Eric Gatto Joins Fidelity Bank Wealth Management as Client Portfolio Manager Daniel J. Santaniello, President & Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, is pleased to announce that Eric Gatto has joined Fidelity Bank Wealth Management as a Client Portfolio Manager. In his new role, Gatto will assist the investment research team in building and managing client portfolios while supporting the overall investment strategy for clients. He will also collaborate with client segment leaders across the Bank and Wealth Management division to help deliver personalized investment solutions and exceptional service to clients. “We are excited to welcome Eric to Fidelity Bank Wealth Management,” said Santaniello. “His investment knowledge, analytical skillset, and commitment to helping clients achieve their financial goals make him a valuable addition to our team. As we continue to grow our Wealth Management services, Eric will play an important role in supporting our clients and enhancing the personalized experience they have come to expect from Fidelity Bank.” Gatto resides in Jefferson Township, Pennsylvania, and is a graduate of Holy Cross High School. He earned his degree from Penn State University, where he attended from 2014 to 2018. As Client Portfolio Manager, Gatto will work closely with Fidelity Bank Wealth Management team to support portfolio construction, investment research, and strategic client initiatives designed to help individuals, families, and businesses pursue their financial objectives.
Ricky Gower Joins Fidelity Bank as Vice President, Business Development Officer Daniel J. Santaniello, President & Chief Executive Officer of Fidelity Bank, announced Ricky Gower has joined Fidelity Bank as Vice President, Business Development Officer. In his role, Gower will focus on developing, cultivating, and growing business and commercial banking relationships throughout the market. He will work closely with business clients to understand their unique financial needs and help them achieve both their short- and long-term goals. His responsibilities also include strengthening existing client relationships, generating new business opportunities, and increasing the Bank’s visibility within the communities it serves. “We are excited to welcome Ricky to Fidelity Bank,” said Santaniello. “His extensive banking experience, commitment to relationship building, and deep ties to the Lehigh Valley make him a tremendous addition to our team. Ricky’s community-focused approach aligns perfectly with our mission of helping individuals, businesses, and communities thrive.” A resident of Slatington, Pennsylvania, Gower earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and Economics from Moravian University and is a graduate of Bethlehem Catholic High School. Beyond his professional accomplishments, Gower is actively involved in several community organizations. He serves as Board Secretary for the Lehigh County Redevelopment Authority, is a Finance Committee Member for the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority and serves as Treasurer of the Main Street Lehigh Valley Foundation. Reflecting on his new role, Gower said, “It is great and refreshing to be a part of an amazing team of local bankers who are family-oriented and have a huge opportunity to positively impact the markets we serve.” Outside of work, Gower enjoys spending time with his wife, Jessica, and their three children, Lena, Nico, and Evie. The family enjoys outdoor activities, including beach vacations, snowmobiling in New York’s Adirondack Mountains, and exploring new destinations together.
Tobyhanna Army Depot Recognizes Gilchrist as Supervisor of the Quarter Tactical Missile Branch Chief Don Gilchrist has once again been recognized for his leadership at Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD), earning the installation’s Supervisor of the Quarter award for the third quarter of Fiscal Year 2026. The honor marks the second time Gilchrist has received the recognition. He was first named Supervisor of the Quarter in 2024, highlighting his continued commitment to leadership and excellence throughout his career. Supervisor of the Quarter nominees may be submitted by subordinates, peers or supervisors. A panel of judges evaluates each nomination based on four criteria: accomplishment of duties, effectiveness as an example to others, efforts to improve local productivity, and demonstration of the Army’s core values. Gilchrist brings more than 34 years of professional experience to his role. An Air Force veteran, he spent 16 years serving and working for the Air Force before transitioning to Army civilian service more than a decade ago. Since joining the Army civilian workforce, he has applied his technical expertise to depot operations and earned the respect of colleagues and employees. Gene Haikes, Chief of the Mission Execution Directorate’s Avionics & Sensors Division, submitted Gilchrist’s nomination and highlighted his commitment to his employees, the mission and professional development. “Don’s stellar conduct and professional presence serve as a powerful source of inspiration and motivation for his staff, peers, and fellow leaders across the depot. He is eager to step forward to help other people and takes complete accountability for his team’s actions, no matter what consequences may arise from their work. Committed to progress, Don consistently guides and mentors various employees, helping them recognize and pursue pathways for professional advancement.” Gilchrist’s performance during the quarter also contributed to his selection. According to Haikes, Gilchrist and his team maintained a strong record of completing projects efficiently while supporting continuous improvement across the branch. “During the quarter, Don achieved an exceptional 100% frozen performance to promise average for all branch projects, marking the highest rate in the division and exceeding the depot standard by 11%. Working closely with his dedicated team, he routinely completes highly complex and challenging taskers well ahead of scheduled deadlines. He remains actively engaged in vital mid-month progress reviews, providing critical oversight. Furthermore, Don provides the necessary resources and support for his personnel to explore innovative methodologies, empowering them to find better, safer, and more efficient ways to accomplish the Tobyhanna mission.” For Gilchrist, effective supervision extends beyond performance metrics. Building trust and accountability within a team is central to his leadership philosophy. Reflecting on receiving the award for a second time, he pointed to the principles that have guided him throughout his career. “It’s like TYAD Commander Rob Lantka says, and it’s right from the military – respect, trust, accountability – I expect that in my workers, and my workers should expect that in me. Accountability is very important – we all have a mission to do, and we owe it to the warfighter to deliver a top product,” he said. Tobyhanna Army Depot is designated as the Center of Industrial and Technical Excellence for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, electronics, avionics, and missile guidance and control. The depot provides cradle-to-grave lifecycle support through depot-level repair, systems integration, software and cyber engineering, and field support. As a key contributor to operational readiness for joint and allied forces around the world, TYAD uses emerging technologies to expand the Department of War’s organic capabilities in areas including microelectronics, secure communications infrastructure, unmanned aerial systems, joint all-domain command and control, integrated air and missile defense, and the Army’s Next Generation Combat Systems. Through its ability to rapidly increase production, deploy field support teams and scale operations for contingency and theater-level missions, TYAD continues to play an important role in strengthening strategic readiness and operational reach.
NEPA Philharmonic & Partners Launch RxArts NEPA in Lackawanna County The NEPA Philharmonic — in collaboration with United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike Counties; the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging; Age Friendly Lackawanna; and Marywood University Music Therapy & Visual Art Therapy — announces the launch of RxArts NEPA, one of Pennsylvania’s first dedicated arts prescription programs for older adults. The innovative pilot initiative is designed to connect under-resourced adults age 55 and older with meaningful arts experiences that promote mental health, enhance quality of life, and combat loneliness and social isolation. The program provides six free daytime arts events over a six-month period, featuring a variety of arts disciplines based on participant artistic preferences and wellness priorities, to include music, visual art, drama, and other creative experiences. A two-year economic and qualitative analysis on the impacts of the program is underway in partnership with The Institute. The program is currently open to Lackawanna County residents age 55 and older along with their caregivers, with priority given to low-income individuals and those with limited access to social and artistic opportunities. Events for the inaugural cohort will be free and held monthly on select Tuesday afternoons from September through February at Marywood University; food and transportation assistance will be available to ensure accessibility for participants in need. Interested and eligible participants or care providers can submit a free referral for themselves or someone else, available at https://agefriendlylackawanna.com/arts-therapy/. “Arts prescribing is a creative way to reduce and combat social isolation among older adults,” says Sara McDonald, Director of the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging. “Through this partnership with the NEPA Philharmonic, older adults and caregivers will connect to meaningful activities, programs, and social activities aimed at creating social connections, building a sense of belonging, reducing loneliness, and connecting with others from our community. The Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging is grateful for this partnership and opportunity to pilot this innovative program. Programs like this are what make Lackawanna County the ideal Age Friendly Community!” “Social and arts prescribing programs are growing in their impact, reducing healthcare costs and improving health outcomes across more than 30 countries and dozens of cities and states in the United States,” says Chason Goldschmitz, NEPA PHIL Executive Director. “The NEPA PHIL is proud to be part of the Age Friendly Lackawanna collaborative and to partner with United Way and Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging, and we are excited to utilize the unique power of arts experiences to address the growing and critical health needs of our region, especially for older adults, through one of Pennsylvania’s first programs of this kind.” Prospective participants for RxArts NEPA may self-refer or be referred by healthcare providers, nonprofit organizations, county agencies, and municipal partners. Following a referral, a dedicated Arts Navigator will contact prospective participants to confirm eligibility and assess interests, artistic preferences, and wellness goals. Selected participants will join a cohort of more than 25 older adults and their caregivers who share similar interests and wellness priorities. Each cohort member will participate in six arts-centered experiences over a six-month period. Lunch and transportation assistance will be provided as needed through the support of local partners. The program is designed to support a broad range of wellness outcomes, including cognitive enrichment, confidence, empathy, creative expression, mobility, motivation, relaxation, reminiscence, resilience, socialization, happiness, and improved sleep quality. Organizers expect the initiative to measurably reduce social isolation while contributing to improved mental health and quality of life throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania. While the program is currently exclusive to Lackawanna County residents age 55 and older, the NEPA PHIL seeks to expand the program throughout the region with additional cohorts in 2027 and 2028. Support for this program has been provided by the Lackawanna County Area Agency on Aging; United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike; and the Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Women in Philanthropy and Community Needs initiatives. For more information about Age Friendly Lackawanna and the RxArts NEPA program, visit https://agefriendlylackawanna.com/arts-therapy/. For more information about the NEPA PHIL and upcoming public events, please visit https://nepaphil.org/.
Join Neighborworks at the fifth annual West Scranton Fall Festival This year, NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania is excited to present its fifth annual West Scranton Fall Festival! This event is FREE to the public and will be held on Saturday, September 19 from 12 p.m. noon to 5 p.m. at Clover Field (400 W Locust St, Scranton). The West Scranton Fall Festival is an annual family-friendly event celebrating the fall season. The NEPA Scene live music stage will feature an incredible lineup of local talent including DJ duo Cowgirl Pills and live music acts Tori V & The Karma and Brendan Michael Smith & The Susquehanna Boom Co. The festival will also feature food trucks, bounce houses and face painting for the kids, free caricature portraits, the Steamtown National Historic Site Ring of Fire, a live animal demonstration, mini golf, booths from local community partners providing activities and giveaways, and free popcorn for all.
WRC hosting 50th Golden Jubilee WRC, Inc. in Scranton is hosting its 50th Golden Jubilee on October 22 to celebrate the organization’s legacy, recognize the community members that have helped make its work possible, and look ahead to the organization’s next chapter. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Lace by Epicurean in Scranton. The evening’s program will offer guests an inside look at the critical services WRC provides, including housing, legal advocacy, and crisis support. Guests will also learn more about WRC’s pet program, which helps ensure that survivors do not have to choose between their own safety and the safety of their beloved pets. As part of the celebration, WRC will honor the Hawk and Frieder Families, whose steadfast support and commitment to WRC have helped advance the organization’s mission for decades. You can buy tickets and learn more about the 50th Golden Jubilee here. WRC’s mission for the past 50 years has been to eliminate domestic violence and sexual abuse through advocacy, education, and systemic change while empowering survivors with comprehensive, compassionate services.
Marywood University’s Center for Law, Justice & Policy Hosting Speaker Series “The Courts and Our Community” Marywood University’s Center for Law, Justice and Policy is hosting a Policy Perspectives speaker series, “The Courts and Our Community.” The lectures in the series are being offered during the fall semester on several Tuesdays at Noon at the Swartz Center on Marywood’s campus. These events are free and open to the public. The Honorable Karoline Mehalchick and the Honorable Jennifer Wilson, United States judges for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, are coordinating speakers for the series. Judges Mehalchick and Wilson are partnering with Patrick M. Seffrin, Ph.D., professor and director of the Center for Law, Justice, and Policy at Marywood, to present these events, which give participants the opportunity to engage with leading legal professionals and gain insight into key issues coming before the courts that affect the community. The series begins with a prospective student event slated for Wednesday, September 16, 10:30 AM until 1 PM, “The Courts and Our Community: Law & Justice Day,” exclusively for prospective students interested in the criminal justice, pre-law, and legal assistant fields. Register at https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/courts_sept16. The public lecture series provides the opportunity for anyone interested in contemporary issues coming before the courts to hear from legal professionals who specialize in these matters. The following events are scheduled: Tuesday, September 22: Introduction to Federal Courts and the Rule of Law – Presented by Judges Karoline Mehalchick and Jennifer Wilson, this session will provide an overview of the basic structure of the federal courts, what the rule of law means historically and today, and some of the major issues facing federal courts today. Tuesday, October 6: Modern Constitutional Issues – Presented by Magistrate Judge Martin Carlson (Ret.), Assistant United States Attorneys Carl Marchioli and Christian Haugsby, and former Assistant Federal Public Defender Fritz Ulrich, this session will include discussion of how the Constitution applies to everyday issues and recent interpretation and application of the Constitution by our courts. Thursday, October 20: Immigration Law – Presented by Professors Jill Family and Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, together with Attorney Tracey Hubbard, this session will focus on the current status of immigration laws in the United States and the interplay of the roles of the immigration proceedings and the federal courts. Tuesday, November 3: Election Law – Presented by Attorneys Donna Walsh and Nicole Boland, together with Marywood Professor Adam Shprintzen, this very timely session will discuss the modern constitutional issues pertinent to election and voting law in the United States. Tuesday, November 17: Advocacy & Judicial Decision Making – Presented by Judge Thomas Vanaskie (Ret.), Assistant United States Attorney Jenny Roberts, and Attorney Christopher Opiel, along with Judges Karoline Mehalchick and Jennifer Wilson, the final session will explore how cases move through the federal court system, the issues attorneys face in advocating for their clients, and how judges ultimately reach their decisions. For more information about the Center for Law, Justice, and Policy at Marywood University, visit: marywood.edu/academics/center-for-law-justice-policy, email legalcenter@marywood.edu, or connect via social media on Facebook (Marywood Center for Law, Justice and Policy) and X (@MU_LEGAL_CENTER).
Johnson College to take part in Building Futures Skilled Trades Coalition Johnson College was invited to participate in the Lowe’s Foundation Building Futures Skilled Trades Coalition, the largest cross-sector skilled trades coalition in U.S. history. The coalition brings together more than 75 organizations from across the country to help train and develop 1 million people for skilled trades careers by 2035. The coalition comes as the United States faces a significant skilled trades workforce shortage, with an estimated 2.1 million skilled trades jobs potentially going unfilled by 2030, according to the U.S. Department of Education. For Johnson College, the initiative builds on more than a century of preparing students for careers in the skilled trades and its continued commitment to meeting workforce needs through career and technical education. “Preparing skilled technicians and technologists for meaningful careers has always been at the heart of what we do,” said Dr. Katie Pittelli, president and CEO of Johnson College. “Being invited to join this coalition allows us to work alongside organizations across the country to create more opportunities for people to discover, prepare for and succeed in the skilled trades.” The coalition brings together educators, businesses, workforce organizations, corporate leaders, industry vendors and other stakeholders, including NVIDIA, AT&T, Bank of America, Carrier, General Motors, DEWALT and Duke Energy. The Building Futures Skilled Trades Coalition will focus on three key areas: Changing perceptions of careers in the skilled trades; Investing in, connecting and scaling proven training and credentialing solutions; and Collectively measuring progress from training to employment. The coalition builds on the Lowe’s Foundation’s Gable Grants program, which launched in 2023 and has grown into a national network of 73 community colleges and nonprofits across 30 states. Johnson College was one of just 12 institutions of higher education nationwide selected to receive a Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grant in 2025, receiving $450,000 to support skilled trades education. The success of the Gable Grants program helped lead the foundation to expand its national mission to train and develop 250,000 tradespeople by 2035 through a $250 million investment. Coalition members will work across industries, including construction, automotive manufacturing, telecommunications, energy, HVAC, technology and financial services, to strengthen the skilled trades talent pipeline from recruitment through career advancement.
“25 in 25: Additions to The Maslow Collection since 2001” Exhibit at Marywood University The Maslow Study Gallery for Contemporary Art at Marywood University will present “25 in 25: Additions to The Maslow Collection since 2001” to begin Marywood’s fall semester exhibition schedule. Featuring 25 works added to the Collection over the past 25 years, the exhibition offers a focused look at the continued growth and evolution of The Maslow Collection since its relationship with Marywood University began. “25 in 25” also coincides with the Marywood Art Department Alumni Exhibition, on view through September 19 in the Mahady Gallery, celebrating 25 years since the opening of the Insalaco Studio Arts Center. Together, the exhibitions mark a quarter-century of artistic growth, collecting, and creative life at Marywood. “25 in 25” also serves as a preview to “An Enduring Vision: Richard Maslow and The Maslow Collection,” a major exhibition opening September 25 across the Maslow Study Gallery for Contemporary Art, Mahady Gallery, and Suraci Gallery. Presented in tribute to the late Richard Maslow (1932–2024), the exhibition will bring together many of the artists and works he most admired while tracing the history, development, and enduring legacy of The Maslow Collection. Opening Reception: October 8, 5:00-7:30 p.m. “25 in 25: Additions to The Maslow Collection since 2001” features work by: Ant Farm, Robert Barry, Dale Chihuly, Gianfranco Gorgoni, Jane Hammond, David Hockney, Clint Jukkala, Michael Lindgren, Anne Lloyd, Allison Maslow, Kevin O’Toole, Katherine Porter, Ad Reinhardt, David Reed, Edward Ruscha, Richard Serra, Robert Smithson, Anthony Sorce, Andy Warhol, and Ryan Ward.
Scranton Counseling Center to host Illuminating Hope event Scranton Counseling Center’s Illuminating Hope event will take place on Wednesday, October 14 from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Lace by Epicurean (1315 Meylert Avenue Building 3 in Scranton). The event will celebrate World Mental Health Day. There will be a cash bar, appetizers, raffle baskets, and meaningful conversation about the importance of accessible mental health care in the community. Tickets are $100 per person and can be purchased here. All proceeds from the event will go toward funding the programs and operations at Scranton Counseling Center. Anyone with questions about the event can call (570) 348-6100 ext 3222.
