Former Congressman Keynote at 154th Annual Chamber Dinner

Scranton, PA—The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce announced that the 154th Annual Dinner, presented by PNC Bank, will be held on Wednesday, May 24, at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center.

The Annual Dinner celebrates the accomplishments of The Chamber’s past fiscal year and will feature a keynote presentation by Harold Ford, Jr, a former United States Congressman and executive vice president and regional president in New York with PNC Bank.

Ford is the executive vice president and regional president of PNC Bank, New York. In this role, he is responsible for new business development and deepening relationships with clients and community organizations. Prior to being named to his current role in February 2023, Ford served as vice chairman of Corporate & Institutional Banking (C&IB) for PNC Bank. Serving as a Congressman for 10 years (1997–2007), he represented the people of Tennessee’s 9th congressional district. He was on the House Financial Services, Budget, and Education Committee and a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Tickets for the annual dinner are available online at www.ScrantonChamber.com. The Chamber board of directors, staff, and membership looks forward to celebrating all that has been accomplished in the greater Scranton community.

About The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization that works to improve the area’s economic environment and quality of life by offering programs and services which stimulate economic growth, promote business prosperity and nurture educational opportunities. For more information about the Chamber, visit www.scrantonchamber.com.

Ritz Theater & Performing Arts Center Golf Tournament

1st Annual Ritz Theater and Performing Arts Center Golf Tournament Fundraiser to benefit the Creative and Performing Arts Academy’s children in theater. Join us for a great day for the game of golf…and all for a great cause: the arts and education! Proceeds benefit artistic and educational endeavors of the Ritz Theater & Performing Arts Center, home of the Creative & Performing Arts Center. DATE AND TIME: Shotgun Start May 20, 2023 @9AM-3PM LOCATION: Rock Creek Golf Course, 2783 PA-374, Nicholson, PA 18446 Questions? Contact us smelcher@ritzpac.com / 570.252.4156 TICKETS: 4-man Captain and Crew format. Sign up your team of 4 for $260 ($65 per person). Person registering will be considered team captain and will be contacted with any changes or questions. All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. INFORMATION: Gather around donuts and coffee in the clubhouse to go over rules. Snacks and beverages will be available throughout the game. There will be a dinner to follow. Event will include prizes, raffles, games, and more.

The Greater Scranton YMCA Offering Tips to Keep Kids Safe

The Greater Scranton YMCA wants to ensure that water safety doesn’t get lost in our community’s eagerness to jump into summer. As temperatures rise, kids want to cool off, whether that is in home pools, ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, or oceans. And that means the risk of drowning is as prevalent as ever. For National Water Safety Month this May, the Greater Scranton YMCA is encouraging parents and caregivers to reinforce the importance of water safety skills with the whole family.
“As ‘America’s Swim Instructor,’ the Greater Scranton YMCA annually teaches more than 1,250 children valuable water safety and swimming skills,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Now more than ever, it’s important to remind parents and caregivers that water safety needs to be top-of-mind as families start to return to their favorite summertime activities.”
As part of National Water Safety Month, the Greater Scranton YMCA is encouraging parents to play an active role in promoting water safety and providing five tips to ensure a safe and enjoyable swimming experience for all.


Make sure children know to always ask permission before going in or near the water. Teaching your children to be water smart is the first step in water safety – be sure they understand the importance of asking permission before going in or near the water.
Never swim alone or without a water watcher. When children are swimming, make sure they are actively supervised at all times. Teach your children that they should only swim in locations where a lifeguard is on duty, or where a responsible adult agrees to watch the children in the water without distractions.


Supervise your children whenever they’re in or near water. Whether it’s bath time or taking a dip in a pool or waterfront, make sure your children are within arm’s reach at all times.
Don’t engage in breath holding activities. Children should not hold their breath for a prolonged amount of time while swimming, as this can be dangerous.
Wear a life jacket. Inexperienced or non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved life
jacket.


Don’t jump in the water to save a friend who is struggling in deep water. If a child finds
their friend in deep water unexpectedly, their natural reaction may be to jump in the water
to try to save them. Even if a child is a great swimmer, a panicked person will overpower
them, pulling the rescuer underwater. The Y’s Safety Around Water program teaches the
“reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach for them and pull them to
safety. By using this technique children can help their friend without compromising their
own safety.
To learn more about the Greater Scranton YMCA’s swim programs, please contact Leslie
Kopa, Aquatics Director, at (570) 828-3112 or lkopa@gsymca.org.

The Dime Bank Celebrates Their Indian Orchard Branch

The Dime Bank celebrated their Indian Orchard branch at 1055 Texas Palmyra Highway, Honesdale, PA, its newest addition to the community bank’s branch network, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 27, 2023. This new branch brings personal banking with universal bankers and high-tech solutions to the community. The Dime Bank universal bankers are cross-trained to take care of all customer needs in one place. They act as a dedicated personal financial assistant, helping to simplify the financial complexities of life. The branch offers an iPad kiosk for customers to log into their online accounts as well as a drive-up ATM, which brings 24/7 high-tech convenient access to funds.

Additionally, The Dime Bank is committed to enhancing our communities by supporting our aspiring entrepreneurs and business customers with an Entrepreneurial Center located at this new facility. The Dime Bank Entrepreneurial Center offers customers a comfortable and secure environment with a variety of technological resources. Space can be reserved at www.thedimebank.com/entrepreneurial-center.

Moreover, The Dime Bank’s Customer Care Center (CCC) is in this building. The CCC offers customers telephone assistance with a live, knowledgeable, local care team. Telephone assistance is available after branches are closed and on weekends, for the hours and phone number, visit: www.thedimebank.com/ways-to-bank. This location also hosts The Dime Bank’s Support Center with back-office departments including information technology, digital banking, retail support, fraud, bank security, deposit operations, loans, human resources, marketing, compliance, training, and facilities management.

The Dime Bank staff were available at the celebration to give tours of this state-of-the-art banking facility and answer questions. County officials and many customers of The Dime Bank were present to show their support. The community is invited to visit The Dime Bank Indian Orchard branch to meet the staff and discuss how The Dime Bank can help you meet your financial goals. The Indian Orchard branch offers customers access to trusted, dependable professionals who bring financial solutions to the community during these hours:

Lobby Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Friday: 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – Noon

Drive Up Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Saturday: 8:30 a.m. – Noon

President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich expressed, “Branches are core to The Dime Bank’s business. In addition to catering to individuals with bank accounts and home loans, our branches also support businesses and non-profit organizations in the community. We’re excited that this new facility is not only a branch, but it offers an Entrepreneurial Center to expand the scope of solutions we offer to our customers. Our expert staff are available to provide the ultimate customer experience. Our mission to serve the financial needs of all continues to hold true as we strive to build strong partnerships for years to come. We thank you for your continued support and hope everyone will be able to take full advantage of this new advanced banking facility and all that we offer as a community bank. The Dime Bank’s commitment to provide quality financial solutions for our customers and our communities remains unchanged since 1905.”

Women in Philanthropy Awards $35,000 in Grants

Women in Philanthropy (WIP), the initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation that focuses on empowering and transforming the lives of women, girls, and their families in Northeastern Pennsylvania, announces the recipients from its 2023 grants cycle, awarded after a highly competitive grant process. A total of $35,000 in grant funding was awarded to eight local nonprofit organizations during the Women in Philanthropy Quarterly Meeting held at the Century Club of Scranton on Thursday evening, April 20.

The recipients included nonprofits Catherine McAuley Center ($6,000), Outreach Center for Community Resources ($5,500), United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA ($5,000), Center for the Living City ($4,500), Penn State Scranton ($4,500), The University of Scranton ($3,500), Junior Achievement of NEPA ($3,000), and Saint Joseph’s Center ($3,000), all to support innovative projects and/or programs that work to transform the lives of women or girls across the Northeastern Pennsylvania region.

The grant award recipients and grant amounts were selected by Women in Philanthropy supporters, who had the opportunity to vote after hearing presentations from each of the nonprofit organizations.

The Women in Philanthropy (WIP) initiative is comprised of a group of over 120 supporters committed to transforming the lives of women, girls, and their families in Northeastern Pennsylvania. WIP engages its supporters in collective decision making to help move women in the region to levels of personal empowerment and economic self-sufficiency. Since its inception in 2014, WIP has provided over $130,000 in grant funding to local nonprofit organizations; STEAM education to over 2,000 students in K-12 local public schools; $25,000 in full ‘STEAM Stars’ Scholarships to the nationally-recognized Level Up Program at Lackawanna College; loan capital and training support to help launch 15 local women-owned businesses; grant support to 21 women business owners in Lackawanna County facing COVID-19 hardships; a dollar for dollar match to women with low-to-moderate-incomes trying to build a savings; and more. To date, Womenin Philanthropy has raised over $1.6 million to benefit women, girls, and their families in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Women in Philanthropy is an initiative of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. To learn more about Women in Philanthropy, visit wwwsupportnepawomen.org.

HNB Promotes Lisa Valentine Promoted to AVP, Branch Manager

Thomas E. Sheridan, President and CEO of The Honesdale National Bank, announced Lisa Valentine has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Branch Manager overseeing the HNB Montdale Office.

In making the statement, Sheridan noted, “Lisa is an experienced and valued member of the HNB team. We are eager to see her grow in her new role.  Her vast understanding of our offerings and standards is a valuable resource for providing the best service to our customers”.

In her current role as Branch Manager, she is responsible for managing the daily operations of the HNB Montdale Office, building customer relationships, and capitalizing on opportunities to grow business opportunities.

Valentine has 18 years of experience in the financial industry. She started as a part time teller at HNB, then teller/CSR, was promoted to head teller, then Assistant Branch Manager, to her current role as Branch Manager at the Montdale Office.

In mentioning her role at HNB, Valentine said, “I’m grateful to HNB for giving me the opportunity to advance in my career. I love getting to know customers and helping them with their financial needs.”

She currently lives in Lenox Township on her family farm. She graduated from Forest City Regional School District.

Outside of the bank, her spare time is spent gardening, hiking and exploring the outdoors.

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.

DK USA Inc. Announces New Product

DK USA Inc is the outpost of global sourcing, sales and marketing from stationery to automotive maintenance products. Every person likes to drink to their fullest and embrace the party until the next day. Introducing BYS Wellness, a dietary supplement based on Eastern herbology that can offer full recovery from excessive drinking.  It is a perfect solution for party lovers, bar patrons as well as occasional drinkers who are looking forward to enjoying the night and not experience any after-effects the next day. This wellness supplement is made of specialized formulas that utilize ancient Korean remedies to solve modern dilemmas of intoxication and post consumption experiences. Composed with the practices of age-old cures and timeworn treatments, this is the perfect solution for everyone that includes no side effects but only the wellness of organic elements.


Led by a renowned Korean chemist and engineer, BYS Wellness thrives to offer herbal solutions to consumers which lend to the potency of traditional antidotes. The herbal dietary supplement comes with a unique blend of organic ingredients like DHM, GMT-ALC, Korean Dendropanax leaf, ginseng, turmeric root, and many others. These elements are medically proven to rehydrate the human body
while promoting good gut and liver health. All the ingredients are collected from nature as the agency promotes organic elements and ancient recovery techniques.


DHM or Dihydromyricetin is an extract from a Japanese Raisin Tree that has been used as an anti-alcohol herb for centuries. Similarly, GMT-ALC is collected from an extract of fermented soybean and rice germ. This compound helps to boost the good bacteria level and promotes good gut health. It also helps to get rid of the bad breath that is caused by excessive drinking. Dendropanax leaves
are widely known for detoxifying the digestive system and improving liver health. It is also used in the treatment of cancer, and paralysis as well as to treat migraine and dysmenorrhea. Lastly, there is turmeric which is considered a strong anti-inflammatory ingredient. It can block any kind of action by the inflammatory molecules in the body. A well-balanced blend of all these ingredients makes BYS one of the best organic recovery supplements in the market.


BYS Wellness offers the best hangover supplement for drinkers and it also justifies its title Before You Start as it offers a boost of energy to start the next day in a healthy way. Highly effective and fairly reasonable, this organic supplement helps to recover after a night out, and dehydration while promoting good liver health. Whether one has to hit the gym in the morning or needs to attend an early meeting at the workplace, this supplement can help everyone start fresh with any effects of a hangover. Occasional drinkers find it very difficult to deal with intoxication and uneven drinking patterns. With help of Before You Start, one easily deals with such issues.


“As a former professional NFL player, I’m always seeking the best things for my body and mind. BYS gives me that edge everyday.” BYS COO, Mr. Sean James.
Before You Start, better known as BYS, is currently available on Amazon, Shoprite, Gerrity’s Supermarkets, and local liquor stores. Those who want to purchase it online can find more information at www.buybys.com and opt for a suitable pack.

Marywood University Earns Second Place in Design Challenge

Marywood University’s School of Architecture (MUSOA) captured second place honors in the Retrofit Housing division in the final stage of the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon® 2023 Design Challenge, which took place in Colorado on April 22. The student team was led jointly by MUSOA faculty Jodi La Coe and Maria MacDonald, with design advisors Elizabeth Andrzejewski (MUSOA), Sara Melick (Marywood), Cole Hastings Goldstein (Johnson College), Jeremy Leaidicker (Penn State Extension–Susquehanna), Paul Pearson (University of Scranton), Matthew Finkenbinder (Wilkes University), and Joseph Wheeler (Virginia Tech) and industry partners Richard Pedranti Architects and Greenman Pedersen, Inc.

Students competing in the Solar Decathlon Design Challenge work in multidisciplinary teams to create innovative and high-performance building designs that address real-world issues related to climate change, affordability, and environmental justice. Marywood University was among 55 Finalist Teams representing 61 collegiate institutions during the 2023 Design Challenge. Teams presented their zero energy building designs to a panel of industry experts, and finalists were selected based on their innovations, technical plans, and the quality of their presentations. The competition included six residential and commercial divisions: New Housing, Retrofit Housing, Attached Housing, Multifamily Housing, Office Building, and Education Building.

“Just making it (to the finals) is a major accomplishment,” stated MacDonald, founding director of Marywood’s interior architecture program and Center for the Living City executive director. “To earn second place at this level of international competition is a prestigious honor and accomplishment.”

Together with faculty, design advisors, and industry partners, students designed Glacier Jane—two floating cabins on Ely Lake and a Girl Scout troop house in the forest at Girl Scouts at the Heart of Pennsylvania’s Camp Archbald in Brooklyn Township, PA. Glacier Jane is inspired by urban activist Jane Jacobs, who attended Camp Archbald, and Ely Lake, formed during the Last Glacial Period. Utilizing solar panels, wind turbines, and rainwater collection, Glacier Jane will be completely grid- and utility-independent. During the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023 Semesters, 15 architecture students worked as a team to design the buildings and hillside of Mariners’ Unit. Also, during the Spring 2023 Semester, these 15 students were joined by students from other disciplines at Marywood University to create a 1:1 model of the floating cabins, which is on display in the Kresge Gallery in Insalaco Center for Studio Arts at Marywood and is open to the public.

Over the next two years, while competing in the 2025 Solar Decathlon Build Challenge (SDBC), these and many more students will build this project at Camp Archbald gaining valuable experiences alongside industry partners. For this phase of the project, Marywood University’s new Living City Lab will organize students, faculty, and experts to build Glacier Jane.

Allied Services Celebrates Miracle Makers

Allied Services Integrated Health System recently honored the contributions and successes of employees from various divisions with their bimonthly Miracle Maker breakfast. The gathering was held at the Convention Center at Mohegan Sun Pennsylvania, Plains, Pa.  

“We’re very fortunate to have representatives from across Allied Services Integrated Healthcare System here today – clinical, non-clinical, support staff, administrators – each and every one of you are a reflection of what makes Allied Services great,“ commented Atty. Bill Conaboy President & CEO, Allied Services Integrated Health System.  

“Your commitment and dedication not only to providing quality care – but also creating welcoming environments for residents, patients, families, and your fellow co-workers, are what make (Allied Services) feel like home to so many”