Members included Zachary Gates, Bonnie Seeley, Rollin Baker, Lori Barnett, James Blade, Mike Bridgham, Susan Storch, Kim Chebalo, Barbara Barrett, Elizabeth Card, Casey Dygert, Scott Cummings, Robyn Cummings, Amy Ward, Veronica Seymour, Scot Sample, and Trish Wilkinson.
Bradford County Dairy Princess Charity served the members floats to promote dairy. Throughout her reign as Princess, she has been able to travel to various Bradford County promotions at different farms, schools and PA Farm Show. During these events she has helped kids bottle feed calves, provide dairy education, and promote the life that she has enjoyed since she was a little girl. She plans on staying in Bradford County after graduation as working on the “colorful” family farm. Not only has she been showing cows at local fairs but has also judged at some levels of competition. She attained the Keystone Degree in FFA which is the highest degree in PA FFA. She plans on interviewing for office at the FFA State Convention.
The joint picnic with Troy and Canton Chamber is scheduled for Wednesday, July 6, at 5 p.m. at Alparon Park in Troy. The event will be BYOB. Water, soda and meat will be provided by the Chamber. Each attending member is asked to bring a dish to pass.
Seeley noted that car show is fast approaching. All dates are full except for July 19th. The committee is very pleased with the response of participation this year. Seymour mentioned that the tent used for the event is in need of replacement. On a motion by Baker and a second from Ward, the committee is authorized to spend up to $200 for a new tent to be used at the car show.
For Hometown Heroes, Gates indicated that he needed to talk to Jeff about operating the lift as there a need to rehang a damaged flag.
BTG Solutions is refreshing our website. Tami would like an excel document of members, schedule of events, and membership benefits so she can update our website.
Cummings spoke on behalf of the person/business of the year committee. The committee has decided to keep the event on the same date, but move it to the evening to allow for greater attendance and improve on the integrity of the awards.
Baker talked about a returning Rotary exchange student who will be biking around the world. He would like to see the community get involved with welcoming Robin back to the community from which he attended his senior year of high school. Gates recommended getting Troy Rotary, Troy Alumni and Troy Homepage involved in this event.
Chebalo, from United Way spoke of their upcoming golf tournament on May 20. The United Way is also looking for summer and fall interns.
Cummings spoke on behalf of Bradford County Tourism and Promotion Agency. The digital passport program will be available soon and there will be apps to download for the Hikes & Bikes trails. She noted a change in how events will be posting through the website.
Barrett from Bradford County Heritage Association noted that they are all cleaned up and ready to open to the public on Tuesdays and Saturdays 10 – 3 and by appointment. Some special events are Ice Cream Social and Troy Band in July, Tour of Buildings in August, Heritage Festival in September, and the Farm Safe Program for area school districts.
Seymour talked about the Arm Chair Races happening on May 14th through Troy Rotary. The Troy Lions club has been hard at work cleaning up the walkway to Alparon Park, placement of new benches, organizing a golf tournament in June, academic and athletic awards for Troy Area School District, and Lions Foundation Grants.
Seymour also reported that the Troy Sale Barn is wrapping up for their 100th year project, the Hospital Auxiliary Board sold flowers for Mother’s Day, and the monthly dinners are being held at the First Presbyterian Church. She also noted that if anyone wanted her to do a story on their upcoming events on the Troy Homepage that she would be available.
Storch reported that the library is continuing their book club for adults and are currently reading “Run Rose Run” by James Patterson. The library runs monthly STEM programs for upper elementary and middle school children and they will continue to have a summer reading program that starts in June. She encourages all to stop by and see everything that is happening at the local library.
New business discussed there is a sense of “Pride of Community” with car show and farmers market at the Sales Barn; however, what else can chamber members do on Tuesdays in conjunction with these events to promote more local businesses? There was talk of a “First Tuesday” soft opening on August 2nd to get more downtown businesses to be open or set up on the sidewalks to promote businesses during the car show and other events.
The next Troy Chamber of Commerce meeting will be Wednesday, June 1, at noon at Bradford County Manor.