Geisinger Donates to Local Organizations During Challenging Times To help provide support where it’s needed most for people potentially impacted by the federal government shutdown, Geisinger is contributing $275,000 to a network of Pennsylvania food banks that distribute resources to local food pantries and cupboards throughout the surrounding communities. That includes Central Pennsylvania Food Bank serving the central, north-central and western regions, and CEO Weinberg Food Bank serving the northeast region. “At Geisinger, being the best means caring for one another and for the communities we serve,” said Terry Gilliland, M.D., president and CEO of Geisinger. “These are particularly challenging times for many of our community members, so Geisinger is doing its best to help take care of our patients, members and communities.” If an individual or someone they know is in need of assistance, NeighborlyPA.com offers a directory of resources to connect people with food pantries, mobile distributions, community meals, utility and heating assistance, and other services across Pennsylvania. The Neighborly app is available for download on Apple and Android devices. Geisinger can also connect patients who might need assistance with social workers who can help.
Ballet Theatre Opens Holiday Season with 50th ‘Nutcracker’ Ballet Theatre of Scranton, under the artistic direction of Joanne Arduino, will kick off the holiday season with it’s 50th anniversary annual performances of The Nutcracker at the Theater at North over Thanksgiving weekend on Friday Nov 28, Saturday Nov 29 ,and Sunday Nov 30, at 12 noon and 5:30 pm each day. This traditional gift to the community has offered free public performances since 1976. Free tickets can be picked up at the box office at the Theater at North on the day of the specific performance, two hours prior to curtain. A sensory friendly performance is offered to an invited audience as well as the traditional educational performances for area school children. A Jubilee Performance will be held on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at The Theatre at North. Alumni are invited to arrive at 4:00 PM for check-in, with a commemorative photo on stage at 4:30 PM, followed by the performance at 5:30 PM. This milestone performance will be a joyful reunion of past and present cast members, honoring the legacy of Ballet Theatre of Scranton and the generations of dancers who have brought The Nutcracker to life. Over 100 local dancers from ages 9- adult will perform and will feature alumna Laura Durkin as Sugarplum Fairy and professional guest artists Sanford Placide (previously of Dance Theater of Harlem, NYC) and Philadelphia Ballet principal dancers Arian Molina Soca and Dayesi Torriente. All performances are free and open to the public, with reserved seating available through Nutcracker Benefactor donations by Nov 1. For more information, call 570-347-2867 or visit www.balletscranton.org
WVIA To Premiere New TV Program WVIA will premiere a new original television program, Conversations for the Common Good: Safeguarding Justice Through Judicial Independence, on Thursday, November 6 at 7 p.m. on WVIA TV. The program, recorded before a live studio audience, features an esteemed panel of county, state, and federal judges in an engaging discussion about the importance of maintaining an independent judiciary in a healthy democracy. Moderated by award-winning journalist Tracey Matisak, the program features: Judge Matthew Brann, Chief United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Judge Joseph Saporito, Jr., United States District Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania Judge Lesa Gelb, Court of Common Pleas, Luzerne County Judge Mary Jane Bowes, Superior Court of Pennsylvania Together, the panel examines the historical role of judicial independence in ensuring a fair and impartial legal system, identifies current threats to the rule of law and the safety of judges, and discusses how both the public and the judiciary can work together to safeguard justice for all. Encore broadcasts will air on Friday, November 7 at 4 p.m., Thursday, November 13 at 10 p.m., Friday, November 14 at 3 p.m., Monday, November 24 at 7 p.m., and Tuesday, November 25 at 4 p.m. Conversations for the Common Good: Safeguarding Justice Through Judicial Independence will also be shared by public media stations across Pennsylvania. Viewers are encouraged to check with their local PBS station for additional airdates. This installment of Conversations for the Common Good continues WVIA’s mission to foster informed civic dialogue on the issues that matter most to our communities. WVIA News recently covered this event and important community conversation. Read the story here.
Misericordia University’s SLP-Connect Hosting Support Session Learn more or register at slpconnect@misericordia.edu or call 570-674-8047.
PennDOT Driver License, Photo Centers Closed for Veterans Day The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that all driver license and photo centers, including its full-service center in Harrisburg, will be closed Tuesday, November 11, 2025, in observance of Veterans Day. Customers may still obtain a variety of driver and vehicle products and services, including all forms, publications, and driver training manuals, online through PennDOT’s Driver and Vehicle Services website. Driver and vehicle online services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and include driver’s license, photo ID and vehicle registration renewals; driver-history services; changes of address; driver license and vehicle registration restoration letters; ability to pay driver license or vehicle insurance restoration fee; driver license and photo ID duplicates; REAL ID pre-verification; and driver exam scheduling. There are no additional fees for using online services. A complete listing of PennDOT driver and photo license center closings in 2025 is available online. If planning to visit one of PennDOT’s Online Messenger Service Centers, please call ahead for hours of operation during holidays.
Circle Drive-In Releases Weekend Schedule FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH & SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8TH Screen One: “Predator: Badlands” (2025 – PG-13) at 7:00 PMScreen Two: “Regretting You” (2025 – PG-13) at 6:45 PM Gates & Box Office open at 5:45 PM SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH 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! Vendors are invited to come out and sell their crafts, artisan items, homemade products, gently used treasures & more – every Sunday! Learn more at circledrive-in/fleafair24. Tickets for upcoming movies, as well as additional information, available at circledrive-in.com.
UNC’s Feed-A-Friend Campaign United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) is grateful to serve as a WNEP-TV designated agency for their 41st Annual Feed-A-Friend Campaign. The nonperishable items collected help fill the Angel’s Attic Food pantry shelves, while monetary donations provide Thanksgiving meals for local families in need. UNC has been proud to be part of this regional tradition since the campaign’s inception. The organization has witnessed firsthand the growing challenge of food insecurity in the area. With increasing need, rising costs, and potential benefit reductions on the horizon, UNC has set a higher goal this year—to serve 1,800 families. Many of the households receiving assistance include working adults, some of whom are visiting the pantry for the first time. To better serve the community, UNC have extended their pantry hours, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with evening hours until 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. Click here to find more information.
Wright Center: Importance of Flu Vaccines As the holiday season rapidly approaches, it is important to remember that this time of year also marks the peak season for respiratory illnesses such as RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and influenza, commonly known as the flu. Henry Novroski, D.O., family medicine physician According to projections by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the 2025-26 flu season will likely be moderate across all age groups, based on historical trends and expert analysis. The previous season was classified as a high-severity season across all ages — the first time that’s happened since 2017-18. Flu season typically begins around late September or early October, which is generally considered the ideal time to get vaccinated. From there, cases increasingly accelerate until hitting peak flu between December and February. Some years, infections can occur as late as May. Flu symptoms typically appear within a few days and may include fever, chills, dry cough, body aches, headaches, nasal congestion or runny nose, shortness of breath, and fatigue. The most effective way to protect against the flu — and to reduce the severity of symptoms if infection occurs — is to receive the annual flu vaccine, which helps the body develop protective antibodies within two weeks of vaccination. This season, all flu vaccines in the United States are trivalent (three-component) vaccines, which are designed to protect against three main groups of circulating flu Type A and B viruses: an A(H1N1) virus, an A(H3N2) virus, and a B/Victoria lineage virus. The flu vaccine is available to anyone ages 6 months and older, and CDC studies have shown that vaccination reduces the risk of contracting the illness by about 40 to 60 percent among the general public. For certain vulnerable populations, vaccination is particularly crucial given the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and even death. That list includes pregnant women, young children, adults ages 65 and older, and those with serious health conditions like cancer, heart disease, HIV/AIDS, diabetes, asthma, and kidney disease. Every year, thousands of children are hospitalized with severe flu, according to the CDC. The Wright Center places great importance on flu vaccinations and offers flu shots at all of its locations throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. To schedule an office visit that includes a vaccination, call 570-230-0019 or go online to use the express scheduling system at TheWrightCenter.org. Meanwhile, numerous local pharmacies offer free flu shots to customers with health insurance, and a number of local employers provide flu vaccinations as a free service to their workers. It is important to emphasize that flu vaccines are safe and effective in protecting individuals and their loved ones from the most severe effects of the illness. As an early holiday gift to oneself, receiving a flu shot as soon as possible is strongly encouraged.
SWB Penguins Announce Upcoming Big Games/Themes Saturday, December 13 vs. Providence (6:05pm) – Teddy Bear Toss: Bring a new, unwrapped plush toy to the arena, and throw it onto the ice following the Penguins first goal. All toys will be distributed to children in need via Operation Santa Claus, a charitable foundation operating out of Tobyhanna Army Depot.Saturday, December 27 vs. Hershey (6:05pm) – Throwback Night: The Penguins will wear special throwback jerseys, which will be auctioned off online.Saturday, January 31 vs. Syracuse (6:05pm) – Crosscheck Cancer, presented by Geisinger: The Penguins will be raising money and awareness in the fight against cancer. Fans can contribute to special fundraisers throughout the night, including a chance to paint a special message for friends or loved ones affected by the disease on the ice after the game.Sunday, February 15 vs. Cleveland (3:05pm) – Kids Takeover: The kids are in charge! Young fans will take part in helping to shape the game night by designing videoboard graphics, shadowing members of the Penguins staff and contributing to game day operations. There’s even a chance for jr. fans to help design a logo for a special jersey and merchandise.Saturday, February 21 vs. Bridgeport (6:05pm) – Military Appreciation Night presented by MetLife: The Penguins will pay honor to men and women in uniform with special presentations.Saturday, March 14 vs. Lehigh Valley (6:05pm) – St. Patrick’s Day celebration: The Penguins will be sporting special green sweaters which will be auctioned off online. Irish-themed music and exhibitions will take place during the game.Saturday, March 28 vs. Laval (6:05pm) – Star Wars Night and Boy Scout Night presented by Moritz Embroidery Works: Have an out of this world time with costumed characters from a galaxy far, far away. Plus fans are encouraged to bring out their troop or den to share in the scouting experience.Saturday, April 11 vs. Cleveland (6:05pm) – Community Series, presented by Visit Luzerne County: The fourth installment of the Penguins’ night rebrand, paying tribute to the area’s history and traditions. Past events have seen the Penguins transformed into the Old Forge Pizzas, the Pittston Tomatoes, and the Carbondale UFOs. What will this year’s theme be? Stay tuned for the reveal in November. FAN CONTROLLED FRIDAYSFans can help shape the game night experience each Friday by taking part in online polls and contests, which will determine themes, music, food and merch specials and more. Plus there will be $2 drafts available each Friday night from 6-7:30 courtesy of Coors Light, and postgame autographs presented by Northeast Music Center.
