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.
Audacy’s Exclusive Offer to Chamber Members To access Audacy’s exclusive offer, contact Kimberlee Greenleaf, senior account manager, by email or phone. Email: Kimberlee.Greenleaf@Audacy.com Phone: (570) 880-5307
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 DayJuly 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.
WVIA Conversations for the Common Good: Trust in Our Elections WVIA Free Event September 19th, at 6:30 PM at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine Fair and secure elections are the bedrock of our democracy. However, many members of our community have little information about what happens after they cast their ballots. As we head into the general election in November, WVIA, and Keep Our Republic invite you to attend this informative, nonpartisan event dedicated to fostering a deeper understanding of the 2024 election process and equipping our community to combat misinformation surrounding election integrity. At this event, experts from across the state and from our community will talk about what’s new for Pennsylvania’s elections in 2024, how votes are counted, certified, and audited, and answer questions on topics like mail-in ballots, the role of the courts and media in elections, how technology impacts election security, and what federal, state, and local governments are doing to combat election interference. This event will provide valuable insights to help you stay informed for the upcoming November 5th election. We hope to see you there. REGISTER HERE
Leadership Lackawanna Launches Applications for 2024-25 Executive Program July 29, 2024— Leadership Lackawanna, the community leadership and professional development affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, announces applications are open for the Executive Program. The six-week Executive Program deeply engages high-level professionals in the greater Scranton area, broadens their social network, and increases their overall knowledge of the community. Participants meet key business and community leaders as they receive an overview of Lackawanna County’s history and culture, economic and political structures, community events, civic groups, recreational activities, and nonprofit organizations. The Executive Program accepts applications from advanced-level professionals with a tenured career path and extensive leadership experience. Applicants must live, work, or play in Lackawanna County. Sessions are held one evening per week for six consecutive weeks starting Monday, September 23. The sessions are held at various locations and include cocktails and dinner. Applications are now open and will be accepted through August 31. To learn more about the Executive and all other Leadership Lackawanna programs, visit www.leadershiplackawanna.com.
The Wright Center Shines Light on Substance Use Disorder The Wright Center agrees that most of us know someone who has struggled with substance use disorder. For too many people, it’s a battle that ends in tragedy. Clearly, we need every possible resource we can muster to fight this ever-evolving public health crisis that affects our communities, and awareness campaigns like International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) play a prominent role. Observed every Aug. 31, IOAD not only raises awareness about overdose but also promotes evidence-based overdose prevention measures and drug policy. More poignantly, it also recognizes the overwhelming grief felt by the families and friends of those who have died or suffered permanent injury due to an overdose. The theme of this year’s IOAD is “Together we can,” which illustrates the power of communities to stand together and lessen one of the world’s biggest public health crises through collective action. It’s a great, hopeful message. The Wright Center for Community Health works every day to deliver hope to the individuals and families touched by substance use disorder and overdoses. Our Pennsylvania-designated Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence has been one of the local leaders in providing community-based substance use disorder treatment since 2016 when it was among the 45 flagship centers named by the state. Patients qualify for Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence care if they have an opioid use disorder, have co-occurring behavioral/substance misuse and physical health conditions, require assistance navigating the health care system, and need guidance to stay engaged in treatment in order to avoid relapse. Services are offered regardless of the patient’s insurance status or ability to pay, with a sliding-fee discount program available to those who qualify. Unlike a traditional inpatient rehabilitation facility, we offer an outpatient services model that allows patients to receive exceptional care while attending to the other aspects of their lives. We employ a “whole-patient” philosophy centered around medications for opiate use disorder, a truly innovative concept that combines medical and social supports to guide an individual on their recovery journey. Patients are cared for by a first-rate and highly committed team of recovery and behavioral health specialists, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, certified recovery specialists, and medical providers, who collaborate closely to counsel and support individuals coping with a variety of substance use disorders – not just opioids, but also alcohol, cocaine, and other addictive drugs. We also help them find stable housing, navigate insurance barriers, and repair family and community relationships. The Wright Center for Community Health also works to reduce opioid-related deaths and has been approved as a Pennsylvania Overdose Prevention Program (POPP) site. Through this program, The Wright Center distributes naloxone kits and drug-checking strips to individuals in the event they experience an emergency with a family member, friend, or in the community. Naloxone, a life-saving medication that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose, is free to the community at any of our regional community health centers. We’re also very proud of our Healthy Maternal Opiate Medical Support (Healthy MOMS) Program, which recently received a $62,000 grant from the Wilkes-Barre City Health Department to expand its services. The grant came via the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration’s Maternal and Child Health Services block grant, which the state allocated to the city’s health department for distribution. Healthy MOMS, co-founded by The Wright Center in 2018 and modeled after a program in Ohio, is a multi-agency effort that assists pregnant women and new mothers in achieving and maintaining sobriety. It was first launched in Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties but now serves women and their families throughout much of Northeast Pennsylvania. To date, the program has served more than 500 mothers and 282 babies. Participants are offered blanket services that include medications for opiate use disorder and other addiction services, counseling, primary health care, OB-GYN care, parenting tips, legal advice, and other forms of support. Based on the available evidence, mothers who join Healthy MOMS and participate in recovery services well before their delivery dates are less likely to give birth to babies who experience neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), a potentially painful and costly medical condition caused when a newborn withdrawal from opioids or other drugs that the baby had been exposed to in the womb. We see addiction as a lifelong disease requiring a long-term commitment to recovery. Rest assured, we’ll continue improving upon that commitment in the years ahead. Together, we can save and enhance the lives of many people in our communities.
Geisinger Discusses Vasectomy Recovery Think you’ll have a long recovery? Think again.By: Geisinger, Brant Fulmer, MD, Urology A vasectomy is a big decision. There’s a lot to consider — including recovery. Knowing what to expect in the healing process can make things go a little smoother. Getting things rolling Before you have a vasectomy, you’ll start by meeting with your healthcare provider. They’ll ask a few questions to help you decide if the procedure is right for you. Some things they may discuss with you: Your plans for children in the future How your partner (if you have one) feels about your decision Other birth control methods What to expect from the procedure That you understand a vasectomy is permanent What happens during a vasectomy? You’ll have the vasectomy done at a doctor’s office or outpatient surgical center. The whole process usually takes about a half hour. During the procedure, your provider will: Numb the area with a local anesthetic Make a small incision or puncture in the upper part of the scrotum Withdraw part of the tube that carries semen, called the vas deferens Cut and seal the vas deferens using heat, surgical clips or another method Close the incision with stitches or surgical glue Then you’ll go home to start recuperating. The vasectomy recovery process Once you get home, you’ll need to rest for at least 24 hours. But that doesn’t mean you have to stay in bed. Just take it easy and stay as comfortable as possible until you get back to normal. So how long does that take?After a vasectomy, most men resume their regular activities within 48 hours.But you’ll want to avoid heavy lifting, contact sports and sex for a week or so. Avoid lifting more than 50 pounds for about two weeks after the procedure. This helps reduce the risk of prolonged swelling and pain.When you’re ready to return to your normal schedule, do it gradually to prevent injuries.To make your recovery go as smoothly as possible: Ice the area To help with swelling, Dr. Fulmer recommends using ice packs on your scrotum intermittently for the first 24 to 48 hours. Wrap your ice pack in a towel and apply for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Don’t have an ice pack? A bag of frozen vegetables makes a good substitute. Stop the soreness You may feel some discomfort for the first few days after your procedure. Take some ibuprofen or acetaminophen to manage any pain. Another way to keep discomfort to a minimum: Avoid strenuous activities like going to the gym for a few days. Consider your clothing Your provider may suggest wearing compression shorts, an athletic supporter or snug-fitting underwear for a few days while you heal. A pair of specialty post-vasectomy underwear can offer proper support — and some even offer the bonus of built-in ice packs.Besides the underwear, you’ll want to break out your comfy clothes. Think sweatpants, basketball shorts or pajamas.Other things that help with healing include elevating your feet and keeping the area clean and dry. What happens after recovery? You’ll have a follow-up appointment with your provider approximately three months after your procedure. During this visit, your provider will have you give a semen sample, which they’ll check for sperm. By checking for sperm, they’ll know whether the procedure worked.If sperm are still present after your follow-up, your provider will help you determine next steps.Be sure to use a backup method of birth control until this appointment. That way you won’t have to worry about an unintended pregnancy. Contemplating a vasectomy? Before scheduling a vasectomy, discuss your lifestyle and plans. Are you and your partner sure that having children (or more children) isn’t in your future? Make sure your decision is firm before you move forward. A vasectomy should be considered permanent sterilization and not a temporary fix. If this is something you’re interested in, talk to your primary care doctor or schedule an appointment with a urologist. They’ll talk through all the details with you and start the process. For the latest health and wellness tips and advice, visit geisinger.org/balance.
Treasurer Stacy Garrity Announces $5.5 Million in Savings for PA 529 GSP Owners Treasurer Stacy Garrity today announced that asset-based fees will be waived for PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan (GSP) account owners for the third year in a row. This year’s fee waiver will save families $5.5 million and is funded by PA 529 GSP surplus earnings. “Waiving these fees makes our fantastic PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan even stronger for the families using it to save for their child’s future education,” Treasurer Garrity said. “The PA 529 GSP helps families meet their savings goals no matter what path their child will take in the future, whether that’s career training, an apprenticeship, technical school, community college or a four-year university. For families, this means more money saved for the future, which means less to borrow when a child chooses their path.” This year’s PA 529 GSP fee waiver went into effect on July 1, 2024, and account owners will not see any asset-based fees on quarterly account statements through June 30, 2025. Treasurer Garrity has also cut fees multiple times for the Morningstar Gold-Rated PA 529 Investment Plan (IP). In total, fee cuts and waivers for all PA 529 College and Career Savings Program accounts will save families more than $16.5 million by the end of the current fiscal year. PA 529 accounts are designed to help Pennsylvania families steadily and strategically save for a wide variety of qualifying technical, collegiate, apprenticeship and K-12 educational expenses. There are significant state and federal tax benefits when saving with PA 529, and PA 529 assets do not impact eligibility for Pennsylvania state financial aid. The PA 529 GSP allows families to save at today’s tuition rates to meet tomorrow’s tuition costs. Account earnings are based on college tuition inflation rates, and families can choose the tuition credit rate they wish to save at from community colleges to Ivy League universities. The PA 529 IP offers a variety of investment options. Account earnings are dependent upon financial market performance. PA 529 has been helping families meet their savings goals for more than 30 years. There are more than 300,000 PA 529 accounts, including more than 113,000 PA 529 GSP accounts and more than 187,000 PA 529 IP accounts. Families currently have nearly $8 billion saved for future education expenses. To learn more about PA 529, visit pa529.com or call 800-440-4000.