Judas Priest Brings Tour to Mohegan Sun Arena

One of heavy metal’s all-time greats, Judas Priest, will get the opportunity to celebrate their 50th anniversary again this year with the launch of a new North American fall tour. The 50 Heavy Metal Years Tour will also feature Queensryche as openers and is being fueled by the highest charting album of Priest’s career, ‘Firepower,’ which peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200. 

The tour will include a performance at the ASM Global managed Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre on Wednesday, October 19th, 2022 at 8pm.

Tickets for the October 19th show go on sale Friday, June 24th at 10am at the NBT Bank Box Office at Mohegan Sun Arena, Ticketmaster.com or JudasPriest.com.

Additionally in 2022, Priest band members Rob Halford, Glenn Tipton, Ian Hill and Scott Travis will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. 

“Defending the heavy metal faith for fifty years, the Priest is back!” – Rob Halford

“Time to don the leather and studs and roll out the Priest Machine – celebrating our 50 Heavy Metal Years!!” – Glenn Tipton

“After the horrific last few years of restrictions we’ve all had to endure, what better place to break free, than the land of the free – the USA!” – Ian Hill

Judas Priest originally formed in 1970 in Birmingham, England (an area that many feel birthed heavy metal). The original nucleus of musicians would go on to change the face of heavy metal. Throughout the 70’s Priest were responsible for helping trail blaze metal with such classic offerings as ‘Sad Wings of Destiny’ (1976) ‘Sin After Sin’ (1977) and ‘Hell Bent for Leather’ (1978) as well as one of the genre’s top live recordings ‘Unleashed in the East’ (1979) among others.

It was during the 80’s that Priest conquered the world, becoming a global arena headliner on the strength of such all-time classics as ‘British Steel’ (1980) and ‘Screaming for Vengeance’ (1982), as well as being one of the first metal bands to be embraced by the then-burgeoning MTV, plus performing at some of the decades biggest concerts (1980’s Monsters of Rock, 1983’s US Festival, and 1985’s Live Aid) and being the first to exclusively wear leather and studs – a look that began during this era and would eventually be embraced by metal heads throughout the world. Priest’s success continued throughout the 90’s and beyond with the addition of drummer Scott Travis, as evidenced by such additional stellar offerings as ‘Painkiller’ (1990) ‘Angel of Retribution’ (2005) and ‘A Touch of Evil: Live’ (2009) the latter of which saw Priest win a Grammy Award for a killer rendition of the classic ‘Dissident Aggressor’.

In 2011 new guitarist Richie Faulkner came in to replace the previous guitarist who had left in 2010 – the move seemed to have reinvigorated the band, as evidenced by a show-stealing performance on the ‘American Idol’ TV program that also served as Faulkner’s debut performance with the band (also in 2011 was the release of a new compilation ‘The Chosen Few’ which included Priest classics selected by some of metal’s biggest names) and the ‘Epitaph’ concert DVD in 2013. 

Priest’s next studio effort would arrive in 2014 ‘Redeemer of Souls’ which was supported by another strong tour. In 2018, Priest unleashed their latest studio album ‘Firepower’ (produced by Andy Sneap and Tom Allom) which received global success and critical acclaim. In 2020, a fully official and authorized photographic book, ‘Judas Priest: 50 Heavy Metal Years,’ was issued, followed in 2021 by the 42-CD box set, ‘Judas Priest: 50 Heavy Metal Years of Music.’

Few rock or metal acts remain as much of a must-see live attraction as Judas Priest. 

FALL 2022 U.S Tour dates: 

October 13 in Wallingford, CT @ Toyota Oakdale
October 15th in Albany, NY @ MVP Arena
October 16 in Boston, MA @ MGM Music Hall Fenway
October 18 in Uniondale, NY at Nassau Veterans
October 19 in Wilkes Barre, PA @ Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
October 21 in Kalamazoo, MI at Wing Event Center
October 22 in Detroit, MI at Masonic Temple Theatre
October 24 in Cincinnati, OH @ The Andrew J Brady Music Center
October 25 in Waukegan, IL @ Genesee Theatre
October 27 in Green Bay, WI @ Resch Center Theater
October 29 in Moline, IL @ TaxSlayer Center Moline
October 30 in Mankato, MN @ Mayo Clinic Event Center
November 1 in Sioux City, IA @ Tyson Events Center
November 2 in Rapid City, SD @ The Monument 
November 7 in Ontario, CA @ Toyota Center
November 8 in Tucson, AZ @ TCC Arena
November 10 in Loveland, CO @ Budweiser Events Center
November 12 in Park City (Wichita), KS @Hartman Arena
November 13 in St. Charles, MO @ The Family Arena
November 15 in Corbin, KY @ The Corbin Arena
November 17 in Southaven, MS @ Landers Center 
November 18 in Baton Rouge, LA @ Raising Canes River Center
November 20 in Oklahoma City, OK @ Paycom Center
November 22 & 23 in San Antonio, TX @ Tech Port Center & Arena
November 25 in Dallas, TX @ The Factory in Deep Ellum
November 26 in Corpus Christi, TX @ Concrete Street
November 28 in Edinburg, TX @ Burt Ogden Arena
November 29 in Houston, TX @ 713 Music Hall 

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.judaspriest.com

Marywood University Announces Its Regional Spring 2022 Dean’s List

Marywood University announces the regional students named to the Spring 2022 Dean’s List from each of its colleges, including the Insalaco College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Health and Human Services, and the Reap College of Professional Studies. Students who earn a semester GPA of 3.50-4.00 on 12 or more graded credits merit this academic honor. Students who believe they may have been omitted from this list in error should contact the Dean of their respective college. 

Students named to the Dean’s List from the College of Health and Human Services, as declared by Interim Dean Shelby W. Yeager, M.Ed., LAT, ATC, CSCS, include:

Joanna Aguirre, Wilkes Barre; Kelsey Banfield, Sprng Brk Twp; Megan Barrett, Olyphant; Cassidy Bartkowski, South Abington Township; Rachel Beidler, Scranton; Caroline Bertha, Moscow; Megan Bidwell, Honesdale; Angel Brofsky, Peckville; Molly Butler, Dunmore; Alexis Caccavano, Jefferson Twp; Ariana Campbell, Scranton; Maria Castaldi, Moosic; Roxana Castillo, E Stroudsburg; James Cawley, Moscow; Samantha Christian, Pittston; Jonah Cogliette, Dunmore; Jose Collado, Scott Twp; Cassandra Cooper, Wapwallopen; Meadow Curyk, Scranton; Skylar Dearie, Carbondale; Anthony DeGori, Damascus; Pasquale DeSavino, Peckville; Talia Donati, Wyoming; Sean Dowling, Dunmore; Hailey Driesbaugh, Clarks Green; Ayla Eckersley, Greentown; Madison Fox, Dalton; Erika Freely, Clifford Township; Skylar Gagnon, E Stroudsburg; Angela Genter, Scranton; Dominique Gomez Juarez, Scranton; Matthew Goodrich, Nicholson; Erikah Groninger, Avoca; Amanda Gross, Moscow; Nina Grushinski, Peckville; Kortney Harry, Noxen; Jessica Hoban, Scranton; Holly Hughes, Throop; Abbey Jackson, Olyphant; Miya Jankowski, Bushkill; Juliana Joyce, Jermyn; Natalie Kerrigan, Forty Fort; Athena Legates, Thompson; Rachael Lindeblad, Albrightsvlle; Brooke Longstreet, Scott Twp; Abigail Lovatt, Dunmore; Brian Lynott, Clarks Summit; Bethany Maby, Susquehanna; Lily Mackarey, Archbald; Elizabeth Maros, Moosic; Gianna Marturano, S Abingtn Twp; Hailey Matechak, Carbondale; Lindsey Maula, Bartonsville; William McDonald, S Abington Township; Brooke McKay, Scranton; Erinn Messner, Scranton; Amber Mettin, Dickson City; Christian Michak, Kingston; Brooke Mickavicz, Taylor; Alyvia Mroczka, Mayfield; Allison Nealon, Clarks Green; Emily O’Brien, Montrose; Celeste Orchard, Lake Ariel; Olivia Osborne, Scranton; Nadia Palevac, Peckville; Sarah Pavlovicz, Scranton; Elizabeth Pfohl, Scranton; Dominic Pichany, Archbald; Marzinete Pilch, Archbald; Julia Polt, Damascus; Allison Rempe, Moosic; Molly Repecki, Olyphant; Camille Rillstone, Ransom Twp; Emily Rinaldi, Duryea; Gabrielle Roote, Tunkhannock; Mackenzie Runne, Lake Ariel; Jocelyn Ryan, Mountain Top; Meredith Santiago, Scranton; Taylor Seprosky, Archbald; Bethany Serio, Archbald; Brianna Shea, Scranton; Riley Skelton, Honesdale; Sydney Skrutski, Archbald; Joseph Slish, Olyphant; Alysha Smigiel, Pittston; Meghan Smith, Duryea; Gianna Snell, Jermyn; Megan Stledger, Jessup; Allison Strelecki, Kingston; William Sweeny, Eynon; Gesileny Taveras, Scranton; Lillian Thompson, Moscow; Marissa Torres, Scranton; Rachel Totten, Milford; Kira Treitz, Clifton Twp; Kirsten Van Louvender, Moscow; Kathryn Walsh, Springbrook Township; Hayley Weaver, Dunmore; Leigha Welsh, Honesdale; Kyra Wojtkielewicz, Moscow; Lorna Yushinsky, Archbald, and Adam Zaykowski, Old Forge.

Students named to the Dean’s List from the Insalaco College of Arts and Sciences, as declared by Dean Jeffrey Johnson, DMA, include:

Elizabeth Adams, Brackney; Madeline Adams, Brackney; Michael Antoniacci, Moosic; Paul Appolt, Scranton; Nicholas Arcarese, Pittston; Jason Ardan, Scranton; Cassidy Asinski, Waymart; Elizabeth Balanovich, Old Forge; Danielle Banfield, Pocono Lake; Shannon Baransky, S Abingtn Twp; Megan Barrett, Olyphant; Gavin Beck, Moosic; Madison Bialy, Dickson City; Angel Bieloski, Thompson; Rachel Black, Mountain Top; Olivia Bloskey, Scranton; Eowynn Bogdon, Wilkes Barre; Marlena Bompane, E Stroudsburg; Rebecca Bonham, Jermyn; Margaret Breznay, Pittston Twp; Caitlyn Brown, Meshoppen; Hailey Brundage, Jefferson Twp; Noah Budnovitch, Roaring Brook Twp; Sara Burgos, Scranton; Dylan Campbell, Scranton; Ashley Capone, Scranton; Juan Cardenas, Jessup; Jessica Cardone, Hawley; Jillian Carter, Jefferson Twp; Rebecca Castimore, Lords Valley; Phoebe Cheesman, Dalton; Maxwell Christian, Dunmore; Olivia Ciullo, Dunmore; Caroline Coar, Dunmore; Ryan Coleman, Archbald; Skylar Conway, South Abington Township; Daniele Cragle, Old Forge; Seth Croll, Milford; Jacqueline Cunha, Scranton; Mardan Daurilas, East Stroudsburg; Ashley Deabreu, Henryville; Mia Demarco, Pittston; Sarah Demchak, Carbondale; Nichol Denison, Clarks Summit; Delayne Depietro, Archbald; Allura Dixon, Plymouth; Todd Dotter, Thornhurst; Kyle Driscoll, Roaring Bk Tp; Molly Driscoll, Roaring Bk Tp; Emily Duris, Monroe Twp; Daniel Edwards, Jr., Dunmore; Jarod Engle, Wilkes Barre; Emma Eynon, Dunmore; Dilenny Feliz, Peckville; Nick Ferraro, Dickson City; Marla Gambucci, Archbald; Evan Gedrich, Scranton; Kirsten Gillern, Olyphant; Kaitlyn Gingerlowski, Scranton; Colton Grohs, S Abingtn Twp; Mason Guelho, Stroudsburg; Emily Haley, Susquehanna; Mara Hamm, S Abingtn Twp; Emily Hamm, Scranton; Natasya Handijaya, Scranton; Nadia Haroun Mahdavi, Scranton; Nadia Haroun Mahdavi, Scranton; Christian Herbster, Nanticoke; Tyler Hewett, Scott Township; Allison Hewitt, Meshoppen; Sierra Holbert, Stroudsburg; Emily Holtsmaster, Moscow; Zachary Houston, Exeter; Samantha Humen, Archbald; Corey Iyoob, Jessup; Ty Jackson, Olyphant; Gabriel Jenceleski, Nanticoke; Ava Jones, Scranton; Olivia Kaschak, Archbald; Evangeline Kelly, Milford; Aiden Kelly, Fell Township; Shaun King, Throop; Rebecca Klemovitch, Waymart; Andrew Kohut, Dickson Cty; Ian Kovatch, Archbald; Kathryn Kraycer, Peckville; David Kuzmick, Blakely; Sara Labar, Scranton; Karah Laboranti, Olyphant; Thomas Lee, Scranton; Seung Hyun Lee, Factoryville; Kamryn Liuzzo, Carbondale; Christian Maldonato, Scranton; Vanessa Mancuso, Olyphant; Marissa Manza, E Stroudsburg; Kelsey Martin, Honesdale; Lindsey Marushock, Throop; Noah Mauro, Carbondale; Sara McCormack, Scranton; Allison McDermott, Lake Ariel; Grace McDonald, Avoca; Kayleen McHale, Scranton; Kirsten Melton, Shickshinny; Austen Miller, Honesdale; Lilli Millon, Waymart; Austin Millon, Waymart; Nevica Molinaro, Taylor; Jillian Mooney, Dunmore; Amanda Morgan, Greentown; Riley Mulherin, S Abingtn Twp; Shania Nelson, Scranton; Bethany Newell, Mountain Top; Thomas Niemiec, Moosic; Jessica Palauskas, Scranton; Zachary Parkhurst, Danbury; Polina Pastushenko, Scranton; Brianna Pensak, Nicholson; Krista Perdomo, Hawley; Angel Popko, Dickson City; Savannah Purdy, Sweet Valley; Maria Quinones, Scranton; Siena Rainey, Clarks Summit; Jacob Rasimovich, Scranton; Brandon Reed, Taylor; Fiona Reinhard, Kunkletown; Sawyer Rippon, South Abington Township; Jalieza Rivera-Cordova, Scranton; Abigail Robson, Old Forge; Brittnie Rodriguez, Scranton; Olivia Rosengrant, Dalton; Nikki Rosiak, Taylor; Madelynn Ross, Wyoming; Elizabeth Rothwell, Factoryville; Kelly Royer, Weatherly; Emma Rushworth, Meshoppen; Ashley Rusinko, Tunkhannock; Maricruz Saucedo, Old Forge; Lia Schwenk, Elmhurst Twp; Harley Smith, Honesdale; Charles Snyder, Nanticoke; Julian Sochoka, Covington Twp; Alexandra Solimine, Lake Ariel; Dax Sowul, Tobyhanna; Grace Spisso, Taylor; Eric Spivak, Scranton; Merison Stecik, Taylor; Ruiwen Su, Dunmore; Hunter Talipski, Taylor; Kevin Talley, Lake Ariel; Danyelle Tech, Dunmore; George Thompson, Montrose; Evan Tremback, Mayfield; Taylor Van Wettering, Greentown; Nicola Veniamin, Waverly Township; Anthony Viscomi, Scranton; Elizabeth Vito, Dupont; Lilly Vito, Dupont; Shawn Walter, Scranton; Sharra Walton, Olyphant; Samantha Wilson, Dickson City; Zachary Witte, Lakeville; Sean Wolfe, Nanticoke; Caitlynn Woyshnar-Hunsinger, Scranton; Drew Yanni, Scranton; Lauren Youngken, E Stroudsburg; Noah Zeigler, Lake Ariel, and Elizabeth Zuchinski, Old Forge.

Area residents named to the Dean’s List from the Reap College of Professional Studies, as declared by Dean James J. Sullivan, M.ARCH, RA, AIA, include:

Mariah Addis, Peckville; Alex Amorine, Lake Ariel; Adam Anderson, Berwick; Michael Aronica, Scranton; Mai Bach, Wilkes Barre; Christian Baruelo, Scranton; Kayla Becchetti, Scranton; Daniel Becker, Honesdale; Lauren Beemer, Dalton; Morgan Bialy, Scranton; Seth Blakiewicz, S Abingtn Twp; Kiarra Bonning, Harding; Emily Borosky, Scott Township; Maxwell Brewer, Scranton; Jennifer Brown, Wapwallopen; Alesha Buchleitner, Covington Township; Caitlyn Burdick, Waymart; Colin Burke, Carbondale; Jacob Burkhart, Old Forge; Brennan Burnside, Scranton; Brianna Campbell, Jessup; Lauren Charuka, Hamburg; Jake Ciullo, Scranton; Ashdon Clark, Gouldsboro; Jade Clarke, Scranton; Isabella Coleman, Factoryville; Courtney Connors, Old Forge; Douglas Cooke, Throop; Julianna Cotroneo, Blakely; Nickolas Curtis, Waymart; Joel Decarli, Archbald; Gianna DiPietro, Dunmore; Nicholas Dubinski, Mountain Top; Grace Feeser, Dummore; Dominique Ferraro, Jessup; Lucas Flederbach, Honesdale; Alison Fortuner, Carbondale; Jolie Fraggetta, Milford; Abagaile Gerba, Scotrun; Riley Gibbons, Eynon; Hadley Gilbert, Mayfield; Josh Godlewski, Taylor; Frank Golden, Dunmore; Estrella Gonzalez, Scranton; Savannah Gonzalez, Dingmans Fry; Madison Guelho, Stroudsburg; Lily Hannon, Greentown; Rae Hatala, Old Forge; Julian Homa, Mountain Top; Samantha Howey, Honesdale; Mara Hughes, Scranton; John Iacobacci, Scranton; Luke Janssen, Scranton; Leah Jay, Milanville; Julia Kanavy, Archbald; Connor Kelleher, Clarks Summit; Iain Kerrigan, Old Forge; Megan Kielar, Taylor; Sarah Kinback, Factoryville; Karyn Klocko, Honesdale; Victoria Kotcho, Jermyn; Elsa Kovatch, Archbald; Matthew Kubasti, Hunlock Creek; Madison Kuzdro, Peckville; Becca Laboranti, Olyphant; Samantha Labrosky, Taylor; Cydney Lahr, Scranton; Matthew Lastauskas, Waverly Twp; Jenna Loomis, Peckville; Alyssa Lopez, Saylorsburg; Kathleen Lynott, N Scranton; Connor Madsen, Matamoras; Brooke Manley, Old Forge; Nina Markle, South Abington Township; James Marsh, Duryea; Lauren Matarazzo, Milford; Alexandra Matyjevich, Sprng Brk Twp; Kaitlin McConnell, Mayfield; Ann Marie McGrogan, Hazleton; Nicolas Mendez, Mount Pocono; Christina Mercadante, Duryea; Giavana Mercatili, Archbald; Marina Miesko, Sprng Brk Twp; Shayne Mizok, Scott Township; Kenneth Noll, Spring Brook Township; Rachael North-Mozda, Olyphant; Jarrod Palmer, Scranton; David Paramo, Scranton; Het Patel, Danville; Megan Pavlowski, Dunmore; Ava Perrins, Throop; Logan Pfaff, Scranton; Morgan Phillips, Shohola; Alexis Pliska, Jermyn; Victoria Potoski, Throop; Tyler Prudente, Scott Township; Tyler Quick, Avoca; Ashley Reddock, Eynon; Elizabeth Rembecki, S Abingtn Twp; Haneet Saini, Scranton; Amanda Sakulich, Jessup; Joseph Sanfilippo, Wyoming; Abigail Sankus, Wilkes Barre; Mia Santarelli, Archbald; Autumn Savitski, Shavertown; Molly Schaefer, Scranton; Aleah Schulte, Dunmore; Mackenzie Semken, Dalton; Mackenzie Senatore, Dunmore; Savannah Shannon, Gilbert; Kathryn Shea, Scranton; Jada Siino, Newfoundland; Gradon Silva, Sprng Brk Twp; Amandeep Singh, Hawley; Matthew Smith, Old Forge; Olivia Smith, Archbald; Miranda Smith, Exeter; Gabrielle Snee, Olyphant; Katelyn Stoppe, South Abington Township; Andrew Straka, Peckville; Milana Straub, Shickshinny; Ryan Strony, Dickson City; Alexandra Taffera, Moscow; Emily Tansley, Scranton; Gabrielle Troch, Newfoundland; Faith Ursich, Union Dale; Tyler Utnick, Effort; Angelika Valdes, Scranton; Robert Vanbrunt, Covington Twp; Ethan Verne, Covington Twp; Lauren Walsh, Jessup; Natasha Walton, Moscow; Dylon White, East Stroudsburg; Rachel Yackobowitz, Moosic, and Brenda Zakarias, Scranton.

Johnson College Welcomed Its Golden Alumni Society to Campus

On Sunday, June 12, 2022, Johnson College hosted its annual Golden Alumni Society Reunion and Induction Ceremony. During the event, Golden Alumni, who reached their 50th anniversary of graduation from Johnson College, mixed and mingled with former classmates, reviewed Johnson College memorabilia, and enjoyed lunch. This year the class of 1972 was inducted into the Golden Alumni Society. For more information about Johnson College’s alumni events and services, contact the College Advancement team at collegeadvancement@johnson.edu or 570-702-8991.

Hot Summer Fun Returns to Mohegan Sun Pocono

Summer is finally here, and Mohegan Sun Pocono is turning up the heat with Hot Summer Fun celebrations all summer long! This year’s celebrations start on July 1st and are hotter than ever, with new chances to win every day through September 2nd Guests can participate in thrilling giveaways and events including a chance to win a $1 million prize and much more.,

Beginning July 1st, Mohegan Sun Pocono will feature the $1,000,000 Blackbeard’s Bounty Giveaway where Momentum members can participate in a collect and win promotion. Every day during Hot Summer Fun, Momentum members who earn two Status Points can receive a game piece sticker once per day   to complete their Blackbeard’s Bounty Treasure Map. The first Momentum member to complete their full treasure map wins $25,000 CASH! Stickers can be printed at the two Blackbeard’s Bounty Kiosks located next to the Promotions booth. Also up for grabs this year are great instant prizes, including Free Slot Play, Dining Credits, Free Gifts and more! One lucky guest could be a $1,000,000 instant winner! On Friday, September 2nd, join Mohegan Sun Pocono for the second chance, Walk the Plank giveaway, for a chance to win $10,000 cash!

July 1st – September 2rd:

Momentum members can enjoy “Play & Eat Sundays” during Hot Summer fun by earning four Status Points. Those members will receive a $15 dining voucher to use at select Mohegan Sun Pocono restaurants.

“Mystery Reward Mondays”  bring the element of surprise to Hot Summer Fun. Each Monday will feature a mystery promotion that could include a Status Point Multiplier, Play 2 Earn Mystery promotion and more. All Momentum members who play their favorite slot machine or table game are eligible!

The first 500 Momentum members to earn one Status Point on “Free T-Shirt Tuesdays” will receive a commemorative Hot Summer Fun 2022 t-shirt! A new design is featured each of the nine weeks! Visit each week to collect all nine!  Recipients will receive $10 Free Slot Play when they return on Thursday.

Join us on “Gimme Five Wednesdays” when Momentum members play $5 at their favorite slot machine and receive $5 in Free Slot Play.

The action gets amped up with Northeastern Pennsylvania’s most popular free concert series, Party on the Patio, taking place outdoors every Thursday night through September 1st. Dance the night away with the nation’s best tribute bands, and enjoy drink specials and local food trucks. Highlighted performances include Rubix Kube, a tribute to the 80’s on July 14th, and The Great Escape, a tribute to Journey on August 4th.  Check out our website for more information and to view the full concert line-up.

It’s raining money during Hot Summer Fun’s “Power Hour Fridays” in July & August! Momentum members between the hours of 6:00pm and 10:00pm are eligible to win $250 in Free Slot Play just by playing. One winner will be announced every 20 minutes. Stick around for a random “Power Hour” where drawings will go into overdrive, and winners will be announced every ten minutes to receive $1,000 Free Slot Play.

Mohegan Sun Pocono’s Momentum rewards program is free-to-sign-up on-site at Mohegan Sun Pocono’s Casino cashier. Momentum is a 21+ program, and allows guests to quickly elevate their status, which comes with added rewards. More information is available at mohegansunpocono.com/momentum

Rescue & Restore Church Fundraising Banquet

Join Rescue & Restore Church for dinner and an evening of hope and encouragement with Auntie Anne Beiler, founder of Auntie Anne’s® Pretzels. The “Beauty for Ashes: Nothing In Life Is Wasted.” fundraising banquet will take place on Friday, August 26th from 7-9 p.m. at Fiorelli Family Catering.

Anne Beiler, better known as Auntie Anne, the Founder of Auntie Anne’s® Pretzels, the world’s largest hand-rolled pretzel franchise. Anne’s journey towards success began many years before she rolled the first pretzel when she and her husband experienced any parent’s worst nightmare – losing a child. This propelled Anne into years of darkness, depression, sexual abuse, and despair, but out of her pain came purpose and the desire to persevere towards personal and professional success. Many television shows have featured Anne’s Entrepreneurial insights and personal story, including Secret Millionaire, The Oprah Winfrey Show, Good Morning America, ANDERSON, and Food Court Wars. Many of us can relate to Anne’s personal struggles. Her mission is to help women overcome the pain, blame, and shame of their past by sharing their stories so they can lead with purpose. We hope you’ll join us for this very special evening!

Register here.

Outreach Hosts Parent Café for Fathers

Outreach recently invited Fathers to attend our Parent Café that was held on June 10, 2022, from 10 am – 11:30 am.

The topic of the Parent Café was Dad Talks and featured Pennsylvania State Representatives Kyle Mullins and Thom Welby, sharing their experiences as Fathers.

Outreach hosted over 20 participants that spent a morning with their peers and some of the Family Development Specialists from Outreach to share stories, concerns, joys, and accomplishments in a supportive environment. Attendees and their children also received the book “Just Me and My Dad”. 

Outreach offers a variety of programs that promote family stability and economic self-sufficiency, with respect for the individual and with the highest professional standards. Outreach improves the lives of over 4,000 adults and children each year with evidence-based early childhood education, parenting, family, and workforce development programs that support individuals as they navigate through life’s challenges. While many Outreach families and individuals come from disparate and often-times difficult circumstances, all share one common trait: Hope for brighter tomorrows. 

Geisinger Specialist Recognized as “Everyday Hero”

Ami; Sharma; MD; Infectious; Desease; Hindi; Scranton

Geisinger physician Amit Munshi Sharma, M.D., an infectious diseases specialist at Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton, has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) with its Everyday Hero award. This award, launched by PAMED in 2018, is designed to showcase physicians who exceed expectations in their profession and in providing patient care.

Dr. Sharma was nominated by his peers due to his clinical work during the COVID-19 pandemic. This work included effectively treating and managing more than 1,000 patients admitted to Geisinger Community Medical Center during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the efficient use of the electronic medical record by designing specific smart phrases to improve work efficiency. He designed an infection control approved workflow document for obtaining consent from patients affected with COVID-19 who agreed to take convalescent plasma, while providing effective and continuous training and teaching of trainees (residents and students) about donning and doffing of personal protective gear during the pandemic. Dr. Sharma was also involved in international collaboration with researchers through webinars about various and aspects of COVID-19 treatment.

Upon receiving the award, Dr. Sharma was surprised and humbled. “I don’t like being singled out, but then I realized this is really a recognition for my entire team. We worked hard before COVID and even harder since, so it really means a lot to be recognized,” he said.

To his colleagues and team, he is known as the “meducator” for his love of education and “paying it forward” to the team around him.

Dr. Sharma was born in India, where he attended medical school at B.J. Medical College Pune. He completed his residency and a fellowship in infectious diseases at the State University of New York, Upstate Medical University where he also earned his master’s degree in public health. When asked why he chose to focus on infectious diseases, Dr. Sharma said, “I love to solve puzzles and figure things out. That’s how infectious diseases is for me. When I can study something and come to a conclusion, that’s how I am rewarded.”

Patients and medical colleagues can nominate PAMED member physicians for this award at pamedsoc.org/everydayhero.

PennDOT Urges Caution in Work Zones

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is reminding motorists to drive safely in work zones after there have been several incidents of work zone intrusions resulting in motorists hitting PennDOT employees or equipment.

The most recent crash occurred on June 5, 2022 when a PennDOT employee was struck by a motorist while working on a bridge resurfacing project in Allegheny County. The employee suffered injuries requiring medical attention and transportation to a hospital.

“Work zones may be a temporary inconvenience, but these workers all deserve to get home safely,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Please slow down and never drive distracted, especially in work zones where roadway conditions can change every day.”

According to PennDOT data, in 2021 there were 1,649 work zone crashes, resulting in 16 fatalities. Additionally, since 1970, PennDOT has lost 90 workers in the line of duty.

In addition to crash data from police reports, PennDOT monitors work zone safety with internal reports. From January 1, 2020 to June 7, 2022, there have been 300 reported intrusions in PennDOT work zones. Of those work zone intrusions, 31 resulted in injuries to PennDOT employees, 66 caused damage to PennDOT equipment or vehicles only, and 203 did not result in injury or damage but had the potential to do so.

In Pennsylvania, there are two distinct programs related to active work zones. Under Title 75, Section 3326, motorists caught by police driving 11 mph or more above the posted speed limit in an active work zone, or who are involved in a crash in an active work zone and are convicted for failing to drive at a safe speed, automatically lose their license for 15 days. Additionally, fines for certain traffic violations — including speeding, driving under the influence, and failure to obey traffic devices — are doubled for active work zones. The law also provides for up to five years of additional jail time for individuals convicted of homicide by vehicle for a crash that occurred in an active work zone.

Under Title 75, Section 3369, fines are allowed to be administered through the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement (AWZSE) program. Pennsylvania’s AWZSE program, first implemented in March 2020, uses vehicle-mounted systems to detect and record motorists exceeding posted work zone speed limits by 11 miles per hour or more using electronic speed timing devices. AWZSE systems are only operational in active work zones where workers are present. Work Zones that have an AWZSE system present and active will have unique signs in advance of the enforcement area, alerting drivers to the upcoming enforcement. Registered owners receive a warning letter for a first offense, a violation notice and $75 fine for a second offense, and a violation notice and $150 fine for third and subsequent offenses. These violations are civil penalties only; no points are assessed to driver’s licenses.

For more information on work zone safety visit, www.PennDOT.pa.gov/Safety.

For more information on the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement program, including a list of projects where the units are deployed, visit https://workzonecameras.penndot.gov/.