NORTH WEBSTER — Declaring Dixie Day Festival a success, North Webster-Tippecanoe Township Chamber of Commerce President Sue Ward, Sue’s Creations Floral & Gifts, noted during the general meeting Monday, Aug. 8, “Now it is time for the final planning for the Heart of the Harvest Fall Festival.” The meeting was held at the Tippecanoe Township Building large meeting room, a change of venue for the organization.

Heart of the Harvest Fall Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Lions Club Mermaid Festival Grounds and will feature a-new-to-the-area All American Lumberjack Show from Minnesota. Sponsored by the chamber, it will be free for all to view.

Besides the lumberjack show, the event will have food, garage sale, resale, vintage or antiques and craft vendors and an old fashioned cake walk. Those interested in having a 20 foot by 20 foot outdoor booth for $25 should contact committee member Ashley Ward, (574) 518-2103, as soon as possible.

Also, plans are underway for Thursday, Sept. 25, when the Indiana Bicentennial Torch will pass through North Webster.

North Webster will again be featured on South Bend PBS station’s “Experience Michiana” with Gordy Young. The Dixie and an entire cruise around Webster Lake will be the highlight of the show 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19.

North Webster was also highlighted for Dixie Day Festival the week before the event on the show as well as two local restaurants and chamber members, Patino’s Mexican Restaurant and The River Coffeehouse. “WNIT and the chamber both benefit from a good working relationship,” said President Ward.

Nominations for board members and officers are being taken by the nominating committee to serve three-year terms. Board members should be able to attend two meetings a month and volunteer for chamber activities. If interested contact committee members Brenda Peterson, Terry Frederick, Jen Ducey or Martha Stoelting. Nominations will be placed at the September general meeting. Voting will be done at the October meeting.

Ward thanked all involved in the chamber’s shoe drive. The final check for $1,572.40 for 126 bags of shoes has arrived. With a previous check, the chamber raised almost $2,000 through the drive. Shoes will be used as inventory for micro businesses in Africa.

The chamber voted to participate in the Volunteer Expo from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Syracuse Community Center. The public is welcome to come for a by-donation breakfast and to see what many non-profits and groups in North Webster, Milford and Syracuse have to offer and to join them in their activities.

Loose Moose Motorsports was announced as August Business of the Month for 2016. Loose Moose sells and services quality new and used ATVs and UTVs and is located on SR 13 and East 200N, south of North Webster. Loose Moose will host an open house Saturday, Oct. 1.

Members were reminded by Ben Ashpole they can post special events and sales on the chamber’s website, www.northwebster.com.

The next general meeting will be noon Monday, Sept. 19. That is one week later due to Labor Day. It will be at Tippecanoe Township Building, 102 S. Morton St. It is optional to bring lunch.