Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce

May 2013 Edition

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Spotlight on New Members

The Greater Hazleton Area Civic Partnership Scholarship is available to any student attending any institution of higher learning, whether that school is located within the Greater Hazleton Area or not. Contact Bob Skulsky, Executive Director at: 455-1509 for further information.

FNCB News: Thomas C. Gross joined Wealth Management Services as a registered financial representative of INVEST Financial Corp. Through the FNCB Community Caring Program, Theresa Williams, a customer service representative volunteered over 50 hours in 2012 and won a $250 grant for the Bushkill Relay for Life. Dawn Gilliland was hired as a Business Development Specialist. FNCB donated $250 to the Center for Comprehensive Cancer Care.

PPL News: PPL donated $9000, which is being made in $3000 annual increments in 2013, 2013 and 2014 to the Freeland YMCA’s capital campaign, “The Campaign for the Freeland YMCA: Learning from the Past, Benefiting from the Present and Securing the Future”. This donation will be used to make interior improvements in the building, which is more than 80 years old and has not been renovated since the 1980’s. PPL Susquehanna named Jon A. Franke as the new site vice president for the plant in Salem Township. PPL donated $10k to the Hazleton Area School District, which will be used toward their opening of their Academy of Sciences.

Greater Hazleton Health Alliance News: The Board of the Greater Hazleton Health Alliance has signed a formal affiliation agreement with the Board of the Lehigh Valley Health Network for GHHA to become part of the LVHN. Plans are continuing in the development of a multidisciplinary Headache Clinic at the HHWC. The clinic will be under the direction of Dr. Shu Xu, a neurologist with AMG. AMG and the HHWC have come together to offer free stroke screenings. The Greater Hazleton Health Clinic, a free clinic being developed by a volunteer community group to serve the uninsured in our area, is looking for volunteers, such as physicians, nurse practitioners, physicians assistants, nurses, administrative services and social services, to help provide care on clinic days, Thursdays from 5 pm to 9 pm, once or twice a month. Monetary and clinic-supply donations are also being accepted. Contact Jane at 501-6205. The HHWC has opened a Back Pain Center. The HHWC held their 8th Annual 5k Run/Walk.

NEPRIC News: NEPIRC’s executive director/CEO, Director of Strategy & Innovation and Senior Business Advisor recently completed Technology Scouting and Technology Driven Market Intelligence training provided by RTI International. The PA Senate recognized the outstanding accomplishments of NEPIRC and their Industrial Resource Center Network partners in a formal resolution declaring March 13th as PA Industrial Resource Center Day across the Commonwealth.

APTS News: APTS will hold a free child safety seat inspection on May 15th from 10 am to 1 pm. Call for an appointment, 453-1445 x 6. APTS provided a ‘Lend a Hand, Save a Life’ Hands Only CPR & Sudden Cardiac Arrest educational program to the faculty at the Hazleton Area High School on April 16, 18 & 19.  Over 90 faculty were instructed on how to perform Hands Only CPR and utilize an AED should they witness someone have a Sudden Cardiac Arrest.  APTS will be hosting ‘Lend a Hand, Save a Life’ Hands Only CPR event, free for the public, at the Laurel Mall on Tuesday, May 21, 2013 from 9am to 12 noon.

NEPA Alliance is waiving fees for the ten state and federal loan programs they administer. Contact Dave Nat at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it at 655-1929. The NEPA Alliance presented Bellemarque LLC with a $90k combined loan for the purchase of machinery and equipment.

The United Way of Greater Hazleton is holding their annual Letter Carriers Food Drive on Saturday, May 11th. Everyone is asked to place non-perishable food items at your mailbox the date of the drive.

Kovatch Mobile Equipment (KME) is hiring 100 new employees to support their expansion, which is a new product line, manufacturing water hauling tankers for police, fire and emergency services and the Marcellus Shale industry.

Ed Pane, Executive Director for Serento Gardens has taken a voluntary layoff to help save salaries within the agency. Pane has served as this position for 34 years.

The Hazleton Dept of Public Works purchased two push lawn mowers, three weed whackers and a brush cutter that will be used to maintain the city’s 11 playgrounds, two baseball fields and other city properties. The items were purchased for $15,000 through the city’s recreation fund.

Customers at Giant Food Stores and Martin’s Food Markets donated $587,545 at the checkout to support local hunger relief efforts through the grocers’ Bag Hunger campaign, which ran Feb 24 to Mar 9.

The First Federal Foundation provided a $25k grant to United Rehabilitation Services to assist in sustaining the Transition Employment Programs.

The YMCA/YWCA of Hazleton will be participating in the 2013 Summer Food Service Program, which provides meals for children from low-income families at no charge the weeks of June 17, Aug 19 and Aug 26, the remaining 7 weeks, the lunches will be sponsored by The Nutrition Group through the Hazleton Area School District.

Lutheran Home Care & Hospice is seeking hospice volunteers for clients and their families in Luzerne, Carbon and Schuylkill Counties. Upcoming training is May 14 from 9 to 1 at their office on Church Street in Hazleton. For more info contact Cathy at 877-438-3511 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Peter Brown has bee named chief executive officer of the American Red Cross’ NEPA region and the Greater Lehigh Valley Chapter.

The NEPA Food Processing Industry Partnership is holding their spring meeting, which is free of charge and approved for HRCI continuing education credits, on May 9th from 9:15 to 11 am at Best Western Genetti Inn & Suites on Church Street in Hazleton. The topic is “An Employer’s Roadmap to Healthcare Reform Compliance – Practical Steps for Businesses Preparing for 2014”, presented by Eric N. Athey, Esq and Joseph Sileo, Esq. from McNees Wallace & Nurick, LLC. Rsvp to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

J.D. Power and Associates, for the fifth time, have rated Edward Jones Financial Advisors, the “Highest in Employee Advisor Satisfaction among Financial Investment Firms”.

The Hazleton Art League held their Art Youth Expo 3 at various businesses in downtown Hazleton.

The Pennsylvania Theatre of Performing Arts has once again earned nominations for the 2013 NEPA Theatrical Alliance awards.

Bruce G. Smith has been named president of the Central Region for National Penn Bank.

Eagle Rock Resort is hosting Enchante Cabaret performed by Stuart Bohemian Bizarre Stranges on Friday, May 17th at the Base Lodge. Buffet begins at 6:30 and Showtime is at 8 pm. $35 pp, $40 at the door. For reservations call 384-1560.

Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs was recently honored with an award for outstanding support of employees with disabilities from the Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Employment Coalition.

Luzerne County Community College debuted their very own, locally produced cooking show, “Cooking Classics” on WOLF-TV, FOX 56.

Leadership Hazleton received a $500 donation from the Regional Council IV and a $500 donation from the Hazleton Area Education Association.

Boy Scouts from the Anthracite District, Minsi Trails Council, participated in the annual First Aid Meet held at Holy Family Academy.

Mystic Power Yoga held a benefit weekend, “Unity Through Yoga”, which teaches adults and children alike about breaching the gaps of diversity and the importance of serving the community. Proceeds benefited the Africa Yoga Project.

M&T Bank donated $500 to the American Cancer Society.

The Hazleton Integration Project received a donation of books, coloring books, markers and crayons from Michaels in West Hazleton.

West Hazleton Borough planted a permanent Christmas tree, donated by Thomas Slusser, at McKenna’s Corners. The site will become a park once the Broad Street Corridor Project is completed.

The American Cancer Society presented McAdoo-Kelayres Elementary/Middle School with a certificate of appreciation for the schools involvement with the ACS.

The Anthracite Region Center for Independent Living (ARCIL) hosted an Overview of the Intellectual Disability System in PA, which was presented by the PA Training Partnership for People With Disabilities and Families.

Cargill is investing $5.5 million in new equipment technology, including an automated product line and an automated system for weighing boxes and labeling products.

The American Cancer Society Look Good Feel Better program’s next session is Monday, May 6th at 5 pm at the Cancer Treatment Center on E. Broad Street in Hazleton. Register by calling 800-227-2345.

Helping Hands Society held their annual telethon and raised over $100,000.

UGI Utilities Inc employees held a clothing drive to assist underprivileged individuals and families as part of a company-wide project to celebrate National Volunteer Week.

Catholic Social Services held a free health fair, which was hosted by those working to establish the Greater Hazleton Health Clinic.

The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton International Airport board released 16.5 acres of land for the Dept of Transportation to build an access road that will extend from I-81 through the airport property, overpass the PA Turnpike and connect to the Grimes Industrial Park in Pittston. This opens up the west end of the airport for future development projects.

Members of the McAdoo Fire Company are recognizing those who have made a difference with a memorial monument, which they have added to their S. Kennedy Drive site.

Nine grants totaling $67,329 were awarded to regional non profit programs by the Blue Ribbon Foundation of Blue Cross of NEPA.

The United Way of Greater Hazleton held their annual meeting and honored their top 10 supporting companies including: 1.) Cargill; 2.) PPL; 3.) Fabri-Kal; 4.) Hazleton Area School District; 5.) Henkel/Dial; 6.) Hershey Company; 7.) PNC Bank; 8.) Greater Hazleton Health Alliance; 9.) Bemis and 10.) International Paper-Humboldt.

The PA Rural Water Assoc selected two of Alfred Benesch & Company’s nominees to receive the 2013 Tribute to Excellence Awards: Mr. Demetrius Kasmari of Hegins-Hubley Authority was selected as Water Operator of the Year and Mr. Herbert “Ed” Gregory of Conyngham Borough Authority was selected as Wastewater Operator of the Year.

The Junior Achievement Hall of Fame dinner will take place May 30th  at Genetti’s in Wilkes-Barre. Honorees are Anthony J. Dixon, Esq, Partner, Rosenn, Jenkins & Greewald and Lou Champi, Sr. Independent Graphics and Entrepreneurs of the Year, Maureen Mangan Mills and Bob Bills, Craft Oil Corp, a Petrol Choice Co.

Valley Preferred appointed Kacie Heilman, ACE, GEI, as Wellness Coach of BeneFIT corporate health education and wellness program.

SPOTLIGHT ON NEW MEMBERS

Country Charm Early Learning Center Inc was established in 1996 and is a nationally accredited private educational child care and preschool program that partners with parents to inspire young children to grow into spirited life long learners. They believe that education begins at birth. They strive to provide the best resources and learning opportunities available to implement the highest quality education and care for infants through school-aged children year round. Country Charm Learning Center Inc is owned by Heather Critchosin and is located at 9 E. Butler Drive in Drums. Phone: 788-4800 Fax: 788-6292 Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Website www.countrycharmelc.com

DISCLAIMER:

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