RailRiders Add to Summer Fun at PNC Field

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders have updated and added to their 2023 promotional schedule as the second half of the season has now begun. A classic 90’s musical act, fireworks news and a rescheduled giveaway have been added to the updated slate.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is home all week, hosting the Lehigh Valley IronPigs at PNC Field for the first time this season. The fireworks show on Friday, July 7, is presented by Shur Save. The game on Saturday, July 8, features a commemorative poster honoring Aaron Judge’s historic 2022 season when he set a new American League record with 62 home runs. Gates open at 5 P.M. The first 2,000 fans will receive this great poster courtesy of the Times Leader Media Group.


The RailRiders have added fireworks on July 22 after the game against the Worcester Red Sox, making up for a rained-out show in June. That night also features the second bobblehead giveaway of the season; an Anthony Volpe bobblehead presented by Geisinger on Retro Video Game Night.

The Jackie Robinson RailRiders jersey giveaway, originally slated for April, has been rescheduled for August 11. The first 2,000 fans will receive a replica SWB “42” home jersey honoring the great who broke baseball’s color barrier.

PARTY PEOPLE! On August 26, we’re kickin’ the flow as TAG TEAM joins the 90s Night celebration. DC The Brain Supreme and Steve Roll’n head to PNC Field for a plush bucket hat giveaway, a game against Lehigh Valley, custom jerseys to be auctioned off and a 90s post game dance party bash.

Promotions are subject to change. Stay up to date by following the RailRiders on their social media channels.


To purchase tickets, including single-game, Flex Plans and the Sunsational Summer Six Pack, or for more information, visit www.swbrailriders.com.

The Lodge at Woodloch Receives Three Prestigious Accolades

In recent weeks, The Lodge at Woodloch was honored with three noteworthy accolades — the AAA Four-Diamond Award, the Award of Excellence by Wine Spectator, and the 2023 Men’s Health Travel Award — further solidifying the spa resort’s status as a beacon of excellence.

  • On June 2nd, The Lodge at Woodloch welcomed Glenn Zumbach, President/CEO, and Nina Waskevich, VP of Brand & Membership, from AAA NorthPenn. Together, they presented the prestigious AAA Four-Diamond Award, a distinction reserved for a mere 7% of the 25,000 esteemed hotels across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean. The Lodge at Woodloch has proudly maintained its Four-Diamond status since 2010.
  • Additionally, for the 13th consecutive year, The Lodge at Woodloch has won the Wine Spectator Award, a testament to its highly curated selection of over 175 wines. With a strong focus on wines produced in the Western United States complemented by those from around the globe, from local farm-to-bottle gems to limited classics, guests are guaranteed to find the perfect pairing.
  • Men’s Health is a renowned publication dedicated to empowering men to lead healthy fulfilling lives by providing valuable insights and expert advice on physical and mental well-being, fitness, nutrition, relationships, and lifestyle. Its Travel Awards recognize and celebrate exceptional destinations that cater to the diverse needs and desires of modern travelers. The awards are separated into three categories – active, relaxation, and recovery – with The Lodge at Woodloch falling into the final.  

Nestled in Pennsylvania’s serene Pocono Mountains, The Lodge at Woodloch is dedicated to providing guests with a transformative and all-inclusive wellness experience. With luxurious accommodations, delectable cuisine, and a plethora of mind, body, and soul activities, The Lodge at Woodloch is a sanctuary for those seeking relaxation, rejuvenation, and personal growth.

Dean Appointed at Marywood University

Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., president of Marywood University, Scranton, Pa., recently announced that Shelby W. Yeager, MEd, LAT, ATC, CSCS, was appointed as Dean of the College of Health and Human Services at Marywood University, effective July 1, 2023. She had been serving as the college’s Interim Dean since March 2022.

Prior to this role, Dean Yeager was a long-term faculty member and department chair within the College of Health and Human Services. She began her academic career at Marywood in 2004. Before that, she was an Athletic Trainer at Wilkes University, then assumed clinical and administration roles at John Heinz Rehabilitation Institute and Keystone College. Additionally, Dean Yeager worked as part of the Sports Injury Prevention Program at the Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City.

Dean Yeager earned her bachelor of kinesiology and sports medicine degree from Temple University and a master’s in health and physical education from East Stroudsburg University. She is a licensed athletic trainer and strength and conditioning coach with an emphasis on movement assessment, injury reduction, and corrective exercises. She also holds multiple specialty certifications from the USA-Weightlifting, National Academy of Sports Medicine and Functional Movement Screening.

Tickets on Sale for NEPIRC’s Manufacturing Best Practices Summit and Expo

Tickets are now available for the 2023 Manufacturing Best Practices Summit and Expo, the region’s largest manufacturing trade show and networking event, organized by the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC).

This year’s expo will be held on Friday, October 13 at Mohegan Pennsylvania Convention Center, Wilkes-Barre Twp. Individual admission is $50 for manufacturers and $100 for non-manufacturers. Registration, breakfast and networking begins at 8 a.m. The event concludes with a networking reception from 5 to 6 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased through the NEPIRC website, https://nepirc.com/manufacturing-day-2023/. All-access tickets include breakfast, admission to the expo, lunch with keynote presentation, breakout sessions, panel discussions and a closing reception with refreshments. 

Nearly 80 manufacturers and businesses that support manufacturing will have exhibit booths and product demonstrations at the expo. More than 500 attendees are expected at this year’s event.

“Manufacturing Day is an opportunity for all area manufacturers, businesses that provide services to manufacturers and individuals who want to learn more about northeastern Pennsylvania’s growing manufacturing sector to gather together under one roof at the region’s most impactful manufacturing networking event,” said Eric Joseph Esoda, president and CEO, NEPIRC. “We look forward to this year’s event being the largest in its history, both with the number of exhibitors and the number of attendees. We are very excited about our keynote speaker and the innovative topics planned for our breakout sessions, panel discussions and roundtables.”

As keynote speaker, Pete Ruggiero, COO of Crayola, will discuss how Crayola overcame post-pandemic challenges in his presentation, “Thriving Amidst Supply Chain Chaos.” His Crayola career spans a quarter of a century in previous roles, including interim chief executive officer, vice president global finance and managing director of Binney & Smith (Europe) Ltd. At Crayola, Ruggiero has played a critical role in the transformation of Crayola into an innovative company. Under his leadership, Crayola has diversified its business model through new product development, expansion into international markets, and the opening of multiple Crayola Experience attractions.

A new highlight of this year’s event is a Women Leaders in Manufacturing panel discussion moderated by Dr. Christine Kiesinger, principal, CEK Communication Consultancy. Panelists include Petra Mitchell, president, Catalyst Connection, Pittsburgh; Heidi McKenna, president, The Fredericks Company, Huntington Valley; Pat Frances, CEO, Chaucer Press, Wilkes-Barre; Grace McGregor Kramer, vice president of strategy and operations, McGregor Industries, Dunmore; and Denise Truesdale, senior vice president, human resources, Pride Mobility Products, Duryea.

Additional breakout sessions and roundtable topic discussions include:

  • Refueling the Talent Pipeline: The Importance of Familiarity
  • 3D Scanning and Reverse Engineering
  • Workplace Trends Impacting Safety
  • How Workplace Culture Works
  • Deciphering Aerospace Certifications and Entering the Aerospace Supply Chain
  • Subcontracting and Partnerships in Government Markets sponsored by NEPA Alliance Apex Accelerator
  • Demystifying Compliance: What CMMC Requirements Mean for NEPA Manufacturers sponsored by InnoTek Computer Consulting

In addition to breakout sessions, exhibits and networking sessions, students from the Tunkhannock Area High School U.S. FIRST Robotics Team will have a robotics demonstration and the Johnson College Mobile Technology Lab will be parked outside the convention center. The 35-foot-long trailer is outfitted with student workstations and equipment for training in STEM and building trades.

“Attendees will be able to see product demonstrations, learn more about the wide variety of products manufactured right in their own backyards, and network with decision-makers, buyers and business owners. We are grateful to our many sponsors for the support that makes this event possible,” said Esoda.

Sponsors of this year’s event include: NEPA Alliance APEX Accelerator, InnoTek Computer Consulting, Lackawanna College, Ashley Machine & Tool, Center City Print, JMR Industrial Enterprise Inc., North American Manufacturing, Simona, Acme Corrugated Box Co., Advent Design Corp., A. Pickett Construction, Ball Corporation, CANPACK, Cardinal LG, Cintas, Cheetah Chassis, EAM Mosca, Futuristic Innovative Graphics, Hydro, Lee & Associates Real Estate Services, Metal Integrity Precision Specialists, NovaCare Rehabilitation, OneGroup, Pennoni, Power Engineering Corp., Pride Mobility Products Corp., Space Ace Plastics, Site 2, TIW Technology, Workforce and Weiler. For a complete list of sponsors and partners, visit the NEPIRC website, https://nepirc.com/manufacturing-day-2023/.

For more information or to purchase tickets, email Chelsey Coslett, NEPIRC’s manager of marketing & stakeholder engagement, at Chelsey@NEPIRC.com or visit the NEPIRC website, https://nepirc.com/manufacturing-day-2023/.

Outdoor Summer Concerts at Marywood University

Marywood University has set an outdoor concert series for two Sundays in July. Shows will be held at the Calabro Delfino Amphitheatre, behind the Learning Commons in the center of Marywood’s campus. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets for seating.

Each show starts at 6 p.m. Rain location is the Munley Theatre, Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts, on Adams Avenue. The Fidelity Bank Sweets & Treats Van will be on site during the July 23rd show.

July 23, 2023: Chosen Few is a world-class trio of musicians, showcasing vocals, saxes, bass & guitar. George Barron, Vernon Jones, and Jonathan Williams will perform a diverse repertoire that spans the decades, presented in an engaging & entertaining way!

July 30, 2023:  Erin Malloy and Friends, featuring Erin Malloy, Jimmy Waltich, Doug Smith, and Tyler Dempsey – The music of Erin Malloy and Friends features something for everyone, including a mix of pop, R&B, jazz, rock, and more.

The Honesdale National Bank Promotes Member to Vice President

Thomas E. Sheridan Jr., President, and CEO of The Honesdale National Bank, announced Thomas Zurla been promoted to Vice President, Training & Development Officer at HNB.

In making the announcement, Sheridan stated, “We are excited to give Tom the lead in this new role.” He continued, “He consistently shows enthusiasm and strategy in considering our opportunities to grow our team and support customer service levels and we can’t wait to have them translate into an ever-growing customer experience.”  

As Vice President, Training & Development Officer, Zurla will be working with new and existing team members to increase their skill set and help provide a higher and consistent level of customer service. He will work on enhancing and implementing more streamlined practices for both front and back-office employees to elevate the customer experience.

Zurla began his career in banking at another financial institution as a Teller/CSR in 1997 and has since held positions including Relationship Manager, Assistant Branch Manager/Branch Manager Retail Banking Training Coordinator, and AVP, Community Office Manager at. He joined HNB as AVP, Area Manager in 2022 based in the Bank’s Clarks Summit Office.

In commenting on his new position at HNB, Zurla noted, “HNB has brought me back to my roots of what it means to be a part of a community bank and be part of a family of bankers. We take pride in our culture and history and do our best every single day to give our customers the “HNB & Me” experience they have long associated us with.”

Zurla is a graduate Coughlin High School, Graduate of Luzerne County Community College and has obtained a degree in Business Management – Technology and holds and NMLS Certification.

Outside of the bank, he is a Board Member of the Rotary of the Abington’s, Treasurer and Vestry Member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Alzheimer’s Association volunteer, and an organist/Soloist at Various Churches throughout NEPA.

Wayne Bank Ranks in Top 100 Performing Banks in U.S.

American Banker has conducted its rankings of the top-performing banks of 2023. Wayne Bank has been evaluated by American Banker on profitability, efficiency, capital adequacy, and asset quality based on a three-year average return. Jim Donnelly, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank is pleased to announce that Wayne Bank has ranked number eighty-four out of two hundred in the $2 billion to $10 billion asset size category.

Financial industry professionals turn to American Banker, every day and throughout the day, to stay maximally informed — drilling down on complex issues, keeping up with breaking news, and downloading research and data.

“We are honored to be recognized for our strong financial performance.  For over 150 years, we have been committed to helping our employees, customers, and communities we serve achieve their financial goals,” stated Mr. Donnelly.

Governor Shapiro Nominates LC Police Academy Director for Commission Position

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro nominated Lackawanna College Police Academy Director and retired Pennsylvania State Police Lieutenant Kevin F. Mahoney to serve on the Municipal Police Officers’ Training Commission (MPOETC). Mahoney’s nomination was unanimously approved by the Pennsylvania Senate on June 21, 2023.

The Municipal Police Officers’ Education & Training Commission, consisting of 20 members appointed by Governor Shapiro, began in 1974 to establish certification and training standards for Municipal Police Officers in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. One seat on the Commission is appointed to a certified Police Academy Director, previously held by Harrisburg Area Community College Police Academy Director Patricia Dombrowsky.   

Mahoney served with the Pennsylvania State Police for over 25 years before joining Lackawanna College in July 2021 as Assistant Director of Police Academy Operations, and was appointed Director in May of 2022. At the time of his retirement from the State Police in June of 2021, he served as Commander of the Criminal Investigation Section for Troop R – Dunmore, encompassing Lackawanna, Susquehanna, Wayne and Pike Counties.

“I am honored to have been selected by Governor Shapiro to serve on the Commission, and look forward to working closely with my fellow Commissioners to accomplish our shared goals in support of Law Enforcement Training in the Commonwealth,” Mahoney said.

Lackawanna College operates Police Academies at both their Hazleton and Scranton campuses. The enrollment period is currently open for both programs, which are scheduled to commence in October 2023 (Hazleton) and January 2024 (Scranton). For more information, please visit https://www.lackawanna.edu/certificates/police-academy-act-120/.