Scranton Area Community Foundation NEPA Thrives Workforce Barriers Summit Goes Virtual Originally scheduled as an in-person event, the NEPA Thrives Workforce Barriers Summit has transitioned to an interactive virtual format via Zoom, ensuring accessibility while maintaining the same valuable content. Hosted by the Scranton Area Community Foundation through its NEPA Thrives initiative, the Summit will bring employers, human resources professionals, executives, and managers together to tackle workforce recruitment and retention challenges across Northeastern Pennsylvania. Join the Workforce Landscape and Sector-Focused Collaboration in The Care Economy on Thursday, February 27, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. The first hour, led by The Institute, will explore workforce dynamics in Northeastern Pennsylvania, including in-demand occupations, labor market trends and COVID-19 impacts. A panel featuring experts from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, Geisinger, The Institute and JobsFirstNYC will follow, discussing sector-focused strategies to address workforce recruitment and retention challenges in the Care Economy. Participants will learn about local healthcare demand, industry partnerships, and strengthening talent pipelines. Register here. If you miss the first session, join the NEPA Workforce Landscape and Sector-Focused Collaboration on Thursday, March 6, from 9:00 to 11:00 AM. The Institute will present on the workforce landscape, followed by a discussion on regional workforce challenges. Experts will explore how employers, community organizations, and education providers can collaborate to address recruitment and retention barriers, highlighting promising practices and strategies with insights from JobsFirstNYC. Register here. Additional Sessions: March 13 – Strengthening Organizations Presentations March 19 – Childcare Panel March 21 – Employment Resources Panel March 24 – Transportation Panel April 3 – Unlocking Business Growth through Community Foundation Partnerships April 9 – K-12 Panel April 14 – The Welcoming Center This virtual series will include expert-led discussions and solution-driven collaborations, leading up to an in-person wrap-up collaborative on May 1, 2025. The Scranton Area Community Foundation is dedicated to fostering systemic change and collaborative solutions that benefit employers, workers, and families across Northeastern Pennsylvania. This Summit offers actionable strategies to strengthen organizations and drive economic growth in response to ongoing workforce challenges. For full session details and to register, visit SAFDN.org. For inquiries, contact Koren Clark, Community Impact Manager, at koren@safdn.org.
Mohegan Pennsylvania Set to Celebrate Mardi Gras Live music, costume contests, food and drink specials, and more to take place starting Friday, February 28th It’s time to get jazzy at Mohegan Pennsylvania! On Saturday, March 1st, guests can step in to a world of beads, bling, and live bands as The Hive Taphouse is set to host a Mardi Gras Masquerade Ballfeaturing live music, a costume contest, and food and drink specials. Plus, guests can collect beads and celebrate with food specials and custom drinks at Molly O’Sheas, Latitudes, The Crafty Stir, and Slice’d! Mardi Gras inspired food and drink specials will be offered at various venues across property from Friday, February 28th through Tuesday, March 4th, unless otherwise specified. On Saturday, March 1st, The Hive Taphouse will transform into the ultimate Mardi Gras celebration and guests are invited to not miss a beat! Live entertainment featured during the Mardi Gras Masquerade Ball will include Light Up The Moon from 9:30pm – 12:30am. Guests who come dressed in their best Mardi Gras themed costume will be eligible to participate in a costume contest, where $250 Mohegan Pennsylvania gift cards will be awarded to the winners of categories “Best Mardi Gras Couple” and “Most Creative”. Judging for the costume contest will take place from 8:00pm – 10:00pm and winners will be announced at 10:30pm. Drink specials at The Hive Taphouse include the King Cake Martini, which consists of whipped vodka, Amaretto and half & half, with purple and green icing on the rim, and the Hive Hurricane, made with light & dark rum, lime juice, orange juice, peach purée, and grenadine. For food specials, guests can indulge in Andouille Sausage and Smoked Chicken Gumbo, Shrimp Étouffée with Cajun Rice, and Classic Red Beans & Rice. Drink specials at Molly O’Sheas include the Skelliking Day, which consists of Jameson whiskey, peach schnapps, orange juice, peach syrup, and grenadine and the Boulevardier Mollys Way, made with bourbon, Aperol, and sweet vermouth. Those looking for a bite at Molly O’Sheas can try their Shrimp Po Boy which consists of zesty battered shrimp, served on a roll with lettuce, tomato, and house-made remoulade, or their Crab and Artichoke Dip, which is a blend of whipped cream cheese, artichokes, red peppers, crab, and spices, topped with cheddar jack cheese and served with tortilla chips. Molly O’Sheas food and drink specials will be available Friday, February 28th through Sunday, March 2nd. Latitudes Bar will change their coordinates to New Orleans and feature the Sweet Hurricane, made with light & dark rum, fresh squeezed lime and orange juice, passion fruit puree, and orange and cherry garnish, and the Mardi Gras Cocktail, made with tequila, fresh orange juice, strawberry syrup, and blue curaçao. Over at The Crafty Stir, guests can enjoy a New Orleans Dark Roast Chicory Coffee, a King Cake Latte made with espresso, caramel syrup, cinnamon, brown sugar, and milk, topped with cinnamon and colored sprinkles, and the Bananas Foster Latte consisting of espresso, milk, and a mixture of cinnamon, vanilla, caramel, and banana syrup. Last but not least, Slice’d will offer Beignets and a Shrimp Po’ Boy Stromboli. For more information about Mardi Gras at Mohegan Pennsylvania, visit the Mohegan Pennsylvania website.
Marywood University Hosts Rabbi Daniel Swartz Rabbi Daniel Swartz to Present a Dialogue about Vocation at Marywood University A free lecture about vocation, exploring the intersection of faith, service, and social justice, is set for 3 p.m. on Thursday, February 27, in the McGowan Conference Room, Swartz Center for Spiritual Life, on the campus of Marywood University. Rabbi Daniel Swartz, spiritual leader of Temple Hesed in Scranton and a renowned Jewish environmental author with over 30 years of experience, will lead attendees in a conversation about answering the call to serve and dedicating their energy toward fulfillment and justice—both personally and across the entire community. One of the major journeys many people face is the realization of their life’s purpose or vocation. The dialogue presented by Rabbi Swartz will consider vocation from the perspective of how God calls people to serve in the world, or as the type of work that one feels suited to doing, to which individuals are willing to give all their time and energy to fulfilling. As an institution of higher education, Marywood University supports its students in identifying and developing their personal and professional vocations, encouraging them to become lifelong learners and to achieve their full potential. To learn more about Marywood University, go to marywood.edu.
Marywood University Features Art History Teaching Exhibition The exhibition, “Art History Teaching Exhibition,” is currently running in the Maslow Study Gallery for Contemporary Art through March 19, 2025. Featured artists include Bernd and Hilla Becher, Evelyn Hofer, Barbara Kasten, Denny Moers, Robert Rauschenberg, Dan Rizzie, and Kenneth Snelson Mark Webber, art history Instructor and exhibition co-curator, noted, “Given the opportunity to bring together a selection of works from the Maslow Collection, and with two courses involving art and architecture—one generally Medieval, the other specifically Greek—I enjoyed the challenge of pulling work that might refer to, or start conversations about these topics with my students.” Webber continued, “With the help of Curator Ryan Ward, I found both direct and indirect references to structure—physical and compositional. Visitors can toy with the references to obscured artifact, improbable balance and the ongoing use of ancient architectural theme.” The Maslow Study Gallery for Contemporary Art, located within the Shields Center for Visual Art on Marywood’s campus, is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. The exhibit is free and open to the public. For more information on Marywood art galleries, visit marywood.edu/galleries.
Johnson College Receives Grant from the Moses Taylor Foundation Johnson College has been awarded a $50,000 grant from the Moses Taylor Foundation to establish a medical assistant laboratory at the College’s satellite campus, Johnson College at the CAN DO Training Center in Hazle Township. The designated laboratory space is being converted into two distinct clinical areas – a hospital room and a physician’s office – to provide a full range of training experiences for students enrolling in the program. These facility updates will allow Johnson College to provide the latest in hands-on education and training to meet the needs of the healthcare industry throughout the region and beyond. The Medical Assistant program is part of the College’s Continuing Education initiative. The program prepares students to assist physicians by performing functions related to the clinical aspects of a medical office including preparing patients for examination and treatment, routine laboratory procedures, pharmacology, and taking and documenting vital signs. Students learn the fundamentals of phlebotomy and venipunctures, anatomy, and physiology, and medical terminology encountered in the field. Upon completion of the program, students are prepared to take the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) Certified Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam. To learn more about Johnson College’s Continuing Education Medical Assistant program, visit https://johnson.edu/continuing-ed/medical-assistant/.
Grey Towers Calls For Artists The Grey Towers Heritage Association invites regional artists to create and display their works in any medium at an “Open-Air Art Show” on Saturday, April 26th, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm (rain date: Sunday, April 27th) at the historic Grey Towers estate in Milford. Whether it’s oils, embroidery, watercolors, pen & ink, quilts, or any other media, artists are encouraged to register for this opportunity to paint, sketch, and otherwise create art based on the Grey Towers mansion and surrounding outbuildings and beautiful vistas. This event will offer visitors a glimpse into each artist’s technique as well as an opportunity to purchase unique art pieces from the artists who will be located throughout the magnificent grounds while spring daffodils and crocuses are in bloom. “This plein air art show carries on a cherished family tradition,” said Don Allen, board member and coordinator. “The Pinchots understood the importance of nurturing creativity and supporting emerging talent. We are thrilled to offer this platform for local artists to create art on-site and share their work with the community.” Artists and visitors alike will enjoy the grounds of this historic site while sharing and discovering the diverse talents of the region’s artistic community. The event will be open to the public at no cost. “Painting outside is a rare luxury,” states Bob Eckstein, whose watercolor rendering of the Grey Towers mansion accompanies this article. “Grey Towers Heritage invites everyone with an artistic talent to participate.” For more information and/or to register for a space, artists should visit www.greytowers.org/events/ or call 570-491-7306.
Greater Scranton YMCA Benefited from the 5th Annual Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament & Dinner 5th Annual Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament & Dinner Celebration Benefits the Greater Scranton YMCAOn Tuesday, February 11th, the McGrath family presented the Greater Scranton YMCA with a $23,000 donation, which represents proceeds from the 5th Annual Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament. The tournament was held on September 20, 2024 at Glen Oak Country Club. Tournament proceeds will support the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Summer Learning Loss Prevention Program, Summer Scholars. Summer Scholars is a free research-based and research-proven six-week summer learning program. The goal of the program is to get elementary students on track to read at or above grade level by the start of their next school year. This summer, the program will serve rising first, second and third grade students attending the Dunmore and Mid Valley School Districts. Participants’ days consist of 2.5 hours of literacy in the morning followed by lunch and enrichment in the afternoon. Enrichment activities include field trips, as well as trips to the Greater Scranton YMCA for use of the pools. The program is instructed by certified teachers and YMCA staff. “We are happy to continue our support of the Y’s Summer Scholars Program in honor of our Dad,” said Betsy McGrath Ardizoni, Board Member, Greater Scranton YMCA, and daughter of the late Harry P. McGrath, Esq. “He believed that all children should have the resources needed to succeed in school, and this program allows for that opportunity.” The Scranton Area Community Foundation administers the Harry P. McGrath, Esq. Memorial Fund, established in May 2022 by Harry’s family to support the charitable causes and organizations important to him, including the Greater Scranton YMCA’s Summer Loss Prevention Program. “The McGrath family has made a profound impact on our YMCA and on the Summer Scholars Program,” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Through their generosity and dedication to the success of this tournament, our YMCA continues to have the resources needed to provide the Summer Scholars Program, ensuring it stays free for participants.” For more information about Summer Scholars, contact Helen Cruser, Education Director, at hcruser@gsymca.org. For more information about the Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament, contact Betsy McGrath Ardizoni at ecm0588@gmail.com.
