WVIA Set to Premiere ROAR: The Story of the Southern Columbia Football Tigers WVIA will premiere original documentary film ROAR: The Story of the Southern Columbia Football Tigers this Thursday, May 11 at 8 p.m. on WVIA television. The documentary chronicles the 2022 Southern Columbia Area High School Football Tigers as they chase a PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, Inc.) record sixth consecutive state championship. Award-winning WVIA filmmaker Alexander Monelli tells the story of their season from the locker room to practices to the sidelines of the games, giving viewers an up close and never-before-seen look at one of the top high school football programs in the state. Located in rural Catawissa, Pennsylvania (near the world-renowned Knoebels Amusement Resort), the film aims to discover what makes the small-town team so successful year after year. The film will feature interviews with the 2022 Southern Columbia football team and its coaches alongside interviews with former NFL players Henry Hynoski (Southern Columbia, New York Giants) and Bo Orlando (Berwick, Houston Oilers), as well as former WNEP sports director Jim Coles, who covered Southern Columbia and regional high school football for 33 years, and current WNEP sports reporters, Landon Stolar and Steve Lloyd. “I can’t wait for people to see this documentary about the Southern Columbia high school football team. I spent every day for a year working on this film. I spent the last two months waking up at 3:45am every single day to finish the film properly,” said filmmaker Alexander Monelli. “It’s always exciting when WVIA puts out a new original documentary and I’m just super honored to be a part of that legacy. This company is the home of documentary filmmaking in the region and I’m proud to share this film with all of you on May 11th.” “What I hope people will say after this documentary is ‘they do things the right way,” said head coach Jim Roth. “As far as the way we work, the way we treat players, the way we interact, and then the rest takes care of itself and translates into wins.” “Southern Columbia High School football is a unique story, and we are excited to give our viewers an up-close and personal view of this team,” said Ben Payavis II, WVIA Chief Content Officer. “WVIA takes pride in shining a light on the stories of our region and giving them a platform to be shared with the world.” The trailer for ROAR: The Story of the Southern Columbia Football Tigers can be viewed here: https://www.wvia.org/roar-the-story-of-the-southern-columbia-football-tigers The documentary film will broadcast on WVIA television and will also be available to watch on WVIA’s YouTube channel at https://youtube.com/live/D3EHpfDDq0I?feature=share and Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/575101254451175/. In addition to the broadcast premiere, there will be exclusive interviews with director Al Monelli, Southern Columbia Football Coach Jim Roth, and former WNEP Sports Director Jim Coles.
Johnson College to Celebrate Largest Graduating Class Johnson College will celebrate its largest graduating class at its commencement ceremony on May 13, 2023, at 10 a.m. on its Scranton campus. Graduating students will report to the Moffat Student Center gym by 9 a.m. Graduates will complete programs for Associate of Science and Associate of Applied Science degrees, academic certificates, and Readiness in Skilled Employment (RISE). John W. Cosgrove, Chief Executive Officer of AllOne Foundation & Charities, will give the commencement address. Degrees will be presented by Katie Leonard, Ed.D., President & CEO of Johnson College, and Heather Bonker, General Education Director of Johnson College. Recipients of Johnson College’s Award for Academic Excellence A.A.S., Jacob Banta, an Automotive Technology program graduate, and Richard Christianson, a Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning Technology program graduate, will serve as student speakers. Matthew Michalek ’85, Vice President of Operations of L.R. Costanzo Company, and Co-Owner of B & M Property Development, will give the alumni address to the newly graduated Johnson College class of 2023. The event will be live-streamed on the College’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/JohnsonCollegePA. Alpha Beta Kappa (ABK) is the premier national collegiate honor society for trades and essential occupations. The society honors excellence not only in the classroom, but also in shop, studio, and laboratory study. Additionally, students must be a member of a student organization or club to become Alpha Beta Kappa members. The National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) is an educational non-profit that exists to honor, recognize, and empower students and teachers in Career & Technical Education The appearance of the degree candidate’s name does not verify satisfactory completion of degree requirements.
The Gallery of Scranton Celebrates Special Showcase The Gallery of Scranton will celebrate naming “Diva Theater its “Theater in Residence” and the closing of “The Artist’s Soul” exhibit with a special presentation on Friday, May 5. The Diva troupe will use music, movement, acting and original works in response to the visual art ofprominent Northeast Pennsylvania artists Robert Bergstrasser, Michele Davis, Paul DeLuca, Timothy Hawkesworth, Earl Lehman, Allison Maslow, Travis Prince, Frank Wengen, and the gallery’s owner, Helen Lavelle, who were all featured in “The Artist’s Soul” exhibit. The collaborative event is sponsored by Fidelity Bank who understands the positive impact that the arts have in our community. “The importance of the arts and creative sector on economic growth and vitality is often overlooked, but cannot be overstated,” said Dan Santaniello, president of Fidelity Bank. “Collaborative partnerships between nonprofits and the business sector make sense for our community.” Diva Theater is a nonprofit, award-winning community theater celebrating its 25th Anniversary in the city of Scranton. The company is under the direction of Paige and Bob Balitski with performances held in the Olde Brick Theatre. The performers have been rehearsing in the gallery itself and Paige Balitski said she is excited for the chance to partner on this special event. “At Diva Theater, we pride ourselves in producing original plays by local writers and showcasing thetalented performers we have here in Northeast PA. Everything we do works toward fostering the artsthroughout the community so we are excited to partner with Helen and The Gallery of Scranton to bring the work of these accomplished artists to life,” she said. The Gallery of Scranton will open at 5 p.m. and the Diva performance will begin promptly at 6 p.m.Attendees will have a chance to meet and interact with all of the performers during a reception following their ½ hour show. Lavelle adds, “When the arts are integrated into the fabric of our community, great things happen. The Artist’s Soul exhibit has been viewed by hundreds to date. Now we are honored to bring Diva Theater talent to The Gallery of Scranton…and are thankful to Fidelity Bank whose support allows all to enjoy this performance free of charge.”
Center City Print Picnic in the Park As a way to commemorate Center City Print’s 10 year anniversary, the Paperback Foundation was created to promote positive environmental initiatives in communities across Pennsylvania. Enjoy our first annual Picnic In The Park where we bring our event to Lackawanna County’s McDade Park. Enjoy live music by Daddy-O & The Sax Maniacs, local eats and crafts, environmental education, and a day full of family fun. Together we can revitalize natural areas, create habitats for biodiversity, and improve our communities. Learn more about the Paperback Foundation by clicking here.
WYOU to Air Market Debate On Saturday, May 6 from 7:00PM-7:30PM, WYOU will host a multi-market debate between House 163rd District Democrat Candidate Heather Boyd and House 163rd Republican Candidate Katie Ford. The pair are competing in a special election for the open 163rd Pennsylvania House seat. The winner of this race will determine which party has the majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The “Special Edition of This Week in Pennsylvania” will be held at the WHTM/abc27 studio in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. The 30-minute debate will be hosted by WHTM abc27 News anchor Dennis Owens. The work by WHTM and Dennis Owens in producing and anchoring four high profile statewide debates in 2022 was critically acclaimed by politicians and journalists across the Commonwealth.
Greater Scranton YMCA to Present Healthy Kids Day The Greater Scranton YMCA is hosting the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day® on May 6 from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. This free, annual event features a variety of family-friendly activities to encourage healthy kids, healthy families and a healthy start to the summer season. Some featured activities include a Kids Fun Run that kicks-off at 10:30 a.m., vendor fair, petting zoo, rides, bounce houses, entertainment and more.Additionally, as part of the Y’s Wellbeing Initiative, the Greater Scranton YMCA will welcome two guest speakers to the event:• Taes Leavitt, a two-time Juno award winner and creator or television and stage content for kids as one half of the musical duo, Splash’N Boots;• Kelley Perotti, a two-time black belt, two-time Masters World Champion and an elementary motivational speaker who focuses on the life-changing power of kindness.Locally, Healthy Kids Day is sponsored by Community Bank, Matrix Fitness, TOPP Business Solutions, Cal Mal Vending Services, Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates, NET Credit Union and Rainey & Rainey CPAs. To learn more about Healthy Kids Day®, visit https://www.greaterscrantonymca.org/special-events/ or email Brandon Whipple, Senior Program Director, at bwhipple@gsymca.org.
Keystone College to Host Giants Hilltop 5K/10K Race The Keystone College football program will host its inaugural Giants Hilltop 5K/10K race on Saturday, May 7 beginning at the Turf Field on campus. The course will continue through community Trolley Trail, the borough of Factoryville, and the Keystone campus before ending at the Turf Field. Race day registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. with the race starting at 9 a.m. There will be awards for the first-place finisher in each age group and the best overall male and female finisher in each race. There will be food, refreshments, and post-race activities. For more information, or to register early, visit www.runsignup.com and search for Giants Hilltop. Proceeds will benefit the Keystone College football program.
Johnson College to Host 30th Annual Golf Tournament Johnson College will host its 30th Annual golf tournament on Friday, May 19, 2023, at the Pine Hills Country Club in Taylor, PA. In observance of the 30th anniversary, this year’s tournament will feature added anniversary course competitions, raffle prize drawing, and a BBQ dinner for all to enjoy. All proceeds from the annual golf tournament support the Johnson College Presidential Scholarship Fund. Last year’s tournament raised more than $47,000 to support the Presidential Scholarship Fund. The scholarships are presented each fall to full-time students demonstrating financial need to finish their educational journey. To learn more about this event or to register to golf, visit johnson.edu/golf. Sponsors of this event to date include: Presenting Sponsor: Gerrity’s Supermarkets Gold Sponsors: Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Fastenal Company, L.R. Costanzo Company, Inc., Peoples Security Bank & Trust, Pepsi, PNC Bank, Simplex Homes, Vacendak Construction. Silver Sponsor: Cable Associates, Toyota of Scranton Cart Sponsor: ShopRite Golfer Gift Sponsor: Troy Mechanical, Inc. Breakfast Sponsor: Action Lift Lunch Sponsor: Sordoni Construction Services, Inc. Cocktail Hour Sponsor: Topp Business Solutions Dinner Sponsor: Stevens & Lee Hole-In-One Sponsor: Tasca Ford Mulligan Sponsor: American Eagle Outfitters Exclusive Tee Sponsors: Ability Recovery Service, LLC, CP3 Energy Systems, I.B.E.W Local #81, Knowles Associates, LLC, Milnes Engineering, NRG Controls North, Inc., Waste Management. Presidential Scholarship Sponsors: Candy Frye, Citizens Savings Bank, Fiorelli Catering, Highland Associates Pot O’Gold Sponsor: Nunzi’s Advertising Platinum Marketing Sponsor: Condron Sweda Advertising Advertising Sponsor: Lamar Advertising Gold Print Sponsor: Sprint Print, Inc.
Scranton Cultural Center Free Concert June 26 Enjoy a concert given by the United States Air Force Band’s Airmen of Note at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple on June 26 at 7:00 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. The Airmen of Note is the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force. Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., it is one of six musical ensembles that form The U.S. Air Force Band. Created in 1950 to continue the tradition of Major Glenn Miller’s Army Air Forces dance band, the current band consists of 18 active-duty musicians, including one vocalist. Through the years, the Airmen of Note has presented its own brand of big band jazz as well as more contemporary forms of jazz to audiences via annual tours across the United States, deployments around the world, and local performances throughout metropolitan Washington D.C. The United States Air Force Heritage of America Concert Band concert is sponsored by LT Verrastro and supported by Lackawanna County and the PA Council on the Arts. The concert will take place in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Theatre at 7:00 p.m. with the doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Concessions will be available for purchase. Tickets are free to the public and are required for admission. They can be acquired at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster. Convenience charges may apply. For additional information and a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org. The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple’s 2022-2023 Season is sponsored by Fidelity Bank and LT Verrastro and supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the Lackawanna County Office of Arts and Culture, and Commissioners Jerry Notarianni, Debi Dominick, Esq. and Chris Chermak. A special thank you to its media partners: Access NEPA, Allied Services, Audacy, Citizens’ Voice, Lamar Advertising, MAC Signs, The Times-Tribune and Times Shamrock Communications. ABOUT THE USAF BAND’S AIRMEN OF NOTE: The Airmen of Note is the premier jazz ensemble of the United States Air Force. Stationed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, D.C., it is one of six musical ensembles that form The U.S. Air Force Band. Created in 1950 to continue the tradition of Major Glenn Miller’s Army Air Forces dance band, the current band consists of 18 active-duty musicians, including one vocalist. Through the years, the Airmen of Note has presented its own brand of big band jazz as well as more contemporary forms of jazz to audiences via annual tours across the United States, deployments around the world, and local performances throughout metropolitan Washington D.C. Their commitment to musical excellence has earned the foremost jazz artists’ respect worldwide, leading to many collaborative performances and recordings with such luminaries as Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Williams, Sarah Vaughan, and Doc Severinsen. In 1990, the Airmen of Note established the Jazz Heritage Series, featuring the “Note” in concert with legendary icons of jazz. The series broadcasts to millions over National Public Radio, independent jazz radio stations, satellite radio services, and the internet. Additionally, the “Note” produces and delivers recorded music to millions of fans worldwide through hundreds of media outlets. One of the group’s holiday recordings, “Cool Yule,” reached #2 on the JazzWeek jazz chart. As part of The U.S. Air Force Band, the Airmen of Note’s mission is to HONOR those who have served, INSPIRE American citizens to heightened patriotism and service, and CONNECT with the global community on behalf of the U.S. Air Force and the United States. The excellence demonstrated by the Airmen of Note reflects the excellence displayed by all Airmen stationed worldwide, whose selfless service and sacrifices ensure the freedoms enjoyed by citizens of the United States of America.. www.music.af.mil/USAFBand/Ensembles/Airmen-of-Note/
