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My original title for this one Dinner a biennial event. The dinner was “Heading to 2020 with a sense of ur- marked its 30th year this past October. gency.” I was sure that I could do better. While the prestige of the event has re- The title above indicates that I was mis- mained at a high level, the number of taken. nominations over the past few years has For the record, my hairline could sus- experienced a drop-off. There is also evi- tain an actual fire for about five seconds. dence that businesspeople are beginning You’d have better luck lighting my eye- brows. to limit the number of evening events My point in all this is that I’m looking they attend. Those factors are likely to The Blair County Chamber of Commerce welcomed its newest members at the spur a healthy amount of discussion. forward to 2020 with a high degree of opti- 548th Breakfast Club in November. Pictured with Chamber Board Member Amy mism, despite the fact that I live in a coun- I With advocacy becoming a top prior- try preparing to ity of the Chamber, the “Blair County Mearkle (far left) are, left to right, Marcia Cumming and Vince Cumming, undertake a presiden- Strong Futures Initiative,” created by our MARCIA’S CHOCOLATES; Jeff A. Dietzel and Jeff J. Dietzel, PREMIER CLEANING tial election that Public Policy Committee and approved by &RESTORATION,INC. promises to be dread- our Board, will be a document that will in- ful. It’s incredibly un- fluence how we keep the business commu- fortunate that our nity at the table on a variety of issues that political process at the have the potential to become political bat- Double the Networking federal level has dete- tlegrounds. The Strong Futures Initiative riorated to the degree came about as the result of some disturb- that the only real ing trends that emerged during last Business After Hours thing that we all have spring’s primary election. JOE HURD in common is that we I If there’s one major obstacle for the Jaffa Shrine Center hope it ends soon. Welcome to the Jaffa Shrine Center, a full Moving on, I have identified a few Chamber to overcome that involves staffing during 2020, it is the announce- service catering facility located in Altoona, PA. things that will impact the Chamber, its The Jaffa Shrine Center has so much to offer ment that Vice-President of Programming members and the Blair County business when planning your next event. With a capacity community during the months ahead. and Education Judy Juda will be retiring of 3,500 in our Auditorium and 900 in our Ban- I At the 2020 Annual Meeting & in June. Judy has been with the Chamber 2200 Broad Avenue, Altoona quet Hall, we are able to accommodate wedding Awards Presentation, the Chamber will for the past twenty-seven years and has receptions, rehearsal dinners, business meetings, present an award that is long overdue. been largely responsible for the growth of conferences, concerts, seminars, trade shows and so much more. Our professional The Educator of the Year Award will ac- the Leadership Blair County program staff will make sure your event is unique and memorable. Please call Heather Chest- knowledge the significant role that our (Adult, Youth and Alumni ) and WE-LEaD ney, Facility Coordinator, at (814) 949-6215 to book your next event. local schools play in preparing our cur- as well as overseeing the planning and ex- rent and future workforce for careers that ecution of Breakfast Club, the Annual are essential to our economic growth. We Meeting & Awards Presentation, the Busi- Thursday, December 19 • 5 -7 p.m. are one of the fortunate counties where ness Excellence Dinner and the Business our businesses and our schools recognize Hall of Fame. The learning-curve for Elmcroft of Altoona the value of working together and actu- Judy’s successor will be ridiculous. ally do it. Clearly, 2020 will be a year of transition Elmcroft of Altoona is a senior care community of- Continuing on the workforce theme, fering personal care and senior housing to give resi- I for the Chamber. Member involvement the Chamber intends to rally the troops to dents the independence they deserve as well as help put together a regional effort that will ad- in programs and events, a key ingredient when they need it. Senior residents at Elmcroft of Al- dress the challenges that our counties face in the organization’s growth, will be more toona choose their own agenda and activities and in a tight labor market. It’s a monumen- important than ever. We will also be in a enjoy a comfortable, sociable, relaxing lifestyle tal effort that will require cooperation recruiting mode to add more of our busi- among the beautiful rolling hills of Blair County. among chambers, economic development nesses to our membership. The strength 170 Red Fox Drive, Altoona organizations, career and technology cen- of our business community will require ters and higher education providers. A that fewer businesses sit on the sideline, heavy lift at a critical time. hoping that others carry the load. Thursday, January 23 • 5 -7 p.m. I As the Chamber embarks on updating On behalf of the Chamber, I wish you a its Strategic Business Plan, expect to see happy holiday season and eagerly antici- On the Cover: Andrea Hammel has owned Peterman’s Flower Shop for the past some changes. One that has already been pate (with smoldering hair) a great 2020! eight years. She has worked at the business for the past twenty-five years. Cover 3 Story 3 Blair Business Mirror www.blairchamber.com On the Cover 100 Years Peterman’s Flower Shop continues impressive history Any business of any they even represent us in kind that is still thriving at DC when necessary.” the ripe old age of 100 is ob- With floral businesses viously doing something aligning to help keep the right. Andrea Hammel has industry strong, does that a tough time not cracking mean that there’s no need a satisfying smile when to compete for customers? confronted with that obser- “To begin with, there are vation. fewer flower shops in Blair As President/Owner/De- County than there were signer at Peterman’s ten years ago,” Hammel Flower Shop in the Juniata disclosed. “Many places section of Altoona, Ham- like Home Depot and gro- mel has worked at the cery stores carry and sell business for the past flowers and plants. I do twenty-five years, prior to not see this as competition. purchasing it eight years Not at all. I have a firm ago. She is philosophical knowledge of what I sell, as she defines her role in confidence in my designs, helping people to express pride in my work, personal their feelings through service and delivery. I’m flowers. pretty sure other flower “My job is to respond-to shops feel the same way. and help people to choose a It’s not an industry that floral tribute pertaining to lends itself to cut-throat any matter of the heart,” tactics.” Hammel points out. “This One change that does ir- could be for sympathy, ritate many florists is the love, congratulations, an- all-too-common obituary niversaries – even just a notation “in lieu of flow- ‘thinking of you’ bouquet ers.” Hammel is not among for someone having a those willing to lose sleep if people choose alterna- tough day. Each phone Brooke Alwine (right), Workroom Manager at Peterman’s Flower Shop, helps prepare a holiday arrangement. call or walk-in customer tives to what many still re- has something important business sees its ups and “Much of my childhood art of floral design. She site is essential – ours gard as a standard happening in their life and downs, but showing people was spent playing in also sent me to learn de- gives people options for tradition. must be handled with that you truly care about mounds of dirt with my sign basics at the Pitts- different occasions, differ- “It doesn’t make me kindness and compas- their needs is so impor- brother in a greenhouse in burgh Floral Academy.” ent styles and different angry at all,” she empha- sion.” tant.