Lackawanna College Announces School of Petroleum & Natural Gas Sponsor

Lackawanna College announced Williams as an official sponsor of the School of Petroleum and Natural Gas with their sponsorship of a 4,500-square-foot teaching lab located in the new Tunkhannock Center as part of a three-year partnership.

“We are excited to continue our long-standing partnership with Williams,” said Susan Gumble, program director for the College’s School of Petroleum and Natural Gas (PNG). “Through their sponsorship, we can continue to provide students with real-world, hands-on experience that will fill in-demand positions in the oil and gas industry.”

As part of the sponsorship, Williams will receive naming rights to a teaching lab that houses compressors, engines, and other industry equipment. Funds from the partnership will be used to support the School of PNG degree and certificate programs.

“Williams is thrilled to support the School of Petroleum & Natural Gas,” said Mike Atchie, director, Community and Project Outreach. “We’ve hired more than 70 graduates over the years, and they are a critical part of our operations workforce both in the Tunkhannock area and other parts of our enterprise. We also are pleased to support an endowed scholarship at the school, enabling even more students to enter an industry that is adapting to a clean energy future.”

Lackawanna College offers associate degree programs in petroleum and natural gas business administration and technology along with certificate programs in natural gas technician and compressor/engine mechanic. For more information on Lackawanna College School of Petroleum and Natural Gas programs, visit Lackawanna.edu.

PennDOT District 4 Hiring Event

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is hiring for over 100 positions. A hiring event is being held September 9 from 1:00 PM-4:00 PM at the Luzerne County PA CareerLink office located at 32 East Union Street, Wilkes Barre, PA.

Applicants unable to attend the hiring event can apply by going to www.employment.pa.gov.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Follow local PennDOT news on Twitter and like the department on Facebook and Instagram.

AAA North Penn Presents Four Diamond Rating

AAA North Penn recently presented The French Manor with the impressive Four Diamond Award.  For the past 18 years, The French Manor has maintained their Four Diamond ranking for two categories, Lodging and Dining.

For more than 80 years, the AAA team of professional inspectors have conducted unannounced, independent, in-person property inspections across 26,000 hotel properties in North America.  Hotels at this level are committed to providing every guest with a high degree of hospitality, with attentive service in upscale surroundings, according to AAA. They typically offer an extensive array of amenities and guest services.

AAA’s 62 million members book more than 31% of all paid room nights in North America, and they rely on the assurance that every Diamond-designated property has met the AAA standards for guest quality, cleanliness and condition.

A Four Diamond restaurant is characterized with distinctive fine dining, well-serviced amid upscale ambience. Restaurants must pass an on-site evaluation with 13 minimum requirements to be approved as a Diamond property. There are 57 elements included in the score that determines a property’s Diamond level.

The French Manor inn is fashioned after a stone chateau in the south of France. Built in the 1930s as a hunting lodge by teams of European craftsmen, the property was taken over by the current owners at the beginning of the present century. In the rear of the hotel there is an electric car charging station that can accommodate a Tesla, among others. An herb garden is on a hill behind the hotel along with a graciously appointed spa. There are wine tastings on some weekends. The in-house restaurant is a real gem, and personalized service make this property a top pick.

Boback Announces Patriot Day Ceremony

Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming), in conjunction with the Tunkhannock Area School District is hosting a Patriot Day ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001.

The ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Tunkhannock Area High School Football field.

“As we have reached the 20th anniversary of those horrific attacks, it is imperative that we continue to honor and remember every single life we lost in the name of freedom,” said Boback. “I am honored that I am able to hold this event in conjunction with the Tunkhannock Area School District to offer the community the opportunity to spend time with one another on this Patriot Day. Twenty years ago, we vowed to never forget the 2,977 lives that we lost on that Tuesday morning, and I am grateful that our town is ensuring that we never forget.”

The ceremony will include the Post 457 Dennis Strong American Legion Colors, rifle salute and TAPS, Tunkhannock Area High School brass quintet and a ceremonial bell ringing with the Triton Fire Company.

Photography and Social Media: A Two-Part Series Designed to Improve Your Social Media Presence

Visual content is key in social media. The better your visuals, the more likely you will attract positive attention on social media. And photographs are one of the easiest ways to create solid visual content – if it is done correctly.

The University of Scranton and Wilkes University SBDC’s have teamed up with DiscoverNEPA to show you how to get your message across, your visual content to stand out, and more effectively reach your audience.

Tuesday, September 14
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Session 1, “5 Ways to Improve Your Social media Photography” will focus on:

  • Deciding what photos to post
  • Smartphone photography
  • Setting up your photos
  • Editing your photos
  • Additional photo resources

Registration & Additional Details for September 14

Tuesday, September 21
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Session 2, “5 Ways to Improve Your Social Media Presence” will focus on:

  • Optimizing account settings
  • Facebook Creator Studio
  • Creating a social media calendar
  • Promoting content
  • Analytics

Registration & Additional Details for September 21

SWB RailRiders to Host First Responders & Military Appreciation Night

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre will host First Responders & Military Appreciation Night on September 11 when the RailRiders take on the Rochester Red Wings at PNC Field. In appreciation of those men and women who support and sacrifice daily for our nation, the RailRiders are offering two free tickets to all first responders as well as active duty and veterans of our Armed Forces.

Gates open at 5:00 P.M. on September 11 and the first pitch against the Washington Nationals Triple-A affiliate is set for 6:05.

First responders and active duty/veteran Armed Forces members can claim their two free field reserved tickets by presenting a valid ID at the PNC Field Box Office this week. The box office will be open at 4:00 P.M. Tuesday through Friday prior to the RailRiders games against the Red Wings. On Saturday, September 11, the box office will open at 3:00 P.M.

Hospice of the Sacred Heart Receives Golf Tournament Proceeds

Hospice of the Sacred Heart recently received proceeds in the amount of $1,500 from the 4th Annual Sean Powell Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit the Kids Kloset, a pediatric patient initiative of Hospice of the Sacred Heart. The tournament, in memory of Sean Powell, was held July 17th at Pine Hills Country Club in Taylor.

The Kids Kloset is a storage locker containing free items offered to pediatric patients and young children dealing with the loss of a loved one. Items include toys, games, electronic devices, books and learning tools.  

The Hospice of the Sacred Heart Kids Kloset is supported in part by a generous grant from AllOne Foundation and Charities and the Sean Powell Memorial Golf Tournament.

The mission of Hospice of the Sacred Heart is to provide comfort, care, hope and choice to patients and their families, while guiding them through the end of life journey.

Sarah O’Hora Promoted to Commercial Loan Officer I at HNB

David Raven, President and CEO of The Honesdale National Bank, announced Sarah O’Hora has been promoted to Commercial Loan Officer I.

In making the statement, Raven noted, “Sarah is a long standing member of the HNB Family. Her local knowledge and sincere interest in her customers success have been consistent themes for her. He continued, “We are fortunate to have people like Sarah who are committed to making sure local businesses receive the value we have come to be known for in our community.”

O’Hora is a graduate of Greencastle-Antrim High School and received a Bachelor of Science Degree (Cum Laude) from Millersville University in 2011. She also attended the PA Bankers School of Banking in 2015, and Leadership Northern Poconos Class of 2016.

Currently residing in Lake Arial, PA, she started her ten year career in the financial industry with HNB. Previous positions included Teller, Customer Service Representative, Marketing Assistant, Marketing and Communications Specialist, and Commercial Loan Portfolio Manager. She will continue as Commercial Loan Officer I.

In this role, she is responsible for developing and managing commercial loan relationships, collecting and analyzing financial information, and negotiating terms for small business and other commercial loan applicants.

In mentioning her time with HNB, O’Hora said, “My work at HNB has always allowed me to support those in my local community. In this new position, I will be able to continue to support the financial needs of our local business people whom, I believe, are the foundation on which our communities are built.”

In her spare time, she is a Worship Leader at Wallenpaupack Church and a Publicity Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity of Wayne County, PA. She enjoys spending time with her family, golfing, pheasant hunting, clay bird shooting, and walks in the woods.

The Honesdale National Bank, established in 1836, holds the distinction of being the area’s oldest independent community bank headquartered in Northeastern PA, with offices in Wayne, Pike, Susquehanna, Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties.  The Honesdale National Bank offers personal banking, business banking and wealth solutions.  For more information on HNB’s products and services, visit www.hnbbank.bank.

Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA to Host Annual Mix and Mingle

Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA is hosting its largest fundraiser of the year at Glen Oak Country Club, 250 Oakford Road Clarks Summit, PA on September 23, 2021 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA will present two awards this year. The Fifth Annual Founder’s Award for Philanthropy will be awarded to Clarence Baltrusaitis on behalf of NET Credit Union. “We are so excited to honor Clarence and NET Credit Union,” said Kristen L. Kosin, Executive Director. “NET Credit Union is a true champion of our area. It’s amazing how their employees donate their time, expertise and generosity to help agencies and organizations throughout our area.”

The second award presented will be the Elaine F. Shepard Award for Exceptional Volunteerism. “Elaine F. Shepard is an extraordinary example of service to the community. This award will honor Katie Gilmartin. She works tirelessly to promote and serve our community,” explains Ms. Kosin. 

Tickets for this event are $75 per person or $125 per pair. Tickets include entrance to event, lite dinner fare, and open bar. Live music will be provided by the Mark Monella Trio. Activities at this year’s event include raffle baskets, a gift pull, and a silent art auction which will feature work from local artists like Sharon Cosgrove, Christine Medley, and Tom Noone. For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.mealsonwheelsnepa.org or call 570-346-2421.