Eric Pangelinan and Kim Groshek join the Community Giving Foundation Team
The Community Giving Foundation announced the hire of two new staff members, expanding the Foundation team to better serve donors and community partners in timely and efficient ways through a continued commitment to personalized philanthropy and community giving stories.
Eric Pangelinan joins the Foundation in the new position of Operations Assistant. In his role, Eric works closely with the Foundation’s Chief Advancement Officer and Chief Financial Officer to utilize the Foundation’s database software to its fullest capabilities. He also provides support to the development and finance departments by processing incoming donations, offering technical support to donors and fundholders, and organizing department meetings with boards, staff, and other stakeholders. Prior to joining the Foundation team, Eric served as a Conference Officer for the Columbia-Montour Domestic Relations Office. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bloomsburg University in both Political Science and Philosophy. Eric is a native of the Berwick/Nescopeck area and is dedicated to helping the community he calls home grow and improve every day.
Kim Groshek serves as the Foundation’s new Administrative Assistant, welcoming visitors at the Berwick office front desk and providing a wide range of office support for the President/CEO and staff to facilitate effective and efficient operations. Prior to joining the team, Kim worked as a para-professional for many years before becoming a receptionist for the Berwick Area School District. She has lived in the Berwick community most of her life.
“We are very excited with the additions of Eric and Kim to the Foundation this year. Both bring new excitement and a set of skills that will only enhance what already exists with our office staff as we remain committed to building relationships with our current and new stakeholders through personalized services and giving options. Our office is now a strong team of eight, and I look forward to all we can do together to continue serving the communities across our region,” writes Holly Morrison, Foundation President/CEO.
The new members join the following Foundation staff: Holly Morrison, D.Ed., President and CEO; Al Meale, Chief Financial Officer; Kara G. Seesholtz, Chief Advancement Officer; Christine Orlando, Senior Program Officer; Karri Harter, Program Associate; and Katie Simpson, Communications & Events Associate.
The Community Giving Foundation manages over 300 charitable funds and makes grant investments throughout the region to improve the quality of life in the Central Susquehanna area. In partnership with affiliates in Berwick, Bloomsburg, Danville, Selinsgrove, and Sunbury, the Foundation continues to tell stories of community giving.
The Interstate 80 Nescopeck Creek Bridges, which cross Nescopeck Creek in Luzerne County, are aging and do not meet current design standards, according to PennDOT. A project to replace and widen the bridges to provide wider shoulders that meet current standards and accommodate and facilitate future maintenance activities on the bridge is proposed starting in 2023. This project is a candidate for bridge tolling through the PennDOT Pathways Program’s Major Bridge Public-Private Partnership Initiative.
PennDOT is hosting an on-demand virtual public meeting for the project beginning at noon on Nov. 15 through Dec. 15, 2021. Members of the community can access this by visiting www.penndot.gov/i80Nescopeck and clicking the virtual public meeting link beginning at noon on Nov. 15. There will also be an in-person open house public meeting on Dec. 7 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Nescopeck Social Hall, 510 Zenith Rd., Nescopeck, PA 18635/
Based on traffic evaluation, analysis and feedback received during a prior workshop, diversion route improvements have been proposed to mitigate the impacts of potential toll implementation. A virtual Diversion Route Workshop Follow Up on the I-80 Nescopeck Creek Bridges Project on Monday, Nov. 15 from 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. via Microsoft Teams. Workshop can be found HERE.
By Tracie Witter, PPL Electric Utilities, Regional Affairs Director
If you’ve been to the store lately, you’ve probably noticed that prices are going up.
From beef to gas, and just about everything in between. But, just like you’d shop around for the best price on everyday goods, it’s important to know that you can also do the same with your electricity supply.
PPL Electric Utilities delivers your electricity, but we don’t own the power plants where that electricity is generated. And, for more than two decades in Pennsylvania, consumers have had the ability to shop around and choose the electricity supplier that is right for them, such as the lowest cost provider or a renewable energy generator.
With costs – including the prices of energy supply – on the rise, now is the perfect time to shop around to make sure your supplier is offering you the best rate possible.
When you do venture into the electricity marketplace, remember to shop smart. Be aware of variable rates, which start small and then increase depending on the price of power. Watch out for deceptive marketing tactics, beware hidden early termination fees, and always be sure to read the fine print on any contract you sign with a supplier.
If you do not choose a supplier, you receive default supply through PPL Electric Utilities per state law. We hold competitive energy auctions twice a year, in which we secure a supply at the lowest rate offered, and then pass that supply on to customers without any markup.
We don’t profit from supply generation, so we have no vested interest in who you choose to supply your electricity. We just want to help you keep your bills as low as possible.
To help customers in the shopping process, we recently redesigned our bills to make it easier to identify your current supplier information and we also offer numerous web resources at the new pplelectric.com/shopsmart.
Don’t leave money on the table.
Shop smart today for the electricity supplier that’s right for you and save.
Added from the Chamber with permission: The Chamber’s energy partner, World Kinect Energy Services, can take much of the work out of choosing an energy supplier for your business. Simply provide them with some basic information, and they can provide options for electricity, natural gas, and liquid fuels. World Kinect is not a supplier, so their goal is to find the solutions to best fit your needs and comfort level. Contact them for a free, no-obligation consultation at 412-424-2599. You can easily sign up for the residential or small business fixed rate program through our website, columbiamontourchamber.com/benefits.
On Friday, November 5, the U.S. House passed the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act legislation by a 228-206 vote, sending it to President Joe Biden for his signature. The President has stated that he will hold a signing ceremony when legislators return the week of November 15.
Congressman Dan Meuser voted against the bill. In August, Senator Pat Toomey also voted against the bill while Senator Bob Casey supported it.
The bill would put $550 billion in new money into transportation projects, the utility grid and broadband. The package also includes $110 billion for roads, bridges and other major projects, along with $66 billion for passenger and freight rail and $39 billion for public transit.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, 173,000 total miles of America’s highways and major roads and 45,000 bridges are in poor condition. It also estimates that the current repair backlog is more than 24,000 buses, 5,000 rail cars, 200 stations and thousands of miles of track and power systems.
As part of the bill, $65 billion is directed to broadband, a priority for many lawmakers after the coronavirus pandemic highlighted inequities in internet access for households and students across the country.
The legislation would also invest $55 billion into water systems, including $15 billion to replace lead pipes and $10 billion to address water contamination.
Both the PA Chamber of Business and Industry and U.S. Chamber of Commerce applauded the bipartisan passage as the investments are paid for in part by repurposing unused federal funds from other programs.
An article from the Associated Press (VIEW ARTICLE HERE) provides more details about the package.
On Wednesday, October 27th, the PA House unanimously concurred on House Bill 425 (VIEW HERE) which extends some benefits to the restaurant industry that were enacted during the disaster declaration. The legislation was approved unanimously by the Senate and is expected to be signed by Governor Wolf this week. Highlights of the bill are as follows:
- Extends outdoor seating for licensed establishments
- Eliminates the $500 fee for off-premise catering permits
- Allows an unlimited number of catering permits
- Eliminates the 5-hour cap for catering events
- Allows a licensee that goes out of business to sell their liquor and wine to another licensee
These provisions would take effect immediately and be in effect until December 31, 2024.
The final bill only allows prepared beverages and mixed drinks for off-premise consumption during a disaster emergency. As the legislature did not extend the emergency this Summer, drinks-to-go are currently not allowed. Disagreements over drinks-to-go was a significant reason why similar legislation was not advanced earlier this year.
Bloomsburg Children’s Museum Hosting Free Event During National STEM Night
On Monday, November 8, 2021 the Bloomsburg Children’s Museum will host a free event for National STEM Night. From 4-7 p.m. the Museum will offer free admission. Activities include soldering, NFC treasure hunt, Lego Engineering challenges, robotics, programming, 3D printing, and much more!
National STEM Day is celebrated every year on Nov. 8 to encourage kids to explore their interests in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
T-Mobile is sponsoring the night and supplying free food from Big Dan’s Barbecue (while supplies last).
“There is a deficit of workers in STEM fields in Pennsylvania. The Museum provides exhibits and programs like National STEM night to get kids engaged in STEM learning. If kids are excited about these subjects, they are more likely to want to pursue a career in these fields.” Shelby Kellner, Assistant Director
For more info: www.the-childrens-museum.org
Penn State World Campus Open House
Join Penn State World Campus for a virtual open house to mee the staff and learn about the process of applying for and earning an undergraduate degree from Penn State World Campus. This is an opportunity to connect with several Penn State World Campus departments. The virtual open house is flexible, and you can customize your “journey” according to your own interests. Drop in throughout the open house to chat one-on-one with members of the team for up to 20 minutes or join an open discussion with other prospective students.
Virtual Open House Afternoon Session on November 4, 2021 from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Virtual Open House Evening Session on November 4, 2021 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Montour Area Recreation Commission Preserve Wildlife Art Expo
The wide variety of Pennsylvania wildlife is inspiration for wildlife artists. Join them to enjoy the skill of these artists as they display the wild outdoors captured in photos, oils, pen and ink, and wood. It might be a strutting turkey, a sun-dappled rainbow trout or a white-tailed buck slipping through an autumn forest. It could be a hawk riding a west wind or a colorful songbird picking berries from a bush. This is a great opportunity to get a close look at original art, meet the artists behind the creations and pick up a few ideas for your own artistic side or possibly an early Christmas present.
Family/kid friendly: Yes
Cost: free admission; artwork available for purchase
Masking: Face masks are recommended while indoors
Saturday, November 13: 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 14: 11:00 a.m.
Attendees of this McKopnly & Asbury Webinar will gain insight on the following:
- An Accounting and Legal Update
- Best practices when sponsoring an employee benefit plan
- Lessons learned from recent court cases
This free, one-hour webinar will take place on Thursday, November 18 at 2:00 p.m. EDT. One “Specialized Knowledge” CPE credit is available for this webinar. The level for this CPE is basic and there are no prerequisites for attending. This program is a live webinar which offers the opportunity to ask questions and interact with the presenters.
The Pennsylvania Conference for Women will donate funds to provide $2,500 grants to 80 women-owned restaurants across Pennsylvania, which will be selected via an application process through the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association. Restaurants with 51 percent or more women ownership can apply. For the full press release, click here.
This grant money is specifically earmarked to support female independent restaurant owners in keeping their doors open and their staff employed. Eligible restaurants must be open/operating and plan to continue to do so. Closed restaurants are not eligible for this grant. After submitting your application, it will be reviewed by an internal committee and a decision letter will follow.
Throughout the pandemic, health-care providers and counselors throughout the region have been reporting increases in mental health and substance abuse issues. With the challenges employers are facing with workforce, ensuring the health and safety of employees and the workplace is critical. The Chamber of Commerce is a member of the United in Recovery coalition under the United Way of Columbia and Montour Counties to support efforts to prevent and deal with substance abuse.
A toolkit is available to help employers with a drug-free workplace. The United Way has also developed a comprehensive resource guide for counseling, treatment, and other human services. For additional resources, contact the United Way at 570-784-3134.
On Monday, November 8, 2021 the Bloomsburg Children’s Museum will host a free event for National STEM Night. From 4-7 p.m. the Museum will offer free admission. Activities include soldering, NFC treasure hunt, Lego Engineering challenges, robotics, programming, 3D printing, and much more!
National STEM Day is celebrated every year on Nov. 8 to encourage kids to explore their interests in the fields of science, technology, engineering, art, and math.
T-Mobile is sponsoring the night and supplying free food from Big Dan’s Barbecue (while supplies last).
“There is a deficit of workers in STEM fields in Pennsylvania. The Museum provides exhibits and programs like National STEM night to get kids engaged in STEM learning. If kids are excited about these subjects, they are more likely to want to pursue a career in these fields.” Shelby Kellner, Assistant Director
For more info: www.the-childrens-museum.org