Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce s Annual Christmas Dinner Reflects Changes

Volume 2, Issue 12 December 2014 Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce s Annual Christmas Dinner Reflects Changes The Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce s Annual Meeting and Christmas Dinner was held on Monday evening, December 8th at the Connoquenessing Country Club with over 80 in attendance. The theme of the evening was change, with Executive Director Terri Stramba stepping down and Lori Hilliard, formerly Terri s Executive Assistant, taking over the role of Executive Director for 2015. In attendance were a number of Directors, including President David DeCaria and Rick MacMurdo, incoming president for 2015. Committee reports from the Chef, Wine & Ale, Membership, Marketing and Legislative Committees stressed the Chamber s success in 2014. Membership increased by 27 new member companies and fundraising efforts topped previous years success. President David DeCaria noted that the Chamber had worked well with Ellwood City s Council and other local organizations in 2014 and that the cooperative trend would carry into the New Year under the direction of incoming Executive Director Lori Hilliard. He also presented a parting gift to Terri Stramba with the thanks of the Board of Directors. Local Author is Guest Speaker Nancy K. Wallace, local author and Director of Children s Programming at the Ellwood City Public Library, was the guest speaker, delivering an inspirational talk titled, Nothing by Chance. She received a standing ovation from the crowd. Nancy has published several children s books and recently signed a contract for an adult fantasy series. The Old Giving Way to the New 2015 Chamber President Rick MacMurdo Rick MacMurdo, who will become President of the Chamber with the new year, also spoke briefly about the promising outlook for 2015 despite, and in some cases because of, recent changes within member organizations. He noted that with a fresh perspective and renewed enthusiasm, the Chamber would continue to grow and flourish in the coming years. Continued on Page 2 IN THIS ISSUE: Guest Speaker and Author Nancy K. Wallace EC Chamber s Annual Christmas Dinner Keeping Resolutions at the BodyShop, LLC Survey Says...Sobering Holiday Injury Statistics Holiday Advice for Pet Owners Welcome the Chamber s Newest Members Holiday Safety Tips from T & M Hardware Holiday Greetings

2 Continued from page 1 The Connoquenessing Country Club was beautifully decorated for the holidays, including a towering Christmas tree and elaborately decorated stone fireplace. Guests from several area businesses and Representative Dan Vogler were also in attendance. Borough Manager Bob Villella was unable to attend due to a prior commitment, but a letter of congratulations from him was read to the audience by David DeCaria. Terri Stramba with Lori Hilliard For more pictures from the Annual Meeting and Christmas Dinner, please visit www.ellwoodchamber.org or the Chamber s Facebook page. The Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce has over 200 member businesses. If you would like more information, please call 724-758-5501 or email us at info@ellwoodchamber.org. The BodyShop, LLC Helps People at All Fitness Levels Keep Their New Year's Resolutions If you were to ask someone who has reached their fitness goals what the two most difficult parts of their journey were, chances are they would tell you Getting Started, and Staying Committed. Fortunately, The BodyShop Group Fitness of Ellwood City specializes in just those things! Starting With Mothers, Growing With All Seventeen years ago, a few young mothers found it impossible to locate a quality gym with group fitness classes as well as childcare, so they created their own. The members for the first few years were mainly other mothers looking to get back in shape after having children but who had hectic schedules and very little time to devote to themselves. It was a winning concept from the start and The BodyShop continues to offer childcare during morning, evening, and weekend classes. However, the popularity of the classes have attracted mothers and non-mothers alike, young and old, men and women. Today, owners Brenton and Shakira Gilmore, Renae Rudy, Kim Magnifico, and Deborah VanGorder are proud to offer a variety of programs for people of all fitness levels. After numerous moves due to increasing customers and limited space, the BodyShop has found a perfect home that accommodates larger sized classes, at The Creekside Commons on Wampum Avenue. 2014 Shamrock Shape Up -- An annual boot camp style event showcasing all of the BodyShop classes. Les Mills Group Fitness Programs Flourish Continued on Page 3

3 Continued from Page 2 The BodyShop offers a complete line-up of group fitness classes, all exclusively licensed from Les Mills International. They chose Les Mills for the diversity of programming, effective choreography, challenging exercises, and overall fun atmosphere. Les Mills is taught in over 80 countries and 15,000 clubs. All of the instructors at The BodyShop started out as members, fell in love with the programs, and later became certified through Les Mills. The passion they possess for teaching is reflected in the popularity of their classes and the praise from their membership. Renae Rudy explains, The Les Mills programs are always challenging, but they are also designed to be safe, effective, and enjoyable. Anyone who makes a New Year s Resolution, or life-changing goal at any time, will find the workouts at The BodyShop fit their goals and level of fitness. BodyPump is the original barbell weight class that builds strength, tones the body, and improves overall health. Other classes range from BodyFlow a low impact mix of yoga, tai-chi, and Pilates to BodyCombat a challenging mix of martial arts and endurance training. These three classes, along with BodyStep, BodyJam, BodyVive, and CXWORX are all developed to allow people to quickly reach their health and fitness goals, with the added benefit of group accountability and the fun of working out with friends. Rudy continues, Group fitness is the best way to get in shape because it gives every individual a built-in support system with every class. Get Fit on Your Own Schedule, and in Your Own Way The BodyShop offers morning, evening, and weekend classes so anyone can find the right class at the most convenient times. In-house childcare makes it even easier for members to stick with their resolutions less excuses to miss going to the gym. If you want to know which classes are right for you, call the BodyShop at 724.752.4351, email them at bodyshopgroupfitness@gmail.com, or visit them on Facebook. The owners and instructors at The BodyShop are passionate about what they do and love helping members develop healthy lifestyles and improve their fitness while in a safe, supportive environment surrounded by family and friends. If you need a reference, just ask a neighbor chances are they might be a member already!

4 Survey Says. Holiday decorating is a festive tradition in most homes, but decorating for the holidays can be dangerous. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Electrical Safety Foundation International: Over 1,300 people are treated every year in emergency rooms for injuries related to Christmas lights during November and December. More than 6,200 are treated for injuries related to Christmas trees or decorations. Holiday lights cause about 510 fires each year. More than $170 million in property losses was attributed to candles in 2012. About one-sixth of fires started by candles occur in December. The most frequently reported holiday decorating incidents seen in emergency departments involved falls (34%), lacerations (11%) and back strains (10%). Christmas tree fires cause over $5 million in property damage every year. Christmas tree and holiday decoration fires result in twice the injuries and 5 times more fatalities per fire than the average winter holiday fire. Please be safe this holiday season!

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HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS FOR YOUR FURRY FRIENDS Holly, Jolly and Oh-So-Safe! Of course you want to include your furry companions in the festivities, pet parents, but as you celebrate this holiday season, try to keep your pet's eating and exercise habits as close to their normal routine as possible. And be sure to steer them clear of the following unhealthy treats, toxic plants and dangerous decorations: Tinsel-less Town Kitties love this sparkly, light-catching "toy" that's easy to bat around and carry in their mouths. But a nibble can lead to a swallow, which can lead to an obstructed digestive tract, severe vomiting, dehydration and possible surgery. It's best to brighten your boughs with something other than tinsel. Toy Joy - Looking to stuff your pet's stockings? Choose gifts that are safe. Dogs have been known to tear their toys apart and swallowing the pieces, which can then become lodged in the esophagus, stomach or intestines. Stick with chew toys that are basically indestructible, Kongs that can be stuffed with healthy foods or chew treats that are designed to be safely digestible. Long, stringy things are a feline's dream, but the most risky toys for cats involve ribbon, yarn and loose little parts that can get stuck in the intestines, often necessitating surgery. Surprise kitty with a new ball that's too big to swallow, a stuffed catnip toy or the interactive cat dancer and tons of play sessions together. Forget the Mistletoe & Holly Holly, when ingested, can cause pets to suffer nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Mistletoe can cause gastrointestinal upset and cardiovascular problems. And many varieties of lilies, can cause kidney failure in cats if ingested. Opt for just-as-jolly artificial plants made from silk or plastic, or choose a pet-safe bouquet. Leave the Leftovers Fatty, spicy and no-no human foods, as well as bones, should not be fed to your furry friends. Pets can join the festivities in other fun ways that won't lead to costly medical bills. That Holiday Glow Don't leave lighted candles unattended. Pets may burn themselves or cause a fire if they knock candles over. Be sure to use appropriate candle holders, placed on a stable surface. And if you leave the room, put the candle out! Wired Up Keep wires, batteries and glass or plastic ornaments out of paws' reach. A wire can deliver a potentially lethal electrical shock and a punctured battery can cause burns to the mouth and esophagus, while shards of breakable ornaments can damage your pet's mouth. House Rules If your animal-loving guests would like to give your pets a little extra attention and exercise while you're busy tending to the party, ask them to feel free to start a nice play or petting session. Put the Meds Away Make sure all of your medications are locked behind secure doors, and be sure to tell your guests to keep their meds zipped up and packed away, too. Careful with Cocktails If your celebration includes adult holiday beverages, be sure to place your unattended alcoholic drinks where pets cannot get to them. If ingested, your pet could become weak, ill and may even go into a coma, possibly resulting in death from respiratory failure. A Room of Their Own Give your pet his own quiet space to retreat to complete with fresh water and a place to snuggle. Shy pups and cats might want to hide out under a piece of furniture, in their carrying case or in a separate room away from the hubbub. New Year's Noise As you count down to the new year, please keep in mind that strings of thrown confetti can get lodged in a cat's intestines, if ingested, perhaps necessitating surgery. Noisy poppers can terrify pets and cause possible damage to sensitive ears. Reprinted by permission of the ASPCA. For more information, visit their website at www.aspca.org.

Please Welcome the Chamber s Newest Members! Jennifer s Closet 52 Lawrence Avenue Ellwood City, PA 16117 724-698-8013 Email: snaffawizzle@gmail.com Mike Romigh, DJ/Emcee P.O. Box 142 Koppel, PA 16136 724-923-9221 Email: romigh.mike@gmail.com Make her special day truly unique and beautiful.

8 T & M Hardware Offers Safe & Affordable Tools & Tips for the Holidays T&M Hardware and Rental s Original Store in Ellwood City The holidays are always hectic - lots of shopping to do, cookies and pies to bake and houses to decorate inside and out. Add the many commitments to friends, families and co-workers and you have a recipe for exhaustion! Unfortunately, when we are tired or busy, we tend to rush things. The weather can complicate things even farther by being unpredictable and dangerous. Icy sidewalks, damp basements and more can lead to injuries. Families also often invest in home improvements and redecorating projects just before the holidays so they can show off their beautiful new kitchens, bathrooms or living rooms to their holiday guests. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of injuries and accidents by paying close attention to the quality of tools and materials you use and taking some advice from the experts. T& M Hardware has put together a complete line of products that can be purchased locally to help ensure that your home is safe both during and after the holidays. In 23 years of business, they have never run out of salt for sidewalks and driveways, even during the harshest winters on record. T & M Hardware Has What It Takes to Make Holidays Safer This year, T & M Hardware is helping their customers with their "Build A Better Christmas" promotion. Each week, they will be offering specials and ideas each week to help them save money on interior and outdoor decorating supplies, unique gifts for under the tree and beautiful ways to deck the halls. T & M's investments in a safer holiday include: 50% off table and chair rentals for the week of Christmas and New Year's so that customers don't rely on old, dangerous or weak folding chairs or wobbly tables that could cause injuries. Tips for properly installing and securing seasonal décor and lighting so that guests won't trip over wires or sustain an injury due to an improperly secured decoration. Carrying only Christmas lights that are UL listed (meaning they've passed U.S. safety inspections) Always having enough sidewalk salt and ice melt on hand when ice and snow hits the area Because money can be tight at this time of year, T & M regularly offers specials to encourage people to invest in new, safer holiday equipment. Scaffolding rentals so that it's easier and safer to put up outdoor Christmas lights without having to rely on a ladder, which can be unstable. It's also quicker and more efficient to use scaffolding. Holiday Gift Shopping at the Hardware Store? Yes! T & M Hardware now has five locations: Ellwood City, Harmony, New Castle and Bellevue, PA as well as East Palestine, Ohio. Regular customers may be surprised to find that each T & M Hardware carries not only the hardware and tools needed to keep their homes secure and in good repair, but also various lines of gift items for under the tree. They carry a complete line of Made in America and U.S. based products such as Channel Lock, Stihl, Carhartt, Scott's, Milwaukee, Quickrete and Sherwin Williams as well as T & M's own "Do It Best" brands. Continued on Page 7

9 Continued from Page 6 But shoppers don't have to stop at tools and supplies when shopping at T & M Hardware. They can also find an impressive selection of gifts and stocking stuffers for every age groups. Among the most popular gift items are phone chargers, bling keys, scissors, potpourri, Carhartt clothing, hand and body lotions, manicure items and an assortment of delicious holiday candies. Holiday Safety Tips from T & M Hardware The owners of T & M Hardware, Tim and Mary Post, want everyone to have a safe and happy holiday, so they've put together these holiday safety tips: Use timers for holiday lights (and lights in general) to prevent them from overheating and to illuminate outdoor areas to prevent slips and falls Consider an exterior motion sensor light if you frequently have visitors during the holidays so that your guests can see clearly when approaching your house. Electrical cords should be wrapped with electrical tape in a plastic bag when used outdoors to waterproof them and protect against the wind and other elements. Make sure surfaces are stable and solid when using ladders to hang Christmas lights and decorations. Consider investing in scaffolding if you have a lot of lights to hang on more than one side of your house. Real Christmas trees can become a fire hazard if they dry out. Keep them generously watered and use a commercial preservative to keep them from becoming brittle. Misting the needles also helps. Invest in a Creosote Sweeping Log (CSL) to clean your chimney's flue to prevent backdrafts that could push fire into your home. Make sure your walkways and driveways are adequately salted to prevent your family and friends from slipping and falling when they visit, particularly since they may have their arms full of packages. Keep holiday plants such as poinsettias, Christmas cactus and mistletoe away from children and pets. They can be toxic and in some cases are poisonous. T & M Hardware is dedicated to providing a true, hometown shopping experience based on exceptional customer service. Listening and responding to their customers' needs has allowed them to stock all of their stores with the best products and services. They take pride in ensuring that shoppers can find all the hardware items they need without taking time away from their family to drive out of town looking for products at several different stores. ***** Did you know that each year there are approximately 20,000 rent-a-santas across the United States? Rent-a-Santas usually undergo seasonal training on how to maintain a jolly attitude under pressure from the public. They also receive practical advice, such as not accepting money from parents while children are looking and avoiding garlic, onions, or beans for lunch.

The Ellwood City Area Chamber of Commerce Wishes All Our Members, Friends and Supporters a Very Happy Holiday and a Joyous New Year! David DeCaria, President Terri Stramba, Retiring Executive Director Lori Hilliard, Executive Director Nicole Mars. Executive Assistant www.ellwoodchamber.org Help Keep Us Covered! Ellwood City United Fund PO Box 174 Ellwood City, PA 16117 Total Gift: $ The United Fund Gets Your Contribution To Those Who Are In Need Paid Now: $ Balance Due $ Yes, I want to help. Please bill me for the balance due: Monthly Quarterly Other (specify ) Yes, I want to help and will remit the balance due:. Monthly Quarterly Other (specify ) Signature : Date: Make Checks Payable to: Ellwood City United Fund Make A Difference, Leave A Legacy