Ronald McDonald House of Scranton 5k Race Get Ready to Show Your Stripes! The 35th Annual Ronald McDonald House of Scranton 5K Race and Fun Walk in Historic Nay Aug Park will be held on Sunday, September 26th, 2021. Parents, children, college students, competitive runners, and even some family pets will run or walk in support our local Ronald McDonald House at this very FAMILY & PET FRIENDLY event. Following the 5k, we will hold our Kids Fun Run where all children will receive a gift for participating. There will also be basket raffles! With your $20 registration you will receive a swag bag with a moisture wicking race shirt, a customized race medal, and a swag bag. Come show your stripes for the mission that keeps families close to their children as they receive critical care in local medical facilities. You will not want to miss it! Registration can be found by going to RMH5k.com. Check us out on Facebook (Show Your Stripes 5k) to not only stay informed, but to also participate in some of our giveaways!
Geisinger Offering Third-Dose COVID-19 Vaccines for Immunocompromised People Following recent guidance from the Food and Drug Administration, Geisinger is now offering third-dose COVID-19 vaccines for immunocompromised people. Third-dose vaccines are available by appointment at Geisinger Community Vaccine Centers or select Geisinger Pharmacy locations. People eligible for the third dose are those who already received two doses of either the Pfizer BioNTech or Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and have weakened immune systems. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this includes people who have: • Been receiving active cancer treatment for tumors or cancers of the blood• Received an organ transplant and are taking medicine to suppress the immune system• Received a stem cell transplant within the last 2 years or are taking medicine to suppress the immune system• Moderate or severe primary immunodeficiency (such as DiGeorge syndrome, Wiskott- Aldrich syndrome)• Advanced or untreated HIV infection• Active treatment with high-dose corticosteroids or other drugs that may suppress your immune response If you are unsure if you’re eligible for a third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, talk with your doctor. Make an appointment for a third-dose COVID-19 vaccine at Geisinger through myGeisinger or by calling 570-284-3657. Appointments are available at the vaccine centers at the Geisinger Health Plan Building near Danville, Geisinger CenterPoint in Jenkins Township, Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital and Geisinger Lewistown Hospital. Appointments are also available at Geisinger Pharmacy locations in Dallas, Danville, Lewistown, Lock Haven, Mount Pocono, Pottsville, State College and Scranton. Remember to bring the COVID-19 vaccine card or proof of having received both vaccine doses to the third-dose appointment. More information about the COVID-19 vaccine is available at geisinger.org/COVIDVax. As a reminder, one visitor is permitted for outpatient appointments, and masks must be worn (regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status) by all patients, visitors and employees in all Geisinger buildings and facilities.
HNB Supports Women’s Resource Center With EITC Donation The Honesdale National Bank was once again authorized to make approved contributions under the Commonwealth’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. HNB designated $2,500 of their approved allotment to the missions of the Women’s Resource Center. The funds, donated by HNB, will support their Safe Dates Program. HNB President & CEO David Raven stated, “We are grateful to have the opportunity to support this organization with funds through the EITC program. The Women’s Resource Center plays a vital role in our society, especially for the health and safety of individuals in our community.”
Tomorrow’s Leaders Today Graduate, Nora Betts, Announces Local Project Nora Betts, a 2021 Tomorrow’s Leader Today graduate, has announced her Girl Scout Gold Award Project. Betts will build and install four bat boxes on homes in NEPA with threatened and unwanted bats. Informational signs will also be installed on the Lackawanna Heritage Trail to educate passersby on the importance of bats and bat boxes. The Instagram @norabetts.batbox is dedicated to the project and serves as a place for live updates as well as an entertaining educational tool for members of the community and beyond. If you’d like more information or are interested in having a bat box installed on your home, contact Nora at norabetts.batbox@gmail.com
HRF Scholarship Recipients Announced The Human Resources Foundation is pleased to announce the recipients of the HRF Scholarships for the 2020-2021 academic year. The Human Resources Foundation serves the community by providing financial assistance to efforts that focus on enriching service and support of individuals with disabilities. One way that HRF accomplishes this mission is by offering scholarships to students pursuing higher education in Human Services or a related field. The four 2021 HRF Scholarship awardees are: Brynn McGinnis from Honesdale High School. Brynn intends to pursue a major in Education to become an elementary teacher. Lauren Brand from Wallenpaupack Area High School. Lauren will be attending Ithaca College on a Speech Language Pathology track. Brianna Garcia from Wallenpaupack Area High School. Brianna plans to major in Speech Pathology and minor in Special Education at Temple University. DeJanna Richardson from Stroudsburg High School. DeJanna will be attending University of Scranton with a major of Counseling and Human Services. The Human Resources Foundation congratulates the 2021 HRF Scholarship recipients and is proud to support their efforts in furthering their education and improving the lives of others. To learn more about the Human Resources Foundation and the scholarship program, visit our website www.hrfnepa.org.
Roba Family Farms Now Hiring Roba Family Farms is hiring! We are looking for fun and friendly individuals to join our team this season! Working at our farm is a great resume builder with even better perks! Enjoy flexible schedules, great pay up to $15/hr. five season passes, and personal discounts. Enjoy the farm working outside at our fun attractions. You must be 14 years old to apply.
Scranton Fringe Under Glass 2021 Live, socially distant theatre — this innovative event returns with a brand new collection of talent after a sold-out run in 2020! This project nearly sold out during its initial presentation in 2020, will return for the second year from Thursday, September 23rd through Sunday, September 26th, 2021. The 2021 lineup will include powerful works of solo original theatre, creative adaptions, improvisation, and much more! Please check back soon for the full lineup of artists! Scranton Fringe will once again utilize large storefront windows to activate unconventional stages as well as unique outdoor spaces for a variety of performances. As the pandemic continues to create incredible challenges for the professional arts as well as local small businesses, Fringe Under Glass will attract patrons to downtown Scranton to enjoy and experience live theater and performance art in a socially distanced, COVID-19 compliant environment. COVID-19 Safety Measures:All performers will be behind glass (with wireless audio to ensure all can hear and enjoy the work) AND/OR outdoors, distant from the audience. All audiences (in small walking groups) and Fringe tour guides will be required to follow all current CDC and state guidelines. WHERE?Fringe Under Glass will be a guided tour across a short footprint within downtown Scranton PA. All ticket holders are asked to meet at AFA Gallery (101 Penn Ave) as the starting location, for check-in and to be assigned to their Fringe tour guide. WHEN?Thursday, September 23rd at 7 pmFriday, September 24th at 7 pmSaturday, September 25th at 2 pmSaturday, September 25th at 7 pmSunday, September 26th at 2 pm TICKETS?https://www.eventbrite.com/…/fringe-under-glass-2021…We are expecting Fringe Under Glass to sell out once again so don’t delay! If your organization or business would like to help bring this concept to life and join us as a creative partner — or if you as an individual want to assist — please reach out to info@scrantonfringe.org!
NeighborWorks NEPA Launches Mobile Toolkit Program NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania is pleased to announce the launch of the Mobile Toolkit program. The Mobile Toolkit is a trailer-based collection of outdoor tools and equipment that can be transported and used for cleanups, tree-plantings, and other outdoor projects. The Mobile Toolkit will be available for use by local nonprofit organizations, neighborhood groups, and others to complete neighborhood improvement projects. Tools available in the Mobile Toolkit include a lawnmower, walk-behind and hand-held string trimmers, shovels, rakes, wheelbarrows, and various hand-held tools. “The Mobile ToolKit represents a great step forward in our capacities to aid our community partners in the area of neighborhood revitilization,” Jesse Ergott, NWNEPA President & CEO, said of the initiative. “The tools and equipment available for use through this program will allow neighborhood groups to accomplish projects that may not be possible otherwise.” The Mobile Toolkit has served as the team service project for the Community Leadership Instittue (CLI) team from NWNEPA. Organized and hosted by NeighborWorks America, the CLI program brings together teams of neighborhood leaders from NeighborWorks Network member organizations across the United States to strengthen the capacity of the participants to make positive change in their communities. The CLI timeline includes action planning sessions, skill-building workshops and a yearlong service project implementation period. CLI team members include Thom Welby, Henry Matute, Andy Chomko, Anne McNally, Tim Schwartz, Robert Philbin, Eric Myers, Robert Gattens, Meegan Possemato, and Holly Yorkonis.For more information, or to reserve the Mobile ToolKit for an upcoming neighborhood project, visit nwnepa.org/mobiletoolkit, or contact Gerard Hetman at 570-558-2490 or ghetman@nwnepa.org.
Johnson College Renames Its Veterinary Technology Program to Veterinary Nursing Johnson College has renamed its two-year Veterinary Technology Associate in Science Degree Program to Veterinary Nursing. Johnson College joins a movement within the Veterinary Science industry, being the 11th college and university to rename its Veterinary Technology program. This name change more accurately describes the nature of the program and better aligns it with the skills needed in the Veterinary Science field. Veterinary Nursing will continue to be a two-year associate degree program preparing students to take the Veterinary Technician National Exam. In addition, students earn the credentials required to become entry-level Veterinary technicians. Last year, 100% of this program’s graduates who took the VTNE passed. Currently, the College has a three-year Veterinary Technician National Exam average pass rate of 94%. “We are incredibly excited about this change and look forward to watching our graduates succeed in the Veterinary Technology industry,” said Bill Burke, M.S., Johnson College’s Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs. “Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this industry has a 16% Growth potential through 2029.” As technicians, graduates collect samples, perform lab tests, take radiographs, prepare the surgical suite, assist in surgery, monitor anesthesia, and provide general nursing care to patients. Second-year students in the program will still be required to complete clinical rotations in the on-campus Animal Care Center. For more information about Johnson College’s Veterinary Nursing program visit Johnson.edu or contact the Johnson College Enrollment team at 570-702-8556 or enroll@johnson.edu.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Retains Aerospace Standard Quality Certification After External Audit Tobyhanna Army Depot’s quality management system (QMS) will maintain an industry-standard certification after an audit by outside officials last week. Auditors from Orion Registrar visited the depot to conduct a surveillance audit in accordance with the depot’s certification in the Aerospace 9100/9110 Standard (AS). Derived from the ISO 9001 quality system, AS 9100 includes additional quality system requirements demanded by the aerospace and defense industries, which are vital to support the depot’s maintenance efforts on avionics components for military aircraft. Tobyhanna has maintained industry-standard quality certifications since 2003. Only 20,000 companies worldwide hold the AS certification. Surveillance audits are conducted between recertification audit years and required Orion personnel to spend 10 total auditor days investigating Tobyhanna’s adherence to AS. At the conclusion of the audit, Orion recommended the depot keep the AS certification and lauded the depot’s performance, specifically by the workforce. “We are always impressed by Team Tobyhanna; however, several areas and employees stood out as exceptional,” said auditors Eric Barnes and Dan Wyrick. “Special recognition goes out to Steven Ornitz of the Systems Integration and Support (SIS) directorate, the Quality Management Division team, and the TACSAT Systems and Component Branches of the C4ISR directorate.” John Scott, chief of the TACSAT Systems Branch, says he appreciated the praise from Barnes, but couldn’t take the credit for his Branch’s audit success. “When it comes to quality, process discipline is very important to our TACSAT team. They are continuously looking for ways to improve even the most miniscule tasks while at the same time holding each other and their leadership accountable. If anyone deserves the accolades for our audit success, it’s them.” Electronics Mechanic Supervisor William Long agreed. “Our team welcomes the opportunity to be audited with a fresh set of eyes and, because of that willingness to take feedback, we are continuously growing as an organization.” Within their recommendation for recertification, the auditors cited best practices as well as areas for improvement (AFIs), according to Robert Haas, Director of Quality Management. He says the audit-identified AFIs are always welcome. “We appreciate the chance to learn from these AFIs and make Tobyhanna Army Depot’s QMS even stronger,” adding that one AFI noted by the auditors was corrected before the audit was even over. “Orion personnel identified a discrepancy between paperwork and the process in one of our SIS refinishing shops,” he said. “Eugene Haikes, the shop supervisor, immediately addressed the issue and put a preventative action in place. This is a great example of how Team Tobyhanna places quality and AS at the forefront of our processes.” Auditors will return to Tobyhanna for another surveillance audit in late 2022. Maintaining the AS certification and a healthy QMS is directly aligned with Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2028. The plan has four strategic focus areas: Investing in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications and aims to posture the organization for future success. Tobyhanna Army Depot is a recognized leader in providing world-class logistics support for C5ISR systems across the Department of Defense. Tobyhanna’s Corporate Philosophy, dedicated work force and electronics expertise ensure the depot is the Joint C5ISR provider of choice for all branches of the Armed Forces and industry partners. Tobyhanna’s unparalleled capabilities include full-spectrum logistics support for sustainment, overhaul and repair, fabrication and manufacturing, engineering design and development, systems integration, post production software support, technology insertion, modification, foreign military sales and global field support to our joint warfighters. About 3,700 personnel are employed at Tobyhanna, which is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania. Tobyhanna Army Depot is part of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the command’s mission is to empower the Soldier with winning C5ISR capabilities.
