Votaw Electric "Pays it Forward"

We'd like to give a nod to Chamber member Votaw Electric for their creativity and generosity. Votaw has given each of their employees 60 $2 bills, and directed them to spend the money at local businesses. The employees were also encouraged to donate a percentage to charity, and to use the $2 bills as a conversation starter to encourage other Northeast Indiana businesses to do the same. This is Votaw's way of stimulating the local economy, providing their employees with dollars to spend at area businesses. What an excellent idea, and timely too - just in time for those last minute Christmas gifts.

Chamber Closed for Holidays

The Chamber will be closed Thursday, December 24 and Friday December 25 for the holidays. We will return Monday, December 28 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Get a load of this: The Real Value of Chamber Membership

Here is another article that you might find interesting, whether you are a Chamber member or not... If you are a Chamber member, pass on to your friends who aren't members! Don't be deferred by the date on this article - it's still completely relevant. It's not that we like to toot our own horn, but we thought you'd find this interesting. The article is about a recent study that showed most people make positive assumptions about your business when they learn you are a Chamber member - this included consumer awareness and reputation, and likelihood of future patronage.

The study showed that if you are a small business, respondents were 63% more likely to want to purchase services or goods from you if you are a Chamber member. It has an impact on big businesses too. The article gives an example of a restaurant chain - if the chain is a member of the local Chamber of Commerce, consumers were 40% more likely to eat at that franchise.

What's all this mean to you? Well first, if you are a Chamber member, make sure people know it! If you don't have your Chamber window decal displaying your membership, contact Aimee Scott and let her know - she'll make sure you get it! Also, did you know that as a member you are allowed to display the Chamber logo on your business Web site or business card? If you would like to do so, let me know.

And finally, if you are not a Chamber member, I encourage you to think about it. Give us a call or shoot us an email if you have questions. I encourage you to read this article. And you can read the actual study here. The proof is in the pudding.

Chamber Members: Discount for you from YLNI!

Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana is offering a special discount exclusively to Chamber members for their 2009 New Year's Eve Masquerade ball at Parkview field! You are being offered the opportunity to buy six tickets for only $180 - which sells to the general public for $210. See the special message for you below from YLNI... (Click on the images for a larger view.)  

Northeastern REMC Graduates Employees from Leadership Program

Chamber member Northeastern REMC has just graduated two employees from the Rural Electric Leaders-In-Training (RELITE) program. This is a nationally-recognized leadership development program, which brings together participants from electric cooperatives throughout Indiana to focus on leadership skills, team building, facilitation skills, public speaking, interpersonal communications, personal mission, business ethics, diversity, accountability, and community service.


Whew! That's a lot. Wayne O'Brien, computer programmer/administrator, and Stephanie Kerschner, member service representative, bring the total number of Northeastern REMC employees to have completed the program to 21. 

And the Winner is... (Again)

Déjà vu. Those folks at the Fort Wayne International Airport really like to give out prizes. A couple weeks ago we covered the giving away of the one millionth cookie at FWA - the lucky recipient received 25,000 frequent flyer miles, a box of DeBrand's Fine Chocolate, and one week of free parking at FWA.

And now, we have the winner of the One in a Million Cookie Contest - D. Muntzinger is the 1st place winner with a submission of "Mint Chocolate Yummies." Muntzinger won 25,000 frequent flyer miles with American, Delta or United Airlines! We have the winning recipe right here for you. To see the other winning entries, and all 27 entries, visit flyfwa.com. 

Mint Chocolate Yummies - First Place Winner
Contestant: D. Muntzinger

3/4 cup butter

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cup brown sugar

1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

2 tablespoons water

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

3 packages Andes Mints (4.5 oz each pkg.)

2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla

1 Cup sugar

Combine butter, and water in a saucepan over medium heat

Stir occasionally until melted

Remove from heat, stir in chocolate chips until melted.

Stir in vanilla and cool for 10 min

Pour chocolate mixture into a large bowl

Beat in the eggs one at a time

Combine dry ingredients and stir into the chocolate mixture

Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour

Drop by teaspoon or roll dough into 1 to 1 1/2 inch balls and place 2 inches apart onto greased or parchment lined cookie sheets

Bake 8 to 10 minutes.  Do not over bake!

Unwrap the Andes Mints and place one on each cookie immediately when remove from oven

Let sit 1 minute and then swirl the soft chocolate over the top of the cookie using the back of a spoon.

Mints can be cut in half for smaller cookies.

Yield: 4-5 doz. depending on size of cookies

Home for the Holidays Winner Arrives Tomorrow

We are happy to announce that one of the winners of the Home for the Holidays contest will arrive in town tomorrow, flying into the Fort Wayne International Airport (FWA)! Tomorrow the Chamber, the FWA and WAJI, Majic 95.1 will welcome contest winner 1st Lieutenant Sarah Gilley home from Afghanistan. Ms. Gilley's mother Pamela submitted her story into the contest, and her entry was one of two winners chosen on December 2. You can read Ms. Gilley's winning entry here.