Jeannine Luby Announces Recipients of The Humor Therapy Fund Grant Jeannine Luby is pleased to announce the 2025 grant recipients of The Humor Therapy Fund of the Scranton Area Community Foundation (for 2026 programming). Recipients are Volunteers in Medicine, an organization that offers a range of free services from dental care to counseling and much more, and The Lake Foundation, whose goal is to strengthen mental health literacy in NEPA through education and advocacy. Volunteers in Medicine, a past recipient of a Humor Therapy Fund grant over seven years ago, will build upon their humor tool kit that is integrated into counseling sessions with clients for healing and lightheartedness. The Lake Foundation is planning an improv workshop with Electric City Improv to help local youth heal through connection and creativity. Noelle Bonitatis, VIM’s behavioral health manager and Kelly Ranieli, VIM’s executive director posed with fund advisor Jeannine Luby to celebrate their recent grant; Luby also met with Jeffrey Lake and his son Harrison, along with Jacob Torba, philanthropy associate at Scranton Area Community Foundation for the Lake Foundation check presentation. Luby worked with the Scranton Area Community Foundation in 2005 to create the donor-advised Humor Therapy Fund that serves to promote healing through humor and laughter in our region. Learn more about the Fund here: https://scranton.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1138
The Salvation Army Scranton Citadel Corps. Brought Christmas to Nearly 700 Children 140 Years of Hope in Scranton: A Community Rallies to Feed Families and Carry the Mission Forward For nearly a century and a half, The Salvation Army Scranton Citadel Corps has stood alongside neighbors in need—responding to hardship with compassion, dignity, and unwavering service. As the organization approaches 140 years of ministry in Scranton, that mission was powerfully on display on December 18, 2025, when 300 local families received Christmas Dinner boxes, ensuring that hope—and a warm holiday meal—were on the table. Families experiencing food insecurity registered both online and by phone, and on distribution day the event unfolded as a smooth, welcoming drive-through. Each box—filled with the essentials for a Christmas dinner—was made possible by a generous donation that allowed turkeys to be purchased specifically for this outreach. Behind the scenes, the operation was a true community effort. More than two dozen volunteers came together from Walmart, Lakeland High School, and the wider community to assemble and pack boxes donated by local partners, unload turkeys, greet families with warmth, and carefully load meals into vehicles. The entire effort was coordinated by Steve Oaten, Property Manager, who also faithfully serves as Food Pantry Coordinator—ensuring that no detail was overlooked and every family was treated with care. “The Salvation Army was founded on the principle of ‘soup, soap, and salvation,’” Oaten shared. “We are blessed to continue that mission by providing Christmas dinner boxes for our neighbors in need.” The impact of the day drew the attention of WNEP News 16, who joined the distribution and spoke with Captain Neil Childs, Corps Officer of The Salvation Army Scranton Citadel Corps. Captain Childs highlighted a growing and concerning reality: families seeking help for the first time, and seniors on fixed incomes whose resources no longer stretch far enough to meet basic needs. “These are our neighbors,” Childs said. “And the need is increasing.” That growing need is felt well beyond the holidays. The Salvation Army Scranton operates a ChoiceFood Pantry every Tuesday by appointment for food-insecure households within its current service area. Families are able to schedule appointments every two months as needed, allowing them to select food that best meets their household’s needs while preserving dignity and choice. As demand continues to rise, The Salvation Army Scranton is facing a critical challenge. The Choice Food Pantry is currently housed in the Corps’ gymnasium, a space that has reached its limits. The Corps is now seeking to relocate the pantry to a larger, fully accessible space near its current location at 500 S. Washington Avenue, Scranton. Making this move possible will require funding support from the community. Relocating the pantry would not only improve access and efficiency for families seeking food assistance—it would also free the gymnasium for additional community programming, expanding opportunities for youth activities, support groups, and neighborhood engagement. Since 1885, The Salvation Army Scranton Citadel Corps has served the community without discrimination, meeting human need wherever it exists. As Scranton looks toward the next chapter of this 140-year legacy, the mission remains steadfast—but the path forward depends on collective support. Now is the time for the community to rally. Through financial support, partnerships, advocacy, and volunteerism, individuals and organizations can help ensure The Salvation Army Scranton continues to meet rising needs with compassion and dignity. Together, we can honor 140 years of service—and invest in the future—so that hope, help, and healing remain available to every neighbor who walks through The Salvation Army’s doors.
The Wright Center for Community Health Opens New On-site Pharmacy The Wright Center for Community Health will expand access to essential health services in Luzerne County with the opening of a new on-site pharmacy at its community health center in Wilkes-Barre. The 1,400-square-foot pharmacy, located at 169 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Wilkes-Barre, will be open to patients of The Wright Center as well as members of the surrounding communities. The pharmacy provides convenient access to prescription medications and pharmacist support as part of The Wright Center’s integrated, whole-person primary and preventive health services delivery model. The pharmacy will open in mid-March and serve the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Operations will be led by three licensed pharmacists. Most common prescriptions can be filled while customers wait, while some specialty medications may require 24 hours’ notice. “The opening of our Wilkes-Barre pharmacy reflects The Wright Center’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to the health services our communities need and deserve,” said Dr. Jignesh Sheth, senior vice president and enterprise chief operations and strategy officer. “Several pharmacies around the region have closed over the past few years, so we’re excited to offer this service to our communities, whether they are Wright Center patients or obtain medical care elsewhere.” The pharmacy operates alongside a newly opened 1,400-square-foot laboratory for routine testing, further enhancing the services available at The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre. Together, the pharmacy and laboratory help reduce barriers to care for patients who might otherwise struggle to access these resources, Dr. Sheth said. Plans call for the Wilkes-Barre pharmacy to also deliver patient prescriptions to Wright Center locations in Lackawanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. Patients will eventually be able to pick up prescriptions at the community health centers most convenient for them. The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre, recently received a Pride of Place Award from the Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce in recognition of its transformation from a former office building into a health care destination. The community health center offers affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary care, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, and laboratory services conveniently located in the heart of downtown Wilkes-Barre. The location is accessible to patients who rely on public transportation and is within walking distance of many of the city’s high-rise apartments. The renovation was made possible by $4 million in state grants awarded through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. The Wright Center for Community Health accepts all insurance plans and offers a sliding-fee discount program to help ensure whole-person primary and preventive health services are affordable for everyone. For more information, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-491-0126.
Archbald Borough and Neighborhood Association Hosts Archbald Winter Carnival Archbald Neighborhood Association will be holding an Archbald Winter Carnival on Saturday, February 7th from 1 pm to 3 pm in and around Archbald’s Borough Building at 400 Church Street in partnership with Archbald Borough. Immerse yourself in the enchanting sights, sounds, and the delights of the season as we transform Archbald’s Borough Building and High School Plaza Park into a winter wonderland of festive fun to celebrate Archbald’s 150th anniversary. This is a kid friendly event. There is fun for the whole family! There will be free s’mores, hotdogs, and popcorn, fire pits, drone demos with Archbald Police Department, Touch a Truck with the Eynon Sturges Hose Company, kid friendly craft, family friendly winter games in the park with prizes, desserts from Queen of Tarts Desserts, hot chocolate, coffee, and soup from Ginger’s Pies, BBQ from Smoked and Sauced food truck, winter story time led by the Valley Community Library, free hair tinsel by Mandy with Holiday Hair, and more! Contact Kayleigh at 570-351-1086 with any questions or if you would like to be involved.
NEPA Philharmonic Presents “Battle of the Bands” The NEPA Philharmonic is excited to present its inaugural Battle of the Bands, presented by ROCK107, on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 7:00 PM at Mohegan Pennsylvania Casino’s Keystone Grand Ballroom in Wilkes-Barre. This groundbreaking, dynamic, live-judged music competition showcases eight talented local bands across a wide range of styles, from jazz fusion to country and heavy metal to pop rock, with cash prizes and a chance for one band to perform with the Philharmonic. Tickets, $29 general admission, are available at NEPAPHIL.org or by calling the NEPA Philharmonic Box Office at (570) 270-4444. Over 40 talented bands from across Northeastern Pennsylvania applied to compete, with eight finalists selected to take the stage: So Much Hope, Buried.; Gracie Jane Sinclair & The Band; Chasing Ashlee; Tori V & The Karma; The Sorters; Rogue Chimp; One Revived; and the Jay Orrell Band. These bands will compete in the live-judged event for their chance to win the $5,000 Grand Prize and perform with the NEPA Philharmonic in their 2026-2027 season. A $1,000 runner up prize and a $1,000 audience choice prize will also be awarded, giving audience members an opportunity to cheer on and vote for their favorite band. John Popko, host at Rock107 and Fuzz 96.1, will be the emcee for the event. The event will be judged by a panel comprised of the following individuals: Mélisse Brunet — Music Director, NEPA Philharmonic Chason Goldschmitz — Executive Director, NEPA Philharmonic Ruotao Mao — Concertmaster, NEPA Philharmonic Kait — Co-Host of the Prospector Show, Rock107 Jennifer Ducharme — Director of Events, Mohegan PA Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski — Pennsylvania State Representative, 121st District Rick Hoffenberg — Co-Director, Marywood University School of Visual & Performing Arts “NEPA has been blessed with incredible musicians for decades,” says Pennsylvania State Representative Eddie Day Pashinski (121st District), a judge for the event. “I congratulate our NEPA Philharmonic organization for creating this momentous opportunity for our very talented NEPA musicians. The financial prizes for this competition are truly substantial for the winners. But the once in a lifetime performance opportunity with our NEPA Philharmonic orchestra is priceless. I can’t wait to hear all the bands, and then to hear the winning band perform with our incredible NEPA Philharmonic orchestra. Absolutely fantastic!” “Local music is what keeps communities strong,” added Kait, event judge and ROCK107 host. “Local bands are the heartbeat of a town. I’m looking forward to putting my finger on the pulse of it all.” John Popko, emcee and ROCK107 host, says: “I’m honored to serve as emcee for this event and help spotlight the incredible talent that NEPA has to offer. I’ve always believed our local music scene stands toe-to-toe with any in the country. I’m very familiar with the artists competing in this Battle of the Bands, having featured nearly all of them on my local radio show, The Popko Project Radio Experience, which airs Saturday mornings at 10 a.m. on Fuzz 96.1 (a sister station of Rock 107). It’s truly a pleasure to share their music on the air, and I hope everyone in attendance leaves with a renewed appreciation for the musicians in our region. This is going to be fun!” Jennifer Ducharme, Battle of the Bands judge and Mohegan PA Director of Events, says: “Mohegan Pennsylvania is thrilled to be part of this incredible celebration of music and artistry. Supporting the arts is an essential part of our commitment to the community, and we look forward to an unforgettable evening.” The NEPA Philharmonic season is presented by PNC, the POPS series is presented by Dr. Seth & Carolyn Fisher, and Battle of the Bands is presented by ROCK107. Additional in-kind support is provided by Guitar Center through the use of their premium equipment. For more information about the Battle of the Bands or to purchase tickets, visit NEPAPHIL.org, or call the Box Office at (570) 270-4444.
Wayne Bank, Norwood Financial Corp Acquires PB Bankshares, Inc. Norwood Financial Corp (“Norwood Financial”) (NASDAQ: NWFL), headquartered in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, and PB Bankshares, Inc. (“Presence”) (NASDAQ: PBBK), headquartered in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, jointly announced today that both companies’ boards of directors have unanimously approved an agreement and plan of merger (the “Agreement”) pursuant to which Presence will merge with and into Norwood. Norwood Financial is the bank holding company for Wayne Bank, which operates 30 banking offices in Pennsylvania and New York. As of March 31, 2025, Norwood Financial had consolidated assets of $2.4 billion. Presence is the bank holding company for Presence Bank, which operates four banking offices, one loan production office and one administration office in Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania. Presence had assets of $467 million as of March 31, 2025. In connection with the merger of the holding companies, Presence’s subsidiary, Presence Bank, will be merged into Wayne Bank. The combined company will have approximately $3.0 billion in assets and will be a premier Pennsylvania community bank operating in Northeastern, Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania. This strategic combination represents a substantial expansion of Norwood Financial’s geographic footprint into higher growth markets in Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania, while enhancing Presence Bank’s capacity to provide exceptional service and solutions to its existing customers in the markets it serves. A joint announcement of the transaction was made today by James O. Donnelly, President, CEO and Director of Norwood Financial, and Janak M. Amin, President, CEO and Director of Presence. Mr. Donnelly stated, “I am very pleased to announce our merger with Presence Bank, a nearly 106-year-old institution which shares the same values, culture, and commitment to high quality customer service found at Wayne Bank.” He continued, “Presence is a growing and respected institution located within the most demographically attractive markets in Pennsylvania. Joining these institutions provides Wayne Bank with the opportunity to deepen Presence Bank’s relationships with its customers, given our broader product mix and larger balance sheet. We look forward to working with Janak and his team to improve the financial lives of the businesses and individuals operating in Presence Bank’s communities.” “We are equally excited for this strategic partnership and the opportunity to gain market share in Central and Southeastern Pennsylvania” commented Mr. Amin who will be joining Wayne Bank as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer upon closing of the transaction. “We have admired the leadership of Jim and his team, the similar culture and values we share, and the reputation of Wayne Bank as a premier Pennsylvania-based community bank. This combination will provide our customers and communities with greater access to additional products and services. This will result in an enhanced customer experience for our commercial base and the opportunity to augment the retail portion of our business with their product set and consumer verticals.” Under the terms of the merger agreement, 80% of Presence’s common shares will be converted into Norwood Financial common stock while the remaining 20% will be exchanged for cash. Presence’s shareholders will have the option to elect to receive either 0.7850 shares of Norwood Financial common stock or $19.75 in cash for each common share of Presence they own. The election is subject to proration to ensure that, in the aggregate, 80% of the transaction consideration will be paid in the form of Norwood Financial common stock. All options to purchase Presence’s common stock will be cashed out upon completion of the merger. Based on the closing price $26.65 for Norwood Financial Common Stock on July 3, 2025, the transaction would have an aggregate value of approximately $54.9 million. The purchase price reflects a multiple of 106.6% of Presence’s March 31, 2025, tangible book value and a 2.3% core deposit premium. Following completion of the transaction, Presence shareholders who elect to receive common stock share consideration will receive a quarterly cash dividend equal to approximately $0.24 per Norwood Financial share of common stock based on Norwood Financial’s current quarterly dividend of $0.31 per share of common stock. This dividend reflects a yield of 3.6% based on Norwood Financial’s closing price of $26.65 on July 3, 2025. Holders of Presence’s common stock prior to the consummation of the merger will own approximately 14% of Norwood Financial’s common stock outstanding immediately following the completion of the merger. The merger is expected to be approximately 10% accretive to earnings per share in 2026, while resulting in 4.2% tangible book value dilution as of the closing date and a tangible book value earn back of 2.5 years. The parties have agreed that two non-employee Presence Bank board members will be joining the Norwood Financial and Wayne Bank boards, with one member joining for a term of two years and the other joining for three years. Concurrent with the entering into of the Agreement, Presence President and CEO, Janak M. Amin, entered into an Employment Agreement and a Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation agreement with Norwood Financial and Wayne Bank. In addition, selected Presence executives are expected to continue employment with Norwood Financial moving forward. The merger is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including receipt of customary regulatory approvals and approval by Presence’s shareholders. It is expected that the transaction will close in either late 4th quarter of 2025 or early 1st quarter of 2026. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC is serving as financial advisor and rendered a fairness opinion to Norwood Financial and Jones Walker LLP, Washington, DC, and Meeks Butera & Israel PLLC are serving as Norwood Financial’s legal counsel. Stephens Inc. is serving as financial advisor and rendered a fairness opinion to Presence and Barley Snyder LLP is serving as Presence’s legal counsel. About Norwood Financial Corp Norwood Financial Corp, through its subsidiary, Wayne Bank operates sixteen offices in Northeastern Pennsylvania and fourteen offices in Delaware, Sullivan, Ontario, Otsego and Yates Counties, New York. As of March 31, 2025, Norwood Financial had total assets of $2.4 billion, loans outstanding of $1.8 billion, total deposits of $2.0 billion and total equity capital of $221 million. The Company’s stock is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol “NWFL”. About PB Bankshares, Inc. PB Bankshares, Inc. is the holding company for Presence Bank. Presence Bank was founded in 1919 and currently operates four banking offices and one loan production office in Chester, Lancaster and Dauphin Counties, Pennsylvania. Cautionary Notes on Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements about (i) the benefits of the merger between Norwood Financial and Presence, including anticipated future results, cost savings and accretion to reported earnings that may be realized from the merger; (ii) Norwood Financial and Presence’s plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements contained in this presentation that are not historical facts; and (iii) other statements identified by words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates” or words of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in such statements. The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results expressed in the forward-looking statements: the businesses of Norwood Financial and Presence may not be combined successfully, or such combination may take longer than expected; the cost savings from the merger may not be fully realized or may take longer than expected; operating costs, customer loss and business disruption following the merger may be greater than expected; governmental approvals of the merger may not be obtained, or adverse regulatory conditions may be imposed in connection with governmental approvals of the merger or otherwise; the stockholders of Presence may fail to approve the merger; the interest rate environment may further compress margins and adversely affect new interest income; the risks associated with continued diversification of assets and adverse changes to credit quality; and difficulties associated with achieving expected future financial results. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are discussed in Norwood Financial’s reports (such as the Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the proposed transaction or other matters attributable to Norwood Financial or Presence or any person acting on their behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Except as required by law, Norwood Financial and Presence do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statement is made. Additional Information about the Proposed Transaction Norwood Financial intends to file with the SEC a Registration Statement on Form S-4 relating to the proposed merger, which will include a prospectus for the offer and sale of Norwood Financial common stock as well as the proxy statement of Presence for the solicitation of proxies from its shareholders for use at the meeting at which the merger will be considered. This communication does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval. SHAREHOLDERS OF PRESENCE ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS REGARDING THE MERGER WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THOSE DOCUMENTS, BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION. You may obtain a free copy of the registration statement, including the proxy statement/prospectus (when it becomes available) and other relevant documents filed by Norwood Financial with the SEC, without charge, at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and the filings with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference in the proxy statement/prospectus can also be obtained, free of charge, by directing a request to Norwood Financial Corp, 717 Main Street, Honesdale, Pennsylvania 18431, attention: John M. McCaffery (570) 253-1455, or PB Bankshares, Inc., 185 East Lincoln Highway, Coatesville, Pennsylvania 19320, attention: Mackenzie Jackson, Corporate Secretary, (610) 384-8282. Norwood Financial, Presence and their respective directors and executive officers may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed to be “participants” in the solicitation of proxies from shareholders of Presence in connection with the proposed merger. Information concerning the interests of the persons who may be considered “participants” in the solicitation will be set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus relating to the Transaction. Information concerning Norwood Financial’s directors and executive officers, including their ownership of Norwood Financial common stock, is set forth in its proxy statement previously filed with the SEC on March 18, 2025. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants will be included in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant documents filed with the SEC when they become available. You may obtain free copies of these documents from Norwood Financial or Presence using the sources indicated above. No Offer or Solicitation This communication is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote of approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
A’tera 519 Recieves AAA Four Diamond Award The news post is from Fox56 WOLF. A’tera 519 is a fine dining restaurant that opened in Downtown Scranton in late 2024 and just over a year later has earned a triple-A four diamond award, meaning its defined by triple A as a “culinary experience to savor and enjoy”. It is the only four diamond awarded restaurant in Lackawanna County. “It’s a status, it’s not an award. It’s something you earn. It’s something you have to keep,” explained Bonanno. “So, you have to have that status and that standard 365 days a year because you never know when the inspector’s coming back and they come back, you know incognito. So, when they get here, you have no idea until after you hear. So, receiving this is monumental. But now the task at hand is to keep it, right? So that’s the most important, is keeping that standard all the time.” The grading system goes from one to five diamonds and once a restaurant applies, they are visited by an undercover inspector who grades the restaurant on its food, service, and décor. Now after winning this award, Bonanno has her eyes on other Basalyga Hospitality restaurants that she thinks could even win the elusive five diamonds.
