Citizens Savings Bank Announces Promotions Citizens Savings Bank in Clarks Summit has announced the promotions of Walter Belasky and Keleena McNichols. Mr. Belasky has been promoted to the position of Assistant Vice President/Collections Manager in the Collections Department at Citizens Savings Bank. Walter earned certifications in Security and Fraud Investigations and is a member of the PDCFlow organization. Looking back on his career with the bank, Walter started in January 2020 as a Full Time Collector and was then promoted in January 2021 to the role of Collections Manager. In this new position, Walter will continue to be responsible for the supervision, organizing, planning, and directing of the institution’s loan collection activities in accordance with the institution’s policies and participate in special assignments as directed by senior management or the Board of Directors. Mr. Belasky resides in Moscow. Ms. McNichols has been promoted to the position of Assistant Vice President/Loan Operations Manager of the Loan Operations Department at Citizens Savings Bank. Ms. McNichols earned her degree in English from Marywood University in 2008 and has held several roles at the bank throughout her career. Looking back on her 14 years with the bank, Keleena started her career as a Customer Service Representative/Teller in our South Scranton Branch. She was elevated to Customer Service Specialist in 2010 and then became a Collector in 2015. In 2019, Keleena took on the role of Assistant Loan Operations Manager and then was elevated to Loan Operations Manager in 2021. Keleena is also Co-Founder and Board Member for Fight 4 Vets and has been Treasurer of the Betty Welby Foundation for the previous 16 years. In this new position, Keleena will continue to be responsible for the supervision, organization, planning and directing the bank’s loan operations function and participate in special assignments as directed by senior management or the Board of Directors. Ms. McNichols resides in Scranton.
Discovery MI Preschool Expands and Rebrands Discovery Montessori will open a second campus in North Scranton this September and expand its educational programs to include grades 1-3. Discovery Montessori (Providence), located on N Main Ave Scranton, will initially host 30 students across preschool, kindergarten and first grade. Second and third grades will be added in the coming school years as students move up and the school’s capacity increases to 45 students. In keeping with Montessori philosophy and practice, students will be in multiage classrooms of 3-6 years old and 6-9 years old. To reflect the school’s commitment to Montessori methods and its expansion into early elementary, the school has rebranded to Discovery Montessori and unveiled its new logo. Marianne Davis, President of the Board of Discovery Montessori explained, “With the addition of the North Main Avenue location, we are excited to expand our services beyond preschool and kindergarten to students in the first three primary grades. Given this expansion, it was confusing to be called a preschool when we offer so much more. Our new name emphasizes our approach of using the Montessori educational platform for our students which has been our objective since we first launched the school.” “A core part of our mission since day 1 has been to ensure at least half of our students attend at no cost or reduced tuition and we are pleased to confirm this commitment across our whole student body.” The school was recently awarded a Community Needs Grant of $18,500 by The Scranton Area Community Foundation to help open Discovery Montessori (Providence). “This grant will be instrumental in helping us purchase the materials, furniture and supplies required to open the new center this September,” added Ms. Davis. The Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO, Laura Ducceschi explained the grant, “Our Foundation is proud to support organizations that provide improved educational opportunities for children and young adults in the area. Providing a strong educational base for youngsters reinforces the value of inquisitive learning and launches life-long learning.” Discovery Montessori is set to be accredited by the American Montessori Society in December 2022, following a five year accreditation process. “This is a major achievement that underscores our faithful adherence to Montessori philosophy and practice. As the only accredited Montessori school in Scranton, parents can be confident that we provide quality programs that meet strict standards and protocols,” said Ms. Davis. Discovery Montessori ensures that a minimum of half their students come from families with low to moderate incomes through a range of community partnerships and subsidies. Tuition free places are provided through Head Start and Pre K Counts. The school also accepts Child Care Works subsidy for tuition and participates in Scholarship programs through United Way. Through these partnerships and programs, currently 75% of their students receive free or reduced tuition. Discovery Montessori incorporates learning through play alongside structured learning to ensure the social, academic, physical, and emotional development of each child in the school. Their unique approach to education enriches the whole child, sparking a love of learning that sets students on the path to future success in school and beyond. Discovery Montessori was selected the Non-Profit Organization of the Year in the SAGE Awards presented by the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.
Disaster Blaster Launches National Franchise System Local Scranton area business, Disaster Blaster, recently announced that franchise opportunities are now available! Presently offering Disaster Blaster franchises for sale in 31 states (and growing), Disaster Blaster and their management team are excited to welcome and support Disaster Blaster franchises as they open and grow in their local markets. As the premier mitigation and restoration firm in our area, Disaster Blaster brings a great deal of expertise to all of their franchises, providing them the support they need to grow their local Disaster Blaster businesses. A big step for a local business from our area, Disaster Blaster will be providing training and ongoing support to all franchises. The Disaster Blaster management team has over 25 years of experience in operating an indoor environmental, mitigation, and restoration company locally and offers a wide range of services including, but not limited to, water damage mitigation, mold remediation, radon mitigation, asbestos abatement, basement waterproofing, infectious disease disinfection, and hazardous drugs cleanup. With its full array of services, they offer a unique system that is virtually recession-proof and seasonally consistent. Disaster Blaster will continue to develop additional new services, as well as roll out new sales and marketing efforts and national programs as the franchise system grows. This is an excellent opportunity for anyone who has interest in owning their own business. Anyone interested in applying to purchase a new franchise should call either Matthew or Gary Lyons at (302) 242-1042.
Saint Joseph’s Center Summer Festival The 2022 Saint Joseph’s Center Summer Festival includes the WNEP Telethon and Go Joe Ride Along. The Summer Festival will return to the Festival Grounds at Marywood University on Friday, July 29 from 4—10 p.m., Saturday, July 30 from 4—10 p.m. and Sunday, July 31 from Noon to 7 p.m. We are happy to announce that this is the 25th Anniversary of the Go Joe Bike Ride! We are forever grateful to Joe Snedeker and WNEP for all the miles, friendships and great memories thanks to the Go Joe Bike Ride. Joe has pedaled hundreds of miles, within and beyond WNEP’s viewing area to raise critical funds for important resources for individuals and families served by Saint Joseph’s Center. In conjunction with Go Joe 25, this will be the third year for the Go Joe Ride Along that invites all interested cyclists, beginners and experienced, to do their part for Saint Joe’s. This year’s Ride Along will feature many family friendly events sponsored by the Borough of Dunmore and Lackawanna County. There are also many indoor, independent and open cycling events to sign up for. WNEP will host the annual Telethon on Friday, July 29th and Saturday, July 30th, 2022 from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm on the Festival Grounds at Marywood University. Viewers can tune in to watch WNEP-TV 16 and learn more about the positive ways that Saint Joseph’s Center is impacting the community. Tickets for the Summer Festival Cash Raffle with a prize of $10,000 will be sold for $50 each. Chances on other monetary prizes can be mailed to those interested.
Epic Revenue Consultants Offers Chamber Members Discount at NYC Hotel Epic Revenue Consultants is happy to offer Scranton Chamber members a discount at Iberostar 70 Park Ave, NYC. Chamber members will receive up to 20% off the rate by using code “Scranton Chamber of Commerce Rate” when making reservations. Reservations can be made by calling 212-973-2400 or at the link below. Additional benefits include: Complimentary WifiComplimentary fitness centerRobe and slippersEvening turndown serviceComplimentary upgrade, based on availabilityFacility fee waived (normally $25 per room per night) Make Reservations
FNCB Bank Announces Scholarship Winners FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, is pleased to announce the winners of the FNCB Bank Foundation merit scholarship awards for the 2022-2023 academic year. Overall, the foundation awarded $1,000 scholarships to three area high school seniors based on their academic excellence, community and school involvement, and citizenship. This year’s winners are Tanisi Patel of Crestwood High School, Baylor Lounsbery of Abington Heights High School, and Samantha Quinn of Wyoming Seminary. Ms. Patel will be attending Villanova University, Ms. Lounsbery will be attending the University of California Santa Cruz and Ms. Quinn will be attending the University of Pittsburgh. “We applaud these exemplary young adults on their achievements and want to congratulate them on being selected as winners of this year’s FNCB Bank Scholarship award,” said Michael Cummings, FNCB Bank Senior Vice President, Marketing Manager and Foundation Chairman. “We wish them success in their future academic and professional pursuits.” For more information on the FNCB Bank Foundation Scholarship program, please visit www.fncb.com/scholarship.
The Children’s Advocacy Center is Raising Awareness of Red Sand Project On Friday, July 29, the Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA (CAC/NEPA) will be creating a sidewalk art installation outside of its Mulberry Center location in support of the Red Sand Project. The installation is designed to raise awareness of human trafficking that happens domestically and across the globe. The event, located at 1630 Mulberry St., Scranton, PA at 1pm will be free and open to the public, and attendees will be able to help spread the Red Sand Project’s iconic red sand throughout sidewalk and walkway paths. Attendees in the process will also learn facts about modern human trafficking and actively aid in the conversation to stop it by creating a unique piece of art. The Red Sand Project was founded in 2014 by Molly Gochman to increase public awareness and engagement in finding a solution to contemporary slavery. The organization uses a symbolic approach of spreading red sand in and around sidewalk cracks, representing those individuals who fall through the cracks of our society. (CAC/NEPA) will also leave a basket of the remaining packets of sand in front of the main center building 1710 Mulberry for anyone who wishes to take sand and add to the sidewalk art at a later date. Since 1998, the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania has helped more than 18,000 children and adolescents by effectively assessing and treating child abuse and neglect. Often experiencing shame and guilt, these children undeniably need the special treatment they receive at CAC/NEPA to repair their broken childhood…and keep it from having a lasting effect on their adulthood. Now in existence for over twenty years, CAC/NEPA continues to strive to expand its services for child and teen victims of abuse in our region, including Forensic Medical Examinations and Assessments, Forensic Interviews, Trauma Therapy, Counseling Coordination, Child Advocacy Services, and Child Abuse Prevention Education. If you have any further questions about the event, please contact the CAC/NEPA through the information below.
