WVIA Presents The Forgotten Dynasty: Scranton Eagles Football

WVIA produced The Forgotten Dynasty: Scranton Eagles Football an original documentary film. The film premieres Thursday, November 14th at 9PM on WVIA-TV

The story of Scranton Eagles Football is one of perseverance and triumph. Despite encountering setbacks and obstacles, the team’s founders, John Rogan and Charles “Chick” Rader, were determined to establish a successful franchise. And they did exactly that.

The Lackawanna County Eagles made a remarkable debut in 1971, winning the Empire Football League Championship. Although the team shut down after the 1974 season due to a disagreement over player compensation, John Rogan never gave up on his dream of reviving the franchise. His persistence paid off in 1982, when the newly reinstated Scranton Eagles won their first EFL title. They went on to win five national championships, the first coming in 1984.

The Scranton Eagles’ success during the late 1980s and early 90s is a testament to their hard work and dedication under then-owner Frank Santo. With a 40-game winning streak, they became one of the country’s most celebrated semi-professional football franchises. From 1982 to 1999, the organization won a record-setting 11 Empire Football League titles.

Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic Announces 53rd Season

Under the baton of Maestra Brunet, the NEPA Philharmonic 2024-25 season will feature audience favorites, new works. Performances will be at multiple venues in Luzerne and Lackawanna Counties.

The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic will launch its 53rd season, “Building Bridges,” on Friday, September 27, 2024, at the F.M. Kirby Center, at 7:30 PM with the iconic music of QUEEN performed in collaboration with Jeans & Classics, and the Marywood University Chamber Singers under the direction of Dr. Rick Hoffenberg.

The Philharmonic’s dynamic season will include mainstage and chamber concerts. Featured are many audience favorites including a tribute to Tina Turner, Bizet’s Carmen Suites with Ballet Theatre of Scranton, Sibelius’s fifth Symphony, Copland’s Clarinet Concerto featuring Pascal Archer, Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings, and Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana with a symphonic chorus. We continue the tradition of Holiday Pops concerts featuring seasonal music in collaboration with Ballet Theatre of Scranton, Choral Society of NEPA, Marywood Concert Choir and Wyoming Valley Concert Choir.

The entire Pops Series is sponsored by PNC Foundation and Dr. Seth and Carolyn Fisher, the Masterworks Series is sponsored by the Thalenfeld Family Foundation, and the Chamber Concert Series is sponsored by the Stoppini Foundation.

The Philharmonic’s theme “Building Bridges” reinforces the orchestra’s community wide partnerships, which include the Sordoni Art Gallery, the Black Scranton Art Project, the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association, regional senior centers, regional schools, and public libraries. Its outreach programs, designed for toddlers through seniors enrich the lives of countless people of NEPA.

“Subscribers are loyal and appreciative friends of the Phil,” notes Nancy Sanderson, Executive Director. Early bird pricing allows subscribers a savings between 15% and 30% and ends on September 18th. Subscriptions and single tickets may be purchased online at www.nepaphil.org or by calling the Philharmonic box office at 570-270-4444. Students K-12 are invited to attend Masterworks concerts at no charge. For additional information, please contact the NEPA Philharmonic at (570) 270-4444.

Geisinger Hosts Narcan distribution events

Geisinger’s pharmacy, emergency medicine, addiction medicine, and Free2BMom teams are collaborating to host two Narcan® (naloxone) distribution events at the end of August in northeastern Pennsylvania.

The first event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, at the Schimelfenig Pavilion in Nay Aug Park, located at 500 Arthur Ave. in Scranton.

The second event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, in the parking lot of the Thomas C. Thomas building, located at 90 E. Union St. in Wilkes-Barre.

At both events, attendees can receive two free boxes of Narcan while supplies last, and healthcare professionals will demonstrate how to properly administer the lifesaving medication. Fentanyl and xylazine testing strips will also be available for those who are interested.

Community health partners at the event can provide information and resources for anyone who is in recovery or seeking recovery.

Johnson College Enrolling for New Pharmacy Technician Program

Johnson College is now enrolling for its new Pharmacy Technician program, beginning at both its Scranton and Hazleton campuses. The program will run at Johnson College Scranton on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. starting October 7th. The program will run at Johnson College Hazleton on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 to 9:30 p.m. starting October 15th.

This comprehensive 50-hour program will prepare students to work as a pharmacy technician in retail or other pharmacy setting. Course content includes pharmacy medical terminology, the history of pharmacy, the pharmacy practice in multiple environments, pharmacy calculations and measurements, reading and interpreting prescriptions, and defining drugs by generic and brand names. Through classroom lectures and hands-on labs, students will review dosage calculations, drug classifications, the “top 200 drugs”, I.V. flow rates, sterile compounding, dose conversions, aseptic technique, the handling of sterile products, total parenteral nutrition (TPN), dispensing of prescriptions, inventory control and billing and reimbursement.

This program meets the requirements needed to sit for the Pharmacy Technician Certified Board (PTCB) exam as well as the National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Pharmacy Technician (PTAC) exam.

Participants of the Pharmacy Technician program will be eligible to participate in an optional, 80-hour clinical externship. Requirements for the externship include a resume; waiver; release form; statement of health; vaccines for MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis B series, Tdap (within the last 10 years); a TB test (within the last 12 months); background check; drug screen; and state registration if applicable.

The total cost of the course is $1,650, which includes textbooks, a PTCB exam voucher, and a PTCB prep course.

To learn more or to enroll, visit https://johnson.edu/continuing-ed/pharmacytech/ or contact the Continuing Education Department at 570-702-8979 or continuinged@johnson.edu.

Providence Engineering Announces Leadership Transition

Providence Engineering, a leading provider of building engineering services, is pleased to announce a significant leadership transition. Effective January 2025, David Bernhardt, PE, the current President and CEO, will maintain the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO), while Dana Ziegler, PE, will be promoted to President.

Leadership Transition Reflects Strength from Within

David Bernhardt, PE, has been an integral part of Providence Engineering for many years, joining the firm in 2003, becoming an owner in 2009, and most recently serving as President and CEO since 2015. Under his guidance, the company has expanded its service offerings, strengthened its market position, and transitioned to a 100% employee-owned company. As David continues in the role of CEO, he will provide strategic oversight and visionary leadership for the company.

David commented, “I am excited to continue driving Providence Engineering’s strategic vision and collaborating with my colleague and friend, Dana Ziegler. When Dana takes over as President in January, he will be the third President in our firm’s history. This promotion is a testament to his management and leadership skills and to the operational strength of our employee-owned company structure. I am confident that Dana’s leadership, as President, will not only strengthen and expand our ability to deliver dependable and innovative solutions to our clients, but will also provide an increasingly rewarding workplace for our employee owners.”

Dana Ziegler, PE, who has been with Providence Engineering in varying capacities for over 14 years, brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of the company’s operations and culture to his new role as President. Dana’s promotion from within the organization is a clear indication of Providence Engineering’s commitment to nurturing talent and recognizing the achievements of its team members. Dana earned his Bachelor of Science in Structural Design and Construction Engineering Technology from The Pennsylvania State University, and before returning to Providence in 2014, he was Vice President of Engineering and Operations at his family’s construction firm.

Dana expressed his enthusiasm, “I am excited and honored to step into the role of President at Providence Engineering. Having grown within this remarkable company, I am deeply committed to our values and mission. We have always strived to be the engineer of choice, and I look forward to working closely with our talented team to continue delivering comprehensive building engineering solutions to our clients.”

A 100% Employee-Owned Company

One of Providence Engineering’s distinguishing features is its 100% employee-owned structure. This ownership model fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, and shared success. Each employee-owner is invested in the company’s long-term prosperity, ensuring a high level of dedication and engagement. This structure not only benefits the employee-owners but also enhances the service quality provided to clients.

For More Information

As we progress through the remainder of 2024 and into 2025, please follow the Providence Engineering social media channels to keep updated on this exciting leadership transition and learn more about Providence’s third President, Dana Ziegler.

Marywood Students Nominated for Mid-Atlantic Regional Emmy

A group of students in Marywood University’s Multimedia Communication program have been nominated for a student Emmy Award in the Mid-Atlantic Region’s College/University Student Production Live Sporting Event/Game category. The student awards program is conducted by the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

The students were nominated for their work in sports media production, and the entry being considered is “Marywood University Pacers Basketball.” The team of students involved includes: Vincent Goldschmidt, Announcer; Felix Lettini, Technical Director; Soren Svanson, Camera; Corey Iyoob, Reporter; Cameron Gorman, Audio; Bernard Roedel, Videographer/Editor; Benjamin Galko, Camera, and John Downey, Sportscaster.

The students are advised by Jim Donnelly, Assistant Coordinator of Broadcast Operations. Winners will be announced on September 21 at the Wyndham Grand in Pittsburgh, PA.

Outreach Center Hosts Children’s Career Fair

Outreach – Center for Community Resources will host its fourth annual Children’s Career Fair at Outreach, 431 North 7th Avenue, Scranton, on Saturday, August 17, 2024, from 10 AM to 1 PM.

This exciting Children’s Career Fair will ignite young minds and offer opportunities for kids of all ages to explore various career options and discover their passions in a fun and interactive environment.

Children and parents will have the opportunity to explore over 30 careers through fun and interactive activities. Several local companies will also be offering information on current employment opportunities within their companies. The Outreach Children’s Career Fair is free and open to all families with children interested in interacting with businesses and exploring future career possibilities!

It’s never too early for children to think about their future careers! Last year’s event featured hands-on activities like fishing for recyclables, creating their own house floorplan, bubble blowing, creating a mural with the Outreach staff, seeing emergency vehicles up close, and so much more!

We aim to spark curiosity, stimulate creativity, and broaden horizons as children engage with professionals from various industries.

Event Highlights:

Diverse Career Booths: Children will have the opportunity to visit exciting career booths representing professions like science, technology, arts, healthcare, engineering, and more. Volunteers from each industry will be on hand to share their experiences, answer questions, and demonstrate exciting aspects of their professions.

Hands-on Activities: The event will feature numerous interactive activities that allow children to explore different careers. Each activity will be educational and entertaining, from creating art masterpieces to conducting simple science experiments.

Back-to-School Supplies and Haircuts: To add to the excitement, back-to-school haircuts, and back-to-school supplies will be available. Career materials will also be available to promote learning and creativity.

“We believe that every child deserves the opportunity to dream big and aspire to greatness,” said Lori Chaffers, Executive Director. “The Children’s Career Fair is a perfect platform for children to explore various professions, ignite their imaginations, and gain valuable insights into different career options. By exposing them to diverse possibilities, we hope to motivate and prepare them for a bright future.”

We are grateful to all the volunteers, partners, and sponsors whose support has made this event possible.

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to inspire the future leaders of tomorrow! Parents and caregivers are encouraged to attend with their children and participate in the activities together.

For more information, please call Liz Ratchford at the office: (570) 558-7562 or cell: (570) 954-6755

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Publish 2025 Home Schedule

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are pleased to announce their home schedule for the 2025 International League season. The RailRiders will begin their season on the road on March 28, 2025, with the home opener scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, 2025.

The 2025 season is once again slated with 150 games, split evenly between PNC Field and the road. 

“As we close out the current season with great crowds and more RailRiders wins, we can also start looking ahead to what is next,” said Scranton/Wilkes-Barre General Manager Katie Beekman. “It’s going to be a busy off-season with renovations and upgrades. Our front office staff is excited to start planning the next season of fun to help complement the experience everyone has nightly when they come to PNC Field.”

The 2025 home schedule is comprised of 12 six-game series and one three-game set. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre will host Buffalo (Toronto), Charlotte (Chicago White Sox), Indianapolis (Pittsburgh Pirates), Lehigh Valley (Philadelphia Phillies), Nashville (Milwaukee Brewers), Rochester (Washington Nationals), Syracuse (New York Mets) Toledo (Detroit Tigers) and Worcester (Boston Red Sox) at PNC Field.

Highlights of the 2025 home schedule include:
April 8 thru 13: Opening Week at PNC Field against the Rochester Red Wings

April 22 thru 27: Charlotte Knights return to PNC Field for the first time since 2019

May 13 thru 18: SWB hosts the Toledo Mud Hens

June 10 thru 15: First 2025 match-up at PNC Field with Syracuse Mets

July 4 thru 6: Three games at PNC Field against the IronPigs beginning on Independence Day
July 8 thru 13: Nine-game homestand continues with Buffalo Bisons in town

July 29 thru August 3: First Nashville Sounds series in Moosic since 1991

August 12 thru 17: Indianapolis Indians journey to NEPA for the first time since 2019 

September 9 thru 14: Final home set of regular season as Lehigh Valley returns to close 2025 IronRail Series

Road opponents, game times, and promotions will be announced at a later time, and the 2025 schedule remains subject to change. For more information, please visit swbrailriders.com or call (570) 969-BALL.