12 -. PAGE aD a a By SARAH HITE shite@mydallaspost.com The first-ever Back Mountain Chamber Business & Communi- ty Expo will be held at Misericor- dia University on Wednesday, April 18 and the event will be tied into the bi-annual presentation of the Back Mountain Historical As- sociation. Chip Morgan, president of the chamber, said it will be the third business expo to be held at Miser- icordia, but the first for the cham- ber. The Back Mountain Chamber of Commerce formed in January after the merger of the Back Mountain Business Association and the Back Mountain Econom- ic Development Council. The chamber is one of the first in the country to include civic or- ganizations, such as churches, nonprofit organizations, govern- ments and public schools, which will be reflected at the expo. “This is our largest event of the year, and it has just ballooned,” said Morgan, who owns Wilkes- Barre Bookkeeping in Dallas Township. “We're trying to make it a community event, as well. We all have a lot of business-to-busi- ness connections. This chamber is about community.” Morgan expects the expo to have about 75 vendors from the Back Mountain and beyond. He said the chamber has grown to in- clude businesses from out of the regional area, such as Bath Saver and Friedman Electric, both lo- cated in Exeter. “It has grown into other areas, and we have members from out- side of the Back Mountain, but most of them live back here,” said Morgan. “(The expo) just expos- es people to us and what we do, that we are here in the Back Mountain. You don’t need to go outside of the area — you can do business with local people.” Michael MacDowell, president of Misericordia University, said the expo is a way for the universi- ty to support the local business community. “We're one of the largest em- ployers in the Back Mountain, so we have a vested interest in the economic well-being of the com- munity,” he said. The expo also gives students an opportunity to learn more about business through commu- nity services. Students within two business groups, the Busi- ness Professional Association and the Students in Free Enter- prise Chapter, helped organize the event and will be on the scene to ensure the expo runs smooth- ly. “Community service is very, very, very important to us,” said MacDowell. Students from the Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus in Lehman Township also aided in the orga- nization of the event. After the expo, attendees will have a chance to learn more about Hanson’s Amusement Park, once located in Harveys Lake, at the Back Mountain His- torical Association’s bi-annual presentation. FE. Charles Petrillo, a local his- torian who has published a book called “Harveys Lake,” will be the guest speaker and will present old photographs and personal stories of the former amusement park. Hanson’s Amusement Park be- gan in June 1891 as a picnic ground operated by the Lehigh See EXPO, Page 13 CE pC os What: Back Mountain Chamber Business & Community Expo, Back Mountain Historical Association presentation on Hanson's Amusement Park When: Wednesday, April 18. The expo will be held from 4-7 p.m., with the historical association event to follow immediately after. Where: The Sandy & Marlene Insalaco Hall at Misericordia University, 301 Lake St., Dallas Township Cost: Admission is free and the event is open to the public. More info: Businesses can register for limited exhibit space by calling 675-9380 or by logging on to www.BackMountainChamber.org. For more information about the bi-annual meetings, contact Carol Fah- nestock at Misericordia University at 674-8036 or e-mail her at cfah- nest@misericordia.edu. Chelsea Penman, left, a company representative from New Jer- sey, and Tony Banta, of Harveys Lake, look over a new computer screen advertising their web-based business at last year's expo. INTRODUCING JUDITH RIPKA ESSENTIALS Colurines Trunk Show April 19-2] Ri TE SE Frat www. Valentinesjewelry.com | SR 309 Dalias | Phone: 570-675-6945 Store Hours: Tues-Fri 10-6 Thurs 10-8 Sat 10-5 Hands-on, fun, educational activities © Comprehensive curriculum that covers literacy, math, science and social skills © Nationally accredited, Keystone STAR 4 programs
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