Past Events Archives - Evergreen Park Chamber of Commerce

Golf Outing Thanks

Our summer Golf Outing on August 5 was a beautiful day on the links that doubled as a successful fundraiser. The Chamber is grateful to every business and individual who contributed to the day’s success.

Congratulations to our foursome winner, team OSF!

View photo gallery

We’re beyond grateful to our Golf Outing sponsors, especially our Major Sponsor, Culver’s of Evergreen Park.

Huge thanks, too, to the dedicated Chamber members who volunteered to plan and execute the event, especially:

Longtime Golf Event Chair Tom Ollenburger, who has retired but still offered to be our Master of Ceremonies.
Pam Waldrom from the Academy of Self Defense for many hours of behind-the-scenes help preparing for the event.
Michele Carmona of Evergreen Bank Group, Tammy Macak of Meijer, Frank Murray from the EP Library, our Chamber President Sara Klein from AAA, and Laura Shallow of World Data Systems and St. Xavier University, who generously volunteered their time on the day of the event to help it run seamlessly.

Putting Green Sponsors

Evergreen Park Ace Hardware, 3404 W. 95th St.
Preferred Rate Mortgage, 1801 S. Meyers Rd., Suite 500, Oak Brook
Chicago Fireboat Tours, 111 N. Lake Shore Dr., Chicago
Meijer, 9200 S. Western Ave.

Hole Sponsors

Black Eyed Susan OTB, 2517 W. 95th St.
Cool Clouds Vapor Shop, 3837 W. 95th St.
Core Fitness & Physical Therapy, 2940 W. 95th St.
Country Financial – Mike Thauer, 3923 W. 95th St.
Elite Benefits of America
Evergreen Park Village Clerk Cathy Aparo, 9418 S. Kedzie Ave.
EPCHS District 231 – Tom O’Malley, 9901 S. Kedzie Ave.
Ervings Drug Screening, 3317 W. 95th St., Entrance C, Suite 7
Evergreen Bank Group, 3842 W. 95th St.
Family Waterproofing Solutions, 3328 W. 95th St.
Hibernian Home Care Service, 4550 W. 103rd St., Oak Lawn
Kennedy Plumbing & Sewer, Inc., 12362 S. Keeler Ave., Alsip
Keyser Industries, Inc., 9015 S. Kedzie Ave.
Law Office of John H. Anderson, 10026 S. Kedzie Ave.
Mathnasium of Evergreen Park, 9834 S. Western Ave.
OSF Healthcare Little Company of Mary Medical Center, 2800 W. 95th St.
Saint Xavier University, 3700 W. 103rd St., Chicago
Sean Kelly State Farm Insurance, 3352 W. 95th St.
The UPS Store #5612, 9449 S. Kedzie Ave.
United Credit Union, 9148 S. Western Ave.
Wolf’s Bakery (in memory of Jeff Lyon), 3241 W. 95th St.

In-Kind Donors

AAA, 9154 S. Western Ave.
Academy of Self Defense, 3753 W. 95th St.
Binny’s Beverage Depot, 3447 W. 95th St.
Black Eyed Susan OTB, 2517 W. 95th St., Suite 100
Cool Clouds Vapor Shop, 3837 W. 95th St.
Culver’s of Evergreen Park, 9515 S. Kedzie Ave.
EP Driving Range, 2701 W. 91st St.
EP Recreation Department, 3470 w. 97th St.
Evergreen Bank Group, 3842 W. 95th St.
Golden Griddle, 3030 W. 95th St.
Hayat Home Medical, 3518 W. 95th St.
Humana Neighborhood Center, 9522 S. Western Ave.
Kesha Kakes, 3345 W. 95th St.
Law Office of John H. Anderson, 10026 S. Kedzie Ave.
OSF Little Company of Mary Medical Center, 2800 W. 95th St.
Meijer, 9200 S. Western Ave.
Porter Cullens Irish Pub & Restaurant, 3541 W. 99th St.
UNIDAD, 3339 W. 95th St.
WellNow Urgent Care, 9501 S. Western Ave.
Wm H. Wood Overhead Door, 9311 S. Kedzie Ave.
Wolf’s Bakery, 3241 W. 95th St.

The Chamber is grateful to everyone who supported our annual golf outing today as a sponsor, donor, golfer, or attendee at the BBQ.

Small Business Marketing Series Provides Valuable & Timely Guidance in a Challenging Year

To celebrate Illinois Chamber of Commerce Week in September 2020, the EPCC launched a series of online marketing seminars for local businesses. All were welcome to attend these free, informative sessions. These five sessions were held online, via Zoom, and we were able to successfully record three of them to share with you below.

Session 1: LinkedIn with Sara Klein of AAA

Sara Klein is an agent development specialist with AAA who uses LinkedIn to promote the auto club, share industry information, and expand her network of contacts. Unfortunately, we did not get a recording of her presentation, but we plan to post her slideshow here. Please check back!

Session 2: Facebook & Instagram with Yasha Sterling Management

Yasha Sterling is a digital marketing specialist who builds websites and enhances the social media presence of her clients.

Session 3: Direct Mail with Bruce Smith of B Allan Graphics

Bruce Smith is a director of the EPCC who has operated a full-service printing and design business for more than 30 years.

Session 4: Podcasting with Christopher Lanuti of the EP Podcast

Chris Lanuti is a broadcast journalist and founder of the EP Podcast. In his presentation, he shares insights on how to create and monetize a podcast to promote your business.

Session 5: Website + Google My Business + Email Marketing with Laurie & Jim Cleary of The Argus Company

The Clearys are visual/verbal digital experts responsible for the EPCC website, emails, and other marketing materials. While we don’t have a recording of their session, they shared their slide presentation and a link to free resources on their website.

Free resources for improving your digital marketing

Awards, Chamber Board, Holiday Luncheon, Past Events

Chamber Honors Citizen of the Year & Welcomes Its New Leadership at Holiday Luncheon

The Evergreen Park Chamber of Commerce welcomed new leadership at its annual Holiday Luncheon on December 11 and announced its 2019 Citizen of the Year. The award went to Dennis Duffy, retired teacher and former director of the EP Recreation Department, for his many contributions in the areas of education, recreation, sports, family, and community programming.

Duffy led the Evergreen Park Recreation Department for 38 years and was credited for bringing many new ideas and events to the Village. He oversaw an expansion of the Recreation Department’s budget from $10,000 to $625,000 during his tenure.

“Dennis successfully blended the traditions and the activities of the past with new innovative and expanded programs of his own,” said EPCC Secretary Laura Shallow, in announcing the award.

His contributions to the Recreation Department include maintaining a successful preschool, day camp, and youth sports programs. He expanded the performing arts program and added several new sports offerings. Community events, including the 3rd of July Parade, also grew under Duffy’s leadership.

In addition, Duffy was a teacher for 35 years and chair of the History and Social Studies Department at Brother Rice High School, where he also served as a varsity football coach.

Duffy accepted the award with humility, thanking the local schools for their cooperation. He also singled out his two program directors at the Recreation Department, Karen Sexton and Jill Lynn.

“They make the recreation department go,” he said. “Every time I see M.A.S.H., I think, ‘I’m the colonel, and there’s Radar.’ They’re the best. I owe my success to them.”

During the luncheon, the Chamber also installed a new slate of officers and directors.

The 2020 Officers are:

President: Laura Freeman of Berkshire Hathaway Biros Realtors

First Vice President: Laura Shallow, World Data Systems and Saint Xavier University

Second Vice President: Michele Carmona, Evergreen Bank Group

Secretary: Maria Cantu-Dougala, First Midwest Bank

Treasurer: William Winters, Evergreen Park American Legion Post #854

Immediate Past President: Nicki Seidl, Evergreen Park Public Library

The 2020 Directors are:

Percy Allen, MEP Exterminating

John Anderson, Attorney at Law

Jeseña Hernandez, First National Bank of Evergreen Park

Sean Kelly, State Farm Insurance

Dr. Robert Machak, Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124

Ginger Morgan, Thompson & Kuenster Funeral Home

Thomas Ollenburger, H&R Johnson Bros., Inc.

Thomas O’Malley, Evergreen Park Community High School District 231

Bruce Smith, B Allan Graphics

Pam Waldrom, Academy of Self Defense

Chad Weiler, Little Company of Mary Hospital

Stephanie Welch, Humana

Dennis Duffy, center, poses with past Citizens of the Year.

Thomas O’Malley, Superintendent of Evergreen Park Community High School, introduces students on the 2019 Snow Court.

Officers and Directors of the Evergreen Park Chamber of Commerce

The Evergreen Park Community High School Madrigals Choir perform

Outgoing EPCC President Nicki Seidl receives a plaque and a gift thanking her for her tenure.

EPCC Treasurer Laura Shallow and outgoing President Nicki Seidl welcome guests.

Installation of Chamber directors.

EPCC’s new president, Laura Freeman, and Nicki Seidl

2020 EPCC Officers

News, Past Events

Humana Helping EP Get Healthy, Get Happy & Get Help

Evergreen Park’s new Humana neighborhood center in the new Plaza is a welcoming, bright, and versatile space. On a recent morning, it deftly transformed from a conference area where Chamber members enjoyed a breakfast buffet into an exercise space for an exercise class with local seniors. Humana is a health insurance company, but at their neighborhood centers, they also provide a variety of community programming for the public.

The center, which opened last summer, recently hosted the Evergreen Park Chamber of Commerce for a networking breakfast and nutrition workshop called “Rate Your Plate.” Humana health educator Kristin Conrad shared best practices for healthful eating, along with helpful tips for avoiding pitfalls. Some of her key takeaways:

You should eat nine servings of fruits and veggies per week.

Fruit Facts

76% of Americans don’t eat enough fruit daily. Expense, availability, and shelf life are the main obstacles cited. Conrad suggested purchasing fresh produce when it’s in season, then freezing it to enjoy throughout the year. She said that women should aim for eating 1.5 cups of fruit per day, versus 2 cups for men.

Veggie Facts

87% of Americans don’t eat enough vegetables, even though they have the highest nutritional value of all foods. Women should eat 2 cups of vegetables per day; men, 2.5 cups. Conrad said that if you store veggies in plain sight, chances are you’ll eat them.

Whole Grains Facts

While Americans eat plenty of grains (in the form of bleached flour), most of us consume less than 1 serving of whole grains per day. Women should have 5 ounces of whole grains–oats, quinoa, brown rice, barley, whole wheat etc.—and men should consume 6 ounces per day.

Protein Facts

Men need just 5.5 ounces of protein each day, and women need just 5 ounces.

Healthy Eating Hacks

Avoid Portion Pitfalls—Measure your portions. Purchase a food scale to help keep you honest with your serving size. When you snack, don’t reach into a jar or bag for repeat handfuls, Instead, measure a single serving snack to enjoy. When you eat a full meal, consider using a 9-inch plate, which will help you resist the temptation to fill a larger plate.

Be a Smart Shopper—Plan a weekly menu and use it as a shopping guide. When you’re at the store, avoid the candy and sugary drinks aisles. Instead, start in the produce section. Also, don’t shop when you’re hungry.

Dine Out with Care—Restaurant portions can be huge! Be mindful of your regular portion size, and ask for a to-go container or share your meal. Another good tip is to eat your veggies first, to help fill you up. You can also ask for food to be prepared in a healthy manner and request sauces and dressings on the side.

Limit Added Sugar—Most of us eat far more sugar than our bodies need. The recommended daily allowance of sugar is 6 teaspoons for women and 9 teaspoons for men. The new food labels coming out in July will show added sugar, which will be helpful for those paying attention to their intake.

News, Past Events

Chamber Celebrates the Season at Holiday Luncheon

The Evergreen Park Chamber of Commerce welcomed new directors to its leadership and honored a longtime volunteer at its annual Holiday Luncheon on December 12.

Longtime resident and volunteer Virginia Wrobel was named Evergreen Park’s 2018 Citizen of the Year for her dedicated years of service in the community and especially for her work with senior citizens.

Wrobel was the first director of the Evergreen Park Office of Citizen Services, a position she held for 15 years. She also is the founder of several service organizations in Evergreen Park, including our Food Pantry and a local chapter of Meals on Wheels.

Accepting the award, Wrobel thanked the hundreds of volunteers and village employees who have worked with her over the years. Every department willingly contributes to programs that Wrobel has been involved with over the years, “and with smiles on their faces,” she said.

“We are blessed in this village to have such a means of cooperating and working with each other,” Wrobel said. “And for me, it’s just a work of love.”

The 2018 Directors of the Chamber are:

Maria Cantu-Dougala, First Midwest Bank

Laura Freeman, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services

Jeseña Hernandez, First National Bank of Evergreen Park

Sean Kelly, State Farm

Dr. Robert Machak, Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124

Frank Monreal, US Bank

Ginger Morgan, Thompson & Kuenster Funeral Home

Thomas O’Malley, Evergreen Park Community High School District 231

Jeannette Orejel, First American Bank

Bruce Smith, B Allan Graphics

Pam Waldrom, Academy of Self Defense

Chad Weiler, Little Company of Mary Hospital

Stephanie Welch, Humana

Past Events

Community Celebration Kicks Off Holiday Season

Thanks to all of the families and community members who came out on December 1 to celebrate the beginning of the holiday shopping season in Evergreen Park. The Central Middle School choir gave a beautiful Christmas concert, and children took pictures of Santa. Thanks to our host, First National Bank of Evergreen Park!

Christina Musial, Danny Rosell and Jeseña Hernandez of First National Bank of Evergreen Park, posing with Santa, graciously hosted the Community Celebration.

The Evergreen Park Central Middle School choir performs a selection of Christmas carols.

Evergreen Park Chamber of Commerce President Nicki Seidl welcomes community members and reminds them to support local businesses by choosing to shop within the community.

Chamber officials (L to R) Laura Shallow, Brian McKeown, Nicki Seidl, Tom Ollenburger, and Michele Carmona

Networking Opportunity, News, Past Events

EP Chamber Members Come for Breakfast, Leave with Education

The Evergreen Park Chamber of Commerce hosted an informative Chamber Membership Breakfast on September 13, bringing business members together with local school officials to share information and exchange ideas.

Dr. Robert Machak, Superintendent of Evergreen Park Elementary School District 124, hosted the Chamber event at Central Middle School. He provided a delicious breakfast prepared by School District 124’s Director of Food Services Deb Michicich. The event included energetic performances by the Central Middle School band and award-winning choir, as well as networking and a presentation by District 124 administration officials on the state of the schools.

The four elementary schools and one middle school in Evergreen Park have seen a surge in enrollment over the past four years. The district’s student body has increased by 7 percent, adding some 127 children, according to Tim Kostecki, Director of Business Services for District 124. As a result, the district is financially strong and foresees continued growth.

School officials also reported on the district’s three-year strategic plan and on topics including school culture, buildings and grounds, safety, technology, curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

Networking Opportunity, Past Events, Upcoming Events

Networking Breakfast Highlights Upgrades at High School

The Evergreen Park Chamber of Commerce hosted a networking breakfast at Evergreen Park Community High School on May 17 that was open to all current, new, and prospective members. All enjoyed a delicious buffet while Thomas O’Malley, Superintendent of District 231, highlighted exciting upgrades to the curriculum and facility. Afterward everyone toured the school, which included a visit to the new, state-of-the-art workout and weight room.

Your next opportunity to connect with fellow members of the business community is at our Lunch and Learn event on Friday, June 22 at noon at the Evergreen Park Public Library, 9400 S Troy. Digital marketing professionals Jim and Laurie Cleary of the Argus Internet Company will share their expertise on how to present your business online. A catered lunch will be provided. Register here.

Past Events

EPCC Holiday Luncheon a Community Celebration

The Evergreen Park Chamber of Commerce closed out 2017 with a festive holiday party at Beverly Country Club on Dec. 13. Chamber members introduced a new group of officers and directors and presented Evergreen Park Mayor James Sexton with their Citizen of the Year award.

Guests also enjoyed a luncheon, a performance by the Evergreen Park High School Madrigals Choir, and a presentation of the school’s Snow Queen and Court.

New Chamber President Nicki Seidl spoke directly to members, encouraging them to do more in 2018 to strengthen the town’s economic base.

“Keep the Green in Evergreen is a mandate,” Seidl said. “We are responsible for sustaining economic prosperity in Evergreen Park. The foundation of that prosperity is a healthy, vibrant, diverse, and engaged community. It’s that important and it takes more than 13 members on a board of directors to accomplish.”

She challenged members to volunteer their time to help sustain economic prosperity in Evergreen Park through the Chamber of Commerce. “When someone asks, ‘What does the Chamber do for me?’ Say, ’Not as much as it can do with your active participation.’ And then invite them to get involved,” she said.

Interested in joining the Chamber? Explore the benefits of membership today!