Yorktown Chamber of Commerce

Monthly Meeting

January 17, 2017

Mellott Family Center

 

INTRODUCTION AND WELOME: Tim Williams, Barbara Baker, Al Baker, Donna Penticuff, Bonita Ramirez, Sarah McCord, Carolyn “Buffy” Grieves, Chris Day, Diana Smiley, Leslie Baim, Ed Armantrout, Pamela Peery, Mary Ann Stroeh, Rich Lee, Starr Manning, Pete Olson, Keith Gary, Jennifer Groves, Carolyn Case, Maureen Walby, Mark Goodpaster, Rick Yencer, Mike Blanch, Dennis Nixon, Melissa Bucur

 

QUESTION OF THE DAY:        Did you make a New Year’s resolution? A few responded that they had made a resolution; most admitted they had not.

 

BREAKFAST SPONSOR:          Morrison Woods Health Campus – Melissa Bucur – Marketing and Outreach for the senior living community provided a brief overview of services offered by the community including a pre-habilitation program that prepares seniors for optimum levels of health and fitness as they anticipate up-coming surgical procedures. The senior living community is involved in many fundraising efforts including Motivate Our Minds, Boys and Girls Club, and Second Harvest Food Bank. Bucur provided information about the upcoming Chocolate Celebration on February 3, with all proceeds to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank.

 

SECRETARY REPORT:             Approved as submitted.

 

TREASURER REPORT:             Approved as submitted.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS:          Sign up continues for Four for the Fourth. Registrants can sign up at any time on the website and sponsors for the event are welcome.

 

TOWN REPORT:                     Pete Olson – Town meeting moved to January 22, due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. Snow removal budget ahead of schedule. Tearing down of 9312 W. Smith St. beginning soon, with that as possible site for the Town Hall.

 

PROGRAM:                             Dennis Nixon, Nixon Farming – Nixon Farming began in 1946 when Nixon’s father began his operation in Delaware County, moving to the current location in 1950. The farming group currently farms about 4,000 acres. Nixon indicated that equipment improvements have significantly increased farm productivity. Using the 10 foot disc manufactured in 1950 would now require twenty to perform the same work of one disc using today’s technology. Today’s farming equipment is more fuel efficient, emission-friendly, but more costly to purchase with a combine now costing $350,000, 16-row corn planter – $150,000 and tractor $300,000.

Seed is purchased in bulk rather than in individual bags due to the vast improvement of planting capabilities. Soil nutrients are constantly tested with fertilizer applications adjusted to maintain highest crop yield and based on soil testing results. Corn and soy bean yield is much higher because seed is insect and pest resistant. Maintaining this level of control also helps to keep the soil as healthy and productive as possible. Through the years Nixon Farms has employed quite a number of Yorktown High School and college students. Nixon’s daughter is currently a student, attending Purdue University and if she continues with the farming operation, she will be a fourth generation farmer in Delaware County. Nixon Farms produced nearly 350,000 bushels of corn and 120,000 bushels of soybeans in 2016. Nixon then entertained questions from Chamber members.

 

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS: Ball State University Sports will host a 25-year celebration on January 28. A Unity Prayer Service will be held at St. Lawrence Church on January 25, as part of International Christian Unity. Yorktown Town Endowment is accepting applications for not-for-profit organizations for grants of up to $2,500. A ribbon cutting will be held on February 15, at Yorktown Manor, as they celebrate the opening of their Serenity Springs unit.

 

TIP OF THE MONTH: Mark Goodpaster – Saving Money on Food Costs – Goodpaster presented a series of suggestions for saving money which included: purchasing items from the store’s deli near the time the deli will close and taking advantage of price reductions, look for unadvertised store specials, check the per unit price of an item because bigger is not always more economical, use store brands, check other grocery outlets, participate in store coupon programs, look for double coupon specials, use the gas stations at grocery stores, make list of needed items needed to avoid over-buying, and check the grocery specials at drug stores.

 

MEETING ADJOURNED

 

NEXT MEETING:         February 21, 2017 – Bring a Guest!