There's still time to get tickets for the Callaway Chamber of Commerce's 2018 Town and Country Dinner.
"It's the one time a year we try to bring together the agriculture business community with the rest of the business community," said Bruce Hackmann, a member of the planning committee.
The annual event, a Callaway County tradition since the 1960s, gives local movers and shakers a chance to mingle.
"It's just a great event that brings the people of Callaway County together, both town and country," Hackmann said. "The chamber recognizes the very important role that agriculture plays in the community."
This year, it will take place Thursday at Wise Bros. (3361 Old U.S. 40, Kingdom City). Tickets cost $25. Tours of the Wise Bros. property begin at 5 p.m., with the dinner itself starting at 6 p.m. As of Monday, Hackmann was expecting a record crowd of more than 200 attendees.
Wise Bros. is a farming and farm equipment sales operation whose roots stretch back to at least 1877. That year, brothers John and James Wise purchased farms across the road from each other.
"Wise Bros. has been a visible business in the country for so many decades, but many people who've lived here all their lives know nothing about it," Hackmann said. "They're one of the older businesses in this area."
The company's website (wisebrosinc.com/history) traces its history from a pair of small family farms to the large operation it is today. As the road slowly grew into I-70, the Wise family farming operation grew, too. For many years, it even included a pair of gas stations - one of which had to be razed to make way for the interstate.
Today, Wise Bros. is run by David Backer, nephew to J.O. and Blanche Wise, and his two sons. Residents have almost certainly spotted its signature white-and-green buildings while driving along Interstate 70 between Kingdom City and Columbia.
"Our slogan is 'Serving Missouri's farmers since 1927,'" Harrison Backer, one of David's sons, said. "This is a way for us to continue to do that."
Upcoming events
In other Chamber news, the annual Pitch Competition is approaching. On Nov. 5, aspiring entrepreneurs will compete for funds to help launch business concepts. Past winners have gone on to open businesses such as KACO in Fulton. Sign up at callawaychamber.net/what-we-do.
An upcoming college and career fair, slated for, 5:30-8 p.m. Oct. 15 at Fulton High School, also has open slots. To sign up for a booth, contact Tina Wade at [email protected].