L IANCE L A
AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
THE
CHAMBER News Volume 23, Issue No. 1 | January 2024
2024 OBOC DUSTIN BURGESS CLTC
Auto, Home, Life, Business and Financial Services 330-821-8567
www.BurgessinsuranceGroup.com
The 2024 pick for One Book, One Community has been announced.
Staffing Solutions
If you’ve ever felt like you weren’t being heard, then you can relate to Iris. She is the 12-year-old protagonist in the 2024 one book one community selection – Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly.
Labor Skilled Trades Clerical
(330) 938-6717
Iris is a technical genius, but being the only deaf girl in her school, people don’t always recognize her for her intelligence and she often feels like no one is listening to her. When she hears about Blue 55, a whale whose song is so off-pitch that he is unable to communicate with other whales, Iris believes she understands how he must feel. She becomes obsessed with creating a song just for him so that he will know that he is not alone and she’s willing to break a few rules to reach him 3,000 miles away. Kelly, a sign language interpreter, won the 2020 Schneider Family Book Award for Song for a Whale, which was also named one of the best books of the year by New York Public Library. BE A
LION
AND SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY
INTERESTED IN JOINING THE ALLIANCE LIONS CLUB? CALL: 330-206-1179
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Copies of the book are available for sale at Rodman Library and the Branch at a cost of $8.99 plus tax. Programs and a date for a visit by the author will be announced in January.
CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK Annual Holiday Event
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Find Your Friends at Copeland Oaks Staying socially engaged is essential to maintaining physical and mental wellbeing.
Ways our residents stay social: Interest groups and clubs Volunteer opportunities
Commit to an independent villa or apartment and we will cover your moving expenses up to $1,500!
Community planned events Indoor and outdoor recreation Personal training and fitness classes Spiritual groups Gathering with friends At Copeland Oaks we offer a worry-free, safe, and fun environment where seniors can thrive emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Visit our website or set up a private tour to learn more.
www.copelandoaks.com Independent Villas and Apartments | Catered Living | Assisted Living | Memory Care | On-Site skilled nursing
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Cheers
TO THESE CHAMBER MEMBERS
YOUTH PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AWARD
ALLSTAFF CITED FOR GROWTH NEW YORK, Inc. recently revealed that AllStaff ranks No. 3767 on the 2023 Inc. 5000, its annual list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. AllStaff was recognized as the fastest growing company in the Youngstown-WarrenBoardman area in 2023.
Congratulations to Tannenhauf’s Mary Suitca on being named the 2023 Northern Ohio PGA Youth Player Development Award winner!
The Inc. 5000 class of 2023 represents companies that have driven rapid revenue growth while navigating inflationary pressure, the rising costs of capital, and seemingly intractable hiring challenges. Among this year’s top 500 companies, the average median three-year revenue growth rate ticked up to an astonishing 2,238 percent. In all, this year’s Inc. 5000 companies have added 1,187,266 jobs to the economy over the past three years.
415 GROUP PROMOTION Todd Ruggles has been promoted to tax partner at 415 Group. Todd has been with the firm for 13 years, focusing on tax services in the real estate, construction, manufacturing/distribution and health care industries. He also coordinates and review engagements with a variety of clients while also supervising internal processes and developing staff members. In addition to tax projects, he also works on various business consulting, entity structuring and estate planning engagements.
Recognized by the National Committee on Quality Assurance
www.ncqa.or
Mark E. Hostettler, MD David B. Kimbell, MD Pamela A. Rodocoy, MD Matthew Gooch, CNP Quinn M. Repp, PAǦC Sheri Siefke, Practice Manager
SHOWROOM HOURS Mon-Tues-Wed-Fri: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Thu: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm Sat: 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Welcoming New Patients
Alliance (330) 821Ǧ3244 Canton (330) 492Ǧ8117 Minerva (330) 868Ǧ3711 www.impdoctors.com
2155 W. Main St. Alliance, OH 44601 330-821-9180 5
CHRISTMAS FIESTA
Chamber Holiday Gathering
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CHAMBER TIP CLUBS, WOMEN’S DIVISION PARTICIPATE IN HOLIDAY OUTREACH All three Alliance Area Chamber of Commerce Tip Clubs and the members of the Chamber’s Women’s Division adopted families for the 2023 holiday season through the YWCA Family Outreach program. Club members provided gifts for each member of each family, making a significant difference in the lives of a number of residents in our Alliance community.
Tannenhauf GOLF CLUB
Givens-Grove INSURANCE
75 South Union Ave. GIVENS-GROVE INSURANCE Tracy Grove
FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1959 18 Championship Holes Driving Range and Practice Facility Pro Shop and Snack Bar League Openings and Outings Welcome
(330) 823-4402
11411 McCallum Ave., Alliance www.tannenhaufgolf.net
Tracy Grove
GIVENS-GROVE INSURANCE 401 S. Arch Ave. 401 S. Arch Ave. 401 S. ArchAlliance, Ave. OH 44601 Alliance, OHAlliance, 44601 OH (330) 821-246344601 Phone: 330-821-2463 givensinsurance@ Phone: 330-821-2463 Fax: 330-821-2147 sbcglobal.net Fax: 330-821-2147
Alliance, OH 44601 (330) 823-1050 www.ctcfuneral.com
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givensinsurance@sbcglobal.net The Motorist Insurance Group, You know us.®
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Group, You know us.® 9
STATE LICENSE #14619 475 E. State St., Alliance, OH 44601 Residential Commercial Industrial Farm Wiring Generators Bucket Truck Service
(330) 821-7438 office@paulielectric.com
PAULIELECTRIC.COM
ALLIANCE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE The Alliance Area Chamber of Commerce is working hard to help local businesses grow and succeed. We offer multiple sponsorships for events and opportunities throughout the year to help market and promote member businesses and community leaders. Benefits to consider when sponsoring events and programs include the following: • New business relationships & networking opportunities • Acquire customer referrals • Increase your visibility in the community by demonstrating civic engagement • Advertising & publicity opportunities • Association with high profile businesses • Stay up to date on community events • Bring credibility to your business and more! Reach out to our Vice President of Marketing & Development at faye@allianceohiochamber.org for more info on sponsorship opportunities for 2024.
SHOUTOUT TO OUR NEW MEMBERS
The Alliance Chamber welcomes the following new members. Stark Solar Scratch Steakhouse and Lounge 10
Glamorgan Castle – Alliance
here for in your community because you matter.
Aultman is proud to be the area’s first and only independent health system. We are one team, joined together and committed to one mission — to lead our community to improved health. And we’ve always been here, dedicated to providing YOU with the very best in care, wellness, education, insurance, and more. For your community, for your family … we are always here for you.
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© 2023 The Aultman Health Foundation
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WOMEN’S DIVISION Updates
University of Mount Union. The menu, cost for the meeting, and details regarding registration will be send via email in mid-January.
FABULOUS FOOD FEST The Alliance Area Chamber of Commerce Women’s Division held its annual Fabulous Food Fest Holiday Auction in December. “Everything Food” was the focus of the evening. The event featured swag bags offering a chance to win gift cards, lottery tickets, trinkets, or items from the auction’s wine, spirits, and beer table; a 50/50 drawing; and food-themed items up for bid during the live auction.
During the meeting, the Women’s Division will install its 2024 officers. They are Lisa Trummer, president; Staci Gurney, vice president; Sue Grove, treasurer; Heidi Loy, assistant treasurer; Beth Ryan secretary; Brenda Pauli, assistant treasurer; Stacie Bacorn, chair of the Board; and directors Nicole Brown, Jenna Greiner, Connie Mohr, Sue Neil, Barbara Shoemaker, and Amy Beth Williamson.
Overall, the fundraiser brought in more than $7,000, all of which was given back to the Alliance community to organizations that support women and children through the organization’s annual disbursement process.
In addition, the following individuals will serve as committee chairs or in appointed positions in 2024 – Dottie Callender and Nancy Castellucci, Athena Award Committee chairs; Janet Dillon, Budget Committee chair; Linda Fergason, Civic Affairs Committee chair; Marikay Colbert, historian; Missie Gardner, Membership Committee chair; Patti Wallick, Nominating Committee chair; Laura Good, parliamentarian; Brooke Guiley, Publicity Committee chair; Karen Locke, Sunshine Committee chair; and Amy Beth Williamson and Jenna Greiner, Ways and Means Committee chairs.
ANNUAL CHARITABLE DISBURSEMENTS As a result of numerous fundraisers and the generosity of the Alliance community, the Women’s Division was able to disburse $15,000 in funds in December to several organizations that serve women and children in the Alliance area. The following six organizations were the beneficiaries of $2,000 disbursements – Women of Courage, Local Hope, Clothed in Righteousness, the Alliance Food Pantry, the Alliance Domestic Violence Shelter, and the Alliance YWCA. Receiving $1,000 disbursements were the Early Childhood Education Alliance, the Alliance Pregnancy Center, and the Salvation Army,
WOMEN’S DIVISION MEMBERSHIP Did you know that Alliance Area Chamber of Commerce members can have up to five employees serving on Women’s Division? If your business currently has less than five attending, we encourage you to consider appointing additional representatives. We would love to see your business or organization fully represented at our next meeting. If you have questions, please reach out to Membership Committee Chair Missie Gardner at gardnemf@mountunion.edu.
FEBRUARY MEETING AND OFFICER INSTALLATION The February meeting will be held on Wednesday, February 7 at 5:15 p.m. at the Haupt House at the 14
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MAIN STREET ALLIANCE Tree Lighting
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LIBRARY
corner
JEFF KENNEDY, MEMBER OF RPL BOOKMOBILE STAFF, TO RETIRE Jeff Kennedy is no stranger to hard work.
work. It’s not back-breaking like some of the jobs that I have had. And my wife always says that I am a people person, so this kind of work has been perfect for me.”
The U.S. Marine Corps veteran has worked at numerous factory jobs – press operator, driving a tow motor, and more. For a short time, he worked at a cleaners. He rebuilt starters and alternators for a while. For about a year, he worked maintenance at a manufacturing facility. He even worked in a retail setting for a while and was offered a management position, but that didn’t quite suit him.
Kennedy studied auto mechanics at Canton Timken High School. However, when he graduated, the job market was bleak, so he set his sights on the military, joining the Marines because he liked the uniform more than the one worn by members of the Air Force. His aptitude tests placed him in a program where instead of being a grunt, he was selected to be a radio operator. That allowed him to travel the world, spending time in both Europe and Asia during his four-year service from 1976-80.
“I consider myself a blue collar kind of guy,” said Kennedy, a Rodman Public Library bookmobile driver who will retire at the end of 2023. “I like to do my work and then enjoy the rest of my day.” Kennedy says that he may have been employed by libraries for the past 16 years, but he never felt like what he was asked to do was work.
“I always sort of just fell into the right situations,” said Kennedy as he reflected back on his working life. “I bounced around from job to job when I first left the Marines. I was always looking for a better opportunity and waiting for the right one to come along.”
“It’s hard to call it work when you enjoy it so much,” smiled Kennedy. “I guess you can call it enjoyable 18
Even after he fell into a good situation at Collins & Aikman, an automotive supplies manufacturer, he liked the challenge of learning and performing different tasks, so he would “switch it up” every once in a while.
on spending more time in his garden and canning the bounty that it provides. “I think the biggest adjustment will be getting out of a routine,” said Kennedy. “And finding other things to do. You can’t always be fishing or in the garden, so I will have to find some other things to keep me busy, and I am sure I will. I am looking forward to having that free time, though. That will be nice.”
And when a neighbor that worked at the Stark County Library told him about a part-time job driving the bookmobile in 2006, he jumped at that opportunity. After working his shift at the factory from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., he would drive a bookmobile to community stops from 5 to 8 p.m.
Kennedy said he will always look at his time driving bookmobiles, and especially at Rodman Public Library, with fondness.
Soon after he took that part-time position, Collins & Aikman shut down. Luckily, Stark County Library had a full-time opening for a bookmobile driver at the same time, so Kennedy slid right into that spot.
“It’s been a good job,” he reflected. “It’s been a great job really. I have enjoyed going to the schools and being with the students. I have so many good memories of helping them find books and trying to understand all their stories they would share. That was always so much fun. And I liked being able to help teachers get the books they needed for their lessons.”
“Like I said, I always sort of fell into the right situations,” said Kennedy, who eventually joined the staff at Rodman Public Library in August 2021. Now, after more than 40 years of punching a time clock, the right situation for Kennedy is spending more time with his wife, Barb; his daughters, Brandi and Abby; and his grandchildren, Coleman, Charlotte, Isaac, Nathan, and Tyler.
Kennedy said he will also miss his RPL co-workers. “People have been great here,” said Kennedy. “It really is a team thing here, and I have enjoyed working with everybody. Hopefully everybody has enjoyed working with me, too.”
He says he is sure to spend a good deal of time doing the things he enjoys, such as fishing and hunting with his son-in-law and good friend, Matt. He also plans
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Services: Obstetrics and Gynecology Family Medicine Walk-In Primary Care X-ray Sliding Fee Scale Available Women’s Health/Family Medicine: 330-249-7011 1401 S. Arch Avenue, Suite A Alliance, OH 44601 www.alliancefamilyhealth.org
Service Above Self
To find out more or join the Rotary Club of Alliance, visit our website.
12435 Rockhill Ave NE Alliance, OH 44601 PHONE 1-800-362-9850 EMAIL info@damonq.com
www.AllianceRotary.org
Experience Our Unique Brand Of Community Banking Service • Commercial Loans • Personal Loans • Mortgage Loans • Checking & Savings Scott D. Lawrence Business Banker
Julie Lee Relationship Manager
610 W. State Street, Alliance • Member FDIC • Equal Housing Lender
UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION
TOMORROW
STARTS HERE To learn more, visit 20
mountunion.edu
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BUSINESS AFTER HOURS The Nest on State
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DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
WEEK OF EVENTS JANUARY 15-18, 2024
MONDAY, JANUARY 15 Registration is required for Monday’s events.
MLK DAY OF SERVICE | VARIOUS LOCATIONS | 9 A.M.
The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Day of Service is a defining moment each year when Americans across the country step up to make communities more equitable and take action to create the Beloved Community of Dr. King’s dream. As part of this event, Americorps invites you to serve as a way to engage with your community and create constructive action, act on Dr. King’s legacy of social justice and equity, and recommit by volunteering to serve others. Volunteers will complete service projects for over 10 local organizations. Registration is required.
HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELLNESS FAIR | ALLIANCE COMMONS* | 11 A.M. TO 3 P.M. MEAL AT ALLIANCE COMMONS | ALLIANCE COMMONS* | NOON TO 1:30 P.M.
Members of the Alliance community and MLK Day of Service volunteers are invited to join for a free meal.
SESSIONS AND DISCUSSION GROUPS | SEE LOCATIONS AND TIMES INDIVIDUALLY LISTED BELOW
Members of the Campus Community are invited to participate in several sessions and discussion groups throughout the day. They include the following: • Session on Mental Health, Alliance Commons*, 11 a.m. • Discussion Group, Alliance Commons*, 12:30 p.m. • Session on Living the Legacy of MLK and Putting Thoughts Into Action, Alliance Commons*, 1:30 p.m. • Trip to Canton for Celebratory Program, departing from the Hoover-Price Campus Center, time TBD
*The Alliance Commons is located at 405 S. Linden Ave. in Alliance.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 16 NATIONAL DAY OF RACIAL HEALING UNITY WALK AND CHAPEL SERVICE | CHAPMAN HALL | 11:15 A.M.
Join for the National Day of Healing Unity Walk and a special chapel service to connect, build relationships, and bridge divides, featuring guest speakers and student involvement. The National Day of Healing Unity Walk will begin at Chapman Hall at 11:15 a.m. A special chapel service will follow.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 18 MLK AWARDS CEREMONY AND KEYNOTE | PRESSER RECITAL HALL, COPE MUSIC HALL | 11:15 A.M.
The keynote address will be presented by Bishop Kenneth W. Paramore. Bishop Paramore, co-founder of the LIFTED Reformation of Christian Churches, founder of Bradley Bible College, and author of She Cost Too Much, Being Single Minded, and Pandemic Preaching: Preaching The Gospel In Times Of Crisis! During the event, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award will be presented to members of both the Mount Union community (student, faculty/staff ) and the Alliance community who best embody the values and principles exemplified by Dr. King.
VISIT MOUNTUNION.EDU/MLK-WEEK FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO REGISTER. ALL SESSIONS ARE OPEN TO THE COMMUNITY. 25
RESERVE SPACE TO ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS IN THE CHAMBER NEWS IN CELEBRATION OF THE PUBLICATION’S 30TH ANNIVERSARY something different.” Please remember that thanks to the new digital format, we can now offer the option of inserting a full-page flyer advertising an upcoming event or opportunity offered by your business at a cost of $150 per issue. There will continue to be no cost for this opportunity if you are a non-profit organization.
The Chamber News begins its 30th year in January! Once again, to help defray costs, we are selling advertising space for the calendar year 2024. We remain committed to offering an array of options at costs that are very reasonable. As you’ll see on the accompanying form, you may still secure an ad for as little as $350 for a 1/16 color ad. Again, this year, we are offering priority placement on the first page of the newsletter for a limited number of ads at an additional cost.
Ad space is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. YOU MUST RESERVE YOUR SPACE FOR 2024 EVEN IF YOU ARE A CURRENT ADVERTISER. Please fill out the advertisement form provided to you to reserve your space for 2024. If you have any questions, please contact our Vice President of Marketing & Development at faye@allianceohiochamber.org
Ad sizes are provided on the accompanying ad placement form. We are pleased to announce that the Chamber will continue to provide ad design services free of charge in 2024. If you need design assistance, please indicate so on your ad reservation form or reach out to the Chamber to be connected with a designer in our community who has volunteered to provide this service for free.
AL
L IANCE
STAFF
Rick Baxter Faye Roller
AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
210 E. Main St., Alliance, OH 44601 Phone (330) 823-6260 faye@allianceohiochamber.org www.allianceohiochamber.org
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OFFICERS
Lisa Trummer Eric Taggart TBD Greg Blasiman Rick Baxter
Thank you in advance for your continued support in the continuing success of The Chamber News!
President Vice President of Marketing and Development
Chair First Vice Chair Second Vice Chair Treasurer Secretary
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BOARD OF DIRECTORS Carl Ammon Grayson Beamer Adam Christian Gary Conny Marcie Curry Chris Debo Melissa Gardner Lisa Gentile Rob Gress Sherry Groom Brenda Johnson Mark Johnson
Laura Kessel Ryan Klusch Julie Lee Frank Minear Dave Mitchell Dave Shroades Eric Taggart Lisa Trummer Stacie Bacorn (Women’s Division)
Rich Burton (ESCSC)