1 week Ago By Staff Report
ORWIGSBURG — The IGNITE Schuylkill Youth Program’s “final event” is scheduled for May 8 at the Orwigsburg Veterans Memorial Hall, 300 Grove St.The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce previously announced the program’s approval as an Educational Improvement Tax Credit-eligible initiative.In the finale, four high school student finalists will pitch their business ideas to a panel of judges to compete for $25,000 in flexible scholarship funding, startup capital and prototype development, in addition to a $20,000 scholarship ($5,000 per year for four years from Alvernia University and $5,000 in technical assistance from the O’Pake Institute), according to a chamber release.
The event “celebrates the entrepreneurial spirit among students and the completion of their 16 weeks of extensive business education,” chamber officials said in the release.During the finale, which the public is invited to attend, participants will enjoy a light dinner featuring five local restaurants and wander from station to station in the hall for a “variety of delicious bites” each crafted by a participating eatery.Registration is available online; sponsorship opportunities are available.
For more information, call the chamber at 570-622-1942 or email the chamber’s Anthony Merchlinsky at [email protected] IGNITE Schuylkill program is dedicated to providing high school students in grades 10 through 12 with “essential entrepreneurial and business education, equipping them with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in today’s rapidly evolving economy,” according to the chamber.
Deadline extended for PSU Schuylkill supportPOTTSVILLE — Samantha Chivinski, executive vice president of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce, has announced that the deadline for people to submit letters opposing the potential closure of Penn State Schuylkill has been extended.The new deadline, she said, in April 11.“We continue to receive letters of support opposing” the potential closure, “so we have extended the deadline to submit your letters,” Chivinski said in a release.
“If you would like to write a letter but need a template,” Chivinski continued, you should email her at [email protected] letters opposing any closure of the local campus should be submitted to Chivinski.
Penn State’s announcement that it was considering closing some of its branch campuses has prompted heavy local opposition.‘Hands on Throttle’ at Pioneer TunnelASHLAND — An event called “Hands on the Throttle 2025” for people 18 and older is on tape April 26 and 27 at Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine and Steam Train, 1900 Oak St., Ashland.
The reservation-only event involves “Hands on Throttle training while you operate” the LVCC No. 123 train. The cost is $75 for 30 minutes of operation.
A Pioneer Tunnel flyer describes it as “an experience like no other for the true railfan.”For more information, email to [email protected] or call 570-875-3850.
More also is available online at https://www.pioneertunnel.com.
MAEA sponsors multiple sessionsPOTTSVILLE — The Pottsville-based Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association offers myriad training and other sessions for regional employers, including:Virtual HR Roundtable, DEI initiatives in new administration, 11 a.m. to noon April 22.
Your Employability Skills (YES) program recognition breakfast, 9-10:30 a.m. May 8 at St.
Nicholas Hall, Primrose.MAEA summer golf outing, four-person scramble with 1 p.m.
shotgun start, June 13, Mountain Valley Golf Course, Barnesville.Training for busy schedules, April half-day sessions at Pottsville and West Hazleton sites, call for details.To register for programs, or for more information and pricing, call 570-622-0992.
More information also is available at www.nepmaea.com.
Darlene J. Robbins, MAEA president, can be reached by calling the aforementioned phone number or via email to [email protected].
Contacts also include Eileen Kuperavage, director of employer engagement, at [email protected]; Joan Trosterud, marketing and administrative coordinator, at [email protected] and Nichole Jenan, administrative assistant, at njenan@nepamaea.
com.NEPA Alliance focus of slated Zoom webinarSCHUYLKILL HAVEN — Penn State Schuylkill, LionLaunch and the NEPA Alliance will sponsor a live webinar via Zoom 10-11 a.m.
May 29 titled “NEPA Alliance 101, Discover How NEPA Helps Small Businesses Like You.”The initiative will involve a live discussion about the ways the NEPA Alliance, an economic development organization, helps small businesses.Participants will include Stephen Ursich, alliance business development vice president, and Kara Smith, alliance government procurement manager.
Attendance is free but registration is required. For more information, email to [email protected].
Ribbon-cuttings slated for regional openingsThe Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce is promoting ribbon-cutting/opening ceremonies including:SARCC (Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center) Healing at Home Project, which provides essential housing support for survivors of sexual violence in the community, noon April 9 at Hope & Coffee, 137 Pine St., Tamaqua.Sugar Bites Ice Cream Shop, 22 N.
Second St., Saint Clair, 4 p.m.
April 15.The Schuylkill chamber ceremonies are free community events. The chamber asks that those planning to attend register in advance by calling the chamber office at 570-622-1942 or emailing chamber contact Anthony Merchlinsky at amerchlinsky@schuylkillchamber.
com.Business After 5 O’clock Mixer sponsored by SAMPOTTSVILLE — The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce’s Business After 5 O’Clock Mixer, sponsored by Service Access & Management Inc., 590 Terry Reiley Way, is set for 5-7 p.
m. April 23.The chamber’s event contact is Cierra Abrachinsky, who can be reached by calling 570-622-1942 or emailing to cabrachinsky@schuylkillchamber.
com.LVH-Schuylkill offers ‘Walk With a Doc’POTTSVILLE — A program about educating, exercising and empowering called Walk With a Doc, sponsored by Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill, is held at the Pottsville Area School District’s Martz Hall, upper level, 1541 Laurel Blvd., 10-11 a.
m. the third Saturday of the month.The free program, according to a release, is offered through the Walter and Irene Baran Schuylkill Family Medicine Residency Program in cooperation with LVPG Family Medicine-Schuylkill Medical Plaza.
Walking, according to the LVH release, is “one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health” and people of all backgrounds are welcome to participate in the ongoing event.“After a brief discussion from a healthcare provider, participants will spend the rest of the time enjoying a healthy walk at their own pace,” organizers said, adding, “You are encouraged to ask health questions and socialize with others in a fun, relaxing setting.”Walk With a Doc dates for 2025 include: April 19, May 17 and June 21.
For more information, call 570-621-9270.Grammar workshops promoted by chamberPOTTSVILLE — The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce has announced Dean Bertsch grammar workshops available at the chamber quarters, 1 Progress Circle, Suite 201, Union Station, Pottsville.The schedule includes: April 10, 11:30 a.
m., Module 1, Subject Verb Agreement and Pronouns; May 29, 8 a.m.
, Module 2, Punctuation; June 12, 8 a.m., Module 3, Word Choice, Capitalization, Numbers and Proofreading.
Dean Bertsch (SUBMITTED PHOTO)The cost is $50 for chamber members and $75 for nonmembers.The workshop series, according to a chamber flyer, “is designed to refine written communication, helping employees avoid common errors, write with confidence and convey messages more clearly and professionally” with strengthened skills.For more information, email the chamber’s Anthony Merchlinsky at amerchlinsky@schuylkillchamber.
com or Cierra Abrachinsky at [email protected]..
