Blair County Chamber of Commerce Business Awards of Distinction - Safety Excellence (Recognizing Blair County businesses for their commitment to employee and community safety. This includes all aspects of workplace and employee safety.)

W.E. Campbell Enterprises, Inc. (or WEC), is honored to be recognized for their commitment to the health and safety of our most precious resource, our employees.

At WEC, safety is more than just a program but an integral part of our culture. W.E. Campbell Enterprises is the parent corporation of Hoss's Steak and Sea House; Marzoni's Brick Oven and Brewing Company; Hoss's Central Processing; Hoss's Building Services; and Hoss's Corporate Office all doing business in Blair County.

WEC takes a strong pro-active approach to the management of safety built on a strong foundation of education, compliance, internal audits, and prevention. From comprehensive management training programs to strict protocol for governmental compliance to detailed inspection systems designed to heighten awareness and educate both management and crew members, at WEC, the business of safety is very serious business. All employees are encouraged to be involved through active safety committees, robust suggestion systems, and fun award programs including the "Golden Squeegee," the award named in honor of our effort to control our most frequent accident, the slip and fall.

Over the years, this strong commitment to safety has also been great for our bottom line savings, countless dollars that would have been spent to alleviate needless suffering due to workplace accidents. With WEC's strong commitment to safety, everyone wins.

Christmas Card Contest 2008

The holidays are fast approaching and it's time for our annual Christmas Card Contest! This contest is open to all children up to age 16. The design must be submitted no later than Monday, November 3, 2008, to: Nancy Campbell, c/o Hoss's Corporate Office, 170 Patchway Road, Duncansville, PA 16635.

Please include 1) Child's name and age 2) Child's mailing address 3) Parent's (or Grandparent's) name and location of employment in Hossland.

Prizes will be awarded to the top 4-5 entries, and all entries will receive a consolation prize. The winning design will be featured and credited to the young artist as the Christmas Card for 2008.

Now is the time to get those kids busy drawing their Christmas Card design. We need your help to get them motivated!

Lobsterfest for MS 2008
by Nancy Campbell

For the past nine years, many of the Blair County Hoss's family members have been participating in a large fundraiser called Lobsterfest for MS. For the second year in a row, we had a sold-out event.  In the present economic climate, I felt that this was truly an awesome accomplishment.  While this is not a Hoss's sponsored event, it certainly could be due to the number of Hoss's volunteers who helped to make it such a success.

The Lobsterfest for MS is usually held on a Friday night in late September. This year on September 26, we served more than 535 hot, delicious dinners. Guests are given a choice of a whole Maine lobster (flown in live the day of the event) or a 10 oz. Hoss's filet mignon dinner complete with steamed shrimp, salads, appetizers, and desserts. Beverages, music for dancing, and a silent auction as well as a live auction are also part of the evening's festivities. Many of Hoss's friends, family members, and vendors help by donating product and auction items, buying tickets, and volunteering their time.

There are other community volunteers, but the Hoss's crew helps in every aspect of this event from organizing to decorating and preparing and serving the wonderful meals. We have been told by many businesses that purchase table sponsorships that this is the one fundraiser that their people actually look forward to attending.

Donna Bon, former Hosser and wife of our own Dan Bon, co-chaired Lobsterfest for MS with me this year for the first time.  Dan, with the help of many veteran Hossers, was once again in charge of all food and beverage for the event. There are many other Hossers who work very hard to make this happen year in and year out. Below, I have listed those who helped this year, hoping that I haven't forgotten anyone:

Bridget Bingham, Bill and Julie Bratton, John and Rhonda Brown, Bill Campbell, Craig Campbell, Dave Decker, Dave and Pam Elliott, Chip Gapshes, Todd Hill, Nancy Homan, Pat Imler, Ryan Mazoff, Patty and George Morgan, Dan Mutter, Bob and Karen Pleva, John Prugar, Barb and Rocky Rhodes, Mark Ritko, Tami Smith,     Tom Smith, Mark and Molly Spinazzola, Dan Starry, Dan and Valerie Vandrew, Shelby and Steve Walter and Pam Weakland.

There is a lot of hard work involved in the success of an event this large. The most prevalent comments I heard from the guests were that the food, as always was wonderful and that they could not believe how smooth the entire event went. They were amazed at how quickly the Hoss's crew served over 530 hot, delicious meals. I truly appreciate the way these folks have stepped up to the plate by volunteering their time and talents for such a worthwhile cause. They are truly "Hossome!"

At this year's event, we raised more than $44,000. After expenses are deducted, all of the proceeds go to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society which is a non-profit organization working to find a cure for the debilitating disease that effects so many of our loved ones. The National MS Society is dedicated to serving the needs of people with MS and their families.

I am always impressed with the spirit and expertise that the Hoss's family brings to any undertaking that we consider worthwhile. It is with great pride that I work alongside of each of you.

Best Places To Work 2008

Congratulations! Hoss's Steak and Sea House has been named one of the Best Places to Work in PA for 2008. This is the second year in a row that Hoss's has made the list, and it is in large part due to your cooperation and involvement in the employee survey process.

Hoss's will be recognized and honored at an Awards Ceremony on December 2, where the final rankings will be revealed. Thanks for proving, once again, that Hoss's is a great place to work!

New Bob-O-Phone

Do you have ideas/suggestions on products or procedures, questions about service or the Hoss Operation in general, or want to address quality issues . . . just pick up the phone and call our new

Bob-O-Phone, Operational Hotline at
1-800-621-0270 Ext. 3400!

It's easy and confidential. You may also email your comments to suggestions@hosscorp.com.

Hoss's Was The Only Restaurant Named As One of the Best Places to Work in PA

On November 27, 2007, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, Hoss's Steak and Sea House was named one of the Top 50 Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania in the large company category.

The winners of the 100 Best Places to Work in Pennsylvania is made up of two groups of companies: 50 medium-sized companies (25-250 employees in PA), and 50 large companies (over 250 companies in PA). Hoss's was the only restaurant chain to make the final cut!

This is an extensive award program that helps to identify the best places of employment in Pennsylvania. In determining the award winners, the selections were based 25% on information provided by Hoss's to the Great Places to Work Company and 75% on employee survey results.

Hoss's currently operates a total of 39 locations found throughout Pennsylvania. The chain is headquartered in Duncansville, Pennsylvania. They feature fresh-cut steaks, savory seafood and tender chicken entrees…all cooked to order and complimented by Hoss's signature Soup, Salad and Dessert Bar.

Brownie Contest

Thank you to everyone who submitted brownie samples for the recipe contest! The response was overwhelming, and it is very clear that we have many excellent bakers in our company! We are continuing to narrow down the field of entries and will be announcing the winners in the next couple of weeks! Again, thanks for your efforts!

          
The taste testing process. What a tough job these guys have!

Fifth Annual Years-Of-Service Celebration

On Saturday, September 15, 2007, we held our Fifth Annual Years-of-Service Celebration at Huntingdon Country Club to honor 60 recipients - 34 with 10 years' service and 26 with 20 years' service with Hoss's.

Jeff Probst, host of the television show "Survivor" would have been proud as our recipients and guests participated in our version of "Survivor." There were four tribes, each had a designated tribe color, and each member of the tribe received a "Survivor Buff." Our Tribal Council was comprised of Bill Campbell, John Brown, and Bob Pleva. They were given the dubious task of snuffing out the torches at the conclusion of the challenge. Mindy Wilmer, from our Martinsburg location, was the overall winner of the challenge and the recipient of a $300 cash prize.

Steelers throw, cooler, hat, and jersey, Sirius radio, ipod Shuffle, DVD/VCR combo, HP digital camera with printer dock, Coleman tent, camping stove, chairs, and airbed, twin DVD player, Dooney & Bourke purse, 14k gold ladies bracelet, and $50 gift cards to Best Buy, Bed Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, Sheetz, and Wal-Mart were among the prizes our recipients were eligible to win through a ticket-drawing process.

Food and beverages were available throughout the celebration, and music was provided by Jim Parlier, DJ and karaoke champ. Everyone also had the opportunity to have a picture taken with Boss Hoss himself, Bill Campbell, as a special remembrance of the celebration.

The final event of the evening was a reverse drawing for a trip sponsored by Pepsi. The object was to be the last person whose name remained on the Pepsi drawing board. Only our years-of-service recipients are eligible for this trip, and this year's choices were to Las Vegas, Nevada, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, or Cancun, Mexico. There was much suspense as the last two remaining names (Joe Cool and Steve Herrera) awaited the final drawing. Steve Herrera, from our Erie location, was the recipient of the trip.

Congratulations again to all of our recipients. Your dedication to Hoss's is greatly appreciated, and we are very proud of you and your accomplishments throughout your years of service with Hoss's. Click here to see some great pictures from this event!

Something XXXtra Ordinary - A Fund Raising Event for Easter Seals
By Nancy Campbell

On August 26, Bill and I hosted a fund raising event to benefit Easter Seals Central Pennsylvania at our home in rural Hollidaysburg, PA. We co-chaired the event with friends and Altoona residents, Phil and Roz Sky.

The event was named "Something XXXtra Ordinary" because it featured three parties in one, three times the fun. Marzoni's own Rich Hollingshead, Chef Ryan Mazoff, and Dave Elliott did a wonderful job of catering all three venues with the help of Chef Alex Pratt, Mark Ritko, and Dan Bon.

There was a Jimmy Buffet-type pool party complete with a DJ who dressed the part and played Buffet music in our pool area. Cheeseburgers (in Paradise) and tropical foods, beverages and décor including four live tropical birds completed this venue. Hossers Krista Soellner and Rhonda Brown welcomed everyone to the pool party.

Our recreation room was transformed into an Irish Pub. Folks were entertained by the Michael O'Brian Band and Irish food and beverages were served by Marzoni's bartenders. Hossers Rick Kroft, Craig Campbell, Kelsey Elliott, and Meredith Brown helped to keep this a fun-filled place to be. Click here to read on.

Fundraising Night Benefits Burn Victim
From Article Printed In "The Bedford Gazette"

A Community Fundraising Night to benefit Kenny Stanton recently was hosted by Hoss's Steak and Sea House, Bedford, and was coordinated by the Central Bedford Lutheran Parish. A total of $1,000 was raised, and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans donated $500 more to assist Stanton with his medical expenses.

Stanton said he and his family were overwhelmed and grateful for the support and prayers he received following an accident in which he suffered third degree burns to his hand and arm. He is on a waiting list for insurance, so the money raised through the Community Night event will be used to help pay hospital and ambulance bills. Stanton was treated at Nason Hospital and West Penn Burn Center. He was transported by Robertsdale Ambulance.

Pictured are, from left, Hoss's Manager Jim Brown, Stanton, and fundraiser organizer Rose Musselman.

Hoss's Announces M&M's Mini's "Mix It Up A Bit" Dessert Recipe Contest Winners

We are pleased to announce the winners of our M&M's Mini's "Mix It Up A Bit" Dessert Recipe Contest. The contest was a great success with over 400 recipes received! There are three winners; one in each of the following categories: Cake/Cookie, Snack, and Ice Cream Topping.

The decision was very tough, but we chose the winners based on the following criteria: a parent/guardian signature, submitted by a child ages 5-14, M&M's Mini's in the recipe, creativity, and the ability for our prep chefs to create the product in our kitchens using the equipment and tools currently available to them. All Hoss's restaurants will serve all three recipes daily starting Tuesday, September 4, through Sunday, September 30. The winners are:

*Nicole from Gettysburg with her recipe for "M&M's Madness"

*Harry from Franklin with his recipe for "Bit of Cake"

*Matthew from Schuylkill Haven with his recipe for "Dirty M&M's"

The winning children will receive a backpack stuffed with M&M's goodies and also $200 in M&M's cash, good for their on-line store. Every child entering the contest will receive a thank you note.