TERRE HAUTE —
In the spirit of March Madness, Joe Opremchak joined other business professionals at the Ballyhoo on Thursday to network, watch basketball and shoot some hoops.
He attended the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce “Business After Hours” event, which carried a March Madness theme.
The Ballyhoo converted part of the establishment into a makeshift basketball court, complete with a temporary basketball goal. Some of the Chamber members participated in a free throw competition — including Opremchak, who is the general manager at MCL.
Business After Hours “is a chance to network with some of the other people in the Chamber and a chance to have a good time and watch a little basketball,” he said.
A big college basketball fan, he’s picking Indiana University to win the NCAA tournament. “We’ll see what happens,” he said.
Asked how he did in free throw competition, Opremchak said, “Not very well.”
He was joined by Jason Golden, MCL chef/manager, who also shot free throws. He wants Ohio State to win the tournament. “I’m from Ohio,” he said.
Kristen Flesher, who works for Employment Plus, said she’s not a huge basketball fan, but she wants Ohio State to win it all, too.
Greg Smith, Employment Plus area manager, said he likes attending Business After Hours to network and make new contacts, and “to talk to folks you haven’t seen in awhile as well as those you do business with.”
His choice for NCAA champions? “I’m rooting for the Hoosiers. I’m a huge Hoosiers fan,” he said.
He also did “very, very, very well” in the free throw contest, he said.
Ken Brengle, Chamber president and CEO, said the Chamber has committed to three events per quarter for its members — a breakfast, lunch and Business After Hours event.
The Chamber had done March Madness at the Ballyhoo in years past, but got away from it for awhile.
On Thursday, the event drew several members.
Business After Hours “gives our members a chance to do some networking in a more social, relaxed atmosphere,” he said.
His choice to win the NCAA tournament is IU. “We wish the best for IU. Hopefully they go all the way,” Brengle said.
He’d like to be watching Indiana State University in the tournament. “We’re just proud of the Sycamores and what they did do this year and we’re looking forward to next year,” Brengle said.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
-
On target: Justin Summers of Action Pest Control takes his turn at the free throw line during the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce After Hours get-together Thursday evening. (Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis
-
On target: Amy Jones of Indy Park Ride and Fly take aim from the free throw line during the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce After Hours program at the Ballyhoo Tavern Thursday evening. (Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis)
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Hoops, Beer, Pizza: The Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce had it After Hours meeting at the Ballyhoo tavern, with free throw shooting as the main attraction competing with the NCAA tournament, drinks and pizza.
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Hooping it up: Vigo County treasurer Jim Bramble takes his turn at the free throw line at the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce After Hours program. The Ballyhoo Pizza King tavern hosted the event Thursday evening.
Discussion
Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce’s ‘Business After Hours’ event has basketball theme with free throws, pizza and tournament games
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Illinois State Police: 5 killed in I-70 van crash
VANDALIA, Ill. — A van veered off a southern Illinois highway and overturned several times today, killing five people and sending six others to hospitals, authorities said.
-
2 children reported dead from Indianapolis fire
INDIANAPOLIS — Authorities say some autistic children lived in the Indianapolis condominium unit where a fire has killed two children.
-
Tighter Indiana drunken driving law seems unlikely
INDIANAPOLIS — Some key Indiana legislators say it’s unlikely that the state will any time soon go along with a federal safety board’s recommendation that the threshold for drunken driving be cut nearly in half.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 20, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, based on jail records.
-
Life-Size Ping Pong: Valley pickleball tourney draws large crowd to Brittlebank Park
It’s been described as “ping pong on steroids.”
Some people call it “life-size ping pong where you stand on the table.” -
Boat trip aims to raise awareness about Lewy Body Dementia
In 2013, the Year of the River, it makes sense to link a grand adventure on the Wabash River with a good cause.
-
Legislature had little taste for alcohol bills
When it comes to alcohol, the 2013 legislative session may be marked more by what it didn’t do to boost booze sales than what it did.
-
STATE OF THE STATEHOUSE: Is it regulation that doesn’t make sense or evening the playing field?
I’m not much of a drinker, so I haven’t spent much time thinking about how Indiana’s alcohol laws personally impact me, but that changed last fall when my daughter got married.
-
RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: April 29-May 3
The Vigo County Health Department inspected the following food establishments April 29-May 3:
-
For Piper: Annual ‘Rush the Punter’ event dedicated to Dixie Bee student who died Wednesday after a short illness
Steve Weatherford’s “Rush the Punter” fundraiser at Fairbanks Park on Saturday was dedicated to a little girl who lost her life unexpectedly to pneumonia.
-
Vigo schools prepare to tighten belts
State funding for the Vigo County School Corp. will remain “pretty flat” for the next two years, said Donna Wilson, chief financial officer.
-
Veterans take to the trees
Cristal Bednar took photos of her husband, Justin, as he laboriously climbed his way up a “Dangle-Duo” to get to a zipline at Indiana State University’s Sycamore Outdoor Center.
-
Property owner seeks halt to Hulman Lake dam project
A Terre Haute property owner is seeking an injunction that would at least temporarily halt the city’s work on the Hulman Lake dam project.
-
Tornado veterans balance preparedness, practicality
Few things in nature are less predictable than a tornado. They can form quickly. They strike weirdly, leveling one building while leaving its neighbor untouched. They can fling a car a half-mile and turn a piece of lumber into a wall-piercing missile.
-
ISU unveils interactive Bayh Family Legacy Wall at school
A who’s who of Indiana Democrats paid tribute to Evan Bayh and several generations of the Bayh family Friday during a dedication of a new interactive display at Indiana State University.
-
Can you smell me now?
A contraband cell phone has been discovered by the Vigo County Jail’s youngest and most unique officer.
-
GIVING BACK: Steve Weatherford buys shoes for kids day before charity run
Terre Haute’s Steve Weatherford, punter for the 2012 Super Bowl champion New York Giants, showed once again his generosity Friday by donating new athletic shoes to more than two dozen Vigo County kids.
-
N.Y. Giants honor Weatherford as ‘Man of the Year’
Dan Tanoos, superintendent of Vigo County schools, remembers the first time he saw Steve Weatherford as a freshman at Terre Haute North Vigo High School.
-
Sunday recital at The Woods
A recital featuring songs from well-known composers is at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
-
Police investigating rash of car window shootings
Terre Haute Police are investigating a rash of shootings that have shattered car windows throughout the city.
-
City hospitals get passing grades for patient safety
Two Terre Haute hospitals have been ranked for patient safety by an independent organization that assesses safety, quality and affordability of healthcare for Americans.
-
Three from Operation Turn and Burn sentenced in federal court
Three co-conspirators in a Wabash Valley methamphetamine trafficking ring were sentenced this week to several years in federal prison.
-
Illinois Senate approves medical marijuana bill
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn must decide if he will sign a measure allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes after the state Senate approved legislation today.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 17, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Thursday, based on jail records.
-
I-70 resurfacing project will close westbound exit ramp
PUTNAM COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces the resurfacing project on Interstate 70 will close the westbound exit ramp at Indiana 243 beginning Wednesday May, 22 at about 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. that same day to mill and resurface the ramp.
-
UPDATE: Fire damages buildings in downtown Greencastle
GREENCASTLE, Ind. — Fire badly damaged several buildings today near the courthouse square in Greencastle, with flames shooting through the roofs as firefighters from several communities were called in to the central Indiana city to help.
-
Get outside this Memorial Day weekend
Although DNR campgrounds and cabins at state parks, state reservoirs and recreation areas are booked to capacity for Memorial Day weekend, some shelters remain available for picnics and other day-use gatherings.
-
Skateboarders, BMX bike riders working to improve area of city park they use
The sound of small wheels rolling across smooth concrete fills the air, accented by the clacking noise of a wooden skateboard coming to an instant stop on a metal edge before rolling on again.
-
Indiana State to host 2014 MVC baseball tourney
Build it… and they will come. The Missouri Valley Conference and Indiana State University made that famous line from the movie “Fields Of Dreams” reality Thursday.
-
Overlay recommended for 812 area code
The state agency that represents Hoosier utility customers is calling for a ten-digit solution to southern Indiana’s vanishing supply of 812 area code telephone numbers.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Illinois State Police: 5 killed in I-70 van crash
Fatal Hot Air Balloon Accident in Turkey
Tornadoes, Storms Strike Midwest
Raw: Accused US Spy Reportedly Leaves Russia
'Babyland': Camp Lejeune's Toxic Legacy?
AP CEO: Records Seizure 'Unconstitutional'
Raw: Heavy Tornado Damage in Shawnee, Okla
Raw: Tornadoes Spotted in Kansas
Raw: Swarm of Tornadoes Slams Plains
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash
Today in History for May 20th
RAW: TV Staff Take Cover From Tornado
Obama Exhorts Good Deeds by Morehouse Graduates
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
Today in History for May 19th
Raw: Gun Scare Mars Cannes Film Festival
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Raw: Fierce Bombing in Qusair, Syria
NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Winning Powerball Ticket Sold in Florida
RAW: Russian dash cam catches car 20 feet in the air
New 'Anchorman 2' Trailer, Drake Joins List of Rumored Cameos
Couple Argues As Woman's Lover Crawls Out Window
Justin Bieber Gets Booed
Eva Longoria's Wardrobe Malfunction
Heat Star Dwyane Wade Surprises Coral Gables Teen At Prom
Steak n' Shake waitress scores huge tip
Singer Miguel Accidentally Lands on Fan At Billboard Music Awards
Celebs Celebrate the Rise of the Side Butt
Grizzly bear gets up close and personal with camera
Justin Bieber Gets Booed After Winning at the Billboard Awards
Singer forgets lyrics, makes up words to National Anthem
Who is $600M Powerball winner in Fla.?
Top 5 Plays of the Day
Sailor Surprises His Mom At Her CU Denver Graduation Ceremony
Twiggy, the Waterskiing Squirrel
Official: ‘Amazing’ No One Was Killed In CT Train Crash
