For Your Reading Pleasure - PBC's September Newsletter

September 2021

In this issue:

PBC News, Events, New Members, and

Member News

PBC News

PBC September Business of the Month

Congratulations to Aspenleiter SEWING AND VACUUM!

We are pleased to announce that Aspenleiter SEWING AND VACUUM was chosen as the September Business of the Month by PBC Board Members.

Aspenleiter Sewing and Vacuum Center has been a staple in the business community for over 75 years, providing retail and repair services. During the pandemic, Aspenleiter worked tirelessly to repair and provide service to its patrons, many of whom were sewing masks for individuals and various organizations. Aspenleiter served as a collection spot for completed masks, and then distributed them to local hospitals and clinics.

Since moving to their current location at 2016 Five Mile Line Road in Penfield in 2016, they have refurbished their building, the old Methodist Church, maintaining the exterior and its glass windows. Says owner Terry Williams, "We've been in this location for about five years, and couldn't be happier with it and being in the Penfield community." Check them out here:

If you would like to nominate a business (your own or another PBC member), please click here to fill out the PBC Business of the Month nomination form.

Mark Your Calendar for the

Annual Meeting and Economic Development Presentation 2021!

The PBC Annual Meeting will be held on November 18, 2021 from 11:30 a.m. -- 2 p.m. at Penfield Country Club. The meeting, which offers networking opportunities, will include a delicious Italian lunch and will feature presentations by PBC Board Members and several town leaders.

Elections for PBC Board of Directors will also be held. the slate of 2021-2022 candidates will be posted before the meeting, along with brief bios about each candidate. Please refer to the registration page for further information on voting.

We encourage attendees to bring literature for our member information table as well!

Cost to attend:

PBC Member - $35; Non-Members - $40; PBC Premium Members - First person complimentary, additional attendees pay member rate.

Click here to register for this event.

Call for PBC Volunteers!

The PBC is looking for volunteers to assist the organization in a variety of areas. We have several opportunities available for you to use your experience and expertise! If there is an area in which you are interested, please contact info@penfieldbusiness.org or visit www.penfieldbusiness.org, click on "Join" and fill out our "PBC Volunteer Application" and we will get you started. The amount of time you volunteer is up to you, but we do ask that you view this as a commitment. Come work with a great group of people to support PBC member businesses and community partners!

Program Committee Opportunities:

Morning Spark Event Coordinator: Morning Spark events occur from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m., typically on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, once a month to accommodate those who like morning events. As a volunteer, you will work with our Director of Programs to schedule these events at member locations. We can offer a workshop component or just do networking.
Topics@12 Event Coordinator: As a volunteer, you will coordinate our Topics@12 events that occur from 11:45 a.m. -1 p.m., once per month at a member restaurant or business interested in hosting. Topics@12 is an informal networking event with roundtable introductions, and an opportunity for one PBC Member to spotlight his/her business. Attendees are asked to bring a prize for a raffle and will pay for their own lunch. A guest count is provided to the restaurant prior to the event.
Chamber on Tap Event Coordinator: As a volunteer, you will coordinate our evening events, typically held from 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. We try to team up with other chambers or organizations so that our members are meeting new people outside of our Chamber. In the past we have partnered with Rochester Women’s Network, East Rochester Chamber, Irondequoit Chamber, Webster Chamber, Connecting Rochester.
Smart Series Educational Workshop Coordinator: As a volunteer, you will plan and coordinate educational seminars. We typically aim for 4-5 per year on topics that are of interest to members (social media marketing, HR, Health Insurance in Retirement, Investing Tips, etc). We have a list of topics that members requested on their member survey. Educational seminars can be done on Zoom or in person, some have been done at the Penfield Public Library.
Annual Meeting Coordinator: The Annual meeting coordinator will plan and organize the annual meeting which is typically held on the second Thursday in November at a venue. This is a sit down lunch (can also be buffet) and features PBC updates, Penfield Town Supervisor and Director of Special Services giving an update on economic development in Penfield and PBC Board Elections.
Annual Holiday Party Coordinator: As the Annual Holiday party coordinator, you plan and organize the holiday party typically held in January. This is a dinner event where we also present the PBC Annual Awards.

Membership Committee Opportunities:

Ambassador Program Coordinator: The purpose of this program is to promote member commitment and retention by raising awareness of chamber activities and benefits to encourage meaningful participation. As a volunteer, you will be assigned to new members as their ambassador.
Member Recruitment Coordinator: Assist the Director of Membership in recruiting new PBC members.
Business of the Month Coordinator: Coordinate the business of the month applications, winners, certificate presentation.

Advocacy Opportunities:

Advocacy Coordinator: As a volunteer coordinator, you will assist the Director of Advocacy in advocating for business chambers including participation in efforts such as Advocacy Coalition of Rochester Area Chambers.

Finance Committee Opportunities:

Sponsorship Coordinator - work with the Director of Finance to assist in developing the sponsorship program and securing sponsors for our chamber.
Preferred Partner Coordinator - work with the Director of Finance to assist in developing our preferred partnership program and securing new partners for the chamber.

Marketing Committee Opportunities:

PR Coordinator - Create press releases for the Chamber and distribute to the press.
Website Coordinator - Work with our Administrative Director and Director of Marketing to maintain website.

Special Projects Committee Opportunities:

Look Local First Coordinator - As a volunteer, you will assist in planning and executing new campaigns for our Look Local First program.
Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting Coordinator - As a volunteer, you will assist in planning and executing ribbon cuttings for new members as requested.
Penfield Yearly Outdoor Event (held in June on Friday from 4 p.m. - 7 p.m., last year called Gathering on the Green) - As a volunteer, you will plan, coordinate, and execute our yearly outdoor event which we are seeking to hold at a park in Penfield in 2022. This event has food trucks, 30-40 vendors, music, and more.

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Check out these upcoming PBC Events!

**The next Penfield Business Chamber (PBC) Board Meeting will be held on September, 16 2021, 8 a.m. at the Penfield Town Hall. Meetings are open to members and the public, however, meeting minutes will always be posted on the PBC website. The latest meeting minutes are posted on our website and you can read them here.

If you have any questions or concerns you would like the PBC Board to address, please email them prior to this meeting to info@penfieldbusiness.org

September 9, 2021 - Noon

The 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's

Patrick Caufield (Edward Jones) will be hosting this webinar presented by the Alzheimer's Association. To register, click here:

September 14, 2021 - 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Dual Chamber Networking Event at Pane Vino on the Avenue

Join the Brighton and Penfield Chambers for a Dual Chamber Networking event on the upper patio deck at Pane Vino on the Avenue! We will have our own meeting room and bartender, so you want want to miss this! There is a cost for this event. For more information and to register, click here: the Brighton and Penfield Business Chambers on the upper patio deck at Pane Vino on the Avenue

September 17, 2021 - 4 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Topics@12 - Fire Crust

Join us for some informal networking with other PBC members (and guests) & lunch (on your own) in support of local restaurants. Bring your business cards to share with attendees and a promotional item to be raffled off, if you choose! It's a great way to bring awareness to your business/organization! Registration is helpful for seating. To register, click here:

September 21, 2021 - 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Chamber on Tap @ Joe Gatts

Come mingle with PBC members and enjoy some networking and delicious appetizers at Joe Gatts Food & Cocktails! Bring a guest - they're always welcome, and bring your business card to share, too! There is a nominal fee for this event. For more information and to register, click here:

September 22, 2021 - Noon

Understanding Medicare

Patrick Caufield (Edward Jones) will be hosting with presenter Sarah Jean Walter from John Hancock, along with local expert / NYS Licensed Medicare Broker Robin Leone from Maust & Leone Insurance. To register, click here:

September 23, 2021 - Noon - 1 p.m.

New Member Benefit Orientation

Attention New PBC Members! Join us for a virtual and informational "Get to Know You" event where we'll tell you all about the benefits being a member of the PBC has in store for you, and you'll tell us about you/your business as well! To register, click here:

September 30, 2021 - 11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m.

Topics@12 - OUT of the OFFICE SERVICES, LLC

Join us for Topics@12 at PBC member OUT of the OFFICE Services, LLC for some networking, lunch (provided), and informative and interesting presentation from owners Nicole and Devin Vosburgh. There is a nominal fee for this event. For more information, and to register, click here:

First Monday of Month, Noon and Third Thursday of the Month, 6:30 p.m.

Health Insurance Options

COBRA? Exchange, Medicare? Independent insurance brokers Vicki and Terry James of Health Insurance Easy will discuss these options in detail. To register for either, click here:

Medicare 101

Getting close to Medicare age? Already eligible but want more information? Learn the Medicare A, B, C, and D basics of Medicare. T o register, click here:

Please Join us in Welcoming Our New PBC Members!

Optimum Life Holistics was started in March 2021 by myself, Ashley Whipple (sole owner and employee) to share my passion for healthy living and holistic nutrition with my family, friends and clients. I firmly believe we have more control over our health, through our nutrition and lifestyle, than we realize. I strive to work closely with my clients to create personalized meal plans that work for individual tastes, dietary restrictions and time commitments.

Working with nutrition professionals and health coaches can be a costly out of pocket expense that many people cannot justify. I am working to fill this void by offering reasonably priced personalized meal plans and 1:1 nutrition coaching so that everyone can feel empowered to take control of their health. Additionally, I offer nutrition seminars through local recreation centers and at companies for their employees.

I was born and raised in Penfield and, after moving away for some years for school, now reside here with my husband and our two boys (5 and 7). I am an AFPA certified Holistic Nutritionist. To learn more about Optimum Life Holistics, check out our website here:

Out of the Office Services (OOS) is setting ourselves apart from the competition by being more than a printer. We’re your visibility solution for the physical world, and visibility is something we all desperately need. Our services include:

· Full-service printing of whatever you want on anything you want it on. From ink on paper to banners and signage to advertising specialties to branded apparel and textiles - yup, we do it!

· Kitting. We’ll put it together and box it up for you so that you don’t have to spend time on product assembly.

· Warehousing. We’ll store it safely for you in a well-organized space until it’s time to send it out.

· Fulfillment of each and every order from point of inquiry to post-delivery follow-up.

Relationships with our clients are what we strive for. We want to know your business, your target audience, your mission, and your goals so we can help you be the best in your field. For us, printing isn’t just a job, it’s the family business, and for decades we have dedicated ourselves to all things print, design, and product merchandising. Wisdom gained from experience is passed on to each person who joins our family and profession. Quality printing and merchandising is far more than just ink on the substrate. Print merchandising is about making your brand accessible, fun, polished, and best of all, sticky. Sticky? Ask us about it! Check us out here, or email:

Owner & Product Specialist - Nicole Vosburgh

Brand Development & Print Manager - Devin Vosburgh

The Penfield Public Library Foundation enhances financial support for the Penfield Public Library. We fundraise through events, and also accept donations in support of the Library. Some of these are made in honor or in memory of individuals. As a foundation, we are in the process of raising an investment fund which will, over time, make it possible to give a substantial gift to the Library yearly for its use.

The Foundation was formed in 2019, just before the pandemic began. We asked the Library Director how we could help support families. Upon her suggestion of “Brainfuse,” an online program that provides both materials and one-to-one live help for K-12 students and adult job seekers, we raised funds to cover one year of this service. This year, we are funding two streaming products for the library: one for current music and independent movies, and another which provides a changing assortment of eight programs monthly, including Craftsy. As the pandemic recedes, we plan to return to an increased emphasis on long-term fundraising to make the Penfield Public Library stronger for generations to come.

You can find us on Facebook, and our website will be up and running this fall.

Water for South Sudan (WFSS) empowers the people of South Sudan, who live without basic access to clean water, sanitation services and hygiene education, to develop their communities through the implementation of the following programs:

New Well Drilling: Since 2005, WFSS has worked to alleviate this disparity and has drilled 505 wells in collaboration with community residents serving 325,000+ people.

Well Rehabilitation: Since 2017, WFSS has rehabilitated 215 wells bringing them back to full functionality and a stronger design standard.

Hygiene Training: Since 2014, 534 hygiene educational training programs have been completed, training 4,272 Water & Hygiene Promoters.

Sanitation: One latrine (toilet facility) was constructed in 2018 at Zogolona primary school serving 800+ students and faculty. Since construction, additional development has come to the school: World Food Programme provides meals for the school and covers costs for an on-site cook; Peace Corps made repairs to several classrooms; and UNICEF donated sports equipment for the students' use.

Water Storage & Distribution: One county-wide storage project was completed in 2021, serving 10,000+ residents.

To learn more about Water for South Sudan, click here:

Read the Latest News from PBC Members!

McConville Considine Cooman & Morin, P.C. is pleased to announce that four of our attorneys have been chosen for inclusion in the 2021 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America® and its accompanying “Lawyer of the Year” recognitions. Learn more here: https://www.mccmlaw.com/news-and-articles/news/mccm-attorneys-recognized-as-the-best-lawyers-in-america

Just Solutions

Thank you to everyone who voted in the Rochester Business Journal Reader Rankings. We've been awarded Rochester's Best Cybersecurity Company! We were also nominated as Best IT Outsourcing Firm, Best Training Program, and Best Internet Service Provider. While it has been a year of uncertainty, you can depend on us to continue to protect your business.

For more information on Just Solutions, please visit their website: www.justinc.com