Chamber Horizons, USPS 330070, is published monthly by the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, MN 56308. Postmaster: Send address changes to

Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce | 206 Broadway St, Alexandria, MN 56308 320-763-3161 | www.alexandriamn.org

AUGUST 2019 | VOLUME 112 | ISSUE 8

Upcoming Chamber Events

CHAMBERHORIZONS

Official Newsletter of the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of CommercePromoting the Alexandria Lakes Area as the ultimate destination to “live, work, play and prosper.”

Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of CommerceVisit Alexandria MN alexlakesareachamber

Advertise in the 2020Visitor and Livability Guide

This annual guide promotes the Alexandria Lakes Area as the ultimate destination to live, work and play. 47,000 copies are distributed nationwide throughout the year. For information on advertising, contact Carol Wenner at (320) 491-1175 or carol@lakesareamagazine.com.

Alexandria Area Young Professionals LuncheonFeaturing “Pride of the Lakes” campaign presentation

Thursday, August 1 from 12 - 1 pmGrand Arbor by Knute Nelson | 4403 Pioneer Rd. SE

Wake Up Alexandria!Hosted by “Healthy Voices Healthy Choices Coalition” of Horizon Public Health

Friday, August 2 from 7:30 - 8:30 amAlexandria Area High School | 4300 Pioneer Rd. SE

Alexandria Area Young Professionals Social *Bring a non-perishable food item to donate to Outreach Food Shelf to receive a drink ticket!*

Tuesday, August 6 from 4 - 7 pmArrowwood Resort Deck Bar | 2100 Arrowwood Ln. NW

Wake Up Alexandria!Hosted by Central Lakes Symphony Orchestra

Friday, August 16 from 7:30 - 8:30 amAlexandria Area High School | 4300 Pioneer Rd. SE

Noontime Knowledge (See Page 2)Featuring “One Conservative’s Journey to Understanding Climate Change”

Monday, August 19 from 12 - 1 pmBroadway Ballroom | 115 30th Ave. E

Off the ClockThursday, August 22 from 4:30 - 5:30 pmExecutive Express |3507 Dakota St.

PRIDE LAKES

of the

Have YOU taken the pledge yet?

Follow Pride of the Lakes on these social media platforms

@PrideoftheLakesAlexandria@PrideoftheLakes @BuyLocalAlex

Visit www.PrideoftheLakes.com

and pledge to do your part!

We need EVERYONE to support Douglas County, MN – residents young and old, owners of businesses large or small, employees, students, nonprofits, service organi-zations and everyone who lives, works, and plays here.

We need YOU to help our community thrive!

42Businesses

154Individuals

+Have taken the pledge to do business local!

320.763.8366 803 N Nokomis NE | Alexandria | Member FDIC

The Bank That Feels Like Home Del Mari RunckCOO/Market Manager/

Director

Dawn ThorstadSr Universal

Banker

Paul MartinekVP Business Banker

Vic DaleRetail Manager

Jean FeigumMortgage Lender

We’re in the Business of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors!”

2 Chamber Horizons | August 2019

Generously sponsored by:

Noontime Knowledge

One Conservative’s Journey to Understanding Climate Change

In the Air Force, Bruce Morlan specialized in missiles and nucle-ar war effects. He taught at the Air Force Institute of Technology in Operations Research, Strategic and Tactical Sciences, and Grad-uate Space Operations and later worked for the Mayo Clinic designing clinical trials and analyzing data. Since retirement he has focused on public policy and decision making in adapting to a changing world.

At the August Noontime Knowledge, Morlan will review his path of discovery through experiences with orbital mechanics and data analysis culminating in an actionable understanding of climate change as he discusses how cli-mate change impacts us now and into the future. He of-fers a promising solution!

Noontime Knowledge is a one-hour informative luncheon held the third Monday of each month. Cost (includes lunch): $10. No RSVP required - pay at the door.

Join us Monday, August 19, 12-1 pmat Broadway Ballroom

Chamber News

Thank you! June renewalsAlex Auto & Marine, LLCAlex Glass & GlazingAlexandria Area YMCAAlexandria Cub FoodsAlexandria Motors - Chevrolet Cadillac MazdaAmericInn Lodge & Suites AlexandriaBig Foot ResortThe Blue Rooster ShoppeChristensenGroup InsuranceClear Point Construction, Inc.Dakota Magic Casino

DJ Thumper Entertainment Corp.Doherty Staffing SolutionsEdgewater Beach Townhomes Association, Inc.Flags WestGeneva Golf ClubH2MJake’s BikesLake Osakis Resort Assoc.Lakes Area AppraisalsLakes Area ConnectionsLinwood Resort & Campground

Maple Ridge Estates Homeowners AssociationMount Carmel MinistriesMowing & Maintenance by MitchNAPA Auto Parts - AlexandriaPemberton LawRavnik & Co.Sanford HealthStandard Iron Wire Works, Inc.Super 8 of AlexandriaTouching Lives Chiropractic, PCVan Ahn & Co.

The Chamber cel-ebrated a Pot of Gold winner at Wake Up Alexan-dria Friday, July 19 at Vantage Bank. Knute Nel-son won the prize package valued at $4,792! The Pot of Gold is a highly anticipated part of each Wake Up. Donations include business items, discounted ser-vices, gift certifi-cates and promo-tional items.

Sponsoring businesses are promoted through Chamber email blasts, displayed at the event and listed on the Chamber website. Every Chamber member is included in the drawing for the Pot of Gold, but a representative of the business drawn must be present at Wake Up Alexandria to win.

Knute Nelson wins thePot of Gold!

Market your business or organization in the Pot of Gold! For details, contact Jess at

(320) 763-3161 or info@alexandriamn.org.

Chris Harris, Development Officer for Knute Nelson, accepted the Pot of Golf prizes on be-half of the company at the July 19 Wake Up at Vantage Bank.

August 2019 | Chamber Horizons 3

Welcome! July new memberskato CBD - Alexandria

Shenae Homan(320) 219-7714katocbd.alex@gmail.comwww.katocbdalex.com

Splash Rentals, LLC

Ryan Cleland(320) 760-1681splashrentalsllc@gmail.com

www.splashrentalsllc.com

Traveling Optician, LLCGayle Snyder(218) 640-3233gaylenadgwick@yahoo.com

Please consider these new members for your

personal and professional needs, and welcome them

to our network!

Wake Up Alexandria

July Host

Wake Up Alexandria is a networking event held the first and third Friday of each month from 7:30 to 8:30 am at a Chamber member location. A dollar gets you in the door, with all proceeds donated to a non-profit Chamber member.

Vantage Bank is a full service community bank guided by an energetic staff and board of directors who represent a broad spectrum of the agricultural and professional community. The bank is committed to developing the communities it serves.

Vantage Bank | July 19311 30th Ave. E

Non-profit: First Lutheran Church/Community Preschool

Off the Clock is a networking event held the fourth Thursday of each month from 4:30 to 5:30 pm at a Chamber Member location. A dollar gets you in the door, with all proceeds donated to a non-profit Chamber member.

July Host

The Wausau Homes Alexandria Design Studio serves Douglas and Pope Counties. Using 3D home modeling, builders Brian Flaten and Dion Harste are able to help homebuyers visualize their dream home before construction begins.

Wausau Homes | July 25405 50th Ave. W

Non-profit: Vikingland Curling Club $100 Drawing Sponsor: Past & Present Home Gallery

Off the Clock

Share your events on theCommunity Calendar!Want to spread the word about an upcoming public event? Add it to the Douglas County Community Calendar. It’s easy! Visit www.alexmncalendar.com and click “add an event.”

Qualifying Chamber member events will also be included in the Events at a Glance eBlast, reaching more than 1,000 emails weekly. For more information, contact Jess at 320-763-3161 or info@alexandriamn.org.

Membership TeamVolunteers on the Membership Team visit new member businesses to welcome them to the Chamber. They also serve as mentors and liaisons, supporting new members with introductions, information, and education on membership benefits.

4 Chamber Horizons | July 2019

July Visits

Alzheimer’s Association MN-NDKatrice Sisson, Community Engagement Manager

Alzheimer’s Association MN-ND is a leading voluntary health or-ganization in Alzheimer’s and dementia care, support, education and research. It is based in St. Cloud but local representatives offer a variety of resources to Alexandria and other areas.

Edward Jones - Office of Larry HansonJamie Tikkanen, Office Administrator; Larry Hanson, Financial Advisor

Edward Jones - Office of Larry Hanson is located at 507 N No-komis St., Ste. 204 in Alexandria. It focuses on serving the fi-nancial needs of individuals and investors of all ages. Services include retirement and college savings, insurance and annuities.

Legacy Hearing CentersJohn Christopherson, HID; Gina Christopherson, Office Manager

Legacy Hearing Centers is located at 507 N Nokomis St. Ste. A in Alexandria. It provides a full service step-by-step process that includes a one-to-one interview, exam, speech recognition, tone testing, hearing aid options and a fitting.

Klimek PlumbingRobert Klimek, President; Amber Klimek, Vice President

Klimek Plumbing of Alexandria provides a variety of services such as water heater installation, water softeners, pipe repair/thawing, sump pumps, drain cleaning, garbage disposals, gas ap-pliance hookups and toilet repair and installation.

No more waiting months and traveling hours to see a dermatologist. Dr. Harvey will see you in a comfortable setting where each patient is a name, not a number.

Introducing the Dermatology Clinic.

AmbassadorsThe Ambassadors are volunteers who extend the public relations arm of the Chamber. They attend business open houses, groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings; welcome new businesses to the area; and commemorate relocations and major remodels. They are out making business visits the second Wednesday of every month.

July Visits

July 2019 | Chamber Horizons 5

Aquarius Home Services - Business AcquisitionCailey Olson, Customer Service Representative; Todd Eklund, Territory

Manager; Steve Thompson, Project Manager; Dave Thompson, Project Manager

Aquarius Home Services/Kinetico and Thompson Heating & Air Conditioning recently partnered to offer a complete line of home services. These services include water heaters, coolers and softeners, furnace and air conditioning products and more.

Carr’s Tree Service New Location

Evan Amundson, General Manager & Certified Arborist

Carr’s Tree Service is at 3544 Geneva Rd NE in Alexandria. The company has ISA Certified Arborists in Ottertail, Alexandria, Rochester, Mankato, St. Cloud and Anoka and provides tree and stump removal, cabling, trimming, disease diagnosis and more.

SERVPRO of Douglas & Otter Tail Counties New Location

Ron Lauer, Marketing Manager; Trevor Rossum, Owner

SERVPRO of Douglas and Otter Tail Counties is now located at 1101 36th Avenue W in Alexandria. It offers residential and com-mercial restoration and cleaning services, including water, fire and storm damage restoration, mold remediation and cleaning.

Steinbring Motorcoach, Inc. - Additional LocationJon Steinbring, Owner; Ari Leuthner, Salesman;

Sydney Steinbring, Administrative Assistant; Chase Steinbring, Business Manager

Steinbring Motorcoach, Inc. recently opened the doors to its ad-ditional location at 304 Irving Street in Alexandria. The company is a premier Newmar dealer, carrying new Newmar Class A mo-torhomes and a wide selection of pre-owned coaches.

Business Buzz

6 Chamber Horizons | July 2019

JLG Architects was named #104 on the Architectural Record Top 300 Firms list, which ranks architecture, architecture/engineer-ing, and architecture/engineering/construction firms headquar-tered in the U.S. by annual revenue. The company, which was also named one of the 50 Most Admired Companies in the U.S. and ENR-Mountain States 2019 Design Firm of the Year, is cele-brating 30 years of business.

SERVPRO of Douglas & Otter Tail Counties received the DI-RECTOR’S Gold award for outstanding performance at SERV-PRO’s 50th Annual Convention held in Sacramento, CA in June.

American Solutions for Business placed #1 on the Top Mem-ber Distributors list of the Print Services & Distribution Asso-ciation (PSDA) for highest fiscal year 2018 sales with a total of $314,033,163. This was more than $1 million higher than the second place company.

Wells Fargo invested nearly $800 million in Minnesota housing affordability causes from 2009 through 2018 through community development loans, community development investments to de-velopers, philanthropic giving to housing affordability causes and nonprofits, and homebuyer down payment assistance grants and financial education.

Trumm Drug was named Health Mart Pharmacy of the Year. This is awarded to top-performing Health Mart pharmacies for supe-rior clinical performance, high-touch patient relationships and proactive advocacy efforts. Owners Aaron Finley and Allan Fettig accepted the award during a pharmacy convention in June.

Nancy Haggenmiller has accepted the position as Executive Di-rector for the Alexandria Senior Center. Her role begins August 15. Nancy has a broad set/array of experience skills that she brings to the Senior Center including founding and serving as president of the Vikingland Curling Club.

Glenwood State Bank hired three new employees including Jennifer Bale as a customer service representative and Wendy Wesbur and Jennifer Johnson as loan processors. All three will be serving the Alexandria community.

KXRA 1490AM turned 70 years old on July 27. It has been on the air each day serving the community for more than 25,566 days!

To include your business news in the Chamber Horizon Newsletter, email information to Lauren at marketing@alexandriamn.org.

Did you know? The Chamber posts weekly blog posts to its website and social media platforms every Tuesday! These posts include informative community articles as well as Member Spot-light videos that feature Chamber members telling about what they do, what they love about the lakes area, and why they joined the Chamber! Check them out at www.alexandriamn.org!

Tara BitzanExecutive Director

Lauren JohnsonMarketing & Communications

Coordinator

Andrea DwyerMember Relations

Coordinator

The Chamber staff is here to serve you!

Jess PtacekVisitor Center & Office

Coordinator

Call us at 320-763-3161