Party on the Patio Returns to Mohegan Sun Pocono

Tribute band fans rejoice! Mohegan Sun Pocono (MSP) is excited to announce the return of Party on the Patio. Every Thursday from June 3rd to September 2nd, guests can enjoy Northeast Pennsylvania’s top spot for live entertainment, experience a variety of food truck options, and stay refreshed with drink specials. As always, there is no cover charge at Party on the Patio.

MSP is excited for the return of Party on the Patio and remains dedicated to upholding the highest safety standards for all guests and team members. All Party on the Patio shows will adhere to state, local and CDC guidelines, including operating at reduced capacity and enforcing social distancing. Masks will be required at all times except while eating or drinking. Entry may be denied due to capacity limits and/or failure to adhere to health & safety standards, which are subject to change. For more information on safety guidelines, visit mohegansunpocono.com.

Party on the Patio was canceled last summer due to the global pandemic, and this summer, redemption comes in the form of a lineup guests won’t want to miss. In addition to some of the best tribute bands in the country, Badfish is making their Party on the Patio debut on July 1st with Sublime’s greatest hits. The following week, Almost Queen is set to bring the best of Queen to Mohegan Sun Pocono for the first time since 2016. Almost Queen will also have Philadelphia Freedom opening, who are fellow NEPA natives and a tribute to Elton John.

Local food trucks will be featured each week, and Tony Luke’s will also be serving delicious classic Philly cheesesteaks and chicken cheesesteaks all summer long. Coors Light, Blue Moon and a variety of spirits and mixed drinks will also be available.

Party on the Patio performances do not have a cover and doors open at 6:30pm. These incredible bands start rockin’ at 7:30pm. All attendees must be 21 and over and valid identification is required for entry.

Featured bands for Party on the Patio, hosted by The River 105, are as follows:

6/3/21             Black Dog, a tribute to Led Zeppelin

6/10/21           Best of the Eagles, a tribute to the Eagles

6/17/21           Back in Black, a tribute to AC/DC

6/24/21           Head Games, a tribute to Foreigner

7/1/21             Badfish, a tribute to Sublime

7/8/21             Almost Queen, a tribute to Queen (with special guest Philadelphia Freedom, a tribute to Elton John)

7/15/21           The Great Escape, a tribute to Journey

7/22/21           7800 Fahrenheit, a tribute to Bon Jovi

7/29/21           The Landsharks, a tribute to Jimmy Buffet

8/5/21             Draw the Line, a tribute to Aerosmith

8/12/21           Refugee, a tribute to Tom Petty

8/19/21           Stayin’ Alive, a tribute to the Bee Gees

8/29/21           A Proud Monkey, a tribute to Dave Matthews Band

9/2/21             Tusk, a tribute to Fleetwood Mac*Lineup subject to change.

Audacy Extends Advertising Offer to All Chamber Members

As a valued chamber member, we want to ensure that you saw the news about big changes at Entercom. We’ve been on a transformational journey for the past three years, and after strategic acquisitions in the audio, digital and data space, we’re positioned to serve our listeners and advertisers better than ever. Now we need a name that fits who we have become and who we aspire to be.

We are Audacy, the most influential voices in audio. This is more than a name change. Our new brand reflects the transformation of our company into a scaled, multiplatform audio powerhouse with a leadership position in virtually every segment of the dynamic and growing audio market.

As a result of our recent acquisitions, investments and enhancements, we have meaningfully elevated our capacity to serve our listeners and advertisers better than ever. Our products, best in class roster of local and national influencers and innovative targeting tools are here to connect your brand with our audiences and drive results for you.

Our new brand captures our re-imagination, our dynamic growth, and our creativity.  We’re thrilled to give you a first look at Audacy in this brief video.

To celebrate this rebranding we are extending our new chamber member benefit to all current members “Any radio schedule matched up to $2500 for new advertisers, contact Kimberlee at 570-880-5307″

Scranton Counseling Center Unveiled New $15 Million Headquarters in South Scranton

A seven-year vision to develop a new state-of-the-art campus for Scranton Counseling Center became a reality Thursday at the corner of Cedar Avenue and Cherry Street in south Scranton. The ribbon cutting for the new $15 million multi-building complex that provides counseling services to mostly uninsured and underinsured consumers suffering with behavioral health and substance use disorders was held in front of the new campus.

The historic site originally housed The Scranton Button Company, and later became the home of Capitol Records. The conversion to Scranton Counseling Center’s new headquarters preserved the main and adjoining buildings while modernizing the structures and significantly upgrading the service spaces, including everything from the windows to all building systems for the nonprofit’s thousands of annual consumers and staff.

The Counseling Center has moved from its previous cramped and outdated space on Adams Avenue – its home for over 3 decades – that was previously a Sears store. “This bright and modern new home is welcoming, inviting and functional,” relayed Dr. Edward F. Heffron, who retired as president and CEO of the Counseling Center last week. “This was a seven-year labor of love that has many supporters and facilitators to get us to today’s event,” he continued. “This opening is the goal that kept me energized and focused during that time. Once we opened the doors, I felt my mission had been completed.”

Jefferson-Werner LLC is the developer and Hemmler and Camayd the architects of the project that was aided with state and federal funding, including a $4 million state Redevelopment Assistance Capital grant and $7 million in new markets tax credits. Grants from The Moses Taylor Foundation, The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, The Hawk Family Foundation, The Margaret Briggs Foundation, Peoples Security Bank and Trust, and Community Support Group added to the financing support of Commonwealth Cornerstone Group and PNC Bank.

A tribute wall planned for the first-floor hallway of the new facility recognizes the various individuals and groups who aided with the project. The tribune wall names the Scranton Counseling Center board members, the elected officials who supported the funding, the foundations and financial entities who are invested, and the architects, engineers and contractors who completed the work.

Developer Charles Jefferson said, “Some projects are more rewarding than others to complete. This campus renovation is a shining example of improving the needs of the marginalized individuals in our community, preserving and modernizing a historic building, revitalizing this section of south Scranton and connecting a wide and diverse stream of funding to make it happen… in a single focus.”

Scranton Counseling Center is a community-based private nonprofit behavioral health provider serving children, adolescents, adults and families with mental health and substance use disorder issues in Lackawanna, Susquehanna and surrounding counties. The Center is northeast Pennsylvania’s largest integrated provider with over seven decades of quality accessible services for those in need.

Marywood University Awards Noyce Scholarship to Mathematics/Secondary Education Junior

Marywood University recently awarded a Noyce Scholarship to Jason Holman, Taylor, Pa., junior mathematics/secondary education major. A graduate of Riverside High School, Holman is benefiting from the tuition coverage of the scholarship, as well as the connections that he’s making with faculty and staff on the University’s campus.

Marywood’s Advancing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Teaching (MAST) Program is a scholarship opportunity for biology and math secondary education majors. MAST scholars earn bachelor’s degrees in biology or math and are eligible for a Pennsylvania secondary teaching certification in biology or mathematics.

Holman learned of the Noyce Scholarship from a science professor, and then the message was reinforced by Dhanapati Adhikari, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematics/computer science. Dr. Adhikari explained that students are eligible to apply for the scholarship during their sophomore year, or after passing their sophomore screening for education. After applying, students are invited for an interview and get a status notification by May 1 each year.

Beyond the financial benefits, Holman said, “It [the Noyce Scholarship] puts you out there—doing a lot of tutoring, puts you on the campus map with other people, particularly with faculty and staff members. In the future these connections can serve as recommendations in securing a teaching position.”

Outside of gym classes, math was always Holman’s favorite subject. Having the added benefit of developing a strong relationship with his high school math teacher, who he had during his four years of high school, helped Holman solidify his talents for math and teaching. Enjoying tutoring and seeing the progression of someone learning is what drives Holman in his pursuit of teaching.

Knowing that the Noyce Scholarship will help him get ahead, both financially and in securing employment post-graduation, Holman appreciates the teaching apprenticeship that the scholarship affords, as well as the bonds he has formed with faculty and staff at Marywood University.

The Noyce Scholarship has a service component which requires scholarship recipients to teach in underserved school districts for two years post-graduation, while also providing scholarship recipients with the added benefit of helping to organize the math competition at Marywood, tutoring, and a teaching apprenticeship.

Holman said, “I grew up in the area, and I want to stay here where I can make a difference in building up students to better themselves, which in turn betters the area. I hope to teach in Lackawanna or Wayne County post-graduation.”

The Noyce Scholarship is not limited to tuition and can also be applied to other costs, such as room and board and books. Holman is technically a transfer student, since he transferred to Marywood just days after beginning his studies at another college. He sees the benefits of the Noyce Scholarship for both transfer and traditional undergraduate students, as students can apply during their sophomore year for junior year eligibility.

In addition to his academic work, Holman is also a student-athlete, playing on the University’s men’s basketball team, which brings him full circle to his two favorite subjects—those of a love of math and of basketball.

Lavish Scranton Opens New Location

Lavish Scranton, formerly known as Lavish Body & Home, opened its new location at 200 Adams Ave. The grand opening was held on Friday, April 2. The new location has about 7,000 square feet of space that features its salon, spa, and boutique. Lavish Scranton has consolidated their two previous locations — a store and salon on Linden Street and a spa on North Washington Avenue.

St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen Continues ‘Host for A Day’ Campaign

The St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen in Scranton is conducting its annual “Host for A Day” campaign. An individual, a family, a business, a community organization or faith-based group can sponsor the day’s meal at the kitchen. The day’s meals may also be sponsored in memory of a loved one. Under normal operating procedures, the Kitchen serves 250 hot, nutritious meals every day to men, women and children in need.

Penn East Federal Credit Union Makes Donation to Nursing Center

Penn East Federal Credit Union’s (FCU) Community Involvement Committee recently donated dozens of crafts, activities, and brain games to residents of Allied Services Skilled Nursing Center. The facility in Scranton is one of the area’s largest skilled nursing centers providing comprehensive quality care for both short-term and long-term patients.  

The Penn East FCU Community Involvement Committee’s mission is to engage and contribute to organizations to improve and establish connections in the community. Penn East Federal Credit Union is a community-chartered credit union offering membership to anyone that lives or works in Lackawanna, Luzerne, or Wyoming Counties. 

Scranton Bank Orders Lunch for Geisinger Frontline Workers

Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. of Scranton ordered lunch from DaVinci Pizza for 125 employees at Geisinger Community Medical Center last week to honor frontline workers.

Throughout the month of March, Peoples Security Bank donated more than 1,600 meals from area restaurants to 13 hospitals across the state and in New York. Up to 125 frontline providers from each hospital received a lunch or dinner, along with a special message of encouragement and appreciation for their selflessness and commitment to their patients.

“Over the past year, most of us have spent all of our waking hours thinking about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and what it means for us and our families,” said Alicen Backus, marketing representative for Peoples Security Bank. “People who live in our communities have all faced hardships in one way or another, and no one has experienced the impact more than our health care workers, who have been working on the frontline, day in and day out, through it all.“

To honor their continued service and sacrifices, Peoples Security Bank pledged more than $80,000 in the past year to support health care workers and regional food banks within the bank’s Pennsylvania-based footprint grappling with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“On behalf of everyone at Peoples Security Bank & Trust, thank you to everyone at Geisinger for all that you do for our community,” Backus said.