The

CataCatalystlyst Issue 374

www.thecolumbuspage.com December 2015

News of the Columbus Area Chamber of CommerceNews of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce

Henry Gass, Sr., came to Platte County in 1870 and soon began making coffins and branched out into a furniture store and funeral home. This was the first funeral home in Columbus and continues today as the Gass-Haney Funeral Home.

Minnie Jackson founded “Jackson Pantorium” in 1924 and worked out of her home. 1n 1926 she outgrew her home and opened the first building. She ran the business until her death in 1957. The company, now known as Jackson Services, Inc., is headed by the third and fourth generations of the family.

Born in Germany, Theodore Friedhof worked for Lord & Taylor in New York City in 1867 and moved to Columbus in 1875. He operated dry good stores in Columbus. He was a founder of the German National Bank, and was also one of the founders of the Evans Hotel Company. He, along with Mrs.

Albert Gehner, gifted the Platte County Fairgrounds and donated the material for the famous Columbus arches.

Hall of Fame Class of 2015

December 1st

5:30-Social

6:30-Dinner and Program

Ramada– Columbus

The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce also presents its annual awards: Ernst Auto Center/Ernst Toyota presents the 2015 Ovation Award to Pat Anderson as the outstanding business or professional woman. Pat was business manager for her husband Jack’s veterinary practice, helping expand the business to other locations and into related lines of practice. She was President of the Auxiliary of the American Veterinary Medical Association and National Pet Week Chairman, and served on the AVMA’s Foundation Board. Pat is also a dedicated community volunteer, currently serving as Vice-President of the Columbus Community Hospital Foundation and Columbus Public Library Board. The 2015 Archway Award for outstanding business or professional man is presented to Dr. Matt Gotschall by Columbus Tire & Service Center. In his 10 years as Campus President for Central Community College-Columbus, the campus has seen expanded on-campus housing, athletic offerings, and enrollment. With Matt’s leadership, the welding and mechatronics areas on the campus have expanded and a business incubator has been established. Matt has chaired the Columbus Area Chamber Board, the Columbus Area United Way Campaign, and currently chairs the Columbus Area Community Foundation Fund. The Charles Farnham Volunteer of the Year for 2015 is Don Heimes, presented by First Nebraska Bank. Since the formation of the Quality of Life Centers initiative seven years ago, Don has been chairman of the steering committee. Don has led the effort to revitalize the Family Resource Center into a home for community non-profits.

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In This Issue… Business Hall of Fame 1 Holiday Giveaway 2 Commodore Calls 3 Industry in Education 3 Holiday Basketball 4 October Investments 5 Business After Hours 5 Santa’s Hours 5 Golf Thank you! 6 New Members 6 Agribusiness Invite 7 Holiday Columbus Bucks 7 Gold Members 7 Modern Mentorship 7 Calendar 8

This publication is distributed monthly to Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce Members and Stakeholders Published monthly by the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce. Dues include $2 per year subscription for your Catalyst

Chamber Staff K.C. Belitz President Kara Asmus Workforce Coordinator Sandie Fischer Events Planner, Entrepreneur/Membership Developer Cassie Jeffryes Office Manager Deb Loseke Director, Convention & Visitors Bureau Sharyle Sands Vice President

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Holiday Giveaway = FREE MONEY! The 11th annual Holiday Giveaway is underway with FREE MONEY to give away!! Any $50 purchase of Columbus Bucks means $5 free through December 23rd, or until the supply of “sale-priced” Columbus Bucks are gone. A limited amount of Columbus Bucks will be “on sale” and when they’re gone…they’re gone. Columbus Bucks are the best way to guarantee that dollars are spent locally. They can be spent like cash in any Columbus Area Chamber member. The Chamber’s Retail & Services Division has seen a tremendous response to this promotion every year and they know this keeps more dollars circulating with local merchants for the holiday season.

Corporate Sponsors for the Holiday Giveaway include…

Businesses providing Free Money in this year’s Holiday Giveaway

include… Treasures, Seasons Floral, Eakes Office Solutions,

Office Net, J’s Hallmark, Sip, Little Caesar’s Pizza, Tooley Drug, Columbus Music, Columbus Tire, Hy-Vee, Barbara Jean’s,

Lavender Thyme, Sears Hometown Store, Greiner’s Beds, Bedroom and Floor Coverings, and Imagine That Scrapbooking and Gifts.

Dale Employees Credit Union

The Goodwill Arm of the Chamber

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CHAMBER COMMODORES

Columbus Neighbors, New Member, Skipper Tonya Wemhoff & Kelcie Keeling

Taco John’s, Member Visit, Captain Steve Snyder, Jeff Bremer, & Tina Olmedo

Havana Stone

Graphic Design, Yaramis Ramos & Skipper Tonya Wemhoff

Galvan Computer

Repair Member Visit: Richard Sutton & Skipper Tonya Wemhoff

Midwest Medical Transport, Ribbon Cutting for Midwest Med Air 3, Midwest Medical staff and Commodores

Industry in Education Event a Success!

Juniors at Scotus High School had a visit from Columbus industry professionals in their classroom. The 3-part program teaches young people how to build an effective resume, the importance of soft skills and teamwork in the workplace, dressing professionally, interview skills, and how to be career ready. Industry in Education included a day of simulated job interviews that were conducted by representatives from our Columbus business community. Students were able to learn from industry professionals, practice skills used in interviewing and

interacting in the workplace, and better prepared themselves for their future roles. This program would not be possible without the commitment of time and talents from our local industry volunteers. THANK YOU to all who helped to make Industry in Education a Success!

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The 34th Annual Holiday Basketball Tournament, coordinated by the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, will be held December 29th and 30th at Scotus Central Catholic High School. Thank you to all advertisers and team sponsors of this year's tournament - without your support, it would not be possible to continue this great holiday tradition.

Tuesday, Dec. 29 Varsity: 1:00 p.m. - Lakeview v. Twin River girls 2:45 p.m. – Lakeview v. Twin River boys 6:00 p.m. – Scotus v. Schuyler girls 7:45 p.m. – Scotus v. Schuyler boys

Junior Varsity: 1:00 p.m. - Lakeview v. Twin River boys 2:45 p.m. – Lakeview v. Twin River girls 6:00 p.m. – Scotus v. Schuyler boys 7:45 p.m. – Scotus v. Schuyler girls

Wednesday, Dec. 30 Varsity: 1:00 p.m. - Girls Consolation Game 2:45 p.m. - Boys Consolation Game 6:00 p.m. - Girls Championship Game 7:45 p.m. - Boys Championship Game

Junior Varsity: 1:00 p.m. - Boys Consolation Game 2:45 p.m. - Girls Consolation Game 6:00 p.m. - Boys Championship Game 7:45 p.m. - Girls Championship Game

Corporate Sponsors

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Glur's Roofing, Mike Glur Sip Espresso Bar, Jill Tate

Realife of Columbus, Stephanie Haney El Matador, Randy Downs

Werner Service & Trucking, Inc., Curt Werner

Country Mile Veterinary Services, John Claus

Jeff Brown Contracting, Jeff Brown Lohr, John & Kathleen

ADM-Columbus, Steven Dewald Aaron's Sales & Lease Ownership,

Jessica Mullins Edward Jones, Kurt Kuhlman

Midlands Claim Service, Leland Becher Prairie Village Retirement Center,

Connie Thomas Stock Realty & Auction Co.,

Linda Wieseman UNICO Group of Columbus, Bob Wick

Norton, Mary Typhoon Wash, Bill Allen

Pawnee Bar, Ron Sedlak Columbus Custom Embroidery,

Sam Giustra Dick & Dotte's Property LLC, DBA

Gabriel's Suites, Rich Jablonski Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation,

Larry Niemeyer Cherry Creek Plaza, Jed Brunken

Stavas, Joe Offroad Company, Justin Stenger

State Farm Insurance, Michael Brittenham Arby's Roast Beef, Larry Anderson

KUSO, Mike Flood Kay's Place for Massage Therapy,

Kay Ann Kerkhove No Swett Fencing, Terry & Geri Swett

Victor Outdoor Advertising, Jeremy Leonard Ideas, Sara Keeler

Sharp Home Solutions, Brett Swierczek

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October Investments We thank our members for their

membership investment.

Business After Hours A Strictly Social Chamber Event

Monday, December 21

Hosted by

Located at 4121 23rd St, Columbus, NE 68601

5 PM - 6:30 PM

Join us for Hors d’oeuvres and beverages.

Santa is here!! Come visit Santa at his house in

Frankfort Square.

December hours:

Thursdays: 5:00 p.m. — 7:00 p.m.

Saturdays: Noon — 4:00 p.m.

Sundays: 1:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m.

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NSAA CLASS B GIRLS GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

THANK YOU!!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the many volunteers who helped make the 2015 NSAA Class B Girls

Golf Championship a huge success. From the scorers, real-time scorers, player escorts, drive range monitor, score card officials, forecaddies and van driver - THANK YOU! We could not do this

tournament without you.

To Doug Dunbar, Brent McGrew, Matt Krings, and all of the staff in the Quail Run Pro Shop, and to Larry Hergott and his staff on the Quail

Run Golf Course - THANK YOU! The course was in excellent condition for our lady golfers!

Columbus has come to enjoy a fine reputation in the past six years, both from the Nebraska School Activities Association (NSAA), the

Nebraska Golf Association (NGA) and our many visitors from around the State of Nebraska. This is directly due to all of you. It seems to be

a huge understatement, but we could not do it without you!

We would also like to say a huge THANK YOU to our tournament sponsors. Because of you we are able to take good care of our volunteers, the NSAA and NGA staff. Your continued support of the tournament exhibits our collaborative community spirit

to our many visitors.

Blue Tee Sponsors:

Gold Tee Sponsor: Insurance Services of Columbus

White Tee Sponsors: ARL Credit Services Columbus Sertoma Club BankFirst First National Bank C.S. Nelson Co. Real Estate Holiday Inn Express & Suites Columbus Bank & Trust Little Caeser’s Pizza

Columbus Children’s Healthcare

Red Tee Sponsors: Columbus Telegram Jackson Services Cornerstone Bank Sleep Inn & Suites First Nebraska Bank Thomas J. Grubaugh CPA PC

Thanks again, and we look forward to working with all of you again next year!

Al Niedbalski

Insurance Services of Columbus &

Deb Loseke Columbus/Platte County Convention & Visitors Bureau

Welcome New Members: Rich Aerni 3503 35th St., Columbus (402) 564-5001 Individuals Sponsors: Prent Roth/Larry Zach Bob & Marilyn Gangel 2722 Husker Lane, Columbus (402) 564-3043 Individuals Sponsor: K.C. Belitz Columbus Neighbors Kelcie Keeling Columbus (402) 250-7606 kkeeling@bestversionmedia.com www.bestversionmedia.com Advertising & Promotion Sponsor; Sandie Fischer John Cimpl 2408 St. Andrews Drive, Columbus Individuals Sponsor: K.C. Belitz Kidwell, Inc. Todd Minchow 3333 Folkways Cir., Lincoln, NE 68504 (402) 475-9151 Fax - (402) 475-9186 tminchow@kidwell.us.com www.kidwell.us.com Services Sponsor: Sandie Fischer New York Life Ryan Urkoski 2164 3rd Ave., Columbus (402) 564-6327 rsurkoski@nyl.com Insurance Sponsor: Sandie Fischer Platte County Area Crime Stoppers Capt. Todd Thalken 2419 14th St., Columbus (402) 563-4000 www.megavision.net/pcsher Associations & Organizations Sponsor: Sandie Fischer Wayne State College Marysz Rames 1111 Main St., Wayne, NE 68787 402-375-7200 Education & Schools Sponsor: K.C. Belitz

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Columbus & Holiday Bucks Don’t forget to use Columbus Bucks during the Holiday season. Gift givers can purchase them at the Chamber of Commerce. Chamber member businesses simply accept them in payment, endorse them and deposit them like a check. It couldn’t be easier. For more information contact Sharyle Sands at 564-2769.

Through the Holiday Loan program at Columbus Bank, you can borrow $500-$5,000 in Columbus Bucks for up to two years. Contact Tim Tarnick at Columbus Bank at (564-1234) for details.

Agribusiness Committee Community Invite

December 7th

12:00pm—Chamber of Commerce

Join the Agribusiness Committee on December 7th for a meeting with guest

speaker; Al Dutcher. As a State Climatologist Al specializes in climate data

analysis, soil moisture analysis, weather forecasting, crop/weather relationships,

and drought monitoring. A member of NU's School of Natural Resource Sciences,

Al has been with the University of Nebraska since 1989. He holds a B.S. in

Meteorology and an M.S. in Climatology, both degrees earned at Iowa State

University.

Dutcher is a past president and current member of the

American Association of State Climatologists. He serves on the

Governor's Climate Assessment Response Committee and chairs

the state's Water Availability Outlook Committee. He's also a

contributing editor/writer for Cropwatch. Please RSVP to the

Chamber at 402-564-2769, lunch will be provided for those who

attend.

Thank You Gold

Members!! Black Hills Energy Community Internet Systems Cornhusker Public Power District Eakes Office Solutions Valmont Newmark Vishay Dale

Modern Mentorship Seminar Provided Networking Opportunities

The Columbus Area Community foundation, Connecting Young Nebraskans, and the Chamber collaborated to bring an event that fostered new relationships and the urged those in attendance to find a mentor. Dr. Lindsay Hastings, Director of the Nebraska Human Resources Institute at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, discussed the topic of “generativity,” meaning the desire to establish and guide the next generation. With the massive transfer of leadership taking place in our society right now, said Dr. Hastings, “We can’t wait for the current young professionals to become generative; we need to be proactive in fostering multi-generational relationships now.” Through Dr. Hastings’ keynote speech, a panel of local professionals, and built-in networking time, participants learned how to identify influential mentors in their lives, as well as how to become better leaders by mentoring others. For many young professionals, having a mentor can help them expedite the process of learning valuable skills in leadership and management. And likewise, being a mentor to someone else can further benefit their professional and personal skill sets.

Hospitality Sponsor for

December:

Columbus Area Community

Foundation

The hospitality sponsor provides

beverages for the meetings held in

the conference room. We take care

of purchasing the drinks and

snacks. Sponsors have a display

table in the conference room to

showcase their business.

PRSRT STD

POSTAGE

PAID

COLUMBUS, NE

PERMIT #500

Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce 753 33rd Ave.

Columbus, NE 68601-6427 402.564.2769 Fax: 402.564.2026

chamber@megavision.com www.thecolumbuspage.com

Calendar of Events… December 2015 2015-2016 Board of Directors

Joe Steffensmeier

Chairman of the Board Bill Flint

Chair-Elect Dianne Wall Promotions

Division Chairman Steve Line

Community Development Division Chairman

Chad Dyhrkopp Business Development

Division Chairman Jaci Tessendorf

Internal Affairs Division Chairman

Bill Flint Treasurer

Mark Mercer Past Chairperson

Travis Bock Dennis Grennan

Pat Pope Russ Freeman

John DiMambro Ben Hellbusch Chris Langan

Ex-Officio Members Mayor Mike Moser City of Columbus Jerry Engdahl Platte County Tonya Wemhoff Commodores Bernie Hansen NE Dept of Labor

Mission Statement The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce: Enhancing the economic well-being and quality of life in the Columbus Area.

The Catalyst

01 BIE Chamber 7:00am

01 Business Hall of Fame Ramada– Columbus 5:30pm

02 Childcare Committee Chamber 11:00am

03 Commodores Walmart 10:00am

04 Red, White, KaBoom Chamber 10:00am

07 Agribusiness Committee Chamber 12:00pm

09 E-Ship Chamber 4:30pm

10 CVB Chamber 8:00am

10 Commodores Bo’s West 10:00am

10 L.C.A.A. Valmont 11:45am

15 Finance Committee Chamber 7:00am

15 Admirals Picket Fence 7:30am

15 Commodores Paychex 10:00am

16 Holiday Basketball Committee Hy-Vee 7:00am

16 Transportation Ramada-Columbus 12:00pm

17 Commodores Paradise Club 10:00am

21 QOL Centers Acct. Chamber 9:00am

21 Board of Directors Chamber 12:00pm

21 Business After Hours Stock Realty & Auction Co. 5:00pm

25 Christmas Chamber Closed All Day

29 Holiday Basketball Scotus Central Catholic 1:00pm

30 Holiday Basketball Scotus Central Catholic 1:00pm

31 New Year’s Eve Chamber Closed All Day