Staff and Patients at Allied Services Prepare for Stroke Miracle Lap

Staff and patients at Allied Services are busily preparing for the 2022 Stroke Miracle Lap. The walk will take place as part of the Northeast PA Heart Walk on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at PNC Field in Moosic, PA. Allied Services is a proud sponsor of this event, and a member of its leadership team is chairing the 2022 Northeast PA Heart Walk. 

“As stroke rehab specialists, we know what an impact stroke and heart disease can have on individuals and families in the communities we live and work in,” said Jim Brogna, Vice President of Strategic Business Partnership at Allied Services and Chair of the 2022 Northeast PA Heart Walk. “We’re proud to support the American Heart and Stroke Association’s work to raise awareness of and prevent heart attacks and stroke.” 

Following the opening ceremonies at 9:00 a.m., stroke survivors, stroke rehab specialists, family, and community members will take to the field for the Allied Services Stroke Miracle Lap. This is the fourth year of the Stroke Miracle Lap. 

“For us, it’s an opportunity to honor and remember those we have lost to stroke and to celebrate the milestones of stroke survivors,” said Jim Brogna. “Stroke recovery can be a lifelong journey. Allied Services is committed to giving stroke patients access to the latest rehab technology, the best clinicians, and the ongoing support for their continuing recovery.” 

Participants in the walk on May 21 will be wearing their signature blue Stroke Miracle Lap. In readiness for the walk, staff throughout Allied Services took part in a stroke awareness dress-down day on Friday, May 13, wearing the Stroke Miracle Lap shirts. Allied Services doubled the contributions of its employees and will be presenting a donation for $3,300 to the American Stroke Association at the Stroke Miracle Lap on May 21. 

The Allied Services Stroke Miracle Lap is free and open to all ages. You can learn more by calling 570.348.1275 or visiting alliedservices.org/strokewalk 

Marywood University to Hold Virtual Master of Fine Arts Information Session

Marywood University will hold a virtual Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Information Session on Thursday, May 26, at 4 p.m. This information session is free and open to anyone who is interested in pursuing a low-residency master of fine arts degree. To register, please visit https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/MFA_May2022.

Marywood’s “Get Your Master’s with the Masters” MFA program for designers and illustrators is the oldest and best low-residency program in the country, designed for those who are working full time, but who are also interested in earning a terminal degree.

For additional information about Marywood University’s MFA Information Session, please contact Steven Brower, MFA, director of the “Get Your Master’s with the Masters” MFA program at Marywood University, at (570) 348-6211, ext. 2569, or email sbrower@marywood.edu.

Wolf Administration Reminds Riders, Drivers to Practice Safety

With both temperatures and the number of motorcycles traveling on Pennsylvania roadways on the rise, the Wolf Administration today reminded drivers and motorcyclists to share the road, obey traffic laws and watch out for one another throughout the riding season.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and motorcycle safety advocates joined forces to promote and encourage the safe operation of all vehicles. Governor Tom Wolf has proclaimed May Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in Pennsylvania.

“As more and more people enjoy the fun and excitement of motorcycling, it is in the best interest of both motorcyclists and motorists to share the road safely,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Staying aware while driving or riding, obeying speed limits and being responsible will help lower fatalities and injuries from unnecessary crashes.”

There were 3,578 crashes involving motorcycles on Pennsylvania roadways in 2021, resulting in 226 fatalities. Crashes rose by more than 150 from the 2020 number of 3,404, while fatalities also rose from 217 in 2020.

“We encourage riders to slow down, ride defensively, and remember to not drink and ride in order to keep themselves upright and ready for their next riding adventure,” said Major Robert Krol, director of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Patrol. “Enrolling in a free safety training class can help motorcycle enthusiasts of all skill levels refresh their skills or even learn some new techniques.”

Through the Pennsylvania Motorcycle Safety Program (PAMSP), Pennsylvania residents with a motorcycle permit or license can earn a motorcycle license or refresh their skills through a variety of training to help develop safe riding skills, no matter how experienced or inexperienced. The courses include: the Basic Rider Course (BRC); the Intermediate Rider Course (IRC); the Advanced Rider Course (ARC); and the 3-Wheeled Motorcycle Basic Rider Course (3WBRC). Successful completion of a basic or intermediate course waives the requirement to take a skills test at a PennDOT Driver License Center and automatically earns the permit holder their motorcycle license. Motorcycle permit holders who complete a 3-wheel basic course will earn a motorcycle license with restriction prohibiting the operation a of 2-wheel motorcycle.

PennDOT has contracted with several third-party motorcycle training providers to offer these safety training classes free of charge to residents with a motorcycle permit or license. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact training providers directly for class availability, as additional courses may be offered, and providers may offer additional walk-in or waiting list opportunities when individuals fail to report for the training.

Classes can be scheduled at multiple training sites throughout Pennsylvania. Class schedules are coordinated by each third-party training provider for their individual locations. Additional information can be found at www.penndot.pa.gov/PAMSP. PennDOT anticipates additional training sites will become available during the 2022 riding season, and customers are encouraged to check the website for updated class offerings.

To ensure that only properly licensed riders are operating on Pennsylvania roadways, under Act 126 of 2013, after securing their first motorcycle learner’s permit, people may only reapply for a permit up to three times in a five-year period.

Once the person’s motorcycle learner’s permit expires, the individual may retake the knowledge test and reapply for a new permit. If a permit holder is unsuccessful in obtaining a motorcycle license after the third permit reapplication, they must wait the entire five years from the initial issuance of the permit to get another one. This law is aimed at preventing the practice of continually extending the permit without retaking the knowledge test or ever taking the skills test and obtaining a motorcycle license.

Some safety tips motorists should keep in mind when sharing the road with motorcycles include:

  • Watch for motorcycles. Be aware that motorcycles are small and may be difficult to see. Check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes and at intersections.
  • Allow more following distance: leave at least four seconds of distance between a motorcycle and your vehicle. 
  • Always signal your intentions before changing lanes or merging with traffic. 
  • Respect a motorcycle as a full-size vehicle with the same rights and privileges as any vehicle on the roadway.
  • Allow a motorcyclist a full lane width as the motorcyclist needs the room to maneuver safely in all types of road conditions. 
  • Never drive impaired.

Motorcyclists can do their part to help avoid crashes by following some simple safety tips:

  • Be seen by wearing reflective clothing and put reflective tape on your protective clothing and motorcycle. Also wear face or eye protection and a DOT-approved helmet.
  • Use common sense by riding sober, obeying all speed limits and allowing enough time to react to potentially dangerous situations.
  • Know your motorcycle and conduct a pre-ride check.
  • Practice safe riding techniques and know how to handle your motorcycle in adverse road and weather conditions.

For more information on motorcycle safety, visit the PennDOT website.

Made Famous by The Office, Pennsylvania Paper & Supply celebrates its 100th Anniversary

Company’s iconic red brick tower is the opening shot of The Office intro

Every episode of The Office opens with the red brick  tower of Pennsylvania Paper & Supply (PPS), a Scranton institution and family business celebrating its 100th anniversary on Friday, May 20, with a ribbon‐cutting ceremony to symbolize the opening of a new century of serving its customers.

“My grandfather Jacob Fink and my dad Jerry Fink would be proud to see how much their company has grown over the last 100 years and surprised to learn that our building is a landmark known around the world,” said Douglas Fink, Pennsylvania Paper & Supply President. “A young John Krasinski took that opening shot of our tower in 2004 when he was doing research for The Office and for his role as Jim Halpert in the fictional paper company Dunder Mifflin.”

“Almost two decades later, fans from around the world still show up daily looking for the real Dunder Mifflin, but we’re not the colorful oddballs of The Office; we’re a team of 300 professionals steeped in 100 years of history,” he added.

The PPS story began in 1922 when Jacob Fink opened a business selling paper bags to Scranton’s grocers. Built on his core principles of listening to the customers, filling their needs, and doing it better than anyone else, PPS expanded its product line beyond paper to include janitorial and sanitation supplies. It also broadened its territory beyond eastern Pennsylvania into New York and New Jersey and now services everywhere in the country through e‐commerce. Matching the longevity of the company is the loyalty of its clients, some of which have been customers since the firm’s earliest days.

As the company grew it moved several times before opening its Scranton Showroom & Warehouse under the iconic tower almost 55 years ago, a fitting site for its 100th anniversary celebration and ribbon‐cutting.

“Since our founding, Pennsylvania Paper & Supply has strived to uphold our core values set by my grandfather Jacob—to serve our community, employees, and marketplace with excellence. We look forward to building on this legacy as a way forward for the next one hundred years,” said Fink.

Greater Scranton YMCA kicks Off Summer with Annual Healthy Kids Day

The Greater Scranton YMCA is hosting the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day® this Saturday, May 21st, encouraging families to take a moment to help kids be kids and set them up for a summer of success. Sponsored by Howard Johnson® by Wyndham, the day-long event will feature activities such as a petting zoo, rides, healthy cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts, a kid’s fun run and more to motivate and teach families how to develop and maintain healthy routines at home.

“At the Y, we believe in the potential of all children and each day we work to help kids find that potential within themselves,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Healthy Kids Day is a fun, free community-wide event to kick off summer and remind us all how important it is for kids to stay active physically and mentally throughout the summer.”

Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2022, Healthy Kids Day is the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families. The Y hopes to use the day to get more kids moving and learning, creating healthy habits they can continue while they’re away from the classroom. When kids are out of school, they can face hurdles that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Research shows that without access to out-of-school learning activities, kids fall behind academically. Kids also gain weight twice as fast during summer than during the school year. With all that’s going on in the world right now, Healthy Kids Day is a reminder to families that we can help ensure all children have access to what they need to reach their full potential, even during out-of-school time.

Keeping Kids Healthy All Summer Long
In celebration of YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y offers the following tips to help families develop healthy habits this summer that can have a lifetime effect:

High Five the Fruits and Veggies – Make sure kids get at least five servings of fruits and veggies each day, the minimum number nutritionists recommend for healthy childhood development. And to keep kids’ taste buds evolving, have everyone in the family try at least one bite of a new fruit or vegetable at least once a month.

Read Together – The summer is a great time to enjoy books with summer program participants—and 30 minutes a day goes a long way! Take trips to the local library or create a family reading challenge to see who can log the most minutes of reading. Encourage youth to create their own stories as well.

Get Moving! – Activities that require movement also help kids flex their mental muscle. Use materials in unique ways: ask youth to build models, manipulate tools or develop their own theatrical scenes.

Play Together – Play may be the best way to prevent childhood obesity. By putting more play into your family’s day, you will soon find yourself getting the activity that will have your family feeling energized and strong.

Make Sleep a Priority – Doctors recommend 10-12 hours of sleep a day for children ages 5-12 and 7-8 hours per night for adults. Sleep plays a critical role in maintaining our healthy immune system, metabolism, mood, memory, and learning.

The Greater Scranton YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will take place at the Y’s facility, located at 706 N. Blakely Street, Dunmore, from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. The Kids Fun Run (pre-registration not required) will begin with the 3-5-year-old race from 10:30-10:40 a.m. followed by ages 6-9 from 10:45-10:55 a.m. and the 10-14-year-old race from 11:00-11:10 a.m. Additional features of the day include a petting zoo, rides, vendor fair, face painting, healthy cooking demonstrations and more.
Locally, Healthy Kids Day is sponsored by Matrix Fitness, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield, Community Bank, Rainey & Rainey CPA, Topp Business Solutions, Northeastern Rehabilitation Associates, Brucelli Advertising and NET Credit Union.

For more information, contact Brandon Whipple, Wellness Director, at
bwhipple@greaterscrantonymca.org or call (570) 828-3116 or visit the Y online at www.greaterscrantonymca.org.

Geisinger Fundraiser ‘Moves Mountains’ for Cancer

Geisinger will raise funds for cancer services during a night of fun, fine food and live music.

Moving Mountains for Cancer begins at 6:30 p.m. May 20 at Montage Mountain, 1000 Montage Mountain Road, and proceeds benefit the newly expanded Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Cancer Center at Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center.

The Henry Cancer Center provides care for the whole person and includes the patient’s family and loved ones. The center provides all the services a patient needs under one roof, so no one has to leave northeastern Pennsylvania for world-class care.

By participating in Moving Mountains for Cancer, patrons can enable even more patients to get the care they need at the Henry Cancer Center.

The event will be held rain or shine, and the evening features:

  • Social hour and hors d’oeuvres
  • Welcome and dinner
  • Live music by the Elegance Quartet
  • Campfire and glow night activities
  • Fireworks

Tickets cost $150 and can be purchased at go.geisinger.org/MovingMountains or by calling 570-214-0400. Those who can’t participate in person can donate on the event page, and sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Annual Honey & Blueberry Festival Coming to Northern Poconos Equestrian House

By the middle of June, the wild blueberries are reaching their peak and bursting with flavor. The sweet and delicious honey from the beehive farm is flowing. Put them together and you have the Inaugural Honey & Blueberry Festival, a family-friendly event taking place at Equestrian House©, a newly-renovated Events Venue built on a former horse farm in the Northern Poconos.

A visit to the festival will add flavor and memories to Father’s Day weekend or heading into the July 4th holiday!  Admission is FREE. Pick your own wild blueberries. Learn about beehive farming. Trampoline, tennis and basketball courts for the kids, and more!

The festival will take place rain or shine on the following weekends (all dates Sat/Sun) from 11:00am to 5:00pm:

June 18/19
June 25/26
July 2/3 
July 9/10 (Vendor Weekend)
July 16/17
July 23/24

The official festival vendor weekend will take place the July 9/10 with food, commercial and craft vendors, local entertainment and additional activities available for the whole family. 

General Information
Vendor Application

The Honey & Blueberry Festival’s Mission

  • To promote honey, honey bees and their products, and beekeeping. Through lectures and demonstrations, the crowd can learn about bees and how to keep them healthy. Issues facing the bees include pests, pesticides, diseases, malnutrition, and climate changes
  • To recognize, appreciate and celebrate the cultural and economic significance of blueberries and their products
  • To foster the education and future of agriculture and agritourism in the Northern Poconos region
  • To join as a community, in particular our families and young people, for fun, education and wholesome activities

Spirit of Hope Celebration Raises $56,982 for Northeast Regional Cancer Institute

Front row, seated from left to right: Marta Gomes, Traci Fosnot, Leo Vergnetti, Board of Ambassadors Chairman, Karen M. Saunders, President, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Robin Long and Jo Ann Romano Hallesky.
Second row, standing from left to right: Vanessa Vergnetti-Thomas,Joe Van Wie, Nevin Gerber, Dino Campitelli, Richard P. Conaboy Jr. (2021 Tribute to Courage Honoree), William Davis, Kristie Hynoski, Clarence Baltrusaitis, Meghan Gagorik, and Amanda E. Marchegiani, Community Relations Coordinator, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute.

The Spirit of Hope Celebration Board of Ambassadors and Associate Board of Ambassadors presented the Cancer Institute with a $56,982 check from their 2021 Spirit of Hope event.  

“On behalf of the Ambassadors who truly exhibit the ‘Spirit of Hope’ we are thrilled to present you with these funds to help individuals receive early detection and free screenings,” said Leo Vergnetti, Chairman of the Board of Ambassadors. 

The Board of Ambassadors, a group of community volunteers, hosted the ninth annual Spirit of Hope Celebration in November 2021 at Mohegan Sun Pocono. More than 300 people were in attendance. The event featured cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music, and a live and silent auction. Richard P. Conaboy Jr. was the Tribute to Courage Honoree.  

Proceeds from the event benefited the Cancer Institute’s Community-Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. This program helps low income and un/underinsured individuals in northeast Pennsylvania get their recommended colorectal, breast, cervical, and lung cancer screenings.