Pictured left: DSI consultant, Chris Gulotta, The Gulotta Group shares the progress of CEBA during a community meeting held on October 17. Pictured right: Melia Molinaro, District Office Manager to State Representative Dane Watro, and Karen Kenderdine, DSI Board President and Treasurer discuss the project after the meeting.

Community Meeting Highlights

The Center For Education, Business & Arts (CEBA) Will Be Built in Two Phases

Shenandoah Valley High School was the location of an October 17 DSI-hosted community meeting. The focus of the meeting was to update the public on The Center For Education, Business & Arts, a future business innovation center to be located on North Main Street. Members from DSI, Shenandoah Borough Hall, business leaders, and community members were in attendance.

Karen Kenderdine, DSI board president and treasurer welcomed and thanked everyone for their interest and ongoing support. She expressed her gratitude and excitement about DSI's progress explaining that the community alone donated $1.1 million to make CEBA a reality. She added that it has been a long road with many people helping along the way. "It is truly a community effort," she said.

She introduced Chris Gulotta, The Gulotta Group, a consultant who is helping DSI. "Chris has been instrumental in this progress of CEBA, especially helping us navigate local, state, and federal grants," Karen said. She added that Gulotta's expertise was offered to DSI by a grant from the Regional Legal Housing Services, a nonprofit law firm that focuses on affordable sustainable housing and community and economic development. Two representatives from RHLS, Kathryn Robinson and Raina Mehta who are also involved in helping with the project traveled from Philadelphia and Washington D.C. to attend the meeting.

Chris took the floor by expressing how excited he was to be a part of this important game-changer for Schuylkill County. He continued to explain that the project will be broken into two phases. The first phase, at $7 million will include the construction of the entire building's three three-level shell. The business co-working, incubator spaces on the lower level, the Penn State Classroom, DSI offices, the community kitchen, and EARN job training offices on the street level will be completely finished. The remaining co-working spaces and event center are part of Phase II.

Gulotta said that one of the reasons DSI was awarded the amount of grant money they did is because the community donated more than $1 M towards CEBA. "That sends a message to the state and federal government that his community has its act together and is doing its fair share to make projects like this a reality. Gulotta also explained that DSI will advertise for bids later this month and expects a contract to be awarded before the end of the year.

For more information about CEBA, visit downtownshenandoah.com or discoverceba.com.

Business Spotlight: Saved By Grace Grocery: A Domenican Republic Bodega In Shenandoah

Pictured above, Juan Soriano, owner of Saved By Grace Grocery holds green bananas, one of the many specialty foods he carries in his Shenandoah bodega-inspired business. Pictured below are shelves stocked with Goya products, a popular Latino cuisine brand sold in the store

Shenandoah is a melting pot of many cultures, one of the characteristics that makes this Schuylkill County community so unique. Throughout the years, people have moved to the area from all over the world and now consider Shenandoah, "home." This includes the growing Hispanic community that recently celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month, the perfect time to spotlight Saved By Grace Grocery.

Four years ago, Juan Soriano and his wife, Anna moved to Shenandoah because they liked the quiet and friendly atmosphere. They purchased two buildings on West Coal Street, one for their new business, Saved By Grace Grocery, and one for their home, the perfect combination for this entrepreneurial couple.

Saved by Grace Grocery is a Dominican Republic-inspired bodega. The grocery showcases a fabulous product mix of fresh produce, prepared food, frozen and canned goods, and a variety of other items regularly found in a convenience store. Juan explained the products are purchased from many different locations throughout the state. "We want to make it easy for our customers to find exactly what they are looking for," he said. He added that the brands and products that fill the shelves help customers feel less homesick. Some of the grocery's most popular products are plantains, green bananas, and yaca. "Our specialty foods give Dominican customers a taste of our home country and provide others a place to buy had-to-find products. Saved by Grace serves customers in Shenandoah and throughout the region. "Our customers are from Mahanoy City, Pottsville, Frackville, Ringtown, Gilberton, and the surrounding area."

In addition to serving the Shenandoah community, the Sorianos help their family and friends who still live in The Dominican Republic. He added that not everyone is able to make the move to the United States. "The situation over there is hard, so we try to help them," He pointed to very large black shipping barrels that lined the shelves and continued to explain that they fill them will food, clothing, and other items and send them back home. The name Saved By Grace Grocery was inspired by their couple's faith that they demonstrate serving others both in Shenandoah and back home in The Dominican Republic. "You just can't always do it alone," he said.

The Sorianos plan to expand their product mix, create jobs, and continue finding new ways to serve their communities. National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated annually from September 15 to October 15.

National Pierogy Day Celebrated In Shenandoah, The Hometown Of Mrs. T's

Mrs. T's team, Chris Dende, Tom Twardzik, and Meghan Heim lead a celebration honoring National Pierogie Day in Shenandoah. Community members attended the annual flag-raising event on October 6. Thanks to Skook News for sharing the great photos.

It's an annual tradition and it happens in October rain or shine. Members of Mrs. T's Pierogie team and the community gathered together on Friday, October 6 to celebrate National Pierogy Day. The drenching rain didn't put a damper on this gathering as the group huddled under a tent and umbrellas. Spokesman, Chris Dende, shared that it is the mission of Mrs.T's family to make people smile and celebrations like this are an example of that. He added that he would like to see more celebrations like this one that bring the community together. It's a perfect time to commemorate a special legacy that started in Shenandoah, the home of this national brand. Mrs. T's celebrated their 70th anniversary in November 2022.

CEBA Connects Presentation Shared Asset Protection Planning Tips

Asset Protection and Succession Planning was the topic of a recent CEBA Connects Presentation held at Francesco's Restaurant in Shenandoah. Presenter, Attorney Eric Mika explained the importance of planning now for a time when you may not be able to. "It's never too early to protect your assets for you and your loved ones," he said. He stressed the importance of preparing a detailed power of attorney and listing beneficiaries on all assets. He added that doing this will prevent your loved ones from ending up in expensive and drawn-out probate court.

"The presentation was outstanding," said Susan Williams, of DSI. "Eric shared valuable tips and facts about this topic that is difficult for family members to discuss but extremely important." To learn more, contact Eric Mika, Williamson Friedberg & Jones.

Folk Art Paint & Sip

Create a Lovely Cardinal Duo

Date: Thursday, October 26, 2023

Time: 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Presenter: Andrea Perno, Owner, Perno's Paintings

Location: DSI, 116 N. Main Street, Shenandoah, PA

Registration Fee: $30 at the door

Sponsored in part by: Schuylkill Area Community Foundation

Andrea Perno returns to bring us another beautiful Pennsylvania Dutch-inspired painting to create. Join us as we learn the background of this folk art and take home a beautiful painting to keep for ourselves or give as a gift to someone special.

How to Stay Healthy & Stress-Free For The Holidays

Date: Tuesday, November 7, 2023

Time: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Presenter: Gina Goode, Community Health Navigator, AmeriHealth Caritas, Pennsylvania

Location: Complimentary Zoom presentation

Register here for your link

If the holidays are a stressful time for you, it's time to prepare today. Gina Goode will share insightful information and tips regarding your health and wellness. She will focus on things we tend to forget or ignore and provide small steps that will lead to large health improvements. She will also share some irreversible risk factors that affect our health. Other things on the discussion agenda:



• Smoking Risks
• Stroke Awareness
• When Should You Go To The ER
• Why Water is Important For Health & Hydration

Fall-tastic Gift Calendar In Full Swing.

We're Making Winners Smile Every Day in October!

Isn't October Fall-tastic! It Sure Is!

We're having a ball giving away gifts donated by local businesses during our Fall-tastic Gift Calendar fundraiser. We draw one name each day in October. Plus a $200 bonus on November 1.

A big shout out to all the businesses who donated and to everyone who played. Your support is greatly appreciated!

Follow us on Facebook to see who wins next! Maybe it will be you!