NEPIRC Announces New President/CEO Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC) is under new leadership. NEPIRC’s Board of Directors recently announced the promotion of Drew Mackie to the role of President/CEO, effective July 1, 2025. Mackie will lead the organization with the mission to empower small and mid-sized manufacturers with world-class assessment, performance evaluation, training, and consultative services. The NEPIRC team provides consultative and training services to more than 1,000 firms and 44,000 manufacturing employees across an 11-county region of northeastern, northern and parts of central Pennsylvania helping them grow and thrive in a highly competitive global manufacturing economy. In a search that spanned the nation, Mackie’s appointment is a testament to his distinguished career of more than 23 years of experience in client services and small business manufacturing support. NEPIRC Board President Gregory Stanton, who led the executive search committee that vetted 44 applicants, expressed enthusiasm about Mackie’s appointment, stating, “Drew’s experience was unmatched in the search, and his deep commitment to our center’s mission resonates profoundly for our future.” Stanton said that after a thorough national search, the best candidate was in front of them at NEPIRC. He added, “We are confident that Drew’s vision, combined with the dedication of the NEPIRC staff and the support of our community of manufacturers, will lead NEPIRC to even greater heights.” Prior to his appointment to President/CEO, Mackie held the position of Executive Vice President at NEPIRC for nearly three years, and CFO, a position in which he focused on the center’s program management, staff leadership, and grant compliance, for nine years. In addition to overseeing all the center’s programmatic activities, Mackie was responsible for increasing the visibility, reach, and outcomes of the center’s mission and strategy, and supporting the manufacturers within the center’s 11-county region. Mackie said, “It is with great honor and appreciation that I accept this promotion. I have deep respect for the depth and breadth of services NEPIRC offers. I am deeply grateful for the trust the Board of Directors has placed in me, and enthusiastic about leading the center into its next chapter of growth and impact to the region.” Mackie, who is a certified public accountant, was a partner at the accounting firm Ginader Jones & Company LLP, where he focused on client support and compliance activities. He also served in the senior and staff accountant roles, illustrating his ability to adapt and advance within challenging environments. Mackie earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Scranton and is a graduate of the Tab Wilkins Emerging Leaders program from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) The Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP).
Honesdale National Bank – Lemnitzer Fund Supports Graduates The Ernest and Margaret Lemnitzer Memorial Fund, administered by the Trust Department at The Honesdale National Bank and local Honesdale businessman, Paul Meagher, continued its support of those pursuing higher education with the awarding of scholarships to 2025 graduates with a total distribution of $35,993.78. The Ernest and Margaret Lemnitzer Memorial Fund was created by these prominent Honesdale residents to support designated charitable organizations within Wayne County, as well as to provide scholarships to deserving graduates of Wayne Highlands High School. Ernest was the brother of the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Honesdale resident, Lyman Lemnitzer. Jayson Reager and Jess Rylan Montgomery, both 2025 graduates of Wayne Highlands High School, were selected as this year’s recipients of the Ernest and Margaret Lemnitzer Scholarships. These awards recognize academic excellence and a commitment to furthering education. Jayson Reager will attend Messiah University to study Nursing. Jess Rylan Montgomery will attend Penn State University to study Business. The Honesdale National Bank Trust Department has managed the investments of the Memorial Fund since its inception in 1991. Through prudent investment of the trust assets, grants in excess of $3,169,000 have been paid to qualifying recipients to date. A total of $519,764.44 has been distributed through the Ernest and Margaret Lemnitzer Scholarships alone. For more information about the HNB Financial Group, please call 570-253-3355 or visit the HNB Corporate Center in Honesdale. The Honesdale National Bank, established in 1836, holds the distinction of being the area’s oldest independent community bank headquartered in Northeastern PA, with offices in Wayne, Pike, Susquehanna, Lackawanna, and Luzerne Counties. The Honesdale National Bank offers personal banking, business banking and wealth solutions. For more information on HNB’s products and services, visit www.hnbbank.bank.
Johnson College Seeking Vehicle Participants for “Truck & Cruiser Palooza” Johnson College is inviting local individuals, businesses, emergency services, and organizations to participate in its upcoming Truck & Cruiser Palooza, a family-friendly, hands-on vehicle experience and fundraiser taking place Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, at the Johnson College Scranton campus, located at 3427 North Main Ave. Truck & Cruiser Palooza is an interactive, family-friendly event where kids can climb aboard and explore a wide range of vehicles while meeting the professionals who operate them. Plus, there will be classic cars and other vehicles showcased during the event. Suggested donation for attendees is $5 to $10 per family, with all proceeds benefiting Johnson College’s SkillsUSA Club. The college is seeking a wide variety of vehicles to display and engage with children and families. Interested participants are encouraged to bring vehicles in the following categories: Construction vehicles: Dump trucks, excavators, backhoes, cranes, cement mixers, and other heavy machinery Emergency services vehicles: Fire trucks (including pump and ladder trucks), ambulances, police cruisers Utility and service vehicles: Garbage trucks, recycling trucks, snow plows, road paving equipment, bucket trucks, oil tankers, tow trucks Transportation vehicles: Semi-trucks, big rigs, moving vans, charter buses, school buses Military vehicles: Army transport trucks, armored vehicles Specialty vehicles: Monster trucks, tractors, and other unique or custom rides To register a vehicle or for more information, contact Sam Lehman at slehman@johnson.edu or 570-702-8341.
Greater Scranton YMCA to Host Hawaiian Hula Hustle 5K Run Race proceeds will benefit the Y’s Financial Assistance Program The Greater Scranton YMCA will host a Hawaiian Hula Hustle 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk on Sunday, August 24th, 2025. Event proceeds will support the Y’s Annual Support Campaign, which provides scholarship funding to individuals and families in need, allowing them to benefit from all the Y has to offer. Registration is open. The cost for participants over the age of 12 is $25. Participants 12- years-old and younger are free. Race day registration is available for $35.00. Day of race check-in and packet pick-up will open at 8:00 a.m. Following the race, the Y is inviting participants to stay for a post-race Luau, including live music, refreshments, and a medal ceremony. “The Greater Scranton YMCA is proud to award financial assistance to individuals and families in need, allowing them to benefit from all our Y has to offer” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “It’s because of the generosity of our donors and the support of our community that we are able to make such an impact. The Hawaiian Hula Hustle 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk will serve as a celebration of community—bringing us together for a day of fun and support for those in need.” For more information and to register, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/PA/Dunmore/TheGreaterScrantonYMCAHawaiianHulaHustle. For questions about the Hawaiian Hula Hustle 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk, contact Brandon Whipple, Senior Program Director, at bwhipple@gsymca.org.
Nomad Yoga to Hold ‘Vino and Vinyasa’ Enjoy a 60 minute Slow Yoga Flow in the gardens of Wood Winery, followed by a drink of your choice! Date: Thurs, July 24 Time: 6:00pm Location: Wood Winery, Madison Twp PA Cost: $20 Registration: Reservations are required. Call/text Rebecca to sign up 570.591.1637
NEPA Youth Shelter Appoints New Executive Director The NEPA Youth Shelter board of directors proudly announces the appointment of John W. Rosengrant, MPA, LCSW, CPRP, as its new executive director. This leadership transition will follow the dedicated tenure of Founder Maureen Maher-Gray, whose work has made the organization a pillar in the community. As previously announced, Maureen will retire as of June 30, 2025. With nearly 25 years of experience in the human services field, John, a licensed clinical social worker, brings a wealth of expertise, particularly in supporting transitional age youth (ages 16–21), homelessness and mental health services. For the last few years, he has served as the executive director of a small nonprofit in Scranton called Katie’s Place Clubhouse where he provided social and vocational opportunities to those living with mental illness. John’s connection to NEPA Youth Shelter’s mission runs deep – having served on the board since 2019, including roles as secretary and president, he was instrumental in the formation of the organization’s housing and mental wellness programs. John earned a bachelor of arts in psychology from Wilkes University and a master of social work and master of public administration from Marywood University. “I’m honored to continue the incredible legacy Maureen has built,” said John. “I’m eager to lead NEPA Youth Shelter into the next chapter — one focused on ensuring sustainability and deepening our impact for as many young people as possible.” In addition to maintaining the foundation already in place, John envisions growth in programs and outreach with the goal of making the organization the go-to resource for transitional age youth in the region. His leadership is rooted in a deep understanding of the community’s needs and a commitment to ensuring that every young person receives the support they deserve. “I am excited that John shares my vision for the organization,” says Maureen. ‘He will carry the heart of what we do, valuing every person who comes through our door, into his tenure.” Board President Andrew Cutillo, Esq., says, “Those of us who have served on the board with John have long been impressed by his vision, his expertise, his thoughtful leadership and his humble commitment to service. We’re excited for our amazing community of teens, volunteers, partners and supporters to get to know that same John in his new role as executive director of the NEPA Youth Shelter.”
U.S. Small Business Administration to Hold Roundtable Discussing Consumer Product Safety Regulations On Wednesday, July 16, 2025, the Office of Advocacy will hold a Small Business Roundtable seeking feedback on Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) regulations that should be repealed or reformed. The roundtable will take place from 2:00pm to 3:30pm ET via Microsoft Teams. View the roundtable agenda and register here. Summary of the CPSC’s Request for Information The CPSC’s mission is to protect consumers from risks of injury or death associated with consumer products. It does this by developing safety standards, issuing recalls, and enforcing regulations for a vast range of consumer products. Regulations and other practices that do not reasonably advance the CPSC’s mission, but instead create unnecessary burdens and costs, restrict consumer choice, or reduce competition, entrepreneurship, and innovation, should generally be eliminated or modified. On June 12, 2025, the CPSC published a Request for Information (RFI) seeking comments and information on opportunities for the CPSC to reduce burdens and costs of its existing rules, regulations, or practices, without impacting safety. Advocacy is asking members of the public, including consumers, manufacturers, retailers, potential market entrants, and others, to comment on ways the CPSC can reduce burdens and costs of existing rules, regulations, guidance, interpretations, or practices without increasing the risk of death or injury to consumers. Some examples of such burdens include, but are not limited to: Product testing and certification requirements Labeling or tracking label requirements Record keeping mandates Packaging or warning label placement rules Overlapping or duplicative compliance with other federal agencies Delays or lack of clarity in approval, exemption, or waiver processes Establishing new expecations or enforcement actions without going through the appropriate rule making process To help identify burdens, here are some questions to consider: Do you make or sell physical products that people typically use in their everyday life such as things for the home, kids, personal use, or hobbies? Have you had to stop making or selling a product, or changed how you made it, because someone said it may be unsafe? Have you made changes to your prodyct packaging, design, or labeling because of a government requirement? Have you been told you need to add warning labels, hang tags, or special packaging to your products, even if customers were not asking for them? Does meeting safety rules add a lot of costs and/or time to making or selling your products? Do safety requirements make it harder for you to grow or launch new products? Have you ever delayed or canceled a product because of testing requirements or paperwork issues? Have you had to hire someone to handle safety rules or paperwork? Have you ever been confused by a government safety requirement or felt unsure about what is required? Are there safety requirements that feel unnecessary or outdated for the kinds of products you make or sell? Has a product you make or sell been rejected, even though you have not received a complaint about the product? Are there other challenges or barriers affecting your business that aren’t listed above? Advocacy is holding this roundtable to give small entities an opportunity to explain how they are impacted by current CPSC regulations and to recommend solutions. Small business owners who answered “yes” to one or more of the above questions are strongly encouraged to participate in the roundtable and share your experiences. Should you have questions, or if you’re unable to attend but would like to email your feedback, please contact Assistant Chief Counsel Shanerika Flemings at shanerika.flemings@sba.gov.
Circle Drive-In Upcoming Movie Showings This week at Circle Drive-In: Wednesday, July 9th: FREE Community Movie Night – 150 years of Dickson City Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm Screen One: “Smokey and the Bandit” (PG – 1977) at 9:00 pm Friday, July 11th & Saturday, July 12th: Double Features Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm Screen One: “Superman” (PG-13 – 2025) at 9:00 pm “F1: The Movie” (PG-13 – 2025) at 11:40 pm Screen Two: “Jurassic World: Rebirth” (PG-13 – 2025) at 9:15 pm “M3GAN 2.0” (PG-13 – 2025) at 11:50 pm Sunday, July 13th Circle Giant Flea Fair from 6:00 am – 2:00 pm (Vendor Gates at 5:00 am) New vendors are always welcome, no pre-registration required! Come out & sell your crafts, artisan items, homemade products, spring cleaning treasures & more – every Sunday! Learn more at circledrive-in/fleafair24. Sunday Night Movies Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm Screen One: “Superman” (PG-13 – 2025) at 9:00 pm Screen Two: “Jurassic World: Rebirth” (PG-13 – 2025) at 9:15 pm Our Concession Stand is open during every event! Stop in for your favorite cold drinks, candy, popcorn, freshly made pizza, burgers & more! Movie tickets, upcoming events, & additional information at circledrive-in.com. Upcoming July Films: Wednesday, July 23rd: 150 Years of Dickson City – FREE Community Movie Night featuring “American Graffiti” (1973 – PG) at 9:00 pm (Gates – 8:00 pm) Thursday, July 24th: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” Presented by the Lackawanna Historical Society (1989 – PG-13) at 9:00 pm (Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm) Friday, July 25th – Sunday, July 27th: (Exclusive Presale) “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” (2025 – PG-13) at 9:00 pm (Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm) Thursday, July 31st: “Dirty Dancing” Presented by the Lackawanna Historical Society (1987 – PG-13) at 9:00 pm (Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm) For the latest updates on upcoming events & more, follow Circle Drive-In on Facebook @CircleDriveInTheatre, on Instagram @circledrivein & Circle Flea Fair on Facebook @circlefleafair! Circle Drive-In is located at 1911 Scranton/Carbondale Highway, Dickson City.
Help Geisinger School of Medicine Choose Your Next Doctor Volunteer admissions interviewers needed Geisinger School of Medicine invites the public to participate in student recruitment by becoming an interviewer during the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) process. The MMI consists of a series of short, structured interviews that assess non-cognitive qualities, including cultural sensitivity, maturity, teamwork, empathy, reliability, resiliency and communication skills. All interviews will be held virtually. Learn more at https://go.geisinger.edu/mmi, where you can complete the form https://forms.office.com/r/8xQGRPxtrV. The Admissions Office will contact you.
Johnson College Launches Automotive Collision Repair Program Johnson College is launching an Automotive Collision Repair program this fall through its WAVE (Workforce Advancement & Value-Added Education) department, formerly known as Continuing Education. Developed in partnership with I-CAR, Toyota of Scranton, and Sherwin-Williams, the new program is designed to prepare students for entry-level careers in the automotive collision repair industry through foundational knowledge and hands-on experience. The program includes 104 lessons and over 500 contact hours, combining flexible online coursework with in-person training at Toyota of Scranton. Students will gain essential skills in structural assessment, bodywork, welding, painting, frame straightening and refinishing. Total course cost is $5,200. “Students won’t just learn in a classroom—they’ll be working directly in a professional collision repair shop,” said Ashley Bechaver, Director of WAVE at Johnson College. “By the end of the program, graduates will be prepared to step into the workforce with industry-recognized training and job-ready skills.” Throughout the program, students will follow actual repair orders from vehicle intake through final delivery, gaining real-world experience alongside expert technicians. Upon completion, graduates will be equipped for entry-level roles in the collision repair industry, supported by strong industry connections. To be considered for admission, applicants must first be approved by Johnson College’s WAVE team. Once approved, applicants are required to submit a job application to Toyota of Scranton to begin the online training in partnership with I-CAR. Admitted students will receive paid, hands-on training in a professional collision repair shop. For more information or to apply, visit johnson.edu/collision or contact our WAVE team at wave@johnson.edu or 570-702-8979.
