Geisinger offers flu shots and health resources at the Bloomsburg Fair As the 171st Bloomsburg Fair quickly approaches, Geisinger will show its community support with volunteer teams set up throughout the fair. A Geisinger team will be in place at Gate 5, Monday, Sept. 28, through Friday, Oct. 2, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., to welcome fairgoers, answer questions and share resources. Fairgoers can protect themselves and their families ahead of the flu season by stopping by the Caleb Barton House to get their free flu shot on Monday, Sept. 28, Wednesday, Sept. 30, and Friday, Oct. 2, weather permitting. Flu vaccination is recommended each year to reduce the risk of illness and hospitalization during the flu season. Geisinger Health Plan’s Geisinger Gold team will also be in the Arts and Crafts building Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you’re 65 or older, stop by to learn more about Geisinger Gold Medicare Advantage. “The Bloomsburg Fair is a longstanding tradition that brings communities together from across our region, and Geisinger is proud to be a part of it,” said Alex Zimmerman, chief administrative officer of Geisinger’s central region. “We look forward to connecting with fairgoers, helping people stay healthy through flu vaccinations and celebrating the community spirit that makes this event so special.”
Misericordia University hosting Customer Experience Academy Workshop Misericordia University’s Center for Workforce Development & Talent Solutions is inviting professionals and organizations to its Beyond Service: Designing Exceptional Customer Experiences workshop on September 24. The interactive Customer Experience Academy workshop will help participants look beyond individual transactions and develop practical strategies for creating meaningful customer experiences that strengthen relationships and drive results. Participants will explore topics including understanding customer expectations, communication, service recovery, loyalty and designing experiences with intention. Participants will also earn a Misericordia University certificate and digital badge upon completion. Space for this workshop is limited. Click here to register.
Geisinger hosting Saturday flu shot clinics Flu season is quickly approaching, and Geisinger is making it easy to get vaccinated at Saturday drive-through events. The first event will be held Saturday, Sept. 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Drive-through flu vaccines will be available for anyone age 3 and older at dozens of participating Geisinger locations. Children 6 months and older can receive a flu shot at participating Geisinger pediatrics locations. The second Saturday flu shot clinic is scheduled for Oct. 17. “The flu can lead to serious illness, hospitalization and missed time with family, work and school,” said Stanley Martin, M.D., director of infectious diseases at Geisinger. “Getting vaccinated is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself, your family and others who may be at higher risk for severe illness.” Most insurance plans cover an annual flu vaccine. Patients will be asked to provide insurance information at the time of vaccination. Those without insurance can also receive a drive-through flu shot. Saturday clinics will be held at the following locations: Northeast Region: Clinics Geisinger Dallas (114 Lt. Michael Cleary Drive) Geisinger Kingston (560 Pierce St.) Geisinger Montage (5 Lakeview Drive, Moosic) Geisinger Mountain Top (35 S. Mountain Blvd.) Geisinger Pittston (42 N. Main St.) Geisinger Tunkhannock (809 Hunter Highway) CommunityCare CommunityCare Hazleton (426 Airport Road) CommunityCare Kistler Clinic (175 S. Wilkes-Barre Blvd.) – walk in only CommunityCare Mt. Pleasant (531 Mt. Pleasant Blvd.) Pediatrics Geisinger Pediatrics Mt. Pocono (126 Market Way) – walk in only Geisinger Pediatrics Scranton (5 Morgan Highway) – walk in only Geisinger Pediatrics Forty Fort (190 Welles St.) – walk in only 65 Forward Geisinger 65 Forward Hazleton (20 Diana Lane) – walk in only Geisinger 65 Forward Kingston (499 Wyoming Ave.) Geisinger 65 Forward Scranton (3 W. Olive St.) Flu shots will also be available at the Bloomsburg Fair from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 28, Sept. 30 and Oct. 2. Find more information about flu vaccines and Saturday clinic locations at geisinger.org/flu.
Tobyhanna Army Depot celebrating National Preparedness Month Tobyhanna Army Depot is using National Preparedness Month this September to remind its workforce that readiness doesn’t begin when the sirens sound; it begins much earlier with knowing the risks, making a plan, having the right supplies and understanding how to receive critical information. This year’s National Preparedness Month theme, “Americans Stand Ready,” emphasizes the importance of individuals and communities taking an active role in preparing for emergencies before they happen. Emergency management personnel monitor weather and regional threats, coordinate with partner agencies and conduct exercises designed to identify vulnerabilities before they become problems. Tobyhanna also maintains several systems designed to keep employees informed during an emergency, including the ALERT! mass notification system, the Giant Voice outdoor warning system and more. Those systems are only effective if employees know how they work and are prepared to respond when an alert is issued. It’s also important to verify and update your emergency contact and notification settings at work and at home. Employees should ensure their information in ALERT! is current, while families should establish emergency contacts, enable local weather alerts and identify an out-of-area contact who can serve as a central point of communication if local networks become overwhelmed. Employees should identify at least two ways out of their immediate work area and know the locations of nearby fire extinguishers, first aid kits and automated external defibrillators. They should also know where to shelter during severe weather and understand how that differs from an evacuation during an event such as a fire. Understanding the difference between a watch and a warning, knowing where to go and recognizing what an emergency notification is asking you to do can save valuable time. Employees should also familiarize themselves with Tobyhanna’s Emergency Action Plans, commonly referred to as the “Rainbow Flip Chart,” which provides guidance for responding to various emergencies. Installation training opportunities can provide another layer of preparedness. Courses such as CPR/AED certification and Stop the Bleed training give employees practical skills they can use when professional help may not immediately be available. Finally, preparedness doesn’t stop at just the workplace. Families should have a plan that identifies evacuation routes, meeting locations and methods of communication if family members become separated. Plans should account for children, elderly relatives, and pets.
Allied Services Marks 50 Years of National Rehabilitation Week This year, Allied Services is celebrating National Rehabilitation Week from September 14-20, and will also celebrate 50 years of the observance. Allied Services in Scranton organized what would become Rehabilitation Week in 1976 as an opportunity to celebrate patient success stories and recognize the professionals helping individuals recover and rehabilitate from serious injuries and illnesses. The local observance continued each September and gradually expanded beyond northeastern Pennsylvania. Through the advocacy of Allied Services leadership and the formation of the National Rehabilitation Awareness Foundation, the effort reached a national audience. The foundation helped recognize individuals who had benefited from rehabilitation while educating medical organizations and the public about the value of physical rehabilitation at a national scale. A major milestone came in 1993, when President Bill Clinton issued a presidential proclamation designating September 19–25 as National Rehabilitation Week, helping establish the observance on a national stage. From celebrating at the 1996 Paralympic Games to recognizing honorary national champions from Presidents Bush and Clinton to the first-ever hearing-impaired Miss America, Heather Whitestone, National Rehabilitation Awareness Week, founded by Allied Services, has always embraced overcoming disabilities and achievements through physical rehabilitation. Fifty years after its beginnings in Scranton, NRW continues to highlight rehabilitation’s ability to restore function, independence and quality of life for individuals recovering from stroke, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, limb loss and other complex conditions.
Joy World Wealth Partners hosting community blood drive Joy World Wealth Partners is hosting a community blood drive in memory of Lindsay Connor Stetson. The drive will be on Friday, September 11 from 12:30 to 5:00 p.m. at 125 North Washington Avenue in Scranton. The company hosts this blood drive annually as a way for community members to come together and make an impact. You can make an appointment to donate blood by clicking here.
Registration open for Johnson College’s Women at the Workbench workshops Johnson College is now accepting registrations for its Women at the Workbench: Electrical and Carpentry Workshops, hands-on, one-day experiences designed for individuals looking to build confidence and develop practical skills in a welcoming and supportive environment. The Electrical Workshop will take place Saturday, Sept. 12, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., while the Carpentry Workshop will take place Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Both workshops will be held at the college’s Scranton campus. The cost is $65. Registration is available at johnson.edu/workshops. For more information, contact the college’s WAVE team at wave@johnson.edu or 570-702-8979. Electrical Workshop:Participants will learn the basics of electrical work in a supportive, hands-on environment. Under the guidance of a skilled female electrician, they will explore essential skills such as working with outlets and switches. The workshop is designed for beginners and anyone looking to build confidence with tools and gain practical electrical skills. Carpentry Workshop:Participants will learn essential carpentry skills, including how to measure, cut and assemble materials while completing their own individual projects. The workshop is ideal for beginners and anyone looking to build confidence with tools while developing practical, hands-on carpentry skills. These workshops, offered through Johnson College WAVE’s (Workforce Advancement & Value-Added Education) department, offer more than just technical instruction. They provide an opportunity to step up to the workbench, gain practical, hands-on experience and walk away with something you built yourself, along with the confidence and skills to keep building. The workshop is open to participants 18 years and older. All are welcome.
Barberlife Barbershop taking part in Community Resource Pop-Up event Barberlife Barbershop LLC will be one of the businesses taking part in a Community Resource Pop-Up event on Friday, September 4 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The goal of the event is to provide resources to people in need in a welcoming environment. The event will be outside the shop at 34 South Main Street Suite 19 in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Attendees will be able to find behavioral health resources, substance use and recovery information, local service and support connections, and community conversation and outreach. This event is free and open to the community. No appointment is needed.
Leadership Lackawanna accepting applications for Fall 2026 Executive Program cohort Leadership Lackawanna is accepting applications through Tuesday, September 8 for its Fall 2026 Executive Program cohort. The Executive Program is designed to assist professionals in becoming more engaged in the community, broadening their social network and increasing their overall knowledge of the greater Scranton area. Through weekly sessions, participants meet key business and community leaders and receive an overview of Lackawanna County’s history, economic/political structures, cultural affairs, community events/activities, civic groups and recreational/leisure amenities. Sessions are conducted one evening per week, for six consecutive weeks, at various locations throughout the community. Each session is held from 5:00-8:00 p.m. and includes cocktails and dinner. The program is open to public and private sector administrators/professionals in executive-level positions. Candidates must have industry experience that demonstrates a steady career progression. In addition, candidates must live, work or play in the greater Scranton area and should possess an interest in learning how Lackawanna County functions and a commitment to enhancing the area’s economy and quality of life. Learn more about the program and apply by clicking here.
NEPA Philharmonic and Luzerne County to celebrate county’s 240th anniversary Luzerne County and the NEPA Philharmonic will celebrate both the county’s 240th and America’s 250th anniversaries with a performance featuring a local Broadway star, a local singer-songwriter, and multimedia of local history, along with music, dance, and narration inspired by Pennsylvania’s rich heritage and cultures. Both entities will present the Luzerne County 240th Celebration on Friday, September 25 at 7 PM at the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre. In the program, the NEPA PHIL will perform two major compositions by renowned American composer Aaron Copland: Lincoln Portrait, a moving work for narrator and orchestra highlighting the inspirational words of the 16th United States President Abraham Lincoln, along with Appalachian Spring, famous for its musical depiction of 19th-century Pennsylvanian heritage and the use of the Shaker melody “Simple Gifts”. Appalachian Spring will be presented alongside brand-new artistic multimedia, narration, and dance highlighting 240 years of Luzerne County history across its 76 municipalities. Wilkes-Barre City Councilman and local historian Tony Brooks will provide narration for Appalachian Spring; the narrator for Lincoln Portrait is to be announced. “The NEPA Philharmonic is thrilled to collaborate with Luzerne County and so many amazing partners on this once-in-a-generation celebratory musical event,” said Chason Goldschmitz, NEPA PHIL Executive Director. “We are immensely thankful for continued support from the broader Luzerne County and NEPA community, and we are proud to showcase the incredible artistry of our orchestral musicians and hometown stars on this special occasion.” Broadway star and Luzerne County native Celia Hottenstein also joins the orchestra for the concert, presenting a selection of Broadway songs from Oklahoma, Anastasia, Company, and more alongside her husband and fellow Broadway star Travis Taber. Luzerne County singer-songwriter-guitarist Gracie Jane Sinclair, winner of the inaugural NEPA PHIL Battle of the Bands, will perform two of her original songs alongside the orchestra, orchestrated by NEPA PHIL trumpeter Darin Kelly. The program will also feature the National Anthem, sung by Hottenstein with an orchestration by NEPA PHIL Music Director Mélisse Brunet, and the premiere of Keystone Jubilee, a new orchestral fanfare composed for the occasion by NEPA PHIL Executive Director Chason Goldschmitz. The program will be approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes in length, including a 20-minute intermission. Luzerne County & NEPA PHIL will also present a special Young People’s Concert for Luzerne County schools on Friday, September 25th at 10:30 AM at the F.M. Kirby Center. Copland’s Appalachian Spring and the new historical multimedia, narration, and dance will be presented for students in grades 3-12 from across Luzerne County, highlighting 240 years of Luzerne County history in an accessible and exciting setting. Interested schools and homeschool families can call the NEPA PHIL for more information, at (570) 270-4444. Sponsorships, including Pennsylvania EITC-eligible support, are still available and welcome for the concert from individuals and businesses; benefits at various levels include program book advertisements, recognition on screen and announced from the stage, complimentary tickets, and limited Title Sponsorship options. Support can be directed towards the entire event, the evening concert, the Young People’s Concert, a broadcast recording, or towards free Angel Tickets to be distributed to veterans and low-income Luzerne County residents through local nonprofit partners. Interested sponsors can reach out to the NEPA Philharmonic at (570) 270-4444. Tickets for the program start at $16 for students (with ID) and $24 for adults; tickets are available at NEPAPHIL.org, by calling the Philharmonic Box Office at 570-270-4444, or by visiting the F.M. Kirby Center Box Office on Public Square.
