Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA to Host Annual Mix and Mingle

Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA is hosting its largest fundraiser of the year at Glen Oak Country Club, 250 Oakford Road Clarks Summit, PA on September 23, 2021 from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Meals on Wheels Community Services of NEPA will present two awards this year. The Fifth Annual Founder’s Award for Philanthropy will be awarded to Clarence Baltrusaitis on behalf of NET Credit Union. “We are so excited to honor Clarence and NET Credit Union,” said Kristen L. Kosin, Executive Director. “NET Credit Union is a true champion of our area. It’s amazing how their employees donate their time, expertise and generosity to help agencies and organizations throughout our area.”

The second award presented will be the Elaine F. Shepard Award for Exceptional Volunteerism. “Elaine F. Shepard is an extraordinary example of service to the community. This award will honor Katie Gilmartin. She works tirelessly to promote and serve our community,” explains Ms. Kosin. 

Tickets for this event are $75 per person or $125 per pair. Tickets include entrance to event, lite dinner fare, and open bar. Live music will be provided by the Mark Monella Trio. Activities at this year’s event include raffle baskets, a gift pull, and a silent art auction which will feature work from local artists like Sharon Cosgrove, Christine Medley, and Tom Noone. For more information and to purchase tickets online, visit www.mealsonwheelsnepa.org or call 570-346-2421.

La Festa Italiana Set for Labor Day Weekend in Scranton

La Festa Italiana is back!

After the event was cancelled last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, La Festa is returning and will be held Labor Day weekend (Friday through Monday, September 3-6, 2021) on Courthouse Square in the heart of downtown Scranton, Pa. Hours are Friday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Monday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

The festival committee is collaborating with the Lackawanna County Commissioners and the Mayor of Scranton’s Office to plan the event. COVID vaccines, masks and hand sanitizers will be available at no charge.

A variety of vendors will be offering great Italian food and other items, and continuous live entertainment will be featured. There is no admission charge. This year’s presenting sponsor is the Lehigh Valley Health Network.

Also returning this year are The Bronx Wanderers, La Festa’s main act on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. Festival patrons will recall these talented guys from previous appearances. They have been performing in Las Vegas for several years.

The Bronx Wanderers deliver a “Back to the Future” high-octane ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s rock n’ roll experience featuring the infectious energy of the music that skyrocketed classics like “American Graffiti,” “Happy Days” and “A Bronx Tale” to immediate success. Weave that nostalgic adrenalin into a soundtrack of the greatest hits of rock n’ roll replicated in a way that only a master record producer can achieve. 

Among the many other acts that will perform are The Cameos, comedian Uncle Floyd Vivino, Frank Sinatra tribute (Chris DiMattio), Dean Martin Tribute (Andy DiMino from Las Vegas), a Connie Francis tribute featuring Nikki Rasmus, Gene Dempsey Orchestra, Old Friends, Flaxy Morgan, Popstar Drive, Mike Lanza, The Luongo Brothers, The Wanabees, Daddy-O and the Sax Maniax, The Exact Change, Gerard Mayer Band, the Mark Montella Project featuring Erin Malloy, La Festa’s principal Italian tenor Michael Castaldo, Ballet Theatre of Scranton performing Italian-Folk street dances, plus many others including jugglers, magicians, street acts, favorite local bands and dance groups. 

The annual Mass in Italian will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 5, in the Cathedral of Saint Peter, located one block from the festival site. The Mass will also be televised live by CTV: Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton.

Fireworks presented by Dickson City Hyundai will be displayed on Sunday night.

For more information, the complete entertainment schedule and updates, visit the festival website.

La Festa Italiana will literally hit the ground running with the Ninth Annual Captain James R. Minicozzi Memorial 5K Run and 1 Mile Fun Walk on Saturday, Sept. 4, at 10 a.m. The race is being sponsored by the Scranton Chapter of UNICO, the Italian-American service organization, and proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania Christmas Party and West Scranton High School Scholarship Program. Pre-register by September 1 online!

The Dave Matthews Band Concert at Mohegan Sun Arena Date Change

The Wednesday, November 10th Dave Matthews Band show at Mohegan Sun Arena has been rescheduled to Monday, November 8th. The Tuesday, November 9th Dave Matthews Band performance will remain the same. Tickets for the November 10th show will be honored for the new date on November 8th. Refunds will also be available at the point of purchase for fans who cannot attend the rescheduled date.  Refund requests must be submitted by 10:00am ET on Tuesday, September 7th.  

Please note that both of these performances, the Event Organizer will require ticket holders to provide proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (original vaccination card or a printed copy from at least two weeks after final dose) or a negative test taken within 48-hours prior to entry at Mohegan Sun Arena. Ticket holders using a negative test for entry will not need to get subsequent tests if they are attending both shows.

For questions and additional information regarding health checks, please visit Ticketmaster Fan Support here.

For more information on Mohegan Sun Arena and other great events at Mohegan Sun, please visit mohegansun.com.

Scranton Cultural Center to Host Final Summer Concert

The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple will host the final show in its free outdoor summer concert series on September 10 with alternative rock/punk band Blind Choice.  The show will take place outside the Scranton Cultural Center at 420 N. Washington Avenue.

“This concert series has been such a great success, and we’ve loved providing live entertainment for our community again.  It was a great way to lead into our upcoming season,” said Deborah Moran Peterson, SCC Executive Director.

Blind Choice is an alternative rock & punk trio from Pennsylvania, Blind Choice was formed with its current members in March 2017. The band, with four years under its belt, has quickly gained success and has shared the stage with artists like Richie Ramone (The Ramones), Bowling For Soup, Drake Bell, Diamante, Sponge and TRAPT Official just to name a few! With well over 150 shows performed, the trio continues to perform throughout the tristate region playing at iconic music venues from The Bitter End to the Stanhope House, H*MAC, Chameleon Club and Mount Airy Casino & Lodge. The band is performs a mix of originals and covers, and stripped down raw acoustic tunes.  Band members include Dylan Pysher (Vocals/Lead Guitar), Matt Habrial (Bass/Backup Vocals) and Tanner Snyder (Drums).

All current CDC Guidelines will be followed, with any updates being shared via social media.  Patrons are requested to wear face coverings while inside the building.  The performance will run from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM; a cash bar with light fare will open at 6:00 PM prior to the show.  In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be moved indoors.  To learn more about the Scranton Cultural Center and its upcoming events, visit SCCMT.org.

The free outdoor summer concert series is sponsored by LT Verrastro, Truly Hard Seltzer, UGI Utilities Inc., WBRE/WYOU and Fidelity Bank.  It is supported by Lackawanna County and the PA Council on the Arts.

Scranton Tomorrow Dedication Ceremony & Meet the Artist Reception

Scranton Tomorrow and Members of the Mural Arts Program Committee cordially invite you to a Dedication Ceremony for the Danseur de Corde (Rope Dancer) Mural by Joel Carson Jones.

Friday, September 3 at Danseur de Corde Mural
328 Penn Avenue

5:15 to 7:30 p.m.
Music by the Marko Marcinko Swing Band

6 to 6:15 p.m.
Dedication Ceremony

6:15 p.m.
Meet and Greet & Poster Signing with Artist Joel Carson Jones

Autographed Posters
Purchase a commemorative edition Danseur de Corde poster. Designed by Tara Tomasetti-Smith, these lovely keepsakes feature the work of Julie Jordan Photography. Be sure to request an autograph from Joel Carson Jones, the artist who brought our Rope Dancer to life!

Video Tours
Guests will also have the opportunity to be among the first to embark on a brief video tour of the project, produced by KP Productions, simply by scanning the QR posted at the mural site with their smartphones.

Masks Encouraged
As an added precaution for the health and safety of our community, and our children, we encourage all guests to wear a mask while enjoying this special event. Thank you in advance for your understanding and cooperation.

Keystone Mission Real Talk

REAL TALK was started to educate and bring awareness to the ever-growing pandemic of homelessness in Northeast PA. Keystone Mission is determined to be the “Catalyst for the Community…” and hosting the event REAL TALK where Justin Behrens, CEO & Executive Director, sits outside for 24-hours straight and engages with community members, local business owners, local, state, and federal officials on the topics around homelessness. 

This year, Justin will be stationed at the Public Square in Wilkes-Barre starting at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 13. Justin will be sharing about our new 15-bed Transformation Center and how Keystone Mission will use its programming to bring about REAL change in the lives of men across NEPA. 

Last year Justin engaged in conversations with local pastors, local officials like Mayor Paige Cognetti (Scranton), former Luzerne County Manage, Dave Pedri, State Representatives, State Senators, local community members, and former guests of Keystone Mission on topics of government programs, the barrier to receive help, Keystone Mission programming, and more. 

WRC Golf Tournament

The Women’s Resource Center is pleased to announce its Annual Golf Outing by teaming up with Industry partners Erie Materials and Simplex Homes to help assist the Women’s Resource Center (www.wrcnepa.org) tournament at Pine Hills Country Club on September 24, 2021.


WNEP Golf Committee: Pictured left to right (Top Row) Tony Spinozza, Simplex Homes; Sherry Porpiglia, Simplex Homes; Ellen Fricchione, Committee Volunteer; Elaine Shepard, Women’s Resource Center (WRC) Board Member; Kurt Aaron, WNEP-TV 16; Peg Ruddy, WRC; Carol Chisdak, WRC Board Member; Dave Boniello, Simplex Homes; Amy Everetts, WRC; and Pat Fricchione. Simplex Homes. Bottom Row: Ranger, WNEP-TV 16.

The honorary chair this year will be Kurt Aaron of WNEP-TV 16 and his dog Ranger. Hit a hole in one and have a chance to win a car from Burne Honda!

WRC provides comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault in Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties. The tournament is sponsored by Seven D Wholesale & Windows.

To sign-up, donate, or have any questions visit www.wrcnepa.org, email peggyg@wrcnepa.org or call (570) 346-4460 ext. 143.

Golf Committee: Pictured left to right: Bob Crandle, Erie Materials; Dave Boniello, Simplex Homes; Peggy Gutowski, Women’s Resource Center (WRC); Elaine Shepard, Women’s Resource Center Board Member, Ellen Fricchione, Committee Member; Pat Fricchione, Simplex Homes; Peg Ruddy, WRC; Dick Frusciante, Seven D Wholesale; Brian Walsh, Matt Burne Honda; Paul Caruso, Simplex Homes, Tony Spinozza, Simplex Homes, and Pat Dietz, People’s Security Bank and Trust. 

CaPAA Enchanted Trunk or Treat

CaPAA will host their annual Enchanted Trunk or Treat on Saturday, October 30. A safe alternative to trick-or-treating including games, activities, food, and entertainment for a well-rounded fun family outing.

Individuals, businesses and organizations are invited to become trunk hosts or volunteers for this event. Contact Carole at 570-435-9012 for more information.