Marywood Professor and Graduate Students Present at Convention

Dr. Vijayachandra Ramachandra, professor of communication sciences and disorders at Marywood University, and first-year speech-language pathology graduate students, Kirsten Van Louvender, Kelli Moreno, and Angela Genter, recently presented their research, “Meow and Oink Lead to a Right Spatial Bias: Implications for Aphasia Therapy,” at the 2022 American Speech-Language and Hearing Association Convention, which was held in New Orleans, La., from November 17-19.

In this study, the investigators explored how the brain processes different types of words and environmental sounds using neuropsychological methods called visual and tactile line bisection. The findings of this study have important implications for treating people with aphasia, a disorder caused due to a stroke or a head injury and which can affect a person’s ability to communicate.

For additional information about the communication sciences and disorders department at Marywood University, please visit marywood.edu/academics/csd, or contact the Admissions Office at (570) 348-6234. Additionally, prospective undergraduate students can email YourFuture@marywood.edu and prospective graduate students can email GoGrad@marywood.edu for more information.

IMAGE ID:

Pictured left to right are Marywood University research presenters, Kirsten Van Louvender, Moscow, PA; Dr. Vijayachandra Ramachandra, East Stroudsburg, PA; Kelli Moreno, Hebron, MD; and Angela Genter, Scranton, PA.

Governor Wolf Announces 32 Municipalities to Improve Traffic Safety with Enforcement Funds

Governor Tom Wolf today announced that the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) will distribute approximately $15 million in Automated Red-Light Enforcement (ARLE) funding to 32 municipalities statewide to fund 36 safety projects.

Pennsylvania’s ARLE program aims to improve safety at signalized intersections by providing automated enforcement at locations where data shows red-light running has been an issue.

“This program helps communities across the state make important investments in traffic flow and safety,” Gov. Wolf said. “These improvements complement the many road, bridge and multimodal projects happening in Pennsylvania.”

Grant funding is supplied by fines from red light violations at 36 intersections in Philadelphia. State law specifies that projects improving safety, enhancing mobility and reducing congestion can be considered for funding. Municipalities submitted 151 applications, totaling $46 million in requests.

Projects were selected by an eight-member committee based on criteria such as safety benefits and effectiveness, cost, and local and regional impact. This investment brings the total dollars awarded through the ARLE funding program to $127.79 million, funding 537 transportation enhancement projects since 2010.

The 36 approved projects are as follows:

Adams County

  • Conewago Township – $55,094 for guide rail safety improvements.

Allegheny County

  • Carnegie Borough – $10,422 to install radar feedback signs on Forsythe Road.
  • Coraopolis Borough – $298,250 for traffic signal replacement to include overhead signals to reduce redlight running and pedestrian accommodations.
  • Hampton Township – $175,000 for S. Pioneer Road roadway safety improvements to include replacing out of date guiderail.
  • McCandless Township – $451,483 for signal component updates project at 21 locations throughout the municipality. Upgrades include accessible pedestrian signals, equipment for flashing yellow arrow operations, controller replacements and rewiring of existing signal equipment.
  • Penn Hills Township – $565,292 for traffic signal replacement at Frankstown Road (SR 0400) & Beulah Road (SR 0130).

Butler County

  • Butler Township – $249,504 for Pittsburgh Street & McCalmont Road/Vogel Road traffic signal modernization. Improvements include new mast arms to replace strain poles, new signal heads and reflectorized back plates.
  • Cranberry Township – $350,000 for Route 19 and Short Street traffic signal upgrade and modernization. Improvements include new mast arms to support additional signal heads, new controller to allow for advanced signal timings.
  • Penn Township – $446,706 for signal replacement and reconfiguration at Route 8 and Airport Road to include new mast arms to replace strain poles.

Dauphin County

  • Londonderry Township – $32,421 for Colebrook Road (SR 341) and Schoolhouse Road (T-494) intersection warning signals.

Delaware County

  • Chester City – $115,831 to improve PA 291 and 322 off-ramp/Jeffrey Street Traffic Signal. This project will convert the intersection from a flashing red/yellow configuration to a fully signalized intersection.
  • Radnor Township – $120,350 for a bridge height warning system at the SEPTA underpass on King of Prussia Road.
  • Yeadon Borough – $287,000 for MacDade Boulevard & Church Lane traffic signal and pedestrian accommodation improvements.

Erie County

  • Erie City – $395,769 for installation of 30 accessible pedestrian signal buttons to improve pedestrian safety.

Fayette County

  • Fayette County – $352,000 for Bullskin Township signal upgrades at three intersections along US 119. Improvements include radar detection systems to allow for more streamlined flows of traffic, siren preemption systems and battery back-up systems to allow the equipment to operate during outages which frequently happen along this roadway due to flooding.

Franklin County

  • Waynesboro Borough – $49,000 for the replacement of flashing school signs and the installation of speed limit driver feedback signs.

Lancaster County

  • East Petersburg Borough – $113,600 for traffic signal upgrades at SR 72/Enterprise Road and SR 72/Miller Road. Improvements include stop bar radar detection, advanced radar detection, pedestrian countdown timers and reflectorized back plates.
  • Ephrata Borough – $222,400 for intersection safety and signal improvements at three intersections in the Borough. Improvements include radar detection, pedestrian improvements and new mast arms.

Lebanon County

  • Heidelberg Township – $12,823 to install solar radar speed signs at the approaches to the intersection of Route 501 and East and West Reistville Road.

Lycoming County

  • Montoursville Borough – $465,000 for SR 2014 and Walnut Street traffic signal replacement.
  • Muncy Borough – $162,000 for pedestrian crosswalks safety improvements. This project will implement pedestrian activated rectangular rapid flash beacons (RRFB), high-visibility pavement markings, flexible post pedestrian crosswalk signs, approach crossing signage and LED in-roadway warning light (IRWL) crosswalk system.

Mercer County

  • Sharon City – $400,000 for State Street traffic signal and pedestrian improvements, including performing a traffic timings study, implementing a coordination plan, and updating intersections to include pedestrian pushbuttons and GPS timeclocks as required.
  • Springfield Township – $413,500 for signal equipment improvements including replacement of the existing flashing beacons, emergency vehicle preemption, radar vehicular detection, battery backup power supply, and vehicular signal heads with retroreflective backplates.

Mifflin County

  • Derry Township – $306,500 for Electric Avenue/Logan Boulevard Corridor Signal Upgrades to include coordinating 5 traffic signals.

Monroe County

  • Delaware Water Gap Borough – $52,725 for the placement of three electronic radar speed limit display signs.

Montgomery County

  • Cheltenham Township – $420,250 for traffic signal equipment upgrades at three intersections to include installation of ADA compliant pedestrian pushbuttons and countdown pedestrian signal heads.
  • Cheltenham Township – $343,700 for traffic signal equipment and pavement marking upgrades at the intersection of Rices Mill Road and Glenside Avenue.
  • Lansdale Borough – $156,000 to install two (2) ground mounted controllers, perform traffic counts, update timings, new pedestrian signal heads and push buttons and retroreflective backplates.

Northampton County

  • Northampton Borough – $156,538 for the installation of the Main Street/10th Street/Nor-Bath Trail pedestrian rectangular rapid flashing beacon.

Philadelphia County

  • Philadelphia City – $7,000,000.00 for the following 4 programs in the city: Citywide Intersection Modifications, Modern Roundabouts, Bike Network Curb Separation and Citywide Traffic Calming.

Pike County

  • Milford Borough – $19,080 to purchase and install electronic speed display signs at the four (4) main entrances to the Borough.

Westmoreland County

  • Salem Township – $389,000 for US 22 Traffic Signal Safety Upgrade Project to include LED vehicular signals with reflectorized backplates, LED “SIGNAL AHEAD” over the road warning flashers, LED pedestrian count down signals and Pedestrian latching push buttons.

York County

  • Hanover Borough – $487,287 for Downtown Route 94/116/194 Traffic Congestion & Pedestrian Safety Improvements. To include modernizing the intersections to include APS pedestrian signals, 3-second advance pedestrian phasing, flashing yellow arrow signals, 12-inch signals, and high visibility crosswalks at both intersections, and a new controller cabinet/assembly and signal mast arm poles at the Center Square intersection to accommodate the flashing yellow arrow signals.

For more information, visit PennDOT’s website.

MEDIA CONTACTS: Governor’s Office, ra-gvgovpress@pa.gov, 717-783-1116
Alexis Campbell, PennDOT, 717-783-8800

Lavelle Strategy Group to Present Exhibition in New York City

Lavelle Strategy Group is honored to present their art exhibition “Humanity & Divinity” at La MaMa Galleria.This show will be on view in the East Village Gallery at 47 Great Jones Street New York, NY (between Bowery and Lafayette Streets) from January 14 to February 4 2023, Thursday through Sunday from 1-7 PM, with an opening reception scheduled on Saturday, January 14, from 5:30-8:30 PM.

My drawings and paintings explore my personal journey through pain and vulnerability to resilience and grace. The exhibit is curated by C. Finley, founder of the Every Woman Biennial-NYC, London, LA. 

The exhibit, which includes both figurative and landscape pieces is designed to remind viewers that the path from humanity to divinity lies in a personal connection to nature. For me, painting is a spiritual process. Landscapes created in Ireland while experiencing extreme grief and sorrow express both heaviness and connection to universal energy.
  An advocate for the arts in every genre, I understand that the arts help move people through life’s circumstances. My hope is that through this exhibition, people will see something in themselves that is about transformation.

NEPIRC Helps Manufacturers in Statewide Industrial Resource Center (IRC) Program

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) recently received data voluntarily provided to independent researchers by 541 small and mid-sized manufacturing firms across Pennsylvania throughout 2022, and subsequently verified by the U.S. Department of Commerce, confirm that the statewide Industrial Resource Center (IRC) initiative – the Commonwealth’s flagship program for strengthening the competitiveness and resiliency of smaller industrial firms – generated significant positive results amidst a turbulent economy. Over the past 12 months, manufacturers that utilized IRC professional services avoided 4,099 layoffs while adding 1,226 full-time workers to their payrolls. They also realized $398.9 million in retained sales and secured $108.9 million of new customer orders as results of their IRC assistance.  

In addition to growing their workforces and increasing top-line revenue numbers, companies that performed consultative projects with their regional IRC reduced their non-personnel operating costs by $43.1 million over the past 12 months and invested more than $212 million in new equipment, facility expansion, advanced technologies and workforce training. 

Over the past three years, since the initial onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, services provided by the IRCs across Pennsylvania have enabled manufacturers to avoid 12,565 layoffs, create 3,506 new manufacturing jobs and increase revenues by nearly $370 million.

Pennsylvania’s IRC initiative consists of seven affiliates – DVIRC, Catalyst Connection, the Innovative Manufacturers’ Center (IMC), MANTEC, the Manufacturers’ Resource Center (MRC), NEPIRC and NWIRC.

“Over the past year, nearly 2,000 small and mid-sized manufacturers across Pennsylvania called upon their regional IRC to help them address the lingering challenges of the pandemic, the emerging threats of unpredictable domestic and global economies and the persistent shortage of qualified workers. The outstanding results reported by the 541 companies selected to participate in the impact process conducted by an outside entity are impressive – but also reflect just a fraction of the true impact of IRC services upon Pennsylvania’s manufacturing economy,” said Eric Joseph Esoda, President & CEO of NEPIRC, the IRC that services manufacturers across northeastern, northern and north central Pennsylvania.  

In addition to providing specific monetized impacts, 442 of the 541 firms that participated in the study indicated that working with their IRC improved their overall competitiveness, and 468 stated that they anticipate using their IRC again in the future and would recommend their IRC to other Pennsylvania manufacturers. More detailed survey analyses are available by contacting Eric@NEPIRC.com.

The Country Club at Woodloch Springs Selected as Distinguished Golf Destination

The Country Club at Woodloch Springs, a nationally-recognized golf course in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains, has been awarded the prestigious Distinguished Golf Destination award, as determined by the Annual Distinguished Golf Destinations award program conducted by BoardRoom magazine in partnership with Forbes Travel Guide.

For fine resorts, semi-private, daily fee, and public golf courses that operate at the highest standards, BoardRoom magazine’s entirely merit-based Distinguished Golf Destinations award program uses a facility-specific rating system that recognizes the facility, its management, and its staff based on a proprietary criteria and validation process that distills and measures a facility’s Exceptional Golf Experience.

As defined by Distinguished Golf Destinations, “Exceptional Golf Experience” is that special combination of “qualities” that a destination provides its golfers. It is not just the quality of service, of the facilities, nor of the product provided; it is also the quality of the staff and of the management. The most important quality, however, is that of the intangible. While difficult to measure, the latter is comprised of those magic moments experienced — the guests befriended, the memorable events attended, as well as the facilities’ traditions, history, and heritage proudly recognized at Woodloch Springs.

“On behalf of BoardRoom magazine in partnership with Forbes Travel Guide, we’d like to congratulate The Country Club at Woodloch Springs for earning Distinguished Golf Destination status for their efforts in providing an exceptional golf experience,” said John Fornaro, Publisher of BoardRoom magazine. “This is a great honor for the whole team at Woodloch Springs and the entire Woodloch family,” said John Pillar, PGA, Director of Golf at Woodloch. “We’ve always been proud of our club, and this recognition helps reinforce that.”

Woodloch Springs is one of three properties that encompasses Woodloch Resort, which also features an award-winning family resort (Woodloch Pines) and a luxury destination spa (The Lodge at Woodloch). Spanning 438 acres, the course features unparalleled views of scenic mountain landscape and manicured green. There is also a state-of-the-art driving range and 16-acre teaching and practice facility. The semi-private course is open to members and guests of Woodloch, and limited outside tee-times are available.

YMCA 2023 Summer Day Camp

The Greater Scranton YMCA’s 2023 Summer Day Camp Program kicks-off on June 12th! Early bird registration closes on March 24, 2023. To register for Summer Day Camp, visit the Y’s facility in Dunmore, Pennsylvania. To learn more about the program, check out the 2023 Summer Day Camp Handbook!

It is the goal of our YMCA to provide a healthy, safe and secure environment for all day camp participants. The YMCA teaches us core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Children who attend the program are expected to follow the behavior guidelines and to interact appropriately in a group setting.

The goal of the Greater Scranton YMCA programs is to build strong kids, strong families and strong communities. Our summer camp program reflects these values and is designed to help our campers grow mentally, physically and spiritually within a fun camp environment. Our trained camp staff leads campers in challenging activities that help your child grow and learn.

The goals and principles of the Summer Camp Program are firmly based on the specific objectives from which our programs operate. We work on developing these principles within each child and in how they interact and develop relationships with others. The principles of Summer Camp are:

  • The achievement of personal growth in spirit, mind and body
  • The formation and practice of socially constructive habits and attitudes
  • The development of an appreciation of nature and a love of the outdoor environment
  • The strengthening of family relationships through parent/guardian participation
  • To continue educational development through our Summer Learning Program

Character Development: At the Greater Scranton YMCA, character development and values are part of who we are. The Y is committed to embracing and demonstrating character through our four core values: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. Our goal is to challenge the children and staff to believe in and act on these positive values.

Caring: To love others; to be sensitive to the well-being of others, to help others.

Honesty: To tell the truth; to act in such a way that you are worthy of trust; to have integrity; making sure your choices match your values.

Respect: To treat others as you would have them treat you; to value the worth of every person, including yourself

Responsibility: To do what is right; what you ought to do; to be accountable for your behaviors and obligations.

The Greater Scranton YMCA is proud to incorporate QUEST into its Summer Day Camp Curriculum.  As staying mentally engaged during the three-month summer educational gap is crucial to the continued academic development of students, QUEST was created to help close the achievement gap. The innovative curriculum offers participants unique academic opportunities while engaging in increased social engagement. This combination provides the opportunity for students to meet, and sometimes exceed, grade level expectations come the beginning of their next school year. QUEST is generously supported by businesses contributing to the EITC Program.

Montage Mountain Hosts Music Monday

Montage Mountain Resort is hosting Music Monday on January 9, 2023.

Music Monday stage for a night of music from a genre that shaped the 90s and brought us many great bands and songs! Flannel embodies the grunge vibe playing songs from Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Stone Temple Pilots, Alice In Chains, Rage Against the Machine. Montage Mountain is excited to jam with you starting at 7 p.m.