10/19/2026
Wow, Semans. Just wow! This message is from Dionisia chocolates.
We honestly don't know what to say except THANK YOU!
We had planned to share a few words during tonight's celebration, but you all kept us so busy that we never got the chance!
And we wouldn't have had it any other way.
When we started planning this evening, we really didn't know what to expect. We wanted to share some chocolate, enjoy some music, and celebrate this new chapter with our community.
What we certainly didn't expect was to have nearly 100 people come through our doors, serve almost 80 cups of hot chocolate, and receive such an incredible outpouring of support!
James spent most of the evening in the kitchen making hot chocolate and packing chocolate bars, while Laura was so busy welcoming everyone and helping customers that she barely left her spot all night.
Neither of us really had a chance to sit down and enjoy the evening, and honestly, that was probably the most enjoyable part of all. We are overwhelmed by the love and support this little community has shown us. We are touched, humbled, and incredibly blessed.
There are a few special thank-yous we'd like to share.
To the Village Council, thank you for believing in our vision and giving us the opportunity to breathe new life into this building.
To Jay Holmes and his wife Sheila, thank you for the beautiful plants that helped decorate our space.
To the Gym Committee, thank you for renting us the chairs, and to the Semans Legion, thank you for providing the tables.
To the Kolbecks, thank you for filling our factory with beautiful music. Your performance made the evening truly special, and we know how much everyone enjoyed it.
And finally, to every single person who walked through our doors tonight: thank you.
Whether you came to enjoy the music, share a cup of hot chocolate, try our chocolate, purchase a bar, or simply see what we've been working on, you made this evening something we will never forget. Tonight, you reminded us that what makes a place special isn't just what happens inside, but the people who fill it.
Semans has a slogan: "Always a Hometown." Tonight, you reminded us what that means.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
James and Laura
