Parke County Chamber of Commerce - Parke County, Indiana
Covered Bridge Capital of the World!

The Parke County Chamber of Commerce recently presented several special awards during their annual meeting held at St. Joseph’s Holy Family Hall in Rockville.  The recipients were recognized for outstanding volunteerism in Parke County included (in front L-R) Jan Pinegar, Woman of the Year and Don Schaibley, Man of the Year.  In back (L-R) Dr. Ray Lewis and David Martin representing the Parke County Quality of Life Council that was named organization of the year along with business owners Mark Vanderheyden of the Thirty-Six Saloon and Brian and Warren Johnson of the Xpress Mart/Valero who were named as the Chamber Members of the Year.  The awards were announced by former Woman of the Year Mary Jo Harney and presented by Chamber president Kristin Clary.

The Parke County Quality of Life Council was honored as the Parke County Organization of the Year at the recent annual meeting of the Parke County Chamber of Commerce. They were recognized for their successful effort in finding a professional grant writer who has brought more than $500,000 to the county in grants during the past year. Those present to accept the award were: (in front L-R) Chris Marsolf, Peggy Foster, Dr. Ray Lewis, David Martin, Monti Byers and Adrene Brown, In back (L-R) are Larry Myers, David Burns and Mary Jo Harney

Winners of the special director’s awards at the recent Parke Co. Chamber of Commerce annual dinner included: (seated L-R) Cindy Hein of the Rockville Public Library and Marcia Akers of the Parke County Community Foundation staff.

In back (L-R) are Greg Ternet, representing Keith Fischer and REMC; Tracy Nichols, Community Foundation staff; Bill Becker, G & M Ace Hardware; Louise Myers, decorator
for the Chamber’s table at the Treasure’s of Parke County Banquet and Mike Sasin, G & M Ace Hardware. The awards were presented by Chamber Executive Directors Alan and Diana Ader in appreciation for outstanding dedication of time and talent to the Chamber’s activities.

On February 20^th the Parke County Chamber of Commerce held a Ribbon Cutting for a new business called Neva's.  Neva's is a consignment shop offering unique handcrafted items.  Neva's is located on the the north side of the square next to the Art Gallery.  Neva's is open Wednesday through Saturday 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm.

Cutting the ribbon (L-R) are Leighton Wilhite, building owner; Dorothy Wolverton, Tom Brown, Beata St Clair, Nancy Troyer, William McDonald, Denise Bannon, Brenda Chaney, Helen Bills, Bev Roddy, Ray Wolverton, Sarah Doan, Karen Staub, Kristy Thomann, Mary Jo Harney from the Parke County Chamber of Commerce.

On February 21^st the Parke County Chamber of Commerce and the Parke County Extension Board sponsored a "Legislative Cracker Barrel" in the Extension Office conference room.  The question and answer session was facilitated by Mark Spelbring, County Extension Director.

All of the legislatures representing Parke County were in attendance (L-R) State Representative Nancy Michael, State Senator Tim Skinner, Mark Spelbring, State Representative Tim Brown and State Representative Dale Grubb.

The Parke County Chamber of Commerce heard how to "Twitter Your Way to Success" at their Networking at Noon program on Wednesday, April 29^th from 12 to 1 p.m. at the White Horse Cafe located at 287 South US 41 in Rockville. Heather Penney from the Indiana Small Business Development Center in Terre Haute discussed how businesses can use social media to increase their cash flow when current revenue streams have decreased.

Winners of the Chamber sponsored Little Miss and Mister Contest at the recent Parke Co. 4-H Fair included: seated in front are Little Mister Benjamin Trahan and Little Miss Rebecca Edington. Standing (L-R) Little Mister 3rd Runner-up Grant Harkrider, Little Mister 2nd Runner-up Dalton McCallister, Little Mister 1st Runner-up Max Sliz, Little Miss 1st Runner-up Bethany Lynn Wilson, Little Miss 2nd Runner-up Abigail Nicholas and Little Miss 3rd Runner-up Hollie Kouns In back is 2008 Parke County 4-H Fair Queen Sierra James who presented the awards. Some 29 contestants participated in the event. Each contestant received a "Support Parke County Businesses" t-shirt. Chamber volunteers assisting with the contest included: Debbie Skelton, Lauren Skelton, Cathy Harkrider, Marilyn Winters, Diana Ader and Alan Ader.

State Representative Nancy Michael recently presented the Parke County Chamber of Commerce new flags for their office that had been briefly flown over the State Capitol Building in Indianapolis. On hand to receive the flags were: (in front L-R) Chamber vice-president Debbie Skelton, Old National Bank; Chamber treasurer Karen Durr, Russell and Durr, CPA's; Chamber president Kristin Clary, county redevelopment director; representative Nancy Michael; Diana Ader, Chamber office; county treasurer Mary Alice Gregg; Chamber director Cathy Harkrider, PCI and Chamber board secretary Gayle Cole, The Fountain Trust. In back are: (L-R) Chamber director Dan Overpeck, Overpeck Gas; Chamber director Susan Query, First Financial Bank and Alan Ader, Chamber office.

Former identity theft victim Michelle Sybesma was the speaker on Thursday, August 20 for a noon joint meeting of the Parke County Learning Center sack lunch series, Parke County Chamber of Commerce and the Rockville Rotary Club. The meeting was held at the American Legion building located at 115 East Ohio (US Hwy 36) in Rockville.

A highly active member of the Indiana business community, Michelle Sybesma, is a full-time business consultant, Chamber member, and current Fishers Rotary Club president. As a former victim now advocate, she also serves passionately for the office of Attorney General Greg Zoeller as spokesperson for the Identity Theft Unit. This universal must see presentation ensured every attendee a better understanding of how to prevent risks that happen to all people in all walks of life. Identify theft can happen to anyone, but it does not have to; attendees learned how to best use free resources to prevent this crime before it starts.

This joint meeting served as both the Chamber’s Networking at Noon program for August and Rotary’s usual Wednesday meeting the same week.

The Parke County Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the grand opening of the new Covered Bridge Cafe in Rockville. The restaurant is located at 217 W. Ohio St. (US Hwy 36) across from the Ritz Theater. It is owned and operated by Larry and Joyce Ramsey and features a full menu of luncheon and dinner entrees with delivery available.

Participating in the ceremony were: (L-R in front) customer Chris Wilcox, Chamber board member Cathy Harkrider, PCI; restaurant owners Larry and Joyce Ramsey; Chamber board member, Susan Query, First Financial Bank; Chamber treasurer Karen Durr, Russell & Durr CPA’s and Mary Jo Harney from the Sentinel. In back (L-R) are Chamber board member Vic Fields, Parke County Learning Center/Ivy Tech; Rockville Town Clerk-Treasurer, Lisa Wilcox; Chamber board secretary Gayle Cole, The Fountain Trust; Kim White from the Sentinel and Chamber executive director Alan Ader.

The Covered Bridge Cafe is open Monday through Saturday from 11 to 9, and Sundays from 11 to 3. The phone numbers for the cafe is: (765) 569-3323.

The Parke County Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony at the grand opening of the new store for Kevin’s Complete Floor Covering in Rockville. Formerly on US Highway 36, the store is now located at 100 W. York Street across from Jacks & Jacks Motors. It is owned and operated by Kevin Moore and features a broad line of floor covering products including: carpet, hardwood, laminate, granite, ceramic tile and marble. The store also has a furniture line and can do installations of all floor coverings.

Participating in the ceremony were: (in front L-R) store employees Brady Vauters, John Palm, Chamber vice-president Debbie Skelton, Old National Bank; business owner Kevin Moore; Chamber board member Cathy Harkrider, PCI and store employee Kelly Nevins. In back (L-R) are Chamber board secretary Gayle Cole, The Fountain Trust; Chamber treasurer Karen Durr, Russell & Durr, CPA’s and Chamber executive director Alan Ader.

Kevin’s Complete Floor Covering is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 to 5, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 to 8 and on Saturday from 8 to 2.The phone numbers for the store are: (765) 569-3194 or cellular at (765) 562-2047.

The Parke County Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony welcoming the new owners of the Bellmore Country Store, Larry and Dawn Cox and their family. The store is located at the corner of U.S. Highway 36 and State Highway 59 in Bellmore. They offer most grocery items, baked goods, a deli, fuel, local souvenirs and some clothing.

Participating in the ceremony were: (in front L-R) store family employee Jacob Cox, store employee Julie Witty, owners Dawn and Larry Cox, Chamber president, Kristin Clary, county redevelopment director; Chamber vice-president Debbie Skelton, Old National Bank; Kim White, Parke County Sentinel; Chamber treasurer Karen Durr, Russell & Durr, CPA’s and store customers Isabelle and Katrina Overton. In back are Diana and Alan Ader, Chamber office staff. Family employees not available for the photo were Brady and Cory Day.

The Bellmore Country Store is open Monday through Saturday from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The phone number for the store is: (765) 344-1515

The Parke County Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony welcoming Brattain’s Small Engine to the organization. It is owned and operated by John and Jodi Brattain and located at 642 North State Highway 59 just north of Bellmore. The business specializes in repair of lawn mowers, garden tractors, chain saws and golf carts. Pick up and delivery of equipment is available.

Participating in the ceremony were: (L-R) Chamber treasurer Karen Durr, Russell & Durr, CPA’s; Chamber office manager Diana Ader; Kim White, Parke County Sentinel; Chamber president, Kristin Clary, county redevelopment director; business owners Jodi and John Brattain; Chamber vice-president Debbie Skelton, Old National Bank; Bill Becker, G &M Ace Hardware and Chamber executive director Alan Ader.

Brattain’s Small Engine is open Monday through Friday from 7 to 5 and on Saturday from 7 to 12. The phone number for the shop is (765) 344-1898.

The Parke County Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony welcoming the Clothesline boutique to the organization. Located at 303 Howard Avenue in Rockville, the Clothesline is inside the Owl Nest bed and breakfast. It is owned and operated by Tulie Jadzak. The Clothesline features clothing for adults and children as well as purses, shoes, jewelry, dishes and dolls.

Participating in the ceremony were: (in front L-R) Chamber president Kristin Clary, Parke County Redevelopment Office; Chamber director Gayle Cole, The Fountain Trust Co.; Diana Ader, Chamber office staff; owner Tulie Jadzak and Kim White, The Parke County Sentinel. In back is Chamber director Dan Overpeck, Overpeck Gas.

The Clothesline is open Tuesday through Friday from 9 to 4 and on Saturday from 10 to 3. The phone number for the shop is 765-569-1803.

The Parke County Chamber of Commerce recently conducted a ribbon cutting ceremony welcoming Clint Kramer as the new owner of AC Electrical Service. The heating and cooling business office is located at 114 S. Lincoln Rd. (US Hwy 41) in Rockville. They feature Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems along with complete installation services and electric repairs.

Participating in the ceremony were: (in front L-R) AC technician Dan Katzmarek, owner Clint Kremer, AC family friend Billie LaBeau, Chamber president Kristin Clary, Parke County Redevelopment Office; AC office manager Miriam Pierce and Rockville Town Councilman Dewey White. Being held in the front row are the sons of Clint Kremer, Clayton and Jake. In back (L-R) are Diana Ader, Chamber office; Kim White, The Parke County Sentinel; AC technician Kevin Adams and Chamber director Dan Overpeck, Overpeck Gas.

AC Electrical offers 24 hour emergency service and may be contacted by phone at 765-569-3924 or by e-mail at: ac_electricalservice@yahoo.com and on the web at www.acelectricalheatandair.com.

The Parke County Chamber of Commerce sold cobbler during the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival. The Parke County Chamber of Commerce Cobbler Shack was located on the south side of the courthouse square in Rockville.

Steve Key from the Hoosier State Press Association was the speaker at the December Networking at Noon program. The program was held at the new Thirty-Six Saloon banquet room in Rockville.

Key discussed the citizen's right to know and how that right is protected in the state's public access laws. His topics included the Open Door Law, Access to Public Records Act and the state's Office of Public Access Counselor. Key also answered specific questions about laws and issues related to individual requests for information.