Chamber X-Change: November 2014

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NOVEMBER 2014

www.LatrobeLaurelValley.org

GLLV 69TH ANNUAL DINNER & AWARDS EVENT

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he Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce 69th Annual Dinner & Awards Celebration presented by Excela Health last month was an amazing success! 300 guests helped celebrate the new GLLV Chamber and honor our 2014 "Community Service Award" recipient Doc Giffin, “Small Business-of-theYear” Four Seasons Brewing Co., “Non-Profit-ofthe-Year” Greater Latrobe Partners in Education Foundation, “Volunteer-of-the-Year” Jeff Minkovich and Chamber “Ambassador-of-the-Year” Dolan Vogle. Thanks to Mr. Arnold Palmer for presenting the CSA Award to his life-long friend, Doc. Thank you to Latrobe Mayor Rosie Wolford and Latrobe continued page 2

LAUREL MOUNTAIN POST 10TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION!

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Laurel Mountain Post owner Cathi Gerhard celebrates with family, friends and GLLV members and staff.

LLV members celebrated the Laurel Mountain Post's 10-Year Anniversary with a special Fall Reception and a Chamber "Ribbon Cutting Ceremony"! Thanks to our friends at the SpringHill for the complimentary quesadilla appetizers and an amazing "Anniversary Cake" by Mary Carlson from Batter Up! Cakes in

Ligonier. Members and guests enjoyed everyone's favorite new drink, the "GLLV Chamber Mixer" and the SpringHill’s newfor-fall Spiced Amaretto Cider.

The Post partnered with the revitalized GLLV Chamber to become one of the centerpieces of the new Visitor and Information Center, opening this fall beneath Sharky’s Café on Rt. 30 (see page 4).

GLLV ECONOMIC EDUCATION PROGRAMS

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olunteers are encouraged to take part in the GLLV Interviewing Workshop being held at Derry Area High School on Thursday, Nov. 13 at 8 a.m.

Students from Grades 9 through 12 participate in these sessions that are done in the Fall and Spring of each school year. This workshop is encouraged as part of the student’s "Life Skills Class". Interviewers spend 10–15 minutes with each student with time allowed for feedback.

Interviewers typically interact with 5 students.

If you or someone in your company or organization would like to provide valuable assistance to our students or learn more about the program please contact the Education Committee member that is coordinating this day: Ron Hamacher at Ronald.D.Hamacher@saint-gobain.com.

MEMBERNEWS

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ongratulations to Gabrielle Nastuck from the Latrobe Art Center for being the recipient of the “Tourism Trailblazer of the Year” award from the Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau. The award was handed out at the LHVB’s Annual Dinner on Oct. 16 at the historic Summit Inn in Farmington, PA Four Seasons Brewing Company claimed a Silver medal at the 2014 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) competition. Presented by the Brewers Association, GABF is the largest national beer competition that recognizes the most outstanding beers produced in the United States. Four Seasons Brewing Company was recognized in the Oatmeal Stout beer-style category for its Darkside of the Pint, a smooth, dark, roasted, beer brewed with oats for a silky finish.

Office Space For Rent: Second floor office suite with private bath available Dec. 1. Easy to find on Route 30 East between Latrobe and Ligonier. Free parking, all utilities included for $850/month. Contact Olga at 724-879-4241 or olga@lhhc.org.

NOVEMBER CALENDAR MONDAY, NOV. 3 • 5–6 P.M.

Ribbon Cutting: Batter Up! Cakes (Ligonier)

FRIDAY, NOV. 7 • 8:05 A.M.

Good Morning Greater Latrobe: Listen Live 1480 WCNS

THURSDAY, NOV. 13

Ribbon Cutting and Reception: BP Insurance (Ligonier) from 4:30-6 p.m. and Student Interviewing Workshop at Derry High School starting at 8 a.m.

TUESDAY, NOV. 18 • 4:30 - 6 P.M.

Ribbon Cutting: Bloomin' Genius Exotic Flowers & Gifts (Greensburg)

THURSDAY, NOV. 20 • 7:30–9 A.M.

GLLV Chamber Networking "Mimosa Breakfast": Carol and Dave's Roadhouse (Ligonier)

MEMBEREVENTS

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onthly Networking "Mimosa Breakfast." Join us on Thursday, Nov. 20 at 7:30 a.m. at Carol and Dave's Roadhouse Restaurant in Ligonier for a Mimosa Networking and Holiday Breakfast. This will be our final networking breakfast of the year, so be sure to mark it on your calendar! Breakfast is $12 and includes a hot buffet, Mimosas, coffee and juice. RSVP online at www.latrobelaurelvalley.org or by calling the Chamber offices at 724-537-2671 option 2.

Learn what you need to know about Tourism Grants in Westmoreland, Somerset and Fayette Counties. This workshop will help you understand the process and lay the groundwork for writing a complete and successful grant. The workshop will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 19 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at WCCC (Commissioner's Hall), Youngwood, PA. Cost is $15/person and includes lunch. RSVP to Katie Showalter at 724-238-5661 ext. 101, or online at www. laurelhighlands.org/grant. RSVP deadline is Nov. 14.

Have you been receiving our online version of the Chamber Xchange Newsletter, e-Xchange? This informative online Newsletter of upcoming calendar events such as ribbon cuttings, mixers, networking events, member news, etc. will be e-mailed weekly, so be sure to take a look to keep current on what’s happening at the Chamber and with all our local businesses! If you are NOT receiving the online e-Xchange, simply e-mail marketing@gllv.org with your e-mail address and we'll add you to the list!" Take advantage of advertising in the e-Xchange! For only $25/week your ad will be e-mailed out to over 600 members, community leaders, and businesses.

ANNUAL DINNER CONT.

Council for declaring Oct. 14 "Doc Giffin Day" in Latrobe. Thank you to Westmoreland County Commissioners Tyler Courtney, Ted Kopas and Chuck Anderson for the special citations. Thanks to Lou Lazzaro, Deputy Chief-of-Staff from Congressman Tim Murphy's office for the official proclamations, 1480 WCNS Latrobe's Dow Carnahan for acting as emcee and thanks to our good friends at the Fred Rogers Center at Saint Vincent College for being such great hosts. What a night!

*This will be our last Networking Breakfast of the year!

TUESDAY, NOV. 25 • 4:30 P.M.

Anniversary Celebration and Open House: Sarah Crispin-Thomas, State Farm (Latrobe)

THURSDAY, NOV. 27 • HOLIDAY

Happy Thanksgiving! Chamber office closed.

ome! c l e w rs

Membe

• Ray of Joy Tanning – Ligonier • Paul Volkmann – Latrobe • St. Stephen's AME Church – Latrobe • Brett Dias – Latrobe • Tillie & Rose – Ligonier • Dan's Electrical– Latrobe • Superior Security Systems – Latrobe • Center for Active Adults – Latrobe

CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

RIBBON CUTTINGS

CHAIRMAN

Paul Puleo

A.

First National Bank of PA

A very special NEW Member "Dual Ribbon Cutting" for our good friends Misty Hegan-Hefner from Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices in Ligonier and Marsha St. Pierre from Ruby Ribbon in Latrobe. The event was held at GLLV Member Twisted Vine the Eclectic Market in Ligonier!

VICE CHAIRMAN

Don Orlando Saint Vincent College TREASURER

Maryann White Kelly, Sparber, White and Associates, LLC SECRETARY

Wayne Petrosky Signs In 1 Day

Marie Bowers Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center

Andrea Cuda Ramada Ligonier

Roxann Mullen Donahue Mullen Refrigeration Service

George Fetkovich Saint Vincent College

Ron Hamacher Saint-Gobain Ceramics

Madalyn Kalning Gutchess Hardwoods

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Gale King

Welcome to NEW GLLV Member and Latrobe’s NEW Neighborhood Grocery: Lapp Family Market! GLLV staff, Ambassadors and Board Members were on hand for an "Official GLLV Ribbon Cutting" to celebrate their Grand Opening weekend on Oct. 17!

Lapp Family Market offers a new family shopping experience that combines deli, groceries, baked goods and outdoor living products in one location to serve the Greater Latrobe-Laurel Valley communities.

Carpenter Latrobe Specialty Metals

Dan Krinock Pace Industries — Airo Division

Blair Kucinski Alelphoi USA (retired)

Jeff Minkovich Westmoreland County Airport Authority

Tim Schultheis Schultheis Electric/T.S.B., Inc.

Gary Siegel Latrobe Bulletin

Christina Sutter Kennametal Inc.

Judy Swigart Greater Latrobe School District

Dr. Phil Westerbeck

Last, but not least welcome NEW GLLV Member Pitstop Pizza in Derry! We celebrated an October Ribbon Cutting and Pizza Reception complete with Four Season’s Brewing Co. micro brews — a perfect way to end the work day – and met Owners Robert and Allison Rockwell as well as their great staff. Check out Pitstop Pizza’s Neighborhood Card offer at GLLV.org!

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WestLand Clinic of Chiropractic

Dr. David Welling Derry Area School District

LatrobeLaurelValley.org

LAYOUT AND GRAPHIC DESIGN

Robyn John Apollo Design Group

THE CHAMBER PAGE!

Read The Chamber Page in the Latrobe Bulletin every 4th Friday of the month!

"GOOD MORNING GREATER LATROBE!" Listen Monthly every 1st Friday at 8:05 a.m. on

Place an INSERT in the next Chamber Xchange Newsletter For just $95, your 8½” x 11” ad insert in the Chamber newsletter reaches hundreds of business and professional decision-makers in our Chamber’s service area and beyond. Call or e-mail the Chamber for more information.

GREATER LATROBE-LAUREL VALLEY COMMUNITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LATROBE PA PERMIT NO. 218

P.O. Box 463, Latrobe, PA 15650-0143 724.537.2671 info@GLLV.org | LatrobeLaurelValley.org

UPDATE: NEW VISITOR AND INFORMATION CENTER IS UNDERWAY!

By David W. Martin, GLLV President

8ft

80.00 ft² 8ft x 10ft

8ft

80.00 ft² 8ft x 10ft

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2ft 12in

Merch Racks 10ft

10ft

1088.00 ft² 20ft x 55ft

Welcome Desk

55ft

t’s all about telling our member’s stories. The GLLV Chamber is working hard to transition to new facilities on Rt. 30 below Sharky’s Café. The end-result will be a modern, technology-focused Visitor and Information Center (VIC).

Whether you live, work or own a business in Greater Latrobe or if you are thinking of moving or starting a business here … perhaps you are one of the tens of thousands who make the trek to the area yearly for events like the Westmoreland County Airshow, Steelers training camp, or a weekend in the Laurel Highlands – how do we best tell “that story” of what an amazing place we have to live, shop, eat, stay, play, work or start a business.

The Chamber’s VIC will be one of the key pieces to help us tell those stories, a “hub” of information, if you will. When completed, the facility will offer information and material

Floor plan of the new GLLV Visitor and Information Center

from business services, home services and relocation information as well as details on where to have fun, eat out and spend your time. This is an amazing opportunity to promote area businesses and provide people a roadmap. The VIC can provide directories and material from menus, maps, flyers, business cards, local coupons and information on area

business services and real estate listings. The Center will also feature memorabilia, local works-of-art, and a small conference area for meetings and be available to GLLV members for small receptions and gatherings. It will tell your story of what makes our region truly great. Stay tuned and look for the new Center to open soon!