The Pike County Chamber of Commerce is hosting two "Building Additional Revenue Streams for Retailers" seminars with coffee & doughnuts.

Retailers live in a wonderful era where through ingenuity and technology we can expand our basic businesses and develop new customers and clients. In many cases, these customers and clients may never enter our shops here in Pike County. Learn how to use your classic retail store as a base for additional sales. This strategy is especially important when the economy is slow and walk-in customers are few.

The following items are very useful to any retailer who is looking to increase revenues: Quarterly E-Commerce report from the US Census Department, Learning the importance of NAICS numbers to identify business types and opportunities, How to calculate and understand the importance of "Per Household Retail Sales" based on monthly government statistics, IRS Migration Tables; the comings and goings of Pike County, "Identify, Reach and Persuade" ideal customers, What types of lists are available to purchase, Building your own website in 30 minutes: costs, how to, many options like Weebly, Go Daddy, 1&1, etc. Owning your domain. Strategy behind website name, Positioning your business for on-line customers and How to get up the list on Google and why that may not be important if you have a select list. In this seminar we will cover many items designed to encourage thinking and innovation. The wonderful thing is that the participants are encouraged to add their own thoughts and ideas.

Reservations are required for both seminars that will cover the exact same subject with a maximum seating of 15 persons for each session. One will be on March 15, 2012 from 7:30a.m. to 9:00a.m. and the second will be on March 22, 2012 from 5:30p.m. to 7:00p.m. Both will be held at the Pike County Chamber offices at 209 East Harford Street in Milford, PA. The fee is $10.00 for Pike Chamber Members and $25.00 for Non-Members.

Please call Tammy to make your reservation at 570-296-8700.

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce will be hosting the Annual Community Expo 2012 & Car Show on Saturday, May 5, 2012. Last year's Expo was a great success not only with many vendors, but also with public attendance.

This year the Chamber has expanded to make room for more vendors at the Delaware Valley School in Milford, PA. There is FREE admission to the public from 11:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. Attendees can visit more than 55 vendors with a "Cinco de Mayo Celebration Theme" representing various businesses, civic & non-profit organizations, restaurants, artisans and more. You can also participate in a 50/50 raffle, other top prize raffles, see displays, demonstrations and check out the Classic Antique Car Show. Be sure to cast your vote on who you think should win the top overall car prize! Food and refreshments will be available to purchase also.

The area people and local consumers are encouraged to attend so come out with the entire family to this wonderful neighborhood event to collect valuable information and meet and see the many area businesses and organizations that make up this wonderful community we live and work in.

With the larger location at DV School, we are looking for more booth vendors to showcase your business/organization. Applications are now being accepted by members, non-members, clubs, artisans, restaurants, healthcare facilities, banks, home-based businesses, realtors, home improvement companies, recreational services, civic or non-profit organizations etc. Don't miss out on this opportunity to promote & market yourself or upcoming event. Remember the Cinco de Mayo Theme! Event Sponsorships are available. Get your application by calling 570-296-8700 or visit www.pikechamber.com.

The Pike County Economic Alliance Committee, a committee of both the Pike County Chamber of Commerce and the Pike County Economic Development Authority, is pleased to announce the hiring of their new Executive Director, Michael Sullivan. The committee chose Sullivan after culling through over 75 resumes submitted for the position. Twelve individuals meeting the strict requirements of both an economic development background as well as chamber of commerce experience were interviewed.

Mr. Sullivan, with extensive background in Sullivan County's Partnership for Economic Development and Orange County's Chamber of Commerce, will be instrumental in helping to bring economic growth to Pike County. His most recent experience in facilitating the sale of Arden & Horton Hospitals in Orange County will be of great benefit to Pike County. Outreach to existing as well as past chamber of commerce members to determine how the Chamber can be of benefit to them holds a high priority on Mr. Sullivan's to do list.

According to the Economic Alliance Committee Co-Chairperson, Marcia Guberman, "Mr. Sullivan's hiring is the culmination of 8 months of work to bring the best candidate forward to lead the economic growth of the County by bringing new business to the County and helping to grow existing business, thereby following the missions of both organizations." Mr. Sullivan is expected to begin work on Monday, February 13. A reception is planned to introduce Mr. Sullivan to the all of the Boards of Directors of both organizations, neighboring Chamber of Commerce Executive Directors, State Economic Development Directors and County elected officials on Tuesday, February 21.

On January 24, 2012 the Pike County Chamber of Commerce held their Annual Installation Breakfast and General Membership Meeting where they inducted the new Directors and installed the new slate of Officers for 2012. Newly installed Chamber President Philly Viscardo gave an overview of some upcoming changes and new goals for the coming year.

The ceremony and breakfast was held at Mount Haven Restaurant in Milford. Attorney John Stieh installed the Chamber’s Executive Committee: Philly Viscardo, Dingman Delaware Insurance, President; Aileen Kolvenbach, Pike County Light & Power, 1st Vice President; Simone Palmer, The Dime Bank, 2nd Vice President; Lee Oakes, Secretary; and Paul Brislin, EA, Treasurer.

Geraldine Dziak, Milford Health & Wellness Center, Erwin Guberman, CellularOne of NEPA, John Hollister, Rodgers, Olver, Polley, Inc., and Barbara Wortmann, Sussex County Community College were inducted as new Directors; Davis R. Chant, Chant Realty, Beth Nikles, Nikles Realty and Ken Winters, Eastern Propane were inducted as Honorary Directors and Adriane Wendell, Harrington House as the Milford Business Council Representative.

Those new Directors join the existing Board of Directors who represent other area businesses and community representatives: Amy Bridge, The Milford Journal, Mary Ann Butler, Times Herald Record, James Campistrous, J-Angelo Event Planning, Coulby Dunn, Mountain View Homes, Eric L. Hamill, Esq, David Hoff, Wayne Memorial Hospital, Kathy Hummel, Tish Leizens, Our House Publications, Ed Nikles, Sr., Ed Nikles Custom Builder, and MaryAlice Petzinger, Wayne Bank.

The mission of the Pike County Chamber is to accelerate business growth in Pike County, Pennsylvania, by representing business in promoting economic development while preserving and enhancing our community’s quality of life, by providing value-added programs and benefits to promote membership and to help members achieve success and by building partnerships and coalitions for business to effectively work with community, government and educational organizations in the shaping of public policy.

In order to continue to carry out that mission, the Chamber continues to search for ways to provide more, complete and up-to-date information, services, and benefits to Chamber members and the community. Becoming a Chamber member will provide an individual or business with benefits and advantages only offered to members. The annual investment fees of members provide the funding necessary to continue and expand the many programs and activities that, which are designed to benefit local business as well as the community.

For more information about joining the Pike County Chamber of Commerce please call 570-296-8700, or visit www.pikechamber.com.

Photo 1 – (from l-r Beth Nikles, Barbara Wortmann, Dave Chant, John Hollister, Erwin Guberman & Adriane Wendell. Photo 2 – (from l-r Executive Committee Paul Brislin, Lee Oakes, Simone Palmer, Aileen Kolvenbach and Philly Viscardo.)

On January 24, 2012 the Pike County Chamber of Commerce will hold their Annual Installation Breakfast and General Membership meeting where they will induct the new Directors to the Board and install the new slate of Executive Officers for 2012. The newly installed President will also give a brief overview of what to expect and some goals for the coming year.

The ceremony and breakfast will be at 7:30a.m. at Mount Haven Restaurant in Milford, PA. The public is invited to attend. The fee is $17.00 for Pike Chamber members or $20.00 for Non-members. Reservations are required so please R.S.V.P. by calling 570-296-8700 or e-mailing to info@pikechamber.com by January 18, 2012. The Chamber hopes to see many of the local community people and businesses attend.

For more information about joining the Pike County Chamber of Commerce please call 570-296-8700 or visit www.pikechamber.com.

It’s the Vanilla Pig! The story begins here… On one hot summer day two women joined forces and found themselves dancing in the kitchen to 70s music. With flour in their hair and their moo-moos on, they laughed and became the “Sistas Yum Yum Treats”. This adventure lasted one Saturday. After selling all of their coffee cakes, they found themselves wanting to do more. So they decided to try their hand at crafting and give their inner creative side a way to bust out. After packing up the car with all of the crafts, they would travel to craft fairs and flea markets. This got old real fast and the quality of their crafts went unappreciated. Thinking out of the box, they began discussing the possibilities of finding a home for their lonely crafts. This would give them the opportunity to invite other local artists, and make one big happy family. It didn’t take too long for them to find that special place.

The “For Rent “sign jumped out at them and when they saw the little yellow cottage they knew that this was the beginning of what was going to be The Vanilla Pig. When entering The Vanilla Pig you are hit with a wonderful aroma and your eyes will wonder. They have over twenty local artists working with all different types of medium. There is quilting, glass work, knitted hats, copper jewelry, pottery, chocolates and much more. And let’s not forget that The Vanilla Pig has their crafted items for sale! Along with the Artsy stuff there is recycled house ware items, vintage ornaments and a lot more! At The Vanilla Pig their saying is “OINK FOR AN ARTIST”

Things move around and change at The Pig, it’s never a boring stop! The owners will take donations of house ware items such as small furniture, dishes etc. It’s also their practice TO BUY your stuff, because they are not a consignment shop. Artists and Crafters they welcome you to contact them; they are always looking for a unique, creative hand. However there might be times when they are not accepting merchandise. Please call and never just drop off items at their door. In January of 2012 The Vanilla Pig will be hosting workshops and Birthday parties.

The Vanilla Pig believes in supporting local non-profit agencies and charities. Every two months they will select a different organization to donate to. This month the chosen recipient is The Holy Trinity Food Pantry on Silver Lake Rd. in Dingmans Ferry. With the economy in the dumpster they have found themselves feeding 85 families which are about 350 people or more. It’s been very difficult for the pantry to service these families with all the government cut backs. The “donation Pig” is always in the store if you feel like helping out those in need this winter just stop by.

The dream has become a reality and the proprietors of The Vanilla Pig hope you enjoy their shop as much as they do. They want to throw out a special Thank you to all those who assisted in the creation of The Vanilla Pig! The Pike County Chamber of Commerce along with family and friends helped celebrate the Grand Opening last month and invites everyone to check out The Vanilla Pig is located at 1818 route 739, Dingmans Ferry, PA 18328, (570) 828-oink (6465). Email- thevanillapig@hotmail.com. You can also visit their facebook page.