Boback Announces First Responder Grants Twenty-five fire and emergency medical services (EMS) organizations in the 117th Legislative District were awarded more than $331,000 in funding support through the 2021-22 Pennsylvania Fire Company and Emergency Medical Service Grant Program, Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) announced today. “They answer the call day and night. We truly appreciate the life-saving services these hard-working and dedicated volunteers provide for our communities,” said Boback. “I am so pleased these fire and EMS companies continue to apply for this state support every year, which helps to offset their operating costs.” Following is a list of organizations in the 117th Legislative District that received grants and the amount of the awards: Lackawanna County Fleetville Volunteer Fire Company of Benton Township – $15,000. Luzerne County Back Mountain Regional Fire & EMS Inc. (EMS) – $16,655.Back Mountain Regional Fire & EMS Inc. (fire) – $30,000.Fairmount Township Volunteer Fire & Ambulance Company (EMS) – $8,325.Fairmount Township Volunteer Fire & Ambulance Company (fire) – $15,000.Harveys Lake Fire & Ambulance Company (EMS) – $8,325.Harveys Lake Fire & Ambulance Company (fire) – $15,000.Hunlock Creek Volunteer Ambulance Association Inc. – $8,325.Hunlock Creek Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000.Jonathan R. Davis Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000.Kunkle Fire Company Inc. (EMS) – $8,325.Kunkle Fire Company Inc. (fire) – $15,000.Lake Silkworth Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000.Sweet Valley Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000. Wyoming County Factoryville Fire Company (EMS) – $8,325.Factoryville Fire Company (fire) – $15,000.Lake Carey Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000.Lake Winola Fire Company 1 (EMS) – $8,325.Lake Winola Fire Company 1 (fire) – $15,000.Meshoppen Volunteer Fire Company (EMS) – $8,325.Meshoppen Volunteer Fire Company (fire) – $15,000.Northmoreland Township Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000.Noxen Community Ambulance Association – $8,325.Noxen Volunteer Fire Company – $15,000.Tunkhannock Community Ambulance Association – $8,325. Projects eligible for funding include construction or renovation of a fire or ambulance company facility, purchase or repair of equipment, training and education, recruitment and retention, or debt reduction. Funds may also be used to supplement operational expenses incurred by the lack of fundraising opportunities resulting from the pandemic. The ongoing funding program was created by the General Assembly. All grants are generated from slot machine gaming proceeds, and not General Fund tax revenue. The program is administered by the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency with the application process handled through the Office of the State Fire Commissioner.
Valley in Motion Bike Social Valley In Motion is working with Veloce, Specialized Bicycles, and Groove Brewing to host an event for bikers, or would-be bike riders, in anticipation of the spring 2022 season. Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 19, starting at 2pm, 120 Franklin Ave in downtown Scranton.
PPL Brighter Future Scholarships Do you know a student pursuing a career in engineering or information technology? How about someone studying a skilled trade? We have scholarships available for minority and female students pursuing careers in these areas. Please spread the word about the following PPL Foundation scholarships and encourage students to apply. Power Scholars Scholarship 15 scholarships are available for minority and female students across our territory pursuing a degree in engineering and information technology Each scholarship is $5,000 and available to students entering any year of full-time, post-secondary education at a college or university. Powerful Tech and Trade Scholarship 10 scholarships are available for minority and female students entering any year of full-time, post-secondary career training at a community college or technical school within our territory Each scholarship is $2,500. Interested students can learn more and apply online by March 1, 2022.
Marywood University and Jeonju Kijeon College Sign Memorandum Representatives of Marywood University, Scranton, Pa., and Jeonju Kijeon College, Jeonju, South Korea, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between both institutions. This agreement and ongoing discussions between the leaders at both institutions are focused on the possibilities of global exchange programs in the near future. Marywood University representatives included Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., president; Christina Clark, Ph.D., provost; David Kang, Ph.D., associate provost for global education; and the deans of Marywood’s three colleges, Jeffrey Johnson, D.M.A., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Lori Swanchak, Ph.D., dean of the College of Health and Human Services; and Jim Sullivan, AIA, dean of the College of Professional Studies. Representatives from Jeonju Kijeon College included: Dr. Hee Cheon Cho, president; Dr. Jungsook Seo, CEO; and Dr. Gahyun Kim, professor of early childhood education.
NBT Bank Launches New NBT iSelect Account NBT Bank is now offering the NBT iSelect Account, certified by the national Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund (CFE Fund) as meeting the Bank On National Account Standards (2021-2022). “As a community bank focused on supporting the financial health of current and future customers, we’re proud to offer this new NBT iSelect Account for those in need of accessible and affordable ways to conduct banking,” said President & CEO John H. Watt, Jr. “Our NBT iSelect Account offers a trusted, transparent banking solution with numerous no fee banking benefits to help customers control their finances quickly and easily, without worrying over low monthly balances or unexpected service charges.” “The Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund is delighted to award its national Bank On account certification to NBT Bank‘s NBT iSelect Account,” said Jonathan Mintz, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Cities for Financial Empowerment Fund. “The NBT iSelect Account offers residents throughout the Northeast who are looking to improve their finances a safe, affordable, and truly useful mainstream banking product—this is especially important during COVID-19, as consumers need to access and manage their money both affordably and safely. NBT Bank‘s offering of this terrific account brings them into the forefront of national banking access efforts, and we thank them.” In addition to no monthly charges for maintenance, inactivity or dormancy, no overdraft fees and no minimum balance requirement, the NBT iSelect Account is an ideal choice for those who have no banking history or are struggling to maintain a checking account. NBT iSelect Account holders will also have access to an NBT Bank debit card and digital banking services. To learn more about our NBT iSelect Account, visit www.nbtbank.com.
Misericordia University to Display a Selection of the Harriet and Harmon Kelley Collection Misericordia University will present a selection of works from the Harmon and Kelley Collection of San Antonio, Texas, one of the country’s major collections of African American art. The exhibition will be on display until Sunday, April 10. The forty works on paper in this exhibition date from the early 1900s to 2002 and feature works by such noted artists as Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett, Aaron Douglas, Henry Ossawa Tanner, William Henry Johnson, and Alma Woodsey Thomas. The Kelleys personally selected each drawing, print, or painting for its ability to share African American history and creativity with viewers. Being able to present this exhibition has special meaning for Mrs. Harriet O’Banion Kelley, whose nephew Charles Louis O’Banion, who passed away in 2019, graduated from Misericordia University in 2006. This touring exhibition was organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions of Los Angeles, California. Presenting this exhibition at Misericordia University was made possible in part by the Sandra Dyczewski Maffei Endowment Fund for the Modern Visual Arts. A free public reception with has been scheduled for Saturday, March 19, from 2-5pm. Kas Williams, Misericordia University Assistant Vice President for Mission Integration and Institutional Diversity, will give the University Welcome. Live music will feature vocalists Wendy Hinton and LaToya Martin, accompanied by Patrick Temple, Misericordia University Adjunct Professor of Guitar. Space is limited. RSVP required by contacting Alexandra Svab Isaac at (570) 674-8422 or aisaac@misericordia.edu. Regular gallery hours are 12-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday or by appointment. Admission is always free. Masks are required indoors on campus regardless or vaccination status. Please refer to the Pauly Friedman Art Gallery website www.misericordia.edu/art for any changes in protocols, and art gallery event and calendar updates. Free tours led by Gallery Director Lalaine Little are available on request. To schedule a tour or private appointment, or for more information, please contact Alexandra Svab Isaac at aisaac@misericordia.edu or (570) 674-8422.
Lackawanna College Accepting Career Fair Registrations Lackawanna College is hosting a career/internship fair on Thursday, April 7 from 11-3 p.m. Location:Lackawanna College Student Union500 Jefferson AvenueScranton, PA Registration Fee: $75.00Payment: Check, Money OrderRegistration Deadline: March 24, 2022 Registration Link: Click HERE If you have any additional questions or concerns regarding the date, please contact career@lackawanna.edu
Quandel Enterprises, LLC Announces Family Succession Plan Quandel Enterprises, LLC, announces the transition of Gregory Quandel, chief executive officerof Quandel Enterprises; Jerome Urban, president and chief executive officer of Performance Construction Company; and Michael Murchie, executive vice president of Quandel Enterprisesand chief executive officer of J. Vinton Schafer Construction, LLC into leadership and ownership of Quandel’s family of companies. Noble (Bud) Quandel, Jr., who served Quandel Enterprises as chief executive officer since 1977, is transitioning leadership and ownership after a successful construction career of more than 50 years. Bud will remain with the company as an executive chair and member of the Board of Directors through 2031 to facilitate a smooth transition. “These gentlemen are proven leaders and have already been responsible for leading our construction services for Quandel and our Quandel brands. Under their leadership, we have driven outstanding performance. Together they helped put in place a broad range of operational and talent initiatives to position our company for an even more successful future,” stated Bud. Bud is delighted to have his nephew, Greg; son-in-law, Jerome; and close friend and financial advisor, Michael, transition into this leadership and ownership role. Greg started with the company in 2009 as a project manager, became president and chief executive officer of Quandel Construction Group in 2019, and was named chief executive officer of Quandel Enterprises in 2020. Jerome joined Quandel Construction Group in 2006 as an estimator and moved to Performance Construction Company in 2016 before being named president and chief executive officer of Performance Construction Company in 2019. Michael was brought on to Quandel’s leadership team as a consultant and board vice chair and chief executive officer of J. Vinton Schafer, a Quandel Company, in 2020. He has been instrumental in the success of J. Vinton Schafer Construction, including their entry into the acute care construction market, as well as providing leadership experience to Quandel Enterprises. Prior to joining Quandel, Michael was a banking executive at M&T Bank. “My goal was to have a family business continue and for leadership to have a financial interest and participate in the ownership of the business,” added Bud. “I am fortunate to have a phenomenal and superb leadership team, and I am confident in their intellect, insight, and execution abilities to move our company forward. They have a deep understanding of every facet of our business. EverywhereI look, we have improved this company and its knowledge base. The quality of this team and their judgement and wisdom is extraordinary.” The company spends considerable time planning for stability and continuity. Over the next ten years, Bud will continue to have a key leadership role and remain active as executive chair, connected to the Quandel family of companies, and involved in strategic initiatives and development opportunities. Above all, Bud’s wisdom, guidance, and mentoring over the next decade, will assist with the knowledge transfer. “This is a legacy we are proud of and look forward to enriching, as we embrace the future,” said Bud. “We have been very fortunate to have five generations interested in the family business. This fifth-generation is going to take our business to the next level.” “We are grateful to Bud for his steadfast commitment and tireless efforts over five decades to help make Quandel the company it is today. Through his efforts, we have a succession plan in place to ensure the smoothest possible leadership transition. On behalf of the strategic leadership team, we thank Bud for this opportunity and look forward to his guidance and mentoring through this journey,” shared Michael. “With each transition, a commitment to doing the right thing and sustaining integrity and safety stays fixed. Now in the firm’s fifth-generation leadership, we are preserving our core purpose, mission, and values, while changing with the times,” Greg explains. With this transition, the Quandel family of companies have moved to a limited liability corporation structure. The new firm names are: Quandel Enterprises, LLCQuandel Construction Group, LLCPyramid Construction Services, LLCJ. Vinton Schafer Construction, LLCPerformance Construction Company “Our family of companies reflect our growth over the past 140 years. We work together to capitalizeon our employees’ strengths and business line resources to meet the needs of our clients andimprove internal and external communications for our firm. Referred to by our staff as the “One TeamApproach”, it is a mindset for Quandel Enterprises’ family of companies. While the suffix in our names may have changed, our core purpose has not – Lead. Make a Difference. Build a Better Future,” said Jerome.
