North Webster Chamber Votes For Net Lights For 2021 Tree Lighting
By Nicholette Carlson
InkFreeNews
NORTH WEBSTER — The last North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce meeting of 2020 focused on a rundown of its holiday events and preparation for 2021.
After having to move the tree lighting to a virtual format, the chamber was thrilled to hear there were many compliments about the virtual tree lighting and the live video had more than 4,000 views. Chamber members also came up with a few last minute ways to help support local businesses.
For the “Where’s Santa?” videos, Emily Shipley followed Mindy Scaggs and Elise Guy to local businesses trying to find evidence Santa had visited North Webster. While at each business, the group also discussed the various products and services each place had to offer and why Santa would have visited. Scaggs described these videos as an “attempt to create a little joy.”
Despite the difficulties faced this year, Shipley mentioned it shows they are “a chamber who does not give up.” Scaggs also created a shop local letterboard and went around to area businesses, taking a photo with the letterboard and then posting it on social media.
Christmas lights for next year’s tree lighting were also mentioned. In order to make things a little easier, Scaggs recommended the possibility of using net lights as opposed to strings of lights. Members quickly did some research to discover the approximate costs for possible net lighting.
Sue Ward discussed the possibility of getting their own power source through NIPSCO near Pilcher’s for the tree lighting next year. It was mentioned using LED lights should greatly reduce the amount of power drawn from the outlets, however. Jerry Parsons volunteered to speak with a contact at NIPSCO regarding the chamber’s options. Guy made a motion to purchase net lights for the 2021 tree lighting in an amount not to exceed $3,000. The motion was passed.
A new committee, Webster Main Street, is being formed and will be chaired by Scott Kuhn. This committee will focus on finding empty buildings throughout the North Webster downtown area and attempting to make contact with the owners of these buildings. The chamber committee will then work to help match these empty buildings with businesses looking to move to the area or expand. Kuhn also plans to think of other ways to focus on the beautification and revamping of the downtown area.
Shipley has been working diligently to create member brochures and packets for 2021. Chris Trowbridge volunteered to help get them printed. Various chamber members then volunteered to assist in putting these packets together for the annual chamber banquet.
January’s Member of the Month was chosen. Tammy Waliczek will send out a copy of previous members of the month to the board to assist in choosing upcoming members of the month.
Kim Bolt stated member renewals have started coming in. Renewals are due back to the chamber by Jan. 31. Scaggs suggested using this time to do a membership drive and talk to local businesses to see if they would like to join.
The secretary and treasurer reports from November were accepted and approved.
The next meeting will be at noon, Monday, Jan. 11, at the Tippecanoe Township Building, 102 S. Morton St., North Webster.