Downtown Shendandoah, Inc. 116 North Main St., Shenandoah, PA 17976 Tel: 570-462-2060
DSI website: www.downtownshenandoah.com CEBA website: discoverCEBA.com
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Giving Tuesday Is Tomorrow, November 30
Please Support DSI & Give
Add Your Name To Our Special Giving Tree
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This Giving Tuesday, (November 30) we invite you to help our Giving Tree Grow!
Everyone who donates any amount to DSI will have their name printed on a leaf and added to our special Giving Tree that will be located in the lobby of The Center For Education Business & Arts. We can do so much together! Thank you!
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Why A Giving Tree? Why Donate to DSI and CEBA?
Because we care about our community and want to recognize everyone who donated to help us make the Center For Education, Business & Arts a reality. When CEBA opens, everyone who walks into the lobby will see the Giving Tree and how many people that generously gave. Together we can make a big difference.
Together, You can help us reach our goal. Every dollar counts...your dollar counts!
CEBA Is For You, Your Family, Friends, And Neighbors
To move our community forward into a better, more successful future, DSI is collaborating with multiple partners and community leaders to construct The Center For Education, Business & Arts (CEBA). CEBA is a community center for you! It will include a commercial kitchen, event center with catering kitchen, Penn State classroom, DSI offices, co-working spaces, and more. CEBA will be located on Main Street in Shenandoah and will serve the entire area. CEBA is for you, your family, friends, and neighbors to learn new skills, host events and so much more.
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DSI Is Committed To Your Community In Many Ways & CEBA Is Just One Part Of What We Do!
DSI spearheads a variety of programs to enhance the downtown district while maintaining the historical look and feel of the area. Most recently, DSI was awarded a $100,000 grant for facade improvements. The grant will assist approved local businesses with financial assistance to improve their storefronts. This adds to previous facade improvement programs that provided assistance to local businesses like Kowalonek's Kielbasy Shop, Nature's Way Emporium, Mike's Seafood, and Francesco's Restaurant, all located on Main Street.
DSI Hosts Fun Outdoor Festivals That Shines The Light on Our Community
DSI hosts three significant outdoor annual events that are instrumental in the fundraising efforts necessary to keep our mission moving forward. These events generate thousands of visitors to Shenandoah. Kielbasi Festival, Heritage Day, and Pierogi/Kielbasi Golf Outing celebrate the ethnic food, heritage, and history of this community while shining the light on our unique community. We also host the annual Coal Cracker Christmas that is our way of thanking the community for their support.
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You're In Really Good Company!
Take a Look at Our Generous List Of Donors
Donate On Giving Tuesday & Add Your Name To This Growing List
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Joe & Barbara Anczarski
Jamie Anczarski
Joseph & Cassandra Anczarski
Lynn Anczarski
Alfred Bronakowski
Betty Ann Bugden
Michael Creasy
John Elliott Esq.
The Palubinsky Family
Gina Ross
Delance Family
Desiree Dunleavy
Scott Herring
Karen Kenderdine
Francesco Logozz
Ron & Mary Luscavage
Mary Ellen Matunis
Joe & Andrea Pytak
Peter & Anne Skirmantas
Mary Ann Budd
Ted Souchuck
Cotts, Inc., Digital Marketing
Kawika Daguio
Anthony Sajone
Francesco Logozzo
Joe & Nancy Schlitzer
Joseph Yeck
Schuylkill Area Community Foundation
Williamson, Friedberg & Jones
Murphy & Dittenhafer, Inc.
Francis & Bernadette Matunis
Dr. Sasha Sherry
Joe &Mary Wilanosky
Loretta Redcleft Shine
Frank & Lisa Breznik
Anna Marie Segal
Susan M. Bobbin
Ruth Schuch Williams (Lyric Restaurant)
Walukiewicz-Oravitz Fell Funeral Home
Patrick Jones
Dr. John Lazur
Elizabeth Del Valle
The Bolick Family
Darlene Robbins
Daguio Family-Constable
Alfred Bronakowski
John Thomas
Janis Blaskovich
George Halcovich
Carmen Cicioni
Dino & Karen Cicioni
First Federal Charitable Foundation
Gerald & Mary Jo Sadusky
Tara Kesh (In memory of Ted and Theresa Chesla)
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Congressman Daniel Meuser
Matt Carduff
Renee Buchanan
Joseph Anczarski Jr.
Stephen Rich
Dr. Eric Petterson
Anne Taylor
Pamela Twardzik
Thomas Twardzik
Lynn Anczarski
John Thomas
Anne Kane
Paul Prybolsky
Charles & Arlene Vascavage
Bob Yudinsky & Joyce Smith
Jim & Dot Setcavage
Rob & Annie Taylor
Kurt Bauman
Jean Farooki
Scott & Susan Williams
Darlene Robbins
Paul Prybolosky
Murphy & Dittenhafer, Inc.
Mr. Thomas Mervine
Main Street Laundromat
Barron & Robin Hetherington
Wm, Johathan & Mary Jo Moss
Explore Schuylkill
Theresa Kolonsky
Damian Birchess
Robert & Joan Racis
John Karpovich
Ann Cadau
John Slatick
Redner's Food Market
Edward Schrepple
Service Electric Cablevision
Joseph and Margaret Rejent
Gulotta Group
Kowalonek's Kielbasy Shop
Commissioner Gary Hess
Regina Gargano
Patricia Shoener
Rose Holburn
Dulce Cruz
Steven Stroble
Maria Paulonis
Mandy Fitzpatrick
Mary Ann Budd
The Greater Shenandoah Area Chamber of Commerce
PP&L Foundation
Kathleen Polk
Walmart Distribution Center #7030
Shenandoah Pharmacy
Note: If you donated and your name isn't on our list or spelled incorrectly, please call the office and we'll correct it for our next issue. Thank you!
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DSI Recently Awarded With First Federal Charitable Foundation Grant |
Megan Kennedy, (pictured above) a representative for The First Federal Charitable Foundation recently awarded Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. with a $25,000 grant. This is the second gift totaling $50,000 in support of The Center for Education, Business & Arts (CEBA). "We are happy to support this project," said Kennedy.
The First Federal Charitable Foundation was established to support worthwhile community causes. It strives to nurture non-profit institutions and programs that will effectively serve those in need from our community, empower non-profit institutions and programs that will expand their presence in and services to those of our community, and promote opportunities for new non-profit institutions and programs that will serve the unserved of our community.
CEBA will become a catalyst for economic growth in Schuylkill County and the surrounding region," explained DSI Board President and Treasurer, Karen Kenderdine. "Organizations like the First Federal Charitable Foundation are invaluable to our communities. They know and understand the local community and their support helps to move us onward and upward. We are very fortunate that First Federal had the foresight to make an investment in a foundation to benefit our communities perpetually. We are extremely thankful to receive this much-needed funding, she added."
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Pictured from top to bottom are Karen Kenderdine, DSI Board President and Tim Twardzik, State Representative, 123rd District.
Pictured are Tony Sajone, Shenandoah Borough Manager, Representative Tim Twardzik and Senator Dave Argall.
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Statewide Blight Issue Discussed During A Public Hearing |
Schuylkill County is experiencing a blight problem and State Representative Tim Twardzik is doing something about it. He recently invited the House Urban Affairs Committee, representatives of the Pottsville Blight Task Force, and other local officials for a two-day meeting to see and discuss the negative impact that vacated and blighted buildings are causing the county at a local level.
The first day featured a trolley ride throughout the county so the members could see firsthand the scale of the problem. One of their many stops was the Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. offices so the group could learn about The Center for Education, Business and Arts, (CEBA).
President Karen Kenderdine and Director Susan Williams shared the history of the community center and the progress to date. Both expressed their concerns about the blight in Shenandoah's neighborhoods and how it negatively affects the community as a whole.
On the second day, there was a public hearing to discuss problems and solutions to improve the process. In the near future, the committee will bring forward and vote on a blight remediation package, that Representative Twardzik will offer as House Bill 1791. According to his website, "Twardzik’s legislation would allow local communities to create and maintain a vacant property registration and assessment program, which is a blight-fighting, smart growth tool used to stabilize and redevelop communities."
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Business Spotlight: Shenandoah, PA Damato Post 792 |
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Pictured is part of a 1,500 foot mural created in honor of Anthony P. Damato. It is located in the Veterans Memorial Park next to the Damato Post Building |
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Pictured are members of the Damato Post 792 proudly marching in the 2021 Heritage Day Parade. |
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The Anthony P. Damato American Legion Post 792 is more than just a building that has stood in the heart of Shenandoah since 1944. It is a special place that honors the memory of a war hero whose act of heroism saved the lives of two American soldiers. This month, in honor of Veteran's Day, we are shining the spotlight on a man's legacy and the community of veterans who also bravely served our country.
According to history, Damato was in an active WWII battle in Japan on February 19-20, 1944. He and two other soldiers were in a foxhole when an enemy hand grenade was thrown upon them. Damato bravely threw himself onto the grenade, absorbing the explosion to save his friends' lives. He died instantly giving the ultimate sacrifice. He was only 21 years old.
For his heroic act, he received a Congressional Medal of Honor from President Franklin D. Roosevelt who wrote, " Corporal Damato's splendid initiative, fearless conduct and valiant sacrifice reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his live for his comrades." In addtion, a Gearing-class destroyer of the United States Navy was named the USS Damato in his honor. A photograph of USS Damato hangs in the DSI office.
The Damato post building located at 116 N. Main Street, Shenandoah served as a community center for many years providing a meeting place and social spot for veterans. Today, it is the home of Downtown Shenandoah, Inc, The Diakon Senior Community Center, and The Veterans Memorial Park where community members can gather. There are plaques throughout the building that honor Damato's memory as well as a large mural visible in the park designed by Shenandoah Valley high school students in 2009.
Veterans continue to manage the facility's activities, volunteer in their community and provide scholarships to local students and donations to charitable organizations. The membership is not as robust as previous years, but those who still participate work hard to keep the tradition alive. "I joined 10 years ago to help keep the Post alive," said Eddie Bickowski, retired US Marine.
"I am proud to have served as a Marine and fought for our American freedom. Once a marine, always a marine," he said.
All veterans share a brotherhood bond," explained Gino Monahan, retired from US Army. "We use that bond to support each other and our community. I was drafted and it changed my life. The friends I made during the two years I served, remain my lifelong friends more than 53 years later. It's an amazing bond," he said. " Monahan added that the Damato Post is happy to support the Boy Scouts of America, local football team and donate to local nonprofit organizations. They also organize the veteran’s memorial flags that hang on Main Street.
“I appreciate everything they do for the town,” said Eric Becker. “It warms your heart to see the hard work and dedication to keep the local veteran’s memories alive.”
On behalf of everyone at Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. and our Shenandoah community, we want to sincerely thank all those who serve or have served our country.
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Pictured are Bruce Popalis and John Catizone Both men are volunteers and members of the Anthony P. Damato American Legion Post 792. This picture was taken after a Veteran's Day Service at the Shenandoah Valley High School. |
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Pictured are Eddie Bickowski and Gino Monahan. Both men are volunteers and long-time members of the Anthony P. Damato American Legion Post 792.
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CEBA Connects:
Two December Presentations Wrap Up 2021 Programming
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This is a complimentary presentation. Register today for the Zoom link that we will email closer to the presentation." |
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Negotiation Know-How: It’s Easier Than You Think
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
1:00 pm - 2:00pm
Presenter: Lisa Robinson, MBA, Business Instructor, Penn State World & Penn State Schuylkill
Lisa Robinson, MBA and business instructor for Penn State World and Penn State Schuylkill is an expert negotiator. She will lead this interactive workshop designed to teach you the art of real-life negotiation. It’s easier than you think when you have the basic skills of successful negotiation.
Lisa will share proven tips to successfully negotiate what you want at work, advance your career, get the lowest price on a car, or the best deal at the bargaining table. This presentation will also strengthen your leadership and communication skills.
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Make Your Own Greeting Card: IntroTo Paper Quilling
Thursday, December 9, 2021
6:00pm - 7:00 pm
Presenter: Marky Barto, owner, Art By Marky
Registration Fee: $5 at the door:
Location: DSI Office, 116 N. Main St., Shenandoah, PA
Let’s have fun creating your own greeting card! In this live class, you will learn the techniques of paper quilling, also known as paper filigree. Marky will show you step by step how to make a festive greeting card to gift or to frame.
Marky is a professional artist originally from Czech Republic, now based in Schuylkill County. Her focus lies on traditional classical arts such as oil painting and charcoal drawing and the folk art of paper filigree (paper quilling). Through involvement with many art organizations, she brings these arts to the community.
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January 2022 Lottery Calendar Fundraiser |
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Our all-time popular Lottery Calendar is back!
When your calendar number matches the Daily Evening Pick 3 Pennsylvania Lottery drawing, you're a winner. Straight only.
Lottery Calendars are $5 each and are available in the DSI Office, 116 N. Main St., Shenandoah. GOC #8809
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Forward This Newsletter To A Friend
We'd like to connect with more people and spread the good work DSI is doing to improve our communities. Please forward this email and share with a friend! Thank you
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