Treasurer Stacy Garrity Announces Upgrades to Transparency Portal Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced today that new features have been added to Treasury’s award-winning Transparency Portal, improving access to state budget and spending details. Users can now, for the first time ever, easily compare current revenue received in the current budget year with that received in previous years. The new features also include the ability to dive deeper into both total and federal funds, and to more easily navigate the portal on both desktop and mobile devices, including quick links to budget details, revenue comparisons, and federal funds. “Transparency must always be a central goal of government, especially when it comes to how taxpayer dollars are being spent,” Treasurer Garrity said. “As a fiscal watchdog, I’m always focused on increasing transparency, and Treasury’s Transparency Portal is a vital part of that work. These new updates make it easier than ever for Commonwealth residents to see where their money is going and to hold their government accountable.” The new Transparency Portal updates include: Revenue Comparison – Users can compare revenue received in the current fiscal year with revenue received in previous years back to FY 2018-19. Federal Funds – Users can see funds received from the federal government and how they are used by the Commonwealth. Easy Access to Fund Details – A dropdown menu allows users to easily review the status of a specific fund (such as the General Fund, the Motor License Fund and the Lottery Fund). More Options – When reviewing fund details, users can choose to display data over 1 year, 3 years and 5 years (in addition to 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, year-to-date, and all available). Improved homepage navigation. The Transparency Portal also includes tools to review state budget details, the Fiscal Health Scorecard, which presents financial data comparing Pennsylvania with similar states, and the Treasury Checkbook that discloses payments made by Treasury to its vendors. The Contracts e-Library allows anyone to review more than 500,000 state agency contracts, purchase orders, and amendments valued at $5,000 or more. Treasury’s Transparency Portal includes data back to 2014. Since taking office, Treasurer Garrity has added numerous features to the site, including access to Ledger 5, which tracks unappropriated expenses, and the ability to see county- and state-level data about Pennsylvania’s unclaimed property program, the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program, Keystone Scholars, and the PA ABLE Savings Program. Treasury’s Transparency Portal has won numerous awards, including the 2022 Government Experience Project Award from the Center for Digital Government, the 2018 CIO 100 Award, a Digital Edge 50 Award, and the 2017 PA Excellence in Technology Award. It was a finalist for the NASCIO 2018 Data Management and Analytics Award. Visit Treasury’s Transparency Portal at patreasury.gov/transparency.
Space Time® Mead & Cider Works Takes Platinum at the Cidercraft Awards Space Time® Mead & Cidery Work’s “Leap Year” Cider was awarded Platinum by CiderCraft Magazine in the Natural Cider Category. Space Time® Mead & Cider Works has received several national and international awards for their meads (honey wines) but this is the first major award for their ciders. “I am just overjoyed for the recognition of this wonderful cider made using apples sourced from our local orchard, Miller’s Orchards Farm Market, and made in our ‘shoe box size’ of an urban winery in Dunmore”, said cider maker Dan Schreffler. In 2022 Dan traveled to France to learn from world-class cider makers in Normandy and Brittany. “We took their cider-making skills and philosophy home,” said Dan. “We were very hopeful that we could create worldclass cider from locally sourced fruit given the care and passion of our local growers and the cider-making skills we cultivated.” Leap Year is available for pick up or shipping from the winery at 419 S. Blakely St. in Dunmore (spacetimemeadworks.com) and a future special release at Sabatini’s Bottle Shop and Bar in Exeter.
Kalahari Resorts to Host Wedding Expo Kalahari Resorts & Conventions in the Pocono Mountains is calling all brides-to-be! Mark your calendars for Sunday, August 11, 2024, and join us for the 2024 Wedding Expo. Grab your presale tickets now through July 11 for FREE admission. Standard admission will be $5 per person starting July 12. From expert event planning and stunning décor to glamorous hair & makeup and rocking DJ & lighting, get ready to mingle with the areas top local wedding vendors.Plus, you’ll also have the chance to win amazing prizes and giveaways to help make your wedding day even more special! So gather your bridal party, grab your wedding planner, and get ready for an unforgettable day of wedding planning.
Munley Law Presents at Women in Trial Travel Summit Marion Munley of Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys recently presented at the Women in Trial Travel Summit April 3-7, 2024 in Punta Mita, Mexico. The focus of her presentation was handling truck cases. Widely recognized as one of Pennsylvania’s most prominent and widely respected truck accident lawyers, Marion is Triple Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy in Civil Trial, Civil Practice, and Truck Law. Marion has earned an AV-Preeminent designation from Martindale- Hubbell, the industry’s highest ethical and client satisfaction rating. A leader in the legal community, Marion is an active member of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) and currently serves as its Treasurer. Marion was the first woman to become Chair of the AAJ Trucking Litigation Group in 2018 and is a past chair of the AAJ Women Trial Lawyers Caucus. Marion is the second woman in Pennsylvania to become Board Certified as a Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. Among her other professional affiliations are the American Board of Trial Advocates, the International Society of Barristers, and the Summit Council, an exclusive group of today’s top civil justice attorneys committed to the highest levels of trial advocacy, to obtaining justice for individuals and families who have been hurt by corporate wrongdoing, and to the protection of the civil justice system. During her career, Marion has received some of the highest honors a lawyer can receive. Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2012, Marion has been named the 2023 “Lawyer of the Year” for Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs in Northeastern Pennsylvania. She has also been recognized as Best Lawyers® 2022 and 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for Product Liability Litigation – Plaintiffs in Northeastern Pennsylvania and 2021 “Lawyer of the Year” for Personal Injury-Plaintiffs for the Allentown metro area. Marion has also been selected to the list of Pennsylvania Super Lawyers for the last 18 years and was recently named to the 2023 “Top 10” Pennsylvania Super Lawyers List. A graduate of Temple University School of Law (J.D., 1986), Marion received her undergraduate degree from Scranton University in 1983.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Celebrates Leadership Lackawanna Graduates Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) is celebrating three new graduates of Leadership Lackawanna’s Core Program. Established in 1982, Leadership Lackawanna is an affiliate of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce which aims to cultivate community leadership and professional development for individuals who live or work in Lackawanna County in Pennsylvania. Over a ten-month course, participants in the Core Program gather once a month for leadership development training with a variety of local professionals and specialists. In addition to monthly training, participants spend additional time out of class working on community projects that benefit local non-profit organizations. This year’s TYAD graduates are Electrician Scott Burti, Organizational Development Specialist Tara Floyd, and IT Project Manager Shaun Young. Each graduate expressed gratitude for the opportunity to network with individuals from other organizations and gain a broader perspective on the needs of the local community. Floyd noted that the unique nature of the Core Program led to her sending in her application. “I’ve heard nothing but positive feedback from employees on their experience in the program,” Floyd said. “I like that the program combined monthly sessions learning about leadership principles with an applied project in the community.” Burti said the goal of both professional and personal growth are key to the program’s successes. “I met a group of extraordinary individuals whom I might not have crossed paths with otherwise and created lasting relationships,” Burti said. “Professionally, I gained more project management experience, honed my leadership skills, and have an increased confidence in my future impact to TYAD.” Throughout the program, each participant worked with other area professionals on projects across Lackawanna County that positively impacted local groups and organizations. Young and Burti worked in the same project group. The group worked on a renovation project for the Catherine McCauley Center whose mission is to serve those experiencing homelessness with housing programs, case management, and support services. “For this project, we renovated two rooms in the group home to create an inclusive and dignified space for families to remain together during a crisis,” Young said. “This program has made me more aware of the programs and efforts going on in my community, provided the opportunity to meet new members of my community, and contribute to my community.” “The home we undertook was in Scranton and served women and children experiencing homelessness,” Burti said. “We renovated two spaces, one for children and the other for teens. Both rooms are now freshly painted and furnished with new flooring throughout. They’re welcoming spaces where younger residents can find comfort while in transition.” Floyd’s group worked on creating a fitness space for Outreach – Center for Community Resources in Scranton. Outreach offers workforce and family development programs to support individuals and families facing some of life’s challenges. “Our team’s project was to provide a fitness center in their new building for adolescents and young adults to build healthy life frameworks,” Floyd said. “The team raised over $10,000 for the project and was able to purchase premium fitness equipment for the center.” All three participants encourage other members of Team Tobyhanna who may be interested in strengthening their leadership skills, networks, and connections to their community to participate in Leadership Lackawanna. “I highly encourage anyone interested in developing leadership skills and competencies to participate in the Leadership Lackawanna Core Program,” Floyd said. “The program allows for plenty of networking opportunities, learning about the local region and community, and executing a community service project to give back to individuals and support nonprofits in the area.” Young spoke highly of the skills strengthened by the program. “It is an opportunity to be more involved in your community while developing your own personal growth, potentially even becoming an active leader in your community,” Young said. “You will develop leadership, interpersonal, and project management skills that you can use professionally and personally.” Burti echoed the sentiments of both of his TYAD colleagues. “If you’re looking to grow professionally and/or personally, this program is for you,” Burti said. “The program will challenge you to get you outside of your comfort zone where true growth happens. Sign up and don’t look back!”
Marywood’s Parish St. Eulalia’s Summer Festival St. Eulalia’s Parish, with the assistance of many parish volunteers, will celebrate its annual Summer Festival on Friday, July 19, and Saturday, July 20, from 5-10 p.m., on the picnic grounds of its parish campus, located at 214 Blue Shutters Road in Roaring Brook Township. The summer festival weekend, which also features the 14th Annual Jerry Mahon 5K Walk/Run on Saturday at 9 a.m., is the parish’s largest fundraising initiative of the year. The festival includes an array of homemade ethnic foods, such as pizza fritta, potato pancakes, haluski, pierogi, porchetta, and sausage and peppers, as well as traditional picnic fare like wimpies, burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, and a beer pavilion. Additionally, the festival’s signature features include the parish flea market, known as Grandma’s Attic; Tricky Tray basket raffles; a bake sale; and an arts & crafts boutique. New this year is a candy shop in the Parish Hall, known as “Sweet Taste of Heaven,” which will feature a selection of nostalgic candies, as well as cotton candy and candy apples. The festival also includes kids’ games, face painting, a Summer Cash Raffle, and small games of chance. Featured entertainment begins on Friday, July 19, with the Electric City Steel Drum Project, performing from 6-7 p.m., followed by Alex Nebraski, known as “Alex the Crooner,” from 7-9 p.m. On Saturday, July 20, Between the Velvet Lies, a classic rock band, will perform from 7-10 p.m. Food and beverages will be available for purchase with cash or credit cards this year. However, if festival attendees still have some food/drink tickets from past years, they will be accepted like cash. Children’s games will require tickets, which are available for $2 per sheet. Cash will be accepted at bake sale, candy shop, arts & crafts boutique, Grandma’s Attic, raffles, and the gaming wheel. During the festival weekend, St. Eulalia’s is hosting its 14th Annual Jerry Mahon 5K event through the Roaring Brook/Elmhurst area, rain or shine, at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 20. Those who would like to participate need to pre-register, as there is no same-day registration. For more information about St. Eulalia’s Summer Festival and the Jerry Mahon 5K, go to sainteulalias.com/festival-and-5k.
Greater Scranton YMCA to Host “Thriving Together” On Saturday, June 29th the Greater Scranton YMCA will host “Thriving Together,” a free community event being held to acknowledge and celebrate that Mental Health is Wealth, and to encourage all those that participated in, and from, the YMCA s Wellbeing Initiative programming to continue engaging in activities and/or practices to support their mental and emotional health. The family friendly event will be held from 11:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. at the Greater Scranton YMCA’s facility, located at 706 North Blakely St., Dunmore, PA 18512, and will feature a photo booth, the Alpacas of Windy Haven Farm, multiple inflatable activities, 9-hole mini golf, climbing rock wall, face painting, a band and more. All are welcome. In 2022, the Greater Scranton YMCA was awarded an approximate $1.836 million dollar grant through SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration), made possible through Community Project Funding from Congressman Cartwright’s office, to support the Wellbeing Initiative. The project is a collaborative effort between the Greater Scranton YMCA, Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA (which includes the Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA and Greater Pittston YMCA), Greater Carbondale YMCA and Wayne County YMCA. Since the Y Wellbeing Initiative began in 2023, more than 11,500 people have taken a proactive approach to their mental and emotional health by participating in YMCA Wellbeing Initiative programming throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania with our youngest participant being 10 months old and our oldest being 102 years old, spanning over a century of lived experience. Through the Wellbeing Initiative, participants had the opportunity to engage in programming such as Groove and Grow with Me, Thriving Minds, The Art of Connection, Calm Your Mind Yoga, Sound Meditations, Drums Alive, Art 4 Healing, Hatha for Healing, Healthy Minds in Harmony, Food Mood and many more. “The Wellbeing Initiative has provided our YMCA with the opportunity to support the mental and emotional well-being of our community through free programs for all,” said Rich Surridge, Interim CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “We are so grateful to Congressman Cartwright for allowing us to bring this initiative to life.” For more information about the Thriving Together event, contact Katie Moran, Coordinatorof the Wellbeing Initiative, at kmoran@gsymca.org.
The Dime Bank Declares Cash Dividend The Board of Directors of Dimeco, Inc. (OTCQX: DIMC) declared a dividend of $0.40 per share, payable on July 25, 2024, to shareholders of record July 1, 2024. This dividend is a 5.3% increase, or $0.02, over the dividend declared in June 2023. Based on the closing stock price of $35.89, this represents a dividend yield of 4.46%. President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich commented, “We are dedicated to acknowledging our shareholders for their ongoing support and investment in Dimeco, Inc. This dividend serves as a testament to that commitment. Our objective is to sustain our growth and profitability trends, all while delivering top-notch financial products and services to our valued customers.” Dimeco, Inc. is the holding company of The Dime Bank, a full-service financial institution serving Northeast Pennsylvania. Dimeco, Inc. reported first quarter 2024 assets of $1 billion, loans of $744 million, and deposits of $845 million. Dimeco, Inc. trades on the OTCQX Marketplace under symbol DIMC, operated by OTC Markets Group. For more information on The Dime Bank and Dimeco, Inc., visit www.thedime.bank.
