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Welcome to the Chamber!
We invite you to explore what the Juniata River Valley Chamber of Commerce has to offer. Our Chamber of Commerce has a history that stretches back over 100 years, but we continue to find new ways to improve the economy and quality of life for our residents in Mifflin and Juniata Counties. We do this by offering opportunities to connect with other businesses, leadership development, advocacy and support, as well as educational opportunities. In coordination with our local school districts, we are working to better prepare our future workforce, ensuring a better tomorrow. We invite you to explore our site, learn about the benefits of membership, browse our membership list, learn more about our upcoming events and meet our staff and board of directors. Most importantly, we want you to “Get Connected”.
The Dog Days of Summer
August 1, 2024
The Dog Days of Summer Yes, there is such a thing as "The Dog Days of Summer," and boy, have we been experiencing it lately! Just today, the backyard thermometer read 107 degrees! When I think of that phrase, I envision a dog contentedly sitting in front of a fan, head raised, with ears blowing in the breeze, attempting to cool off. For both animals and humans alike, it is a time when we become tired, irritable, and downright hard to live with. Arguments break out over the smallest, most insignificant things. We leave our air-conditioned offices only to enter our stifling cars with their flesh-burning seats, sit in road construction traffic, and finally arrive at home before our air conditioners even begin to deliver cold air. According to the Farmer’s Almanac, the “Dog Days of Summer” span from July 3rd to August 11th. In ancient Greek and Roman history, this period was associated with drought, bad luck, and restlessness, causing people to act irrationally and go a bit crazy. They believed the intense heat was due to the rising of the constellation Canis major, “The Great Dog,” which includes the brightest star in the sky besides the sun. This star was thought to cause the heat, hence the term “Dog Days.” Although this belief has been disproven, the term stuck and is still used today. Learn More
Painting the Sky with the Colors of Freedom & Independence
August 1, 2024
Friends, sometimes you just need to get things off your chest, and today is one of those times for me. You are fortunate (or perhaps unfortunate, depending on how you see it) to be on the receiving end of my current unpacking. This year's fundraising efforts for the fireworks were particularly challenging. Not only did the funds come in slowly and below the required amount within the usual timeframe, but the Chamber also faced significant criticism on social media. Many of the negative comments stemmed from a lack of understanding about how the event is organized and funded. We heard everything from accusations of misusing tax money, thinking that we were somehow a government entity, to suggestions like using parking meter money or selling hot dogs to fund the fireworks. Some of the comments were quite scathing. I vowed not to read them, but curiosity got the better of me, and read them I did. Learn More
