Nominations for the 2014 Crystal Apple Teacher awards are now being accepted by the Garden City Area Cham-ber of Com-merce Commu-nity Awareness and Recognition in Education (CARE) committee. The nomination forms are avail-able at schools in Finney County, at the Chamber office, 1511 E. Fulton Terrace, and on-line at www.gardencitychamber.net. The nomination forms must be com-pleted by Friday, May 30, 2014.

“This program is a great way to thank our amazing Finney Coun-ty teachers for the job they do to mold and develop our future workforce, said Chamber Presi-dent, Steve Dyer. “Crystal Apple teachers help students develop the skills needed to be productive in the world today.”

The nomination of a teacher begins the process for this distin-guished award. Each nominated teacher must then fill out an application and send it back to the Chamber by Friday, August 1, 2014. The CARE Selection Com-

mittee names the Crystal Apple Recipients based on information reviews, interviews, and classroom observations. The top three award recipients receive $1,000 and an I-Pad courtesy of COX Commu-nication and the remaining three finalists receive $250 each.

“The program’s purpose is to demonstrate that teachers are important and that outstanding achievement is truly recognized and appreciated in Finney Coun-ty,” said Roy Cessna, CARE Com-mittee Chairperson.

The presenting sponsor for the 2014 Crystal Apple Awards is Bors Law, P.A. The CARE committee is made up of community and business leaders making sure one of the community’s most valu-able assets, our teachers, get the recognition they so undoubtedly deserve. Please take part in this exciting and important program and nominate a teacher today.

For more information about the Crystal Apple Teacher award program contact the Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce at 276-3264.

Contact Us

Steve DyerPresidentsdyer@gardencitychamber.net

Myca BunchVice Presidentmbunch@gardencitychamber.net

Sylvia LiraOffice Managerchamber@gardencitychamber.net

Mary WilsonAccounts Payablemwilson@gardencitychamber.net

Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce1511 E. Fulton TerraceGarden City, KS 67846

Office: 620.276.3264Fax: 620.276.3290www.gardencitychamber.net

&NEWS OMMERCE

GARDEN CITY AREA

May 2014

Our Mission

Improve the quality of life, aid in economic growth and development, represent the business community on legislative issues and pro-mote cooperation between the public and private sectors.

OMMERCE

GARDEN CITY AREA

VIEWS

‘Tis the Season.......The Golf Season, that is! The Garden City Area Chamber of Commerce will host its 9th Annual Chamber Golf Tournament on Friday, June 20th at The Golf Club at Southwind. Cham-ber members are encouraged to par-ticipate in and sponsor this fun-filled networking event.

“This tournament is a great way to get outside in a relaxing environment and network with current and potential clients” said Steve Dyer, Chamber President.

The event will begin with registration beginning at 11:30 a.m. All players will be treated to lunch at Southwind prior to the start of the tournament.

Cost to enter the tournament is $85 per person, or $325 per 4-person team. Fees include green fees, golf cart, range balls, lunch, and a chance at prizes to be awarded on each hole. Each player will receive registration gifts valued at over $100.

Hole sponsorships are available for $100 per business and all sponsors

receive recognition on the Chamber’s website and signage at a hole during the tournament.

Look for the registration form among the inserts in this month’s Chamber newsletter. You can also register and pay online via the Chamber’s website at www.gardencitychamber.net Reg-istration deadline is Monday, June 16, 2014. For more information contact the Chamber at 620-276-3264.

Special Thanks to the 2014 Golf Tournament Sponsors: Presenting Sponsor: Black Hills Energy. Partner Sponsors: United Wireless and Finney County CVB. Beverage Cart, Tatro Plumbing Co.; Putting Green, Ad-vanced Merchant Services; Driving Range, Noon Lions Club; Hole Spon-sors, Boys Scouts of America, Fry Eye Associates, Envirotrol, American Fam-ily - Neil Hawley, Golden Plains Credit Union, Lewis, Hooper & Dick, Pishny Financial Services, PA, Hopkins, Hop-kins & Ackerman, State Farm Insur-ance - Lee Barrett and Gerald Schultz, Attorney at Law

ibbon R Cuttings

April 23, 2014- Ambassadors were on hand for the ribbon

cutting of Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom. They were joined

by Kansas Governor Sam Brownback,

Cecil O’Brate and owner Amro Samy for the event.

Old Chicago is located at 1010 Stone Creek Drive.

April 18, 2014 - The Cham-ber Ambassadors visited St.

Catherine Hospital for the Grand Opening of the new

“Fast Track” Urgent Care Clinic. Fast Track is an

expansion of the Emergency Department and is designed to care for less-urgent emer-

gencies. St. Catherine ER averages around 17,000 visits

April 23 2014 - Pioneer Estates housing development

held their ribbon cutting with special guests, Kansas Gover-nor Sam Brownback, Dennis Mesa, Cecil O’Brate, Dr. Rick

Atha, Mayor Roy Cessna, Rep. John Doll and former

Garden City Mayor JR Behan. Pioneer Estates features 26

for rent duplex unites and 17 single family homes.

A Valuable VisitLast November, the Chamber began looking for ways to increase the num-ber of visits and the personal atten-tion they provide to each of the 339 Chamber members on a yearly basis. They knew, based on previous surveys sent to Chamber members, that visits continue to be an important aspect of a chamber membership. To that end, Chamber staff made it a goal to visit each of their Chamber members at least once a year at a minimum. They also decided that additional visits were needed in order for the Chamber to keep up to date on issues relevant to their members.

To aid in the process, the Chamber’s Business Visitation Committee was formed with Chamber Board Mem-ber Bob Sperling spearheading the group. Sperling set out looking for business professionals from within the community who could work with him in visiting a set number of Chamber members each month.

As part of the committee’s visits, they provide all members a Chamber Member Feedback form which asks questions regarding their thoughts on

current chamber services, legislative issues impacting their business, and how the Chamber can better serve them and their organization. The Chamber utilizes the information and ideas provided on the feedback form to create new services and benefits for Chamber members.

The Business Visitation Committee’s goals is to visit all Chamber members each year. Once the committee mem-ber has met with the business repre-sentative they also present the member with their new Chamber membership plaque.

Current members of the commit-tee are: Bob Sperling, Chair, R&M Enterprises; Cheryl Schmale, Garden City Community College; Megan Grapengater, Garden City Community College; Lisa Hogan, Regan & Co. Real Estate; Eleanor Everett, Edward Jones; Alan Ashinhurst, St. Catherine Hospi-tal; Cecilia Runnion, Western Kansas Broadcast Center; Maxine Atkinson, ARC Real Estate Company; and John Kennis, Farm Bureau Financial Ser-vices.

New Chamber Members

J&S Cleaning Services, LLC1008 Pearl St.Garden City, KS 67846620.640.7265Cleaners, Home and Business

Jimmy Johns503 E Kansas Ave.Garden City, KS 67846620.805-6880Restaurant

The Victor L. Phillips Company2203 W. Jones AveGarden City, KS 67846620.275.1996Construction Rental Equipment

Western Kansas Statistical Lab1711 N. 7th St.Garden City, KS 67846785.317.0607Data Analysis & Consultation

Shannen’s Electronics, Inc.PO Box 1176Garden City, KS 67846620.275.4660Television Repair, Audio-Video Instillation

United Rentals, Inc.307 N. 14th AveDodge City, KS 67801620.225.5358Construction Rental Equipment

Wheatland Broadband416 N. Main St.Scott City, KS 67871620.872.0006Internet and Telephone Service and Installation

Business Visitation Committee aims to help with Chamber visits

Recognizing Area EducatorsChamber Seeks Nominations for Crystal Apple Awards

2014 Crystal Apple SponsorsPresenting Sponsor

Partner Sponsors

Gold SponsorsBlack Hills Energy

Fry Eye Associates

Wells Fargo Financial Advisors

Silver SponsorsThe Garden City

Telegram

Clarion Inn

Crystal SponsorsBT Plumbing Co., Inc.

Gibson, Mancini, Carmichael & NelsonGarden City Public Schools Foundation

Friend of Education DonorsEnvirotrol Spraying Services, LLCHopkins, Hopkins & Ackerman

Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.Kanamak Hydraulics, Inc.

Time out Sports Bar & Restaurant

This month’s Business After Hours is hosted by The Garden City Inn, located at 1202 W. Kansas Ave.

The Garden City Inn is owned and operated by CK Chandrakant Pranjiwan. Pranjiwan purchased the establishment seven years ago and today the facility features 43 guest rooms as well as a swimming pool and jacuzzi for guests to enjoy.

Business After Hours is Garden City’s premiere networking social event. Each event features a room full of community leaders allowing you to meet and mingle with potential clients and/or future business connections.

The entire staff at The Garden City Inn invite you to join them on May 29th as they will provide tours of the establishment. They will have delicious food and beverages for all to enjoy as well as exciting door prizes.

Around the block

The Good Sports Turns 36!The Good Sports is celebrating their 36th Anniversary. Started in 1978, The Good Sport specializes in custom screen printing and embroidery. In 2010 they added full color digital printing for banners, window films, yard signs, POP displays and posters. They offer team uniforms, casual business attire, work shirts, jackets and hats. They have ath-letic shoes for the whole family inducing baseball/softball and football cleats, wrestling shoes, track spikes, running shoes and basketball shoes. In their retail selection they stock a wide array of collegiate and NFL apparel, hats and other gift items. They offer apparel and letter jackets for most of the southwest Kansas area high schools. The Good Sport is located at 220 N. Main. Contact them at 620-276-8600

Free Smoke Detectors The Office of the State Fire Marshal has initiated a smoke detector program called, “Saving Lives of Kansans, One Home At A Time.” They have pur-chased ten-year lithium sealed battery detectors and will provide them to fire departments across the state. The fire departments will be work within the community to determine the homes that need the detectors and will install them. For more information contact the Office of the State Fire Marshal at 785-296-0659.

Better Hearing MonthMay is Better Hearing Month at the Garden City Miracle Ear office located at 302 N. Fleming. Contact them today to schedule your free hearing test. 620-271-0013.

Builders Plus Concrete Announces ChangesBuilders Plus Concrete, LLC is pleased to announce several big changes in their company. Chris Callen has recently been named the Chief Executive Officer and will now be overseeing the compa-ny’s functions and planning for the years ahead. Hal will now take over the role of Chief Operations Officer and will re-focus his time on providing a bar-setting quality of work with customer service to match. Builders Plus Concrete continues their focus on providing a presence and distinction in the midwest market and they appreciate the community’s in-volvement in making that dream come to fruition.

Bors Law welcomes New EmployeeBors Law, PA is excited to announce that they have recently hired a new member to their support staff. Shannon Irsik comes to them from the Finney County District Court Clerk’s office and is happy to serve you with all of your needs at Bors Law. Contact her today at 620-276-2800 or visit them at 118 W. Pine in downtown Garden City,.

Garden City Arts member-ship campaign underwayGarden City Arts membership drive is currently underway. Membership levels begin at a suggested donation of $10 for students and seniors, $35 for individual and $50 for a family. In return for your donation, members receive a donor card, quarterly newsletter, event noti-fications, and discounts on workshops and events. Hours at The Gallery are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. on

Saturdays. For more information about any of the GCA programs, contact the Gallery at 620-260-9700.

SHRM Announces AnnualLeadership ConferenceThe Society of Human Resource Man-agement of Southwest Kansas has announced plans for it’s annual Business Leadership Conference. The conference will be held Thursday, August 7, 2014 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. inside the Garden City Community College Academic Bldg Lecture Hall. This year’s confer-ence topics is “What Eagles Dare” - The critical difference between managing and leading and “Once Upon a Time” - Using organizational story telling to build core values, teamwork, ethics and a positive culture presented by Marga-ret Morford. Registration fee is $65 for members and $80 for non-members by Aug 1, 2014. After Aug 1st, $75 for members and $90 for non-members. Contact Claudia Saenz at 620-276-1175 for more information.

Youth Go Free & Airport Transportation Now AvailableFinney County Transit’s City Link and Mini-Bus services will once again offer the Youth Go Free Summer 2014. Youth 16 and under can ride free from May 22 through Aug 22nd. Children 10 and under must ride with someone 16 years of age or older. City Link offers airport shuttle from your home to the airport terminal and back. Fare is $5 per person per one-way trip. Call 620-272-3626 in advance to schedule a ride 7-days a week.

People are our Priority.

“We make it happen, you make it home.”

1135 College Drive, Suite AGarden City, KS 67846

Ph: (620) 271-9500Fax: (620) 271-9515

www.hometownrealestategc.com

ConsolidatedPrinting

for all your printing needs

www.consolidatedprinting.com

Hours

Business

After

Wednesday, May 21, 2014Check -in - 7:00 a.m. / Program - 7:30 a.m.

The Golf Club at Southwind

Presenting Sponsor: Marketing

Sponsor:

Southwind

Thursday, May 29, 2014

5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Join us for the May Business After Hours hosted by Garden City Inn.

networking - great food - cash prizes & giveaways

Attend the May Chamber Breakfast for your chance to win two tickets to attend a Kansas City Royals game courtesy of...The Golf Club at

Chamber breakfast

21 - Chamber Breakfast Presentations by Ad-vanced Merchant Ser-vices. Location: The Golf Club at Southwind at 7:30 a.m. Don’t miss your chance to win two tickets to see a Kansas City Royals baseball game.

TBD - Legislative Coffee - St. Catherine Hospital - Classroom B. Complimentary break-fast provided by St. Catherine Hospital

May 29 - Business After Hours - Hosted by the Garden City Inn - 1202 W. Kansas Ave. Food, Drinks and Giveaways!! 5:00 - 6:30 p.m.

Sponsored by:

May Events

Hopkins, Hopkins & Ackerman

HENK’SCarpet & Upholstery

Cleaners

MayBeverage Sponsor

May Sponsors: Advanced Merchant

Services

Snapsh ts

Top Left - Grand Opening celebration for Pioneer Estates. Top Right - April Business After Hours at the Sleep Inn & Suites. Middle Right - Guests enjoy delicious food at the Sleep Inn & Suites. Middle Left - Rep-resentative Russ Jennings addresses the crowd at the April Chamber Breakfast. Bottom left - Senator Larry Powell provides a legislative update during the April Legislative Coffee. Bottom left - Catherine McMillian, HR Director for Compass Behavioral Health helps students during the Chamber’s Resume Day at Garden City High School.