March 2015 Happenings Magazine by Happenings Magazine

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contents MARCH 2015

8 Photo: Cheryl Kaiser Fine Photography

Home Away from Home Discover the help and hope offered by the Ronald McDonald House.

Go Black and Blue Meet an inspiring family, and support the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

Photo: Katelyn James

132

Go Green! Find all the information on where to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in NEPA.

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February’s on Fire Things to do, where to go, everything you need to know!

C.A.S.U.A.L. Cause See how to speak up about colon cancer awareness.

Bloomin’ Good Ideas Find expert ideas to improve your kitchen and garden.

Pioneer Mentality Get to know the Mayor of Carbondale.

Pet March Madness Meet the contestants; vote online!

Weddings & Anniversaries Celebrate milestone anniversaries and weddings!

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Pierogi Time See how a Susquehanna County parish makes the traditional Lenten treat.

March 2015

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MAILBAG Dear Happenings, What a wonderful January issue. I always enjoy Happenings, but January 2015 was truly exceptional. I was most moved by Kiel Eigen’s story. His incredible attitude and determination is inspiring. I enjoyed many other articles as well… especially the changes in parenting by Joan Mead Matsui, professionals recreating their lives and some amazing seniors staying vital. I most enjoyed the business New Year’s Resolutions— an interesting take on the annual ritual. Thanks for including Everything Natural. It was fun to see other friends and extended family represented too. We’re “Happie” to be a part of the Happenings community. –Barry Kaplan, Everything Natural Dear Happenings, The February 2015 issue is very disappointing. You did not recognize those that have devoted countless hours at the bedside of cardiac patients, committed to a lifetime of selfless caring for them. Also "Meat Me In PA" so inappropriate for Heart Month. –Chris Barge, via email Dear Happenings, Just read the February issue. Sophia Ojeda was absolutely stunning in both of her red gowns. The TV does not do her justice. I just love Happenings. –Frani Jones, via email Dear Happenings, I have been reading your magazine for years! My mother always picks up the monthly edition and gets an extra for me, so I guess she is the one that got me into it. I absolutely love the wedding features and would be beyond thrilled to have my wedding featured in Happenings! –Alessandra Striefsky, via email

Publisher Managing Editor Art Director Associate Art Director Associate Editor Editorial & Administrative Assistant Contributors

Interns

Barbara Toolan Lisa M. Ragnacci Peter Salerno Erika A. Bruckner Monika Loefflad Dominick Carachilo Julia Casey Kieran O’Brien Kern Julie Korponai Melissa Sanko Danielle Mikoliche

Account Representatives Ken Chergosky kchergosky@happeningspa.com 570-587-3532 ext. 120 Carolyn Moschorak cmoschorak@happeningspa.com 570-498-7962 Rosemary Nye rnye@happeningspa.com 570-587-3532 ext. 116 Jane Preate jpreate@happeningspa.com 570-587-3532 ext. 119 Annette Profera aprofera@happeningspa.com 570-587-3532 ext. 125 On the Cover: Young ambassadors bring awareness to the Muscular Dystrophy Association and Ronald McDonald House in the Beaumont Inn’s Botanical Gardens. Photo: Cheryl Kaiser Fine Photography Published Monthly. 350,000 copies annually. ©2015 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 • Fax: (570) 586-7374

Read online at:

www.HappeningsPA.com

Tell Us What’s Happening! facebook.com/ HappeningsMagazinePA twitter.com/ HappeningsMag pinterest.com/ HappeningsMag

Correction

The February 2015 article regarding G-CMC’s Chest Pain and Heart Attack Receiving Center, should have stated that G-CMC’s best door to balloon time is 16 minutes. We regret the error. –ED

Paula Rochon Mackarey

instagram.com/ HappeningsMag Email: Snail mail:

HappeningsPA.com

info@happeningspa.com P.O. Box 61 Clarks Summit, PA 18411 March 2015

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Dear Readers,

ecause I love all forms of water (lakes, rivers, oceans) I have always been intrigued by the purpose and function of a lighthouse. At night, bodies of water become particularly dark, mysterious and often challenging to navigate. I can remember as a teenager attempting to navigate a large lake, late at night and how difficult it was to find our way home. Lights from the shore provided our only point of reference. For 46 years, Happenings Magazine has striven to present to you, our readers, the inspiring stories that reflect the good and positive aspects, essentially, the guiding “lights” of our region. We are not naive about the many challenges the area faces. But we believe our role is to share the stories about what is uplifting and inspiring. Our goal is to be a beacon that guides both residents and visitors to that which is right, good and positive about Northeast PA. When a visitor picks up a copy of Happenings Magazine found in their hotel room, we want them to be led directly to the fine events and businesses that give great personality to our region. We want the reflection of our culture to be a bright and shining stream of light.

In this issue you’ll read about past guests of the Ronald McDonald House who are now helping other families with meals and preparations. Learn about a child with a progressive disease whose life is a shining example of goodness to so many. Be inspired by couples celebrating wedding anniversaries of over five decades. Become enchanted by the beauty of gardens and their creators. Meet an inspirational, young mayor making things happen in Carbondale, PA, and hear about the community rallying behind a young mother in need of a liver transplant. A few months ago my six-year-old daughter learned to sing a beautiful solo, “Candle on the Water” from the movie “Pete’s Dragon.” The striking imagery of a candle’s light shining on dark waters until dawn is so depictive of human life. We’re honored to share each of our March issue’s stories with you. Please write and tell us what you think.

Paula

Fondly,

Paula Mackarey

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sunday

monday

Dinner by Design, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., POSH, Scranton. 344-3841.

tuesday

Daylight Savings Time Begins

Military & EMS Appreciation Day, Montage Mountain Resorts, Scranton. 969-7669.

St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, The Happy Settlers Inn, Valentine’s Hawley, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Day! 226-2993.

Let support blossom. American Cancer Society’s 37th Annual Daffodil Days begin. Through Sun. 800-227-2345.

thursday

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Ronald McDonald House Gourmet Gala “Welcome to Hollywood,” Mohegan Sun Arena, Wilkes-Barre. 969-8998.

Tumbling Waters Hike, 1-4 p.m., Pocono EEC, Dingmans Ferry. 828-2319.

March

Maple Fest, Old Forge Brewing Company, Danville. 275-8151.

wednesday

25 “Jekyll & Hyde,” State Theatre, Easton. 7:30 p.m. 800-999-STATE.

31 Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month Employee Spirit Month National Nutrition Month Mad for Plaid Month Quinoa Month

George Thorogood & The Destroyers, 8:30 p.m., The F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre. 826-1100.

friday

saturday

NEPA Philharmonic– Bach, Mozart & Barber, Wyoming Seminary, Kingston. 8 p.m. 270-4444.

Toast of the Town Wine and Beer Tasting, 7-10 p.m., Tunkhannock Public Library, Tunkhannock. 836-1677.

Live Music with 30 Pack Lite, 9 p.m., Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Resort, Hawley. 226-4388

Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, downtown Scranton. 11:45 a.m.

Stock Up for Spring & Summer Sale, Moments of Magic Children’s Consignment, Watres Armory, Scranton. Through Sun. momentsofmagickids.com

Maple Weekend, throughout Endless Mountains region. 800-769-8999.

“My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish, I’m in Therapy, Scranton Cultural Center, Scranton. 342-7784.

Signs of Spring on the Farm, 3 p.m., Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, Stroudsburg. 629-3061.

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Double Delight

Mother of Twins Experiences Both Sides of Ronald McDonald House

racy Whitman says The Ronald McDonald House, a “home-away-fromhome” for families of hospitalized children with serious illness, is a wonderful asset to have in this area. “Trust me. I know,” adds the mother of five childrenZachary Kolander 16; Aidan, 10; Reece, 7; and twins, Riley and Sidney, 4. In 2009, nine weeks into her pregnancy with twin daughters, the Moses Taylor Hospital Neonatal Intensive Care Unit nurse had an initial 8

ultrasound and blood work that revealed the babies had a possible chromosomal abnormality. At 12 weeks, she underwent a procedure known as Chorionic Villus Sampling, a pre-natal procedure used to diagnose chromosomal or genetic disorders in the fetus. “They called us approximately 10 days later. They said the babies were normal. We were obviously ecstatic,” says Whitman. “They told me they were girls. I was super excited.” One week later, at a follow up HappeningsPA.com

ultrasound, she and her husband, Joseph, learned their daughters had Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome, (TTTS) a condition that randomly occurs in some identical twin pregnancies. “They referred us to Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania (CHOP), the only hospital in PA that handles that particular syndrome that early in pregnancy,” Whitman notes. “With TTTS, there is an imbalance in the blood exchange between your twins, and this unequal blood sharing compromises their March 2015

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Photos: Kaiser Fine Photography

In 2010, when the twins were 5-weeks old, the Whitman family had their first experience at a Ronald McDonald house. “We stayed at the house for eight days, and we didn’t have to worry about anything. Dinner and whatever we needed was provided. How great it was.”

March 2015

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health, as these interconnected vessels deliver nutrients to your developing twins. The doctors at CHOP were not super hopeful. We left there praying they would be fine.” Riley was also diagnosed with Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation (CCAM), the most common type of fetal lung lesion that appears as a benign cyst in the chest. Left untreated, the fluid-filled sac can cause complications. But, somewhere in the middle of her pregnancy, at approximately 28 weeks, Whitman says, “Riley stopped being sick; her cyst stopped growing, and their TTTS basically fixed itself, which is unheard of. At approximately 32 weeks, we were amazed everything turned out fine. I read 80 to 100 percent of twins with TTTS don’t survive without surgical intervention.” Riley and Sydney were born at Moses Taylor Hospital on Dec. 30, 2009 at 34 weeks, without any issues, and 11 days later the twins were discharged with Home Apnea Monitors that were used to record their vitals. According to Whitman, “Riley needed a little respiratory support in the hospital, but otherwise, she was fine.” In Feb. 2010, when the twins were five-weeks-old, the Whitman family had their first experience at a Ronald McDonald House. Whitman says, “One day the monitor started going off, especially on Riley, during the night. The next morning, I was only minutes away from starting CPR. Her face turned gray.” Riley was admitted to Moses 10

Taylor Hospital where doctors said she had Respiratory Syncytial Virus, (RSV) a major cause of respiratory illness in young children. The following morning she was lifeflighted to CHOP, where she recuperated for eight days. Sydney remained in Scranton under the care of Whitman’s mother until a week later when she was also admitted to Moses Taylor Hospital with RSV. “I was petrified. We didn’t know what was going to happen,” Whitman says. “When Riley was admitted to CHOP, they got us a room at the Ronald McDonald House in Philadelphia, because they had no rooms inside the hospital.We stayed at the house for eight days, and we didn’t have to worry about anything. Dinner and whatever we needed was provided. How great it was. At that time in our lives we didn’t have a dime to our names.” They were guests at the Philadelphia house again when Riley had surgery to remove the lung cyst at CHOP at seven-months-old. “That was our last hurdle. We are very appreciative of the Ronald McDonald House.” To show their gratitude, the Whitman couple and four other families cooked dinner for guests at the Philadelphia HappeningsPA.com

house in 2012. Locally at the Scranton house, Whitman and son, Zachary, volunteered by doing yard work and preparing the rooms for incoming families. Zachary and his dad, John Kolander, also helped to set up for a Gourmet Gala, one of the organization’s principal fundraisers. The Ronald McDonald room at Moses Taylor Hospital offers parents of NICU babies a quiet and comfortable room to eat, nap or relax day or night. Before the room opened, Whitman visited to asses its décor and accommodations. “As a NICU nurse, we were educated on the room and given keys to hand out to parents in case a RMH volunteer was not available during the night,” she explains. “In the NICU during my everyday work, I include information about the room and also the availability of the RM House. If the need arises, we will also use the room to speak with parents whose babies will be possibly admitted to the NICU after delivery, related to specific birth defects. The room is very useful, and I am very happy to have been a part of the opening of the room,” says Whitman. Visit www.RMHScranton.org –Joan Mead-Matsui February 2015

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Taste Through the Region

Gourmet Gala Benefits Ronald McDonald House®

n March 22, guests will arrive at the Gourmet Gala for an evening of extraordinary culinary and wine sampling, mingling, music and more than 20 phenomenal raffle baskets, according to Elaine Shepard and Michele Neary, Gala cochairs. The Gala is a main fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House® of Scranton and the Ronald McDonald Family Room® programs at Moses Taylor Hospital, GeisingerCommunity Medical Center and Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center. The house “that love built” provides a “home away from home” to families of seriously ill children who are receiving medical treatment at nearby medical facilities. Executive Director Richard Bradshaw says, “The proceeds go directly to the operation of vital core programs that have served over 11,000 families since 1986. We are getting ready to open a second Ronald McDonald Family Room at Moses Taylor

Hospital. This one is inside of the new pediatric unit of excellence this spring.” “Welcome to Hollywood” is the theme of the 2015 Gourmet Gala to be held at its new location at the Mohegan Sun Convention Center in Wilkes-Barre. Shepard says, “We’re hoping to get more people involved and understanding our mission, and letting people know the Ronald McDonald House® is not only Scranton based. We have a location in WilkesBarre. Moving the event to our new location will allow us to get more people involved.” Neary adds, “We’ll have new restaurants, along with the others that have supported us for years.”

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Mohegan Sun, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Arcaro and Genell and the East Mountain Inn are on the list of close to 50 regional restaurants that support the gala by donating fare for the event. “This is an inexpensive way to sample and walk away knowing some great places to eat,” Neary says. “Our area is such a culinary melting pot.” While the décor details will remain a secret until the event, Shepard and Neary promise designer John Mackey’s decorations and embellishments will not disappoint. Picture Perfect will provide the musical entertainment. Gala hours are 5 to 8 p.m. Free valet parking is available. Tickets are $40 in advance and $45 at the door. Call 570-969-8998 or email rmhscranton@comcast.net. –Joan Mead-Matsui

March 2015

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MEET THE CO-CHAIRS Elaine Shepard of Clarks Summit and Michele Neary of Covington Township have been friends for many years and have joined forces for the first time as co-chairs of the gala committee. Shepard is a mother, grandmother and a realtor with Classic Properties. She serves on the board of the Ronald McDonald House® of Scranton, Women’s Resource Center, Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic and the Lackawanna Historical Society. Shepard has played an active role in the fundraiser since its inception 28 years ago. “The Gourmet Gala is a unique fundraiser as it enables so many to actively get involved and help this worthy cause. The restaurants are able to show their talents, market their menus and directly help families that have sick or injured children. It really is a win, win all around,” notes Shepard. Michele Neary’s journey with the Ronald McDonald House began more than a decade ago, when Shepard enlisted her to help. “I truly believe in its mission. I do the PR for the event, and stories told by people who have been

Elaine Shepard and Michele Neary, 2015 Gourmet Gala cochairs, are shown in the Scranton Ronald McDonald House

touched by the house are remarkable,” Neary says. “As chairs, one of the biggest benefits is the satisfaction of incorporating service into our lives and making a difference in our community. Since we have been involved in the Ronald McDonald House, we have seen it grow both in its services, but also in the families we are able to help.” She is a president of the board of the Voluntary Action Center, Scranton and director of public relations at United Gilsonite Laboratories.

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C ONGRATULATIONS! MDA’S 2015 B LACK & B LUE HONOREE

MDA’S 2015 W INGS OF LIFE R ECIPIENT

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Soon after Noah’s diagnosis, the Sienkiewicz’s became involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Each year, they put together a team for the annual fundraising Muscle Walk, participate in the Ride for Life fundraiser and attend MDA sponsored events with Noah who is the Northeast PA Goodwill Ambassador. Their reason for strongly supporting MDA is simple, “The more we get information out there, the more money we can raise for research. The gains in research are so much more positive than they were fifteen years ago,” says Sienkiewicz.

Kaiser Fine Photography

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MEET NOAH... A

Northeast PA MDA Goodwill Ambassador

s a child, Amy Sienkiewicz sat glued to the television for the annual Muscular Dystrophy telethon. She could never imagine how closely the disease would later touch her life. Fast forward to her first-born son’s 9-month well visit where he was diagnosed with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy. Duchene is a common fatal genetic disorder that affects one in every 3,500 live male births. A genetic mutation causes a progressive muscle weakness that starts in the legs and moves its way up the body. By age 9 or 10, Duchene patients stop walking and typically only live into their late twenties. With no history of Muscular Dystrophy in either family, Sienkiewicz and her husband, James, were shocked by the diagnosis of their son, Noah. Through the support of family, friends and The Cherry St. Bible Church in Plymouth where James is a pastor, the family accepted that God had a particular plan for their son. “Everyone has problems in life, and we’ve been able to help others through our own example. Even though it’s hard, we have a beautiful child with whom we enjoy March 2015

every minute and who makes us appreciate our lives so much more,” says Sienkiewicz. Jumping, climbing stairs and clowning around happen without a thought for most seven-year-old boys. For Noah, it is a chore, if not impossible to partake in these everyday moments. Noah thrives in school and has great concern about doing well on tests. He enjoys drawing, building with blocks and playing with his siblings, Josiah, 4, and Bethany 2. But he can often not walk up the flight of steps in his house at the end of the day. “He knows he’s going to stop walking soon. He is mad and frustrated because he doesn’t understand why God won’t heal him,” says

Sienkiewicz. Soon after Noah’s diagnosis, the Sienkiewicz’s became involved with the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). Each year, they put together a team for the annual fundraising Muscle Walk, participate in the Ride for Life fundraiser and attend MDA sponsored events with Noah who is the Northeast PA Goodwill Ambassador. Their reason for strongly supporting MDA is simple, “The more we get infor-

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Noah and

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at MDA su gains mmer cam p. in research are so much more positive than they were fifteen years ago,” says Sienkiewicz.

This year, Noah participated in the MDA summer camp for the first time. “He finally got it that there are other kids like him, and he’s not alone in this disease,” says Sienkiewicz. The camp is a week-long sleep-away camp where kids with Muscular Dystrophy have an opportunity to experience everything other kids can easily do. . mer camp

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The Sienkiewicz’s are realistic about the progression of Duchene, but they hope to participate in a drug trial that could help Noah. “The most difficult thing is the worry of what is to come and how so many things in our lives will be affected as Noah’s disease progresses,” says Sienkiewicz. “We have to be strong for him, but I feel like he’s stronger than me. He teaches people so much more about life than many adults do.” –Julie Korponai

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March 2015

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Get Black and Blue for The Muscular Dystrophy Association

n April 17, join the fun at The Muscular Dystrophy Association’s (MDA) annual Black & Blue Ball. The dress code, leather and lace, diamonds and denim and anything in between provides a unique night out. The magical evening at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs in Wilkes-Barre features a cocktail hour with Attorney Jamie Anzalone Attorney Judith Gardner Price sushi, a full sit-down dinner with open bar and committee member who tered Northeast PA families the chance to win a host has gone above and affected by neuromuscular of prizes through the silent beyond for the MDA. diseases. Specifically this and live auctions. Recipient Attorney Jamie year, MDA hopes to raise To celebrate it’s 15th year, Anzalone has chaired the enough money to fund 50 the ball will honor MDA annual UNICO Football All children to attend their state ambassador Carlee Star Game since 2008, conannual week-long summer Weber, MDA Goodwill tributes time to the Red camp located in Hardwick, Ambassador Noah Cross, St. Jude’s, YMCA and NJ. Additionally, MDA also Sienkiewicz, Honoree Judy the Northeast Cancer provides financial support Price and Wings of Life Institute and says he is to Geisinger Medical Recipient Jamie Anzalone. proud to be recognized for Centers in Danville and “One of my hopes for the his efforts. Initially asked by Wyoming Valley that ball is to get as many peoenable families to have free his cousin Angelo Medico ple there as we can, so we to join the MDA, he was consultations and diagnoscan get information about tic exams related to muscu- hooked on the organizamuscular dystrophy out to lar dystrophy four times a tion’s mission after attendthe community and help as year. Call 570-795-7035 ing his first ball in 2009. many families as possible,” Anzalone is a personal Wings of Life Recipient: says Nicole Jorgensen, MDA director of business develAttorney Jamie Anzalone injury attorney with Anzalone Law Offices. He is opment. The annual Wings of Life a graduate of the Penn Funds provide help and Award is given in honor of State Dickinson School of hope to the 800 MDA-regis- the late Bill Rinaldi to a Law and has an undergrad-

HappeningsPA.com

March 2015

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uate degree from Lafayette College, where he earned Three-Time Academic AllAmerican Honors in football. He is married to the former Mary Ann David, and together they have two daughters, Norah and Mae. He and his family reside in Shavertown. Anzalone also plays guitar and sings in a local band and enjoys golf and skiing.

Honoree Attorney Judith Gardner Price “I’m so honored to be named. It’s overwhelming and humbling to be chosen by such an outstanding

organization,” says Attorney Judith Price about being designated this year’s MDA Honoree, an award that recognizes an individual connected with MDA’s mission and supports the community at large. Price’s commitment to the community is longstanding including volunteering most recently with the United Way of Lackawanna/Wayne County, Scranton Preparatory School, Woman Matters, Inc. and City of Scranton Mayor William Courtright’s transition team. A founder and princi-

pal of Dougherty, Leventhal & Price, L.L.P, Price resides in Scranton and is married to Attorney Joseph G. Price, Esquire. The Prices are parents to four children and grandparents of two. She has a bachelor of science from Misericordia University and a Juris Doctorate Degree from Temple University School of Law. Special overnight rates at Mohegan Sun are available. Visit www.mdanepa.com

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C o l o n C a n c e r S u r v i vo r s ays … Deal with whatever comes up at the time. Don’t sweat the small stuff. That’s the advice of Barbara Dalessandro, a 62-year-old Old Forge resident and colon cancer survivor. “I tell others who’ve been diagnosed not to be afraid and never give up.” In 2003, she followed recommended guidelines for colon cancer screening beginning at 50-years-old. “The report was fine. I had no polyps. Three years later, in June 2006, one month before my 54th birthday, I had stagefour colon cancer.” Tests revealed one tumor on her colon and three on her liver.

Barbara and James Dalessandro appreciate life more than ever.

gery to remove tumors on her liver. “I told him I thought he was crazy because I didn’t want to have another surgery.” In June 2009, Dalessandro made an appointment with Paul J. Mosca, M.D., who at the time was a surgeon at Lehigh Valley Hospital in Allentown. “He specialized in liver tumors. He told us what he was going to do. I felt very comfortable.” Following surgery, she took an oral chemotherapy medication for six months.

Joseph P. Bannon, M.D. removed the tumors from her colon in 2006, and she began three years of chemotherapy as part of a clinical trial, using a new experimental drug, while under the care of Carl Barsigian, M.D. of Hematology & Oncology of NEPA, Dunmore. “Being I was young and healthy, other than having Stage 4 colon cancer, Dr. Barsigian decided I should be in this clinical trial.”

Dalessandro has had no evidence of disease since her liver surgery. She has follow-up visits with Dr. Barsigian every eight months and blood work every four months. “It took me a while to get where I could do things and have as much stamina as I used to. It doesn’t seem like it will at the time, but it definitely will.”

Three years later, when her cancer flared up again, Dr. Barsigian recommended sur-

How did she cope with the diagnosis, treatments and surgery? “I was scared,” she

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admits. She also acknowledges her faith in God, good doctors and support from husband, James; brother-inlaw, Jodi Brogna, two “wonderful friends” and Betsy Mead, R.N., B.S.N., a former nurse at Hematology & Oncology of NEPA. “I feel sorry for James because I thought it was harder for him to go through this than it was for me,” says Dalessandro. “My philosophy is, you have to deal with whatever comes up at the time. Betsy helped me a great deal. She said it may not go away, but it’s not automatically a death sentence, and that really truly helped me.” “I was numb, admits her husband James. “I went through my day and did what I had to do.” Barbara and James say they appreciate life more. “You look at things differently and you appreciate things more. You don’t take things for granted as much.” -Joan Mead-Matsui

March 2015

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A C.A.S.U.A.L. Way to Save a Life Dress D own and Speak Up about Colon Cancer Colon cancer. It’s an important ject at home, work, in school subject, but a difficult one to and everywhere that friends bring up. The Northeast and family may gather. Regional Cancer Institute Starting a ‘casual’ conversa(NRCI) hosts C.A.S.U.A.L. (Colon tion about this topic may cancer Awareness Saves take away some of the Unlimited Adult Lives) Day, an fear and uncertainty that annual event held the last surrounds it.” Thursday in March in conjuncMaura Phillips Staback tion with and Colorectal Michael Cancer “Starting a ‘casual’ Moran Awareness conversation about founded Month. This C.A.S.U.A.L. this topic may take year, away some of the fear Day C.A.S.U.A.L. Day and uncertainty that in memory will be March of their surrounds it.” 26, providing mother an easy way for Helen participants to Phillips. “It has created a bring up the subject. tremendously successful Amanda E. Marchegiani, NRCI community relations coordinator, explains, “Individuals and organizations across Northeast PA can purchase a specially designed shirt for $15 or pin for $5 and dress ‘C.A.S.U.A.L.’ on March 26.” The 2015 t-shirt is cardinal red with a blue ribbon representing colon cancer awareness. Captains enlist a team and collect money for the t-shirt and pins. Team members can dress casually (as determined by their workplace or organization) and spread the word about colon cancer awareness. Karen M. Saunders, NRCI president, says “A key goal of this campaign is to move the community to talk about this sub-

colorectal cancer awareness effort urging people to take appropriate steps to improve their lives and health through proper screening,” explains Saunders. “Through this event, they have helped reduce the pain, suffering and cost of this disease, and more importantly, they have helped the Cancer Institute save lives.” This year’s C.A.S.U.A.L. Day co-chairs are Dr. Ted Uroskie and Dr. Q. Thomas Novinger. All proceeds stay local to support colorectal cancer education programming and screenings for low income, uninsured or underinsured individuals in

Talk about it: Men and women of average risk for developing colorectal cancer should begin screening at age 50, according to the American Cancer Society. March 2015

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Northeast PA through the NRCI Patient Navigation program. Captains should form a team and place order by March 12. Register at www.cancernepa.org, or call 570-941-7984. -Joan Mead-Matsui 23

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Colon Cancer in Northeast PA: Unusually Prevalent, Increasingly Preventable

s colon cancer unusually prevalent in Northeast PA? According to Samuel Lesko, M.D., clinical professor at The Commonwealth Medical College (TCMC) and medical director at The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute (NRCI), colon and rectal cancers are one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers in the region with incidence rates about 10 percent higher than the United States average. Nearly 940 new cases are diagnosed, and more than 330 patients die from colon cancer each year in the region. Colon and rectal cancers remain the second leading cause of cancer deaths locally and in the nation. In the U.S., colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rate have been decreasing. Decreases have been attributed to reduction of risk factors and the detection of and removal of pre-cancerous polyps from the colon. These polyps are detected by screening, mostly by colonoscopy. The reduction in mortality has been attributed to improvements in treatment and enhanced detection of cancer at an earlier, more easily treatable stage. Similar trends are seen in Northeast PA.

“If you’re like me, over age 50, being screened for colon cancer is the best approach for reducing risk,” says Lesko. “Changing diet, eating more fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly and avoiding cigarette smoking and heavy alcohol use are all important strategies in the fight against colorectal cancer, particularly for someone who’s younger. For someone age 50 and older, or who is at an increased risk, screening is, by far and away, the most important strategy.” Screening for colon cancer using colonoscopy can detect ulcers, colon polyps, tumors and areas of inflammation or bleeding. “Not only can it catch the disease at an early stage, it can also make the disease easier to treat,” says Lesko. “It’s possible with a colon cancer screening to detect pre-cancerous polyps, remove them and prevent colon cancer from ever occurring.” Persons who do not want to undergo a colonoscopy have other options, which, according to Dr. Lesko, are better than doing nothing. Recommend screenings for colorectal cancer are fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy or HappeningsPA.com

Michael Bordonaro, PhD is associate professor of molecular biology at TCMC. He and his colleagues developed a method to manipulate a cell’s environment, which has potential to help discover new treatments for cancer and infectious diseases. He has published extensively on colorectal cancer research, most often about the link between dietary fiber consumption and colorectal cancer prevention.

colonoscopy in adults, beginning at age 50 years and repeated every one to 10 years until age 75. Guidelines were updated in 2008 and are currently undergoing a revision. Some risk factors for colorectal cancer include genetics (inherited cancer syndromes), family history of colorectal cancer, behavioral and lifestyle factors. To reduce your risk, keep current with your family history, and share that information with your doctor. Visit www.nepacancer.org. –Joan Mead-Matsui March 2015

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William J. Heim, M.D.

Kristin M. Liptock, D.O.

Kishori Veerabhadrappa, M.D.

Padmaja R. Bojanapally, M.D.

Richard G. Emanuelson, M.D.

Lisa C. Thomas, M.D.

Carl Barsigian, M.D.

Jeffrey F. Gryn, M.D.

Aakanksha Asija, M.D.

When you or a loved one faces cancer you need a team who provides comprehensive, compassionate care close to home. Trust in our nine board certified medical oncologists to receive the highest level of cancer care. On-site features include a certified lab, chemotherapy suites, clinical research department and genetic counseling. Hematology and Oncology Associates is an affiliate of Jefferson Kimmel Cancer Center in Philadelphia. This affiliation allows patients to participate in national clinical trials while allowing them to remain at home. Our Genetic Counseling Program helps you and your loved ones understand your personal risk or the risk of other family members. We understand that cancer care is more than treatment alone and we are here to help our patients on every level. Hematology and Oncology Associates is recognized by the QOPI Certification Program, an affiliate of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and its Quality Oncology Practice Initiative. The QOPI Certification Program provides a three-year certification for outpatient hematology/oncology practice that meet standards for quality cancer care.

William J. Heim, M.D. Richard G. Emanuelson, M.D. Lisa C. Thomas, M.D. Carl Barsigian, M.D. Kristin M. Liptock, D.O. Kishori Veerabhadrappa, M.D. Padmaja R. Bojanapally, M.D. Jeffrey F. Gryn, M.D. Aakanksha Asija, M.D

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Lynch Syndrome & Colon Cancer Q & A with Michelle Gazzillo, PA-C, of Hematology & Oncology Associates of Northeastern PA Q: How is Lynch Syndrome connected to colon cancer? A: Lynch Syndrome is also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). It is a hereditary cancer syndrome, which can be seen in families with certain cancers, particularly colorectal, uterine, stomach, ovarian and genitourinary. Only approximately 10 percent of cancers are caused due to a hereditary cancer syndrome. Patients with Lynch Syndrome have a significantly higher risk of these cancers than the general population. Patients with Lynch Syndrome can have up to an 82 percent lifetime risk of colon cancer. Therefore, it is important to identify those families who carry this genetic syndrome to make sure we are following them correctly.

Q: How common is Lynch Syndrome in the U.S.? A: Approximately 3-5 percent of patients who develop colorectal cancer also have Lynch Syndrome. Q: What are the symptoms of Lynch Syndrome? A: There are no specific symptoms. What you would 26

see is a family with multiple related cancers, i.e. colorectal, uterine, ovarian, stomach and genitourinary. You will see the cancers in multiple generations and often times at least one family member is diagnosed prior to age 50. You may even see more than one Lynch Syndrome cancer in the same patient. It is important to note that these patients would not have a history of multiple colon polyps. Multiple colon polyps is a characteristic which can be seen with a different hereditary cancer syndrome called familial adenomatous polyposis syndrome. Q: How is it treated or prevented? A: When a person is diagnosed with Lynch Syndrome, the aim is to prevent cancer from occurring. Colonoscopy will be started early, normally by the age of 25, and performed yearly. Prophylactic total hysterectomy can be considered once a woman has completed child bearing as a risk reducing procedure. Yearly urine studies can monitor for genitourinary cancer. The family members of the affected person HappeningsPA.com

should consider testing. A first-degree family member of a person with Lynch Syndrome will have a 50 percent chance of also having the syndrome. This syndrome can be inherited from either parent and does not skip generations.

About Michelle Gazzillo Prior to becoming a physician assistant (PA) at Hematology & Oncology Associates of NEPA, I worked at the National Cancer Institute performing genetic testing in a laboratory. I have also participated in further education through Fox Chase Cancer Center. In 2006, I started a cancer risk assessment program at Hematology & Oncology Associates of NEPA to help identify patients and their families who do have hereditary cancer syndromes. We have evaluated over 750 patients through our program since its inception.

Hematology and Oncology Associates of Northeastern PA is located in Dunmore. 570-342-3676.

March 2015

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SURVIVOR’S

SPOTLIGHT Alicen Chesire - wife, mother and teacher, before cancer patient

licen Chesire, 46, a resident of Dallas, PA and math teacher at Abington Heights High School was diagnosed with breast cancer (HER2 +), stage two, level three in September 2013. Like many women who are proactive in the prevention of breast cancer, Chesire had her mammogram two weeks prior to her annual gynecology exam. It was reported to be “normal with no evidence of malignancy.” But, when she was at her annual gynecology appointment, the nurse practitioner doing her exam felt a small lump and suggested further testing. An ultrasound and biopsy confirmed she had an aggressive form of breast cancer. As the wife of Reo, and mother to Annalise, 14, and Kanisha, 12, her immediate thought was, “What would happen to my husband and children if I died?” I was terrified about being able to work because I carried our health insurance, which I would now desperately need.” Chesire had a double mastectomy, following by chemotherapy for one year. She motivated by reminding herself she was a wife, mother and teacher, before she was a cancer patient! Special Support During this time, she had many people looking to her 28

for guidance, motivation and direction and knew the way she handled her diagnosis and treatment would be witnessed by many different people. She received encouragement from family, friends, colleagues and complete strangers. Garrett Mackay who Chesire calls, “a very special student,” created a website for her so that supporters donated funds to pay for the expenses not covered by her insurance. “Garrett and his family are amazing and are such a special part of my life! My best friend, Nancy was by my side through it all - diagnosis, double mastectomy and chemotherapy. I would have lost my mind without her. She made me laugh when I just wanted to cry,” says Alicen.

also kept a journal. She exercised as much as possible during treatment, but there were many days she was too sick or weak. This past summer, she began a new ketogenic diet. Looking to the future, as a frequent runner she is planning to participate in the WilkesBarre Triathlon this summer with her husband and daughter.

Advice to Others “For others going through this experience, I would say do not allow this horrible disease to define you, and never ever give up! I definitely look at life differently. I appreciate each moment, knowing there are no guarantees.” Moving (and Running) Forward To keep busy and motivated during treatments, Chesire read and HappeningsPA.com

March 2015

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John Mackarey*, LUTCF Agent, New York Life Insurance Company 220 Penn Ave. Suite 100 Scranton, PA 18503 570-340-1320 www.JohnMackarey.com Member of the 2014 Million Dollar Round Table *Registered Representative offering investments through NYLIFE Securities LLC, (Member FINRA/SIPC), A Licensed Insurance Agency.

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Lessons on Living

Scranton Woman Embraces Life Despite Serious Illness

ennifer Dolphin of Scranton has a lot in common with many other 34 yearolds. She enjoys cooking, spending time with her family and staying active. She adores her husband, Billy, and lives for their daughter, 3-year-old Mackenzie. Dolphin, however, is not like most women her age. Dolphin is currently living with not one, but

two liver diseases. A few years ago, she gave birth to Mackenzie prematurely and experienced a brush with death due to complications from an undetected blood disorder. It has been an uphill battle ever since. In 2012, Dolphin was diagnosed with a disease of the liver called Budd-Chiari Syndrome. She was experiencing excruciating abdominal pain and swelling, rapidly losing weight and undergoing repeated testing. It was then discovered that Jenn’s body produces a larger amount of blood cells than most people, which leads to a higher clotting frequency. A risky surgery was the only way to attack the problem. Dolphin was in recovery from her surgery,

when this past summer, she once again began experiencing exhaustion and abdominal swelling. The doctors diagnosed her with a second liver disease, nodular regenerative hyperplasia, which means numerous tumors are growing on her liver. The only way to gain medical stability and return to the life she once knew is to undergo a complete liver transplant. Her family and friends will host a benefit in her honor on March 29 at the Ice Box Sports Complex in Scranton. Proceeds will go towards her medical expenses Dolphin remains optimistic and lives life to the fullest each day. She’s the first one on the dance floor. Karaoke with friends and a good, long laugh are among her favorite things. “Why stifle yourself? Enjoy life,” she continued on page 34

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says. Dolphin hopes the benefit will be a celebration of life and an opportunity to thank members of the community who have shown her support throughout this difficult time. Call 570-346-3278.

-Monika Loefflad

Benefit: Help Jenn Live-r Longer When: March 29, 2015, 2-6 p.m. Where: The Ice Box Sports Complex Contact: 570-346-3278 Where to Buy Advance Tickets: Amendolaro Gift Boutique Eden Cheryl’s Studio II Howard Gardner Multiple Intelligence School Studio L.A. Event Donors: Waldorf Park Social Club, POSH at Scranton Club, Eden, JJ McNally’s, Terra Preta, Revello’s Pizza, Two Brothers Restaurant & Pizza, Amadeo’s Italian Restaurant, Rosario’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, Cara Mia’s, Nina’s Pizza and Wings, Café Rinaldi, Wood Winery, Bartolai Winery, Case Quattro Winery, Capra Collina Winery Corporate Sponsors: Cerminaro Construction

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THIS IS WHAT DATA COLLECTION LOOKS LIKE. To kids, words are the most precious data. Every conversation a child has with a parent or caregiver fosters brain development. Sadly, some kids hear millions fewer words by kindergarten than others. Frequent dialogue between parents and children leads to bigger vocabularies, stronger reading skills, and better achievement in school — and ultimately, life. For ten years now, PNC Grow Up Great® has supported early childhood education initiatives in our communities. Learn more at pncgrowupgreat.com

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Beauty at the Beaumont Inn French-Style Inn Revives with Accommodations, Dining & Events

Text by Kaitlin Flor • Photos by Cheryl Kaiser Photography

nchanting. It’s simply the best word to describe the Beaumont Inn and Restaurant in Dallas, PA. Built in 1948 to resemble an old French inn, The Beaumont still exudes a warm, charming feel. Rob Friedman bought the inn nearly two years ago, because he needed a place for guests to stay when they had their weddings on his other property,

Friedman Farms. Friedman has a wonderful imagination for landscape design and creating a certain atmosphere for his guests. With the renovations and landscaping, Friedman’s goal is to make the Beaumont Inn, “The premier venue for fine dining, outdoor atmosphere and exceptional service in Northeast PA.” When Friedman bought the Inn, he renovated the kitchen himself and redesigned and renovated the rooms to match his vision. There are ten rooms

at the Inn; each has a unique style. A series of gorgeous botanical gardens on property include over 500 variations of flowers and plants. Amid the gardens, brand new flagstone patios overlook Leonard Creek. Guests enjoy lunch on the patio and outdoor entertainment on Friday and Sunday during the summer months, complete with two fire pits and tiki torches to extend the fun into the evening. Dining at the Beaumont Inn is nothing short of exquisite. Head Chef Tom Sobieski is also one of the only trained sommeliers in

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Northeast PA. Utilizing on-site gardens for fresh vegetables and also top-quality suppliers for meats and fish, Sobieski is always creating something new and delicious for the menu. Friedmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite dish is Elk Steaks and Mussels with garlic sauce, a unique appetizer. The Innâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wine cellar boasts a variety of different wines that the chef pairs with meals for guests. Once a month, the chef creates a fivecourse meal, pairs selections with wine and explains the history of each wine. The Beaumont Inn hosts tented outdoor weddings for up to 200 guests and sit-down indoor weddings for up to 80 guests. For events, contact Nancy Kaminski at nkaminski@ thebeaumontinn.com. Call 570-675-7100.

March 2015

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Gardening is a Way of Life for this Hawley Homeowner

secret garden tucked away behind a Victorian house in Hawley boasts one of the area’s most beautiful private gardens. Born in Boston to a family of gardeners, Michael Levine caught the gardening bug early. “I remember as a child we’d go in my grandfather’s garden, and it was magic,” says Levine. Spending his childhood in his Russian

grandfather’s garden helped Levine realize the power of that space. “People respond to beauty. It doesn’t matter if you’re an immigrant who can’t speak English, gardens are a universal thing anyone can appreciate,” Levine says. After college, he moved to Florida and worked in a nursery for two years learning everything he could about flowers, plants and the art of gardening. After acquiring several private

clients of his own and working outside his day job, Levine made his way to New York City. He worked in the New York Botanical Gardens, Central Park Conservatory Garden, Bryant Park and private gardens throughout New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Florida and Pennsylvania. Levine has a special passion for public gardens because they bring so much life into a community. continued on page 38

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“

Levine’s home in Hawley is a country escape for him, his partner Raul Vega and their dog Rustan. The family also calls Long Island, NY and West Palm Beach, FL home. Levine and Vega transformed the sprawling property into a gorgeous country getaway. Three gardens including formal, vegetable and woodland gardens are spread out around a garden shed, with Vega’s art studio standing on the end of their property. Referring to gardens as his happy place, Levine says he never tires of getting his hands dirty or starting a new project in a client’s garden. “I go into a space, feel it out and expand it,” he says. Those spaces include local businesses like The Settlers Inn and Ledges Hotel, both in Hawley, where Levine started designing gardens and land-

Photos by Cecelia Dunford

scapes shortly after moving to the area. Plans to retire within the year won’t lessen Levine’s love for gardening. “Whatever it is in life you feel passion for, you have to go for it with full force,” he adds. –Cecelia Dunford

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March 2015

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Month of the Irish! St. Patrick's Day Festivities Everyone is Irish in March! This region is lucky to have plenty of St. Patrick's Day events. Find more at www.HappeningsPA.com Paint a Leprechaun March 6, 6:30-9 p.m. Spirited Art Studio, Scranton Paint a festive Leprechaun hat with guidance from expert teachers during this creative fundraiser for the Greater Scranton Jaycees! 570-507-1560 St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Celebration March 6-7, downtown Pittston. Featuring celebrity chef Brian Duffy of Spike TV’s “Bar Rescue.” Parade Saturday at noon. 570-654-0513 Rhythm of the Dance March 8, 4 p.m. State Theatre Center for the Arts, Easton The National Dance Company of Ireland presents a two-hour dance and music extravaganza, reliving the journey of the Irish Celts through history. 1-800-999-7828 Irish Pub Night March 13, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Glass Wine. Bar. Kitchen at Ledges Hotel, Hawley Music by Eric Rudy and an Irish fiddler. Features green beer and Irish-pub-style food specials. 570-226-1337

Irish Festival Weekend March 13-15 Woodloch Resort, Hawley Stay for the weekend with special Irish entertainment, authentic Irish cuisine, Irish folk stories, petting zoo with sheep shearing, world’s largest Leprechaun, latenight pub games, Irish cupcake wars, whiskey and beer tasting and Celtic Trivial Pursuit! 800-Woodloch St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 14, 11:45 a.m. Downtown Scranton Preceded by a Mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral at 10 a.m., the parade is nationally acclaimed. 9th Annual ShamROCK Fest March 14 Trax Platform Lounge at the Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, Scranton Get in for just $10 general admission, or enjoy exclusive access with $25 Trax VIP Passes! 570-558-3919 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration March 15, 5:30-9:30 p.m. The Settlers Inn, Hawley Enjoy Irish folk music, featured local brewery and a la carte menu in the Chestnut Tavern. 570-226-1337

St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 15, 2 p.m. Wilkes-Barre The 33rd annual parade will wind through the downtown and around Public Square. Carbon County Saint Patrick’s Day Parade March 15, 1 p.m. Jim Thorpe The 18th annual parade runs along Broadway in Jim Thorpe. Andy Cooney & His Band with Special Guest Girsa March 21, 7 p.m. Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY Traditional Irish music and Irish fare with “Irish America’s Favorite son. 866-781-2922 Pocono Irish American Club St. Patrick’s Day Parade March 22, 1:30 p.m. Stroudsburg The 38th annual parade runs nearly two miles from Stroudsburg to East Stroudsburg. St. Patrick’s Day Parade & 5K March 22 Allentown The 7th annual West End St. Patrick’s 5k at 12:15 p.m. is followed by the 58th annual parade at 1:30 p.m.

Find more at www.HappeningsPA.com! 40

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mortgages 101

ince 2008, mortgage rates have been at historical lows. But as we begin 2015, all signs indicate that the economy is improving. A healthier economy means higher interest rates as the Federal Reserve backs off from nursing the economy back to health. The consensus is interest rates will rise in the latter half of 2015. For home-buyers, this means that time is money, and now is still a great time to take advantage of a new mortgage or refinancing your current one. Here are some of Fidelity Bank’s most commonly asked questions to help guide you through the mortgage process.

How much is needed for a down payment? As little as three percent. Explain fixed and adjustable rates. Fixed interest rates never change. An adjustable rate mortgage’s interest rates will change periodically, according to changing market conditions. What is a conforming mortgage? They have a fiveday approval from the time of application. Application to closing is 45 days or less.

Maureen Polster was born and raised in Scranton and has been a part of the team at Fidelity bank for over 20 years. She attended both King’s College and Marywood University and served as Vice President of the Mortgage Bankers Association for two years. She gives back at local events such as the Light the Night Walk and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. to-income ratio. They also differ greatly between a purchase and refinance.

Is mortgage insurance necessary? Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is needed when the borrower has less 20 percent “As little as three percent can than equity in the home. be used for a down payment.” Once 20 percent equity is put into ment for the purpose of qual- the home, PMI is eliminated.

What is preapproval? At Fidelity Bank we actually encourage all borrowers to pre-qualify. Mortgage consultants will provide an estimate of mortgage options. It demonstrates your credibility to the seller. What are points? Points are a form of pre-paid 42

interest. One point equals one percent of the loan amount. Borrowers can pay a lender points as a means to reduce the interest rate on the loan and obtain a lower monthly payment. Points may also be purchased to reduce the monthly pay-

Financial insight from Maureen Polster, V.P. and Retail Lending Manager, Fidelity Bank

ifying for a loan. One can “buy down “the interest rate, which in turn reduces the monthly loan payment. What determines closing costs? Closing costs will vary depending on credit score, loan-to-value ratio and debtHappeningsPA.com

Can I “lock-in” an interest rate? Rate locking provides you the opportunity to “lock” your loan in at the current best available interest rate even if rates increase during the mortgage application process. continued on page 44 March 2015

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What’s your best advice to a first- time homebuyer? Watch your credit. Do not do anything drastic right before or during your mortgage process. Why consider Fidelity Bank? Fidelity is the number one mortgage lender in

Northeast PA (based on peer community bank and HMDA data). We’ve earned that status by providing exemplary service to our customers. We offer a fast, local approval process with a guaranteed loan decision in five business days. Mortgage consultants will meet with customers anywhere, any time it’s conven-

ient, even after business hours. Call 1-800-388-4380. Is it the right time to refinance? When should other debt be rolled into a mortgage? Get answers at www.HappeningsPA.com!

On May 11, 1903, Fidelity Deposit Discount Bank opened as the first bank in Dunmore. By 1922, the bank doubled in size. Due to growth, it doubled again by 1928. The bank now has 11 branches across the region.

“For generations, Fidelity Bank has been helping regional families realize the dream of owning a home with a fast, local approval process and courteous and professional service. Our reputation for outstanding service and commitment to customer satisfaction has earned Fidelity Bank the honor of the number one mortgage lender in Northeast PA.” —Maureen Polster

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he Carriage Barn features two floors of room-like settings displaying authentic antiques & glassware. Carriage Barn boasts over 6,000 square feet of antiques. Experts in custom refinishing and woodworking. Add a classic piece of the past to complement your life today!

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Going North: right at end of ramp, then the next two rights Going South: left at end of ramps, then the next two rights

www.carriagebarnantiques.com • (570) 587-5405

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eciding to remodel your kitchen can be a stressful experience. Choosing the right contractor, cabinet style and color, countertops, lighting and budget are just a few of the factors involved in building a dream kitchen. Sales Manager Eugene Mariotti from Mariotti Building Products in Old Forge helps with some of the confusion. STEP 1: CHOOSE A STYLE Modern: Kitchens have recently entered a new phase, moving towards clean and polished lines. Painted greys and whites are replacing traditional cherry stains and appearing on simple shakerdoor styles. The full or partial over-lay styles share the stage with a full inset style door that sits completely flush with the cabinet. Wood choice tends to be oak or hickory that allow for the graininess of the wood to show through. While granite counter tops are still hot, people are looking for 46

more desirable colors with more characteristics in the stone beyond the standard granite of the past decade. Flooring is moving towards hardwood. Traditional: Envision formal and elegant furniture-type cabinets with a raised panel door style rich with detail. Using maple wood with a cherry finish allows for the exotic look of cherry without the cost. Traditional kitchens show granite or laminate countertops and stone floors.

Country/Rustic: Furniturelooking cabinets with a cottage style door and bead board centers help to define the country feel of a kitchen. Hickory cabinets with distressing and knots and holes HappeningsPA.com

straight through the door add to the rustic feel. Farm or apron front sinks add to the look and are large enough to accommodate all pots and pans, while giving a nod back to simpler times. STEP 2: CHOOSE A COUNTERTOP Quartz Surfacing: An engineered product crafted of resin and quartz chips tinted with color, it can be a good choice for those looking for the beauty of stone without the maintenance. Pros: It’s easy to maintain and can be created in nearly any color or pattern. Cons: It’s not stone. While the look may come close, if you want the real deal you’ll have to make the upgraded investment. Marble: The quintessential material of luxury and elegance in building. Pros: Marble stands up to heat well, since it naturally remains perpetually cool. It’s continued on page 48 March 2015

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a great choice for baking stations, since dough will not stick to it. Cons: Typically the most expensive of countertop choices, even with sealing, marble is very susceptible to stains. It can also scratch and chip. Tile: Ceramic and porcelain tiles provide an endless array of color and design allowing you to truly customize your kitchen. Pros: Tile is heat, knife and stain resistant. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also easy to replace if one or two tiles crack. Cons: Tile is difficult to keep clean. If the grout is unsealed it is prone to staining and discoloration. Laminate: A kitchen mainstay for decades, laminate is a blend of paper and resins fused to particle board. Often thought of as outdated, the newest designs are made to look like more expensive surfaces. Pros: Laminate is an affordable option for those who are budget conscience. It is also easy to maintain and keep clean. Cons: Laminate can scratch, burn and even stain. It also cannot be used with an undermount sink. Concrete: A new trend that gives an industrial look to a kitchen can be an edgy choice. Pros: Versatility. Concrete can be cast in any shape, tinted any color or have unique inlays like glass,

shells or rock added. Cons: It is extremely porous, leaving it susceptible to staining and cracking. Concrete is also extremely heavy, needing additional support systems in the cabinetry to bear the load. Butcher Block: It has a warm, natural quality that is used primarily in countrystyle kitchens. Pros: Beautiful wood tones and the ability to sand down scratches make it an easy surface for kitchen lovers looking to bring nature indoors. Cons: Because it is prone to knife scratches, the small scrapes can harbor bacteria, and constant disinfecting is necessary. Also, it can dry out and crack if not oiled regularly.

TOP THREE THINGS TO CONSIDER: 1. Cabinet Construction: Because of the weight cabinets carry, cabinets should be all-wood construction with no particle board. 2. The right dealer: Your cabinets are only as good as the dealer you buy them from. If your dealer is not there to support you when you need help, it doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t matter how beautiful the cabinets looked in the showroom. 3. Professional Installer: If cabinets are mismounted or not level, the kitchen can look awkward; doors can swing open or close unnecessarily. -Julie Korponai

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When is a basket much more than a basket? When it holds memories and simple family treasures. When it is a piece of living art. When it is crafted by hand, by skilled artisans, here in America. When it comes from a family heritage of five generations, made with love and pride. At Longaberger, there’s no such thing as a mass-produced basket. Because to us, a basket is a vessel that holds love and dreams.

What does your basket hold?

To see our amazing, hand-crafted baskets and other treasures for your home, visit www.longaberger.com. We’ll put you in touch with an independent Longaberger Home Consultant. If you’d like an earning opportunity for sharing these beautiful baskets with your friends and family, we’ll show you how you can.

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Cultivating Civic Spirit T

Milford Garden Club Community Garden

he Milford Community Garden, located next to the Milford Township Building, is full of fresh vegetables and flowers. The Garden began as an idea at a monthly meeting for The Milford Garden Club. Ralph and Linda Pinto wanted something new to benefit the community. The garden now benefits six local churches by providing fresh produce to those who need it. The Pintos paired up with local businesses like Grey Towers Water to deliver food to local food pantries. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, broccoli, potatoes, peas, string beans and other popular vegetables are grown. The garden has been able to donate approximately 500 pounds of produce each year. The food is packaged by the Garden Club on Thursday night and delivered to local food pantries on Friday morning. The packaging often includes fresh flowers, recipes and directions on how to use the various spices

and foods. The garden is well kept with 15 to 20 volunteers. â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Erika Covert

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March 2015

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Custom Building for Custom Living Let Custom Building by Carriage Barn Make Your Dream Come True

Custom Building by Carriage Barn offers every service you need to take any renovation project from start to finish. Whatever style you’re looking for – from old-fashioned country to ultra modern – Carriage Barn’s experienced design experts will produce outstanding results, helping you achieve “the whole look” that you want.

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PioneerMindset

Building Small-City Pride

ow serving his third term as the Mayor of Carbondale, Justin Taylor was the youngest serving mayor of any city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania when he took office in 2004 at the age of 25. He launched an innovative and aggressive strategic plan centered on downtown revitalization and neighborhood improvement that has yielded more than $60 million in public and private investment. Taylor, who also serves as the City Administrator, promotes Carbondale as the ideal destination for businesses looking to relocate or expand, residents looking for a safe and cost-effective community and travelers searching for a smalltown feel with many amenities. How do smaller cities stay competitive with larger markets? Small cities need to create a sense of place, a place that is like no other, a place that people are going to remember and a place they can’t wait to go back. A great city like Carbondale

should be like your favorite bar or restaurant. When the bartender or server knows your name and your drink or favorite dish, that has value! How has Carbondale improved since you first took office? Carbondale truly is a different community today than it was in 2004. The city and community as a whole lacked vision, leadership and all sense of hope. Today, we see an influx of new residents, especially well-educated, perhaps retired folks from NY, NJ, CT, VT and beyond, who have taken notice of our preserved neighborhoods and storybook-like downtown. Revenue to the city is up far beyond any minor increase we’ve had over the years. Crime is down tremendously. We’ve had major set-backs, but we’re constantly moving forward to reverse any job losses and encourage redevelopment and reinvestment here. We’ve been successful with local companies stepping up! What are your proudest moments as mayor? Cutting the ribbon at the

$15 million Best Western Pioneer Plaza Hotel & Conference Center downtown and seeing several local people making major investments in the city because they reached a level of comfort that Carbondale is on the right track! How do you plan to continue improving Carbondale? Bring more family-sustaining jobs to the area. When people have a job, they are all-around more productive members of the community. When people are working, everyone benefits. Where do you see the city in 10 years? I envision Carbondale somewhat as a “Vail, Colorado.” It’s a community at the base of the mountain, catering to the upper valley through tourism centered on Elk Ski Resort. It also boasts the expansive railtrail system, as well as the character of our quaint little city, which sits along the historic PA Route 6 and is tucked away in the majestic Endless Mountains. What needs to be improved in Northeast PA? The attitude! Some don’t

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What business initiatives have been most successful? The city has a very progressive L.E.R.T.A. (Local Economic Development Tax Abatement) program where we can give up to 20 years of real estate tax incentives for a business that wants to locate here or expand. We also have a similar residential program that has been enormously successful; if you build a new house, you will get five years of free taxes. You can also tear down and build new and continued on page 54

Photo Guy Cali Associates

want anything to change; yet they complain that nothing will ever change. Some donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t want to see anyone else get ahead. Some are negative about everything and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t offer solutions. Positive thinking about what could be possible with a little effort would make everyone in government willing to work that much harder for the people they represent.

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PioneerMindset Building Small City Pride

Getting Personal with Justin Taylor Mayor/City Administrator, City of Carbondale

continued from 53

receive 10 years tax free! Carbondale businesses enjoy an overall businessfriendly atmosphere, especially from and with the local government. Carbondale companies don’t pay burdensome mercantile taxes at all or inflated property taxes. Several boards and committees constantly try to bring foot traffic into the city, such as Pioneer Nights and the Route 6 Task Force on Tourism. What are perks for Carbondale residents? The City of Carbondale has an exceptional school district – ranked in U.S. News and awarded the coveted Blue Ribbon ranking. We have 24/7 public safety services. We have several parks and recreational opportunities, creating a quality of life in the outdoors, including the Lackawanna River running straight through downtown. We dream up ideas such as the “Pajama Pant Prance” – a fun run in downtown wearing your pjs – or the “NEPA Party Bike” – which lets 15 riders pedal around town while enjoying the city from a totally different vantage point.

Mayor Justin Taylor and girlfriend, Ashley, at the Wayne Memorial Hospital Auxiliary "Mistletoe Ball"

Education: University of Scranton, Luzerne County Community College Recognitions: Eagle Scout, NEPA Business Journal Top 20 Under 40, Times Leader 40 Under 40, The Chapel of the Four Chaplains’ Legion of Honor Award Resides: Carbondale Favorite Quotation:“One day at a time.” Hobbies: Golf, real estate, pets Family: Mother, Bonnie LaperaTaylor; Girlfriend, Ashley

Has being the youngest mayor in PA helped or hurt you? Being so young and not coming from a politically active family were two major positives for me. I was not engrained with the storyline behind anyone or anything. This allowed me to be an open leader, willing to embrace everyone with an idea to change things for the better. Being young and willing to listen also hurt me at times; not everyone has

Coleman; Fur-babies, Bella, Lucy & Terry Most Daring Thing You've Done: Ran into burning buildings as a volunteer firefighter Favorite Part of Northeast PA: The changing of seasons, especially fall. Looking Forward to: Even though I’m not engaged yet… I’m looking forward to being one of the first in decades to get married while serving as mayor!

genuine, “for-the-good-ofall” ideas! It took me a little time, but I figured out who truly was approaching me for the right reason! What advice can you give to young professionals? Think big! You can always scale things back a bit. But if you start small, you’ll be wasting your time trying to make a small impact, especially because there is somebody out there already thinking enormous!

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2015 March Madness

Northeast PA Pet Championship Tournament TWO WINNERS!

BABY belongs to

Ann Marie Graff of Pittston

Champion Pet receives “Pet of the Month” bandana and $100 gift certificate to...

MISS KITTY belongs to Emily Gumpper of Union Dale Daycare, Boarding, Grooming

BUDDY belongs to

Nicole Georgio of Honesdale

CAESAR belongs to Wendy O’Malley of Kingsley

CHARLIE belongs to

Andrea Funkhouser of Scott Twp.

GRADIE belongs to Alicia Holley of Jessup

JOJO belongs to Anarie Rodriguez of Scranton

1979 Scranton Carbondale Hwy, Blakely. 570-382-3066 www.PuppyParadise.org

W I N N One voter will be randomly chosen to win a $50 gift certificate to...

Find wholesome products for pets, including certified organic food, all-natural grooming supplies, toys and supplements.

LEROY belongs to Daria Barkofsky & Chris Celia of Scranton

426 S. State Street, Clarks Summit. 570-586-9684 www.EverythingNaturalPA.com

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March 2015

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Vote each week in March to move your favorite pets to the next round! Visit www.HappeningsPA.com to vote!

LILY belongs to Amanda Lorah of Drums

MICKEY belongs to

Dolores Austin of Dunmore

RUGER belongs to Rebecca Drake of Stroudsburg

SADEE belongs to

Lisa Lee of Jermyn

N N E R

SHITAKI belongs to Denise Price of Taylor

SI belongs to Katie Long of Dickson City

The votes are in... Februaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Pet of the Month is Zeus Ruddy of Scranton. Congratulations!

SPIKE belongs to Rita Hoban, of Moosic

STOREY belongs to

Jane Woodward of Honesdale

March 2014

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A Mission of Mercy Local Pilot Delivers Doomed Pets to Safety

t’s not too many years ago that if you sought out Scott Messinger you would likely find him visiting one of his Eyeland Optical stores in Northeastern and Central PA. The stores stretched from Stroudsburg to Williamsport to Berwick to the Reading area– nearly a dozen locations. Messinger could be found in several of them every day! To save travel time, he learned to fly, and soon he was traveling to work in a small, single-engine airplane. While he puts in the same number of hours every week, the focus has changed. Eyeland has now moved into the next generation. Messinger still helps his two sons (Todd and Brad) with the business, which has now grown to 14 offices. However, in recent years, most of Messinger’s time has gone to the dogs! He is a proud animal owner and volunteer pilot for

Pilots N Paws. (www.PilotsNPaws.org) The award-winning animal charity boasts over 3,000 volunteer pilots coast to coast. They are animal lovers who pay their own costs for flying shelter dogs to safety. In order to carry more dogs, Messinger removed all five passenger seats and converted his airplane into a flying kennel– complete with floor-to-ceiling cages. Recently, he was featured on Fox News in Philadelphia, when one of their reporters flew along on a West Virginia rescue. He beams with pride as much as he laments the sorrow when he speaks of his rescue flights. What has become a mission for him began as an experiment nearly four years ago. As a favor for a friend, he flew from Philadelphia to an animal shelter in Louisiana to rescue a group of dogs that

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were about to be put down. In no time, Messinger was flying regular rescue runs to and from Louisiana (10 hours each way). “As I travelled through the southern states, I saw the same thing again and again. People were losing their jobs and homes due to the economy. They would bring their pets to the airport, and while sobbing, they would place them lovingly in the airplane. They simply could not afford to feed them, and they wanted to be sure they would end up in a safe

March 2015

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and happy home. That very he described it, ‘The dogs depended on getting away.’ first day I learned that real would initially allow me to Jobs were scarce in his love often means sacrifice. I lead them anywhere in the small town, but he resigned learned that often times shelter so happy to have none-the-less, because as bringing a pet to a southsome attention, but when he described it, ‘That job ern animal shelter is a the inevitable happened, was hurting my heart and death sentence for that ani- the dogs seemed to know killing my soul.’” mal. Shelters are often overflowTo date, Messinger ing with dogs has carried over To date, Messinger has carried over that once knew 4,000 dogs, and he 4,000 dogs, and he has flown the joys of a famhas flown enough ily and warm air miles to have enough air miles to have crissbed but now criss-crossed the crossed the country from PA to were almost country from PA to surely destined California more California more than seven times. to be put down.” than seven times. He credits, “our Messinger continues, “I read what was about to befall wonderful Eyeland patients an article written by a forthem, and as soon as they who really are responsible mer Animal Control crossed the threshold into for our animal rescue Manager at small town the kill room, they all put on efforts.” He says their loyalty county animal shelter in the the brakes, and clawed for is what funds Eyeland’s resSouth. He was forced to their freedom- seemingly cue efforts. –Thom Welby quit his position, because as knowing that their life

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PET TALES

Hype or Heed Caution? What to Know When Adopting a Pit Bull

y friend has a Pit Bull, and it seems like a great dog. I'm considering getting one myself, but I am concerned about their reputation for being aggressive. What should I consider, and will proper training prevent any issues later? One vital thing to understand is that the term “Pit Bull” does not refer to a particular breed. It is a collective term that encompasses several recognized breeds (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, American Bulldogs and any “bully” looking dog), or mixes of breeds that bear physical resemblance, such as Boxer or Mastiff crossbreds. Unfortunately, physical appearance does not necessarily equate with genetic heritage. No one has any special capability of divining the bloodlines behind a dog with undocumented ancestry. Thus, many dogs are labeled “Pit Bulls” that are not, and others that actually are from Bully breeds are labeled “Chow mix” or “Lab mix.” Labels are use60

less in deciding whether a Pit Bull-type dog is a good choice for you. Breeds are like races of people… it’s not the breed that determines a dog’s character. Cumulative influence of nature and nurture shapes individual personality and character, whether canine or human. That said, general tendencies exist within breeds because purebreds were developed deliberately to fulfill human preferences for desired characteristics over generations of selective breeding. Labradors retrieve. Bloodhounds search. Greyhounds race, and unfortunately, but in fact, Bull-Terrier types were engineered to fight other dogs (www.vrcpitbull.net). General tendencies within breeds influence their mixed-breed descendants, sometimes arising in adult dogs without prior warning. This is a consideration if you have other dogs, and you must honestly assess whether you can confidently control your dog under all circumstances. Notably, dog aggression does not necessarily correlate with aggression towards humans. Pit Bulltype dogs are generally remarkHappeningsPA.com

ably sweet towards people. Yes, it’s true that 30 percent of human fatalities from dog attacks were attributed to “Pit Bulls” (but remember inaccuracies in identification of “breeds”). Any dog can bite. Any large breed can kill. The reality is that dog attacks are incredibly rare. PetMeds reports only 26 fatal incidents compared to 326 suffocations in bed. You’re 71 times more likely to drown in a swimming pool than be killed by a “Pit Bull” (www.1800petmeds.com). The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) lists American Pit Bull Terriers outscoring Golden Retrievers for reliable temperament (www.atts.org). When considering a family addition, there is no substitute for diligence in assessing the individual dog. Whether you elect to adopt a dog from a rescue or shelter or purchase a pup from a breeder, objectivity is key. This is no time to let sentimentality or bleeding-heart delusions of do-goodiness cloud your judgment. Training any dog, regardless of heritage, is crucial and gives you tools for re-establishing control in unexpected situations, but cannot prevent hard-wired instinctual reactions to certain situational stimuli. –Beth Dorton Dillenbeck Hollow Hills German Shepherds blogging at www.instinctive impressions.blogspot.com March 2015

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Way beyond the printed page....

HappeningsPA.com See Where to Eat Easter Dinner

Get Home Refinancing Advice

Go Behind the Scenes at the Cover Photo Shoot

See Photos from the Happie Meal & Awards Presentation

Vote in Pet March Madness

Discover how Oral Health affects Overall Health.

Submit story ideas

Enter to Win 2 Tickets to See The Beach Boys

Get the recipe for Colarussoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Lemon Basil Martini

Find MoneySaving Deals and Discounts

View an Expanded Event Calendar

See the Prom Fashion Alert 2015

New content constantly added to keep you up to date about the best of Northeast PA!

MARCH 15 PGS 51-72_Layout 1 2/13/15 12:13 PM Page 12

TREASURE HUNTING Grapevine Antiques and Crafts Mall-

Olde Barn Centre/Antiques & Such-

"Where Yesterday and Today Come Together!" Over 100 vendors, 6,000 square feet, 30 minutes from Delaware Water Gap Bridge. Hours: MondayFriday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday & Sunday 10 a.m. 5 p.m. Rt. 209 & Rt. 115, behind CVS Pharmacy, Brodheadsville, PA. 570-992-4525.

An 1860s Quaker Barn filled with antique furniture of all periods. 12 antique dealers with treasures & collectibles for your home. Credit cards and layaway welcome. 1605 Rte. 220 Highway, Pennsdale. 1 mile east of exit 15 of I-180. Open daily 10-5. Info: 570-546-7493 or www.OldeBarnCentre.com

Jukebox Classics and Vintage Slot Machines–Specializing in Game Room Collectables, Pin Ball Machines, Juke Boxes (old & new), barber shop poles & chairs, Vintage Gas Pumps, Cookie Jars, Salt & Pepper Shakers, Paintings, Neon Signs, Jewelry, Rugs, Coca Cola items, Betty Boop items and more. 210 Main Ave, Hawley. Phone 570-226-9411 or 570-241-6230, email: jukesslots@aol.com www.jukeboxclassics.com

Lark Mountain Market– See what everyone’s talking about at the area’s first co-op antique mall. Handicap accessible– climate controlled, we offer a wide variety of items: quality antiques, hard to find collectibles, furniture, home decorating accessories, jewelry, coins, military, breweriana, vintage clothing, lighting & more. 306 Wilkes-Barre Twp., Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Twp. 570-822-8855 www.LarkMountainMarketplace.com

Mary’s Home Furnishings- Antique furniture, vintage home furnishings. Privately owned and operated. A good selection of tables, cabinets, cupboards, chairs, lamps, and misc. Woven rag rugs, linens, and the works of local artists. Saturdays, 10:30-5; Sundays, 1-5. Best to call first Mary Gere 570-278-2187. 10766 SR 29, 18 miles no. of Tunkhannock. www.antiquessusqco.com/marys 62

Retro Decor Shop- the new face oF CONSIGNMENT. Furniture painting includes Antique Chic & French Country techniques. Decor features one of a kind accents....lamps, prints, primitives, benches, etc. Jewelry and accessories. ALWAYS AFFORDABLE PRICES. Thurs & Fri: 11-5, Sat: 10-4, Sun: 11-4. 1809 Red Barn Village, Clarks Summit, PA. 570-586-1222.

Moments of Magic Children’s Consignment Sale

Largest Baby Sale in NEPA!! One Weekend Only! Stock up for the Spring & Summer Sale!

March 20-22, 2015 Shop for everything you need for your children at a fraction of retail prices. If you have children, you can’t afford to miss this sale! After all, children grow much faster than our paychecks!

Watres Armory, 900 Adams Ave, Scranton www.momentsofmagickids.com moms@momentsofmagickids.com

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March 2015

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Bugaboo Young America Bloom 4moms Serena & Lily Naturepedic Aiden & Anais Bob Dwell Studio

Major lines of furniture, executive furnishings & authentic oriental rugs, all at drastic reductions.

Baker Henredon Milling Road Century Drexel Heritage Ralph Lauren Hancock & Moore Lexington Thomasville

97 Lackawanna Ave., Downtown Scranton • (570) 346-6591 • Free Parking next to our store. Mon.-Sat.: 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. • Mon. & Thurs. until 8 p.m.• Sun.: Noon-5 p.m.

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NEPAVoices

Ann A. Pang-White, Ph.D., Director of Asian Studies; Professor of Philosophy & Asian Studies, The University of Scranton

“

Global Awareness and Collaboration: Our Common Future As the director of the Asian Studies Program at the University of Scranton and a professor who teaches EastWest comparative philosophy and Asian philosophy, I cannot be more thrilled to share about global awareness and collaboration! I have always been very proud of our local community. I am a hybrid local, an immigrant from Taiwan, who later became a naturalized American

citizen and moved to Scranton in 1997. Global education and international collaboration are my passions. I believe that it should be everyone’s too. Why? On a practical level, we

all know that the invention of the Internet and the advancement of technology have shrunk both the physical and cyber distances between different parts of the world at an incredible rate in the past few decades. The ease of international travel has changed the world into a global village. As you may have imagined, I have travelled extensively internationally and cooperated with multiple international agencies. I cannot emphasize enough that global awareness and education is a key to a satisfying and fulfilling international travel and business experience. We greatly appreciate a visitor who takes the effort to learn about our culture, customs, history and pride. So too, when we travel abroad or when we host an international guest or business partner, to be educated about the other culture beforehand is a very thoughtful and touching gesture. Sometimes, it

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becomes a deal maker or a deal breaker. Successful businesses exhibit a healthy dose of global sensitivity and are therefore capable of seizing crucial international collaboration opportunities that greatly benefit both our local and larger community. On a more theoretical and lofty level, we all desire peace, not war. We all yearn for a more caring and just global world. How do we then act as an agent of positive change to improve the livelihood of our incredibly interdependent world? Love promotes peace, and education empowers love. We need to learn and to be able to speak the other’s “language,” so to speak, because this is best available form of communication that we have. Global literary and international education can help us accomplish that. Attending cultural events of an international nature locally is a marvelous first step in the right direction.

”

The 2015 International Conference on Asian Studies will be March 28 and 29 at the University of Scranton. Visit www.Scranton.edu -Ann A. Pang-White, Ph.D., Director of Asian Studies; Professor of Philosophy & Asian Studies, The University of Scranton

March 2015

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Bridal Guide SPRING 2015

Ashley Cesare & Michael Harostock

Photo: Matt Ramos & Jaqu

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Ashley Cesare

Michael Harostock

AAcademy in elementary school and became shley and Michael first met at Wilkes-Barre

friends as students at Scranton Prep. While taking on his second Ironman race in Lake Placid (140.6 miles of swimming, biking and running), he stopped 50 yards before the finish line to propose! They married September 13, 2014 at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Lake Placid, NY.

Baskets with tasty treats from the region welcomed overnight guests to the destination wedding. The coupleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s parents arranged a welcome party on Friday and farewell brunch Sunday. Hand-painted invitations, programs, escort cards and table cards doubled as creative gifts for guests. Instead of the usual ideal wedding weather, a little ice and snow made

nd Jaqu

mos a Matt Ra hotos:

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the day perfect for the bride and groom. Between the ceremony and reception, the bridal party enjoyed a trip to the couple’s favorite local pub and brewery to savor the moment with close friends. Always an athlete, before the ceremony, the groom enjoyed a run with his brother. In honor of the groom’s Byzantine Catholic upbringing, they incorporated a crowning ceremony. At the Whiteface Club and Resort for the reception, the newlyweds performed a choreographed first dance to “Making Memories of Us,” by Keith Urban. Rustic elegance came to life in the décor. The cake was designed as a birch tree. Guests penned notes on two Adirondack chairs in lieu of the traditional guest book. They honeymooned in San Diego and reside in Bear Creek. -Erika A. Bruckner

March 2015

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Elizabeth Diana Gaus

Chad Richard Satterlee

Imet in Las Vegas, as she was receiving n August 2009, Elizabeth and Chad

an award and he was in town for a fantasy football draft. After four years, Chad proposed on the beach in Turks and Caicos. They were married on June 28, 2014 at the historic St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Scranton, exactly 45 years after the bride’s parents wed in the same church.

Fiorelli’s Grand Ballroom hosted 230 guests for the reception. The room was accented with lavender light. Tables were adorned with roses in shades of plum, ivory and lavender and tiered candles. Ivory draperies with 10-foot crystal cylinders cascaded from the ceiling over the 3,000-square-foot dance floor. Focal points were also the four-foot castle ice sculpture and wedding cake with its own lighted water fountain. The bride wore two wedding gowns – one with a flowing train for the ceremony, and a fit-and-flare style reception dress. During cocktail hour, a video displayed photos of the bride and groom, from childhood through the proposal.

Photos: Tammy Martines Photography

The bride, a Scranton native, is a professional dancer, teacher and choreographer, so music and dance were a focus continued on page 70

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of the day. The couples’ first dance to “It Had To Be You” was choreographed by the bride with a Fred-Astaire-andGinger-Rodgers flare. Tillie Glatz, an accomplished 11-year-old dance student of the bride who holds several national dance titles, delivered a heartfelt lyrical performance. Nico Greetham, another student of the bride and top 10 finalist on “So You Think You Can Dance,” was scheduled to perform at the wedding, but landing a role in the Broadway musical, “Newsies” kept

him from attending. Guests danced to an eight-piece band, and a friend of the groom serenaded the couple with “Keeper of the Stars.”They honeymooned in Europe and reside in –Erika A. Bruckner California.

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Jessica Hartnett

Michael Rudolph

Aprised Jessica by serving drinks and

fter dating three years, Michael sur-

snacks they had enjoyed at different milestones in their relationship, including the drink they shared on their first date and a treat they ate in Germany. He played all of “their” songs and other songs that reminded him of their relationship. He went to get her anniversary gift; she was upset since they had decided they weren’t exchanging gifts. He assured, “Don’t worry. It’s really small,” and proceeded to pull out an engagement ring, custommade using diamonds from his late grandmother’s ring. He explained that his grandfather had loved his grandmother every single day up until the day she died, and he

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wanted the ring to remind Jessica of that unending love every time she looked at it. continued on page 74 March 2015

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They married September 28, 2013 in Charlottesville, Virginia. They wrote their own vows, focusing on the life-long commitment they were making. Unbeknownst to each other, the bride and groom each had cards custom made to give to the other that stated the exact number of days they had loved each other. During the ceremony, they sealed letters written to one another with a bottle of wine in a box to be opened on their first anniversary. The pair’s love of cooking led them to create a custom menu complete with some of the bride’s and groom’s own recipes, which gave the feeling of having a big, family dinner at home. The bride baked a family favorite, chocolatepeanut butter cake. A family-made cookie bar

allowed guests to pack a to-go bag of homemade treats and a booklet of the recipes. Near the end of the night, guests were treated with fresh apple cider donuts, apple cider and coffee. Family was an integral part of the day. The bride’s “something blue” was a patch sewn into her dress that read, “Nana;” a locket with a photo of her Nana was tied around her bouquet. Framed photos of the couple’s grandparents sat in the front row seats at the ceremony. Family members helped make the day happen. At the reception, the families put together a surprise slideshow that played before dinner. The couple hand-painted the save-the-date cards and invitations. Table numbers were wood-burned by hand by the groom. The bride is a procurement engineer at Lockheed Martin; the groom is an acoustical engineer at BBN Technologies. They honeymooned to Greece and Turkey and reside in Arlington. : Photos Katelyn James

-Erika A. Bruckner HappeningsPA.com

! March 2015

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Weddings at Villa Roma

estled in the most beautiful valley in Sullivan County is a hidden gem named Villa Roma Resort. It’s the perfect place to say, ”I do” in the Southern Catskills of New York. Villa Roma is a familyowned and family-run hotel that hasn’t gotten away from the importance of their onewedding-per-day philosophy. “It truly is all about you and your soon-to-be husband,” says Erik Karner, Villa Roma’s new operations manager. “I have put together a team including myself, whose lineage includes 20 years at properties such as The Sagamore on Lake George, Saratoga Polo and The Lodge At Woodloch. I hired Executive Chef John Nichols, formerly special events chef of The Settlers Inn and Ledges Hotel in Hawley, PA, to lead our culinary brigade. Our newest member, Patricia Estella, is our very own onsite wedding specialist, who will be with the bride throughout the whole event.” Villa Roma has 139 rooms and suites and over 240 timeshare

accommodations. The resort has the ability to host weddings of all sizes comfortably and can cater to destination weddings as well. “The loca-

tion of our outdoor reception site – a gazebo beside our koi pond where deer frequently walk – allows for a seamless transition for your guests from the ceremony to the cocktail hour. Our Clubhouse Patio, which holds over 150 guests comfortably, allows for guests to enter the Reception Room and find their seat at their leisure. The room is spacious with large windows featuring the mountains as a backdrop. The bride and groom will have their very own server catering to their every need, all while the photographer works their magic. The culinary experience is beyond your wildest dreams, and we are blessed to have Chef Nichols with us. We recently hosted a farm-to-table dinner, and the guests were wowed by his culinary prowess. We bring that same enthusiasm to your wedding, and our menus are customizable. ADVERTISEMENT

Even though baby frankfurters wrapped in puff pastry with a mustard dipping sauce is still a party favorite, our chicken satay’s with a teriyaki glaze and miniature crab cakes with a tangy aioli are house favorites as well. Our in house pastry chef has the ability to recreate any wedding cake you have seen in any publication or online. Add a Viennese Table, where all the pastries are baked fresh, and your guests will enjoy the cannolis, cream puffs, almond horns, chocolate-dipped strawberries and many other Italian favorites. Packages start as low as $65 per person plus tax and gratuity including bar options. June dates are still available, so please call 845-887-4880 ext. 7014 to speak with Patricia directly and set up a visit. At Villa Roma, we look forward to bringing the wedding of your dreams to life!

-Erik Karner, Operations Manager, Villa Roma Resort

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Ruth Jackaway

Matthew Grimaldi

Rdate was to Knoebel’s uth and Matt’s first

Amusement Resort. Both parents, they wanted to see if their children got along with each other before pursuing the relationship. The kids had a blast; even their pets liked each other! One

year later, Matt proposed in New York City. On New Year’s Day 2013, they visited Woodloch Resort in Hawley and immediately knew it would be the setting for their wedding. They needed a place for out-of-town guests to stay,

and it would fulfill their dream winter wedding at a place with plenty of activities for kids. They planned an entire weekend of festivities, culminating with the ceremony January 2, 2014 at Queen continued on page 80

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March 2015

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of Peace in Hawley. The couple designed the weekend with kids in mind. The bridal party consisted of the couple’s children, nieces and nephew. Families stayed in Woodloch’s guest homes; guests’ children attended the wedding, and they enjoyed a weekend packed with swimming, ice skating, snow tubing and gocart racing!

of the year with wine and girl time. They enjoyed appointments at the Lodge at Woodloch spa on the wedding day.

Photos: Simple Moments Photography

The bride stayed in a guest house with her bridesmaids and best friends the night before the wedding, enjoying the first big snow storm

75 guests attended the reception at the Inn at Woodloch, where the winter wedding theme came alive with a woodland feel and an ivory and brown color scheme. A fresh coating of snow fell the night before the wedding, creating the perfect ambience. Birch logs were hand-drilled to hold votive candles; they were surrounded by pine branches, pinecones and candles on each table. The girls carried

bouquets of pinecones, pine and berries. The grand buffet meal was capped with a cake made to look like birch wood and topped with pinecones. Favors were hot chocolate with marshmallows, complete with a handmade tag. Guests also enjoyed a photo booth. The bride is store director of J.Crew at the Shoppes at Montage; the groom is Keystone College’s athletic director. They reside in Clarks Summit.

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Candace Allyson Lynch

Scott McWilliam Hartley

Smet Candace while visit-

They sought to keep God as the focus of the day, celebrating His faithfulness as He brought the couple together, sustained their relationship and established their covenant. After they exchanged rings, the bridal party gathered around the couple, and the best man prayed over the pair. Some of the bride’s former students played music, ran sound and captured video.

cott, from Clarks Summit,

ing friends at a church in North Carolina. Just over a year later, he returned for their first date, which led from coffee to church to dinner to game night at their mutual friends’ home. “It was the longest first date ever,” Candace jokes. After forging a long-distance relationship, Scott drove 15 hours to propose, take her to dinner at the restaurant where they had their first date and arrange a surprise party with friends.

They married March 22, 2014 at the Great Room in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Before the wedding, the bridal suite became the girls’ hangout, where they enjoyed brunch and beauty services. The groom gave each groomsman a note explaining how he values them. Guests explored the historic town, and bridal party photos were taken on the streets of the nation’s oldest public university, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The couple did a “first look” before the ceremony, enjoying a private moment together.

The intimate reception, also at the Great Room, featured five different cakes and a buffet with traditional Southern fare. A unique brick backdrop was accented with ambient café lighting. The bride wanted wedding items that would last beyond the day. The mercury class lanterns used in décor are now displayed at the couples’ home. Programs and continued on page 84

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March 2015

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guest bags were stamped with a monogram now used for personalizing hand-made stationery. After honeymooning in Georgia and South Carolina, they reside in Clarks Summit. -Erika A. Bruckner

Photos: Cole Gorman with Blest Studios

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Fresh Twist s Think outside the box for anniversary gifts. Here are a few fresh takes on the traditional elements found in milestone anniversary gifts, and best of all, they’re found locally!

On Traditional Anniversary Gifts

Find more at www.HappeningsPA.com!

5th Year Anniversary: Traditional: Wood/Silverware Fresh Twist: Exotic Sands “Art in Motion” ($69.98-$79.98) Available at: Everything Natural, Clarks Summit

3rd Year Anniversary: Traditional: Leather/Crystal or Glass Fresh Twist: Kitras Art Glass “Tree of Family” ($21.98-$49.98) Available at: Everything Natural, Clarks Summit

10th Year Anniversary: Traditional: Tin Fresh Twist: Glass and silver votives ($5 each) Available at: The Shops at the Hawley Silk Mill

25th Year Anniversary: Traditional: Silver Fresh Twist: Silver "distortion" candlesticks ($47 each) Available at: The Shops at the Hawley Silk Mill

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Easter in NEPA Annual Easter Egg-stravaganza March 14 County Fair Grounds, Clearfield Enjoy an egg hunt, games, face painting and an appearance from the Easter bunny! Registration from noon to 1:30 for all children age 10 and under. 814-672-5499 Bunny Brunch March 21 & 22 Cooperâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Seafood House, Scranton Reservations: 570-346-7049 Easter Egg Hunt and Bunny Brunch March 28 Misercordia University, Dallas Egg hunt starts at 11 a.m. on front lawn of Banks Student Life Center. Bunny Brunch will include two seatings at 10 and 11:15 a.m. Adults $10; children ages 5 to 12 $5; no charge for children under age 5. Limited seating; register by March 20th. 570-6746768 Easter Egg Hunt March 28 Kohlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stony Hill Tree Farm, Milton Kids up to 3 years old start at 1 p.m.; age 4 to 6 hunt at 1:30 p.m., kids age 7 to 10 at 2 p.m. and ages 11-15 at 2:45 p.m. Rain date is March 29. 570-437-3442 Annual Easter Egg Hunt March 28 Back Mountain Harvest Assembly 340 Carverton Road, Trucksville, PA Registration 9:30 a.m. Hunt starts at 10 a.m. sharp. Children ages 3 through 12 570-696-1128 6th Annual Easter Egg Hunt April 4 Fern Hall Inn, Clifford Kicks off at 2 p.m. Free admission; donations benefit the Make A Wish Foundation. 570222-3676 Find more at www.HappeningsPA.com 88

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14K Rose gold and diamond Gabriel & Co. Necklace This exquisite necklace will serve as a treasured reminder of the significance of a love shared. Retail: $550 Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bulova Watch This sleek, solid black Bulova Marine Star watch will provide your love with a reminder of the cherished time you spend together. Retail: $399 Tacori Promise Bracelet in Sterling Silver Promise your commitment to each other with this beautiful bracelet. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always joined with a sterling silver "connection" chain, just like your love. Retail: $790

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As suggested by Dennis Nye of Nye Jewelers in Dickson City 20th Anniversary: Platinum wedding band $2,500.

18K White Gold Anniversary Band Celebrate with a diamond anniversary band that can be customized for any number of stones to mark your special occasion. Retail: varies 90

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Anniversary Profile: A Lesson in Love

David & Joyce Tressler

or David and Joyce Tressler, starting a relationship in 1956 meant ending another one. “We both had our own boyfriend and girlfriend when we met while student teaching,” David says. Penn State University’s main campus served as the backdrop for the couple’s romance. Many fraternity dances, dinner dates and trips to Joyce’s family farm in Butler, PA lead to a Christmas proposal in 1957. They were married in a Catholic service in Butler with close friends and family on August 9, 1958. Celebrating 57 years together in August, David says it still feels like they met yesterday. “You have to have a purpose in life, and Joyce has always given me that,” he adds. 92

Having a purpose also meant starting a family; they raised three children and are grandparents to five grandchildren. “Everything we’ve done and every choice we decided was together. Big decisions about moving,

“It’s a matter of wanting to worry about your partner before yourself.” buying a house and raising our children were made together,” Joyce says. When the Tressler’s decided to move to Scranton in 1975 for David’s job, they jumped into different volunteer projects. “It’s always been important to be active in the comHappeningsPA.com

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Years

munity, and we’ve supported each other in whatever it is we’re doing,” Dave says. They’ve worked with the United Way, St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen and Catholic Social Services among many others. They strengthened their marriage by not going to bed angry, and they make every effort to enjoy the good times. That includes dancing to their song, “You light up my life,” whenever they hear it playing. Taking opportunities to remember why they got married has helped in challenging circumstances. “It’s a matter of wanting to worry about your partner before yourself,” David says. They plan to celebrate with a trip to Italy. –Cecelia Dunford March 2015

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Anniversary Profile: Hometown Love

Reedy & LarryCornell

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Years

“Marriage is probably what I could consider a big learning lesson.”

eedy and Larry Cornell unknowingly set the bar high for storybook romances when they found each other on a chilly winter day. The couple met building a snowman in the shape of George Washington in the winter of 1951. “We were out in the snow in downtown Nicholson with a group of people,” Reedy says. After Larry’s nerves settled following his introduction to Reedy’s father, they had their first date. “He saw the size of my father, and I think it was a little scary,” Reedy says through laughter. They had an intimate wedding at the Nicholson Methodist Church on March 23, 1952.

Though they didn’t know it March 2015

then, the looming snow and rain on their wedding day proved to be good luck. On March 23 they’ll celebrate their 63-year anniversary. “It’s a lot of give and take in marriage. We’ve always been together and have been there for each other,” Reedy says. Through embarking on different business ventures and raising two sons, they’ve been challenged individually and as a family. “Marriage is probably what I would consider a big learning lesson,” she says. HappeningsPA.com

If marriage is a lesson, 63 years together gives Larry and Reedy the authority to write the book on what it takes to make a commitment to another person. “We care for each other very much, and we like to take care of each other,” Reedy explains. “We live just like other normal people. We’ve stayed close to friends, raised a family and go to the same church we were married in,” she adds. The family now includes two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Spending many anniversaries in Florida has been a treat for the Cornells, though this year they’ll be in the town where it all began. Decades of memories, lessons and Sunday services have brought the pair to the simple realization of why they’ve made it this far. “Because it was love,” Larry says. -Cecelia Dunford 93

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Anniversary Profile: Positive Perspective

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Philip & Mary Marrara 45 Years

any young, single women would jump at the idea of getting set up with a young musician in a Philadelphia-based band following a summer concert. That was not the case for Mary Marrara. “I actually wasn’t interested, but Phil came right off the stage to meet me. We have been together ever since,” she says. The summer of 1966 was the first of many beginnings for Mary and Philip Marrara, who will celebrate 45 years of marriage on June 6. A wedding celebration featured many family traditions and personalized details, including hand-sewn bride and bridesmaid’s dresses by Mary’s aunt, headpieces made by Mary and music provided by Phil’s band. “My grandmother Adeline’s advice to me when I got married was ‘treat every day as if it were your last on Earth,’” Mary recalls. 94

among many others. “Giving back to the community is just as important as giving back to each other,” Mary says. In all the years since they said their vows, Phil has learned a marriage is built on both love and friendship. “You need to love “You need to love your your wife, yes, but wife, yes. But you also need to you also need to realreally like her.” ly like her,” he says.

The couple moved to Jermyn for Phil’s job. Raising their son, starting their own business in 1982 and facing two cancer diagnoses challenged the pair. They didn’t stop smiling though, even on the hardest days. “A little bit of humor goes a long way,” Mary says of the pair’s positive attitudes. “He was the absolute best support when I went through my surgery and treatments,” she adds.

A glass-half-full outlook has gone a long way for the couple. They consider themselves lucky to have helped many communities through their volunteer work with the American Red Cross, Jermyn Lions Club and Meals On Wheels, HappeningsPA.com

Supporting each other through battles with cancer and the loss of family and close friends has strengthened the friendship and love they built 45 years ago. Mary and Phil spend most of their time together and always bring light and laughter wherever they go, especially on their yearly anniversary trip to Disney World. Through the years, Mary says Phil has always had the final words, “They are almost always, ‘Okay, Honey,’” she admits. -Cecelia Dunford March 2015

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Anniversary Profile: True Sweethearts

Dave & Ann Hawk

Years

Working on keeping their love alive has always been a priority in the Hawk’s household. Raising four children, making a home together and building a successful business made staying connected difficult at times. “Once a week we would go out to eat, and we always took time to talk,” Ann says. They also kept a sense of humor about things that were simply out of their control. “Sometimes you have to say, ‘Whatever happens, happens, and we’ll be okay,’” she adds.

n an autumn day at Penn State Worthington’s campus in 1970, an unassuming group project for speech class brought Ann Walsh and Dave Hawk together. “We were friends first, and I think that helped later,” Ann recalls. like The pair’s first date was to a the big weddings Chicago concert in February of today,” Ann explains. of 1971 at the University of Scranton. “It’s They will celenot something their “Getting married brate we planned, 42nd wedding but we dated is sometimes the anniversary in for a while after April. “Getting that and were craziest thing you married is engaged by sometimes the can do in the the holidays of craziest thing 1972,” Dave world.” you can do in says. Jump the world,” ahead to April 28, 1973 Dave admits. “Two people when Ann and Dave said, “I who are different like Ann do” in front of 60 guests at and I, are bound to change, St. Clare’s Church. “It was a and we did. Luckily, it was in very modest affair, nothing the same direction,” he adds. 96

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With each passing year, the respect and admiration between Ann and Dave has grown. “Annie gave me my faith. By showing through example she’s given me a God to look to, and I’m grateful for that,” Dave says. Facing good and bad times with their faith has kept their marriage rooted in why they started a life together. “I was drawn to how optimistic and positive he is, and that he has always followed through with his goals,” Ann adds. A spring trip to Southern France is planned to commemorate 42 years together. -Cecelia Dunford March 2015

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March 2015

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CCOMMEMORATING OMMITMENT

31 Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Your Anniversary 1. Travel. Book a trip to the same location where you honeymooned!

2. Taste wine. Serve yourselves wines from the year you were married! 3. Redo wedding photos. Recreate your wedding photos. Have your kids stand in for bridal party members, or bring back your bridal party for a reunion! 4. Go on tour. Book one weekend escape each month at local inns or at destinations that correspond to events in your past.

5. Eat out. Visit your first

date spot for appetizers, your rehearsal dinner location for dinner and wedding caterer for dessert! Or get a take-out dinner from “your” restaurant, and bring a picnic to where you got engaged!

6. Renew vows. Re-commit in a private or public ceremony. 7. Design a scent. Create a custom fragrance. Do you really know each other’s tastes? Create a scent for

HappeningsPA.com

your spouse! Experts at NOTE Fragrances in Scranton will guide you through it.

8. Create something. Work on one piece of art together, or create coordinating pieces. Spirited Art in Scranton lets couples create two canvases meant to be displayed together.

9. Get your hands dirty. Plant a tree or garden.

10. Upgrade your rings. Design a new ring or set your current stone in a fresh setting.

March 2015

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15 Fast Options:

11. Go shopping. Purchase something together that speaks to both of you, like a piece of furniture or garden sculpture. Extra points if you can have it engraved for the occasion.

17. Couples massage at a spa.

18. Cooking class 19. Nature hike to watch sunset.

14. Create a serenade. Make a playlist of songs from the year you were married, music from your wedding ceremony and other favorites. 15.

12. Write letters. Write a letter praising your spouse. Need more structure? Make a list of things about your spouse for which you are thankful – one for every year you’ve been married.

Propose again. Show your spouse you’re still eager to do it again, through good times and bad. Get down on one knee; give a ring; make it as elaborate as you like.

20. Museum visit. 21. Hot-air balloon ride. 22. Scavenger hunt. 23. Watch your wedding video.

24. Volunteer. 25. Create a photo book. 26. Make wine to drink on your next anniversary.

27. Serve breakfast in bed. 28. Dance to your “first dance” music in your living room.

29. Host a party. 30. Have your wedding

cake baker make a cake in the same flavor as your wedding cake.

31. Have a rose delivered

each day leading up to the anniversary, one per day for each year you’ve been married.

13. Use flower power. Ask a florist to deliver an arrangement reminiscent of the bouquet she carried down the aisle. March 2015

16. Make a time capsule. Include notes for each other; open on your next milestone anniversary. -Erika A. Bruckner

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Dinner by Design A Visual Indulgence for the Eyes, Mind and Soul Dinner by Design at POSH is a luscious evening of sumptuousness – crisp linens, glistening glassware, dancing candlelight and full tables. The event, billed as a visual indulgence for the eyes, allows guests to observe the tablescapes and interior designs produced by different local businesses. Dinner by Design’s showcase of dining room design started five years ago. It will be hosted by POSH at the Scranton Club in Scranton for the second year. “Guests can tour different tablescapes and designs from contemporary to classic and get ideas for things that they can do in their home and for their own private events,” explains POSH co-owner Joshua Mast. Dinner by Design takes place

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Director Mary Ann Moranin POSH’s second-floor ballSavakinus, table designers rooms and on the lower level will include POSH, the of the building where the Scranton Club, last year’s Scranton Club still exists. Peoples’ Favorite winner Jeff The three-day event begins Kiefer of JK with a Designs, Central preview “Guests can tour different Park Flowers, party on tablescapes and designs from John Mackey, Friday, Feb. 27 contemporary to classic and Bella Faccias, MCR from 7 get ideas for things that they Productions p.m. to can do in their home.” and Collective 10 p.m. Event Source. Tickets are $75. Although the event itself The exhibit will also be open Saturday, Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. doesn’t feature food, attendees can make their own to 9 p.m. and Sunday, March night out. “People can come 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entry and see the exhibition and is $15. support the Lackawanna Historical Society. Then, they It is a fundraiser for the can opt to stay for lunch, stay Lackawanna Historical Society, which started in 1886 for dinner, have a drink, have an appetizer or have a and is responsible for collectdessert,” says Mast. Call 570ing and preserving the social, 344-3841. cultural and economic histo-Kimberly M. Aquilina ry of Lackawanna County and Northeast PA. Find photos from last year’s event at According to Executive www.HappeningsPA.com!

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PROFESSIONAL PROFILE Kevin E. Rogers Vice-President of PNC Community Development Banking About Kevin Rogers: HE LOVES his wife, Cindy, and two sons, Nicholas and Kristopher. And football. HE STARTED at PNC in 1989. HE SERVED on the board of the United Neighborhood Center. HE ATTENDED the University of Scranton. HE LISTENS to The Eagles, Meatloaf, Bob Seger, Jackson Browne. HE LIKES Northeast PA’s change in seasons, especially fall (foliage and football). Kevin E. Rogers claims he has “the best job in the world.” Proudly born and raised in Northeast PA, Rogers started as a C.P.A. (Certified Public Accountant… although he jokes that C.P.A. stands for “Can’t Pass Again,” due to the tough testing to become certified). He believes in community and states that PNC simply gives back, “because it’s the right thing to do.” What is Community Development Banking? PNC’s loan assistance that serves communities that are less fortunate – what’s known as low or moderate income communities – those that are somewhat distressed. We’ll work with forprofit and non-profit developers to provide affordable housing, community services, economic development and revitalization to those communities. We’re the only bank that I know of that has this 102

charitable arm specifically for distressed communities. Why did you go from accounting to banking? Right out of college I started in public accounting, became certified and was quick to realize the 80-hour weeks during tax season. I was trying to raise a young son with my wife, and I wanted to spend more time at home, so I transitioned from public accounting to the bank, and it was one of the best things I’ve ever done. What are your best days on the job? We spend a lot of time in communities working with agencies like United Neighborhood Centers, EOTC, Lackawanna Neighbors or United Way – we’re actually in the community working at the food banks, serving meals at St. Francis Soup Kitchen or reading stories to the children at Head Start. Those are the days that are the most HappeningsPA.com

rewarding, when you to actually work with the community. I get to help people; I get to go out in the community and be involved and be active. And part of our role is giving – making charitable contributions – from the PNC Foundation that go to clients such as Community Development clients. I get to help people, and I get to give some money away, so it’s really just the best job in the world. What are your other interests? I really enjoy IndyCar racing. I grew up a Mario Andretti fan, because he’s a Pennsylvania boy, so I thought, “who better to root for?” I’m also a big football fan – Penn State football and Pittsburgh Steelers. We do a lot of the Broadway Theatre League. I think we’ve seen every show so far this year. We enjoy that a lot. -Kimberly M. Aquilina

March 2015

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D Arcaro & Genell- On Main Street, Old Forge since 1962. Carrying on the family tradition of homemade Italian specialty entrees, seafood, steak, chicken, veal & much more. Old Forge Red & White Pizza. Open Monday -Saturday, lunch at 11 a.m., dinner at 3 p.m.; takeout available. Private parties Sun. Catering services available on and off premise. www.arcarongenell.com 570-457-5555.

Carl Von Luger Steak & Seafood- A family tradition since 1887. Casual fine dining in downtown Scranton. USDA prime steaks & fresh seafood. Lunches from $6.25; dinners starting at $13.25. Entertainment. Friday Night Jazz Lounge 7-11 p.m. Sunday brunch 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dinner dress code. Outdoor dining available. Open daily. 301 N. Washington Ave., Scranton. 570-955-5290 www.carlvonluger.com

Carmen’s 2.0 Restaurant & World Tour Menu- A fresh ingredient kitchen featuring fresh steaks and seafood, house-made pastas, vegetarian options & a World Tour monthly menu featuring a different region of the world. Located in the grand Lackawanna Station terminal (now the Radisson Hotel). 570-558-3929. www.carmensradisson.com

Coccetti's A Restaurant & Bakery- Enjoy charming decor & unique breakfast/lunch creations including funky chicken salad, Eggs Benedict & California Reuben. Daily homemade baked goods including cake by the slice & chocolate peanut butter brownies. Daily breakfast/ lunch specials. Tuesday-Friday 7a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m.-noon. 1124 Main St., Peckville. 570-489-4000.

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Coney Island Lunch- A Scranton tradition since 1923. Taste the Texas Wieners and Texas Hamburgers that made us famous. Serving homemade soups, old-fashioned rice pudding and chili-con-carne. Enjoy our legendary chili sauce, created from a closelyguarded family recipe, eat in or take it out. Open Mon.-Sat. 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. noon-6:30 p.m. 515 Lackawanna Ave., Scranton. 570-961-9004. www.texas-wiener.com.

Cooper’s Seafood House- see ad page 106 & 107

Cuppa Cake Cafe- Experience Scranton's only cupcakery cafe located in Green Ridge Corners at 701 E. Market St. All of our menu items are made from scratch daily! Cupcakes, Paninis, sandwiches, salads, soups, baked goods, coffee, tea. Enjoy comfortable seating in our relaxing atmosphere. 570-871-4352.

Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Restaurant- Overlooking beautiful Lake Wallenpaupack, Ehrhardt’s cozy atmosphere and delicious food will have you returning time and time again. We offer a variety of steaks, seafood, salads, burgers, sandwiches and more! Open 7 days a week 11:30 a.m. Pub open later. Route 507, Hawley. 570-226-2124. www.ehrhardts.com.

Failtes Steakhouse- Traditional Irish pub with a full-service dining room and spacious deck. Lunch and dinner served daily from 11a.m. Sunday Brunch 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Daily Happy Hour at the bar. Entertainment every weekend. Great burgers, steaks, fresh seafood, salads, sandwiches and more! 1492 Route 739, Dingmans Ferry, PA 570-828-6506. www.failtepa.com

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Fern Hall Inn. Dining. Rooms. Golf- Rated "Best of the Best" and "Food, Views and Service Simply the Best." Lite bites, dinner, Sunday Brunch & BBQs, Golf & Ski Specials, weddings, reunions & parties. Romantic, beautiful, historic stone estate, nine guest rooms and award-wining golf course on Crystal Lake. 2819 Rt. 247 Clifford. www.fernhallinn.com 570-222-3676.

The French Manor- Elegant dining room features a 40-foot vaulted ceiling and two massive fireplaces. Request a table on the terrace for wonderful views of the Pocono Mountains or a table by the fireplace for a romantic dining experience. Gourmet dinner menu features Classical and Nouvelle French Cuisine. Proper attire required. (Jackets for gentlemen). Please note: restaurant is not suitable for children under 12. Reservations: 570-676-3244. www.thefrenchmanor.com.

Gresham’s Chop House- Dine in our beautiful dining room, cozy bar or under the awning on our deck, and enjoy dazzling views of Lake Wallenpaupack while choosing from delicious steaks, seafood, Italian specialties and more. Visit us at www.greshamschophouse.com Rte. 6, Hawley. Open 7 days at 4 p.m. 570-226-1500.

Isabella Restaurant & Bar- see ad page 109

JJ Bridjes- Casual dining. Largest menu in The Abingtons includes fresh cut steak, seafood, veal, pastas, Mexican, along with burgers, sandwiches, oversized salads, snacks and appetizers. Best sports viewing in the area. Kitchen open late. Take-out available. 925 Northern Blvd, Clarks Summit. Open 7 days a week lunch & dinner– kids welcome. 570-586-8833.www.jjbridjes.com

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La Tonalteca- see ad page 111 Lucca Restaurant CateringVoted best new Restaurant! Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 7 days a week. Serving traditional Italian dishes as well as Seafood, Steaks, Chicken, Veal & homemade desserts. Banquet facility can accommodate up to 140. 802 S. Main St., Taylor. 570-562-6339

Mangia by James- Specializing in gourmet food... eat in or take out for lunch and dinner. Need dinner on the way home? Just call or place your order on-line via the web or by using our free app. Featuring authentic Italian entrees, seafood, pasta, sandwiches and more. Catering available. 507 S. State St., Clarks Summit. 570-586-7400

Marco Antonio’s- Chef-owned restaurant in historic downtown Stroudsburg. Specializing in the cuisine of Spain & Portugal, while also serving a wide variety of traditional favorites. Award-winning steaks & seafood. BYOB. Closed on Tuesday. Located at 620 Main St., Stroudsburg. 570-424-2415. See the menu at www.marcoantonios.com Mohegan Sun- see ad page 113 Old Milwaukee Cafe & Bakery- Family owned restaurant known locally for our homemade soups as well as our hot and mild wings. Salads and sandwiches are also popular. We specialize in a variety of homemade pastries and cakes. New specials every week. Open 8-8 Tuesday–Saturday and 8-7 on Sundays. 2613 Milwaukee Road, Clarks Summit. (570) 587-9855

lage nestled on a hilltop, surrounded by rolling countryside – discover Northeast PA’s best-kept secret! Excellent cuisine in a casual atmosphere, multi-level tavern & patio with entertainment. Monthly Wine Tasting Dinners. Serving dinner Wed.-Sun. I81, Exit 206, Rt. 374 East two miles past Elk Mountain, Union Dale. 570-679-9500. www.stone-bridge-inn.com

Perkins Restaurant & Bakery- see ad page 142 POSH at the Scranton Club-

Twigs- see ad page 109

Quaker Steak & Lube-

Windsor Inn- Worlds 2nd Best see

ad page 142

March 2015

Stone Bridge Inn & Restaurant- Quaint European vil-

Trax Platform Lounge- created from the DL&W rail terminal’s original loading platform! Relax and mingle in our cozy dining and lounge area accenting colorful subway glazed tile walls and magnificent arch columns. Fresh soups, sandwiches and entrees with nightly features. Kitchen open daily until midnight. Popular local hot spot in downtown Scranton! 570-3428300 www.radisson.com/scrantonpa

see ad page 91

Manhattan Manor- Family owned restaurant and bar in downtown Carbondale. A unique dining experience featuring steaks, pastas, flatbreads and seasonal menu items. Large contemporary wine list and martini menu, ten different beers on tap. On and off site catering, specializing in rehearsal dinners, showers, and bereavement luncheons. TuesdaySaturday at 5 p.m. 8 Salem Ave. 570282-2044. www.manhattanmanor carbondale.com

Settlers Inn- see ad page 103

Savory Maza Lebanese Cuisine- Enjoy and indulge in a variety of fresh homemade vegetarian and meat meals plus daily specials such as Koussa, Hashweh, Ahi Tuna kabobs, kibbee nayeh and more. Dine in or take out. 570-969-2666. www.savorymaza.com

Seasons Restaurant- Fine, casu-

Hot Wings! "THE" hot spot for World Wide Award Winning Wings for over 35 years. Casual dining, house made soups, sandwiches, entrees and appetizers. 9 beers on tap. Lunch and dinner Tuesday thru Sunday 11:30 a.m. Dine in or take out. 669 Washington Ave. Jermyn, PA. 570-876-4600 www.HOTWING.com

Wood Grille Restaurant- see ad page 112

al dining in the heart of Tunkhannock. Offering high quality dinners of steak or fine fish for under $30 with portions that never leave you hungry. Also serving full breakfast, lunch & Sunday brunch. Open: Wednesday-Thursday 6 a.m.- 9 p.m.; Friday 6 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday 7 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m. -1 p.m. 53 East Tioga Street, Tunkhannock. 570-836-3080.

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Irish French Toast

Recipe Courtesy Fáilte Irish Pub and Steak House, Dingmans Ferry Start the Day the Irish Way! This restaurant, named for the Irish word for “Welcome,” serves up traditional Irish fare and American favorites for brunch, lunch and dinner daily. Visit HappeningsPA.com for other Irish brunch recipes!

Cut Irish Soda Bread (recipe below) to desired thickness. Dredge in egg, and toast on griddle until golden brown. Top with Baileys Whipped Cream (recipe at right) and confectioner’s sugar.

Irish Soda Bread 4 cups Flour 4 Tbsp. Sugar 1 tsp. Baking Soda 1 tsp. Baking Powder 1/2 tsp. Salt 1/2 cup Unsalted Butter, softened 1 cup Buttermilk 1 Egg

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease large baking sheet. Mix together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and butter. Add buttermilk and egg. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface; shape into a round loaf, and cut an “X” into the top of the loaf. Bake 45 to 50 minutes.

Baileys Whipped Cream 2 quarts Heavy Cream 2-3 Tbsp. Sugar, to taste 2 pinches Cinnamon 3-4 capfuls Baileys Irish Cream

Pour heavy cream into a mixer or food processor; add sugar and cinnamon. Mix on high until VERY firm. Gently fold Bailey’s into finished cream one capful at a time, being careful not to turn the whipped cream into liquid.

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Where Hospitality Begins at the Door We offer a contemporary and relaxed dining atmosphere. Serving modern, eclectic American fare featuring seasonal ingredients from local farms, as well as vegan and gluten-free selections. Book your next private events in our new Solano Room. Serving Sunday Brunch

WINE TASTING Friday 12-9 Saturday 12-9 Sunday 12-5

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Pockets of Seasonal Flavor Handmade Pierogi are Lenten Tradition

once a year during Lent, approximately 40 men and women participate in the annual process over a twoday period to create 900 dozen cheese-and-potato pierogi.

Made

What’s in a name? Pierogi, pierogie or piroghi… It still tastes delicious! An Eastern European tradition that dates back centuries, immigrants brought their comfort food with them to America. Pierogi are typically associated with Polish cuisine, but plates in Romania, Russia, Lithuania, Ukraine and Slovakia are bound to make room for them. The dumplings of unleavened dough are usually stuffed with potato, farmer’s cheese, sauerkraut, cabbage, mushrooms, spinach or ground beef. At Saint Martin of Tours Church in Jackson, PA, they have an over-30-year tradition of hand-making pierogi (which is how they prefer to spell the name of the delicacy!). A former pastor, Father Louis Garbacik handed down the recipe that parishioners use today. “The quality of 110

ingredients, such as using butter instead of margarine, makes the difference in taste. You can’t compare it to what you buy in the store,” says parishioner Mary Lake. Made once a year during the season of Lent, approximately 40 men and women participate in the annual process over a two-day period to create 900 dozen cheese and potato pierogi. Day one is all about the prep work. Potatoes are peeled and boiled; sharp cheddar cheese is cut; onions are chopped. All these are combined with butter in a mixer to make the filling. Simple ingredients - flour, HappeningsPA.com

eggs, salt and water - are added together to create the melt-in-your-mouth soft dough. The dough is then rolled out through a machine. Afterwards eight or nine men cut the dough into circles and put it on trays. Day two is for filling. 30 to 40 people add the filling and pinch the dough to give the food its unmistakable shape. Boil for 15 minutes or so, and an unforgettable savory tradition is complete. The pierogi are packed by the dozen and sold for $7. Call 570-853-4634. -Julie Korponai

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ur gourmet premium donuts are hand-made and prepared fresh daily! CURRYS DONUTS are light and fluffy, and come in a wide assortment of flavors! """"""""""""""""""""""

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Savor Feast the on SPORTS! COLARUSSO’S COAL FIRED PIZZAFeaturing the area’s only coal-fired oven. A great place to watch the NFL Sunday Ticket or your favorite collegiate team. Stop in and try some of our featured fall menu items and a signature cocktail while enjoying the games! 1126 Commerce Blvd., Dickson City. 570-489-2627. www.colarussoscoalfiredpizza.com

McGRATH’S PUB & EATERY- Family owned and operated for over 17 years! McGraths offers live bands every weekend! Nightly drink & food specials! 9 Plasma TVs including a 10-foot HD projector to watch all NFL & College games! Be sure to try our award-winning wings & burgers! 112 East Main St., Dalton. 570-563-2668.

Northeast PA’s only tasting room & exclusive purveyor of ULTRA PREMIUM certified extra virgin olive oils, & barrel aged balsamic vinegars from Modena, Italy. Chef Gene Litz, Jr., Culinary Institute of America Graduate, Owner 570-587-1300 • thirteenolives.com info@thirteenolives.com 222 Northern Blvd. • Clarks Summit, PA

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Fashion The Future Dress for Success Helps Women Succeed

mbodied cognition is the idea that people think not only with their brains, but with their physical experiences, including the clothes they wear. The philosophy supports the notion that clothes really do help to make the woman… or at least give her the confidence to tailor-make the career and life she wants.

Dress for Success of Lackawanna was designed to help local, low-income women transition into employment with a sense of empowerment and confidence. The organization provides professional attire, a network of support and career-development tools to help women fulfill their personal and professional dreams. The organization will hold its largest annual fundraiser, the 16th luncheon and fashion show “Seeds for Success,” on March 25 at the Radisson Lackawanna Station at 11:45 a.m. Executive Director Mary Ann Iezzi says this year’s keynote speaker, Lara Yanuska Trump, was selected because she is highly motivated, enthusiastic and passionate about helping others. Iezzi says, “While she is part of a prominent family, Trump highly values having a job that is independent from her husband.” Trump, an associate producer 114

“As women, we all want to be empowered and inspired by our identity -- having a job that makes you feel proud lays the groundwork for everything else.” -Lara Yanuska Trump, 2015 Speaker

for the TV show “Inside Edition,” says, “As women, we all want to be empowered and inspired by our identity -- having a job that makes you feel proud lays the groundwork for everything else.” Iezzi believes Trump will inspire attendees at the luncheon saying, “Her message really reflects what we are all about at Dress for Success Lackawanna, encouraging all women to follow their dreams, to realize their potential and to HappeningsPA.com

give them the confidence they need to move forward in their lives and their careers.” Iezzi says that while providing professional attire is the service for which Dress for Success is best known, the organization is beginning to also focus on workforce development. “We have preemployment classes through our ‘Going Places Network’ by Walmart, a career center and a professional women’s group for the employed

March 2015

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Kali Walker Smith, client speaker at the Dress for Success Fashion Show & Luncheon

ditional fashion show will return after a hiatus last year.

women who have come through our agency,” Iezzis says. In addition to the keynote speaker, clients of Dress for Success will share their stories of triumph, and the tra-

60 percent of funds raised by this event will directly benefit Dress for Success Lackawanna, which serves Lackawanna, Monroe,

Wyoming, Wayne, Pike and Susquehanna Counties. Nearly 6,000 regional women have reached their employment goals since 1999 with this organization’s help. For tickets, which are $40, call 570-941-0339. -Jeannine Luby www.LaughtoLive.net

Be Happy in Your Garden

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A Look at Violence Against Women

very nine seconds, a to women’s safety” is “the woman is assaulted. high value our culture One in four women places on two-parent will experience domestic households.” Almost all violence in their lifetime. the women with children “People tend to think this whom she interviewed only happens in New York had maintained contact needs a mother and a or Philadelphia,” says Peg with their abusers. Why? father in order to grow up Ruddy, executive director Many “had internalized a of the Women’s Resource public narrative that equat- happily. But Ruddy objects to this stigma of single Center in Scranton. “But it ed marriage with success.” motherhood. “I think it’s a runs across all socioecoOur culture impressed terrible label we put on nomic boundaries, religions upon them the belief that mothers. A mother is a and races.” In 2013, the "being a good mother mother; a father is a father, WRC served 1,800 domestic means having a husband," violence and sexual assault and the women were aware and when we start labeling, there really isn’t any posisurvivors in Lackawanna of how their victimization tive image to County with an come out of additional 300 that.” in Susquehanna I am most proud of County. WRC Ruddy suspects takes 40 hotline the women I work with there is a calls a day. “We here. We work as a heightened get calls from pressure for every part of team to end violence abused women Scranton, against women in this to keep the Carbondale, family together. Jessup, Taylor, community. This is a burden Moosic… South for a lot of batAbington tered women, Township, Ruddy says, because it Glenmaura… There’s really would negatively influence makes them choose no place we don’t serve,” their “public identities as between the image of who she says. mothers.” they are and the reality of private life. Shoener found Image Shift According to a 2010 Pew that women with “profesIn a recent New York Times report that Shoener cited, sional and social promiarticle entitled, “Two-Parent 69 percent of Americans nence” felt that to admit to Households Can Be Lethal,” say that single mothers having an abusive partner researcher and writer Sara without male partners to Shoener (a Northeast PA help raise their children are would "tarnish the veneer native) writes that one of bad for society, and 61 per- of their perfect-looking lives," while other women the “most common barriers cent agree that a child

“

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T H E

U N I V E R S I T Y

O F

S C R A N TO N

EVENTS

We are pleased to invite you to a variety of lectures, cultural events and performances available as resources to our Scranton area neighbors.

March 6

7 p.m. Ang Lee Film Series: Three Decades of Fearlessness, “The Life of Pi.” Free. Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Call 570-941-7643.

March 18

Noon Schemel Forum World Affairs Luncheon Series: “De-Coding Putin” by Jill Dougherty, public policy fellow at The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Fees vary. Collegiate Hall, Redington Hall. Registration required. Call 570-941-6206.

March 22

7:30 p.m. “In Recital” featuring organist Christopher Johnson Free. Houlihan-McLean Center. Call 570-941-7624.

March 25

7 p.m. International Film Series: “Shadow Magic” by director Ann Hu Free. Moskovitz Theater, DeNaples Center. Call 570-941-6330.

March 28

9 a.m. Preview Day for accepted students to the University’s class of 2019. Call 570-941-7540.

March 28-29

3 p.m. International Conference on Asian Studies: Taiwan and China in the Global Context. Free conference presentations; fees for lunch and dinner. Call 570-941-6206.

APRIL ACADEMIC COMPETITIONS for area elementary, middle and high school students: Earth Day essay competition & art contest; a Computer Science Programming Contest; the Kane Competition for physics & engineering; and the Integration Bee for mathematics.

STAY INFORMED …about University events, programs & resources. Visit scranton.edu/community Subscribe to Community Relations E-Newsletter Email community@scranton.edu to receive monthly updates Questions? Call 570-941-4419

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feared being judged for choosing a dangerous partner in the first place. “Batterers do a good job of keeping women economically disabled,” she says. “When we look at what it costs to run a household and to raise children, economics is the number one reason many stay. Leaving is a process, not an event.”

Flawed System “We should stop asking why women stay because it’s irrelevant,” says Ruddy. The focus must be fourfold: to help battered women feel safe, to help them financially, to provide safe living spaces, and to hold the batterer accountable. Ruddy says the last piece is where we falter, which is due to what Ruddy calls “a real disconnect” between the civil court system and the life of a battered woman. Research showed that mental health professionals, law enforcement officials, judges and members of the clergy often showed more concern for keeping a marriage in tact than for the safety of the mother and children. Shoener reports that women who left abusive men were commonly perceived, “at best as mothers who had not successfully kept their children out of harm’s way and at worst as liars who were alienating children from 118

their fathers.” The very system designed to protect victims and punish perpetrators instead bound them more tightly together. Ruddy and her team of spe-

Violence Against Women Act has been an “incredible help,” although there is a great lack of funding on the state level. “There’s $1 per person per year that gets dedicated to ending vio-

Help women make a “change” for the better by joining Fidelity Bank’s Bucket Brigade! Fidelity introduced the “Give Change to Make Change” initiative as a fun way to help both the Women’s Resource Center and the Catherine McAuley Center. Visit www.HappeningsPA.com to find out how!

cially trained advocates, lawyers, counselors and professionals at the WRC advocate for social change, remaining focused on their mission: to assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault gain personal and financial independence. They provide free and confidential services including a 24/7 Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline, rape crisis and education programs. Teen advocacy is a new initiative to help young people understand the importance of healthy relationships before they are involved in long-term relationships. Ruddy says, “If we don’t stop violence in our houses, it spills out of our houses and into our workplaces and our schools.” Ruddy says the federal HappeningsPA.com

lence against women in the state of PA,” says Ruddy. They have taken fundraising matters into their own hands, with efforts like the Dollar a Day campaign (available on their website), and the “Kathleen’s Mission” fundraiser last September. “I am most proud of the women I work with here. We work as a team to end violence against women in this community.” Ruddy calls it a “privilege” to meet women every day who have been victims of violence and who have made attempts to bring peace to their lives. She says, “They’re the heroes.” Visit wrcnepa.org. -Julia Casey

March 2015

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Experience Faith Based Health Care at:

Villa

St. Mary’s

Residence Step into Spring Move-in Special Starting March 1 ! St. Mary’s Villa Residence offers independence in a homelike environment with support & compassion from a dedicated staff. COMMUNITY TRIPS • WIFI ACCESS • MEALS • MOVIE THEATER FITNESS ROOM • CELEBRATION OF MASS & ROSARY MEDICATION MANAGEMENT & MUCH MORE!

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L A C K AWA N N A C O U N T Y L I B R A R Y S Y S T E M A Program @ the Library Just for Teens Join us to talk about books you like, plus hands-on activities. It’s free. All you need is a library card. www.lclshomoe.org

www.lclshome.org

March 2015

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Celebrating 170 Years of Service Sisters of IHM Open House

ope Francis declared 2015 as a year of celebration of Consecrated Life (religious sisters, nuns, priests and brothers). The Pope charged these dedicated women and men to "wake up the world" to the love of God and neighbor. The Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Scranton (known as the Sisters of IHM) are answering the call by hosting a celebration on March 22. The 209 IHM Sisters in Northeast PA are inviting families, students, former students, friends, colleagues, parishioners, lay associates and employees to an Open House at their home, the IHM Center, which is just beyond the Marywood University campus. In addition to celebrating Consecrated Life in the Catholic Church, the Sisters of IHM are also celebrating 170 years since their foundation in 1845 in Monroe, Michigan. In 1858, the first Sisters of IHM came to Northeastern Pennsylvania and they have been here ever since, teaching on all levels from preK to

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doctorate, serving the poor, disabled, sick, abandoned, disenfranchised, imprisoned and the homeless. Notable among their major ministries is Marywood University, which in 2015 is celebrating 100 years of quality education. Others include St. Joseph's Center, IHM Friends of the Poor, IHM Educational Enrichment Institute (tutoring center), IHM ESL Program, Our Lady of Grace Retreat Center and Montessori School and many educational ministries in the U.S., Peru and Africa. Sisters of IHM serve in social service agencies and parishes in the Scranton Diocese as well as in dioceses across the country. The Open House will include tours of the IHM Center, meeting and visiting with the Sisters, refreshments, multimedia presentations and prayer. “The purpose of the world-wide year of Consecrated Life is to help people have a better understanding of religious life as it exists today,” explains Sr. Kathryn Kurdziel. “We IHMs are the largest congregation of women religious in the

HappeningsPA.com

Diocese of Scranton. We have staffed a very large percentage of Catholic schools and served in numerous parishes and social service agencies, in addition to sponsoring Marywood University, St. Joseph’s Center, the former Marian Community/St. Joseph’s Hospital and Friends of the Poor. We have loved the people we have served and continue to serve. In this year of celebrating our lifestyle, we’d like to invite those we know to reconnect and celebrate with us at our home base, the IHM Center. We invite those who don’t yet know us to come and see for themselves who we are and how we live.” Sr. Kathryn notes the celebration is a good time for people to see religious vocation as it really is– a life of joy, dedication, service, prayer, friendship, hospitality, opportunity, fun and great love. The IHM Center is located just beyond the Marywood University campus and is the last building at the top of University Avenue. The Open House is scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m.

March 2015

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Women’s Leadership Conference National Speakers to Impart Business Wisdom

ith nearly 40 percent of all businesses in the nation and in PA being women-owned, women clearly make a substantial impact on the economy, business and community. This spring, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce will host the first NEPA Women’s Leadership Conference on April 9 at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Chamber Director of Events Mari Potis says this conference will be like none this region has hosted before. “Attendees will walk away feeling empowered with new ideas and a readiness to improve and enhance their current business practices, not only for their own success, but to make the business community better overall,” Potis says. New York Times best-selling author Kate White is a featured speaker. White is the author of nine works of fiction and served as editorin-chief of Cosmopolitan for 14 years. White’s talk will include advice to help women ask for the money and opportunities they deserve, unlock their inner leader and to truly savor success.

Potis says, “Women have always faced obstacles in the workplace. A conference of this magnitude celebrates women’s talents and provides the opportunity for women to learn from and explore what other women are doing, while also supporting their successes.” The conference New York Times best-selling author will feature keynote speak- Kate White is the featured speaker. ers during women from the business breakfast and lunch. In community in one place,” between, breakout sessions she says. “That's going to be will be offered in an execuone powerful room of peotive track and an emerging ple.” professionals track. Attendees can visit the ven- Potis notes, “It’s important dor hall on breaks and parfor the Chamber to offer ticipate in unique activities these types of programs offered by sponsors. because we need to proSpeakers will also particivide the most current pate in book signings and resources and best pracexecutive forums. tices available to our business leaders, emerging proCheryl Kaiser, owner of fessionals and workforce for Kaiser Fine Photography, overall community betterhas been a chamber memment.” ber for nearly 20 years and is the photography sponsor Visit www.Scranton of the event. “I'm excited at Chamber.com/events. the idea of having so many –Jeannine Luby, www.LaughToLive.net

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Loo Looking king to mak make e

e best th the e ducational educational c hoice choice

for your child?

Visit V isit PA PAcyber.org PAcyber.o org March 2015

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The Renal Race Still Kickin’ Kidney Cancer able to raise over $70,000, which was donated to Kidney Cancer Research and families affected by cancer,” says Erin Pikul.

Photo: Jessica Curran Photography

Registration begins at 8 a.m. at Genetti’s Hotel and Conference Center. The first 100 participants will receive a free shirt. The one-mile fun walk and 5k run begin at 10 a.m. on Public Square. From 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., there will be kids’ entertainment featuring CandyLand Face Painting, Justincredible Balloon Artistry and Clowning Around with Pat Ward! DJ King B and various vendors will be present. Participants can also enjoy a basket raffle, food and drinks and an awards ceremony.

Wilkes-Barre on March 15. “We’ve successfully hosted three races and have been

Visit www.TheRenalRace.org. Deadline for registration is March 12. -Ann Moschorak

“We’ve successfully hosted three races and have been able to raise over $70,000, which was donated to Kidney Cancer Research and families affected by cancer.” Erin and Frank Pikul established The Renal Race run/walk to raise awareness and funds for kidney cancer research. The Pikul’s began the event after Frank’s cancer diagnosis in 2010. The race also serves as a kick-off to the Wilkes-Barre St. Patrick’s Day Parade; both events will be in

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Frank, with his family

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March 2015

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Lehighton, PA

NEWLY D Jim Thorpe Area TE E R NOVA L AWARD WINNI HOTE NG!

Hampton Free Hot Breakfast WiFi, Business Center Indoor Jacuzzi & Pool 100% Non-Smoking Hotel

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PA I-476/ EXIT 74 877 Interchange Rd. • Lehighton, PA From PA Turnpike I-476 - Take exit 74 for Mahoning Valley towards Lehighton. Follow Route. 209 South 3/4 mile. Hotel is on the left.

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Mention this ad to receive a FREE Botox Consultation ($75.00 Value!) March 2015

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et out your waffle iron, because you’re about to have a serious craving.

tree trying to get those new buds started, and we’re capturing that. Everyone’s got cabin fever from the winter, and it’s a real treat to get out and see the first crop be made. When the temperature stops freezing as much, that’s when the sap starts flowing,

Mann. “The frustrating part of making syrup is the cleaning. The pan is about fourfeet wide by four-feet long. You could nearly climb inside this thing.” So, let the experts handle it, take in the aroma of a sugar house and enjoy a free maple weekend with no

Sweet Treat!

The Maple Weekend in the Endless Mountains region is a weekend full of the sweet stuff – real, honest-to-good-

clean up!

Endless Mountains Maple Festival

ness maple syrup. On Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22, the Maple Syrup Producers Association opens up their sugar houses during a free driving (and sometimes, free tastes!). Dewy Meadows Maple Farm’s Andrew Dewing, Secretary and Treasurer for Endless Mountains Maple Syrup Producers Association, explains how maple syrup is made. “The sugar we’re getting out of the tree this year comes from last year’s sunshine,” he says. “It’s stored in the tree. That sugar is rising up the

“People love to come. We have a lot of people that are interested in making a little bit by themselves,” says Dewing. “I guess they think it’s some kind of secret. They come and they try to pick your brain – always trying to figure out how it‘s made – and when you offer them all the information they could possibly need,

so we’ve got six to eight weeks to make it. This is the first crop we get, so that’s one of the things that makes it special.” “I actually really like the boiling process,” says Endless Mountains Maple Syrup Producers Association President John

they’re kind of surprised,” he says while chucking. “We have a lot of people that love it. Dads want to work with their kids. I’ve given a lot of smiles away while people do that.” Visit www.mannscountrygardens.com. -Kimberly M. Aquilina

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COME VISIT THE ENDLESS MOUNTAINS O F N O R T H E A S T E R N PA !

Only 12 Miles to Elk Mountain!

Complimentary Hot “Smart Start” Breakfast Heated Indoor Pool • Wireless High-Speed Internet Fitness Center • Business Center Jacuzzi Suites Available

Exit 219 & I-81 • New Milford PA 800-HOLIDAY• 570-465-5544 Reserve online: www.hiexpress.com/gibson

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Weddings are individually planned, from elegant sit down to a more casual cocktail reception.

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Flagstone patios overlooking Leonard Creek Magnificent Botanical Gardens 50 acres for your tented event, up to 200 guests Sit Down dinner in our beautiful historic Inn, up to 80 guests The Beaumont 1/4 acre garden on premise Extensive wine list & wine cellar Ceremonies performed on site Contact Nancy Kaminski Special Events Manager nkaminski@thebeaumontinn.com 570-675-7100 or 570-266-9089

4437 Rt 309 • Dallas, PA • thebeaumontinn.com

Share a glass of wine with your dinner prepared by award winning chef Santucci at the new Seasons! Sun. (brunch) 9 a.m.-1 p.m. • Wed.-Thur. 7 a.m.- 9 p.m. Fri. 7 a.m. -10 p.m. • Sat. 8 a.m.-10 p.m. SeasonsTunkhannock.com • 570-836-3080

www.endlessmountains.org • 800-769-8999

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COLONIAL BRICK INN & SUITES

Come and enjoy Pennsylvania hospitality at its finest. Call to reserve your special occasion package. Winter ski or summer golf packages, we will cater to guests all seasons of the year. New meeting room and free Internet in rooms. 25161 Route 11, Hallstead. 570-879-2162 or 1-800-290-3922 www.colonialbrickinn.com

CRESCENT LODGE

What luxury our “cabin in the woods” offers! Queen canopy bed, stone fireplace, Jacuzzi for two, two TVs, private covered deck and full kitchen. Enjoy our Starting Post Cocktail Lounge and award-winning Restaurant. Located two miles from Mt Airy Casino, 10 minutes from the Crossings and 15 minutes from Camelback Ski Area. Paradise Valley. Cresco, PA 800-392-9400 www.CrescentLodge.com.

THE FRENCH MANOR– Romantic country inn modeled after a French chateau. Gourmet French cuisine, excellent wines. AAA 4-Diamond Award Winner for lodging and dining. Luxurious suites with fireplace, Jacuzzis & balcony. New GREEN spa, Le Spa Foret. Includes indoor pool, hot tub, fitness room, couples’ massage suite, fireplace, pedicures & more. South Sterling, PA. 1-877-720-6090. www.TheFrenchManor.com

THE JAMES MANNING HOUSE– Welcome to a perfect alternative to traditional hotel lodging, this historic B&B offers all the comforts of home. Three well-appointed guest rooms, private baths, central AC, TV, WiFi, gardens and more. Enjoy a hearty home cooked breakfast, all with warm, friendly hospitality. Honesdale, PA 570-253-5573. www.jamesmanninghouse.com

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POCONO PINES MOTOR INN & COTTAGES– Tall pines shade this year-round family resort next to “The Big Lake” & winter ski slopes. Cottages, kitchenettes, motel rooms & a three-bedroom lodge with fireplace are available. Cable TV, DVD, VCR, outdoor pool, BBQ’s & private boat docks. Boating, fishing, shops and restaurants close by. 345 Rte. 507, Tafton. 570-226-2772. www.PoconoPinesMotorInn.com.

STONE BRIDGE INN & RESTAURANT– European-style inn, restaurant & tavern in a spectacular country setting. 13 charming rooms, with private baths, TV, A/C, several with fireplaces, free WI-FI. Continental breakfast, indoor pool/hot tub, horseback riding. Excellent dinner cuisine. Exit 206, Rt. 374 East two miles past Elk Mountain, Union Dale. 570-679-9200. www.Stone-Bridge-Inn.com.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Have the best of NEPA delivered right to your door! $26 per year • $50 for 2 years Name: Address: City: State:

Zip:

Phone #: Credit Card #:

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Checks payable to: Happenings Magazine, P.O. Box 61 • Clarks Summit, PA 18411• MC/Visa now accepted. For more information: 570-587-3532. March 2015

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Note-able Inauguration Inauguration

Northeast PA Philharmonic Concert Christens New Venue

The music of Bach, Mozart and Barber will help inaugurate Wyoming Seminary’s Allan P. and Marian Sutherland Kirby Center for the Performing Arts in Kingston on March 6 at 8 p.m. The Northeast PA Philharmonic, under the direction of Maestro Larry

Loh, will perform this season’s third Masterworks concert in the school’s new, $1.2 million, 34,652 square-foot creative arts center. The orchestra, the only fully professional symphony in the region, has a strong focus on education, making the performance on campus a natural fit. The con-

cert includes Bach’s popular Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, Barber’s Adagio for Strings and Mozart Symphony No. 29. Call 570-270-4444, or visit www.NEPAPhil.org –Erika A. Bruckner

Easy Access from RT 33 South!

Abba Mania Fri., March 13

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Fri., March 20

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Mature Audiences Sponsored by 99.9 The Hawk and lehighvalleylive.com

A Frank Wildhorn and Leslie Bricusse musical

7:30 PM - 55/ 50 $

Sponsored by M&T Bank, Hotel Bethlehem, Lehigh Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Vintage Restaurant, The Morning Call and Bazzini

Guys & Dolls Wed., April 1

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Sponsored by Lafayette Ambassador Bank, Tribune Direct and Morningstar Senior Living; Butz Celebrates Broadway Performance Series

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453 Northampton St., Easton, PA 610-252-3132 ! 1-800-999-STATE

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March 2015

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MARCH 6-8 THE ICONIC FILM - NOW A STAGE MUSICAL

“AMAZING! HYSTERICAL! A WONDERFUL SHOW! I STILL HURT FROM LAUGHING!” - BroadwayWorld.com

MARCH 27-28 PERFORMANCES PERFORMANCE ES AT THE SCRANTON SCRAN NTON CULTURAL CENTER , ,+U U +O²8 ½ Â ½Â²8 b ½b² Ê noOb 800-745-3000 • BroadwayInScranton.com For information & group rates 570-342-7784

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The Luck of the Irish for All! Triple the Fun of St. Patrick’s Day Parades

Scranton – March 14 The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Lackawanna County started in 1962 after a U.S. Marshall from the area had to pick up a prisoner from Savannah, GA and saw how “peaches” celebrated the day. According to Eugene Hallinan, president of the St. Patrick’s Parade Association of Lackawanna County, he decided it was time for this region to have some fun, too. The parade, held this year 132

on March 14, has over 10 divisions and 12,000 participants. “We could actually have more than that, but we have to scale it down a little bit, or else it’ll be going all night,” says Hallinan, laughing. The day kicks off with a 10 a.m. Mass at St. Peter’s Cathedral and a footrace at 11 a.m. along the parade route. The parade begins at 11:45 a.m. The United States Navy Band is giving a free concert the night before at Lackawanna College, but, “we do have one other surprise,” said Hallinan. “It’s the Express Clydesdales– Express Employment Professionals.” Hallinan expressed his gratitude for everything the team puts into the parade. “It’s a work of love, believe me,” he says. “The guys that work on the parade are fabulous. They all know their job, and without them I don’t know what we’d do.” Visit www.stpatparade.com For more about the Brian P. HappeningsPA.com

Kelly Memorial Footrace, visit www.HappeningsMagazineP A.com!

Wilkes-Barre – March 15 More than a parade, at 10 a.m., the 5th Annual Renal Race starts at Public Square. (see page 124) At noon, Barnes and Noble has a story hour for children, and at 1 p.m. entertainment starts on the reviewing stand. The parade gets underway at 2 p.m. Visit www.wilkesbarre.pa.us/stpats.php.

Stroudsburg – March 22 The 38th annual St. Patrick’s Parade starts at 1:30 p.m. “People have their chairs; they sit on the sidewalk here to watch everything and it’s real comfortable,” said president of the Pocono Irish American Club Paula Fitzpatrick. “I guess everybody is Irish on that day,” Fitzpatrick says. “I think it’s a very happy occasion. Even though it really is more of a religious thing, I guess now it’s turned into something where you can go and have drinks and have nice food and be out celebrating.” Visit www.poconoirishparade.org. –Kimberly M. Aquilina

March 2015

Win THE BEACH BOYS

MARCH 15 PGS 121-144_Layout 1 2/13/15 2:54 PM Page 13

2 Tickets to

APRIL 22

AT THE STATE THEATRE IN EASTON Sing along with Mike Love and the Beach Boys to all of the chart-topping hits of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Songs like “Surfin’ USA,” “Kokomo” and “Wouldn’t It Be Nice” are sure to bring audience members back to the summers of their youth.

Enter to Win

at www.HappeningsPA.com, or mail your name, phone number & mailing address to “March Explore More Contest” Happenings Magazine P.O. Box 61 Clarks Summit, PA 18411

MARCH 15 PGS 121-144_Layout 1 2/13/15 2:54 PM Page 14

March’s

Can’t-Miss Events

The Fab Faux March 14, 8 p.m. State Theatre Center for the Arts, Easton One of the area’s greatest Beatles tribute bands returns to perform the entire list of music from the album “Revolver,” as well as other fan favorites. The Fab Faux will feature TV star/musicians Will Lee, from “The Late Show with David Letterman,” and Jimmy Vivino of Conan O’Brien’s house band. 610-258-7766. www.StateTheatre.org

Rhythm of the Dance March 5, 7:30 p.m. Lackawanna College, Scranton In a beautiful Irish Celt themed performance, the show combines traditional dance and modern technology. It is one of the most celebrated shows in Irish culture for hundreds of years. 570-961-7810.

Alzheimer’s Roaring ‘20s Gala

March 28, 6-11 p.m. Country Club of Scranton, Clarks Summit Join the Abington Heights Civic League for a fabulous evening of entertainment while benefitting Alzheimer’s Disease and other AHCL projects. Enjoy the live music of Ivory and Brass, dinner, dancing, a silent auction and wine. Dress as your favorite “Abbey” character, black tie optional. Richard Marquardt will be honored at the event. The honorary speaker is Dr. Mario Cornacchione, D.O., M.S. Tickets are $40 per person, or one free ticket with a table of 10. Loved ones with Alzheimer’s and memory loss will Front Left to Right: Sue O’Day, Cheri Murray (President), Susan Griffith Back Left to Right: Michele Catania, Catherine Plishka, be honored. 570-878-9795. Nancy Brojack-Jeschke (Co-Chair), Gretchen Eagen (Co-Chair)

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Ties 5th Annual

that Bind.

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Photography donated by Guy Cali, Guy Cali Assoc.

ote for your favorite tie or guy to support a local non-profit organization! Vote at www.HappeningsPA.com!

Chad Stewart Representing Safe Haven of Pike County

Dale Nat Representing Make-A-Wish

Joe Snedeker, Representing St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Center

J. Christopher Munley Representing Meals on Wheels

March 2015

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MARCH HAPPENINGS Area code 570 unless specified

SPECIAL EVENTS Mar. 1, Dinner by Design, 11 a.m.4 p.m., POSH, Scranton. 344-3841. Mar. 1, Designer Bingo Music Box Players Benefit, 2 p.m., The Music Box Dinner Playhouse, Swoyersville. 283-2195. Mar. 3-9, Maple Fest, Old Forge Brewing Company, Danville. 275-8151. Mar. 6, Fundraiser for Scranton Jaycees, 6:30-9 p.m., Spirited Art, Dickson City. 507-1560. Mar. 6, Annual Pre-St. Patrick’s Day Party, 5:30-8 p.m., Colarusso’s La Palazzo, Moosic. 344-3931. Mar. 7, Dessin Animal Shelter FurrBall 2015, 6 p.m., Inn at Woodloch, Hawley. 253-4037. March 7, St. Patrick’s Day Parade, noon, downtown Pittston. Mar. 7, Humdinger & Half-Dinger Trail Runs, 10 a.m., Danville Primary School, Danville. 336-2060. Mar. 7, Toast of the Town Beer & Wine Tasting, 7-10 p.m., Tunkhannock Public Library, Tunkhannock. 836-1677. Mar. 13, Irish Weekend, Old Forge Brewing Company, Danville. 389-8151. Mar. 14, Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, 11:45 a.m., downtown Scranton. Mar. 19, EOTC Vintage Emporium Goes to Style Encore, 6:30 p.m., Style Encore, Dickson City. 558-7562. Mar. 20-22, Endless Mountains Syrup Producers Assoc. Maple Weekend, Bradford & Susquehanna Counties. 537-6676. Mar. 22, Ronald McDonald House Gourmet Gala “Welcome to Hollywood,” Mohegan Sun Arena, Wilkes-Barre. 969-8998. Mar. 27, Charity Cask Night: Women’s Resource Center, 5 p.m., Cooper’s Seafood House, Scranton. 346-6883. 136

Mar. 28, Grand Opening, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Essential Beauty Treatments Salon & Spa, Clarks Summit. 586-0700.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

MARCH SUN

1 8 15 22 29

MON

2 9 16 23 30

Mar. 1, Safe Haven Rescue Dog Adoption Day, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Ace Hardware, Brodheadsville. Mar. 5, Lady Jane’s Salon, 6:308:30 p.m., Bartolai Winery, West Pittston. 388-8466. Mar. 10, Tuesdays with Nellie: Mystery Book Club, 6:30 p.m., Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. 253-1220. Mar. 10, Civil War Roundtable Meeting: Elizabeth van Lew, Female Spy for the Union, 8 p.m., Catlin House, Scranton. 344-3841. Mar. 14, Farmers’ Market, noon-2 p.m., The Cooperage, Honesdale. 253-2020. Mar. 14, Calligrapher’s Guild of NEPA, 8:30 a.m., Marywood University, Scranton. 498-4859. Mar. 14, Glass Blowing Demonstrations & Factory Tours, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Gillinder Glass Factory, Port Jervis. 845-856-5375. Mar. 15, Safe Haven Pet Rescue Adoption Day, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Tractor Supply, Brodheadsville. Mar. 19, Moments of Magic Largest Baby Sale in NEPA, The Watres Armory, Scranton. Mar. 19, Family Game Night, 7 p.m., The Cooperage, Honesdale. 253-2020. Mar. 21, Ladies Tea, 1-4 p.m., South Abington Elementary School, Chinchilla. Mar. 21, Boomer’s Angels Rescue Meet & Greet, 8 a.m., Camelback Mountain Parking Lot, Tannersville.

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TUE

WED

THUR

FRI

SAT

3 4 5 6 7 10 11 12 13 14 17 18 19 20 21 24 25 26 27 28 31 Mar. 21, Bradley-Mann Maple Open House, 11 a.m., Mann’s Country Gardens, Gillett. 537-6676. Mar. 21, Craft Show, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Tunkhannock Middle School, Tunkhannock. Mar. 21, Loch’s Maple Open House, 11 a.m., Loch’s Maple Farms, Springville. 965-2679. Mar. 21, DV Music Booster Vendor Fair & Tricky Tray, noon, Delaware Valley High School, Milford. 807-4266. Mar. 21, The Most AWSOM Tricky Tray, 6 p.m., Terraview at Stroudsmoor Country Inn, Stroudsburg. 223-7467. Mar. 22, Open House Celebration, 2-4 p.m., IHM Center, Scranton. Mar. 22, Easter Psanky Demonstrations, 3 p.m., Catlin House, Scranton. 344-3841. Mar. 24, Painting with Suzanne, 6:30 p.m., Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. 253-1220. Mar. 26, Empty Place at the Table Exhibit, noon, University of Scranton, Scranton. 941-6194. Mar. 27, Saints Cyril & Methodius Meatless Meal for Lent Fundraiser, 6 p.m., The Regal Room, Olyphant. 383-9487. Mar. 28, Used Book Sale, Columbia County Traveling Library, Bloomsburg. 387-8782. Mar. 28, Calligrapher’s Guild of NEPA Workshop, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Marywood University, Scranton. 498-4859.

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MARCH HAPPENINGS Mar. 28, North Pocono Craft & Health Fair, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., North Pocono High School, Covington. Mar. 28, Farmers’ Market, noon-2 p.m., The Cooperage, Honesdale. 253-2020. Mar. 28, A Vintage Affair, a Wine Pairing Event, 7-10 p.m., Caldwell Consistory, Bloomsburg. Mar. 28, Spring Vendor Craft Fair, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., West Scranton Intermediate School, Scranton. 963-6842.

Pittston. 270-4444. Mar. 5, Jesse Cook, 8 p.m., State Theatre for the Arts, Easton. 610-252-3132.

Mar. 14, Kyle Morgan Band, 9-11 p.m., Harmony Presents, Hawley. 588-8077.

Mar. 6, Live Music with Compass, 8 p.m., Ehrhardt’s, Hawley. 226-2124.

Mar. 15, Spuyten Duyvil, 4 p.m., The Cooperage, Honesdale. 253-2020.

Mar. 6, Tango Buenos Aires, 8 p.m., State Theatre for the Arts, Easton. 610-252-3132. Mar. 7, Sharon Katz and The Peace Train, 7:30 p.m., The Cooperage, Honesdale. 253-2020.

Mar. 29, Pictures with the Safe Haven Rescue Easter Bunny, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Sit, Stay N Play, Stroudsburg.

Mar. 7, Diana Krall, 8 p.m., F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre. 826-1100.

CONCERTS Mar. 1, Choral Evensong for St. David’s Day & Welsh Te Mawr, 5 p.m., St. Stephen’s Pro-Cathedral, Wilkes-Barre. 825-6653.

Mar. 14, Celtic Woman, 8 p.m., F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre. 826-1100.

Mar. 6, Bach, Mozart and Barber Concert, 8-10 p.m., Wyoming Seminary, Kingston. 270-4444.

Mar. 29, Artists Workshop with Veronica Lawlor, 3 p.m., Olde Brick Theatre, Scranton.

Mar. 29, Boomer’s Angels Rescue Meet & Greet, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Tractor Supply, Brodheadsville.

Lite, 9 p.m., Ehrhardt’s, Hawley. 226-2124.

Mar. 7, MiZ Plays Dylan, 8 p.m., Harmony Presents, Hawley. 588-8077. Mar. 7, Red Moon Road, 8-10 p.m., Harmony Presents, Hawley. 588-8077. Mar. 8, ZZ Top, 8 p.m., F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre. 826-1100.

Mar. 1, Live Music by Matt Roehrig, 7 p.m., Grovedale Winery, Wyalusing. 746-1400.

Mar. 12, Performance Music: Recital featuring the University of Scranton Music Students, University of Scranton, Scranton. 941-7624.

Mar. 3, Justin Townes Earle, 7:30 p.m., F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre. 826-1100.

Mar. 13, Eric Church, 8:30 p.m., Mohegan Sun Arena, Wilkes-Barre. 970-6700.

Mar. 4, String Trio featuring Jeremy Lamb, 7 p.m., WVIA Studios,

Mar. 13, Live Music with 30 Pack

Mar. 15, Making a Difference Ministries Christian Concert Series Part II: Eddy Mann, 7:30 p.m., St. Paul Lutheran Church, Mountain Top. 899-2264. Mar. 15, Live Music with Rebecca and the Soul Shakers, 8 p.m., Grovedale Winery, Wyalusing. 746-1400. Mar. 17, Ferdie Bistocchi Memorial Orchestra, 6 p.m., Saint Mary’s Center, Scranton. 348-4429. Mar. 18, Acoustic Bluegrass Jam, 8 p.m., The Cooperage, Honesdale. 253-2020. Mar. 18, Matt Wilson Quartet with John Medeski, 8:30 p.m., Weis Center for the Performing Arts, Lewisburg. 577-3727. Mar. 19, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, 8:30 p.m., F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre. 826-1100. Mar. 20-22, George Gershwin Festival, Marywood University, Scranton. Mar. 20, Live Music with Silver Meteor, 9 p.m., Ehrhardt’s, Hawley. 226-2124.

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March 2015

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MARCH HAPPENINGS Mar. 21, Barnaby Bright: Haunting Indie Folk Concert, 9-11 p.m., Harmony Presents, Hawley. 588-8077. Mar. 21, Traditional Irish Music Celebration: Andy Cooney and Girsa, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, Bethel, NY. 1-800-745-3000. Mar. 22, Bloomsburg University Chamber Orchestra Spring Concert, 3:30 p.m., St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Bloomsburg. Mar. 22, Dessin Animal Shelter Benefit Concert, 8 p.m., The Cooperage, Honesdale. 253-2020. Mar. 22, Live Music with Joan & Heath DeGaramo, 8-11 p.m., Grovedale Winery, Wyalusing. 746-1400. Mar. 23, Performance Music: “In Recital” featuring Organist Christopher Johnson, 8:30 p.m., University of Scranton, Scranton. 941-7624. Mar. 25, Guitarmania to Beatlemania: The Evolution of the Acoustic Guitar, 8 p.m., State Theatre for the Arts, Easton. 610252-3132. Mar. 27, Union Tanguera, 8:30 p.m., Weis Center for the Performing Arts, Lewisburg. 577-1100. Mar. 27, Live Music with Harkland, 9 p.m., Ehrhardt’s, Hawley. 226-2124. Mar. 27, BoomBox, 9 p.m., The Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. 420-2808. Mar. 28, Doug Smith Jazz Quintet, 7-9 p.m., Marywood University, Scranton. Mar. 28, Alive! ’75: The Ultimate Classic KISS Tribute, 9 p.m., Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. 420-2808. Mar. 28, Laney Jones the Lively Spirits: Vintage Bluegrass Cocktail, Harmony Presents, 9-11 p.m., Hawley. 588-8077. 138

Mar. 29, Live Music with Them Boys, 8 p.m., Grovedale Winery, Wyalusing. 746-1400.

Mar. 21, Spring Dessert Theater, Whipple Performing Arts Studio, Tunkhannock. 836-6986.

Mar. 30, Manhattan School of Music Brass Orchestra & the University of Scranton Singers, 8:30 p.m., University of Scranton, Scranton. 941-7624.

Mar. 21, The Piano Men Starring Jim Wetter, 9 p.m., State Theatre for the Arts, Easton. 610-252-3132.

THEATRE Mar. 1, Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure, 7:30 p.m., Marywood University, Scranton. 348-6268. Mar. 1, Short Works by The Big Guy, 2 p.m., Olde Brick Theatre, Scranton. 209-7766. Mar. 6, SPANK! The Fifty Shades Parody, 7:30 p.m., F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre. 826-1100. Mar. 6, A Night of Comedy with Gilbert Gottfried, 8 p.m., Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel, Scranton. 357-2693. Mar. 6-8, Into the Woods, Fri. & Sat. 7 p.m., Sun. 3 p.m., Valley View High School, Archbald. 876-4110. Mar. 7, Ang Lee Film Series: Three Decades of Fearlessness, “The Life of Pi”, 7 p.m., University of Scranton, Scranton. 941-7643. Mar. 8, Rhythm of the Dance, 5 p.m., State Theatre for the Arts, Easton. 610-252-3132. Mar. 12, Skin & Bone, Bloomsburg University, Bloomsburg. 784-8181. Mar. 13, Sounds Like Teen Spirit, 8 p.m., The Cooperage, Honesdale. 253-2020. Mar. 13, Abba Mania, 8:30 p.m., State Theatre for the Arts, Easton. 610-252-3132. Mar. 14, The Fab Faux, 8 p.m., State Theatre for the Arts, Easton. 610-252-3132. Mar. 20, Bobby Collins, State Theatre for the Arts, Easton. 610-252-3132.

HappeningsPA.com

Mar. 26, International Film Series: “Shadow Magic”, 8 p.m., University of Scranton, Scranton. 941-6330. Mar. 27, The Addams Family – A New Musical, 8 p.m., West Scranton High School, Scranton. 348-3616. Mar. 27, Jekyll & Hyde, 8 p.m., F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre. 826-1100. Mar. 27, Comedy Night, 9:30-11 p.m., Harmony Presents, Hawley. 588-8077. Mar. 28, Taipei Folk Dance Theatre, 8:30-10 p.m., Marywood University, Scranton. Mar. 28, Sister’s Easter Catechism: Will My Bunny Go to Heaven?, The Sherman Theater, Stroudsburg. 420-2808. Mar. 29, Improvisational All Stars, 7-10 p.m., Olde Brick Theatre, Scranton.

SEMINARS/LECTURES Mar. 2, The Causes and Resolutions of National and Ethnic Conflicts: A Global Review,” noon, University of Scranton, Scranton. 941-6206. Mar. 4, 11, 18 & 25, Animal Intelligence & Communications Course, Wellspring House, Tunkhannock. 836-1711. Mar. 4-Jun. 10, Qigong & Taiji Classes, 9 p.m., Misericordia University, Dallas. 674-6289. Mar. 7, Food for Thought Program: Growing in Tunnels, Low Tunnels and Hoop Houses, 10:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m., Wayne Co Public Library, Honesdale. 253-1220. Mar. 10, 20th Anniversary of the 14th Decree on the Status of Women, 6 p.m., University of Scranton, Scranton. 941-6194. March 2015

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MARCH HAPPENINGS Mar. 11, “The Arab Spring: Why Did It Happen and Where Is It Headed?,”1 p.m., University of Scranton, Scranton. 941-6206. Mar. 11-Apr. 1, Computers 101: Getting Started and Beyond, 9 p.m., Misericordia University, Dallas. 674-6289. Mar. 13, Autism: Solutions for Successful Collaboration, 9 a.m. Misericordia University, Dallas. 674-6155. Mar. 14, Food for Thought Program: CSAs, Farmers Markets, Food Collectives and More, Wayne Co Public Library, Honesdale. 253-1220. Mar. 17, Human Trafficking – Modern Day Slavery, 1 p.m., Misericordia University, Dallas. 674-6314. Mar. 18, “De-Coding Putin”, 1 p.m., University of Scranton, Scranton. 941-6206. Mar. 21, Food for Thought Program: Healthy Land, Healthy Meat: The Benefits of Pasture Raised Meats, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m., Wayne County Public Library, Honesdale. 253-1220. Mar. 24, Pruning, 7 p.m., McBride Memorial Library, Berwick. 752-2241. Mar. 28, International Conference on Asian Studies: “Taiwan and China in Global Context,” 4 p.m., University of Scranton, Scranton. 941-6206.

NATURE Mar. 1, Volunteer in the Greenhouse, 1-2 p.m., Pocono EEC, Dingmans Ferry. 828-2319. Mar. 5, Middle Creek Birding Trip, 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m., Kettle Creek EEC, Stroudsburg. 629-3061. Mar. 7, Sugar Shack Scramble, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Pocono EEC, Dingmans Ferry. 828-2319.

March 2015

Mar. 7, Public Maple Sugaring Day, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Kettle Creek EEC, Stroudsburg. 629-3061. Mar. 7, Spring Waterfalls, 1-3 p.m., Pocono EEC, Dingmans Ferry. 828-2319. Mar. 8, Fire Building, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Pocono EEC, Dingmans Ferry. 828-2319. Mar. 8, Sunday for Singles: OffSite Hike, 2-4 p.m., Pocono EEC, Dingmans Ferry. 828-2319. Mar. 14, Woodcock Walk, 7:30-9 p.m., Pocono EEC, Dingmans Ferry. 828-2319. Mar. 15, “Easy Does It” Hike, 2 p.m., Pocono EEC, Dingmans Ferry. 828-2319. Mar. 20, Natural Wonders: The Tiny Seed, 2 p.m., Lackawanna EEC, Covington Twp. 842-1506. Mar. 20, Mystery Birding Field Trip, 9:30 a.m., Kettle Creek EEC, Stroudsburg. 629-3061. Mar. 21, A Chickadee’s Life, 11 a.m., Kettle Creek EEC, Stroudsburg. 629-3061. Mar. 22, Black & White Photography Tour, 10 a.m., Pocono EEC, Dingmans Ferry. 828-2319. Mar. 24, Woodcock Sky Dance Walk, 8-9:30 p.m., Lackawanna EEC, Covington Twp. 842-1506. Mar. 28, Fly Fishing, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Kettle Creek EEC, Stroudsburg. 629-3061. Mar. 28, Signs of Spring on the Farm, 3-5 p.m., Quiet Valley Living Historical Farm, Stroudsburg. 629-3061. Mar. 29, Wild Edibles Walk, 11 a.m., Pocono EEC, Dingmans Ferry. 828-2319. Mar. 29, Tumbling Waters Hike, 2 p.m., Pocono EEC, Dingmans Ferry. 8280-2319.

HappeningsPA.com

KIDS CORNER Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, Preschool Story Time, noon-1 p.m., Wyoming Free Library, Wyoming. 693-1364. Mar. 2 & 16, Children’s Cancer Support Group, 6-8 p.m., Timmy’s Town Center at the Steamtown Mall, Scranton. 341-1511. Mar. 6-8, Sesame Street Live “Make a New Friend,” Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, WilkesBarre. 970-7600. Mar. 7, The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites, 1-2 p.m., Weis Center for the Performing Arts, Lewisburg. 577-1000. Mar. 14, First Annual LEGO Build Off, noon-2 p.m., Wyoming Free Library, Wyoming. 693-1364. Mar. 14 & 15, Live Easter Bunny Photo Open House, Lusona Photography, Olyphant. 565-9924. Mar. 21, Tea, Tips and Treasures: Musical Instruments, 2 p.m., Wyoming Free Library, Wyoming. 693-1364. Mar. 22, Little Eco Explorers: Foxes, 2-4 p.m., Pocono EEC, Dingmans Ferry. 828-2319. Mar. 23, Harold & The Purple Crayon, 11 a.m., F.M. Kirby Center, Wilkes-Barre. 826-1100. Mar. 28, Easter Egg Hunt 2015, noon-7 p.m., Kohl’s Stony Hill Tree Farm, Milton. 437-3442. March 28, Annual Easter Egg Hunt, 10 a.m., Back Mountain Harvest Assembly, Trucksville. 6961128 Mar. 29, Children’s Cancer Support Group, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., TCMC, Scranton. 342-8874.

Find more March events at www.HappeningsPA.com!

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Advertisers’ DIRECTORY 3 Sisters 81 A&B Sunrooms and Remodel 37 Accentuate Caterers 88 Age of Innocence 79 Altier Jewelers 85 Awnings on the Side 41 Barna Log Homes 55 Bella Natura 19 BF Environmental Consultants 37 Biondo Investment Advisors 123 Birchwood Fitness 87 Black & Blue Ball 14 Broadway in Scranton 131 Bucci Vision 97 Carmen’s 2.0 144 Carriage Barn Antiques 45 Chocolates by Leopold 19 Clearfield County 125 Cooper’s Seafood House 106 & 107 Country Inns & B&Bs 128 Currys Donuts 111 Custom Building by Carriage Barn 51 Dakan Enterprises 44 Eagle Cleaners 21 Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Resort 88 Endless Mountains Visitors Bureau 126 Essential Beauty 85 Everything Natural 115 Exclusively You 81 Fairfield Inn & Suites 85 Fern Hall Inn 75 Fidelity 95 Fine Line Homes 41 Frankie Carll Productions 89 French Manor 87 Fritz Bros. Well Drilling 137 Geisinger 2 Gourmet Gala 7 Gumpper Construction 40 Hampton Inn 125 Hazzouri Dental 87 Hematology Oncology Assoc. 25 III Pond’s Winery 108 Isabella Restaurant 108 Kaiser Fine Photography 37 La Buona Vita 79 La Tonalteca 111 Lackawanna County Library System 119 140

Lackawanna Valley Dermatology 125 Ladore 18 Longaberger Baskets 49 Lusona Photography 71 Mariotti 43 Mary Koczwara Hair Studio 71 MCR Productions 73 Merrill Lynch 101 Minooka Subaru 55 Mohegan Sun Pocono 112 Moments of Magic 62 Nancy Willis 13 NEPA Imaging 11 NEPA Philharmonic 121 New York Life 29 Non-Invasive Body Sculpting 81 Northeast Regional Cancer Institute 27 Northeast Veterinary Referral Hospital59 Note Fragrances 19 Nye Jewelers 97 P&R Grocery 47 PA Cyber Charter School 123 Penn Furniture 63 Perkins Restaurant & Bakery 142 PNC Foundation 33 POSH at the Scranton Club 91 Quaker Steak & Lube 142 Radisson Lackawanna Station Hotel 144 Settlers Inn 103 Shoppes at Montage 143 Sisters of IHM 123 Spine Surgery Associates 31 Spirited Art 119 St. Mary’s Villa 119 State Theatre 130 Steve Pronko 71 Thirteen Olives 112 Trax Platform Lounge 144 Treasure Hunting 62 Twigs Café 108 Ulster County Alive 75 University of Scranton 117 Villa Roma 76 & 77 Where to Dine 104 Wood Grille 112 Woodloch 83 WVIA 141 Zacharellis Gardens 69

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March 2015

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DICKSON CITY Exit 191a off of I-81 4005 Commerce Boulevard 570.489.LUBE (5823) There's ALWAYS something happening at The Lube! From Tuesday's All-You-Can-Eat Wing Night, Happy Hour with Half Price Appetizers running Mon.-Thurs. from 8-10 p.m., Friday, 8 p.m.-12 a.m., Sunday 4-6 p.m., and so much more! QUICK LUBE ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT LUNCH BUFFET Lunch Buffet Mon.-Fri. 11 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sun. Tailgate 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Or check out our “Price Break” Lunch Menu starting at 11 a.m. every day! MONDAY - KIDS NITE 5-8 p.m., $1.99 kids meals (with adult purchase), free face painting, play Wii on the big screen, Crafts with Coop our mascot on select nites! EVERY NITE IS MOVIE NITE at THE LUBE! Stop by the Lube to Win FREE IMAX Movie Gift Cards daily on our prize wheel! $15 Movie Meal Deal Lube Burger, Side & Fountain Beverage plus Movie Ticket.* Present your ticket stub for daily discounts and specials! *Regular Movie ticket not valid on IMAX or 3D BOOK YOUR NEXT PARTY WITH US! Free Room Rental. Full Bar Service. Formal or Informal. Special Menus Available. Fun, Festive Atmosphere! Call For Details! Also Located in BLOOMSBURG Exit 232 off of I-80 211 Columbia Mall Drive 570.389.WING (9464)

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E. STROUDSBURG BLOOMSBURG DICKSON CITY MOUNT POCONO STROUDSBURG WILKES-BARRE 563 Milford Road 570-223-0600

MATAMORAS

Exit 232 off of I-80 Exit 191a off of I-81 570-963-1115 570-784-1140

DANVILLE

HAZLETON

103 Westfall Town Dr. Exit 224 off of I-80 Exit 145 off of I-81 570-275-1529 570-491-4341 570-455-0313

Exit 3 off of I-380 570-839-0300

PITTSTON

I-81 & Rte 315 570-883-5682

Exit 305 off of I-80 570-421-6263

TUNKHANNOCK

615 SR 6 East, Suite 1 570-996-0157

Exit 165 off of I-81 570-823-7264

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9TH ANNUAL Saturday March 14, 2015

GENERAL ADMISSION $10.00

Exclusive Access

$25 TRAX VIP PASSES