Lackawanna Heritage Valley Partnership Grant Funding Lackawanna Heritage Valley has announced the start of a new spring cycle of partnership grant funding, open for application through March 11 at 12 p.m. The program is open to members of non-profit and civic organizations, municipal and governmental agencies, and educational institutions with proposals for projects designed to enhance the quality of life within the Lackawanna Heritage Valley. Successful grant applicants will receive up to $5,000 each to conserve, preserve, and educate the public about Northeastern Pennsylvania’s historic, cultural, economic and natural resources. Lackawanna Heritage Valley, designated as both a national and state heritage area, has provided more than three million dollars in funding assistance to community organizations through its Partnership Grants Program since its inception. Given the dire funding constraints and lack of community programming brought on by the ongoing health crisis, the organization feels this round of grants is perhaps one of its most crucial. Justin Topa, community engagement and programs manager, hopes that Lackawanna Heritage Valley’s spring grant program will continue the organization’s work toward stimulating the region’s economy, enhancing tourism initiatives, strengthening community organizations and increasing the quality of life for area residents. “We are proud to support our creative local partners who help us to tell the region’s story and to preserve and conserve our natural resources,” Topa said. “With each successful grant cycle, we invest in our history, our resources and the families in our communities. In a year that presents unique challenges, we hope that this year’s applicants will find creative ways to showcase our region’s story of perseverance and the strength in working together.” For general information about the heritage area, or for grant program guidelines and applications, those interested are asked to visit www.LHVA.org or call Lackawanna Heritage Valley’s office, via (570) 963-6730.
Lackawanna College Police Academy Receives Donation Lackawanna College staff, along with the family of the late Andrew J. Jones, accept a $7,700 donation from Valley Aviation to the Andrew J. Jones memorial fund. Andrew J. Jones, “AJ” is a 2018 alumnus of the Hazleton Police Academy’s 240th class who passed away as a result of injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident in 2019. Jones served as a full-time officer for the Swoyersville Police Department and as a part-time officer for the Exeter Police Department.
Geisinger Updates Visitation Policy With COVID-19 cases slowly on the decline, adult inpatients at Geisinger will now be allowed two designated visitors rather than one, effective Wednesday, Feb. 9. While patients are allowed to designate two visitors, only one will be allowed per patient in the hospital room at a time. These guidelines protect the health and safety of our patients and staff. The visitor must be designated and wear a wristband the entire time the patient is hospitalized. Visiting hours are between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. All patients and visitors must wear a mask when on Geisinger property, regardless of vaccination status. Visitors who do not comply with Geisinger’s policies, such as masking, will lose their visiting rights. For general questions and information about COVID-19, visit geisinger.org/coronavirus.
Settlers Hospitality Open House Offers a Flavor of What’s Available Take the grand tour of the properties of Settlers Hospitality during the first-ever Open House on Sunday, March 27. The inaugural event from noon-4 p.m. features guided tours of five sites in Hawley, PA, food and drink tastings, music, prizes and more. “For those planning a special occasion, meeting or wedding, this is really a must-attend event,” explains Justin Genzlinger, CEO/Owner of Settlers Hospitality. “It’s the first time we’re throwing open the doors to all of our Hawley properties to showcase the wide-range of opportunities available. We’re also thrilled to provide an avenue to highlight so many fellow small-business owners as vendors.” Guests may check-in at The Waterfront at Silver Birches to begin the journey of checking out all the offerings. A shuttle bus will transport passengers between properties including The Settlers Inn, Ledges Hotel, The Boiler Room at the Hawley Silk Mill and Gorgeous Floral. Event planners, staff and preferred vendors will be available at each venue to greet visitors, give tours, provide consultations, and answer questions. Food and drink samplings give attendees a taste of the culinary options the chefs of Settlers Hospitality can craft. During the Open House, Settlers Hospitality will debut newly renovated spaces including The Waterfront at Silver Birches and Glass-wine.bar.kitchen at Ledges Hotel. It may also serve as an introduction to the recently opened Gorgeous Floral. The retail shop and floral design business launched late last year. “We’re excited to meet everyone and help them envision all that their event can be, whether it’s a lavish wedding, intimate party or dynamic conference,” says Nancy Harvey, Settlers Hospitality Director of Sales. “I think people will discover each venue has its own personality, from the lakeside setting of Silver Birches to the Arts and Crafts style charm of The Settlers Inn and dramatic backdrop of Ledges Hotel. Plus, there’s the cool, industrial feel of The Boiler Room and lush greenery of Gorgeous Floral.” Tickets are $20. Each person who attends will receive a swag bag. For more information, visit settlershospitality.com
Marywood’s Dr. Lindsay A. Phillips Begins Term as President of American Board of Clinical Psychology Lindsay A. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP, associate professor of psychology/counseling at Marywood University, recently began her term as president of American Board of Clinical Psychology (ABCP). Dr. Phillips teaches undergraduate through graduate students, and she also is a core clinical faculty member for Marywood’s Psy.D. Program in clinical psychology. Emphasizing the national importance of the role, as well as Dr. Phillips’s demonstrated professional expertise, credentials, and leadership qualities, her colleague, Robert Shaw, Psy.D., ABPP, director of Marywood’s Counseling and Student Development Center, stated, “The board and the membership of the American Board of Clinical Psychology elected her to serve as president of the Board, representing and serving the field of clinical psychology and, in doing so, carrying the standard of Marywood University at the zenith of the discipline.” The American Board of Clinical Psychology is a member specialty board of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). The ABCP is responsible for establishing criteria related to the definition, education, training, competencies, and the examination leading to certification as a specialist in Clinical Psychology. Marywood University offers psychology degree programs from undergraduate through doctoral levels. For more information, go to marywood.edu/psychology or visit marywood.edu/admissions. To connect with an admissions counselor, call (570) 348-6234 or email YourFuture@marywood.edu for undergraduate programs; for graduate programs, call (570) 340-6002 or email gograd@marywood.edu.
University of Scranton Offers Contactless Income Tax Assistance Accounting students from The University of Scranton will follow an adjusted contactless process to assist local residents with filing their federal, state and local tax returns as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The process for this year has been adjusted to because of COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. The free service is available to residents of Lackawanna and Wayne counties with household incomes of $57,000 or less for 2021. Qualified clients can provide the information needed to complete tax forms (see below) in a secure “drop-off box” located in the University Police Department, 820 Mulberry Street, beginning Feb. 7. Forms will be processed remotely by University student volunteers. Clients will be contacted by phone or email with any questions and when their tax forms have been filed electronically. The documents provided, or copies of documents if originals were needed for filing, will be then returned to participants. Documents need for filing tax forms include: name, email and phone number;a copy of the taxpayer’s driver’s license (and spouse’s if applicable);a copy of Social Security cards for the taxpayer, the spouse, and any dependents;all Wage and earning statements, including, but not limited to:Form W-2 (employees);W-2G (gambling winnings);1099-R (retirement withdrawals);1099-Misc, 1099-NEC(miscellaneous income) and any related expenses;1099-G (unemployment income);1099-SA (Social Security statement);1099-B (sales of stock);interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099-INT and 1099-DIV);a copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available;a voided check for proof of bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit;forms 1095-A, B and C, health coverage statements;any information pertinent to deductions and credits the taxpayer may be eligible for, such as:1098-T for anyone on the tax return who attended a higher education institution during 2020;totals paid to daycare providers and the daycare provider’s tax identifying number such as their Social Security number or business Employer Identification Number, name, and address;for those who qualify for a property tax or rent rebate (age 65 and older, a widow/widower, disabled, and within certain income limits), copies of property tax receipts for any property taxes paid during the 2020 tax year;list of charitable donations;also note if you received the economic impact payment? (late 2020 or early 2021) $600/ taxpayer-spouse and each qualifying child. Residents can include information above in an envelope and place it in the “drop-off box” in the University Police Department, 820 Mulberry Street, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., beginning Monday, Feb. 7. The program will end when the capacity to process tax forms received has been met. Residents with questions may call the University at 570-941-4045. University students have participated in the VITA program for more than 30 years.
FNCB Bank Provides Scholarship Assistance to NativityMiguel School of Scranton FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, has announced a $15,000 Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donation to the NativityMiguel School of Scranton. The donation will provide direct scholarship support for students in need. NativityMiguel of Scranton (NMS) is a tuition-free/all-scholarship middle school serving ethnically and religiously diverse students of greater economic need in grades 5-8. Historically, their students have come from Lackawanna and Luzerne counties and greater Northeastern Pennsylvania. Since 2010, FNCB has contributed just under $2,500,000 to local educational and scholarship organizations through the EITC initiative. The support of the NativityMiguel School of Scranton is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB Bank is making a difference through volunteerism, donations and outreach programs.
Manufacturing Roundtable Informs Legislators of Program & Policy Priorities for Growth On February 1, 2022, Eric Joseph Esoda, President & CEO of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC), hosted a manufacturing roundtable for a joint meeting of the PA House Democratic Policy Committee and the PA House Manufacturing Caucus in State College, PA. The roundtable consisted of 10 manufacturing executives from across Pennsylvania, including leaders within Metal Integrity East & West, Restek Corporation, Diamondback Covers, Lake Erie Rubber & Manufacturing, GeorgeKo Industries, ILSCO Extrusion, The Fredericks Company, C.L. Sturkey, Inc. and Lehigh Valley Plastics. The roundtable was requested by Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, Chair of the House Democratic Policy Committee, and Rep. Mike Schlossberg, Chair of the House Manufacturing Caucus. “Manufacturing in Pennsylvania is important to our caucus because Pennsylvania is a place where businesses want to come and stay,” said Rep. Bizzarro. “We want to hear from manufacturers on what they need to make Pennsylvania more attractive for businesses,” he added. Within the 90-minute roundtable, which consisted of live participation and virtual attendees, manufacturers expressed their greatest challenges, barriers, opportunities and advantages relative to workforce attraction and retention, the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies and the mitigation of supply chain risks through reshoring and creating PA-based supplier networks. The participating manufacturers also offered suggestions and ideas as to what programs, policies and statewide initiatives should be created or expanded in order to accelerate their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and maximize their long-term growth and competitiveness. Increased funding for the statewide Industrial Resource Center program, creating more in-school awareness about careers in manufacturing, streamlining loan and grant processing and providing incentives to create Pennsylvania-based supply chains were among their recommendations. The roundtable was facilitated by the Industrial Resource Center (IRC) network and moderated by an IRC host due to the Centers’ close connectivity to Pennsylvania’s manufacturing community and insight into the needs of the Commonwealth’s 15,000+ small and mid-sized manufacturers. “The importance of our manufacturing economy is a unifying topic that reaches across both aisles in Harrisburg – everyone agrees that we need to do all we can to strengthen and grow the Commonwealth’s second largest business sector with more than 585,000 employees,” said Mr. Esoda, who guided the event. “We were honored to put this venue together for the Committee and Caucus and hope we have the opportunity to host many additional events of this nature for our legislative leaders and policy-makers,” he added. The IRC network is currently working with the PA Democratic Policy Committee to compile video highlights and a transcript of the event.
