MACUNGIE, Pa. — A home for events and community in Macungie is set to get a new leader after the director who led its revival as a local hub announced she is stepping down.
Darlene Misselbeck, the current facility manager of the Macungie Institute, is announcing her plans to step down from the position after two years.
The Macungie Institute — a former schoolhouse turned borough-owned community center, meeting place, stage and museum — had to shut its doors when COVID-19 struck.
It remained that way until 2022, when Misselbeck was hired to reopen the building and restore its community events.
"I invested a lot of time and energy into bringing the Macungie Institute Community Center to the place where it is, and it is very important to me that the community does not suffer a setback during this process."Macungie Institute Manager Darlene Misselbeck
Misselbeck oversaw the building's return to a community center, working to restore a variety of community classes, workshops, blood drives, club meetings and other events, along with rentals for private events.
Misselbeck previously said the building was a very valuable location to the borough, host to memories of many there when they were school age.
Her last day will be Friday, June 28.
In her message to the council, Misselbeck said she would be wrapping up her duties and training her successor when someone is hired for the position.
"I invested a lot of time and energy into bringing the Macungie Institute Community Center to the place where it is, and it is very important to me that the community does not suffer a setback during this process," Misselbeck said.
'A great asset to the borough'
Misselback said that going forward, she plans to volunteer time with the Friends of the Macungie Institute and hopes to assist the future facility manager, collaborating on community events.
"While I enjoyed growing the rental side of the Institute, my heart has always been in coordinating events to meet the needs of the Borough residents," Misselbeck said in her resignation letter.
"I look forward to how this new partnership will benefit the community."
"Darlene has been a great asset to the Borough of Macungie. I found her greatest talent was being incredibly creative while being conscientious at the same time. I wish her well and hope that her next undertaking brings as much satisfaction as her position at the Macungie Institute."Borough Council President Ron Karboski
Borough Council President Ron Karboski praised Misselbeck's time with the institute and her ability to foster relationships.
"Darlene has been a great asset to the Borough of Macungie," Karboski said. "I found her greatest talent was being incredibly creative while being conscientious at the same time."
"I wish her well and hope that her next undertaking brings as much satisfaction as her position at the Macungie Institute."
No position listing has been posted as of Monday, but Macungie continues to seek other key employees, such as a new borough manager.
