Commonwealth Health Tips to Prevent Type-2 Diabetes

Over 30 million Americans have Type-2 diabetes. If left untreated or unmanaged, the disease can damage all aspects of the cardiovascular system, cause blindness, heart disease, loss of limbs and other serious conditions.

While Type-2 diabetes is most often diagnosed in adults 45 and older with a family history of the disease or in those who are overweight or obese, the condition is now becoming more prevalent in children, teens and young adults. Fortunately, there are small lifestyle changes and habits that can help prevent this chronic condition in people of all ages while also improving overall health.

As the most common type of diabetes, Type-2 diabetes is when the body creates too much insulin or resists it, which causes blood sugar levels to rise.

“The reality is that there is no cure for Type-2 diabetes, so taking steps to prevent this disease is your best course of action,” says Neda Danniel, M.D., family medicine physician with Commonwealth Health Physician Network.  “Even small changes in lifestyle like taking a daily walk or drinking water instead of juice can help ward off a diagnosis and make a big impact on your health.” 

Dr. Danniel suggests four ways to prevent Type-2 diabetes.

  • Manage weight and belly fat: Excess weight in the abdomen and obesity are main causes of Type-2 diabetes. Experts recommend maintaining a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 and a waistline of less than 35 inches for women and less than 40 inches for men.

  • Exercise regularly: Daily exercise can help avoid heart disease, reduce stress and Type-2 diabetes. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate aerobic exercise, like walking or biking, and two strength workouts each week.

  • Move more: Additional movement beyond exercise can also help keep off weight. Consider taking the stairs rather than an elevator or standing during work meetings to add more movement into daily life.

  • Eat fresh food: Avoid overly processed foods like chips, candy and deli meats, and focus on foods rich in fiber and nutrients like fruits, vegetables and lean protein.

Unfortunately, Type-2 diabetes could take years to develop and symptoms are often hard to detect. If you experience extreme fatigue, numbness or tingling in the hands or feet or blurred vision, it is important to get tested.

To learn more about preventing Type-2 diabetes, or to schedule a wellness exam, visit https://www.commonwealthhealth.net/.

Pennsylvania American Water Announces Pipe Project in Scranton

Pennsylvania American Water today announced a $6 million project to provide redundant drinking water supply from its Lake Scranton Water Treatment Plant to the city of Scranton.  The project, which is slated to begin in mid-August, involves rehabilitating an existing water line that runs through the East Mountain area of Scranton.

As part of the project, company contractors will be lining and reinforcing an existing 48-inch transmission line with high-density polyethylene pipe.  The transmission line was originally installed through East Mountain in 1908 to serve the city.  It was taken out of service in 2018 after a new transmission line was installed through the mountain. 

“The original cast-iron pipe served us for well over 100 years,” said Rich Dudek, project manager, Pennsylvania American Water.  “The second line was installed to provide redundancy should any repairs be needed on the original pipe, and now we are making these improvements to extend the service life of the water main and add resiliency and redundancy to our Scranton water system.” 

The project is expected to start in mid-August and be completed in the spring of 2024.  Customers’ water service will not be impacted by this work.

In preparation for the project, part of the walking path around the Lake Scranton reservoir will temporarily close to pedestrian traffic beginning Monday, July 31 as contractors begin delivering material and equipment for the project.  The walking path will be closed from the area where the path meets the roadway at the small stone bridge to the dam near the fishing pier.

The walking path will be closed as a safety precaution due to increased truck traffic on the roadway until August 4.  The path will be reopen Saturday, August 5.

For more information, contact Pennsylvania American Water’s customer service center at 1-800-565-7292.

RailRiders to Host Office Night

Calling all “The Office” lovers! Don’t miss Office Olympics Night at PNC Field on Saturday, August 12. 

The first 2,500 fans to enter the ballpark at 5 p.m. will receive an Oswald Peraza & Oswaldo Cabrera Dual Bobblehead Giveaway. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. against the rival Syracuse Mets. During the game, Kate Flannery will return to her Dunder Mifflin roots to meet with fans and sign autographs from 6 to 8 p.m. (*Timeframe subject to change.) You can even enjoy a Meredith Palmer adult beverage and themed games all night long. Stick around after the final out for post-game FIREWORKS to cap off an electric night by the Electric City! 

The Chamber Hosts its Annual Summer Festival

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce and the economic development marketing affiliate, The Scranton Plan, is hosting its annual Summer Festival at The Country Club of Scranton, Clarks Summit, on Monday, August 21.

Summer Festival, sponsored by Lackawanna County, Mericle Commercial Real Estate Services, UGI, Sordoni Construction, FNCB Bank, Quandel Construction, Colwell-Naegele Associates, Penntex Construction, Peoples Security Bank, Stevens & Lee, Barry Callebaut, and Greenman-Pedersan, Inc. welcomed more than 80 attendees including real estate brokers, consultants, and site selection specialists from neighboring states to a round of golf at The Country Club of Scranton, followed by dinner and networking.

“Summer Festival is a signature event for The Scranton Plan and continues to be an impactful economic development marketing tool said AJ Cimahosky, economic development specialist. “The event provides an opportunity to showcase the many business opportunities available in northeastern Pennsylvania.”

The festival aims to introduce corporate executives and real estate professionals from neighboring states to the quality of life and business opportunities available in the greater Scranton region.

About The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization that works to improve the area’s economic environment and quality of life by offering programs and services which stimulate economic growth, promote business prosperity and nurture educational opportunities. For more information about the Chamber, visit www.scrantonchamber.com.

About The Scranton Plan
The Scranton Plan, the economic development marketing affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, has helped more than 350 companies relocate to northeastern Pennsylvania and assisted in creating more than 42,000 jobs since its inception in 1945. The Scranton Plan, in conjunction with The Chamber affiliates Lackawanna Industrial Fund Enterprise (LIFE) and Scranton Lackawanna Industrial Building Company (SLIBCO), has developed 15 industrial office and technology parks and cultivated more than $650 million in real estate investments. For more information, visit www.scrantonplan.com 

Leadership Lackawanna Invites Regional Nonprofit Organizations to Submit Project LOIs

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce community leadership and professional development affiliate, Leadership Lackawanna, invites greater Scranton regional nonprofit organizations to submit a Service Project Letter of Intent (LOI) as the first step in the Request for Proposal (RFP) process for the 2023-24 Core class community service project. The Leadership Lackawanna organization will select multiple projects for the incoming class to work on throughout the program year (October 2023—June 2024). 

For nonprofit organizations and community groups, this invitation to submit an LOI presents an opportunity to use the services of a talented team of professionals. The group can help you with a project you have had in mind but lack the human resources to accomplish. At the same time, you can expose a group of established and emerging leaders to your organization’s mission and goals. This is a mutually beneficial experience for your agency and these emerging professionals. Projects must have a reasonable scope and budget and cannot include capital campaigns, rebranding/branding/marketing campaigns, or raising large sums of money. 

For more information on submitting a LOI to Leadership Lackawanna, visit www.leadershiplackawanna.com. Questions may be directed to Leadership Lackawanna Executive Director Nicole Morristell at (570) 342–7711 or nmorristell@scrantonchamber.com. The deadline to submit a LOI is August 18, 2023.

About The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization that works to improve the area’s economic environment and quality of life by offering programs and services which stimulate economic growth, promote business prosperity and nurture educational opportunities. For more information about the Chamber, visit www.scrantonchamber.com.

About Leadership Lackawanna
Leadership Lackawanna, an affiliate of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, is a 501(c)(3) charitable, nonprofit organization in northeastern Pennsylvania dedicated to community leadership and professional development. Leadership’s six programs: Tomorrow’s Leaders Today, Leadership Collegiate, Core, Leadership Fundamentals 2.0, Executive, and Welcome Scranton!—enhance the skills, connections, and knowledge of emerging and established leaders, enabling them better to serve our communities, workplaces, and organizations. Established in 1982, Leadership Lackawanna has created more than 2,500 community leaders. For more information, visit www.leadershiplackawanna.com.

Citizens Savings Bank Promotes Brian Drozdick

Citizens Savings Bank is pleased to announce the following promotion. Drozdick has been elevated to Assistant Branch Manager and Security Officer.

Drozdick received his bachelor’s degree in marketing from the University of Scranton.

Drozdick started his career with the bank as an Assistant Branch Manager in the South Scranton Branch in June 2012 and was later transferred to Assistant Branch Manager in the Clarks Summit Branch in June 2020. Drozdick had been assisting in many aspects in the security function over the years which made for a seamless transition.

In this new position, he will be taking on the additional responsibilities in the role as Security Officer and will continue to be responsible in assisting in the branch daily operations.

Drozdick has worked in various banking positions during his career. He resides in Eynon with his wife Noelle, and two children.

National Night Out Against Crime Campaign with Scranton PD

The City of Scranton is proud to be presenting National Night Out Against Crime Campaign for 2023. The goal is to promote both law enforcement and community involvement in combating crime. This event invites the citizens of Scranton to come out and enjoy a safe and crime-free night in their community.

On Tuesday, August 1, at 6:00 pm the Scranton Police Department will celebrate a night out against crime at the Scranton High School with a large festival for every resident of Scranton to enjoy. Again, the Scranton Police Department, as well as other law enforcement and community service agencies, will provide displays of their programs for the residents to see and experience. The purpose of this event is to educate the community and provide citizens with information on services available to them as well as build community confidence and pride. There will also be refreshments and entertainment provided to all in attendance at no cost.

To present National Night Out, we need your help. These projects could not happen without the financial assistance and sponsorship of businesses and organizations within our community. If you would like to donate, any donations made to National Night Out are tax deductible. The advertising pledge will not be used as a political contribution or support political activity in any way.

If you would like to participate, the National Night Out Committee would welcome you or anyone from your organization to join us in the festivities at Scranton High School. Please feel free to attend and become involved in this great event. We will provide a station (table and chairs) so you may promote your specific organization to our community.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at (570) 558-8304. Thank you for your consideration on this matter.

Local Foundation and Wayne Bank Supports Community Foundation

The Board of The John and Helen Villaume Foundation, a fiduciary of the Wayne Bank, announced that the Wayne County Community Foundation was selected to receive one of the Foundation’s 2023 community grant awards. Ryanne Jennings, President & CEO, received a check in the amount of $5,000.00 from Villaume Foundation board members, Jon Villaume and Tracy L. Schwarz.

The John and Helen Villaume Foundation established by Honesdale natives, John and Helen Villaume, was created to benefit charitable, religious, scientific, literary, and educational programs within Wayne County.  Since its inception, the Foundation has made awards totaling over $2,425,000.00 with Wayne Bank managing the account in the Wealth Management and Trust Services Division of Wayne Bank.

Additional information about the Foundation and grant applications may be obtained from: The John and Helen Villaume Foundation, c/o Wayne Bank Wealth Management and Trust Services Division, 717 Main Street, Honesdale, PA  18431, or by phone:  570-253-1571 or email:  Trust@WayneBank.com