Pink Friday at Golden Coast Join us for Pink Friday, a special nationwide event celebrating small and local businesses like Golden Coast! Founded in 2020, this annual tradition takes place the Friday before Black Friday, encouraging shoppers to prioritize small retailers first as they kick off their holiday shopping. Celebrate community and creativity while discovering unique finds and supporting your favorite local boutique this holiday season. Make Pink Friday your new tradition!
Johnson College Hosts Instant Decision Day for Veterans and Service Members Johnson College’s Instant Decision Day for Veterans and those currently serving in the U.S. Military will be held on Wednesday, December 4, 2024, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held virtually and in person on the College’s Scranton campus in Ideal Saldi Hall. To register to attend in person or virtually, visit Johnson.edu/instant. During the Instant Decision Event, Johnson College will provide prospective veteran students and those currently serving in the U.S. military with an immediate enrollment decision. They must supply their high school transcripts and can bring their college and military transcripts if applicable. It is highly recommended that the prospective student completes an application before attending. Applications for Johnson College’s Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, and Veterinary Nursing programs are excluded from instant decisions.
Wayne Bank Announces New Cash Management Officer Jim Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is pleased to welcome Alissa Weiss as Cash Management Officer. In this role, Weiss will provide comprehensive cash management services to the Bank’s business clients, which includes personalized account analysis, payment processing, and cash concentration solutions. “We are thrilled to welcome Alissa to our team,” stated Mr. Donnelly. Her extensive expertise in cash management and strategic financial operations aligns with our commitment to delivering exceptional financial solutions to our customers. We look forward to the positive impact Alissa will bring to our customers.” With over ten years’ experience in the finance industry, Weiss brings a wealth of knowledge in treasury management, risk mitigation, and cash flow optimization. Alissa is dedicated to making financial management easier, more efficient, and tailored to thecustomers unique needs. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Marywood University and a Master of Business Administration degree from Louisianna State University Shreveport. Weiss believes in giving back to her community and is the Founder and President of PAWS of NEPA, an organization dedicated to providing financial assistance for veterinary care. She is also a Board Member of Green Trees Early Learning Center and the Treasurer of Blue Heron Woods POA. She resides in Hawley with her husband, Wayne, and their son, Jett.
Misericordia University Presents “Swinging Jazz Nutcracker Suite” Misericordia University presents a festive and unique twist on a holiday classic with the “Swinging Jazz Nutcracker Suite.” The performance will take place on Friday, December 6th, at Lemmond Theater, Misericordia University. The show begins at 7 PM, with doors opening at 6 PM. Ticket Information: General Admission: $25.00, Children 6-11: $10.00, Children 5 and under are free. Tickets are available here: https://www.misericordia.edu/nutcracker.
WVIA Launches “Community Connection” to Spotlight Local Nonprofits WVIA is excited to announce the recent launch of Community Connection, a new interview series dedicated to celebrating the incredible work of nonprofit organizations across Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania. Hosted by the esteemed Lisa Mazzarella, this dynamic series premiered on November 15 and will air each Friday on WVIA Radio during NPR’s Morning Edition at 8:45AM and All Things Considered at 4:44PM. As a cornerstone of community engagement, nonprofits play a vital role in enhancing the quality of life in our region. With over 60,000 nonprofit organizations across Pennsylvania and more than 3,000 in the greater Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area alone, Community Connection seeks to highlight the impactful missions and tireless efforts of these organizations. Each week, listeners will hear first-hand accounts from nonprofit leaders, discover inspiring success stories, and meet the dedicated volunteers who make it all happen. “It is hoped the series will increase community awareness of our region’s nonprofits, and perhaps bolster an interest in volunteerism,” stated WVIA’s Lisa Mazzarella. Mazzarella continued, “Community Connection is a forum for our regional nonprofit organizations to talk about specific programs they provide, the varied missions of their organizations, and the positive impact they make in our communities. WVIA serves a 22 county radius, so the goal is to feature programs and services from organizations all around our listening area.” The premiere episode of Community Connection featured The Greenhouse Project, a nonprofit organization located in Scranton that operates a 3,000 square foot greenhouse and offers a variety of classes and educational resources focused on wholesome food and healthy living. In addition to the on-air interviews, an extended community profile will be available on WVIA’s website, featuring in-depth information about each highlighted organization, including contact details and resources. This initiative not only informs listeners but also empowers them to engage with and support the nonprofits that enrich our communities. For more information on upcoming segments and to listen to the premiere episode visit www.wvia.org/community.
NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative Expands Efforts to Support Animals The NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative, formed in 2019 by the Scranton Area Community Foundation, is making significant strides in advancing animal welfare throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. Bringing together over 40 local animal shelters, rescues, advocates and sanctuaries, the Collaborative focuses on improving the lives of animals through innovative programs, partnerships, and expanded resources. Affordable Veterinary Care In March 2023, the Collaborative, in partnership with Indraloka Animal Sanctuary, launched the NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic in Dalton. This state-of-the-art facility provides accessible and affordable veterinary care, addressing a critical gap in animal healthcare services in the region. Spay/Neuter Initiatives Additionally in March 2023, the Collaborative received a transformative grant from Bob Jones’ Dog Trust to promote canine spay/neuter initiatives. The funding enabled the distribution of over 150 spay/neuter vouchers, directly supporting responsible pet ownership and reducing the region’s stray dog population. Addressing Feral Cat Challenges In response to a rising feral cat population, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Collaborative launched a Trap-Neuter-Release (TNR) initiative in partnership with the NEPA Rescue Veterinary Clinic. In August 2024, three dedicated clinic events provided free spaying, neutering, vaccinations and veterinary care for over 100 feral cats in Lackawanna County. The program has successfully mitigated concerns around disease transmission, wildlife interactions and neighborhood disruptions caused by feral cats. New Website to Enhance Regional Animal Welfare Efforts This month, the Collaborative will unveil a comprehensive regional animal welfare resource guide on its new website. The guide will feature essential contacts for shelters, rescues, veterinary care, trainers, and TNR programs, providing a one-stop resource for the public while easing the strain on local facilities. These initiatives are just the latest examples of the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative’s commitment to improving animal welfare across the region. To learn more or get involved, visit nepaawc.org and follow the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative on Facebook.
I Need A Speaker Offering Special Pricing on Public Speaking Workshops I Need A Speaker is offering public speaking training at a special price during December 2024 and January 2025. “Many companies have unused training funds at the end of the calendar year. Using that money to schedule one or two training sessions will benefit individuals on public-facing teams, such as sales, marketing, customer service, or related departments,” said Autumn Bohner, marketing communications manager for I Need A Speaker. The special rate of $3,800 includes one day with six hours of training, a workbook, and lunch for participants. Workshops will be taught by Tricia Richards-Service, PhD, who has taught public presentation for more than 20 years. She is the founder and president of I Need A Speaker, a global online platform for qualified speakers at all price points. This offer is valid for on- or off-site workshops for up to 12 people. Off-site workshops are available at your choice of two pre-selected venues: one in Wilkes-Barre, and one in Scranton. To be eligible, clients must book the workshops for dates in December 2024 or January 2025. A travel fee will be applied for clients who are more than 75 miles from Scranton, PA. “Professional development is a great way to motivate and reward employees,” said Bohner. “What a wonderful, practical way to end one year or begin another.” For more information or to book your training date, email info@ineedaspeaker.com.
MyBenefitAdvisor – Workers Consider Wellness Programs a Top Priority As companies are increasingly requiring their employees to return to the office, company leaders and human resource department personnel are hearing their workers and future talent prospects ask for programs and services that go beyond traditional benefits. Specifically, individuals are looking for those with a greater focus on benefits that will allow them to maintain and enhance their personal health and well-being. For many workers, wellness programs offer practical solutions to modern challenges, such as managing chronic conditions, coping with mental health issues, or achieving a better work-life balance. Benefits like gym memberships, increased access to mental health resources, flexible work hours, the ability to work at least part-time from a remote location, increased PTO, ergonomic support, nutritional advice, a robust health care program and even on-site physical amenities like gyms are all benefits that can improve wellness and boost employee well-being. Companies that prioritize wellness signal to employees that their well-being is valued, contributing to stronger loyalty and morale. Moreover, wellness programs help employees manage stress and avoid burnout, which has become especially relevant in the post-pandemic world. In a competitive job market, wellness programs are often viewed as a deciding factor when choosing an employer. As employees increasingly seek a holistic approach to health and well-being, these programs have become essential for attracting and retaining top talent while fostering a positive and supportive workplace culture. The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce offers its members access to My Benefit Advisor as a solution for employee benefits, including voluntary offerings. For more information about My Benefit Advisor, visit our website at gscc.mybenefitadvisor.com or contact Rob Higginbotham at (800) 377-3536.
Loop Launches Fastest Fiber Internet Service in Downtown Scranton Scranton-based Loop Internet is proud to announce the launch of the city’s fastest fiber internet service, delivering symmetrical speeds up to 10 gigabits per second to the downtown business district. Loop’s high-speed internet is faster than any other local offering, setting a new benchmark for reliable, high-speed connectivity that will benefit both businesses and residents. The network, built to support remote work, video conferencing, and data-intensive applications, also delivers a stable, uninterrupted connection essential for today’s digital demands. Loop is already doing installations on Lackawanna, Washington, Adams, Jefferson, and Wyoming avenues along with Linden Street in the downtown area. Jason Wasmanski, General Manager of Loop, emphasized the value of local investment. “We’re headquartered right here in Scranton, and money paid by our customers for the service goes back into the local economy,” he said. “We believe in building up our community, not just serving it.” Loop has been in the area providing internet service for nearly a decade and recently expanded its network footprint in the City of Wilkes-Barre as well. Loop recognized the need for better connectivity in nearby Scranton as more residents and businesses move into the city so they began rapidly building out the network. Loop is investing millions of dollars into Scranton’s infrastructure which demonstrates its commitment to the region. In addition to bringing top-tier internet to the city, Loop focuses on local partnerships, contracting with nearby businesses for services such as marketing, printing, and events. The company’s founder and CEO, Chris Hacken, a Mountain Top native, remains actively involved, often seen working on network construction and connecting customers himself. Loop also remains dedicated to delivering lightning fast speeds to Northeast Pennsylvania residents without delay. “While other providers have contracts in place that will take years to complete, Loop is transforming the downtown Scranton business district in under a year,” Wasmanski explained. “Our team’s swift deployment ensures that businesses and residents can access cutting-edge speeds now, not years from now.” Wasmanski explained that fiber internet uses thin strands of glass to transmit data as light signals rather than relying on traditional copper cables that use electrical signals. Fiber signals travel close to the speed of light with less interference, which means fiber can carry data at incredibly high speeds with low latency over long distances without losing quality. Loop’s fiber network is built with room to expand, too, allowing even faster speeds as the demand grows. Plans are underway to expand the fiber network beyond the business district to serve more areas of Scranton, keeping pace with evolving needs. “We’ve already connected over 100 customers downtown and have businesses practically knocking down our door to sign up,” Founder and CEO Chris Hacken added. “Our fiber technology delivers the same upload and download speeds, so our users can work from home, stream, and share large files without the disruptions that are common with cable internet.” Interested residents and businesses can check service availability and sign up for updates by visiting loopinternet.com. For more information, please contact Cheryl Malak, Business Account Executive, by calling 888-808-5667, ext. 213, or emailing cheryl.malak@loopinternet.com.
