Black Cow Cookies & Cream Announces Launch of Nitro Kombucha Black Cow Cookies & Cream is excited to announce a new collaboration and product launch at its downtown Scranton location. This week, the shop officially launched nitro kombucha on tap, featuring Blueberry Pomegranate kombucha from Good Juju Kombucha as its house flavor. Good Juju’s commitment to small-batch quality and thoughtful fermentation made them a natural fit for what Black Cow is building. To bring the concept to life, Black Cow partnered with Goblin Alchemy, who assisted in designing and fine-tuning the nitro system. The result is a smooth, creamy pour that elevates kombucha into a true draft experience—still a unique and rare offering in the region. This launch reflects Black Cow’s broader mission: Supporting independent producers Investing in quality over shortcuts Creating unique options that appeal to a wide audience, including families and health-conscious customers The response so far has been extremely positive, and Black Cow looks forward to continuing to introduce thoughtful, locally connected offerings to the downtown community.
Salt Barre Offering Weekly LED & Micro Facial Sessions The Salt Barre in Pittston is excited to offer weekly LED + Micro Facial sessions in partnership with Tree of Life Esthetics – a restorative, wellness-forward service designed to support both skin health and overall wellbeing. These facials use gentle LED light therapy to reduce inflammation, brighten the complexion, encourage cellular repair, and provide a deeply calming, meditative experience. Clients leave feeling refreshed, grounded, and recharged – inside and out. This offering is perfect for individuals looking to invest in health, longevity, stress reduction, and holistic self-care. One recent client shared: “I felt myself completely unwind from the moment the service began. The gentle LED light made the experience almost meditative, and my skin looked brighter and softer afterward. I left glowing on the outside and recharged on the inside.” Weekly Availability: Sundays, Mondays & Tuesdays at The Salt Barre – Pittston Studio Who This Is For: • Community members seeking restorative wellness services • Professionals looking to reduce stress + support skin health • Anyone interested in LED light therapy and holistic self-care Click here for more information.
Greater Scranton YMCA Receives Grant from PPL Foundation The Greater Scranton YMCA is pleased to announce it has received a $5,000 grant from the PPL Foundation. These funds will support the Y’s Summer Scholars Program, a free six-week summer learning program. The goal of Summer Scholars is to prevent summer learning through a combination of literacy instruction, enrichment activities aligned to literacy instruction, and positive youth development opportunities. The program targets struggling readers and serves rising first, second, and third grade students attending the Dunmore and Mid Valley School Districts. “The Greater Scranton YMCA is so grateful to the PPL Foundation for their generosity,” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO of the Greater Scranton YMCA. “By investing in literacy for rising first, second, and third grade students, the PPL Foundation is investing in the future of our community. Together, we’re helping children build the skills and confidence that set them up for lifelong success.” For more information about the Summer Scholars Program, contact Helen Cruser, Education Director, at hcruser@gsymca.org.
Indraloka Shares Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide Still staring at an empty shopping cart with just days to go? Indraloka Animal Sanctuary has an answer that doesn’t involve overnight shipping or panic buying. The 100-acre sanctuary in Northeast Pennsylvania is offering a thoughtfully curated Last-Minute Holiday Gift Guide filled with meaningful, stress-free gifts that support nearly 200 rescued farm animals. Each option is easy to purchase, giftable digitally or with a printable certificate, and directly supports the care of rescued animals. “For many people, the hardest part of holiday gifting is finding something that feels both meaningful and simple,” said Indra Lahiri, PhD, Founder and CEO of Indraloka. “These gifts can be purchased in minutes, require no shipping delays, and offer something far more lasting than another item wrapped under the tree.” Indraloka’s Last Minute Holiday Gift Guide includes: VIP Sanctuary Tours A deeply memorable experiential gift that is easy to give and schedule later. For $200, up to six guests can enjoy a private, custom VIP tour at Indraloka, meeting rescued beloveds up close and experiencing the sanctuary at a relaxed pace. Tours can be booked any day of the week except Sunday and scheduled anytime in 2026. Printable gift certificates are available upon request, making this an ideal last minute holiday gift. Save $100 on 2026 Retreat Registration Through December 31 Indraloka’s 2026 retreats offer a restorative escape guided by the wisdom of sanctuary animals and the calming presence of nature. Each retreat includes plant-based meals, embodied practices that support nervous system regulation, and time for both reflection and connection. Register by December 31 and save $100 with code 26RETREATS. Registrations can be gifted by listing the recipient as the attendee, and certificates are available for holiday giving. 2026 retreat dates include: Becoming Whole, May 22 to 24, 2026 The Sanctuary Within, July 17 to 19, 2026 Inviting Joy In, September 25 to 27, 2026 Merchandise Sale Through December 31 For those who prefer a tangible gift, Indraloka merchandise is currently available at 10% off with code YE2025. Cozy apparel, mugs, totes, and other items help support the daily care of nearly 200 rescued animals. Merchandise can be purchased quickly online through Indraloka’s store or Bonfire. 2026 Calendar Pre-Order Indraloka’s 2026 calendar is available for pre-order and features full color photographs of beloved sanctuary residents. Calendars are expected to ship in late December. This is a simple, heartfelt gift that keeps the sanctuary close all year long. Early Booking Savings for 2026 Team Retreats Organizations looking for an easy, high impact gift for their teams can reserve a 2026 team retreat and save 20% by booking and paying by December 31. Indraloka’s team experiences are customized to each group and focus on connection, communication, and resilience through guided animal encounters and reflection. Retreats must be scheduled by July 15, 2026 to receive the discount.
Geisinger Recognized for Supporting Health Worker Well-Being For the second straight year, Geisinger has been recognized as a WellBeing First Champion by ALL IN: WellBeing First for Healthcare. As a WellBeing First Champion, Geisinger has verified that licensure and credentialing applications for physicians and advanced practice providers don’t stigmatize mental healthcare and treatment. This means health workers at Geisingercan seek needed care without fear of losing their license or job. “This recognition demonstrates Geisinger’s deep commitment to supporting the mental health and well-being of our workforce,” said Susan Parisi, M.D., Geisinger’s chief wellness officer. “Geisinger continuously promotes an open dialogue about mental health and reducing stigma to encourage our employees to seek help. We often talk about the importance of taking care of ourselves so that we can best care for our patients; with these credentialing changes for physicians and APPs, we’re putting our words into action.” Verification that all invasive or stigmatizing language around mental health has been removed from applications is confirmed annually by ALL IN: WellBeing First for Healthcare, a coalition of leading healthcare organizations that works to eliminate barriers for health workers to obtain needed mental healthcare. “Across the country, health workers are at an increased risk for burnout and mental health conditions,” said Corey Feist, organization co-founder. “Many health workers feel they cannot speak up about their mental health without being criticized by colleagues or losing their jobs. Today, physicians and nurses die by suicide at two times the rate of the general population. We as a nation must better protect these lives, and I applaud our Wellbeing First Champions for their leadership to support the well-being of health workers.”
Indraloka Offers Unique, Effective Team-Building Experience As organizations race to use remaining professional development and wellness dollars before year’s end, a farm animal sanctuary in Northeastern Pennsylvania is offering a rare opportunity to invest those funds in something that delivers lasting impact. Indraloka, a 100-acre sanctuary home to nearly 200 rescued farm animals, offers organizations that book their spring 2026 team-building experiences before December 31, 2025, a limited-time 20% discount. The offer is designed to help companies and nonprofits convert unused 2025 budget dollars into meaningful, research-informed team development that supports resilience, communication, and workplace well-being. “Every December, we hear the same thing,” said Indraloka Founder and Executive Director Indra Lahiri, PhD. “Teams don’t want to lose their remaining budget, but they also don’t want to spend it on something forgettable. This is a chance to invest those funds in an experience that truly changes how people relate to one another.” Indraloka’s trauma-informed team-building programs replace traditional trust exercises with guided, facilitated experiences alongside rescued animals. Participants engage in mindfulness practices, storytelling, and animal-assisted activities that help teams find a healthy pace, build empathy, and reconnect to shared purpose. Organizations across healthcare, philanthropy, education, and the nonprofit sector have already turned to Indraloka for this work, including the Moses Taylor Foundation and the Scranton Counseling Center. “Our staff felt recharged and deeply connected,” said Sara Wodder, Psy.D., President and CEO of the Scranton Counseling Center. “The experience created space for reflection, learning, and genuine care—for ourselves and for each other.” Programs range from two-hour sessions to full-day retreats and can accommodate groups from 6 to 200 participants. Experiences are customized based on organizational goals and may include animal-assisted challenges, guided reflection, wellness practices such as yoga or qigong, creative sessions, and post-event action planning. The 20% discount applies to spring 2026 team-building programs booked by December 31, 2025, allowing organizations to lock in dates while using current-year funds. “This is not a retreat where people sit and listen all day,” Lahiri added. “It’s experiential, grounded, and deeply human. Teams leave with practical insights they carry back into their work.” Click here for more information.
Wright Center Welcomes Seven Doctors to Fellowship Programs The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education welcomed seven new doctors into fellowship programs as part of its mission to improve the health and welfare of communities through inclusive and responsive health services and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve. The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education (GME) welcomed seven new doctors into its fellowship programs during the annual Specialties Matching Service Fellowship Match Program on Dec. 3. Participating in the program, first row from left, are Dr. Jumee Barooah, senior vice president and designated institutional official; Brian Ebersole, vice president; Nathan Cardona, director of scholarly activity, institutional research, and IRB administration; standing, Natasha Hazzouri, GME specialist; Tyler Wilson, GME evaluations and outcomes specialist; Russell Day, GME workforce operations, training, & development specialist; Sara Dombroski, executive administrative assistant; Lisa Mann, GME specialist; Lisa Krucar, GME specialist; Michael Mahon, VP, academic affairs and associate DIO; and Jenna Ferraraccio-Diehl, GME administrative assistant. The Wright Center offers three fellowship programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education: cardiovascular disease, gastroenterology, and geriatrics. Fellows train in community-based settings, learning essential, specialized skills to deliver critically needed care in Northeast Pennsylvania. On Match Day, The Wright Center filled one position in its gastroenterology fellowship program and one in its geriatric fellowship through the Specialties Matching Service Fellowship Match Program. The program encompasses multiple fellowship matches representing more than 70 subspecialties, with applicants worldwide learning simultaneously at noon, where they are matched each year. Before the match announcement, The Wright Center filled three fellowship positions in its cardiovascular disease program and two in its geriatrics program. One of the new cardiovascular disease fellows and two of the geriatric fellows will graduate from The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Internal Medicine Residency Program in June and chose to continue learning and serving in the region. Fellows will begin training at The Wright Center on July 1, 2026. “We are excited to welcome our new fellows to Northeast Pennsylvania, where they will live our mission and core values as they train to be the next generation of physicians,” said Dr. Jumee Barooah, senior vice president of education and designated institutional official for The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education. “Match Day is an exciting time in the medical profession, especially for those of us who are focused on improving the health of our communities.” For information about The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-866-3017.
Dime Bank and Employees Donate to Local Food Pantries The Dime Bank recently donated a combined total of $4,500.00 to three local food pantries: Scranton Area Community Foundation, The Greater Pike Community Foundation, and the Wayne County Food Pantry. In addition, employees of The Dime Bank organized their own concurrent food drive, collecting non-perishable items with a total estimated value over $1,000.00, demonstrating their generosity and commitment to helping people in their time of need. Pictured: The Dime Bank employees Rory McGhie, Joanne Rosol, Deborah Unflat, Travis Head. These donations are intended to support the food pantries’ ongoing efforts within Wayne, Pike, and Lackawanna counties. The Dime Bank is dedicated to giving back to the communities that it serves. Senior Vice President Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey J. Roche stated, “We are proud to support the vital work these organizations do every day. The fight against hunger is a community effort, and we hope these contributions will make a difference for our neighbors in need. We are also incredibly proud of our employees for stepping up with their own generous donations.”
PennDOT: Shapiro Administration Highlights Resources for Pennsylvania’s Older Drivers Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA), Pennsylvania State Police (PSP), the Pennsylvanian Insurance Department (PID), and the American Automobile Association (AAA) shared safe driving advice and resources available for older Pennsylvanians with residents at the White Rose Senior Center in York. “Mobility is essential to quality of life at any age, especially as friends and families gather to celebrate the holiday season,” said Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Executive Deputy Secretary Larry Shifflet. “While many older drivers have a lifetime of valuable driving experience to draw from, PennDOT continually seeks to balance the safety of our roadways with the need for independence and autonomy.” In 2024, there were 21,986 crashes involving at least one driver aged 65 or older that resulted in 308 total fatalities. This represents 19.8% of all crashes and 27.3% of all fatalities. Older drivers generally have fewer crashes per driver than the national average – but they have more crashes per mile of driving. “Ensuring that older adults have the resources they need to remain active in and connected to their communities is an important focus of the Shapiro Administration,” said Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Aging (PDA) Jason Kavulich. “Driver safety and working with our partners to provide accessible and flexible transportation alternatives are important parts of how older adults navigate in our community. Pennsylvania lottery proceeds help to fund alternative services in transportation for our older citizens.” Pennsylvania has a network of shared-ride service providers dedicated to keeping older adults mobile, safe, and engaged in their community. The Senior Shared Ride Program allows seniors to ride at a reduced fare. More than 2.7 million senior shared ride trips were provided in FY 2024-25. Additionally, the Free Transit Program for Seniors allows citizens aged 65 or older to ride for free on a local, fixed-route service whenever local public transportation is operating. During FY 2024-25, there were more than 25 million senior Free Transit Trips. While every person ages differently, aging typically brings certain — sometimes subtle — physical, visual, and cognitive changes that could impair an older person’s ability to drive safely. Older drivers and their families should work together to identify potential issues that may affect driving, outline courses of action to assist the older driver, and plan for when it’s time to hang up the keys. “Some factors that may pose challenges for drivers of all ages, but especially older drivers include adverse winter weather conditions, longer nights, and heavy holiday traffic,” said Captain Adam Reed, Assistant Director of Community Outreach for the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP). “To help ensure their safety on the roadways, older drivers should make sure their eye exams are up-to-date and understand how prescribed medications could affect their driving. And please remember…all drivers should always buckle up!” To help older drivers who may have difficulties driving, PennDOT partnered with PA Department of Human Services and transit agencies to develop an online tool called Find My Ride that allows older drivers to access free ride services online. The app allows transit agencies to process applications more efficiently, so users can access benefits more quickly. The app can be found at: findmyride.penndot.pa.gov, or at www.pa.gov/penndot by clicking on Traveling in PA, then Public Transit Options. “All drivers are required to carry adequate financial protection for their vehicles, and there are ways to reduce the cost of auto insurance,” said Deputy Insurance Commissioner for Market Regulation David Buono. “For instance, older drivers often experience changes in their family or work life, which impacts how much they drive. Due to this, PID strongly encourages older drivers to regularly review their auto insurance policy to make sure they are not paying for coverage they no longer need.” A list of approved mature driver courses available can be found online on PennDOT’s Mature Driver Improvement Courses page. Signs that can indicate it may be time to limit or stop driving altogether include: Feeling uncomfortable, fearful, or nervous when driving. Unexplained dents/scrapes on the car, fences, mailboxes, or garage doors. Frequently getting lost and frequent “close calls” (i.e. almost crashing). Slower response times, particularly to unexpected situations. Difficulty paying attention to signs or staying in the lane of traffic. Trouble judging gaps at intersections or highway entrance/exit ramps. PennDOT offers older drivers and their loved ones a resource to help assess older drivers’ abilities and offer guidance on next steps if their medical condition is reported to PennDOT. The Seniors Driving Safely publication series can be downloaded for free from the PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services website. The series also includes a publication designed to guide family and friends of older drivers in what can sometimes be difficult conversations about deciding to stop driving, as well as information for healthcare providers on PennDOT’s medical reporting program. Additionally, CarFit is an educational program created by the American Society on Aging and developed with AAA, AARP, and the American Occupational Therapy Association. CarFit is designed to help older drivers find out how well they currently “fit” their personal vehicle, to learn how they can improve their fit, and to promote conversations about driver safety and community mobility. The following safe-driving habits, which should be routine at any age, are especially useful to older drivers: Plan ahead: lengthy car trips should be made during daylight hours. Morning may be best because most people aren’t as tired as they are in the afternoon. Don’t drive in rush-hour traffic if you can avoid it. Plan trips after 9:00 AM or before 5:00 PM. Know what roads near home are most congested and avoid them. When driving long distances, especially in winter, call ahead for weather and road condition updates. Look ahead. Good drivers get a jump on trouble by looking far down the road and making adjustments before encountering problems that may involve other vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists or animals. Maintain a safe speed. This depends on what the road is like, how well the driver can see, how much traffic there is and how fast traffic is moving. Keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you. The PA Driver’s Manual advises that you should always keep a 4-second gap between you and the vehicle in front of you. Pennsylvanians with insurance questions can contact the Insurance Department Consumer Services Bureau online or at 1-877-881-6388. Additional information on older driver safety and mobility resources is available at both PennDOT Driver and Vehicle Services and the Department of Aging websites.
L.R. Costanzo Co., Inc. Unveils New Corporate Headquarters L.R. Costanzo Co., Inc. (LRC), a multi-generation family-owned construction firm with over 80 years of service, is proud to announce the opening of its new corporate headquarters.Thoughtfully designed to support the company’s continued growth, the new space reflects LRC’s core values of innovation, collaboration, and care for its employees. Located in a scenic, nature-surrounded setting, the headquarters features expansive windows and full-height glass systems that maximize daylight, bringing the outdoors in and creating a bright, inspiring workplace. Private offices, high-performance meeting spaces, a modern lounge, an outdoor deck with Wi-Fi, and a walking trail were all intentionally incorporated to enhance productivity, comfort, and team connection. “From day one, our goal was simple: create a space that feels like home for every member of the LRC family,” said Louis E. Costanzo, President of L.R. Costanzo Co., Inc. “We wanted each person who walks through these doors to feel valued and inspired, so we focused on the details that matter—comfortable workstations, break areas filled with natural light, and inviting spaces for collaboration. Little touches like quiet nooks, casual meeting spots, and an outdoor deck all come together to make this more than just a workplace. It’s a place where people can connect, recharge, and thrive—because at LRC, caring for our team and clients is at the heart of everything we do.” Architecturally, the new headquarters blends industrial sophistication with natural warmth, incorporating metal detailing, stone textures, and exposed structural steel. Multiple meeting spaces now feature advanced technology, including automated camera systems and integrated audio-visual solutions, enabling seamless communication across teams and project sites. This design-build transformation exemplifies LRC’s ability to reimagine existing structures through thoughtful planning, technical expertise, and precise execution. The result is a modern, architectonic headquarters tailored for long-term growth, employee well-being, and elevated collaboration. To learn more, go to www.lrcostanzo.com.
