NEWS RELEASES

September 10-11, 2009 - DESTINATION WORKSHOP

(Click on Destination Workshop tab at left for
further information and registration information)

September 4-7, 2009 - BLUFF COUNTRY LOOP GARAGE SALERS HIT THE ROAD

The 100-mile garage sale from Winona to parts north of Wabasha has nothing on us!

This year marks the FIRST ANNUAL BLUFF COUNTRY LOOP GARAGE SALE, on Labor Day weekend, September 4-7!  Clean out your attic, your garage, and those jam-packed closets to get ready for this gigantic sale, ‘cause your customers WILL BE COMING!  We want to make sure our visitors come for more than just a few recycled housewares.  Let’s make their stay worthwhile so they can spend some time seeing how beautiful and friendly our community can be!  

The sale is being orchestrated by Historic Bluff Country, in cooperation with area chamber organizations.  The loop runs along Scenic Hwy 16 from Spring Valley through Rushford and on to La Crescent, then back to Preston via Hwy 44. 

‘Don’t have anything to sell?  Take in the beauty of the drive and pick up some treasures along the way!   

 August 1, 2009 - America's Favorite Old-Fashioned Big Top Circus is Coming to Town!

Thanks to the sponsorship of the Rushford Area Chamber of Commerce, Culpepper & Merriweather Circus, America's Favorite Big Top Circus is coming to Rushford on Saturday, August 1, downtown Rushford on Hwy 16 next to the Historic Depot, with two scheduled performances at 2:00 pm and 4:30 pm.

In its 21st season, C&M Circus has become internationally known for quality family entertainment. This authentic One-Ring, Big Top Circus has been featured on National Geographic’s Explorer TV series, Entertainment Tonight, The Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, Arizona Highways Magazine. It has also been featured on the A&E Special: Under the Big Top and most recently, On the Road with Circus Kids, a Nickelodeon special featured on the Nick News Program.

Bring your friends and family out circus morning to watch as a familiar place in your town is transformed into a bustling Circus City. Activity swirls around the grounds as animals are unloaded, the Big Top is erected, and rigging is prepared for performances later in the day. Enjoy the magic and tradition of the American Circus with your family and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Between 9:30 and 10:00 a.m. watch the raising of the Big Top, then stay for the FREE Tour. This presentation offers a unique face-to-face opportunity for families, schools, and interested community members to meet and learn all about the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus family and includes a walking tour of the circus grounds. Learn interesting facts about our performers, the history of our show and the different species of animals in our Circus Family. In this presentation we will also address topics such as hygiene, grooming and the veterinary care all of our animals receive.

In recent years the Tent Raising and Morning Tour has become a popular program for families and interested community members. It is presented in a way everyone, young and old can learn many interesting facts about the Culpepper & Merriweather Circus Family. This is a special part of Circus Day that should not be missed.

On circus day, our performers bring the magic of the circus to life in each 90-minute show. This year’s lineup includes an All-Star group of performers and entertainers. Our performers are sure to amaze and delight audience members of all ages.

SAVE MONEY by purchasing your tickets in advance. Advance tickets are available at: Rushford Foods, Associated Bank, Kwik Trip and Pam’s Corner. Prices for advance tickets are $6.00 for children ages 2 to 12, children under 2 are always free, and $8.00 for adults. On show day tickets will be $7.00 and $11.00 for children and adults, respectively. Buy your tickets early and save. For more information, please contact the sponsor listed above at (507) 864-1113 or call 866 BIG TOP 6.

Circus Day Schedule (times may vary):
Between 9:30 & 10:00 a.m. – Tent Raising & FREE Tour
1:00 p.m. Midway & Box Office Open (rides, moonbounce, concessions and more)
2:00–3:30 p.m. – First Show 4:30-6:00 p.m. – Second Show

Culpepper & Merriweather Circus
P.O. Box 813, Hugo, OK 74743
(580) 326-8833 Fax (580) 326-8866
E-mail info@cmcircus.com  

March/April 2009

Chamber Board of Directors Elected For 2009

What a great Annual Meeting on March 13! Our thanks to Daryl Thompson for arranging for Dick Jonckowski to join us, mingle with members and provide us
with some belly-shaking humor. Thanks, also, to Judy Christian and her staff for the wonderful meal, for the delightful dinner music provided by Kerry Klungtvedt, and for all the promotion, decorating, and accounting carried out by the Board members to make the evening very special for nearly 100 Chamber members
and others.

We want to also thank Heather Larson, our outgoing Executive Director, for the fine job she has done during a very difficult flood recovery year. Since mid-January, she has been replaced by Valencia (Val) Gaddis, who is a Rushford
native who has recently returned to the community from Winona.

New directors who were voted in during the evening include Nan Lesser of Rush Creek Ltd, Kris Peterson of Labrador Construction, Rodney Thompson of Digital River Communications, and Angie Brown of Forget-Me-Not Floral & Gift.

Continuing Board members include Daryl Thompson of Paramed Services, Letitia Kopperud of Norm’s Electric, Lee Humble of Good Shepherd Lutheran Services, Gary Hoff of Hoff Funeral Services, Kathy Zacher of City of Rushford, and Sharon Rustad of SEMCAC. Seats held by Pam Brand and Judy Christian were vacated.

During the Board meeting on April 9, 2009, the following officers were elected: Nan Lesser replaces Lee Humble as President, Rodney Thompson replaces Daryl Thompson as Vice President, and Kathy Zacher continues as combination Secretary and Treasurer, with Letitia Kopperud offering her services as a backup secretary.

CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO THE NEW DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS!