NEPA Philharmonics’ Holiday Concerts: A Festive Tradition Returns! The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic’s annual holiday concerts will feature the PNC Pops orchestra, under the baton of Maestra Mélisse Brunet, with soloist Nick Driscoll on clarinet. Performances will take place on Saturday, December 7, at 7 PM, at the FM Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre, and an afternoon matinee on Sunday, December 8, at 3 PM, at the Scranton Cultural Center. Maestra Mélisse Brunet, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, and Santa and Mrs. Claus invite you to celebrate the holiday season with the orchestra and special guests on December 7 and 8. Guest artists featured for Holiday 2024 are the Choral Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania, singers from the Wilkes University Choir (Dr. Joshua Harper, Artistic Director), Marywood University Concert Choir (Dr. Rick Hoffenberg, Music Director/Conductor), Ballet Theatre of Scranton (Joanne Arduino, Artistic Director), String Students of the Valenches Music Company, Special Guest Conductor Nancy Sanderson, and Santa and Mrs. Claus. This year’s concerts will include a broad variety of holiday favorites including “Jingle Bell Rock”, “Christmas Day”, “Klezmer 101”, “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers” danced by Ballet Theatre of Scranton, “White Christmas” “Angels from the Realm of Glory”, “Sleigh Ride”, and more. The concert will end with a Holiday Sing-Along” including “Deck the Halls” and ‘Jolly Old St. Nicholas”, finishing with a “Jingle Bells Concert Finale”. Sponsoring Holiday 2024 are PNC Foundation, Dr. Seth & Carolyn Fisher, Allied Services, Benco Dental, Geisinger, Gentex, Karam Orthodontics, Pagnotti Enterprises, Inc., Realty Network, Riggs Asset Management, and Toyota of Scranton. Media sponsors are WNEP 16, WVIA, Discover NEPA, Halibut Blue, Happenings, and Lamar. Tickets may be purchased online at NEPAphil.org, by calling the Philharmonic office at 570.270.4444, at the FM Kirby or Scranton Cultural Center Box Offices, now or at the door immediately prior to the concerts. Reserved seats range from $42-$78 and student tickets, K-12, are $16. Holiday 2024 is dedicated to Nancy Sanderson, Executive Director, who will be retiring on December 31, 2024, following a decade of dedicated service to the orchestra. Newly appointed Executive Director, Chason Goldschmitz, will formally assume his role on January 1, 2025.
RailRiders’ Breakfast with Santa Returns to PNC Field! Christmas comes early this year at PNC Field: Breakfast with Santa is BACK! Continue the tradition or start a new one at the ballpark with your loved ones and little ones on Saturday, December 7. Thanks to your high demand and positive testimonials, we’ll be bringing back the All-You-Can-Eat buffet with a loaded omelet station, CHAMP’S Holiday Storytime, and more fan-favorites! RSVP ONLY. This event has SOLD OUT two years in a row, so lock in your seats now! Contact Kirsten at events@swbrailriders.com or (570) 558-4545 to book. Event Details: https://loom.ly/8GpspLk
Rotary Club of Scranton Requests Baskets for Karaoke Event Rotary Club of Scranton is hosting Christmas Karaoke for Kids to help raise funds for the Women’s Resource Center (WRC) in Scranton. WRC provides support and safety for those facing domestic violence, sexual assault, abuse, stalking, or human trafficking. We are graciously looking for sponsors to help offset the cost of the prizes and basket raffles. ALL SPONSORS WILL BE PUBLICLY RECOGNIZED THAT EVENING THROUGHOUT THE EVENT AND ON SOCIAL MEDIA! Please Consider the Following: Donating a basket full of goods from your business to be raffled off. Donating a gift card to your establishment for raffle. Making a monetary donation of $50, $75, or $100 toward purchase of a raffle prize (your business name will be recognized as donor). Donation checks can be made out to: Rotary Club of Scranton P O Box 1715 Scranton, PA 18501 THANK YOU in advance for any donation you can contribute! Please reach out with any questions to Sonya Dowling at sonya.dowling@fddbank.com or (570)-687-5107.
2024–25 Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Class Announced The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and its community leadership and professional development division, Leadership Lackawanna, is proud to announce the 2024–25 class of Tomorrow’s Leaders Today (TLT)—a transformative program that prepares high school juniors for leadership roles in their communities. Sponsored by NBT Bank, the TLT program spans seven months, immersing students in hands-on experiences across essential sectors, including healthcare, STEAM, history and heritage, crime and corrections, financial literacy, philanthropy, nonprofit organizations, and community service. “This year, we are proud to welcome these 67 remarkable teens into the Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Program. We’re hopeful they’ll use the skills and knowledge they gain over the next seven months to positively impact their schools and communities as confident and capable young leaders,” shared Jen Strzelec, program coordinator for Leadership Lackawanna. The TLT program provides these young leaders with unique opportunities to develop critical leadership, interpersonal, and managerial skills. Throughout the program, students will engage in workshops, field visits, and interactive discussions led by regional experts and industry leaders, preparing them for the real-world challenges and opportunities that await them. The class participants are: Addison Daiute Aidan Tinney Andrew McDonald Anthony Betti Audrey Agnello Ava Roberto Ava Strzelec Ava Wisnosky Benjamin Reese Benjamin Kulikowski Brendan Korty Charlie Stampien Emily Atonal Emily Grover Emily Loomis Emma Guse Emmelia Rucks Gabriella Dennis Gabrielle Jordan Gavin Roberts Gianna Vachino Grace Bennett Isabelle O’Brien Jaiden Trunzo James Prislupski Joseph Griffin Joshua Cuck Julia Noto Kate Peters Kathryn Apolinario Kathryn O’Hora Katie Gutekunst Kaylyn Davis Kelsey Smith Kevin Vincent Khloe Mistishin Kiera Crowell Kiley Williams Krithika Krishnan Lauren Bartell Lindsey Bartell Luke Warring Madeleine Mackarey Madelyn Battaglia Madison Hallock Madison Smith Maryn Kukuchka Matther Kirchner Mia Peregrim Molly Carter Molly Banik Mya Cesarini Natalia Ghirelli Natalie Talluto Natalie Puckett Nathan Beecham Nmesoma Udoye Nora Crambo Olive O’Rourke Olivia Lawler Olivia Lach Raphael Thomas Ryan DeMarco Sona Hanumali Timmy Fogley William Murphy Wyatt Barucky
Misericordia University to Hold Open House Misericordia University invites you and your family to experience their campus, meet students, visit with professors, learn more about athletics, and speak with admissions representatives at the open house on November 16th! If you are looking for a college that delivers a powerful education and a personal experience, then look no further than Misericordia University. Learn more and register here!
90s Throwback Show – $5 Tickets for Chamber Members The Ritz Theater is pleased to offer up to 1,000 discounted tickets to Chamber members for the upcoming show on Friday, November 15th, 2024. In collaboration with the Chamber, tickets for this event will be available for just $5—marked down from the original price of $20—to encourage greater participation and commitment. Event DetailsDate: Friday, November 15th, 2024Discount Code: WELOVETHE90STicket Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1034148484957?aff=oddtdtcreator To purchase tickets: Visit the event page using the provided link. Click the “Get Tickets” button. Enter the discount code WELOVETHE90S in the “Promo Code” box. Select the number of tickets you wish to purchase and click “Check Out.”
WRC Receives Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation The WRC (Women’s Resource Center) is pleased to announce the receipt of a generous $15,000 Community Needs Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. The SACF utilizes Community Needs grants to enhance the quality of life in Lackawanna County by supporting nonprofit programs in a variety of fields including education. The Empowering Youth through Healthy Relationships grant will significantly enhance WRC’s prevention education programs focused on healthy relationships including friendships that is offered in schools across the county. Last year, WRC reached over 2,500 elementary, middle, and high school students. Pictured are (L-R: Laura Ducceschi, Scranton Area Foundation President & CEO; Katie Gilmartin, Treasure, SAF Board of Governors; Patty McLain, WRC Teen Educator; Sarah Dawgert, WRC Education Manager; Frank Caputo, SAF Grants & Communications Coordinator and Cathy Fitzpatrick, Scranton Area Foundation Director of Grants & Scholarship.
Settlers Hospitality Welcomes Veterans This Veteran’s Day, military personnel were invited to enjoy a complimentary night’s stay at one of the properties of Settlers Hospitality. The program was part of Settlers Hospitality’s annual Veterans Appreciation, which made approximately 200 guest rooms available to veterans at no cost across its properties. On November 11, The Settlers Inn, Ledges Hotel, Silver Birches Resort in Hawley, and Hotel Anthracite in Carbondale hosted American service members, both past and present. The salute began with a Veteran’s Day Breakfast Buffet on Monday, November 11, at Hotel Anthracite. The event, which started at 11 a.m., was free for military members and $15 for all others. The program featured a presentation by Camp Freedom, including a keynote address from Executive Director Matt Guedes. Located in nearby Waymart, Camp Freedom is a non-profit organization that provides access to 1,800 acres of countryside for disabled veterans to enjoy activities like hunting, shooting sports, fishing, camping, hiking, biking, and more. Later that day, The Settlers Inn hosted a welcome wine and cheese event for service members, followed by a fireside chat by Steve Pratt and a military exhibit. The tradition of honoring veterans began over 10 years ago at The Settlers Inn and has since been carried on at sister properties Ledges Hotel, Silver Birches Resort, and Hotel Anthracite. “It’s our honor to welcome veterans and treat them to an overnight getaway in Northeast Pennsylvania,” said Justin Genzlinger, CEO/Owner of Settlers Hospitality. “Each year, we look forward to this opportunity to extend our signature brand of hospitality in gratitude to veterans of every branch of America’s military.” Complimentary lodging was offered to military men and women in tribute to their service, with reservations required.
UNC Receives Donation from Topp Business Solutions United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) is proud to be the designated Lackawanna County agency for the WNEP Feed A Friend campaign’s 40th Annual drive. This year, UNC is committed to helping make the holidays brighter for more than 1,500 families in Lackawanna County through non-perishable food donations and monetary contributions. We are deeply grateful to Topp Business Solutions for their generous donation of $250 to support the Feed A Friend program. This contribution will directly assist in providing holiday meals to local families in need. Topp Business Solutions has been a valued community partner for over 60 years and continues to demonstrate unwavering support for our mission. Pictured (L-R): Chrissy Manuel, UNC; Karen Prokarym, Topp Business Solutions; Sue Lasota, Topp Donate to Feed A Friend and help families in our community enjoy a warm meal and the joy of the season, go to uncnepa.org/one-time-donation/ If you are a family in need with children in Lackawanna County, you can register to receive a $50 gift card for a local grocery store to choose items consistent with your traditions and cultures to celebrate Thanksgiving. For a complete list of locations to register, go to uncnepa.org/thanksgiving UNC is coordinating with over 70 locations in Lackawanna County that collect non-perishable items for our Angel’s Attic Food and Clothing Pantry at 410 Olive Street in Scranton; for a list of participating agencies, visit us on Facebook.