Bitcoin is one of those “Cyber” terms that sounds conve-nient and scary at the same time. Jeff Meland will teach you about this option that allows people to send or receive money across the Internet, even to people you don’t know or trust. Meland of Databae Systems has worked for a vari-ety of businesses including the University of North Dakota and Medic Computer Systems. Over the past 15 years, he has been building websites and has been heavily involved with online marketing. In August, he passed the Certified Bitcoin Professional exam issued by the Crypto-Currency Certification Consortium, which established cryptocurrency standards.

Chamber Horizons, USPS 330070, is published monthly by the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce. Periodicals postage paid at Alexandria, MN 56308. Postmaster: Send address changes to

Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce | 206 Broadway St, Alexandria, MN 56308 320-763-3161 | www.alexandriamn.org

OCTOBER 2019 | VOLUME 112 | ISSUE 10

Alexandria Area Young Professionals LuncheonFeaturing Julie Critz, Superintendent of Alexandria Public Schools

Thursday, October 3 from 12 - 1 pmGrand Arbor by Knute Nelson | 4403 Pioneer Rd. SE

Wake Up AlexandriaFriday, October 4 from 7:30 - 8:30 amALP Utlities | 316 Fillmore St.

Business & Industrial Appreciation DayTuesday, October 8 from 11:30 am - 1 pmArrowwood Resort & Conference Center | 2100 Arrowwood Ln. NW

Wake Up Alexandria!Friday, October 18 from 7:30 - 8:30 amAlex Vision Source | 2210 Hwy. 29 S, Ste. 201

Noontime KnowledgeFeaturing “Bitcoin”

Monday, October 21 from 12 - 1 pmBroadway Ballroom | 115 30th Ave. E

Off the ClockThursday, October 24 from 4:30 - 5:30 pmLakeland Mental Health Center, Inc. | 702 34th Ave. E

Chamber Events

CHAMBERHORIZONS

Official Newsletter of the Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of CommercePromoting the Alexandria Lakes Area as the ultimate destination to live, work, play and prosper.

Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of CommerceVisit Alexandria MN alexlakesareachamber

28th Leadership Alexandria Class announcedThe Alexandria Lakes Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Alexandria program has trained existing or emerging leaders for the past 27 years. This nine-month program provides an opportunity for participants to develop leadership skills and learn more about the community they are living and/or working in. This program is made possible with grant funding from West Central Initiative.

Turn to page 2 to meet this year’s class.

Last call for BIAD luncheon ticketsTickets to the 2019 Business & Industri-al Appreciation Day luncheon honoring Geneva Capital are $25/person or $250/table and may be purchased at livingal-exarea.ticketleap.com/biad/. The lun-cheon is Tuesday, October 8, 11:30 am to 1 pm at Arrowwood Resort and Con-ference Center.

Bitcoin is topic of Noontime Knowledge

Generously sponsored by:

Noontime Knowledge is a one-hour informative luncheon held the third Monday of each month. Cost (includes lunch): $10. No RSVP required - pay at the door.

Join us Monday, October 21 from 12-1 pmBroadway Ballroom | 115 30th Ave. E

Bitcoin - What it is & how to safely use it

320.763.8366 803 N Nokomis NE | Alexandria | Member FDIC

The Bank That Feels Like Home Del Mari RunckCOO/Market Manager/

Director

Dawn ThorstadSr Universal

Banker

Paul MartinekVP Business Banker

Vic DaleRetail Manager

Jean FeigumMortgage Lender

We’re in the Business of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors!”

2 Chamber Horizons | October 2019

Leadership Alexandria

Mallory ArnoldExplore

Alexandria Tourism

Amy ChristophersonState Farm Ins.

Jamie DeBoerGeneva Capital,

LLC

Natalie GoodwinMassage by

Natalie

Dave GibbonsCopper Trail Brewing Co.

Ted HaarThrivent Financial

Lisa HeathmanArrowwood

Resort & Conf. Center

Brooke Hellerman

Pope Douglas Solid Waste

Management

Derek HoltBremer Bank

Lauren JohnsonAlexandria Chamber

Maggie JohnsonHorizon Public

Health

Brian KakachAlexandria

Police Dept.

Mark MalingenGlenwood State

Bank

Mariah LysfjordStudio C Salon

Brooke MessAlomere Health

Lucas Mogenson

Coldwell Banker Crown Realtors

KaLee MohrmanKnute Nelson

Hospice

Jennifer OlsonRainbow Rider

Elizabeth PaulAflac

Kirsten PlathWidseth Smith

Nolting & Assoc.

Katelyn Spangrud

Swenson Lervick Law Firm

Jillian ReienerHagstrom

Engineering

Lance SpychallaITW Heartland

Matt StierAlexandria Industries

Joel SeelaAlexandria Tech.

& Community College

Board slate approvedAt its September 19, 2019 meeting, the Chamber Board of Directors approved its final slate of candidates. These board members will begin their three year terms in January 2020.

Molly Comer (First Lutheran Church)Term #1 effective 1/1/20 thru 12/31/22

Tyler Golberg (CYBERsprout, LLC)Term #1 effective 1/1/20 thru 12/31/22

Kreg Anderson (Alexandria Municipal Airport)Term #1 effective 1/1/20 thru 12/31/22

Greg Bowen (Brophy Lake Resort)Term #2 effective 1/1/20 thru 12/31/22

Jeff Lanoue (Past and Present Home Gallery)Term #2 effective 1/1/20 thru 12/31/22

Matt Hagstrom (Hagstrom Engineering)Term #1 effective 1/1/20 thru 12/31/22

Thanks for attending our Fall Luncheon!The Chamber fall luncheon was held on Monday, September 23 at Broadway Ballroom. Nearly 200 people attended the event. Attitude expert, Matt Booth presented ‘Communicate with ATTITUDE’. He encouraged the audience to find each other’s preferred learning styles and talked about the power of smiling, eye contact and body language. Special thank you to our luncheon sponsor, Viking Bank!

Otcober 2019 | Chamber Horizons 3

Wake Up Alexandria

September Hosts

Wake Up Alexandria is a networking event held the first and third Friday of each month from 7:30 to 8:30 am at a Chamber member location. A dollar gets you in the door, with all proceeds donated to a non-profit Chamber member.

LifeRight Outreach opened a transitional housing facility for men in 2007. The organization serves those who are strug-gling from addiction or other life challenges who are serious about making radical change in their lives.

LifeRight Outreach | September 61904 6th Ave. E | Non-profit: UCAN

(United Communities Advoacting Non-Violence, Inc.)

Off the Clock is a networking event held the fourth Thursday of each month from 4:30 to 5:30 pm at a Chamber Member location. A dollar gets you in the door, with all proceeds donated to a non-profit Chamber member.

September Host

For more than 100 years, Thrivent Financial has been helping Christians build solid financial futures and strengthen their communities. The not-for-profit organization of Christians currently serves more than 2 million members nationwide.

Thrivent Financial | September 262308 S Broadway St., Ste. 4 | Non-profit: Titus II, Inc.

Chamber Buck Drawing Sponsor: Past & Present Home Gallery

Off the Clock

Bethany on the Lake has provided compassionate care to the community for more than 100 years! As a member of Mon-arch Healthcare Management, it offers assisted living, mem-ory care, rehabilitation, long term care and adult day service.

Bethany on the Lake | September 201020 Lark St.

Non-profit: Let’s Go Fishing Alexandria Lakes Area

Alex Vision SourceAngelina’s Restaurant & BarArabella ManorArnquist Carpet Plus Color TileBlizzard HockeyBobbers Marine & Sports CenterBuck Point ResortCentraCare Radiation OncologyCentral Lakes Chiropractic Clinic, PCCentral Minnesota Elder NetworkCentral MN Chapter Red CrossConsulting Solutions, LLCCounselor Realty, Inc. of AlexandriaDancin’ Off BroadwayDouglas Area Trails AssociationEden Acres I & IIGeneva Beach Resort/Sugarbush LodgeGiANT WorldwideGrandstay Hotel & SuitesHilltop Lumber & Rental CenterKnute NelsonLakes Area Professional Women

Lucky Acres CampgroundMichael’s for HairNokomis Coin LaundryNorthwoods CafeOak Park KampgroundObermiller Nelson Engineering, Inc.Panther Distillery, LLCPike & Pint GrillRed Willow Arts CoalitionRusty Moose ResortShady Creek ResortShady Rest ResortSid’s ElectricSmith Lake ResortSt. Paul’s Evangelical Lutheran ChurchStoeckel - Jahner Surveying, Inc.StoneManor ApartmentsUrbank Live Bait CompanyWaste Management, Inc.Westridge Shores ResortYesterdays

Thank you! August renewals

Membership TeamVolunteers on the Membership Team visit new member businesses to welcome them to the Chamber. They also serve as mentors and liaisons, supporting new members with introductions, information, and education on membership benefits.

4 Chamber Horizons | October 2019

Refuse & Recycling services don’t have to be scary! Contact Us Today!

“Good Neighbors You’ve Come to Trust”

(800) 246-7630 • www.wcsanitation.com

Celebrating Our 40th Anniversary!

September Visits

Garfield Marine & StorageDale & Cathy Isaacson, Owners

Garfield Marine and Storage is located at 111 S State St. in Gar-field. It provides a variety of services such as boat winterization, boat storage and boat, stand up paddle boards and kayak rent-als. It also has an on-site retail store.

Mobile ShenanigansKevin Ricker, Owner

Mobile Shenanigans is located in Alexandria. This party bus shut-tle service offers 18 and 25 passenger busses for people to rent for weddings, sporting events or private parties. Each bus allows you to bring on any beverages and food of your choice.

The Design StationGwen Schroeder, Owner

The Design Station is located at 4417 County Rd. 82 SE in Al-exandria. It provides a relaxed atmosphere where you can cre-ate do-it-yourself home decor items. It offers a variety of public workshops and/or space for reserving private parties or events.

Welcome! September new members

Please consider these new members for your personal and professional needs, and welcome them to our network!

NorthStar Property ImprovementAdam Rambow1501 Cedar St.(320) 760-0778adam@northstar-property.comwww.northstar-property.com

Veterans Memorial ParkJames Conn8th Ave. & Broadway St.(320) 460-8303vmp@alexveteranspark.orgwww.alexveteranspark.org

Join us in welcoming our newest primary care physicians at Alexandria Clinic. We’re growing our team so we can serve you better.

Meet our newest physicians.

Dr. JoeMarvin

Dr. RebeccaBrugger

Dr. SteveSolum

AmbassadorsThe Ambassadors are volunteers who extend the public relations arm of the Chamber. They attend business open houses, groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings; welcome new businesses to the area; and commemorate relocations and major remodels. They are out making business visits the second Wednesday of every month.

September Visits

October 2019 | Chamber Horizons 5

Alexandria Opportunities Center, A Service of Productive Alternatives - Business Merge

Steve Skauge, President; Mike Burke, Executive Director

Alexandria Opportunities Center and Productive Alternatives officially merged as of September 1st. The merger of these two organizations will offer a variety of services to the community, including employment preparation, job placement and more.

Randy’s Family Optical - New OwnersRandy Esping, Office Manager; Becky Barton, Owner/Optometrist

Randy’s Family Optical, located at 2306 S Broadway St., was pur-chased by Dr. Becky Barton. After the expansion into the next-door space, the office was also completely remodeled. Randy’s Family Optical offers a wide range of optometric services.

The CBD Centers - New BusinessAustin Plaster, Sales Associate; Daryl Johnson, Owner; Carol Johnson, Owner

The CBD Centers recently opened a branch in Alexandria at 405 50th Ave. W, Ste. 103. The company’s mission is to create safe and trusting retail centers to educate and develop products for the world to benefit from CBD.

Chamber 101 & 201Alexandria Chamber of Commerce

206 Broadway St.

Join us for Chamber 101 on Tuesday, November 5 from 7:30 - 8:30 am to learn more about Chamber programs, events and membership benefits. Hear from fellow members as they share their experiences of being involved with the Chamber. For more information contact Jess at 320-763-3161 or info@alexandriamn.org.

Chamber 201 is Thursday, November 14 from 10 am - 4 pm. Get hands-on experience and insight on the back-end services including logging into your online member portal. Make the most of your Chamber membership by learning how to update your businesses’ contact information, upload a logo/photo/video to your listing, add a job posting, an event, coupon and more! For more information contact the Chamber at 320-763-3161 or info@alexandriamn.org.

Business Buzz

6 Chamber Horizons | October 2019

Alex Auto & Marine of Alexandria received the Top 5 Lund Dealer Platinum Award for exceptional sales and service. The car and marine dealership offers new and pre-owned boats and cars.

Dr. Scott Schmidt joined Dental Health Associates as an asso-ciate dentist. Scott and his wife Liz are Alexandria natives and have 3 daughters.

Spectrum Marketing Servicecs has merged with Range Print-ing out of Brainerd, MN. This merger will allow for larger scale print jobs on a variety of marketing needs.

Jim Glade joined the Winning Edge Graphics team as Director of Client and Employee Engagement. Glade will be responsi-ble for further developing relationships with existing and new clients, promotion of Winning Edge’s services and ensuring overall client satisfaction.

The Alexandria Area Community Foundation (AACF) an-nounced the election of four new members to its Board of Directors. Mary Jane Reif, Nick Heydt, Derek Holt and Linda Akenson have been elected to serve initial three year terms.

KIK-FM & COOL-FM has introduced new Regional General Manager, Matt Senne. Senne recently moved to Alexandria with his family and is looking forward to being involved in the community.

To include your business news in the Chamber Horizon Newsletter, email information to Lauren at marketing@alexandriamn.org.

Copper Trail Brewing Co. recently opened its doors at its new location in Alexandria at 205 Broadway St. A ribbon cutting was held Friday, September 13 at the new location, which features a variety of locally produced handcrafted beer.

Be an informed voter! On November 5, resi-dents of the Alexandria Public School district will be asked to vote on a one-question referendum for an operating levy to provide funding for class-rooms, teachers, instruc-tion, utilities and other operating costs.

The district is proposing a per student 10-year operating levy that will be phased in as follows: $375 per student in the 2020-21 school year, $485 in the 2021-22 school year and $595 in the remaining years of the levy.

The Alexandria Chamber encourages you to educate your-self on the issue and exercise your right to vote. Polls will be open 7 am to 8 pm on Tuesday, November 5. There is a poll-finder on the website noted below if you are unsure of where to vote. Early voting may also be done at the school district office in the Woodland Elementary School building at 1410 S McKay Avenue in Alexandria Monday through Friday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm now through Novem-ber 4, with extended hours until 7 pm on Tuesday, October 29, Thursday, October 31 and Monday, November 4. More information on the referendum, voter registration or ab-sentee voting by mail is available at www.Alexschools.org/referendum. Questions may be emailed to referendum@alexschools.org.