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CHAMBER CHATTERS

January 13, 2017
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Chamber News
On April 26, 2017, the Tamaqua Area Chamber of will hold our 65th Annual Community Dinner, during which the 2017 Community Progress Report will be presented. This progress report contains information, pictures, and updates on the projects that have taken place within the entire Tamaqua Area throughout the previous year. Click on the image above to view the 2016 Community Progress Report.
 
This progress report is used as a marketing piece throughout the year to promote the Tamaqua area to potential investors, consumers, developers, businesses, and residents. The report is distributed to area real estate agencies, organizations, as well as the chamber’s web site.
 
As a vital member of our community, we are asking that you support our continuing efforts by placing an advertisement in the report. Over 200 printed copies of the report were distributed last year. The online accessibility increases the value of the report for the community and our supporters. Copies of the report are also provided to each advertiser.
 
The dinner also features the presentation of the annual Citizenship Award as well as Business Person of the Year. Keynote speaker to be announced.
 
Fill out the AD FORM ON OUR WEB SITE and return it to the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce before April 3, 2017, so that we can include your business in this valuable marketing piece.
 
Thank you for your continued support of these efforts to improve our community!
 

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS


The Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce is now accepting nominations for the 2017 Joseph M. Plasko Citizen of the Year and 2017 Business Person of the Year. Awards will be presented at the chamber's annual dinner in April. Nominations are due by March 3 at noon.

Stop in at the chamber office during business hours for a form or follow the link below for the forms on our web site:

http://www.tamaqua.net/newsandevents/citizenandbusinesspersonnominationforms.html
The Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce
thanks the following Holiday Lighting Sponsors
for their generous donations to help keep the lights on
H&R Block Tax & Business Services - 395 E Broad St, Tamaqua, 570.668.2527

Boyer's Food Market - 210 Cedar St, Tamaqua, 570.668.2538

Christine Holman, Schuylkill County District Attorney

Shafer's Pharmacy - 11 Center St, Tamaqua, 570.668.0290

Santa Claus, on behalf of an anonymous donor

Sean McLaughlin, DMD - 12 Ortega St, Tamaqua, 570.668.2339

Banning Orthodontics - 17 West Broad St, Tamaqua, 570.952.6151

Tamaqua Rotary Club

Flexer Photography - 20 Field Road, Tamaqua, 570.467.3125

Major Sharon Whispell, in memory of Uncle Donald Lattrel, Vietnam Veteran

Manda Smarr

 

HOMETOWN HERO BANNER PROGRAM 2017
Following the popularity of the 2013 banner program, The Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce a new banner program for 2017. The new Hometown Heroes program is intended to honor any local hometown hero who has provided beneficial service to the Tamaqua area. These heroes may include first responders, organization volunteers, civic leaders, active military, veterans, and may be living or deceased.

There was a waiting list from the 2013 banner program, and those people are being contacted first. The remaining banners will be sold on a first come, first served basis.

Anyone who currently has a banner on display, please contact the chamber to let us know if you'd like to keep the banner when it is taken down. We are also looking into the possibility of displaying those banners in local buildings for anyone who does not wish to keep their banner.

Please see the chamber's web site for more information:
http://tamaqua.net/newsandevents/bannerprogram.html
 
  • Dress for Success Clothing Drive for Step-Up Tamaqua Do you have business attire you no longer need? Would you like to help people in recovery get back on their feet and contribute to our community? Donate your business attire in good condition to Step-Up Tamaqua by dropping off at the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce during business hours. For more information, contact Todd Zimmerman at tzimmerman@lccc.edu.
     
  • NEW CHAMBER MEMBERSHIPS ARE ACCEPTED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. You can find an application at this link: 2017 Membership Application or contact us at chamber@tamaqua.net for a new membership packet. Any Tamaqua area business, individual, or organization can join.


 
CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS
Hey, everyone! We are going to start off 2017 with some fun raffles that will hopefully benefit surrounding organizations and individuals! Dn'A Bikes in Tamaqua has donated several used bikes. This youth bike will be the first one raffled off. To get a raffle ticket, you have to donate an item. Items eligible for donation will include, canned food goods (benefits Salvation Army) pet food or pet supplies (benefits SPCA) new with tags pajama sets and clothes (benefits various other charitable organizations). The raffle for this bike will end January 13th. The winner will be picked that day. Thanks and good luck!!

Tamaqua YMCA
1201 E Broad St
Tamaqua, Pennsylvania
Call (570) 668-2903
High school seniors can now apply for a Pennsylvania House of Representatives Scholarship to help cover the costs of higher education. Each year, two students preparing for post-secondary education are awarded four-year scholarships through the program. It is open to graduating high school seniors who are Pennsylvania residents with plans to attend a Pennsylvania college, university or career school as a full-time student.

Students must have attained a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average in high school in order to be eligible for the scholarship. A student’s commitment to community, leadership qualities, extracurricular activities and financial need are also taken into consideration.

To apply, interested students should visit www.RepKnowles.com and click on House Scholarship Information. The application deadline is March 1, 2017. The program is privately funded by individual and corporate donors. No tax money or other public funds are used.
Shafer's Pharmacy
11 Center St.
Tamaqua, PA 18252
(570)668-0290
Fax: (570)668-2454
 
FREE DELIVERY IN TAMAQUA!

Check out out monthly specials: http://www.shaferpharm.com/Specials.html

Pharmacy Hours:
Monday: 9AM - 7PM
Tuesday: 9AM - 7PM
Wednesday: 9AM - 6PM
Thursday: 9AM - 7PM
Friday: 9AM- 6PM
Saturday: 9AM - 2PM
Sunday: Closed

Hawk Mountain launches new Distance Education programs

Extending the Sanctuary's educational outreach
 
On January 9, 2017, the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary education team launched its new Distance Education programs, which are offered free of charge for any participating class or group.
 
Financial, transportation, geographic, and time constraints can prevent schools and other groups from taking field trips.  Distance education allows students anywhere to engage and learn about raptors without having to attend the Sanctuary.
 
Learning is facilitated via the Skype videoconferencing platform and supports incorporating technology in the classroom (STEM). Student engagement is assured via the use of a raptor trunk filled with learning materials used during the program and sent prior to the program. 
 
Program topics include the history of Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, raptor adaptations, migration strategies, types of raptors, trapping and tracking (data and migration movements), conservation efforts, and a live raptor.  Additionally, programs can be modified according to classroom needs. 
 
Programs are aligned with the PA Department of Education’s Environment and Ecology Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards.  Raptor trunks are available for elementary and middle school levels at this time, and the high school level trunk will be available at the beginning of June. The trunks contain materials and resources for use before, during and after the program. 
 
"We love the idea of extending our educational reach, and allowing students across the country access to the same advantages of a field trip to Hawk Mountain. Moving forward, we would like to branch out internationally, working with schools in Central and South America," says Director of Education Erin Brown.
 
For more information, go to hawkmountain.org/distanceeducation or visit the Hawk Mountain blog and podcast at raptordiaries.com.
 
The 2,500-acre Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is the world’s first refuge for birds of prey and is open to the public year-round by trail-fee or membership, which in turn supports the non-profit organization’s raptor conservation mission and local-to-global research, training, and education programs. To learn more about Hawk Mountain or other programs, please call 610-756-6961 or visit www.hawkmountain.org.
 
Follow the link below for M&S Hardware's coupon book:
M&S Hardware Coupon Book

M & S Hardware
10 West Broad Street
Tamaqua PA  18252
570-668-3838 Phone     570-668-3839 Fax
Store Hours:  Mon-Fri 7:30-5:30   Sat 8:00-3:00  Sunday-Closed
 
February is Dental Health Awareness month for both pets and people. As in past years we will be providing dental cleanings with a 10% discount. All our home care dental products will also be 10% off. If you are interested in scheduling your pet please call early so we can accommodate you.
Friday, February 3 at 6:30 PM - 8 PM
New Life Assembly of God
407 Schuylkill Ave, Tamaqua, Pennsylvania 18252
RSVP by calling 570-668-4059

At a time when family togetherness is hard to come by, we welcome you to join us for a FREE event geared for families with children age 4-14!

Everyone welcome!

Games and Activities!

Prize Wheel!

Puppets!
 
Copyright © 2017 Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce, All rights reserved.