News & Events from the Brookfield Area Chamber of Commerce... A Great Place to Land!

Brookfield, Missouri - “A Great Place to Land!”

February, 2008
"Chamber Chatter"

A very cold Winters Greeting from the Brookfield Chamber…Last February I mentioned my garden was calling me…not this year. Brrrrrrrr!!!!! The new Chariton Valley Phone Books came in this week. It’s the only phone book we get that has Brunswick, Rothville, Sumner & Mendon in it. Still have plenty of Brookfield Maps and the new 2008 Missouri Vacation Planners. You are welcome to stop by and get what you need. A very special “Happy Birthday” to my granddaughter Kodie who is “5” tomorrow!!!

In the center of the front office floor sits a large pile of old catalogs & out dated phone books, shredded paper and old newspapers. I drop them off at City Hall & they recycle them to raise funds for their Relay for Life team. I am told that the pre-school also recycles. All I know right now is that Cheryl Stuver is the school contact. For old computer recycling you can call North Mo Data at 734-0217. Many years ago we had a group called “Linn County Recyclers”. Every other Saturday morning our band of merry volunteers would occupy the Pepsi Garage and give curb service to all who brought their recyclables. There was Reetha Burch & Doris Moore, Francis Whaley (now deceased), Bev Elson, Jim Schrader and his son Benji, myself and my kids Smokey & Cheyenne. There were others, but that’s all I can think of right now. I know we did this for at least 4 years then we turned the recycling over to a company that said they would provide curbside for the entire town. We were so excited. It never happened…the company pooped out. Sad story, huh??? It’s never too late though, to make even small gestures towards recycling. After all…it is our responsibility.

At Chamber Lunch today, Andrea Vandeloecht, Board president of the Linn County Humane Society was the speaker. The number of cats and dogs that have been taken care of thru our local facility is staggering. We are very fortunate to have a Humane Society and they need all the help we can give. Speaker Steve Ogensteen of Green Hills Regional Planning Commission has rescheduled for a later date. Chamber lunches are held the 3rd Wednesday of each month at noon and you are always welcome to join us.

This Saturday I went to a free class that Calvin & Rhonda held at the “Bookstore of Brookfield”. It was on gardening…growing your own plants from seeds, to be more exact. Even though I have been gardening for many years, I learned all sorts of new things. Next Saturday Calvin will be speaking on canning…(something I know nothing about)…so I am real excited to attend that one too!!! The classes are at 2PM each Saturday & the Bookstore is located at 112 N. Main. Future classes have Tauna & Jessica Powell speaking on back to nature farming and the raising of sheep and making of wool. Natalia Butler will host a class on knitting later in March. There’s even a class on stained glass!!! Give them a call at 258-7800 for all the info.

The Brookfield Farmers Market starts on May 3rd and goes thru October 25th this year, and we are now a proud member of the “Missouri Farmers’ Market Association” and “Agri Missouri.” Our market will be promoted on statewide web sites and brochures. I’ll be going to a workshop sponsored by the MFMA, Agri Missouri and the Mo. Dept. of Agriculture on March 4th to learn how to make our market even better…at this workshop I can get your scales certified (for $5) if you would drop them by the Chamber office. If anyone is interested in going to this 1-day workshop in Kirksville…give me a call. Our vendors this year will receive the University of Missouri Extension booklets titled “Selling Strategies for Local Food Producers”. This will be our 3rd and best year ever. Start planning your garden and grow extra!!!

The Chamber’s Annual Banquet & Auction will be held on April 10th @ the Brookfield Elks Club Ballroom. This is the 70th Anniversary of the Brookfield Chamber. The Social Hour will begin at 6PM with music by Farrell Hahn & his Variety Band. The meal is @ 7PM and is being catered by Stan Monnig Catering. The Silent Auction begins at 6 PM with Smith Auctioneers conducting the Oral Auction after Dinner. We will be honoring our 50 year businesses again this year, and introducing the new Chamber Board. The BAGP Citizens of the Year Awards will also be presented that evening. Tickets are only $25 and a fun night is always had by all. The Banquet & Auction is our largest fundraiser of the year. Please plan on attending.

The Chamber will again be giving out 2-$250.00 Scholarships. To get a form just contact Melinda Allen at the High School: 258-7242.

June 5,6,7& 8 are confirmed dates for Brookfield Summer Fun Days 2008. The Carnival contract is signed and plans are underway for the Parade, Car Show, Baby Show, Queen Contest, Gazebo Concerts, Arts & Crafts Festival, Fishing Tournament, Lawn Mower Races and more. It is looking like a Talent Show will happen and we have musical entertainment lined up as well. Our local “skate boarders” are planning a demonstration and the “Tanglefoot Squares” will be performing at the Gazebo at 6pm on Saturday night. More new things are in the works to make this the best Summer Fun Days ever!!!

If you should have a question on anything that’s going on, please feel free to call the chamber office @ 258-7255 or e-mail chamber@brookfieldmochamber.com or visit this Web site. The Chamber is here to assist in bettering our community in any way we can by offering information about our area, welcoming new businesses and families, hosting special events to attract visitors and enhance shopping. Till next month….Thanks for reading “CHAMBER CHATTER”!!!

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