The Lights of Broadway

Broadway in Scranton

Scranton Cultural Center

Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory February 4-6

Come inside a world of pure imagination with the story of Willy Wonka, world famous inventor of the Everlasting Gobstopper, who has just made an astonishing announcement. His marvelous and mysterious factory is opening its gate to a lucky few. That includes young Charlie Bucket, whose life definitely needs sweetening. He and four other golden ticket winners will embark on a mesmerizing, life changing journey through

Wonka’s world of pure imagination. Get ready for Oompa-Loompas, incredible inventions, the great glass elevator, and more at this everlasting showstopper! The hit Broadway musical features songs from the original film, including "Pure Imagination," "The Candy Man," and "I've Got a Golden Ticket," alongside a toe-tapping and ear-tickling new score from the songwriters from Hairspray.

The British Invasion February 24 at 7:30 p.m.

On February 9, 1964, close to 50 percent of U.S. television viewers tuned in to the number one variety show of the era, The Ed Sullivan Show, to see the American debut of a British group called The Beatles. This was the beginning of a cultural phenomenon known as the British invasion. Experience The British Invasion – Live on Stage, an all-new live concert event that showcases the most popular music from that era. Featuring songs from The Rolling Stones, Dave Clark 5, The Animals, The Kinks and Dusty Springfield, this immersive multimedia show will place the audience front and center of pop culture history.

Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific March 4 – 6, 2022

In this innovative new production of the Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning masterpiece, love transcends the harsh realities of war and prejudice in a sweeping tale centered around two unlikely love affairs. Set on a tropical island during World War II, this timeless classic features some of the most beautiful music ever composed woven into an inspiring story cherished the world over. Winner of ten Tony Awards, the beloved score’s songs include “Some Enchanted Evening,” “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair,” and “There is Nothing Like A Dame,” amidst big Broadway performances and a chorus of American sailors and Navy nurses ready to transport you to Bali Ha’i. Show tickets are available in person at the Scranton Cultural Center box office and online at BroadwayInScranton.com. For group (10+) rates and information call 570.342.7784.H

Joseph Costello was Involved in "Golden Age of Pittston Area Track and Field"

etired track and

Rfield coach

Joseph Costello was recently inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of

Fame. He not only created the track and field program for the Pittston Area School District, but also began an era known as the "Golden Age of Pittston Area Track and Field."

Born and raised in Pittston, Joseph played football and practiced track and field in his backyard during his childhood. There was no minifootball or track and field league at the time. The first time he joined an organized team was when he attended West Pittston Junior and Senior High School. During his time on the football team, he was a firststring offensive and defensive right tackle for three years. On the track and field team, he was a shot putter during all four years of high school. During his junior year in 1960 and senior year in 1961, he was a PIAA (Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association) District II champion in the shot put. He enjoyed the challenges and competition from both sports. After graduating from high school, Joseph attended the University of Scranton. He earned his Bachelors and Masters of Sciences degrees in education along with elementary and secondary administration certifications.

In 1965, he became a Spanish teacher in the Northeast School District. This district soon merged with the Pittston City School District to become the Pittston Area School District. It didn't have a track and field program at first. Five years later, however, the district's administration and board of education approved the track and field program's creation. Joseph started his coaching career in 1970 during the program's development. He and his assistant coach Joseph Orlando not only educated and trained his student athletes, the Patriots, but also improvised the equipment.

"In time, we were given all the tools to develop a very successful program," he said. Joseph emphasized many values in his coaching including self pride, competitiveness, sportsmanship, education, respect and

discipline. From 1980 to 1983, a period of time known to the town of Pittston as the "Golden Age of Pittston Area Track and Field, "Joseph's team won 55 consecutive meets, four consecutive Wyoming Valley Conference League Championships, four consecutive PIAA District II championships and four Jordan Relay titles. Many of these records still exist in District II today. In 1982, a junior high league track and field program began in the Pittston Area School District. Joseph mentioned that it was just as successful as the senior program. "It was very rewarding, but I must acknowledge that if it wasn't for the dedication, competitiveness and pride of the many athletes that participated in the program, there would not have been a "Golden Age of Pittston Area Track and Field," he said. "To see a program progress from the way the Pittston Area program progressed is a great honor." Joseph was named the firstever Wyoming Valley Conference Track Coach of the Year by the Wilkes Barre Times Leader in May 1983. Later that year, he retired from coaching. In 1984, he was appointed Pittston Area High School's assistant principal and in 1994, he was promoted to principal.

"I was very proud that the Pittston Area Board of Education had enough confidence in me to perform the duties of assistant principal and principal," he said. "This was the cumulation of my professional goals." Joseph retired when his tenure ended in 1998. On October 4, 2021, he and his wife of 52 years, MaryAnn, moved to Naples, Florida. They have one son, Dr. John Costello, one daughter Maria Costello, one daughter-inlaw Nicole Costello and three grandsons, Michael, Joseph and Nicholas.

Joseph's grandsons are also into sports. Michael is a go-kart racer with a future goal of becoming a professional race car driver, Joseph is interested in playing football and Nicholas wants to participate in track and field when he gets into middle school and

high school. Joseph enjoys walking, fishing, being out in the sun and going to his grandson Michael's races and testing at Homestead International Race Track.

Joseph was excited to be inducted into the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame. "It was an honor I never envisioned," he said. "I am still on cloud nine. I must thank Stan Waleski for nominating me and the Luzerne County Sports Hall of Fame committee for inducting me. There are no words that can legitimately describe how

proud I am." H - Ben Freda

Winter Blues Guitarmageddon Blues Festival returns at Full Throttle with Blues Legend Joe Louis Walker February 25!

TThe Scranton Cultural

Center at the Masonic Temple presents its 6th Annual Winter Blues Guitarmageddon on February 25

at 7 p.m. The event continues as a one-night Blues festival featuring an eclectic mix of local, regional, national and international touring artists. Grammynominated, sixtime Blues Music Award Winner and Blues Hall of Fame Inductee, Joe Louis Walker is confirmed to headline.

“We are beyond excited to be back this year as a onenight mini-fest, with plans of expanding to a weekend event in 2023,” says organizer Maria Santomauro. “The last two years were challenging, but we are grateful to be back presenting live music to the region again!” Boasting a career that spans over 50 years, headliner Joe Louis Walker is regarded by NPR as a “legendary boundary pushing icon of modern blues” and is a true guitar powerhouse with distinctive vocals. He has toured the world’s most renowned music festivals, sharing the stage with Muddy Waters, Thelonious Monk, Ronnie Wood, John Lee Hooker, Willie Dixon, Charlie King Solomon Hicks Musselwhite and John Mayall, to name a few.

In addition to Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen his own 25 albums, Walker has played on Grammywinning records by B.B. King and James Deb Callahan Duo Cotton and collaborated with a diverse group of first-rate artists including Branford Marsalis, Tower of Power, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown. His latest album “Electric Electric,” features a diverse mix of blues-stomping and horn-powered originals as well as a few out of the ordinary covers, like “Werewolves of London” (Warren Zevon) and “Hotel California” (The Eagles). Adding to the lineup is King Solomon Hicks, who returns by popular demand after his debut in Scranton at Winter Blues Guitarmageddon in 2020. At that time, he was just releasing his latest work, “Harlem” which was awarded Best Emerging Artist Album at the Blues Music Awards. The album was produced by three-time Grammy Winner, Kirk Yano, who has worked with Miles Davis, Public Enemy, Mariah Carey and more. Rounding out the lineup are local blues rock power trio Dustin Douglas & The Electric Gentlemen and the soulful, Philadelphia-based Deb Callahan Duo featuring Allen James. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Seating is reserved and tickets range from $4050 in advance and $45-55 on the day of the show. Purchase tickets at the SCC in person or call (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster.

Masks are required for all patrons, regardless of vaccination status. They can be removed for eating or drinking in the designated area, which will be located on the lower level. H

Wayne Bank Hires Guenther as Vice President

Lewis J. Critelli,

President and Chief Executive Officer of Wayne Bank, is pleased to announce that Jillian E. Guenther has joined the Bank as Vice President and Fraud Officer.

Mr. Critelli noted, “I am so pleased to welcome Jillian to our operations team. Her extensive experience will serve as a tremendous resource for our organization, as she oversees our fraud department and works to increase fraud prevention awareness for our customers.”

Mrs. Guenther has over 10 years of experience in bank fraud and loss prevention, most recently serving as a BSA Officer and Fraud Manager. She attended Bucks County Community College and The University of Scranton and is a Certified Fraud Examiner through the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. Mrs. Guenther is married and has three children.

Wayne Bank is a subsidiary of Norwood Financial Corp., Member FDIC, 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

Mary Erwine - RN, MSN President

270 Pierce Street, Suite 101 Kingston, PA 570-288-1013

Keuka Lakeside Inn

In 2012, Ron and Deb Leonard pur-

chased the Hammondsport Motel, renamed and rebranded it to the Keuka

Lakeside Inn. The original property was built in 1963 and the Leonards completed a total renovation for the 2013 season. The property is uniquely located on the southern shore of Keuka Lake with 239 ft of lake frontage and includes a private boat launch and docking for approximately 20 boats. Additionally, it is just a short walk to the center of Hammondsport, where a selection of shops and restaurants can be found. The inn is made up of 17 rooms. Amenities for each room include a refrigerator, coffee maker, hairdryer, HDTV and free Wi-Fi as well as a microwave in the vending area. Many guests and their families have been visiting each year for decades. For the Leonards, each week feels as if another part of their family is arriving for a visit. Several guests have built relationships amongst themselves, planning together the dates of their next stay. Some guests use the inn as a hub for visiting the area’s attractions from wineries and breweries to museums and hiking spots. Summer evenings are spent around the lakeside gas fire pit in conversation with others, making new friends and enjoying the moon rise over the lake. H Country Inns and B&Bs

KEUKA LAKESIDE INN Hammondsport’s exclusive lakefront accommodations on the shores of Keuka Lake. This Inn offers 17 comfortable rooms and spectacular views with an on-site boat launch and docking available. Find us on Facebook and at 24 Water St., Hammondsport, NY 14840. (607) 569-2600, www.keukalakesideinn.com