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.
Female Chamber members invited to take part in free online networking event NuuMe Business Academy is inviting all female members of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce to take part in a Zoom meeting that will help women entrepreneurs network, learn and become a part of a community of businesswomen. The Zoom event will be on September 18th from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and is free. This event is part of NuuMe Business Academy’s Global Women Entrepreneur Network (GWEN). Anyone who’s interested in attending can call or text Guzal Mustafina at (917) 915-0027.
University of Scranton releases schedule of fall events The University of Scranton has released a list of the events it has planned on campus for the Fall 2026 semester. They are all listed below: Sept. 8-Oct. 9: Art Exhibit: “Joy in the Process: Selections from a Regional Collection.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. Sept. 11: 5 p.m. Art Gallery Curator’s Lecture: “Joy in the Process: Selections from a Regional Collection.” Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Reception follows at the Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. Sept. 17: 7:30 p.m. Ignatian Values in Action Lecture: “Searching for God at Ground Zero” presented by Rev. James Martin, S.J. H’17. Byron Recreation Complex. Free. Call 570-941-7520 or email linda.walsh@scranton.edu. Sept. 18: 11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “Work in Progress: Confessions of a Busboy, Dishwasher, Caddy, Usher, Factory Worker, Bank Teller, Corporate Tool, and Priest” presented by Rev. James Martin, S.J. H’17, editor at large of America magazine, consultor to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, and author of several New York Times bestsellers. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu. Sept. 18: 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Recital: Baroque or Bust!” Aisslinn Nosky, violin, and Caroline Nicolas, cello. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Sept. 19: 8:30 a.m. Schemel Forum “University for a Day.” Topics discussed: “The ‘New Right’ and the Old Liberalism of John Courtney Murray, S.J.;” “Stress, Mindfulness, and Resilience: Small Changes, Big Results;” and “Evaluating Alternative College Football Playoff Structures: A Multicriteria Framework for Balancing Stakeholder Objectives.” Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu. Sept. 26: 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “Family Weekend Concert: Swingin’ The Classics” featuring The Anderson Twins Sextet with an appearance by The University of Scranton Concert Choir. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 2-4: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; 2 p.m. Sunday “Somewhere In Between”presented by The University Players. Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. Ticket prices vary. Call 570-941-4318 or email players@scranton.edu. Sept. 28: 5:30 p.m. Lecture by John Feal and representatives from the FealGood Foundation about their experiences at Ground Zero on 9/11 and their 20-plus years lobbying Congress for first responder and military healthcare. Sponsored by University Advancement as part of the Royals Remember 9/11 project. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu. Oct. 7: 8:30 a.m. 25th Annual U.S. Conference on DISABILITY “25 Years of Progress: Honoring the Legacy of Edward R. Leahy, Jr. Disability Inclusion and Careers Transforming Barriers into Opportunities.” McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Registration required. Free. Call 570-941-4308 or visit www.scranton.edu/disabilityconference. Oct. 7: 11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “The Coroner’s Silence: Death Records and the Hidden Victims of Police Violence” presented by Terence Keel, Ph.D., an award-winning professor of human biology and society and African American studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, and founding director of the lab for bioCritical studies. Rose Room. Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu. Oct. 7: 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “General Recital” featuring The University of Scranton Performance Music student musicians in solo, duo, trio and small ensemble performances. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Oct. 19-Nov. 20: Art Exhibit: “Peter Hoffer: Reflections Five Decades of Art.” Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free during gallery hours. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. Oct. 20: 6 p.m. Schemel Forum with the Slattery Center for the Ignatian Humanities Collaborative Program Lecture: “The 3 Degrees of Why: Moving Beyond Positions to the Stories That Shape Us” presented by Peace Ike, a cultural strategist, dialogue facilitator, and speaker who works across both secular and faith-based spaces to build bridges and foster cultural transformation. The Rose Room, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Free. Exhibit and reception follow. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu. Oct. 23: 5 p.m. Art Gallery Lecture: “Peter Hoffer: Reflections Five Decades of Art” presented by Peter Hoffer. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Reception follows at the Hope Horn Gallery, Hyland Hall. Free. Call 570-941-4214 or email darlene.miller-lanning@scranton.edu. Oct. 30: 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Recital: Saints & Spirituals” featuring Marcus Printup, trumpet, and Riza Printup, harp. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Nov. 6: 11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “Jazz: From the Streets and Clubs to the Schools and Concert Halls” presented by Victor Goines, jazz chair, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, and founding director, Julliard Jazz Studies Program. Rose Room. Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu. Nov. 7: 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Jazz Band with guest artist Victor Goines, woodwinds. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Nov. 11: 5:30 Lecture by retired Col. Mark Volk, Scranton alumnus and former president of Lackawanna College, about his service at the Pentagon on 9/11, for which he was awarded the Soldier’s Medal, the Army’s highest non-combat recognition for valor and heroism. Sponsored by University Advancement as part of the Royals Remember 9/11 project. PNC Auditorium, Loyola Science Center. Free. Call 570-941-7401 or email info@scranton.edu. Nov. 11: 7:30 p.m. Henry George Lecture: “How Working from Home Reshaped America” presented by Nicolas Bloom, Ph.D., professor of economics, Stanford University. McIlhenny Ballroom, DeNaples Center. Free. Call 570-941-4048 or email pamela.turbessi@scranton.edu. Nov. 12: 6 p.m. Schemel Forum with the Friends of the Weinberg Memorial Library Collaborative Program Lecture: “The Freedom to Read: A Screening and Panel Discussion of The Librarians” presented by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, Kate Cummings and Michele Legate. Pearn Auditorium, Brennan Hall. Registration required. Free. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu. Nov. 14: 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton String Orchestra. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Nov. 16: 11:30 a.m. Schemel Forum’s World Affairs Luncheon Series: “Why do we have the worst health care outcomes? A consideration of the Social Determinants of Health” presented by Steven J. Scheinman, MD, dean emeritus, Geisinger College of Health Sciences. Rose Room. Brennan Hall. Registration required. Fees vary. Call 570-941-4740 or email schemelforum@scranton.edu. Nov. 19-21: 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday; 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. “Mean Girls – The Musical” presented by Liva Arts Company. The Royal Theater, McDade Center for Literary and Performing Arts. $5. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.livaartscompany.ludus.com or email livaartscompany@gmail.com. Nov. 21: 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “In Concert” featuring The University of Scranton Symphonic Band. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Dec. 5: 8 p.m. Performance Music: “59th Annual Noel Night” featuring The University of Scranton Singers, String Orchestra and Chamber Ensembles with special guest Wycliffe A. Gordon H’06. Houlihan-McLean Center. Free. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu. Dec. 11: 7:30 p.m. Performance Music: “Empty Stocking Fund Benefit Concert: Holidays Around the World” featuring Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner, piano. Houlihan-McLean Center. Admission: one new unwrapped toy, new toiletry items or a cash donation. All proceeds will directly benefit local families in need. Call 570-941-7624 or email music@scranton.edu.
Wayne Bank Parent Company Earns National Recognition Among Top U.S Banks Norwood Financial Corp. , the parent company of Wayne Bank, has been recognized as one of the top-performing banks in the country by Bank Director magazine in its Ranking Banking: The Best U.S. Banks 2026 publication. Jim Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, announced the recognition, which places Norwood Financial Corp. 34th among banks with less than $5 billion in assets. The category included more than 120 financial institutions. For its 2026 ranking, Bank Director evaluated 300 banks using a consistent set of performance metrics based on calendar year 2025 results. Institutions were assessed according to profitability, capital adequacy, asset quality and total shareholder return, with banks grouped by asset size. The publication identified the best-performing banks as those that effectively balance growth and profitability, create long-term shareholder value and execute their strategies while maintaining safe and sound operations. The study also considered factors such as growth, leadership, board oversight and technological innovation. “We are honored to be recognized by Bank Director as one of the top-performing banks in the nation,” said Jim Donnelly, President and CEO of Wayne Bank. “This ranking reflects the strength of Wayne Bank and Norwood Financial Corp., the dedication of our employees, and our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional value to our customers, shareholders, and communities. We remain focused on sustainable growth, strong financial performance, and building lasting relationships that support the success of the individuals, businesses, and communities we serve.” Wayne Bank is a subsidiary of Norwood Financial Corp. and is headquartered in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. The bank operates 33 branches throughout Pennsylvania and New York. Norwood Financial Corp. is a Member FDIC, and its stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol NWFL.
