Scranton Tomorrow Recycling Program Yep. It’s true. We’re spilling the beans on our new recycling program! Did you know … even if you toss your used coffee pods into the recycling bin, they are not being recycled in Lackawanna County? That’s because these convenient little pods can only be recycled if they are fully deconstructed. That’s too labor intensive to be practical. So, they add to the pile in the landfill. Don’t worry. We have a solution! In honor of America Recycles Day on November 15, Scranton Tomorrow’s Safe, Clean & Green Team is launching a program to recycle single-use coffee pods in partnership with the City of Scranton, Lackawanna County, and NeighborWorks of Northeastern Pennsylvania. How you can participate. Through the month of November, simply save your used pods instead of throwing them away. Once you’ve gathered a bunch, contact Steve Ward, Downtown Safe, Clean & Green Ambassador Team Leader at Scranton Tomorrow, at 570.963.5901 or steve@scrantontomorrow.org to make arrangements for drop-off. We’ll send all pods to a specialized recycling facility where components will be separated, the plastic part will be recycled and remanufactured, and the coffee grounds will be composted. Learn More Email Steve Ward to Sign Up Partners The single-use coffee pod recycling program in Lackawanna County is a project of Scranton Tomorrow in partnerships with:
Keystone Mission Receives Grant On Thursday, November 3rd, 2022, Keystone Mission was given the opportunity to present the organization in front of the members of the Millennium Circle Fund, a subgroup of the Luzerne Foundation. The Millennium Circle is made up of local community donors who seek to identify and support the unmet needs in the Luzerne County community. The member’s voices were heard, and they chose Keystone Mission as the $25,000 recipient. Funds will benefit the 15-Bed Male Transformation Center in Wilkes-Barre. Keystone Mission wants to acknowledge the other finalists: The United Way of Wyoming Valley, the Commission on Economic Opportunity, the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA, and the McGlynn Center for all their hard work and efforts in the community.
Treasurer Stacy Garrity News Treasurer Stacy Garrity Elected Chair of National ABLE Savings Plan Network Treasurer Stacy Garrity has been elected as the inaugural Chair of the new ABLE Savings Plan Network (ASPN), a group formed by the National Association of State Treasurers. ABLE programs allow Americans with disabilities to save tax-free without affecting their eligibility for means-tested government benefits. “ABLE accounts help Americans with disabilities live more independently and enjoy better financial security,” Treasurer Garrity said. “I’m honored to lead this new organization to advance the reach of ABLE programs. We’re all dedicated to making sure these programs are accessible and affordable, and I will be a tireless advocate to ensure our ABLE programs are successful and continue to grow and help more Americans.” The Stephen Beck Jr. Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act, passed in 2014, allowing states to create ABLE programs. It was sponsored by U.S. Senator Bob Casey of Pennsylvania. “ABLE programs help Americans with disabilities save for the future and work towards financial security. I can fortunately say that these programs are benefiting Pennsylvanians every day, helping them lead independent lives,” said Senator Casey. “Treasurer Garrity is knowledgeable and well-qualified for this position. I have faith that she will work to ensure the accessibility of these programs to Pennsylvanians with disabilities.” ASPN will provide strategic leadership on advancing ABLE accounts by monitoring federal actions, including any legislative or regulatory changes, that impact state ABLE plans, developing strategies to improve ABLE plans at the federal level, and analyzing best practices for those with an eligible disability who want to save and invest for a better life, achieve financial empowerment, and prepare for a more independent future. Treasurer Stacy Garrity Announces Third Consecutive Morningstar Silver Rating for PA 529 Investment Plan Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced today that the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program Investment Plan (IP) received a Morningstar Silver Rating for the third consecutive year. The honor comes as part of Morningstar’s review of the top 529 education savings plans of 2022, and designates the PA 529 IP as a best-in-class plan nationwide. “I’m very pleased that Morningstar has again affirmed the quality of our PA 529 Investment Plan,” Garrity said. “Saving for education can seem daunting, but the first step is the most important. Opening a PA 529 account is a simple way for families to help give their children a brighter future.” Morningstar specifically recognized the PA 529 IP as “a straightforward and low-cost offering that is overseen by a capable steward” and praised the Pennsylvania Treasury Department for its “team-based approach and demonstrated ability to effectively oversee the program.”
The University of Scranton News Scranton Professor Among Those Interviewed by BBC World News A team from BBC World News broadcasted live reports on the upcoming U.S. election from the balcony of the Rose Room of Brennan Hall on the campus of The University of Scranton. Scranton alumnus Ted Tait ’86, chief engineer for BBC, Washington, D.C., Bureau, was among the BBC team who broadcasted live reports and interviews about the election throughout the day on Oct. 31. University of Scranton Political Science Professor Jean Harris, Ph.D., was among those interviewed by BBC World News America anchor Laura Trevelyan during the broadcast. University of Scranton students Alexander Nunez, Hackettstown, New Jersey, and Kelly Nee, Hopatcong, New Jersey, both journalism and electronic media majors, served as student ambassadors during the visit. Nee also serves as editor of The Aquinas, Scranton’s student newspaper. The University’s Public Relations Intern, Edward Fargis, an English major from Ho Ho Kus, New Jersey, was also on hand. Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of the University, visited the BBC team during a break in the broadcast. All-One Grant Supports Physical Therapy for Vulnerable Populations AllOne Charities has awarded a $25,000 grant to The University of Scranton to support free physical therapy services offered by Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) students to vulnerable populations in the region. The University’s Physical Therapy Community-Based Outreach Program seeks to improve women’s health access in the refugee community. This is done through evidence-based preventive health education, risk assessment for disease, and health promotion wellness services, particularly for those who are unlikely to access the University’s free, campus-based Physical Therapy Clinic. The grant will support the equipment and supplies, translation services and transportation needed for DPT students to conduct faculty-supervised physical therapy and health education clinics for uninsured and underinsured members of our community, particularly refugee or resettled women and families, in their own neighborhoods or community spaces. The Physical Therapy Community-Based Outreach Program will focus on: reducing maternal mortality and morbidity; improving cognitive, mental and physical health outcomes; and preventing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease among our region’s vulnerable populations. The University of Scranton NEPA Nonprofits Benefiting from Leadership Program The University of Scranton’s Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program seeks to develop future executives who will serve at Northeast Pennsylvania nonprofit institutions. Since beginning in 2017, 47 participants, representing 40 separate regional nonprofit organizations, have graduated from the program. “The Nonprofit Leadership Certificate is a unique credential that can help graduates advance to executive leadership positions at nonprofit organizations,” said Ryanne Jennings, president and CEO of the Wayne County Community Foundation and a Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program graduate. “The coursework in not hypothetical. Participants can apply concepts learned in class immediately. That is very powerful and inspiring. The experience in this program was well worth the investment.” “The courses were very thorough in educating participants in all the aspects involved in managing a nonprofit, from financial best-practices to board cultivation and grant writing and everything in between. The program provided a depth of knowledge that was extremely beneficial to me and the other students,” said Ron Prislupski, president of NativityMiguel School of Scranton and graduate of the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program. Prislupski and Jennings valued greatly the colleagues and mentors they met through the program. “I moved here from Philadelphia,” said Jennings. “The program allowed me learn about the landscape of fundraising in NEPA and to develop a cohort of peers locally who have been a great source for discussing challenges and successes. They have served as sounding boards for ideas and as professional references.” “The instructors are absolutely wonderful and, three years later, I still keep in touch with them on a regular basis,” said Prislupski. “Also, the 15 members of my cohort share the same career paths. Through this program, you connect with individuals who have their hearts in the nonprofit sector.” The certificate program combines a rigorous academic component taught by Kania School of Management faculty with expertise in nonprofit organizations, a mentorship and experiential learning. The program includes capstone project that requires participants to form a comprehensive plan to solve a current issue faced by the nonprofit organization they represent. “My project was to create an annual fundraising plan, which, subsequently, I also developed and implemented at NativityMiguel,” said Prislupski. “What I learned in the program, specifically through the capstone project, has helped a local nonprofit organization develop a stabilized financial plan.” The University of Scranton is accepting applications for the Nonprofit Leadership Certificate Program for the 2022-2023 academic year. The deadline to apply is Nov. 11 for classes that begin in January 2023.
Marywood University News Marywood Graphic Design Student Among Winners in Poster Competition Marywood University student Danaé Drews, a junior graphic design major, is a winner in the international poster design competition, Typography Day, hosted by the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, India. Her work, selected from over 500 international entries, also will appear in a poster book. The winners are entitled to free participation during the online Typography Conference and Workshop, November 18-19, 2022, hosted by IDC School of Design (IDC), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) with support from India Design Association (InDeAs ) and Aksharaya. The winning entries will be published and displayed in an exhibition during the event. To view all winning entries from the 2022 Typography Day poster design competition, visit https://typoday.in/poster_result-22.html. Marywood Associate Professor Publishes Research Patrick Seffrin, Ph.D., associate professor of social science, along with his graduate research assistant, Joseph Teeple, recently had an article, titled “Making Drug Use Dangerous for Black Men: Race, Drugs, Violence, and Criminal Justice,” accepted for publication in the journal, Race and Justice. Dr. Seffrin teaches courses in the areas of sociology, criminology, and criminal justice at Marywood University. This study examined links between drug use, violence, and criminal justice involvement among Black and White men. Differential treatment under the law has historically been the case for African Americans. According to the article abstract, “This study theorized that the War on Drugs, which was waged disproportionately in majority Black communities, had the unintended effect of making drug use riskier for Black men by limiting the supply of drugs to high-risk populations who commit far more serious and violent criminal offenses.” The study revealed that drug use was found to be less prevalent, overall, for Black men, but its association with violence was greater for Black men than White men. Differential legal treatment for violence and drugs was found to be greater for Black men than White men and had diminishing returns for deterring violence and negative returns for drugs by predicting greater use. Accounting for differential legal treatment did not significantly reduce predicted racial disparities in violence or drug use, and implications of these findings are discussed in the study.
National Park Service “Stuff the Caboose” Holiday Event Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) invites the public to “Stuff the Caboose” and enjoy some holiday cheer on Saturday, November 19, 2022 from 5:00pm – 7:00pm. This free family event will take place at Steamtown NHS, located at 350 Cliff Street in Scranton. The holiday season is just around the corner! Steamtown NHS and its partners are asking for your help to restock the United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA Food Pantry with non-perishable food items. Interact with Scranton’s police and fire departments and their equipment, enjoy s’mores over a horizontal “Ring of Fire” and locomotives decorated with holiday lights. Visitors will also have photo opportunities with the former Nay Aug Park Miniature Train to capture new memories or relive those from long ago! The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. The CDC has offered guidance to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. We will continue to monitor all park functions to ensure that visitors adhere to CDC guidance for mitigating risks associated with the transmission of COVID-19 and take any additional steps necessary to protect public health. Located in downtown Scranton, Pennsylvania, Steamtown NHS is open daily from 10:00am to 4:00pm. From Interstate-81 follow exit 185 (Central Scranton Expressway); then follow the brown and white signs to the park entrance at Lackawanna Avenue and Cliff Street (GPS: N 41.41, W 75.67). General park information is available by phoning (570) 340-5200, or by visiting the park website anytime
Wolf Administration Wraps Up 2022 Construction Season PennDOT Engineering District 4 today held a media event to wrap up another busy construction season and note the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s assistance in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. “The 2022 construction season included the infusion of additional federal transportation investments and continued management of an infrastructure system covering 4,000 miles of roads and 2,100 bridges across six counties,” said PennDOT District 4 Executive Richard N. Roman, P.E. “Our design, construction and maintenance teams, along with many external partners, came together to find innovative solutions, executed most projects ahead of schedule, and kept the focus on safety for the traveling public and our employees at all times.” These improvements include projects supported and accelerated by the BIL. In 2022 alone the BIL is bringing at least $49.6 million in funding to the District 4 region to be allocated by the department and its local Metropolitan and Rural Planning Organization (MPO/RPO) partners: Lackawanna Luzerne Transportation Study (LLTS) MPO received at least $21.8 million;Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) MPO received at least $12.1 million;Northern Tier RPO received at least $13.9 million more; andWayne County received at least $1.8 million more. The district opened bids for 42 contracts totaling nearly $298 million in value. Of those contracts, 26 were for roadway work and 16 were for bridge work. More than 371 miles of paving and 599 miles of seal coating (oil and chip) were completed in the district in 2022. Work was performed on 28 state-owned bridges by contractors. This included replacing or rehabilitating 20 bridges and preserving eight bridges. Additionally, department-force bridge crews worked on 118 bridges. The district has been able to stretch resources by using in-house capabilities for highway and bridge improvements. Below is a list by county of the major projects that were completed or under construction in the district in 2022. Some of the largest are multi-year projects that started prior to 2022. Lackawanna County: Resurfacing on Routes 247,1010, 2006, 2008, 3018, 3033 and 6011 in various municipalities. Construction will be completed in 2022. $4.3 million;Arch rehabilitation project on Route 632 over Ackerly Creek in Dalton Borough. Construction was completed in 2022. $410,000;Interstate 84 over the Lackawanna Railroad, Roaring Brook, and Route 435 in Dunmore Borough, Bridge Replacement and Interchange Reconfiguration Project. Construction will continue through 2026. $113 million;I-84 in Roaring Brook Township, Resurfacing and Bridge Rehabilitation Project. Construction will continue through 2023. $18.9 million;Route 6006 (Robert P. Casey Highway) in Various Municipalities, Concrete Pavement and Bridge Preservation Project. Construction will continue through 2024. $29.9 million;Main Street (Local Project) in Dickson City Borough, Resurfacing and Signal Improvements Project. Construction will continue through 2023. $1.1 million;Bridge rehabilitation on Route 107 over Tunkhannock Creek in Scott Township. Construction will continue through 2023. $944,000;Bridge preservation on I-81 and Route 1016 in various municipalities in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. Construction will be completed in 2022. $3.3 million;Bridge rehabilitation on Route 8015 over Leggett’s Creek in South Abington Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $1.6 million;Traffic signal project on Route 3013 in the City of Scranton. Construction will continue through 2023. $1.1 million;Resurfacing, bridge preservation, and cable median barrier project on I-81 from Dickson City to the Susquehanna County Line. Construction will continue through 2024. $36.5 million;Bridge rehabilitation on Route 407 over Lackawanna Lake in North Abington Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $1.9 million;Bridge replacement on Route 307 over Green Run in Roaring Brook Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $1.9 million;Bridge rehabilitation and superstructure replacement on Route 4005 over D&H Railroad in Benton Township. Construction will continue through 2023. $2.4 million;Bridge preservation on I-81, Route 6006, Route 11, Route 348, Route 2004, and Route 435 in various municipalities in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. Construction will be completed in 2022. $5.7 million;Bridge rehabilitation on Route 6006 over Racket Brook in the City of Carbondale. Construction will be completed in 2022. $796,000;Resurfacing on Routes 435 and 1007 in various municipalities. Construction will be completed in 2022. $1.4 million;Resurfacing on Routes 247 and 1017 in various municipalities. Construction will be completed in 2022. $4.3 million;Bridge rehabilitation on Route 4023 over Spillway Griffin Pond Reservoir in South Abington Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $281,000;Resurfacing and signal improvements project, Main Street Corridor (Local Project) in Dickson City Borough. Construction will be completed in 2022. $3.4 million; andFederal Aid Resurfacing and ADA Ramp Reconstruction Project on Routes 247, 1010, 2006, 2008, 3018, 3033 and 6011 Construction will be completed in 2022. $4.2 million. Luzerne County: Rehabilitation on Route 11 over Mill Creek Bridge and the Norfolk Southern, Reading, Northern, and Blue Mountain Railroad in the Borough of Dupont. Construction will continue through 2022. $1.9 million;Roadway extension on Route 424 in Hazle Township. Construction will continue through 2024. $17 million;Paving and surface treatment on Routes 18, 1013, 1015, 1029, 25, 27, 28, 2020, 2035, and 3030 in various municipalities. Construction will continue through 2023. $6.5 million;Resurfacing on Routes 315, 1014, 1019, 2013, 2022, and 3021 in various municipalities. Construction was completed in 2022. $4.7 million;Safety improvement project on Route 309 in Wilkes-Barre Township. Construction was completed in 2022. $1.3 million;Bridge preservation on I-81, Route 11, and Route 309 in various municipalities. Construction was completed in 2022. $6.0 million;Resurfacing on Route 315 in the Borough of Laflin, Plains Township, and Jenkins Township. Construction was completed in 2022. $1.9 million;Resurfacing on Routes 11, 19, 92, and 309 in various municipalities. Construction will continue through 2023. $9.3 million;Bridge preservation on I-81 in Hanover Township, Wilkes-Barre Township, and the Borough of Ashely. Construction will continue through 2023. $7.3 million;Route 437 in Wright Township, Roadway Emergency Flood Project from Hurricane Ida. Construction was completed in 2022. $214,000;Intersection improvement project at Route 2015 and Route 2004 in Plains Township. Construction will continue through 2023. $716,000;Route 2007 in the City of Wilkes-Barre, Pedestrian Safety Improvement Project. Construction will continue through 2023. $1.4 million;Railroad Bridge preservation on Route 29 over Susquehanna River in Plymouth Borough. Construction will continue through 2023. $4.7 million;Surface improvement on Routes 315, 424, 1029, 1035, 2024, 2040, 2042, 2045, 2049, and 3017 in various municipalities. Construction will continue through 2023. $8.3 million;Pipe replacement on Route 1043 and Route 1014 in Dallas Township. Construction was completed in 2022. $577,000;Bridge replacement on Route 2035 over I-81 in Pittston Township. Construction will continue through 2024. $5.5 million;Concrete paving repair on I-80 and I-81 in various municipalities. Construction will be completed in 2023. $5.4 million;Route 3006 and Route 3008 in Conyngham Township, Base Repair Project. Construction will be completed in 2022. $2.3 million;Route 93 and Route 309 in Sugarloaf Township, West Hazelton Borough, City of Hazleton, and Butler Township, Mircosurfacing Project. Construction was completed in 2022. $4.5 million;Route 309 over Route 2022 in the City of Wilkes-Barre and Plains Township, Bridge Preservation Project. Construction will continue through 2023. $8.6 million;Culvert replacement on Route 3007 over Little Wapwallopen Creek in Slocum Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $1.2 million;Bridge replacement on Route 92 over Lewis Creek in Exeter Township. Construction was completed in 2022. $805,000;Culvert replacement on Route 1012 over a Branch of Harvey’s Creek Project in Jackson Township. Construction will continue through 2023. $12 million;Culvert replacement on Route 1048 over Harvey’s Creek in Lehman Township. Construction was completed in 2022. $1 million;Bridge replacement on Route 3014 over Nescopeck Creek in Nescopeck Township. Construction will continue through 2023. $2,7 million; and Culvert replacement on Route 1025 over Hicks Creek in Exeter Township. Construction was completed in 2022. $797,000. Pike County I-84 in Greene Township, Reconstruction and Bridge Replacement Project, Construction will continue through 2023. $103.8 million;Reconstruction on Route 6 between Milford and Matamoras. Construction will be completed in 2022. $5.1 million;Slope repair on Route 2002 in Delaware Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $547,000;Box culvert rehabilitation on Route 507 in Palmyra Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $853,000;Box culvert rehabilitation on Route 6 in Milford Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $873,000;Bridge replacement on Route 390 in Green Township. Construction will continue through 2023. $1.9 million;Route 590 in Lackawaxen Township, High Friction Surface Treatment Project. Construction will continue through 2023. $298,000;Resurfacing on Route 1014 in Lackawaxen Township. Construction will continue through 2023. $1 million;Bridge replacement on Route 2003 in Lehman Township. Construction will continue through 2023. $814,000; andI-84 in Matamoras Township, Roadway and Ramp Reconstruction Project. Construction will be completed in 2022. $7.1 million. Wayne County Bridge preservation on Route 507 in Dreher Township, Route 4003 in Dyberry Township and Route 3003 in Eaton Township. Construction was completed in 2022. $1 million;Paving Route 6, Route 652 and Route 4005 in various municipalities. Construction was completed in 2022. $4.8 million;Route 3017 in Salem Township, roadway emergency flood project. Construction was completed in 2022. $208,000;Bridge replacement on Route 3034 in Lake Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $795,000;Resurfacing on Routes 6 and 1016 in various municipalities. Construction will be completed in 2022. $2.4 million;Bridge restoration on Route 191 in Sterling Township. Construction will continue through 2023. $1 million; andSlope reconstruction on Route 1006 in Berlin Township. Construction will be completed in 2022. $738,000. Wyoming County Resurfacing on Route 87 in various municipalities. Construction was completed in 2022. $3.8 million;Resurfacing on Route 3001 in various municipalities. Construction was completed in 2022. $3.7 million;Route 92 in Falls Township, Arch Culvert Rehabilitation Project. Construction will be completed in 2022. $1.6 million;Roadway rehabilitation on Routes 29, 1011, 1013, and 2035 in various municipalities. Construction was completed in 2022. $2.1 million; andResurfacing on Routes 2008, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2021, 2023 and 2025 in various municipalities. Construction was completed in 2022. $3.6 million.
Marywood University to Celebrate the Season by “Making Spirits Bright” “Making Spirits Bright,” Marywood’s annual celebration of the holiday season through festive programming, community service, and spiritual opportunities, will kick off on Wednesday, November 30, and continue through New Year’s Eve. FESTIVE PROGRAMMING The signature event, Marywood’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, will take place in the Rotunda of the Liberal Arts Center on Wednesday, November 30, at 4 p.m. Seasonal music from student musicians will be featured. The event is free and open to the public. The public also may view the Marywood Christmas tree during the normal operating hours of the Liberal Arts Center, Monday through Friday, December 1-22, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Marywood’s campus will feature its main outdoor Christmas display of the Nativity scene at the Memorial Arch on Adams Avenue, and tasteful seasonal lighting will adorn various sections of campus. Indoors, an office decorating contest, sponsored by the Student Government Association, will allow students to vote for their favorite décor. A $250 donation will be given to the winning office’s favorite charity, and the winner will be announced at the tree lighting ceremony Sounds of the season will be broadcast by Marywood’s award-winning, student-run radio station, VMFM 91.7, which once again becomes Christmas 91.7 and continues its traditional community gift of broadcasting commercial-free Christmas music, 24/7. Christmas programming starts on Friday, December 2, at 4 p.m., and continues through New Year’s Eve. Those outside of the station’s local broadcast range can stream it for free online or through the Tune-in app. Marywood will offer its traditional Breakfast with Santa event, hosted by the NEPA Marywood Alumni Chapter in conjunction with the Office of Alumni Engagement. The event is set for Sunday, December 4, from 9 a.m. – Noon, in the Latour Room, Nazareth Student Center. Seating is limited, and preference is given to Marywood alumni. Advanced registration is required; once the event capacity is reached, registration will be closed. For details, go to: https://alumni2.marywood.edu/breakfast-with-santa-2022. The Music, Theatre, and Dance department is presenting several seasonal concerts, all of which are free and open to the public, including: String Ensemble, Thursday, December 1, 7 p.m., at the Marian Chapel. The String Ensemble will be performing an arrangement of American composer George Walker’s Adagio from the 2nd String Quartet, Grieg’s Holberg Suite, and Divertimento in Bb, K.137 by Mozart.Chamber Singers Christmas Concert, Sunday, December 4, 4 p.m., at the Marian Chapel. The Marywood University Chamber Singers’ annual Christmas Concert will feature Francis Poulenc’s profound and highly expressive Mass in G, as well as settings of “O Magnum Mysterium” by composers from both the Renaissance and the present day. In addition to sacred choral music, the performance will include Will Todd’s jazz settings of popular Christmas carols.String Project Holiday Gala Concert, Monday, December 5, 6 p.m., Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts. This concert will feature string students, ages 4-18, performing a wide range of music and styles, including some holiday music, both in small ensembles and orchestra.Marywood Guitar Ensemble and Melinda Krokus, Music & Spirituality Holiday Concert, Tuesday, December 6, 7 p.m., at the Marian Chapel. The Marywood Guitar Ensemble presents its traditional Holiday Concert by performing a diverse repertoire, including songs, old carols, Blues, and French music. This year, however, brings two novelties, focused on Music & Spirituality. Melinda Krokus joins the concert, providing poetry readings and grounding sessions. In addition, a very special set of guests, who have been taking Professor Carvalho’s Music & Spirituality class, will present posters on their individual research! The topics are extremely varied, such as the Igbo spiritual and musical practices, the music of Ariana Grande, Paganism, Catholic Councils, and many more.Marywood Wind Ensemble, Christmas Variety Show, Wednesday, December 7, 7 p.m., Marywood Heights Commons.The Marywood Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. F. David Romines, will present a gift to the residents of Marywood Heights in the form of a Christmas variety show with instrumental musical numbers and a lot of singing. All of the traditional holiday favorites will be featured in the program. Special guests will include the Marywood acapella group, Nomadic Chromatics.Marywood University Orchestra, Saturday, December 10, 2 p.m., Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts. COMMUNITY SERVICE An on-campus Giving Tree service project will run from November 7-November 30. Gifts for the Giving Tree are due at the Tree Lighting ceremony on November 30, and drop off boxes will be available at the event as well as on campus. Beneficiaries of this service effort are Friends of the Poor, Marywood Heights, and the Community Intervention Center. Additionally, Marywood’s Campus Ministry Office will host a Christmas card writing social event for students, with cards being sent to Our Lady of Peace residents/staff, NativityMiguel Scranton students/staff, St. Joseph’s Center residents/staff, and veterans. SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITIESMass for the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, patronal feast of the IHM Sisters and the United States, will be celebrated on Thursday, December 8, at Noon in the Marian Chapel. For information on Marywood’s Christmas events and related resources, visit marywood.edu/makingspiritsbright.
