Geisinger CenterPoint Offering Walk-In COVID-19 Vaccines Thursday and Friday Geisinger continues to make it easier to get a COVID-19 vaccine by offering walk-in vaccine events on Thursday, May 20, and Friday, May 21, at the Geisinger CenterPoint Vaccine Center in Jenkins Township. Walk-in COVID-19 vaccinations will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday. Geisinger is offering the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which is a two-dose vaccine administered 21 days apart. Walk-in vaccines are available to anyone age 12 and over, but those under 18 years old must have a parent or legal guardian with them to receive their vaccine doses. The vaccine center is staffed with pediatric teams, including pediatricians, to answer any questions and assist with the vaccinations. Geisinger continues to offer COVID-19 vaccines by appointment at its four vaccine centers, and those can be made through myGeisinger or by calling 570-284-3657. More information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including information for parents of newly eligible children, is available at geisinger.org/COVIDVax.
Duryea at Dusk 5K & 1 Mile Walk Goes Virtual for 2021 The Duryea at Dusk committee has set their fifth Duryea at Dusk 5K and 1-mile walk as a virtual race again this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. Participants can register online now through Saturday, June 5. Participants are encouraged to complete their 5K or 1-mile safely around their neighborhood, on a treadmill, track or at a park between June 5-12. The cost to register is $15 per person or $25 per person with a Duryea at Dusk 2021 t-shirt. All runners and walkers will receive a customizable Duryea at Dusk virtual bib and can post their finisher photos on Duryea at Dusk’s Facebook page. Through personal experience with a family member battling cancer, Duryea native sisters, Katie Brudzinski and Allison Brudzinski wanted to be part of something bigger that would involve their entire community. Duryea at Dusk was created from that idea. This is the fifth year of this event. It will impact the local community and support a local organization, the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, whose mission is to ease the burden of cancer in northeastern Pennsylvania. Since inception, Duryea at Dusk has raised $40,261 for the Cancer Institute.Individuals or businesses looking for information can reach out to Duryea at Dusk committee by email at duryeaatdusk@gmail.com. To register for the virtual run or walk or donate to it, go to: https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Duryea/DuryeaatDusk
Crystal Windows Ranked 9th Largest NY Area Minority Firm The recognition of national award-winning manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems continues as the company has again been included in the top business ranking of New York City area minority-owned firms. In its May 3, 2021 edition, noted publication Crain’s New York Business ranked Crystal Windows 9th on its list of the New York area’s largest minority-owned companies. Crystal Windows has been included in the Crain’s list for the past 23 years, since 1998. This year’s ranking represents Crystal’s highest achievement to date with the Crain’s list. The Crain’s list is comprised of the largest privately held firms that are at least 51% minority-owned and headquartered in New York City or in seven surrounding New York and New Jersey counties. The ranking is based on annual company revenues from the prior year. The list, while no longer annual, is compiled and published every few years. Others on the 2021 list include Goya Foods, Sigma Plastics, and Bartlett Dairy. “I’m extremely proud that Crystal’s ongoing success continues to be recognized by Crain’s,” said Steve Chen, Crystal’s President. “With 20 million diverse people and tens of thousands of minority-owned companies in the New York metro area, this makes the recognition even more significant. It’s all been made possible by our dedicated employees, our great fenestration trade customers, and the appeal of our energy efficient made-in-America window products.” Crain’s, the region’s premier weekly business magazine, is published in print and online. In prior years, Crystal Windows and both its Chairman Thomas Chen and President Steve Chen have been featured or included in the magazine’s articles, recognitions, and TV show. Most notably, Steve Chen was recognized in the past as a Crain’s Top 40 Under 40 Young Business Executive. Crystal was also the recipient a few years ago of the Crain’s Top Family Business Award.
The Women’s Resource Center Great Chefs Event The Women’s Resource Center (WRC) is excited to announce we will host our 30th Annual Great Chefs event on June 3, 2021, at 7 pm. Last year Great Chefs was canceled due to the pandemic, but we couldn’t just let the celebration of our 30th-year slide by. So, in an abundance of caution and safety for our community, the WRC has decided to virtually host the event at no cost to viewers. The evening will feature WNEP-TV 16’s Home & Backyard host Jackie Lewandoski with cooking demonstrations from local chefs. Participants include: Paradise Soulfood & Sweets, Colarusso’s Coal Fire Pizza, Andy Gavin’s Eatery & Pub, The Cabin Bar and Grill, and Lackawanna College’s 409 on Adams Restaurant. There will also be an opportunity to hear from Women’s Resource Center survivors, some special entertainment, and participate in our fabulous online basket raffle. Funds raised at Great Chefs support the WRC Safe Housing Program. The Program prioritizes emergency housing options for adults and children who are in immediate danger, are in a potentially lethal situation due to intimate partner violence, and/or are homeless due to that violence. To become a sponsor, preview basket raffle items, and access to the event, please visit: https://greatchefs21.givesmart.com. This site is continuously being updated, so check back often for exciting things to come! Join us to continue our mission of providing Emergency Housing to adults and children and start them on the path to safety? What: Women’s Resource Center’s 30th Annual Great Chefs: Take Two!When: June 3, 2021 at 7:00pmWhere: https://greatchefs21.givesmart.comHonoree: Lackawanna Insurance Group Participants:Peg Ruddy – Executive Director, Women’s Resource CenterGina Pitoniak – Board Member, Women’s Resource CenterAmy Everetts – Director of Development, Women’s Resource CenterJackie Lewandoski – Host, WNEP-TV 16’s Home & Backyard Featured Restaurants:Paradise Soulfood & SweetsColarusso’s Coal Fire PizzaAndy Gavin’s Eatery & PubThe Cabin Bar and Grill409 on Adams Restaurant Event Production:Sarah Effertz – Owner, Blu Elefante Endeavor Audio
Johnson College Spring 2021 Semester President’s List Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO of Johnson College, has announced the President’s List of students who have completed the 2021 Spring Semester with a grade point average of 3.90 or higher. Evan Wilcox, Architectural Drafting & Design Technology, Milanville, PA John DeLucca, Electrical Construction and Maintenance Technology, Pittston, PA Brandon Dougherty, Electrical Construction and Maintenance Technology, South Abington Township, PA Philip Davitt, Electrical Construction and Maintenance Technology, Dickson City, PA Shane McHugh, Computer Information Technology, Scranton, PA David Weaver, Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Technology, Carbondale, PA Brandon Grandinetti, Computer Information Technology, Olyphant, PA Michael Salansky, Computer Information Technology, Uniondale, PA Brittany Bethel, Veterinary Technology, Dallas, PA Devon Nowicky, Radiologic Technology, Drums, PA Jorden Sekol, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Old Forge, PA Alexander Nallin, Veterinary Technology, Scranton, PA For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
Marywood University to Hold Virtual Master of Fine Arts Information Session Marywood University will hold a virtual Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Information Session on Thursday, June 10, 2021, at 4 p.m. This information session is free and open to anyone who is interested in pursuing a low-residency master of fine arts degree. To register, please visit https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/mfa. Marywood’s “Get Your Master’s with the Masters” MFA program for designers and illustrators is the oldest and best low-residency program in the country, designed for those who are working full time, but who are also interested in earning a terminal degree. For additional information about Marywood University’s MFA Information Session, please contact Steven Brower, MFA, director of the “Get Your Master’s with the Masters” MFA program at Marywood University, at (570) 348-6211, ext. 2569, or email sbrower@marywood.edu.
Masking Remains Mandatory at All Geisinger Properties To continue ensuring the health and safety of our employees, patients and visitors, wearing a mask is still required on all Geisinger properties, regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status. On Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated mask-wearing guidelines for people fully vaccinated against COVID-19. The CDC outlined certain locations, including hospitals and health care settings, as places where masks should still be worn. In alignment with this guidance, wearing a mask is still required in all Geisinger hospitals, clinics and office buildings. Masking is one of the most effective ways of reducing the spread of COVID-19, and Geisinger has had a mandatory masking policy in effect since early April of 2020. This policy will remain in effect until further notice. The CDC guidelines state fully vaccinated individuals can choose to not wear a mask while outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings. Geisinger continues to offer COVID-19 vaccine appointments for anyone age 12 and over at its four vaccine centers in central and northeastern Pennsylvania. Vaccine appointments can be made through MyGeisinger or by calling 570-284-3657. More information about the COVID-19 vaccine, including information on newly eligible children, is available at geisinger.org/COVIDVax.
Garcia Honored by Triple-A East for Week of May 10-16 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders pitcher Deivi Garcia has been selected as Triple-A East’s Pitcher-of-the-Week for May 10-16. Garcia is the number two prospect in the New York Yankees organization according to Baseball America. The right-hander went 1-0 with a spotless ERA over two starts against Lehigh Valley during the week, striking our a total of 16 batters and walking just two.Garcia, 21, got the nod for the RailRiders home opener against the IronPigs on May 11 and started the series finale on Sunday as well. He worked five innings in each start, striking out seven and walking one on May 11 before striking out nine and walking one on Sunday. Garcia allowed a total of five hits, one earned run over his pair of starts and earned the win on Opening Night.This is the third Pitcher-of-the-Week honor for the Banao, Dominican Republic, native. He was named the Florida State League’s Pitcher-of-the-Week for August 6-12 in 2018 and earned the Eastern League’s top weekly honor for June 17-23 in 2019.Garcia is the first RailRiders pitcher to be tabbed by the league for a weekly award since Jonathan Holder in August of 2016 (August 22-28).Scranton/Wilkes-Barre begins a six-game road trip in Rochester on Tuesday night. The RailRiders return to PNC Field on May 25 for a 12-game homestand, hosting Buffalo and Lehigh Valley. Single-game tickets for the month of May, as well as Full, Half and Partial Season Ticket Memberships, are on sale now. For more information on the 2021 season, please visit swbrailriders.com or contact the club by calling (570) 969-2255.
Dr. Jill Murray Named an Editorial Board Member for Esports Journal A recent press release announced on May 18, 2021, Lackawanna College President, Dr. Jill Murray has been named as an Editorial Board Member for the new journal for Esports, Annals of Esports Research (AER). Read the Annals of Esports Research (AER) press release below. We pleased to announce a new journal for Esports, Annals of Esports Research (AER). AER is the first North American Esports journal and is an international, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to expanding the scientific basis and qualitative and quantitative knowledge of Esports by publishing quality articles concerning the field. AER publishes innovative original research, opinion, and educational information related to Esports. All disciplines and approaches to understanding Esports are encouraged with a special interest in the health, performance, and experience, and well-being of players, fans, and coaches and industry practices and outlooks and the teaching, management, and research of Esports. Our goal is to advance academic and industry discussions and research in Esports. We welcome empirical, conceptual, and qualitative research and industry-driven manuscripts. As Annals, we are interdisciplinary and cross the barriers between industry, the academy, and medicine. AER is a gold-standard open access journal published through Harrisburg University. It is a no-fee journal and all published articles will be freely accessible. We are an Emerging Sources Citation Index Journal. The journal welcomes submissions from international contributors and researchers of all specialties. Our Editorial Board includes academic and industry partners. Eric Darr, Ph.D. – President, Harrisburg UniversityMark Candella – Director of Student and Education Programs, TwitchJoey Gawrysiak, Ph.D. – Program Director, Associate Professor of Esports, Shenandoah UniversityWayne Kimmel – Chairman of the Board, Managing Partner, SeventySix CapitalLindsey Migliore D.O. – Esports Physician, Founder, GamerDoc, Faculty associate for NYIT Center for Sports Medicine.Glenn Mitchell, M.D., MPH – Professor of Healthcare Informatics, Vice Provost for Institutional Effectiveness, Harrisburg UniversityJill Murray, Ph.D. – President, Lackawanna UniversityCharles Palmer – Associate Professor of Esports, Director C.A.R.E, Harrisburg UniversityWim Stocks – EVP Partnerships & Commercial, Belong Gaming & Vindex Categories of Interests: Clinical Topics, Esports and Medicine, Esports and Health, Analytics/Modeling, Bio-Medical, Business, Marketing, Economics, Esports Management, AR/VR, AI, Finance, Education/Pedagogy, and Esports, Sociology, Psychology, Communications, Media, Cultural Studies, Statistics, Prose and Other. Please visit our website: Annals of Esports Research (harrisburgu.edu) To submit a manuscript to AER, please visit: https://harrisburguniversity.submittable.com/submit Please direct manuscript inquiries and general journal questions to Jennifer L. Metz, Ph.D., at AnnalsofEsports@harrisburgu.edu or jmetz@harrisburgu.edu
PennDOT, PSP Focus On Traffic Safety With ‘Click It or Ticket’ Mobilization With Memorial Day weekend and the summer travel season approaching, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) are urging drivers to keep traffic safety top of mind when behind the wheel. The agencies will work with municipal police departments and other safety partners across the commonwealth to participate in the national “Click It or Ticket” seat belt education and enforcement initiative from May 17 through June 6, 2021. “‘Click it or Ticket’ isn’t about citations, it’s about saving lives,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Buckling up is the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones in a crash.” Pennsylvania law requires any occupant younger than 18 to buckle up when riding in a vehicle, as well as drivers and front-seat passengers. Children under the age of two must be secured in a rear-facing car seat, and children under the age of four must be restrained in an approved child safety seat. Children must ride in a booster seat until their eighth birthday. In addition to adopting a zero-tolerance approach toward violators, troopers certified as child passenger safety technicians will offer car seat fittings and inspections throughout Pennsylvania, helping ensure that car seats are in good working condition, installed properly, and free from recalls. “State police child passenger safety technicians look forward to hosting dozens of events across the commonwealth to highlight child passenger safety,” said Major Robert Krol, director of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Patrol. “We hope everyone who drives with children in their vehicles will take advantage of this free resource to keep their youngest passengers safe while traveling.” A complete list of child passenger seat fitting stations is available at psp.pa.gov. As part of the enforcement efforts, state and local police, along with agencies across the United States, will participate in a one day Border-to-Border initiative on May 24 to provide increased seat belt enforcement at state borders, reinforcing the states’ focus on safety. PennDOT data shows there were 11,265 crashes in 2020 where at least one occupant was not wearing a seat belt, resulting in 348 fatalities. As the summer driving period kicks off, we encourage Pennsylvanians to “Know Before You Go” by checking conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles in Pennsylvania by visiting www.511PA.com. The service, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. Motorists can also see active construction projects at www.511PA.com. For more information on seat belt safety visit, www.PennDOT.gov/Safety. PennDOT’s media center offers resources for safety organizations, community groups, or others who share safety information with their stakeholders. Social-media-sized graphics highlighting topics such as seat belts, impaired driving and distracted driving can be found online at www.PennDOT.gov in the “Media Center” under the “About Us” footer. Follow PennDOT on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PennDOTNews, like the department on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaDepartmentofTransportation and Instagram at www.instagram.com/pennsylvaniadot.
