The Washington Farmers’ Market will officially open its 2021 season on Saturday, April 3.  Visitors can find a great selection of locally grown seasonal bedding plants and produce, plus baked goods, jams/jellies/honey, meat, eggs, and handcrafted items.  The market is open Saturdays, 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the open-air pavilion at 317 West Main Street in downtown Washington.

Over 30 vendors have registered for permits for the 2021 season.  Applications for new vendors are available at www.washmomarket.com or can be requested from info@washmomarket.com or from the Chamber of Commerce Office (636-239-2715).
 
The Sprouts Kids Club will again be offered at the market, beginning in May.  Members of the club, children ages 3-10, can check-in at the Sprouts table each week and receive two $1 tokens to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at the market.  On-site activities for participants are being planned.  Participants must be registered once a year for the free program.  Pre-registration is available now at washmomarket.com/sprouts, or parents can register children while visiting the market beginning May 1.  The Sprouts Club is made possible through many generous sponsors, including Altemueller Jewelry, Bank of Franklin County, Bank of Washington, KLPW AM 1220/92.7 FM, Cassette Electric, Citizens Bank, Deppe Farms, DMR Events, First Choice Facilities, Hillermann Nursery & Florist, KFAV 99.9 FM, Little Smiles of Washington, Eric Park & George Meyer with LPL Financial, USA Mortgage – Leesmann Mortgage Team, and Mark & Joyce Wessels.   Businesses and/or individuals interested in sponsoring or volunteering with the program should contact Amanda Griesheimer at the Chamber Office (636-239-2715 x106, info@washmomarket.com). 
 
Market customers are encouraged to stay up-to-date with Farmers’ Market news by following the market Facebook page.

On Friday, February 26, Four Rivers Career Center in Washington hosted a signing day ceremony to recognize 33 Youth Registered Apprentices and 10 Apprentice-Elects.  Watch the Ceremony here!  Leaders representing the community, apprentice's parents, FRCC instructors and elected officials, as well as Wade Johnson (Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship) and Commissioner Zora Mulligan (Dept. of Higher Education and Workforce Development) were present to celebrate the students' achievements.  Over the past six months, staff at the career center has worked closely with City of Washington and Chamber Officials to develop partnerships with local businesses and accelerate the youth-focused apprenticeship program.

​Cynthia Walker was hired as the Apprenticeship Coordinator and has been impressed with the way the community has embraced the apprenticeship model.  "I'm amazed at the achievements we can make when we all work together as a team.  The vision of YRA has been a long held initiative for our administration, school board, employers, and our local/state officials, with a purpose to bolster our economy and fill the needed workforce skills gap.  Our FRCC Director, Andy Robinson, has helped put feet to that vision and provided the initiative for the community relationships, the leadership, as well as the many provisions to move this chapter of career and technical education forward."

Governor Mike Parson and Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe, both supporters of apprenticeship and other programs to help narrow the skills gap, were unable to attend the ceremony due to scheduling conflicts.  Gov. Parson has plans to visit FRCC for a tour in the future, and Lt. Gov. Kehoe provided a video address for the ceremony, stating, "CTE (Career & Technical Education) students are a vital resource to Missouri's thriving economy today, tomorrow, and the future because our state needs a strong skilled, and highly motivated workforce to compete in the world's marketplace." 

Wade Johnson of the U.S. Department of Labor/Office of Apprenticeship had wonderful things to say about the greater Washington community and Four Rivers Career Center.  Before presenting the official certification of the FRCC Apprenticeship Program, he stated, "City and Business organizations.  This is the perfect storm in a positive way of things that need to happen to not only develop an apprenticeship program, but to have it be sustainable." 

His words about the students, however, were a highlight of the day, and proof that Four Rivers Career Center is living and fulfilling its mission to provide a quality education with real life experiences and opportunities to achieve a higher standard of living for a diverse student population using authentic hands-on learning modeled by knowledgeable and caring instructors.

Johnson stated, "I wish I was as confident and talented in high school as what I've seen today.  And it's not just the apprentices.  The kids that gave us tours... They were very sure of what they wanted to do and how they wanted to prepare themselves for the workforce, for becoming productive, contributing members of society, forging their own path to the middle class.  It inspires me, and it gives me hope for the future."

Room for Art Gallery celebrated its Grand Opening on Monday, March 1 at 124 West Main Street in Downtown Washington.  The Gallery, owned by JoAnn (Peters) McCoy showcases the work of sixteen Missouri artists throughout the 2,000 square foot space.  

Devin Henderson is a multi-talented powerhouse: an author, experienced presenter and seasoned performer, having logged thousands of performances as an award-winning comedian and magician, and an in-demand keynote speaker. His unique combination of skills and storytelling and his hilarious and engaging interaction are what make him an audience favorite. His keynote clients have included Pepsi, Sprint, Cerner and hundreds more. His performances have been called, "unreal," "unexpected," and "unforgettable."  

"Something Greater Is Always Possible"
What would you do and who you be if you believed anything was possible for you? For many people a once-held vision of unlimited possibility gets small and limited as a result of life’s daily stressors, persistent insecurities, self doubt, isolation and even failure. But what if you could reclaim and even expand your full potential at anytime? And what if your truest potential was bigger, richer and more satisfying than you had previously envisioned? Join seasoned speaker and performer, Devin Henderson for an entertaining, funny, and inspiring experience to break free of your perceived limits and realize your greatness like never before.
 
You’ll learn how to:

• Overcome common fears and challenges that can keep you from your greatness.
• Attain a seemingly impossible goal, without getting in your own way or giving up.
• Rethink what’s possible and discover success and fulfillment beyond what you would ever imagine.

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More Info on the Banquet:

• Date:  Saturday, April 10
• Time: 6:00 p.m. Cocktails, 7:00 p.m. Dinner
• Tickets:  $50/person
• ​RSVP to: Cheryl (636-239-2715 x102)

Jennifer Giesike, President/CEO of the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce and manager of the Washington Town & Country Fair, has been elected the 2nd Vice Chair of the International Association of Fairs and Expositions.  The IAFE is a voluntary, not-for-profit trade association that represents and facilitates the evolving interests and needs of agricultural fairs, exhibitions, and shows (i.e. county and state fairs) around the globe.  The association delivers industry-leading educational programming through training and certification programs, conferences, and its annual convention, provides in-depth resources, and connects members with the belief that fairs are strongest when working together and sharing knowledge.

The Washington Town & Country Fair has been a member of the IAFE since 1996.  Giesike stated, “I know that our Fair has benefitted greatly from its membership.  Board and staff members have gained and developed specific tools and ideas from attending IAFE events, and our Fair is better as a result of that.” 

Giesike has been actively involved in IAFE activities since starting as the Fair Coordinator in 2000, taking advantage of the education and networking opportunities available.  She received her Certified Fair Executive certification in April 2008 and graduated in the first class of the Institute of Fair Management in December 2009.  She has served as the Zone 5 Director, Co-Chair of the Young Professionals Initiative, Chair of the 2019 IAFE Annual Convention Program Committee, CFE Committee, the Membership Committee, and the County Fair Committee, and was awarded the first IAFE YP Rising Star Award in December 2009. 
“The IAFE has been key to my development as a professional in this industry, so to have the opportunity to help guide the organization for the next five years is a distinct honor,” said Giesike.  “It’s a great opportunity to give back to the industry that I’m so passionate about, and help ensure the future of fairs is as bright as ever.”

Giesike will work her way up to the position of Chairman of the IAFE in 2023, and then serve two additional years on the board.  The IAFE board of directors consists of 18 elected members and the president and CEO selected by the board as an ex-officio director. The directors include a chair, two immediate past chairs, two vice chairs, a treasurer, a representative of the Federation of State and Provincial Associations of Fairs, a representative of the Canadian Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, eight directors elected from and representing each of the eight zones in the United States and Canada, and two directors at large from associate members.  IAFE President & CEO Marla Calico is happy to have Giesike step into the position.  “It’s been a joy to watch Jennifer grow in her fair expertise over the years, and her love of the industry is evident in how she carries herself.  She’s a great supporter of our organization, and isn’t afraid to dig into the hard work that is required.  She is the first Chair in many years that comes from the background of a smaller fair – yet fairs similar to the Washington Town & Country Fair represent 45% of our total membership. I look forward to the perspective she will add to our discussions, and the positive attitude she brings.

Jennifer has been employed by the Washington Area Chamber of Commerce for 20 years, serving as the Chamber President/CEO and Fair manager since 2012.  She oversees the day-to-day operations which include entertainment contracts, sponsorships, scheduling, finances, volunteers, and working closely with a 24- member volunteer Fair Board and a 16-member Chamber Board. 

Fair Chairman Jon Ballmann pointed out that Jennifer’s selection is quite an accomplishment.  “To be chosen out of everyone in the organization – that’s a big deal.  We’re proud of the work we do here, and we think we run a great fair.  To have our manager be selected by her peers to serve in this capacity is a great honor for her, as well as for our fair and community.” 
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“Jennifer has dedicated much of her personal and professional life to the Washington Town & Country Fair, and the industry has provided her many opportunities,” added Chamber Chairman Paul Brune.  “We’re happy to have been able to benefit from those opportunities, too.  She is a great asset to our organization, and we are proud of her.  I know she will serve the IAF

The new smart branch will perfectly meld the high level of friendly service our customers are accustomed to with a range of technological solutions to provide full-service transactions.  New features include:

• Next-generation wireless technology which will enable employees to provide on-the-spot assistance anywhere in the lobby and deliver a more personal level customer service;
• Two, handicap-accessible, digital tech bars which will enable employees to offer one-on-one assistance and tutorials on customers’ personal devices when setting up internet or mobile banking personal features;
• Interactive Teller Machines (ITM) in the two-lane drive up to allow remote connection to a human banker, and are able to complete nearly every transaction you are accustomed to at a traditional teller line including cashing a check down to the penny;
• A walk-up ITM on the exterior of the building to serve customers who wish to quickly and conveniently transact business without having to enter the lobby;
• Teller Cash Machines that can dispense cash allowing our universal bankers to process transactions more quickly; and
• Dedicated rooms equipped with built-in teleconferencing capabilities which will allow our universal bankers to provide face-to-face service to customers who prefer a remote option. 

Buhr continued by stating, “The digital advances we’re going to introduce at this smart branch will not simply be add-ons to outdated banking practices, but rather they are designed to be enhancements to our current banking culture. We’re here to create a welcoming experience where customers feel comfortable transacting business and receiving financial guidance no matter which channel they choose.”
Once completed, the two-story, 15,000 square foot structure will include a retail banking center and two smaller rental units on the first floor.  The bank will occupy 75% of the building with backroom operations claiming space on the second floor. 

With construction anticipated to start at the beginning of February, it will be necessary to close the current Rabbit Trail location on January 30, 2021. Other locations will remain open with normal hours of operations.  As of today, lobbies are only accessible by appointment to ensure the safety of employees and customers during this pandemic. 
While the future impact the pandemic will have on our communities is uncertain, the bank eagerly looks forward to being able to reopen their lobbies and welcome their customers back.

The bank has enlisted the services of Washington Engineering & Architecture, Inc. and Jasper Builders, Inc. to complete this project.  ​
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