Women’s Resource Center Receives 10k Award The Women’s Resource Center’s Restoring Hope Campaign received a $10,000 contribution from Scartelli of Scartelli Olszewski, P.C. law firm.
RadioBOLD Music Festival at Mohegan Sun Pocono The RadioBOLD Music Festival – Livin’ On The Edge – is a free day-long music concert event featuring Radio Flashback, The Idol Kings, Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen and more! This music festival will take place at the Mohegan Sun Pocono Outdoor Concert Venue. In partnership with Mohegan Sun Pocono, BluElefante, & the Bold Gold Media Group family of local radio stations, The RadioBOLD Music Festival is a listener appreciation event in celebration of the 10th Anniversary of Bold Gold’s award winning RadioBOLD Mobile App. The all-day music event is free and open to everyone 21 and over, and will feature food, fun, drink specials, prizes, contests, magic, surprises and some of the greatest music to ever be played over the radio airwaves! Headlining the Event: Radio Flashback: This is not just a classic rock band, it is a tribute to the music, the artists and the experiences that we all remember. A “Radio Flashback” performance is like tuning into your favorite radio station and listening to all of the songs you love, as well as incredible “rock blocks” of your favorite artists, such as Bad Company, Doobie Bros, ZZ Top, Styx, Foreigner, Steve Miller Band, Wings, Boston, Cheap Trick, ELO, Badfinger and Aerosmith. The Idol Kings – A Tribute to Journey, John Mellencamp & REO Speedwagon: For over twelve years the Idol Kings have been traversing America and thrilling audiences with their spot-on recreations of your favorite songs complete with costume changes! Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen: Northeast Pennsylvania’s own premier blues-rock power trio combines sexy grooves, infectious rhythm, and soaring guitars and vocals. An experience not to be missed! WHAT: The RadioBOLD Music Festival – Livin’ On The Edge WHEN: Saturday, September 10th from 2:00pm – 9:00pm (Doors Open at 1:00pm) WHERE: Mohegan Sun Pocono, 1280 Highway 315, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 ADDITIONAL DETAILS: Event is free, but guests must be 21+ to enter. A portion of proceeds raised during the event will go towards local NEPA charities: The Women’s Resource Center and Here For A Reason. Download the free RadioBOLD Mobile App to stay informed about additional information and updates regarding The RadioBOLD Music Festival. The RadioBOLD App will also be your key to entering for your chance to win special prizes during the day of the Festival!
The Wright Center for Community Health promotes McAndrew to marketing manager The Wright Center for Community Health has named Ryan McAndrew of Scranton as community health marketing manager. He previously served as the graphic designer in the marketing and communications department. An employee of The Wright Center since 2020, McAndrew will be responsible for developing and maintaining marketing strategies and campaigns to meet strategic growth and community relations objectives for the network of community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne counties. McAndrew received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design from Marywood University. McAndrew will raise public awareness about The Wright Center for Community Health’s medical home model, which offers patients access to nondiscriminatory, high-quality, affordable integrated care that includes medical, dental, behavioral, addiction and recovery, and other supportive services at one location. With a sliding-fee discount available, The Wright Center reduces barriers to care by ensuring health care is affordable for everyone regardless of a person’s ability to pay. The Wright Center treats patients of all ages, income levels and insurance statuses. No patient is turned away for lack of health insurance or an inability to pay. Please go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019 to find the most conveniently located community health center in the region or make an appointment.
Woodloch Resort to Host 14th Annual “A Night for the Cure” On Sunday, October 23, 2022, Woodloch, an inclusive resort in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, will host the 14th annual A Night for the Cure. The tricky-tray fundraiser benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure as part of BK Hope Cures. Originally established 23 years ago by Bob Kiesendahl (BK), co-owner of Woodloch and leukemia survivor, the organization’s mission is to raise awareness and funds in the fight against cancer. Held in the Heritage Nightclub at Woodloch from 5 to 8 PM, the family-friendly evening will feature over 150 items donated by local individuals and businesses, as well as wine and beer tastings, hors d’oeuvres, a dessert table, and a 50/50 raffle. Guests will enjoy live entertainment and have the chance to win dining gift certificates, unique gift baskets, and overnight stay packages at the area’s leading resorts and hotels. Admission costs $10, and 100% of the proceeds benefit Susan G. Komen for the Cure. 50% of the dollars raised stay right here in Pennsylvania for education, screening and treatment grants, and 50% goes towards cancer research. The dress code is casual, and attendees are encouraged to wear pink in support of the cause. Last year, over 400 people attended and more than $15,000 was raised. “Every year the event gets bigger and better. It’s a great night to celebrate with friends, raise money for the cause, show our support for survivors, and take a chance on some really great prizes. We are extremely grateful to the local businesses and individuals who donate their time and talents to make A Night for the Cure the special event that it is,” said Bob Kiesendahl. In addition to A Night for the Cure, Hope Cures also holds two other fundraising events each year — a golf tournament and a 5K run/walk. Over the past 23 years, Hope Cures has raised over $1.3 million. These funds benefit cancer research and patient care at several worthy facilities and foundations. For more information, please visit: www.bkhopecures.org/trickytray. Additionally, table and room reservations can be arranged by calling Woodloch Resort at 570-685-8002.
Lackawanna College Towanda Offers PNG Introductory Courses Bradford County residents will soon have a way to start their petroleum and natural gas education closer to home. Lackawanna College’s Towanda Center will start offering three introductory Petroleum & Natural Gas (PNG) courses in January as a way to provide additional access to the degree program. Currently, classes are offered at Lackawanna College’s Tunkhannock Center. To announce the new class offerings, Lackawanna College officials held an event on Aug. 24 where Chesapeake Energy delivered a wellhead, which will be on display on the front lawn of the Towanda Center. A wellhead is used in the energy field and is the component at the surface of an oil or gas well that provides the structural and pressure-containing interface for the drilling and production equipment. Several businesses helped Chesapeake prepare the wellhead for Lackawanna. Those businesses were Xtreme Truckin, ROC Service Co., Technip FMC, Salandra Painting Inc. and Evergreen Oilfield Solutions. “The petroleum and natural gas industry is in need of qualified, well-trained employees,” said Lackawanna College President Dr. Jill Murray. “The industry is projected to see about 50% of its current workforce retire in the next five to seven years. Lackawanna College’s decision to offer these classes in Towanda shows our commitment to the local communities. We are always looking to enhance our educational offerings so we know community members get what they need to be successful in the local workforce.” The new classes at the Towanda Center are Petroleum & Natural Gas Technology (PNG 105), Math for PNG (Math 150) and Physical Science for PNG (PHY 150). Students will still need to travel to Tunkhannock for their hands-on classes. “Our hands-on PNG classes will still be offered at our Tunkhannock Center, but courses in Towanda will mean students won’t have to travel to Tunkhannock for all of their classes,” said Sue Gumble, program director for Lackawanna College’s School of PNG. Kelly White, Towanda Center director, said the new courses will be geared toward students still in high school, those who just graduated and those who are looking for retraining. “The introductory courses will give students the chance to take some of their PNG classes here in their hometown,” White said. “Our dual enrollment students in high school can get a jumpstart on their education with these classes. Other students will have the chance to take those introductory courses here as a first step in their education and training and then use this as a building block to advance.” The new classes are also the result of feedback from the local energy sector, which has a large presence in Wyoming County, where the School of PNG in Tunkhannock is, and in Bradford County, where the Towanda Center is. “We want to continue building our partnerships with the local communities and businesses,” Gumble said. “Offering these classes helps us continue that work. The energy industry likes to hire people from the local communities. They want to help communities thrive by having jobs people can work at so local workers have good career opportunities.” Ashley Knox, a School of PNG instructor, Lackawanna College alumni and Optimization Foreman with Chesapeake Energy, said Chesapeake is pleased to partner with Lackawanna to expand the classes to other locations. “We’re hoping the equipment will help generate community interest in the program,” Knox said. “Companies like Chesapeake need qualified workers, and the new classes in Towanda will be a great way for the College to help grow the local workforce.” Lackawanna College offers a Petroleum & Natural Gas Business Administration associate degree, Petroleum & Natural Gas Technology associate degree and certificates in Petroleum & Natural Gas Technician and Petroleum & Natural Gas Compressor/Engine Mechanic. Students interested in learning more about the PNG program in Tunkhannock or courses in Towanda can visit the College’s website. They can also contact the School of PNG at (570) 866-1900 and the Towanda Center at (570) 265-3449.
NEPA Health Care Foundation Nursing Scholarships In response to the acute shortage of nurses across the region and its effect on the health and wellness of Northeastern Pennsylvania, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation announces it has awarded $418,000 in its second year towards nursing scholarships for local students as part of its Careers in Care initiative. The Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Program has awarded 49 scholarships to students in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties who plan to pursue or who are pursuing nursing and who will practice in Northeastern Pennsylvania. These scholarship opportunities come during a time when there have been great strains on the healthcare workforce in Northeastern Pennsylvania. After significant interest in 2021, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation increased the total amount available for scholarships in 2022 from the previous year. In 2021, a total of $190,312 was awarded to 21 students. The Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Program accepted applications earlier this year and, through a rigorous and competitive application process, identified a variety of qualified nursing students. Recipients include Brooke Bird, Cleora Brown, Alexis Bruno, Sabrina Brynok, Maria Buchleitner, Amy Casagrande, Megan Chestnut, Michael Dargatis, Monica Darjee, Alyssa Dikeman Melisky, Jacqueline Earley, Thamar Etienne, Linda Gagner, Damian George, Chasity Girton, Alison Heck, Jennifer Jaffe, Amy Kwiatkowski, Ashley Lomascolo, Milagros Lopez, Nicole Lubash, Kristyn Lutecki, Leah Majdic, Brittany Marcinkevich, Danielle McCormick, Mary McFadden, Elizabeth McGuire, Tiffany Megotz, Karli Muto, Kathryn Nielsen, Nicole O’Boyle, Devon Ortolani, Gabriella Osegueda, Kimberly Owen, Kathleen Rafalko, Carissa Rand, Samantha Rosselli, Tami Rowlands, Anne Royce, Lorenzo Singotti, Kelly Smith, Kelsey Stanco, Charon Taylor, Celibeth Thomas, Celena Thomas, Tiffany Tomasello, and Ariana Velez. Scholarship recipients are attending a variety of schools including Luzerne County Community College, Bloomsburg University, Lackawanna College, Penn State Scranton, Wilkes Barre Area Career & Technical Center, Marywood University, Clarion University, Misericordia University, Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County, Graceland University, and Wilkes University. “Over the past two years, we have seen just how timely the Careers in Care initiative really is,” said James Clemente, NEPA Health Care Foundation Board Chair. “The Foundation’s Board understands the strains that the regional healthcare workforce is facing and strives to make an impact to address these critical issues through these important scholarships.” “The Board of the Northeastern PA Health Care Foundation was very innovative in their planning of these scholarships which are made available to nursing students from CNAs through nurse educators at the graduate level,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “There continues to be a great need and interest in the Careers in Care program, demonstrated by the increased number of scholarships awarded in the program’s second year.” The Scranton Area Community Foundation administers the NEPA Health Care Foundation. There will be a third year of scholarships offered in February 2023 for the 2023/2024 school year. To qualify for a Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship, individuals were required to show they have had a permanent address in Lackawanna, Luzerne, or Wyoming County for the last three years. Scholarships were available to those interested in obtaining a CNA and entering the healthcare workforce. Scholarships are also for anyone employed in the healthcare field in either Lackawanna, Luzerne, or Wyoming County and looking to advance as an LPN or RN/BSN. Additionally, students were invited to apply if they were in their third or fourth year of a four-year nursing degree and looking for financial assistance. Scholarship recipients were also asked to demonstrate a commitment to stay in the Northeastern Pennsylvania region. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation also invited ‘nontraditional’ students or those looking to go back to school to obtain a nursing degree to apply for a Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship. Additionally, through Careers in Care, the NEPA Health Care Foundation has provided grant support totaling $800,000 to a variety of organizations including Lackawanna College, United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA, Children’s Service Center, The Greater Hazleton Partners in Education, Northern Tier Industry and Education Consortium, and Saint Joseph’s Center. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation’s Careers in Care initiative is a $1.7 million commitment over a three-year period (2020-2023). In addition to the Careers in Care initiative, the NEPA Health Care Foundation is also in the eighth year of a $3.2 million commitment to the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM) for scholarship support for incoming first-year medical students from Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wyoming counties. The NEPA Health Care Foundation Scholars program covers full tuition for these scholars, who indicate a commitment to practice medicine in Northeastern PA.
