Platinum PR Expands Operations and Adds Staff

When Sandy Sponaugle came to Shepherdstown in 1991 to study business and economics little did she know she would one day head up one of region’s most successful small public relations and marketing agencies. After graduation, young Sandy Dubay went to work for the Jefferson County Economic Development Authority and, later, for the Frederick County, Maryland Office of Economic Development. Today, Platinum PR, the firm she founded five years ago as a home-based enterprise, counts among its clients some of the best-known small businesses and nonprofits in the Eastern Panhandle.

In September, Sponaugle hired her first full-time associate and moved into a new headquarters in downtown Shepherdstown. “It was time to move out of the house and into an actual office,” said Sandy Sponaugle. “We are thrilled to be in downtown Shepherdstown, close to other small businesses and resources.”

Her new associate, Jennifer Jensen of Martinsburg, was hired as Platinum PR’s communications specialist. Jennifer has been an independent consultant for five years, mainly focusing writing and editing. She has over ten years of administrative and office management experience, and a degree in business administration from Shepherd College. “Jennifer and I have skill sets that complement each other well,” said Sponaugle, noting that although Jensen is a new hire, the two have collaborated on many projects. “We have worked together for several years and I’m pleased to have her as an official part of Platinum PR.”

Platinum PR specializes in assisting small businesses and nonprofits with cost effective solutions to their marketing, public relations and event planning needs. Their new office is located at 104 South King Street in Shepherdstown. To learn more, visit www.PlatinumPublicRelations.com or call 876-8321.

C.W. Tiffins in Historic House

At C.W. Tiffins, 210 West Liberty St. downtown, executive chef Daniel Campbell and general manager Jonathan Fertal have put together a visually warm and inviting environment along with a great menu and flexible hours. And they mean to stick around.

C.W. Tiffins was previously the Charles Washington Inn. While the charm and tradition of the old inn is still present, its plaster ceilings and wall coverings were removed to expose beams and boards put in place by craftsmen during the 1780s. The small outdoor cafe was also enlarged to an 1,800 square-foot dining area, which promises to be a popular venue for wedding receptions and private parties when it’s completed. The upstairs was renovated to enlarge the space, and two fireplaces help it achieve its ambience. Downstairs, a long bar faces the small dining area, replete with another fireplace and a few TVs for those popping in for happy hour or after hours.
Fertal explained the restaurant’s name. The “C.W.” is a nod to Charles Washington, “Tiffins” honors Dr. Edward Tiffin, who built the house.

Long-time friends Campbell and Fertal have relied upon their training (Johnson & Wales Culinary Institute and The Culinary Institute of America, respectively) and experience to develop what they believe to be “an extraordinary menu in a casual, but elegant setting.”

“We’re trying to create a place that combines the old with the new. What better than to find an existing historic property? We could have bought land and built something, but that’s not what we wanted to do,” said Fertal. “We didn’t want to come into town and put something that’s surgically fake into a community like this. We want to be part of the community. We’re here for the long haul.”

They, along with several others, personally put a lot of hours, effort and sweat equity into making the restaurant beautiful. Fertal stresses that C.W. Tiffins is “not high end.” Rather, he feels a better description is casual elegant. “Casual in the sense you can come as you are but elegant in the sense you are surrounded by nice aesthetics,” he said.

The menus feature brothy soups, crispy salads, hearty sandwiches, entrees and homemade desserts—something for everybody, even kids, who get an abundant array of offerings far outside the usual chicken fingers. The restaurant also features a “casual menu” in place from noon to closing every day, including their signature “Tiffin’s Chips” and dipping sauce.

C.W. Tiffins serves lunch and dinner with a happy hour from 4 to 7 pm Monday through Friday, and a hospitality happy hour from 10 to 12 pm Saturday through Thursday. See www.cwtiffins.com or call 725-4020 for hours or information.

Kangaroo Gets New Home, Owner

Shepherdstown toy store One Two Kangaroo has moved out of its former quarters in a tiny studio hidden from public view into spacious new digs at 122 E. German St. (formerly occupied by Elegance). Laura Turman, who has been an employee at the store for three years, bought the store from One Two Kangaroo founder Paula Tremba November 1.

Patrons of the former space might be amazed at the new, expanded offerings filling several display rooms. “Some of these items we had at the old store, but you couldn’t see them the place was so cramped,” said Turman. “Now you can see things, pick them up, and take your time without feeling rushed.”

One Two Kangaroo already was inclined toward earth-sustainability in its toy and game offerings—now even more so. A new selection from Power House called Build Your Own Solar House engages youngsters in building and using 20 alternative energy models. “We’ll also have Build Your Own Fuel Cell soon,” said Turman.

Puzzle Up, a free-standing stacking toy from Blue Orange, plants two trees for every one it uses in its wooden toys. Plan Toys uses rubber wood from trees that no longer produce rubber after 25 years—trees that would otherwise be stacked and burned. And Hape Toys of Germany uses bamboo to manufacture its toys.

For the holidays there are many toys priced under five dollars, including a harmonica and jaw harp.

Wells Fargo Receives EPA Green Power Award

Wells Fargo & Company received a 2007 Green Power Partner of the Year award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its leadership in the green power market. Wells Fargo is one of seven companies and the only financial services company to receive the award this year. 

The company committed to one of the largest green power purchases in the country—550 million kilowatt-hours of wind energy a year for three years, or enough to offset 42 percent of the Company’s electricity usage. Well Fargo also became the first U.S. financial institution to make green power reward options available to its consumer and business credit card and check card customers.

EPA’s Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to purchase green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity use. The Partnership currently has hundreds of Partners voluntarily purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, trade associations, as well as colleges and universities.

In Shepherdstown, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage is located at 102 W. King. St. Additional information about the Green Power Partnership and the Green Power Leadership Awards is available at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/winners/index.htm.

WVU Hospital Doc Named Fellow

David L. Fishkin, M.D., board certified gastroenterologist, was recently named a fellow of the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG). Fishkin is a  member of the medical staff at WVU Hospitals-East’s City Hospital in Martinsburg. According to ACG Secretary Ronald Vender, MD, FACG, Fishkin was unanimously recommended for fellowship by the credentials committee, and the board of trustees concurred with the recommendation.

Fishkin received his medical degree from the State University of New York, and completed his residency at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey.  He completed his fellowship in gastroenterology/hepatology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

Weekly Health and Wellness

A free Health And Wellness Seminar is held each Monday, 7 PM  at The Living Room, Berkeley Plaza, Martinsburg.  Participants discover what’s new in the wellness industry, natural secrets to optimal health, and how to feel better, look better and live well. For more information call: (304) 725-7571