Muskego Animal Hospital was selected for the 2008 Best of Muskego Award in the Veterinarians category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA).

The USLBA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USLBA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community and Muskego Animal Hospital was selected for the 2008 Best of Muskego Award in the Veterinarians category.

Muskego Animal Hospital was established on Pioneer Drive in 1973 by Dr. Lee Elger after receiving his Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine from UW Minnesota in 1972. In 1978 the practice moved to a newly built facility on Janesville Road. A second facility was opened in the Wind Lake area in 1981. With steady growth, they now have 7 doctors, 7 Certified Veterinary Technicians, and 18 other support staff and associates.

Additionally, Dr. Elger was instrumental in establishing the Emergency Veterinary Referral Service in Waukesha. This is the only veterinary emergency service providing critical care for pets in the greater Waukesha area. The Muskego Area Chamber of Commerce now presents the 2008 Business of the Year Award to Muskego Animal Hospital.

The recipients of this award are being recognized for rebuilding the Chamber's website. Jim Schram with InnoTech, Inc. and Aaron Robertson with Intrepid Innovations have provided countless hours of professional services ultimately to help the Chamber and all its members realize added value. Intrepid was responsible for the design work of the new face/front page and InnoTech was responsible for the many internal components allowing for a wealth of information and fluid use.

InnoTech is an Information Technology consulting firm specializing in providing custom software solutions that help organizations improve operational efficiency with workflow management, increase quality of decision making information, add revenue streams and lower costs. InnoTech was founded in 1999 with the idea of providing technology solutions to businesses with passion, integrity and innovation.

The scope of projects InnoTech has successfully implemented range from vertical market applications to enterprise system software to data-driven Internet applications. A sample of successful projects completed include numerous Intranet applications for a large consumer products company; An online web store for a statewide food buying non-profit organization; Workflow Management / Job Ticketing system for a custom wood working firm; An online permitting system for electricians & plumbers for a Milwaukee-area municipality; and An online mortgage loan origination system used by over 500 financial institutions across the country.

Intrepid Innovations specializes in Web design, graphic design, internet marketing, andconsulting services. They also offer downloadable eBooks and other materials through their site that address a wide array of personal and professional development topics.

Aaron offered his services and recruited Jim to assist with the more intricate portion. It might be fair to say that Jim found himself with a few more hours of commitment than he anticipated, but it has resulted in a quality and useful site. The Chamber is forever grateful. We are pleased to award both companies, InnoTech, Inc. and Intrepid Innovations.

The ambassadors are the goodwill arm of the Chamber. They recruit new members throughout the year and during a 2-3 week annual membership drive. This year the ambassador of the year award goes to Mary Eckel of Maritime Savings Bank for her consistent attendance at monthly ambassador meetings, all others chamber functions and her dedication to showing other the value of networking. Mary was also the winner of the January 2008 membership drive along with her team member Suzanne Barry bringing in 7 new members.

It is with great pleasure that Mayor Johnson recognizes The Gingerbread House for the 2008 Mayor?s Beautification Award.

Owner, Tracy Bohrer, had a dream that included every detail for the extensive remodel of the 1885 farmstead. Sugar and spice and fashionably nice is a very fitting company motto and is a striking entrance to Muskego located at Moorland Road and College Ave (S63 W16147 College Ave). While the site and buildings are conducive for business, it is a wonderful reflection of Muskego?s farming history.

The Gingerbread House features a coffee shop, lunch, dinner, bakery and boutique offering homemade delectables and handmade gifts and clothing. It has also become a warm and cozy gathering place for many.

Each year there is usually one new member that stands out amongst the rest. This past year that person was Mark Wilcox ? Wisconsin No Slip Floors. Mark was selected to receive the rookie of the year award for his consistent involvement in Chamber networking functions including ABLE South (Active Business Leads Exchange). For the entire year of 2008, Mark missed only one ABLE South meeting allotting time to his sport of hunting. Mark rarely missed Business After Hours and other functions as well. This is a business man that knows the value of meeting and greeting to promote his service.

The 2008 Chamber scholarship recipient is Jaclyn Bauer, a senior at Muskego High School. Jaclyln?s volunteer service includes assisting with the Chamber?s first Christmas parade in conjunction with the Country Christmas event; New Berlin Lion?s Club State Fair Corn Roast; Team Captain-American Cancer Society Relay For Life; dance instructor for Brownie Troops; Senior Citizen Prom; Spooktacular; and Drop ?n Shop child sitting program.

Other accomplishments include secretary of National Honor Society; 3- year stint as class vice president; 4-year student council member; Spanish National Honor Society; varsity MHS tennis team, concert/symphonic and marching band, JV track team and participation in development of the high school year book.

Jaclyn?s childhood laid out her goal of being a teacher through spelling lessons to stuffed animals and math tests to dolls. In the top 10 of her class - Jaclyn has been accepted at UW-Madison to carry out her goal of becoming a teacher of the sciences (chemistry/biology/physics). It is also our pleasure to announce that Jaclyn will be receiving a $1000 scholarhip vs. $500 due to the generosity of our members who donated to the scholarship fund.