rendsetters.

Go-getters.

Movers and shakers.

If there’s anything to be done to help further beautify the Palmerton community, chances are it has their fingerprints all over it.

Based on their track record, it’s evident Joe and Marj Federanich continue to remain active, respected and influential members of their community.

In between, the couple has owned a CruiseOne franchise since 2002.

Still going strong

Most recently, the couple began their stint as co-chairs of the Palmerton Area Chamber of Commerce, an organization for which they’ve been members for 20 years.

But, their level of involvement in their beloved community didn’t just start there, as the pair has been involved with a myriad activities for many decades.

Joe began his volunteerism when he joined the Palmerton Fire Co. No. 1 in 1962. He served as president for 20 years, and is a lifelong member of the fire company.

Additionally, he is a lifelong member of the Palmerton Community Ambulance.

Among the endeavors he helped spearhead include the Palmerton Holiday Lights Committee, Christmas in the Park, Welcome Sign with the Chamber, the renovation of the bandstand in the borough park, and Palmerton Day, a family-oriented concept set to take place next summer.

Marj has been active in the community for nearly as long, and enjoyed stints as a president of a Parent Teacher Organization, along with 13 years as a director on the Palmerton Area School Board (first female president of the school board, as well as serving on the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit’s board of directors (first female board president), and also was president of the Palmerton Concourse Club.

She is currently president of the St. Luke’s Palmerton Auxiliary; serves as an ambassador on the Carbon Chamber of Commerce; serves as chair for the Palmerton Concourse Club, and started a recreation committee in the borough; and volunteers at the Nearly New Shop.

Small-town feel

Born and raised in the borough, Joe said he tries to instill the small-town feel the community was known for when he was a kid.

“When I grew up in the summertime, we did things that occupied your whole day,” Joe said. “We were too busy having fun.”

Joe said he and his wife want to see things go back to the way they had been.

“I would just like to keep it a small town; the typical, small-town USA, and let other people experience what I experienced living here over the years,” he said. “This is a town where people always help people, the people always come together; that’s what we’re trying to instill in the younger generation, (and) we’d just like to make it one nice little town here in the middle of nowhere where people can come together and get along.”

Marj said she prefers to remain active in her community.

“I like to be around people; that’s just the way I am,” Marj said. “I’m a people person; I just enjoy volunteering.”

Marj explained why she believes it’s important to volunteer.

“Stepping up to the plate and doing my part, I just feel it’s something everybody should do,” she said. “I’m a go-getter, a people person; if I can just one little bit help out in our community, I feel good about it.”

Marj said she plans to carry on with what she does as long as she can.

“I think Palmerton is one of the nicest towns in Carbon County, and we were fortunate enough to have New Jersey Zinc Company provide lots of things for our town,” she said. “My goal is to continue the beautification of Palmerton, and try to provide additional recreation to take care of the community on a whole.”

The Neighborhood Spotlight is a monthly feature that focuses on people who help in the community. To nominate someone, send an email to tneditor@tnonline.com.