Wish Lexi Well!!Please join us for an open house Feb 29th

from 4-6 pm at theChamber office tosay farewell andthank you to Lexi forall she has done forPositively Pella, theChamber and thecommunity. Lexi willbe moving toMichigan next month.Best wishes Lexi!

Pella Chamber of Commerce818 Washington Street

Pella, Iowa 50219Office Hours:

M-F 8:00 am - 5:00 pmPhone: 641-628-2626

Fax: 641-628-9697Toll Free: 888-746-3882

www.pella.orgStaff:Karen Eischen, Chamber/PADCO

Executive DirectorJill Vandevoort, CVB DirectorLexi Kanis, Positively Pella DirectorCarla Thomassen, Office Manager

A publication of the Pella Chamber ofCommerce, Pella Area DevelopmentCorporation, Pella Convention &Visitors Bureau, and Positively Pella.

February 2012

de Kamer Nieuwsbrief

22001122 CCaalleennddaarr22001122 CCaalleennddaarrSSaavvee tthhee DDaattee......SSaavvee tthhee DDaattee......

Feb 16 YP Mingle (BINGO)Feb 22 Annual Chamber

Awards LuncheonFeb 24 Positively Pella Kick Off

for MOMS OrganizationFeb 28 Techy TuesdayMarch 2 Legislative CoffeeMarch 15 YP MingleMarch 27 Techy TuesdayApril 13th Legislative CoffeeApril 24 Techy TuesdayMay 3, 4, & 4 Tulip TimeMay 29 Techy TuesdayJune 7 Thursdays in PellaJune 14 Thursdays in PellaJune 21 Thursdays in PellaJune 28 Thursdays in PellaJuly 5 Thursdays in PellaJuly 12 Thursdays in PellaJuly 19 Thursdays in PellaJuly 26 Thursdays in PellaSept 14 Chamber Golf Outing

For a complete list of eventsgo to www.pella.org

Hall of Fame Award Recipients and Nominees AnnouncedIndustry Innovator of the YearRecipient: Leighton State BankNominees: Leighton State Bank, Ulrich Meat Market and Work Systems Rehab & Fitness

Educator Innovator of the YearRecipient: Phil GeorgeNominees: Phil George, Daryl De Ruiter and Tracy Murphy

Professional Business Leader of the YearRecipient: Ralph De HaanNominees: Ralph De Haan, Craig Ford, Mary Van Wyk and Pete Verhey

Retail or Service Business of the YearRecipient: Iowa Bike and FitnessNominees: Iowa Bike, BosLanden Golf Club,Boat's HomeFurnishingsand In't Veld Meat Market

Tourism Ambassador of the YearRecipient:Lee SponslerNominees:Lee Sponsler, Henry Vande Kieft and George Wassenaar

Volunteer of the YearRecipient:Joel BennettNominees:Joel Bennett, Kay DeCook, Bill & Krista De Meulenaere and Merlyn& DorothyVander Leest

Young Professional of the YearRecipient:Lexi KanisNominees:Lexi Kanis, Joel Bennett, Rayelle Miller

Lifetime Community ServiceRecipient:Kay De CookNominees:Kay De Cook, James Dahm, Robert F. Van Vark and Carroll (Kelly) Zickel

Join the Pella Chamber boardand staff for our annual luncheon for apreview of the Chamber’s programsand projects for 2012 and help honorthe 2011 Hall of Fame Award Winners.

Mark the date on your calendarsand help us honor these outstandingbusinesses and individuals for all theydo to make Pella a great place to liveand work! Tickets for Chambermembers are $15 per person/ futuremembers is $25 per person. For moreinformation or to reserve your space,call 628.2626 or email Carla atcarla@pella.org.

The Pella Chamber will host two upcoming Legislative Coffees with Senator Paul McKinley andRepresentative Jim Van Engelenhoven on March 2nd and April 13th from 2:30-3:30 pm atMonarchs Restaurant. All Chamber members are invited and encouraged to take part inconversations about issues relating to your business as well as legislation currently in processat the Statehouse.

Pella Chamber Hosts Legislative Coffees

Techy Tuesday: 5 Tech Tools forProductivityTuesday, February 28 at 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.Joel Bennett, Chief Dreamchaser at Veel Hoedencoworking space, will review 5 web tools that canhelp you be more productive, get more ot of yourworkday, and make your life easier. And becausewe all know that money is tight right now, all thetools will be 100% free! Techy Tuesday is located in the ChamberConference Board Room.Please RSVP if you would like to attend. Call 628-2626 or email carla@pella.org

Page 2

2012 Renewing Members through January 31stIntegrity Cleaning & RestorationIowa Dermatology, Inc.Iowa Healthy HomesJ & M Truck & Equipment RepairJaarsma BakeryJansen's Decorating & KitchensJosh Visser Real EstateKaldera, Inc.Keuning Plumbing, Heating & A/C, Inc.Kleis Consulting Group, Inc.KLK Construction, Inc.KNIA/KRLS RadioKnoxville Raceway / Marion County FairKoopman Roofing, Inc.Kum & GoLanser, John W. & Sons, Ltd.LDJ Manufacturing, Inc.Leighton State BankMain Street MinistriesMarion County BankMarion County Title ServicesMartin Marietta MaterialsMary Kay Cosmetics - Judy GroenendykMauricesMcHes, LlcMenninga Pest Control, Inc.Merle Norman / Wellspring NailsMerrill Lynch Financial AdvisorsMidWestOne BankMidWestOne Investment ServicesMissouri River Energy ServicesOdyssey SpasOriental ExpressPampered Chef - Mary O'HalloranPanda GardenPapa Murphy's PellaPella Car Care, Inc.Pella Christian High SchoolPella ChroniclePella CinemasPella Community SchoolsPella Concrete Contractors, Inc.Pella Cooperative Electric AssociationPella CorporationPella Early Learning CenterPella Electronics Company, Inc.Pella Engraving CompanyPella Family ChiropracticPella Family Dentistry, P.C.Pella Hosting and Website SolutionsPella Motors.comPella Opera HousePella Pets Veterinary ClinicPella Printing Company, Inc.Pella Regional Health CenterPella Rental & Sales, Inc.Pella Super WashPella Thrif t Shop FoundationPella Window StorePizza Ranch, ThePRAXAIR Distibution, Inc.Precision Pulley & IdlerPromotions By DesignPrudential First of Pella RealtyRecker Dental CareRoyal Amsterdam HotelSchiebout Tire CompanySchuring, Uitermarkt, Sims, McCleish,

Ver Meer, PCSculpture StudioSeptagon Construction, Inc.Sereg Builders, Inc.Shankster MasonrySilver LiningSimple TreasuresSkyline Ready MixSports Page GrillSports Page Sporting Goods

Added AttractionsAll American Turf Beauty, Inc.Allen Family DenistryAmerican Wood FibersAnytime FitnessApple A Day Prevention & Wellness ServicesApplebee'sAunt B's Dinky DinerBeek's Barber ShopBest of ThymesBibles for Missions Thrift CenterBoat's Home FurnishingsBob's AutomotiveBoutique of Pella, TheBreadeaux PizzaBrom Auto Sales, Inc.Brown, Winick, Graves, Gross, Baskerville, P.L.C.Browne Family ChiropracticBrown's Shoe Fit Co.Bruxvoort's Decorating CenterCabinet Design of PellaCasey's General StoreCasey's General Store - SECasey's SouthCasey's WestCentral Cellular de Winklenhof MallCentral CollegeChristian Opportunity CenterCity of PellaClark TranslationsClassic Aviation, Inc.Clear View Window Washing ServiceCommunity 1st Credit UnionCompass MortgageConcept by Iowa Hearing Aid CentersCook & Son AgencyCornerstone, TheCrossroads of PellaCrown PharmacyCulligan Water ConditioningDahm Dental, P.C.De Ruiter Lawn EquipmentDe Vries Electric, Inc.Decorating Den InteriorsDes Moines Business SystemsDigital Solutions, Inc.DMACC Newton CampusDutch Mill Supply, Inc.Edward Jones - Dennis BrassEdward Jones - Scott Van TasellemBellishExpressions by designExtras ConsignmentEyeCare Partners, P.C.FarewayFashions By The Hall TreeFinancial Architects, Inc.Franklin St. ClothingG and B Concrete, Inc.Garden Chapel Funeral Homes, Inc.Geetings, Inc.Grafx 2 a teeGreat ClipsGritters Electric, Inc.Hanlon Chiropractic & WellnessHanson Directory Service, Inc.Happy Joe's Pizza & Ice CreamHartgers Lawn Ornaments & Doll StoreHealthSource Chiropractic and Progressive Rehab Hearthstone, a Ministry of WesleyLifeHighpoint At PellaHoliday Inn ExpressHome RealtyHorn's Ferry HideawayHy-Vee Food StoreICE TechnologiesIdentity Group/Studio 104, TheIn't Veld Meat Market

Spring Valley Bed & BreakfastSteenhoek Appraisal, Inc.Sterling Physical Therapy, P.C.Storey KenworthyStravers True Value/RadioShack DealerSunrise MHCTassel Ridge WineryTastefully SimpleTD & T Financial GroupTheisen'sthistlesTitan MachineryTony's Auto PartsTopaz Styling & Tanning SalonTown Crier, Ltd.Tri-County Veterinary Clinic, P.C.Tulip City Agency, Ltd.Tulip Garden RestaurantTulip Tea Room and Gift Shop, TheTwin Oaks RetreatTwo Rivers CooperativeUlrich Meat MarketUtopia SalonVan Dyk-Duven Funeral HomeVan Gorp Insurors, Ltd.Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating, Inc.Van Hemert Chiropractic Family

Wellness CenterVan Maanen, Sietstra and Meyer, P.C.Van Rheenen, Inc.Van Sant Collision Repair, Inc.Van Wyk Chiropractic CenterVande Lune FabricsVannucci, Gregory P., D.D.S., P.C.Ver Dught Agency, IncVGK Marketing - VGK Inc.Village CleanersVriendschap VillageVSR Financial Services - Mark EllingsonWal-Mart SupercenterWarm Welcomes To You!Wassenaar Financial GroupWest End AutoWiskus GroupWork of Our Hands, TheWork Systems Rehab & FitnessWrite Place, TheZylstra's Welding

Grassroot Members:Craig AganGertrude BeintemaGuy & Jane BlairDena BokhovenFrances De JongGary DirksenJames Ebbers & Marlyn Reitveld-EbbersCharlie FarverJoan FarverJohn C. & Marlene GosselinkNed HedrickFrances HuyserAlice KaldenbergMax & Joyce KaneMarlyn G. & Thelma KlimstraJames & Helen NewellEric SicklerLoren SteenhoekJack & Arlene ThomassenGary & Maurine Timmer Marvin & Mert Tysseling John Van Den BergGary Van VarkHenry & Millie Vande KieftGeorge & Dee WassenaarKenneth & Shirley WellerLeona Zylstra

LEXI KANISPositively Pella Director

JILL VANDEVOORTCVB Director

Advertising. Online News.

Printing. Web Design.

810 East First Street • Pella, Iowa 50219Phone 641.628.1130 • Fax 641.628.2826

www.towncrierltd.com • www.towncriernews.com

Have you seen thenew 2012 Pella

Visitors Guide?I have made a difficult decision to change careers and

leave my position as the Director of Positively Pella. This istruly a bittersweet time for me. My experience withPositively Pella has been wonderful and I have thoroughlyenjoyed my time here--I cannot express that enough. I havebeen blessed with an incredibly supportive staff, dedicatedboards and committees, terrific friends, and a greatcommunity to work in. I have worked with so manyamazing people--thank you! I’m excited about the plansahead and the doors that continue to open. I will be takingan opportunity in Holland, Michigan at the beginning ofMarch. I look forward to making new connections inHolland, but plan to be back to visit often. Pella will alwaysbe a place I’m proud to call home!

I have an incredible passion and respect for thePositively Pella program, the boards and committees I serveon, and the people I work with. It is very important to methat I do everything I can to make this a smooth transitionfor those involved.

Thank you for everything you have done for me, thePositively Pella program, and the community of Pella. Ihope we are able to cross paths before I leave! I’m going tomiss this great community and all of you here!

Please contact the Chamber of Commerce if you areintersted in applying for the Director of Positively Pellaposition. It is truely a rewarding and exciting career!

FFaarreewweellllFFaarreewweellllMore than 4500 copies have already been distributed sincecirculation began in November. The Guide supports itselfthrough advertising sponsorships from local tourism friendsand their businesses.

We appreciate each of this year's Pella Visitor GuideAdvertisers which include:

Positively Pella is looking for a full-time Director. TheDirector of Positively Pella will implement Positively Pella'sstrategic plan for providing services for new and prospectiveresidents in partnership with the Pella Chamber of Commerce.The Director is responsible for all administration, operations,and activities of Positively Pella. This includes interaction withnew residents and local businesses as well as researching,compiling, and reporting data and trends. At times, this positionwill provide assistance to the Pella Chamber of Commerce.This position will require a limited number of nights andweekends. This position may receive communication from newresidents and other interest parties outside of normal workingbusiness hours.

Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college oruniversity preferred; or three to five years related experienceand/or training; or equivalent combination of education andexperience. Please see listing on www.pella.org for full detailsof job description.

Send resumes to Karen Eischen, 818 Washington Street,Pella IA 50219 or by email at karen@pella.org. Deadline foraccepting resumes is February 15th.

Positively Pella Director Position

Upcoming Groups:

Feb.16th-17th: Pella Corporation Sales Mtg (200 ppl)March 18th: Pella Rotary International Youth Exchange Orientation(75 ppl)March 12th: Iowa One Call (150 ppl)April 28th-29th: Iowa Senior Women's Bowling Tourney (250 ppl)

If you share a lead with the Pella Convention & VisitorsBureau that results in a 50+ meeting or conference to Pella,we will offer you a $100 reward in Pella Bucks.Anyone is eligible. Share your contacts for associations, civicgroups, product sales groups, business groups, etc. If theybook Pella for their 50+ event, you win! Give us a call at641.628.2626 or contact Jill Vandevoort at jill@pella.org

**Congratulations to Shirley Bloodsworth for bringing the 250-person Iowa Women's Bowling Tournament to Pella. She isour first $100 Pella Bucks winner!

Baymont Inn & SuitesBest of ThymesBoat's Home FurnishingsBos Landen Golf ClubBrown's Shoe FitCentral CollegeCountry Inn & SuitesFranklin Street ClothingHoliday Inn ExpressJaarsma BakeryKnoxville RacewayKreykes Law OfficeLeighton State BankMarion County BankMidWestOne BankMolengracht PartnersPella Concrete Contractors"Pella CorporationPella Historical SocietyPella Hometown VarietyPella Thrif t Shop

Precision Pulley and IdlerPrudential First of PellaRoyal Amsterdam HotelSchuring, Uitermarkt, Sims,

McCleish, Vermeer, P.CSimple Treasures Smokey RowStravers True ValueStuifbergen Bulb CompanySuper 8 MotelTassel Ridge WineryThe Lacery at Boat'sThe Tulip Tea RoomThe Work of Our HandsTown Crier Ltd.Ulrich's Meat MarketU.S. BankU.S. Bank MortgageVan Maanen, Sietstra & Meyer, P.C.Vermeer CorporationWindmill Café

CVB Announces Promotional Offer:

2009 Iowa Marquette DinnerSunday, February 26

Make reservations by February 22Call 641.672.WINE 9463�

Go to www.tasselridge.com/eventsfor information and future events

Tassel Ridge Winery1681 220th St • Leighton, IA

Mon�Fri 9 a.m.�6 p.m.Sat 10 a.m.�6 p.m.Sun Noon�6 p.m.

Community Minded, Customer Focused

800 Main St. Pella, Iowa

641-628-2191

SCOTT JOHNSONChamber President

As I pen my first contribution to Newsbrief, I ask myself that very question.What happened to winter? Although there is potential that we see signs ofwinter in the upcoming weeks, one thing for certain is that what we normallyexpect as the worst months of winter are already behind us. Every day oftemperatures like we had today, is one less day of "winter" we will have toendure. For those of us that don't look forward to the cold and snow, this has been a winter toremember. For those that enjoy the outdoor activities in the cold, it might be one to forget.

As we move into 2012, the Chamber Board is in somewhat of a period of transition. Five of our ten boardmembers have finished their terms on the Chamber of Commerce Board, and five new board membershave joined our ranks. Those board members leaving us include, Mike Schuring who served on theExecutive Board, most recently as Past President. Mike served the Pella Chamber of Commerce for 4 years.Roger Brown served as Treasurer and liaison to PADCO, Dennis Vander Horst, Mark Van Roekel and Randy Rolffsserved on the Board of Directors. Being relatively new to the Pella Community myself, all of these people havehelped me get to know Pella, it's people, and traditions. Their contribution to the Chamber and the Pella communityhas been significant. I would like to thank all of these people for the time and effort.

Joining the Pella Chamber of Commerce Board are new members Joe Becker with Ulrich's Meat Market; Jeff Hicks withTheisens; Kevin Jones with Family Eye Care; Teresa Ulferts with Marion County Bank; and Patty Zylstra with ChristianOpportunity Center. I am looking forward to working closely with each of these individuals as we work together with yourChamber of Commerce staff. One of the things I enjoy about serving on the Chamber board is getting to know the people thattransition on the board each year. We have a great group of new board members, and I look forward to hearing their thoughts andperspectives. Together we can help bring many benefits to the Pella community.

In my career, I have had the opportunity to live in several communities throughout the Midwest. The people of Pella havewelcomed my family and me with open arms. We feel very much a part of the Pella Community. It amazes me, as I compare myexperiences with other communities in which I have lived, what the people of Pella are able to accomplish. We have a lot to beproud of in Pella. I am certainly privileged to be a part of this community and look forward to serving you with the Chamber staffand Board members in 2012.

KAREN EISCHENChamber Executive Director

Chamber to Kick-off CommunityConnections Luncheons

The Chamber will host the first Community Connection Luncheon on Thursday, April 12thfrom 12 – 1 pm at the Pella Golf & Country Club. The Community Connections luncheons willbe a great opportunity to network with other Chamber member businesses while informingmembers on programs taking place in and around Pella that will affect you, your business andthe community.

Our first Community Connections Luncheon will feature guest speak David De Jong,Principle at Pella Christian Grade School speaking in-depth on the new Spanish Immersionprogram being added to the curriculum. Learn how this program will not only benefit students atPCGS but the community as well.

What happened to winter?