Welcome to the dog days of Summer. It sure is hot, which means that our season will be here before we know it.

For me, the highlight of the Annual Meeting was being honored as the Pat Magnotti Award recipient for 2010. I have enjoyed being a member of the MAHPBA Board since its inception and I encourage everyone to participate. I can now be the proud parent and watch her child (the meeting and organization) develop and grow -- and that is definately what MAHPBA is doing.

I have enjoyed seeing the Annual Meeting become that "just can't miss it" event and that was evident by the attendance and success at our meeting. I hope everyone who attended the annual meeting got their batteries charged up and picked up a few good ideas to take back to their business. I know I did.

My condolences to the Magnotti family on their loss.

Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Rona Kelley, Editor

If you missed the 2010 Annual Meeting in Lancaster, PA last month, you really missed out on a great event. Everybody is talking about what a welcome change it was to experience the upbeat attitudes of members and sponsors alike. It seems we may have turned a corner and be starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The general atmosphere both days was one of renewed enthusiasm for what a great industry we are all a part of. This year we went to two full days of program and with almost 350 people in attendance, not a moment was wasted. Both days, I heard members saying, "If I'd known it was going to be this good, I'd have brought more of my staff." We know we are going to have to be ready for a big group next year if the feedback we have been getting is any indication. It was very gratifying to see such exuberance at our 10th anniversary celebration.

The EPA announcement for delay in enforcement is ambiguous at best. Depending on how your company is viewed in the eyes of the enforcer, it may or may not change anything. My best advice to you regarding Lead Paint is GET the certification AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Let's not get caught up and become an example.

In about a week, I will have information on local training and where you can sign up. Several organizations are hosting events in our region. More information to follow.

Click here for a helpful link for more information.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at MAHPBAGOV@gmail.com. Remember, we still need volunteers to help with Government Affairs at all levels.

Bill Ryan, MAHPBA Government Affairs Chair

If you are planning on taking the NFI Exam for either Woodburning, Gas or Pellet in Scranton, NJ, please remember that you have to be at the following address promptly at 9:00 am on Monday, July 19, 2010.

Holiday Inn Scranton East
200 Tigue Street
Scranton, PA

If you have any questions, please call Lynda at the MAHPBA office at (603) 669-2744.

THERE IS STILL TIME!!!!

You still have time to sign up you and your staff to take either the NFI Gas, Pellet or Woodburning review and exam which are being held at the Holiday Inn in Baltimore, MD, August 9, 10 and 11th. Don't delay, sign up TODAY!

The Alliance for Green Heat was selected to be a finalist from 250 groups to win a "Green Grant" from the environmental group, Green America. The Green Grants are given to groups that combine social justice with environmental responsiblity. The group that gets the most votes wins a $2,500 Green Grant.

MAHPBA is sad to announce the death of William J. "Pat" Magnoti on July 5th in Pittsburgh, PA at the age of 69. Pat was the first president, along with Mike Maier, of the Wood Heating Alliance (WHA) in 1980, the founding organization of the Hearth Patio & Barbecue Association.

Pat opened the first of four retail stores, The Fireplace & Patioplace, in 1968 in his home town of Pittsburgh. Prior to his start in the fireplace business, he worked in his father's marble and stone business, Magnotti & Son, founded by his father in 1950 and now run by Pat's oldest son Bill. Pat, with is wife Marilyn, built The Fireplace & Patioplace to be one of the leading retail stores in the hearth industry. Today, their son Stephen, daughter Marci Buckiso and son-in-law Mike Buckiso run the operation. Pat retired from his retail business in 2000, but did not retire from the hearth industry.

Pat served on many HPA committees after he was president, including as chairman of the EXPO committee in 1996. He was instrumental in setting up HearthMasters, a social organization to help those who have had long careers in the hearth, patio and barbecue industries stay in touch. Most recently and up until he died, Pat served on the steering committee of HearthMasters and organized the History Wall at the 2010 HPBEXPO in Orlando. He unselfishly gave time and counsel to HPBA and attended the EXPO in March along with his children and several grandchildren.

Pat loved his business and the hearth, patio and barbecue industry family, but his pride and ultimate joy were his three children and eight grandchildren. His face lit up and eyes sparkled when he told you about a grandchild's latest sports accomplishment. He will be missed tremendously by everyone who knew him.

As many of you know, Ron Tweed's (Midlantic Marketing Group) father, Don, has experienced health issues over the past few months and we are sorry to pass on the news that he has gone to be with his wife in eternal rest. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking to have donations be made to your local Hospice Care unit. Our thoughts are with the Tweed family!