Steamtown National Historic Site Announces Events for Winter

Winter Updates and Holiday Events at Steamtown National Historic Site

Winter is knocking on the door! While heading into the “off season” there are still plenty of opportunities to get into the spirit of the season at Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS)!

Winter Updates

Saturday, November 16: begin winter hours of operation, 9:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., daily.

Steamtown’s History Museum, Roundhouse building, and outdoor spaces will remain open throughout the winter. Weather may cause delays or closures, for updates visit http://go.nps.gov/STEAconditions.

Friday, 11/22

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Stuff the Caboose

Spread some holiday cheer and help us “Stuff the Caboose” with non-perishable food items to benefit United Neighborhoods of NEPA ahead of the holiday season.  Visitors will also have the opportunity to enjoy some hot cocoa, s’mores, holiday lights, and music performed by West Scranton High School Band.

Friday – Sunday, 11/29-12/1

11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., each day

Holiday Express to Moscow

Have family visiting for the holiday? Spend time with them on board a scenic train ride along Roaring Brook through a northeastern hardwood forest to the quant country borough of Moscow, Pennsylvania. NOTE: this train may already be sold out, however, folks are encouraged to visit the park or Moscow Station to see the train in action before departure and after arrival.

Saturday, 12/7

10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

LHVA’s Christmas in a Small Town “Santa Train”

Santa and Mrs. Claus will once again spread holiday cheer as they journey through the upper and mid-valley communities of Lackawanna County, stopping at five historic train stations along the way. Families are invited to join in the festive spirit, where Santa and Mrs. Claus will greet children with warmth and joy, sparking the magic of the season. NOTE: this is NOT a passenger train. Review the Clauses travel itinerary, so you don’t miss their visit to your town:

·        Carbondale – 10:30 a.m.

·        Archbald – 11:35 a.m.

·        Jessup – 12:20 p.m.

·        Olyphant – 1:00 p.m.

·        Dickson City – 1:45 p.m.

·        Scranton/Steamtown – 3:00 p.m.

Saturdays and Sundays, 12/8, 12/14, 12/15, 12/21, and 12/22

9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., each day

North Pole Limited

Join the Iron Horse Society and Santa for a magical steam train adventure! Get into the holiday spirit by experiencing the sounds and tastes of the holiday season starting with an “All Aboard” from the Conductor! Sing along with our roaming musicians as they play carols and enjoy a holiday treat.  Tickets and additional information: North Pole Limited — Iron Horse Society

NEPA Philharmonics’ Holiday Concerts: A Festive Tradition Returns!

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic’s annual holiday concerts will feature the PNC Pops orchestra, under the baton of Maestra Mélisse Brunet, with soloist Nick Driscoll on clarinet. Performances will take place on Saturday, December 7, at 7 PM, at the FM Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre, and an afternoon matinee on Sunday, December 8, at 3 PM, at the Scranton Cultural Center.

Maestra Mélisse Brunet, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, and Santa and Mrs. Claus invite you to celebrate the holiday season with the orchestra and special guests on December 7 and 8.

Guest artists featured for Holiday 2024 are the Choral Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania, singers from the Wilkes University Choir (Dr. Joshua Harper, Artistic Director), Marywood University Concert Choir (Dr. Rick Hoffenberg, Music Director/Conductor), Ballet Theatre of Scranton (Joanne Arduino, Artistic Director), String Students of the Valenches Music Company, Special Guest Conductor Nancy Sanderson, and Santa and Mrs. Claus.

This year’s concerts will include a broad variety of holiday favorites including “Jingle Bell Rock”, “Christmas Day”, “Klezmer 101”, “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” danced by Ballet Theatre of Scranton, “White Christmas” “Angels from the Realm of Glory”, “Sleigh Ride”, and more.  The concert will end with a Holiday Sing-Along” including “Deck the Halls” and ‘Jolly Old St. Nicholas”, finishing with a “Jingle Bells Concert Finale”.

Sponsoring Holiday 2024 are PNC Foundation, Dr. Seth & Carolyn Fisher, Allied Services, Benco Dental, Geisinger, Gentex, Karam Orthodontics, Pagnotti Enterprises, Inc.,

Realty Network, Riggs Asset Management, and Toyota of Scranton.  Media sponsors are WNEP 16, WVIA, Discover NEPA, Halibut Blue, Happenings, and Lamar.

Tickets may be purchased online at NEPAphil.org, by calling the Philharmonic office at 570.270.4444, at the FM Kirby or Scranton Cultural Center Box Offices, now or at the door immediately prior to the concerts. Reserved seats range from $42-$78 and student tickets, K-12, are $16.  

Holiday 2024 is dedicated to Nancy Sanderson, Executive Director, who will be retiring on December 31, 2024, following a decade of dedicated service to the orchestra. Newly appointed Executive Director, Chason Goldschmitz, will formally assume his role on January 1, 2025.  

RailRiders’ Breakfast with Santa Returns to PNC Field!

Christmas comes early this year at PNC Field: Breakfast with Santa is BACK! Continue the tradition or start a new one at the ballpark with your loved ones and little ones on Saturday, December 7. Thanks to your high demand and positive testimonials, we’ll be bringing back the All-You-Can-Eat buffet with a loaded omelet station, CHAMP’S Holiday Storytime, and more fan-favorites!

RSVP ONLY. This event has SOLD OUT two years in a row, so lock in your seats now! Contact Kirsten at events@swbrailriders.com or (570) 558-4545 to book.

Event Details: https://loom.ly/8GpspLk

Rotary Club of Scranton Requests Baskets for Karaoke Event

Rotary Club of Scranton is hosting Christmas Karaoke for Kids to help raise funds for the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) in Scranton.  WRC provides support and safety for those facing domestic violence, sexual assault, abuse, stalking, or human trafficking. 

We are graciously looking for sponsors to help offset the cost of the prizes and basket raffles. ALL SPONSORS WILL BE PUBLICLY RECOGNIZED THAT EVENING THROUGHOUT THE EVENT AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA! 

Please Consider the Following:

Donating a basket full of goods from your business to be raffled off.

Donating a gift card to your establishment for raffle.

Making a monetary donation of $50, $75, or $100 toward purchase of a raffle prize (your business name will be recognized as donor).

Donation checks can be made out to:

Rotary Club of Scranton

P O Box 1715

Scranton, PA 18501

THANK YOU in advance for any donation you can contribute!

Please reach out with any questions to Sonya Dowling at sonya.dowling@fddbank.com or (570)-687-5107.

2024–25 Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Class Announced

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and its community leadership and professional development division, Leadership Lackawanna, is proud to announce the 2024–25 class of Tomorrow’s Leaders Today (TLT)—a transformative program that prepares high school juniors for leadership roles in their communities.

Sponsored by NBT Bank, the TLT program spans seven months, immersing students in hands-on experiences across essential sectors, including healthcare, STEAM, history and heritage, crime and corrections, financial literacy, philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, and community service.

“This year, we are proud to welcome these 67 remarkable teens into the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Program. We’re hopeful they’ll use the skills and knowledge they gain over the next seven months to positively impact their schools and communities as confident and capable young leaders,” shared Jen Strzelec, program coordinator for Leadership Lackawanna.

The TLT program provides these young leaders with unique opportunities to develop critical leadership, interpersonal, and managerial skills. Throughout the program, students will engage in workshops, field visits, and interactive discussions led by regional experts and industry leaders, preparing them for the real-world challenges and opportunities that await them.

The class participants are:

Addison Daiute

Aidan Tinney

Andrew McDonald

Anthony Betti

Audrey Agnello

Ava Roberto

Ava Strzelec

Ava Wisnosky

Benjamin Reese

Benjamin Kulikowski

Brendan Korty

Charlie Stampien

Emily Atonal

Emily Grover

Emily Loomis

Emma Guse

Emmelia Rucks

Gabriella Dennis

Gabrielle Jordan

Gavin Roberts

Gianna Vachino

Grace Bennett

Isabelle O’Brien

Jaiden Trunzo

James Prislupski

Joseph Griffin

Joshua Cuck

Julia Noto

Kate Peters

Kathryn Apolinario

Kathryn O’Hora

Katie Gutekunst

Kaylyn Davis

Kelsey Smith

Kevin Vincent

Khloe Mistishin

Kiera Crowell

Kiley Williams

Krithika Krishnan

Lauren Bartell

Lindsey Bartell

Luke Warring

Madeleine Mackarey

Madelyn Battaglia

Madison Hallock

Madison Smith

Maryn Kukuchka

Matther Kirchner

Mia Peregrim

Molly Carter

Molly Banik

Mya Cesarini

Natalia Ghirelli

Natalie Talluto

Natalie Puckett

Nathan Beecham

Nmesoma Udoye

Nora Crambo

Olive O’Rourke

Olivia Lawler

Olivia Lach

Raphael Thomas

Ryan DeMarco

Sona Hanumali

Timmy Fogley

William Murphy

Wyatt Barucky

Misericordia University to Hold Open House

Misericordia University invites you and your family to experience their campus, meet students, visit with professors, learn more about athletics, and speak with admissions representatives at the open house on November 16th!  If you are looking for a college that delivers a powerful education and a personal experience, then look no further than Misericordia University. Learn more and register here!

90s Throwback Show – $5 Tickets for Chamber Members

The Ritz Theater is pleased to offer up to 1,000 discounted tickets to Chamber members for the upcoming show on Friday, November 15th, 2024. In collaboration with the Chamber, tickets for this event will be available for just $5—marked down from the original price of $20—to encourage greater participation and commitment.

Event Details
Date: Friday, November 15th, 2024
Discount Code: WELOVETHE90S
Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1034148484957?aff=oddtdtcreator

To purchase tickets:

  1. Visit the event page using the provided link.
  2. Click the “Get Tickets” button.
  3. Enter the discount code WELOVETHE90S in the “Promo Code” box.
  4. Select the number of tickets you wish to purchase and click “Check Out.”

WRC Receives Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation

The WRC (Women’s Resource Center) is pleased to announce the receipt of a generous $15,000 Community Needs Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. The SACF utilizes Community Needs grants to enhance the quality of life in Lackawanna County by supporting nonprofit programs in a variety of fields including education.

The Empowering Youth through Healthy Relationships grant will significantly enhance WRC’s prevention education programs focused on healthy relationships including friendships that is offered in schools across the county. Last year, WRC reached over 2,500 elementary, middle, and high school students.

Pictured are (L-R: Laura Ducceschi, Scranton Area Foundation President & CEO; Katie Gilmartin, Treasure, SAF Board of Governors; Patty McLain, WRC Teen Educator; Sarah Dawgert, WRC Education Manager; Frank Caputo, SAF Grants & Communications Coordinator and Cathy Fitzpatrick, Scranton Area Foundation Director of Grants & Scholarship.

Settlers Hospitality Welcomes Veterans

This Veteran’s Day, military personnel were invited to enjoy a complimentary night’s stay at one of the properties of Settlers Hospitality. The program was part of Settlers Hospitality’s annual Veterans Appreciation, which made approximately 200 guest rooms available to veterans at no cost across its properties. On November 11, The Settlers Inn, Ledges Hotel, Silver Birches Resort in Hawley, and Hotel Anthracite in Carbondale hosted American service members, both past and present.

The salute began with a Veteran’s Day Breakfast Buffet on Monday, November 11, at Hotel Anthracite. The event, which started at 11 a.m., was free for military members and $15 for all others. The program featured a presentation by Camp Freedom, including a keynote address from Executive Director Matt Guedes. Located in nearby Waymart, Camp Freedom is a non-profit organization that provides access to 1,800 acres of countryside for disabled veterans to enjoy activities like hunting, shooting sports, fishing, camping, hiking, biking, and more. Later that day, The Settlers Inn hosted a welcome wine and cheese event for service members, followed by a fireside chat by Steve Pratt and a military exhibit.

The tradition of honoring veterans began over 10 years ago at The Settlers Inn and has since been carried on at sister properties Ledges Hotel, Silver Birches Resort, and Hotel Anthracite. “It’s our honor to welcome veterans and treat them to an overnight getaway in Northeast Pennsylvania,” said Justin Genzlinger, CEO/Owner of Settlers Hospitality. “Each year, we look forward to this opportunity to extend our signature brand of hospitality in gratitude to veterans of every branch of America’s military.” Complimentary lodging was offered to military men and women in tribute to their service, with reservations required.