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Community Corner

Despite economy, Dixon Chamber Grows

Several new members board business train

 Chamber’s Queens of Marketing

It seems my calendar easily marks about two Chamber Ribbon-cutting Ceremonies per month now and I have met lots and lots of new people through the . It is obvious that it is growing and I can say there is hope for business in Dixon because of it.

Jodi McGuire and Nicole Arabia comprise the team of Membership Directors brought on a few months ago to shake the bushes and let businesses know the many advantages of joining a Chamber. They already operate their own business ‘Queen of Marketing’ and are married to entrepreneurs so definitely have a clue what it takes to grow successful businesses.

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Couple their enthusiasm with the hard-working and bubbly Carol Pruett ‘s work and we are one happening Dixon Chamber. Carol rightly earned her title Chief Administrator and has found the balance between playfulness and professionalism so unique to Dixon’s business clientele. The three make a great match to build businesses in Dixon.

Mark your calendar for the Chamber’s next Mixer that will be on Wednesday, Nov. 16, at , 1910 North Lincoln, Suite 104 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Mixers are a way to enjoy networking your business and meet old and new business acquaintances. Cost is $5 for Chamber members and $10 for non-members. There are always great refreshments and prizes.

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Kiwanis Club Showcases Service

Members of the Dixon Kiwanis Club were welcomed into the Dixon Chamber this past week and treated attendees with raffle prizes and gifts. They also showed off their upcoming efforts that benefit Dixon children. They proudly announced that presently, they have 27 trees for the event.

Sponsors thus far are these many local businesses:

, , ., , , , , , , Grand Rental Station, , Sheldon Gas, , , and the new Chase Bank.

A gift basket was filled with office organization gadgets to “help make time for community service” was won by Jody McGuire. Each participant was given a Christmas tree-scented candle with an invitation to the upcoming major fundraiser for the club, the Festival of Trees.

Chase Bank Learning Dixon

The new Chase Bank is putting on the finishing touches and training personnel for their new local branch. Erik Nelson, Branch Manager, introduced us to Carlene Limley, the Small Business Specialist, who actually has lived in Dixon the past several years with her husband Pat, who is an avid Harley-Davidson fan.

Chase will be offering all kinds of enticements to draw you into their bank at 1305 Stratford Avenue very soon. This is the former location of Blockbuster Video. Call (916) 765-8124 for more information.

Veteran’s Poppy Day

You might recognize many of the faces outside Safeway this week as the Dixon Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8151 hold their annual fundraiser, the ‘Buddy Poppy Distribution.’ You are not “buying” the flower, but instead handed a little red poppy flower to thank you for your donation and support for the veterans assistance program.

The Buddy Poppy is a small red flower symbolic of the blood shed in World War I by millions of Allied soldiers in defense of freedom. It was inspired by Lt. Colonel John McCrae’s poem, "In Flanders Fields," which presented a striking image of the bright red flowers blooming among rows of white crosses marking the graves of the war dead in Belgium. Over a period of time, and with great direction from several different women determined to help the veterans, the Veterans themselves began affectionately referring to them as “Buddy Poppies” to remember their buddies who had not come home.

According to one Veteran’s website, it was in 1923 that a plan to pay disabled and needy American veterans to make the poppies was adopted, and the first VFW poppy factory was set up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1924. It has since expanded to 11 locations.

They are assembled by Veterans in VA hospitals, domiciliaries and in state veterans homes and the VFW pays the disabled, needy or aging veteran for the work. Poppy assembly is often used as a therapy program to provide exercise for fingers and hands.

All the money contributed by the public for Buddy Poppies is used in the cause of veterans’ welfare, or for the well being of their needy dependents and the orphans of veterans. About 14 million Buddy Poppies are distributed annually. Wear yours proudly on Veteran’s Day this coming Friday, November 11.

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