An Introduction to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Workshop

The University of Scranton’s new Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service will offer its inaugural workshop “An Introduction to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for NEPA Government Official” on Tuesday, Aug. 31. The workshop, offered free of charge to county and city officials of Northeastern Pennsylvania via Zoom, will run from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and will be facilitated by DNG Consulting, an independent diversity, inclusion and equity consulting group (see attached flyer for facilitator bios). PNC is the exclusive sponsor of the event.

“Promoting and maintaining diversity, equity and inclusion is imperative in ensuring ethical and effective governance for all. We are glad to provide a workshop on these timely issues and we look forward to having the Center offer programs on a range of topics that can aid public officials and their staff in their important work,” said JoyAnna Hopper, Ph.D., assistant professor of political science and co-director of the Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service.

The interactive workshop will address why attentiveness to diversity, equity and inclusion is important for effective governance and articulate how implicit bias and systemic racism are defined and identified. The workshop will also cover best practices in how government bodies and officials can take matters of racism and bias into consideration in evaluating institutions and policy effectiveness.

Three experienced consultants with DNG will facilitate in the workshop. Principal at DNG Consulting, Danielle N. Gadson, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of public administration at Villanova University and chairs their Public Administration Department Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. As a professor and a trained Intergroup Dialogue facilitator focusing on race, Dr. Gadson teaches courses in public administration theory, data analysis, health services planning, and intergroup relations.

Senior consultant at DNG, Stephen A. Sheridan, Jr. works as the director for accountability, accreditation and assessment services at Villanova University, providing leadership and expertise in the design, implementation, and analysis of assessment activities related to student development and learning outcomes. He is a trained Intergroup Dialogue facilitator with experience facilitating on the topics of disability, race and socioeconomic status.

Senior consultant at DNG, Terri Boyer, Ed.D., is the founding director of the Anne Welsh McNulty Institute for Women’s Leadership and an associate professor of education and counseling at Villanova University. Dr. Boyer has published widely on educational and workforce equity, institutional reform for equity, women’s education and leadership, the effectiveness of equity programs, and assessment and teacher training.

The workshop is convened by the University’s Center for Excellence in Ethics and Public Service with its Office of Community and Government Relations in collaboration with DNG Consulting. Registration is required to participate in the event and can be completed online or by e-mailing ceeps@scranton.edu.

Mount Airy Casino Resort Receives AAA’s Four Diamond Rating

AAA North Penn was honored to once again present Mount Airy Casino Resort with this prestigious rating, maintained consecutively since 2010.  

AAA’s 62 million members book more than 31% of all paid room nights in North America, and they rely on the assurance that every Diamond-designated property has met the AAA standards for guest quality, cleanliness and condition.

For more than 80 years, the AAA team of professional inspectors have conducted unannounced, independent, in-person property inspections across 26,000 hotel properties in North America.  Hotels at this level are committed to providing every guest with a high degree of hospitality, with attentive service in upscale surroundings, according to AAA. They typically offer an extensive array of amenities and guest services.

Mount Airy is part of a select group of establishments within North America. Currently, just 1,676 hotels hold the AAA Four Diamond Rating.

Book your room at Mount Airy Casino Resort and enjoy all that our Pocono Boutique hotel has to offer. With a full-service spa, close proximity to nature, 18-hole golf course, a variety of dining options and seasonal entertainment, your stay at Mount Airy Casino Resort will be extraordinAIRY. 

Opponents and Dates Set Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s 2022 Season

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are pleased to announce their schedule for the 2022 season. The RailRiders will open their season on April 5 on the road and conclude a 144-game schedule on September 21, split evenly with 72 games at home and 72 on the road.

The 2022 schedule is comprised of 23 six-game series and two three-game sets. After only playing within Triple-A East’s Northeast Division in 2021, the club will now take on division rivals 102 times and play 42 games against inter-divisional opponents.  The RailRiders are in the Northeast Division along with the Buffalo Bisons (Toronto), Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Philadelphia), Rochester Red Wings (Washington), Syracuse Mets (New York Mets) and Worcester Red Sox (Boston).

“The release of the 2022 schedule is really exciting for many reasons,” stated John Adams, Team President of the RailRiders. “While having baseball back in 2021 has been a tremendous boost to our community in Northeastern Pennsylvania, the new 2022 schedule includes a full slate of games and is the first step in getting back to planning a fun and eventful lineup of promotions to coincide with top-tier baseball from the New York Yankees farm system next season.”

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre begins the 2022 season in Syracuse on April 5 and plays its home opener one week later on April 12 against the Norfolk Tides (Baltimore). The RailRiders will travel to Buffalo and host Lehigh Valley during the month as well.

The team travels to Rochester and Worcester during May, while it hosts Syracuse, a first-ever meeting with the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Miami) and starts a series against Lehigh Valley at PNC Field.

Home games in June include contests against the IronPigs, Red Wings and Bisons, while road swings hit Syracuse and Toledo (Detroit). After concluding a series at home against Buffalo on July 3, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre travels to Worcester for a game on July 4. The team returns home on July 12 to host the Louisville Bats (Cincinnati). After the Triple-A All-Star break from July 18-21, the RailRiders head down the turnpike for a three-game set versus the IronPigs. They conclude July in Rochester against the Red Wings.

August opens with 12 home dates over 13 days, from August 2 through 14, with the Bisons and Red Sox welcomed to town. A 12-game, 13-day road trip to the St. Paul Saints (Minnesota) and the Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City) follows; the first time in history that the RailRiders will play either of those two clubs. The month ends with the first two games of a six-game set against Syracuse at PNC Field.

In September, the RailRiders host the Mets, travel to play the Durham Bulls (Tampa Bay) and return to Moosic to play Worcester. The year’s final series is another three-game set against Lehigh Valley on the road from September 19-21.

Game times and promotions will be announced later and the 2022 schedule remains subject to change.

Full, Half and Partial Season Ticket Memberships for the 2022 season are on sale now. For more information,  please visit swbrailriders.com or call (570) 969-BALL. 

Ronald McDonald House of Scranton 5k Race

Get Ready to Show Your Stripes! The 35th Annual Ronald McDonald House of Scranton 5K Race and Fun Walk in Historic Nay Aug Park will be held on Sunday, September 26th, 2021. Parents, children, college students, competitive runners, and even some family pets will run or walk in support our local Ronald McDonald House at this very FAMILY & PET FRIENDLY event.  Following the 5k, we will hold our Kids Fun Run where all children will receive a gift for participating. There will also be basket raffles!

With your $20 registration you will receive a swag bag with a moisture wicking race shirt, a customized race medal, and a swag bag.  Come show your stripes for the mission that keeps families close to their children as they receive critical care in local medical facilities. You will not want to miss it! Registration can be found by going to RMH5k.com. 

Check us out on Facebook (Show Your Stripes 5k) to not only stay informed, but to also participate in some of our giveaways!

Geisinger Offering Third-Dose COVID-19 Vaccines for Immunocompromised People

Following recent guidance from the Food and Drug Administration, Geisinger is now offering third-dose COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised people. Third-dose vaccines are available by appointment at Geisinger Community Vaccine Centers or select Geisinger Pharmacy locations.

People eligible for the third dose are those who already received two doses of either the Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and have weakened immune systems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this includes people who have:

  • • Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood
  • • Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
  • • Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system
  • • Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott- Aldrich syndrome)
  • • Advanced or untreated HIV infection
  • • Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response

If you are unsure if you’re eligible for a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, talk with your doctor.

Make an appointment for a third-dose COVID-19 vaccine at Geisinger through myGeisinger or by calling 570-284-3657. Appointments are available at the vaccine centers at the Geisinger Health Plan Building near Danville, Geisinger CenterPoint in Jenkins Township, Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital and Geisinger Lewistown Hospital. Appointments are also available at Geisinger Pharmacy locations in Dallas, Danville, Lewistown, Lock Haven, Mount Pocono, Pottsville, State College and Scranton.

Remember to bring the COVID-19 vaccine card or proof of having received both vaccine doses to the third-dose appointment. More information about the COVID-19 vaccine is available at geisinger.org/COVIDVax.

As a reminder, one visitor is permitted for outpatient appointments, and masks must be worn (regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status) by all patients, visitors and employees in all Geisinger buildings and facilities.

HNB Supports Women’s Resource Center With EITC Donation

The Honesdale National Bank was once again authorized to make approved contributions under the Commonwealth’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. HNB designated $2,500 of their approved allotment to the missions of the Women’s Resource Center. The funds, donated by HNB, will support their Safe Dates Program.

HNB President & CEO David Raven stated, “We are grateful to have the opportunity to support this organization with funds through the EITC program. The Women’s Resource Center plays a vital role in our society, especially for the health and safety of individuals in our community.”

Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Graduate, Nora Betts, Announces Local Project

Nora Betts, a 2021 Tomorrow’s Leader Today graduate, has announced her Girl Scout Gold Award Project. 

Betts will build and install four bat boxes on homes in NEPA with threatened and unwanted bats. Informational signs will also be installed on the Lackawanna Heritage Trail to educate passersby on the importance of bats and bat boxes.

The Instagram @norabetts.batbox is dedicated to the project and serves as a place for live updates as well as an entertaining educational tool for members of the community and beyond.

If you’d like more information or are interested in having a bat box installed on your home, contact Nora at norabetts.batbox@gmail.com

HRF Scholarship Recipients Announced

The Human Resources Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the HRF Scholarships for the 2020-2021 academic year. The Human Resources Foundation serves the community by providing financial assistance to efforts that focus on enriching service and support of individuals with disabilities. One way that HRF accomplishes this mission is by offering scholarships to students pursuing higher education in Human Services or a related field. The four 2021 HRF Scholarship awardees are:

Brynn McGinnis from Honesdale High School. Brynn intends to pursue a major in Education to become an elementary teacher. 

Lauren Brand from Wallenpaupack Area High School. Lauren will be attending Ithaca College on a Speech Language Pathology track.

Brianna Garcia from Wallenpaupack Area High School. Brianna plans to major in Speech Pathology and minor in Special Education at Temple University.

DeJanna Richardson from Stroudsburg High School. DeJanna will be attending University of Scranton with a major of Counseling and Human Services.

The Human Resources Foundation congratulates the 2021 HRF Scholarship recipients and is proud to support their efforts in furthering their education and improving the lives of others. To learn more about the Human Resources Foundation and the scholarship program, visit our website www.hrfnepa.org. 

Roba Family Farms Now Hiring

Roba Family Farms is hiring! We are looking for fun and friendly individuals to join our team this season!

Working at our farm is a great resume builder with even better perks! Enjoy flexible schedules, great pay up to $15/hr. five season passes, and personal discounts.

Enjoy the farm working outside at our fun attractions. You must be 14 years old to apply.