Johnson College Trade Programs Thrive with Fifth Year of Record Enrollment Johnson College trade programs are thriving as record enrollment continues to outpace the previous academic year with over 630 students between its Scranton and Hazleton campuses. In addition to a record number of incoming first-year and returning students, Johnson College also welcomed its largest Industry Fast Track class to date. There are over 70 students from the Northeastern Pennsylvania region who have enrolled either part-time or full-time with Johnson College for college credits while also earning their high school diplomas. Johnson College has seen an increase in enrollment in the building trades programs of over 15% in the past two years. Programs in its Building Trades & Technology division such as its Electrical Construction Technology and Heating, Ventilation, & Air Conditioning Technology programs have more than doubled enrollment in the last five years. “The College is expanding to meet the increasing demand for skilled technicians and technologists in our area,” said Bill Burke, M.S., Johnson College’s Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs. “With the addition of new programs and a satellite campus in the greater Hazleton region, we continue to hear from industry and community partners, students and their families, as well as area school districts that what we offer is invaluable and an asset to our area.” With a record number of students enrolled for the fifth year in a row, Johnson College works hard to fill the skills gap in today’s job marketplace – making the College’s recruitment and programmatic focus more on workforce development.
Scranton Cultural Center Announces Justin Willman on November 30 The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple will present the Justin Willman Magic for Humans In Person Tour on November 30 at 7:30 PM in its Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Theatre. Willman is a magician and a comedian known for his hit Netflix series “Magic for Humans.” Justin Willman will melt patrons’ brains while making them laugh. While he is best known as the star and creator of “Magic For Humans,” he is also well-known for his many television appearances on “The Tonight Show,” “The Today Show,” “Ellen,” “Conan” and more. Willman also served as a host for “Baking Impossible,” “Cupcake Wars” and “Win, Lose or Draw.” His live show is simultaneously mind-blowing and hilarious, and will likely keep audiences up at night wondering how any of it was possible. To learn more, visit JustinWillman.com. Tickets range from $45.15 – $58.30 with a VIP Package available. Prices are subject to change. Doors will open at 7:00 PM and a cash bar and concessions will be available. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning September 8 at 10 AM at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster. For more information or to view a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org.
Lackawanna College Receives $5,000 Grant The Dollar General Literacy Foundation recently awarded Lackawanna College a $5,000 grant to support adult literacy. This local grant is a part of the Foundation’s largest, one-day literacy donation of more than $13 million throughout the 47 states in which Dollar General operates to support adult, family and summer literacy programs. “This program has been really effective for building a bridge to college and career education for underserved populations. It is an opportunity I’m grateful to be a part of it,” Manager of the Lackawanna Language Academy (LLA) at the Hazleton Center Casey Weisbeck said. The Lackawanna Language Academy (LLA) will provide free ESL classes to benefit the residents of Hazleton, PA. The LLA will serve 48 individuals by offering two, 10-week ESL classes that will occur in Summer and Fall 2023. In-person instruction of literacy skills and take-home lessons will assist Spanish-speaking individuals with limited English proficiency to improve their speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills by at least 2 proficiency levels to attain Adult Basic English proficiency. Experienced ESL Instructors will provide responsive, individualized instruction using a variety of teaching methods and assessment tools. If a student desires to continue their studies upon completion of the course, LC offers Continuing Education Certifications for the Workforce and an English Proficiency college certificate in an 18-credit program that advances English learning and prepares learners for college-level work. “It is a joy to celebrate this historic grant announcement during our 30th anniversary year,” shared Denine Torr, executive director of the Dollar General Literacy Foundation. “For three decades, DGLF’s investment in community programs has created meaningful access to literacy skills for adults, children and families alike and exemplified Dollar General’s mission of Serving Others. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity and access to a quality education, and we look forward to seeing these literacy grants inspire reading and build brighter futures.” The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supports organizations that increase access to educational programming, stimulate and enable innovation in the delivery of educational instruction and inspire a love of reading. Each year, DGLF awards funds to nonprofit organizations, schools, and libraries within a 15-mile radius of a Dollar General store or distribution center to support adult, family, summer and youth literacy programs. The Foundation also offers a student referral program for individuals interested in learning how to read, speak English, or prepare for the high school equivalency exam. Referrals to a local organization that provides free literacy services are available online here or through referral cards found in the Learn to Read brochures that are available at the cash register of every Dollar General store.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Annual Event Helps Industry Connect with Opportunities The private and public sector joined forces on August 24 for Tobyhanna Army Depot’s (TYAD’s) seventh annual Industry Day. In its triumphant return to an in-person event, Industry Day offered over 150 representatives from local, regional and national businesses the opportunity to see TYAD’s vast and ever-evolving capabilities firsthand and learn about opportunities for partnering. Attendees enjoyed comprehensive tours of TYAD’s facilities, networking opportunities, breakout sessions as well as an overview of Tobyhanna’s business and operations from TYAD Chief of Staff Kristyn Smith. During her remarks, Smith noted the depot’s intense focus on the future. “Modernization and the diversification of our portfolio are key to ensuring Tobyhanna is successful in the coming years,” she said. Strategic Initiatives Office (SIO) Chief Katlin Edmunds also provided participants with a briefing on the partnering process, noting the collaborative aspect to public-private partnerships (P3s). “P3s are a cooperative arrangement between an organic product support provider and one or more private sector entities to perform defense-related work, use Department of Defense (DOD) facilities and equipment, or both. Partnering is a cooperative effort, not a competitive engagement,” she said. Attendees were then able to choose between breakout sessions that focused on either partnering or contracting. Sessions included a capability overview, information about Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035, a modernization opportunity panel, installation services contract opportunities, mission operations support opportunities and base supply center opportunities. TYAD subject matter experts briefed potential partners on the ever-evolving capabilities of the depot and the new and continuing partnership opportunities created through them. Russell Keating III from the Powell Electronics Group said the event was valuable and informative – for both new attendees as well as those who have participated in the past. “With over 25 years of experience and having visited TYAD over the years, one thing that’s evident is commitment to the same mission. Coming here as possible partners and reengaging, seeing requirements, and fostering mutual business opportunities was invaluable,” he said, adding that he appreciated the warm welcome attendees were given by Team Tobyhanna. “From the moment I stepped foot onto the installation, everyone at TYAD was hospitable.” Depot Commander Col. James L. Crocker provided closing remarks, underscoring the importance of teamwork between the public and private sector. “Partnerships are extremely important,” he said, adding that these types of collaborations will help the United States remain a world leader. Conducting the event on-post was critical to giving attendees the full experience of Industry Day, according to Chris Lupole. “Being the first in-person TYAD Industry Day since 2019, there was a lot of excitement to network and discuss opportunities with our commercial partners. We jumped on the opportunity to host this event in-person again to allow the innovative minds of both the public and private sectors to collaborate more efficiently.” Lupole is a logistics management specialist in the SIO. The event was last held on-post in 2019; virtual events were held during the COVID-19 pandemic. The SIO team urges attendees to remain engaged with Tobyhanna – today, tomorrow, and into the future. “You are all welcome to come back to the depot for another visit focused on your specific interests. We look forward to working together to fulfill DOD goals,” said Edmunds. Many Industry Day attendees said they left with a greater sense of the importance of partnerships to warfighter readiness and the attainment of organizational goals. Both TYAD and its partners and potential partners remain committed to exploring new ways to collaborate to offer heightened readiness at the best value to our nation’s warfighters. The seventh annual Industry Day event is an initiative aligned with Tobyhanna’s long-range strategic plan, TOBY2035. The plan aligns with the depot’s four strategic focus areas: Investing in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications and aims to posture the organization for future success.
The Greater Scranton YMCA Encourages Healthy Weight in Youth September is Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, and as children and families start their new school-year routines, it’s a perfect time to reflect and refresh your family’s healthy habits. Many families, though, need support changing their habits together to help children who are overweight or obese reach and maintain a healthy weight. That’s why the Greater Scranton YMCA — a leading community-based organization dedicated to improving health—wants to help families through improved eating habits and increased physical activity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the prevalence of obesity affects about 14.7 million, or one in five U.S. children and adolescents. Obesity can increase risk for health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and some cancers. According to the 2019 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey and 2018-2019 Pennsylvania Growth Screening Index, 33 percent of Pennsylvania adults and 18 percent of Pennsylvania children in grades K-12 are affected by obesity, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. “Experts now have a heightened understanding of the necessity to provide families with assistance in altering their eating and physical activity patterns,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “At the Y, we’re delighted to collaborate with families, extending support as they strive to incorporate changes to help children grow up at a healthy weight.” The Y also promotes open communication between families and their healthcare providers regarding their children’s health. “A child’s healthy weight cannot be determined based off of appearance,” said Fisher. “Working with healthcare professionals guarantees that families receive accurate guidance and support.” The Greater Scranton YMCA is helping families improve their health and help youth grow up at a healthy weight through incorporating opportunities for daily physical activity in our early childhood education and school age programming, as well as through offering numerous youth sports programs throughout the year. While outside support is key, developing healthy habits begins at home. The following tips are some great ways to incorporate healthier eating habits and more physical activity and into your daily family routine: · Eat & Drink Healthy: Make water the drink of choice and encourage everyone to fill half their plates with fruits and vegetables by offering two or three colorful options at every meal. As a family choose a new fruit and veggie every week to taste together. Place a full pitcher of water on the table during meals and allow children to pour their own water. Keep full water bottles available in the car and back packs. · Play Every Day/Go Outside: Children should have at least an hour a day of unstructured play outside (when possible) and break a sweat at least three times a week by getting 20 minutes or more of vigorous physical activity. Join your children in games that get your hearts pumping and body moving. · Get Together: Eat as a family as frequently as possible. Involve kids in meal planning, preparation and clean up. In addition, adults should take a break from electronics and spend one-to-one time each day with their kids, enjoying one another’s company. · Reduce Recreational Screen Time: Time spent in front of a television, computer, tablet, cell phone or video games should be limited to two hours or less per day. Make a family plan to reduce screen time at home (i.e., turn off screens during meals, charge electronics/screens in the kitchen overnight, go for a walk after a meal, set a timer to remind you to power down the screen). · Sleep Well: Kids and adults need to keep a regular sleep schedule; unwind together in the evenings by reading a book or listening to soft music to ensure the body is preparing for sleep. Kids are growing and need 10-12 hours of healthy sleep per night and seven to eight hours for adults.
Steamtown National Historic Site Autumn Train Schedule Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) train rides continue this fall through November. The Steamtown NHS rail experience varies from short 30-minute trips exploring the park’s historic railroad yard to full-day trips into the Poconos. Visitors are now able to purchase advance tickets online through recreation.gov for our fall excursions (Sep.-Nov.). Tickets for our short train rides, the “Scranton Limited,” “Nay Aug Limited,” or Caboose Experience, are not available for advance purchase online and must be purchased on-site at the Tickets & Information Kiosk, on the day of your visit. All ticket sales will be credit card only. Now through Sunday, November 12th:• Our short train rides will operate Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, as staffing permits. Departure times are: 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:15pm, and 2:30pm.• Tickets are $6 for adults and kids over the age of 5; $1 for kids 5 and under. Tickets must be purchased on-site at the Tickets & Information Kiosk, the day of your visit. Tickets are valid all day on the date of purchase and may be used for multiple short train ride experiences.• Seating availability is first come, first served. We recommend getting in line 15-20 minutes ahead of scheduled departure time.• The “Scranton Limited” or “Nay Aug Limited” are not available on days we offer scheduled excursions. On excursion days, as staffing permits, the Caboose Experience will be offered. 2023 Autumn Excursions (Sep.-Nov.): Tickets now available for purchase online• Saturday, September 2nd – Gouldsboro: Craft Show (11am-3pm)• Saturday, September 23rd – Carbondale: Autumn Marketplace (9:30am-4pm)• Saturday, October 7th – Tobyhanna: Fall Foliage, Ice House Tour (10:30am-3:30pm)• Sunday, October 15th – Cresco: Leaf Peeper Excursion (11am-4:30pm)• Saturday, October 28th – Gouldsboro: Ghoulsboro Halloween (11am-3pm)• Friday, November 24th – Moscow: Holiday Express (9:30am-12:15pm)• Friday, November 24th – Moscow: Holiday Express (1:30pm-4:15pm)• Saturday, November 25th – Moscow: Holiday Express (9:30am-12:15pm)• Saturday, November 25th – Moscow: Holiday Express (1:30pm-4:15pm) NOTICE:• Train rides are subject to cancellation due to mechanical issues, inclement weather, or crew availability.Located in downtown Scranton, Pennsylvania, Steamtown NHS is open 9:00am to 5:00pm, daily. From Interstate-81 follow exit 185 (President Biden Expressway, formerly known as 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 visiting the park website anytime.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s 2024 Home Schedule Set The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are pleased to announce their home schedule for the 2024 season. The RailRiders will begin their season on the road on March 29 with the home opener scheduled for Tuesday, April 2. The 2024 season is once again slated with 150 games, split evenly between PNC Field and the road.“With just one more homestand remaining this season, it’s time to start looking ahead to what’s next,” stated Katie Beekman, the RailRiders General Manager. “We have had a great 2023 season so far and this is the first step in looking forward towards how we plan an exciting promotional schedule for our fans that will complement the talent that the New York Yankees put on the field.”The 2024 schedule is comprised of 24 six-game series and two three-game sets. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre will host Syracuse (New York Mets affiliate), Lehigh Valley (Philadelphia), Rochester (Washington), Norfolk (Baltimore), Buffalo (Toronto), Worcester (Boston) and Louisville (Cincinnati) at PNC Field. The RailRiders will once again be home on July 4, hosting the IronPigs.Highlights of the 2024 home schedule include:April 2 thru 7: Opening Week at PNC Field against Syracuse April 16 thru 21: The IronRail Series returns to PNC Field as Lehigh Valley comes to townMay 7 thru 12: Rochester makes its first 2024 visit to MoosicJune 4 thru 9: Norfolk is in town for a six-game series as Baltimore continues to boast a top-tier farm systemJune 18 thru 30: A two-week homestand with Buffalo and Worcester heading to PNC FieldJuly 4 thru 6: Three games at PNC Field against the IronPigs beginning on Independence DayJuly 23 thru August 4: A two-week homestand as Worcester and Louisville make the trekSeptember 10 thru 15: Final homestand of 2024 when SWB entertains Lehigh Valley one more timeRoad opponents, game times and promotions will be announced at a later time and the 2024 schedule remains subject to change. For more information, please visit swbrailriders.com or call (570) 969-BALL.
Marywood Featuring Architecture Exhibit, Gallery Talk, & Lecture Marywood University is featuring an architecture exhibit, Ideas + Examples: An Exhibition from The Lucy and Olivio Ferrari Archive from September 6-15. The exhibit includes a gallery talk by Prof. Shelley Martin on Wednesday, September 6, at 7 p.m., as well as a lecture by Prof. Frank Weiner on Thursday, September 7, at 2 p.m. All events are taking place in the Hawk Gallery, Center for Architectural Studies, on Marywood’s campus. The exhibition is intended to build upon the existing connections between Marywood University and Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va., and to cultivate a continuing exchange. This relationship can be traced back to Professor Gregory Hunt, Founding Dean of Marywood University’s School of Architecture and a former long serving faculty member at Virginia Tech. Exhibition curators include Arian Korkuti, Assistant Professor, School of Architecture, Marywood University; Shelley Martin, Associate Professor, School of Architecture, Virginia Tech, and Frank Weiner, Professor, School of Architecture, Virginia Tech. The work on view is from the collection of artifacts housed in The Lucy and Olivio Ferrari Archive located in the School of Architecture at Virginia Tech. The exhibition emphasizes the educational formation of an architect. The displayed artifacts, made by Lucy Ferrari and Olivio Ferrari, were not intended to be finished works of art or design, but rather didactic studies about basic design. The exhibition includes a set of photographic prints commissioned for the exhibition made by Prof. Shelley Martin. The Lucy and Olivio Ferrari Archive, established in October 2017 by Lucy Ferrari and Professor Frank Weiner, is housed in Cowgill Hall on the campus of Virginia Tech. The archive consists of approximately 1,000 items, representing a wide range of didactic materials including diagrams, texts, notes, professional projects, travel sketches, painting studies, prints, photographs, objects, furniture, prototypes, toys, jewelry, and textiles.
Mohegan Pennsylvania Extends Party on the Patio to 17th Week Due to popular demand, NEPA’s favorite outdoor concert series, Party on the Patio, has been extended for an additional week! Classic Skynyrd Live is set to bring the best of Lynyrd Skynyrd to the outdoor concert venue at Mohegan Pennsylvania on Thursday, September 21st. Delicious bites will be provided by Ray’s Porketta. Doors open at 6:30pm and the show starts at 7:30pm. There is no cover for this special added Party on the Patio event. Lynyrd Skynyrd was the band that defined Southern Rock in the 1970’s and built a fan base that continues to grow today. Classic Skynyrd Live, performed by Southern Steel, pays tribute to this iconic band and the music that continues to be loved by generation after generation of fans. This show delivers an unrivaled level of energy, generating standing ovations and calls for encores time after time. Classic Skynyrd Live performs all the fan favorites, including “Free Bird”, “Simple Man”, “That Smell”, “Sweet Home Alabama”, “Gimme Three Steps”, “Call Me the Breeze”, “I Know a Little” and so many more. Guests who are looking for an afterparty can join Chasing Ashlee at The Hive Taphouse for the best in Rock from the 70s to now, or wind down by a hand-built fire pit at Embers Terrace. The official host of Party on the Patio, DJ Tommy from The River 105 & 103.5, will also be spinning Top 40 hits at the After the Patio Party at Breakers. For more information about entertainment at Mohegan Pennsylvania, visit moheganpa.com. All guests must be 21+ to attend Party on the Patio. Additionally, most areas of Mohegan Pennsylvania are restricted to guests 21 years of age and older, including the hotel, gaming areas, and several restaurants. Valid, unexpired photo identification is required (driver’s license, passport, military ID). Expired identification will not be accepted. Wristbands issued for Party on the Patio are not valid for the gaming floor. All persons, bags and personal items are subject to inspection. No portable chairs are permitted.
