January 2017

www.avachamber.org

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Chamber Officers President: Anita Madche

V P: Richard Sturgeon

Secretary: Nancy Lawler

Treasurer: Betty Ridenour

Board Members Bart Ellison, Gail Huffman

Kenny Fleetwood, Amy Porter

Danny Letsinger, Jared Smith

Garith Dedmon, Caryl Stillings

Glenda Little, Sheldon Shaver

Richard Salgado

Office Staff Judy Shields, Director

Nina Carter, Office Assistant

Chamber Board Meetings are held on the second Monday

of each month. To be a guest or

add an item to the agenda,

please contact the Chamber

office.

Chamber Luncheons are held on the second Tuesday

of each month at 12:00 and are

complimentary to members.

Contact the office for infor-

mation on hosting a Luncheon.

Economic Development Meetings held on the first

Monday of each month at 5:30.

Contact Us 810 S.W. 13th Avenue

PO Box 1103 Ava, MO

417-683-4594

1/5 EDC Meeting

1/9 Chamber Board Mtng.

1/10 Chamber Luncheon

1/12 Ava Citizens Action League Meeting

12/30 and 1/2 Chamber Office Closed

“Thank You”

Christmas Parade

Sponsors!

Your generous donations to the

Christmas Parade fund offsets the

cost and makes it possible to

continue this long-standing

holiday tradition.

Ava Building Supply

Caryl and Steve Stillings

Century Bank

Clinkingbeard Funeral Homes

David Coday State Farm Ins

Douglas County Community Foundation

Heath & Son Feed and Supply

Home Pride Bank

Latour Advisory Group

First General

Baptist

Church Float

Wins $400

Grand Prize

in Ava

Christmas

Parade

More float winner

photos on page 4.

The Ava Chamber of Commerce also wishes to thank: Joe Corum & KKOZ Ra-

dio, Santa & his Elves, Parade Judges, Chamber Board Members, Volunteers

and Participants, Teresa and Ron Tost, Amy Porter, Terry Lee, Nina Carter,

and the Ava Police Department, Douglas County Sherriff's Department, MO

Highway Patrol, and the City of Ava for keeping our parade route safe.

McDonalds of Ava

Norma Stillings

Rockbridge Trout Ranch

Scrivener Oil Co.

Scroll Compressors

Thomas and Douglas CPA

Photo by Keith Moore

Page 2

Chamber Luncheon!

January 10th at 12:00

Hosted by: Girl Scouts of the

Missouri Heartland

Location: Lions Club bldg.

Upcoming Luncheons

February 14th- Town &

Country Bank

March 14th- Douglas County

Community Foundation

Koala Bear Daycare &

Learning Center

(417) 683-1085

From The Mayor’s Desk

City of Ava News

Re: Electrical Rates

Eight or nine years ago, the city of Ava left

Sho-Me-Power and joined another power suppli-

er. Sho-Me-Power has a board of directors that

is composed of members from several surround-

ing Rural Electric companies like White River,

Se-Ma-No, Howell Oregon, and others. Since

moving to a new supplier, we have had zero in-

creases in our rates while others have had sev-

eral increases during that time.

If you use 1500 Kilowatts or less, your city bill

will be 20 or 30 cents below White River Electric

charges. We have 1195 electric meters in the

City of Ava. In the month of August, 83 % of

our users used 1500 kilowatts or less, Septem-

ber the percent was 87, and 97 percent in the

month of October. This shows us the percentage

of people in the city that pay an electric bill that

is under the normal White River Electric

charge. If you use over 1500 kilowatts, then

White River begins to be less expensive. We

have to use their electric lines and poles and we

rightfully pay for that service. This line pay-

ment is most of the difference between White

River Electric and Ava rates.

Remember to notice that your water and sew-

er charges are added together with our electric

charges. Also remember, White River Electric

Kilowatt rates are less than ours, but they post

an initial $28.00 dollar administration fee on

the bill and then add the electrical usage and

that increases their overall electrical charges.

We have several White River Electric custom-

ers inside the city limits, and I am one of them.

I have no complaint and my service is excellent.

It is our goal to provide service within the city

that is equal to White River Electric. We are

always glad to talk about our electric rates.

If anyone has questions, please don’t hesitate

to contact us or visit us here at City Hall. Some-

one is always here from 8AM to 5PM Monday

through Friday. The number at City Hall is 417-

683-5516.

Sincerely,

Mayor David Norman

2017 Chamber

Membership Dues

need to be in our

office in January!

We look forward to working for

you again in the coming year!

Page 3

graph and tell us why that individual de-

serves to receive this honor. Please include

a list of his or her involvement in communi-

ty activities, events, and organizations.

Nominations for both awards may be sub-

mitted to the Ava Chamber of Commerce

office located at 810 SW 13th Avenue, by

mail at PO Box 1103, Ava MO 65608, or by

email at director@avachamber.org. Nomina-

tions close February 15, 2017.

The Ava Chamber of Commerce - Going Strong After 81 Years of Service!

Established in 1935, by W.I. Barker, Ray

Hailey, J.E. Curry, and Dr. Fred Schudy,

the Ava Area Chamber of Commerce was

organized to promote local businesses, tour-

ism, and industry, and to further communi-

ty growth and development. Eight decades

later, the Chamber and its Board of Direc-

tors proudly continue in this endeavor. Over

the years, the Chamber has experienced

steady growth in memberships and commu-

nity support through the partnership of lo-

cal businesses, individuals, and organiza-

tions. With 26 new members joining in

2016, the Ava Chamber is now 220 mem-

bers strong, the largest membership roster

to date! The Chamber accomplishes much

for Ava and Douglas County through the

active participation of its members and

through the financial partnership of the

City of Ava. May we, as citizens, continue to

support our local businesses who are the

cornerstone of our community’s economic

stability, by shopping in Ava whenever pos-

sible. Together, we can keep our local econo-

my strong and thriving for many years to

come!

Nominations Being Accepted to

Recognizing Outstanding Citizens

of Ava/Douglas County

The John N. Dickison Award, established in

1989, is awarded each year by the Ava Area

Chamber of Commerce in recognition of a Doug-

las County citizen of good reputation, who has

longevity in community service and dedication

to our community.

Past recipients of the John N. Dickinson Award

are: John Dickinson, Homer Harley, Daisy Ellis,

Rev. J.D. Moles, J.G. Heinlein, Goldie Oxley, Ro-

sie Harris, Troy Herd, Fred Spurlock, Harry

Williams, Marvin Gentry, Rev. Will Haven, Dr.

Harlan, Herman Davis, Mary Alice Emerson,

Trellis Dewhirst, James Curry, David Norman,

Mary Martha Williams, Edwin Hailey, Danny

Letsinger, Don Haught, Norma Stillings, Don-

ald Pinckney, Rev. Tom Johnson, Glenda Little,

Carol Cunningham, and James T. (Jim) Staf-

ford.

The Will McFarlin Youth Award, established

in 1995, is awarded to recognize an outstanding

high school youth of good reputation, recogniz-

ing his or her community service and dedication

to our community.

Past recipients of the Will McFarlin Award are:

Will McFarlin, Joy Uhles, Clint Overstreet, Jere-

my Coats, Stephanie Colburn, Bridgette Loftin,

Crystal Gooden, Kelsey Van Dyne, Aaron Stan-

ton, Eric Stephens, Sara Luna, Kayla Hinrichs,

Rocky Valentine, Andrew Wallace, Ben Watson,

John Spurlock, Zohn Engelhardt, Samantha

Dobbs, Ethan Potter, Lucas Tabor, Hannah

Johnson, Jimmy Roffman, McKenzie Mitchell,

Lacy Diel, and Rachel Veenstra.

The Chamber of Commerce will be honoring

these two award recipients at the annual

Chamber of Commerce Membership &

Awards Banquet in the spring.

If you know of an individual who fits one of

the above descriptions, write a short para-

Page 4

Holiday Lighting

Contest Winners!

Business

Winners receive free, full-

color ads in the 2017 Ava Community Guide

1st Place - 1/2 Page Ad: Jean’s Healthway

2nd Place - 1/4 Page Ad: Longdollar Furniture

3rd Place - 1/8 Page Ad: Ava Drug

Store/Walgreens

Residential

1st Place Winner of $100 Prize: Jay & Carrie

McIntosh

2nd Place Winner of $75 Prize: Joe Cox

3rd Place Winner of $50 Prize: Terry & Cindy

Henderson

Honorable Mentions: Spurgeon, Frisby, and

Whitchey residents

Other Christmas Parade Winners!

Best Decorated UTV, ATV, Golf Cart, etc.

1st Place – United Country Area Land Realty

2nd Place – Toots the Train –Lions Club

3rd Place – Jamie Holland

Best Decorated Automobiles

1st Place – Whiddon Air & Electrical

2nd Place – Bumper to Bumper

3rd Place – Warren Osterly

Best Decorated Horses

1st Place – Kaitlyn Rowe

2nd Place – Tayor Long

3rd Place – Ronna Long

MPOWR wins $200 1st place prize.

Jean’s Healthway wins 1st Prize in store-

front holiday lighting contest.

Dehner Stables/Fox Trotters wins

$150 2nd place prize.

Eagles Lodge wins $100

3rd place prize.

Page 5

The MOCH Wellness Center Classes: Martial

Arts~ Thursday at 6pm; Silver Sneakers~ Tues-

day & Thursday at 10am; Weight Watchers~

Thursday at 5pm. Zumba ~Monday 9am and

6pm, Tuesday 6:45pm, Wednesday 9am, Thurs-

day 6pm, Friday at 9am, and Saturday at

9:45am. Call about membership rates, programs,

and gym availability. More info at 417-683-5739.

St Leo's Catholic Church and the Knights

of Columbus would like to thank all of those

who helped with the pulled pork dinner at the

church on December 10th. Your help and dona-

tions were greatly appreciated.

The Ava Citizens Action League will hold

their monthly meeting on January 12th at 6:30

pm at Jean’s Healthway on the Ava Square. An-

yone interested in participating in various im-

provement projects for the Square and our com-

munity are welcome to attend.

Rockbridge has immediate openings! Looking

for a new opportunity? Come to our job fair to be

held on Saturday, January 14th from 10 to 2 and

on Tuesday, January 17th from 4 to 7 p.m. to

learn all about what our resort has to offer for

job opportunities. Applicants will receive an on

the spot interview with our management team.

Positions we will be hiring for will be: House-

keeping, Reservation Specialists, Cooks, Dish-

washers, Bartenders, Hostesses, Servers, and

Hatchery. For more information please contact

Jennifer Register at jen@rockbridgemo.com or

417.679.3619.

Massage & Body Works is introducing a new

treatment! Come in during the month of Janu-

ary to experience a one-hour massage featuring

“Peppermint Flurry” (Body Scrub & Lotion in-

fused with Peppermint Oil). Peppermint is great

for muscle soreness and overall wellness!

Call 417-683-1860 to schedule your appointment

at Massage & Body Works today! Gift certifi-

cates also available for that unique and perfect

pampering gift!

Lions Club of Ava– Next meeting is January

16th. Monthly meetings are the 1st & 3rd Mon-

days at 6:30pm. Everyone Welcome! Do you have

a heart for our community and want to contrib-

ute to making it a better place? Come and see

what the Ava Lions are all about. Call Richard at

417-683-2885 or 417-543-8939 for more infor-

mation. Located at 309 N Jefferson Street.

Prime Care of Ava has an announcement you

don’t want to miss! Effective January 1st, Prime

Care of Ava will be open on Saturdays from 9AM

to 2PM!

The Ava Art Guild is closed for the winter sea-

son. It will re-open the second Saturday of March

and offer free monthly art workshops and various

art shows! Plan to join us! See you then!

Murney Associates Realtors and Joanne

Coutchie has been helping families sell and buy

homes for over 30 years! Just this year she has

helped 59 families sell or buy a home. She also

provides free services for sellers like a Compara-

tive Market Analysis or a free home buying coun-

seling session for buyers. Call Joanne Today

at 417-935-4360. Murney Associates Realtors,

Seymour

Precision Detail Shop, LLC has added auto

customizing to their portfolio, taking everyone’s

vehicle to the next level with audio and video en-

hancements, cold air performance, and accesso-

ries that will separate your car from the rest of

the pack. Precision Detail Shop now also has the

ability to remove smoke and other odors by utiliz-

ing an ozone generator to strip smells from your

interior. Call Precision Detail Shop today at 417-

543-1756, and schedule your appointment!

J & R Sand & Gravel sends seasons greetings!

As this holiday season begins and the 2016 year

ends, the team at J & R Sand & Gravel wishes

you and your family happiness, love, and peace.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Call us

at 417-683-1728 for your 2017 projects!

Chamber Member News

Ava Area Chamber of Commerce 810 SW 13th Avenue

P.O. Box 1103

Ava, MO 65608

Utilize Your Chamber Benefits to the Fullest!

Membership Directory & Community Guide - Two free list-

ings in our annually published business directory; opportunity

for additional paid advertising.

Chamber Newsletter - List announcements or event infor-

mation for your business.

Weekly “E-Blast” Ad Page - Publish your ad at a low-cost,

member’s only rate.

Website - Listing in online Business Directory with map loca-

tion.

Chamber Referrals - We always refer to our Chamber business

members first.

Chamber Luncheon - Offers networking opportunities to all

Chamber members.

Online Events Calendar and Facebook Page - Your events

added for more exposure

Lobby Service - Display business cards, brochures, and flyers.

Contact Judy or Nina at the Chamber office. They are more than

happy to help you maximize the use of these and many other

benefits available to you as a member!

Now also selling appliances as a Sears Home Store, Cooper

Lumber-True Value is a 4 generation full-service hardware store serving the Ava commu-nity since 1939. They feature a complete building center and a full service small engine service center. For over 70 years they have provided the Ava area

with quality building products. They are the only hometown

owned and operated hardware

store and lumber yard in Ava. Ava Businesses and Organizations, for partnering with us. We look forward to working with you and for you in 2017.