Geisinger Nurse Residency Program Expands Accreditation The Geisinger Nurse Residency Program recently received accreditation with distinction from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The ANCC’s Practice Transition Accreditation Program (PTAP) sets the global standard for residency or fellowship programs that transition registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses into new practice settings. Geisinger nurses react to news of accreditation with distinction for the Geisinger Nurse Residency Program from the American Nurses Credentialing Center during celebrations in Danville. Nursing teams from other campuses participated via video feed. To achieve PTAP accreditation, organizations must pass an extensive application process, including submission of written documentation in the form of a self-study, and a site visit. Accreditation with distinction is the highest form of recognition awarded by the ANCC’s accreditation program. “This recognition speaks volumes about the experience and personal support the Geisinger Nurse Residency Program offers new nurses,” said Lindsey Ford, DNP, RN, senior director of nursing excellence and nurse residency/fellowship programs. “By immersing our new nursing colleagues in the environments where they’ll build their careers, we’re laying a strong foundation for long-term success and professional growth.” The Geisinger Nurse Residency Program first earned accreditation in 2021 when it became only the 208th program globally to achieve recognition. That 4-year accreditation included Geisinger Community Medical Center, Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center and Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre. This recent accomplishment expands that recognition to these hospitals in Geisinger’s central and north-central regions: Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital Geisinger Medical Center Geisinger Medical Center Muncy Geisinger Shamokin Area Community Hospital The Geisinger Nurse Residency Program was established in 2015, and all new graduate nurses are enrolled into the 12-month program. It’s designed to transition newly graduated nurses from academia to professional practice in a welcoming and supportive environment. Geisinger nurses react to news of accreditation with distinction for the Geisinger Nurse Residency Program from the American Nurses Credentialing Center during celebrations in Moosic
Greenlight Networks Completes Acquisition of Loop Internet Greenlight Networks, a leading fiber-to-the-home provider, today is pleased to share the completion of its acquisition of Loop Internet, initially announced on July 8, 2025. This acquisition establishes the company’s first in-state operations hub and dedicated Pennsylvanian team. “Today’s announcement is about more than just finalizing a strategic acquisition, it’s about fueling growth and digital opportunity across Northeastern Pennsylvania and beyond,” said Greenlight’s CEO, Mark Murphy. “Loop Internet has built a reputation for responsive local service and community investment – and that’s something we plan to build upon. We’re proud to welcome our new colleagues joining the Greenlight family and we’re incredibly optimistic about what the future holds for Pennsylvanian residents and businesses.” Greenlight first announced its expansion into Pennsylvania in April 2025 with news of two major market builds, Dickson City and Chambersburg. This acquisition expands Greenlight’s presence into other parts of the state including Wilkes-Barre, Mountain Top, Scranton, and Kingston. Loop’s experienced local team will continue serving the region as part of Greenlight’s organization. “As the Loop team officially joins Greenlight and becomes a part of this industry-leading organization, we’re confident it will bring meaningful benefits to our customers and a positive impact to the region around us,” said Jason Wasmanski, General Manager of Loop Internet who will now serve as Vice President of Operations for the Central Region with Greenlight Networks. “We are looking forward to contributing to Greenlight’s mission and are excited about the opportunity to expand access to affordable, reliable fiber services like never before.” By combining Greenlight’s resources with Loop’s strong local presence, the company plans to accelerate fiber network expansion and create new opportunities for jobs and community partnerships across the region. According to Pennsylvania State Representative Alec Ryncavage, 119th Legislative District, “Local residents now have access to faster, more reliable, and affordable internet connectivity options because of the efforts of Loop and Greenlight. It’s exciting to see two community and customer focused businesses coming together and investing in Northeast PA.” City of Wilkes-Barre Mayor George C. Brown said, “Congratulations to Loop Internet on joining Greenlight Networks through this acquisition. As Mayor, I am delighted to see the growth of a business which started in Wilkes-Barre City. It is a product of a rich entrepreneurial environment cultivated by our community. I wish them continued success.” John Augustine III, President/CEO at Penn’s Northeast said, “From Planters Peanuts to the birthplace of HBO, Northeastern PA has always been a major location for new companies. Loop Internet embodies that start up spirit, bringing the need for faster internet connections at an affordable cost. Now through Loop’s acquisition by Greenlight, it will only further enhance and grow high-speed fiber access across Northeastern PA. This investment strengthens infrastructure to support business and economic development.” To learn more about Greenlight services and its growing footprint in Pennsylvania, visit: greenlightnetworks.com.
Hilton Scranton & Conference Center To Host Wellness Event Hilton Scranton and The Salt Barre are hosting Flow into Flavor, a distinctive wellness event that harmonizes mindful movement with a nourishing culinary experience. Guests will begin with a one-hour invigorating yoga session guided by a Salt Barre instructor, followed by a gourmet brunch complemented by a complimentary glass of champagne or sparkling beverage. Designed to inspire energy, stillness, and connection, the event offers a space to move, breathe, and savor. Participants are encouraged to bring their own yoga mat and water bottle; hydration stations will be available on-site. Tickets are limited. Reserve by October 13, 2025. Event held at Hilton Scranton, Electric City Ballroom. A portion of proceeds benefit Paint the Planet Pink. Click here for more information regarding the event.
Johnson College To Host Carpentry Workshop Johnson College is now accepting registrations for its Women at the Workbench: Carpentry Workshop, a hands-on, one-day experience designed to introduce participants to the fundamentals of woodworking in a welcoming and supportive environment. The workshop will take place Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the college’s Scranton campus. The cost is $65. Registration is available at johnson.edu/workshops. For more information, contact the college’s WAVE team at wave@johnson.edu or 570-702-8979. Participants will learn essential carpentry skills, including how to measure, cut and assemble materials, while working on their own individual projects. The workshop is ideal for beginners or anyone looking to build their confidence with tools and hands-on work. This workshop, through Johnson College WAVE’s (Workforce Advancement & Value-Added Education) department, offers more than just technical instruction. It’s an opportunity to step up to the workbench, gain practical experience, and walk away with something you built yourself, along with the confidence to keep building. The workshop is open to participants 18 years and older. All are welcome.
Noteology Hosting Second Annual Maple Fest Grouse Hill Maple Farm is bringing the sweet taste of the Finger Lakes to Scranton for its Second Annual Maple Fest, happening Saturday, October 11, 2025, from 12–4 PM at Noteology (537 Wyoming Ave, Scranton). This family-friendly fall celebration is completely free and packed with maple-inspired fun for all ages. Guests will enjoy: Maple syrup tastings — sample all four grades of pure New York maple syrup, each with its own flavor and color profile. Sweet treats — maple cream and maple melts to taste and take home. Seasonal sips — maple-infused cocktails for adults and fresh apple cider for kids. Crafts & activities — maple-themed creativity for the little ones. Maple candles & NEW maple wax melts from Noteology will be revealed. Giveaways and more! “Life’s too short for fake maple syrup,” said Danielle Fleming, owner of Grouse Hill Maple Farm and Noteology with her husband Mark Bonfiglio. “We love sharing our wood-fired maple syrup that we make on our farm in New York with the Scranton community and giving families a chance to taste, learn, and enjoy the 2025 harvest together.” Admission is free, and all are welcome to join in the festivities. Event Details:📍 When: Saturday, October 11, 2025 | 12–4 PM📍 Where: Noteology | 537 Wyoming Ave, Scranton, PA
Lexington Entertainment Presents 2025 Summer Music Festival Events October 9 JOE STANKY & THE CADETS 2:00 – 3:00 October 16 SHARON AMBROZIA & FRIENDS 2:00 – 3:00 October 23 BROKE PINES 2:00 – 3:00 Location and Time Hillside Park Farmers Market Entertainment 1188 Winola Road, South Abington Township, PA Thursdays from 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Marywood University To Host Trumpet Masterclass Renowned Musician Dr. Langston J. Fitzgerald III Will Be Featured Marywood University’s Trumpet Studio will host a guest artist and masterclass on Saturday, October 11, 1 PM, with Dr. Langston J. Fitzgerald, III. This event, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the Marian Chapel at the Swartz Center for Spiritual Life on Marywood’s campus. Dr. Fitzgerald, professor emeritus of trumpet at Penn State University, is a renowned musician, who played trumpet for more than three decades with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Fitzgerald also was a trumpet faculty member at the Peabody Conservatory of Music for 15 years. To learn more about Marywood’s Music, Theatre, and Dance programs, visit: marywood.edu/mtd.
Marywood University Announces Fall 2025 Performance Schedule Marywood University’s Music, Theatre, and Dance Department is raising the curtain on their Fall 2025 performance season, showcasing everything from the timeless power of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard to the vibrant sounds of wind symphonies, string ensembles, and an inspiring opera workshop. With performances that highlight both student artistry and faculty mentorship, this season promises to fill the stage with passion, talent, and creativity—offering the campus and community alike a chance to experience the transformative power of live performance. The Cherry Orchard (October 2, 3, 4, 7:30 p.m. – October 5, 2 p.m. Sette LaVerghetta Auditorium) is Anton Chekhov’s masterpiece, and the last play he wrote before his death, The Cherry Orchard is simultaneously a comedy, a tragedy, realism, and absurdism. It is about the most delicate and intimate of human feelings and experiences, the sometimes-farcical nature of life, and how a changing society manifests in concrete changes in the lives of individuals and families. Admission: $15/adults and $10/students. Admission to major ensemble performances: Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and Jazz Ambassadors is $10/adults and $5/students. The remainder of the schedule is free and open to the public. Featured concerts include: The Orchestra Concert – (October 18, 7:30 p.m., Sette-LaVerghetta Auditorium) will allow their audience the opportunity to experience the power and beauty of Romantic-era masterpieces with the Marywood University Symphony Orchestra, featuring Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 and Farrenc’s Overture No. 2—performed by passionate student and community musicians who simply love making music! The Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble Concert (October 19, 3:00 p.m., Sette-LaVerghetta Auditorium) is affiliated with American Youth Ensembles, offering middle and high school musicians an opportunity to perform with other student instrumentalists who simply enjoy making music. They will perform a variety of repertoire ranging from traditional (transcriptions, marches and works of serious and artistic merit) to cutting-edge contemporary composition and music from popular media venues. The Percussion Ensemble Concert (November 9, 7:30 p.m., Sette-LaVerghetta Auditorium) is a concert of chamber music performed by the Marywood University Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Steven Mathiesen. Program features include works by Nathan Daughtrey, Joel Smales, an arrangement of music by Aaron Copland. The concert is free and open to the public. The Faculty Recital (November 15, 7:00 p.m., Marian Chapel) will feature professional performers on the faculty of the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance will share the stage in a recital of instrumental and vocal solos and ensembles. The Tutti Concert (November 16, 2:00 p.m., Sette LaVerghetta Auditorium) founded at Marywood University in 2016, is an innovative adaptive program that combines music therapy and music education to create an enriching musical journey for individuals with unique learning styles. Our free concert at celebrates the achievements of our students who have learned new instruments, developed musicianship skills, and formed lasting friendships. The Wind Symphony Concert (November 16, 4:30 p.m., Sette LaVerghetta Auditorium) continues their tradition of presenting classic, yet entertaining works for the wind band. This season’s concert features transcriptions for band by Piazzolla, Verdi and Elgar as well band chestnuts by Ralph Vaughn Williams and Clifton Williams. Join us Sunday for a concert that is sure to inspire. The Jazz Ambassadors Concert (November 21, 8:00 p.m., Marian Chapel) will feature an evening of iconic blues, funk, and swing. This concert highlights the timeless spirit of mid-century jazz with dynamic arrangements, smooth style, and remarkable technique—rooted in a profound dedication to the blues. The String Ensemble Concert (November 24, 7:00 p.m., Marian Chapel) will feature a captivating program featuring Christopher Wilson’s rarely heard Suite for Strings—a true gem of the repertoire—paired with an arrangement of Gershwin’s tender Lullaby. Join us for this free performance. The Opera Workshop Performance (December 1, 7:00 p.m., Sette-LaVerghetta Center) will be a culmination of a semester-long study of excerpts from various operas, the Opera Workshop performance will feature 17 students in fully staged renditions of ensembles by Handel, Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Copland, and others. The Evening of Strings Concert (December 3, 7:30 p.m., Marian Chapel) Marywood string students take center stage in this end-of-semester showcase, performing a wide range of solo works. The Guitar Ensemble Concert (December 4, 5:00 p.m., Marian Chapel) is happy to present their Holiday Concert – Meditating, Grooving, and Celebrating!This year’s program offers a festive journey through different moods and styles—meditating with Gabriel Fauré’s graceful Pavane, grooving with a vibrant Brazilian minimalist work by Paulo Porto Alegre, and celebrating the season with beloved traditional holiday songs. Together, these pieces create a program that blends reflection, rhythm, and joy, capturing the spirit of the year’s end in music The Chamber Singers Christmas Concert (December 7, 2:00 p.m., Marian Chapel) will feature sacred and secular music by Cipriano de Rore, Josef Rheinberger, Michael Joncas, René Clausen, Jonathan Rathbone, and others. The performance will include several familiar and original carols. The String Project Concert (December 8, 6:30 p.m., Sette-LaVerghetta Center) rings in the season with a festive Holiday Gala Concert, showcasing students ages 4–18 performing in string orchestras and class ensembles. For additional information about the Chamber Series and other performances at Marywood University, please visit marywood.edu/mtd/events, or call (570) 348-6268.
Marywood University’s PA Graduates Achieve Overall Perfect Pass Rate Marywood University’s Physician Assistant Program was recently notified that it has achieved an overall perfect pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), the national certifying examination given to graduating physician assistants. This exam must be passed to be eligible for licensure in all 50 states. Marywood’s 2025 graduating Physician Assistant class is pictured following the program’s annual white coat ceremony. Marywood’s PA Program has had an overall perfect pass rate on the national certifying exam (PANCE) for five consecutive years The program’s overall pass rate of 100 percent, which it has held for five consecutive years, includes a first-time pass rate of 98 percent for its most recent graduating class. The national mean pass rate is 92 percent. The overall PANCE pass rate includes all exam attempts, while the first-time pass rate only counts the successful attempts by candidates who took the exam for the first time. The overall pass rate is typically higher than the first-time pass rate, because this statistic accounts for all testing attempts, including retakes. “This overall perfect pass rate on the PANCE for our physician assistants, coupled with the 100 percent pass rate on NCLEX for our nurses, demonstrates that Marywood University consistently produces top graduates in health sciences, who score well above the national average,” said Shelby Yeager, Dean of the College of Health Sciences. “We’re tremendously proud of our graduates and continuously strive to maintain that standard of excellence through the academic and clinical rigor of our health sciences programs.” Marywood University further expanded its deep commitment to health sciences, including physician assistants, when it opened the Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion last year. Physician Assistants are licensed medical professionals who work under the supervision of licensed physicians. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for physician assistants is projected to grow 20 percent by 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. As demand for healthcare services grows, physician assistants will be needed to provide care to patients. For additional information about Marywood University’s Physician Assistant Program, please visit marywood.edu/physician-assistant-masters-degree.
Johnson College WAVE Department Announces Fall Community Workshops Johnson College’s Workforce Advancement & Value-Added Education (WAVE) department is offering a series of engaging, hands-on and affordable community workshops this fall on its Scranton campus, located at 3427 N. Main Avenue. These interactive sessions are designed for learners of all ages and skill levels who want to explore new hobbies, relax, and have fun while learning something new. Pumpkin Carving Class – Tuesday, Oct. 21 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.Get into the Halloween spirit with a hands-on pumpkin carving class. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned carver, this festive workshop is perfect for all. Participants will receive step-by-step guidance; tools and pumpkins will be provided. The evening will include a brief talk on the history of the Jack-o’-Lantern. The class will take place in the cafeteria of the Moffat Student Center. Cost is $30 per person. Ages 10 and up are welcome. Children ages 10 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Space is limited. Tai Chi Workshop – Saturdays, Nov. 1, 8, 15 & 22 | 2–3 p.m.Join a four-week Tai Chi workshop led by Master Instructor Wayne Wolfe, a teacher of traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan with over 30 years of experience. Participants will learn a nine-minute motion group designed to circulate energy throughout the body in a relaxed and mindful way. The workshop, held on the Scranton campus, is suitable for all fitness levels and offers benefits for both body and mind. The cost for the full session is $50. Succulent 101 – Thursday, Nov. 13 | 5:30–7 p.m.Perfect for beginners and plant lovers alike, the Succulent 101 class offers a casual, hands-on introduction to succulent care. Participants will learn how to help their plants thrive and avoid common mistakes. Each attendee will pot their own succulent to take home. This beginner-friendly class will be held on the Scranton campus and costs $25 per person. To learn more or register for any of these workshops, visit johnson.edu/workshops. For questions, contact the WAVE Team at wave@johnson.edu or 570-702-8979.
