SWB RailRiders, Actor Steve Schirippa Coming To PNC Field On July 18 We’re not sure Quasimodo predicted all this, but we do know that acclaimed actor Steve Schirippa is making a guest appearance at PNC Field on Saturday, July 18. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders are thrilled to announce that the legendary actor who portrayed Bobby Bacala on TheSopranos is destined for a VIP appearance when the RailRiders host the Worcester Red Sox. Gates open at 5:30 P.M. with a Steve Schirippa Bobblehead Giveaway for the first 1,500 fans, honoring his iconic character’s love of the trains. First pitch is slated for 6:35 P.M. In addition to 53 episodes on the HBO hit show, Schirippa appeared in 146 episodes of Blue Bloods and 110 episodes of The Secret Life of the American Teenager among his numerous credits. He is also a New York Times best-selling author with such titles as A Goomba’s Guide to Life and Nicky Duece to his credit, along with cowriting Woke Up This Morning: The Definitive Oral History of The Sopranos. The VIP Meet & Greet begins at 5 P.M. in the Geisinger Champions Club. Hear behind-the-scenes stories and some of his goomba life lessons! VIP Meet & Greet tickets include a Premium Infield Box ticket, an autographed photo with Schirippa, and guaranteed bobblehead Schirippa will sign autographs on the concourse after the game begins. After the final out, stick around for the best fireworks show in NEPA! For Steve Schirippa VIP Meet & Greet tickets or more information, please visit swbrailriders.com
Honesdale National Bank To Present Moscow Country Street Fair Presented by Honesdale National Bank, the Moscow Country Street Fair will celebrate its 10th Anniversary from Thursday, July 23, through Saturday, July 25, in Downtown Moscow. This year’s theme, “Hometown Roots and Cowboy Boots,” promises three days of family-friendly entertainment, community traditions, and activities for all ages. The celebration will take place Thursday and Friday from 4 to 9 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visitors can enjoy live music, local food vendors, shopping, the Hometown Parade, Horse Show, Car Show, Tractor Parade, and a dedicated Children’s Area. Additional attractions include the Run for the Hoses with local firefighters, the Calamity Jane Theatre performance on Saturday, a Quilt Show, and an Art Show featuring works by local artists. Attendees can also participate in art workshops led by North Pocono artists. Families are encouraged to visit the Kids Zone on Van Brunt Street, where children can enjoy GellyBall throughout all three days of the fair. Friday’s festivities will also feature Glo Night and a Foam Party. With a variety of entertainment, delicious food, local vendors, and activities throughout the weekend, the Moscow Country Street Fair offers something for everyone while celebrating the community’s hometown spirit.
Misericordia University, Customized Workforce Development Misericordia University’s Center for Workforce Development & Talent Solutions partners with employers to create customized training and professional development programs tailored to their unique workforce needs, organizational culture, and business goals. Rather than offering one-size-fits-all solutions, the Center collaborates directly with organizations to design learning opportunities that strengthen leadership, enhance communication, develop durable human skills, support new supervisors, and prepare teams for future success. By focusing on the specific needs of each employer and their workforce, the Center helps organizations build practical, effective solutions that support long-term growth and employee development. To learn more, visit misericordia.edu/workforcedevelopment or contact Paul Nardone, Director, at pnardone@misericordia.edu.
Chicken BBQ Dinner to Benefit Community Intervention Center Grab dinner and support a great cause by attending a drive-thru Chicken BBQ Dinner on August 15 from 2-4 p.m. The event will be at the Waverly United Methodist Church on Church Street in Waverly. For $15 per person, you’ll get 1/2 pound of barbecue chicken, a baked potato, cole slaw, dessert and rolls. A portion of each dinner will benefit the Community Intervention Center in Scranton. Pre-orders are recommended and can be made by calling (570) 313-7719. The CIC has served the unhoused population in Lackawanna County since 1972. It is a behavioral health recovery drop-in center and homeless day shelter located on North 6th Avenue in Scranton.
Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Hosts PennDOT Officials for Capitol Conversations Series Elected officials, along with business and community leaders, gathered at The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce on June 19, for another Capitol Conversation series, featuring a transportation and infrastructure update from the Pennsylvania Secretary of Transportation Michael Carroll and PennDOT District 4 Executive Jonathan Eboli, P.E. Secretary Carroll addressed transportation funding challenges and their impact on PennDOT projects, including the addition of third lanes along spans of Interstate 81 the status of proposed Scranton-N.Y. passenger rail service, and the proposed Scranton Beltway projects. District Executive Eboli and Secretary Carroll gave updates on upcoming infrastructure investments throughout Lackawanna County, including improvements to Keystone Industrial Park Road, bridge preservation work on the North Scranton Expressway, the rehabilitation of Cedar Avenue and Spruce Street, and a future bridge replacement project on West Lackawanna Avenue. The officials also highlighted Operation Yellow Jacket, a partnership between PennDOT and the Pennsylvania State Police aimed at improving work zone safety. Recent legislation and speed cameras have helped reduce speeding in work zones, but he noted continued efforts are needed to protect workers. Capitol Conversations is an informational series sponsored by The Chamber under the Government Affairs Committee. The sessions feature elected and appointed officials speaking with Chamber leaders and members on topics of importance to the business community.
Leadership Lackawanna Recognizes 2026 Core Program Graduates at Celebration of Leadership Leadership Lackawanna, the community leadership and professional development division of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, hosted its 2026 Celebration of Leadership event, which honored participants in Leadership Lackawanna’s 10-month Core Program on Thursday, June 18, 2026. The event was held at Hilton Scranton & Conference Center, and included business networking, an end-of-year review and video, and raffles, along with the presentation of certificates to graduates. Graduates of the program were recognized for their commitment throughout 10 months of leadership development, learning, and participation in one of four class projects. A highlight of the program, class projects in collaboration with Countryside Conservancy, Friendship House, United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania, and the Greater Scranton YMCA were commended during the ceremony. Working with Countryside Conservancy, members of the Core class assisted in renovating part of the conservancy’s outdoor space by building a new bridge, clearing vegetation, installing signage, and creating a picnic area. Another group partnered with Friendship House to renovate a classroom within the Autism Center, repainting and redesigning the space to create a more welcoming environment. Core participants also collaborated with United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania to modernize the organization’s Angel’s Attic facility, which provides food and clothing to neighbors in need. In partnership with the Greater Scranton YMCA, members of the class also helped launch the “Foundations for the Future Project,” an initiative focused on improving the YMCA’s recreational and learning spaces. Read more about the 2026 Core Program Class Projects. Leadership Lackawanna extends thanks to the sponsors of the 2026 Core Program including designBLD, Penn East Federal Credit Union, PPL Electric Utilities, Quandel Construction Group, Inc., Maximus Foundation, Geisinger, Times Shamrock Communications, PNC Bank, Center City Print, Friendship House, and Golden Technologies. Leadership Lackawanna also recognizes the graduates of its 2026 Core Program for their commitment throughout the 10-month leadership experience. 2026 Core Program Graduates Amanda Friday – Peoples Security Bank & Trust Amanda Lyn Brown – Penn East Federal Credit Union Anthony Salva, LCSW – Integrative Mind and Body Services Brittani Pulse – Nunzi’s Advertising Christopher M. Pahoski – Benco Dental Courtney Rittenhouse – Children’s Advocacy Center of NEPA Daneece A. Jones – Greater Scranton YMCA Deanna Smith – AAA North Penn Diana Latsko – Maximus Federal Services Douglas A. Hein – Scranton Counseling Center Eric Eiden – Lackawanna College Haley Houck – Fidelity Bank Jason Carpenter – designBLD John Conte lll – The Honesdale National Bank John P Joyce – Lackawanna County Jose Santiago de los Rios – Tuxedo by Sarno Joshua Cole Howells – Allied Services Julianna Cardillo – Penn State (Scranton) Linda Beck – United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania Madison Theobald – Penn East Federal Credit Union Maria Day – Penn State (Scranton) Mateo Arroyopabon – The Procter & Gamble Paper Products Company Matt Coolbaugh – Quandel Construction Group, Inc. Pete Gentile – City of Scranton Sarah Bauman – Montage Mountain Resorts Walter Kosak – Plaskolite
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute, Spirit of Hope Celebration Raises $37,000 The Spirit of Hope Celebration Board of Ambassadors presented the Cancer Institute with a $37,072 check from their 2025 Spirit of Hope event. “On behalf of the Ambassadors who truly exhibit the ‘Spirit of Hope’ we are pleased to present you with these funds to help individuals receive early detection and free screenings,” said Leo Vergnetti, Chairman of the Board of Ambassadors. The Board of Ambassadors, a group of community volunteers, hosted the thirteenth annual Spirit of Hope Celebration in November 2025 at Mohegan Pennsylvania. More than 300 people were in attendance. The event featured cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live music and a silent auction. John “Slick” Baum was the Tribute to Courage Honoree. Proceeds from the event benefited the Cancer Institute’s Community-Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program. This program helps low income and un/underinsured individuals in northeast Pennsylvania get their recommended colorectal, breast, cervical, and lung cancer screenings.
Hospice Of The Sacred Heart Receives Check From 4th Annual “Night To Remember” Fundraiser On April 29th, 2026, the 4th Annual “Night to Remember” was held at the Back Mountain Brewing Company in Dallas in honor of Tracy Gototweski. It was an evening full of laughter, love and memories with family and friends. Due to the generosity of those who came out to remember Tracy, $4,210 was raised to support patients of Hospice of the Sacred Heart and their families. The donation was made in Tracy’s honor, knowing that the hard work and dedication of the hospice staff is appreciated by all of the lives they touch. Pictured front row l to r: Lisa Kramer, Hospice of the Sacred Heart Inpatient Unit Social Worker, Diane Baldi, RN, CEO, Hospice of the Sacred Heart and Ann Rish. Back row l to r: Bridgett Gallagher, Inpatient Unit Coordinator, Hospice of the Sacred Heart, Dave Gototweski, Sherry Cross and Kelly Noreika, RN, BSN, Director of Inpatient Services, Hospice of the Sacred Heart
Allied Services Vocational Programs Offer Employment Opportunities Allied Services continues to empower individuals with disabilities through its Vocational Services Division, which provides specialized training and employment opportunities designed to help participants achieve greater independence and long-term career success. Since 1959, Allied Services has helped individuals develop workplace skills through vocational training, supported employment, community employment, and janitorial training programs. Participants receive hands-on instruction, earn competitive wages, and build the skills needed to secure and maintain meaningful employment in a variety of industries. The organization also partners with businesses throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania to connect employers with a trained and reliable workforce while creating meaningful employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. Through these partnerships, participants gain valuable job experience, increased confidence, and greater independence. Individuals interested in learning more about Allied Services’ vocational and employment programs, including available workshops and training opportunities, are encouraged to visit Vocational Services Program Information or contact Allied Services for additional information.
Hospice Of The Sacred Heart Receives Check From Timmy’s Town Center Attorney Tim and Lexie Kelly, representing Timmy’s Town Center, recently presented a $15,000 check to Hospice of the Sacred Heart CEO Diane Baldi. This donation will support pediatric hospice services at Hospice of the Sacred Heart. Pictured l to r: Attorney Tim Kelly, Timmy’s Town Center, Diane Baldi, CEO, Hospice of the Sacred Heart and Lexie Kelly, Timmy’s Town Center.
