The start of a new year is an opportunity for many to reflect on the past year and set a course for the year to come. Some set resolutions, others chart their goals, and many may simply put thought into the general directions they’d like to go. Reflecting on my own past year and new year ahead, I thought about a book I became aware of titled “The Coffee Bean” by Jon Gordon and Damon West. This fable looks at how we respond to situations and environments of pressure by drawing a comparison to a boiling pot of water. To illustrate some potential reactions, the story uses a carrot, egg, and a coffee bean.

When thrown into the intense environment of boiling water, the carrot goes soft, and the egg gets hard. The coffee bean, however, does not largely change. Instead, the coffee bean changes the water, a metaphor for how we too can be mindful of our own perspective and reactions to effect positive change.

The coffee bean is in many ways a good representation for the work of an organization like the Chamber of Commerce, and not just because our team loves a good cup of coffee. The Chamber of Commerce focuses all of our efforts on making a positive impact in our communities across Chautauqua County.

As a member organization, we constantly are developing and implementing services to help our business community. Our efforts to develop programming and host community events that tie consumers in with their local businesses also make our area a better place to live and visit.

As we begin to face challenges that inevitably come our way in the new year, think about this story and remember the coffee bean. If you’re ever interested in learning more about the Chamber of Commerce or how your business might benefit from our many services and programs, we’d love for you to stop by and have a conversation over a good cup of coffee.

DOORS OPEN JAMESTOWN IS JANUARY 28

A myriad of attractions in the Jamestown region are once again pleased to host Doors Open Jamestown, Saturday, January 28. This event provides a free day at local museums and attractions. Launched many years ago to encourage local people to visit the numerous museums and attractions available in the community, in a time that is normally a slow tourism season, Doors Open Jamestown has become a highly anticipated day for the participating organizations as well as for their guests.

Our region is fortunate to be the home of so many extraordinary attractions, and many of them are in the immediate Jamestown area. Seventeen attractions are participating this year, featuring something for everyone including art, nature, sports, theater, history, and more.

These amazing facilities look forward to this incredible open house day as they welcome area residents to see what they have to offer: Audubon Community Nature Center, Chautauqua Sports Hall of Fame, DAR House, DoubleTree Jamestown, Infinity Visual and Performing Arts Center, James Prendergast Library, Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum, Lucile M. Wright Air Museum, Lucille Ball Little Theatre of Jamestown, Martz-Kohl Observatory, Marvin Community House, National Comedy Center, Northwest Arena, Pearl City Clay House, Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, Robert H. Jackson Center, Roger Tory Peterson Institute.

The National Comedy Center and Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum require pre-registration with additional details to be posted on their website. Northwest Arena will offer free public skating from 10am to noon.

The Chamber of Commerce is running a Doors Open Jamestown text contest at all participating attractions, and at several local businesses that have chosen to participate.

Look for text contest instructions at each venue and find more information online at www.jtny.events. Contest prizes include items donated by all the local participating attractions.

MAYVILLE-CHAUTAUQUA CHAMBER

PREPARES FOR 2023 WINTER FESTIVAL

The Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber of Commerce Committee is hard at working planning for the 2023 Mayville Winter Festival. This popular annual event will be held President’s Day Weekend, February 17-19, at Lakeside Park in Mayville.

This event brings tens of thousands of patrons in to the Mayville region annually helping to increase traffic for local businesses.

The committee is seeking volunteers, vendors, and sponsors for this tremendous event.

If you would like to participate in some way for the Mayville Winter Festival, contact Coordinator Shannon Biekarck at sbiekarck@chautauquachamber.org.

REDEEM YOUR SHOPLOCALCHQ GIFT CARDS!

If you are holding a ShopLocalCHQ Gift Card, don’t wait to spend it! You are certain to find a local place that accepts the card, whether it’s a retail outlet, restaurant, service industry, or local attractions.

This is the perfect time to use your gift card to enjoy a winter date night, or stock up on some of your favorite local wines. You can do all of that and more with your ShopLocalCHQ Gift Card. Find the full list of participating local merchants on our website, and learn all about the card and how to track your balance at www.shoplocalchqcard.com.

The ShopLocalCHQ Gift Card is issued by Pathward†, N.A., Member FDIC. Funds do not expire. Non-reloadable and no cash access. For Cardholder Agreement or Customer Service: www.getmybalance.com or 1-833-558-1088.