The Rotary Club of Scranton Hosts World Polio Day The Rotary Club of Scranton will hold an evening panel discussion on World Polio Day, this Tuesday, October 24, 2023. The event will be held at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM) located at 525 Pine Street, Scranton. The panel discussion will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m., with the last half hour reserved for public questions. Panelists will include world, national and regional leaders from the fields of healthcare, higher education and government. Serving on the panel is Michael K. McGovern who, as Chair of the Rotary International PolioPlus Committee, is at the forefront of the battle to eradicate polio throughout the world. Topics of discussion will include pandemic preparedness, immunization/vaccine accessibility, critical first response issues and current global polio eradication efforts. Joseph A. Riccardo, Jr., Foundation Chair of the Rotary Club of Scranton joined Scranton Rotary a few years ago and is very proud of Rotary’s international mission to eradicate polio. “Similar to 1980 when smallpox was finally eradicated, I have a desire to be part of what would be only the second time in history to accomplish something of this magnitude. I am honored to be a part of a great mission, working with wonderfully driven people who are all pressing toward a common goal for the human race, in making this world a healthier, better place. So much has already been done toward this goal. I believe we are at the last mile of making this a reality. I like that Rotary is working together on an international level to eradicate polio. We are people of action,” he said. In addition to the evening panel discussion, Joseph initiated bringing two hundred high school students to the medical school on World Polio Day as part of a young leaders public health summit. “Our goal is for this to not be limited to polio, but rather to involve motivated high school students who are interested in STEM topics to create a young leaders’ laboratory of sorts. The students will be presented with issues of local and global impact, to engage in problem-solving discussions and model exercises that place them in the roles of public health officials, private researchers and community leaders. We hope it is a call to action within the community,” said Joseph. Contact Joe A. Riccardo, Jr., at 570-904-0166 or by email at joericcardo@yahoo.com for more information about World Polio Day. www.scrantonrotary.org
The Settlers Inn Hosts Storytelling Dinner Tantalizing food. Glowing jack-o’-lanterns. Captivating tales. The annual Storytelling Dinner at The Settlers Inn, October 27 and 28, has all the elements for a spooktacular evening of thrills and chills. The event features Clay Mcleod Chapman, a prolific horror novel and comic book author. Chapman enthralls guests with yarns ranging from supernatural and psychological to the macabre. The Brooklyn, NY based author penned multiple novels, comic books and children’s books, as well as scripts for film and television. His horror novels include “The Remaking,” “Whisper Down the Lane,” and “Ghost Eaters.” Chapman also co-wrote “Quiet Part Loud,” a horror podcast produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw for Spotify. In comics, Chapman is the writer of the ongoing Marvel series, “Scream: Curse of Carnage.” He also co-wrote “Wendell & Wild,” which was adapted into an animated movie streaming on Netflix and featuring the voices of Keegan Michael Key, Jordan Peele and Angela Bassett. Storytelling Dinner has been a staple of the fall season at The Settlers Inn since 1987. The event unfolds for two consecutive evenings in The Undercroft illuminated by over 100 pumpkins hand carved especially for the occasion. Many of the carved pumpkins boast elaborate, detailed designs. The Settlers Inn Founder Grant Genzlinger and friend David Dunsmore lead a team of carvers in a day long effort. Together they create everything from life-size pumpkin people to miniature scenes. Each jack-o’-lantern is unique and imbued with its own characteristics. Live music and a delectable farm-to-table meal round out the festivities. Reservations are required for The Storytelling Dinner, which costs $85 per person. Call 570-226-2993.
Scranton Cultural Center Postpones Production Scranton Cultural Center and the production of “Late Nite Catechism,” originally scheduled for October 15, has been postponed to February 4 at 3:00 PM in Shopland Hall. “Late Nite Catechism” is presented by Entertainment Events, Inc. All tickets for tonight’s performance will be honored at the new date. Patrons can contact their original point of purchase or the SCC’s Fidelity Bank Box Office at (570) 344-1111 with any questions.
PennDOT Hosts Public Meeting For The Route 347 Project In Lackawanna County The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) invites the public to a Public Meeting with Plans Display regarding the Route 347, Section 253 Culvert Project. The SR 347 Section 253 project involves improvements to the crossing of SR 347 over Kennedy Creek in Scott Township, Lackawanna County. The project proposes to replace an existing metal arch culvert with a new reinforced concrete box culvert. The existing culvert is experiencing deterioration with scour distress that requires corrective action to sustain a safe crossing at this location. The new culvert has been designed to match the hydraulic performance of the original culvert and maintain the existing floodplains so as not to adversely affect adjacent property owners. Roadway improvements associated with the project include full-depth reconstruction in the vicinity of the culvert, providing lane and shoulder widths meeting current design criteria. Additionally, new guide rail and pavement markings will be provided throughout the project limits. Only minor utility impacts are anticipated to construct the project. Public Meeting The in-person public display meeting for both projects will take place at: Time: 7:00 PM Date: Thursday, October 17, 2023 Location: Scott Township Building (1038 Montdale Road, Scott Township, PA, 18447) The public comment period is from October 2, 2023 – October 31, 2023. The plans display will be held online and will be available from October 2, 2023, to November 3, 2023. Online information, including detailed project information and comment form, can be found by visiting the following PennDOT District 4-0 website: Route 347, Section 253 Culvert Project (pa.gov). The purpose of the plans display is to introduce the project, display and describe the planned traffic control, and receive public input regarding questions or concerns with the project. The project documents can be made available in alternative languages or formats if requested. If you need translation/interpretation services or have special needs or have special concerns that require individual attention, contact Mr. Charles Reuther, PennDOT Project Manager, at creuther@pa.gov.
The University of Scranton Sets October and November Open House Dates The University of Scranton will host two Open House events for prospective students and their families on Sunday, Oct. 22 and Sunday, Nov. 5. Inspired by its Catholic and Jesuit mission, Scranton provides a rigorous, in-depth education designed for personal and professional success. For 30 consecutive years, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Scranton among the 10 top Master’s Universities in the North. The Princeton Review included Scranton in its list “Best Colleges” for 22 consecutive years and in its ranking of the nation’s “Best Science Labs” (No. 18) for seven years, among other rankings. At the Open House, participants can learn about Scranton’s 70 undergraduate majors, meet with faculty, students, admissions counselors and financial aid representatives. Participants can also learn about Scranton’s five honors programs, pre-law, pre-medial and pre-health professions programs. Student-led tours of the campus, located in Northeast Pennsylvania, will be conducted throughout the day and will include residence halls, dining halls, computer labs, science labs and academic facilities. In addition, representatives of student organizations, athletic teams and Scranton’s Honors Programs, will be available. For additional information, contact Scranton’s Admissions Office at 1-888-SCRANTON or visit Scranton’s Open House webpage.
Marywood University Sets Fall Admissions Events Prospective undergraduate and graduate students can attend designated Open Houses at Marywood University this fall to learn more about specific programs and educational opportunities. For additional details, go to marywood.edu/visit, or call the Office of Admissions at (570) 348-6234. Additionally, prospective undergraduate students can email YourFuture@marywood.edu and prospective graduate students can email GoGrad@marywood.edu for more information. Undergraduate Open Houses: Saturday, October 28, and Saturday, November 11, 9 a.m. Two Undergraduate Open Houses are scheduled, including Saturday, October 28, 2023, and Saturday, November 11, 2023, for prospective undergraduate students. Registration for both events begins at 9 a.m. in the Fireplace Lounge at the Nazareth Student Center on the University’s campus. Prospective students can meet with current Marywood students, faculty, and coaches. There will be opportunities to explore academic departments, learn more about the admissions process, and tour campus. Information sessions with admissions and financial aid counselors also will be available. The event includes a continental breakfast and a complimentary lunch. Graduate Open House: Saturday, November 4, 10 a.m.-Noon Prospective graduate students can attend a Graduate Open House on Saturday, November 4, 2023, at 10 a.m., with registration beginning at 9:30 a.m., at Nazareth Student Center. The event includes an overview of Marywood, a financial aid and scholarship session, and meetings with faculty. Optional tours of campus also are available. The Open House is being held on site at Marywood’s Scranton Campus; there are no virtual options for this event.
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Hosts Carnival-themed Fundraiser An adults-only night at the carnival will support student scholarships for Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. Moonlight on the Midway will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Scranton Cultural Center, 420 N. Washington Ave. The event will feature classic carnival fare, a beer and wine selection, and beloved childhood amusement games with bigger, better prizes. Culinary Creations by Metz will staff concession stations offering elevated dishes inspired by traditional carnival food. Entertainment will include sideshow performances, and a silent auction will feature items from local businesses. Tickets cost $125 and can be purchased at go.geisinger.org/gcsommidway. Attendees must be 21 and older, and attire is casual. Sponsorship and one-time donation opportunities are also available on the event page. For more information, please contact Foundation Events at foundationevents@geisinger.edu or 570-214-0400.
