The Chamber Hosts International Women’s Day Luncheon Keynote address offered by Dr. Damary Bonilla-Rodriguez speaks on women’s equity in the workplace. Athena International Award presented to Laura Ducceschi. Scranton, PA —The Greater Scranton of Chamber of Commerce hosted their International Women’s Day Luncheon, sponsored by The Honesdale National Bank at Marywood University. Keynote speaker Dr. Damary Bonilla-Rodriguez offered a stirring challenge to step up and lead while focusing on the international theme, Embrace Equity. The luncheon included the presentation of the ATHENA Leadership Award, sponsored by Michael A. Barbetti LLC, to Laura Ducceschi, president & CEO of The Scranton Area Community Foundation. Dr. Bonilla-Rodriguez commented, “Women’s History month is an opportunity to acknowledge the circumstances that women face in the workplace and in terms of achieving a level of economic success, educational attainment, and other opportunities to climb the leadership ladder as it relates to their livelihood.” “International Women’s Day means so much. The importance of women’s contributions all over the world, to our community right here in Scranton. In terms of the workforce, women play such a key role, and we need to be able to continue supporting women so they can overcome barriers and become what they want to be,” stated Ms. Ducceschi. The keynote speaker, Dr. Damary M. Bonilla-Rodriguez, a national leading authority on leadership development, especially as it pertains to diversity and inclusion. Dr. Bonilla-Rodriguez delivers keynote addresses from roles in the non-profit, private, and government sectors and her doctoral research. The ATHENA Leadership Award, sponsored locally by Michael A. Barbetti LLC Certified Public Accountants, honors an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in their business or profession, has served the community in a meaningful way, and has assisted women in their attainment of professional goals, and leadership skills. “Laura Ducceschi embodies these characteristics wholeheartedly,” shares Mr. Durkin.
High Tines Archery to Host Archery Fest High Tines Archery is hosting an archery fest at Montage Mountain from June 9-11th Take aim and join us for the Inaugural Montage Mountain Archery Fest presented by High Tines Archery! Three action packed days of shooting welcoming archers of all experience levels. The unbelievable variations in terrain, shot angles, and views offered by Montage Mountain will make every shot unique while testing your skills. Shoot one of the four 3D Target courses or take on all of them throughout the weekend. This event will feature industry and local vendors, food and drinks, live music, breweries and more. Tickets are on sale now and spots are expected to fill up fast…register today! COURSESCourse 1 – Mainline (beginner): 25 targets from 10 yards to 35 yards.Course 2 – Penns Woods (medium): 25 Targets from 15 yards to 50 yards.Course 3 – The Glades (intermediate): 30 targets from 10 yards to 70 yards.Course 4 – White Lightning (experienced): 30 Targets from 10 yards to 120 yards. PRICING3-Day Shoot (Friday 6/9, Saturday 6/10, & Sunday 6/11) – $140.002-Day Shoot (Friday 6/9 and Saturday 6/10) – $100.002-Day Shoot (Saturday 6/10 and Sunday 6/11) – $100.002-Day Shoot (Friday 6/9 and Sunday 6/11) – $100.00 Purchase Tickets Here
RailRiders Extend Partnership with Bold Gold Media Group The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, have agreed to a two-year extension of their radio broadcast partnership with Bold Gold Media Group through the end of the 2024 International League season. All 150 RailRiders regular season games will be heard on “The Mothership” and its network of five frequencies across NEPA.Scranton/Wilkes-Barre games can be heard locally on 1400 WICK-AM (Lackawanna & Luzerne Counties), 1440 WCDL-AM (Lackawanna County & Pocono Lake Region), 93.5 FM (Scranton & Northern Lackawanna County), 106.7 FM (Wayne & Pike Counties) and 107.9 FM (Lackawanna County). In addition to radio broadcasts heard across the region, all RailRiders games will be streamed live on the web with links available through swbrailriders.com and boldgoldradionepa.com. The broadcasts are also streamed through Bold Gold’s free RadioBOLD app and MiLB’s First Pitch app.Adam Marco enters his sixth year as the “Voice of the RailRiders,” having joined the franchise in 2018. Last November, he was honored as Ballpark Digest’s Minor League Broadcaster of the Year.Emily Messina will join the broadcast team for the 2023 season. She spent the past three seasons as the lead broadcaster and Media Relations Manager of the Reading Fightin Phils, the Philadelphia Phillies Double-A affiliate. Previously, Messina broadcast games for the Melbourne Aces in the Australian Baseball League. She has also had stints in the Arizona Fall League and with the Lynchburg Hillcats in the Cleveland Indians minor league system. In the offseason, Messina calls a variety of sports including field hockey, basketball and swimming. She is a 2019 graduate of the Catholic University of America, where she was a four-year varsity athlete.Each RailRiders’ radio broadcast begins 20 minutes prior to first pitch. For more information, please contact the RailRiders front office at (570) 969-2255.
Penn State Scranton Launches Leadership Workshop Join Penn State Scranton for our half-day Leadership Essentials Workshop Series which can benefit you, your employees and your business. Help your team members, managers, and supervisors in today’s work environment by providing the leadership tools that will help them become a valued part of your team. Leadership Workshop Schedule – Spring 2023 WorkshopDescriptionTimeDateCostRegistrationCommunicating EffectivelyFocus on enhancing your speaking and listening skills.9 am – Noon Thursday 4/13/23 $89 discounts availableTo register call 570-963-2600Building Work RelationshipsExplores the characteristics of high quality work relationships and understand interpersonal styles9 am – Noon Thursday 4/20/23 $89 discounts available To register call 570-963-2600Developing and Retaining EmployeesFocuses on an employees continuous improvement and learning.9 am – Noon Thursday 4/27/23 $89 discounts available To register call 570-963-2600Developing a TeamTools and methods to benefits of organizations to adding or existing teams.9 am – Noon Thursday 5/4/23 $89 discounts availableTo register call 570-963-2600 *NOTE: These leadership workshops are non-credit courses. TBD = To be determined Location: Penn State Scranton 120 Ridge View Drive, Dunmore, PA 18512. Please contact 570-963-2600 for more information or to be placed on our mailing list for upcoming workshops.
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute Announces New Officers and Board of Directors The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s Board of Directors elected new officers. Robert Cole, PhD, was elected as Chair of the Board of Directors, Holly Roever Carron, Secretary and John Ruddy, DPS, CFA, CPA, Treasurer. In addition to the new officers, the Board of Directors appointed three new Board members, Maria Montoro Edwards, PhD, Michael P. Curran, and Samuel Lesko M.D., M.P.H. Holly Roever Carron is President at HW Roever Inc, an independent, family operated franchisee of Dunkin. Holly is responsible for operating nine Dunkin in the Greater Scranton area and is extremely knowledgeable about quick service restaurant trends. Ms. Carron is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University at University Park with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and International Business with a concentration in Spanish. She currently serves as Chair of the Board at St. Joseph’s Center, an organization designed to assist those with intellectual disabilities and developmental delays. Ms. Carron is currently a member of the Dunkin’ Brands Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Ad Committee assisting in making marketing decisions for 78 stores. Robert Cole, PhD, is the Senior Vice President, Chief Analytics Officer at Allied Services Integrated Health System. He is a 25-year employee of the health system. The non-profit organization is the leading provider of healthcare and human services for northeastern Pennsylvanians with disabilities and chronic illness. Robert earned a Master’s and a Doctorate in Experimental Psychology from the State University of New York at Binghamton, NY and brings strong data analytics into the organization’s business lines. Robert Cole, PhD, lives in Duryea with his wife, Donna, and their daughter Carsyn. He grew up in Duryea, graduated from Pittston Area High School and earned his bachelor’s in psychology from Bloomsburg University in 1992. Michael P. Curran serves as the CEO of Commonwealth Health’s Moses Taylor Hospital and Regional Hospital of Scranton. Prior to this role, Michael was the Vice President of Operations for the east region of Prospect Medical Holdings, where he was responsible for several acute care facilities. Michael also held executive positions at Crozer Health. He holds a Master’s Degree in Health Administration from Cornell University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Michael is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Maria Montoro Edwards, PhD serves as President and CEO of Maternal and Family Health Services (MFHS), a non-profit health and human service organization working to improve the health of Pennsylvania women and children in 17 counties by offering programs that prevent disease, promote wellness, and empower individuals to make healthy choices. Dr. Montoro Edwards has a doctorate in Human Development, is a certified research administrator with a credential in protecting human subjects in research and has a certificate in Executive Leadership for Healthcare Professionals from Cornell University. She has taught grantsmanship and research methods on the graduate level. She serves as board member and secretary of the Alliance of Pennsylvania Councils and is a voting member of the National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association (NFPRHA) and the Family Planning Councils of America (FPCA). She is past Co-Chair of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Rainbow Alliance and currently serves as chair of the Nonprofit Community Assistance Center (NCAC) board and Vice Chair of Telespond Senior Day Services board. Dr. Montoro Edwards has more than 25 years’ experience in non-profit administration and a record of success in securing, implementing, evaluating, and stewarding public and private funding. Samuel M. Lesko, M.D., M.P.H. received his undergraduate degree from Drexel University and his medical degree from Jefferson Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, both in Philadelphia. Dr. Lesko completed residency training in Family Medicine at the University of Connecticut and has been certified by the American Board of Family Practice. He has also served as a Senior Staff Fellow with the Food and Drug Administration of the U.S. Public Health Service and has earned a Master’s degree in Public Health from Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Lesko has more than 35 years’ experience conducting health research. He has held appointments at Boston University School of Public Health, Penn State College of Medicine in Hershey, and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. He has been affiliated as Medical Director with the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute since 2000. Dr. John A. Ruddy is an Associate Professor of Finance in the Economics and Finance Department of The Arthur J. Kania School of Management, University of Scranton. There he teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses in Finance. Dr. Ruddy has a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Scranton and an M.B.A. in Finance and Investments from The George Washington University. He also holds a Doctorate in Professional Studies, with a focus in Finance from Pace University. He holds the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designations. The University of Scranton has recognized Dr. Ruddy four times for his teaching. He was the recipient of the Kania School of Management Outstanding Professor in 2013 and 2017 and the University’s Teacher of the Year Award in 2014. Most recently, he was the recipient of the 2020-2021 KSOM Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching. He previously served on the Scranton Preparatory School’s Board of Trustees and the Howard Gardner Board of Directors. About the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute is a nonprofit community-based agency serving 7 counties in northeast Pennsylvania with offices located in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Focusing on surveillance, community and patient services, and hospital and practice support services, the Cancer Institute invests 100% of its resources locally. The mission of the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute is to ease the burden of cancer in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Johnson College Receives Donation in Memory of Employee Recently, Mike Yushinski ’95 and his wife Melissa Yushinski ’11, both Johnson College alums and owners of Mike’s Welding and Industrial Services in Clarks Summit, PA, donated a 2011 2500 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van to Johnson College in memory of the company’s foreman and fellow Johnson College alum, the late Gary Muckin ’84. Johnson College will use the donated van in community building trades technology services, and campus projects. Mike’s Welding and Industrial Services in Clarks Summit, PA, donated a 2011 2500 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van to Johnson College in memory of the company’s foreman and Johnson College alum, the late Gary Muckin ’84. Left to right: Mark Chappell ’92, Senior Maintenance Mechanic, Johnson College; Karen Baker, Sr. Director of College Advancement, Johnson College; Melissa Yushinski ’11, owner of Mike’s Welding and Industrial Services; Mike Yushinski ’95, owner of Mike’s Welding and Industrial Services; and Roger Orlandini, Associate Vice-President of Facilities and Campus Projects, Johnson College. Johnson College provides real-world, hands-on learning in a supportive environment and prepares graduates to enter into or advance in their in-demand careers. Johnson College was founded in 1912 and is the region’s only technical college, offering 17 associate degrees, four academic certificates, and over 30 continuing education programs. A low student-to-instructor ratio supports an emphasis on hands-on learning. Located in Scranton on a 44-acre campus with a satellite campus serving the greater Hazleton area, the College is an accredited, private, non-profit, co-educational institution with a strong tradition of working with regional businesses and industries to ensure a skilled and qualified workforce. For additional information on Johnson College, please call 1-800-2-WE-WORK, email enroll@johnson.edu, or visit Johnson.edu.
Settlers Hospitality to Host Open House Settlers Hospitality will throw open the doors to all its Hawley properties to welcome visitors to the second-annual Open House on Sunday, March 26. The event from noon-4 p.m. features guided tours of five sites in Hawley, PA, food and drink tastings, music, prizes and more. “All are welcome, but the event is really geared for those planning a special occasion, meeting or wedding,” explains Justin Genzlinger, CEO/Owner of Settlers Hospitality. “It’s an opportunity to show the public the variety of styles and amenities available. We’re also thrilled to provide a platform to highlight so many fellow small-business owners as vendors.” Guests will receive an email prior to the event with their starting location for the tour. A shuttle bus will transport passengers between properties including The Settlers Inn, Ledges Hotel, The Boiler Room at the Hawley Silk Mill and Gorgeous Floral. Event planners, staff and preferred vendors will be available at each venue to greet visitors, give tours, provide consultations, and answer questions. Food and drink samplings give attendees a taste of the culinary options the chefs of Settlers Hospitality can craft. During the Open House, Settlers Hospitality will debut the recently opened Ruskin Room at The Settlers Inn for private dining events. “We’re excited to meet everyone and help them envision all that their event can be, whether it’s a lavish wedding, intimate party or dynamic conference,” says David Vipond, Settlers Hospitality’s Senior Director of Sales. “I think people will discover each venue has its own personality, from the lakeside setting of Silver Birches to the Arts and Crafts style charm of The Settlers Inn and dramatic backdrop of Ledges Hotel. Plus, there’s the cool, industrial feel of The Boiler Room and lush greenery of Gorgeous Floral.” Tickets are $20. Each person who attends will receive a swag bag. For more information, visit settlershospitality.com
Marywood University Hosts Employment Fair Marywood University is hosing a Business School Employment Fair on Thursday, March 30 from 11am – 2pm in the Latour Room of the Nazareth Student Center on Marywood’s campus. Setup will begin around 10am, and a light lunch will be provided to all businesses attending. Students of all majors are invited but we anticipate mostly our business students attending that day as well as Marywood alumni. They will come prepared with resumes and questions about internship / job opportunities. Businesses are welcome to bring marketing materials and can use any of our available space if they’d like to interview students on-site that day. They will have a table on which to hang a banner or provide materials to students. There is no cost to participate, but we are limited to 30 businesses. In the past, some would give away a gift card or another prize to students who stopped by their table but this is certainly not necessary. If any business would like to be part of our event, they can email me directly at awasho@maryu.marywood.edu
Free Event at The Scranton Cultural Center Listing Information: WHO: The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple WHAT: St. Patrick’s Parade Day Party with Music by Kilrush WHEN: Saturday, March 11 – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM WHERE: Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple – Grand Ballroom 420 N. Washington Avenue – Scranton, PA 18503 TICKET PRICE: **FREE ADMISSION!!** The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple is once again the place to celebrate this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade! The Center’s annual St. Patrick’s Parade Day Party will begin at 11:00 AM on March 11 and will continue until 4:00 PM. Admission is free and live entertainment will be provided by Kilrush. In addition, several parade performers will continue their acts at the SCC for all party-goers to enjoy, from bagpipers to step dancers and more! Admission is FREE to the public as the Scranton Cultural Center’s gift to the community. A cash bar and light fare will be available for purchase. The 2023 St. Patrick’s Parade Day Party is sponsored by The Society of Irish Women, the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center and LT Verrastro. The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple’s 2022-2023 Season is sponsored by Fidelity Bank and LT Verrastro and supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the Lackawanna County Office of Arts and Culture, and Commissioners Jerry Notarianni, Debi Dominick, Esq. and Chris Chermak. A special thank you to its media partners: Access NEPA, Allied Services, Audacy, Citizens’ Voice, Lamar Advertising, MAC Signs, The Times-Tribune, Times Shamrock Communications and Eyewitness News – WBRE/WYOU – pahomepage.com.
Lackawanna College’s Robotics Program Announces Amatrol Partnership Lackawanna College’s Robotics & Integrated Technologies Program partners with Amatrol and Allegheny Education Systems. The partnership allows the Center for Technology Innovation’s Robotics & Integrated Technologies Program students to receive hands-on experience with Amatrol equipment such as robotics, automation systems, industrial electronics, programmable logic controllers (PLCs) and many more. “This partnership will assist our students by bridging the gap between the electrical side of robotics and programming,” Robotics & Integrated Technologies Program Director Rob Crane said. “Included in this partnership is troubleshooting, critical thinking skills and PLC work, which we will be performing with Amatrol equipment and educational material as well.” The Robotics & Integrated Technologies Program will use the Amatrol robotics/automation curriculum to educate students on the full scope of building and maintaining automation. “Students will be given material at a level where they can understand it and if they are having trouble learning the concepts, they have the option to go back and review past lessons or another section entirely,” Crane said. The Robotics & Integrated Technologies Program is built with a hands-on approach with students spending 60 percent in the lab. Students will train on the equipment from Amatrol similar to on the job training. The program will align with the Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing Institute (ARM), a national expert in robotics and workforce development. “The class material and equipment we will have in the lab is going to have a factory feel with hands-on learning versus only learning in the classroom,” Crane said. “We get more than the scope of learning robotics, we get extra access to everything Amatrol does and this partnership will eventually blend into other programs, such as Electric Vehicle & Advanced Automotive Technologies and the School of Petroleum & Natural Gas.” Amatrol is a global leader in technical education, offering different levels of study in the manufacturing processes starting with the basics and building into more complex technology applications. Within the program are different levels of credentials for students to earn and take into the workforce. These credentials include Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) certificates for PLCs, basic electrical theory and advanced manufacturing/motor control. Within these certificates are also micro credentials students will receive, keeping them innovative for the future. “We have gone out and done our due diligence to find one of the best educational training equipment and material providers,” Crane said. “We can get a novice student to a very high-level education in a short amount of time.” On March 30, Lackawanna College will host a STEM fair for local high school students to increase student financial literacy and career awareness through a hands-on, immersive experience. The event is coordinated by Lackawanna College’s Business Division, Career Services and Pre-College Departments. Students will balance a monthly budget, compare careers and salaries, and “try out” some of our programs to experience each from the point of view of our students, including CTI programs. The event will run from 8:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Media are requested to RSVP prior to attending event, please contact Eric Eiden, Media Relations Coordinator at (570)961-7807 or eidene@lackawanna.edu to register.
