Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce - Hazleton, PA

September 2010 Edition

DO YOU HAVE “NEWSWORTHY” INFORMATION THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE IN THIS PUBLICATION? IF SO, EMAIL IT TO This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Thank you to all the businesses who donated prizes/giveaways for the 43rd Annual Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Invitational Golf Outing: 
Greater Hazleton Health Alliance, First Columbia Bank & Trust, CHA, Inc. Gonnella Frozen Products, FNCB, Blue Cross of NEPA, Chamberchoice, CAN DO, Inc. Susquehanna Bank, Sand Springs Country Club, Screen Print Plus, Miller Keystone Blood Center, The Downs Hazleton Hazleton, Altadis USA, UGI Utilities, Altadis USA, T. Verrastro Beer Distributor, McCann School of Business & Technology Massage and Cosmetology Clinics, Motor Transportation, Blue Ridge Trail Golf Course, Cuz N Joe's, Split Rock Resort, Ron Jaworski's Edgewood in the Pines, Luzerne County Community College, Landmark Community Bank, First Liberty Bank, Mickey's Golf Center, Hampton Inn, Hazleton, Fairfield Inn, Hazleton, Residence Inn, Hazleton, Hludzik Law Offices, PC, Valley Country Club North Central Digital and Workforce Resources. In kind sponsors included: Altadis USA, Tomhicken Mountain Springs, Bimbo Bakeries, Farmers Dairy, Citterio USA Corp, Longos Bakery, Weis Market and Giant Food Store. Also thank you to Zeiners for transporting additional golf carts to our tournament site and thank you to Sand Springs Country Club for allowing us to borrow the additional carts.

Thank you to all the businesses who donated items for the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce 9th Annual Downtown Hazleton Car Cruise:
Goody Bag Donations: Blue Cross of NEPA,  Bonanza, Broad St Deli, Chamber Choice, Club Fit, Cyber Calf, First Night Hazleton, FNCB, Frankie’s Pizzeria, Greater Hazleton Health Alliance, Hair of the Dog, Hazle Drugs, Jimmy’s, KNBT, Lehigh Tire, Luzerne Co. Visitor’s Bureau, SJM Auto Sales & Repair, Standard Speaker, Sonic and  Tunnessen’s. Door Prize Donation: Custom Tattoo, DJ Jim Dino, Fellin’s Jewelers,  Hair of the Dog, Jimmy’s, Lehigh Tire, Metallo’s Formalwear, Mohegan Sun @ Pocono Downs, Motor Transportation, Tunnessen’s, WAZL and YM/YWCA of Greater Hazleton. Dash Plaque Donation: Anthracite A.A.C.A.; Sign Donation: DeAngelo Brothers, Inc. and Portable Toilets Donation: ONSITE Portable Toilets.

Mystic Power Yoga will be hosting Baptiste Master Teacher Debbie Williamson October 29th to 31st. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more info.

The Blue Ribbon Foundation of Blue Cross of NEPA contributed nearly $122,000 to be shared by 14 United Way’s located throughout BCNEPA’s 13-county service area. BCNEPA launched “The Good Health Club Physician Toolkit”, a comprehensive set of education materials that are available to pediatricians in time for back to school physician visits in order to help curb obesity and diabetes.

Arc Electric donated dog and cat food along with other miscellaneous items to the Hazleton Animal Shelter as part of their community outreach project.

During medical fitness week, the fitness department at the Hazleton Health & Wellness Center hosted Steppin Out, a national walking challenge sponsored by the medical fitness association to raise money for Helping Hands Society.

Century 21 Bernstein Real Estate Co. and Century 21 Select Group are participating in “21st Century Child: Picture the Future” photo-sharing contest which benefits children and families living with autism. Visit 21centurychild.com and share a favorite photo of your child and an inspirational message. For every photo loaded the Century 21 system will make a donation to the cause through September 30th.

Clark Lewis, club professional at the Valley Country Club served as a rules interpreter at the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin.

Dryfoos Insurance for the fourth year consecutively will sponsor the Serento Gardens Seasons Change event being held on October 2nd. Visit seasonschange.us for more information on the event.

MMI Preparatory School appointed Nikki Banfield as a biology instructor at the school.

WVIA recently presented Drs. Joseph and Rose Matioli, founders and owners of Pocono Raceway, with the 2010 Bronze Telly Award. The Telly award is a widely known and highly respected national and international competition and receives over 11,000 entries annually from all 50 states and many foreign countries.

Christopher Borton, president of Borton Lawson was named the 2009/10 Engineer of the Year by the PA Society of Professional Engineers, Luzerne County Chapter. Borton Lawson recently hired Larry Miller as an automation specialist in the firm’s facilities business unit and Andrew Nebzydoski and Kelsey Reed as transportation designers in the firm’s transportation business unit.

Berger Family Dealerships donated duffle bags, coolers, t-shirts and $500 to the Valley Chiefs Football Organization.

The Serento Gardens student board is currently looking for new members. It is comprised of area high school students who are positive role models for their peers and the community. Contact 455-9902 x 123 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it The current student board, in collaboration with Partnership for Tobacco Free NEPA, presented West Hazleton Borough with Young Lungs at Play signs for their now smoke free playgrounds.

Cross Valley Federal Credit Union awarded 7 members of their executive student program with college scholarships.

Luzerne County Community College beginning September 27th and continuing until October 28th will be offering training for blackjack and poker dealers.

Dr. Eugene Gorski accepted the position of Medical Director for Hazleton Professional Services.

William J. Small Wealth Management Group has trademarked and owns www.holisticwealthplanning.com.

Stephen M. Barrouk has been named Board Chair for 2010/2012 for the NEPA Alliance.

Walck Enterprises received certification to heat treat lumber and pallets for international market uses. This certification is required by the International Plant Protection Conventions (IPPC) International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15 (ISPM 15). The purpose is to prevent the spread of disease and insects which could harm plants or ecosystems.

Fairway Chevrolet Subaru recently hired Kevin Eberle as a sales consultant.

CAN DO Energy Solutions is proud to add Community Energy, Inc. as its exclusive provider of renewable energy credits and carbon offsets to its Energy Solutions Portfolio. For more information visit candoenergysolutions.com.

Attorney Robert J. Gillespie, Jr. and Attorney Wayne S. Fegley of Gillespie, Miscavige, Ferdinand & Baranko have been named Super Lawyers by Philadelphia magazine. Gillespie has been chosen as a Super Lawyer since 2007.Only 5% of lawyers in PA are named Super Lawyers.

Geisinger Health System was one of 10 hospitals and health systems to be recognized by the Healthcare Financial Management Association with the MAP Award. They received this award because they demonstrate sound fiscal responsibility and promoted positive patient experiences. Lynn Miller was recently promoted to executive vice president of clinical operations. Hospitals & Health Networks magazine listed Geisinger Health Systems among the “100 most wired hospitals and health systems”.  The American Hospital Association honored Geisinger President and CEO, Glenn Steele Jr., MD, PhD when he received the 8th annual AHA Health Research & Education Trust Award for his strong use of research to inform evidence-based practice, his leadership as an early adopter of both health information technology and patient-centered care and his vision to redesign and implement new payment models.

The campus and staff of McCann School of Business & Technology has announced their alumni website is now live – mccannalumni.com.

The Greater Hazleton Health Alliance public relations department received the 2010 Aster Award, Excellence in Medical Marketing Silver Award, for the Northeast Bariatric website, nebariatrics.com.

Partners In Education sponsored three teachers for three-week paid internships that ran from June 14th to July 2nd at Fabri-Kal Corporation and George J. Hayden Inc.

As part of their summer camp, theYM/YWCA of Greater Hazleton held their Captain Kids Safety Program which was sponsored by Blue Cross of NEPA.

The NEPA Technology Institute received a $100,000 state grant to help develop an information database. The institute is the umbrella organization for KIZ programs in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Monroe counties.

Hazleton General Hospital is now offering “Senior Choice”, a program designed specifically for seniors 55 years of age and older which offers a variety of health and wellness programs, social activities, discounted programs and services, opportunities to develop friendships and more. To become a member or for more information call 454-4752.

Citizens Financial Group, a subsidiary of Citizens Bank, for the 3rd year straight has topped Conceive magazine’s annual “50 Best Companies” list, a showcase of employers that offer generous family-building benefits.

Rebates are now available to help PPL Electric Utilities’ industrial, commercial and institutional customers switch to longer lasting more energy efficient compact fluorescent light, or CFL bulbs. Rebate forms are available at pplelectric.com or call 866-660-4551.

Fellin’s Jewelers is opening a new shop located at 34 Sugarloaf Avenue in Conyngham, the former Stewart’s Flower Shop and Greenhouses.

MetroAction recently added Schuylkill County to its service area, thanks in part to a $35,000 grant from Bank of America.

PA Governor’s Occupational Safety and Health Conference is being held October 18thand 19th at the Hershey Lodge & Convention Center. Complete details may be found at pasafetyconference.org.

The CAN DO Community Foundation presented a resolution to James S. Facinelli recognizing him for his long history of donating professional advice and counsel on foundation restoration projects. The foundation held their annual meeting and for the 2nd year the Joseph Yenchko awards were presented for students to attend Ferrwood Music Camp. 3 awards were named for CAN DO’s first employee who passed away in 2008. The Penn State Hazleton scholarship was awarded and the 8th annual Edgar L. Dessen Community Service award scholarships were granted to 5 area high school students. The following were elected as directors of the board: Matthew Bayzick, vice president; Earl Berger, Paul Cerula, Joseph DeBias, Dr. Edgar L. Dessen, Eugene Dougherty, Dr. Terrance Eyerly, secretary; George Hludzik, Esquire, Gary Lamont, president; Robert Moisey, Richard Moore, Herbert Nash, W. Kevin O’Donnell, assistant treasurer; Donald Pachence, treasurer; E. Thomas Sandrock, John Spevak, Arthur D. Sweeney and John Wright Jr. Nancy Stasko was elected assistant secretary.


SPOTLIGHT ON NEW MEMBERS

DISCLAIMER: The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce is not responsible for the content of this publication.