Lackawanna Historical Society Program Honors Women Vets On Valentine’s weekend, the Lackawanna Historical Society will present “A Love Letter to My Sister Soldiers” on Sunday, February 16, at 2 pm at the Society’s headquarters, the Catlin House, 232 Monroe Avenue, Scranton. Join Janice Gavern to share stories and honor the women currently serving today, including Capt. Lacie Hester, an Air Force airman who was recently awarded a Silver Star for her performance in an enormous drone fight. Janice is a Scranton native and Air Force Veteran who continues to serve her country as the deputy commander for Women Veterans Issues at the 15th District American Legion Department of Pennsylvania. She is also the historian for Gardner Warner American Legion Post 154 in Montrose, Pennsylvania, and the acting historian for Gladys Watkins American Legion Post 550, which once existed in Scranton. For more information or to register, please call the Society at 570-344-3841 or email lackawannahhistory@gmail.com.
Lackawanna College Enters Agreement with Lower Dauphin School District Lower Dauphin School District Approves Pre-College Agreement with Lackawanna CollegeLower Dauphin School District, located near Harrisburg and Hershey, has approved a pre-college partnership with Lackawanna College, enabling Lower Dauphin School District students to earn college credits while still in high school. Finalized in December 2024, the agreement is new to the Lower Dauphin School District and will be offered online and concurrently through the high school. “Lower Dauphin is looking forward to our partnership with Lackawanna College. The agreement is another avenue for our students and families to evaluate and maximize to make the best possible decisions in assisting with transitioning after high school,” said Todd Neuhard, Assistant to the Superintendent: Secondary Education. The goal of this partnership aligns with Lackawanna College’s commitment to making college more accessible. Lackawanna College creates affordable career pathways, by helping high school students receive access to college level classes through dual enrollment. The college continues to strengthen community ties and prepare students for higher education, while also supporting both student achievement and workforce development. “We are excited to collaborate with the staff, students, and their families of the Lower Dauphin School District. This partnership opens doors for students to get a head start on their college journey, empowering them to earn valuable credits and build a strong foundation for future success, all while still in high school,” said Philip Campbell, Director of College Partnerships at Lackawanna College. Our program provides flexible learning options tailored to meet students’ needs: In-Person: Attend daytime or evening classes at any Lackawanna College location, offering a traditional classroom experience. Online: Utilize the convenience of our Learning Management System (Canvas) to complete courses online, allowing students to learn at their own pace. Concurrent Enrollment: Take college-level courses directly at your high school. We collaborate closely with schools to align our curriculum, including Advanced Placement (AP) and other qualifying courses, with their offerings. Through these options, Lackawanna College focuses on academic enrichment and college readiness, empowering students to take confident steps toward their educational goals. For more information or to discuss partnership opportunities, please contact our Director of College Partnerships, Philip Campbell, at campbellp@lackawanna.edu.
Johnson College Now Enrolling for Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Course in Scranton Johnson College is now enrolling for its upcoming 285-hour, non-credit certificate Computer Numerical Control (CNC) course at the Scranton campus. The course will run from February 11 to June 10, 2025, with classes held Tuesday through Thursday, from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This training program is designed for individuals eager to enter the high-demand machining industry, equipping students with both the theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills required for success in the field. Participants will receive instruction in conventional and CNC machining techniques, alongside key topics in math for machinists, metalworking, and the stresses placed upon materials during the machining process. The cost for the complete program is $4,200. In order to enroll, students must have a GED or high school diploma. This course provides an excellent opportunity for those seeking to develop the skills necessary for a successful career in the machining industry, a sector that continues to see significant demand for trained professionals. For more information or to reserve a spot in the course, please visit the official course page: https://johnson.edu/continuing-ed/285-computer-numerical-control-cnc/. You can also contact Johnson College’s Continuing Education team at 570-702-879 or continuinged@johnson.edu.
Indraloka Expands Summer Day Camps To Help Kids When kids enter Indraloka’s Art Barn, the first thing some notice is the wall of windows facing the fields where animals are grazing in the distance. Others immediately connect to the art — stylized photographs of Indraloka’s rescued farm animals — covering the lofted gallery walls. A pool table, piles of games, and reading nooks stacked with books catch some of the kids’ attention. They all sense they’ve arrived at a place that values them and their interests. And this year, they can spend their whole summer at Indraloka. Summer day camp at Indraloka, a farm animal sanctuary in Dalton, PA, offers affordable options for children and teens — ages 5 to 17 — to explore nature surrounded by the love of rescued farm animals. Indraloka runs up to nine weeks of camp for a continuous summer solution. Each day of camp includes active and passive games, sports, arts and crafts, music, and animal lessons and activities based on kindness, compassion, friendship, and storytelling. Indoor space provides respite from inclement weather and rest on hot days. The cost per week of camp ranges between $150-$220 and includes a kid-friendly, healthy lunch and two snacks daily. A limited number of need-based scholarships are available. “We are offering more weeks of summer camp based on feedback collected in previous summer camp surveys. Parents and guardians shared that campers love attending Indraloka camps and that having consistency throughout the summer would help with their childcare needs and camper social and emotional growth. We also want to offer continuous employment for our summer camp counselors. With these additional weeks, no matter your summer schedule, we have an opportunity for your kids,” Indraloka’s Director of Education, Sarah Thornton says. Set on 100 acres of beautiful farmland, rimmed by the Endless Mountains, Indraloka is a mere five miles from Clarks Summit. During camp, kids are supervised daily for six hours by a staff of educators and camp counselors led by a former public school teacher with trauma certification. In addition to lunch and snacks, all supplies for games, crafts, and other activities are provided. Camp dates and other important information are available on the Indraloka website. The camps sell out quickly, often to children and teens who have attended previous camps. Indraloka is getting the word out early so first-timers have a chance to enroll. Early registration discounts are currently open, but prices increase February 1. Summer camp counselor jobs and internships are available for anyone interested in working with children and teens. We are grateful for applicants with experience related to teaching, social work, psychology, and similar fields. On Monday, President’s Day, February 17, 2025, Indraloka is sponsoring “Play-cation Day.” The daylong event (9 am to 3 pm) is a great summer camp preview. Indraloka offers numerous year-round events. Public tours, Self-Care Saturdays, Nurture and Nourish Series, and Storytime with the Animals are great ways for parents to experience Indraloka and its offerings. All education events are led by Sarah Thornton, Indraloka’s Director of Education, who holds a master’s in music education and is a Certified Trauma Specialist in Education. Her career includes 20 years in the Sullivan County School District teaching music. “At Indraloka, we focus on joy, healing, compassion, and friendship. Kids jump in puddles, run through sprinklers, and hug pigs, sheep, and feathered companions. Most importantly, they make friends and happy memories. At a time when technology is so often the go-to entertainment for kids, we are honored to bring them outside in a supportive environment where they can experience the magic nature provides,” says Indraloka founder Indra Lahiri, PhD, who has a background in organizational psychology and is also a Certified Trauma Specialist. Dr. Lahiri runs trauma-informed programs and retreats for regional healthcare professionals, the Scranton School District, and others onsite at the sanctuary. Research into the relationship between kids and animals shows that interacting with animals can help build kids’ confidence, empathy, and compassion and that relating to farm animals brings benefits beyond those that companion animals offer. Spending time in a noncompetitive environment that emphasizes respect for all beings and the planet can help develop coping and relationship skills. Dr. Lahiri and Ms. Thornton are available for interviews and can speak about Indraloka’s exciting programs. Please visit Indraloka.org for more information on all events.
Griffin Pond Animal Shelter Hosts Guns N’ Roses Bingo Griffin Pond Animal Shelter is happy to announce our Guns N’ Roses Bingo fundraiser on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at The Scranton Holiday Inn, 200 Tigue Street, Dunmore, Pa. 18512. Doors open at 3 p.m., and games begin at 5 p.m. Tickets are available on our website at https://www.griffinpondanimalshelter.com/event-details/guns-n-roses-bingo-2024. There will be 16 regular bingo games, specials, a 50/50 drawing, and raffles. All proceeds will benefit Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, which takes in the homeless, neglected, abused, elderly, and injured animals that come into our care each day. Please come out and support Griffin Pond Animal Shelter.
Wayne Bank Promotes Ryan French to Executive Vice President Jim Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is pleased to announce the promotion of Ryan French to Executive Vice President and Director of Human Resources. “I’m thrilled to announce this promotion of Ryan. Through expert leadership and performance management, he has demonstrated his dedication to the Bank, our customers, and employees. He continues to develop and implement effective HR policies, streamlining our efforts and creating a positive work environment here at Wayne Bank,” said Mr. Donnelly. French joined Wayne Bank in 2009 as Assistant Vice President and Director of Human Resources. In this new role, he will continue to take on expanded responsibilities and excel in advancing the strategic goals of the Bank. French holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from King’s College, providing a strong foundation for his leadership in talent development and organizational success. French resides in Waymart with his wife, Stephanie, and their three children, Molly, Cameron, and Reagan.
University of Scranton Online Business Graduate Programs Among Best in U.S. U.S. News & World Report’s 2025 “Best Online Graduate Programs” ranked The University of Scranton’s online master’s degree programs in business (excluding MBA) at No. 51 and its online MBA program at No. 128 in the nation. In addition to an overall rank, U.S. News also ranked programs by the criteria categories used in its methodology. For online master’s degree programs in business, Scranton ranked No. 28 for the “student excellence” category, which looked at acceptance rates and the work experience and undergraduate GPA of students, and No. 33 for the “student engagement” category, which looked at graduation rates, class size, one-year retention rates, and best practices such as accreditation by AACSB International, among other factors. For the MBA program, Scranton ranked No. 105 for “student excellence.” This is the 14th consecutive year that U.S. News ranked the University’s online programs among the best in the nation. The methodology used by U.S. News to determine the ranking has changed several times throughout the years. For the 2025 Best Online Programs ranking, which published Jan. 21, U.S. News reviewed statistical information submitted by schools. The criteria used by U.S. News to rank online business and MBA programs included student engagement (30 percent); peer reputation score (25 percent); faculty credentials and training (15 percent); student excellence (15 percent); and student services and technology (15 percent). Scranton offers online MBA degrees in accounting, business analytics, enterprise resource planning, finance, healthcare management, human resources management, international business and supply chain management; master’s degrees in accountancy, applied behavior analysis, business analytics, cybercrime investigation and cybersecurity, finance, health administration, health informatics, human resources management, dual MBA/MHA degree, nursing and speech-language pathology, in addition to graduate certificates. In other U.S. News publications,Scranton has been ranked among the top 10 “Best Regional Universities in the North” for 31 consecutive years. U.S. News ranked Scranton No. 6 among regional universities in the north in its 2025 guidebook and No. 6 for “Best Undergraduate Teaching,” a selection of the top colleges in the nation that express a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching.
United Way VITA Tax Preparation Program The United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike is proud to announce the return of its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, beginning on February 4, 2025. This free service is available to qualifying individuals and families, offering assistance with tax preparation to help maximize refunds and ease the burden of filing. The VITA Program provides free tax preparation services to individuals and families with an annual income of $67,000 or less. Certified volunteers trained by the IRS will assist in preparing and electronically filing both federal and state tax returns. This service is designed to ensure participants receive the full benefits they are entitled to, including tax credits such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC). “We’re thrilled to, once again, support and administer the VITA Program. Continuing to help families and individuals in our community navigate the tax season with ease,” said Gary Drapek, President & CEO of United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike. “This program not only saves participants money on tax preparation fees but also helps them take advantage of critical tax credits that can provide much-needed financial relief.” Program Details: Start Date: February 4, 2025 Eligibility: Households earning $67,000 or less annually Appointments: Appointments are required. Call 570.602.3133, 866.662.8887, or visit uwlc.net/initiative/volunteer-income-tax-assistance-vita to schedule. For more information about the VITA Program, eligibility requirements, or volunteer opportunities, please visit https://uwlc.net/initiative/volunteer-income-tax-assistance-vita/.
UNC Receives $60,000 Grant from the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund UNC is excited to announce the receiving a generous $60,000 grant from the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund to support our Leaders in Training (LIT) Program. UNC’s LIT Program is a distinctive leadership education and empowerment initiative aimed at helping disadvantaged youth, ages 13 through 18, build the skills and confidence necessary to succeed in life. Participants develop into productive citizens, critical thinkers, and leaders through mentorship, education, and a strong support network. Our program’s impact is clear, with 100% of LIT Seniors graduating high school in 2024. In addition to its core programming, our LIT Program now provides post-graduate support, including continued mentorship, case management, and scholarships for work- and school-related needs. This contribution from the William G. McGowan Charitable Fund will help ensure the continued success which has positively impacted on the lives of hundreds of young people in the community.
The Dime Bank 2024 Dividend Results Dimeco, Inc. (OTCQX: DIMC), the parent holding company of The Dime Bank, announces unaudited financial results for the quarter and fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. Total assets increased $90 million or 9.1% from the end of 2023 to $1.080 billion as of December 31, 2024. The loan portfolio ended the year at $775 million, an increase of $52.9 million or 7.3% from the year prior. Deposits also increased year-over-year to $911 million, a gain of $84.5 million or 10.2%. Dimeco’s 2024 net income of $12.9 million was $2.1 million or 19.5% greater than 2023, resulting in earnings per share of $5.12. Net income at this level produced a return on average assets of 1.25% and a return on average equity of 12.61%, an increase of 12.6% and 6.5%, respectively. Stockholders’ Equity also increased 8.5% to $107 million. The 2024 dividend payout ratio was 31.64% providing a yield of 4.08%, with year-to-date dividends totaling $1.62 per share. President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich stated, “I am excited to share our financial achievements for 2024. It was a year of noteworthy progress for Dimeco, Inc., marked by numerous positive outcomes. We sustained our robust growth trajectory through sound and prudent banking practices. Looking ahead, we are optimistic about the future and confident that the momentum we built in 2024 will carry into 2025. Our commitment to our communities and shareholders is paramount. We value your ongoing support and unwavering dedication.”
