The Wright Center for Community Health invites residents of all ages to lace up their sneakers and join a growing movement toward better health and stronger community connections with its monthly Walk with a Doc events.

Led by local physicians and health care professionals, these community walks offer an easy, fun, and social way to get moving while engaging in health-focused conversations. Participants enjoy light exercise, have the opportunity to ask health-related questions, and connect with others in a relaxed, informal setting.

The May Walk with a Doc in Jermyn will be held on Saturday, May 16, at 9 a.m. at the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail. Walkers should gather at the Delaware Street Trailhead entrance. The Scranton walk is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, at 9 a.m., also along the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, with walkers meeting at the Olive Street entrance.

These events are free and open to the public, welcoming individuals of all fitness levels. No pre-registration is required.

Walk with a Doc is a global nonprofit organization that promotes physical activity and meaningful conversations between physicians and community members. According to the American Heart Association, just 30 minutes of walking per day can improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels, support weight management, boost mental health, and reduce the risk of conditions such as obesity and osteoporosis.

For more information about The Wright Center for Community Health’s Walk with a Doc program, please contact Melissa Germano-Ryczak at germanom@TheWrightCenter.org.

Racing tradition, bold fashion and no shortage of thrills take center stage as Mohegan Pennsylvania hosts its annual Derby Day Extravaganza on Saturday, May 2nd.  

Racing fans and guests alike are invited to immerse themselves in live harness racing, coverage from Churchill Downs, crave‑worthy food offerings, signature drinks, a festive hat revue and wall‑to‑wall race‑day excitement throughout the property.

The extravaganza begins at 10:00am at The Racetrack at Mohegan Pennsylvania where betting officially opens. At 1:00pm, Live harness racing action begins on the racetrack, followed by a festive hat revue and an early evening live broadcast of the iconic Run for the Roses.

Guests looking to enhance their race-day experience can enjoy beverages throughout the day, including Coors Light, Heineken, Party on the Patio Lager with Lime,  Happy Thursday, High Noon, Surfside, White Claw and a variety of spirits and non-alcoholic beverages, alongside classics like Mohegan PA’s Derby Day Extravaganza signature Mint Julep.

“The Derby Day Extravaganza at Mohegan Pennsylvania has become one of the most memorable events of the year—and we’re thrilled to bring back the energy on Saturday, May 2nd,” said Tony Carlucci, President & GM of Mohegan Pennsylvania. “What is unique about our event is the combo of Live harness racing on our Racetrack, followed by live coverage of the Run for the Roses – joined by great food and drinks, our annual hat revue and a fun celebration for all ages,”

In addition to live coverage on the infield screen, Churchill Downs coverage will also be shown throughout the Pacer’s Clubhouse, Racing Lobby and Simulcast areas all day. Betting options at Pacer’s Clubhouse include the self-service simulcast terminals on the lower level as well as the upper-level betting windows, staffed by helpful staff. 

Advance wagering will be available on Friday, May 1st beginning at 10:00am, allowing guests to plan ahead for Derby Day.

The always popular Derby Day Extravaganza Hat Revue returns with expanded categories and prizes. Guests must register to participate, and awards will be given for:

• Best in Show
• Most Elegant Hat
• Most Creative or Outrageous Hat
• Boldest Brim
• Too Hot to Trot
• Dapper Dan
• Best Pair or Group Themed Hats

Should guests not have a hat – Mohegan PA’s Spa Sapphire will be on-site with Derby Day essentials, and fabulous extras!

For more details on Derby Day at Mohegan PA, visit moheganpa.com

Experience the music of “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” BTS, Huntr/x, BLACKPINK and many more at Planet K-Pop: The Ultimate K-Pop Tribute Concert at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple on June 9 at 7 PM.

This high-energy tribute, brought to life by live singers and dancers, is presented by MEGA Events. Planet K-Pop is a unique hybrid spectacle that blends the excitement of a live concert with the immersion of a full dance experience! The choreography pushes the energy sky-high, shaping a visual feast of synchronized movement, iconic formations, and unmistakable K-pop flair.

And the excitement doesn’t stop there. Prepare for on-stage dance battles, dynamic lighting moments, high-energy highlights, and surprise cast interactions, all crafted to pull you deeper into the spirit of the fandom and make this an unforgettable celebration of global K-pop culture!

The show is 95 minutes in length, including one intermission. Planet K-Pop will take place in the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Theatre at 7:00 p.m. with the venue doors opening at 6:00 p.m. Concessions will be available for purchase.

Tickets are on sale and start at $49.80. Ticket prices include fees and are subject to change. They can be purchased at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster.

For additional information and a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org.

On Saturday, May 9, 2026, Dr. Rick Hoffenberg, associate professor of music and co-director of the Insalaco School of Visual & Performing Arts at Marywood University, will make his Carnegie Hall (New York City, N.Y.) conducting debut in a performance of Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, a three-movement piece for vocal soloists, chorus, and orchestra. 

The performers will include the all-professional New England Symphonic Ensemble and a chorus of over one hundred singers, including three Marywood faculty members and 20 current and former Marywood University students. 

The concert is being sponsored by MidAmerica Productions. Tickets can be purchased at the following link: https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2026/05/09/New-England-Symphonic-Ensemble-0830PM. 

Johnson College Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology program hosted its Annual Carpentry Auction at the College’s Scranton campus on Thursday, April 9, 2026. The event raised over $4,000 to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center of Northeastern Pennsylvania in support of its mission to provide excellence in the assessment and treatment of child abuse and neglect. 

More than 60 items created by Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology students were available for auction. There was a wide variety of woodwork, including chessboards, tables, chests, benches, and more. Many of the items were made from repurposed materials.

Geisinger, in collaboration with other regional hospital systems, will start the triennial Community Health Needs Assessment to better understand the health and well-being of residents and recognize needs as well as community strengths across northeastern and central Pennsylvania. 

As in prior Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs), Geisinger will partner with Allied Services Integrated Health System on the assessment. Partnership among regional organizations allows for a better understanding of health needs across the communities served and encourages collaboration to address the identified needs.

The CHNA provides Geisinger with a snapshot of key health challenges affecting the region. It leverages information from a variety of reliable resources such as the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Anne E. Casey Foundation and U.S. Census and marries it with information from people in the community.  

The assessment will be conducted by Build Community, a woman-owned business based in Lancaster, Pa., that partners with health care providers, social service agencies, foundations, government entities and other community organizations to illuminate disparities and underlying inequities and transform data into practical and impactful strategies to advance health and social equity. 

Nonprofit hospital organizations are required to conduct a CHNA every three years and develop implementation strategies that address prioritized health needs. The CHNA is grounded in community research and direct stakeholder feedback. The CHNA expands the hospital’s focus to include health issues impacting the greater community and promotes collaboration among local advocates, partners and hospitals.

This upcoming CHNA will be conducted throughout 2026 and will cover Jan. 1, 2027, through Dec. 31, 2029. The region’s current CHNA runs through Dec. 31, 2026.

he Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, in conjunction with PNC Bank, are launching the second year of ‘Going to Bat for Small Business, presented by PNC.’ The initiative highlights an NEPA small business that has made a positive impact within the community.

The program gives small businesses a boost by leveraging the RailRiders’ powerful platform to promote a select company. Going to Bat for Small Business, presented by PNC, will spotlight one winning business during the 2026 season with a specialized RailRiders marketing package and hospitality night, including a first pitch at PNC Field, a suite night, social media and website recognition. 

“The success of local small businesses is critical to the continued economic growth and vibrancy of our Northeast Pennsylvania communities,” said Pete Danchak, PNC regional president for Northeast PA.

The winning business will also be part of a pre-game ceremony at PNC Field on July 21.

“Building on the momentum of the program’s inaugural year, we’re proud to again work with the RailRiders to help businesses that are making a positive difference increase their visibility and customer reach. Across our region, PNC teams work closely with small business owners to help them achieve their financial goals, and this program is another way we can help them elevate their stories and knock it out of the park,” said Danchack.

Small business nominations can be submitted online at https://www.milb.com/scranton-wb/community/going-to-bat. Nomination criteria, evaluation points, prize details and application guidelines can be accessed on the website. Only businesses in northeastern Pennsylvania will be considered.

Nominations will be accepted through May 15. A committee of leaders from PNC Bank and the RailRiders will serve as judges and will select the winner based on the positive influence a business has had on its respective community. The winner will be announced in mid-June.

For more information, visit https://www.milb.com/scranton-wb/community/going-to-bat.

WVIA public media is marking 60 years of service to Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania, celebrating six decades of educational programming, local storytelling, cultural connection, and, more recently, trusted journalism.

“WVIA’s mission remains clear: to inform, educate, and connect the communities we serve,” said WVIA President & CEO Carla McCabe. “From rural towns to growing suburban centers and urban neighborhoods, WVIA plays a vital role in ensuring access to trusted information and lifelong learning opportunities for all.”

Throughout its 60th anniversary year, WVIA will commemorate the milestone with special on-air programming, including Throwback Thursdays — a monthly primetime block featuring classic WVIA productions. Additional community events and initiatives will highlight the station’s history while engaging audiences in its future.

“For six decades, WVIA has been woven into the fabric of life across our region — sparking curiosity, enriching homes with music and learning, and bringing communities together,” said WVIA Board Chair Bob Kelly. “As we celebrate this milestone, we remain focused on the future: expanding local journalism, deepening educational outreach through WVIA Kids in the Classroom, and continuing to tell the evolving stories of Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania.”

Community members can stay informed about WVIA’s 60th Anniversary activities at wvia.org, through WVIA’s social media channels, and tuning in regularly to WVIA TV and WVIA Radio. 

In commemoration of WVIA’s 60th anniversary, on one Thursday a month WVIA will open up the vaults to present an evening of classic WVIA original productions.

Thursday, April 16th

• 8pm – State of Pennsylvania – Snakes, Lizards & Frogs, Oh My!
• 9pm – Looking to the River
• 10pm – Expedition Susquehanna

Thursday, May 21st:

• 8pm – State of Pennsylvania
• 9pm – Ubaldo
• 10pm – Journey to the Endless Mountains

Thursday, June 18th:

• 8pm – Remembering Agnes
• 9pm – Agnes 50: Life After the Flood
• 10pm – Peoples of the Susquehanna River

Thursday, July 16th:

• 8pm – William Warren Scranton: In A Clear Light
• 9pm – Barbara Weisberger: En Pointe
• 10pm – Judge William J. Nealon: At the Heart of It All

Thursday, August 20th:

• 8pm – Scranton The Once & Future City
• 9pm – Sister Adrian: The Mother Teresa of Scranton
• 9:30pm – Alvina Krause: Director
• 10pm – Last Waltz on A Tightrope

Thursday, September 24th:

• 8pm – Lyman H. Howe’s High Class Moving Pictures
• 8:30pm – The Best of Uncle Ted
• 9pm – Local TV: The Early Years
• 10pm – WARMLand Remembered