Chamber honors citizen, businessperson of year

The Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce presented teacher Stephen Ulicny with the 55th Joseph M. Plasko Citizenship Award and Linda Marchalk with the Business Person of the Year Award.

The 66th Annual Community Dinner was held Thursday night at Mountain Valley Golf Course in Barnesville.

The two were given the awards by Chamber President Jennifer Drake and also received acknowledgments from past Citizen of the Year winner state Rep. Jerry Knowles and state Sen. David Argall.

Ulicny was recognized for his work as a teacher at Tamaqua Area School District, Student Government Association adviser, coordinator for the school’s annual Mini-Thon event, coach of the Tamaqua Youth Soccer Association, his part in the band Tool Shed Jack, and presidency of the East End Park Association.

“The people who have been nominated and accepted, these are people who are foundations of the community,” Ulicny said. “I’m very, very flattered, and I’m honored.”

Ulicny said he realizes others have helped play a role in his success. One of them being the man who the award was named after, Joe Plasko.

“In volunteerism, people may not realize the impact you have, but Joe Plasko — I knew who he was and what he did for our community … I feel I have very big shoes to fill,” Ulicny said. “As a citizen of the year, I feel I need to live up to that distinction and honor.”

Ulicny continued by stressing the importance of volunteerism.

“Do what you can do, and when you can’t do more, ask for help. One of the most impressive things to me is that there always seem to be people to lend a hand when you ask them to do so,” he said. “Remember, if you don’t do it, who’s going to?”

Marchalk owns Northeast Edge Associates LLC, a full-service title and real estate closing office with locations at the old Shepp House on 204 Broad St. in Tamaqua, as well as one in Schuylkill Haven.

She also is actively involved in the Tamaqua community serving as president of the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce.

Additionally, Marchalk serves as the Schuylkill County treasurer and is also treasurer of Schuylkill County Republican Women.

Marchalk said her reaction upon learning that she was selected as the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year was a variety of emotions but was a humbling experience.

She began her speech with a dedication to her late husband Gary Marchalk and her family, who said taught her to “work hard, dream big and set goals.”

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about dancing in the rain,” Marchalk said.

“My faith in God has given me reassurance that there is hope and never give up, taught me to be honest and reliable and help others in need. I am truly blessed and honored to receive this award.”

Knowles said both recipients were well-deserving of the awards.

“You can tell (Ulicny and Marchalk) truly love people. Both do a great job, work hard and make a difference in our community,” Knowles said.

Argall said, “They didn’t get these awards tonight because they show up to work on time, and then they leave at the end of the day, go home and put up their feet to watch TV. You’ve heard the countless number of organizations they’re involved in ... they give and the give and they give. That’s what makes them award winners and makes this a special place for all of us to live.”

Schuylkill County Visitors Bureau Director Regina Gargano, the keynote speaker, discussed tourism opportunities within the county, saying that while “tourism in Pennsylvania is on the decline, going from the fourth to the eighth most-visited state, we continue to buck that trend.”

“It is through our deep heritage and community of leaders like the ones being honored tonight that make us a destination people want to come to,” Gargano said.

Chamber President Jennifer Drake talked about the numerous events and the Chamber is planning.

She said the chamber organizes and helps with a variety of community events throughout the year including the popular Summer Concert Series at the Tamaqua Train Station, the new Tamaqua Remembers initiative to honor the 150th celebration of Memorial Day, the Hometown Heroes banner program, the Annual Community Yard Sale, and a regular schedule of workshops and mixers.

“This year’s theme at the chamber is pride and partnership. I couldn’t think of any better people to exemplify these characteristics than Steve and Linda,” Drake said.

For more information on the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce and its upcoming events, sign up for the weekly news letter at chamber@tamaqua.net or visit Facebook at facebook.com/tamaquachamber.