Chamber NewsSupporting Your Business is Our Business

April 2014

Mission To positively impact the qual-ity of life, economic development and planned growth through leadership, vision and coopera-tion within our Chamber and throughout the region.

Vision We will be the leading voice and best resource for connecting businesses, and off ering ben-efi ts and programs to strengthen business and the community.

We are located within the historic Hunt Tower

500 Allegheny StreetHuntingdon, PA 16652814-643-1110 (offi ce)814-643-1115 ( fax)

www.huntingdonchamber.com

Chamber Offi cers:Lauren Wilson, Chairman Brett Gilliland, Vice ChairmanKathy Armillei, SecretaryDee Dee Brown, Treasurer

Chamber Staff :Yvonne Martin, President/CEO MacKenzie Locke, Offi ce Manager

Our newsletter is published quarterly and is underwritten by the advertising in this publication. Please patronize member businesses.Proud Member Of...

HCCC is not responsible foraccuracy of advertisers and

accuracy of submitted articles.

To place an ad in the next issue of the Chamber News, call Th e Daily News

Advertising Department at (814) 643-4040 or 1-800-634-5692

Tractor Pull & Gun Show added to the Home & Outdoor Show May 2-4By Janet Chambers

The annual Huntingdon County Home & Outdoor Show is coming up on May 2 to 4 at the Huntingdon County Fairgrounds. In addition to a great lineup of home and out-door exhibitors, the show com-mittee has added many new entertainment venues. Raystown Guns and Ammo has organized a Gun Show that will take place during the en-tire show. Gun Show vendors will include all types of hunt-ing equipment and gear such as guns, ammo, hunting cloth-ing and accessories. Anyone wishing to rent a Gun Show table can call Brandon Beck at 814-381-0515. A Mini-Tractor Pull, orga-nized by Allegheny Tractor Pullers, expects to see 60-75 competitors and will take place on Saturday from 1:00 pm to about 5:00 pm. The Lawn Stock Class is the only competitive class where anyone can bring their riding lawn mower and enter the competition. Interest-ed contestants should register at the show by noon on Satur-day, May 3, to compete in this class. (Rain date for this event is Sunday, May 4.) “This is the

most excitement you can have on a lawn mower!” comments Regis Briggs, vice-president of the Allegheny Tractor Pull-ers organization. For more in-

formation on competing, call Briggs at 814-935-5457. A Cruise In Car Show is scheduled for Sunday, May 4.

Anyone who has an antique or restored car, truck or motor-cycle, is welcome to display their vehicle; pre-registration is not required. Just arrive at

the Huntingdon County Fair-grounds anytime from 11:00 am to noon on Sunday. The Shenecoy Sportsmen will be hosting skeet shoot-ing on Saturday and Sunday for kids and adults for a small fee. If you have never tried this sport, this is a good time to do it as there will be many instructors present. Kids will enjoy the self-paced scavenger hunt avail-able during the entire show with a prize for each complet-ed sheet. Entrance to the various events is free with a paid admis-sion to the home show. Show

hours are Friday, May 2, from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Saturday, May 3, from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm, and Sunday, May 3, from noon to 6:00 pm. Admission is $2.50 for adults and children 17 and under are free. A new $4.00 weekend pass is avail-able as well. Of course, there will be food vendors serving fair favorites as visitors stroll through the many outdoor and indoor vendor areas. Home and outdoor exhibi-tors will include all types of building contractors and sup-pliers, outdoor yard equip-ment, banks, landscaping and home systems companies. The show sponsors include Stanley Wensel General Contractor and media sponsor WTAJ-TV 10. The Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce is still accepting applications for ex-hibitor space and all forms are located on the show website at www.HuntingdonCoun-tyShow.com or by calling 814-643-1110. This event is sponsored by the Raystown Builders Association and the Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce.

Home constructed by Stanley Wensel, General Contractor

The Allegheny Pullers are hosting a mini-tractor pull on Sat-urday, May 3, starting at 1 pm. From 60-75 contetants are ex-pected.

HOME SHOW EVENTS:Gun Show – Fri, Sat & SunSkeet Shooting – Sat & Sun

Mini-tractor Pull – SatCruise In Car Show – Sun

1/29/14Business After Hours Huntingdon Cinema

On January 29, the Hunting-don Cinema Clifton 5 held a Business After Hours at the newly updated Cinema. The Cinema has recently been through a complete digital upgrade and is now in the forefront of digital cinema. Attendees received a tour highlighting the new equip-ment. They also had food provided by Woody’s Bar B Q and Sweethearts Con-fectionery. Several lucky at-tendees won two gift certifi -cates to the cinema as door prizes.

2/21/14 IntermediateExcel Workshop

On February 21, the Educa-tion committee held an In-termediate Excel Workshop at DuBois Business College.

2/27/14Coffee Connection “State of the County” Address

On February 27, the Hunt-ingdon County Chamber of Commerce held a Coffee Connection with the Hunt-ingdon County Commis-sioners at the Huntingdon Country Club. The Commis-

sioners gave attendees an up-date on Huntingdon County activities and plans and fol-lowed with a brief question and answer period.

3/9/14 ‘Beat the Winter Blues’

On March 9, the Huntingdon County Chamber of Com-merce held their “Beat the Winter Blues” event. The event ran from 5-8 p.m. at the Huntingdon Country Club. It once again featured the “Taste of Huntingdon County,” the blues band “Miss Melanie and the Valley Rats,” and the opportunity to learn about and support lo-cal non-profi t organizations. The “tastes” of Huntingdon County in attendance were: Stone Town Gallery & Café, Burger King, Woody’s Bar B Q, Sweethearts Confec-tionery, Huntingdon Country Club, Standing Stone Coffee Company, Brookmere Win-ery, and Top’s Diner. Stone Town Gallery & Café won the People’s Choice Award

for the best “Taste of Hunt-ingdon County.” The non-profi t agencies were selling $1 raffl e tickets for a grand prize of a Samsung ATIV Book 4 laptop. The agency selling the most tickets re-ceives an additional $100 to further its work in Hunt-ingdon County and beyond. The non-profi t agencies in attendance at the event were: the Huntingdon Area School District Educational Foun-dation, Huntingdon Health and Wellness Association, Huntingdon County United Way, Rotary, Huntingdon County Foundation, Hunt-ingdon Lions Club, Hunting-don County Humane Soci-ety, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Blair County, J C Blair Memorial Hospital and the American Cancer Society. The non-profi t who sold the most raffl e tickets was the Huntingdon County Humane Society. The winner of the Samsung ATIV Book 4 lap-top was Jackie Confer. Dur-ing the event, a silent auction was held as well. The items up for bidding were: a fi tness basket won by Helen Sickle, a photo shoot from MJEM’s Photo basket won by Carol Yoder, a pizza a week from All American Pizza and Subs won by Travis Kuhstos, a va-cation at a yurt in Virginia won by Tad Haffey, and tick-ets to the PSU/Akron football game won by Tad Haffey.

3/11/14 Business After Hours Simone Family

Chiropractic On March 11, Simone Fam-ily Chiropractic held a spe-cial Business After Hours for their 18 year anniversary. Attendees received the op-portunity to experience a chair massage or table mas-sage, as well as a full tour of the offi ce. They had pizza and subs provided by All American Pizza and an an-niversary cake for guests to enjoy while looking around the offi ce. The door prizes consisted of health products such as: Biofreeze, a neck pillow, and other natural supplements, a gift certifi -cate for a one hour massage, a grand prize basket that had one of everything in it, and coupons from All American Pizza and Subs.

3/19/14 Ribbon Cutting Clearfi eld Bank & Trust

On March 19, Clearfi eld

Bank & Trust held a Ribbon Cutting at their new location (route 22, across from Mc-Donalds).

3/21/14 YourOpportunities Understood (Youth Leadership Day)

On March 21, the annual Youth Leadership day took place at Juniata Valley High School. There were 27 stu-dents in attendance from Southern Huntingdon County High School, Mount Union Area High School, the Hunt-ingdon County Career and Technology Center, Hunt-ingdon Area High School, and Juniata Valley High School. During the day, the students got to know one an-other through meet and greet activities. They also heard from many business lead-ers throughout the day, such as: Darwin Kysor (Director of Career Services, Juniata College), Paula Templon FEBRUARY

JANUARY

Page 2 – Friday, April 11, 2014

1st Quarter Events Recap1st Quarter Events Recap

MARCH

Continued On Page 3

Get Inspired!

814-643-1860PA011521

669-4427 800-905-4645Alexandria

Twin Oil 259-3130Shade Gap

It is a common mispercep-tion that chambers of com-merce are government entities when in fact they are indepen-dent, nonprofi t organizations made up of businesses and individuals united to advance the prosperity of the area they serve. The Webster’s New World Dictionary defi nes a chamber of commerce as “an

association established to fur-ther the business interests of its community.” As a business assistance organization, cham-bers of commerce offer many benefi ts to promote business retention and growth. The Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce offers many benefi ts and services that can be found on www.hunting-donchamber.com. Focusing on business promotion, here are a few of the opportunities avail-able to business members:• FREE listing categorically and alphabetically in the Com-munity Profi le & Membership Directory, featured on page 6 of this newsletter. • FREE listing on www.hunt-ingdonchamber.com, with the

opportunity to provide a de-scription of your business.• FREE mention of recogni-tions and news on the Cham-ber’s Facebook page, in the Chamber blog at www.hunt-ingdonchamber.com, and in our new Chamber Flash that is being rolled out later this month. • FREE promotion of free events offered by business members in our bi-weekly Chamber Splash, mentioned on page 8 of this newsletter. • FREE assistance with rib-bon cuttings - a great way to feature your businesses’ new location and renovations. • Low cost opportunity to in-clude money making events in

Friday, April 11, 2014 – Page 3

Do You Know You Can Save LivesWith Just A Few Hours A Month?

The best cancer treatments in the world can’t help if you can’t get there. Every day, cancer patients need a ride to a medical facility for treatment. The Road to Recovery program assists patients and their caregivers with their transportation needs.

Volunteer drivers donate their time and resources to take patients to treatment appointments. You can also provide encouragement and support. Drivers must have a safe and reliable vehicle, valid driver’s license, proof of auto insurance and a good driving record. Your schedule can be fl exible; only volunteer when it is conve-

nience for you. Drive as much or as little as you like. Every ride can make a difference to a local patient.

Having cancer is hard. Finding a ride to treatment shouldn’t be.

For information on how you can volunteer, please contact Vicki Williams at 695-9232 orvicki.williams@cancer.org.

If you are facing a cancer diagnosis, please contact the American Cancer Societyat 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org for information, day-to-day help or emotional support.

(Program Specialist, Penn State Altoona), Rick Walk-er (Top’s Diner) and Perry Smith (ACCO Brands). They also had the opportunity to ask questions to a Leader-ship Panel consisting of Amy Sheaffer-Wise (HCBI), Matt Price (Huntingdon County Visitor’s Bureau), Repre-sentative Mike Fleck, Marty Culp (SAPDC) and Rick Walker (Top’s Diner).

3/26/14Community Improvement

Awards DinnerOn March 26, the Hunting-don County Chamber of Commerce and the Hunt-ingdon County Planning Commission presented the Community Improvement Awards at the Huntingdon Country Club. The awards honor achievement in four areas: preservation, commu-nity spirit, new construction and special merit. “Commu-nity Improvement Awards are based on both the visual and environmental impact of the

projects,” said Yvonne Mar-tin, Chamber President and CEO. The recipient of this year’s Preservation Award was Neal Campbell, owner of the historic property at 300 Penn Street, Huntingdon. Mr. Campbell has enhanced the property by repainting the exterior, repairing and re-placing the 106 year old slate roof and replicating the orig-inal shingle pattern, along with many other repairs and restorations. The Communi-ty Spirit Award recipient was Dave Berger for his work on the Gateway Arch and Pillars located at the corner of Fourth and Penn Streets, Huntingdon. The New Con-struction Award recipient was N.E. Reihart & Sons Inc. for the completion of its “state-of-the-art” facility near the Fairfi eld Inn in Smithfi eld Township. The Special Merit Award recipient was First Book-Huntingdon for its work to provide new books to children in need in the community. Since the start of the organization in 2003, they have provided 32,000 books to children throughout Huntingdon County. (Awards dinner photo complements of

April Feagley and The Daily News)

1st Quarter Recap Continued From Page 2

Continued On Page 8

Membership = Business Promotion

On March 21, 26 10th grade students from Southern Hunt-ingdon County High School, Mount Union Area High School, Huntingdon Area High School, Juniata Valley High School, and the Huntingdon County Career and Technology Center gath-ered at the Juniata Valley High School for the annual Your Op-portunities Understood (Y.O.U.) conference. Upon their arrival, the stu-dents were immediately split up into groups consisting of their peers from other schools. Mr. David Christopher, the Su-perintendent for Juniata Val-ley, started off the day with his welcome. He provided the stu-dents with statistics about wage earnings without a high school diploma, with a high school di-ploma, and then with various degrees of college. The students then took part in several meet and greet activi-ties. The fi rst activity had them introduce themselves and an-swer a “Which would you pre-fer” question, depending upon their answers, they were then

split up into new groups. Once in their new groups, the stu-dents had to determine whether a list of certain leaders such as Abraham Lincoln, Walt Disney, and others were successful or a failure. After they had cho-sen, they then had to determine which failure went to which person. The lesson was that people we consider successful had failed before they reached their success. The last activ-ity they did for meet and greet was to build the tallest building out of marshmallows and hard spaghetti noodles. The groups had to choose someone to be the leader and someone to take notes or draw while they dis-cussed how they would build their tower. Once they were chosen, the leader and scribe could not touch the materials and the rest of the group could not talk at all. They then had to build their towers relying only on the leader and scribe to tell them how to do it and the other members to build it. Darwin Kysor, the Director of Career Services from Juniata

College spoke about personality style and leadership. He had a PowerPoint of the four dichoto-mies and had the students self-determine which of the dichoto-mies they were. Mr. Kysor then explained how each would be able to be a leader depending on if they were Extravert or Intro-vert, if they preferred sensing or intuition, if they make decisions by thinking or feeling, and if they deal with the outer world by judging or perceiving. Paula Templon, from Penn State Altoona, then talked to them about life after high school and their transition to the college life. She stressed how important it is for them to be putting studies fi rst and fun second for the next few years of high school. She wanted them to know how crucial these years are for their college careers. She also emphasized how much of a change college will be from high school and the freedom that they would have. Ms. Tem-plon gave a list that her college students had put together of the top things that were different and freedom was the number one change. Ms. Templon also gave guidance on how to han-dle all the changes and places where students could fi nd help

throughout their trials on cam-puses. Rick Walker, the Owner of Top’s Diner, talked to the stu-dents about his many trials and tribulations before becom-ing the owner of Top’s Diner. Mr. Walker discussed how he worked for many different food services which lead him to know exactly what he wanted to do. He shared that no matter what job he may have had at the time, he always put 100 percent into his job. He knew that no matter what he was doing, he was gaining important experi-ence and he was learning what he liked and what he didn’t like. Whenever he learned about Top’s Diner being for sale, he had $400 in his bank account. Within months, he was the new owner of Top’s Diner. The cou-ple who was selling the diner really liked Mr. Walker’s idea about what he wanted the diner to be and how he wanted it to be run. Knowing that he had only $400, the couple along with HCBI, the Representative’s of-fi ce, SAPDC, and others did everything they could to help him purchase the diner. Things like this made Mr. Walker real-ize how much he wanted to give back to the community that was

giving to him. He found local businesses in need and started a Cash Mob that once a month picks a local business who may be struggling and the mob of people will show up and buy something at the business. He is also a part of the Hunting-don County Community Cares. They raise money for those in need, this past winter they paid for heating oil tanks to be fi lled for those who could not afford it. Mr. Walker led the students into their next activity with his speech about creating their own opportunities and giving back. The students were to think of a need that they thought Hunting-don County had and a solution for it. The students came up with putting driver’s education back into schools, youth centers where they could play sports or

Page 4 – Friday, April 11, 2014

NEWSLETTER SPONSORSBrown & Walters Insurance Agency Inc.

Car Care Auto Parts, Inc.Community State Bank of Orbisonia

E.B. Endres Inc.J.C. Blair Health System, Inc.

Law Offi ces of Roberta Binder Heath, LLCMartin Oil CompanyThe Mill Stone ManorMutual Benefi t Group

Orbisonia Hardware, Inc.Parks Garbage Service, Inc.

Shoaf & Wencker, LLCStone Town Gallery

Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.

TIRES...TIRES...TIRES

WIPERS INSTALLED FREE“member of the huntingdon rotary club”

2 & 4 WheelAlignment Available

PA State Inspection$4.99 +tax (pass or fail)

CAR Care AUTParts & Service

Rt. 22, Huntingdon643-4160

www.carcarefx.com

YOUTH LEADERSHIP DAY

Continued On Page 8

In 1908, in a small Penn-sylvania town built entirely of wooden structures, 14 businessmen realized they needed a way to protect their establishments from the threat of fi re. They agreed to pool their fi nan-cial resources to form a mutual insurance associa-tion. By paying insurance premiums into a common fund, they gathered enough money to rebuild their busi-nesses should fi re strike, a cost none could have af-forded to absorb on his own. That association eventually became known as Mutual

Benefi t Insurance Company, today a member of Mutual Benefi t Group, Huntingdon. More than a century later, Mutual Benefi t remains true to its mutual roots, currently protecting the autos, homes, and businesses of nearly 80,000 policyholders with coverage written through 250 independent insurance agents across Pennsylvania and Maryland. In Biography of an Idea: The Story of Mutual Fire and Casualty Insurance, John Bainbridge writes, “Mutual insurance is insurance in its purest form.” Mutuals are

owned by their policyhold-ers, unlike stock insurance companies that are owned by investors who may have no other connection with the company. Mutual compa-nies exist solely to serve the insurance needs of their pol-icyholders, not to produce investment profi ts for stock-holders. Policyholders of a mutual company may share profi ts in the form of policy-holder dividends. In many instances, they benefi t from premium rates that are low-er than those of comparable stock insurance companies because mutual enterprises

don’t have to worry about shareholder return. As Bainbridge points out, “Insurance is indispensable to a free economy and a free society because it protects the things we own and pro-duce, but also gives us the confi dence to continue to

own and produce more. The basic function of insurance is to provide security...and that is a concept that neither fi g-ures nor words can adequate-ly describe.” To fi nd the Mutual Benefi t agent nearest you, visit www.mutualbenefi tgroup.com.

Friday, April 11, 2014 – Page 5

Mutual Benefit Group: How mutual insurance benefits you

Welcome New Members! Members who joined since the last issue

of Chamber News:

Southern Care911 Enterprise Marketing Solutions

A+ Painting, Staining& Power Washing, LLC

Logan Valley ChiropracticLong Family DentistryCardinal IT Services

Everhart Painting & StainingMartin R. Brown

Funeral Home, Inc.

OrbisoniaHardwareServing The Area For Over 50 Years

455 Ridgley St., Orbisonia

447-3510

Find your perfect color.

Page 6 – Friday, April 11, 2014

Community State Bank of Orbisonia is a strong, inde-pendent bank which opened its doors in Orbisonia on January 11, 1951 by local business owners who saw a need for a fi nancial institu-tion in the southern part of Huntingdon County. Since that day Commu-nity State Bank has grown both fi nancially and physi-cally, through the local in-dependent management and now has 7 offi ces and an op-erations center that employ-ee 117 people who live and work in CSB’s market area. Community State Bank offers a full line of fi nancial services including personal and business banking which includes electronic banking to meet the ever growing need for up to date fi nancial services.

Although much has changed since opening our doors, one thing remains the same, Community State Bank of Orbisonia is a team of community members working to help our neigh-bors succeed and our com-munities thrive. Visit any of our 7 locations to experience our exceptional customer service. Offi ces are locat-ed in Orbisonia, Waterfall, Mount Union, Smithfi eld,

Saxton, Three Springs and our newest branch, located in McConnellsburg , Fulton County. As Huntingdon County’s only locally owned bank headquartered in Huntingdon County, we remain commit-ted to enhancing long term value to our shareholders while providing exceptional service to our customers and reinvesting in our commu-nity.

Local, Independent, Community Bank

Banking from the Banking from the comfort of your homecomfort of your home

at at csborbisonia.comcsborbisonia.comgo paperlessgo paperless

e-statements and bill paye-statements and bill pay

www.csborbisonia.comwww.csborbisonia.com

New Huntingdon County Community Profi le & Membership Directory is now avail-able at the Chamber offi ce at 500 Alleghe-ny Street, Huntingdon. The directory features contact information for area businesses cate-gorically and alphabet-ically and government contact information. It also includes articles on dining, housing, educa-tion, human services and more. The publication

contains color graphs showing home values, educational attainment levels, population by age, workforce analysis and much more.

Want to know more about Huntingdon County?

Friday, April 11, 2014 – Page 7

4/16/14 Business and Industry Resiliency Summit at National Guard Readiness Center

5:30-9:30 p.m. 4/22/14 Leadership Huntingdon County Teaser Event

“Discover the Animal in You”at the Bailey Building

6:30-8:00 p.m.4/23/14 Higher Education Coffee Connection

at the Huntingdon Country Club7:45-9:00 a.m.

$13 Per Member, $20 Per Non-member4/24/14 Business After HoursJ. C. Blair Memorial Hospital

5:00-7:00 p.m.$5 Per Member, $7 Per Non-member

5/2/14, 5/3/14, 5/4/14 Home & Outdoor Showat the Huntingdon Fairgrounds

5/2/14 4:00-9:00pm5/3/14 11:00-7:00pm

5/4/14 12:00 noon-6:00pm5/6/14 Business After Hours SPE Federal Credit Union

5:00-7:00 p.m.$5 Per Member, $7 Per Non-member

5/8/14 State House Debate & Candidate Forumin Neff Lecture Hall, Von Leibig Center for Science

Juniata College6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

6/13/14 Business After Hours Johnny’s Bar5:00-7:00 p.m.

$5 Per Member, $7 Per Non-member7/10/14 State Budget & Legislative Update

Coffee Connection at the Huntingdon Country Club

7:45-9:00 a.m. $13 Per Member, $20 Per Non-member

Upcoming EventsUpcoming EventsBy Genna Welsh Kasun,

LHC Steering Committee Member

Over the past 10 years, you may have heard about a program called Leadership Huntingdon County, whose purpose is to stimulate posi-tive community change through leadership training. If you’ve ever wanted to take the nine-month course, you’ll soon have a chance to try the experience over the course of just one evening. On April 22, 2014, the Steering Committee of Leadership Huntingdon County will host a teaser event, allowing potential class members to get a taste of the full Leadership Hunt-ingdon County experience. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Bailey Building, located at 233 Penn Street in Huntingdon. All are in-vited to attend. The full class, which gathers once a month in the evening, also features three day-long retreats, and has been applauded by many. “Leadership Huntingdon County is a critical devel-opment tool for any corpo-ration, non-profi t organi-zation or small business,” graduate of the program Representative Mike Fleck

said while speaking at the 2012 graduation ceremony. “The friendships I made as a student in the class are still among my key networking contacts.” For those who attend the April event and decide to enroll, a discount will be of-fered to sign up for the class series, which begins in Sep-tember of 2014. Leadership Huntingdon County was fi rst created in 2003 and since its creation, the alumni of the prestigious program now number over 120 individuals. The course was modeled

on similar programs from neighboring counties by Deborah Gregory, Richard Stahl and Yvonne Martin and other members of the LHC Steering Committee, which now includes Lisa Baer (chair), Kathy Armillei, Anthony Bullet, Jerry Don-aldson, Genna Welsh Kasun, Adam Pfi ngstl, and Dr. Patri-cia Shope. For more information, con-tact the Huntingdon County Chamber of Commerce by phone at 814-643-1110 or email at mlocke@hunting-donchamber.com today.

Leadership Huntingdon County to Hold Teaser Event

Mosaic Art, Fused Glass, Lamps,Slump Bottles, Woodworking,

Mosaic Tables, Pottery, Metal Art, Paintings, Birdbaths, Fountains,Soaps, Lotions, Jewelry, Candles,

Sun Catchers, Picture Frames...

& Café

Over 60 Local Artists

indoor & patio seatingbook a party

511 Washington St., Huntingdon ~ 506-8356 ~ stonetowngallery.comDeb Tumlin

Owner

Page 8 – Friday, April 11, 2014

Valley Rural Electric Co-operative, Inc. is celebrating 75 years of providing safe, reliable and affordable elec-tric service to members in south-central Pennsylvania. The not-for-profi t business started during the country’s rural electrifi cation effort of the 1930s and is now com-prised of more than 18,000 members. The co-op, like others across the country, began out of necessity. At that time the cost to get private power companies to bring service to remote areas was out of reach of most rural Americans. Valley REC be-

gan when a handful of farm-ers and other rural residents contacted the federal Rural Electric Administration to secure a loan and organize the new business. Valley REC energized its fi rst lines Nov. 17, 1939. Farms and rural businesses became more productive with the fl ip of a switch. Hand labor in the barn was replaced by feed grinders and electric milking ma-chines and by refrigerators and washing machines in the home. The danger of lantern-caused fi res yielded to electric lights. Today this consumer-

owned utility boasts the lat-est in electric distribution equipment and uses a fl eet of modern bucket trucks. The co-op provides service to more than 21,500 ac-counts in parts of Bedford, Blair, Centre, Franklin, Ful-ton, Huntingdon, Juniata and Miffl in counties. Valley maintains over 2,700 miles of line and operates a physi-cal plant worth over $85 million. One thing that hasn’t changed is that the business is owned by those it serves and the goal is to provide the best service at the lowest possible cost.

Valley Rural Electric celebrates 75 years of service

do any number of crafts and hav-ing a meeting where kids from the four different schools could meet and hang out. Once they had a plan for their solution, they presented it to the leader-ship panel consisting of: Amy Sheaffer-Wise, Huntingdon County Business and Industry; Matt Price, Huntingdon County Visitor’s Bureau; Representa-

tive Mike Fleck; Marty Culp, Southern Alleghenies Planning and Development Commission; and Rick Walker, Top’s Diner. The panel had the chance to ask questions about each idea and the students could ask the panel questions about how they would be able to really make their ideas come to life. Lastly, Perry Smith from

ACCO Brands talked to the stu-dents about putting their leader-ship potential to work in their communities and businesses. The Y.O.U. conference will continue to be held at one of the participating schools for years to come so that the students can experience what each school is like and how it differs from their own.

Youth Leadership Day Continued From Page 4

HCCC introduces a new marketing opportunity for Chamber members. The Chamber Splash includes details on upcoming events, sales and promotions. This bi-weekly newsletter is avail-able in the event section of the Chamber’s website, www.hunt-ingdonchamber.com. Chamber members can include free events in the Splash at no charge. There is a minimal fee for including other events, sales and promotions. This is a great way to promote to more than 1,000 potential customer and attendees via the Chamber’s email database. Members of the community can be added to the email data-base to receive all Chamber e-newsletters by emailing mail@huntingdonchamber.com and requesting to be included.

CHAMBER SPLASH

J.C. Blair Therapy & Well-ness Center offi cially opened its doors on March 3, 2014. J.C. Blair has partnered with Benchmark Therapies, a local therapy company, to extend physical, occupational, speech, and aquatic therapy services as well as wellness programs to the J.C. Blair campus. The Therapy and Wellness Center is located in the former J.C. Blair Healthsouth building, near the helipad on the J.C. Blair Me-morial Hospital campus, and is open Monday through Friday 8AM to 5PM or by appoint-ment. The new J.C. Blair Therapy & Wellness Center has retained staff members Tom Hanlon,

Physical Therapist, Delene Foster, Physical Therapist As-sistant, and Mary Hardie, Ad-ministrative Assistant. New staff members at the Center include Korry Kirkham, Physi-cal Therapist and Program Di-rector and Carrie Long, Speech Therapist. The experienced and dynamic team continues to of-fer services to existing patients and invites new patients to par-ticipate in the services offered through J.C. Blair Therapy and Wellness Center. J.C. Blair Therapy & Well-ness Center is the only outpa-

tient facility in the county to of-fer aquatic and speech therapy services. The Center also plans to build up the Occupational Therapy program in order to serve the employers’ needs of Huntingdon County. All pro-grams and services offered will also extend to pediatric care. Whether an employer, indi-vidual or physician in the com-munity, we invite you to inquire about the services that the new J.C. Blair Therapy & Wellness Center is offering to the com-munity. Please call 814-643-0337 for more information!

J.C. Blair Therapy & Wellness Center opens doors

Membership Continued From Page 3

the Chamber Splash and sales and promotions in the Cham-ber Flash, reaching over 1,000 potential customers. • Low cost opportunity to purchase mailing labels for our business members.• Opportunity to host a Busi-ness After Hours to showcase your business, sponsor events, and advertise on www.hunt-indonchamber.com, in this

newsletter, and our Commu-nity Profi le & Membership Di-rectory. There are so many more opportunities to promote your businesses as a Chamber Member and other benefi ts we can offer to assist you. If you’d like to learn more, contact Yvonne Martin at ymartin@huntingdonchamber.com or 814-643-1110.

Not yet a member, call (814) 643-1110 or visit www.huntingdonchamber.com

for membershipinformation.

PRSRT-STDUS POSTAGE PAID

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