This past weekend, Makayla and I got front-row seats in our nieces’ dance recital (pictures here). Adalee (the oldest of four) is just about to turn 13, and Rosalee (the youngest of the four) is about to turn 5. I learned very quickly that preschoolers and middle schoolers dance very differently. When you’re 4 years old, a little shuffle side to side and maybe a few kicks are enough to get the crowd engaged! Adalee, on the other hand, was incredibly elegant and looked way too mature throughout her performances―we need her to stop growing up so fast. With all that being said, they are both far better dancers than their uncle Ryland will ever be!
Pack Your Bags... Our 2026 Destination Is Set!
Our office is very excited about our annual Chamber Trip to Austria/Germany/Italy this fall (more info here). There are currently a whopping 76 individuals signed up to experience the culture, sights, and wonders of Central Europe. If you are just now hearing about this and feel that it’s something you want to possibly experience for yourself, reach out to Sherri in our office, as she just might be able to find you a spot (email Sherri here).
The big question each year is, “Where to next?” Even after a decade of international travel, there are still so many places to take our community explorers. And that selection process is not taken lightly! Sherri has these conversations casually with our travelers about their bucket list locations throughout the year and often surveys them as well. She also spends time outside the Chamber Trip exploring locations through familiarization trips with our travel organizers, Quest Voyager. This past fall, Sherri and her husband, Dan, took the opportunity to visit France for one of these ‘Fam’ Trips (check out this promotional video here and make sure to be paying attention at the 47-second mark). This journey told her all she needed to know about where Chamber travelers would head next! Our office is very excited to announce that the Chamber will be traveling to France in the fall of 2026 (more info here)!
We hope you’ll join the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce as we travel through Normandy, the Champagne Region, and Paris in October 2026 (more info here). From the emotional reverence of Omaha Beach to the cobblestone charm of Honfleur, the sparkling cellars of Epernay, and all the way to the top of the Eiffel Tower—this journey blends history, culture, food, and beauty over this nine-day vacation. This curated adventure can be safely experienced with friends and family from your own community. These trips are not only relaxing, but rewarding as you soak up info along tours in this historic nation. Registrations can take place online or in person at our office (online registration here). If you have any questions, Sherri is your gal!
A Fresh Menu, Familiar Faces, and Five Years of Flavor at PrimeTime
Yesterday evening, we had a Chamber After Hours at PrimeTime Grille, as they have just released their updated menu and wanted Chamber members to give it a try (pictures here)! Ken Frank, one of the local investors of PrimeTime Grille and Fusion Alley, shared how far their hometown restaurant has come over the last five years since they opened. It’s been a learning process and a growing process for this local gem. They have never been shy to give things a try and adapt when necessary. This new menu is a significant expansion, featuring 50% more items and reintroducing steaks, additional salad options, a variety of new appetizers, and more. Along with the change in menu, they are also giving everyone more time to enjoy, with expanded hours moving forward—closing at 9pm on weekdays and 10pm on weekends.
They also had a few people discuss things happening at PrimeTime Grille that aren’t related to their menu. One of those is Brenda Hayden, who is their official event coordinator. Whether you’re looking to host a gathering in one of their many party rooms, bringing a big group to bowling or mini golf, or other event-related activities, she’ll get you taken care of! If you need to feed your party, PrimeTime offers an assortment of food bars like lasagna, burgers, or pizza to feed the entire crowd. Derek Chappell was also present to talk about their bi-weekly trivia. Every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month, you can participate in some high-quality homemade trivia, created and hosted by Mr. Ottawa himself (more info here). This is free to join, and groups of any size are welcome—and winners receive real prizes! Show up with nothing but some trivial knowledge, and you can walk away with a good time and maybe even a gift card.
It’s hard to think back to a time when we didn’t have PrimeTime Grille and Fusion Alley in Ottawa. As a result, I think it’s easy to overlook the significant benefit of having this amenity in our community. Ken mentioned that some of the best reviews come from those outside of Ottawa and Franklin County. I recently had a conversation with a gentleman who works for the state and has visited Ottawa a couple of times. He said each time he’s been in town, he’s made it a point to stop for a meal. This locally owned business not only cultivates memories for those who choose to dine in or play, but it is also one of Ottawa's larger employers, with 58 people on its payroll. We’re fortunate to have the establishment, but we’re also so lucky to have the group of community leaders who stepped up and have continued to invest in this venture. Five years is no small feat; they should be very proud of that milestone. I look forward to five more years of success!
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A couple of years ago, my immediate family decided to take a family vacation as it had been long overdue. This winter, as we spoke about recreating that experience, we faced the challenge that every family does with adult children: connecting calendars is hard! As a result, we decided to put together a ‘staycation’ at my parents' house. We have been compiling a note of activities to make the most of the few days we’ll be together. From the looks of it, I imagine I’ll have pictures and stories to share next week! Hope you have a good weekend, whether you’re staying in or heading out. Talk to you soon,
Ryland Miller
President/CEO
Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce
ryland@ottawakansas.org
785-242-1000
