Lexington Entertainment Presents 2025 Summer Music Festival

Events

October 9             JOE STANKY & THE CADETS        2:00 – 3:00

October 16           SHARON AMBROZIA & FRIENDS   2:00 – 3:00

October 23           BROKE PINES                                     2:00 – 3:00     

Location and Time

Hillside Park Farmers Market Entertainment

1188 Winola Road, South Abington Township, PA

Thursdays from 2:00 to 3:00 pm

Marywood University To Host Trumpet Masterclass

Renowned Musician Dr. Langston J. Fitzgerald III Will Be Featured

Marywood University’s Trumpet Studio will host a guest artist and masterclass on Saturday, October 11, 1 PM, with Dr. Langston J. Fitzgerald, III.

This event, which is free and open to the public, will take place in the Marian Chapel at the Swartz Center for Spiritual Life on Marywood’s campus.

Dr. Fitzgerald, professor emeritus of trumpet at Penn State University, is a renowned musician, who played trumpet for more than three decades with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Fitzgerald also was a trumpet faculty member at the Peabody Conservatory of Music for 15 years.

To learn more about Marywood’s Music, Theatre, and Dance programs, visit: marywood.edu/mtd.

Marywood University Announces Fall 2025 Performance Schedule

Marywood University’s Music, Theatre, and Dance Department is raising the curtain on their Fall 2025 performance season, showcasing everything from the timeless power of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard to the vibrant sounds of wind symphonies, string ensembles, and an inspiring opera workshop. With performances that highlight both student artistry and faculty mentorship, this season promises to fill the stage with passion, talent, and creativity—offering the campus and community alike a chance to experience the transformative power of live performance.

The Cherry Orchard (October 2, 3, 4, 7:30 p.m. – October 5, 2 p.m. Sette LaVerghetta Auditorium) is Anton Chekhov’s masterpiece, and the last play he wrote before his death, The Cherry Orchard is simultaneously a comedy, a tragedy, realism, and absurdism. It is about the most delicate and intimate of human feelings and experiences, the sometimes-farcical nature of life, and how a changing society manifests in concrete changes in the lives of individuals and families. Admission: $15/adults and $10/students.

Admission to major ensemble performances: Orchestra, Wind Symphony, Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and Jazz Ambassadors is $10/adults and $5/students. The remainder of the schedule is free and open to the public.

Featured concerts include:

The Orchestra Concert – (October 18, 7:30 p.m., Sette-LaVerghetta Auditorium) will allow their audience the opportunity to experience the power and beauty of Romantic-era masterpieces with the Marywood University Symphony Orchestra, featuring Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 and Farrenc’s Overture No. 2—performed by passionate student and community musicians who simply love making music!

The Northeastern Youth Wind Ensemble Concert (October 19, 3:00 p.m., Sette-LaVerghetta Auditorium) is affiliated with American Youth Ensembles, offering middle and high school musicians an opportunity to perform with other student instrumentalists who simply enjoy making music. They will perform a variety of repertoire ranging from traditional (transcriptions, marches and works of serious and artistic merit) to cutting-edge contemporary composition and music from popular media venues.

The Percussion Ensemble Concert (November 9, 7:30 p.m., Sette-LaVerghetta Auditorium) is a concert of chamber music performed by the Marywood University Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Steven Mathiesen. Program features include works by Nathan Daughtrey, Joel Smales, an arrangement of music by Aaron Copland. The concert is free and open to the public.

The Faculty Recital (November 15, 7:00 p.m., Marian Chapel) will feature professional performers on the faculty of the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance will share the stage in a recital of instrumental and vocal solos and ensembles.

The Tutti Concert (November 16, 2:00 p.m., Sette LaVerghetta Auditorium) founded at Marywood University in 2016, is an innovative adaptive program that combines music therapy and music education to create an enriching musical journey for individuals with unique learning styles. Our free concert at celebrates the achievements of our students who have learned new instruments, developed musicianship skills, and formed lasting friendships.

The Wind Symphony Concert (November 16, 4:30 p.m., Sette LaVerghetta Auditorium) continues their tradition of presenting classic, yet entertaining works for the wind band. This season’s concert features transcriptions for band by Piazzolla, Verdi and Elgar as well band chestnuts by Ralph Vaughn Williams and Clifton Williams. Join us Sunday for a concert that is sure to inspire.

The Jazz Ambassadors Concert (November 21, 8:00 p.m., Marian Chapel) will feature an evening of iconic blues, funk, and swing. This concert highlights the timeless spirit of mid-century jazz with dynamic arrangements, smooth style, and remarkable technique—rooted in a profound dedication to the blues.

The String Ensemble Concert (November 24, 7:00 p.m., Marian Chapel) will feature a captivating program featuring Christopher Wilson’s rarely heard Suite for Strings—a true gem of the repertoire—paired with an arrangement of Gershwin’s tender Lullaby. Join us for this free performance.

The Opera Workshop Performance (December 1, 7:00 p.m., Sette-LaVerghetta Center) will be a culmination of a semester-long study of excerpts from various operas, the Opera Workshop performance will feature 17 students in fully staged renditions of ensembles by Handel, Mozart, Rossini, Verdi, Copland, and others.

The Evening of Strings Concert (December 3, 7:30 p.m., Marian Chapel) Marywood string students take center stage in this end-of-semester showcase, performing a wide range of solo works.

The Guitar Ensemble Concert (December 4, 5:00 p.m., Marian Chapel) is happy to present their Holiday Concert – Meditating, Grooving, and Celebrating!This year’s program offers a festive journey through different moods and styles—meditating with Gabriel Fauré’s graceful Pavane, grooving with a vibrant Brazilian minimalist work by Paulo Porto Alegre, and celebrating the season with beloved traditional holiday songs. Together, these pieces create a program that blends reflection, rhythm, and joy, capturing the spirit of the year’s end in music

The Chamber Singers Christmas Concert (December 7, 2:00 p.m., Marian Chapel) will feature sacred and secular music by Cipriano de Rore, Josef Rheinberger, Michael Joncas, René Clausen, Jonathan Rathbone, and others. The performance will include several familiar and original carols. 

The String Project Concert (December 8, 6:30 p.m., Sette-LaVerghetta Center) rings in the season with a festive Holiday Gala Concert, showcasing students ages 4–18 performing in string orchestras and class ensembles.

For additional information about the Chamber Series and other performances at Marywood University, please visit marywood.edu/mtd/events, or call (570) 348-6268. 

Marywood University’s PA Graduates Achieve Overall Perfect Pass Rate

Marywood University’s Physician Assistant Program was recently notified that it has achieved an overall perfect pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), the national certifying examination given to graduating physician assistants. This exam must be passed to be eligible for licensure in all 50 states.

Marywood’s 2025 graduating Physician Assistant class is pictured following the program’s annual white coat ceremony. Marywood’s PA Program has had an overall perfect pass rate on the national certifying exam (PANCE) for five consecutive years

The program’s overall pass rate of 100 percent, which it has held for five consecutive years, includes a first-time pass rate of 98 percent for its most recent graduating class. The national mean pass rate is 92 percent. The overall PANCE pass rate includes all exam attempts, while the first-time pass rate only counts the successful attempts by candidates who took the exam for the first time. The overall pass rate is typically higher than the first-time pass rate, because this statistic accounts for all testing attempts, including retakes.

“This overall perfect pass rate on the PANCE for our physician assistants, coupled with the 100 percent pass rate on NCLEX for our nurses, demonstrates that Marywood University consistently produces top graduates in health sciences, who score well above the national average,” said Shelby Yeager, Dean of the College of Health Sciences. “We’re tremendously proud of our graduates and continuously strive to maintain that standard of excellence through the academic and clinical rigor of our health sciences programs.”

Marywood University further expanded its deep commitment to health sciences, including physician assistants, when it opened the Pascucci Family Health Sciences Pavilion last year.

Physician Assistants are licensed medical professionals who work under the supervision of licensed physicians. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that the demand for physician assistants is projected to grow 20 percent by 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. As demand for healthcare services grows, physician assistants will be needed to provide care to patients.

For additional information about Marywood University’s Physician Assistant Program, please visit marywood.edu/physician-assistant-masters-degree.

Johnson College WAVE Department Announces Fall Community Workshops

Johnson College’s Workforce Advancement & Value-Added Education (WAVE) department is offering a series of engaging, hands-on and affordable community workshops this fall on its Scranton campus, located at 3427 N. Main Avenue. These interactive sessions are designed for learners of all ages and skill levels who want to explore new hobbies, relax, and have fun while learning something new.

Pumpkin Carving Class – Tuesday, Oct. 21 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Get into the Halloween spirit with a hands-on pumpkin carving class. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned carver, this festive workshop is perfect for all. Participants will receive step-by-step guidance; tools and pumpkins will be provided. The evening will include a brief talk on the history of the Jack-o’-Lantern. The class will take place in the cafeteria of the Moffat Student Center. Cost is $30 per person. Ages 10 and up are welcome. Children ages 10 to 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Space is limited.

Tai Chi Workshop – Saturdays, Nov. 1, 8, 15 & 22 | 2–3 p.m.
Join a four-week Tai Chi workshop led by Master Instructor Wayne Wolfe, a teacher of traditional Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan with over 30 years of experience. Participants will learn a nine-minute motion group designed to circulate energy throughout the body in a relaxed and mindful way. The workshop, held on the Scranton campus, is suitable for all fitness levels and offers benefits for both body and mind. The cost for the full session is $50.

Succulent 101 – Thursday, Nov. 13 | 5:30–7 p.m.
Perfect for beginners and plant lovers alike, the Succulent 101 class offers a casual, hands-on introduction to succulent care. Participants will learn how to help their plants thrive and avoid common mistakes. Each attendee will pot their own succulent to take home. This beginner-friendly class will be held on the Scranton campus and costs $25 per person.

To learn more or register for any of these workshops, visit johnson.edu/workshops. For questions, contact the WAVE Team at wave@johnson.edu or 570-702-8979.

Maternal & Family Health Services To Host Annual Luncheon

Maternal & Family Health Services (MFHS) is pleased to announce that its 2025 Annual Community Luncheon will be held on Thursday, October 30, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. at The Banks Waterfront, located at 304 Kennedy Blvd, Pittston, Pennsylvania.

This signature event brings together community leaders, health care providers, partners, and supporters in Northeastern Pennsylvania to celebrate shared achievements, highlight the work of MFHS, recognize outstanding contributions and raise vital support for ongoing programs.

At this year’s luncheon, MFHS will present:

  • The 2025 Outstanding Public Service Award to the Pennsylvania Women’s Health Caucus, in recognition of exemplary advocacy and impact in women’s health across the Commonwealth.
  • The 2025 Outstanding Community Partner Award to the Indigo Spoon Foundation, acknowledging their dedication and collaboration in improving community well-being.

“We are excited to gather with friends, supporters, and partners who share our vision for equitable, accessible health care for women and families,” said MFHS President and CEO Dr. Maria Montoro Edwards. “This luncheon is more than a fundraiser — it’s a chance to reflect on our progress, salute those who drive change, and launch into the year ahead with renewed energy.”

For more information, click here.

Tobyhanna Army Depot Celebrated Workers on National Tradesman Day

Tobyhanna Army Depot wouldn’t be the world-class organization it is today without the skill, dedication, and precision of its tradespeople. On National Tradesman Day, Tobyhanna joins our nation in saluting those who utilize trade skills to make missions successful. Their craftsmanship is the backbone of every successful project, ensuring our warfighters have the tools they need to excel.

Jonathan Jeffery’s six-year depot career has already been filled with many different opportunities. Today, he works as a composite worker with the equipage branch of TYAD’s integration support division. (Photo Credit: Justin Kucharski)

Jonathan Jeffery’s six-year depot career has already been filled with many different opportunities. Upon joining Team Tobyhanna in 2019 as a material handler for the depot’s Family, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation divisions, he was responsible for unloading trucks, taking care of the warehouse and product that comes in, and making deliveries around the installation between the different cafeterias. He then joined the Defense Logistics Agency for roughly a year and a half where he helped process military parts, such as Army and Navy assets, and would get them ready to be shipped.

Today, he works as a composite worker with the Equipage Branch of TYAD’s Integration Support Division. His primary day-to-day function sees him sanding down old or damaged fiberglass and carbon fiber military equipment and making it feel like new again.

Jeffery’s prior experience working with sanding and restoration came mainly right from his garage at home. He described his work as being very gratifying.

“I’ve had my own personal experience in my garage at home and I’ve had mentors to teach me along the way, so I took a shot, applied for the job, and thankfully I got picked,” said Jeffery. “I like restoring old stuff and making it new, no matter what it is. For example, last year I did an old table. It’s always really neat to see the equipment go from a state of disrepair to what it ends up looking like and it’s cool to know that I took part in it. I find it satisfying.”

Jeffery said that he is thankful for his job at TYAD as it allows him the opportunity to maintain a healthy work-life balance, perform work he genuinely enjoys doing, and to give back to the military which his father spent 20 years serving as a member of the National Guard.

“I think it’s a great job as far as what it offers. I’ve gotten to spend more time with my family than any other job I’ve had in the past,” said Jeffery. “Between that, the benefits, and supporting the mission, it is really great. Also, my father spent 20 years in the National Guard so it’s cool to give back in that way too.”

Jeffery added that he’d love to see even more teamwork and positivity across the depot, saying that when people come together and support each other, it makes for a strong workplace.

Jeffery’s message to tradespeople, whether they do it as a personal passion or as a profession, is to stay motivated and persistent.

“I think that if people are passionate about something, they should pursue it, be persistent, and not give up. That’s what I did and what motivated me. I found something I really liked doing and just kept pushing myself,” said Jeffery. “Even if you get denied a few times, you don’t give up. You stay positive and push forward. I got to take something that was just a personal passion of mine and make it a career, which is great. I feel very blessed about that.”

Ronnie Clark has been a member of Team Tobyhanna for nearly four years. Clark was hired to work in fabrication and is currently on a developmental assignment as a Composite Worker supporting the M139 Volcano mine dispensing system in Tobyhanna Army Depot’s Equipage Branch. (Photo Credit: Justin Kucharski)

The importance of hard work and learning a trade was instilled in Ronnie Clark from a young age. With his father owning a construction company for over 25 years, Clark saw firsthand how valuable trade work was.

When it came time for Clark to pursue a career of his own, he knew trade work was the right path for him. Born and raised in New Jersey, Clark obtained his HVAC license from Lincoln Technical Institute in Mahwah, New Jersey and has his barber license to boot.

13 years ago, Clark moved to Pennsylvania and has been a member of Team Tobyhanna for nearly four years. Clark was hired to work in fabrication and is currently on a developmental assignment as a Composite Worker supporting the M139 Volcano mine dispensing system in Tobyhanna Army Depot’s Equipage Branch.

When the opportunity for a new position presented itself, Clark rose to the occasion and volunteered to move to this new role. As evidenced by his multiple licenses, Clark enjoys the opportunity to sharpen skills from a diverse background, learn new ones, and step up to ensure mission success whenever necessary. Clark’s agility, adaptability, diverse expertise, and commitment to mission success are indicative of Team Tobyhanna’s dynamic workforce across the installation.

One of the many skillsets he has experience with is sanding – an essential component of his current position. This combined with his excellent track record made him the ideal person to ensure our nation’s warfighters have the assets they need when they need them.

“I look forward to moving around and growing. Tobyhanna provides the opportunity to find a career path where you enjoy your work and are successful in it.”

Clark has always taken great pride in his work and added that the nature of his work at the depot only provides extra motivation to his already lofty standards.

“I most definitely take pride in my work,” said Clark. “I’m working for the warfighter. I have not served, but I understand the importance of making sure everything I touch is done to the best of my ability.”

Clark said providing his expertise and hard work as a member of Team Tobyhanna is particularly rewarding because of the organization’s mission.

“This is one of the jobs that make you feel like you’re supporting something bigger than yourself. It’s a fulfilling job.”

When he’s not casting a broad net in offering his many skillsets to Team Tobyhanna, you can find Clark casting a line as a self-described diehard salt water and freshwater fisherman.

Clark resides in Pittston with his wife and four children.

Stephen Haduck of the Sheet Metal Fabrication & Assembly Branch says a chance experience led to a decades-long career as a cross-functional tradesman. Today, Haduck leverages the full scope of his education and work experience to support sheet metal fabrication needs for countless depot missions. (Photo Credit: Justin Kucharski)

Stephen Haduck of the Sheet Metal Fabrication & Assembly Branch says a chance experience led to a decades-long career as a cross-functional tradesman.

“I went on a school field trip and saw someone welding,” he said. “It immediately attracted me and looked like an exciting thing to do. That field trip paved the way for my future.”

Shortly after, he enrolled in a vocational-technical school and started working at a welding shop before he even graduated high school. These practical experiences sparked Haduck’s interest in pursuing welding as a long-term career. After earning an associate’s degree from the Pennsylvania College of Technology, he began a full-time job specializing in fabrication as well as TIG welding both stainless steel and aluminum.

Haduck worked in the private sector for 16 years, specializing in a variety of metal-related disciplines from welding to sheet metal forming and beyond. He also gained additional expertise through freelance opportunities.

In 2018, he grew dissatisfied with his job and came to a depot job fair looking for a better opportunity. He then started his career with Team Tobyhanna as a sheet metal mechanic in the Mission Execution Directorate – and he’s never looked back.

“Taking the job here at Tobyhanna was a transformative experience,” he said. “It is a great place to work, I no longer have significant stress, and the conditions are pristine,” adding that the depot’s mission supporting warfighter readiness is a bonus.

“It is easy to come to work when you know your purpose. Working to better our country gives my job meaning.”

Today, Haduck leverages the full scope of his education and work experience to support sheet metal fabrication needs for countless depot missions.

“My degree gave me a foundation, but my experience over the years is what has made me successful,” citing a complex project mounting a hydraulic winch that he says taught him a lot about his craft.

Another benefit of working at Tobyhanna is the opportunity to further expand his skillset, according to Haduck.

“I have learned so much from my colleagues and from working with the new technology here at the depot,” he said. “I am very content.”

A resident of Pittston, Haduck enjoys using his metalworking talents outside of the regular workday. Beyond all things metal, he loves exploring the great outdoors with his wife and daughter – and he never runs out of recommendations for a great Northeastern Pennsylvania pizza spot.

SWB RailRiders: Duncan, Rojas and Winans Honored

Trio win end-of-year accolades for 2025 efforts leading Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to IL playoffs.

On Saturday night, Minor League Baseball™ announced the league awards and All-Star teams for the two leagues that make up the Triple-A classification in Major League Baseball’s player development system. Jose Rojas and Allan Winans were tabbed for end-of-season All-Star honors, while Shelley Duncan was selected as the International League Manager of the Year.

Sixteen players across the International League were selected as All-Stars, including one at each position, one utility spot, four starting pitchers and two relievers. Additionally, three players and Duncan were honored with awards.

Rojas, 32, was selected for the All-Star Utility spot after hitting .287 with 32 home runs and 105 runs batted in. He matched Jorge Vasquez’s 2011 franchise home run record and became only the second player in franchise history to drive in 100 or more runs in a season. Rojas finished the season with 35 doubles and set a new franchise mark with a .599 slugging percentage.

Winans, 30, was tabbed as an All-Star starting pitcher. The right-hander went 12-1 with a 1.63 ERA over 21 appearances. In 99.1 innings of work, Winans struck out 105, walked 27 and had a 1.03 WHIP. The RailRiders went 20-1 in games that Winans appeared in.

Duncan was named Manager of the Year after leading Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to an 87-win campaign in his third year at the helm, including a league-best 49 wins en route to a second-half crown. The 2009 IL MVP returned to the Yankees’ organization in 2023 to manage the RailRiders. In three seasons, Duncan has paced Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre to 249 wins and a .561 winning percentage.

Click here to find more information.

SWB RailRiders Announce Shawn Reilly as President/ GM

The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and Diamond Baseball Holdings are pleased to announce that Shawn Reilly has been welcomed as the new President/ General Manager of the RailRiders, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. Longtime GM Katie Beekman remains with the team and transitions to a new role as VP of Operations, providing the RailRiders front office with continuity and an enhanced leadership structure.

“I am honored to join this outstanding franchise,” Reilly said. “For 36 years, this team in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre has created lasting memories, including so many more this past season, while exemplifying the values of Minor League Baseball. I look forward to building on that tradition, meeting members of the community, and working to enhance the organization’s success while expanding the potential of RailRiders baseball throughout NEPA.”

Reilly most recently served as President/ General Manager of the Frontier League’s New York Boulders. A co-founder and owner of the club since 2011, he helped establish the Boulders as one of the league’s flagship franchises. His baseball career began with the Niagara Falls Rapids in 1992. After leading the Jamestown Jammers in 1993, Reilly served as General Manager of the New York Mets’ Spring Training facility in Port St. Lucie for two years. Before returning to baseball, he spent 15 years as Senior Vice President at Core Communities in Port St. Lucie, Florida, where he played a key role in developing the nationally recognized master-planned communities of St. Lucie West and Tradition.

A native of Niagara Falls, New York, Reilly earned his MBA from Niagara University.

“We’re excited to welcome Shawn Reilly to the RailRiders. He brings a distinguished track record of leadership in professional baseball and community development, and we’re confident he will build upon the strong foundation already established in Northeast Pennsylvania,” said Pat Battle and Peter Freund, Executive Chairman and CEO of DBH, respectively. “We also want to recognize Katie Beekman for her exemplary service and steadfast leadership as General Manager. We’re grateful she will continue to lend her experience and expertise as VP of Operations. With Shawn’s vision and Katie’s ongoing contributions, the RailRiders are exceptionally well-positioned to set the standard for a best-in-class Triple-A franchise.”

Beekman will continue to build on her 15 years with the RailRiders as she transitions to her role as VP of Operations. She remains in a senior leadership role while continuing to oversee PNC Field, focusing on key partners and developing the club’s relationship with the New York Yankees. This new position also allows Beekman more flexibility and opportunity to spend time with her family, a rarity in Minor League Baseball.

“I’ve been working in sports for more than 25 years,” Beekman said. “My favorite part has always been finding ways to bring families together to make memories, but all those late nights under the lights and early morning tarp pulls have meant missing some of the big things with my own family. I’m excited that my new role will allow me to continue to do what I love and offers more flexibility for my work-life balance.”

Click here for more information.