Here's What's Happening February 16, 2022

Weekly Chamber E-News
Your Source For Everything Local

www.SalemCountyChamber.com













We Welcome The Find Marketplace as our newest Chamber Member


For more information about The Find Marketplace





Parker Jewelers Storewide 30% Off Sale!




For more about Parker Jewelers Click HERE

AND Chery Turner, Owner of Parker Jewelers also provides ear piercing service. Call for your appointment






Mike Totten's Story


For this Heart Attack Survivor, 'Shoulder Pain Is His Chest Pain'



Belfint, Lyons and Shuman An


Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, P.A. Prepares for the Future
with New Leadership Structure

Wilmington, DE – February 10, 2022 — Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, P.A. (BLS), a certified public accounting and consulting firm with offices in Delaware and Pennsylvania, announces a new leadership structure and recognizes the firm’s achievements under Michael T. French, CPA as Managing Director.

To ensure the proper management and succession of the firm, it is with great excitement and anticipation that we announce a new shared leadership governance structure effective January 1, 2022. As such, BLS is evolving from a traditional, singular Managing Director model to a three-member Executive Director model. This newly appointed leadership team will create an even more collaborative approach to managing the firm while improving on our ability to continue providing exceptional services for our clients. The following individuals were appointed to the new Executive Director roles:

                    Jeffrey A. Elwell, CPA – Executive Director of Administration (Pictured)
                    Anne Mary Kluska, CPA, CVA – Executive Director of Client Services
                    Jonathan D. Moll, CPA - Executive Director of Strategy

Jonathan D. Moll, CPA states, “This new governance model will allow us to continue to build on the leadership philosophy rooted in respect and communication established by Michael and leverage the strengths and unique skill sets of our team to continue to manage the firm toward continued success.”

After seven years of working tirelessly in the role of Managing Director to help promote BLS’ mission of providing exceptional services through exceptional people, Michael T. French, CPA will now work with the new leadership team as part of a detailed succession plan that has been designed to ensure BLS’ sustainability as one of the largest and most respected locally owned firms in Delaware. Michael has been Managing Director of BLS since 2015 and a member of the firm since 1980 when he started as an Intern. The transition began on January 1, 2022 and Michael will remain a valued member of the BLS Family to help guide new leadership until his retirement.

Jonathan D. Moll, CPA states, “Michael helped build a culture at the firm in which everyone on our team had a platform for recognition in the community as a leader within their practice niche. His empathetic leadership style was paramount to developing the next generation of firm leadership. Along with being a sounding board for new leadership, Michael will play a key role in identified projects including, facilities, client experience, and chairing the firm’s upcoming 100th Anniversary Committee, as well as continue to service clients as a director/shareholder at BLS,” comments Jonathan D. Moll, CPA.

A brief sample of the many accomplishments during Michael’s time as Managing Director include:
                    Led an infusion of new talent to where 40% of the firm’s current team started during his tenure as Managing Director
                    Expanded the leadership group with four members admitted to Director/Shareholder and six to Principal during his Managing Director tenure
                    Focused on diversifying leadership to where 62% of current shareholders are females vs. 16% in 2014
                    Increased firm revenue by 45% during his Managing Director tenure
                    Fostered an era of automation, including Lean Six Sigma process reengineering, cloud-based workflow management, and a totally paperless environment.

Michael T. French, CPA states, “It was only through a true collaborative approach that we realized this success and it couldn’t have happened without the contributions from all of our team. I have enjoyed the past 42 years at BLS, especially the last seven years as Managing Director, and I’m so very proud of how we have grown as a company, as individuals, and as a community. By remaining true to our core values, we continue to enhance our roles as trusted advisors to our clients, and our valued position among other business professionals and community leaders, as well as our relationships with each other. No one gets this far in life without help. It’s accomplished as a team, and I know that better than anyone. With our new leadership, I’m very confident in our ability to continue to build on what we have achieved, and I cannot thank everyone enough for their support over the years.”



Penns Grove Elks Club Soup Sale & Upcoming Events


Taco Tuesday every Tuesday from 6-9 with Shrimp, Beef and Chicken tacos.

Every Friday is some kind of dinner for $10 from 6-9 as well. This week is a French Dip Sandwich with Cole Slaw.

The lodge is currently open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays and we open at 6 pm.


For More Information Click HERE




Salem County School Unification Feasibility Study Results & Power Point Presentation


Attached are the documents for the Feasibility Study for the Unification of Salem County Schools including the Final Report, Executive Summary and PowerPoint from the public meetings on January 31 and February 1, 2022.






Dry Guys is Hiring


Dry Guys is Hiring! Click on the link to view opportunities and appy.
 


 


February 27 Jazz Vespers at St John's Episcopal Church, Salem


at Saint John's Episcopal Church, Salem




From Bill McGowan at RCL Solar


For more information about RCL Solar Click HERE










The Newest From Creek's Edge Pizza & Grill


For more information:























Katz/Pierz

David KaschakAccount Executive
413 Marlton Pike East, Suite 100 │Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-2483
856-672-7755│ Fax 856-216-7775│ Cell 856-371-3331



Upcoming American Red Cross Blood Drives

The need for blood doesn't take a holiday. The Red Cross needs the help of donors in our community to help ensure patients have access to lifesaving blood & platelets amid its lowest blood supply in 10+ years. Schedule your appointment to #GiveWithMeaning: www.rcblood.org/donate
 
Upcoming Salem County blood drives include:
 
 


Tuesday March 1, 2 - 7 p.m. at the Sharptown United Methodist Church, 3 Chapel St., Pilesgrove 08098

Tuesday March 15, 12 - 5 p.m. at The Grove at Centerton, 1022 Almond Rd., Pittsgrove Township, 08318

Wednesday March 30, 2:30 - 7:30 at the Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit, 2 Lamplighter Dr., Woodstown 08098

You can schedule an appointment using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). There is no blood
donation waiting period for those who have received a flu shot or a Moderna, Pfizer or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine or booster, so long as they are symptom-free.

If you have ever wondered if you could be a blood donor, here is a link to the Red Cross donor eligibility requirements:






March 1 - Best of Salem County Voting Begins

The 2022 Best of Salem County contest voting begins on March 1 and runs through March 31 at 5pm.

A draft ballot will be distributed shortly for all Chamber Members to view and provide input. Your feedback is incredibly important.

Only Chamber Members will appear on the ballot.

The Best of Salem County Celebration event will be held May 5, 2022 5:30 pm - 8pm at the Salem County Fairgrounds.

The Event Planning Committee is currently working to solicit bids for the event meal from Members who provide catering services.

We're planning a casual fun event, picnic style. We hope to avoid last year's bad weather and hold the event in the stage area. The great thing about the Fairgrounds is we do have covered building options in case of bad weather.

Look for more detail in the coming weeks.

The Planning Committee includes:

Chair - Sue Ann Leighty, Habitat for Humanity & The Leighty Team
Dawn Ellis, Salem Branch Manager, Franklin Bank
John Campbell, Director of IT, Mannington Mills
Rob Bender, SVP, First National Bank of Elmer & Chair of The Chamber Board

The Chamber's Marketing Committee is designing a new event logo.





March 3 - Morning Coffee & Connections Networking at Forman S. Acton Educational Foundation - NOTE DATE CHANGE


March 3, 2022
8:00 am – 10am

Morning Coffee
Networking at The Offices of the Forman S. Acton Educational Foundation





Located at: 205 E. Broadway
(Fenwick Plaza)
 Salem, NJ 08079

Join us for morning coffee, refreshments and networking hosted by The Forman Acton Educational Foundation. 

Come out for great networking and learn more about their program. Remember to bring plenty of business cards and business brochures to share with new contacts.


To ensure adequate refreshments, please RSVP your intention to attend at [email protected]  or call 856-351-2245





March 25 8am - 10am Work Life Balance Virtual Business Education Workshop via Zoom


March 25, 2022
8:00 am – 10am

Via Zoom


The Chamber's Business Education Committee is pleased to present the virtual Work Life Balance Workshop. Bill Martin, Fitness, Nutrition and Life Coach from Jersey Fitness will review tips and best practices for successfully creating meaningful and successful work/life balance.

To register and receive the login and passcode please contact [email protected]  or call 856-351-2245





April 7 Bag Up NJ Networking Event at Salem County Improvement Authority

Please be advised, on May 4 the NJ Non Reusable Bag Ban becomes law.

The Salem County Chamber of Commerce participated with 50 other NJ Chambers through the Chamber Alliance to oppose the bag ban because we all understand how this new law will impact our small business retail and restaurants. We were not successful in our opposition, but Salem County Improvement Authority to the rescue!


Reusable Bag Networking Event
April 7, 2022
4:30 pm - 6pm

Hosted and Sponsored by Salem County Improvement Authority

286 Welchville Road (Rt 540)
Alloway, NJ 08001

Salem County Improvement Authority is our host for The Chamber's April 7, 2022 Networking Event. To prepare local businesses for NJ's Reusable Shopping Bag mandate, SCIA will give away100 reusable bags to each business that attends the event.

Join us for great networking, refreshments and a leg up on free reusable bags!
To ensure appropriate refreshments, please RSVP your intention to attend by contacting [email protected] or call 856-351-2245











September 10 & 11 South Jersey Apple Fest

Presented by B & K Enterprises at the Salem County Fairgrounds

Salem County, NJ; The South Jersey Apple Fest, a fourth annual apple theme event, is coming to the Salem County Fairgrounds, 735 Harding Hwy,

Pilesgrove/Woodstown, NJ on September 10-11, 2022. Families invited to show up from 10am to 5pm to kick-off the apple harvest season.

Apples, Apples & more: Visitors to the show will enjoy delicious treats from Apple Pie by the Slice, Candy Apples, Apple Bread, Apple Butter, Apple Sauce, and of course Apple Cider. Bakers invited to enter their best apple dessert in our “Everything Apple Dessert Contest” on Saturday at 2pm. After judging, families visiting the festival will have the opportunity to sample the entries for free. The Apple Mascot will make an appearance both days and be available for photos.

The Craft Show: Over 100 talented artists and crafters will offer amazing works from clothing to ceramics, paintings, pottery, glasswork, soaps, candles, quilting, woodworking, wreaths to handcrafted jewelry.

Happenings: There will be a Fall Home Show, offering savings on hundreds of products and services, wine samples, apple toss for adults, live bands, Vendor Fair, free hayrides, delicious festival food court, apple by the bags, , farm produce, free craft making for kids, face painting, Apple Pie Eating Contest for kids under 12, pony rides, free hayrides and pet friendly.

Apple Pageant: The Little Miss Apple Pageant for girls ages 4-8 from South Jersey are invited to sign up. The Pageant starts on Sunday at 2pm. This pageant is free to join, and all contestants receive prizes for taking part. One Queen and first to fourth runners selected. Tiaras, sashes, and gifts awarded to winners. This is a semi-formal to formal pageant with a theme of apple colors.

Other Details: Everything about the event has Family Fun at the core! This is a pet friendly event, free admission and parking is $5.00 a carload. Free apples for kids. All contests are free to enter. Vendors and Sponsors needed. Kathy Wright organizes this event, of B & K Enterprise, Millville NJ. Promoting family friendly, affordable events in South Jersey. Visit our website for event schedule, contest forms and general details at www.sjapplefest.com or call 856-765-0118. Part of the parking proceeds donated to local nonprofit.
 
 
 







October 8 & 9 19th Annual South Jersey Pumpkin Show



Presented by B & K Enterprises at the Salem County Fairgrounds

The 19th annual South Jersey Pumpkin festival returns to the Salem County Fairgrounds on October 8-9, 2022, 735 Harding Hwy, New Jersey. Families are invited to attend in support of small and local businesses.  

The South Jersey Pumpkin Show has become one of the best ways to welcome the autumn harvest with kids and parents alike. Festival goers visiting will enjoy pumpkin desserts, over 150 vendor booths, Fall Home Show, fun contests, give-a-ways, wine sampling, food court, Amusement Rides, Fun Haunted Barn, pony rides and hayrides around the fairgrounds. The festival will host a variety of live musical acts daily. The giant Pumpkin Pyramid, filled with pumpkins, and mums, represents everything beautiful about the fall harvest. Each year dozens of the participating vendors compete for prizes for the best Fall Scarecrows. Visiting festival goers are invited to help pick the winners.

Saturday activities includes the Adults Pumpkin Toss and the Pumpkin Dessert Contest with free sampling. Saturday will showcase a reading of the legend of Sleepy Hollow and the arrival of the Headless Horsemen at the graveyard. The Halloween Costume Contest & Trick or Treat Stroll for kids ages 4-10 begins at 6pm.
 
Sunday events will start with the All-Breed Fun Dog Show at noon & Little Miss Pumpkin Show Queen Pageant at 2pm. Come search for one of our Halloween Painted Rocks and win amazing prizes. The Salem County Fairgrounds is located just a few miles from Delaware Memorial Bridge. Admissions is free, parking $5.00 a carload. Portion of proceeds to benefit a Salem County nonprofit group.

Event runs rain or shine. Visit the website for details and updates at www.sjpumpkinshow.com. Vendors and sponsors being sought. All NJ State & CDC COVID 19 regulations will be in place. Call 856-765-0118 with questions










 Salem County Chamber of Commerce | 856-351-2245[email protected]| www.SalemCountyChamber.com