Ontario County Chamber of Commerce

11/05/2024

CHAMBER ON THE ROAD – South Farmington Friends Cemetery Foundation
Founded in 2018 with nine chartered members, the South Farmington Friends Cemetery Association works to preserve the 1895 historic chapel and maintain it to educate and serve the community for future generations.
The Chamber recently visited the renovated chapel and received a tour of the cemetery.
The chapel is one of three components of the South Farmington Friends Cemetery and Meeting House Historic District. (The cemetery and park complete the district). It was listed on both the state and national registries of historic places in 2024.
Its history includes use as a Quaker Church as well as by the Women’s Christian Temperance Union and Cornell Cooperative Extension until 2000 when the building sat empty.
In 2016, a group of trustees took over; they formed a 501©3 seven years ago.
With the help of an Ontario County Arts Grant, they’ve been able to renovate the chapel. They hope to receive another grant to renovate the kitchen space. When those renovations are complete – hopefully in the next 6 months to one year – they plan to host events in the chapel.
The cemetery, which features winding paths, large trees and a peaceful setting, is the final resting place for many veterans, including those who fought in the Revolutionary War.
To pay tribute to the men and women who fought for our freedoms, the organization takes part in the Wreaths Across America program. Last year, they exceeded their goal with more than 400 wreaths!
This year, Wreaths Across America will be December 14 at thousands of cemeteries across the country.
Volunteers and Scouts will lay wreaths in North Farmington, Hathaway and Salem cemeteries that morning before heading to South Farmington Chapel for an official program at noon.
Speakers will include Susan Smith, director of Ontario County Veterans Service Agency who retired from the U.S. Navy; Peter Ingalsbe, Farmington Town Supervisor; South Farmington Friends Cemetery board members; and a Scout representative.
Following the ceremony, member of the Sons of the American Legion and volunteers will lay wreaths in Shortsville.
For details, visit www.sffca.org.

11/04/2024

MEMBER MILESTONE MONDAY 🎇
For more than 15 years, the Granger Homestead and Carriage Museum has hosted its Christkindl Market.

This year's volunteer-run, juried, holiday craft show be Friday, November 8 to Sunday, November 10.

Admission costs $10 and includes admission to the Festival of Trees!

(Cash only accepted.)

For details, visit https://grangerhomestead.org/

10/30/2024

It was such a wonderful evening!
We can't wait for the ATHENA awards dinner November 14 at Club 86!

The Ontario County Chamber of Commerce and Ontario County ATHENA Steering Committee hosted a Networking Reception for all Ontario County ATHENA honorees and recipients from […]

10/29/2024

LAST CALL!

We want photos of you and your employees/co-workers in action for the Winter Issue of Ontario County Magazine.

We want to see what you do!

Send your photos to [email protected] by Friday, Nov. 1.

10/29/2024

We were on hand Saturday for the grand re-opening of Counterspell Tattoo in Victor!

Welcome to the community!

10/28/2024

The Ontario County Chamber of Commerce honors the life and legacy of George W. Hamlin, IV. As President and CEO of Canandaigua National Bank & Trust for 45 years, George led the bank through a period of remarkable growth while also making an indelible mark on our community. His dedication and vision have left a lasting impact on Ontario County, and he will be remembered fondly by all who had the privilege to know him. Our thoughts are with the Hamlin family and the many whose lives he touched.

10/28/2024

MEMBER MILESTONE MONDAY 🎇

Sands Family YMCA (part of the YMCA of Greater Rochester) recently celebrated its first anniversary in Canandaigua!

If you're an ONChamber member celebrating a milestone, we'd love to hear about it! Email [email protected].

10/24/2024

CHAMBER ON THE ROAD – Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES

Founded in 1948 by the New York State Legislature, Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES has provided educational programs to students in Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, Cayuga, and Yates counties for more than 75 years.

The Chamber visited the Finger Lakes Technical & Career Center before its annual open house for a behind-the-scenes tour.

FLTCC serves about 800 students from 14 districts from Ontario, Seneca, and Yates Counties – while Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES spans an area the size of Rhode Island.

Students are enrolled in programs ranging from Carpentry to Cosmetology to Criminal Justice to Education Professions – and more!
To accommodate the students and ensure the best possible instruction, students are divided into two groups – juniors attend their programs in the afternoon while seniors attend theirs in the morning. (The exception is the New Vision Medical Careers & Health Therapy Sciences programs, which are one-year programs). One of the largest programs is the Electrical Trades with 80 students enrolled.

We were awestruck by the hands-on projects and the passion of the instructors across all disciplines.

Students often complete projects which are then sold as fundraisers. For example, students in the Carpentry program are completing bird houses and tables while students in the Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Academy are making fire pits.
Industry leaders serve on committees to share trends and offer feedback, which then can be incorporated into the curriculum.

Students in the Heavy Equipment Repair and Operations program learn how to operate large machines, and the engine work is saved for those enrolled in the Auto Tech and Diesel programs. Auto Tech students can earn entry-level certifications in eight areas, enabling them to enter the career field right out of high school.

This is true in other program areas as well. For instance, Cosmetology students complete many of the 1,000 hours needed to test for their license; New Vision students can earn 12 college credits; Criminal Justice students can earn their security guard certification; and EMS students can earn eight credits toward the FLCC Paramedic program and complete 54 hours of ride time on an ambulance.

Many of the programs also include internships, including those with the Seneca County Sheriff’s Department, local school districts, and G.W. Lisk.

The phrase “I belong here” was echoed time and time again by both students and instructors. The programs give students who may not have felt at home in a traditional high school setting, a place to find “their people” and hone their interests – while also preparing them for college or the workforce.

Businesses interested in learning more about internships should contact Daniel Ammon at [email protected].

10/23/2024

It’s that time of year to vote for your favorite Scarecrows on Main! These scarecrows were created by Victor businesses, organizations and school groups! Which is your favorite?

Vote here: https://forms.gle/FcCxCqqjLJrksipR7

Polls close October 30th!

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10/22/2024

Thank you Howard Hanna Real Estate Services - Canandaigua Office for hosting our October ON Mixer last week.

Attendees enjoyed delicious food and drink, networking and door prizes.

10/21/2024

MEMBER MILESTONE MONDAY 🎇

Join us in congratulating Ann Scheetz, executive director of The Arc Ontario on her retirement!

Ann, a 2016 ATHENA recipient, had been with the agency since 2012.

Thank you, Ann, for your hard work and dedication, and we wish you a lovely retirement!

10/20/2024

A huge shout out to Hobart and William Smith Colleges and their students for helping at the Chamber office as part of their Day of Service.

We appreciate your help — and we love when community comes together!

10/20/2024

Thank you ! We appreciate your help — and we love when the community comes together!

10/18/2024

As a friendly reminder, our Main Street office and Visitor Center will be closed today, Friday, October 18.