Early on in the COVID-19 crisis, NET Credit Union hosted a scrub sale to honor healthcare workers, as well as benefit their 2020 charity recipient: Allied Services dePaul School. Healthcare professionals were able to order scrub sets for just $10. All proceeds raised from the sale (in addition to other annual fundraising events) benefited Allied Services dePaul School.

The dePaul School provides educational programs for children with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Their dedicated staff provides programs to help children overcome learning disabilities so they can return to conventional classrooms with the academic skills and confidence they need to succeed.

Together, we not only helped a deserving local organization but also supported our healthcare professionals during this time of uncertainty.

NET Credit Union prides ourselves on community partnerships. We are people continuing to help other people.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that expiration dates for driver licenses, identification cards, and learner’s permits, will be extended for Pennsylvania residents in response to statewide COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

Effective May 27, 2020, expiration dates for driver licenses, photo ID cards and learner’s permits scheduled to expire from March 16, 2020 through June 30, 2020, have been extended until June 30, 2020. These extensions are in addition to those announced on April 30, which extended products with expiration dates up to May 31 to June 30.

A camera card is considered a driver’s license, so it is covered by the same terms and conditions extending other driver’s license products. Camera cards with expiration dates within this timeframe are also extended through June 30, 2020.

Additionally, limited services are available at some Driver License and Photo License Centers. For a list of open driver license and photo license centers and the services provided, as well as their hours of operation, please visit www.dmv.pa.gov.

Customers may continue to complete various transactions and access multiple resources online at www.dmv.pa.gov. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; and driver license and photo ID duplicates. There are no additional fees for using online services.

PennDOT will continue to evaluate these processes and will communicate any changes with the public.

More COVID-19 information is available at www.health.pa.gov. For more information, visit www.dmv.pa.gov or www.PennDOT.gov.

While most teenagers have been taking advantage of home schooling by getting some extra sleep and maybe extra video game time, the Kenneson brothers of Exton, PA, have been using their extra time to help frontline caregivers during the pandemic.

Much like all other students in the area, Alex, 18, Tyler, 16 and Dylan, 12, who attend Devon Preparatory School, have been taking classes online since March. The three brothers who normally spend their free time playing sports, golfing and fishing, decided to use some of their newly found downtime to develop face shields for frontline caregivers in their area.

“We had a 3D printer that our dad got us for Christmas, and we realized we could help out with the PPE shortages when we saw the supply crisis in the news,” said Alex, who finished his senior year classes last week. “We called hospitals and nursing homes and they told us that they did need more supplies.”

The brothers downloaded the basic designs for face shields and then made some adjustments to produce them as fast as they could with their 3D printer. They have been printing the face shields and covering the costs themselves.

“We earn the money caddying, mowing lawns and doing chores,” said Dylan, who is finishing up his 7^th grade year.

So far, the Kenneson brothers have made more than 500 shields and have a capacity to make about 12 to 18 per day with the printer running all day.

“We have a second printer that is currently broken, but we are trying to fix it so we can double our capacity,” said Tyler, who is a sophomore this year.

The brothers have created their own company, ATD Products, with their own website and LinkedIn presence. The website, www.atdproducts.com, proudly states that “ATD Products was founded during the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic by three brothers who saw a need and committed themselves to serving our frontline heroes.”

ATD recently donated 25 face shields to Geisinger.

“A family friend, Taylor Lindeman, just graduated from the University of Scranton and started working at Geisinger as a nursing assistant,” said Alex, who plans to major in engineering at the University of Scranton this fall. “She asked if we would send a shipment of our face shields to Geisinger and we, of course, said ‘yes.’”

To make a donation in the fight against COVID-19, please visit Geisinger.org/fightcovid or call 800-739-6882.

The Everhart Museum announced today that due to COVID-19, they will pivot their Museum Adventure Week Summer Camp series to a virtual platform. Inspired by weekly camp themes, this year the Virtual Summer Camp will also include an Adventure Kit. Kits are curated boxes of hands-on activities, exclusive to the Everhart, with digital codes for access to live classroom experiences with museum educators. Each week has a unique story to tell, as campers follow characters through adventures in Nature, Art, and Mysteries of the Ancient World.

“We typically plan our Museum Adventures all year long. We wanted to put the same level of energy and enthusiasm into these kits that we would have if the kids were with us in the Museum. We have a great team of creative people, and we are so proud of what we’ve come up with to engage kids in museum education from home.” – Stefanie Colarusso, Director of Programs and Events.

The curriculum is tailored to two age groups, kindergarten through 2nd graders and 3rd-6th graders. Each Museum Adventure Kit has supplies for one child, but ​the adventure can be shared with the whole family! T​he cost of each Virtual Summer Camp with Museum Adventure Kit is $15.00 per kit, and a​ ​limited number of kits will be available each week.

As in previous years, each week will have a dedicated theme.

Week 1 (July 13 – 17): Nature Adventure ​for Grades K-2 – ​Butterfly Discovery on The Pamana Expedition ​ and for Grades 3-6 – ​Dr. Twining’s Strange and Unusual Herbarium

Week 2 (July 27 – 31): Art Adventure​ Grades K-2 – ​The Story of the Fisherman from Kanagawa a​ nd for Grades 3-6 – ​Stitching a Story: A Weaver from New Hope

Week 3 (August 10 – 14): Mystery Adventure ​Grades K-2 – ​Magical Egypt – Animals and Insects of the Ancient World​ and for​ G​ rades 3-6 – ​Breaking Codes in the Tomb of Queen Hatshepsut

“My family has been participating in the Virtual Workshops, and we really enjoy them. The projects are engaging and educational. As always, the entire Everhart staff is professional, yet relaxed and welcoming. We are looking forward to their upcoming programs!”- Karen A.

A Museum Adventure Kit includes the following: a short story, written by museum staff exclusive to the Everhart Museum Collection; full printed lesson plans; all tools and supplies needed for projects; printed artworks or 3-D printed collection pieces; codes to unlock digital step-by-steps; links to recommended virtual field trips; a schedule of live-daily classes or discussions; morning warm-ups with Museum staff, and a ​FREE Family Membership t​hat can be used within a year of activation, a total retail value of $90.

The cost of each Adventure Kit has been reduced thanks to the additional support provided by the Everhart’s board of trustees. Adventure Week is underwritten by the ​Lackawanna County Office of Education & Culture, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the City of Scranton, ArtsEngage!, and the Maslow Family Foundation.

Registration opens on June 1st. To register, please visit Events and Programs on the Everhart Museum’s website ​www.everhart-museum.org​. For more information, please email assistant.programs@everhart-museum.org.

We are providing two opportunities starting June 1 to eat better, move your body, and look and feel great for summer! Join us for our 21-Day Clean Eating in Quarantine Challenge, as well as our 100 Miles in 100 Days Community Challenge. Check out details below.

We know living in quarantine creates challenges to sticking to a healthy fitness and nutrition routine. We also know summer is officially around the corner, so we created our 21-Day Clean Eating in Quarantine Challenge to jump start your beach body and learn how to build healthy fitness and nutrition habits that will last you all summer.

Challenge runs June 1 – 21 for only $39 and includes

• Quest Kickstart Nutrition Plan (grocery guide, meal planning tracker, and progress tracker)
• Free Nutrition Workshop (on demand)
• Coaching videos to help build healthy habits
• Daily fitness and nutrition tips
• Accountability and community support (share your progress/recipes here)
• Weekly Sample Meal Plan
• Weekly challenges, incentives and prizes

Check out more information HERE and SIGN UP TODAY!

We want to encourage others to move their body and so we are launching a community-wide fitness challenge! We are challenging YOU to walk/run/bike 100 miles in 100 days. Challenge runs June 1 – September 8. Tag selfies during your journey along the way to win prizes. Tag Quest Studio with #100MILES100DAYSQS on Facebook or Instagram for your chance to win weekly prizes.

As counties move into the yellow phase of reopening and “Stay at Home Orders” are adjusted, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) remind drivers that traffic safety must be top of mind when behind the wheel.

“While social distancing is still encouraged, when you do travel please drive safely,” said Acting PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “We urge all Pennsylvanians to always wear their seat belts, adhere to speed limits, and never drive impaired or distracted.”

The agencies are partnering with municipal police departments and other state and local safety organizations as part of a statewide “Click It or Ticket” seat belt enforcement and education initiative from May 18 through June 14, 2020. The national enforcement effort has been postponed to November 2020 due to COVID-19 mitigation efforts.

Pennsylvania law requires all occupants younger than 18 to wear a seat belt when riding in a vehicle, as well as every driver and front-seat passenger. Children under the age of two must be secured in a rear-facing car seat, and children under the age of four must be restrained in an approved child safety seat. Children must ride in a booster seat until their eighth birthday.

As we move toward Memorial Day, the traditional start of the summer driving period, we encourage Pennsylvanians to “Know Before You Go” by checking the “Holiday Interstate Lane Restrictions” page at www.511PA.com before planning upcoming travel.

The public can check conditions on more than 40,000 roadway miles in Pennsylvania by visiting www.511PA.com. The service, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 950 traffic cameras. Motorists can also see active construction projects at www.511PA.com.

According to state police data, the number of crashes and DUI arrests have fallen dramatically during the COVID-19 pandemic that has kept more people at home and off the roads, but officials caution that those rates could creep back up as restrictions are lifted during the summer months.

“Even though we are all traveling less often, we still have the responsibility to do our part to keep Pennsylvania’s roads safe,” said Major Bruce Williams, director of the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Patrol. “The first step toward safer roads is a commitment to wearing a seat belt and zero tolerance for impaired or distracted driving.”

Nationally, many states have reported alarming speed increases with the lower traffic volumes during “Stay at Home Orders.” PennDOT and PSP urge drivers to always follow the speed limit and drive safe. Buckle up for every trip, designate a sober driver, and never drive distracted.

PennDOT data shows that total traffic fatalities decreased to 1,059 in 2019, a new record low, from 1,190 in 2018. According to national data, over 90 percent of crashes are caused by driver behavior. For this reason, PennDOT focuses on data trends to drive enforcement and education improvements and invests approximately $18 million annually in federal grant funds statewide to support these behavioral safety programs.

For more information on highway safety, visit www.PennDOT.gov/Safety.

Beginning Monday, June 1, the Greater Scranton YMCA will reopen its Early Learning Center for essential services personnel. Examples of essential services personnel includes health care employees, emergency workers (fire, police, emergency medical services, etc.), grocery store staff and more.

The Greater Scranton YMCA understands securing child care during this time is a hardship for families who must still report to work. Because essential services personnel still must work, the Greater Scranton YMCA submitted a waiver to the state allowing the organization to provide child care services for these families.

“The safety of our children and staff is our top priority,” said Janine Shaffer, Education Director, Greater Scranton YMCA. “We understand families who must still work need care for their children. Over the past several weeks, we have worked on a plan to safely and responsibly reopen our center and we are very excited to welcome back the families we’ve missed, as well as new families in need of our services.”

Beginning Monday, June 8, the Greater Scranton YMCA’s day-long school age program will open for essential services personnel. If by June 8 Lackawanna County is moved to the yellow phase of Governor Wolf’s reopening plan, the full Early Learning Center and day-long school age program will reopen. Upon reopening these programs, the Greater Scranton YMCA will follow all guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control. The Y will be sure to post all possible date changes to its child care reopening plan as soon as they become available.

To learn more about the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Early Learning Center or to register, contact Janine Shaffer, jshaffer@greaterscrantonymca.org. To learn more about the day-long school age program or to register, contact Karen Clause at kclause@greaterscrantonymca.org.

To better facilitate your banking needs, we welcome you to schedule in-branch appointments by calling 570-253-1970 with the extension of your local branch:

• Carbondale ext: 7810
• Damascus ext: 7310
• Dingmans Ferry ext: 7510
• Greentown ext: 7410
• Hawley Downtown ext: 7210
• Hawley Lake Region ext: 7620
• Honesdale ext: 7199

Additionally, for your convenience, we have extended customer service telephone hours at 1-570-253-1970, option 7.

The Dime Bank continues to be committed to servicing your accounts while following guidelines provided by our state officials. As we work on opening our branch lobbies to more capacity, we have put in place safety protocol measures to ensure a safe and healthy environment for our visitors.

We ask that you please:

• Wear a mask. If you don’t have one, we will provide you with one.
• Maintain social distance of six feet.
• Acknowledge the In-Take Procedures as recommended by the CDC including a temperature of less than 100 degrees.
• For identification, remove hats, sunglasses, hoodies, etc.
• Limit the individuals that accompany you to those who are necessary to complete your transactions.

Thank you for your understanding as we keep everyone safe and healthy!

Please continue to consider utilizing our digital services that allow you to conveniently manage your accounts 24/7/365 from the convenience of your home or anywhere. Visit our website at www.thedimebank.com for more information and to enroll to access your accounts.

Many seniors wait until retirement before going on a Medicare Advantage or supplement plan because they have health insurance through their companies.  As a result, those who were recently laid off due to the current pandemic are now struggling to find suitable insurance options.

These seniors should consider consulting a senior benefits specialist at an insurance brokerage firm, according to Jerry Calistri, president and chief executive officer of Swift Kennedy & Associates, a brokerage firm that specializes in senior insurance policies, group employee benefit plans, and individual policies.

“Using an insurance broker can be invaluable for any senior, but it is especially important for those who have lost their jobs and are now faced with critical decisions that could affect their finances and health for years to come,” said Calistri.

How Brokers Can Help

Insurance brokers like Swift Kennedy inform seniors about the wide range of policies that are available from the carriers in their area and assist them in determining which options best suit their individual needs.

For example, brokers explain the differences between the various types of policies aimed at seniors, such as Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans.  They also help seniors compare plans that have lower premiums and fewer benefits with pricier ones that offer more generous benefits.

In addition, brokers provide seniors with the required paperwork, submit their applications, and follow up to ensure that their coverage takes effect on the desired dates.

The Price is Right

Insurance brokerage firms do not charge seniors for their services, because broker commissions are paid by insurance carriers rather than by individual clients.

“Most seniors are surprised to learn that they do not need to pay for our services,” said Calistri.

A Full-Service Agency

Swift Kennedy & Associates helps seniors find affordable Medicare products and provides businesses with employee benefit plans, including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and alternative funding options.  This full-service agency, which offers all health insurance carriers in Pennsylvania, has offices in State College, DuBois, Wilkes-Barre, Williamsport, and Virginia Beach.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced that beginning Friday, May 22, additional Driver License and Photo License Centers in yellow phase counties will reopen, adhering to restrictions on work and social interaction set by Governor Tom Wolf and the Pennsylvania Department of Health.

These re-openings are in addition to those previously announced on May 14, 2020.

The following driver license centers will reopen with limited services beginning Friday, May 22:

• Gettysburg Driver and Photo License Center, 37 North 4th Street, Gettysburg;
• Beaver Falls Driver and Photo License Center, 2580 Constitution Boulevard, Beaver Falls;
• Carlisle Driver and Photo License Center, 950 Walnut Bottom Road, Suite 13, Carlisle;
• Summerdale Driver and Photo License Center, 429 North Enola Road, Enola;
• Lewistown Driver and Photo License Center, 13217 Ferguson Valley Road, Yeagertown; and
• York Driver and Photo License Center, 2130 South Queen Street, York;

Hours of operation at the above locations will be Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM. Wednesday and Thursday between 8:30 AM and 10:30 AM will be designated times for customers 60 years or older.

These locations will be closed Saturday, May 23 through Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.

As the Driver License Centers open, they will offer limited services. Customers will be able to obtain the following services as they plan their visit to one of these centers:

• Commercial Driver License (CDL) transactions, including renewals, replacements, Medical Examiner’s Certificates (MECs), date of proof transactions, Hazardous Material Recertifications, and related transactions;
• Initial issuance transactions, including out-of-state transfers, permit testing, ID card issuance, and related transactions;
• Photo license services;
• Driver license restoration services that cannot be completed online or via mail;
• Medical-related testing; and
• Non-U.S. citizen transaction processing.

The following Photo License Centers will reopen beginning Friday May 22:

• Duncannon, 5 Broadway Avenue, Duncannon; hours of operation will be Friday and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM.
• York, 120 Roosevelt Avenue, York; hours of operation will be Tuesday through Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM.

These locations will be closed Saturday, May 23 through Monday, May 25, in observance of Memorial Day.

The following Photo License Centers will reopen beginning Tuesday, May 26:

• Stewartstown, 63 North Main Street, Stewartstown; hours of operation will be Tuesday and Saturday from 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM.

Photo License Centers process photos only, and individuals must have a camera card for this service.

For a list of driver license and photo license centers that will be open during the yellow phase, as well as their hours of operation, please visit www.dmv.pa.gov.

Customers seeking renewal of their non-commercial license or ID should renew online or by mail to avoid an unnecessary visit to the Driver License Center.

In an effort to support social distancing and reduce initial volume and demand at driver license centers, the following customer services will not be initially available:

• Non-commercial road testing;
• REAL ID applications and transactions, however, pre-verified customers can apply for REAL ID online; and
• Transactions or services that can be completed online at www.dmv.pa.gov.

In all reopened driver license centers, the following COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place:

• Customers will be prescreened and asked brief questions regarding any potential symptoms of COVID-19;
• Customers will be required to wear masks while in the facility;
• Seating will be reduced at all Driver License Centers to make social distancing easier to maintain six feet distances between each seat;
• The number of customers will be limited to correspond with available counter stations and available seating in the customer waiting area only;
• Admittance to the facility will be limited to only the customer requiring service, unless assistance is needed by an accompanying person;
• Plexiglass sneeze guards have been installed at each counter to protect customers and employees;
• Cleaning protocols have been enhanced to sanitize facilities on an ongoing basis; and
• Markings on floors have been added to assist with social distancing along with signage to communicate special instructions to customers.

As PennDOT reopens driver license and photo license centers, services will be in high demand, and customers should expect longer than normal waits. PennDOT staff will work with each customer when they arrive to plan their visit, with additional staff serving as greeters to screen documents and provide information for a smooth and safe transaction as possible. PennDOT apologizes for this inconvenience and appreciates customers’ understanding during this transition.

Customers may continue to complete various transactions and access multiple resources online at www.dmv.pa.gov. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; and driver license and photo ID duplicates. There are no additional fees for using online services.

PennDOT will continue to evaluate these processes and will continue to reopen other locations as soon as safely possible. We will continue to communicate any reopening and changes with the public.

More COVID-19 information is available at www.health.pa.gov. For more information, visit www.dmv.pa.gov or www.PennDOT.gov.