The University of Scranton Hosts 57th Annual Noel Night

The University’s Noel Night concert features student ensembles and includes a variety of sacred selections interspersed with readings of Nativity texts.

Continuing a beloved holiday season tradition, Performance Music at The University of Scranton will present its 57th Annual Noel Night concert on Saturday, Dec. 7.  The concert will begin at 8 p.m. in the University’s Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Doors will open at 7 p.m. with a prelude beginning at 7:05 p.m. Admission is free, and seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis.

Considered the University’s Christmas gift to the community, Noel Night has been a must-attend event for many Scranton-area residents since its founding almost sixty years ago by the Rev. Edward Gannon, S.J.

Noel Night features The University of Scranton Singers, with preludes this year performed by the String Orchestra and organ. Outdoor instrumental caroling by members of the University Bands will greet audience members as they arrive.

According to Performance Music Conductor and Director Cheryl Y. Boga, the program will include a variety of sacred selections interspersed with readings of Nativity texts. Included in the program are musical works by John Leavitt, Felix Mendelssohn, Vaclav Nelhybel, Camille Saint-Saëns, Mark Sirett, and others. Pianist for the evening is Ron Stabinsky, and Christopher Johnson is organist.

The primary focus of Performance Music at The University of Scranton is its student choral and instrumental performing ensembles. There is no music major at the University, and all enrolled University of Scranton students are eligible for membership in the bands, choirs, and string ensembles, with neither an audition nor enrollment fee required for membership. Hundreds of students participate in the ensembles each year.

For additional information on the concert, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit scranton.edu/music.

Mohegan’s Jingle at The Hive Returns with Holiday Fun

Jingle at The Hive Taphouse Returns to Mohegan Pennsylvania with SantaCon, Brunch with Santa & more!
Now through January 1st, The Hive Taphouse ramps up Holiday Entertainment, Events and Festive F&B specials

Mohegan Pennsylvania is thrilled to announce the return of the ultimate holiday experience in NEPA, Jingle at The Hive Taphouse. Now through Wednesday, January 1st, guests can head over to The Hive Taphouse to experience a decked out holiday pop-up takeover that promises to bring the festive spirit to Northeast Pennsylvania. The holiday celebration kicks off with the much-awaited return of Shorty Long & The Jersey Horns on Thanksgiving Eve! From festive food & drink specials to holiday inspired special events, Jingle at The Hive Taphouse has something for everyone. Jingle at the Hive Taphouse is open from 9:00am – 10:00pm on Sundays, Noon – 10:00pm on Mondays – Thursdays, and Noon – 1:00am on Fridays & Saturdays.

Special Events

Experience special holiday events throughout the month of December!

On Saturday, December 21st, guests will have another opportunity to compete against one another during Jingle at The Hive Taphouse’s Holiday Beard and Mustache Contest! From 8:00pm – 10:00pm, guests are invited to show up with their best holiday beard or mustache and compete for bragging rights and special prizes! The first, second and third place winners in each category will receive a $75 Mohegan Pennsylvania Gift Card, Champagne Brunch at The Hive Taphouse for two, and Top Golf for two, respectively. Winners will be announced at 10:30pm.

Additionally, trivia and karaoke continue on Fridays with special holiday themes! On Fridays, the 20th, beginning at 7:30pm at Jingle at the Hive Taphouse, guests can take part in Holiday Trivia Nights with DJ Tommy, where the top three teams will win a Mohegan Pennsylvania gift card! Following trivia, guests are invited to stay for Christmas karaoke where they can sing along to their favorite Christmas songs and other holiday season favorites all night long.

Entertainment

Jingle at The Hive Taphouse is also home to a live music stage which will feature popular local bands performing holiday classics along with their own crowd pleasers. The lineup of top-notch holiday entertainment includes: 

Saturday, December 21st | Until Sunrise

Friday, December 27th | Bad Liars

Saturday, December 28th | Chasing Ashlee

Signature Cocktails featured during Jingle at The Hive Taphouse

Guests can enjoy signature holiday cocktails during the whole month of December!

Jingle All The Way | Bulliet bourbon, orange liqueur, sour mix, topped with merlot 

The Grinch | Captain Morgan, orange liqueur, Kool-Aid, sprite

Christmas Vacation | Vanilla vodka, peach schnapps, pineapple juice, sour mix 

Dining Specials

Jingle at the Hive Taphouse is offering multiple holiday dining specials in addition to a full dining menu, featuring a wide variety of dishes like appetizers, flatbreads, salads, wings, burgers, sandwiches, tacos and entrees.

Santa’s Helper | Open face roasted turkey sandwich with a smoked bacon and fresh apple cider gravy

Sleigh Bells Ringing | Maple chicken and carved ham Monte Cristo with Swiss cheese and cranberry mayo

Comin Down the Chimney (OL’ Smokey Burger) | ½ pound burger with smoked Gouda cheese, candied bacon and smoked paprika aioli

Pink Friday at Golden Coast

Join us for Pink Friday, a special nationwide event celebrating small and local businesses like Golden Coast! Founded in 2020, this annual tradition takes place the Friday before Black Friday, encouraging shoppers to prioritize small retailers first as they kick off their holiday shopping.

Celebrate community and creativity while discovering unique finds and supporting your favorite local boutique this holiday season. Make Pink Friday your new tradition!

Johnson College Hosts Instant Decision Day for Veterans and Service Members

Johnson College’s Instant Decision Day for Veterans and those currently serving in the U.S. Military will be held on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held virtually and in person on the College’s Scranton campus in Ideal Saldi Hall. To register to attend in person or virtually, visit Johnson.edu/instant.

During the Instant Decision Event, Johnson College will provide prospective veteran students and those currently serving in the U.S. military with an immediate enrollment decision. They must supply their high school transcripts and can bring their college and military transcripts if applicable. It is highly recommended that the prospective student completes an application before attending.

Applications for Johnson College’s Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, and Veterinary Nursing programs are excluded from instant decisions.

Misericordia University Presents “Swinging Jazz Nutcracker Suite”

Misericordia University presents a festive and unique twist on a holiday classic with the “Swinging Jazz Nutcracker Suite.” The performance will take place on Friday, December 6th, at Lemmond Theater, Misericordia University. The show begins at 7 PM, with doors opening at 6 PM.

Ticket Information: General Admission: $25.00, Children 6-11: $10.00, Children 5 and under are free. Tickets are available here: https://www.misericordia.edu/nutcracker.

2024 Graduates of Leadership Lackawanna Executive Program

Leadership Lackawanna is proud to announce the 2024 graduates of its Executive Program.

Leadership Lackawanna’s six-week Executive Program, sponsored by Comcast Business, deeply engages high-level professionals in the greater Scranton region, broadens their social network, and increases their overall knowledge of the community. It accepts applications from professionals in an executive-level (director or higher) position with extensive industry experience and demonstrated career progression.

“Our mission at Leadership Lackawanna is to enhance the skills, connections, and knowledge of our participants,” said Nicole Morristell, executive director of Leadership Lackawanna. “I’m confident the 16 individuals in this year’s Executive Level Program gained valuable insight into our mission and that they forged lasting connections that will strengthen them, both personally and professionally. It is my sincere hope that they will take these benefits and use them to positively impact the community!”

This year, participants meet key business and community leaders as they receive an overview of Lackawanna County’s history and culture, economic and political structures, community events, civic groups, recreational activities, and nonprofit organizations. Sessions were held one evening per week for six consecutive weeks at various locations in the greater Scranton community, including cocktails and dinner. 

The 2024 Executive Program graduates include:

  1. Jen Azarowicz, Plaskolite
  2. Dana Bilotta, Tobyhanna Army Depot
  3. Bonnie Carone, Geisinger Community Medical Center
  4. Nick Coleman, Geisinger Health
  5. Sarah Effertz, Blu Elefante Events
  6. Kyle Gattuso, PNC Bank
  7. Maggie Hawk, Hawk Family Foundation
  8. Doug Hein, Scranton Counseling Center
  9. Kristin Hudspeth, PeoplePro Advisors
  10. Alexandra Kusoffsky, Alleima
  11. Maggie Martinelli, Scranton Area Community Foundation
  12. Al O’Donnell, Scranton School District
  13. Adam Ropati, The Dime Bank
  14. Frank K. Sweeney, Scranton Rent All Corp
  15. Ruth Turkington, Fidelity Bank
  16. Aimee Wechsler, The Wright Center for Community Health

EMPOWER Women’s Network Luncheon

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce hosted its November EMPOWER Women’s Network Luncheon at The Greenridge Club in Scranton. Lisa Lori, president of Marywood University, presented on the topic of Dream Big. Dress for Success Lackawanna executive director gave special remarks at the luncheon.

Register for the January EMPOWER Women’s Network Luncheon at ScrantonChamber.com.

Greater Scranton YMCA Prepares for Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement traditionally held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, will take place on December 3rd and the Greater Scranton YMCA is excited to participate. Each year, this global day of “doing good” inspires millions of people around the world to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity.

The Greater Scranton YMCA encourages our community to learn more about the local impact the Y has had during our most recently completed fiscal year (07/01/2023- 06/30/2024) and to consider donating as the holidays approach. Many people associate the Y with a swimming pool, treadmills, or even a place to enjoy a cup of coffee. But the true power of the Y isn’t found within four walls. The Y is in the hearts and actions of every neighbor who believes in the vision of a better “us” and a stronger community for all.

Thanks to the support of neighbors in our community, during our most recently completed fiscal year, the Y has:

• Provided $790,400.26 in financial assistance for membership, child care, programs, and more, ensuring everyone can access our YMCA.

• Served 11,153 children, adults and families from across our region through a membership to our YMCA.

• Provided 69,490 meals and snacks to 653 kids enrolled in early childhood education programs at our YMCA.

• Provided 1,689 children and adults essential, life-saving skills through our swim lessons, swim team and more.

• Served 285 children in our 2023 and 2024 Summer Day Camp Programs, providing them with priceless experiences and memories to last a lifetime.

• Served 337 children the Early Learning Centers in Dunmore and Olyphant and our Y-PALS Program.

• Served 31 school-aged children in our before and after school program.

• Served 4,854 individuals through specialized classes in our Wellbeing Initiative.

• Served 1,130 children in youth sports and enrichment programs.

“Every single dollar donated on Giving Tuesday and throughout our Year-End Appeal goes back into our vibrant, community,” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “To ensure that the Y is able to continue transforming lives and is working towards making our community a better place for all, each contribution gets us one step closer to upholding our commitment.”

This year, the Greater Scranton YMCA is proud to again partner with AllOne Charities for their Give Day Campaign. Donations made to the Greater Scranton YMCA from November 27th through the morning of December 5th will be matched by AllOne Charities up to $1,000.

Donations to the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Give Day campaign from November 27th through December 5th can be made here: https://formstack.io/793FF. Donations to the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Year-End Appeal that are made before November 27th and after December 5th can be made here: https://www.greaterscrantonymca.org/donate/.