Navy Band set

to perform

The United States Navy Band Sea Chanters concert sponsored by the Armed Forces Committee and Lackawanna College, Saturday, 7 p.m., Theater at Lackawanna College, free, but tickets are necessary, available at Lackawanna College or by sending a self-addressed envelope to Lackawanna College, 501 Vine St., Scranton PA. 18509, limited to four per person; Joe Sylvester, 570-961-2696.

Air Force Band

set to perform

The Air Force Association in conjunction with Lackawanna College Theater presenting the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band, May 4, 7 p.m., Lackawanna College, free but tickets are necessary, pick up at Lackawanna College, first-floor desk, main entrance, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to Theater at Lackawanna College, 501 Vine St., Scranton, PA 18509, limited to four tickets per person; military and military organizations may obtain tickets from Joe Sylvester, 570-961-2696.

Post 5937 offers scholarships

VFW Post 5937 of Dickson City is offering a $2,000 scholarship to seniors residing in Mid Valley School District and child/grandchild of a veteran or current member of VFW Post 5937; deadline to apply is May 1, see guidance counselor or contact the post through commander Rich Capwell, at 570-489-1222, for application.

Post 4909 hosting dinner-dance

Dupont VFW Post 4909 loyalty day dinner-dance, May 7, post home; buffet, 7:30 p.m.; entertainment by Millennium, 9-1; bar open, 7:30-12:30; $30; reservations, 570-654-9104 or see Bob Lopata by May 6, www.vfw4909.com.

Parade volunteers, participants sought

American Legion Post 306 in Taylor is seeking volunteers and participants for its annual Memorial Day Parade on May 30; Chris Salerno, csalerno1215@gmail.com or 570-309-1770.

Parade participants sought in C’dale

Carbondale Memorial Committee is seeking participants for its annual Memorial Day Parade on May 30; Bob Penzone, pb46@verizon.net or 570-282-6052.

Meetings

POST 665

Dickson City American Legion Post 665 home association board of directors, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., post.

MARINE CORPS LEAGUE

Northeastern Detachment Marine Corps League and Museum, April 3, 2 p.m., detachment, 1340 Alder St., Scranton.

POST 665

Dickson City American Legion Post 665 home association meeting, April 3, 1 p.m., post meeting, 2:30.

POST 5207

VFW Post 5207, April 3, 10 a.m., post home, routes 502 and 307, Covington Twp., final nomination and election of officers, important house committee meeting follows; department service officer at the post, first Thursday of each month, 11 a.m.

POST 25

Scranton VFW Post 25, April 3, noon, with elections, 1-3 p.m., Rockwell Avenue.

POST 610

Mayfield American Legion Post 610, April 4, 7 p.m.

POST 4909

Dupont VFW Post 4909, April 4, 7:30 p.m., post home, nomination of officers; home association meeting follows.

POST 7069

Abington Memorial VFW Post 7069, April 7, 7 p.m., 402 Winola Road, Clarks Summit, agenda: election of officers.

VFW DISTRICT 10 AUXILIARY

VFW District 10 Auxiliary, April 10, 1 p.m., Abington Memorial Post VFW 7069, 402 Winola Road, Clarks Summit, Department President Karen Hoover will attend and inspect the district.

POST 4954

Old Forge VFW Post 4954 election of officers, April 12, 7 p.m.

Merli Center

Today: Easter Sunday. Coffee, 9 a.m.; Easter Mass, 9:30; Bob Ross and ice cream sundaes, 2 p.m.

Monday: Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; Bible study, 9:30; tai chi with music, 10:30; PEER meeting, 1 p.m.; movie and snacks, 2; ice cream sundae social, 7.

Tuesday: Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; bingo social, 10; volunteer ministry visits, 1:15 p.m.; freestyle activities, 2; hot pretzel night and movie, 7.

Wednesday: Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; nature video, 10:30; Lone Star lunch trip, 12:15 p.m.; Frankie Gervasi musical program, 2.

Thursday: Morning visits, 8:45 a.m.; chapel, 10; arts and crafts, 10:30; horse races by Greene Dreher Legion, 2 p.m.

VETERANS NEWSshould be submitted no later than Monday before publication to veterans@timesshamrock.com; or YES!desk, The Times-Tribune, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503.

Northeast Pennsylvania’s first board game cafe opened officially on Saturday, offering people a place they can interact away from computer screens and smartphones as social lives have gone more digital.

Chris Moore, 33, of Plains Twp., and Elle Hammond, 26, of Swoyersville, co-founded the Game Chateau in Plaza 315 in Plains Twp.

More than 145 board games can be found inside, including classics like vintage Life, Monopoly, Parcheesi, Scrabble and Battleship and children’s games like Candyland and Chutes and Ladders.

Other popular games include Dead of Winter, a zombie survival game, and Pandemic, which Mr. Moore called a stress-inducing game based on the premise that four diseases have broken out in the world, each threatening to wipe out a region.

Each month, they will try to increase the number of games, Mr. Moore said. They also serve Electric City Roasting Co. coffee from Scranton, desserts and pizza from Sanitary Bakery in Nanticoke, soda and tea.

The Game Chateau held a soft opening about a month ago and a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday. They have been running promotions, charging people $5 to play for the day with a Facebook coupon. Starting in April, people can play the games for $5 for the first hour and that includes a drink and $3 for each additional hour.

Evolving idea

Mr. Moore has been a fan of board games since he was 8 years old. His current favorite game is “Letters from Whitechapel,” in which one player takes the role of the infamous Jack the Ripper while other players are detectives working together to pursue him.

He said he likes board games because of the interaction they bring about.

He formerly ran a local meetup group called NEPA Tabletop for others who also like to play board games. The group has grown to about 300 people and has 50 to 60 active weekly members. Group members range in age to people in their 20s to people in their 60s.

One of the biggest problems, he said, was finding places that would allow them to come together and play. Typically, the meetups would run four to six hours.

“Not a lot of restaurants are thrilled with you sitting down buying a meal and then being there for four to six hours,” he said. “Some people ran meetups out of their house, but not everybody is comfortable with that. Not everybody is comfortable going to somebody else’s house and then you have to clean up when people are done.”

Mr. Moore later started contemplating an idea of a game store with a food section. The idea evolved into a board game cafe after some online research.

Trending business

In the last few years, board cafes have been popping up across the globe.

Toronto, Canada-based Snakes & Lattes, which bills itself as the first board game cafe in North America, expanded to a second location that serves alcohol: Snakes & Lagers board game bar. Board game cafes also have opened in Mechanicsburg, New York City, Boston, Baltimore and Washington, D.C..

Mr. Moore said he called a few for advice.

“They all seemed very excited that someone else was joining this board game cafe movement,” he said.

Ms. Hammond travels with her husband, a comedian, and they visited the Tabletop Board Game Cafe in Cleveland, Ohio.

“That was my favorite one that I’ve seen besides ours,” she said. “Their walls were lined with games. It was beautiful. They were so nice. Everybody is always so nice. It’s like a community at this point. There’s not really competition. I’m sure as it grows more popular, there’s going to be.”

Dan Hundycz, president of DPH Games in Corning, N.Y., recently traveled to The Game Chateau to demonstrate the newest game he designed: “Cats: A Sad but Necessary Cycle of Violent Predatory Behavior.”

He also visited The Game Table Cafe in Mechanicsburg.

The board gaming industry has been on the rise over the last 10 years, said Mr. Hundycz, a retired school counselor who now designs games.

Mr. Hundycz, who also likes to play video games, said playing tabletop games offer a more social experience, helps improve the thinking process and helps young people learn problem-solving skills and teamwork.

“When you’re playing a tabletop game, people aren’t looking at their phones, especially if it’s a really good game,” he said.

The Game Chateau is open Tuesday through Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m. to midnight; Saturday, 10 a.m. to midnight and Sunday, noon to 10 p.m.

Contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com

In January and February, Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign received $69,322 in itemized individual contributions from Northeast Pennsylvania, according to updated Federal Election Commission reports.

Her total from the region is now up to $445,162. The regional total of all other presidential campaigns is $229,431, with $170,718 going to Republicans.

A Feb. 16 fundraiser in Shavertown with the candidate’s daughter, Chelsea Clinton, helped raise more than $32,000, according to a review of contributions on and around Feb. 16.

Entrepreneur Kristopher Jones and his wife, Robyn, hosted the fundraiser at their home. Each contributed $2,700, the maximum donation allowed from an individual directly to a candidate’s campaign.

Mrs. Clinton had two fundraisers in Scranton last year and has ties to the area. Her late father, Hugh Rodham, grew up in Scranton and as a child she spent summers at a family cottage at Lake Winola.

Bernie Sanders, Mrs. Clinton’s opponent in the Democratic primaries and caucuses, reported $54,163 in itemized individual contributions from Northeast Pennsylvania. Mr. Sanders has focused on raising money through donations of less than $200, which are not itemized on FEC reports.

Mr. Sanders has raised $138.1 million nationally with $94.2 million from nonitemized contributions, according to FEC records on campaign finances through Feb. 29. 2015. Mrs. Clinton raised $154.1 million, with almost $28.6 million from nonitemized contributions.

Donation report

People who donate more than $200 are required to list their names and occupations on FEC reports. The FEC uses zip codes to total itemized individual contributions. If an individual gives to a campaign multiple times for a total of over $200 during an election cycle, the excess is itemized while the original $200 remains nonitemized.

The FEC reports on presidential campaigns also don’t include funds from super PACs, which can raise and spend unlimited sums in support of a candidate but are prohibited from coordinating with a candidate’s campaign.

Republican frontrunner Donald Trump has raised $34.1 million nationally with $2,977 in itemized individual contributions from Northeast Pennsylvania. Mr. Trump has so far rejected financial support from big-money donors, claiming he can fund his campaign with his personal wealth.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, of Texas, has raised $66.2 million, with $46,105 in itemized individual contributions from Northeast Pennsylvania. Ohio Gov. John Kasich has raised $12 million, with $5,150 from the region.

Contact the writer:

mbuffer@citizensvoice.com,

@cvmikebuffer

Total contributions (millions of dollars) /

Itemized individual contributions from Pa. residents /

Itemized individual contributions from NEPA residents

All Candidates 605.4 / $9,255,799 / $674,593

Republicans 305.6 / $4,821,345 / $170,718

Cruz (R) 66.2 / $854,045 / $46,105

Kasich (R) 12.0 / $347,639 / $5,150

Trump (R) 34.1 / $60,288 / $3,295

Democrats 299.5 / $4,432,494 / $503,875

Clinton (D) 154.1 / $3,206,156 / $445,162

Sanders (D) 138.1 / $1,106,822 / $54,163

Source: Federal Election Commission reports on campaign finances through Feb. 29, 2016. Contributions from NEPA are from 5-digit ZIP codes that begin with 182, 183, 184, 185, 186, 187 and 188.

OLYPHANT — The Rev. Nestor Iwasiw moved among his congregants on Saturday, sprinkling holy water and blessing Easter baskets covered with embroidered scarves.

The gathering at the SS. Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church parking lot didn’t take long but continued a tradition many families described as a meaningful precursor to Easter Sunday, the holiest day in the faith.

“My parents belonged here,” reflected 64-year-old Dickson City resident Kathy Radle, who brought her four grandchildren. “I’ve been doing it all my life. ... I think I missed it once. That’s the year I broke my ankle.”

The pastor typically blesses baskets containing traditional foods like kielbasa, Paska bread and butter shaped like a lamb. But the contents of some baskets on Saturday included Easter candy and even pet food — which gave the Rev. Iwasiw a laugh.

Ms. Radle said after giving up meat and dairy products for Lent, everything tastes a little more delicious on Sunday.

Aside from the religious significance of the occasion, Olyphant resident Millie Gongliewski enjoys gathering many family members in the same place every year and said the event is like a family mini-reunion.

Ms. Gongliewski’s decorated eggs — adorned with dye and designs added with a nail head and hot wax — always impress with their intricacy and are part of the tradition her younger relatives hope to carry forward.

Olyphant residents Allison Carey, 25, and Francesca Creavey, 17, regarded as being among the better young egg designers in the family, said each egg usually takes about 10 minutes.

Alexa Creavey, 22, acknowledged that decorating eggs isn’t her strong suit.

“It requires a lot of patience,” she said with a smile.

The women considered their Easter celebration to be an important part of their identity and hoped to someday pass the tradition on to their own children.

The Rev. Iwasiw said the decorations have spiritual significance, with the eggs themselves representing the resurrection. Designs have meaning, too, like stars symbolizing heaven and wheat symbolizing Earth.

After the basket blessing, most members of the congregation headed over to the church to pay their respects to a display symbolizing the tomb of Jesus and say a prayer before a Vesperal Divine Liturgy of St. Basil the Great later in the afternoon.

Contact the writer:

kwind@timesshamrock.com,

@kwindTT on Twitter

SCRANTON — Lackawanna County scheduled its annual Art in the Park initiative and is seeking visual and performing artists to provide activities for children ages 4-12.

The events will run Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon on July 5 at Merli-Sarnoski Park; July 12 at Covington Park; July 19 at McDade Park; and July 26 at Aylesworth Park.

The program can accommodate 125 to 150 children at each park.

The county pays $175 per day for performing artists and $200 per day for visual artists. Proposals are reviewed by the Art in the Park committee.

Interested artists can find applications at www.lackawannacounty.org. For information, contact the county at arts-culture@lackawannacounty.org or 570-963-6590, ext. 106.

— KYLE WIND

Monday: Principles of Zoning seminar, Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Education Institute, sponsored by Northeast Section of the Pennsylvania Chapter — American Planning Association and the Lackawanna County Regional Planning Commission, 6 to 9:30 p.m., Lackawanna County 911 Center for Public Safety, Jessup. The course is open to planning commission members, elected officials, zoning hearing board members, zoning officers and administrators, solicitors, registered landscape architects and attorneys. Cost is $20. For more information, contact Steve Pitoniak at 570-963-6400. The course continues April 4 and 11.

Tuesday: “Edible Yards” free forum and free seed swap, Sustainable Energy Education & Development Support, 7 to 9 p.m., Park Street Complex, 648 Park St., Honesdale. Learn how to grow healthy food and become more self-reliant. Bring seeds you’ve collected from your own garden or extra seeds you’ve purchased to share with others.

■ Women’s luncheon on Women’s Health & Wellness, Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce Women’s Networking Committee, noon to 1 p.m., BJ’s Pub & Eatery, Hazle Twp. Buffet-style lunch included. Cost, $18 members, $25 nonmembers. Proceeds benefit the Women’s Empowerment Grant Fund. Reservations required. To register call 570-455-1509 or email jferry@hazleton

chamber.org.

Thursday: Careers in Manufacturing and Logistics, PA CareerLink, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 135 Franklin Ave., Scranton. Representatives from Lockheed Martin, CPG International and Crystal Windows will speak. For more information, visit www.pacareerlink.com.

Friday: Continuing Legal Education Program, Pike County Bar Association, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Balch’s Seafood Restaurant in Milford. PCBA will be screening “To Kill A Mockingbird,” and key points of the movie will be discussed.

SUBMIT BUSINESS BRIEFCASE items to business@timesshamrock.com or The Times-Tribune, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503.

Find a pet who needs a new home at the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter.

Mia is a very sweet, young female cat. She is friendly and loves to be pet.
Contact the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter at 586-3700 if your pet is lost or goes astray. Staff Photo by Ted Baird

Mama Mia is a young adult, female, hound mix. She is friendly, likes other dogs and have a sweet disposition.
Contact the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter at 586-3700 if your pet is lost or goes astray. Staff Photo by Ted Baird




Watch the latest Pets of the Week video HERE:

Blue Ridge

Senior Desiree Alvarez earned national recognition in the 2016 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards.

Desiree’s mask, “The Bean,” won a gold medal. She has been invited to attend a ceremony at Carnegie Hall on Thursday, June 2. Desiree and her family are planning on attending, along with her art teacher, Sarrah Dibble-Camburn.

“(Winning) was pretty cool,” Desiree said.

At school, Desiree is a helper in a third-grade classroom, where she helps students with desk work and keeps them focused. She also helps elementary ESL students by teaching them the alphabet and English.

— AUTUMN GRANZA

agranza@timesshamrock.com

Carbondale Area

Senior Justin Potis and eighth-grader Kaylee Beckage were awarded for their patriotic essay entries by VFW Post 4712.

Justin won the Voice of Democracy contest for his essay on the theme, “My Vision for America.” He participated in the contest with his AP history class.

“I think this is a great tribute to our country and I think it’s awesome to be chosen as the best essay among my peers,” Justin said.

Kaylee is the Patriots’ Pen winner for her essay on “What Freedom Means to Me” theme.

The Patriots’ Pen is a nationwide, VFW-sponsored youth essay competition for grades six to eight and the Voice of Democracy is a scholarship program sponsored by the VFW for ninth to 12th grade students.

Justin and Kaylee each received a plaque and monetary award.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter

Career Technology Center

Three cosmetology students have completed 1,250 hours and passed their Pennsylvania state board cosmetology exam.

Newly licensed cosmetologists are seniors Miranda McCartney, Forest City Regional; Teya Heller, Lakeland; and Kelly Gerrity, Dunmore. In addition, Tori Romanosky, Mid Valley, and Deborah Lombardi, North Pocono, finished their hours and will take the exam in April. The test is a combination of theory and practical skill.

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

Dunmore

The Crimson Company will present the musical “Seussical” at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and April 6-9 in the high school auditorium.

The musical, based on the books of Dr. Seuss, is a family friendly show that will bring back memories of childhood, according to junior Mark Nealon, who plays the lead character of Horton the Elephant.

This is Mark’s third year performing with the Crimson Company and said it’s an exhilarating feeling when he gets to be someone else.

“I like playing Horton because he’s very loyal and everything you would want in a friend,” Mark said.

Proud of the work he and his classmates have put into the show, Mark hopes to see the auditorium filled. Tickets are $10 for adults, $8 for students and seniors and $5 for children under 5.

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

Forest City

Regional

Adam Kowalewski volunteered at Brundage’s Waymart Pharmacy for his senior project.

“I was kind of interested in a career in pharmacy and I wanted to learn more about the pharmacy and how it works,” he said. “I learned about the dangers of over-the-counter medicines and how to diagnose symptoms correctly.”

Adam plays golf, basketball and baseball at school and is also a member of student council. He works at Elkview Country Club in the pro shop, and in his spare time, he enjoys sports.

Next year, Adam expects to be attending the University of Scranton, as well as playing on its golf team.

— LISA ZACCAGNINO

lzaccagnino

@timesshamrock.com

Holy Cross High School

Junior Abigail Guziewicz is a member of student council and is helping plan the annual intramural volleyball tournament, which will take place at the end of April.

“Being able to bring classmates together by holding the annual volleyball tournament is very rewarding,” she said.

At Holy Cross, Abigail is also a member of the cross country and track and field teams, National Honor Society, alumni society newsletter, environmental club, Tomorrow’s Leaders Today and the pro-life club.

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

Lackawanna Trail

Sophomore Carolyn Mack is representing Lackawanna Trail at the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership seminar in May.

“It sounds like a great opportunity and I’m excited to meet new people and try new things,” said Carolyn.

The conference, held at Shippensburg University, inspires high school sophomores to recognize their leadership talents and apply them to become effective, ethical leaders in all aspects of their lives.

Carolyn was picked by a panel of teachers and counselors because of her academic achievement and extracurricular involvement.

“She’s a great student who is academically motivated and extremely polite,” Michelle Getts, school counselor, said of Carolyn.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter

Mountain View

Senior Dakota Jones attended the PA High School Computer Fair at Keystone College on March 17.

Dakota has taken at least one computer class every year since eighth grade. Currently, he is taking advanced printing.

“I like computers because you can connect over long distances, and there are so many things that you can do with them,” Dakota said.

Dakota’s favorite program is Photoshop.

“I like to create things, and the design aspect,” he said.

Dakota also plays volleyball at school.

After high school, he hopes to get into the gas industry.

— AUTUMN GRANZA

agranza@timesshamrock.com

North Pocono

Junior Matthew Smith competed and won locally for his audio-essay submitted in the VFW’s Voice of Democracy contest.

His essay, “My Vision for America,” placed first at Shopa-Davey VFW Post 6082 and first for VFW District 10. At the state level, Matthew placed fourth and received the Department of Pennsylvania Ladies Auxiliary Scholarship for his efforts.

An excellent public speaker, the contest allowed him to showcase his ideas and presenting skills.

At North Pocono, Matthew is an honor roll student who takes Advanced Placement courses, is a member of the science Olympiad and mock trial teams, student council, marching band, the track and field team and National Honor Society.

Matthew is also an Eagle Scout with Troop 132 in Spring Brook Twp., vice chief of Order of the Arrow Lowwapaneu Lodge 191 and an assistant senior patrol leader for the Boys Scouts of America’s National Youth Leadership Training course.

He is an altar server at St. Catherine of Siena Parish. During the summer, Matthew is a law intern for Judge Margaret Bisignani-Moyle of the Lackawanna County Court of Common Pleas.

Matthew plans to study secondary education, specializing in history, after

graduation.

“I live my life by a quote by Sir Robert Baden Powell, the founder of Scouting,” he said. “Leave this world a little better than you found it, so when your turn comes to die, you may die happy.”

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter

Old Forge

Although the region had a less-than-ideal ski season, senior Johnathan O’Dell enjoyed being a member of the ski club again this year.

Johnathan started skiing when he was 4 or 5 years old and also snowboards.

“It’s a good stress reliever,” he said.

Johnathan plans to enter the Air Force after graduation and serve on the medical special forces.

“It will be a great start to my career,” he said.

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

Scranton

Through the national Scholastic Art and Writing competition, Scranton High School student Madison Smolsky won the American Vision Award.

The awards ceremony will be held at Carnegie Hall in New York City in June.

Madison is among the top 1 percent of 320,000 submissions, according to the school district. Her piece will be displayed in galleries around the country and world for the next two years.

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

Scranton Prep

When Catherine Donlon broke a district swimming record earlier this month, she did not expect a phone call from an Olympic athlete.

At the District 2 Class AA swimming championships, the junior broke a 38-year-old District 2 record when she finished in 1:54.36, bettering the mark of 1:54.74, in the 200-yard freestyle. Since 1978, the record had been held by Abington Heights’ Sue Heon, who went on to be a member of the 1984 U.S. Olympic team.

Catherine, who goes by Cat, was happy to hear from Ms. Heon.

“It was actually kind of crazy ... it was really exciting,” Cat said. “I didn’t realize how cool it was until I got off the phone and thought, ‘wow, I just got off the phone with an Olympian.’”

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

Valley View

For his excellent performance in the classroom, Joe Koniszewski was selected as senior of the month in math.

“I am honored to receive this reward, as mathematics will be a key component in my future studies,” he said. After high school, Joe plans to attend a four-year university and major in engineering.

The award is sponsored by the Valley View Student Council and Blakely Peckville Lions Club.

Joe is the president of student council and ping pong club and captain of the soccer team. He is a member of National Honor Society, math honor society, the STEM team, Spanish club, lighting and sound crew and the track and field team.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter

Wallenpaupack

Sixth-grader Megan Desmet is getting ready to perform in her third piano recital next month at the Moravian Church in Newfoundland.

“Maybe someday I will play for the church on their organ,” Megan said.

She has been playing piano since the summer before she entered second grade.

Megan is also an altar server at her church, St. Thomas More in Lake Ariel.

— AUTUMN GRANZA

agranza@timesshamrock.com

Wayne Highlands

High-schooler Trevor Komar does more than just study at the school.

Working with the custodial staff after his classes, he helps take out the garbage, food waste, plastic bottles and recycling from the cafeteria, and assists with clean- up after lunch.

Also, on Mondays and Fridays, Trevor job-shadows at Calkins Creamery, where he is learning how to make cheese. He does this through the Community Vocational Program.

Trevor also participates in the schoolwide recycling program. Outside of school he enjoys hunting, fishing and riding his ATV.

— AUTUMN GRANZA

agranza@timesshamrock.com

Western Wayne

Evan Peirce and Aidan Donnini agreed to participate in the counseling department’s districtwide advisory council.

The advisory council focuses on the district’s new Chapter 339 plan, which will provide career development for students.

Evan and Aidan are among the council’s youngest members. Evan moved to the area three years ago from South Carolina. He hopes to be a smarter, better person and to share the information that he is learning.

Aidan hopes to find the career of her dreams with the information she learns.

— AUTUMN GRANZA

agranza@timesshamrock.com

SCRANTON — Today is the last day to register to be eligible to vote in the April 26 primary election.

Only Democrats and Republicans can choose candidates for president and state offices in the primary, but independent and voters registered in other parties can still vote for a statewide referendum on raising the retirement age for judges from 70 to 75 years old.

Registration forms are available online at votespa.com or at local voter registration offices. In Lackawan­na County, the office is at 2400 Stafford Ave., Scranton. Mailed registration forms must be postmarked no later than today.

— BORYS KRAWCZENIUK

HARRISBURG — The spotlight at the statehouse now shifts to the fiscal 2016-17 budget with Gov. Tom Wolf facing tougher political hurdles to get the new tax revenue he wants to erase a $2 billion revenue deficit and boost state aid to public schools and other programs.

The $6.6 billion supplemental budget bill written by Republican lawmakers became law without the governor’s signature, ending a nine-month budget impasse that put some public schools and county agricultural extension offices on the brink of closing. The supplemental bill puts the total budget for fiscal 2015-16 at $30 billion. The impasse ended with still unresolved budget-related proposals to overhaul the state liquor stores, cut public pension costs and provide school property tax relief.

This is this second year in a row that the state budget has been determined largely by the Legislature without the governor’s agreement. Former Gov. Tom Corbett was sidelined out of the final negotiations over the fiscal 2014-15 budget and responded with some line-item vetoes of spending. Typically, Harrisburg budget fights involve a relatively small portion of money since mandates drive much of the spending.

Mr. Wolf warned the budget

for 2015-16 is $300 million out of debt and would lead to future downgrades from credit rating agencies.

GOP lawmakers strongly defended their plan as being balanced and able to boost public school aid by $200 million at no cost to state taxpayers.

Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-34, Bellefonte, and House Majority Leader Dave Reed, R-62, Indiana, expressed relief at the end of the impasse and vowed to start work immediately on the next budget.

Mr. Corman said he agrees that Pennsylvania faces a built-in revenue deficit, but pointed out that spending cuts are also a way to address it.

Other GOP lawmakers leveled new criticism at the governor.

Mr. Wolf ended the crisis he created when he let the bill become law, said Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati, R-25, Jefferson County.

“As we now look towards completing a budget for 2016-17, we hope to see more leadership and not partisan politics from the governor,” said Mr. Scarnati.

The governor could have allowed the GOP budget to be enacted last summer and saved a lot of needless suffering within the education, agricultural and corrections communities, said Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, Tamaqua.

The governor proposed a $33.3 billion budget for fiscal 2016-17 with big spending increases for education and $2.7 billion in tax hikes in an election year when all House seats and odd-numbered Senate seats are on the ballot. With many districts dominated by one party, incumbent lawmakers often face their most serious competition in the primary, which is April 26 this year.

“You can’t find an election year when big taxes are raised,” said G. Terry Madonna, Ph.D, political pollster at Franklin and Marshall College, referring to the state income and sales taxes.

Mr. Wolf used his veto power to completely reject an earlier GOP budget bill in June and then shape a partial $24 billion budget in December. However, as the governor contemplated a veto of the supplemental bill last week, the limits of that strategy became apparent.

Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald, urged the governor earlier in the week to release emergency money to schools, hospitals and agricultural programs.

Mr. Blake said later that he won’t support future budget maneuvers that will put schools in distress again.

Some GOP lawmakers may be more receptive to the governor’s proposals after the primary, said Christopher Borick, Ph.D., a Throop native who is a political science professor at Muhlenberg College.

The governor faces some soul-searching since he didn’t achieve his goals with this budget, said Dr. Borick.

“Is the legacy of how this cycle ended a signal of how things will play out next year or an indication the governor may take a different approach?” he asked.

Contact the writer:

rswift@timesshamrock.com

A property management company will soon create a registry of foreclosed homes in Scranton to support the latest city effort to fight blight.

Community Champions is just waiting for the city to finalize an ordinance creating the abandoned property registry — which should happen within a couple weeks — to start its work, Councilman Wayne Evans said.

The plan is for the firm to create and maintain the list to ensure owners properly maintain vacant foreclosed homes and city code enforcement staff know whom to contact if, for example, the grass grows several feet high, sidewalks are not shoveled or broken windows are not repaired.

“One of the problems we constantly hear at neighborhood association meetings is that buildings are not being taken care of,” council President Joe Wechsler said. “The buildings they’re talking about often end up being owned by banks.”

The proposed fee for registration is $200, of which $100

would pay the contractor and $100 would go to the city, likely funding a small grant program to help first-time home-buyers.

“The goal is to get younger people into the houses and give them some seed money to fix them up,” Mr. Evans said.

City officials initially estimated registering about 350 properties could raise $35,000

in the program’s first year.

Aside from the proposed grant program and assistance for the licensing, inspections and permits department, city officials envision the registry becoming a resource for people interested in buying property in the city.

“(Realtors) don’t have a special list of foreclosed properties,” said Mr. Evans, a real estate agent. “We basically stumble on them as we go through our (listing) system ... This is a good tool for investors.”

At Wednesday’s meeting

, council unanimously advanced the registry ordinance from its first reading. City lawmakers expressed interest in using the list to map foreclosures around the city to spot trends in neighborhoods.

Councilman Bill Gaughan suggested the effort could complement the work of the new county land bank and help the board strategically target trouble spots.

The time it takes to create a registry varies by the number of properties in a city, according to Community Champions.

Scott Blasie, national government relations director for Community Champions, said once the company has all of the foreclosure data it needs from the county, it shouldn’t take longer than 30 days to get the system up and running.

Contact the writer:

kwind@timesshamrock.com,

@kwindTT on Twitter

The state Supreme Court declined Wednesday to hear an appeal of a ruling that ordered the defunct Lackawanna County Government Study Commission to turn over three emails to The Times-Tribune.

The decision lets stand a Nov. 20 ruling by the state Commonwealth Court that directed James Seidel, a private investigator who worked for the commission, to provide emails to the newspaper sought under the state’s Right to Know Law.

Frank Ruggiero, attorney for the commission, argued the emails, which related to an investigation of wrongdoing in county government, were exempt from disclosure because they were part of a noncriminal investigation.

The Commonwealth Court disagreed, finding the commission exceeded its authority in ordering the investigation, therefore the records are not exempt from disclosure.

It is unclear whether the newspaper will ever get the emails, however. Mr. Seidel previously testified he could not provide them, even if ordered to do so, because they were lost when his computer crashed.

Lackawanna County Judge Terrence Nealon, who initially ruled the emails must be provided to the newspaper, said at the time he would consider directing Mr. Seidel to send the computer for forensic analysis to see if the emails exist on the hard drive.

Mr. Ruggiero said he will now contact Mr. Seidel or his attorney to determine what needs to be done to comply with the court’s order.

“The court has ruled, and we expect the study commission to provide the emails,” said Joe Butkiewicz, managing editor of The Times-Tribune.

Contact the writer:

tbesecker@timesshamrock.com, @tbeseckerTT on Twitter

Factoryville

Sportsmen meet: Factoryville Sportsmen’s Club meeting, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., clubhouse, Chairman Bruce Weisenfluh is distributing the spring “Super Gun” tickets, see him for availability, tickets for the Henry rifle raffle are in limited supply; Paul, 570-561-3748.

Lackawanna County

Motivational talk: Ronald McDonald House of Scranton “Show Your Stripes Club” presentation with the Bochicchio Sports Character Initiative, Wednesday, 6 p.m., University of Scranton’s John Long Center, featuring NFL All-Pro lineman Joe Ehrmann, motivational talk, “Building a Winning Culture,” free.

Awards event: The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple inaugural Scranton Cultural Center Honors, Thursday, 6-9 p.m., modeled after the Kennedy Center Honors, featuring hors d’ouevres by Constantino’s Catering, a premium open bar and entertainment from some of NEPA’s finest performers, honoring the best in philanthropy in our community: Allied Services, Broadway Theatre League of Scranton/NAC Entertainment, the Lackawanna County Department of Arts and Culture and Peoples Security Bank and Trust, tickets, $100, available at the SCC’s Fidelity Bank Box Office in person or 570-344-1111 or via all applicable Ticketmaster outlets; www.sccmt.org.

Mayfield

Watch events: Mayfield Crime Watch suspicious activity/problem, elderly need reports anonymous drop box available, borough building, 739 Penn Ave.; drop non-perishable donations; Mayfield Crime Watch meeting, Wednesday, 7 p.m., borough building.

Old Forge

Historical Society: Old Forge Historical Society meeting, Thursday, 7 p.m., lower meeting room, Borough Building, South Main Street, parking/entrance in rear, bring information on Civil War soldiers from Old Forge; tickets for June 5 purse bingo on sale.

Regional

Archaeology Society: Frances Dor­rance Chapter Society for Penn­sylvania Archaeology meeting Tuesday, 7 p.m., Duryea Muni­cipal Building, 315 Main St.; Maryann Storz speaking on Frances Slocum the Lost Child of Wyoming, free.

Women’s tea: Women of Elmhurst Country Club Tea, April 24, 1-3 p.m., bring cup, wear hat, $25, includes luncheon, fashion show, prizes; Pidge Rebar, 570-842-3443 or Martha Dougher, 570-342-1505 by April 18.

Quilters meet: Pennsylvania Quilters Guild meeting, April 4, 6:30 p.m., Quality Inn, Kidder Street, Wilkes-Barre, Betty Neff trunk show/Singer Featherweight sewing machine presentation, $5/nonmembers; business meeting/show and tell follow, light refreshments; how to oil/care for Singer Featherweight program, April 3, 2-5 p.m., Hampton Inn Suites, 876 Schechter Drive, Wilkes-Barre, bring machine oil, $25; 570-655-7372.

Scranton

Community event: Minooka Lions Club’s Big Tom’s Bash, honoring the life of Thomas J. Cerep, April 16, 2-10 p.m., Divine Mercy Hall; beverages, entertainment, light fare, baskets, bake sale, $15/adults and free/under 12 accompanied by an adult; Mari Walsh, 570-604-3605 or Perry Walsh, 570-468-4413.

Wayne County

Women’s symposium: Wayne Memorial Hospital’s Women Only Luncheon Symposium, April 29, Woodloch Springs Country Club, Hawley; Carrie Demers, M.D., PureRejuv at the Himalayan Institute, on “Strengthening Your Inherent Power to Heal,” choice of 11 workshops before buffet lunch, $45; www.wmh.org, 570-253-8990 or decker@wmh.org.

West Scranton

Religious event: Divine Mercy Sunday, St. Lucy’s Church, 949 Scranton St., celebrated by Deacon Carmine Mendicino, assisted by the Rev. Sam Ferretti, pastor, sacrament of reconciliation, 12:30 p.m., Rosary, 2, Mass, 3, Chaplet of Divine Mercy, benediction and blessing with the relic of St. Faustina, handicapped accessible, refreshments follow; 570-341-2252 or 570-347-9421.

Wyoming County

Open house: American Red Cross of NEPA volunteer open house, Thursday, 3-7 p.m., Tunkhannock office, EMA building, 3880 Route 6; Ned Bloom, 570-823-7161 or ned.bloom@redcross.org.

CLIPBOARD ITEMS may be emailed to yesdesk@timessham

rock.com or mailed to Clipboard, c/o the YES!Desk at 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, 18503. YES!Desk, 570-348-9121.

The late Gov. Robert P. Casey left big shoes to fill, but his oldest son has faithfully walked the trail of pragmatic, people-oriented politics his father blazed. The senior U.S. senator from Pennsylvania since 2007, Bob Casey served as state auditor general from 1997 to 2005 and state treasurer from 2005 to 2007. The Democrat’s 2002 bid for Pennsylvania governor was unsuccessful, but as senator he has emerged as a force in foreign, national and domestic policy.

Born and raised in Scranton, Sen. Casey’s rise to national prominence was no doubt boosted by his surprise 2008 endorsement of then-Sen. Barack Obama in the Pennsylvania primary election against heavily favored Sen. Hillary Clinton. It was a risky political move, but Sen. Casey followed his conscience. He endorsed Mrs. Clinton for president in 2016, even before the Democratic field of candidates was set.

Like his father, Sen. Casey is “pro-life,” but believes the sanctity of human life extends beyond birth. He has voted against defunding Planned Parenthood, for the protection of the civil rights of LGBT Americans and now stands against the proposed 50-year expansion of Keystone Sanitary Landfill in Dunmore and Throop. His landfill opposition carries on Gov. Casey’s fight to keep out-of-state trash haulers from making Northeast Pennsylvania a dumping ground. Sen. Casey is 55, a husband and a father of four daughters.

— CHRIS KELLY

The public will have a chance to bid on 369 tax-delinquent properties at the Lackawanna County Tax Claim Bureau’s judicial sale today.

The list includes some single-family homes and apartment buildings that could be of interest to aspiring landlords, as well as some lots that could be packaged together into developable parcels in rural parts of the county, said Ronald Koldje-ski, director of the tax claim bureau.

In total, 219 bidders signed up to participate in the auction. Mr. Koldjeski expected 125 to 130 bidders to participate.

“I think we’re going to have a pretty good sale,” he said.

Tax-delinquent properties go up for judicial sale after passing through the county upset sale, during which people can bid on properties and at minimum have to pay all back taxes and municipal claims. At judicial sales, people can buy many lots for a minimum bid of a fraction of the market value and free of all other encumbrances, including back taxes, mortgages and liens.

Properties that don’t sell will end up on the county’s repository list, with some potentially being referred to the new county land bank.

Another 247 properties were continued until another sale on April 25 as some owners try to set up payment plans and the county tries to serve people representatives couldn’t find.

Among the list of properties for sale, about 80 are located in Scranton.

In advance of today’s sale, owners of 58 parcels paid outstanding taxes, bringing in a total of $298,160. Two owners declared bankruptcy.

Contact the writer:

kwind@timesshamrock.com,

@kwindTT on Twitter

SCRANTON — Lackawanna College will host the United States Navy Band Sea Chanters for a free concert.

The 20-member chorus, accompanied by drums, bass and piano, performs in tribute to the Navy’s heritage on the sea with sea chanteys, as well as patriotic and folk songs and hymns.

The event, scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Theater at Lackawanna College, 501 Vine St., is sponsored by the Armed Forces Committee of NEPA and the college.

Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. For information, call 570-961-7810.

— JON O’CONNELL

SALEM TWP. — State police say someone intentionally started a fire that burned an empty storage barn on Thursday.

After investigating, the state police fire marshal ruled the Wayne County fire arson. The fire started about 1 a.m. on the Froland family’s property at 119 Savitz Road, Salem Twp. No injuries were reported, state police said.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information is asked to call the Troop R fire marshal unit at 570-963-3156.

GREENE TWP. — A pilot was killed Sunday when his helicopter crashed in Skytop, Greene Twp., Pike County, in a heavily wooded area, according to Rob Hellyer, the emergency management agency coordinator for Porter Twp.

Emergency and rescue crews in Pike and Monroe counties in the Poconos spent much of the night searching and finally located the craft after they pinged the pilot’s cellphone.

The search began after the helicopter was reported missing when it didn’t land at Doylestown Airport in Bucks County as expected.

Mr. Hellyer said he didn’t know the pilot’s name.

Crews from Hemlock Farms, Bushkill and Greene Twp. were part of the multi-agency search that ended around midnight.

— JOE HEALEY

HOUSTON, Texas — Susquehanna County organizations and emergency companies have until Friday to apply for grants from the Constitution Pipeline Co. LLC.

Grants of up to $5,000 are being awarded to eligible Susquehanna County organizations, which include those involved with youth and senior services, environmental preservation and emergency support groups. Applications may be completed online

by visiting www.constitution

pipeline.com and clicking the grant program button at the top right corner.

Since 2012, 26 grants totaling more than $409,000 have been awarded in Susquehanna County, according to a news release.