In its 12th year of operation, the South Side Farmers’ Market, run by United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s (UNC) is Scranton’s only year-round farmers’ market. A local source for meats, eggs, breads, produce and more. The Summer Market will be open every Saturday from 10am – 1pm at 529 Cedar Avenue, behind the former South Side Bank & Trust Building.

The South Side Farmers’ Market offers local & organic produce including a variety of unique fresh greens, mushrooms, pasture-raised eggs, and a large variety of farm fresh meats and artisan cheeses at the market all season long. Bread and baked goods, cookies, desserts, roasted coffee beans, plants, natural skin care items, art, pottery, nuts & snacks, jewelry and other natural food products are available at the market. Returning this year is a fan-favorite and award-winning Mexican restaurant selling hot food for customers to treat themselves to while they shop or sit at our brightly coloured café while they enjoy live music. Some featured vendors are Fullers Overlook Farm, Quails-R-Us, Twin Brook Farms, Calkin’s Creamery, Bet’a Bread Bakery, Funny Wine Girl Jeannine, Rylee Jade LLC., KB Pottery, El Buen Amigo, Evil Sweets by Lulu, Christine Coligan Art, Mattsons Mushrooms, NEPA Micro Greens, Local Juice Co., George’s Farm, FlicktheWick Candle Co., Peaches Greens, NEPA Coffee Roasters and more. The market has guest vendors selling items from raw honey, succulents, gifts, and so much more! The market is also hosting a Summer Music Series, where live music will entertain customers. We begin with The South Side Five, sponsored by Notelogy on May 14th.

May 21st will be Big Leaf, followed by June 18th will be Frankie Gervasi of The Poets, sponsored by Kost Tire, with many more throughout the season. In addition to the music days, we will also have weekends scheduled with activities like a petting zoo, face-painting & balloon art, a gaming station and so much more. Watch the market newsletter and social media pages for updates and scheduling!

The South Side Farmers Market is funded through a Neighborhood Partnership Program grant with Peoples Security Bank, PNC Bank and PPL Electric.

For more information, please contact Kelly, South Side Farmers Market Manager at 570-866-2472.

The Scranton Public Library will bring back its annual Swingin’ on Vine block party and fundraiser after a two-year hiatus. The event will take place on Friday, May 27, 2022 from 5-8 p.m.

Admission will include cook-out style light fair, seasonal cocktails, and desserts from Scranton-area businesses. Local band Picture Perfect and the Raging Hormones will get everyone dancing with a variety of songs from Top 40 hits to Latin, and Country. There will also be a door prize and raffle baskets. Guests must be 21 or over to attend.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the Scranton Public Library and its services to the community including free technology help, early-childhood literary programs, classes and lectures, and everything else one would expect from a 21^st Century library like books, eBooks, audiobooks, Blu-Rays, video games, and much more.

Swingin’ on Vine will take place, rain or shine, on the 500 block of Vine Street in Scranton, PA. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door. Tickets are now available online through Eventbrite and in person starting April 18 at any Scranton Library location.

For more information, people can contact Jessica Serrenti at (570) 348-3000 ext. 3050 or jserrenti@albright.org.

The Women’s Resource Center is excited to announce a grant award of $7,300 from Women in Philanthropy (WIP) Initiative Fund of the Scranton Area Foundation. The monies received will be utilized toward providing housing and financial stability to our program participants.

The only way for survivors to remain independent and free of an abusive relationship is by obtaining housing and accessing resources to support themselves and their children. The Economic Advocacy Project at WRC seeks to increase the economic well-being of survivors by addressing the housing and economic needs that are directly linked to their ability to escape the violence and/or stay out of an abusive relationship.

Women in Philanthropy is well aware of the lack of safe and affordable housing options for families in our community. WRC will rely on this WIP grant to address the needs of survivors in our community related to accessing safe and affordable housing and other critical resources. WRC is always in need of financial support for housing application fees, identification, and subsiding rent, utility or security payments. Often our participants need furnishings, bedding, linens or other kitchenware and small appliances. They may need to complete their GED to obtain employment or assistance with transportation costs such as small car repair, gas cards, or bus passes. The ability to be flexible is crucial to the success of this endeavor. All of these small one-time investments provide survivors the opportunity and ability to live a life free from violence.

Geisinger will host a bike safety event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 14, at McDade Park,1 Bald Mountain Road.

Families are invited to bring their bikes for a safety check during the event held in conjuction with the Lackawanna County Commissioners and the Anthracite Bike Coalition. Volunteers will perform bike checks, make minor repairs and even hold a bike rodeo for children to learn how to ride safely.

Geisinger trauma and neurosurgery team members will teach attendees how to treat injuries that involve bleeding.

Participants will also receive tips on fitting helmets properly and wearing reflective clothing.

Free bicycle helmets will be available to children while supplies last, and families can enjoy food and refreshments donated by Schiff’s Marketplace.

Johnson College’s Carpentry Auction that was held on-campus on April 20, 2022, raised $5,781 to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

More than 80 items were auctioned off, including cutting boards, tables, cabinets, a bookcase, and more. All items were created by students in the Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology program. Most of the items were made from re-purposed materials.

For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.

Treasurer Stacy Garrity today announced that the Pennsylvania Treasury Department is celebrating 529 Day throughout the month of May with a promotion that could put more than $40,000 into new PA 529 College and Career Savings Program accounts to boost education savings.

Pennsylvanians who open a new PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) account in May will be automatically eligible to win a top award of $5,290 for their PA 529 GSP account, or one of 67 county-specific awards of $529 in PA 529 GSP account contributions. Only those with newly opened PA 529 GSP accounts will be eligible for awards, and official rules are available online at pa529.com/529day.

“I’m excited to offer this great incentive to motivate more families to start saving,” Garrity said. “It’s never too early or too late to start saving for your child’s future education. By including 67 county-specific awards, we’re ensuring that the impact is felt all across Pennsylvania. With PA 529, families enjoy big tax benefits while helping their child follow their dreams. Offering these awards will give their savings a big jumpstart.”

529 Day, celebrated every May 29, highlights the benefits of saving for postsecondary education with a 529 account – and Pennsylvania’s PA 529 accounts are among the most highly-rated in the nation.

The PA 529 GSP is one of two savings plans offered by the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program. PA 529 plans have been helping families save and pay for postsecondary education for 30 years.

PA 529 GSP account earnings are based on college tuition inflation rates. Families can select from a variety of tuition levels from community colleges to Ivy League universities. Each credit saved at today’s rates will cover a credit of tuition at tomorrow’s prices – whether a child pursues postsecondary education in a few years, or in 18 years.

Saving with a PA 529 GSP account provides great tax benefits including state income tax deductions on contributions (up to $16,000 per beneficiary per year, $32,000 for married couples); tax-free growth on federal and Pennsylvania state income taxes; tax-free withdrawals for qualified expenses; and gift and inheritance tax benefits. Another advantage for PA 529 accounts is that assets do not affect eligibility for Pennsylvania state financial aid.

PA 529 accounts can be used to pay for tuition, fees, books, equipment and room and board at technical schools, apprenticeship programs, community colleges, and four-year colleges nationwide.

For more information about PA 529 accounts and to start saving today, visit pa529.com, email pa529@patreasury.gov or call 800-440-4000. 529 Day promotion rules can be found at pa529.com/529day.

A blare of the trumpet and beat of the drums signals the start of summer and the return of Settlers Hospitality’s Summer Music Series. Music fills the air beginning Memorial Day Weekend with Lakeside Live at The Dock on Wallenpaupack and Blues, Brews and BBQ at Glass- wine.bar.kitchen. Then, Jazz on the Deck returns to The Settlers Inn on June 1.

Lakeside Live at Silver Birches Resort
Lakeside Live provides a wave of good vibes every weekend at Captain Wally’s Cocktail Cove. On Saturday and Sunday, talented musicians perform live on the lawn overlooking Lake Wallenpaupack at Silver Birches. Visitors may savor snacks, salad and sandwiches from Captain Wally’s while listening to the tunes. Boaters can order Dock and Dine from The Dock on Wallenpaupack and enjoy a meal from the water. Bands perform from 3-6 p.m. The lineup features local favorites such as Gone Crazy, Eric Rudy, Silver Meteor and Sean O’Flynn.

Blues, Brews & BBQ at Ledges Hotel
Blues, Brews and BBQ is one of the most highly anticipated events of Summer. Each Sunday through Labor Day renowned blues musicians perform live at Glass-wine.bar.kitchen overlooking Paupack High Falls. Guests may enjoy classic barbecue specials paired with local craft brews along with the restaurant’s full menu. Wallenpaupack Gorge serves as a natural amphitheater to showcase the talents of noted blues musicians. Blues, Brews and BBQ kicks off May 29 with a performance by Lighten Up Band. June’s lineup includes Merchants of Groove (June 5), Randy Lippincott and Joey “Hot Box” Simon (June 12), The Barn Cats (June 19) and Bobby Kyle (June 26). July starts with a bang on July 3 courtesy of Teddy Young and the Aces. The beat goes on with Gary Rixner and Indigo Moon Brass Band (July 10), Scott Weis (July 17), Norman Taylor (July 24) and Jeremy Langdale Band (July 31). August brings performances by Rich and The Jumpstarts (Aug 7), Dustin Douglas and The Electric Gentlemen (Aug 14), Dan Brother Band (Aug 21) and Scott Weis (Aug 28). The series concludes Labor Day weekend when Bobby Kyle returns for a performance (Sept 4).

Jazz on the Deck at The Settlers Inn
Jazz on the Deck is a staple of summer in the Pocono Mountains. The event at The Settlers Inn draws professional performers whose credits range from Broadway and the New York cabaret scene to international jazz festivals. Every Wednesday evening during summer, a rotating lineup of musicians entertains from 6-9 p.m. Guests may enjoy farm-to-table cuisine overlooking the Inn’s manicured garden or choose a table on the lawn and take advantage of cocktail service. The highly anticipated series begins June 1 with Stefan Bauer. The music continues with The Craig Graham Trio (June 8), “All That Jazz” with Michelle Oram (June 15), Hang Em High (June 22), and The Andrea Wolper Trio (June 29). The Gary Rixner Quartet gets things started in July with a performance on July 6. That is followed by Krampus (July 13), The Gabrielle Tranchina Quartet (July 20) and Judi Silvano (July 27). August brings performances by L4 Featuring Daniel Gonzalez (Aug 3), The Gypsy Jazz Quintet (Aug 10), The Robert Kopec Quartet (Aug 17), The Glenn Heller Trio (Aug 24) and Spencer and Nancy Reed (Aug 26). Thos Shipley closes out the series on August 31.

“The Summer Music Series resonates with so many people. It’s an honor to host events that are a cherished tradition for our guests,” states Justin Genzlinger, CEO/Owner, Settlers Hospitality. “The stunning surroundings amplify the beauty of the tunes, so you are going to enjoy these performances no matter the style of music.” With welcoming venues, delectable food and accessible music, Settlers Hospitality has crafted a recipe for success. Visit SettlersHospitality.com for more information.

It is once again, our pleasure to invite you to this year’s Andrew Mazza Diesel Jam, to take place on Saturday, June 11th, at the Circle Drive-In, Dickson City, Pa. While Diesel Jam continues to be a celebration of the diesel truck community, we are excited to expand our show, at the request of many of our sponsors and spectators, to officially include a heavy equipment expo for 2022!

Diesel Jam is a rain or shine, family-friendly event, free to all spectators. Trucks of all kinds are highly encouraged to participate with check-in/registration beginning at 8 am and Diesel Jam starting at 9 am! 

Thanks to the huge success and turnout of last year’s show, we are proud to announce that Diesel Jam will fund over 20 scholarships for trade students throughout NEPA in the coming year.  We intend to support both Diesel students already at trade schools and local high school students entering any trade school.