Thursday – January 27: The Wellsville Area Chamber of Commerce held their first monthly luncheon of the new year this past Thursday at Tonda's Place on the Square at 4th St. Chamber President Randy Allmon presided and Paul Blevins gave the invocation.
Before getting started on Chamber business, Allmon dispelled any rumors announcing that he “will not be running for Mayor this year”.
Allmon reported there will be an upcoming trade show this spring sponsored by the Chamber. Although an exact date has not yet been set it will be held at the Alumni Center. Allmon stated it will the first one for the Wellsville Area Chamber and they are kind of excited about it. More details will be forthcoming.
This coming September 11 will be the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. Allmon announced they are getting together with other groups in town for the Chamber to sponsor a program commemorating the tragic events on that date in 2001. More information will be coming at future luncheons.
Newest Chamber members Bill Reiner and George Crews were introduced and welcomed. Allmon also introduced Pam Hoppel who was there representing both the East Liverpool & the CC Chambers of Commerce.
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 396 Business Agent Butch Taylor spoke on the upcoming Special Luncheon at their training facility in Boardman, Ohio. Members of all CC Chambers are invited to the February 23 event. See our post below for more on the luncheon.
Erin Roberts-Orr announced there will be an organizational meeting for anyone interested in participating in the renovation of the old Liberty Theater. The meeting will be held Tuesday, February 8, at the Potter Players Community Theatre (PPCT), 417 15th St., Wellsville, beginning at 6 PM. Orr stated it's a job the PPCT can't do on their own. They need all the help they can get. There's a job for everyone interested and no one will be turned away. It will be an all volunteer community effort. Orr went on to say that “money will our biggest thing. We're kind of searching for some grants and other avenues to secure money. With the current economic times not a whole lot is available to us”.
Orr said she and her father, Bill Roberts, were honored when they were asked to join the PPCT Board of Directors and they will be spearheading the renovation project of the old theater. The meeting is open to the public. There will be some light refreshments served. For more information you can contact Orr at 330-692-2037 or by e-mail at erob1986@hotmail.co. Allmon added the renovation project is very important to our community and the Chamber will be working as a team with the PPCT on this. It farther stated it's not too big of a project if everyone pitches in.
The Business of the Month recipient was Floors By George. See our post below for more on that.
KSU East Liverpool & Salem Campus Director of Student Services & Enrollment Management Shelly Weekley-Lingenfelter was the guest speaker. Mrs. Lingenfelter is the daughter of Jeff & Linda Weekley. She grew up in town and is a Wellsville resident. Mrs. Lingenfelter has been with Kent State for 10 years and came to East Liverpool five years ago as an Assistant Director. She is pictured above with Professor Paul Blevins.
The KSU regional campuses offer 28 degree programs. Most are Associate Degrees in such programs as nursing, physical therapy & occupational therapy assistants, business management and computer technology. Chamber member Paul Blevins has taught in the Justice program for the past 40 years.
Increasingly popular is the Seniors to Sophomores Program where high school students can attend both high school and college at the same time working toward an Associate Degree. Wellsville High School had some students named to the KSU/EL Dean's List just this past semester. Erin Roberts-Orr's brother, Adam, got his high school diploma and his Associate's degree at the same time when he graduated at WHS.
Lingenfelter reported that in the past two years over $100,000 in scholarships have been awarded at the EL campus alone. She noted that over 95% of all students are receiving some type of financial aid. Everyone that applied got at least $500 in scholarships. Tuition is $2.555 a semester compared to $18,000/year for the Main Campus. For out of state students the tuition is $3,351 per semester. It is easy to understand why enrollment is steadily increasing on the local campuses.
Before adjourning, Chamber member Mary Beth Morse announced that the play “Salem's Daughter” will be the next PPCT production. Performances will be February 25 & 26 and again March 4, 5 & 6. Morse stated the play is about teenage girls that grew up together and something went “horribly wrong at a birthday party”and how they have dealt with that a few years later. Morse said there is some angst and some drama and the play is not for young kids but felt teenagers will really enjoy it. Mary Beth also invited everyone to attend the February 8 meeting.
The next scheduled luncheon is Thursday, March 31, at a location to be announced.
ole nib
No comments:
Post a Comment