TVRC Chamber News: The Voice of Business & Industry | October 2019

OCTOBER 2019

Chamber News THE VOICE OF BUSINESS & INDUSTRY

SPECIAL SECTION:

Hob Nob in the Valley INSIDE: 04 | New Members 06 | Hob Nob in the Valley 09 | Month in Photos 10 | #ElectionDay

Enter to Win! An Executive Membership from Costco. See pg. 11

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chair John Lamanna Timber Ridge School Chair-Elect Tracy Vosika George Mason Mortgage, LLC Vice Chair John Fox Greenwood Grocery & Deli Treasurer Adrian Taylor YHB Immediate Past Chair Bill North Northstar Consulting Scott Harvard First Bank Gregory Vossler Green Bay Packaging

Cover photo and above photo provided by SL Photography.

DEPARTMENTS

FEATURES

04 | Letter from Community Partner

06 | Feature Story

04 | New Members

06 | Business Column

05 | News & Events

07 | Feature Story

09 | Ribbon Cuttings

10 | Community Feature

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Susan Brooks Navy Federal Credit Union Emily Burner Shenandoah University Charles Daniels Integrus Holdings, Inc.

09 | Month in Photos

Top of Virginia Regional Chamber Sponsors

Jim Guisewhite Sperry Van Ness Chamber Elite

Katrina Meade City National Bank Nadine Pottinga United Way NSV Janie Shirley Costco Wholesale

Chairman’s Club

President’s Club

Patti Solenberger Solenberger’s True Value Hardware James Stewart Grafton Integrated Health

CHAMBER STAFF

Letter From Community Partner

Hob Nob; Impactful Chamber Event

Cynthia Schneider, CEO

The annual Hob Nob in the Valley celebrated its 20th year anniversary this year at Handley High School. It was well attended by Chamber members, business leaders, elected officials, those seeking office and the public. It was rewarding, as a member of the original planning committee, to see the event thrive.

Why, some twenty years ago did the Chamber start this event? Several reasons come to mind. The Chamber is our community’s business advocate, and, what better way to connect with elected officials at the local, state and federal level than to hold an annual event in the late summer/early fall near election time? Turnout has always been good. We get a chance to hear from our representatives and spend time with them in a social environment discussing topics and issues important to the advancement of a business-supportive environment.

In the beginning we decided to conduct a straw poll encouraging attendance. We felt, and I still do, that this is an important part of the evening. In the early years we used paper ballots, now it’s all electronic. Advancement in technology!

What hasn’t changed is great food and collegial conversation as folks take advantage of this time to advance regional issues important to our members. I believe this has a very positive impact and assists the Chamber as it presents its pro-business agenda to those elected to serve. The Top of Virginia Regional Chamber is known and respected in Towns, Counties, City of Winchester, Richmond and Washington. And, the Hob Nob is one reason.

Thanks to all who participate in this important endeavor. Your hard work is appreciated and results in a positive business/government relationship!

- Harry Smith, Market President | United Bank 2019 Hob Nob in the Valley Presenting Sponsor

UPCOMING EVENTS The full TVRC calendar can be viewed at regionalchamber.biz

BUSINESS & BREAKFAST

Tuesday, Oct. 15 Hosted by: The Willows at Meadow Branch

Welcome

New Members

Ashley Miller Director, Marketing & Communications amiller@regionalchamber.biz Danita Roble Director, Membership Development droble@regionalchamber.biz Jody Wall Director, Program Development jwall@regionalchamber.biz Billy Whirley Business Development Specialist

bwhirley@regionalchamber.biz

Dan Hitchcock Membership Development Specialist

dhitchcock@regionalchamber.biz

PUBLIC POLICY BREAKFAST

Wednesday, Oct. 16 Administrators Forum

YOUNG PROFESSIONALS GROUP Thursday Oct. 17 Hosted by: Handley Library

Thanks to our new members who joined the Chamber between September 1 and September 27. To learn more about membership benefits, call 540-662-4118.

Tru By Hilton

Shenandoah Arts Council

Sage Marketing Pros

Northwestern Community Services Board-Prevention Dept.

Engage Telehealth Advisory Group L’ Aubrge Provencale Flora Nova Designs

Onelife Fitness

Errand Angels of NoVa

SVBF - Third Battle of Winchester Visitors Center

cschneider@regionalchamber.biz

Frederick County Dept. of Social Services The Wine Club for Women Ravenwood Foundation Joyce Shuemake Real Estate, Inc./Weichert Realtors Melissa Kinzley - Coldwell Banker Premier Realty

407 S. Loudoun Street Winchester, VA 22601 540-662-4118 regionalchamber.biz OUR VISION Be the voice of business for Frederick & Clarke Counties and the City of Winchester, Virginia.

OUR MISSION Provide programs and services to meet the business and professional needs of our members.

OUR PURPOSE Connect business and community resources for mutual success.

TVRC NEWS & EVENTS TVRC Public Policy Update and Save the Date: Local Administrators Forum, How Policy Change Works TVRC’s Public Policy Committee strives to be the voice of business for public policy issues that may affect the business community. Advocacy before local, state and federal governments and agencies when needed is part of their purpose.

Currently the committee is watching legislation related to regional transportation issues, especially in relation to Interstate 81, and House Bill 2878 regarding the use of Health Savings Account funds for in home care expenses for dependents. The committee annually hosts a Pre-Legislative and Post-Legislative breakfast to provide personal engagement with state representatives.

Their next event a Local Administrators Forum, How Policy Change Works, will be held Wed. Oct. 16 from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. at the George Washington Hotel. Registration is $25.00 for members or $35 for non-members and includes breakfast.

Participants will gain increased knowledge about the public policy development process, learn to navigate the stages of public policy, and leave better prepared to translate policy into action with skills necessary to contribute to future public policy design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

Save the Date: Valley Business Women Women and Medicine Head to Toe Join VBW for their Nov. 20 luncheon. You’ll hear from a panel of distinguished local, female medical professionals who will talk about areas of health that women need to pay attention to from their 20’s through their 60’s and beyond. We’re excited to announce the members of the panel are Dr. Laura Dabinett, Women’s Center of Winchester, Susan Lesser, Valley Health Director, Nutrition Therapy, Dr. Amber DeWeerd, Smiles of Virginia, and Dr. Melanie Mattson, Winchester Cardiology & Vascular Medicine. To register and for more information, visit regionalchamber.biz/events.

Save the Date: Peer 2 Peer Educational Series LinkedIn Basics with Janet Michael Entrepreneurs turn their business dreams into reality.

Creative thought, a tireless work ethic, commitment, and much more help entrepreneurs run their businesses effectively and efficiently. Come glean from local entrepreneurs on October 17 and learn what it takes to successfully build a business from the ground up. To register and for more information, visit regionalchamber.biz/events.

Photos courtesy SL Hunter Photography.

Celebrating 20 years

Politicians pitched their political platforms at Hob Nob in the Valley By: Jim Guisewhite, SVN Commercial Hundreds of attendees came out to John Handley High School for the 20th annual Hob Nob in the Valley, presented by United Bank on Friday, September 13 to celebrate the political process. The event was thoroughly enjoyed by many first time participants and seasoned “Hob Nobbers”.

The sound of the City of Winchester Pipes and Drums, as well as the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office honor guard helped kick off the festivities before the elected officials in attendance were recognized, followed by local candidate introductions on stage.

State Candidates then addressed the audience on their platforms. Dinner and straw poll voting concluded the evening’s event.

The 20th Anniversary celebration was a rousing success! It was an example of how the political process can and should work in America.

TVRC wants to thank all those who participated in the Hob Nob in the Valley event. Committee members, volunteers, attendees and all those running for public service positions. The Hob Nob in the Valley event has always been an extremely popular fund-raising event for the Chamber and we appreciate the strong support and participation from the community.

BUSINESS COLUMN What…I Can Help Shape Public Policy!

By: Jeremy Angelo Public Policy Squared

Too often I hear society say that they wish a political official would vote to support or oppose a law in favor of the citizen’s belief. While a legislator cannot please everyone on every issue, it should not prevent you from advocating for yourself and others with your stance.

There are several grassroots approaches to advocate your view on public policy issues. Be it gun rights / gun control, immigration, or pro-life / pro-choice, you can voice your opinion to elected officials. Have you ever heard the saying “There is strength in numbers?” Well, the same goes for supporting your cause.

For instance, you can start a petition for supporters to sign showing their solidarity on a particular stance. After gathering signatures, you can send the petition to your representative at the local, state, or federal level showing the official’s constituent approval or dissent on the issue at hand. It is much easier today to gather signatures by using social media as a tool in your arsenal. There are many other tools to use such as, the “rifle” approach, the “shotgun” approach, direct campaigning, and interacting with the media, to name a few.

For more information on advocacy, visit Public Policy Squared, LLC’s Facebook Page @publicpolicysquared and download 8 Steps for Effective Advocacy. You can also visit our website at www.publicpolicysquared.com.

About the Author Jeremy Angelo is the President of Public Policy Squared, LLC – a government relations and business improvement firm located in Winchester, VA. He is currently attending Harvard University to obtain a Master’s in International Relations.

Voters Speak

The Chamber would like to thank all the candidates who were in attendance at the Hob Nob in the Valley. Listed below are the names of the candidates who attended the event. The results of the straw poll can be found on the chamber web site at www.regionalchamber.biz along with the percentage of votes they received if they were opposed.

On the web site only: The winner of each race is listed first. These results reflect the votes of those in attendance at the Hob Nob in the Valley event and don’t necessarily predict the leanings of the community at large.

Commissioner of the Revenue: Seth T. Thatcher Treasurer: C. William Orndoff, Jr.

Sheriff: Sheriff L. W. “Lenny” Millholland E. Allen Sibert

Chairman, Board of Supervisors: Charles S. DeHaven, Jr. John J. Lamanna

Member, Board of Supervisors, Back Creek District : A.S. “Steve” Jennings

Member, Board of Supervisors, State of Virginia Senate 27th District: Gainesboro District: Senator Jill Vogel J. Douglas McCarthy Ronald “Ronnie” J. Ross, III Heidi K. David-Young

House of Delegates 10th District: Member, Board of Supervisors, Delegate Wendy W. Gooditis Opequon District: J. Randall “Randy” Minchew Robert “Bob” W. Wells

House of Delegates 29th District: Member, School Board, At Large: Delegate Christopher E. Collins Brian J. Hester Irina B. Khanin David D. Stegmaier

House of Delegates 33rd District: Member, School Board, Delegate Dave A. LaRock Back Creek District: James “Jimmy” G. Smith Mavis B. Taintor Brandon H. Monk City of Winchester- Clerk of the Court: William “Will” D. Gardner Member, School Board, Gainesboro District: Tara F. Helsley Michael A. Lake

Soil and Water Conservation Director, Susan E. Shick Lord Fairfax District: Member, School Board, H. B. Simpson Opequon District: Bradley A. Comstock Clarke County, Virginia Bryan L. Nuri Member, Board of Supervisors, Russell District: On web site only: The Top of Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Director, Douglas M. Lawrence Regional Chamber apologizes to the Lord Fairfax District:

Frederick County, Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney: Ross P. Spicer

J. Kermit Gaither

Stephens City Town Council: Tina Stevens

candidates for Stephens City Town Council Tina Stevens and Steven Happek for omitting the Town Council race from the straw poll.

Fun with Membership

September in Photos

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1. First Bank staff at BAH, hosted by First Bank. 2. Congratulations to Bowmen Library on their ribbon cutting in honor of library card sign-up month. 3. Congratulations to Mac Shack on their ribbon cutting. 4. TVRC’s YPG went apple picking, hosted by Marker Miller Orchards. 5. Costco staff at B&B, hosted by Costco. 6. Congratulations to Shoberg Real Estate on their ribbon cutting. 7. Millie Thompson and Odalis Guevara, United Bank, attended Valley Business Women, hosted by Hottel & Willis. 8. Congratulations to Blue Bay Technology on their ribbon cutting! 9. The Class of 2020 Community Leadership Program began their nine month program at Timber Ridge, where Dr. Dave Miles, Dr. Dave Miles Leadership, discussed leadership and team building. 10. Dr. Dave Miles presented Leadership Leverage during TVRC’s Peer 2 Peer Education. 11. Congratulations to Shallow Creek Electrical on their ribbon cutting!

Casting a Ballot | #ElectionDay Get the facts about voting in the Top of Virginia

Photo courtesy SL Hunter Photography.

Election Day is November 5 across the Top of Virginia. Voting is a big part of our democracy. It’s a crucial, meaningful way to express yourself and support the issues you care about. If gives you the ability to choose who is in office and have a say on was goes on in the political world. To help highlight its importance, below are some important details as Election Day grows closer.

WHEN TO VOTE Polling places are open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Election Day. Anyone in line at 7:00 p.m. will be allowed to vote.

WHERE TO VOTE Voters may look up their polling place, www.vote.org or they may contact their General Registrar for more information.

Clarke County: 540-955-5168 Frederick County: 540-665-5660 City of Winchester: 540-545-7910 HOW TO VOTE When voting in-person, you will be asked to provide an acceptable form of photo identification (photo ID) at the polls.

UPCOMING DATES AND DEADLINES FOR THE NOVEMBER 5, 2019 GENERAL AND SPECIAL ELECTION Deadline to register to vote, or update an existing registration, is Tuesday, October 15, 2019.

Deadline to request an absentee ballot to be mailed to you is Tuesday, October 29, 2019. Your request must be received by your Registrar by 5:00 p.m.

Deadline to vote in-person absentee is Saturday, November 2, 2019.

Virginia law allows you to vote in only one political party primary election when multiple political party primary elections are held on the same day (Va Code § 24.2-530). Each primary has a separate ballot listing different candidates. The voter must indicate which ballot s/he would like to receive.

MEMBER NEWS & BUSINESS AGENDA UPDATES • FREE Small Biz Mentoring group will meet second Wednesday of each month 7:30AM-9AM at Firefly Cafe. Join us to talk • AMVETS Post 18 is hosting a Cash party on October 26. Tickets are 30.00 and can be purchased at the chamber office or from an Amvets member. Cash prize up to 1000.00. Raffles. Silent auction. Pull tabs. 55 inch Vizio tv available from pull tabs. Lots of fun. Come join us to raise money for helping veterans in our area.

• The Real Men Wear Pink Campaign raises awareness and money to support the American Cancer Society’s breast cancer patient programs including free wigs, free lodging and free rides to treatment. Money raised is also used to fund groundbreaking breast cancer research. The participants will be challenged to wear pink EVERY day in October and to set a fundraising goal of $2500. Most of the fundraising takes place online at www.realmenwearpinkacs.org/winchesterva and through the participants personal Facebook accounts. We are hoping to recruit 15 outstanding men to collectively raise $15,000 by October 31.

• Join The Top of Virginia REAL MEN WEAR PINK Campaign ! Take a stand against Breast Cancer sign up at www.realmenwearpinkacs.org/winchesterva • Handley Regional Library System reports that adults read over 4,000 this summer in their summer reading program • COSTCO PHARMACY has openings for Flu Shot Clinics. Contact Margie Hernandez, Pharmacist for more information (540) 722-9495. *No membership is required to use the Costco Pharmacy.

• Happy hour with a mission! Stop by Firefly Cafe Mon-Fri, 4:30-6 for a glass of wine or beer and get our appetizer bar for free!

• Join the Shenandoah Valley Technology Council for our annual Fall Tech Mixer. Hosted by the SVTC’s Board of Directors, this is our fall networking event. Come and find out what the SVTC is doing as an organization, and what our members are doing individually. This is where the growing technology community goes in the fall to catch up, mingle, and network.

• Come out and join us for a fun night of excellent music, food, and fellowship. Springfield Exit is a phenomenal bluegrass band local to the Shenandoah Valley. Doors open at 6pm, dinner served at 6:30pm, show begins at 7pm. $12 admission for show, $20 for admission plus dinner, cash/card bar available.

• 4th Annual One More Song benefit concert. Performances by Bill Kirchen & Too Much Fun with Wayne Lee Ray held at B Chord Brewing. Ticket proceeds support the Blue Ridge Hospice Music Therapy program! Advanced tickets $15 through Eventbrite, $20 at the door. Doors open at 7pm, Kids under 12 admit free!

• Businesses welcome to participate! Your mission, should you choose to accept, it is to find as much spare change as possible for the City National Bank Loose Change Challenge to benefit the SPCA of Winchester, Frederick and Clarke Counties and the Humane Society of Warren County.The goal is to raise life-saving funds for the no kill shelter facilities serving your community. Start now by looking for that loose change that’s weighing you down. Grab a piggy bank, jar, or vase, and start collecting. Then on October 25th and 26th, drop those coins off at the City National Bank location nearest you. You will be able to designate the shelter to benefit from your coin collection. The shelter that raises the most funds will receive an additional $250 match from City National Bank.

• Join the fight for Alzheimer’s first survivor! Walk to End Alzheimer’s is the world’s largest event to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s care, support and research. We will walk on Saturday, October 26 @ 9:30 am - Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. Our walk is family friendly and wheel chair accessible. Highlights include free refreshments, face painting, individual and group photos, music and much more! Something for everyone! Also, there is plenty of free parking on the Museum grounds.

• Book Signing with West Virginia’s First African American Author of Children’s Books Mrs. Latoya Beatty!! Come on out to Winchester Book Gallery, 7 N. Loudoun St., Winchester and get some great books for the kids, and meet a wonderful author!

• The Boys to Mentor breakfast is an opportunity for potential mentors to meet young men looking for mentors and learn about the positive impact mentoring can have on young people and mentors alike. We hope you’ll join us for this casual (free!) breakfast! Youth Development Center, 3 Battaile Dr., The Breakfast is free, but please RSVP to help us plan! https://www.myydc.org/boys2men

Member

Congratulations to our renewing members! We greatly appreciate your continued support and involvement.

Renewals • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

A Plus Handyman Access Independence Anthem Blue Cross & Blue Shield Bank of Clarke County- Main Barns of Rose Hill Blue Ridge Industries, Inc. Bruce, Renner & Company, PLC. Clarion Inn & Conference Center Crum Realty, Inc. DS Smith Evans Home for Children, Inc. Golden Seal Enterprises Gore’s Meat Processing, Inc. Grand Home Furnishings Green Bay Packaging, Inc. Harman Construction J.R.’s Auto Body Jones Funeral Home Kimberly’s, LLC. KOONTZ | PC Lantz Construction Company Long Branch Historic House and Farm Minnick’s Auto Repair & Towing, Inc.

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Modern Renovations Roofing Murphy Business & Financial Corp- VA Pearle Vision Schneider Decorating Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival Shenandoah Mutual Fire Insurance Shenandoah University Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation Shenandoah Valley Technology Council Sleep Inn and Suites Stevens Retirement Solutions, LLC. TGI Fridays The George Washington- A Wyndham Grand Hotel Virginia Cooperative Expension- Frederick County Virginia Farm Market, L.C. Virginia Inland Port Virignia National Bank Water Street Financial Winchester Little Theatre Winchester Orthopedic Associates, Ltd. WinTech

Be a part of Top of Virginia Regional Chamber’s signature events by becoming a sponsor: THE VALOR AWARDS

Friday, November 1, 2019

THE GREATER GOOD AWARDS & MEMBERSHIP MEETING Friday, February 7, 2020

CORPORATE CHALLENGE Friday, June 5, 2020

DIFFERENT SPONSORSHIP LEVELS ARE AVAILABLE .

Contact Billy Whirley, 540-662-4118 EXt. 14 or bwhirley@regionalchamber.biz