Catherine McAuley Center Earns Nomination for National Award

Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest and most influential nonprofit evaluator, has named the Catherine McAuley Center in the large-size organization category in the 2023 Community Choice Awards. The announcement was made on National Nonprofit Day, August 17, 2023.

The nomination comes as a result of Catherine McAuley Center’s outstanding achievements, having attained a prestigious four-star rating and earned all four Charity Navigator beacons. This recognition reflects the organization’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and effectiveness in its charitable endeavors.

The Community Choice Awards will have one winner in each size-based category: small, medium, large, and super. The determination of the winners will be based on the total number of votes received. The winners will be officially announced on September 27, 2023.

The four winning charities will receive the following:

•           Prominent visibility on Charity Navigator for one year

•           Email announcement to Charity Navigator’s audience of donors

•           Dedicated posts on Charity Navigator’s social media

•           Webinar speaking opportunity

•           Press release over the wire

Krista Murray, Executive Director, shared her appreciation, “The Catherine McAuley Center is deeply grateful for this nomination and the continued support from its community, donors, and partners. The organization remains dedicated to its mission and looks forward to making a positive impact in its community.”

To cast your vote and support Catherine McAuley Center in the Community Choice Awards, please visit the Center’s social media for a direct link and follow the instructions.

The Catherine McAuley Center has provided programs and services to those experiencing homelessness in Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties since 1984. Beyond a shelter of a roof and walls, the Center’s mission is to help the community break the cycle of poverty and heal the trauma of homelessness. To learn how you can make a difference, please contact the Catherine McAuley Center at 570-342-1342.

The Wright Center Welcomes Longtime EMT and Educator

A longtime emergency medical technician-paramedic and educator joined The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education as director of employee health and continuing medical education coordinator.

Carmen Passaniti, EMT-P, will oversee employee health services and training for The Wright Centers in this new role. Earlier this month, the American Heart Association (AHA) designated The Wright Center for Community Health as an official training site. As part of his duties, Passaniti will oversee the process of developing The Wright Center for Community Health as an AHA training center, including developing a curriculum in alignment with AHA guidelines. Additionally, he will build and implement a continuing medical education program for clinical employees.

Passaniti began his career as an emergency medical technician-paramedic at Community Medical Center in 1981, where he worked on the first advanced life support unit in Lackawanna County. Since then, the West Abington Township resident has spent decades coordinating training for and managing EMTs and paramedics at Community Life Support, which became part of Commonwealth Health Emergency Medical Services (CHEMS). In addition, he has managed the AHA training for EMTs and paramedics for Community Life Support and CHEMS for more than 20 years, including serving as training center coordinator for seven years.

For more information about the locations and services provided by The Wright Center for Community Health, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.

LMJ Sheds Opens Third Location in Montrose

LMJ Sheds opened a 3rd location in Montrose to offer customers with more choices for in stock storage. This is in addition to the Dunmore and Lake Ariel. Customers can always design a shed using the online shed builder on our website, www.lmjsheds.com or visit one of our fully stocked locations. They would like to extend a $100 discount on any shed to members of the chamber. 

Act Out Theatre Registers for New Production

The Act Out Theatre is currently registering for its production of Finding Nemo Kids. 

They are offering a special discount for chamber members $180. 

This workshop is for ages 4-11 and has limited spots available for 12-year-olds. Rehearsals are Saturdays 11-3, beginning August 26. Performances are October 20-22.

To claim, one must email info@actouttheatre.com while registration is available on their website.

Dime Bank Employees Graduate from School of Banking

Several Dime Bank employees recently completed coursework offered by the Pennsylvania Bankers Association (PA Bankers), the state’s leading banking trade association offering extensive continuing education programs.

Viktoria L. Beiter, Lake Region branch universal banker III, and Riley P. Terysen, Indian Orchard branch manager, graduated from PA Bankers Advanced School of Banking on Thursday, July 27, 2023, at the Penn Stater Conference Center, State College. 

PA Bankers’ Advanced School of Banking is a three-year program that teaches financial services knowledge and skills and paves the road for participants to become leaders at any level within their organization. The curriculum provides a greater understanding of the multiple banking disciplines and how those disciplines work together within the bank. It is analogous to 200-, 300- and 400-level college course study.

Beiter received the prestigious Dr. Philip O. Benham, Jr. Achievement Award. Only one or two students each year qualify to receive the Dr. Philip O. Benham, Jr. Achievement Award, as they must achieve the highest academic achievements throughout the three-year school. The award honors the late Dr. Philip O. Benham, Jr., a longtime PA Bankers’ Advanced School of Banking faculty member and curriculum coordinator from Hollidaysburg, PA. Benham, Jr. taught leadership skills and management development, authored several novels, and was nationally recognized as an expert judge on publication of leadership articles in leading educational journals.

Nicholas Pomroy, assistant vice president network administrator, Elisabeth McConnell, commercial lending administration specialist, and Brandon Stanton, Accountant II, graduated from PA Bankers School of Banking.

The PA Bankers School of Banking provides students with a broad base of knowledge of the financial services industry, which can be applied in a practical manner. Topics taught at this 100-level school cover the banking system, understanding bank financial statements, marketing to customers, compliance, lending, motivation, and supervision.

President and Chief Executive Officer Pete Bochnovich stated, “As a community bank, we are driven to provide opportunities for our employees to enhance their education and we are proud of this year’s graduates who made a big commitment to expand their knowledge of the banking industry and thus enrich their abilities to service our customers and grow with The Dime Bank.”

PennDOT Announces New Implementation of Skills Test

In keeping with Governor Josh Shapiro’s commitment to expand Pennsylvania’s workforce and serve Pennsylvanians more efficiently, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that a new, modernized commercial driver’s license (CDL) skills test will be implemented at all PennDOT Driver License Centers that offer CDL skills tests and at all third-party CDL driving skill testers beginning August 28, 2023. As new technologies emerge, the modernized CDL skills test ensures that CDL drivers have the knowledge and skills to drive safely on the road while waiving outdated requirements that hold workers back.  

For example, the Shapiro Administration recognizes school districts have been dealing with the school bus driver shortage since the pandemic and school bus engines have become more complex and modern. That’s why, starting August 28th, PennDOT will waive the “Under the Hood requirement” for school bus drivers, which means that potential school bus drivers will no longer need to take the portion of the CDL test that requires them to identify engine components.

“Governor Shapiro has made it clear that the Commonwealth should help people succeed, not get in the way. Under his direction, PennDOT is working to make our services more accessible and effective for the people of Pennsylvania,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “As someone with a CDL, I know that technology in our vehicles has greatly evolved and improved, even in our commercial vehicles. This modernized test is another way PennDOT is enhancing its services to better serve our CDL applicants while still ensuring the safety of school bus passengers.”

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has created a long-term waiver extension that allows a state to modify the Commercial Driver’s License test for drivers seeking to obtain a school bus endorsement. PennDOT will implement this waiver granted by FMCSA, and as a result, potential school bus drivers no longer need to take the portion of the CDL test that identifies engine components “under the hood.” Under the current federal waiver, the “under the hood” portion of the test may be waived for school bus driver applicants through November 27, 2024.

“Knowing the components of a school bus engine does not impact a school bus driver’s safe driving skills,” said Deputy Secretary for Driver and Vehicle Services Kara Templeton. “By implementing this waiver from FMCSA, we hope that more drivers will apply for the school bus endorsement and become school bus drivers.”

As always, the CDL skills test examines an applicant’s knowledge based on vehicle features and focuses on key skills needed to safely operate a commercial vehicle. Now, the skills test has received a much needed update to reflect modern vehicle features. Applicants must pass the full CDL Skills Test – which includes pre-trip inspection, basic control and a road test – to receive their CDL. Prospective applicants scheduled to take the test after August 28, 2023, are encouraged to review and study the updated Commercial Driver License Manual to prepare for each portion of the knowledge and driver skills test.

The Vehicle Inspection (VI) test and the Basic Control Skills (BCS) test were updated during the modernization process. CDL applicants may be asked to identify up to 90 different components on the vehicle and describe what they are looking for to ensure it is safe and ready for use compared to the current requirement of more than 100 items. In addition, a checklist is now authorized to be used as a memory aid for this segment.

The BCS Testwill require CDL applicants to demonstrate four maneuvers to demonstrate control: 

  • Forward Stop to demonstrate an applicant’s ability to judge the front of the vehicle; 
  • Straight-Line Backing to demonstrate the applicant’s ability to back the vehicle in a straight line; 
  • Forward Offset Tracking to demonstrate an applicant’s ability to maneuver the vehicle around other objects while moving forward; and 
  • Reverse Offset Backing to demonstrate an applicant’s ability to offset reverse and park the vehicle.

Applicants who have already completed portions of the skills testing prior to August 28 will need to complete current versions of CDL Skills Testing. These applicants should continue to review and study the current Commercial Driver License Manual to prepare for each portion of the knowledge and driver skills test.

More information on commercial driver licenses and copies of the Commercial Driver License Manuals can be found on the Commercial Drivers page on PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website. 

HNB Promotes Jamie Shnipes to Branch Manager

Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., President, and CEO of The Honesdale National Bank, has announced Jamie Shnipes has been promoted to Branch Manager of HNB’s Eynon Office.

In making the announcement, Sheridan stated, “Jamie began her banking career at HNB with the opening of our Eynon Office.” He continued, “We are proud to see her grow with us here at the bank, as she has shown great commitment to those in our local community.”

As Branch Manager, Shnipes will be responsible for generating business within the Eynon Office and managing daily workload to ensure customer expectations are met. She will lead the supervision of frontline personnel, while ensuring the office is compliant with audits and account management.

Shnipes began her career in the financial industry in 2013 as a Part-time Teller/CSR at HNB. In 2018 she accepted a full-time position at the bank. She will continue growing her career as Branch Manager of our Eynon Office.

In commenting on her time at the bank, Shnipes noted, “Working at HNB has given me the opportunity to grow in the banking industry.” She continued, “When I became a teller/CSR at HNB, I fell in love with my job, and continued to meet great people in my community and at work.”

Shnipes resides in Eynon, Pa. and is a graduate of Valley View High School. Outside of the bank, she enjoys being with family, either hanging out by the pool or spending time at their camper.

Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce Donates to Northeast Regional Cancer Institute

The Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual golf tournament on Monday August 7, 2023. The event gives Chamber members the opportunity to spend a day networking on the green, with a portion of the day’s proceeds benefiting a local charitable organization.  The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute (NRCI) was selected as the featured nonprofit for this year’s tournament. Golfers raised $3,100 through basket raffles and putting contest. The proceeds will support NRCI’s mission of easing the burden of cancer in northeastern Pennsylvania and benefit their programs and services.  

“Thank you to all of our golfers, sponsors, donors, volunteers, and golf committee members that helped to raise awareness and funds for the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, our featured non-profit this year at the 2023 Annual Chamber Golf Tournament. We are so happy to be able to spread the word and support such a wonderful organization serving our community,” said Ahmad Ali, Director of the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce.