ChamberNewsletter

December, 2015

A Message from our Board President

In an era where much changes, sometimes too quickly, the Spring-Ford Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors will be changing a bit in 2016. Three of our longest-tenured members, Gail Wellington, Jim Ginnetti, and Rick Storms are departing the board at year end after many years of service to this Chamber.

Both Gail and Jim are past recipients of the Chamber Member of the Year honor that we award at January’s Annual Lunch, an honor that acknowledges service and contributions to the organization. Gail earned the honor in January 2014, Jim in January 2015, and both have served in various capacities on many different committees or on the Board itself. Gail was a long-time Secretary and in many respects is the board’s parliamentarian, always able to pull information out on the board’s past and to help us stay on a steady path to our bylaws. Jim was a key backer of our Business Expo and has served as President on multiple occasions. Gail and Jim are great champions of our Chamber, its mission of support for small businesses in the region, and have been great board members over the years. Both Gail and Jim provided key support in our strategic planning process this year and served on the committee to hire our new Executive Director, Carla Haydt.

Rick Storms stepped back onto the Board this year to fill out the remainderof a term. Rick’s past service, including a stint as President, was a benefit to the organization as part of our strategic planning process in 2015 and helped us create the framework for short and long term growth.

All have given this Chamber one hundred percent and I know that despite their departures from the Board, they will continue to play a key role in supporting this organization in years to come. Thank you, Gail, Jim, and Rick, for your support and service to this Chamber.

Tom Thunstrom

December 10, 2015 Holiday Breakfast Spring-Ford High School8:00am – 9:00am

December 17, 2015Chamber Holiday PartyCutillo’s Restaurant5:00pm – 7:00pm

January 14, 2016 Chamber Annual LunchLoft at Landis Creek11:00am – 1:30pm

February 4, 2016Chamber MixerPhoenix Rehab & Health Service5:00pm - 7:00pm

February 18, 2016Regional Chamber Business Card ExchangeCopperfield Inn4:00pm – 6:00pm

March 30, 2016B2B ExpoPope John Paull II High School11:30am -2:00pm

April 7, 2016Save the DateWomen in Networking Fashion ShowBrookside Country Club

Please see the back cover for more detailed descriptions of these upcpming events

Officers of TheSpring-Ford Chamber

Board of DirectorsPresidentTom ThunstromPenn Liberty Bank

Vice PresidentErin CohenAmbler Savings Bank

2nd Vice PresidentLouise-Marie TulioPope John Paul II High School

TreasurerSuzette SiebertPatrick J. Kelly Insurance Group

SecretarySteve OehlertOehlert Bros. Heating & Cooling

Board MembersRonnie FitzPatrickMary Kay Cosmetics Jim Ginnetti XPO Business Equipment

Dr. David Goodin Spring-Ford School District

Mark GreenbergMinuteman Press

Denice HarrisonPatriot Pest Solutions

Christi KellyKelly Worldclass Automotive

Ron RikerR&M Construction

Rick StormsSt. Pedro Associates

Marc UmsteadComp-U-Ship

Gail WellingtonThree Peas in a Pod Florist

Legal CounselTom WolpertLaw Offices of Tom Wolpert

Annual Lunch in Real Philly Style!The Chamber is kicking off 2016 in true”Philly style” with Tom Burgoyne who has been performingas the Phillie Phanatic for twenty-five years. A St. Joseph’s Prep and Drexel University graduate, Tom first donned the Phanatic costume in 1989 after answering an anonymous want-ad in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Tom, a certifiable sports nut, won over a panel of judges with his audition in the Phanatic costume, in addition to showing the judges his collection of newspaper clippings showing him on top of statues during Phillies and 76ers victory parades and at other sporting events throughout Philadelphia.

Working as a backup to David Raymond (the first Phanatic performer) for five years, Tom handled

many of the Phanatic’s promotional appearances until the 1994 season when he took over all game day duties. Since then, Tom has travelled across the country and around the world bringing the Phanatic’s special brand of humor to sports fans everywhere. His international travels have taken him to Japan, Europe, Australia, South America, Mexico and Canada.

He has co-authored two books about the Phillies, More Than Beards, Bellies and Biceps – The Story of the 1993 Philadelphia Phillies (and the Phillie Phanatic, Too) (Sports Publishing, Inc.) and Movin’ On Up (Middle Atlantic Press). He also has written a series of eleven children’s books, chronicling the adventures of the Phillie Phanatic and has started a reading and literacy program in the Philadelphia area called “Be A Phanatic About Reading”. He wrote and directed three children’s videos, Channel Surfin’ Phanatic, The Phillie Phanatic Goes Hollywood and Time Travelin’ Phanatic.

Come meet Tom and find out what the chamber has in store for 2016!! Registrations are now open online.

Start Planning for the 2016 Business to Business ExpoFeaturing a Keynote byDr. G. Terry MadonnaThe Spring-Ford Chamber of Commerce 2016 Business –to-Business Expo will be held on Wednesday,March 30th 2016 at the Pope John Paul II High School in Royersford from 11:30am - 2:00pm. This year the chamber is proud to announce that they will be hosting Dr. G.Terry Madonna as their Keynote Speaker, he will be discussing the “2016 PresidentialElection: At the Starting Gate--Prospects and

Possibilities”. Dr. G. Terry Madonna is a nationally recognized political pollsterand commentator, and then in the afternoon they are excited to have Gene Marks, Columnist, Author and Business Owner to inform business owners of the latest sales and marketing techniques for small businesses. Both speakers as well as admission to the event are FREE OF CHARGE and lunch will be provided by the vendors in their “Taste of Limerick”!! MARK YOUR CALENDARS, AN EVENT NOT TO BE MISSED.

Sponsorships and vendor signups are now available on the chamber website at www.springfordchamber.com. Early bird discount ends on January 15, 2016.

Member News and Information

The Chamber Welcomes a New Executive DirectorIn October, the Spring-Ford Chamber welcomed Carla Haydt as their New Executive Director. Carla has served community organizations for much of her career. Most recently, Carla served the TriCountyCommunity Network in Pottstown as their Special Events and

Training Director and prior to that she served as the Director of the Wellness Council of Boyertown.

Carla graduated Lock Haven University of Pennsylvaniawith a degree in Mass Communications and Public Relations. She enjoys traveling, and photography. She lives in Gilbertsville with her husband David, her 10 year old son Christopher and their labradoodle Max.

While jumping into this new position, she is excited to meet all of the members and to be a part of such an engaged community. Carla would like to encouragemembers to stop into the chamber office any time they need anything and to not hesitate to contact her for any reason.

2016 is Waiting FOR YOU!!!Now is the time for chamber members to be think-ing about their 2016 agendas. What are you looking to accomplish in 2016? The Spring-Ford Chamber of Commerce has lots of great opportunities to get mar-ket your business and to get involved.

• SPONSOR AN EVENT Sponsorship opportunities are available for the Annual Lunch, the B2B Expo, and other signature events as well as the monthly meetings. Your name would look great on the event flyers and the website. What about a two minute commercial at our monthly luncheon or breakfast?

• HOST A MIXER Would you like to invite the mem-bers into your business to see what you have to offer or show off your latest renovations? Now is the time to book your 2016 mixer.

• MARKETING Have your logo on our website, our weekly email blasts or on our monthly post card. Spread the word about your business and the services you offer

• GET INVOLVED The chamber has many com-mittees and volunteer opportunities for you to get involved. Do you like planning fun events? Getting to know other members? Or just learning more about what the chamber is doing in 2016. Join one of our committees.

2016 will bring about some great additions to the chamber so keep an eye out for; Coffee Club Tuesdays, Chamber Members event calendar on our website and a survey to help us better sever our members.

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Chamber Participates in Royersford Halloween Parade

Halloween at the Spring-Ford Chamber is all about kids and in Royersford they come by the hundreds to the annual Halloween Parade. The Chamber had a float in this parade down Main Street once again. Candy donated by Steve Oehlert, Oehlert Bros.Home Heating and Cooling and Noel Billingsley, Victory Bank, was thrown by some of our own children on the float. Renninger’s Farm loaned us hay bales for the float which was on a trailer from Norco Metal Fin-ishing towed by a truck from Oehlert Brothers Thanks go to Steve Oehlert who organized our participation and drove the truck and to Tom Donofrio, Donofrio’s Handyman Service, Susan Barker, Upper Provi-dence Township and Noel Billingsley who walked the parade route to keep children at a safe distance from our wheels.

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photos & events!

www.facebook.com/springfordchamber Rental World Mixer Photos

National Grand Champion Christmas Tree grown by a Spring-Ford Chamber MemberThere will be millions of trees used this Christmas but only one will be in the Blue Room of the White House and that one will be a from a member of our Spring-Ford Chamber of Commerce, Congratulations to Mr. Jay Bustard and his family for this award winning distinction.

The Bustards qualified for the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA) White House Christmas Tree Competition after taking top honors in the Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association (PCTGA) contest. The Blue Room Tree was chosen at Bustard’s Lehighton farm on September 30th by White

House chief usher Angella Reid. Glenn and Jay Bustard presented the tree to Michelle Obama on November 27th.

“The Blue Room where the tree will stand is 18-and-one-half feet so the fir allows just enough space for a tree-top ornament” says Jay Bustard, co-owner, along with his brother Glenn and their mother Virginia.

The Changing Business SceneIn 1991, Heidi Swartz and Gail Wellington purchased Three Peas in a Pod Florist and Gifts on the day after Thanksgiving. The following weekend they held their first Holiday Open House. As they prepared for the 25th annual event, they reflected on the changes they have seen.

“I had postcards ready to mail the minute the papers were signed and had placed an ad in The Mercury,” said Gail. “Although we still send a few post cards and put statement stuffer in with invoices, today the promotion is largely done electronically via email, Facebook, and our website. Many orders are placed via our website. While convenient, this has its down-side because there is no opportunity to upsell or sell things that we wish to move.”

“The customers have changed as well,” Heidi added. In 1991 there were still many farms in the area and we were more likely to see overalls than golf attire. There was no GPS to aid Shawn with deliveries. We

relied on verbal directions, such as “turn left at the field with the muddy cows.” Managing the changes has been challenging at times, but we are still here, still enjoying what we do, and still having our Annual Holiday Open House. We hope you will stop by and celebrate with us.”

This year the Open House will be held on Saturday, December 5th, and Sunday December 6th from 9am until 5pm. There will be free refreshments, door prizes,and a grab bag for discounts on purchases.By Gail Wellington

Limerick Community Day Business Expo Raises Parks & Rec FundsLimerick Community Day 2015 was a big success for the Chamber and the Parks and Rec committee. The pavil-ion and tents for the Business Expo were filled to capac-ity and the vendors had the opportunity to talk to many customers and prospects. Everyone was pleased with the large crowds that nearly filled the available parking. Attendance this year was estimated at 3000. As in other years, there were lots of give away items, candy and bal-loons and many chances to win a raffle prize.

Limerick Community Day helps raise money to support Limerick’s Parks and Recreation facilities and activities which makes it more than just a marketing opportunity. It is a way to give back to the communityin which we live, work and/or play. The funds are key in supporting continued improvements of current play-ground structures and parks, as well as offering programs, camps, and events at little or no cost to the community. This year’s Expo raised $12,951.73 for Limerick Parks and Rec.

Special thanks to the sponsors for 2015: Exelon Generating Station, Oehlert Brothers, Home Heating and Cooling, Philadelphia Premium Outlets, Rothman Insti-tute and Rental World. Also many thanks go to those Chamber members who helped with planning, set-up and logistics and to the Pope John Paul II boys’ soccer team who assisted with break down.By Gail Wellington

Member News and Information

Visit www.springfordchamber.comfor Chamber Events, Press Releases,

Online Newsletters and more!

Help Mice Pack Their Bags Colder temperatures and ready for move in… As the cold weather approaches, mice are already packing their suitcases and headed towards your house. You love your home right? Well don’t let these pesky rodents ruin your winter fun. As the temper-ature declines, rodents are on the move. Did your know, that a mouse actually constructs a “super high-way” of sorts when he goes back and forth to your house. Even if you eliminate that one mouse, he has left a trail of oil and dirt that his friends and family use to enter your dwelling. You may ask yourself, “How do I know if I have a mouse issue?” One things for certain, if you’ve seen one, he has friends. Mice are capable of reproducing offspring at 2 months of age. A single female can reproduce up to 35 young each year… You do the math…mice reproduce more rap-idly than rabbits! It’s true.

Mice are nocturnal. So,if you hear scratching and scampering in your walls or in your attic in the wee hours of the night…you probably have mice. You may say to yourself you’re your immaculately kept house couldn’t possibly have mice. Well it’s not what you think. Mice can sneak in and enter through a hole the size of a pencil eraser. They are very agile after all. A mouse can jump 18 inches in the air and can climb and swim! They are also intelligent creatures. They know your attic insulation makes the perfect winter nesting area for their babies. And just before dawn and just before dusk, your little mice friends begin feedingtime. Actually, mice constantly feed throughoutthe day. That’s a lot of food. Good thing you left the bread out! In all seriousness, mice can cause extensive damage to homes. They chew on anything that is harder than their own teeth including any wood and wires in your structure. Signs of damageinclude chew marks at entry points, nesting materials (insulation, materials gathered from upholstery, or seat cushions, urine staining, fecal matter on flat surfaces (floors, counters). These are all telltale signs that mice are present. Mice roam about looking for seeds, grains, grasses, bread items in your kitchen. Mice have even been known to steal your pet’s food and hoard it so they can be well nourished though the winter months. I guess there is no surprise then to find out that the word ‘mouse’ derives from the Sanskrit word ‘musha,’ meaning THEIF in English.

HAZARDS Why Mice Pose a Risk As we mentioned, mice can chew and destroy your property. They also cause potential health risks. Mice are vectors of disease. They can bring other unwantedpests like fleas, mites, and bed bugs. Although mice are particular about their cleanliness, they defecate and leave urine and feces behind for humans to inhale and handle. And with all that eating, it can leave behind quite a mess. Mice can pass on salmonellosis (bacterial food poisoning) by contaminating your food products. Mice also have been linked to increased cases of asthma. It’s important to have a professional help with your rodent problem before it spreads. The best solution is trapping, sealing, and baiting. Patriot Pest Solutions offers solutions to your rodent problems. Year round service is considered the best option as mice issues are unfortunately not limited to colder weather.By Denise Harrison

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Photo from the Bryn Mawr Trust Mixer held on November 4th.

313 Ridge Pike | 2nd FloorLimerick, PA 19468610-489-7200

December 10, 2015 Holiday Breakfast Spring-Ford High School400 S Lewis Rd, Royersford8:00am – 9:00am$25.00 RSVP deadline 12/8/15Ring in the holiday season with a performance by the Spring-Ford High School Choir and enjoy a beautiful breakfast by Baird Catering.

December 17, 2015Chamber Holiday PartyCutillo’s Restaurant2688 E High St, Sanatoga5:00pm – 7:00pmFree - Register onlineJoin us as we celebrate the holidays at Cutillo’s Restau-rant. Complimentary Hors D’oeuvres and Cash Bar.

January 14, 2016 Chamber Annual LunchLoft at Landis Creek765 N Lewis Rd, Royersford, PA 1946811:00am – 1:30pm$35.00 Register onlineKeynote speaker Tom Burgoyne, Philly Phanatic’s Best Friend

February 4, 2016Chamber MixerPhoenix Rehab & Health Service780 Main Street, Suite 1, Royersford5:00pm - 7:00pmFree – Register online

February 18, 2016Regional Chamber Business Card ExchangeCopperfield Inn594 W Ridge Pike, Limerick4:00pm – 6:00pmFree – Register online

March 30, 2016B2B ExpoPope John Paull II High School181 Rittenhouse Rd, Royersford11:30am -2:00pmSponsorships and vendor space available onlineEarly Bird Discount ends January 15th

April 7, 2016Save the DateWomen in Networking Fashion ShowBrookside Country Club

Upcoming Chamber Events - Don’t miss these great networking events!