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Gary Blake

Location
summit hill, PA (US)
Work Category
Media - Journalism - Newspaper
Currently working on...
Resurrecting a young adult story about teens from two separate backgrounds. He the son of the local police chief and she the daughter of immigrants from central america. They meet and become friends a

About Me

While working full time I learned journalism OJT and worked for newspapers, both weekly and daily, for over 8 years. I worked in the garment industry for 14 1/2 years until the company (HBI) closed the remaining two plants in Pennsylvania in March of 2009. Currently unemployed but providing elder care for my wife's 87 year old mother.

Work Experience

  • Sep 1994 - Mar 2009
    tamaqua, PA (US)
    Material Handler
    HBI (Hanes)
    Worked as a material handler in the Rehandle Dept. at J.E. Morgan Knitting Mills. It had 80% of the U.S. market sewn up, forgive the pun. When work was slow in my dept. I worked in shipping/receiving or where ever. The two local plants, in Pennsylvania where the company started, were closed in March of '09.
  • Oct 1988 - Mar 1994
    allentown, PA (US)
    Driver
    Good Shepherd Work Services
    Began in workshop for MH/MR clientelle as assistant. When work got slow was transferred to the shipping and receiving as a driver.
  • Apr 1983 - Sep 1988
    east greenville, PA (US)
    Metal Grinder, Metal Knotcher
    C & D Power Systems
    Worked as a metal grinder in metal fabrication shop where they made cases of varied sizes to hold the battery cells. Before left I was learning the metal knotching job.
  • Mar 1981 - Mar 1982
    colorado springs, CO (US)
    Cart assembly
    Digital Equipt. Corp.
    Built the carts that held the computer. Learned circuit board assembly.
  • Sep 1980 - Apr 1981
    colorado springs, CO (US)
    Assembly line worker
    Riviera Kitchens
    Worked on the assembly line prepping finished cabinets for shipping.
  • Oct 1973 - Oct 1975
    albert lea, MN (US)
    gut line, pallet maker, janitorial
    Wilson Sinclair Korn King Ham
    Worked in the hog kill on the gut line, went to pulling leaf lard off hides of gutted hogs. Worked in janitorial and was pallet maker.
  • Sep 1973 - Oct 1973
    owatonna, MN (US)
    Glass cutter
    Viracon, Inc.
    This was my first real job. I learned to cut glass. It was exciting. I had to cut the glass prior to being safety treated. Usually once a day one of us cutters went to get stitched up as we got cut somewhere. My scar still remains on my right pinky finger.

Education

  • 1976 - 1976
    Other - Medical Records/Patient Admin.
    Academy Health Sciences - Army
    Spent four years in the army from 7-76 to 7-80. I was a medical records/patient administration clerk. I trained in army hospitals and then worked in an inflatable hospital in Germany and then a tent hospital stateside at Ft. Carson, CO. After my four year tour was up I received an honorable discharge.

Courses & Certifications

Cerificate from Baylor University in Texas for army training as a Medical Records/Patient Admin. Specialist. With experience training and experience was equivalent to an associates degree.

Clubs & Organizations

Member of the Black Diamond Writer's Network of Tamaqua, PA.

Hobbies & Interests

Enjoy reading a lot and writing for newsletters.