Geisinger Offers Virtual Support Group for COVID Survivors Geisinger will offer a free, virtual support group for survivors of COVID-19 beginning May 12. Geisinger psychologist Erin Hall, Psy.D., will facilitate the group each Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m. Sessions will cover common experiences in recovery from COVID-19 including issues with sleep, memory or concentration; physical challenges; depression and anxiety; concerns about health, future medical care or COVID re-infection; trauma related to illness or hospitalization; and changes to family roles, relationships and friendships. The group will focus on coping strategies and building resilience. “Recovering from COVID-19 can be a lengthy process, and each person’s experience is different,” said Dr. Hall. “Having a safe space to talk about your experience and challenges, among others with similar struggles, is important in helping people heal and recover. Recovery from COVID-19 is truly both physical and psychological.” To register, visit geisinger.org/events and search “COVID survivor support group.” Participants can register for each week’s session separately.
NBT Announces Promotions NBT Bank announced the promotion of Regional Commercial Banking Manager Matt Colgan to Senior Vice President, and Retail Learning & Development Manager Erica Burger and Junior Credit Officer Gwen Grier to Assistant Vice President. All three employees are based at NBT’s Scranton Financial Center. Colgan joined NBT in 2008 as part of the Commercial Management Development Program, then advanced to Commercial Relationship Manager. In 2018, he was promoted to Regional Commercial Banking Manger where he is responsible for oversight of Commercial Banking services in Pennsylvania. Colgan earned a bachelor’s degree in Finance from King’s College in Wilkes Barre. He also participated in the American Bankers Association School of Commercial Lending. Colgan is active in his community, serving as a board member for Metro Action, and loan committee member for Pursuit (formerly NYBDC) and NEPA Alliance. Burger joined NBT in 2007 and works to create and implement content that elevates and enhances employee engagement through innovative training programs and resources. Burger earned a bachelor’s degree from Southern New Hampshire University and is a graduate of the Pennsylvania Bankers School of Banking. She is also active in the community, serving on the Board of Directors for Leadership Lackawanna and campaign co-chair for NBT’s United Way campaign. Grier joined NBT in 1998 and has advanced through several roles within the company, including Mortgage Underwriter, Senior Credit Analyst and Credit Support Team Leader. With nearly 30 years of financial industry experience, she now underwrites larger complex commercial loan requests and provides internal customers with guidance on loan structures in accordance with loan policy guidelines. Grier also is an active member of the community, serving in several roles for the Boy Scouts of America, including council program and training committee member, district committee member, venturing associate advisor and assistant scoutmaster. More information about NBT is available online at www.nbtbank.com.
Johnson College to Host 28th Annual Golf Tournament The 28th Annual Johnson College Open will be held on Friday, May 21, 2021, at Pine Hills Country Club in Taylor, PA (rain or shine). Proceeds from this annual golf tournament support the Johnson College Presidential Scholarship Fund. Each academic year, Presidential Scholarships are awarded to four qualified and deserving full-time students. Sponsors of the 28th Annual Johnson College Open to date include:Presenting Sponsor: Gerrity’s SupermarketsAdvertising Sponsor: Lamar Advertising CompanyPlatinum: Shea Demolition, Inc.Platinum Marketing Sponsor: Sweda AdvertisingGold Print Sponsor: Sprint PrintGold Sponsors: Fastenal Company, Johnson Controls, L.R. Costanzo Construction Services Company Inc., Peoples Security Bank and Trust, PNC Bank, Reilly Associates, Simplex Homes, Sordoni Construction Services, Inc., Toyota of Scranton, Stevens & Lee, and Vacendak Construction.Cart Sponsor: ShopRiteBreakfast Sponsor: Troy Mechanical, Inc.Lunch Sponsor: Christiano Welding SupplyDinner Sponsor: Kutztown University Gift Sponsor: Action Lift, Inc.Cocktail Sponsor – Topp CopyMulligan Sponsor: A. Pickett Construction, Inc.Hole in One Sponsor: Gibbons Ford For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
Sensory Safe Suite to Debut at PNC Field in 2021 The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are pleased to partner with Curemark this season on a Sensory Safe Suite at PNC Field. Suite 6 on the Geisinger Champions Club Level will be redesigned as a fun, accommodating and functional space for families with children on the autism spectrum and with special needs to help better enjoy the game. The Curemark Sensory Safe Suite will have features that provide a comforting, relaxing and less stimulating space for guests to experience RailRiders games while still being fun and functional. This allows guests in the suite to decompress and enjoy baseball with their family away from the louder, hectic and often over-stimulating environment in other areas of the ballpark. “We are happy to sponsor this great initiative with the Yankees Triple-A affiliate SWB RailRiders” states Dr. Joan Fallon the CEO of Curemark. “Bringing baseball with the creation of this space affords individuals with autism and special needs and their families a day or night at the ballpark. At Curemark, we feel that these families should have a sensory safe space so that our National Pastime is accessible and enjoyable for all”. For the 2021 season, one family will be chosen to use the room per game at no charge. In accordance with PNC Field capacity restrictions, the Sensory Safe Suite can have a party of up to 12 people on any given game night. Families can request use of the room by visiting swbrailriders.com and filling out the request form on the Sensory Safe Suite page under the Community tab. Fun and Function designed the look and furniture for the Sensory Safe Suite. Fun and Function is a Pennsylvania-based company in the suburbs of Philadelphia and has worked with Curemark in the past to create sensory spaces for the Brooklyn Cyclones. “We are thrilled to work with Curemark to create this new suite at PNC Field,” said Jordan Maydole, the RailRiders Director of Community Relations. “This is a truly important space to add to our great ballpark and we anticipate expanding the features and capacity as time goes on. With Curemark’s help, we look forward to making a difference in how children can experience RailRiders games.” The RailRiders will be working with local non-profit groups such as Brighter Journey’s, Abilities 21 and SAFE to promote awareness of the Sensory Safe Suite and have the opportunity to request access. For more information on the Curemark Sensory Safe Suite or the 2021 season, please visit swbrailriders.com or call (570) 969-2255.
Crystal Windows Presents at Mid-Atlantic Architect Workshop National manufacturer Crystal Window & Door Systems will be a featured presenter at a virtual workshop for architects and other design professionals focusing on the Mid-Atlantic region. Hosted by The Architect’s Newspaper, the forum is part of the media outlet’s online CE|Strong series of continuing education programs, including live virtual workshops, online courses, and other resources. The June 16, 2021, workshop theme is solutions for High-Performance Facades. Crystal will be a featured speaker in an upcoming continuing education forum on facades for architects and other design professionals. The forum is part of The Architect’s Newspaper CE|Strong continuing education platform. “During 2020, Crystal really ramped up its online program delivery to architects, engineers, and others in the design community to stay connected with our market,” said Steven Yu, Marketing Manager for Crystal. “The participation has been tremendous for each webinar and has enabled us to reach many more architects across the country. This CE|Strong Virtual Workshop is another great way for Crystal to communicate critical technical fenestration information to architects and specifiers.” Vincent Grieco, Crystal’s Technical Sales Manager, will present Specifying Windows, Doors, and Skylights Using Performance Standards. He will cover how to use window and door standards and codes to specify product type, performance level, and key performance attributes. Grieco brings his extensive experience with major commercial fenestration projects, installation techniques, and product specification to his educational presentation, giving architects participating in the workshop many examples and addressing common challenges they are likely to face. The CE|Strong Mid-Atlantic Virtual Workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, June 16 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM (ET), with the one-hour Crystal presentation beginning at 1:00 PM (ET). Participants in all sessions earn AIA continuing education credits with five presentations and interactive discussions on a variety of façade materials, including windows. While the forum focuses on the Mid-Atlantic region, participants from all regions are welcome. For more information on registering for the workshop, visit www.cestrong.com/workshops.
Marywood University Students Win First Place for Student Advocacy Day PSA Project Marywood University’s Chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) was recently notified by the Pennsylvania Speech-Language-Hearing Association that they are the first-place winners of the Student Advocacy Day Public Service Announcement (PSA) Project. Following an educational session on legislative issues in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, NSSLHA Chapters were asked to develop a public service announcement that would address key issues that professionals and individuals with communication disorders face. The project helps others to understand the purpose for advocating for these issues, and the importance of making their voices heard. Marywood University’s NSSLHA Chapter chose to create a PSA regarding Diversity in the Workplace. A monetary prize was awarded, and Marywood University NSSLHA Chapter students chose to donate the monetary prize to the NativityMiguel School. Located on Marywood University’s campus, the NativityMiguel School seeks to empower students of all races and beliefs to reach their full potential. For additional information about Marywood University’s Communication Sciences and Disorders department, please visit marywood.edu/csd/index.html, or call the Office of Admissions at (570) 348-6234.
Effective Communication Strategies Program by the Alzheimer’s Association Effective Communication Strategies is a program provided by the Alzheimer’s Association® that explores how communication takes place when someone has Alzheimer’s disease. By the end of the program, attendees will be able to: Explain the communication changes that take place throughout the course of the disease.Decode the verbal and behavioral messages delivered by someone with dementia and respond in ways that are helpful to the person.Identify strategies to connect and communicate at each stage of the disease. Please join us for “Effective Communication Strategies” on Tuesday May 18, 2021 from 10:00am-11:00am Hosted by: Second Family Memory Care Center The program is a “Virtual Zoom” meeting. Attendance is free but registration is required at this link https://action.alz.org/mtg/74136502 or call our 24/7 Helpline for registration assistance 800-272-3900. Once you register, a link to the Zoom meeting will be sent to your email a few days before the program.
Geisinger Awarded $3.6 Mmillion to Study Genetics of Cancer The National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, has awarded a 5-year, $3.6 million contract to Geisinger to study the role of genetic variation in cancer. Researchers from Geisinger and the NCI’s Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG) will analyze genetic data from Geisinger’s MyCode Community Health Initiative, a precision medicine project with more than 276,000 consented participants. The work will be led by David J. Carey, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Molecular and Functional Genomics at Geisinger and a MyCode principal investigator, and Douglas Stewart, M.D., a senior investigator at DCEG. The investigative team will use a “genome-first” approach, analyzing data from MyCode participants to identify specific gene variants and then linking that information to the participants’ electronic health records. This approach will allow investigators to determine the effect of these gene variants on cancer risk. The size and scope of the MyCode project provides an opportunity to investigate the relationship between multiple genes and cancers to develop a better understanding of genetic cancer risk in a large clinical population. This will expand the list of genes that can be used to guide genetic cancer screening, improving care for patients and families. This project builds on a history of successful collaboration between Drs. Carey and Stewart to investigate the role of gene variants in specific cancers, including a recent study of DICER1 syndrome, which is linked to lung, thyroid, and other kinds of tumors, published in JAMA Network Open. “This partnership allows Geisinger and NCI investigators to combine our expertise in cancer diagnosis, epidemiology, cancer biology, and genetics,” Dr. Carey said. “The data available through MyCode provides us with a unique opportunity to investigate the genetic risk of cancer in a large regional population.” Since 2007, MyCode has enrolled more than 276,000 participants in Pennsylvania. With DNA sequence and health data currently available on nearly 175,000 of these participants, MyCode is one of the largest studies of its kind in the world. This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. 75N91021C00006. Geisinger has an exciting research environment with more than 50 full-time research faculty and more than 30 clinician scientists. Areas of expertise include precision health, genomics, informatics, data science, implementation science, outcomes research, health services research, bioethics and clinical trials.
Party on the Patio Returns to Mohegan Sun Pocono Tribute band fans rejoice! Mohegan Sun Pocono (MSP) is excited to announce the return of Party on the Patio. Every Thursday from June 3rd to September 2nd, guests can enjoy Northeast Pennsylvania’s top spot for live entertainment, experience a variety of food truck options, and stay refreshed with drink specials. As always, there is no cover charge at Party on the Patio. MSP is excited for the return of Party on the Patio and remains dedicated to upholding the highest safety standards for all guests and team members. All Party on the Patio shows will adhere to state, local and CDC guidelines, including operating at reduced capacity and enforcing social distancing. Masks will be required at all times except while eating or drinking. Entry may be denied due to capacity limits and/or failure to adhere to health & safety standards, which are subject to change. For more information on safety guidelines, visit mohegansunpocono.com. Party on the Patio was canceled last summer due to the global pandemic, and this summer, redemption comes in the form of a lineup guests won’t want to miss. In addition to some of the best tribute bands in the country, Badfish is making their Party on the Patio debut on July 1st with Sublime’s greatest hits. The following week, Almost Queen is set to bring the best of Queen to Mohegan Sun Pocono for the first time since 2016. Almost Queen will also have Philadelphia Freedom opening, who are fellow NEPA natives and a tribute to Elton John. Local food trucks will be featured each week, and Tony Luke’s will also be serving delicious classic Philly cheesesteaks and chicken cheesesteaks all summer long. Coors Light, Blue Moon and a variety of spirits and mixed drinks will also be available. Party on the Patio performances do not have a cover and doors open at 6:30pm. These incredible bands start rockin’ at 7:30pm. All attendees must be 21 and over and valid identification is required for entry. Featured bands for Party on the Patio, hosted by The River 105, are as follows: 6/3/21 Black Dog, a tribute to Led Zeppelin 6/10/21 Best of the Eagles, a tribute to the Eagles 6/17/21 Back in Black, a tribute to AC/DC 6/24/21 Head Games, a tribute to Foreigner 7/1/21 Badfish, a tribute to Sublime 7/8/21 Almost Queen, a tribute to Queen (with special guest Philadelphia Freedom, a tribute to Elton John) 7/15/21 The Great Escape, a tribute to Journey 7/22/21 7800 Fahrenheit, a tribute to Bon Jovi 7/29/21 The Landsharks, a tribute to Jimmy Buffet 8/5/21 Draw the Line, a tribute to Aerosmith 8/12/21 Refugee, a tribute to Tom Petty 8/19/21 Stayin’ Alive, a tribute to the Bee Gees 8/29/21 A Proud Monkey, a tribute to Dave Matthews Band 9/2/21 Tusk, a tribute to Fleetwood Mac*Lineup subject to change.
Audacy Extends Advertising Offer to All Chamber Members As a valued chamber member, we want to ensure that you saw the news about big changes at Entercom. We’ve been on a transformational journey for the past three years, and after strategic acquisitions in the audio, digital and data space, we’re positioned to serve our listeners and advertisers better than ever. Now we need a name that fits who we have become and who we aspire to be. We are Audacy, the most influential voices in audio. This is more than a name change. Our new brand reflects the transformation of our company into a scaled, multiplatform audio powerhouse with a leadership position in virtually every segment of the dynamic and growing audio market. As a result of our recent acquisitions, investments and enhancements, we have meaningfully elevated our capacity to serve our listeners and advertisers better than ever. Our products, best in class roster of local and national influencers and innovative targeting tools are here to connect your brand with our audiences and drive results for you. Our new brand captures our re-imagination, our dynamic growth, and our creativity. We’re thrilled to give you a first look at Audacy in this brief video. To celebrate this rebranding we are extending our new chamber member benefit to all current members “Any radio schedule matched up to $2500 for new advertisers, contact Kimberlee at 570-880-5307″
