MAHANOY CITY — The Port Clinton-based Reading & Northern Railroad has given back to Mahanoy City, which hosted its passenger trains for the Community Day celebration in September, the Mahanoy Area Chamber of Commerce announced on its Facebook page.

The railroad provided a $10,000 donation “following a very successful day of passenger train excursions” during the community’s biggest annual celebration.

“For the third year in a row, Reading & Northern featured three 70-minute round trip diesel-powered train rides from Mahanoy City to Tamaqua” as part of Community Day, according to the Facebook announcement. “These trips proved quite popular again, drawing 600 riders.”

The railroad’s pledge to the chamber “was made in the hopes of bringing more frequent passenger service to Mahanoy City, which is situated on a Reading & Northern branch that typically sees only freight traffic.”

According to Matt Fisher, Reading & Northern Railroad’s senior vice president/general manager-passenger, in the past three years, “we have had over 2,500 riders take our trains from Mahanoy City. The borough of Mahanoy City and the railroad have coexisted since their inception, and we look forward to working with them in the future.”

Dawn Frye, chamber treasurer, said the chamber “is grateful for the opportunity to work with the railroad. We are excited to bring more train rides to the borough of Mahanoy City in the coming months and years.”

Reading & Northern is a privately held railroad company serving more than 80 customers in nine eastern Pennsylvania counties (Berks, Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Northumberland, Schuylkill, and Wyoming). It transports nearly 35,000 carloads of freight and its passenger department welcomes nearly 340,000 riders annually. It operates its freight and steam- and diesel-powered passenger excursions over 400 miles of track, owns nearly 2,000 freight cars and employs more than 350 people.

R&N was named Regional Railroad of the Year in 2020 by Railway Age magazine, according to the release.

Cup o’ Joe II slated to boost small businesses

POTTSVILLE — The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce has scheduled another chat over a cup o’ joe to mull over small business matters.

“Coffee Matters is back for a second round after an incredible first event that sparked real conversations, authentic connections and even new business deals made right in the room,” chamber directors said in an event announcement.

The next session is scheduled for 7:30-9:30 a.m. Oct. 30 in the chamber headquarters at 1 Progress Circle, Suite 201 Union Station Building Suite 201.

“This isn’t your typical networking event, it’s a space designed for meaningful dialogue, shared ideas and genuine relationship building,” the chamber said for the original event, adding, “Running a small business comes with big challenges — and you’re not alone. Grab a coffee, pull up a chair and let’s talk about what matters most to your business.”

To register, visit www.schuylkillchamber.com or call 570-622-1942. The chamber’s contact for the event is Cierra Abrachinsky, who can be emailed at cbarachinsky@schuylkillchamber.com.

Ribbon cutting on tap for new Century 21

The Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce is promoting a ribbon-cutting ceremony for:

■ Vince Boyle Team, Century 21 Ryon Real Estate, 237 W. Broad St., Tamaqua, 5:30 p.m. Oct. 21.

The Schuylkill chamber ceremonies are free community events. The chamber asks that those planning to attend register in advance by calling the chamber office at 570-622-1942 or emailing chamber contacts Cierra Abrachinsky at cabrachinsky@schuylkillchamber.com or Anthony Merchlinsky at amerchlinsky@schuylkillchamber.com.

Retirees reunion reservations called

LLEWELLYN — Reservations are being accepted for Allied Signal/Honeywell and Advansix retirees reunion scheduled for Oct. 18 at the Blu Tavern, Route 209.

The cost is $25 per person, according to a release from Rudy Gherghel.

To make arrangements, call 570-391-1677, 570-617-9168 or 570-617-4148.

MAEA updates training lineups

POTTSVILLE — The Pottsville-based Northeast Pennsylvania Manufacturers and Employers Association offers myriad training and other sessions for regional employers, including:

■ On-site first aid, CPR, AED training; also professional development trainings. Contact MAEA.

■ Review of “One Big Beautiful Bill” act, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Oct. 21, virtual briefing, registration needed.

■ Forklift Train the Trainer certification, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 29 at Pottsville MAEA office (also multiple other trainings, call for dates, times and locations).

■ HR roundtable: AI in the Workplace, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 30, MAEA Pottsville conference room.

■ OSHA 10-hour general industry training, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 3 and 8 a.m.-noon Nov. 17, MAEA One Norwegian Plaza, Suite 250 Pottsville office.

■ Excel trainings formulas/functions; also pivot tables and chats, Nov. 4, Pottsville.

■ Prep for UC benefits appeal, virtual via Zoom, Nov. 5.

■ Live Zoom webinar: Addressing Language Barriers in the Workplace, 1-3 p.m. Nov. 7.

To register for these or other MAEA programs/activities, or for more information and pricings, call 570-622-0992. More information also is available at www.nepmaea.com.

MAEA contacts include: Darlene J. Robbins, MAEA president, drobbins@nepamaea.com; Eileen Kuperavage, director of employer engagement, ekuperavage@nepamaea.com; Joan Trosterud, marketing and administrative coordinator, jtrosterud@nepamaea.com and Nichole Jenan, administrative assistant, njenan@nepamaea.com.

Up next at Pioneer Tunnel, ‘Ashland in Autumn’ event

ASHLAND — Pioneer Tunnel Coal Mine & Steam Train, 1900 Oak St., will celebrate Ashland in Autumn 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 26.

The event will include entertainment with The Coal Fired Ramblers, a visit with Bear & Friends, steam train rides to the pumpkin patch plus radio polka personality Joe Manjack.

Additionally, visitors will be able to enjoy food and beverages, Highland cows and goats, sweet treats, crafters as well as mine tours, train rides and “autumn-themed favorites.”

A special $20 per adult (17-plus) wristband will grant access to all tours and activities, and all children in the group can join in the fun free with a paying adult.

Vendors wishing to participate can complete, by Oct. 10, a vendor form online at https://www.pioneertunnel.com/_files/ugd/c8a81b_938ea7c9bb9c40a681fb11f3ebb865d4.pdf.

Pioneer Tunnel can be reached by phone at 570-875-3850 or via email to info@pioneertunnel.com.

Ashland Community Enterprises, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation established in 1962, operates Pioneer Tunnel.

 

Originally Published: October 14, 2025 at 12:00 PM EDT