January 1999 Press Releases

For Immediate Release
January 1999 Press Releases

Chamber President Elected Chair of the PCCE Board

Harrisburg, PA – Barbara Y. Groce, President of the Capital Region Chamber of Commerce, was recently elected Chair of the Pennsylvania Chamber of Commerce Exectuives’ (PCCE) Board of Directors. The 200-member organization, comprised of local chamber of commerce managers and others employed in chamber of commerce work, was formed to enhance the quality and relevance of chamber management in Pennsylvania.

Groce has served as Chamber President since 1995, and is the first female to hold the position. She also serves on the boards of the Capital Region Economic Development Corporation (CREDC), The Chamber/ACES Foundation, and the Harrisburg-Hershey-Carlisle Tourism and Convention Bureau. Groce is a member of the Dauphin County Local Emergency Planning Council and the Dauphin County Technical School Advisory Council as well as many other area non-profit business, travel and education organizations.

Groce assumed her position January 1, 1999.

Dickinson College Announces Master’s Degree Opportunities in England

Carlisle, PA – Dickinson College recently formalized an agreement with the University of East Anglia (UEA), in Norwich, England, that will allow Dickinson College graduates the opportunity to pursue a Master’s degree at the British university. This program is an extension of the 10-year relationship that Dickinson and UEA already enjoy in their undergraduate programs.

Uptown Children to Benefit from Donation to Purchase New Playground

Harrisburg, PA – Sharon Fach, district representative of the McKesson General Medical Corporation Philanthropic Foundation (Middletown), has notified officials at Neighborhood Center of the United Methodist Church that the uptown Harrisburg community center has been selected by the San Francisco-based corporation to receive $7,000 to replace aging playground equipment.

Established in 1994, the McKesson General Medical Corporation Philanthropic Foundation, headed by Marcia Argyris, is in its second year of philanthropic giving. With this year’s emphasis on children, the Foundation accepted the recommendation of local officials, Sharon Fach and District Manager, Christopher Carlson, that Neighborhood Center should receive a major financial gift.

New Prostate Cancer Treatment Available at PinnacleHealth

Harrisburg, PA – For the past year, physicians at the PinnacleHealth Regional Cancer Center have offered hope with a promising new treatment for prostate cancer called Radioactive Seed Implantation. Radioactive Seed Implantation is a leading-edge prostate cancer treatment with minimal discomfort and side effects. It has been offered through the Radiation Oncology Division at PinnacleHealth Regional Cancer Center since last fall.

Under the treatment, tiny radioactive seeds smaller than grains of rice are permanently inserted into the prostate gland with less radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

PinnacleHealth Regional Cancer Center is the first treatment facility to offer radioactive seed implantation in the local area. For additional information on the procedure, please call 782-4177.

National Volunteer Blood Donor Month

Hummelstown, PA – President Clinton has declared January 1999 as National Volunteer Blood Donor Month. To help ensure an adequate blood supply, the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank (CPBB) will be celebrating National Volunteer Blood Donor Month by encouraging the public to donate blood.

James N. Cooper, President and CEO of CPBB, states the need for blood is constant. Historically, January is a critical time of year because of the unavailability of blood donors due to colds, flu, and bad weather conditions.

Cooper states anyone 17 years of age and older, in good health, and weighing 110 pounds is eligible to donate blood.

The CPBB will be celebrating National Volunteer Blood Donor Month by sponsoring several blood drives throughout Central Pennsylvania area. Please see the AGENDA calendar for listings of dates and times to donate!

Business Advisory Council Formed

Harrisburg, PA – The ATHENA Foundation has chosen Central Pennsylvania as its first national site for the kick off of its PowerLink Program. Business leaders from Dauphin, Cumberland, Perry, York, and Lebanon counties have announced the formation of the Business Advisory Council to implement the ATHENA PowerLink Program. The mission of the new organization will be to assist women-owned businesses to expand profitably through the use of volunteer professional advisory panels.

Local business owner Michael Brenner, owner of the Brenner Family of Dealerships underwrote the cost of the start-up investment. Brenner, the incoming chairman of the CREDC, said, "We are committed to the community and are honored to be able to help women business owners in the Capital Region."

CAT’s Route D Becomes More Accessible

Harrisburg, PA – Effective January 4, 1999, Capitol Area Transit’s Route D Shopper’s Special schedule adjusted to make it fully accessible to wheelchairs. The addition of accessibility on this route will make lift-equipped buses available on portions of Routes 7, 18, 19 and on all of Route D. As CAT adds new buses to its fleets, more routes will become accessible.

For additional schedule information, or for a complete listing of accessible trips, please call our Information Specialists at 238-8304.

Business Leaders of the Year Named as City Notes Record Number of New Businesses

Harrisburg, PA – Mayor Stephen R. Reed presented the City of Harrisburg’s top business recognition awards to Michael A. Brenner, owner and chief Executive Officer of the Brenner Family of Dealerships, as Business Leader of the Year; Jorge and Sylvia Marroquin, owners of Marroquin, Inc., as Small Business Leaders of the Year; and Stephen and K.J. Weinstock, owners of Stocks on 2nd, as the 1998 Business Rookies of the Year.

Allied Arts Fund to Receive First Legacy Gift

Harrisburg, PA – The Allied Arts Fund announced that is has received its first legacy gift from former Board member and Campaign Chairman, Charles L. Stoop. This generous gift comes as the result of a charitable remainder unitrust established by Mr. Stoop at The Greater Harrisburg Foundation to benefit nine named organizations, one of which is the Allied Arts Fund. When the trust terminates at Mr. Stoops death, a permanent endowment fund will be created to provide annual support to the Allied Arts Fund and its affiliated arts and cultural organizations.

PinnacleHealth Physical Offered in Upper Dauphin

Harrisburg, PA – PinnacleHealth Physical Therapy offers a full service physical therapy program in Upper Dauphin. The facility is located at 125 East Main Street, Elizabethville, and provides care for acute and sub-acute back pain; orthopedic injuries and joint replacements; sport related injuries; arthritis; CVA’s; amputees; industrial injuries and Parkinson’s Disease; Multiple Sclerosis and other neurological disorders.

Additional sites are in Cumberland Valley, Dillsburg, and within PinnacleHealth Hospitals. The number for Physical Therapy of Elizabethville is 362-3685, and their fax number is 362-4376.

Live Sketch Comedy from N.Y. at Appalachian Brewing Co.

Harrisburg, PA – In keeping with the tradition of promoting original talent, Thelonious Theater will bring another New York based group to Harrisburg. New York City’s hottest improv and sketch comedy group, The Awkward Academy, will be at The Appalachian Brewing Company, 50 North Cameron Street, in Harrisburg on Friday, January 29th and Saturday, January 30th. Both shows will begin at 8pm.

For this show, ABC and Thelonious Theater are offering a package deal which includes a buffet dinner, 25 growlers of ABC beer to choose from, the show, dessert, and coffee. To make a reservation, please call 232-4036.

Swenson Plaza Improvments

Harrisburg, PA - Mayor Stephen R. Reed earmarked the remaining funds in the Walnut Street Bridge Trust Fund for upcoming improvements to Swenson Plaza, the eastern entrance to the historic structure located at Front and Walnut Streets in downtown Harrisburg. Damaged by ice and flood waters in 1996, a variety of fundraising initiatives and donations resulted in nealy $100,000 being contributed for Bridge related improvements.

Over the past decade, Swenson Plaza has become a much used public gathering place for ceremonies, festivals, musical performances, fundraising activities, and other events. The Plaza project will be incorporated into an already-approved city and federally funded walkway, lighting, paving, and drainage improvement project being undertaken throughout Riverfront Park by the city.

Community Bank Changes Name to Emphasize Its Roots

Harrisburg, PA – Keith L. Dalrymple, President and CEO of Dauphin National Bank, a locally owned Independent Community Bank with offices in Central Pennsylvania announces, "on November 19, 1998, the Board of Directors decided to change the name of the bank from Dauphin National Bank to Vartan National Bank." Dalrymple said, "Dauphin National Bank, now Vartan National Bank (VNB) has been providing continuous Full-Service banking since 1919."

Dalrymple also announced, "the name of VNB’s parent company, Dauphin Bancorp, Inc., has been changed to Vartan Financial Corporation (VFC)." Dalrymple said, "VFC’s goal is to encourage other Community Banks to join forces with us to preserve roots while we collectively accomplish what no one could easily do alone. When Community Banks are swallowed by large financial institutions that are governed by people who don’t live and work in the community, hometown economic opportunities and personal service are jeopardized. VFC’s partnership opportunity is a solid hedge against the deterioration of local decision-making and long term investment in our communities," Dalrymple concluded.

Christmas Trees to be Collected by the City

Harrisburg, PA – Mayor Reed advised city residents that the city will again provide free pick-up services for discarded Christmas trees throughout the month of Janauary. City crews will follow a street or neighborhood’s normal recycling pick-up day schedule to collect the trees, which residents are advised to place at their front curbside only on the day of their regular recyclable materials collection day.

The Mayor noted that the collected trees are then mulched by the city Department of Public Works and recycled for use as tan bark in city parks or sold to local processors.

1999 PA Auto Show Cruises to the Farm Show Complex

Harrisburg, PA – Hundreds of new cars, trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles will roll into the Pennsylvania State Farm Show Complex for the 1999 Pennsylvania Auto Show. Celebrating 25 years of exploding growth, more than 30 automobile manufacturers and several boat dealers are participating in this extravaganza. The Show will take place Wednesday, January 27, through Sunday, January 31.

From Ford and Chevrolet to BMW and Toyota, both domestic and import manufacturers will host dramatic displays showcasing the latest in comfort, performance, and style. Auto enthusiasts will enjoy viewing a variety of 1999 and 2000 model vehicles all under one roof.

The Auto Show is five days of family fun including concept vehicles, pre-production models, American Express Beanie Days, Kid’s Day, special guest appearances and more. In addition to the wide variety of vehicles, it will also feature motorboats, personal watercrafts, recreational vehicles, and marine accessories.

The Auto Show hours are: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 1 to 9pm; Saturday, 10am to 9pm; and Sunday, 10am to 6pm. Admission is $6 for adults (13 an over), $2 for children (7-12), free for children six and under, and $4 for senior citizens (62 and over). Discount coupons are available at participating dealerships or can be downloaded from the Liberty website at autoshowusa.com.

Telephone Company Donates Smoke Detectors

Harrisburg, PA – Senior citizens and low-income families in Harrisburg will be better protected against the dangers of house fires as a result of a generous donation of 135 new smoke detectors from the Bell-Atlantic Telephone Pioneers, Mayor Stephen R. Reed reported during a brief acceptance program in his office.

Reed said the donated new First-Alert smoke detectors are being given to the Harrisburg Bureau of Fire for installation in the homes of senior citizens, the disabled, and low-income families who request them. The city annually conducts a smoke detector installation service and the newly donated detectors will now be used for that program.

Public Relations Firm Wins 12 Awards in Communications

Harrisburg, PA – The public relations firm of Andrews, Sacunas & Saline, Inc. (AS&SI) won 12 awards for excellence in communications. The firm received the awards at the Harrisburg Chapter of International Business Communicators (IABC) Capital Awards gala and the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Central Pennsylvania Chapter Keystone Awards program.

The largest full-service public relations and marketing firm in central Pennsylvania, Andrews, Sacunas & Saline, Inc. provides public relations, marketing, strategic Internet communications, and special events planning counsel and services for high-technology companies, associations, and corporations.