Cooper’s to Present Memorial Block Party

Cooper’s Seafood Restaurant has joined forces with Dr. Jen’s Hope again to present Dr. Jen’s Hope Memorial Block Party, which will be held on Sunday, August 11th. This event will be honoring the 10 years of service Dr. Jen’s Hope has dedicated to our communities. The event will take place from 12:00pm – 7:00pm, and will feature food and drinks, live entertainment, basket raffles, and more. We are looking for the support of local businesses and organizations in the forms of presenting sponsor, t-shirt sponsors, gift certificates/baskets, cash donations, and/or other.

Dr. Jen’s Hope has been funding initiatives locally and globally to aid in the lives of children and those who care for them. The organization has provided assistance to health clinics, local nonprofits, and educational institutions. Without the continued support of our community none of this would be possible.

This year, Dr. Jen’s Hope will be donating to two local charities; Brandon’s Forever Home and Adopt a Single Mom Project. Brandon’s Forever Home is an organization dedicated to the betterment of the lives of Pennsylvania foster children via providing basic needs such as hygiene products, clothes, shoes, luggage, etc. The Adopt a Single Mom Project provides support and resources to single mothers in NEPA including financial services, career development, as well as programs for mothers and children.

Thank you in advance for your consideration and support.

Saint Joseph’s Center Summer Festival Kicks off Excitement

As summer heats up, Saint Joseph’s Center is excited to announce a series of pre-events designed to build community enthusiasm leading up to this year’s Summer Festival, WNEP-TV Telethon, and Go Joe 27 Bike Ride. These Community Ride Alongs are a celebration of the collaboration with our valued community partners.

The Ride Alongs, walks, and runs, continuing now through the end of July, will feature a variety of interests from Family Fun Walks and Bike Rides, to collaborations with local breweries and restaurants. “These pre-events are essential in encouraging excitement and bringing people together, all culminating at the Annual Summer Festival,” says Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, IHM President/CEO Saint Joseph’s Center, “These events wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of our community partners who share our mission of making a difference in our community.”

Saint Joseph’s Center is blessed to have so many community advocates who have helped grow these events into what they are today. Anthracite Bicycle Coalition has assisted in creating multiple “Rides” over the years and throughout the area including bringing in local restaurants like Barrett’s Pub in Archbald, Groove Brewing in Scranton, and McGrath’s Pub and Eatery in Dalton. This year, we are also pleased to include Scranton Running in some of these events along the Heritage Trail. The Rail-Trail Council of NEPA continues to host rides in Simpson and Forest City.

Partners throughout Luzerne County include Wilkes-Barre Bike Gang, who host rides along the Levee Systems and local parks, and The Cycle Yard, who partnered with Susquehanna Brewing Company to bring stationary exercise bikes to their outdoor area.

The community is also invited to join Saint Joe’s as they send off Joe Snedeker, WNEP Meteorologist, on his 27th Annual Go Joe Bike Ride on Friday, July 12th at Cooper’s Seafood House in Scranton. This Launch Party will feature Go Joe T-shirts and other merchandise sales, raffle chances, and much more. Go Joe 27 merchandise can also be purchased online through Saint Joe’s Website, stjosephscenter.org, with an optional free pick-up date of July 11, 3-6 pm. More details are located on webstore.

The collaboration with partners extends beyond sponsorship to active participation in event planning, logistics, and community engagement. Each contributes unique resources and expertise to ensure the success of Community Ride Alongs. Please see the events listed below and join Saint Joseph’s Center for a fun-filled Summer!

  • Wednesday, July 10, 2024, Archbald Ride & Walk at Trailhead & Barrett’s Pub: Registration: 5:30 pm Start Time: 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday, July 10, 2024,  Rails to Trails:  Simpson/Morse Ave to Forest City – Start Time: 5:30 pm
  • Wednesday, July 17, 2024, Wilkes Barre Gang – Start Time:  6:00 pm
  • Sunday, July 14, 2024, The Cycle Yard at SBC, Pittston – Outdoor Spin Class – 12 pm
  • Thursday, July 18, 2024, Groove Brewery/Olive Street Trailhead: Registration: 5:30 pm & Start Time: 6:00 pm
  • Friday, July 12, 2024,  WNEP Go Joe Launch Party, Cooper’s Seafood, Start Time: 4 pm

Other fundraisers for Go Joe 27 and Saint Joseph’s Center include Dunkin’ Iced Coffee Day on July 24th, Montage Mountain Water Park Day on July 21st, and a Liturgy at Saint Peter’s Cathedral in downtown Scranton on July 21st at 10 am.

These pre-events will culminate in the eagerly anticipated Saint Joseph’s Center Summer Festival set to take place July 26th and July 27th from 4-10 pm, and July 28th from noon- 7 pm.

For more information on the pre-events and the Summer Festival, please visit stjosephscenter.org and follow us on social media at “Saint Joseph’s Center”.

Photo caption: MaryLou Grogan, Committee Chair; Lynn Gavin, Auxiliary Coordinator, Saint Joseph’s Center; and Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, IHM, President/CEO Saint Joseph’s Center.

Mohegan Pennsylvania Partners with Team Allied Services

Mohegan Pennsylvania is thrilled to announce the public kick-off of the 2024 Team Allied Services & You fundraising campaign, in partnership with Allied Services, who they have been a major sponsor for 15 years. The campaign launch will be celebrated at Mohegan Pennsylvania’s Party on the Patio event on Thursday, August 15th. The celebration will begin at 4:00pm with a live broadcast by WNEP TV’s Chelsea Strub, who will introduce viewers to members of the fundraising and marathon team. Doors open at 6:00pm for the free 21-and-over concert, with live music from Parrot Beach, a Jimmy Buffett tribute, starting at 7:30pm. Official Team Allied Services exercise shirts and wristbands will be available for sale and volunteers will be collecting donations.

“What makes Mohegan Pennsylvania so special as part of Team Allied Services is that in addition to hosting our campaign launch, they always have a team member that raises additional funds, trains for the marathon, and makes the trip to New York City to run the marathon in November,” – said Charlotte Wright, Assistant VP of Marketing & Development. “It has been a tremendous partnership with Mohegan Pennsylvania, and we’re thrilled to again kick our fundraising season off at Party on the Patio on August 15th!”   

Team Allied Services & You is an annual charity campaign designed to inspire fitness, challenge disability, and change lives. The months-long campaign culminates with a dedicated team of 68 volunteers participating in the prestigious TCS New York City Marathon on November 3rd, 2024. Proceeds from the campaign will benefit children with disabilities at the Allied Services John P. Moses Esq. Pediatric Rehab Centers in Northeast and Central Pennsylvania. Donations will help the non-profit health system extend specialized rehabilitation services to more underinsured children with disabilities, life-changing injuries and chronic illnesses.

For each of the 15 years that Mohegan Pennsylvania has been a major sponsor, at least one team member has represented Mohegan Pennsylvania (or its parent company, Mohegan) as a fundraiser and a marathon runner. This year is no exception, with Jason Bohenek, Internal Audit Manager of the Mohegan Tribe, and Jennifer Ducharme, Director of Events at Mohegan Pennsylvania, participating. All funds raised this year will be allocated to pediatric services within Allied Services.

The Wright Center Announces ‘Walk with a Doc’

The Wright Center for Community Health invites residents of Luzerne, Lackawanna, and Wayne Counties to lace up their sneakers and take a step toward better health by participating in one of three regional Walk with a Doc programs.

The doctor-led initiative brings health care providers and members of the community together to enjoy a refreshing and rejuvenating walk with doctors and other health care professionals, who will provide participants with an opportunity to get some exercise, interact with health care professionals, and meet new people.

The Wright Center’s Walk with a Doc in Lackawanna County is on the first Saturday of every month at 9 a.m. at the David P. Maslar Memorial Park in Archbald. Walkers should meet at the Laurel Street Trailhead. The next event is on July 6.

Walk with a Doc in Wayne County is on the second Saturday of every month at 9 a.m. at the Lacawac Sanctuary, 94 Sanctuary Road, Lake Ariel. The next event is July 13 and is made possible through a collaboration with Lacawac Sanctuary and AllOne Foundation & Charities.

The Wright Center’s Walk with a Doc program in Luzerne County is held on the third Saturday of every month at 9 a.m. at Kirby Park. The next event is July 20. Walkers should meet at the park’s main entrance.

The doctor-led group walks are open to the community and people of all ages and fitness levels. Participation is free, and pre-registration is not required.

Walk with a Doc is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire communities through movement and conversation. Walking as little as 30 minutes a day can improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels, help maintain a healthy body weight and lower the risk of obesity, enhance mental well-being, and reduce the risk of osteoporosis, according to the American Heart Association.

The Wright Center for Community Health, headquartered in Scranton, operates 10 primary and preventive care practices in Northeast Pennsylvania, including a mobile medical and dental vehicle called Driving Better Health. Its practices offer integrated whole-person primary health services, meaning patients typically have the convenience of going to a single location to access medical, dental, and behavioral health care, as well as community-based addiction treatment and recovery services.

For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health’s Walk with a Doc program, contact Nicole Lipinski at lipinskin@TheWrightCenter.org or Christine Wysocky at wysockyc@TheWrightCenter.org

UNC’s Mid Valley Senior Center Summer Party

United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) invites you to join us for our joyous and celebratory annual Summer Party on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 pm at our Mid Valley Senior Community Center at 310 Church Street in Jessup. New and old friends will come together to celebrate the warmth of summer and the very special 103rd birthday of Julia Mellody, a beloved member of our community. Mellody, an active participant at UNC’s Mid Valley Senior Community Center, is known for her love of parties and her favorite food, ravioli. Our special centenarian birthday cookout bash will be filled with joy, laughter, and live music. And, of course, a delicious cake! We invite you to celebrate summer and wish Julia many more happy and healthy years.

WVIA Presents Kansas City Jazz

WVIA released the ticket price includes the concert as well as a desserts and wine after-party. The concert will last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes with a brief intermission. We encourage you to bring a picnic dinner and after the concert ends, enjoy a dessert and wine after-party with the musicians and the community.

A romping, stomping seven-piece band will be here on July 21st to celebrate the legacy of the great American genius Eddie Durham. He was the man behind one of the most quintessential hits of the 20th century, Glenn Miller’s In The Mood, and the resident genius in the original Count Basie band. Loren Schoenberg will serve as the music director for the dynamic seven-piece band showcasing Eddie Durham’s sound.

For decades, Eddie Durham’s story was largely overlooked until 2024 when WVIA released the original documentary film Wham-Re-Bop-Boom-Bam: The Swing Jazz of Eddie Durham. This documentary is currently airing on over 250 public television stations throughout the United States, bringing well-deserved recognition to Eddie Durham for his significant contributions to the world of jazz.

Loren Schoenberg is a senior scholar of the National Jazz Museum in Harlem, on the faculty at The Juilliard School and has taught at Manhattan School of Music and the New School. Schoenberg has lectured at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the White House, the New York Philharmonic, Stanford University, and the Aspen Institute. Schoenberg, a tenor saxophonist/pianist, has played and recorded with Benny Carter, Benny Goodman, Jimmy Heath, Eddie Durham, Marian McPartland, Clark Terry, John Lewis, Christian McBride, and Buck Clayton, and he was musical director for Bobby Short from 1997 to 2005. He also received two Grammy awards for best album notes in 1994 and 2004. Schoenberg has been published widely (including in The New York Times), and his book, The NPR Guide to Jazz, was released in 2003. In 2001, he led the effort to establish the National Jazz Museum in Harlem and served for more than a decade as its executive director, creating many of its signal programs and enlisting Christian McBride, Jonathan Batiste, Ken Burns, and Wynton Marsalis to help further the museum’s mission.

The Swiftwater to Open New Fine Dining Restaurant

The Swiftwater is proud to announce the opening of its in-house fine dining restaurant, “The Olivet,” on June 10th, 2024. Situated within the heart of the Poconos, The Olivet promises to offer an unparalleled culinary experience, blending exquisite culinary artistry with a sophisticated ambiance.

Elegant Ambiance

The Olivet offers an exquisite space that seamlessly blends the fresh mountain air with a refined dining atmosphere. Gather to enjoy a sophisticated culinary experience, complemented by expertly crafted cocktails and a serene ambiance. The restaurant features indoor and outdoor seating on their garden patio under the stars. The Olivet’s floor to ceiling glass doors are fashioned to seamlessly open to the patio during the warmer seasons. The indoor dining room is a blend of wood beams, glass chandeliers, and gold accents. The bar features a marble countertop, custom gold centerpiece, and gold floral accent lights.

A Feast for the Senses

The Olivet’s menu is a testament to culinary excellence, offering a diverse array of dishes that cater to discerning palates. Highlights for dinner include Braised Pork Belly, Beetroot Burrata Salad, 12oz. New York Strip Au Poivre, Ricotta Gnudi, and Green Walk Hatchery Rainbow Trout. The bar features a full cocktail, wine and beer menu with signature drinks like the Olivet Martini, Swiftwater Manhattan and Black Diamond Negroni. Highlights for breakfast include Candied Bacon Eggs Benedict, Brûléed French Toast, and Shrimp and Grits. Pair that with a cup of Moka Origins coffee and you’ll start the day ready for adventure.

Reservations and Contact Information

The Olivet will be open to the public for breakfast and dinner service daily. Breakfast is available 7am-11am and dinner will be served from 5pm-10pm Sunday-Thursday and 5pm-Midnight. Friday and Saturday. Reservations can be made through The Swiftwater website or by calling the restaurant directly at (570) 895-0000. For more information, please visit TheSwiftwater.com.