Roba Family Farms hosting Jurassic Farm Roba Family Farms in North Abington Township is hosting its Jurassic Farm Dino Fest event once again this year! Through September 27, families can visit the farm for some end-of-summer fun and spend some time with the dinosaurs! Tickets are $19.95 per person and can be purchased on the Roba Family Farms website. You can also purchase day passes for the farm and make campfire site reservations.
Steamtown Hot Yoga & Barre hosting belly dancing workshop on Sunday Steamtown Hot Yoga & Barre in Scranton’s Lace Village will host a belly dancing workshop on Sunday, September 13 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. No experience is necessary for the workshop, and attendees are invited to bring a friend or family member along. Attendees will explore various movements with Philadelphia-based dance performer and instructor Amalia. The room will not be heated for this workshop. Tickets are $30 per person. You can register for the workshop by clicking here.
Marywood University’s Center for Law, Justice & Policy Hosting Speaker Series “The Courts and Our Community” Marywood University’s Center for Law, Justice and Policy is hosting a Policy Perspectives speaker series, “The Courts and Our Community.” The lectures in the series are being offered during the fall semester on several Tuesdays at Noon at the Swartz Center on Marywood’s campus. These events are free and open to the public. The Honorable Karoline Mehalchick and the Honorable Jennifer Wilson, United States judges for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, are coordinating speakers for the series. Judges Mehalchick and Wilson are partnering with Patrick M. Seffrin, Ph.D., professor and director of the Center for Law, Justice, and Policy at Marywood, to present these events, which give participants the opportunity to engage with leading legal professionals and gain insight into key issues coming before the courts that affect the community. The series begins with a prospective student event slated for Wednesday, September 16, 10:30 AM until 1 PM, “The Courts and Our Community: Law & Justice Day,” exclusively for prospective students interested in the criminal justice, pre-law, and legal assistant fields. Register at https://admissions.marywood.edu/register/courts_sept16. The public lecture series provides the opportunity for anyone interested in contemporary issues coming before the courts to hear from legal professionals who specialize in these matters. The following events are scheduled: Tuesday, September 22: Introduction to Federal Courts and the Rule of Law – Presented by Judges Karoline Mehalchick and Jennifer Wilson, this session will provide an overview of the basic structure of the federal courts, what the rule of law means historically and today, and some of the major issues facing federal courts today. Tuesday, October 6: Modern Constitutional Issues – Presented by Magistrate Judge Martin Carlson (Ret.), Assistant United States Attorneys Carl Marchioli and Christian Haugsby, and former Assistant Federal Public Defender Fritz Ulrich, this session will include discussion of how the Constitution applies to everyday issues and recent interpretation and application of the Constitution by our courts. Thursday, October 20: Immigration Law – Presented by Professors Jill Family and Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, together with Attorney Tracey Hubbard, this session will focus on the current status of immigration laws in the United States and the interplay of the roles of the immigration proceedings and the federal courts. Tuesday, November 3: Election Law – Presented by Attorneys Donna Walsh and Nicole Boland, together with Marywood Professor Adam Shprintzen, this very timely session will discuss the modern constitutional issues pertinent to election and voting law in the United States. Tuesday, November 17: Advocacy & Judicial Decision Making – Presented by Judge Thomas Vanaskie (Ret.), Assistant United States Attorney Jenny Roberts, and Attorney Christopher Opiel, along with Judges Karoline Mehalchick and Jennifer Wilson, the final session will explore how cases move through the federal court system, the issues attorneys face in advocating for their clients, and how judges ultimately reach their decisions. For more information about the Center for Law, Justice, and Policy at Marywood University, visit: marywood.edu/academics/center-for-law-justice-policy, email legalcenter@marywood.edu, or connect via social media on Facebook (Marywood Center for Law, Justice and Policy) and X (@MU_LEGAL_CENTER).
Archbald Summer Beach Party happening in late August The Archbald Summer Beach Party will be on Sunday, August 23, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at Aylesworth Park. The party will celebrate Archbald Borough’s 150th anniversary. The event will have swimming, live music, face painting, kids’ games and activities, and a sandcastle-building contest with a top cash prize of $100. Attendees don’t have to live in Archbald Borough to attend. Anyone with questions can contact Kayleigh Cornell at 570-351-1086 or email the Archbald Neighborhood Association at archbaldneighbors@gmail.com.
Johnson College to host 2026 Celebration of Industry; announces honorees Johnson College will host its 2026 Celebration of Industry on Thursday, September 24, 2026. The event will begin at 5:30 pm at Hotel Anthracite in Carbondale and will honor the Genzlinger Family, Marshall Machinery and Rob Grimm of Grimm Construction Inc. The honorees were chosen because of their leadership in strengthening the regional workforce, advancing their industries and contributing to the economic strength of northeastern Pennsylvania. The Genzlinger Family will be honored for leadership in hospitality, historic preservation and regional economic development. The family has helped restore historic properties and expand tourism and business development across northeastern Pennsylvania through Settlers Hospitality Group. Marshall Machinery was founded in 1959 and provides equipment sales, rentals, parts and service to its customers. It was chosen as an honoree due to its support of agriculture, construction and related industries across Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey. Robb Grimm, vice-president of Grimm Construction Inc., will be honored for leading the family-owned construction company that has served Wayne County and surrounding Pennsylvania communities for more than 50 years. The company provides residential, commercial and industrial construction services. “The Genzlinger Family, Marshall Machinery, and Rob Grimm exemplify strong industry leadership and community commitment that help drive our region forward,” said Dr. Katie Pittelli, president and CEO of Johnson College. “Their investment in workforce development and career and technical education is helping create meaningful opportunities for students to gain the skills, experience and connections needed to succeed in essential careers and strengthening the industries that depend on them.” More than 200 business and community leaders are expected to attend the 2026 Celebration of Industry, and proceeds from the event will benefit the College’s Annual Fund, which enhances academic programs, student resources and facilities. Those interested in attending the 2026 Celebration of Industry can buy tickets here or by contacting Patty DeScipio at pdescipio@johnson.edu or (570) 702-8860.
Treasurer Stacy Garrity Celebrates 529 Day with Awards for Families Treasurer Stacy Garrity celebrated 529 Day – May 29, or 5/29 – by encouraging families across Pennsylvania to save with the PA 529 College and Career Savings Program for a chance to win awards, including three top awards of $5,529 – enough to pay for a year’s tuition at a Pennsylvania community college. May 29, 2024, has also been designated as College and Career Savings Day in Pennsylvania by the General Assembly, with resolutions sponsored by Senator Scott Martin (R-13) and Representative John Schlegel (R-101). “I’m excited to celebrate 529 Day and very pleased that the General Assembly is supporting our efforts by proclaiming this as College and Career Savings Day,” Treasurer Garrity said. “Saving for education is an important step families can take to help make their child’s dreams come true, no matter what career path they take. Treasury is offering some fantastic promotional awards to encourage more families to take advantage of our PA 529 Guaranteed Savings Plan, which is a great savings tool. Saving now, means less to borrow when a child embarks on their technical career training, apprenticeship or college degree.” “We all share a common interest in supporting strong postsecondary educational opportunities and career preparation programs to help young people chart a course toward a brighter future here in Pennsylvania,” said Senator Martin. “I am proud to partner with Treasurer Garrity to make more Pennsylvanians aware of the benefits of PA 529 accounts and the key role they play in helping students achieve their dreams.” “The PA 529 College and Career Savings Program has helped many Pennsylvanian families save money for their child’s postsecondary education for more than three decades,” said Rep. Schlegel. “I encourage all families to consider this savings option.” Treasury’s 529 Day promotion has been running since May 1, and families have until May 31 to save to be eligible for awards with the PA 529 GSP. The PA 529 GSP allows families to save at today’s tuition rates to meet tomorrow’s tuition costs. Families can choose the tuition level they wish to save at – from community colleges up to Ivy League universities. Families who open a new PA 529 GSP and contribute at least $10 until May 31, will be eligible to win one of two statewide awards of $5,529, or one of six regional awards of $2,529. Last year, more than 1,000 families started saving during our 529 Day promotion. New for this year, families who had a PA 529 GSP account prior to May are eligible to win one statewide award of $5,529 if they make an additional contribution of at least $10 to their child’s account before the end of the month. The PA 529 program has been helping families save and pay for education for more than 30 years. Saving with PA 529 accounts comes with significant state and federal tax advantages. PA 529 accounts can be used for a wide variety of qualifying technical, collegiate, and apprenticeship expenses like tuition, fees, books, equipment, room and board, and more. Saving with PA 529 does not impact a student’s eligibility for Pennsylvania state financial aid. Families with young children, born January 1, 2019, or later, already have a $100 Keystone Scholars account to jumpstart their education savings. This automatic deposit is available to every baby born in Pennsylvania, and the program uses no taxpayer dollars. Families are encouraged to claim their Keystone Scholars accounts online at pa529.com/keystone and open their own companion PA 529 account to continue saving for their child’s future.
Knowles Insurance Announced Continued Family Participation Matthew Knowles launched the fourth generation of his family’s participation in the insurance business when he recently joined Knowles Insurance, headquartered in downtown Scranton. Matthew brings his large market, large client, cyber liability insurance experience to the agency as the firm’s cyber risk practice leader. He spent years in New York City specializing in complex cyber liability insurance programs for clients in the $100M – $5B revenue range. During his years with Willis Towers Watson, a multinational risk management, insurance brokerage, and advisory company, Matt managed the cyber insurance programs for numerous banks, private equity firms,manufacturers, and health care organizations. Over 30 years ago Robert J. Knowles, Jr. purchased the firm from the previous generation and has served as the agency’s principal since that time. “We’re delighted to have Matt return to northeastern Pennsylvania and bring his cyber liability experience to expand our agency’s expertise,” related Robert Knowles Jr. “And I’m equally proud to have Matt continue our history of providing a full range of insurance products and risk management solutions to our broad base of clients,” he continued. Matt added, “This is an ideal time to join the company and offer enhanced cyber risk services to our business partners. This is a time when businesses throughout the country are challenged with technology risks in a digital environment and many business leaders are unsure where to look for guidance. We can assist them from both an insurance and risk management perspective. I am excited to join a company that continues to evolve and adapt in order to meet the needs of the market.” Knowles Insurance is a full-service insurance firm serving corporations, organizations, and families throughout the 22 states from their corporate headquarters in northeastern Pennsylvania. The firm has provided a variety of specialized insurance services to businesses and individuals for almost 90 years.“We are fortunate to have a superior management team and devoted staff as we’ve grown the business over the last quarter century,” stated Robert Knowles, Jr. “Susan Kelly and Todd Zimmerman have been instrumental to our success during that time. With their dedication we have built a reputation on establishing long term relationships with our clients by reducing their total cost of insurance risk.” The firm previously known as Knowles Associates has recently rebranded as Knowles Insurance with a new logo and signage for their corporate headquarters building.
