Penn State Scranton’s Center for Business Development and Community Outreach Accepting Online Registrations Penn State Scranton’s Center for Business Development and Community Outreach is currently accepting online registrations for the following: Operations and Supply Chain Professionals:ASCM® has developed a comprehensive educational program designed for operations and supply chain professionals, and the northeastern PA campuses of Penn State University are collaborating to offer these prep programs to prepare individuals to take the certification exams for Certified Production and Inventory Management (CPIM); Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP); or Certified in Logistics Transportation and Distribution (CLTD). Classes begin in January 2022. Professional Engineering:Mechanical Engineering PE Exam Review – Machine Design & Materials is scheduled on Wednesdays, February 9 – April 27, 2022, live instruction via Zoom. This Professional Engineering Review course will cover the Machine Design & Materials Specification for the Mechanical Engineering PE Exam. Building Systems – Design & Construction:The first of four classes to earn a non-credit certificate in Building Systems – Design & Construction. Scheduling & Time Management in Construction will teach students how to think about the construction project as hand and to build a project specific schedule. Topics include: New Construction, Renovation Projects, Pre-Construction and Time Management. Live instruction via Zoom classroom on Wednesdays, 6 pm – 9 pm from March 16 – April 27, 2022. For more information, contact 570-963-2600 or email scrantonoutreach@psu.edu.
The Wright Center Shares Tips for the Winter Season The winter of 2020-21 will not soon be forgotten. Not only was Northeast Pennsylvania coming to grips with the global COVID-19 pandemic, but we also were shoveling, salting and cindering seemingly nonstop due to heavy snow, sleet and ice. It was a winter to remember, or dare I say – forget. A year later, COVID-19 and its variants continue to make us behave cautiously, while we also prepare for wintry weather and how the global pandemic has affected the rest of our lives. There is little we can do to ward off eventual snow and slick roadways and sidewalks other than to stockpile cinders and rock salt, and make sure our shovels are handy and fresh gasoline is in our snowblowers and generators. The supply chain disruption that is fueling inflation and shortages in various products, though, will be felt a little more during the winter months. Sharply higher gasoline, electric, heating oil and natural gas bills will hit consumers in the wallet just as we’re preparing to pay off our holiday shopping sprees. As a registered and licensed dietitian and nutritionist for The Wright Center for Community Health’s Lifestyle Medicine Program, I have a few tips to keep you warmer, safer and healthier as you turn your thermostats down a few degrees to save on energy bills or pick up a shovel to help family and neighbors dig out of another near-record snowfall. It is important to remember the following are just tips for overall wellness and prevention of injury during cold weather months and related weather events. My tips include: Maintain adequate hydration: Stretch your back and legs in preparation for strenuous exercise before donning your winter gear and reaching for that snow shovel. Just as important, though, is hydration. Research has shown that cold weather alters our thirst mechanism, which results in the decrease of fluid intake and eventually, dehydration. It is important to maintain your hydration level, especially when you are outside carrying firewood, clearing an ice dam in rain gutters or performing any seasonal activity. Consuming regular water remains one of the best ways to keep hydrated. Wear layers: Layers of light, warm clothing underneath a windproof winter coat will do wonders for your mindset as you struggle to clear driveways and walkways – or enjoy outside activities with kids. The importance of proper headwear and footwear also cannot be understated. They work in tandem to keep you warm and dry, preventing heat loss, hypothermia and even frostbite from setting in. Remember: A good winter hat keeps a cap on your body’s heat! Plan ahead: Be prepared for weather-related emergencies, including power outages. Stockpile bottled water and nonperishable food that cannot be spoiled by lack of refrigeration. You never know how long you may be without power during a winter storm. Do not forget the importance of storing shelf-stable foods. Keep a variety of fruit and nut bars, aseptic packaged beverages, vacuum sealed proteins, dried fruits and pickled vegetables. Keep an up-to-date emergency kit: An emergency kit should be a staple in every home and vehicle. It includes extra batteries, a flashlight, weather radio, first-aid kit, cell phone and extra medicine. You should adjust this list based on your individual needs, especially if you are on a regular regimen of medication. Plan before you travel: Winter is also a season filled with travel to friends and family due to the holidays. For safety’s sake, it is important to be aware of current and forecast weather conditions. Avoid travel when the National Weather Service has issued advisories. If you must travel, inform a friend or relative of your proposed route and expected time of arrival. Be a good neighbor: Everyone knows a friend, relative or neighbor who needs a special hand during the winter months. Check on those who are especially at risk from cold weather hazards, such as young children, older adults and the chronically ill. Also, if you have pets bring them inside or provide them with adequate warm shelter and unfrozen water to drink. No one can stop the onset of winter. However, if you follow these suggestions, you will be ready when it arrives. Walter Wanas, LDN, a licensed dietitian nutritionist, is director of lifestyle modification and preventive medicine for The Wright Center for Community Health’s Lifestyle Medicine Program.
Leadership Lackawanna Hires Program Coordinator The Chamber is proud to announce the addition of Jennifer Strzelec as program coordinator for its affiliate Leadership Lackawanna, the area’s premier community leadership and professional development organization. In this role, Strzelec primarily supports the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today program – a seven-month initiative for high school juniors. This includes recruitment, marketing, evaluations, and administrative support. Strzelec has several years of experience as a preschool aide at Bright Beginnings Preschool in Mt. Cobb and at the YMCA in King George, Virginia. She also served in the United States Army in the avionics division at both Fort Hood in Texas and Schofield Barracks in Hawaii. Strzelec earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Temple University and is currently earning her MBA at West Chester University.
Scranton Chamber is All Aboard for New Amtrak Service to Scranton Join us! The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce has prioritized support for economic development efforts in northeast Pennsylvania. As a component, the Chamber Board of Directors has unanimously approved a resolution in full support of the restoration of a rail passenger service between Scranton, the Poconos, and New York City—as proposed by Amtrak and included in the recently passed federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Bill. The resolution was forwarded to the Office of the President, Governor Wolf, and elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels. If established, this new service would provide positive recruitment opportunities for businesses, education institutions, as well as the tourism and recreational industries and more – with an estimated annual impact of $87 million. The next step is the support of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. With that, we’re asking businesses to back the Amtrak rail service proposal by sending a message to Governor Wolf, the Secretary of Transportation (PennDOT), as well as other federal, state, and local officials. You can very simply reference support for the Chamber resolution (see draft message and contact list below) or craft your own message. Similarly, we encourage those who would like to support this effort individually to visit the Scranton Rail Restoration Coalition website to sign a petition in favor of the project. You can review the Chamber resolution here. Sample Support Letter Contact List
Alice Cooper Coming to Mohegan Sun Arena Alice Cooper with special guest Buckcherry, presented by Rock 107 Wednesday, March 23rd, 8:00pm Tickets are on sale Friday, December 10 at 10 a.m. at the NBT Bank Box Office at Mohegan Sun Arena and Ticketmaster. Learn More
Geisinger Plans Service Expansion in Tunkhannock Geisinger recently acquired a property that will be the new site of Geisinger Tunkhannock and will allow for the relocation of existing services in the community, specialty expansion and future growth. Located at 809 Hunter Highway (state Route 29) in Tunkhannock, across from Walmart, the new clinic will provide community members a more convenient care destination with easier access from the road and more available parking. Primary care, women’s health, ear, nose and throat, hematology/oncology, pharmacy, laboratory, imaging, and ConvenientCare walk-in services, as well as outreach services in cardiology, neurology, general surgery and pulmonology will move to the new space. Initial renovation of nearly 30,000 square feet is expected to begin in spring 2022 with completion expected by the end of 2022. Hematology/oncology will be expanded in the new clinic, growing from three infusion chairs and two exam rooms to six infusion chairs and four exam rooms. Cardiology services will also be more available to residents of Wyoming County, increasing from two days per month to 12 days per month (three days per week). “Our new Geisinger Tunkhannock clinic will be the next step forward in making better health easier for patients and members in Wyoming County,” said Kathy Lloyd, associate vice president of operations for the Geisinger Medicine Institute. “In this new space, we will continue providing the outstanding care and services we’ve offered the community for years with the room to expand and better coordinate primary and specialty care, if the need arises.” Market research predicts Wyoming County’s 65 and older population will grow by 8 percent in the next five years. These individuals typically require a greater need for specialty services and more frequent visits to their primary care physicians to manage chronic conditions. This new location will make this type of care more accessible so patients can better manage their overall health and, ideally, avoid unnecessary hospitalizations and emergency room visits.
Lackawanna College Police Academy Graduates Sponsored Police Academy Cadets Ten cadets graduated from the Lackawanna College Police Academy on Dec. 2, ready to begin careers in law enforcement with the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre police departments. The newest group of cadets make up the 255th graduating cadet class and are part of a partially funded program by the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC). Municipalities are eligible for partial reimbursement if they hire a cadet prior to the start of an Academy training program. “The Academy staff and administration are proud of the graduates of class 255,” said John Chilleri, Director of the Lackawanna College Police Academy. “This is the first class where all cadets were hired as full-time officers by a municipality prior to the start of the program.” The partnership between the Scranton and Wilkes-Barre police departments, MPOETC, and Lackawanna College to train cadets is an example of the commitment the College has made to meet the needs of law enforcement in NEPA. “We are very excited to have our four officers fully trained and certified,” Chief Joseph Coffay of the Wilkes-Barre Police Department said. “They will be an added asset to the department and I am sure they are happy to finish their academic requirements and are happy to begin their career serving the citizens of Wilkes-Barre.” Thanks to an Act 89 annual grant of $5 million authorized in 2019, the Wilkes-Barre and Scranton Police Departments are eligible for partial reimbursement by MPOETC after cadets complete the program. MPOETC will reimburse the departments 75% of the tuition and 45% of the hourly wage for the required hours of training for any cadet hired by the department and paid to attend the Lackawanna College Police Academy. “The Scranton Police Department is excited to have six new officers joining the ranks of our department,” Scranton Police Department Chief Leonard Namiotka said. “It was also special that the entire graduating class was sponsored by the respective agencies of Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. I am also thrilled that Act 89 will be reimbursing the City 75% of the tuition and 45% of the hourly wage for the required hours of training for the cadets. This will allow that money to be spent on more items such as training and equipment for the department to better serve the community.” Graduates from Class 255 included William Ardoline, Dupont; Adam Bisignani, City of Scranton; James Griffith, City of Scranton.; Carlos Muniz Jr., Wilkes-Barre; Richard Olshefski, Mountain Top; Cameron Rawlings, City of Scranton; Thomas Stornable, City of Scranton; Kevin Sweeney, City of Scranton; William Wilk, Plymouth, and Zachary Zelinski, City of Scranton.
Trolls LIVE! Tour Coming to Wilkes-Barre Get ready for another hair-raising adventure when Poppy, Branch and all their Trolls friends come to life on stage in Trolls LIVE! Jam-packed with epic music, glitter, humor and happiness, Trolls LIVE! will visit Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza May 24th and 25th, 2022 for 2 Trolls-tastic performances. Tickets go on sale Friday, December 10th at 10am and can be purchased at www.TrollsLIVE.com, Ticketmaster.com and in person at the NBT Bank Box Office at Mohegan Sun Arena. The journey begins when the Trolls’ Hug Time is unexpectedly put at risk. Knowing the only way to save it is by doing what the Trolls do best, Poppy hosts a toe-tapping, Trolls-tastic show! Poppy, Branch, Cooper, Cloud Guy, Satin and Chenille, Smidge, Guy Diamond, Fuzzbert, Biggie and Mr. Dinkles invite you into the colorful world of Trolls Village for this interactive performance only the Trolls can create. This is one Trolls party you won’t want to miss! The world of the Trolls comes alive in this totally interactive, story-rich musical celebration of everything the Trolls love – singing, dancing, rainbows, glitter and plenty of hugs. The extravaganza utilizes the latest in scenic projection, puppetry and media technology, and features a host of special effects and interactive surprises. Trolls LIVE! includes two acts with an intermission and will enchant both children and adults alike with its popular Trolls show-stopping songs, as well as introduce audiences to all-new electrifying Trollsmusic and choreography. What: Trolls LIVE! coming to Wilkes-Barre When: Tuesday, May 24th at 6:00pm Wednesday, May 25th at 6:00pm Where: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza 255 Highland Park Blvd. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 Tickets: Tickets start at $18 (plus applicable fees). Tickets are available at the NBT Bank Box Office or online at Ticketmaster.com. Prices are subject to change. Additional fees and special offers may apply. A limited number of tickets are available for the Trolls LIVE! VIP Party, starting at $128 (plus applicable fees). VIP Party perks include premium show seating, a souvenir lanyard, and an after-show Meet & Greet with your favorite hosts, Poppy and Branch! For more information or to join Trolls Hair Mail for presale and other exclusive offers, visit www.TrollsLIVE.com. Follow Trolls LIVE! on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @trollslive, and use #TrollsLIVE. For information on Mohegan Sun Arena’s COVID-19 policy, please visit MoheganSunArenaPA.com.
WVIA-FM to Present Special Broadcast of Charles Dickens’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ WVIA Radio presents Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble’s production of Charles Dickens’s beloved story of hope and redemption, A Christmas Carol, as a special radio broadcast, Saturday, December 18, 2021, at 3pm. The adaptation was created by long-time BTE member James Goode, who also directed the performance. Goode describes the production as a gift from the whole company. “I opened up casting to everyone in our organization — education, production, and administrative staff — and many decided to participate. Listeners will hear voices other than the actors who appear onstage at BTE in normal circumstances.” Larry Vojtko, WVIA-FM station manager, is excited to be partnering with BTE. “WVIA is thrilled to offer this unique retelling of a much-beloved Christmas story. Dickens’ unforgettable characters come alive through performances by the remarkably talented members of the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble. The story is further enhanced by a rich aural palette that includes music and sound effects. I am so grateful that Jon White-Spunner and James Goode called me to offer this treat as a Christmas gift to the WVIA listeners.” Grace Kenny, violinist, accompanies the performance. The show was engineered and recorded by Nick McGaw, proprietor of Endless Records in Bloomsburg. BTE member Andrew Hubatsek plays Scrooge and Elizabeth Dowd voices the Narrator. The cast also includes Willow, Maya, and Thomas Bishop as the Cratchit and other children; Amy Rene Byrne as a Charitable Person, Belle, a Female Guest, and Charwoman; James Goode as Bob Cratchit, Dick Williams and a Businessman; A’nie Kirchner as Mrs. Cratchit; Abigail Leffler as a Caroler, Fan, Mary, and Mrs. Diller; Danny Roth as a Charitable Person, Fezziwig, The Ghost of Christmas Present, a Businessman, and the Undertaker’s Man; Thom Sirkot as Topper, and a Businessman; Henry Turnbough as Boy Scrooge, and Peter; Lily Wirth as The Ghost of Christmas Past, Martha, and Turkey Boy; Zach Shultz as Peter Crachit; Eric Wunsch as Fred, Marley, Young Scrooge, and a Businessman, Michael Yerges as Mr. Belle, A Businessman, and Old Joe. BTE’s A Christmas Carol is also available as a podcast at www.btepodcast.org. Support for the broadcast is provided by the Wayne County Community Foundation.
