INBOX Dear Happenings, The January Issue of Happenings was so uplifting. My favorite is Hunter Conall Hoban... what a sweetheart! In light of the crazy time we are traveling through, this edition gave proof that there is hope! Thank you!
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–Sincerely, –Virginia Fields –Pocono Pines, PA Dear Happenings, I received a call today from a potential customer who saw my career and college planning services advertised in Happenings Magazine two years ago! It’s interesting how people keep Happenings to reference relevant services and contacts when the time comes. Thank you so much! –Jennifer Severini-Kresock, MS– –Private Career and –College Counselor
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–Karen A. Clifford –via email Dear Happenings, While I generally read Happenings online each month, I so enjoyed the articles in the February 2022 issue about raising kind children that I wanted to share a hard copy with my family. Keep providing interesting articles like this for our region!
Paula Rochon Mackarey
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On the Cover: The Lackawanna River on a summer’s day. Photo by Melissa Tunney Published Monthly. Also read at HappeningsPA.com ©2022 HAPPENINGS MAGAZINE All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any process except with written permission. Happenings Magazine published since 1969 Phone: (570) 587-3532
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Dear Happenings, I am a subscriber to Happenings and loved the February children’s feature so much (Are We Raising Nice Kids, February 2022) that I want all four of my family members to have one all over the state. –John Bacorn –Peckville Dear Happenings, Thank you, our spread came out beautiful (Everyone is Family, March 2022) and the quality of the magazine really highlighted the bright, happy people we have here at Goodwill!
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–Rachel Santoro –Goodwill Industries of –Northeastern PA
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contents APRIL 2022
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Go With the Flow The Lackawanna River/ A Vital Source
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Birdwatching A New Pandemic Past Time
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Get Growing Public Garden Walkways
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The Jersey Shore
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Pen Pals with Actress Betty White
Jog For Jude Jude Zayac Foundation
Photo: James Ruane
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sunday
monday
tuesday
wednesday
april
thursday
friday
saturday
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2 1792 - Congress established the first U.S. Mint at Philadelphia.
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1995 - Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor became the first woman to preside over the Court, sitting in for Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist who was out of town.
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8 PNC Pops
1896 - After a break of 1500 years, the first Olympics of the modern era was held in Athens, Greece.
National Beer Day
Jerry Herman: The Broadway Legacy Concert
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Dietrich Theater Spring Film Festival & Gala
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Scranton Cultural Center, Spring Fling
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Philharmonic
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Passover Begins
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21 Broadway In Scranton, Cats, April 21-24 Scranton Cultural Center
Easter Sunday
22 1864 - "In God We Trust" was included on all newly minted U.S. coins by an Act of Congress. National Jelly Bean Day
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28 Empower, NEPA Women’s Leadership Conference
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30 1789 - George Washington became the first U.S. President in New York City.
Parkinson Awareness Month Lawn Care Month Child Abuse Prevention Month National Kite Month National Autism Awareness Month National Gardening Month National Frog Month
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Dear Readers,
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he earliest Mesopotamian civilizations formed on the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in what are known today as the countries of Iraq and Kuwait. Throughout the world, early civilizations formed along rivers because they provided drinking water and made the land fertile for crops. Goods and people could be transported on the rivers and the settlers could fish and hunt the animals that came to drink water. Since the beginning of time rivers have been personified. The Alan Parsons Project produced the song “Time” in 1981. The lyrics compare the passage of time to a flowing river. Age and experience show us how absolutely accurate this personification is. As life flows on, moment by moment, we realize that time doesn’t stop for anyone. It is profound to realize that we have one moment to do something and we never get that very same moment back again. Despite our hurried and chaotic life that ebbs and flows with highs and lows (similar to varying degrees of river rapids) we still must remind ourselves to embrace each moment and do the best we can, in each season of our lives. As a native of this region I had a distinct opportunity to work with many individuals responsible for embracing and preserving the heritage of the Lackawanna Valley. Bernie McGurl, who has devoted his life to caring for and improving the Lackawanna River, was interviewed for this issue by writer Christine Fanning. Several local photographers contributed their images of the Lackawanna River Trail including Rob Lettieri, James Ruane, Brian Anderson and Stan Warunek… among others. Our cover photo is by Me-
lissa Tunney who often uses the natural backdrop of the outdoor rivers and trails as her background for chronicling the lives of her four beautiful children. One Saturday morning in June 2010 when our own daughter was a toddler, my husband and I decided to attend the Lackawanna Heritage Explorer Bike Tour. The Bike Tour was an event originally created by a Leadership Lackawanna Core Group. My husband had only purchased the front riding toddler/baby seat the night before the event and I remember praying heavily that he had correctly installed the seat on his bike so that she would not suffer any traumatic injury. My daughter has
“Time… keeps flowing like a river to the sea…” - Alan Parsons Project, 1981 grown to be a teenager and she still enjoys riding on the heritage trails with her family and friends. Had we not taken advantage of that one moment she likely would not have grown up enjoying the satisfying pastime of riding along the rivers and rails. Please enjoy the month of April as we celebrate the gifts of our Earth. Let’s work together with those leading the way to preserve our region’s most treasured resources. With Love,
Paula
Paula Rochon Mackarey, Publisher 1994-Present Michael Straub
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The Lackawanna River
A Vital Resource By Christine Fanning
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he Lackawanna River is a 60-mile-long tributary of the Susquehanna River in NEPA.
RiverFest, Lackawanna River Conservation Association 10
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It flows through the former anthracite coal mining region starting in northern Wayne County and ending in eastern Luzerne County in Duryea. The lower reaches of the river flow through the urban areas of Scranton, areas that grew around the Lackawanna’s banks in the 19th century as an industrial center. Its name comes from a Lenni Lenape word meaning "stream that forks". The river rises in two branches, the West and East branches, along the boundary between Susquehanna and Wayne counties. The branches, each about 12 miles long, flow south, closely parallel to each other, and join at the Stillwater Lake reservoir in Union Dale. The combined river flows southwest past Forest City, Carbondale, Mayfield, Jermyn, Archbald, Jessup, Blakely, Olyphant, Dickson City, Throop, Scranton, Taylor, Moosic, Old Forge and Duryea. It joins the Susquehanna River at the northern boundary of Pittston, about eight miles south of Scranton. As part of the Susquehanna River, it ultimately flows to the Chesapeake Bay. Fresh, clean water is vital for nature and humans. Rivers are precious sources of fresh drinking water for people across the world. When rivers are so badly polluted April 2022
by industry or unevenly distributed by poor water management practices, it can be a case of life or death. This sadly
“Rivers are the lifeblood of our planet.”
happens across the world. “Rivers are the lifeblood of our planet,” said Bernie McGurl, executive director of the Lackawanna River Conservation Association (LRCA). “Rivers are the means by which the hydrologic cycle that describes the continuous movement of water on, above and below the surface of the Earth) completes itself. Rivers are the pathway between the sky and the oceans. Streams and rivers bring freshwater across the land. They serve as avenues of commerce, and they carry away wastes. Rivers manifest what we do and who we are as a species on this planet. Rivers carry messages, they tell everyone downstream how well we care for and understand our environment.” HappeningsPA.com
A Short History: In 1866, when the city of Scranton was incorporated, there was an outbreak of typhoid fever traced to drinking from the polluted Lackawanna River. People began advocating for clean water since the Progressive Era at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1937 Pennsylvania adopted the Clean Streams Act. This would eventually serve as the model for the federal Clean Water Act of 1972. By the mid-20th century, the river was severely polluted. As the city and the urban boroughs developed along with the coal mines, sewer pipes were built to drain the streets and carry waste from sinks, tubs and toilets. All the pipes ran downhill to the River. The coal companies washed coal at the breakers and dumped that water along with sulfur water from the mines right into the river or a nearby creek. Textile plants dumped dyes and slaughterhouses dumped animal wastes directly into the Lackawanna. The same was true for streams all over America. “Wisely, people like Worthington Scranton (a lawyer, businessman and philanthropist who became president of the Scranton Gas and Water Company) and Louis Watres (a member of 11
bondale and Forest City.
nnel, dle of cha down mid g in d li g oe 1938 can le, PA Carbonda
The LRCA was incorporated as the Lackawanna River Corridor Association on October 5, 1987. In 2017, LRCA conducted a strategic planning process with the goal to change
the name to Lackawanna River Conservation Association. “We did that to indicate that our mission was watershed-wide, not just a narrow focus on the main river corridor. We wanted to indicate our mission includes conservation across the entire 350square-mile watershed. We also wanted to reflect the work of the land trust affiliate, the Lackawanna Valley Conservancy (LVC) that we incorporated in 1995. Through the LVC, we acquire land along the river and out across the
the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 20th district) formed water companies,” Bernie said. “They built reservoirs like Elmhurst, Lake Scranton, Griffin Pond and Nesbitt from Green Ridge St. brid out along tributary ge 1890 show ing railroad tracks and br streams like Roaridge ing Brook and Stafford Meadow Brook, away from the city.” In 1960, the mining industry collapsed and the mines were shut down. In 1966 Scranton built the sewer plant that had been designed in 1940. By 1972, Lackawanna County created and built the Lackawanna River Basin Sewer Authority system for the towns upstream to Mid Valley, Car1890 scene alon
g river and brid
ge
Photos: Lackawanna Historical Society 12
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restoration. Through LVC, we have granted easements to Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority (LHVA), a county government agency, to develop several sections of the Heritage Trail and conserve other lands adjacent to the river and trail. We’ve also acquired and cleaned up junkyards, mine dumps and superfund sites through the LVC.
the name change to show our larger watershed conservation mission but kept the LRCA acronym as established recognition. This year marks 35 years of river and watershed conservation work in northeast Pennsylvania.”
The decline of the coal industry in the region, as well as federal, state and private efforts have improved the LRCA is the entity of which water quality. By 1973 the most are familiar, river was safe enough for so we water contact sport used and a predecessor group to Photo: Melissa Tunney the LRCA, The Luzerne-
“The decline of the coal industry in the region, as well as federal, state and private efforts have improved the water quality.”
Lackawanna Environmental Council (Lu-Lac), partnered with the Scranton JCs to organize the first Lackawanna River Canoe-a-thon. But a lot more work was needed because the river still had a bad reputation.
RiverFest, Lackawanna River Conservation Association April 2022
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Marvine segment, Photo: Rob Lettieri
Photo: James Ruane
“The river is a common thread that joins our towns together,” Bernie said. “Now that we are well on the way to restoring the river's environmental quality, cleaning up junk yards and mine dumps, replacing them with trails and parks, the river has become a welcome asset to our community and quality of life.
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Where there was once a dumping ground and a foul-smelling trash clogged sewer, there is a relatively clean fast flowing cold-water fishery known for its trout. There are places to launch kayaks for exciting whitewater paddles and miles of rails to trails to explore on foot, by bicycle or for an early morning run. The Lackawanna is recognized as one of the premier trout fisheries in the MidAtlantic region. People
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travel to Northeast Pennsylvania to fly fish on the Upper Delaware and a lot of those in the know will also dip a line in the Lackawanna. The development of the Heritage Trail and the D&H Trail has opened up more than 20 miles of the River Corridor for public access. Additionally, there are parks in Blakely, Olyphant, Jessup, Dickson City and Scranton to access the river for fishing, paddle sport, hiking, bicycle riding or just relaxing and watching the river flow. One of my top favorites spots along
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the river is Sweeney’s Beach, a five-acre river access site off Poplar Street in the Pine Brook neighborhood in Scranton. In the Mid Valley, I like to stop at Powder Mill Dam along the Heritage Trail
Photo: Melissa Tunney
south of Delaware Street in Jermyn.”
The River’s Status Today “Rivers are dynamic,” Bernie said. “They can be clean in most places until something happens to cause pollution. On average the river is cleaner than it’s been in 150 years.” However, “Every time it rains, urban stormwater runoff flushes everything on the streets, gutters and parking lots into the creeks and rivers. The Moffat Coal Company was the last group operating underground, and it was running the pumps of all April 2022
other coal companies that had ceased business. Moffat Coal Company notified the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Mines that it was turning off all pumps in the mines under the Lackawanna Valley on November 1, 1961. Over the winter of 1961/’62 the underground labyrinth filled with water, most of it groundwater but also leaks from the riverbed and creeks that lose flow to the underground voids. Water began flowing out of open mine shafts, slopes and bore holes. Neighborhoods near the river had flooded basements and yards. Something needed to be done to relieve the pressure and lower the level of inundation. State and federal engineers directed that a 42-inch-wide borehole be drilled in the riverbed in
“On average the river is cleaner than it’s been in 150 years.”
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Old Forge. The borehole was drilled and opened up in September 1962. It worked! The pressure was relieved and the flood level in the mines dropped over 150 feet. But the river paid a terrible price. The Old Forge borehole has been discharging about 60 million gallons of mine water into the river every day for the past 60 years. There are more than 5,000 pounds of iron oxide, sulfur, aluminum and manganese dissolved in that water. When it interacts with the river water, the metal compounds precipitate out of the solution and form a bright orange/yellow oxide sludge that colors the rocks and anything else in the riverbed all the way to the confluence of the Lackawanna and Susquehanna rivers at Coxton Point between Duryea and Pittston. It has been called ‘the largest visible point source of water pollution in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.’ In 2012 we developed a plan for a treatment plant to clean this up. The plan calls for a public private partnership. We are working with investors on a clean up project that will also involve green carbon free energy. We hope for a major project announcement soon. Most will depend on the infrastructure and clean energy programs now before Congress.” 15
About Bernie McGurl
I am proud to say that the Lackawanna River was designated the Pennsylvania River of the Year for 2020. This is a great honor for the work we’ve been doing, and continue to do, as community stewards of this wonderful natural resource.
Photo: Brian T. Anderson
“I don’t think I was aware of the term ecology until my late teen years. When I was 5 years old, I asked my mother where the water goes from the drain in the bathtub. We opened the atlas and I learned about the Lackawanna and Susquehanna Rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. I was astonished by the power of water with the flooding on Roaring Brook from Hurricane Diane. When I was 7, I was walking across the Market Street Bridge in
North Scranton one summer day on my way to the library in the Silkman House. I was amazed by the stench from the river that very hot, dry August day. By the time I was 10, I was hiking, fishing and swimming with my friends along Roaring Brook where the water was still clean and cold. In high school years we’d go hiking and camping further afield along the Moosic and West Mountains.” Bernie’s mother, Jane Mongan McGurl was a teacher and a singer. She was widely recognized for her
Photo: James Ruane
beautiful soprano voice. She and Bernie’s dad, Bernard J McGurl Jr., a tenor, were both opera singers. They were students of a grand dame of the opera, Madame Fitz Randolph. Bernie’s dad was also an English public speaking and theater professor at the University of Scranton. April 2022
“A key influence that inspires my mission most would be the time I’d spend with my dad at the Lackawanna Historic Society.”
“I grew up in Dunmore, the eldest of three boys. My brothers, Timothy and Brian are well-known musicians. Our home was always full of music, musicians, singers, actors and lots of creative artistic people. Both parents were involved with a wide range of comHappeningsPA.com
munity organizations. I suppose it’s natural that I should follow in their tradition. A key influence that inspires my mission most would be the time I’d spend with my dad at the Lackawanna Historic Society in the Catlin House in 17
Lackawanna River Virtual Paddle Challenge the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was an historian and board member or the organization and would spend Saturdays working on programs or editing their newsletter. I would join him and spend the time in there, devouring every book, map, artifact and document I could wrap my 12-yearold brain around. That learning foundation gave me an understanding of the dynamics behind the unique development of the Lackawanna Valley. I’ve always felt a sense of responsibility to use that knowledge to guide me in the work I’ve been doing with my fellow citizens along our river over the past 35 years.” H
The Lackawanna River Conservation Association (LRCA) will conduct its 4th Annual Lackawanna River Virtual Paddle Challenge from March 14, 2022 to sundown on Sept. 5, 2022. Regular Canoe-A-Thon paddlers and newcomers may join this paddle sport competition on the Lackawanna River, Pennsylvania’s “2020 River of the Year.” Competitors must follow social distancing guidelines. It is suggested that groups of two to six individuals run the course(s) within sight of one another and be prepared to render aid to fellow paddlers if necessary. Groups larger than 10 paddlers are discouraged.This competition is based on the honor system. Competitors are encouraged to honestly report their own times. Paddlers can choose their own day and time to run one or both courses and report their data. Rules, registration and report form can be found on lrca.com.
–Christine Fanning
Bernie McGurl lives in the Petersburg neighborhood in Scranton’s Hill Section where he shares an 1854 home with his life partner, Maria Santomauro. Maria has three grown children and one grandchild. Bernie's first wife, Pamela, passed away in 1998. Bernie helped raise her four children and is now a Pop Pop to seven step grandchildren.
How Can You Help the River? Make sure downspouts on homes and buildings are not connected to the sewer system; instead make direct flow into lawn or shrubbery beds. Create a rain garden or install and use a rain barrel. Let elected officials know that you support a new storm water management agency for the Lackawanna Watershed to help all local municipalities meet the requirements of the Clean Water Act and provide stewardship of rivers and streams in the climate change.
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oaring Brook also known as Roaring Branch Creek or Roaring Creek and historically Nay-aug) is a tributary of the Lackawanna River. It is approximately 21 miles long and flows through Covington Township, Madi-
son Township, Moscow, Roaring Brook Township, Elmhurst Township, Dunmore and Scranton. The stream also flows through the Nay Aug Gorge and passes over the Nay Aug Falls, which are both on the National Register of Geological Landmarks.
Roaring Brook —
A Tributary of the Lackawanna River Harrison Avenue Bridge over Roaring Brook A concrete deck arch bridge carrying Harrison Avenue in Scranton over Roaring Brook, the former Laurel Line, the Central Scranton Expressway, the former Lackawanna and Wyoming Valley Railroad (Laurel Line) and the former Delaware, Lackawanna And Western Railroad. Designed by Abraham Burton Cohen, who also designed the Nicholson Viaduct. Constructed by Scranton’s Anthracite Bridge Company in 1921-1922 and demolished in 2018. H
Austin Burke is a native of the region and expresses its rich history and cultural heritage through art. Burke earned an Associate of Arts degree from Keystone College and a Bachelor of Arts from Dickinson College. Before turning his attention to art full time, Austin Burke served as Secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development and President of the Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.
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The Heritage Trail Draws on the –––––––––––––– ––––––––
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he Lackawanna Heritage Valley National and State Heritage Area (LHV) is located in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Based in Scranton, the heritage area encompasses the watershed (the area that channels rainfall and snowmelt to creeks, streams and rivers and eventually to reservoirs, bays and the ocean) of the Lackawanna River in Lackawanna, Susquehanna, Wayne and Luzerne counties.
In 1991, the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority was established and it became the first State Heritage Park in Pennsylvania. In 2000, it
elissa Photo: M
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the LHVA is the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, a 70-plus mile rail trail system from the New York State border south to the
nney elissa Tu Photo: M
was designated as a National Heritage Area by the United States Congress in recognition of the region’s unique contribution to the American experience.
Tunney
LHV is managed by the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority, a municipal authority of Lackawanna County. One important development of
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Susquehanna River in Pittston. It includes the Delaware and Hudson (D&H) Rail-Trail. The trail system travels through 30 municipalities, including the cities of Carbondale, Scranton and Pittston. The trail uses abandoned railroad corri-
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Beauty of the Lackawanna River –––––––––––––––––––––––––––– dors and former coal mining lands, access roads, flood control levees, municipal parks, public sidewalks and streets. The trail is popular with bicycle riders, walkers and runners. To help raise awareness for their causes, dozens of local organizations choose to host running events along the Trail. In 2018, the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail was the site of 25 timed races where more
than 7,000 people walked, ran, and jogged more than 70,000 miles.
The trail’s surfaces of pavement, crushed stone and earthen paths have dozens of trailheads, easy to hop on for a walk, run or bike ride. There are neighborhood parks, historic sites and locally-inspired artwork interspersed along the trails and
surrounded by the natural beauty of the Lackawanna River, which was named Pennsylvania’s River of the Year in 2020. H
Photo: Stan Warunek
Photo: Melissa Tunney
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The D&H Rail Trail he D&H Rail Trail, located in Ararat Township, has been awarded the PA Trail of the Year Award by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Spanning 38 miles, it runs through Lackawanna and Wayne counties and reaches the New York border. The trail fol-
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lows the route of what once was the Delaware and Hudson Railroad bed. Additionally, there are plans to further the trail in the next few years.
The trail offers a chance to experience nature and connect to our area’s historical roots. The D&H Rail Trail helps connect communities and can help to foster further community development. Particularly during quarantine, the trail saw a boom in use. People wanted to get out of the house and get some exercise; being outdoors was one of the only safe ways to do both. The trail can be used all year round for a multitude of activities. During warmer months, people run, hike and horseback ride. In the winter, snowshoeing, cross country skiing and snowmobile riding is offered. It is family-friendly and
offers opportunities for all skill levels. The D&H Rail Trail helps the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources work toward their goal of establishing a trail within ten minutes of every Pennsylvanian. The D&H Rail Trail overlaps with the Lackawanna Heritage Valley and the Poconos Forest and Waters Conservation Landscape. H
Rail Trail Council of NEPA Events May 21, 2022: Bike farm to table at Camp Bluestone in Ararat. Enjoy good food, music, corn hole and horseshoes with the picturesque views of the mountains. Music by Common Thread from Noon-4 p.m. Pre-registering is required by May 10. Cost is $30.00/person; checks payable to Rail Trail Council of NEPA should be mailed to: P.O. Box 32, Union Dale, PA 18470 Limited seating. Three choices for riding distance, Burnwood/Fiddle Lake Trailhead, 6 miles/12 round trip, Union Dale Trailhead, 10 miles/20 round trip, Forest City Trailhead, 15 miles/30 round trip.) May 1-May 31, 2022: The Spring Virtual Challenge has a goal of completing 100 miles by bike or 50 miles walking. Choose any section of the trail. Register on-line beginning April 19. This is a fundraiser for improvements and maintenance on the D&H Trail. $10 for members, $15 for non-members
Check out website for regular weekly and monthly events! www.neparailtrails.org
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Arun Puthusseril, M.D.
Dr. Puthusseril earned his medical degree from St Matthews University, Grand Cayman and completed his residency in family medicine at the Wright Center in Scranton. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine and a member of the Pennsylvania Medical Society. Dr. Puthusseril resides with his family in Clarks Summit. He has joined Barry Minora, M.D. and Laurie Preno, PA-C at the Scranton location. Accepting New Patients (ages 16 and Older)
128-130 West Market Street, Scranton
570-347-1177
Penn State Scranton: Environmental Science Course
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hanks to a generous gift from the Keystone Sanitary Landfill and the DeNaples family, Penn State Scranton’s Center for Business Development and Community Outreach (CBDCO) will be coordinating a course for high school juniors and seniors that is part of a program focusing on environmental studies at the campus, as well as offering a youth summer camp program for younger children. The DeNaples Family Environmental Program Fund at Penn State Scranton has been established thanks to
a multi-year gift that will provide $100,000 per year for the next 40 years, enabling educators at the campus to provide handson, experiential learning that encourages creative and critical thinking among participating students, while strengthening their bond with local and global environments. “The course will explore the root causes of today's environmental crises and consider scientific, technological, sociological, psychological and personal responses to what is con-
sidered a very significant dilemma facing today’s world,” said CBDCO Director John Drake. “It will also engage students in recognizing how questions can be powerful catalysts for learning, how to see multiple perspectives in a situation, and what personal reflection can mean for both personal and global transformation.” Beginning with the Spring 2022 semester, CBDCO will offer this inaugural environmental science credit course to high school juniors and seniors in regional
Pictured are representatives from the DeNaples Family, Keystone Sanitary Landfill and Penn State Scranton; Pictured from left: Dominick DeNaples, Dan O'Brien, Interim Director of Enrollment Services Terri Nealon Caputo, Director of Development Christine Ostroski, CBDCO Director John Drake, CBDCO Education Program Specialist Jo Ann Durdan, Chancellor Marwan Wafa and Al Magnotta.
school districts. In addition to in-person sessions, it will have an online component and potential field trips. The course will be taught by instructors from Penn State Scranton’s science degree program. High school juniors and seniors who take the course will earn three college credits that can later be applied as either an elective or general education course, depending on the degree program and college they choose in the future. As the program expands, more school districts will be added. Full
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scholarships are being provided through the program fund, which was established by the DeNaples family and Keystone Sanitary Landfill. “This gift comes at a critical time in our planet’s history, with so many environmental changes taking place around the world that will require research, analysis, study and creative problem solving to address,” said Penn State Scranton Chancellor Marwan Wafa. “Penn State Scranton is proud to be able to have the ability to offer a program like this that will en-
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courage our young people to get involved in these issues and be part of making positive contributions and improvements to our regional, national and global environment. We are very grateful to the DeNaples family for making this kind of an educational commitment to our campus, and our region’s young people and future.” Contact CBDCO at scrantonoutreach@psu.edu, or call 570-963-2600. H
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Photo: Alison Berry
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t the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people found themselves spending much more time at home than they were used to. Many people found new hobbies. For Larry Rizzitano of Moscow, PA, that new hobby was birdwatching. Rizzitano started birdwatching right before the start of the pandemic, after noticing how many different types of birds came to his yard.
How Birdwatching Became the New Pandemic Pastime “I have a nice apple tree in my backyard and I put a small little bird feeder up there,” said Rizzitano. “I noticed that only certain types of birds would only go to that type of feed. I bought another feeder and started experimenting with different kinds of bird feed.” Now, he cannot get enough of his new hobby. Rizzitano thinks the different varieties of birds and how they all eat different food is fascinating. He says he’s not normally a “quirky” person, but birdwatching gets him excited.
“I’ve noticed that my excitement for birds has gone up,” said Rizzitano. “I have sent birdfeeders to my mother’s house, got her into birding, my mother-in-law and got her into birding, and sent one to my brother-in-law and got him into birding. I feel like the excitement of it is something I can share and people will find enjoyment in it too.” Rizzitano is one of the 20% of people who are birdwatchers. According to birdsandwilds.com, birdwatching can have a positive and physical effect on your body and mind. It can decrease anxiety and stress, get you out in nature and help you to make new friends. Alison Berry of Burlington, Ontario is a self-named “amateur photographer” who uses birdwatching as a way to practice her camera skills. “I am just someone who loves to watch birds and have been all of my life,” said Berry. “I love to go on long walks and take pictures of birds.”
Photo: Alison Berry 30 22
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Berry lives alone and during the pandemic when she couldn’t be with her family, she would take walks on some of the local trails and take pictures of the birds she saw. Her favorite thing about birdwatching is the way they interact with her or each other. “They have different personalities,” said Berry. “In the area where I walk, some have become quite tame and will come close to you.”
Photo: Alison Berry Photo: Alison Berry
Rizzitano and Berry both say that they enjoy birdwatching due to the fact that you can choose your level of commitment by investing in binoculars or wide range cameras. For those who want to be the ultimate birdwatcher, there are competitions for birdwatching in which birders will count the number of birds they see over a specific time span and those who find the most win. However, for Berry and Rizzitano, it is just a hobby. “For me, it is a very pleasurable thing,” said Berry. “It picks up my spirits.” H -Ellen Frantz-Student at Marywood University Photos by Alison Berry and Larry Rizzitano Photo: Alison Berry
Photo: Larry Rizzitano
Photo: Larry Rizzitano
Photo: Larry Rizzitano
AWARD WINNING FINE ART NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAMES RUANE
32August 2016
HappeningsPA.com jamesruane@mac.com HappeningsPA.com
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Hap-
Regional Women Who Were Pioneers for the Environment Theodora Cope Sumner Gray Theodora Cope Sumner Gray, a Dimmock native and renowned author and naturalist, received her PhD from Cornell University and went on to be a founding member of the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. She spent much of her time traveling the world with her husband and lived in places such as British Columbia, where she studied plants, birds and other wildlife. In 1956 when she reached retirement, she donated her family’s Woodborne Sanctuary to the Nature Conservancy.
Cornelia Pinchot Cornelia Pinchot, wife of the two-time governor of Pennsylvania, Gifford Pinchot, was a progressive politician, American conservationist and woman’s rights activist. Pinchot played a key role in the woman’s suffrage movement and was a major donor to the National Association of Advancement for Colored People (NAACP) during their beginning. She has been de-
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scribed as “one of the most politically active first ladies in the history of Pennsylvania” by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
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April 2022
Celebrating 35 Years
Special Touch Window Treatments Free Estimates and Installation Wood blinds, solar shades, verticals, custom interior shutters Free cordless upgrade on cellular shades
570-840-6864
Think Spring! April 2022
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Experience
Spring
Endless Mountains in the
of Northeastern PA! www.EndlessMountains.org 800-769-8999
Don’t Miss Any Events at Brown Hill Farms in 2022 isit in Brown Hill Farms throughout the year for memorable, fun and beautiful events.
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Annual Tulip U-pick festivities. June begins our tulip digging session. August 6 and 7 Sunflower and Sweet Corn Festival September 24-October 30 Pumpkin Patch Season Don’t miss a visit to one of the most beautiful spots in the region! 405 E W Avery Station Rd, Tunkhannock, PA
Visit www.brownhillfarms.com or call (570) 241-8430. H Top photo: Knoll Ridge Farm Photography Bottom photo: Andrea Mecca
Maureen Cravath Returning Home to Northeast PA
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aureen Cravath is glad to be home in Northeastern Pennsylvania and she’s especially thrilled to be at Keystone College.
Actually, those two facts are very much related as Maureen settles into her new position as Keystone’s director of admissions. Maureen is a native of Dickson City, and a graduate of Bishop O’Hara High School in Dunmore, now known as Holy Cross High School. She comes to Keystone after serving as associate director of admissions at St. Peter’s University in Jersey City, N..J. She has also served as assistant director of admissions and orientation at East Stroudsburg University and was as an admission counselor at Marywood University. Maureen has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Kutztown University and a master of arts degree in communication arts from Marywood University. While she admits that living in metropolitan New York was busy and exciting, she realizes that for her, there’s no place like Northeastern Pennsylvania, and, at this point in her life and career, no place like Keystone College. 40
“I’m just so glad to be back in the area where I grew up,” Maureen said. “I know the New York/New Jersey area has a lot to offer and I’m very glad to have spent time there. But, the people in Northeastern Pennsylvania are just so special. There’s a friendliness here that you don’t find in a lot of other places.” Friendliness. That’s exactly the feeling Maureen has when she walks around campus at Keystone. She knows she’s at a place where people care for each other not only as fellow students, faculty or staff but as an overall college community. “The sense that people like each other are interested in each other and genuinely care for each other was the first thing I realized when I came to campus,” Maureen explains. “After my first few days, I realized, this positive attitude isn’t something that occurs once in a while. It’s part of the overall culture of Keystone and I absolutely love it!” HappeningsPA.com
That sense of caring carries over to prospective students as well. “Students considering Keystone know they can receive an excellent education in a wide variety of majors that will prepare them for success in whatever field they choose to pursue,” Maureen said. “They will also have many opportunities to participate in numerous clubs, activities and sports. So, we are proud to offer a com-
"There's a friendliness here that you don't find in a lot of other places." plete educational experience from the first day students come on campus to the day they graduate. But, the greatest part about Keystone is our enthusiasm and spirit. To me, it’s a really special place and I’m so happy to be here.” H April 2022
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average
class size
18
Division III Varsity Teams
Why will YOU choose
LOWEST TUITION*
Keystone? Our beautiful 276-acre campus. Sports. Unlimited opportunities. Clubs. Lifelong friendships.
more than
forty degree options
94%
keystone.edu
success rate
of our graduates
*of any 4-year private college in Northeastern Pa.
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Tunkhannock Campus 570-836-2983
Wesley Village Campus 570-655-2891
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April 2022
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Patient photos centerpiece of powerful new display at Clarks Summit Practice
Inspirational images to promote healing ooking at the ho-hum hallways in The Wright Center for Community Health’s Clarks Summit Practice, Dr. William Dempsey and his colleagues saw an opportunity to give a platform to patients – and just maybe help them to heal.
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They asked patients and employees to share personal photographs with deep meaning, the sort of cellphone images that capture an inspiring scene, a significant life moment, a milestone. They particularly wanted to receive and spotlight photos from people who cope with substance use disorders, such as addiction to opioids. The result: a fast-growing photo 42
Your Wings Were Ready, My Heart Was Not - Photos include powerful and poignant images, including this lantern release in memory of a lost loved one.
collection that reflects pieces of our shared humanity, from its emotional messiness to everyday majesty. “These photos capture the spiritual part of the journey that our patients are on,” says Dempsey, deputy chief medical officer of The Wright Center and medical director of its Clarks Summit Practice. “We ask each person who submits a photo to tell their story. What’s the message your photo conveys?” One stark photograph zooms in on a snow-covered patch of ground and a few items that could be mistaken for litter: a Campbell’s Chunky soup can and an empty water bottle. The HappeningsPA.com
patient calls this image “My Last Meal as an Addict.” About 40 photographs have been framed and mounted so far, hinting at what promises to become a vast collection of eye-catching and discussionspurring art. “We’re going to fill the walls,” says Carlie Kropp, a case manager for The Wright Center’s Opioid Use Disorder Center of Excellence. Kropp, who teamed with Dempsey to launch the photo project, says that over time, she expects this currently unnamed collection to continually evolve as pieces get rotated out to accommodate new submissions. April 2022
The photo project offers multiple benefits, from sparking conversations and reducing stigma surrounding addiction, to making the clinic’s interior a bit more attractive. Each photo will be displayed with a brief message, giving its creator a voice to explain its significance. A flower with vibrant pinks and yellows, for example, fills one frame, representing one patient’s self-described experience of “Blooming Again,” Kropp says. Nature is a common theme of several photos: a rainbow emerging after a storm, trees reflected in placid water, a sunrise. Collectively, the participants shared shots evoking happiness, heartache and perhaps the most important “H” of all: hope. For Kropp, the ongoing photo project might be just the salve needed to help relieve some of the sting inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic. “When you are living with a mental health diagnosis, or an addiction, isolation can really hurt,” she says. “This photo initiative is keeping us united and giving us faith that things will turn around.”
Recovery Begi
After a destructiv ns e countered this for spring storm, Dr. William Dem ps which he calls ‘Re ested scene and took a cellpho ey enne an expanding ar covery Begins.’ Today, the imag photo, e is t submit meaningf collection, where patients and part of employees ul photos to displa y on the clinic’s walls.
Meanwhile, if walls could talk at the Clarks Summit Practice, the dialogue would reveal a tussle between sickness and health, in which many of the newly hung photos is represented by darkness and light.
“The photos give me a point of reference to have that discussion,” he says. “I advise my patients: ‘Go out there and find your spirituality,’” Dempsey says. “‘And when you do, get a picture of it and share it with us.’” Patients of The Wright Center for Community Health’s Clarks Summit Practice can submit photos for consideration to: Carlie Kropp, at kroppc@thewrightcenter.org. Telephone: 570-507-3608. H
Dr. William Dempsey
Carlie Kropp
The light-dark contrast is evident in a photo of a waning moon. It also dominates an image contributed by Dempsey that he took on the forested edge of a local reservoir shortly after a destructive spring storm. “In the back you can see the darkness, symbolizing addiction, and then you can see the crystal clarity of the water,” he says. “So, I named that photo ‘Recover Begins.’” Dempsey took inspiration from that image to start the clinic’s collective photo display, aiming to reawaken spirituality and optimism in the lives of his patients who struggle with substance use disorder. April 2022
HappeningsPA.com
Blooming Agai
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Public Gardens within a Days Drive of NEPA
Get Growing! A
visit to one of these public gardens may plant the seed to create your own lush landscape. Tour the walk ways of some carefully cultivated green spaces to find inspiration to create your own sanctuary.
PENNSYLVANIA Hershey Gardens, Hershey The 23-acre botanical garden includes a Butterfly House, Arboretum, Children’s Garden and Historic Hershey Rose Garden with more than 5,000 roses. 717-534-3492
Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square Over 1,077 acres are covered with themed gardens, such as the Italian Water Garden, Water lily Display and Palm House. Art performances, dining events and workshops abound. 610-388-1000
Chanticleer Garden, Wayne This country retreat of a pharmaceutical owner was open to the public in 1993. The 44
home is surrounded by over 5,000 plants in areas such as the Teacup Garden, Pond Garden and “The Ruin,” meant to look as a house fallen into disrepair. 610-687-4163
Fairmount Park, Philadelphia The Horticulture Center has modern hall, greenhouse and visitor center with tropical plants, statues and greenery. It’s home to Centennial Arboretum, dating back go 1876, and Shofuso Japanese House and Garden. 215-685-0096
Bartram’s Garden, Philadelphia The National Historic Landmark includes an 18th Century home and surrounding meadow, farm, orchard and wetlands, open free to the public year-round, except on cityobserved holidays. The Green Room has hands-on activities and Nursery offers homegrown plants. 215-729-5281
Hortululs Farm Garden & Nursery, Wrightstown 30 acres house 20 formal gardens
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surrounding 18th and 19th Century buildings. Grounds also include a 100-acre 18th Century farmstead and nursery and a Farm Museum. 215-598-0550
Morris Arboretum at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia The 92-acre garden features 12,000 labeled plants. The Out on a Limb canopy walk gives guests a new perspective from 50 feet up in the treetops. 215-247-5777
Wyck Historic House, Garden and Farm, Philadelphia The National Historic Landmark boasts a Rose Garden that dates back to 1824, widely recognized as the oldest rose garden in original plan in America, with over 70 cultivars of historic roses.215-848-1690
PHS Meadowbrook Farm, Meadowbrook About 15 room-like gardens, walled by low hedges, surround the estate house. Tours are offered through the English Cotswold-style home surrounding gardens. 215-887-5900.
Tyler Arboretum, Media One of the oldest arboreta in the Northeast, Tyler boasts 650 acres of plant collections, trees, historic buildings and 17 miles of hiking trails. Nine tree houses and a Butterfly House are open seasonally. 610-556-9134.
Arboretum at Penn State and HO Smith Botanic Gardens, University Park The gardens adjacent to the University Park Campus are open free to the public from dawn until dusk. Phase 1 of the gardens is now open, including a Rail Trail, strolling garden and Fragrance Garden. A new children’s garden is in the works. 814-865-9118
Governor’s Mansion Gardens, Harrisburg Surrounding the residence are The Susquehanna Gardens, Rose Garden, Penn’s Woods and the West Lawn. Penn’s Woods features historically significant plants native to PA. 717-787-1192
Stonehedge Gardens, Tamaqua
acres of cultivated gardens surrounded by nearly 20 acres of woodlands and nature trails. Highlights include a water garden, culinary herb garden and new Labyrinth. 570-386-4276
NEW YORK Boscobel, Garrison See Beaux-Arts and Neoclassical landscapes around the formal home. 60 acres include a fragrant herb garden, rose garden and front lawn, boasting views of the Hudson River Valley. 845-256-3638
New York Botanical Garden, New York The National Historic Landmark has 250 acres of natural terrain, including waterfalls and the Bronx river. 50 gardens contain more than 1 million plants, and historic buildings are on site. 717-817-8700
Formal Gardens of the F.W. Vanderbilt National Historic Site, Hyde Park On the banks of the Hudson River, the large formal garden contains an Italian-style terrace garden recreated by volunteers. The tiered hillside garden features gravel pathways, two levels of roses, fountains, reflecting pool and statues surrounded by the rolling landscape.
Stonecrop Gardens, Cold Spring This Hudson Highlands garden was open to the pubic in 1992. 12 acres include woodland, water, grass, cliff rock and English-style flower gardens. There is also a conservatory, Alpine House and Pit House. 845-265-2000
Innisfree Gardens, Millbrook Named one of the “World’s Ten Best Gardens,” is a modernist garden based on Asian garden design. Stroll 185 acres around a large glacial lake. 845-677-8000
Kykuit: The Rockefeller Estate, Sleepy Hollow This hilltop estate overlooking the Hudson Valley was home to four generations of Rockefellers. The six-story stone house is amid terraced gardens filled with 20th Century Sculpture. 914-366-6900 H
The free, non-profit public garden is a certified Wildlife Habitat with over seven April 2022
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U.S. Forest Service Traces Roots to Pike County Gifford Pinchot: The Father of American Conservation
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orn in Simsbury, CT, Gifford Pinchot is known as the father of American conservation. He was a two-time Pennsylvania governor (1923-1927 and 1931-1935). Grey Towers, his summer estate and later primary home, is still in Milford, PA. The Pike County town is also his final resting place. A graduate of Yale University, Pinchot traveled to Europe to study forestry. Before becoming the head of the Division of Forestry in the Department of Agriculture in 1898, he instituted the first systematic forest program in the United States on the Vanderbilt Estate in North Carolina. As Governor of PA he had 20,000
miles of rural roads paved to “get the farmer out of the mud.” Serving as Chief Forester during the presidency of his good friend, Theodore Roosevelt, he became influential in devising a system for controlling the use of waterpower sites, transferring millions of acres of forests to the reserves and upholding his philosophy of “controlled use.” He believed forestry could produce timber for harvest while maintaining the wilderness for future generations. He became rev-
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olutionary when he turned forest conservation and environmental awareness into a national movement.
the state during the Depression and built 20,000 miles of paved rural roads to “get the farmer out of the mud.”
As governor of Pennsylvania he regulated electric power companies, enforced prohibition, reorganized state government in seeking “clean politics,” eliminated the state’s $23 million deficit, settled the anthracite coal strike of 1923, donated a quarter of his gross salary for one year to
A National Historic Landmark, conservation groups use Grey Towers for conferences, and the U.S. Forest Service provides leadership development programs at the estate. Tours of the mansion and gardens are offered, and many visitors enjoy the trails, arts and education programs held on the property. H
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April 2022
Karen McKeon, LMT Now accepting new clients at Fidati Health & Wellness Call or text 570-499-0002 to schedule your appointment today!
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April 2022
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S tay Fit Naturally J
ackie Greenwood Kerekes has always been motivated to stay active and fit. She never believed in fads or trends with regard to her own nutrition or fitness, rather basing her goals on more natural and long term lifestyle fundamentals that have helped her maintain consistency with weight and fitness level for decades.
looking to adopt a similar lifestyle/lifetime wellness. The Training Loft, located in Village Square in Clarks Summit, now includes a smoothie bar.
Jackie is certified through NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) as a Personal Trainer, a Fitness Nutrition Specialist and a Group Fitness Instructor.
Jackie works one on one with clients for personalized workout plan and nutritional coaching tailored for individual needs. Her belief is that “one size does
“Maintaining a healthy weight and fitness level in our chaotic and stressful environment is no simple feat. There is a mental component that I’ve always thought was vital to sustaining long-term lifestyle goals. One of the first steps is “clearing your mind, breathing better and when possible, reaping the benefits of basking in nature,” said Jackie. According to Jackie, how a person feels often affects how they are able to succeed in other areas of life. Feeling comfortable and confident is just one motivating factor for taking action. But more importantly, longevity should be a serious motivator. Individuals with underlying health issues such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol have even more reason to maintaining a healthy, more fit lifestyle. Embracing a long-term or forever wellness plan is critical no matter your age. Of course the earlier you start the better, but it is absolutely never too late to begin and reap the many benefits of improving your nutrition and exercise, she said.
After working in the industry for larger gyms and fitness centers, she opened her own fitness studio several years ago to share her expertise and personal experience with those
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not fit all” when it comes to reaching fitness and wellness goals. The Training Loft also offers small group training which is a 30-minute total body workout designed for strength and endurance.
HappeningsPA.com
“Exercise supports mental health by reducing anxiety, depression and negativity. It improves self-esteem and cognitive function. Exercise has also been found to help raise low self-esteem and increases social interaction,” she said. Exercise has immediate effects
April 2022
on the brain. During exercise, the body releases endorphins that trigger positive feelings. A single workout can improve mental well-being since we shift our focus and attention. After a workout, muscles are tired but a person is more relaxed. “We have a sense of accomplishment, which boosts confidence and sense of well-being,” Jackie noted.
“Throughout my life, exercise has always made coping with challenges significantly easier.”
Regular exercise and working out helps to keep anxiety and depression at bay and helps give you a happier life. “Throughout my life, exercise has always made coping with challenges significantly easier,” she said. I tell my clients, “remember that you are one workout away from a good mood! Our beautiful nature trails provide a great opportunity to reap the mental and physical benefits of staying active.” H Jackie Kerekes is a NASM Certified Personal Trainer and NASM Fitness Nutrition Specialist. She trains one-on-one clients, small group training and is a nutrition coach. She has taught a variety of group classes including strength training, TRX and POUND. She is owner and head trainer at The Training Loft LLC. She has recently added a smoothie bar to this location to provide delicious, healthy options to the area.
PERSONAL TRAINING SEMI PRIVATE TRAINING SMALL GROUP TRAINING NUTRITION COACHING GUIDED MEDITATION SMOOTHIE BAR Jackie Kerekes, Owner NASM CPT, NASM FNS 513 S. State St., Village Square Clarks Summit, PA trainingattheloft.com 570-332-8519
April 2022
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Long-Term Care Solutions
D
etermining a longterm care (LTC) solution that best fits your needs depends on several factors, such as your current health, health history, age and financial situation. A qualified financial professional can help you decide which of the following coverage choices are in your best interest.
based products are traditionally guaranteed. There’s no possibility of premiums increasing or benefits being reduced. Plus there’s always a benefits payout, whether it’s through a: • Death benefit
Many life insurance policies contain critical-care riders. While these riders mirror some types of LTC benefits, the benefits are often very restricted and limited.
• Long-term care benefit
Annuity-Based Long-Term Care Policies
• Refund feature
If you’re concerned about qualifying medically for traditional or asset-based policies, you might find annuity-based LTC policies are a good fit.
Another appealing aspect: A streamlined application process, with no medical exams. Inflation options are also available.
Ryan Wilson, CPA, CFP®, AIF® Traditional With their various Long-Term Care Insurance This type of insurance commonly provides the most comprehensive coverage available, and can be designed specifically based on your needs. It requires ongoing premiums with the possibility of rate increases over time. Keep in mind traditional LTC insurance has no premium refund feature. That means if you decide to discontinue the policy, you won’t receive any benefits. These plans may work best for those who are less liquid, have plenty of income to absorb future rate increases and have no need for additional life insurance. (Inflation options are available to provide the indexing of the LTC benefit both pre-and post-claim.)
Asset-Based Long-Term Care Insurance Asset-based products combine life insurance and LTC benefits. Benefits and premiums in asset50
but not the other.
policy designs and funding options, these products offer an alternative to funding long-term care expenses should they arise.
Life Insurance With LTC Riders/Hybrids Life-insurance policies with LTC riders are an excellent funding source for long-term care expenses, provided your primary need is for life-insurance protection. These policies allow you to use part or all of the death benefit for long-term care expenses. The LTC benefit is the face amount of the policy. The annual LTC benefit is a percentage of the death benefit, typically either 1%, 2% or 4%. There’s always a payout in the form of LTC, life insurance or a refund of cash values. These policies require medical underwriting for both life insurance and longterm care. It’s possible for clients with impaired health to be approved for one benefit HappeningsPA.com
Joint-life policies and lifetimeextension riders are also available, depending on your health or the health of the joint policyholder.
What’s the Best Long-Term Care Strategy There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to choosing long-term care coverage. Determining the right strategy depends on your unique set of circumstances, needs and goals. A qualified financial professional can help you sort through the many aspects of long-term care, and how the issue fits into your overall financial plan. Depending on your financial needs and personal preferences, you may opt to engage in a brokerage relationship, an advisory relationship or a combination of both. Each time you open an account, we will make recommendations on which type of relationship is in your best interest based on the information you provide when you complete or update your client profile. When you engage in an advisory relationship, you will pay an asset-based fee which encompasses, among other things, a defined investment strategy, ongoing monitoring, and performance reporting. Your Financial Advisor will serve in a fiduciary capacity for your advisory accounts. For more information about Janney, please see Janney’s Relationship Summary (Form CRS) on www.janney.com/crs, which details all material facts about the scope and terms of our relationship with you and any potential conflicts of interest. H April 2022
Welcome to the Jersey Cape
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amilies and couples from throughout the Northeast often think of the Jersey Cape when deciding on a fun yet relaxing vacation. Because of the connection and confidence families have with the Jersey Cape community, it has remained a go-to destination for family vacations. The commitment made by the hospitality and business community of Cape May County has helped it remain a safe and enjoyable haven for travelers looking for an oasis during these times. 52
More than ever, the therapeutic quality of the seashore’s salt air combined with unique family time experiences is just what vacationers need in today’s uncertain world. The Jersey Cape has a vast supply of wide-open outdoor places and activities to help rejuvenate the souls of vacationers. The unique towns of the Jersey Cape share a common thread of vastly open, clean, white sandy beaches and naturally beautiful surroundings. This is the backdrop to sightseeing, water HappeningsPA.com
sports, fishing, golf, biking trails and more. In addition to these recreational options, enjoy new historical attractions, special events and shopping. Adding to the vacation experience is a variety of outdoor dining options with views you just can’t get at home. Whether you just want to take time to relax on the open beaches, or jump in and experience it all, you will easily find ways to spend quality time with family. With you we’ll go safely together!
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Call the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce at 609-465-7181 or visit www.JerseyCapeVacationGuide.com H
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“ ove those L
Wildwood Days” When it comes to a Wildwoods vacation, everyone’s got something to sing about.
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amed “The #1 Destination on the Rise in the U.S.” by TripAdvisor and voted “Best Beaches in New Jersey” by USA Today, The Wildwoods deliver one-of-a-kind value for family vacations. With over 160 events and festivals throughout the year and lots of fun things to do, you’ll find something that excites everyone in your family. Everything you could ever want in a safe family vacation can be found in The Wildwoods. Swimmers, surfers, boogie boarders, paddleboarders and kayakers alike all love The Wildwoods’ free beaches. Rent a speedboat or Jet Ski and jump the waves or just relax on the white sand and simply catch a few rays.
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Experience the true essence of the Jersey Shore with a stroll down the world-famous Wildwoods Boardwalk. Two and a half miles of family fun with over 100 amusement rides and attractions, three beachfront waterparks plus shopping, carnival games, arcades, over 200 unique dining and nightlife opportunities await you. The Wildwoods Boardwalk is a pure sensory overload of sights and sounds and heavenly smells. Feast on traditional boardwalk fare like funnel cakes, curly fries, cheese steaks, pizza, frozen custard, homemade fudge, saltwater taffy... or gourmet fare and delec-
table fresh seafood caught daily. The Boardwalk features four of the best seaside roller coasters in the country. You’ll hear ‘em screaming at Morey’s Piers three beachfront amusement piers. There’s the Sea Serpent, the Great Nor’easter, an inverted looping coaster, the Runaway Tram and the Great White, one of the tallest and fastest wooden coasters on the East Coast that will thrill even the bravest roller coaster enthusiast.
Photo: Craig Terry
The Wildwoods hosts a multitude of events and festivals throughout the year including the Vintage Antique Car and Motorcycle Beach Drag Races, Monster Truck Beach Races, Mummer’s Weekends and Parades, Ultimate Beach Frisbee Championships, Beach Soccer and Lacrosse Tournaments, ethnic and music festivals, live concerts, the worldrenowned Harlem Globetrotters, WWE Wrestling, block parties, craft shows, plus free fireworks
April 2022
every Friday night and free outdoor concerts four nights a week all summer long. With over 8,000 hotels and motels and over 3,000 vacation rentals you’ll find the perfect accommodations for your budget and make precious family
memories that will last a lifetime. Find the best of The Jersey Shore all on one five-mile island! Start planning your Wildwoods vacation today and enter to win a free family vacation getaway. Visit WildwoodsNJ.com/ win-a-family-vacation H
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The Cape May Grand Hotel
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he Grand Hotel in historic victorian Cape May is the perfect oceanfront hideaway. Discover a paradise of an unhurried beachside lifestyle. A variety of lodging accommodations are offered steps from the beautiful Cape May beaches with an array of amenities including Olympic size heated indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service restaurant and bar, beach service and rentals, a poolside Tiki bar, fitness center and more. The Grand has undergone extensive renovations to better guests' experience and make sure the Grand is a staple in families’ memories for years to come. All guest rooms in Queens Inn have received a full remodel as well as the lobby, all corridor hallways and three ballrooms! There is something for everyone at the Grand, especially the “Grand Specials!” Visit www.grandhotelcapemay.com. Explore and rejuvenate as you experience your “Grand Day at the Beach!” H 56
Over $12,000 Raised by Fidelity Bank
in Support of Ukraine
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idelity Bank is pleased to announce that its StandwithUkraine fundraiser has raised a little over $12,100. Thanks to the gen-
erous contributions of Fidelity Bankers as well as contributions from the public and the bank itself, Fidelity will be gifting $7,200.00 each to Holy Ghost Ukrainian Catholic Church, Easton and St. Vladimir’s Ukrainian Church, Scranton. The churches are providing aid and collecting money to aid those trapped in the war zone as well as those seeking refuge in neighboring countries.
to assist their neighbors and friends, and this time was no different.” About Fidelity Bank
Fidelity Bank has built a strong history as a trusted financial advisor to the clients served with 22 full-service offices throughout Lackawanna, Luzerne and Northampton “Time and time again Counties, along with the Both communities are Fidelity Bank Wealth Manour bankers step up to home to large Ukrainian the plate, giving of time, agement Minersville Office immigrant populations, in Schuylkill County. Fidelas well as Ukrainiantalent and treasure to ity Bank provides a digital Americans who can trace and virtual experience via assist their neighbors their roots back to the online banking and mobile and friends, and this country. The rich heritage app, digital services and and deep pride that run time was no different.” digital account opening. through Northeastern Additionally, Fidelity Bank Pennsylvania and the offers full-service Trust Lehigh Valley spurred the bank into tak& Investment Departments, a Mortgage ing action. “Part of our mission to be the Center and an array of personal and ‘Best Bank for our community’ is helping business banking products and services. those who are in need. I am so proud of The company continues its mission of the outpouring of support for this fundexceeding client expectations through raiser, and I am happy we’re able to do a unique banking experience, providing our part, too,” said Daniel J. Santaniello, 24/7 service to clients through branch ofPresident & CEO of Fidelity Bank. “Time fices, online at www.bankatfidelity.com and time again our bankers step up to the and through the Customer Care Center plate, giving of time, talent and treasure at 800-388-4380. H
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Basics to Grow Your
Financial Literacy The Honesdale National Bank
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rom learning to cook or do the laundry, many skills help sustain us from one day to the next. One skill that could help us stop living dayto-day and start building a sustainable future is often the most frequently overlooked. Building money management skills or financial literacy benefits not only your financial health, but your mental health, easing stress and opening doors for peace of mind and opportunity. Much like riding a bike, it requires practice. And if you hit a bump in the road and fall off, you need to dust yourself off, hop right back on and keep going. Why? 59% of adults in the U.S. admitted to living paycheck to paycheck in 2019. Doing so prevents an opportunity to be
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prepared for the unexpected, let alone the prospect of a comfortable retirement. In fact, 29.2% of Americans don’t save any of their income. For these reasons and more, The Honesdale National Bank is committed to increasing access to resources and actively building money management skills in local communities.
From teaching children to save, to guiding individuals on how to establish and manage credit, investments and beyond, HNB encourages ongoing learning at every stage of life and every income level. Here are three simple principles to strengthen money management skills:
Establish a budget.
As a community bank, HNB is committed to understanding the financial positions of its customers and helping them work toward short and longterm goals.
Making a list of your income and expenses can be very eye-opening. When you truly know how much you have and where your money is going, you can create opportunity for change.
Through its website, HNB offers a full library of free articles, calculators, coaches and courses on the most basic to advanced financial topics to help establish skills and build healthy relationships with money. hnbbank.bank/education.
Live within your means.
HNB also takes an active role in bridging the financial education gap by sponsoring the provision of money management lessons in local classrooms from kindergarten to adult learning. The HNB team of bankers and mascot, Blu, also visit schools and community groups to support the accessibility and approachability of financial support.
start small, saving early and often will support the greatest chances for you to be prepared for the inevitable unexpected events and enable you to work toward financial growth.
Social media and pressures can make it difficult to manage spending. Knowing your limits and setting goals can help you make smart choices and reward you for doing so in the long run.
Be an active saver. Even if you
Build a relationship with a banker. Your local banker, such as those at HNB, are there to act as a sounding board and resource to help you build a plan that is personalized to your financial goals. They’ve seen and heard it all and have the right tools, resources and recommendations to help you take the right steps. April 2022
Beware and aware. Be mindful of your actions and protect financial information. Cyber security and identity theft are on the rise and could pose the biggest threat to your financial well-being. If it sounds too good to be true, it often is. Don’t give information to strangers. Protect your passwords and verify before acting.
Start building your financial literacy and learn more about HNB’s efforts in the community, at www.hnbbank.bank. H
HNB employee visit Scholars ins and mascot Blu in Scott Townsh Training Preschool importance of ip to discuss the saving.
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Lake Ariel native serves with Marine Expeditionary Unit By Megan Brown, Navy Office of Community Outreach
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Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania, native is serving with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), one of seven Marine Expeditionary Units, in the U.S. Marine Corps. Petty Officer 2nd Class Louis Bouchard is a 2009 Western Wayne High School graduate. Today, Bouchard serves as a hospital corpsman. "Hospital corpsmen encompass a variety of different jobs in the civilian sector, so there are days where my job is a health care administrator or being a nurse to small surgical procedures and being a paramedic," said Bouchard. "It’s really a few jobs rolled into one." Bouchard joined the Navy 12 years ago to continue a tradition of family service. "My whole family is or was at one point in the military. Surprisingly, I’m the only one who went into the Navy," said Bouchard. "I originally joined the Navy because I wanted to be a Special Warfare Combatant Craft Crewman (SWCC). I saw that job in a movie once and thought that it would be a cool job." According to Bouchard, the values required to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Lake Ariel. "Being honest, definitely, is one that sticks with me," said Bou-
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chard. "It's hard to try and lie to people and do the job right. Also, the commitment and dedication, never giving up once you start something." The 24th MEU is a Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) currently based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. With a strength of about 2,200 personnel, 24th MEU provides geographic combatant commanders with a forward-deployed, rapid-response force capable of conducting conventional amphibious and selected maritime special operations at night or under adverse weather conditions from the sea, by surface and/or by air while under communications and electronics restrictions. "The best part about serving her is my Marines, 100% my Marines," said Bouchard. "They make it
worthwhile. There are days where the job is challenging but the Marines make it worth all the hardships." Though there are many opportunities for sailors to earn recognition in their command, community and careers, Bouchard is most proud of his two kids. "I’m really proud of them," said Bouchard. "I’m really excited to see where that takes me down the road." As a member of the U.S. Navy, Bouchard, as well as other sailors, know they are a part of a service tradition providing unforgettable experiences through leadership development, world affairs and humanitarian assistance. Their efforts will have a lasting effect around the globe and for generations of sailors who will follow. "I just hope I can do my job when the time comes and I have to," added Bouchard. "I hope I don’t have to, because that means that someone is hurt. I just hope that I can do the job when I have to perform." H April 2022
PNC Bank: Commitment to Economic Equality and Social Justice
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t PNC, we firmly believe that our success is defined by the success we help create for our employees, customers and the communities we serve. Central to this belief is PNC’s longstanding commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion – a business imperative for our company and core to our values. Also at the core of our corporate values is an unwavering commitment to support the communities we serve, particularly where we can help drive meaningful and sustainable change for those who need it the most. In April 2021, we announced a Community Benefits Plan that will provide $88 billion in loans, investments and other financial support to bolster economic opportunity for low- and moderate-income (LMI) individuals and communities, people and communities of color and other underserved individuals and communities over a four-year period that began in January 2022. Included in the Community Benefits Plan was a more than $1 billion commitment to challenge systemic racism and support the economic empowerment of Black American and LMI communities. This commitment comes to life in the work our teams do so passionately every day here in our region and we are excited to advance these efforts to deliver on this commitment. In this spirit, late last year the PNC Foundation awarded a total of $225,000 to Northampton Community College and Johnson College to support their efforts to 64
help Black high school students choose a successful career path. Northampton Community College’s PNC Summer Career Institute initiative will help low-income Black high school students choose a familysustaining career path; explore post-secondary options that support their chosen career field; learn how to navigate the college selection, admissions and application process; and gain the financial literacy skills and resilience that will serve them throughout adulthood. Johnson College’s Industry Fast Track Program (IFT) is a joint initiative with area school districts. The program offers high school juniors and seniors an opportunity to simultaneously enroll in secondary and post-secondary coursework on the Johnson College Campus. Students remain enrolled full-time at their high school while attending classes at Johnson College. The College’s Recruitment Advisor supervises students and monitors academic progress. Closely aligned with this focus, last May PNC donated its 8,000 square foot former branch on Main Avenue to the Black Scranton Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and local heritage initiative dedicated to archiving and celebrating Black history and culture of the
Scranton, PA region. The former branch is now home to the Black Scranton Project Center for Arts & Culture (BSPCAC), a creative and recreational space for all ages where free counseling, educational classes, tutoring, job assistance and after-school programs are available to the community. Even during these unprecedented times our focus remains on our commitment to end systemic racism and to partner with local organizations such as Northampton Community College, Johnson College and the Black Scranton Project to support economic empowerment of Black Americans.” H Pete Danchak PNC Bank Regional President, Northeast PA
Six tips for financial spring cleaning
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pring is often welcomed by cleaning, sorting and tidying up around the house. Wayne Bank encourages the addition of financial organization to spring cleaning to-do lists. “People are motivated to get things done when the weather warms up, which makes it an ideal time to look closely at your savings and spending habits,” said Hawley Community Office Manager, Kimberly Crellin. “Putting in the work now will help you to enjoy the summer months even more.” Here are six tips for organizing your financial house:
Review your budget. A lot can change in a year. If you’ve been promoted, had a child or become a new homeowner, be sure to update your budget. Develop a strategy for spending and saving and stick to it. Identify your financial goals and contact your local Wayne Bank to help you achieve them.
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Check your credit report. Every year, you are guaranteed one free credit report from each of the three credit bureaus. Take advantage of these free reports and check them for any possible errors. Mistakes can drag down your score and prevent you from getting a loan or cause you to pay a higher than necessary interest rate. Sign up for eStatements. Converting to eStatements will Evaluate and pay down debt. help keep your house, physically Take a look at how much you and financially, cleaner and owe and what you are paying in more organized, and will help interest. Begin paying off existprotect you from fraud. ing debt, whether that’s by chipping away at loans with the highest interest rates or eliminating smaller debt first. Wayne Bank has solutions to help you consolidate debt*, so reach out to your local Community Office today for more information.
Set up automatic Bill Pay. By signing up for automatic Bill Pay, you’ll never have to worry about a missed payment impacting your credit score. You can set it so that money is withdrawn from your checking account on the same day each month. Wayne Bank offers free Bill Pay** with every checking account.
Manage money on the go. Utilize your bank’s mobile app to check your balance, pay your bills, transfer funds, deposit a check and send money to friends from wherever you are. Wayne Bank mobile app offers all these services for free plus the ability to set up real-time text alerts to help protect against fraud. Wayne Bank is here to help with your financial spring cleaning. Call 1-800-598-5002, visit wayne.bank, or stop by your local Community Office. *Loans are subject to Wayne Bank’s credit policy. Certain restrictions apply. Ask for details. NMLS #462082. **To use Wayne Bank’s Bill Pay, you must have a Wayne Bank Checking Account on Online Banking. Fee applies for expedited payments. Wayne Bank is a subsidiary of Norwood Financial Corp., Member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender, and is located in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. The Bank has 30 Community Offices serving Wayne, Pike, Monroe, Lackawanna, and Luzerne Counties in Pennsylvania, along with Delaware, Sullivan, Otsego, Ontario, and Yates Counties in New York State, including those offices operating under the Bank of Cooperstown and Bank of the Finger Lakes brands. The stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol— NWFL. H
Barbara Maculloch
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Community Bank
arbara Maculloch is the president of Pennsylvania Banking for Community Bank, N.A. With more than 35 years of experience in the banking industry, she has served in various positions throughout her career. She is an active leader in her community, serving on numerous boards including Misericorida University Board of Trustees, Geisinger Health System Advisory Council, Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce; CBI Board of Directors, Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, Diocese of Scranton Finance Committee, Tunkhannock Area School District Foundation Council and the Westmoreland Club Board of Governors. Barbara is also a member of Circle 200. She is a graduate of Misericordia University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and concentration in banking. She has been honored with many distinguished awards and resides in Wyoming PA with her husband, George, and daughter, Rachel. Biggest, personal lessons from the pandemic? I learned that good things come to those who wait. Patience was surely tested during the pandemic. Whether you ordered something that took three times longer than it normally would have or you couldn’t wait for your favorite restaurant to open again, 68
the working world. From a teller to a bank president we have opportunities for employees in all lines of business whether it be retail, wealth management, commercial lending, community development, HR, cyber security, marketing... this list goes on. What is great today versus 35 years ago is that all talented, hard-working people are considered for promotion, and the opportunities today are endless.
the easy stuff was no longer easy. I also learned that I can work from home very productively but that I sincerely missed people. Being closest with my family matters most to me so it was actually great to be with my daughter and husband every day. But I missed being with my siblings and their families and will never take our time physically together for granted. Regarding finance, what new career opportunities do you see particularly for women? I don’t look at careers differently for women than men but when I started banking in the 80s there were very few women leading the charge. Nearly all higher level positions belonged to men during that time. That has changed a lot and while it’s not where we should be it will continue to improve. That is what I’m most excited about for younger women who want to be taken seriously in
What skills are not stressed in higher education but should be? I believe that it is important in both high school and college to teach this generation how to be much more engaged and in tune with those they interact with; on both a business and personal level. While texting and social media are a necessary part of life, what is most important to me is the way we communicate and treat one another. My daughter graduated from college last spring and is in the ‘real world’ having just started her career this past July. My husband and I have done our best to teach her how to stand out in a good way. By that I mean through kindness and respect of others no matter what their status is in this life, by working hard every day and appreciating all that this life and the people we interact with have to offer. Regardless of career, sometimes kindness, consideration and looking someone in the eye is forgotten as revealed with things such as road rage to those who just do not think about holding a door for the person behind them. It is those little things that I
would encourage educators to help develop in their students. While most colleges are great at teaching the academic side of learning, they sometimes miss the mark on the importance of social interaction and real life. If I’m at a restaurant or shop in a local retail store and a person stands out to me for going the extra mile, I always give my business card because that is the kind of person I want to work at Community Bank. I am fortunate enough to now be in a position where I can do that. Having begun as a teller, I will never forget those who helped me to grow into the position that I am now in but it was my parents who taught me kindness and compassion above all else.
leads to additional stress in my life. As women, there is so much we try to do beginning with taking great care of our families. Whether you are the mother of young children or the caregiver to a parent, women are always trying to do it all. We need to take time to de-stress our lives. This is easy to say, but not always easy to practice. Exercise, a day at the spa or just some quiet time every day is so very important to create a good mental balance. While I do not always have time to practice what I preach, I strongly advise it. Making time for yourself in whatever way you can yields to good physical and mental health that will make you a better person to those who matter most to you.
Regarding women taking care of their physical and mental health, what advice can you offer? I can offer to not always follow my example! I am one of those people who overcommits at times which
How can young women in particular, foster more creative problem-solving skills? Problem-solving skills are something we master with experience.
Align yourself with a good mentor. Whether that mentor is at work, in the community or within your family, listen and learn as much as you can. Observe the way they problem solve. For those who have been in the business world and are not mentoring the younger generation in some way, start now. These young bright minds need us and we need them. They are the future and have a prospective that we do not have. It is what I love about having a mixture of ages in the workplace. We learn from each other in different ways. Problem-solving is something we learn as we are faced with issues throughout our careers and life. Those of you in my generation have already faced these problems and learned how to resolve them. Lead by example and teach what you know to younger people. They are the future so let us help them make this world a better place. H
Each year, more than 40 million American adults will experience a serious Mental Health condition – Less than half will seek treatment due to stigma and discrimination. It's time to end the stigma! If you or someone you know needs support, please dial 211. Help is just a phone call away.
Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Mental Health & Developmental Services 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave. Suite 200 Wilkes-Barre, PA • 570-825-9441 www.luzernecounty.org/mhds
April 2022
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Leadership Lackawanna
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n Leadership Lackawanna’s 10-month Core Program, participants gain leadership, interpersonal and managerial skills, as well as an enhanced understanding of the issues relevant to the Greater Scranton region, through monthly sessions. Areas of focus can include community development, economic development, government, health care, law, education, quality of life, sustainability, history and media, with sessions featuring widely recognized specialists. Members of the class also devote a large portion of their time to develop and implement community projects, hence enhancing their leadership abilities, fostering teamwork and 70
benefiting local nonprofit organizations. Leadership Lackawanna’s Core Program accepts applications from candidates who live, work or play in Lackawanna County. Partial tuition scholarships are available on a limited basis. Top 5 Reasons to Participate
1.
Enrich your leadership, interpersonal and managerial skills and evolve into a better professional for your employer
2.
Develop a strong network of professional connections, which can result in new referrals, leads or career opportunities
3.
Expand your knowledge of Lackawanna County; gain access to a HappeningsPA.com
number of unique locations, organizations and places in Northeastern Pennsylvania
4.
Increase your confidence and capacity to lead
5.
Make a positive, lasting impact on our region and experience personal success and growth Monthly sessions are typically held on the second Thursday of each month, from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Leadership Lackawanna has a competitive selection process and not all applicants can be selected. Completion of the application does not ensure acceptance. The Selection Committee will review all applications and assess candidate’s leadership potential, residence/work, volunteer experiences, communication skills and other factors. Candidates may also be considered for an interview. All applicants will be notified of the Selection Committee’s decisions in May. H April 2022
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Childhood Memories Fr. Andrew Kurovsky,
M.Div, M.S.
Informed Clergyman’s Life the years established common respect. His parents each had a close relationship with their siblings and Father Andy benefitted by the loving relationship he had with his cousins.
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ather Andy calls home “The round church ... where there’s room for everyone.” Officially, he is Fr. Andrew Kurovsky, M.Div, M.S., the pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Peckville. Father Andy has had several assignments throughout the Diocese of Scranton, and he is a most welcoming shepherd to his flock, whether young or old, parishioner or visitor. The Sacrifice of the Mass at Sacred Heart of Jesus 72
Church allows Father Andy the opportunity to bring the message of the Gospel to worshipers in his down-toearth manner. Worshipers leave Mass with an upbeat, positive attitude and are inspired to become better versions of themselves. His memories of a childhood full of close relationships with his family and extended relations defined his life. He and his sister, Mia, were adopted; they are not biologically related, are 18 months apart in age and the bond they developed over HappeningsPA.com
Though each of his parents were supportive of his decision to enter the priesthood, his mother feared her son would have a lonely life. “My mother was an extrovert, involved in almost every church ministry and organization at her church in Wilkes-Barre as well as a plethora of charitable and civic organizations,” he said. “Her love of her faith, and her vision for the future of the Catholic Church is very much a part of who I am as a priest today.” Father Andy’s education was well adapted to his preparation to serve as a pastor and educator. His sermons draw on his talent to understand the Gospel and interpret them to reflect the challenges ordinary people face in today’s difficult world. His experience in residential rehabilitation centers for April 2022
alcoholism and his involvement in Alcoholics Anonymous as well as his work toward earning a certificate in addiction counseling has given him a new perspective on human dynamics and the problems of addiction. “We are part of a plugged-in generation. We supposedly have more opportunities to communicate with one another than ever before in the history of humankind ... yet suicide rates have increased, loneliness among young people is at epidemic proportions and counselors, as well as pharmaceutical companies look for new and increasing ways to deal with depression. I believe that so much of this parallels the decreased involvement in organized religion.”
Father Andy leads by example. His genuine care for his staff and parishioners and his cheerful nature are evident on the parish facebook page where members can view his singing and dancing. He guards his own personal well being and finds serenity in himself and his ministry. “This is where the 12 steps of AA have been so important to me. I find serenity or wellbeing when I surrender to a higher power. When I realize that God is present, that he is walking beside me and that he can do all the things that I cannot do.” His favorite hymn is “Lord, When You Came To The Seashore.” “It refers to when Jesus called his first disciples by
the Sea of Galilee. The ocean, the sea, is my ‘go to’ place. I feel very much one with God at the water’s edge and I believe that Jesus is still calling me and all of us to follow him today.” The round church, where there is room for everyone, is not just a slogan, it’s a fact. “God loves you and so do I,” says Fr. Andy. H –Christine Fanning
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish Peckville, PA
Rev.Andrew Kurovsky, Pastor
Mass Times Palm Sunday Sat., April 9 at 4 p.m. Sun., April 10 at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. Holy Thursday April 14 at 7 p.m. Repository in Holy Family Hall until 11 p.m. Good Friday Prayer Service April 15 at 1 p.m. Church opened for private prayer until 6 p.m. Easter Vigil Sat., April 16 at 8 p.m. Easter Sunday April 17 at 8 a.m. and 10 a.m.
“The round church, where there’s room for everyone.” www.SacredHeartPeckville.org 73
looking for resources. They are so relieved to find someone who answers the phone and is willing to help them find resources for their individual needs,” said Erin Dunleavy, Ph.D., Project Manager at The University of Scranton Autism Collaborative Centers of Excellence Executive Hub. The Executive Hub publishes a free weekly e-newsletter that functions like a digital community bulletin board. The newsletter features happenings in ACCE as well as events and educational opportunities in
Autism Collaborative Centers of Excellence
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he Autism Collaborative Centers of Excellence (ACCE), in partnership with the AllOne Foundation, launched in September 2018 to address gaps in services for people with autism in Northeastern and North Central Pennsylvania. ACCE works with partner organizations in 13 counties in Northeastern and Central Pennsylvania to connect people with autism services and support. The collaborative has community hub locations, in74
cluding an executive hub on The University of Scranton campus that coordinates all ACCE services and activities.
the community. (Find on the ACCE website, alloneforautism.org and individuals can also sign up to receive via email.)
Other hubs are located at the Children’s Service Center in Hazelton, East Stroudsburg University, Hope Enterprises and Misericordia University. A new sixth hub location at Mansfield University will continue to expand access to families in the service area.
In addition to connecting families with resources, ACCE hubs develop programming that serves the community. The Executive hub features a Caregiver Support Group that includes social opportunities for caregivers to connect and network, fitness and dance classes, a job club and spring social activities.
The hubs serve a vital role in the community. “Families have told us that they spend countless hours HappeningsPA.com
The Children’s Service Center hub offers adult
April 2022
diagnostic evaluation for autism, a free therapeutic lending library and a referral network to connect families with resources. The adult diagnostic evaluation has been life-changing for adults. An adult client said, “After 34 years of not knowing why I felt different, it’s a relief to know that I’m not broken, just autistic!” Hubs at Misericordia University, Hope Enterprises and Children’s Service Center along with ACCE partner Goodwill Industries have developed a Therapeutic Tabletop Role Playing Group, that uses role playing games to benefit personal growth, social de-
velopment and self-advocacy skills of individuals and families. An Inclusive Community Advocacy Project provides free customized training to community organizations to enhance acceptance. Nina DeiTos Zanon is the Executive Director of the Wyoming Valley Children’s Association (WVCA), one of the ACCE's first partners. She says, “When people come together for a common mission and you have multiple faces and talents, what you can achieve is endless.” “The collaborative is something that has not been
done before, in a good way,” Zanon says. “When families are looking for advocates or new resources, ACCE is an advocate in their corner. It is incredible how many organizations are partnering, how wide it is reaching and how many people we are serving.” Visit the center’s website or call 570-941-7000. To join the ACCE list for services, contact Erin A. Dunleavy, PhD, Autism Collaborative Centers of Excellence Project Manager at 570-941-7000 or erin.dunleavy2@scranton.edu H
Every child grows and learns new things at his or her own pace. You know your child better than anyone else. If you have any concerns about your child’s development
WE CAN HELP!
Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Early Intervention Program
April 2022
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AllOneforAutism.org
COUNTIES SERVED
• Bradford • Carbon • Clinton • Lackawanna
• Monroe • Pike • Sullivan • Susquehanna • Tioga
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Assisting individuals in various aspects of household routine such as shopping, laundry, cooking, budgeting and entertaining. Each residence is staffed 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
*Summer Camp Counselors Summer Camp for children runs July 6-August 9 2022. High school diploma/GED, 18+ years of age and a valid driver's license required.
570-346-4010 x 718 for more information or apply on-line at: https://thearcnepa. applicantpro.com/jobs/
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Registered Nurses • Licensed Practical Nurses Certified Nursing Assistants Offering: $30,000 sign on bonus for RN's $3,500 sign on bonus for CNA's Shift differentials / extra shift bonuses Longevity bonus Uniform allowance Tuition Reimbursement April 2022
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Jog for Jude Saturday, April 23, 2022
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appenings recently spoke to Theo Lawless Zayac, mother of the late Jude Zayac for whom the Jude Zayac Foundation was named. Jude was the son of Greg and Theo Lawless Zayac of Dunmore, PA who are also the parents of Gregory (11), Matilda (6) and August (4). What prompted the Jude Zayac Foundation? We welcomed our second child, Jude Theodore on April 19, 2014. He had the sweetest disposition and was a chubby, jolly baby who fell right into step with our family. Even though he was only with us for 13 weeks, we took him on many road trips including our beach vacation. He was an absolute joy. The morning of Jude's third day of daycare, I received a call that Jude wasn't breathing and he was being rushed to the ER. At first, I didn't think the worst, but then quickly realized when I got to the hospital that I wouldn't be seeing my baby alive again. It was a devastating, earth shattering day.
a Go Fund Me account was set up by a friend and quickly raised over $30,000. We easily decided that this money should be used to do something for our community who held us up during our darkest time. Our amazing friends and family put their heads together, and the Jude Zayac Foundation was born. What characterizes the Jog for Jude event? Positivity, hope and sense of community. For us, it is a chance to celebrate our baby, who is still very much a part of lives. For those attending, it's a day to spend quality time with the ones who matter most – their children. The original intention was for a community celebration for Jude's birthday party. This will be the first in-person event since the pandemic and there are
some exciting changes. This year’s event will be in the evening and will be followed by a community celebration including food, ice cream and kids’ entertainment. The evening will conclude with a fireworks display. Although the event is very family friendly, our 5k race has received great reviews from athletes. Chipped bib timing allows multiple age groups to compete for medals. How does the foundation support SIDS research? Since we are a non-profit and run entirely by volunteers, contributions have a full impact. To date, we have raised over $650,000 in Jude’s memory with $425,000 going directly to SIDS research funding and $225,000 to community related projects, including St. Joseph’s Center Baby and Children’s Pantry in Dunmore. We have partnered with Robert’s
It was determined that Jude died from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS. Even though we had heard of SIDS and practiced safe sleep habits at home, this was an utter shock. Just a couple hours earlier, I had kissed a healthy, smiling baby boy goodbye at daycare. Following Jude's passing, our community wrapped their arms around us. Most notably, 78
The Jude Theo
dore Zayac Fu
nd is now at Bo
ston Children’s
Hospital.
Program at the Boston Children’s Hospital, a global leader in SIDS research, and in July 2017 the National Academy of Sciences published one of the most significant SIDS research studies to date that was conducted by the team at Boston Children’s. The Jude Zayac Foundation was a major contributor to this study. What conclusive evidence exists surrounding the syndrome? In previous work spanning more than a decade, SIDS has been linked with abnormallydecreased serotonin levels in the brainstem, which controls many basic functions necessary for life. However, brainstem serotonin cannot be assessed in living patients and can only be assessed at autopsy with specialized techniques. New findings by Boston Children’s Hospital shows that an increased level of serotonin in blood serum may underpin some SIDS deaths and suggests the possibility that this biological vulnerability may one day be detected in the blood of living infants. Findings from a 2017 study reported on 61 infants who had died from SIDS found that 31 percent had substantially increased levels of serotonin. This suggests that biological vulnerability might put an infant at risk for SIDS when faced with environmental challenges such as sleeping in the face-down position. Moving forward, the team will work to further understand the association between increased serotonin in the blood serum and decreased serotonin in the brainstem. Why are you committed to raising community awareness of SIDS? While SIDS claims thousands of lives each year and accounts for more deaths than cardiac disease or cancer in children under age 19, funding is at an historically low level. There is no national non-profit association for SIDS. Most of the funding is done by small, local nonprofits who usually have lost a child to SIDS. In addition, awareness is so critical because
April 2022
there is a social stigma surrounding unexpected death, especially related to losing a child. In general, people don’t feel comfortable talking about this kind of horrific loss, leaving families to grieve alone. We love talking about Jude and being reminded of his beautiful smile and playful demeanor, and we like to think the Foundation has been helpful to other families who have lost children. We hear from a lot of families who come to the Jog to support us but also to remember their loved one. We want people to talk about Jude, talk about other babies who have been taken too soon and join us in the fight against SIDS. To register for the Jog for Jude: runsignup.com/jogforjude judezayacfoundation.com H
SING OPERA? International Soprano Opens New York Studio Locally
Carnegie Hall Lincoln Center, NY European Opera Houses Three Slots Open-Audition-a Must God’s Gifts and Big Dreams-a Must
Age Does Not Matter-Talent is Everything! To Connect: LaMusoleno@hotmail.com
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Who is the cutest of them all?
Ruby Do Ruby Do lived a wonderful 25 years with the Elliott family, who would like to honor her memory.
Milo 12-year-old Milo loves going for long walks, says the Berardelli family.
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Finn Owen Finn Owen is funny, smart and nosy, says the Pagotto family. He loves his Nylabones and playing tug-of-war with his daddy.
Delilah Delilah is a sweet natured little princess who is gentle with her 4-and-6-year-old humans. The Loomis Family says that Delilah is a loyal listener and knows when they’re sad.
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Buzzy Baxter Buzzy Baxter loves to be lazy in his hammock or his many comfy beds and tents, as well as cuddling with his cat mom. The Bullick family says he is shy and hides from everyone who comes to visit.
Chloe The Dwyer family says that Chloe loves to spend time with them and her cat sibling, Mimi. She gets so excited when visitors come and she often gets the zoomies!
April 2022
n... s areMionth is e t o v The of the
Vote for your favorite April pet at www.HappeningsMagazinePA.com! The winner receives a Happenings bandana!
Shelby Shelby loves to run and play and is a friend for life. The Ferry family says that she is definitely a mommy’s girl and thinks everyone who walks past their fence is there to see her!
Stoned-Spooky Stoned-Spooky likes her catnip a little too much, says the Davis family.
April 2022
’s Pet cie March Gra ns! tulatio a r g n Co
Demi and Ringo Ringo is crazy, fearless and adorable and loves his big sister, Demi, says the Shupp family.
Dessie Dessie is an older dog who loves to munch Dentastix, lay in the sun and get scratches from the Getts family. She also loves to go to grandma and grandpa’s house to get spoiled with chicken!
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Buddy The Buttillo family says Buddy loves lounging and barking at cars.
Sam Sam loves his car rides, playing ball and spending time with the Lake family!
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Putting Sports to Good Use
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acqueline Hardwick was recently inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame. From coaching high school basketball and teaching students with disabilities to inspiring homeless children, she has put her ability to play sports to good use. Her aspirations in coaching began when she understood the intricacies of soccer and basketball during high school. Jacqueline also loved the competition. "It pushed me to improve my skills and mentally learn the game on a deeper level," she said. Jacqueline recalls her childhood at age 5 or 6 years old playing soccer at a field on the Penn State Lehman campus in Dallas, PA, with horses nearby. At first, she wasn't too involved with playing soccer. "Sometimes I would go after the
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ball, but then I would gaze off into the distance or do a cartwheel," she admitted. Jacqueline later got more into soccer when she played for a travel team called Back Mountain Flames. "I have a lot of fond memories of my time with that team, and I had one of the best coaches ever, Sandy Rhodes," she said. "It was so fun to travel on the weekends to tournaments and collect patches from the teams we played, and we often placed in the tournaments as well." Jacqueline continued soccer at Dallas Middle School and played on an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team. During 5th grade, she joined the Dallas Youth Basketball program because the team needed a tall player. Just like soccer, she worked hard to improve her basketball skills. HappeningsPA.com
"I loved staying busy, and I thrived on being the best I could at everything I did," she said. Her stats and overall record went higher each grade when
April 2022
she was a forward for both sports at Dallas High School. She scored 161 total points, 145 total rebounds and 27 steals in basketball in her freshman year from 2000 to 2001. She became a co-captain and Division II All-Star as a sophomore with n overall record of 23-6. Her team accomplishments include LP participates, Wyoming Valley Conference Sportsmanship Award and WVC Division II Champion (first in program history since 1985). In her junior year, she had a preference 387 points, which is second in the division with 218 rebounds, 62 steals and two blocks per game. She became the WVC Division II Times Leader All-Star and WVC Division Player of the Year. Her team became District 2 Class 3A Champions. During her senior year, she and three other students scored 1,134 points. Her senior team consisted of players she knew since she was a freshman. "One of the greatest aspects of being a part of a team is the
relationships you build," she said. "Although there were undoubtedly challenging times, I have so many memorable moments of bus rides, pasta nights, practices, games and so on." For high school soccer, Jacqueline scored 17 goals and 9 assists during her freshman year. Her team became Division Champions. As a sophomore, she was a WVC Division All-Star with 11 goals and 6 assists while she was a co-captain and a sweeper. During her senior year, she helped her team become WVC District A Champions by posting 9 shutouts. Jacqueline also played field hockey in her freshman and senior years. After graduating from Dallas
High School, she continued to play basketball at Albright College in Reading, PA, where she majored in English, special education and elementary education. She and her teammates set a record for the most wins in Albright Women's Basketball History in the 2005-06 season. She earned the title of Albright College's Most Outstanding Basketball Player. She considered this to be one of the greatest successes. She overcame much adversity after tearing her ACL during her sophomore year. "I worked very hard to come back and be ready to play at the start of the season my junior year," she said. After graduating from Albright, Jacqueline moved back to Dallas, PA, for three months. She then moved to Baltimore, MD, where she currently resides. She became an English teacher from 2008 to 2014. She was in a program for students with significant cognitive disabilities. She later became a resource teacher at the Department of Special Education in Baltimore County Public Schools. She currently works as a specialist. Jacqueline joined one of her best friends, Jennifer Cox, in starting a nonprofit organization, Empower 4 Life, in which they visit homeless shelters and play sports and activities with schoolaged youth.
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She (Cox), too, was an athlete and felt the positive impact sports had on her childhood," said Jacqueline. "She wanted to give the opportunity to children in homeless shelters. I jumped on board with her immediately because I believed in her mission." Jacqueline is currently a board member of Empower 4 Life and a lead instructor at one of their shelters. She and her friends teach character-building lessons such as goal planning, self-esteem and coping strategies. She said that the pandemic made it challenging to continue this mission. But in the fall, they started up sessions such as yoga, Zumba, fitness, art, dance and other physical activities. In November 2019, Jacqueline became a foster parent. Since then, she has had 11 children in her home ranging from two days to to be inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame.
15 months. One of the little boys she has fostered was given a small basketball and football by Jacqueline's sister during Christmas. "Foster care is one of the greatest challenges I have ever taken on in my life," she said. "It is devastating 84
parents or family and at the same time, it is heartbreaking. I am honored to step in as a mother figure to provide these babies with a safe, nurturing and loving environment."
"The induction means even more to me because it was made possible by one of the most important coaches in my career, Mary Jo Hromchak (MJ)," she said. "Although I enjoyed playing sports in high school, there were times when I struggled with the pressures that came with it. Coach MJ knew the game of basketball but as time went on, I reflected on how much she knew the game of life. I truly feel that her support helped me continue my basketball career into college, and I am forever thankful." H - Ben Freda
Jacqueline was beyond honored HappeningsPA.com
April 2022
Betty White and Barbara Irvin: pen pal, friend
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arbara Irvin, Lock Haven, was saddened to learn about the death of her pen pal, Betty White, who died December 31 at 99 years old. Barbara, who is in her “late 30s” communicated with Betty as a teenager. She had written to her requesting an autograph. “I ended up telling her about myself and we just became friends. I always looked forward to receiving her letters. Not because they were penned by someone famous, but because the art of letter writing has always appealed to me. In today’s technologyfueled world, where virtually all communication is conducted electronically, letter writing seems to have disappeared. I am not suggesting computers haven’t improved our lives. They allow us to do
many things. However, not everyone owns a computer. Betty White never did. She wrote about this in her book “If You Ask Me.” I was profoundly saddened by her death. She had filmed a se, visit To view a copy of this licen ution 2.0 Generic License. r the Creative Commons Attrib , CA 94042, USA. unde View sed ntain licen Mou documentary is , work 1866 Box This ons, PO David Shankbone, a letter to Creative Comm rg/licenses/by/2.0/ or send http://creativecommons.o a few days before she died, so I'm sure the news of her “I've always enjoyed writpassing must have shocked ing. For me, it's as natural everyone. as breathing. Betty had elegant handwriting, and her letters were always about animals. Because we both liked animals so much, we had such a special bond. I had never officially met her, but I always wanted to.” Barbara also corresponded with Mamie Van Doren, a popular 50s star, via email, a few years after writing to Betty. This correspondence lasted about a year.
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When I started writing, which occurred around the same time as Betty’s and my correspondence, I wrote everything by hand. I kept spiral notebooks full of short stories that linked together. They weren’t the best. Each lacked plot and exposition. Basically, these works of fiction were dialogue driven with little narration. My literary skills improved over time. I’ve often wondered whatever happened to those early artistic endeavors. They are packed away somewhere, but I’m sure they got shuffled around over the years. If I ever manage to locate them, I’d like to revise April 2022
them. There might be a potential book in those stories. My writing has always been geared toward an older audience. When I wanted to write for younger readers, I had difficulty. Now, I just be myself and write whatever I want to. I don’t try to imitate anyone or do what I think people will enjoy. I find the words flow much better this way. That’s what I liked about Betty. I think she was one of the most honest entertainers around. She wrote the way she talked. Her books are written in a conversational style. Reading one of them is like sitting down and having a friendly
chat with her. The letters I received from her were that way also. One in particular stands out. I’d mentioned that I’d gotten into writing, and she offered to read one of my stories. Can you imagine? Betty White actually wanted to read something I’d written. As far as I was concerned, that was the highest form of recognition. I began to believe that I could do anything. I think that’s what young people need most; someone to encourage them. If just one person can inspire them, it truly makes a difference. I never did get around to sending her one of my
stories. We lost touch after a while because of her busy schedule. I’ve often wondered what would have happened if I had sent her one. When she died, I thought a lot about this. I have since made it my mission to honor her memory through various projects. I think she would be immensely proud of me. Thinking of this motivates me even more, and I am able to aim for my highest aspirations. During those days when I feel my energy draining, all I have to do is look at that letter. For an instant, I forget she is no longer alive.” H –Christine Fanning
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April 2022
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A Car Story: 1969 vs. 2022 In the early 1900s, Ford Motor Company mass-produced the first inexpensive automobile along the assembly line. Since that time, innovation and meeting consumers’ needs have resulted in upgrades in just about every aspect of a car’s production, function and appearance. Let’s take a drive down memory lane to see what the motor experience was like in 1969 as opposed to today...
per gallon- enough to fill your whole tank 50 years back. Costs:
Gas Prices: 1969 Gas prices averaged about 35 cents per gallon. In today’s market, 35 cents could buy you well... almost nothing! Today Gas prices today average a little over $4.33 (3/16/22)
1969 The average cost of a new car was around $2,000, which was a major purchase at the time. Today Nowadays, the average cost is around $42,258 or more. Sure inflation’s real, but what a relief it would be to pay off a car in just a year’s time! Brands: 1969 American brands such as Pontiac, Plymouth, Dodge, Ford and Chevrolet reigned supreme. Today Today, the popularity has shifted to foreign brands including Toyota, Honda, Subaru, Hyundai, Kia and
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the Volkswagen. Manufacturing: 1969 Detroit was the home to the Big Three automobile giants Chrysler, General Motors, and Ford. Many cars were manufactured in industrial cities across the United States. Today Cars and parts are manufactured all over the world and imported in for the buyers. Sometimes they cross the border multiple times before the finished product finds its forever home. Lifespan: 1969 The average lifespan of a car in use was about five years and 100,000 miles. While the lifespan was shorter, owners took pride in maintaining their vehicles. Today Today, cars run about nine years April 2022
and 200,000 miles. Check back with us in 2069 to see if Honda Accords are on display at Father’s Day Weekend Car Shows. Bad Weather Travel: 1969 Afraid of driving in the snow? In 1969, your mechanic would put snow chains on your car in preparation for inclement weather. Today Today, cars seamlessly shift into all-wheel drive mode to avoid slip-sliding through the streets. Although if we’re being honest, we live in Northeastern Pennsylvania. With or without added technology, drivers will continue to clear the store aisles of milk, bread and eggs at the first mention of snow flurries.
Today Today, while there are still large SUVs on the road, some current models are as compact as a kitchen toaster, requiring just small amount of power to operate!
Size: 1969 By land… or sea? In 1969, cars were the length of a small cruise ship.
Details: 1969 No need for a gym membership in 1969! Keep your arms toned by winding the windows up and down, and polishing the hood of your car in your driveway for neighbors to admire. Today Child locks keep doors and windows sealed so heat and AC can pump through the space. Now a trip to the carwash means a moment of meditation for mom, while son or daughter passenger is entertained by the sudsy adventure. H
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Northern Light Catering
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ooking for a unique space to host an event? Northern Light can work with you to create just that. Their flexible arrangements can provide catering for you or they can work with one of your choosing. Contact Jenn Saunders at info@northernlightespresso.com
Northern Light has been located in the historic Scranton Life building since 2002, currently owned by Jenn Saunders. Scranton’s oldest independent coffee shop continues to be a local favorite. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and freshly baked cookies beckons patrons. H
Propose
Brilliantly!
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(Italian Ring Cake) Ciambellone Pronounced (Chum-balona) Compliments of JoAnn Marianelli Finnerty/ Bella Faccias
Ingredients: 6 Eggs 8 Tablespoons Sugar 1 Stick Margarine 4 Cups Flour 4 Tsp. Baking Powder Anise Flavor** Vanilla Flavor** Lemon Juice** **Italians Don’t Measure…We Taste
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Beat Eggs, Margarine, Sugar, Anise, Vanilla and Lemon Juice. Add Flour and Baking powder. Remove beater; work with wooden spoon. Continue mixing with wooden spoon or hands. Spoon batter into greased tube pan. Bake at 375, about one hour or when toothpick comes out dry. Growing up in an Italian family, Ciambellone was an Italian staple. It was one of my Dad’s favorite comfort foods. On Sunday mornings, our home was filled with the smell of baked ciambellone and Italian sauce as my mom prepared our Sunday pasta dinner that was served at noon. My mom would “put a ciambellone into the oven” if she received a call that someone was stopping by for a visit regardless of what time of day it was or if she was going to visit someone’s home. You never stopped at someone’s home without bringing something good to eat! Today “ciambellone” tastes like the old days reminding me of warm childhood memories that were filled with much love, laughter and happiness.
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April 2022
Cake History: Containing more fruit than flour, the Hummingbird Cake was once thought to be sweet enough for hummingbirds to eat! Created in Jamaica, the unique pineapple-andbanana cake uses an oil base rather than butter. The dessert was originally called the “doctor bird cake,” a tribute to the Jamaican hummingbird. In 1968, the Jamaican tourist board sent a press kit to the U.S. that included the cake’s recipe. Since then, it has grown extremely popular in the southern United States. This recipe’s unique twists make it a delectable addition to any dessert table.
Ingredients: 3 cups all purpose flour 2 cups white sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 cups canola oil 3 eggs 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained 2 cups mashed bananas 1 cup chopped black walnuts 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1/4 pound butter, softened 1 pound confectioners’ sugar
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Dr. Bird or Hummingbird Cake Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9-inch cake pans. Sift together the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine the oil, eggs, pineapple, bananas and nuts. Add flour mixture, and mix together by hand. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in center of each pan comes out clean, about 1 hour. Remove from oven and allow to cool on racks. Prepare the frosting by blending together the cream cheese, butter, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Evenly spread frosting on middle, sides and top of cake.
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Double Peanut Butter Pound Cake nts: Ingredie d er, softene 1 cup butt ut butter n a e p y m ea 3⁄4 cup cr ar 3 cups sug ns vanilla 2 teaspoo 5 eggs r 3 cups flou powder on baking o sp a te ⁄2 1 on salt 1⁄2 teaspo 1 cup milk
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan. In a large mixing bowl, combine butter, peanut butter, sugar and vanilla; beat until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. In another bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt; stir into butter mixture alternately with milk. Pour into greased and floured pan. Bake at 350°F until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Cool in pan 15 minutes on a wire rack. Remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack. Drizzle cake with Peanut Butter Frosting. Yield: 12 servings (one slice per serving). Peanut Butter Frosting- In saucepan over low heat, melt 1⁄2 cup each peanut butter and light corn syrup. Stir in 2 cups powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla; mix until smooth. Makes 1 1⁄2 cups.
Personalized Holiday Gifts and Gourmet Chocolate Platters, Gift Baskets
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My Dad, Ph
ilip Rocho
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Nameless Cake ients:
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ing shorten 3/4 cup a g p su r 1 1/2 cu 3 eggs p flour 1 3/4 cu owder baking p 1/2 tsp. da aking so 1/2 tsp b alt 1/2 tsp s utmeg n 1/2 tsp namon 1 tsp cin coa k 2 tbsp co uttermil milk or b r u o s p u 3/4 c uts illa ed waln 1 tsp van ed roast p p o h c arsely 1 cup co ice. ol then tes. Co u in m 0 Bak e 3
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Nameless Cake is a recipe that has been in my family for probably 70 years. The story I heard was that when my father was a young boy (probably in the 1930s or 1940s) he and his brothers entered a magazine contest which was seeking a name for this particular cake. My father and his brothers, probably because of their wit, sent in the name,“Nameless Cake.” I don't think they were too surprised that the name was not accepted, and they never did find out which name actually won. Every year for my father's birthday (April 16) my mother would make this cake, which we have continued for decades to call “Nameless Cake.” As children we didn't care much for this cake, probably because we didn't like the coffee and nuts. However, I know we'd all love it today, especially if we had the chance to share one more birthday with my late father who passed away in 2000. Let us know, dear readers, what you think of the cake and what name you would give it! Enjoy. –Paula Mackarey, Publisher
Icing: 6 tbsp butter 1 egg 3 cups icing su gar 1 1/2 tsp cinn amon 1. 1/2 tbsp ho t coffee
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Compliments of JoAnn Marianelli Finnerty, Bella Faccias
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Broccoli Cheese Casserole Ingredients: 1 can (10 ½ oz) Campbell’s Condensed Cream of Broccoli Cheese Soup ½ cup milk 1 bag (16 oz) frozen broccoli florets or cuts, thawed and well drained (I prefer fresh head of broccoli and cut the florets into smaller pieces)
Preparation
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 4 oz.) (I add more and use the Mexican Blend or Italian Blend Shredded Cheese both contain cheddar cheese and several more cheeses. Do not use Taco Cheese blend, which contains spicy flavoring.) ½ cup dry bread crumbs (Italian flavored) 2 tsp. of melted butter 1 1/3 to 2 cups French’s Frenchfried onions
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his is an easy, delicious recipe that your family will request often. It’s a great side dish for the holidays, but I serve it often throughout the year to complement the main dish. I double the recipe below because I make it in a 9 x 13 glass casserole dish. If you are using a smaller dish, then follow the recipe below.
Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Mix broccoli with soup and milk in casserole dish. Stir the bread crumbs and melted butter in a small bowl. (When I make this dish in a hurry, I just sprinkle the bread crumbs over the broccoli mixture and press the crumbs down on the mixture). Spread shredded cheese over the bread crumbs. Spread the French-fried onions over cheese. Press them down onto the bread crumbs Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the broccoli is tender. Let stand for five minutes before serving. Buon Appetito!
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Dining around the Region Note! All hours are subject to change without notice. Call ahead, consult website and Facebook pages of each individual restaurant for updated information.
Abbiocco Try our signature dishes, such as Chicken Abbiocco, manicotti or blackened salmon. BYOB. Text Abbiocco to 51660 to receive our texts every Wednesday or see weekly specials. Tues-Thurs. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. and Fri. and Sat. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., 639 N. Blvd., Clarks Summit. www.abbiocco.net 570-319-9633. Barley Creek Brewing Company, Inc. Try our beer cheese soup, with Antler Brown Ale. Lunch and dinner: Sun.-Thur. 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m., Fri. and Sat.11 a.m-10:30 p.m. Breakfast: Fri.-Mon.8 a.m.-11 a.m. 1774 Sullivan Trail, Tannersville. www.barleycreek.com. 570-629-9399.
April 2022
Barley Creek Tasting Room and Pub at the Crossings Grab a bite to eat and taste our PA craft brews, spirits, wines and cocktails.Mon-Thur 11a.m.-7p.m. Fri-Sat 11a.m.-8 p.m., Sun 12 p.m.-6 p.m. Coney Island Lunch Try our Texas Wiener with mustard, onions and chili sauce! Tues.-Sun.11 a.m.-3 p.m. 515 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton. www.Texas-wiener.com. Delivery by DoorDash! 570-961-9004. Northern Light Espresso Bar and Café Downtown Scranton’s original Espresso Bar. Celebrating 20 years! Enjoy locally roasted brewed coffee, Espresso, Tea and more. Grab and go for breakfast and lunch! Fresh baked goods daily! northernlightespresso.com M-F 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. S 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 536 Biden Street, Scranton (formerly Spruce St.)
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Pettinato’s Restaurant Try our grilled salmon in Asian sauce. Take out and delivery. Mon.-Sat. 4-8 p.m., Sun. 4-7 p.m. 78 Dundaff St., Carbondale. 570-282-5860. Sibio’s Restaurant Our fettuccine Alfredo is a customer favorite! Lunch and dinner regular hours, full menu with specials. 1240 Quincy Ave., Dunmore. Sibiosrestaurant.com 570-346-3172. Savory Maza Shish barak special on Wednesdays this season! Indulge in fresh, homemade vegetarian and meat meals, plus daily specials. Mon.-Thurs. 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Fri. and Sat.11 a.m.-8 p.m. 200 N. Main St., Scranton. savorymaza.com 570-969-2666. Stirna’s Our Stirnaburger is full 1/4 lb. top choice ground beef with tomato, bacon and American or Swiss on a semi-hard roll. Wed.-Sat. 4 p.m.-9 p.m. 120 W. Market St. Scranton. On/off premise catering daily. 570-961-9681.H
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John Mackarey, LUTCF, RICP Agent, New York Life Insurance Company Registered Representative offering securities through NYLIFESecurities LLC (Member FINRA/SIPC),A Licensed Insurance Agency.
220 Penn Avenue, Suite 100 Scranton, PA 18503 Phone: 570-340-1320 Email: John@JohnMackarey.com