Scranton Native Stephen Karam to Open Northeastern Pennsylvania Film Festival What happens when you put two national critically-acclaimed creatives (who happen to be from Scranton) on stage together? Find out on April 1 when the American Advertising Federation’s award-winning Helen Lavelle digs deep into conversation with Tony Award-winning playwright, screenwriter, author, and filmmaker Stephen Karam. Join the conversation at opening night of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Film Festival Friday, April 1 at 6 p.m. at the Waverly Community House, 1115 N. Abington Road in Waverly. Join other filmmakers, community arts advocates, and your movie buff friends as Lavelle quizzes Karam to learn the following: How did a guy from Scranton take an idea that began at his kitchen table, turn it into a script, bring The Humans to Broadway, and win the coveted Tony Award for Best Play? And, if that fairy tale outcome wasn’t enough, what drove Stephen Karam to dig even deeper to adapt The Humans to a major motion picture? During COVID? That’s just the beginning of the conversation and a weekend that celebrates the arts and shines a light on NEPA filmmaking talent. Meet Stephen Karam at The Evolution of The Humans from Stage to Screen April 1, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Waverly Community House, 1115 N. Abington Road in Waverly. Following a cocktail reception and the conversation, the Festival will host a screening of The Humans, Karam’s first feature film. Lavelle said, “I am thrilled to welcome Stephen Karam back home. I’m excited to engage in a candid conversation, which is bound to inspire. Everyone needs to be here because this promises to be a night you won’t forget.” The evening is sponsored by Lackawanna County Arts and Culture, WVIA, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, O’Boyle Real Estate, Gails Cupboard, The River 105 FM & 103.5 FM, Toyota of Scranton, and F. Lammot Belin Arts Foundation. To purchase tickets for the event, visit https://nepafilmfestival.com/tickets/. For more information about the NEPA Film Festival, which will be held April 1-3 at the historic Ritz Theater on Wyoming Avenue in downtown Scranton, visit https://nepafilmfestival.com.
Settlers Hospitality Open House Offers a Flavor of What’s Available Take the grand tour of the properties of Settlers Hospitality during the first-ever Open House on Sunday, March 27. The inaugural event from noon-4 p.m. features guided tours of five sites in Hawley, PA, food and drink tastings, music, prizes and more. “For those planning a special occasion, meeting or wedding, this is really a must-attend event,” explains Justin Genzlinger, CEO/Owner of Settlers Hospitality. “It’s the first time we’re throwing open the doors to all of our Hawley properties to showcase the wide-range of opportunities available. We’re also thrilled to provide an avenue to highlight so many fellow small-business owners as vendors.” Guests may check-in at The Waterfront at Silver Birches to begin the journey of checking out all the offerings. A shuttle bus will transport passengers between properties including The Settlers Inn, Ledges Hotel, The Boiler Room at the Hawley Silk Mill and Gorgeous Floral. Event planners, staff and preferred vendors will be available at each venue to greet visitors, give tours, provide consultations, and answer questions. Food and drink samplings give attendees a taste of the culinary options the chefs of Settlers Hospitality can craft. During the Open House, Settlers Hospitality will debut newly renovated spaces including The Waterfront at Silver Birches and Glass-wine.bar.kitchen at Ledges Hotel. It may also serve as an introduction to the recently opened Gorgeous Floral. The retail shop and floral design business launched late last year. “We’re excited to meet everyone and help them envision all that their event can be, whether it’s a lavish wedding, intimate party or dynamic conference,” says Nancy Harvey, Settlers Hospitality Director of Sales. “I think people will discover each venue has its own personality, from the lakeside setting of Silver Birches to the Arts and Crafts style charm of The Settlers Inn and dramatic backdrop of Ledges Hotel. Plus, there’s the cool, industrial feel of The Boiler Room and lush greenery of Gorgeous Floral.” Tickets are $20. Each person who attends will receive a swag bag. For more information, visit settlershospitality.com
Settlers Hospitality to Host Wally Wine Fest One of the most anticipated rites of spring in the Pocono Mountains returns to Lake Wallenpaupack, April 8-10. Wally Wine Fest spotlights a multitude of domestic and international brands from wine regions around the world. Festivities kick off on Friday, April 8 as The Settlers Inn hosts a Tuscan Dinner featuring Banfi Wines. On Saturday and Sunday, Silver Birches overflows with wine tastings, food pairings, seminars and a marketplace. Purchase tickets for one of three seated wine tastings on Saturday and Sunday. During the two-hour sessions, attendees will be seated at communal tables to enjoy four small plate tasting courses accompanied by three wine samples per tasting. Ticket holders will select their top three sampling choices from eight different wines for each course. Settlers Hospitality Sommelier, Claude Briere personally chose the featured wines, which include domestic and international labels. Tastings are scheduled from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 2-4 p.m. and 5-7 p.m. each day. A Bubbly Brunch at The Settlers Inn on Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 am. to 2:30 p.m. adds a bit of sparkle to the festival. Visitors may savor a prix fixe brunch menu, live music and a tasting flight of sparkling wine. Wine seminars all weekend let attendees delve into pours from across the globe. The schedule includes sessions such as Explore High Altitude Wines with Argentina’s Capeta Zapata, Debate the King of Italian Reds: Brunello vs Super Tuscans and Australia vs California Challenge. Seminars are scheduled for Saturday at 11:30 a.m., 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. as well as Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Sessions range from $35- $50 per person. “We pour our hearts and souls into Wally Wine Fest each year to make it dynamic and engaging for visitors,” states Justin Genzlinger, CEO/Owner, Settlers Hospitality. “It’s gratifying to see the way people have embraced the event and anticipate its arrival every spring. We are thrilled to present such high caliber wineries and make these fabulous vintages accessible to both the novice wine enthusiasts and connoisseurs.” Bottles of every wine featured will be available for sale. Prices range from $10-$100. Fine food, gift items and decor fit for wine lovers overflow at The Marketplace. Visitors may shop offerings from places such as Art on the Edge, which features home/wine décor. The Silent Auction benefits Lake Wallenpaupack’s fireworks display and features overnight stays at area accommodations plus gift cards to local restaurants and businesses. Golf and spa packages, as well as boat and paddle board rentals, are also up for grabs. Live entertainment rounds out the weekend-long festivities. Everyone who attends the festival at Silver Birches receives a commemorative wine glass. General admission is $60 in advance and $75 at the door. Designated drivers may attend for $30. A $200 platinum ticket includes the Tuscan Dinner featuring Banfi Wines at The Settlers Inn on April 8. For $125, guests may attend the Tuscan Dinner only. Visit wallywinefest.com to purchase tickets. Visitors may opt to stay over and take advantage of a $199 Sunday Night Lodging Special offered at the Hawley properties of Settlers Hospitality. Special thanks to Champagne Level event sponsors Silver Birches Resort, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau, E. & J. Gallo Winery and Bold Gold Media Group, as well as Cabernet Level sponsors, AM Skier Insurance. Organizers also acknowledge the participation of Rose Level sponsorsThe Dime Bank, Wayne Bank, Chant Realtors and Lighthouse Harbor Marina. Settlers Hospitality would also like to thank local sponsors Moka Origins, Lake Region IGA and Adams Outdoor.
6th Annual Winter Blues Guitarmageddon Postponed Due to weather disruptions and travel restrictions, the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple’s 6th Annual Winter Blues Guitarmageddon featuring Joe Louis Walker with King Solomon Hicks, Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen and the Deb Callahan Duo scheduled for tonight at 7:00 PM has been postponed and will be rescheduled for Sunday, March 27 at 6:00 PM. All tickets for tonight’s performance will be honored at the rescheduled date. Patrons can contact their original point of purchase or the SCC’s Fidelity Bank Box Office at (570) 344-1111 with any questions.
Valley in Motion Bike Social Valley In Motion is working with Veloce, Specialized Bicycles, and Groove Brewing to host an event for bikers, or would-be bike riders, in anticipation of the spring 2022 season. Mark your calendar for Saturday, February 19, starting at 2pm, 120 Franklin Ave in downtown Scranton.
