South Side Floral Shop Celebrates 100 Years of Family-Owned Excellence South Side Floral Shop proudly marks a century of service in 2024. Established in 1924 by John Stankowski as a retail floral and landscaping business, the shop has been passed down through three generations — from John to his son Leon, and now operated by siblings Jake and Mari Jane. Originally located at 1107 Pittston Avenue, the business moved to its current home at 1025 Pittston Avenue in the late 1940s. Over the decades, South Side Floral Shop has become a trusted name in both floral design and landscaping, contributing to major community projects including Memorial Stadium, city pools, and elementary schools. In recognition of its longstanding commitment to excellence, South Side Floral Shop received the Century Award from the Society of American Florists in 2024. This prestigious honor celebrates businesses that have served the floral industry for 100 years or more. The shop was also recognized by FTD, which has over 20,000 members in the United States, as one of the Top 1,000 Florists in the U.S. for outstanding quality and service in 2024. South Side Floral Shop looks forward to continuing its tradition of beauty, service, and community involvement for generations to come.
Misericordia Offers Course for GIS Basics Certification Unlock the Power of Place Explore how spatial data drives decisions in nearly every field—from business and public health to urban planning and logistics. Misericordia University’s GIS Basics Certificate is a 6-week online course that introduces professionals to the world of geographic information systems and data visualization. Fully online | Fall 2025Register now
Geisinger, Wilkes University Extends Sports Medicine Contract Geisinger Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine and Wilkes University have renewed their contract for Geisinger to provide athletic training services to the university’s athletic department. The contract extension, which runs through 2028, continues a 23-year partnership began in 2002. “I am very happy to have extended our partnership with Geisinger to provide all of our health care coverage, said Scott Musa, Wilkes University athletics director. “Our student-athletes very much value the care they receive from the athletic trainers, doctors and other health care professionals, and I have 100% confidence in their ability to help keep our student-athletes healthy.” Geisinger offers five athletic trainers for the university for all NCAA sports the school offers. Geisinger also provides physician services that includes coverage for football and ice hockey games as well as weekly training room visits. “The longstanding partnership between Geisinger and Wilkes University has been a tremendous benefit to our student-athletes,” said Geisinger athletic trainer Camille Dudinyak, who is the head athletic trainer for Wilkes University. “Their health and well-being are paramount, and the continued collaboration helps facilitate exceptional care both on and off the playing field.”
The Wright Center for Community Health Welcomes Director of Employee Health The Wright Center for Community Health welcomed a longtime emergency medical technician and vascular technologist to serve as director of employee health and coordinator of continuing medical education. Mark Powell, RVT, NRP, will oversee employee health services and training for The Wright Centers, which is transitioning from an official American Heart Association (AHA) designated training site to an AHA training center, a distinction earned by training a certain number of people annually and meeting other high standards. “By becoming a center, we can develop sites and expand access to these classes that provide these critical training classes, including Basic Life Support, which many people know as CPR, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, and more,” Powell said. “These skills are important for everyone to know because they can save lives.” Since The Wright Center launched its AHA training site in 2023, it has completed nearly 3,560 certifications, which include 1,761 in Basic Life Support (BLS), 416 in Heartsaver CPR, 412 in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), 158 in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and several more. Powell has decades of experience as an emergency medical technician, paramedic, and registered vascular technologist in Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland. He has extensive experience directing vascular labs, managing clinical operations, and ensuring accreditation compliance. Before joining The Wright Center, he worked as the technical director and vascular manager at Guthrie Medical Clinic and Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre. In addition to being a registered vascular technologist, he is an accredited ACLS/PALS/CPR instructor and a certified intervention team member. Mark Powell, RVT, NRP, helps Taila Avia, a Marywood University student, use a bag valve on a mannequin during a Basic Life Support class at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton. Powell, our director of employee health and coordinator of continuing medical education, is working to have our American Heart Association (AHA) training site designated as an AHA training center, a distinction earned by training a certain number of people annually and meeting other high standards.
Peoples Security Bank & Trust Welcomes Alyssa Kobal Peoples Security Bank & Trust is pleased to announce the appointment of Alyssa Kobal as Assistant Vice President, Community Banking Manager at the Bank’s Dickson City Branch. With over a decade of experience in the financial services industry, Kobal brings a customer-focused mindset and leadership experience to her new role. She will oversee the daily operations of the Dickson City Branch while guiding her team to deliver exceptional service and building lasting relationships within the community. “I have a sincere appreciation for this opportunity to contribute my experience and skills to an organization that truly values their employees,” said Kobal. “I’m excited to foster a positive, customer-centric environment and work with leadership to develop strategies that enhance the customer experience.” Kobal began her career in banking as a teller with FNB in 2013 and advanced through roles at Citizens Bank and Mariner Finance, where she most recently held a management position. A native of Forty Fort, PA, she is a graduate of Lake-Lehman High School and a proud volunteer with Action Together NEPA.
Circle Drive-In Upcoming Movie Showings This week at Circle Drive-In: Wednesday, June 25th 150 Years of Dickson City – FREE Community Movie Night featuring “Psycho” (1960) at 9:00 pm. Gates open at 8:00 pm. Friday, June 27th & Saturday, June 28th: Double Features Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm Screen One: “How to Train Your Dragon” (PG – 2025) at 9:00 pm “Lilo & Stitch” (PG – 2025) at 11:30 pm Screen Two: “28 Years Later” (R – 2025) at 9:15 pm “Final Destination: Bloodlines” (R – 2025) at 11:40 pm Sunday, June 29th Circle Giant Flea Fair from 6:00 am – 2:00 pm (Vendor Gates at 5:00 am) New vendors are always welcome, no pre-registration required! Come out & sell your crafts, artisan items, homemade products, spring cleaning treasures & more – every Sunday! Learn more at circledrive-in/fleafair24. Sunday Night Movies Gates & Box Office 8:00 pm Screen One: “How to Train Your Dragon” (PG – 2025) at 9:00 pm Screen Two: “28 Years Later” (R – 2025) at 9:15 pm Our Concession Stand is open during every event! Stop in for your favorite cold drinks, candy, popcorn, freshly made pizza, burgers & more! Movie tickets, upcoming events, & additional information at circledrive-in.com. Other Upcoming Films: Wednesday, July 9th & Wednesday, July 23rd: 150 Years of Dickson City – FREE Community Movie Night – Film titles coming soon! Thursday, July 24th: “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” Presented by the Lackawanna Historical Society Thursday, July 31st: “Dirty Dancing” Presented by the Lackawanna Historical Society
Make The Greater Scranton YMCA Your Family Fun Destination This Summer Get ready for an unforgettable summer at the Greater Scranton YMCA. With a diverse range of exciting programs and activities, the Y is the ultimate destination for families seeking fun, fitness and connection this summer. Whether you’re searching for activities to keep your children active and engaged during the summer months or looking for a place to enjoy the warm weather together, the Y has you covered. There is still one week left to redeem a free one-week trial to the Y this June. Free trial memberships are available to individuals and families and grants community members access to all the Y has to offer, including the wellness center, gyms, pools, land & water group exercise classes, and more. Trial memberships are available to non-members and must be redeemed at the Y’s facility. Click to learn about additional program opportunities available at the Y this season: Summer Day Camp – The 2025 Summer Day Camp season is officially underway. Click to review to the parent handbook and more camp information. Pool Time – The Y features two pools within its facility. Click to review the pool schedules, as well as additional aquatics programming. Employment Opportunities – Full-time and part-time employment opportunities are available across various departments. Special Events – This summer, the Greater Scranton YMCA is hosting a Summer Clothing Drive, Hawaiian Hula Hustle 5K Run & 1 Mile Walk, and a Fall Craft Fair. Additionally, the Y is the beneficiary of the 6th Annual Harry P. McGrath Memorial Golf Tournament & Dinner Celebration, which is being held on Friday, September 19th at Glen Oak County Club. Youth Programs – The Greater Scranton YMCA offers various youth programs that rotate each month. Programs are free for family members. “Join us at the Greater Scranton YMCA this summer as we embark on a season of laughter, learning and cherished memories,” said Rich Surridge, President & CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA. We welcome everyone in our community to come and discover what the Y has to offer!”
Geisinger School of Medicine Student Wins Gold Foundation Fellowship Ethan Boyle, a member of Geisinger School of Medicine’s MD Class of 2028, was awarded a highly competitive Gold Student Summer Fellowship from The Arnold P. Gold Foundation. His project, “Action Against Healthcare Inequalities for Patients Experiencing Substance Abuse and Homelessness,” will address healthcare access issues for people served by Scranton’s Community Intervention Center (CIC). The project focuses on recording weekly vital signs for 100-150 patients, providing essential hygiene and harm-reduction products, and connecting patients to free healthcare clinics. The goal is to rebuild trust between this at-risk population and healthcare systems. Ethan, who plans to pursue a career in psychiatry, said he was inspired to apply for the fellowship thanks to his community immersion experiences at Geisinger’s School of Medicine. “One reason I came to Geisinger was its community focus,” Ethan said. “I’m interested in understanding the social drivers of health. Volunteering at the CIC helped me to see the correlation between things like mental health and substance use, and how supporting hygiene can also support better health.” Working with faculty mentor Kate Lafferty-Danner, PhD, assistant professor of medical humanities and community engagement, Ethan proposed a 10-week summer project to build on CIC’s holistic, patient-centered approach by promoting healthcare access, education, and harm-reduction strategies. Weekly vital-sign screenings and referrals to healthcare clinics will provide preventive and longitudinal care. “My goal is to bridge the gap between CIC patients and healthcare services by providing hygiene and harm-reduction products like Narcan, conducting weekly vital-sign checks, offering healthcare education and connecting patients to free medical services like the Leahy Clinic at The University of Scranton,” he said. “I’ll manage the inventory and create educational materials, as well.” Impact will be analyzed through data generated by the weekly vital sign checks, demand for hygiene products, patient feedback and records from the Leahy Clinic. Ethan will ensure the work continues by training new medical students to take over when he advances in his training.Medical student projects rewarded with a Gold Humanism fellowship must: improve the health and lives of traditionally underserved populations focus on understanding and/or enhancing cultural humility in delivering care encourage collegial and interprofessional teamwork be designed and implemented by students promote a lasting or systemic change The fellowships are awarded to a limited number of medical students each year. The selection process is competitive, requiring applicants to submit a detailed proposal outlining their project and its alignment with the fellowship’s goals. Projects must demonstrate a need identified by the community or patients who will be affected.
Wayne Bank Unveils Exciting New Brand: Every Day Better Jim Donnelly, President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its new brand, emphasizing the Bank’s continued commitment to its customers, communities, and mission to make Every Day Better™. Wayne Bank’s rebrand includes a fresh visual identity, an updated logo, and unified messaging that aligns with the Bank’s long-standing values and vision for the future. As part of this transformation, Wayne Bank is also unifying its affiliated institutions, Bank of the Finger Lakes and Bank of Cooperstown, under the Wayne Bank name. This alignment enhances brand recognition and makes it easier for customers to connect with the Bank—whether online, in a branch, or in the community. “Although we have operated as one team behind the scenes since 2020, this rebrand allows us to show that unity publicly, merging our values and giving us the chance to do even more for our customers. We were one team playing with three different jerseys. Now we are all wearing the same jersey,” said Jim Donnelly. For more than 150 years, Wayne Bank has been rooted in a simple philosophy: life is at its best when you’re making it better. Every Day Better™ is built around the Bank’s core values: Boldness, Enthusiasm, Trust, Teamwork, Education, and Resilience. These principles drive every interaction and decision at the Bank, and the new branding ensures that internal culture and external identity are fully aligned.
The Wright Center Nationally Recognized for Diabetes Care and Prevention The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education has earned national recognition for its continued commitment to improving diabetes care and prevention. Quality Insights, a West Virginia-based leader in health care quality improvement, recognized The Wright Center for its annual review of diabetes and prediabetes care, as well as its targeted launch of the National Diabetes Prevention Program to support individuals at risk. The National Diabetes Prevention Program is a nationally recognized, evidence-based lifestyle change program designed to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes in high-risk patients. The Wright Center partnered with Quality Insights to assess workflows, documentation, and referrals, driving ongoing improvements in care and cost efficiency. Quality Insights also lauded The Wright Center for achieving stronger glycemic control among its diabetic patients, which helps reduce the risk of serious complications. In 2024, The Wright Center reported a 20.7% rate for NQF 0059 and CMS 122, which is an inverse quality measure that tracks the percentage of diabetic patients ages 18–75 with poorly controlled blood sugar (hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels above 9% or missing data). Since lower rates are associated with better outcomes, The Wright Center’s rate indicates strong performance in managing diabetes and reducing risks of serious complications associated with it. The Wright Center’s consistent focus on this metric underscores its dedication to evidence-based, data-informed care. This recognition reinforces The Wright Center’s commitment to advancing health access, enhancing chronic disease management, and improving the lives of patients across Northeast Pennsylvania. “We are grateful to Quality Insights for this recognition and for its ongoing collaboration in our shared mission to improve chronic disease outcomes,” said Melissa Germano-Ryczak, MS, RD, LDN, a registered dietitian and director of Lifestyle Modification and Preventive Medicine at The Wright Center. “This important milestone reflects the dedication of our interprofessional health care teams and our patients’ commitment to their health. Through evidence-based programs like the National Diabetes Prevention Program, we are helping individuals make lasting lifestyle changes that help reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes and improve their overall well-being.”
