Wright Center hires Doctor for Patient Care/Medical Education Dr. Stephen S. Long Jr., an internal medicine-pediatrics (Med-Peds) physician, recently joined The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. He is now accepting patients of all ages at two of The Wright Center for Community Health’s primary care community health centers. Dr. Long is available for appointments at The Wright Center for Community Health’s Clarks Summit primary care center at 1145 Northern Blvd. in South Abington Township on Mondays and Tuesdays and the Mid Valley primary care center at 5 S. Washington Ave. in Jermyn, from Wednesdays through Fridays. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Long, visit TheWrightCenter.org or specifically call the Clarks Summit location at 570-585-1300 or the Mid Valley location at 570-230-0019. A member of the American College of Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, and National Med-Peds Resident Association, Dr. Long received his medical degree from the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. He returned to Northeast Pennsylvania after completing his Med-Peds residency at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland. A Bethlehem, Pennsylvania native, he earned his Bachelor of Science in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, and philosophy from the University of Scranton. Dr. Long has also embraced an institutional academic leadership role in faculty development which will allow him to thoughtfully guide and contribute to the professional growth and development of his physician colleagues, while fostering an environment of continuous lifelong learning and improvement. Dr. Long lives in Moscow with his wife, Juliette Meyers, an Archbald native recently hired by The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education as an art therapist. A Valley View High School graduate, she received a master’s degree in art therapy and a bachelor’s degree in communications and media studies from Marywood University.
Groovefest Ceremonial Keg Tapping The event starts at 1pm on Sep 21st and will have an authentic German menu from a local German food truck, Fraulien Meats and Sweets, special Oktoberfest merch and decor, fall favorites like the special barrel aged marshmallow pumpkin porter, and two Oktoberfest beers; Groove’s Oktoberfest Marzen and Weizenfest both on tap and in four packs, with German music playing throughout the day to celebrate.
The University of Scranton Welcomes Guest Performers for Family Weekend Joseph Boga and The Scranton Ramblers with guest guitarist Stephane Wrembel, and an appearance by the University Concert Choir set for Sept. 21. On Saturday, Sept. 21, Performance Music at The University of Scranton will present a concert featuring Joseph Boga and the Scranton Ramblers with guitarist Stephane Wrembel, as part of the University’s annual Family Weekend festivities. The concert, which will also include an appearance by The University of Scranton Concert Choir, begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Houlihan-McLean Center, Mulberry Street and Jefferson Avenue. Admission is free and the concert is open to the public. Seating on a first-come, first-seated basis. “All of us in Performance Music are delighted to present such an outstanding Family Weekend concert, especially where our choir gets to perform a piece alongside musical powerhouses Joseph Boga and Stephane Wrembel,” said Janelle Decker, conductor and co-director of Performance Music at Scranton. Boga, an area native, is a member of the legendary group Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks, which appears in New York City every Monday in their roost – Birdland. In addition to his work with Giordano and The Nighthawks, Boga also leads his own groups and has performed and/or recorded with a variety of other ensembles such as Stephane Wrembel’s Django New Orleans, David Ostwald’s Louis Armstrong Eternity Band, Jazz Museum in Harlem All-Stars, James Langton’s New York All-Star Big Band and The Kyle Athayde Dance Party, as well as with artists such as Stephane Wrembel, Wycliffe Gordon, Adrian Cunningham, Loren Schoenberg, Wynton Marsalis and many others. His film appearances include Killers of the Flower Moon, season 2 of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Capote vs. The Swans and others. Stephane Wrembel is quite simply one of the finest guitar players in the world. Though specializing in the Django Reinhardt style, he revels in transcending and expanding, and the breadth and range of his playing and compositions are unmatched. His music incorporates jazz, blues, classical, swing, flamenco and rock. All of these influences come together as a genre identifiable only as Stephane Wrembel. This prolific musician, composer, educator and musical director has released a steady stream of music since 2002, truly making his mark as one of the most original guitar voices in contemporary music. He tours the world and has headlined venues such as Jazz at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, The Town Hall in N.Y.C. and The Lyon Opera House in France, and has dazzled audiences at events like Montreal Jazz Festival, Rochester International Jazz Festival, Django Reinhardt Festival in France, Ellnora Guitar Festival, Caramoor Jazz Festival and many others. Wrembel won a Grammy award for his tune Bistro Fada, which Woody Allen used as the theme song for his 2011 Oscar-winning film, Midnight in Paris. Other musicians performing with The Scranton Ramblers for the concert will include trombonist Sam Chess; guitarist Roy Williams (a native and current resident of the Scranton area); Will Reardon-Anderson, alto sax and clarinet; and Jay Rattman, bass saxophonist (a native of the Delaware Water Gap area. The University of Scranton Concert Choir is an soprano, alto, tenor and bass (SATB) mixed choir comprised of members of the University community from majors and departments spanning the curriculum – none of whom are music majors – who are brought together by their mutual love for making music. They will be performing “La Vie En Rose” with the featured guest ensemble. For further information on the performance, call 570-941-7624, email music@scranton.edu or visit the Performance Music website. For more on Boga, visit josephboga.com, and for more info on Wrembel, visit stephanewrembel.com
Marywood Univeristy and NEPA Philharmonic Collaborate on Concert Marywood University’s music, theatre, and dance (MTD) department is part of a unique performance collaboration between its music faculty and the Northeast PA Philharmonic. A concert, titled “Quartet for the End of Time by Olivier Messiaen,” will take place on Saturday, September 28, at 7 p.m. in the Marian Chapel at the Swartz Center for Spiritual Life on Marywood University’s campus. Featured musicians include Sophie Till–violin; Christiane Vaida–cello; Ron Stabinsky–piano, and Pascal Archer–clarinet. To secure tickets prior to the performance, go to: https://marywood.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?id=1580&p=1. Tickets are $15 for the general public or free with a Marywood ID. To learn about other Marywood University MTD events, go to marywood.edu/mtd and scroll to the bottom of the page to view upcoming performances.
UNC’s 8th Annual Welcoming Scranton Celebration United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) invites the community to our 8th Annual Welcoming Scranton Celebration on Saturday, September 14, 2024, from 10 am to 1 pm at 526 Cedar Avenue, at the corner of Alder Street, in Scranton. This fun-filled celebration is in conjunction with our South Side Farmers Market. Welcoming Scranton, a part of Welcoming Week, is a national celebration that warmly embraces long-term residents and newcomers, fostering a sense of belonging in our shared community. It promotes cross-cultural understanding and raises awareness of the benefits of welcoming everyone. Family, friends, and neighbors can look forward to a wide range of diverse activities at Welcoming Scranton. Enjoy the upbeat Latin sounds of Grupo Zona, free ice cream from Scoopz Ice Cream Truck, free face painting with local artist Monica Noelle, and free balloon animals with Becky Corby. Many other community resource organizations will also be joining us. Shop our 15+ Farmers Markets vendors and their one-day special $5 deal, purchase authentic Mexican food from El Buen Amigo, and challenge your mind with cultural trivia, activities, and games from UNC’s Community Revitalization and Education Departments for fun prizes. For more information, please contact Chrissy Manuel, UNC’s Director of Development and Communication, at 570.878.5643 or cmanuel@uncnepa.org.
Keystone Mission Hosts Grand Opening for Seeds of Hope Community Garden The Scranton Chamber of Commerce spread the ribbon on Keystone Mission’s opening ceremony for the Seeds of Hope Community Garden behind their Scranton Innovation Center. The idea of a community garden sprung to life in April 2023 and is designed to facilitate the development of life and vocational skills for guests at the Mission. The initiative engages Center guests, staff, and the local community to actively participate in planning, growing, and harvesting of fresh produce. After a successful summer of harvesting a variety of vegetables and spices, the garden received a handcrafted sign to commemorate the many hands that played a vital role in planning and upkeeping the garden. “This coming-together of staff, guests of our Pathfinder’s Program, many community organizations, and local residents is a true testament to what can be accomplished when we come together,” says Danielle O. Keith-Alexandre, CEO & Executive Director. “This project is now a reality, and it is wonderful to experience the foliage and fresh produce from the garden. We hope that community members will stop by and enjoy the scenery that exudes from the ambience of our Seeds of Hope Community Garden!” Keystone Mission recognizes the many hands that made this possible such as the Pathfinder’s Program, The Scranton Area Community Foundation, Michael McAllister, Scranton Counseling Center, Mr. Mulch, The Hughes Family, and the Klee Family. Keystone Mission gives special recognition to Mitchell Hreha and his company, 3VKG, for donating time and material to build a handcrafted Seeds of Hope Sign. To find out more about how you can participate or benefit from the Community Garden, please visit www.KeystoneMission.org/seeds-of-hope/.
Penn State Scranton Business Club Explores Benco Dental Penn State Scranton believes integrating real-world experiences outside the classroom is crucial for students’ success and development. Acknowledging this, Penn State Scranton’s Business Club recently embarked on a tour of Benco Dental in Pittston, Pennsylvania. Guided by Lecturer of Business Kevin Feifer the excursion offered invaluable insights into the inner workings of one of the nation’s leading dental distributors. “Company tours provide practical, real-world experiences that complement classroom learning,” said Feifer. “They showcase industry procedures, offer networking opportunities with professionals, and inspire students to explore potential career paths.” During the tour, Danielle Dominick, culture and people senior talent coordinator at Benco Dental, led the students through an engaging exploration of the company’s corporate facility. Students gained firsthand exposure to supply chain management functions and learned about the importance of marketing, from sales strategies to customer service. “The tour of Benco Dental provided our students with a unique opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world context,” said Feifer. “It’s crucial for students to understand how concepts learned in the classroom translate to practical applications within the industry.” The tour concluded with an informative session dedicated to internship and full-time job opportunities available at Benco Dental. Students left with a deeper understanding of potential career paths and the skills required to succeed in the dental distribution sector. “These experiences are vital in preparing students for success in their future endeavors,” Feifer said. “Some of our students aspire to start their own businesses after completing their degrees, and the entrepreneurial spirit of Benco Dental has inspired them to pursue their dreams.” Business club members Francesca Villano and Jermin Gilbert shared their key takeaways from the tour, emphasizing the company’s rich history, operational insights, advanced technology, and significant role within the dental industry. “The tour provided valuable insights into Benco Dental’s supply chain system, including how they source products, manage inventory, and distribute goods. Getting a glimpse of how these things actually work in a real business setting was really fascinating! I would definitely recommend touring Benco Dental for anyone interested in supply chain management,” Villano said. Gilbert also expressed his exceptional impression of the tour, highlighting Benco Dental’s wide range of supplies, equipment, and services. “This trip enhanced my understanding of concepts learned in the classroom. The tour guide highlighted the departments that make up the heart of Benco Dental,” Gilbert said. “Being a financial service student, this tour provided insight into the inner workings of a company of that magnitude. Benco Dental offers jobs for various departments such as financial department, marketing, management, accounting and so much more. “ Feifer and Penn State Scranton’s business club extends its gratitude to Benco Dental and Danielle Dominick for providing this enriching opportunity for students to expand their knowledge and explore potential career paths. Such initiatives play a crucial role in shaping the next generation of business leaders and innovators.
Black Scranton Project’s 5th Annual Juneteenth Celebration & 5th Birthday! In Black Scranton Project’s efforts to build tradition and community, they present, for the 5th consecutive year, the annual Juneteenth Celebration, Saturday, June 15, 2024, from 12 PM-5 PM. Join all at the Black Scranton Project Center for Arts & Culture (BSPCAC) for music, food, games, giveaways, and more, as we honor Black culture, tradition, and perseverance; observe Freedom Day; and celebrate BSP’s 5th birthday! This year’s Juneteenth celebration will feature free roller skating and skate rental, vendors, crafts, and activities for the whole family. At this free, family-friendly event, guests will enjoy a day of fun, community, and discovery for all ages. Black Scranton invites neighbors, businesses, community partners, and friends to participate in the Freedom Day celebration!
