The Dime Bank Donates $25,000 to Community Organization

The Dime Bank recently donated $25,000.00 to Scranton Lackawanna Resources Development Corp (SLRDC) via the Neighborhood Assistance Program.

The SLRDC is a non-profit arm of the Agency for Community Empowerment (ACE) of NEPA that is focusing on providing quality affordable housing to low-to-moderate income families. Through the collaborative efforts of SLRDC and their community partners, these homes serve as a beacon of support and a symbol of unity within the neighborhood.

“Families deserve a safe and comfortable place to call home. The dedication and passion poured into these projects create not only physical shelters but also a sense of belonging and empowerment for those who will inhabit them. Being a community bank, The Dime Bank takes pride in collaborating with the SLRDC and supporting their initiatives to rejuvenate neighborhoods and foster community bonds,” stated William Boyle, The Dime Bank Senior Vice President Chief Lending Officer.

Scranton Cultural Center to Host St. Patrick’s Parade Day Party

The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple is once again the place to celebrate this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade!  The Center’s annual St. Patrick’s Parade Day Party will begin at 11:00 AM on March 9 and will continue until 4:00 PM.  Admission is free and live entertainment will be provided by Across the Pond.  In addition, several parade performers will continue their acts at the SCC for all partygoers to enjoy, from bagpipers to step dancers and more!

Admission is FREE to the public as the Scranton Cultural Center’s gift to the community.  A cash bar and light fare will be available for purchase.

The 2024 St. Patrick’s Parade Day Party is sponsored by The Society of Irish Women, The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick – Lackawanna County, Comfort Suites Scranton and LT Verrastro.  Supported by Lackawanna County and the PA Council on the Arts.

The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple’s 2023-2024 Season is sponsored by Fidelity Bank and LT Verrastro and supported by the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, and the Lackawanna County Office of Arts and Culture, and Commissioners Bill Gaughan, Matt McGloin and Chris Chermak. A special thank you to its media partners: Allied Services, Audacy, Lamar Advertising, MAC Signs and Times Shamrock Communications

Listing Information:

WHO:  The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple

WHAT: St. Patrick’s Parade Day Party with Music by Across the Pond

WHEN:  Saturday, March 9 – 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM

WHERE: Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple – Grand Ballroom

                 420 N. Washington Avenue – Scranton, PA 18503

TICKET PRICE: **FREE ADMISSION!!**

I Need A Speaker Offers Six-week Public Speaking Workshop

Registration is open for a six-week public speaking course offered by I Need A Speaker, an online connection hub for speakers and the people who want to book them. This in-person course will meet Tuesdays from 6-8 p.m. beginning on April 2, 2024 at Urban Co-Works, 116 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, PA.

“This course will help individuals develop their public speaking skills and serve as a refresher for those who have existing skills,” explained I Need A Speaker founder Tricia Richards-Service, PhD, who serves as instructor.

Participants will learn how to:

·      Choose, narrow, and refine your topic

·      Write a central statement of purpose

·      Analyze your audience

·      Gather supporting materials

·      Outline an impactful speech

·      Develop an effective delivery style

·      Get started in the public speaking business. 

The course fee is $397. For details and registration, email info@ineedaspeaker.com. Registration closes March 27, 2024.

FNCB Bank Donates $15,000 to the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA

FNCB Bank, locally based since 1910, today announced grants totaling $15,000 through the Pennsylvania Neighborhood Assistance (NAP-SPP) and EITC programs to the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA to be used for childcare and other services in the community.

Including the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA donation, FNCB Bank has made NAP-SPP commitments to seven different community projects in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

The support of the Greater Wyoming Valley Area YMCA is part of FNCB’s larger Community Caring initiative. As a true, local community bank, FNCB Bank is making a difference through volunteerism, donations, and outreach programs.

Greater Scranton YMCA to Open Second Early Learning Center

In April 2024, the Greater Scranton YMCA will open its second Early Learning Center. The 6,300 square foot center is located at 1015 Underwood Road in Olyphant and is licensed to serve up to 125 children ages zero through five.

The need for child care services in our community is great. Enrollment in the Greater Scranton YMCA’s early childhood education programs has grown from 209 in January, 2023 to 244 children in January, 2024. These children are enrolled in full and partial day early childhood education programs, as well as before and after school care. Of the 244 children enrolled, 92 are receiving financial assistance. The department is at maximum capacity, with a waitlist full at 150 kids.

While the YMCA has begun its early childhood education expansion project to renovate the second floor of its facility in Dunmore to create three new classrooms, a need for services still exists. This year, YMCA leaders signed a lease for an additional facility located in Olyphant. The YMCA is renovating the facility, updating eight classrooms and adding outdoor play equipment.

“As always, the Greater Scranton YMCA will adapt its programs and services to meet the needs of our community,” said Trish Fisher, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “The opening of our second Early Learning Center will allow our YMCA to make a substantial impact on the great need for childcare services in our community.”

The Early Learning Center in Olyphant is estimated to open on April 2 9, 2024. For families
interested in enrolling their child(ren) and for more information, contact Tressa Parker, Education Director at the Greater Scranton YMCA, at tparker@gsymca.org.

The City of Scranton Reminder for Fourth Quarter Payroll Tax

Entities conducting business within the City of Scranton are reminded that the due date to submit their fourth quarter tax return for the 2023 Payroll Preparation Tax is February 28, 2024.  A person shall be deemed to be conducting business within the City if they engage, hire, employ, or contract with one or more individuals as employees, partners, or is self-employed and, in addition, does at least one of the following:

  1. Maintains a fixed place of business within the City;
  2. Owns or leases real property within the City for profit;
  3. Maintains a stock of tangible, personal property in the City for sale in the ordinary course of business;
  4. Conducts continuous solicitation within the City related to such business; or
  5. Utilizes the streets of the City in connection with the operation of such business (other than for the mere transportation from a site outside the City, through the City, to a destination outside the City.)    

Institutions who are exempt from the Payroll Preparation Tax as a result of their status as a nonprofit are required to file quarterly returns claiming their exemption.

Returns submitted after February 28, 2024, will be subject to penalty and interest on the balances due.

The Payroll Preparation Tax is a tax levied separately by both the Scranton School District and the City of Scranton.  The 2023 Payroll Preparation Tax rate for the Scranton School District is 0.7553 percent and the 2023 Payroll Preparation Tax rate for the City of Scranton is 0.2787 percent.  The combined 2023 Payroll Preparation Tax rate is 1.034 percent.

The City of Scranton and the Scranton School District have both appointed Berkheimer Tax Innovations, Inc. to administer the Payroll Preparation Tax on their behalf.  Tax forms are available on Berkheimer’s website at hab-inc.com/pptforms.  Additional information, including Frequently Asked Questions, can be found at scrantonpa.gov/payroll-prep-tax-information, https://www.scrsd.org/departments/business-office and hab-inc.com/ppt-faq.

Please direct all questions regarding the Payroll Preparation Tax to Berkheimer by emailing ebpt@goberk.com or by calling (610) 599-3140.

Grey Towers National Historic Site to Offer Free Open House

Please join us at Grey Towers Heritage Association National Historic Site on May 20, 2024, from 3:00-5:00 pm for our FREE Business Open House. This Business Open House is a time for local business owners and managers to experience what Grey Towers has to offer. Please tour our museum and grounds, ask questions and learn what your guests and customers will experience when they come to visit us. Learn about the programs and activities we offer. Discuss potential partnerships for promoting our local economy with Grey Towers Heritage Association representatives.

Our mission, as stewards of Grey Towers NHS, we perpetuate the leadership and conservation legacy of Gifford Pinchot and the Pinchot family. We want the community and its business leaders to feel included and valued at Grey Towers. We are here to provide hospitable service across diverse audiences to those living or visiting Milford. We value collaborating with you and the community.

Our address is 151 Grey Towers Drive, Milford, PA 18337. Any questions, please call (570) 296-9630 x3. We look forward to meeting you.

Please RSVP to info@greytowers.org by May 6, 2024.

Scranton Area Community Foundation President and CEO Appointed to ECAC

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia announced this week the appointment of Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, as one of four new members to its Economic and Community Advisory Council (ECAC).

The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia’s Economic and Community Advisory Council (ECAC) informs the Bank’s senior leadership of emerging trends, issues, and market conditions that impact monetary policy within the Third Federal Reserve District and across the country. The Council is comprised of members from both the private and public sectors throughout PA, NJ, and DE, and fosters greater integration to encourage economic growth.

Ducceschi was asked to serve on the Council because of her deep understanding of issues impacting economic mobility, including community revitalization, workforce development, transportation, and housing, and her commitment to bringing together diverse groups and forging cross-sector partnerships to address regional challenges. Noted as of particular value to the Council is Ducceschi’s focus on developing responsive programs and using resources in innovative ways to advance inclusive growth across Northeastern Pennsylvania, as well as the knowledge she will bring on emerging trends in philanthropic giving and on a community foundation’s role in being a community catalyst. She will serve a three-year term.

Ducceschi has been president and chief executive officer of the Scranton Area Community Foundation since 2012. She manages over 320 charitable funds and four foundations with more than $90 million in total assets. Ducceschi has also spearheaded many initiatives, including NEPA Moves with the Philadelphia Fed, NEPA Thrives, Women in Philanthropy, and NEPA Gives, a 24-hour regional giving day in northeastern Pennsylvania.

There are 14 members of the Economic and Community Advisory Council. In addition to Ducceschi, the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia has also appointed Ken Kaiser, senior vice president and chief operating officer of Temple University; Jesse McCree, chief executive officer of SCPa Works; and Leslie Smallwood-Lewis, chief operating officer and cofounder of Mosaic Development Partners.

A press release from The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia indicates that they help formulate and implement monetary policy; supervise state member banks, bank holding companies, and savings and loan holding companies; and provide financial services to depository institutions and the federal government. It is one of the 12 regional Reserve Banks that, together with the Board of Governors in Washington, D.C., make up the Federal Reserve System. The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia serves eastern and central Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, and Delaware.

For additional information on the ECAC, visit https://www.philadelphiafed.org/our-people/advisory-councils/ecac.

Broadway in Scranton Offers Leap Day Deals

It’s an offer so good, it’s four years in the making! In honor of Leap Day, this Thursday, February 29th only, patrons can purchase select tickets for $29 to these two shows at Broadway in Scranton.

This offer is valid on February 29th only and on select seats to the opening night performances of COME FROM AWAY (April 5th at 7:30PM) and PRETTY WOMAN (May 17th at 7:30PM). This offer is limited to 2 tickets per purchase.  This promotion is subject to ticket availability and does not apply to previously purchased tickets.

Patrons must use code LEAP to redeem this offer. Tickets may be purchased online at BroadwayInScranton.com and in person at the Scranton Cultural Center Box Office (10AM – 5PM).

COME FROM AWAY * Scranton Cultural Center April 5 – 7

Broadway’s COME FROM AWAY is a Best Musical winner all across North America!

This New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

Don’t miss this breathtaking new musical written by Tony® nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and helmed by Tony-winning Best Director, Christopher Ashley. Newsweek cheers,“It takes you to a place you never want to leave!”  On 9/11, the world stopped.  On 9/12, their stories moved us all. (Show age recommendation: 10+)

PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL * Scranton Cultural Center May 17 – 19

PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL, based on one of Hollywood’s most beloved romantic stories of all time, springs to life with a powerhouse creative team led by two-time Tony Award®-winning director and choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Hairspray, Kinky Boots, Legally Blonde). Brought to the stage by lead producer Paula Wagner, PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL features an original score by Grammy® winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance (“Summer of ’69”, “Heaven”), and a book by the movie’s legendary director Garry Marshall and screenwriter J. F. Lawton. PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL will lift your spirits and light up your heart. “If you love the movie, you’ll love the musical!” (BuzzFeed News).

Featured in the musical is Roy Orbison and Bill Dee’s international smash hit song “Oh, Pretty Woman,” which inspired one of the most beloved romantic comedy films of all time. Pretty Woman the film was an international smash hit when it was released in 1990. Now, 30 years later, PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL is “Big romance and big fun!” (Broadway.com). “Irresistible! A romantic fantasy. A contemporary fairy tale,” says The Hollywood Reporter. PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL delivers on all the iconic moments you remember. Get ready to experience this dazzling theatrical take on a love story for the ages. Are you ready to fall in love all over again? (Show age recommendation: 12+)

Anthracite Heritage Museum Announces Spring Reopening

The Anthracite Heritage Museum is thrilled to announce our reopening for Spring on March 1st!!   New this year we have extended our weekly public days to Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10am to 4pm.  As always school tours, group tours, and research visits are available during business hours every day of the week.  22 Bald Mountain Road, McDade Park, Scranton.

Upcoming events:
March 11, 2024.  Charter Day
This is the annual day that the PHMC celebrates the founding of Pennsylvania with free admission across all state historic sites and museums.  This year the Anthracite Heritage Museum is excited to add a special program by Justin W. Emershaw.  Justin is a mining engineer with Atlantic Carbon Group, in Hazleton and he will give an in depth and evocative presentation on the current state of anthracite coal mining.  He gave a similar program during the recent Mining History Month program at Eckley Miners’ Village to rave reviews.  If you ever wanted to know about anthracite coal mines and what’s happening today, come down to the museum on Charter Day.
March 11, 2024.  2:00 pm.  Anthracite Heritage Museum, McDade Park, Scranton.

Industrial Heritage Study tour of the United Kingdom sponsored by the Anthracite Heritage Museum, September 2024.  Join us on a sensational tour of the United Kingdom to study significant industrial heritage sites that contributed to the rapid global expansion of industrial activity from the late 18th into the 19th centuries. This 15 day tour will start in Glasgow and end in Portsmouth and include several UNESCO world heritage industrial sites.  Key sites include: New Lanark, Falkirk Wheel, Mersey Tunnel, Manchester Science and Industry Museum, Menai Suspension Bridge, Telford Suspension Bridge, Anderton Boat Lift, Quarry Bank Mill, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Snowdon Mountain Railway, National Slate Museum, Ironbridge Gorge, SS Great Britain, the Concorde, Great Flat Lode, King Edward Mine Museum, Royal Cornwall Museum, Gwennap Pit, Geevor Tin Mine, Wheal Martyn Clay Works, Brickworks Museum, Bucklers Hard, Royal Navy Submarine Museum, HMS Victory. Interesting four-star hotels, all breakfasts and several dinners included.  Dates: September 14th – September 29th. Leaving from Philadelphia to Glasgow, Returning from London to Philadelphia.  Details: http://www.anthracitemuseum.org/united-kingdom-industrial-heritage-tour-2024/

May 2024. Opening of the 50 year retrospective of Anthracite Photographer Scott Herring’s work.  Scott has been documenting the people and places of anthracite since he was young.  The museum is thrilled to work with Scott to share this monumental exhibit of his remarkable career.  Dates and details to follow.

June 8,9 2024 Arts on Fire
Join us for our annual celebration of our industrial heritage and the arts taking place at the historic Scranton Iron Furnaces.  Iron pours, live music, arts demonstrations, food.  Details forthcoming.