Marywood Community Leadership Celebration to Spotlight President and Alumna

Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., Marywood’s President, who will retire on June 30, will be recognized with a special spotlight at Marywood University’s 11th Annual Community Leadership Celebration on Thursday, May 2, 2024, 5:30 p.m., at the Center for Athletics and Wellness on the University’s campus. The event also will honor community leader and Marywood alumna Mary Ellen McDonough.

As Marywood’s 12th President, Sister Mary has guided Marywood University for the past eight years with her collaborative leadership and bold vision, devoting her life to promoting Marywood’s mission and core values. During her presidential tenure, Sister Mary made strides in the scholarly life of the university by restructuring and streamlining the Colleges, adding or expanding several signature academic programs, and establishing the Offices of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Global Education. During her eight years, Marywood has welcomed national retail partnerships to Marywood, including Starbucks, the popular Gear Shop, Apple, and Amazon stores.

Additionally, Marywood’s endowment has nearly doubled and maintained a fiscally responsible status under her leadership, even during universally challenging financial times in higher education. To further strengthen Marywood’s future, Sister Mary is presently bringing the University’s $30 million comprehensive campaign to its conclusion. This campaign is designed to fund new construction and academic spaces on campus, provide scholarships for students, and enhance the student experience.

In moments such as an unprecedented global pandemic, Sister Mary supported the entire community of faculty, staff, and students with strength and confidence. Her engagement, both in the public arena and on campus among the students, are two highlights of her presidency. She has represented Marywood well locally, nationally, and even internationally, but when asked, Sister Mary notes that the best part of the job was interacting with the wonderful people who are our students.

The CLC is Marywood’s signature fundraiser, providing special support to Marywood students and honoring individuals in the community who exemplify Marywood’s core values in leadership and service to others. Proceeds from this year’s event will benefit campus improvements as part of the EMPOWER Campaign.

To join Marywood University in recognizing Sister Mary Persico, IHM, and in honoring Mary Ellen McDonough at the 11th Annual Community Leadership Celebration on May 2, please visit marywood.edu/clc for ticket and sponsorship information, or call (570) 348-6238.

NeighborWorks Kicks Off of West Scranton Events with Spring EGGstravaganza

NeighborWorks is hosting its second egg hunt in West Scranton on Saturday, April 13th at Novembrino Park (201 10th Ave, Scranton, PA). There will be music, community resources, games, and more from 11am to 3pm. The egg hunt will start promptly at 1pm and all ages are welcome. The event is free and will be held rain or shine, and participants are encouraged to bring their own baskets.

NeighborWorks is expanding the event this year to have more activities available to participants. The Youth Arts Coalition will be providing arts activities for children in attendance. Additionally, the Albright Memorial Library will be signing people up for library cards and have free books to give away. Friends of the Poor will have healthy snacks and information on their services available just a few blocks away from the splashpad. Fidelity Bank will have free ice cream from 12-2pm, PennDOT will have crosswalk safety demonstrations, and the PA Department of Health will have COVID test kits, tick prevention information, and more!

Both years, the event has been initiated and driven by West Scranton’s Image, Identity, and Events committee member, Vivian Williams. She has worked with West Scranton Intermediate School to get candy donations and volunteers to help fill the eggs with candy for the egg hunt. This year she will also be managing the volunteers during the event to make sure everything runs smoothly.

This initiative is part of NeighborWorks’ West Scranton Neighborhood Plan, a comprehensive 10-year strategy for improving the neighborhood. It kicks off a slate of annual events in the neighborhood, including the Allen Park Summer Concert Series, Fall Festival, and West Side Wonderland Tree Lighting.

Please contact Miranda Pace at mpace@nwnepa.org or 570-606-7359 for additional information.

Everything Natural Hosts Wellness Fair

SPRING INTO HEALTH” WELLNESS FAIR 2024

Come and join us @ Everything Natural for our 

Spring Into Health Wellness Fair, April 13th 11am-3pm

                                         featuring

  VENDORS     GIVEAWAYS    FOOD TASTINGS    PRIZES 

Expect a fun filled day networking with Holistic Health and Wellness providers to gather tips and information to support your wellness journey.

Come and discover the various natural health resources available in our community including:

Acupuncture

Nutrition

Chiropractic

Energy Medicine

Natural Childbirth

Fitness

Detox 

Ayurveda

Aromatherapy

Chair Massage

Reflexology

Yoga 

Meditation

Qiquong

Wayne Bank CEO to Begin Term on Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Council

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia today announced a new chair and two new members of its Community Depository Institutions Advisory Council (CDIAC), including James Donnelly, CEO of Wayne Bank.

James Donnelly, president and CEO of Wayne Bank and Norwood Financial Corp, and Jeffrey Kapsar, president and CEO of Mifflinburg Bank and Trust Company, today began three-year terms on the CDIAC.

Jeffrey Stopko, president and CEO of AmeriServ Financial, Inc., has been appointed as chair to represent the Third Federal Reserve District on the Federal Reserve Board’s CDIAC for 2024. Stopko has been a member of the Philadelphia Fed’s advisory council since 2021.

About James Donnelly

Donnelly has been president and CEO of Wayne Bank and Norwood Financial Corp, headquartered in Honesdale, PA, since May 2022. Donnelly also serves on the board of directors for Wayne Bank and Norwood Financial Corp, and on the Leadership, Officers Loan, Asset Quality, ALCO, and 401(k) Committees.

Donnelly previously worked at Bangor Savings Bank, Machias Savings Bank, and KeyBank, where he started his banking career in 1991.

Maternal & Family Health Services Hosts Inaugural Mother’s Day Celebrations

Maternal & Family Health Services, Inc. (MFHS) announces that its inaugural Mother’s Day celebrations will be held in Scranton on May 7th and Hazleton on May 9th. From MFHS, With Love will be a celebration of all the mothers in Northeast Pennsylvania and an opportunity to say thank you for all that they do for their families.

The two events will take place the week before Mother’s Day at the following locations:

Tuesday May 7th | 4 – 7 p.m.
MFHS Circle of Care & Voodoo Brewing Co.
820 South Washington Ave., Scranton, PA

Thursday, May 9th | 4 – 7 p.m.
Hazleton Art League
31 W. Broad St., Hazleton, PA

Both evenings will be open house style events that will feature a photo booth, flower cart, fragrance bar, activities for kids, food stations, and more. All proceeds raised from the events will support programming at MFHS for women, children, and families in need.

For over 50 years, MFHS has been supporting the health and nutrition of our community by delivering programs and services that meet critical needs and result in positive outcomes for mothers and children. These programs include: the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, The Nurse-Family Partnership Program, reproductive care, and the Healthy Beginnings Plus Maternity Program. Together these programs form a maternal health safety net that protects the health of pregnant individuals by connecting them to essential care and support services.

The public can RSVP online via the MFHS website: mfhs.org/mothers-day/ Tickets are $50 per adult. Each ticket includes up to two children 12 and under. Additional children under 12 are $10 each. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. 

WVIA Partners with NEPA Film Festival and Hosts Guest Speaker

WVIA in partnership with the Waverly Community House proudly presents the Northeast Pennsylvania Film Festival.

April 12-14, 2024.

Friday night guest speaker is award winning producer Doug Claybourne, producer of The Mask of Zorro and Executive Producer on The Fast and the Furious.

All films presented at the Waverly Community House

115 N. Abington Road, Waverly, PA 18411

Get your tickets to the festival here.

Friday Night Opening Reception

An evening with acclaimed director DOUG CLAYBOURNE. Featuring a screening of Doug’s latest film: “The Rainbow Prince”.

  • Waverly Community House Auditorium
  • Friday April 12th, 2024
  • Cocktail Reception 6 PM-7PM
  • Program 7PM- 8:30PM
  • Doug Claybourne Screening of Rainbow Prince (35 min)
  • Q&A to Follow, moderated by Julie Sidoni, WVIA
  • Cocktails courtesy of Maiolatesi Wine Cellars
  • Light Fare by Caravia and Epicurean

For more information and to purchase tickets, please click HERE or visit nepafilmfestival.com