Designs by Olivia Grey to Celebrate One Year Anniversary Designs by Olivia Grey will be celebrating their one-year anniversary of opening their storefront on November 4, 2021, from 5-7 pm. They will be hosting a meet and greet with their staff and some of their vendors. Pizza and wings will be served. Designs by Olivia Grey takes great pride in offering the best all natural soy candles and accessories. They are a veteran owned and operated business dedicated to giving back to local veterans. They are proudly partnered with Camp Freedom, a local non-profit organization dedicated to helping veterans, first responders and their families. They collect donations in store and at all events to support this organization. In providing an all natural product, they only ever use three ingredients in every candle: all natural soy wax farmed here in The USA, phthalate-free fragrance and essential oils, and cotton wicks. Designs by Olivia Grey is also Leaping Bunny certified, meaning they are a cruelty-free recognized company. In addition, they hand pour each and every candle in small batches to guarantee customer satisfaction on every purchase. Designs by Olivia Grey is your ultimate candle destination. Stop by and wish them a happy one-year anniversary!
RailRiders to Host High School “Hackathon” at PNC Field The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders will host local high school students for a “hackathon” on November 6 in the Geisinger Champions Club at PNC Field during NEPA STEM Ecosystem’s Celebration of STEM in Industry. A “hackathon” is an invention marathon. Programmers, designers, builders and more join together to learn, build, and share their creations. Hackathons are not limited to computer science interests — this “hackathon” is open to students who have an interest in technology and are eager to learn.Teams of students (with diverse backgrounds and interests in areas like math, science, design, economics, etc.) will be given a “problem” and their challenge will be creating a mobile/web app that will help solve that problem. The “problem” for this event will relate to something at PNC Field, but students will not know the challenge until they arrive on the day of the event. Students will receive hints related to the task through social media during the week leading up to November 6 and multiple experts will be on-site that day to answer any questions they have regarding the challenge.The students will be creating a “wire-frame” of an actual app, but not completing coding and creating a real app. At the end of the event, students will present their apps to the event judges and a winner will be announced. Cash prizes along with some special gifts from the RailRiders will be awarded to the winners.Registration is still open for high school teams of three to five students and this event is not open to the public. School districts may register more than one team. Students can range between ninth and twelfth grade and a team should be comprised of three to five individuals. Districts are encouraged to create diverse teams of all abilities and aptitudes with a variety of talents with attention to skill sets such as coding and programming, graphic designers/artists and user experience design, as well as those who excel in science and math. It is suggested to have at least one alternate student per team. Districts can also register for all virtual participation in this event. To register for this event, contact Stephanie Williams at swilliams@iu19.org. For more information on other events happening during NEPA STEM Ecosystem’s Celebration of STEM in Industry, visit NEPASTEM.ORG.
NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative Spay Neuter Effort a Success On Thursday, October 28th the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative will host its last of three spay-neuter clinics in honor of Feral Cat Month. This spay-neuter clinic series, sponsored by the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative (AWC) in partnership with the Eastern Pennsylvania Animal Alliance (EPAA), covers over 80 percent of the associated spay/neuter and vaccine costs for cats. The event will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Keyser Valley Community Center (103 N Keyser Avenue, Scranton) in Lackawanna County. Nearly 150 cats in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties will have been spayed or neutered by end of day Thursday, received rabies and FVRCP vaccinations and other treatment such as flea/tick and related care. The cost for these services is $10 for domestic cats and $5 for feral cats. The final day in the series is slated to serve 45 cats in Lackawanna County. The pause on spay/neuter surgeries during COVID-19 has significantly increased the need for these low-cost services, as evidenced by appointments booking up very quickly. About two-thirds of the cats served are domestic cats and one-third feral or stray cats that will be trapped, neutered and released. The low-cost spay-neuter events were developed as part of the strategic plan of the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, a collective of animal shelters, rescues, advocates and sanctuaries who come together to improve the lives of animals in our region. The NEPA AWC was established in 2019 as an initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. The purpose of Feral Cat Month is to create awareness and educate the public about the outdoor cats that live in our communities. It encourages people to care for, and help humanely reduce, the population of feral cats. One important strategy is Trap-Neuter-Release or “TNR” which provides a humane alternative to “catch and kill” for cats who cannot be placed in shelters or homes. Other priority areas of the NEPA AWC include enhancing the availability of quality foster homes for homeless animals, establishing best practices for the care of animals and providing more resources and training opportunities for rescues and shelters. Funding for the NEPA AWC is provided by grants from foundations as well as donations from the public. To date, the NEPA AWC has hosted a pet food pantry in 2020 that served over 560 pet owners and their companion animals, helping many people to keep their pets during challenging economic times. The collaborative has also held advocacy trainings with state and national organizations and established a code of ethics to guide recommended practices for animal care settings. It has also taken on an advocacy role in support of educating the public on the problems with puppy mills. The NEPA AWC also works with other organizations in the state of PA and on a national level to coordinate efforts. The NEPA AWC is working diligently on additional initiatives to humanely reduce the feral cat populations in Lackawanna County and surrounding areas through trap-neuter-release programs and educational workshops. It has also supported the development of a NEPA Rescue Vet – still in the planning stages – which aims to help address the veterinary shortage in NEPA by offering low-cost appointments for animals in shelters, rescue or sanctuaries that are part of the Collaborative. In the spring of 2022, the NEPA AWC also plans to host a NEPA Animal Welfare and Animal Care Expo. Convened by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative includes over 30 organizations, shelters, rescues and community advocates in Lackawanna, Luzerne and surrounding counties in Northeast Pennsylvania. These include Scranton Animal Shelter Association, Animal Care Associates, Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, Pawsitively for the Animals, NEPA Pet Rescue, Indraloka Animal Sanctuary and others. The NEPA AWC’s Vision is to set the standard for all animal welfare initiatives in NEPA and to work together, utilizing available resources to improve both the care and lives of animals. The Mission of the is to work on initiatives aimed at ensuring animals in NEPA achieve a happy and healthy life—free from abuse and neglect. Those involved in animal rescue often do this work in addition to holding other jobs, and their free time is limited. The Collaborative works to ensure that resources are targeted to the needs of people that carry out this important work so that they can be effective caregivers to the animals they serve. The collaborative aims to help members develop effective grant writing, nonprofit policy/law, advocacy and other important skills. Scranton Area Foundation President and CEO Laura Ducceschi states, “Animal welfare is a popular philanthropic interest, but it may sometimes be difficult to know where resources are best allocated. The NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative continues to connect and coordinate efforts between those working in or volunteering in the animal welfare community with national and state resources, and with those who want to philanthropically support the welfare of animals.” In addition to the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, the Scranton Area Community Foundation spearheads initiatives such Women in Philanthropy, NEPA Moves, NEPA Gives, the Center for Community Leadership and Nonprofit Excellence, and the NEPA Equitable Housing Collaborative.
Gerrity’s Announces Purchase of Valley Farm Market Joyce “Mom” Fasula, President of Gerrity’s Supermarkets, is very proud to announce that her family business is adding a tenth location. On Monday, November 15th, the Scranton-based supermarket company will purchase Valley Farm Market in Bethlehem, PA. In recent years, Gerrity’s has opened three Ace Hardware locations and remodeled all of their supermarkets. However, this will be the first new supermarket location in over 15 years. “In the supermarket business, it is important to continue to grow,” Fasula says. “We are proud to invest in the Bethlehem community, especially in light of the current state of the economy.” Valley Farm Market is currently owned by the Schummer Family, who employs over 140 workers. Gerrity’s will be discussing career opportunities with each and every member of the staff. The Fasulas and Schummers have been discussing the sale for several months. During that time, Gerrity’s management team has been stopping into the store. “We have been very impressed by the friendliness of the workers, the quality of the perishables and the condition of the store,” said Fasula. “The store and the staff will fit very well into the Gerrity’s family. Considering how well run the store is, the Fasulas plan to make very few changes to how the store runs. They will also keep the name Valley Farm Market on the building and in the marketing. However, they do plan to make improvements to lighting, the entryway, equipment, and pricing. In addition, they are planning a complete remodel that will begin late 2022 or early 2023. The best news for Valley Farms Employees is that, since they will be new to the Gerrity’s organization, they will be eligible for the new hire bonus of up to $500. Gerrity’s also anticipates hiring 50 additional full and part time people, including skilled positions like butchers, bakers, cooks, and cake decorators, as wells as clerks in every department.
Marion Munley Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America 2022 Munley Law is pleased to announce that Marion Munley is listed in the 2022 edition of The Best Lawyers in America and named the 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” for Product Liability Litigation — Plaintiffs in Northeastern Pennsylvania. She has been so included in this prestigious list since 2012. A champion of victims’ rights and the civil justice system for over 25 years, Marion is known for her compassionate approach to representing the catastrophically injured and her tireless devotion to her clients and their families. Triple Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Civil Trial, Civil Practice, and Truck Law, Marion has earned an AV-Preeminent designation from Martindale-Hubbell, the industry’s highest ethical and client satisfaction rating. A leader in the legal community, Marion is an active member of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) and currently serves on the AAJ Board of Governors and on its Executive committee. She was the firs woman to become Chair of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group in 2018 and is a past chair of the AAJ’s Women Trial Lawyers Caucus. Marion is the second woman in Pennsylvania to become Board Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Among her other professional affiliations are the American Board of Trial Advocates, the International Society of Barristers, and the Summit Council, an exclusive group of today’s top civil justice attorneys committed to the highest levels of trial advocacy, to obtaining justice for individuals and families who have been hurt by corporate wrongdoing, and to the protection of the civil justice system. Listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2012, Marion has been named the 2022 “Lawyer of the Year” for Product Liability Litigation–Plaintiffs in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Last year, she was recognized as Best Lawyers 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury–Plaintiffs for the Allentown metro area. Marion has also been selected to the list of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers for the last 18 years and has been consistently recognized as one of thetop 50 Women Lawyers in Pennsylvania” in Super Lawyers Magazine. A graduate of Temple University School of Law (J.D., 1986), Marion received her undergraduate degree from the University of Scranton in 1983.
Marywood University to Host Wind Symphony Concert Marywood University’s music, theatre, and dance department recently announced that the University’s Wind Symphony will present the world premiere of the John Burns’ work, Fairest Morning on Sunday, November 14, 2021, at 4 p.m., in the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts. The concert is free and open to the public. Patrick J. Burns will direct the band for the premiere. Mr. Burns is an adjunct professor of music at Montclair State University, New Jersey, where he teaches courses in music theory, orchestration, and composition. As a clarinetist, Mr. Burns has performed with many professional ensembles in the New York metro area including: The Metropolitan Opera Summer Ballet Orchestra, the pit orchestra for the Broadway revival production of Camelot starring Robert Goulet, and with the New Jersey Chamber Music Society in broadcasts for National Public Radio and New Jersey Network Television. Also, on the program for that evening will be Omar Thomas’ Of Our New Day Begun. The Marywood Wind Symphony was part of a commissioning body that led to the creation of this powerful work. Of Our New Day Begun was written to honor nine beautiful souls who lost their lives to a callous act of hatred and domestic terrorism on the evening of June 17, 2015 while worshipping in their beloved sanctuary, the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church (affectionately referred to as “Mother Emanuel”) in Charleston, South Carolina. This special performance was a collaborative effort among various groups across the Marywood campus including the Honors English classes who wrote program notes, created posters, and interviewed guest artists and participants. It will be a day of reflection, remembrance and celebration. For additional information about the Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony Concert at Marywood University, please email dromines@marywood.edu, or call the music, theatre, and dance department at Marywood University, at (570) 348-6268.
Johnson College Receives $250,000 to Improve On-Campus ADA Compliance Recently Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti, Mayor of the City of Scranton, joined Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO of Johnson College, to announce that the City of Scranton’s Office of Economic and Community Development awarded Johnson College a $250,000 grant to improve Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance across the College campus. Improving Johnson College’s ADA compliance will increase accessibility for faculty, staff, visitors, and, most of all, students, as the College strives to be inclusive to all. The funds will be used to install automatic door openers, access ramps, and ADA-compliant restroom improvements to President’s Hall and the Lemon Street Continuing Education Lab. This grant was made possible through the Federal Community Development Block Grant Program and the Housing and Urban Development Administration. Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires public accommodations to provide goods and services to people with disabilities on an equal basis with the rest of the general public. The goal is to afford every individual the opportunity to benefit from Johnson College and to afford Johnson College the opportunity to benefit from all students, faculty, staff and visitors to our campus. Last year, 12.5% of students attending Johnson College registered disabilities with the College. The campus use is increasing with space being used for community events, continuing education activities, community sporting events, and scouting. It is our desire to increase community use of the Johnson College campus and make our facilities accessible to all who visit. All new college buildings have been designed and constructed to be ADA compliant. Some of the initial retrofitting work to existing campus structures has already been accomplished through a City of Scranton Community Development Block Grant several years ago. As guidelines and campus use have evolved, it is prudent to engage a firm experienced in ADA compliance audits to perform a system-wide survey of the Johnson College campus/facilities and make recommendations for improvements to bring us into full ADA compliance.
Lackawanna College Ranked Among Fastest-Growing Colleges Lackawanna College is ranked as the fastest-growing private, nonprofit college in the nation by the Chronicle of Higher Education on their Fastest-Growing Colleges, 2009-2019 list. The publication displays a Fall 2019 enrollment growth of 33% with students enrolled at a bachelor’s or an associate degree institution compared to 2009. The Chronicle states that the data is based on a fall headcount of full and part-time students of degree-granting institutions with at least 500 students. “This amazing growth validates that we are meeting the needs of our students, parents, and our communities,” said Dr. Jill Murray, Lackawanna College President. “Lackawanna College continues to set a standard for providing a high-quality education that’s accessible and meets the growing need for innovative programs that fill in-demand occupations.” From 2009 to 2019, the College added noteworthy programs including the School of Petroleum and Natural Gas; the Sunbury Center; Health Sciences programs like Surgical Technology and Occupational Therapy Assistant; its first bachelor’s degrees in programs including Business, Criminal Justice, and Human Services; and the award-winning Level Up program.
