I officially became the new owner of thecity1.com, Morrison Online, Monday, February 1, 2010.  My first day began with a trip to Morrison High School to photograph Pace Setters Ellie Ligons and Brittany Nelson.  Then, Jill Vegter called to ask if I would post a photograph of daughter Amber, who met, and was taught by, two Olympic gold medalists over the weekend.  Those became featured Slideshow stories.  I really enjoy writing articles about local youth, so being able to honor three in one morning was a gift.  

A group began to gather for my official ribbon-cutting ceremony, one benefit of joining the Chamber of Commerce.  I received an elegant, black and gold “Member…2010” sign for the office, which I displayed proudly.  The gold logo reflects the ceiling light, so the Chamber sign “sparkles” at me out of the corner of my eye. Bob Vaughn, the former city1.com owner, was a little jealous, because he had not received his classy sign yet.  

Corinne Bender, Chamber Administrator, had invited members to attend the ribbon cutting.  I never thought 10 supporters would willingly leave work, to come stand in the chilly morning on my behalf.  Two others had planned to, but were waylaid by illness.  This is an indication, in my opinion, of the Chamber nurturing new businesses or changes in ownership of established ones.   

Bender’s photo illustrates we were sharing a pleasant moment.  Standing left-to-right are Kent Klima, Frontier Communications General Manager; Todd Mickley and Luke Sandrock, Mickley Insurance; Marsha Dimond, United Way of Whiteside County; Melinda Gonzales, Community State Bank; Michelle Neelans, Tegeler Accounting Services; Marta Bender and Stephanie Vavra, thecity1.com; Aubrey Fisher, Aubrey’s Candles & Gifts; Michelle Meinsma, Community State Bank; Rhonda Biller, Pleasant View Administrator.

Each day offered excitement.  My combination phone, answering machine, and fax arrived.  Christoph Knoerr, our German exchange intern, and Adam Landheer moved my previous office furniture out and a newer set into the room.  Fresh flowers from Tegeler Accounting Services arrived.  I touched up paint and rehung the Norman Rockwell print.

Neelans helped set up my financial accounts.  I received two month’s advertising rental on day one.  “This is fun,” I thought.  Thecity1.com mailbox included a few February payments within the first four days.  Ironically, both Re/Max realtors hand-delivered their payments, so we chatted a bit.  I was actually being paid for work I performed on advertising campaigns during the past four years.  But, I was making money!

My best affirmation came from the people who called, or told, me about interesting news.  I am so grateful for them.  I am amassing a fabulous collection of “cub reporters” who sent information my way recently.  Anyone can become one!  Some of them are:  Nancy Anderson, Corinne and Marta Bender, Fire Chief Dave Benters, Ann Britt, Suellen Girard, Chad Haskell, Audrey Kooi, Jerry and Sally Lindsey, Police Chief Brian Melton, Michelle Neelans, Matt Pratt, Melanie Schroeder, Joy Tegeler, Arlyn Tichler, Bob Vaughn, Jill Vegter, Nadine Venhuizen, Dick Wieneke, Robert Wood, Jean Zinnen, and Mike Zurn.  What a support group!  

Thursday, February 4, I worked with my college intern, Clayton Schuler, on web design for a potential client.  After work I picked up my great friend, Carole Patton, to attend the Chamber Annual Dinner and Meeting.  She presented me with a lovely rubber tree plant for my office.  Cross Creek Golf Course owner Dixie Vegter and her staff had prepared a delicious buffet with a choice of desserts.  The luscious fresh fruit was tempting, but I had to try caramel cheesecake.  

I discovered Corinne Bender is a former florist, as am I.  She created the live-plant table decorations with 2-for-1 plants from K  & R Greenhouse.  Although I did not have the gold bow beneath my chair, to qualify for taking home a plant, Bender urged me to take the left-behind one.  Two nice plants in one day!

There was a wide range of businesses represented at the Annual Meeting and on the 2010 Board of Directors.  That translates to a dynamic group with diverse business needs; it should be interesting working with them.

Retiring Board Members are Jim Thicksten, Farmers National Bank, and Norma Nelson, Retail Service Manager for THE National Bank.  Nelson has served on the Chamber Board for three different terms and became President in 2008.  This was a time when no one was willing to serve, and the future of the Chamber looked dire.  Nelson served again as President in 2009, helping to bring back the Chamber from near extinction.

The guest speaker, Dr. Norm Walzer [in the suit], posed with the 2010 Board Members [front, left-to-right] Lisa Gremba; Louise Clark; Melinda Gonzalez; President Aubrey Fisher; Vice-President Bart Smith; Walzer; Administrator Corinne Bender.  In the back are Chad Haskell; Rhonda Biller; Dr. Suellen Girard; Michelle Meinsma; Rev. Jeff McIlrath; Tim Long.

Dr. Walzer is Senior Research Scholar for Northern Illinois University, Center for Governmental Studies.  His presentation concerned steps to revitalize Morrison, and it included interesting facets of economic changes and opportunities in Whiteside County.

During my first five days as a business owner, I have been overwhelmed with encouragement, congratulations, and “donations” of news information.  There are good days ahead, and I am so grateful to be in this place.  

Call or fax me at the same number [815-772-8718] with news, features, Community Calendar listings, or questions.  As I end the week, you can find thecity1.com on Facebook, thanks to Marta Bender, and you can join Twitter to receive alerts of headlines of all the articles we post.  This online newsmagazine is “out there.”   

I am still the Advertising Manager.  I can help you create a web presence to support your business.  We know our advertising works.  Thecity1.com, Morrison Online, truly is at your service.