Marywood University & Garden of Cedar to Unveil Community Garden Project Marywood University is working in collaboration with the Garden of Cedar, a local nonprofit organization in Scranton’s South Side neighborhood, on a community garden project that features sculpture, native plants, vertical planters, a hydroponic system, and other features to be added later. All are welcome to attend a public unveiling ceremony of the space on May 15, at 5 p.m., at the Garden of Cedar, 715 Cedar Avenue, Scranton. The specific academic areas involved with the project include the Environmental Science Program, Art Department, School of Architecture (SOA), and School of Business and Global Innovation (SBGI). The living T-rail sculpture’s design ties to the area’s industrial roots, specifically highlighting the pivotal role of the Iron Furnaces in shaping the regional landscape. At the base of the sculpture, an arrangement of native vegetation is planned. This natural component is not only aesthetic but is also symbolic, designed to grow and intertwine around a representational map of Scranton. The sculpture was funded by Frank and Marigrace Dubas, Scranton, Michael and Candice Curran, New Canaan, CT, and Howard and Amy Kaplan, Saddle River, NJ. Native plants were donated to the Garden for community members to plant in the garden or take back to plant in their yards, including Black-eyed Susans, Butterfly Weed, and Yellow Coneflower. Vertical planters, inspired by the design of totem poles, provide accessibility for ADA planting as the planters are raised above the height of the ground-level planters already in the garden. A hydroponic system developed by the students uses sustainable methods of maintaining plant life on an existing vertical wall, providing not only a visual experience, but an interactive one, as users are given the opportunity to grow specific herbs and succulents on the site. Features that will be installed in the Garden at a later date include bee hotels and a canopy. Bee hotels are the insect equivalent of a birdhouse, providing nesting spaces for solitary bees. Solitary bees, such as mason bees and leafcutter bees, are non-aggressive because they are solitary nesters and do not have large colonies to defend. Most bees native to Pennsylvania are in fact solitary bees, acting as important pollinators that are vital to the survival of our ecosystems. The canopy will be a removable shade structure to be used by outreach programs that provide lunches and other events to children during the hot summer months. The Garden of Cedar was created and developed by Frank Dubas, President of the Garden. Frank is also responsible for the Garden’s unique design and construction. Marywood students, faculty, and staff have been collaborating with Frank on the project for several years. Branding, including the logo for the Garden, was created and developed by Marywood students. Tom McLean & Associates provided landscape design. Jerry Chilewski Enterprises constructed the Garden. Principal faculty from Marywood University involved with the project include: Michelle Pannone, SBGI Executive Director & Associate Professor; Sara Melick, Assistant Professor of Practice in Environmental Science; Sue Jenkins, Associate Professor of Art and Design, and Christine Medley, Associate Professor of Graphic Design. Students and recent graduates involved with the project include: Environmental Science: Juan Cardenas, Emily Haggerty, Carly Walters, and Bailey White. Graphic Design: Kristina Zenga, Marlena Bompane, Marykate Boyle, Danae Drews, Jad Tindall, Alexander Shields, Caitlinn Belcher, Emily Duris, Marla Gambucci, Reece Wolbert, Allison MacDermott, Shanon Sohl, Gabby Ziegler, and Daniele Cragle. Architecture: Nicholas Baney, Kyle Brosenne, Giavanna Burdick, Brianna Conniff, Lois Downing, Iain Kerrigan, Daniel Leonard, Tristan Luczak, Thomas Milewski, Megan Pavlowski, Christopher Salisbury, Joseph Sanfilippo, Autumn Savitski, Angelika Valdes, and Lenae Burkhard. Marketing: Kathleen Lynott.
Johnson College to Hold Decision Day for Military Service Members Johnson College’s Instant Decision Day for Veterans and those currently serving in the U.S. Military will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event will be held virtually and in person on the College’s Scranton campus in Ideal Saldi Hall. To register to attend in person or virtually, visit Johnson.edu/instant. During the Instant Decision Event, Johnson College will provide prospective veteran students and those currently serving in the U.S. military with an immediate enrollment decision. They must supply their high school transcripts and can bring their college and military transcripts if applicable. It is highly recommended that the prospective student complete an application before attending. Applications for Johnson College’s Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiologic Technology, and Veterinary Nursing programs are excluded from instant decisions.
Steamtown National Historic Site to Launch Summer Schedule Steamtown National Historic Site will transition to its summer schedule and increase in-park operations and experiences starting on Saturday, May 3. The park and its buildings will remain free to enter, daily summer hours will expand to 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Technology Museum will reopen, and the park will fire up its popular“Scranton Limited” yard shuttles—short train rides that offer visitors a front-row seat to the sights, sounds and motion of a working rail yard, all set within the park’s historic landscape.“Scranton Limited” yard shuttle schedule:May: Short train rides will operate Saturdays and Sundays at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.June–July: Short train rides will expand to Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, at the same departure times.Ticket Prices: Ages 0–5: $1 Ages 6 and older: $6 Tickets are valid for the entire day of purchase. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis; passengers should arrive 15 to 20 minutes before departure to secure a seat. Operations are subject to change due to weather, mechanical issues or crew availability. Tickets can be purchased on site at the Tickets and Information Kiosk (credit or debit only).“Every ride through the park’s historic train yard connects visitors to the story of steam railroading in America,” said Superintendent Jeremy Komasz. “We’re proud to offer these experiences as part of our mission to preserve and share this rich industrial heritage.” Established by Congress in 1986, Steamtown National Historic Site was created to promote public understanding and appreciation of steam locomotives in the region. The park, located on the former Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad yard in downtown Scranton, interprets how railroads accelerated the growth of industry, innovation and communities across the United States.As the season continues, Steamtown will continue to explore opportunities for the expansion of access to live steam railroading and interpretive programming, offering even more ways for the public to engage with rail history.For more information about train rides and upcoming events, visit our website at http://www.nps.gov/steamtown or call (570) 445-1898.
The Wright Center Hosts U.S. Representative Robert Bresnahan Jr. The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education hosted U.S. Representative Robert Bresnahan Jr., R-8, Dallas Twp., and several members of his staff on Friday, April 25, at the Teaching Health Center in Scranton. Dr. Linda Thomas-Hemak, president and CEO of The Wright Center, met with Representative Bresnahan to share information about The Wright Center and its mission to improve the health and welfare of our communities through responsive, whole-person health services for all and the sustainable renewal of an inspired, competent workforce that is privileged to serve. The Wright Center is one of 1,400 community health centers in the United States. Community health centers serve as a medical home for more than 32.5 million patients, are proven to reduce health care costs – saving an average of 24% per Medicaid patient compared to other providers – and generate an estimated $118.4 billion in total economic impact in local communities, according to the National Association of Community Health Centers. Since 2019, The Wright Center has been designated as a Federally Qualified Health Center Look-Alike (FQLA) by the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). FQLAs “ensure health care for our nation’s underserved communities and vulnerable populations through service provision to all, regardless of ability to pay,” according to HRSA. In addition to stressing the importance of protecting funding that supports community health centers, including FQLAs, Dr. Thomas spoke about how essential Medicare and Medicaid funding are to residents of Northeast Pennsylvania. They also discussed The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s nearly 50-year legacy of training physicians and strengthening the interprofessional health care workforce pipeline to meet the region’s complex health care and workforce needs. “We wanted to thank Representative Bresnahan for stepping up to represent our region in Washington, D.C. and for the partnership we have built with him and his staff, both here in his district and in our capital, over the past few months. We are grateful for the commitment he has shown in supporting community health centers,” Dr. Thomas-Hemak said. “Today was an opportunity to thank him and welcome him to our Teaching Health Center in Scranton so we can share the critical work we are doing throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.” During his visit, Representative Bresnahan toured The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton with Dr. Erin McFadden, The Wright Center’s deputy chief medical officer, medical director for the community health centers in Scranton and Scranton Counseling Center, and co-regional director of medical education for A.T. Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona. The visit concluded with a group discussion with Representative Bresnahan, his staff, and The Wright Center’s board members, executive team, faculty, resident physicians, and other key staff members. “The Wright Center is doing extraordinary work to ensure high-quality, affordable care reaches every corner of Northeastern Pennsylvania,” said Representative Bresnahan. “I want to thank The Wright Center for the opportunity to visit their Scranton health center and to discuss ways in which we can work together to strengthen both the health and future of our communities. “The Wright Center serves as a national model for how community-based health care and workforce development can go hand-in-hand to improve lives.” Born in Kingston and raised in Wyoming and Hughestown boroughs, Representative Robert Bresnahan represents the 8th Congressional District, which includes all of Lackawanna, Wayne, and Pike, and parts of Monroe and Luzerne counties.
The Wright Center to Host Tinnitus Support Group The Tinnitus Support Group of Northeast Pennsylvania will meet on Friday, May 2, at 2 p.m. at The Wright Center for Community Health Mid Valley, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn. Virtual meeting options are available for those unable to attend in person. The support group welcomes individuals living with tinnitus, their loved ones, and anyone interested in learning more about this complex audiological and neurological condition. Participants can connect, share their experiences, and explore coping strategies in a compassionate and supportive environment. At the May meeting, Lisa Rigau, a registered nurse, nutrition counselor, and community educator of health, wellness, mindfulness, and nutrition, will guide mindfulness practices and offer daily exercises to support attention and self-care while living with tinnitus. Since 2003, she has been the owner of Healthy Lifestyle Management, where she provides private and group nutrition counseling, stress management through mindfulness, and educates clients on the six pillars of Lifestyle Medicine: Plant-Predominant Nutrition, Exercise, Stress Management, Sleep, Social Relationships, and Avoidance of Risky Substances. Rigau is a certified mindfulness teacher of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction through the Mindfulness Center at Brown University and the Brown School of Professional Studies and School of Public Health. She is a certified Mindful Eating-Conscious LivingTM teacher and certified mentor through the University of California, San Diego, having trained directly with the program’s creators, Jan Chozen Bays, M.D., and Char Wilkins, LCSW. Over the last 20 years, she has taught numerous workshops and lectures, eight-week courses, team-building retreats, and wellness programs. Her passion is to experientially teach health and wellness to support every individual’s greatest health potential. The support group meets the first Friday of each month from 2-3 p.m. For more information or to obtain the virtual meeting link, contact Nicole Flynn, director of the geriatrics service line at The Wright Center for Community Health, at flynnn@TheWrightCenter.org or 570-230-0019.
Nearly 900 Attend EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience Nearly 900 women from northeastern Pennsylvania gathered for EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience, a premier women’s leadership event hosted by The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and presented by Geisinger. The day-long program at Kalahari Convention Centers and Resort brought together professionals, students, and changemakers for inspiration, connection, and growth. This year’s event featured two keynote speakers, 44 regional leaders, and 90 high school students—making it one of the most impactful EMPOWER programs. The day started with a breakfast keynote speaker, Christina Butler, an executive communication coach, whose presentation was sponsored by Peoples Security Bank & Trust. Butler energized the crowd with a session focused on clear, concise, and confident communication. She encouraged attendees to eliminate filler phrases and distractions from their language and instead focus on their “why” and “how” to deliver messages that resonate with purpose and poise. Dominique Dawes, Olympic gold medalist and trailblazing gymnast, headlined the afternoon session as the lunch keynote speaker, with support from PNC Bank. Dawes inspired the audience with stories from her athletic and professional journey, emphasizing the importance of teamwork over ego. “Leave your ego at the door,” she urged attendees. “Greatness is not achieved alone—it’s about what we accomplish together.” In addition to the powerful keynotes, the event included breakout sessions led by 44 regional speakers representing healthcare, education, finance, media, and entrepreneurship. The sessions covered topics from leadership strategies and mental wellness to business innovation. “The energy in the room was electric,” said Bob Durkin, president of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. “EMPOWER continues to grow in reach and impact every year, and this event truly highlighted the strength and potential of women leaders in our region.” EMPOWER, The Leadership Experience, is part of The Chamber’s ongoing commitment to providing meaningful programming that supports women in leadership and professional development across northeastern Pennsylvania.
Leadership Lackawanna Alumni Volunteer Opportunity Calling all Alumni! We’d love for you to join us as we revisit the Core Program 2023–2024 Parker Street Landing project. ICYMI, this project incorporated a picnic area, sensory garden, raised flower beds, interpretive signage, and an educational space at Parker Street Trailhead in the Greenridge section of Scranton. We ask that you bring your own gardening supplies. If you’d also like to BYO flowers, herbs, and soil, or seed packets for the seed library, that would be greatly appreciated! Date: Saturday, May 10th at 10 a.m. Location: Parker Street Landing, 12 E. Parker Street, Scranton, PA 18508 RSVP to Jen at jstrzelec@scrantonchamber.com by Friday, May 9th Hope to see you there!
UNC Receives Contribution from Peoples Security United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) is proud to announce it has received a $100,000 contribution for 2025 from Peoples Security Bank & Trust through the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development Neighborhood Partnership Program (NPP). This generous contribution, part of a six-year pledge, will support UNC’s ongoing efforts to rebuild, restore, and revitalize the Pine Brook neighborhood — a designated Elm Street Community under the Pennsylvania Keystone Communities Program. The support from Peoples Security Bank & Trust plays a vital role in strengthening neighborhoods, fostering economic development, and enhancing quality of life for Pine Brook residents. Photo attached (left to right): Martin Fotta, Chief Operating Officer at UNC; Lisa Durkin, President and Chief Executive Officer at UNC; and Sharon Borgia, Senior Vice President at Peoples Security Bank & Trust.
