Members reported news:
Sweet Tooth is starting work on "Small Business Saturday" and will have a booth at the Apple 'n Cheese Festival for the first time.
Chemung Canal Trust Co. manager Kim Bailey will be among those in a "mock jail" on September 19 to raise funds for breast cancer research.
The VIA is starting its new meeting year. Normally the group does not meet over summer but next year will not meet in January or February.
The Housing Authority is planning a nutrition event at McCallum Manor.
First Citizens Community Bank has been training Cathy Watkins as a new branch manager in the Troy office. She was present at today's meeting and said, "Haley Walters is a wonderful trainer!"
The Ministerial Association reported that the All-Church Picnic was a huge success, and fed at least 200 people. "It was a good time and a good day," reported Pastor Jerry Schmidt. He invited members to the Ecumenical Parish supper on September 8.
The Football Hall of Fame video had its premiere showing at the Rialto on September 4. Thursdays at the Rialto will resume on September 17 with Devon Franks, who is from Troy.
CarQuest's Dean Vanderpool reported that he was "trying to keep America going."
Schoonover's recommend folks get their furnaces serviced for fall and winter.
Robyn Chamberlain of the Bradford County Tourist Promotion Agency reminded Chamber members that Mr. Schoonover also is president of the Agency board and "is representing us very well." She said work is underway on mapping the county for businesses that are not within the usual locale of an existing chamber. "The Chambers are a super part of the success of the Promotion Agency," she said and urged members to report upcoming events to the local chamber so they can be promoted by the County Agency.
The agency also is developing a partnership with Tioga Downs, which is expanding its concert series and working on additional gaming opportunities. Many visitors to Tioga Downs stay in hotels in Bradford County, which, through the room tax, provides the funding for the Agency.
The Agency is offering a grant program which is similar to the one that had been available under the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau. She said that it "Is very important for the non-profits to utilize the available funds." Deadline for the grants is the end of September. The Tourist Promotion Agency website is being reworked and will be connected to the County website.
Dean Vanderpool reported that the Canton Classic Car Show was a big success, with seventy cars registered and perhaps eighty-five in the show. One motorist suggested that newer model cars be included in future shows but the limited space requires the entries to be limited to twenty years and older. The members had a long discussion about shifting the location or expanding it, but the Chamber does not want take space that would interfere with business at the Moose Club or Landon's Car Wash and Laundry,
He reported that the Cub Scouts did very well with their concessions at the car show and the Community Pinewood Derby also was a success, that provided some visibility to the Cub Scout program.
Over eighty people took part in the Free Swim Saturday at the Canton Pool, sponsored by the Chamber. This was considerably higher than the regular attendance that week.
Due to some confusion, the Chamber was led to believe that its dues for 2016 for the Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau would be $85; actually the dues would be $200. The Chamber discussed the change and because of the price decided not to join the EMVB.
Mrs. Chamberlain said that she would encourage the local Chambers of Commerce to pay the fees associated with the Social Media Workshop to be presented by BTG Solutions on October 7 in the Rialto Theatre. The theme of the night will be "Beyond The Basics."
The Chamber Halloween Parade will be October 31 at 5 pm. Groups and clubs are encouraged to have floats. The theme will be chosen from suggestions made by students at Canton Elementary School. Diane Bailey, Director of the CHS Marching Warriors, plans to have the band march in the parade.
Plans for Small Business Saturday and Light Night were discussed. Most of last year's participants are members of the Chamber, and the members voted to charge a fee to non-members who wish to take part in the promotion this year. No fee will be charged to those who join or belong to the chamber.
Last year the Chamber received a $500 grant from the Canton Foundation for planters for the Main Street Park. Various suppliers and designs have been under consideration, and at today's meeting members voted to purchase two concrete planters.
Application for a new Canton Foundation grant was authorized by the members.
Members voted to donate $50 to the Endless Mountains Pregnancy Care Center Banquet.
A note was received from former President Jodi Wesneski thanking the chamber for a gift in memory of her father, Charles Carnes.
Present were representatives from these members: Sweet Tooth Bakery, Schoonover Plumbing & Heating, Bradford County Regional Arts Council, Rialto Theatre, Principle Enterprises, Canton Ministerial Association, Bradford-Tioga Housing Authority, First Citizens Community Bank, Chemung Canal Trust Company, Canton Auto Supply, Canton VIA, Endless Mountains Eye Care, Canton Independent-Sentinel