Johnson College Receives Grant from the Moses Taylor Foundation Johnson College has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Moses Taylor Foundation to establish a medical assistant laboratory at the College’s satellite campus, Johnson College at the CAN DO Training Center in Hazle Township. The designated laboratory space is being converted into two distinct clinical areas – a hospital room and a physician’s office – to provide a full range of training experiences for students enrolling in the program. These facility updates will allow Johnson College to provide the latest in hands-on education and training to meet the needs of the healthcare industry throughout the region and beyond. The Medical Assistant program is part of the College’s Continuing Education initiative. The program prepares students to assist physicians by performing functions related to the clinical aspects of a medical office including preparing patients for examination and treatment, routine laboratory procedures, pharmacology, and taking and documenting vital signs. Students learn the fundamentals of phlebotomy and venipunctures, anatomy, and physiology, and medical terminology encountered in the field. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to take the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam. To learn more about Johnson College’s Continuing Education Medical Assistant program, visit https://johnson.edu/continuing-ed/medical-assistant/.
Grey Towers Calls For Artists The Grey Towers Heritage Association invites regional artists to create and display their works in any medium at an “Open-Air Art Show” on Saturday, April 26th, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (rain date: Sunday, April 27th) at the historic Grey Towers estate in Milford. Whether it’s oils, embroidery, watercolors, pen & ink, quilts, or any other media, artists are encouraged to register for this opportunity to paint, sketch, and otherwise create art based on the Grey Towers mansion and surrounding outbuildings and beautiful vistas. This event will offer visitors a glimpse into each artist’s technique as well as an opportunity to purchase unique art pieces from the artists who will be located throughout the magnificent grounds while spring daffodils and crocuses are in bloom. “This plein air art show carries on a cherished family tradition,” said Don Allen, board member and coordinator. “The Pinchots understood the importance of nurturing creativity and supporting emerging talent. We are thrilled to offer this platform for local artists to create art on-site and share their work with the community.” Artists and visitors alike will enjoy the grounds of this historic site while sharing and discovering the diverse talents of the region’s artistic community. The event will be open to the public at no cost. “Painting outside is a rare luxury,” states Bob Eckstein, whose watercolor rendering of the Grey Towers mansion accompanies this article. “Grey Towers Heritage invites everyone with an artistic talent to participate.” For more information and/or to register for a space, artists should visit www.greytowers.org/events/ or call 570-491-7306.
Greater Scranton YMCA Benefited from the 5th Annual Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament & Dinner 5th Annual Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament & Dinner Celebration Benefits the Greater Scranton YMCAOn Tuesday, February 11th, the McGrath family presented the Greater Scranton YMCA with a $23,000 donation, which represents proceeds from the 5th Annual Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament. The tournament was held on September 20, 2024 at Glen Oak Country Club. Tournament proceeds will support the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Summer Learning Loss Prevention Program, Summer Scholars. Summer Scholars is a free research-based and research-proven six-week summer learning program. The goal of the program is to get elementary students on track to read at or above grade level by the start of their next school year. This summer, the program will serve rising first, second and third grade students attending the Dunmore and Mid Valley School Districts. Participants’ days consist of 2.5 hours of literacy in the morning followed by lunch and enrichment in the afternoon. Enrichment activities include field trips, as well as trips to the Greater Scranton YMCA for use of the pools. The program is instructed by certified teachers and YMCA staff. “We are happy to continue our support of the Y’s Summer Scholars Program in honor of our Dad,” said Betsy McGrath Ardizoni, Board Member, Greater Scranton YMCA, and daughter of the late Harry P. McGrath, Esq. “He believed that all children should have the resources needed to succeed in school, and this program allows for that opportunity.” The Scranton Area Community Foundation administers the Harry P. McGrath, Esq. Memorial Fund, established in May 2022 by Harry’s family to support the charitable causes and organizations important to him, including the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Summer Loss Prevention Program. “The McGrath family has made a profound impact on our YMCA and on the Summer Scholars Program,” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Through their generosity and dedication to the success of this tournament, our YMCA continues to have the resources needed to provide the Summer Scholars Program, ensuring it stays free for participants.” For more information about Summer Scholars, contact Helen Cruser, Education Director, at hcruser@gsymca.org. For more information about the Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament, contact Betsy McGrath Ardizoni at ecm0588@gmail.com.
Griffin Pond Partners with Scranton Comedy Club Griffin Pond Animal Shelter is partnering with Scranton Comedy Club on Saturday, March 22, 2025, at The Scranton Holiday Inn, 200 Tigue Street, Dunmore, Pa. 18512. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m. Tickets are available through the QR code on the flyer. They are $25.00 a person and $200 for a group of 10 ten people. All proceeds benefit Griffin Pond Animal Shelter. Come out and laugh, and have some fun with all of us!
Marywood University Announces Its Spring Semester Music and Theatre Performances Marywood University’s Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance has announced its schedule for performances throughout the spring semester. The following concerts and events presented by the department are free and open to the public. If a signature event does require a modest admission fee, it will be noted in the information about the performance. Proceeds from any event that includes admission costs are used exclusively to support Marywood students’ performances. FEBRUARY February 15, 7:30 PM, Orchestra Concert, Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual Life: The Marywood Orchestra’s Winter Concert features a colorful marimba concerto by the Brazilian percussionist Ney Rosauro, performed by the winner of our 2024 Marywood Concerto Competition, Ben Werle. The concerto will be paired by two masterpieces of early romanticism—Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Mendelssohn’s Hebrides Overture. February 20-21-22 at 7:30 PM and February 23 at 2 PM, Musical: Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts Natasha, Pierre, and The Great Comet of 1812, often simply referred to as The Great Comet, is a brilliant, thrilling, and incredibly popular new musical that had a highly succesful braodway run, starrring Josh Groban, from 2016-2017. Author and composer Dave Malloy describes Great Comet as, “an electro-pop opera ripped from a slice of Tolstoy’s War and Peace.” It’s a love story, it’s a coming-of-age story, it’s a midlife crises story, it’s classical, it’s contemporary, it’s new, it’s bold, it’s The Great Comet of 1812! Tickets are $15 for General Admission, $10 for Students, or free with a Marywood I.D. and for IHM Sister. Tickets scan be purchased online at https://marywood.universitytickets.com or in advance or at the door. MARCH March 2, 3 PM, Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsThe Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble is affiliated with American Youth Ensembles, offering middle and high school musicians an opportunity to perform with other student instrumentalists who simply enjoy making music. They will perform a variety of repertoire ranging from traditional (transcriptions, marches and works of serious and artistic merit) to cutting-edge contemporary composition and music from popular media venues. March 29 at Noon, Children’s Theatre: Hansel and Gretel, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsThe retelling of a classic German fairy tale where siblings Hansel and Gretel find themselves alone in the forest and fall into the hands of a witch who lives in a house made of sweet treats. Hansel and Gretel must save themselves by outsmarting the witch. APRIL April 4, 8 PM, Jazz Ambassadors Concert, Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual LifeFeaturing iconic blues, funk, and swing charts – the Marywood Jazz Ambassadors in concert will explore the lasting charm of mid-century jazz with captivating arrangements, smooth style, impressive technique, and a profound dedication to the blues. April 5, 7:30 PM, Wyoming Seminary Civic Orchestra Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsWyoming Seminary Civic Orchestra’s spring concert will feature two French works: Ernest Chausson’s Symphony in B-flat, considered the composer’s greatest masterpiece, and the charming suite “Feuillets de Voyage” by Florent Schmitt. April 6, 3 PM, Wyoming Seminary Civic Orchestra Concert, Kirby Center for Creative Arts, Wyoming SeminaryWyoming Seminary Civic Orchestra’s spring concert will feature two French works: Ernest Chausson’s Symphony in B-flat, considered the composer’s greatest masterpiece, and the charming suite “Feuillets de Voyage” by Florent Schmitt. April 13, 2 PM, Tutti Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsMusic has the power to inspire, connect, and heal, which is exactly what the Tutti Ensemble is all about. Since 2016, Marywood University’s music therapy and music education students have collaborated to make this innovative adaptive music program possible, empowering individuals with diverse abilities to make music together. This semester’s free concert is especially meaningful, as it takes place during World Music Therapy Week. Celebrate the incredible achievements of our ensemble members as they showcase their talents, and enjoy a special interactive lobby experience to learn more about the transformative power of music therapy. April 13, 4 PM, Wind Symphony Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsMarywood’s Wind Ensemble performs literature by Samuel Hazo, John Barnes Chance, Frank Ticheli, and others. A special highlight of the concert will be a performance of “My Life Flashed Before My Eyes,” by Marywood’s own, Dr Diogo Carvalho April 25, 7:30 PM, Carmina Burana, with the Marywood Concert Choir and Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, at the F. M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre, PA The Marywood Concert Choir will join forces with the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic to present one of the most popular and exciting musical works for chorus and orchestra, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. Visit nepaphil.org to purchase tickets for this not-to-be-missed event. April 27, 7 PM, Percussion Ensemble Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsThe Marywood University Percussion Ensemble, directed by Steven Mathiesen, will present a free program of chamber music for percussion instruments. The program will include works by Alejandro Rutty, Chick Corea, and arrangements by Clair Musser of works by Anton Rubinstein and Albert Ketelbey. April 28, 7:30 PM, String Ensemble Concert, Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual LifeThe University String Ensemble will give a free performance of Bloch’s Concerto Grosso for strings and piano and Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3. April 29, 7:30 PM, Evening Of Strings, Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual LifeMarywood String Majors will give a free performance of solo music for violin, viola, cello, and bass. MAY May 3, 7 PM, Guitar Ensemble Concert, Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual LifeAn Intimate Latin Night With the Marywood Guitar Program, with Marywood’s Guitar Ensemble, Beginning Guitar Class, and String Project Guitar, features Latin music from around the world, including Gabriel Fauré’s Pavane and Maddalena Casulana’s Amor per qual cagion. May 4, 2 PM, Chamber Singers Concert, Marian Chapel, Swartz Center for Spiritual LifeBefore embarking on its spring tour to Florida, Chamber Singers will present a free concert that includes motets by Orlando di Lasso and sacred and secular music from the American, English, and Eastern European choral traditions, as well as vocal jazz. May 5, 6:30 PM, String Project Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsString Project Spring Gala Concert, featuring Grammy-nominated guest artist, Nick Revel. This will be a culmination of a semester-long project exploring and creating new forms of notation and composition with students ages 4-18 and Marywood string students. 5/9/2025, 7:30 PM, Orchestra Concert, Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing ArtsThe Marywood Orchestra’s season finale features two Marywood string faculty, Sophie Till and Christiane Vaida, on the Double Concerto of Johannes Brahms.
Providence Pregnancy Center Opens New Maternity Home in Scranton Since its inception, Providence Pregnancy Center (PPC) had a goal of opening a maternity home in addition to its bustling Resource Center. The increased cost of living and lack of housing have left pregnant women in crisis without the support they need. When PPC purchased their property on North Main Ave, the Board envisioned turning one of the buildings on the property, a four-bedroom home, into a welcoming house that would allow mothers and children to stay together, filling this critical service gap. Casa de Maria will house up to four pregnant women (and their children up to age 5). Unlike any other maternity home in the region, women will have access to safe housing and be able to keep their small children with them while benefiting from a program designed to help them achieve stability and independence. Other maternity homes are not equipped to allow children to move in with their mothers during pregnancy, making women choose between remaining with their existing children or housing. Renovations of the home have been a work in progress, funded through donations and volunteers. Recently, PPC received two generous donations towards the renovations from the Scranton Area Community Foundation and the Robert H. Spitz Foundation. These funds were instrumental in helping the organization finish some important projects. “We receive calls every week asking if we can accept residents. We’ve been working diligently to finish this project, and we’re so excited to share that we’re ready,” says Jessica Freyne, Executive Director. “We anticipate welcoming our first residents in March, so we want to invite the community to come celebrate all the progress we’ve made,” says Freyne. PPC is hosting an Open House at Casa de Maria on Sunday, February 23rd, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Guests can tour the newly renovated home, visit the pregnancy resource center, and stop by Reborn Boutique, their women’s thrift store. Fr. Eric Bergman will dedicate the home to Our Blessed Mother, and there will be light refreshments. Please RSVP online at www.ppcscranton.org/events, by calling PPC at 570-341-7045 or by emailing help@ppcscranton.org.
RailRiders University Community Series Begins on April 1 The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are pleased to announce the schedule for the ninth annual RailRiders University Community Series, presented by Geisinger. Each year, the RailRiders welcome local high school teams and the Wyoming Valley Challenger League onto PNC Field to showcase their talents. 25 different high school and two junior high programs will be represented with regular season games this year in addition to the PIAA District II Championships. PNC Field will host the Bill Howerton Media Day at PNC Field on Sunday, March 2, 2025. In conjunction with the American Cancer Society and The Howerton Organization, coaches and student-athletes from local softball and baseball teams will be present to discuss their upcoming seasons. Teams from the Wyoming Valley Conference will be on-hand from 11:00 A.M. until 12:30 P.M. At 12:30, there will be an awards ceremony and guest speaker in the Geisinger Champions Club. At 1, representatives from teams in the Lackawanna League will be available to the media. There is no parking charge or admission fee for any of the regular season games during the 2025 RailRiders University Community Series. The RailRiders are also proud to host the Wyoming Valley Challenger League as part of the Community Series on June 1, 15, 29, and July 13. RailRiders University will host three camps this summer—June 17–19, July 22–24, and August 19–21. Registration is open now for young athletes ages six to 14. Contact Robby Judge at (570) 558-4612 or rjudge@ swbrailriders.com for additional information. The 2025 RailRiders University Community Series is presented by Geisinger as part of their continued commitment to Northeastern Pennsylvania. For more information, please contact the RailRiders front office at (570) 969-BALL. Date April 1 April 4 April 4 April 5 April 13 April 14 April 14 April 15 April 21 April 28 April 30 May 1 May 3 May 18 May 24–26 June 1 June 15 June 17–19 June 21 June 29 July 13 July 22–24 August 19–21 Time 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 7:00 PM 2:00 PM TBD 4:30 PM 7:00 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 4:30 PM 1:00 PM TBD TBD 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 12:00 PM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM 9:00 AM Game/Details Hazleton Area High School vs. Nanticoke High School Holy Cross High School vs. Riverside High School Abington Heights High School vs. Valley View High School Dallas High School vs. Crestwood High School Towanda High School vs. Athens High School** Delaware Valley High School vs. North Pocono High School Pocono Mountain East High School vs. Pocono Mountain West High School Wallenpaupack High School vs. Abington Heights High School West Scranton High School vs. Scranton High School Wyoming Seminary High School vs. Hanover Area High School Mid Valley High School vs. Western Wayne High School Danville High School vs. Southern Columbia High School East Stroudsburg North High School vs. East Stroudsburg South High School Abington Heights Jr. High vs. North Pocono Jr. High PIAA District II Championships Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball RailRiders University Summer Camp #1 Lackawanna County High School Senior All-Star Game Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball RailRiders University Summer Camp #2 RailRiders University Summer Camp #3
NEPA Youth For Christ Celebrates 30th Anniversary with Grammy-Nominated Artist Celebrate 30 years of working in the lives of teenagers and young parents with NEPA Youth For Christ. Grammy-nominated, four Dove award winner artist Brandon Heath is the special guest at the 30th Anniversary Banquet. Doors open at 5 for the silent auction. The banquet starts at 6 PM. Tickets: $45 a person Sponsorships are available.
