Gettin' To Know The 570

This week, we talk with George and Kate Wolfe, a local, NEPA couple who own the family-operated Laundry Lane with locations in Edwardsville and Wilkes-Barre. They discuss transforming laundromats from the old "dirty and unsafe" stigma into clean, safe, modern spaces with cameras, customer support, card/app payment systems, and large-capacity machines, plus plans for pickup-and-delivery service. George and Kate share how hands-on ownership, learning the industry, and investing in upgrades (like lighting and payment tech) drive customer trust, along with challenges such as equipment and parts costs, finding good employees, and relying on distributors. They also describe buying their first laundromat with minimal out-of-pocket cash, purchasing the buildings, and building community-focused service.

To keep up with Laundry Lane, give them a follow on Facebook.

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In this episode, we are joined by Mike Flynn, owner-operator of MF Pressure Washing Services in Nanticoke, serving NEPA, discussing exterior cleaning work, including house washes, driveways, pavers (resurfacing, sanding, sealing), stamped concrete sealing, gutter brightening, and roof treatments for black streaks caused by Gloeocapsa magma using a soft wash approach recommended by the American Roof Manufacturer Association. Flynn explains equipment differences (PSI vs gallons per minute), water tank usage, night commercial jobs, wet blasting for items like Bilco doors, and unusual projects such as high-rise window cleaning, headstone restoration, and large townhouse complexes. He shares how the business grew from word of mouth to websites, Google, social media, and yard signs, and discusses industry innovations like drone cleaning.

For more information, visit their website and give them a follow on Facebook.

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In this episode, we talk with Chris and Lauren Calvey, owners of Aspen Meadows Pet Aquamation and Memorial Services alongside Jennings-Calvey Funeral and Cremation Services, about end-of-life care—especially for pets. They explain Aspen Meadows as a full-service pet funeral home offering services like goodbyes, paw prints, locks of hair, and aquamation (water-based cremation) with private, semi-private, and communal options. They describe how aquamation works, the remains and eco-friendly benefits, and discuss grief, closure, and involving families in the process, inspired by their own loss of their dog Aspen ("Biggie"). They also share Jennings-Calvey’s 126-year family history and cultural funeral practices.

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This week, we talk to Geena Russo, founder and organizer of the River Wave Country Music Festival, an annual country festival held at the Moonlight Drive-In in West Wyoming, typically around Mother’s Day weekend. Geena explains the festival’s goal of giving NEPA an affordable, blue-collar music festival experience with a BYOB policy (no glass), food vendors, artist merch, security, and nonstop music, expanding from six acts in its first year (2024) to 25 artists this year and adding a second "Nashville" stage alongside the main stage. Gates open at 11 a.m., music starts at 12:30, and the event honors a veteran and includes the national anthem.

Check them out on Facebook to learn more!

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This week, we welcome Mike and Rachel Davis, local owners of Primo Hoagies in Northeastern Pennsylvania, to discuss their six locations (Dickson City, Pittston, Wilkes-Barre Arena Hub, Edwardsville, Tannersville, and a PNC Field concession) and rapid growth since purchasing three stores in January 2024. They cover what differentiates Primo Hoagies, bread baked in-house using a Primo recipe, high-quality meats and cheeses, and daily-prepped produce, plus popular menu items and customization. Mike and Rachel share how their family-business backgrounds shaped their leadership, the challenges of running a franchise, working together as spouses with two young daughters, and Rachel leaving her financial advising career to focus on the business. They also highlight catering capabilities, including large orders!

For more information, check out their website and find the location closest to you!

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In this episode, we speak with Lisa Vinciguerro, owner of Guardian Angel Recovery House, a women’s sober living program in Hazleton and Wilkes-Barre. Lisa explains how her recovery house model works and who she serves. She discusses changes in recovery culture, including MAT, fentanyl, Narcan, and shifting language around addiction, while emphasizing accountability and structure. Lisa shares her personal history of alcohol and drug use, DUIs, treatment attempts, homelessness, and getting sober in 2005, motivated by caring for her dog, and describes her purpose in helping women build stable lives.

If you would like to learn more, check out their Facebook, give them a follow, and visit their website.

If you or someone you know wants to be featured on our podcast, visit our website! 

In this episode of Gettin' to Know the 570, Frank talks with Michele Rhoades, owner and trainer of Mannered Mutts Dog Training in Hometown, PA, who has 30 years of experience and a team of volunteer trainers. Rhoades explains her focus on basic obedience as the foundation for all training, her willingness to take aggressive, fearful, and reactive dogs that other trainers refuse, and her balanced approach using rewards, corrections, and appropriate tools depending on the dog. She discusses matching breeds to owners’ lifestyles through free pre-adoption counseling, advocating for stigmatized breeds like pit bulls and rottweilers, and emphasizing consistency, family involvement, threshold control, and safety. Rhoades also shares her raw-feeding routine, work with rescues, court advocacy for dogs, pack walks, and workshops.

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In this episode, we interview Adrienna Rowe and Chris "Crit" Walsh of Walsh Stable, based at Silver Springs Ranch near Harvey’s Lake, where they care for and train high-end standardbred racehorses. They explain how claiming races work, purse payouts, owner licensing requirements, and the difference between claiming and condition races, comparing horse ownership and betting to the stock market. Chris shares his experience training at multiple East Coast tracks and the loss of his standout horse Indigo Art, while Adrienna discusses her equine studies background, prior show jumping career, and returning to horses after corporate HR. They discuss horse care costs, nutrition, safety risks, misconceptions about animal welfare, and encourage families to attend live racing at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

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In this episode, Frank interviews Vinny Archer, co-owner of The V Spot Bar in Scranton, a seven-day-a-week bar focused on live entertainment without ticketed shows. Vinny describes the venue’s location, parking, non-smoking shift just before COVID, and a kitchen run independently as "D’s at the V," known for Thursday New York strip steak specials and boneless bites with many sauces. They discuss changes in nightlife and bar economics after pandemic relief ended, shifting customer habits, reduced late-night crowds, rising operating costs, and the importance of staff and atmosphere. Vinny outlines weekly programming, including karaoke, DJs, open mic, line dancing, poetry nights, acoustic sets, and diverse weekend bands

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In this episode, we speak with Frank and Laura Pasquini, owners of Maker’s Marketplace at 900 in the iconic 900 building in Kingston. They describe the boutique-style marketplace featuring 40–50 mostly local NEPA vendors offering handmade and vintage goods, including candles, soaps, ceramics, jewelry, art, and more. Vendors rent and manage their own spaces while the store handles sales and marketing. Laura shares her background in Etsy and laser engraving, the challenge of curating vendors and rotating inventory, and highlights their kid-focused "mini makers" section. They also discuss the "splatter room," a sensory-friendly paint-throwing experience used for sessions and parties, with upcoming glow-in-the-dark options, plus major building events like Deck the Halls and a planned Spring Social.

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