Chillicothe Ross Chamber of Commerce

Weekly Update    May 2, 2003

CARLISLE FIRE A SETBACK: The high hopes many had that the Carlisle Building downtown would be restored to its previous grandeur suffered what we hope is only a temporary setback. Last week’s fire wreaked havoc on the historic structure and the businesses in and around it. Chamber member Vickie Streicher of Candlelight Bridal applauded efforts by the city’s Fire Department and her many friends for saving many of the prom and bridal dresses and for getting her temporary quarters at 96 N. Paint St. One non-chamber member also is requesting some help in finding quarters. Anyone who might have some leads may call the chamber office and we’ll get the parties in touch.

 

PPG CELEBRATES MAJOR MILESTONE: An employee luncheon Sunday will mark the 20th anniversary of PPG in the Chillicothe community. It was on May 3, 1983 that the business started in the former Rubbermaid building on Southern Avenue. PPG took the 330,000 square foot structure and in 1992 added 200,000 more square feet for the auto replacement glass distribution center that serves all of North America. At start-up the firm had 64 employees. Today, it has 76 warehousers, 14 management and O&C people and 30-40 temporary warehousers. Jerry Hornyak is the manager and his staff consists of Ed Behanna, Terry Smith and Alan Turley.

 

NEW MAPS ARE HERE: The chamber’s new maps of Chillicothe and Ross County were delivered Friday afternoon. We’ll be getting copies to the advertisers next week, but other members are welcome to drop by and pick up a copy or two. The Performance Publishing Group did a great job, especially the city map which may be one of the best in these parts.

 

BIG WEEKEND ON TAP: The second big event of the local celebration of the state’s bicentennial is Saturday’s parade that starts at 2 p.m. Sponsored by the Huntington National Bank, the parade will feature bands from all across the state, entries from all 88 counties, the famous Budweiser Clydesdales and calliopes pumping out the music. Following the parade at 4 is a free street party in front of the courthouse featuring the Slater Brothers Blues Band. It is being sponsored by the Bicentennial Parade Committee.

 

WHO WAS WHO?: An ice-breaker that had participants take on the persona of their neighbor helped get activities under way at Wednesday’s Networking Luncheon at the Dock at Water. More than 20 attended the event that featured five pre-selected people who got a chance to tell others about their business. In the photo at left, Christina Schramm from Chillicothe Nursing and Rehabilitation (left) gets to know Gwen Brady from Advantage Bank.

 

TO THE POLLS TUESDAY: Don’t forget that Tuesday is primary election day and that your chamber Board of Directors endorses passage of the countywide parks and recreation levy that’s on the ballot.

 

AND SPEAKING OF HORSES: The world-famous Royal Lipizzan Stallions of Austria are coming to Ross County for three performances next week. The horses are considered the rarest and most aristocratic breed in the world, having been started in the 16th century for the exclusive use of the royal Hapsburg Family of Austria. Herrmann’s Royal Lipizzan Stallions will do the same battle maneuvers they were originally trained to do in the shows at the new Charles and Daisy Black Ohio University-Chillicothe Equestrian Center. The center is 10 miles east of town on U.S. 50. Shows are Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for children 6-12 if purchased in advance at OU-C, or $15 for adults and $12 for children at the gate. Children under 6 are free.

 

FIRMS OF INTEGRITY SOUGHT: The Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio is now taking entries for its annual Business Integrity Awards. You need not be a member of the agency to enter. The deadline to enter is July 25 and the awards ceremony will be Sept. 24 in Columbus. For information and an entry form, go online at www.centralohiobbb.org or call the chamber and we’ll fax the two-page form to you.

 

PUBLIC SERVICE WEEK: The Chillicothe VA Medical Center is celebrating Public Service Recognition Week (May 5-11) with various activities in its Recreation Hall (Building 9). The kick off is at 10 a.m. Monday with an Information Fair. An Employee of the Year will be named in a ceremony Thursday that begins at 9:30 a.m.

 

HAVE A SAFE LUNCH: On Wednesday, a good way to spend your lunch hour would be to get to the Ross County Service Center for the Vendors Day of the Ohio Valley Safety Council. About 10 suppliers of safety equipment will have their wares available. Lunch will be available.

 

COMMUNICATION IS THE KEY: How to get people’s attention, techniques for starting conversations and how to manage your emotions during communication are some of the topics that will be covered at the next seminar of the Ross County Workforce Academy on Tuesday, May 20. Paul Clayton, a motivational trainer, will be the presenter for the seminar at the Ross County Service Center from 8 a.m. until noon. The cost is $15 and registrations are available online (Workforce Academy registration) or by calling the chamber office at 702-2722. About 15 people attended this past week’s seminar on customer service, featuring Penny Walk, shown at right.

 

OUTSTANDING GRADUATE: Kelley Blankenship, the director of human resources for Preferred Medical Personnel, has been named Outstanding Graduate in Communication for this year’s class at Ohio University-Chillicothe. She will receive a bachelor’s degree in communication with a minor in psychology. She already had earned an associate’s degree in applied business.

 

SPONSORS SOUGHT: The promoters of the Western Heritage Rodeo are looking for sponsors for this year’s event. In five years, the non-profit organization has raised $50,000 for 4-H programs in Ross County. Sponsorships range from $250 to $2,000. This year’s show at the fairgrounds will be June 14. Information for sponsors is available by calling Victoria Villarreal at 773-4646.

 

FIRST LADY IN TOWN: Hope Taft, Ohio’s First Lady, will be at Smith Middle School Tuesday at 11 a.m. as part of the celebration of Right-To-Read Week of Chillicothe City Schools.

 

CHAMBER EVENTS-MEETINGS CALENDAR:

·         Wednesday, May 7, 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.--Safety Council Vendors Day, Ross County, Ross County Service Center

·         Friday, May 9-Noon, Pathfinders Graduation Ceremony, Horizon Technology Center

·         Tuesday, May 13-11:30 a.m., Networking Committee, Traditions

·         Thursday, May 15-Noon, Executive Committee, Chamber

·         Thursday, May 15-3:30 p.m., Business Growth Council, Ross County Service Center

·         Thursday, May 15-5-7 p.m., Business After Business, Horizon Technology Center BAB registration

·         Tuesday, May 20-8:30 a.m., Safety Council Steering Committee, Chamber

·         Tuesday, May 20-3:30 p.m., Governmental Affairs Committee, Chamber

·         Wednesday, May 21-3:30 p.m., Pathfinders Steering Committee, Chamber

·         Thursday, May 22-Noon, Board of Directors Meeting, Adena State Memorial

 

 

 

 

 

 

This newsletter goes weekly to more than 350 chamber members and their employees for whom we have e-mail addresses. If you have an item you’d like to include, e-mail Executive Director Marvin Jones at mjones@chillicotheohio.com. If you or your company is a chamber member and this was forwarded to you and you would like to be included in the original mailing, reply to this e-mail. If you’d like to be omitted from this mailing, reply and ask to unsubscribe. To stay abreast of chamber activities, make sure to visit www.chillicotheohio.com frequently.