March 26, 2008. The March General Membership Luncheon was held at Marblehead Grille & Chowder House on March 26th.  The Membership elected Brian Dillman, Margaret Dissinger and Charles Roseberry as new members of the Board of Directors.  This was a follow-up to the action taken at the January meeting where the membership voted to expand the number of members on the board.

During the meeting President Marsha Abraham introduced Spectrum of Floors as a new member.  This business is located on William Penn Highway in the township.  In the picture at the right, President Abraham presents their membership certificate to co-owner William Koch
	The speaker for this meeting was Mr. John Conklin, Northampton County Administrator who introduced the new voting machine to the attendees.  Mr. Conklin talked about the process that was followed in choosing the new machine and believes that it is a cross between the manual machine of old and the new computerized machines.  He believes that this machine will be very user friendly.

Dave Colver gave an update of the township and introduced the new Director of Planning for Palmer Township, George Kinney.  George replaced Amamda Jensen who has left the township to form her own consulting business.  We welcome George and wish Amanda luck.

January 30, 2008. The first general membership meeting of the year brought a new slate of officers.  Pastor Laura Csellak installed the following: President – Marsha Abraham, President-Elect – J. Lee Boucher, Treasurer – Debra Young, Recording Secretary – Virginia Rickert, and Past President – Michelle Webb.  The new Board of Director members include: Karl Kline and Robert Blanchfield for a three year term, Jeffrey Young and Robert Smith for a two year term, and David Colver and Margaret Gable for a one year term.

 The membership voted to change By-Law Section 1. Number and Terms to read “There shall be twelve directors consisting of three officers and nine elected directors elected by the members in good standing for terms of three years.”  The three additional members will be brought to the general membership for election at the BIP’s March General Membership meeting.

 President Abraham presented Past President Webb with a president’s plaque on behalf of the membership in recognition of her service to the association during this past year.

The guest speaker for this meeting was Dr. Gregg Dowty, Executive Director of The Children’s Home of Easton.  Dr. Dowtystated there are several types of housing at the Home.  Some for children needing a safe place for a night and others need it for a longer period of time as well as foster home care.  Group care is geared to independent living as they grow older.  They presently serve 175 residents but have room for 250.  For more information on the Home please visit their website at www.thechildrenshome.org.

June 14, 2007. The Business, Industrial and Professional Association of Palmer Township has awarded four $750.00 scholarships to graduating seniors at their respective high schools. Those receiving the scholarships were as follows: 

• Alyssa Principato, 418 Milano Drive, Forks Township, a senior of Notre Dame High School will be attending Northampton Community College.
• Melanie Spain, 12 Crest Boulevard, Palmer Township, a senior at Easton Area High School will be attending University of Pittsburgh.
• Jamie Compton, 2695 Peggy Drive, Palmer Township, a senior at Easton Area High School will be attending Lock Haven University.
• Daniel Matase, 1308 Camelot Drive, Palmer Township, a senior at Easton Area High School will be attending Northampton Community College.

An award ceremony recently took place at a General Membership meeting of the BIP Association to which the honorees and their parents were in attendance. Fund for the scholarships was raised through donations from our generous members Also, certificates recognizing the recipients were also presented from Senator Rob Wonderling.

The picture to the left below include from left to right: Melane Spain, Alyssa Principato, Jamie Compton and Daniel Matase. In the picture to the right below include from left to right: Bob Smith, Scholarship Committee Chairman, the four recipients, Michelle Webb, BIP President and Lisa Colver, Scholarship Committee member.

January 24, 2007. At the January luncheon the new officers were install for 2007. They include Michelle Webb as president; Marsha Abraham as president elect; and, Debra Young as treasurer. The Board of Directors includes: Rick Principato as past president, Jeff Young, Bob Smith, Dave Colver, Lynn Amatore, Lee Boucher and Donna Kilpatrick. Pictured from left to right are Debbi Young, Michelle Webb, Marsha Abraham and corresponding secretary Virginia Rickert.

At the meeting the membership welcomed new members William Spain and Debra Stasak.

September 27, 2006. Mr. Alan Jennings was the speaker at the September business luncheon held at the Marblehead Grille and Chowder House. Mr. Jennings topic was the initiative to renew the Lehigh Valley. The objective of the initiative is to transform the Lehigh Valley into a more vibrant, economically growing community with strong cities and boroughs; retaining it youth from moving out of the area; and preserving open space. He also spoke in regard to the Brooking's Report and its findings as it relates to loss of city residents to suburbs which can have extreme consequences on the vitality and growth of PA's economic core, the cities. He thanked Palmer Township for its support over the years of Safe Harbor and the homeless.

The BIP welcomed five new members at this luncheon. They include: Bronico Financial Planning, Commerce Bank (at Park Ave.), Innovative Design & Publications, Inc., R.S. Hahn and Sons , and Orbel Corporation.

July 26, 2006. Senator Rob Wonderling was the speaker for this months business luncheon. The senator talked about his experience in the Easton area after it became part of his district which happened four years ago. He also talked about what is going on in Harrisburg related to the new budget and some of the issues which as chairman of the Technology Committee they are dealing with and will be dealing with in the future such as cable franchising.

At this meeting President Principato awarded the 2006 scholarships to Rose Seifert of Wilson High School (Rose could not attend the meeting), Jared DeGerolamo of Notre Dame High School, and Matthew Miknyoczki of Easton High School. Each graduate received a $1000 scholarship if funded by donations by various members of the BIP.

The membership welcomed Ryan Foley from the law firm of Fitzpatrick, Lentz, & Bubba as a new member. Another new member is Roseleen Maver of Commerce Bank who could not attend the meeting because of business commitment. Roseleen will be located at the bank which is being built at the Palmer Park Mall.

From left to Right: Jared DeGerolamo's mother Brenda, President Rick Principato, Jared, and Jared's father Gary	From left to right: President Principato, Matthew Miknyoczki and Matthew's father Jules.

January 25, 2006. The Association held its Business Lunch at which time The Rev. Csellak presided over the installation of the 2006 offiicers. New President Rick Principato welcomed new members Packaging Horizons Corp. and Brown and Brown Insurance. This year the Association celebrates its 30th year of operation. President Principato recognized Bob Daws and Charlie Roseberry as two of the founding members.

Mr. Mike McCarty spoke to the group about a new initiative of the Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce called BUY LEHIGH VALLEY. This will be an on-line business directory with the objective of encourage Chamber members doing more business with other Chamber members.

President Principato recognized Past-President Alan Abraham for his leadership in 2005.

Click here to see more pictures of the luncheon.