— SUNDAY, APRIL 28, 2013 THE DALLAS POST PAGE 3 By SUSAN DENNEY Dallas Post Correspondent r Don Webster, the noise level in Insalaco Hall at Mi- sericordia University was a sure sign of success. Webster is the acting executive director of the Back Mountain Chamber and the noise was the conversations of visi- tors and participants in the April 17 Back Mountain Business and Com- munity Expo. Webster said the Chamber’s mis- sion includes three dimensions: commerce, community and culture and that the number of conversa- tions going on in Insalaco Hall was proof that the Expo was accom- wm plishingall those goals... This was the fourth year for the Chamber-sponsored event which is hosted by Misericordia University. According to Chamber executive committee member Carl Goering- er, it was the first year the event sold out. More than 75 businesses and non-profit organizations set up booths to spread awareness about their merchandise and promote contacts among participants. The expo started with a 3 p.m. networking reception for all the participants catered by Gerrity’s Supermarkets and Fire & Ice Res- taurant. At 4 p.m., the expo opened to the public. : Visitors talked with business owners, sampled food and chatted with team mascots, including the Nittany Lion from Penn State Uni- versity and Tux from the Wilkes- Barre/Scranton Penguins. A wide variety of participants, including banks, schools, medi- cal and dental providers and retail a Christine Hess, left, and Jessie Shultz, both of BILL TARUTIS PHOTOS/FOR THE DALLAS POST The Misericordia University Cougar mascot high-fives PNC Bank representative Dolores Pall. Noisy networking at Back Mountain Expo Servpro, chat with Visiting Angels Senior Homecare representative Colette Check at the Back Mountain Chamber Expo at Misericordia University. businesses, provided information about their services and products. A surprising variety of churches and non-profits also promoted their programs and goals. Giveaways, including hand lo- tion, toothbrushes, pens, buttons and candy, invited visitors to stop a minute and talk to a representative manning the booth. Lauren O’Shea, of Shavertown, works for Hildebrandt Learning Centers, a company that provides employer-sponsored childcare man- agement. When asked why her business had chosen to participate, she said, “To get our company’s name out in Back Mountain.” She also said another goal was to meet dents in the event. Rachael Ayers, a senior in Busi- ness Management from Dallas, was part of the planning which involved many details, including picking the date and setting up for the event. “Back Mountain Chamber is something that’s interesting to me,” said Ayers, who feels the event is important for the community. “It’s a great networking opportunity for the businesses to mingle with each other.” i Amanda Perlock, a senior Miseri- cordia marketing major, said her marketing research class was do- ing a survey of the businesses and non-profits who participated and _ that the class would analyze data Chairpersons of the North Branch Land Trust 20th Anniversa- ry Dinner Dance are, from left, Frank E.P. Conyngham, Cornelia C. Romanowski and William H. Conyngham. North Branch Land Trust celebrates 20 years North® Branch Land Trust (NBLT) will celebrate its 20th anniversary of conserving im- portant natural resources in Northeastern Pennsylvania at its annual dinner and auctions on Wednesday, May 8 at the Westmoreland Club in Wilkes- Barre. The 20th anniversary din- ner chairs are Cornelia C. Romanowski, Frank E.P. Conyngham and William H. Conyngham. Dinner committee members are Jane Clements, Liz Clem- ents-Katyl, Virgina Davis, Kathy Dunsmuir, Jim Gorman, Ramah Hackett, Terri Kosakowski, Paul Lumia, Leigh Pawling, Rachel Pugh-Domiano, Jason Reilly, Barb Romanansky, Jim Shoemaker, Julie McCarthy Strzeletz, Linda Thoma, Mike Weaver and Gary Williams. Since its inception in 1993, NBLT has conserved over 12,200 acres of important natu- ral land for watershed protec- tion, local agriculture, outdoor recreation, habitat for threat- ened and endangered species and scenic beauty. Of the 12,200 acres protected, NBLT owns 1,250 acres that are open to the public for passive recreation ac- tivities. North Branch Land Trust is a private non-profit that relies on public support such as mem- bership dues, donations, grants and fundraising events to carry out its conservation mission. The trust’s annual dinner is its major fundraiser of the year. This year NBLT will honor the community of Bear Creek Village with the its Community Stewardship Award for conser- vation efforts that led to the protection of 139 acres in that community. To make reservations and support land conservation in your community or to learn about NBLT committee and vol- unteer opportunities, contact North Branch Land Trust at 696-5545 or by email at roman- ansky@nblt.org. Pilger receives religious award Dylan Pilger, an Eagle Scout from Troop 281, Dallas, was pre- local businesses and partner in some way. pels Misericordia professor = Paul Nardone involved his business stu- provided by participants and let the Chamber know how the expo can be improved in the future. sented the God and Life Religious Award in Scouting. Pilger did 10 weeks of study with Rev. Roger Griffith and was presented the award at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Irem Road, Dallas, on April 14. In- terim Pastor Rev. Kathleen Jamhoury and Mary Chappel of Pack 281 presented the award. The son of Robert and Charla Pilger, Pilger is a senior at Dallas High School. From left, are Rev. Kathleen Jamhoury, Dylan Pilger and Mary Chappel. Grasshopper Lawns celebrates Earth Day at BMLL Michael and Shawn Kravitski watched their children enjoy playing baseball for Back Mountain Baseball for Boys and Girls and decided to give back when they got the chance. The owners of Grasshopper Lawns in Larks- ville, the Kravitski brothers, who both reside in the Back Mountain, chose to volunteer the ser- vices of their business at the Back Mountain Little ague field in celebration of Earth Day. ‘echnicians from the 29-year-old family-owned siness spent several hours on April 20 applying fertilizer, aerating and liming the field and con- ducting weed control. Bill Holena, treasurer of Back Mountain Base- ball for Boys and Girls, said the organization does business with Grasshopper Lawns and that every year Grasshopper Lawns chooses a project to cel- ebrate Earth Day. “This year, they chose the Back Mountain Little League field,” said Holena, who added the Little League organization recently spent about $90,000 to improve the field and that Grasshopper Lawn employees would help clean up from that con- struction project. “Every year we volunteer at a local organiza- tion,” said Kristy Kravitski, assistant office man- ager at Grasshopper Lawns. “Our route manager £5 “ Grasshopper Lawn technicians spread lime, aerate and spray weeds at the Back Mountain Little League Field. usually makes the decision as to where we will provide community service.” Kravitski said all employees of the organization, including 11 technicians and two office staff mem- bers, were on hand at the Back Mountain Little League field last Saturday. - Dotty Martin Volunteering their time to spruce up the Back Mountain Little League are, from left, Scott Edwards, John Patterson, Louis Cintron, Grasshopper Lawns owner Michael Kravitsky IV, Philip Carbone and Bill Shultz.
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