By Erin Thompson
MIFFLINBURG — If you’re driving past the 300 block of Chestnut Street and see a bright orange Mustang with a license plate that reads “Go Ornge,” you know that Becky Hagenbaugh, the Main Street manager, is nearby.
She’s been in the borough for the past 10 years, since her husband took early retirement and she sold her advertising firm in New Jersey. They arrived in the area ready to get to work again.
Hagenbaugh, originally from West Pittson, turned to the Mifflinburg Heritage and Revitalization Association, which was holding an event at the time, and said she would do almost anything to get involved with the community, even if it was porta-potty duty.
Her offer was accepted. And so, Hagenbaugh’s first community responsibility in Mifflinburg was managing outdoor toilets.
“From there, I got on the board and later became the Main Street manager,” Hagenbaugh said.
As manager, Hagenbaugh has worked on a number of revitalization projects, such as the old wood frame Presbyterian First Church at 507 Green St., the oldest church in Pennsylvania.
Hagenbaugh had big plans for the church and started applying for grant money about five years ago.
“We were very fortunate to get a residence grant to restore the look,” she said.
Hagenbaugh is also working on a project to restore the Weirick House, which is near the senior center, that could involve the seniors in some way. The revitalization program is also working on a new project, the Elm Street program, which was created to strengthen historic neighborhoods. As part of this, Hagenbaugh hopes to get new road signs and street lights for the streets that abut the main street.
The Main Street program focuses on upkeep and is an ongoing project.
“It’s like planting a garden. It never ends,” Hagenbaugh said.
She finds her job rewarding. Of all of the places she has lived over the years, Mifflinburg has been her favorite, she said.
In addition to working with downtown businesses, Hagenbaugh is an ambassador for the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce headquartered in Shamokin Dam, the Union County United Way, the Susquehanna River Valley Visitors Bureau in Lewisburg and — as you can tell when you see her car — is a devout Syracuse University alumna and fan of its basketball team.
“I am certain that Syracuse will win national championships this year,” she said.
So what does someone who wears so many hats do to unwind at the end of the day?
“I watch ‘Judge Judy,’ ” said Hagenbaugh, “and since my husband is retired, he has become a fantastic chef. Many times I will come home and he is making his famous chicken.”
If someone wants to get involved in the community, Hagenbaugh will be the first to say that there are plenty of events needing volunteers — and if you’re lucky, maybe she will give you something other than toilet duty.
n E-mail comments to ethompson@dailyitem.com.
