Geisinger Updates Visitation Policy With COVID-19 cases slowly on the decline, adult inpatients at Geisinger will now be allowed two designated visitors rather than one, effective Wednesday, Feb. 9. While patients are allowed to designate two visitors, only one will be allowed per patient in the hospital room at a time. These guidelines protect the health and safety of our patients and staff. The visitor must be designated and wear a wristband the entire time the patient is hospitalized. Visiting hours are between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. All patients and visitors must wear a mask when on Geisinger property, regardless of vaccination status. Visitors who do not comply with Geisinger’s policies, such as masking, will lose their visiting rights. For general questions and information about COVID-19, visit geisinger.org/coronavirus.
Settlers Hospitality Open House Offers a Flavor of What’s Available Take the grand tour of the properties of Settlers Hospitality during the first-ever Open House on Sunday, March 27. The inaugural event from noon-4 p.m. features guided tours of five sites in Hawley, PA, food and drink tastings, music, prizes and more. “For those planning a special occasion, meeting or wedding, this is really a must-attend event,” explains Justin Genzlinger, CEO/Owner of Settlers Hospitality. “It’s the first time we’re throwing open the doors to all of our Hawley properties to showcase the wide-range of opportunities available. We’re also thrilled to provide an avenue to highlight so many fellow small-business owners as vendors.” Guests may check-in at The Waterfront at Silver Birches to begin the journey of checking out all the offerings. 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 newly renovated spaces including The Waterfront at Silver Birches and Glass-wine.bar.kitchen at Ledges Hotel. It may also serve as an introduction to the recently opened Gorgeous Floral. The retail shop and floral design business launched late last year. “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 Nancy Harvey, Settlers Hospitality 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’s Dr. Lindsay A. Phillips Begins Term as President of American Board of Clinical Psychology Lindsay A. Phillips, Psy.D., ABPP, associate professor of psychology/counseling at Marywood University, recently began her term as president of American Board of Clinical Psychology (ABCP). Dr. Phillips teaches undergraduate through graduate students, and she also is a core clinical faculty member for Marywood’s Psy.D. Program in clinical psychology. Emphasizing the national importance of the role, as well as Dr. Phillips’s demonstrated professional expertise, credentials, and leadership qualities, her colleague, Robert Shaw, Psy.D., ABPP, director of Marywood’s Counseling and Student Development Center, stated, “The board and the membership of the American Board of Clinical Psychology elected her to serve as president of the Board, representing and serving the field of clinical psychology and, in doing so, carrying the standard of Marywood University at the zenith of the discipline.” The American Board of Clinical Psychology is a member specialty board of the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP). The ABCP is responsible for establishing criteria related to the definition, education, training, competencies, and the examination leading to certification as a specialist in Clinical Psychology. Marywood University offers psychology degree programs from undergraduate through doctoral levels. For more information, go to marywood.edu/psychology or visit marywood.edu/admissions. To connect with an admissions counselor, call (570) 348-6234 or email YourFuture@marywood.edu for undergraduate programs; for graduate programs, call (570) 340-6002 or email gograd@marywood.edu.
University of Scranton Offers Contactless Income Tax Assistance Accounting students from The University of Scranton will follow an adjusted contactless process to assist local residents with filing their federal, state and local tax returns as part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The process for this year has been adjusted to because of COVID-19 health and safety guidelines. The free service is available to residents of Lackawanna and Wayne counties with household incomes of $57,000 or less for 2021. Qualified clients can provide the information needed to complete tax forms (see below) in a secure “drop-off box” located in the University Police Department, 820 Mulberry Street, beginning Feb. 7. Forms will be processed remotely by University student volunteers. Clients will be contacted by phone or email with any questions and when their tax forms have been filed electronically. The documents provided, or copies of documents if originals were needed for filing, will be then returned to participants. Documents need for filing tax forms include: name, email and phone number;a copy of the taxpayer’s driver’s license (and spouse’s if applicable);a copy of Social Security cards for the taxpayer, the spouse, and any dependents;all Wage and earning statements, including, but not limited to:Form W-2 (employees);W-2G (gambling winnings);1099-R (retirement withdrawals);1099-Misc, 1099-NEC(miscellaneous income) and any related expenses;1099-G (unemployment income);1099-SA (Social Security statement);1099-B (sales of stock);interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099-INT and 1099-DIV);a copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available;a voided check for proof of bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit;forms 1095-A, B and C, health coverage statements;any information pertinent to deductions and credits the taxpayer may be eligible for, such as:1098-T for anyone on the tax return who attended a higher education institution during 2020;totals paid to daycare providers and the daycare provider’s tax identifying number such as their Social Security number or business Employer Identification Number, name, and address;for those who qualify for a property tax or rent rebate (age 65 and older, a widow/widower, disabled, and within certain income limits), copies of property tax receipts for any property taxes paid during the 2020 tax year;list of charitable donations;also note if you received the economic impact payment? (late 2020 or early 2021) $600/ taxpayer-spouse and each qualifying child. Residents can include information above in an envelope and place it in the “drop-off box” in the University Police Department, 820 Mulberry Street, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., beginning Monday, Feb. 7. The program will end when the capacity to process tax forms received has been met. Residents with questions may call the University at 570-941-4045. University students have participated in the VITA program for more than 30 years.
FNCB Bank Provides Scholarship Assistance to NativityMiguel School of Scranton FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, has announced a $15,000 Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donation to the NativityMiguel School of Scranton. The donation will provide direct scholarship support for students in need. NativityMiguel of Scranton (NMS) is a tuition-free/all-scholarship middle school serving ethnically and religiously diverse students of greater economic need in grades 5-8. Historically, their students have come from Lackawanna and Luzerne counties and greater Northeastern Pennsylvania. Since 2010, FNCB has contributed just under $2,500,000 to local educational and scholarship organizations through the EITC initiative. The support of the NativityMiguel School of Scranton is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB Bank is making a difference through volunteerism, donations and outreach programs.
Manufacturing Roundtable Informs Legislators of Program & Policy Priorities for Growth On February 1, 2022, Eric Joseph Esoda, President & CEO of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC), hosted a manufacturing roundtable for a joint meeting of the PA House Democratic Policy Committee and the PA House Manufacturing Caucus in State College, PA. The roundtable consisted of 10 manufacturing executives from across Pennsylvania, including leaders within Metal Integrity East & West, Restek Corporation, Diamondback Covers, Lake Erie Rubber & Manufacturing, GeorgeKo Industries, ILSCO Extrusion, The Fredericks Company, C.L. Sturkey, Inc. and Lehigh Valley Plastics. The roundtable was requested by Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, Chair of the House Democratic Policy Committee, and Rep. Mike Schlossberg, Chair of the House Manufacturing Caucus. “Manufacturing in Pennsylvania is important to our caucus because Pennsylvania is a place where businesses want to come and stay,” said Rep. Bizzarro. “We want to hear from manufacturers on what they need to make Pennsylvania more attractive for businesses,” he added. Within the 90-minute roundtable, which consisted of live participation and virtual attendees, manufacturers expressed their greatest challenges, barriers, opportunities and advantages relative to workforce attraction and retention, the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies and the mitigation of supply chain risks through reshoring and creating PA-based supplier networks. The participating manufacturers also offered suggestions and ideas as to what programs, policies and statewide initiatives should be created or expanded in order to accelerate their recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and maximize their long-term growth and competitiveness. Increased funding for the statewide Industrial Resource Center program, creating more in-school awareness about careers in manufacturing, streamlining loan and grant processing and providing incentives to create Pennsylvania-based supply chains were among their recommendations. The roundtable was facilitated by the Industrial Resource Center (IRC) network and moderated by an IRC host due to the Centers’ close connectivity to Pennsylvania’s manufacturing community and insight into the needs of the Commonwealth’s 15,000+ small and mid-sized manufacturers. “The importance of our manufacturing economy is a unifying topic that reaches across both aisles in Harrisburg – everyone agrees that we need to do all we can to strengthen and grow the Commonwealth’s second largest business sector with more than 585,000 employees,” said Mr. Esoda, who guided the event. “We were honored to put this venue together for the Committee and Caucus and hope we have the opportunity to host many additional events of this nature for our legislative leaders and policy-makers,” he added. The IRC network is currently working with the PA Democratic Policy Committee to compile video highlights and a transcript of the event.
Penn State Scranton Offering Environmental Science Course for School Students The DeNaples Family Environmental Program Fund at Penn State Scranton has been established thanks to a multi-year gift that will provide hands-on, experiential learning for participating students over the next four decades. Pictured are representatives from the DeNaples Family, Keystone Sanitary Landfill and Penn State Scranton; from left are: Dominick DeNaples, Dan O’Brien, Interim Director of Enrollment Services Terri Nealon Caputo, Director of Development Christine Ostroski, CBDCO Director John Drake, CBDCO Education Program Specialist Jo Ann Durdan, Chancellor Marwan Wafa, and Al Magnotta. Thanks to a generous gift from the Keystone Sanitary Landfill and the DeNaples family, Penn State Scranton’s Center for Business Development and Community Outreach (CBDCO) will be coordinating a course for high school juniors and seniors that is part of a program focusing on environmental studies at the campus, as well as offering a youth summer camp program for younger children. The DeNaples Family Environmental Program Fund at Penn State Scranton has been established thanks to a multi-year gift that will provide $100,000 per year for the next 40 years, enabling educators at the campus to provide hands-on, experiential learning that encourages creative and critical thinking among participating students, while strengthening their bond with local and global environments. “The course will explore the root causes of today’s environmental crises and consider scientific, technological, sociological, psychological, and personal responses to what is considered a very significant dilemma facing today’s world,” said CBDCO Director John Drake. “It will also engage students in recognizing how questions can be powerful catalysts for learning, how to see multiple perspectives in a situation, and what personal reflection can mean for both personal and global transformation.” Beginning with the Spring 2022 semester, CBDCO will offer this inaugural environmental science credit course to high school juniors and seniors in regional school districts. In addition to in-person sessions beginning in January, it will have an online component and potential field trips. The course will be taught by instructors from Penn State Scranton’s science degree program. High school juniors and seniors who take the course will earn three college credits that can later be applied as either an elective or general education course, depending on the degree program and college they choose in the future. As the program expands, more school districts will be added. Full scholarships are being provided through the program fund, which was established by the DeNaples family and Keystone Sanitary Landfill. “This gift comes at a critical time in our planet’s history, with so many environmental changes taking place around the world that will require research, analysis, study and creative problem solving to address,” said Penn State Scranton Chancellor Marwan Wafa. “Penn State Scranton is proud to be able to have the ability to offer a program like this that will encourage our young people to get involved in these issues and be part of making positive contributions and improvements to our regional, national and global environment. We are very grateful to the DeNaples family for making this kind of an educational commitment to our campus, and our region’s young people and future.” To learn more about the environmental programming and what it entails, contact CBDCO at scrantonoutreach@psu.edu, or by calling: 570-963-2600. This gift will advance “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence,” a focused campaign that seeks to elevate Penn State’s position as a leading public university in a world defined by rapid change and global connections. With the support of alumni and friends, “A Greater Penn State” seeks to fulfill the three key imperatives of a 21st-century public university: keeping the doors to higher education open to hardworking students regardless of financial well-being; creating transformative experiences that go beyond the classroom; and impacting the world by serving communities and fueling discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship. To learn more about “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence,” visit greaterpennstate.psu.edu.
National Guard Academy for At-Risk Youth Set to Open in PA The Keystone State ChalleNGe Academy (KSCA) is currently accepting applications for its first-ever cadet class. Created in 2018 by legislation I co-sponsored, the academy is designed to give academically challenged teens a second chance at obtaining their basic education and learning leadership, self-discipline and responsibility, with the goal of building a brighter future. As a former educator and guidance counselor, I fully understand the viability and worth of such a program. The award-winning National Guard Youth ChalleNGe Program has been recognized as one of the nation’s most effective and cost-efficient initiatives for targeting high school dropouts or young people who are at the greatest risk for not satisfactorily progressing, or becoming unemployed or under employed. Since its inception in 1993, more than 179,000 young people have completed the program. KSCA will be located at Fort Indiantown Gap (FTIG) in Lebanon County, joining 40 other sites in 31 states and territories operated by the program. The academy is open to 16- to 18-year-old male and female Pennsylvania residents. Applicants must be drug free, have no felony convictions and make a voluntarily commitment to attend. The program lasts for 17 months, with the first five months consisting of residential training at FTIG followed by one year of mentorship back in the community. Graduates often receive high school credits, credentials or a GED. There is no tuition cost to attend. Meals, housing, uniforms and school supplies are provided at no charge. I look forward to learning more about KSCA on March 2, when the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, which I chair, will hold an informational meeting at the state Capitol to hear from academy officials about their plans. Additional information on KSCA is available on the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs website at www.dmva.pa.gov.
