For Fourth Straight Year, Pennsylvania is Second in Nation in Natural Gas Production

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According to statistics released last week by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Pennsylvania ranked second in the nation in natural gas production in 2016, marking the fourth straight year that Pennsylvania has held this spot. Overall, the state is third in energy production and 27th in energy consumption. Pennsylvania was also the third-largest coal producing state and the only state that produced anthracite. 

Locally, both Columbia and Montour Counties contribute to that energy production either directly or indirectly through energy transportation. A big upcoming project intended to increase the ability to transport natural gas is the Atlantic Sunrise pipeline project by Williams, which the Columbia Montour Chamber continues to support. This new project will expand the Transco gas pipeline system with a new pipe approximately 185 miles long connecting the existing pipeline just north of Columbia County to southeast Pennsylvania. Last month, Chamber president Fred Gaffney spoke in support of the project at a Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection hearing held at Bloomsburg High School.

This project will allow for more efficient transportation of Marcellus Shale natural gas and should enable even more to be exported. Additionally, the Atlantic Sunrise project, which is scheduled to begin later this year, is expected to generate an economic impact of $85.5 million for Columbia County alone, and a $1.6 billion economic impact in all of the project’s regions. 

Williams is also encouraging all workers that come into the area to work on this project to patronize local businesses. More information about the opportunities for local businesses related to this pipeline project will be available at the Chamber’s next Learn at Lunch, sponsored by PPL Electric Utilities, on Tuesday, Aug. 8, at noon at Wesley United Methodist Church. Mike Atchie from Williams will talk about the different types of opportunities for local businesses to cater to the visiting workers and give an overall update on the project at this event. The cost to attend this event is $10 for lunch and those interested can register here.

Members Receive Checks For Dividends From Penn National Business Insurance Program

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Earlier this year, it was announced that members enrolled in the ChamberChoice business insurance program through Penn National would receive an 8% dividend this year. Last week, the Chamber went out to visit with some of those members to present a check representative of the cumulative dividends received by all Columbia Montour Chamber members that utilize this benefit – which totaled $38,695.38. 

Since the program’s inception in 2011, Columbia Montour Chamber members have received back more than $173,000 in dividends through the program. 

To see if this program could be a good fit for your business, contact Chamber members Associated Insurance Management at 570-275-0100 or Hutchison Insurance Agency at 570-784-5550, for a no-obligation quote. 

 

Chamber president Fred Gaffney presents a check to Kevin Swank, owner of Swank & Son Well Drilling & Pump Company in Danville.

Chamber president Fred Gaffney presents a check to Tim Wagner, owner of Wagner’s Trophies & Engraveables in Bloomsburg.

 

Chamber Fred Gaffney presents a check to Steve Bevans, business manager at the Danville Child Development Center.

 

Bloomsburg Center for Healthy Aging to Hold Conference For Individuals That Work With Older Adults

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The Center for Healthy Aging (CHA) at Bloomsburg University was founded in 2014 and created for the benefit of older adults in Columbia and surrounding counties. It is rooted in an inter-professional approach to address the needs of older adults and the professionals that care for them. The goals of the center include the development of optimal aging programs, health promotion, and chronic disease management in the diverse, older population through interdisciplinary service, education and research. 

On Tuesday, Sept. 12, the CHA will hold its Third Annual Conference for those who work with older adults, both professionals and paraprofessionals. The theme of this year’s conference is “Time for Courageous Conversations,” and it focuses on the challenging conversations that need to occur with older adults when difficult decisions need to be made. These include things such as requiring a cane or walker, to stop driving, moving to assisted living, no longer live alone, requiring assistance caring for a house, moving closer to children or family, and planning for transitions in care. This year’s keynote speaker Dr. Christine Bradway, a Bloomsburg native who is now an associate professor of gerontological nursing at the University of Pennsylvania.

The conference will held at Bloomsburg University at Monty’s on Upper Campus. There is no cost for this conference, however an RSVP is required. To register, contact CHA Director Dr. Lori Metzger by email. The registration deadline is Aug. 21. 

For more information, including a schedule of the day’s program, download the brochure. 

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodrick Realty Cuts Ribbon on New Danville Office Building

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Front row (l-r): Columbia Montour Chamber president Fred Gaffney, Kevin Hodrick, Nency Taffe, Lena Melaragni, Bob Fleck. Middle row (l-r): Chase Tobias, Kari Wolfe, Mary Ann Fleck, Sarah Holland, Pamela Anderson, Loralea Hartle. Back row (l-r): Mike Kisner, Abby Oman, Kevin Morris

 

The Chamber was on hand Friday morning, July 21, to help welcome Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Hodrick Realty to its new offices at 1520 Bloom Rd., Danville, with a ribbon cutting. The group of realtors recently moved from their previous location on Mill St. in downtown Danville to the property previously occupied by the Coldwell Banker Fleck Agency, which sold the property to BHHS Hodrick Realty. A total of 12 agents now work at the Danville office: Abby Oman, Bob Fleck, Chase Tobias, Kari Wolfe, Kevin Morris, Lena Melaragni, Loralea Hartle, Mary Ann Fleck, Mike Kisner, Pamela Anderson, Nency Taffe and Sarah Holland. 

Below, the BHHS Hodrick Realty team cuts the ribbon on their new office building, and broker Kevin Hodrick makes a few brief remarks following the ribbon cutting. 

How dangerous is your medicine cabinet?

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From Geisinger Health

Almost everyone has unused or expired prescriptions taking up space in our medicine cabinets. Unfortunately, they not only clutter our shelves, they can also be dangerous.

All too often, unused and expired prescriptions end up in the hands of young children and even teenagers. But flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash are not great solutions. The medications then end up in landfills where they can harm the environment and eventually find their way into the water supply.

That’s why Geisinger has installed medication disposal boxes at several retail locations in central and northeast Pennsylvania, including a new one at Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital. Just bring your old medications and drop them in the box – problem solved. Medsafe medication take-back boxes offer patients a safe way to dispose of unwanted or expired medications.

 

Frequently asked questions

What’s accepted in the boxes?
Prescription and over-the-counter solid medications, tablets and capsules, liquid medications in the original containers, prescription patches, medical creams and ointments, vitamins, nasal sprays and even pet medications.

Can I bring back narcotics or controlled substances?
Yes. Our boxes are locked and secure so you can return narcotics and controlled substances, and have peace of mind that no one can access them.

Should I leave the prescriptions in their original bottles?
Yes, whenever possible. Remember to black out your name or any other personal information with a marker before returning your medications.

What’s not accepted in the boxes?
Intravenous solutions, injectables, syringes, needles, hydrogen peroxide, compressed cylinders or aerosols (like asthma inhalers), iodine-containing medications, thermometers or alcohol.

When are the boxes available?
The boxes are available for you to dispose of your medications during the pharmacy’s regular business hours.

What happens to my meds after they are returned?
Your medications are securely transported to an incinerator for final disposal.
Below are some locations in the northeast and central Pennsylvania. To find a community take-back site nearest you, visit PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs.

 

List of locations:

Columbia County

Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital
Main lobby
549 Fair St.
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
570-387-2100
Daily: 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. 

 

Luzerne County

CareSite Pharmacy – Dallas
114 Lt. Michael Cleary Dr.
Dallas, PA 18612
570-255-1167
Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

CareSite Pharmacy – GWV
1000 East Mountain Drive
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
570-808-7969
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

CareSite Pharmacy – CWB
175 S. Wilkes Barre Blvd.
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
570-821-0808
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Weis Markets
70 Phoenix St.
Duryea, PA 18642
570-451-6390
Pharmacy hours:
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Weis Markets
1 Weis Plaza
Nanticoke, PA 18634
570-735-3979
Pharmacy hours:
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Sheehan’s Pharmacy
79 E. Carey St.
Plains, PA 18705
570-823-3151
Monday – Saturday: 7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday: 7:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Harrold’s Pharmacy
25 Old River Rd.
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702
570-822-5794
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Sunday: closed

 

Lycoming County

Weis Markets
305 River Ave.
Williamsport, PA 17701
570-322-5597
Pharmacy hours:
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Weis Markets
801 Loyalsock Ave.
Montoursville, PA 17754
570-368-5599
Pharmacy hours:
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Weis Markets
1440 Allegheny St.
Jersey Shore, PA 17740
570-398-7757
Pharmacy hours:
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Weis Markets
1916 Lycoming Creek Road
Williamsport, PA 17701
570-326-5144
Pharmacy hours:
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Weis Markets
1272 E. Penn St.
Muncy, PA 17756
570-546-7228
Pharmacy hours:
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 9 a.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

TJ’s Market/Montgomery’s Pharmacy
49 N. Railroad St.
Hughesville, PA 17737
570-584-2005
Monday – Saturday: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.  

Townville Pharmacy at Ben Franklin
2195 Route 442
Muncy, PA 17756
570-546-8672
Monday – Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: Noon – 5 p.m.

 

Montour County

Bush Pavilion Pharmacy
Geisinger Medical Center
100 N. Academy Ave.
Danville, PA 17822
570-271-6451
Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m. 

Knapper Clinic Pharmacy
100 N. Academy Ave.
Danville, PA 17822
570-271-8717
Monday – Friday: 7:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Saturday: – 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

 

Northumberland County

Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital
Main lobby
4200 Hospital Road
Coal Township, PA 17866
Open 24 hours

 

Snyder County

Shade Mountain Pharmacy
9627 Route 35
Mt. Pleasant Mills, PA 17853
570-539-2050
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Wednesday & Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.  

Weis Markets
719 Route 522
Selinsgrove, PA 17870
570-374-1210
Pharmacy hours:
Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

 

Dauphin County

PA Fish & Boat Commission
1601 Elmerton Ave.
Harrisburg, PA 17110
717-705-7800
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: Closed