January - February 2014 - Pennridge Chamber of Commerce

Volume XXVI • Number 1
January - February 2014
Newsletter of the Pennridge Chamber of Commerce
Annual Breakfast Meeting and Board of
Directors Election
December 4, 2013
J.T. Bankers
After a delicious breakfast buffet, the Board of Directors
Slate for 2014 was introduced.
Those elected for a two year term include:
Bill Delaney, Landis Supermarket
Joe Ferry, Chroma Creative Group
Todd Hurley, First Savings Bank
Doris Kaucher, D. Kaucher & Associates, LLC
David Nyman, Municipal Management Consultant
Tom Skiffington, RE/MAX 440 Realty, Inc.
James Steeley, Steeley Funeral Home
PCC Board members Jim Spindler, Bret Krevolin, Tom Skiffington, Teri
Mandic, Dave Caro, and Todd Hurley welcomed Rhonda Tettemer,
Senator Chuck McIlhinney, and Ryan Voels, Clemmer Moving & Storage.
PCC Director Dave Alderfer welcomed our newest Board member,
Joe Ferry, Chroma Creative Group, and had an enjoyable time with
Dick Reller, SCORE, and Pennridge School District Superintendent
Jacqueline Rattigan.
Tina Sabatini welcomed everyone to JT Bankers with a delicious
breakfast buffet.
Congratulations to our
2014 Officers—
President BILL DELANEY,
Vice President JIM SPINDLER,
Secretary Doris Kaucher,
Treasurer Tom Skiffington
Rhonda Leimbach, National Penn, PCC Vice President Bill Delaney,
Fred Schea, First Savings Bank, and Bob Podraza, Edward Jones
Investments, had time to network.
Holiday Mixer at Pearl S. Buck International
December 6, 2013
The Pennridge High School Chamber Choir under the direction of
Steve Mosser did a fantastic job performing seasonal tunes.
The trees were phenomenal this year!
The crowd listened to the Chamber Choir performance.
Charlie Baum, Perkasie Historical Society, and
Chamber President Dave Nyman enjoyed the festive
evening.
Tracey Hill, Upper Bucks County Technical School and
Brenda Hill, World Class Auto Body, met each other and
found out they were not related.
A special thank you to all of the sponsors that made the
evening possible!
Former Leadership classmates Vince Kauffman, sponsor
UNIVEST, and Natalie Schmolk, PCC, were reunited.
Participants were able to tour the house, decorated by
the finest area artists and community organizations.
Woody Moyer, Builder, with his wife Sherry, and son
Keith and his fiancé Elvira
Mike Keen and Bill Bingaman represented sponsor Grand
View Hospital along with Neil Fosbenner from sponsor
First Savings.
Tiffany Pompei and Annie Wang, with sponsor QNB,
joined Pearl S. Buck International’s Jill Dixon, and
William Wert, Dublin Borough.
Nancy and Page Christiansen, Christiansen
Memorials, joined Walter Buck in tasting some of
the delicious treats.
Sponsor QNB decorated this tree, complete with
an old coin machine.
Welcome New
Member
WELCOME NEW MEMBER
The following business has made an important
investment in their community by joining the chamber. Please
remember them for your business and personal needs. Also
make a special effort to welcome them as they attend our
functions.
Rydel Interiors, Claudia Rydel, 5 Brook Lane, Chalfont, PA
18904, phone: 215-822-3602, web site: www.Rydelinteriors.
com. Are you moving to a new home or downsizing? Claudia
is an HSR Certified Home Stager and Redesigner with a true
passion and talent for decorating and has many years of project
management skills from printing to kitchen remodeling. She
assists home sellers and real estate agents in preparing homes
for sale, starting with what the owner already has, creating
function and style in each room to achieve best market value
and attract more buyers for a quicker sale. Does your current
home need some updates, organization, or a color change?
Whether it’s one room or entire home, Claudia can work
with all budgets to make dramatic changes, creating style and
function to produce an organized, beautiful, stress free home.
PEOPLE ON THE MOVE
Todd Hurley, EVP, Chief Retail Officer
of First Savings Bank has announced that
long-time employee, Kylene Weidner has
been named manager of the First Savings
Dublin Office. Since joining First Savings
as a part-time teller, Kylene has served as
a team member of the Dublin and Market
Street office as well as Teller Trainer and
completed the bank’s management trainee
program. After completing the program,
Kylene was named the Assistant Branch Manager of the Dublin
office and most recently was Assistant Branch Manager of the
Riegelsville office.
The Grand View Hospital Board of Trustees officially appointed
two new physicians to its medical staff at the November
meeting. Deborah Topakas, D.O. is board certified in family
medicine. She is an associate of TriValley Primary Care in
Harleysville. Katie Lapps Wert, D.M.D. specializes in dental
surgery. She is an associate of North Penn Pediatric Dental
Associates in Lansdale. For more information about GVH
services and programs, visit www.gvh.org.
Lynn Compton was recently promoted
to Assistant Branch Manager II of QNB’s
Country Square Office, located on Route
309. Employed at QNB since 2006, she is
responsible for supervising and scheduling
staff, assisting the branch manager, as well
as effective and efficient management of
a branch office. Lynn’s former position
was Assistant Branch Manager at QNB’s
Coopersburg Office.
SCORE Celebrates
50 Years
As we begin a new year, SCORE celebrates 50 years of service
as “Counselors to America’s Small Business.” In Bucks County,
SCORE’s 40 counselors will continue to serve the community,
fulfilling the mandate to “make a positive difference in the lives
of clients” through one-on-one counseling, seminars, workshops
and roundtable discussions.
In 2013, SCORE Bucks County provided over 1,000 client
services. With help from local sponsors, they ran a total of 25
seminars across the county that ranged from “Starting a New
Business” for aspiring entrepreneurs to “Growing Your Business”
for existing businesses. Additionally, roundtable discussions
were held on topics of interest like “Engagement Marketing”
and “Cyber Security for Small Business.”
SCORE is America’s premier small business mentoring
organization. The non-profit association is the leading source
of free and confidential business advice. SCORE helps
entrepreneurs and small businesses achieve their dreams by
building strong, lifelong relationships through mentoring,
workshops and expert resources. SCORE harnesses the expertise
and passion of thousands of volunteers to mentor the success
of millions. SCORE is associated with the SBA, a national
organization with over 12,000 active members and 340 separate
Chapters.
SCORE Bucks County is currently seeking new members to join
their team of Small Business Counselors. Counselor training
is provided for all new members. Orientation and Mentoring
Certification programs provide everything needed to be a
successful volunteer. SCORE Counseling offers a wide variety
of interesting challenges and an opportunity for giving practical
advice, support and encouragement to entrepreneurs, both new
and existing, within the local small business community.
SCORE is associated with the SBA, it is a national organization
with over 12,000 active members and 340 separate Chapters.
The SCORE Chapter in Bucks County has 45 active members
who collectively service over 1000 clients each year.
For more information about SCORE , visit www.scorebuckscounty.
org and www.score.org. Alternatively, for an initial conversation
call Tim Fielder at 908 752 5859 or [email protected]
FYI
BUSINESS NEWS
Roy Kershaw, CPA, Partner, with the accounting firm
of Baum, Smith & Clemens, LLP was a delegate to CPAmerica
International’s 2013 Tax Conference in San Diego, CA. The
meeting is an annual event sponsored by CPAmerica, which brings
together tax professionals within the association membership
for networking, member sharing and continuing professional
education. Topics covered included: tax planning opportunities,
related party transactions, tax practice quality control, member
sharing on tax practice management, tangible property regulations
- a significant revenue opportunity for firms, international tax
planning for 2014, an economic and legislative update, health
insurance purchasing decisions in 2014, the state of state and local
tax, foreign reporting 2.0, member sharing on various technical
topics, and how to build an international tax practice.
Christine Gallagher, founder
of ShesGotClients.com, will share her insights
with women business owners and aspiring
business owners at the next Women’s Business
Forum™ meeting on Wednesday, February 5,
from 8 to 9 a.m. at the James-Lorah House,
132 N. Main Street, Doylestown. Doors
open at 7:30 for networking. Gallagher will
speak on “Finding Your Voice to Get Gutsy
Online: The Practical Magic.” She is devoted to helping women
entrepreneurs make more money, enjoy more freedom, and
stand out as a go-to leader and expert in their field through the
power of authentic marketing— and a mindset that comes from
a place of prosperity. The nonprofit’s meeting is free, and all
are welcome. Eleven years old, the Women’s Business Forum™
(www.WomensBusinessForum.org, 267.337.6073) is a nonprofit
organization that educates, mentors and inspires women to build
and grow successful businesses.
KUDOS
(Pictured, Joshua
Rush, QNB’s Relay
for Life Chairman,
Dale Wentz, QNB’s
Chief Retail Officer
and Julia Scorzafava,
QNB’s Relay for Life
Co-Chair)
Recently, the Upper Bucks Relay for Life held its kick off
meeting for the 2014 season, where QNB Bank received the
2013 Jade Level certificate for their donation of $11,773 to the
American Cancer Society. The QNB ‘Banking on a Cure’ Team
would like to thank all the QNB employees and customers who
supported the 2013 Relay efforts through donations and various
fundraising projects. The 2014 Upper Bucks Relay will be held
on May 3, 2014.
Univest Insurance, Inc., subsidiary
of Univest Corporation of Pennsylvania,
announced the professional achievements
of two of its employees – Shea Kuhns and
Cheryl Walker, personal lines sales and
service agents. Kuhns and Walker have been
honored as 2013 Five Star Professional Award
winners in the home/auto insurance category
featured in a recent issue of Philadelphia
Magazine. The Five Star Award is designed to assist consumers in
the selection of a credible and outstanding service professional.
Kuhns joined Univest in 2013 and has 16 years of experience
in the financial services industry. She is a Certified Insurance
Counselor (CIC) and Certified Professional
Insurance Agent (CPIA) and is responsible
for servicing a book of business, rounding
accounts and obtaining new business. Walker
joined Univest in 2013 and has 18 years of
experience in the financial services industry.
She is a Certified Professional Insurance
Agent (CPIA) and Certified Insurance Service
Representative (CSIR). Pictured from Left
to Right: Thomas
Skiffington, Broker and
Owner of RE/MAX 440
and RE/MAX Central,
Tess Allen, Cheryl
Gunning, Lucy Miller,
and Colleen Gular
Tom Skiffington, broker and owner of RE/MAX 440 and
Central, delivered a check for $13,471.06 to Children’s Hospital
of Philadelphia. RE/MAX 440 and RE/MAX Central hosted a
Masquerade Ball on October 29th at Talamore Country Club
specifically to raise money for the Children’s Miracle Network,
a group that RE/MAX 440 and RE/MAX Central have long
supported. The commitment of the RE/MAX family to Children’s
Miracle Network Hospitals demonstrates “The power of many
makes a difference.” The individual donations of thousands of
Associates amount to millions of dollars each year for children’s
hospitals, with $8.2 million raised in 2012. RE/MAX has supported
Children’s Miracle Network for over 21 years and raised $123
million. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals is an international
non-profit organization founded in 1983 to raise funds and
awareness for 170 children’s hospitals throughout North America.
Children’s Miracle Network Hospital’s members treat all children
regardless of affliction or the family’s ability to pay.
Anthony J. Bellitto, Jr., P.E.,
Executive Director for the North
Penn Water Authority, presented
service awards at the Authority’s Fall
breakfast meeting held December 6 to the following employees:
Gary P. Raser, 40 years of service; James P. Sharayko, 35 years of
service; David L. Galluppi, 25 years of service; Heidi L. Palmer,
20 years of service; Danielle Frankenfield, 5 years of service;
Daniel J. Yaw, Jr., Susan E. Borowski, Kevin Mokriski and Alicia
K. Smith, 1 year of service.
Diana Penn, Baking and Pastry Arts
teacher at the Upper Bucks County Technical
School has been awarded the Carl J. Schaefer
Memorial Award by the National Occupational
Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI). The
award recognizes an outstanding CTE teacher
or teacher candidate. Diana Penn is a graduate
of the Culinary Institute of America and the
Institute of Culinary Education. She has a
Bachelor’s Degree from Albright College with
a major in Organizational Behavior/Applied Psychology. She
will now seek her Master’s Degree in Industrial Education from
Temple University. She is also an American Culinary Federation
Certified Executive Pastry Chef. The UBCTS award recipient
will receive $500 to be applied to educational expenses and a
recognition plaque.
Rebecca Zuspan, Doylestown
Hospital satellite coordinator,
Kelly Harris, CEO of Gilda’s
Club Delaware Valley and Jim
Brexler, Doylestown Hospital
CEO
The partnership between
Doylestown Hospital and
Gilda’s Club Delaware Valley,
a local cancer support charity,
provides people living with
cancer and their families
convenient access to the tools and support they need. Doylestown
Hospital recently gave $10,000 to Gilda’s Club to further support
programs and club services. In addition to its main clubhouse
in Warminster, Gilda’s Club operates satellite locations at area
hospitals. Gilda’s Club provides more than 100 social and
emotional support programs each month for anyone whose
life has been affected by a cancer diagnosis. Club services
include group meetings, lectures, workshops, social events, and
structured programs for children and teens. All of Gilda’s Club’s
programs and services are offered at no cost, so there’s never a
barrier to anyone who needs cancer support.
Univest Corporation
announced Vets for
Vets as the winner
of the second annual
Caring for Community
Giveaway, a contest that
awards $5,000 to a local,
nonprofit organization. Groups were nominated
for the prize through the
Univest Facebook page. Of the nearly 10,000 votes submitted for 95 organizations over
the course of the contest, Vets for Vets received the most posts
on its behalf, earning the group the $5,000 prize. Vets for Vets
mission is to support veterans during their readjustment from
military to civilian life by providing transitional housing as well
as educational and employment opportunities.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY?
Pennridge F.I.S.H. (Fellowship In Serving Humanity) is running
low on spaghetti, pasta and pasta mixes, macaroni and cheese,
spaghetti sauce, rice and rice mixes, fruit juices, paper towels,
tissues and toilet paper. Cash donations are always needed.
Additionally, FISH is in need of volunteers to help make each
shift run efficiently. Contact Paige at 215-257-7616, if you have
any talents you would like to share! Be sure to visit the website
at www.pennridgefish.org .
Items currently needed also include:
• Canned fish and tuna
• Canned fruits and vegetables
• Dry potatoes
• Gravy, Soups
• Canned meat, beans
• Peanut butter and jelly
• COFFEE, tea and hot chocolate
• Gluten Free and Diabetic foods
• Laundry detergent and cleaning products
• Diapers, sizes 1,2,3,4, 5, 6
• Diaper Wipes
• Jello, treats
• Bath Soaps and shampoos
Habitat for Humanity ReStore
offers free donation pick-up
for items to be re-sold in their
ReStore facility located at 31 Oak
Avenue, Chalfont. Items taken
include appliances, cabinets, doors, furniture, electrical, lumber,
plumbing, tools, windows, books, and household items. The
store is open to the public Wednesday through Saturday from 9
a.m. to 5 p.m. To schedule a pickup call 215-822-2708. If you’ve
always wanted to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, but your
schedule or skills hasn’t allowed for onsite construction work,
now is your chance to get involved! Volunteer tasks include
unloading deliveries, cleaning and testing donations, stocking
merchandise and assisting customers. The volunteer coordinator
can be reached at [email protected] or 215-822-2812
ext 302.
Keystone Opportunity Center
invites you to join in their Meal-AMonth Program. Bring your family,
friends, co-workers and enjoy a meal
for us as you support our mission to
feed the hungry, house the homeless and educate our neighbors
to become self-sufficient, productive community members.
• Tuesday, January 21 at Down To Earth Café- 8:00
a.m.-4:00 p.m. 1141 N. Fifth Street, Perkasie, PA.
• Tuesday, January 28 at Texas Roadhouse- 4-10 p.m.
115 Garden Golf Blvd., Montgomeryville, PA. Take
along the flyer (Click here) and present to your server
for the Keystone donation. Applies to gift cards as
well, so stock up for birthdays and other special
occasions.
For the schedule of Meal-a-Month dates and locations visit http://
keystoneopportunity.org/events/current-events/37-meal-a-month.
Perkasie Fire Company is hosting an All
You Can Eat Breakfast on Sunday, January
19, from 7:30 am until 12:30 pm at the Fire
Hall located at 100 N. 5th Street, Perkasie.
The Breakfast Buffet offers old time favorites
like Waffles, Pancakes, Eggs, Cream Dried
Beef, Sausage, Bacon, Scrapple, Home Fries, assorted Juice and
more. Come hungry and make sure to bring your entire family
for this hearty meal. There is also a raffle! Most importantly,
you’ll know that you are supporting your local 100% volunteer
fire company! For more information, please visit the website at
www.perkasiefd.org. Adults $7.00, Children (ages 4-12) $3.50,
age 3 and under are free. Breakfast benefits are held on the third
Sunday of each month with the exception of July and August. A volunteer orientation will be held
at Pearl S. Buck International, 520
Dublin Rd, Perkasie, on Tuesday,
February 25 from 8:00 AM - 9:00
AM. There are a variety of volunteer
opportunities at Pearl S. Buck
International:
• Conducting guided tours of the Pearl S. Buck House
• Organizing and working at special events, workshops, and conferences
• Clerical activities (computer skills are a plus!)
• Working in the International Gift Shop
• Other special assignments/research projects
For more information please contact:
215-249-0100 Ext 149
THANKS FOR HELPING OUT IN
OUR ANNUAL TOY DRIVE
Our annual toy drive for the Fellowship in Serving Humanity was once again a huge success. We had
support from businesses all over the Pennridge Community, with a large number of businesses volunteering to place
collection boxes in their facility. Many toys, hats, mittens, and scarves were collected for needy families to help
them in their Christmas celebration.
As the need for help continues to grow in our community, we turn to one another for support. We are
thankful that many of you have reached out to others and opened your hearts to those who are less fortunate by
participating in this annual toy drive, and by giving to those families that are in need. We are indebted to the
wonderful staff at the Penny Power for running full page ads every week highlighting the toy drive and the drop
off spots. This munificent act was so beneficial in getting the word out to the Pennridge community. We want to
thank all those who helped deliver and pick up boxes, especially Jerry Graver, Charlie Baum, Kathleen Fortier,
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network, Michelle Kane, Voice Matters, LLC, Rhonda Leimbach, National Penn,
Jamie McCormick, McCormick Brothers, and Tiffany Pompei, QNB. All of our volunteers are to be commended
for showing the true spirit of the season. Additionally, a special thanks to Waste Management of Indian Valley for
donating the boxes to be used in the collection.
Please remember that all items collected for this toy drive stay in the Pennridge Community for the benefit
of those in need. F.I.S.H. is such a critical lifeline in our community, and we laud them for their efforts. F.I.S.H.
will accept donations anytime of the year. If you can help out in any way, please contact Ted Von Mechow, at 215257-7616.
Board of Directors and Staff - 2014
Bill Delaney
Jim Spindler
President
Landis Supermarket
Vice President
Univest Corporation of PA
Doris Kaucher
Thomas Skiffington
Secretary
D. Kaucher & Assoc.
Treasurer
RE/MAX 440, Perkasie
Betty Graver
Executive Director, PCC
David Alderfer, Director
Todd Hurley, Director
Lisa Bogan
Grand View Hospital
First Saving Bank
Assistant to the Executive Director
David Beck, Director
Bret Krevolin, Director
Natalie Schmolk
The Weimer Group
QNB
Administrative Assistant
David Caro, Esq., Director
Teri Mandic, Director
Brenda Price
Grim, Biehn & Thatcher
Pearl S. Buck International
Communications Editor
Joe Ferry, Director
James Steeley, Director
Chroma Creative Group
Betty Meier Steeley Funeral Home
Remember, you can always get updated information
on all of our events on our website: www.pennridge.com
Coming Events
January 7
January 8
January 20
January 22
January 23
February 4
February 12
February 17
February 27
February 28
March 4
March 18
March 21
Board of Directors Meeting, Chamber 7:30 a.m.
Leadership Bucks . . . Upper County Session, BCCC Upper Bucks Campus 8:00 a.m.
Martin Luther King Day – Chamber Closed
Leadership Bucks . . . Upper County Session, Grand View Hospital 8:00 a.m.
PACC, Bucks County Community College UBC 7:30 p.m.
Board of Directors Meeting, Chamber 7:30 a.m.
Leadership Bucks . . . Upper County Session, First Savings Corp. Office 8:00 a.m.
President’s Day Holiday - Chamber Closed
PACC, Bucks County Community College UBC 7:30 p.m.
Government Affairs Committee Meeting, Chamber 7:30 a.m.
Board of Directors Meeting, Chamber 7:30 a.m.
Leadership Bucks . . . Upper County Session, 8:00 a.m.
Government Affairs Committee Meeting, Revivals Restaurant 8:00 a.m. p.m.
SCORE Counselor available every Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the Chamber office.
Check out their web site at http://www.scorebuckscounty.org seven days a week.
Remember your ABC’s:
Always Buy Chamber ! ! !