Scranton Area Community Foundation Awards $5,000 to Camp Create The Scranton Area Community Foundation granted $5000.00 to Camp Create, A Visual & Performing Arts Camp for Children with Special Needs. Due to this generous award, tuition was only $25 per week for an entire week of camp during the summer of 2024. Camp was also offered free of charge if a participant requested a full scholarship. Camp Create tuition fees are kept low due to the extraordinary expenses families of children with special needs face and this grant enabled many children to attend camp during the summer of 2024. Our themes for 2024 were “Robomania! The Ultimate Robot Adventure Camp” and “Fantasy, Fairytales & Beasts! A Journey into Enchanted Realms”. Campers created their own works of art and fantastic original plays based around these themes that they presented at the end of each week of camp. Camp will also be held during the summer of 2025. This will be our 25th year of camp! Camp dates and themes for summer 2025 are:Session 1: August 4 – August 8, 10:00 am – 2:00 pmGalactic Odyssey! A Space Adventure Camp Session 2: August 11 – August 15, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm Imagination Station! Where Dreams Come to Life You can find our 2025 brochure here. Camp is held at the Church of the Epiphany (25 Church Hill Rd, Dalton, PA 18414) from 10 AM-2PM Monday through Friday. We also offer intern opportunities for high school and college students. If you would like to learn more about attending camp or becoming an intern, please contact Camp Create: Email: campcreatePA@gmail.comPhone: 570.233.3622Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/campcreatePA/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allabouttheatre_campcreate/ Photo: Left to right: Stephen Colley, Camp Create Art Director; Amy Colley, Camp Create Co-Director; Michaela Moore, Camp Create Co-Director; Cathy Fitzpatrick, Scranton Area Community Foundation Director of Grants and Scholarships
The Wright Center’s Dr. Sheth Named 2025 Healthcare Trailblazer Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth, senior vice president and enterprise chief operations and strategy officer at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, was selected as a 2025 Trailblazer in Healthcare by City and State Pennsylvania. The multimedia news organization recognized Dr. Sheth for his bold, forward-thinking leadership at The Wright Center, where he has championed the expansion of telemedicine, the modernization of clinical systems through advanced health information technology, and the advancement of Pennsylvania’s public health infrastructure. He is among a distinguished group of 2025 Trailblazers in Healthcare that includes physicians, lobbyists, educators, entrepreneurs, attorneys, and nonprofit leaders who are driving meaningful change across the commonwealth. “It’s an honor to be recognized among leaders who are working to solve some of health care’s toughest challenges,” Dr. Sheth said. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire team at The Wright Center to modernize care, expand access, and deliver meaningful, measurable impact for the communities we proudly serve.” City & State also acknowledged Dr. Sheth’s leadership in remote patient monitoring and his role in securing The Wright Center’s 2019 designation as a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) Look-Alike. Dr. Sheth has spearheaded transformative initiatives that have significantly elevated care quality across Northeast Pennsylvania and beyond: Pioneered a cutting-edge telemedicine model that brings care directly into patients’ homes, especially in rural areas, through remote monitoring of vitals like heart rate, blood pressure, and steps. By integrating Humhealth technology into electronic health records (EHR) at The Wright Center, he ensured seamless data transfer and empowered patients to take an active role in their care. Reengineered The Wright Center’s EHR system into a powerful data platform that drives precise clinical interventions, supports population health management, and strengthens grant applications through actionable insights. Launched advanced business analytics tools that enhanced operational performance, ensured federal compliance, and supported The Wright Center’s FQHC Look-Alike designation. Introduced innovative patient-facing technologies, including a service that provides real-time interpreter services that support more than 350 languages, and “Neo,” an interactive, HIPAA-compliant chatbot that helps patients navigate services, schedule visits, and manage care online at TheWrightCenter.org. Modernized vaccine and medication management with a secure, automated system that tracks inventory to the dose level, safeguards patient safety, and improves regulatory compliance. Streamlined clinical workflows and strengthened strategic planning through the deployment of advanced technologies, including an AI-powered digital scribe; tools that focus on data visualization and business intelligence by providing real-time care analytics; and a centralized grant inventory management system that enhanced organizational efficiency and accountability. Dr. Sheth earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery with honors in biochemistry, medicine, and public health in 2004 from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in Wardha, India. He later received a Master of Public Health with a specialization in health promotion in 2006 from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb. After completing his internal medicine residency in 2009 through the Scranton-Temple Residency Program, now The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, Dr. Sheth joined The Wright Center as an internal medicine primary care physician and lead physician for population management and reporting. Over the years, Dr. Sheth has pioneered innovative approaches that have significantly enhanced patient wellness and health care delivery. His impactful contributions have led to a series of leadership promotions at The Wright Center, beginning with vice president for patient safety and quality in 2013, followed by senior vice president and chief medical and information officer in 2018, and culminating in his current role as senior vice president and enterprise chief operations and strategy officer. Dr. Sheth has been honored with numerous national and state awards in recognition of his leadership, innovation, and contributions to advancing health care. In 2024, Dr. Sheth was recognized nationally and statewide for his visionary leadership and impact on community health. He received the Outstanding Primary Care Clinician Award from the Pennsylvania Association of Community Health Centers and the Innovative Research in Primary Care Award from the National Association of Community Health Centers, honoring his contributions to clinical innovation, care coordination, and public health. He was also named a 2024 Trailblazer in Building and Infrastructure by City & State Pennsylvania for transforming 10 facilities across three counties into The Wright Center’s state-of-the-art primary health care centers, dramatically improving access and outcomes for patients and medically underserved communities. In April 2025, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro selected Dr. Sheth to serve as a member of the state’s newly formed Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Related Disorders Advisory Committee. Established in October 2024, the Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Related Disorders Advisory Committee is tasked with advising the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and other state agencies on the development and implementation of a state plan for Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, and other related disorders. Dr. Sheth and his wife, Hetal Sheth, live in Clarks Summit with their children, Zian, 10, and Jiaa, 6. For more information about The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-866-3017.
UNC to Host Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for New CEDAR Center United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania (UNC) will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for its new CEDAR (Community Education, Development, And Revitalization) Center on Friday, August 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at 526 Cedar Avenue in South Scranton. All media outlets and public officials are invited to attend. UNC officially moved into the CEDAR Center on June 23, 2025, marking a major milestone in the organization’s 100+ year history. The CEDAR Center now serves as UNC’s regional hub for adult education, workforce development, and a range of community-based programs. Speakers at the event will include Senator Marty Flynn, Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan, Mayor of Scranton Paige Cognetti, Lisa Durkin, UNC President and CEO, and Dr. Kellyn Williams, UNC Board Member. The building, a former branch of the South Side Bank & Trust Company, was generously donated by Peoples Security Bank in 2014. Construction began in April 2024, transforming the space into a welcoming and accessible facility designed to meet the growing needs of the community. UNC extends sincere thanks to the many funding partners who helped bring the project to life, including Senator Robert P. Casey Jr., Peoples Security Bank, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (RACP), the PA Department of Community and Economic Development (Keystone Communities, Local Share Account, and Neighborhood Partnership Program), Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority, Lackawanna County, the City of Scranton, the Oppenheim Foundation, PNC Bank, PPL Electric Utilities, and The Dime Bank. We’d additionally like to thank Project Architect Ralph J. Melone, AIA, and General Contractor Robert Bamford of Mar-Paul Construction Co., Inc. The ribbon cutting will celebrate the opening of this vital new space and UNC’s continued commitment to serving individuals and families across Northeastern Pennsylvania.
The Wright Center, Children’s Fair for National Health Center Week Families can enjoy a day of fun and wellness at The Wright Center for Community Health’s children’s fair, part of National Health Center Week. The inaugural event will feature yoga sessions, backpack giveaways, health snacks, face painting, and visits with a friendly therapy dog – offering something for kids and the young at heart. The Wright Way to Wellness: Kids Edition will take place from 2-6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 7, in the auditorium at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton, 501 S. Washington Ave. The event will feature fitness and art activities, healthy snacks and nutrition demonstrations, a backpack and school supply giveaway, visits with The Wright Center’s therapy dog, Sadie, athletic equipment giveaways with Build-N-Athlete, and information about school physicals and vaccinations. Children’s yoga instructor Kerri Bonich will lead demonstrations, and the Lackawanna County Bookmobile will be on site from 2-4 p.m. Several area nonprofits, including the Carbondale YMCA, Penn State Nutrition Links, the Commission on Economic Opportunity, and Valley in Motion, will participate. The event will also feature raffles, including one for a youth fitness watch. The wellness fair is just one of several special events The Wright Center will host or participate in as part of National Health Center Week from Aug. 3-9. Community health centers, such as The Wright Center, are nonprofit, patient-governed organizations that provide high-quality, comprehensive, whole-person primary health services to medically underserved communities, serving all patients regardless of income or insurance status. This year’s National Health Center Week theme – “60 Years of Improving Our Nation’s Health” – is especially relevant to The Wright Center, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2026. The Wright Center, one of nearly 1,500 community health centers nationwide, served about 38,300 unique patients in fiscal year 2024-25. Community health centers represent the largest primary care network in the nation, delivering care to more than 32.5 million people annually, or one in 10 people nationwide. Of those served, one in three people live in poverty, and one in five are uninsured, according to the National Association of Community Health Centers, which organizes National Health Center Week. “National Health Center Week is an important reminder of the critical role that community health centers play in strengthening the delivery of responsive, whole-person primary health services to underserved populations here in Northeast Pennsylvania and across the nation,” said Kara Seitzinger, the executive director of public affairs and advisor liaison to the president/CEO. “We’re excited to host this children’s wellness fair and several other events to celebrate how community health centers like The Wright Center are woven into the fabric of our region.” The Wright Center’s other National Health Center Week activities include: Monday, Aug. 4: 10 a.m.-noon, backpack and school supply giveaway, The Wright Center for Community Health Wilkes-Barre, 169 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Tuesday, Aug. 5: 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Community Closet, Wayne City Visitors Center, 32 Commercial St, Honesdale. Tuesday, Aug. 5: 6-9 p.m., information table at Scranton’s National Night Out, Scranton High School, 63 Mike Munchak Way. Wednesday, Aug. 6: noon to 3 p.m., backpack and school supply giveaway, plus information on health services, and summer safety tips at Scranton Co-op Farmers Market, 900 Barring Ave. Wednesday, Aug. 6: 5-7 p.m., information table and backpack and school supply giveaway at Archbald’s National Night Out, A.C. Field, 183 Harrison St. Thursday, Aug. 7: noon to 2 p.m., food giveaway, The Wright Center for Community Health North Pocono, 260 Daleville Highway, Covington Township. Thursday, Aug. 7: 4-7 p.m., backpack and school supply giveaway, Tunkhannock Health Fair, 5950 U.S. Route 6. Friday, Aug. 8: 10 a.m. to noon, backpack and school supply giveaway, The Wright Center for Community Health North Scranton, 1721 North Main Ave. Friday, Aug. 8: 3-5 p.m., backpack and school supply giveaway, Carbondale Public Library, 5 N. Main St. The Wright Center, based in Scranton, offers affordable, high-quality, whole-person primary health services at its growing network of community health centers in Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, and Wyoming counties. For more information, go to TheWrightCenter.org or call 570-209-0019.
The Dime Bank Employees Graduate from School of Banking The Dime Bank is proud to announce that five of its dedicated employees have successfully graduated from the Pennsylvania Bankers Association’s Schools of Banking, marking a significant milestone in their professional development and commitment to excellence in the banking industry. Kelsey M. Harrison, Jennifer A. Tagle, and Amy M. Caggiano graduated from the PA Bankers Advanced School of Banking, an intensive, three-year program that prepares rising leaders for management positions in the financial services industry. This achievement reflects their dedication to advancing their expertise and contributing to the continued success of The Dime Bank. In addition, Hannah A. Chase and Austin M. Millon completed the PA Bankers School of Banking, a comprehensive one-year program designed to provide a strong foundation in core banking principles. Millon graduated with honors, a distinction awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance and leadership throughout the program. “We are incredibly proud of our team members for their hard work and commitment to professional growth,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Peter Bochnovich. “Their accomplishments reflect not only their individual talents but also our bank’s ongoing investment in developing future leaders in banking.” The PA Bankers Association’s Schools of Banking are recognized statewide for their rigorous curriculum and emphasis on real-world application, leadership, and innovation in financial services.
NEPA Philharmonic Announces 2025-26 Season The Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, with Music Director Mélisse Brunet, is excited to announce its 2025-26 Season, Presented by PNC. The season contains an expansive array of unique musical experiences ranging from candlelit concerts to a Battle of the Bands to films live in concert, including Jurassic Park™. Season subscriptions and individual tickets are available at NEPAphil.org or by calling 570-270-4444. New ticket prices start at $29 for adults and $16 for students for most concerts. The NEPA Philharmonic’s long-time supporter of the orchestra, PNC, will also debut as the Philharmonic’s first ever Season Presenting Sponsor for 2025-26. Additional series sponsorships include the Thalenfeld Family Movie Series, the Dr. Seth W. and Carolyn Fisher Pops Series, the Thalenfeld Family Symphony Series, and the Stoppini Foundation Chamber Series. “Extending our relationship with the Philharmonic to become the first season-long presenting sponsor reflects our shared belief in the power of the arts and culture to bring our community together,” said Pete Danchak, PNC regional president for Northeast PA. “The arts are a key economic driver across our region and the Philharmonic’s upcoming season offers programs that further reinforce what we’ve long known – Northeast PA is the perfect place to live, work and play.” Following appearances by the Philharmonic at the Scrantastic Spectacular and Wilkes-Barre’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July, the NEPA Philharmonic expands its Stoppini Chamber Series this summer with two outdoor concerts presented by Harmony in the Woods in Hawley. After a recent concert of Americana Brass in the Woods with the NEPA Philharmonic Brass Quintet on July 5, the NEPA Philharmonic String Quartet joins Regina Sayles on Sunday, August 17, 5:30PM for Regina Sayles & Summer Strings, a program of pop favorites and original works benefiting WVIA. In September, the Philharmonic offers its first ever Sensory Friendly chamber concert with a wind quartet at the Pittston Library on Saturday, September 13, 10AM and 1PM, free for the public. On Saturday, September 27, 7PM, the orchestra opens the Dr. Seth W. and Carolyn Fisher Pops Series with Defying Gravity: Bewitching Broadway at the F.M. Kirby Center. Scott Coulter’s Spot-On Entertainment returns with the Philharmonic for a program of spooky, show-stopping hits from musicals such as Wicked, Sweeney Todd, and more. The Philharmonic brings two “Savor the Sounds” chamber music experiences this fall, featuring a relaxed atmosphere of premium table seating, small bites, and a bar with signature drinks. Autumn Tango at Montage features an afternoon of fall foliage and Piazzolla on Sunday, October 5, 3PM at Montage Mountain Resorts in Scranton. Then on Thursday, November 6, 7PM, Lace Village in Scranton glows with a candlelit string quartet performing reimagined pop hits. The shimmering Lace Village event is also part of the Philharmonic’s new hallmark (Candle)LIT Festival, concerts from October to December fully illuminated by hundreds of electric candles. The Thalenfeld Symphony Series presents two performances of (Candle)LIT Mozart’s Requiem, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Wilkes-Barre on Thursday, October 23, 7PM and at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Scranton on Friday, October 24, 7PM, featuring the Marywood University Concert Choir; organist Mark Laubach; and rising-star vocalists Jessica Leigh, Inayah Raheem, Dylon Crain and Metropolitan Opera Lindemann Artist Sunghoon Han. The (Candle)LIT Festival continues with the fanfare-filled Courthouse: (Candle)LIT Brass Quintet in the Luzerne County Courthouse Rotunda on Friday, November 21, 7PM, and the joyous (Candle)LIT Holidays on Saturday, December 6, 7PM at the Scranton Cultural Center, featuring the full orchestra with the Ballet Theatre of Scranton and the Abington Heights High School Concert Choir. The holidays don’t stop there, with a double bill of animated films The Snowman™ and The Snowman and the Snowdog™ live in concert with the Philharmonic on Saturday, December 20, 7PM at the F.M. Kirby Center, presented by the Thalenfeld Movie Series. A new event this season is Battle of the Bands presented by ROCK107, at Mohegan Pennsylvania Casino on Saturday, January 31, 2026, 7PM. Local bands will compete for a grand prize of $5,000 and the opportunity to perform with the full NEPA Philharmonic orchestra in the 2026-2027 season. Bands of any genre are encouraged to apply at nepaphil.org/events/battle-of-the-bands, and the deadline to apply is October 11; finalist bands will be announced on November 7 and will perform on January 31. The Stoppini Chamber Series continues in 2026 with Cello Starry Night on Friday, January 16, 7PM at St. Luke’s in Scranton, Dreams & Klezmer with clarinet and string quartet on Sunday, February 22, 3PM at WVIA’s Sordoni Theatre in Pittston, and flute-marimba Duo Zuber with Debussy & Frenemies on Thursday, March 26, 7PM at the Luzerne County Courthouse Rotunda. Meanwhile, the orchestral season marks St. Patrick’s Day week with Celtic & Bluegrass Sky on Thursday, March 12, 7PM at Kingston’s Kirby Center for the Creative Arts. Then, relive the magic of Jurassic Park™ on the big screen accompanied by a thrilling, live performance of the NEPA Philharmonic, coming to the F.M. Kirby Center in Wilkes-Barre, PA on Saturday, April 11, 7PM. Audiences can experience Jurassic Park™ as never before: projected in HD with a full symphony orchestra performing John Williams’ iconic score live to picture. Finally, enter the cosmic world of Planets, Moons, & Star Wars on Friday, May 1, 7PM at the Scranton Cultural Center, featuring the Choral Society of NEPA and the Marywood University Concert Choir along with stunning artistic multimedia projections. Visit NEPAphil.org or call 570-270-4444 for more information.
NAMI to Host Another Paint in the Park Event We all deserve to have shelter–a space where we feel safe and secure. It is important to our mental health. What does that space look like to you? Take the opportunity to show us on Friday, August 29 from 4-6PM at Covington Township Park as you craft home with us. Bring some friends and family to paint and/or decorate wooden birdhouses supplied by Lackawanna County as part of its “Shelter for All” communitywide project focusing on learning and celebrating local bird populations and exploring what “home” means to you. We had a great time in June at Nay Aug Park and in July 25 at Aylesworth Park in Jermyn. Bird houses, acrylic paint & brushes, craft gems, and dried flowers will be provided at no charge. Feel free to bring newspapers, magazines, or your favorite craft supplies to add to the mix! Join us for a combination of therapeutic activities: creating art, connecting with others and spending time outdoors. And it’s FREE! If you would like to find information and support for yourself or a loved one with mental illness, visit NAMINEPA.org.
RailRiders’ Leal Earns Pitcher of the Week Honors Minor League Baseball has announced its weekly awards for July 29 through August 3, and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre’s Erick Leal was tabbed as the International League’s Pitcher of the Week. Leal pitched a seven-inning complete game shutout on August 1 in game one of a doubleheader against Nashville. The right-hander struck out a career-best ten batters, surrendering two hits and zero walks. He became the first RailRiders pitcher to throw a complete game shutout in nearly four years. The Carabobo, Venezuela native is 7-7 overall this season with a 5.09 ERA over 20 games this season. Leal has excelled in the second half for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, however, with a perfect 6-0 mark in seven starts and carries a 2.20 ERA since the half began. Leal leads the RailRiders with 106 strikeouts, 40 of which have come over seven appearances since June 24. Leal was signed by the New York Yankees as a Minor League Free Agent in September of 2024 after having spent the last four years pitching in the Mexican League. He is the first RailRiders player to earn a league award this season. Scranton/Wilkes-Barre opens a road trip at Lehigh Valley tomorrow with seven games over six days on the swing down the turnpike. Leal is slated to take the mound in game one of a doubleheader on Wednesday. The RailRiders return to PNC Field on August 12 to host the Indianapolis Indians. Get tickets and promotional information at swbrailriders.com.
Shapiro Administration Announces $41M for Freight Infrastructure The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that the application period for the grants under the Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and the Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP) is now open and will accept applications until August 29. The investments made possible by this program help businesses grow and upgrade their rail freight network, aligning with Governor Shapiro’s commitment to improving Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and supporting economic growth. “Pennsylvania’s rail freight network keeps goods moving and supports the economy, making it a critical piece of our transportation infrastructure,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “These investments are another example of the Shapiro Administration’s commitment to bolstering the business community and enhancing rail-line safety.” Pennsylvania has 65 operating railroads, which is more than any other state. PennDOT is committed to working with private rail operators and rail-served businesses to construct new rail lines and assist in maintaining and improving Pennsylvania’s roughly 5,600 miles of freight lines. During the 2024 grant period, PennDOT awarded $55 million for 30 rail freight projects, creating or sustaining 344 jobs across Pennsylvania. PennDOT manages two grant programs: RTAP, a capital budget grant program funded with bonds; and RFAP, which is funded through the Multimodal Fund created by Act 89 of 2013. Both programs provide financial assistance for investment in rail freight infrastructure, with the intent of preserving essential rail freight service and stimulating economic growth through new or expanded rail freight service. For eligible organizations wishing to apply for funding through either program, applications will be available on the application website beginning 8:00 AM on Monday, August 4, 2025 and ending at 4:00 PM on Friday, August 29, 2025.
