The Scranton Cultural Center Announces A Prairie Home Companion’s 50th Anniversary Tour Listing Information: WHAT: “A Prairie Home Companion” 50th Anniversary Tour WHEN: May 24 at 8:00 PM | Doors at 7:30 PM WHERE: Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Theatre;420 N. Washington Avenue – Scranton, PA 18503 PRICES: TicketsStarting at $64.80 October 10, 2023 – Almost 50 years ago — on July 6, 1974 — Garrison Keillor hosted the first broadcast of “A Prairie Home Companion,” and the perennially popular weekly radio show remained on the air until July of 2016, with its music, comedy sketches, and accounts of life in tiny Lake Wobegon (where the women are strong, the men are good-looking, and the children are all above average). Since the show ended, the author and humorist has continued to take the stage at venues nationwide — much to the delight of legions of fans. In the coming months, Keillor takes A Prairie Home Companion’s 50th Anniversary Tour across the U.S., leading up to the half-century milestone in the summer of 2024. The tour will make a stop at the Scranton Cultural Center on May 24 at 8:00 PM in the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Theatre. The tour had a highly successful kickoff this past July in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Upcoming stops include Nashville, Galveston, a sold-out performance at New York City’s Town Hall, and more — each show packed with stories, music, the one-of-a-kind audience sing-along intermission, Keillor’s musings on the topic of CHEERFULNESS, and the fan-favorite News from Lake Wobegon, Joining Garrison are charming singer-actor Christine DiGiallonardo, dazzling vocalist Heather Masse, the ever-popular Royal Academy of Actors (Tim Russell, Sue Scott, and sound-effects wizard Fred Newman), music director/keyboardist Richard Dworsky, and others to be announced. Born in 1942 in Anoka, Minnesota, Garrison Keillor developed a love of writing in childhood. “I started out with a No. 2 pencil and pads of paper, then acquired an Underwood manual typewriter with a faint F and a misshapen O,” he says. Five years after getting a job in public radio “doing the 6 a.m. shift Monday to Friday, because nobody else wanted to get up so early,” he wrote a piece for “The New Yorker”about the Grand Ole Opry and got the idea to launch “A Prairie Home Companion.” These days, his in-person humor-filled shows are a treat for folks young and not-so-young. He has written dozens of books —including novels, a book of sonnets, a collection of limericks, a memoir, a political homily, and most recently, Cheerfulness. His biweekly online column can be found on Substack. Tickets start at $64.80. Doors will open at 7:30 PM and a cash bar and concessions will be available. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning October 20 at 10 AM at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster. For more information or to view a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org. The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple’s 2023-2024 Season is sponsored by Fidelity Bank and LT Verrastro and supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the Lackawanna County Office of Arts and Culture, and Commissioners Jerry Notarianni, Debi Dominick, Esq. and Chris Chermak. A special thank you to its media partners: Access NEPA, Allied Services, Audacy, Citizens’ Voice, Lamar Advertising, MAC Signs, The Times-Tribune and Times Shamrock Communications.
Wright Center Doctor Receives Writing Award Maureen Litchman, M.D., the medical director of The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre Practice and a board-certified family medicine physician, was recently presented with a Family Medicine Education Consortium (FMEC) award for creative writing in the prose category. She received the award during FMEC’s Annual Meeting in Providence, Rhode Island, on Oct. 13-15. FMEC seeks to identify and recognize individuals who have demonstrated significant contributions to family medicine and primary care. The award is for her story, “Not Knowing,” which occurred when Dr. Litchman delivered a baby in the Wilkes-Barre General Hospital Emergency Room. The mother had received no prenatal care and, at the time, the hospital had no obstetrics department. Dr. Litchman was among four individuals who were honored in the category. Dr. Litchman graduated from Hahnemann Medical College and completed her family medicine residency training at United Health and Hospital Services (now The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Family Medicine Residency Program). She recently earned her master’s degree in creative writing from Wilkes University. FMEC works to improve health communities by strengthening family medicine, primary care, and medical education. It serves 14 states and the District of Columbia, working with 60 medical school departments of family medicine, 190 family medicine residency programs, and thousands of family physicians, and other health care providers in community settings. To learn more about The Wright Center for Community Health’s primary and preventive care services and convenient locations, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019. 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. Certain patients may be eligible for the sliding-fee discount program that is based on family size and income.
Allied Services Receives Grant from Tee Time for Kiel Recently, Kiel Eigen and Brian Palma, one of the founding members of Tee Time for Kiel and member of the tournament’s planning committee, presented Allied Services Integrated Health System with a donation of $3,000. This portion of the proceeds from the annual golf tournament that was held at Fox Hill Country Club on September 15 will now benefit spinal cord injury patients at Allied Services.
The Wright Center to Host Wonderful Women Breast Cancer Support Group The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton Practice, 501 S. Washington Ave., will host a Wonderful Women Breast Cancer Support Group program on Wednesday, Nov. 15 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Family and friends are invited and light refreshments will be served. Special guests include Julie Rutkowski of the Strong and Coura’Jess Foundation and Tiffany Carroll and Kaitlyn Carroll of The Salted Pixie. Dolly Woody, the former director of the Susan G. Komen Foundation of Greater Pennsylvania, will serve as the keynote speaker. The program is free, but you must RSVP by calling Holly Przasnyski at 570-209-3275 or emailing her at przasnyskih@TheWrightCenter.org. For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Mohegan Digital Names Guy Greene Vice President of Online Marketing Mohegan, the world-renowned entertainment and gaming brand formally know as Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment, has named Guy Greene Vice President of Online Marketing for its iGaming division, Mohegan Digital. As VP of Online Marketing, Greene will drive the overall marketing strategies that support the expanding footprint of Mohegan Digital’s online gaming products, which include MoheganSunCasino.com in Connecticut and PlayFallsViewCasino.com in Ontario, Canada. “Guy Greene has a wealth of Marketing knowledge and experience in the gaming industry and Mohegan is thrilled to have him lead our Online Marketing team,” -said Rich Roberts, President of Mohegan Digital. “Our iGaming business has seen tremendous success and to carry that success forward, and to further evolve and meet new demands in this fast-growing industry, a proven leader like Greene will be vital.” Guy Greene will lead a dedicated Online Marketing team as they continue to develop brand positioning, unique advertising campaigns, guest acquisition efforts and product management for Mohegan’s iGaming and online sports betting offerings. Prior to taking on the VP of Online Marketing position, Greene served as the Director of Loyalty Digital Marketing for Mohegan where he was a crucial part of merging the brand’s Momentum loyalty program to its iGaming platforms like MoheganSunCasino.com and associated Android and iOS apps. This role also allowed Greene to work collaboratively with various high-level Mohegan Digital partners. As VP of Online Marketing, Greene will also lead new product launches, assist in CRM growth, and oversee promotion and incentive programs for Mohegan Digital. Greene’s career started at Mohegan Sun when it opened in 1996, where he was hired as Player’s Club Manager. Greene would soon be promoted to various director-level marketing positions for Mohegan Sun before being named the Strategic Account & Program Director for OverAbove Marketing & Advertising Agency, where he remained through 2020. Greene is a graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University and has professional certifications from the Project Management Institute and Six Sigma Global Institute. He resides in Old Lyme with his wife, Vimala Greene, who is the Executive Assistant for the Mohegan Tribe. For more information on Mohegan, please visit mohegangaming.com.
Leadership Lackawanna Announces Core Program Class of 2023–24 The Leadership Lackawanna core program class of 2023–24 met on Thursday, September 14, 2023, for their first session, which included an orientation and an introduction to leadership basics. Leadership Lackawanna strives to enhance emerging and established leaders’ skills, connections, and knowledge, strengthening our communities, workplaces, and organizations. Core Program class: Cali Rose Nataloni, Nunzi’s Advertising Hannah Shurtleff, First National Bank Rachael Santoro, Goodwill Industries of NEPA Amber Trunzo, Catherine McAuley Center Kelli McCullough, The Wright Centers Rachel Brummet, The Honesdale National Bank Abbey Merker, Montage Mountain Resorts Isabelle Ceccoli, Scranton Area Community Foundation Michaela Martines, The Wright Centers April James, Allied Services Home Health Jenn Sosa, Penn East Federal Credit Union Kim Lazuka, Greater Scranton YMCA Chelsea Cadwalder, NBT Bank Emily Pettinato, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Dana Force, United Neighborhood Centers Tara Floyd, Tobyhanna Army Depot Jacob Torba, Griffin Pond Animal Shelter Megan Kolis, Condron Sweda Advertising Scott Burti, Tobyhanna Army Depot Stever Brown, LCBC Church Kristi Cleveland, Fidelity Bank Pam Fischer, Benco Dental Parker Dorsey, NeighborWorks NEPA Megan Benedict, Wells Fargo Thomas Swope, The AZEK Company Kaitlin Allard, Barry Callebaut Jason Pozniak, Nibbles & Bits Christoper Moshinskie, FNCB Bank Tara Jones, Lackawanna River Conservation Association Matthew Jones, Tobyhanna Army Depot Richard Peters, Alleima USA LLC Shaun Young, Tobyhanna Army Depot Stacy Cognetti, Lackawanna College Emily Glodzik, Penn State Scranton Nicole A. Morristell, executive director, shares, “I’m excited for the adventures and opportunities that lie ahead. This year’s participants have accomplished great things in their past and I look forward to seeing how they will utilize the leadership skills they acquire over the next ten months.” In Leadership Lackawanna’s 10-month Core Program, participants gain direct and indirect leadership, interpersonal and managerial skills, as well as an enhanced understanding of the issues relevant to the Greater Scranton region, through monthly sessions. Areas of focus can include community development, economic development, government, health care, law, education, quality of life, sustainability, history and media, with sessions featuring widely recognized specialists. Members of the class also devote a large portion of their time to develop and implement community projects, hence enhancing their leadership abilities, fostering teamwork and benefiting local nonprofit organizations. Leadership Lackawanna’s Core Program accepts applications from candidates who live, work or play in Lackawanna County. Front row, left to right Cali Rose Nataloni, Nunzi’s Advertising; Hannah Shurtleff, First National Bank; Rachel Santoro, Goodwill Industries of NEPA Amber Trunzo, Catherine McAuley Center Kelli McCullough, The Wright Center Rachel Brummett, The Honesdale National Bank Abbey Merker, Montage Mountain Resorts Isabella Ceccoli, Scranton Area Community Foundation Michaela Martines, The Wright Center April James, Allied Services Home Health Jenn Sosa, Penn East Federal Credit Union Second row, left to right Philip Zvirblis, NET Federal Credit Union Kim Lazuka, Greater Scranton YMCA Chelsea Cadwalder, NBT Bank Emily Pettinato, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Dana Force, United Neighborhood Centers Tara Floyd, Tobyhanna Army Depot Stacy Cognetti, Lackawanna College Emily Glodzik, Penn State Scranton Jacob Torba, Griffin Pond Animal Shelter Megan Kolis, Condron Sweda Advertising Scott Burti, Tobyhanna Army Depot Back row, left to right Steve Brown, LCBC Church; Kristi Cleveland, Fidelity Bank; Pam Fischer, Benco Dental; Parker Dorsey, NeighborWorks NEPA; Megan Benedict, Wells Fargo; Thomas Swope, The AZEK Company; Kaitlin Allard, Barry Callebaut; Jason Pozniak, Nibbles & Bits; Christopher Moshinskie, FNCB Bank; Tara Jones, Lackawanna River Conservation Association Matthew Jones, Tobyhanna Army Depot Richard Peters, Alleima USA LLC Absent from photo: Shaun Young, Tobyhanna Army Depot
Wright Center Employee Receives Statewide Honor Kara Seitzinger, executive director of public affairs and advisor liaison to The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education’s president and CEO, was named by the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers as the recipient of a 2023 Award for Primary Care Excellence (APEX) in recognition of her work as a community ambassador. The association annually bestows its APEX awards in 10 categories to recognize the outstanding efforts of dedicated individuals and teams who work or volunteer for Pennsylvania’s community health centers. An APEX represents the pinnacle of service, quality, innovation, and achievement in primary health care. The association awarded two Community Ambassador Awards this year. A Scranton resident, Seitzinger received the award on Oct. 11 at the association’s Annual Conference and Clinical Summit in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. “Kara is truly worthy of this prestigious award. I cannot think of anyone who is a stronger advocate for the patients, families, and communities we serve,” said Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “She embodies the mission of The Wright Center to improve the health and welfare of our communities through inclusive and responsive health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve. “Thanks to her efforts, our patients and families struggling with food insecurity receive nutritious foods; community members who need warm clothing are given winter garments; and those who need transportation to doctor’s appointments receive travel vouchers. Her monumental public service efforts are honestly hard to quantify, but our communities are healthier and safer because of her reliable and tireless efforts.” The Community Ambassador Award is “presented to an individual who champions the community health center mission through a steadfast commitment to build relationships, enact change, and promote awareness and bring positive attention to their health center,” according to the association. Seitzinger works to expand The Wright Center’s visibility and public health impact throughout the region, often identifying and joining forces with mission-aligned community partners to conduct outreach programs that support vulnerable populations and medically underserved communities. As part of a collaboration with the CDC Foundation, she coordinated with government, business, and nonprofit leaders at the height of the coronavirus pandemic to launch a public health campaign in the Hazleton area to expand access to COVID-19 education, testing, vaccines, and treatment. Later, the campaign also succeeded in delivering CDC-recommended childhood vaccinations to more than 700 school-aged children, enabling their uninterrupted participation in the classroom. Seitzinger has also played a key role in the planning and execution of fundraising events that allow The Wright Center to provide goods and services to patients and community members in need. For example, the “Road to Recovery” car show in Scranton helps to offset transportation costs for certain individuals who are served by The Wright Center’s Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence and Healthy MOMs program so they can get to and from their medical appointments. Seitzinger often serves as the health center’s point person for high-profile community impact projects, such as sponsoring the region’s annual PrideFest Parade, most recently held in Wilkes-Barre. The Wright Center’s participation in the event helps to raise awareness of its Ryan White HIV Clinic and to reach community members who might otherwise not have the resources needed to seek care. The Wright Center currently operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical vehicle called Driving Better Health. Its practices offer integrated whole-person care, meaning patients typically have the convenience of going to a single location to access medical, dental, and behavioral health care, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services. It accepts most major health insurance plans, including Medical Assistance (Medicaid), Medicare, and CHIP, noting that no patient is turned away due to an inability to pay. To learn more about The Wright Center’s mission and many services, call 570-230-0019 or visit TheWrightCenter.org.
Scranton Area Community Foundation Announces Flood Relief Grant Program to Lackawanna County Residents In response to the severe storms that struck Lackawanna County in September, the Scranton Area Community Foundation is in the process of establishing a flood relief grants program aimed at supporting individuals and community organizations directly affected by these recent flood events and which are experiencing hardship as a result. There will be two grant programs aimed at flood relief hardship issues—the Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund and a grants program in partnership with the City of Scranton. Specific eligibility and application process parameters for the flood relief grants programs will be provided when the process opens the week of October 23rd. The first program, The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund, has been established by the Scranton Area Community Foundation to support community organizations and small businesses in the Lackawanna County area experiencing hardship from being directly affected by flood events. The second grants program, developed in partnership with the City of Scranton, will support individuals residing in the City of Scranton experiencing hardship from having been affected by flood events. This flood relief grants program will provide support to eligible recipients through resources available from Scranton’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. Additional details on both grant programs, which will be forthcoming, will include eligibility information, areas covered under the grant programs, and how to apply. The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund was created with seed money from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. Generous individual donors, foundations, and organizations, including The Moses Taylor Foundation, Pennsylvania American Water, the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, and PS Bank, have provided additional support to the Fund. These donations will directly support grants made from the Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund as funds are available. The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund will continue soliciting additional charitable donations from other organizations and individuals to respond effectively to the incoming needs. The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund will aim to meet the greatest array of needs of the organizations and communities disproportionately impacted by flood events in Lackawanna County. “In critical situations like this, we know the needs are great, so as a Community Foundation, we are preparing for how best to serve those who need assistance. We understand the importance of listening to the communities we serve and responding to these needs,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “We are fortunate to have a very generous community, who we believe will continue to step up and support this very important cause.” The Lackawanna County Flood Relief Fund is currently accepting charitable donations, 100% of which will go toward supporting those affected in Lackawanna County. Contributions to the Fund can be made online at https://scranton.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=4598. Donations can also be mailed via check to The Scranton Area Foundation, 615 Jefferson Ave., Suite 102, Scranton, PA 18510, and made payable to “Scranton Area Foundation” with “LC Flood Fund” in the memo line. For more information about the flood relief grant programs, please contact Frank Caputo, Grants & Communications Coordinator at the Scranton Area Community Foundation at grants@safdn.org. ABOUT THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT (ARPA) OF 2021: ARPA is a $1.9 trillion federal economic stimulus bill. The City of Scranton received $68.7 million in ARPA funds to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency and its economic impacts. The mission of Scranton’s ARPA program is to give people access to resources, rebuild the infrastructure systems that impact their everyday lives, and foster equitable wealth generation that targets the needs of Scranton residents.
Marywood Offers Students Academic Program Exploration Days Marywood University is hosting upcoming on-campus experiences to help prospective students explore several academic program areas, set to take place throughout the fall semester. Programs holding special exploration days include: Dietitian Day, October 27: This is a great opportunity to allow students interested in the field to gain hands-on experience in several practice areas including sports, clinical and community nutrition, food science, and food service. Meet with admissions staff, faculty, current students, tour campus, and enjoy lunch prepared as part of one of the activities. Registration is limited. To register: https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/DietitianFall23 Criminal Justice Day, October 30: Students interested in the field of criminal justice can meet with current students, recent alumnus and guest speaker Master Trooper David Peters, and learn more about Marywood’s program. Event includes light breakfast and tours of campus. To register: https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/Fall23CJ Music, Theatre, and Dance Day, November 2: Interested students will meet with faculty and current students, and choose from sessions focusing on music therapy, music education, theatre, instrumental music, and vocal/choral music. Attendees also will learn more about the various student organizations available within the department. Optional campus tour. To register: https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/MTDFall23 Art Day, November 6: Marywood’s Art Department Visit Day offers the perfect blend for the student eager to learn more about everything Marywood has to offer. Attendees will get a closer look at the department’s programs, meet faculty and students, tour the facilities, and participate in activities. Space is limited. To register: https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/Fall23ArtDay Exercise Science Day, November 15: This is a day of immersive and hands-on learning in topic areas including sports performance and sports rehabilitation. The event also includes a program overview, meetings with faculty, a Q&A student panel, and breakout sessions. Breakfast and campus tour included. Registration closes on November 10. To register: https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/ExerciseScience23
