WVIA Invites Veterans to Mind Over Matter Taping Veterans are invited to be part of a studio audience and community conversation for the next Mind Over Matter television special, Veterans: Wounded Within on Thursday, February 2nd, 2023 at 6 pm at WVIA studios in Pittston. Part of WVIA’s Mind Over Matter mental health initiative, Veterans: Wounded Within will feature moderator Tracey Matisak and a panel of regional mental health experts discussing the mental health challenges of veterans. Hear stories from people who are coping with mental health challenges and find out where to get help. Audience members will have an opportunity to ask panelists questions during the program taping. Panelists include: Brian Keller, a clinical psychologist who is a veteran of both the Navy & the Army.Brigadier General (PA) Maureen Weigl, Deputy Adjutant General for Veterans AffairsDavid Eisele, Director of Lackawanna County Veterans Affairs Reservations are free but limited and can be made at: wvia.org/mindovermatter About Mind Over Matter Those suffering from mental health issues often become victims of discrimination and social isolation due to the stigma attached to these disorders. This stigma is a significant public health issue and can inhibit those with mental illness to seek proper treatment and recovery. In order to combat the stigma and increase awareness, prevention, treatment, and management of a range of mental illnesses, WVIA and Geisinger present Mind Over Matter: A Mental Health Initiative. Like WVIA’s successful Battling Opioids series, this public health initiative aims to improve the mental and physical health of our community through a multi-platform approach that includes television, radio, and digital content. Mind Over Matter is presented by Geisinger. WVIA Mission WVIA educates, inspires, entertains and fosters citizenship, diverse cultures, and perspectives to nurture community.
WVIA & Geisinger Launch Podcast WVIA and Geisinger have launched The Mind Over Matter Podcast. Hosted by Tracey Matisak and produced by Jim Donnelly, The Mind Over Matter Podcast is a continuation of the award-winning mental health initiative produced by WVIA in partnership with Geisinger. Over the next 24 weeks, hear from leading experts who will provide helpful information on a variety of mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, grief, and substance abuse. On the first episode which premieres on Thursday, January 12th, Monica Mongiello, who has been living with psychosis for more than 20 years, turns to her mother and others within her support network for strength and perseverance. Hear her story of living with her illness and how it led her to become an advocate for others going through similar struggles. On the second episode Geisinger’s Operations Manager for Virtual Care Ben Gonzales discusses his road to long-term recovery, what led him to seek help, the support he received from loved ones, and how it can serve as a model for others who need help. On January 26th, host Tracey Matisak speaks with Amber Viola. Amber grew up in NEPA and graduated from North Pocono High School. She left the area to join the United States Navy. Amber was a Gunners Mate and Naval Military Training Instructor. While in the Navy, Amber worked as a Department of Defense Sexual Assault Victim Advocate. Future podcast guests include Isabella DiBileo, Dr. Samantha Fitzgerald, Dr. Jessica Sevecke, Darren Weber, Dr. Joshua Blum, and many more. Listeners can find the show at wvia.org/mindovermatterpod or subscribe through any major podcast provider, including Spotify, Apple, Google, Amazon Alexa, Stitcher, and Pandora.
WVIA, The Institute for Public Policy & Economic Development, and the Scranton Area Community Foundation release Video Series This past fall, WVIA in partnership with The Institute received a grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation through the Scranton Area Foundation to produce a series of videos to help explain critical issues in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Titled The Data Visualization Video Series, the videos focus on three key areas: Workforce Development, Housing Inequality, and Child Abuse. The project creates compelling informational videos based on The Institute’s Data Indicators, condensing the reports into short 2–3-minute videos. Links to the Data Visualization Video Series can be posted on organizations’ websites or shared on social media platforms: Data Visualization: Workforce Data Visualization: Housing Inequality Data Visualization: Child Abuse To request still images or video excerpts from the Data Visualization Video Series please contact info@wvia.org
SBDC WVIA Live Business Segment On Monday, December 12th, join moderator Steve Stumbris, Director of Bucknell University SBDC, for an all-new Keystone Edition Business, find out what business owners are doing to reinvigorate and reinvent downtown shopping. Host Steve Stumbris is joined by a panel of experts including Julie Fitzpatrick, Executive Director of Pennsylvania Downtown Center; Betsy Kramer, Revitalization Coordinator at SEDA COG PTAC and Michael Lombardo, the Mayor of Pittston.
WVIA Radio Announces Joint Celebration of 50th Anniversary WVIA Radio and The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic announce a joint celebration of their respective 50th anniversaries. The Philharmonic and WVIA will mark the occasion by collectively commissioning and presenting the world-premiere of Palma, a fable for narrator, young string players, young chorus, and symphonic orchestra with music by Paul Salerni and text by Dana Gioia. The event will take place at the Scranton Cultural Center in November 2023. Just as the Philharmonic commemorates its continued mission to present live symphonic performances and music education through multiple concert series and educational outreach programs such as Music in our Schools, Young People’s Concerts, and the NEPP Mentoring Program, WVIA is pleased to present this piece as a salute to its beloved WVIA Radio and its hosts. Erika Funke, Lisa Mazzarella, George Graham, Larry Vojtko and Paul Lazar collectively immerse our region in classical, jazz, and opera programming throughout the broadcast week along with Morning Edition each weekday, All Things Considered, and Fresh Air in the afternoon, and many favorite weekend programs such as Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me and WVIA’s own WVIA News and Keystone Edition. Dr. Paul Salerni, NEH Distinguished Chair in the Humanities and Professor of Music at Lehigh University, director of the Lehigh University Very Modern Ensemble, and founder and Artistic Director of the Monocacy Chamber Orchestra will collaborate with Dana Gioia, a former Poet Laureate of California and Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. Salerni and Gioia are no strangers to collaboration. Salerni’s one-act opera Tony Caruso’s Final Broadcast, with a libretto by Dana Gioia, won the National Opera Association’s Chamber Opera competition. Haunted, a one-act ballet opera composed by Salerni, with a libretto by Dana Gioia, is adapted from Gioia’s poem of the same name. Salerni, a lover of Italian fables, has written compositions in the past based upon two of his favorites: The Big Sword and The Little Broom and The Old Witch and the New Moon. This newly commissioned selection completes the trilogy of fable-inspired works. The work will feature the main character, Palma, who wrestles with the conflicting interests of toiling for basic survival and her desire to make music with a cherished violin. Palma is named after Salerni’s ninety-four-year-old mother who was born in Carbondale. Featuring the NEPA Philharmonic conducted by Mélisse Brunet, this special performance will continue WVIA’s tradition of educating young people and the Philharmonic’s tradition of nurturing young players in their musical gifts. The performance will include the participation of talented local children from the Choral Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania and a school string ensemble from the Abington Heights School District. Enthusiasts of Salerni’s work note that while his compositions are challenging for the most talented of professional instrumentalists, they deftly engage audiences of all ages. As such, this debut performance narrated by WVIA’s own Erika Funke is destined to be a cherished highlight for our Pennsylvania communities.This performance will be the final concert Mélisse Brunet will direct as the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic’s Music Director. Following the program, there will be a reception to thank Mélisse for her outstanding leadership and extend our warmest wishes for a brilliant career.
WVIA Education’s Speaking Grief Virtual Event On- Demand Last month, WVIA Education hosted a virtual workshop focusing on understanding and advocacy for those who are experiencing grief. The full presentation is now available to watch on-demand at wvia.org/speakinggrief. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Educational Television Association (dba WVIA) received a $5,000 grant from the Community Giving Foundation: Berwick to support this second Speaking Grief webinar. The virtual workshop serves as a resource for parents, caregivers, and educators to help those in need. Panelists include: · Beth Anne Harris, Director of Special Education and Student Services at Crestwood School District, · Jennifer Seechock, MS, Director of Counseling Services at Hospice of the Sacred Heart · Kristi Nejman, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Behavior Specialist from PAK Pediatrics “This important workshop not only offers education around the topic of grief but also provides a community of supporters for those experiencing grief,” said Teresa Sabecky, WVIA’s Education Coordinator. The event answers questions such as “What does grief look like in a toddler versus an adult? What events trigger grief?” The program comes as a partner to the documentary film Speaking Grief, which explores the transformative experience of losing a family member in a grief-avoidant society. The documentary addresses the role that supports from friends and family plays in a person’s grief experience, offering guidance on how to show up for people in their darkest moments. Speaking Grief is a production of WPSU.
WVIA Radio To Present Rebroadcast of Delaware Water Gap Celebration WVIA Radio in conjunction with Chiaroscuro Records will be presenting its annual coverage of the Delaware Water Gap Celebration of the Arts (COTA) over 10 nights during the station’s All That Jazz radio program, Monday through Friday, December 5-9 and 12-16 at 7 p.m. Produced and hosted by George Graham, the series presents music from the 44th annual festival’s main stage and the nearby Deer Head Inn that took place on this past September. The festival was founded in 1978 as a showcase for the wealth of world-class jazz artists who make their home in the Pocono Northeast. It featured two full days of music in downtown Delaware Water Gap. WVIA has been presenting annual coverage of COTA since 1997. WVIA’s coverage includes both music and interviews with artists. Here is the schedule: Monday, December 5: Adam Niewood’s Double Entendre from the main stage/ Terry & Paul Kleinfelter from the Deer Head Tuesday, December 6: Nancy & Spencer Reed from the main stage/ Ron Thomas & Joe Michaels from the Deer Head Wednesday, December 7: Carolyn Leonhart Quartet from the main stage Thursday, December 8: Skip & Dan Wilkins Quartet from the main stage Friday, December 9: Water Gap Orchestra from the main stage Monday, December 12: Andy Bianco Quartet / Jay Rattman and Friends from the Deer Head Tuesday, December 13: Ryan Devlin & Steve Kortyka Quintet from the main stage/ Mode for Joe Duo [Bill Washer & Jon Ballantyne] from the Deer Head Wednesday, December 14: Najwa Parkins & Resolute Sound from the main stage/ Jim Ridl Trio from the Deer Head Thursday, December 15: Organik Vibe Quartet from the main stage Friday, December 16: Quartette Oblique featuring Dave Liebman & Michael Stephans from the Deer Head/ Peter Fluck & the Foztones from the main stage
WVIA Receives SAGE Impact Award for Community Outreach The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce announced WVIA as the recipient of the Impact Award for Community Outreach at this year’s SAGE Awards. “WVIA is honored to receive this award,” said Carla McCabe, President/CEO of WVIA. “We are uniquely positioned to be able to help businesses and organizations collaborate, convene, and discuss the issues that face our region, and we are proud to use our resources to help serve as a catalyst to improve the quality of life in our communities.” The SAGE Impact Award for Community Outreach recognizes creative expansion, collaborations, or adaptations within a business or organization for the purpose of addressing significant community needs. In the past year, WVIA produced over 80 hours of original television content and developed a news department to cover local stories. WVIA serves the citizens of the greater Scranton area by providing thoughtful and insightful programs that bring together area experts, leaders, and change agents to inform and educate audiences about the important topics facing our region and to create a platform for positive change. WVIA focuses most of its creative energy, time, and financial resources on creating these programs as they help further WVIA’s mission: WVIA educates, inspires, entertains and fosters citizenship, diverse cultures, and perspectives to nurture community. In the past year, WVIA partnered with over 100 community organizations, highlighting the issues that are important to the people of the region and providing answers and resources to our community’s most pressing questions. WVIA News has highlighted stories of our region and brought them national attention, having been featured on NPR stations across the country multiple times. Putting together these programs requires a large investment on the station’s part. Thousands of staff hours and thousands of dollars were invested, all with the goal of better informing our region and building connections for greater prosperity. About The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Established in 1867, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is the largest business network in northeastern Pennsylvania, with more than 1,500 member companies representing a variety of businesses. By becoming a Chamber member you become part of a community of businesses that seeks to ensure a high quality of life for all those living and working in the region. In addition to traditional Chamber services, such as networking, referrals, and cost-saving programs, The Chamber is also the parent organization to a number of affiliates. These affiliates support economic development, provide small business lending services, facilitate leadership development programs and guide workforce development initiatives. The Chamber and its family of affiliates support our members’ success, creating opportunities for the region and helping business owners and executives address the issues they face each day.
WVIA Announced as RACP Recipient WVIA has been announced as the recipient of a $2.25 million dollar award from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) of Pennsylvania.“We are grateful to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for selecting WVIA as a recipient of RACP funding among so many worthy applications. For over 50 years, WVIA has been proud to serve this region, and we look forward to continuing our tradition of excellence for generations to come” said Carla McCabe, WVIA President, and CEO. “Thank you to our board members and community leaders who advocated on behalf of WVIA for this grant award as well as James Davis and the team at Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies for their support in the process.”
WVIA’s Broadcast of Pennsylvania’s Congressional District Debate WVIA will broadcast the 2022 8th Congressional District Debate live from the WVIA Studios in Pittston, PA on Thursday, October 20th, at 7 p.m. The debate will simulcast live regionally on WVIA-TV, and WNEP TV, statewide on PCN and nationally on C-SPAN. The broadcast can also be heard on WVIA Radio and will livestream on WVIA’s Facebook and YouTube channels as well as at wvia.org. The live debate for the 8th Congressional District will feature incumbent Congressman Matt Cartwright (D) and Jim Bognet (R). Information on Matt Cartwright can be found at https://www.cartwrightcongress.com Information on Jim Bognet can be found at https://www.bognetforcongress.com The producer and moderator of the debate will be WVIA’s Larry Vojtko. Panelists for the debate include Borys Krawczeniuk, Staff Writer of the Times-Tribune, Roger DuPuis, News Editor for the Times Leader, and Lisa Washington, WNEP. On Friday, October 21st, WVIA will broadcast the 2022 9th Congressional District Debate at 7 p.m. live from the WVIA Studios. The debate will feature incumbent Congressman Dan Meuser (R) and Amanda Waldman (D).
