ColumbiaMagazine.com
Printed from:

Welcome to Columbia Magazine  
 



































 
Chamber Insights Complete March 2007 Issue

In this issue:
  • Thought for the month
  • President Darrell Overstreet's message
  • Corporate Sponsor: Kessler Mortgage Co.
  • Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies
  • Congratulations: ACHS Boys Basketball, Academic Teams
  • March Madness Membership Drive
  • Chamber Benefits



Welcome to Chamber Insights, the monthly newsletter of the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce
Editor: Sue Stivers

Feature Writers: Darrell Overstreet, Vonnie Kolbenschlag

Thought for the month: "Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort".

The purpose of the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce is to Promote and Enhance the Business, Cultural, Educational and Civic Well-Being of Columbia and Adair County.

Chamber President's Message

What an exciting time of the year, with the beautiful spring season and all that is taking place in Columbia/Adair County. I think our March monthly meeting exemplified the positive things and positive attitude of our community. John Chowning discussed the Heartland Parkway and tied that in with other things that are taking place in this area. A great crowd in attendance shows the unity and attitude of getting things done. I greatly appreciate everyone attending the meetings and participating in the activities.

Please don't forget the Chamber Banquet April 9th. Make your reservations and attend this annual event, where we recognize leaders in our community.

The membership committee is in its final week of "Membership Madness". I want to continue to encourage anyone who has not joined the Chamber to make that a priority.# We need you to help us keep the mission to make "Columbia, KY, A Great Place To Call Home".

Corporate Sponsor of the Month

The Corporate Sponsor of the Month is a feature that was begun one year ago this month. If you would like to showcase your business to the community, contact Executive Director Sue Stivers at 384-6020 for information.

A "Special Thank You" to the Kessler Mortgage Company for being the Corporate Sponsor of the Month.# Owners are Donald, Eddie and Kevin Kessler and their business is located at 502 Jamestown Street in Columbia.

These remarks were made at the monthly Chamber meeting, March 20 held at Lindsey Wilson College by Kevin Kessler:
Hi, I'm Kevin Kessler, one of the owners of Kessler Mortgage. My partners are Donald Kessler and Eddie Kessler. Eddie is one of my brothers and Donald is our uncle. a lot of people think we are all brother, but Donald is our uncle. Donald and Eddie both originate loans for us, while I take care of the other areas in the management of our business including the marketing and finance. Also, Christine Ussery is our Loan Processor who has been with us for many years and does and excellent job of getting loans processed and ready to close in a fast and efficient manner. My wife, Arlinda Kessler, does a lot of Public Relations work for Kessler Mortgage and I don't think we could find anyone that could promote our business better than she does. That's our team at Kessler Mortgage.

We've been in the mortgage business since March of 1998. In September of 2006, we started up our own business as Kessler Mortgage. We are licensed through the Department of Financial Institutions in Frankfort as a Mortgage Broker. Hopefully, by the end of this year, we will be licensed in other states.

As a Mortgage Broker, we can shop for the best loan programs and the best interest rates for our customers on a daily basis. Throughout the year, loan programs change and interest rates can change daily. I think most people probably already know that from working at the bank or from your own experience in getting a loan. Our job is to stay on top of current changes in the mortgage loan market and provide our customers with the best loan program and best interest rates available daily. We remain customer focused in our daily operations because we know that customer satisfaction will make or break any business. We pride ourselves in knowing that our customer satisfaction rate at Kessler Mortgage is close to 100%.

We close mortgage loans statewide in Kentucky with "No Traveling Required" for our customers. We will close loans anywhere in the state that is convenient for customers.

Most of our business is in residential mortgage loans, but we also provide construction loans, lot loans, commercial loans and farm loans.

Our specialty right now is: 100% First Time Homebuyer Loans, No Closing Cost Options on purchase and refinance loans and 100% Home Equity Lines of Credit.

We are very excited about being a member of the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce and we're glad to be located in Columbia, KY. Come by and see us at 502 Jamestown Street or visit us online at kesslermortgage.com.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies Scheduled

Above & Beyond Pet Salon - Tuesday, March 27 - 10:00 AM, located at 104 Campbellsville St.

Judy Vance, PSC Attorney At Law - Thursday, March 29 - 11:00 AM, located at 101 Campbellsville St.

All Chamber members are encouraged to attend as we welcome these new businesses to the Chamber and to Columbia-Adair County.

Congratulations ACHS Indians

The Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce would like to Congratulate Coach Mark Fudge, Assistant Coaches Wes Irvin, Chad Bill, Mike Scott and the ACHS basketball Indians on being regional Champions, advancing to the State Tournament and beating Lincoln County for the first state tournament win in 52 years.# What a great accomplishment! You have had a fantastic season and the Chamber is PROUD of you.#

Congratulations Academic Teams

The Chamber would also like to Congratulate Coach Brett Reliford and the ACHS Academic Team, Coach Sherry Stotts and the ACMS Academic Team on their outstanding performances at the State Competitions. You made Adair County look good and we are PROUD of your accomplishments.

Youth Art Month

March is designated as Youth Art Month (Y.A.M.) several pieces of art from Adair County High School students are on display in the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce Building lobby. Several of the pieces were entered in the District Woman's Club Arts Event, competing against the Hardin County/Elizabethtown schools, Bardstown and other counties in District 1. Thanks to Debra Wimmer, ACHS art teacher and Vonnie Kolbenschlag, President of The Columbia Woman's Club for helping with this project. The public is invited to stop by the Chamber Office at 201 Burkesville Street and view the works of these outstanding young artists. The Chamber Congratulates each of these students on their outstanding work and is happy to provide space for displaying.

New Member Highlights

The Chamber is delighted to "Welcome" the following new members.

Roy and Chris Rademacher, 504 Greensburg Street as individual members

Above & Beyond Pet Salon, 104 Campbellsville Street.# Owners Melissa Magsam & Scott Burton can be reached at 384-0924

Circle "R" Restaurant, 712 Russell Road. New owners are Ingrid and David Hawkins. Their new telephone number is 384-1793

Columbia 7th Day Adventist Church, 100 7th Adventist Church Road, Columbia. Pastor Dwayne Toppenberg can be reached at 270-789-0050

Enterprise Rent-A-Car, 130 Jamestown Street in Columbia, Heather Craft is the Manager and can be reached at 385-9275.

A special thank you to each of you for placing your membership and becoming a part of the Chamber family. Your investment in the Chamber means an investment in you community. Chamber meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 11:45 am at Lindsey Wilson College Dining Center, unless otherwise specified. You are invited to attend. Your membership shows that you believe in the mission of the Chamber.

March Madness - Chamber Membership Drive

The Chamber's annual membership drive kicked off with a friendly competition Monday morning, March 19th at the Chamber office with a theme of "March Madness". Stephen Keen of Barger Insurance Co. is the head coach and Patricia Harper, Arlinda Kessler, Allison Shepherd, Donna Stotts and Dana Walker are the assistant coaches. Each team has their own starting five team players. The membership drive will end Friday, March 30 at 4:30 PM.

If you are not already a Chamber member you are urged to do so. Individual members, businesses, industry, churches and organizations are encouraged to become involved in the Chamber of Commerce. According to Executive Director Sue Stivers, the Chamber office gets calls daily with people trying to located a business or want their phone number as they want to do business with them. Referrals are only made to businesses or organizations that are members of the Chamber of Commerce. Individual members are also an asset to the Chamber.

New members who have joined the Chamber during the membership drive will be announced in the April newsletter. If you are not contacted by one of the starting five team players, pick up the phone and call the Chamber Office at 384-6020 or visit us at the Office located at 201 Burkesville Street for additional information. A team player will be sent to you for membership.

Count on the Columbia-Adair County Chamber of Commerce and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce to bring you the latest on issues affecting Columbia-Adair County and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.# Join the Madness Today!

Making a "Fast Break" for Business: Chamber Benefits

Power in Partnership Monthly Meetings

These fast-paced, highly-structured monthly meetings feature a guest speaker in addition to Chamber announcements. Held the third Tuesday of every month at 11:45 am at the Dining Center of Lindsey Wilson College, unless otherwise notified, these meetings are a great way to network and get your business' message across either by attending or being a Corporate Sponsor.

Legislative Advocate

We keep our membership abreast of the latest legislative affairs. We work closely with the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the legislators in Frankfort and Washington D.C., on issues affecting small businesses, both on the State and National levels.

The Chamber Referral System

Whenever anyone inquires about businesses in the Columbia area, the Chamber only refers its members. As a member-driven organization, the Chamber provides this service to help its members prosper and grow.

The Chamber Insights-Newsletter

The Chamber newsletter "Chamber Insights" offers members a monthly look at Chamber activities and Columbia's business sector. The newsletter is published the 4th Thursday of each month in The Adair Progress. It also keeps the public informed of the Chambers efforts.

Grand Openings and Ribbon Cuttings

The Chamber staff is proud to promote the successes of our members. Whenever a member business opens, expands or remodels, the Chamber will notify members and the public by means of e-mail, radio and newspaper announcements. We will provide ribbon and arrange for photos of the event to be published in the newspaper and will invite someone from both radio stations to come and talk to the owner or manager.

Business Resource Directory

The Chamber produces a business resource directory which contains information on our Community and a listing of businesses who are members of the Chamber. The directory is listed on the Chamber's website which can be visited at www/columbia-adaircounty.com the directory is given to anyone who requests relocation information and to new people who move to Adair County.

Business Assistance Library

At the Chamber Office, you will find a library that contains books, documents and videos with practical information on developing a business plan, marketing your business, how to start your own business, and leadership development, along with a variety of other topics.# Chamber members may check them out at the Chamber Office for two weeks.

Discover Columbia-Adair County

Discover Columbia-Adair County is a publication designed solely for the visitor or persons wanting to relocate to Adair County.# This magazine is mailed with every relocation packet, tourism information request and is distributed to walk-in visitors at the Chamber office.

Wares Fair-Small Business Expo

The "Wares Fair" is held in August where businesses can set up a booth to showcase their business which attracts over 700 new students, faculty and staff at Lindsey Wilson College who are potential customers.

Business After Hours

Chamber members can meet and network in a relaxed and informal setting. This program allows different business to open its doors to the Chamber membership at various times throughout the year.

Leadership Adair County

L.E.A.D. Adair County identifies and motivates potential community leaders, acquaints participants with community needs and problems and then focuses on alternative solutions. This gives participants an opportunity to meet current leaders and to challenge them both to greater community involvement.

Activities And Events

Chamber members have an opportunity to participate in the Chamber Picnic, Annual Chamber Banquet, Chamber Christmas Party, Golf Tournament and/or serve on committees including Agriculture, Ambassadors, Beautification & Roadside Park, Communications, Chamber Newsletter, Education, Governmental Affairs, Health and Environment, Personal/Professional Development, Ways and Means, and Membership. The Folklore of the Old West Festival; Buy, Swap, Trade and Sell Day, City/County Yard Sale and Christmas in Columbia are also projects of the Chamber which provides fun and enjoyment to all Adair County citizens and adjoining counties.


This story was posted on 2007-03-26 14:02:19
Printable: this page is now automatically formatted for printing.
Have comments or corrections for this story? Use our contact form and let us know.



Gene Jessee captures redbuds in bloom



2007-03-28 .
Gene Jessee took this photo of redbuds in bloom in his yard in Columbia, KY, on March 26, 2007. Redbuds are approaching their peak a bit early this year, but they are glorious. Along the highways, particularly along the Louie B. Nunn Parkway, they are glorious, especially when seen along the cuts, where, in the headlights, they can evoke thoughts of snow. In the daytime, they may be prettiest accented by Adair County's sacred cedars. Clicking read more accesses Chamber Insights for March 2007, with item on redbud tourist promotion

Read More... | Comments? | Click here to share, print, or bookmark this photo.



 

































 
 
Quick Links to Popular Features


Looking for a story or picture?
Try our Photo Archive or our Stories Archive for all the information that's appeared on ColumbiaMagazine.com.

 

Contact us: Columbia Magazine and columbiamagazine.com are published by Linda Waggener and Pen Waggener, PO Box 906, Columbia, KY 42728.
Phone: 270.403.0017


Please use our contact page, or send questions about technical issues with this site to webmaster@columbiamagazine.com. All logos and trademarks used on this site are property of their respective owners. All comments remain the property and responsibility of their posters, all articles and photos remain the property of their creators, and all the rest is copyright 1995-Present by Columbia Magazine. Privacy policy: use of this site requires no sharing of information. Voluntarily shared information may be published and made available to the public on this site and/or stored electronically. Anonymous submissions will be subject to additional verification. Cookies are not required to use our site. However, if you have cookies enabled in your web browser, some of our advertisers may use cookies for interest-based advertising across multiple domains. For more information about third-party advertising, visit the NAI web privacy site.