South Side Floral Shop Celebrates 100 Years of Family-Owned Excellence South Side Floral Shop proudly marks a century of service in 2024. Established in 1924 by John Stankowski as a retail floral and landscaping business, the shop has been passed down through three generations — from John to his son Leon, and now operated by siblings Jake and Mari Jane. Originally located at 1107 Pittston Avenue, the business moved to its current home at 1025 Pittston Avenue in the late 1940s. Over the decades, South Side Floral Shop has become a trusted name in both floral design and landscaping, contributing to major community projects including Memorial Stadium, city pools, and elementary schools. In recognition of its longstanding commitment to excellence, South Side Floral Shop received the Century Award from the Society of American Florists in 2024. This prestigious honor celebrates businesses that have served the floral industry for 100 years or more. The shop was also recognized by FTD, which has over 20,000 members in the United States, as one of the Top 1,000 Florists in the U.S. for outstanding quality and service in 2024. South Side Floral Shop looks forward to continuing its tradition of beauty, service, and community involvement for generations to come.
Misericordia Offers Course for GIS Basics Certification Unlock the Power of Place Explore how spatial data drives decisions in nearly every field—from business and public health to urban planning and logistics. Misericordia University’s GIS Basics Certificate is a 6-week online course that introduces professionals to the world of geographic information systems and data visualization. Fully online | Fall 2025Register now
Geisinger, Wilkes University Extends Sports Medicine Contract Geisinger Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine and Wilkes University have renewed their contract for Geisinger to provide athletic training services to the university’s athletic department. The contract extension, which runs through 2028, continues a 23-year partnership began in 2002. “I am very happy to have extended our partnership with Geisinger to provide all of our health care coverage, said Scott Musa, Wilkes University athletics director. “Our student-athletes very much value the care they receive from the athletic trainers, doctors and other health care professionals, and I have 100% confidence in their ability to help keep our student-athletes healthy.” Geisinger offers five athletic trainers for the university for all NCAA sports the school offers. Geisinger also provides physician services that includes coverage for football and ice hockey games as well as weekly training room visits. “The longstanding partnership between Geisinger and Wilkes University has been a tremendous benefit to our student-athletes,” said Geisinger athletic trainer Camille Dudinyak, who is the head athletic trainer for Wilkes University. “Their health and well-being are paramount, and the continued collaboration helps facilitate exceptional care both on and off the playing field.”
Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to Host Trivia Night PENS TRIVIA NIGHT MONDAY, JUNE 30 Are you ready for a night filled with fun, food, and friendly competition? The Penguins GOALS Foundation is thrilled to host its very first Trivia Night, and you’re invited! This exciting event will take place on Monday, June 30th, 2025, at 6 PM, in the cozy Team Café at the Toyota SportsPlex. Whether you’re a trivia pro or just looking for an entertaining evening out, this event promises something for everyone. Sign Up Here
The Wright Center for Community Health Welcomes Director of Employee Health The Wright Center for Community Health welcomed a longtime emergency medical technician and vascular technologist to serve as director of employee health and coordinator of continuing medical education. Mark Powell, RVT, NRP, will oversee employee health services and training for The Wright Centers, which is transitioning from an official American Heart Association (AHA) designated training site to an AHA training center, a distinction earned by training a certain number of people annually and meeting other high standards. “By becoming a center, we can develop sites and expand access to these classes that provide these critical training classes, including Basic Life Support, which many people know as CPR, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and more,” Powell said. “These skills are important for everyone to know because they can save lives.” Since The Wright Center launched its AHA training site in 2023, it has completed nearly 3,560 certifications, which include 1,761 in Basic Life Support (BLS), 416 in Heartsaver CPR, 412 in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), 158 in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and several more. Powell has decades of experience as an emergency medical technician, paramedic, and registered vascular technologist in Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland. He has extensive experience directing vascular labs, managing clinical operations, and ensuring accreditation compliance. Before joining The Wright Center, he worked as the technical director and vascular manager at Guthrie Medical Clinic and Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre. In addition to being a registered vascular technologist, he is an accredited ACLS/PALS/CPR instructor and a certified intervention team member. Mark Powell, RVT, NRP, helps Taila Avia, a Marywood University student, use a bag valve on a mannequin during a Basic Life Support class at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton. Powell, our director of employee health and coordinator of continuing medical education, is working to have our American Heart Association (AHA) training site designated as an AHA training center, a distinction earned by training a certain number of people annually and meeting other high standards.
Peoples Security Bank & Trust Welcomes Alyssa Kobal Peoples Security Bank & Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of Alyssa Kobal as Assistant Vice President, Community Banking Manager at the Bank’s Dickson City Branch. With over a decade of experience in the financial services industry, Kobal brings a customer-focused mindset and leadership experience to her new role. She will oversee the daily operations of the Dickson City Branch while guiding her team to deliver exceptional service and building lasting relationships within the community. “I have a sincere appreciation for this opportunity to contribute my experience and skills to an organization that truly values their employees,” said Kobal. “I’m excited to foster a positive, customer-centric environment and work with leadership to develop strategies that enhance the customer experience.” Kobal began her career in banking as a teller with FNB in 2013 and advanced through roles at Citizens Bank and Mariner Finance, where she most recently held a management position. A native of Forty Fort, PA, she is a graduate of Lake-Lehman High School and a proud volunteer with Action Together NEPA.
Circle Drive-In Upcoming Movie Showings This week at Circle Drive-In: Wednesday, June 25th 150 Years of Dickson City – FREE Community Movie Night featuring “Psycho” (1960) at 9:00 pm. Gates open at 8:00 pm. Friday, June 27th & Saturday, June 28th: Double Features Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm Screen One: “How to Train Your Dragon” (PG – 2025) at 9:00 pm “Lilo & Stitch” (PG – 2025) at 11:30 pm Screen Two: “28 Years Later” (R – 2025) at 9:15 pm “Final Destination: Bloodlines” (R – 2025) at 11:40 pm Sunday, June 29th Circle Giant Flea Fair from 6:00 am – 2:00 pm (Vendor Gates at 5:00 am) New vendors are always welcome, no pre-registration required! Come out & sell your crafts, artisan items, homemade products, spring cleaning treasures & more – every Sunday! Learn more at circledrive-in/fleafair24. Sunday Night Movies Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm Screen One: “How to Train Your Dragon” (PG – 2025) at 9:00 pm Screen Two: “28 Years Later” (R – 2025) at 9:15 pm Our Concession Stand is open during every event! Stop in for your favorite cold drinks, candy, popcorn, freshly made pizza, burgers & more! Movie tickets, upcoming events, & additional information at circledrive-in.com. Other Upcoming Films: Wednesday, July 9th & Wednesday, July 23rd: 150 Years of Dickson City – FREE Community Movie Night – Film titles coming soon! Thursday, July 24th: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” Presented by the Lackawanna Historical Society Thursday, July 31st: “Dirty Dancing” Presented by the Lackawanna Historical Society
Make The Greater Scranton YMCA Your Family Fun Destination This Summer Get ready for an unforgettable summer at the Greater Scranton YMCA. With a diverse range of exciting programs and activities, the Y is the ultimate destination for families seeking fun, fitness and connection this summer. Whether you’re searching for activities to keep your children active and engaged during the summer months or looking for a place to enjoy the warm weather together, the Y has you covered. There is still one week left to redeem a free one-week trial to the Y this June. Free trial memberships are available to individuals and families and grants community members access to all the Y has to offer, including the wellness center, gyms, pools, land & water group exercise classes, and more. Trial memberships are available to non-members and must be redeemed at the Y’s facility. Click to learn about additional program opportunities available at the Y this season: Summer Day Camp – The 2025 Summer Day Camp season is officially underway. Click to review to the parent handbook and more camp information. Pool Time – The Y features two pools within its facility. Click to review the pool schedules, as well as additional aquatics programming. Employment Opportunities – Full-time and part-time employment opportunities are available across various departments. Special Events – This summer, the Greater Scranton YMCA is hosting a Summer Clothing Drive, Hawaiian Hula Hustle 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk, and a Fall Craft Fair. Additionally, the Y is the beneficiary of the 6th Annual Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament & Dinner Celebration, which is being held on Friday, September 19th at Glen Oak County Club. Youth Programs – The Greater Scranton YMCA offers various youth programs that rotate each month. Programs are free for family members. “Join us at the Greater Scranton YMCA this summer as we embark on a season of laughter, learning and cherished memories,” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. We welcome everyone in our community to come and discover what the Y has to offer!”
