United Cerebral Palsy of NEPA to Host Pickleball Fundraiser United Cerebral Palsy of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UCP of NEPA) will host “Summit Slam Pickleball Tournament for UCP of NEPA” from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 22, at Birchwood Tennis and Fitness Center, 105 Edella Rd., Clarks Summit. The event is a non-sanctioned, round-robin tournament of men’s, women’s, and mixed teams. Teams will enjoy playing on eight newly-surfaced, indoor Nova® hard pickleball courts and will have access to modern clubhouse facilities. All players will receive an official tournament shirt, player gift bag, bottled water, and a free drink coupon for a beverage from the exclusive event drink menu at the “Clink & Dink Tournament Eve Happy Hour.” The “Clink & Dink Tournament Eve Happy Hour” will take place from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, July 21, at Andy Gavin’s Eatery & Pub, 1392 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. This event will include pickle-themed drink specials, food, raffles, and more. Prior to the event, any guest who makes a $10 donation via UCP of NEPA’s website, www.ucpnepa.org, will receive a free drink coupon for an item from the exclusive event drink menu. There also will be a basket and gift card raffle of prizes from restaurants, businesses, and more located throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. Chances may be purchased at either event or online at www.ucpnepa.org. For more information, please contact Mrs. Jackie Galvin, M.S., director of communications and development, at j.galvin@ucpnepa.org or 570-347-3357, ext. 33. To register to play or to provide a sponsorship or donation, visit www.ucpnepa.org. All event proceeds will be used to fund programs to help children with special needs to develop their skills and abilities through UCP of NEPA’s children’s service center, Clarks Summit.
ChamberChoice Business Insurance Program Declares Dividend Chambers of Commerce Service Corporation (CCSC) is pleased to announce that Penn National Insurance has declared a 3% dividend for the ChamberChoice Business Insurance program. Members, who placed their insurance coverage with Penn National Insurance during the 2021/2022 program year and remained active chamber members and policyholders through the end of the program year, will receive a dividend check during the month of June. This year’s dividend totaled over $640 thousand. Over the past 11 years, Penn National Insurance has returned an average of 6% in dividends each year, and an aggregate total of $12.9 million to the business community. The ChamberChoice Business Insurance program is just one of many benefits that CCSC offers its member Chambers. The partnership between Penn National Insurance and CCSC was designed to provide a value-added membership benefit that would help Chambers attract and retain members. An important aspect of this group insurance program is preventing loss and controlling claims costs. Because dividends are based on the group’s collective loss experience, a business that may have had a significant loss may still be eligible to receive a dividend. The program is sold exclusively through local, independent agents who can offer chamber members a variety of coverages and pricing on property and casualty insurance, including businessowners, commercial auto, property, general liability, inland marine and workers’ compensation. Dividends are paid on all of these coverages. In addition, through safety consulting, Penn National Insurance and local independent insurance agencies encourage member businesses to develop safety practices to substantially reduce or eliminate workplace injuries.
The Chamber Announces Newly Elected Board Officers Attorney Musheno Takes New Leadership Role at The Chamber as Board Chair The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce announces newly elected officers to its board. Board Chair: Jerome (Jerry) Musheno, Esq., R.Ph.; Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect: Marianne Gilmartin, Esq., Stevens & Lee; Immediate Past Chair: Deborah Kolsovsky, PNC Bank; Vice-Chairs: Ryan Flynn, Audacy; Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D, Marywood University; and Dr. Marwan Wafa, Penn State Scranton; Secretary, Tim Kelly, Esq., Needle Law; and Treasurer, Kathy Pearage, Tri-Star Academy Jerry Musheno, Esq., R.Ph. Bob Durkin Dr. Marwan Wafa Marianne Gilmartin, Esq. Ryan Flynn Tim Kelly, Esq. Deborah Kolsovsky Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D Kathy Pearage About The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization that works to improve the area’s economic environment and quality of life by offering programs and services which stimulate economic growth, promote business prosperity and nurture educational opportunities. For more information about the Chamber, visit www.scrantonchamber.com.
COLTS to Increase Involvement with Disadvantaged Business Enterprises COLTS has set goals to enhance and increase involvement with Disadvantaged Business Enterprises up to 1.2% for the fiscal years of 2024 to 2026. With upcoming projects and continued improvement of operation, COLTS will need to purchase various materials and products including, but not limited to, maintenance equipment, rolling stock, and IT equipment. In order to achieve their goals, COLTS is seeking for businesses who meet DBE criteria set by the Department of Transportation. While you may not have the official DBE certification, COLTS can assist in providing the information about qualifications and offer direction in attaining this accreditation. COLTS formally invites you to join them next month for a Zoom Meeting to introduce their team and further discuss the initiative of achieving DBE goals. If interested, please contact kmcandrew@coltsbus.com or 570-346-2061 ext. 1233.
UWLC to Host Agency Training Day The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is going to hold an “Agency Training Day” on July 19th, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. in the Jewish Community Center, on Jefferson Ave, Scranton. This will serve as an opportunity for currently funded, as well as new organizations, to come together to learn about the funding process, what is expected of them, and what is changing within this process for the 2024-2025 funding cycle. Every organization that is planning to apply for United Way funding is encouraged to attend this Training Day. Please RSVP to William Craven, wcraven@uwlc.net, by June 30th. For further comment, call Will Craven, Manager, Community Impact Funds (570) 343-1267 x226.
The UWLC Preparing to Reopen Funding Cycle The United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties is preparing to re-open their 2-year funding cycle to all qualifying 501-c3’s within Lackawanna and Wayne Counties.To Qualify: Programs/Organizations must be a 501-c3 health and human organization.Must have organizational budgets of $400,000 or more.Program must fall within (1) of (3) identified United Way Priority Areas:Economic Mobility: stabilizing families and individuals during time of crisis and empowering them with skills and knowledge in order to build long-term financial resilience.Education: providing youth and families with access to quality learning experiences that empower them to achieve personal success.Health: providing families and individuals the opportunity to achieve physical and mental health by empowering them with skills development and intervention systems. For organizations interested in applying for funding they must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) to William Craven, Manager, Community Impact Funds, wcraven@uwlc.net. If they qualify, the organization will then apply with the Request for Proposal (RFP).
PennDOT/BPD-I to Host Stakeholder Update Webinar The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Bridging Pennsylvania Developers I (BPD-I) will host a virtual Public Update Webinar for the I-81 Susquehanna Bridge Project at 6:00 PM on June 15th, 2023. This project is part of the ongoing PennDOT Major Bridges P3 Program. The purpose of the webinar is to introduce key members of the BPD-I team and provide an update about specific pre-construction and anticipated upcoming construction activities and scheduling. This webinar will feature a comment form that allows participating stakeholders to directly submit comments to our team and we will provide additional avenues to stay informed on the latest project updates. Register here for the webinar. Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties at www.penndot.pa.gov/District4. Information about infrastructure in District 4, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.pa.gov/D4Results.
WVIA to Host New Community Conversation Project and Luncheon WVIA, in partnership with Misericordia University, announces the launch of a new multi-part project entitled, “Holocaust Warnings, American Antisemitism and Extremism.” Through community conversations, broadcast and digital media experiences, and educational curriculum, Holocaust Warnings, American Antisemitism and Extremism, examines the rising vitriol and divisiveness across our country, what that means for the future of our democracy, and how we can educate ourselves to strengthen our diverse community. The project will culminate in a sixty-minute television program debuting in Fall 2023 for regional broadcast and digital distribution and shared with public media stations across the country. The intentions of this project are to highlight this important issue, facilitate a community dialogue, and create educational content all with the goal of bringing the Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania communities together to understand how hurtful words and unchallenged hatred can lead to violence against others. The luncheon will take place on Thursday, June 22, 2023 at 12pm at the Sidney and Pauline Friedman Jewish Community Center, 613 S J Strauss Lane, Kingston, PA. The event will feature a conversation and community discussion with Dr. David Myers, Dr. Alex Alvarez, Dr. Kelly McFall and Dr. Carol Rittner, RSM, moderated by WVIA News Director Julie Sidoni. The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. To register for the Holocaust Warnings community luncheon event, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/holocaust-warnings-american-antisemitism-extremism-community-luncheon-tickets-643103599177 To learn more about Holocaust Warnings, please visit: https://www.wvia.org/holocaust-warnings
Lackawanna College Hosts Annual Golf Tournament for 2023 The Lackawanna College Athletics Department will have a golf tournament fundraiser to support student athletes through various athletic department programming. It will take place Monday, June 5, 2023 at 1:00 p.m at the Elmhurst Country Club in 319 Gardner Rd, Moscow, PA 18444. The tournament starts with registration and lunch at 11:30 a.m. in the club house, followed by a 1:00 p.m. shotgun start. Hole sponsors, closest-to-the-pin contests, longest drive competitions, and more door prizes and raffles will be available for all attendees. At 6:00 p.m., dinner will be in the club house, with prizes awarded and raffle items drawn. The tournament is open to teams of four and individual golfers.
Quandel Construction Group Promotes Employee Quandel Construction Group, LLC, a leading construction management and general construction firm, announces the promotion of Sarah Knehr to the position of project executive and healthcare team leader. Knehr has been an integral part of the Quandel team for more than 10 years, beginning as a project manager and working her way up to senior project manager before earning her latest promotion. Throughout her tenure at Quandel, Knehr has demonstrated outstanding leadership skills, technical industry knowledge, and a commitment to delivering quality projects that meet client expectations. Her expertise in managing complex projects, developing project plans and budgets, and collaborating with stakeholders at all levels has been invaluable to the company’s success. In addition to her extensive experience in construction management, Sarah has significant expertise in the construction process from start to finish, which includes her ability to lead the teams from renovations to new hospitals ground up. As project executive and healthcare team leader, Knehr will be responsible for overseeing a portfolio of healthcare projects, leading project teams, and completing quality projects on time, within budget. She will also work closely with clients to understand their needs and achieve their goals while maintaining Quandel’s commitment to excellence. “Sarah is an exceptional leader with a proven track record of delivering successful projects for our clients,” said Greg Quandel, president and chief executive of Quandel Construction Group. “Her promotion to project executive reflects our confidence in her ability to drive results and lead our team to continued success.” “Sarah’s technical competency and soft skills have made her a leader in our healthcare market,” Quandel continued. “Her attention to detail, commitment to deadlines, and willingness to participate and contribute to project pursuits are commendable. Owners and team members alike know that when they ask something of her, it gets done. She embodies Quandel’s purpose to lead, make a difference, and build a better future.” Knehr holds a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Cincinnati and is a certified healthcare constructor. She is also an active member of several industry associations, including the American Building Contractors, Keystone Contractors Association, and the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) Mentor Program of Central PA. Quandel is proud to have her on its team and looks forward to her continued success in her new role.
