The United in Recovery coalition is participating in events throughout the fall to raise awareness of substance abuse issues and celebrate recovery. A display in the Education building at the Bloomsburg Fair is designed to help parents and guardians identify potential hiding places for drugs. The Hiding in Plain Sight display simulates a child’s bedroom and was recently unveiled at a high school football game. The coalition, organized by the United Way of Columbia and Montour County, seeks to reduce substance abuse in our area through education, prevention, and recovery and treatment. Community organizations, including the Chamber, and concerned citizens meet monthly to coordinate efforts in all three areas. The most recent newsletter provides an overview of these efforts, as well as information on a 5K event to be held Oct. 13 at the Bloomsburg Fairgrounds. Anyone interested in getting involved in the coalition should contact Adrienne Mael, United Way President & CEO, at 570-784-3134 or email.
More than 400 businesses and organizations belong to the Chamber to receive benefits and support efforts to strengthen their businesses and our region. Increased membership allows us to offer additional programs and benefits, have a stronger voice in advocacy and be involved in more activities and initiatives in our communities. The Chamber welcomes its newest member, Lapels, to help us fulfill our mission.
Lapels is a locally-owned, full-service dry cleaner located in Bloomsburg that not only offers same day service if dropped off by 9 a.m., but also has several other services in addition to traditional dry cleaning of clothing. It also offers a cleaning service for items that may have been damaged in fire or by water, cleaning for other household items such as comforters, sheets, drapes, tablecloths and other similar delicate items, alterations, as well as wedding gown cleaning, pressing and preservation. Lapels also offers a loyalty program. For more information on Lapels, including its many services, rewards program and same day service details, visit their website or Facebook page. Lapels is located at 833 Columbia Blvd. (Rt. 11) next to Dunkin Donuts, and is open Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday from 12-3 p.m. They can be reached at 570-387-1015.
Front Row (seated): Linda Resseguie, Friends of the Columbia County Traveling Library, Inc.; Ruth Joy Capozzi, Your Loving Choices, Inc.; Laurie Swank, AGAPE; Sandie Yule, AGAPE;
Second Row (standing): Kara Walsh, Friends of the Columbia County Traveling Library, Inc.; Heather Beagle, The Exchange; Anne Cosper, The Exchange; Jim Mccann, Central Susquehanna Sight Services; Debbie Jones, Columbia County Child Development Program; Ashley Miccio, Bloomsburg Area YMCA; Sue Jackson, Coalition on Social Equity; Lydia Kegler, Bloomsburg Public Library; Oren Helbok, The Exchange
The Bloomsburg Area Community Foundation (BACF), whose funds are administered by the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation, recently awarded $10,300 to local nonprofits during its competitive grantround. The awards were granted through the Bloomsburg Area Community Foundation Fund. The awards were given out at a luncheon at Monty’s on the Bloomsburg University, on Tuesday, Sept. 11, during which the BACF’s impact was also celebrated. Included in the 13 organizations that received awards were six Chamber members.
The BACF focused its funding on organizations that invest in community programs and projects within Bloomsburg and surrounding areas. Those grant recipients include:
- AGAPE – Love from Above to our Community, Daily Bread Meal $1,000
- Benton Area School District, Student of the Month Award Program $300
- Bloomsburg Area YMCA, Summer Camp $500
- Bloomsburg Public Library, Health Literacy Resources for Teens $700
- Central Susquehanna Sight Services, Inc., Prevention of Blindness Services 500
- Coalition for Social Equity in honor of former board member Isabelle Tarr $1,000
- Columbia Child Development Program, Increase Mathematical Materials for 2-5-Year Olds $1,500
- Friends of the Columbia County Traveling Library, Inc., Establishing Core Collection of Children’s Audiobooks $800
- The Bloomsburg Salvation Army Service Center, Back to School Clothes Shopping $1,500
- The Children’s Museum, Update and Improve Health and Nutrition Exhibit $600
- The Dental Health Clinic, Financial Aid Awards to Help Individuals Pay for Dental Work $1,000
- The Exchange, Creative Engagement with Youth-Artmaking Programs for Summer Camps $500
- Your Loving Choices, Inc., Dad Parenting Curriculum $400
The Bloomsburg Area Community Foundation is an affiliate of the Central Susquehanna Community Foundation which helps administer BACF’s grant investments. Nonprofit organizations that provide programming in the Bloomsburg community and surrounding areas are encouraged to apply during the 2019 competitive grantround. Details will be available on the CSCF’s website.
BACF Board Members are Fred Gaffney, Cleveland Hummel, Lauren Martz, Paul Reichart, Rev. Howell Sasser, Jr., John Thompson, Fred Trump, Rick Vanderpool
SEDA-COG wants to hear from you. How are you affected by transportation services in the central Pennsylvania region? How could services better help you, your family, or your business in Clinton, Columbia, Juniata, Lycoming, Mifflin, Montour, Northumberland, Snyder and Union counties?
Let us know by participating in a brief online survey.
The survey, available through Oct. 29, is being conducted by the SEDA-COG and Williamsport Metropolitan Planning Organizations, as they update the Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan in coming months. They especially want to know what you think about gaps in transportation services affecting seniors, minorities, low-income individuals, and people with disabilities or with limited English language skills.
If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact Steve Herman by email or phone at 570-524-4491. In Lycoming County, feel free to also contact Mark Murawski by email or 570-320-2138. SEDA-COG and Williamsport Metropolitan Planning both thank you for your time.
Legislation under consideration in the PA House of Representatives would require that agendas for public meetings be posted on agency websites at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. With a few exceptions, items not on the published agenda could not be voted upon. The Chamber’s Board of Directors recently expressed support for the bill.
House Bill 1531 would apply to any public agency, including local governments, with a publicly accessible website. Emergency business or minor issues that do not involve the expenditure of funds or entering into a contract or agreement that arise after a published agenda could be acted upon. The legislation was introduced last summer and was reported out of the House Rules Committee in June of this year.
The Chamber Board voted unanimously to support the bill to allow the public to be better informed and offer input on issues. “While meetings of public agencies are open to the public, attending numerous meetings without knowing what is going to be considered is burdensome and typically less productive,” said Fred Gaffney, Chamber president. “Posting agendas online in advance will allow concerned citizens and organizations, including the Chamber, to be better prepared to comment and be more efficient in the decision making process.”
The PA Chamber unveiled a new study last week, “Pennsylvania: A 21st Century Tax Code for the Commonwealth,” that presents a comparative analysis of the state’s tax structure with other states and provides a menu of policy options to improve Pennsylvania’s tax system and overall competitiveness.
Compiled by the Tax Foundation and funded via a grant from the PA Chamber, the report shows that Pennsylvania relies more heavily on corporate taxes as a revenue source than most other states. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 4.7 percent of Pennsylvania’s state and local tax collections come from the corporate income tax, while the national average is 3.7 percent. The heavy reliance on volatile corporate taxes can make the state’s budget process more difficult. The report ranks Pennsylvania 4th among the states in terms of corporate income tax collections, while the state’s corporate income tax structure ranks 7th worst in the nation.
During a media call that was held last week to share some of the report’s key findings and recommendations, PA Chamber Government Affairs Vice President Sam Denisco expressed optimism that elected officials will have an appetite in the upcoming legislative session to adopt some of these much-needed, long-overdue recommendations. While Denisco acknowledged that strides have been made in recent years to boost the state’s competitiveness, he said that a reduction in Pennsylvania’s 9.99 percent Corporate Net Income Tax rate and a full elimination of the cap on Net Operating Losses would significantly improve the state’s opportunities to attract investment and create jobs.
The report has since been highlighted in stories in the Central Penn Business Journal, Capitolwire and the Pittsburgh Business Times.
“In order to compete in today’s global economy, we need to take a page out of the federal government’s book and take a hard look at the shortcomings within the state’s Tax Code,” Denisco said in a press release. “This study provides an unbiased analysis of where Pennsylvania ranks compared to other states and offers solutions to streamline and simplify the Tax Code, while at the same time growing the state’s economy.”
Member News
- The Penn State World Campus will hold a number of informational webinars in September for those that may be interested in pursuing a degree or certification through Penn State’s online/virtual delivery unit. Tonight, Sept. 12, from 8-9 p.m., there will be an information webinar on the redesigned Penn State Online MBA. Then, on Thursday, Sept. 27 from 7-8 p.m., there will be an online MBA sample class in which interested individuals can discover what it’s like to be a student in the Penn State Online MBA program. For a complete listing of upcoming PSU World Campus information events and news, check out its Sept. newsletter for alliance partners, through which all employees of Columbia Montour Chamber members, their spouses and dependents are eligible for a 5% discount on tuition through the Penn State World Campus.
- The Central Susquehanna Community Foundation will host a special presentation on how federal tax reform, signed into law last December, is impacting charitable planning for businesses this afternoon, Sept. 12 at the Iron Fork at Frost Valley Resort in Danville. An afternoon session focusing on businesses will be held from 4:30-5:30 p.m., with hors d’oeuvres served at 4 p.m. There is no cost to attend. See the flyer for additional information. RSVP by by emailing or calling Karri Harter at 570-752-3930 ext. 6.
- Innotek Computer Consulting was recently ranked as one of the top managed service providers (MSPs) in a worldwide study conducted by Channel Futures. The online media company devoted to the Information Technology (IT) field publishes its annual MSP 501 ranking list, the IT channel’s first, largest and most comprehensive industry ranking survey. Innotek came in ranked #441 in the world out of thousands of submission from across the globe. See the full list here.
- Bloomsburg University will be conducting a test of its emergency siren system this Friday, Sept. 14 at 9:50 a.m. Emergency management agencies have been notified.
- The Weis Center for the Performing Arts will hold a free concert this Friday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m. in the Weis Center Atrium featuring classical Arabic music, Sufi music of northern Egypt and music popular along the Nile River.
Mohamed Abozekry & Karkadé
It will feature Mohamed Abozekry, an oud (lute) master still in his mid-20s, who brilliantly explores Egypt’s popular and classical music traditions, Sufi calls, and secular poetry with a new instrumental project called Karkadé. With Karkadé, his new project that he is bringing to the United States for the first time, he evokes the fragrant hibiscus tea found in Cairo and the eponymous French café at which the ensemble was born. He is joined by Farag Hamouda (ney – flute), Lotfy Aly (violin), Hany Bedeir (riqq – percussion), and Aly Mohamed (dehola/daf – percussion).
- The Borough of Danville’s Flood Resiliency Task Force will host a flood insurance policy seminar at the Danville Borough building, 463 Mill St., Danville, on Thursday, Sept. 20, at 6 p.m. Stetler Insurance Associates will present information regarding what should be included on the flood insurance policy declaration page, review common mistakes seen on flood insurance policies, and answer questions. The Flood Resiliency Task Force is made up of representatives from real estate, banking and insurance industries, as well as local residents and Borough staff. See the flyer for additional information, or contact Jamie Shrawder at 570-275-3091 ext. 3 or email.
- The Central Susquehanna Community Foundation will hold a luncheon on Friday, Oct. 5, from 12-1:30 p.m. at the Iron Fork’s banquet room to celebrate the grants made to community organizations through the Danville Area Community Foundation. Local nonprofit organizations will be presented with the 2018 grant awards. There is no cost to attend, but an RSVP is requested. RSVP online or by emailing or calling Karri Harter at 570-752-3930 ext. 6.
- NEPIRC, DRIVE and SEDA-COG will team up to host a Lunch and Learn titled “Cybersecurity Trends & Safeguards for Manufacturers” on Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Monty’s on the Bloomsburg University campus. This free seminar is specifically intended for manufacturers and helping them respond to current threats and trends in the cybersecurity world. Topics covered will include ransomware, hacking, breaches and disasters, and safeguards will also be presented including best practices for prevention, mitigation and incident response. See the flyer for more information, and register online, by email, or call 570-704-0018.
- MePush will be hosting a series of study sessions throughout the fall at its conference room at 130 Buffalo Rd., Lewisburg, for information technology professionals that are taking and interested in getting together to study for the Cisco CCNA exam. This major certification in the IT industry is a big undertaking for some, so MePush would like to offer a forum to help other IT pros in the area improve their skills and certifications. If interested, please email Art so MePush can have a headcount.
While it certainly wasn’t planned out this way back when Business After Hours were scheduled for 2018 late last year, the timing of the Chamber’s second Business After Hours of August couldn’t have been better to highlight the needs of AGAPE, as it once again took on a leading role in the local flood recovery efforts. At the event held on Aug. 29 at AGAPE’s facility in downtown Bloomsburg, attendees not only had an opportunity to see and hear about AGAPE’s many accomplishments during the last decade as it celebrates its 10th anniversary, but they also saw firsthand some of AGAPE’s ongoing needs as well as the many opportunities to get involved on a volunteer basis.
AGAPE’s biggest need from a volunteer standpoint is help to cook and serve its weekly community meal to those in need, which is done each Wednesday from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed to come for just a few hours, prepare and cook (if appropriate) the meal, and then serve it. AGAPE will take anything anyone can give, but is generally not looking for a big time commitment from anyone, as if just a few people or groups from organizations such as churches or civic organizations could commit just a few hours a month, that would go a long way. In addition to its weekly community meal, AGAPE’s main mission is to fill in the gaps for those in need that don’t always get addressed by public welfare programs. It is helped thousands of people over the last decade, and its mission is to eventually go out of business because there won’t be any more needs in our community. Read more about AGAPE in this Member Spotlight from last year.
Business After Hours provide regular opportunities to build business relationships while learning about the services offered by other Chamber members. The next Business After Hours will be held at the Quality Inn Bloomsburg, on Wednesday, Sept. 19, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Prior to the After Hours, there will be a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. for the new renovations that were recently completed at the hotel.
More than 400 businesses and organizations belong to the Chamber to receive benefits and support efforts to strengthen their businesses and our region. Increased membership allows us to offer additional programs and benefits, have a stronger voice in advocacy and be involved in more activities and initiatives in our communities. The Chamber welcomes its newest member, the Danville Area School District, to help us fulfill our mission.
DASD serves a resident population of just under 19,000 and nearly 2,300 students. It is the primary school district for Montour County, serving nine of the 11 municipalities in Montour County (Danville and Washingtonville Boroughs, Cooper, Derry, Liberty, Mahoning, Mayberry, Valley and West Hemlock Townships), as well as Riverside Borough and Rush Township in Northumberland County. In last year’s U.S. News & World Report annual high school rankings, Danville ranked #44 in Pennsylvania out of 677 high schools, and was ranked the #2 rural high school in the state. About 41% of students participate in Advanced Placement classes in the high school. DASD can be reached at 570-271-3268 or visit its website.
Photos provided to Penn State World Campus
From Penn State World Campus
(see original article)
Note: The Columbia Montour Chamber’s partnership with the Penn State World Campus allows employees of all Chamber members, their spouses and dependents a 5% discount off tuition through the Penn State World Campus, the online delivery unit of Penn State. For more information on this partnership and discount, please visit the special webpage for this partnership.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Serena Carlson and Kevin Doupe both dropped out of high school at 17. But last month, they graduated with degrees from Penn State.
“I had a very traumatic childhood,” said Carlson, 39, who lives near Seattle. “I never thought a university was in my future – ever.”
Carlson and Doupe both turned their lives around, and they shared their personal journeys with their fellow adult learners at a special event last month for Penn State World Campus graduates prior to commencement. More than 100 students and their families attended the World Campus Graduation Celebration.
Carlson said her father was an alcoholic, her parents divorced when she was a teenager and she left to live on her own. She was always a good student, but college wasn’t possible.
It wasn’t until 2014 that she changed her future. She got her GED and enrolled in a class at a local community college. An A- while juggling a full-time job and raising three children spurred her on to complete an associate’s degree. And with a strong GPA, she applied to Penn State for her bachelor’s degree.
In 2016, Carlson began her studies online in health policy and administration, determined to maximize her experience. She traveled to Costa Rica and Sweden to compare the countries’ health systems with the U.S. system, and she participated on a student panel at a conference for online instructors at the University Park campus.
“Never in a million years did I expect to be part of such a world-class university,” she said.
Eventually, Carlson would like to complete her doctorate.
Doupe also had a difficult childhood. He ran away from home at 15 and dropped out of school at 17. He married and divorced by his mid-20s, and he found himself as a single dad of two teenagers. However, the key to overcoming these challenges was to not let his past define him, he said, likening it to driving a car.
“You need to have a rear-view mirror because you need to know where you’ve been,” said Doupe, 42, who lives in Towanda, Pa. “But you can’t drive while looking in that direction. Life is happening in front of you, and that is more important than what’s behind you. It’s also the only thing you have some level of control over.”
Doupe has taken control: He will graduate with a master’s degree in human resources and employment relations and a 3.9 grade-point average. At work, he is a human resources manager for a national home-improvement chain.
He also was appointed to serve two years on the World Campus’ student advisory board, a group that advocates for students. He said the rewarding experience gave him the chance to visit University Park twice and offer feedback on behalf of his fellow students.
Doupe and Carlson, too, both returned to campus with their families for graduation, for good reason.
“Nothing makes me prouder than knowing that my kids are proud of me,” Carlson said.
Visit the Penn State World Campus website for more information about learning online.