The Pike County Chamber of Commerce recently held the 16th Annual Community Awards Banquet, which is hosted in partnership with numerous service organizations throughout the area. The wonderfully witty Arthur Ridley emceed the event and Dingmans Florist presented flowers to all of the award recipients.

“Volunteers don’t give of themselves for accolades,” stated Danielle Jordan, CEO of the Pike Chamber. “It’s wonderful to acknowledge and celebrate the special people who give so much of themselves to our local community.”

Please help us celebrate the following award recipients:

Terry Finlayson: Pocono Environmental Education Center
Richard St. John: G.A.I.T.
George Edward Moon: The Pike County Developmental Center
Jacqueline Eadicicco: The Pike County Area Agency on Aging
David Swift: Wayne Pike Adult Literacy Program
Richard Snyder: Historic Preservation Trust of Pike County
Theresa Johnson: The Milford Garden Club
Laurel Bishow & Frank Morey: Pike County Humane Society
Dotty & Nick Luca: St. Jacobi Lutheran Church
Arthur K. Ridley: Rotary International of Milford – Matamoras
Pat & Ken Corcoran: Pike County Public Library
Susanne L. Wroblewski: Center for Developmental Disabilities
Marie Hawkins: Pike County Advanced Life Support
Carol Markwalter: Pike Chamber - Director of the Year
Hampton Inn of Matamoras: Pike Chamber - Outstanding Business of the Year
Richard Snyder: Pike Chamber - Outstanding Volunteer of the Year

“If you happen to see an award recipient around town, please thank them for what they do,” concluded Jordan. “It’s amazing how much saying thank you can mean to someone!”

Social media can be a powerful tool for all types of small businesses, but understanding how to use it can be challenging for many entrepreneurs. The Pike County Chamber of Commerce and the Pike County Economic Development Authority are partnering to offer a seminar entitled "Social Media and Your Small Business" on Wednesday, November 3 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the chamber office in Milford. Participants will find out how to use affordable tools to position their businesses and add to their customer base. The seminar is presented by Keith Yurgosky, manager of internet business at The University of Scranton Small Business Development Center. Yurgosky serves as the center's social media expert and has traveled the country presenting this seminar. Cost is $10 per person. Pre-registration and pre-payment are required. To register, call 570-296-7332. The University of Scranton SBDC provides confidential small business consulting services to existing businesses and start ups in Pike County at the Chamber/EDA office by appointment only. To request SBDC services, complete the online request at www.scrantonsbdc.com.

A State Legislative forum was held at the Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Restaurant on Friday, October 1st. The legislative panel included Senator Lisa Baker (R-20th), Representative Michael Peifer (R-139th) and Representative John Siptroth (D-189). This joint Chamber of Commerce event was presented by the Southern Wayne Regional, Pocono Lake Region, Pike and Wayne County Chambers of Commerce. The guest moderator for the event was Tim Downs from the Bold Gold Media Group.

This event was open to the public and provided the opportunity to hear first hand state and local updates on legislation. The PA State Legislators each spoke and addressed questions poised from the audience. Discussion of current issues and projects in both Pike and Wayne counties included the proposed severance tax on the gas industry, the state budget and school funding for our area.

All four Chambers of Commerce are grateful to the local businesses event sponsors: Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Restaurant, Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Hampton Inn of Matamoras, The James Manning House Bed & Breakfast and The Dime Bank.

They say that when it rains, it pours and sometimes it really does! On Monday, September 13th, about an hour before the Milford Business Council was to partake in the graciously donated and delicious fare of 23 area restaurants, it rained heavily. Not to dampen anyone’s spirits, the guests arrived with non-perishables in hand for the food pantry collection, which poured in by the bagfuls. Nearly 200 very caring guests brought a total of four car loads of food for the Ecumenical Food Pantry at The Good Shepard and St. John’s Church.

The Share the Harvest event was held at the beautiful Laurel Villa in Milford, where guests were treated to a bounty of incredible food prepared by the area’s finest chefs and a gorgeous array of over 40 raffle prizes from area businesses. Every person who brought a non-perishable item was entered into a raffle for gift certificates, gift baskets and beautiful centerpieces donated by Myer the Florist. With the generous support of our community, the Milford Business Council was able to raise an additional $1000 for the food pantry to restock the nearly empty shelves. The Milford Business Council shares their appreciation and would like to thank everyone who volunteered, donated and participated. A video clip by Knowles media can be viewed Knowlesvideo.blogspot.com/sharetheharvest. Be sure to watch for this event next year… rain or shine!

A State Legislative Breakfast will be held at Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Restaurant on Friday, October 1st at 7:30am. The legislative panel will include Senator Lisa Baker, Representative Sandra Major, Representative Michael Peifer, Representative John Siptroth and Representative Edward Staback.

This joint chamber event presented by the Wayne County, Southern Wayne Regional, Pocono Lake Region and the Pike County Chambers of Commerce, is open to the public and is an excellent opportunity to hear first hand local updates on legislation and discussion of current issues. The PA State Legislators will speak about important issues and projects in the counties, with particular focus on matters of interest to the business community.

The State Legislative Breakfast is sponsored by the following local businesses: The Dime Bank, James Manning House Bed & Breakfast, Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Restaurant, The Hampton Inn of Matamoras and the Hospice of the Sacred Heart. The guest moderator for this event will be Tim Downs from the Bold Gold Media Group.

A breakfast buffet is included in the cost of $12 per person. Reservations are highly suggested and can be made by contacting the Wayne Chamber of Commerce at (570) 253 – 1960.

Press Release: September 10, 2010

The Pike County Chamber of Commerce and the Pike County Builders Association are joining together once again to sponsor the John Gouse Memorial Golf Outing.  The event will be held on Wednesday, October 6th, 2010 at the Woodloch Springs Golf Resort and includes a grand buffet lunch. 
 
John Gouse passed away suddenly on Father’s Day in 1999, leaving behind his wife Sharon and two daughters, Kendra and Sarah.  He was an active community volunteer and was especially devoted to the American Red Cross and the March of Dimes.  John was also a Board Director in both the Pike County Builder’s Association and the Pike County Chamber of Commerce.  Both organizations honor his memory by raising funds for a scholarship given in his name. 
 
This wonderful event is open to the public with a fee of $110 per person and reservations are required by Friday, October 1, 2010.  Sponsorships are also still available.  Please contact the Pike Chamber at (570) 296-8700 or info@pikechamber.com.