The Pike County Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that a local business contacted the Chamber after seeing the initial article of the Holiday Ornament Event for kids in which the fee was suppose to be $7.00 per child. In keeping with spirit of the holiday season, James Campistrous of J-Angelo Event planning said they would sponsor the event so that every child that wanted to attend and make an ornament would be able to join the fun and parents wouldn't have to worry about another cost involved! The Chamber is very grateful to J-Angelo Event Planning for this generous sponsorship.

The Women in Business Committee of the Chamber is holding the Holiday Ornament Decorating event on Sunday, December 18th from 2:00p.m. to 4:00p.m. at the Best Western Inn in Matamoras. Thanks to J-Angelo Event Planning, all children can attend for FREE and can come into the festive atmosphere of holiday music and decorations, pick out a pre-made ornament and decorate it anyway they wish with the assortment of crafty ideas. Parents, Grandparents, Aunts or Uncles can now take a little time out of their busy holiday schedules and make the little ones feel special while crafting an ornament for their own tree or as a gift! The kids can sing along to their holiday favorites while doing their craft, having milk and cookies and then while their project is drying, they can sit and visit with Santa to let him know how good they've been all year and take pictures before they go! Reservations are suggested. Also collecting donations of new hats, gloves, scarves and socks for local kids in need.

For further information contact the Chamber by e-mailing info@pikechamber.com or calling the Chamber office at 570-296-8700.

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce would like to announce the upcoming Holiday Events for the month of December that are all open to the public.

The Annual Festival of Lights which is co-sponsored by the Milford Business Council & the Milford Lions Club will kick off the festivities on Saturday, December 3rd at 5:00p.m. on the front lawn of the Pike County Public Library and The Community House at the light in Milford. A celebration of everyone in the community will include refreshments, caroling, glow sticks for the kids as well as the historic lighting of the star on the Knob and the community tree. The grand finale will be the arrival of Santa on one of Milford's finest fire trucks along with a very cool team of reindeer. Afterwards, you can walk the town and visit the live nativity at the First Presbyterian Church and stop in the many shops & restaurants that will remain open late.

The Pike Chamber's Holiday Networking Party which is sponsored this year by Pike County Light & Power Company will be held on December 15th at the Best Western Inn in Matamoras from 5:30p.m. to 7:30p.m. Cost is $5.00 for Pike Chamber members and $10.00 for non-members which include complimentary appetizers, cash bar, 50/50 raffle and door prizes. Everyone is welcome to bring your friends and business associates along with plenty of business cards and take advantage of this event to network your business, organization or upcoming event! You will have many chances to make new contacts and get more business no matter what industry you are in. Making those important face to face contacts at this festive holiday event is a powerful and affordable marketing technique that can help your business grow.

And not to forget the little ones, the Women in Business Committee of the Chamber is holding a Holiday Ornament Decorating event on Sunday, December 18th from 2:00p.m. to 4:00p.m. at the Best Western Inn in Matamoras. For $7.00 per child, the children can come into the festive atmosphere of holiday music and decorations, pick out a pre-made ornament and decorate itanyway they wish with the assortment of crafty ideas. This could maybe be a nice outing with Grandma & Grandpa & the kids can sing along to their holiday favorites while doing their craft, having milk and cookies and then while their project is drying, they can sit and visit with Santa to let him know how good they've been all year and take pictures before they go! Reservations are suggested. Also collecting donations of new hats, gloves, scarves and socks for local kids in need.

For further information contact the Chamber by e-mailing info@pikechamber.com or calling the Chamber office at 570-296-8700

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce held its 17th Annual Community Awards Banquet on Wednesday, November 2nd at The Best Western Inn in Matamoras. It was hosted by the Pike County Chamber in partnership with the Service Organizations throughout the area.

Ten non-profit organizations were on hand to honor their own and to showcase their commitments toward the worthwhile work that each does in our community. The following people were honored: Kelly Paddock at Center for Developmental Disabilities, Marie Horsfield at Karen Ann Quinlan Hospice, Alice-Jane Loewrigkeit at the Milford Garden Club, Kim & Tim Smith at Milford-Matamoras Rotary Club, Laurie Hollenbeck at Milford Senior Care & Rehab Center, Jeffrey Wright at Pike County Advanced Life Support, Pat & Bill Crane at the Pike County Area Agency on Aging, Rosalyn Moon at Pike County Developmental Center, Robert Rohner, Jr. at Pike County Public Library and Rhoda Barr at Wayne/Pike Adult Literacy Agency.

The Pike County Chamber itself presented three awards: Chamber Director of the Year to Mrs. Philly Viscardo of Dingman Delaware Insurance Agency, Outstanding Business of the Year to Pike County Light & Power Company and Outstanding Volunteer of the Year to Mr. Paul Brislin.

The Chamber wishes to thank Art Ridley, Carol & Peter Markwalter and Zorianna and her staff at The Best Western Inn who helped make this another successful Chamber event. If you wish to learn more about the honorees and their organizations, please contact the Chamber office at (570) 296-8700 for the program booklet that was handed out that evening.

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce welcomed A+ Computer Repair & Internet Café to its membership at their Grand Opening on November 5th, 2011. A+ offers computer repairs, installations, virus removal, website design and computer classes amongst many other services. Their Café boasts a relaxing atmosphere with new Windows PC’s and Apple Mac’s with high speed internet, Microsoft Office, premium coffee and light refreshments. A+ Computer Repair & Internet Café is located at 658 Route 749, Suite 9 in Lords Valley and can be contacted at 570-737-4299 or info@aplusinternetcafe.com and their website is www.APlusInternetCafe.com. Stop by to congratulate them!

As the Chief Administrator for the Pike County Economic Development Alliance Management Board, the incumbent is responsible for providing administrative and professional assistance to the Alliance Management Board and, as required to the Chamber Board and Economic Development Authority Board, in the implementation of the strategic plan adopted by each Board.

Primary duties are the development of new business/industry in Pike County, and the retention and expansion of existing business thereby creating job opportunities, strengthening the tax base and establishing diversity in the economic foundation of the county, and other duties as deemed necessary by the Alliance Board of Directors.

Salary dependent upon experience. All resumes should be sent to: mguberman@thedimebank.com.

The Pike County Economic Development Authority and the Pike County Chamber of Commerce are pleased to announce the formation of the Pike County Economic Alliance, bringing the two organizations together in a collaborative working enterprise structure.

The formation of the Pike County Economic Alliance was spearheaded by the Alliance Taskforce Committee whose members were appointed by each organization. The Alliance Taskforce Committee conducted an investigation of economic support organizations in comparable counties throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Drawing upon examples of other successful working alliances in these counties, the Committee developed a plan which will focus on Pike County’s economic stimulus.

The Economic Development Authority is principally charged with bringing new business to the County and the Pike County Chamber of Commerce is charged with strengthening existing County business. Each organization will continue to maintain its individual mission, objectives, Board of Directors and Committees.

“The Taskforce has done an outstanding job in moving this project forward. We are very excited to see their long hours of research, deliberation and planning come to completion in the formation of the Alliance. This effort will greatly enhance our ability to support the local economy,” commented Dave Farrington, Board Chairman of the Economic Development Authority.

As a working alliance, together the organizations will accomplish their shared objectives of utilizing a more efficient use of resources and a united management effort under a joint Executive Director. This alliance will enhance financial efficiencies within each organization, resulting in a stronger economic environment through cost saving benefits.

A search for one Executive Director to head the Alliance and manage both the Chamber and the Economic Development Authority is underway. Job description information may be found on both the Chamber’s website www.pikechamber.com and the EDA’s website www.edapikepa.org.