Another Fiesta Days has come and gone. A special thank you to all our partners, volunteers and sponsors for making this well anticipated community event happen.
A very special thank you to the city of McHenry’s current leadership, the aldermen and Mayor Susan Low. These public servants have guided staff in helping Fiesta Days be a family-friendly, cost-efficient, safe and fun event to attend. Staff such as Ambrose Kittl and Jeff Friedle kept the parks in pristine condition, Pedro Padro hung the banners during 95-degree heat and, of course, Bill Hobson tirelessly served Fiesta Days from its approval until the last float for the parade started down Main Street. Appreciation also is due our award-winning police force led by Chief John Jones.
Thanks to Dick Pagelow, Mr. Fiesta Days, laying out the park and keeping us all in gear on the operations side. He is aided by Lisa Cowger and Todd Lowenheim. Jeff Kleinschmidt handles the entertainment committee working hard to decide what music serves the community best. He is helped by Craig Wallace, Bob Lumber, Kim Ribar, and Joel Zarnstorf. Kurt Rice and Joe Meyer keep the beer cold. Dave Koehl, a certified electrician, also serves as a jack of all trades. Mike Marachek is a new addition this year, brought up on Fiesta Days pabulum.
Thank you to Kathy Sierminski, queen of the chamber treasury, who keeps us balanced and Bonnie Rudolph and Dave Gasior who lend support to the event. We appreciate the McHenry Jaycees for their parking contributions to Music Fest weekend.
Thanks to our Family Faith Nite group especially Tim Stewart and Becky Kress. Thank you to all the people who volunteered for the parade such as Rotary Sunrisers and Meyer Material. I am especially proud that the chamber had the Army out with their entertaining Hummer. It should be noted that the chamber unusually does not charge the U.S. Army to be part of Fiesta Days. In addition, we are delighted to make a donation to VietNow which has manned our gate for 20-plus years. We are honored.
We thank all you folks who came out to enjoy Fiesta Days. Please fan us on Facebook and give us your input for Fiesta Days 2013. There are advantages in becoming a fan.
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Today is the Rave Waves mixer in Fox Lake. Great opportunity to meet Fox Lake Chamber members. Next mixer is the SOHO mixer on Aug. 7 at Albert Adams Park in Johnsburg. Lots of door prizes.
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Aug. 8 is our Brown Bag Lunch and Learn with Steve Black discussing Triple Your Sales and Build Your Business.
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Save the date, Aug. 14, for the kickoff party for Men of Monday Night Football at Twisted Moose. Reserve raffle books at the chamber office.
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New events this fall include Chapters on Oct. 19 honoring those reaching the gentle age of 60 and our first business awards luncheon, Red Carpet Awards. Find out more information about these at mchenrychamber.com.
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Join chamber members from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 2 for the chamber’s Shop In at atmospHAIR Spa, Lakemoor. Mention “chamber sent me” to receive a free hairshaping and styling with any hair coloring or a free hair repair treatment with any hair shaping and styling. Up to $55 in savings.
• Kay Rial Bates is the president and chief executive officer of the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce. She can be reached at kay @mchenrychamber.com.
