Scranton Tomorrow Organizes Small Business Saturday Mayor Paige G. Cognetti, leaders of Scranton Tomorrow, and local business owners recently gathered at Scranton Tomorrow headquarters on Linden Street in Downtown Scranton as Mayor Cognetti officially proclaimed November 26 as Small Business Saturday in the Electric City. American Express created this national movement to increase sales for small businesses across the country. Now in its 14th year, Scranton Tomorrow is spearheading Small Business Saturday promotions in Downtown Scranton. Those who shop and dine in the Downtown Scranton Business District during the holidays are encouraged to spread the joy on social media using #shopsmall, #smallbiz, #supportlocal, #shoplocal, #dinelocal. Supporting local makes a significant impact on the economy. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, small businesses create 1.5 million jobs annually in the United States and donate 250 percent more than larger businesses donate to non-profits and community causes. Small businesses are vital to the local economy, too. American Express estimates that for every $1 spent at a small business, $0.67 stays within the local community that business serves. In Downtown Scranton, independent businesses offer plenty of options to make supporting local easy. In addition to in-person shopping and dining, many retailers and restaurants are promoting online sales, curbside pickup, and delivery services for convenient shopping and dining in the Business District. For a directory of retailers in Downtown Scranton, visit https://www.scrantontomorrow.org/downtown-shopping. For a list of Downtown restaurants, visit https://www.scrantontomorrow.org/downtowndining.
Wilkes University To Host Max Rosenn Lecture Award-winning writer and historian Jill Lepore will deliver the Wilkes University Max Rosenn Lecture in Law and Humanities at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 26, 2023, at the Dorothy Dickson Darte Center for the Performing Arts, 239 South River Street, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. A bestselling author, journalist and professor of history, Lepore’s books and essays explore absences and asymmetries in the historical record. Her popular podcasts examine themes including “Who killed truth?” and “the rise of doubt.” She once wrote “History is the art of making an argument about the past by telling a story accountable to evidence.” Lively, funny, and argumentative, Lepore’s books have been described as surprising and enlightening, as well as elegant, sobering, beautifully written and intellectually rigorous. Lepore is the David Woods Kemper Professor of American History and Affiliate Professor of Law at Harvard University. She is also a staff writer at The New Yorker. Other essays and reviews have appeared in The New York Times, Times Literary Supplement, Foreign Affairs, Yale Law Journal, American Scholar, and American Quarterly. Her works have been widely translated and anthologized.
The Dime Bank Announces Contest The Dime Bank and Kasasa, an award-winning financial technology and marketing provider, announce a national and local contest offering the chance to win cash prizes to help people connect this holiday season. Local contestants can win $1,000.00 from The Dime Bank and can also submit their entry to the national contest where one grand prize winner will receive $25,000.00 and two runners-up will receive $10,000.00. Kasasa is partnering with local community banks and credit unions across the country as an extension of their “These Are My People” contest. To enter The Dime Bank’s local contest, people can submit a photo or video with a short explanation of why they want to win to www.winwithkasasa.com/thedimebank. Just by entering, local contestants can win $100.00 gift cards. They can also share their post on social channels using the hashtags #TheseAreMyPeople, #thedimebank, #contest, and #Kasasa to encourage friends to enter to win. Kasasa’s “These Are My People” contest provides community members the opportunity to share their story and how the prize money will help them connect with their loved ones, from buying flights to visit hometown friends not seen since the pandemic started, to helping a local small business that is struggling with rising costs, or to make a final mortgage payment ahead of retirement for grandparents. “We believe your money should do more for you and your community. This holiday season, we’re putting our money where our mouth is and giving back to help people spend time with their loved ones and strengthen their connections,” said Gabe Krajicek, CEO of Kasasa. “We’re helping community banks and credit unions do what they do best, give back to their communities.” The contest runs from November 7 – December 7. Local winners will be announced on December 10 and receive the $1,000.00 cash prize sponsored by The Dime Bank. Local contestants can also visit kasasacontest.com to submit their entry to win the national contest, sponsored by Kasasa and in partnership with NBCUniversal, which will award one winner with $25,000.00 and two winners with $10,000.00. National winners will be selected by a Kasasa panel of judges and be announced on December 19.
Allied Services Palliative Care Team Brings on Added Support Palliative care is a growing level of specialized medical care for people living with serious chronic illness. The care is focused on providing relief from the symptoms and stress that the illness can cause. The main goal – improve the quality of life for the patient and their family. Allied Services Palliative Care team is the region’s only community-based certified palliative program due to the nurse practitioners’ expertise, and the fact that the team’s medical director is a board-certified Palliative practitioner. With two nurse practitioners – Kara Mohan, MSN, CRNP, and Danielle Riggi, FNP, DNP, CCRN – the Palliative Care program at Allied Services is helping provide palliative care to a broader community base. Kara Mohan has been with Allied Services Hospice and Palliative Care since 2019. She received her bachelor, master, and post-masters degrees from Binghamton University. Danielle Riggi joined the team in early 2022 to help the growing program serve more patients. Riggi earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology and Psychology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, then her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Russell Sage College -followed by her Doctor of Nurse Practice from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Through their patient-centered approach, Kara and Danielle work alongside their patient’s other physicians to provide an extra layer of support. This team approach helps to address each individual’s specific needs and preferences, along with helping to prevent and/or relieve suffering through early assessment and correct treatment of issues – whether medical, social, or spiritual.
SWB RailRider Weissert Named International League Pitcher of the Year Minor League Baseball announced its 2022 International League All-Stars and Greg Weissert was named as both the league’s Pitcher of the Year as well as the top relief pitcher. Weissert pitched in 42 games for the RailRiders this past season, going 2-1 with 18 saves and a 1.69 ERA while striking out 70 over 48 innings pitched. Weissert is the first Scranton/Wilkes-Barre pitcher to earn the top league honor in two decades. Brandon Duckworth and Joe Roa took the top pitching honors in 2001 and 2002, respectively. The last SWB pitcher to earn any year-end award was Jonathan Albaladejo after his 43-save season in 2010. Weissert was selected by the New York Yankees in the 18th round of the 2016 draft and made his Major League debut in August. Durham’s Jonathan Aranda was honored as the league’s Most Valuable Player while Nashville’s Rick Sweet took the Manager of the Year award. Norfolk’s Gunnar Henderson was named the league’s top MLB Prospect. Season tickets for the 2023 campaign are available now. Visit swbrailriders.com for more information.
Applications Open for Student Ambassador Program Do you know a local high school senior who is interested in learning more about the state government and legislature? Applications are now open for Senator Flynn’s 2nd Annual Student Ambassador Program! Applications will be accepted until 5:00PM on Friday, December 9. Last year’s inaugural Student Ambassador Program This comprehensive legislative shadowing program offers local students the opportunity to learn about the Pennsylvania legislature and state government, experience the value of diversity by working with students from other schools and backgrounds, and to represent their personal and community’s interests by proposing legislation to Senator Flynn and their local State Representatives. Senator Flynn’s Student Ambassador Program is open to graduating high school seniors from all of the high schools in the 22nd Senatorial district in addition to students who live in the 22nd Senatorial district but are homeschooled, attend a charter school, or attend a high school outside of the legislative district. If selected, students will be expected to attend meetings once a month from January through early June. Each month, students will learn about an aspect of state government and lawmaking through presentations and discussions with local and state elected officials, legislative staffers, and individuals that influence lawmaking in Pennsylvania. Student Ambassadors will take a field trip to the State Capitol building in Harrisburg, PA in May to tour the building, observe legislative session, and be introduced by Senator Flynn on the Senate Floor. Throughout the entirety of the program, students will work in small groups to create a piece of legislation that they will then present to Senator Flynn during the last program session meeting in June. For more information on the program and to apply, visit www.senatorflynn.com/student-ambassador/
The Wright Center for Community Health Promotes Garvin The Wright Center for Community Health has promoted Marcella Garvin to lead case manager of the collaborative Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support (MOMS) program. Garvin joined the regional nonprofit primary and preventive care provider in 2020 as a case manager for the Healthy MOMS program. In her previous role, Garvin provided care and support to mothers in recovery from substance use disorder. She focused on developing and expanding the Healthy MOMs program in Luzerne and Wyoming counties, collecting and analyzing data related to the program. As the lead manager for the Healthy MOMs program, Garvin is responsible for providing comprehensive case management services to address the opioid epidemic as it affects pregnant women, newborns and their families. The position will collaborate with community partners to assist with pregnancy-related issues and work closely with the program’s community partners. Garvin’s additional responsibilities include a range of patient-centered services that link clients with medication-assisted treatment and addiction services, counseling, primary care, OB-GYN care, and a range of other supports. Garvin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in linguistics from the University of Pittsburgh and an MBA in business administration and technology from Carlow University. In addition, she is a certified recovery specialist and a certified addiction counselor. A member of the Luzerne County Breastfeeding Coalition and County Cares, Garvin is also pursuing her certification as a certified lactation counselor. The Healthy MOMs program is modeled after a similar program in Ohio, using a collaborative, team approach to treat mothers with substance use disorder in a holistic manner. Launched in 2018, the program is offered in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties. To date, 199 infants have been born into the Healthy MOMs program and 149 mothers are actively engaged in it. For more information, call 570-955-7821 or visit HealthyMOMS.org.
The University of Scranton SBDC Upcoming Programs Grow Your Small Business with an Internship in 2023! (Webinar)Thursday, 11/10 | 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.For existing small businesses located in Bradford, Lackawanna, Monroe, Pike, Susquehanna, Tioga, Wayne, and Wyoming Counties: Could hosting an internship propel your business forward in 2023? Join The University of Scranton SBDC, Small Business Internship Initiative, and the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce for a quick 30-minute session to learn about what a paid educational internship is, different types of internships (traditional, micro, hybrid, or virtual), and what makes up a great internship. Determine whether you’re ready to host an internship this coming Spring and learn more about the Small Business Internship Initiative. Hear from the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce about their Small Business Internship Fund resource, too.Details & Registration30 Minutes to Better Search Engine Optimization: Measuring Results (Webinar)Thursday, 11/10 | 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.You know what terms will get your website the most traction, your first blog post has been shared, and all of your profiles link back to your website. How do you know if this is all working? Are you actually getting more engagement on your website? In the fourth and final session of our search engine optimization series, we will give you the tools to measure these initiatives to show how it is paying off for your small business.Details & Registration The First Step Express: Starting Your Business (Webinar)Tuesday, 11/22 | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. A condensed version of our First Step: Starting Your Business seminar, this one-hour webinar will help aspiring entrepreneurs to begin the process of successful business ownership including a quick look at applications and licenses needed to start a business, different types of business structure (sole proprietorship, LLC, etc.), business plan basics, financing options , and SBDC Services available as you start your business.Details & Registration The Importance of Food Safety: An Introduction to the Food Safety Modernization ActMonday, 11/28 | 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. & Tuesday, 11/29 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.This session will be held in person at The Stourbridge Project in Honesdale. A detailed info sheet, including session description, event image, and cut-and-paste email can be found here.A PDF flyer is also attached to this email. Social Media 101 for Restaurants, Coffee Shops, and Carry-Out (Webinar)Tuesday, 12/6 | 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.Social media is essential for any small business in order to engage customers and drive sales. Being able to build a following and attract customers to your restaurant requires effective use of social media platforms and strategies that highlight the culinary adventures in store. But just how is social media able to capture this excitement?Details & Registration Limited Food Establishments: Adding Value in Your Home KitchenNew to On-DemandSetting up and operating a food business from your home kitchen used to be so simple. Today, national- and state-based changes to food safety standards can make it an overwhelming endeavor. But don’t worry – the SBDC is here to help. During this session, we will cover start-up steps, inspections, and registration, as well as ways to grow a commercial food business in your home – addressing the intricate differences based on the types of food made, how the food is sold, and where it is sold.Details & Registration
