April 2007 Chamber Tab Temps - Sun
Transcription
April 2007 Chamber Tab Temps - Sun
2 Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Monday, April 2, 2007 The Chamber View Vincent J. Matteo, President/CEO March was a very long month. You would think that a month that seemed to last forever would have given me ample time to come up with some really interesting stories to write about. But, that does not seem to be the case. Here I sit the day of the deadline wondering what I am going to write about as I am writing it. Well, maybe some shorts will do for this month. The downtown mural project under the auspices of Our Towns 2010 is moving along. While you may have stopped by and thought there was no progress over the winter months that could not be further from the truth. The artist, Michael Pilato, has been working in his studio all winter and you will be able to see the work come the First Friday in May. Sometime prior to that, a large portion of the mural will be hung. I think you will be amazed. We are doing it in conjunction with WVIA’s release of their documentary on the mural. Great news on the downtown movie theater. It looks like the official groundbreaking will take place very soon- perhaps even before this column goes to press. It is my “unofficial” understanding that the theaters are still on track to open prior to the Thanksgiving Holiday. Of course, that will be just in time for the traditional Holiday “blockbuster” releases. It sure will be nice to come downtown, have dinner and then enjoy a movie. We recently closed on some property with a new business to the area. Because of confidentiality reasons, we cannot announce the project yet, but it will be a nice addition to our community. While not a large job Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce Staff President/CEO ........................................................ Dr. Vincent J. Matteo 320-4201 - [email protected] Editor ................................................................................ Sharon J. Jones 320-4204 - [email protected] STAFF Executive Vice President; Executive Director, Lycoming County Visitors Bureau . Jason C. Fink 320-4213 - [email protected] Vice President, Economic Development .................. David E. Dougherty 320-4212 - [email protected] Vice President & Chief Financial Officer ...... Nancy J. Eischeid, CPA 320-4206 - [email protected] Financial Assistant ..................................................... Marianna E. Steele 320-4205 - [email protected] Leadership Lycoming/Special Events Coordinator ....... Erin E. Barrett 320-4202 - [email protected] Development & Retention Coordinator ..................... Nancie J. English 320-4210 - [email protected] Economic Development Specialist ................................. Sylvia Fagnano 320-4209 - [email protected] Tourism Coordinator ..................................................... Regina Kennedy 320-4208 - [email protected] Regional Mainstreet Coordinator ................................... Becky Fought 320-4211 - [email protected] Williamsport Mainstreet Manager ........................... Jessica Abernathy 320-4211 - [email protected] Executive Secretary .................................................... Cindy L. Robbins 320-4201 - [email protected] Office Manager ................................................................... Tammy Beck 326-1971 - [email protected] Facilities Mgr., Business & Technology Resource Center .. Len Otto 327-2898 - [email protected] generating project, it will be good for our area’s economy and may help us in other pursuits. I anticipate we will be able to make an announcement in the near future. In April we will be making two other announcements on local company expansions. Both have received positive word on the financing we helped to arrange through the Lycoming County Industrial Development Authority. Both projects are for companies that have been an important part of our local economy for many years and we are extremely pleased that, not only will these expansions mean more jobs, but it also indicates they are committed to being here in Lycoming County for many years to come. Please watch for official announcements and details in May. We are continuing to work with a major manufacturer for our land at the Muncy Industrial Park phase two. Cur- More Information Inside Page 3 ..... Leadership Holds Community Insights seminar ..... April’s First Friday Events Page 4 ..... Welcome New Members ..... Member Benefit ..... Upcoming PM Exchange ..... Members on the Radio Page 5 ..... Infrastructure-the Hidden Jewel Page 7 ..... Leadership Lycoming class article Page 10 ..... Youth Leadership Lycoming class article ..... Attention Leadership Alumni Page 11 ..... Visitors Bureau News ..... PA Wilds Digital Signage Program Page 14 ..... Non-Profit Corner - Salvation Army ..... The Wellness Report Page 15 ..... Membership Directory Ads Page 16 ..... Chamber Calendar rently, the choice for this company has come down to two sites – ours and one in Virginia. We have done everything we can and the state and the Lycoming County Commissioners and their staff have worked hard with us to make this project work. While we had expected a decision by now, it is not unusual to have delays when dealing with a large project like this one. It certainly doesn’t make the wait any easier, but not totally unexpected. We will keep you posted; you all please keep your fingers crossed. While there are many things that need to be improved in Lycoming County (and Pennsylvania) if we are to compete on a regular basis, we have many good things going for us. This is a great place to live and work, we just need to work on some things that I have discussed in my last few columns. And that’s the Chamber View. On a personal note, to all of you who have been so kind and expressed sympathies on the passing of my Mother – thank you – your thoughts, prayers and friendship has been very comforting to my family and to me. Remember to visit the downtown galleries and merchants on the first Friday of April for fun and arts. For more information on First Friday events, visit www.ot2010.org. Get Connected With Your Chamber! Check out our website for all your needs from community events to relocation plans to membership opportunities. www.williamsport.org e-mail: [email protected] Phone: 570-326-1971 Friday, April 6, 2007 Here’s some of what’s going on... Gifts of Art Pottery artist, David Webster and Fiber artist Eva Hurliman. Reception 6-9pm. Java, Juice & Art Cafe In the Main Gallery, Jeremiah Johnson, drawings & paintings, “Pennsylvania Ghosts and Flowers”. In the Cafe Gallery, John Levandoski, photography, “Places of Spirit”. Coffee & Tea Room Celtic artist Lori Sayman with music provided by the celtic trio, Fieldstone. Collegetown Gallery at Rock Station Lycoming College senior, Gil Thompson, will have his display of mixed media, featuring sculptural wall hangings and print. Reception 7-9pm. Otto Book Store Otto’s guest author will be Williamsport native, Gary Yeagle, signing his new book, Angel’s Footprints, a book of inspirational short stories from 5-8pm. Woodlands Bank Photography by Robert Snyder from 6-8pm. Herdic House Photography exhibit by Howard Tran. Chris Young Art Gallery Craig Kaufman will exhibit his paintings in a show entitled “Selected Works” . Open reception is 6:30-9pm. Julie’s Coffee Paintings, “Landscapes of the Susquehanna Valley” by Robert L. Hughes and Simonne Roy, M-F, 6:30am-3pm and S-S, 7:30a,-1pm. Looking for Reliable Employees? Look no further! The EXPLORE Program, a Work-Based Learning Program through BLaST IU 17, is designed to be a collaborative effort between the school and the community to ensure the students success in a work placement. Each student will be provided a Job Coach (as needed) to help guide them through their job training. Initially students will be placed out to work following their school calendars which will be given to the employer at the time of hire. The student will work 2 to 3 days per week for 2 to 3 hours per day until their last year of school. The students can be picked up for additional hours once trained. For additional information please contact: Cindy Karichner EXPLORE Program Coordinator BLaST IU 17 - 570-323-8561 for an Economic Development Panel. Panelists included: Jason Fink as Moderator, David Dougherty, Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce; Carole Smith, Lycoming Mall, Rob Eaton, Second to None Sports Dome, and Mark Murawski, Lycoming County Planning Commission. Next on the agenda was a Recreation & Youth Related Programs Panel held on the campus of the Pennsylvania College of Technology. The Recreation & Youth Related Programs Panel included: Jack McKernan, Williamsport Moving Company, as moderator; Mark Casson, River Valley Regional YMCA; Bob Reeder, Rails to Trails; Jeff Swope, James V. Brown Library; and Debbie Smith, Lycoming College for Kids. Dawn Linn from the First Community Foundation was the featured speaker during a lunch sponsored by Susquehanna Bank in the Professional Development Center on the campus of the Pennsylvania College of Technology. John Comerford, Blue Cross of Northeastern PA, was the moderator for the Health and Human Services panel. The panel included: Rita Spangler, Susquehanna Health; Scott Lowery, Lycoming County United Way; Beth McMahon, Lycoming County Health Improvement Coalition; and Judy Krezmer, DePasquale Staffing Services Dr. John F. Piper, Jr., Dean and Professor at Lycoming College, reviewed Lycoming County’s rich history with the group during a “Three Corners” tour. The day concluded at the Community Arts Center where Rob Steele offered a “behind the scenes” tour. Refreshments by Le Jeune Chef Restaurant of the Pennsylvania College of Technology were served in the Patron’s Lounge sponsored by Williamsport Moving Company. The Leadership Lycoming Program would like to thank all of our sponsors, hosts and participants. Thanks to River Valley Transit for providing transportation throughout the day! 3rd Annual Grand Slam Parade & Festival Downtown Williamsport Thursday, August 16, 2007 6:00pm - 10:00 pm Do you want to be a part of Williamsport’s best parade? The Parade Registration Form is now available for download on the Visitor Bureau website at www.vacationpa.com. Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Monday, April 2, 2007 First Friday April Events Leadership Lycoming held its Annual Community Insights Seminar on Thursday, March 22. Twenty people took part in this year’s event! Most of the participants were professionals new to the area and their spouses. Others were interested in learning more about Lycoming County and meeting new people! The seminar is a day-long seminar consisting of panels and tours designed to broaden an attendee’s working knowledge of government and business in Williamsport and Lycoming County, meet with community leaders, hear about the area’s history, and learn of the educational, cultural and recreational opportunities in the area. The seminar kicked off at the Community Arts Center with refreshments donated by Susquehanna Health. Commissioner Rebecca Burke spoke to the group aboard the Peter Herdic Trolley about the Lycoming County government. The group moved on to the Second to None Sports Dome 3 Leadership Lycoming Holds Community Insights Seminar 4 Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Monday, April 2, 2007 Welcome New Chamber Members! MEMBER BENEFIT Office Supply Discount AIM Digital Visions, LLC Five Star International, LLC Mark Fleisher 139 Market Street Lewisburg, PA 17837 570-522-9200 Fax: 570-522-9202 [email protected] www.jingleman.com Advertising Agency Sepciality digital sign networks, advertising strategy, design, audio, video production jingles. Gary Gray 2751 McCoy Street Williamsport, PA 17701 570-494-1400 Fax: 570-494-1235 [email protected] Truck & Trailer Sales/Parts/ Service Heavy duty truck dealership, with Internations, Caterpliar, Cummins and leasing. Second Change Farm/Grace Family, LLP Joseph Grace 711 Ridge Road Morris, PA 16938 570-353-2387 570-353-7017 Fax: 570-353-7016 [email protected] Farm/Horses Recreation Beef cows, trout hatchery, horses, horse barns, guest houses, B&B, honey/bees Comcast Spotlight Norma Carpenter 1500 Sycamore Drive Montoursville, PA 17754 570-329-4340 Fax: 570-322-3526 [email protected] www.comcastspotlight.com Cable Advertising Comcast Spotlight is the advertising division. Karen M. Chianelli, Realtor 1817 Homewood Avenue Williamsport, PA 17701 570-321-7111 ext 140 Fax: 570-321-7005 [email protected] Real Estate-Sales/Rentals Sell real estate. LaChic Total Image & Day Spa Gwen Bower 174 Valley Street Williamsport, PA 17702 570-322-7896 Fax: 570-322-7896 [email protected] www.lachictotalimage.com Hairstylists/Salon All hair services, manicure, pedicure, facials, makeup, massage, scrubs, seaweed wraps, detox, spa parties. Stage 1 Ads, Inc. Nancy George 19 S. 4th Street Lewisburg, PA 17837 [email protected] www.stage1ads.com Advertising Specialties Placement of 42” plasma screens in high traffic areas for sale of bold graphics, 30 second advertisement. Pine Creek Valley Rentals Susan Braddock 620 Ramsey Drive Jersey Shore, PA 17740 570-753-3822 [email protected] www.pennhavenrentals.com Campground/Cabins Cabin rentals The Diffusion Queue Geoffrey Knauth 1328 Woodmount Avenue Williamsport, PA 17701 570-326-9405 Fax: 570-326-9406 [email protected] www.diffq.com Computer Consultants Software contractor Interested in joining the Chamber? For more information, call the office at 326-1971 or apply online at: www.williamsport.org Chamber Members,Join Us... at April’s PM Exchange Twin Hills Health Center Thursday, April 19, 2007 5:00-7:00 pm 2796 Lycoming Mall Drive, Muncy Mingle with fellow Chamber members as you tour their new 3,000 square foot addition and facility, carefully designed to allow for new state-of-the-art equipment and growing staff requirements. Lean more about the trigger point therapy muscle work to help with minor aches and pains. Catering provided by the Station House. Call the Chamber of Commerce today at 326-1971 or log onto www.williamsport.org to make your reservations. We look forward to seeing you there! Huffman’s Office Equipment, Hunsberger Office Supply, Miller Office Equipment and Plankenhorn Stationary Company, are offering a discount to Chamber Members on their office supplies. The next time you’re ordering your supplies don’t forget to mention that you’re a Chamber Members and receive additional savings. Take Advantage of These! Hunsberger Office Supply 25% off OEM Products 25-60% off private label products 35% savings on average purchases 35-48% off select furniture Huffman’s Office Equipment 25 % off the United Stationers catalog Quarterly Sale Flyer with savings up to 70% Miller Office Equipment 25% off general line catalog 40% off furniture Sale items marked down 70% Plankenhorn Stationary Company 25% off full line catalog A quarterly flyer which features 35%-60% off Chamber Members On The Radio Join us this month on the Ken Sawyer Program when we are joined by the following members. April 3 J. C. Ehrlich Company Join us as Tim Finn talks about the benefits of commercial and residential pest management. April 17 Marshall, Parker & Associates, LLC Are you a baby boomer looking for someone to help you plan your retirement? Are you faced with planning for a senior member of your family when a nursing home or home care is needed? Melissa Bottorf will join us to answer these questions and more. The Ken Sawyer Program is on WRAK 1200AM/1400AM from 11:00am to 11:30am. As a Chamber Member, every employee in your company can attend Chamber functions. Register for events on-line at www.williamsport.org. 5 Infrastructure is often the most misunderstood, unseen and underappreciated element in the economic development equation. In its most glamorous form, infrastructure is manifested by highly visible structures such as the new Market Street Bridge with its direct access ramps onto Interstate 180. Yet, the foundations of many economic development initiatives are bed-rocked in much less visible, but equally important “brick and mortar” infrastructure projects undertaken by the County and local municipal governments every year. Over the past ten years, for instance, Lycoming County has assembled funds totaling in excess of $232 million to help advance over 200 community infrastructure projects. The vast majority of these funds has been secured at the Federal and State levels and reflects the strength of the partnerships built by the County Commissioners over the past decade. Economic development and community development are separate but related; they’re dynamic and interactive; and they succeed best when they’re in balance. Economic development can be expressed in terms of business creation, retention or expansion. It involves recruitment of prospects for industrial growth and commercial development. The end goal of economic development is the investment in new or preexisting facilities, acquisition of equipment, expansion of the tax base, and creation of jobs. Significant players in that arena include the Chamber’s Industrial Properties Corporation, local developers and the banking industry. Intelligent, focused marketing, prospect development, site selection and assembling the right type of financial package to “seal the deal” with potential major industries is a complex and tedious task. Yet, one of the most indispensable prerequisites for successful economic development is, in fact, a product of the community development undertaken by local municipalities, namely “infrastructure.” Community development initiatives result in numerous infrastructure projects including public water, sanitary sewer, stormwater, local roads, bridges, interstate highway access, availability to rail, flood protection, and environmental restoration. “These are the types of projects that deliver a lot of bang for the buck. They help meet the on-going needs of our citizens and local communities, while at the same time they help promote the expansion of existing firms or creation of new businesses,” commented Commissioner Ernie Larson. The County’s role with each initiative varies, but in general, that role usually involves assembling the Federal, State and County funds needed to enable a local municipality or authority to complete the project or, in Save the Date! Spring Greater Williamsport Technologies Futures Conference Wednesday, April 25, 2007 Penn College Field House Check the website for continued updates. www.williamsporttechregion.com some cases, taking the lead (for instance with the Lower Lycoming Creek Flood Damage Reduction Project) when multiple municipalities are involved. Commissioner Dick Nassberg stated that “we believe these problems can best be solved at the grass roots level by the people who know their community—our goal as a County is to help provide some of the funding needed by local municipal leaders to tackle some of these extremely costly infrastructure challenges.” Consider, for instance, the area surrounding the Lycoming Mall—an area that has been designated as a “growth area” in both the MuncyMontoursville Multi-municipal Comprehensive Plan as well as County Comprehensive Plan. The expansion of outparcels, such as Best Buy, Great Escape Theater, and Grizzly in addition to surrounding developments like Vision Properties and the Generations Sports Complex have already benefited by the construction of the Halls Station Regional Sewer System and soon will be able to take advantage of the new Halls Station Regional Water System. Since 1997, Lycoming County has secured over $49.5 million for water and sewer projects alone— projects which carry a cumulative price tag exceeding $76.6 million. Moreover, the County has worked with the Chamber of Commerce and local municipal leaders to help identify over 2,700 acres suitable for future commercial or industrial development. By focusing some of its infrastructure funding on these collaboratively identified areas, the County is striving to maximize the value of the public investment and avoid inducing unwanted sprawl. In direct support of economic development, the County has recently made a strong and proactive commitment to providing public water for the industrial corridor that includes the follow-on phases of the Muncy Industrial Park. Working in partnership with the Lycoming County Water and Sewer authority, the County has committed $7.8 million to design and construct a water system capable of eventually providing up to 1.5 million gallons per day to meet the needs of multiple industrial prospects being courted by the Industrial Properties Corporation. “The Department of Foreign Direct Investment and the Governor’s Action Team at the State level are working very closely with our Industrial Properties Corporation to attract international companies to this area,” said Commissioner Rebecca Burke. “We want to be absolutely sure we have done everything we can for their efforts to succeed. We must be ‘infrastructure ready.’ To that end we believe that our pledge of infrastructure funding will enable Lycoming County to compete on the regional, state, and international stage.” Jersey Shore Area Joint Water Authority’s new 750,000 gallon water storage tank was funded in part by a $433,900 grant secured by Lycoming County. Construction began in Spring 2005, foundation was completed in June, and side walls and dome were finished by late July. Commissioners Burke, Nassberg and Larson joined Congressman Peterson (ball cap) and the Authority’s Executive Director, Mike Zellers, to cut the ribbon in October. The water project benefits over 2,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in seven municipalities Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Monday, April 2, 2007 Infrastructure — the Hidden Jewel 6 Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Monday, April 2, 2007 50+ Business Ehrlich’s: Every pest control call is vital By MARK MARONEY [email protected] T hey are the 911 of pest control and consider every call your emergency. J.C. Ehrlich began helping homeowners and businesses find solutions to their pest problems in 1928. Ehrlich means “honest” in German and the exterminators at the regional office at 514 Brandon Place stand by that commitment. Today’s company leaders are the great-grandsons of founder Julius C. Ehrlich. The 79-year-old company has customers in six midAtlantic states, and avoids employee turnover and customer service problems by hiring people who want to have careers in the business, not just jobs. Whether it is termite and pest control, wood destroying insects, issues with birds, overgrown vegetation or bioremediation, the associates here will respond, either verbally or in person, within a 24-hour period, according to Lynn Hill, the company’s regional manager. Named America’s finest pest control company by the National Pest Management Association and state Pest Control Association, Ehrlich prides itself in regional and fast delivery of services. While the city office serves as the regional headquarters, the company also covers areas such as Lock Haven, Wellsboro, Towanda and Elmira, N.Y. A year-round protection plan covers unlimited service calls between regular visits at no extra charge. “We call it pest control, not pest elimination,” said Timothy Finn, district manager, who worked his way up through the technician ranks after joining the company in MARK MARONEY/Sun-Gazette J.C. Ehrlich technician Warren Robinson prepares the truck for a service call. 1993. Ants, termites, and other creepy crawlers along with rats, mice and other fourlegged creatures aren’t always the most cooperative. But the peace of mind is what is offered, Hill said. Ehrlich’s customers service representatives spend most of their time interacting with clients who need immediate resolution. They are able to relate to customers with empathy and understanding, he said. The company here has 16 technicians, two sales people, four customer service representatives, one district manager and two operations managers. Service includes all of Lycoming, Tioga, Clinton, Sullivan, Bradford and Potter counties, including some counties in southern New York. The yearly service includes regularly scheduled visits every four months. That way, technicians can prevent prob- hand. With each visit, the technician thoroughly inspects the home, performs any treatment necessary and provides the customer with a written report. The first visit is free and any chemicals that are used are environmentally safe, according to Finn and Hill. These chemical are approved for use through the state Department of Agriculture, Hill said. Annual inspection for termites is included in the service. Often, technicians will offer advice to help prevent future problems, such as asking homeowners to seal cracks, screen vents and remove wood or debris to make it less attractive to pests. “Call us today for a free inspection and report,” Hill said. lems before they get out of MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette J.C. Ehrlich technician Ernie Naugle holds a wand that is used to spray pesticides and control insect populations in residential and commercial dwellings. someone’s opinion injected into it. Just watch two different evening news shows or pick up two newspapers. Chances are they will be reporting the same stories. Chances are also they may be reporting somewhat different points of view and you’re left wondering if it is the same story. That’s why it is a good thing to stay informed and take in as much as you can before making a decision. After a short bus trip, we arrived at the offices of Clear Channel radio for a tour. It is hard to imagine the amount of activity there is in this small building to run the multitude of stations being broadcast. We got a chance to meet some of the on-air personalities, Lou Kolb, Ken Sawyer, Troy and Amanda. These individuals are all great personalities but I never imagined they had to be technology and computer experts as well. The studios look a little like air traffic control centers. I was a little surprised to see how little of what we actually hear is live and how much is recorded. Then again, when I think about it, that’s probably a good thing when you have listeners calling in to give their opinions. You never know what you may hear! After another short ride, it was off to the Community Arts Center for a tour and discussion with Executive Director, Rob Steele. The Arts Center is truly one of the jewels of the Susquehanna Valley. Rob shared some of the historical aspects of the building and the painstaking care that was involved in bringing this piece of art back to its original grandeur, from restoring the artwork and paintings on the ceiling to the carpet in the lobby. Rob claimed the best place to see and get the scope of the theatre is from the stage. He was not exaggerating. Standing on the stage, looking out into the seats with the balcony above gives you the true measure of the place. Standing there on the stage is something everyone should experience. One thing I was especially glad to hear is the plan to bring more of a local flavor to the venue. This is a terrific plan as our local talent should get the chance to perform in this magnificent building as well as the larger shows. They deserve our support as well. You may also be surprised at the depth of talent in the area. I’ve seen a few shows at the theater and have never left disappointed. I don’t think you’ll be either. Ken Sawyer from Clear Channel was our speaker during lunch at the patron’s lounge at the theater. His topic was how to get your message out through radio. He gave us lots of great tips on contacting the right people and making sure your message comes across as you want it to. The class then had the opportunity to meet Mr. John Yahner of the Williamsport Sun-Gazette and go on a tour of the facility. We heard about the history of the paper, going from local family ownership to the current owners. I remember when the Sun was delivered in the afternoons and the flap my father had when it switched to a morning delivery. Funny how he now likes having it first thing in the morning and doesn’t know how he waited for it in the afternoon before. We got some insight on what gets into the paper and the formulation of the articles we read from start to finish and the steps involved. It takes a lot of work by a lot of people to get that paper in your box in the morning. We also got a chance to see the actual printing and production part of putting together a newspaper. It is a very interesting process to witness. After a short walk back to the Trade and Transit Center, we had a presentation by William Hague of the Williamsport Toastmasters. The Toastmasters is a club dedicated to improve people’s communication skills. Most people have a fear of public speaking until they’ve actually done it. The Toastmasters help people alleviate these fears and improve the ways we handle these activities. He gave us lots of useful advice in giving and listening to public presentations, number one being, know what you are talking about. I think this was timed well as next month we give our presentation assignments for our friendly team competitions. We’ll see who learned what! Kurt Hausamann, Jr. and Bill Kelly from Lycoming County then gave a presentation on economic development plans for our area. They gave us insight on the way the plan unfolds and what goes into it. They let us in on what areas are targeted for development and the reasons behind these designations. They gave us insight on what people like about Lycoming County, which should not surprise anyone. It is the area’s natural beauty. The question becomes how do you retain this scenic quality and develop the area economically at the same time? Who would really want a retail or manufacturing center in the middle of the PA Wilds designated area? I don’t think anybody would, thus the reasons for specific designations and targeted growth in certain areas. They also gave us a short look into the future of some of the projects going on now, the Market Street bridge project www.leadershiplycoming.org “Celebrating Twenty Years of Leadership” being one. It may look like a bridge going up that is changing the landscape of downtown Williamsport, but that is only the beginning. The other projects being looked at in conjunction with this project are massive. It is interesting to see how many ideas come from one plan and how they continually build upon each other and evolve until it is right and you have a completed project. Another is the plan for improved access to the airport in Montoursville. When this comes together, it will make everyone who has to go to the airport’s life easier. Who of us hasn’t longed for more of a direct route? With everything going on in our area, it is comforting to know we have people like Kurt and Bill who truly care about the area involved in the planning process. This was a great way to end the day with our next class being the one where our groups within the class get to present our cases for economic development in the area. It has been a great experience working with teammates on coming up with ideas in a friendly competition. At least it’s been friendly so far, I’m sure we’ll see next month after the presentations. We’ll also see how much we learned from this program day as everything will tie together during the presentations. Good luck to all the teams! Respectfully Submitted by: Joe Luke Susquehanna Bank Leadership Lycoming Class of 2007 Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Monday, April 2, 2007 The Leadership Lycoming Class of 2007 participated in Media Communications and Arts Day on March 8, 2007. The class experienced a full day of tours and discussions relating to the different media outlets and their effects and also the opportunities we have for the arts in our community. Our day began at Williamsport’s Trade and Transit Center on West Third Street and we were provided a tour and insight on Williamsport’s Community Theatre League. The theater itself is a wonderful place to see a show with some local talent. It was interesting to see backstage and learn of all of the work and effort that goes into the production of a show that you don’t really think about. We learned a little history of the league and the differences in venues they’ve endured since they moved from Washington Boulevard. If you’ve never had the opportunity to see a show here, get a ticket and see a great performance, you won’t be disappointed. After our tour, we got the chance to be the audience in the theater for a discussion on how the media shapes public opinion. Our speakers for this portion were Jim Finkler from Penn College along with Alison Hirsch and Liz Miele. Mr. Finkler used to work in radio news and Alison and Liz are co-editors of “The Williamsport Guardian”, which is an alternative newspaper to the Williamsport Sun-Gazette. By alternative, it gives you different points of view and covers different topics than what are readily available. If you see a copy, pick it up and give it a read. You will be better informed and that’s always a good thing. When you think about it, the media has a huge effect on how we perceive things. Everything we see and hear has 7 LEADERSHIP LYCOMING Media Communications and Arts Day 8 Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Monday, April 2, 2007 Feature Member Sharing emotion, sentiment with flowers By MARK MARONEY [email protected] J ust as a hairstylist personalizes work, a florist also seeks to get it right for the clientele who walk through his or her doors. Whether it be a bride-to-be seeking the perfect arrangement on tables for her guests, or a get-well wish to brighten the atmosphere and cheer up a patient, florists are connected to the community they serve. “I think of going to a florist as going to a hairdresser,” said Rosemarie Holmes, co-owner of Nevill’s Flowers, 321 Peters Alley in Montoursville. The other half of the business is her husband, William. Tucked away behind a house along North Loyalsock Avenue lies the greenhouses, workshop and store where it all happens. When asked what she wanted her shop to be known for, Rosemarie quickly replied, “I consider it a shop that really sells emotion and sentiments through the gift of flowers and plants.” “Our motto is beautiful gifts from Mother Nature.” Walk inside and one discovers the fresh scent of dozens of varieties of flowers being cut and arranged by a dedicated part-time and fulltime staff. The days before Passover and Easter are especially busy, and have been for more than 60 years. Nevill’s is a second-generation operation. Although Rosemarie operates the business now, it was her parents, Helen and Jim Nevill who purchased the property in 1943. As the war in Europe and the Pacific raged, the Nevill’s MARK MARONEY/Sun-Gazette Nevill’s Flowers greenhouses offer a wide variety of fresh flowers and plants MARK MARONEY/Sun-Gazette Nancy Flook, a designer at Nevill’s Flowers, hangs a wreath in time for Easter. small shop sold mostly plants for the garden. Then, in the early 1950s, the couple began to sell fresh cut flowers, Rosemarie said. She and her husband bought the business in 1973. Throughout the years Rosemarie has attended numerous seminars and trade shows to stay atop of the latest trends in horticulture. Those who have joined her business as employees and designers received in-house hands-on training. Over the years, the business of being a florist has changed. Today, florists depend on the computer for sales. Earlier on, the greenhouses behind the shop were actively used in growing items that were sold, Rosemarie commented. But as the cost of fuel rose and the world began to exchange goods and services in a global marketplace that brought Hilo, Hawaii and Rotterdam to Montoursville’s doorstep via Federal Express, Nevill’s made adjustments, she said. The variety of flowers, in all colors of the rainbow, were at their fingertips. Tropical varieties from Hawaii could arrive in two days, she said. It was the same for garden varieties from the fields of California, carnations grown in South America and roses and tulips from Holland. Additionally, Rosemarie said she met a truck driver who delivered for a greenhouse supplier in Canada at a trade show. He explained how he used Route 15 to deliver his product and said he wouldn’t have any trouble stopping off in (See SHARING, Page 9) 9 (From Page 8) Montoursville to assist her. The business relationship solidified and Nevill’s now sells varieties of flowers from greenhouses in Canada. In fact, the north shore of Lake Ontario in Toronto is lined with such greenhouses, Rosemarie said. The business also wants to fill a niche for those needing flowers, she said. For example, Nevill’s specializes in preparing for a beautiful wedding day and also works with those planning to celebrate anniversaries and special parties, she said. As a member of the Williamsport-Lycoming Chamber of Commerce, Holmes said the business has bloomed. “It’s an excellent experience,” she commented, citing the marketing done by the chamber’s newsletters and business opportunities that exist with networking at such events as the chamber’s PM Exchange. “For someone selling flowers and plants it’s a great vehicle for business,” she said. Of course, a flower shop has times when the orders are flowing and slower times of the year. The busiest are before the Christmas holiday, Valentines Day, which Rosemarie described as “intense” with a fair share of “desperate” male customers and Easter and Mother’s Day. A lot of women send flowers as friendship and there are always flowers being sent to hospital beds. The delivery service is throughout the county, she said. “We are very accommodating in terms of times of delivery,” she said. Something called “express delivery” means just that, she added with a laugh. The shop also features Holmes’ other venue. “We also develop and market pussy willows, she said. With Nevill’s Flowers, the emphasis is is flowering plants that are living and in natural settings as opposed to more giftware and accessories. Of course, customers may order what they wish. If they want a natural setting, it will be customized that way. But some people want con- MARK MARONEY/Sun-Gazette Unique sign points the way to Nevill’s Flowers in Montoursville. MARK MARONEY/Sun-Gazette A colorful arrangement greets visitors to Nevill’s Flowers, 321 Peters Alley in Montoursville temporary or traditional arrangements. The fun of working here is working with each client, she said. A bride may be seeking a special color scheme and theme. “We design and give her ideas to fulfill her wish for her wedding day.” The shop is conveniently located off North Loyalsock Avenue between Mulberry and Spruce streets. Nevill’s has a Website with more than 400 photographs of wedding work available to view. 333 Rose Street Williamsport, PA 17701 Enduring Craftsmanship Classic Design • CUSTOM HOMES • ADDITIONS • REFERANCES • OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE BUILT TO BE BEAUTIFUL AND COMFORTABLE 1-888-660-8040 570.433.3556 Montoursville www.susquehannabuilders.com Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Monday, April 2, 2007 Sharing emotion, sentiment with flowers 10 Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Monday, April 2, 2007 L ELeadership: ADERS HIP LY C O M Iand N the G Youth Government, Citizenship, Judiciary Day On February 22nd, Youth Leadership Lycoming met at the Trade and Transit Center for the start of our Government, Citizenship, and the Judiciary day. Upon arrival, Harry Rogers, one of our hosts demonstrated an arrest by placing a monitor on Jamie VanFleet’s ankle. All day, Jamie wore the device to show just how it worked. We then continued the day by meeting Mayor Wolf who went over advertising campaigns and slogans that various politicians used to get their message across. It made us think of the many techniques you could use to grab the attention of voters of all ages. Our fellow classmates went around the room and gave their opinion of what they thought could be the best campaign techniques. Afterwards, Deb Sawyer from Northcentral Area Health Education Center came for a presentation about The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey, a book that we have recently been talking about. She related each of the habits to her own personal life, which gave us a better understanding of how to apply them to everyday life. After a short break, we traveled to the Executive Plaza where we sat in on a Attention Leadership Lycoming Alumni! Are you interested in receiving Leadership Lycoming updates on events or volunteer opportunities? Then why not subscribed to the LL Alumni List Serv? If you are interested in receiving Leadership updates, please send an email to [email protected], in the subject put: List Serv Subscribe. Please note, if your email address has changed since you participated in the Leadership Lycoming program you will need to re-subscribe!!! Save these Dates… May 20, 2007 Now dig out your class list and gather up your classmates as Leadership Lycoming will be holding our Twentieth Celebration on Sunday, May 20, 2007 starting at 2:00 PM at the Wheel Inn. This will be a great opportunity to “Commemorate our past, celebrate our present, and cultivate our future.” Invitations will be mailed shortly. We hope you plan on joining us! May, 21, 2007 Youth Leadership Lycoming will hold graduation for the Class of 2007 on Monday, May 21st at the Muncy Elementary School at 5:30 PM. June 18, 2007 Leadership Lycoming will hold graduation for their Twentieth Class, the Class of 2007, on Monday, June 18th at the Genetti Hotel and Suites. The Reception is scheduled for 5:30 PM, followed by dinner at 6:30 PM. Leadership Lycoming “Celebrating Twenty Years of Leadership” Commission Board Meeting. Rebecca Burke, Ernie Larson, and Richard Nassberg welcomed us to the meeting and showed us what it is that they do in a typical meeting. Different organizations wanted approval of motions that would enable them to either expand their business or simply make it a safer place. It was interesting to see that side of government. Then, we got to look at the new and improved voting machines that will be used nationwide. A few of us picked up registration forms and plan to vote when we turn 18. Afterwards, we traveled to City Hall, and had a mini debate on issues pertaining to teenagers and our rights. We learned that we actually do not have rights that are the same as adults. It was appealing to see how we disagreed on some of the subjects brought up in the meeting such as alcohol ages or driving ages. We made up ideas on how to resolve these problems, however no one idea will satisfy everyone because their will always be different views of what is right or wrong. Youth Leadership then had lunch in the courtroom, which was generously donated by JB Gibbons Construction Company. All of us were thankful for a great lunch and were ready to continue the rest of our day. Lunch was followed by a discussion that included the Chief of Police (Gary Whiteman), a juvenile probation officer (Ed Robbins), a defense attorney (Jeffrey Yates), Denise Scott from West Branch Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission, and two adult probation officers (Jim Schriner and John Stahl). We talked about problems that happen in our schools and our community. They emphasized how important it is to tell someone if you know of a potential problem. We need to team up as leaders and prevent these problems in any way we can. www.leadershiplycoming.org “Celebrating Twenty Years of Leadership” As Jim Schriner said, “there’s power in numbers”. We traveled back to the Trade and Transit Center with a new understanding of government. All of Youth Leadership Lycoming would like to thank our sponsor, JB Gibbons Construction, for the day and delicious lunch as well as all of the presenters and that took time to meet with us and show us a little bit about what government is all about. Respectfully Submitted by: Logan Davis, Jaime VanFleet, and Casey Dincher Loyalsock Township School District Youth Leadership Lycoming Class of 2007 Leadership Lycoming accepting applications for Class of 2008 Graduates of Leadership Lycoming are seen throughout the community as participants on boards, committees, forums and task forces. Many find that the information they received as a Leadership Lycoming participant provides them with the insight to better understand the issues facing our community today and tomorrow. Through a series of seminars, and using the community itself for its classroom, the program allows class participants to exchange ideas and information with established leaders and experts from many fields. Future leaders gain first-hand experience about critical issues as they develop the skills necessary to become an effective community leader. Class participants are selected on the basis of their demonstrated leadership potential and their sincere desire to contribute time and effort in their community. Applications from all segments of the community are encouraged and desired. A formal Selection Committee chooses class members based on a written application, references and personal interviews. If you would like further information, please contact Erin Barrett, Leadership Lycoming Coordinator at 3261971. Please feel free to visit our website at www.leadershiplycoming.org for an application. Applications will be accepted until April 16, 2007. Applicants do not need to be members of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce to participate. Limited funds are available for scholarships. Requests for scholarship assistance will be considered on the basis of demonstrated need and class composition. purpose of the Marketplace is to promote destinations and itineraries for motorcoach group tour leaders. With over 200 vendors present, the group leaders were able to collect information for oneday and multi-day group tours. Many attendees were very interested in visiting Williamsport and Lycoming County with special interest in Millionaires’ Row, the Herdic PA Wilds offers Hospitality Workshops The PA Wilds Tourism Marketing Corporation has announced the launch of PA PRIDE Hospitality Workshops (Producing Resourceful, Informed, Devoted Employees) designed to help local tourism-related businesses provide high quality experiences to their customers through exceptional customer service, knowledge of their community and region, an understanding of local and regional tourism initiatives, and encouraging visitors to stay, shop, eat, and play locally. The cost for attending is $20 and includes lunch or dinner depending upon the session time. Workshop attendees will receive a certificate of completion, a PA PRIDE pin, a window cling indicating PA PRIDE Hospitality certified, and a Resource Guide. The Resource Guide will include information on topics that visitors often want to know about the community and region. Each workshop consists of an overview of local and regional tourism initiatives and attractions; how to improve employee customer service skills; and resources needed to serve visitors. The PA Pride Hospitality workshops are modeled after a program created for Heritage Communities developed in cooperation with the Route 6 Association and the Potter County Education Council. needed to serve visitors. For more information about the workshops, contact the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau at 570-326-1971. The PA PRIDE Hospitality Workshop for Lycoming County will be held: April 16, 2007 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. Trade and Transit Centre River Valley Room, 2nd Floor 100 W. 3rd St., Williamsport Call 570-326-1971 to register or visit www.williamsport.org for online registration. Free parking is available directly across from the building in the parking garage. The Lycoming County Visitors Bureau is a partner in the Pennsylvania Wilds Tourism Marketing Corporation, which is locally driven by eight tourism promotion agencies in north central and north western Pennsylvania and supported by several state agencies including DCNR and the Pennsylvania Tourism Office. It is dedicated to enhancing visitor experiences, protecting and conserving treasured natural resources, and revitalizing the region’s communities through smart and strategic marketing. To learn more about the Pennsylvania Wilds go to www.PAWilds.com. Trolley, the Hiawatha, the Thomas T. Taber Museum and the new Peter Herdic Transportation Museum. For group leaders who previously traveled to Williamsport, they were very excited to hear the Rowley House Museum is available for group tours. The Lycoming County Visitors Bureau distributed member information and brochures to group leaders. The Pennsylvania Bus Association Marketplace was a successful show for the Lycoming County Visitors Bureau. The Lycoming County Visitors Bureau had a booth at the Pennsylvania Bus Association Marketplace in Harrisburg PENNSYLVANIA WILDS DIGITAL SIGNAGE PROGRAM New Age Advertising 30 second Bold Graphic Advertisements on 42 inch Plasma Screens in High Traffic Locations Hosts can reach new customers while providing Free Internet Service to existing customers. PA Wilds Advertisers Receive Discount Pricing $135 per month reduced to $100 for 3 Advertising Locations. Boost your Business Image Increase Product Sales Reach Your Target Audience Maximize Your Advertising Budget Easily Change Content to Keep Your Ad Fresh ADVERTISING COST • 6 – 30 Second Video Ad Spots Per Hour Per Location • Spot Runs Every 10 Minutes • 72 Spots Per Day Per Location • 504 Spots Per Week Per Location • 2,016 Spots Per Month Per Location • 26,208 Spots Per Year Per Location • 3 Locations for $100/month or $1200/year • That’s 78,624 Ads/year at $0.015 per Ad Spot ====================================== OR BE A HOST SITE • $5,000.00 in Equipment FREE - 43’ State-of-the-Art Plasma Screen • Free Wireless Internet • Two Free Ads per Month •Increase Sales at Point of Purchase •Free Banner Ad on Stage 1 Website for Host Site Hosts Pay Nothing for Cutting Edge Technology Learn more about this High Impact Advertising at the Stage 1 Website www.stage1ads.com Please forward me information about advertising on digital screens through the PA Wilds/Lycoming County Visitor’s Bureau Program Name:_____________________________Company Name:_______________________________ Address:_________________________________________Phone:_________________________ Return to LCVB, 100 West Third Street, Williamsport, PA 17701 or FAX: 570-321-1208. Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Monday, April 2, 2007 The Lycoming County Visitors Bureau, represented by Gina Kennedy, Tourism Coordinator, and Katie Tinney, Hiawatha, attended the Pennsylvania Bus Association Marketplace on March 27 at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. The Marketplace was attended by over 1500 group leaders from 29 motorcoach companies throughout Pennsylvania. The 11 VISITORS BUREAU Visitors Bureau attends Pennsylvania Bus Association 12 Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Monday, April 2, 2007 New Member Self-starter relishes oven-making business By ALISSA EATON [email protected] M ike Jameson is the president of JPW Design, which has been making industrial and commercial sized ovens since 2005. “I have always been a selfstarter,” Jameson said. The company was founded by Jameson, Mike Paternostro, and Tim Wagner. JPW Design, located at 6080 Route 14 in Trout Run, manufactures ovens of all different sizes, including bench ovens, walk in ovens and gas powered ovens. “The gas powered ovens are becoming more popular,” Jameson said. “I have a lot of gas oven orders that we are going to be working on.” The business has distributors all over the country, including California, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Connecticut. At any given time, JPW Design makes ovens for 25 to 30 companies. “It really just depends how busy we are,” Jameson said. “Right now, we are pretty busy.” The ovens that are produced are incredibly large and can cost up to $2,000 just to ship, Jameson said. The company is even going to be shipping ovens overseas. “We have an order going to the Philippines,” Jameson said. The most recent change that JPW Design has experienced is the fact that they now cut their own sheet metal in house. The building that they are located out of also need to be expanded for the machines that needed to be housed on site. The expansion covered 3,000 square feet, and gave the employees the room they ALISSA EATON/Sun-Gazette Garry Ripka, of JPW Design, lines up a piece of sheet metal to be cut by a new machine that was purchased so the company could cut their own sheet metal in house. needed. “This gives us better control over our production,” Mike Paternostro, vice president, said. “There are still a few more things that need to get done,” Jameson said. “We are going to install new lighting on the older side of the building.” Although they can make most parts of the ovens in house, the company does sub contract sometimes. “Williamsport Electric does some of our wiring,” Jameson said. The employee list of JPW Design consists of eight people, the most recently added was Garry Ripka, who helps design the ovens, whose formal job title is mechanical engineer. “Garry is a great asset to us,” Jameson said. JPW Design knows how important its employees are to its success, Jameson said. “We have been fortunate to find talented employees who are excited to work in the atmos- phere we have created,” Jameson said. The company also tests all the ovens that leave their doors. “We used to use generators to test the ovens but because of the expansion we have enough room for a power grid,” Jameson said. JPW Design has provided ovens for many different companies and agencies including the FBI, Trek Bicycles and Orange County Choppers. Jameson knows what it takes to be committed to his customers. “I even work from home,” Jameson said. “I will work on quotes for people on the west coast,” Jameson added. The company is hoping to be able to make their web Site more interactive, and will be looking towards doing that in the future. The company’s ovens will be featured in 20 million catalogues this year and on eight major web Sites. ALISSA EATON/Sun-Gazette Shown here is another new machine that was purchased by the company, which is programmed to cuts hole out of sheet metal. 13 Wholesale Chef serves food industry By ALISSA EATON [email protected] J ohn Dieffenbach owns Refrigeration Service Co., which installs and fixes industrial and commercial refrigeration systems. The Wholesale Chef, a company that sells kitchenware, is also a division of Refrigeration Service Co. “Our customers consist of restaurants, bars, grocery stores, meat packing plants and others,” Dieffenbach said. Dieffenbach and his five employees can fix refrigeration systems that are up to about 50 miles away. “Our response time is hours rather than days. We know there is a lot of money riding on these products and we want to help people save money,” Dieffenbach said. Dieffenbach said that the average service call takes about two hours to complete. “Some may take longer though, some may even take days,” Dieffenbach said. The people that have the least problems with their commercial refrigerators are usually people who get them cleaned and serviced regularly, according to Dieffenbach. “We also offer these services.” Dieffenbach and his team fix all brands of refrigerators and other cooling products, such as ice machines, ice cream freezers, coolers, and walk in refrigerators. “All of our work is done off site. We obviously don’t bring the refrigerators back here to fix, unless it is a very small cooler or something,” Dieffenbach said. Refrigeration Service Co. also sells and installs refrigerators. “We mostly get them directly from distributors located out of Philadelphia ALISSA EATON/Sun-Gazette The Wholesale Chef carries some products in house that do not need to be ordered. Shown here are some industrial cooking pots and pans that can be purchased. and Harrisburg, usually,” Dieffenbach said. “But we can also fix refrigerators that we did not sell,” Dieffenbach added. Dieffenbach said that people even need to be certified to purchase commercial refrigerators, and of course he is. “You have to go to a seminar held by the Environmental Protection Agency and become familiar with refrigeration laws,” he said. The company was started by Diffenbach’s father and has been operating from 945 Louisa Street since the mid 1980’s. “My father started this business out of his home and I have continued it,” Dieffenbach said. The Wholesale Chef, owned by Patti Dieffenbach, John’s wife, also operates out of 945 Louisa St. and has sold restaurant supplies and equipment to homes and businesses for more than 3 years. “My wife’s biggest customers are family owned restaurants, churches, bars and taverns,” Dieffenbach said. All of her products are reasonably priced and are usually “stripped down to the bare bones,” according to Dieffenbach. “It’s mostly metal things here. She doesn’t really sell decorative things or things that have fancy rubber handles,” Dieffenbach said. Just some of the items at the store include, industrial size cooking pots, drinking cups, salt and pepper shakers, ketchup and mustard holders, French fry baskets and serving spoons. Customers can also place special orders with her that she can get in within a few weeks. “She can easily add on small items to large orders to offset the cost of shipping,” Dieffenbach said. “If she has to do a separate order, she does charge freight,” Dieffenbach said. Patti runs the business herself without the help of any additional employees. The Wholesale Chef can also order large industrial and commercial ovens, dishwashers and stoves from multiple suppliers for customers. The Wholesale Chef also offers customers free quotes if they are ready to furnish a bar, restaurant, or kitchen. ALISSA EATON/Sun-Gazette Refrigeration Service Co. and The Wholesale Chef have been operating out of 945 Louisa St since the mid-1980s. Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Monday, April 2, 2007 Small Business 14 Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Monday, April 2, 2007 The Non-Profit Corner Salvation Army – Doing the Most Good “There is no reward equal to that of doing the most good for the most people in the most need.” These words, taken from the writings of Evangeline Booth; the fourth General of The Salvation Army and daughter of the founder, have become the rallying cry of The Salvation Army nationwide. As each of you have probably noticed, The Salvation Army has started using a new ‘brand’ for its work and mission and that is, “Doing The Most Good’. It is not that the Army is motivated by arrogance to adopt such a brand, but out of a sense of duty. With such a phrase attached to us, it drives us to do our very best for the people of our community. The American people are the most inventive in the world. In the mid-1950’s Popular Mechanics made a prediction that computers would only weigh 2000 pounds in 50 years, but because of the ingenuity of American people and the technology available to us, our computers can weigh as little as a pound or two. We have been to the moon, built a reusable space shuttle, a space station, cured polio, and built incredible buildings and bridges. There is no doubt we live in a wonderful country. That being said, there are still hungry, hurting, lonely, addicted and needy people right here in our country and in Lycoming County. No matter how wealthy or technologically advanced we get, there are still those around us that are going through life hungry, homeless, and needy. The Salvation Army has been working right here in Lycoming County to do the most good for those who are needy in our community. It has required us to get more advanced with our service because needs are getting more intricate. Children are living with one or no parents or with their grandparents; drugs are commonplace in many neighborhoods no matter what part of the city they are in. I think we were all appalled last month to see two teenagers sharing marijuana cigarettes with two and five year old toddlers in one city in our country. Alcoholism is affecting families, mass unemployment of our labor force, children falling through the educational ‘cracks’ because of indifference, learning difficulties or because they are hungry and not able to concentrate on class work. As you can see, we have had to change the way we serve the needy from just giving a box of food to a family to meeting a plethora of intricate needs within the family and neighborhoods. Let me tell you that your Army is up to the task! Your Army has a state-of-the-art After School Learning Center designed to meet the educational needs of the 21st century student. We have a program called Project Breakthrough which connects families with professionally trained mentors to help guide them on a journey toward wholeness and self-sufficiency. We have meals almost every day for children and senior citizens. We have a new fully trained Emergency Disaster Team ready to assist our county’s first responders as they respond to floods, fires, and other disasters. Then there is the new program called Bridging the Gap which is a partnership with the courts and with juvenile probation to keep kids out of jail and give them a chance at good citizenship. This does not even mention the hundreds of families who receive food, rent, and utility assistance from your Salvation Army. You might ask how a charity with just 14 staff can do all of this? The fact is, we can’t. During this National Volunteer Month we celebrate the more than 300 volunteers who have dedicated themselves to doing the most good with their skills and Grand Slam Parade 2007 Mark your calendars for the 2007 Grand Slam Parade. This year’s parade is set for Thursday, August 16 in downtown Williamsport. Watch in future Chamber Connections for more information on how to become involved with an entry, vendor or sponsorship. talents to help the less fortunate of our community. Your Army also teams up with other organizations, clubs, schools, churches and groups to make sure not one person or family slips through the cracks. I hope you are one of the many who give of their time, treasure, and talent to your Salvation Army to make sure our citizens are cared for. Next month, on May 16th , the Army will hold their annual civic luncheon at the historic Genetti Hotel where we will be able to present each of you with our annual report that will show how we as citizens of our county, working together, have been able to serve our communities under the umbrella of The Salvation Army. So, when the Army says that we are ‘Doing the Most Good’ we mean WE (all of us in Lycoming County) are Doing the Most Good to eradicate poverty, hunger, drug addiction, gang activity, homelessness, loneliness and despair. Thank you for joining with your Army in Doing the Most Good. I can promise along with Evangeline Booth that there is no reward equal to that of doing the most good for the most people in the most need! The Wellness Report By: Stan Schuyler, MBA, Business Development Specialist, The Work Center of Susquehanna Health System Walking for Fitness Spring has finally arrived. The warmer weather has inspired many of us to get outdoors after hibernating during the winter months. What a great time to start or continue a walking program. Walking is a natural way to achieve physical activity. As you plan to start your walking routine encourage your spouse or a friend to join you. Benefits of walking include: burning calories, stress relief, lowers blood pressure, improves cardiovascular health, increases stamina and tones muscles. Make sure you check with your physician before you start your program. Here are some items to consider that will help with planning your walking program. • Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that offer good support and shock absorption. • Plan to warm up prior to your walk by stretching your muscles and allow time to cool down after your walk. • Try to develop good walking form and a comfortable stride. • Drink plenty of fluids. You might want to consider bringing a water bottle with you during your walk. • Start with short walks a couple times per week. • Set reasonable goals and don’t overdo your walking activity. Enjoy the spring season and the warmer weather. Make an appointment with yourself and schedule a walk as part of your daily routine. For more information, contact Stan Schuyler at The WorkCenter, 570-320-7413. The views expressed in this article may not necessarily be those of the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce. 15 Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Monday, April 2, 2007 Williamsport Sun-Gazette, Monday, April 2, 2007 16 Chamber Calendar April 3 - College Town Mtg, 8am, River Valley Room - Power Networking Skills (LHU SBDC) 5pm, River Valley Rm 10- Internet Marketing, How to Advertise Your Business (LHU SBDC) 8am, River Valley Rm 12- Alliance Meeting, 3:30pm, River Valley Room 13- IPC Land & Buildings Committee Mtg., 7:30am, River Valley Rm - Non-Profit Committee Mtg., 8am, Exec Conf Rm 16- PA Wilds Hospitality Training Program, 9am, River Valley Room 17- Health Care Governance Comm Mtg., Noon, River Valley Room - Retirement Plans for Small Businesses (LHU SBDC) 5pm, River Valley Rm 19- Creating a Marketing Plan for Your Business (LHU SBDC) 8am, River Valley Rm - PM Exchange, Twin Hills Health Center, 5-7pm 20- Intro to QuickBooks (LHU SBDC) 8am, River Valley Rm 24- Transportation Committee Mtg, 7:30am, River Valley Rm - SCORE, 10am, River Valley Room - Devlpt & Retention Committee Mtg., Noon, River Valley Room 26- Alliance Meeting, 3:30pm, River Valley Room - First Step for Starting a Small Business, 5pm, River Valley Rm 29- Grand Slam Parade Committee Mtg., 8am, River Valley Room 15- Health Care Governance Comm Mtg., Noon, River Valley Room 24- Alliance Meeting, 3:30pm, River Valley Room 29- Grand Slam Parade Committee Mtg., 8am, River Valley Room 29- Devlpt & Retention Committee Mtg., Noon, River Valley Room •All meetings are open only to committee members unless stated. If you are interested in joining a committee, please contact the Chamber. May 1 - College Town Mtg, 8am, River Valley Room 10- Alliance Meeting, 3:30pm, River Valley Room - Henry Dunn, Inc. & Howard Dean PM Exchange, 5-7pm 11- IPC Land & Buildings Committee Mtg., 7:30am, River Valley Rm As a Chamber Member, every employee in your company can attend Chamber functions. Register for events on-line at www.williamsport.org. Twin Hills Health Center PM Exchange 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Thursday, April 19, 2007 2796 Lycoming Mall Drive, Muncy Mingle with fellow Chamber members as you tour their new 3,000 square foot addition and facility, carefully designed to allow for new state-of-the-art equipment and growing staff requirements. Lean more about the trigger point therapy muscle work to help with minor aches and pains. Catering provided by the Station House. Don’t forget to bring your business card for the door prize. Henry Dunn, Inc. & Howard Dean PM Exchange 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Thursday, May 10, 2007 49 E. Fourth Street, Williamsport Come and join Henry Dunn Insurance for a Spring Fling at their newly remodeled offices. Visit with their new building owner, Howard Dean, as you tour through both floors of office space. Refreshments provided by 33 East. Don’t forget to bring your business card for the door prize. R.E. Smith Co. PM Exchange 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Thursday, May 24, 2007 607 Cemetery Street, Williamsport Join us for an evening of fun and entertainment as you are welcomed to their new location and showroom. Don’t forget to bring your business card for the door prize. Top Ten Reasons a Chamber Membership is a Good Investment • New Business Contacts Gain access to over 1300 prospective customers. • Referrals The Chamber receives over 5,000 inquiries each year and gives well over 15,000 member referrals. • Legislative Action The Chamber provides a voice for businesses in Lycoming County. • Publicity & Exposure Gain exposure through Chamber Connection tabloid newsletter inserted in the Sun-Gazette, new member receptions, advertising opportunities, membership directory listings, website listings, trade shows, Chamber events, program sponsorships. • Economic Development From site selection process to demographic and market information with the new PennSiteSelect.com database. • Small Business Development Targeting small-to-medium sized businesses, a variety of programs are available to help uncover new prospects, and keep you informed of vital business issues. • Publications Low cost advertising in the Chamber Connection, Member MarketPlace monthly mailing, Membership Directory, and Chamber website. • Special Events Annual Dinner Dance, PM Exchanges, Chamber Link Golf Outing, and many more. • Educational Opportunities Seminars on technology, marketing and small business issues. Leadership Lycoming offers opportunities to learn more about the community. • Money Back Guarantee If for any reason you are not satisfied, we will refund your investment. All that is required is your attendance at no less than three Chamber related events or activities during the first 90 days. Log onto www.williamsport.org or call 326-1971 for detailed information on how your business can benefit from the Williamsport/Lycoming Chamber of Commerce.