News, Happenings & Collaborations |
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Included in this Issue ... |
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- Wine/Craft Beverage Summit Wednesday
- Our region's rich Black history
- Castel Grisch extends lights thru March 13
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- Meet WGACC's Stephanie Specchio
- Hazlitt releases winery podcast
- Advertising opps with the Chamber
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Visit Watkins Glen
& Schuyler County
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Watkins Glen
Area Chamber
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Join us!
Wine & Craft Beverage Tourism Summit
is Wednesday, Feb. 24
Free registration! Two-hour summit
features an exchange of ideas and strategy
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Join us for an intriguing discussion of the tribulations and triumphs during the pandemic, as pertaining to tourism. Come to exchange ideas, strategize, and learn from one another. In short, the Wine & Craft Beverage Summit will take what we know and turn it into success for 2021. Participation is free and prizes will be featured.
Presented by Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce and Schuyler County’s Tourism Promotion Agency (TPA), along with Seneca Lake Wine Trail and Yates and Seneca County TPAs.
The summit was to originally span two days, but now is focused on one two-hour session:
2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24
Speakers include Liz Stamp from Lakewood and Brian McKenzie
from Finger Lakes Distilling. Others to be announced.
(with optional happy hour following)
RSVP by Noon on Tuesday by sending an email to Info@WatkinsGlenChamber.com to receive an agenda and Zoom link. You may attend one or both sessions and/or the networking activities following. If you have specific topics or questions to share, please contact the facilitator, Michael Hardy, at Michael@WatkinsGlenChamber.com or (607) 535-4300.
SAVE THE DATE
A Lodging and Accommodations Summit
will take place March 9 and 10!
Details will be shared soon.
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Celebrating our area's rich Black history
As we enter the final week of Black History Month, we have much to celebrate in our region, as the Finger Lakes area was central to the Underground Railroad and slaves seeking freedom.
An historical marker was erected in 1932 on Route 14 in Watkins Glen, just north of
Route 14A, highlighting local abolitionists. Escaped slaves traveled north to Canada using the 38-mile Seneca Lake, which led them to the Erie Canal and eventually Lake Ontario.
Elmira is located at the base of the Finger Lakes, and just over the Pennsylvania border, and is considered to have been one of the busiest stops in the state along the Underground Railroad.
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Next 'Talking Tuesdays'
is tomorrow
Chat with Executive Director Michael Hardy about the pressing issues for tourism-based businesses. The next "Talking Tuesdays" will be next week, from Noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23. These sessions are comprised of brainstorming, planning, information from the Chamber, and from time to time a guest speaker. All tourism-based members and partners are welcome. All sessions are held via ZOOM, and advance RSVP is not required. Coffee break, snacking and /or brown-bag lunches during zoom are encouraged.
Zoom link:
Meeting ID: 874 4108 3852
Passcode: 896020
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Next Virtual After Hours Mixer
is Wednesday, March 3
Following a successful and fun mixer in February (featuring the Brick Tavern Museum at Schuyler County Historical Society/see photo at top), we are looking forward to the next one on March 3. Join us!
5 to 5:15 p.m. Welcome and Intros
5:15 t 5:45 p.m. Local Video Surprise - TBA
5:45 to 6 p.m. 6 Q&A w member spotlight -TBA
6 t 6:15 p.m. Chamber events, programs and projects update
6:15 to 7 p.m. What’s in your glass? (hopefully something local) & What’s on your plate – networking and social time
Come for some or all of the two hours. For questions or comments, please call the Chamber at (607) 535-4300.
March 3 Virtual Mixer Join Zoom Meeting:
Meeting ID: 897 2187 4028
Passcode: 849963
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Stephanie Specchio joins Chamber as
Director of Communications and Marketing
The Watkins Glen Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes Stephanie Specchio as Director of Communications and Marketing. She will assume the new role on March. 1
She comes to the Chamber from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, where she serves as the associate vice president of marketing and communications. A Watkins Glen resident, together with her husband, Alan, is also a local business owner.
She has 30 years of experience in the marketing field, including several years with Corning Museum of Glass, and holds a master’s in integrated marketing communication from West Virginia University.
“Stephanie brings a breadth and depth of directly relevant experience to the Chamber’s marketing and communications needs,” said Michael Hardy, WGACC executive director. “She also brings a lifelong commitment to Schuyler County and the Finger Lakes. I look forward to working with Stephanie and leveraging her talents to raise the visibility of our community and to serve our members’ business needs.”
Among her favorite local activities are walking the trails and restaurant dining.
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Hints from Hardy
Business and hospitality hints
from Michael Hardy
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We should be asking,
“Who’s watching the kids?
As the pandemic has put a spotlight on parents struggling to juggle work while their children are learning at home, it also has emphasized the need for employers to exercise more understanding and flexibility.
Being new to the area and not having children has put me at a disadvantage as to how our communities have been dealing with providing childcare for our workforce. Ironically, as I was contemplating this conundrum, I was sent an article from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Click here to read the article.
Please review the options outlined in the article and, should there be a need during and after the pandemic, we should work on options together. I advise employers of all sizes to consider what part you can and should play in your employees’ childcare, and also that of the community in which you are based. Please let me know if there is more you would like me to try to investigate and if your business provides plans or services that could prove helpful to others.
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Advertise in the Chamber's newsletters |
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Castel Grisch Winery Festival of Lights Extended
Castel Grisch Winery is continuing its popular Festival of Lights for a few more weekends through March 13! This drone shot shows how expansive and colorful the magical show is! The drive-through light-show fee is $20 per car when purchased in advance (and $30 at the gate).
The winery is open during the light show from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday thru Sunday for all ages, with parfaits for kids and tastings anymore for adults. Learn more and get tix at https://castelgrisch.com/
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Rockwell Museum
announces annual theme: "Environments Examined"
The Rockwell Museum has announced its annual theme — “Environments Examined” — which investigates the myriad of ways artists engage with, connect to, or interrupt natural, built, and social environments
Current Exhibitions
Now Through May 9
Now through May 31
Now through January 2022
Lecture Series:
“Reclaiming Space in the Built Environment”
A virtual lecture from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. with Julia Weatherspoon, Architectural Designer.
Free and open to the public. Register to receive the Zoom link.
Learn more at https://rockwellmuseum.org/blog/environments-examined/
(Photo credit/top image: Romare Bearden, The Conversation, 1979.
Lithograph on paper. Clara S. Peck Fund)
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Member News & Collaborations |
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A warm welcome to Nathan Scott,
CCE's new executive director
Sending out a warm welcome to Nathan Scott, new executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Schuyler. He brings to the position 18 years of experience successfully leading non-profits.
“I am impressed by the ways that CCE is building a stronger and more resilient community for the residents of Schuyler, from youth engagement to family health to agricultural production and marketing,” Scott said. “My goal is to help all residents of Schuyler thrive.”
Scott most recently served as executive director of Thrive Education Center near Ithaca, which promotes sustainability and community resilience.
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Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards releases podcast focused on winery life
Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards in Hector has created a podcast yield “Great Times Behind the Wines,” featuring interviews that provide an insider look at winery life. The host is Shannon Hazlitt Harts, daughter of Hazlitt’s co-CEO and owner Doug Hazlitt.
The podcast explores many topics, from wine tasting tips to harvest. Hosting a podcast has been a dream of Harts’ for many years. “I’ve always believed there is something intriguing about the world of wine and I’ve always been inspired by how Hazlitt pours its passion into the process of winemaking,” she said. “I decided these were the perfect stories to tell on a podcast.”
Podcast listeners will learn about the collaboration and friendliness of the Finger Lakes wine region, as each episode intrigues listeners as they are educated more about wine.
“Great Times Behind the Wines” is currently available to listen to on Apple Podcasts or wherever you download your favorite podcasts. A trailer and four episodes have been released with eight more planned to be released throughout the year.
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IMRRC’s sweepstakes are live!
Win a 2021 Corvette
Stingray Convertible
Make a donation today to support International Motor Racing Research Center (IMRRC) and you’ll be automatically entered into a sweepstakes drawing for a Corvette. All donations support the IMRRC, which collects, shares and preserves the history of motorsports.
This year’s sweepstakes' vehicle is a Red Mist Metallic 2021 Corvette Stingray Convertible with the Z51 performance package. The car is equipped with a 495-hp 6.2L LT2 V8 engine and 8-speed transmission.
The 2021 sweepstake drawing will be held Dec. 21. The winner will enjoy a complimentary stay at the Watkins Glen Harbor Hotel plus receive two 2022 memberships to the Jack Daniels Club at Watkins Glen International and take part in a two-day driving school in Las Vegas. Click here to learn more or make a donation.
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Glenora Wine Cellars offers winter packages through April
Choose from a variety of experiences at Glenora Wine Cellars to make your stay in the Finger Lakes memorable. Among the experiences are several overnight packages.
Glenora has 30 spacious guest rooms offering lake views with private patio or deck. Amenities include spa services and a fine-dining restaurant onsite.
For reservations or to check availability, call (800) 243-5513 or visit the Glenora website to explore the overnight packages.
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THIS SPACE RESERVED FOR LODGING MEMBERS
Any and all lodging members are welcome to share their winter specials
with the Chamber, to help spread the word here in our e-news
and on our social media platforms and website. Shoot us a note, please.
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Arnot Health Resumes Limited Visitation
Based on an analysis of the current COVID-19 situation, Arnot Health is returning to limited visitation for its hospitals. See link for more details:
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Indoor family entertainment centers and outdoor amusement parks reopening
"Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that indoor family entertainment centers and places of amusement can open with a 25 percent capacity limit beginning Friday, March 26. Outdoor amusement parks can open with a 33 percent capacity limit beginning Friday, April 9."
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New York's health insurance
Open Enrollment Period now extended
"Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York's health insurance Open Enrollment Period will be further extended to May 15, 2021, aligning with states across the country."
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Schuyler County expands vaccine eligibility |
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Reaching and serving travelers with accessibility needs
I Love NY presents webinar Wednesday, March 3
It has been estimated that people with disabilities and accessibility needs spend more $58 billion on travel. To help you tap into this valuable market, I LOVE NY will present a webinar titled, “Accessible NY: Reaching New Audiences," from 2 to 3 p.m March 3. This is the first in a series of new I LOVE NY industry programming.
The webinar will feature findings of a 2020 nationwide study on the travel patterns and spending of American adults with disabilities; tips on making your destination even more friendly to travelers with accessibility needs; and advice for learning how to collect accurate accessibility information in order to effectively market to travelers with accessibility needs.
Please RSVP by March 1 by writing or calling David Turley at I Love NY at David.Turley@esd.ny.gov or (212) 803-3256.
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NYers4NY initiative will encourage New Yorkers
to choose travel within NY state
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PROMOTE YOUR NEWS AND EVENTS
Add to your happenings to the Public Events Calendar on our website!
Add your event quickly, easily, and at no cost. Click here for the submission page.
SHARE YOUR NEWS — VIA CHAMBER SOCIAL MEDIA & ENEWS
We will gladly feature your upcoming events and news on our social media channels and in our newsletter.
Contact Michael at (585) 721-6032 or send him your news
CONNECT WITH THE CHAMBER TEAM
Office Phone: (607) 535-4300
Katherine Jack, Visitor Center and Office Administrator email
Abby Lane, Events and Membership-Engagement Manager email
Karen Dodson, Part-Time/Contract Membership email
Michael Hardy, Executive Director email and (585) 721-6032 (cell)
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