Marion chamber members learn about ongoing projects
Marion Ampride wins customer service award
Staff writer
Marion's Ampride store, 1225 E. Main, is the winner of the Circle of Pride award for customer excellence, store manager Laura Legg told Marion Chamber of Commerce members Friday during their monthly meeting.
"We're very proud of this award," she said.
The award recognizes branded retail facilities for outstanding customer service.
Other big news for the store is that it sold a ticket for a $100,000 Powerball winner on Oct. 15. That is the biggest winner the local store has had, she said.
Legg reported the store recently has made numerous improvements offering new products and services including a full line of gourmet coffees and flavorings, delicious hot dogs often sold by local groups during fund-raisers, and also E10 ethanol fuel at the pumps.
"The ethanol comes from the plant in Colwich," she said. "Plant producers buy from our area so this is a locally produced product."
The store will be upgraded within three years to be a 24-hour fueling center, and is owned by Farmland Co-op, she said, although the Ampride name soon will be changed to Cenex. That company recently bought out Farmland.
In other matters, the chamber:
— heard two guests were present at the meeting. Those attending were Darryl Thiesen, who will take over as Marion County's new EMS director following the retirement of current director JoAnn Knak, and Shayla Clark, an employee with Hannaford Title Co.
— heard about the Community Christmas and Cute Baby Project. The Community Christmas project provides gifts, wrapping paper, and items for food boxes to needy families.
In recent years, proceeds from Duckwall's Cute Baby contest have been donated to Community Christmas, said Margo Yates, chamber director. Also, a food booth at Art in the Park raised $800 for the project.
"We've had families say they can't believe how much stuff they get," Yates said.
The Community Christmas project also includes angel trees which include the names of children. Interested individuals can take the name of a child from a tree and purchase a Christmas gift for the child. The trees will be set up at the Marion banks.
— heard from Roger Hannaford III that the Farm/City banquet is set for Nov. 24.
— heard a retail sales committee report from Troy Leith who said the committee is planning a pumpkin carving contest Saturday for kids at Seacat True Value.
— heard from Melissa Parmley who reported the Marion County Record again would sponsor children's trick-or-treat at Marion businesses from 3 to 5 p.m. Friday with a costume contest at 5 p.m. (see information in this issue).
She also reported the first six welcome baskets given out to new residents had been well received.
— heard from outgoing city economic development director Susan Cooper who thanked the chamber for their support of her and the various programs she's been involved with over the years.
— heard from chamber director Yates that this year the chamber will sponsor the Marion Elementary Basketball League. She noted coaches are excited and games will be played with four or five different communities. The coaches would like to see each player have a T-shirt and money is needed to purchase shirts, she said.
Yates further noted she has bond information available for anyone interested in helping finance the new assisted living center.
Yates said Kraft Korner would be making Christmas bows to decorate the front entrance of Marion businesses. They'll make and install the bows prior to Thanksgiving for $10. Call 382-2525. Orders are due by Nov. 10.
— Gene Winkler conducted the monthly retail sales drawing. The October winner was Mary Costello.
