Dakor Home Furnishings Boutique Grand Opening

You are invited to attend the grand opening of DAKOR Home Furnishing Boutique on Thursday, June 24 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Light refreshments and entertainment will be provided.

Location: 306 South State Street, Clarks Summit

HNB Supports the Devereux Foundation with EITC Donation

The Honesdale National Bank was once again authorized to make approved contributions under the Commonwealth’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) Program. HNB designated $2,500 of their approved allotment to the Devereux Foundation. The funds, donated by HNB, will support individuals in all areas of life – from activities like Special Olympics to sensory-friendly spaces and advanced therapy.

HNB President & CEO David Raven stated, “The Devereux Foundation is an important organization in our community that continues to provide support to those in need.” He said, “We are glad that we can fund this program to continue to serve our area.”

Tina Skod, Executive Director, Devereux Foundation, said, “Despite a number of diagnoses and challenges among those we serve. Devereux remains committed to whole-person health.” She continued “This collaborative effort to promote both behavioral and physical wellness puts us at the fore front of the industry, bringing healthcare into the 21st century.”

Peculiar Kitchen Now Accepting Reservations

Peculiar Kitchen is a reimagination of Peculiar Slurp, located on the 300 Block of Penn Ave, in Downtown Scranton. We serve New American Comfort Food with a serious passion for Asian flare. We offer dishes for meat lovers, vegetarians & vegans. We can accommodate dietary restrictions like gluten free, paleo and keto, to ensure all our guests are taken care of.

We recently refreshed our brand from Peculiar Slurp to Peculiar Kitchen, to let our customers know that we are not just about the Ramen. Our love for other cuisines just made us want to open the culinary flood gates to cook whatever we want!

This past year has been difficult for many, especially those in the restaurant industry. We decided this was as good a time as any to do a brand refresh, add a few coats of paint, some new artwork and of course update our menu to be more inclusive of other cuisines and styles of cooking! You can still get your ramen here, but we offer so much more!

The atmosphere at Peculiar Kitchen is hip, funky, artistic, vibrant, and relaxed. Our restaurant is great for families, individuals, and couples alike. We offer table seating inside, counter seating at the open kitchen or limited seating on our patio. We just celebrated three years at our current location in Downtown Scranton and look forward to serving you for years to come! We are now open to full capacity and are accepting reservations for regular dinner service as well tickets for our upcoming come chef dinners.

Back in 2012, we started Peculiar Culinary as a passion project and started hosting pop up restaurants and catering special events. You may remember our original home base at a Hose Co in Hughestown, near Pittston, where we also started our food truck business in 2015. We gained popularity with our unique dinners and food truck stops at places like Sabatini’s Bottleshop on “Taco Tuesday” and other locations around the area, including lunches on Courthouse Square and festivals at Montage Mountain or breweries like SBC. We have since sold our food truck with our focus on the restaurant and catering upon availability. From our humble beginnings with Peculiar Culinary to Peculiar Slurp…Join us on this adventure, and the new beginning that is Peculiar Kitchen!

Our hours and current menu are listed on our website at www.thepeculiarkitchen.com. You can also see daily/weekly features on Facebook or Instagram.

At Peculiar Kitchen we offer table service in our dining room with cocktails, beer, wine and soft drinks, a small patio and take out with online ordering. We now accept reservations. Call the restaurant for details or visit our website. We also offer take out and online ordering through our website or the Toast app. We do not offer delivery.

For additional information about Peculiar Kitchen, check out www.thepeculiarkitchen.com or Peculiar Kitchen on Facebook or Peculiar Kitchen NEPA on Instagram. Peculiar Kitchen is located at 307 Penn Ave, Scranton, PA.

Johnson College Enrolling Students from Rural Areas into Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program

Johnson College is now enrolling for its new USDA Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program. This remote education program for high school and adult students in the rural areas of Wayne, Pike, and Susquehanna counties launches on August 30, 2021.  It creates a direct route for students to complete any of Johnson College’s 15 academic programs and ultimately a fulfilling career with family-sustaining wages while staying in their communities. To learn more about this program or to register for courses listed below, please visit Johnson.edu/usda-registration or email the Johnson College enrollment team at enroll@johnson.edu.

Students will have interactive, two-way access to Johnson College faculty and participate in remote education, discussions, testing, and skill demonstrations via high-tech telecommunications equipment in classrooms at Forest City Regional High School, Honesdale High School, Wallenpaupack Area High School, and Western Wayne High School. In addition, Lakeville Library, Newfoundland Library, and Pleasant Mount Library will be equipped with laptops to give community residents access to career exploration services and information about courses at Johnson College. 

In addition to the distance learning opportunity this program provides, students will have access to Johnson College’s full array of on-campus support services including tutoring, counseling, career services, financial aid, internship opportunities, and exposure to industry from day one. Distance learning will help high school and adult students reach their full potential and connect with the region’s essential careers already in demand.

This program is funded in part by a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grant Program. 

Courses available through Honesdale High School

ART 101-1-Blueprint Reading for Welders – Wednesdays and Fridays, 4 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.
MAT 100-1- Math for Welders – Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
BTT 149-4 – Construction Safety – Mondays, 5 p.m. – 6:50 p.m.
MAT 123-1 – Math for Carpenters – Thursdays, 4 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.
ART 110-4 – Contract Drawings – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
BTT 105-2- Introduction to Electricity for the Trades – Online, available anytime
BTT 106-3- Induction to Electricity for the Trades Lab – Tuesdays, 6 p.m. – 9:50 p.m.
ECM 273-1- National Electrical Code Interpretation – Mondays, 5 p.m. – 5:50 p.m.

Courses available through Wallenpaupack Area High School

EET 161-1 – DC Electricity and Instrumentation – Online, available anytime
EET 162-1 – DC Electricity and Instrumentation Lab – Tuesdays, 6 p.m. – 7:50 p.m.
AMT 255-1 – Additive Manufacturing – Online, available anytime
AMT 256-1 – Additive Manufacturing Lab – Thursdays, 8 a.m. – 9:50 a.m.
ART 105-1 – Blueprint & Schematic Reading – Mondays, 1 p.m. – 3:50 p.m. 
CIT 181 – 1 – Computer Hardware and Operating System – Online, available anytime
CIT 182 – 2 – Computer Hardware and Operating System Lab – Tuesdays, 7 p.m. – 9 p.m.
CIT 183 – 1 – Network Architectures, Principles, and Protocols – Online, available anytime
CIT 184 – 3 – Network Architectures, Principles, and Protocols Lab – Wednesdays, 6 p.m. – 7:50 p.m.
PRG 101 – 2 – Programming for the Enterprise – Wednesdays, 3 p.m. – 5:50 p.m. 

Courses available through Western Wayne High School

ART 110-4 – Contract Drawings – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.  
VMR 151-3 – Introduction to Vehicle Maintenance – Wednesdays, 5 p.m. – 5:50 p.m. 
VMR 153-3 – Brake Systems – Mondays, 5 p.m. – 6:50 p.m.
VMR 154-3 – Brake Systems Lab – Mondays, 7 p.m. – 8:50 p.m.
VMR 155-3 – Steering & Suspensions – Thursdays, 5 p.m. – 6:50 p.m. 
VMR 156-3 – Steering & Suspensions Lab – Thursdays, 7 p.m. – 8:50 p.m.  

Courses available through Forest City Regional High School

ART 110-4 – Contract Drawings – Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
ADT 151-1 – Introduction to CAD – Online, available anytime 
ADT-152-2 – Introduction to CAD Lab – Lunch & Learn, 11 a.m. – 12:06 p.m. (High School Students Only)
SSS 101- 6 – Student Success Seminar – Mondays, 3 p.m. – 3:50 p.m.
BUS 101-4 – Introduction to Business – Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
SCI 150-1 – How it Works – Tuesdays, 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. 
BTT 103-3 Introduction to Pipefitting – Online, available anytime
BTT 104-3- Introduction to Pipefitting Lab – Wednesdays, 1 p.m. – 4:50 p.m.

Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center Celebrates 40th Anniversary

In 1981, three local hospitals merged to create one hospital that would modernize the delivery of health care in northeastern Pennsylvania. In 2021, that hospital, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, is celebrating four decades of dedicated service to the community.

Originally NPW Medical Center, a consolidation of Nanticoke, Pittston and Wyoming Valley hospitals, the health care facility was renamed Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center shortly after opening, as Geisinger joined the collaboration after Nanticoke’s withdrawal.

What began as a standalone community hospital on East Mountain is now a regional medical center and destination for care with a mission to make better health easier for patients and members in Luzerne County and beyond.

Recently, Geisinger Wyoming Valley received 5-Star status from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS), the highest quality and patient safety score bestowed by the organization, putting the medical center among the top 14 percent of hospitals in the country.

“As the only CMS 5-Star hospital in northeastern Pennsylvania, we are proud to provide care of unsurpassed quality to residents of the region,” said Karlyn Paglia, M.D., chief medical officer at Geisinger Wyoming Valley. “With a full spectrum of services available to our patients and members, we look forward to caring for our community for many more years to come.”

Complemented by a network of primary care and outpatient specialty clinics that provide world-class care close to home for residents of the region, Geisinger Wyoming Valley is as community-focused as ever, continually building upon and improving programs and services for northeastern Pennsylvanians.

In 1992, the hospital added the Frank M. and Dorothea Henry Cancer Center, which is now home to a comprehensive team of fellowship-trained cancer specialists and advanced treatment options like CyberKnife targeted radiation therapy, which was only previously available in major metropolitan areas like Philadelphia and New York. An $80 million renovation of Geisinger Wyoming Valley and the Henry Cancer Center began in spring 2020, which will double the center’s capacity for infusion services, create an 18-bed inpatient unit for treatment of complex blood cancers, and make more appointments available to patients.

In 2001, Geisinger Wyoming Valley established the Richard and Marion Pearsall Heart Hospital, which is recognized by the American Heart Association for its ability to treat the most severe heart attacks and offers advanced treatment in cardiology, electrophysiology and cardiac surgery. In 2008, the then-new Critical Care Building became home to the Emergency Department and Level II Trauma Center. And in 2011, the Tambur Family Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) opened. Still the only NICU in Luzerne County, the Level III unit cares for infants as young as 28 weeks gestation.

Throughout the decades, program expansions and advancements in care have been designed to offer everything a patient might need in northeastern Pennsylvania. Those strides have continued in recent years.

Since April 2019, Geisinger Wyoming Valley has received Magnet® Recognition, the highest national honor for nursing excellence, and become a Comprehensive Stroke Center, a hospital capable of treating the most complex types of stokes and neurovascular complications. The stroke program is the most advanced in the region, even treating patients who are flown in from New York.

The medical center’s CMS 5-Star ranking is the latest in these quality-of-care achievements and is a testament to the hard work providers put in daily to care for their friends and neighbors.

Noreen Diaco took her first full-time job at NPW in July 1981, and 40 years later, she’s celebrating her work anniversary along with Geisinger Wyoming Valley. Now an executive assistant to Dr. Paglia and other leaders, she remembers her experience as one of strong community.

“I grew up with Geisinger Wyoming Valley,” Diaco said. “The people I’ve met and worked with have become family to me. Through the 40 years, I have watched NPW change names and develop from a small-town hospital to a well-known institution. Through all the changes, the small-town, personalized service can still be felt.”

The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education Confers Awards

The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education proudly celebrated the accomplishments of its 2021 graduating class of residents and fellows on Friday, June 18. During a virtual commencement, tribute was given to 81 graduates for their resiliency during the COVID-19 pandemic and their dedication to the medical profession as practitioners who are helping to address the shortage of primary care physicians in locations across the nation, including Northeast Pennsylvania.

Certain graduates, faculty members and community partners were recognized for their outstanding commitment to and success within the program. The ceremony for the 43rd graduating class, including award presentations, can be viewed at TheWrightGraduation.org. A full list of awardees appears below.

Career geriatrician Edward Dzielak, D.O., an alumnus of The Wright Center who recently set aside his retirement to serve as Program Director of our new Geriatrics Fellowship, was honored with the prestigious Bost Award. Named in honor of the late Dr. Charles Bost, an original founder of The Wright Center’s residency programs, the award is given to a community leader who most demonstrates inspiration, guidance and support for The Wright Center’s mission.

Several first-time awards, including one bearing the name of Jermyn resident Gerard Geoffroy, chair of The Wright Center for Community Health Board of Directors, also were presented. The inaugural Gerard Geoffroy Patient and Community Engagement Award was bestowed on geriatrics fellow Nirali Patel, M.D. Dr. Patel intends to stay on as a faculty physician at The Wright Center, delivering care to older residents in Northeast Pennsylvania and training others to do the same in this or similar settings.

The first Dr. Sanjay Chandragiri Outstanding Psychiatry Resident Award was presented to Alex Slaby, M.D. Dr. Slaby plans to practice in the Lehigh Valley.

The inaugural Dr. Stephen J. Pancoast Compassion, Kindness, Service and Humility Award — which honors the legacy of Dr. Pancoast, who recently retired after serving as an integral member of The Wright Center’s Ryan White HIV care team for more than 20 years — was presented to The Wright Center’s first gastroenterology fellowship graduate, Mladen Jecmenica, M.D.

Also, The Wright Center “Values in Action” Spirit Award annually recognizes the members of one residency program and one fellowship program; this year’s recipients were the National Family Medicine Residency and the Gastroenterology Fellowship.

Other awards included:
Teacher of the Year (Internal Medicine Residency) – Douglas Klamp, M.D.; co-Teachers of the Year (Family Medicine Residency) – Alexies Samonte, M.D., and Jason Scotti, M.D.; Faculty of the Year (National Family Medicine Residency) – Anam Whyne, D.O.; Teacher of the Year (Psychiatry Residency) – Sanjay Chandragiri, M.D.; Teacher of the Year (Cardiology Fellowship) – Samir B. Pancholy, M.D.; Teacher of the Year (Gastroenterology Fellowship) – Aman Ali, M.D.; Teacher of the Year (Geriatrics Fellowship) – Edward Dzielak, D.O.

The Robert E. Wright Award (for Internal Medicine) – Mousa Thalji, M.D.; the Moses Taylor Hospital Golden Stethoscope (for Internal Medicine) – Mousa Thalji, M.D.; Outstanding Fellow (Cardiology) – Gaurav Patel, M.B.B.S.; Outstanding Fellow (Gastroenterology) – Mladen Jecmenica, M.D.; Outstanding Fellow (Geriatrics) – Nirali Patel, M.D.; Intern of the Year (Internal Medicine Residency) – Usman Manzoor, M.D.; Intern of the Year (National Family Medicine Residency) – Carl Supnet, D.O.; Interns of the Year (Regional Family Medicine) – Mohamed El Ayashy, M.D., and Supriana Bhandol, M.D.; Intern of the Year (Psychiatry) – Erica Schmidt, M.D.

Chief Fellow (Cardiology) – Gaurav Patel, M.B.B.S.; Chief Fellow (Gastroenterology) – Mladen Jecmenica, M.D.; Chief Fellow (Geriatrics) – Nirali Patel, M.D.; Chief Residents (Internal Medicine) – Frank Frasca, D.O., Gowtham Gannamani, M.D., Daniel C. Kazmierski, M.D., Mousa Thalji, M.D., and Korinn Vandervall, D.O.; Chief Residents (National Family Medicine) – Dallin Erickson, D.O., Esther Quintero, D.O., Loc Nguyen, D.O., David Eki, D.O., Catherine Njiru-Sewer, D.O., and Sun-jae Kim, D.O.; Chief Residents (Psychiatry) – Shevani Ganesh, M.D., and Casey Lenderman, D.O.; Chief Residents (Regional Family Medicine) – Ebi Rowshanshad, D.O., and Lee Wagner, M.D.

The Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Award – Lee Wagner, M.D. (Regional Family Medicine); Outstanding Resident Award (National Family Medicine) – Catherine Njiru-Sewer, D.O.; COPC Project Award (National Family Medicine Residency) – David Eki, D.O., and Afia Ukor Albin, D.O.; Practice Improvement Award (National Family Medicine Residency) – Xuan-Loc V. Nguyen, D.O., and Brandon John Miller, D.O.; AFMRD Family Medicine Resident Award for Advocacy (National Family Medicine Residency) – Catherine Njiru-Sewer, D.O.; Founding Member Award (National Family Medicine Residency) – Eleni O’Donovan, M.D.

Dr. Sanjay Chandragiri Outstanding Psychiatry Resident Award – Alex Slaby, M.D.; Dr. Stephen J. Pancoast Compassion, Kindness, Service and Humility Award – Mladen Jecmenica, M.D.; Gerard Geoffroy Patient and Community Engagement Award – Nirali Patel, M.D.; The Wright Center “Values in Action” Spirit Award – National Family Medicine Residency and Gastroenterology Fellowship; Bost Award – Edward Dzielak, D.O.

The virtual commencement recognized the accomplishments of all 81 graduating student learners, 10 of whom will stay in Northeast Pennsylvania to continue practicing medicine. The doctors studied in The Wright Center’s internal medicine, regional family medicine, national family medicine and psychiatry residencies as well as its cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology and geriatrics fellowships.

West Lackawanna Avenue Bridge and Elm Street Bridge Replacement Projects Virtual Plans Displays and Public Meetings

Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), announces Online Plans Displays and Virtual Public Meetings for the West Lackawanna Avenue Bridge Replacement Project over Norfolk Southern Railroad and the Elm Street Bridge Replacement Project over the Lackawanna River in the City of Scranton, Lackawanna County.  

In accordance with Governor Wolf’s COVID-19 mitigation efforts, the comment period and public meeting will be held online only. The comment period will be open from June 16th to July 16th, 2021.  

The virtual plans display for each bridge project includes digital picture boards and an online comment form. The plans displays can be accessed by visiting the PennDOT District 4 Website: www.pennDOT.gov/regionaloffices/district-4/, clicking on Public Meetings under District Links, choosing the tile for Lackawanna County and then selecting the tile for West Lackawanna Avenue Bridge or Elm Street Bridge. The purpose of the plans displays is to introduce the projects and receive public input regarding any questions or concerns with the projects. It is also an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the projects’ potential effects upon Cultural Resources pursuant to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s 36 CFR Part 800 regulations implementing Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. 

A public meeting for each bridge project will be held on June 30th, 2021 virtually via Microsoft Teams. The Elm Street Bridge public meeting will begin at 5:00 PM and the West Lackawanna Avenue Bridge public meeting will begin at 7:00 PM. Individual registration will be required for each meeting. To register for either meeting, contact Michael Grantner, Design Consultant Project Manager, at WLackawannaAveBridge@stvinc.com, at ElmStreetBridge@stvinc.com, or at 215.913.5998. Persons requesting language or hearing assistance may contact Michael Grantner at the contact information provided above. Requests should be made at least five business days prior to the public meeting.   Those unable to access the project information online may give feedback by contacting PennDOT Project Manager Summer Koziel, at skoziel@pa.gov or 570.963.4048. 

Steamtown NHS Prepares for Summer Visitors

Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) employees have been gearing up and getting things on track for summer operations. The National Park Service (NPS) works closely with the NPS Office of Public Health to monitor and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic using the latest science to support decision making. Consistent with CDC recommendations, people who are not fully vaccinated must continue to wear masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces. Masks are required for everyone on all forms of public transportation.

Please note: all dates are subject to change depending on local (Lackawanna County) COVID-19 levels.

Beginning Saturday, June 26

*             Summer hours of 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. go into effect.
*             The Theater will open and daily showings of “Steel and Steam” will resume.
*             With public health in mind, the Imagination Station remains closed.

Beginning Wednesday, July 7

*             The History Museum, including the Post Office car and Erie Business car, will reopen, however the Archeology Pit remains closed.

In addition, the following spaces and activities continue to be available during regular visiting hours:

*             The Visitor Center;
*             The Park Store;
*             The “Cut-a-Way” Display portion of the 1902 Roundhouse;
*             The 1937 Roundhouse.

Information pertaining to the “Scranton Limited” short train ride will be forthcoming. Please stay tuned.

The health and safety of our visitors, employees, volunteers, and partners continues to be paramount. Prior to visiting the park, visit the website and check the “Alerts” for up-to-date information on operations. Some services remain limited or unavailable; please observe posted signage designating capacity restrictions, one-way flow of traffic, and physical distancing recommendations.

Located in downtown Scranton, Pennsylvania, Steamtown NHS is open daily. From Interstate-81 follow exit 185 (Central Scranton Expressway); then follow the brown and white signs to the park entrance at Lackawanna Avenue and Cliff Street (GPS: N 41.41, W 75.67). General park information is available by phoning (570) 340-5206 during regular business hours, or by visiting the park website anytime.

www.nps.gov/stea