Business coaches and consultants tell business owners to “Aggregate, Filter, and Connect,”  to motivate them to move their companies forward to increased revenue streams. Others are telling newspapers, magazines and tv and radio stations they need to aggregate, filter and connect if they expect to survive.

Folks, this is nothing new.

As glenw and Tim Kastille and John Steen tell us (here and here, respectively), successful business people have been doing this for centuries. They’ve called it networking, building relationships, or just doing business.

Last Wednesday Foxburg hosted the second Cooperative Chamber of Commerce Mixer for the several regional Chambers of commerce: Armstrong, Butler, Clarion and Venango Counties as well as Franklin and Grove City.

More than 400 Chamber members attended, and the whole place was filled with “aggregating,” “filtering,” and “connecting.”

Some folks were introduced for the first time to possible future business connections. Others renewed old acquaintances. Some met folks in person for the first time, even though they’ve done business together via phone, email, snail mail or the Internet.

The Internet has certainly changed some of the ways we do business. The consumer has more accessibility to goods and services. Businesses are able to reach prospects directly rather than through intermediaries such as newspapers and electronic media. The Internet encourages ongoing feedback while traditional media are basically one way pronouncements. Everyone can be a reporter and photographer today.

In a similar way, if we carry to the Internet our long-known attributes of aggregating (seeking contacts), filtering (qualifying or seeking common ground) and connecting (making calls and visits), we can be successful online too.

Business is still human relations and practice of the golden rule, regardless of the communications channel.

Due to the long history of strip mining in Clarion County, many have thought the Clarion River and its tributaries were too polluted to permit fish to live. But over the years, efforts have been made to clean the river system of acid drainage. These efforts have been successful, and more and more people are finding out what this means to the area and our fish.

Until about ten years ago, my wife and I lived on the Clarion River about five miles south of Piney Dam. On several occasions I saw a man I knew drive up a dirt road in front of our home and toward the dam. One time as he was coming back, I waved him to come over to our driveway. I asked him why he was always driving up the dirt road since he didn’t live there. With a grin he reached back behind his seat and brought up a beautiful string of bass. I said I thought the river was dead, and with the dam generating it would cause some very shallow levels when the water was held in the dam. With another knowing grin he said most folks still think it’s dead and besides, there are some very nice, deep holes where the fish congregate when the water level goes down. The secret is to know where the holes are.

Nowadays as I’m traveling up the Allegheny River at night from Parker to Emlenton, I notice lights and campfires along the shore. I’ve been told these are folks fishing for catfish.

Two years ago the Pittsburgh Tribune Review ran a long story about fishing on the Allegheny. They noted that some guides bring their fishermen to the mouth of the Clarion River on the Allegheny between Parker and Foxburg.

If you’re looking for a guide to help you find just the right fishing spot, Jeff Knapp of Kittanning is a professional fishing guide. One of his favorite places to bring fishermen is the mouth of the Clarion River. He covers a wide range on the Allegheny as well as Kahle Lake. Jeff can be reached at www.keystoneconnection.com — jeffmknapp@gmail.com or 724 902 6082.

It is common now to see fishing boats going up and down the Allegheny in front of our hotel. If you need bait or tackle, Gunner Muller’s shop is just across the river. He’s open seven days a week from 7am to 7pm. If you stop in, ask him about his Catfish Contest.

A team of faculty and students from California University of Pennsylvania have had the assignment of cataloging the fish inventory on the Allegheny River and its tributaries from the Point in Pittsburgh northward. According to Dr. David Argent, Chairperson of the Department of Biological and Environmental Services and head of the project, they recently collected fifteen different species of fish at the mouth of the Clarion River and from the mouth of Catfish Creek to the mouth of Mill Creek they have documented over 40 different species along the Allegheny River’s Course.

Here at the hotel we have folks from other states who have been coming for several years to fish not only the Allegheny and Clarion Rivers, but Kahle Lake as well. It’s just a few miles north of here and also considered a secret.

My understanding is there are enough fish in the waters for everyone. So if fishing is your game, come and see us.

Photo credit: Richard Lamberski

Weekends can be hectic here and elsewhere with weddings, festivals and sporting events. Retired and semi-retired folks tell us they have more control of their time and they like to find opportunities for recreation and relaxation during the week not available to the individuals who must work Monday through Friday.

Recently we’ve also had bowling leagues and groups of women come in for a few days of golf and just relaxation.

If this makes sense to you and you want to get away for a few days, give us a call or email. We’ll put together a nice package for just two of you or a group.

More Gift Ideas…

Give back by purchasing a gift from the

 Foxburg Free Library

Thursday, April 22, 2010 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Library

Mom and Dad have been such forces in our lives and a gift of giving is just the ticket! The Foxburg Free Library is holding their annual Spring Fling on Thursday, April 22nd at the Library. Vendors demonstrating and selling their wares include: Lia Sophia jewelry; Tastefully Simple, Tupperware, Home Decor, Usbourne Books, Mary Kay Cosmetics, and Thirty-One Gifts. This all benefits the library! There is also a basket raffle and mouth watering food. Come on in and join the fun – shop a bit then stroll down to the Foxburg Inn to talk to our friendly staff.

Gifts especially for Mom

How about a night at the Foxburg Inn – brunch at the Allegheny Grille – a walk on our bike trail – then a Cahal Dunne concert  to top off the day…

Your Mom is guaranteed to smile and reflect upon the great job she did raising her brood!

Cahal Dunne, a popular Irish vocalist, will perform an evening show on Saturday, May 8 at the RiverStone Event Barn at 7:00 p.m.  Night club seating and the wine and cheese will have Mom’s approval. (Tickets $25).

On Sunday Cahal Dunne will perform once more at Lincoln Hall. His Mothers’ Day Concert is at 2:00 p.m.  (Tickets $15). Tickets for either performance can be purchased at the Foxburg Inn by calling 724-659-3116.

About Cahal Dunne

Cahal Dunne is a composer, pianist, comedian, story teller, and television personality. His style is rich and deep, reflecting the many strands in his distinguished career.

Dunne’s current CD’s include: Shamrocks & Heather; A Little Bit of Irish; Thank You America; and Cahal Dunne’s Songs of Inspiration that includes gospel greats such as How Great Thou Art and Amazing Grace.

Join us – sit back and enjoy this entertainer extraordinaire!

Here’s an example: We received this fun story from Jason Eustice, a professional DJ, songwriter, and performer based in Louisville, KY. He’s been in Louisville for about twelve years after having worked in Nashville. Jason comes to Foxburg to visit his sister, Debbie, several times a year. Debbie manages the Foxburg Wine Cellars, right across the way from the Inn. Their mom lives in the Oil City area.

Here’s Jason’s story:

I was at a Mexican Restaurant in Shelbyville, Kentucky called Marimbas Mexican Restaurant, had just got done ordering my Chicken Burrito Supreme with extra tomato salsa…

I saw a couple of folks getting up to leave and as they passed by me, they noticed that I had on some Pittsburgh Steelers Gear (hat, shirt & coat) and they said—Hey, what about those Steelers?

That started a twenty minute discussion on how we would have coached them to five wins in a row, rather than 5 losses—haha, what coaches we would be!

They were both originally from Pittsburgh, but had moved to Shelbyville for work or spouse’s work.

We exchanged business cards, then the next day I had sent them an email thanking them and telling them how nice it was to meet them and where there was a local Steeler’s Bar, “Our Bar” in Louisville Ky, so that they could go check it out.

They emailed me back and said, and oh, by the way, if you ever make it back to Pa, be sure to stop at two of our absolute most favorite places, a must stop every time we go home…..they said the first place was Primante Brothers for their most excellent selection of sandwiches and the other….Foxburg Winery, for the absolute best wine.

At that moment, I was in shock!  Little did they know that it was my uncle, Ken Show, who partnered up with Doc Steffee and came up with all of the recipes for all the Foxburg Wine Cellars wine varieties.

So, i emailed them back to tell them my connection, and they were absolutely in shock as well!

Isn’t it a small world?

Do you have a Foxburg small world story? Drop us a line about it, or post it in the comments.

Donald & Jennifer Ornelas Wedding

We’ve seen a lot of interest in outdoor weddings recently, and it’s no surprise when you see how beautiful the Foxburg area is. Who wouldn’t want to celebrate the wedding in such a glorious setting?

Donald and Jennifer Ornelas held their wedding last summer in the Riverstone Event Center, which is associated with us at the Foxburg Inn. What a wonderful occasion it was. You can see wonderful photos and read a nice summary of the event in this blog post by Pifemaster Productions, who handled the DJ responsibilities.

All ready for the guests and the lucky couple

Dancing the night away inside the Riverstone Event Center

The Allegheny Grille’s New Year’s Eve Extravaganza will include dinner and drink specials, dancing, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight. Watch the ball drop on their 5 HDTVs, and dance the night away overlooking the Allegheny River.

And afterward, instead of driving home, step across the courtyard and stay with us at the Foxburg Inn. Enjoy a comfy sleep and awaken to a beautiful morning. There’s no better way to start the New Year!

For New Year’s Eve party reservations, call the Allegheny Grille: (724) 659-5701

For New Year’s Eve hotel reservations, call our staff: 724-659-3116 or 724-659-3117
Or book your hotel room online.

Amid the hustle and bustle of December, there’s not a minute to waste. Skip the mall traffic and the crowds at the big box stores. We have two solutions for you:

Come to Foxburg and see what our local retailers have to offer. You’ll find unusual gifts that are certain to please. Chocolates, local foods and wines, antiques, collectibles, jewelry, Amish furniture, fine ladies clothing, even motorcycle gear … no matter who you have to shop for, you can find the perfect gift in Foxburg, PA. Parking is a breeze, and all our stores are just steps away from each other.

Or, if you don’t even have time to get in the car and come here, you can buy a great gift online: a gift certificate for a stay at the Foxburg Inn! It’s flexible, can be used any time, and you can purchase the amount that fits your budget. Buy now and get a printable certificate right away, have the certificate emailed to the recipient, or have our staff send a lovely full-color certificate to the recipient through the US mail. Click here to buy a gift certificate.

See how easy that was? Now you can relax and enjoy the rest of December. Happy holidays!

Tionesta, PA, is holding a Christmas in the Forest celebration this weekend and next, December 18 to 20 and December 26 to 28. Activities each weekend will include a bonfire, a Christmas cookie social, and sleigh rides. Find out more at the Forest County website.

Sleigh Rides (photo courtesy The Gateway Lodge)

Cook Forest State Park will hold a birding expedition the morning of Saturday, December 19. the data collected will be used for research! Find out more

After your birding expedition, go snowshoeing on Tom’s Run-Swinging Bridge-Birch Trail on Cook Forest. Bring your own shoes or borrow a pair from the forest. Details are available at the Great Outdoors website.

Or if a carriage ride on a wintry day is more your style, the Gateway Lodge in Cooksburg, PA, will be offering rides through Cook Forest on Saturday. Space is limited, and reservations are needed. Get the scoop at the Gateway Lodge website.

Even high end products from exclusive retailers like Neiman Marcus must be made in large quantities to justify the investment by the manufacturers.

Meanwhile, we are all unique individuals. We come from different backgrounds. We experience diverse activities in our own ways. I remember “a time” when we …. or “a time” when Dad or Mom said …. or “a time” when my wife and I ….

Foxburg offers many opportunities for “a time” that can be fondly remembered.

We have folks who come to have “a time” fishing the Clarion and Allegheny Rivers. Many come for receptions, reunions or just to have a party. Lovers of the arts come to enjoy the ARCA sponsored events at Lincoln Hall. Couples enjoy Foxburg as a romantic getaway, and individuals come to complete a project or to just have “a time” for some peace and quiet.

A Gift Certificate to the Foxburg Inn Hotel is the ideal gift to provide a favored relative, friend or associate the wonderful experience of “a time” in Foxburg.

You can purchase a gift certificate online and immediately print it. Or we can one to you or the person of your choice. If you need  information please email us or call 724 659 3116 or 724 659 3117.