Yohe Realty Named "1998 Small Business of the Year"June 1998
| Diane Stout, Editor | June 1998 |
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Yohe Realty Named "1998 Small Business of the Year"
Legislative ReportYohe Realty Named "1998 Small Business of the Year"
Your Small Business Committee, chaired by Skip Daughtry of Beauchamp & McSpadden/ISU, recently tabbed Yohe Realty, Inc. to be honored at this year's Small Business Banquet.The realty firm was established in 1976 in the front room of Elden Yohe's home, however, Elden has been a member of the Wabash Area Chamber of Commerce for approximately 40 years. Elden's son, Lynn, and daughter-in-law, Sharon, joined him in 1979 and the firm has been growing steadily ever since. Yohe Realty now has 14 sales agents and, as reported through the Multiple Listing Service, has led Wabash County in listings and sales for the last 9 years.
Elden Yohe has been a leader in the community as a member of Wabash Market Place, Inc. and is currently that organization's Executive Director; he and his wife Jean, along with son and daughter-in-law, Lynn and Sharon are members of the Christ United Methodist Church; a past member of the Wabash Evening Exchange Club; and past president of the Wabash City School Board. Elden, Lynn and Sharon have all served as president of the local chapter of the Wabash Association of Realtors. Each has also been named Realtor of the Year by the local Association of Realtors.
Elden graduated cum laude from Ohio State University and has been a small business owner all his life.
CONGRATULATIONS
YOHE REALTY, INC.!!!!
Chamber Member News
TechCopy, a Wabash-based company specializing in marketing services, is expanding capabilities. According to TechCopy President, Chris Martin, technology and an increased market need are driving the changes. "While our customers are requesting traditional marketing services, like copy writing and catalog and brochure production, they are also asking for a local company that can produce video and multi media programs," says Martin. "We have produced over two dozen industrial and commercial video projects, and can provide web site or CD-ROM catalog, virtual tour, technical or other company information."
TechCopy can also create corporate graphic standards and logos, which, according to Martin, is an area of increasing activity. "Companies are looking closely at how they are portrayed graphically," says Martin. "Whether it's a trade show booth, training manual, retail box or catalog, they are looking for a consistent look. We can provide services as simple as a
logo update or complete graphic make over with published standards."
TechCopy provides technical, editorial and advertorial copy and writing services for companies and publications throughout the Midwest. Mr. Martin has written articles for the May issues of Business People magazine and the Electric Consumer. The company also produces catalogs, brochures and offers print brokering services.
FIRST FEDERAL ADDS ADDITIONAL OFFICES AND DRIVE-UP LANEFirst Federal Savings Bank of Wabash has added an additional 9000 sq. ft. of office and vault space to their 1205 N. Cass St. location. The bookkeeping and data processing operations have moved to the new offices in the upper level, allowing the loan processing area to expand to the back offices. An additional lane has also been added to the drive-up area, increasing the total to four lanes.
"This addition is needed due to the continued growth of First Federal and the corresponding increase in the staff required for the new products and services that First Federal offers," President Nick George said. "In 1997, First Federal added additional staff in its mortgage, commercial, and consumer loan departments to keep up with the demand for loans in the Wabash area and better serve our customers."
First Federal began business in Wabash in 1920 as Home Loan and Savings Association located in the Dickson building, 144 S. Wabash St., Wabash.
In 1939 the Association purchased the Plain Dealer building at 156-168 S. Wabash St. It then moved to 55 W. Market St. in 1960.
Former Wabash mayor Horace D. Bannister was the first secretary of the organization. The other two men to hold that position were Valentine Freising, in 1925, and Miles L. Wilson in 1946. Nicholas M. George, who started as a teller, then loan clerk, and vice president, was named president in December 1976.
At the time George became president, the organization¿ ¿s assets were $22 million. On April 1, 1993, when First Federal converted to a stock corporation (F.F.W. Corp.), there were $80 million in assets. As of march 31, 1998, FFW assets had increased to a total of $198.7 million. The corporation is the parent company of First Federal Savings Bank of Wabash and FirstFed Financial, Inc.
First Federal moved to its current location at 1205 N. Cass St., Wabash in 1982. Branches were later opened in North Manchester (1968), Syracuse (1977) and South Whitley (1997).
First Federal has 48 full time employees and about 10 part time employees in its four offices. First Federal offers a complete line of services including checking accounts, consumer loans and home equity loans.
Other services include certificates of deposit, automatic teller machines, credit and debit cards, and a voice access line.
First Federal also offers investment services such as life insurance, stock, mutual funds, bonds and annuities through its affiliate, FirstFed Financial.
HONEYWELL UNVEILS NEW NIXON CONFERENCE ROOMThe Honeywell Center unveiled its new Nixon Conference Room at a ribbon cutting and grand opening on May 6th. The room is located on the lower level next to the Crystal Room and was named in honor of the Nixon family and recognizes the contributions that have been made over the years by Joe and John Nixon and other members of the family.
The room is equipped to handle a variety of business meeting, seminar and training applications utilizing the latest audio/visual and computer technology. The remodeled room blends the traditional, classic look of the Honeywell Center, complete with riff-cut oak trim and enlarged photos of the Honeywell Gardens with state-of-the-art computer network capability.
The room is equipped with a LCD projection system that utilizes an eight foot roll down screen. VHS, overhead projection, white board and computer input can be projected onto the screen. The room seats forty-eight persons at tables that have computer network and Internet connections for up to 24 computers. The basic rental for the room is $150 for four hours with additional charges for using the computer network and for the Internet connection. Anyone interested in booking the room or getting more information should contact Kelly Ply at (219) 563-1102.
Board Member Spotlight
Board Member & Government Affairs Chair -Shelly Neal, Family Service Society and North Central MADD
Shelly Neal is employed by Family Service Society, Inc. She is the Victim Advocacy Coordinator. She works with victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and all felony crime victims in the county.
Shelly is from Wabash. She is a graduate of Wabash High School and Indiana University. She is married to Chris, a Systems Administrator at CMI-Wabash Cast and has 2 sons, Michael and Steven.
Shelly is very active in Mothers Against Drunk Driving at the local and state level. North Central MADD was started by Shelly and is also a Chamber member. Shelly currently is serving as state chairperson for MADD.
MARK THESE DATES ON YOUR CALENDAR
June 11 - Small Business Award Banquet; 6:30; Honeywell Center; honoring Yohe Realty, Inc.
June 11-13 - LaFontaine Festival, contact Janice Shenefield at 765-981-4750/4443
June 13 - Strawberry Fest, contact Mary DeLauter at 219-563-1420
June 13 - The Ink Spots & The Four Freshman at the Ford Theater. For ticket information, call 219-569-1118.
July 10-18 - Wabash County 4-H Fair
July 29 - The Second Annual Wabash Area Chamber of Commerce - Yearly Golf Outing at the Honeywell Golf Course
July 30-Aug 2 - Electric Light CityFest, contact Sherman Gray at 219-782-2298 after 5 p.m.
Sept. 1 - Chamber sponsored Kelly-Miller Circus at Paradise Spring
Nov. 5 - Wabash Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner Meeting at the Honeywell Center
Legislative Report
GOOD NEWS!... MANDATES INFORMATION ACT PASSES IN THE U.S. HOUSE
The U.S. House of Representatives voted 279 - 132 to pass H.R. 3534, the Mandates Information Act, sponsored by Reps. Gary Condit (D-CA) and Rob Portman (R-OH). Your Chamber has been following this bill very closely and has been in regular contact with Congressman Buyer's office (a supporter of this legislation).
As reported in the past, this legislation would make Congress more accountable for government mandates it imposes on your business. It would help Congress better understand how its decisions affect business, consumers and workers before casting votes.
The focus of the Mandates Information Act now shifts to the Senate. Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee is expected to conduct a hearing on Senate companion legislation, S. 389, sponsored by Senator Spencer Abraham (R-MI). The Senate Republican leadership has indicated that this legislation is a priority for floor consideration this year. Your Chamber will now shift its focus to our two Senators (Coats & Lugar) and urge their support and cosponsorship of S. 389.
MORE GOOD NEWS!...SIX-YEAR HIGHWAY, TRANSIT FUNDING BILL PASSES CONGRESS
On Friday, May 22nd the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed by votes of 297 - 86 and 88 - 5, respectively, the final version of legislation to reauthorize funding for highway, bridge and transit programs. This legislation is now headed to the President to be signed into law, and he is expected to do so.
This landmark legislation, called the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century or "TEA 21" is the final product of House and Senate negotiations to resolve the many differences between the House and Senate-passed versions to reauthorize our nation's surface transportation programs.
TEA 21 authorizes approximately $173 billion for highway programs and $41 billion for the nation's transit systems over six years. Indiana is authorized to receive more than $617 million in highway funds each year for the next six years. Under the previous highway law, Indiana received about $400 million per year. The bill also raises Indiana's percentage return on dollar invested from 78 cents to about 91 cents.
The good news for us and all our partners along the Hoosier Heartland Industrial Corridor, is the fact that, included in TEA 21 is specific funding to construct the new highway between Lafayette and Fort Wayne. This is cause for celebration!
Welcome New Members
(please add to your Buyer's Guide)Lincoln Supply, Inc.
1545 South Wabash Street
Wabash, IN 46992
Phone: 219-563-8818
Fax: 219-563-8819We are a wholesale distributor of plumbing, heating and air conditioning products.
Mancino's Pizza and Grinders
1305 N Cass Street
Wabash, IN 46992
Phone: 219-569-9080
Restaurant.
Twigs & Pine Branches
(Pickets & Twigs, Inc.)
1305 N Cass Street
Wabash, IN 46992
Phone: 219-563-3301
Fax: 219-774-8500
We offer unique folk art gifts, candles, rustic and beautiful gifts to our customers. Our shop is large and creates a warm atmosphere to all that enter. Wonderful spring items with Garden Gear and wonderful birdhouses.