In This Issue

• President’s Message • Executive Directors Message • Horary Citizens 2013• From Fort McCoy• Barb Brings to Mind • Calendar of Events • From Ikes Desk• DVR Accessibility Credit

Volume XIII October 2013

The Sparta Ambassador

SBA5Non-Profit Night

October 16

Sparta American

Legion

5:30pm-7:00pm

Marketing & Networking for those of you who fi nd it diffi cult to leave your businesses during the day.

Th is is a great opportunity for us to gather as business owners, community leaders and everyone that plays a role in building a brighter future in Sparta.

Non-Profi t night is an opportunity to network with some people who are doing good works in the community and are giving back to those in need, or educating the future leaders of the community.

See you there!

If your non-profi t would like to participate in the event pleaes call us at the Chamber at 608-269-4123 to see how you can get involved.

2013 Board of Directors

the Executive Board

Past President - Carol OlstremState Bank 608-269-2111

President - DeAnn PerzelShades Body Studio 608-269-8282

President Elect (Open)

Treasurer - Lois ZanonClifton, Larson, Allen 608-269-2424

Vice Presidents

Todd PageAll American Lumber 608-269-5028

William Hoffman Sparta Tomah Broadcasting 608-269-3307

Katie Blashaski The Greenery 608-269-2544

Darren Schauf F.A.S.T. Corp 608-269-7514

Rose LeisSpeed’s Bike Shop 608-269-2315

the Board of Directors

Mark PierceUnited Country Markim Realty 608-269-0057

Kate StueberCentury Foods 608-366-2290 x2520

Scott Davis State Farm Insurance 608-269-5441

Dan Arndt Arndt, Buswell & Thorn 608-269-1200

Jeff Nilssen Nilssen Electric 608-269-3300

Bonita SandersBonita’s Bridal Boutique 608-633-1937

Denise HalversonEdward Jones 608-269-9136

Ex Offi cio: • City of Sparta• Department of Natural Resources• Fort McCoy• Sparta School District • UW-Extension Monroe County • Western Technical College

Staff

Tim Hyma - Executive Director executivedirector@bikesparta.com

Barb Bendel-Sandvigen - Tourism & Event Coordinatorbikesparta@centurytel.net

Ike Rebout - Administrative Assistant ike@bikesparta.com

Summer/ Weekend Staff

Victoria Horstman

Kassie Perkins

Did you know?

This month we got over 2000 hits to our website! 1439 of those hits were new people who averaged spending over 4 minutes reaearching the Sparta Area.

Over 3000 people have commented or been active on our posts over the past month, and over 5,000 people have seen our posts over the last month.

Call us and fi nd our how your company can be part of our powerful marketing strategies today!

Presidents Message

Thank you to our

New and Renewing Members:

• Amish Cheese House

• Second Season

• Tim Neubauer Trucking

DeAnn PerzelPresident

Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce

October is a sign that fall is in full force in the area. We welcome many “leaf peepers” to our community in the fall. Sparta and the surrounding area is oft en an annual stop for many visitors to see the beautiful colors.

October brings one of our largest community eff orts to the spotlight – Th e House of Shadows opens October 4th. You will fi nd Not-so-Scary options from 6-7p and Very Scary from 7p-close. Be sure and support the Boys and Girls Club and have a scary good time at the House of Shadows. Remember the on-going You’ve Been Flocked! activity to support SACS . “Flocking” continues through October 15. If you have questions about an activity or want to get involved please contact the Chamber Offi ce. Please check our calendar oft en as we continue to add activities to it daily. We welcome all to enjoy and participate in the many activities going on throughout the year.

With the Holidays right around the corner I also want to highlight the Sparta Community Holiday Lights. If you would like to help this community eff ort please contact the Chamber Offi ce or go to http://spartaholidaylights.com/, or fi nd them on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sparta-Community-Holiday-Group/475822795815105.

We still have plenty of wonderful fall weather to enjoy and explore the beautiful colors and scenery our area has to off er. We have plenty of activities to enjoy and explore all that makes our area a year round destination for outdoor fun. Biking, kayaks, canoe trips, camping and more is what the Sparta area has to off er.

Please visit our website or call the Chamber offi ce with any questions. If your business would like to promote a fall event please contact the Chamber Offi ce.

Please shop local and support your fellow members. As you fi nd yourself exploring our great fall weather take a moment to stop in on one of your fellow members and see what wonderful fall items they have to off er.

Respectfully,DeAnn Perzel – President

Executive Directors MessageExec

Th e Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce is still a beehive of activity. In September we had 24 events listed on our calendar (http://spartachamber.chambermaster.com/events/calendar ), conducted three ribbon cuttings, developed a health care reform resource center (http://bikesparta.org/health-care-reform-resource-center.html ), and sponsored presentation on the subject.

Th en, the Ambassadors made the Honorary Citizens a special occasion for Gary and Susie. Th ey stated they would never forget the wonderful treatment they received from the Sparta Community.

We have 15 new members due to the ½ price campaign we ran this year over the summer.

In the Sparta vs. Fort McCoy soft ball game- Sparta pulled off a win at the bottom of the 9th inning with 14-13 victory. It was a great day of fun for those that participated.

Now, we are going into the fall with several tasks at hand. We are looking for nominations for fi ve board positions, putting together an expanded fall fest celebration, planning next year’s budget, holiday programs on top of all the regular functions.

If you are a non-profi t organization, call and sign up for our SBA5 at the American Legion. We want to showcase as many businesses as possible, so this is your chance.

If you would like to help out on one of the committees, please let me know- we can always use another helping hand with the projects we have going on.

Th anks for supporting your Chamber.

Fort McCoy MWR Soft ball Team Sparta Area Soft ball Team - AKA Th e Champions

Honorary Citizens

LLe te t us be us be gratefugrateful to l to peoplepeople who make us who make us happyhappy , they , they are the are the charm ingcharm ing gardeners who gardeners who makemake our souls blossom our souls blossom - -From your fr i ends at the Sparta Chamber of CommerceFrom your fr i ends at the Sparta Chamber of Commerce

Sparta’s Honorary Citizens were a exceptional couple from Iowa. Gary Murray and Susan Costello. Th ey accepted the honor as soon as they were asked by Pete Perkins and Iona Hayter. We had 5 returning past honoraries, some as far away as Missouri. We shuttled the group together this year and took

them on tour of the Carlisle Co., Toured the Business and educational districts of Sparta, lunch at the Museum, Gave them a very interesting educational seminar put on by Flock’s Hearting and Air Conditioning, Stopped at Down A Country Rd. Visited a Cheese Factory, Stopped off at a Amish owned store where the Amish shop and also got to witness and Amish Buggy being built. Th e new couple were allowed to get up into a buggy and sit in it. From there they went on to pay a visit to St Mary’s Church on St Mary’s Ridge. Father Klos was able to give them a great tour and tell about the history

of the church. Th en they were able to tour around Sparta. In the evening they were guest at SBA5 Fort McCoy Appreciation at the Country Inn. Th ursday morning they were sent over to Pica Grove. Susan Iverson gave them interesting tour and display of art work and their 3-D designs that they can create. From there it was off to Club Oasis for a wonderful farewell lunch. Th ey were presented a key to the city from Mayor Ron Button and they received a wonderful array gift s from many of our local businesses. Th e recipients were thrilled and very appreciative and said what a wonderful town we have and so many friendly folks, they opted to extend their stay for s few days and said they will surely be back next year.

Want to become a Sparta Ambassador? Promote our community and the Chamber of Commerce! Th is is a fun fi lled volunteer organization with past business and community leaders from the Sparta Area. Ambassadors meet on the fi rst Tuesday of every month. For more information or to get involved and support our community please call the chamber at 608-269-4123 or Pete Perkins at 608-269-4759

From Fort McCoy

Business Appreciation NightIt was good to see so many attendees at the Fort McCoy Business Appreciation Night Aug. 28, visit in a casual setting, and enjoy the excellent food that McCoy’s Community Club

prepared. Th ank you for taking the time to attend. Mark your calendars to attend the 2014 event Aug. 27.

Military Appreciation NightTh ank you to the Sparta community for the wonderful Military Appreciation Night event held at the Country Inn Sept. 18. Th e military personnel were honored for the opportunity to converse and share a meal with their Sparta neighbors. Th ank you for hosting this annual event.

New AT/MOB dining facility to be constructed at Fort McCoy

A new Annual Training (AT)/Mobilization (MOB) Dining Facility has been approved for construction in the 1600-1700 block at Fort McCoy.

Roy Brewer, Fort McCoy resident engineer for the Army Corps of Engineers Louisville District said a $7,744,879 contract was awarded Aug. 23 to TCI Engineers, Architects and Contractor of La Crosse, Wis., for construction of the new 21,000-square-foot facility.

A preconstruction meeting is scheduled for late September. Assuming the notice to proceed is awarded in late September, TCI should have the foundation for the project installed by the end of the year. Project completion is expected no later than early 2015.

Barb Brings to Mind

A Lesson in KindnessOur old neighbor Meta Jonas a school teacher was the fear of every kid in the neighborhood. I can remember thinking I was glad I didn’t have her for a teacher. And everyone on our side of town knew who she was. She was labeled the Old Maid, the Witch of Market St. and I heard her being called other names that I dare not say.

She raised plenty of havoc at our household over the years including calling the cops on my dad because he hit a ball over the roof of our house and it bounced against hers. I cannot remember how many times when I had friends over playing the yard, the kid’s voices and my dog barking having a good time playing, she called because we were making too much noise. It got to be kind of a joke with police dept. Barging in our house without a knock or ringing the doorbell to com-plain about something or another. I guess she liked my mom to some extent because of the fact she would let her get what was ever bothering her off her chest and then my mom would put in her two-cents worth and sometimes let her get a earful. My mom never backed down from her. I can remember my mom saying, I don’t know how she got to teach kids when she doesn’t even like them. She always told me to just stay out of her way, say hi to her and just be nice not matter what! All of us kids in the neighborhood put up with Meta growing up. It was part of our life. She would sit in the dark on Halloween and her house was always egged and windows were soaped. But I was the fortunate kid in the neighbor-hood. She would always go to Fanny Farmer candy store and get me a really nice arrangement for a Halloween treat. Th e older she got the less complaints we heard. As I grew older and she had been retired, she hounded our household many times for help with things around her house. My dad would graciously run to help her out. Th e winter that I was 12 yrs old she asked if I would shovel the snow off her side walk for her, of course she said she would pay me. Th e fi rst time I shoveled, Meta was outside with me giving me a list of orders I was suppose to follow to the T. When I was fi nished I was to knock on her door for the fi nal inspection. Th en she produced 2 shining quarters. I went home all happy and told my folks about the 50 cents for pay. My dad burst my bubble! We will have none of that. I was instructed to turn right around and give the 50 cents back. He marched me right over to Meta’s and explained to her that it was the neighborly thing to do and we would not accept payment. From the snow shoveling, raking leafs, and cutting the grass I was to be at Me-ta’s beck and call. Oh, I had my days with her because the older she got, the more demanding. Aft er complaining to my Dad that I didn’t want to do this anymore. I got a good lecture. He said in your eyes she might be Meta the “old bat”, but insight she was now an elderly lady that just wanted company. Dad said as far as he knew she had no one else to turn to but us and way back when she was doing all the police reporting and yelling at us kids he thought she just did it to get the attention and some company. He didn’t think she had any family because no one was ever around. Th en one morning, my dad discovered a strange car in her driveway. Of course he had to investigate and check things out even if it was 6:00am. A man answered the door and asked my dad to come in. He said he was Meta’s brother. Th ey had received a call from her the day before that she wasn’t feeling well so they came to her aid. Th ey ended up taking her to the hospital and she died in the emergency room. Her brother said she always talked highly about our family and how much we did for her. She always seemed to be crabby, but that was just Meta. She and I got to be pretty good friends. She never let anyone into her house, not even my mom. Dad only was allowed in to maybe do certain household repair, which wasn’t very oft en. Sometimes, I felt like I spent more time at her house than I did my own. My complaining never did any good. My dad said chalk it up to a good lesson. To helping others and not expecting to get anything in return. Aft er Meta passed away I really learned that I missed her dearly and learned what a good friend I really had. About a year aft er she passed away I got a letter in the mail from an attorney’s offi ce. I was very nervous about this letter and when I opened it, here there was a nice letter enclosed on how much Meta appreciated my friendship and all the little things I did to help her out. Clipped to the letter was a check for the sum of $200.00 made out to just me! I thought sure this was going back to the estate but my dad said NO, Meta wanted you to have it. So I learned a valuable lesson aft er all those years of giving of my time to someone who totally needed someone to just listen.

Check out all the great festivities we have coming up this weekend for Fall Fest. - Barb

Calendar of Events

Kiwanis Club meets every Tuesday @ NOON at Jake’s Northwoods, except if there is a 5th Tuesday; they meet at the United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall Rotary meets every Tuesday evening at Jake’s Northwoods @ 7pmHoliday Lights meets Every 2nd and 4th Monday at 5:30 @ Evans Bosshard Park

Big Buck Contest Saturday September 14th-November 22You’ve Been Flocked September 15 - October 15th

October 3-5: Fall Fest go to www.spartafallfest for full details. October 5: Walk - Bike - RunOctober 5: Coulee Region Adult Day Center Block PartyOctober 5: Octoberfest Buff ettOctober 6: Sparta Eagles Lumberjack BreakfastOctober 11: Rolling Hill Fall Bazaar October 11-12 House of Shadows Hauted HouseOctober 11: Move to RomanceOctober 13: Elegant Barn Community Open House and PotluckOctober 16: SBA5 Non-Profi t NightOctober 18-19: House of Shadows Haunted HouseOctober 20: Sparta Eagles Lumberjack BreakfastOctober 23: Business Education Performace Planning and ReviewOctober 25-26: House of Shadows Haunted HouseOctober 25: Halloween Dance and Costume partyOctober 26: Full Craft ShowOctober 27: CROP Hunger WalkOctober 31: House of Shadows Haunted HouseNovember 1-2: House of Shadows Haunted HouseNovember 2: Monroe County Historical Society’s Arts and Craft s ShowNovember 3: Rails to Trails MarathonNovember 3: Sparta Eagles Lumberjack BreakfastNovember 17: Sparta Eagles Lumberjack BreakfastNovember 20: SBA5 at Sparta DentalNovember 25: Legislative Breakfast November 28: Th anksgiving Community DinnerNovemer 29-30: Pat Watters Band at Jake’s Northwoods

You can also add your own events to www.bikesparta.com using https://secure.chambermaster.com/login/ and your login and password.

Call us at 269-4123 if you need any help with this!!

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Th e Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a Community Calendar. You can add events to our calendar by going to our events page, and clicking on “Submit Event”

Don’t miss out on this free promotion! Our calendar gets hundreds of hits per month!

Want our calendar hosted on your website? Contact Ike at the Chamber to fi nd out how!

Go to www.bikesparta.com and click on events to view everything that is happening in the area!

CHAMBER 101

Th e Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce has great programming to help get your business information out to the community. Sign up for one of our FREE Chamber 101 classes to fi nd out more. Chamber 101 will be October 25th at 8am, 12pm and 3pm.

Call the Chamber for more information.

Want to become a Sparta Ambassador? Ambassadors meet on the fi rst Tuesday of every month. For more information or to get involved and support our community please call the chamber at 608-269-4123 or Pete Perkins at 608-269-4759

Committee Meetings

AMBASSADORS– Dan Arndt Purpose: to foster positive community-wide and Chamber relations Meets fi rst Tuesday of each month at the Chamber offi ce or member businesses at 9am

TOURISM– Rose Leis Purpose: to foster tourism development through cooperation and promotion of the Sparta Area tourism businesses & attractions Meets fi rst Monday of each month at noon at Th e Chamber Depot

EDUCATION– Carol Ostrem & DeAnn PerzelPurposes: to foster economic and community growth through cooperation and promotion of prosperous business practices via seminars, webinars, forums and panel discussions. To foster educational opportunities for business, youth and government in support of creating and maintaining a positive business environment Committee meets as needed at the Chamber Depot

MEMBERSHIP & GROWTH– Todd PagePurpose: to foster Chamber membership growth and retention. Meets the 3rd Monday of each month at Noon at various member businesses and potential businesses

CONCERTS IN THE PARK– Carol OstremPurpose: Maintain and continue the successful summer community series Committee meets as needed 4-6 times a year

HOLIDAY IN THE PARK– Mark PiercePurpose: Create a community driven committee to keep the tradition of the lights in the park going, as well as, other community events for a better quality of life for the community.

Sparta Merchants Committee - Katie Blasheskiis made up of community members who want to be active in sustaining the downtown and retail markets.

Would you like to join these Committees

Our committees are a great way to get active in the community, and help with the goals of the chamber. Th ere is also valuable networking that can help your

business grow and prosper. If you would like to join any of these committees please contact Executive Director Tim Hyma at 269-4123 and we will fi nd a seat for you!!

Hansen’s IGA Ribbon Cutting Guns & Ca$h for you 5th year anniversary

From Ikes Desk

Recently we have been massive improvements to our marketing eff orts. Th is will translate into increased exposure to you business. Last week for instance we created a newly integrated website, www.spartafallfest.com. Th is page is setup for businesses to put deals and events for the Sparta Fall Fest activities. With Sparta Fall Fest being an annual tradition we wanted to create more awareness of specifi c weekend events and deals. By creating categories for deals and events in your chambermaster accounts we were able to get the word out about our little festival to the world. We advertised on facebook in Winona, La Crosse, Black River Falls, Tomah and of course Sparta. Over 800,000 people were targeted with direct traffi c back to the site. Th is also goes with our www.drift lessdestinations.com website that is geared to motorcycle enthusiasts. Th is as well includes members of the Chamber and information related that links directly back to your business.

In the next couple of months we will be re branding the tourism section of our website. Travelers are looking for details by categories whether it be kayacking, fi shing, hunting, bird watching, geo-caching and of course biking. Th ese systems will be setup to be more user friendly increasing the traffi c to your business part of the site.

We are using social media tools much more and are seeing increasing popularity in the community by our likes and share. By using the newsletter, the websites, social media as a triple threat integration that pushes people to stop in and see all that Sparta has to off er.

If you would like to know more about how we can market your business contact Ike at the Sparta Area Chamber of Commerce at 608-269-4123

Farmers Insurance Group Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

For More Information on how the DVR Can help your Business please contact:

Amy Jo Studden at 608-785-9511 or 608-799-6308amy.studden@dwd.wisconsin.gov

Th e DVR can provide the latest information and education on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It is imperative that every business owner, manager, employer and employee understand this critical federal disability legislation.

DVR Represents an opportunity for companies to build on their business or organization success through, recruitment, Retention, Financial Incentives, Accessibility, Employee Education.

Financial Incentives Ensuring accessibility and employing individuals with disabilities can benefi t the bottom line through fi nancial incentives.

On-the-job training (OJT) is an individualized training program conducted at the actual work site where a job applicant receives specifi c training required to secure employment. 50% of the salary and fringe expenses of a DVR candidate hired by your company will be covered by DVR for up to 90 days.

Disability access credit Available to small businesses for expenses paid or incurred to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Th e small business must have 30 or few full-time employees or have revenues below $1,000,000. 50% of the expense over $250 and not exceeding $10,250 is applicable. Th e credit may not exceed $5,000 annually.

DVR Accessibility Credit

Barrier Removal DeductionIs available to make facilities or public transportation vehicles more accessible. Th e deduction is up to $15,000 annually and amounts over $15,000 may be depreciated.

Work Opportunity Tax CreditIs available to employers who hire DVR candidates. It is a credit available for each new hire and there is no limit placed on the number of new hires under WOTC. It is available on up to 40% of the fi rst $6,000 in wages paid in the fi rst 12 months of employment.

American Jobs America’s Heroes

American Jobs for America’s Heroes is an alliance of the National Guard, the Center for America (CFA), Corporate America Supports You (CASY) and the Military Spouse Corporate Career Network (MSCCN) to help unemployed

National Guard members, veterans and spouses fi nd skilled jobs in the private sector.

CASY is a nonprofi t 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2004 that focuses on improving employment and education opportunities for all service members, veterans, and military spouses. CASY is affi liated with MSCCN, a 501(c)3 nonprofi t organization focusing on job creation and job readiness for U.S. military-affi liated job seekers. Relying completely on private donations, CASY and MSCCN have formed partnerships with more than 600 major corporations resulting in the largest private sector job bank in the nation dedicated to military personnel. More than 3.5 million military personnel have benefi ted from CASY and MSCCN’s direct Applicant - Recruiter Connect Placement Program, job bank, job counseling and employment-readiness training, among other services.

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Sparta, WIPermit NO. 160

Th e Sparta Ambassador111 Milwaukee Street Sparta, WI 54656Address Service Requested

GET INVOLVEDYour participation is critical to achieving a positive business climate for the Sparta Community. Help your community in economic growth and enhance the quality of life by calling the Sparta Area Chamber at 608-269-4123 or by email at executivedirector@bikesparta.com