RailRiders University Community Series

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are pleased to announce the schedule for the Sixth Annual RailRiders University Community Series, presented by Geisinger. Each spring, the RailRiders welcome local high school and special needs teams onto PNC Field to showcase their talents.

2022 RailRiders University Community Series

April 31:00 P.M.The West Scranton Invaders, managed by Brian Minich, take on the crosstown-rival Scranton Knights, managed by Jamie Higgins.
April 54:30 P.M.The Scranton Knights will be back at PNC Field to take on District 2-5A Champions Abington Heights Comets, led by manager Billy Zalewski.
April 64:30 P.M.Division 3 powerhouses square off against each other as the Mid Valley Spartans, managed by Ryan Kropa, take on the Holy Cross Crusaders, managed by Sandy Menichetti.
April 84:30 P.M.Two perennial conference champions battle as the North Pocono Trojans, skippered by Brian Jardine, host the Holy Redeemer Royals, managed by Chris Ristick.
April 912:30 P.M.We welcome two new teams to PNC Field as District 4’s Athens Area Wildcats, managed by Charles Havens, play the Sayre Redskins, managed by Jamie VanDuzer.
April 184:30 P.M.One of the area’s biggest rivalries hits the diamond as the Valley View Cougars, managed by Jason Munley, take on Abington Heights. 
May 1TBDAfter the RailRiders play Lehigh Valley, come and catch a Wyoming Valley Conference rivalry game with District 2-6A Champs. The Hazleton Area Cougars, managed by Russ Canzler, play the Crestwood Comets, led by Sean Foley.
May 56:30 P.M.District 11 rivals meet at PNC Field as the Pocono Mountain East Cardinals, skippered by Matt DelGuidice, host the Stroudsburg Mountaineers, managed by Phil Stokes.
May 71:00 P.M.DOUBLEHEADER- District 2- 6A champion Hazleton Area plays 6A State Champions La Salle College High School, managed by Kyle Werman.  Game two features the District 2-AA Champion Riverside Vikings, managed by Sean Hughes, against the Dunmore Bucks, managed by Sid Hallinan.

There is no parking or admission fee for any of the 2022 RailRiders University Community Series games.

The RailRiders are also proud to host the Wyoming Valley Challenger League as part of the Community Series on May 15, June 5, 19 and July 17.

RailRiders University is offering Spring Training Clinics in April. The clinics run from 9-11 A.M on April 3 and 24. One clinic session is $60.00, but participants can do both dates for $110.00 and each includes tickets for a 2022 RailRiders game and a clinic t-shirt. The RailRiders University Spring Training Clinics staff now includes former Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Ray Black, as well as high school and college coaches and players. Contact Robby Judge at (570) 558-4612 or rjudge@swbrailriders.com for additional information.

The RailRiders University Community Series is presented by Geisinger as part of their continued commitment to Northeastern Pennsylvania.  For more information, please contact the RailRiders front office at (570) 969-BALL.

Boback and Committee Review Military-Related Programs

Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming), majority chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, on Wednesday led an informational meeting to review three programs over which the committee has oversight.

“These commissions and institutions perform excellent work on programs and policy matters concerning our military and veteran community across Pennsylvania,” said Boback. “We value their contributions to the Commonwealth and strive to remain good stewards of these valuable programs by highlighting their many accomplishments.”

The programs include the Pennsylvania Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3), which supports military-connected children.

“We work to remove barriers to educational success imposed on children of military families because of frequent moves and deployment of their parents,” explained Barbara Clemmer, MIC3 commissioner.

Officials from the Keystone State Challenge Academy (KSCA) updated committee members on plans to accept its first class of cadets this summer at Fort Indiantown Gap. KSCA is one of 40 academies operated by the National Guard Youth Challenge Program, which is designed to guide at-risk teenagers in furthering their education and setting a path to a brighter future.

“The KSCA is currently preparing facilities, hiring staff, and acquiring equipment and supplies to start the residential phase in July,” said Stephen Radulski, KSCA director. “The initial goal is a total of 200 graduates during our first year.”

Finally, the Pennsylvania Military Community Enhancement Commission (PMCEC) works to support and enhance the military value of a military installation in an effort to prevent its closure. Currently, there are 12 major military bases in the Commonwealth, which employ more than 57,000 people.

“To counteract a potential Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC), we must be forever vigilant and make sure we are doing our utmost to not only preserve our military installations, but to modernize them and to bring in new business,” PMCEC Executive Director Nancy Lescavage told committee members.

A video recording of the hearing is available for viewing at www.RepBoback.com/video.

Leadership U Applications Open

Leadership Lackawanna, the Chamber’s premier community leadership and professional development affiliate, has opened applications for its Leadership U program – in partnership with Penn State Scranton.

Leadership U is a three-credit college summer course for high school students called Effective Speech.

Participants will gain leadership and community engagement skills in the areas of communication and public speaking. The course aims to provide participants with the confidence and expertise to engage in public speaking, use S.T.E.A.M. to empower students to take thoughtful risks, and use historical awareness and appreciation to provide an understanding of our region’s past, present, and future while developing financial literacy skills and college/career preparation.

Leadership U applications are open to high school juniors and seniors, charter school, and homeschooled students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The cost of the program is $400. Limited scholarships are available. Deadline to apply is May 4.

Leadership U is scheduled to be held in person at Penn State Scranton, every Wednesday from June 29 to August 10 from 1:00-3:15 p.m.

Upon successful completion of Leadership U, participants receive three college credits to Penn State for a general education, 100 level class which are transferable to most institutions.

Apply through May 4 at www.LeadershipLackawanna.com.

FNCB Bank Donates to Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation

FNCB Bank presents an $85,000 Education Improvement Tax Credit donation to the Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation

FNCB Bank, locally-based since 1910, has announced an $85,000 Pennsylvania Education Improvement Tax Credit (EITC) donation to the Diocese of Scranton Scholarship Foundation.

The Diocese of Scranton donation will help provide tuition assistance to students enrolled in pre-school, elementary and high school programs in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Each year, more than 1,000 families receive tuition awards from the diocese foundation, many of which are funded through FNCB’s contributions.

Since 2010, FNCB has contributed just under $2,500,000 to local educational and scholarship organizations through the EITC initiative.


The support of the Diocese of Scranton is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB Bank is making a difference through volunteerism, donations and outreach programs.

The Wright Centers Celebrate National Doctors Day in Honor of Nation’s Medical Heroes

The red carnation is a well-known symbol of National Doctors Day for good reason. It signifies the important qualities of sacrifice, empathy and bravery that are synonymous with successful physicians everywhere.

I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge our own physicians at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, and those in the region and around the world for the work they do for their patients, communities and medical profession. It is both a challenging and immensely rewarding career that is difficult to put into context. Years of study and perfecting your craft are followed by long hours and thought-provoking cases that can lead to heartbreak, enormous satisfaction and even exuberance.

As you can see, health care is also an emotional rollercoaster filled with complex issues, medical advancements, new technology and information that all lead up to diagnosis and treatment of you – our patients.

Healing people with their knowledge and insight, society has profoundly benefitted from the care of physicians. In both sickness and in health, they are there for us, as their commitment and investment in our care never wavers, no matter how dire the circumstances may be.

As days turned to weeks, and weeks turned to months, the global pandemic extended into years and tested the best of us in the medical field. Our resolve to care for our regular patients and those infected with a mysterious and sometimes deadly virus did not wane, as we followed the science to treat symptoms and remained united for the overall good of humanity.

Today, we have more tools in our toolbox to successfully fight COVID-19’s variants and we collectively talk to our patients and the public, educating them about the efficacy and safety of the vaccines which have undergone countless research studies that have proven their effectiveness in reducing serious illness, hospitalization and death. COVID-19 has not been eradicated, but normalcy is slowly returning, thanks to the sacrifices of many health care providers.

I am truly inspired by the care and compassion our resident physicians, physician faculty and doctors show our Northeast Pennsylvania community. Together, we provide primary care and teach the next generation of physicians at The Wright Center. This national day of recognition is a special opportunity to personally thank our compassionate and trusted physicians who put their patients’ needs above their own by going above and beyond the call of duty to make sure our health care needs are their top priority. Many of these same physicians – an estimated 1,062,205 in the United States – have seen and treated generations of families and have become part of an extended family.

On this Thursday, March 30, please reach out and say “thank you” to your family doctor or specialty physician or surgeon who has left a lasting impression on you, your family and your own health. After all, physicians respond to late-night calls, work holidays and provide reliable care with you in mind. Now more than ever, we know the value of good doctors who fight against disease and illness and put the health of their communities first – 365 days a year.

Jignesh Y. Sheth, M.D., a primary care physician dually board-certified in internal medicine and addiction medicine, leads The Wright Center for Community Health as chief medical officer and as senior vice president of clinical operations, enterprise IT and education integrations for The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. He sees patients at The Wright Center’s Mid Valley Practice in Jermyn and lives with his family in Clarks Summit.

Marywood University’s “Dietitian for a Day” Program

Marywood University is hosting a “Dietitian for a Day” program on Tuesday, March 29, from 9:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m., in the O’Neill Center for Health Families on the University’s campus. The program is free and open to anyone considering a career in nutrition and dietetics.

The program offers students an opportunity to learn what a dietitian is and about the different areas in which dietitians practice. Attendees will gain hands-on experience in several practice areas including sports, clinical and community nutrition, food science, and food service. The program also includes a session with admissions and financial aid counselors, a tour of Marywood’s campus, and lunch. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with the nutrition and dietetics faculty as well as current students.

Attendees will gain a clearer picture about the career opportunities for a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and the types of classes, course material, and supervised practice involved in being a nutrition and dietetics major. Marywood’s Nutrition and Dietetics department provides coursework that prepares students to provide nutrition care in a variety of settings.

Register at https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/dietitian22 to attend “Dietitian for a Day.” For additional information about Marywood University’s nutrition and dietetics program, please visit marywood.edu/nutrition or call (570) 348-6277.

The Maslow Collection Celebrates Women Artists

In honor of Women’s History Month, The Maslow Collection celebrates women artists within the collection in a study of the female gaze in relation to nature and organic imagery in its exhibition, Growing: From the Traditional to the Contemporary Female Gaze. The exhibit is on view at The Maslow Study Gallery for Contemporary Art, located in the Shields Center for Visual Arts on Marywood University’s campus, through March 31.

Curated by Olivia Bloskey, the exhibit features paintings, prints, and collages selected from women artists working primarily in the 1980s and 90s. The works highlight a variety of natural subject matter interpreted through the female gaze, with treatments ranging from traditional to modern and contemporary. The exhibition celebrates the talent and history of these women: Jennifer Bartlett, Charlotte Brown, Susan Hendrix, Lois Lane, Melissa Meyer, Pamela Moore, Joan Nelson, Ellen Phelan, Dorothea Rockburne, and Idelle Weber.

Gallery hours for The Maslow Study Gallery are Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Thursday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Friday, 2-4 p.m., and Saturday, 1-4 p.m.

For additional information about art exhibits at Marywood University, please visit marywood.edu/galleries/exhibitions or call (570) 348-6278.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Announce 2022 Giveaways

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are pleased to announce their giveaways for the 2022 season. In addition to the great theme jerseys and nights already released, the RailRiders are excited to add 14 giveaways to the season-long fun coming to PNC Field.

All giveaways are for the first 2,500 fans through the gates, with exceptions made for kids-only giveaways three times this year. Gates will once again open one hour before first pitch, though Scranton/Wilkes-Barre full and half-season ticket members get in 15 minutes prior to the general public. All giveaway items are limited to one item per ticket purchased.

2022 RailRiders Giveaways

April 12- Magnetic Schedule Giveaway presented by Highmark

April 16- SWB Fidget Popper

April 30- Clear Fanny Pack courtesy of PNC Bank

May 14- SWB Pop Socket

May 28- RailRiders Camo Hat presented by MetLife

June 4- Copa de la Diversión – Vejigantes Pint Glass

June 19- Kid’s Arm Sleeve (First 500 children 12 & younger)

July 15- SWB Hawaiian Shirt

July 16- Copa de la Diversión- Replica Vejigantes jersey courtesy of La Tolteca

July 17- Kid’s Selfie Stick (First 500 children 12 & younger)

August 6- Thor Bobblehead presented by Geisinger

August 7- CHAMP Toothbrush Holder (First 500 children 12 & younger)

August 13- RailRiders Book Cover

September 17- SWB Trapper Hat

Additional promotions, theme nights and giveaways will be announced as the season approaches. All promotions and giveaways are subject to change.


Ticket memberships, including full, half and partial season plans, as well as a wide range of mini-plans, are on sale now and single-game tickets are available online at swbrailriders.com beginning at 10 A.M. on March 8.

Lackawanna College Police Academy Hosts Inaugural Roundtable Event

The Lackawanna College Police Academy hosted its inaugural roundtable event at the College’s Hazleton Center on March 1, 2022. The roundtable invited leaders in local law enforcement to share ideas, concerns and recommendations on top issues currently facing law enforcement.
During the event moderator Kevin Mahoney, Assistant Director of Academy Operations for Lackawanna College and roundtable panelist discussed hiring efforts, the difficulty in attracting qualified candidates and creative practices that departments used to recruit and retain law enforcement officers.

“Law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation are in the middle of a recruitment and retention crisis,” said John Chilleri, Lackawanna College Director of Academy Operations. “It’s increasingly difficult to attract qualified applicants to the profession. This event provided a forum to discuss issues and offer creative ideas to help police departments in their recruitment efforts.”

Chilleri provided opening remarks and introduced the panelists and was joined for the roundtable by: Guy Salerno- Chief of Blakely Police Department Joseph Coffay- Chief of Wilkes-Barre Police Department Brian Schoonmaker – Chief of Hazleton Police Department Lt. Richard Nesbitt – Commander of Recruitment Services, Pennsylvania State Police

Founded in 1894, Lackawanna College is a private, accredited college serving the people of northeastern Pennsylvania. With the main campus situated in downtown Scranton, Lackawanna’s expanding footprint also includes satellite centers in Hawley, Hazleton, Sunbury, Towanda, Tunkhannock and the Environmental Education Center in Covington Township. Learn more at www.lackawanna.edu.