Amy Bezek Photography Offers Halloween Pet Photos 🐾 Halloween Pet Photo Fundraiser for Blue Chip Farm! 🎃 Amy Bezek Photography will be volunteering photography services to help raise funds for Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge! The community is invited to a fun-filled afternoon at Three Dog Bakery in Kingston on Sunday, October 26th, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM. The event will feature a pet costume competition and adorable Halloween-themed photo sessions — the perfect way to capture each furry friend’s spooky spirit! 👻 📸 $15 for one photo📸 $20 for two photos All proceeds will benefit Blue Chip Farm Animal Refuge. Everyone (and their fur babies!) is welcome to join for a great cause! 💙🐶🐾
Geisinger Health Plan Announces Medicare Advantage Plans for 2026 Seniors have until Dec. 7 to sign up for a plan that helps fill coverage gaps Geisinger Health Plan (GHP) announced its Geisinger Gold Medicare Advantage plans for 2026, which includes benefits for members featuring premiums starting as low as $0 per month. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) begins Oct. 15 and goes through Dec. 7. During this seven-week window, eligible seniors can evaluate and enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for the upcoming year. Medicare Advantage plans help older adults fill health care gaps that traditional Medicare does not cover, such as vision, dental, prescription benefits and long-term care. “Health care should be at the top of everyone’s mind — especially for seniors,” said Roger van Baaren, Geisinger Health Plan chief sales officer. “Now is the time for older adults to review their Medicare coverage for 2026. Everyone’s health and health care needs look different, which is why Geisinger Gold offers a variety of plans that fill the gaps people might have in their current coverage. People can live healthier lives when they have access to the extra services and programs that make managing their health simpler and more affordable.” Geisinger Gold offers access to a comprehensive care network with more than 30,000 doctors, 180 hospitals and 3,000 pharmacies. It also includes perks like wellness programs, prescription discounts, financial assistance and Silver Circle membership, a free program designed for men and women 55+ that promotes physical, emotional and social well-being. Click here to learn more about Geisinger’s Medicare Advantage health plans.
The Honesdale National Bank Offers Relief to Federal Government Employees As the impact Federal Government Shutdown is felt within our local communities, The Honesdale National Bank is offering relief with a special loan program for affected government employees. “HNB is committed to our role as a resource and support system, particularly during times of uncertainty,” said Kate Bryant, President and CEO of The Honesdale National Bank. “Our team is readily accessible and equipped with resources to assist in navigating financial needs and unknowns to keep everyone moving forward.” Employees of the Federal Government, who are current HNB customers, experiencing financial difficulty due to the gap in their income are encouraged to contact their local HNB Office or loan officer to learn about the options available to them through HNB’s Federal Government Shutdown Relief Loan and other supporting resources. “HNB doesn’t want to see our customers struggle due to circumstances that extend far beyond their control,” said Bryant. “Whether its seeking assistance on paying bills, meeting loan obligations, or assessing financial options, we encourage you to reach out to our team for support.” For more information, visit your local HNB office, call us at 800-HNB-9515, or visit www.hnbbank.bank/relief.
Johnson College Scranton To Host Fall Open House Johnson College will hold its Fall Open House on Saturday, November 1, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 1 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.
The NEPA Philharmonic Extends Mélisse Brunet and Presents Mozart’s Requiem The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic continues its (Candle)LIT Festival with candlelit performances of Mozart’s Requiem in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton on October 23 and 24, as the orchestra celebrates and proudly announces that Music Director Mélisse Brunet has extended her contract through June 2029, cementing her leadership and vision through the 2028-29 season. Maestra Brunet leads the orchestra and the Marywood University Concert Choir on Thursday, October 23 at 7:00pm at St. Stephens Episcopal Church in Wilkes-Barre, and Friday, October 24 at 7:00pm at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Scranton, bringing repeat Philharmonic classical concerts to both cities for the first time in nearly a decade. This is the second concert program of the Philharmonic’s (Candle)LIT Festival, illuminating concerts from October 18 through December 6 with hundreds of electric candles in intimate settings. Preceding the Requiem on these short, no-intermission concerts will be Chorale for Strings by the late Ukrainian composer Hanna Havrylets, who died at the beginning of the current Russo-Ukrainian War. The concerts are presented in memory of the late John F. Magagna, a long-time Philharmonic supporter. The 2025–26 season also celebrates Brunet’s tenth anniversary with the orchestra—a decade during which she has significantly raised the Philharmonic’s artistic profile. “After 10 years working for the organization, from Apprentice Conductor to Music Director, I’m absolutely elated to stay for another 3 years in our community that I love so much,” says Brunet. “It is a true joy to work with our outstanding and stellar musicians, and it is my hope that everyone can come to one of our concerts this season. Our new Executive Director, our staff, and our entire Board of Directors are working relentlessly and with great passion to bring music to everyone, from all horizons of life. Thank you all for your support and love, and I look forward to seeing you at the hall!” “Mélisse Brunet has the rare ability to make world-class artistry feel personal—one moment she’s commanding the orchestra and the next she’s kneeling beside schoolchildren,” says Adam Thalenfeld, NEPA Philharmonic Board President. “This is the exact spirit we want for our orchestra, and for this community. She pushes our musicians to perform at their highest level while reminding us that music is meant to be shared, not guarded. The Board of Directors and I could not be more thrilled to have her at the helm for another three years as we grow our education programs, expand our audiences, and continue to prove that great symphonic music belongs to and should be enjoyed by everyone.” “The Board and Staff of the Philharmonic are thrilled by Maestra Brunet’s continued role as our Music Director,” says Chason Goldschmitz, NEPA Philharmonic Executive Director. “Philharmonic concerts are growing, educational programs are expanding, and new community projects are on the horizon, all driven by her creative, imaginative, and devoted artistic leadership and transformative programming. Working with Mélisse is an absolute joy and privilege, and her artistry and vision is one we are incredibly fortunate to have for our orchestra and for the Northeastern Pennsylvania region.” The Mozart Requiem concerts hold a special significance to the Philharmonic, honoring both the continued leadership of Maestra Brunet and the philanthropic legacy of long-time supporter John F. Magagna, in two unforgettable evenings of light, music, and celebration. As the next concerts under Brunet’s baton, (Candle)LIT Mozart’s Requiem will showcase the Marywood University Concert Choir, prepared by choral director Rick Hoffenberg; organist Mark Laubach; and rising-star guest soloists Jessica Leigh, Inayah Raheem, Dylon Crain, and Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Artist Sunghoon Han. Audiences can expect a deeply moving journey through Mozart’s final masterpiece, blending drama and profound introspection. The 2025-26 Philharmonic season is presented by PNC, and the Requiem concerts are presented as part of the Thalenfeld Symphony Series. (Candle)LIT Mozart’s Requiem is additionally sponsored by Paul & Adrienne Horger and JPMorgan Chase. Tickets are available at nepaphil.org or via the Philharmonic box office at (570) 270-4444.
Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Brittany Pagnotti Recognized The Scranton Area Community Foundation is proud to announce that Brittany Pagnotti, Director of Donor Relations & Communications, has earned the Chartered Advisor in Philanthropy® (CAP®) designation from The American College of Financial Services and has also been recertified as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) by CFRE International. The CAP® designation provides advanced training in philanthropic planning, charitable gift techniques, and legacy strategies, preparing professionals to help donors align their charitable goals with estate and financial planning objectives. By earning this designation, Pagnotti joins a distinguished group of professionals worldwide who are uniquely equipped to help individuals and families create meaningful and lasting impact through philanthropy. The CFRE credential is the only globally recognized, accredited certification for fundraising professionals and reflects a high standard of ethics, knowledge, and leadership in fundraising. Pagnotti has held the CFRE certification since 2020 and continues to demonstrate her dedication to advancing ethical, effective philanthropy in Northeastern Pennsylvania. “These accomplishments reflect Brittany’s ongoing commitment to excellence and to the Foundation’s mission of responsibly stewarding resources and inspiring transformative philanthropy to build a stronger, more vibrant community,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “Her expertise enhances our ability to serve donors, advisors, and community partners in achieving meaningful charitable impact.” Brittany Pagnotti, MBA, CAP®, CFRE, has been with the Scranton Area Community Foundation since 2018 and currently serves as the Director of Donor Relations & Communications. In this role, she leads philanthropic communications, donor stewardship, and strategic initiatives that inspire charitable giving across Northeastern Pennsylvania. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and brings more than a decade of experience in nonprofit communications and development. Her leadership supports the Foundation’s mission to responsibly steward resources and build a stronger, more vibrant community through philanthropy.
The Wright Center Donates Bombas Socks to Boys & Girls Club The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement teamed up with the Captain James R. Minicozzi Memorial Race, through the UNICO Scranton Chapter, to donate 200 pairs of Bombas socks to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania for the children’s Christmas party in December. Participating in the program, from left, are Jessica Burton, member coordinator for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania; Mary Marrara, co-chair of The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement Board of Directors and secretary of The Wright Center for Community Health Board of Directors; Leslie Minicozzi Galacci, race director and chairperson for the UNICO Scranton Chapter; and Holly Przasnyski, director of The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement and board coordinator for The Wright Center for Community Health and The Wright Center for Patient & Community Engagement.
Johnson College Now Enrolling for OSHA 30-Hour Training Course Johnson College is now accepting enrollments for its 30-hour, non-credit OSHA training course, which will be held at the college’s Scranton campus from Nov. 5 through Nov. 20, 2025. Classes will take place on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 to 8:45 p.m., and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Designed for individuals in leadership roles, employees in general industry, and those seeking advanced safety training, the in-person course will cover critical workplace safety topics such as fall protection, electrical safety, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Participants will learn how to reduce workplace accidents, ensure compliance with OSHA regulations, and promote a culture of safety within their organizations. Upon successful completion, participants will receive the official OSHA 30 General Industry Outreach Course Completion Card. The cost of the course is $600. To register or learn more, visit johnson.edu/continuing-ed/osha-30, email the WAVE Team at wave@johnson.edu, or call 570-702-8979.
PennDOT Follows Shapiro Administration’s Focus on Winter Preparation Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll and Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission (PA Turnpike) Director of Maintenance John DelRicci today amplified the Shapiro Administration’s efforts to prepare the Commonwealth for the winter, highlighted job opportunities, and provided guidance on how Pennsylvanians can gear up for the upcoming winter travel season. “Public safety is at the core of the Shapiro Administration’s mission, and PennDOT and our partners are prepared for the season ahead,” Secretary Carroll said. “We urge the public to be our teammates in making this season a safe one – prepare yourselves and your vehicles before winter begins. We also encourage people to apply to join our full-time or temporary teams to help serve our communities.” The public can access travel information on nearly 40,000 state-maintained roadway miles year-round at www.511PA.com, and during the winter they can find plow-truck locations and details of when state-maintained roadways were last plowed. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,200 traffic cameras. To help the public prepare for the season and share information about winter services, PennDOT offers operational information and traveler resources on its winter web page. The site also has a complete winter guide with detailed information about winter services in each of PennDOT’s 11 engineering districts. As part of its mission and commitment to safety, the PA Turnpike has been preparing its vehicles and system to support roadway safety during the winter months. More than 600 equipment operators and safety patrol personnel as well as traffic operators are ready to provide 24/7 staffing and roadway assistance throughout the winter. The PA Turnpike understands the importance of supporting efficient and reliable travel and works to keep the PA Turnpike system as free of snow and ice as possible. “We do our best to stay on top of winter weather to make the Pennsylvania Turnpike as safe as we can –because safety is core to our values, but we also need motorists to use safe driving habits and exercise caution during winter weather conditions,” DelRicci said. “As we gear up for winter, we need to work collectively to keep our employees and customers safe. Avoid driving during winter weather events when possible and when it’s not – reduce your speed, exercise extreme caution when you see amber or green lights and give plenty of distance between yourself and the plow trucks.” With an estimate of over $207 million budgeted for this winter’s statewide operations, PennDOT deploys nearly 4,700 on-the-road workers, has more than 512,000 tons of salt on hand across the state, and will take salt deliveries throughout the winter. PennDOT is actively seeking temporary equipment operators statewide for the winter season to supplement the department’s full-time staff. Details on minimum requirements – such as possession of a CDL – as well as application information, are available at www.employment.pa.gov/penndot. Through the same website, job seekers can apply for other non-operator winter positions such as diesel and construction equipment mechanics, welders, clerks and more. If motorists encounter snow or ice-covered roads, they should slow down, increase their following distance and avoid distractions. Additionally, seat belts should always be worn in a vehicle. Last winter in Pennsylvania, preliminary data shows that there were 8,329 crashes, 29 fatalities, and 2,959 injuries on snowy, slushy or ice-covered roadways. Eleven of the people who died weren’t wearing a seat belt, and 17 of the fatalities were in crashes where a driver was going too fast for conditions and drove out of their lane. Motorists should prepare for potential wintry weather by ensuring they have supplies in their cars before heading out: food, water, blankets, extra gloves and hats, cell phone charger, hand or foot warmers, windshield brush and scraper, and any specialized items like medications or baby and pet supplies. Southeastern region winter preparations Carroll and DelRicci were joined today by PennDOT’s Delaware County Maintenance Manager Anthony Goreski, who highlighted PennDOT District 6’s readiness for the winter season across the five-county Philadelphia region. District 6 is responsible for over 10,000 snow-lane miles on state highways in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. The District 6 fleet consists of 182 state-owned snowplow trucks and 262 contractor trucks and has more than 97,000 tons of salt on hand. Assisting PennDOT this winter in the Philadelphia region are 89 municipalities that entered into winter maintenance agreements covering more than 2,500 snow lane miles, whereby local crews salt and plow specified state roads in each municipality.
