M A R C H 2 0 1 7 C H A M B E R I S S U E

F I R S T Q U A R T E R R E V I E W

I read an arti cle online recently questi oning, does ti me really go faster the older we get? Each year seems to pass faster and faster. We can remember, in detail, things that happened in our childhood. It is like those memories are sketched in our brains forever, every detail. But something we did last week is hard to recall the exact moment, or who was there. The arti cle I read suggest that fi rst occasions are novel events and we make more detailed and lasti ng memories of those “fi rsts”. Things like your fi rst date, the birth of your fi rst child, those early family vacati ons. As the years go by, we tend to do the same type of things – kids sporti ng events, same job, same house, same type of vacati ons – you get the point. The mundane of life causes our brain to just see every event just like the past. We aren’t making disti nct memories so ti me just seems to fl y. So what is the key to slowing down and making unforgett able memories? Slow down and focus on the positi ve. Get out of your comfort zone and try something new. Envision your world full of hope and opti mism. Work on your emoti onal intelligence.

In February, the 2017 chamber board members got together for the annual board retreat. Peter van der Hagen, former board member and owner of Edward Jones in town, took us through a fun hour of speed networking. In this hour, we learned many things about our colleagues. For example, did you know, Tim Homar was once a pre-school teacher before becoming an att orney? Or that Rick Sauer with Sauk Prairie Healthcare is a master woodworker in his spare ti me? Stopping to really listen and learn is vital to healthy work and personal relati onships.

Aft erwards, Mary Ann Marx with Wisconsin River Holisti c Professionals facilitated our retreat. She led us through a session called Collaborati ve Connecti ons – Doing What We Do Best. Together! We discussed how our board would collaborate and reach decisions. We discussed crucial conversati ons, which there will be, and how to handle them. And then came the topic of Emoti onal Intelligence – EQ. The ability to identi fy and manage your own emoti ons and the emoti ons of others. The premise of EQ is about YOU. And about how YOU are WITH OTHER PEOPLE. When working with others, do a mood check. Yours and theirs. Other people’s feelings can aff ect our feelings, BUT, we have a choice on how to respond. Just because the last meeti ng with someone was unpleasant, doesn’t mean the next one will be. Don’t carry that baggage into the next meeti ng – mood check and lead with positi vity. The paradigm shift of thinking – there are no “win/lose thinking”, rather, “win/win” and “anything is possible”. Mutual purpose, mutual respect, start with the heart and look for mutuality. Thank you Mary Ann for a great aft ernoon. If your business is looking for a facilitator, I encourage you to contact Mary Ann and develop a retreat model that works for you.

The fi rst quarter of 2017 is quickly coming to a close. How are your goals coming along? Have you been able to focus on you and your personal growth? Don’t let the mundane of life drag you down. At the chamber, members have been busy engaging in many diff erent events. 260 people att ended the annual dinner; 150 members att ended the Chamber Bowl; and 100 more att ended the Economic Outlook. Two lunch-n-learns already, Identi ty Theft and Data Breaches, along with Google Drive Essenti al Training, drew in another 80 members. We enjoyed a great Business Aft er Five at Sauk Prairie Healthcare that engaged another 75 members. 15 new (and seasoned) members joined us to learn how to maximize their chamber benefi ts and our quarterly New Member Boarding. And Get Moving Sauk Prairie? Acti ve and running monthly for seven years, it just keeps getti ng bett er and bett er. Anything and everything goes at this morning networking and educati onal event. In just 59 days, your chamber has hosted 8 events, engaging over 700 members. In additi on, our young connecti on groups held their fi rst event of the year with Trivia Night – lots of fun! Did you choose to parti cipate in any of these events? Did you encourage other members of your

team to engage? Break the mundane. Try something new. Experience “fi rsts” and slow down ti me and enjoy every moment.

Gautama Buddha once said, “Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matt ers most.”

Tywana German, Executi ve DirectorSauk Prairie Area Chamber of Commerce

M A R C H 2 0 1 7 C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S

7 GET MOVINGSAUK PRAIRIEBlue Spoon Cafe550 Water StreetPrairie du Sac, WI 53578

“DREAMING BIG, START SMALL”Sauk Prairie Healthcare260 26th StreetPrairie du Sac, WI 53578

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15 LUNCH-N-LEARN:QPR TRAINING HOW IT CAN HELP YOU AND YOUR CO-WORKERSSauk Prairie School DistrictAdministrative Office440 13th StreetPrairie du Sac, WI 53578

SCORE COUNSELING SESSIONSSauk Prairie Riverway Welcome Center109 Phillips Blvd.Sauk City, WI 53583

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T A X S A V I N G S Y O U C A N ’ T A F F O R D T O F O R G E T

WITH THE 2017 TAX SEASON IN FULL SWING, HERE ARE A COUPLE OF REMINDERS.

BUSINESS RETURNSThe Surface Transportati on and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015 changes the due dates for several types of tax and informati on returns.

Partnership Income Tax Returns. The new due date for partnerships with tax years ending on December 31 to fi le federal income tax returns is March 15. For partnerships with fi scal year ends, tax returns are due the 15th day of the third month aft er the close of the tax year. Under prior law, returns for calendar-year partnerships were due April 15, and returns for fi scal-year part-nerships were due the 15th day of the fourth month aft er the close of the fi scal tax year. The IRS may allow a maximum extension of six months (unti l September 15) for Form 1065 for calendar-year taxpayers. This is up from fi ve months under prior law. So the extension deadline doesn’t change, only the length of the extension.

Corporati on Income Tax Returns. The new deadline for C corporati ons to fi le income tax returns is the 15th day of the fourth month aft er the close of the corporati on’s tax year. In other words, C corporati ons with tax years ending on December 31 must fi le federal income tax returns on or before April 15. Under prior law, such returns were due on the 15th day of the third month aft er close. (S corporati ons must conti nue to fi le returns on the 15th day of the third month aft er close, however.)

IMPORTANT NOTE. Wisconsin has NOT changed the due date of the Corporate returns so they are sti ll due the 15th day of the third month following the close of the tax year. Be aware if you do plan on extending your return a payment for any tax that may be due will need to be sent by this date.

PHISHING AND PHONE SCAMS

Phishing Schemes (Ir-2017-15), which involve fake email or websites that trick taxpayers or practi ti oners into giving personal informati on (such as Social Security numbers, credit card numbers, or bank account numbers) and login or password informati on, leads the list of tax scams for 2017. These schemes have targeted tax practi ti oners, payroll and human resources departments, gov-ernment agencies, and individual taxpayers. Be very aware about clicking on any att achments or links in emails.

(IR-2017-10), The IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry today renewed their warning about an email scam that uses a cor-porate offi cer’s name to request employee Forms W-2 from company payroll or human resources departments. The department then forwards the W-2’s thinking it is their boss or a higher up and all personal informati on on the W-2 is now in the hands of the scammer.

Phone scams (IR-2017-19). The IRS said the number of taxpayers receiving aggressive and threatening phone calls from crimi-nals impersonati ng IRS agents increases during fi ling season. At this ti me of year, the IRS generally sees a surge in scam phone calls that threaten police arrest, deportati on, license revocati on, and other things. Taxpayers should guard against all sorts of con games that arise at any ti me and pick up during tax season. The IRS usually initi ates contact with taxpayers by mail, not by phone, and says it would never threaten any of those things when att empti ng to collect taxes.

THE IRS WILL NEVER:-Call to demand immediate payment using a specifi c payment method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer.

-Generally, the IRS will fi rst mail a bill to any taxpayer who owes taxes.

-Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.

-Demand that taxes be paid without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to questi on or appeal the amount owed.

-Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone

C O N T I N U E D . . .T A X S A V I N G T I P S

EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT AND ADDITIONAL CHILD TAX CREDITAs the IRS begins releasing refunds for taxpayers who claimed the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additi onal Child Tax Credit, the tax agency reminded taxpayers that they should not expect refunds to be available in bank accounts or on debit cards unti l the week of Feb. 27. The additi onal ti me is due to several factors, including weekends, the Presidents Day holiday and the ti me banks oft en need to process direct deposits.

Many of these refunds had been held since the fi ling season started in late January due to new requirements the 2015 Protecti ng Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act.

An Uncertain Future

President Trump’s tax reform plan includes the following changes that would aff ect individuals:

• Reducing the number of income tax brackets from seven to three, with rates on ordinary income of 12%, 25% and 33%, and adapti ng the current rates on long-term capital gains and qualifi ed dividends for the new brackets,

• Eliminati ng the head of household fi ling status,

• Abolishing the net investment income tax,

• Eliminati ng the personal exempti on (though expanding child-related breaks),

• More than doubling the standard deducti on, to $15,000 for singles and $30,000 for married couples fi ling jointly,

• Capping itemized deducti ons at $100,000 for single fi lers and $200,000 for joint fi lers,

• Abolishing the alternati ve minimum tax, and

• Abolishing the federal gift and estate tax, but disallowing the step-up in basis for estates worth more than $10 million.

Proposed changes that would aff ect businesses include:• Reducing the top corporate income tax rate from 35% to 15%,

• Abolishing the corporate alternati ve minimum tax,

• Allowing owners of fl ow-through enti ti es to pay tax on business income at the proposed 15% corporate rate rather than their own individual income tax rate, although there seems to be ambiguity on the specifi cs of how this provision would work.

• Eliminati ng the Secti on 199 deducti on, also commonly referred to as the manufacturers’ deducti on or the domesti c producti on acti viti es deducti on, as well as most other business breaks — but, notably, not the research credit,

• Allowing U.S. companies engaged in manufacturing to choose the full expensing of capital investment or the deducti bility of interest paid, and

• Enacti ng a deemed repatriati on of currently deferred foreign profi ts at a 10% tax rate.

Bear in mind that uncertainty has surrounded the details of President Trump’s tax reform plan. However, during the course of the campaign, some of its provisions have gelled with the House Republicans’ tax plan.

Julie Miller, CPAKollath & Associates, CPA LLC

M E M B E R S P O T L I G H T

Helping People Succeed52weeks of... thanks!

week #46

This week’s “52 Weeks of Thanks” pro�le is Cameo Antique Mall. The Cameo Antique Mall, owned by Deborah Skowronski, �rst opened their doors Novem-

ber of 2002. Since then the mall has grown to two full �oors of antiques and collectibles. You can �nd treasures from every era starting from early Victorian times all the way through to Mid-Century Modern. They also have a large room devoted to used books and records. The Mall also has specialty cleaning prod-

ucts, displays, and chimneys and shades for a variety of lamps. Cameo also o�ers several services such as an active wish list, gift certi�cates, consignment

options and jewelry repair. Recently Cameo became part of Ruby Lane, which is an international antiques mall. You can �nd Cameo at Rubylane.com/shop/cam-eo-antiques. So stop in and say hello to the friendly gals behind the counter and

maybe you might just �nd a treasure. See you soon!

Special: Stop in between November 27th and December 3rd and let us know you saw this post and receive 10% o� (excludes �rms and markdowns).

S T . P A T T Y ’ S D A Y M A R C H 1 7 T H ! ! !

SAUK PRAIRIERIVERWAYIt’s never too early to start planning. That’s why we are getting started on the next edition of the Sauk Prairie Riverway Community Guide. The previous guide was sent to print in December of 2015, and the new guide will be issued in December 2017.

Please review the following information on guidelines for submitting your ad. You will receive representation in 15,000 printed copies of the guide, as well as the online PDF replica on the SaukPrairie.com and SaukPrairieRiverway.com websites.

2017 COMMUNITY GUIDE

File Guidelines:

Please provide high-resolution files. Accepted file formats, in order of preference:

1.) EPS file with all fonts converted to outlines.2.) Native files from the following software: Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop.3.) PDF with all fonts embedded.

Please e-mail your file to spacc@saukprairie.comby August 1, 2017. For assistance or questions,call Stephanie at 608-643-4168.

Payment is due by November 1st, 2017

Sauk Prairie Area Community Guide Advertising Agreement

This advertisment is guaranteed for 15,000 copies of the Sauk Prairie Area Community Guide

Business/Organization:

Ad Size: Ad Cost:

Ad Location Preference:

Representative Name:

Representative Signature:

Date: Phone:

Email:

Ad Sizes: (width X height)

Full Page ($2300): 5.875” X 10.875”

Half Page ($1350): 4.875” X 4.75”

Vertical Banner ($850): 2.3815” X 5.25”

Horizontal Banner ($800): 4.875” X 2”

Square ($550): 2.3875” X 2.6”

J O B O P P O R T U N I T I E S H O T D E A L S

For a complete listing visit - www.saukprairie.com | Want to learn how to add these call 643.4168!

Legacy Building & Design is a quality driven construction company is looking for a hardworking, organized, devoted, multi- skilled carpenter.

Must be able to take & follow orders without dispute and work with our team

Sauk Prairie Healthcare is looking for a Culinary Aide. Full-time position, working variable day/pm shifts to perform a variety of tasks related to the preparation, service, delivery and clean-up of patient meals and Cafeteria food service. Some high school with ability to read and write, and be able to operate cash register and make change. High School diploma preferred. Six to twelve months experience in a similar position helpful.

Village Family Dental is seeking licensed Hygienists to cover our employee vacations and sick days. Must be willing and able to travel to our Prairie du Sac, Black Earth, and/or Spring Green clinics. Candidate must be energetic, have solid computer and communication skills, and a strong work ethic. Anesthetic licensing and experience is preferred.

BMO Harris Select Money Market Special BMO Harris Bank

Earn up to 9x the national average Open a BMO Harris Select Money Market account today

Limited-time offer: Earn a guaranteed 0.75% APY through Aug. 31, 2017 when you open your account with at least $10,000 in new money.

Special offers custom-fit for your small business needsBMO Harris Bank

We have more products and services to match the needs of your business. And, if you have a BMO Harris Small Business Checking Account, you can take advantage of additional offers.

“Free Plans” for building new custom built homes/remodeling/additionLegacy Building & Design

3D Drawings (See it Before You Build it) *For details on the offer please call oremail Legacy Building & Design.

“Discover the Difference.”

A B O U T S A U K P R A I R I E Y O U N G C O N N E C T I O N

SAUK PRAIRIE YOUNG CONNECTION

109 Phillips Blvd. | Sauk City | 608.643.4168.com

Executive Committee:President:Tim Homar — 370-7175 Geier Homar & Roy LLP

President Elect: Mike Phillips — 643-3393 Bank of Prairie du Sac

Vice President:Jeremy Gesicki — 643-8530 Mueller Sports Medicine

Treasurer:Jackie Bascom — 644-0326 6:8, Inc.

Past President:Marietta Reuter — 643-5463 Tools of Marketing

Directors:Paul Fiscus — 643-3383 Maplewood Sauk Prairie

Chris Koch — 643.8553 Courtesy Ford of Sauk City

Rick Sauer — 643.7170 Sauk Prairie Healthcare

Debbie Schi� man — 643-1408 Unity Health Insurance

Todd Lassanske — 643-3321 McFarlane Mfg. Co., Inc.

Angela Galle Sylvester — 644-2211 Ramaker & Associates

Carol Baier — 643-2477 Universal Die & Stampings

Zach Dahl — 513-9155 Dahl Financial Group, LLC

Emily Patterson — 643-7980 Culver Franchising System, Inc.

Lise Meyer-Kobussen— 643-3000 Meyer Insurance Agency, Inc.

Just as a reminder:

Chamber committees meet at the Chamber o� ce

Board of Directors meet the third � ursday of every month at 8:00 am

Ambassadors meet the fourth Tuesday of the month at 8:00 am

Promotions Committee meet the � rst � ursday of every month at 8:00 am

Economic Development meets the second Friday of the month at 8:00 am

B O A R D O F D I R E C T O R S 2 0 1 7

Live WORK PlayLive WORK Play

Chris KochCourtesy Ford of Sauk City

Zach DahlDahl Financial Group

Lise Meyer KobussenMeyer Insurance Agency

Emily PattersonCulver Franchising System, Inc.

Tywana GermanExecutive Director

Chamber Staff:

MaCall TourdotTourism Promotions

Director

Stephanie BricklMember Services

Coordinator