![Jodi Wesneski, outgoing President of Canton Chamber, Canton, PA](/uploads/4/1/4/0/41406429/6869389.gif?148)
Jodi Wesneski conducted the meeting, which was her last after serving as President for six years. She did not seek election to another term and the Chamber chose Eric Schoonover as President. His term will begin in January.
The members honored Mrs. Wesneski with a Chamber of Commerce crock inscribed with a tribute and filled with an arrangement from Stull's Flowers. A cake with the Chamber of Commerce Logo, made by Sweet Tooth Bakery, also was presented to Mrs. Wesneski, and the meeting enjoyed pizza from IHS Pizza and Sandwich Shop.
The minutes were approved with one correction and the treasurer's report was accepted.
Some members reported news from their businesses:
- Canton Borough has begun a Junior Council Program and appointed Jessica Pavey as Junior Member. Council also is working on its 2015 budget and a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Abatement ordinance, which will enable property owners to upgrade qualifying deteriorated properties without having to pay increased assessments for a period of years.
- Wiggle 100 is working on its Money Tree promotion and gearing up for winter sports.
- The Rialto Theatre has a new pricelist and some new products. The free "Cirque de Soleil" showing on Small Business Saturday was successful, and Kristin Fisher performed at a "Thursdays at the Rialto" concert. A memorial brick was placed in tribute to David B. Morris. The Sayre Theatre will be celebrating its 100th anniversary.
- The Ministerial Association is presenting the Christmas Celebration Conglomeration concert, "What A Glorious Night." The Grover Church of Christ will present another in its series of "Cricket County" productions, and the members were reminded that Christmas season actually starts on December 25, running through Epiphany, when the Wise Men arrived (January 12).
- The Independent Sentinel is developing an enhanced website.
- Rekindle The Spirit is holding the Victorian Country Christmas at the Manley-Bohlayer Heritage Farm, and is doing preliminary work for the Apple 'n Cheese Festival and the Wine and Cheese Festival.
- Sweet Tooth Bakery had a great day on Small Business Saturday, doing 20% better than last year, which was about twice a normal day.
- Procare conducted a pajama drive for Canton Head Start and also raised money for coloring books and crayons for the Head Start pupils. They also have donated 32 pre-school age movies.
- Gannon Associates has purchased M C Insurance in Troy.
- The Canton Area School District is running "The Giving Tree," originally a Chamber of Commerce program. Sixty-one children have been referred to the program, with thirty-six "adoptions" by local families or groups. The other kids are being shopped for by volunteers. The Chamber donated $2,000 as "seed money" and many other contributions have come in. "It has worked out well, " Superintendent of Schools Matt Gordon said. Each student also will be given a stocking. The school will wrap the gifts on December 17.
- Ticket sales for the Chamber Christmas raffle are going very well. The drawing is on December 15.
- Light Night was also a success, even though it was very cold. The crafts all were given away, the Alba Choir sang Christmas Carols, Santa arrived on Tom Young's horse-drawn wagon, escorted by the Canton Police and Fire Department and then Santa flipped the switch for the lights.
- The next day was Small Business Saturday, which was organized by Glenda Beadnell of Sweet Tooth. It also was a big success, with the businesses very pleased at the number of customers. The Chamber arranged for two showings of "Cirque de Soliel" at the Rialto, which were sponsored by the Canton Moose Family Center #429. The movie received high praise from those who watched it. Bradford County Dairy Princess Brooke Ostrander was on hand to pass out chocolate milk, and Wiggle Radio celebrated its 25th anniversary with cupcakes.
Membership letters have been sent out, with twenty-two renewals so far.
The Chamber will set up a budget for 2015 and approved a proposal from A Real Professional Solution to do the Chamber's taxes for 2014.
Mrs. Wesneski noted Canton Borough's Junior Council member program and said that the Chamber could benefit from a similar program. "We want to get young people involved in the community," she said. Mr. Gordon said that the high school would be glad to take part in the program but probably would have multiple students as representatives, rather than just one.
The Chamber thanked the Fire Department for removing a damaged banner from East Main Street, and for putting up the Christmas decorations.
Other thank yous went to the Police Department for traffic control, Schoonover's and the Street Department for installing the Christmas Tree; Schoonover's for work on the electrical system at the Main Street Park and for the lights; to everyone involved in Light Night and Small Business Saturday; The Canton Garden Club for decorating the flower barrels. The Moose were especially thanked for their generous sponsorship of the Cirque de Soliel show.
Sylvia Adams is organizing a Bridal Expo for February 21 at the High School cafeteria. So far 20 to 25 vendors have signed up. In hopes of spurring greater attendance, the Chamber may hold some breakfast meetings next year.
Present were representatives from these members: Canton Borough, First Citizens Community Bank, Rekindle the Spirit, Canton Ministerial Association, Wiggle Radio, Procare Physical, Schoonover's Plumbing & Heating, Gannon Associates, Chemung Canal Trust Co., Rialto Theatre/Bradford Co. Regional Arts Council, Principle Enterprises, Sweet Tooth Bakery, Morse & Kleese Funeral Home, Canton Area School District, Canton Independent- Sentinel.