of Commerce, will be hosting a Halloween Weekend at Burrell’s Woods.

On October 20, those camping will be encouraged to decorate their campsites with a fall theme.  “We do ask that the campsites be kept child friendly as we want the children to have a good time and not be afraid of the decorations,” noted Chamber Executive Director Holly Healy.  The campsites will be judged and a winner of the best decorated campsite will be announced on October 21 at the costume parade.

Also, on October 20, the movie Monsters University will be show in the campground at 7pm.  There is no charge and the public is welcome to attend.

On October 21, a day of fun is planned for families and the community is welcome to attend.  The day will start at 10am with a story time with the book, It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.  At 1:30pm pumpkin decorating will be held at the shelter at the campground.  Families are asked to bring their own pumpkins for the event.   Markers will be provided.  Those wishing to carve a pumpkin should bring their own tools and adult supervision is required.

 

At 4:00 p.m. a costume parade will be held.  Adults and children are encouraged to come dressed in family friendly costumes.  “Again, we do not want children to be afraid of the costumes,” noted Healy.

 

From 4:30pm p.m. – 6:00 p.m. trick-or-treating will commence in the campground.  Children are welcome to go from camper to camper trick-or-treating.  “Please only trick-or-treat campers that have someone sitting in front of them handing out treats.  Additionally, this is a time for trick-or-treating at the campground only- not within the City of Carmi,” stated Mayor Jeff Pollard.

 

Camping October 20 and 21 will be by reservation only through a lottery system.  Those wishing to be in the lottery for a campsite should e-mail the Chamber office at chamber@cityofcarmi.com or call 618-382-7606 by August 25, 2017.  Please provide your name, address, phone number and camper length.   Campsites will be randomly drawn and those requesting a site will be contacted on August 28, 2017.

 

“We want this to be an enjoyable weekend for families.  Bring a picnic lunch and plan to spend the day enjoying Burrell’s Woods,” noted Pollard.

The Carmi Chamber of Commerce is starting a Lunch and Learn program about various topics the Chamber hopes will be of benefit to the business community.  The August Lunch and Learn will be held at noon on August 30, 2017 at the University of Illinois Extension Office, located at 1715 College Avenue.

The August presentation is being provided by Wabash Christian Therapy and Medical Clinic on the topic of ergonomics.  Janelle Waters, OTR/L, CLT, Program Director, will make the presentation.  The presentation will include items such as making work tasks and workspace suitable for the worker.

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 August 23, 2017.  For more information, or to make a reservation, please call the Chamber office at 618-382-7606.

                The Carmi Chamber of Commerce, along with the City of Carmi, is working to organize a Trunk or Treat for area children on October 31.  Local businesses, churches and community organizations are invited to participate and hand out treats to children.  There is no cost to participate, other than the treats you plan to give away.

While some letters have been sent, those businesses and organizations wishing to participate should contact the Chamber office at 618-382-7606 or e-mail chamber@cityofcarmi.com before September 29.  Limited space is available on a first come, first serve basis.

Preparations for the 73rd Annual Chamber of Commerce Dinner, to be held on October 2, 2017 are underway.   The Carmi Chamber of Commerce is once again asking for nominations for Citizen of the Year and Large and Small Business of the Year- awards that will be one of the highlights of the annual dinner.

Since 1957 the Chamber has recognized a member of the community as Citizen of the Year for their good deeds and community spirit.  The recipients have come from many walks of life, but they all have one thing in common—they have made Carmi a better place to live.

Once again this year, the Chamber will also be honoring a small and large chamber member business.  When making your nomination keep in mind the activities and significant contributions these businesses have made to the City of Carmi.  A list of Chamber member businesses may be found at www.cityofcarmi.com/the-chamber.

Letters submitting nominations for Citizen of the Year and Large and Small Business of the Year should be mailed to 225 E Main Street, Carmi, IL 62821 or may be e-mailed to chamber@cityofcarmi.com.  Nominations must be received by August 25, 2017 to be considered.  Letters received after the deadline will not be considered.

The Carmi Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, June 24 at the Carmi Country Club.  As of June 21, teams for morning play with 8:00 a.m. tee off include:  Hale Body Shop, Carmi Kiwanis Club, First Bank, City of Carmi, Mark Stevens’ Team, Tom Mick’s Team Edgewood, Cindy Ridenour’s Team, Elastec, Carmi Rotary Club and the Ninja Spins.

Teams for afternoon play with 1:00 p.m. tee off include:  People’s National Bank, Wabash General Hospital, Caleb Hughes Edwards Jones, Geo. N. Mitchell Drilling, Barbre/Etienne/Etienne/Williams, Rice Motor Company, Plum Street Pharmacy, Kevin Wolff’s Team, First Mid-Illinois Bank and Trust, Shepherd Insurance, Botsch and Associates, CPA’s, LLC, White County Abrasives and Industrial Supply, Inc., Aylsworth Surveying and Dillman Services.

Lunch for all players will be available at noon.  This year’s Carmi Chamber of Commerce Scholarship Golf Tournament is brought to you in part by People’s National Bank and First Bank.

The Carmi Chamber of Commerce is once again partnering with the City of Carmi and area businesses and individuals for the annual fireworks show which will begin at 9 pm at the White County Fairgrounds on July 4. This year’s display will be by Jarrett Pyrotechnics from Evansville, Indiana.  Local baseball fans may be familiar with some of their work as they produce many of the Evansville Otters fireworks displays.

Part of this year’s approximate 20 minute display will include golden horse tails, Silver time rain crossettes, 5″ American made Salutes, Red White & Blue Ring shells, 1000 whistling dragons, Diadem Chrysanthemums, Willows and color bees.

The Chamber is accepting donations toward the $11,500 display.  Those wishing to contribute should mail a check to the Carmi Chamber of Commerce, 225 E Main Street, Carmi, IL 62821.

The display would not be possible without the cooperation of the White County Agriculture Society, Carmi Fire Department, Carmi Police Department, White County Sheriff’s Department and the White County Ambulance Service.

“While traffic patterns will remain the same as years past, no parking will be allowed inside the White County Fairgrounds,” stated Carmi Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Holly Healy  “The Chamber of Commerce encourages you to take advantage of the opportunities we have here at home and enjoy our local fireworks display,” added Healy.