Steamtown National Historic Site to Host Railfest on Labor Day Weekend

Railfest is scheduled to return to Steamtown National Historic Site Labor Day Weekend, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 29, 30 and 31, 2025. This year’s event will highlight significant milestones in the park’s history and locomotive collection.

The weekend will center on the 100th birthday of Grand Trunk Western No. 6039, a steam locomotive built for high speed and longtime part of Steamtown’s collection.

The park will also recognize the 30th anniversary of its 1995 grand opening to the public, a milestone following years of preparation after Congress established Steamtown as a unit of the National Park Service in 1986. For nearly 40 years, Steamtown has preserved and interpreted the history of steam railroading in the United States.

Visitors can expect a variety of experiences, including train rides, locomotive displays, interactive exhibits and hands-on programs suitable for all ages. Community partner organizations are expected to participate, offering activities that connect visitors with railroad heritage and local history.

A free shuttle will run between Steamtown National Historic Site and La Festa ltaliana, a popular Italian festival held in downtown Scranton the same weekend. The service will help visitors easily experience both events. Guests can also reach the park from Lackawanna Avenue via the Marketplace at Steamtown’s mall bridge walkway.

Additional details about event schedules, activities and participating partners will be shared as the weekend approaches. For general information about the park, including hours and directions, visit www.nps.gov/ steamtown.

UNC’s Carbondale Farmers Market to Hold Honesdale National Bank Day

United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) invites all media outlets and community members to join us on Thursday, June 26, for a special Honesdale National Bank Day at our year-round Carbondale Farmers Market. The market is held every Thursday from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Fallbrook Community Center, located at 185 Fallbrook Street, Carbondale.

This event recognizes The Honesdale National Bank, our Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PA DCED) Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credit partner, for their investment in the Carbondale Farmers Market. Through the PA DCED program, The Honesdale National Bank has played a vital role in supporting the market’s growth and long-term sustainability. The Neighborhood Assistance Program continues to strengthen the market by supporting vendor recruitment, marketing, and the development of local partnerships.

The market will feature all of our regular local vendors offering fresh produce, handmade goods, delicious treats, and more. To mark the occasion, UNC will provide free ice cream from Scoopz Ice Cream Truck between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM, and each shopper will receive a reusable market bag (while supplies last). Special guest vendor Rowlands Pennsylvania Produce will be joining us, along with the Fat Guys on Wheels food truck and fun activities for families—including UNC’s brand-new cornhole games. And don’t forget to book your tee time for our golf simulator, open from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.

UNC’s Carbondale Farmers Market accepts SNAP/EBT. Benefit cardholders can receive an additional $2 for every $4 spent through the Food Bucks incentive program. For more information on SNAP/EBT, Food Bucks, or to become a cooking demonstrator, contact Lee Eckardt, Farmers Market Manager, at fm@uncnepa.org. 

Scranton Counseling Center to Host Summer Splash for Mental Health Event

Scranton Counseling is hosting its first annual Summer Splash for Mental Health on Thursday August 14th from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm at our Center, 329 Cherry Street, Scranton, PA 18505.  Your donation will support the various programs at SCC that help our community members with their mental and behavioral health needs.  Tickets are $80 and include a BBQ dinner catered by Caravia, one summer drink ticket, music, games and building tours!  Event sponsorships are available.  Please contact Doug Hein, Director of Development at 570.348.6100, ext. 3222 or Douglas.Hein@ScrantonSCC.org for details.  Tickets and sponsorships can also be purchased at https://4agc.com/event/summersplash.  We hope to see you there!!

Grey Towers, Finger Bowl Held at Pinchot Dining Room

Come enjoy a unique and historical dining experience at the outdoor Finger Bowl at Grey Towers National Historic Site in Milford, PA, home of two-time governor and conservationist Gifford Pinchot, on July 19 at 5 p.m. 

Considered Grey Towers’ most popular feature, The Finger Bowl served as the Pinchot family’s outdoor dining room. Added in 1934 to the French-style mansion and gardens constructed in the 1880s By James and Mary Pinchot, the unique water-filled table was the site of many lively discussions about politics, social issues, and conservation efforts.

“The food was passed to guests by floating filled wooden bowls and balsa rafts on the water. The opening in the wisteria-covered pergola permitted moonlight to radiate across the water. This recreation of those dinners, which we first did last year with a sold-out audience, is a very romantic and magical evening for everyone,” promises Linda Pinto, GTHA Board member and one of the event’s organizers.

Grey Towers Heritage Association invites members and the general public to enjoy a tribute to this lovely tradition in mid-summer as they savor delicious foods prepared and served in the tradition of the Pinchot family’s dinner celebrations.

A wine and hors d’oeuvres reception starts at 5 p.m., with dinner seating at 6 p.m. around the water-filled Finger Bowl table, and at tables that line the perimeter of the pergola.  Only pergola seats are currently available, and those seats provide an equally magical evening.

Seating is limited, so reserve yours now at https://greytowers.org/event/finger-bowl-candlelight-dinner/.

A second Fingerbowl dinner will take place on September 5 as a fundraiser for the Heritage Association’s Legacy Scholarship, which awards scholarships to tri-state public high school students who plan to study natural resources, science, economics, ecology, education, and social sciences. Tickets for that dinner are also on sale now at https://greytowers.org/events.

The Waverly Community House – Cars & Coffee, Summer Concerts, and Waverly Wine Fest

Hosted on the Comm Lawn and grounds, guests are invited to gain a unique glimpse of collectible automobiles ranging from classic to exotic, antique cars and hot rods. Many of the owners remain by their vehicles and are delighted to share their knowledge with admirers. This event is free and open to the public with donations gratefully accepted. Complimentary coffee and snacks provided!
Join us for our summer concerts! These concerts will take place on the Comm back lawn and provide a perfect opportunity for families and friends to gather together and enjoy great music in a serene outdoor setting. Bring your own chair or picnic blanket and snacks.
The 2nd Annual Waverly Wine Fest! 
Spend a delightful afternoon sampling wine and other beverages, exploring delicious food options, and shopping diverse and interesting vendors. 
Join us from 12:00-4:00PM on the back lawn of the Waverly Community House for an afternoon of food, fun, and live music with the Doug Smith Band!

UNC’s South Side Farmers Market Holds PNC Day

United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) invites all media outlets and community members to join us on Saturday, June 21, 2025, for a special PNC Day at our year-round South Side Farmers Market. The market takes place every Saturday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. We are now outdoors at the corner of 526 Cedar Avenue and Alder Street in Scranton.

This event honors PNC, our Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (PA DCED) Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) tax credit partner, for their investment in the South Side Farmers Market. Through the NAP program, PNC has played a vital role in supporting the market’s growth and long-term sustainability. The Neighborhood Assistance Program continues to strengthen the market by supporting vendor recruitment, marketing efforts, and the development of local partnerships.

The market will feature our regular lineup of local vendors offering fresh produce, handmade goods, delicious treats, and more. To mark the occasion, everyone who attends the market on June 21 will receive a raffle ticket for a chance to win one of two half-share CSAs from Endless Roots Farm in Waverly. Plus, UNC will be purchasing the first 100 ice cream treats from The Rolling Conez Ice Cream Truck — free to market-goers while supplies last!

A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) provides subscribers with regular deliveries of fresh, seasonal produce throughout the growing season. It’s like a subscription to healthy, local food — and a great way to support regional farmers!

We’re also excited to welcome a new vendor — JaM’s Delights. Come hungry! ShoovyQ BBQ will be serving up delicious food, and families can enjoy fun outdoor activities, including UNC’s brand-new cornhole boards, free to play.

The South Side Farmers Market accepts SNAP/EBT. Benefit cardholders can receive an additional $2 for every $4 spent through the Food Bucks incentive program. For more information on SNAP/EBT, Food Bucks, or to become a cooking demonstrator, contact Lee Eckardt, Farmers Market Manager, at fm@uncnepa.org.

The South Side Farmers Market is also supported by the PA Department of Community and Economic Development’s Neighborhood Partnership Program investment from The Dime Bank. This project is also financed in part by a grant from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Department of Community and Economic Development through the PA Fresh Food Financing Initiative, administered by The Food Trust.