Keystone College to Host Ceremony For the last 11 years, Keystone College has enjoyed a proud relationship with The Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust. This summer, that affiliation will be taken to an even greater level. On June 28, The Dennis Farm will be honored during a special sesquicentennial Bell Presentation Ceremony as one of Pennsylvania’s most revered historical landmarks in celebration of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary in 2026. The ceremony will take place at The Dennis Farm in nearby Brooklyn Township, Susquehanna County, followed by a luncheon at Keystone. In addition to members of the Keystone community and officials from The Dennis Farm, the event will include numerous local, state, and national public officials and dignitaries. The Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of The Dennis Farm. The 153-acre historic farm was purchased and settled by the ancestors of Denise Dennis, free African Americans who journeyed to northeastern Pennsylvania from Connecticut in the late 1700s. Today, The Dennis Farm serves as a living tribute to the lives and accomplishments of this remarkable family and Ms. Dennis serves as president and CEO of the Dennis Farm Charitable Land Trust. In 2012, Keystone began hosting The Dennis Farm Symposium and Field Tour, an annual on-campus conference which also included guided tours of The Dennis Farm conducted by Keystone students. “Keystone College is truly honored to host a luncheon honoring The Dennis Farm, recognizing the vital role it has played in our nation’s history,” said Keystone College Interim President John F. Pullo, Sr. “We look forward to celebrating with everyone from The Dennis Farm, as well as our many guests from the local community and beyond. This will truly be a special day for the entire Keystone community and our entire region.” Under Ms. Dennis’ leadership, The Dennis Farm, which is open to the public, has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places; featured in the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African American History and Culture; honored by Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Historical and Museum Commission and Department of Agriculture, and listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s map of rare African American historical sites in the Northeast United States. “There are very few places like The Dennis Farm, where we can walk for acres and acres and know that when the nation was young, free African Americans owned and worked this land – by and for themselves – and that even today it is in the stewardship of the same family,” Ms. Dennis said. “ ‘The Farm’ as we call it, represents a little-known chapter in the story of the United States, and with our partners we are working to ensure that the property with its rich history and natural environment is preserved for future generations.” Additional details regarding the Dennis Farm reception will be released in the near future.
Representative Karen Boback News Boback Announces District Office Changes Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming) today announced that her district office in Dallas only has limited services available at this time, as it is scheduled to permanently close on Wednesday, Nov. 30, due to redistricting. The district office staff can no longer be reached by telephone or email. However, residents are still able to stop by the office, located at 105 Lt. Michael Cleary Drive, for assistance with any state government-related issue until the closure date. Meanwhile, Boback’s district office in Tunkhannock remains fully operational. The phone number there is 570-836-4777. Located at 133 W. Tioga St., Suite 4, the office will remain open after Nov. 30 under Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Sullivan/Susquehanna), who will serve the newly created 110th Legislative District, which includes Wyoming County. Boback Takes Part in Signing Ceremony for Her Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day Legislation Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming), majority chairman of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee, on Tuesday took part in a ceremonial bill signing with Gov. Tom Wolf for legislation she sponsored to designate March 29 of each year as “Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day” in Pennsylvania (Act 138 of 2022). Three members of the Tuskegee Airmen were also in attendance, including (seated from left): Dr. Eugene Richardson Jr., fighter pilot; Alma Bailey, cadet nurse; and Nathan Thomas, operations. The Tuskegee Airmen was the first group of African-American military aviators and served during World War II. They were known for fighting with exemplary courage and distinction despite facing racial adversity. Nearly 100 Tuskegee Airmen are originally from western Pennsylvania.
Marywood University Veterans Day Ceremony In commemoration of Veterans Day, Marywood University’s Office of Military and Veteran Services and its Student Veteran Alliance (SVA) will honor those who are serving and those who have served our country on at an 11 a.m. ceremony on Thursday, November 10, 2022, at the Marywood’s Veterans Resource Center, 2236 N. Washington Avenue, Scranton, Pa., on the University’s campus. Sister Mary Persico, IHM, Ed.D., Marywood University’s president, will offer remarks. Peter Howey, a recent Marywood alumnus and a Navy veteran, will serve as guest speaker. “Echo Taps” will be played by two student trumpeters from Marywood’s Music, Theatre, and Dance Department, Isiah Ortiz and Zachary Houston, while Marywood student vocalist Leanne Onofrio will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner.” The ceremony site will feature Flags for the Fallen, an outdoor display of thousands of U.S. flags that honor those who have fallen while serving our country. Raul E. Santana Nuñez, M. Ed., Marywood’s director of military and veteran services, is coordinating the event, which is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served following the ceremony at the Veterans Resource Center, Noon-3 p.m. “Veterans Day gives the Marywood community and the public the opportunity to pray, reflect, and honor those who have served or are serving, with special recognition of and respect for those service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice,” said Mr. Santana Nuñez.
Boback Announces Patriot Day Ceremony Rep. Karen Boback (R-Lackawanna/Luzerne/Wyoming), in conjunction with the Tunkhannock Area School District is hosting a Patriot Day ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of September 11, 2001. The ceremony will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 11, at the Tunkhannock Area High School Football field.“As we have reached the 20th anniversary of those horrific attacks, it is imperative that we continue to honor and remember every single life we lost in the name of freedom,” said Boback. “I am honored that I am able to hold this event in conjunction with the Tunkhannock Area School District to offer the community the opportunity to spend time with one another on this Patriot Day. Twenty years ago, we vowed to never forget the 2,977 lives that we lost on that Tuesday morning, and I am grateful that our town is ensuring that we never forget.” The ceremony will include the Post 457 Dennis Strong American Legion Colors, rifle salute and TAPS, Tunkhannock Area High School brass quintet and a ceremonial bell ringing with the Triton Fire Company.
Scranton Tomorrow Dedication Ceremony & Meet the Artist Reception Scranton Tomorrow and Members of the Mural Arts Program Committee cordially invite you to a Dedication Ceremony for the Danseur de Corde (Rope Dancer) Mural by Joel Carson Jones. Friday, September 3 at Danseur de Corde Mural328 Penn Avenue 5:15 to 7:30 p.m.Music by the Marko Marcinko Swing Band 6 to 6:15 p.m.Dedication Ceremony 6:15 p.m.Meet and Greet & Poster Signing with Artist Joel Carson Jones Autographed PostersPurchase a commemorative edition Danseur de Corde poster. Designed by Tara Tomasetti-Smith, these lovely keepsakes feature the work of Julie Jordan Photography. Be sure to request an autograph from Joel Carson Jones, the artist who brought our Rope Dancer to life! Video ToursGuests will also have the opportunity to be among the first to embark on a brief video tour of the project, produced by KP Productions, simply by scanning the QR posted at the mural site with their smartphones. Masks EncouragedAs an added precaution for the health and safety of our community, and our children, we encourage all guests to wear a mask while enjoying this special event. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.
New leadership at Tobyhanna Army Depot There are two new leaders at Tobyhanna Army Depot. Col. John W. McDonald relinquished command of Tobyhanna Army Depot to Col. Daniel Horn during a change of command ceremony on June 28. Sgt. Maj. Shantae Gordon also relinquished responsibility as the depot’s senior enlisted officer, welcoming Sgt. Maj. Michael J. Wiles to the Tobyhanna family. The ceremony, which culminated with a passing of Tobyhanna’s flag, was presided over by Maj. Gen. Mitchell Kilgo, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command. Depot employees, representatives of state and local government, and family members witnessed the event. Col. McDonald’s next assignment is with the Joint Staff Operations Directorate at the Pentagon. In his parting remarks, he promised to never forget his time at Tobyhanna Army Depot. “My assignment here at Tobyhanna has been, without a doubt, the best and most broadening I have experienced in my career. I will take and share the Tobyhanna legacy with anyone who will listen.” Horn is the depot’s 34th commander, joining Team Tobyhanna fresh off an assignment as the military deputy of the Defense Logistics Agency, U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command forward. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington. Horn also has Master of Science degrees in Supply Chain Management from Kansas University, and Strategic Studies from Army War College. As commander, Horn will lead 3,700 employees responsible for supporting global readiness for Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems across the Department of Defense. Wiles is the depot’s 21st sergeant major. His most recent assignment was as the chief mechanical operations sergeant major for the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Georgia. He has served in staff and leadership positions at stateside and overseas military installations including the Republic of South Korea; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Lee, Virginia. As sergeant major, Wiles serves as the voice of the warfighters who use equipment repaired by the depot. He advises the commander on all matters relating to Soldiers, the civilian workforce and their family members. In his first address as depot commander, Col. Horn expressed his excitement at joining Team Tobyhanna. “When I learned that commanding Tobyhanna Army Depot was my next assignment, I was elated that I’d be leading such a skilled and dedicated workforce. You have a reputation for strategic planning and innovation,” adding that he holds the mission of Tobyhanna close to his heart. “As Army Civilians, you have what many other people do not: a sacred purpose behind your work. What you do matters. You matter. Like any job, there will be good days and frustrating days. But when you get home at night, I hope you’ll remember that your work helps our warfighters keep America safe. And I hope you’ll be as proud of that as I am.”
