Marywood Named “Most Engaged Campus for Student Voting” Marywood University has been recognized by the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting, a designation that recognizes colleges and universities for outstanding efforts to increase nonpartisan student voter participation. Marywood University joins a group of 471 colleges and universities recognized by ALL IN for completing four core actions: Sharing 2022 NSLVE Reports with campus voting data with ALL IN Developing and submitting a 2024 democratic engagement action plan with ALL IN Having a current signatory to ALL IN’s Higher Education Presidents’ Commitment to Full Student Voter Participation. “As part of our ongoing efforts, Marywood continues to promote civic engagement every year, not just during major election years,” said Kevin Farrell, associate vice president for the student experience at Marywood University. “With our Pacers to the Polls initiative, as well as our participation in the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, the university has made a strong statement about its civic mission to prepare students to be engaged participants in our democracy. We are eager to continue engaging students, not just in major election years like 2024, but in all election years, because voting is something we should consistently do.” Pacers to the Polls is Marywood’s nonpartisan campaign focused on increasing voter registration, preparedness, and turnout among students. This year, voter registration drives were held on campus and in the community, and educational efforts and events, such as a Constitution Day talk, took place. Each of the different events and initiatives held throughout the year as part of this campaign are led and managed by a task force of students, staff, and faculty members. “The research is clear: colleges and universities that make intentional efforts to increase nonpartisan democratic engagement have higher campus voter registration and voter turnout rates. This year we saw more colleges than ever before step up their efforts to ensure that their students were registered and ready to make their voices heard at the ballot box,” said Jennifer Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. “These Most Engaged Campuses are setting the standard for nonpartisan civic engagement work for colleges and universities across the country.” The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement. ALL IN works to improve civic learning, political engagement, and voter participation on more than 1,075 campuses nationwide. ALL IN believes higher education should play a role in developing an active and informed citizenry by educating students, motivating them to engage in American democracy, and instilling the value of lifelong participation. ALL IN is an initiative of Civic Nation, a nonprofit ecosystem for high-impact organizing and education initiatives, working to build a more inclusive and equitable America. Civic Nation shifts culture, systems, and policy by bringing together individuals, grassroots organizers, industry leaders, and influencers to tackle some of our nation’s most pressing social challenges. Civic Nation is home to seven national initiatives and campaigns: ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Change Collective, It’s On Us, Save On Clean Energy, SAVE On Student Debt, We The Action, and When We All Vote.
Johnson College Hosts Annual Scholarship Breakfast Johnson College hosted its annual Scholarship Breakfast today, November 13, at Fiorelli Family Catering in Peckville. The event recognized the scholarship recipients and honored the generous donors who made scholarships available to students. The College awarded 82 students with scholarships. Andrew Abrams, a second-year student in Johnson College’s Veterinary Nursing program and recipient of the Johnson College Presidential Scholarship and the Janie Lamberton Memorial Scholarship served as the student speaker at the event. “I deeply appreciate the financial support these scholarships provide for me and many other students who rely on this assistance to continue their education,” Abrams said. He stated that the generosity of the scholarship donors and the support from Johnson College allows him to pursue his studies and dream of helping pets lead long and healthy lives. Andrew Abrams, a Johnson College Veterinary Nursing program student, spoke at the College’s Annual Scholarship Breakfast at Fiorelli Family Catering. During the event, 82 students received scholarships from various community and industry partners. The event also featured keynote speaker, Dave Thomas, Secretary of the Villa Capri Cruisers Car Club incorporated, a club that has long supported the College and its Automotive students through scholarship opportunities. The event was sponsored by industry partners including Cardinal LG, SIMONA, Ball, and Mesko Glass. The breakfast concluded with the scholarship awards presentation by Katie Pittelli, Ed.D., president and CEO of Johnson College, and Jeanine Engelmann, Ed.D., Chief Academic Officer of Johnson College. The presented awards included: AAA North Penn Annual ScholarshipIsaiah CasselAl Pantuso Automotive ScholarshipAndrew AdonizioAndrew Mazza Memorial ScholarshipChristopher RosaAnthony Ploskonka Memorial ScholarshipAlyssa Nicholas, Emma DanowskyBartolai Family Scholarship FundNico CarterChris Pambianco ’65 Vocational Education AwardJacob Holmes, Hanaa GohslerCMC Rich Vinansky Memorial Golf Tournament ScholarshipOlivia MustoDr. George J. Hallesky Memorial Scholarship (Scranton Area Foundation)Ryan BoyanowskiIslyn Thomas Achievement AwardCameron HedgelonEd Vogel Memorial Scholarship of the NEPA Chapter of the Antique Truck Club of AmericaCamron McMillianEdgar A. and Ida M. Alekna FoundationNathan Dixon, Daniel Marcus, Hunter Smith, Michael ChapmanF. David Mercanti Memorial ScholarshipConnor AngeloFrank and Jean Hubbard ScholarshipChase Ferranti, Peter StefanelliHawk Family Foundation ScholarsDonald Church, Jordan StineIrene Ploskonka Memorial ScholarshipCole Chesna, Jarrel JohnsonJanie Lamberton Memorial ScholarshipAndrew AbramsJefferson Township Lions ScholarshipPeter StefanelliJohn K. & Mary E. Blackledge Memorial ScholarshipLogan Rehrig, McKenzie GavinJohn R. and Maureen J. Pesavento Johnson College Scholarship (Scranton Area Foundation)Jacob MuraccoJohn T. Gerod ScholarshipEmma SheddenMargaret Briggs ScholarshipJonathan Merlen, Anthony MarsicoMoses Taylor Foundation Careers in Healthcare ScholarshipColleen Cannon-Augustine, Adam Rosencrance, Dilyara Akhmedova, Nicholas Novak, Amari Grey, Malana Vega, Stacey Turk, Hannah ChapmanMotorWorld Lexus ScholarshipHunter Landers, Bruce KohutNorth Eastern Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association Veterinary Nursing ScholarshipBriana KaufmanNortheast Suicide Prevention Initiative ScholarshipGerard DolinskyP. Fricchione and Sons ScholarshipJames AndersonPocono Mountain Street Rod AssociationHunter Landers, Camron McMillanRoss Family Foundation ScholarshipWeston Nugent, Hanaa GohslerRuth Stitt Morgan Memorial ScholarshipAshlee CoeScranton UNICO Foundation ScholarshipMaximus FitzpatrickSean J. Calpin Automotive Technology Scholarship (Scranton Area Foundation)Hunter LandersSebastian “Sebby” Amico Memorial ScholarshipCaiden StancikSociety of Broadcast Engineers, Chapter II ScholarshipMichael NovotkaThe John R. O’Hara ScholarshipAaron EvansThomas Hesser ScholarshipRobert RoaThomas J. Perry ScholarshipVincent RinaldiVernon “Terry” Decker ScholarshipMichael NovotkaVilla Capri Cruisers Car Club, Inc. ScholarshipCamron McMillanVince Bartolai Memorial Biomedical Equipment Technology ScholarshipAmari GreyOrlando S. Johnson Merit AwardJordan Bowen, Liberty GravesJohnson College Presidential ScholarshipAndrew Abrams, Michael Andrews, Carter Mistishin, Charlize BarhiteJohnson College Moffat Merit AwardDravyn Falsone, Keith RowlandsJohnson College Richmond Merit AwardEmma Danowsky, Holly ScielzoJohnson College Technology Merit AwardEthan Gardiner, Samantha WarnerFAA Aviation Maintenance Technical Workers Workforce Development Program ScholarshipMatthew Alden, Benjamin Amaya, Joshua Ayala, Christopher Berroa-Mereno, Tahj Bond, Zachary Brown, Pierry Chatelain, Holsen Estime, Michael Fordham, Raphiel Garcia, Kyle Garofolo, Janitza Gonzalez-Caban, Frank Goodwin, Jaylen James-Thomas, Anthony Leombruni, Tanner Little, Logan Rehrig, Amara Rubino, Connor Steele, Amir Vernon
The Wright Center’s Research to be Published in Peer-reviewed National Journal A chief fellow of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program and his program director will have their work published in an upcoming edition of the peer-reviewed journal Catheterization Cardiovascular Intervention. L: Nischay Shah, R: Samir Pancholy The project began when Dr. Nischay Shah, one of the chief fellows of The Wright Center’s Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program, treated a patient with monomorphic ventricular tachycardia (MMVT). In this condition, the heart’s bottom chambers beat too fast. This abnormal rhythm can lead to severe issues, such as heart attacks. The patient was referred for cardiac catheterization, and Dr. Shah consulted with Dr. Samir Pancholy, the fellowship’s program director and an internationally renowned cardiologist based in Northeast Pennsylvania. “Going through the evidence-based decision-making process, we found a significant gap in the literature about whether procedures that improve blood flow to the heart by treating narrowed arteries or other common interventions would lead to reduced mortality or lower rates of ventricular tachycardia recurrence,” Dr. Shah said. “This prompted us to investigate further, ultimately leading to a comprehensive pooled analysis of existing studies.” Under the guidance of Dr. Pancholy and in collaboration with peers at Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson University’s Sidney Kimmel Medical College, an analysis of data from PubMed, Google Scholar, the Cochrane Library, and other medical databases found that patients who had undergone additional tests for blocked arteries – such as stress tests – or had blockages treated with stents, did not show any significant improvement in survival rates or the recurrence of MMVT. “These further tests or treatments didn’t appear to make a difference in preventing death or the return of the abnormal heart rhythm in the select group of patients studied,” Dr. Shah explained. In November, Dr. Shah and Dr. Pancholy learned their manuscript detailing their methods and findings was accepted for publication by Catheterization Cardiovascular Intervention, an international cardiology journal. A publication date has not been announced. Dr. Shah expressed his gratitude for Dr. Pancholy’s guidance throughout the project, explaining that his mentorship made the achievement possible. Dr. Pancholy, who also serves as the cardiac catheterization lab director at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, holds 73 U.S. and international patents, has co-authored three textbooks, has published several practice-changing randomized controlled trials, and has developed multiple procedural techniques to increase the safety and efficacy of the procedure of cardiac catheterization and catheter-based intervention. In 2023, The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI), the only professional medical society in the U.S. dedicated solely to interventional cardiology, named Dr. Pancholy a Master Interventionalist – an honor that fewer than 100 interventional cardiologists worldwide can claim. The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s residency and fellowship programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. For more information, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-866-3017.
Geisinger Performs First Ever Lifetime Guaranteed Shoulder Replacement Geisinger, Medacta announce first shoulder replacement with lifetime guarantee. Program builds on the success of the health system’s ProvenCare® surgeries on hips, knees and spines Geisinger and the Medacta Group SA, a Swiss company specializing in innovative and sustainable solutions for joint replacement, sports medicine and spine surgeries, announced the first lifetime guarantee for a recent reverse shoulder replacement surgery. Geisinger and Medacta will stand behind the full cost of care throughout the patient’s lifetime. Mark Pallis, D.O., Geisinger regional director of orthopaedic surgery, performed the first guaranteed reverse shoulder surgery at Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre. “This is the first reverse shoulder arthroplasty with a lifetime guarantee in the world,” Dr. Pallis said. “We used state-of-the art intra-operative navigation to more accurately place the implants, using sensors to guide pin placement, reaming depth and screw length and position. The postoperative results were nearly identical to the preoperative plan based on 3D modeling from a CT scan of the shoulder.” A reverse shoulder replacement is a specific type of total shoulder replacement commonly performed in patients who have arthritis as well as a torn or non-functioning rotator cuff. It is called a “reverse” because the ball portion of the shoulder is placed where the socket was, and the socket implant is placed where the head of the humerus was. Medacta and Geisinger previously partnered on groundbreaking guarantees for qualified patients for hip and knee replacement surgeries and spinal fusion surgery as part of Geisinger’s ProvenCare® program, which covers inpatient and follow-up care for patients, including visits due to complications up to 90 days after the procedure. “This new guarantee allows us to expand our ProvenCare® commitment to include patients who qualify for total shoulder replacement, offering those patients a sense of security when making the decision to have the procedure,” said Michael Suk, M.D., J.D., chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. “Standing behind our world-class joint replacement and spinal surgeries demonstrates Geisinger’s commitment to making better health easier for our patients and communities.” A global leader in orthopaedic medical devices, Medacta provides unique resources to train surgeons — including those at Geisinger — in surgical techniques and the use of their specially designed hip, knee, shoulder and spinal implants for minimally invasive surgeries. Medacta’s innovative technologies are designed to enable a healthy and active lifestyle for every patient, reducing postoperative pain and shortening rehabilitation time. “The addition of the world’s first guarantee for reverse shoulder arthroplasty completes our robust offering of patient-focused guarantees for those undergoing hip, knee or spine procedures at Geisinger,” said Francesco Siccardi, CEO of Medacta International. “Through this initiative, we remain dedicated to improving outcomes for patients throughout their lifetimes.”
Reminder: Scranton Payroll Tax Third Quarter Due November 30 Businesses Reminded that the Deadline for Submitting the 2024 Third Quarter Payroll Preparation Tax Return is November 30, 2024 Entities conducting business within the City of Scranton are reminded that the due date to submit their third quarter tax return for the 2024 Payroll Preparation Tax is November 30, 2024. A person shall be deemed to be conducting business within the City if they engage, hire, employ, or contract with one or more individuals as employees, partners, or is self- employed and, in addition, does at least one of the following: Maintains a fixed place of business within the City. Owns or leases real property within the City for profit. Maintains a stock of tangible, personal property in the City for sale in the ordinary course of business. Conducts continuous solicitation within the city related to such business; or Utilizes the streets of the city in connection with the operation of such business (other than for the mere transportation from a site outside the City, through the City, to a destination outside the City.) Institutions who are exempt from the Payroll Preparation Tax because of their status as a nonprofit are required to file quarterly returns claiming their exemption. Returns submitted after November 30, 2024, will be subject to penalty and interest on the balances due. The Payroll Preparation Tax is a tax levied separately by both the Scranton School District and the City of Scranton. The 2024 Payroll Preparation Tax rate for the Scranton School District is 0.7553 percent and the 2024 Payroll Preparation Tax rate for the City of Scranton is 0.2787 percent. The combined 2024 Payroll Preparation Tax rate is 1.034 percent. The City of Scranton and the Scranton School District have both appointed Berkheimer Tax Innovations, Inc. to administer the Payroll Preparation Tax on their behalf. Tax forms are available on Berkheimer’s website at hab-inc.com/pptforms. Additional information, including Frequently Asked Questions, can be found at scrantonpa.gov/payroll-prep-tax-information, https://www.scrsd.org/departments/business-office and www.hab-inc.com/ppt-faq. Please direct all questions regarding the Payroll Preparation Tax to Berkheimer by emailing ebpt@goberk.com or by calling (610) 599-3140.
Misericordia Players Present “The Mousetrap” The Misericordia Players proudly present Agatha Christie’s iconic play, “The Mousetrap.” Known for being the world’s longest-running play, this thrilling whodunit is filled with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the final moment. Plot Summary: A group of strangers is snowed in at a remote guesthouse, only to discover there’s a murderer among them. As suspicions rise and secrets unravel, everyone becomes a suspect. Will the killer be caught before they strike again? Performance dates & times: November 21, 22, and 23 at 7:30 p.m. November 24 at 2:00 p.m. Location: Lemmond Theater, Misericordia University Directed by: Scott Colin Woolnough Don’t miss your chance to experience one of Agatha Christie’s most famous works live on stage! “The Mousetrap” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com.
Greater Scranton YMCA Prepares for Giving Tuesday Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement traditionally held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, will take place on December 3rd and the Greater Scranton YMCA is excited to participate. Each year, this global day of “doing good” inspires millions of people around the world to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity. The Greater Scranton YMCA encourages our community to learn more about the local impact the Y has had during our most recently completed fiscal year (07/01/2023- 06/30/2024) and to consider donating as the holidays approach. Many people associate the Y with a swimming pool, treadmills, or even a place to enjoy a cup of coffee. But the true power of the Y isn’t found within four walls. The Y is in the hearts and actions of every neighbor who believes in the vision of a better “us” and a stronger community for all. Thanks to the support of neighbors in our community, during our most recently completed fiscal year, the Y has: • Provided $790,400.26 in financial assistance for membership, child care, programs, and more, ensuring everyone can access our YMCA. • Served 11,153 children, adults and families from across our region through a membership to our YMCA. • Provided 69,490 meals and snacks to 653 kids enrolled in early childhood education programs at our YMCA. • Provided 1,689 children and adults essential, life-saving skills through our swim lessons, swim team and more. • Served 285 children in our 2023 and 2024 Summer Day Camp Programs, providing them with priceless experiences and memories to last a lifetime. • Served 337 children the Early Learning Centers in Dunmore and Olyphant and our Y-PALS Program. • Served 31 school-aged children in our before and after school program. • Served 4,854 individuals through specialized classes in our Wellbeing Initiative. • Served 1,130 children in youth sports and enrichment programs. “Every single dollar donated on Giving Tuesday and throughout our Year-End Appeal goes back into our vibrant, community,” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “To ensure that the Y is able to continue transforming lives and is working towards making our community a better place for all, each contribution gets us one step closer to upholding our commitment.” This year, the Greater Scranton YMCA is proud to again partner with AllOne Charities for their Give Day Campaign. Donations made to the Greater Scranton YMCA from November 27th through the morning of December 5th will be matched by AllOne Charities up to $1,000. Donations to the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Give Day campaign from November 27th through December 5th can be made here: https://formstack.io/793FF. Donations to the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Year-End Appeal that are made before November 27th and after December 5th can be made here: https://www.greaterscrantonymca.org/donate/.
Marywood University Is Celebrating the Season by “Making Spirits Bright” Marywood’s annual celebration of the Christmas season through festive programming, community service, spiritual opportunities, and student and alumni events, will begin in December continue through New Year’s Eve. FESTIVE PROGRAMMING The signature event of the Christmas season, Marywood’s Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, will take place in the Rotunda of the Liberal Arts Center on Wednesday, December 4, at 4 p.m. Festive music will be provided. The event is free and open to the public. The public also may view the Marywood Christmas tree during the normal operating hours of the Liberal Arts Center, Monday through Friday, from December 4 to December 20, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Additionally, Marywood’s campus will feature an outdoor Christmas display of the Nativity scene at the Memorial Arch on Adams Avenue, and the Motherhouse and Seminary Morgan Memorial Garden in front of the Learning Commons will be adorned with lights and seasonal decorations. Sounds of the season will be broadcast by Marywood’s award-winning, student-run radio station, VMFM 91.7, which once again becomes Christmas 91.7 and continues its traditional community gift of broadcasting commercial-free Christmas music, 24/7. Christmas programming starts on Tuesday, December 3, and continues through New Year’s Eve. Those outside of the station’s local broadcast range can stream it for free online or through the Tune-in app. Salute to Service Basketball games for the men’s and women’s teams, in conjunction with the local National Guard, will be held on Saturday, December 7, at 1 p.m. (women’s) and 3 p.m. (men’s) at the Insalaco Arena, Center for Athletics and Wellness. Some military vehicles will be on display, the team will borrow military jerseys that they will wear, and there will be a tunnel for the team to run through onto the court. Military alumni, students, supporters, and families will be recognized at these games. The Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance is presenting several free seasonal concerts: 12/5 Guitar Ensemble Concert, Marian Chapel, 5 p.m.The Marywood Guitar Ensemble presents its traditional Holiday Concert by performing a diverse repertoire, including songs, old carols, Viennese Waltzes, and contemporary music. 12/5 Clarinet Choir Concert, Marian Chapel, 7 p.m. 12/12 String Project Concert, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts, 5 p.m.String students, ages 4-18, will be performing in small ensembles and string orchestras in this Holiday Gala performance. Admission is free and all are welcome to join this celebration of our young musicians. Additionally, there will be a Marywood Wind Symphony Holiday Concert at Marywood Heights, December 11, 7 p.m. The Band does this event each year to bring joy to the residents/staff of Marywood Heights. They will perform many traditional holiday favorites including sing-a-longs for the residents. Attendance at this event is limited to residents and staff of Marywood Heights. COMMUNITY SERVICE An on-campus Christmas Giving Tree service project will run from November 20 to December 6. Several Giving Trees on campus feature tags that can be selected to purchase a gift for a child in need in the local community. Gifts can be dropped off to the Office of Community Service and Social Justice in the Swartz Center for Spiritual Life or the Student Engagement Office in Nazareth Student Center by Friday, December 6. Student volunteers will also collect gift donations at the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting on December 4. This year’s Christmas Giving Tree is co-sponsored by the Office of Community Service and Social Justice, Marywood University Student Educators (MUSE), and Marywood Student Government Association. All gifts will be donated to the annual “Gifts for Kids” program, which is the collaborative effort of Catherine McAuley Center, Catholic Social Services, Friends of the Poor, and the Salvation Army. Contact communityservice@m.marywood.edu with any questions. SPIRITUAL OPPORTUNITIESMarywood’s annual Advent/Christmas Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, December 8, at 7:30 in the Marian Chapel. This will be a Candlelight Mass for the Second Sunday of Advent. This will be the last Sunday Mass of the semester. Marywood will celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, its patronal feast, on Monday, December 9, with Mass at Noon in the Marian Chapel. It is a tradition of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary to renew their vows on this day. On the liturgical calendar this feast is celebrated on December 8, but because it falls on the Second Sunday of Advent this year, it has been moved to Monday, December 9. STUDENT AND ALUMNI EVENTS The Student Government Association (SGA) will host the Annual Christmas Office Decorating Contest on campus. The SGA will announce winners at the tree lighting on December 4. The winning offices will have their monetary prizes awarded to the charity of choice in their honor, as follows: First Place – $250, Second Place – $150, and Third Place – $100. The SGA also is sponsoring a “Letters from Santa” project for members of the Marywood community (including alumni) and their families, who request letters for the children in their lives. The deadline for requests is December 4. For more information, contact marywoodclubs@marywood.edu. The traditional Breakfast with Santa event, hosted by the NEPA Marywood Alumni Chapter in conjunction with the Office of Alumni Engagement is set for Sunday, December 8, 10 a.m., in the Latour Room, Nazareth Student Center. Seating is limited, and preference is given to Marywood alumni. Advanced registration is required; once event capacity is reached, registration will be closed. Alumni can join the Office of University Advancement for “Cookies and Cocoa” in Maria Hall after the annual Christmas Tree Lighting on December 4, from 5-6:30 p.m. Also, the Marywood Alumni Association is hosting several off-campus events, including: NYC Alumni Meet Up at the Met, Friday, December 6, at 6 p.m., and a NYC Happy Hour Alumni Meet Up on Friday, December 6, 8-9:30 p.m., at Five Mile Stone, 1640 2nd Ave, New York, NY. Hershey Hotel Alumni Meet Up, at the iconic Hershey Hotel, featuring an exciting wine and chocolate pairing session, is set for Wednesday, December 11, 6-9 p.m. Alumni Gathering at the Binghamton Club, Binghamton, NY, Thursday, December 12, 6-9 p.m.
Steamtown National Historic Site Announces Events for Winter Winter Updates and Holiday Events at Steamtown National Historic Site Winter is knocking on the door! While heading into the “off season” there are still plenty of opportunities to get into the spirit of the season at Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS)! Winter Updates Saturday, November 16: begin winter hours of operation, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., daily. Steamtown’s History Museum, Roundhouse building, and outdoor spaces will remain open throughout the winter. Weather may cause delays or closures, for updates visit http://go.nps.gov/STEAconditions. Friday, 11/22 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Stuff the Caboose Spread some holiday cheer and help us “Stuff the Caboose” with non-perishable food items to benefit United Neighborhoods of NEPA ahead of the holiday season. Visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy some hot cocoa, s’mores, holiday lights, and music performed by West Scranton High School Band. Friday – Sunday, 11/29-12/1 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., each day Holiday Express to Moscow Have family visiting for the holiday? Spend time with them on board a scenic train ride along Roaring Brook through a northeastern hardwood forest to the quant country borough of Moscow, Pennsylvania. NOTE: this train may already be sold out, however, folks are encouraged to visit the park or Moscow Station to see the train in action before departure and after arrival. Saturday, 12/7 10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. LHVA’s Christmas in a Small Town “Santa Train” Santa and Mrs. Claus will once again spread holiday cheer as they journey through the upper and mid-valley communities of Lackawanna County, stopping at five historic train stations along the way. Families are invited to join in the festive spirit, where Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet children with warmth and joy, sparking the magic of the season. NOTE: this is NOT a passenger train. Review the Clauses travel itinerary, so you don’t miss their visit to your town: · Carbondale – 10:30 a.m. · Archbald – 11:35 a.m. · Jessup – 12:20 p.m. · Olyphant – 1:00 p.m. · Dickson City – 1:45 p.m. · Scranton/Steamtown – 3:00 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, 12/8, 12/14, 12/15, 12/21, and 12/22 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., each day North Pole Limited Join the Iron Horse Society and Santa for a magical steam train adventure! Get into the holiday spirit by experiencing the sounds and tastes of the holiday season starting with an “All Aboard” from the Conductor! Sing along with our roaming musicians as they play carols and enjoy a holiday treat. Tickets and additional information: North Pole Limited — Iron Horse Society
NEPA Philharmonics’ Holiday Concerts: A Festive Tradition Returns! The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic’s annual holiday concerts will feature the PNC Pops orchestra, under the baton of Maestra Mélisse Brunet, with soloist Nick Driscoll on clarinet. Performances will take place on Saturday, December 7, at 7 PM, at the FM Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre, and an afternoon matinee on Sunday, December 8, at 3 PM, at the Scranton Cultural Center. Maestra Mélisse Brunet, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, and Santa and Mrs. Claus invite you to celebrate the holiday season with the orchestra and special guests on December 7 and 8. Guest artists featured for Holiday 2024 are the Choral Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania, singers from the Wilkes University Choir (Dr. Joshua Harper, Artistic Director), Marywood University Concert Choir (Dr. Rick Hoffenberg, Music Director/Conductor), Ballet Theatre of Scranton (Joanne Arduino, Artistic Director), String Students of the Valenches Music Company, Special Guest Conductor Nancy Sanderson, and Santa and Mrs. Claus. This year’s concerts will include a broad variety of holiday favorites including “Jingle Bell Rock”, “Christmas Day”, “Klezmer 101”, “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” danced by Ballet Theatre of Scranton, “White Christmas” “Angels from the Realm of Glory”, “Sleigh Ride”, and more. The concert will end with a Holiday Sing-Along” including “Deck the Halls” and ‘Jolly Old St. Nicholas”, finishing with a “Jingle Bells Concert Finale”. Sponsoring Holiday 2024 are PNC Foundation, Dr. Seth & Carolyn Fisher, Allied Services, Benco Dental, Geisinger, Gentex, Karam Orthodontics, Pagnotti Enterprises, Inc., Realty Network, Riggs Asset Management, and Toyota of Scranton. Media sponsors are WNEP 16, WVIA, Discover NEPA, Halibut Blue, Happenings, and Lamar. Tickets may be purchased online at NEPAphil.org, by calling the Philharmonic office at 570.270.4444, at the FM Kirby or Scranton Cultural Center Box Offices, now or at the door immediately prior to the concerts. Reserved seats range from $42-$78 and student tickets, K-12, are $16. Holiday 2024 is dedicated to Nancy Sanderson, Executive Director, who will be retiring on December 31, 2024, following a decade of dedicated service to the orchestra. Newly appointed Executive Director, Chason Goldschmitz, will formally assume his role on January 1, 2025.
