or Women in Business, it’s apparent - to quote Cyndi Lauper - “girls just wanna have fun.”

Women in Business is a committee of the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development.

Their most recent meeting was a fun event at Boat Launch B of Mauch Chunk Lake Bark where, after having a brown bag lunch, they experienced canoeing firsthand.

Serving as their guides and instructors were members of the Woodlands Conservancy, an environmental action group based in Emmaus but which works extensively on Lehigh River projects.

Kelly Andrade, membership and events manager of the Chamber & Economic Development, said the Women in Business group meets monthly except for November when the annual banquet of the Chamber is held. “We change up the topics each month,” she said. “In August, the topic will be ‘Navigating the Virtual Professional World.’”

She said Mauch Chunk Lake was chosen for the July meeting because “it’s beautiful. I come here often and paddle canoes with my family.”

Andrade said Wildlands Conservancy has experienced canoeists to help the members enjoy a day on the lake.

About a dozen members of Women in Business participated on the sojourn. While most rode in rafts available at Mauch Chunk Lake, a few rode inflatable standup paddle boards.

Two staff members from the office of U.S. Rep. Susan Wild participated. They were Megan Best, Wild’s district director, and Carol Etheridge of Mahoning Township, Wild’s constituent advocate. Best navigated an inflatable paddle board while Etheridge rode with her husband, Stephen, in a canoe.

Etheridge is a regular to Mauch Chunk Lake being active in the local fish stocking organization as well as a fisherman.

The conservancy provided four guides who navigated for inexperienced canoeists. The guides also helped the club members get the canoes down the boat ramp and past the reeds, into open waters.

Bill Murray, one of the guides, reviewed safety measures for the canoeists as well as offering instructions such as “don’t slap the water with the paddle.” The members spent about 45 minutes in the boats, traveling to the center of the lake, traveling about 200 yards each way of the boat dock, but staying in the vicinity of Boat Lauch B. A couple of fishing boats were on the water at the time but nowhere near the club members’ activity.

Andrade said events had corporate sponsors: Lehigh Valley Health Network, Blue Mountain Resorts and Andreas Plumbing and Heating.

Upcoming activities for Women in Business are:

• Aug. 17 - Navigating the Virtual Professional World at the Carbon Chamber & Economic Development Classroom.

• Aug. 23 - Membership picnic and leadership kickoff at the Orioles Community Center in Lehighton.

• Sept. 8 - The 2023 Sturm Golf Tournament at Split Rock Resort in Lake Harmony.

• Sept. 12 - Master Your Membership at the CCEDC office.

• Nov. 17 - CCEDC annual gala at Blue Mountain Resort.

• Nov. 21 - Economic Outlook at The Hofford Mill in Weissport.

• Dec. 2 - Black Forest Krampus Nacht Festival.