The Dime Bank Stock Market Challenge Winner

The Dime Bank is proud to have once again sponsored the Stock Market Challenge. This year’s first place winner in the competition was Wayne Highlands School District student Jaydan Beisner in teacher Don Burchell’s seventh grade class. Jaydan won a Chromebook along with a $100 gift certificate for her studious efforts.

The Dime Bank President and CEO stated Peter Bochnovich, “The Dime Bank is a firm advocate of financial literacy for all, but especially for our youth. We believe that educating our students provides a strong foundation for financial success throughout their lives.”

The Pennsylvania Council on Financial Literacy (PennCFL), through Brighter Financial Futures, uses The Dime Bank’s sponsorship to offer all students in grades 3-12 full access to the Personal Finance Lab, free of charge. This, web-based stock simulation platform and curriculum includes the Personal Budgeting Game, Online Learning with certifications in Personal Finance and Investing 101, plus the Stock Market Challenge. This cutting-edge, real-time stock market game is derived from Stock-Trak’s University Platform, which is used in over 80% of the top business schools in the United States. 

Lackawanna College, Marywood University Sign Agreement

Lackawanna College and Marywood University (MU) have announced a new Memorandum of Understanding that provides pathways for qualified undergraduate students from LC into a number of MU’s graduate programs.

“This new agreement with Marywood University will provide a seamless process for students to transition between their undergraduate and graduate careers,” said Adrienne Asbury, Lackawanna College Dean of Curriculum and Faculty Affairs. “Lackawanna students who take advantage of one of the offered pathways will reap both academic and financial benefits as they continue their education.”

Under the agreement, students from Lackawanna’s bachelor’s degree programs who meet specific GPA requirements, along with other program-specific requirements, will be granted admission to MU’s graduate programs. Eligible students will also receive a 20% tuition reduction during their graduate studies at MU.

Additionally, the agreement allows for course sharing— by which current undergraduate Lackawanna College students may reverse transfer credit for Marywood courses to Lackawanna toward their undergraduate degrees. Students who choose the course sharing option will pay Lackawanna’s tuition rate for these particular Marywood courses.

“This is an opportunity for us to truly collaborate with another academic member of our community,” said Marywood President Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D. “Education is the thing that raises people up and gives people the opportunity to have wonderful careers and to flourish. To be able to do that with another academic institution in Lackawanna County is all the better.”

Geisinger Launches Travel Nurse Program

Geisinger has launched a travel nurse program for eligible inpatient registered nurses. The program is open to external and internal candidates and aims to address the ongoing staffing challenges the organization faces within its hospitals across northeastern and central Pennsylvania.

“The staffing shortages facing virtually every industry — and especially healthcare — are real,” said Janet Tomcavage, Geisinger executive vice president and chief nursing executive. “Our clinical staff are working tirelessly. By expanding our offerings, we hope to attract more registered nurses to Geisinger. That way, we can alleviate the challenges of staffing shortage in our hospitals and continue our mission of making better health easier for our communities.”

The initial launch will focus on the inpatient setting, specifically adult medical-surgical and intensive care units. Traveling nurses will go to the Geisinger hospitals with the greatest staffing needs.

Jeff Lowry, associate vice president of recruitment for Geisinger, believes the program will benefit everyone. “The goal is to give nurses choices and flexibility within their careers while adding experienced nurses to our Geisinger family. Our hope is that the program will help us recruit nurses locally and nationally who are looking for short-term assignments. These efforts will help us have more staff available to provide safe, timely and effective care to our patients and members.”

Nurses accepted to the travel program will complete a 12-week assignment and then can either begin another 12-week assignment or apply for a full-time position with Geisinger. Travel nurses will be eligible for 401K employer contributions, medical insurance coverage under the Affordable Care Act and an allowance of up to $96 per day in their paycheck if assigned to a location 60 miles or more from their current location.

Cheryl Williams was assigned to Geisinger Medical Center while working for an external travel nurse agency before becoming the very first nurse to join Geisinger’s new travel program.

“My decision to sign on as a nurse traveler at Geisinger was driven by the positive work environment, supportive staff and employees’ great work ethics,” said Williams. “With this new program, I have the best of both worlds: the ability to travel while staying in the Geisinger system. It’s a great place to work, with many career options and opportunities.”

To learn more about career opportunities or to apply for a job opening with Geisinger, visit jobs.geisinger.org.

Interested candidates can also make an in-person, virtual or phone appointment with the Geisinger Career Center, a recruitment and career services hub at 529 Mill St. in Danville, to learn about jobs at Geisinger. Walk-ins are also welcome. Candidates can speak with a Geisinger hiring manager or recruiter about open positions, and current Geisinger employees can learn more about professional development resources and events. The Career Center offers interview coaching, resume writing services and more. To find out more about the Career Center or to make an appointment, call 877-564-6447 or email GeisingerCareers@geisinger.edu.

Trolls LIVE! in Wilkes-Barre Next Week

Get ready for another hair-raising adventure when Poppy, Branch and all their Trolls friends come to life on stage in Trolls LIVE! Jam-packed with epic music, glitter, humor and happiness, Trolls LIVE! will visit Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza May 24th and 25th, 2022 for 2 Trolls-tastic performances. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.TrollsLIVE.com, Ticketmaster.com and in person at the NBT Bank Box Office at Mohegan Sun Arena.

The journey begins when the Trolls’ Hug Time is unexpectedly put at risk. Knowing the only way to save it is by doing what the Trolls do best, Poppy hosts a toe-tapping, Trolls-tastic show! Poppy, Branch, Cooper, Cloud Guy, Satin and Chenille, Smidge, Guy Diamond, Fuzzbert, Biggie and Mr. Dinkles invite you into the colorful world of Trolls Village for this interactive performance only the Trolls can create. This is one Trolls party you won’t want to miss!

The world of the Trolls comes alive in this totally interactive, story-rich musical celebration of everything the Trolls love – singing, dancing, rainbows, glitter and plenty of hugs. The extravaganza utilizes the latest in scenic projection, puppetry and media technology, and features a host of special effects and interactive surprises. Trolls LIVE! includes two acts with an intermission and will enchant both children and adults alike with its popular Trolls show-stopping songs, as well as introduce audiences to all-new electrifying Trollsmusic and choreography.

What: Trolls LIVE! coming to Wilkes-Barre
When:   Tuesday, May 24th at 6:00pm
               Wednesday, May 25th at 6:00pm
Where:  Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
               255 Highland Park Blvd.
               Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702

Tickets: Tickets start at $18 (plus applicable fees). Tickets are available at the NBT Bank Box Office or online at Ticketmaster.com. Prices are subject to change. Additional fees and special offers may apply. A limited number of tickets are available for the Trolls LIVE! VIP Party, starting at $128 (plus applicable fees). VIP Party perks include premium show seating, a souvenir lanyard, and an after-show Meet & Greet with your favorite hosts, Poppy and Branch!

For more information or to join Trolls Hair Mail for presale and other exclusive offers, visit www.TrollsLIVE.com. Follow Trolls LIVE! on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @trollslive, and use #TrollsLIVE. 

Partners Announce the 2022 Edition of Scranton City Pride Cleanups & Plantings

After a strong first year of joint planning and programming, Scranton City Pride clean-ups and plantings are returning to the Electric City for 2022. Organizers are pleased to announce the weeklong event will take place in neighborhoods throughout the City, and the Downtown Business District, thanks to a partnership between Scranton Tomorrow, NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania, and the City of Scranton. Scranton City Pride will be held, June 4 through 12, in conjunction with national NeighborWorks Week.

Representatives from all three partnering organizations gathered this afternoon at Scranton Tomorrow’s office on Linden Street in Downtown Scranton to share the exciting news. Guest speakers included: Leslie Collins, President and CEO, Scranton Tomorrow; Jesse Ergott, President and CEO, NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania; Michael Gilmartin, Chairperson, Scranton Tomorrow Board of Directors; Eileen Cipriani, Director, Office of Community Development City of Scranton ; and Teddy Michel, Vice Chairperson, NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania Board of Directors.

“The success of our Scranton Tomorrow and NeighborWorks collaboration is an example of the power of partnerships,” Collins said. “Our joint venture has allowed us to reestablish the campaign in the downtown business district and our neighborhoods in every section of the City. This year’s programming ranges from cleanups to beautification, and inclusive and creative service projects. We are so grateful for this collaboration, and we invite everyone in the community to take pride in our City, and join us.”

With an increased interest in volunteer opportunities from their supporters, and national NeighborWorks Week taking place in early June, Scranton City Pride has found a natural fit for NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Tobyhanna Army Depot Participate in Emergency Training Scenarios

Tobyhanna Army Depot will participate in emergency training scenarios this week from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The exercises are designed to evaluate the depot’s capabilities to respond to different scenarios. Visitors and employees may notice an increased use of emergency services vehicles, and security personnel carrying weapons and tactical equipment during the exercise.  The public should not be alarmed if they see personnel responding to simulations or hear the associated noises such as blank gunfire or sirens.  Exercises like this are held regularly to provide insight into Tobyhanna’s capabilities and improve upon emergency response processes.

For more information, call the Tobyhanna Army Depot Public Affairs Office at, 570-615-7308.

Attorney Joseph Grady, former Scranton Workers’ Compensation Judge, joins the Law Offices of O’Malley & Langan

The Partners at O’Malley & Langan are pleased to announce that Scranton native Attorney Joseph Grady has joined the firm and is now accepting clients.

Building on a distinguished, 30-year career as a Workers’ Compensation Judge, Attorney Grady brings with him a remarkable depth of experience in navigating the legal system.

“I’ve represented many Workers’ Compensation clients in Joe’s courtroom over the years. He was always fair, even-handed, and highly professional,” says Todd J. O’Malley, Founder and Senior Partner at O’Malley & Langan. “I’ve always believed knowledge and experience count when you’re representing a client, particularly in Workers’ Compensation cases. Having handled thousands of complex cases, Joe’s insights and wisdom make him an invaluable addition to our team.” Attorney Mary Anne Lucas, a Partner at the firm, agrees, “No matter how much progress is made in improving workplace safety, people are still getting hurt on the job and employers’ insurance companies are still trying figure out how they can reduce benefits or completely stop payments on medical bills and prescriptions. As a Judge, there’s not much Joe didn’t see. Now, our clients can benefit from his wealth of knowledge.”

Licensed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Attorney Grady served as a Workers’ Compensation Judge with the PA Department of Labor and Industry in the Scranton office from 1992 through 2022. Over the years, he was at the forefront of implementing innovative practices and procedures that resulted in more efficient and timely litigation of matters within the Workers’ Compensation adjudicatory system. He was also instrumental in establishing one of the first mediation programs in the state for Workers’ Compensation litigants.

“Having seen so many lives affected by work injuries in different ways, I understand the importance of good representation with any work injury,” says Attorney Grady, reflecting on his decision to join O’Malley & Langan. “The attorneys at O’Malley & Langan appeared before me for many years representing clients with work injuries. I can say – without hesitation – they were always well prepared, understood the issues, and provided the best representation for their clients. That’s why I decided to work alongside them, helping those affected by workplace injuries.”

Educated at Scranton Preparatory High School, the University of Scranton, and Seton Hall University School of Law, Attorney Grady is currently a member of the Pennsylvania and Lackawanna Bar Associations. He has served as President of the Lackawanna County Bar Association and its Young Lawyers Division. He was also a member of the Bar Association Board of Directors and served on various committees including Chairman of the Mediation Committee.

Attorney Grady was recognized several times by the University of Scranton and the J.A. Panuska College of Professional Studies and Edward R. Leahy, Jr. Endowment for planning and developing the  Annual Northeast United States Conference on DisAbility. He also earned the 2013 Lackawanna County Bar Association President’s Award, and the 2022 Lackawanna Bar Association’s Exemplary Service Award. He is a longtime lecturer and course planner on Workers’ Compensation topics for both the Lackawanna County and Pennsylvania Bar Associations.

Philanthropic by nature and an enthusiastic community leader, Attorney Grady has been active over the years with the ARC/Parents of Down Syndrome of Lackawanna County, and previously served on the Board of Directors of Saint Joseph’s Center, Scranton. A founding member of the Steamtown Marathon and previous Exalted Ruler with the Scranton Elks Lodge, he has also contributed his time and talent as the Assistant Race Director for the Ronald McDonald House of Scranton’s 5K Run/Walk.

The son of Marjorie Werner Grady of Scranton and the late Eugene P. Grady, Attorney Grady is married to Anne Cottone Grady. They are the proud parents of one son, Christian Grady. As one of seven children, he has three brothers, Michael Grady, MD, Washington DC; Patrick Grady, MD, Clarks Summit; Eugene Grady, MD, Scranton; and three sisters, Mary Kay Pierce, Waverly; Ellen Huckenpoehler, Maryland, and Joan Loftus, Ed.D., New Hampshire. His father-in-law, the late Judge S. John Cottone, served as a Judge for the Court of Common Pleas of Lackawanna County and was a United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.

For 30+ years, the team of attorneys at O’Malley & Langan has been serving clients throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania from offices located in Scranton, Pittston, and Towanda.

Attorney Grady can be contacted by telephone at (570) 344-2667 or via email at jgrady@omalleylangan.com. Visit our website to learn more about the Law Offices of O’Malley & Langan and Attorney Joseph Grady.

Sandvik Materials Technology Acquires Pennsylvania Extruded Tube Company

Sandvik and PEXCO job fair planned May 20 and 21

International steel manufacturer Sandvik Materials Technology (SMT), headquartered in Sandviken, Sweden, is expanding its investment in northeastern Pennsylvania with the 100% acquisition of Pennsylvania Extruded Tube Company (PEXCO), located in Clarks Summit, Lackawanna County.

SMT has owned 70% of PEXCO and recently acquired the remaining 30% from its partner Nippon Steel Extruded Tube, Inc (NSEXT). PEXCO has been a joint venture between SMT and NSEXT since 1993 and has approximately 86 employees at its single site in Clarks Summit, located adjacent to SMT’s tube manufacturing facility on Griffin Pond Road.

 PEXCO’s line of business focuses on the production of extruded steel utilizing high purity stainless steel provided from the melting facility in Sweden and is part of SMT’s tube division.

The PEXCO extrusion press is the only press of its size range in the U.S. market, and it has a capacity of producing over 21 million pounds of finished product per year.

 According to Göran Björkman, president of Sandvik Materials Technology, taking sole ownership of PEXCO will accelerate SMT’s portfolio shift in North America. It will also strengthen SMTS position, portfolio, and ability to serve the local market, through a full alignment of PEXCO ‘s hot extrusion and cold working units on the campus near Scranton.

 “This allows for future investments to fully support our strategic priorities, and I am very pleased that we continue to execute on our profitable growth strategy, at the same time as we are continuing to excel our operational excellence program,” explains Björkman.

“PEXCO has been very successful partnership between Sandvik and Nippon Steel Corp for almost 30 years. However, given the increased demand for higher alloyed materials, the acquisition of the remaining 30% will allow us to secure, improve and develop our ability to better serve the U.S. market,” says Michael Andersson, president of Tube Division.

 According to Ryan Stoa, P.E., president of PEXCO, both PEXCO and SMT have approximately 20 job openings and plan a combined job fair on May 20 from 2-6 p.m., and on May 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on site at 982 Griffin Pond Road, Clarks Summit, PA 18411, with both white- and blue-collar roles available. Prospective candidates may also visit sandvik.com/careers if they are unable to attend.

“Sandvik Materials Technology has had a presence in Pennsylvania since the early 1970s and as we expand our roles in the U.S., we aim to be the premier supplier of advanced technical stainless steel tubing and materials to the Americas market,” adds Stoa.

For information on the job fair, contact Donna Sunick at 570-585-7624 or donna.sunick@sandvik.com.