Museum Adventure Weeks to Return to Everhart this Summer Museum Adventure Weeks are back this summer at the Everhart Museum. Three (3) sessions of summer camp are planned with two unique options for young explorers, both encouraging learning, exploration, and discovery. Adventures in the Museum campers will have the opportunity to explore the indoor and outdoor environments at Nay Aug Park while participating in socially distanced activities when in the museum. Adventures at Home is a week-long adventure toolkit, including allmaterials for campers to explore the museum collection from home. Adventures at Home include the option to participate in LIVE virtual classes, tours, and activities with Museum staff on designated virtual weeks. The Museum uses Google Classroom for all virtual participation. WHAT: Museum Adventure WeeksWHEN: June 21st-July 30thGRADES: Kindergarten through 6thCOST: Adventure in the Museum: $180 member, $200 non-memberAdventure at Home: $40 member, $45 non-memberRegistration; Opens on May 3rd Museum Adventure Weeks center on the creative exploration of the Everhart Museum collection and the Nay Aug Park environment. Each week, campers will experience a new topic or theme that uses both art and science in a hands-on, multi-modal approach to learning. Instructors will use visual thinking strategies and inquiry-based learning to talk about art and art objects from around the globe. WEEK 1: NATURE WEEK“LENNY’S FIRST FLIGHT”Adventure at Home Dates: June 21st-25thAdventure in the Museum Dates: June 28th-July 2nd WEEK 2: ART WEEK“THE LAND AROUND US”Adventure at Home Dates: July 5th-9thAdventure in the Museum Dates: July 12th-16th WEEK 3: MYSTERY WEEK“THE DIGS!”Adventure at Home Dates: July 19th-23rdAdventure in the Museum Dates: July 26th-30th To learn more about Museums Adventure Weeks or to register, parents and guardians are encouraged to visit Summer at the Everhart on the Museum’s websitehttps://everhart-museum.org/museum-adventure-summer-program/ or emailassistant.programs@everhart-museum.org. Museum Adventure Week is funded in part by Arts Engage!, Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC), the Overlook Estate Foundation, and the Maslow Family Foundation.
The Honesdale National Bank Promotes Brian Wilken to VP, Business Development Officer David Raven, President and CEO of The Honesdale National Bank, announced Brian Wilken, is now Vice President, Business Development Officer. In making the statement, Raven noted, “Brian embodies the spirit and culture of our HNB team, and his contribution and support to our customers and community is second to none. He understands that our customers success translates to not only our bank, but our community as a whole.” In his current role, Wilken provides the bank with business development opportunities and growth strategies involving our products, services, and business relations. Wilken will continue to provide his experience of 12 years in the financial industry and a whole career in business development to HNB as VP, Business Development Officer. In mentioning his role at HNB, Wilken noted, “This truly is such a rewarding career. I love my job, I get to help people wade through financial decisions every day. Helping their family or their business. I work for an institution that has made helping customers a priority for 185 years, and it’s an honor to carry on that legacy. I also have the privilege to work with an amazing group of people who truly care about customers, the community we serve, and each other.” Wilken is a Honesdale native, graduating from Honesdale High and receiving an Associate’s Degree from SUNY Cobleskill. He is an active member of his community. He is a member of the Grace Ridge Church, President of the Greater Honesdale Partnership, board chairman of the Human Resources Foundation, Board member at Wayne Tomorrow, member of Honesdale Eagles, member of Honesdale Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons #218, member of the Anthony Wayne Royal Arch Chapter, member of the Savonia Comandry, and member of the Wayne Pike Shrine Club. Outside of the bank, he is the father of two young men, Ben and Zack, with his wife Emily Wilken. In his free time, he enjoys hunting and golfing. The Honesdale National Bank, established in 1836, holds the distinction of being the area’s oldest independent community bank headquartered in Northeastern PA, with offices in Wayne, Pike, Susquehanna, Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties. The Honesdale National Bank offers personal banking, business banking and wealth solutions. For more information on HNB’s products and services, visit www.hnbbank.bank.
Greater Scranton YMCA’s Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament & Dinner The Greater Scranton YMCA’s 2nd Annual Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament & Dinner Celebration will take place Friday, May 21st at Glen Oak Country Club. While the golf portion of the day is sold out (interested golfers can be added to a waiting list), the evening portion of the event is open to everyone, not just golfers, and dinner tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Following the completion of the golf tournament, the evening celebration will begin with cocktails at 6:00 p.m. and the dinner/program at 7:30 p.m. Harry McGrath was a proud member of the Greater Scranton YMCA. He specialized in education law, advocating for the rights of all students, particularly those with special needs. It became his passion to improve the quality of education for children living in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Proceeds from the tournament will support the Y’s Summer Learning Loss Prevention Program, a six-week program serving rising first and second grade students who are struggling with reading and are attending the Dunmore and Mid Valley School Districts. “Our dad worked tirelessly so that children in this area had the necessary tools to succeed in school,” said Betsy McGrath Ardizoni, Event Coordinator and Greater Scranton YMCA Board Member. “The Summer Learning Loss Prevention program is consistent with his goal of using his legal career to positively impact the lives of the children he was privileged to represent, and our family is humbled and grateful to honor his legacy through a program he would undoubtedly support.” Committed sponsors thus far include: Gold Sponsors: Highmark Health; Universal Printing Company LLCSilver Sponsors: Jen Ricci State Farm; Haggerty, McGrath, Collins, O’Rourke and James Families19th Hole Sponsors: The Perry Law Firm; J. Conrad Bosley Appraisal Services; Alliance Wealth Advisors LLC; Fellerman & CiarimboliBackpack Sponsors: Vanston & James Funeral Home; Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates, PC; Topp Business Solutions; P&W/Washo, Inc.; DePietro’s Pharmacy; NET Credit UnionAdditional Sponsors: Frank O’Neill Law Office; The Wood Grille; Helbig Meditation and Arbitration; Malone and Rosetti Merrill Lynch Wealth Management; Timothy and Janet Brier; Joanne Cantafio & Family in Memory of Anthony “Taps” Cantafio; Pat and Christine Philbin; PNC Bank; University of Scranton Athletics; Dick and Richard Conaboy; Maloney Law, P.C.; Northeastern Envelope Company, Inc.; Thomas Lyons and Mesko Glass and Mirror For more information about the tournament, visit the Greater Scranton YMCA’s website or contact Betsy at (570) 768-6118.
Johnson College Receives Grant from the Moses Taylor Foundation Johnson College has been awarded a $75,000 grant from the Moses Taylor Foundation. This grant, which will be disbursed over a three-year performance period, will support the Foundation and College’s goal to address the critical growing need for health care professionals by promoting opportunities for careers in health care and training for traditional and non-traditional students. Using a motorhome shell customized to demonstrate various health care training modalities, Johnson College plans to give potential students a hands-on experience to see and feel what it would be like to work in a health care environment. In addition to the hands-on encounter, Johnson College staff will be available to answer questions and help potential students resolve or eliminate common barriers to educational access. With this new program, Johnson College will be able to show participants that there is a path to meet their needs. Johnson College offers pathways to healthcare careers with associate degree programs such as physical therapist assistant, radiologic technology, and biomedical equipment technology as well as continuing education programs like certified nursing assistant and medical billing and coding. With the focus on engaging non-traditional students, Johnson College will broaden opportunities for students who represent diverse age, economic, educational, and cultural backgrounds. These potential students include displaced workers due to COVID-19, non-English speaking individuals, those who want/need to return to the workforce post-retirement or family, and those seeking a new career path. “This project illustrates exactly what we do so well here at Johnson College. We think of innovative and new ways to provide people with the education and job training that they need to obtain a family-sustaining career,” said Dr. Katie Leonard, President & CEO of Johnson College. “With this mobile lab, we will be able to demonstrate to people in the region that a career in health care is attainable and give them a taste of what hands-on education at Johnson College is like.” For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
Marywood University Announces Music, Theatre, and Dance Concerts Marywood University’s Music, Theatre, and Dance department recently announced several spring concerts and performances to conclude the semester. The Jazz Ambassadors Concert will take place on Friday, April 30, 2021, at 7 p.m. The concert directed by Vincent LoRusso and Steve Kurilla, will be streamed for those interested in attending.Live from the Liberal Arts Center Rotunda on Sunday, May 2, 2021, Marywood University’s Chamber Singers, conducted by Rick Hoffenberg, will bring you, “Hail, Queen of Heaven.” The concert will be live streamed at marywood.edu/performances, for those interested in attending.On Monday, May 3, 2021, at 7 p.m., Marywood University’s String Project Spring Gala will take place in the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts. This performance will be streamed for those interested in attending. For additional information about Marywood University’s Spring Concerts, please visit marywood.edu/mtd.
Broadway in Scranton Reopens Broadway Theatre League of NEPA’s Executive Director Frank Blasi and Broadway Partner-Producer Albert Nocciolino (NAC Entertainment) announced today that BROADWAY IS BACK!!! The entire touring Broadway community is looking forward to reopening its doors and welcoming back the public. Soon, Broadway fans will once again be able to enjoy the laughter, love, and life-changing transformation that only live performances can provide. “The past year has been challenging, but a new season is upon us. Live theatre will return to NEPA this fall,” said Blasi. “We cannot wait to raise the curtain and see our city bustling again.” Upon reopening, Broadway In Scranton will inform patrons of all our health requirements and protocols, as safety is the top priority. Working with the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple all CDC and PA guidelines will be followed for a safe return to the theatre this fall, and details will be shared when available. “We are so grateful to the community and our loyal subscribers for standing by us during this extraordinary time. The patience, commitment, and support that we have received during this time has been overwhelming. We would not be where we are today without all of you,” added Nocciolino. “We stand by our commitment to bring you the best of Broadway and each of the great shows we promised. The shows cannot wait to get back on the road and entertain audiences across the country, including right here in NEPA.” At this time, we are delighted to share with you the new dates for the upcoming Broadway In Scranton Series. THE NEW BROADWAY IN SCRANTON SERIES: This series includes all of the productions that we announced in June 2020. SEASON SHOWS WAITRESS: December 3 – 5, 202CHARLIE & THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY: February 4 – 6, 2022Rodgers & Hammerstein’s SOUTH PACIFIC: March 4 – 6, 2022CATS: April 22 – 24, 2022 SPECIALS to the Season… Season subscribers can add any of these shows to their subscription package at an additional cost. RAIN – A Tribute to The Beatles: October 6, 2021STOMP: January 12 – 13, 2022BLUE MAN GROUP: May 18 – 19, 2022 RE-SCHEDULED This show did not take the stage due to the interruption to our 2019-2020 Broadway series and we are thrilled to announce the new date. Tickets that were previously purchased to the original show dates will be transferred to the rescheduled dates. (Ex – If you have a ticket to the Friday performance, you will attend the Friday, November 5, 2021 performance). BUDDY – The Buddy Holly Story: November 5 – 7, 2021 Season Tickets, priced at $175, $235, $275 and $315 are now on sale and available online at BroadwayInScranton.com), by phone at 570-342-7784, or in person at the Broadway Theatre League’s office by appointment only (345 North Washington Ave, Scranton, PA). For those who have already renewed their season subscription tickets, those subscriptions will automatically transfer to the new dates. Please note that only Season Tickets are on sale now and the Individual show tickets will go on-sale at a later date. Remember that BroadwayInScranton.com and ticketmaster.com are the only official outlets to purchase all tickets for Broadway In Scranton shows at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple. For more information on the Broadway In Scranton season and shows, visit BroadwayInScranton.com. (*All shows and dates subject to change.)
Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center Summer Day Camp Registration Open This summer, local youths ranging from ages five through 13 will have the opportunity to participate in summer day camps, which are focused on connecting children to nature. They will take place at the Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center, 93 MacKenzie Rd., Covington Township, Pa. Each weeklong camp takes place at LCEEC’s beautiful 211-acre property and LEED Gold Certified facility. The property is home to native plants and wild animals, forested areas, a stream, a marsh, meadows, instructional gardens and both indoor and outdoor classroom space. Campers will spend time exploring natural habitats and playing summer games while the experienced staff guides campers through innovative experiential activities including hiking, stream and forest ecology, environmental activities, nature-based art projects and much more. Focusing on discovery and teamwork, children gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of all life while daily interactions with one another helps develop cooperation skills and encourage friendships. A low camper-to-counselor ratio ensures children are safe, supervised and engaged in activities that keep their minds and bodies healthy. Camp themes change weekly and include Honey Bee Conservation, Wilderness Survival, Backyard Habitats, Closer Look, Eco Explorers and Eco Quest. Camps will follow COVID 19 Safety Guidelines recommended by the CDC and ACA. For more information or to register contact the Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center at (570) 842-1506 or email yaniks@lackawanna.edu.
3 Benefits of Getting the COVID-19 Vaccine By: Dr. Amit Mehta, Geisinger primary care physician With several COVID-19 vaccines approved for use in the U.S., we have a powerful tool to help us overcome the coronavirus pandemic. But some people have concerns about being vaccinated against COVID-19. That’s where we come in. Common concerns around the COVID-19 vaccine include safety, speed of vaccine development and potential long-term side effects. The FDA has certain criteria for vaccine development in place to make sure all vaccines are as safe as possible. They didn’t compromise those criteria here. Experts also continue to study the long-term effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, but early research hasn’t shown cause for concern. Whether you’re at low or high risk of serious illness from COVID, getting vaccinated is the best way to avoid a severe or even fatal infection. Why getting the COVID-19 vaccine is smart Still not sure about getting the vaccine — or need help convincing a loved one? Here are the main benefits that come with it: 1. It’s your best defense against COVID-19 Illness from COVID-19 can be serious and life-threatening for some people. And there’s no way to know for sure how it may affect you. Even if you have a mild case of COVID, you can still spread it to a loved one who may get really sick. All COVID-19 vaccines available in the U.S. have been shown to be highly effective at preventing illness from COVID-19. And based on early data, getting a vaccine helps keep you from getting seriously ill if you do get COVID-19. While it’s normal to experience some side effects right after receiving the vaccine — like a fever, headache or body aches — these are all signs that your body is building immunity to the virus. None of the vaccines can give you COVID-19. 2. It’s a safer way to achieve immunity from COVID-19 Even if you’ve already had COVID-19, you should still get vaccinated — but be sure to wait at least 10 days after your symptoms started and 20 days if you were hospitalized from COVID-19. While having COVID will leave you with naturally produced antibodies, we still don’t know the level of or how long this immunity lasts. We do know that it varies and decreases over time, and that getting a COVID-19 vaccine will likely give you additional immunity. And again, it’s just not worth risking a serious or fatal COVID-19 infection. 3. It can help us end the pandemic Now over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us are ready to leave our homes without masks, spend time with friends and loved ones and maybe even travel. The COVID-19 vaccine can help us get there. While masking, handwashing and physical distancing are proven to help reduce exposure to and the spread of COVID-19, they aren’t enough to end the pandemic. Vaccines will help us build up immunity to COVID-19, so our bodies can fight off the virus if we’re exposed. And per CDC guidelines, those who are fully vaccinated, meaning it’s been at least 2 weeks since the last required dose, can even return to some pre-pandemic activities. We’re still learning how the current vaccines will affect the spread of COVID-19. Until we know more, everyone — vaccinated or not — should continue masking, handwashing and physical distancing in public places. Eventually, as more people are vaccinated, we can loosen preventive measures as federal and state guidelines allow. Get reliable information on COVID-19 vaccines There’s a lot of information out there about the COVID-19 vaccines — and some of it may be misleading. If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, your doctor is your best resource. They can give you advice that’s tailored to you and your medical history. If you’d like to do some research on your own, the CDC is a trusted source for vaccine information that’s based on facts. Based on the data we have from Phase 3 clinical trials and the millions of Americans now vaccinated, we feel confident that the available COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective. I have personally received the COVID-19 vaccine and advise my patients and members of the community to do the same.
Committee Unanimously Passes Boback Bill Supporting Active Military and Disabled Veteran Hunters and Anglers Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) announced that the House Game and Fisheries Committee Unanimously passed and reported her bill, House Bill 490, that seeks to provide reciprocal agreements for our active duty military and disabled veterans hunting and fishing licenses. “I am thrilled to see the unanimous passage of this bill out of committee,” said Boback. “This bill offers an opportunity to both active duty service members and disabled veterans who are hunters and anglers. It seeks to encourage other states to enter into agreements with Pennsylvania and create and offer great savings to our service members. This will also provide the opportunity to increase attraction to our Commonwealth for more travel from non-resident military sportsmen, offering a much-needed boost to our economy.” This legislation will allow the Pennsylvania Attorney General to enter into reciprocal agreements with other states to recognize lawfully issued hunting and fishing license or permit types for active duty military and disabled veterans, as resident licenses or permits in each state, provided the Attorney General has determined that the fishing and hunting laws of states are similar to the hunting and fishing laws of our Commonwealth. This bill has been reported to the House floor as committed.
Johnson College Earns 2021-2022 Military Spouse Friendly® School Designation Johnson College announced today that it has earned the 2021-2022 Military Spouse Friendly® School designation. Institutions earning the Military Spouse Friendly® School designation were evaluated using public data sources and responses from a proprietary survey. Over 1,200 schools participated in the 2021-2022 survey, with 747 schools earning the designation as a Military Friendly School, of which 194 were selected for the Military Spouse Friendly Schools list. Johnson College was designated as a Military Spouse Friendly® School for their leading practices, outcomes, and effective programs for military spouses. The 2021-2022 Military Spouse Friendly® Schools list will be published in Military Spouse magazine’s May issue and can be found at www.militaryfriendly.com. Methodology, criteria, and weightings were determined by Viqtory with input from the Military Friendly® Advisory Council of independent leaders in the higher education and military recruitment community. Final ratings were determined by combining the institution’s survey response set and government/agency public data sources within a logic-based scoring assessment. We measure the institution’s ability to meet thresholds for Student Retention, Graduation, Job Placement, Loan Repayment, Persistence (Degree Advancement or Transfer), and Loan Default rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans. “Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to evolve and invest in their programs consistently and with purpose. Schools who achieve designation show true commitment and dedication in their efforts. Our standards assist schools by providing a benchmark that promotes positive educational outcomes, resources, and support services. Focusing on the betterment of the educational landscape and providing positive outcomes and economic opportunity for the Military Community.” – Kayla Lopez, National Director of Military Partnerships, Military Friendly®. For more information about Johnson College’s student veteran programs, visit Johnson College’s website at https://johnson.edu/future-students/veterans/.
