Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn’s Free Movie Event

A free, family-friendly holiday event returns to the Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre this month after a two-year break. The law offices of Hourigan, Kluger, and Quinn are once again sponsoring the free movie event for kids of all ages.

“We are so proud and so happy to bring back this holiday tradition that was put on hold for two years because of the pandemic,” said lead HKQ Attorney Joseph A. Quinn, Jr. “We truly hope the free movie event will add to the wonderful holiday spirit that’s so strong here in northeastern Pennsylvania.”

It all takes place on Saturday, December 17, beginning at 12 p.m. at The F.M. Kirby Center in Downtown Wilkes-Barre.

This year’s free movie event will feature Disney’s ENCANTO, which the studio describes as “the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charming place called an ‘Encanto.’”

Doors at the Kirby open at noon on Saturday, December 17, with live entertainment. The movie begins at 2 p.m. and includes free popcorn and a special gift for children 12 and under. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

All are welcome to attend as a holiday gift to the community from Hourigan, Kluger & Quinn.

The law firm has offices in Kingston and Scranton and serves Wilkes-Barre and all of Luzerne County; Scranton and all of Lackawanna County; Allentown and all of Lehigh County; and Stroudsburg and all of Monroe County.

Keystone College To Host Holiday Concert

The Keystone College Department of Performance Music will host its winter holiday concert, “It’s Not Just a Day,” on Sunday, Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. in the Theatre in Brooks.

The free concert, which is open to the public, will feature familiar vocal and instrumental music ranging from traditional holiday favorites to jazz arrangements of music of the season. In addition, audience members can enjoy complimentary holiday treats, visits from seasonal characters, and gifts for children.

Those attending will also have the opportunity to make donations to three local charities: The Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, Toys for Tots, and The Catherine McCauley Women’s and Children’s Shelter.

For more information, email music@keystone.edu,visit www.keystone.edu/music, or call (570) 945-8599.

Johnson College to Host Transfer Day

Johnson College is holding a Transfer Day on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, from 2 to 4 p.m. in the Moffat Student Center on its campus in Scranton, PA. The College is encouraging current college students that are interested in changing the direction of their education and ultimately their career path to visit its campus.

Students will meet with Enrollment, Financial Aid, Career Services, and Counseling and Disability Services representatives. In addition, staff members from the Registrar’s Office will be on-hand for transfer credit analyses and review potential schedules for the upcoming semester. Students will learn why Johnson College is the leader in hands-on education, how it exposes students to industry from day one, and how its two-year degree programs, focusing on careers in in-demand industries, have the highest return on investment in the short term. 

To attend Transfer Day at Johnson College, students must register online at https://johnson.edu/transfer/ or contact the College’s enrollment team at enroll@johnson.edu or (570) 702-8856.

Geisinger Offering Free In-person and Virtual Culinary Medicine Classes

Geisinger is excited to offer in-person and virtual culinary medicine classes at their new state-of-the-art teaching kitchen in Selinsgrove.

Culinary medicine is a new program offered by Geisinger, consisting of hands-on classes that combine the art and skill of cooking with the science of nutrition. The curriculum is evidence-based and emphasizes the role of food in the treatment and prevention of disease based on the Mediterranean diet.

Free of charge and open to everyone, the series of four classes are led by a culinary-trained registered dietitian. They’re typically held on consecutive weeks or months throughout the year. And you don’t need any cooking experience or knowledge to attend.

The first class introduces you to the Mediterranean diet and cooking basics. The remaining three each focus on one of a typical day’s meals and healthy eating habits. You must be 18 or older to participate.

Classes begin Tuesday, Dec. 6, and are being offered through May 2023. Participants joining virtually can be located anywhere in Pennsylvania. Register today or learn more at geisinger.org/cooking.

Participants use the same entrance as Geisinger’s Multispecialty Clinic in Selinsgrove at 157 Roosevelt Ave. Classes are held in the Family Practice Center community room.

Geisinger thanks the Degenstein Foundation for their generous gift that made this teaching kitchen possible for the health and education of the community, as well as the Family Practice Center for partnering with us to use their community room for the classes.

Northeast PA AHEC 1st Annual Health Career & College Exploration Event

Northeast PA Area Health Education Center (NEPA AHEC) in partnership with Northern Tier Industry & Education Consortium (NTIEC) held the 1st Annual Healthcare Career & College Exploration Event on Friday, October 14th from 10am-4pm at the Viewmont Mall, Dickson City. This event had over 35 vendors including colleges, universities, and healthcare organizations who were there to educate students on the health career programs they had to offer, scholarships, healthcare employment opportunities as well as employment incentives. Six school districts bussed students to this event and over 200 high school students attended. This is what some of the participants had to say:

“At this event, students were able to walk around and visit each table. The tables were made up of both College representatives and employers. This was a great way to branch out and learn more about this field. We had a great time, while still learning and better our understanding of these opportunities.”

“This event allowed me to explore colleges, and even job opportunities all in one place!”

“I learned a lot about all the different colleges around me and it helped me narrow down my choices.”

“The exploration event really helped me figure what colleges I want to go to and helped me better
determine what career pathway I want to experience.”

“I really enjoyed this time and opportunity I was given, and I feel like it really helped me explore my
options going into healthcare.”

This event was made possible through grant funding, courtesy of the Scranton Area Foundation,
Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, and Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance. NE PA AHEC and NTIEC partner together to broaden our reach to help students explore careers and create their individual professional journey. Plans have begun for next year’s event to be held Thursday, October 12,
2023.

SACF To Host ‘Elevating Voices for Community Solutions’

The Scranton Area Community Foundation, in partnership with the City of Scranton, is hosting “Elevating Voices for Community Solutions” — listening sessions on Tuesday, December 6, and Wednesday, December 7, 2022, at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM to address solutions for critical topics from the City of Scranton’s Strategic Economic Development Plan.

This is a free event open to all in the community who are interested in learning more about the various needs and challenges in Scranton.

During these listening sessions, community leaders from nonprofit organizations will share relevant community needs throughout Lackawanna County. Topics for discussion, taken from the City of Scranton’s Strategic Economic Development Plan, include industry growth; welcoming diverse talent; affordable and quality housing; emergency services; and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

“The Scranton Area Community Foundation is proud to bring together local nonprofit organizations to gain a comprehensive and clear picture of the region we serve,” stated Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “We value our opportunity to work in partnership with the City of Scranton to develop strategies to maximize the use of funding in the region and we look forward to hearing from leaders of nonprofit organizations to get their perspectives on the current issues and challenges they are facing as well as what lies ahead,” Ducceschi added.

“Elevating Voices for Community Solutions” Listening Sessions will take place at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center on Tuesday, December 6, and Wednesday, December 7, 2022 from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM. To register to attend, please email the Scranton Area Community Foundation at info@safdn.org.

WVIA Education’s Speaking Grief Virtual Event On- Demand

Last month, WVIA Education hosted a virtual workshop focusing on understanding and advocacy for those who are experiencing grief. The full presentation is now available to watch on-demand at wvia.org/speakinggrief.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Educational Television Association (dba WVIA) received a $5,000 grant from the Community Giving Foundation: Berwick to support this second Speaking Grief webinar. The virtual workshop serves as a resource for parents, caregivers, and educators to help those in need. 

Panelists include:

·       Beth Anne Harris, Director of Special Education and Student Services at Crestwood School District, 

·       Jennifer Seechock, MS, Director of Counseling Services at Hospice of the Sacred Heart

·       Kristi Nejman, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Behavior Specialist from PAK Pediatrics 

“This important workshop not only offers education around the topic of grief but also provides a community of supporters for those experiencing grief,” said Teresa Sabecky, WVIA’s Education Coordinator.

The event answers questions such as “What does grief look like in a toddler versus an adult? What events trigger grief?” The program comes as a partner to the documentary film Speaking Grief, which explores the transformative experience of losing a family member in a grief-avoidant society. The documentary addresses the role that supports from friends and family plays in a person’s grief experience, offering guidance on how to show up for people in their darkest moments. Speaking Grief is a production of WPSU.

The University of Scranton Noel Night Concert

Performance Music at The University of Scranton will kick off the holiday season with its 55th annual Noel Night concert on Saturday, Dec. 3.

Beginning at 8 p.m. in the University’s Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue, the concert will feature The University of Scranton Singers and Chamber Ensembles. Doors open at 7 p.m., with a prelude beginning at 7:05 p.m. Admission to the concert is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis.

The University’s Christmas gift to the community, Noel Night has been a beloved holiday tradition for numerous Scranton-area residents since its beginnings more than a half-century ago when it was founded by Rev. Edward Gannon, S.J.

This year’s concert will feature music by composers J.S. Bach, Randall Alan Bass, Vaclav Nelhybel, Mark Sirett and others, according to Performance Music Conductor and Director Cheryl Y. Boga. Pianist and harpsichordist for the evening is Ron Stabinsky and organist is Christopher Johnson. Performance Music’s fully restored Steinway grand piano and Austin Opus 301 symphonic organ will be heard on the program, and the evening will feature the debut of the department’s newly donated and restored Zuckerman harpsichord. Remarks and readings will be offered by Rev. James Duffy, S.J., M.D., superior for the Scranton Jesuit Community; Robert W. Davis Jr., Ed.D., vice president for University advancement; Leonard Gougeon, Ph.D., professor emeritus, Department of English and Theatre; Hal Baillie, Ph.D., professor emeritus, Philosophy Department; and senior student members of the ensemble.

Scranton Launchbox Career and Development Programs

AutoCAD Training

Level 1: January 17 – February 9, 2023

Level 2: February 21 – March 2, 2023

Tues/Thurs evenings 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Basic Grant Writing

Thursdays, January 19 – February 23, 2023

10:45 am – Noon

Cultural Diversity in the Workplace

Thursdays, March 9 – March 30, 2023

6 pm – 8 pm

NEW! Fundamentals of Fundraising

Thursdays, January 19 – February 23, 2023

9 am – 10:15 am

Leadership Essential Workshops

Thursdays, 9 am – Noon

Meeting Supervisory Responsibilities

1/19/23

Leading Others

2/2/23

Interviewing and Selecting Employees

2/9/23

Building a Positive Work Climate

2/16/23

Professional Engineer Exam Review

PE Civil Review

Tuesdays, February 28 – June 13, 2023

6 pm – 9 pm

Spanish in the Workplace

Level 1: April 25 – June 27, 2023

Level 2: April 27 – June 22, 2023

Tues/Thurs evenings 5:30 pm -7:45 pm

Industry Focused Courses and Credentials

APICS/ASCM Certification Prep Program

CPIM – Part 2

January 19 – March 25, 2023

Thursdays 6 pm – 8 pm/Saturdays 8 am – 10 am

Registration Deadline: January 6, 2023

Personal Care Home Training

Accelerted PCHA 100 hr. Training – 4 Weekends

January 20 – February 11, 2023 or

April 14 – May 6, 2023

PCHA 100 hr. Training – 7 weeks

January 17 – March 2, 2023

Tuesdays/Thursdays 8 am – 5:30 pm

15-hour Assisted Living Administrator Training

Friday, February 24 & Saturday, February 25, 2023

8 am – 4:30 pm

SHRM CP/SCP™ Learning System Course

February 2 – April 27, 2023

Thursdays, 6 pm – 9 pm

SHRM Essentials of Human Resources

May 4 – May 25, 2023

Thursdays, 6 pm – 9 pm

                              REAL ESTATE CLASSES

Real Estate Fundamentals

Mondays, 6 pm – 9 pm

January 30 – April 3, 2023

Real Estate Practice

Wednesdays 6 pm – 9 pm February 1 – April 12, 2023 then classes continue on:

Mondays and Wednesdays 6 pm – 9 pm – April 17, April 19, April 24, and April 26, 2023

                       Certificate Programs

                            “Non-Credit”

NEW! Essentials in Strategic Leadership

Integrated Digital Marketing

Logistics and Operations Management

Project Management Certificate Program

NEW! Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

NEW! Workforce and Career Development Certificate

 Youth Programs

  SAT TEST PREP

  •  January 11, 2023 – February 22, 2023

Wednesdays 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.  (5:30 – 7:00 Verbal; 7:00 – 8:30 Math)

The Waverly Community House Wreath Making

      Wreath Making with Abby Peck changed to Thursday, December 8th         Wreath making takes place from 9am -2pm continuously in The Comm Gym. All are welcome! Make a wreath for yourself and one for The Comm! Reservations are not required. $3 donation suggested. Greens & light refreshments provided. Bring your own pruning shears, work gloves, and any decorations you want to add to your wreath!             Visit “The Upstairs Thrift”! Our upscale thrift shop featuring women’s, men’s, and children’s clothing and housewares. Hours: Wednesdays and Fridays, 10am-4pm; Saturdays 10am-1pm