Leigh Pilzer to Perform at University of Scranton On Saturday, April 15 at 7:30 p.m., Performance Music at The University of Scranton will present a concert featuring The University of Scranton Jazz Band and Saxophone Ensemble with special guest baritone and bass saxophonist Leigh Pilzer. The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free, with seating on a first-come, first-seated basis. In addition, Pilzer will also offer a free masterclass for local musicians, music teachers and their students in the afternoon before the concert on the topic of section playing. Please email music@scranton.edu for more information on the masterclass. The concert on Saturday evening will highlight a variety of songs featuring two different instrumentations, according to Performance Music Conductors and Co-Directors Philip Kuehn and Cheryl Y. Boga. Pilzer will perform a variety of selections with the University’s Jazz Band and Saxophone Ensemble, both groups made up of student musicians from majors spanning the curriculum. Pilzer is a Washington, D.C.-based saxophonist, arranger and educator. She has toured domestically and internationally as a member of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra and the DIVA Jazz Orchestra, and often performs with the National Symphony Orchestra at concerts at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. As an arranger, Pilzer’s work is in the libraries of the SJMO, DIVA, the Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra, the DC-area premier military jazz ensembles, and college and professional jazz ensembles and brass quintets throughout the country. She holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in Performance with jazz emphasis from George Mason University; master’s degrees in jazz studies and saxophone performance from The University of Maryland; and a Bachelor of Music in jazz composition and arranging from the Berklee College of Music. The primary focus of Performance Music at The University of Scranton is its student choral and instrumental performing ensembles. There is no music major at the University, and all enrolled Scranton students (undergraduate and graduate) from every major are eligible for membership in the University bands, choirs and string ensembles, with neither an audition nor enrollment fee required for membership. Hundreds of students participate in the ensembles each year. Other programs within the department, including guest artist concerts, World Premiere Composition Series, Nelhybel Collection, and Scranton Brass Orchestra, closely coordinate programming with the student ensembles and offer unique opportunities for student musicians in the ensembles to hear, observe, interact and perform with numerous world-class musicians and artist-teachers. High school juniors and seniors who are considering applying to Scranton are encouraged to contact Performance Music to arrange to sit in on a rehearsal, meet the staff, attend a concert or tour the building. For further information on the concert, call 570-941-7624 or visit the Performance Music webpage (scranton.edu/music). For more info on Pilzer, visit www.leighpilzer.com.
NEPA Inclusive’s Fundraising Event Scheduled for May 12 The public is invited to attend the Campaign for Inclusion, the largest fundraising event of the year for the non-profit organization NEPA Inclusive. The event will take place on Friday, May 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Susquehanna Brewing Company, 635 South Main Street, Pittston. The 2023 Campaign for Inclusion raises awareness about the importance of inclusion for people with diverse abilities and Autism in schools, businesses and housing throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. Co-chairpersons for this year’s event are Vanessa Vergnetti Thomas and Matthew Krispin. Thomas is the mother of five children, including her sons Benjamin and Tristan who have Autism. A certified K-12 special education teacher, certified personal trainer and master colorist, she knows her way around the IEP and disability service system. She wants to share the mission of how NEPA Inclusive makes a difference in the lives of children and adults with disabilities. Krispin was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome at a very young age but has never let it slow him down. A graduate of Tunkhannock Area High School and Luzerne County Community College, Krispin is the administrative assistant for NEPA Inclusive. He is also very active in his community, serving as treasurer of the Northmoreland Township Volunteer Fire Department and a reader at St. Theresa’s Church in Shavertown. Tickets are $50 each, which includes two beverages and food provided by iconic local restaurants from around the greater Pittston area and Wyoming Valley. Tickets can be purchased in advance through the NEPA Inclusive website, nepainclusive.org or at the door; advanced ticket purchases or requests are recommended. Entertainment will be provided by Pittston’s popular Phyllis Hopkins Electric Trio. Emcees for the event will be longtime WBRE-TV 28 news anchor Mark Hiller and local personality Lizzie Breznay. Dozens of area businesses have donated baskets that will be raffled off during the event. In addition to food, music and raffles, the Campaign for Inclusion will present several awards: Volunteer of the Year: Jimmy Dalkiewicz;Inclusive Business Partner of the Year: AnthraCycleInclusive Business of the Year: The Salt BarreDirect Support Professional of the Year: Esther Ross “We have a great evening planned for this year’s Campaign for Inclusion,” said Frank Bartoli, president and CEO of NEPA Inclusive. “This event is a wonderful way to bring together the community with the individuals and families we help to celebrate the progress we’ve made to make Northeastern Pennsylvania a more inclusive, welcoming community for everyone. We are excited to partner with Susquehanna Brewing Company as the location for this year’s event.” Individuals and area businesses that would like to support the event by donating a basket for the raffle or making a monetary donation can contact Nicole Ross, executive assistant, at 570-855-5355 or via email, nross@nepainclusive.org. Donations are 100% tax deductible. Donor levels are Friend, $100; Community, $250; Bronze, $500; Silver, $1,000; Gold, $2500 and Platinum, $5,000. Donations can also be made specifically for Coffee Inclusive, the new coffee shop in downtown Pittston operated by NEPA Inclusive. NEPA Inclusive is a provider agency that works with the PA Office of Developmental Programs’ Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (ODP IDD) wavier system to design services to help people achieve an inclusive life. The organization is also a vendor with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation for pre-employment transition services for high school students, supported employment for adults and offers a variety of educational, advocacy, and social programs all designed to help people live truly inclusive lives. NEPA Inclusive is a 501c3 charitable organization with headquarters in Pittston. NEPA Inclusive serves all of northeastern Pennsylvania, the Poconos, Lehigh Valley and Berks County. Founded in 2013, its unique person-centered approach to inclusion provides people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and Autism the most inclusive life, including working in local businesses, living with their families and living in their own apartments.
The Gallery of Scranton Grand Opening Get your first look at Scranton’s newest art gallery and see inside the minds of some brilliant regional artists during First Friday Scranton’s first time event on Friday, April 7.Acclaimed Scranton artist Helen Lavelle invites the community to celebrate the grand opening of TheGallery of Scranton, and the launch of its inaugural exhibit “The Artist’s Soul”, from 5-9 p.m. at 323North Washington Avenue in Scranton. In addition to Lavelle’s art, “The Artist’s Soul” show features work from prominent Northeast Pennsylvania artists Robert Bergstrasser, Michele Davis, Paul DeLuca, Timothy Hawkesworth, Earl Lehman, Allison Maslow, Travis Prince and Frank Wengen.“As a direct result of my recent successful exhibit in New York, I was moved to show off the talent ofincredible artists right here at home. These artists provide creative, intellectual and emotional insights into society at large,” states Ms. Lavelle, a nationally recognized leader in the advertising industry. “Their work impacts the masses and challenges the status quo.” The Gallery is located in the historic Professional Arts Building, (formerly the Medical Arts Building);the street location which Ms. Lavelle believes will enhance the exciting Renaissance happening inDowntown Scranton. “The importance of the arts and creative sector on economic growth and vitalityis often overlooked, but cannot be overstated,” continues Ms. Lavelle. The theme “The Artist’s Soul” challenged the willingness of this diverse group to reveal the real, the raw, the honest art that is coming out of Northeast Pennsylvania. The show which will be personally curated by Ms. Lavelle, breaks the barriers down between Lackawanna, Luzerne and surrounding counties as well. “Great art knows no bounds, we know no boundaries.” This group has exhibited locally and regionally…some nationally and internationally—to critical acclaim. This inaugural show gives the community the opportunity to meet and interact with these artists. Lavelle said she plans to host more collaborative events at The Gallery in the future. Bringing the arts in every genre together sets the stage for memorable human interactions…all focused on quality of life. For more information about The Gallery in the future and its grand opening celebration, contact Lavelle at hlavelle@lavellestrategy.com.
Valley In Motion Presents The Office 5K Valley In Motion presents The Office 5K!! The event will take place on Saturday May 6, 2023! The race will begin at 1PM and awards and block party will be until 4PM. https://valleyinmotion.org/event/theoffice5k/
Marywood University to Host Leadership Symposium Daniel J. Santaniello, President and CEO of Fidelity Bank, Will Deliver Keynote Address Marywood University’s School of Business and Global Innovation (SBGI) is hosting a Leadership Symposium, “The Value in Values-led Business,” on Wednesday, April 19, from 3-7 p.m., in the Latour Room, Nazareth Student Center. The event is free and open to the public. All attendees will receive a ticket for a door prize, which will be drawn at the conclusion of the event. Chris Speicher, Ph.D., SBGI Executive Director, will offer welcoming remarks, and the event will feature a student/alumni panel discussion at 3:15 p.m., followed by a poster session and networking. Light refreshments will be served at 4:30 p.m. Daniel J. Santaniello, President and CEO of Fidelity Bank, will deliver the keynote address at 5:30 p.m. Born and raised in Lackawanna County, Mr. Santaniello is a 1990 graduate of Marywood University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting. He has been the President and CEO of Fidelity Bank since 2010. Prior to that, he served the organization as Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer and as the head of Retail Banking. Through his vision for the future of community banking, Mr. Santaniello has successfully transformed Fidelity Bank into an organization passionate on delivering an unparalleled client experience by focusing on the needs of its bankers, clients, community, and shareholders. Under Mr. Santaniello’s leadership, Fidelity Bank’s assets have increased 323.44%. He is dedicated to both his profession and to many local philanthropic and civic organizations throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. He proudly served on the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Association of Bankers, and his commitment to his community has been honored by several civic and cultural organizations. Currently, Mr. Santaniello serves as Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors for the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and the Scranton Cultural Center, Chairman of the Board of Director’s for Friendship House, and the Marywood University Board of Trustees. He is a committee member for the Lackawanna County Northeast Visitors Bureau, IHM Finance Committee, and the Lackawanna Industrial Fund Enterprises. Mr. Santaniello also is the former Treasurer of St. Joseph’s Center Foundation. He is a passionate volunteer of his time and talent through fundraising for the Women’s Resource Center and his alma mater, Marywood University. Additionally, he serves on his church’s Finance Council at Saint Eulalia’s Parish, Moscow.
The University of Scranton to Host Math Integration Bee The University of Scranton will host the 2023 Math Integration Bee for area high school students on Thursday, Apr. 27. The competition, offered FREE of charge, begins with registration at 4:15 p.m. in the McIlhenny Ballroom of the DeNaples Center. The competition serves as practice for participants to improve skills for upcoming Advanced Placement calculus tests. The event will include a light dinner for participants. The competition functions similar to a spelling bee, but with contestants completing definite and indefinite integral problems, a type of calculus problem, instead of spelling words. All contestants to reach the final round, which will conclude by 7:30 p.m., will receive $25. The overall winner of the Math Integration Bee will receive an additional $75. The event is hosted by the University’s Mathematics Department. Registration is required to participate and contestants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a guardian, parent or faculty member. The deadline for registration is Apr. 20. Additional information regarding rules, registration and examples of past problems is available on the Math Integration Bee website. For questions, contact Stacey Muir, Ph.D., professor of mathematics, at Stacey.muir@scranton.edu.
The Salvation Army to Host Annual Dinner The Salvation Army of Scranton will be having their Annual Dinner Wednesday May 17th at the Radisson Honoring Chris DiMattio with the Distinguished Community Award. Robert (Bob) Durkin, President of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce will be the main speaker. Mark Hiller of WBRE/WYOU will be Master of Ceremonies. Reservations can be made by calling the Salvation Army at 570-969-6399. Sponsorships and Ads can also be purchased.
The Waverly Community House to Host Waverly Waddle On Saturday, May 13, 2023, The Waverly Community House will be hosting the 31st Annual Waverly Waddle. This year, 25% of all registration fees will go to the Countryside Conservancy. This event will take place at 1115 North Abington Road, Waverly PA 18471. Check in between 8:00AM-8:45AM. The race will start at 9:00AM. The Waverly Waddle is the Comm’s annual 5k walk/run beginning and ending at the Waverly Community House. The “Waddle” travels an approximate 3-mile route through scenic Waverly. It takes place each year in May on the Saturday of Mother’s Day weekend. It is an official electronic chip-timed race with awards given out to top finishers in each age/sex division.This long-standing community event, which signals a spirited kick-off to summer always takes place, rain or shine! Official race t-shirts are given out to those who register early. Registrations are accepted in advance HERE and on the morning of the race. Registration is required by April 13th in order to receive a free t-shirt. Cost: Advance Registration-$20 per person$12-Age 12 and underAge 6 and under is FREE$35 for a family of 3 or more Cost: Day-Of Registration– $25 per person$15– Age 12 and underAge 6 and under is FREE$40 for a family of 3 or more Race Contact: Kathy WrightKathy@waverlycomm.org(570) 586-8191 Register: HERE or at neparunner.com
