Penn State Scranton Announces Leadership Essentials Workshop Series A Leadership Workshop for Professionals Seeking Advanced Skills Professionals, managers, and supervisors can strengthen their leadership abilities and enhance their roles within today’s evolving work environment through this comprehensive program. The workshops are highly interactive and led by Penn State professionals with real-world experience who understand the demands and challenges of modern workplaces. Participants from a wide range of occupations will have the opportunity to share their own experiences while exploring supervisory topics designed to support success in the workplace, career development, and personal growth. This four-week program offers practical tools and strategies that empower professionals to become valued leaders within their organizations. Dates: Wednesdays, 9 am – Noon at Penn State Scranton10/29; 11/5; 11/12 & 11/19Cost $300 Click here for more information
Greater Scranton YMCA To Host Jack & Jill Bingo The Greater Scranton YMCA is excited to announce its Inaugural Jack & Jill Bingo, offering community members a fun and festive way to celebrate the season while supporting the Y’s financial assistance program. The event will take place on Sunday, October 26th at 12:00 p.m. at the Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 North Blakely Street, Dunmore. Jack & Jill Bingo will feature 15 games and three special games, as well as a food truck, 50/50, and raffles. Prizes are valued between $100 and $350. Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in a Halloween costume, as a prize will be awarded to the best. The event costs $30 per person. Proceeds will support the Greater Scranton YMCA’s financial assistance program, which provides the resources needed to allow all members of our community to benefit from all the Y has to offer. “We’re so excited to bring the community together for our Fall Bingo Event,” said Tressa Capoccia, Senior Education Director, Greater Scranton YMCA. “We’re looking forward to a fantastic afternoon filled with prizes, laughter, and community spirit all while raising funds to support community members in need.” For more information about Jack & Jill Bingo, as well as to register, contact Tressa at tcapoccia@gsymca.org or visit the Greater Scranton YMCA online at https://www.greaterscrantonymca.org/.
Greater Scranton YMCA Halloween Costume Drive Underway The Y is collecting new and gently used Halloween costumes for local families The Greater Scranton YMCA’s 2025 Halloween Costume Drive is underway, providing families in the community with the opportunity to donate and receive costumes for the upcoming holiday. The Y is accepting new and gently used costumes of all sizes and for all ages. Donated costumes can be dropped-off at the Y’s Welcome Center, located at 706 North Blakely Street in Dunmore, through Monday, October 6th. Costume pick-up days will be held from October 7–9, giving families in need the chance to find fun, festive costumes free of charge. “Here at the Y, we believe all children deserve the chance to experience a magical Halloween season,” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Through donating new or gently used costumes, community members can help make this Halloween special and memorable for local families and children in need.” The Greater Scranton YMCA is encouraging the community to participate by donating costumes in good condition. Every contribution ensures that more children will have the opportunity to experience Halloween with confidence and excitement. For more information about the Halloween Costume Drive, contact Tressa Capoccia, Senior Education Director, at tcapoccia@gsymca.org.
Greater Scranton YMCA Hosting Inaugural Trunk or Treat The Greater Scranton YMCA is excited to announce its Inaugural Trunk or Treat, offering families a safe, fun, and festive way to celebrate Halloween. The event will take place on Wednesday, October 22nd from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at the Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 North Blakely Street, Dunmore. The event is free and open to the community. Community members and local businesses and organizations are encouraged to participate by decorating a trunk and handing out candy. Interested partners can contact Tressa Capoccia, Senior Education Director, at tcapoccia@gsymca.org. Trunks can begin being set-up at 3:00 p.m. on the day of the event. “The Greater Scranton YMCA is so proud to offer our community a safe way to celebrate the season,” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “We can’t wait to see the creative ways families and community partners decorate their trunks and look forward to the memories this new tradition will create.” For more information about the Trunk or Treat, contact Tressa or visit the Greater Scranton YMCA online at https://www.greaterscrantonymca.org/.
Saint Joseph’s to Host Center Sidewalk Sale Saint Joseph’s Center Auxiliary is hosting a Sidewalk Sale on Saturday, May 17th, from 8 am to 12 pm at the DeNaples Family Community Services Building, 320 South Blakely Street in Dunmore. There is something for everyone! Categories for the sale include: Home & Garden, Miscellaneous, Household items, Jewelry, Holiday Decorations, Toys, Vintage and Collectible items. CASH and VENMO accepted. We hope to see you there!
The Greater Scranton YMCA Presents Healthy Kids Day What: The Greater Scranton YMCA is hosting the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day® located at 706 North Blakely Street in Dunmore. This free, annual event features a variety of family-friendly activities to encourage a safe, healthy and fun start to the summer season. Some featured activities include rides, a vendor fair, bounce houses, face painting, first responders, and more. The celebration will kick-off with a free one-mile family fun walk at 10:00 a.m. Registration is not required. The Y’s Healthy Kids Day is sponsored nationally by Peanuts. Locally, Healthy Kids Day is sponsored by Air Excellence, Scartelli Construction, Community Bank, NET Credit Union, Matrix, Precor, Cal Mal Vending Services, TOPP Business Solutions, Brucelli Advertising and Rainey & Rainey CPAs. Who: Greater Scranton YMCA staff will be available for interviews. When: Saturday, May 3rd, 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. Where: Greater Scranton YMCA, 706 North Blakely St., Dunmore, PA 18512 Contacts: Media Contact: Meghan Carnevale, mcarnevale@gsymca.org; Event Contact: Brandon Whipple, bwhipple@gsymca.org
Greater Scranton YMCA Sets Kids Up For Summer at Healthy Kids Day Free and open to the public, this annual event features a day of fun filled activities to celebrate kids being kids. The Greater Scranton YMCA is hosting the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day® on Saturday, May 3rd at 10:00 a.m. located at 706 North Blakely Street in Dunmore. This free, annual event features a variety of family-friendly activities to encourage healthy kids, healthy families and a healthy start to the summer season. Sponsored nationally by Peanuts, Healthy Kids Day’s mission is to prepare families in our community for a safe, healthy and fun summer. Some featured activities include rides, a vendor fair, bounce houses, face painting, first responders, and more. The celebration will kick-off with a free one-mile family fun walk at 10:00 a.m. Registration is not required. “It is so important for kids to stay active over the summer, both physically and mentally,” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “At the Y, we believe in providing resources for families to create healthy habits, no matter the time of year. Healthy Kids Day is a fun, free community-wide event that encourages families to take advantage of all the great summer activities the Y has to offer.” Locally, Healthy Kids Day is sponsored by Air Excellence, Scartelli Construction, Community Bank, NET Credit Union, Matrix, Precor, Cal Mal Vending Services, TOPP Business Solutions, and Brucelli Advertising. For more information, contact Brandon Whipple, Senior Program Director and Coordinator of Healthy Kids Day, at (570) 828-3116 or bwhipple@gsymca.org. You can also visit the Greater Scranton YMCA online!
PennDOT Announces Innovations Challenge Regional Winners The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) today announced that a team of students from the Career Technology School of Lackawanna County has been selected as the PennDOT Innovations Challenge winner in the Dunmore-based, six county region. The PennDOT Innovations Challenge – now in its eighth year – is a statewide competition for high school students to develop creative and strategic solutions to real-world transportation challenges. The Innovations Challenge reflects the Shapiro Administration’s focus on a safe, efficient transportation system and gives students an opportunity to explore a career in state government. Mentored by Jonathan Coyne, team members include: Paige Rivers and Ben Cerra. “More than 90 percent of the unbelted travelers who died in crashes on our roads last year could have been saved by seat belts,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “In a crash, a seat belt can mean the difference between life and death. We need to reach our drivers and riders with that message.” For this year’s challenge, students were asked to develop a cost-effective, innovative solution that can help PennDOT more effectively increase motorist awareness for seat belt safety and change driver behavior to improve roadway safety. On average, more than 350 unrestrained fatalities occur on Pennsylvania’s roadways annually. PennDOT is committed to continuously improving roadway safety and deploys a multi-faceted strategy, which involves promoting behavioral programs and implementing infrastructure improvements. Nevertheless, the number of unrestrained fatalities remains high and changing driver behavior is crucial to solving this issue. The winning regional team’s innovation was a seat belt indicator on the exterior of a vehicle. “We are excited to announce that Paige Rivers and Ben Cerra from the Career Technology Center of Lackawanna County are the winners of the 2025 Innovations Challenge for PennDOT Engineering District 4,” said Richard N. Roman, District Executive for PennDOT Engineering District 4. “Their innovative idea to add a seat belt indicator light to the exterior of a vehicle will advance to the statewide judging. We wish them all the best in the statewide competition.” Regional Innovations Challenge winners will be invited to present their solutions to the PennDOT Secretary and a panel of judges in April, when a statewide winner will be determined. For this year’s challenge, the Transportation Policy and Education Foundation, an educational arm of the Associated Pennsylvania Constructors organization, the American Council of Engineering Companies of PA, the Mid-Atlantic Section of the Institute of Transportation Engineers and the Intelligent Transportation Society of Pennsylvania are providing a combined total award of $6,000 to the statewide winning team. For complete Innovations Challenge details, visit the PennDOT website. Motorists can check conditions on major roadways by visiting www.511PA.com. 511PA, which is free and available 24 hours a day, provides traffic delay warnings, weather forecasts, traffic speed information, and access to more than 1,000 traffic cameras. 511PA is also available through a smartphone application for iPhone and Android devices, by calling 5-1-1, or by following regional X alerts.
Geisinger Expands with Longtime Local Physician Joining Primary Care Network Nicholas Dodge, M.D., will be affiliated with the Geisinger primary care network beginning on Monday, March 3, and his practice at 414 E. Drinker St. will become Geisinger Primary Care Dunmore. Board certified in internal medicine, Dr. Dodge has cared for patients in the greater Scranton area for more than 30 years. He attended The University of Scranton for his undergraduate work and earned his medical degree from Temple University School of Medicine. He completed a residency in internal medicine through the Scranton-Temple Residency Program. “The opportunity to partner with Geisinger will help us continue to provide the friendly, high-quality personalized care that we’re known for while aligning with a nationally known system with a similar reputation for caring, excellence and quality,” Dr. Dodge said.
