Penn State Scranton To Hold Nittany Cub Camp – Myths Legends & Folklore

Nittany Cub Camp – Myths, Legends, & Folklore Camp

Myths, Legends, and Folklore Camp (Ages 9-13)

Dive into a new and fascinating world at summer camp!
Join us on an exciting journey through myths, legends, and folklore from around the world! Campers will uncover the fascinating histories behind these traditions while engaging in hands-on crafts and immersive cultural experiences. They’ll also have the chance to create and share their own stories.

Explore the rich Celtic heritage of Ireland and Scotland, step into the world of King Arthur’s Court, and sail with the Vikings. Discover the legend of the Blarney Stone, build your own Viking ship, and castle construction.

https://scranton.psu.edu/business-development-community-outreach/options/youth-programs/nittany-cub-summer-camps/folklore

Misericordia University Announces Emeritus Status for Occupational Therapy Professor

Misericordia University’s (MU) Board of Trustees recently awarded the rank of professor emeritus to Joseph Cipriani Ed.D., OTR/L to recognize his 34 years of exceptional service in teaching, research, and contributions to the university.

In addition to the contributions Cipriani has made to teaching, research and service, he helped shape the lives of numerous students as a teacher and mentor, demonstrating an impressive record of scholarly achievement, authoring papers—both presented and published—and providing extensive service to his discipline, to MU and to the larger community.

During his tenure he served as chair of the Occupational Therapy Department for more than three years, and he received the Misericordia University Teaching Excellence Award, the Louis & Barbara Alesi Excellence in Scholarship Award, and the Pauly and Sidney Friedman Excellence in Service Award.

Cipriani assumed multiple leadership roles during his tenure at MU and developed several courses and experiences for students to gain real-world experience while serving their community. He created an occupational therapy elective that included working with Ruth’s Place in Wilkes-Barre as well as an elective that incorporated service-learning in Jamaica, working in concert with Mustard Seed communities.

Cipriani leaves an impressive legacy at Misericordia University, where his teaching portfolio included vital courses such as Applied Functional Anatomy, Geriatric Occupational Performance Intervention, Research Design, and Contemporary and Emerging Interventions.

His extensive involvement in the field of occupational therapy is widely recognized. Cipriani’s work on topics such as horticulture therapy, occupational therapy interventions for mental health, and international service learning has garnered recognition and significantly advanced occupational therapy practice. He has presented extensively at national and international conferences and published numerous articles in esteemed journals, including serving as a reviewer for the Journal of Occupational Science, OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health, and Occupational Therapy in Mental Health. He also served on the editorial board of Physical and Occupational Therapy in Geriatrics.

Throughout his career, Cipriani has been an active member of leading professional organizations, including the American Occupational Therapy Association, the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, the Occupational Therapy Association, and the PA Occupational Therapy Association. His commitment to service extended to numerous university committees, including the Middle States Self-study Steering committees and the Mission and Values Committee, and he advised the student honor society.

Cipriani shared his insights in the classroom from his clinical experience as an occupational therapist at Geisinger Health Care System and the Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine at Allied Services.

Cipriani earned his Ed.D. in higher education from Nova Southeastern University. He holds a Master of Arts degree in community psychology from Wichita State University, and a Bachelor of Science degree in occupational therapy from College Misericordia, in addition to a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from Wilkes College.

Grey Towers Holds ‘Reading Rangers’ Program This Summer

June 16-August 18

10-11 a.m., Mondays

Reading Rangers

This program for kids ages 4 to 12 includes read-aloud stories focusing on environmentalism and conservation. The readings are followed by a craft activity, hike, or scavenger hunt. Parents or guardians are required to remain with children during this program. Lower Pavilion at Grey Towers.

www.greytowers/events

The Wright Center: Hepatitis C, A Dangerous but Highly Treatable Disease

By Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth

I’m here today to talk about a disease of grave seriousness — hepatitis.

In recent years, the medical community has made significant strides in combating this global scourge. Still, much work remains, so I’m happy there are awareness events like World Hepatitis Day, which is celebrated on July 28. The day brings attention to viral hepatitis, which each year claims more than a million lives.

Put simply, hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver. There are five main types of hepatitis: A, B, C, D, and E. The one that gets the most attention is hepatitis C, an especially pernicious form of the disease that is contracted through the blood of an infected person. More than 4 million people in the U.S. have hepatitis C, with half of those cases undiagnosed.

Hepatitis C can be contracted in several ways, including through sharing needles, equipment used for preparing or injecting drugs, sex, sharing personal items, or unregulated tattoos or piercings. A small percentage of infants are infected through their mothers.

Most people with hepatitis C are saddled with a lifelong infection, which left untreated can cause severe health problems including chronic liver disease, liver failure, liver cancer and, in the worst cases, death. The trick is catching it in time, which can be difficult, since the disease tends to develop almost imperceptibly at first.

When symptoms do take hold, they include jaundice, lack of appetite, vomiting, stomach pain, fever, dark urine, light-colored stool, joint pain, and fatigue. They usually appear within two to 12 weeks, but can take up to six months to develop.

Given the severity of the disease, all adults ages 18 and older should be screened for hepatitis C at least once in their lives through a simple and easily available blood test. Among those at elevated risk who should be screened are baby boomers; people who had blood transfusions before 1992; people who have undergone long-term dialysis treatments; people who have used illicit drugs; people living with HIV; babies born to mothers diagnosed with hepatitis C; and sexual partners of anyone diagnosed with the disease.

I want to emphasize that hepatitis C is a very treatable — even curable — disease, and I’m proud to say that we at The Wright Center are one of Northeast Pennsylvania’s leaders in treatment. People who test positive for the disease are treated with oral medications that help clear the virus from the bloodstream. About 90% of patients are cured after eight to 12 weeks of treatment, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

And there are many healthy habits patients can adopt to mitigate the disease’s progression, including reducing alcohol intake, maintaining a healthy weight, being careful with over-the-counter medications, and receiving regular medical care that includes monitoring for liver cancer.

Besides incorporating testing, prevention, care, and treatment into our patient-centered medical home model approach, we also provide essential services like outreach, patient education, case management, and care coordination as a means of improving the health outcomes for patients living with the disease.

Even if you don’t think you have hepatitis C, please make it a point to get tested sometime in the near future. Be proactive — it really can make all the difference.

Jignesh Y. Sheth, M.D., FACP, MPH, is senior vice president and enterprise chief operations and strategy officer at the Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. He is dually board-certified in internal medicine and addiction medicine.

Geisinger to Launch State-of-the-Art Disinfection Devices in Hospitals

Geisinger is deploying advanced ultraviolet (UV) disinfection devices across its hospital campuses, enhancing infection prevention efforts in patient care areas.

These cutting-edge devices use UV light to eliminate harmful pathogens. They improve safety by disinfecting patient rooms following manual cleaning, specifically if the room was occupied by someone with an illness that can be spread.

“Bringing UV disinfection technology into our hospitals is a powerful step forward in protecting our patients,” said Mark Shelly, M.D., medical director of infection prevention. “It’s not just about adding new tools. It’s about strengthening our commitment to safety and quality and doing everything we can to prevent hospital-acquired infections. A visibly clean surface is just the beginning. Because germs are invisible, they’re susceptible to UV light. This technology helps us take another meaningful step toward becoming a high-reliability organization, where safety is at the center of everything we do.”

How the technology works
  • Fast and effective: Disinfects rooms in just 12 to 30 minutes, depending on room size.
  • Smart technology: Tracks usage and automatically adjusts UV light levels to ensure thorough disinfection, even in shadowed or hard-to-reach areas.
  • Safe and secure: Operated exclusively by trained Environmental Services technicians. Rooms are clearly marked during use to ensure safety.
  • Targeted use: Used in patient rooms previously occupied by someone with an illness that can be spread.
Tested, trusted and now everywhere

Following successful trials at Geisinger Medical Center and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, where the devices were integrated without disrupting patient flow, 16 of the devices are now being introduced systemwide.

Stopping germs in their tracks

The UV disinfection devices are effective against a wide range of pathogens, including:

  • Clostridioides difficile (C. diff)
  • Staphylococcus aureus
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa
  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
  • Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE)
  • Acinetobacter baumannii
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae
  • Influenza A
  • Norovirus

Johnson College to Hold Women at the Workbench Workshop

Discover the Beauty and Symbolism of Flowers

Johnson College invites community members to join its upcoming Women at the Workbench workshop, “The Language of Flowers,” a fun and creative evening exploring the meaning and symbolism behind floral design. The event takes place Tuesday, July 15, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the college’s Scranton campus.

Participants will start the evening with an interactive presentation on floriography—the art of assigning meaning to flowers—followed by a hands-on session where they’ll design and build their own floral arrangements. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned flower lover, this workshop offers something for everyone.

The event is open to participants ages 10 and older. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a guardian. The cost is $40 per person. Registration is required and can be completed online at johnson.edu/workshops.

Women at the Workbench workshops are part of Johnson College’s WAVE (Workforce Advancement & Value-Added Education) program. These workshops are open to all and designed to help individuals build skills and confidence through hands-on, supportive instruction. Led by experienced instructors, participants can expect a welcoming environment where curiosity leads to creativity and confidence.

For more information, contact the WAVE team at wave@johnson.edu or 570-702-8979.

Circle Drive-In Upcoming Movie Showings

This week at Circle Drive-In:

Thursday, July 3rd

Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm

Screen One: “Jurassic World: Rebirth” (PG-13 – 2025) at 9:15 pm

Screen Two: “How to Train Your Dragon” (PG – 2025) at 9:00 pm

Friday, July 4th & Saturday, July 5th: Double Features

Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm

Screen One:

“Jurassic World: Rebirth” (PG-13 – 2025) at 9:15 pm

“M3GAN 2.0” (PG-13 – 2025) at 11:50 pm

Screen Two:

“How to Train Your Dragon” (PG – 2025) at 9:00 pm

“Lilo & Stitch” (PG – 2025) at 11:30 pm

Sunday, July 6th

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: “Jurassic World: Rebirth” (PG-13 – 2025) at 9:15 pm

Screen Two: “How to Train Your Dragon” (PG – 2025) at 9:00 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: 150 Years of Dickson City – FREE Community Movie Night featuring “Smokey & the Bandit” (1977 – PG) at 9:00 pm (Gates – 8:00 pm)

Wednesday, July 23rd: 150 Years of Dickson City – FREE Community Movie Night featuring “American Graffiti” (1973 – PG) at 9:00 pm (Gates – 8:00 pm)

Thursday, July 24th: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” Presented by the Lackawanna Historical Society (1989 – PG-13) at 9:00 pm (Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm)

Thursday, July 31st: “Dirty Dancing” Presented by the Lackawanna Historical Society  (1987 – PG-13) at 9:00 pm (Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm)

Marywood University Adds Four New Members to Board of Trustees

Lisa A. Lori, J.D., Marywood University President, recently announced that four people have been elected to Marywood’s Board of Trustees, including one trustee who previously served on the board. New members include Jill Dougherty, Washington, D.C.; Teresa Gavigan, J.D., Philadelphia, Pa.; Debbie Kuo, New York, N.Y., and Sister Karen Steinberg, IHM, Scranton. Trustees are elected for a three-year term, 2025-2028.

Jill Dougherty, Washington, D.C.

Ms. Dougherty is an expert on Russia. Currently an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University’s Center for Eurasian, Russian and East European Studies, and a Global Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington, D.C., she also is a member of the Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute Advisory Council. Ms. Dougherty served as CNN correspondent for three decades, including as CNN’s Moscow Bureau Chief for almost a decade. Her other postings included: White House correspondent; Foreign Affairs Correspondent covering U.S. State Department; U.S. Affairs Editor; and Managing Editor CNN International, Asia-Pacific, based in Hong Kong. She has pursued research on Russia and the media as a fellow at the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government, at the Wilson Center, and at the International Centre for Defence and Security in Tallinn, Estonia. Ms. Dougherty is a CNN on-air Contributor, commenting on Russia-related issues. Her articles, book reviews, and commentary have appeared in many national news and other publications. She hosts a blog on Russia issues sponsored by the Wilson Center’s Kennan Institute, and she is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the World Affairs Council. Ms. Dougherty holds an MLS degree in International Relations from Georgetown University and a certificate of study from Leningrad State University, as well as Bachelor of Arts degree in Slavic Languages and Literatures from the University of Michigan.

Teresa Gavigan, J.D., Philadelphia, Pa.

Atty. Gavigan, Philadelphia, Pa., is an accomplished attorney and executive, as well as a nonprofit board leader, with expertise as a labor and employment attorney and managing human resources programs within Fortune 100 enterprises. She has served in executive leadership positions for human resource programs at corporations and nonprofit entities, including Sunoco, LP; Mercer; School District of Philadelphia; and as general counsel for Girl Scouts of Eastern Pennsylvania. Atty. Gavigan has extensive board service and leadership experience, including, most recently, serving as Chair of the Board for Western National Parks Association, Grand Canyon Conservancy and Philadelphia Academies, Inc. as well as serving on the boards of Leadership Philadelphia, and Historical Society of Pennsylvania, among many others. She earned her Juris Doctor and Master of Laws in Taxation (L.L.M.) from Temple University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Comprehensive Social Sciences and Librarianship from Marywood University.

Debbie Kuo, New York, N.Y.

Ms. Kuo, whose previous service was 1999-2008, rejoins the board. She is an experienced business, finance, and operations administrator with a demonstrated history of working in the fine art industry, including museums, auction houses, galleries, private and corporate collections. Ms. Kuo has worked at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, N.Y., for more than 23 years, and she presently serves as Senior Manager, Administration and Operations, Department of Greek and Roman Art. Additionally, she is the Owner/Designer of Kuo Ting Jewelry. Prior to her long career at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she worked at Sotheby’s coordinating major sales of Chinese works of art. Ms. Kuo, who is fluent in Chinese (Mandarin dialect), holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History, Business Administration, and English from Marywood and acquired further education in Jewelry and Fashion Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology and in the Executive Development Program at Columbia Business School.

Sister Karen Steinberg, IHM, Scranton, Pa.

Sister Karen is an early childhood educator and summer camp director, who currently serves as the Student Teacher and Field Experience Supervisor and Summer Camp Director at St. Clare/St. Paul Elementary School in Scranton, a school at which she has served in various capacities for more than a decade. Certified in Montessori teaching, she also is skilled in parent communication and team development. She also taught at Sacred Heart Elementary School, Carbondale, Pa, and served as principal at Saint Rose Elementary School/Sacred Heart Elementary School, Carbondale, Pa. Additionally, Sister Karen taught at Our Lady of Grace Montessori School, Manhassett, Long Island, N.Y., and Blessed Sacrament Elementary School, Staten Island, N.Y. She holds a Certificate in Montessori Teaching from the Center for Montessori Training, College of New Rochelle, and a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration from Marywood University.

Johnson College Scranton to Host Summer Open House

Johnson College will hold its Summer Open House on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, from 5 to 7 p.m. on its Scranton campus. To register to attend the Open House, visit Johnson.edu/openhouse or contact Johnson College’s Enrollment Department at 570-702-8856 or enroll@johnson.edu.

The Open House will include discussions about the admissions process, information about financial aid for those who qualify, and student services such as student life, student support, and career services. Plus, same-day acceptance will be available for many programs if students bring their high school or college transcripts. Tours of each technical area will be conducted and program directors and instructors will be available to review the specifics of their programs