Allied Services VP Retires, Receives Flag From SourceAmerica SourceAmerica representative Marshelle Gaspar presented a ceremonial flag to Bob Ames at a reception today in recognition of and celebration of his upcoming retirement from Allied Services after 35+ years of empowering and enriching the lives of adults with disabilities. Bill Conaboy, President & CEO of Allied Services, first introduced Bob Ames at the reception to many colleagues and thanked Bob for his leadership and loyalty to our organization and for the accomplishments Bob achieved on behalf of adults with disabilities, who live and work with us, across four decades. In her presentation, Marshelle thanked Bob for his advocacy for and commitment to employment opportunities for adults with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as explaining the flag was made by adults with disabilities through one of the SourceAmerica partners in California. Left to right: Marshelle Gaspar, Nonprofit Liaison, East Region, SourceAmerica, Bob Ames, Vice President, Community Services and Real Estate, Allied Services, Bill Conaboy, Esq., President & CEO, Allied Services Integrated Health System.
Equestrian House: Close to the Slopes, Far From the Crowds There’s a secret tucked away in Northeastern Pennsylvania: Elk Mountain—a ski resort that draws skiers and snowboarders who prefer solid terrain, night skiing (a welcome little adventure under the stars), and more time on the slopes than waiting in lift lines. It’s unpretentious in the best way and truly one of the best-kept winter secrets. And Equestrian House’s vacation rentals—a log cabin and several cottages and suites—are just 16 miles away, roughly a half-hour drive through pretty countryside. After a day of hurling oneself down snowy slopes, guests have the luxury of returning to their own quiet place instead of a packed hotel lobby full of clattering boots and noisy retellings of wipeouts. Here, guests can kick off their boots, sink into a couch, and feel that particular satisfaction that comes from a good day on the mountain. And it seems the sporting thing to do to mention that this ski season, from mid-December through mid-March, Equestrian House is offering 35% off any midweek stay of three nights or longer (Sunday through Thursday). Winter fills up faster than most would think, so check availability before all the sensible winter lovers claim the dates. Click here for more information. Check the Elk Mountain webcams for real-time slope conditions.
NEPA Philharmonic To Present The Snowman in Concert The NEPA Philharmonic is excited to present The Snowman™ in Concert, presented by Magic93, on Saturday, December 20th at 7PM at the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre: a NEW enchanting holiday event perfect for audiences of all ages! Two beloved and heartwarming animated short films, The Snowman™ and The Snowman & The Snowdog™ will be shown on the big screen while the Philharmonic performs the full accompaniment music LIVE, bringing the magical tale of a young boy and his snowman to life with rich, cinematic sound. Enhancing the festive spirit of the evening, the performance, under the direction of Music Director Mélisse Brunet, will feature guest vocal soloists from Marywood University—soprano Jocelyn Meyer, mezzo-soprano Beatrice Chindemi, and bass Marcel Sinclair—along with a special appearance by dancers from Scranton Civic Ballet and visits from Mr. and Mrs. Claus themselves! In addition to the films, the program will include joyful holiday sing-alongs, inviting families and community members to raise their voices together in seasonal favorites. “We are thrilled to bring this cherished holiday experience to our community,” says Executive Director, Chason Goldschmitz. “The combination of live orchestra, film, dance, singing, and family-friendly holiday fun makes this one of the most magical events of the season!” Additionally, the NEPA Philharmonic is excited to partner for this concert with Silent Sound Systems to provide sensory- and deaf-accessible accommodations to recipients of the Philharmonic’s Angel Ticket program, which harnesses community support into free concert tickets to individuals in need across the community, distributed via local nonprofits. Silent Sound Systems will also have live demonstrations of their BASSpak and headphones for all audience members, in the lobby before the concert and at intermission. The NEPA Philharmonic’s 2025-2026 season is presented by PNC, with the Movie series presented by the Thalenfeld Family Foundation and the Pops series presented by Dr. Seth & Carolyn Fisher. The Snowman™ in Concert is presented by Magic93, with additional support from Highmark Blue Cross, Munley Law, and Silent Sound Systems. Philharmonic Box Office: (570) 270-4444 Click here to find more information.
Green Ridge Club To Host Murder Mystery Dinner Click here for more details. 🎭 Event Details Doors & Cash Bar Open: 6:00 PM Showtime: 6:45 PM (sharp) 🍽️ Dinner & Show Package – $65.00 Includes a delicious three-course meal, and live entertainment. Salad Course Garden Salad with fresh cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, and lemon vinaigrette Entrée – Choose One Chicken Breast with sherry mushroom cream sauce,served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables Pork Mignon with dijon demi glace, served with mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables Dessert Strawberry Vanilla Cake 🔖 Reservation Info All ticket sales are final. Advance purchase is required. Attending with a group? It is strongly recommended that one person purchases all tickets to ensure the party is seated together. Seating is arranged by party. Depending on group size, parties may be seated alongside another. Guests must be 18 years or older to attend this performance. Phone reservations not accepted
SCC Youth Theatre Program Presenting Rudolph JR Next up for the Scranton Cultural Center Youth Theatre Program, a beloved holiday classic comes to life on stage. Audiences are invited to Shopland Hall on December 12 at 7 PM and December 13 at 11 AM for Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer JR!—a fun, family-friendly performance and the perfect way to ignite holiday spirit. Tickets are $8 in advance and $12 day of show. Click here for more information.
Geisinger Health Plan Recognized by U.S. News & World Report U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in health care rankings and consumer advice, has named Geisinger Health Plan (GHP) a 2026 Best Insurance Company for Medicare Advantage in Pennsylvania. The ratings of the Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage evaluate private insurance companies on the basis of U.S. News’ proprietary analysis of 30+ quality measures published by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Less than one-third of Medicare Advantage providers nationwide were named Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage. “This is once again a testament to Geisinger Health Plan’s continued commitment to providing high-quality medical coverage and excellent member services to Medicare beneficiaries across Pennsylvania,” said Karen Murphy, PhD, RN, president of Geisinger Health Plan. “U.S. News’ comprehensive, data-driven methodology recognizes the insurance companies that deliver the best Medicare Advantage plans,” said Sumita Singh, executive vice president and general manager of Health at U.S. News. “By evaluating every company’s Medicare Advantage plans based on dozens of quality measures and recognizing top performers in key areas – including Screening & Prevention and Care Continuity – we’re highlighting those that deliver superior plans and hopefully better outcomes for beneficiaries,” Singh added. “U.S. News’ Medicare Advantage ratings are a powerful tool for beneficiaries as they make one of their most important health decisions.” For the 2026 edition of Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage, U.S. News considered CMS data and quality measure results for every evaluated insurance company’s Medicare Advantage health plans for the 2026 calendar year. U.S. News, in consultation with industry experts, selected 30+ CMS quality measures and assigned each measure a weight reflecting its relevance to consumers. The results for a provider’s plans were averaged together, with greater weight assigned to plans having the most seniors enrolled. Additionally, U.S. News calculated insurers’ ratings for three specific Medicare Advantage award categories: Screening & Prevention, Care Continuity and Highest Satisfaction. For more information, visit Best Insurance Companies for Medicare Advantage. Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period ends Sunday, Dec. 7. Click here or call 800-482-8163 to learn more about GHP Medicare Advantage options.
Geisinger’s Peer Support Program Reaches Milestone Geisinger’s employee-led peer support initiative, M-PATH (Meeting Peers at the Heart), has reached a significant milestone, with more than 1,000 employees now trained as peer supporters across the health system. Developed and offered through Geisinger’s Center for Well-being, M-PATH is designed to cultivate a culture of empathy, connection and emotional support among staff. The program equips employees with the skills to provide meaningful peer-to-peer support — whether proactively checking in with colleagues or offering a compassionate ear during challenging times. As part of the training, peer supporters learn how to be an empathetic and active listener, assess situations thoughtfully and connect employees with appropriate resources when additional support is needed. Peer supporters represent a wide range of departments, roles and regions, underscoring Geisinger’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive workplace environment. “We’re incredibly grateful to the more than 1,000 employees who have stepped up to be a source of support for their peers,” said Susan Parisi, M.D., Geisinger’s chief wellness officer. “Their compassion and dedication reflect the value Geisinger places on well-being and the powerful role each person plays in building a connected, caring community. We’re proud of how far the M-PATH program has come and look forward to its continued growth and the positive impact it will have on our colleagues.”
