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Local Businesses utilize Chamber Bucks
- Program helps stimulate local economy Long Prairie Leader article, Taylor Lunemann Journalist The Long Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce recently recognized Central Bi-Products and Dan's Prize for their continued support of the Chamber Bucks program and helping stimulate the local economy. The two have combined to purchase $61,000 worth of Chamber Bucks over the last three years.
Pictured above: Tom Beseman, Director of Rendering at Central Bi-Products; Luan Thomas-Brunkhorst, Long Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce director; Vern Noland, VP of Operations - Dan's Prize
Towns of every size are often looking at ways to stimulate their local economy. One method that is being used in Long Prairie is the “Chamber Bucks” program.
The program allows businesses or individuals to purchase the Chamber Bucks from the Long Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce to give out as gifts or as rewards to employees. Chamber Bucks are actual gift checks that are available in any increment to be spent in the local Long Prairie area. The money value on the check is guaranteed by the Chamber, so any businesses may take it providing they have an acceptable check policy. It can also be used in Long Prairie and Browerville. Benefits of the Chamber Bucks includes: -Keeps the dollars local -Great employee incentive/reward program. -Same as cash. -Money value on check is guaranteed by the Chamber. -One size fits all - recipient can get what he or she wants or needs. -There are many places to use them. -Economic impact. “I’m facilitating keeping the money local,” said Chamber of Commerce Director Luan Thomas-Brunkhorst. “You can get gas, snacks, coffee, groceries, or go to a restaurant. You use this to stimulate economic growth.” There are a few restrictions for the program. Checks cannot be written to yourself or another individual, and the person must use at least 80 percent of the check’s value in the store of their choice. This helps ensure the money is actually being spent locally rather than just being turned into take home cash. Two local businesses have utilized the program as an incentive and reward program. 
Central-Bi, located on Highway-71 north of Long Prairie, uses it as a reward for their safety program. Every month, they have employees do an observation on another employee and take all of those people at the end of the month and draw out three $50 winners. Employees can also accumulate points for attending safety meetings and filling out “Be Safe” program sheets. When they get to 100 points, they give them $100 in Chamber Bucks. They have purchased $52,500 worth of Chamber Bucks over the last three years.
“We do this to support the city of Long Prairie and to give back to the community that gives to us and our employees come from here and we can give back to the businesses. It’s nice ot help local businesses in a small community,” said Tom Beseman. If you don’t support the small businesses, all of a sudden they’re gone, and that’s why we decided to do this.” 
Dan’s Prize uses Chamber Bucks as an option as part of their service program. They have offered clothing or gifts in the past, but they learned some people would rather have money. With rewarding them with Chamber Bucks, it gives employees the option to use that money to support their family or go buy something for themselves. They have spent $8,500 in the past three years.
“It’s all part of our service program and we wanted to give our employees options and still help the city out, get that money generated back,” said Vern Noland. “And I fully agree 100 percent that if you don’t support these businesses on main street, they’re going to go away and I think we’ve already seen signs of that. The bottom line is it’s investing funds back into the community that we actually work in.” The Long Prairie Chamber of Commerce honored both Central-Bi and Dan’s Prize for their commitment to the program at their annual banquet. Welcome New 2019 Chamber Members !
Jeff Berg Financial (April) Countryside Restaurant (March) East West Realty (March) Lake Osakis Resort (March) Prairie Pharmacy (February) Todd Wadena Electric Cooperative (January) Reynolds Baptist Church (January) Long Prairie Midwives NEW Ownership (January) Thank you, also, to all of you who have renewed your membership! We appreciate you and could not do this without you! NEW- Small Business Consultants Listing! Nancy Leasman- artist (Small Business Consultant- March) 
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History of Long Prairie
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Chamber Director: Luan Thomas-Brunkhorst Chamber Office Hours: Monday-Thursday 9:00-2:00 pm Friday 9:00 -12 pm Please contact me at (320) 732-2514. chamber@longprairie.org I am in and out of the office a lot, so please call before coming or take your chances. Location: @ the LP Library 42 3rd Street North (click on red for google map) Thought of the day
“April is the cruelest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain.” ― T.S. Eliot Education, Schools and Community Ed WebsitesSenior Center ActivitiesUpcoming Chamber & Community Events
REPEATED EVENTS/ SERVICES:
Rainbow Rider- FREE rides within the City limits CentraCare Health-Long Prairie now offers free rides to the clinic, hospital, nursing home from your Long Prairie home within the city limits. ***Call the Rainbow Rider at 1-800-450-7770 to schedule a ride. It’s best to schedule your ride two days before your visit.
**EXTENDED HOURS- Rainbow Rider now available in Long Prairie (city limits)
Mon-Fri until 5:30 p.m. Rides must be scheduled by calling dispatch at 800-450-7770 prior to 5:00 p.m. 
Long Prairie Senior Center - 320 732-2282
Manager: Jodi Dixon Email: lpseniorcenter@gmail.com 50-3RD ST NE They are open Monday-Friday 10am - 3pm. They have many daily activities. See calendar below. 
1,000 Books before Kindergarten starts in Long Prairie!
Enjoy a fun program encouraging reading and early literacy skills. Stop by the library to sign up! For ages birth through kindergarten. Sponsored by the Long Prairie Public Library. APRIL
Long Drive In is OPENING this weekend! *** SEASON OPENER April 19,20 *** *DUMBO* 8:30 The all-new grand live-action adventure expands on the beloved classic story where differences are celebrated, family is cherished and dreams take flight. *HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 10:30 Hidden World* A perfect finale for a timeless trilogy. *AVENGERS: Endgame / Captain Marvel* STARTING APRIL 25TH AMAZING Block Busters coming 2019: Detective Pikachu * Shazam * Aladdin * Godzilla: King of Monsters * Secret Life Of Pets 2 * Men In Black International * Toy Story 4 * Annabelle Comes Home * Spiderman Far From Home * Lion King * Fast & Furious Hobbs & Shaw * Artemis Fowl * IT Chapter 2 * Spies Like Us * Joker … and Adams Family (animated) for our annual October TRUNK-or-TREAT! It's going to be a truly AWESOME summer! Pancake & Sausage - 22nd Annual Community Appreciation Breakfast Saturday, April 20, 2019 @ Long Prairie American Legion at 7:30-11am FREE WILL OFFERING Easter Egg Hunt Saturday, April 20, 2019 10:00am-12pm Long Prairie Assembly of God- 410 9th Street NE (Next to HS) Phone: 320 732 2730 Minnesota Byways Doug Ohman will take you along to his favorite locations from each of the six “Minnesota Byways” books he has published. He will share the best photographs and stories from around the great state of Minnesota. For school-aged children to adults. A Legacy event. Monday, April 22 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. These Legacy programs are funded in part or whole with money from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. For the safety and welfare of children age 6 or under, a parent or caregiver must remain in the building during library programs. Conversation Circles @ the Long Prairie Library Practice English in a fun and relaxed way. No English is necessary to join! We’ll meet once a month at the library. For teens and adults. This program is funded in part with a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education using federal funding, CFDA 45.310 – Library Services and Technology Act, Grants to States Program (LS-00-18-0024-18). Thursdays, April 25 & May 23 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Círculos de conversacion Practicar inglés de una manera divertida y relajada. ¡ Ningún inglés es necesario para unirse! Nos encontraremos una vez al mes en la biblioteca. Para adolescentes y adultos. Jueves, 25 de abril y mayo de 23 10:00 a.m. a 11:00 a.m. OPENING DAY: Long Prairie Country Club Wednesday April 24th at 10 am. Special Green Fee Rates of $30 for 18 holes and $15 for 9 holes plus tax, cart included. These rates are valid thru April 28th. Child Protection Supper Thursday April 25th, 2019 5 pm to 7 p.m. Annual Ham & Scalloped Potato Meal First Baptist Church Long Prairie · Free Will Donation · Support Child Maltreatment Prevention Efforts in Your Local Community · Door Prizes · Local Provider Booths · Ice Cream and Snow Cones Volunteer Clean - up & "Opening Party" Long Prairie Country Club **Volunteer Clean - Saturday, April 27th from 10:00 until 2:00. They will meet at the grounds shop adjacent to hole number 1. It would be greatly appreciated if you or anyone else is able to join in the clean up. They can use rakes, four wheelers with trailers and brush cutters. Please let Clif or myself know if you are able to help out. - phone number is 612-770-1653. **"Opening Party" Join them that SAME DAY for the "Opening Party"!! Saturday April 27 Happy hour starts at 5. They will have pizza specials and bring your putters!!! LPGE Prom April 27, 2019 Grand March - 5:30pm Dinner- 7:15pm Dance- 8:30- 11:30pm Time to change clothes- 11:30-12:30 Post prom 12:30-4:30am POST PROM- LPGE April 28,2019 12:30am-4:30am Hilltop Waffle Feed- 2nd Annual April 28, 2019 at 9am-1pm Adults- $8.00 Kids 6-12- $5.00 5 and under Free @ Hilltop Kitchen- 131 Park Ave NW Eagle Bend, MN 56446 Free Training! Roll with Resistance: Communication Skill Building for Parents and Others Monday, April 29, 2019 at Sourcewell in Staples, MN 3-5PM for Professionals Working with Teens or Families with Teens 5:30-8PM for Parents of Teens Are you a parent/grandparent of a teen? Are you a professional working with teens/ families with teens? This training is for YOU! Learn how to communicate more effectively with the young people in your life! You’ll acquire valuable tools from an expert, Russ Turner, MA, MS, Senior Training Manager at People Incorporated Training Institute, Minneapolis. - Professional’s Training: 3-5PM (2 CEU’s available and free child care) - Parent/Grandparent Training: 5:30-8PM (including a light meal and free child care) Email Connie Burns (connie.burns@co.todd.mn.us) to reserve your place: - Please indicate: if you’ll need child care, or have food allergies; AND which presentation you’ll attend. - Parents/Grandparents: Can’t attend? Registration is OPEN now, until April 15th. Register soon!
MAY
Men’s Opening Stag night May 1st, will be the Men’s Opening Stag night… Grill your own Steak, potato, veg, salad bar will be served starting at 5:00. Cost is $15. Please email Sue Lowe longprairiecc@outlook.com to sign up or sign up on the Bulletin Board in the Pro Shop. Meals will follow for the Wednesday’s for Men’s Day. Taking any requests. Stockholders meeting Stockholders meeting is Friday May 2. Dinner served by A Simple Dish. She will be serving Boneless Pork loin Chop with gravy, Duchess Potato, Broccoli and Cauliflower Gratin, House Side salad, and Dinner Roll. Cost is $13.50. Please email me to sign up or sign up on the Bulletin Board in the Pro Shop. She is only taking orders until 4/26 by noon. A Simply Dish is Sandi Hanson’s Catering service. She call tell you more about it that night if you are interested or find her on facebook – A Simple Dish. ***If you are interested in signing up the Two Person League on Tuesday nights, please email me or sign up on the Bulletin Board in the Pro Shop Pregnancy and Life Resource Center’s DINNER- POSTPONED May 3, 2019 Dinner 6:30 pm @First Baptist Church, Long Prairie Guest Speaker Scott Poeschl The Poeschl’s were told: “Most likely he will not survive birth...If he does, he will not make it to his first birthday.” During a 20-week ultrasound, Scott and Emily were given a fatal diagnosis for their first child, a son, and asked to abort their baby. Come hear their story of faith and life. RSVP today: 320 533 0976 or TextL 329 874 9124 JUST FOR KIX - Spring Show May 4th--show times 4:00and 6:30pm at LPGE Elementary Big Gym. Admission" TBA “Dementia-Finding the Diamond in the Rough” Lakes Area Memory Awareness Advocates Forum May 14, 2019 Doors Open: 9:30 am Program: Morning Session 10:00-12:00 Afternoon Session 1:00-3:00 (2 CEU’s available) Featuring Speaker Michele Henifin Free Lunch! Lutheran Church of the Cross 5064 County Road 13, Nisswa, MN Pre-Registration Requested…Space is Limited Register by visiting our website at memoryadvocates.org or Eventbrite or Call Madison Berg at 218-824-1218 Disc Golf Tournament at Lake Charlotte Park in Long Prairie, MN. May 18th $30.00 entry fee Along with the opportunity to spend a day with other disc golf players on a beautiful course, players will receive a player pack and prizes will be awarded to the top players in each category. Enjoy the weekend in Long Prairie—disc golf, swimming beach, drive–in theater, and camping. Online registration at DiscGolfScene.com A portion of the $30 entry fee is going to the maintenance of the disc course. Lake Charlotte Park
MAMA MARLA'S Hike & Bike
Saturday, May 18 Clotho Methodist Church See the website for details regarding the changes and to get your Registration form. It is never too early to get your Registration form in the mail to me. Be the first Registration form in to me and win a free gift that you can pick up at the event. The Early Registration deadline for a t-shirt or to save $3 is April 19th. Please share this event with family & friends...lets set a new record for attendance this year! If you have any questions or concerns, please send me an email. Marla Schnell Coordinator https://sites.google.com/site/mamamarlasfun/ Conversation Circles @ the Long Prairie Library Practice English in a fun and relaxed way. No English is necessary to join! We’ll meet once a month at the library. For teens and adults. This program is funded in part with a grant from the Minnesota Department of Education using federal funding, CFDA 45.310 – Library Services and Technology Act, Grants to States Program (LS-00-18-0024-18). Thursday, May 23 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Círculos de conversacion Practicar inglés de una manera divertida y relajada. ¡ Ningún inglés es necesario para unirse! Nos encontraremos una vez al mes en la biblioteca. Para adolescentes y adultos. Jueves, mayo de 23 10:00 a.m. a 11:00 a.m. MORE CALENDAR EVENTS: Click - Events Calendar
Electronic Sign Use and Fees Schedule
Please click the link above to download our Sign Use Policy and Fee Schedule. If you would like to use the sign (either as a Chamber Member or as a non-member) please fill out the last page of the form and enclose any payment (non-member) for use of the sign and return to the Chamber office. Thank you. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Community GardenWant More Information on Community Gardens? Call City Hall 320 732-2167 Follow this link for photos and more information about the Community Gardens.
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Click on the Made in Minnesota photo to learn more about products and suppliers who are right here in Minnesota!
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