Valley of Progress 2025
dailyitem.com
INSIDE:
n Page A2: Watsontown
Trucking driven by growth, innovation n Page A2: Meck-Tech still a family business after 50 years
A1
Saturday, March 15, 2025
MANUFACTURING IN VALLEY
Apex Homes continues to build at rapid pace
n Page A3: Bason Coffee Roasting grows from garage to 3 locations n Page A3: Thermal Product Solutions grows organically
n Page A4: Furmano’s
roots run deep a century after opening n Page A4: Fresh Roasted Coffee grows in Sunbury
APEX Homes employee Caleb Gilbert uses a nail gun to do framing work during a recent shift.
Apex exceeds goals, even running at less than capacity By Marcia Moore
mmoore@dailyitem.com
n Page A5: Rusty Rail expanding indoor entertainment options n Page A5: Weis Markets remains a staple in Valley, beyond n Page A5: Partners open Elite Auto Glass Plus
n Page A6: Benjamin T.
Moyer’s furniture still expanding in downtown Sunbury
Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
M I DDL E BU RG — Ap ex Homes of Pa made sales of nearly $30 million in 2024, exceeding its goal by more than $2 million. “We had our best year last year,” Apex Homes President Lynn Kuhns said of the company reaching $29.6 million in sales in 2024. The company was started in 1990 in Middleburg by Robert Nipple, Kuhns’ stepfather-in-law, who earlier founded two other companies, Penn Lyon Homes in Selinsgrove and Excel Homes in Mifflintown. Kuhns joined Apex Homes in 1992 and following Nipple’s death in 2007, bought the company out of bankruptcy with several others in August 2014. With a controlling share of the company, Kuhns has served as president ever since. In 2014, the company had about $9 million in sales and employed about 80. Today, Apex Homes employs 145 in the business of providing single and multi-family homes to
ABOUT THE COMPANY ■ BUSINESS: Apex Homes of PA ■ ADDRESS: 7172 Route 522, Middleburg, Pa. ■ FOUNDED: 1990 ■ EMPLOYEES: 142 ■ WEBSITE: www.apexhomesofpa.com
customers along the East Coast. Over the years, Apex Homes has received many industry awards for its custom home designs. Hiring has been a challenge for several years, an issue Kuhns is unable to explain as he credits the workers for his company’s success.
Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
APEX Homes president Lynn Kuhns says his company did almost $30 million in sales in 2024. “Obviously, we’d like to grow,” he said, but filling openings hasn’t been easy. Recently, of 38 applicants, 10 were hired and only one person showed up for work, Kuhns said.
Employee Caleb Gilbert is one of the seasoned employees at Apex, with nearly nine years of experience. “It’s a good job, and good money,” he said.
Page A2 Valley of Progress / Saturday, March 15, 2025
Valley of Progress: 2025
Watsontown Trucking driven by growth, innovation By Justin Strawser
ABOUT THIS COMPANY
jstrawser@dailyitem.com
MILTON — The future of Watsontown Trucking Company and the Patton Logistics Group is driven by growth, sustainability and innovation, according to company officials. Tara C. Hertzog, the account executive/marketing d i rector for Watsontown Trucking Company and Patton Warehousing and Logistics LLC, and Vice President Chris Patton said the company is continuously investing in cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art equipment to enhance efficiency and safety while expanding its services to better serve its customers’ evolving needs. The company is headquartered at 60 Belford Blvd., Milton. “Sustainability is also at the core of our future,” Hertzog said. “We are actively exploring eco-friendly solutions across our operations to reduce our environmental footprint while maintaining the highest levels of service. Additionally, we remain committed to diversifying our business offerings to create new opportunities and strengthen our position in the industry.” The Patton Logistics Group is committed to delivering premium logistics solutions through continuous growth and innovation. With strategic expansions, acquisitions, and state-of-theart facilities, they enhance efficiency, create jobs, and strengthen their ability to provide the high-quality services their customers depend on, Hertzog said. Watsontown Trucking Company was founded in 1941, with most of its business focused on hauling bricks with a small fleet of trucks to customers in the Susquehanna Valley. Today, as a subsidiary of the Patton Logistics Group, Watsontown Trucking Company operates 550 trucks and 1,800 trailers throughout the U.S. and Canada. The company is recognized as one of the top carriers in the nation and consistently earns the highest levels of safety awards from the leading trucking insurance group in America. In 2016, Watsontown Trucking, together with Patton Warehousing, opened its first 200,000-square-foot warehouse in Milton. Today, Patton Warehousing operates over 5 million square feet of warehouse space in 23 buildings across five states. The synergy between Patton Warehousing and Watsontown Trucking Company provides their clients with a true one-stop,
■ BUSINESS NAME: Watsontown Trucking ■ ADDRESS: 60 Belford Blvd., Milton ■ FOUNDED: 1941 ■ EMPLOYEES: More than 1,000 ■ WEBSITE: https:// www.watsontowntrucking.com
Justin Strawser/The Daily Item
Watsontown Trucking Company in Milton put five electric trucks into service in February.
“Key obstacles in transportation include rising fuel costs, increasing prices for trucks, trailers and parts, escalating health and liability insurance expenses, and a persistent driver shortage that continues to impact operations.”
— Chris Patton, Watsontown Trucking VP
third-party logistics solution, Hertzog said. In February, the company put five electric trucks into service in an effort to reduce emissions and the use of diesel fuel. They are are one of the first in Northeastern Pennsylvania to operate two AutoCar electric jockey trucks, three Volvo VNR electric trucks, and two Gilbarco fast-charging stations. The electric fleet will primarily operate and service customers in central Pennsylvania and the Susquehanna Valley within a 200-mile range. “Continuing our growth, we proudly added a state-ofthe-art trucking terminal in Dublin, Va., in early 2024,” Hertzog said. “ Later in the year, we expa nde d f u r t her wit h t he opening of another terminal in Hagerstown, Md., reinforc-
Justin Strawser/The Daily Item
Pictured in front of one of Watsontown Trucking Company’s electric trucks, from left, are Jared Brokenshire, director of operations; company Vice President Chris Patton; and company President Steve Patton. ing our commitment to providing top-tier logistics solutions and increasing our operational reach.” Challenges Like many industries, transportation and logistics are affected by economic fluctuations. During the COVID years, demand in the trucking industry surged to record highs due
to supply chain disruptions. However, in the years since, the industry has faced some of its most challenging times in history, according to Vice President Chris Patton. “Key obstacles in transportation include rising fuel costs, increasing prices for trucks, trailers and parts, escalating health and liability insurance expenses, and a persistent driver shortage that continues
to impact operations,” Patton said. “Additionally, reducing driver turnover remains a critical challenge as companies work to retain experienced professionals in an increasingly competitive industry.” Wa t s o n t ow n Tr u c k i n g Company works diligently to maintain a diverse customer base across various industries, allowing them to navigate eco-
nomic downturns more effectively, Patton said. “We also challenge ourselves to run a lean, efficient business — carefully managing costs and optimizing operations to remain strong in any market condition,” Patton said. “Additionally, we prioritize competitive pay and benefits packages and foster a family-oriented environment for our employees.” Community is the ‘heart’ Patton and Hertzog said the community has been at “the heart of Watsontown Trucking Company since day one.” “As part of The Patton Logistics Group, we proudly employ over 1,000 hardworking individuals who are the foundation of our success. “Com ing f rom st rong blue-collar areas, our employees bring an unmatched work ethic, skill and dedication that keep our operations running efficiently every day,” Patton said. “As a family-owned business, we take great pride in the relationships we’ve built with local businesses, schools, and organizations over the years. We wouldn’t be where we are today without the support of all our local customers.” Patton added, “Giving back is a core part of who we are, and we’re honored to support our communities through initiatives like Operation Warm, which has provided winter coats to children in need at multiple schools throughout the region. “As we look ahead, our focus remains on supporting the communities that have supported us. Whether through job creation, charitable giving, or strengthening local partnerships, we are proud to play a role in making a lasting impact in the areas we serve.”
Half century later, family still engineering Meck-Tech “It’s about becoming part of the community. Public outreach is rewarding.”
By Marcia Moore
mmoore@dailyitem.com
SELINSGROVE — J. Leonard Meckley and Pete DeWire founded Survey Services Inc. in 1971, opening shop in Selinsgrove. More than one-half century later, the firm continues to operate under the name Meck-Tech Inc., offering engineering services for residential and commercial projects with Meckley’s son-in-law, Art Thomas, and two grandchildren, Michael and Sam Thomas, as co-owners. “In 2017, I was looking at the end-game,” Art Thomas said of how his thoughts were turning toward who would take over the business when he retired as his father-in-law was stepping away from the business. In 2018, Meckley retired and Thomas became sole owner of Meck-Tech. Since then, Thomas’ sons returned home to the Valley to work alongside him. “I’m very happy,” the elder Thomas said. Meck-Tech’s early years were run by Meckley and DeWire in rental space in Selinsgrove before they moved the business in 1975 to 25 Old
— Art Thomas, Meck-Tech co-owner
Photo Provided
From left: Meck-Tech employees Scott Shambach, Joe Gonya, Mike Thomas, Sam Thomas, Trever Hess, Lynette Thomas and Art Thomas. School Road where it continues to operate today. W hen their par tnership ended in 1997, Meckley continued to run the business with his son, Leonard Meckley Jr. and Thomas until 2018 when both Meckleys stepped away. Thomas and his sons now
co-own Meck-Tech which they run with longtime employee Scott Shambach, project engineer Trever Hess and surveyor-in-training Joe Gonya. Art Thomas’ wife, Lynette, is the office administrative assistant. “The legwork done by my father-in-law and Pete in the
’70s and ’80s has made us a staple,” Thomas said of the company’s knowledge of properties across the Valley. Thomas said work has been steady as building projects have been on the rise in the past five years. Development has slowed due to inflation
in the past year, but Michael Thomas has focused on expanding municipal work from three local governments in Snyder and Northumberland counties to nine municipalities. “I like educating people when they want to learn about the process,” Michael Thomas said. The major change in the business is rising costs but new technology is helping address some of the increases. Gonya is able to survey areas on his own with a survey grade GPS, whereas before the job always required another surveyor. “It helps cut our costs” and double the work being done in the same amount of time, he said. The proliferation of solar developments has also been keeping them busy with review work, Hess said. Meck-Tech has stayed in business without anyone on
ABOUT THE COMPANY ■ BUSINESS: MeckTech Inc. ■ ADDRESS: 25 Old School Road, Selinsgrove, Pa. ■ FOUNDED: 1971 ■ EMPLOYEES: Seven ■ WEBSITE: www. mecktech.com
staff having a marketing degree, Art Thomas said. Experience and willingness to provide free services to local nonprofits, such as Haven Ministry, and supporting the next generation of engineers with school visits, internship and job-shadowing opportunities has helped raise the company profile. “It’s about becoming part of the community,” Art Thomas said. “Public outreach is rewarding.”
Valley Of Progress: 2025
Valley of Progress / Saturday, March 15, 2025
Page A3
Bason Coffee Roasting grows from garage to three-location business
By Anna Wiest
awiest@dailyitem.com
Justin Strawser/The Daily Item
Thermal Product Solutions is located at 2821 Old Route 15, New Columbia.
Thermal Product Solutions is growing ‘organically’ and through acquisitions By Justin Strawser
jstrawser@dailyitem.com
N E W C O LU M BI A — Thermal Product Solutions in New Columbia has grown both “organically and through strategic acquisitions” to expand its product portfolio and market reach, according to a company official. Jason Cillo, the Director of International Sales, said TPS LLC designs and manufactures industrial and laboratory ovens, furnaces, and environmental, stability, and vacuum test chambers for a wide range of industries. TPS is located at 2821 Old Route 15, New Columbia. “Our products are used for thermal processing, heat treating, sterilizing, stability testing, and temperature cycling in industries including aerospace, defense, automotive, composites, pharmaceuticals, medical, electronics, space and energy,” Cillo said. TPS was formed in 2003, bringing together leading brands in thermal processing and environmental testing. In 2015, TPS acquired Wisconsin Oven, strengthening its presence in industrial ovens and heat-treating solutions. In 2022, TPS acquired Redline Chambers, expanding into vacuum chamber solutions, Cillo said. “In addition to acquisitions, TPS has invested in technological advancements, such as the DataSense Per formance Monitoring System, which uses IoT technology to provide predictive maintenance, remote diagnostics and increased operational efficiency,” Cillo said. The TPS family of brands includes Blue M, Gruenberg, Lindberg/MPH, Tenney Environmental & Lunaire Environmental, Wisconsin Oven and Redline Chambers. There are 375 employees across all companies that make up TPS, Cillo said. One of the primary challenges TPS faces is the skilled labor shortage, Cillo said. “Manufacturing high-performance industrial ovens, furnaces, and test chambers requires highly trained employees, and finding, hiring, and training skilled workers is an ongoing challenge,” he said. “Fortunately, TPS benefits from a long-tenured workforce, with many employees staying for 10 to 20 years or
ABOUT THE COMPANY ■ BUSINESS NAME: Thermal Product Solutions LLC ■ ADDRESS: 2821 Old Route 15, New Columbia. ■ FOUNDED: 2003 ■ EMPLOYEES: 375 employees across all companies that make up TPS ■ WEBSITE: https:// www.thermalproductsolutions.com
more.” Another challenge is competing with lower-cost manufacturers that produce equipment with fewer quality controls. TPS differentiates itself by manufacturing their equipment with high quality durable materials and components to meet stringent industry standards and operate reliably in demanding environments, he said. TPS is focused on continued innovation and market expansion through expanding market share in key industries such as Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Pharmaceuticals, Medical, Electronics, Space and Energy; introducing new technology offerings, particularly in IoT-connected equipment and advanced controls; and continuing strategic growth in thermal processing and environmental testing capabilities, Cillo said. The TPS companies are deeply involved in their local communities, he said. “Employees participate in charitable organizations, holiday gift drives, blood drives, volunteer events, and local initiatives,” he said. “The company values its workforce and local economies, supporting manufacturing jobs in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Utah, and Wisconsin. TPS believes that strong community engagement and employee retention contribute to its long-standing success in the industry.”
DA N V I LLE — Bason Coffee Roasting, which began in Brad Bason’s garage, has grown into a successful business operating in three Danville buildings nearly 14 years later. Bason began roasting coffee at home in 2006. When friends expressed their interest in the specialty roasts, Bason realized he may have a business venture ahead of him, according to Bason’s website. Bason said he began a year of research and studies in 2010 before officially starting his company on June 11, 2011. “It started in our garage and lived there for about three years until we needed to move to our current production facility on East Mahoning Street — the old Danville News facility,” Bason said. The Bason family was integral to the start of the business. The business owner mentioned his wife, JoAnn, son, Matthew, and daughter, Elizabeth, as essential players. Bason also commended the Danville community for their support. “We love Danville. We have raised our kids here. My family is from Bloomsburg and Berwick,” Bason said. “This area is a great place to start a business and have a family.” By the end of 2012, the coffee roasting company, still operating in the garage, was so busy they had to buy a weigh and fill machine, which helped in filling bags from two- to 16-ounces faster and more accurately, according to Bason’s website. More than a decade later,
Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
Bason Coffee Roasting in Danville offers a variety of beans for grinding to meet customers’ coffee needs. Bason Coffee Roasting has incorporated more equipment, hired more employees and opened more locations. “We now have a drive-thru near CVS — Happy Mug Drive Thru — our retail store on Mill Street and our production facility on East Mahoning Street,” Bason said. “We serve wholesale accounts throughout the mid-Atlantic area, fundraising across the county and online customers also throughout the country.” The business owner expressed immense gratitude for the employees who make Bason Coffee Roasting’s dayto-day operations possible as well as those who have worked for the company in the past. “They are the lifeblood of this company. The number of compliments we receive about our customer service is great
to hear and very humbling,” Bason said. “A lot of our employees are high school and college students. “After nearly 14 years, it is wonderful to see where these students land and the type of people they have become.” As for what is yet to come, Bason said the company is exploring areas of potential growth. “We have some plans on expanding some specific areas of our company that we seem to do very well at and grow that customer base,” Bason said. “We will see how that goes.” Bason encouraged Valley residents to visit Bason Coffee Roasting’s retail store at 453 Mill St. in Danville. “There you will find a large selection of coffee and tea along with many locally produced items,” Bason said.
ABOUT THIS COMPANY ■ BUSINESS NAME: Bason Coffee Roasting ■ ADDRESS: 453 Mill St., Danville ■ FOUNDED: 2011 ■ EMPLOYEES: 30 ■ WEBSITE: www. BasonCoffee.com
Bason Coffee Roasting has expanded to three locations in Danville, including this cafe and retail store at 453 Mill St. Rob Inglis/The Daily Item
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Page A4 Valley of Progress / Saturday, March 15, 2025
Valley of Progress: 2025
Fresh Roasted Coffee still growing By Francis Scarcella fscarcella@dailyitem.com
Photo provided
Canned food runs along a conveyor belt at Furmano’s in Northumberland.
Furmano’s roots run deep after century in business By Rick Dandes rdandes@dailyitem
NORTHUMBERLAND — Furmano’s roots run deep in the heart of Pennsylvania’s rich, fertile farmland. Since 1921, family-owned Furmano Foods has been producing delicious, wholesome foods in the Susquehanna Valley at their Northumberland plant. Since the founding, the f a m i l y- ow n e d F u r m a n o Food has been producing delicious, wholesome foods in the Susquehanna Valley at their Northumberland plant. The company’s journey began when the Furmano family farm yielded a bumper crop of tomatoes. Local merchants challenged them to bring their excess ripe tomatoes back in the winter when they weren’t normally available. J.W. Furman and his wife Emma, along with their seven children, met that challenge by canning 360 glass jars of tomatoes in a copper kettle on their stove, thus launching the brand consumers know today. Now under the leadership of the fourth generation of the family, Furmano’s sells millions of cases of tomatoes, beans, ancient grains, and vegetables annually to grocery stores, manufacturers, and foodservice operations, employing approximately 350 people, said Angela Kearney, Furmano Foods product marketing manager, tomatoes. “We’ve come a long way f r om t he d ays when my great-grandparents used a family recipe to prepare tomatoes in a copper kettle on their kitchen stove. But we’ve never strayed from the high standards that my great-grandfather, J.W. Furman, set. We’re proud of that,” said Chad Geise, President and CEO of Furmano Foods. Tomatoes have always been a staple in their product offerings. From the start, Furmano’s tomatoes have been a secret ingredient in family recipes passed down through gener-
ABOUT THIS COMPANY ■ BUSINESS: Furmano’s ■ ADDRESS: 70 Cannery Road, Northumberland ■ FOUNDED: 1921 ■ EMPLOYEES: 301 full-time, 20 part-time and up to 90 seasonal workers ■ WEBSITE: www. furmanos.com
ations and eventually used in restaurants, manufacturing facilities and school cafeterias. Over the years, Furmano’s has expanded its product line to meet customers’ changing needs. “Despite the evolution of their offerings, Furmano’s has always strived to provide customers with wholesome, nutritious ingredients,” Kearney said. I n 2 0 2 0 , F u r m a n o ’s launches ready-to-serve convenience with fully cooked ancient grains and lentils in two sizes of shelf stable pouches. Two years later, the company added technological advancements, such as pouch robotic handling and new label and packaging lines to drive efficiency. Furmano’s employs 301 full-time, 20 part-time and up to 90 seasonal workers. Seasonal workers are employed May through October during tomato planting, snap bean processing and tomato harvest and paid hourly rates starting at $13.49. About 75 seasonal employees are non-local and mainly hail from Texas and Puerto Rico.
S U N BU RY — F r e s h Roasted Coffee owner Andrew Oakes is proud to call Sunbury the home of his now worldwide company. What started out small has grown into something Oakes said he never thought could happen — Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC, located at the former Glenn Raven Textile Mill on Walnut Street. “My family owned and operated an oil supply company right here in the Valley that was started by my grandparents,” he said. “I grew up working there and I saw my family devote themselves to their business. “I witnessed firsthand the hardships and struggles, as well as the benefits that come with all that. The experience definitely made me want to own my own business, but I wanted to do something different. “That business was seasonal, so at some point I began delivering water during our ‘off’ season. The water business was difficult with our main competitor based in our area. “I decided to get into coffee to increase what I was able to offer my customers as a way to maximize sales and differentiate myself from the competition. I guess that’s where this whole journey really started.” Oakes said since he roasted his first pot of coffee in his home garage, he has now expanded his business to more than 110,000 feet over two locations and five big roasters — soon to be six. “Last year we roasted 2.7 million pounds of coffee and we are hoping to grow 40 percent this year,” he said. “We’ve done this by consistently reinvesting and getting better coffee and better equipment providing a better product to our customers at a price that’s always competitive. That’s our recipe for growth.” Oakes said even with the growth, there are still challenges he faces. “There are always challenges,” he said. “Coffee comes from all over the world and delivery
Daily Item file photo
Andy Oakes opened Fresh Roasted Coffee in 2011. Last year, Oakes said the company roasted more than 2.7 million pounds of coffee.
ABOUT THIS COMPANY ■ BUSINESS: Fresh Roasted Coffee LLC. ■ ADDRESS: The former Glen Raven Textile Mill on Walnut Street. ■ FOUNDED: Selinsgrove, 2011; Sunbury, 2018 ■ EMPLOYEES: 82, and hiring ■ WEBSITE: freshroastedcoffee.com Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
Coffee roasters at Fresh Roasted Coffee in Sunbury. can be inconsistent in the most stable of times. World politics, climate conditions and environmental disasters, market conditions — all of these things can and do affect the price and availability of the coffee in your mug.” Oakes said coffee speculators drove the price of coffee to an all-time high. “Add to that the necessity of staying on top of food safety regulations, keeping all the equipment running, and the day-in-day-out issues of running a business, it might be a shorter list if I
write out the things that aren’t challenging,” he said. “That said, we’re going to continue to do what we do best and we’re going to continue to grow. “I’m confident you’ll see our packages in grocer y stores, which is a massive undertaking given the breadth of our direct-to-consumer business but we’re ready to take the next big step.” In 2023, Oakes added a $3.5 million machine that produces 10 million K-Cups a month. Oakes flew to Italy and met with workers at the manufacturing company. Six Italian engineers worked in Sunbury to put the final touches on the machine. Oakes said he remains steadfast in his words that, “coffee is for everybody.” “We mean it,” he said. “Coffee is something that can and should bring people together and in this day and age, it’d be great if people could resolve their differences over a cup of coffee instead of going at each other.” Oakes said he also wants to thank local and state officials Francis Scarcella/Daily Item file for always visiting his busiBags of raw coffee beans are stored at Fresh Roasted ness and for their support in Coffee when it relocated to the former Sunbury Tex- every way. tile Mills plant several years ago. “I’d like to thank the City of Sunbury as well as our
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Chad Geise is the CEO/President of Furmano Foods in Northumberland. The business celebrated a century in business in 2021.
local and state representatives and the governor’s office,” he said. “Not only were they instrumental in helping us secure this location, with their help, we’ve also just finished our giant solar array which we hope will make us one of the cleanest coffee roasters in the world.” Late last year, State Depa r tment of Com mun it y and Economic Development (DCED) Executive Deputy Secretary Mike Hanna toured the facility on the Walnut Street Extension and said he was impressed with the developments made by Fresh Roasted Coffee. Former Gov. Tom Wolf secured $1.77 million in funds for Fresh Roasted Coffee. Oakes said the plant runs 24 hours a day and he is thankful for his dedicated employees. Wolf once toured Fresh Roasted Coffee and said he secured the funds for Oakes to renovate and upgrade the 84,000-square-foot former Sunbury Textile Mill, purchase new equipment and create full-time jobs.
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Valley of Progress / Saturday, March 15, 2025
Valley of Progress: 2025
Rusty Rail expanding indoor entertainment By Justin Strawser
jstrawser@dailyitem.com
MIFFLINBURG — Rusty Rail Brewing Company in Mifflinburg plans to expand its business this year with indoor entertainment. Rusty Rail, a three-story former industrial building built in 1911, is located at 5 N. Eighth St. just off the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail in Mifflinburg. Paul and Eric John, owners of Ritz-Craft in Mifflinburg, in 2009, acquired the former Mifflinburg Body Works and refurbished it to include a new, state-of-the-art cabinet manufacturing line for Legacy Crafted Cabinets. Rusty Rail Brewing Company was incorporated in 2013 and the restaurant opened in 2015. “We’re thrilled to introduce our brand-new indoor Family Fun Area at the Rusty Rail Brewing Company, packed with entertainment for all ages,” Angela Hess, the food and beverage director in charge of operations, said. “Features include two stateof-the-art golf simulators with courses from around the world, pinball, air hockey and an interactive kids’ projector, a cutting-edge sports simulator, featuring Zombie Dodgeball and more unique games.” The family area will include “delicious snacks and a great selection of beer as well as a comfortable seating area to enjoy the pub menu, Hess said. “Keep an eye on our social media for more details and opening information,” Hess said. Rusty Rail Brewing Company continues to distribute throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, with a strong focus on the surrounding states, she said. “Our flagship hazy IPA, Fog Monster, remains a fan favorite, but we encourage you to explore our other core beers,” Hess said. “All Good is a bold and juicy Hazy IPA. Local Heroes is a crisp and refreshing Lager. Nice is a classic, hop-forward West Coast IPA. We are anxiously awaiting warmer weather and
Partners open glass replacement and repair business The Daily Item
Daily Item file photo
Both new and old methods for making beer are employed at the Rusty Rail Brewing Company in Mifflinburg.
ABOUT THE COMPANY ■ BUSINESS: Rusty Rail Brewing Company ■ ADDRESS: 5 N. Eight St., Mifflinburg ■ FOUNDED: 2015 ■ EMPLOYEES: 113 ■ WEBSITE: https:// www.rustyrailbrewing. com
Justin Strawser/The Daily Item
Rusty Rail Brewing Company is located at 5 N. Eighth St., Mifflinburg. new releases from our brand calendar, such as Tropical Swish, Peach Apricot Shandy and of course, Whoo Berry.” The Rusty Rail taproom is a full-service restaurant of casual fine dining with American cuisine. It has a full-service wedding venue,
23 luxury suites, and space for corporate, charity and community events. The business started with one employee and has grown to 113 full-time and parttime employees. That includes restaurant, taproom and kitchen staff, wholesale
distribution, event and wedding planning, sales support and production. The community has supported the business over the years. They have felt more included in community events than in previous years, Hess said.
This will also be the second full season of the Rusty Rail food truck, which was launched in February 2024. Hess said a new menu is being developed for this year’s season with an opportunity for customers to post specific food truck menu items on social media for a chance to win prizes.
Weis continues to be staple across Valley, beyond By Rick Dandes
rdandes@dailyitem.com
SUNBURY — Through more than a century of ownership and growth, Weis Markets has resolved to serve the public in many ways — providing food and other products and services to the many communities in which they operate. But it all began in Sunbury, where it was founded by brothers Harry and Sigmund Weis in 1912. Their father, Siegfried, had come to the area in 1870 and operated a general store. It was his vision that the brothers based their vision of a store on. Harry and Sigmund opened Weis Pure Food on Market Street in Sunbury. “While we have a store on Market Street it is not the original location of the first store,” Jaime Hynoski Lauver, Weis Markets community relations manager, said. Today, Jonathan Weis oversees a company with more than 22,000 associates across nearly 200 stores. “In this area alone where we started,” Lauver said, “we have more than 3,000 associates who work in our stores in nine locations.” In 2024, the company generated $4.77 billion in sales. Weis stores span seven states in the mid-Atlantic: Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia and West Virginia. Weis’ growth over the year is directly tied to investment in their stores and associates. Since 2016 the company has purchased and acquired 50 stores. Four new store projects are currently taking place. In 1978, Weis opened a distribution center in Milton. It has grown to more than one million square feet. And in the space the company installed a banana ripening room and ex-
Page A5
NORTHUMBERLAND — Four partners, two of whom are longtime friends and Mount Carmel High School graduates, opened Elite Auto Glass Plus, a new glass replacement and repair business in mid-2024. Carol and Eric Longacre, of Port Trevorton, helped Roland Haupt and Johnathan Powers, the Mount Carmel friends, start the business. “John and I have known each other since we were 10 to 13 years old,” Haupt said. “As we grew up, we both have had an interest in cars. “When we graduated from Mount Carmel High, we went to Universal Tech Institute. Then John moved to Texas.” At college, Powers specialized in automotive body. Haupt dove into auto mechanics. Eventually, returning home, they had a shop in Shamokin and in time learned about auto glass replacement. “We were a good fit. I was an expert in auto body and Roland in mechanics,” Powers said. “We always wanted to get into the glass industry,” Haupt said. “But it’s a tough business to get into. There is a lot involved in the industry, the inventory needed, and the tools. We always knew we wanted to do it, but never had the opportunity. Carol and Eric gave us that opportunity by mentoring us.” Carol said the business started on open land at 2760 Point Township Drive, which is Route 11. “The build was ground up,” she said. Elite specializes in automotive glass and paintless dent repair. “We do work on all vehicle glass, and windshield replacement, including personal automobiles, commercial (rig) trucks, fleet vehicles, and flat glass replacement for industrial equipment,” Haupt said. “We do specialty glass such as back glass, and we can tint. We can get it from a dealer and cut it here. In short, we do it from start to finish.” Elite also offers Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) recalibration, said Powers. “There are all kinds of sensors that consistently have to be recalibrated. We do a lot of recalibrations for local body shops.” The technical aspects of calibration are always changing, said Powers. “There is an update every week. Over the last 10-to12 years, I’ve done thousands of calibrations on windshields.”
ABOUT THIS COMPANY Photo provided
Weis Markets’ original store on Market Street in Sunbury. panded its refrigeration storage area over the last few years. The company employs more than 22,000 full and part-time associates in its stores, distribution center, store support center, and manufacturing facilities, where it processes its own milk. W h e r e p o s sible, Wei s sources from local suppliers. All milk at Weis stores comes from Pennsylvania dairy farms and is processed in Sunbury at the milk plant. “Weis Markets is a locally focused company,” Lauver said. In 2024, the company purchased more than 32 million pounds of produce from farmers in the states where it operates. “Weis Markets and its associates are committed to being good neighbors,” Lauver said. “Each year, we support local food banks and pantries through our Fight Hunger program which generates hundreds of thousands of meals for people in need. “We also donate to community-based health care organizations, including clinic programs benefiting women’s health care, mammography screening and pediatric pro-
grams.” Weis Markets’ sustainability program “is a key component of our good neighbor policy. Since 2009, the company has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent. In 2023, Weis diverted 41,000 tons of waste from landfills,” Lauver noted. The company continues to expand its e-commerce program. They also have a Weisto-go program and work with third-party partners such as Amazon, Instacart, and DoorDash. There are challenges the company faces. “We work diligently to stay on top of trends in the market,” Lauver said. “In particular we focus on value, as customers continue to focus on maintaining their budget. “Everyone is looking for ways to save. So Weis has set up programs such as their rewards program.” Lauver said the company was founded in the Valley and continues to grow under “great” leadership. “We look forward to being a good community partner for years to come and we are excited to see what the future holds,” Lauver said.
Weis Markets in Selinsgrove.
Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
ABOUT THIS COMPANY ■ BUSINESS: Weis Markets ■ ADDRESS: 1000 S. Second St., Sunbury ■ FOUNDED: 1912 ■ EMPLOYEES: 22,000 across seven states ■ WEBSITE: weismarkets. com
■ BUSINESS: Elite Auto Glass Plus ■ ADDRESS: 2760 Point Township Dr. ■ FOUNDED: 2024 ■ WEBSITE: https://eliteautoglasspluspa.com
OPENING DAY Wednesday March 19 March Hours: Wed.-Sat. 11a-9p
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Page A6 Valley of Progress / Saturday, March 15, 2025
Valley of Progress: 2025
Moyer’s continues to grow in Sunbury By Francis Scarcella fscarcella@dailyitem.com
SUNBURY — Since 1935, Benjamin Moyer Inc. has been a staple in Sunbury and the business continues to grow. The business is a legacy, according to David J. Moyer — who took over the establishment in 2014. He said is proud the furniture store has remained in his family and in Sunbury for decades. The 22,000 square foot building that sits at 35 S. 4th St., which was run by David J. Moyer’s father, David B. Moyer, from 1985 to 2014, has survived flooding, recessions and the pandemic. David J. Moyer said when the pandemic hit in early 2020, and the business was forced to close down, he didn’t panic, but instead took the opportunity to improve the showrooms and plan for reopening. “My grandfather started our store in 1935 and Sunbury was a bustling town back then,” he said. “There were no malls or internet so when people wanted to shop they came to Sunbury. “We are a destination business and people travel from the surrounding area to shop at our store.” Moyer said the business continued to grow over the years. “Our showroom expanded by about a third to 22,000 sq. ft. in 2002 with a two-story addition,” he said. “This was our largest expansion to our showroom. We are constantly updating the inside and outside of our showroom and two warehouses all located in Sunbury.” Moyer said he also added commercial furniture offerings for all types of businesses and nonprofits. “We recently furnished the Jackass brewery in Williiamsport and last year furnished a room in Governor Shapiro’s residence in Harrisburg and his office at the Capitol building,” he said. “Last year we doubled our outdoor and patio furniture selection and created a significantly larger display. This was well received and we saw our outdoor and patio business increase. “We are excited to be celebrating our 90th anniversary this year.” Moyer said he is looking forward to the future and is ready for challenges. “I am excited that my son, Micah Moyer, is interested in entering the family business after college,” he said. “He would be our fourth generation. The challenges would be how to reach the consumer when advertising is so fragmented and consumer trends keep changing. “I also need to continually stay up on trends and styles so we have the furniture that our customers desire.” Moyer said the legacy and the reputation his family has in Sunbury is something he is proud of. “We have even sold to generations of other families,” he said. The store also sells to vari-
Francis Scarcella/The Daily Item
David J. Moyer stands inside his business, Benjamin Moyer Furniture Store, on South Fourth Street in downtown Sunbury.
GOING OUT OF BUSINESS We would like to say THANK-YOU to all of our wonderful customers and friends for the memories and support. We have been honored to be part of your family celebations over the years!
ABOUT THIS COMPANY
SAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE STORE!
■ BUSINESS: Benjamin T. Moyer Inc ■ ADDRESS: 35 S. Fourth St. ■ FOUNDED: 1935 ■ EMPLOYEES: 14 ■ WEBSITE: www. moyersfurniture.com LARGE SELECTION OF FRUIT TREE S THIS SPRIN G
See us this spring for:
ous commercial buyers, including a number of state venues, churches, colleges and businesses, including Rusty Rail Brewing Company, in Mifflinburg; Bucknell University’s library, in Lewisburg; the Selinsgrove Inn, and Spyglass Ridge Winery, outside of Sunbury.
PANSIES • HANGING BASKETS • PERENNIALS HOUSE PLANTS SUCCULANTS • FERNS •HERBS GARDEN SEEDS • ROSE BUSHES • SHRUBS BLUEBERRY, BLACKBERRY & RASPERRY BUSHES FRUIT TREES • POTTING SOIL • GRAPEVINES EARLY VEGGIE PLANTS • POTTED ANNUALS ASPARAGUS ROOTS • SEED POTATOES STRAWBERRY PLANTS • EASTER FLOWERS
Cups • Plates • Napkins • Table Coverings • Balloons • Piñatas Cards • Cutlery • Serving Dishes Decorations & More!!!
LAST DAY OF BUSINESS: MARCH 31, 2025
3672 Snydertown Rd, Danville, PA
Hours: Mon. 10-3, Tues.-Weds. 10-5, Thurs.-Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-5, Closed Sunday
(between Elysburg & Sunbury)
Bagged Mulch and Mushroom Soil 10 bags/$35 Call 570-492-0888 Mon.-Sat. 8a-5p • Sun. Closed
www.careedparty.com
Colonial Village Plaza, Shamokin Dam • 570-743-6704
Benjamin T. Moyer Furniture Since 1935 we have been supplying customers from all over Pennsylvania and the surrounding region with fine furniture and superior service. We are a full-line furniture store with a simple mission statement: We only sell furniture of a quality, good enough to put in our own homes. While our store may look small from the outside, we W hhave 22,000 sq. ft. of furnishings to browse and are well worth the trip from any distance (with delivery to PA, NJ, DE available).
2025
Bedroom • Living Room • Dining Room Home Office • Sunroom/Outdoor Shifman Mattresses
90
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1935-2025
35 South Fourth Street, Sunbury • 570-286-4751 • www.moyersfurniture.com Hours: Monday - Saturday 9:00 - 5:00
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Practice Areas
• Robert L. Marks • John L. McLaughlin • Michael P. Dennehy • Robert L. Marks Jr. • Cory D. Piontek
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Bringing quality legal representation and experience for over 54 years to the Susquehanna Valley.
42 W. Market St. | Danville, PA 17821 | 570-275-3541 rlmarkssr@mmdlawoffice.com
Valley of Progress 2025
dailyitem.com
Saturday, March 15, 2025
INSIDE:
B1
SEWING CENTER
Hoover’s Bernina Sew born from humble beginnings
n Page B2: Campus The-
atre introducing AirBnb rental to its feature
n Page B2: Scott’s Floral
celebrates 50 years in Danville
n Page B3: The Coin
Collector is a one-man operation in Lewisburg Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
Rosa Schlabach, left, Middleburg, gets help picking out fabric from Hoover’s Bernina Sew employee Charity Leinbach.
Union County shop started in trailer in 1987 By Justin Strawser
jstrawser@dailyitem.com
MIFFLINBURG — Hoover’s Bernina Sew in Union County had humble beginnings, having started in an 840-square-foot trailer in 1987. The family-owned sewing machine and quilt and embroidery shop in Limestone Township with three generations is located at 2282 Beaver Road, Mifflinburg. Owned by Leon and Linda Hoover, the business includes a 10,000-squarefoot store, learning area, service center and warehouse. “We couldn’t do it without our great customers,” Leon Hoover, a chicken farmer, said. “That’s the key and our main focus.” Hoover values service to customers. That’s why the firm offers free lessons with the purchase of each machine and two years of free service for maintenance and support. “We can sell you any machine, but if you don’t know how to use it, it’s not worth it to you,” Hoover said.
n Page B3: Community
involvement evolves into Danville shop
n Page B3: Steve Shan-
non Tire opens new location in Sunbury
ABOUT THIS COMPANY ■ BUSINESS: Hoover’s Bernina Sew ■ ADDRESS: 2282 Beaver Road, Mifflinburg ■ FOUNDED: 1987 ■ EMPLOYEES: 27 (20 part-time, seven full-time) ■ WEBSITE: https:// www.ourlocalpage.com/ hooversberninasew
Hoover’s parents, Allen and Mary Hoover, started the business in the kitchen/living room See SEW, Page B2
Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
Sally Wood of Palmyra gets a lesson on her new sewing machine at Hoover’s Bernina Sew in Mifflinburg.
n Page B4: Susquehanna
Valley Limousine expanding under new ownership
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Page B2 Valley of Progress / Saturday, March 15, 2025
Valley of Progress: 2025
Campus Theatre introducing AirBNB rental By Justin Strawser
jstrawser@dailyitem.com
L E W I S BU RG — T h e Campus Theatre in Downtown Lewisburg has two big changes in store for patrons in 2025. The 84-year-old 501(c)(3) nonprofit historic movie theatre located at 413 Market St., Lewisburg, introduced a rental above the lobby available through AirBNB and Vrbo. The theater also is installing a 4K laser projector to replace a 14-year-old digital projector that was part of the 2011 remodeling project. “We are going into a new stage, a new part of growth for Campus Theatre,” Executive Director Laura Knorr said. “We keep evolving and growing and we’re adding to what’s already a really strong base. We’re taking what people love about the theater and building on that.” The Campus Theatre was built in 1941 by Russian immigrants Oscar, Harold, Barney and Morris Stiefel. In the summer of 2001, Jacquie Stiefel sold The Campus to a Bucknell University film professor who, in turn, started a nonprofit organization, The Campus Theatre Ltd., according to materials from the Union County Historical Society and Bucknell University. In 2006, the university provided Campus Theatre Ltd. with a no-interest loan to purchase the building from its previous owner. In 2011, the university purchased the theater, but oversight and management remained with the nonprofit, according to materials from the Union County Historical Society and Bucknell University. The rental unit is a studio apartment that was once home to the United Service Organizations in the 1940s as a canteen and dance floor. Harold Stiefel used the space in the 1960s and 1970s to print posters and newsletters. It has been used over the years as a dance studio, storage area and was converted 10 years ago into a studio apartment for Campus Technical Director Andy Seal. Seal moved out in summer 2024, and the 1,200-squarefoot apartment was converted into a movie-themed rental unit for up to six guests. It has a view of the classic marquee from behind and Market Street, a black and white mural of a photograph from the 1970s, movie posters and decorations themed after films. “It’s such a unique space,” Knorr said. “Where else can you stay overnight on top of a theatre in a historic downtown?” “You’re in walking distance of downtown and the university,” Seal said. “It’s a great location.” Knorr said the rental will also be used for visiting artists and theater guests.
By Anna Wiest
awiest@dailyitem.com
Justin Strawser/The Daily Item
The Campus Theatre is located at 413 Market St., Lewisburg.
ABOUT THIS COMPANY ■ BUSINESS NAME: Campus Theatre ■ YEAR OPENED: 1941 ■ CURRENT LOCATION: 413 Market St, Lewisburg ■ EMPLOYEES: 25 ■ WEBSITE: https:// www.campustheatre. org
Justin Strawser/The Daily Item
The Campus Theatre, at 413 Market St., Lewisburg, has a movie-themed studio apartment rental, available through AirBNB and Vrbo. Pictured are Executive Director Laura Knorr and Director of Membership Gabriele Antensteiner in the kitchen of the rental. New projector During the last renovation in 2011, the theatre introduced a new digital projector. To keep up with modern film making, the theatre will work with Center Stage Cinema, of New York City, to install a Christie 4K laser projector during the week of March 11. “In 2011, no one was sure how long these new digital projectors would last,” Seal said. “We discovered it is time to move into the next generation of proejctors. The previous projector ran on a Xenon bulb as a source of light. This new generation uses a laser to generate light. It’s more efficient and consumes 85 percent less energy than the previous model.” The majority of modern films are released in 4K, Seal said. “The look of a laser projector is a significant improve-
ment for many people,” he said. “We will have our 4K resolution and be able to show these films in 4K. It will have a really stunning look to it.” Campus will have a total of three projectors: one digital and two analog (35mm). This allows the theater to continue to screen archival and classic films, Seal said. The old digital projector will be recycled for extra parts, he said. Seal is also working on a podcast as a way to promote the film festival, regular promotions and the movie industry as a whole. The Changoever Assembly Crew will talk about programming and have discussions with the popcorn crew. Community support The success of Campus is tied to the investment of Bucknell University, an ac-
tive board and a supporting community. “Our membership is vital to this organization,” Knorr said. “We also feel there are a lot of wonderful old theaters. If people don’t come to them, they’ll fall by the wayside. People come to the theater seven days a week. They come and appreciate how special the Campus Theater is.” Gabriele Antensteiner, the director of membership, said the current board is a “working board.” “We show more movies than ever,” Antensteiner said. “They’re all over every genre.” Campus has seen success in its Delirium and Stars of the Silver Screen series. They also hold Wednesday and Saturday matinees with open captions, free movie days for kids, film festivals and other events. “We always say we can’t do this without the community and our members,” Michael Conard, director of media programming and rental services, said. “We try to have things for every part of the community. “The support, love and outreach from the community is a continual love and appreciation for this treasure, this gem and heart of Lewisburg.” The crew has also begun discussions for the theater’s 80th anniversary in 2026.
Hoover’s Bernina Sew born from humble beginnings SEW, from Page B1 of their trailer in 1987. By 1997, they moved across the street into a three-car garage. In 2010, the store moved less than a mile down the road to accommodate the need for more space. Hoover said his children are all involved with the business. “Business here has been phenomenal,” Hoover said. Hoover’s is a distributor of products from the Swiss-based and family-owned Bernina, the world’s premier manufacturer of quality state-ofthe-art sewing, quilting and embroidery machines, overlockers and embroidery software. Bernina was founded in 1893 in Switzerland. “They’re always looking to advance and make their products better,” Hoover said. “They’re the only sewing machine in the industry not combined with other companies. They’re still a family.” Many of the newer sewing machines have touch screens. Bernina also made machines
Scott’s Floral still a success, 50 years after opening doors DA N V I L L E — Fi f t y years ago, Scott’s Floral, Gift & Greenhouse was born in a farmhouse basement. Today, it is a 15,000-squarefoot shop in Danville. Scott Edwards grew up on a flower farm in Danville and studied horticulture at Columbia-Montour Area Vocational Technical School. He decided to open his first f lower shop in May 1974 after seeing the joy his designs brought customers. The shop was in the basement of Edwards’ parents’ farmhouse on Steltz Road. Edwards married Judy Edwards in Aug. 1979. As Judy also came from a family of local retailers, their partnership was the perfect formula for their business. The couple were raised in the Susquehanna Valley, so their love for the area made it an easy decision to grow their business here. The business, first named “Flowers by Scott,” traveled from Edwards’ parents’ basement to their butcher shop to multiple locations across the Valley. At one point, the Edwards family ran four stores at once. The business has held firm in its current location on Northumberland Street since 1980. Throughout their marriage, Judy Edwards said the only thing she and her husband fought about was the business. “He’s creative and I’m on the numbers end,” she said. Over the years, Scott’s became the largest full-service flower shop in the area and they take pride in the relationships they’ve built with community members. “We did their wedding, their kids’ weddings and their kids’ weddings. Three generations of weddings,” Edwards said. Two of the three Edwards daughters, Holly Hoffman and Heather Marks, are set to take over the family business as their parents said they are bowing out little by little. Hoffman earned a degree in early childhood and elementary education at Elizabethtown College and returned to Danville where she was a substitute teacher on the days she wasn’t working the flower shop. “I kind of realized, ‘oh, wait, I like the flower shop,’” Hoffman said. “So I just decided to do this instead.” Hoffman has been trained by her father to take over the fresh flower part of the shop, she said. “I grew up with it and saw him do it all the time,” she said. “So then I kind of stepped right in and started doing what he does.”
ABOUT THIS COMPANY ■ BUSINESS: Scott’s Floral, Gift & Greenhouse ■ ADDRESS: 347 Northumberland St, Danville ■ FOUNDED: 1974 ■ EMPLOYEES: 10 ■ WEBSITE: www. scottsfloral.com
“Customers become like family as you help them celebrate events with flowers. We get to know their families, favorite colors and styles, likes and dislikes, etc.”
— Heather Marks, Scott’s Floral
Marks also attended Elizabethtown College where she studied communications. Marks worked for Mercedes Benz for about a year in Philadelphia before deciding to come back to the f lower shop, Hoffman said. “I think we both realized it’s actually fun,” Marks said. Marks said she works with her mom, Judy, to handle the books, gifts and computer on a day-to-day basis. As she and her sister take on leadership roles, Marks said local businesses are special. “Customers become like family as you help them celebrate events with flowers,” Marks said. “We get to know their families, favorite colors and styles, likes and dislikes, etc.” Hoffman and Marks hope to continue on the family business in a way that makes their parents proud, they said. “I think dad has trained us well,” Hoffman said. “I think he’s very happy we decided to come back. He’s done it for so long and I think he would hate to see it just stop.”
Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
Leon Hoover talks about the service and educational opportunities that Hoover’s Bernina Sew in Mifflinburg offers to its customers. with bigger bobbins, which are the plastic or metal cylinders where the thread is wound into the machine. Machines can reach dollar figures in the five digits. The
customer base is mostly hobbyists, but they also work with Bucknell University, Commonwealth University of PA in Bloomsburg and Penn State University.
Hoover said they stock all Bernina products so they always have them available for customers. “My motto is, if we don’t have it, we can’t sell it,” Hoover said.
Robert Inglis/The Danville News
Scott’s Floral, Gift & Greenhouses in Danville celebrated 50 years in business in 2024. Pictured, from left, are Holly Hoffman, Scott Edwards, Judy Edwards and Heather Marks.
Valley of Progress: 2025
Valley of Progress / Saturday, March 15, 2025
Page B3
Coin Collector a one-man operation Steve Shannon Tire expands to new Sunbury location
By Anna Wiest
awiest@dailyitem.com
LEWISBURG — For 14 years, David Siebert has made it his mission to ensure people receive a fair price for their goods at The Coin Collector in Lewisburg. Siebert began his business as U.S. Collectors Advocates in 2011. Today, he continues to buy and sell coins, gold, silver, platinum, diamonds, gemstones, paper money, fine jewelry and more as The Coin Collector, according to the business’ website. In 2011, as gold and silver prices were “skyrocketing,” Siebert said he witnessed people coming in from out-of-town and “cheating” senior citizens. “It’s always been my motivating factor to make sure people are getting a fair price,” Siebert said. Growing up in Missouri, Siebert had a number of mentors took him under their wings. “I was a sponge,” Siebert said. After meeting his wife and moving to her hometown in the Susquehanna Valley, Siebert said he was introduced to a new culture and was surprised at how nice people were in his new community. Having started his business in 2014, Siebert said he was surprised at how quickly it “caught on and prospered.” In the years since, Siebert said he has maintained many of the ways he operated when he began. The Coin Collector does not take credit cards and does conduct business online, only face-to-face at their 25 North 8th St. location in Lewisburg. “We’re very hands on and very old school,” Siebert said. “I’m one of those guys that says ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.’” The business owner continues to work with clients oneon-one and receives a “tremendous” amount of referrals, he said. Siebert is the only person operating The Coin Collector, though he admitted his wife, Corinne, volunteers a few hours a week as needed. “We could get bigger if we were less personal, but I don’t want to do that,” Siebert said. “I built this business around
By Rick Dandes
rdandes@dailyitem.com
Photos by Anna Wiest/The Daily Item
Above: David Siebert owns and operates The Coin Collector in Lewisburg. Below: The Coin Collector is located at 25 N. 8th St. in Lewisburg.
ABOUT THIS COMPANY ■ BUSINESS: The Coin Collector ■ ADDRESS: 25 N. 8th St., Lewisburg ■ FOUNDED: 2011 ■ EMPLOYEES: 1 ■ WEBSITE: www. thecoincollector.com
helping people and I want to keep doing it.” Siebert offered the following advice for those entering the world of estate dealings or appraisals. “Stay local,” he said. “Deal with someone who is actually an expert. People who sell all kinds of things aren’t really an expert on anything.” Seibert added he respects
clients’ privacy and does not share any personal information. “I am very private with clients,” he said. The Coin Collector is A+ rated and accredited by the Better Business Bureau and a member of the American Numismatic Association, according to their website. The site also says the com-
pany is an authorized dealer for the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, Paper Money Guaranty and Certified Acceptance Corporation. The Coin Collector offers house call appointments, appointments after business hours and free verbal evaluations, though they cannot be done over the phone, according to their website.
SUNBURY — What began 36 years ago, when Steve Shannon Sr. bought a two-bay garage in Bloomsburg has grown into a family-owned chain of 43 Steve Shannon Tire Centers in Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. The newest of these — at 193 Shikellamy Ave. in Sunbury — opened in October 2024. “My father worked a little bit in the automotive industry, and just decided to go out on his own,” said Jesse Shannon, one of Steve’s three sons. Steve Shannon, Jr., Herb Shannon, and Jesse Shannon have been co-owners of all the automotive centers since 2020. “When our father bought it, it was a gas station, but we never actually had gas there,” Jesse Shannon said. “He did some car repairs, but mainly tires.” Now, all Steve Shannon auto centers are full-service shops, doing all auto repairs, but tires are still top sellers. Besides the 43 tire centers, the Steve Shannon Tire Company also has wholesale warehouses. Steve Shannon Sr. still works every day at the front desk of the warehouse. His wife, Kelly, the boys’ mom, works in accounting, and the boys’ sister, Stephanie, works in accounts payable, said Michael Hogan, the company’s marketing director. The company’s first warehouse opened in 1995. In 2003, an additional 148,000 square feet of warehouse space was added. A retread shop started in 2021, where new treads are put on old tires. Jesse Shannon oversees that division. From the one shop the company began to expand, seeking opportunities in
ABOUT THIS COMPANY ■ BUSINESS: Steve Shannon Tire ■ ADDRESS: 1149 Millville Road, Bloomsburg; New Sunbury location: 193 Shikellamy Ave, Sunbury ■ FOUNDED: 1988 ■ WEBSITE: www. steveshannon.com
other communities. “There were no particular game plans,” Jesse Shannon said. “Where there was an opportunity to provide service in other towns, we would look at it.” “At 43 shops and counting, that keeps us very busy,” Jesse Shannon said. “Plus, as owners, we answer questions directly. Not many other large companies do that. I’ll pick up the phone.” And that makes all the difference. “We are the local family-owned dealership and we look for good people, good managers who are going to take care of your car as if it was their own,” Jesse Shannon said. What took the company so long to come to Sunbury? “We were looking for the right opportunity in town,” Jesse Shannon said. “Finally the right piece of property came up and that excited us.” The Sunbury Steve Shannon Tire shop features eight bays. Fully staffed, the Sunbury shop will have 11 to 12 employees. The business can perform oil changes, state inspections, preventative maintenance and everything tire-related. Engine diagnostics, driving diagnostics, driving parts, four-wheel alignment and a free courtesy check are among the many services they can provide.
Community involvement evolves into shop By Anna Wiest
ABOUT THIS COMPANY
awiest@dailyitem.com
DA N V I L L E — A n n ie McCarty, owner of Troop 47 Trading Co., offers an array of locally sourced goods in the heart of Danville and does so with her father’s legacy in mind. McCarty opened a brick-andmortar store in Nov. 2022 on Mill Street. The decision to open a physical store came after a few years of selling handmade candles and home fragrances as Escentially Annie, McCarty said. “That endeavor was born out of the COVID-19 pandemic — early in 2020 — and served to bring a bit of light into people’s homes during what was a dark time for many,” McCarty said. “As that grew, we recognized the need for a more consistent presence, which led us to the decision to open a permanent storefront.” As McCarty planned for a physical store, she realized her product offering would increase beyond candles and so decided she needed a different name to identify her business. “We eventually landed on Troop 47 Trading Co. as a way to carry on my dad’s legacy of leadership and community involvement,” McCarty said. Troop 47 first opened at 320 Mill St. McCarty said there were a few reasons behind the decision to root her business in Danville. Her husband, Scott, and dad, Jim, were from Danville. McCarty’s father’s involvement with Scout Troop 47 took place in the Pine Street Lutheran Church in Danville. “Of the communities in close proximity to our home in Millville, Danville felt like the most vibrant in terms of fellow businesses and stores to collaborate with, as well as its annual community events that we expected would help bring people downtown,” McCarty said. Troop 47 spent two years at
■ BUSINESS: Troop 47 Trading Co. ■ ADDRESS: 551 Mill Street, Danville ■ FOUNDED: 2022 ■ EMPLOYEES: 1 ■ WEBSITE: troop47. co
Daily Item file photo
A new Steve Shannon Tire & Auto Center is now open for business at 193 Shikellamy Ave., Sunbury.
Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
The Troop 47 Trading Co. is now in its third year operating on Mill Street in Danville. 320 Mill St. before moving to 551 Mill St. in Nov. 2024 to be in a more central downtown location, according to McCarty. “That move came from a desire to be even more connected to the heart of the downtown district, and also to benefit from what we hoped would be increased foot traffic in a more heavily populated location,” McCarty said. “Beyond that, this location is significantly larger, which affords us the space for a more robust product offering.” The new location also offers ample space to comfortably host events like ladies’ nights, book swaps, vendor events and more, McCarty said. As for what lies ahead, McCarty said she’s still settling into the new location and does not have immediate plans for what’s next. “Growth is great, but we’re in a good place right now, and with having just moved to this new location, we’re looking forward to continuing to settle into this space,” McCarty said. “Beyond that, the part of this that I love the most is the connections and relationships it brings. So now
that we have space to breathe, we want to work on being good community partners, and bringing more value to our customers, many of which have become good friends.” Troop 47 Trading Co. was recently named “Small Business of the Year” by the Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce. As the chamber included in a press release, “Troop 47 Trading Co., is a rally point for
COMPLETE
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events in Downtown Danville, as shown by her (McCarty’s) recent Galentine’s Day event, which collected shampoo for fellow award nominee The Good Samaritan Mission. It’s a rally point for good reason — Annie knows and loves her community as much as she knows her store and her customers, having hand-picked or handcrafted every item on the shelf.”
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Page B4
Valley of Progress / Saturday, March 15, 2025
Valley of Progress: 2025
Susquehanna Valley Limousine growing under owner By Rick Dandes
rdandes@dailyitem.com
POI N T TOW NSHI P — Over the 20 years that Chris Peifer, of Point Township, has owned Susquehanna Valley Limousine, the business has grown under his leadership to become more accessible to a wider, more diverse range of customers, offering a variety of vehicle options like luxury sedans, SUVs, and sprinter vans. Peifer was raised in Northumberland, and is a Shikellamy High School graduate. Through the years, he said, “I always liked cars and that drew me to this limo service that had originated in 1995. Then came a chance in 2005 to buy something different and unique. At the time of purchase SUV stretch limos were
very popular.” Susquehanna Valley Limousine was a declining business when Peifer and a partner purchased it. “We were able to catch it at the right time. And that is when we started buying the SUVs and gave the business a pretty good boost. Especially vehicles that were only found in bigger cities. Then, we started doing work with Bucknell.” When Peifer bought the business, it had eight vehicles, including five stretch limousines, three towncars and a limo-bus. When he bought the business, it was going in the direction of smaller town car work but soon transitioned to also doing shuttle bus work because the company was getting calls from travel agencies.
“For the longest time we had four or five shuttle buses and in 2021, after COVID-19, I bought a motor coach-style bus that we still have,” Peifer said. “Right now, we have a little bit of everything.” The company sold all of the limousines over the years. “Nobody owns stretch limos anymore, even some of
the biggest companies don’t,” Peifer said. “That’s one way the industry has changed.” T he compa ny’s cu r rent 21-vehicle fleet includes six town cars, three SUVs for corporate travel, vans and seven shuttle buses. Much of the services prov id e d a r e fo r Buck n el l, Geisinger, school district work
(buses for academic trips). The company still does weddings and tours. Peifer said there are some challenges to running the business in 2025, but hiring and retaining employees isn’t one of them. “For the longest time it was employees, good drivers. But we’ve had good luck,” he said.
“Most of my workforce is retirees or semi-retired. It is a good, dependable workforce. “The other challenge is buying vehicles such as shuttle buses. It can take months after first getting on a list. Plus the prices on equipment have doubled. I ordered a shuttle bus just before COVID and it took four years to get delivered.”
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Valley of Progress 2025
dailyitem.com
C1
Saturday, March 15, 2025
INSIDE:
SWEET TREATS IN UNION COUNTY
Purity Candy approaches 120th anniversary
n Page C2: Squeeze-In celebrating 80 years in downtown Sunbury
n Page C3: Soybean, corn farm evolved into award-winning Shade Mountain Winery
n Page C4: Hobby evolves into obsession, then profession for owner of Lost Mined Brewing Co. n Page C4: Whispering Oaks Vineyard prides itself on its roots
Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
Lois Weary decorates chocolate eggs at Purity Candy in Lewisburg.
Founder made his way to Lewisburg to open shop By Rick Dandes
ABOUT THE COMANY
rdandes@dailyitem.com
n Page C5: Old Forge Brewing Co. continues to evolve on Mill Street. n Page C5: Historic Penn’s Tavern remains popular destination n Page C5: Tulpehocken Spring Water celebrates a century
n Page C6: New location
ALLENWOOD — As Purity Candy approaches its 120th anniversary, candy-maker and owner John Burfeindt continues to uphold, and improve upon the traditions established in 1907 by founder Ford G. Birchard. “Our founder and his brother were candy-makers in Williamsport,” Burfeindt, who had access to Birchard’s diaries, said. “Ford was an inventor and wanted to strike out on his own. And he was clearly ambitious. He looked for a place to establish a business. “Williamsport had too many candy shops at the time.” Birchard began his search for where he could start his own business by traveling throughout the Valley. Travel by rail was common. “He got on the train in Williamsport and got off at Sunbury,” Burfeindt said. In Birchard’s diaries he also talked about Allenwood, where
■ BUSINESS NAME: Purity Candy ■ ADDRESS: 18047 State Route 15, Allenwood; 422 Market St., Lewisburg ■ FOUNDED: 1907 ■ EMPLOYEES: 23 ■ WEBSITE: www.puritycandy.com
Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
Chocolate eggs available at Purity Candy. there was a train station. “Ironic, because 100 years later we opened up a place in Allenwood, where we are now,” Burfeindt said. “But he went on to Sunbury and could not find anything. Got back on a train and got off at another
stop, in Lewisburg, where he found a decrepit shack on the corner. That’s how we started. In a rented shack.” The original owner never discussed to others why he called the business Purity, Bufeindt said, with a sigh.
“I worked with the Zeibers, Arlen and George, who owned the company for a while, bridging the gap See PURITY, Page C4
in Williamsport latest move for Jackass Brewery owners
C h e c k o u t t h e s e f u n , u p co m i n g M a l l Eve n t s : CC Collectibles Sports Card & Memorabilia Show March 22nd 10 am to 5 pm
Photos with the Bunny April 4th - April 19th
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Sensory Bunny April 6th
Easter Craft and Vendor Event April 11th to April 13th
Reservations required (please see our website for more information)
Please call Tee at 570-374-8222 if you would like to be a vendor at this show
Pet Photos with the Bunny
CC Collectibles Sports Card & Memorabilia Show
April 7th and April 14th 4 pm to 7 pm
SBC Media Partners / Sunbury Broadcasting Company The Great Hop Egg Hunt April 12th To qualify you must listen to 94KX or 100.9 The Valley for the key word
April 19th 10 am to 5 pm
570-374-8222
www.susquehannavalleymall.com Keep following on Facebook and Instagram for more fun events!
Page C2 Valley of Progress / Saturday, March 15, 2025
Valley of Progress: 2025
Squeeze-In to celebrate 80 years in downtown Sunbury By Francis Scarcella fscarcella@dailyitem.com
SUNBURY — The small town charm of having a hot dog joint to visit is something that makes The Squeeze-In owner Chris Snyder happy. The Squeeze-In, located at 448 1/2 Market St., in Sunbury, has been serving patrons from the city and across the world since 1945. The eatery will turn 80 this April and Snyder said he is thrilled to continue a tradition in Sunbury, after his late father Bob Snyder, purchased The Squeeze-In, in 2009. “Sunbury was a bustling town in the mid-1940s, and it continued to thrive for several decades in the future,” Chris Snyder said. “The Squeeze-In
Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
The Squeeze-In on Market Street has been a staple in Sunbury for decades. continues to be a part of a wonderful downtown community, with a variety of shops and restaurants having come and gone. “We are so thankful to be 80
years young and we look forward to serving our customers and community for another 80 years.” The Squeeze-In, is 8 feet wide and 16 feet long and only
has five stools inside. Bob Snyder died in June 2022 and Chris Snyder decided he would keep his father’s tradition alive. Bob Snyder would often be seen at The Squeeze-In, sweeping out front, meeting with customers, serving hotdogs through the to-go window, or even showing up at Sunbury City Council meetings to stay in tune with what was happening in Sunbury. Chris Snyder said growing his business is something he never wantedin the physical location, but his customer base has grown in the Valley and across the world. “The Squeeze-In has only grown in our hearts and memories,” he said. “We continue to serve hot dogs with just five stools and through our to-go
The Heart of the Susquehanna River
window. We plan to maintain the small town charm — and size — of The Squeeze-In for many years to come.” Chris Snyder said he faces challenges like any other business. “Our challenges of late have been related to the supplies and cost of goods,” Chris Snyder said. “We work hard every day to serve delicious hot dogs at fair prices. Our future plans include connecting with our community through engagement, partnership, and donations as available. “Our other future plans are to keep The Squeeze-In exactly as it is to connect our customers and friends with the past, and to bring our children and grandchildren joy by creating new memories together while enjoying Squeeze-In hot dogs.”
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■ BUSINESS: The Squeeze-In ■ ADDRESS: 448 1/2 Market St., Sunbury, Pa. 17801 ■ FOUNDED: 1945 ■ EMPLOYEES: 5 ■ WEBSITE: www. thesqueezein.com
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Valley of Progress / Saturday, March 15, 2025
Valley of Progress: 2025
Page C3
Corn, soybean farm transformed into Shade Mountain Winery By Marcia Moore
mmoore@dailyitem.com
Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
Shade Mountain Winery and Vineyard won Best Of Show for its Gewurztraminer wine at the Pennsylvania Farm Show this year. It also won medals for its Lemberger and Dry Rose wines.
MIDDLEBURG — Raised on a Middleburg corn and soybean farm run by their parents, Karl and Carolyn Zimmerman, daughters Amy Scorsone and Jenny Zimmerman had no intention of working in the family business. Embarking on their own after college — Scorsone studied education and lived in New Jersey, and Jenny Zimmerman studied science and worked in the oncology field in Boston — the women found their way back to the Valley when their parents’ new winery, Shade Mountain, and vineyard business began taking off with assistance from their two other children, sons Bill and Ben. “We grew up here. It’s a won-
derful, safe community and there’s something to be said about a family business,” said Jenny Zimmerman. For Scorsone, raising children while working with relatives has made for an ideal work-home balance. “I love working with my family and I love our customers, they are family to us,” she said. “I feel I inherited a whole new family when I came back.” The elder Zimmermans pivoted from raising traditional crops to wine grapes in the late 1980s as a way of using land that was more conducive for growing grapes. “Grapes like arid dry conditions that’s why you see vineyards on hills with southern exposure,” Jenny Zimmerman said. The Zimmermans began by selling grapes to other wineries
but quickly branched out on their own. Today, the family grows 75 acres of grapes and operates two winery locations in Middleburg and Riverside. “We are one of largest wine grape vineyards in the state,” Jenny Zimmerman said. The family is always looking for opportunities to make their 50 different white, red, blush, specialty, fruit and sparkling wines available to the public. Shade Mountain wines are available at Weis, Giant, Wegmans and some state stores. With all four of Karl and Carolyn Zimmerman’s children involved in the business and six young grandchildren being raised around the vineyards, Jenny Zimmerman said the hope is that Shade Mountain Winery and Vineyards will have a lasting legacy.
The Heart of the Susquehanna River
SUNBURY PENNSYLVANIA
ABOUT THIS COMPANY ■ BUSINESS: Shade Mountain Winery and Vineyards ■ ADDRESS: 16140 Route 104, Middleburg, PA ■ FOUNDED: 1989 ■ EMPLOYEES: 12 full-time and about nine part-time ■ WEBSITE: https:// shademountainwinery. com
SHOP LOCAL DINE LOCAL Be Sure To Support These Fine Sunbury Businesses.
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Page C4
Valley of Progress / Saturday, March 15, 2025
Valley of Progress: 2025
Whispering Oaks Vineyard prides itself on ‘roots’ By Francis Scarcella fscarcella@dailyitem.com
Purity Candy owner John Burfeindt said his company is ready for Easter this year.
Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
Purity Candy approaches 120th anniversary PURITY, from Page C1
between the Bichards and the Burfeindt family. Ford Bichard was a very religious man. Part of the temperance movement, said Burfeindt. “The Zeibers told me that naming the company Purity had something to do with that,” he said. Arlene Zeiber, according to records, was the daughter of the founder. From the start, Birchard used all-natural ingredients, simple machines, and carefully tested recipes. “Ford believed that making small batches by hand contributed to Purity Candy’s reputation for quality,” Burfeindt said. “Today, that legacy thrives under the guidance of the Burfeindt family. “We are not trying to reinvent the wheel. We are just trying to make simple things very well. Burfeindt said they roast nuts for their confections on-site and use chocolate. “It’s not fancy and it is not the newest ingredient like some are doing these days. But it is fresh. Simple. And good,” he said. When he was in high school, Burfeindt’s parents asked him what he thought about the small place on North 8th Street. By the late-1970s to early-1980s it had been owned by different people. John and Mary Burfeindt bought the place in 1985. “My dad was an execu-
Jelly beans for sale at Purity Candy. tive in Williamsport, so my mother and sister and myself decided to learn how to be candy-makers, but it was hard work, lifting 100-pound bags of sugar and other ingredients so at first they hired a candymaker,” Burnfeidt said. “By tradition, the candy-maker was always the owner of the company. “We went through candy-makers until one year during the Christmas season, my mother called me up. She said to me ‘I need a candy-maker, you need to come
and be a candymaker.’” Burnfeidt said, at the time, he was 23 years old. “I said, ‘I don’t know how to do that,’ but I learned from the candy-maker who was there at the time,” he said. “And 35 years later, I am the candy-maker, the owner.” The biggest challenge they face at the moment is the price of chocolate, which has risen 100 percent in the last year. Sugar has gone up as well. “We live by the mantra and want it to continue; simple things made well, nice packag-
Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
ing,” he said. “We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel. “Right now we are as big as we can be while doing the things we do.” Purity still uses the same recipes, techniques and attention to quality that have been so important in the creation of fine confections for decades. “We’ve also added a few new candies and improved some old ones,” Burfeindt said. “But, most important to candy lovers, we haven’t compromised Purity’s natural, old-fashioned commitment to quality.”
Hobby evolves into profession for beer brewer By Francis Scarcella fscarcella@dailyitem.com
SHAMOKIN — After 46 years of not having an operating brewery, Dennis Kaleta decided it was time to change that stat. In 2021, Kaleta, opened Lost Mined Brewing Company, the first operating five-barrel brewery — F&S closed in 1975 — in nearly 50 years. The brewery, at 100 South Market Street, had its start as Kaleta’s hobby, and he said it turned into an obsession and now a profession. “I was born in Shamokin and this area has always meant a lot to me,” he said. “I love brewing and meeting new people and sharing the passion of beer.” Kaleta said he began brewing beer in a small pot on his kitchen stove in 5-gallon batches, which then expanded to an outside brewery of 15 gallons, and then finally, to a one-barrel system. Kaleta said from the stove he progressed to a half barrel brew shed in his yard. He then began a one-barrel system that was as far as a home brewer could take it, with seven taps and a walk-in cooler. “A year or two later, a local bar & restaurant went up for sale and my partner Francis Latovich and a community of friends and family pulled together,” he said. “We donated time, labor, ideas, and money.
ABOUT THIS COMPANY ■ BUSINESS: Lost Mined Brewing Co. and Restaurant ■ ADDRESS: 100 S. Market St., Shamokin ■ FOUNDED: 2018 ■ EMPLOYEES: 7 ■ WEBSITE: lostmined. com
We purchase the property and equipment for a five-barrel brewery. “The restaurant was remodeled with a rustic coal mine themed atmosphere with real coal mining items. A few years later we tackled the brewery. The room was remodeled by us and we installed the equipment.” Kaleta said the brewery has added equipment to streamline the brewing process. “We started distributing our beers through E.H. Kleckner recently to spread our brand,” he said. Kaleta said the economy is one of the biggest challenges
Daily Item file photo
Lost Mined Brewery owners Francis Latovich, left, and Dennis Kaleta stand in front of their business at 100 S. Market St., Shamokin. he faces, so he began to offer a Wednesday deal night with discounted beers and food. Looking to the future, Kaleta said with the weather changing he will have free food tasting, music and beer open to tavern, bar and club owners through
E.H. Kleckner as well as making a larger area for Sunday night live music. “Our beers are bold with a lot of flavor,” he said. “We also brew more traditional beers and some old styles that can’t be found too easily.”
SUNBURY — Whispering Oaks Vineyard continues to bring wine enthusiasts to Sunbury from across the Valley. Owners Brian and Jacki Cunningham are thankful for the support they received and said the winery has also been growing as an event venue. “The Root Cellar is our tasting room in the lower level with a patio and an abundance of outdoor areas with scenic views,” Brian Cunningham said. “We attend numerous off site events serving wine and/ or wine slushies from the Whispering Oaks Vineyard beverage trailer.” He said the destination sp ot is a lso a we dd i ng venue. “Typically they wed out back on the infinity lawn with cocktail hour in the Speakeasy and then the reception up in the Cill Dara. Weddings can also be held inside during winter months however guest count would be a little more limited. “Both the Speakeasy and Cill Dara are also available as stand alone rental rooms to host any type of event. The Speakeasy is adjacent to our tasting room downstairs and the Cill Dara (church of the oaks) is the larger event room upstairs with a sprawling wrap around deck off the back doors.” He said he wanted to keep the vineyard in the area he grew up. “Most of us were born and raised here in the area and circumstances were such we could build not only the venue, but our houses here on “the compound,” he said. “It just made sense to serve the community we call home. We felt there was a need for an establishment designed with every detail from ample parking to all restrooms being ADA compliant to offer the best experience we could to all in our community.” C u n n i ng ha m sa id t he winery has grown over the past 8 1/2 years with customers. “Our biggest growth has been with our family. We’ve come to k now so ma ny people over the last 8 1/2 years that have helped and watched us establish our roots here,” he said. “We’ve also evolved and realized we can’t all be hands on in every facet of what we do. It proved beneficial when we modified our management structure. Ryan and Tracey focus on the winery, tasting room and off site events. Jacki and myself handle the wedding and rental aspects of our
ABOUT THE COMANY ■ BUSINESS: Whispering Oaks Vineyard ■ ADDRESS: 1306 Route 61, Sunbury ■ FOUNDED: 2016 (vines first planted in 2010) ■ EMPLOYEES: 12 ■ WEBSITE: www. whisperingoaksvineyardpa.com
Daily Item file photo
The vineyard at Whispering Oaks in Sunbury. venue.” One big challenge for the winery is the economy, Cunningham said “The economy has necessitated many folks tighten their purse strings which has affected us somewhat,” he said. “The benefit of being owner/operators is we can read and react quickly. We know we’re not in a big city and we strive to keep our pricing ref lective of that. We’re also open to continually trying new ways to keep our neighbors coming as well as attracting new friends. “If anyone has something new they’d like to see us host, please share with our team.” Cunningham said the winery stands out in his opinion because of company’s mantra, “The difference is in our roots,” a slogan that has a dual meaning. “Obviously the roots of each vine serve an integral part of the grapes grown and wines produced here at Whispering Oaks,” he said. “More importantly though is the work ethic and virtues instilled in each of us through the roots of our family trees. “Additionally as we add staff and meet guests, the roots of Whispering Oaks Vineyard deepen exponentially.”
Daily Item file photo
The deck at Whispering Oaks Vineyard near Sunbury.
“Obviously the roots of each vine serve an integral part of the grapes grown and wines produced here at Whispering Oaks. More importantly though is the work ethic and virtues instilled in each of us through the roots of our family trees.”
—Jacki Cunningham, Whispering Oaks owner
Valley of Progress: 2025
Valley of Progress / Saturday, March 15, 2025
Penn’s Tavern remains popular destination By Francis Scarcella fscarcella@dailyitem.com
SUNBURY — Penn’s Tavern remains a popular hot spot for individuals to have a pleasant dining experience as well as see some of Northumberland County history. Penn’s Tavern, located at 113 River Road, on Route 147, just outside of Sunbury, is one of the oldest structures in Nor thumberland County. Built at least 224 years ago, the property sits on a 1.28acre site and was opened by the Mertz family in 2006. Tom and Elizabeth Mertz said they are proud of the restaurant they built and happy to be able to serve the Valley. “Simply put, the building and the location are a perfect blend of history and natural beauty,” Elizabeth Mertz said. “Penn’s Tavern is one of the oldest structures in Northumberland County, and its charm is undeniable. “ T h e lo c a t io n o n t h e Susquehanna River is breathtaking, and you could tell that the property had been lovingly maintained by the previous owners.” The property’s history has been one of contention among local historians. One legend says Conrad Weiser built the pub in 1703 on land given to him by Chief Shikellamy, the representative of the six Iroquois nations who inhabited the region, but other historians say Weiser was 7 years old and living in Germany in 1703. Another legend has it built in 1791 by Samuel Aucmuty, a Revolutionary War officer
Tulpehocken Spring Water celebrates 100 years By Rick Dandes
rdandes@dailyitem.com
The Sarah room at Penns Tavern, located at 113 River Road, Sunbury. who used it as a terminus for a ferry operated by Adam Fisher. It is believed that John Penn, grandson of William Penn, was reunited at the tavern with his wife, Marie Cox, after he was taken captive during an Indian raid near Harrisburg. Local legend says she found him in an upstairs room minutes before he died in her arms. In the years to come, the historical stone building continued to serve the community as a hotel, a ferry house, a post office and a railroad station. It was restored in 2007. Elizabeth Mertz said Penn’s Tavern continues to grow as it
expanded the variety of foods offered. “Also, the addition of the River Pub area, and the expansion of the river deck is appealing,” she said. “We’re a come as you are restaurant, dress up to make it a special evening, or come off the river in your fishing attire. “Making yourself comfortable is what’s important to us.” She said the driving force behind the growth of Penn’s Tavern is exceptional teamwork and commitment of the Penn’s family of coworkers, including our talented executive chef, front-of-house manager, servers and bar-
tenders, who all share a common goal of making people happy they visited Penn’s Tavern. Like all restaurants, Elizabeth Mertz said, the challenges are narrow profit margins in the industry that make it vital to maintain a steady stream of guests. “We must preserve an environment that appeals to diners and employs the best family of staff,” she said. “Our plan is to continue offering appetizing food while running a business that attracts visitors. “It’s a privilege to be a part of history and to be serving our community.”
Daily Item File photo
ABOUT THIS BUSINESS ■ BUSINESS: Penn’s Tavern ■ ADDRESS: 113 River Road Rt 147, Sunbury ■ FOUNDED: 2016 ■ EMPLOYEES: 44 ■ WEBSITE: Penns1703@outlook. com
Old Forge Brewing continues to evolve on Mill Street By Anna Wiest
awiest@dailyitem.com
DANVILLE — Sixteen years ago, Old Forge Brewing Company opened in Danville as a brewpub specializing in locally sourced products and fresh brewed beer. Since then, the company has grown into a larger building on the same street and maintains its commitment to the local community. Owner Damien Malfara said he was interested in the burgeoning craft brewing scene before starting his business. As he traveled for work, he visited breweries and brewpubs and “loved the ambiance, variety of beer styles, and welcoming hospitality” at his favorites. At the time, there were just a few breweries in the state. Malfara said he was inspired by DogFish Head in Delaware and Selin’s Grove Brewing locally. “I dabbled in home brewing over the years with extract recipe kits, but thought I could do well with all-grain brewing from scratch,” he said. “I had a background as a research chemist and it allowed me to easily understand the science of fermentation. “I taught myself brewing, refining recipes and learning critical control points in the brewing process. I read a lot of books and talked to some brewers and put together a business plan and began looking for locations.” Malfara said he was committed to starting his business in the Valley. “I was only looking for locations in the local area and we would not have had the success without the community supporting us prior to our opening — all the local folks who helped us out during the planning and build out, sharing their ideas, time, materials and friends, allowing us to build new relationships with artists, farmers, woodworkers, tradespeople, suppliers, etc. The list goes on and on,” Malfara said. T h ings moved quick ly when a space in Danville became available in early 2008. The Malfaras signed the lease in the spring and opened Old Forge on Dec. 5, 2008, coincidentally the
Page C5
The Old Forge Brewing Company along Mill Street in Danville. anniversary of the repeal of prohibition in 1933. Today, the company continues to evolve, but maintains its core values of sourcing locally whenever possible, being committed to its community and putting customers first. “When we first opened our doors to the present day, the Danville and surrounding communities and members have supported us with our growth and changes,” owner Maria Malfara said. The brewing company first opened at 282 Mill St. and in 2013 moved to its current location, 532 Mill St. “We have evolved and changed over the years, but have always remained consistent to our core values and beliefs of putting out the best products to our customers,” Maria Malfara said. “It’s what they expect from us and what they deserve.” Maria Malfara said the Old Forge team is focused on short-term goals for longterm effects. “We want to grow deeper in the community, grow deeper in central PA, all while being the local hometown brewpub
Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
ABOUT THIS COMPANY ■ BUSINESS: Old Forge Brewing Company ■ ADDRESS: 532 Mill St., Danville ■ FOUNDED: 2008 ■ EMPLOYEES: 35 (15 full-time and 20 part-time) ■ WEBSITE: www. oldforgebrewingcompany.com
Photo provided
Damien Malfara, Old Forge Brewing Co. owner.
that the community loves and supports and can rely on for good quality beer, food and service,” she said. Genera l Ma nager Jace Rovenolt said everything about Old Forge is based in the community. “Our business name, and several of our beers and menu
items, are derived from the local history of the iron-producing forges that Da nville was once known for,” Rovenolt said. The manager also mentioned the company’s continued efforts to source locally. “Our burgers and steaks come from beef cattle raised here in Montour County that are fed on the leftover grain from our brewing process,” Rovenolt said. “We have a
line of beers, the Born and Bred Series, that are made using only Pennsylvania produced malt. “Our decor and furniture are also made by local artisans and businesses. We have a rotation of area artists that display their artwork on our walls. We have a mug club membership that uses a different local artist every year to handcraft personalized mugs for our members.”
NORTHUMBERLAND — Founded in 1924, Tulpehocken Spring Water enters its second century of business, poised to continue growing by expanding its already sizable customer base. The Tulpehocken name derives from an Indian path that extends between Sunbury and Philadelphia The company has come a long way under the leadership of Joe Malloy, who bought Tulpehocken 48 years ago — on Jan. 1, 1977. “We had two employees then,” Malloy recalled. “And I was one of them. I knew nothing about the water business. I went into it totally green, not knowing anything. “But I learned fast,” he said. “We had a little F-150 truck with a box in the back, as a way to transport water to our customers. It only took a few years after I bought the company that we had grown to where we had 20 employees.” From that point, the company has grown its customer base from about 250 to more than 30,000 customers today, serviced from eight locations. “We went from that original two employees to more than 120 now,” Malloy said. “It’s taken 48 years to do that.” The owner notes that Tulpehocken rode the early “health” wave of drinking bottled water. “Absolutely,” he said. “We were in the right place at the right time, and that trend of spring water consumption has not slowed down one bit, even to today. We were ready when opportunities presented themselves.” “All the bottling is done at the company’s corporate headquarters, located at 750 Point Township Drive, and is trucked to our other locations,” Malloy said. Tulpehocken’s water source used to be only Indian Trails Mountain Springs, but for the past 20 years, a second source has been the Sugar Loaf Mountain Spring near Benton. Those two sources serve everybody. Tulpehocken Spring Water comes from glacial sandstone formations that surfaces as a spring. The water is piped down the mountainside “to our electronic control center, where it flows through ultraviolet lights and undergoes an ozone process, with a .35 micron filter,” Malloy explained. The Indian Trails and Sugar Loaf Mountain water is then stored in stainless steel holding tanks. Then, it is transferred via stainless steel tanker trucks to the Point Township bottling facility. “The purity and great taste of our water is upheld thorough comprehensive testing standards,” Malloy said. “We test our water when it comes into the plant and several times per hour, at every stage of the bottling process for consistency.” Future plans for Tulpehocken are to keep on growing. “Over the years I’ve probably bought 25 companies as part of that growth process — people that we bottle for. “We are connected to a lot of little operations that we bottle for,” Malloy said.
ABOUT THE COMANY ■ BUSINESS: Tulpehocken Spring Water ■ ADDRESS: 750 Point Township Drive ■ FOUNDED: 1924: ■ WEBSITE: www. tulpehockenwater.com
Jackass Brewery overcomes pandemic, expands to Williamsport
Page C6 Valley of Progress / Saturday, March 15, 2025
By Rick Dandes
rdandes@dailyitem.com
WILLIAMSPORT — Opened in Union County during the earliest days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jackass Brewing Company expanded with a second location in downtown Williamsport, at 301 West Third St. It all began when one of the company founders, Larry Winans, moved from Pittsburgh to the Susquehanna Valley in 1994, then established and operated a dental practice for 27-plus years. Winans said he and cofounder Skip Kratzer had been friends for quite some time. “We used to go out for beers on Friday afternoons. One day he said to me, ‘Do you want to brew beer?’ So we did.” “We brewed a bourbon porter,” Kratzer recalled. That first batch was an abysmal failure. From that they learned a lesson, and moved forward. “I was a chemistry major in college, so the exact science of brewing beer felt at home to me,” Winans said. “Skip had brewed before. “We really kinda dove into it full bore. I like to say we had a drinking problem because we love to brew beer so much
that we couldn’t drink it all. We started giving it away to friends, and then friends asked if they could buy it.” Neither Winans nor Kratzer had any experience as restaurateurs, so the two had to learn from scratch in launching the first Jackass Brewing Company along Route 45, just west of Lewisburg. Ja ck a s s i n L ew i s b u r g opened up five days before the COVID-19 shutdown. “COVID threw us for a little loop, so we delayed a bit. We had to adapt and make it work.” Winans said. “What we found in year two was that we had maximized our potential in the Lewisburg building, so we had to look for something different. We love Lewisburg. This is our home. This is our base and it will always be very important to us, but we wanted to expand — which was always in the thought process.” It was two years after the first opening “that we realized we were pretty much out of space here in Lewisburg,” Winans said. “We had grown the business all we could grow.” Winans and Kratzer looked for about a year at 40 or 50 properties “and settled on the one that we bought. It’s fantas-
tic. Absolutely love it. We settled on Williamsport because it is close to home,” Winans said.
“And the business community is very friendly, and has been very supportive.”
The property was an empty shell of a building and had been empty for 10 years, Winans ex-
pslained. “The building has a rich history. I had a vision for the building.”
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Valley of Progress 2025
dailyitem.com
INSIDE:
D1
Saturday, March 15, 2025
EXPANSION OF MAIN CAMPUS
Geisinger aims to transform care with 11-story expansion
n Page D2: WellSpan
Evangelical Community Hospital maintains high quality, community-based care n Page D2: Persistence pays off as cigar, spirit business reopens.
n Page D3: Central
Susquehanna Valley Transportation project sparking growth, optism on northern section
Daily Item file photo
Geisinger Chief Administrative Officer Megan Brosious, left, and Administrative Director David Wojtowicz speak about the plans for a new emergency department that will include the current children’s emergency department with the hospital’s new building projects.
Expansion allows for 100 percent private patient rooms By Anna Wiest
awiest@dailyitem.com
n Page D3: Sunbury
Motors remains all in the Mertz family, even a century later
n Page D4: The Daily Item finds way to evolve even as industry landscape shifts
Image provided
This artist’s rendering shows the planned expansion at the front of Geisinger Medical Center.
DANVILLE — Geisinger was founded in Danville in 1915. One hundred and 10 years later, the health system continues to grow throughout Pennsylvania. At the age of 85, Abigail Geisinger recognized the need for advanced health care in her rural central Pennsylvania community. Today, Geisinger serves 1.2 million people in urban and rural communities across the commonwealth, hospital officials said. Despite the growth, the organization’s goals remain the same, according to Dave Wojtowicz, administrative director of Geisinger’s central region. “Our goals continue to remain the same today as when the hospital opened in 1915: we bring advanced health care services to our neighbors throughout central Pennsylvania,”
ABOUT THIS COMPANY ■ BUSINESS: Geisinger ■ ADDRESS: 11 North Academy Ave., Danville ■ FOUNDED: 1915 ■ EMPLOYEES: 26,000 ■ WEBSITE: www. geisinger.org
Wojtowicz said. The Susquehanna Valley was vital to the start of Geisinger and the See CARE, Page D2
Page D2 Valley of Progress / Saturday, March 15, 2025
Valley of Progress: 2025
Wellspan Evangelical Hospital keeps Persistence pays high-quality, community-based care off as cigar, spirit
business reopens
By Justin Strawser
jstrawser@dailyitem.com
LEWISBURG — In July, it will be a full year since WellSpan Health cleared regulatory approval and acquired Evangelical Community Hospital in Lewisburg. WellSpan Spokesperson Ryan Coyle said the shared values and missions of the two organizations becoming one allows the health care system based in south-central Pennsylvania to keep high-quality, community-based care at the forefront of all that they do. WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital is located at 1 Hospital Drive, Lewisburg. “Maintaining access to that level of care, and expanding it where it makes sense, has been a top priority,” Coyle said. “Joining with WellSpan allows us the opportunity to share expertise and resources in ways that ensure such access.” More specifically, WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital has opened new practices in recent years as part of this mission. This includes orthopedic and imaging practice locations at the Susquehanna Valley Mall, to a specialty clinic in Selinsgrove (Ob/GYN and now urology), and a specialty clinic in Williamsport for surgical consultations and some vascular services. “WellSpan Evangelical is committed to providing access to care with a compassionate, personalized approach, but we also know that a cornerstone of our commitment to high-quality care is ensuring healthy communities from the onset,” Coyle said. “Our focus on treating the whole person, addressing both medical and non-medical needs, is part of our long-term strategy to build a health care model that improves patient health outcomes while reducing the overall cost of care.” WellSpan Health, like many other health systems, continues to be impacted by a nationwide shortage of physicians and nurses, Coyle said. “It is one of the reasons why we recently announced the establishment of the Jersey College — School of Nursing at WellSpan,” he said. “We announced last summer a memorandum of understanding with Temple University to establish a medical school campus in central Pennsylvania, in addition to other partnerships for nursing education and numerous residency programs at WellSpan to develop the next generation of healthcare professionals.” WellSpan’s “Find a Better Way” value has energized WellSpan’s teams to create innovative new approaches to care delivery, brand experience,
By Rick Dandes
rdandes@dailyitem.com
Daily Item file photo
WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital is located along Route 15, just north of Lewisburg.
ABOUT THIS COMPANY ■ BUSINESS: WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital ■ ADDRESS: 1 Hospital Drive, Lewisburg ■ FOUNDED: 1926 ■ EMPLOYEES: Around 1,900 ■ WEBSITE: https:// www.evanhospital.com
Daily Item file photo
Evangelical Community Hospital CEO Kendra Aucker, left, talks with WellSpan Health CEO Roxanna Gapstur before a February press conference. business efficiency and more, Coyle said. “Through innovative partnerships, we’re bringing big ideas to life,” he said. “Partnerships allow us to expand our capabilities with organizations that share our values, creating opportunities to build trust, reimagine health care and inspire good health for those who we serve. By investing in and collaborating with leading health care venture firms, WellSpan aims to improve patient experiences and business efficiency, optimize caregiver relationships and create new care models that ensure high-quality care for our patients. “WellSpan Health is committed to strategically investing in our infrastructure and our team members to grow a health system that is focused on improving access to care.” WellSpan is committed to reimagining how they deliver care and solve for some of their most
complex challenges through the lens of people, process, and technology. Since the hospital integrated with WellSpan last year, some of these advances are already coming to fruition, Coyle said. “By leveraging WellSpan’s advanced telemedicine technology and its deep bench of nephrology experts, patients admitted to Evangelical who need hemodialysis — a treatment that uses a machine to filter wastes, salts and fluid from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do so effectively — can receive their care in Lewisburg rather than facing transfer to another health care facility,” Coyle said. Evangelical also recently added a urology practice to its already impressive list of specialty clinics and successfully recruited two new orthopedic providers — a spine surgeon and a non-surgical sports medicine physician.
The hospital has received a DaVinci Xi surgical robot and is in the process of making structural changes to its operating rooms to accommodate the new technology as well as training surgeons and staff on its use. The first robot-assisted surgical case at Evangelical is expected to be completed this year. “WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital has always enjoyed tremendous community support,” Coyle said. “From its humble beginnings as an infirmary at the Evangelical Home to the establishment of an independent community hospital in 1953 to the construction of its four-story patient bed tower, the community has always been there for Evangelical through volunteerism, donation of material goods and financial backing. “It is this strong relationship with the community that has sustained Evangelical for nearly a century, and it will be the community who will carry the hospital into its next century of living its promise of providing accessible, affordable care for all. “
Geisinger aims to transform care with 11-story expansion CARE, from Page D1 community continues to support the organization, Wojtowicz said. “The region and the people who call it home are the reasons we are here. Abigail Geisinger wanted to bring a great hospital to her community, and we continue that legacy today,” Wojtowicz said. “Our staff and hospitals bring many specialty care services not widely available to rural areas — like transplant surgery, advanced cancer treatments, comprehensive pediatric care including Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital and Level I trauma centers.” In more than a century, Geisinger has evolved from a single hospital to a system throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania including 10 hospitals, 26,000 employees, more than 1,700 physicians, a health insurance plan, a research arm and a college that trains doctors, nurses and administrators, according to Wojtowicz. Locally, a multi-year project at Danville’s Geisinger Medical Center was announced last year. The project will feature a new 11-story tower at the front of the hospital, near an expanded main entrance area. Hospital officials said the expansion will “dra-
Persistence has paid off for Edward and Wendy Manning, owners of Oliver’s Cigars and Spirits, which reopened in November at 144 E. Independence St. in downtown Shamokin following a fire several years ago. “ O l i v e r ’s o r i g i n a l l y launched three years ago, but a fire two years ago at the neighboring OIP restaurant affected both their business and home,” said Amber de Guerrero, a consultant with Buck nel l’s Sma l l Business Development Center (SBDC). “It was devastating,” Edward said on Thursday, as he recalled the aftermath. “We were beginning to gain some real momentum, having built up the business, starting to get some significant number of regular patrons. We were really growing. The fire made us close for 16 months.” Reopening was like starting all over, he said, “because even though everyone knew we were still here … people have routines, and if you are no longer part of that routine, you have to rebuild it from scratch.” Some of the ideas for Oliver’s interior look came from several places they had researched. “For example, we were at the Carnegie Club in New York City, one of the oldest cigar social lounges, a beautiful facility,” Edward said. How it all began Before moving and investing in Shamokin, “Wendy and I started a real estate b u si n e s s i n S chuyl k i l l County and Berks County. Our whole mission was to do high end apartments and living spaces where there was a void of it. “With the decline of the coal region, everybody was coming in with low-income stuff,” he continued. “Nobody was catering to the average person or the professional person. “What we discovered as we began poking around the Berks County line was that we were getting tenants in some of our Berks County places that were commuting from Berks County to Schuylkill so that they would have a nice place to live. “We purchased a couple of buildings in Schuylkill, made some nice apartments at a fairly reasonable cost for blue collar, white collar person.” At some point, an acquaintance asked Edward and Wendy if they had any interest in doing the same in Shamokin. “My initial answer was ‘no,’ for a couple of reasons,” Edward said. “For me, at that point in time it was a ‘dead’ town and I did not know about the surging revitalization efforts. “I d id n’t k now ab out AOAA [Anthracite Outdoor Adventure Area] and didn’t know about the impact of Knoebels on the economy here. Neither of us had any idea how big a deal ATVs
ABOUT THIS COMPANY ■ NAME: Oliver’s Cigars and Spirits ■ ADDRESS: 144 E. Independence St., Shamokin ■ FOUNDED: 2021 ■ WEBSITE: Search for Oliver’s of Shamokin on Facebook
were, and that there is a whole industry built around ATVs.” Shamokin was 90 minutes from where they were living, and hence, a little bit out of their comfort zone. But when they saw the revitalization plan, “we realized this was fertile ground for entrepreneurs,” Edward said. The enthusiasm they encountered was “kind of contagious,” he added. “Those things put together helped us decide to not only buy this building, but also see that it was in an opportunity zone. We had a chance to make some capital gains and that was one of the incentives. A tax cut that encourages investment.” “We never intended to live here,” Wendy added. “We built an apartment here and it worked out so beautifully. By that time, we had fallen in love with the area and the people.” “We think Northumberland people are the salt of the earth,” Edward said. “We made so many friends here, in a hurry. When we had that tragic fire, people here would give us the shirt off their backs. We lost everything in that fire.” The space that is now Oliver’s was a food pantry. “We had a vision for making a cigar lounge, a hospitable space, a gathering place, where people could come, eat, smoke and just hang out,” Wendy said. Oliver’s also has a full-service bar. It took months to find the furniture that gives the lounge a wonderful down-home vibe. Business consultant de Guerrero, from the SBDC, said the owners have made a strong commitment to the region not only by locating in Shamokin, but by rebuilding there after the fire. “As experienced business owners, they didn’t need much hands-on guidance, but we supported their marketing through student projects. Their decision to invest in Shamokin and stay after facing setbacks is a testament to their dedication to the area’s revitalization.” The name Oliver’s derives from Edward’s early fascination with Oliver Wendell Holmes. “He’s a hero for me; a person with great wisdom.” The Mannings also bought the nearby Heritage restaurant, “so people can buy food here as well,” Wendy said.
Robert Inglis/The Daily Item
A section of an old photograph that captured the scene of the laying of the cornerstone for the original George F. Geisinger Memorial Hospital in Danville on Sept. 1, 1913. matically alter and improve the Geisinger Medical Center campus through modern spaces and tools to meet the region’s current and future health care needs, focusing particularly on patient experience and high-level care.” The expansion will allow the hospital to transition to 100 percent private rooms. The project will place all critical functions in the hospital right next to each other in “ad-
jacent fashions,” Ron Lesher, assistant vice president of project delivery at Geisinger, said. An additional 40 beds will be added to the space bringing the hospital’s total from 520 to 560. Between the added beds and improved efficiency of single bedrooms, the hospital will be able to serve between 15 and 20 percent more patients.. “This project will reimagine the Geisinger Medical Center
campus to strengthen collaboration among our staff and units for better patient care,” Megan Brosious, chief administrative officer for Geisinger’s central region, said. “Our patients will have a modern care environment where they can continue receiving expert care right here in Danville, as they’ve come to expect from us over the past century. And our teams will have the space they need to provide that care.”
Rick Dandes/The Daily Item
Edward and Wendy Manning own and operate Oliver’s in downtown Shamokin.
Page D4 Valley of Progress / Saturday, March 15, 2025
Valley of Progress: 2025
Daily Item evolves in shifting market The Daily Item Since publishing its first edition on July 1, 1937, The Daily Item has been forced to adapt to a changing industry that has involved mergers, the evolution of color printing, the emergence of the 24/7 news cycle and the continued expanse of the internet and online platforms. Today, T he Da ily Item serves its audience across a print newspaper, social media, magazines and the constant flow of news, big and small, at dailyitem.com. The Daily Item was born as a result of the merger of The Sunbury Daily and the Evening Item in 1937. Though both newspapers had been in existence since the mid- to late-1800s in Sunbury, they had to merge after a flood in 1936 changed their outlooks. The Sunbury Daily was the city’s first daily newspaper and it had been in existence since 1872. The Evening Item had been in existence since 1893. Ha r r y H. Haddon, who started as a reporter at the Sunbury Item in 1916, was editor and publisher of the merged Daily Item from 1937 until the early 1970s. Since its inception in 1937, the newspaper has had 10 publishers, with Chip Minemyer holding the post since March of 2024. The Daily Item purchased The Danville News in 2001 and both newspapers have been printed and produced in Sunbury since. Today, the newspaper prints a daily edition five days a week — Tuesday through Saturday — along with a full electronic e-edition available Monday mornings. At the beginning of 2024, The Daily Item rolled out a Weekend Edition on Saturdays, eliminating the Sunday print product that had been published since 1987. As with many industries, the business model for newspapers continues to change. Gone are the days when most revenue came from advertising. Newspapers across the country have shifted to a more content-driven revenue stream. “Li ke many businesses large and small, we’re con-
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The Daily Item is located at 200 Market St., Sunbury. The newspaper’s press facility is located along Rasperry Avenue in Sunbury. cerned about the impact the tariffs will have on our operation. We buy the bulk of our paper for printing the newspaper from mills in Canada, and we contract with international companies for other goods,” Minemyer said. “Although we’re continually growing the digital side of our news business, ink-on-paper remains an important element of what we do.”
Owned by CNHI LLC out of Montgomery, Alabama, The Daily Item has been named CNHI’s Division I Newspaper of the Year three times since 2016 — most recently in 2023 — and twice won the company’s prestigious Public Service Award. The Daily Item also produces InsidePA Magazine six times a year, along with a series of niche publications fea-
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turing motorsports, weddings and Valley seniors. The newspaper is headquarter at its main office at 200 Market St., in Sunbury. Its press facilities are also located in Sunbury, on Raspberry Avenue. “The Daily Item and the Danville News continue to evolve as business conditions shift, and we plan to continue serving this region well into the future,” Minemyer said. “What we do still matters. And we appreciate the loyalty we see from our readers and advertisers.”
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