The Honesdale National Bank Honors Employees for Years of Service The Honesdale National Bank has had the great fortune of having loyal and long-tenured employees to help serve its customers and greater communities. The Bank is pleased to recognize 26 employees who celebrated milestones of service in 2023. Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., HNB President & CEO, offered, “Our company’s enduring success is a testament to the dedication and unwavering commitment of our longstanding employees, who have been the driving force behind our achievements for many years.” He continues, “Their dedication and expertise continue to lead our company’s success and growth each and every day.” 5 Years of Service Joseph Sweeney, Senior Credit Analyst, Corporate Center; Emily A. Zielinski, Mortgage Loan Processor, HNB Mortgage Center; Catherine Ferraro, VP, Commercial Loan Officer, Eynon Office; Ralph Scartelli, VP, Residential Mortgage Sales Manager, Lake Wallenpaupack Office; Kristain Kochanski, Receptionist, HNB Mortgage Center; Linda Short, PT Teller/CSR Float, Montdale Office; and Marissa Smith, Teller/CSR, Route 6 Plaza Office. 10 Years of Service Lisa Valentine, AVP, Branch Manager, Montdale Office; Jamie Shnipes, Branch Manager, Eynon Office; Nicholas J. D’Alberto, AVP, Branch Manager, Main Street Office; Charles Curtin, VP, Trust Officer, Corporate Center; William Carmody, Financial Consultant, Corporate Center; and Annie Grado, PT Clerk, HNB Mortgage Center. 15 Years of Service Christopher Cook, VP, Commercial Loan Officer, Corporate Center; Melissa Rushworth, AVP, Loan Officer, Forest City Office; Maggie Klim, Receptionist, Corporate Center; Raymond Ceccotti, SVP, Business Development & Relationship Manager, Corporate Center; Jeanne Frank, Trust Clerk; Corporate Center; Neil Neumann, PC Support Specialist, Corporate Center; Theresa A. Halliday, Assistant Branch Manager, Main Street Office; and John Conte, AVP, Loan Officer, Main Street Office. 20 Years of Service Kim Canfield, Head Teller, Montdale Office; Deborah Miller, BSA Assistant, Corporate Center; and Ronald Sebastianelli, SVP, Chief Lending Officer, Corporate Center. 25 Years of Service Cherese Golya, Loan Servicing Clerk, HNB Mortgage Center. 30 Years of Service Cindy Motichka, VP, Loan Servicing Manager, HNB Mortgage Center. HNB extends its appreciation to all its employees for their dedication to supporting its customers and local community! The Honesdale National Bank, established in 1836, holds the distinction of being the area’s oldest independent community bank headquartered in Northeastern PA, with offices in Wayne, Pike, Susquehanna, Lackawanna and Luzerne Counties. The Honesdale National Bank offers personal banking, business banking and wealth solutions. For more information on HNB’s products and services, visit www.hnbbank.bank.
Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton Recognized for Excellence in Patient Safety Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton has received statewide recognition for its outstanding performance in patient safety. The Hospital and Health system Association of Pennsylvania (HAP) is recognizing Regional Hospital of Scranton through its 2023 Excellence in Patient Safety Recognition program. The recognition honors Pennsylvania’s top-performing hospitals that have demonstrated low rates of health care-associated infections. HAP is recognizing 29 hospitals this year based on their performance during 2022. HAP identifies top-performing hospitals using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Healthcare Safety Network. To be recognized, hospitals must perform better than the mean standardized infection ratio in three key measures: central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and Clostridioides difficile infections. “HAP is proud to recognize the hospital teams with exemplary results from their efforts to continuously improve the quality and safety of patient care,” HAP President and CEO Nicole Stallings said. “This year, more hospitals met the criteria to be recognized than any other year since this program began. This speaks to the Pennsylvania hospital community’s strong commitment to patient safety.”
Johnson College to Host Community Trunk of Treat Event Johnson College invites the community to a Trunk-or-Treat event on Tuesday, October 24, 2023, from 5 to 7 p.m. at its Scranton campus. The College’s students, staff, and faculty, as well as community organizations, will be handing out candy in the upper parking lot by the Moffat Student Resource Center. The lot can be accessed via the North entrance across from Schiff’s Marketplace. Everyone attending is encouraged to wear their favorite costume! This free event will provide families with a safe space to enjoy Halloween fun. For more information, please email studentsuccess@johnson.edu or call 570.702.8953 or 570.702.8912.
FNCB Bank and Fidelity Bank Balloon Battle Raises Money for Charity FNCB Bank and Fidelity Bank, two local community banks, along with the city of Dunmore, hosted a “Bankers’ Balloon Battle” to raise funds for charity. The event took place at Dunmore Corners on Thursday, September 7th. Bankers from FNCB Bank and Fidelity Bank donated money for the opportunity to participate in the battle. All in good fun, the organizations splashed their “rival” by wielding nearly 3,000 water balloons into the air. Despite the stormy weather, bankers from both banks made a great showing. Dunmore’s Mayor, Max Conway, served as the emcee of the event. Conway, who was also the judge for the contest, declared a draw – with both banks equally soaked. The event raised nearly $2,600, all of which was donated to Bread Basket of NEPA, a charity that supports 7 local food pantries. Bread Basket of NEPA serves individuals, families, and Veterans across Lackawanna County with the goal of alleviating hunger in our community. “We see this contest as a great example of what we can accomplish when we work together,” shared Daniel J. Santaniello, President and CEO of Fidelity Bank. “Though FNCB Bank is our business competitor, at the end of the day, we all share the like-minded goal of serving our community. This event was a fun and innovative way for us and our friends at FNCB Bank to join forces and help an organization that brings vital services to our area.” “This idea was born when employees from FNCB Bank and Fidelity Bank volunteered together at another great community event, the St. Joseph’s Center Summer Festival,” said Jerry Champi, FNCB Bank President and CEO. “The two teams wanted to come up with a fun way to take advantage of our friendly rivalry while helping those in need in our community. Based on the smiles on everyone’s faces and the donation to Bread Basket of NEPA, it was a great success.”
Allied Services Receives Record-Breaking Support from Mueller Family McDonalds The Mueller family, representing 19 regional McDonald’s restaurants, recently presented a check in support of Team Allied Services and You. The annual charity campaign raising funds and awareness for children and adults with disabilities at Allied Services. The donation represents proceeds from a month-long “Fry” fundraiser conducted during the month of September at Mueller Family McDonald’s restaurants in Lackawanna, Lehigh, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of every large fry was designated for Allied Services. This year, a new record was set for the annual fry fundraiser. In total, the initiative raised $37,482. In 2022, just over $30,000 was raised.“We are thrilled to be able to support Allied and their mission of helping people in our community overcome physical challenges; specifically, children with disabilities or chronic illness. We hope the funds will make an impact on the lives of those who are in need of these services in our area,” commented Christina Mueller-Curran, McDonald’s Owner/Operator. “We are overwhelmed by the support of our communities. Our customers purchased about 150,000 orders of fries to make this possible! We could not have done it without their support and the support of our restaurant teams.” Upon receiving the donation, Allied Services President & CEO Atty. Bill Conaboy noted, “We are extremely grateful for the Mueller Family McDonald’s longtime support for Allied Services and the overall community.” “When we visited their South Scranton restaurant, celebrating their 50-year anniversary brought back memories of my youth growing up nearby, and it gives me great pride to recognize the Mueller Family’s decades of commitment of time, talent, and treasure – as Christina Mueller-Curran loyally serves on our Board of Directors.” Mueller Family McDonald’s are long-time supporters of Allied Services, and proud 2023 major sponsors of the Team Allied Services and You charity campaign. On November 5, local runner Krista Smith will represent McDonald’s and Allied Services in the TCS New York City Marathon. She joins a team of 60 other runners from around the United States and beyond who are running and raising funds for the non-profit health system. Every day, Allied Services touches the lives of more than 5,000 people in homes and facilities throughout Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. The non-profit health system’s continuum of care for people with disabilities, chronic illness, and life-changing injuries includes physical rehabilitation, skilled nursing, pediatric services, behavioral health programs, residential programs, vocational training programs, and hospice and palliative care.
Governor Shapiro Announces Planning of PA’s First Economic Development Strategy Moving at the Speed of Business: PA SITES Responding to outreach from businesses who see the benefits of locating or expanding in the Commonwealth, Governor Shapiro and Secretary Siger also unveiled the Pennsylvania Strategic Investments to Enhance Sites (PA SITES) pilot program. PA SITES will make at least $10 million in grant funding available to help more sites across the Commonwealth become “shovel ready” to attract and retain more businesses. Eligibility for the program includes PA municipalities, economic development organizations, redevelopment and municipal authorities, and industrial development agencies. Don’t delay! Applications are due by November 8th. Please help us spread the word to any others that may benefit from this program. PA: The Place for Growth For the Shapiro Administration and DCED, September was a huge month for business investments and job creation, as two national companies highlighted major expansions in Pennsylvania. DCED Secretary Rick Siger joined top United Parcel Service (UPS) officials to celebrate the completion of the company’s new East Zone Regional Hub in Dauphin County, the company’s fourth largest domestic hub. The Commonwealth, through DCED, offered UPS more than $9 million in incentives to win that major expansion which has already created nearly 1,250 jobs. Governor Shapiro and DCED Secretary Siger joined Pratt Industries Executive Global Chairman Anthony Pratt in Carlisle to announce a new commitment by the corrugated packaging company to invest $500 million and create hundreds of jobs in Pennsylvania over the next ten years. Economic Opportunity for All Governor Shapiro gave small businesses a better shot at getting Commonwealth contracts when he signed an Executive Order making the procurement process more accessible for small and small diverse businesses to compete for state contracts, giving them a better chance to succeed, and create good-paying jobs. Investing in Our Workforce The Shapiro Administration believes our workers should have the freedom to chart their own course to success. Echoing that, Secretary Siger announced a $200,000 grant to support manufacturing programsto inspire students and connect manufacturing talent in Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties with regional employers. Reinforcing the priority of workforce investment, Secretary Siger also announced a $200,000 Manufacturing PA Training-to-Career (MTTC) grant award to the Indiana County Technical Center to support a new Electrical Occupations Program for students in grades 10 through 12 in Indiana County. Investments in Tourism Fayette County’s Yough River Park was the perfect setting for Governor Shapiro and Secretary Siger to launch Pennsylvania’s Office of Outdoor Recreation and highlight the bipartisan 2023-24 budget’s $112 million budget investment in state parks and forests. That focus is also aimed at bringing outdoor recreation tourist revenue to Pennsylvania. World Cup soccer and the U.S. Open are bringing world-class athletes to the Commonwealth, and sports tourism will follow. Secretary Siger announced $5 million in grants through DCED’s Sports Marketing and Tourism Program to help bring nationally-known sporting events to Pennsylvania. The goal of the innovative investment is to capitalize on sports tourism which can increase sales to both large and small businesses in the surrounding area. Strengthening Communities The Commonwealth is always ready to help local communities stay on track. In September, new funding was awarded through the Municipal Assistance Program to support local governments in eight counties with planning for zoning and updating of comprehensive plans. Secretary Siger also announced three new low-interest loans through the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority to support business expansions and spur the economy in Beaver, Elk and Westmoreland counties. These newly approved loans build upon Governor Shapiro’s commitment to create a stronger economy across Pennsylvania.
