UNC’s Mid Valley Senior Community Center Starts Ballroom Classes United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) Mid Valley Senior Community Center starts its newest free activity, Ballroom Dance Classes with Vince Brust on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at 9:00 am. Any interested older adults 60+ can register by calling 570-489-4415, no experience or partner necessary. The classes are offered in partnership with Arts in Education, Lackawanna County Area on Aging, the Pennsylvania Department on Aging, and the Scranton Area Community Foundation. About Vince Brust, Dance Instructor/Choreographer Vince Brust, a graduate from University of Louvain, Belgium, has taught more than 76,000 Dance lessons since 1975. He has in North and South America, Africa, Australia, and Europe. Vince appeared on Oprah Winfrey Show and was a Rotary International Exchange Dance Professional to Brazil. He conducts residencies in Swing, Latin or Ballroom Dancing for 3rd through 12th grades, and Senior citizens. He draws connections between the history and movements of the dance(s) with his students’ own courses: (e.g. Spanish language studies and Salsa; or Swing dance and WWII era). The benefits of such a residency manifold greater self-confidence, self-esteem, and greater “connectedness” with fellow students.
Celebrity Chef Rocco DiSpirito to Host Exclusive Dinner at Mohegan Pennsylvania WHAT: Guests are invited to experience a taste of Italy like never before! On Saturday, April 6th in the Keystone Grand Ballroom, an unforgettable evening will unfold with celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito and the talented Mohegan Pennsylvania culinary team. WHEN/WHERE: Saturday, April 6th Registration and Cocktail Hour: 4:30pm Dinner: 5:30pm Keystone Grand Ballroom IN DETAIL: The Keystone Grand Ballroom at Mohegan Pennsylvania is set to host an exclusive event featuring a mouthwatering multi-course meal crafted by celebrity chef Rocco DiSpirito and the Mohegan Pennsylvania culinary team. Chef Rocco will introduce each course and visit guests at their tables throughout the event. Each guest in attendance will be among the first in the world to receive an autographed copy of the #1 New York Times bestselling author’s newest book, Everyday Delicious: 30 Minute(ish) Home-Cooked Meals Made Simple: A Cookbook, to be published on Tuesday, April 30th. Availability is limited for this exclusive event. All attendees must be 21 years of age or older. Tickets are $100 and on sale now at the Hotel Front Desk, subject to availability. Hotel packages are also available. Media coverage opportunities at the Rocco DiSpirito Dinner are available. For more information, please contact PR Manager Charisse Huff at Chuff@mohegangaming.com and PR Specialist Jack Graham at Jgraham@mohegangaming.com.
UNC’s Illumination Youth Arts Opening Night Reception & Exhibit United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) Illumination Youth Arts is presenting their first ever multimedia interactive exhibit titled “Illuminated Echoes: Ancient Games and Youth Artistry.” The public is invited to their opening night reception on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 6:00 pm at AFA Gallery, 101 Penn Avenue in downtown Scranton. The show runs until April 18, 2024. The display includes photography, painting, drawing, sculpture, and pottery from 22 UNC Youth Artists. Guests are encouraged to mingle with the artists on March 28 to learn about their masterpieces and play the interactive component of the exhibit – the recreation of lost and ancient games. They will learn the history of the games and how to play the replicas created by the artists using 3D design/printing and pottery techniques. Featured artists include Jaida Rosa, Fourth Grade, featuring her ceramics. Tiana Jeter, Seventh Grade, highlighting her photography and ceramics. Janyah Currie, a high school sophomore, displaying her photography, mixed media, and ceramics. Janiya Jones, a high school sophomore, will be presenting her 3D design and photography. Lizmary Camacho, a high school senior, will be showing photography and mixed media. Enjelis Madera, a high school senior, will be featuring her photography, mixed media, and ceramics. Illumination Youth Arts is funded by Lackawanna County, The City of Scranton, United Way of Lackawanna and Wayne Counties, and the Overlook Estate Foundation. For more information, contact Kylee Colvin, UNC’s Community Youth Manager at 570-961-1592, ext. 105.
Geisinger to Host Free Community Shred Events across Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania In observance of Earth Day, Geisinger will host free community shred events across northeastern and central Pennsylvania throughout the month of April. Employees and members of the public are invited to bring any personal or professional confidential documents — such as bank statements, credit card bills and tax forms — to be securely shredded on-site and recycled. Each person is limited to three boxes. Do not use bins for non-paper waste or garbage. For more information, call 570-271-6030. Community shred events: Monday, April 8 – Geisinger Mt. Pleasant, 531 Mt. Pleasant Drive, Scranton, 7 – 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 9 – Geisinger Healthplex State College, 132 Abigail Lane, Port Matilda, 7 – 11 a.m. Friday, April 12 – Geisinger Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, 1175 E. Mountain Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, 7 – 11 a.m. Monday, April 15 – Geisinger Health Plan Hughes Center, 9 Stearns Lane, Danville, 7 – 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 16 – Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital, 1020 Thompson St., Jersey Shore, 7 – 11 a.m. Thursday, April 18 – Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, 400 Highland Ave., Lewistown, 7 – 11 a.m. Friday, April 19 – Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital, 4200 Hospital Road, Coal Township, 7 – 11 a.m. Monday, April 22 – Geisinger Medical Center Muncy, 255 Route 220, Muncy, 7 – 11 a.m. Friday, April 23 – Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital, 549 Fair St., Bloomsburg, 7 – 11 a.m. Friday, April 26 – Geisinger Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, 1175 East Mountain Blvd., Wilkes-Barre, Noon – 4 p.m. Monday, April 29 – Geisinger Health Plan Hughes Center, 9 Stearns Lane, Danville, Noon – 4 p.m.
Wayne Bank’s Anna Van Acker Receives PA Bankers Tomorrow’s Promise Award Anna Van Acker, Wayne Bank Assistant Vice President and Commercial Lender, was the recipient of the PA Bankers Women in Banking Recognition of Excellence “Tomorrow’s Promise Award,” at the 2024 Women in Banking Conference in Hershey, PA. Each year, the Women in Banking Recognition of Excellence Program honors rising stars and leaders throughout the banking industry that continually “go the extra mile” promoting and inspiring other women to reach their full potential within their company as well as their community. Four individuals were honored in three categories at the March 4th conference located at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center. Van Acker was nominated by Wayne Bank Vice President and Marketing Manager, Kristen Lancia, and was selected amongst five additional nominees. She was recognized as a woman, aged 35 or younger, who continues to make a significant impact in the financial industry and her community, making her “one to watch” in the Pennsylvania market. According to Wayne Bank President & CEO, Jim Donnelly, “We are incredibly proud to have Anna on our team at Wayne Bank and congratulate her on this well-deserved award. She embodies true leadership and has a passion for helping others, whether it be at work with her colleagues and customers, or in the local community.” Van Acker began her banking career in 2018 as a management trainee and was hired as a Commercial Lender with Wayne Bank in 2021. She was promoted to Assistant Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer in 2022. Van Acker loves working with local business owners to help them transform their visions into reality. She says the most satisfying part of her job is watching her clients’ businesses grow into beloved community landmarks. Inspired by her parents, Van Acker discovered her passion for community service early in life. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Human Resources Center, PAWS of NEPA, and the PA Professional Women in Building Council. She is also a committee member of the PA Bankers Young Professionals Association. In addition, Anna volunteers with the Honesdale Area Jaycees, and maintains memberships with several industry organizations throughout the area. Van Acker attended the University of Scranton and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, with a minor in French Language and Literature. She resides in Pike County with her husband, Mark, and their dog, Faust. PHOTO CAPTION – LEFT TO RIGHT: Jim Donnelly, Wayne Bank President & CEO; Anna Van Acker, Wayne Bank Assistant Vice President & Commercial Lender, and Tomorrow’s Promise Award Recipient; J. Duncan Campbell III, President & CEO, PA Bankers Association.
WVIA to Celebrate Area Filmmakers as 2024 NEPA Film Festival Media Partner WVIA, Northeastern Pennsylvania’s PBS and NPR station, is proud to announce its return as the official media partner for the 2024 NEPA Film Festival, taking place April 12th-14th at the Waverly Community House. WVIA is committed to fostering a thriving film culture in NEPA, and its continued partnership with the festival reflects that dedication. WVIA will ignite imaginations and empower aspiring filmmakers with a series of informative workshops led by its award-winning production team and host a personal and informative Q&A session with the event’s keynote speaker. “WVIA is committed to fostering creativity and storytelling in our region,” said WVIA’s Chief Content Officer, Ben Payavis II. “The NEPA Film Festival is a fantastic platform to connect with passionate filmmakers, and our workshops provide valuable insights and practical tools to help them elevate their craft.” Engaging with the Masters: Opening Reception Q&A Hosted by WVIA’s Julie Sidoni The festival’s keynote speaker, Doug Claybourne, producer of films such as The Fast and the Furious, Peggy Sue Got Married, and Mighty Ducks 2 will engage in a Q&A session moderated by WVIA’s very own Julie Sidoni. This promises to be an insightful exchange, offering the audience a chance to delve deeper into the speaker’s experiences and gain valuable industry knowledge, and view his latest short film, The Rainbow Prince. Cultivating Tomorrow’s Filmmakers: The WVIA Student Showcase Aspiring young directors take center stage with the WVIA Student Showcase. High school and college students from across the region submitted their short films, and the winners will have their work screened on the festival’s big screen in front of a captivated audience, including fellow filmmakers and industry professionals. WVIA Educational Workshops: Unleashing Your Inner Filmmaker WVIA’s engaging workshops cater to both budding and experienced filmmakers. Attendees can learn from some of the best in the industry: “Create Films, Not Content” with Alexander Monelli: Dive into the art of crafting compelling narratives on a shoestring budget. “Storytelling Unleashed: Creating Films with the Camera in Your Pocket” presented by Tim Novotney: Discover the power of smartphone filmmaking and unleash the potential in your pocket. “How Much ‘Bio’ Goes Into a Biopic? / Licensing, Releases, & Fair Use” with Kris Hendrickson & Ben Payavis II: Explore the legalities of bringing true stories to life and navigate the world of licensing and fair use. “Promotional Best Practices: How to Show Them What You Got” with Kara Washington: Learn how to craft a captivating message and effectively promote your films to the right audience. Event Tickets Workshop admission is included with a NEPA Film Festival day pass, allowing attendees to gain practical knowledge while enjoying a weekend immersed in cinema. For more information about WVIA’s workshops at the NEPA Film Festival, visit the NEPA Film Festival website here.
The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Names Program Director The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Regional Family Medicine Residency has named Dr. Stephanie A. Gill as the program director of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited program. A board-certified family medicine physician, Gill is a Shickshinny native and a graduate of Northwest Area High School. She has been serving as a physician faculty member and associate program director for the residency program since 2022. She provides primary care for adults and children of all ages at The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre Practice. As program director, Gill provides administrative and clinical oversight of the education program that trains and educates the next generation of physicians and collaboratively provides preventive and primary health services at The Wright Center for Community Health’s network of primary care practices in Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wayne counties. Prior to The Wright Center, Gill was an attending physician at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and an assistant professor at Penn State College of Medicine in the Department of Family and Community Medicine. She also saw patients at the Penn State Medical Group Camp Hill. A Penn State University graduate, Gill received her Doctor of Medicine from Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia. She completed her residency in family medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s St. Margaret Hospital. At the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Gill completed a fellowship in faculty development, where she also earned a multidisciplinary master’s degree in public health. Gill is a member of the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians, American Association of Family Physicians, Society of Teachers of Family Medicine, and Family Medicine Education Consortium. She is on the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Coalition for Oral Health, the chairperson of the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Oral Health Collaborative, and a steering committee member of Smiles for Life: A National Oral Health Curriculum. The Wright Center is one of the largest U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration-funded Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education consortiums in the nation. It offers residencies in four disciplines – family medicine, internal medicine, physical medicine & rehabilitation, and psychiatry – as well as fellowships in cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology, and geriatrics. All of its programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Go to TheWrightCenter.org to learn more about how The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s physician workforce pipeline is educating and training the next generation of physicians and interprofessional providers.
April Events Planned at University of Scranton April Events Planned at University of Scranton Through Apr. 21 Art Exhibit: “Scranton Stories” Oral History Interviews and Photographs. Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Free during library hours. Call 570-941-6341 or email michael.knies@Scranton.edu. Apr. 4 5 p.m. 27th Annual ACHE Healthcare Symposium: “Driving Change in Healthcare.” McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Registration required. Includes dinner, presentation and panel discussion. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4527 or email abigail.lynott@scranton.edu. Apr. 4 6:30 p.m. Scranton Stories Oral History and Photographs meet and greet with the project team and interviewees reception. Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Registration required. Free. Call 570-941-6341 or email michael.knies@Scranton.edu. Apr. 5 through May 3 Art Exhibit: “Our Common Home: Landscapes from the University of Scranton Art Collection.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. Apr. 5 11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Seminar: “The World in Disarray” presented by Jill Dougherty, adjunct professor, Georgetown University’s Center for Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies, a Global Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., and a member of the Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute Advisory Council. McDonnell Room, The DeNaples Center. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu. Apr. 5 5 p.m. Art Gallery Lecture: “Our Common Home: Landscapes from the University of Scranton Art Collection” presented by Darlene Miller-Lanning, Ph.D., director, Hope Horn Gallery. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Free. Reception to follow at the Hope Horn Gallery as part of Scranton’s First Fridays events. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. Apr. 8 4 p.m. Henry George Lecture: “The Economics of Obesity” presented by John Cawley, Ph.D., professor, Department of Economics and the Department of Policy Analysis and Management, Cornell University. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4048 or email john.ruddy@scranton.edu. Apr. 10 5:30 p.m. Graduate Open House. DeNaples Center, 4th floor. Registration required. Free. Call 888-SCRANTON or email gradadmissions@scranton.edu. Apr. 10 5:30 p.m. Slattery Center Lecture: “REARRANGED: An Opera Singer’s Facial Cancer and Life Transposed” presented by Kathleen Watt. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-4700 or email sarah.kenehan@scranton.edu. Apr. 14 9 a.m. Preview Day for accepted students to The University of Scranton’s class of 2027. Various locations on campus. Call 570-941-7540 or email admissions@scranton.edu. Apr. 14 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Recital” featuring Mark Kosower and Mingyao Zhao, cello. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Apr. 15 5 p.m. Environmental Art Show Opening Event: An Artist Talk with Theresa O’Connor. Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Free. Call 570-941-4740 or email marleen.cloutier@scranton.edu. Apr. 15-24 Environmental Art Show: “Creating Connections.” Charles Kratz Scranton Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Free during library hours. Call 570-941-4740 or email marleen.cloutier@scranton.edu. Apr. 16 11 a.m. Earth Day Fair with interactive games, presentation and information related to the environment and sustainable practices. Atrium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-6267 or email mark.murphy@scranton.edu. Apr. 18 8:30 a.m. Hayes Family Competition in physics and engineering for high school students. Byron Complex. Registration required. Call 570-941-7509 or email salisa.brown@scranton.edu. Apr. 18 5:30 p.m. Earth Day “Evening of Environmental Science” and Essay Award Presentation. University student-run interactive science experiments and exhibit of University of Scranton Earth Day Essay Contest submissions. Essay contest awards will be announced at the event. Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-6267 or email susan.falbo@scranton.edu. Apr. 18 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton String Orchestra with special guest cello soloists Mark Kosower and Mingyao Zhao. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Apr. 18-20 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday. Performance: “Children of Eden” presented by The University of Scranton Liva Arts Company. McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Ticket prices vary. Visit https://livaartscompany.ludus.com for tickets or email livartscompany@gmail.com. Apr. 23 4:15 p.m. Math Integration Bee. Calculus-based high school math competition. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Registration required. See https://www.scranton.edu/academics/cas/math/bee.shtml for more details or email stacey.muir@scranton.edu. Apr. 24 noon. Celebration of Student Scholars. Displays and presentations of undergraduate and graduate student research and scholarly projects. Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-7653 or email brooke.leonard@scranton.edu. Apr. 25 5 p.m. Campus Take Back the Night. Dionne Green. Free. Call 570-941-6194 or email brandice.ricciardi@scranton.edu. Apr. 25 6p.m. Schemel Forum with the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Collaborative Program: “The Mind and Music of Scott Joplin” presented by Richard Kogan, M.D., professor of psychiatry, Weill Cornell Medical College, and artistic director, Weill Cornell Music and Medicine Program. Reception to follow. Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, 525 Pine Street, Scranton. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu. Apr. 27-28 9 a.m. Saturday; Noon Sunday. Friends of the Library Book Sale. Heritage Room, Weinberg Memorial Library. Call 570-941-6195 or email melisa.gallo@scranton.edu.
Johnson College Continuing Education Enrolling in Hazleton Johnson College’s Continuing Education program is now enrolling students in its Class A CDL Driver Training and Medical Assistant courses at its satellite campus, Johnson College at the CAN DO Training Center in Hazle Township. Class A CDL Driver Training The Continuing Education Class A CDL Driver Training is held in partnership with Ancora Education and will begin on April 1, running Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Students will learn to inspect and operate tractor-trailers and to assume driver responsibilities on the road and at pickup/delivery points. Emphasis is placed on vehicle inspections, defensive driving, range maneuvers, motor carrier safety regulations (DOT 380 -397 and a certificate for entry-level drivers), trip planning, cargo handling, size/weight laws, general maintenance procedures, hours of service, and accident prevention. Participants in this 160-hour program can obtain their CDL in as little as four weeks. The course complies with the new Entry Level Driver Training (ELDT) rules established by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA), which went into effect in February 2022. The class fee is $5,000 and is approved by PA CareerLink for those eligible for funding through their local CareerLink. To learn more or to enroll in the Class A CDL Driver Training course, visit https://johnson.edu/hazleton/hazleton-cdl/ or contact the College’s Continuing Education department at continuinged@johnson.edu. Medical Assistant The Continuing Education Medical Assistant course will begin on April 15, running Monday through Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. This program prepares students to assist physicians by performing functions related to the clinical aspects of a medical office. Functions include preparing patients for examination, treatment, routine laboratory procedures, pharmacology, and taking and documenting vital signs. Plus, students will learn the fundamentals of phlebotomy and venipunctures, anatomy & physiology, and medical terminology encountered in the field. Students will gain the knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties required of a medical assistant. The class fee is $5,000 and is approved by PA CareerLink for those eligible for funding through their local CareerLink. To learn more or to enroll in the Medical Assistant course, visit https://johnson.edu/continuing-ed/medical-assistant/ or contact the College’s Continuing Education department at continuinged@johnson.edu.
The Catherine McAuley Center is Hosting a Mother’s Day Tea Party The Catherine McAuley Center will be hosting a Mother’s Day Tea Party to celebrate mothers and other women in our lives; this event is open to the community. Refreshments, finger sandwiches and dessert will be served. In addition to the tea party fare, there will be children’s activities, a family photo station, door prizes, raffles and so much more! “At the Catherine McAuley Center, we see every day the physical, mental and emotional work that mother’s put in to create homes. Our Mother’s Day Tea offers an affordable opportunity to celebrate moms, valuing the visible and invisible contributions women make to our community. The Mother’s Day Tea is a fun opportunity to celebrate,” shared Krista Murray, Executive Director of the Catherine McAuley Center. The Mother’s Day Tea Party will be located at The Space at Olive, 541 Wyoming Avenue in Scranton on Saturday, April 27th, 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM. Tickets are $25 per adult, up to four children up to the age of 18 are included on the ticket. There are sponsorship, donation, and volunteer opportunities. For more information on the event, please contact the Catherine McAuley Center by calling Mary-Pat Ward, Development Director at (570) 342-1342 or emailing at mpward@catherinemcauleycenter.org. To purchase sponsorship/tickets: https://tinyurl.com/2024cmcteaparty
