The Wright Center ‘The Good of the Hive’ Artist Lecture Travelers on the 200 block of Mifflin Avenue in Scranton have noticed a buzz of activity over the past several weeks, as muralist Matt Willey creates his unique work of honeybee art for his initiative, “The Good of the Hive,” on the side of the Civic Ballet Theater building. A world-renowned mural artist who is raising awareness about the importance of pollinators through his art, Willey has been painting the bee mural since late August. His newest painting brings Willey closer to his personal commitment of hand-painting 50,000 honeybees — the number of bees in a healthy, thriving hive — in murals around the world. Lackawanna College, the academic sponsor of the mural project, will host a lecture by Willey on Friday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. at the school’s theater, 501 Vine St., Scranton. Seating for the free event, which is open to the public, is on a first-come, first-served basis. Willey is an artist, an activist and environmentalist. His work aims to spread knowledge about the pollination process, the importance of honeybees in the world, and spark deeper conversation using bees as a metaphor for the health of human communities. The completed mural at the Civic Ballet Theater, 234 Mifflin Ave., Scranton, will be unveiled during a special reception on Friday, Nov. 4 at 5:30 p.m. Light fare will be served during the event. “We are honored to be the premier sponsor of this unique mural project that will be on display in our city for years to come,” said Kara Seitzinger, director of public affairs and advisor liaison to the president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. “Matt’s work is inspiring communities around the world to think collectively, in the same way that honeybees do. The health of a honeybee hive is the perfect metaphor for the health of a community. “We encourage the community to attend his lecture to hear his fascinating story and insights,” she added. Willey has shared the stories of “The Good of the Hive” through speaking engagements around the world, at the United Nations, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the German and French Embassies in Washington, D.C., Smithsonian’s National Zoo, Duke University, Georgetown University, the Planetary Health Alliance 2018 annual meeting in Scotland, many podcasts, including the National Education Association, and educational institutions throughout the U.S. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Reuters London, The Today Show, The Huffington Post, The Washington Post, and countless other publications and media channels. Willey’s mission is to ignite radical curiosity and active engagement around planetary health issues through art, bees and storytelling. His vision is a world filled with people that see and experience the beauty and connectedness of all things. “The hive I’m creating is a metaphor for us all: no matter your color, nationality, religion, gender, age or economic status. This piece of art is an idealized picture of health to focus on as we work toward solutions,” Willey said. The worldwide mural project demonstrates perseverance in the face of adversity. Six years into an estimated 20-year project, Willey has created 35 murals and installations with over 8,600 hand-painted bees. He has reached hundreds of thousands of people and created large-scale works at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington D.C., Dag Hammarskjold Plaza in New York City and Burt’s Bees Global Headquarters in Durham, North Carolina.
FNCB Bancorp Inc. And CIS, LLC Form Asset Purchase Agreement FNCB Bancorp, Inc. (NASDAQ: FNCB), the parent company of FNCB Bank (“the Bank”), today announced that it entered into an asset purchase agreement between the Bank’s investment arm, FNCB Wealth Management Services and Chiaro Investment Services, LLC (“CIS”). Following the closing of the transaction, FNCB’s Wealth Management Services will operate under a new brand, 1st Investment Services. 1st Investment Services will provide clients with a full suite of offerings, including Investment Management, Brokerage Services, Insurance Planning, and Retirement Services. James P. Chiaro “We are extremely pleased to welcome Chiaro Investment Services’ associates and clients to the FNCB family,” said Gerard Champi, FNCB Bank President and CEO. “The combined experience of our team of advisors will benefit the organization and build on an exceptional legacy of service to our clients.” Currently headquartered in Forty Fort, PA, CIS, is led by James P. Chiaro, CMFC, LPL Financial Advisor. Dunmore-based FNCB Wealth Management Services is led by Peter Albano, LPL Financial Advisor. Mr. Chiaro will be appointed Chief Investment Services Officer and Executive Vice President upon the closing of the transaction, with responsibility for 1st Investment Services. Following the closing of the transaction, the combined teams, operating under 1st Investment Services, will relocate their offices to 1625 Wyoming Avenue, Exeter and 124 South Blakely St., Dunmore. Peter Albano “I am delighted to be joining 1st Investment Services,” added James P. Chiaro. “The transaction combines the personalized financial planning and tailored investment strategies of CIS with the resources and extensive product set of FNCB Bank. I am excited about the unique opportunities this transaction will create for our clients, as well as our employees and business partners.” The transaction will provide significant opportunities for organic growth throughout Pennsylvania, as well as national expansion, by combining FNCB Wealth Management’s strong roots in Northeastern Pennsylvania and CIS’s clients in 26 states. 1st Investment Services will continue to leverage the LPL Financial Institution Services platform to support its retail advisory and brokerage business. With LPL Financial, 1st Investment Services has access to an array of investment solutions and wealth management platforms, along with technologically advanced strategies, tools, and resources necessary to grow and meet client needs. For more information on 1st Investment Services, visit www.1stinvestmentservice.com or call 570-348-4321.
SACF NEPA Invitational Hosted by Pro Golfer The second annual NEPA Invitational charity event, hosted by professional golfer Brandon Matthews, will be held at the Country Club of Scranton on October 14 – 16, 2022. The NEPA Invitational is a pro-am golf tournament that hosts professionals, high-level amateurs, and golf aficionados. Spectators are welcomed and encouraged. Brandon Matthews, professional golfer on the PGA Tour, was born and raised in Northeastern Pennsylvania. A Pittston Area graduate, Matthews established the NEPA Invitational Fund at the Scranton Area Community Foundation to raise money for charitable endeavors.“The Scranton Area Community Foundation is proud to work with Brandon Matthews through the NEPA Invitational Fund,” stated Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “We are grateful Brandon chose to partner with the Scranton Area Community Foundation to help to carry out his charitable goals. His desire to give back will truly make a difference right here in our communities,” she added.The inaugural NEPA Invitational event, which took place last year, raised over $50,000 to support local charities.“We are incredibly proud to be hosting the NEPA Invitational for the second year that brings incredible talent to the area to compete in this event as we continue the longstanding tradition for many years to come,” stated Matthews.The 2nd Annual NEPA Invitational will kick off with a ‘Dinner with the Pros’ event on Friday, October 14, at the Country Club of Scranton. Tickets for the dinner are $300 per person and can be purchased online at www.nepainvitational.com. Dinner, live entertainment, and a live auction are included.This year, proceeds from the NEPA Invitational will support Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital through the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “Geisinger Pediatrics is deeply committed to providing exemplary health care for children and delivering that care with authentic kindness. We promise to keep the child at the center of everything we do, and that applies to the tens of thousands of patients we care for each year across Northeast Pennsylvania. We rely on community partners to help us respond to the evolving needs of families across the region, and we’re grateful to Brandon Matthews and all the leadership and supporters of the NEPA Invitational,” stated Frank Maffei, MD, Geisinger Chair of Pediatrics. “This support helps Geisinger Pediatrics and the Janet Weis Children’s Hospital to deliver family-centered pediatric care that is driven by best practice, innovation and compassion.”Tickets to the NEPA Invitational are available at www.nepainvitational.com. Sponsorships and donations are welcome. Spectators are welcome and can attend for free to watch on October 15 and 16.
Geisinger Janet Weis Hospital Receives Reaccreditation Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital has been granted Level II Trauma Center reaccreditation by the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF). The Level II trauma designation means the children’s hospital provides advanced care and expertise for pediatric trauma patients with specialized equipment, training and a dedicated pediatric emergency zone and pediatric sedation suite. Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital is the only designated pediatric trauma center in central Pennsylvania. To receive the Level II designation, the children’s hospital underwent a review process by the PTSF that included reviews of its resources, capabilities, and care for patients with traumatic injuries. “This renewal of our Level II trauma accreditation means pediatric patients from local communities can continue to receive the most specialized level of care close to home,” said Alfred Kennedy, M.D., Geisinger pediatric trauma director. “This accreditation speaks to the tremendous work our physicians, nurses and staff continue to deliver to our youth.” Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital joins Geisinger Community Medical Center in Scranton as the system’s Level II trauma centers while Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center and Geisinger Medical Center in Danville are Level I trauma centers. Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital and Geisinger Lewistown Hospital are Level IV trauma centers.
NEPA AHEC Healthcare Career Exploration The Healthcare Career & College Exploration Event will be held Friday, October 14th from 10am-4pm at the Viewmont Mall, Dickson City. This event has over 30 vendors including colleges, universities, and healthcare organizations looking to hire new employees and many offering incentives. We have several school districts busing students to this event and hope that many community members come out to explore new careers in healthcare.
NEPRIC PMAC Releases Playbook for Competitiveness As Pennsylvania’s third-largest employment sector – with more than 560,000 full-time workers generating nearly $115 billion of goods last year alone – manufacturing drives Pennsylvania’s overall economy. On August 31, 2022, the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Advisory Council, a nonpartisan partnership of manufacturers and industry experts, released Pennsylvania’s Manufacturing Competitiveness Playbook – an actionable strategy document that identifies three game changers and 10 specific recommendations to make Pennsylvania’s manufacturing economy more robust and resilient – thus creating more good-paying jobs for Pennsylvanians. The efforts of the industry-led, 25-member Pennsylvania Manufacturing Advisory Council were focused on developing recommendations that government leaders across the Commonwealth should consider as ways to expand Pennsylvania’s manufacturing economy. The Council’s resultant Playbook includes data and advice derived from insights and commentary offered by more than 500 Pennsylvania manufacturers. “Over the course of the past year, the Council conducted industry roundtables, one-on-one interviews, and surveys to learn directly from manufacturers what statewide policy and programmatic or procedural changes would most immediately and dramatically enhance their ability to compete, win and grow in today’s economy, and the Council’s report reflects that knowledge and insight,” said Eric Joseph Esoda, President and CEO of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center and Council Co-Chair. Through careful analysis of industry input, the Council, within its Playbook, recommends three game changers for strengthening Pennsylvania’s manufacturing competitive position: Recapture Pennsylvania’s manufacturing competitive advantage by aggressively pursuing manufacturing growth sectors to drive prosperity.Invest in the factory of the future to boost the performance of small and medium-sized companies, improve the quality of manufacturing jobs and provide better career options for more of Pennsylvania’s citizens.Unleash the power of advanced manufacturing to drive regional prosperity through policies and services that are more responsive to the needs of manufacturers.
