July/August 2016 - Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce

July 2016
August 2016
Greater Hazleton’s Business Connection
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1
2
4
5
10
CLOSED
Dwtwn 8 am
11
12
17
18
6
7
8
14
15
Rafting Trip
& Mixer
Farmers
Market
16
14
15
21
22
Funfest 6:30 pm
19
20
CP 8:15 am
24/31
25
26
CA 8 am
Women’s
Luncheon
21
Dtwn OL 8am
27
28
22
Farmers
Market
23
2
3
Dwtwn 8 am
9
SBDC
13
1
First
Friday
3
7
8
9
Funfest
6:30pm
10
17
30
28
18
Golf Outing/
Expo
29
Farmers
Market
Car Cruise
12
19
Farmers
Market
13
20
COG 8 am
23
24
25
26
Mixer
Funfest
6:30pm
Farmers
Market
30
6
First Friday
CP 8:15 am
Waterpark
Day
29
11
5
Farmers Market
Funfest
6:30pm
WN 8 am
16
4
27
31
CA 8 am
*Italicized font indicates committee meetings
Do you have a community event you would like to add to our online calendar? If so email information to lfallabel@hazletonchamber.org
chamber connect
Contact Us
p(570) 455 -1509
f (570) 450 -2013
Citiscape
20 W. Broad Street
Hazleton, PA 18201
Chamber Staff
Mary R. Malone
President
mmalone@hazletonchamber.org
Leann Fallabel
Vice President of Marketing
hazletonchamber.org
July/August 2016 Vol. 18 No. 4
Chamber Celebrates 124 Years of Service
to the Business Community
Our 124th Annual Dinner and Executive Business
Exposition took place on Thursday, May 19th at our
new location for 2016, Sand Springs Country
Club in Drums. The theme of our event was “Cruise
Your Way Around Our Membership”. Our 2016/2017
Greater Hazleton Quality of Life Magazine, produced
by Precision Design, was launched at the event. The
evening began with 36 businesses participating in the
highly successful Executive Business Expo. Attendees
visited each port of call booth, to have their boarding
pass stamped, which entered them for a chance to
win a $100 cash prize. Bettie Sitoski from PNC Bank
was the cash prize winner! In addition, guests had
an opportunity to get their photo taken with our
cruise captain in the photo booth provided by Skuba
Entertainment. Immediately following the expo, the
event continued with dinner program. The program
began with a performance by the Faberge Follies
Dance N Tumble group.
Thank You to Our Event Sponsors!
lfallabel@hazletonchamber.org
Linda Mantush
Marketing Assistant
lmantush@hazletonchamber.org
Outgoing Chairman
& Board Members Honored
Daniel Guydish
Membership Director
dguydish@hazletonchamber.org
Nancy Zolota
Bookkeeper
nzolota@hazletonchamber.org
Julie Ferry
Administrative Assistant
jferry@hazletonchamber.org
Affiliates
• g.h.a. Civic Partnership
• Mt. Council of Governments
• Leadership Hazleton
• Downtown Hazleton Alliance
for Progress
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Donna Barna, Billig-Helmes Insurance, Board
Chair, recognized Allen Wagner, Wagner & John
LLC, Immediate Past Chairman (far left) for his
time served with our organization. Allen served as
Chairman from 2014 to 2016. He served as a Vice
Chairman and Chairman for the Community Awareness Committee from 2012 to 2014. And he served
as Secretary from 2011 to 2012.
Steve Peterson, CTC Manufacturing (second from
left) and Patrick Genetti, Genetti Catering (far
right) were recognized as outgoing board Directors.
Steve served as a Director from 2010 to 2016. And
Patrick served as a Director from 2012 to 2016. hazletonchamber.org
Return Service Requested
Citiscape
20 W. Broad Street
Hazleton, PA 18201-6418
Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce
hazleton, pa
permit no. 68
paid
U.s. postage
“Presorted standard”
Executive Business Exposition Highlights Chamber Members
DATE
Friday, August 5th
TIME
6 pm to 9 pm
LOCATION
Broad Street
Downtown Hazleton
COST
Free to attend!
Downtown Hazleton Classic Car Cruise-In
This free family event is part of Downtown Hazleton’s First Friday! Features live entertainment and fun for the whole
family! Free goody bags for the first 100 cruisers! Dash plaques sponsored by Lehigh Tire. Register to win tons of
prizes!
Classic cars enter at Church & Chestnut Streets - next to the former Blue
Comet Diner, rain date August 12th.
The Hazleton Automobile Trade Association includes: Berger Family
Dealerships, Hazleton Automall, Fairway Chevrolet Subaru, Feussner
Ford, Barber Ford, Independence Toyota, Harry’s U Pull It Auto Parts
and Tunnessen’s Auto Parts.
Thanks to you, our members, the Chamber’s Executive Business Exposition, held in conjunction with the Chamber’s 124th Annual Dinner was a
rounding success. Thirty-six chamber member businesses took advantage of a great networking opportunity, reaching hundreds of potential
clients. Job well done to the winners of our decorating contest who decorated their space to go along with our theme “Cruise Your Way Around
Our Membership”. Pictured from the left is first place winner, Mountain City Nursing & Rehabilitation Center; second place is Lehigh Valley
Health Network - Hazleton; and third place is Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center.
Thank you to the following businesses who participated in the 2016 expo!
BAYADA Pediatrics, ChamberChoice/On Demand Energy, Comfort Keepers, Downtown Hazleton Alliance for Progress sponsored by DBi Services,
Dryfoos Insurance Agency Inc, Eye Care Specialists, First National Bank, Frontier Communications, Funfest sponsored by Hazleton Lions CLub,
FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Center, Geisinger Health System, George J Hayden Inc, Health & Wellness Center at Hazleton, Innotek Computer
Consulting, Lehigh Valley Hospital - Hazleton, Luzerne County Convention & Visitors Bureau, M&T Bank, McCann School of Business & Technology,
Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services, Miners Bank, A Division of Mid Penn Bank, Mountain City Health & Rehabilitation Center, NEPA Alliance,
North Central Digital Systems, Penn State Hazleton, Peters Consultants Inc, Residence Inn by Marriott/Hampton Inn/Fairfield Inn & Suites, Skuba
Entertainment, Sophy Jewelers, St Luke Village, Standard Speaker, T Verrastro Beer Distributor, United Way of Greater Hazleton Inc sponsored by
PPL, WBRE/WYOU TV, Web.com and WYLN TV 35.
Jane Danish
Receives Athena Award
Chamber Team Recognized
at Dinner
First row from left: Julie Ferry, Administrative
Assistant/Funfest Public Relations Coordinator;
Mary Malone, President and Leann Fallabel,
Vice President of Marketing. Second row from
left: Dan Guydish, Membership Director, Linda
Mantush, Marketing Assistant and Nancy
Zolota, Bookkeeper.
DATE
Thursday, August 18th
TIME
9
11 am shotgun
LOCATION
Edgewood by Sand Springs
22 Edgewood Lane
Drums
COST
$500 per foursome
$125 per golfer
Jane Danish was presented with the bronze
sculpture as the Greater Hazleton Chamber of
Commerce/Berger Family Dealerships Athena
“Businesswoman of the Year”. Pictured in the photo
from left: EJ Butkiewicz, Jr., Berger
Family Dealerships; Jane Danish, Athena
Recipient; Earl Berger, Berger Family Dealerships;
Donna Barna, Chamber Chair and Allen Wagner,
Chamber Immediate Past Chair.
Mary Malone, Chamber President (far left)
and Donna Barna, Chamber Chair (far right)
recognized two Chamber team members
who celebrated a special anniversary with
the Chamber. Julie Ferry, pictured next
to Mary, celebrated 15 years and Leann
Fallabel, celebrated 10 years.
DATE
Wednesday, August 24th
LOCATION
Mystic Power Yoga
592 Susquehanna Blvd
Hazle Township
9 am to 10:30 am - Registration and continental breakfast; 9 am - $5000 putting contest qualifications begin; 11 am Shotgun start; After the round of golf . . . Cocktail and hors d’ oeuvre reception, buffet dinner and awards program
Networking Mixer
Chamber members, employees, co-workers & guests are invited to enjoy a casual, after-hours event, networking with
the business community of Greater Hazleton!
Check out the beautiful yoga studio at Mystic Power Yoga! Also enjoy their outdoor area on a
beautiful summer evening! Meet their teachers and learn about all the classes and programs they
offer right here in Greater Hazleton!
Attendees will enjoy hors d’ oeuvres, wine & doorprizes!
~ SAVE THE DATES ~
Thursday, September 8th - Schmooze a’ Palooza
Saturday & Sunday, September 10th & 11th - Funfest Weekend
Thursday, September 15th - Networking Mixer at Providence Place Retirement
Thursday, September 15th - Red Carpet Breakfast featuring Rep Toohil
Monday, September 26th - Legislative Trip to Harrisburg
Tuesday, September 27th - Women’s Luncheon
Wednesday, September 28th - Networking Mixer at Heritage Hill Senior Community with Carbon County Chamber
Thursday, October 6th - Anniversary Celebration
Sunday, October 16th - Tastes of Greater Hazleton
Thursday, October 27th - Business & Community Awards Luncheon
Tuesday, November 29th - Women’s Luncheon
Thursday, December 1st - Downtown Holiday Social
Wednesday, December 7th - Women’s Holiday Social
1st row l to r: Captain Gary Danish, Video by UVP; Kathie Oh, Fyzical Therapy & Balance
Center; Donna Barna, Billig-Helmes Insurance and Allen Wagner, Wagner & John, LLC.
2nd l to r: Carla Thaller, Susquehanna Associates Management Inc; Florie McNelis, PPL;
Pat Verrastro, T. Verrastro Beer Distributor; John Patton, Standard Speaker; Ross Valenti,
Keystone Job Corps Center and Andy Piskel, Fierro Funeral Service. 3rd row l to r:
EJ Butkiewicz, Jr., Berger Family Dealerships; John Fletcher, Lehigh Valley Health Network
- Hazleton; George Hludzik, Esq, Slusser Law Firm; Barry Jais, WYLN TV 35; Dr. Gary
Lawler, Penn State Hazleton and Pastor James DeRamus, Apostolic Faith Church.
Missing from photo: Cathy Kutchi, Carmen’s Country Inn & Gardens and Carmen’s Bakery
& Deli; Bob Caccese, Bemis Company, Inc;Ms. Alexis C. Falvello, Esq, Falvello Law; Ken
Gottstein, Gottstein Corporation; De Ann Miller, Hawk Mtn Labs; Mr. Eugenio Sosa, Lewith
& Freeman Real Estate and William Spear, Hazle Drugs, Inc.
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INCLUDES: 18 holes of golf, cart, coffee, donuts, beverages and driving range balls prior to shotgun start, on-course
food, snacks, drinks and beer, cocktail and hors d’ oeuvre reception immediately following the round of golf, buffet
style dinner, hole in one contest, sponsored by Berger Family Dealerships, pot of gold contest (additional $5 per
person), $5000 putting contest (additional $5 per person), scoring, championship, first and second flight trophies,
longest drive, longest putt and closest to the pin awards, doorprizes for each golfer and more!
COST
Free to attend!
2015/2016 Chamber Board of Directors
hazletonchamber.org
Sell out event every year - register today! All-day, four person scramble golf outing. Open to Chamber members and
their guests (at least two individuals from a Chamber member business must play in each foursome in order to qualify
for awards). Limit 144 golfers - reservations are first come, first served.
Available sponsorships include:: Setup at Tee - $150, on course-business expo; Sign at Tee - $125; Raffle Prize
Donation - $50 value
TIME
5 pm to 7 pm
Team Members Recognized
for Years of Service
Golf Outing & On-Course Business Expo
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hazletonchamber.org
Upcoming Chamber Events
DATE
Thursday, July 14th
TIME
Rafting 11:25 am
Mixer 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm
LOCATION
Whitewater Challengers
288 N. Stagecoach Road
Weatherly
COST
$33.75 pp rafting
Mixer is free to attend!
Chamber Day at Whitewater Challengers
Raft, Network OR Both!!! - Chamber members, your employees, co-workers, family, friends & guests are
invited to enjoy an afternoon of whitewater rafting on the Lehigh River, in the Poconos, of northeastern Pennsylvania.
At check in (11:25 am) you will get sized for your lifejacket, grab your river lunch and
board the shuttle bus, which will take you to the river. At the river, you will be greeted
by your guides, hop in a raft and experience the Lehigh River…..whitewater rafting! Photos from left include: McAdoo Cub Scout Pack 643, PennDOT,
City, Township & Borough partners and Gottstein Corporation
The river trip will run approximately 3 ½ to 4 hours (on the river) and approximately
a ½ hour break for lunch. You will then be shuttled back to the campground
where you can change and enjoy an evening of wine tasting and appetizers,
compliments of Whitewater Challengers and Benigna’s Creek Winery from 5:30 to
7:30 pm! This portion of the evening is open to the entire Chamber membership,
even if they do not join in on the rafting trip! By joining our group you receive a discounted
rafting rate of $33.75 per person (regular rate $44.35) Rafts seat 6 to 7, however you do not
need to fill a raft to join the group.
Visit www.whitewaterchallengers.com for directions and info on how to prepare for a rafting trip!
Downtown Hazleton Farmers Market
DATE
Begins Friday, July 15th
TIME
10 am to 2 pm
LOCATION
Downtown Hazleton
Broad Street
Between Laurel & Wyoming
Local farmers and businesses selling local produce & fruit, flowers, soaps, honey, baked goods, hot lunches,
enterainment, activities & more!
Every Friday during the 2016 summer months from 10 am to 2 pm beginning July 15th and ending September 2nd
If you are interested in participating as a vendor, contact Mary in our office for more
information. Vendors must send in a vendor application form (with proof of
insurance) and city business license application. All applications are available on our
homepage.
NOTE: All vendors selling pre-packaged or ready to eat foods are responsible for
obtaining appropriate licensing/registration with the PA Department of Agriculture
(see link to licensing guidelines at right).
LOCATION
Montage Mountain
1000 Montage Mountain Road
Scranton
COST
$10 per person
LOCATION
3 Bobby D’s
789 Locust Street
Hazleton
COST
$18 members
$25 non members
Thank you to the following groups who participated: Advanced Physical Therapy, April Spevak, APTS Ambulance, Barbara Kocur, Beech Mountain
Lakes, Birdland Music, Black Creek Township, Boy Scout Troop 643, Boy Scout Troop 790, Brandon’s Forever Home, Brownie Girl Scout Troop 34270
& Jr. Girl Scout Troop 30358, CAN DO, Inc., Cargill Cocoa & Chocolate, Cargill Meat Solutions, Carol Shemanski, Center Hill Neighbors, Conyngham
Valley Clean Up, Dan Rebarchak, Eagle Rock Resort, East County Road Group, Eckley Social and Sports Club, Edward J. Shemansky & Tyler Farran,
Freeland Area Support Team, Galski Family-Amy, Eli, & Connor, Gerlach and Bittenbender Families, Greater Hazleton Area Civic Partnership, Girl
Scout Troops 31220 Sr./30267 Cad., Girl Scout Troops 4376, 4210, 4217, Gottstein Contracting Corporation, Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, H.E.M.S Community Service Club, Hazle Drugs, Hazle Township Recreation Authority, Hazleton Action Group, Hazleton Active Adult Center,
Hazleton Area Street Hockey League, Hazleton Integration Project, Hazleton Lions, Hazleton Vine West, Highway Equipment, Hilltop Drive Tax Payers Associations, Jim Walck Lawn & Shrub, Ken Modlick, Keystone Job Corps Center, Knights of Columbus, Council 8613, Koval Family, Lehigh Tire,
Lehigh Valley Hospital-Hazleton Health Information Management Staff, Lehigh Valley Hospital-Health & Wellness Center, Maple Manor Community
Service Club, Marie Welsh, Marla’s Friends, McAdoo Cub Scout Pack 643, McCann School of Business & Technology , Moose Family & Friends, Mr.
Phil’s Laundry Center, Nescopeck State Park, New/Old Cranberry Townies, Nuremburg Community Players, Penn State Hazleton - Dr. Carl Frankels’
Students, Pitt Ohio, ResCare Workforce Services, Savage Detective Agency, Services Etcetera Professional Cleaning, Sleepy Hollow Neighborhood,
Smith Family, Soroko, St. John Bosco Church-3rd Grade CCD, St. John’s Lutheran Church, T. Verrastro Beer Distributor, Theresa Maresca & Kathleen
Gunshore, Tresckow Road Crew, UGI Utilities, Inc, United States Air Force Recruiting/DEP, Upper Lehigh Watch Dogs, Upper Lehigh Watch Dogs”Schwabe”, Valley East Little League, West Hazleton Crime Watch, Young Family, Downtown Hazleton Alliance For Progress.
Academic Achievement
Awards Banquet
Community Reading Day
Icebreaker Golf Outing
Chamber Day presents a great opportunity for you and your employees to enjoy discounted admission to Montage
Mountain Waterpark. Members can purchase $10 tickets which includes all water attractions and several *dry
attractions ($14.99 savings off regular one-day admission ticket). *Zip Rider is not included in Chamber Day admission package.
Tickets are $10 per person (for children 2 years old and up, children under 2,
tickets not required) for Chamber members and their employees. Discounted
tickets MUST be purchased and paid for in advance through the Chamber by June
23, 2016.
(All tickets will be available at the Chamber “Will Call Tent” the day of the event.)
Women’s Luncheon
DATE
Tuesday, July 26th
TIME
12 noon to 1 pm
80 groups, consisting of over 1,500 people volunteered during PennDOT’s “Great Pennsylvania Cleanup” campaign, which took place throughout
Greater Hazleton at the end of April. All volunteers were provided with bags, vests, gloves courtesy of PennDOT. The Chamber provided certificates of
appreciation to every participant as well. Local businesses contributed coupons and or/treats for every volunteer. Those businesses included Bonanza
Family Restaurant, Wendy’s, Sonic and Burger King at Humboldt Station. In addition, Black Creek Township, Butler Township, the City of Hazleton,
Hazle Township, and West Hazleton Borough provided trucks and manpower to pick up the bags that the volunteers placed by the roadside.
Chamber Day at Montage Waterpark
DATE
Friday, July 22nd
TIME
10 am to 7 pm
34th Annual Great PA Cleanup in Greater Hazleton Another Success!
Open to ALL women from throughout Greater Hazleton! “We Are What We Write -- How Professional Writing Can Catalyze Your Business” In this presentation,
Maria Jacketti, creator of Mountain Laurel Copywriting, will explain how businesses can fill their professional writing
needs. Maria will offer an overview of the vast terrain of professional writing and offer some classic tips for navigating
the discipline’s many genres, such as composing emails, press releases and business plans.
She is author of the ebook Double Your Online Marketing Profits with Autoresponders.
Lunch, 50/50 drawing and doorprize drawings including a chance to win a complimentary lunch, an opportunity to
introduce yourself and your business to the ladies and more!
Bring your business cards, brochures, coupons or giveaways to
share on our “Business Resource Table”.
hazletonchamber.org
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Our 42nd Annual Academic Achievement
Awards Dinner took place late May at
Capriottis. Lorine Angelo Ogurkis, Esq. was
the keynote speaker. Honored at the dinner
were the students selected by their schools as
outstanding academic students. Students were
from Hazleton Area High School, Marian Catholic
High School, MMI Preparatory School and
Weatherly Area High School. The American
Eagle Outfitters Foundation was our premiere
sponsor and additional sponsors were PPL,
Penn State Hazleton and The Hershey
Company.
Pictured l to r: Charles Seidel, MMI assistant
head of school and MMI student, Desiree Dinko;
Rocco Petrone, HAHS principal and HAHS student
Justin Olander; Sue Ann Gerhard, Marian Catholic
director of development and MC student Henry
Hinchey; Amanda Zaremba, Weatherly Area HS
principal and WAHS student Shelby Berger.
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76 golfers participated in our 12th Annual
Icebreaker Golf Outing which was held in late
April at the Valley Country Club.
Our 20th Annual Community Reading
Day was held in late April. More than
2,000 students were treated to a story by
business and community volunteers.
Eighty-one volunteers read to 83
classes in the Greater Hazleton School
District, Holy Family Academy, and
member preschools. Penn State Hazleton
sponsored the event.
Pictured is one of our volunteers, Max
Garcia from Telekaribe LLC reading
to Ms. Gasper’s first grade classroom at
Freeland Elementary/Middle School.
Our premiere event sponsor was Geisinger.
Distinguished sponsors included Adecco,
Barry Isett & Associates Inc, DBi
Services, Hometown Nursing &
Rehabilitation Center, Keystone Job
Corps Center, Len Mudlock State Farm
Agency and Unique Paving Materials.
Pictured l to r: Eric Grenkevich and Joe
Baran, First National Bank, Championship
flight and Helms Buchman and Jack Jones,
Luzerne Bank, first flight. Second flight, not
pictured were Ross Valenti and Scott Roy,
Keystone Job Corps Center.
hazletonchamber.org
Transportation Meeting
Women’s Luncheon
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& Mountain Council of Governments
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Funfest - Sat & Sun , September 10th & 11th
Car Show to Dress up Broad Street in 27th Annual Car Show - Bring
your pride and joy to Broad Street on Saturday, September 10th from
12 noon to 3 pm for the 27th Annual Car Show. Trophies of the 20 best
appearing cars determined by a panel of judges and limited edition dash
plaques for first 75 entrants. Early bird discount available.
Opportunities for your Organization Through Booth & Crafters
Space - Showcase what a community hero looks like in your organization.
We are inviting community organizations, churches, sports teams, crafters
and businesses to join. Not only is it a chance to get the word out, but
make a few dollars for the work of your organization. Funfest at its core is a
community street fair and we don’t want you to miss out. Reduced rates for non–profits make is a WIN WIN for all.
The Chamber took part in a transportation roundtable hosted by State
Senator John T. Yudichak. He coordinated the discussion with PennDOT
Secretary Lesilie Richards, as well as regional chamber and economic
development professionals. The Secretary updated the group on
projects and happenings in District 10, as well as listening to concerns
from area representatives.
The May women’s luncheon program was sponsored by Lawn
Specialties and held at the Ovalon Restaurant. Jeannine
Lesante-Mazurkiwecz, VP of Marketing/Sales for Sam-Son
Productions Inc. presented on “Why Choose to Socialize?. The
next women’s luncheon will be held July 26th, see the upcoming
events section of this newsletter for more details.
Red Carpet Breakfasts
Human Resource Seminar
Corporate Spirit on Display for the Funfest Parade on Sunday - Have a super team at your place of work ? WE WANT YOU to be
a part of the 2016 Corporate Float Challenge. We will be featuring our 2nd year of corporate float competition in the Sunday parade. No
entry fee, just your vision and interpretation of this year’s theme CommUNITY Superheros. Newly Elected Board Chair, Donna Barna
and a panel of Chamber Board members will judge who gets to bring home
the corporate cup for the next year. Be a part of the FUNFEST Parade’s New Corporate Float Division!
- Show your community pride & spirit by competing against other local
companies for the title of Corporate Float Champion. A traveling trophy,
currently on display at DBi-the winner of last year’s contest, will be awarded
to the best float, which you can proudly display at your business for the year.
For more information call Julie at the Chamber or visit the funfest
tab online at hazletonchamber.org
The Mountain Council of Governments will hold its annual auction on Saturday, August 6th at 9 AM in the Hazleton Area High School
parking lot. Actionable items include: any type of vehicle: trucks, cars, fire engines, etc., nonvehicle items can include anything but TVs
and monitors. For example: lighting, shop tools, lawn mowers, dishes, kitchen appliance, cleaning compounds, desks, furniture, sports
uniforms, bicycles, generators, guns and ammo (inform us if bring these so we can arrange for sale), any type of police evidence that
has been cleared for sale. Chamber members may participate by contacting Dan Guydish at the Chamber (570) 455-1509.
The Greater Hazleton Area Civic Partnership and its Rails to Trails Committee would
like to thank all the sponsors of the 13th Annual National Trails Day Hike and Bike
Event. Hundreds of people took part in activities including hiking, biking, nature
walks, a free picnic and many displays including DCNR, Eckley Miners Village, Friends
of the Nescopeck, Keystone Active Zone-Passport, the Society for Pennsylvania
Archeology, North Branch Land Trust, the PA Department of Health and Second
Chance Wildlife Center bike safety and maintenance and free helmets, health
screenings from Lehigh Valley Hospital Hazleton, and a basket raffle.
The 11th Annual Human Resource Seminar took place in early June. The
event was sponsored by Workforce Resources and hosted by Luzerne
County Community College Hazleton Campus. Topics included
an Employment Law Update presented by Atty. Elizabeth Maguschak,
McNees, Wallace & Nurick, LLC; Personnel Policies, Employee
Handbooks and the NLRB presented by Atty. James Valentine, Rosenn,
Jenkins & Greenwald, LLP; Filling in the Compliance Puzzle: Benefits
Update presented by ChamberChoice; Controlling Workers Comp Claims
Through Root Cause Analysis presented by Zee Medical; Myers-Briggs,
(MBTI) Personality Assessment presented by Team Building US and our
keynote speaker for the event, pictured above was Mary Kobrick Schell
from Catholic Social Services who presented on their Help Stop the
Silence Program, which is a free suicide
prevention program.
hazletonchamber.org
THANK YOU to the following sponsors and contributors: Lehigh Valley Hospital
Hazleton for its personnel and months of planning and advertising with the Rails
to Trails Committee, D&L Trail Alliance, Sundance Vacations, PNC Bank, Berger
Family Dealerships, Edward Jones Investments, Weis Markets, Giant Food Stores, Save-A-Lot, Bimbo Bakeries for hamburger and hotdog buns,
Herrs; Quality Beverage, Catholic Social Services for the chairs, Ray Youngblood and Carl Frankel for leading the Nature Walk, Boy Scout Troop 790
for their help setting up the event, Arc Electric for the generator, and the following contributors to the basket raffle: WBS Penguins, WBS Railriders,
The Hershey Company, Dog.com Outlet Store, the Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce, The US Army Recruiting Office, Bowl Arena and Ten Pin
Lounge, the Hazleton YMCA/YWCA, Jane Danish, Sure Nasrani, Whitewater Rafting Adventures, Blue
Mountain Sports, Carl Frankel and Lehigh Valley Health Network Health and Wellness Center.
Two breakfast programs took place as part of our legislative series
in recent months. The top photo is from our June breakfast which
was sponsored by St Luke Village and hosted by Bonanza
Family Restaurant. State Representative Gerald Mullery was the
guest speaker. The bottom photo is from our May breakfast which
was sponsored by BB&T and hosted by Tom’s Kitchen. State
Senator John Gordner was our guest speaker.
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Rev. DeRamus led off the initial ceremony with bench dedications for the picnic grove. Joe Yannuzzi
and Mary Malone welcomed everyone to the event. Throughout the event DJ Tony Pacelli donated his
time and talent to provide music. A good time was had by all.
The 2016 Greater Hazleton Civic Partnership Scholarship Recipients were Desiree Dinko and Kyle
Kaschak. Established in 1999, the Civic Partnership Scholarship Program awards scholarships annually
to deserving students pursuing technical post-secondary educational programs. The scholarships are
$3000 per year, renewable for a total of two years. Dinko is attending Immaculata University for 3
years and Thomas Jefferson University for 1 year and Kaschak is attending Penn College of Technology
for a paramedic certificate.
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hazletonchamber.org
Ribbon Cutting Ceremonies
DO YOU HAVE “NEWSWORTHY” INFORMATION TO INCLUDE IN THIS PUBLICATION? Email it to: jferry@hazletonchamber.org
Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza has the following Corporate partner offers now available your employees and customers: Save $5 on VIP/Gen Admission Tickets
to NEPA Beer Festival on July 30; Save on Ticketmaster Fees to Carnival of Madness ft. Shinedown & Halestorm on August 9; Save on Ticketmaster Fees to Chris Young
on December 3; Visit mohegansunarenapa.com/corporateclub and use the passcode mohegan to access these offers. Note: Password is case-sensitive. Email Tim at
ArmbrusterT@mohegansunarenapa.com with any questions.
First National Community Bank (FNCB) News: Steven R. Tokach, President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors will retire on June 30,
2016 after a 48-year career in the banking industry. The Board has appointed Gerard A. Champi, Chief Operating Officer, to be the new President/CEO of the Company and
the Bank, effective July 1, 2016. Jerry will also become a Director of both the Company and Bank and will replace Steven Tokach as a Class A Director for the Company with
a term expiring in 2017. Michael Cummings has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Marketing where he will oversee all marketing, public relations and social media
activities for the Bank. Nicoline Evans has been promoted to Banking Officer, Community Office Manager where she is responsible for managing the daily operations of the
FNCB Community Office in Hazleton.
Kelly Services opened a recruitment center at 39 Elm Road Rear, Hazle Twp, PA 18202. For information on their workforce solutions, contact Michelle Nichols Sr. District
Manager, at 570-507-0478.
Thomas Maheady, P.E., CEM, Borton-Lawson’s Vice President of Industrial Infrastructure, was named the 2015-2016 Engineer of the Year by the PA Society of Professional
Engineers (PSPE), Keystone Chapter. This honor is awarded to the chapter member who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and achievements in engineering.
Arc Electric is now certified as a women’s business enterprise by the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC), the nation’s largest third-party certifier of
businesses owned and operated by women. Certification requires that a business is 51 percent owned, controlled, operated, and managed by a woman or women, and
opens the door to new clients.
Marianne Horwath, of Workforce Resources has been promoted from Owner-Operator to Vice President.
Dr. Bethann Sledziewski has recently joined the Whole Life Center for Health as a chiropractor. She graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in Davenport, Iowa on
February 26, 2016 with her Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Sledziewski chose to return to the area following graduation in order to serve her community and the surrounding
area. Along with successful completion of the curriculum at Palmer and the National Chiropractic Board Exams, Sledziewski also attended elective courses and seminars in
order to better serve pediatric patients, athletes, and the whole family.
A ribbon cutting ceremony took place to celebrate the opening
of Gennaro Gardens, which is located at 522 N. Church
Street in Hazleton. This $8.7 million project was developed
with the Hazleton Housing Associates Corporation and Monarch
Development Group, LLC and features 36 units available for
senior citizens. Pictured cutting the ribbon is Charles Gennaro,
whom the building is named after, along with elected officials
and project developers.
A ribbon cutting and open house took place to honor the opening of Innotek
Computer Consulting’s new downtown location. They are now located at
21 W. Broad Street. Shown in the photo from left is Pat Ward, United Way of
Greater Hazleton; Ali Murphy, Marketing Assistant; Nathan Mills, Senior Network
Engineer; Anna Hershey, Marketing Assistant; Dave Mosteller, Milco Industries,
a client of Innotek; Fred Reck, Owner; Vincent Kundrick representing US
Congressman Lou Barletta; Wayne Crawford Jefferson, Solospaceman Photo
Studios Inc, and Chamber Ambassador; George Litterer, Senior Engineer; Dan
Guydish, Chamber Membership Director; West Hazleton Mayor Frank Schmidt;
Mike Farver, Nok Engineer and Curtis Jones, Nok Engineer.
PPL Corp. donated $10,000 to the United Way of Greater Hazleton to provide pre-kindergarten scholarships to area children through the Pennsylvania Educational
Improvement Tax Program.
Wagner and John LLC announced the addition of Kyle S. Wagner as a financial advisor to the firm. Kyle graduated from Lebanon Valley College with a Bachelor of Science
in Investment Management, and worked full time at Kades-Margolis Corporation while completing his Bachelor’s Degree.
Fairway Subaru presented a check for more than $7,000, as part of its “Share the Love” event, to Make-A-Wish Greater Pennsylvania. This is the fifth year Fairway has
supported the local Make-A-Wish chapter, gifting a total of more than $25,000, and granting nearly seven wishes in the Hazleton area.
The American Red Cross honored seven people from Luzerne county at their Heroes Breakfast. The annual breakfast honors good Samaritans who did the right thing and
made life-or-death decision on behalf of someone else facing and emergency.
Catholic Social Services held their annual Century Club reception, and appreciation reception for members who pledge $100 or more annual to the agency, whose
primary focus is to strengthen all aspects of family life through counseling, family self-sufficiency, material assistance, maternal health services, and foster care and
adoption. In addition, this year the agency took the lead in an effort to provide housing for the homeless with its Divine Providence Homeless Shelter.
Barbara Cassise was recently promoted to the position of Vice President/Regional Manager for Luzerne Bank.
Independence Toyota made a donation to the Hazle Township Little League for the purchase of a new scoreboard.
Whole Life Center for Health, Ltd is hosting two free at their office in Drums. July 8th at 6 pm, Self-Care for Women session and July 9th at 11 am, Music Together,
which is a internationally recognized music program for children. Pre-register by calling 570.788.4484 or email office@wlcfh.com.
Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)–Hazleton and Lehigh Valley Physician Group (LVPG)–Hazleton colleagues partnered with the Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)
Interpreter and Information Services Departments and the vendor, Stratus, to provide Video Remote Interpretation (VRI) Services. The go-live was completed on June 8
and included LVH–Hazleton, the Health & Wellness Center at Hazleton, the Health Center at Mountain Top, ExpressCARE and LVPG–Hazleton locations. The 65 iPads™ are
securely mounted to a moveable stand with various height and angle adjustments. The VRI service is delivered through mobile wireless iPads, and currently supports 20
video languages, including American Sign Language interpretation and 215 audio languages.
The Latoff M.S. Foundation Golf Tournament is taking place August 6th at the Sugarloaf Golf Course, with registration at 11. $85 pp with cotton t-shirt, $95 pp with a
sport shirt. Includes 18 holdes of golf, snack pack in cart, awards, prizes, buffet dinner, tricky trays, music & more. For more info email thelatoffm.s.foundation@gmail.com.
SPOTLIGHT ON NEW MEMBERS
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for a new
business in the City of Hazleton. Vennie’s
Pizzeria & Family Restaurant is located
at 34 W. 9th Street. Their hours of operation
are Sun through Wed from 10 am to 11 pm
and Thurs through Sat from 10 am to 3 am.
Pictured from left is Dustin Breck, Jerry Breck,
Jr and Jerry Breck, III, owners; followed by
Hazleton Mayor Jeff Cusat, Hazleton Fire Chief
Donald Leshko and Chamber Membership
Director Dan Guydish. Rapid Results Background Check Solutions was established March 1, 2015 and is owned by Kim Sampson. The business is located at 641 Cornfield Way, Unit 301, Dallas,
PA 18612. Phone: 800-472-5202 ext. 700. Website: wwwrrbgs.com. Email: keithd@rrbgs.com. Rapid Results is a woman-owned, veteran operated background check provider
that uses cutting edge technology to save its clients time and money by offering the lowest prices in the background screening industry, while providing top-notch customer
service. The Chief Operating Officer, Christopher George, and the Vice President of Sales, Keith Deisenroth, are both retired U.S. Marines. All of Rapid Results employees are Fair
Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) certified and Rapid Results is a member of the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS).
Metro PCS, an authorized dealer that features
prepaid cell phones, held a grand opening
celebration for their store located in the Kmart
wing of the Laurel Mall. Participating in the
event from the left is Rocco Arruzzo, Marketing
& Business Development Manager for the Laurel
Mall; Lisa Arruzzo, General Manager for the Laurel
Mall; Mansour Soussi, Owner; Amanda Santos,
Manager; West Hazleton Mayor Frank Schmidt and
Dan Guydish, Chamber Membership Director.
A grand opening was held for 8 new
kiddie rides and a carousel located in the
Dunham and Kmart wings of the Laurel
Mall. Pictured from left is Vincent Kundrik,
representing US Congressman Lou Barletta,
State Representative Tarah Toohil; Rocco
Arruzzo, Marketing & Business Development
Manager for the Laurel Mall; Lisa Arruzzo,
General Manager for the Laurel Mall and
Mary Malone, President of the Chamber.
A ribbon cutting and open house was held to honor the opening of IMKO
Workforce Solutions. They are located at 588 Susquehanna Blvd in Hazle
Township. Shown in the photo from the left are Chamber ambassadors Ted
Sherrock, Greater Hazleton Sewer Authority, Kathie Oh, Fyzical Therapy &
Balance Center, Lisa Marie Halecky, Lehigh Valley Health Network Hazleton
and Carol Shearer, Penn State Hazleton ; Dan Guydish, Chamber Membership
Director; Tom Bradley, IMKO Regional Manager; Laurel Hayes, IMKO Regional
Manager; Michele Uystnoski, IMKO Branch Manager & Business Development;
Svetlana Calhoun, IMKO Service Coordinator and Lex Sloot, Printmark Group
and Chamber Ambassador..
Vennie’s Pizzeria & Family Restaurant is located at 34 West 9th St, Hazleton, PA. Jerry and Dustin Breck are the owners. Phone: (570) 455-4444. Italian foods: pizza, subs,
hot and cold dinners and salads-also a beer-battered haddock sub and/or dinner to die for! Delivery is available. It is a father and two sons operation. The father has been in
the pizza business for over 25 years. Come in and see us!
Dr. Rachel V. Leskosky began her practice on April 7, 2016 and is located at 298 Rock Glen Road, Sugarloaf, PA 18249. Phone: (570) 708-0808, Email: drrachel@
lifeexpressionwellness.com or chiro4kids4life@gmail.com; Website: www.lifeexpressionwellness.com. Dr. Rachel V. Leskosky provides chiropractic care for families at Life
Expression Wellness Center. Dr. Rachel also has a passion to care for women before, during, and after pregnancy, and also babies and children. Dr. Rachel is an ICPA
(International Chiropractic Pediatric Association) member, certified in the Webster Technique for pregnancy, and is completing further ICPA certification in pediatrics. Join usCelebrating healthy families through chiropractic!
DISCLAIMER: The Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce is not responsible for the content of this publication.
hazletonchamber.org
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hazletonchamber.org
Networking Mixers
Happy Anniversary to these Chamber Members!
July 2016 Anniversaries
August 2016 Anniversaries
60 YEARS
CAN DO Inc.
20 YEARS
John Diana Insurance
Bonanza Steakhouse
25 YEARS
Jack Williams Tire & Auto
Banyas Dental
20 YEARS
Singley Welding & Fabricating
Giant Food Stores LLC
15 YEARS
Hazle Township Volunteer Fire & Rescue
10 YEARS
Senape’s Bakery Inc.
Grand Central
5 YEARS
Shenandoah Senior Living Community
Miners Bank, A Division of Mid Penn Bank
1 YEAR
Web.com
The Herring Group
AllOne Health Resources Inc.
Seeking Applications for
Women’s Empowerment
Grant
15 YEARS
ARCIL Anthracite Region Center for
Independent Living
10 YEARS
Fyzical Therapy & Balance Center
The New Broad Street Deli
CTC Manufacturing Inc.
1 YEAR
Primerica
J Pecora Photography
R&L Helpmates Inc.
Pregnancy Resource Center of Grtr Hazleton
The Seach Law Offices
Fegley Vault Inc
Len Mudlock State Farm Agency
The Sanctuary
Team Building US
Grand Six Packs To Go
Seminars & Training
There were several Chamber mixers held over
the last two months. First photo was from
a mixer held at Benigna’s Creek Winery
inside the Laurel Mall. Second photo is
from a mixer held in cooperation with our
Chamber and the Schuylkill County Chamber
at Mountain Valley Golf Course, along with
American Computer Associates and the
bottom photo is from a mixer co-hosted by
Web.com and Capriotti’s.
Candidates must reside within the service area
of the Chamber. Applications and cover letters
are due no later than Friday, July 29, 2016.
Applicants will be scored on academic and
employment information, civic involvement,
essay and financial need.
Applications are available at the Chamber
office, you may download a copy from the
Chamber’s homepage or contact Leann.
hazletonchamber.org
Boyer’s Food Markets Inc.
Ms. Jeanne Boyer Porter
999 West 15th Street, Hazleton PA 18201
P: (570) 455-5406 F: (570) 455-6923
strmgr08@boyersfood.com
BoyersFood.com
Latoff MS Foundation
Mr. David M. Latoff
PO Box 993, Conyngham PA 18219
(570) 401-5956
TheLatoffM.S.Foundation@gmail.com
LatoffMSFoundation.org
Dr. Rachel V. Leskosky
298 Rock Glen Road, Sugarloaf PA 18249
(570) 708-0808
Chiro4kids4life@gmail.com
DrRachel@LifeExpressionWellness.com
LifeExpressionWellness.com
MetroPCS
Ms. Amanda Santos
45 Laurel Mall, Hazle Township PA 18202
(856) 896-1177
AmandaSantos81187@gmail.com
MetroPCS.com
Northeast Sales Company Inc.
Mr. Andrew Arnoldi
29 East 17th Street, Hazleton PA 18201
P: (570) 454-5587 F: (570) 459-6606
nesc@ptd.net
NortheastSalesCompany.com
Rapid Results Background Check Solutions
Mr. Keith Deisenroth
641 Cornfield Way Unit 700, Dallas PA 18612
P: (800) 472-5202 F: (570) 696-1865
KeithD@rrbgs.com
rrbgs.com
Our Women’s Networking Committee is
currently seeking applications for our 10th
Annual Women’s Empowerment Grant.
The grant was established to encourage
women to pursue training or education that
will help them start or advance a career. The
target audience of the grant is women who:
are currently working and want to advance
in their career through education or training;
returning to the workforce; or seeking to
change their current career path and pursue
something more in line with their interests
or passions. The grant is also intended to be
available to those who would not necessarily
have access to scholarships or grants. For this
reason, graduating high school students will
not be eligible to apply for the grant.
Please Welcome & Support Our
Newest Members!
Vennie’s Pizzeria and Family Restaurant
Dustin & Jerry Breck
34 West 9th Street, Hazleton PA 18201
(570) 455-4444
Pictured is a group of Chamber members
who attended a seminar on email
marketing. In late April/early May, we
finished up hosting a series of email
marketing seminars which were presented
by the NEPA Chapter of SCORE. Stay
tuned to our calendar for more programs
on email marketing and
social media being presented by SCORE.
The Chamber also partnered with
Cabot Oil & Gas on a Think About
Energy Briefing program and Innotek
Computer & Consulting on a
Technology & Security Expo.
9th Annual Tastes of
Greater Hazleton
~ LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE ~
Would you like to offer samplings of your signature dish or
products to hundreds of potential customers?
Sunday, October 16th
12 Noon to 3 pm
No registration fees. All paper products
supplied. Provide approx 350 samples
Contact Leann
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Brand New Chamber Website Launched
Keeping up the latest in internet technology, the Greater Hazleton Chamber of
Commerce recently launched a newly designed website that is responsive for
viewing on all of today’s devices, including popular tablets and smartphones.
The new site offers members and others updated information about Chamber
and community events and a wealth of other information including membership,
a directory of Chamber members and an online version of the Chamber’s most
recent Image Book.
The new website was developed and designed by Precision Design, a
Hazleton web design, marketing, advertising and public relations firm that
has more than 20 years experience and more than 12 years representing the
Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce.
The new site showcases a photo slider on the top of the home page that highlights
important upcoming events and has a link to the Image Book as well.
The site also features links for more information on becoming a chamber
member, a calendar of upcoming chamber events, the Chamber’s business
directory and the annual Funfest street festival. Visitors can even sign up right
on the website to become a Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce member.
Chamber members can advertise their business in a rotating advertising slider
that appears in a prominent position under these key features.
The website is one of the easiest ways to stay up to date on all the latest news
from throughout Greater Hazleton and view the latest edition of the Chamber
Connect newsletter. As visitors navigate their way though the site, they’ll find
all the information they need about the Chamber, the benefits of Chamber
membership, Greater Hazleton and local business statistics.
Visitors will discover the Chamber’s list of publications, volunteer committees,
board of directors and contact information. The membership section includes
a list of membership benefits, member-to-member discounts, a spotlight on
members and details on the ChamberChoice health insurance and energy
programs.
In addition to the Chamber’s Image Book, those new to Greater Hazleton
can access information on health care; education; housing; arts and cultural;
shopping, dining and lodging, and recreation options that are available
throughout Northeast Pennsylvania.
The business section provides information about the area’s workforce, financing,
area demographics and the CAN DO, Inc. business and industrial parks. The
events and news section features calendars for chamber and community events
and links to the chamber news and Funfest information pages.
hazletonchamber.org