Creek Road communities ‘blessed’ with longstanding families, businesses

By SETH NOLAN Sun-Gazette Correspondent

The townships that contribute to Lycoming Creek Road have invested in long-term family-owned business and industry, making the road one of the most important commercial destinations in the county.

The largest township on the road, Old Lycoming Township originally extended to the Susquehanna River and included Newberry and Jaysburg. Today, the township’s boundaries are Daughertys Run Road stretching west, Beautys Run Road to the north, Lycoming Creek to the east and Short Street to the south.

According to the township’s history, available online at oldlycomingtwp.org/, one of the major assets they all share are the residents. “Old Lycoming Township is blessed with a wide variety of people, most of whom have been exceedingly loyal to their township.”

That loyalty extends down the Creek Road, to residents and businesses that have often been there for generations representing any commodity needed. “Just about everything we need is available in our township (and the creek road). No need to drive for miles if we don’t have to or haven’t the time. Most of the industries we have in the township have been here for quite a while.”

The commercial center of Downtown Gardenview has been the most recent and largest project in the township the past few years. “It seems to add a new feature every year. Most of the changes from our past have been gradual, and we have grown gracefully and learned a lot about development. We have learned how important it is to plan carefully for the future, no matter what aspect of township growth we are dealing with including housing, public services, and recreation.”

One of the largest changes in the past year was the creation of the Lycoming County Regional Police Department, of which the townships on the Creek Road are a part.

Regionalization talks first began in 2019, slowly moving toward more formal plans and studies since then.

“There were some initial deal breakers toward regionalization that we established right off the bat,” said Nathan DeRemer, Tiadaghton Valley Regional Police chief at the initial meeting in September.

“We knew we needed to provide the same level of service for less money … or the same amount of money,” DeRemer said. “And we knew we wanted a station in both places.”

Under the plan, both of those conditions are met with an overall cost savings, according to the presentation.

There will be physical locations that are manned in both Jersey Shore and Old Lycoming Township. While officers at those locations can assist each other on bigger calls, the departments typically will respond to incidents closest to them, eliminating the worry that the two locations are too far away from each other, DeRemer

Overhead Door Of Lycoming County

Overhead Door wins local and national awards

By LORENA BENIQUEZ lbeniquez@sungazette.com

When Jack Schrader, owner of Overhead Door of Lycoming County, received the 2022 Dealer of the Year award from the International Door Association, he knew his team deserved the credit.

“I am really proud of our team to be recognized like that. It represents great service and you are recognized by your peers for integrity in business practices,” said Schrader.

Located at 633 W. Third St., Williamsport, Overhead Door of Lycoming County has been serving residential and commercial customers since 1965.

Additional accolades were garnered in 2022, when Overhead Door of Lycoming County was chosen by the readers of the Sun-Gazette to receive the Best Garage Door Sales award.

“We have gotten the Reader’s Choice Award ever since they started [giving them out]. That says a lot about our employees,” said Schrader.

Staying up to date on new products has always been Overhead’s goal.

Schrader said, “The biggest thing is product development. We have launched a lot of products residentially and commercially.”

He is particularly proud of a new residential garage door opener, called the Infinity, which has a side mount operator for use in minimal headroom conditions.

On the commercial side, Schrader has added a line of high-performance and high-speed garage doors.

Schrader invites customers to visit the showroom to see the varied options they offer.

“We always keep the showroom fresh and rotate out old products,” Schrader said. “We have samples of different profiles of doors and the customer can come in and we can answer their questions and they can see how things work.” said.

The law enforcement benefit of regionalization is the ability to become a bigger department and share resources, according to the presentation.

“That’s what regionalization is,” DeRemer said. “It’s managing your resources based on where you need them most to optimize coverage.”

By regionalizing, the strain put on understaffed and overburdened departments is alleviated, DeRemer said.

The Lycoming County Regional Police Department officially started work the first few days of 2023.

Overhead Door of Lycoming County continues to be awarded nationally and locally for its customer service. The company invites the public to stop in to see and touch their products at 633 W. Third St., Williamsport.

Bill’s Appliance Center dependable since 1960

Bill’s Appliance Center is a family-owned and operated major home appliance store servicing the Williamsport area since 1960.

The business was based on selling and servicing appliances at a fair price and offering good service after the sale and this continues today.

Bill’s Appliance is an authorized dealer and servicer of Whirlpool Corporation major appliance brands, including Amana, KitchenAid, Maytag and Whirlpool.

They are a member of America’s largest retail buying and marketing group with 5,500 members operating more than 14,000 storefronts. The buying power of this group gives Bill’s Appliance a competitive edge with “big box” stores.

At Bill’s Appliance they specialize in working with local builders, kitchen designers, and consumers desiring quality appliances for their “dream” kitchen or laundry area, which also adds value to their home.

Product knowledge, along with expert delivery and service by their own service department separates Bill’s Appliance from the competition.

Bill’s also has a parts department available for those who prefer to fix their own appliances.

Quality products and customer satisfaction is the reason for their success for over 58 years, thus their motto:

“People and products you can depend on.”

Bill’s Appliance Center is a member of the West Branch-Susquehanna Builders Association.

M+M founder credits Jesus for his successful business

By MARK MARONEY mmaroney@sungazette.com

When Edgar Miller was in high school, his first paving job was done with a pick, shovel and half rake.

That was over 50 years ago, and Miller, founder of M+M Paving and Excavating, continues the tradition of excellence today, but with far larger tools and equipment at his disposal.

The family-run business at 2715 McCoy Ave. has a busy spring and summer ahead.

One can’t miss the familiar orange and black lettering on the equipment along with the Biblical reference of II Corinthians 4 and 5, in which the Apostle Paul describes being unable to do anything without the power of Jesus Christ.

“I take no credit,” Miller said of his successful business, giving the glory to God.

The paving and excavating business seeks employees with varied backgrounds, from skilled laborers to novices with good work ethics. Miller says he’d rather have a “newbie” who wants to learn than a big shot who thinks he knows it all.

“We teach them,” he said.

Of course, Miller has kept key personnel for decades — operators, drivers and sweep up employees.

For 2023, he anticipates steady growth and continued need for the niche in this business.

The challenge will be to see if the prices of materials will drop a bit lower, he added. A new triaxle truck for example was $198,000 last spring and goes for closer to $300,000 now. Thankfully, much of M+M’s equipment is up to date.

“It’s a blessing,” Miller said of the new and likenew machinery, property and service truck.

Miller expects the business will celebrate its 100th anniversary and beyond.

Corter’s Flooring America to celebrate 50th anniversary with 50 random acts of kindness

Filling someone’s gas tank. Picking up a stranger’s grocery tab.

These are the acts of kindnesses Corter’s Flooring America plans to take in celebration of its 50th anniversary, said owners Jim Fink and Shane Corter.

The Corter’s family, 2005 Lycoming Creek Road, Old Lycoming Township, wants to celebrate their success by giving back to the community that helped them achieve it.

“We are excited and eager at Corter’s Flooring America to get to know you and help you with all of your floor covering needs,” the website for Corter’s Flooring America, 2005 Lycoming Creek Road, Old Lycoming Township, says. “We offer in-home service and are very experienced in the commercial area.”

The business boasts of a staff with over 115 years of experience and has grown to be Lycoming County’s largest dealer of flooring. The store is open 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Corter’s Flooring America offers a wide selection of products including hardwood flooring, carpeting, laminate, tile and vinyl.

There are several options for guarantees as well.

The website also offers guides and glossaries to assist potential customers in finding the product that best suits them.

Reviews shared on the website say that from beginning to end, purchasing from Corter’s Flooring America “was a great experience” and say the staff was “very helpful and professional.”

“Thank you for your continued business throughout the years,” the website says to past customers.

ROAN INC. AUCTIONEERS

Pudgie’s of Williamsport has been a Lycoming Creek Road staple for mroe than four decades and looks forward to serving the area for decades more.

Pudgie’s grateful for loving relationship with community

Pudgie’s of Williamsport, 2028 Lycoming Creek Road, started as many pizza parlours do — with a New Yorker who had a dream.

Anthony Venieris left his home in Rochester, New York, with his daughter Kathy in 1981 to start a new life in Williamsport, according to Pudgie’s website. The father-daughter duo opened a Pudgie’s Pizza franchise on Lycoming Creek Road.

Venieris “brought his life’s experience as a cook and restauranteur into what was uncharted territory for him ... pizza! He and Kathy together spent almost every waking hour over the next few years learning, adjusting, and perfecting” their craft, the website said.

The rest of his family followed a few months later and Williamsport

3 Tips To Pick The Perfect Home

(Family Features) — became their home.

For those beginning the process of home buying, there are many factors to consider. Keep these ideas in mind as you conduct your search — whether it’s online or at a series of open houses.

Because life is always evolving, it’s important to move into a home that has enough space for your family’s anticipated changes. While features and space are always prime considerations, don’t forget to, look into the area schools, day care options, parks and other kid-friendly amenities if you plan to grow your family in your next home.

Seek homes that offer rooms with multiple functions. For example, an office area may be suitable for a small child’s room, or a sunroom may be converted to a laundry area down the road. Unfinished basements are also blank canvases that can be customized to meet your family’s wants and needs.

The purchase of a home goes beyond the property line. Be sure to examine the neighborhood, from the condition of the neighbors’ houses to highway access and the proximity of necessities like grocery stores and gas stations.

The original franchise became an independently owned restuarant just three years later, in 1984. After serving the community for over 30 years, Pudgie’s took on “the name that fully embodies what we have become: Pudgie’s of Williamsport” in 2018, according to the website.

“It’s not just that we love Williamsport, it’s that Williamsport loves us and we are so appreciative of that relationship with the entire community,” the website says. “Kathy is still at the restaurant almost every day, and though Anthony retired a few years back he still drops in once in awhile to see all that it has become.”

Although a haven for pizza lovers, Pudgie’s also offers wings, pasta, strombolis, subs and salads.

Eat in, take out, call or order online — Pudgie’s on the Creek Road is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

Pudgie’s also serves the community from a second location at 920 Plaza Drive, suite 1, Montoursville. That store’s hours are 11 a.m. to 8p.m. Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

For more information or to place an order, visit pudgiesofwilliamsport.com, call Pudgie’s on Lycoming Creek Road at 570-3220300, or call Pudgie’s Montoursville at 570-980-9875.