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.
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.
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.
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
Member News
PPL Electric Utilities Takes Top Honor From J.D. Power
PPL Electric Utilities was recently recognized by J.D. Power as the top large electric utility for residential customer satisfaction in the eastern U.S. region. It marks the sixth straight year the PPL has earned this honor and the 14th time in the last 19 years during which J.D. Power has conducted this customer satisfaction survey.
PPL Electric Utilities’ score of 739 improved on last year’s score by 34 points. The average score in the large utility group in the East is 704. Companies are ranked on a 1,000-point scale. The East Large Segment is made up of 16 utilities. The national average among all types and sizes of electric utilities, including electric cooperatives, was 719, according to J.D. Power. PPL has also captured 11 J.D. Power awards for business customer satisfaction, the last in 2014.
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.
Bucknell SBDC to Hold Annual Celebration of Small Business Breakfast
The Bucknell University Small Business Development Center will host its annual Celebration of Small Business Breakfast this Friday, July 21, from 8-10 a.m. in the Terrace Room on the second floor of the Elaine Langone Center on the Bucknell campus in Lewisburg. Friends and fans of small business are all invited to attend this free event that will bring together the business community, statewide economic development stakeholders and legislators to recognize the accomplishments of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurial leaders in the region. The year’s program will feature the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Person of the Year for Pennsylvania, Elvin Stoltzfus, the founder and president of Pik Rite, Inc. It will also recognize the local finalists of the 2017 InnovateHER Business Challenge and recognize the winners of that competition, and will feature the presentation of the Charles H. Coder Entrepreneurial Leadership Award recognizing innovation in new product development and outstanding collaboration with Bucknell’s College of Engineering.
Register for this free event online, or by calling Shelley Gadoury at 570-577-1249.
Art of Floating to Hold Potluck Saturday
The Art of Floating is always looking for ways to get to know its clients more because they are considered friends and family. So, they are inviting all current and future clients to come and share their favorite food and sample new dishes this Saturday, July 22 from 3-7 p.m. at its business at 1924 Old Berwick Rd., Bloomsburg. There will be live music and a bouncy house for the children. RSVP here.
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.
Danville Borough Summer Newsletter Now Available
The Danville Borough’s latest newsletter is now available on its website. It has the latest borough report from council president Scott Richardson, as well as information about SEDA-COG offering low cost elevation certificates, swimming pool regulations, new ordinances pertaining to temporary dumpsters, the Swift 911 notification system, an update on the flood resiliency project and more. Members will have an opportunity to learn more about the Danville Borough’s ongoing efforts at October’s Business After Hours.
The Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Health & Safety Division of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry will conduct a series of free safety webinars in August. Titled PATHS (PA Training for Health and Safety), the series will covers a wide array of topics including but not limited to worker fatigue, cyberbullying, hazardous waste management, whistleblowing, ADA compliance, noise control and much more. Each webinar lasts approximately one hour depending on course material and viewer participation.
For a complete list or to register, visit the PATHS Training Calendar.
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry
History repeated itself last week when Gov. Tom Wolf let H.B. 218, the nearly $32 billion General Appropriations bill for the 2017-18 Fiscal Year, become law without his signature. The bill was sent to him on the Constitutional budget deadline of June 30, albeit without the corresponding legislation that raises additional necessary revenue and specifically appropriates the spending. Last year, the governor let the budget become law without signing it; however, lawmakers were able to reach consensus over the following two days on how revenues would be generated to pay for the plan. This year, the House and Senate worked in vain throughout the weekend and into the early part of last week, only to return to their districts on Tuesday afternoon when it became clear that a final revenue agreement remained elusive. On Sunday, in fact, the governor reportedly rejected a $2.2 billion new revenue plan that legislative leaders sent to him on the grounds that it didn’t contain enough recurring revenue.
Rank-and-file members were told they could be called back to vote on bills within six hours’ notice. While the House remains on that schedule, the Senate will reconvene today at 1 p.m. Lawmakers are shying away from using the word “stalemate” to describe the current situation, but continued disagreements between the General Assembly and administration on how to cover a $1.5 billion shortfall from the Fiscal Year that just ended and $700 million in new revenue for the current year make it seem that a resolution could still be weeks away.
Borrowing from the state’s share of the nationwide Tobacco Settlement Fund still appears to be a part of the equation, along with a gaming expansion bill (that likely won’t include video gaming terminals, but could still be far-reaching) and potentially expanding the sale of wine and spirits to include beer distributors. While personal income tax and sales tax increases seem to remain off the table, there is now a resurgent call among some lawmakers to implement a severance tax on the natural gas industry. Gov. Wolf proposed a 6.5 percent severance tax in his February budget proposal. A story in Pennlive highlighted a letter to House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-Allegheny, from a group of 12 Republican lawmakers and three Democrats who have authored shale tax legislation and are in favor of a “fair, reasonable and responsible” proposal. The PA Chamber continues to lead a multi-industry coalition in the fight against another tax on the natural gas industry, due to the negative impact it would have in terms of job growth and economic potential for one of Pennsylvania’s most critical industries.
The Chamber recognizes that starting and successfully running a small business can be a challenge, particularly during that initial start-up phase. Some ambitious business owners may not have the ability to get a loan from a bank, or at least a loan that fits their needs. Therefore, the Chamber’s Board of Directors has designated a set amount of funds for a low interest loan program for members.
The minimum loan amount in this program is $5,000 and the maximum is $20,000. Qualified borrowers have the option of a variable interest rate at the Prime Rate or a fixed rate of Prime plus 50 basis points. The rates are established at the time of application. The term of the loan will not exceed five years based off the useful life of collateral bring pledged.
Any members that have a need and are interested in applying for a loan through the Chamber’s low interest loan program are invited to submit an application. The low interest loan committee, made up of members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors, evaluates and makes a decision on all applications.
Additional guidelines and an application can be downloaded here.
“Did You Know” is dedicated to reviewing a specific benefit of Chamber membership as a means of reminding our members of the ways the Chamber can help you increase revenue or decrease costs in your business or organization.
“The biggest benefit that the library has seen from our membership in the Chamber is our ability to network and promote through Chamber events. For example, I am able to publish this spotlight and talk about the library through a medium that many individuals who may not visit the library will read about. It also puts me in contact with many individuals who may not be aware of how the library can support their information needs.”
– Nadine Kramarz, Director of Library Services, McBride Memorial Library
McBride Memorial Library was started as the Berwick Public Library on July 16, 1916 by the 20th Century Club and the Delphians. These groups later combined and still exist today as the 20th Century Delphians and continue to support the library.
Like other public libraries, McBride supports lifelong learning and promotes five literacies: basic literacy, information literacy, civic & social literacy, health literacy and financial literacy. It promotes basic literacy and kindergarten readiness for children under age 5, provides after-school programs and STEM opportunities for school-aged children and a safe third space where teens learn how to be an adult. It also provides information, research and relaxation for adults. McBride also supports small businesses and entrepreneurs by offering free space, computers and internet, online databases and opportunities to network with other businesses, including through entrepreneurial breakfasts, the next of which is scheduled for Sept. 15 at 8 a.m. Furthermore, public libraries provide information and support democracy by providing unfettered access to information in both print and electronic form, and are also strong community builders – which includes businesses.
McBride was selected for a competitive Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Grant to implement a special needs toy library to build pre-literacy skills. This toy library is available throughout Columbia and Montour counties. Additionally, Nadine Kramarz, director of library services, was selected as a 2017 iLEAD participant and is now working with other PA librarians on a community engagement project. McBride has also been awarded several materials through grants offered by the Commonwealth, including 8,000 lego educator bricks for its Lego Club and Lakeshore Building Blocks for Block Parties.
Volunteers are crucial to the success of McBride, which is now accepting volunteers to support its mission by shelf reading, maintaining collections, gardening/landscaping, working at events, baking goods for programs such as Books on Wheels or for events such as the Ice Cream Social. For more information on volunteer opportunities, visit here and for more information on the library, visit its website or call 570-752-2241.
Member spotlights are chosen via a random drawing from members that submit their business cards at a Business After Hours event. The next Business After Hours is scheduled for July 19 at the Columbia County Traveling Library, located at 702 Sawmill Rd., Bloomsburg.
On July 12, the Board of Governors of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) were presented with a much-awaited set of recommendations by the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS), a consultant group that the PASSHE board hired earlier this year to conduct a strategic review of the state-owned university system. PASSHE, which Chamber member Bloomsburg University is a member of along with 13 other institutions, has a combined enrollment of just over 100,000 students, including over 9,500 at Bloomsburg during the recently completed 2016-17 academic year. According to a 2015 study commissioned by PASSHE, the 14 institutions have a combined $6.7 billion total economic impact, including nearly $393 million at Bloomsburg, utilizing data from the 2013-14 academic year. The strategic review was necessary due to falling enrollment and budget challenges at a majority of the PASSHE schools.
A summary of the presentation to the PASSHE board is detailed in this article in Inside Higher Ed, and the complete NCHEMS presentation can also be viewed on its website.