The 2-year reconstruction of East St./Rt. 487 in Bloomsburg is scheduled to begin in April 2021 with the initial phases from Rt. 11 to the Airport wrapping up in September. Detours will be in place during construction. A public meeting was held recently to provide an overview and a recording of the presentation, responses to questions, and other information is available on PennDOT’s website.
SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) offers vaccination guidance on required vs. encouraged, reasonable exceptions, and employee incentives.
More than 425 businesses and organizations belong to the Chamber to receive benefits and support efforts to strengthen their businesses and the region. Increased membership allows the Chamber to offer additional programs and benefits, have a stronger voice in advocacy and be involved in more activities and initiatives. The Chamber welcomes the Dutch Wheelman Bicycle Shop.
Located on Main Street in downtown Bloomsburg, the Dutch Wheelman Bicycle Shop serves all ages and skill levels, from recreational riders to pro racers. This full-service bike shop carries top brands like Trek and Bianchi and styles like road bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids, cruisers, and more. And when you need a repair or tune-up, they have you covered.
For more information on the Dutch Wheelman Bicycle Shop visit its website, Facebook page or call 570-784-6524.
McKonly & Asbury Wins ClearlyRated’s 2021 Best of Accounting Award for Service Excellence
For the third consecutive year, McKonly & Asbury has won the Best of Accounting Award for providing superior service to our clients! ClearlyRated’s Best of Accounting® Award winners have proven to be industry leaders in service quality based entirely on ratings provided by their clients. We received satisfaction scores of 9 or 10 out of 10 from 88% of our clients, significantly higher than the industry’s average of 43% in 2020.
“We’re thrilled to be recognized again by our clients as a Best of Accounting Award winner.” McKonly & Asbury’s Managing Partner, Michael Hoffner said. “The events of the past year have been challenging, to say the least, for our clients and the business communities in which we work. We’re grateful to have been in a position to help numerous extraordinary organizations navigate through these times, and we recognize that this award is a reflection of our team and their commitment to our clients.”
ClearlyRated’s Best of Accounting® Award program is the nation’s only service excellence award for the accounting industry that leverages third party validated survey responses from accounting firm clients. The award program provides statistically valid and objective service quality benchmarks for the accounting industry, revealing which accounting firms deliver the highest service quality to their clients. Winners are featured on ClearlyRated.com – an online business directory that helps buyers of professional services find service leaders and vet prospective firms – based exclusively on validated client ratings and testimonials.
“After one of the most turbulent years in modern history, winners of the 2021 Best of Accounting Award have proven their commitment to go above and beyond in support of their clients,” said ClearlyRated’s CEO and Founder, Eric Gregg. “These service leaders have demonstrated their capacity to be agile, to be precise, and to prioritize the client experience above all else. It is my honor to celebrate and showcase the 2021 Best of Accounting winners alongside feedback from their actual clients on ClearlyRated.com!”
Since inception, McKonly & Asbury’s focus has been on providing superior client service and that precept remains the cornerstone of our firm’s philosophy, impressed upon each of our professionals from the day they join the firm.
Weis Center to Offer Free Virtual Performance that Honors Front Line Workers
The Weis Center for the Performing Arts at Bucknell University will offer a virtual performance of This is Me: Letters From the Front Lines created by DIAVOLO dance company from February 24-March 2. The contemporary dance film performance is 35 minutes and will be available on an unlimited basis throughout the viewing period.
The engagement is sponsored, in part, by Evangelical Community Hospital and Geisinger.
The virtual performance is free thanks to the generosity of sponsors, but registration is required by calling the Campus Box Office at 570-577-1000 or online at Bucknell.edu/BoxOffice.
The performance is dedicated to all of the veterans for their service, commitment and sacrifice and to all of our COVID-19 first responders for their dedication, selflessness, resilience and heroism.
PRE-PERFORMANCE PANEL DISCUSSION
Patrons are encouraged to view a 30 minute pre-taped pre-performance panel discussion with the following distinguished guests:
- Jacques Heim, Founder & Artistic Director, DIAVOLO | Architecture in Motion ®
- France Nguyen Vincent, Writer and dramaturg of This Is Me
- David Rovnyak, Bucknell University Professor of Chemistry and Bucknell/Geisinger liaison
- Marie C. Pizzorno, Bucknell University Associate Professor of Biology and Cell Biology/Biochemistry
- Frederick Weiss, MD, DPT, RMSK, Geisinger
- Kendra Aucker, President & CEO, Evangelical Community Hospital
- B. James Connolly, MD, Medical Director of Emergency Services, Evangelical Community Hospital
The panelists discuss the origins and process of filming This is Me, the mental, physical and emotional impacts of COVID-19 on front line workers in Central PA, and the history of the development of the COVID-19 vaccines, among other riveting topics.
Jacques Heim says of the pandemic, “As artists, we had to do something. For me, it’s not about creating another dance piece, but rather celebrating the amazing men and women who sacrifice themselves for us.”
France Nguyen Vincent says, “Each person in the film was asked to write about themselves and their experience. Ninety-eight percent of what you hear in the performance was written [by first responders and front line workers] and was untouched…it became a catharsis for them.”
Kendra Aucker says, “The volumes of people we’re caring for compared to normal is significant. This is something no one can imagine and no one can prepare for. The mental health challenges are showing up in the workforce, and COVID has revealed the tremendous problems that we have with access to behavioral health services for all people…especially in healthcare. We ask ourselves daily how are our people doing [and how can we support them].”
Dr. Fred Weiss says, “[COVID has hit every aspect of health and wellness]…physical, emotional, mental, moral, spiritual, social. The toll that it’s taken on a lot of friends and family…I’ve had friends who have died. A lot of the people who have contracted the disease are the front line people; the front line are dying. They are literally putting their lives at risk on a minute to minute basis…”
Dr. James Connolly says, “This is not the same as combat, but it has a similar feel. This has probably been the hardest thing I can imagine doing as a physician. There have been a lot of people in the community who have been tremendously supportive, but there have been a lot of people who haven’t and that has been so hard to deal with…Trying to convince people that this is real and we need to take it serious.”
Professor Marie C. Pizzorno says, “This is the third novel coronavirus to have jumped from animal species to humans in the last twenty years. This new virus is much more contagious. Bats maintain a population of their own coronaviruses and some have the capacity to jump to humans.” Pizzorno notes that the COVID-19 vaccines in development build on decades of coronavirus research by scientists across the globe.
PERFORMANCE
This is Me: Letters From the Front Lines is a dance film exploring how the current climate of isolation has encouraged us to look within ourselves. We follow the paths of military veterans and first responders as they share what it means to be a true warrior – to be on the front lines – and fight the invisible enemy that all humanity is currently battling. At a time when most have been asked to halt and withdraw, others, like soldiers, are charging forward.
This is Me: Letters From the Front Lines captures the resilience, determination and hope of the human spirit.
DIAVOLO is a creative movement production company that pushes the envelope of innovation by creating unique live & cinematic experiences. Using custom-made architectural structures, DIAVOLO intersects storytelling, movement and architecture with an inventive and visceral approach.
The virtual performance is free thanks to the generosity of sponsors, but registration is required by calling the Campus Box Office at 570-577-1000 or online at Bucknell.edu/BoxOffice.
Bloomsburg Children’s Museum Receives $1,000 to Support New “Farm to Table” Exhibit, Part of Larger Health Exhibit
(left to right): Charlie Porter, Farm Bureau Board Member, Ginny Weibel, Children’s Museum Director, Karen Chapin, Farm Bureau Secretary/Treasurer, James Levan, Columbia County Farm Bureau President. James Levan hands Ginny Weibel the donation in support
of the “Farm to Table” exhibit interactive at the Bloomsburg Children’s Museum
The Columbia County Farm Bureau in cooperation with the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau has donated $1,000 to support the Bloomsburg Children’s Museum’s “Farm to Table” exhibit interactive. The interactive is part of the Museum’s new health exhibit, titled “The Superpower of You,” which is slated to open in the Spring of 2021. The Farm to Table interactive takes visitors on a journey to learn where their food comes from, why fresh food is an important part of your diet, and why sustainable agriculture is vital to our community.
“There will be a lot of content within the exhibit to help all our visitors make the connection between the food we eat and how food can affect positive health outcomes,” Dr. Ginny Weibel, Museum Director said. “Understanding and appreciating where your food comes from is the first step in creating a healthy diet.”
James Levan, President of the Columbia County Farm Bureau commented on the need for educational opportunities that promote an understanding of the importance of agriculture. “Kids today are so far away from agriculture,” Levan said. “They don’t have an understanding of what farming is. Some kids have never been on a farm at all.”
The new interactive at the Museum features a farm tractor photo op, a farmers market where kids can shop for items to make a healthy meal, and a kitchen table where visitors can play a game about nutrition.
The Chamber’s Annual Meeting, held virtually on February 10th, not only highlighted members but benefitted them. Included in the $35 registration was a $25 gift certificate for a member restaurant- Turkey Hill, Pine Barn Inn, or a Chamber Gift Certificate, which can be used at any of our members. Registrations for the event resulted in $2,250 going back to member restaurants in the Columbia and Montour area during the slower winter months.
Members have already expressed their appreciation for your support, but let’s continue to show these restaurants how much they mean to our community. Take advantage of safe dine-in, curbside/pickup services or purchase gift cards to use at a later date.
Residents in an eight-county area of central Pennsylvania are invited to give their input and share transportation issues to help shape the region’s next major transportation plan.
The SEDA-Council of Governments (SEDA-COG) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is updating its Long Range Transportation Plan which proposes practical solutions to transportation safety, maintenance, congestion, and mobility needs for Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder, and Union counties.
The plan identifies transportation needs, goals, projects, and policies for a 20-year planning horizon, and is required to be updated at five-year intervals. The plan establishes the vision and objectives that guide public decisions affecting transportation facilities and services in the region.
Jim Saylor, director of SEDA-COG’s Transportation Planning program, said one of the best ways the public can provide input is through SEDA-COG’s online transportation survey.
“The survey only takes about 10 minutes to complete but it provides valuable information for us. Are there issues we’ve missed? Does what we’ve gathered reflect your experience?” Saylor said. “This the first time we’ve asked for input using a tool like this and it will help us complete the plan and better focus on identifying transportation needs.”
The survey is open now through March 3 and can be found at a website dedicated to the plan: https://lrtp-seda-cog.hub.arcgis.com/
The website also features an interactive map that shows proposed projects, traffic volumes and congestion, bridge and pavement conditions, freight generators, safety problem areas, flooding and rockfall prone areas, and railroads.
Don Kiel, senior principal program analyst for SEDA-COG’s Transportation program, is leading the planning effort.
“We’ve added new data that people can look at and to help focus feedback on the region’s transportation system and proposed new approaches to ranking our regional transportation projects for priority funding. We are employing new and better data that is important in selecting or prioritizing projects,” Kiel said.
Additional public outreach will occur from March to April, along with plan finalization. The finalized plan will be up for adoption at the May public MPO meeting.
As a community and economic development agency, SEDA-COG enhances the quality of life and economic advantage for residents and businesses in 11 central Pennsylvania counties through its vital partnerships and initiatives. SEDA-COG also is an advocate for the interests of its communities at the state and federal levels. For more information, visit www.seda-cog.org.
More than 425 businesses and organizations belong to the Chamber to receive benefits and support efforts to strengthen their businesses and the region. Increased membership allows the Chamber to offer additional programs and benefits, have a stronger voice in advocacy and be involved in more activities and initiatives. The Chamber welcomes 1847Financial.
Located in Berwick, 1847Financial helps individuals, families, and businesses plan ahead for a secure financial future while offering financial services, insurance, and planning. Whether you are just starting out in life, or have already forged a path, they are committed to supplying the financial solutions you need now and through all life’s stages.
For more information on 1847Financial visit its website, Facebook page or call 570-759-2216.
The Chamber wishes to sincerely thank all of the valuable contributors that helped make the 2021 Chamber Annual Meeting a successful and enjoyable event for its members and guests. It is the continued support of these businesses, organizations and individuals that helps the Chamber fulfill its mission of offering programs, benefits and events to its members, giving them a stronger voice and advocacy and being involved in more activities and initiatives in our communities.
Thanks to all of the sponsors of this year’s Annual Meeting.
Event Sponsor
PPL Electric Utilities
Small Business of the Year Award Sponsor
First Columbia Bank & Trust
Large Business of the Year Award Sponsor
DRIVE
Community Progress Award Sponsor
Atlantic Broadband
Outstanding Citizen Award Sponsor
Berwick Industrial Development Association
Mask up Sponsor
Geisinger
Media Sponsor
Bold Gold Media
Nonprofit Leadership Series Announced
The Community Giving Foundation in partnership with the Berwick Area United Way and the United Way of Columbia and Montour County are excited to share the attached schedule for the 2021 Nonprofit Leadership Series! These professional development opportunities are free to attend for Nonprofit executives and staff serving the Columbia and Montour County area.
The first session, Content Marketing and Strategy Workshop, is scheduled for February 23rd, 8:30 am – 10:30 am, via Zoom. All 2021 session and registration information is posted to our website www.csgiving.org/npleaders. We hope to see you throughout the year!
Bloomsburg University Police Department Earns Accreditation from Chiefs of Police Association
The Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Police Department (BUPD) has earned accreditation from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association through its Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.
BU is now one of only seven accredited Institutions of Higher Education Law Enforcement Agencies within Pennsylvania to be accredited by the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission. Of the 1,117 law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania, only 127 are accredited.
Accreditation is a progressive and proven way of helping institutions evaluate and improve their overall performance. The process takes between 18 and 24 months and covers 136 standards and 184 sub-standards. The cornerstone of this strategy lies in the pronouncement of standards containing a clear statement of professional objectives.
When the procedures are in place, a team of independent professionals is assigned to verify that all applicable standards have been successfully implemented. The process culminates with a decision by an authoritative body that the institution is worthy of accreditation.
“I am extremely proud of this accomplishment,” said Leo Sokoloski, director of the BU police department. “When I arrived back at BU more than three years ago, I told our then Vice President for Finance and Administration John Loonan that I could reshape the BU PD into a model 21st-century department.”
“To be a model department, we had to transform training, develop and write 21st-century policies and then put into practice what we said we were doing. BU PD needed minor physical changes to retrofit the facilities to be compliant to accreditation standards.”
The accreditation process has continued under the new VP for Finance and Administration Claudia Thrush and Associate VP for Facilities Management Eric Ness, who saw the value and importance of the effort.
“The safety and welfare of our students, faculty, staff, and visitors to campus are of paramount importance,” said Thrush. “The efforts of Director Sokoloski and his team have led to transformational change within the BU PD. This accreditation is a feather in the University’s cap as it confirms the department is operating at an exemplary level and providing best in class service. I congratulate him and his team on behalf of everyone at the University.”
Sokoloski is quick to point out the many individuals involved with the effort.
“Sargent Rob Neiderhiser and officer Jeff Bachinger played significant roles and were focused on driving this initiative to completion after many, many months of work,” said Sokoloski. “Also, BU’s skilled craftsman did great work for us. The plumbers, electricians, carpenters, painters, and many more worked tirelessly to make the changes we needed in our facilities.”
“The accreditation assessors exit interview was complimentary and found no significant deficiencies that were not corrected before their departure,” Sokoloski added, “The assessors’ reports and findings will be sent to the commission for review where the official announcement acknowledging BU PD’s accredited status will be coming in March at the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission meeting.”
The Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Program was designed and developed by professional law enforcement executives to provide a reasonable and cost-effective plan for the professionalization of law enforcement agencies within the Commonwealth. The underlying philosophy of the program is to have a user-friendly undertaking for the departments that will result in a “success” oriented outcome.
The accreditation is an ongoing process the University will be re-evaluated in three years to show if it remains in compliance with the standards.
Liz Masich of KEY Partners Realty Receives Awards
Liz Masich of KEY Partners Realty LLC, recently received the award for Top Listing Agent and Top Selling Agent for 2020.
Masich had $7.4 million in listings and sales in 2020, according to a press release.
She serves as an active board member and director with Central Susquehanna Valley Board of Realtors, and is the 2021 president of the board for the United Way of Columbia and Montour Counties.
Member businesses and individuals of The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce were recognized during the organization’s Annual Meeting held virtually on Wednesday, February 10th, sponsored by PPL Electric Utilities.
Nearly 100 people attended the event which celebrated outstanding member achievements, elected members to the Board of Directors, highlighted Chamber activities of the past year, and previewed the year ahead. The membership also approved an updated, more concise mission statement for the organization. The new statement is “To represent local employers in supporting vibrant, sustainable communities in Columbia and Montour counties.”
The Chamber’s five annual awards were presented to businesses and individuals for their significant contributions to the community. The following awards were presented to the following recipients:
Small Business of the Year
(Sponsored by First Columbia Bank & Trust)
Bason Coffee Roasting
Large Business of the Year
(Sponsored by DRIVE
First Columbia Bank & Trust
Nonprofit of the Year
(Sponsored by PNC Bank)
Community Giving Foundation
Community Progress Award
(Sponsored by Atlantic Broadband)
PB&J Bar
Outstanding Citizen
(Sponsored by Berwick Industrial Development Association)
Frontline Healthcare Workers
The Small Business of the Year award is presented to a member business or organization of 30 employees or fewer than has done one or more of the following: demonstrated business or community leadership evidenced by diversification and creativity in the development of new products, services and/or markets; demonstrated staying power and positive response to adversity; or demonstrated community involvement.
The genesis of the business began in 2006 as the Basons began roasting small batches of coffee for their personal use. During a meeting with their friend and Pastor, he noted how much different fresh roasted coffee tasted. Of course the Pastor was right and the obsession grew as friends also enjoyed the Basons’ quickly expanding hobby.
In 2011, Bason Coffee Roasting was formed after they realized that a commercial roaster was needed to keep up with the demand. Their third bay garage was quickly turned into our roastery, production, and warehousing area.
As they embark on their 10th year in business in 2021, they look back on great success. They are a staple at the Bloomsburg Fair, have found success in wholesale, retail, private label and had a positive impact on local schools, sports teams and nonprofits with their fundraisers. The Bason family has a giving spirit. From Christmas morning coffee delivery to frontline heath care workers annually, to supporting special events and foreign missions, they are always eager to support the community. No first responder on duty pays for a cup of coffee at Bason. When the pandemic hit, they were quick to respond with a coffee delivery to the hospital for front line workers, they developed a special blend with a label “I am a Warrior on the Frontline” with a portion of each bag’s proceeds supporting the local food bank.
The Large Business of the Year Award, is presented to a business with 31 or more employees, and the criteria is the same as for the Small Business of the Year.
While First Columbia supports many community organizations and events, they have a particular focus on our area youth. To help young people establish good money management skills, they sponsor the Everfi Financial Education curriculum in five local high schools and two middle schools. In addition, their bankers visit classrooms to talk with students about personal finance, banking and internet security.
First Columbia has also offered internship opportunities and part time employment for both high school and college students, giving them real world, hands on experience. They’ve hired a number of area graduates from Bloomsburg University and local high schools.
And each year, First Columbia proudly offers scholarships to local graduating seniors.
In support of athletics, First Columbia is a Gold Plus sponsor of BU Husky athletics which provides scholarships to student athletes. At the high school level, the Bank has purchased a number of scoreboards for school gymnasiums and athletic fields. They also support America’s favorite pastime, with sponsorship of area’s Little League organizations.
The Teen Star Musical Competition has become the Bank’s signature annual event. Wanting to do more to encourage youth in music and the performing arts, the Bank created this musical competition for high school students in 2011. Since its debut in 2011, First Columbia has donated $40,000 in ticket proceeds back to the finalists’ high school music departments and awarded another $40,000 to the winners and finalists of the competition. While the Bank could simply write a check to support the schools’ music programs, they chose instead to create a rewarding and exciting experience for students-and a great afternoon of entertainment for our community. This program continued virtually in 2020 to ensure the opportunity for talented teens in our area continued.
The Independent Community Bankers of America and the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers have recognized First Columbia for this creative and engaging program.
The Community Progress Award goes to a member business or organization that showed improvement in the internal or external appearance of a commercial property through either new construction, renovation, restoration or remodeling, and completed that construction within the last three calendar years or by December 2020.
PB&J Bar, which is short for The Plant-Based and Juice Bar, is located on Mill Street in Danville in the former Pappas Restaurant location. The iconic green building was in need of repair and was deteriorating on the outside from sitting vacant for a number of years. Owners Christian and Shannon have done much of the work themselves.
PB&J offers breakfast, lunch, and food to go, providing healthier plant-based options and fresh juices and smoothies.
The Outstanding Citizen Award is presented to an individual that is an employee or volunteer of a member organization who is involved in civic activities beneficial to the Columbia Montour region and who projects a positive community image.
Our area nurses, doctors, and support staff have had to continually adapt to meet the demands of the health care crisis. While shifting resources to deal with the influx of COVID-19 patients, they have continued to meet the urgent medical needs of area residents. Required safety protocols and equipment have made these duties even more challenging, and a number of them have become infected themselves despite their best efforts. They’ve sacrificed time away from their families in an effort to keep them safe and serve patients. There are not enough words to express our gratitude to all of these people who have been on the front line of this crisis throughout. And their work is far from over.
The Nonprofit of the Year Award is presented to a nonprofit organization with 100 or fewer employees that has provided diversified and creative aid to the Columbia Montour region utilizing business, personal, and community resources.
The Community Giving Foundation has truly demonstrated nonprofit leadership within our community in so many ways. Its Disaster Relief Fund provided over $368,000 in grants to 78 non-profit organizations to allow them to continue to provide critical services during the COVID-19 crisis. The Foundation also worked with both Columbia and Montour counties to quickly set up an online application and process grant applications for non-profits and businesses. Sixty-two non-profits and 206 businesses received financial assistance through these programs funded by the CARES Act. The Berwick Health & Wellness Fund advisory committee also provided small grants to help boost the mental and physical health of non-profit teams with a “Healthy workplace” grant program.
In December, the Foundation re-branded as Community Giving Foundation though the commitment to the region and the many stakeholders that make its work possible remains the same. The Foundation continues to expand its impact by working with donors to establish funds that change lives, creating increased funding for vital and changing charitable needs.
The staff is also engaged in the community through serving on various boards and committees and in activities throughout the year.
The Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce is a non-profit organization that represents nearly 430 businesses and organizations from the Columbia and Montour region.