Wednesday, December 31, 2014
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Sunday, December 7, 2014
Sunday, November 30, 2014
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Curtis is Business Person of the Year
| 11/25/2014 9:46:00 PM Curtis is Business Person of the Year | |||||
"used with the permission of The Free Press Advocate" Twenty years ago, Trudy Curtis and Jolene Johnson were scheduled to interview prospective employees to work at the new Trinity Services residential and activity facilities in Wilmington. They got snowed in at the old racquetball club on Buchanan Street, but dealt with the hardship and hired anyone with the gumption to show up for their appointment. Despite that challenging start, Curtis has built the local presence of Trinity Services into a business that benefits the community as well the individuals it serves. Curtis was named the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce and Industry's 2014 Business Person of the Year. She joins such notable local businessmen as Bill Dennis, Mike Cripe, Bonnie Southall and Kirk Bellettini as a recipient of the award that was created in 1999 to honor a business owner or manager's contribution to the community. Curtis is the director of Trinity Services' "Net 2." Net 2 operates residential facilities in Wilmington and Braidwood as well as day centers and two businesses in Wilmington; Jasmine's on North Water Street, and The Barkery, on Baltimore Street. She oversees the operation of both businesses, and 80 employees, most of whom are area residents. Their mission is to help people with disabilities live full and abundant lives. "As part of that sometimes, that means helping some of our employees along the way," Curtis said. "We are a social service organization. We have tried very hard to stay tied to this community."We depend on people here, supporting us ... It's important to us that we have a good relationship with people in this community." That dedication to and support of the community is why Curtis is being recognized by the Chamber. If she can't personally attend a function, she makes it possible for staff to take an active role in community events. Most of her contribution to the community is behind the scenes, and is a reflection of her values. She generously gives to charities, fundraisers and events being held in Wilmington to benefit local families - especially those events that have some deep and special meaning to the staff. "We have tried over the years; we've certainly gotten behind any of the things that our staff have been in," she said. "And we've had things for some of our staff ... that have serious illnesses." Curtis hopes to continue seeing improvements in the downtown district, which plays into the success of Jasmine's, which supports the work of Trinity Services. "If the downtown isn't thriving, your business can't be thriving," she said. "I want to see that downtown grow too." Curtis and her husband Jerry live in Union Hill. They have three grown children, and seven grandchildren. She will be the grand marshal in this year's Winter Wonderland lighted Christmas parade, which steps off Nov. 29 at 5 p.m., from the middle school campus and marches north on Water Street into the downtown. |
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Sunday, November 23, 2014
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Business Showcase Member Is... Absolute Home Care Plus
Business & City marketing local businesses as partners working together
to promote local commerce.
This is a program working with the City of Wilmington to showcase new and existing Chamber members at the City Council meetings.
Business Showcase Member for Tuesday November 18th
City Council Meeting Is...Absolute Home Care Plus
Wednesday, November 12, 2014
Sunday, November 9, 2014
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Sunday, October 19, 2014
Sunday, October 12, 2014
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Saturday, October 4, 2014
Entries for Christmas Parade 2014
2014
Penguins on Parade
Any questions on our Winter Wonderland Event contact our
Events Coordinator: Eric Fisher (eric.fisher@cbcast.com)
Penguins on Parade
Any questions on our Winter Wonderland Event contact our
Events Coordinator: Eric Fisher (eric.fisher@cbcast.com)
Sunday, September 28, 2014
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Sunday, September 7, 2014
Sunday, August 31, 2014
Sunday, August 24, 2014
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Sunday, August 17, 2014
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
Sunday, July 27, 2014
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
First medallion found, five more to follow
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Sunday, July 20, 2014
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Medallion Hunt Clue
In 2013 Willy Whiskers was not found
so he's back again and sticking around
He holed up before, down by the shore,
but now he hears traffic galore
so he's back again and sticking around
He holed up before, down by the shore,
but now he hears traffic galore
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Medallion hunt returns with new twists
First medallion to be hidden Friday; yes, Friday!
The Wilmington Chamber's medallion hunt is gearing up for Catfish Days with a few new twists.
There will be six acrylic medallions worth a combined $1,275 in prize money hidden this year. That's double the number of big medallions usually offered. In addition, there will be over $500 in prizes given away in the form of paper medallions.
The 2013 medallions, which were not found, will be back with three new ways to search for them. The 2013 Berkot's Super Foods prize, worth $250 in chamber gift certificates, will be offered by geocache coordinates made available from sponsoring businesses beginning July 25. A complete list of those sponsors will be found at www.wilmingtonilchamber.org and published in the Prairie Shopper July 21 and this publication July 23.
Sponsoring businesses will post the coordinates in their stores; check their social media sites for updates.
To help build excitement early, the first medallion, 2013 Willy Whiskers, will be hidden Saturday, July 19. The clue to find the medallion worth $50 in certificates will be posted on the Chamber's Facebook page and sponsors will be sending it out on social media. You may want to go "like" as many as member businesses as possible to get a jump on the hunt - they're listed on the Chamber website.
The 2013 Mudder of All Catfish medallion, worth $125, has been designated as a challenge medallion. Head to a challenge sponsor, complete a simple task, like stack red cups in a pyramid, hula hoop for 60 seconds or have someone in your party ride a small tricycle around cones, and participants will be handed an entry for every person in their party for a drawing for that medallion. The more who show up in your party the better your odds for winning.
The challenges will take place during normal business hours on the Friday of Catfish Days. Some of the challenge locations will be open Saturday too.
The drawing will take place on Tuesday, July 29.
The 2014 medallions, including the $500 D'Orazio Ford medallion, $250 Mudder of all Catfish and $100 Willy Whiskers will be hidden over Catfish Days; July 25, 26 and 27. The paper medallions, each worth $5 in offers at sponsoring businesses, will be hidden on the same days throughout the community.
As in the past, to get help in the hunt for 2014 medallions, visit sponsoring businesses and pick up a clue. There will be different clues offered at various stores.
No purchase is necessary to participate. All disks will be hidden within the city limits, on public property, which includes, but is not limited to city buildings, parkways, schools, playgrounds, parking lots and parks. There will be no need to trespass, get wet, climb or dig. Medallions will be hidden Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday during Catfish Days. The grand prize medallions could be hidden on any given day.
Bring acrylic medallions to The Free Press Advocate office at 111 S. Water St. to claim your prize.
Watch for more details in the Free Press Newspapers and chamber website.
