AAF NEPA to Host AI Panel Discussion

On November 1st, 2023 from 7-9 PM, AAF NEPA is hosting an AI Panel Discussion regarding the use of AI in the Workplace. This event will be held at the Wilkes-Barre THINK Center (7 S Main St, Wilkes-Barre). The AI Panel Discussion is free and open to all professionals and students. 

Panelists:
Brittany Watt, Market Share Consulting
Paul Capoccia, Posture Interactive
Kevin Jones, VizVibe
Dan Kimbrough, Park Multimedia
Jenny Hetro, Jennifer Lee Hetro, LLC

Moderator:
Bethany Staples, Market Share Consulting 

The link to RSVP or for more information is: https://aafnepa.org/events/monthly-event-rsvp/

PennDOT and Shapiro Administration Honor School Bus Safety Week

Today, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Driver and Vehicle Services Director of the Bureau of Driver Licensing Dios Arroyo joined the Pennsylvania State Police and Pennsylvania school bus safety advocates to honor nine students for communicating important school bus safety messages through their submissions to this year’s School Bus Safety Poster Contest and to recognize three school bus drivers for their superior driving skills.

The ceremony complemented the Shapiro Administration’s work to support and enhance Pennsylvanians’ safety, including Governor Shapiro proclaiming October 16-20 School Bus Safety Week in Pennsylvania in conjunction with the federal observance. The week recognizes the potential to save young lives by raising awareness of the daily challenges faced by students being transported throughout the commonwealth.

“Students’ return to school has meant the return of school buses to our highways, and the Shapiro Administration is focused on everyone getting home safely,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “School Bus Safety Week gives us all an opportunity to pause and realize just how much our own actions behind the wheel can affect our most precious asset – our children.”

The students, in kindergarten through eighth grade, were recognized for their winning entries in the 2023 School Bus Safety Poster Contest. The theme for this year’s contest – “Safely Rolling To My Destination” – reminds everyone of the important relationship between students and their school bus drivers, who are responsible stewards of our children as they deliver them safely to and from school and school-related events.

“By using their talent and creativity, these young artists help us share important safety messages through their creations,” said Arroyo. “This year’s entries reinforce the importance of school bus drivers in delivering students to and from school safely and the role they play in students’ well-being every day.”

This year’s winners were chosen from 127 student entries from schools across Pennsylvania. The first-place entries will move on to the national competition, which will be judged at the end of this month.

2023 School Bus Safety Poster Contest Winners include:

Kindergarten – Grade 2

1st Place: Ananyasri Boddupalli, Franklin Elementary School, Sewickley, Allegheny County

2nd Place: Sophia Stroman, Gwynedd Square Elementary School, Lansdale, Montgomery County

3rd Place: Lorelei Troutman, Gwynedd Square Elementary School, Lansdale, Montgomery County

Grades 3-5

1st Place: Ava Tsao, Marshall Elementary School, Wexford, Butler County

2nd Place: Emina Bernice George Michle, Gwynedd Square Elementary School, Lansdale, Montgomery County

3rd Place: Mya Carter, Sugar Valley Charter School, Loganton, Clinton County

Grades 6-8

1st Place: Arjun Kairi, Boyce Middle School, Pittsburgh, Allegheny County

2nd Place: Alexionna Kephart, Bald Eagle Area School District, Wingate, Centre County

3rd Place: Musfika Turi, Oak Park Elementary School, Lansdale, Montgomery County

There were no qualifying entries submitted this year for the Special Education and Computer Aided categories.

Templeton and Sgt. Michael Pavelko, Division Supervisor for the Commercial Vehicle Safety Division of the Bureau of Patrol for the Pennsylvania State Police, presented certificates and small gifts provided by the Pennsylvania School Bus Association to the students in recognition of their efforts to help communicate this important safety message.

Time was also taken during the ceremonies to recognize the winners of the 2023 Pennsylvania statewide school bus competition, held June 24-25 at Mount Nittany Middle School in State College. The event hosted more than 30 drivers locked in competition to determine the top school bus drivers in the state. The winners in the conventional bus category this year were: First place – Tara Herman with Krise Transportation in Chester County; Second place – Ruth Del Vecchio with Krapf School Bus in Chester County; and Third place – Patricia Carey with Krapf School Bus in Chester County. This year’s competition was the first to be held in three years. There was no competition for the Transit style buses this year.

“Bus drivers do an extraordinary job every day ensuring the safety of our children as they travel to and from school,” said Sgt. Pavelko. “Their continuing dedication to the safe delivery of their precious cargo reinforces the trust parents have in them.”

The ceremony built on safety initiatives across the state. As part of School Bus Safety Week and in a collective effort to enhance students’ safety, local and state law enforcement agencies, school districts and student transportation agencies united for one day last week to raise awareness of the consequences of improperly passing school buses through “Operation Safe Stop,” a safety initiative conducted statewide. Police officers watched for motorists who violated the school bus stopping law. School bus drivers also documented any illegal passes occurring on their routes and will file reports with local police.

State law requires motorists approaching a school bus with its red lights flashing and stop arm extended, to stop at least 10 feet from the bus. Motorists approaching from all directions are required to stop. However, motorists who encounter a school bus stopping on the opposite side of a divided highway are not required to stop when a divider, such as concrete barriers or grassy medians, clearly separates lanes of the highway.

In 2022, more than 500 motorists were convicted of violating Pennsylvania’s school bus stopping law. One hundred forty-eight law enforcement agencies and 45 school districts combined efforts last year to report violators of the School Bus Stopping Law during Operation Safe Stop. School bus drivers in Pennsylvania traveled over 412 million miles during school year 2021/22, transporting more than 1.4 million students daily.

For more information about school bus safety, visit PennDOT the School Bus Safety page on its highway safety website.

Allied Services Receives Donation from Scranton Region Antique Automobile Club

Representatives from the Scranton Region Antique Automobile Club of America (SRAACA) recently presented Allied Services Integrated Health System with a $1,500 donation to benefit pediatric patients with disabilities served by the health system. The funds were raised at The Club’s 52nd Annual Car Show and Flea Market held July 16th on the grounds of Allied Services’ Corporate Center in Clarks Summit. This year’s show featured more than 150 antique automobiles. 

NeighborWorks NEPA Receives Multiple Awards

NeighborWorks Northeastern PA (NeighborWorks) was honored with two awards at the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s (PHFA) housing counseling awards ceremony in Harrisburg on October 18, 2023. NeighborWorks won the Community Partnership Award, and Pamela Anslinger, HomeOwnership Center Manager at NeighborWorks, received the Best Housing Counseling Specialist award.

The Best Housing Counseling Specialist Award recognizes counselors who provide value-added housing counseling services to their clients. Agencies are encouraged to submit nominations for their counselors who have completed all PHFA-based training prior to the nomination.

Pam was selected based on her experience in the housing counseling industry, holding National Housing Counseling Certifications, consistently achieving outcomes such as “purchased home” or mortgages refinanced,” consistently receiving positive feedback from her clients, and initiating innovative ways for NeighborWorks to achieve desired results or improve efficiency in workflows.

“I am deeply honored and grateful to receive this award from PHFA. This recognition is a testament to the dedication of our team at NeighborWorks and the incredible clients we have the privilege to serve,” said Pam. “It is our mission to empower individuals and families to make informed housing decisions, and I am proud to be part of this transformative journey.”

The Community Partnership Award recognizes an agency whose outreach efforts to local community organizations have helped improve its program effectiveness and delivery. Selection criteria is based on the structure of the partnerships, how the partnerships enhances ability to provide quality counseling, the impact the partnerships have on the number of clients counseled, and client success stories that occurred as a result of the partnerships.

We also wish to congratulate all of our fellow award recipients, including our fellow NeighborWorks America and NeighborWorks Association of Pennsylvania member agencies in NeighborWorks Western Pennsylvania and Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Berks.

Housing counselors from across the state attended the ceremony, representing 63 counseling agencies. These counselors help PHFA achieve its housing mission by assisting state residents with questions about homeownership, home foreclosure, budgeting, personal money management, and their personal credit score so they can make better informed housing decisions

Marywood University Alumni Award Winners Honored at Alumni & Family Weekend

Marywood University welcomed alumni back to campus, along with families of current students, during its combined celebration of Alumni & Family Weekend, September 22-24. Alumni Award winners were honored at a dinner on Saturday, September 23. This year’s honorees included:

  • Sister Katie Clauss IHM, M.A.’73 , Ph.D. ’82, who received the 2023 Sister M. Denis Donegan Award for Long Term Service to Marywood.
  • Brooke S. Williams ’19, who received the 2023 Outstanding Recent Alumni Award for her accomplishments since graduation.
  • Edward Phillip Syron, Ph.D. ’09, who received the 2023 Outstanding Recent Alumni Award for his numerous accomplishments.
  • Patricia Campbell Comey, ’73, who received the 2023 Golden Marywoodian Award for  considerable commitment of service in the community and to her alma mater, framed always by her deep respect for others. 
  • Mary Ellen McLane McDonough ’73, who received the 2023 Golden Marywoodian Award for her significant commitments to service in the community and to her alma mater, marked by excellence of character and faithfulness.
  • Ann R. Henry, Ph.D. ’73, who received the 2023 Golden Marywoodian Award for her considerable commitment to service in the community, along with her exemplary professional career of excellence that has continued to empower others.
  • Kathleen B. O’ Gorman, Ph.D. ’73, who received the 2023 Golden Marywoodian Award for her extraordinary commitment to service on national and international levels.  
  • Donna Marie Gatcha-Hines, M.P.A. ’01, who has received the 2023 Alumni Community Achievement Award for grateful appreciation for all she has done to lead by example and to embrace service to others through her humanitarian efforts.  
  • Joshua Slee ’07, M.S. ’08, Ph.D., who has received the 2023 distinguished Alumni Award for his leadership, service, and professional accomplishments, which embody the core values of Marywood University.
  • Chris Mackey ’96, who has received the 2023 distinguished Alumni Award for his professional accomplishments and service to the Marywood community and beyond.
  • Andrea M. Novak ’93, who has received the 2023 Faculty and Staff Alumni Impact Award for grateful appreciation for all she has done to lead by example in respect for and in service to others, both on campus and beyond.

Child Hunger Outreach Partners Hosts Faith & Family Night at WBS Penguins

Child Hunger Outreach Partners (CHOP) is excited to invite you to join us at the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey game on Saturday, Nov. 11 for their annual Faith & Family Night!

The evening will include music, fun, and hockey! Best of all YOU can make an impact while having a great time. For every ticket purchased, you will be providing 4 backpack program bags to children in our local community.

You don’t want to miss out! The details and link are below!

Game Day: Saturday, November 11 at 6:05 PM, Doors open at 5 PM

Tickets are $19-$24, CHOP receives $4 from every ticket

Devoted, Cedar Roots, and All That Glitter will be performing pregame, during the intermission, and post-game.

Perks You Receive When You Purchase Tickets:

  • The first 20 purchases will be invited to participate in the High Five Tunnel as the players enter the arena for the evening!
  • The next 20 purchases will be given a FANboni ride during either the 1st or 2nd intermission.
  • The first 50 purchases are entered into a raffle to perform the Puck Drop prior to the game.
  • The first 150 tickets sold will receive a CHOP cup
  • The first 200 purchases will be entered into a Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins merch basket raffle

Purchase Your and help us Chop Out Hunger!

Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Raffle Supports Medical Student Scholarships

Tickets for the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Super 50/50 Raffle are available now through Nov. 29 in support of medical student scholarships.

The medical school’s Student Scholarship Fund helps recruit medical students with diverse backgrounds and financial means, so they can train to be the care providers of tomorrow.

Raffle tickets cost $100 each, and only 1,000 will be sold. Multiple people can purchase one or more tickets and split the costs (and hopefully, the winnings).

The drawing will take place on Nov. 29 at 1 p.m., and the winner does not have to be present. Tickets can be purchased in person using cash or check only at these locations:

  • Geisinger Health Foundation offices, 529 Mill St., Danville, 3rd floor
  • Executive suite at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, 529 Pine St., Scranton

In accordance with PA State Games of Chance regulations, no credit cards will be accepted. Tickets can also be purchased by visiting go.geisinger.org/gcsomraffle and following the mailing instructions at the top of the purchase form.

SGOC License #202310

SGOC Permit #202328

Keystone College to Host Re-Imagining the Arts Celebration

The arts at Keystone College. For so many years, that phrase has been synonymous with excellence – excellence in creativity and self-expression; excellence in art education; and excellence in bringing people together to appreciate beautiful and thought-provoking works of art in a host of mediums.

Now, Keystone is renewing its commitment to the arts as it reimagines the meaning of art to the current generation of college students and to local communities. Keystone will focus on celebrating the college’s proud history and promising future in the arts with a “Re-IMAGINING the Arts Celebration” on Sunday, Nov. 5 at 5 p.m. in the Theatre in Brooks on campus.

The event will honor the talented artists and educators who have dedicated their lives to making Keystone a recognized leader in the arts for decades and will also emphasize Keystone’s revitalized commitment through a more contemporary program that envisions an integrated environment for creative development and expression.

“Keystone’s tradition of excellence in the arts is legendary, not only in education but also in promoting the work of faulty, students, alumni, and guest artists in the local community,” said Keystone President John F. Pullo, Sr. “Now, we intend to expand upon that tradition and renew our commitment to the arts and all that it can bring to Northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond.”

During the Nov. 4 event, Keystone will celebrate retired members of its art faculty who played such major roles in developing the college’s excellent reputation for art education in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The event will honor Professor Emeritus Karl Neuroth. A well-known and successful artist in his own right, Mr. Neuroth began his career at Keystone in 1970 and is widely credited, along with his colleagues, for propelling the college’s art program to distinctive levels. He was awarded the prestigious Chamberlin Chair for Distinguished Service in 1980 and has also served as Coordinator of Exhibits, Dean of Enrollment Services, and Chair of the Division of Fine Arts. He retired in 2005 after 40 years of proud service to Keystone.

In addition to Mr. Neuroth, Keystone Professor Emeritus William Tersteeg, and Professor Emeritus Cliff Prokop will also be recognized for their longtime achievements as artists and art educators.

Mr. Tersteeg was hired as an instructor in 1971 and granted tenure in 1978. He was promoted to associate professor in 1983 and professor in 1987, and became senior half-time professor in 2005 before retiring in 2011 after 40 years at Keystone. He received the Chamberlain Chair for Distinguished Service in 1990.

Mr. Prokop joined the Keystone faculty in 1973 and was granted tenure in 1980. He was promoted to associated professor in 1983 and professor in 2002 and was awarded the Chamberlain Chair for Distinguished Service in 2002. He was awarded the Chamberlin Chair for Distinguished Service in 2002. Currently retired, he received the Life Time Service Award in 2018 for 45 years of service to Keystone.

Re-IMAGINING the Arts will not only focus on the past but will celebrate Keystone’s present and, more importantly, its future. For example, Keystone’s renowned glass program and its Mobile Glass Studio are widely recognized for bringing the art of glass blowing to Northeastern Pennsylvania. The Keystone College Glass Studio is the only program of its kind in the region.

Thanks to partnerships with organizations such as the Dorflinger Glass Museum, Nivert Metal Supply and many others, the glass program continues to thrive at Keystone and in the local community. Similarly, Keystone’s programs in areas such as studio art, sculpture, ceramics, graphic design, digital media, 3D printing, and photography continue to provide students with strong foundational skills and opportunities which are essential to a successful career in the arts. Additional programs will be offered to focus on integrating skills and entrepreneurship in the arts.

While the Keystone’s past successes in the arts are renowned, the future is even brighter as the college reimagines the arts for the future. For more information, reservations, and sponsorship opportunities, visit www.keystone.edu/ReimaginingtheArts.

Recognized as one of the best educational values in Northeastern Pennsylvania, Keystone offers more than 50 undergraduate and graduate degree options in liberal arts and science-based programs in business, communications, education, natural science, environmental science, and social sciences. Located on a beautiful 276-acre campus 15 minutes from Scranton, Pa. and two hours from New York City and Philadelphia, Keystone is known for small class sizes and individual attention focused on student success through internships, research, and community involvement.