Tobyhanna Army Depot Warfighter of the Quarter Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) honored one of its own Saturday night for outstanding service as an Army Soldier. Sergeant First Class (SFC) Frank E Boehme, Jr. of the 109th Infantry Regiment out of Easton, PA – and a member of the TYAD workforce – was recognized as the first Warfighter of the Quarter of 2022 during a ceremony at the Wilkes-Barre/Penguins Military Appreciation Night event. The award, which celebrates the bond between TYAD’s employees and the warfighters they support, has been presented to over 35 deserving military members from across Northeastern Pennsylvania. Boehme’s commanding officer, Lt. Ryan Joyce, nominated him for the honor, noting the Sergeant’s extraordinary commitment to his fellow Soldiers. “SFC Boehme is by far the most skilled and professional Platoon Sergeant that I’ve worked with. He lives by Soldier first and mission always.” Kelvin Spencer agreed. “SFC Boehme serves as a premier role model for Soldiers and Noncommissioned Officers across the Army. He consistently sets the example for all to follow and demonstrates commitment to the Army Values, to the Warrior’s Ethos and he superbly represents our country’s military force of the future,” he said. Spencer is the chief of Tobyhanna’s Electronics Fabrication Division and leads the Tobyhanna chapter of the Association of the United States Army. He also served as depot Sergeant Major from 2009 to 2012. Open and honest communication is a priority for Boehme, who cites General Colin Powell as one of his leadership influences. “General Powell famously said that the day Soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you stopped leading them. I work hard to ensure my team knows that I care and will do anything I can to assist them.” Boehme also noted that his career achievements would not have been possible without the love and support of his family. “Whenever it was time to pack up my duffle bags and leave, I knew that things back home were going to be okay – whether it was for a weekend, a few months or for a yearlong deployment. My parents and my family always step up and cover down during my absence so I can stay focused on my Soldiers and my mission.” Coworkers and depot leadership similarly laud Boehme’s performance. “Frank continuously provides exceptional service, whether it is as Soldier or civilian,” said Jason DeMatteo, chief of the Law Enforcement Branch. Boehme says his years in uniform have given him a unique appreciation for the role Department of Defense civilians play in national security. “I feel tremendous gratitude to the entire Tobyhanna team for their efforts to make life easier for warfighters on the battlefield.” Boehme enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in January 2004 and deployed twice to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. A highly decorated Soldier, he has been honored with the Army Commendation Medal w/ Oak Leaf Cluster (OLC), an Army Achievement Medal with two OLCs, the Armed Forces Reserve Components Achievement Medal with four OLCs, and the Combat Infantryman Badge – among other impressive accolades. He is a member of the Order of the Combat Spur (Gold) and is the recipient of the Order of Saint Maurice Medallion. The Warfighter of the Quarter award is a TOBY2028 Connecting with the Community initiative. The long-range strategic plan aligns with the depot’s four strategic focus areas: Investing in Our People, C5ISR Readiness, Shape the Future and Strategic Communications; and aims to posture the organization for future success.
RailRiders Boyle Honored by Triple-A East Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders pitcher Sean Boyle has been honored as Triple-A East’s Pitcher-of-the-Week for August 16 through 22. On August 19, Boyle tossed a no-hitter in game two of a doubleheader against the Worcester Red Sox at Polar Park; a 5-0 RailRiders victory. Boyle, 24, made his first-ever Triple-A start on August 19 and the seventh of his professional career since being drafted by the New York Yankees in the 25th round out of Dallas Baptist University in 2018. He walked one and hit one batter in the complete-game effort, striking out six and throwing 95 pitches to no-hit the WooSox. The right-hander had never thrown more than 66 pitches in any of his previous 45 pro outings. Boyle’s no-hitter was the second by the RailRiders this season, joining the performance by Luis Gil, Reggie McClain and Stephen Ridings on July 21 against Rochester, which also netted Gil Pitcher-of-the-Week honors for his effort. Boyle also worked the first four innings of a seven-inning no-hitter for Hudson Valley on July 10. It was the first seven-inning, complete game no-hitter by a Scranton/Wilkes-Barre pitcher since Robert Ellis on June 6, 2004, against Louisville. Boyle has pitched at three levels this season, compiling a 6-3 mark with a 2.17 earned run average over 62.1 total innings pitched. The RailRiders continue a two-city road trip Tuesday, August 24, at Lehigh Valley and return to PNC Field on August 31 to host the Buffalo Bisons. Tickets for the upcoming 14-game homestand, which also welcomes Rochester back to PNC Field, are available online at swbrailriders.com.
Marywood University Honors Jim and Cathy Gavin for Inspiring Social Justice Marywood University’s Eighth Annual Community Leadership Celebration, Inspiring Social Justice, took place on Thursday, June 10, 2021, and honored Jim and Cathy Gavin of Scranton. Nearly 300 people gathered at the Motherhouse and Seminary Morgan Memorial Garden to celebrate as Marywood proudly bestowed the Lead On Award to Jim and Cathy Gavin, honoring them for their community leadership, their selfless work for the benefit of Marywood students and the greater community, and for making our area a better place to live, work, and raise a family. Guests of the event were welcomed by Richard McLane, bagpiper. Entertainment was provided by Isabella Snyder ’22, student vocalist, accompanied by Stephen Murphy, pianist and vocalist. Barbara Cawley ’63 and Mary Ellen Coleman ’68, served as committee co-chairs of the event. Funds raised at this year’s Community Leadership Celebration (CLC) exceeded $325,000. To date the CLC has raised nearly 3 million dollars. Marywood University’s CLC event provides special support to Marywood students. Proceeds from this year’s event, as in the past three years, will support the President’s Innovation Fund, a fund that supports Marywood students through initiatives that enhance the academic experience in the IHM tradition. The Gavins have had a lifelong relationship with the Congregation of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, beginning in grade school at Chapel and Holy Rosary schools in the 1950s. This relationship has flourished over several decades. Mr. Gavin graduated from the University of Scranton in 1971, following three years of active military service. He earned graduate degrees in Social Work and Management from Marywood in 1973 and 1985. A professional social worker, Mr. Gavin worked in the behavioral health field for 47 years in clinical as well as management positions. He recently retired after 21 years as President/CEO of Community Care Behavioral Health Organization, a UPMC insurance company, and is currently a Senior Advisor to executive leadership. Elected to Marywood University’s Board of Trustees in 2014, Mr. Gavin is a member of various committees serving as Treasurer and Chair of Finance since 2016. Mrs. Gavin began a lifelong career in the restaurant business at Stirna’s Restaurant in 1967. After a short stay at The Scranton/Lackawanna Human Development Agency she returned to her true passion, Stirna’s Restaurant. In 1980, with the support and assistance of a friend and attorney, she purchased the business and remains its sole proprietor today. During the next 40 years, Mrs. Gavin began and managed what is today a thriving catering business. She also negotiated and managed the food service contract for Lackawanna College. In 2008, on the 100th Anniversary of Stirna’s Restaurant, and with the help of her son, Michael, she totally renovated the West Market Street facility. Today, the restaurant and catering business continue to thrive under their management and supervision. During Jim and Cathy’s fifty years of marriage, their focus has been on family, church, and community. They have two children, Kate and Michael, and two grandchildren, Gavin and Grace. They are proud members of the Gavin/Walsh families, who are collectively committed to the missions and work of the IHM Congregation. Together, Mr. and Mrs. Gavin are active on numerous boards dedicated to the health and welfare of the citizens in Lackawanna and Allegheny counties. To learn more about Marywood University’s Annual Community Leadership Celebration, please visit marywood.edu/clc, or call (570) 348-6238.
Woodloch Pines Resort Honors its Employees After an extremely challenging year and three-month closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Woodloch Pines, an all-inclusive family resort in the Pocono Mountains, was more eager than ever to recognize the hard work and dedication of its longtime employees. Although the annual in-person staff meeting and celebration could not take place, the Kiesendahl Family, who have owned and operated the business for over 60 years, took the time to honor and reward their loyal team members with gift certificates and golden nametags in recognition of their service. Woodloch has a very special history, which is a large part of what creates such an exceptional staffing base. When Woodloch founders Harry and Mary Kiesendahl first purchased the property back in 1958, the couple was looking for an escape from the hectic hustle bustle of life in New York and a way to reconnect as a family. As the resort grew over the years, both guests and staff alike grew to become family members as the Kiesendahl’s welcomed them with open arms. Of the 1,091 part and full-time workers, 199 have served the company for at least a decade. Considering that the hospitality industry is well-known for its high turnover rate, this is certainly a notable accomplishment. 99 of these staff members have worked for the family resort for at least 20 years and another 40 for 30-plus years. One such employee, John Taninies, is celebrating his 40th year working at Woodloch. After graduating high school, Taninies began his career during the summer of 1981 working the waterski dock on the family resort’s lake. He also washed dishes in the evening and was asked if he would like to work in the kitchen full-time. He enjoyed the experience enough to pursue his culinary degree at Sullivan County Community College in New York from 1983 to 1985 while maintaining his job at Woodloch. During the summer of 1984, Taninies worked with a classmate who owned a catering company that was serving athletes and staff at the U.S. Open and the Los Angeles Olympics, after which he returned to Woodloch. He went on to help open the brand-new kitchen and bakery at The Inn at Woodloch, built to accommodate the growing number of guests at the Poconos resort. After 21 years of managing The Inn and spreading his talents across Woodloch’s various kitchens, Taninies found his way back to where he originally began his culinary career — the kitchen of the resort’s Main Dining Room — which he has been managing since 2006. “John has been a dedicated part of Woodloch’s team for the past forty years. He continues to share his expertise and leadership to this day. His strong guidance and work ethic have earned him the respect of his peers throughout Woodloch, and we have been fortunate to have John as part of our extended family,” remarked Bob Kiesendahl, co-owner and Food and Beverage Director of Woodloch Resort.“Our staff members are second to none. We are where we are because of them, and we couldn’t be more grateful, especially given the past year’s challenges,” continued Bradley Kiesendahl, Woodloch’s President and C.E.O. “Thanks to their efforts, Woodloch has maintained its longstanding reputation of providing first-class hospitality through our most difficult days. We are deeply appreciative of the hard work, genuine care, and unending compassion our team members display each and every day.” The Poconos resort is excited to announce that it is currently hiring new employees. For more information, please visit: https://www.woodloch.com/view/careers/.
Scranton Bank Orders Lunch for Geisinger Frontline Workers Peoples Security Bank & Trust Co. of Scranton ordered lunch from DaVinci Pizza for 125 employees at Geisinger Community Medical Center last week to honor frontline workers. Throughout the month of March, Peoples Security Bank donated more than 1,600 meals from area restaurants to 13 hospitals across the state and in New York. Up to 125 frontline providers from each hospital received a lunch or dinner, along with a special message of encouragement and appreciation for their selflessness and commitment to their patients. “Over the past year, most of us have spent all of our waking hours thinking about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and what it means for us and our families,” said Alicen Backus, marketing representative for Peoples Security Bank. “People who live in our communities have all faced hardships in one way or another, and no one has experienced the impact more than our health care workers, who have been working on the frontline, day in and day out, through it all.“ To honor their continued service and sacrifices, Peoples Security Bank pledged more than $80,000 in the past year to support health care workers and regional food banks within the bank’s Pennsylvania-based footprint grappling with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. “On behalf of everyone at Peoples Security Bank & Trust, thank you to everyone at Geisinger for all that you do for our community,” Backus said.
