Greater Scranton YMCA Sets Kids Up for a Healthy Start to the Summer at Healthy Kids Day The Greater Scranton YMCA is hosting the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day® on May 11 from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. located at 706 North Blakely Street in Dunmore. This free, annual event features a variety of family-friendly activities to encourage healthy kids, healthy families and a healthy start to the summer season. Sponsored nationally by Peanuts, Healthy Kids Day’s mission is to turn fun and play into lifelong memories. Some featured activities include a Kids Fun Run, vendor fair, bounce houses, face painting, entertainment, refreshments and more. The event is open to the community and registration is not required. “It is so important for kids to stay active over the summer, both physically and mentally,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “At the Y, we believe in providing resources for families to create healthy habits, no matter the time of year. Healthy Kids Day is a fun, free communitywide event that encourages families to take advantage of all the great summer activities the Y has to offer.” Locally, Healthy Kids Day is sponsored by Community Bank, Rainey & Rainey, NET Credit Union, Topp Business Solutions, Matrix, Cal Mal Vending Services and Brucelli Advertising. Kids Fun Run schedule (free and registration is not required!):10:30-10:40 a.m. – Ages 3-510:45-10:55 a.m. – Ages 6-911:00-11:10 a.m. – Ages 10-14*Located outside in the back of the facility. For more information about Healthy Kids Day, including reserving a table at the vendor fair or for sponsorship opportunities, contact Brandon Whipple, Senior Program Director, at (570) 828-3116 or bwhipple@gsymca.org.
Geisinger Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Scranton Recognized by Patient Safety Authority Geisinger Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Scranton was honored with a 2024 I AM Patient Safety achievement award from the Patient Safety Authority. The award recognizes advancements, outcomes and commitment to patient safety across Pennsylvania and the nation. The doctors and their team were selected from more than 125 nominations, foremost for their impact on patient care. The team at Geisinger Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Scranton — led by Mohamed Shitia, D.O.; Kevin Colleran, M.D.; and Aaron Wey, M.D. — was nominated for the I AM Patient Safety award by the Krevey family of Pittston, whose teenage daughter Emily had multiple sports-related injuries over a five-year span. From eighth grade through her senior year of high school, Emily had fractures, tendon and ligament tears and an injury to the bone and cartilage in her ankle. Each time, the orthopaedic physicians’ care and expertise allowed her to heal and continue to play — helping Emily’s team win conference and district titles for three straight years. “The Scranton orthopaedics team members were incredible beyond words,” said Emily’s mother, Terri Lee Krevey. “The future is hers to take, thanks to this group of physicians.” Since their inception in 2013, the I AM Patient Safety achievement awards have honored hundreds of programs and people who positively impact patient safety. The awards are judged by a cross-section of national and regional health care executives; patient safety advocates; and government, university and patient representatives. The Patient Safety Authority is an independent state agency that collects and analyzes patient safety data to improve safety outcomes and help prevent patient harm.
Geisinger Allergist and Immunologist Shares Allergy Tips for 2024 Season Geisinger’s Dr. Neil Baman, allergist/immunologist at Geisinger Scenery Park, State College, shares tips to help this year’s allergy season. As the temperature outside starts to climb above 50 degrees, people start peeking their heads outside. But once it hits 60, people throw open their windows to start spring cleaning with a rush of fresh air. If you’re a spring allergy sufferer, think before you open that window. People aren’t the only ones reacting to the warm weather—pollen is, too.As the weather warms up, trees start producing pollen that can end up in our nose and eyes and cause allergic symptoms. If you get spring allergies, it’s better to be proactive than reactive—prepare for spring allergies long before it’s warm enough to open those windows.The best way to prepare for spring allergies is to understand your personal triggers, start medications, monitor pollen levels and consider alternative treatments.Stock up your medicine cabinet.There are various medications that will help you through allergy season: antihistamines, decongestants, steroidal nasal sprays and eye drops. All of these medications can be used together or separately to reduce symptoms. Antihistamines reduce your body’s allergic response. Antihistamines are available over the counter. A word of caution, though — some antihistamines can cause drowsiness, so be sure you know how the medication affects you before operating any heavy machinery, including driving your car. Steroidal nasal sprays can reduce nasal inflammation and allergy symptoms. Most allergy nasal sprays are available over the counter and are usually used for one to two sprays per day, per nostril. Steroid nasal sprays are not the same as decongestant nasal sprays as they can be used longer than decongestants. There are also antihistamine nasal sprays available, but these require a prescription from your physician.Eye drops can help with reducing itchy and watery eye sensations. Make sure you remove your contacts lenses before using them. Some eyes drops are available over the counter, and some require a prescription from your doctor. Keep an eye on pollen countsMany weather and air quality news organizations report on allergen levels. Check these sites to keep track of the allergens that irritate you. If you notice that pollen counts are high, consider making adjustments to your schedule. To avoid pollen, be careful about opening windows in your house and in your car. It can let a lot of pollen in that you may not even see with your eyes. When you come home at the end of the day, change into different clothes. This can help you avoid tracking pollen into your house. In addition, before you go to bed, make sure to take a shower to wash off the pollen from the day. Thoroughly vacuum and clean your house to lower indoor pollen levels. Clean or change your air filters to make sure they aren’t full of pollen.When you spend time outside, consider wearing sunglasses to stop pollen from getting into your eyes. If you’re doing something that would make you come in contact with a lot of pollen—like gardening or mowing the grass—wearing a special filter mask can help keep pollen out of your lungs. Wear gloves when handling things that may have pollen on them. Consider alternative treatmentsWhen your hands are dirty, you wash them. This allergy season, consider doing the same for your nose. Tools like neti pots and sinus rinses can flush out the pollens that are stuck in your nose, irritating your sinuses. Be sure to carefully follow the instructions on a neti pot or sinus rinse to avoid discomfort and potentially dangerous side effects.Neti pots are a great way to flush out pollen and get rid of mucus. If you use a neti pot, make sure that you’re using purified or distilled water. Using tap water increases the risk of life-threatening infections. See an allergistWhen they’re sick, people go see a doctor. But for allergies, some people choose to suffer and wait it out. Ultimately, this doesn’t get to the root of the problem, so allergies affect you each and every year. An allergist can give you insights into what’s causing your allergies and even help cure them.When you go to an allergist, they will test you for common indoor and outdoor allergens. Based on your reactions, your doctor can tell what you’re allergic to. Next, the allergist has the ability to create personalized immunotherapy injections to help decrease your allergy symptoms. These shots contain small doses of the allergens to help you build up immunity.If your allergies are particularly uncomfortable or making breathing difficult, talk to your doctor about other ways you can lessen your symptoms. For the latest health and wellness tips and advice, visit geisinger.org/balance.
Wayne Bank Announces 2024 First Quarter Earnings James O. Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwood Financial Corp and its subsidiary, Wayne Bank, announced net income of $4,433,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of $1,349,000, from net income of $5,782,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease was due primarily to a $1,383,000 decrease in net interest income and a $1,296,000 increase in total other expenses. Earnings per share on a fully diluted basis were $0.55 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024, compared to $0.71 in the three-month period ended March 31, 2023. The annualized return on average assets was 0.80% in the first quarter of 2024 and the annualized return on average equity was 9.79%, compared to 1.13% and 13.61%, respectively, in the first quarter of 2023.
UNC to Host International Dinner and Celebration United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) is excited for the return of our International Dinner and Celebration held during National Volunteer Week on Thursday, April 25, 2024, from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm at our Oppenheim Center for the Arts, 1004 Jackson Street in Scranton. UNC welcomes all media outlets to cover this culturally diverse showcase of our growing Community Education Department programming. The international potluck festivity highlights our students, their accomplishments, and recognizes our volunteers for their incredible work and dedication. Students and their families will share culinary dishes specific to their native countries, and enjoy arts and crafts, music, remarks, and presentation of certificates of achievement. There will be special emphasis on the students who recently obtained their United States citizenship. Remarks will also be made by Lisa Durkin, UNC President and CEO; and Terilynn Brechtel, UNC Director of Community Education. Both will be available for interviews during the event.
Episode Thirteen: All Things Chamber Don’t Miss the Update Leadership Lackawanna’s Core Program is accepting applications. The final day to apply is April 30. Apply today! Upcoming Chamber Events EVENT PAGE MEMBER BENEFITS
UNC’s 3rd Annual Pine Brook Family Arts Festival Date Set United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) and partner John Adams Elementary School are hosting the 3rd Annual Pine Brook Family Arts Festival on Saturday, April 27, 2024, from Noon to 4 pm on the school’s playground. Activities include kids’ yoga, drum making, upcycling planters with flowers, DIY tie-dyes, suncatchers, face painting, balloon making, rock painting, food, music, and more! Antonio’s Pizza and El Buen Amigo will be serving pizza and tacos, for an additional fee. Joining us for the first time is Snook’s Wings and Things, selling burgers, fries, wings, and more. We will be supplying free ice cream from Scoopz Ice Cream truck for all attendees. Our partners Marywood University and The University of Scranton will provide arts education and make and take crafts. We are also hosting five local artists to assist children in creating artwork, this is made possible through a sponsorship from Lackawanna County Arts ENGAGE. Other organizations presenting crafts and resources include Penn State Extension 4H & Master Gardeners, Albright Memorial Library, Be SMART, Scranton Tomorrow with Keep PA Beautiful, and My Center for Independent Living. This free festival is a part of the UNC Pine Brook Neighborhood Revitalization Plan and offers access to different arts and activities for families in the neighborhood to enjoy,” said Holly Yorkonis, UNC event organizer. UNC’s Pine Brook Neighborhood Community Revitalization Plan is funded by Coterra, FNBC Bank, and Peoples Security Bank through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Neighborhood Partnership Program. Anyone interested in volunteering at the annual event should contact UNC Assistant Director of Community Revitalization, Holly at Hyorkonis@uncnepa.org or (272) 228-1366.
Marywood University to Hold Transfer Tuesdays Opportunities Marywood University has set several dates in late spring and throughout the summer for its Transfer Tuesdays program. Transfer Tuesday events are for current or former college students, at all stages of their college journey, who are considering transferring to Marywood University. Transfer Tuesdays opportunities will occur at Marywood University on the following Tuesdays: April 30, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 21, 1-6 p.m. June 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. July 16, 1-6 p.m. August 13, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Those interested in the spring/summer Transfer Tuesdays events can schedule an appointment every half hour during the time frame indicated for specific dates. Registered visitors can discuss financial aid and scholarship options, transfer credits, take a tour of campus, review credits for transfer eligibility, and complete an application for admission. Marywood University’s fall semester begins on Monday, August 26, 2024 For additional information about transferring to Marywood, or to register for the Transfer Tuesdays program, please visit marywood.edu/transfer or call Marywood University’s Office of University Admissions, at (570) 348-6234 or email YourFuture@marywood.edu.
FNCB Bank Donates $15,000 to the Agency for Community Empowerment of NEPA FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, today announced a $15,000 Neighborhood Assistance Program/Special Program Priorities (NAP-SPP) donation to the Agency for Community EmPOWERment of NEPA in support of their effort to provide our community with quality, affordable housing. The Agency for Community Empowerment of NEPA, through its housing affiliate, the Scranton Lackawanna Resources Development Corporation, is poised to address this need through the construction and management of an 8-unit veterans’ apartment complex in Scranton. Two units will be fully handicapped accessible & rent will follow HUD guidelines for low-income housing. FNCB Bank has committed NAP-SPP contributions to seven different community projects in Northeastern Pennsylvania totaling $125,000 in 2024. As a true, local community bank, FNCB is making a difference through volunteerism, donations, and outreach programs.