Voice of the Valley Winter 2022

Celebrating 150 Years

Mifflinburg Bank held its first meeting on May 4, 1872, and conducted its first business on May 25, 1872, at the northwest corner of Third and Chestnut Street (300 Chestnut Street - now the location of the Mifflinburg Heritage and Revitalization Association office). The bank's first president was James Chambers, and its first cashier was Robert V. Glover at an annual salary of $800. By the end of 1872, the bank had over $80,000 in assets.

The bank moved to a few different locations throughout Mifflinburg, including 427 Chestnut Street (this building was rented from the First National Bank for $100 per year), 328 Chestnut Street and 325 Chestnut Street (current site of the Mifflinburg Hose Company). By its 25th anniversary in 1897, Mifflinburg Bank had assets worth over $250,000.

In 1925, Mifflinburg Bank built a new bank building at 343 Chestnut Street and moved to its new location on April 25, 1925.

On May 25 of the same year, the bank was granted trust powers and changed its name to Mifflinburg Bank and Trust Company.

In September of 1930, Mifflinburg Farmers Bank merged with Mifflinburg Bank and Trust Company, and in February of 1941, Laurelton State Bank also merged with Mifflinburg Bank and Trust Company.

In May of 1961, the bank formally celebrated its "modernization program", which included an addition added to the 343 Chestnut Street building, opening the bank's first drive-up ATM machine, adding a book keeping department, employee lounge and kitchen, complete air conditioning system and a parking lot constructed in the rear of the building. By its 100th anniversary in 1972, the bank had over $17 million in assets.

The bank's Lewisburg branch was opened on April 2, 1991, and offered full-service banking, two drive-thru windows and a drivethru ATM. The Mifflinburg Bank and Trust Company banking

1996.

The bank's Millheim branch, which was temporarily housed in a trailer at Burkholder's Market, opened in May of 1997. The newly built permanent location for the Millheim branch officially opened in April of 2003. In this same year, Milestone Insurance Services was created, offering title insurance for real estate loans; in June 2006, Milestone Investment Services was established, expanding the bank's ability to offer customers additional choices of investment products and services.

Mifflinburg Bank & Trust is proudly celebrating 150 years of serving our customers and local communities. We have built strong ties with our neighbors, school districts, small businesses and nonprofit organizations, and we look forward to continue strengthening these relationships. Our success would not be possible without the support of the communities we have worked with for the past 150 years and look forward to serving for many years to come.

The current location of Mifflinburg Bank’s main office and operation center at 250 E Chestnut Street, Mifflinburg, where they look forward to serving the surrounding community for many years to come.

Next to the Scarlet D Hotel, dating back to 1857, Mifflinburg Bank & Trust is the second oldest Mifflinburg business institution serving the citizens of today.

Mifflinburg Bank’s main office was housed at 353 Chestnut Street, Mifflinburg, from 1925-1996.

house and lending center, built at 250 East Chestnut Street (the bank's current main office and operations center), opened for business on April 25,

“Bobby, you’re not exothermic!” my mother shouted with a louder-than-usual, annoyed voice. “What?” was the only word I could think of as I tried to wiggle out of having to get up and complete my outside chores that cold, blustery, winter morning more than half century ago. Moms know best, and my mother was no exception.

Her funny, albeit wordy, flourish pointing out that I wasn’t a reptile (in other words, exothermic) nor was I seasonally heterothermic (animals which hibernate for the winter), have stuck with me for a lifetime. Hyperbole aside, please consider this invitation to come on out, resist hibernation, embrace celebration.

As you leaf through page-by-page this winter edition of Voice of the Valley please take a few moments to dog-ear those pages which market and promote upcoming events of interest. Better yet, jot down those who, what, when, where dates and times for upcoming events and put them onto your personal calendar.

Go ahead, take the next step and invite someone, or better yet, lots of folks to join you. Be it just for a few hours, all day, or maybe even the entire weekend, a banquet of fun, enjoyable, exhilarating, informative, and life-affirming people, places, and events await you in the Greater Susquehanna River Valley this winter.

The pandemic has been rough on all of us. The tragic losses that we’ve experienced together these past few years have reminded us of how much we need one another. To see each other, listen to each other, share our stories with each other, can only happen when are together.

Together we will heal. Our economy will recover. New friends and new experiences await, but now we all need to get out-andabout. Hope to see you downtown, soon.

Our best days lie just ahead.

PERFECT PAIRINGS CHOCOLATE AND ICE

PAST CHAIR

Sue Greene, Union County

TREASURER/DIRECTOR

Greg Zeh, Weis Markets

SECRETARY

Bob Garrett, GSVCC

REGION VICE PRESIDENTS

Fred Scheller, The Daily Item

Jeff Reber, Union County Commissioner

Brion Lieberman, Geisinger

Phil DeRose, UPMC Susquehanna

Leslie Temple, Fulton Bank

Gene Welsh III, GDK Development

DIRECTORS

John Kurelja, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit

Sam Haulman, Service Electric Cablevision

Malcolm Derk, Susquehanna University

Greg Zah, Weis Markets

Steve Stumbris, Bucknell SBDC

Chad Evans, Stone State Entertainment

One of Lewisburg’s most sparkling weekends is the Heart of Lewisburg Ice Festival, February third and fourth, 2023. Starting Friday morning ice sculptures start going up and there will be carving throughout the day. And something new Friday night, in conjunction with the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau, we will be hosting a downtown Sip and Stroll. Various Wineries and Vineyards will be paired with downtown shops. Purchase a ticket at the Lewisburg Downtown Partnership and enjoy ice sculptures in the evening as you shop, sip, and stroll through the downtown.

Pace yourself because Saturday starts with a 5k and ends with a Chocolate Gala and there’s a lot more in between. Starting the day out right, Sunset Rotary hosts the Frosty 5K starting at the Campus Theatre. Check out @sunsetrotaryclub on Facebook for more information. After the 5K, The Lewisburg Children’s Museum will host children’s activities down at the GreenSpace

Center and there will be the live carving of a feature ice sculpture. Make sure you find time in your day to purchase a Chocolate Flight to support the Donald Heiter Community Center. The flight will include a box of unique chocolates just preparing your taste buds for the evening that follows. In addition to Lewisburg’s plethora of unique small businesses there will also be vendors downtown selling roasted nuts and popcorn and other warm goodies! Then join the Polar Bear Plunge Pregame Party with Gilson Snow at the Brasserie Louis and follow a PARADE down to the Lewisburg Landing to go jump in the river with Lewisburg Neighborhoods. Challenge your friends and foes to join you! Then warm up with Sunrise Rotary’s Hearty Chili Cook Off at the Bull Run Tap House. Wrap up the evening with the Donald Heiter Center’s Chocolate Gala at the Lewisburg Hotel starting at 7pm. There will be silent and live auctions as well as a chocolate demonstration.

The fun doesn’t have to stop there! Don’t forget Sunday brunch. Check out All Star Bagel, Grams, Amami, and Trevina for their fabulous Sunday brunches and take a stroll to admire all the ice sculptures downtown Lewisburg. For more information visit www. lewisburgpa.com or www.visitcentalpa.org.

President/CEO

Bob Garrett rgarrett@gsvcc. org

Executive Director of Operations & Workforce Jenny Wentz jwentz@gsvcc. org

Director of Communications & Events Kendy Alvarez

Director of Membership & Workforce Zach Stotter

In deep winter, Lewisburg is filled with charm and light. Come walk Market Street and find hot drinks and warm, welcoming shops. Visit in the evening and enjoy our lit up streets that make downtown Lewisburg a winter wonderland. Enjoy one of our many restaurants for dinner including our new restaurants, Trevina at 434 Market St. and Saffron at 235 Market Street.

Go Fast or Go Slow; the Susquehanna River Valley at Your Pace

Museums are great year-round destinations with interactive exhibits and a wide variety of events to entertain the entire family after school or on those long winter breaks. A number of great events can also be found at the Milton Public Library and the Union County Libraries. When they need to burn off some energy, kids will be delighted to spend the day bouncing, balancing and bowling at Hoopla’s Xtreme Family Fun Center in Shamokin Dam. Kids who enjoy expressing themselves in a variety of art mediums will enjoy Bluebird Atelier in Lewisburg and the YMCA Arts Center in Sunbury.

The art of self-expression abounds in the Susquehanna River Valley with concerts, plays, exhibits, discussions and more to touch the heart and challenge the mind. The region is home to a variety of performing and visual art venues including the Weis Center of Performing Arts at Bucknell University, the Elias Center for the Performing Arts in Mifflinburg and the Samek Art Museum in Lewisburg. There are also many opportunities just beyond the borders of the river valley. Discover them all at VisitCentralPA.org/ Events.

Life in the Susquehanna River Valley can be lived at any speed. Beautiful vistas and friendly downtowns are definitely conducive to a relaxing respite from the recent hustle and bustle of the holidays. Yet an abundance of family-friendly fun, performing and visual arts events and unique shopping experiences invite those who enjoy living life at a faster pace to fill their weekends with year-round adventure. Consult the Calendar of Events at VisitCentralPA.org to learn more about all there is to see and do in the region and be sure to sign up to receive “This Week in the Susquehanna River Valley”, ail e-weekly newsletter dedicated to making sure no one misses out on the fun.

For those still craving a bit of holiday cheer, there is plenty to be found in the Susquehanna River Valley through the end of 2022.

Milton Model Train Museum is holding their final open house of the year on December 31st from l-4pm. The approximately 20’ x 60’ O-Gauge layout modeled after 1950’s Milton is sure to please kids from 1 to 92. There are still a few days left (December 30th and January 1st) to experience the wonder of Little Mexico Campground’s Valley of Lights drive-thru light display in Winfield. Knoebels Joy Through the Grove drive-thru light display is also entering its final days (now through the 31st). You can find information about these and about all of the ways in which our area towns are ringing in the New Year at VisitCentralPA.org/Events. January through March can bring a mixed bag of rain, slush and snow, but family fun in the Susquehanna River Valley is just beginning to heat up. The Lewisburg Children’s Museum and nearby Bloomsburg Children’s Museum and Lykens Valley Children’s

Winter in the Susquehanna River Valley is a season to celebrate and you will find many opportunities to do so within our region. Be one of the first to experience the Cabin Fever Wine Trail in January and February. This inaugural event will give you the opportunity to discover new local vintages and earn prizes while doing so. On January 8th the Joseph Priestley House Museum will celebrate Twelfth Night with musical performances, experiments in the laboratory, tours of the house with costumed docents and traditional refreshments. The Heart of Lewisburg Ice Festival will be held February 3rd through 5th and will feature beautiful ice sculptures throughout the town, as well as, children’s activities, refreshments, music and more. Coinciding with the Ice Festival, the Lewisburg Sip and Stroll pop-up winery/brewery event within the shops of Lewisburg will be held on the third and the annual Polar Bear Plunge challenge on the fourth. In late February watch for RB Winter State Park’s Snowiest with abundant outdoor activities and demonstrations.

The C alendar of Events at VisitCentralPA.org is your passport to all of the fun happening in the Susquehanna River Valley. Check back often for new additions or contact the team at the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau at (570) 524-7234 to learn more about all there is to do within our beautiful region!

Evangelical Community Hospital advanced its commitment to patient care by transitioning to one, integrated platform for its electronic health record (EHR) in December. This strategic move by the Hospital modernizes the patient process creating a seamless, safe, and more consistent healthcare delivery system for all patients in the community.

Epic is a leading developer of comprehensive healthcare software and is used by numerous academic medical centers around the world. Epic was ranked the No. I EHR in 2022 for the 12th consecutive year by KLAS Research.

The move to Epic has paved the way for Evangelical to explore quality improvements, deliver best-in-class patient experiences, and ensure efficiency in moving patients to where they need to be to receive the best possible care in a timely manner.

“The platform takes into consideration all facets related to patient care and places them into one system that makes seeing all information in one place possible,” said Dale Moyer, Vice President of Information Systems at Evangelical.

“For our clinical staff this means no longer logging out of one system into

another to get all the information they need about the patient. For our patients it means better access to their own information and smoother sharing of vital medical data and test/imaging results with providers outside of the Evangelical system for seamless care experiences.”

The implementation of Epic includes a switch to Epic’s patient portal, MyChart. Patients are able to access their medical records, see lab results, talk to their care team, and request prescription refills, among other functions. Looking ahead, moving to Epic is the next step in making it possible for patients to schedule appointments through the patient portal, something that will come in the next phase of implementation.

“Epic is the key to unlocking collaboration and care coordination for patients and care providers,” said Moyer.

The transition to Epic impacts every corner of the organization—the Hospital and all primary and specialty care offices associated with Evangelical.

For more information on the latest news and happenings at Evangelical or to sign up for a MyChart account, visit www.EvanHospital.com.

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PPL

PPL ELECTRIC UTILITIES CARES ABOUT THE SUSQUEHANNA VALLEY

learned how to build and program small robots through the program.

• Getting Ahead Foundation — A PPL Foundation sustaining grant funded a self-sufficiency program for local residents to help them build independence. The 42-week program provides courses and training on a variety of topics from financial literacy to nutrition.

• Lewisburg Children’s Museum — Funding allowed the museum to offer a Summer Chill Series as part of the museum's broader Count Me In accessibility initiative that provides free or reduced admission to underserved families. The museum also hosted three free evenings during the summer in which guests received free admission, enjoyed frozen treats, and participated in STEM activities.

ways

Beyond

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Shown here are local students with robots, funded by PPL Foundation’s Cover to Cover Program, and Melissa Rowe, Executive Director of the Degenstein/John R. Kauffman Library in Sunbury. Rowe notes that summer learning is very important to school-aged children to slow the summer slide, or the loss of academic knowledge over the summer.

Electric Utilities’ success as a company is tied to the success of the cities and towns it serves. That’s why we have such a strong commitment to our local communities. And while we continue to deliver on the promise of keeping your lights on — whether in the middle of the night, the hottest summer day or an icy winter morning — we also continue to deliver on our promise of empowering the community. Because of that, PPL Foundation contributes more than S3 million annually to nonprofit organizations within eastern and central Pennsylvania. Locally, in the Susquehanna Valley, we provide support for schools, libraries, the United Way, various foundations, and community action agencies. These organizations, who applied for grants through our website, pplcares.com, were selected for special programs they presented in proposals. Some examples of programs that have been funded over the years include:

Merrill Linn Conservancy — The conservancy built foot bridges and made other improvements on the Koons Trail, on North 4th Street, in Mifflinburg near the Hassenplug Covered Bridge.

Degenstein/John R. Kauffman Library — PPL Foundation’s Cover to Cover Program helps cover costs for the library’s summer reading program. The Sunbury library offers eight weeks of summer learning to engage young readers and creators. Just this past summer, students

On Sunday, July 28, a team from PPL Electric Utilities — which included Field Manager Scott Stahl, Reliability Engineer Forrest Jordan, Engineering Intern Abigail McLaughlin, and Regional Affairs Director Trade Witter — worked with approximately 100 children from the Summit Early Learning program day camp during the Mifflinburg Intermediate School’s Science Festival. The children were able to put on some electric lineworker equipment and loosen and tighten bolts on an exhibit. Over 20 businesses and non-profits participated in the event that offered hands-on learning for area children. Children also saw a science presentation full of fire, water, air and explosions thanks to best-selling author and educator Steve Spangler who is a regular on the Ellen DeGeneres show.

monetary support, PPL Electric employees volunteer their time in various

throughout our local communities. They serve on organizational boards, lead scout troops, mentor students and coach youth sports teams. PPL Electric encourages employees to volunteer and take an active role. Additional examples include our employee volunteers that took part in the Milton Elementary career fair and Mifflinburg STEM Day. Over the past year, across our 29-county service territory, employees have donated over 9,600 volunteer hours and distributed free books to 6,000 students.

Affairs Committee held

for the newly elected officials in our region. Representatives David Rowe, Stephanie Borowicz and Jamie Flick were introduced by Governmental Affairs Chairperson Malcolm Derk. Each of them reiterated the importance of working together to address constituent concerns that impact our region and that the Susquehanna River Valley now has 3 representatives working on its behalf in Harrisburg.

EDUCATION FOR ALL

Our first program day was themed around education, and we had a great group of presenters lined up.

Kicking off the day was CSIU Executive Director, Dr. John Kurelja and Chief Outreach Officer, Dr. Bernadette Boerckel. The class was surprised to hear all the services they provide and how broad a reach that CSIU has. One participant shared, "The conversation with them was interactive and it was very apparent how passionate they are about what they do and whom they serve."

The Class of 2023 met their leadership coach, Caz Russell, who provided upbeat and relatable personal and professional development skills. With the help of his trusty partner, Huckleberry, Caz engaged each class member while teaching The Art of Communication.

We traveled to the SUN Area Technical Institute in New Berlin for the remainder of the program day, where the class was met by their culinary students in the Cherry Street Bistro for a delicious lunch. Following lunch, they were led on a tour of SUN Tech by the very students who experience everything the institute has to offer daily.

To end the day, the class was joined by Alyssa Sebastian, Family Services Specialist at the Early Learning Resource Center; David Bacher, Administrative Director at SUN Tech; Melissa Day, Director at Luzerne County Community College; and Patrick Jones, Chancellor at Penn State Schuylkill for a panel discussion on the Continuum of Education in the Greater Susquehanna Valley, moderated by Bob Garrett of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce.

One class member summed up our first program day perfectly, "Education is the foundation to creating and growing a robust industry in our region. As leaders, the future of our area is dependent on creating the educational environment that engages young individuals to prepare them for future success. This program day provided a diverse overview of education at all levels, from early childhood development to post-secondary education and how educational organizations are collaborating with workforce leaders to develop programs that are mutually beneficial."

Thank you to our Program Day and Breakfast Sponsor, Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, and our Lunch Sponsor, SUN Area Technical Institute.

THE ART OF COMMUNICATION

We had a full slate of amazing, knowledgeable speakers for the current class members to learn from and experience their different perspectives on the topic of communication.

The day began with Bill Bowman, Editor at The Daily Item, who was also our Program Day Sponsor. Bill, a 2016 graduate of LSV, shared his perspective as an Editor on the topic of Fake News. He explained the process behind sourcing the details they receive and the challenges they face in a time of non-stop news. One class member shared, "I liked seeing Bill being so passionate about what he does and how important it is to him. That was uplifting to know he really is doing it for the right reasons. Clearly, he loves what he does, and it really showed."

The class then heard from Amanda Bryan, Director of Human Resources at Geisinger, on the topic of Internal Communications: Communicating Difficult Messages. Amanda shared not only how to communicate effectively, but why it is required for a healthy, high-functioning team. One class member shared, "Amanda Bryan's presentation was extremely applicable to our professional work and allowed me to gain valuable guidance in communication."

Tracie Witter, Regional Affairs Director at PPL Electric Utilities, focused on the topic of Communicating in Times of Crisis. Tracie provided information on the different types of crisis communications and how to effectively communicate your message to the public, such as establishing credibility, developing an attitude, and speaking in specifics. One class member shared, "Understanding the framing of speeches and press releases helped me to better understand what a company is actually trying to accomplish. I also learned helpful techniques to use if I am ever representing a company in a time of crisis."

Last, but certainly not least, the Class of 2023 had the opportunity to hear from Linda Burkley, Lecturer Communications at Susquehanna University. Linda taught the participants how to improve business presentations with new methods and techniques, how to recognize the components of an effective presentation, and how to embrace the power of the presentation and communicate your best you. One class member shared, "I think Linda's "3 P's of Presentations" may have been the most impactful pieces of information for me. As someone who does not love presenting to groups, I walked away with some good information on how improve my presentation skills, which is something I'd really like to work towards."

As you can see, the Class of 2023 was able to embrace and put into practice the communications skills they were taught, and for me, it is exciting to see each class member grow and develop their leadership skills. 1 can't wait to see what's to come.

by Jenny Wentz, LSV Executive Director

It's hard to believe that we're already three months into the Leadership Susquehanna Valley (LSV) Class of 2023's program year! The first program day has come and gone, and it seems that the participants are eager for what is to come.

Dr. John Kurelja and Dr. Bernadette Boerckel of the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit speaking to the LSV Class of 2023.

by Jenny Wentz, LSV Executive Director

Icouldn't have said it any better than James Humes, "The art of communication is the language of leadership." The Class of 2023 learned this first-hand at our Communications program day on Thursday, November 17th.

Thank you to our Program Day Sponsor, The Daily Item and our Breakfast and Lunch Sponsor, Contrast.

Tracie Witter of PPL Electric Utilities teaching the LSV Class of 2023 how to communicate in times of crisis.

Bill Bowman, Editor at The Daily Item, speaking to the LSV Class of 2023.

Leadership

Maria Darrup Mifflinburg High School Cassie

Celebrating 150 Years

Continued from Page 1

The Shamokin Dam branch was opened in April of 2007 (at its first location at 1969 Susquehanna Trail), and the New Berlin branch opening date was almost exactly a year later. In September of 2009, Mifflinburg Bank and Trust Company moved into its remodeled Operation

Center, which is attached to its main office building and was formerly the Wilcox Bowling Alley. The bank had purchased and remodeled a new location for its Shamokin Dam branch at 2894 North Susquehanna Trail, which opened on January 4, 2010. A second Lewisburg location was opened in April of 2013 on Market Street.

A seventh branch was opened in Selinsgrove in 2018 to better serve customers in the Snyder County area. Most recently, an eighth branch was built at 415 Mahoning Street in Milton, which opened its doors for business in February of 2021.