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.
Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant from AllOne Charities In November 2024, the Greater Scranton YMCA was awarded a $20,000 grant from AllOne Charities. Grant funding will support the Y’s Year-Round Food Program, specifically the purchase of new equipment and staffing. Since the Greater Scranton YMCA implemented its Year-Round Food Program, enrollment in early childhood education programs has significantly grown. During the Y’s most recently completed fiscal year (07/01/2023 – 06/30/2024), 69,490 meals and snacks were provided to children enrolled in Early Childhood Education programs, Summer Day Camp, and Before and After School care. This growth has proved challenging, as the need for additional staff and more efficient equipment has also increased. Thanks to the generosity of AllOne Charities, the Greater Scranton YMCA has been able to purchase a new steamer and deep freezer, as well as support staffing expenses. “We are so grateful to AllOne Charities for this generous grant award,” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Thanks to our Year-Round Food Program and to the dedication of our Food Program staff, we are so proud to provide the children in our care with healthy meals and snacks daily. This grant award will support these efforts, allowing us to continue to grow. For more information about the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Year-Round Food Program, contact Kelena Gonzalez, Food Program Coordinator, at kgonzalez@gsymca.org.
Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant from PPL Foundation The Greater Scranton YMCA is pleased to announce it has received a $5,000 grant from the PPL Foundation. These funds will support the Y’s Summer Scholars Program, a free six-week summer learning program. The goal of Summer Scholars is to prevent summer learning loss for children from low- income families through a combination of literacy instruction (using the Four Blocks Model), enrichment activities aligned to literacy instruction and positive youth development opportunities. The program targets struggling readers and serves rising first, second and third grade students attending the Dunmore and Mid Valley School Districts. “The Greater Scranton YMCA is so grateful to the PPL Foundation for their generosity,” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO. “Thanks in part to this grant award, and additional support from local foundations, businesses, and proceeds from the Annual Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament, our YMCA will continue providing the Summer Scholars Program for struggling readers in our community at no cost to families. It’s because of the commitment of community partners like the PPL Foundation that we are able to serve those in need.” For more information about the Summer Scholars Program, contact Helen Cruser, Education Director, at hcruser@gsymca.org.
Greater Scranton YMCA Prepares for Giving Tuesday Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement traditionally held the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, will take place on December 3rd and the Greater Scranton YMCA is excited to participate. Each year, this global day of “doing good” inspires millions of people around the world to give, collaborate and celebrate generosity. The Greater Scranton YMCA encourages our community to learn more about the local impact the Y has had during our most recently completed fiscal year (07/01/2023- 06/30/2024) and to consider donating as the holidays approach. Many people associate the Y with a swimming pool, treadmills, or even a place to enjoy a cup of coffee. But the true power of the Y isn’t found within four walls. The Y is in the hearts and actions of every neighbor who believes in the vision of a better “us” and a stronger community for all. Thanks to the support of neighbors in our community, during our most recently completed fiscal year, the Y has: • Provided $790,400.26 in financial assistance for membership, child care, programs, and more, ensuring everyone can access our YMCA. • Served 11,153 children, adults and families from across our region through a membership to our YMCA. • Provided 69,490 meals and snacks to 653 kids enrolled in early childhood education programs at our YMCA. • Provided 1,689 children and adults essential, life-saving skills through our swim lessons, swim team and more. • Served 285 children in our 2023 and 2024 Summer Day Camp Programs, providing them with priceless experiences and memories to last a lifetime. • Served 337 children the Early Learning Centers in Dunmore and Olyphant and our Y-PALS Program. • Served 31 school-aged children in our before and after school program. • Served 4,854 individuals through specialized classes in our Wellbeing Initiative. • Served 1,130 children in youth sports and enrichment programs. “Every single dollar donated on Giving Tuesday and throughout our Year-End Appeal goes back into our vibrant, community,” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “To ensure that the Y is able to continue transforming lives and is working towards making our community a better place for all, each contribution gets us one step closer to upholding our commitment.” This year, the Greater Scranton YMCA is proud to again partner with AllOne Charities for their Give Day Campaign. Donations made to the Greater Scranton YMCA from November 27th through the morning of December 5th will be matched by AllOne Charities up to $1,000. Donations to the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Give Day campaign from November 27th through December 5th can be made here: https://formstack.io/793FF. Donations to the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Year-End Appeal that are made before November 27th and after December 5th can be made here: https://www.greaterscrantonymca.org/donate/.
Peoples Security Bank’s Leaders Named to Banking on Brilliance Awards Peoples Security Bank & Trust announced today that Susan Hubble and Stephanie A. Westington, CPA have been named a recipient of the 2024 Banking on Brilliance Awards, powered by KlariVis. The Banking on Brilliance Awards recognize remarkable women in community banking who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in driving transformation through innovation and data. Hubble and Westington were selected due to their excellence in innovation and data-driven leadership. “We are proud to see Susan and Stephanie recognized among such accomplished leaders,” said Jerry Champi, President of Peoples Security Bank & Trust. “Their dedication to leveraging data and innovation has had a major impact on our organization. This award is a testament to their talent and vision.” Ms. Hubble leads the Information Technology division as Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Peoples Security Bank & Trust, a role she has held since December 2019. She is responsible for overseeing strategic technology planning to align with the bank’s objectives and directs the Information Technology, Business Support Services, and Program Management departments. Previously, as Senior Vice President and Senior Information Technology Officer, Ms. Hubble managed the department’s daily operations and led several system conversion projects. Ms. Westington is a Senior Vice President and Chief Profitability Officer at Peoples Security Bank & Trust, with over 35 years of experience managing finance and accounting for community banks. Previously, as Chief Accounting Officer for FNCB Bank, she oversaw key financial operations and played a pivotal role in the recent merger with Peoples Security Bank and Trust Company. She holds a BS in Accounting and an MBA in Finance from the University of Scranton and is a graduate of the Stonier Graduate School of Banking. She is a licensed CPA and active in her community, including serving as Treasurer of the Catholic Women’s Conference of the Diocese of Scranton. “The women we’ve recognized are changing the game in community banking. Their commitments to driving innovation are remarkable not only for their banks, but for each customer they serve,” says Kim Snyder, KlariVis founder and CEO. “It is incredibly encouraging to be in an industry where women are leading the charge in such an exceptional way, and I look forward to seeing what each of these women continues to accomplish.” For more information on the 2024 Banking on Brilliance Awards and to view the full list of winners, visit https://go.klarivis.com/banking-on-brilliance.
