Observe Scranton Festival

Join us for a weeklong community festival celebrating Scranton through the eyes of Jane Jacobs, its hometown iconic city activist, on what would be her 105th birthday.

On May 4-8, free community exhibits will be located all over the city in collaboration with the Lackawanna County Library, Marywood University, the University of Scranton, the City of Scranton, and many private community-minded Developers, organizations, and businesses.

Live Music, First Friday Celebrations, Book launch/signings, Flag raising, Bike rides and more. The Festival concludes with a special ticketed Fringe Festival event StorySlam. 

Marywood University Announces Its Summer Athletic Camps and Clinics

Marywood University announces its summer athletics camps and clinics. Those interested can, “Pick Your Passion this Summer,” from more than ten camps and clinics featuring an array of sports activities. Our camps will follow CDC and PA Department of Health Guidelines. Additional guidelines pertaining to individual camps will be sent after registration. To register, please visit marywood.edu/camps/index.html.

  • Stroke Technique Clinic will take place on Friday, May 21, for ages 7-12, from 3:30 – 5 p.m.; ages 13-18, from 5:30-7:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, May 22, 23, for ages 7-12, at 10:30 a.m., and 11 a.m.-1 p.m., for ages 13-18, at the Aquatics Center, in the Center for Athletics and Wellness.
  • Girls Lacrosse Camp will take place from Monday, June 21 – Thursday, June 24, from 9 a.m. – noon, on the Synthetic Turf Field. This camp is for athletes in grades 5-9. The cost of the camp is $100, and registration can be made by June 10. This camp will focus on lacrosse skills with lots of fun activities woven in.
  • Boys Basketball Instructional Camps will be held the week of Monday, June 28 – Friday, July 2, and from Monday, July 26 – Friday, July 30, from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., each week, at the Center for Athletics and Wellness. The instructional camp is for ages 7-15, and the cost $190 per week. Early bird cost is $160 until June 7 for both camps. Campers will be divided into groups based on age and ability. Each day, campers will go through a dynamic stretch, ball handling workout, six stations, and one game set each morning, and more.
  • Volleyball Summer Camp will take place from Tuesday, July 6 – Thursday, July 8, from 9 am. – 4 p.m., each day, at the Center for Athletics and Wellness. This camp is offered to girls in grades 9 – 12. Each camper will receive a t-shirt and lunch will be provided. The cost is $150.
  • Esports Virtual Coed Summer Camp will take place from Monday, July 12 – Thursday, July 15, from 12-4 p.m., each day. This camp is for high school aged students in grades 9-12. The cost of the camp is $159, but campers can register by June 14 for the early bird cost of $129. This four-day virtual camp will give attendees the opportunity to learn about esports in a variety of capacities. At the end of the camp week, matches will be broadcast for parents to watch live or following as recordings.
  • Family Basketball Camp will take place from on Saturday, July 24, from 5-9 p.m., and Sunday, July 25, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., at the Center for Athletics and Wellness. The minimum age for campers is 5, and the cost of the camp is $120, with an early bird option of $100 for those who register by June 26. The skill work for this camp is designed to give both parents and children useful drills and techniques to take home and continue working on together.
  • Boys and Girls Soccer Camp will take place from Monday, July 26 – Wednesday, July 28, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., each day, on the Synthetic Turf Field. This camp is for ages 8-12, and the cost is $200, with an early bird option of $180 if registered by June 28. The camp will provide soccer-based and other fun activities to all campers. Instruction will be for all levels and based on the ability of each camper.
  • Girls Basketball Day Camp will take place from Monday, August 2 – Wednesday, August 4, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., each day. This day camp is open to grades 3-8, and the cost is $150, with an early bird option of $125 if registered by July 5. Players will be divided based on age and skill, and the camp will be composed of individual competitions as well as team competition, stations, guest speakers, and fun.
  • Girls Basketball Elite Camp will take place from Monday, August 2 – Wednesday, August 4, from 6 – 9 p.m., each day, at the Center for Athletics and Wellness. This camp is recommended for high school athletes in grades 9-12, and the cost is $100, with an early bird option of $85 if registered by July 5. Players will be placed on teams where they will compete against other players in a competitive setting. Attendees will work on the skills needed to succeed in high school and college basketball.
  • Men’s Lacrosse Camp and ID Clinic will take place from Wednesday, August 4 – Saturday, August 7, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., each day, on the Synthetic Turf Field. The camp and ID clinic is suggested to athletes in grades 7-12, and cost $150, with an early bird option of $100 if registered by July 5. Players will be divided by age and will work on basic skills as well as advanced concepts unique to college play. Saturday will be used as a prospect day, and players will have the option to sign up for this day only.
  • Girls Field Hockey Jr. High/High School Preseason Prep Camp will take place from Monday, August 9 – Thursday, August 12, from 9 a.m. – noon, each day, on the Synthetic Turf Field. This camp is suggested for athletes in grades 7-12, and costs $150. Athletes will be divided into junior high and high school groups to keep skill and ages appropriate. The day camp will consist of team warm up, preseason fitness, skill instruction, small sided games, and scrimmaging.
  • Pre-Season Prep Swim Clinic will take place from Monday, August 16 – Friday, August 20, from 3:30 – 5 p.m., each day for ages 7-12; and 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., each day for ages 13-18, at the Aquatics Center, in the Center for Athletics and Wellness. The cost for one session is $55, two sessions is $100, three sessions is $160; and four sessions is $175 per week.
  • Softball Summer Prospect Clinic will take place on Sunday, August 29, from noon 12 – 4 p.m., on the Softball Field. This clinic is for athletes in grades 9-12, and the cost is $75, with an early bird option of $65 with registration by August 1. This one-day clinic will offer instruction and help athletes’ skills in offense, defense, pitching, base running, and more. Athletes will be instructed by Marywood’s coaching staff and team, and a tour of campus will also be provided.

For additional information about Marywood University’s “Pick Your Passion” Athletic Camps and Clinics, please visit www.marywood.edu/camps/index.html.

Lottery Raffle to Benefit the Scranton Public Library

The Scranton Public Library is hosting a lottery raffle fundraiser happening now through May 7, 2021. Only 500 tickets will be sold with five cash prizes available. The more tickets sold, the higher the cash prizes. All Scranton Library locations are selling a set amount of numbered tickets.

It’s simple to play. Participants can look for their “lucky” number and its location from the list below.

Then they visit the library to purchase a ticket. Numbers are first come, first served.

All participants will be entered to win the top prize of $3,000* or another cash prize of lesser amount. Tickets are $30 and are on sale now.

  • Ticket Numbers 001 through 125 are sold at the Albright Memorial Library | 500 Vine Street.
  • Ticket Numbers 126 through 250 are sold at the Lackawanna County Children’s Library | 520 Vine Street.
  • Ticket Numbers 251 through 375 are sold at Library Express Bookstore | 2nd Floor of the Marketplace at Steamtown.
  • Ticket Numbers 376 through 500 are sold at the Nancy Kay Holmes Library | 1032 Green Ridge Street.

*Total prize amounts will represent 1/3 of gross collected.

Proceeds will directly benefit programs and services at the library.

For more information, call Jessica Serrenti at (570) 795-4315 or call the library at (570) 348-3000.

PennDOT 2020 Traffic Fatalities Second Lowest on Record

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that in 2020, statewide traffic deaths increased to 1,129 from the record low of 1,059 in 2019. Last year was the second-lowest number of highway fatalities recorded and overall fatalities continue to trend downward.

“Even one life lost is one too many, and Pennsylvania is committed to moving toward zero deaths,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Our biggest priority continues to be safe travel regardless of the mode you use, and we continue to work with our partners to decrease fatalities through educational outreach, the latest innovations, effective enforcement and low-cost safety improvements.”

Pennsylvania roadway deaths were up about 6 percent in 2020 despite an approximate 20 percent reduction in traffic counts statewide last year when compared to 2019. This increase is in line with a recently released report from the National Safety Council, showing preliminary data estimates national motor-vehicle deaths are up 8 percent.

“We cannot definitively say why fatalities increased during the COVID-19 pandemic even though it certainly had an impact on traffic volumes statewide,” said Gramian. “Over the long term, traffic fatalities are still trending down, but we must continue to work together to make our roads safer for all drivers.

“Motorists are our most important partners in road safety – we can only get to zero fatalities with your help. We urge all Pennsylvanians to always wear their seat belts, never drive impaired or distracted, and always follow the speed limit.”

While the overall number of highway deaths increased last year, decreases in fatalities were noted in crashes involving drivers aged 65 or older, head on/opposite direction side swipes, crashes involving distracted drivers, and pedestrian crashes. Fatalities in drivers 65 years old or older dropped from 281 in 2019 to 243 in 2020. Head on crashes/opposite direction side swipe fatalities also decreased from 158 in 2019 to 128 last year. There were 47 fatalities in 2020 crashes involving distracted drivers compared to 62 in 2019.

Additionally, the year-to-year longer-term trends also continue to decrease. For example, compared to 2016, there were 59 fewer total traffic deaths, 86 fewer deaths in lane departure crashes, and 60 fewer fatalities involving unrestrained occupants in crashes.

The following crash types saw fatality increases in 2020:

  • Crashes involving single vehicle run-off-the-road – 506 fatalities, up from 447 in 2019;
  • Crashes involving local roads – 224 fatalities, up from 186 in 2019;
  • Crashes involving motorcycles – 217 fatalities, up from 174 in 2019; and
  • Crashes involving speeding – 188 fatalities, up from 162 in 2019.

According to national data, over 90 percent of crashes are caused by driver behavior. For this reason, PennDOT focuses on data trends to drive enforcement and education improvements and invests $18 million annually in federal grant funds statewide to support these behavioral safety programs.

In addition to behavioral safety, PennDOT focuses on infrastructure improvements to roadways in an effort to further reduce fatalities and serious injuries. Approximately $477 million in Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program funds has been invested in 444 unique safety projects from 2015 to 2019. During that same timeframe, another $50 million of state funds was invested in low-cost safety improvements at approximately 3,000 locations. Examples of low-cost safety countermeasures include centerline and edge-line rumble strips and signing and pavement markings.

For more information on reportable crash data, visit PennDOT’s Pennsylvania Crash Information Tool (PCIT) website, www.crashinfo.penndot.gov. Under “Crash Downloads,” the “Reportable Crash Fatality Statistics” spreadsheet is updated with 2020 fatalities; 2020 crash statistics and suspected serious injury statistics are not yet available. The “Custom Query Tool” and additional crash downloads will be available later this month.

For more information on the department’s highway safety initiatives, visit PennDOT.gov/safety.

Space Time Mead & Cider Works Pledges 1% of Annual Sales to Environmental Causes

Space Time Mead & Cider Works joined 1% for the Planet, pledging to donate 1% of annual sales to support The Lackawanna River Conservation Association.

“When we started our winery, one of our core principals was to do what we could to protect our natural environment. Afterall, our wine depends on clean air, water, soil and biodiversity”, said Dan Schreffler, President of Space Time Mead & Cider Works. “We could think of no other local organization that has done so much for Lackawanna County’s quality of life by protecting and cleaning up the Lackawanna River and surrounding lands.”

“Currently, only 3% of total philanthropy goes to the environment and, only 5% of that comes from businesses. The planet needs bigger support than this, and our growing network of business members is doing its valuable part to increase giving and support on-the-ground outcomes. We’re excited to welcome Space Time Mead & Cider Works to our global movement,” says Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet. By contributing 1% of their annual sales, thousands of 1% for the Planet members have raised over $265 million to support approved environmental nonprofits around the globe. Nonprofits are approved based on referrals, track record and environmental focus. Thousands of nonprofits worldwide are currently approved.

“The biggest challenge we face in our work of river conservation and watershed stewardship is the lack of locally available funding to match state and federal grants and to help sustain our everyday operations,” said Bernie McGurl, Executive Director of the Lackawanna River Conservation Organization, (LRCA). “Having a dedicated fund like 1% for the Planet and a local business, like Space Time Mead & Cider Works reach out to us can be a real game changer to help advance our mission in the Lackawanna Watershed. We gratefully welcome the support of Space Time and look to their example as an encouragement to other local businesses to join with them in supporting 1% for the Planet and the LRCA.”

The Andrew Mazza Diesel Jam 2021 to Benefit Johnson College

The Andrew Mazza Foundation in support of Johnson College is proud to announce that Andrew Mazza Diesel Jam 2021 will take place on Saturday, July 10, 2021, from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. after being postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic. To accommodate the increasing amount of attendees & participating vendors, this year’s event is moving to the Circle Drive-in located on the Scranton-Carbondale Highway in Scranton, PA. Diesel Jam supports The Andrew Mazza Foundation, the Diesel Truck Technology Program at Johnson College, & scholarships for Johnson College & high school students.

Diesel Jam is a celebration of the truck community, featuring a diesel, gas, & antique truck show, mobile dyno runs, industry vendors, apparel vendors, food vendors, live entertainment & more. It is an all-day (rain or shine) family-friendly event.

All trucks are invited to participate & prizes will be awarded for Best in Show, Best Big Rig, Best Tow, Best Pick Up, and Best Antique & Diesel Jam People’s Choice. Additionally, cash prizes for the mobile dyno are $1,000 for Highest Overall Horsepower and Guess Your Horsepower prizes for 1st Place – $800, 2nd Place – $500, 3rd Place – $200, 4th and 5th Place – $100 each.

Early truck & mobile dyno registration can be completed through the Andrew Mazza Foundation’s website, andrewmazzafoundation.com/diesel-jam until June 30, 2021. The fee to register a truck is a $25 donation. Day of event registration & truck check-in will begin at 8 a.m. on July 10th, registration will be limited & will increase to $35 per registration. An additional $100 fee is required to register for the mobile dyno.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center Adds to its Team of Experts

To better assist manufacturers in capitalizing on growth opportunities, addressing workforce challenges and implementing new technologies, NEPIRC continues to add to its team of experts. 

Steven Goul recently joined the firm as a Mechanical Engineer. Mr. Goul brings with him an impressive resume, which includes ownership of two patents and more than 20 years of engineering experience with companies like Sanofi Pasteur, Honeywell Aerospace and Lockheed Martin. Within those companies, and through ongoing professional education, Mr. Goul received Six Sigma Black Belt, ISO9001, AS9100 and Lean Manufacturing designations and certificates. Additionally, Steve has been an active member of the U.S. Navy for 31 years, including deployment to Afghanistan. Mr. Goul still proudly serves one weekend a month at the U.S. Navy Expeditionary Combat Readiness Center in Norfolk, VA. Mr. Goul’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Penn State University and a master’s degree in engineering from the University of Wisconsin, where his thesis focused on teamwork and conflict resolution.

In addition, NEPIRC added Brandon Henrie as the organization’s newest Business Advisor. Mr. Henrie possesses 14 years’ experience in the medical sales industry. Throughout that tenure, Mr. Henrie obtained numerous recognition awards for exceptional client service and territory development. Brandon holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Kutztown University. Through continuing education and personal development, Mr. Henrie was a contributing author to “Job’s Analysis of the Range of the ‘Dalton Syringe Rocket.,’” which appeared in the Journal of Chemical Education, and obtained his Lean Specialist certification. Brandon is also an accomplished Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practitioner and teaches evening and weekend youth classes at Phoenix Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Nescopeck. In his role at NEPIRC, Brandon will maintain and cultivate valued client relationships throughout Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties.

Kauffman Named Vice President of Quandel Construction Group, Inc.

Karl Kauffman, LEED AP, was recently named vice president of preconstruction and estimating for Quandel Construction Group, Inc., a Quandel Enterprises Company, a Central Pennsylvania construction management and general contracting firm. Karl’s transitions into the role following the recent appointment of Michael Karcutskie (former vice president of preconstruction and estimating for Quandel Construction Group) to president of Quandel Construction Group.

Based in the firm’s corporate headquarters in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Kauffman is responsible for the implementation and management of the estimating and preconstruction efforts within the Quandel Construction Group team. Previously serving as a senior project manager, Karl used his communication skills to run efficient and timely projects, keep owners informed, and maintain positive relationship with team members. His technical skills have allowed him to assist in resolving issues and work with various superintendent on planning and implementing the firm’s project schedules.

Karl began his career with Quandel Construction Group in 2003 and over the past 18 years has demonstrated a deep understanding of the construction industry.

“Karl brings exceptional leadership skills to our clients. His creativity, deep commitment to service, and a collaborative style align well with Quandel’s purpose and core values,” said Michael Karcutskie, president of Quandel Construction Groups, Inc. “As we continue to grow and expand our client base, Karl’s experience is an asset to our firm and in meeting our client’s visions and goals.”

Karl is a graduate of The Pennsylvania State University, earning his Bachelor of Architectural Engineering Degree. He is involved in the American Society for Healthcare Engineering, holding a healthcare construction certificate. Karl resides in Newport, Pennsylvania with his wife, Rachel, and their daughter, Kloe.

Geisinger Hosts Free Community Shred Day Events

In observance of Earth Day, Geisinger is hosting free Community Shred Day events at several locations. Community members can bring their confidential personal and financial documents, such as bank statements, credit card bills and tax forms, to be securely shredded on-site and recycled.

Limit of three boxes of paper per person. Paper only please — do not put other waste into bins.

Join us for a Shred Day event near you:

  • Thursday, April 22, 7 – 11 a.m. at Geisinger Mt. Pleasant, 531 Mt. Pleasant Drive, Scranton
  • Friday, April 30, 7 – 11 a.m.; Monday, May 3, noon – 4 p.m. at Geisinger Orthopaedics Institute parking lot, 1175 East Mountain Blvd., Wilkes-Barre

For more information, call 570-271-6030.