Geisinger Junior Volunteer Program Applications Are Open Geisinger Community Medical Center, Geisinger Lewistown Hospital, Geisinger Medical Center and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center are accepting applications for the Junior Volunteer Program (JVP). JVP is a six-week summer program designed to engage high school students ages 15 to 18 in meaningful service and interactive learning experiences while exploring health care careers. Applications are accepted from Sunday, Feb. 1, through Friday, Feb. 20, for the 2026 program. The JVP offers students the opportunity to: Contribute through hands-on volunteer service Learn about a variety of health care career paths Make a positive impact in their communities Earn awards for the hours they serve Returning second- and third-year participants can also apply to become JVP Leaders, gaining leadership training, mentorship and firsthand experience in patient care and hospital operations. Program requirements include an online application, references, essay, interview and orientation. Participants must commit to 40 service hours, 15 educational hours and attend at least five of the six program weeks. Interested teens can apply and find key dates and details at geisinger.org/juniorvolunteer. For more information, email volunteers@geisinger.edu or call 570-214-6021.
NEPA Philharmonic Highlights “Dreams & Klezmer” The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic present an upcoming program that highlights the rich history and expression of Klezmer music and Jewish culture. Attend an intimate chamber music program, “Dreams & Klezmer.” The program is Sunday, February 22nd at 3:00pm at the WVIA Sordoni Theatre in Pittston. The “Dreams & Klezmer” chamber concert weaves together the expressive fire of klezmer music with mystical and dreamlike modern works. The music explores themes of memory, spirituality, and cultural tradition through a soundscape of Jewish mysticism, folk tradition, and dance. This evocative program for clarinet and string quartet features Osvaldo Golijov’s mesmerizing and powerful “Dreams and Prayers of Isaac the Blind,” music by Dmitri Shostakovich. The concert also has traditional klezmer melodies arranged by NEPA Philharmonic violinist and Chamber Series coordinator Sasha Margolis. The concert features an ensemble including Margolis on violin, NEPA Philharmonic Principal Clarinetist Pascal Archer, Principal Cellist Lucas Button, violinist Robyn Quinnett, and guest violist Mialtin Zhezha. The NEPA Philharmonic 25-26 Season is presented by PNC; Philharmonic season media sponsors include WVIA, Lamar Advertising, Halibut Blue, Happenings Magazine, and Darren Elias Photography. The Philharmonic Chamber Series is presented by the Stoppini Family Foundation, and the Dreams & Klezmer program is presented by the Robert H. Spitz Foundation. A generous grant from the Robert H. Spitz Foundation’s Spring 2025 Grant Cycle, provided through the Scranton Area Community Foundation, underwrites for the event, as well as a distribution of free Angel Tickets for upcoming Philharmonic concerts to local Jewish non-profit organizations serving community members in need. Tickets for concert are $29 in advance or $35 at the door, with limited seating available. For tickets or more information, visit NEPAPHIL.org, or call the Philharmonic Box Office at (570) 270-4444.
The Wright Center for Community Health Offers Dementia Education Sessions The Wright Center for Community Health, in collaboration with Age Friendly Lackawanna, is offering free, informative sessions to help people better understand and support loved ones with dementia. Led by a specially trained Dementia Champion, these one-hour sessions focus on increasing knowledge about dementia and small, practical, everyday ways to support people who have it. Participants can attend a session in person or virtually. “We know that receiving a diagnosis of dementia can be overwhelming,” said Nicole Flynn, the director of The Wright Center’s geriatrics service line. “These sessions are a great way to learn more and become more familiar with how to help your loved ones with dementia.” Dementia Champion sessions will be available on: Feb. 17 from 3-4 p.m. at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton, 501 S. Washington Ave. March 13 from 2-3 p.m. at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley, 5 S. Washington Ave. April 15 from 3-4 p.m. at The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre, 169 N. Pennsylvania Ave. May 15 from 2-3 p.m. at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley, 5 S. Washington Ave. June 23 from3-4 p.m. at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton, 501 S. Washington Ave. July 15 from 3-4 p.m. at The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre, 169 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Sept. 22 from 3-4 p.m. at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton, 501 S. Washington Ave. Oct. 23 from 2-3 p.m. at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley, 5 S. Washington Ave. Nov. 18 from 3-4 p.m. at The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre, 169 N. Pennsylvania Ave. For more information, including how to join a session virtually, contact Flynn at flynnn@TheWrightCenter.org. The Wright Center has been a community leader in dementia and Alzheimer’s care, offering the nationally recognized Alzheimer’s and Dementia Care (ADC) Program, where geriatricians, advanced practitioners, and dementia care specialists at The Wright Center work closely with each patient’s primary care and referring physicians to develop a personalized care plan. The program also provides ongoing patient monitoring and round-the-clock access to assistance and advice, helping patients avoid emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Learn more at TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-230-0019.
Wayne Bank Announces Transition to Enhance Wealth Management Services Jim Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is pleased to announce a transition in the Bank’s brokerage and investment platforms, moving from LPL Financial to Cetera Wealth Services, LLC. “Our transition to Cetera Wealth Services supports our continued focus on enhancing our wealth management offerings, improving our service capabilities for our customers, and keeping the trusted relationships our customers rely on front and center,” said Joseph Adams, Senior Vice President & Director of Wealth Management and Investment Services. “Our commitment to personalized guidance and long-term relationships will remain unchanged.” Cetera Wealth Services will provide the investment services previously offered through LPL Financial LLC (“LPL”), effective March 1, 2026. Wayne Bank’s current LPL-affiliated Financial Professionals will associate with Cetera Wealth Services. A premier independent broker-dealer with more than 25 years of experience, Cetera Wealth Services offers a wide range of carefully screened financial solutions designed to meet the needs of both investors and financial professionals. This administrative change aligns with Wayne Bank’s long-term goals of enhanced service, expanded resources, and a strong client experience. Most importantly, clients trusted advisory relationships with the Wayne Bank team will remain unchanged, and the Bank will continue to serve as the primary point of contact and steward of each customers’ financial plan. Wayne Bank is a subsidiary of Norwood Financial Corp., Member FDIC, and is located in Honesdale, Pennsylvania.
The Chamber Announces Scranton Business Award Winners The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce announces the winners of the 2026 SAGE, ATHENA Leadership, and Milestone Awards. The recipients will be recognized at the 157th Chamber Annual Dinner, presented by PNC Bank, on March 25, at the Scranton Cultural Center. The Scranton Awards for Growth and Excellence (SAGE), recognize the outstanding efforts, talent, creativity, and innovation within the northeastern Pennsylvania business community. The SAGE for Business of the Year The SAGE for Business of the Year, sponsored by Fidelity Bank, recognizes a business that has a clear strategic vision and has demonstrated growth in at least one of the following categories: customers, revenue, product and services, or employees. The 2026 SAGE Business of the Year will be presented to Basalyga Hospitality. Basalyga Hospitality is a food, beverage, and entertainment business creating dining, nightlife, and hospitality experiences throughout northeastern Pennsylvania. Its multi-faceted portfolio includes eight properties that span from taverns to movie theaters to fine dining. Its mission is to restore and revitalize buildings and create new business opportunities while providing exemplary service to our community. The SAGE for Small Business of the Year This SAGE for Small Business of the Year, sponsored by The Honesdale National Bank, recognizes a business that has demonstrated growth in at least one of the following categories: customers, revenue, product and services, or employees. The 2026 SAGE Small Business of the Year will be presented to Everything Natural. Everything Natural is a community-focused health and wellness store dedicated to elevating the well-being of its customers. Originally established in 1985 as one of the region’s first health food and supplements store, the business has evolved and provides healthy grab-and-go meals, a fitness studio, and educational opportunities for its customers. The business is laser-focused on serving its community through event sponsorships and providing support to community groups and organizations in the area. The SAGE for Community Involvement Excellence The SAGE for Community Involvement Excellence, sponsored by Pennsylvania American Water, recognizes a business that has made outstanding contributions to its community through philanthropy or the investment of financial or other resources, such as time, talent, materials/facility/equipment, or involvement of staff or others in the organization. The 2026 SAGE Community Involvement Excellence will be presented to CHOP Out Hunger (CHOP). CHOP is a nonprofit organization with the mission to eradicate childhood hunger. CHOP works alongside schools, businesses, and community partners to ensure children have food when they need it the most. CHOP serves approximately 45,000 children across Pennsylvania, partnering with 150 schools and community organizations. The ATHENA Leadership Award The ATHENA Leadership Award, sponsored by Michael A. Barbetti, LLC, CPA, is presented to an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in her/his business or profession, has served the community in a meaningful way, and has assisted women in their attainment of professional goals and leadership skills. The 2026 ATHENA Leadership Award will be presented to Laureen “Laurie” Cadden. For more than 35 years, Laurie Cadden has shared her time and talents with dozens of civic organizations and charities in northeastern Pennsylvania. In addition to her love of the arts, Cadden has committed herself to empowering women through financial education and literacy. Through decades of hands-on service and leadership, she has helped shape a more vibrant, equitable, and connected community in which women are encouraged to lead, invest, and thrive. The 2026 Milestone Awards The Milestone Award, sponsored by NBT Bank, recognizes businesses and nonprofits celebrating anniversaries in 5-year increments. A. Pickett Construction Automated Lifestyles Ballet Theatre of Scranton – The Presentation of the Nutcracker Blu Elefante Events Community Bank, N.A. Crystal Window & Door Systems PA Damage Control, Inc. EHEALTH Wellness & Fitness Studio, Inc. Golden Technologies Groove Brewing Home Health Care Professionals & Hospice – HHCP La Festa Italiana Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services NeighborWorks Northeastern Pennsylvania Nibbles and Bits Northeast Regional Cancer Institute PA Advocates Inc Mohegan Pennsylvania (Pocono Downs) Pulman Interiors Quest Studio Scranton Jazz Festival Serving Seniors Inc. The Dime Bank The Honesdale National Bank The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education TravelWorld United Sports Academy United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike Wayne Bank WRC, Inc. (formerly Women’s Resource Center) WVIA Additionally, all SAGE and Milestone recipients will have the opportunity to be chosen as the 2026 SAGE People’s Choice Award recipient, sponsored by Peoples Security Bank and Trust. The winner will be chosen at the 157th Chamber Annual Dinner using a live online voting platform.
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Announce New and Returning Value-Driven Initatives The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, are pleased to announce several new initiatives geared for veterans, first responders, seniors, and all fans attending games. The game day parking fee is being reduced to $5 per vehicle in 2026. Season ticket members can purchase preferred and general parking passes at a discounted rate. The RailRiders are thrilled to announce a partnership with Veterans Tickets Foundation (Vet Tix) this season. Vet Tix partners with sports organizations to provide free tickets to more than 21 million military members, veterans and their immediate families. These free tickets are available to games as a way to help reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, create lasting memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay connected with their local communities and American life. Members of the military and their families can request free tickets for the upcoming RailRiders’ season through VetTix.org. Active and retired members of the military can show valid identification at the PNC Field Box Office and save $5 per ticket for any game (limited to four tickets per game). First Responder Fridays return for 2026. Thanks to Kost Tire & Auto, first responders have the opportunity to receive free tickets on a first-come, first-served basis. One hundred complimentary tickets are given out for each Friday home game. Visit the First Responder Friday page on the Community tab at swbrailriders.com and fill out the form to request up to four free tickets. First responders, including police, fire and EMTs, can also show an ID at the PNC Field box office on Friday nights to save $5 per ticket (limited to four tickets per game). Additionally, the RailRiders recently announced the new Silver Sluggers program for $60 per person, offering reduced tickets and free parking on Tuesdays to individuals 55 and older who purchase the plan. “Minor League Baseball thrives on many things, including being a great value,” stated Shawn Reilly, the RailRiders’ president & general manager. “Working with Vet Tix and our partners at Kost Tire & Auto is a tremendous part of what we can do. Offering additional savings to those brave members of our nation’s military, both active and retired, our vital area first responders, plus the new Silver Sluggers program and lowering the cost of parking are all steps in creating the best possible value for every trip to PNC Field.” Daily promotions, 2026 theme nights and giveaways will be announced soon. Season tickets are on sale now, and single-game tickets will be available starting at 10 A.M. on February 9. Call (570) 969-2255 or visit swbrailriders.com for more information.
Jeannine Luby Announces Recipients of The Humor Therapy Fund Grant Jeannine Luby is pleased to announce the 2025 grant recipients of The Humor Therapy Fund of the Scranton Area Community Foundation (for 2026 programming). Recipients are Volunteers in Medicine, an organization that offers a range of free services from dental care to counseling and much more, and The Lake Foundation, whose goal is to strengthen mental health literacy in NEPA through education and advocacy. Volunteers in Medicine, a past recipient of a Humor Therapy Fund grant over seven years ago, will build upon their humor tool kit that is integrated into counseling sessions with clients for healing and lightheartedness. The Lake Foundation is planning an improv workshop with Electric City Improv to help local youth heal through connection and creativity. Noelle Bonitatis, VIM’s behavioral health manager and Kelly Ranieli, VIM’s executive director posed with fund advisor Jeannine Luby to celebrate their recent grant; Luby also met with Jeffrey Lake and his son Harrison, along with Jacob Torba, philanthropy associate at Scranton Area Community Foundation for the Lake Foundation check presentation. Luby worked with the Scranton Area Community Foundation in 2005 to create the donor-advised Humor Therapy Fund that serves to promote healing through humor and laughter in our region. Learn more about the Fund here: https://scranton.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1138
The Salvation Army Scranton Citadel Corps. Brought Christmas to Nearly 700 Children 140 Years of Hope in Scranton: A Community Rallies to Feed Families and Carry the Mission Forward For nearly a century and a half, The Salvation Army Scranton Citadel Corps has stood alongside neighbors in need—responding to hardship with compassion, dignity, and unwavering service. As the organization approaches 140 years of ministry in Scranton, that mission was powerfully on display on December 18, 2025, when 300 local families received Christmas Dinner boxes, ensuring that hope—and a warm holiday meal—were on the table. Families experiencing food insecurity registered both online and by phone, and on distribution day the event unfolded as a smooth, welcoming drive-through. Each box—filled with the essentials for a Christmas dinner—was made possible by a generous donation that allowed turkeys to be purchased specifically for this outreach. Behind the scenes, the operation was a true community effort. More than two dozen volunteers came together from Walmart, Lakeland High School, and the wider community to assemble and pack boxes donated by local partners, unload turkeys, greet families with warmth, and carefully load meals into vehicles. The entire effort was coordinated by Steve Oaten, Property Manager, who also faithfully serves as Food Pantry Coordinator—ensuring that no detail was overlooked and every family was treated with care. “The Salvation Army was founded on the principle of ‘soup, soap, and salvation,’” Oaten shared. “We are blessed to continue that mission by providing Christmas dinner boxes for our neighbors in need.” The impact of the day drew the attention of WNEP News 16, who joined the distribution and spoke with Captain Neil Childs, Corps Officer of The Salvation Army Scranton Citadel Corps. Captain Childs highlighted a growing and concerning reality: families seeking help for the first time, and seniors on fixed incomes whose resources no longer stretch far enough to meet basic needs. “These are our neighbors,” Childs said. “And the need is increasing.” That growing need is felt well beyond the holidays. The Salvation Army Scranton operates a ChoiceFood Pantry every Tuesday by appointment for food-insecure households within its current service area. Families are able to schedule appointments every two months as needed, allowing them to select food that best meets their household’s needs while preserving dignity and choice. As demand continues to rise, The Salvation Army Scranton is facing a critical challenge. The Choice Food Pantry is currently housed in the Corps’ gymnasium, a space that has reached its limits. The Corps is now seeking to relocate the pantry to a larger, fully accessible space near its current location at 500 S. Washington Avenue, Scranton. Making this move possible will require funding support from the community. Relocating the pantry would not only improve access and efficiency for families seeking food assistance—it would also free the gymnasium for additional community programming, expanding opportunities for youth activities, support groups, and neighborhood engagement. Since 1885, The Salvation Army Scranton Citadel Corps has served the community without discrimination, meeting human need wherever it exists. As Scranton looks toward the next chapter of this 140-year legacy, the mission remains steadfast—but the path forward depends on collective support. Now is the time for the community to rally. Through financial support, partnerships, advocacy, and volunteerism, individuals and organizations can help ensure The Salvation Army Scranton continues to meet rising needs with compassion and dignity. Together, we can honor 140 years of service—and invest in the future—so that hope, help, and healing remain available to every neighbor who walks through The Salvation Army’s doors.
The Wright Center for Community Health Opens New On-site Pharmacy The Wright Center for Community Health will expand access to essential health services in Luzerne County with the opening of a new on-site pharmacy at its community health center in Wilkes-Barre. The 1,400-square-foot pharmacy, located at 169 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Wilkes-Barre, will be open to patients of The Wright Center as well as members of the surrounding communities. The pharmacy provides convenient access to prescription medications and pharmacist support as part of The Wright Center’s integrated, whole-person primary and preventive health services delivery model. The pharmacy will open in mid-March and serve the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Operations will be led by three licensed pharmacists. Most common prescriptions can be filled while customers wait, while some specialty medications may require 24 hours’ notice. “The opening of our Wilkes-Barre pharmacy reflects The Wright Center’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to the health services our communities need and deserve,” said Dr. Jignesh Sheth, senior vice president and enterprise chief operations and strategy officer. “Several pharmacies around the region have closed over the past few years, so we’re excited to offer this service to our communities, whether they are Wright Center patients or obtain medical care elsewhere.” The pharmacy operates alongside a newly opened 1,400-square-foot laboratory for routine testing, further enhancing the services available at The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre. Together, the pharmacy and laboratory help reduce barriers to care for patients who might otherwise struggle to access these resources, Dr. Sheth said. Plans call for the Wilkes-Barre pharmacy to also deliver patient prescriptions to Wright Center locations in Lackawanna, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. Patients will eventually be able to pick up prescriptions at the community health centers most convenient for them. The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre, recently received a Pride of Place Award from the Wyoming Valley Chamber of Commerce in recognition of its transformation from a former office building into a health care destination. The community health center offers affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary care, behavioral health, dental, pharmacy, and laboratory services conveniently located in the heart of downtown Wilkes-Barre. The location is accessible to patients who rely on public transportation and is within walking distance of many of the city’s high-rise apartments. The renovation was made possible by $4 million in state grants awarded through the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. The Wright Center for Community Health accepts all insurance plans and offers a sliding-fee discount program to help ensure whole-person primary and preventive health services are affordable for everyone. For more information, visit TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-491-0126.
Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant from The Les Paul Foundation The Greater Scranton YMCA is among a select group to receive a grant from the Les Paul Foundation for its Music Education and Guitar Lesson Program for children enrolled in the Y’s Before and After School Program. The program will combine music education with hands-on guitar lessons, giving students the opportunity to explore their creativity while building self-confidence through the power of music. “At the Y, we believe in nurturing the potential of every child and teen, and music is a powerful tool for that growth,” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. “Music education inspires creativity, builds confidence, and gives young people a voice. Through programs like this, rooted in our core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, we’re creating safe, inclusive spaces where youth can thrive, belong, and discover who they are. This is how we strengthen our communities and live out our mission each day.” For more information about the Music Education and Guitar Lesson Program at the Greater Scranton YMCA, contact Brandon Whipple, Senior Program Director, at bwhipple@gsymca.org.
