Misericordia Hosts Conference on Pathways Out of Poverty

Misericordia University invites attendees to participate in a one-day conference on poverty, titled “Pathways Out of Poverty.” The event will bring together state and national leaders, educators, community-serving non-profit organizations, and institutions of higher education to discuss the implications of poverty for northeastern Pennsylvania and its most vulnerable families.

Click here to RSVP:

https://www.misericordia.edu/admissions-aid/ruth-matthews-bourger-women-with-children-programs/pathways-out-of-poverty-conference

Marywood Sets Virtual Info Session for Dual Enrollment Program

Academically focused high school students can get a head start on college by participating in Marywood University’s pre-collegiate program, Momentum. Courses in the Momentum program are offered at a special rate of $95 per credit, providing students with a head start on their collegiate career at an affordable price.

To provide program details to students who are interested in taking dual enrollment classes, Marywood is hosting a virtual information session on Wednesday, November 20, from 6-7 p.m. Students should be ranked in the top 50% of their high school class or have a 2.75 High School GPA (80%) to participate in the Momentum program. Students can register for the virtual session at https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/Momentum.

Marywood University’s dual enrollment program provides qualified high school students with the opportunity to earn college credits while completing requirements for high school graduation. Students choose from a wide variety of courses during the summer, fall, and spring semesters. Dual enrollment courses use the same curriculum, assessments, and instructional materials as other college-level courses.

Momentum students are eligible to receive:

  • Privileges to utilize Marywood University’s academic and recreational resources (e.g. library and fitness center).
  • Free parking on campus.
  • A Marywood University ID (This can be used for local university student discounts!)
  • Free admission to most Marywood University athletic, musical, social and cultural events.

Laugh to Live: Laughter Yoga to Relieve Holiday Stress

During a season known for generosity and gift-giving, the one person who needs to be at the top of your list but is often forgotten, is you. Two Scranton-area organizations are collaborating to offer residents the gifts of stress relief and a boost to their well-being on Saturday, November 23 at 10 a.m. at Connell Park in Scranton.

Laugh to Live, a Scranton-based business founded by Jeannine Luby, is teaming up with Valley in Motion’s Connell Park Walking Club to provide stress-reducing laughter yoga activity before the Club’s weekly walk around the park.

Luby said she suggested the inclusion of laughter yoga to Walking Club Manager Roxy Brown because this time of year can feel overwhelming.

A 2015 survey conducted by Healthline, a consumer health information site, revealed that 62 percent of respondents described their stress level as “very or somewhat” elevated during the holidays, while only 10 percent reported no stress during the season. Among the holiday stressors listed by respondents were the financial demands of the season, negotiating the interpersonal dynamics of family, and maintaining personal health habits such as an exercise regimen.

Luby said, “We all experience stress in our everyday lives, but the holidays can add extra pressure as many of us feel the need to live up to family traditions or what we see others doing on social media. It is often more than we have the capacity for whether it is because of time constraints, limited financial means or our emotions. So it’s important to set manageable expectations but also build in time for stress relief like walking outdoors, talking to a good friend and laughing.”

Luby received an ARPA (American Rescue Plan) Creative Grant from the City of Scranton in 2024, in part to deliver laughter yoga to Scranton residents, and when she met Gus Fahey, president of Valley in Motion, and learned about the nonprofit’s weekly walking club at Connell Park that incorporated special guests on wellness-related topics, she coordinated with him and Brown to plan laughter at the park.

“The Connell Park Walking Club is a great way to connect with friends, get some exercise, and learn new ideas for healthy living. Partnering with Laugh to Live provides our participants with a fun and innovative way to both enjoy the outdoors and lower stress levels,” said Gus Fahey, president of Valley In Motion.      

Laughter therapy has been around for a long time, but it seemed to gain credibility and the attention of the medical community when magazine publisher Norman Cousins’ article “Anatomy of an Illness (As Perceived by the Patient)” was published in the New England Journal of Medicine in 1976.  Cousins would later publish a book with the same name in 1979 to fully detail his experience of how laughter provided him with relief from pain caused by connective tissue disorder.

Luby explains thatLaughter Yoga isnot the same as traditional yoga or what people picture when they hear the word “yoga.” Laughter Yoga was created in 1995 by a medical doctor in India named Dr. Madan Kataria who believes in the researched health benefits of laughter that include lowering the stress hormone cortisol, improving blood flow and immune system performance, boosting brain chemicals and endorphins that help to manage pain and so much more.

In the laughter yoga that Luby will lead on November 23, participants will not use a yoga mat, need to wear fitness clothes, or even touch their toes; they will follow Luby’s instructions to breathe, clap, laugh and repeat. You can learn more at www.laughtolive.net for follow Laugh to Live and Connell Park Walking Club on Facebook.

The Connell Park Walking Club meets every Saturday at 10am at Connell Park at 800 Gibbons St. in Scranton and is free and open to everyone.

Geisinger Recognized as WellBeing First Champion

Geisinger recently announced its recognition as a WellBeing First Champion for 2024 by ALL IN: WellBeing First for Healthcare. As a WellBeing First Champion, Geisinger has demonstrated that licensure and credentialing applications for physicians and advanced practice providers are free from intrusive and stigmatizing language around mental health care and treatment. This means health workers at Geisingercan seek needed care without fear of losing their license or job.

Geisinger is currently the only hospital system in its service area to be recognized.

“This recognition is a testament to our deep commitment to supporting the well-being of our workforce,” said Susan Parisi, M.D., chief wellness officer at Geisinger. “Our profession is demanding and impactful, and all too often comes at a very personal cost to us, our families and friends. We often talk about the importance of taking care of ourselves so that we can best care for our patients, and with these credentialing changes, we’re putting our words into action. We hope our employees feel confident seeking any health care services they need, free from shame or barriers.”

Verification that all invasive or stigmatizing language around mental health has been removed from applications is confirmed annually by ALL IN: WellBeing First for Healthcare, a coalition of leading health care organizations that works to eliminate barriers for health workers to obtain needed mental health care.

“Across the country, health workers are at an increased risk for burnout and mental health conditions,” said Corey Feist, co-founder of ALL IN: WellBeing First for Healthcare and CEO of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes’ Foundation. “Many health workers feel they cannot speak up about their mental health without being criticized by colleagues or losing their jobs. Today, physicians and nurses die by suicide at two times the rate of the general population. We as a nation must better protect these lives, and I applaud our WellBeing First Champions for their leadership to support the well-being of health workers.”

Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum Hosts Conversations in the Gallery

Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum is pleased to announce Conversations in the Gallery with Scott Herring, which will take place on Saturday, November 23. 

Site Administrator, Dr. Bode Morin, said,  “Scott Herring is the last Anthracite Photographer having spent the last 50 years chronicling the changing coal and industrial landscapes of Northeast Pennsylvania.  Scott’s unique relationship with the land and its people is reflected in his vast work.  This exhibit is as much a celebration as it is a record.”

Join us as we kick off the holiday season with a curated and insightful gallery talk. On Saturday, November 23, visitors can meet the “Last Anthracite Photographer,” Scott Herring, in his new exhibit, Anthracite Family Album. Herring will give opening remarks, then spend time answering questions and chatting with visitors in the exhibition. Conversations in the Gallery will start at 2pm and end at 3:30pm.   

Program included with regular admission: $8 for adults, $6 for youth (ages 3-11), and $7 for Seniors.  Free for museum members.

For more information, call (570) 963-4804, visit our event page, or our Facebook page.

Peoples Security Bank’s Leaders Named to Banking on Brilliance Awards

Peoples Security Bank & Trust announced today that Susan Hubble and Stephanie A. Westington, CPA have been named a recipient of the 2024 Banking on Brilliance Awards, powered by KlariVis. 

The Banking on Brilliance Awards recognize remarkable women in community banking who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in driving transformation through innovation and data. Hubble and Westington were selected due to their excellence in innovation and data-driven leadership.

“We are proud to see Susan and Stephanie recognized among such accomplished leaders,” said Jerry Champi, President of Peoples Security Bank & Trust. “Their dedication to leveraging data and innovation has had a major impact on our organization. This award is a testament to their talent and vision.”

Ms. Hubble leads the Information Technology division as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Peoples Security Bank & Trust, a role she has held since December 2019. She is responsible for overseeing strategic technology planning to align with the bank’s objectives and directs the Information Technology, Business Support Services, and Program Management departments. Previously, as Senior Vice President and Senior Information Technology Officer, Ms. Hubble managed the department’s daily operations and led several system conversion projects.

Ms. Westington is a Senior Vice President and Chief Profitability Officer at Peoples Security Bank & Trust, with over 35 years of experience managing finance and accounting for community banks. Previously, as Chief Accounting Officer for FNCB Bank, she oversaw key financial operations and played a pivotal role in the recent merger with Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company. She holds a BS in Accounting and an MBA in Finance from the University of Scranton and is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. She is a licensed CPA and active in her community, including serving as Treasurer of the Catholic Women’s Conference of the Diocese of Scranton. 

“The women we’ve recognized are changing the game in community banking. Their commitments to driving innovation are remarkable not only for their banks, but for each customer they serve,” says Kim Snyder, KlariVis founder and CEO. “It is incredibly encouraging to be in an industry where women are leading the charge in such an exceptional way, and I look forward to seeing what each of these women continues to accomplish.”

For more information on the 2024 Banking on Brilliance Awards and to view the full list of winners, visit https://go.klarivis.com/banking-on-brilliance. 

NEPA Philharmonic Appoints New Executive Director

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic has announced that Chason Goldschmitz has joined the organization and will formally assume the role of Executive Director on January 1, 2025, when Nancy Sanderson steps down from the position. Carol Nelson Dembert, President of the Philharmonic Society, governing board of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, introduced Mr. Goldschmitz at the first concert of the Thalenfeld Family Masterworks series, “Bizet, Lalo, and Sibelius” on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 3 PM at the Scranton Cultural Center.

The Philharmonic Board of Trustees has unanimously endorsed Chason Goldschmitz‘s appointment for his new role as Executive Director. We are confident that Chason and Music Director Mélisse Brunet are a dynamic duo who will continue to move the orchestra forward, building on a half century of excellence and expanding the Philharmonic’s missions of world class concerts, excellent educational programs, and community outreach.

Chason Goldschmitz is an artistic administrator, producer, composer, and arranger, and he is honored to join the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic as its new Executive Director during the 2024-25 season.

Goldschmitz joins the NEPA Philharmonic from the office of world-renowned soprano Renée Fleming, where he served as Director of Production, Music, and Arts & Health. In this role, he produced and supervised logistics for concerts, large-scale summits, and other public events, and served as producer and production engineer for Ms. Fleming’s multimedia events, including “Voice of Nature: The Anthropocene” performances in collaboration with National Geographic. Goldschmitz also coordinated arts and health research, policy, and funding initiatives on behalf of the Renée Fleming Foundation, in partnership with a diverse array of governmental partners and performing arts, healthcare, education, and community organizations — including the Kennedy Center, LA Opera, Johns Hopkins University, the Aspen Institute, Los Angeles County, the National Institutes of Health, and the World Health Organization.

Performers of arrangements and orchestrations by Goldschmitz include soprano Renée Fleming; pianist Inon Barnatan; conductors Marin Alsop and JoAnn Falletta; the Baltimore, Houston, North Carolina, and Palm Beach Symphonies; the Buffalo Philharmonic; the National Arts Centre Orchestra (Ottawa); L’Orchestre des Nations (Geneva); and the Kennedy Center Honors. His original compositions have been commissioned by venues such as 92NY and been performed by ensembles including the Juilliard Orchestra and the Daedalus String Quartet.

Goldschmitz participated in the League of American Orchestra’s 2024 Essentials of Orchestra Management program, and he will complete a Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from Arizona State University in December 2024. He previously received a Master’s of Music in Music Composition from The Juilliard School, where he co-founded the school’s first contemporary opera program. Goldschmitz also received a Bachelor’s in Environmental Science at Columbia University under the Columbia-Juilliard Exchange program and a 3-year accelerated graduation track, and conducted science research in neuroscience and geochemistry at the Columbia University Medical Center and the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic is a fully professional symphony orchestra performing classics, pops, holiday, chamber, and July 3-4 concerts. The Philharmonic’s educational programs include a juried mentoring program for talented high school students, “Meet the Maestra”, “Music in our Schools”, Young Peoples’ Concerts, “Once Upon an Orchestra” in regional libraries, and interactive performances in senior centers.  

For tickets and additional information, please call 570.270.4444 or www.NEPAphil.org.

Misericordia University to Host Federal Reserve Economist

Please join Federal Reserve Board Senior Economist Anton Badev, Ph.D, as he presents “A Perspective on Peer Effects in Social Networks.”

Hear Dr. Badev share how social networks influence our beliefs, decisions and behaviors. He will develop the question of how a policy maker can influence the formation of social networks, and provide us a low level overview of a contemporary toolkit for thinking about peer effects in the most flexible way. The talk will introduce the perspective and discuss its implications for designing successful public policies.

This event will be held in the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library, McGowan Room,   Monday, November 11, 2024, from 12:20 to 1:30 pm. Please RSVP Here:

https://www.misericordia.edu/academics/academic-colleges/college-of-business/college-of-business-event-series/cob-event-series-anton-badev-rsvp-form

Lackawanna College Culinary Students Open “MISFITS”

Lackawanna College is thrilled to announce the return of its holiday pop-up event, Misfits, a festive and inclusive experience set to open in downtown Scranton at 409 on Adams, the College’s student-run restaurant. This event will run from November 13th through December 21st, and invites guests to embrace the holiday spirit in an unconventional way – where everyone is welcome and being different is celebrated.

Following the success of last year’s inaugural season, which saw over 7,000 guests, Misfits is set to be bigger and better in 2024. The theme of the event is inspired by the heartwarming story of Charlie, a kindhearted but misunderstood soul who inherits an old boarding house. Inside, the rooms are filled with unique characters and festive tales that bring a fresh perspective to the holiday season. Attendees are encouraged to come, find their tribe, and celebrate the holidays with a twist.

“Misfits is about creating a space where everyone can come as they are and be part of something special,” said [Name], [Title] at Lackawanna College. “It’s a unique celebration that brings together our community, our students, and everyone who supports the College and its mission. Last year was a huge success, and we look forward to welcoming even more guests in 2024.”

A Meaningful Impact
Beyond being a fun and festive experience, Misfits plays a vital role in supporting the mission of Lackawanna College and empowering its students. All proceeds from the event help fund initiatives that provide tangible support for the College’s diverse student body, including:

  • Loaner Laptops for Students – Providing 130 students with the necessary tools to succeed in their education by loaning out laptops to help bridge the digital divide.
  • Fighting Food Insecurity – Through programs like The Common Kitchen, Lackawanna College combats food insecurity among students by offering nutritious food staples, culinary training, and access to a community-driven food bank.
  • Student Leadership Opportunities – Scholarships and workforce training opportunities are provided to upperclassmen who take on leadership roles within the College, preparing them for real-world success.
  • Nourishing Neighbors – In partnership with the Scranton Counseling Center, Lackawanna College has provided over 2,300 meals to local families in need, supported by over 100 hours of student and faculty volunteer time.

“We’re not just celebrating the season – we’re supporting our students and our community,” added [Name]. “By attending Misfits, you are helping to make these programs possible, and together, we can continue to create opportunities for those who need it most.”

Become a Sponsor
Lackawanna College is actively seeking sponsors for the 2024 Misfits season. Sponsorships not only provide visibility and recognition within the community but also directly support the College’s mission to empower students and give back to the Scranton area.

For more information about becoming a sponsor, or to inquire about event details, please contact [Name] at (570) 504-7945 or via email at deckers@lackawanna.edu.