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CPWDC announces launch of The Link, a new mobile career center serving the Central PA region

July 28, 2017
From CPWDC Central Pennsylvania Workforce Development Corporation (CPWDC) is excited to announce the launch of The Link, a new mobile career center serving the Central PA region. The Link is staffed with expert professionals ready to help businesses find talent and help job seekers find opportunities right for them. Outfitted with seven computers, internet, a printer, presentation screen, and ADA accessibility, The Link offers state-of-the art technology. This career center on wheels is the first of its kind in Pennsylvania and will travel to neighborhoods across Central PA expanding the reach of PA CareerLink® services to jobseekers and businesses. The Link offers a variety of services for jobseekers including but not limited to career guidance, assistance with searching and applying for jobs, resume and cover letter review, and work readiness workshops and training provided by workforce professionals. The Link will serve businesses by assisting with recruitment and job fair events and can be available for onsite, company training. The Link is also available for Rapid Response events aimed at helping recently laid-off employees get back to work quickly.  “This new vehicle allows us to take the professional career services available at the PA CareerLink® beyond the walls of the Central PA CareerLink® offices to serve communities and individuals we sometimes have a hard time reaching,” says Erica Mulberger, Executive Director of CPWDC. “CPWDC recognizes that traveling to one of the six PA CareerLink® offices in the region can be a challenge for individuals living in rural communities, and The Link is our way of reducing that barrier to help more individuals find employment. I encourage companies searching for new talent and individuals looking for employment to check out what The Link has to offer,” stated Ms. Mulberger.

Interior of The Link

The Link is operated by Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc. and will provide services to Centre, Clinton, Columbia, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties. The Link schedule will include recurring stops, as well as time for special events like recruitments, job fairs and other community happenings. For the latest schedule of The Link, please visit @TheLinkMCC on Facebook. To schedule The Link for your job fair, event, or location please call Kelly Johnson, Link Outreach Coordinator, at 570-220-0003 or send a message on Facebook. The Link is made possible thanks to a Community Based Partnership grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry and ongoing support from CPWDC. The Chamber will hold a ribbon cutting at The Link next Monday, July 31, at noon at the PA CareerLink Columbia/Montour office at 415 Central Rd., Bloomsburg.

Columbia County Traveling Library Hosts Fun-Filled Evening For Members

July 27, 2017

Members enjoyed an educational evening full of great tasting food and drink at July’s Business After Hours at the Columbia County Traveling Library. Attendees learned about the storied history of the Traveling Library and got a firsthand look at the new bookmobile, which debuted earlier this year. They also found out about the various opportunities for businesses to collaborate with the Library and ways the Library can help businesses of all sizes with their information needs – all while enjoying a tasty selection of appetizers and sweets as well as beverages, including wine provided by fellow member Freas Farm Winery, the 2017 Columbia Montour Chamber Small Business of the Year. Fellow member First Columbia also presented a donation to the Library from funds raised by employees on dress-down days. For more information, visit the CCTL’s website

Business After Hours provide regular opportunities to build business relationships while learning about the services offered by other Chamber members. There will be two such opportunities in August. Come out to the next one on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at Ken Pollock Ford Lincoln, located at 1120 W. Front St., Berwick, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. We also hope you’ll join us on Wednesday, Aug. 30 at Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, 549 Fair St., Bloomsburg, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. 

 

Thanks to Patti Leighow (left) and Stephanie Rothery from Freas Farm Winery for serving their tasty wine at the Business After Hours.

Columbia County Traveling Library director Ammon Young (left) stands with five First Columbia employees outside the bookmobile after First Columbia made a donation to the Traveling Library at the Chamber Business After Hours on July 19.

Member News – July 26, 2017

July 26, 2017

Member News

 

Danville Child Development Center Has Opportunities for Volunteers to Get Involved

The Danville Child Development Center’s 43 years of success in the community, including its recent re-accreditation by the NAEYC, is directly related to its friends, families and neighbors. With that in mind, DCDC has several ways for interested community volunteers to get involved. Guest readers are always welcome in its classrooms, either for a book or sharing a hobby or experience. Interested individuals can email Michele Jenkins. Miscellaneous projects, such as its new Kids’ Kitchen, were facilitated by volunteers. Email Steve Bevans for a list of available projects in need of volunteers. Finally, DCDC currently has room on its board for some additional people. It meets once a month from September through June and oversees the financial operations of DCDC and sets policy. Email Diana Verbeck for how to apply. 

 

PA CareerLink To Hold Open House For New Mobile Career Center

PA CareerLink is excited to announce the addition of its new mobile career center, The Link, and it will welcome the public, businesses and partner agencies to come explore it next Monday, July 31, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Columbia/Montour CareerLink office, 415 Central Rd., Bloomsburg. The Link is an ADA accessible mobile career center with seven computers, internet access, printing and a presentation screen, and offers professional staff support for job matching, career guidance, workforce training and employer recruitment. It will provide services to Centre, Clinton, Columiba, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union Counties. 

 

Berwick Police Department to Host National Night Out Aug. 1

The Borough of Berwick Police Department will host its fourth annual National Night Out celebration on Tuesday, Aug. 1, from 5-8 p.m. at the Borough Building parking lot, 1800 N. Market St., Berwick. There will be free food and drinks, games, educational and safety information, and tours of emergency vehicles, the police department and live demonstrations. There is no cost to attend this event. For more information, visit here. National Night Out is a national event that brings local communities together to interact with emergency responders and learn about safety and these organizations within their communities. The Berwick Police Department thanks the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation for providing it with a substantial grant award to re-establish and improve its community policing program. 

 

LCCC Berwick Center to Host Open House and Financial Aid Workshop 

Luzerne County Community College will host an Open House on Wednesday, Aug. 2 from 3-8 p.m. at its Berwick Center, located at 107 S. Market St., lower level, Berwick. Attendees will have an opportunity to learn how to apply, what programs and degrees are offered, costs, as well as clubs and activities available to LCCC students. A financial aid workshop will be conducted at 5 p.m. as a part of this event. For more information, visit here, or call Rose Goin, center director at 570-759-3900 or email

 

Philadelphia Federal Credit Union to Host Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of New Branch

Philadelphia Federal Credit Union (PFCU) will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 10, at 11 a.m. at their new branch office located in the Route 11 Marketplace, 1615 Columbia Blvd. (Rt. 11), Bloomsburg. The ribbon cutting will be followed by a public grand opening featuring free food and giveaways, which will run until 2 p.m. 

 

Bucknell SBDC Hosts Cybersecurity Workshop

Are you as secure as you think? Join Michael Frauenhoffer of MePush as he talks about compliance vs. actual security at StartUpLewisburg, 416 Market St., Lewisburg on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at noon. Hosted by the Bucknell Small Business Development Center, this event will also feature local pizza, networking and tours of StartupLewisburg, Bucknell University’s home for innovators and entrepreneurs in downtown Lewisburg. Register here.

 

Mandated Child Abuse Reporting Training Session Available

Montour County Children and Youth Services will host a free training for individuals who are mandated by law to report suspected child abuse on Thursday, Aug. 17, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. The training program is put together by the Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance. Though this training is free, pre-registration is required. For more information or to register, fill out this form on the PFSA website. Those registering will receive an email once their registration has been processed, which will include the address for the training location. 

 

Wild For Salmon Hosts Annual Fishtival Aug. 19

Help the crew at Wild For Salmon celebrate the return of its fishing team from its record-breaking season in Bristol Bay, Alaska as it hosts its annual Fishtival on Saturday, Aug. 19 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. outside its Bloomsburg store at 521 Montour Blvd. (Rt. 11). Owner Steve Kurian and his crew caught over 100,000 pounds of wild salmon during this year’s fishing season, and with harvest numbers so high, they want to share some with the public. There will be free samples of salmon cooked by Chef Josh and the Wild For Salmon crew, and several other visitors will be on hand to free tastings, including beer and wine samples from fellow Chamber members Turkey Hill Brewing and Freas Farm Winery. There will also be an educational booth this year discussing the importance of preserving the lifeblood of the business, Bristol Bay. 

 

Students Learn About Career Opportunities

July 25, 2017

Camp STEAM, coordinated by the PA CareerLink, is a two-week program designed to help local high school students explore career choices and prepare them for entering the workforce. The students participate in team-building activities, learn about local businesses, and life skills. Over a two-week period, they tour businesses that utilize science, technology, engineering, arts and math so that they are exposed to opportunities that exist locally and see what skills and attributes employers look for in employees.

On Monday, July 24, Chamber president Fred Gaffney spoke to the students about the importance of developing both hard skills and soft skills to be successful in the workplace.

Get Caught Up on Unemployment Compensation Payments

July 25, 2017

Employers who owe money to the state’s Unemployment Compensation Fund may be eligible to participate in the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s “Make It Right” UC Amnesty Program. Under the program guidelines, eligible employers who have unpaid contributions through the third quarter of 2016 and unpaid reimbursement due on or before Oct. 31, 2016 can satisfy these liabilities and only have to pay half of the interest and penalties owed. The program is effective now through Sept. 30. For more information, visit the UC website

For Fourth Straight Year, Pennsylvania is Second in Nation in Natural Gas Production

July 24, 2017

According to statistics released last week by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Pennsylvania ranked second in the nation in natural gas production in 2016, marking the fourth straight year that Pennsylvania has held this spot. Overall, the state is third in energy production and 27th in energy consumption. Pennsylvania was also the third-largest coal producing state and the only state that produced anthracite. 

Locally, both Columbia and Montour Counties contribute to that energy production either directly or indirectly through energy transportation. A big upcoming project intended to increase the ability to transport natural gas is the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline project by Williams, which the Columbia Montour Chamber continues to support. This new project will expand the Transco gas pipeline system with a new pipe approximately 185 miles long connecting the existing pipeline just north of Columbia County to southeast Pennsylvania. Last month, Chamber president Fred Gaffney spoke in support of the project at a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection hearing held at Bloomsburg High School.

This project will allow for more efficient transportation of Marcellus Shale natural gas and should enable even more to be exported. Additionally, the Atlantic Sunrise project, which is scheduled to begin later this year, is expected to generate an economic impact of $85.5 million for Columbia County alone, and a $1.6 billion economic impact in all of the project’s regions. 

Williams is also encouraging all workers that come into the area to work on this project to patronize local businesses. More information about the opportunities for local businesses related to this pipeline project will be available at the Chamber’s next Learn at Lunch, sponsored by PPL Electric Utilities, on Tuesday, Aug. 8, at noon at Wesley United Methodist Church. Mike Atchie from Williams will talk about the different types of opportunities for local businesses to cater to the visiting workers and give an overall update on the project at this event. The cost to attend this event is $10 for lunch and those interested can register here.

Members Receive Checks For Dividends From Penn National Business Insurance Program

July 23, 2017

Earlier this year, it was announced that members enrolled in the ChamberChoice business insurance program through Penn National would receive an 8% dividend this year. Last week, the Chamber went out to visit with some of those members to present a check representative of the cumulative dividends received by all Columbia Montour Chamber members that utilize this benefit – which totaled $38,695.38. 

Since the program’s inception in 2011, Columbia Montour Chamber members have received back more than $173,000 in dividends through the program. 

To see if this program could be a good fit for your business, contact Chamber members Associated Insurance Management at 570-275-0100 or Hutchison Insurance Agency at 570-784-5550, for a no-obligation quote. 

 

Chamber president Fred Gaffney presents a check to Kevin Swank, owner of Swank & Son Well Drilling & Pump Company in Danville.

Chamber president Fred Gaffney presents a check to Tim Wagner, owner of Wagner’s Trophies & Engraveables in Bloomsburg.

 

Chamber Fred Gaffney presents a check to Steve Bevans, business manager at the Danville Child Development Center.

 

Bloomsburg Center for Healthy Aging to Hold Conference For Individuals That Work With Older Adults

July 22, 2017

The Center for Healthy Aging (CHA) at Bloomsburg University was founded in 2014 and created for the benefit of older adults in Columbia and surrounding counties. It is rooted in an inter-professional approach to address the needs of older adults and the professionals that care for them. The goals of the center include the development of optimal aging programs, health promotion, and chronic disease management in the diverse, older population through interdisciplinary service, education and research. 

On Tuesday, Sept. 12, the CHA will hold its Third Annual Conference for those who work with older adults, both professionals and paraprofessionals. The theme of this year’s conference is “Time for Courageous Conversations,” and it focuses on the challenging conversations that need to occur with older adults when difficult decisions need to be made. These include things such as requiring a cane or walker, to stop driving, moving to assisted living, no longer live alone, requiring assistance caring for a house, moving closer to children or family, and planning for transitions in care. This year’s keynote speaker Dr. Christine Bradway, a Bloomsburg native who is now an associate professor of gerontological nursing at the University of Pennsylvania.

The conference will held at Bloomsburg University at Monty’s on Upper Campus. There is no cost for this conference, however an RSVP is required. To register, contact CHA Director Dr. Lori Metzger by email. The registration deadline is Aug. 21. 

For more information, including a schedule of the day’s program, download the brochure

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodrick Realty Cuts Ribbon on New Danville Office Building

July 21, 2017

Front row (l-r): Columbia Montour Chamber president Fred Gaffney, Kevin Hodrick, Nency Taffe, Lena Melaragni, Bob Fleck. Middle row (l-r): Chase Tobias, Kari Wolfe, Mary Ann Fleck, Sarah Holland, Pamela Anderson, Loralea Hartle. Back row (l-r): Mike Kisner, Abby Oman, Kevin Morris

 

The Chamber was on hand Friday morning, July 21, to help welcome Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodrick Realty to its new offices at 1520 Bloom Rd., Danville, with a ribbon cutting. The group of realtors recently moved from their previous location on Mill St. in downtown Danville to the property previously occupied by the Coldwell Banker Fleck Agency, which sold the property to BHHS Hodrick Realty. A total of 12 agents now work at the Danville office: Abby Oman, Bob Fleck, Chase Tobias, Kari Wolfe, Kevin Morris, Lena Melaragni, Loralea Hartle, Mary Ann Fleck, Mike Kisner, Pamela Anderson, Nency Taffe and Sarah Holland. 

Below, the BHHS Hodrick Realty team cuts the ribbon on their new office building, and broker Kevin Hodrick makes a few brief remarks following the ribbon cutting. 

How dangerous is your medicine cabinet?

July 20, 2017

From Geisinger Health

Almost everyone has unused or expired prescriptions taking up space in our medicine cabinets. Unfortunately, they not only clutter our shelves, they can also be dangerous.

All too often, unused and expired prescriptions end up in the hands of young children and even teenagers. But flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash are not great solutions. The medications then end up in landfills where they can harm the environment and eventually find their way into the water supply.

That’s why Geisinger has installed medication disposal boxes at several retail locations in central and northeast Pennsylvania, including a new one at Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital. Just bring your old medications and drop them in the box – problem solved. Medsafe medication take-back boxes offer patients a safe way to dispose of unwanted or expired medications.

 

Frequently asked questions

What’s accepted in the boxes?
Prescription and over-the-counter solid medications, tablets and capsules, liquid medications in the original containers, prescription patches, medical creams and ointments, vitamins, nasal sprays and even pet medications.

Can I bring back narcotics or controlled substances?
Yes. Our boxes are locked and secure so you can return narcotics and controlled substances, and have peace of mind that no one can access them.

Should I leave the prescriptions in their original bottles?
Yes, whenever possible. Remember to black out your name or any other personal information with a marker before returning your medications.

What’s not accepted in the boxes?
Intravenous solutions, injectables, syringes, needles, hydrogen peroxide, compressed cylinders or aerosols (like asthma inhalers), iodine-containing medications, thermometers or alcohol.

When are the boxes available?
The boxes are available for you to dispose of your medications during the pharmacy’s regular business hours.

What happens to my meds after they are returned?
Your medications are securely transported to an incinerator for final disposal.
Below are some locations in the northeast and central Pennsylvania. To find a community take-back site nearest you, visit PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.

 

List of locations:

Columbia County

Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital
Main lobby
549 Fair St.
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
570-387-2100
Daily: 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. 

 

Luzerne County

CareSite Pharmacy – Dallas
114 Lt. Michael Cleary Dr.
Dallas, PA 18612
570-255-1167
Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

CareSite Pharmacy – GWV
1000 East Mountain Drive
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
570-808-7969
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

CareSite Pharmacy – CWB
175 S. Wilkes Barre Blvd.
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
570-821-0808
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Weis Markets
70 Phoenix St.
Duryea, PA 18642
570-451-6390
Pharmacy hours:
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Weis Markets
1 Weis Plaza
Nanticoke, PA 18634
570-735-3979
Pharmacy hours:
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Sheehan’s Pharmacy
79 E. Carey St.
Plains, PA 18705
570-823-3151
Monday – Saturday: 7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Harrold’s Pharmacy
25 Old River Rd.
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
570-822-5794
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sunday: closed

 

Lycoming County

Weis Markets
305 River Ave.
Williamsport, PA 17701
570-322-5597
Pharmacy hours:
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Weis Markets
801 Loyalsock Ave.
Montoursville, PA 17754
570-368-5599
Pharmacy hours:
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Weis Markets
1440 Allegheny St.
Jersey Shore, PA 17740
570-398-7757
Pharmacy hours:
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Weis Markets
1916 Lycoming Creek Road
Williamsport, PA 17701
570-326-5144
Pharmacy hours:
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Weis Markets
1272 E. Penn St.
Muncy, PA 17756
570-546-7228
Pharmacy hours:
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

TJ’s Market/Montgomery’s Pharmacy
49 N. Railroad St.
Hughesville, PA 17737
570-584-2005
Monday – Saturday: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.  

Townville Pharmacy at Ben Franklin
2195 Route 442
Muncy, PA 17756
570-546-8672
Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 5 p.m.

 

Montour County

Bush Pavilion Pharmacy
Geisinger Medical Center
100 N. Academy Ave.
Danville, PA 17822
570-271-6451
Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. 

Knapper Clinic Pharmacy
100 N. Academy Ave.
Danville, PA 17822
570-271-8717
Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday: – 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

 

Northumberland County

Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital
Main lobby
4200 Hospital Road
Coal Township, PA 17866
Open 24 hours

 

Snyder County

Shade Mountain Pharmacy
9627 Route 35
Mt. Pleasant Mills, PA 17853
570-539-2050
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Wednesday & Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.  

Weis Markets
719 Route 522
Selinsgrove, PA 17870
570-374-1210
Pharmacy hours:
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

 

Dauphin County

PA Fish & Boat Commission
1601 Elmerton Ave.
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-705-7800
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: Closed

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