Business is Blooming at Settlers Hospitality Settlers Hospitality is growing its operations with the opening of Gorgeous Floral. Katharine Brown, the renowned floral designer from Fox Hill Farm, will join forces with Settlers Hospitality to launch the new floral business in May, just in time for Mother’s Day. The floral boutique will be located along Route 6 in Hawley in the former Dorchester Antiques building. The name is a nod to the location of the business overlooking Wallenpaupack Creek river gorge. In addition to retail sales to the public, Gorgeous Floral will provide in-house floral design for all the properties of Settlers Hospitality. The custom creations will adorn hotel lobbies and grace on-site special events. Guests may also order a seasonal arrangement from Gorgeous Floral for their room as an add-on to any stay. Katharine Brown of Fox Hill Farm in Honesdale will serve as floral designer. The self-professed flower fanatic is known for creating unique looks that capture the essence of any occasion. After nearly a decade styling weddings at Fox Hill Farm, she’s become a highly sought-after floral designer throughout the tri-state area and beyond. “I am so excited to bring my passion for floral design and creativity to Gorgeous Floral. Settlers Hospitality’s commitment to high-caliber experiences and superior service align with my own business values. I’m thrilled to join the team,” said Katharine Brown. Customers may stop in to choose from the selection of pre-made bouquets or order a custom arrangement. Shopping at Gorgeous Floral promises to be a feast for the senses. The artful display will feature a curated mix of houseplants, unique vessels, potted plants, terrariums and elegant living and dried centerpieces. Merchandise will also include gardening kits, books, tools and candles as well as unique, garden related home décor. Items will change with the season and custom orders are always welcome. Plans are also in place to offer small classes on flower arranging, gardening and more in the future. “A floral boutique was truly a natural fit for our business,” explains Justin Genzlinger, Settlers Hospitality Owner/CEO. “It’s one more service we can provide to our wedding couples and event organizers. Not only is in-house floral design a convenience for wedding and event planning, it will bring a cohesive look and distinctive style to special occasions and enhance the décor at all of our properties.”
Scranton Chamber Announces Community Block Party We are excited to announce our plan to host a Community Block Party featuring entertainment, shopping, children’s activities, music, dining and more. “The Chamber Community Block Party” will take place on First Friday, May 7, from 5:00 – 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, May 8 from 12:00 – 4:00 p.m. on the 200 & 300 blocks of Penn Avenue in downtown Scranton and is in lieu of the Chamber’s Annual Dinner this year. The event will follow all CDC guidelines. “The Chamber exists because of our local businesses, and we are here to support them. After the turbulent year of 2020 – and as we continue to come out on the other side of the pandemic – our board and staff wanted to plan a safe, family-friendly event that supports all businesses and celebrates our community,” said Bob Durkin, Chamber president. The Chamber is grateful for the local support from businesses already, including “The Chamber Community Block Party” chairs Peter Danchak, regional president of PNC Bank; and Sarah Effertz, owner of Blu Elefante Event Consulting and Management. The family-friendly event will include three stages featuring 24 bands and multi-cultural performance groups, as well as vendor marketplaces, children’s activities, art exhibits and more. Beginning May 2 and running through May 8, the Chamber will also celebrate and promote “Chamber Restaurant Week” across the greater Scranton community.Small business members of the Chamber can apply for a FREE vendor booth in one of our three Marketplaces along Penn Avenue. To secure a vendor booth and learn more, visit our event page.
Sarah Effertz Sarah Effertz, owner of Blu Elefante events, has a passion for creating unforgettable moments that bring people together to celebrate the things that are important to you! With over 15 years of event planning and marketing experience, Sarah has helped create powerful and profitable fundraisers for community partners, helped companies celebrate key milestones with cocktail receptions and golf tournaments, gathered like-minded individuals for intimate dinner parties, blown the roof off of venues for concerts and music festivals, and glammed up the runway with striking fashion shows. With Blu Elefante, she has also helped families and friends come together to celebrate some of life’s greatest moments! What makes Blu Elefante stand out is Sarah’s passion and creativity, her love for people, and seeing the magic that happens when all your moving parts come together to give you and your guests an amazing experience that you won’t soon forget! Sarah is a dynamic professional with a bachelor’s in business administration, with a focus on marketing and finance, along with a master’s degree in project management. Her home base is Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania, and services the greater NEPA region, including Allentown to Philadelphia, and also New Jersey and New York. Her history of service includes: past board of directors for Dress For Success Lackawanna, past regional director for the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, and past school board member for Summit Christian Academy. She currently serves as a board member for Here 4 A Reason, a worship team vocalist at The Grove Church in Scranton, and as a wife and mother to three wonderful children.
Peter Danchak PETER J. DANCHAKPNC BANK, NORTHEAST PA Peter J. Danchak is the regional president of the Northeast PA region of PNC Bank. Danchak joined PNC Bank in 1984 and has held various positions of responsibility in Corporate Banking. He was named Regional President of the Northeast PA Market of PNC Bank in January 2001. Active in the community, Danchak currently serves as Chairman of the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine 2020/2021 Annual Golf Classic and as Co-Chair of the Scranton Plan. He serves on the Board of Directors of AllOne Health Foundation, the Highmark Regional Advisory Board and the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Business & Industry. In October of 2020 was appointed to the Early Learning Investment Commission Emeritus Advisory Council. Danchak served as Chairman of the 2019 and 2018 Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Annual Golf Classics and The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties Annual Campaigns in 2013/2014 and 2002/2003. He also Co-Chaired the Northeastern Pennsylvania Boy Scouts of America 2019 and 2018 Annual Dinners and The Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission from his appointment in 2008 through 2018. He also previously served as a member of the Board of Directors of the ARC of Northeastern Pennsylvania Foundation, Blue Cross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Luzerne Foundation, the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, King’s College, Keystone College, Johnson College, Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Bankers Association, the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Scranton Chamber Board of Commerce and Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company. He served on the Board of Trustees of Marywood University, Scranton Preparatory School and the University of Scranton Kania School of Management. He also served on the President’s Advisory Council for Keystone College. Danchak received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Scranton and was awarded an honorary degree from them in 2018.
The University of Scranton Announces Plan for Commencement Events The University of Scranton announced plans for in-person graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies for its class of 2021, which will now be held May 22-23, one week earlier than originally scheduled. Additionally, the University will now hold separate ceremonies for each of its undergraduate colleges and for graduate students at the Mohegan Sun Arena. Following Pennsylvania’s current indoor capacity guidelines, a maximum of 2,500 people would be able to attend each ceremony at the arena. The graduate commencement ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 22. Separate undergraduate commencement ceremonies will be held on Sunday, May 23, for graduates of: the Panuska College of Professional Studies at 9:30 a.m.; the Kania School of Management at 1 p.m.; and for the College of Arts and Sciences at 4:30 p.m. Graduates will receive four tickets for guests to attend their ceremonies to ensure space capacity limits are followed. Other health and safety guidelines, such as social distancing and wearing masks, will also be followed. The ceremonies will also be live streamed for online viewing. The announcement, sent to the University community by Jeff Gingerich, Ph.D., acting president, also mentioned plans for a virtual Baccalaureate Mass at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 22. On Friday, May 21, at 8 p.m., the University will hold a virtual Class Night event, at which undergraduate students will be recognized for academic, service and leadership excellence. Information about additional commencement events will be shared in the coming weeks and will be posted on the University’s commencement webpage. The University was able to determine plans for in-person commencement ceremonies because of recent modifications in Pennsylvania’s pandemic restrictions, which were announced Mar. 15. The University will continue to monitor and adapt to changes in health and safety recommendations from federal or state guidelines between now and May
Candy Frye to Deliver Johnson College’s 2021 Commencement Address Johnson College has selected Candy Frye, Director of New Business Development at A. Pickett Construction, Inc. and Johnson College graduate, to give their 2021 commencement address to graduates on Tuesday, May 11, 2021, at dusk, at the Circle Drive-In Theatre in Scranton. As the Director of New Business Development at A. Pickett Construction, Inc., Frye is instrumental in driving new business. She nurtures relationships with existing commercial and facilities-related clients. She identifies new opportunities through the development of strategic relationships with potential clients of various sectors. Prior to this role, Frye was the Dispatch Manager of Pickett Facilities Maintenance, a subsidiary of A. Pickett Construction, Inc. Her background has been diverse in nature, though always trade-related. Mrs. Frye currently serves on the Johnson College Board of Directors, is the current chair for the NEPA Associated Builders and Contractors Association, and is an active member of multiple chambers of commerce. She also serves on the Domestic Violence Service Center Board of Directors as well as multiple associated related committees. During her time as a student at Johnson College, she earned an Associate in Specialized Technology degree in both Building Construction Technology in 1993 and Architectural Drafting and Design in 1994. She was nominated and served as Student Government President as well as received the Non-Traditional Student of the Year award. She resides in Harding with her husband Jay, daughter Jordan, and great-nephew, Noah. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
Sustainable Energy Fund to Host Annual Public Meeting On May 19, 2021 at 10 AM, Sustainable Energy Fund will host their Annual Public Board Meeting at their Headquarters in Schnecksville, PA. This is an in-person meeting, there is no option for virtual attendance. Those who plan to attend will need to register online and must follow the following COVID safety precautions: Temperature taken upon entering buildingMust wear a mask at all timesMust maintain 6 feet of distance from others in the space Other recommended safety precautions can be viewed on the CDC website and the PA DOH website. COVID precautions are subject to change as the state relaxes mandates and recommendations by the PA DOH and CDC change. To register, please visit www.thesef.org/annual-public-meeting. For questions, please contact Sustainable Energy Fund at 610-264-4440.
Moses Taylor Foundation Awards $140,000 Grant to The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute The Moses Taylor Foundation recently awarded the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute a $140,000 grant to support the Community-Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. This investment will ensure the continuation and expansion of the existing Community-Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program (Navigation Program). The Navigation Program is a cancer screening initiative focused on education, barrier reduction and facilitation of screenings for breast, cervical, colon and lung cancer targeting low income, un/underinsured and underserved residents of northeast Pennsylvania, while connecting/reconnecting all participants to a medical home to ensure ongoing preventative care. “We are very grateful to receive this grant from the Moses Taylor Foundation. It allows us to continue helping residents of Northeast PA access potentially life-saving cancer screenings” said Laura Toole, Executive Vice President at the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute.
