Scranton Area Community Foundation’s Laura Ducceschi Selected for National CEO Program The Scranton Area Community Foundation is proud to announce that its President and CEO, Laura Ducceschi, has been selected to participate in the 2025–26 cohort of the Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) for CEOs, a national program convened by CFLeads, the country’s premier network of community foundations. The Executive Leadership Institute (ELI) for CEOs is designed to strengthen the strategic leadership of community foundation executives nationwide. Participants engage in intensive peer learning, reflection, and collaboration to advance bold, equity-centered, and community-driven approaches to philanthropy. “It is an honor to be selected to join this distinguished cohort of leaders,” said Laura Ducceschi, President and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation. “This program will provide invaluable opportunities to learn from peers nationwide, strengthen our leadership strategies, and deepen how we work with and for our community. I look forward to bringing these insights back to Northeastern Pennsylvania as we continue to advance equity, build connections, and drive lasting impact.” Through the program, Laura will join CEOs from community foundations across the United States to explore emerging challenges, share innovative practices, and strengthen the collective impact of philanthropy in local communities. “Laura’s selection for this national leadership program reflects both her dedication and the Scranton Area Community Foundation’s ongoing commitment to bold, impactful leadership,” said Ellen Burkey, Chair of the Scranton Area Community Foundation Board of Governors. “We are proud to see Laura representing our region and bringing back strategies that will continue to benefit the communities we serve.” The Scranton Area Community Foundation has a 76-year history of serving Northeastern Pennsylvania through philanthropy, community leadership, and collaboration. Laura’s participation in CFLeads’ Executive Leadership Institute represents the Foundation’s continued investment in advancing equity, strengthening civic participation, and building resilient communities across the region. Click here to find more information about the Executive Leadership Institute for CEOs.
Geisinger Marworth Earns Top Treatment Center Rank For the third year in a row, Geisinger Marworth Treatment Center has been named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Best Addiction Treatment Centers as the top-ranked facility in Pennsylvania. “As the complexities of substance use disorder continue to grow, Geisinger Marworth adapts, finding innovative ways to address and help manage the disease. Our commitment to quality, compassionate, patient-focused care will always lie at the center of our mission,” said Kimberly Kabernagel, DO, medical director at Geisinger Marworth. “We are once again honored for being recognized for the care we deliver and inspired to continue to find ways to meet the needs of our communities.” The America’s Best Addiction Treatment Centers 2025 list highlights the nation’s top 420 addiction treatment centers, ranking them based on four data sources, including: A national online survey measuring the reputation score from medical professionals and managers/administrators in addiction treatment centers; Accreditation data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA); Care services data from SAMHSA; and Google reviews as a measure of patient experience. Geisinger Marworth, located in Waverly, offers a continuum of treatment, including inpatient residential treatment, intensive outpatient and general outpatient services. Services include medication-assisted treatment, dialectical behavioral therapy, recreational therapy, canine therapy and grief and trauma support. While Marworth’s rankings are for Pennsylvania, the facility also cares for people in New Jersey, New York, New England and more, plus healthcare professionals and first responders. Marworth has served more than 40,000 people with substance use disorder since opening in 1982. Learn more at geisinger.org/newsweekmarworth.
Rikasa Restaurant Presents Murder Mystery Dinner Clued In: Murder Mystery Dinner October 26 @ 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM Back for its third thrilling year, Clued In returns to Rikasa on Sunday, October 26th at 6 PM. Participants and their teams will step into a real-life game of Clue, unraveling the mystery surrounding the murder of Mr. Bartholomew Boddy. Four levels of Rikasa serve as the playing board, where players hunt for clues, interrogate suspects, and race to solve the crime before time runs out. 🕵️♀️ 🎭 This year’s event features a special collaboration with the Wyoming Area Drama Club, whose members will interact with guests throughout the evening to bring the mysterious world of Clued In vividly to life. 🍸 Expect an evening of cocktails, suspense, and a dinner… to die for. 📍 Rikasa Restaurant – 53 S Main St, Pittston, PA⏰ Sunday, October 26th | 6PM – 10PM Click here to find more infomation.
Misericordia University Appoints New Members to Board of Trustees Misericordia University has appointed four new members to its Board of Trustees: Robert J. “Bob” Gronauer, Esq.; Mary T. Kolessar; Kris Jones; and Mary Ann Dillon, RSM, Ph.D. Left to Right: Robert J. Gronauer, Esq., Mary Ann Dillon, RSM, Ph.D., Kris Jones, Mary T. Kolessar Robert J. Gronauer, Esq., a 1991 graduate of College Misericordia, is a partner at Kaempfer Crowell in Las Vegas, where he specializes in land use and zoning law. Recognized nationally by Best Lawyers in America® and Chambers USA, he has extensive experience in government relations, zoning and community planning. He brings to Kristhe board strategic legal expertise, leadership in governance and a strong alumni connection to the university. Mary T. Kolessar, a 2007 graduate of Misericordia with a master’s degree in education, serves as executive director of DiscoverNEPA, where she promotes regional growth and community engagement. She previously held leadership roles in education and finance. Kolessar contributes experience in strategic planning, fundraising and civic partnership building, along with a deep commitment to advancing education and regional development. Kris Jones, a returning trustee, is a nationally recognized entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist. He founded PepperJam, an internet marketing agency acquired by eBay, as well as LSEO.com, a digital marketing agency, and Legacy Advisors, a boutique M&A advisory firm. In 2025, Jones published his fourth book, The Entrepreneur’s Exit Playbook, which is a practical guide that helps founders maximize value, avoid mistakes, and confidently navigate the process of selling their business. He brings to the board expertise in entrepreneurship, digital marketing and investment, as well as a broad professional network to support the university’s strategic goals. Mary Ann Dillon, RSM, Ph.D., returns to the board as an active voting member. She previously served on the board until 2015 when she earned trustee emerita status. She is a former president of Mount Aloysius College and senior vice president for mission and sponsorship at Mercy Health System. A Sister of Mercy and a 1968 graduate of College Misericordia, she has a distinguished career in higher education and health care leadership. She provides the board with deep mission alignment, and experience in governance and planning. The appointments of Gronauer, Kolessar, Jones and Dillon reflect Misericordia’s commitment to drawing leaders from diverse professional fields to guide the university’s mission of academic excellence, service and community engagement.
Dave & Buster’s Announces Halloween Events Halloween just got a glow-up at Dave & Buster’s Scranton-Moosic! Enjoy a night full of games and fun activities! 6000 Shoppes Blvd, Moosic PA | All ages & fully ADA accessible Boo Bash – Family Fun Oct 31 | 4–7 PM Crafts, games & fun! Costume contest + prizes 15% off food and drinks $10 Power Card + 3 hours unlimited video game play (blue & green swipe games) Click here for more information. Moonlight Mixer – Halloween Party Oct 31 | 7 PM–12 AM Games, & fun! Fright Bites Buffet and Unlimited Soda 3 Hours of unlimited video game play (blue & green swipe games) Costume contest with a chance to win free gameplay for a YEAR Click here for more information. Don’t wait—tickets are vanishing faster than candy on Halloween! FREE Souvenir cups for the first 100 ticket purchasers!
Jeannine Luby To Open at Family Service Association Conference Jeannine Luby will kick off the Family Service Association’s National Family Week Conference with her presentation: “The Joy Reset: Humor, Healing, and Stress Relief with Laughter for Compassion Fatigue.” This 45-minute keynote blends humor, inspiration, and interactive laughter exercises designed to lift spirits, reduce stress, and create a sense of rejuvenation. Perfect for caregivers and professionals navigating the emotional weight of their work. Jeannine has led stress-relieving laughter yoga sessions for over 100 clients across NEPA, NY, NJ, and beyond, including Geisinger, Prudential, NAMI, Disability Pride PA, and United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA. She combines her background in journalism and communication arts with her expertise in humor, wellness, and positive psychology to create engaging, inclusive experiences for audiences of all abilities. In addition to her laughter work, Jeannine produces the weekly podcast Uncorked with Funny Wine Girl highlighting candid conversations with women, performs in comedy shows branded Funny Wine Girl, and worked with the Scranton Area Community Foundation in 2005 to create the donor-advised Humor Therapy Fund to spread healing, connection, and positivity throughout the community with laughter and humor-focused projects. Click here to find more information regarding the conference. Click here for information about Family Services Association.
Geisinger College’s School of Medicine To Host Turkey Trot Geisinger College’s School of Medicine students will host their 16th annual Turkey Trot 5K/10K run in downtown Scranton on Sunday, Nov. 2. The event will also feature a Tiny Trot, including crafts, games, face painting and relay races, for children 13 and younger. Proceeds will benefit Friends of the Poor, a local nonprofit whose mission is to ease the burden of living in poverty. Race day registration begins at 6:45 a.m. in the main lobby of Geisinger College’s Medical Sciences Building at 525 Pine St., Scranton. The adult runs and Tiny Trot begin at 8 a.m. Routes begin and end at the Medical Sciences Building. Online registration is open and will close Friday, Nov. 1. Registration is $30 for the 5K run/walk and $40 for the 10K. Tiny Trot registration is free, but a donation of two canned goods on race day is appreciated. Click here to find more information and registration details.
Amy Bezek Photography To Host YogART Workshop Participants are invited to step into a sacred circle and awaken their intuition, creativity, and inner power at the final YogArt Workshop of the year, taking place on Thursday, October 23, from 6:00–8:30 PM with Michelle Lee Arts. Through fun, guided exercises—including chakra art, meditation, and yoga—attendees will release self-limiting patterns, gain clarity, and ignite their highest self. During this workshop, participants will:• Create soul-inspired mandalas• Clear and understand their chakras• Tap into their intuition• Boost self-healing from challenges• Receive guidance from their spirit guide• Remove inner blocks—or simply enjoy a creative, restorative evening Cost: $45 | No art or yoga experience needed—just bring curiosity and an open heart. Leave inspired, empowered, and ready to live bigger! Please remember to bring a yoga mat, pillows, blankets, water and anything else needed to stay comfortable during the class. Click here to find more information. http://amybezek.com
The University of Scranton Releases Open House Schedule The University of Scranton, recently selected by multiple publications as one of the best colleges in the nation, will welcome hundreds of prospective students and their families to campus later this fall for a pair of Open House events. The University will host its first Open House at 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 26. A second Open House is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 9. The events conclude at about 1 p.m. Both Open Houses will start at the John J. Long, S.J., Center before embarking on student-led tours across campus. There will be ample opportunities to interact with students, faculty, staff and administrators. Representatives of student organizations, athletic programs, arts groups and the University’s Honors Programs will be available to answer questions and provide a first-hand account of the Scranton experience. Attendees, who will be treated to a brunch and lunch, will learn more about the unique paths available to each student in the form of 70 majors and 47 minors, as well 100-plus clubs, hundreds of service opportunities, 24 NCAA programs, intramural sports leagues and a vibrant array of creative and cultural experiences. Click here for more information. The University of Scranton has recently received national recognition in several publications, including the Princeton Review, which ranked it as a top-25 college in the nation in the Most Engaged in Community Service and Best Science Lab Facilities categories. The Princeton Review also selected Scranton as one of the nation’s 391 Best Colleges and featured its Kania School of Management (KSOM) on its Best On-Campus MBA Program list. Forbes designated Scranton as one of America’s Top 500 Colleges, a ranking based on factors including outcomes for graduates. Scranton has been a top-10 Best Regional University in the North, per U.S. News, for 32 consecutive years. The Roche Family Center for Career Development’s First Destination Survey for the Class of 2024 reported a 99% success for bachelor’s degree and 100% for graduate degree recipients. Additionally, Niche recognized Scranton as one of 50 schools with the Best College Food in America.
Ale Mary’s Announces Re-Opening of Night Club, Madame Jenny’s Curtain up! Light the lights! After going dark several years ago, it’s show time again at Madame Jenny’s inside Ale Mary’s at The Bittenbender. The iconic Art Deco style speak- easy nightclub will reopen on October 31 with a full lineup of entertainment, live music and family events. The schedule was announced during a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the reintroduction of the downtown establishment. Entertainment for the debut weekend is a nod to Scranton’s illustrious vaudeville history. Spooky Burlesque on October 31 celebrates the art of burlesque and cabaret with a performance by New York City’s Red Velvet Burlesque. There are three tiers of tickets including a VIP experience, which features a glass of Prosecco, as well as Premium and General Admission. The Randy Andy’s take the stage on November 1 performing, “iconic hits with vintage lips.” The female trio offers a postmodern Broadway style musical revue. Every weekend following features a new show in the jazz era style or a Northeast PA favorite. November 8, Carl Fisher & The Organic Groove Ensemble November 15, Marko Marcinko Jazz Quintet November 22, Rogue Chimp Eclectic Jazz November 29, A Charlie Brown Christmas December 7, Brunch with Santa December 13, Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen December 20, The Jeffrey James Band December 31, A Gatsby New Year Settlers Hospitality will manage operations at Madame Jenny’s, as it has for Ale Mary’s since July. The bar will serve a variety of spirits during the performances, and a light snack menu will also be offered. “Response to the reopening at Madame Jenny’s has been electric,” explains Settlers Hospitality CEO Justin Genzlinger. “People are eager to have this venue open again in downtown Scranton and we are proud to breathe new life into such a storied place in Lackawanna County.” Tickets for all Madame Jenny shows are available at resy.com/cities/scranton-pa/venues/ale-marys
