Lackawanna Historical Society Genealogy Forum Registration Now Open

The Lackawanna Historical Society’s Genealogy Forum is an opportunity to learn more about specific topics in family history research and discuss particular research tactics to uncover your family story.  These sessions are geared to those who are not new to genealogy research and who have a strong knowledge of their U.S. family history. In taking these courses, registrants should have an idea as to which places their ancestors are from in Europe.

Saturday, April 12 from 10 am to Noon: Researching Ireland and Scots-Irish Records with Barbara Spellman Shuta, Kate Bohan and Madonna Munley at the Lackawanna County Children’s Library Community Room

Saturday, May 10 from 10 am to Noon: Researching Poland with Tony Paddock at the North Pocono Library

Saturday, June 14 from 10 am to Noon: Researching Italy with Ann Marie Castelgrande at Council Chambers, 2nd floor of Carbondale City Hall

Saturday, July 12 from 10 am to Noon: Researching Carpatho-Rusyn Records with Natalie Asikainen at the Albright Memorial Library, Henkelman Room

August (date TBA) Researching Germany with Tom Price at the Valley Community Library

Saturday, September 13 from 10 am to Noon: Researching England and Wales with Tom Price at the Abington Community Library

These sessions are free, but advance registration is required. For more information or to register for these sessions, contact the Lackawanna Historical Society at 570-344-3841 or email lackawannahistory@gmail.com.

Marywood President Emerita Sister Mary Persico Recognized with AICUP Awards

Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., Marywood President Emerita and Director of Special Projects, was among three individuals recently honored for their service by the 85-member institutions of the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania (AICUP).

Sister Mary, who is AICUP Chair Emeritus and has served the organization admirably in other leadership capacities, received the Francis J. Michelini Award for Outstanding Service to Higher Education, in recognition of distinguished work in higher education, particularly during her tenure at Marywood University, where she served as the 12th President from 2016-2024. Sister Mary continues to serve Marywood as President Emerita and Director of Special Projects, guiding the work of the university’s new strategic plan and its regular Middle States accreditation review process.

Earlier in the year, Sister Mary and Marywood University were recognized in the Best Opinion category of the 2025 AICUP Comm Awards with the “Distinguished Communicator” designation, given for a piece she co-authored with AICUP President Thomas P. Foley, “A College Degree Is Well Worth the Investment,” which appeared in The Scranton Times-Tribune on January 2, 2024.

The recognitions took place during the AICUP annual meeting on Monday, March 24. The award ceremony at the Hilton Harrisburg was attended by dozens of college presidents from across the Commonwealth, as well as legislators and VIP guests.

Jewish Family Service of NEPA Receives Grant

Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania (JFS) is honored to be a recipient of a $10,000 grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation as part of its 2024 grant cycle. This generous funding, administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, will provide vital support to JFS, allowing the organization to continue delivering essential programs and services to the community.

For over 100 years, JFS has been committed to supporting individuals and families in need, regardless of race, religion, or background. The grant will directly enhance the agency’s ability to provide mental health counseling, older adult services, food assistance, and emergency support for vulnerable populations throughout our community.

The Robert H. Spitz Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting nonprofit organizations that make a meaningful impact, has been a longstanding advocate for community-driven initiatives. By providing resources to organizations like JFS, the foundation plays a crucial role in fostering resilience and positive change in the region.

Pictured in photo from left to right: Cathy Fitzpatrick, Director of Grants & Scholarships for the Scranton Area Community Foundation; Sheila Nudelman Abdo, ACSW, LCSW, JFS Executive Director; Arthur E. Levandoski, JFS Coordinator of Marketing and Development; Laura Ducceschi, President & CEO for the Scranton Area Community Foundation.

Moses Taylor Foundation Honored with Friend of School Nursing Award

The Pennsylvania Association of School Nurses and Practitioners (PASNAP) recognized Moses Taylor Foundation as the recipient of the 2025 Friend of School Nursing Award for Pennsylvania. This award is presented to organizations and individuals outside the profession of school nursing who have made significant contributions to the practice of school nursing in the Commonwealth.

Christine Marcos, Senior Program Officer, has been immersed in the Foundation’s strategic focus area of school-based health for seven years. She shares, “School nurses are on the front lines of meeting the health needs of students, and their work encompasses far more than what most people realize. They are key to helping students manage chronic diseases, connecting families to crucial resources, screening children for health concerns, and much more. Our Board and staff are continually inspired by their resilience, knowledge, and passion for student health, and it is our privilege to support their work.”

Representatives from Moses Taylor Foundation accepted the award on March 22, 2025, in State College.

Alongside key partners such as PASNAP, Moses Taylor Foundation has so far invested $1.7 million, countless staff hours, and other resources to support school nurses through a four-point strategy that includes:

  • Advocacy for regular reevaluation of school health law, policies, and mandates
  • Building awareness of the school nurse role and connections between school nurses and key partners
  • Increased professional development opportunities specific to the role of the school nurse
  • Research and piloting of innovative school nurse workforce and funding models

“Since 2019, Moses Taylor Foundation has put school nurses front and center, advocating for solutions to barriers affecting school nurses, and helping to improve school health services for the students of Pennsylvania.  I can think of no person or organization more deserving of this year’s Friend of School Nursing award,” said Kathy Verbel, MEd, BSN, RN, NCSN, PASNAP’s Moses Taylor Foundation Liaison.

Marywood University Aviation Program Soars into Philadelphia Region

Marywood University is expanding the reach of its longstanding Aviation Management program into the Philadelphia region at Wings Field Airport (LOM), commonly known as “the Blue Bell Airport,” in the Philadelphia suburb of Blue Bell.

Established 25 years ago, Marywood’s aviation program has seen a rising demand, especially as commercial pilots retire in record numbers and a global shortage of certified pilots escalates. Now, through its partnership with Fly Gateway Aviation Institute, Marywood is extending its proven Scranton-based program into the Philadelphia area, offering students in Southeastern Pennsylvania and surrounding regions the ability to stay, learn, and train close to home.

“What Marywood University offers is a distinctive, professional, immersive aviation experience, which is more than just pilot training—students earn a business degree, in addition to flight certification, which ultimately gives them more options, greater flexibility, and better employability throughout their career,” said Captain Joseph McDonald, Director of Marywood’s Aviation Management Program and a retired American Airlines Captain. “Our partnership with Fly Gateway allows Marywood to go beyond Scranton and offer this incredible opportunity to students in the Southeastern Pennsylvania/Delaware region.”

Marywood University offers two tracks in its Aviation Management Program—one for Pilot/Flight Operations, for those who wish to become certified pilots, and another for Airline/Airport Management, for those interested in the business side of the industry. Through an all-in-one integrated program, students receive aviation-specific training with a strong business foundation, providing the leadership and management skills needed to succeed in today’s aviation industry. Students can take all non-pilot related courses online to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree, while taking in-person flight courses and instruction at the Blue Bell Airport.

As part of their training, students will have access to a fleet of modern aircraft, including the 2022-2024 Piper Archer 100i. These advanced airplanes feature cutting-edge electronic displays, ensuring that students train on the latest industry technology and are well-prepared for the modern cockpit environment. Another distinctive feature of Marywood’s Aviation Management Program is the ability for those in the Pilot/Flight Operations track to fly sooner.

“At Marywood University, we believe in learning by doing. Students in our program fly during their freshman year,” said Anthony Nestico, Assistant Director of Marywood’s Aviation Management Program and a JetBlue First Officer. “Most pilot programs make them wait until their sophomore or junior year before they ever get to fly a real airplane. While we have airplane simulators to get them started, they are soon prepared and equipped to take flight in their first year.”

PennDOT Announces Registration for 2025 Pick Up Pennsylvania

Over 3.2 million pounds of litter and trash picked up in 2024 by more than 77,000 volunteers

As part of the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to maintaining the Commonwealth’s natural resources and enhancing tourism, Pennsylvanians are invited to register for the 2025 Pick Up Pennsylvania litter cleanup initiative. A collaborative effort among the Pennsylvania Departments of Transportation (PennDOT) and Environmental Protection (DEP) and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, Pick Up Pennsylvania offers civic-minded volunteers an opportunity to help keep their communities clean and free from litter. 

Litter can pollute streams and rivers with microplastics, degrading water quality, and harming the fish, birds, and wildlife that depend on healthy streams and rivers to thrive. Pick Up PA, an annual volunteer effort to clean up Pennsylvania roads, parks, streams and communities, represents Governor Shapiro’s commitment to protecting Pennsylvania’s cherished natural resources. Earlier this year the Shapiro Administration announced more than $15 million in funding to conserve and protect waterways and watersheds, reclaim abandoned mine sites, and plug abandoned wells.

In 2024, more than 77,000 volunteers participated in Pick Up Pennsylvania. Over 3.2 million pounds of litter and trash were picked up, 4.5 million pounds of materials recycled, and more than 14,000 trees, flowers and other greens were planted.

Also in 2024, PennDOT’s Adopt-A-Highway program hosted nearly 23,000 volunteers belonging to 4,600 groups and supported the collection of more than 39,000 bags of trash from PA roadways.

“Last fiscal year, PennDOT spent $18 million picking up litter along the 40,000 miles of state-owned roadways. The Shapiro Administration has made protecting the Commonwealth’s environment a key focus, and we’re proud to continue that work,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “The thousands of Pennsylvanians who volunteer their time to keeping litter out of our roads, parks and waterways are a key component to keeping PA beautiful, and there is always more work to be done.”

DEP and Pennsylvania Waste Industries Association are sponsoring trash disposal, free of charge or at a reduced rate for registered program participants, at participating landfills from April 1 through April 30, with prior approval. Events scheduled through May 31 are eligible to receive free trash bags, gloves, and safety vests provided by support from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and PennDOT, as supplies last.

“Litter is a problem that affects all of us – it pollutes streams, dirties our parks and highways, and is just gross,” said Acting DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “When people see an area with litter, it’s a signal that they can also just toss their trash – so it is important to keep Pennsylvania litter-free. Joining a pickup event, or organizing your own, is a great way to keep Pennsylvania beautiful.”

“We are incredibly grateful to our volunteers, local officials, and sponsors who make Pick Up Pennsylvania, the state’s largest community improvement program, possible,” said Shannon Reiter, President of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “As we drive along the highways and back roads of Pennsylvania, it’s easy to see the impact of litter. Litter affects our quality of life, the natural environment, and economic development in communities across the state.”

Registered litter cleanups, illegal dump cleanups, community greening and beautification, special collections and education events are eligible for free cleanup supplies. To host, register or join an event near you or to inquire about free supplies and trash disposal, visit keeppabeautiful.org, choose “Programs,” then “Pick Up PA” or contact Michelle Dunn, Pick Up Pennsylvania Program Coordinator, at 877-772-3673 ext. 113 or mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.   

“After the long winter, we hope residents are ready to get outside, roll up their sleeves, and pick up the trash left behind as the snow melts,” said Reiter. “Enhancing an area with plants, flowers, or a fresh coat of paint can also help keep it litter-free. Anyone can participate in Pick Up PA by visiting our website.

Johnson College Hazleton to Host Spring Open House

Johnson College Hazleton will hold its Spring Open House on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the CAN DO Training Center located inside the Humboldt Industrial Park at 370 Maplewood Drive in Hazle Township. To register for the Open House, visit Johnson.edu/hazletonopenhouse or contact Johnson College’s Enrollment Department at 570-702-8856 or enroll@johnson.edu.

The Open House will include discussions about the admissions process, information about financial aid for those who qualify, and student services such as student life, student support, and career services. Plus, same-day acceptance will be available for many programs if students bring their high school or college transcripts. Tours of each technical area will be conducted and program directors and instructors will be available to review the specifics of their programs.

Party on the Patio is Back at Mohegan Pennsylvania!

Both new and returning tribute bands take the stage for 20 weeks of free, live entertainment beginning Thursday, May 1st
 

Mohegan Pennsylvania is excited to announce the return of the most popular and largest free outdoor concert series, Party on the Patio! The 16th year of this renowned outdoor concert series is set to kick off at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Thursday, May 1st and bring tribute band fans 20 weeks of can’t-miss live entertainment. Additionally, each week guests can indulge in delicious bites from one of Pennsylvania’s most popular food trucks. Doors open at 6:00pm and the bands get the party started at 7:30pm. There is no cover to attend Party on the Patio.

This year, Mohegan Pennsylvania’s Outdoor Concert Venue will feature both past fan-favorites such as Stayin’ Alive (a tribute to the Bee Gees) on Thursday, May 8th, Back in Black (a tribute to AC/DC) on Thursday, June 12th, and Philadelphia Freedom (a tribute to Elton John) on Thursday, July 10th. Plus, a few new bands will make their Party on the Patio premiere, including Crash My Party (a tribute to Luke Bryan) on Thursday, June 5th, Fame (a tribute to David Bowie) on Thursday, July 31st, and Stevie Mac (a tribute to Fleetwood Mac) on Thursday, August 21st.

The full list of featured bands* for Party on the Patio is as follows:

5/1/25:            52nd Street Band, a tribute to Billy Joel

5/8/25:            Stayin’ Alive, a tribute to the Bee Gees

5/15/25:          Red Neck Castaway Band, a tribute to Kenny Chesney

5/22/25:          Super Trans AM, The Super 70’s Concert Experience

5/29/25:          Mamma Mania!, NYC’s Premier ABBA Tribute

6/5/25:            Crash My Party, a tribute to Luke Bryan

6/12/25:          Back in Black, a tribute to AC/DC

6/19/25:          Best of the Eagles, a tribute to the Eagles

6/26/25:          Jay Bon Jovi, a tribute to Bon Jovi

7/3/25:            Rubix Kube, The Eighties Strikes Back show

7/10/25:          Philadelphia Freedom, a tribute to Elton John

7/17/25:          Bostyx, a tribute to Boston & Styx

7/24/25:          Completely Unchained, a tribute to Van Halen

7/31/25:          Fame, a tribute to David Bowie

8/7/25:            The Amish Outlaws, Pennsylvania’s Hottest Cover Band

8/14/25:          New York’s Finest, a tribute to the Police

8/21/25:          Stevie Mac, a tribute to Fleetwood Mac

8/28/25:          Idol Kings, a tribute to REO Speedwagon & Journey

9/4/25:            Draw the Line, a tribute to Aerosmith

9/11/25:          Motley 2, a tribute to Mötley Crüe


*Lineup subject to change

All guests must be 21+ to attend Party on the Patio. Additionally, most areas of Mohegan Pennsylvania are restricted to guests 21 years of age and older, including the hotel, gaming areas, and several restaurants. Valid, unexpired photo identification is required (driver’s license, passport, military ID). Expired identification will not be accepted. Wristbands issued for Party on the Patio are not valid for the gaming floor. For the safety and security of guests and team members, bags and purses are limited to the following: small clutch purses not larger than 4”x6” or bags that are clear on all sides and do not exceed 8”x10”. All persons, bags and personal items are subject to inspection. No portable chairs are permitted.

For more information about Party on the Patio, visit moheganpa.com/potp.

Scranton Cultural Center Tickets for The Rock Orchestra Out Soon

Tickets for The Rock Orchestra will be available on April 11 at 10am.

MEGA Events will present The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight on December 7 at 8:00 PM at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple.  The show will take place in the Weinberg Theatre and will feature an epic 90-minute concert, breathing beautifully dark energy into legendary rock and metal.

After mesmerizing audiences across Europe and the UK, The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight is set to electrify the USA once again. In ethereal candlelit settings, this band of 14 classical musicians unleash effortlessly enchanting melodies alongside powerful walls of distortion. Audiences will witness the unexpected union of classical music and metal.  The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight features top hits from iconic bands like Metallica, AC/DC, Rolling Stones, Rage Against The Machine, My Chemical Romance, Linkin’ Park, SOAD, Guns N Roses, Evanescence, Papa Roach, The Cranberries and more.

The show will take place in the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Theatre, located on the building’s first floor, with doors opening for bar and concessions at 7:00 PM.  Tickets start at $62.80 including fees.  Prices are subject to change.  Tickets will be available for purchase on April 11 at 10 AM at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster.  For more information or to view a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org.