Dress for Success Lackawanna Hosts Spring Clothing Sale Dress for Success Lackawanna is hosting its Spring Clothing Sale, offering great deals on stylish, gently used, and new clothing. All purchases are considered donations, with proceeds supporting programs that empower local women entering or re-entering the workforce. Date: March 4th, 5th, and 6th Time: 11 AM to 5 PM Location: The Marketplace at Steamtown, 300 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton, 2nd Fl. Come shop for a cause and refresh your wardrobe while making a difference in the community! For more information, call 570-941-0339.
Damage Control, Inc., Names New Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officers As of January 1, 2025, Sarah Cain and Bruce Morgan of Damage Control, Inc. have taken on the roles of CEO and COO, respectively. Damage Control has been serving the Communities of Northeast PA in both Residential and Commercial losses since 1996, led by founder, President, and CEO Jeff Skrilow. Sarah Cain began her employment in 2007 in the role of Executive Assistant and since then has taken on all responsibilities in the Business Office, Accounts Payable, Human Resources, and contributing to the implementation of new policies and procedures. It became clear that with the present CEO, Skrilow, stepping down, Sarah was the perfect choice as his replacement. In January 2025, Sarah began her new role as CEO, working to ensure that the company she loves continues to grow and prosper. She believes that investing in Damage Control’s employees is essential to Damage Control’s success. Bruce Morgan began his career with Damage Control in 2014 as a Restoration Technician. He quickly showed strong leadership skills and was swiftly promoted to Team Leader in 2015. From there, he moved up the ladder to Field Supervisor in 2018 and finally to Project Manager in 2020. In January 2025, Bruce was once again promoted, this time to COO, and will continue to lead the Damage Control team with leadership, training, and guidance.
Crystal Window and Door Sponsors Queens College Artist-in-Residence Exhibit Founder and Chairman of Crystal Window & Door Systems, Thomas Chen, greeted guests at the opening reception for the newest art exhibit at Queens College on Tuesday, February 11. The solo exhibit, “Entombed in Static,” is the work of internationally acclaimed artist Leekyung Kang, whose engagement with the Queens College Artist-in-Residence program is sponsored by the Thomas Chen Family/Crystal Windows Endowment. Above Left: Founder of Crystal Windows Thomas Chen (right) welcomed guests recently at the opening reception for the solo exhibit of Artist-in-Residence Leekyung Kang (left) at Queens College. Above Right (l. to r.): Queens College Art Professor Sin-Ying Ho, Queens College President Frank Wu, Crystal Windows Founder Thomas Chen, and Artist-in Residence Leekyung Kang. In 2021, Thomas Chen and Crystal Windows established a $1.1 million endowment for Queens College to support contemporary Asian art at the 4-year college. To date, the endowment has awarded several scholarships for art students, sponsored exhibits of contemporary Asian art, and backed the Artist-in-Residence program. “I am so proud that the Chen Family/Crystal Windows Endowment is supporting these valuable Queens College art programs,” said Thomas Chen. “Today we are very pleased to recognize the talent of Leekyung Kang, one of the artists-in-residence this year, with her exciting new exhibit. She is quite an inspiration for students here at Queens College.” The opening reception, held Tuesday, February 11, 6:00-8:00 pm at Queens College Klapper Hall Art Gallery, was attended by faculty, students, and other guests. Artist Leekyung Kang spoke to the group about her work and experience teaching art classes for the students at Queens College. Ms. Kang has exhibited and held residencies in the United States in many locations, including Las Vegas, NV; Salt Lake City, UT; Providence, RI; and Cleveland, OH. She has also exhibited internationally in Seoul, South Korea; Doha, Qatar; and Beijing, China. Queens College is one of the premier institutions in the New York City University System (CUNY), offering nearly 80 undergraduate majors and over 100 graduate degrees and certifications. The public college serves over 19,000 undergraduate and graduate students and is highly ranked in terms of academics and value by several national college surveys such as Princeton Review and US News and World Report. Located at 65-30 Kissena Boulevard in the South Flushing neighborhood of Queens, the college sits on 84 landscaped acres with a park-like suburban feel.
Wayne Bank Promotes Kimberly Crellin to Vice President Jim Donnelly, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is pleased to announce the promotion of Kimberly Crellin to Assistant Vice President and Hawley Community Office Manager. “Kimberly is well deserving of this promotion, and I am proud to announce her accomplishment. Her exceptional management skills and organizational abilities have helped streamline bank functions at our Hawley office,” said Mr. Donnelly. Crellin joined Wayne Bank in 2017 and has most recently served as a Branch Manager, where she was responsible for assisting customers and maintaining operational efficiency at the Bank’s Hawley branch. Crellin holds a certificate for General Banking through the American Bankers Association. She enjoys taking part in her community, serving as an active member of the Make a Wish Foundation since 2009. Crellin currently resides in Milford.
Waverly Community House Needs Your Feedback Your Voice Matters! Help Shape the Future of The Comm! At the Waverly Community House (the Comm), we’re dedicated to providing enriching educational, recreational, and cultural opportunities—but we know there’s always room to grow. Whether you’ve attended our events, participated in programs, used our facilities, or are simply interested in what we offer, we want to hear from you! As we plan for the future, we’re gathering feedback to ensure that we continue to serve our community in meaningful ways. With support from a StratSimple grant, we’ve partnered with Commonweal Consulting Group—led by nonprofit experts Michele and Leo McGowan—to guide us in shaping our next chapter. It takes about 10 minutes. All responses are confidential Your input helps shape future programs, events, and services Complete the survey by February 28, 2025, for a chance to win a $100 Visa Gift Card! Take the survey by clicking this link: STRAT SIMPLE SURVEY
United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne, and Pike Collaborates on Ground-Breaking Case Study A newly published case study examining the critical issue of older adult isolation in Lackawanna County has been featured in the esteemed Frontiers in Public Health journal. The article titled “A community methodological protocol of a multisector collective impact collaboration to address older adult isolation in a rural county in the U.S.,” conducted by The Age Friendly Lackawanna Collaborative which includes the United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike, sheds light on the profound impact of social isolation among older adults and highlights actionable solutions to address this growing public health concern. Case Study Co-Written By: Dr. Lenard Kaye, D.S.W, Ph.D., GSAF, Professor, University of Maine, Director at University of Maine Center on Aging Michael Castellano, Special Projects Manager, United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike Lindsey Skripka, Executive Director, Meals on Wheels of Northeastern Pennsylvania Christine Marcos, Senior Program Officer, Moses Taylor Foundation The study explores the challenges faced by older adults who experience limited social interaction, reduced mobility, and a lack of access to essential community resources. Findings indicate that social isolation not only affects emotional well-being but is also linked to significant health risks, including increased rates of depression, cognitive decline, and chronic illness. “I am so proud to be a member of the Age Friendly Lackawanna collaborative and work with amazing community partners to address the needs of older adults in our community. This publication is just the first step of many we have planned to advocate for and enact the changes we hope to see for the residents of Lackawanna County” said Lindsey Skripka, Executive Director, Meals on Wheels of Northeastern Pennsylvania Key Findings of the Case Study: A significant percentage of older adults in Lackawanna County report experiencing social isolation and loneliness. Lack of transportation, financial barriers, and limited digital literacy contribute to isolation. Community-based interventions, including volunteer-driven outreach programs and social connectivity initiatives, have shown positive effects in reducing loneliness. The publication of this study underscores the importance of ongoing community collaboration and policy changes to ensure that older adults receive the support they need to remain engaged and connected. United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike is actively working to implement solutions, including expanding senior outreach programs, strengthening partnerships with local organizations, and advocating for increased funding for social services. “By publishing these findings in Frontiers in Public Health, we hope to bring greater awareness and encourage local initiatives to foster stronger social connections for our senior population.” added Michael Castellano, Special Projects Manager, United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike. The full study is available in Frontiers in Public Health and can be accessed online at Frontiers in Public Health.
The Wright Center for Community Health Clinics Earn National Recognition Two of The Wright Center for Community Health’s clinics received commendations from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for delivering high-quality, patient-centered care. The Wright Center for Community Health Clarks Summit, 1145 Northern Blvd., and The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn, achieved the NCQA’s Patient-Centered Medical Home certificate of recognition. The award recognizes both locations’ commitment to delivering affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory, whole-person primary health services using the patient-centered medical home model. In addition to strengthening patient-clinician relationships and enhancing the management of chronic conditions, the patient-centered medical home model also increases staff satisfaction and reduces health care costs. The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton, 501 S. Washington Ave., and The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre, 169 N. Pennsylvania Ave., earned NCQA’s Patient-Centered Medical Home certificates of recognition in September. The Mid Valley location first achieved this distinction in 2011, followed by Clarks Summit in 2014, and both Scranton and Wilkes-Barre in 2021. All four health centers undergo an annual review to maintain compliance with NCQA’s rigorous standards. “Our continued certification as a Patient-Centered Medical Home reaffirms to the communities we serve that our team-based care approach and advanced technology deliver timely, effective care,” said Dr. Jignesh Sheth, senior vice president and chief medical and information officer at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “This model fosters strong partnerships between patients and clinicians, enabling more responsive and comprehensive health care. We’re honored to receive this recognition once again for our dedication and hard work.” The NCQA, based in Washington, D.C., was founded in 1990 with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. It seeks to improve health care quality through measurement, transparency, and accountability. Headquartered in Scranton, The Wright Center’s growing network of community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health, provides affordable, high-quality, nondiscriminatory whole-person primary health services to everyone, regardless of insurance status, ZIP code, or ability to pay. To learn more, call 570-230-0019 or go to TheWrightCenter.org.
Tech42 Celebrates 15 Years in Business Michael started the business in 2010. Michael wanted a company where IT Engineers wanted to come to work. There was a strong belief that if engineers enjoyed the people they work with, the environment, and the technology available at their fingertips, they would want to come to work every day, and we would be able to bring out the best in them. They would give us their best to take care of our customers.
Follow March Madness and win with the RailRiders Promotion pairs new ticket memberships and plans with the fate of NCAA tournament teams College basketball’s big dance is almost here and the Scranton/Wilkes- Barre RailRiders are excited to announce the return of their March Mania ticket promotion built around tourney time. Each year, the RailRiders give fans the opportunity to pair ticket packages purchased with teams from the NCAA men’s college tournament field for a chance to win great prizes and experiences. Each new Full Season Ticket Membership purchased through March 19 will be paired with FOUR NCAA men’s tournament participants. Each Half Season Ticket Membership purchased will be paired with three teams. A Partial Plan purchase will net two teams in the tournament and the Flex Plan will be assigned one corresponding team in the big dance. The team assignments will be done on Monday, March 17, after Selection Sunday via a random lottery pick system. Teams will be assigned on a per-seat basis rather than being limited to one per account. If your assigned team advances, you will win the following prizes based on how far they get: Advance to the round of 32 and you’ll receive an SWB scarf and an SWB cowboy hat Make it to the Sweet 16 and you’ll get a Stanley Hudson RailRiders bobblehead, an SWB t-shirt and an Aaron Judge “62” poster Advance to the Elite 8 to receive four tickets to Yankee Stadium (two vouchers good for two tickets each), an SWB travel mug, an SWB military hat and four Standing Room Only tickets to the Geisinger Champions Club level for a RailRiders game of their choice this season Advance to the Final 4 and receive an autographed item, four tickets to Yankee Stadium (two vouchers), a $25 gift card to the SWB Team Store and a game-worn jersey If your designated team cuts down the nets on April 7 and wins the title, so do you! The winner will take home one autographed item, one complimentary suite night at an April home game, a first pitch before a RailRiders game of your choosing, four tickets to a Yankees home game (two vouchers), a $100 gift card to the SWB Team Store, a game-worn jersey and a game-used bat. The 2025 season opens on March 28 with a nine-game road trip to Lehigh Valley and Syracuse. Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre’s home opener is tabbed for April 8 when Rochester comes to PNC Field. All Season Ticket Memberships and the Flex Plan are available now at www.swbrailriders.com or by calling (570) 969-BALL.
Settlers Hospitality Annual Chili and Wing Cookoff The Waterfront at Silver Birches puts two classic American dishes on the front burner for a good cause. The Annual Chili and Wing Cookoff on Sunday, March 2 from noon-4 p.m., pits over 20 of the best chefs from area restaurants, schools and organizations in a culinary showdown. Contestants vie for the title of Best Chili and Wings. Proceeds from the family-friendly event benefit Settlers Cares Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to providing aid to hospitality workers in times of crisis. Participating restaurants include Cove Haven Resort, Gresham’s Chop House, Ben’s Fresh, Barley Creek Brewing Company, The Chestnut Inn, Frogtown Chophouse, John’s Italian Restaurant and The Dock on Wallenpaupack. Talented home chefs will also join the competition. Contestants get creative with their recipes, offering attendees a variety of flavors to sample. Previous year’s entries have included wing creations such as Kickin’ Bourbon Barrel, Chili Lime, Sweet and Spicy Pineapple Habanero, Garlic Parmesan Caramel Sesame and Spicy Asian. The chili competition has seen offerings such as Wagu Beef, Bison Bourbon, Smoky Texas Bison, Chocolate Barbecue Brisket and Wild Game. Celebrity guest judge, Bold Gold Media DJ Adam Owens, is a cooking enthusiast who brings his passion for food, and eating, to help size up the competition. He joins a panel of judges who will select the winners. In addition to bragging rights, first place winners receive a $100 cash prize and a trophy. Second and third place winners also take home a trophy. Everyone who attends gets a ballot for the People’s Choice Award and a chance to vote for their favorite dishes. The coveted title also brings a $100 cash prize for the winners plus trophies for first, second and third place. A ticket entitles guests to sample each of the wing and chili offerings. Tickets are $30 per person and $15 for children ages 5-10. Silver Birches not only hosts the savory competition but also supplies each participant with 80 pounds of wings and all the cups, plates, spoons, napkins, and wet naps necessary for service, at no charge. All proceeds from the Cookoff benefit the Settlers Cares Foundation, which aids local hospitality employees in times of crisis. “It’s really gratifying to see the way the community has embraced this event. Folks look forward to it all year long as a staple of spring. It’s tasty food and a fun atmosphere to raise funds for a worthy cause. You can’t beat it,” explains Settlers Hospitality Owner/CEO Justin Genzlinger. Attendees may buy a chance for a 50/50 raffle, which will also aid the hospitality employee crisis fund. The Jae Thomas Trio will provide the musical entertainment for the day. Settlers Hospitality, Bold Gold Media Group, and Runaway Train Brewery sponsor the Chili and Wing Cookoff. Tickets are $30 and are available online and at the door. Call 570-226-4388 for more information or visit SilverBirchesResortPA.com
