Marywood University Offers Continuing Education Summer Art Workshops

Marywood University is offering Continuing Education Summer Art Workshops during the months of July and August. These workshops include:

  • Handmade Mugs – Saturday, July 31, 10 a.m,- noon, in the Ceramics Room on the first floor of the Insalaco Center for Studio Arts. Participants will roll out a slab of clay and add a handle to create a mug to include a favorite quote, initials, or design on the side to enjoy each morning with coffee or tea. The cost of the workshop is $50, and includes 3 pounds of clay, glazes, and firings.
  • Coil Building Workshop – Saturday, August 7, 12 – 4 p.m., in the Ceramics Room on the first floor of the Insalaco Center for Studio Arts. Participants will learn the basics of flattened and paddled coiling to create functional and decorative vessels. This workshop will provide attendees with historical notes as well as hands-on experience to help them gain an appreciation for this ancient art. Attendees will explore the coiling process to create a variety of bowls, mugs, and vases. The cost of the workshop is $120 and is open to all skill levels, and all forms of expression will be encouraged.
  • Beginning Calligraphy – Saturday, August 21, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Room 336, in the Insalaco Center for Studio Arts. An easy introduction to calligraphy includes instruction on how to set up your space, how to hold the pen properly, and the proper movements to make perfect letter strokes. A special calligraphy felt tip pen is included, as well as special calligraphy papers for a small materials fee. The cost is $35 plus a materials fee of $10, payable to Margie Zaums, instructor, at the time of the workshop.

For additional information on these workshops, please contact Christine Medley at cmedley@marywood.edu.

Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders to Participate in Triple-A Final Stretch

Minor League Baseball™ (MiLB™) and Major League Baseball™ (MLB™) announced the rescheduling of 10 games at the Triple-A level that were postponed at the start of the 2021 season. The rescheduled games will be played in a new postseason tournament format called the “Triple-A Final Stretch” and will follow the current 120-game Triple-A championship season schedule. All 30
Triple-A Clubs will play five home games and five road games during the Final Stretch.

For each the Triple-A East and Triple-A West, a 2021 Regular Season Champion will be named based on overall winning percentage through the originally scheduled championship season (concluding Sept. 19 and Sept. 21, respectively). Among the 30 Clubs, a single 2021 Triple-A Final Stretch Winner will also be crowned based on the highest overall winning percentage during this 10-game stretch. The winning Club will be awarded a prize from Major League Baseball.

“We think this format will add excitement to the end of the season while also allowing our teams a chance to reschedule games that were lost earlier in the year,” said Major League Baseball Senior Vice President, Minor League Operations and Development Peter Woodfork. “With all 30 teams
participating in this Final Stretch, all Triple-A players and communities will have the opportunity to win this year’s postseason tournament.”

The following tiebreakers will apply to determine the two Regular Season
Champions as well as the Final Stretch winner:

  1. Best regular season winning percentage.
  2. Regular season head-to-head record (if three or more clubs are tied, the
    best winning percentage in games among the Clubs).
  3. Best regular season winning percentage over the final 20 games.
  4. Best regular season winning percentage over the final 21 games, etc.
    The schedule for the Triple-A Final Stretch is attached and the matchups are as follows:

Geisinger’s MyCode Contributes to Gene Mutations Discovery by Regeneron Genetics Center

Scientists from the Regeneron Genetics Center (RGC) have discovered rare genetic mutations in the GPR75 gene that are associated with protection against obesity.

As part of the research that led to the finding, published in Science, RGC scientists analyzed deidentified genetic and associated health data from 645,000 volunteers from the United Kingdom, United States and Mexico, including participants in Geisinger’s MyCode Community Health Initiative.

It is estimated that more than one billion people will be suffering from severe obesity (body mass index [BMI] of 35 or higher) by 2030. Working with collaborators, RGC scientists found that individuals who have at least one inactive copy of the GPR75 gene have lower BMI and, on average, tend to weigh about 12 pounds less and face a 54% lower risk of obesity than those without the mutation. Protective mutations were found in about one of every 3,000 people sequenced.

“This is a potentially game-changing discovery that could improve the lives and health of millions of people dealing with obesity, for whom lasting interventions have often been elusive,” said Christopher D. Still, D.O., director for the Geisinger Obesity Research Institute at Geisinger Medical Center. “While the behavioral and environmental ties to obesity are well understood, the discovery of GPR75 helps us put the puzzle pieces together to better understand the influence of genetics. Further studies and evaluation are needed to determine if reducing weight in this manner can also lower the risk of conditions commonly associated with high BMI, such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure and fatty liver disease.”

Regeneron scientists, collaborating with scientists at New York Medical College, replicated their finding in mice that were genetically engineered using Regeneron’s VelociGene® technology to lack copies of the GPR75 gene. Such mice gained 44% less weight than mice without the mutation when both groups were fed a high-fat diet.

Regeneron scientists are pursuing multiple therapeutic pathways – such as antibody, small molecule and gene silencing approaches – based on this newly discovered genetic target. “Discovering protective genetic superpowers, such as in GPR75, provides hope in combatting global health challenges as complex and prevalent as obesity,” said George D. Yancopoulos, M.D., Ph.D., co-founder, president and chief scientific officer at Regeneron.

“Discovery of protective mutations – many of which have been made by the Regeneron Genetics Center in its eight-year history – will allow us to unlock the full potential of genetic medicine by instructing on where to deploy cutting-edge approaches like gene-editing, gene-silencing and viral vector technologies.”

Boback Announces Veterans Assistance Appointments

Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) welcomes veterans assistance appointments back into her district offices in Dallas and Tunkhannock from the American Legion and Disabled American Veterans.

The Dallas district office located at 105 Lt. Michael Cleary Drive hosts both a service officer from the American Legion and a representative from the Disabled American Veterans Outreach. On the fourth Tuesday of every month starting in August, veterans can schedule an appointment with the American Legion service officer, Brian Stolarski from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. On the fourth Thursday of every month a representative from the Disabled American Veterans Outreach is in the office from noon to 3 p.m. To schedule an appointment at the Dallas district office, please call 570-675-6000.

The Tunkhannock district office located at 133 W. Tioga Street, Suite 4, hosts the American Legion service officer, the first Wednesday of every month from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. To schedule an appointment at the Tunkhannock district office, please call 570-836-4777.

Veterans or their dependents can schedule a meeting for a veterans assistance appointment to discuss issues and have questions answered about benefits and services for which they may be eligible.

Services available to veterans and their dependents include assistance with compensation, pension, death benefits, education, and health care. Veterans do not need to be a member of the organizations to receive these services.

Appointments are necessary and space is limited.

Marywood University Announces New VP for Finance and Administration

Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., president of Marywood University, announced that William McDonald has been appointed by the board of trustees as the university’s new vice president for finance and administration (VPFA), effective July 1, 2021.

In his new role as Marywood’s VPFA, Mr. McDonald will serve as the university’s chief financial officer and will oversee a range of administrative and business operations that support Marywood and facilitate the advancement of its academic mission. He will be a key member of the executive leadership team, helping to define the strategic direction of the institution and providing leadership in the development and implementation of its financial and administrative infrastructure, along with its operational procedures.

“Bill is a seasoned vice president and has a thorough working knowledge of all the fiscal and related operations of an institution of higher education,” said Sister Mary Persico. “He resonates strongly with our mission and culture.” 

Mr. McDonald comes to Marywood from Bloomfield College, Bloomfield, N.J., where he focused his entire career on higher education finance, planning, and administration. During his more than three decades at Bloomfield, he worked his way through the ranks in fiscal roles and responsibilities, beginning as an accountant and ultimately becoming the institution’s vice president for finance and administration.

Mr. McDonald’s sound financial and administrative management during his career at Bloomfield resulted in operating efficiencies, revenue enhancements, and cost reductions in the areas of finance, technology, recruitment and retention, facilities, and vendor negotiations.

His work and dedication have been recognized with the Distinguished Service Award from Bloomfield College, a Gold Award from the Downtown N.J. Excellence Awards for Franklin Street Residence Hall, and a Development Recognition Award from the Suburban Essex Chamber of Commerce. Additionally, Mr. McDonald twice merited the Dedicated Service Award from Livingston National Little League and Softball.

His community affiliations include the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Knights of Columbus-Military Wounded & Veterans Project. Mr. McDonald was previously involved in the Bloomfield Business Advisory Board, Livingston American/National Little League and Softball, and Project Children.

Mr. McDonald holds a master of science degree in management from Thomas Edison State College (Trenton, N.J.) and a bachelor of science degree in accounting and administration with a concentration in finance, from Bloomfield College (Bloomfield, N.J.) Additionally, he completed the College Business Management Institute Program of the Southern Association of College and University Business Officers at the University of Kentucky (Lexington, Ky.)

PennDOT Highlights Career Opportunities

PennDOT District 4 highlighted opportunities to join the PennDOT team in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties. 

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is seeking hardworking individuals to work from September 2021 through April 2022 in the Winter Maintenance Program! If you enjoy working in a fast-paced and dedicated environment on a seasonal basis, or with the potential for promotion into a permanent position, this is the job for you. Please go to www.employment.pa.gov or click here to apply today.

Watch this video to see how you can make a difference in the Winter Maintenance Program!

“Engineering District 4, which is responsible for Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counites has immediate openings for transportation equipment operators with commercial driver’s licenses (CDL), diesel and construction equipment mechanics, auto mechanics, laborers, and radio dispatchers in all counties.  We need to fill almost 100 CDL operator positions and 23 non-operator positions, District-wide for this winter.” said Jonathan Eboli, Assist District Executive of PennDOT District 4.

Starting hourly rates are:

·       Transportation Equipment/CDL Operator ($19.24)
·       Diesel & Construction Equipment Mechanic ($20.40)
·       Auto Mechanic ($18.08)
·       Semi-Skilled Laborer ($16.05)
·       Tradesman Helper ($16.05)
·       Welder ($18.08)
·       Radio Dispatcher ($14.25)
·       Custodial Worker ($14.25)
·       Stock Clerk ($14.25)

Motorists can check conditions on major roadway miles by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, 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.

511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional twitter alerts accessible on the 511PA website. Subscribe to PennDOT news and traffic alerts in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties at www.penndot.gov/District4. Information about infrastructure in District 4, including completed work and significant projects, is available at www.penndot.gov/D4Results.

HNB Supports Lacawac Sanctuary 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 $2,000 of their approved allotment to the Lacawac Sanctuary Field Station and Environmental Education Center, nestled on 550 acres near the shores of Lake Wallenpaupack. The funds, donated by HNB, will support the Center’s K-12 innovative educational programs

HNB President & CEO David Raven stated, “Lacawac Sanctuary presents benefits to our environment,  local students, and community members.” He said, “We are glad that we can continue to support the funding of this organization to care for our youth’s education and environmental preservation.”

Craig Lukatch, Lacawac Sanctuary President, said, “Lacawac Sanctuary is very grateful for the generous support of The Honesdale National Bank. Lacawac’s YES (Youth Engaging Science) Programs provide opportunities for students to participate in hands-on environmental STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education programs both in and out of school.”

The Lacawac Sanctuary offers direct experiences with nature, providing relevant learning that equips students with critical thinking, creative approaches, and problem-solving skills. Their mission is to preserve the natural beauty of Lake Lacawac, its watershed, and surrounding lands; to conduct long-term research on natural systems as part of a global effort to understand and protect the Earth’s biodiversity; and to increase appreciation of this effort through innovative, field-based educational programs for students, teachers, and the community.

Lukatch continued, “Lacawac strives each year to take our inquiry-based science programs to the next level, transforming the way teachers teach and students learn environmental education.”

Johnson College Now Offering Automotive Paid Internship Opportunity

Johnson College is offering an Automotive industry-driven career exploration experience to high school students enrolled in the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR). This program will be held from July 26 through August 6 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Johnson College campus and industry partner locations. Students will have an opportunity to dive into a college experience and develop skills to prepare them for success on and off a college campus. They will also receive exposure to the automotive industry through a paid internship program.  

The second week of the program will run from 9 a.m. to noon and will take place at different industry partner locations allow students to shadow local automotive industries and gain first-hand knowledge and experience.

For more information and to register, email Tim Frank, Academic Program Specialist at Johnson College, at tfrank@johnson.edu. This event is free for students enrolled in the OVR program.

For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.