Wright Center: Lackawanna County Sheriff’s Department Hosting Toy Drive The Lackawanna County Sheriff’s deputies will again ensure local children have a great holiday season by hosting a toy drive benefiting The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement (TWCPCE). Members of the sheriff’s department who participated in The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement (TWCPCE) toy drive in 2024. Front row from left – Deputy Colin Quinn, K-9 Arlo, and Holly Przasnyski, director of TWCPCE. Back row – Lackawanna County Sheriff Mark McAndrew, Lt. John Padula, deputies Morgan Holmes, Matthew Batysko, and Brice Finnerty, Corporal Brenda Goosley, Corporal Kerry McHugh, deputies Lisa Deustachio and David Pascolini, Corporal Joe George, Gerri McAndrew, and Kathleen Doyle, co-directors of TWCPCE. New, unwrapped toys and monetary donations will be accepted by deputies and TWCPCE staff during the Lackawanna Winter Market on Courthouse Square, 200 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, on Saturday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Look for the sheriff’s department transport van near the main entrance to the Lackawanna County Courthouse on North Washington Avenue. Raffle basket chances will also be available. TWCPCE will distribute donated toys to local families and use all monetary donations to purchase toys. TWCPCE advances The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education’s mission – to improve the health and welfare of communities through responsive health services for all and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve –by involving patients and communities in transforming primary health care, fostering workforce development, and addressing public health challenges. Focused on education and advocacy, the nonprofit organization assists the region’s most vulnerable populations, including those experiencing poverty, homelessness, food and housing insecurity, limited access to education and job opportunities, lack of transportation, social isolation, and other challenges. Guided by a board of patients and local professionals, it organizes community initiatives, such as health fairs, food drives, and school supply giveaways, while its annual Dr. William Waters Golf Tournament generates essential funding to ensure equitable access to high-quality, whole-person primary health services for everyone, regardless of age, ethnicity, insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay.
Wright Center To Host Tinnitus Support Group Meeting The Tinnitus Support Group of Northeast Pennsylvania will meet on Friday, Dec. 5, at 2 p.m. at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn. Virtual meeting options are available for those unable to attend in person. There is no fee to attend. New members are welcome. The support group welcomes individuals living with tinnitus, their loved ones, and anyone interested in learning more about this complex audiological and neurological condition. Participants will have the opportunity to connect, share their experiences, and explore coping strategies in a compassionate and supportive environment. Tinnitus, often described as ringing, buzzing, or whooshing in the ears or head, affects over 50 million adults across the U.S., with many experiencing its effects daily. For some, it can be a temporary nuisance, while for others, it becomes a chronic, life-altering condition. For more information or to obtain the virtual meeting link, contact Nicole Flynn, director of the geriatrics service line at The Wright Center for Community Health, at flynnn@TheWrightCenter.org or 570-230-0019.
Steamtown NHS Presenting Santa Train Santa Claus is coming to town! Steamtown National Historic Site is proud to partner with the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority to present the 27th Annual Santa Train on December 6, 2025! Santa and his elves will be making scheduled stops at each of the historic stations below. Those interested are invited to bring their families to greet him and enjoy activities and refreshments! The event culminates at Steamtown National Historic Site, with tons of fun for the whole family! Carbondale Train Station – 10:30 AM Archbald Train Station – 11:35 AM Jessup Train Station – 12:20 PM Olyphant’s Queen City Train Station – 1:00 PM Dickson City Train Station – 1:45 PM Steamtown National Historic Site (Scranton) – 3:00 PM There is no cost to attend this event. Participants will not ride the train. Click here for more information.
SCC Announces Spring 2026 “Be Like Blippi Tour” Round Room Live and Moonbug Entertainment are excited to announce the launch of the Be Like Blippi Tour, a brand-new live experience coming to stages across North America beginning Spring 2026, with a stop at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple on May 31 at 2 PM. Designed especially for children ages 2–7, this all-new show brings Blippi and his best friend Meekah to life on stage for an unforgettable, high-energy adventure filled with music, dancing, and curiosity. The Be Like Blippi Tour will take place in the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Theatre, located on the building’s first floor, with doors opening for bar and concessions at 1:00 PM. Tickets start at $41.65 including fees, and are required for all patrons 2-years-old and up. A post-show photo opportunity is available for an additional fee. Groups of 10 or more will receive a $5 discount on each ticket. Prices are subject to change. Tickets will be available for purchase on December 5 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. Get ready to see the world more curiously! Join Blippi and Meekah live on stage for a one-of-a-kind interactive adventure that inspires kids to move like, play like, and explore just like Blippi! The Be Like Blippi Tour is packed with high-energy music and surprises, featuring fan-favorite songs like “The Excavator Song,” “Monster Truck,” “Dino Dance,” and “Curious Like Me.” With Blippi’s signature mix of play, learning, and exploration, families can get curious together while singing, laughing, and dancing along during this unforgettable adventure full of fun and discovery. The Be Like Blippi Tour invites guests to break out their orange Blippi glasses and ignite that spark of curiosity that lives inside every single one of us and share in an unforgettable experience that encourages kids to… Be Like Blippi! “We’re thrilled to bring Blippi back to the stage in an all-new, high-energy adventure,” said Stephen Shaw, Founder and Co-CEO of Round Room Live. “Blippi has become a beloved friend to millions of families, and this new tour gives kids the chance to sing, dance, and explore right alongside Blippi and Meekah — creating joyful memories that will last a lifetime.” “Music has always been at the heart of what makes Blippi so joyful, and Be Like Blippi brings that energy to life in an even bigger way,” said Susan Vargo, Head of Experiences at Moonbug Entertainment. “This new show invites families to channel their inner Blippi through music, movement, and curiosity.” Blippi on Tour productions have already delighted millions of families worldwide, with tours across North America, the U.K., Mexico, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. The Be Like Blippi Tour continues this tradition with professional stage performers bringing Blippi and Meekah to life in an energetic, interactive production. Currently, Blippi: Join the Band Tour is touring select cities throughout North America. For the Be Like Blippi Tour, the characters Blippi and Meekah will be played by professional stage performers selected specifically for the tour. Click here for additional information.
Dave & Buster’s To Host Breakfast With Santa It’s Time for Dave & Buster’s Annual Breakfast with Santa! A Holly Jolly Magical Morning filled with fun & festivities for the whole family to enjoy! Kick off the season with sparkle and cheer at the exclusive Breakfast with Santa event! Before doors open to the public, visiting families get VIP early access to a wonderland of holiday fun: Feast on a festive breakfast banquet Play games exclusively in our arcade Snap a keepsake photo with Santa himself Write letters to Santa & decorate holiday crafts Enjoy a cozy, joy-filled atmosphere perfect for all ages! Guests are invited to bring their camera, their wish list, and their holiday spirit—this isn’t just breakfast, it’s a holiday memory in the making! Spots are limited, so they should reserve their seat today and make this season unforgettable! Ticket Packages: 1. Santa Ticket: Santa’s breakfast banquet with soda, coffee, tea, & assorted juices, $10 Power Card® with 3-hrs of Unlimited Video Game Play, personal photo with Santa, merry & bright activities, taxes, and a suggested 18% gratuity. 2. Elf Ticket: Santa’s breakfast banquet with soda, coffee, tea, & assorted juices, taxes, and a suggested 18% gratuity. Click here for more information.
Johnson College Hazleton Previewing New HVAC Lab Johnson College Hazleton Campus will host A Closer Look event for its new Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) laboratory, offering prospective students and community members a look at the future of high-demand trades training. The event will take place Thursday, Dec. 11, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Johnson College Hazleton Campus, located in the CAN DO Training Center at 370 Maplewood Drive, Hazle Township, within the Humboldt Industrial Park. Space is limited, and registration is required. To register, visit johnson.edu/closerlook or contact the Johnson College enrollment team at enroll@johnson.edu or 570-702-8856. The new facility is designed to provide hands-on training with the latest industry equipment, preparing students for stable, rewarding careers that meet local workforce needs. Attendees will have the opportunity to: See the Tech: Explore the new equipment installed in the laboratory. Meet the Experts: Talk with experienced HVAC instructors and career advisors about the program structure and job opportunities. Secure Your Future: Learn how the curriculum aligns with local workforce demand, providing a direct path to employment.
Allied Hosting Adaptive Dance Event and Seasonal Community Celebration The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Residents, Jackson Carney, D.O., and Rayan Islam, D.O., were inspired to create the “Rumba & Roll” event after realizing the lack of adaptive dance services in their area. The Residency program, created in 2022 in partnership with Northeast Rehab and Allied Services Integrated Health System, now includes twenty-four Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Residents in two nationally recognized rehabilitation hospitals in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre Twp. Both residents were recently certified in adaptive dance by American DanceWheels, a Philadelphia-based non-profit organization that teaches adaptive ballroom and Latin dancing to people with and without disabilities. The certification was an intensive 3-day training course focusing on safety, musicality, movements, and technique. Aubree Marchione, Creative Director, led the certification classes. The medical residents saw an opportunity to bring back what they learned from their courses, and share it with Scranton area wheelchair users. They believe the physicality, innate connection, and fun that dancing provides is an area of disability care that is often skimmed over, and not taken seriously in the care community. The doctors believe the adaptive community has much more potential, and much more to give. The event being held on December 6th at the Allied Services Corporate Center is the culmination of all of that belief and passion. It is run entirely by the medical residents, with help from Allied Services staff, including therapists. There will be an all-inclusive adaptive dance lesson, finger foods and drinks, dancing on a real dance floor, and an opportunity to connect with others for a fun, seasonal outing celebration.
