NewsFlash October 2009 - Pike County Chamber of Commerce

EWS
LASH
N F
THE PIKE COUNTY CHAMBER
(570) 296-8700 • Fax: (570) 296-3921
OCTOBER 2009
OF
COMMERCE
www.pikechamber.com • e-mail: [email protected]
WELCOME TO OUR FIRST GREEN EDITION
Photo by Ken Baumel
OF THE CHAMBER NEWSLETTER
!
— GRAND OPENING —
Page 2
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Page 7
D
ingmans Medical Center celebrated their
Grand Opening last month. Dr. Lisa
Pathak is board certified in both Internal
Medicine and Pediatrics. She is a graduate of the
accelerated seven year medical program at the
Sophie Davis School of Biomedical Education at City
College, & received her Doctorate of Medicine from
Mt. Sinai Medical School in New York City. She
completed her residency at Cooper Hospital /
UMDNJ Camden where she was selected as the
Photo by Ken Baumel
Chief Resident during her final year.
Dr. Pathak is a fellow of the American Academy
of Pediatrics, and an active member of the American
College of Physicians, American Medical
Association and Pennsylvania Medical Society. She
is licensed to practice Internal Medicine and
Pediatrics in New York, New Jersey and
Pennsylvania.
With a vision of creating a medical practice that
is patient centered and family focused, Dr. Pathak founded Dingmans Medical in 2009.
She has been able to establish a warm and friendly atmosphere while providing the best
available medical care. In order to continue to achieve her goals, Dr. Pathak enhances her
medical knowledge by attending continuing medical education courses. She has also
worked hard to bring much needed specialty care to Dingmans Ferry and surrounding
areas of Pike County. These specialties currently include cardiology, podiatry, and dental
services. Dr.Pathak looks forward to add more areas of specializations in the near future.
For more information or to set up an appointment, please call them at 570-828-8000.
Featuring
Networking Event Huge Success!
Paint Pike Purple
A Night with Poe
Black Bear at 10
John Gouse Golf Outing
New Community Calendar
PCCC Commercial
Day of Caring
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4
4
6
6
7
8
Featur
Last month the Chamber had a networking event at Biondo Investment Advisors and
it was a huge success with over 65 area business representatives in attendance. There
were many new business connections made that evening! Thank you to the Biondo
staff and family for such a lovely networking event!
—1—
— October Events / Meetings —
Please Note Meetings Schedule Changes
Wednesday
October 7
All Day
Annual John Gouse Memorial Golf Outing
Woodloch Springs
Thursday
October 8
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Women in Business Committee Meeting
Pike County Chamber Office, Milford, PA
Thursday
October 8
11:00 a.m.
October 8
12:00 Noon
October 8
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Events Committees - CAB, Signature, Golf, and BCE
Pike County Chamber Office, Milford, PA
Thursday
October 8
5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Marketing Committee Meeting
Pike County Chamber Office, Milford, PA
Thursday
October 8
6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Milford Business Council Meeting
Pike County Chamber Office, Milford, PA
Friday
October 9
7:30 a.m.
October 12
Office Closed
October 14
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Columbus Day Holiday
Wednesday
Government Affairs Committee Meeting - Rescheduled to this date due to Golf Outing
Pike County Chamber Office, Milford, PA
Wednesday
October 14
9:30 - 10:30 a.m.
Business Education Committee Meeting - Rescheduled to this date due to Golf Outing
Pike County Chamber Office, Milford, PA
Thursday
October 22
8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
Ambassador / Membership Committee Meeting
Pike County Chamber Office, Milford, PA
Thursday
October 22
October 27
Delaware Valley School District
Woodloch Pines
Secretary
MaryAlice Petzinger
Wayne Bank
Treasurer
Ed Nikles, Sr.
Ed Nikles Custom Builder, Inc.
Past President
Paul Brislin
• Directors •
Mary Ann Butler
Reggie Cheong-Leen
Bill Cohen
Matt Dorcas
Gerry Dziak
Jacqueline Frosco
Lillian Grompone
Eric Hamill, Esq.
5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Networking Event
G.A.I.T Therapeutic Riding Center, Milford, PA
Tuesday
Wells Fargo Mortgage
Paul Brislin, E.A.
Joint Chamber State Legislative Breakfast
Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Resort
Monday
President
Susan Hines
2nd Vice President
Kathleen Hummel
Nominations Committee Meeting
Pike County Chamber Office, Milford, PA
Thursday
— 2009 Board of Directors —
• Executive Committee •
1st Vice President
Dr. Candis Finan
Finance Committee Meeting
Pike County Chamber Office, Milford, PA
Thursday
Pike County
Chamber of Commerce
Niki Jones
Linda Kidney
7:30 - 9:00 a.m.
Board of Directors Meeting
Delaware Valley School Administration Offices
Carol Markwalter
Lee Oakes
Brian O’Hare
October’s Networking Event - Be Sure to Attend!
Celeste O’Neil
Simone Palmer
Bruce Tichenor
Philly Viscardo
Thursday, October 22nd
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Ken Winters
• Honorary Directors •
Barbara J. Buchanan
Beth Nikles
Light Refreshments, 50/50 Raffle
and Door Prizes
$5.00 for Chamber Member
$10.00 for Non-Member
• Pike County Chamber Staff •
Danielle Jordan
Held at G.A.I.T. Therapeautic Riding Center
Foster Hill Road • Milford, PA
Executive Director
Lee Ann Camarero
Office Manager
If you have a door prize to donate or if you need more information,
please call Lee Ann at 296-8700
—2—
Tammy Savarese
Secretary
Safe Haven’s Paint Pike Purple Campaign 2009
Creative Expression Contest for Students
O
ctober is Domestic Violence
Awareness Month throughout
the country. Here in Pike County,
Safe Haven, a Crisis center, will support
this month with their 3rd Annual Paint Pike
Purple Campaign. This year as part of
the campaign, Safe Haven is having a
creative expression contest for students
in Pike County. The contest is designed
for students to convey their thoughts on
the theme, “Promoting Domestic Peace
in Our Community.”
Safe Haven is asking students to
answer the following questions:
• What can you and your fellow
students do to help prevent violence
in our homes, communities and
schools?
• How can we stop bullying in our
schools? On our Buses? In our
communities?
Students can respond in the form of
a poem, drawing, painting, song, essay
or poster. Student’s entries will be judged
at RYOT’s Open Mic Night at 7th Street
Café in Milford on October 16th at 6pm.
Students who would like to submit
their work can download a contest form
from the Safe Haven website at
www.safehavenofpikecounty.org The
deadline is October 12, 2009. Drop off is
at Safe Haven, 500 West Harford St.,
G.A.I.T. Tricky Tray
Fundraiser
Saturday, October 24
Doors Open at 4:00 p.m.
Calling Starts At 6:00 p.m.
Delaware Valley HS Cafeteria
Route 209, Milford, PA
About 200 Tricky Trays
Door Prizes • 50/50 Raffle
Food & Beverage for Purchase
FREE ADMISSION
Milford or work can be submitted to Cindy
Stine/Safe Haven at school. Monday/
Friday (DD campus) Tuesday/Thursday
(DV/SES campus).
Contest participants must be students
attending a school or Home schooled in
Pike County. There will be a first, second
and third place winner. Prizes to be
announced. Winners of art and written
expression will be displayed in different
places through out Pike County and prizes
will be handed out at Safe Haven’s “Day
of Dignity” at the end of the Paint Pike
Purple Campaign Month.
For more information please call
Cindy Stine, Educational Outreach
Coordinator at 570-296-2827 or check out
our website for additional information.
Proceeds to benefit adults and children
with special needs attending G.A.I.T.
Therapeutic Riding Center
Info can be found at the G.A.I.T.
www.gaitpa.org and click on
“Announcements” Link Located on
the menu bar or call 409-1140
Milford Lions Club
Fall Craft Show
October 10-11
Ann Street Park
Milford, PA
For more information please call
Jean at 570-685-1850
Hope to see you there!
Vision of Peace Gala Awards Dinner for Safe Haven
T
his year Safe Haven will be hosting its
very first Vision of Peace Gala Awards
Dinner on Friday, October 2nd at the
Riverview Inn in Matamoras.
Emmy Award Winning, CBS News Correspondent of 48 Hours Mystery Harold Dow
and Kathy Starks Dow, newspaper reporter
and author will be Safe Haven’s Masters of Ceremonies at this year’s Vision of Peace Awards
Gala!
Please join Harold and Kathy Dow and Safe
Haven at the Vision of Peace Awards Gala by
calling Sheila Korick at 570-296-2827 to make
your reservation. Your $75.00 donation will promote Domestic Peace in Pike County!
October is National Domestic Violence
Awareness Month. Safe Haven is gearing up to
celebrate the third year of their Paint Pike Purple campaign.
This year promises to be even bigger and better. The Paint Pike
Purple campaign brings the message to the community that everyone deserves to life of a life of dignity and respect. Every
home should be a safe home. The Paint Pike Purple campaign
brings both community outreach and fundraising events which
endorse awareness and promote peace in our neighborhoods.
Pike County isn’t just a place full of houses,
or apartments. We do more than just grocery
shopping, browse galleries, or fill up our gasoline tanks. Pike County is where we live, where
we connect with our friends, a place to explore,
and a place to enjoy the nuances of life; at least,
that that is how it is for a lot of us. Unfortunately, there are still many people who are hurting, people who need help, people who need
to know that there is hope. We need to send
the message that there are people that care
and want to create a community where everyone can live without violence.
There are still people in our community who
have never heard of the Safe Haven or are
unaware of what Safe Haven is and the services which are available. WE need to change
that. WE need to come together in our community to promote
peace so that those who are hurting have hope for their future.
Save Haven is excited that Harold Dow and Kathy Starks
Dow will be the MCs for the agency’s very first Awards Gala.
They are both aware of the domestic violence epidemic and are
thrilled to be helping promote Domestic Peace in our community
and beyond.
—3—
Tenth Anniversary Black Bear Film Festival
October 16 - October 18 • Pass Prices Reduced!
DIRECTOR OF THE MONTH
Gold Passes at $150.00 include the Friday night
celebration buffet and open-bar at the newly
renovated Tom Quick Inn, and all of the movies
throughout the weekend. The Tenth Celebration
passes at $100.00 include the Friday night
celebration buffet and open-bar at the Tom Quick
Inn and the Saturday night movie. This year all fulllength movies will be screened at Delaware Valley
High School on Routes 6 & 209 in Westfall. Our FREE
Film Salon on Saturday and Sunday will be in the ballroom
of the Tom Quick Inn. On Sunday the Envirofest will be held
at Grey Towers National Historic Site; a biodeisel bus will transport people from the
high school to the FREE Film Salon and then on to Grey Towers and return. Please
call us at 570-409-0909 for additional information or to purchase passes.
Hello! My name is Philly Viscardo. I
moved to Pike County eight years ago with
my husband and two sons. I love all of the
opportunities and majesty Pike County
has to offer. I have 20+ years experience
in the insurance industry and co-own and
operate the Dingman Delaware Insurance
Agency, LLC, in Dingmans Ferry, PA.I
have been a member of the Pike County
Chamber of Commerce since 2006 and
shortly thereafter a member of the Women
in Business Committee. Last year, I was
elected to Board of Directors and this past
January relieved Sue Hines as the Women
in Business Committee Chairperson. The
Women in Business Committee was
organized to provide networking events
and educational opportunities to women
in business. We plan and organize several
w
o
N
events per year from Business Expos to
s
et
Tick ailable
Spa Days to Roadside Cleanup. Each year
Av
we sponsor a not-for-profit organization
Dramatic Reading of Selections from the Pinchot Family Library
and donate proceeds to them. As the new
Women in Business Chair, I have tough
Saturday, October 31 •
• *6 p.m. and 8 p.m.
shoes to fill but will continue to provide
The Pinchot family enjoyed literary readings as entertainment at Grey Towers and we opportunities to the women in business
re-create that with this popular Halloween dramatic reading, “A Night With Poe.” The of Pike County. Our group meets the
American Readers Theatre Company reads some seasonal favorites. Appropriate for second Thursday of each month at the
teens and adults. *NOTE: The 8 pm show will not be available until the 6 p.m. show fills. Chamber office, 8:30 am. We welcome
$15 per person by calling 570-296-9625 or online at www.greytowers.org
new ideas and members! Please email me
more
information
at
For more information call 570-296-9630 or send an email to [email protected] for
[email protected]
For more information about other Grey Towers programs, visit the website at
www.fs.fed.us/gt OR www.greytowers.org
“a NigHT wiTH PoE”
HalLowEeN NighT
— Promised Land State Park Activities —
Saturday, October 3 • Fall Color Paddle • 1:00 p.m. • Main Beach
Conservation Volunteers will lead the “Fall Color Paddle” around Promised Land
Lake, to see Promised Land’s beautiful autumn foliage. Bring your kayak or canoe,
or borrow one from the Park for $5. Space is limited; sign up at the Park Office.
Saturday, October 10 • Tornado Hike • 3:00 p.m. • Red Oak Trailhead
Conservation Volunteer Sheryl will lead this group of hikers through the 1998
tornado’s damage area. It will include a visit to the Deer Exclosure, an experiment
to observe the re-growth of the forest without deer.
For more information or to sign up, please call 570-676-3428 or visit
www.visitpaparks.com
—4—
Live to Love
Benefit for Honesdale EMS
Dinner Dance with
Silent Auction
Friday, October 23rd
For more information
please call Etta Day at
570-253-2911
The single consumer - How to provide a “custom fit” solution for health insurance
An increasing amount of attention is being given to the subject
of individual health insurance. As employers are faced with the effects
of the economic downturn, equally adverse conditions are being
realized due to the continuing cost escalation of group health
insurance products.
While larger employers are most often talked about in these
discussions, small and mid-size employers have been equally
affected. In some ways, the smaller employers and their employees
have experienced more dramatic losses during the current recession.
Most notably, the loss of health insurance has increased
significantly in smaller employers due to employees being unable to
afford or secure coverage because of health status and the lack of
product choice.
The health insurance industry has duly noted this phenomenon
and is moving quickly to deliver to this growing uninsured population
more product choice at a competitive cost, with relaxed underwriting
when reviewing the applicant’s health condition.
“Losing health insurance causes the affected person to suddenly
become a direct consumer of available products, with a more keen
awareness being required of plan design, coverage differences,
underwriting definitions and related cost ramifications,” says Rick
Galardini, the CEO of JRG Advisors, the management company for
ChamberChoice.
Smart Business spoke with Galardini about the changing role
of uninsured individuals and their needs as single consumers.
What is actually happening with employer-sponsored
health insurance plans?
The main issue today, in light of a fragile economy, is reduction
of the work force. While employers with more than 20 employees
are required by federal law to offer continued coverage to terminated
workers, which has recently been made more attractive and feasible
due to government subsidy through tax credits, the smaller employer
is not required, in most states, to offer this option. Of course, whether
a job is lost while working for a larger or smaller employer, or whether
or not a subsidy toward premium costs is available, the real issue is
the fact that an unemployed individual has a very difficult time funding
the cost of health insurance.
The next issue is the reality that the employer is staring at the
cost of paying 50 to 75 percent or more of the cost of a group health
insurance plan, which is increasing in price at a rate of 11 to 15
percent per year. These conditions cause the employer to make
difficult decisions. Employers may sponsor a plan with lesser
coverage to save on costs, reduce the funding of the current plan,
discontinue funding of the employee’s dependent coverage and place
the burden on the family and/or discontinue the plan entirely. Each
of these approaches shifts the cost of health insurance to the
employees and their dependents. Further, employee morale is
dramatically affected, which has a direct impact on productivity.
Another issue is the fact that more than 40 percent of smaller
employers do not sponsor or fund a health insurance plan. While
this is not a new trend, the employees working for these employers
are having a more difficult time paying for insurance due to increasing
costs. Also, these employees are often faced with flat or decreasing
compensation or, worse yet, the possibility of their jobs being
eliminated due to the state of the economy.
How can the availability of individual health insurance
be a solution for the uninsured?
First of all, we must remember that all health insurance, whether
group, employer-sponsored or individual, is expensive. The difference
is that with individual health insurance, the purchaser has more
choices. Each individual becomes a single consumer, shopping to
obtain prices in an open insurance marketplace and purchasing what
they need. Need is driven by a number of factors, including health
status, tolerance for risk, age, sex, family status, lifestyle, disposable
income and length of time required for coverage.
That is the good news. The bad news is that negative factors
can preclude the individual from purchasing the insurance coverage
desired. Poor health dictates a low tolerance for risk. An unhealthy
lifestyle has a direct effect on premium costs. Unemployment
generally suggests a dilution of disposable income. It is possible
that any combination of negative factors impacts the length of time
an individual can retain the insurance.
For 80 percent of our population, individual health insurance
can be a very satisfying experience. As a single consumer, the
individual can buy exactly what they need, at a price that is
acceptable, and for the length of time that the coverage is required.
Unfortunately, 20 percent of the population is not in this same set of
circumstances.
What is the health insurance industry doing
to address the needs of the individual?
Each consumer needs to accept the personal responsibility to
adequately insure themselves against the risks they face as they
consider their individual health needs. Our government has the
obligation to encourage each individual, through mandate, to obtain
the appropriate insurance to mitigate risk.
The insurance industry must do its due diligence to ascertain
the health insurance needs of the American public, and provide for
the availability of the products that meet these requirements, at a
fair and competitive price. Employer-sponsored group health
insurance plans can continue to play an important role in delivering
these solutions. Current product offerings fall short of this objective.
Employees do not have enough choice for themselves and their
dependents. The ‘one-size-fits-all approach’ of today is part of the
problem. Group insurers need to change.
An available option for the single consumer, in the absence of a
more flexible employer-sponsored group insurance model, is the
purchase of an individual health insurance plan that is a custom-fit
solution.
Rick Galardini is the chief executive officer of JRG Advisors,
the management company for ChamberChoice. Reach him at
(412) 456-7013 or [email protected].
—5—
JOHN GOUSE
Memorial Golf Outing
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Sponsored by Pike County Builders Association
and Pike County Chamber of Commerce on
Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at the
Woodloch Springs Golf Resort.
$110.00 per person or $120.00 per person if paid after
9/25/09. Reservations close on 10/2/09
Make checks payable to Pike County Chamber of
Commerce or we accept Visa/MasterCard/Discover.
Payment confirms reservation
For questions or reservations, please call the
Pike County Builders Association at 570-296-5589 or
Pike County Chamber of Commerce
at 570-296-8700
J
ohn Gouse passed away suddenly on Father’s Day of 1999. He left behind his
wife Sharon and his two girls Kendra & Sarah. John was always there when he
was needed, and he volunteered to help everyone, especially the two causes
that John believed in strongly – the American Red Cross
& the March of Dimes. John was an active Director
in both the Chamber & the Builders Association
and very rarely missed meetings. He juggled his
schedule to be there, and at times brought his
daughters to meetings as Sharon worked
evenings. John will remain in our hearts forever.
That is why we honor him with having the annual
golf outing to raise funds for a scholarship in his name.
Christmas Gift Alert
— Cook Books For Sale —
HALLOWEEN
PARTY
Fundraiser for
The Delaware Dancers
Saturday, October 24th
5:00 p.m.
T
he Women In Business
Committee of the Chamber, with
contributions from other women
and local chefs, have put together a
cookbook called “The Melting Pot.” For just
$10.00 you can own this wonderful
cookbook and find some great recipes
contributed by friends, neighbors and local
eateries. It makes a great gift for anyone.
The Women In Business Committee has
dedicated the cookbook to Jean Work, a
dear friend and local businesswoman, who
succumbed to cancer earlier this year. To
order your copy, call 570-296-8700 or visit
www.pikechamber.com Perfect for that
hard-to-buy-for person; great gifts for
teachers or your letter carrier, or YOU!
Dingmans Ferry Bed & Breakfast
Milford Road / Route 2001 in
Dingmans Ferry
Admission:
$12.00 adults & $4.00 kids
RSVP to 570-828-1441
ou and your entire family are
invited to this Annual Halloween
Party. Enjoy food, drinks, desserts,
fun activities, spooky basement,
fortune teller, tattoo parlour, face
painting and a story-telling witch. The
Delaware Dancers will perform a
Halloween Spectaculare Dance Show.
Y
Viamedia Launches
ViaCastTV.com
Viamedia, the cable industry’s leading
independent cable rep firm, announced
today the launch of ViaCastTV.com.
ViaCastTV is a cost-effective advertising
solution that uniquely merges dynamic
value of video with the broader reach of
the web both locally and nationally.
The new interactive web site
ViaCastTV.com organizes video content
into a wide variety of video magazines.
Businesses and organizations can feature
their content in 2-3 minute informational
video segments produced by Viamedia.
The video segments are organized in
vertical channels by business type.
In addition to ViaCastTV.com, video
segments can be embedded into each
business’ own web site and can be
aggregated to numerous other video
content web sites like You Tube, Google
Video, Yahoo Video and Viddler to name
just a few.
This new on-line component has
been designed to work in conjunction with
the long established television video
format ViaCastTV (formerly LVTV), airing
on channel 49 on Service Electric Cable
TV and RCN in the Lehigh Valley.
ViaCastTV also airs in select time periods
in Carbon, Monroe, Pike, and Wayne
Counties on Blue Ridge Communications
TV-13. This powerful combination is
designed to deliver maximum awareness.
For questions regarding ViaCastTV,
contact Jim Burke via email at
[email protected]
NEW ONLINE
COMMUNITY CALENDAR!
The Pike County Chamber’s website
www.pikechamber.com now has a
new community calendar! Please be
sure to submit your upcoming events
and activities to Lee Ann at
[email protected] to be posted
on there for everyone to see.
ZZZ
Click here for current calendar
—6—
Pike County Builders Association Wins Excellence Award
The Pike County Builders Association
recently received an Award of Excellence
in the following category from the
Executive Officers Council (EOC) of the
National Association of Home Builders:
Best Education Plan Implemented for
Construction Connection e-mail / event
newsletter. Awards were presented during
the annual National Associa≤tion of Home
Builders’ 2009 EOC Seminar held in
Louisville, Kentucky.
The council’s membership consists of
the staff executives who manage the more
than 800 state and local home builders
associations that comprise the National
Association of Home Builders.
“Winning an Association Excellence
Award is truly a great honor,” said Susan
Ritter, president of the Executive Officers
Council and executive officer of the Home
Builders Association of Tennessee. “Each
award recognizes the outstanding effort,
commitment and achievement an
executive officer and the association
membership made to further the value of
involvement in the association.”
The winning entries will become part
of the Executive Officers Council’s Idea
Loan File in an effort to help other
executives and associations across the
country provide better service to members
and their community
The Pike County Builders Association
represents home builders and associates
in the housing industry throughout the
area. The association’s executive officer
is Bette Eagan. Eagan was the sole award
recipient from Pennsylvania and has won
the prestigious award four years in a row.
You’re Officially Invited…
To become more Involved!
The Chamber is inviting you to get
involved in “Helping the Chamber help
the Community” by joining one of our
committees. Below is a list of the current
committees. If one of them interests you
and you want to be more involved, please
call the Chamber at 296-8700.
Chamber Committees:
Scott Elliott, Director of Public Relations for
the Pennsylvania Builders Association presents the Association Excellence Award to
Christie Meyerriecks (Administrative Assistant) and Bette Eagan (Executive Officer) of
the Pike County Builders Association.
“I am ver y proud of the
accomplishments of my association and
the hard work of our staff,” said Bette
Eagan. “To receive an Association
Excellence Award and to be recognized
by one’s peers is truly the ultimate
compliment.”
The Pike County Builders Association
is one of more than 800 state and local
professional organizations of people in the
building trades and related industries. The
Association is committed to providing their
members and the consumer with quality
standards while living up to their code of
ethics. The PCBA was formed in 1978 and
serves a membership base in Pike County
and some surrounding areas of New York
and New Jersey. For more information on
the Association contact the PCBA office
at 570-296-5589 or visit the PCBA website
at www.pikecountybuilders.com
Watch the Chamber’s New Commercial!
A BIG THANK YOU to Bill Cohen with
Viamedia, LLC, Rob Humphrey with Digital Reality Productions & Matt Dorcas,
Chamber Marketing Chair from Bold Gold
Media Group who helped coordinate our
new TV commercial and a BIG thank you
to those who participated in it: Simone
Palmer from The Dime Bank, Mark
Edmonds & Christian Garcia from The
Patisserie, Sandy Soesman from Century
21 Roy B. Hull, Stuart Rivera from Accurate Auto, and Dr. Lisa Pathak from
Dingmans Medical. Thank you to all of the
many people involved in this group project.
Click here to see it now!
—7—
Government Affairs
meets 2nd Wednesday of the month at
8:30 a.m.
Business Education
meets 2nd Wednesday of the month at
9:30 a.m.
Women In Business
meets 2nd Thursday of the month at
8:30 a.m.
Events
meets 2nd Thursday of the month at
4:00 p.m.
Marketing
meets 2nd Thursday of the month at
5:30 p.m.
Milford Business Council
meets 2nd Thursday of the month at
6:30 p.m.
Ambassador/Membership
meets 4th Thursday of the month at
8:30 a.m.
The response from the Goverment
Affairs Committee questionnaire to local
2009 Township and Borough candidates
is now available at PikeChamber.com
Library Friends Host
Annual Luncheon
T
he Friends of the Pike County
Public Library will host their
annual Library Staff Appreciation
Luncheon Meeting on Thursday, October
22nd at 12 Noon.
Each year the Friends treat the
staff members of the three branches:
Milford, Dingmans and Lackawaxen.
You are invited to come and help
them honor their hardworking staff and
meet some new friends. It will be held at
The Riverview Inn in Matamoras. Past
President Martyn Freed will be honored
for his outstanding service to the Friends
Organization.
Price is $24.00 per person. To get
your tickets or for more information,
please call Ann Marie Catalano at
570-491-2931.
Pike County Humane Society News
Tricky Tray Fundraiser
Another Successful
Networking Event...
A
Saturday, October 3 • Admission: $5
Doors open 2:00 • Calling starts at 4:00
Delaware Valley Middle School
Over 200 trays of new items with a minimum value
of $50 each
For more information please call 296-7654
Also, this year the PCHS will be creating personalized calendars with pictures of
pets and companion animals sent in by members, friends, or anyone who wants
to participate. There is also the option to purchase the calendars only.The cost is
$10 per entry and $15 per calendar. Please note the following:
• The deadline for submissions is October 15, 2009 and calendars will be
ready by the end of November. You will be contacted by phone or email
when your order is ready.
• This will be a collage calendar; your pictures may share a page with others.
• All photos, checks and order forms must be sent by regular (ground) mail.
Anything sent electronically will not be accepted.
• Please write your information on the back of each photo in case it gets
separated from your order form.
• If you would like your pictures returned please include a self-addressed
stamped envelope.
• Any pictures for the “In Memory Of” section will be included in a special
section at the back of the calendar.
Please mail this order form and your check (made payable to PCHS) to:
Kathy Varkados, PCHS Volunteer - 2010 Calendar Fundraiser,
R.R. #5 Box 72A7, Bushkill, PA 18324
Annual Day of Caring & September 11th Blood Drive
T
he American Red Cross was just
shy of their goal of 100 at the
annual 9/11 Blood Drive on
Saturday, September 12th. A big Thank
You to Myer & Myer who donated the grill
for the raffle. The HOSA class from Delaware Valley did a fantastic job of helping
and learning that day. You can make a
huge difference by donating blood so look
out for when the next blood drive is and
try to attend.
Suggestions for Volunteer of the Year
Do you have any suggestions of who the Chamber should honor as the
overall Volunteer of the Year at this year’s Community Awards Banquet? If
you know of someone who has volunteered a lot over the past year for one
or more organizations to help the Pike County community, please e-mail
your suggestions to [email protected] and put in the subject line Volunteer of the Year Suggestion.
—8—
ugust’s Networking Event was at
Failte’s Restaurant on Rt. 739 in
Dingmans Ferry. The Byrnes
graciously offered a wonderful array of
authentic Irish dishes that are served at
Failte’s. Fun was had by all by playing an
Irish-themed networking game.
Congratulations to winner Patricia
DeLorenzo of the Serenity Facility, who
won a three-month web ad. See you at
the next networking event at G.A.I.T on
October 22nd.
Disaster preparation: How to plan for a pandemic
A pandemic is a global outbreak of disease that occurs when a new virus appears
or emerges in the human population, causes
serious illness, and then spreads easily from
person to person worldwide. Pandemics are
different from seasonal outbreaks or epidemics of influenza. Seasonal outbreaks are
caused by subtypes of influenza viruses that
already circulate among people, whereas
pandemic outbreaks are caused by new subtypes, by subtypes that have never circulated
among people or by subtypes that have not
circulated among people for a long time. Once
a new pandemic influenza virus emerges and
spreads, it usually becomes established
among people and moves around or circulates for many years, as do seasonal epidemics of influenza. Past pandemics have led to
high levels of illness, death, social disruption
and economic loss. If you think this is unnecessary hype and that it won’t happen to you,
your company or your employees — think
again. According to Keith Kartman, a sales
executive with JRG Advisors, the management company for Chamber Choice ,
pandemics are real and need to be monitored
by everyone — even businesses.
“Anyone — business owners especially,
since they are responsible for large groups of
people — need to be aware of the threat of a
pandemic,” Kartman says. “The U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and
the World Health Organization (WHO) have
large surveillance programs to monitor and
detect influenza activity around the world, including the emergence of possible pandemic
strains of influenza virus.” Smart Business
spoke with Kartman about pandemics, the impacts of them and how a business can be prepared for any outbreak.
What would the impact of a pandemic be?
It is impossible to predict specifically how a
pandemic would impact the world. The general challenges we are likely to face in a pandemic are easier for experts to predict. But,
here’s what the CDC believes we can expect
during an outbreak of pandemic influenza: •
Rapid worldwide spread. When a pandemic
influenza virus emerges, its spread is considered inevitable. Preparedness activities
should assume that the entire world population would be susceptible. Countries might,
through measures such as border closures
and travel restrictions, delay arrival of the virus but would not be able to stop it. • Overloaded health care systems. Because most
people have little or no immunity to a pandemic virus, infection and illness rates soar.
A substantial percentage of the world’s population would require some form of medical
care. Nations are unlikely to Economic and
social disruption. Travel bans and the closing
of schools and businesses and cancellations
of events could have a major impact on communities and citizens. Care for sick family
members and fear of exposure could result in
significant worker absenteeism.
How can you plan for a pandemic?
Many scientists believe it is only a matter of
time until the next influenza pandemic occurs.
The federal government, states, communities
and industries are taking steps to prepare for
and respond to an influenza pandemic. A pandemic is likely to be a prolonged and widespread outbreak that could require temporary
changes in many areas of society, such as
schools, work, transportation and other public services. An informed and prepared public
can take appropriate actions to decrease their
risk during a pandemic.
What should a business owner and his or
her employees do in the event of a pandemic?
There are several things. You should:
• Develop preparedness plans as you
would for other public health emergencies.
• Participate in and promote public health
efforts in your state and community.
• Talk with your local public health officials and health care providers; they can supply information about the signs and symptoms
of a specific disease outbreak.
• Implement prevention and control actions recommended by your public health officials and providers. • Adopt practices that
encourage sick employees to stay home.
• Anticipate how to function with a significant portion of the work force absent due
to illness or caring for ill family members.
Why should this be on a company’s radar?
Ensuring an adequate system for alert,
response and disaster management should
be the basis of every national pandemic preparedness plan. Depending on the available
resources, more specific preparations can be
made, such as developing specific contingency plans, strengthening risk communications, investing in pandemic vaccine research
and promoting domestic production of influenza vaccines.
How can you plan for a pandemic?
Many scientists believe it is only a matter of time until the next influenza pandemic
occurs. The federal government, states, communities & industries are taking steps to prepare for and respond to an influenza pandemic. A pandemic is likely to be a prolonged
& widespread outbreak that could require temporary changes in many areas of society, such
as schools, work, transportation & other public services. An informed & prepared public
can take appropriate actions to decrease their
risk during a pandemic.
—9—
Managing Swine Flu at Work
The CDC’s swine flu
guidance for businesses
and employers focuses
on preparing for
people to be out sick
— and on reassuring
staff that staying
home won’t cost them
their job.
The CDC’s main point is that workers
with flu-like symptoms should stay home
and not come back to work until at least
24 hours after they are free of a fever, or
signs of a fever, without using feverreducing medicines.
The CDC also urges employers to
come up with flexible leave policies, in
case workers need to stay home and care
for a child who is sick or whose school or
child care program has closed due to
swine flu.
Here are some of the CDC’s other
swine flu tips for businesses and
employers:
• Expect sick employees to be out
for three to five days, even if they’re
taking antiviral drugs.
• If an employee gets sick during the
day, isolate them from other
workers and send them home
promptly.
• Don’t require a doctor’s note to
allow recovered employees to
come back to work.
• Provide soap and water and
alcohol-based hand sanitizers in
the workplace.
• Place posters in the work site that
encourage employees to wash
their hands often and to cover their
coughs and sneezes with a tissue
or sleeve.
• Frequently clean surfaces and
items that are likely to be touched
frequently, including work stations,
doorknobs, and countertops.
• Encourage employees to get
vaccinated against seasonal
influenza and to get the swine flu
vaccine when it becomes available.
The CDC also encourages seasonal
flu vaccination — and swine flu
vaccination, when the H1N1 vaccine
becomes available — for workers.
Businesses should also plan how
they would handle swine flu if it gets a lot
worse than it is right now, according to
the CDC.
SPENDING PLAN
&
GETTING OUT OF DEBT
PCBA BREAKFAST SEMINAR
Worrying about debt affects every aspect of a person’s life.
The stress can create health issues, family problems,
even performance issues on the job.
Get yourself back on track and take control!






Why goals are important
Needs vs. wants
Cash flow management
How to create & use your spending plan
Strategies to pay down your debt
5 steps you can take right away
Presented by: Tim Attinger,
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21st
PCBA CONFERECE ROOM
209 East Harford Street
Milford, PA
9:00am
Cost: $15 PCBA Members
$25 Non-Members
Reservations Required
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Fax Form to 570-296-7057 or call 570-296-5589
Company/Contact____________________________________________
Phone___________________
Address____________________________________________________
Email_________________________
___ $15 /PCBA Member
_____ Bill Me
___ $25 / Non-Member
_____ Mailed Payment
PCBA
209 E Harford Street
Milford, PA 18337
_____ Credit Card Payment
Call 570-296-5589
PSECU
Joint Chamber Breakfast with our State Legislators
Friday, October 9, 2009
7:30 AM to 9:00 AM
Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Resort ~ Rte. 507 Tafton, PA
$12 Advanced Tickets ~ $15 at the door
Sponsored by:
Join us for a legislative update, presented by
the Wayne County, Southern Wayne Regional,
Hawley - Lake Wallenpaupack and Pike County
Chambers of Commerce.
This will provide an excellent opportunity for
Chamber Members and others to meet Senator
Lisa Baker, and Representatives Sandra Major,
Michael Peifer, John Siptroth and Edward
Staback.
Updates of the state budget will be presented.
Any specific questions or topics of interest should
be submitted with your reservation.
Cost is $12 with advanced reservations and $15 at
the door.
Deadline to register is September 30, 2009.
Please list your question or topic of interest here.
Business Name:
# attending:
Names of Attendees:
Amount Due $
Please return by September 30th to:
Wayne County Chamber of Commerce
32 Commercial Street, Suite 200
Honesdale, PA 18431
570.253.1960
fax 570.253.1517
LO C A L F L AV O R
HARVEST
LAKE STROLL
Saturday, November 7th • 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Amid fiery foliage and crisp autumn air, the historic Skytop Lodge will
celebrate the sights, smells and tastes that make the harvest season
so spectacular. Join us for our Local Flavor Harvest Lake Stroll. The day
will include something for everyone, with entertainment and rich food
samplings set around Skytop’s pristine lake. Part of all proceeds will go
to the United Way of Monroe County.
For Information: 570.595.7401 • 1.800.345.7759
www.harvestlakestroll.com
LOCAL
What better setting than the magnificent Skytop estate for your company’s Holiday celebration. The Flower
Shoppe at Skytop expertly designs and decorates the Main Lodge with over 100,000 twinkling lights, 35 Christmas
trees and numerous Holiday dressings. Our Executive Pastry Chef and her team have created a life sized
gingerbread house! The traditional old world charm of the Lodge, the stunning Holiday decorations and our
exquisite service and food are sure to provide you with the perfect party setting. Be sure to call our Special Events
Department today! Space fills fast.
Cocktail Hour – Cash Bar available
Display of Imported and Domestic Cheeses
Vegetable Platter
Appetizers – Choice of One
Antipasto
Buffalo Mozzarella layered with Roasted Peppers & Grilled Portabella Mushrooms in a Basil Vinaigrette
Eggplant Rollatini
Butternut Squash Soup
Wild Mushroom Herb Risotto
Salad – Choice of One
Boston Bibb Lettuce, radicchio, Frisse & Plum Tomatoes - Dressed with a Citrus Vinaigrette
Baby Spinach Greens, Pears, Feta Cheese & Dried Cranberries - In an Orange Cognac Dressing
Fried Green Tomatoes, Baby Arugula & shaved Parmesan Cheese, Balsamic Vinaigrette
Entrees – Choice of One or Choice of Three with Counts in Advance
Potato Horseradish Encrusted Salmon with a Mustard Beurre Blanc
Parmesan Cheese Encrusted Swordfish with Fresh Basil Tomato & Kalamata Olives Ragout
Slow Roast Prime au jus Creamy Horseradish Sauce
Roasted Sirloin of Beef with a Cognac Peppercorn Bordelaise Sauce
Braised Short Ribs
French Breast of Chicken With Forest Mushrooms in a Marsala Wine Sauce
European Chicken Breast Melted Fontina Cheese & Proscuitto in a Marsala Sage Sauce
Garlic Shrimp Risotto & Garlic Rabe
Roast Loin of Pork with Sun dried Cranberry Bordelaise
Wild Mushroom Risotto & Wilted Greens
Dessert – Choice of Two
Skytop’s Famous Chocolate Obsession
Apple Strudel
Warm Banana Brioche Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Per Person Price is $36.00 plus 6% tax and 15% service charge. Buffet & luncheon menus are available
Groups of 25 or more receive a complimentary gingerbread house!
Overnight accommodations are available at a discounted Bed & Breakfast rate.
Please contact the Special Events Department at 1-800-345-7759 ext. 132
www.skytop.com

Working together to promote your Business
and the Chamber with:
Festival of lights Sponsorship.
Help promote this special event and as a Chamber Member get a special 40% discount off
advertising rates. Your Thirty-Second Commercial includes full thirty-seconds of product or
service copy of your choice with a “Proud Sponsor of the Festival of Lights” end into a “Festival
of Lights” commercial.
48 Thirty-Second Commercials *
$960 Value
$576
$1280 Value
$768
$1600 Value
$960
(4 per day for 3 days a week)
64 Thirty-Second Commercials*
(4 per day for 4 days a week)
80 Thirty-Second Commercials*
(4 per day for 5 days a week)
Schedule to run 4 weeks in November (11/2, 11/9, 11/16, 11/23)
We Invite You to Join Us
to Celebrate the Holidays
at Woodloch
Planning Your Company’s Holiday Party?
Woodloch Pines looks forward to hosting
your party and offering you...
√
√
√
√
√
Delicious food and libations
Dancing and entertainment
Beautiful Holiday atmosphere
Excellent and friendly
Warm hospitality
Hosting friends and neighbors for over 50 years!
Call 800-784-3466
to reserve your party’s space
We look forward to celebrating the holiday with your company
Hawley, PA www.woodloch.com
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— Newsletter Advertising Update —
As you know, we are now producing a “green” newsletter online to help save our environment. With
the newsletter being sent online, we will now be able to archive it on our website, it is open to the public
and there will be “active” links.
Here are the new prices for advertising in the newsletter:
• Business card size ad (shown above) will be $120 for six months or $240 to run for one year
• Flyer/attachment on the newsletter will be $75.00 for a general business and $25.00 for a non-profit.
• Non-profits will still get one free flyer/attachment per year.
For more information on advertising in our new online “green” newsletter,
please call Lee Ann at 296-8700.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE CHAMBER’S GREEN INITIATIVE!
— 10 —