High Tines Archery and Outdoors Presents Montage Mountain Archery Fest Take aim and save the date for the Inaugural Montage Mountain Archery Fest presented by High Tines Archery from June 9-11. The inaugural three-day shoot will be held at Montage Mountain Resorts. This event will feature professionally staged 3D target courses. Archers of all experience levels are welcome to attend. Test your skills, talk with vendors, and create memories.
The Scranton Cultural Center Hosts Breakfast with Santa The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple hosted its inaugural Breakfast with Santa on December 18. The breakfast featured craft activities, festive performances, and a singalong with the Scranton Cultural Center Youth Theatre Program. Santa made an appearance and took holiday pictures with the kids.
Johnson College Holds Competition Johnson College hosted its fifth annual district SkillsUSA Competition. Over 100 high school students throughout the region competed in technical and occupational skills areas. SkillsUSA is a national organization serving teachers and high school and college students preparing for careers in technical, skilled, and service occupations, including health occupations and further education.
CEO of Coal Creative Named to the City and State Pennsylvania Impact 50 President and CEO of Coal Creative, Holly Pilcavage, was named to the City and State Pennsylvania Impact 50 list. The Impact 50, is a select group of people who exemplify what it means to be a socially responsible citizens and who City & State is proud to recognize. View the full Impact 50 list at https://www.cityandstatepa.com/power-lists/2022/12/2022-impact-50/380567/
Settlers Hospitality Announces New Talent Settlers Hospitality recently announced the hiring of personnel for two key roles. James Kelly came on board as Corporate Executive Chef and Hannah Stachlewitz will serve as Executive Pastry Chef. Since he launched his culinary career 15 years ago at The Settlers Inn, James Kelly’s position as Corporate Executive Chef is a homecoming of sorts. He credits the experience with not only developing a passion for creating and executing high quality meals, but also for teaching and mentoring young cooks. He honed his skills in State College and Pittsburgh before taking a position at the acclaimed New York City restaurant, Babbo. There he helped the team reclaim their reputation as one of the best Italian restaurants in the country, even earning a Michelin Star. Kelly’s love for Italian cuisine grew with chef positions at In Vino and Danny Meyer’s Maialino. That work laid the foundation for his success as Executive Chef at Babbo’s sister restaurant, Lupa Osteria Romana. Under his tenure, Lupa became a mainstay for pasta-focused Roman food, and was recognized by the New York Post and Eater. His renown even gained the attention of the Food Network, which provided the opportunity for Kelly to compete on the popular series, “Chopped.” In his role as Corporate Executive Chef, Kelly will lead a team of executive chefs to craft menus and oversee operations at all Settlers Hospitality restaurants and special events. Hannah Stachlewitz joins the Settlers Hospitality team after working in some of the finest restaurants and bakeries in the Pacific Northwest. Most recently she served as Pastry Chef for Kingtide Fish and Shell in Portland. Stachlewitz hails from Ann Arbor Michigan and earned a Certificate in Baking and Pastry Arts from Schoolcraft College in Livonia, Michigan. As Executive Pastry Chef, Hannah will create desserts, pastries, and breads for all the restaurants within the collection of Settlers Hospitality properties as well as custom order celebration and wedding cakes. “We are thrilled to add this depth and breadth of talent to our team at Settlers Hospitality,” explained CEO/Owner Justin Genzlinger. “In their respective roles James and Hannah will carry on the tradition of high quality and elevated cuisine people expect from us, while adding their own unique flavor. We’re excited about what they’ll bring to the table.”
Woodloch Pines Selected as Award Winner Woodloch Pines, an all-inclusive family resort located in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, has been selected as a winner in Good Housekeeping’s 2023 Family Travel Awards. The full list of awards can be found on goodhousekeeping.com/familytravel2023. In April of 1958, Harry and Mary Kiesendahl cemented new roots for their family in Hawley, Pennsylvania with a purpose of bringing them closer by working and playing together. Woodloch Pines was born, and its core mission became “to treat each and every customer and guest as if they are company in our own homes.” Fast-forward almost 65 years, the Kiesendahl’s dream has evolved into one of the premier independent family resorts in America. The Kiesendahl children and grandchildren still carry on a tradition of excellence and warm hospitality. Woodloch vacations are built on the concept of “togethering,” or bringing loved ones together, spending time with one another, and creating memories to last a lifetime. The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Labs spent seven months evaluating hundreds of travel gear and experience submissions before selecting the winners. They considered attributes that are most important when it comes to family travel, such as convenience, value, service, quality, safety, innovation, inclusion and more. For travel services and destinations, Good Housekeeping analysts visited cities, resorts and local attractions to provide first-hand feedback on their experiences. They also surveyed their proprietary panel and reviewed responses from over 3,000 consumers that have taken recent trips to weigh in on their favorite vacation experiences, airlines, hotel chains, loyalty programs, booking services and more. “We are honored to be chosen as a Good Housekeeping Family Travel Awards winner, especially given how trusted the Good Housekeeping name is and has been for many years. It is humbling to see our resort ranked among so many amazing properties and national brands,” said Brad Kiesendahl, CEO and President of Woodloch. “We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every one of our team members and guests. They make Woodloch the extra special destination that it is,” he continued.To obtain more information or to book a stay, please visit woodloch.com, or call 1-800-Woodloch.
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Receives Donation from Fundraiser The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute received $7,675 from La Belle Soirée à Paris Fundraiser. In August, the family of Judi H. Perry Hartridge, a cancer survivor who passed away in 2007, hosted a fundraiser, La Belle Soirée à Paris. The event was held at Maiolatesi Wine Cellars. It featured live music by concert pianist, John Paris and Paul LaBelle and The Exact Change All Star Band. Additionally, there was a 50/50 and a basket raffle. Over $7,600 was raised from the fundraiser. Proceeds support the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute. The Judi H. Rock On Committee has been working with NRCI and hosting fundraisers for several years in honor of Judi H. Perry Hartridge. Paul LaBelle is the Founder of Judi H. Rock On. About The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute is a nonprofit community-based agency serving seven counties in northeast Pennsylvania with offices located in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Focusing on surveillance, community and patient services, and hospital and practice support services, the Cancer Institute invests 100% of its resources locally. PHOTO ATTACHED: La Belle Soirée Check Presentation The Judi H. Rock On Committee presented the Cancer Institute with a check from the La Belle Soirée event. From left to right: Amanda E. Marchegiani, Community Relations Coordinator, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, John Hartridge, Karen M. Saunders, President, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Paul LaBelle, Founder of Judi H. Rock On, Johnny Hartridge, Sharon LaBelle, Carmel D’Angelo, and Dana Morris.
Treasurer Announces Contributions Surpassed $100 million Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced today that total contributions to the PA ABLE Savings Program have surpassed $100 million. PA ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts are a tax-free way for Pennsylvanians with qualifying disabilities and their families to save without affecting eligibility for means-tested government disability benefits. “Reaching this milestone demonstrates the power of PA ABLE and reflects all the positive impacts the program has made for account owners and their families,” Garrity said. “Everyone deserves financial independence and security, and PA ABLE helps Pennsylvanians with disabilities to save money for necessary expenses without losing any of the disability benefits they rely on.” Pennsylvanians have contributed $101.2 million to PA ABLE accounts since the program’s inception in 2017. More than $25.7 million has been withdrawn for disability-related expenses, like groceries, rent, healthcare, transportation, and longer-term expenses including education and assistive technology. In 2022 alone, PA ABLE account owners contributed $28 million, while $9 million was withdrawn. Nearly 1,500 Pennsylvanians opened new PA ABLE accounts during that time. PA ABLE offers seven different savings and investment options, including a checking account. Contributions of up to $17,000 per year can be deducted on PA state income taxes, and PA ABLE account owners pay no federal or state income tax on account growth when used for qualified withdrawals. Treasurer Garrity was elected the inaugural chair of the ABLE Savings Plan Network (ASPN) late last year and will oversee ASPN’s strategic leadership and policies which aim to advance and bolster ABLE accounts nationwide. In December, Congress passed the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, which raised the age limit for onset of a disability from 26 to 46 beginning in 2026. An estimated 6 million more Americans, including one million veterans, will be eligible to open ABLE accounts beginning in 2026. The bill was introduced by U.S. Senator Bob Casey, who championed the original ABLE Act of 2014, and cosponsored by retired U.S. Senator Pat Toomey. A corresponding House bill had 17 cosponsors from Pennsylvania’s 18-member delegation. PA ABLE is the largest program in the 18-member National ABLE Alliance, accounting for more than 25% of total Alliance assets. Currently, more than 7,100 Pennsylvanians have PA ABLE accounts. The program was created by state legislation with leadership from Sen. Lisa Baker and former Rep. Bernie O’Neill. Visit paable.gov or call 855-529-2253 to learn more about PA ABLE. Media contact:Samantha Heckel, Press Secretary, 717-418-0206 or sheckel@patreasury.gov
Get Healthier with Commonwealth Health’s Challenge This year, Commonwealth Health is taking the entire month of February to help people in the community learn ways to reduce their risks with the 28-Day Healthy Heart Challenge. Participants will receive a daily email with short, informative articles, quick tips, and a daily challenge to promote heart health. Heart disease is a leading cause of death in the United States, claiming the lives of more than 650,000 people each year. Here are some other facts everyone should know about heart disease: In the U.S., one person dies every 34 seconds from cardiovascular disease.Every year, about 800,000 Americans suffer a heart attack.Nearly half of American adults (47%) suffer from high blood pressure, or hypertension, which increases the risk of a heart attack and stroke. However, only about 1 in 4 people with high blood pressure have their condition under control. Another important fact is that most people can take steps right now to reduce the risks related to heart disease. In most cases, heart disease is preventable. Adil Sattar, MD, FACC, RPVI, an interventional cardiologist tells us, “Prevention is better than cure. The cardiovascular system regulates the health and integrity of pretty much all the rest of our body organs. By adopting a healthy lifestyle, including not smoking, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood sugar and cholesterol and treating high blood pressure, we are all able to reduce our risk for heart disease.” Since 1964, February has been recognized as American Heart Month – a time of year dedicated to increasing awareness about heart health and highlighting steps we can take to create a heart healthy lifestyle. The 28-Day Healthy Heart Challenge includes 28 challenges that can help participants eat healthier, get up from a sedentary lifestyle, relieve stress and lower blood pressure. To sign-up for the 28-Day Healthy Heart Challenge, visit: CommonwealthHealth.net/Heart-Challenge To find a physician, call 570-871-6330 or visit https://www.cwhphysiciannetwork.net/ to be connected with one of Commonwealth Health Physician Network’s qualified primary care physicians or cardiologists. Dr. Sattar is an interventional cardiologist with Commonwealth Health Physician Network in Wilkes-Barre and the Medical Director of the Structural Heart Program at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. His office is located at 545 North River Street, Suite 220. To schedule an appointment, call 570-819-2825.
Marywood University’s S.T.A.R.S. Program Receives Grant Marywood University is the recent recipient of a 2022 Robert H. Spitz Foundation Grant. The $8,000 grant was awarded to the S.T.A.R.S. (Students Together Achieving Remarkable Success) program. To date, the Robert H. Spitz Foundation has been a significant source of support, awarding $60,000 to S.T.A.R.S. since its inception in 2018. Marywood’s S.T.A.R.S. program offers Latino/a/x youth in grades 7–12 the opportunity to explore their long-term career goals through one-on-one academic assistance and exposure to diversified post-secondary educational paths, trades, and careers. Marywood students serve as tutors and mentors to the youth participants. In addition, monthly workshops, held in English and Spanish, provide parents with similar information about potential opportunities for their children and families. Additionally, Marywood University, as well as other local institutions’ academic departments host students on campus 4-5 times a year, providing information and experiential activities that are focused on various majors and careers. This includes small-group and individual mentorship for students using a college and career readiness curriculum, as well as individual tutoring/mentoring sessions via zoom or in-person with a Marywood student. The Robert H. Spitz Foundation is a registered non-profit organization that supports initiatives and programs serving the residents of Lackawanna County and Northeastern Pennsylvania. Robert H. Spitz was born in Scranton and was a 1955 graduate of Scranton Central High School and the University of Miami, Florida. Prior to retirement, Spitz had been employed by the U.S. Department of Labor and was also the owner of several local Arby’s restaurants. The Robert H. Spitz Foundation was established from his estate in 2015. To date, the Foundation has provided more than $4.6 million in funding to the community. The Scranton Area Community Foundation serves as the administrator of the Robert H. Spitz Foundation. For additional information about Marywood University’s S.T.A.R.S. program, please visit marywood.edu/community/youth-programs/stars/, or call (570) 961-4559. For additional information about The Robert H. Spitz Foundation, please visit https://safdn.org/1765/robert-h-spitz-foundation-announces-2019-grant-cycle/, or call (570) 347-6203.
