DSI Welcomes New Board of Directors

It's always exciting to welcome new board members to Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. We value our board for their input, talent, and contributions they bring to the table. During the January Board of Directors Meeting, four new members joined the team. Welcome!

• Darlene Robbins, President, Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Association and Council

"Representing the Northeast PA Manufacturers & Employers Association on these boards is vital for strengthening regional workforce development and fostering collaboration between businesses, educators, and community organizations. It provides a platform to advocate for initiatives that address local industry needs, support economic growth, and create opportunities for both students and workers. Additionally, it helps ensure that employer perspectives guide programs that build a skilled, job-ready workforce."

• Paul Straka, Director of Business Development and Consulting, Service Access & Management
• Susan Williams, LionLaunch Coordinator, Penn State Schuylkill

"I am looking forward to continuing my relationship with DSI as a board member and bringing Penn State educational resources, and skill-strengthening programming to The Center For Education, Business & Arts."

• Olivia Zawatski, Marketing Communications Manager, Mrs. T's Pierogies

"Volunteering with DSI isn’t just about giving back—it’s about building a stronger, more vibrant community where everyone has the opportunity to succeed and thrive."

Each new board member will complement our existing board and assist DSI continue its ongoing efforts to revitalize the Schuylkill County community. "We are so pleased to have Darlene, Paul, Susan, and Olivia join our board," said Karen Kenderdine, DSI Board President and Treasurer.  "Each of them brings a wealth of talent and experience to enhance our already great board. We look forward to having them as part of the team," she added.

"The board of directors is instrumental in moving our nonprofit organization into the future," said Mary Luscavage, DSI Acting Executive Director. "They are our friends, colleagues, and talented leaders who will enhance our team."

Downtown Shenandoah, Inc. Board of Directors

Executive Committee

President: Karen Kenderdine, Mid Penn Bank

Vice President: Joe Anczarski, Sr., Mark's Supply

Treasurer: Karen Kenderdine, Mid Penn Bank

Secretary: Mary Luscavage, Downtown Shenandoah, Inc.

Board of Directors

Joe Anczarksi, Jr., Mark's Supply

Renee Buchanan, Dr. Bob Bryan Orthodontics

Mary Ellen Matunis, Pottsville Area School District (retired)

Brad Oravitz, Oravitz Home For Funerals

Joe Palubinsky, Shenandoah Borough (retired)

Allen Palubinksy: Schuylkill County Courthouse, (retired)

Darlene Robbins, Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association

Sasha Sherry, Sherry Dental

Glenn Souchuck, Souchuck Lumber

Paul Straka, Service Access & Management

Ann Taylor, Shenandoah Area School District (retired)

Susan Williams, Penn State Schuylkill

Olivia Zawatski, Mrs. T's Pierogies

Learn more about DSI's mission, events, and projects including The Center for Education, Business & Arts on its websites: downtownshenandoah.com and discover ceba.com.

CEBA Construction Continues As Crews Battle Challenging Winter Weather

Pictured above are CEBA construction progress pictures taken in February, 2025

From extremely hot temperatures last fall when construction began to this bitter cold winter, Wagman's Construction crews continue to build The Center for Education, Business & Arts (CEBA). "We're battling the cold, but moving forward every day," said Joe Matthews, project superintendent. And the latest photos tell the story. "It's amazing to see the progress and how the building is beginning to look just like the conceptual drawing," said Mary Luscavage, DSI Acting Executive Director and Board Secretary. "Plus, knowing the doors are still on schedule to open in October is exciting."

Overcoming Challenges To Create Opportunities

The Center For Education, Business & Arts is broken into two Phases. The first phase, scheduled to open in October will include a commercial kitchen, a Penn State classroom, the new DSI office, and a facility for the EARN, workforce development program. The second phase will include an event center and a health component. So how did DSI decide what would be housed in CEBA? The community! DSI hosted multiple focus groups and personal interviews throughout Schuylkill County to gain insight and input on what the community needed. The results were unanimous and CEBA was created.

CEBA will breathe new life into the region and spur economic growth. It will be an active hub for people from all walks of life to collaborate, learn, and grow. "We've had our challenges and bumps in the road, but thanks to our community and the support of so many, we are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel," said Luscavage. "When the doors open, DSI will still need the community's participation because there is still more work to do. The bottom line is that CEBA is setting the stage for a stronger, brighter future," she added.

DSI encourages the community to donate and help this very worthy cause. "Every dollar counts, your dollar counts," is the project's motto. Donate at the DSI office at 116 N. Main St. or visit downtownshenandoah.com or discoverceba.com.

WNEP Visits Shenandoah to See The Martin Shirt Factory Demolition

Shenandoah Was Featured On An Episode of "On The Pennsylvania Road"

Pictured above are shirt patterns still hanging inside the Martin Shirt Company before its recent demolition. Below is a photo of the demolition site. The factory closed in 1996 and abandoned ever since. Thank you Kaylee Lindenmuth, ShenSentinel for sharing your photography.

If you are familiar with Shenandoah, you know that it is a town with a deep-rooted history and heritage. Once, referred to as, "Little New York", Shenandoah's economy was booming thanks to the garment and coal industries. People from all over the world moved to Shenandoah in search of the American Dream. They started businesses, built homes, and worked in the coal mines and garment factories. Every home, every apartment, every building, every storefront was filled. Shenandoah was not only a hot spot to live it was also popular for a night out on the town. People spent time in Shenandoah to gather with friends, see the latest movies, eat at delicious restaurants, and shop the vibrant business district. Throughout time, though, things changed.

Martin Shirt Company And Multiple Blighted Buildings Now Gone

Unfortunately, when the coal and garment industries left the area, people left in search of jobs with many businesses closing their doors. This was the beginning of the Schuylkill County region's blight problem. But, this is changing every day. it is extremely encouraging that some of the unsightly buildings are finally coming down. One building most recently removed from the Shenandoah skyline is the Martin Shirt Company, located on East Poplar and South Emerick Streets. Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our county, state, and local leadership, this abandoned building is no longer an eyesore. And people are noticing all the good things going on in Shenandoah.

WNEP's On the Pennsylvania Road Visits Shenandoah

This story caught the interest of Jon Meyers, news anchor and host of WNEP's On the Pennsylvania Road. He met up with Andy Ulicny, president of the Greater Shenandoah Area Historical Society to learn more about what made this building so special. After visiting the demolition site, Andy invited Jon to the historical society. He shared stories and memorabilia about a time gone by when the coal and garment industries were booming.

The Historical Society is now home to patterns, paperwork, and equipment that was still in the Martin's shortly before it came down. Andy called them "bits and pieces of a very proud generation of working women. "It (Martin's) was one of about 15 active garment factories in town throughout the '30s, '40s, '50s, '60s and into the '70s,” he said. He added that many of the employees were women, wives of men serving in the military, and working in the coal mines. Jon summed it up this way, "A building that is going away, but an industry that is certainly woven into this community and county's history. View the WNEP video here.

Visiting the Shenandoah Historical Society, located at 201 S. Main Street, is like taking a walk back in time. It is home to hundreds of treasures to explore from books, charts, and newspaper articles, to signs, apparel, and artifacts. Now, it is home to memories of the Martin Shirt Factory for all to view and remember a very special time gone by.

Save The 2025 Dates

Good things are coming in 2025. Mark Your Calendars & Save The Dates

Picture Perfect Lottery Frame: Going on now.

Spring Fling Gift Card Calendar: Selling March through May. Announcing winners in June

Kielbasi Festival & Heritage Day: Saturday, May 17

Annual Golf Outing: Friday, June 20 NOTE: The January newsletter printed incorrect date

Fall-tastic Gift Card Calendar: Selling in August and September. Announcing winners in Oct.

CEBA Ribbon Cutting: October TBD

Coal Cracker Christmas: Friday, November 29

More to come...stay tuned!