see page 8 - Venango Area Chamber of Commerce

Volume 9| Issue 6| June 2013
1
FLEX to host Networking
Mixer to welcome Interns
and Young Professionals
(see page 8)
“Building a Future for Venango Area Business!”
2
WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS
Shreffler’s Snack Shack
Mike Graham
1552 Route 322
Kossuth, PA 16331
Phone: 814-797-1601
Email: shrefflerssnackshack@gmail.com
Web: http://twitter.com/shrefflers
Published Category: Restaurant/Ice Cream
Schwan’s Home Service
Mark Flaherty
139 McKinney Road
Titusville, PA 16354
Phone: 814-832-9424
Email: mark.flaherty@schwan.com
Web: http://www.schwans.com/
Published Category: Food & Beverage
Richar, CPA
Ann Richar
3193 State Route 257
Seneca, PA 16346
Phone: 814-671-0879
Email: arichar@schakeinc.com
Published Category: Accountant/CPA
Fresh, home-cooked sandwiches and snacks.
Soft serve ice cream, yogurt, and (non-dairy)
Dole Whip.
Walk-up window with large
picnic area to enjoy your food. Sandbox and
toys for the kids. Hours: Monday 4-9pm;
Tuesday through Sunday 11am-9pm, open til
10pm during the Summer.
Talk about tradition, for over 55 years our
Route Sales Representatives have paid visits to
households just like yours, delivering delicious,
easy-to-prepare meals and friendly personalized service.
A local accounting practice providing tax
preparation, business consulting, payroll, and
bookkeeping services. Office opened Daily from
9am-4pm.
2013 Member
Directories and
New Venango County Maps
will be available in June
Venango Area
Chamber of Commerce
VenangoChamber
Venango Area Chamber
of Commerce Group
Find OilHeritageFesitval
On Facebook too!
VenangoChamber
Cover Art by Amy Wincek, local artist
Venango Area Chamber of Commerce ● (814) 676-8521 ● www.venangochamber.org
Celebrating the 4th of July Venango Style!
3
Tuesday, July 2nd
Pet Show:
Bandstand Park in Franklin
7:00 p.m. (6:00 p.m. registration)
7th Annual Cranberry Fireworks Spectacular:
Cranberry Mall at dark
Wednesday, July 3rd
Jolly July 3rd Celebration: Justus Park in Oil City
4 p.m. to 6 p.m. - Children’s Events (Free Admission)
6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. - Second Chance Band
10:00 p.m. - Spectacular Fireworks Display by Pyrotecnico Fireworks
Taste of Talent Vocal Competition Kick-off:
Bandstand Park in Franklin
7:00 p.m.
Thursday, July 4th
LibertyFest 500 Outhouse Race
2:00 p.m. (see page 12)
Silver Cornet Band Concert:
Bandstand Park in Franklin
7:00 p.m.
“Thunder Over Franklin” Fireworks:
Riverfront Park in Franklin at dusk
Venango Chamber Representatives attend Chamber Day in Harrisburg
Two members of the Chamber Board of Directors, Beth Harman and Ray
Feroz will attend Chamber Day on June 11th, along with Executive Director
Susan Williams and State Representative Lee James.
The agenda for the day includes a special luncheon with Gov. Tom Corbett,
discussions with state policymakers on key business issues, and a chance to
foster relationships with other businesspeople and local chamber
professionals in the Commonwealth. Panel discussion topics scheduled are
Transportation Policy, Workforce Development and Economic Outlook
(Budget, Pension, Taxes).
We encourage members to contact us in advance of June 11th if you have
items that you would specifically like to be discussed in Harrisburg.
“Building a Future for Venango Area Business!”
4
The Arlington Hotel
814.677.1221
877.677.1222
fx: 814.677.0492
1 Seneca St
Oil City, Pennsylvania
www.oilcityhotel.com






Auto
Home
Life
Commercial
Group
And Others…...
Snapshot Certified Agent
Check Us Out…..
WWW.BARRSINSURANCE.COM
Call…..
888.399.6368
Next Step Therapy is pleased to announce
a new location in Titusville for pediatric
outpatient therapy. Located at 42490 State
Route 27 (in the Titusville Free Methodist
Church), we offer speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Contact Sarah Muir,
Clinic Manager, at smuir@nextsteptherapy.net or at 814-8270800 for more information or to make referrals!
Carrie Kee, speech therapist,
was the recipient of the
Venango
County
Human
Services
Early
Intervention
Award
for
outstanding
professional service. She was
honored at the 1st Annual
Human Services Banquet on
April 17, 2013 at the Crosscreek Resort. Carrie has been a
pediatric speech therapist for their early intervention program
for over six years. She specializes in feeding issues and in
working with children with multiple disabilities.
FLEX’s next First Friday Lunch will be held Friday, June
State Farm®
Providing Insurance and Financial Services
Home Office, Bloomington, Illinois 61710
Sandy K Hovis Ins Agcy Inc.
Sandy K. Hovis LUTCF, Agent
857 Allegheny Boulevard, P.O. Box 310
Reno, PA 16343-0310
814 437 2716 Fax 814 437 2950
sandy@sandykhovis.com
7th, at noon, at Mandy’s Gift Boutique with soup from The
Open Door Café, located on East Second Street in Oil City.
Reservations are not necessary. The meal is Dutch treat.
For more information, please
e-mail
flex@venangochamber.org
or contact the Chamber at
814-676-8521.
Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.®
Venango Area Chamber of Commerce ● (814) 676-8521 ● www.venangochamber.org
5
Titusville Hospital Welcomes Students
HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS & SUITES
225 Singh Drive
Cranberry, PA 16319
814.677.2640
Students from the Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC)
enjoyed a visit to Titusville Area Hospital on Wednesday, May
29, 2013. The pre-Kindergarten children walked with their
teachers and parent volunteers from ECLC to the Hospital,
where they learned about choices they can make to stay
healthy.





Under the guidance of Pat Brown, Medical Technologist,
each child was able to look at germs under a microscope
after a demonstration about how germs grow and spread.
They were reminded about the importance of hand washing
to prevent spreading illness. Janet Wright, Dental Hygienist,
talked about how to keep our teeth and mouths healthy and
with the help of “Mr. Chompers” the dinosaur, showed the
children how to correctly brush their teeth. Dr. Mary Joan
Gidor, Pediatrician at Oak Street Pediatrics, involved the
students in an activity that taught them fun ways to remember how to make healthy food choices. After a healthy snack
provided by the Hospital dietary department, the students
headed out to Roberts Grove to tour an Emergycare
ambulance. The group enjoyed some free play time at
Roberts Grove before walking back to the school. Each
student received a take-home packet including a toothbrush,
My Plate at Home poster, coloring pages, and a Healthy
Smile certificate.
65 Rooms
Indoor Pool
Wireless High Speed Internet
Deluxe Hot Breakfast Buffett
Meeting Facility for Seating up to 60
WWW.HIEXPRESS.COM/FRANKLINPA
GILL
CONSULTING
Human Resource Management ▪ Strategic Planning
Business Development ▪ Customized Training Programs
Employee Relations ▪ Executive Coaching
Mrs. McCray’s morning
pre-K class poses with
Titusville Emergycare EMT
Chase Canter (left) and
Paramedic John Hilburn
(right) after walking through
the ambulance at Roberts
Grove.
Route 8, Reno, PA 16343
(814) 676-5566
The Pleasantville Volunteer Fire Department is now planning
the 2013 Fall Gun Bash, scheduled for Saturday, September
7th. They are currently seeking sponsors and donations.
All forms and information can be found at
iBelong
101 N. 13TH STREET
FRANKLIN
432-4091
iBelong
25 E. FIRST STREET
OIL CITY
676-4504
http://pleasantvillevfd16.webs.com/13-fall-gun-bash.
“Building a Future for Venango Area Business!”
6
VTCD Celebrates 40 Years
The Venango Training & Development Center, Inc., often referred to as VTDC, is
celebrating their 40th year of business and hosting a mixer on June 12 th! Started
by a group of families with disabled children, VTDC has grown and blossomed
into a diverse and amazing organization. The Mission of the Venango Training &
Development Center, Inc. is to assist disabled and/or disadvantaged individuals
to achieve their highest potential by providing quality programs, services, and
opportunities.
From severe mental and physical impairments to a mental health diagnosis of
depression or a disadvantaged youth, VTDC supports all levels of
individuals who have a desire to work or improve their skill level. VTDC strives to
work with trainees, staff, community partners, and businesses to provide
the best programs and services possible. They go above and beyond what is
expected and they have the awards to show it! When talking with CEO Colleen Stuart, she told us, “If someone has a will to work, we’re going to find
them a way to work.” VTDC’s aim is to empower people to work and use their
abilities to their full potential.
VTDC provides a number of programs including Project Search, Student/Employer Alliance Program, Fairweather
Lodge, Life Skills Habilitation Program, Home & Community Habilitation Services, and more. Adults with disabilities can also receive vocational training, job development and placement, training in life skills, community habilitation, peer to peer support, socialization and training in entrepreneur activities. Additionally, the VTDC is currently the Programmatic Lead Agency for the Northwest Workforce Investment Area (WIA), for Title I Adult/Dislocated Worker and Youth
programs. As partners with the NWPA CareerLinks©, staff assist job seekers
with career education, training, and placement services. In addition, youth
between the ages of 14 and 21 have the opportunity to participate in paid
work experiences, skill tutoring, mentoring, dropout prevention, leadership
development, special activities, and supportive services. During the 2011-12
fiscal year, VTDC provided services to over 4,000 trainees, both youth and
adults, over several counties.
For more information about The Venango Training & Development Center, Inc. you can call them at (814)-6765755, visit their website at www.vtdc.org, visit their Facebook page, or email them at info@vtdc.org.
Please join us on June 12th to celebrate their 40 years of business!
(see insert for details)
Events Rescheduled - Watch future newsletter for details
The “Fueling Our Economic Growth with Natural Gas” forum has been rescheduled for September 10th, 2013.
The Constant Contact Workshop hosted by the Venango Chamber will be held July 10th at Venango College,
Montgomery Hall, RM 307 at noon.
Venango Area Chamber of Commerce ● (814) 676-8521 ● www.venangochamber.org
7
Spotlight on The Stoltenburg Carpentry Co.
The chamber is very excited to welcome Brian Stoltenburg and
his business Stoltenburg Carpentry Co. to our membership!
Brian is a third generation carpenter in his family and is
extremely devoted and passionate about his business. Ever since
Brian was very young, carpentry had been a part of his life; at
just five or six years old he helped his father and grandfather and
was using the band saw at only ten years old.
Shortly after graduating from high school Brian began working for his father’s carpentry business. He then
traveled to Colorado where he worked for a company to help build homes. After gaining additional new experience, Brian returned home and again worked for his father’s carpentry company in which he became a crew
leader and enjoyed taking charge of many different tasks. Brian then traveled again, this time to Pittsburgh,
and worked for a remodeling company called Master Remodelers. He enjoyed his time working for this company, and during his time with them that he was inspired to start his own business—and that’s just what he
did! Brian returned home, started The Stoltenburg Carpentry Co., and has now operated his business for three.
Brian is not just simply a carpenter; he is a young professional who enjoys not
only hanging up dry wall and remodeling homes, also focusing on the business
aspects of his company and building relationships with customers. He is a
business owner who is dedicated to this area and helping it thrive. Brian is
willing to change his normal way of doing things in order to provide the best job
and work to make sure the client gets exactly what he or she wants.
Brian Stoltenburg is a passionate, loyal, and focused young professional who
has a great love for his business of carpentry. We are happy to have The
Stoltenburg Carpentry Co. join us as a member at the chamber! You can contact
and learn more about Brian and his business by calling 814-673-8420, emailing
stoltenburgcarpentrycompany@yahoo.com, or visiting his Facebook page.
Grab a Great Book for Summer Reading!
Before
The Franklin Library will be offering free library cards — good for the whole summer — to any resident of Venango County who does not receive free library services. To sign up for a free library card individuals need only to
present a photo identification with their name and current address. Those applicants under the age of 18 must
bring a parent or guardian in order to complete the application.
The free library card will be valid for June, July, and August of 2013.
The Oil City Library has lowered its fee for out-of-town membership to $37.50. The cost covers everyone in a
household. In addition, anyone who has already bought a $70 membership this year will receive two years of
membership.
Reading a great business book? Let us know so we can pass on the title in our next newsletter!
“Building a Future for Venango Area Business!”
8
Intern Welcome Event,
Business After Hours
and
TCB Happy Hour
Co-Hosted by:
future leaders & entrepreneurs exchange
Venango County’s Young Professionals Organization
Interns from all area businesses are encouraged to attend the Intern Welcome Mixer for opportunities to
network with peers and mentors across the region. The Intern Welcome Mixer will begin at 4 p.m., and then will
transition to a happy hour for all Chamber members from 5-7 p.m. Area businesses are encouraged to support
initiatives for our community’s young leaders.
For more information about the Intern Welcome Mixer or happy hour on June 14, or if you are interested or know
a young professional who would like to be involved in FLEX, e-mail flex@venangochamber.org, like us on
Facebook, text FLEX to 42828, or contact the chamber at 814-676-8521.
Sixth Annual Indie Fest
Oil City’s North Side will also host Sixth Annual Oil Region Indie Music Festival, June 14, 2013, 5 pm - closing time,
sponsored by the Oil City Arts and Culture Commission and Venango College of Clarion University.
The Festival, organized by a small group of dedicated volunteers, will include 40+
performers, musicians, and artists, packing 9 venues for 1 night of FREE
entertainment. Free shuttle service, compliments of FLEX, will be provided by Oil
City’s National Transit Express Trolley. The shuttle will be available for the
evening, stopping at marked locations on both the north and south sides of Oil
City.
Compilation discs of the artists are available
download at www.oilregionindie.bandcamp.com
for purchase or immediate
Venango Area Chamber of Commerce ● (814) 676-8521 ● www.venangochamber.org
9
of the
Wagner Family Eyecare
in
Oil City Area School District
Dr. Joe Carrico, Oil City Area School District;
Dr. David Wagner, Wagner Family Eyecare
Thanks to our sponsors!
Vince Witherup,
Bonnie Summers and Tim Brooks
Photos Courtesy of
Special thanks to
The Movies at Cranberry, Cranberry Mall
V E N A N G O A R E A C H A M B E R O F C O M M E RC E
[ 11AM shotgun start
Steak Fry
Contact the Chamber
to register today!
OR register ONLINE at
www.venangochamber.org
“Building a Future for Venango Area Business!”
10
Spotlight on Dunlap’s Lawncare & Landscaping
The Chamber would also like to welcome Matt Dunlap and his business,
Dunlap’s Lawncare & Landscaping, as a new member in 2013! Dunlap’s
Lawncare & Landscaping has been in business for seven years and
provides services such as hardscaping, power washing, snow removal, new
lawns, parking lots, tree service, and lawn maintenance and landscaping.
Matt started working in the landscaping business with a single lawnmower
when he was just nineteen and was inspired by a cousin who owned an
excavating business. He now owns his own business with additional
equipment, four part-time workers, and three full-time workers. His mother, Debbie Dunlap, is vice-president of
the company. He also built a new 30-foot by 60-foot workshop last year.
Dunlap’s Lawncare & Landscaping often works with other local businesses in the area, including other lawncare
businesses, and focuses on building good relationships. These other businesses have helped Dunlap’s grow
significantly over the years, and Matt is very appreciative of the opportunity to work with other area lawncare
professionals.
Many more plans are in place for this coming year for Dunlap’s Lawncare & Landscaping, including the purchase
of extra vehicles and additional storage. Matt’s business has been and continues to grow and the Chamber is
more than excited to have them as a new member and help them advance even further!
To learn more about Dunlap’s Lawncare & Landscaping or to contact them for
their services, you can call them at 814-671-0880,
email them at dunlapslawncare@yahoo.com,
visit their website at http://www.dunlapslawncare.com/, or visit their
Facebook page—and please join us in welcoming them as a new member!
Deer Creek Winery Announces Summer Events
Come join us for any of our events at the Main Winery this summer!
Visit www.deercreekwine.com for more information about events.
Summer Campfires - Enjoy warm summer evenings with a glass of wine
at the Main Winery every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday beginning at 4pm
(weather permitting).
Wine & Design - Sign up for classes with Jan Knorr - the artist whose painted wineglasses appear in our stores. June 13th from 2-4pm learn to make a set of painted coasters. Reservations needed
- call the Main Winery for more information.
Summer Star-Gazing - Come enjoy star-gazing on the first day of Summer - the stars are so clear at the Winery in
Shippenville! June 21st, Dusk to 10pm.
Venango Area Chamber of Commerce ● (814) 676-8521 ● www.venangochamber.org
11
Put on Your Game Face!
By : Kurtis Bell, ServiceMaster by Bell, Inc. kurtis.smbybell@gmail.com
It’s a phrase we’ve heard over and over again from parents, coaches, and peers:
“Put on your game face!”, but what does it have to do with networking? To be a
great connector and an awesome networker, you have to train and prepare much
like you would for sports. Somewhere along the way most of us have trained for
something, whether it be a 5k, a golf league, a chess tournament, or even little
league baseball. We went to the practices and learned the sport. We honed our
technique to be better than we were the day before. The same needs to be done
when it comes to building your social framework and networking with other
professionals.
Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and it is no different when it comes to networking. We need to train
ourselves in networking much like an athlete would train for sport. Through training we can work on building up
our weaknesses as well as capitalizing on our strengths. Jackie Pizzuto, a great networker and Client Service
Specialist for a financial planning firm, says: “You do have to train yourself to succeed in networking. You have
to know yourself and know your strengths...you have to learn how you network best and what works for you so
that it's not a constant pain.”
Another master networker is Justin Casey, Sales Executive for the Charles P. Leach Agency. For him it is more
about training the mind. His first thought at a networking event is always “Why am I better than any other
person in my field, and how can I highlight that to beat out my competitors?”. He calls it his “Competitive
Advantage.”
As you can see, networking is not something that just anyone can do and be great at, but just like any sport or
art, the best always make it look effortless. So keep training your mind and body to be the best networker you
can be, and as famed weightlifting coach Ivan Abadjiev once said: “Never be satisfied. Never.” Always keep
pushing, never become sedentary, and abandon your comfort zones. Put on your game face and I hope to see
you at an upcoming mixer!
Oil Region Career Fair Scheduled in June
FLEX, in cooperation with Pennsylvania CareerLink – Oil Region and Venango College of
Clarion University, will host the Oil Region Career Fair June 4-6, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
daily, at Venango College of Clarion University, 1801 West First Street, Oil City.
On June 4, the career fair will feature jobs in the healthcare and social services industries. Manufacturing jobs
will be featured on June 5, and on June 6 business services will be highlighted.
Refreshments will be available compliments of Venango
Technology Center, and lunch will be provided by Singers at a
reasonable cost. For more information, please contact Bobbie
Haag, Adult/DW Coordinator at Pennsylvania CareerLink – Oil
Region, at 814-678-5078 or e-mail bhaag@venangocareerlink.org.
“Building a Future for Venango Area Business!”
12
The 1st Annual LibertyFest 500 Outhouse Race will take place
in Franklin on June 29th (LibertyFest Day) during 4th of July
Festivities Week. The Outhouse Race is a wacky event in
which contestants pull or push homemade outhouses 500
feet. The event will be held at the 12th Street Island at 2
PM. This exciting event is spearheaded by members of the
Franklin Fine Arts Council and the Franklin Rotary Club.
Cranberry
Franklin
Oil City
7029 US 322……………….…(814) 676-8600
1301 Liberty St……………….(814) 432-2195
259 Seneca St…………….…(814) 676-5736
105 Petroleum St.………....(814) 676-5648
Northwest Direct: 1-877-672-5678
www.northwestsavingsbank.com
Member FDIC
QUALITY INN & CONFERENCE CENTER
1411 Liberty Street (Route 8)
Franklin, PA 16323
Reservations: 800.535.4052
Ph: 814.437.3031
Liberty Street Ale House
Restaurant and Bar
Deluxe Continental Breakfast
Wireless High Speed Internet
King, Queen & Jacuzzi Suites
Largest first class banquet & meeting facilities in the
area; seating up to 400 in our Grand Ballroom
Registration and inspection will be held
from 12:30 to 2 PM at the designated
drop-off area on Liberty in front of
Fountain Park. The Race Start Time is 2
PM. 1st, 2nd and 3rd Prizes will be
awarded for the Timed Race and a
People’s Choice Award will be given for
appearance to the spectators favorite
decorated outhouse. Entry forms and more information can
be obtained by calling 814-437-1619 ext 123 or email
rbeith@franklinpa.gov
Logic Replacement is now offering mobile websites and
apps. It is predicted that mobile browsing will overtake traditional internet use by 2014. If you are interested in exploring the best way to make certain that your customers can
navigate your website features with ease on their mobile devices, contact Russell Lineman at 814-657-1529.
July 25-28 2013
WWW.CHOICEHOTELS.COM
GLENVIEW APOTHECARY, INC.
WHERE PHARMACY IS STILL A PROFESSION
2 SPRING STREET
OIL CITY, PA 16301
814-676-3731
Plans for Oil Heritage Festival are well underway! Keep up
with all the details on our website at
www.venangochamber.org/visit/oil-heritage-festival
JAMES M. HIMES RPh, President
LINDA HIMES-SHUTTY CPhT, Vie President
OPEN MON-FRI 9-6, SAT 9-5
Closed Sundays & Holidays
Emergency 814-676-6169
Printed schedules will be available by July 1.
Like us on Facebook for daily updates.
Venango Area Chamber of Commerce ● (814) 676-8521 ● www.venangochamber.org
13
John Manders Receives Award
The Chamber congratulates John
Manders who was named the top
book illustrator by the National
Cartoonists Society during its annual
Reuben Awards over the weekend.
Sears, The Bon-Ton, JCPenney,
Dunham’s Sports & much more!
6945 U.S. Route 322
Cranberry, PA 16319
General Info: (814) 676-2353
Leasing Info: (814) 676-3406
Manders was recognized for his
original works in the children’s story
“Jack and the Giant Barbecue” by
Eric Kimmel. The book follows the
adventures of a small cowboy as he works to get back his father’s recipe. Manders painted all the art for the book and
helped transform the jukebox character into a memorable
musical friend for hero Jack.
www.cranberrymall.com
You can see John at work by visiting him at his Oil City studio
in the National Transit building during a Second Saturday
event from noon to 5 p.m., June 8.
He will also be doing caricatures during
the Oil Region Indie Festival street fair
from 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, June 14, on
Seneca Street and exhibiting his works at
a show at the Gateway Lodge in Cook
Forest opening at 6 p.m. Friday, June 28.
The Oil Region’s Best Mix
96.3 WKQW
&
ESPN Radio 1120 AM
www.venangocountydailynews.com
806 Grandview Rd, Suite C
Oil City, PA 16301
Ph: 814-676-8254
Fax: 814-677-4272
The FUN Bank
First United National Bank
FRANKLIN
814-437-5758
OIL CITY
814-676-8647
CRANBERRY
814-678-1115
Offices also in Fryburg, Clarion and New Bethlehem
Donna Rapp
105 East First St
Oil City, PA 16301
(814) 676-1151
Financial Advisors
Lori Sibble
Rte 257, Seneca Commons
Seneca, PA 16346
(814) 677-4880
“Building a Future for Venango Area Business!”
14
Source: http://goo.gl/AzrA0
Special Project: Membership
This summer Katie Ragon will once again join us at the Chamber, no longer
as an intern, but to work on Special Project: Membership. She will spend
the summer developing a membership attraction and retention plan that
the Chamber will be able to implement in the future. Katie says, “I am
excited to take on this responsibility and to work closely with both old and
new members to determine the best way to attract businesses to the Chamber and the best practices to retain
their membership.” Be on the look-out, Katie may be contacting you directly for testimonials or membership
referrals in the coming months! She says that “after doing some research about membership in chambers, one
thing I’ve already learned is that, along with understanding the benefits of chamber membership, the word of
existing members is invaluable when it comes to attracting new members.”
Individual member engagement is also important for membership retention. According to a White Paper*
published by Chamber Strategies entitled “The Future of the Chamber of Commerce,” the perceived value of a
membership in the Chamber of Commerce is greatly influenced by how engaged the member is with the
Chamber’s functions and benefits: “the more he or she becomes involved and participates in member functions,
educational offerings, and/or uses membership services, the greater the perceived value of membership will be to
that member.” Accordingly, another of Katie’s goals for the summer will be to figure out how to make members
more aware of and engage them in the Chamber’s offerings. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions
regarding membership, feel free to direct them to Katie by calling the office or emailing her at
kragon@venangochamber.org.
*You can access the Paper here: http://chamberstrategies.com/images/chamber_whitepaper.pdf
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT
LORI SIBBLE
Edward Jones Investments, Seneca
V.P.
DR. RAY FEROZ
Clarion University
SECRETARY
EMILY GILL
Moxie Media
TREASURER
ROGER MCCAULEY UPMC Northwest
484 Allegheny Blvd. Suite A | Franklin, PA 16323
Phone: (814) 432-2188 | Fax: (814) 437-9372
ROD ADAMS
Changing Times Telephone Service
DR. KATE ECKERT
Eckert Chiropractic
DAN ESTADT
Seneca Insurance & Notary
SALLY HARDS
Webco Idustries, Inc.
BUTCH
HARGENRADER
Pepsi Bottling Company
BETH HARMAN
Northwest Savings Bank
DR. RYAN JACKSON Gonstead Family Chiropractic
BILL KAPP
Action Auto Service, Inc.
WENDY LINEMAN
PNC Bank
DEB LUTZ
Oil Region Alliance
DAVE SNEDDEN
Hagan Business Machines
SCOTT STAHL
Oil City Area High School
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR
SUSAN WILLIAMS
swilliams@venangochamber.org
EXECUTIVE
ASSISTANT
DOTTIE TAWNEY
dtawney@venangochamber.org
SUMMER
INTERN
ASHLEY COWLES
acowles@venangochamber.org
Visit our website: www.nextsteptherapy.net
Email: nextsteptherapy@csonline.net
814-677-1390
MEMBERSHIP KATIE RAGON
kragon@venangochamber.org
Venango Area Chamber of Commerce ● (814) 676-8521 ● www.venangochamber.org
Trail Towns – a natural fit for SCORE
15
In our series of articles this year we’ve covered an overview of
SCORE, the resources available from SCORE, and the organizations that interact with SCORE to help local businesses become
successful. This month we will move into something that is beginning to develop right in our area – Trail Towns.
What is a Trail Town ?
A trail town is a community that provides the goods and services to support the users of any trail system. When
a trail user passes through a community, first, they need safe passage, then adequate signage to direct them
down the trail, then some means of identifying goods and services relevant to a trail user and where they are
located. A trail town is one which has taken this into account, and has maximized the positive experience for the
user so that they will spend some time and money in the town, recommend it to their friends, and return to repeat the experience. In other words, a trail town can be an economic engine for a small community.
How does SCORE fit into this concept ?
Generally, the types of businesses that are needed to support trail users are small businesses. Bicycle shops,
outfitters, sporting goods stores, restaurants, coffee shops, bakeries, bed and breakfast lodging, recreational
equipment rental companies, campgrounds, and taverns are typical in trail towns. These are the types of businesses that SCORE specializes in. When a new business in any of these categories develops plans to open, SCORE
can be there to help them to have the best opportunity for success, from the development of the business plan,
to marketing, to financial advice. Many of the people who start these types of businesses have a great idea and
enthusiasm, but need a little assistance with the things that will assure that the business will sustain itself over
time.
Why are trail towns important in our area ?
Our area is unique in many ways. We have significant outdoor resources that most of us take for granted but are
very desirable and hard to get in larger cities. We have fishing, hunting, hiking, biking, cross country skiing, boating, geocaching, beautiful scenery, two major river highways with the Allegheny and the Clarion, and what I like
to call the “Recreational Interstate”. A bike and hiking trail is well under way from Erie to Pittsburgh, and it links
to trails that go all the way to Washington, DC. This trail intersects the North Country Trail, which is a hiking trail
like the Appalachian Trail, and it runs from North Dakota to New York. These are becoming major recreational
corridors, and they run right through our area. We can take advantage of this privileged location by having the
businesses in our area to support the trail traffic.
Is anything happening now in our area ?
The missing links of the trail through this area are being completed, with the McClintock Trail between Oil City
and Rouseville currently under construction. In addition, the Oil Region Alliance is spearheading a Business Plan
Contest to jump start the entrepreneurs to develop trail related businesses and that effort kicks off on May 15 th.
How do I find out more ?
Contact the Oil Region Alliance at 814-677-3152 for information on the trails and the Business Plan contest. To
get a further overview of SCORE, and the services that it offers, go to the website www.SCORE.org. If you are
interested in receiving counseling or becoming a SCORE counselor, go to www.SCOREERIE.org and “request a
meeting” or contact Frank Hajduk or Mary Cochran at the SCORE office in Oil City at 814-677-3152.
“Building a Future for Venango Area Business!”
16
41 MAIN STREET P.O. BOX 376 OIL CITY, PA 16301
PRSRT STD
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT # 280
Address Service Requested
This Calendar of Events is brought to you by:
CS Technologies Plus & 4 Your Car Connection
cstechplus.com
hom
e of
June 4-6: FLEX/CareerLink/Venango College, Career Fair
June 5: Farmers Bank/Cranberry Pennzoil Mixer 5-7PM
July 7 : FLEX First Friday Luncheon
June 11: Chamber Day - Harrisburg
June 12: Venango Training & Development - Mixer
5-7PM
June 13: Chamber Golf Outing - Hi-Level - 11AM
June 14: FLEX /Intern Mixer 4-7PM
June 19: FLEX Meeting - Chamber Office 5:30PM
June 20: Vantage Mixer - 5-7PM
June 20: Board of Directors Meeting
Complete Technology Solutions
2803 State Route 257 Seneca (814) 677-2447
July 5: FLEX First Friday Luncheon
July 10: Constant Contact Workshop
July 17: FLEX Meeting , Chamber office 5:30PM
July 18: Board of Directors Meeting
July 18: Deer Creek Winery - Seneca 5-7PM
July 25-28: Oil Heritage Festival, Oil City
COMMUNITY CALENDAR OF EVENTS AVAILABLE
AT WWW.VENANGOCHAMBER.ORG/CALENDAR
The Venango Area Chamber of Commerce builds, serves and promotes regional business.
Venango Area Chamber of Commerce ● (814) 676-8521 ● www.venangochamber.org