new owners breathe renewed life into lark...
TRANSCRIPT
New Owners Breathe Renewed Life Into Lark Motel
The Lark Motel has been around for decades, but
in recent years its popularity had faded and the
décor had become dated. With larger hotels not far
away, the Lark Motel found it difficult to compete.
Recently, however, Michael Wish and David
Bruce, owners of the Wampum Underground Com-
merce Center, purchased the Lark Motel from the
previous owners and they immediately began ren-
ovations.
The sale closed in April of 2013, and by June the
improvements were in full swing. Today, renova-
tions are complete on most of the rooms as well as
the exterior, lobby and parking lot. The hotel has a
fresh coat of paint in a soft shade of gray with
charcoal and crisp, white trim as well as a new roof
and windows. Cheerful flowers in the front window boxes greet guests during the summer months.
Deb Sudano explains, “When we purchased the Lark Motel, we knew that chang-
es needed to be made to bring the motel up to our standards. We wanted this to
be an affordable place to stay whether guests stayed for a single night or a week
at a time.
Because the motel is just off of the turnpike and so close to several business cor-
ridors, it’s a popular place for work crews to stay for a week or a month at a time
and we wanted to offer guests a clean, bright place to say that was comfortable,
convenient and affordable.”
“We offer six rooms that have a single, full sized bed and six rooms that include
two full sized beds. Every room also has free Internet, cable TV, a microwave ov-
en and a refrigerator so that guests can make anything from a meal to a late night
snack in their rooms. We also have two new patio chairs and a glass top table in
front of each room so that guests can relax outside in good weather. With new
construction and the Marcellus Shale boom bringing additional jobs to the area,
Continued on page 2
IN THIS ISSUE:
The Lark Motel’s New Life
Meet Our Newest Members
Ellwood City Hospital’s
Buy A Brick Campaign
Local H&R Block Office Helps Maximize Tax Re-
funds
Upcoming Meetings &
Events
Special Offers for Mem-
bers
Volume 2, Issue 2 February 2014
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Lark Motel, continued from page 1
It is important to offer affordable rooms. Our rooms are just $54.50 a night or $225.00 weekly. We also offer
both smoking and non-smoking rooms.”
Hotel Manager Amy Cragle has worked at the Lark Motel
for two years and is impressed with the changes. “Once
the renovations started, it seemed like there was some-
thing new to appreciate every day. The lobby is homey
and comfortable and we keep a table stocked with infor-
mation about local attractions and restaurants for our
guests. With several restaurants within a few miles, it’s
easy to get anything from a sandwich to a full Italian din-
ner. We even have an outdoor grille so our guests can
cook out. ”
The Lark Motel is located at 7291 Big Beaver Boulevard,
Big Beaver, Pennsylvania. It is just off exit #13 of the
Pennsylvania Turnpike on Route 18. It’s just minutes away
from Interstates 376 and 80 with Koppel, Chippewa, Wampum and Ellwood City, PA just a short drive away.
For more information on the Lark Motel or to book a room or rooms, call 724-730-1255. For information on Cor-
porate Lease Programs, contact Mike Wish at 724-654-5211 or [email protected].
Meet Our Newest Members
H & R Block 433 Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City, PA. H & R Block is one of the world's largest tax services providers, utilizing more than 100,000 highly trained tax professionals and having prepared more than 550 million tax returns worldwide since 1955. William Johns is the Office Leader for Ellwood City. Website: http://www.hrblock.com Email: [email protected] Telephone: 724-752-1077 The Common Scents Candle Company, 217 Franklin Ave., Ellwood City, PA. Common Scents Candles specializes in high-ly scented, hand-poured candles and wax melts, including a line of seasonal and aroma-therapy candles. You can find the owner, Bar-bara Wilson, at the Ellwood City Farmers’ Market on most Saturday mornings during Market season. Email: [email protected]. Telephone: 724-971-1050
2014 WABA Events May 31st 25th Annual Community Yard Sale June 22nd Concert at the Gazebo Skyn Deep
July 13th Concert at the Gazebo Smokey
Aug 1st-3rd Homecoming Weekend Fri: Wampum Car Cruise; Pluck A Duck
Sat. Homecoming Dinner Sun Concert at the Gazebo Dorals
Aug 24th Concert at the Gazebo Allegheny Drifters
Dec 4th Light Up the Town
Dec 13th Annual Christmas Decorating Contest
Wampum Area Business Association
WABA membership is
open to everyone. At $20
annually, it is the best
‘bang for your buck’ to
promote your business!
Call 724.535.8866 for a
membership application.
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The Ellwood City Hospital Buy A Brick Campaign
To be displayed on a wall in the Hospital’s Courtyard area located between Mary Evans and the ER.
$100 per Brick Includes up to 3 lines with a maximum of
12 characters per line. Recognize/Honor/Commemorate
Your Loved Ones, Your Family, Your Business
Yes I would like to purchase a brick. My information is as follows:
Name_______________________________________________________________
Address______________________________________________________________
Phone__________________________________Payment Enclosed_______________
Send the form with your payment to Buy a Brick Campaign, Ellwood City Hospital, 724 Pershing Street, Ellwood City, PA 16117. Call 724-752-6748 for Credit Card Payments.
Please indicate below what you would like on your brick (up to 12 characters per line).
1st Line ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
2nd Line ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
3rd Line ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____
Questions? Call 724-752-6748.
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Local H&R Block Office Is Ready to Help Area Individuals
and Businesses Maximize Their Refunds
H&R Block, Inc. is currently the world’s largest consumer tax services pro-
vider, preparing over 625 million tax returns worldwide since 1955, but area
residents are more interested in the quality of service at the local level. For-
tunately, the H&R Block office at 433 Lawrence Avenue, Ellwood City, PA
has been providing excellent tax preparation services since 2002. William
Johns is the Office Leader at the Ellwood City office, where he is part of a
tax preparation team that includes more than 40 years of combined tax ex-
perience.
Knowledge and Education
Office Leader William Johns offered his take on why the Ellwood City office has been so successful each of the
last twelve years. “Our tax professionals understand the complexity of the tax code and are excited that we can
bring simplicity to it for our customers and get them the best refund possible,” he said. “Among the top tax-
changing milestones are getting a first job, buying a house, getting married, becoming a parent and retiring.
These life events often bring tax breaks, as well. For example, claiming all allowable business expenses and
higher education tax breaks can save families money.” Johns explained that the average client sees a tax pro-
fessional with more than eight years of tax preparer experience and 450 hours of training.
Unique Health Care Review Available
The Affordable Care Act is the biggest change to the tax code in 20 years. H&R Block has worked on behalf of
clients to understand what it means for them. H&R Block offers every client a free tax and health care review.
The deadline for the uninsured to apply for health insurance is March 31st, and H&R Block can guide clients
through the intersection of health care needs and taxes. By using the company’s online, virtual healthcare mar-
ketplace (http://www.helpth.com), clients can get no-cost, no-obligation information to help them choose and
enroll in the best health care plan for their family.
No Bank Account? No Problem!
While the fastest way to receive a refund is to
file electronically with direct deposit to your
bank account, it isn’t the only way to get a
quick turn-around on an anticipated tax re-
fund. For taxpayers who don’t have a bank
account, the company can place a refund on
the Emerald Prepaid MasterCard®. The Em-
erald Card provides control and flexibility for
consumers with a low fee.
Continued on page 5
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Continued from page 4
Ellwood City H&R Block Services
The Ellwood City H&R Block office at 433 Lawrence Avenue is currently open seven days a week, from 9:00
am to 9:00 pm, for the convenience of families whose schedules may make it difficult to visit the office during
normal business hours. Although walk-ins are welcome, William Johns recommends making an appointment
so that taxpayers don’t have to wait for an available tax preparer. He stressed H&R Block’s commitment to
helping consumers get the maximum tax benefit they deserve, noting, “It’s not about getting your tax return
done – it’s about getting it done right.”
To schedule an appointment or talk to one of H&R Block’s tax professionals, call the Ellwood City office at
724-752-1077 between 9:00 am and 9:00 pm Monday through Saturday.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Saturday, February 22nd
:
Masons’ Indoor Flea Market & Craft Show from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Masonic Lodge, 512 Crescent Av-
enue, Ellwood City, PA. Lots of vendors and some beautiful flea market finds for everyone!
Cash Mob at 11:00 am –Meet at the Ellwood City Plaza on Lawrence Avenue across from the Municipal Build-
ing and bring $20 to spend at a local business.
Gather friends and family to participate, bring $20 to spend and walk with the group to “mob” (i.e. shop) the pre-selected business and support our local economy. Butler County’s Celebration of Chocolate from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm at the Pittsburgh Marriott North, 100 Cranberry Woods Drive, Cranberry Township, PA. A family friendly event featuring chocolate competitions, chocolate pairings, hourly live demonstrations, a vast array of chocolate-related vendors, a kids’ area and more. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Learn more at Celebration of Chocolate.
Letters & Songs…An Evening of Love! The Red Barn Players present the award-winning play "Love Letters"
coupled with love songs AND a romantic dinner at Shakespeare's Restaurant & Pub at Olde Stonewall Golf
Club. Show starts at 7:00 pm and reservations are required. Call 724-752-4653 for your reservations. Dinner
and Show just $35.00 per person!
Sunday, February 23rd
:
Butler County’s Celebration of Chocolate from noon to 5:00 pm at the Pittsburgh Marriott North, 100 Cran-berry Woods Drive, Cranberry Township, PA. A family friendly event featuring chocolate competitions, choco-late pairings, hourly live demonstrations, a vast array of chocolate-related vendors, a kids’ area and more. Ad-mission is $10 for adults and $5 for children. Learn more at Celebration of Chocolate. Letters & Songs…An Evening of Love! The Red Barn Players present the award-winning play "Love Letters" coupled with love songs AND a romantic dinner at Shakespeare's Restaurant & Pub at Olde Stonewall Golf Club. Show starts at 4:00 pm and reservations are required. Call 724-752-4653 for your reservations. Dinner and Show just $35.00 per person!
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Upcoming Meetings and Events (cont’d from Page 5)
Monday, February 24th
:
Informational Oil & Gas Course Seminar beginning at 6:30 pm at the Lawrence County Career & Technical Center,
750 Phelps Way, New Castle, PA 16101. The informational seminar will introduce interested parties to the curriculum
for an upcoming Oil & Gas Course. Time permitting, industry experts will offer personal insight into the industry as well
as their particular field of expertise. The course is approved by the State of Pennsylvania and has been created with
the assistance of the Pennsylvania Independent Oil & Gas Association (PIOGA) and leaders of the natural gas and oil
industries.
Thursday, February 27th
:
QuickBooks Advanced Class will be offered from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Chamber offices. This course is ideal
for anyone currently using QuickBooks who would like a more in-depth understanding of QuickBooks and who would
like to learn more about customizing and maintaining QuickBooks as well as bank reconciliation, using reports &
graphs, adjustments and year-end procedures. Reservations are required. Cost is $50 for members, $60 for non-
members. Call 724-758-5501 to reserve your spot.
An Eve of Music at Ferrante Upholstering & Carpeting, 3384 Route 18, Wampum, PA from 7:00 to 8:00 pm featur-ing Smokey. The event is free to the public. For more information, please call 724-535-8866 or visit www.ferranteinteriors.com.
From now through February 28th
:
The Hoyt Arts Center is sponsoring a free gallery exhibition highlighting 12 regional artists creatively reusing various materials in their works of art. Gallery hours are 11:00 to 8:00 Tuesdays & Thursdays, 11:00 to 4:00 on Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays. For more information, visit www.hoytartcenter.org or call 724-652-2882.
Local Landscapes, an art show at The Confluence, 214 E. Washington St, New Castle, PA. Featuring paintings by
Kate Burke, Nancy Connelly, Nancy Hawkins, Kevin McLatchy & Wendy Warner. Works are available for sale.
Special Offers For Members
Ellwood Animal Hospital is offering members special therapy discounts for pets now through March 31st.
Chamber members can now save 50% on eight (8) sessions of Under Water Treadmill Swim Conditioning for a price of
just $244, including an initial exam. These swim sessions are an excellent way to reduce pain of arthritis, help them
with weight loss and condition them for sports or hunting. Chamber members can also save $85 on a Therapeutic/
Rehabilitative package of eight (8) Swing Therapy sessions AND eight (8) Laser Therapy Sessions, plus a full physical
evaluation. Normally $585, it’s just $500 for Chamber members through March 31st.
Ellwood City Chamber Members save 10%* on tickets for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra series at the Scottish Rite Cathedral! Enjoy world-class performances close to home and save on your seats! For detailed pro-gram information or to purchase your tickets, visit www.pittsburghsymphony.org/SRC and order with promo code ELLWOOD to unlock your savings.* Get a 10% savings on your auto, home or life insurance from Liberty Mutual! Contact new Chamber member Josh Sipe at Liberty Mutual, 2501 Wilmington Road, New Castle PA, email him at [email protected] or call 724-776-2350, extension 54027 for more information. Friends Business Solutions 2+2 Program. Order your office supplies from Friends for next day delivery and get a 2% rebate for your business and a 2% rebate for the Chamber of Commerce based on your purchases! Call Joe Wright at Friends (800-427-1704).