UNC’s Child Care Centers Receive Award from Shapiro Administration On Wednesday April 24, United Neighborhoods Centers of Northeastern Pennysylvania’s (UNC) Child Care Department received the 2024 Equity in Early Childhood Education (ECE) Champion Award from the Shapiro Administration. UNC staff visited the State Capitol Rotunda to receive the award from Pennsylvania Department of Education Secretary Dr. Khalid N. Mumin and Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh, along with fellow recipients from across the state. The Pennsylvania Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Award brings awareness to and highlights the equity work being done within Pennsylvania’s early childhood education and afterschool settings, including child care, evidence-based home visiting, and early intervention. UNC operates three child care centers that provide affordable before- and after-school care, and preschool services. We understand that reliable, safe, and accessible childcare is crucial to the stability of working families. Likewise, the quality of that care is key to the early development of the child. Our centers are licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services and operate weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. All three of UNC’s child care centers have 4-STAR ratings, the highest designation from the Keystone STARS childcare quality rating program. UNC child care centers accept Lackawanna County Early Learning Resource Center subsidy and other funding, as well as paying families. For more information about UNC’s childcare centers, see below, or call UNC’s Director of Children and Teens, Kelly Langan, at 272-228-1352. Pictured: From Left (front row): Dr. Khalid N. Mumin, Secretary for the Department of Education; Mary Ellen Richards, UNC Child Care staff; Nita Barrett, UNC Child Care staff; Shante’ Brown, Deputy Secretary of the Office of Child Development and Early Learning; Dr. Val Arkoosh, Secretary for the Department of Human Services From left (2nd row): Vuanasha Gatewood, UNC Child Care staff; Kelly Langan, UNC Director of Director of Children & Teens.
Mohegan Pennsylvania Unveils New Smoke-Free Gaming Space Mohegan Pennsylvania is unveiling a thrilling new gaming area where guests can play in a smoke-free environment. Conveniently located just inside the Hotel entrance at Mohegan Pennsylvania, the Aristocrat Gaming Lounge offers over 2,000 square feet of gaming space, complete with a full Aristocrat Gaming brand takeover. The lounge features an exclusive array of top gaming products by Aristocrat with 55 slot machines available, including classic favorites such as Dragon Link™, Lightning Link™ and Buffalo™, along with hot new titles like Whisker Wheels™, Mo’ Mummy™ and Triple Supreme Extreme™. Tony Carlucci, President of Mohegan Pennsylvania, expressed his enthusiasm about the new offering, stating, “We are thrilled to launch the smoke-free Aristocrat Gaming Lounge as part of our commitment to providing exceptional and comfortable gaming experiences. Our collaboration with Aristocrat, an award-winning casino slot provider, has allowed us to offer a truly exciting gaming experience.” The Aristocrat Gaming Lounge is not only about gaming, but also about ambiance. It features bespoke lighting and exclusive artwork, dynamic depictions of Aristocrat’s beloved characters seemingly breaking through the lounge walls. Additionally, the lounge boasts state-of-the-art LCD video panels that keep guests informed about the latest Aristocrat content. For more information about the new Aristocrat Gaming Lounge and all other gaming details at Mohegan Pennsylvania, visit moheganpa.com/playing.
Wayne Bank Promotes Jamie Polley to Payroll Officer Jim Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is pleased to announce the promotion of Jamie Polley to Payroll Officer. According to Mr. Donnelly, “Jamie is an asset to the Human Resources department. Her strong work ethic, attention to detail, and proficiency in managing the accuracy and efficiency of our payroll operations has earned her the trust and respect of her colleagues. Jamie’s commitment to excellence contributes to the success of our organization and she is well-deserving of this promotion.” Jamie holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from The PennsylvaniaState University and a master’s degree in human resources administration fromthe University of Scranton. Jamie joined Wayne Bank in 2014 and has 15 years of Human Resources experience. In her current role, Jamie oversees all employee payroll, employee records, and calculates employee benefits and compensation. She resides in Lake Ariel with her two children, Mia and Frank.
Johnson College’s Carpentry Auction Raises Money for Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA Johnson College Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology program hosted its Annual Carpentry Auction at the College’s Scranton campus on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The event raised over $10,000 to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania in support of its mission to provide excellence in the assessment and treatment of child abuse and neglect. More than 70 items created by Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology students were available for auction. There was a wide variety of woodwork including chess boards, tables, chests, benches, and more. Many of the items were made from re-purposed materials. Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a supportive environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their in-demand careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912 and is the region’s only technical college, offering 18 associate degrees, four academic certificates, and over 30 continuing education programs. A low student-to-instructor ratio supports an emphasis on hands-on learning. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus with a satellite campus serving the greater Hazleton area, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industries to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
The Dime Bank Announces First Quarter 2024 Earnings Dimeco, Inc., the holding company for The Dime Bank, reported unaudited results for the first quarter of 2024. At March 31, 2024, total assets were $1 billion, an increase of $41 million over March 31, 2023. Fueling this growth was an increase in total loans of $73 million, bringing loans to $744 million compared to $671 million one year prior, a growth rate of 11%. Deposits were $845 million at March 31, 2024, compared to $788 million the same period 2023, or 7.2% higher. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, Dimeco recorded net income of $2.4 million, down $162 thousand from the same period last year. Net income at this level resulted in a return on average assets of .95% and a return on average equity of 9.56%. Maintaining a strong capital position, stockholders’ equity was $99 million at March 31, 2024, representing growth of 6.9% over balances a year earlier. Dividends remained solid, amounting to $.40 per share for the period ended March 31, 2024, producing a dividend yield of 4.60%. “I am pleased to announce that Dimeco attained a long-time goal of reaching $1 billion in total assets as of the first quarter of 2024. Surpassing this milestone was achieved through responsible growth and prudent banking management,” stated President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich. “We will continue to navigate the economic challenges through 2024 including persistent inflation, margin compression, and an inverted yield curve. Additionally, fraud is increasing, and we encourage everyone to be wary of any text, e-mail, or phone call that is asking for account information or to send money. We look forward to continued growth through 2024 and in future years.”
FNCB Bank Awards Coffee Shop Foundation Grant FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, has awarded Coffee Inclusive a $10,000 foundation grant to support the Inclusive Transitional Employment Program (ITEP) and the launch of a bakery operation at their coffee shop located at 350 Kennedy Boulevard, Pittston. ITEP is offered to youth ages 14-22 who have a diagnosis of autism, or intellectual or developmental disabilities. The program provides training in culinary arts and food service. This real-life experience in working at pace and with the public creates an environment where students learn skills on how to work in community businesses. Working with the public also provides socialization with the broader community, encouraging friendships, social development, and community inclusion opportunities for students with disabilities to prepare them for post-high school employment and community living. The donation to Coffee Inclusive is part of FNCB’s Community Caring initiative. As a local community bank, FNCB makes a difference through volunteerism, donations, and outreach programs.
Retiring President Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D. to Address Graduates at Marywood Commencement Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., Marywood University’s 12th president, who will retire from the institution on June 30, will address graduates at Marywood University’s 106th Commencement on May 18, 2024. She will be recognized with a special tribute at the ceremony, which begins at 1 p.m. at Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, Wilkes-Barre Township, Pa. Sister Mary is a native of Hazleton, Pennsylvania. She attended Marywood as an undergraduate and, in her junior year, entered the IHM Congregation and finished her studies as a candidate. After earning her bachelor’s degree in education and French from Marywood in 1969, Sister Mary went on to earn a master’s degree in French from Assumption College and a doctoral degree in educational leadership from Lehigh University. During her professional life, Sister Mary has been a teacher, an administrator, and a leader in educational, health care, and congregational settings. She was the treasurer, then the president, of the IHM Congregation, serving eight years in each role. Following her congregational leadership, she went on to serve as an executive vice president at Trinity Health, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation. She became president of Marywood University in 2016 and has guided Marywood through tough, but prudent, decisions to position the institution for the 21st century, even when facing unforeseen challenges like a global pandemic. Under Sister Mary’s leadership, strides were made in the scholarly life of the university by restructuring and streamlining the colleges within the university, adding or expanding several signature academic programs, and establishing the offices of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Global Education. Marywood also welcomed national retail partnerships to campus, including Starbucks, the Gear Shop, Apple, and Amazon stores. The university endowment has nearly doubled and maintained a fiscally responsible status, even during universally challenging financial times in higher education. To further strengthen Marywood’s future, Sister Mary is presently bringing the university’s $30 million comprehensive campaign, EMPOWER, to its conclusion. Sister Mary’s engagement, both in the public arena and on campus, are two highlights of her presidency. She has represented Marywood University locally, nationally, and even internationally, but notes that the best part of her presidential tenure has been interacting with Marywood students.
Johnson College Now Enrolling in Continuing Education Welding Courses Johnson College’s Continuing Education Program is enrolling students in its Fundamentals of Welding and Intermediate Welding courses at the Scranton campus. The Fundamentals course will begin on May 16, 2024, and can be taken on its own or followed by any one Intermediate course including Shielded Metal Arc (Stick), Gas Metal Arc (MIG), or Gas Tungsten Arc (TIG). The Fundamentals of Welding course teaches the basics of major welding processes. Students learn equipment set-up as well as basic techniques and safety for oxy-fuel welding and cutting, Stick, TIG, and MIG welding. Additional lectures are given on basic metallurgy, welding codes, nondestructive examination, and welding symbols. Intermediate courses build upon specific welding processes, working towards plate certification to a common welding code. The fundamentals course fee is $1,870 and includes a PPE kit. Intermediate course fees are $2,750 and include certification testing fees. The courses can be bundled for a reduced cost of $4,251. For information about using GI benefits for Fundamentals and Intermediate welding courses, email nmelgarejo@johnson.edu. To learn more about these programs or enroll call 570-702-8979 or email continuinged@johnson.edu. To register for the course, visit johnson.edu/continuing-ed/welding/.
Waverly Community House to Host Poetry and Multimodal Workshop Waverly Community House to host “Visualizing Verse – VR Poetry and Multimodal Workshop by Dr. Margot Douaihy” May 16 @ 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm Join Dr. Margot Douaihy, the 2023 F. Lammot Belin Arts Scholarship Winner, for a presentation of her virtual reality poetry project. Margot will also lead an engaging workshop on how to create multimodal & multimedia poetry. All welcome! FREE No advance registration required.
McCarthy Flowers Acquisition of Flower Shop McCarthy Flowers purchased Carter’s Flower in St Petersburg FL April 1st. This acquisition adds to the current two brands McCarthy is operating in the St Pete – Clearwater market, Jennies Flowers and Artistic Flowers. Carters opened in 1956 and has distinguished themselves in the Wedding and Event sector. Terry Hagstrom, Carter’s owner and 100% of its staff will join McCarthy’s team. Mr. Hagstrom is thrilled to have his longtime customers benefit by the McCarthy buying power, and its direct from the grower shipments, as well as the 7 day a week services. This brings the McCarthy store count to 31 nationally throughout 10 states, with a full-time staff of over 600. Kevin McCarthy, president of McCarthy Group Florists, is thrilled to add the iconic brand and fabulous team to the McCarthy Group. McCarthy Flowers has been headquartered in Lackawanna County since 1952 and remains the largest family-owned florist in the country.
