The Wright’s Center Ryan White Clinic Presenting the Annual Pridefest Parade

The Wright Center for Community Health’s Ryan White HIV Clinic will be the presenting sponsor for the Northeast Pennsylvania Rainbow Alliance’s annual Pridefest Parade and Celebration in downtown Wilkes-Barre on Sunday, June 23. The parade begins at noon, with the celebration to follow on Public Square until 4 p.m.

The Northeast Pennsylvania Rainbow Alliance provides education, support, and advocacy for individuals and families who are LGBTQ+ while working to advance fairness and equality. The Rainbow Alliance envisions a future where all people in the region can live openly and free from fear, and where individuals, organizations, and businesses work collaboratively to build an equal, inclusive community.

The formation for the parade begins at 11 a.m., near East South and South Main streets, two blocks off Public Square. The program includes more than 75 vendors, drag performances, and more. For more information, go to RainbowAlliance.org/Pridefest.

For almost 25 years, The Wright Center for Community Health’s Ryan White HIV Clinic has been providing comprehensive whole-person primary health and support services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS, including integrated primary care, medication assistance, case management, mental health, and other support services. The Ryan White Clinic offers services at The Wright Center for Community Health locations in Scranton, 501 S. Washington Ave., and Wilkes-Barre, 169 N. Pennsylvania Ave., and serves Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wyoming, Wayne, Pike, Susquehanna, and Monroe counties.

Settlers Hospitality 8th Annual Wally Wine Fest

Visitors to the Settlers Hospitality 8th Annual Wally Wine Fest, May 31-June 2, at the Waterfront at Silver Birches can soak in all the festivities lakeside. For the first time, the event will feature indoor and outdoor activities including two stages with live music. Wally Wine Fest draws thousands of attendees over three days to sample vintages from more than 100 domestic and international labels. Wineries from as far away as New Zealand, Italy, France, Napa Valley and the Pacific Northwest are represented as well as varietals grown and produced in Northeastern Pennsylvania. “Holding Wally Wine Fest this time of year allows us to take advantage of the beautiful outdoor spaces at Silver Birches,” explains Justin Genzlinger, CEO/Owner, Settlers Hospitality. “We’ll have a tent on the lakeside lawn with wine samplings and vendors to shop.”

Claude Briere, sommelier for Settlers Hospitality, personally selects each wine. Briere is a renowned wine expert who travels the globe as a consultant and lecturer advising on wine selections, pairings and service. Novice wine enthusiasts will have the opportunity to sample a variety of pours and discover which wine suits their palate. Wine connoisseurs will relish the opportunity to interact one-on-one with wine makers, restauranteurs and sommeliers who are knowledgeable in flavor profiles, can discuss the differences among wine, grapes and varietals, plus point out the notes to be enjoyed for each.

Bottles of every wine featured are available for sale. With prices ranging from $10-$100, there’s something to match every taste and budget. An indoor and outdoor marketplace will overflow with fine food, gift items and decor fit for wine lovers– all available for purchase. Visitors may shop offerings from places such as Art on the Edge, which features home/wine décor. Grain to Glory will showcase its handcrafted wooden American flags. A Silent Auction benefits Lake Wallenpaupack’s Fourth of July Fireworks and features overnight stays at some of the area’s finest accommodations plus gift cards to local restaurants and businesses. Golf and spa packages, as well as boat and paddle board rentals, are also up for grabs. Satellite events at other Hawley area venues extend the Wally Wine Fest celebration. On Friday, May 31, The Settlers Inn hosts a Spring Has Sprung Wine Dinner featuring pairings with the finest flavors of the season in a five-course meal. The Settlers Inn will also offer a Bubbly Brunch on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am. to 2:30 p.m. Visitors may savor a prix fixe brunch menu, live music and a tasting flight of sparkling wine. Glass-wine.bar.kitchen at Ledges Hotel will present a special Cali Wine Tasting Dinner menu all weekend long featuring dishes such as grilled octopus and poached pheasant paired with fine Napa Valley wines. Wally Wine Fest at Silver Birches runs from 1-5 p.m. on Saturday and 1-4 p.m. on Sunday. Everyone who attends receives a commemorative wine glass. Admission is $40 in advance or $50 at the door and includes 15 sampling tickets. The sampling tickets may be exchanged for wine tastings. A $50 VIP admission allows entry to the festival one hour early and 25 sampling tickets. The $200 Platinum admission price offers early entry, increases the sampling tickets to 25 and includes a seat at the Spring Has Sprung Wine Dinner at The Settlers Inn on May 31. Admission for designated drivers is $20. Tickets are available at wallywinefest.com

Scranton Cultural Center Announces Comedian Nick Swardson

This November at the Scranton Cultural Center, brace yourselves for a comedy show like no other as comedian Nick Swardson embarks on his new stand-up tour, Toilet Head. Renowned for his unfiltered humor and razor-sharp wit, Swardson promises to tackle the hard-hitting issues of our time, from the discomforts of diarrhea to the highs and lows of edibles, all the way to the enigmatic charm of Norm MacDonald.

Produced by Live Nation, the 37-city tour kicks off in September making stops across the U.S., with a performance at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple on November 23 at 7:00 PM.  The show will take place in the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Theatre.

With a career spanning over 26 years, Nick Swardson has cemented his status as a comedy legend. From his memorable collaborations with Adam Sandler to his scene-stealing role as Terry in “Reno 911,” and his unforgettable performances in cult classics like “Grandma’s Boy” and “Bucky Larson,” Swardson’s comedic prowess knows no bounds. Not to mention his own comedic creations, including Comedy Central’s “Pretend Time” and “Typical Rick.”

As he gears up for his sixth stand-up special, audiences can expect nothing short of an unforgettable journey filled with laughter, surprises, and perhaps a few unexpected smells along the way. Nick Swardson’s unique brand of comedy transcends the ordinary, offering audiences an escape into a world where hilarity reigns supreme.  For a full tour schedule, visit nickswardson.net

Tickets start at $48.20. Doors will open at 6:30 PM and a cash bar and concessions will be available.  Tickets will be available for purchase beginning May 17 at 10:00 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.

Keystone College Provides Update on its Future

On Friday, May 17, 2024, Keystone College announced that it is in the final stages of executing a letter of intent and funding agreement with a strategic partner to create a new partnership that will provide Keystone with a roadmap for a long-term path forward. While details of the agreement are not yet public, the day-to-day operations of the College and its academic mission will remain essentially unchanged. Both parties felt that discussions had crossed a critical point which would allow the College to announce that an agreement is imminent.

Any agreement will be subject to the final approval of the College’s accreditor, the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), which will be notified of the parties’ intentions as soon as the signed agreement is finalized. Approvals from the Pennsylvania Department of Higher Education and the United States Department of Education will also be necessary. During the review period, which may take up to a year, Keystone intends to continue uninterrupted operation of classes, as well as all other college activities and intercollegiate sports, and continues to accept and enroll freshman and transfer students for the Fall 2024 semester. Keystone will conclude its current academic year with its 153rd commencement on Saturday, May 18, on campus.

“Keystone College is absolutely thrilled to reach this point in our discussions with our strategic partner,” said Keystone President John F. Pullo, Sr. “For the past several months, we continued to say we were hopeful that an agreement with an innovative partner could be reached while fulfilling every obligation to our accreditor to prepare for closure, should that be necessary. We are so thankful to our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends who continued to believe in us as well as to the educational partners that are included in our teach-out plan. Since its founding in 1868, Keystone’s motto has been “Progress Through Effort” and we continue to work long and hard to secure a positive outcome so we can look to the future with promise and optimism. The agreement is just the beginning as there will be much work to do on our path forward in the days ahead. But we do have a path forward and we intend to work very closely with Middle States to ensure successful continuation of operations.”

On May 15, the College submitted all of the necessary components of an “implementable teach-out plan” and institutional status report as requested by MSCHE. That plan is under review by MSCHE. “This partnership agreement demonstrates the need for innovation and forward-thinking in today’s highly competitive educational market,” said Tim Pryle, Vice President of Enrollment, Institutional Advancement and Marketing. “With a continued decline in college-age population, and other challenges, many colleges and universities across the nation, including Keystone, will continue to find themselves in financially difficult situations. The need to find and develop strong partnerships with organizations willing to share responsibilities, goals, and missions is becoming increasingly more important, even critical. We believe we have found just such an innovative and dedicated partner and are grateful to join with them on our journey.”

HNB Announces Application to Open New Office

The Honesdale National Bank (HNB), in demonstration of its continued commitment to provide the power of community banking services to Northeastern Pennsylvania, announced its intentions to open a new location in Moscow, Pennsylvania.

HNB has filed its official application to the Office of the Comptroller of Currency (OCC) to open a banking office at 330 N Main Street, Moscow PA 18444.

“HNB is happy to announce our plans in Moscow to provide community banking services,” stated Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., President, and CEO at HNB. He continued, “Moscow is a natural extension of our current footprint. The opening of a local office will allow us to best invest in and support the needs of local residents and businesses so we may continue to grow together.”

Celebrating the Future Leaders of Tomorrow!

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce professional development and community leadership division, Leadership Lackawanna, celebrated 44 high school juniors who graduated from the organization Tomorrow’s Leaders Today (TLT) program. Tomorrow’s Leaders Today is sponsored by NBT Bank.

Tomorrow’s Leaders Today is a seven-month program that develops the leadership, interpersonal, and managerial skills of high school juniors and provides real-world experiences in financial literacy, health care, STEAM, philanthropy, crime and corrections, nonprofit organizations, and community service. 

Class of 2024 participants:

  1. Dhruv Amin
  2. Jacob Antolick
  3. Ashley Bossick
  4. Giada  Costa
  5. Joseph DiStasi
  6. Chloe   Dong
  7. Gabriella Estadt
  8. Nicholas Giumento
  9. Abigail Harshbarger
  10. Joseph Healey
  11. Matthew Hill
  12. Cole Johnston
  13. Zachary Kovaleski
  14. Kylie Krzak
  15. Caroline Luyster
  16. Jordan Malar
  17. Jack Maloney
  18. Mandie Martin
  19. Isabelle Maurer
  20. Sarah  McCullon
  21. Roland McLaine
  22. Isabella Moher
  23. Declan Moran
  24. Reese  Morgan
  25. Clinton Muir
  26. Ivy Neureuter
  27. Sarah O’Brien
  28. Justin Osman
  29. Ava Page
  30. Dante Pallazari
  31. Margaret Pegula
  32. Anthony John  Piestrak
  33. Abygale Plevyak
  34. Hope Polishan
  35. Gabriella Potis
  36. Lily Rozzi
  37. Elizabeth Schneider
  38. Gia Serge
  39. Akhilesh Velaga
  40. Ava Wallace
  41. Makayla Walton
  42. Nico Warhola
  43. Elizabeth Washine
  44. Faith Wormuth

Throughout the program, students were engaged in various sessions facilitated by local organizations serving the greater Scranton area. In addition to invaluable lessons in the program focus areas, students were given the unique opportunity to engage with business leaders and network with students from 16 local schools. Their program culminated with the allocation of $15,000 in grant money from the Scranton Area Community Foundation to five deserving local nonprofits selected by the students. The nonprofits that received the 2024 grants are the Catherine McAuley Center, Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, Keystone Mission, Lackawanna County Area Agency of Aging, and the Women’s Resource Center. 

In addition, each student completed five service hours for a total of 220 hours, dedicated to helping 8 local nonprofit organizations.

Leadership Lackawanna’s TLT Program accepts applications from sophomores who attend high school in Lackawanna County and its surrounding areas, as well as all charter and technical schools and homeschool students. Learn more online at www.LeadershipLackawanna.org.

Dress For Success Celebrates 25th Anniversary

This year marks Dress for Success Lackawanna’s 25th Anniversary! We are excited to mark this occasion and reflect on the incredible impact we have made with your support, empowering women to achieve personal and professional success and economic self-reliance.

We invite you to join us in commemorating this special milestone. The event will be held:

Thursday, May 16th from 6pm-8pm at

The Anthracite Center, 41 North Main Street, Carbondale.

Our anniversary celebration will be a momentous occasion as we will recognize the honorees from our 2024 Women Making An Impact campaign, the achievements of the women we have served, showcase success stories, and highlight the transformative work of Dress for Success Lackawanna over the past 25 years.

We have developed a range of sponsorship packages to offer you visibility and recognition for your support at our anniversary celebration. Raffle basket donations will also be appreciated. Your sponsorship for Dress for Success Lackawanna’s 25th Anniversary celebration will not only demonstrate your commitment to empowering women but will also align your company with a cause that makes a tangible difference in the lives of women throughout Lackawanna, Monroe, Wayne, Pike, Wyoming and Susquehanna counties.

If you are interested in contributing, please contact us at 570-941-0339 or email lackawanna@dressforsuccess.org. Sponsorships should be made by Tuesday, April 30th, 2024. We appreciate your consideration and support in making Dress for Success Lackawanna’s 25th Anniversary event a memorable and impactful occasion.

Marion Munley Presents at Houston Trial Lawyers Association Workshop

Marion Munley of Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys recently presented at the Houston Trial Lawyers Association’s CLE and Workshop: “Building and Bringing Home your Case Story: Openings/Closing.” The focus of her presentation was “What You Want to Look For in Trial to Use in Closing.”

Widely recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s most prominent and widely respected truck accident lawyers, Marion is Triple Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Civil Trial, Civil Practice, and Truck Law. Marion has earned an AV-Preeminent designation from Martindale-Hubbell, the industry’s highest ethical and client satisfaction rating.

A leader in the legal community, Marion is an active member of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) and currently serves as its Treasurer. Marion was the first woman to become Chair of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group in 2018 and is a past chair of the AAJ Women Trial Lawyers Caucus.

Marion is the second woman in Pennsylvania to become Board Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Among her other professional affiliations are the American Board of Trial Advocates, the International Society of Barristers, and the Summit Council, an exclusive group of today’s top civil justice attorneys committed to the highest levels of trial advocacy, to obtaining justice for individuals and families who have been hurt by corporate wrongdoing, and to the protection of the civil justice system.

During her career, Marion has received some of the highest honors a lawyer can receive. Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2012, Marion has been named the 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

She has also been recognized as Best Lawyers® 2022 and 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in Northeastern Pennsylvania and 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury-Plaintiffs for the Allentown metro area.

Marion has also been selected to the list of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers for
the last 18 years and was recently named to the 2023 “Top 10” Pennsylvania Super Lawyers List. A graduate of Temple University School of Law (J.D., 1986), Marion received her undergraduate degree from Scranton University in 1983.