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This wonderful painting displayed in the Latrobe Art Center depicts Mr. Rogers and Mr. McFeely in Legion
What’s Inside Fred Rogers Family Day—p.4
Keener Park, celebrating a few of the
most iconic people and places of Latrobe
Chamber Members Celebrate Decades of Business—p.6 LVTB to Host Media Event—p.8 & 9
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TABLE OF CONTENTS ‘Latrobe Celebrates Fred Rogers Family Day’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 ‘Long Standing Members of GLLV’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 ‘LHVB to Host Media Marketplace Event’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Around the Neighborhood News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Great American Banana Split Celebration Applications . . . . . 12-13
Steeler Fest Vendor and Sponsorship Application . . . . . . . . . 14-15
CHAMBER STAFF Briana Tomack—President
Hannah Kahn—Membership Coordinator
Mike Dudurich– Media Writer Alexandra Kornides—Intern Sharon Nincke—Intern Caroline Brophy—Intern
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CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIRMAN
Jerry Supko
Brian Maglosky
Commerical Bank and Trust of PA
Kennametal Inc.
VICE CHAIRMAN
Jeff Minkovich
Andrea Cuda
Ramada Ligonier
Community Options Don Orlando
TREASURER
Saint Vincent College
KelLy, Sparber, White and Associates, LLC
Gary Siegel Latrobe Bulletin
Maryann White
SECRETARY
Madalyn Kalning
MarryAnn Singley
Melissa Blystone
Judy Swigart
Gutchess Hardwoods
Excela Health
Valley Dairy Restaurants
Greater Latrobe School District
Brian Edmiston
Cheryl Walters
TSI Titanium
Derry Area School District
Eric Huttenlocher
Todd Weimer
Carpenter Latrobe Specialty Metals
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Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center
Named a “Best Small Town to Visit” by Smithsonian Magazine
On June 9th, Latrobe had a lot to celebrate with the accomplishments of one of its most beloved neighbors. 2018 marks 50 years of Mister Rogers’
Neighborhood impacting the lives of children around the world, teaching them the importance of kindness and generosity, and to commerate the occasion, the streets of Latrobe
were filled with family fun activities. Everything from face painting to art ‘n crafts to story time with Adams Memorial Library entertained the tiniest of Mister Rogers fans—including a special visit from Daniel Tiger and friends. For young and old, there were also unique events that celebrated the legacy of Fred Rogers such as a trivia walk through town and memorabilia from the show on display.
The Family Day was held on the same week as Smithsonian Maga-
zine recognized Latrobe as one of the “Best Small Towns to Visit in 2018.” The article recognized many of the city’s iconic contributions to American culture, including the banana split, Arnold Palmer, and of course, Fred Rogers.
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Mister Rogers Day offered unique opportunities for
kids of all ages including visits from animal friends— both real and from the Land of Make Believe.
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Long-Standing Members of Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce Celebrating Seven Decades of Local Business Being a long-time member of any organization is always a special distinction, but when that beginning turns into a membership that lasts 73 years takes that notability to an even higher level. Three members of the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce have the high honor of being an active member for over 70 years.
The three-long standing members are Carpenter Technology Corporation, Latrobe Printing & Publishing Company (The Latrobe Bulletin) and Saint Vincent College. These significant members are joined by 43 other establishments, businesses and associations that have maintained memberships of at least 36 years. Seven of those have partnered with the chamber for at least 51 years. Carpenter Technology, formerly Latrobe Steel, is represented on the GLLV’s board of directors by Eric Huttenlocher, the corporation’s Divisional Human Resources Manager. “Any organization has a commitment to the community,” Huttenlocher said. “Helping to support anything drives community engagement is important and the chamber plays a vital role in that. We’ve been tied to the chamber and it has helped us facilitate who we are.” Over the years, Saint Vincent College has become a leader in the chamber with several members of the SVC community holding board positions. Currently, Director of Public Relations, Don Orlando, is the past board chair after serving as the chair for a year. “We would be proud to be called leaders, but that’s not the reason we’re there,” Orlando said. “We just want to be part of the organization and we’re happy to do that. I think it’s obvious to everybody that Saint Vincent sees itself very much a part of the community. And that’s just something we must do to stay connected to businesses and the community.” For many years across the country, one of the pillars of local communities has been the hometown newspaper. There has been a decline in the number of newspapers nationally, especially local, small-town ones. Latrobe still has its hometown paper, “The Bulletin.” Publisher Gary Siegel, also a GLLV board member, is a big believer in how the paper and chamber provide benefits for each other.
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LHVB to Host Travel Media Marketplace Event
It’s the equivalent of a college football team winning a spot in the national championship game or an NFL team getting into the Super Bowl.
It’s very difficult to do and is cause for celebration, but there’s still plenty of work to do. The Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau has gone through all those stages and is eagerly awaiting the end of September. The official destination marketing organization for Fayette, Somerset and Westmoreland counties has been awarded the host role of the 15th annual Mid-Atlantic Tourism Public Relations Alliance (MATPRA) Marketplace. Fifty journalists and 50 destination marketing organization members from the Mid-Atlantic have been invited to attend this event at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. The guests will be welcomed and have several places as to where they would like to explore in the Laurel Highlands. They will have several options as to what they’d like to see in the Laurel Highlands. Take a guess where the journalists are coming to tour and visit? “We’re coming to Latrobe,” said Anna Weltz, the Director of Public Relations for the LHVB. “We’re calling this one the ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor Tour.’” Weltz said it’s yet another way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Mister Rogers Neighborhood making its debut on television.
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The first full day of the conference will begin at Nemacolin with a breakfast and a program that will allow the journalists to meet with marketing professionals from around the region. They will network amongst each other; Weltz calls this “speed-dating for travelers.”
The guest will be bussed to Greensburg for a visit to the Westmoreland Museum of Art. After the art gallery, their first stop will be the Fred Rogers Center on the Saint Vincent College campus.
They’ll be given a tour of the Fred Rogers archives and then be shown the campus, including the Basilica and the Winnie Palmer Nature Reserve. The shuttle will go into Latrobe and unload at James M. Rogers Park where participants will see the statue of Fred Rogers. The visit will end with dinner at DiSalvo’s Station Restaurant, an historic Latrobe landmark.
“I ran into Briana (Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce president Tomack) earlier in the year and we’re hoping to get some things going in the Latrobe community to enhance the visit there,” Weltz said. Tomack shares Weltz’s enthusiasm. “It is such an honor for Latrobe to be included in the Laurel Highlands tour,” she said. We welcome the opportunity to showcase the wonderful assets we have here in our region! We look forNemacolin Woodland Resort will be the venue for the 2018 MATPRA event ward to hosting this (Photo credit: Nemacolin Resort) group and sharing our unique neighborhood and the hospitality that is displayed by our community! “
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Around the Neighborhood News Latrobe Bridge Re-Opens to Welcome Visitors to the Neighborhood The Route 981 Bridge over the Loyalhanna into Latrobe has been closed for renovations but was reopened on June 25th. This renovation is just the start
of improvement projects for the city, which include new streetlights that honor the historical heritage of Latrobe.
Welcome to the New Members of the GLLV! New Members
Chestnut Ridge Insurance Associates—Greensburg
Carclo Technical Plastics—Latrobe
David Russell Farmers Insurance Agency—Greensburg
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Techimark—Latrobe
CDT Insurance—Blairsville
GLLV Board Member Receives
Award Greater Latrobe Laurel Valley Chamber Board Chair, Jerry Spuko, received the Rotarian of the Year Award at a ceremony held on June 20th. Congratulations, Jerry!
Derry Area Revitalization Corporation Receives Check For the continued efforts to improve the Derry community, Derry Area Revitalization Corporation received a donation from the Greater Latrobe— Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce. Pictured is Briana Tomack of GLLV and Sarah Crispin Thomas of DARCee on June 28th, 2018.
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EVENTS GLLV GOLF CLASSIC AND DINNER
Steelers Fest
The Annual Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Chamber Golf Classic is coming up! Lunch and dinner will be served.
Steelers Fest is fun for the whole family! This free
July 13th, Latrobe Country Club
and public event includes the Steelers Experience, autograph signings, live music and much, much more! Later on, watch the Steelers Night Practice and enjoy a fireworks display.
Banana Split Festival
August 3rd, Memorial Stadium
Save the date for the return of one of Latrobe’s sweetest festivals! Activities include the Great Amer- Chamber Events Calendar Online! ican Pie Eating Contest, the 5K Banana Fun Run, and musical performances by Lovebettie. Mark your cal- Submit your organization’s activities to be posted on the chamber’s even page. The latest events listing is online. endars! August 24th - 26th, Downtown Latrobe
CALENDAR www.latrobelaurelvalley.org/events
GREATER LATROBE - LAUREL VALLEY REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERECE info@gllv.org PO Box 463 - Latrobe, PA 15650٠724-537-2671٠www.gllv.org
Visitor & Information Center is located on Route 30 West beneath Sharky’s near Latrobe Airport
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