Join the Himalayan Institute for the Splendor of India

A Journey of a Lifetime!

Dear Pocono’s Friends,

I’m excited to share a unique opportunity with you—the Splendor of India trip in 2025! This unforgettable journey offers a chance to experience India’s rich culture, connect with like-minded professionals, and recharge in an inspiring environment.

Whether you’re seeking personal growth, cultural exploration, or just a meaningful break, this trip has something special to offer.

Learn more about the trip to India.

Everhart Museum Winter Events

Knox Mine Disaster Presentation

Friday, January 17 | 5:30–7:30 p.m

Join us Friday, January 17 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. as we observe Anthracite Heritage Month with a special reception for the exhibition Northeastern Pennsylvania Coalfields: Preservation, Praise, Promise, on view through January 26, and a presentation on the Knox Mine Disaster by documentary filmmaker David Brocca.

During the evening, Brocca creator of the 2016 film Knox Mine Disaster, which chronicles the catastrophic mine flood in Jenkins Township, PA in 1959, will discuss the tragedy and its lasting legacy while presenting a variety of artifacts from the event. Guests will also have the chance to view Northeastern Pennsylvania Coalfields, which showcases the coal heritage of the region through art; coal mining tools and wares; and geological specimens.

Learn about the region’s coal history while enjoying a fine selection of beers and seltzers from Susquehanna Brewing Co. (the first drink is included with the price of admission), and listening to tunes by Lex Romane, who will be playing an assortment of collected songs and original material that anthologize the history and tough life of the coal miner.

To register, visit https://everhart-museum.org/knox-mine-disaster/.

Underground Miners @ the Everhart

Saturday, February 1 | 12:00–3:30 p.m.

The Everhart is teaming up with the Underground Miners to host a special presentation to help close out Anthracite Mining Heritage Month and the exhibition Northeastern Pennsylvania Coalfields: Preservation, Praise, Promise.

Chris Murley and Banks Ries of the Underground Miners will hold a video screening and discussion about the closure of one of the last operating deep anthracite mines in NEPA: “The 7-Foot Slope” in New Philadelphia.

This will also be one of your last opportunities to view the Everhart Museum’s featured installation Northeastern Pennsylvania Coalfields.

After the presentation, from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m., there will be tours of the Brooks Coal Mine Tour directly behind the Everhart Museum.

Admission is free for both the presentation and the tour, but seating is limited, so please register in advance at https://everhart-museum.org/underground-miners/.

Galentine’s in the Gallery

Thursday, February 6 | Doors at 6:30 p.m. | Show from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Everhart Museum and Funny Wine Girl present Galentine’s in the Gallery, an evening of wine, chocolate, and stand-up comedy on Thursday,
February 6.

Celebrate the spirit of Valentine’s Day with your gal pals by enjoying the hilarious comedy of Funny Wine Girl Jeannine Luby, Micki Orlowsky, and Emily Epstein White. With your ticket you will receive a custom Funny Wine Girl chocolate bar by Electric City Sweets as well as your first drink. Additional wine and beer as well as Belgium chocolate bars by Electric City Sweets in a variety of flavors will be available for purchase.

Register today at https://everhart-museum.org/galentines-in-the-gallery/. This is a 21+ event.

Advance Tickets:

Everhart Members $30

Non-Members $35

At the door day of the show: $40

Valentine’s Week Kickoff Yoga with Mindy Hill

Saturday, February 8 | 10:00–11:00 a.m.

Kick off Valentine’s Week with some self-love in a healthy and positive space as Mindy Hill presents a yoga session in the galleries of the Everhart. Featuring fluid movement, vinyasa, and twists, flow is a practice that increases circulation of blood and prana (life-force energy), and helps to clear a foggy mind. 

Register today at https://everhart-museum.org/valentines-yoga/. The $10 registration fee includes Museum entry after class.

WVIA Wednesdays at the Everhart: News Listening Tour

Wednesday, February 12 | 2:00–3:30 p.m.

Join us for the fourth installment of WVIA Wednesdays at the Everhart as we present the first “News Listening Tour.” During this event, members of the WVIA News Team will meet and discuss the area’s most important stories with community members. Stay tuned for registration to open at https://www.wvia.org/events.

WVIA Wednesdays at the Everhart is a free monthly screening series programmed in partnership with WVIA Public Media especially for senior citizens. One Wednesday afternoon per month, a PBS documentary tied into the Everhart’s mission of natural history, science, art, and humanities will be screened in the Museum’s galleries.

Skills in Scranton Hosted Annual State of the Workforce Event

Skills in Scranton, the workforce development division of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, recently hosted its annual State of the Workforce event in partnership with The Institute for Public Policy & Economic Development. This signature virtual event welcomed educators and Chamber member businesses to explore critical workforce trends and opportunities shaping the region.

The presentation provided key insights into the region’s evolving job market, spotlighting top employers and industries hiring for in-demand careers. Attendees gained valuable information about workforce data, labor force participation, and skills gaps, all designed to support efforts to address challenges and enhance regional economic development.

“The State of the Workforce event is an invaluable tool for educators and businesses alike,” said Emily Pettinato, workforce development specialist at The Chamber. “This data empowers participants to better understand our regional workforce landscape and use this knowledge to address challenges, inform classroom instruction, and drive strategic decision-making.”

To access the 2025 State of the Workforce presentation, visit SkillsinScranton.com or contact Emily Pettinato at EPettinato@ScrantonChamber.com.

Jeannine Luby Creates Connections and Laughter

Plan to Start the New Year by Creating Connections and Laughing to Lower Stress at Collaborative Event in Scranton

Even if you didn’t make a resolution to incorporate more networking and healthy activity into your days, local organizations in Scranton are collaborating to give you the opportunity to do just that because they know how good it is for you!

It is the mission of NEPA Networkers to connect talented people of Northeast PA through events with the purpose of fostering business and career growth so when Laugh to Live owner Jeannine Luby suggested collaborating on an event with them, Bob Courtright, the face of NEPA Networkers and board president, agreed it was a good idea.

Luby has benefitted personally and professionally from attending various business mixers hosted by NEPA Networkers and thought laughter would be a good addition to networking and coffee and came up with “Laugh A Latte,” an event being hosted on Wednesday, January 8 at 8:30AM at Urban Co-Works at 116 N. Washington Ave. in downtown Scranton, on the third floor. 

The purpose of this event is to provide people with a unique opportunity to connect and experience a sampling of brain-boosting, stress-relieving laughter over coffee and light refreshments in the modern co-working space that is Urban Co-Works. Anyone interested can also receive a tour of the facility. Luby hopes that people take advantage of this opportunity to boost

brain function and mood and lower stress and anxiety and get inspired to think about wellness options for employees, volunteers clients, etc. in their organization. She said, “According to the American Psychological Association’s 2023 “Work in America Survey,” 77% of U.S. workers reported experiencing work-related stress in the past month, with 57% stating that this stress negatively impacted their health, highlighting a concerning level of workplace stress. Stress is costly–both personally and professionally. But we know from a multitude of studies that laughter can help us to lower the stress hormone cortisol, boost the ‘feel good’ hormones of endorphins and oxytocin, and provide several other wellness benefits, so my question is, ‘Why aren’t we laughing more? ” 

The Laugh A Latte event on January 8 is free to the public. Reach out to Jeannine at Jeannine.Luby@gmail.comwith any questions and to RSVP.