Hospice Benefits from Local Sabika Jewelry Sales Hospice of the Sacred Heart has received $7,000 from local Sabika® Jewelry sales. Sandy Pagnani, a local Sabika® Jewelry Consultant, delivered a check that represents a percentage of local sales at the most recent Sabika® Jewelry party at Mansour’s Market Café. “A fun girls night out has turned into a significant donation for programs and services at Hospice of the Sacred Heart,” said Diane Baldi, Chief Executive Officer, Hospice of the Sacred Heart. “We’re honored and thankful to Sandy Pagnani and Sabika® for choosing us as their cause to support,” Baldi added. A company by women for women, Sabika® Jewelry is made for every woman, every day. Sabika®, a Pittsburgh-based company, was founded with the intent of bringing beauty, joy and opportunity to women of all ages and diverse backgrounds, and delivers a new level of fun and sophistication to the home party experience. “I’m proud to work for a family-owned business that emphasizes the power of women and the values of kindness, generosity and inclusivity,” said Sandy Pagnani, local Sabika® Jewelry Consultant. “I’m also proud to support Hospice of the Sacred Heart, a nonprofit agency that shares our values and employs a majority of women in key leadership roles.” 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. Photo, left to right: Diane Baldi, CEO, Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Sandy Pagnani, local Sabika® Jewelry Consultant and Laurie Cadden, Laurie Cadden Enterprises
PennDOT Outlines Winter Preparations, Guidance for Public Readiness Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Acting Executive Deputy Secretary Melissa Batula, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) Director Randy Padfield, and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PTC) COO Craig Shuey today held a media briefing to outline the commonwealth’s plans for services in the coming winter season and discuss how the public can successfully prepare. “Our number-one priority is safety, and that guides our winter preparations and operations,” Batula said. “We are ready for the season ahead and motorists are our partners in making this season a safe one.” The public can access travel information on nearly 40,000 state-maintained roadway miles year-round at www.511PA.com, and during the winter they can find plow-truck locations and details of when state-maintained roadways were last plowed. The information is made possible by PennDOT’s Automated Vehicle Location (AVL) technology, which uses units in each of the over 2,500 department-owned and rented plow trucks to send a cellular signal showing where a truck is located. To help the public prepare for the season and share information about winter services, PennDOT offers operational information and traveler resources at www.penndot.gov/winter. The site also has a complete winter guide with detailed information about winter services in each of PennDOT’s 11 engineering districts. Each year, the PTC readies itself to confront the winter elements by properly preparing its entire fleet of trucks, plows and salt spreaders and training more than 400 licensed equipment operators so they are ready to activate 24/7 staffing this fall. Turnpike traffic and weather operations are also at the ready. The team’s focus is to fully understand the conditions on the roadway and to keep the Turnpike system as free of snow and ice as possible. Motorists should take the time now to assure their vehicles are ready for winter and to know their own winter driving skills. “Our professional crews have worked hard to prepare for the upcoming winter season, and they are ready,” Shuey said. “Winter storms are a fact of life in our region, so drivers should take the time now to inspect the condition of their own vehicles and be sure that wipers and tires will perform well. Also, now is the time to download the 511PA app to access traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information for all of Pennsylvania’s major roadways. You can be ready for what’s up ahead with the swipe of a screen.” With $197.7 million budgeted for this winter’s statewide operations, PennDOT deploys about 4,700 on-the-road workers, has more than 560,000 tons of salt on hand across the state and will take salt deliveries throughout the winter. PennDOT is actively seeking more than 600 temporary equipment operators statewide for the winter season to supplement the department’s full-time staff. Details on minimum requirements, such as possession of a CDL, as well as application information, are available at www.employment.pa.gov. Through the same website, job seekers can apply for over 100 other non-operator winter positions such as diesel and construction equipment mechanics, welders, clerks and more. If motorists encounter snow or ice-covered roads, they should slow down, increase their following distance and avoid distractions. Last winter in Pennsylvania, preliminary data shows that there were 301 crashes resulting in four fatalities and 143 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways where aggressive-driving behaviors such as speeding or making careless lane changes were factors. Motorists should prepare for potential bad weather by ensuring they have supplies in their cars before heading out: food, water, blankets, extra gloves and hats, cell phone charger, hand or foot warmers, windshield brush and scraper, and any specialized items like medications or baby and pet supplies. “If you must travel during times of inclement winter weather your planning should include knowing how you’ll get weather and travel alerts along your entire travel route,” Padfield said. “Make sure others know your estimated travel time, and have basic emergency supplies in your car, including any specialized items needed for young children or pets.” Padfield said it’s also important to know the difference between a weather watch and warning: A watch means there is increased risk of a hazardous weather event, but its occurrence, location, or timing is still uncertain. Pay attention to forecasts and plan out what you will do if/when it occurs.A warning means the weather event is imminent or is happening. Take immediate action to protect lives and property. In addition, snow squalls can often produce dangerous and deadly travel hazards on otherwise clear winter days. The National Weather Service now issues “Snow Squall Warnings” which alert drivers of whiteout conditions and slippery roadways, so motorists can avoid traveling directly into these dangerous squalls. For more information on PennDOT’s winter preparations and additional winter-driving resources for motorists, visit the department’s winter website.
Geisinger Physician Helps Afghan Evacuees When Afghani Roshan, M.D. learned that planes carrying evacuees from Afghanistan were headed to Philadelphia, she instantly knew she had to help. The Geisinger Wyoming Valley emergency medicine physician was raised in a Pashto-speaking household. Her parents and older siblings escaped Afghanistan in the early 1980s under circumstances much like today’s evacuees. Having grown up hearing their stories, Dr. Roshan felt the least she could do was welcome frightened and weary people to the U.S. in their own language. Dr. Roshan reached out to the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Medical Reserve Corps to offer her linguistic services, but once they learned she was a physician, they quickly asked her to help organize and run the medical operation at the Philadelphia International Airport. For the last few weeks, Dr. Roshan was often one of the first faces countless evacuees saw upon landing in the U.S. “My parents and siblings are delighted and proud that I am able to help. They have always looked for ways they can pay it forward,” she said, adding that she has found it to be personally rewarding even through small acts such as greeting the evacuees, “I greet them in a Pashto phrase which translates to ‘Welcome, I hope you arrived safely.’ This takes them by surprise but allows them to open up and smile. It brings me joy to see the little ones running around the airport and to know that they have more opportunities here. I hope that by seeing an Afghan American female physician, they recognize that they also have the opportunity to fulfill their dreams and aspirations.”
Johnson College Open House on November 6 Johnson College will hold an in-person Open House on its campus in Scranton on Saturday, November 6, 2021, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. To register for the Open House, visit Johnson.edu/openhouse or contact Johnson College’s Enrollment Department at 570-702-8856 or enroll@johnson.edu. Open House will include discussions about the admissions process, information about financial aid for those who qualify, and student services such as student life, student support, and career services. Plus, same-day acceptance will be available for many programs if students bring their high school or college transcripts. Tours of each technical area will be conducted and department chairs will be available to review the specifics of their programs. Social distancing guidelines will be followed. Face coverings are required inside all campus buildings regardless of vaccinated status.
Electric City Sips: Citywide Happy Hours through October 20 To help boost our local economy, Scranton Tomorrow has partnered with the City of Scranton to develop Electric City Sips as part of our Fall Into Downtown campaign. Electric City Sips is a series of Happy Hours on Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. at participating restaurants throughout Scranton. The promotion kicks off on September 15 and runs through October 20. Gather your friends and enjoy $3 beers, $5 wine, and $7 cocktails at these fine establishments:
United Way Honors High Achievers of Toughest Campaign to Date The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties have awarded over 140 area businesses, employee groups, foundations and individuals for outstanding community service during the Annual Community Awards Celebration of Caring. Acknowledging the work of the countless volunteers whose dedication helped push the United Way campaign to more than $3 million last year. “This was our most challenging campaign to date with the economy, let alone the world, coming to a complete halt with the fear of the pandemic looming throughout our 2020 campaign efforts. With these difficult times, commitment to serving the people of our community and fighting for the education, financial mobility and health of our community is evident in the numerous awards being presented to these essential members of our community,” commented Gary Drapek, President and CEO of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties. With the campaign in full swing for 2021-2022, the United Way wanted to take this time to recognize the charitable efforts from generous community members that helped them achieve what seemed like an insurmountable goal. The 9th Annual Rising Star Awards were presented to the fifteen small, mid-sized and large businesses with the most new or increased dollars. The top five companies with one-49 employees were: Cable Associates, Inc.; Foley Law Firm; Genetti Manor; Scranton Primary Health Care Center; and Sordoni Construction Services. The top five Rising Star companies with 50-99 employees were: Benco Dental Supply Company; DK Trading Diamond K; Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services; One Point; and United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA. The top five Rising Star companies with 100 or more employees were AAA North Penn; The Dime Bank; Fidelity Bank; PNC Bank; and the P&G Paper Products Company – Mehoopany Plant. The United Way also recognized the top 10 companies that contribute the most between a combination of the company themselves and their employees, known as the Pillars of Giving. In no specific order, they were: Fidelity Bank; Gentex Corporation; Hendrick Manufacturing; the P&G Paper Products Company – Mehoopany Plant; Peoples Security Bank & Trust; PNC Bank; The Scranton Times-Tribune; UGI Utilities/UGI Energy Service and United Parcel Services/UPS Global. The William E. Cockerill, Sr. Memorial Labor Award was presented to the Honorable James Connors along with his wife Susan Connors for their dedicated support of the United Way. The Joseph A. Mahon, Esq. Volunteer Award went to long-time United Way volunteers, Amy and Jim Fleming.
Waverly United Methodist Church Drive-Thru Pasta Dinner to Honor Veterans In honor of Veteran’s Day, Waverly United Methodist Church (UMC) will offer FREE Drive Thru pasta dinners on Friday, November 5th, beginning at 4:30 p.m. until all the meals have been claimed. Co-sponsored by the First Baptist Church of Abington, Walmart, and Waverly United Methodist Church, this Veterans’ Pasta Dinner has become a much-anticipated annual event. Typically, this dinner would be offered as a dine-in event at the Waverly Community House, complete with musical entertainment. However, like so many other local traditions, 2020 saw the format of this dinner changed in response to COVID. The2021 Veterans’ Pasta Dinner will be available in Drive-Thru/Take-Out format and can be picked up at Waverly UMC, located at 105 Church Street, On the COMM Square, in Waverly. This meal is made possible, in part, by a grant from Walmart and is open and available at no cost to all community members. Please note only 150 meals are available. Dinners will be available from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.or until they are gone. No reservations are necessary, but anyone wishing to obtain a meal is encouraged to come out early as meals will not be held and are distributed on a first-come/first-served basis. Each meal includes pasta, marinara sauce, and meatballs, salad with dressing, a roll with butter, and dessert. As each meal is distributed, volunteers will gratefully accept any offered donations on behalf of Equines For Freedom.This is the second year that donations from this event have been designated for Equines For Freedom (EFF). EFF is a 501©3 charitable organization which offers FREE horse-assisted therapy services for Veterans and First Responders with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). EFF services are completely confidential and are offered at no cost regardless of the source of the client’s trauma or the character of their military service.
Booster doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine available at Geisinger Following recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Geisinger is offering booster doses of the Pfizer (Comirnaty) COVID-19 vaccine for people who are eligible. Those eligible for a booster include people who have received their two doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, and: Are age 65 and olderAre a long-term care residentAre age 18 to 64 with an underlying medical condition that puts them at higher risk for serious illness from COVID-19Are age 18 to 64 and have a job that puts them at increased risk of being exposed to COVID-19 People can get their booster dose of the Pfizer vaccine beginning six months after receiving their second dose. If you’re unsure if you qualify for the booster or have any specific questions, contact your doctor. The booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is the same dosage (0.3 milliliters) as the first and second vaccine doses. The Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine received full FDA approval in late August. Anyone who has received the Moderna or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine is not eligible for a booster vaccine at this time, according to the CDC. You can make an appointment for a booster COVID-19 vaccine at Geisinger through MyGeisinger or by calling 570-284-3657. Appointments are available at the vaccine centers at the Geisinger Health Plan Building near Danville, Geisinger CenterPoint in Jenkins Township, Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital and Geisinger Lewistown Hospital. Appointments are also available at Geisinger Philipsburg and Geisinger Pharmacy locations in Dallas, Danville, Lewistown, Lock Haven, Mount Pocono, Pottsville, State College and Scranton. Remember to bring your COVID-19 vaccine card or proof of having received the vaccine to your appointment. More information about the COVID-19 vaccine is available at Geisinger.org/COVIDVax. As a reminder, no visitors are permitted for outpatient appointments, unless medically necessary, and masks must be worn by everyone in all Geisinger buildings and facilities.
Fall Events at Settlers Hospitality When fall comes calling to the Pocono Mountains, Settlers Hospitality responds with a host of special events that capture the essence of the season. The Settlers Inn, Ledges Hotel, Silver Birches and Hotel Anthracite deliver the flavors and festivities that make autumn a treasured time in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Shrimp will be featured in a big way at The Dock on Wallenpaupack. From October 24 to November 24 enjoy a variety of appetizers and entrees starring the crustacean. Dishes include Bang-Bang Shrimp, Bacon Wrapped Shrimp with Asian Glaze, Shrimp Toast with Ginger Ponzu, Crab Stuffed Shrimp, Steak and Shrimp, Coconut Shrimp and Shrimp Carbonara. Solve crime while you dine! Hotel Anthracite in Carbondale will host an evening of intrigue with a Murder Mystery Dinner Theater on October 29. The drama begins at 7 p.m. Gather clues as you savor a delectable three course meal. The cost is $49 per person. The Settlers Inn will once again have guests spellbound with its Storytelling Dinner. On October 29 and 30 New York Times writer Neil Genzlinger will enthrall audiences with tantalizing tales. Genzlinger is an accomplished writer and storyteller with three wins at Moth StorySlam Open Competitions. He’ll be joined by Michaela Murphy the host of “Word of Mouth Live!” at the Bucks County Playhouse where she is the director of education. The highly regarded speech and performance coach has appeared at many storytelling events including the Moth Mainstage, Harmony in the Woods and TEDxBarnardCollegeWomen. The events unfold in The Undercroft set aglow by over 100 pumpkins hand carved especially for the occasion. Live music and a delectable farm-to-table meal round out the evening. Reservations are required for The Storytelling Dinner, which costs $65 per person. The restaurants of Settlers Hospitality will dig deep into the truffle scene. During the month of November, The Settlers Inn, The Dock on Wallenpaupack and Glass-wine.bar.kitchen will offer dishes featuring the delicacy. The culinary occasion culminates with a Truffle Italian Wine Dinner on November 12 at The Settlers Inn. A guest chef will create an elegant menu of items spotlighting truffles and paired with Italian wines. The decadent evening will include presentations by Urbani Truffles and Pio Cesare Vineyards. Reservations are required. Settlers Hospitality will salute members of the armed forces with complimentary overnight accommodations on Veterans Day, November 11. Veterans may stay at The Settlers Inn, Ledges Hotel, Silver Birches or Hotel Anthracite free of charge. The Settlers Inn will also host a fireside welcome wine on Thursday evening especially for service members. Reservations are required for overnight accommodations. Before the big feast, gather for a Friendsgiving at Glass-wine.bar.kitchen. The casual celebration on Thanksgiving Eve, November 24 features live music by John Curtin plus food specials. Celebrate Thanksgiving with Settlers Hospitality. For a traditional Thanksgiving meal of farm-to-table favorites, make a reservation for Thanksgiving Dinner at The Settlers Inn on November 25. Seatings will be available in from noon-6:30 p.m. in the dining room and the Undercroft. There are two options for lakeside holiday dining at Silver Birches on November 25. Enjoy a fuss-free, family-style meal at The Dock on Wallenpaupack while the popular Thanksgiving Buffet returns to The Waterfront. Large parties may reserve private dining space in The Helm or Starboard Room. Stay home and enjoy a Thanksgiving feast with none of the cooking. Both The Settlers Inn and The Dock on Wallenpaupack will offer Thanksgiving Dinner to Go featuring turkey and all the trimmings. Orders must be placed by November 23. Meals will be ready for pick up on November 25 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Whether it’s a relaxing getaway, memorable meal or unique special event, Settlers Hospitality crafts the finest offerings of the season into exceptional experiences.
Cancer Institute Announces New Officer and Member to the Board of Directors The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s Board of Directors appointed Robert Cole PhD to the Board of Directors. He will serve as Vice Chair to fulfill a mid-term vacancy. Robert Cole, PhD, is the Senior Vice President, Chief Analytics Officer at Allied Services Integrated Health System. He is a 25-year employee of the health system. The non-profit organization is the leading provider of healthcare and human services for northeastern Pennsylvanians with disabilities and chronic illness. Robert earned a Master’s and a Doctorate in Experimental Psychology from the State University of New York at Binghamton, NY and brings strong data analytics backed by actionable insights into the organization’s business lines. Robert Cole, PhD, lives in Duryea with his wife, Donna, and their daughter Carsyn. He grew up in Duryea, graduated from Pittston Area High School and earned his bachelor’s in psychology from Bloomsburg University in 1992.
