Presidential Inauguration Celebrates The University of Scranton’s Jesuit Mission The Ignatian mission of The University of Scranton will take a preeminent role in the Inauguration of Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., as the 29th president of The University of Scranton. The Inauguration will occur as the Society of Jesus celebrates an Ignatian Year, commemorating the 500th anniversary of the conversion of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. The Inauguration theme, “A Fire that Kindles Other Fires,” is quoted from Decree 2 of the 35th General Congregation of the Society of Jesus. The Decree reads: “Legend has it that Saint Ignatius, when he sent Saint Francis Xavier to the East, told him: ‘go, set the world alight.’ With the birth of the Society of Jesus, a new fire was lit in a changing world. A novel form of religious life came about, not through human enterprise but as a divine initiative. The fire that was set alight then continues to burn in our Jesuit life today, as was said about Saint Alberto Hurtado, ‘a fire that kindles other fires.’ With it, we are called to set all things alight with the love of God.” The formal Inauguration Ceremony for Father Marina will take place on Friday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m. on campus for members of the University community and invited guests. The University will livestream the event. A luncheon will immediately follow the ceremony. In addition to the Inauguration Ceremony, an Inauguration Mass is planned for Saturday, Sept. 25, at 4 p.m. on campus. An Inauguration Concert, set for Sept. 25 at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, will feature an original work composed for the Inauguration by David Lantz III, titled “To the Ends of the Earth.” The events coincide with Family Weekend. Parents and family members visiting campus for the weekend are welcome to attend the Inauguration events. Thomas MacKinnon, vice president for university advancement, and Gretchen Van Dyke, Ph.D., associate professor of political science, are serving as co-chairs for the Inauguration Celebration. Additional information is available on The Inauguration of Rev. Joseph G. Marina, S.J., website.
Vejigantes to return in 2022 Copa de la Diversión The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are pleased to announce that they will continue to participate in Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversión during the 2022 season. The RailRiders will play on select dates as the “Vejigantes” next season to honor and recognize the growing Latino population in Northeastern Pennsylvania. 76 clubs across Minor League Baseball participated in Copa de la Diversión this season. Seven new teams will join in 2022 and two additional teams that didn’t participate this season will return next summer. Each of the 85 participating MiLB teams, covering 33 U.S. states, will transform its on-field brand to a culturally relevant Latino persona, representing an extension of the team’s and community’s identity. The Vejigante is a brightly-colored, folkloric masked character that is a blend of African, Spanish and Caribbean influences and a key figure in several annual celebrations. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre first adopted this identity in 2019 for Copa de la Diversión. 2022 Copa de la Diversión dates will be announced at a later time. The RailRiders have five games at PNC Field remaining this year, returning home from September 22-26 to host the Syracuse Mets in Triple-A Baseball’s Final Stretch. Tickets are available at swbrailriders.com.
PennDOT, Pennsylvania State Police Highlight National Child Passenger Safety Week The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), and Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project (PA TIPP) are encouraging drivers to take advantage of safety seat check resources across the state as the agencies mark National Child Passenger Safety Week (CPSW) from September 19 through September 25. Additionally, Saturday, September 25 has been designated as “National Seat Check Saturday.” “Seat belts and car seats are the best defense in a crash,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “PennDOT urges all parents and caregivers to take time this week to learn more about the importance of correctly selecting, installing, and using car seats, booster seats, and seat belts.” Car seat checks will be held across the state the week of Child Passenger Safety Week. Visit PA TIPP’s webpage for a list of events. PSP personnel certified as Child Passenger Safety (CPS) technicians will be conducting free child seat fitting events across the state. Caregivers can have their car seats checked for suitability, receive instruction on the proper installation, and have seat(s) installed, learn to properly harness a child in a seat and check seats for recalls. A full list of local free car seat fitting events is available on PSP’s website. According to national statistics, car seats can reduce the risk of fatal injury by up to 71 percent for infants and 59 percent for toddlers; however,46 percent of car seats and booster seats are installed or used incorrectly. Through June 2021, members of the PSP have conducted 406 child safety seat inspections and discovered 239 cases of misuse. Throughout 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted seat checks, but PSP completed more than 850 checks and found more than 350 misuses by drivers. In 2019, over 1,600 checks were completed with more than 600 misuses observed. The checkups are designed to teach proper installation and use of child safety seats and keep children across the commonwealth safe. To advance their public safety missions, PennDOT and PSP invest in community resources across the state. PennDOT funds resources such as training and educational materials for more than 200 fitting stations across Pennsylvania. In coordination with CPSW and Seat Check Saturday, local police will focus on proper child seat usage during a statewide CIOT Child Passenger Safety enforcement running from September 11 through September 24. In addition, each PSP Troop has designated walk in days where drivers can have their child safety seats checked free of charge. Pennsylvania’s primary seat belt law requires all occupants younger than 18 to wear a seat belt when riding anywhere in a vehicle. Children under the age of two must be secured in a rear-facing car seat, and children under the age of four must be restrained in an approved child safety seat. Children must ride in a booster seat until their eighth birthday. “Parents and caregivers are encouraged to educate themselves and seek out assistance to properly install child passenger safety seats,” said Colonel Robert Evanchick, Commissioner of the PSP. “Keeping our youngest passengers safe should be a priority for everyone. Troopers who are certified as child passenger safety seat technicians are available to assist anyone who has questions or needs help installing a child seat.” A secondary law also requires drivers and front-seat passengers 18 or older to buckle up. If motorists are stopped for a traffic violation and are not wearing their seat belt, they can receive a second ticket and second fine. Because of the potential dangers associated with air bag deployment, children 12 and younger should always ride buckled in a vehicle’s back seat. “The best way to protect your child is to place them in the right car seat for their age and size and to correctly secure it in the back seat of the vehicle,” said Angela Osterhuber, Director of the Traffic Injury Prevention Project. “Child passenger safety technicians are available to teach you how to use your car seat correctly.” PA TIPP also offers the following tips: Select a car seat that is right for the child’s age and size;Fill out and return the registration card for your seat so you’ll know if it is recalled because of a problem;Read and follow the car seat instructions and the vehicle owner’s manual for information on correctly installing the car seat in the vehicle;Use the car’s seat belt or the LATCH system when installing the car seat;Make sure the car seat’s harness is correctly adjusted and fits snugly; andUse a tether strap when installing a forward-facing car seat, following manufacturer’s instructions. For more information on child passenger safety, visit PennDOT’s Safety Page. For a list of state police car seat safety inspection locations and dates, visit the PSP Public Safety webpage. For more information on how to keep passengers safe, or if you are unable to afford a car seat, call 1-800-CAR-BELT or visit www.pakidstravelsafe.org to find the nearest car seat loan program. Information on Child Safety Seat Inspection Stations and Community Car Seat Checkup Events is also available on the website.
Griffin Pond Animal Shelter Hosts Wag-O-Ween 5K and Pet Costume Parade Griffin Pond Animal Shelter will host its inaugural Wag-O-Ween 5K and Pet Costume Parade Saturday, Oct. 16, at McDade Park, pavilion 1, 1 Bald Mountain Rd., Scranton. Registration and check-in are from 8:30 to 9:45 a.m., and the race begins at 10. At the event, runners are invited to wear their favorite Halloween costume or running gear as they dash through a 5K course designed by Scranton Running Company. The top male and female runners in each age category will receive a medal. The runners who compete in costume also will vie for the scariest, funniest, best superhero, and most unique costume prizes. All runners will receive a complimentary Griffin Pond Animal Shelter Wag-O-Ween 5K and Pet Costume Parade t-shirt. Registration is $35 and can be completed at www.runsignup.com/griffinpond. Following the race at approximately 11:30 a.m., Griffin Pond will host a Halloween pet costume parade. Parade participants should check in at 11 a.m. at pavilion 1. During the event, pet owners will escort their pets as they contend for the funniest, cutest, most creative, and most unique costume prizes. Parade registration is $15. The shelter also has numerous sponsorship options available which are great advertising vehicles for businesses or a way to honor someone. To register for the parade or as a sponsor, please visit www.griffinpondanimalshelter.com/wag-o-ween-5k. All proceeds will benefit the shelter’s canine and feline enrichment program. For more information, please contact Jackie Galvin, M.S., development and communications director, at 570-586-3700, ext. 522 or jackie@griffinpondas.com.
Lackawanna College and Wilkes University Sign Early Entrance Agreement Lackawanna College has signed an agreement that will give students early entry into Wilkes University’s Maslow Family Graduate Creative Writing Program. Students in the Lackawanna College Bachelor’s in Professional Studies English Writing concentration can begin pursuing master’s degree credits at Wilkes University. “This new opportunity lets Lackawanna students participate in undergraduate and graduate-level course work at the same time,” said Adrienne Asbury, Lackawanna College Dean of Curriculum and Faculty Affairs. “This partnership will benefit students academically, socially, and financially, as it will enable them to embark on their master’s degrees while still undergraduate students and avail themselves of all the resources Lackawanna College and Wilkes University have to offer.” “We are very excited to welcome Lackawanna College students to our nationally renowned graduate creative writing program,” said David Hicks, Wilkes University Director and Faculty of Practice in the Maslow Family Graduate Program in Creative Writing. “Our graduate program is focused not only on the craft of writing but on the community of writers and the career of writing.” The agreement will be effective for the 2021-2022 school year and students will be able to start the master’s degree program during the January or June residency at Wilkes University. All credits completed at Wilkes University will be transferrable to Lackawanna College to meet degree requirements.
The Greater Scranton YMCA to Host Hoot & Howl Halloween Party The Greater Scranton YMCA is inviting families from across our community to join us for our free Hoot & Howl Halloween Party at the Y on Saturday, October 23, 2021. The event will feature a costume contest, DJ, magician, Family Haunted Walk, refreshments and more. The celebration will begin at 12:00 p.m. and will end at 3:00 p.m. “We are thrilled to offer a free Halloween event at our facility that welcomes all members of our community,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Following more than a year of social distancing and disruptions to seasonal celebrations, we are proud to provide children and families with some excitement!” Children of all ages are welcome. Costumes are optional. While pre-registration is not required, it is preferred. For more information or to RSVP, contact Brandon Whipple, Health & Wellness Director, at bwhipple@greaterscrantonymca.org or (570) 828-3116.
Marywood University to Offer Professional Continuing Education Nursing Home Administration Program Marywood University’s Professional Continuing Education department will offer a 120-Hour Long-Term Care Nursing Home Administration (NHA) and Refresher Program during the fall 2021/spring 2022 academic semesters. Each of the sixteen courses is approved for 7.5 continuing education hours by the Pennsylvania State Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators. Also serving State of Pennsylvania licensing renewal requirements, interested individuals can register for courses as needed or register for the entire series. Dates, programs, and presenters planned for the fall 2021/spring 2021academic semesters include: September 30, 2021— Health Support Services: Pharmacy Medical Records and Diagnostic Services with Tom Snader and Stephanie Sakson.October 1, 2021 —Personnel Management and Labor Relations with Jim Silkworth.October 14, 2021 — Social Services, Family and Community Relationships, and Patient Rights with Maria Hastie and John R. O’Brien.October 15, 2021 – Understanding Regulations: Deficiencies, Plans of Correction, and Quality Assurance with James Miller, NHA.October 28, 2021— Strategic Planning: Marketing and Public Relations with William BachmanOctober 29, 2021 – Nursing Department and Patient Care Management with Karyn Hildebrand.November 11, 2021— Role of Government in Health Policy Regulation and Reimbursement with William Kammerer.November 12, 2021 – Nutrition and Dietary Needs of the Long-Term Care Resident with Sandy Gaul.December 2, 2021— Gerontology: Diseases of Aging Death and Dying with Peggy Steinberg.December 3, 2021 – Risk Management: Safety and Insurance with Matt Alfiero.December 16, 2021 – Facility Support Services: Building, Grounds, Housekeeping, Laundry, and Central Supply with Karyn Hildebrand.December 17, 2021 – Fiscal Management: Budgeting and Accounting with Michael P. Kelly, MPA, NHA and Kevin Noone.January 27, 2022 – General Administration and Organizational Management of Nursing Homes with Noelle Lyon-Kovaleskie.January 28, 2022 – Medicare PPS Case Mix & Third-Party Reimbursement with James Miller.February 10, 2022 – Rehabilitation Services and Special Care with Gary Duncan.February 11, 2022 – Preparing for Licensure: Certification Surveys and Meeting the Other Regulatory Requirements with Noelle Lyon-Kovaleskie. All courses will run on the dates listed from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., in the Swartz Center for Spiritual Life, on Marywood University’s campus. Each course is $150. The NHA Refresher is only $525. For additional information, or to register, please visit Marywood Professional Continuing Education Opportunities, or call Jill Schroth, Director of Professional Continuing Education & Workforce Development, at (570) 340-6061.
More than 96 Percent Vaccinated at Scranton The University of Scranton announced today that more than 96 percent of its students, faculty and staff who are on campus for the fall semester are fully vaccinated. The University implemented a vaccine requirement for the return of in-person classes and activities for the fall 2021 semester, which began on Monday, Aug. 30. Vaccination rates above 90 percent were found to be an important for resuming normal campus activity, according to a recently released study in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Students attending classes on campus were required to submit vaccine information through the school’s Student Health Services and employees were required to attest to their vaccination status through the Office of Human Resources. In accordance with Pennsylvania law, students and employees could request a waiver to the vaccine requirement for religious or medical reasons. Students attending fully-online graduate courses were not required to submit vaccine information. According to University records, nearly 96 percent of students and more than 97 percent of staff are fully vaccinated. The University expects these percentages to increase in the coming weeks as individuals with one dose of the vaccine receive their second dose. Unvaccinated members of the University community who were granted a waiver to be on campus during the fall semester must participate in weekly PCR testing and wear a mask when indoors and when outdoors when social distancing is not possible, among other health and safety requirements as outlined in the University’s Royals Back Together plan. Vaccinated individuals do not need to participate in COVID-19 surveillance testing. Following CDC guidelines, the University will adjust indoor masking requirements for vaccinated individuals based on community spread. A Mask Status tile on the Royals Back Together webpage will indicate if masks are required indoors for vaccinated individuals, as well as other health and safety requirements. (Currently, the University is requiring all individuals to wear masks indoors through Oct. 4, and the access to the campus is limited to University community members, invited guests and others as outlined in its Royals Back Together plan. The University will update information on or before Oct. 4).
The Greenhouse Project Honeybee & Harvest Day at Nay Aug Park The Greenhouse Project is excited to announce a community fall festival: Honeybee & Harvest Day on Saturday, Oct 2, 2021 from 12-4 p.m. at The McNulty Greenhouse in Nay Aug Park. It’s a free, family-friendly, all ages community day which celebrates Honeybees and the harvest season. The event features an all-ages Honeybee Costume Parade through Nay Aug Park, harvest demonstrations, apple cider making, pumpkin & face painting, local food and vendors, music, and fun craft activities. The Honeybee Costume Parade encourages everyone making their own honeybee costume and joining the fun. Participating “Bees’ ‘ will gather to form the parade in Nay Aug Park, in the parking lot near The Treehouse at 12 noon. The parade will begin shortly after, and march with members of the Scranton High School Band on the way to The McNulty Greenhouse where the Honeybee & Harvest Day festival will take place. On route to The Greenhouse, the parade will briefly stop to honor some of our essential “worker bees” at Geisinger CMC at 12:30. Executive Director Jane Risse states, “The Greenhouse Project is so pleased to offer Honeybee & Harvest Day. It will be a lively celebration of honeybees and other pollinators and their vital role in the production of our food. We invite members of the community to come join in The Honeybee Costume Parade and festival. It will be a lively visual spectacle that further proves that Scranton is a happening destination.” Honeybee & Harvest Day is sponsored by Geisinger and Toyota of Scranton, and hosted in cooperation with Scranton Municipal Recreation Authority (SMRA) and the City of Scranton. For further details, visit www.scrantongreenhouse.org or email getGHPinfo@gmail.com .
Dimeco, INC. on OTCQX Investment Market The Board of Directors of Dimeco, Inc. is pleased to announce that Dimeco, Inc. (OTCQX: DIMC), the parent holding company of The Dime Bank, a Pennsylvania state-chartered bank that serves Northeast Pennsylvania, has qualified to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market. Dimeco, Inc. upgraded to OTCQX from the Pink® market. Dimeco, Inc. begins trading today on OTCQX under the symbol “DIMC.” U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the company on www.otcmarkets.com/stock/DIMC. Graduating to the OTCQX Market marks an important milestone for community banks in the U.S. public markets. The OTCQX Market enables banks to maximize the value of being a public company by providing transparent trading and easy access to company information for shareholders. To qualify for OTCQX, community banks must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance, and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. President and Chief Executive Officer of Dimeco, Inc. and The Dime Bank, Peter Bochnovich stated, “At The Dime Bank, we believe in creating amazing customer experiences and that intention encompasses our shareholders, too. Since 1905, we have been making a difference in the lives of those we touch by helping generations of customers realize their goals and dreams. We want our Dimeco investors and potential investors to have access to financial information that is easy to understand and helpful in making their investment decisions. We aim to generate broader recognition by investors, enhance shareholder value, and emphasize The Dime Bank’s commitment to the communities we serve.” Boenning & Scattergood, Inc. acted as the company’s OTCQX sponsor.
