Grey Towers Calls For Artists The Grey Towers Heritage Association invites regional artists to create and display their works in any medium at an “Open-Air Art Show” on Saturday, April 26th, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (rain date: Sunday, April 27th) at the historic Grey Towers estate in Milford. Whether it’s oils, embroidery, watercolors, pen & ink, quilts, or any other media, artists are encouraged to register for this opportunity to paint, sketch, and otherwise create art based on the Grey Towers mansion and surrounding outbuildings and beautiful vistas. This event will offer visitors a glimpse into each artist’s technique as well as an opportunity to purchase unique art pieces from the artists who will be located throughout the magnificent grounds while spring daffodils and crocuses are in bloom. “This plein air art show carries on a cherished family tradition,” said Don Allen, board member and coordinator. “The Pinchots understood the importance of nurturing creativity and supporting emerging talent. We are thrilled to offer this platform for local artists to create art on-site and share their work with the community.” Artists and visitors alike will enjoy the grounds of this historic site while sharing and discovering the diverse talents of the region’s artistic community. The event will be open to the public at no cost. “Painting outside is a rare luxury,” states Bob Eckstein, whose watercolor rendering of the Grey Towers mansion accompanies this article. “Grey Towers Heritage invites everyone with an artistic talent to participate.” For more information and/or to register for a space, artists should visit www.greytowers.org/events/ or call 570-491-7306.
Geisinger Facilities Remain Open Due to Strike Geisinger facilities in Luzerne County remain open as SEIU nurses begin 5-day strike Registered nurses affiliated with Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Healthcare Pennsylvania started a 5-day strike at 7 a.m. Monday at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre and Geisinger Healthplex CenterPoint after several weeks of negotiations between SEIU and Geisinger failed to produce a mutually agreeable labor contract. Despite any labor actions, those facilities remain open and staffed with experienced, licensed registered nurses. “We have activated a contingency plan that includes bringing in additional staff on a temporary basis so these critical health care resources in Luzerne County can operate business as usual to continue delivering high-quality care to everyone in need during the strike,” said Renee Blakiewicz, R.N., vice president and chief nursing officer for Geisinger’s northeast region. “In addition to nurses, other members of the clinical team, including physicians and advanced practice providers, will care for our patients as they always have. We are fully committed to ensuring continuity of care for our community during the strike.” Geisinger does not expect to postpone any procedures or elective surgeries during the strike. Geisinger values the compassionate work registered nurses do every day for the community and respects the rights of the SEIU-affiliated nurses to collectively bargain. “We have been negotiating in good faith, and a strike is the last thing we wanted to see happen,” said Brion Lieberman, chief human resources officer for Geisinger. “We want to compensate our nurses for their great work, while maintaining the ability to add clinical staff, improve our facilities and grow the services we offer this community. We have offered a starting salary of more than $85,000 per year for fulltime staff with yearly increases and comprehensive health benefits. We hope SEIU will return to the bargaining table so we can reach a mutually agreeable contract.”
GAIT Equine Assisted Service Hosts Workshop on Vagus Nerve Discover the Power of the Vagus Nerve in Humans & Horses Learn how to recognize, activate, and optimize vagal tone for your entire EAL team, facilitators, volunteers, participants, and equines! What You’ll Gain: Practical tools to enhance participant outcomes Strategies to support therapy horses’ well-being Integration of vagal tone principles into facilitative reasoning Earn 3 CEUs from PATH Intl. & receive a Certificate of Completion Presented by: Veritas Equine Assisted Learning Institute, LLC Hosted by: GAIT EAS, Milford, PA Date: February 26, 2025 Time: 10 AM – 1 PM (Registration opens at 9 AM) Cost: $75 per person Bring a Friend: $50 per person when you sign up together PATH Intl. Members: $65 individually or $50 each when signing up with a friend Reserve Your Spot Today! Call 570-409-1140 or email Info@gaittrc.org
The Foundation for Free Enterprise Education is Shaping Tomorrow’s Leaders The Foundation for Free Enterprise Education (FFEE) is paving the way for a brighter future by equipping Pennsylvania’s youth with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed. Through its innovative programs, FFEE fosters a deep understanding of the free enterprise system while preparing students for personal and professional success. At the heart of FFEE’s mission is its flagship program, Pennsylvania Free Enterprise Week (PFEW), which has been inspiring high school students for over 46 years. Each summer, students from across the state step into the roles of corporate executives, working in teams to navigate real-world business challenges. Along the way, they develop critical thinking, leadership, and teamwork skills that will serve them for a lifetime. But PFEW is more than a business program—it’s a life-changing journey. Students leave with newfound confidence, lifelong friendships, and a clearer vision for their future. Many participants describe the week as “transformational,” with alumni often calling it the best week of their lives. In 2025, PFEW will debut a Reality Fair, an interactive simulation that teaches students how to navigate real-world financial decisions. From budgeting and managing expenses to saving for the future, this hands-on experience equips students with essential life skills to prepare them for adulthood. FFEE’s programming extends beyond PFEW. The Speaker Series connects students with accomplished professionals from various industries and youth opportunities across the state, offering inspiration and practical career insights. The Stock Market Game™ introduces students to the principles of investing and financial literacy, providing teachers with valuable classroom resources while helping students meet key educational benchmarks. All FFEE programs align with Pennsylvania’s education standards, ensuring they are both impactful and relevant. However, none of this would be possible without the incredible partners who bring these programs to life. Each summer, dedicated professionals, educators, and community members join PFEW as mentors, company advisors, and guest speakers. Volunteering at PFEW is an opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of young people while sharing your expertise and enthusiasm. Volunteers often say the experience is as rewarding for them as it is for the students. FFEE also relies on the support of local businesses, schools, and community organizations. These partnerships empower the foundation to offer sponsorships, guaranteeing that every student, regardless of financial circumstances, has access to the unique PFEW opportunity. Together, these collaborations are shaping the next generation of leaders and innovators who will drive Pennsylvania’s economy forward. To support PFEW or to learn more about these vital FFEE programs, visit www.pfew.org or contact VP of Marketing & Development Scott Lee at (814) 833-9576 ext. 8, or scott@pfew.org. Together, we can empower Pennsylvania’s youth to achieve greatness and build a brighter future for all.
Crystal Windows Launches Redesigned Website National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems recently launched its redesigned corporate website, CrystalWindows.com, with new features to enhance the experience of visitors to the website. The new website has completed reorganized content, new product photography and images, an expanded project gallery, greater product resources and documentation, and easier means to contact the company for sales and information. Besides English, the new website content is available in Spanish and Chinese through the click of a translation button, with more languages planned in coming months. “Last year, Crystal embarked on a journey to rebrand and update its marketing materials across the board,” said Steven Yu, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “We engaged MarketSmiths, a branding agency based here in New York, for the effort. They started by creating a new logo, which we introduced last year, and since then they have worked with our marketing team to completely redesign our website. The results are impressive and reflect the extraordinary level of products and services Crystal has to offer.” Navigation on the website is faster and more intuitive, and it has been tailored for several key audiences: architects and engineers, general contractors and trades, and owners and developers. Product information is prominent, with new lifestyle photography showing the products installed as well as standalone product images. Product literature is organized with everything needed in one location, including installation accessory information and “how-to videos” to facilitate minor installation adjustments. Another focus of the new website is simplifying ordering and order tracking. A newly redesigned contact form easily directs inquiries to the right department or sales representative. For construction professionals, tracking orders is easier, with the production status of each order updated every hour. Translated versions of select product manuals and guides are available in Spanish and Chinese; other languages are planned in the future. For homeowners looking to buy Crystal products, Crystal will recommend local dealers to assist them, since the company does not sell directly to homeowners. Crystal has an extensive network of dealers and has included focused content for them on the website. Fenestration firms looking to join Crystal’s dealer network can complete a special contact form to learn more. “The information now available on the new Crystal website has been streamlined for greater efficiency, with greatly enhanced visual appeal,” said Yu. “We believe our customers and members of the design and construction community will find the new website exciting, more informative, and much easier to navigate.”
Colbert & Grebas Nominated for ‘Best of the Best’ by Times Leader The information below is provided if you would consider voting for Colbert & Grebas in the Best of the Best event offered by the Times Leader. The direct link to vote is: https://www.timesleader.com/bestofthebest#/gallery?group=504601 Thank you for your continued support in serving the elder population in our communities.
City of Scranton Reminds Businesses to Submit 4th Quarter Payroll Preparation Tax Businesses Reminded that the Deadline for Submitting the 2024 Fourth Quarter Payroll Preparation Tax Return is February 28, 2025 Entities conducting business within the City of Scranton are reminded that the due date to submit their fourth quarter tax return for the 2024 Payroll Preparation Tax is February 28, 2025. A person shall be deemed to be conducting business within the City if they engage, hire, employ, or contract with one or more individuals as employees, partners, or is self-employed and, in addition, does at least one of the following: Maintains a fixed place of business within the City; Owns or leases real property within the City for profit; Maintains a stock of tangible, personal property in the City for sale in the ordinary course of business; Conducts continuous solicitation within the City related to such business; or Utilizes the streets of the City in connection with the operation of such business (other than for the mere transportation from a site outside the City, through the City, to a destination outside the City.) Institutions who are exempt from the Payroll Preparation Tax as a result of their status as a nonprofit are required to file quarterly returns claiming their exemption. Returns submitted after February 28, 2025, will be subject to penalty and interest on the balances due. The Payroll Preparation Tax is a tax levied separately by both the Scranton School District and the City of Scranton. The 2024 Payroll Preparation Tax rate for the Scranton School District is 0.7553 percent and the 2024 Payroll Preparation Tax rate for the City of Scranton is 0.2787 percent. The combined 2024 Payroll Preparation Tax rate is 1.034 percent. The City of Scranton and the Scranton School District have both appointed Berkheimer Tax Innovations, Inc. to administer the Payroll Preparation Tax on their behalf. Tax forms are available on Berkheimer’s website at hab-inc.com/pptforms. Additional information, including Frequently Asked Questions, can be found at scrantonpa.gov/payroll-prep-tax-information, https://www.scrsd.org/departments/business-office and www.hab-inc.com/ppt-faq. Please direct all questions regarding the Payroll Preparation Tax to Berkheimer by emailing ebpt@goberk.com or by calling (610) 599-3140.
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Geisinger Hires Hernando Ruiz-Jimenez, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Hernando Ruiz-Jimenez is Geisinger’s new chief marketing and communications officer, a role in which he oversees brand and digital marketing, corporate communications, content creation and service line marketing for the entire system. Ruiz-Jimenez brings more than two decades of marketing leadership experience to Geisinger, including four years as chief marketing officer at NewYork-Presbyterian and three years as chief marketing and communications officer for Triple-S Insurance, a licensee of BlueCross BlueShield. “Hernando’s experience, knowledge, and leadership — from health systems to health insurance and numerous other industries — will be a great asset to the organization and the marketing and communications team,” said Amy Brayford, Geisinger’s executive vice president and chief of staff. While at NewYork-Presbyterian, Ruiz-Jimenez oversaw the transformation of the organization’s marketing department and guided it through the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in one of the hardest-hit areas of the country. “As someone with a passion for healthcare marketing, the appeal of being able to tell the Geisinger story and promote this well-known, respected brand was obvious,” said Ruiz-Jimenez. “Geisinger is a leader in the value-based care model that is so critical to improving healthcare in the U.S. It also is a unique system, offering the kinds of facilities and level of care in both rural areas and smaller cities that put it on par with the large academic medical centers people would otherwise have to travel to in Philadelphia, New York or other major metropolitan areas.” In addition to his healthcare experience, Ruiz-Jimenez has held marketing leadership roles for iconic consumer brands including Pepsi and Captain Morgan. He most recently served as general manager and chief marketing officer of Un(Think) Foods, a successful agricultural start-up. Ruiz-Jimenez received an M.B.A. from Stanford University and a B.S. in Business Administration from Villanova University. He is a professor at CCNY’s Branding + Integrated Communications (BIC) Master’s Program, a Member and Governance Fellow of the National Association of Corporate Directors and the Latino Corporate Directors Association.
