CTAs and CVBA Ambassadors Clean by the ‘Jig’ in May
The Franklin County Visitors Bureau (FCVB) along with Franklin County Certified Tourism Ambassadors (CTA) and Cumberland Valley Business Alliance (CVBA) Ambassadors invite the public to join them for a community clean-up event called, “Clean by the “Jig”” from 3pm – 5pm on May 16th, 18th and 24th.
The community clean-up will include trash collection on the Rail Trail situated along the Conococheague Creek in downtown Chambersburg. The event will kick-off at Chambers Fort Park located at the Rosedale parking lot (next to Avacado Cafe) on 40 Spring St.
Additionally, teams will have the option to head to Falling Spring Presbyterian Church where Chambersburg’s founding Father, Ben Chambers grave site is located. At the cemetery, teams lead by experienced CTAs will have the opportunity to spray headstones to remove algae and other build up to reveal the details of the graves to the public once again. Work done at the cemetery is perfect for those who want to help but may have physical limitations or do not wish to collect trash.
Each event will conclude with an after party at a nearby brewery. The first 25 registrations for each clean-up day will receive a $5 voucher to use that evening.
After party locations are:
May 16th: Liquid Art Beer Stube
May 28th: TBC Brewing Company
May 24th: GearHouse Brewing Co.
All are family friendly and have great food, craft beverages and non-alcoholic options available.
CTAs and CVBA Ambassadors will receive a special discount at some of the after party locations.
Clean by the “Jig” is one of many initiatives throughout Franklin County and is registered with Pick Up PA. The goal is to encourage local community members to do their part, work together and “Fight Dirty.” Pick Up PA wants the public to keep in mind, “Every Litter Bit Matters.” CTAs and CVBA Ambassadors are also registered to participate in other Pick Up PA events in Franklin County including Cleanup is Elementary organized by Mainstreet Waynesboro Inc on May 16th and Women Build May of Caring Community Cleanup on May 20th organized by Habitat Franklin County Women Build. CTAs and CVBA Ambassadors take pride in their community and want to encourage everyone to do their part to keep Franklin County beautiful, clean and green.
The Franklin County Visitors Bureau (FCVB) celebrated Benjamin Franklin, Franklin County‘s namesake, on the evening of his 317th birthday. The 11/30 Visitors Center transformed to the “Spirit of Independence Tavern on 11/30” to host more than 175 tourism partners and members of the Cumberland Valley Business Alliance at a Ben Franklin Day Mixer. Three centuries after his birth, Americans still know about Benjamin Franklin– his level-headed advice, his community-minded inventions, and his passion for independence.
Ben’s birthday was the perfect time for FCVB to celebrate community and recognize impactful partners. In 2018, when a 135-foot, high voltage power line project was proposed to cross nearly thirty miles of Franklin County, the county came together behind the use of county land and gave a collective voice to the county’s value. The project simply did not make sense as one to improve and deliver power. Ultimately, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission did not approve the project. Without partnership and love of community, Franklin County’s voice would not have been heard and the land of Franklin County respected. The FCVB Board of Directors knows the tourism assets of Franklin County depends on respecting and maintaining Franklin County’s natural, agricultural, and cultural resources because it is the reason Franklin County is a good place to live, work, play, and visit. Out of genuine appreciation and esteem came two special recognitions of the Franklin County Visitors Bureau—Partners for Impact Awards and Community Impact Award.
Benjamin Franklin would be among the biggest supporters of these awards, so it just made sense to celebrate Ben, the community of Franklin County, and say thank you with these two awards. The recipients of the Partners for Impact Award were the South Mountain Partnership, Lori and Allen Rice, Karri Benedict, Leah Nitterhouse, and the Franklin County Commissioners. All were recognized for their collective work to sustain the natural, agricultural, and cultural resources of Franklin County. Brad Warner of Patriot Federal Credit Union received the first Community Impact Award because of support in the powerline struggle and for generous and abiding contributions to make Franklin County a good place to live, work, play, and visit.
Cumberland Valley Breast Care Alliance (CVBCA) was on hand and received the proceeds of the 2022 Franklin County Festival of Trees. Samantha Logsdon, CVBCA, accepted a check for $7000, the money raised from voting and auctioning of 51 trees and 18 wreaths at the 4th annual event. Also presented at the Ben Franklin Day Mixer was the Franklin County Certified Tourism Ambassador (CTA) of the Year 2022 Award. Heather McEndree was chosen by her fellow CTAs. CTA is a national certification, which Franklin County PA initiated in 2017. The Franklin County CTA program strives to bring consistency, positivity, and pride to the people visitors meet.
When accepting the Community Impact Award, Brad Warner of Patriot Federal Credit Union said, “In more than 40 years of working in banking that he had not found a community like Franklin County.” People come together and make things happen. Franklin County Visitors Bureau is proud to represent Franklin County PA.
This is an image of Franklin County. Where was it taken? What year do you think it is? What are the clues? Please send responses to jpollard@explorefranklincountypa.com.
The Franklin County Visitors Bureau completed the 2019 Visitors Guide, the largest and most inclusive publication to help visitors explore Franklin County! This full-color 68-page publication highlights the area and is a handy way for visitors to find what to do, where to go, where to dine and where to stay in Franklin County.
The cover of this year’s guide, taken by Toe Thane, is a panoramic view of the 11/30 Visitors Center and the Chambersburg’s Memorial Square. With over 100 beautiful full-color photographs, the 2018 Visitors Guide is distributed throughout the United States and Canada to invite visitors to do, dine and stay in Franklin County PA. More than 75,000 are distributed along rest-stops of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, AAA centers, Pennsylvania Welcome Centers and Franklin County businesses, shops, and restaurants.
This flagship publication invites visitors to explore the historic and growing county as well as the new home of the Franklin County Visitors Bureau–11/30 Visitors Center, located at 15 North Main Street. The 11/30 Visitors Center was formerly a bank, operating from 1865 until 2015. Now, as a visitors center, it houses changing exhibits of Franklin County’s art, recreation, beauty, and fresh food. The original footprint of the bank and subsequent additions, make it architecturally interesting, as does the two vaults and a beautiful view overlooking the town square.
The guide includes sections about history, recreation, arts & entertainment, dining, shopping, festivals, family fun and fresh food & markets. This free guide also contains an extensive and comprehensive directory of local businesses and area services to help new and returning visitor as well as families or individuals moving to Franklin County.
For a copy of the 2019 Visitors Guide, contact the Franklin County Visitors Bureau at 866.646.8060 or stop by the 11/30 Visitors Center.
