News, Happenings & Collaborations |
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Included in this Issue ... |
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We are pleased to share the following news, happenings, and collaborations with you! The information contained in this week's newsletter was shared with the Chamber on or before noon on the Thursday before it was sent. To have your information considered for inclusion in future issues, please submit your information on or before noon on the Thursday before you'd like it published. |
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- Save the Date: August Mixer
- Seneca Spirit sailing
- Relax with friends
- Network at summer events
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- CMOG opens exhibit
- In Pictures: Tame the Mane
- Farm Sanctuary is back
- Glenora in the Winner's Circle
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Visit Watkins Glen
& Schuyler County
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Watkins Glen
Area Chamber
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Pandemic Spotlight Updates
Even with the loosened restrictions for the pandemic, there are still reasons to check the CDC and State web sites for updates. Scroll down for helpful information. We will do our best to keep you up-to-date, but it is likely that there will be new updates as soon as we hit send!
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NY Forward & Other Government News
- Schuyler vaccine clinics & others
- Tuition/room/board give-away
- Join your neighbors and VaxUp
- $800 million in grants for small businesses available
- FEMA funds
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Join us at the
August Mixer!
Next month, we'll be meeting at the Elks Lodge, with light food provided by the Bucket. Join us for a couple hours of relaxing, networking, and tasty treats. Cash bar will be available. Registration for the Summer Rendezvous is closed. Thank you to those who will be joining us!
August 4, from 5pm to 7pm
Elks Lodge #1546
Register online. https://tinyurl.com/WGC-AugustMixer
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More networking!
Registration underway!
The Chamber is registering teams for 3 summer events. Join us for opportunities to network and develop stronger relationships with prospective partners and customers. Here's the summer line-up:
>Alternatives Federal Credit Union Disc Golf (August 19)
> Corning Credit Union Cornhole Tourney (September 2)
> Chemung Canal Trust Company Golf Tournament (September 17)
Register your team now to secure your spot online (www.explorewatkinsglen.com/chamber-members/events/). Also, we're looking for sponsors who want to share their message with Chamber members and the public. Call Michael Hardy for options!
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Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting celebration
Congrats to Katrina and Kevin Benedict on the grand opening and ribbon cutting at Tame the Mane last week. And many thanks to Chamber member Brett Brubaker from Seneca Lodge Brewing for sharing a selection of the Lodge's locally made brews. Please let the Chamber know if you're planning an opening, celebration, or anniversary. The Chamber was pleased to hear that Tame the Mane has intentional hours for walk-in visitors. We would encourage all businesses to do the same. If you have special hours for walk-in visitors, please let us know. Call Michael Hardy if you'd like to brainstorm.
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Protect your melon (auto safety)!
New York State was the first state in the nation to require adult front seat motor vehicle passengers to wear seat belts. In subsequent years, the law was amended to include child passenger safety requirements. On November 1st, 2020, a provision was included to require all adult occupants to buckle up, regardless of where they sit in a passenger vehicle, Taxi, Livery, or a vehicle being used as a Transportation Network Company, i.e. Lyft or Uber. Although the NYS seat belt compliance rate is 94 percent, nearly one-third of all front seat occupants killed in a motor vehicle crash are unbuckled. The Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee has partnered with eighth generation watermelon farmer and NASCAR driver Ross Chastain to encourage all passengers to buckle up, every trip, every time through the Protect Your Melon campaign. Look for Ross in the Protect Your Melon race truck at Watkins Glen International NASCAR Camping World Truck Series on Saturday August 7. If you would like a chance to win a one-on-one virtual meeting with Ross, scan the QR code.
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Marketing & spotlight
opps still available
Visitors are here. Summer is here.
Share your message with several
great marketing opportunities
with the Chamber.
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Questions? Contact Executive Director Michael Hardy: michael@watkinsglenchamber.com or (607) 535-4300.
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Let the Chamber know about
your events and summer traditions
Let us help you celebrate summer traditions, holidays, and festivities! We want to share your events on our social media platforms and newsletters. Like us on all our social channels (Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter), and we’ll return the favor! Using this form, (https://www.explorewatkinsglen.com/events/submit-your-event/) please submit your public event to notify the Chamber and its staff. Pending membership the Chamber will assist in promoting the event to visitors and locals alike!
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Hints from Hardy
Business and hospitality hints
from Michael Hardy
HINT 1 Delighting your guests
The one thing all of our guests have in common: they come to us looking for a break from reality. They want to put all of life's challenges aside for a few days, decompress, and enjoy. So how can we make sure that happens? How can we ensure our guests' time in Schuyler County is better than good? How can we make their visits memorable? A few ideas -- with a request to share what's working for you! No matter how busy you get, a little extra effort goes a long way!
My list:
- Unexpected surprise: identify something extra and unexpected that you can offer for free. Maybe you tuck a free magnet in the shopping bag or place mints on your guest's pillows.
- Engage in conversation. Ask where they're from and what brought them to the area. Learn their names!
- Check if your reservation or point of sale system captures email addresses. Send a quick note thanking them for their visit.
- Pay attention to the kids: they will influence travel decisions for years to come.
- Remember pets are part of the family. Welcome visitors with pets. Put out water bowls and keep a few pet snacks on hand.
- Introduce an "experience" into your offerings, maybe a tour or insider's tip for your special breakfast omelet.
Your turn: We're posting this to the Chamber's facebook page. Comment to let us know how you make your guests' time extra special!
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Join us
for "Talking Tuesdays"
Chat with the Chamber about pressing issues for tourism-based businesses in the Finger Lakes. The next "Talking Tuesdays" will be July 13 from 10:00am to 11am. These sessions are comprised of brainstorming, planning, information from the Chamber, and from time to time a guest speaker. At most upcoming sessions, we will review Domo+rove mobile device data collected for 2019, 2020, and into 2021. These mobile device stats are great for making marketing and advertising decisions for your businesses, both in the short- and long-terms. 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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Live entertainment in Lafayette Park
Mark your calendar for Tuesday, July 13: Pat Kane & West o'Clare, presenting old time Irish and American music. Performances begin at 7:00pm. Share this news with family, friends, and visitors. For other events to enjoy, please visit the Chamber's events calendar (www.explorewatkinsglen.com/events/).
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Member News & Collaborations |
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Seneca Spirit is sailing
This just in from Captain Bill's: Seneca Spirit is now sailing. Please share with your front lines, visitors, and guests looking for ways to enjoy their time in Watkins Glen. In addition to the Seneca Legacy, visitors can enjoy six 50-minute sightseeing cruises and one sunset cruise every day this summer. The Seneca Spirit sets sail daily at 10am, with the final cruise leaving dock at 7pm sharp. Also, stay tuned for more info on the Chamber's September mixer (9/8/2021). The monthly event will be held aboard one of Captain Bill's vessels. Captain Bill's is also one of the group-friendly, motor coach businesses in the region. Are you one? If so, please let us know!
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CASA Cream available in Corning
Chamber member CASA of the Southern Tier has made its very own ice cream flavor. Check out CASA's web for details to take advantage of the program available through July 16. Order this special treat and support CASA's mission to help abused and neglected children.
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Exhibit now open
Corning Museum of Glass opened a new exhibit this month. Fire and Vine: The Story of Glass and Wine explores the many ways glass touches wine as it travels from the grape to your goblet. The entwined histories of glass and wine extend back thousands of years, from lavish feasts of ancient Rome, to the polite society of Britain in the 1700s, to formal dinner parties of post-war America, to an essential experience within our contemporary food culture. During your visit, you’ll see a rare 2,000-year-old fragment of cameo glass depicting a grape harvest, a still-sealed bottle of wine found in a shipwreck off the coast of England, and an exceptional 400-year-old document describing an “almost unbreakable glass jar” that could prevent wine from spoiling.
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Restaurant Update:
News from Stonecat
Stonecat has decided to focus on serving dinners. Although they may offer the occasional brunch, they are putting all of our focus on being "the knock-it-out-of-the-park dinner spot" that has earned them a stellar reputation. Dinners are Wednesday through Sundays, from 5pm to 9pm. Pub Nights are Wednesdays, with a "pub-inspired" menu, drink specials, and live music. The Chamber is acutely aware of labor challenges and other conditions affecting restaurant (and other organizations) hours and staffing. Please contact the Chamber with news and updates that impact your hours so we can share with locals and visitors alike.
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People are an org's #1 resource
Not every job applicant will be a good fit for every position. A prospect may have stellar technical skills, but espouse completely different core values. And while different is ok, when your employees' values are too far apart, it may be difficult for your organization to be productive. Cultural fit is a science-driven approach to hiring. Want to know more? Contact chamber member Matt Burr, from TalentScape. Ask about one of the 10 FREE 30-minute consultations!
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Notes from the National Forest
It's hard to miss the impact the gypsy moths are having on the forest this year. Blueberry Patch Campground looks like early spring with the amount of defoliation that has occurred. But no worries. The trees are not dead, just defoliated. Please let our visitors know so they're not alarmed. This is the second year in a row that we’ve seen large amounts of gypsy moths, which are a cyclical pest with surges: heavy years followed by lighter seasons. We may see another year of or two of high numbers, and we are in contact with state and private forestry leaders to stay involved in any control strategies that might be available. We fully expect the trees will put on new leaves and continue to grow. Let’s just hope for fewer caterpillars in the coming years. Too many years of stress like this is hard on the trees.
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Interpretation services expanded at CMC
Cayuga Medical Center recently received a $5,000 Community Health Award grant from Excellus BlueCross BlueShield to expand its capacity to provide high quality, equitable health care services for people whose primary language is not English. This initiative increases the number of electronic devices available for interpretation services in order to provide direct audio and visual interpretation in real-time for the duration of a patient’s stay. Funding will also support training and education for staff to ensure that patients who need interpretation services are able to access them and have a positive experience with their care at Cayuga Medical Center. If you or someone in your organization has been recognized, please let us know so we can share the news!
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Farm Sanctuary is back on July 10
We are happy to report that the Farm Sanctuary will resume in-person tours on July 10. This is an important attraction to the economy of our region. Plan approximately an hour for a visit and arrive 15 minutes ahead of your tour. Here in Watkins, guided tours are offered July through October, with a maximum of 15 guests per tour.
- Wednesday, Thursday, Friday: 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
- Saturday, Sunday: 11:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Stay tuned for updates on the tiny houses and cabins at our Watkins Glen sanctuary! The B&B program will reopen in August.
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Science-supported behavior:
relax with friends
Science offers at least five reasons why it's a good idea to maintain friendships, including these two: 1. Friends help reduce stress. 2. Friends help you be your best. What you do together is not the point, and our region offers lots of options: wine tastings with your besties, cruising or sailing on Seneca Lake, or a special weekend away with your pals enjoying nature or a nice meal at a locally owned eatery.
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Start planning:
Everybody prospers from
a clean Finger Lakes
Chamber member Bob Kurz (of Watkins Glen Wine and Spirits) is "a local guy trying to make a difference," and he wants to give others the chance to help him. He is spearheading a Fall Community Clean-Up Day on September 18. Talk to your family, friends, and neighbors to join the effort. Capture your efforts with pictures and send for posting on the effort's Facebook page! Stop by the Village Marina that day for their special: a Garbage Plate! If you'd like to offer a special in your restaurant that day, please let us know so we can help you share. If you have ideas for areas to clean up, please post to the Facebook page: http://ow.ly/Y8KF50FhQGn
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Congrats to Cayuga Health
Cayuga Health is the recipient of two prestigious National Healthcare Advertising Awards – a Gold for their COVID-19 Public Relations Campaign and a Silver for the Cayuga Health Giving Day Fundraising Campaign focused on COVID-19 recovery and response. Over 4,400 submissions were received for the 38th Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards, making it the largest healthcare advertising awards competition and one of the ten largest of all advertising awards. Gold awards were given to 445 entries, silver awards to 322 entries and bronze awards to 245 entries.
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Watkins Glen State Park Update
Please share with your front-line staffs, visitors, friends, and families: The Watkins Glen State Park is now fully open -- all trails, both directions. The shuttle is now running daily! Also, pop in to check out the new cafe. Also, tour groups and buses are welcome again! Please spread the word. If you're welcoming motor coach groups, please let the Chamber know.
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City of Geneva begins construction work
as part of DRI grant
Please be aware (and let your front-line staff and visitors know) that the City of Geneva-led DRI Streetscape project has commenced and a new app is available to track progress in real-time. To access the app, request the QR code sgerling@geneva.ny.us. This work will likely "pose some navigation challenges," according to the Geneva Business District.
By the way the Chamber has purchased an informational sponsor banner "driving" visitors to www.explorewatkinsglen.com. The banner will be hung in the Business Improvement District (BID) in downtown Geneva sometime this summer.
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GOT NEWS? THIS SPACE RESERVED FOR
LODGING MEMBER UPDATES
Any and all accommodation members are welcome to share their food, entertainment, and packages with the Chamber. We will help spread the word here in our e-news and on our social media platforms and website. Send us a note, please! Also, be sure to post your offers for public and members on the the WGACC Bulletin Board when you are checking out and/or updating your listing on the Simpleview Extranet.
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Grants for small businesses
The successful recovery of small businesses is key to New York State's future. Empire State Development is happy to announce the New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Grant Program is open now. It was created to provide flexible grant assistance to currently viable small businesses, micro-businesses, and for-profit independent arts and cultural organizations in the State of New York who have experienced economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grant awards will be calculated based on a business’ annual gross receipts for 2019:
•Annual gross receipts = $25,000-$49,999: $5,000/business;
•Annual gross receipts = $50,000-$99,999: $10,000/business; and
•Annual gross receipts = $100,000-$500,000: 10% of gross receipts (max grant is $50,000).
For eligibility requirements and more information regarding the New York State COVID-19 Pandemic Small Business Recovery Program, please visit www.nysmallbusinessrecovery.com. The program is administered by ESD and powered by Lendistry.
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Non-medical private non-profits: apply for FEMA funds
Because the pandemic was declared a Major Disaster and is ongoing, public assistance is authorized for Category B Emergency Protective Measures related to the COVID-19 response. To mitigate the pandemic’s impact on nonprofits, New York State is launching a targeted initiative to provide information and training to NON-MEDICAL Private Nonprofits (PNPs) and intermediary organizations applying for FEMA funding to reimburse costs incurred as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. PNPs and their umbrella organizations are invited to FEMA overview sessions, offering an overview of the FEMA public assistance process as well as a number of COVID-19 disaster-specific topics and policies that FEMA has implemented. For more details on the initiative and related resources, please access the Grants Gateway site. To register for the informational overview, see below for next steps or access the Grants Gateway for more information.
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Arts funding to help COVID recovery
$105 million in arts and cultural funding is available through the New York State Council on the Arts, to reinvigorate near-term live performances. Apps are being accepted now. The grants will aid in the arts sector's multi-year recovery from COVID-19. For more info: 518-474-8390
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Vaccine clinic info
In Schuyler County?
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Wednesday, July 7, 2021, from 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM at the Great Escape Ice Cream Parlor
- The single-dose Janssen Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccine will be provided at this walk-in clinic.
- Adults 18 and older are currently eligible to get this vaccine.
- People who get the shot will receive a free sundae.
Stay informed:
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PROMOTE YOUR NEWS AND EVENTS
Add 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
Stephanie Specchio, Director of Communications and Marketing email
Karen Dodson, Membership (Part-Time/Contract) email
Michael Hardy, Executive Director email and (585) 721-6032 (cell)
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