Stay tuned for continuing coverage of the Chamber Champions Awards Gala at The American Club on February 22. You will be able to watch the gala live starting at 6:50 pm here made possible by our friends at WSCS:

www.wscssheboygan.com

Awards to be presented are: Manufacturing, Hospitality, Services, Retail, Non-Profit and Community Volunteer of the Year awards in addition to the Working Together and Safety Leader awards.The Chamber Superstar award is also recognized, along with the Ambassador of the Year. And The Nominees Are…Nominee/Award/Sponsor:

On February 16, members of the drug unit and the K-9 Unit were called to the Sheboygan County Chamber.  No, there was not illegal activity going on, but the Chamber Leadership Institute participants had an action packed day learning about the diversity in criminal justice in Sheboygan County.  They started with a tour of the Detention Center and then returned to the Chamber to learn about probation and parole, electronic monitoring, drugs in Sheboygan County, gangs, Internet crimes, a visit from Orbit (K-9) and more.  Learn more about Leadership Institute – click here

How many times do you stop and ask “Why” do people do business with me? Next, do you ask “Where am I spending my time?” Member Ron Nielsen presented these important questions and offered solutions during the February FOCAL Point, open to members and general admission. Nielsen, president of AdviCoach – Nielsen Group LLC, offered solutions for managing your time and effectiveness, for example:

Get in a rhythm with team meetings (streamline communication monthly, quarterly, or annually)

Evaluate your key performance indicators

Reinvent yourself to fulfill the “Why” customers do business with you. Be dynamic.

One of the books recommended during the presentation was The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey.

The next FOCAL Point is March 21.

Are you heading to school and affiliated with the Sheboygan County Chamber? Do you need financial assistance in your educational pursuit? The 2012 scholarship application is now available. This $2,000 scholarship is meant to carry forth the Chamber Ambassadors’ view that leadership, community service, and educational pursuit should be appropriately recognized and rewarded.

Scholarship Info & Application Here

Pictured is 2011 scholarship recipient Joanne Greinke used at Lakeshore Technical College.

On February 22 Chamber members, guests and dignitaries will gather at The American Club to celebrate the best of the best in volunteers, businesses and non-profit organizations. A red carpet event, this gala promises a sumptuous menu, excellent conversation and company, and the kind of applause that makes us all proud to be part of this vibrant county.

Register Here

Your Chamber’s February First Friday Forum invited Todd Berry from the Wisconsin Taxpayers Alliance to speak on timely budgetary issues facing the state. Berry explained to a large audience at Pine Hills Country Club how the budget became to be with overspending in the 1990s and an over commitment to Medicaid, among other variables. The presentation simplified the budgetary rhetoric and provided a plethora of data highlighting Wisconsin’s financial outlook. View PowerPoint Forum Presentation Here

Are you making a difference in your community or excelling in your career?

Do you know someone who is?

Coastal Connections is looking for Young Professionals between the ages of 18 and 40 who live and/or work in Sheboygan County to be nominated for the Making Their Mark: Top Young Professionals Awards.  This year nominations are easy as letting us know who you want to nominate and we’ll take it from there.  We will send a questionnaire to the nominees and based on their responses our panel of judges will select those who are Making Their Mark. Nominate a Young Professional TODAY!

The Making Their Mark Awards will recognize the Top 10 Young Professionals, the Young Professional of the Year, the Entrepreneur of the Year, the Coastal Connections Member of the Year and the Advocate of the Year at our All-Member Meeting on Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at Sheboygan Town & Country.  Nominations are open February 1 through February 29.

Originally purchased as a bakery, Bread and Bean Eatery has transformed into a quaint, sophisticated dining spot in downtown Sheboygan Falls. Owners Warren and Sharon Batkiewicz have worked for the last 12 years to create a unique dining experience. A versatile menu and local, friendly employees are what make Bread and Bean thrive and this mix of ever-changing eats with small town charm are why customers keep coming back.

“We opened in 2000. We actually bought it as a bakery shop and the bakery business at that time was on the way out,” said Warren. The Batkiewiczes continued to operate as a bakery until 2004 and slowly started adding in lunch options.

In 2005, the store underwent a remodel project. “We gutted the entire inside and remodeled as you see it today,” said Sharon.  “We started doing dinners at that time. We got rid of breakfast and just started doing lunch and dinner.”

The lunch menu includes sandwiches and paninis, smaller portioned pastas, and salads, while the dinner options are completely different. “The atmosphere changes at nighttime for the dinner crowd. The lights dim and the menu changes to offer additional dishes,” said Warren. At dinner time, the menu features seafood, steaks, pastas, and also some sandwiches and salads as well. Many Sheboygan County residents are taking notice.

“We met there, had a great dinner and felt so comfortable there that we sat at our table from 6:30 until closing time,” said Harbor Centre Bid Manager Randy Schwoerer.

In addition, Bread and Bean offers catering, anything from sandwiches to full-fledged dinner entrees. “We started with the boxed lunches and then it went to other things,” explained Warren. “People were just demanding more variety. Whatever you want it to be, we can accommodate that.”

“I love the catering and I love dealing with people,” added Sharon.

For Valentine’s Day, Bread and Bean offers a special menu. “It’s really popular and people love seeing what Warren comes up with for that day,” said Sharon. In addition, multiple wine and appetizer specials are offered.

Bread and Bean is located at 107 Pine Street in Sheboygan Falls. To make a reservation for the Valentine’s Day dinner call 920-467-7257. View member profile here

~ Hannah Geise

Members are taking full advantage of the business directory by enhancing their member profiles. By enhancing their profile, members can add videos, photos, bullet items selling their services and products, additional logos in the business directory search and more. “I really stand out now in the business directory,” says Caitlin Brotz, owner of Olivu 426 and small business owner of the year (2010). If you would like more of a presence online please contact the Chamber at 920-457-9491. View upgraded member profile here