your chamberyour voice - constant...
TRANSCRIPT
Big October Events October 2016
New & Renewing Members 3-4
Member News 6
Upcoming Events 12
Leadership Meadville 7 18
Calendar of Events back
I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :
“Your Chamber...Your Voice”
Your Chamber...Your Voice
Christa’s Corner
About Us…
The Meadville-Western Crawford County Cham-ber of Commerce has been serving the Business Community for 209 years. Founded in February 1807, we continue to be a vital advocate for Western Crawford County businesses and governments.
Mission Statement
The Chamber works collectively for the region in the areas of economic, social, educational, and political progress.
Vision Statement
Business advocacy for a vital community
908 Diamond Park Meadville, PA 16335
814.337.8030 Fax: 814.337.8022
www.meadvillechamber.com
Your Chamber...Your Voice is designed and printed by the
Meadville-Western Crawford County Chamber of Commerce
Ken Lindberg. President Northwestern REC
Tye Cressman, Vice President Cressman & Erde, LLC
Jennifer Mitchell, Treasurer HBK CPAs & Consultants
Beth Zewe, Secretary Edinboro University
Becky Arbuckle Glenn Peterson Floors & Furniture
Bonnie Kuhn Kuhn Tool & Die Co.
Carolyn Hall Byham’s Insurance Services, Inc.
Dan Williams Bush Investment Group
Dave Astry Crawford Area Young Chamber of Commerce
Deb Pavlek Family to Family Home Healthcare Agency, LLC
Diane Kerr Jeron Diamond Jewelers & Gemologists
Marie Feltz Decorating Den Interiors
Matt Feleppa Mercer County State Bank
Mike Downing Meadville Medical Center / Community Health Services
Mike Foulk Foulk’s Flooring America
Pete Mierke Area Shopper
Rob Smith Acutec Precision Machining, Inc.
Tanya Bish Montana’s Rib & Chop House
Staff
Christa Lundy Executive Director [email protected]
Josh Sherretts Finance & Technology Coordinator [email protected]
Karen Staudt Communications Coordinator [email protected]
Jennifer Dzera Administrative Assistant [email protected]
F all has arrived and we are so ready! What a spectacular first time Wine & Brew Walk we had last month!! Thanks so much to everyone who helped to make this event such a success! Our numerous sponsors, our volunteers, all the participating hosts, the Wineries, Breweries and Distributors that donated, all the participants and
the City. We sold out, actually over sold! We had planned on originally having four hundred people attend, but we ended up bringing almost five hundred people to downtown Meadville! People were attracted from all over. Our host locations became tasting rooms, and had people in their doors that may have never been to Meadville, let alone their specific store. We have already begun the planning process for next year’s event. We plan to make it bigger and better. There will be numerous sponsorship opportunities available that include event tickets! You definitely won’t want to miss it! 2017 Meadville Chamber Wine & Brew Walk: date announced next month!
October brings two main Chamber events. First is our annual Advertising & Member Services Auction on October 12th at The Movies at Meadville. This is the perfect opportunity to get great advertising and media packages at a fraction of the cost while enjoying an entertaining evening. Be sure to register for this event as well, so that we can promote your company and get specific details of any advertising or specials that you will be offering to promote your business. Next, we will be featuring our 3rd Annual Women In Business Expo at the Riverside Golf Club on Wednesday, October 19th. Join us for this spectacular event featuring women owned/managed businesses as vendors, enlightening speakers, fabulous food and a nice evening out with girlfriends & business colleagues. All of our vendors donate great prize packages that will be given to lucky winners! Be sure to register your vendor space now or to attend!
We also have planned a luncheon seminar on October 18the at the ICC. Glenn Thompson, of Steptoe & Johnson will be our featured speaker on the new Overtime Rules & Regulations. If you or your company has a “hot topic” that you would like the Chamber to cover, or a specific topic that you think we need to address for our membership, please let us know.
Be sure to mark Saturday, October 29th on your calendar! This marks the 50th celebration of the Meadville Halloween Parade, the largest nighttime parade in PA! This year’s theme is Nightmare on Chestnut Street. Thanks to the event sponsors; the Meadville CAYCC organization! Whether you are a kid at heart and love all parades or not, whether you like Halloween or not, this is an event you will not want to miss! The floats and parade are just an incredible sight to see. Thanks to the numerous businesses that put so much time and effort into making these spectacular floats for thousands to see!
As you can see, we are very busy at the Chamber office, but never too busy for our members. I would love to meet more of you for one on one meetings to learn about your businesses. Please be looking for your Chamber survey to complete, so that we can better serve you and promote your company. We need to update some records and get feedback from you in order to give you what you are looking for from your Chamber. Thanks in advance for completing this information and updating our records.
Sincerely,
Christa
New Members
SILVER LEVEL Open Flow Energy, a Division of South Jersey Energy Developac Business Park 482 Jeffers Street DuBois, PA 15801 814.371.3800 Contact: Karen Anderson
Richard Pitts Agency 800 North Main Street Meadville, PA 16335 814.337.8222 800.830.7514 Contact: Don Albaugh
Shoe Sensation, Inc. 1899 Park Avenue Plaza Meadville, PA 16335 Contact: Julie Gagel
We are here to help educate you about the basic concepts
of insurance & financial management, including
investing, retirement, estate planning, & wealth
preservation.
Please welcome the following businesses to the Chamber community:
SILVER LEVEL J.J. Kennedy, Inc. 3982 Hadley Road Clarks Mills, PA 16114 866.699.3835 Contact: Jacqueline Hill
Medicine Made Simple, LLC 280 Clinton Court Meadville, PA 16335 814.333.1248 Contact: Michelle Schull
No Place Like Home...Decor 1011 Liberty Street Meadville, PA 16335 814.336.8673 Contact: Tracy Albaugh
Watch for our new store in Meadville coming soon. In
business since 1974 throughout the Midwest. Our stores
sell shoes for the entire family, with National name
brand shoes. Just to name a few: Sketchers, Clarks, Life
Stride, Rocket Dog, Bearpaw, John Deere, Nike,
Dockers, Dr. Martens, Timberland, Lugz, Harley
Davidson, New Balance, Adidas, Asics, Converse and
others as well as the latest skate styles from DC, Vans
and Osiris.
Your doorway to affordable health care. It’s about you,
not your health insurance! Direct primary care and walk
-in express care. DOT National Registry Certified.
Refinish - Reimagine - Restore - Featuring refurbished
furniture painted with Annie Sloan Chalk paint, as well
as other vintage home décor. All with a modern flare.
Open Flow Energy is a natural gas marketing company
serving the natural gas needs of industrial, commercial
and public authority clients since 1986.
J.J. Kennedy is a ready mix concrete company serving 7
locations through western PA. We’re proud to announce
our newest location in Clarks Mills! Stop in or give us a
call for all your concrete, block & building supply needs.
PUT YOUR AD
HERE! $25/month
Larger sizes available. Contact the Chamber at 337-8030.
Renewing Members Thank you to the following businesses for renewing your Chamber memberships last month.
We appreciate your continued support. It is you and your belief in what we do that allows us to continue at the Chamber of Commerce.
SILVER LEVEL American First Aid
Associated Contractors, Inc. Calvary Baptist Christian Academy
City of Meadville Compu-Fix, Inc.
Crawford Central Community Foundation Crawford County Care Center
Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership Glenn Peterson Floors & Furniture Gonstead Family Chiropractic, P.C.
Hovis Interiors Kentucky Fried Chicken
Kiwanis Club of Meadville PA Marlan Tool, Inc.
Meadville Redi-Mix Concrete, Inc. Montana’s Rib & Chop House
The Movies at Meadville Northwest Pharmacy Solutions Northwestern Roofing Co., Inc.
R.W. Petruso Hearing Aid Center RE/MAX Hometown Realty
Redevelopment Authority of the City of Meadville Smock Plumbing, Inc.
Steptoe & Johnson, PLLC
GOLD LEVEL Leech Carbide
Update us!! “Your Chamber...Your Voice” features updates on area business news for members, about members! Member News is a free member benefit that is an easy way to keep up with other local business success and to be recognized for your own accomplishments. To announce awards, promotions, events, personnel changes, new merchandise, or other news, email updates of 200 words or less in paragraph format to kstaudt@meadvillechamber .com by the 15th of each month. One graphic (small photo or company logo) per blurb, please. Your Chamber is excited to hear about the success of your business!
Member News
“Your Chamber...Your Voice” 6
November 2016 Advertising & Member News
Deadline: October 15
Contact Karen Staudt ([email protected]) for rates and details.
EDINBORO UNIVERSITY Edinboro, WEDnetPA bring $265,273 in job training to region Edinboro University’s mission as a public regional comprehensive institution of higher education is to serve the workforce needs of northwestern Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth.
That important work was boosted recently with the awarding of $265,273 through the Workforce and Economic Development Network of Pennsylvania (WEDnetPA).
WEDnetPA provides training funds for eligible businesses. As a program partner, Edinboro serves as the point of contact and assists applicants as needed.
“Through WEDnetPA, we brought more than $1 million to the region over the last few years,” said Beth Zewe, coordinator of Continuing Education & Outreach and Edinboro’s WEDnetPA administrator.
Crawford County companies that have successfully used WEDnetPA training funds include SECO/Warwick Corp. Kim Chalmers, human resource manager, said the grants have helped the company remain on the cutting edge of technological developments.
“Using local trainers, we’ve been able to schedule on-site trainings for our manufacturing personnel,” Chalmers said. “Partnering with Edinboro University has been a great experience and has made participating in the WEDnet program especially uncomplicated and rewarding.”
Contact Beth Zewe at (814) 732-1420 or [email protected] to address your company’s training needs today. Learn more about WEDnetPA at www.wednetpa.com.
MEADVILLE MEDICAL CENTER Please join us on October 11, for our next Community Conversation. The topic of this conversation is CORE: What you need to know about donation, with Alyssa McQuillan, RN, BS, and Professional Services Liaison. For more information about the monthly Community Conversations, please call the Mind-Body Wellness Center at (814) 333-5060.
The Mind-Body Wellness Center presents Healthy Pork and Apple recipes cooking class on Thursday, October 20. Come and celebrate the fall season with tasty pork and apple recipes. Sample apple-walnut bread, new-fashioned apple and raisin slaw, pork loin chops with cinnamon apples and apple upside-down cake. Each cooking class requires a small class fee of $10. Call to register at 333-5060.
“Your Chamber...Your Voice” 7
SETON CATHOLIC SCHOOL A NITE AT THE RACES® Saturday, October 22nd in the School Gym Doors Open & Dinner at 6:00 pm • Post Time at 7:00 pm $10.00 per person - Includes, Dinner, Dessert, Beer, Wine, Pop, Water and Snacks. Professionally Filmed Announced Horse Races on Big Screen, 50/50, Rip-Off Tickets, Chinese Auctions, and Much More!
Tickets can be purchased at St. Agatha Parish and Seton School offices. For any questions, please call 814.336.2320. Thank you in advance for all your support!
BETH RYAN INTEGRATED MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Are you Taking Advantage of Your 200 Words? Do you take advantage of the free monthly news service offered each month in this newsletter? It is one of the most effective parts of your Chamber membership marketing package, but fellow members tell me they don’t participate because they don’t have time, or they don’t know what to say. . .
Here’s an idea: Stop by my booth at this year’s Women’s EXPO for a chance to win a hand quilted messenger bag filled with goodies and a gift certificate for free copywriting and image selection for the Chamber newsletter. I’ll do the interviewing and research, write the copy and get it in on deadline – free of charge.
See you on October 19th.
Beth Ryan Integrated Marketing & Communications Public Relations, Content Marketing and Training
814.398.4282 | [email protected] | www.bethryanimc.com
MEADVILLE FINE ARTS Adult coloring books help you manage your worries in a fun, creative, and relaxing way. By concentrating on coloring and shading, you’ll calm your mind and let go of any tension you may be feeling. Whether you’re new to coloring or have been coloring for years, these books will help you find your inner calm and creativity - one page at a time.
We carry a number of different books and posters with all types of patterns and pictures. Our colored pencil stock come in several sized sets, as well as open stock with 150 colors to meet your needs. Looking ahead to Christmas, these books and pencil sets make great gift ideas too. Our other services include: inspiration and encouragement to new artists, art supplies, giclée fine art printing, framing, photo restoration, indoor signs, yard signs, banners and more.
Stop, shop and support the fine works by our local artists. Hours till Christmas: Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9-5, Thursday 9-9, Sat. 9-3 Closed Sunday & Monday
Meadville Fine Arts, 242 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335 (814) 337-8600 • [email protected] • www.meadvilleart.com
PEPICELLI, YOUNGS & YOUNGS P.C. PEPICELLI YOUNGS & YOUNGS’ ASSISTANT BECKY SMITH CONTINUES TO HELP REAL ESTATE AND ESTATE CLIENTS For the local law firm of Pepicelli Youngs & Youngs, this year marks 25 years of helping clients navigate through complex and often very personal legal issues. For Assistant Becky Smith, this means continuing to help clients primarily with real estate sales and purchases, and various estate administration and probate matters, as she has done for over 30 years.
Outside of the office, Becky enjoys spending time with family, including her dog, Tory, and quilting with friends. Every year, her quilting group makes hundreds of pillow cases for the Children’s Hospital in Pittsburgh. She lives in Meadville with her companion, Don.
814-337-7000; www.pyylaw.com; Like us on Facebook
Becky Smith
“Your Chamber...Your Voice” 8
VANTAGE HEALTHCARE Vantage would like to recognize all of the Respiratory Care Professionals everywhere, as October 23rd through the 29th is Respiratory Care Week! Let’s take time out of our busy day to thank a “Real Life Hero” during this week. A fun fact about the Respiratory Therapy Association is that it was started in 1943 by Dr. Edward Levine. Thank you respiratory therapists for restoring and improving lung health in all of our lives each day, you are greatly cherished!
October is upon us and along with all of the fun that fall has to offer, it is also Breast Cancer Awareness Month. One in every eight women will develop breast cancer; in support of all the survivors and fighters show your support and raise awareness by wearing a pink ribbon with your attire. “Yesterday I dared to struggle. Today I dare to win.” – Bernadette Devlin
In support of Breast Cancer Awareness, for the month of October Vantage will be having a sale on all of our popular mastectomy items from bathing suits to bras and camisoles. Vantage has everything needed in one convenient stop. Visit our store at the 19049 Park Avenue Plaza in Meadville!
Vantage is here for you, Providing Solutions to Health Needs!
PS104 GRAPHIC DESIGN COMPANY Change is inevitable… PS104 Graphic Design Company strives to keep up with ever-evolving Internet landscapes. Recently, we upgraded our website-building platform, so that all newly-built PS104 websites are “responsive.” A responsive website displays well on all devices: desk-top computers, smart phones & tablets. Pages resize automatically, so there is no need for pinching and zooming-in on pages that run over the screen size. Responsive websites accommodate the more mobile lifestyles of today’s popular culture.
PS104 successfully is making this technology available to current hosting clients without asking them to pay for a re-design. It was important to us atPS104 to make the transition to responsive technology FREE to clients who already purchased both mobile and desktop websites as well as very affordable to new clients.
Current industry trends signify that responsive websites are preferred by search engines, which translates into better page rankings. These rapid transformations of the web-world best practices are the result of search engines, i.e.., Google, making changes in the way they rank pages on Internet searches. (Read more about “Mobile-Geddon” in this info-graphic found at http://www.ps104design.com/PS104PerksPage/MobilegeddonInfographic_web.jpg. Or call and we will mail you a hard copy.)
Is YOUR website staying current with evolving technology? Got questions? We have answers. Call 814-789-2056.
LINCOLN RECYCLING Electronics Recycling Event Benefitting the MARC! WHERE: Hagan Business Machines, 17281 Conneaut Lake Road, Meadville, PA 16335 WHEN: Saturday, October 8th, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
VCRs Televisions Printers Telephones Copiers Scanners Fax Machines Computer Parts Monitors Radios Laptops/Tablets Cell Phones
The electronic collection fee is 50 cents per pound. Participants are required to pay for the waste prior to departure from the site. Cash or checks are accepted. Net proceeds will be donated to the MARC.
JERON DIAMOND JEWELERS & GEMOLOGISTS THINK SNOW, THINK FREE JEWELRY It’s hard to believe that it is October 1st, and the start of Jeron Diamond Jewelers & Gemologists’ Snow Promotion. For anyone new to this area, our promotion is: we will give every customer the opportunity to get ALL their jewelry purchases from Now through December 24th, for FREE! The rules are simple, when it Snows 6 inches or more, in Edinboro (snow belt) anytime during the 24 hours of December 31st, EVERYONE will get ALL of their money back, and keep their Jewelry for FREE!
We invite you to come in NOW to Layaway for Christmas. All layaways picked up by December 24th are included in the Snow Promotion. Stop in to fill out a WISH LIST of everything you would love to own. We will make sure your Santa knows what is on your list. Mark your calendar for Ladies Day – November 6th from 11-4 where we will not only be having food and beverages but also drawings throughout the day.
Remember two things; There is Always FREE PARKING on Saturdays, and, You DO Deserve The Finest!
CALVARY BAPTIST CHRISTIAN ACADEMY The enrollment at Calvary Baptist Christian Academy is over 250 in pre-k through 12th grades. 210 are now enrolled in kindergarten through 12thgrades and 44 in preschool. Class sizes range in size from 10 to 22. Interested families are asked to contact the school office today.
Calvary is very thankful for the support of businesses in the community through the state tax credit scholarship program (EITC and OSTC). Over $50,000 has been given this year to help families afford the tuition. Businesses give, and 75-90 % of the amount is PA tax forgiven. The money can only be used for scholarships for families who qualify for assistance.
In September, the students at CBCA have participated in Grandparent Day and See You at the Pole Day. Grandparent Day was held on Friday, September 23 with a record attendance. On Wednesday, September 28, students gathered around the flagpole to pray for our country.
A good many students and staff participated in the Crawford County Fair. The picture includes those who participated this year.
THE ARC OF CRAWFORD COUNTY, INC. The Arc of Crawford County will be holding its 7th annual Art Show in March of 2017. This is one of two major fundraising campaigns our agency holds each year. As you may be aware, The Arc advocates for the rights of citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities and enhances their lives by promoting maximum independence and affording them opportunities for enrichment in their communities.
In addition to our funded programs, we provide two unfunded programs for school age children, Movement Class and Fun with Words (Poetry). We also provide 1,125 hours of service for individuals who had no funding during the last fiscal year.
With this in mind, we are wondering if you would consider donating a piece for the 2017 Show.
Please contact Mark Weindorf, Executive Director, via email at [email protected] or call 814-724-7346 Ext 223.
MEADVILLE TOASTMASTERS Visit Meadville Toastmasters in October Chamber members are welcome to join Toastmasters in October - Meadville Toastmasters meet at the Helene Barco-Duratz Cultural Center, 415 Chestnut Street, Meadville, PA 16335. Our meetings begin at 8:00 am and are finished by 9:00 am on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of every month. Our October meetings are the 12th and 26th.
Save the dates, November 4-6, 2016 for the 2016 District 13 Fall Conference at the Pittsburgh Marriott North, Cranberry Township, PA - this year’s theme is “Mission I’M Possible”! This can’t miss event brings Toastmasters from Western PA together for a celebration of public speaking and leadership. Registration is open, visit www.d13tm.com/fall-conference/
Toastmasters' self-paced program and accessible network of clubs have helped countless people find their voices by helping them become more confident and competent communicators and leaders. As a result, they have assumed leadership roles in their careers and communities, and have improved their quality of life.
To learn more, visit http://meadvilletoastmasters.toastmastersclubs.org
HAGAN BUSINESS MACHINES OF MEADVILLE, INC. Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS) Does the thought of buying a computer, a server, or any other hardware for your office scare you; because you dread spending so much money up front to replace that equipment? Did you know there are other options of securing top-of-the-line equipment WITHOUT being burdened with such high up-front costs? That’s right! You have options when it comes to purchasing new computers: and Hardware-as-a-Service is the answer. This is what you’ll experience with Hardware-as-a-Service:
No large capital expense Affordable monthly payments Refresh schedule for technology updates We handle everything for you; all your needs ordering, installing etc... Always work with modern equipment Reduce IT expenses and downtime Keep your employees happy Forecast your IT budget for years to come
Hardware-as-a-Service helps small & medium sized businesses get the most from their technology investments.
Before you purchase your next computer… Call JOHN CASCIO, from HAGAN BUSINESS MACHINES @ (814)-724-4601!!!
BYHAM’S INSURANCE SERVICES, INC. A large majority of employer sponsored health plans renew this December. If you’re an employer with less than 50 full time equivalents, this will be the last year you can renew your “grandmothered” plan. The Affordable Care Act will require employers of this size to move to a community rating system starting January 1, 2018. Our agency can review plan options, both grandmothered and community rated, to advise you on the best options and rates for both the employer and employee.
We simplify the complex process of helping you to select a plan or plans to offer to your employees, by understanding your needs and presenting it in an easy to understand format.
We also are available to you and your employees year round to answer any questions regarding the benefit or any billing issues that may arise.
The ACA brought additional compliance requirements to employers. Our agency customizes all required compliance documents related to employee medical benefits and provides them to you to disburse. Additionally, we administer COBRA and process any changes to your employee base with the carrier at no additional cost. For a free evaluation of your benefit package call Carolyn Hall, 814-724-1680.
Carolyn Hall
PUT YOUR AD
HERE! $25/month
Larger sizes available. Contact the Chamber at 337-8030.
October
October 25, 2016 5:00-7:00 pm
19040 Park Avenue Plaza Meadville
RSVP to Chamber of Commerce 337-8030 or
Free to Chamber Members!
Bring your business cards to share and enter our drawing for a FREE 2017 Chamber Membership!
Looking Ahead…
November 15 Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
December 14 Chamber Christmas Party
Now taking reservations for 2017 hosts.
No room at your office to host a BAH?
Consider pairing up with another business.
Sponsored by
Who: All Chamber Business Women are welcome What: Business Women’s Round Table Discussion Group When: Monday, October 3rd Where: Chamber Board Room from 5:00-6:15 pm. Why: To help promote one another’s businesses, share ideas, update event calendars and network We will be finalizing the program for next month’s Women in Business Expo. For more info call Christa at 337.8030.
Business Women’s Roundtable
Come one, come all to our 7th annual Advertising and Member Services Auction. Why, you ask? Because it is THE place to get “steals and deals” on advertising, marketing and some great services almost every business in the area uses, as well as venues for your next special event. Your customer base isn’t local? That’s ok, we will have packages that can still benefit you. Past packages included website design/re-design, personalized wine labels, t-shirts, outdoor banner, a workplace chair massage day, and even custom shirt embroidery. And some new packages added last year...commercial carpet cleaning, a complimentary one night hotel stay for a client and a quarterly lunch for 10 from 4 local caterers. WOW!! We can’t wait to see the new things donated this year! This is a great way to take care of your employees and/or clients and improve productivity. Or how about private meeting space and lunch for 10 at Montana’s Rib & Chop House?? We also have traditional local media items available like radio, newspaper, and television. A complete list of all packages being offered is available by contacting the Chamber office. Make sure you check it out and then start planning how your advertising budget for the holidays or even next year can benefit from one fun night with the Chamber.
Bidding starts at ten percent of the package’s retail value, allowing you to potentially walk away with great deals! It’s also a chance to try out a media form you might not have been able to afford otherwise. Package sponsors will be on-hand prior to the auction to answer any questions you may have before the bidding begins.
Last year we added a new twist with the addition of general business services from some of our members. Your company doesn’t have to offer advertising, event hosting or catering to be included in the auction. If you would like to donate a service that your business provides that another company might find useful for their company, its employees or clients, bring it on! Contact the Chamber to see how you can get involved and bring more exposure to your company. Businesses wishing to donate packages to the auction can still do so by contacting the Chamber of Commerce no later than the day before the auction. Any business donating promotional packages will be given complimentary table display space and a chance to interact with potential bidders. Updated auction catalogs and bidder numbers can be obtained the night of the event.
Incentive Alert!! Also come to get in on our SUPER AUCTION DRAWING! Every company in attendance with a bidder number will get a chance at winning their choice of either free membership dues for one year (up to $250 value) or 3 full page newsletter ads ($300 value). One entry per business and you must have a bidder number to participate. Must be present to win. If a non-member wins the drawing, they can only win the membership dues.
Join us for hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and fun! You are sure to have an entertaining evening with auctioneer and emcee Lon Wilson from The Area Shopper.
There is no cost to attend the event but reservations are requested and can be made by visiting the calendar of events page on the Chamber of Commerce’s website at http://www.meadvillechamber.com/events/details/7th-annual-advertising-business-services-auction-4987 or calling the Chamber office at 814-337-8030. Remember, there is NO cost to attend. More information can be obtained by contacting the Meadville-Western Crawford County Chamber of Commerce at (814)337-8030 or email Karen Staudt at [email protected].
Leadership Meadville 7 History Day By Christine Yamrick, Chateau Christine and LM7 Class Member
Jeremy Ball (far right), manager of Riverside: The Inn at Cambridge Springs, gave LM7 a tour of the historic inn.
Agriculture Day October 14, 2016
Drake Parker of Trace Lawn & Landscaping and Concetta Fort of ERIEBANK work on their play dough sculpture.
The wooden planks creaked as we crossed the cabin floors of the Patrick McGill House. Primitive living surroundings only made us think, how they survived those days.
Being in awe as we peaked at all the antique treasures tastefully displayed in each room of the Baldwin Reynolds House, making us ponder of a lifestyle we are not accustomed to.
This is just a sample of what Leadership Meadville 7 experienced on our official first day of class. We started the morning out exercising our brains with group discussions on leadership that quickly lead into an eye opening, jaw dropping history lesson.
Doug Sekerski greeted us with his passion in history as he presented photo after photo of the industries that built our town we now call home. We learned about the one of many confection businesses that sweetened our area to the Spirella Corset Company that set the stage of forward thinking employing women in many working roles.
Intrigued as we learned how there was once up to 30,000 people who would be present at any given day in Meadville, we listened intently. But what does this history lesson have to do with the leadership program going on in today’s time.
It was the forward thinking and leadership abilities of the men and women that made Meadville the hub of industry, travel and shopping. As the railroad moved into the city, concrete companies, brick layers, and more industry followed to a very popular destination. With companies such as Talon, and Spirella Corset Company grew and fulfilled a need, Meadville became internationally known.
Though we might not have the 30,000 people dressing our streets these days, our community leaders have the same drive and passion as they did 200 years ago. With innovative thinkers and doers our community strives to be the leaders in industry world-wide. As my grandma Josephine Morfenski, a Polish immigrant used to say “Meadville is the best place on the map”.
We want to thank all those who made our History Day educational. A huge thanks to Jeremy Ball, who is keeping history alive at the Riverside Inn in Cambridge Springs. Linda Fink continues to tell an enduring story of Patrick McGill in Saegertown. Josh Sherretts shared his enthusiasm as he “owned” the bus ride around Meadville sharing history of Talon, Spirella Corset Company (located at Hovis Interiors) and the Baldwin Reynolds House special tour. And lastly, a special thank you to Doug Sekerski who shared his passion and part of his Meadville Memories collection.
As for Leadership Meadville 7…Leadership is the ability to uncover, nurture and enhance the skills required to unite the group toward future positive growth in our community. LM7
LM7 Leadership Statement: Leadership is the ability to uncover, nurture and enhance the skills required to unite the group towards future positive growth in our community.
LM Talk Alison Myers was our guest for Septembers LM Talk. And I believe all of us had fun on this edition of the radio show. Alison works at Fine Print in Meadville wearing many hats, primarily as graphic artist. She was part of class 2, which means it was 5 years ago when she participated, but the lessons learned and changes in her are still fresh in her mind, and being used every day. She shared how prior to the class she was very shy and not at all happy about talking to a group of people. And yet she spoke to the current class at orientation day, standing up and talking, without all the nerves and lack of confidence she might have showed 5 years ago. She has become involved in other community projects as well from this new found self, such as Chocaholic Frolic and the Crawford County Read program. Well done, Alison.
She added that her boss Dan Crandall was a big influence in her growth as a leader for Fine Print and involvement in the community. He is a good mentor for her and others in the community. Now Alison can pay it forward because of participating in the LM Program and help and mentor other up and comers.
She, like many other graduates, really gained insight in our community from the asset discovery days (field trips) going to tool shops and farms. finding out how the local dairy farms provide milk that ends up on her kitchen table. And how some of local shops produce products that are used worldwide. Very cool to discover these assets in our community.
Overall a very fun conversation and we look forward to have another one again next month, on October 12th.
Thanks Joe Vilke at Cool101.7 for hosting us.
Hosts of the program: Jeff Miller - Class Act Cleaning Services Amanda Keller - PMI
“If you wouldn’t follow yourself, why should anyone else?”
– John C. Maxwell
LIGHT UP
NIGHT
Ribbon Cuttings
GRAND OPENING CELEBRATION
Thursday, October 6, 2016
4:00-6:00 pm
Ribbon Cutting @ 4:00 pm
No Place Like Home...Decor - Grand Opening
Friday, October 28, 2016
5:00-8:00 pm
Ribbon Cutting @ 5 pm
1011 Liberty Street, Meadville
CREATIVE IMPRINT SYSTEMS
NOW OPEN IN MEADVILLE!
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
3:00-6:00 pm
Ribbon Cutting @ 3:00 525 Baldwin Street, Meadville
LIFE NWPA 1034 Grove Street, Meadville
“Your Chamber...Your Voice” 23
Business Briefs
CAREER AWARENESS FAIR FOR YOUTH OF CRAWFORD COUNTY—GET YOUR BUSINESS INVOLVED!
Career Education must begin ear lier with each new generation. Children learn in the home from story books about “Life in the City” or “Life on the Farm”. They want to be firemen, policemen, nurses and farmers. As they age and learn, more career choices come into play as does the educational path they choose as they prepare for high school. Academics and vocational training are just some of the options, but regardless of the path they must also consider the course selections. Will algebra be enough or do I need geometry, keyboarding skills or document preparation. How will they decide?
Business owners, managers and staff are the new educators in today’s environment. Your influence on our youth is easy, start by talking about your companies and careers. This will give reality to the career path to be chosen not just a story book version. Are you ready to be the teacher?
The Career Awareness Fair for local schools will be held Wednesday, October 26 from 9:00 AM to noon. The event will be held at the Vernon Central Fire Department. Your sponsors the, The Meadville Area Chamber and Laurel Technical Institute, welcome you to be involved and enlighten our youth. Together we will make students aware of the career choices with in our community and the education or training necessary to secure those positions. Crawford County has so much to offer and keeping our residents local and employed starts now. Last year approximately 1,300 students from 12 high schools and junior highs visited the fair. This year we are planning to increase both numbers.
The application on the next page will register you for the event and secure your table space, the
“classroom”. The information you share is by your delivery mode, displays, samples, or
handouts, but most of all your voice. Ask questions and answer more, engage the students and
open the dialogue about your business and what employees do, what education or training is
important. These students are the future of our community, and you have the power to influence them now.
Crawford County Career Awareness Fair Registration Form Wednesday….October 26, 2016 Vernon Central Fire Department
16589 McMath Avenue, Meadville, PA 16335
Name: _____________________________________________________________________________ Business/Occupation: ________________________________________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________________________________________ E-mail: _____________________________________________________________________________ Phone: ___________________________________ ______Yes, I can participate this year ______No, I am not able to participate this year Will you need electrical connections? ___Yes ___No In order to have additional packets, lunch tickets and extra seating available, please tell us any others who will be attending with you: Name & Title: ________________________________________________________________ Name & Title: ________________________________________________________________ Set-up will begin at 7:30, and the Fair will conclude by 12:00. We will be sending out more information once we receive your registration. Please complete this form and return it as soon as possible, but no later than October 10th to: Deb Anderson 27 Louisa Avenue, Greenville, PA 16125 Fax to: 814-724-2777 E-mail to: [email protected] Thanks so much for your support and dedication to our kids! As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Debbie at 724-301-1324.
“Your Chamber...Your Voice” 29
Presorted Standard
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Meadville, PA
Permit No. 83
Meadville-Western Crawford County Chamber of Commerce 908 Diamond Park Meadville, PA 16335
Current Resident or:
Thank you to our Chamber Trustee Partners
DIAMOND TRUSTEE LEVEL Ainsworth Pet Nutrition
Channellock, Inc.
Northwestern REC
RUBY TRUSTEE LEVEL Acutec Precision Machining, Inc.
Allegheny College
Community Chevrolet
SAPPHIRE TRUSTEE LEVEL
Bayshore Homes, Inc.
ERIEBANK
First National Bank
HBK CPAs & Consultants
Marquette Savings Bank
Meadville Medical Center
Mercer County State Bank
Northwest Savings Bank
PNC Financial Services
3 Business Women’s Roundtable, 5:00 pm - Chamber Office
6 Bulldog Sports, Screen Printing & Embroidery Open House/Ribbon Cutting, 4:00-6:00 - 248 Chestnut Street, Meadville
10 Columbus Day - Chamber Office Closed
11 Creative Imprint Systems Open House/Ribbon Cutting, 3:00-6:00 - 525 Baldwin Street, Meadville
12 Leadership Meadville (LM) Talk, 9:00 am - listen to COOL 101.7
12 Advertising & Business Services Auction, 5:00-8:00 pm - The Movies at Meadville
13 Ambassador’s Committee Meeting, 8:00 am - Chamber Office
14 Leadership Meadville 7 Agriculture Day, 7:00 am-4:00 pm
18 Board of Directors Meeting, 7:30 am - Chamber Office
18 Quarterly Chamber Luncheon, 11:30 am - Italian Civic Club
18 Leadership Meadville Committee Meeting, 3:45 pm - Chamber Office
19 Women in Business Expo, 5:00-8:00 pm - Riverside Golf Club
25 HR Consortium, 12:00 noon - Hoss’s
25 Business After Hours, 5:00-7:00 pm - Save-a-Lot Food Store
28 No Place Like Home...Decor Open House/Ribbon Cutting, 5:00-8:00 - 1011 Liberty Street, Meadville