Banana Split Princess, Piper Anke, is featured at last week’s event. Photo Courtesy to Angela Stepian from WPS.
WHAT’S INSIDE Latrobe Goes Bananas — pg. 4 Steeler Fest Recap— pg. 8
Member of the Month: Big Brothers Big Sisters— p.11
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Latrobe Goes Bananas
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Yellow and Gold Reigns at Steeler Fest
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Member of the Month: Big Brother Big Sister
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Ground Zero Whips Latrobe Into Shape
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Around the Neighborhood News
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CHAMBER STAFF Briana Tomack ‐ President Hannah Kahn ‐ Membership Coordinator Mike Dudurich ‐ Media Writer
Alexandra Kornides ‐ Intern
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CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS CHAIR Jerry Supko Commerical Bank and Trust of PA
Community Options
VICE CHAIR Andrea Cuda
Don Orlando
TREASURER Maryann White Kelly, Sparber, White and Associates, LLC SECRETARY Madalyn Kalning Gutchess Hardwoods
Jeff Minkovich
Gary Siegel Latrobe Printing and Publishing
MarryAnn Singley Excela Health
Judy Swigart Melissa Blystone
Greater Latrobe School District
Valley Dairy Restaurants
Eric Curry
Todd Weimer
Derry Area School District
Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center
Brian Edmiston TSI Titanium
Suzanne Ward Eric Huttenlocher
Kattan Ferretti Financial
Lindsay Fennell
Amy Peer
Kennametal Inc.
Latrobe Chevrolet and Ford
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Annual Great American Banana Split Celebra on is Another Great Success
The 2018 Valley Dairy Great American Banana Split Celebra on was packed full of more than 75 vendors lining Ligonier and Main Streets; 18 musical acts and 4 performing groups on two stages; 200 5k runner/walkers, over 100 fun run par cipants; and over 2,000 banana splits. Guests came from all over Western PA, Ohio, West Virginia, and even as far as Louisiana! A special thanks to the 76+ individuals who gave a couple hours of their me to do a variety of tasks during the weekend. An expanded offering of banana split and Latrobe themed items were available for sale at the Banana Bou que this year. In case you didn’t get to stop by the shop during the celebra on or maybe you’re looking for a uniquely Latrobe gi ; items are on sale at The Neighborhood Visitor & Informa on Center or online at store.bananaspli est.com The celebra on planning commi ee has already begun thinking of new ac vi es, vendors, and musical acts for 2019. One thing that won’t change? Serving up authen c banana splits! Of course, if you’re craving one now, head on over to your closest Valley Dairy where the staff will take great pride in crea ng one just for you!
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All In The Family: Latrobe Car Style Local Business & Family History of Superior Motors
Since 1964, Superior Motors has been selling used “Cars, Trucks, and Vans” on the corner of Route 981 and 30, across from the Latrobe Airport. Owner, “Big Jim” Barchesky, started the business in 1959 in the backyard of his Derry, PA house. Jim got into the car business because of his father. His father and uncle owned Barchesky Brother’s Chrysler and Plymouth in Derry before they closed the business in 1956. When Jim got a loan and bought the building on Route 30, he paid $35,000. His father told him he would never live long enough to see it paid off. Superior Motors sold new Subaru’s in the 70s; however, he did not keep them long because people did not know how to pronounce Subaru. That and, at the me, foreign cars were not allowed to be parked at Latrobe Steel. Jim’s wife, Jane, has always worked by his side, as well as his son Mike. S ll to this day Jim, Jane, Mike and now Mike’s children Kate and Tom run Superior Motors. If you stop by, or follow them on Facebook, you will also no ce that Kate takes along her li le boy as well. That makes a total of four genera ons at Superior Motors. No need to worry about someone making commission, it’s just family. The same family that takes great pride in the 54 years Superior Motors has been on Route 30 providing great value for their customers and doing their part to keep our local economy thriving.
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Black and Gold Reigns at Steeler Fest Saint Vincent College and Latrobe Welcomes Home Team to Town
On August 3rd, black and gold fans travelled from all over to unite at Latrobe’s Memorial Stadium for Steelers Fest at Latrobe and the annual night prac ce and scrimmage. Even Steeler enthusiasts from Canada made an appearance at the one‐day event! Fans enjoyed the Steeler Experience ac vi es, food and cra vendors, pictures with the team’s five Lombardi trophies, and performance by the Steel Line Drum Line. Former safety and current analyst Tunch Ilkin, and former lineman Will Allen signed autographs for eager fans. The event was held in close proximity to Gatorade Youth Camp where young players performed drills to sharpen their skills. Inside Latrobe Memorial, The Clarks performed prior to the team’s arrival. Following a short autograph signing, players got to the business of football and a team scrimmage. Closing out the night was a Zambelli Fireworks show presented by FedEx. Don’t miss out on heading down to Heinz Field this football season—check out the schedule posted below or on the website at www.steeelers.com. Here we go Steelers, Here we Go!
Steelers 2018 Regular Season Schedule September 9: @ Browns — 1 pm September 16: Chiefs — 1 pm September 24: @ Buccaneers — 8:15 pm September 30: Ravens — 8:20 pm October 14: @ Bengals — 1 pm October 28: Browns @ — 1 pm November 4: @ Ravens — 1 pm November 8: Panthers — 8:20 pm November 18: @ Jaguars — 8:20 pm November 25: @ Broncos — 4:25 pm December 2: Chargers — 1 pm December 9: @ Raiders —- 8:20 pm December 16: Patriots — 4:25 pm
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Member of the Month: Big Brothers Big Sisters Laurel‐Region Children Thrive with Mentorship Programs Congratula ons to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region for being awarded the GLLV Chamber Member of the Month for September 2018. BBBS provides mentoring services for children facing adversity across Faye e & Westmoreland coun es. We interviewed execu ve director Kelli Belanger to learn more about the organiza on.
How many years have BBBS been in Business? Our agency started in 1975 as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Westmoreland County. In 2001, our service area expanded to include Faye e County, and our name was changed to Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Laurel Region to be more reflec ve of our new footprint. What is your proudest moment as a business? Every me we make a “match” ‐ a one‐to‐one mentoring rela onship between a child facing adversity (a “Li le”) and a caring adult volunteer (a “Big”) — magic happens, and these are all proud moments for our organiza on. We have monitored and supported over 8,000 mentoring rela onships between 1975 and each rela onship has made a life‐changing impact on a local child in ‐need. What is your current project? Because we do not receive any regular, unsolicited government support from Big Brothers Big Sister of America, our agency holds numerous public fundraisers throughout the year, with several events coming up this fall. I’m very excited about our current volunteer recruitment campaign “100 Bigs in 100 Days,” which will help us find Bigs to serve addi onal children from our wai ng list. Check out the website: bbbslr.org
How has your chamber membership help you succeed? Being a chamber member is very valuable for a unique, small non‐ profit like us. We are able to make connec ons with other chamber members to help support our crucial fundraisers, as well as support for programing/match ac vi es, and volunteer recruitment. We highly value the networking opportuni es and the chance to regular‐ ly share our story in front of new and different audience. Big Broth‐ ers Big Sisters is truly a grass roots organiza on, and we would not exist without the amazing community support we have received since 1975. If there is any interest in being a big, or volunteering, or attending any events—how do people get in touch with you? Anyone can contact us directly using our website: bbbslr.org. Make sure you like our Facebook page at facebook.com/bbbslr/ for up‐to‐ date event informa on as well!
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Ground Zero Whips Latrobe Into Shape New Boxing Center Offers Unique Fitness Op ons
Long me Latrobe na ve and Wildcat alumni Jeremy Kosicek has opened Ground Zero Pi sburgh, a Mar al Arts Academy located on Main Street in downtown Latrobe, PA. Ground Zero Pi sburgh specializes in func onal mar al arts classes such as kickboxing, boxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, mixed mar al arts, and wrestling. All classes range from beginner to advanced techniques, with offerings for kids and adults. Kids classes are designed for ages 5 to 11, where the fundamentals of the different mar al arts are
taught; they are a great introduc on to self‐ defense and fitness. By star ng mar al arts at a young age, children develop self‐discipline, respect, and passion for fitness. Ground Zero Pi sburgh also offers adult classes for ages 12 to 55+. Every class provides an encouraging group se ng to get started in any mar al arts discipline you choose. Each class offering will build self‐confidence and self ‐control. You will learn these techniques from an experienced and encouraging coaching staff. Each coach has years of experience par cipa ng in mar al arts compe ons all over the United States. For Ground Zero Pi sburgh class mes or more informa on, check out the Facebook page at Ground Zero Pi sburgh, or call at 724‐ 858‐5735
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Own a Neighborhood Trolley Sign for Your Home The Latrobe Revitalization is offering custom address signs with Mister Rogers’ trademark Trolley to proudly identify your residence and show the love of your neighborhood! Whether you are a business, resident, or someone who lives out of the area—all are welcome to celebrate what Mr. Rogers represented in such a special way from his hometown. Made by locally owned Special Lite Company, these signs will never rust or fade for decades to come. The cost for a sign is $85.00 and includes your custom house number and shipping. For more information and to order your custom made sign, go to www.latroberevitalization.org/streetscape.
*From the Latrobe Revitalization Facebook page August 2018
Latrobe Bulle n Creates Online Archive The Latrobe Bulletin is pleased to announce the immediate availability of its fully searchable online archive of digitized versions of all available past issues from the first date of publication on December 18, 1902, through December 2003. The archive is available through the new Archives Section added to the newspaper’s website at latrobebulletinnews.com and was created in cooperation with Newspapers.com. The archive contains fully searchable page images with search results matches highlighted on each image, allowing users to quickly find what they’re looking for. Sharing features allow clippings to be posted on social media sites or shared by email and there’s a public clippings area in the archive showing what users are discovering. We hope users will enjoy finding their own family stories and photos and will use the archive’s clipping feature to share content and encourage others to get involved rediscovering meaningful details from the past. * From the Latrobe Bulletin Press Release August 2018
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AROUND THE NEIGHORHOOD NEWS Blackout Tin ng Opens New Loca on In early August, the chamber celebrated the opening of the new loca on for Blackout Tin ng on 981 in Unity Township! Those a ending the opening, were able to win door prizes, eat light bites, listen to great music, view product demonstra ons, and walk around the car show! The owner‐operator, Josh Poponick, started the business in his garage in 2011 as a way to get extra money while a ending college. He a ended the University of Pi sburgh before he decided to pursue his passion of working on cars. Blackout Tin ng is a one‐stop shop for all of your automo ve, residen al, and commercial window n ng needs as well as a place for automobile detailing. Visit their website for more informa on at blackoutempire.com!
Laurel Valley Motors Celebrates Expansion Laurel Valley Motors celebrated the opening of their expanded show room on the Route 30 West corridor. Staff and local community members gathered for a catered lunch from Rizzo’s Malabar Restaurant, and a brief program sharing the history of the dealership. Vice President and general manager, Fred Furia, is shown on the right cu ng a ribbon, symbolizing growth for the dealership. Laurel Valley Motors is a premier retailer of new and used Chrysler, Dodge, and Jeep vehicles in the Latrobe area. Visit the dealership and one of the 14 employees will help you with your car needs or visit the dealership website for more informa on at laurelvalleymotors.net.
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EVENTS September
November
-12 Business After Hours at Pershing Park
-11-YPG Kick Off to Giving Dinner at Holy Family
-13 YPG Shooting Simulation at Safe & Secure Training and Range -20 Morning Mingle at Barnes Place October -10 Business After Hours at Loyalhanna Care
-14 Business After Hours at Aroma Italiano -15 Morning Mimosa Mingle at Ramada Ligonier December -12 Business After Hours at Springhill Suites
-18 Morning Mingle at Springhill Suites -22 73rd Annual Awards Dinner & Ceremony at Fred Rogers Center -30 Chamber University at WCCC Latrobe -30 Membership Orientation at Visitor’s Center
Would your business like to host a 2019 event? Contact Hannah Kahn (Hannah@gllv.org) at the chamber office to find the month that works for you!
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
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