BARB BARRETT/The Luminary Officers and executive board members for the Muncy Professional Business Association are (standing left to right): April Feigles, executive committee; Angela Jackson, Secretary; Stacy Charles, Vice-President; Ann Baker, President; and Melissa Poust, Assistant Treasurer. Sitting left to right are: Suzanne Hannan, executive committee; Joni Johnson, executive committee; Marrissa Baker, executive committee; and Laura Smith, Treasurer. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 1 at Orlando's in Muncy.

MUNCY – The Muncy Professional Business Association (MPBA) has put together a host of events for the new year of 2018 to share with their community. A review schedule was discussed at the first ececutive meeting held Wednesday night, January 10 at Orlando’s restaurant in downtown Muncy.

Officers were introduced by President, Ann Baker for: Vice-President, Stacy Charles; Secretary, Angela Jackson; Treasurer, Laura Smith; and Assistant treasurer, Melissa Poust.

A proposed schedule of meetings and programs for the year were approved with an opening business meeting scheduled for Thursday, February 1st at Orlando’s, also a supporting business member of the organization.

Suggestions for speakers on three of the monthly meetings were given that included a welcome to the organization and a working relationship with the FBLA team of Muncy High School.

Other ideas for speakers given by executive members included Steve Brady from the Covation Center, a co-working space for small businesses in downtown Williamsport, and Ron Frick from the United Way. Alternating meetings at other business locations after March will include the PA Chop House and the Fort Brady Hotel. As always, the MPBA will continue to meet the first Thursday of the month starting at 6:30 p.m.

Baker said the Muncy 4th Fridays can always use the extra help and also with some of the fall events.

A Fourth Friday committee is in place for June 22, July 27 and August 24. Some activities planned are a new photo booth and a contest coordinator for three contests. Live entertainment and over 50 vendors are being coordinated so “this family oriented event can highlight our Muncy businesses and the downtown,” said Baker. “We want this to be profitable so that we can use some funds to put back into our downtown and the businesses.”

A budget committee is in place to help raise sponsorships so funds will be available for improvements in the downtown business area. They will be meeting every other month and will oversee membership dues.

New benches have been ordered from funds made from the Muncy 4th Friday events, and will be placed downtown before the Memorial Day parade. The streetscape committee of the MPBA is working with the Muncy Borough and Garden Club to “ensure the beautification of Main Street with attractive lighting, street furniture, clean streets, and seasonal landscapes.” This will include the open lot on the corner of Main and Water Streets according to the committee. Looking ahead for Earth Day on April 22, the committee is hoping to partner with school clubs and business organizations.

Adding two more events in the fall was discussed by the board to include a Fourth Saturday time, one on September 29 and the other on October 27 to partner with the annual Monster Dash at the school. This will be held in the afternoons from noon to three and vendors will be asked if they are interested in those times.

New members will be sent applications which are available online and renewals for 2018 begin in January. The budget committee reported the yearly dues amount is still fifty dollars. A new business that will be opening soon is Cole’s Hardware in Muncy Township announced Baker, who hopes to reach out to them for membership.

A sample newsletter was passed around by Angela Jackson for review. “This will be available quarterly,” she said and would like to get the first one out in January with the invoices. Someone suggested adding a business spotlight each time.

Two business social mixers are planned. There will be a summer mixer on July 11 at the PA Chop House at 7 p.m. and a Christmas Party on December 6 at Orlando’s.

The board approved the proposed schedule and agreed to meet the 2nd Wednesday of every other month. The next executive board meeting is March 14 at 6 p.m. at Orlando’s. The next MPBA meeting is February 1 at Orlando’s starting at 6:30 p.m.