Contents PAGE 2
• Recipe by Alexi Keller
PAGE 3
• The Inn at Sabbath Rest
PAGE 4
• Kids’ Corner
PAGE 5
• Summer Employee Picnics • A Mane Thing in Common
TODAY
PAGE 6
• Employee Spotlight • Looking Forward • Geneva Update • A Note from the Newsletter Committee
FALL 2026
A NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE TEAM Dustin Martin At Martin’s, one of our seven core values is Personal & Professional Development. There is a quote from Warren Buffett that says, “The most important investment you can make is in yourself.” Investing in oneself is more than school or seminars. Investing in yourself is a process of four steps. Those four steps are: 1. Ask “Why?” 2. Gather information. 3. Apply the information. 4. Reflect on the result. Professionally, Martin’s has many front-line workers who ask questions of “Why?” Why is the softener, appliance or furnace not working? They troubleshoot to gather information and contact a more experienced technician. They begin to install the part and solution. Lastly, they perform a test run to analyze the result. In our personal lives we need to use the same four steps to grow as individuals. We ask, “Why do I think or behave or feel a certain way?” We gather information, consult with trusted friends, seek advice from mentors or pastors. We then begin to apply the information to our lives and relationships. Lastly, we reflect on the fruit or outcomes of those decisions. There is a single attribute that starts the process and ends the process – meekness. In short, meekness is strength under control. Meekness is curiosity to ask why; it is capacity to learn; it is courage to apply the information; it is contemplating the result. Meekness will impact your development professionally and personally. At Martin’s, it will also leave a positive impact on the lives of those we serve, and in turn glorifies Christ.
Martin Today • FALL 2026 • Page 1
INGREDIENTS MUFFINS 2 cups all-purpose flour 3 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 cup sugar 3 tablespoons melted butter, cooled 1 egg 1 cup milk (plus more if needed) CINNAMON FILLING/TOPPING 1 cup brown sugar, loosely packed 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans or walnuts (optional) 3 tablespoons melted butter CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
Cinnamon Roll Muffins Recipe by
Alexi Keller
INSTRUCTIONS 1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease a 12-cup muffin tin. 2. MAKE BATTER: Sift dry ingredients (flour, baking powder, salt, sugar) in a large bowl. Whisk wet ingredients (butter, egg, milk) in another. Pour wet into dry; stir until just combined. 3. MAKE FILLING: Mix brown sugar, cinnamon, nuts and melted butter. 4. Gently fold half of the filling into the batter. 5. Spoon batter into muffin cups (about 1/4 cup each). Top with remaining filling.
2 oz. cream cheese, softened
6. Bake 12 to 15 minutes until tops spring back. Cool slightly on a wire rack.
1 cup powdered sugar 1 tablespoon milk
7. MAKE FROSTING: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle over warm muffins.
dash of vanilla extract
PREP: 20 MIN. | COOK: 15 MIN. | TOTAL: 35 MIN. | YIELD: 12 MUFFINS
Submit your recipe! Page 2 • FALL 2026 • Martin Today
THE INN AT SABBATH REST In 1830, an ironmaster named Martin Bell built a big brick house a few miles north of Altoona, Pennsylvania. He established an iron-ore furnace nearby and named it Elizabeth Furnace. As a devout Christian, he was opposed to forcing his employees to work seven days a week, so he developed a firebanking method that allowed the furnace workers to take Sunday off. As a result, the village surrounding Elizabeth Furnace became known as Sabbath Rest. Today, the furnace is in ruins and the village has been absorbed by the Pinecroft suburb of Altoona. All that remains of Martin Bell’s legacy is the brick house on Sabbath Rest Road, next to the Martin Companies’ Altoona location. When the house was put on the real-estate market in 2023, Linford Leinbach, the appliance manager at the Altoona store, and his wife walked through it and loved it at first sight. Despite being 193 years old, the house was relatively wellpreserved, although it needed more thorough maintenance and updating than its elderly owner could provide. It had all the character of an earlier age when craftsmanship was valued. In its seven bedrooms, five bathrooms, and spacious first floor, there was potential for it to once again be a place of welcome and rest. When the keys to the brick house became theirs, the work began in the dated and poorly designed kitchen. One crowbar led to another, and ultimately the whole space was gutted down to the original plaster walls and hardwood floors. During the remodel, a crumpled newspaper was pulled out of a knothole. It was the front page of the Philadelphia Inquirer dated April 25, 1863, thirteen days after the Civil War started. All remodeling efforts attempted to honor the house’s history while still providing the modern conveniences we expect. Minisplits were meticulously installed by a Martin’s crew, and new kitchen appliances were selected by how well they suited a house nearly 200 years old. As with any old house, the work is never quite done, but after a year, the house received a name and a new assignment. The Inn at Sabbath Rest is now available as a short-term rental that serves large groups and families well. The Inn also houses Martin employees when they come to the Altoona location, and the surrounding large yard has provided a location for Martin’s Central PA summer picnic. Linford and his wife feel honored to be the next caretakers of a beautiful piece of local history.
Martin Today • FALL 2026 • Page 3
KIDS’ CORNER CAN YOU FIND THE MARTIN MAN HIDING ON THIS PAGE?
FALL
family activities
• Sip Warm Apple Cider or a Pumpkin Flavored Drink
• Look for Colorful Leaves
• Go on a Hayride
• Decorate a Pumpkin • Enjoy a Seasonal Treat (a caramel apple, pumpkin pie, or apple cider donuts)
MEMORY VERSE OF THE DAY
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” - Ecclesiastes 3:1
Guess who Zach bumped into on the way to get his glasses fixed? Everybody Martin Today • FALL 2026 • Page 4
SUMMER PICNICS Our Summer Picnic is more than a day of food and fun, it reflects how much we value family and connection. This year, employees and their families gathered for two celebrations: one for our employees local to Lancaster, Lebanon and Berks Counties, and another for our Altoona team. These events gave us an opportunity to connect beyond the workplace, strengthen relationships, and make memories with the people who matter most. Thank you to everyone who attended and to those who helped make both Summer Picnic gatherings possible!
A MANE THING IN COMMON Before her workday begins at our New Providence location, Furniture Sales Consultant Sherri Sprout likes to stop by and visit her horse, Vegas. Spending time with him is a favorite part of her morning routine, and the pair have formed a close bond. Sherri acquired Vegas from another familiar face on our team, Loren Martin, a Water Conditioning Sales Consultant based in Brownstown. Loren owns several horses and enjoys training and riding them in his free time.
Page 5 • FALL 2026 • Martin Today
d
ad
en
This photo of Sherri and Vegas comes courtesy of Chadd Pham, Furniture Sales Manager at New Providence, who enjoys photography outside of work. With Sherri’s love of horses and Chadd’s interest in photography, the image captures how shared interests can connect r us beyond the workplace. Lo Ch
Looking Forward
Employetleight Spo
EMPLOYEE BANQUET Saturday, January 23rd Shady Maple Save the date for our annual banquet! Doors open at 5:00pm • Dinner at 5:30pm
BRYSON WEBER Bryson Weber has been a valued member of Martin Companies for four years and is a leader on our Reading installation team. Known for his creativity, quality workmanship, and genuine care for clients, Bryson consistently goes above and beyond. His dedication is reflected in his many five-star reviews, including one client who said, “If I could, I would give 10 stars!” Bryson also finds thoughtful ways to brighten clients’ days, from surprising someone with a birthday gift to sending flowers to a client celebrating her 100th birthday. He is always dreaming up new ways to serve others, including an appliance and water themed coloring book for children to enjoy during installations. Outside of work, Bryson enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, campfires, cooking, and anything outdoors. We are blessed to have Bryson on our team!
Going through a hard time?
Email Delmar Weaver, Our Chaplain! chaplain@martincompanies.com
GENEVA UPDATE
We’re excited to share that our Martin Water Conditioning location in Geneva, New York is complete! We celebrated the grand opening the first weekend in October, marking a milestone for our team. A lot of planning and teamwork went into bringing this location to life, and we’re grateful to everyone who played a part. With Geneva now open, we look forward to welcoming new customers and serving more communities across New York.
A NOTE FROM THE NEWSLETTER COMMITTEE Our newsletter is better with your input! If you have ideas, announcements, or feedback you’d like to share for future editions, please feel free to reach out to any of the committee members: Autumn Aukamp | Shana Beachy | Amanda Kipe | Todd Martin | Sydney Purcell
Share Your Feedback!
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU! Any employee who shares feedback or a recipe will be entered to WIN a $50 Visa gift card!
Page 6 • FALL 2026 • Martin Today
Congratulations to the winner from our summer issue: NEVIN BOWMAN!