Episode Fourteen: All Things Chamber Don’t Miss the Update Leadership Lackawanna and Skills in Scranton are participating in NEPA Gives, a 24-hour online giving extravaganza. Learn how to give to support both organization’s work in the community today. MetroAction, the small business lending affiliate of The Chamber, provides one-on-one counseling services and loans between $2,500-$100,000. Learn more about how MetroAction can support your business today. Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE MEMBER BENEFITS
FNCB Bank Awards Coffee Shop Foundation Grant FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, has awarded Coffee Inclusive a $10,000 foundation grant to support the Inclusive Transitional Employment Program (ITEP) and the launch of a bakery operation at their coffee shop located at 350 Kennedy Boulevard, Pittston. ITEP is offered to youth ages 14-22 who have a diagnosis of autism, or intellectual or developmental disabilities. The program provides training in culinary arts and food service. This real-life experience in working at pace and with the public creates an environment where students learn skills on how to work in community businesses. Working with the public also provides socialization with the broader community, encouraging friendships, social development, and community inclusion opportunities for students with disabilities to prepare them for post-high school employment and community living. The donation to Coffee Inclusive is part of FNCB’s Community Caring initiative. As a local community bank, FNCB makes a difference through volunteerism, donations, and outreach programs.
Retiring President Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D. to Address Graduates at Marywood Commencement Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., Marywood University’s 12th president, who will retire from the institution on June 30, will address graduates at Marywood University’s 106th Commencement on May 18, 2024. She will be recognized with a special tribute at the ceremony, which begins at 1 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Township, Pa. Sister Mary is a native of Hazleton, Pennsylvania. She attended Marywood as an undergraduate and, in her junior year, entered the IHM Congregation and finished her studies as a candidate. After earning her bachelor’s degree in education and French from Marywood in 1969, Sister Mary went on to earn a master’s degree in French from Assumption College and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Lehigh University. During her professional life, Sister Mary has been a teacher, an administrator, and a leader in educational, health care, and congregational settings. She was the treasurer, then the president, of the IHM Congregation, serving eight years in each role. Following her congregational leadership, she went on to serve as an executive vice president at Trinity Health, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation. She became president of Marywood University in 2016 and has guided Marywood through tough, but prudent, decisions to position the institution for the 21st century, even when facing unforeseen challenges like a global pandemic. Under Sister Mary’s leadership, strides were made in the scholarly life of the university by restructuring and streamlining the colleges within the university, adding or expanding several signature academic programs, and establishing the offices of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Global Education. Marywood also welcomed national retail partnerships to campus, including Starbucks, the Gear Shop, Apple, and Amazon stores. The university endowment has nearly doubled and maintained a fiscally responsible status, even during universally challenging financial times in higher education. To further strengthen Marywood’s future, Sister Mary is presently bringing the university’s $30 million comprehensive campaign, EMPOWER, to its conclusion. Sister Mary’s engagement, both in the public arena and on campus, are two highlights of her presidency. She has represented Marywood University locally, nationally, and even internationally, but notes that the best part of her presidential tenure has been interacting with Marywood students.
Johnson College Now Enrolling in Continuing Education Welding Courses Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program is enrolling students in its Fundamentals of Welding and Intermediate Welding courses at the Scranton campus. The Fundamentals course will begin on May 16, 2024, and can be taken on its own or followed by any one Intermediate course including Shielded Metal Arc (Stick), Gas Metal Arc (MIG), or Gas Tungsten Arc (TIG). The Fundamentals of Welding course teaches the basics of major welding processes. Students learn equipment set-up as well as basic techniques and safety for oxy-fuel welding and cutting, Stick, TIG, and MIG welding. Additional lectures are given on basic metallurgy, welding codes, nondestructive examination, and welding symbols. Intermediate courses build upon specific welding processes, working towards plate certification to a common welding code. The fundamentals course fee is $1,870 and includes a PPE kit. Intermediate course fees are $2,750 and include certification testing fees. The courses can be bundled for a reduced cost of $4,251. For information about using GI benefits for Fundamentals and Intermediate welding courses, email nmelgarejo@johnson.edu. To learn more about these programs or enroll call 570-702-8979 or email continuinged@johnson.edu. To register for the course, visit johnson.edu/continuing-ed/welding/.
Waverly Community House to Host Poetry and Multimodal Workshop Waverly Community House to host “Visualizing Verse – VR Poetry and Multimodal Workshop by Dr. Margot Douaihy” May 16 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Join Dr. Margot Douaihy, the 2023 F. Lammot Belin Arts Scholarship Winner, for a presentation of her virtual reality poetry project. Margot will also lead an engaging workshop on how to create multimodal & multimedia poetry. All welcome! FREE No advance registration required.
McCarthy Flowers Acquisition of Flower Shop McCarthy Flowers purchased Carter’s Flower in St Petersburg FL April 1st. This acquisition adds to the current two brands McCarthy is operating in the St Pete – Clearwater market, Jennies Flowers and Artistic Flowers. Carters opened in 1956 and has distinguished themselves in the Wedding and Event sector. Terry Hagstrom, Carter’s owner and 100% of its staff will join McCarthy’s team. Mr. Hagstrom is thrilled to have his longtime customers benefit by the McCarthy buying power, and its direct from the grower shipments, as well as the 7 day a week services. This brings the McCarthy store count to 31 nationally throughout 10 states, with a full-time staff of over 600. Kevin McCarthy, president of McCarthy Group Florists, is thrilled to add the iconic brand and fabulous team to the McCarthy Group. McCarthy Flowers has been headquartered in Lackawanna County since 1952 and remains the largest family-owned florist in the country.
Keystone Mission Celebrates Community Heroes with Volunteer Appreciation Week To celebrate and commemorate National Volunteer Appreciation Week, Keystone Mission staff surprised their regular volunteers with shirts that reveal the truth about their volunteers – they’re the best! “Our volunteers are the heartbeat of what we do. Whether it is at our Transformation or Innovation Centers, the depth of commitment they make in the lives of our guests is immeasurable,” says Kathy Regan, Operations & Program Director of Wilkes-Barre Innovation Center. Volunteers are crucial to aiding our guests and residents toward life transformation from daily tasks to teaching a life skills class or bible study. “Any day I come here is an awesome day!” says Holly Spece, a Wilkes-Barre Innovation Center volunteer. Spece is a regular volunteer at the Innovation Center who sits and talks with guests, assisted in the Emergency Shelter – Code Blue when in season, and supports any special events like the Easter brunch. “Volunteerism is a crucial part of what we do here at Keystone Mission,” says Danielle O. Keith-Alexandre, CEO & Executive Director. “The individuals who give of their time, talents, and resources to our guests and residents have not gone unnoticed and take on a crucial part of our team. During this special week, Keystone Mission is showing appreciation to the men and women who freely do so much for our organization.” To learn more about how you can volunteer at Keystone Mission, call 570-871-4795 ext. 404 or visit our website at KeystoneMission.org/volunteer.
Waverly Community House to Host “The Waverly Waddle” The Waverly Community House is hosting “The Waverly Waddle” 5K Run/2mi Walk May 11 @ 9am to 11am. Registration: Click HERE. Map: Click HERE for 2024 Course Map. Where: The Waverly Community House1115 N. Abington Road, Waverly, PA Check-in: 8:00-8:45 am on the back lawn ofThe Waverly Community House. Start Time: Race will begin at 9:00 am Cost: Advance Registration $25 per person$15 for age 12 and underAge 6 and under is FREEFamily Registration up to 4 pp-$50 REGISTER BY APRIL 13TH TO RECEIVE A RACE T-SHIRT! Register Online: www.waverlycomm.org Race Contact: Kathy WrightKathy@waverlycomm.org570.586.8191 The Course: 5K Run (3.1 Miles) through scenic Waverly or 2 Mile Walk, both options beginning and ending at The Comm. Click HERE for 2024 Course Map. Course Map: Available on our website: www.waverlycomm.org Timing: Professional electronic chip timing and raceresults by SECOND WIND RACE TIMING. Awards: Awards will be given to the first overall maleand female runner and walker, and 1st , 2nd and 3rd placerunners, male and female, in each age group. Please click HERE to register.
