Dibbie Dabbles
Debra Whitehurst spoke to JEDI about her business Dibbie Dabbles. She discussed some
struggles she faced with being a new business owner and the outpouring support our community is showing her.
Covid-19 has added additional stressors to the business but as Debra says “I am here to stay!”.
“Debra has lived in Newton since 1977 after meeting her late husband Neil Whitehurst. After more than
20 years of designing flowers in Newton, dreaming of one day owning her own business, Debbie opened Dibbie
Dabbles, named after a childhood nickname. Debra has a heart for service and will work to make the perfect
arrangement to fit your unique vision.”
Dibbie Dabbles will help you with your fresh and silk flower needs along with amazing décor and gifts
for anyone. The shop is opened Monday-Fridays 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-1pm. Located at 200 E.
Washington St. Newton, IL. 62448. Give her a call at 618-783-2565 and follow her Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/dibbiedabbles
Jasper County Economic Development, INC.
Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, October 6 th , 2020 at 10:30am
Jasper County Chamber Building
Peoples State Bank Meeting Room
124 S. Van Buren St, Newton, IL. 62448
*Dibbie Dabbles tour after our meeting.
Attending: Jason Warfel, Mindy Hartke, Amber Volk, Ben Bollman, Beth Probst, Mark Bolander, Tom Brown,
Sarah Kinkade, Amber Wakefield, Louis Ochs, Marlene Harris, Ron Heltsley, Brett Lessley, Frank Dhom,
Andy Johnson, Doug Weddell.
1. Call to order, Vice Chairman Jason Warfel.
2. Motion to approve previous September 2020 meeting minutes made by Ron Heltsley,
second by Mark Bolander, motion passed.
3. Monthly Updates
a. Amber Volk, Executive Director
i. Website update: The JEDI website is now complete. It will be live this week.
1. Job Listing: there is now an option to have JC businesses add their job
listings. Click HERE to go to the Google Form to add your listing.
ii. ITIA Conference update: attended the ITIA virtual conference. There is a
possibility of more virtual conferences in the future.
iii. Rotary $750 grant winners: Wad It Up Transport, Mirror Magic,
Secondhand Dans, MBT’s This N That Shop.
1. Question asked by Amber Volk: Would JEDI like to contribute a
matching grant for this Friday’s porkburger sales like Peoples State Bank
did a previous week?
2. Treasurers report presented by Brett Lessley.
3. Motion to provide an up to $1,000 matching grant to the Newton Rotary
group for the October 9 th , 2020 porkburger sales made by Louis Ochs,
second by Andy Johnson. Motion passed.
b. Mark Bolander, Mayor of Newton
i. Senior Apartments are moving forward. They will be building the Robinson
Senior Apartments at the same time.
ii. New Sarah Busch Lincoln Clinic had issues with the storm main and sewer
main. This will be fixed and the project is moving forward.
iii. The River Walk won’t get started till Spring at the earliest.
iv. The City has received the First National Bank In Olney’s building plans.
v. GSI looks like they will be starting their outside work.
vi. No takers for the Five Aprils Subdivision free lots. A $30,000 value. Could
possibly be due to cost of building materials.
c. Ron Heltsley, Jasper County Board Chairman
i. Next County Board meeting is October 15 th at 7pm. Will be finalizing budget and
receiving jail project update.
ii. Vote early at the County Clerk Office.
iii. Due to updated ADA laws, there is currently work being done to sidewalks
around the Court House.
d. Andy Johnson, Superintendent of Jasper County Unit #1.
i. 6-7 weeks into the school year. 10% of students are remote learning. 40 students
on quarantine and temporarily remote learning. We are having a problem with
remote students completing their work.
ii. Looking to purchase property to expand with the 1% tax. Our goal is to get
all kids in one town. We received $500,000 for the 1 st year. The projected amount
was $800,000.
e. Sarah Kinkade, Chamber of Commerce Director
i. No Fall Festival this year but already planning for 2021.
ii. Scare on the Square is approved and will be on October 24 th from 2-4pm.
Contact the Chamber by Oct. 16 th if you are a business wanting to reserve a spot to
participate.
iii. Shoptober is underway. Spend $50 at JC businesses, give the Chamber
receipts and get entered for a chance to win Chamber Bucks. Flyer with more
information attached to email.
f. Amber Wakefield, Marketing Director
i. Enews is going well. Have 90 new signups.
ii. Jeep Run this past Saturday made $570 towards the marketing fund.
4. Comments from those attending the meeting.
a. Doug Weddell: West End Receptions and Events outside is 95% complete. Will be
starting drywall soon. December 1 st is the projected completion date.
5. Motion to close meeting made by Doug Weddell, second by Marlene Harris, and motion
passed.
6. Take tour of Dibbie Dabbles.
