On July 23, the Coal Crew, which has grown steadily in the past two years, got together in the same room. Many people who have worked together for months — but only in Zoom windows and Slack chats — met in person at our Annual Coal Team Building Day.
Like so many annual events, there was no Coal Team Building Day in 2020. The 2021 iteration had many new faces, but the same core mission of years past. We believe a well-connected team does an even better job fueling our collaborators’ ideas.
The pandemic transitioned many of us into work from home roles. There is also a growing contingent of us who live outside of Northeast Pennsylvania. Regardless of our daily routines, we emerged from behind computer monitors and met in a serine pavilion at Kirby Park.
“Team Building Day is a chance to get all of our team together and truly spend time building, bonding, and becoming a stronger team,” said Holly K. Pilcavage, Coal Creative CEO.
The team reconnected or connected for the first time. We shared a laid back day of laughs. As a wonderful bonus, the agenda played out like a highlight reel of NEPA small businesses.
Bagel Art wowed for breakfast. While Lafe Isaacson and his team at Abide Coffeehouse pepped us up for the day. Samantha Patterson from Motion Yoga and Integrative Wellness Studio started us off with a mindfulness mini lesson and peaceful guided meditation. We chatted and laughed some more while planting houseplants from Edward’s Garden Center.
We happily dined on some of the last sandwiches from Canteen Park’s Kingston location. July 23 was the last day on Market Street for the distinguished eatery, which will reopen as Canteen Central in Pittston later this year. Thanks to owners Abby and Bhanu Singh. We’re excited for your next chapter.
Beth and Jahmeel Powers of Powers Performance Coaching facilitated a lively improv workshop back at the Coal Creative offices on Public Square. We thought on our feet, flopped on the ground and — you guessed it — laughed a lot.
The day wound down with reinvigorating smoothies from our neighbor Kamri Ramirez at Nucleus Raw Foods. Kait Kishbaugh and the team at AxelRad Screen Printing delivered parting gifts of some awesome Coal Creative merch.
We’d also like to thank photographer Amanda James, who captured the day on camera.
Thanks to all the businesses and people who made our day special. Of course, we are most thankful for this team.
“Coal Creative is not possible without our team. Coal Creative’s culture does not exist without our team” Holly said. “The day was needed and appreciated. I honestly haven’t laughed that hard yet in 2021!”
Writer’s note: See, I told ya!
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