Misericordia University Holds PA Jazz Institute Music Camp Located on the beautiful campus of Misericordia University, Dallas, PA, the Pa Jazz Institute is northeastern PA’s premiere music camp. For more than 30 years, students, educators, and amateurs alike have been able to study and learn from top world-class professional instructors and performers. Culminating in several performance opportunities at the Scranton Jazz Festival, students gain knowledge in musical styles, improvisation, reading, music theory, history, technology, and more. Dates: July 14-18, 2025 | 10 am – 4 pmCampus Concert on Friday, July 18 @ 3 pm For more info and to register, visit https://pajazzinstitute.com
Johnson College Opens Enrollment for Basic Maintenance Course Johnson College is now accepting enrollments for its 48-hour, non-credit Basic Maintenance course, set to be held at the Scranton campus. Classes will run from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning July 22 and ending Sept. 11, 2025. Designed for individuals looking to enter the high-demand field of maintenance and repair, the course will cover essential skills needed for the upkeep of buildings and property systems. Instructional topics include tools, equipment, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, pest control, weatherization and painting. The cost of the course is $650. For more information or to reserve a spot, visit johnson.edu/continuing-ed/basic-maintenance. You can also contact Johnson College’s WAVE team (formerly Continuing Education) at 570-702-8979 or wave@johnson.edu.
United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike Opens 2025-2026 Grant Application Process United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike is pleased to announce that the grant application process for nonprofit organizations serving Wayne and Pike counties is now officially open for the 2025–2026 funding cycle. This annual competitive grant opportunity is available to qualified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that provide programs or services aligning with United Way’s mission to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. Priority will be given to initiatives that address critical needs in the areas of education, economic mobility, and health—the building blocks for a good quality of life. “We are committed to investing in programs that deliver measurable impact and real change for all those who call our corner of Pennsylvania home,” said Dr. Angela Bassani, Ed.D., President & CEO, United Way of Lackawanna, Wayne & Pike. “This grant opportunity reflects our ongoing dedication to creating stronger, healthier, and more equitable communities.” Nonprofits interested in applying can visit uwlc.net/grants/ to access the grant guidelines, eligibility criteria, and application materials. The deadline for completed applications is July 18th for Wayne County and July 25th for Pike County. For more information or questions about the grant process, please contact Stephanie Miller, smiller@uwlc.net or 570.343.1267 x225
Steamtown National Historic Site to Unveil Restored Bullard No. 2 Locomotive On Saturday, July 5, at 12:30 p.m., Steamtown National Historic Site will host an official unveiling of the cosmetically restored Bullard No. 2 locomotive. After many years of dedicated work by National Park Service volunteers, interns, and staff Bullard No. 2 has returned to public view. Removed from display to undergo a comprehensive cosmetic restoration, the locomotive’s return marks more than just the completion of a project— it represents the culmination of years of care, skill, and commitment from countless contributors who helped preserve this piece of history for future generations. The official unveiling on July 5 will include a brief ceremony recognizing the many contributors behind the restoration. The event will give the public a chance to view the completed work and meet some of the individuals who helped make it possible. “The Bullard No. 2 project is a testament to the dedication and skill of our team,” said Superintendent Jeremy Komasz. “We’re grateful for everyone who gave their time and energy to restore this piece of history. Their work reflects the collaboration that makes everything we do here at Steamtown possible.” The success of the Bullard restoration reflects years of steady work by many hands. Volunteers, interns, and staff logged countless hours restoring components, researching history and preserving the locomotive’s structure, often during periods with limited visibility or resources. The result stands on a foundation built through persistence, skill, and shared commitment. If you have contributed to the Bullard No. 2 project at any stage, we invite you to raise your hand and join us for the unveiling ceremony. A commemorative group photo will be taken with the locomotive to recognize and honor all who were part of the journey. Let us celebrate the efforts of those who gave this historic locomotive new shine and a lasting legacy. The Bullard No. 2 restoration is just one example of many projects at the park that highlight the wide range of volunteer contributions at Steamtown. Volunteers support nearly every aspect of park operations, from enhancing the visitor experience and assisting with historic restoration to maintaining facilities and providing administrative support. Their contributions are essential to keeping the park running and its stories alive. “Our park is fueled by more than coal or diesel—it’s fueled by people,” said Komasz. “Whether it’s technical skill, a welcoming smile or a passion for history, our volunteers help preserve the park’s legacy and ensure future generations can experience the story of steam firsthand.” Interested in volunteering? Whether you’re looking to get involved for the first time or return after time away, Steamtown is welcoming both new and former volunteers to join the team. To learn more about current opportunities and how to apply, visit: https://www.nps.gov/stea/getinvolved/volunteer.htm
Scranton Shakespeare Festival – The Box Office is now OPEN! Sister Act When lounge singer Deloris Van Cartier trades in her nightclub act for a nun’s habit, she turns a struggling choir into a chart-topping sensation through the power of sisterhood and music. June 26-29 & July 26 Reserve Tickets Julius Caesar Power, loyalty, and betrayal collide in Shakespeare’s gripping political thriller. As Rome teeters on the edge of tyranny, conspirators plot to overthrow a leader they once loved July 9, 11-13 & 25 Reserve Tickets Timon of Athens Timon, a wildly generous millionaire, learns the brutal truth about friendship when his generosity is met with ingratitude, leading him from lavish feasts to bitter exile when his fortune fades. July 10, 12, 13 & 26 Reserve Tickets Hairspray Energetic, heartfelt, and packed with showstopping tunes, Hairspray is the beloved musical comedy that celebrates self-love, inclusion, and thepower of change. July 17-20 & 27 Reserve Tickets Performances By the Scranton Shakespeare Festival Youth Ensemble Romeo & Juliet Two star-crossed lovers are bound by passion and torn apart by fate. As their families’ feud spirals out of control, they defy the world around them, only to discover that the universe has its own plans. June 20-22 & July 24 Reserve Tickets Little Shop of Horrors When nerdy florist Seymour discovers an unearthly, singing plant with a lust for human blood, Skid Row gains an unexpected hero. July 31, August 1-3 Reserve Tickets Frequently Asked Questions How much are tickets? Our Shakespeares are offered to everyone for free thanks to PNC Bank! Our musicals are $20 for adults and $10 for those under 12. Though some of our programming is free, our bills are not! If you are able to make a donation at some point during your stay with us, that’d be greatfully appreciated. Where are the shows? All of our seasons performances are located at our new black-box theatre, The Shakes Space, kindly donated by the awesome folks at The Marketplace at Steamtown. Will tickets sell out? We’re expecting high demand, so we recommend you book those tickets ahead of time. You’ve got to make sure to use them though, or cancel in plenty of time or your other reservations are at risk of being cancelled.
NEPA Philharmonic to Play at 12th Annual Yoga on the Roof On Friday, July 4th, at 9am, Hilary Steinberg with Jaya Yoga in Clarks Summit, and the Marketplace at Steamtown will present the 12th annual Yoga on the Roof, which includes one hour of yoga accompanied by live music played by musicians of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic. The yoga practice will be followed by breakfast treats compliments of Maximum Zen. This event is a favorite way to launch Independence Day celebrations, and benefits the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic’s educational and outreach programs. A five-minute meditation led by Lisa Rigau will open the event. Leading the yoga practice will be Jaya Yoga’s owner, Hilary Steinberg and instructor Lily Mackarey. Featured musicians will be Leah Valenches, Peter Brubaker, and Gabriel Schaff. Yoga on the Roof is a unique event in Northeastern Pennsylvania, taking place on the morning of the holiday, overlooking historic downtown Scranton. Participants are invited to pre-register at www.nepaphil.org/tickets until Wednesday, July 2nd, although, walk-ins are also welcome. The recommended arrival time for all attendees is by 8:45am on Thursday, July 4th, rain or shine. A donation of $20 is requested. The Philharmonic projects that benefit from Yoga on the Roof are Music in our Schools, Music in our Senior Centers, Young People’s Concerts, Once Upon an Orchestra (a library initiative for tots), and a juried mentoring program for talented high school music students. Pre-registration is also available by calling the Philharmonic office at (570) 270-4444. For additional information about Yoga on the Roof, please contact hilary@jayayogastudio.com. The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic is a fully professional symphonic orchestra performing regularly in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties, with upcoming expansions into Wayne County. Music Director is Maestra Mélisse Brunet. For additional information about the Philharmonic, sponsorship opportunities, and concerts, please call (570) 270-4444.
Loop Internet Expanding to Hazleton Hazleton residents and businesses will get access to fast, contract-free fiber internet starting this fall Loop Internet, a locally owned and operated fiber internet provider, has officially broken ground in Hazleton. Construction is underway, and residents and businesses can expect service to begin rolling out this fall. Loop will offer speeds up to 10 Gbps, faster than other providers in the area. The expansion is part of Loop’s mission to deliver fast, reliable, and honest internet to underserved communities across Northeastern Pennsylvania. With its hallmark no-contract plans, symmetrical upload and download speeds, and transparent pricing, Loop is poised to provide a meaningful alternative to the cable monopolies that have long dominated the region. “Hazleton deserves better.” said Jason Wasmanski, General Manager of Loop Internet. “We’re not just building a network, we’re building trust. People are tired of hidden fees, lack of reliability, slow upload speeds, and out-of-town call centers. We’re changing that.” Loop’s fiber infrastructure is being installed across Hazleton in phases, with service activations beginning as early as this fall. Residents and businesses are encouraged to check availability and pre-register for service at loopinternet.com to be among the first connected. Known for its community-first approach, Loop plans to keep Hazleton residents informed every step of the way through local mailers, social media updates, and appearances at neighborhood events. The company’s crews, customer support staff, and leadership are all based in Northeastern Pennsylvania, offering Hazleton a local partner, not a faceless provider. Loop Internet already serves thousands of customers in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Mountaintop, and Kingston. The Hazleton expansion represents another step in Loop’s long-term commitment to bring better broadband to more communities throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Geisinger Pediatrician, Child Abuse Advocate Awarded Humanitarian Award A Geisinger pediatrician and former medical director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Central Susquehanna Valley in Sunbury was recently presented with an award in recognition of his commitment to improving the lives of others through personal sacrifice, and his leadership through his vocation. Pat Bruno, M.D., was presented with the Juniata College William E. Swigart Alumni Humanitarian Award for his selfless service to his community and beyond through his commitment to preventing child abuse and developing programs to evaluate and serve children who have been abused. “I am honored to receive this award. I have been fortunate to have a team that has worked with me for more than 20 years helping to advocate for children,” Dr. Bruno said. “Many thanks go to my team for the difficult work that they have done.” Despite the emotional and practical challenges that come with treating child abuse and neglect cases, after so many years of specializing in the topic, Dr. Bruno understands its complexities. “Child maltreatment is a preventable multidisciplinary, multigenerational community problem,” he said. Until 2024, Dr. Bruno served as medical director and child abuse pediatrician at the Children’s Advocacy Center and was the director of the Division of Child Safety and Advocacy at Geisinger Janet Weis Children’s Hospital. He continues to work in general pediatrics and child abuse pediatrics while serving as associate professor of pediatrics at Geisinger School of Medicine. During his career, Dr. Bruno has evaluated and treated more than 6,000 children referred for child maltreatment evaluations and has testified in many counties in the state on behalf of child victims. As a certified member and fellow of the American Board of General Pediatrics, Dr. Bruno is board certified in child abuse pediatrics. He has lectured on child abuse prevention to medical students and residents, and is the author of “How Can I Not?: Reflections on a Life Evaluating and Treating Victims of Child Maltreatment.” Dr. Bruno has been twice recognized with the Thomas Paine Award for Journalism from the Central Susquehanna ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) in 2013 and 2019, and the Dr. Chuck Fasano Memorial Red Cross Award for Medical Heroes in 2014. Dr. Bruno was named Sunbury Citizen of the Year by the Sunbury Rotary Club in 2016.
Geisinger’s 2025 Cooking Classes -Registration Now Open Geisinger is offering free in-person and virtual cooking classes to community members this summer.Registration is now open for the 2025 culinary medicine classes, which combine the art and skill of cooking with the science of nutrition. The classes offer an evidence-based approach to health that incorporates food and cooking with nutrition education.The classes are led by a registered dietitian nutritionist and cover topics including healthy meals, portion sizes, label reading, snacking, eating behaviors, kitchen safety and good shopping habits.The classes are free and can be taken in person at Geisinger’s teaching kitchen in Selinsgrove or virtually online. Register by visiting geisinger.org/cooking. Email culinarymedicine@geisinger.edu if you have questions.
