Although January 22 was one of the coldest days in January, several people came out to help celebrate with Scott and Kelly Coppernoll on their new drive-thru coffee house located on Hwy 14 East in the Richland Square. Kelly's offers "Big City Coffee" at "Small Town" convenience featuring several different flavored coffees and lattes.

Those pictured are Karin Tepley (Kelly's Mom), Mark Sietz (from Ron Kind's office), Jill Layer (WCCU), Scott Coppernoll & Kelly Coppernoll, Al Husnik (WRCO), Bruce & Pat Kaasa (Thrifty White), Barbara Lupo (Kelly's Aunt), and Sherry Klatt (Richland Chamber & Development Alliance).

A large group of well-wishers turned out to celebrate a ribbon cutting at the new location of Wallace, Cooper & Elliott Insurance Agency, at 197 S. Main Street in downtown Richland Center. Holding the scissors are owner Sheila Troxel and her son Aaron Troxel, career New York Life agent. Standing in rows left to right are the following, some of whom are not shown in the photo. First row: client Nancy Kropp; Beata Elliott, widow of former owner Robert E. Elliott; Lillian Cooper, widow of former owner G. Willis Cooper; agent Carol Strang; Richland Chamber and Economic Development Alliance (RCEDA) representative Henk Newenhouse; Sheila's sister Trinda Wells; RCEDA representative Deb Fink; RCEDA customer relations manager Sherry Klatt (holding ribbon). Second row: Accountant Deb Noble; career New York Life agent Dan Schwinefus; client Barb Wentz; client Shirley Keller; client Jeanne Wells; wellwisher Alice Schulte; agent Ralph Torgerson; client Jenny Perkins; client Darlo Wentz. Back row: client Bill Troxel; client Harold Wells; agent Pat Elliott; company representative Bob Wagner; agent Deb Fontaa; Marjorie Wallace, widow of former owner Warren Wallace; accountant Aaron Halverson; RCEDA representative Chris Fink.

Churning Charlie's Cheese & Butter Store had a successful Open House on Friday, November 9, at their new location with several employees and members of the community in attendance. Ron Fruit was also on hand broadcasting by live remote for WRCO. Representative Ed Brooks also made an appearance and was on hand to talk with individuals. Jason Schultz reported that they had a successful day with their in store sales, and that their new location on Main Street has proven to be a positive move for their store. Jason also reported expanded store hours to better meet customer needs.

In the photo: Erin Unbehaun (employee of Alcam), his wife, Stacey Unbehaun, Mick Cosgrove (Capital Wealth Advistory), Shannon Clark (REC), Jason Schultz, Robin Cosgrove (Capital Wealth Advisory), directly behind her, Bonnie Jones (Jones Chevrolet), Deb Fink (Ed's Family Foods), Representative Ed Brooks, Jason Cornell (Alcam employee), Victoria Ruetten (Alcam Employee), behind Victoria, Donna Ekleberry (employee Alcam), Chris Fink (Ed's Family Foods), Gary Peckham (Owner Alcam Creamery) holding the scissors, with his wife Elizabeth Peckham next to him, behind Elizabether, Deb Liegel (Richland County Bank), Mark Berns (Employee of Alcam), Shelly Stibbe (Capital Wealth Advisory), Lorie Wienkes (employee), Colleen Fry (employee), Sheila Troxel (Wallace, Cooper, & Elliott) Karen Bricco (employee).

The RCDA organized a Business Outreach Tour for community leaders at Lowe Manufacturing Co. Inc. near Viola on Friday, September 28. Lowe manufactures top quality attachments to fit ASV, Bobcat, Case, Caterpillar, Daewoo, Gehl, Hydra Mac, JCB, John Deere, Mustang, New Holland, Posi-Track, Thomas, Toyota, Trak, and Volvo skid steer loaders. The company started in 1971, and in early 1985, they introduced their first LOWE trenching attachment for skid-steer loaders. They grew from an initial 50 ft. x 60 ft. building (15.2m x 18.3m) into the worldwide leader for hydraulic-powered auger and trenching attachments.