Marywood School of Architecture Honored With Social Impact Award Marywood University is proud to announce that its School of Architecture (MUSOA) has been selected for the 2025 Social Impact Award from the American Institute of Architects Pennsylvania (AIA Pennsylvania). This honor is part of the AIA Pennsylvania Architectural Excellence Special Awards program, which recognizes outstanding contributions by individuals, organizations, and institutions that advance the built environment and the architectural profession across the Commonwealth. The Social Impact Award celebrates design work that advances positive social, environmental, and economic change. The recognition highlights efforts that are innovative, scalable, and measurable – underscoring the belief that design is a powerful tool for improving lives, strengthening communities, and shaping a better world. “The School of Architecture at Marywood University has a deeply rooted commitment to teaching the value of impacting community through design,” said Catherine Broh, AIA, Secretary, Executive Committee, AIA Pennsylvania Board of Directors, who presented the award. “For years, their faculty, staff, and students have actively partnered with local and regional communities to provide meaningful design assistance that addresses real world challenges in the northeast region of the state.” Broh cited projects that encompass designing and constructing a range of community-focused solutions, including much needed bus stops for a nearby town, community gardens that demonstrate how design can be both pragmatic and beautiful, and teaching local elementary students how design impacts their lives. Recent MUSOA initiatives include: Observe Scranton festivals in partnership with the Center for the Living City (2021, 2023, 2025) Garden Structures for Camp Create (2025) Virtual Reconstruction of a Railcar at Steamtown National Historic Site (2025) LightUP Everhart for the Everhart Museum (2024) Architecture in Schools K–12 Education Initiative (2021–2024) Hosting the International & Northeast Pennsylvania Regional Bridge Building Competitions (2022, 2025) Glacier Jane: zero-energy renovation of the Mariner’s Unit at Girl Scouts’ Camp Archbald (2022–2024), awarded Second Prize in the Retrofit Housing Division of the 2023 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon Design Challenge Adaptive Reuse of the Gravity Slope Colliery for the Borough of Archbald (2021–2024) Barn Renovation for Arthur’s Acres Animal Sanctuary (2023) Public Space Design for the Garden of Cedar (2021–2025) Recreational Infrastructure for the Lackawanna River Conservation Association (2022) Adaptive Reuse of the Former PNC Bank for the Black Scranton Project Center for Arts & Culture (2021) Bus Shelters for Valley in Motion (2021) Electric Jane: net-zero townhouses for Endless Mountains Habitat for Humanity (2020–2021), awarded First Prize in the Attached Housing Division of the 2021 U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon Design Challenge Through hands-on partnerships and community-driven design, MUSOA empowers students to engage with people of all social and economic backgrounds and encourages the next generation of designers to positively impact their communities as they develop into architects. The Marywood University School of Architecture (MUSOA) received the 2025 Social Impact Award from the American Institute of Architects Pennsylvania (AIA Pennsylvania) on December 4. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to advance the built environment and the architectural profession across the Commonwealth. MUSOA faculty members include, from left to right, LiYang Ding, Elizabeth Andrzejewski, Christopher Loofs, Jodi La Coe (MUSOA Director, holding award), Jim Sullivan, and Blake Nickel.
SACF: Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation Honored The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation has been recognized with the Outstanding Foundation Award by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter at the annual National Philanthropy Day Luncheon held on Friday, November 21, 2025, at The Woodlands Inn & Resort. This prestigious award celebrates the Foundation’s extraordinary leadership, strategic philanthropy, and deep commitment to advancing the health and well-being of Northeastern Pennsylvanians. The Board of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation accepts the Outstanding Foundation Award at AFP NEPA’s National Philanthropy Day Luncheon on November 21, 2025. (L–R: Kerry O’Grady, Dr. Chris Dressel, James Clemente, Michael Clemente, Marie Roke Thomas, Laura Ducceschi, Dr. Peter Cognetti, Michele McGowan, Jason Woloski, M.D., Cathy Mihalick, Hon. Terrence R. Nealon.) Established from the sale of Mercy Hospital, the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation has continued to uphold its mission: reducing health disparities, improving access to care, and fostering collaboration across Lackawanna, Luzerne, and Wyoming Counties. Since its inception, the Foundation has invested millions in programs that address both immediate health needs and long-term, systemic change, always through a lens of equity and community partnership. “The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation is an extraordinary force for good in our region,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “Beyond its generosity, the Foundation is a true convener—listening deeply, responding compassionately, and leading collaboratively to strengthen the healthcare system for everyone in our community. We were honored to nominate them for this well-deserved recognition.” A defining pillar of the Foundation’s impact is its highly successful Careers in Care initiative, designed to address critical workforce shortages across the health care economy. Since 2020, the Careers in Care Nursing Scholarship Program has awarded over $975,000 in scholarship funding to 131 individuals, many of whom are now employed in local healthcare settings. The initiative expands opportunities for underrepresented and economically disadvantaged students to pursue family-sustaining careers in nursing and the health professions—creating long-term benefits for the region’s workforce and patients alike. The Foundation also established the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation Scholars Program at the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine (GCSOM), a multi-year $3.2 million commitment that has supported 20 medical students from the tri-county region who are dedicated to practicing medicine in Northeastern Pennsylvania. These investments strengthen the long-term physician pipeline and ensure access to high-quality care for future generations. “The Foundation’s leadership has been especially crucial during the ongoing hospital crisis in Lackawanna County. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation partnered with regional philanthropic organizations to provide emergency support, sustain critical services, and advocate for solutions that prioritize community well-being. This timely and strategic response exemplifies what community-centered philanthropy looks like in action,” Ducceschi added. Beyond workforce development and crisis response, the Foundation has made targeted investments in youth mental health, nonprofit capacity building, rural health access, and community collaboration, uplifting innovation and directing resources where they are most urgently needed. “This award reflects the Board’s integrity, compassion, and unwavering belief that meaningful change happens when we work together,” Ducceschi added. “Their impact is felt in classrooms, hospitals, clinics, and communities throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.” For more information about the Northeastern Pennsylvania Health Care Foundation, visit nepahealthcarefoundation.org.
WBRE/WYOU Launch “12 Days of Streaming” for Free App WBRE and WYOU announced the launch of “The 12 Days of Streaming,” a special campaign to introduce the region’s newest free streaming platform, 28/22 Now. The campaign will showcase available programming daily across WBRE and WYOU’s social media platforms and include a sweepstakes offering prizes such as a $1,500 ShurSave gift card and deluxe carpet cleaning from NEPA Cleaning Pros. The 28/22 Now streaming app is completely free to download and use, offering unlimited access to all local 28/22 newscasts, Future Alert Weather, 28/22 Sports, Pa Live, and entertainment programming. Available on Roku, Apple TV, and Fire TV with no subscription required, the app keeps viewers connected to breaking news, severe weather updates, and live coverage 24/7, making it perfect for cord cutters who want local news and programming. “We are thrilled to bring the 28/22 Now streaming app to Northeast Pennsylvania,” said Andrew Wyatt, Vice President and General Manager of WBRE-TV. “This app provides free access to live newscasts and quality entertainment anywhere in the United States. Whether you’re home in NEPA or traveling, you can stay connected to what’s happening in our community.” In addition to the holiday campaign, WBRE/WYOU are excited to announce a new partnership with the Ryan Leckey Show, which will now be available on the 28/22 Now streaming app. This collaboration brings Ryan’s signature energy and engaging content to viewers, further expanding the app’s lineup of local programming. To participate in the 12 DAYS OF STREAMING sweepstakes, viewers must download the free streaming app and enter on the 28/22 Now streaming app. Sweepstakes details, including prize information and official rules, are available in the 28/22 Now app. For more information about THE 12 DAYS OF STREAMING, visit 2822news.com or download the 28/22 Now streaming app on any Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV device.
SCC Announces The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple and Magic City Productions will present The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA on February 3 at 7:00 PM. The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA, produced by 21st Century Artists, has shared the ultimate tribute show throughout North America for over 20 years. The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA continues to be the top ABBA Tribute group in the world, dazzling all who see their fantastic performance while playing the band’s most iconic hits, including “Mamma Mia,” “S.O.S.,” “Money, Money, Money,” “Knowing Me, Knowing You,” “Waterloo,” “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme,” “Dancing Queen,” and more. Audiences and the press all agree, “this is the closest to ABBA you’ll ever get!” The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA will take place in the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Theatre, located on the building’s first floor, with doors opening for bar and concessions at 6:00 PM. Tickets start at $58.05 (includes fees), and will be available for purchase beginning Friday, December 12 at 10 AM at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster. For more information or to view a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org. WHO: The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple and Magic City Productions WHAT: The Concert: A Tribute to ABBA WHEN: February 3 at 7:00 PM WHERE: Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple; Weinberg Theatre, First Floor 420 N. Washington Avenue – Scranton, PA 18503 PRICES: Starting at $58.05 (includes fees)
Tobyhanna’s Technical Publications Team Essential Behind the Scenes When a new military system reaches the hands of the nation’s warfighters, one essential component often goes unnoticed: the manual that teaches them how to use, maintain, and troubleshoot it. At Tobyhanna Army Depot, a small but highly specialized team ensures those instructions are accurate, reliable, and ready for the battlefield. Tobyhanna’s Technical Publications Branch has been developing the technical manuals that accompany military systems, ranging from large tactical shelters and radar platforms to handheld radios and communications headsets, for multiple decades. Tobyhanna’s Technical Publications Branch has been developing the technical manuals that accompany military systems, ranging from large tactical shelters and radar platforms to handheld radios and communications headsets, for multiple decades. These manuals are not what the average consumer would expect to find in a new television set or cell phone, for example. These “tech manuals” are large, complex documents, often hundreds or even thousands of pages long that must follow strict standards set by the Department of War. “We’re taking complex engineering data and turning it into something a soldier can use in an austere environment,” said Technical Publications Branch Supervisor Peter Moore. Soldiers are often depending on these manuals in extreme weather, life-or-death situations where they may have limited background on the systems. Technical Writer-Editor Kevin Slater said everything is written with that context in mind. “Never assume the reader has time to guess. Assume they’re cold and holding a 20-pound wrench,” said Slater. The branch’s workforce is as diverse as its mission. Engineers, technicians, illustrators, drafters, and journalists all contribute to producing a complete manual. The work they perform goes far beyond sitting at a desk and typing away. It truly is part technical, part mechanical, and a part design role. Tobyhanna’s Technical Publications team estimated that approximately 95 percent of the branch’s workload comes from outside the depot. The team supports Army program offices nationwide, the Marine Corps, and occasionally the Navy and Air Force. When a contractor doesn’t have its own writers or when a program office needs an authoritative military manual, they often turn to Tobyhanna. Creating a manual is a deeply hands-on process. Writers and engineers frequently travel to units or manufacturers to examine equipment firsthand, take reference photos, perform operational steps, and work side-by-side with soldiers and subject-matter experts. Provisioners research every part used in a system, ensuring it’s available for the entire 20 to 30-year life cycle of a system, documented, and supported and then compile that data into detailed parts lists soldiers use to order replacements. “Our job is to make sure every piece of equipment can be operated and maintained safely for its entire life cycle,” said Technical Writer-Editor Jacob Crawford. Each manual concludes with a verification event in which a user follows the instructions step-by-step to ensure accuracy before the system can be fielded. The work of Tobyhanna’s Technical Publications Branch is complex, meticulous, and sometimes invisible to the public, but its impact is felt on the battlefield when soldiers desperately need it. “Every system needs a book,” said Configuration Management Specialist Carleton Henning. “And we make sure that book works for the soldier who needs it most.” This illustration depicts a power supply and labels each item a user will need to be able to identify when removing or installing it.
Wright Center Planning North Scranton Expansion The Wright Center for Community Health has begun a $5 million project to build a community health center in North Scranton, expanding access to primary care, behavioral health, and dental services across Lackawanna County. The new, two-story community health center will be located at 1727-1729 N. Main St., next door to The Wright Center for Community Health North Scranton’s current location at 1721 N. Main Ave. The building was the longtime office of Dr. Paul Remick. The Wright Center began offering primary care services there when Dr. Remick retired in 2023 to minimize disruption for his longtime patients and to expand access to affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary health services for patients of all ages, income levels, and insurance statuses. The Wright Center purchased the property at 1727-1729 N. Main St. in February 2025 because the demand for health care services outpaced the available space in the existing building. The existing location also needs additional parking spots and infrastructure improvements. “We’ve seen a growing demand for health care services since we opened our community health center in North Scranton more than two years ago,” said Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth, senior vice president and enterprise chief operations and strategy officer at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “We did not have the capacity to continue our growth in our existing primary care office building. We’re privileged to be able to invest in the long-term health and welfare of the North Scranton community to ensure residents’ current and future health care needs are satisfied.” The construction project will create a nearly 8,000-square-foot, two-story community health center offering primary care, behavioral health care, and dental services. In addition to 10 exam rooms on the first floor and four dental operatories and four behavioral health treatment rooms on the second floor, the building will also have a space for lab services. The Wright Center plans to break ground on the project in the spring with a tentative completion date of fall/winter 2026. A Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP) grant of $984,585 will fund part of this project. While construction is underway, Wright Center staff will continue to treat patients at the existing community health center. Once construction of the new building is complete, the clinic will move into the new, expanded space, and the clinic at 1721 N. Main Ave. will be razed. The Wright Center recently completed a similar expansion project in Wilkes-Barre, albeit on a much larger scale. The Luzerne County project won a Pride of Place Award from the Greater Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce last month. The award recognizes The Wright Center’s thoughtful, intentional design for the present and future health care needs in Luzerne County. Read more about that project at TheWrightCenter.org/news. “We’re really excited for this opportunity to invest in the community of North Scranton and the greater Scranton area. Northeast Pennsylvania continues to have an unmet need for our integrated model of providing whole-person primary health care, behavioral health care, and dental services at one location,” Dr. Sheth said. “Our projects in Wilkes-Barre and North Scranton are being built from the ground up as part of our mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through responsive, whole-person health services for all and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve.” As a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike, commonly known as an FQLA, The Wright Center operates a network of 13 community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. For more information, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-209-0019
RailRiders Unveil 2026 CHAMP’S Home Run Readers Program The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and Red Robin are thrilled to announce a new reading program. CHAMP’S Home Run Readers is a premier reading program developed exclusively for elementary and middle schools in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and surrounding communities. This challenge will run from March 2 through March 22, 2026. CHAMP’S Home Run Readers are tasked with tracking their reading minutes outside of the classroom. While only at-home, out-of-school reading counts, this can include school curriculum books, self-chosen books, and both digital and print materials. A reader’s time can also include minutes a parent or guardian reads aloud to the student, encouraging family literacy. They believe in celebrating every milestone in reading. Prizes are awarded based on the student’s highest achievement tier. Each student who participates will receive a coupon courtesy of Red Robin. Single – Read under 400 minutes and receive a participation certificate. Double – Read at least 400 minutes and receive a participation certificate plus two tickets for a specified RailRiders game. Triple – Read at least 800 minutes and receive a participation certificate plus four tickets for a specified RailRiders game. Home Run – Read 1,300 or more minutes and receive a participation certificate plus four tickets for a specified RailRiders game, a first pitch at a specified RailRiders home game and a RailRiders t-shirt. Top Overall Reader: On-Field recognition at a RailRiders game, an autographed baseball PLUS a photo with CHAMP. Student tickets are redeemable on June 9 or June 10, 2026. All prizes are subject to change. CHAMP’S Home Run Readers efforts will be tracked by program coordinators at the student’s school. Each school will designate a program coordinator to assist in the process. Any teacher that has their classroom participate in this challenge, the Program Coordinator and Principal will be awarded a ticket voucher redeemable for four tickets to a 2026 RailRiders game. Some restrictions may apply, and seats are based on availability. The top five schools with the most student participation will receive a suite for a RailRiders game for 12 staff members (food and beverage not included) for a mutually agreed upon date. The top school will receive $250 towards a school Amazon Wish List. The deadline for registering is February 13, 2026. The RailRiders’ 2026 campaign begins on the road March 27 with the home opener at PNC Field scheduled for April 7. Season ticket memberships, including premium seating, full season, half season and partial plans, are on sale now. Learn more about CHAMP’S Home Run Readers, presented by Red Robin, online at swbrailriders.com or by calling (570) 969-2255.
Allied Services VP Retires, Receives Flag From SourceAmerica SourceAmerica representative Marshelle Gaspar presented a ceremonial flag to Bob Ames at a reception today in recognition of and celebration of his upcoming retirement from Allied Services after 35+ years of empowering and enriching the lives of adults with disabilities. Bill Conaboy, President & CEO of Allied Services, first introduced Bob Ames at the reception to many colleagues and thanked Bob for his leadership and loyalty to our organization and for the accomplishments Bob achieved on behalf of adults with disabilities, who live and work with us, across four decades. In her presentation, Marshelle thanked Bob for his advocacy for and commitment to employment opportunities for adults with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as explaining the flag was made by adults with disabilities through one of the SourceAmerica partners in California. Left to right: Marshelle Gaspar, Nonprofit Liaison, East Region, SourceAmerica, Bob Ames, Vice President, Community Services and Real Estate, Allied Services, Bill Conaboy, Esq., President & CEO, Allied Services Integrated Health System.
Equestrian House: Close to the Slopes, Far From the Crowds There’s a secret tucked away in Northeastern Pennsylvania: Elk Mountain—a ski resort that draws skiers and snowboarders who prefer solid terrain, night skiing (a welcome little adventure under the stars), and more time on the slopes than waiting in lift lines. It’s unpretentious in the best way and truly one of the best-kept winter secrets. And Equestrian House’s vacation rentals—a log cabin and several cottages and suites—are just 16 miles away, roughly a half-hour drive through pretty countryside. After a day of hurling oneself down snowy slopes, guests have the luxury of returning to their own quiet place instead of a packed hotel lobby full of clattering boots and noisy retellings of wipeouts. Here, guests can kick off their boots, sink into a couch, and feel that particular satisfaction that comes from a good day on the mountain. And it seems the sporting thing to do to mention that this ski season, from mid-December through mid-March, Equestrian House is offering 35% off any midweek stay of three nights or longer (Sunday through Thursday). Winter fills up faster than most would think, so check availability before all the sensible winter lovers claim the dates. Click here for more information. Check the Elk Mountain webcams for real-time slope conditions.
