At the monthly Boyd Area Chamber of Commerce meeting on June 12, Jeff Zais announced his retirement as President of the Chamber. Jeff has been a member of the Chamber since 1983, and President since 2019. Jeff says the greatest accomplishment as President was being able to bring back all the Chamber sponsored community events after the COVID pandemic shut everything down, including Ringelspiel Days. Some of his best memories are of he and other locals dressing up as celebrities and tending bar during Ringelspiel. He fondly remembers being John Candy, Chris Farley, John Belushi, one of the Village People, and even dressing up in a toga to tend bar. Per Jeff, “It’s really been a lot of fun”.
Randy Setzer, former Village of Boyd president states “Jeff, along with his always supportive and wonderful wife, Deb, have done as much, if not more community service than anyone in our little Village. Seldom is Jeff without a smile and some words of wisdom. He will always be thought fondly of. Being how blessed he is with the gift of gab, I used to casually joke with my friend Tom and we would say ‘Well, he’s Jeff Zais, but he’s our Jeff Zais … and we’ll keep him’ ”.
Jeff says people in a small community make a big difference when working for groups like the Chamber and Lions club, of which he is also a member. He has seen an increase in members of the Chamber and hopes to see even more people step forward to help continue the work for the community. All members of the public are welcome to join the Chamber or the Lions Club.
We thank Jeff for all the work he has done for the Chamber and for the Boyd community. There’s always a spot at the table for you!
In other business that night, a motion was made and seconded to install Cory Zais as new Chamber president. Cory will begin his new duties immediately. Also discussed was the success of Ringelspiel days, and some thoughts for next year’s celebration. New items discussed included a possible bean bag toss tournament for youth, and a program to honor area Veterans. Also discussed was the Little League Family Fun night July 11 and the annual Corn Feed and Street Dance set for August 9.
If anyone is interested in joining the Chamber, feel free to contact Cory Zais at 715-667-3354, or any current member of the Chamber.