During the presidential primary, candidates have rightly focused on various economic issues. They have discussed the current state of the economy and have laid out their plans for the future.

But are these plans economically feasible? That is an issue which is separate from political feasibility. Are these plans based on solid economic foundation? Are their claims based on economic realities?

These are important questions to ask since in our president we are going to elect the leader of the world’s largest economy. His or her vision is important for us to evaluate. Given the space constraint, I will focus on a few issues.

The economic discussions on the GOP side are particularly disappointing.

Republicans

Take, for instance, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz’s claim that “Obamacare” is the single biggest job killer. He cites that as one of the reasons he wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act passed in March 2010. The fact is since its passage, payroll employment in the U.S. went up by nearly 14 million and part-time employment also fell.

Donald Trump claims the current official unemployment rate of 5 percent is false. The “real” unemployment rate could be as high as 42 percent, he says. His claim is also baseless. Even the broadest measure of underutilization of labor — known as U-6, a measure that includes all individuals who are marginally attached to the labor force — is currently 9.8 percent.

Recently, Mr. Trump discussed a plan to eliminate all federal debt by 2025. Setting aside the fact that elimination of all federal debt does not make any sense for the working of monetary policy, even the simple arithmetic of this debt reduction plan reveals it is impossible to achieve. By 2025, the gross debt will be about $28 trillion. To reduce it to zero without affecting social security, which Mr. Trump does not plan to change, will require slashing nearly all federal government spending, including national defense, homeland security, etc. to zero or achieving a 16 percent annual growth rate. Our annual growth rate is currently around 2 percent. We need to remember that at the top of his debt reduction plan Mr. Trump plans to provide a substantial across-the-board tax cut.

The Democrats, to their credit, have raised a lot of serious economic issues which they have tried to analyze thoughtfully.

Minimum wage

Consider the issue of raising federal minimum wage, which has been at its current level of $7.25 an hour since 2009. Rather surprisingly it has become one of the most important issues in the Democratic Party primary.

Individuals earning the federal minimum wage and families that depend on minimum wage jobs live below the poverty line. An increase in the federal minimum wage is long overdue. Research shows that a moderate increase in the minimum wage has very little, if any at all, negative impact on employment. It also helps families to get out of poverty.

It is not just a fairness issue. It is also good economics because it reduces the need for public assistance to low-wage earners. But the question is, what should be the level of the federal minimum wage?

While both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders support raising the minimum wage they differ vastly on the amount of the raise. Mrs. Clinton, by and large, supports a $12 an hour federal minimum wage and also supports the local initiatives — such as the recent decisions of California and New York of raising the state level minimum wage to $15 over the next few years. The $12 minimum wage by 2020 will set the minimum wage at around 50 percent of the median wage — the wage about half of the workers earn. This will return minimum wage to the same level in relation to wage distribution — not in terms of purchasing power — where it stood in 1968, the year when the minimum wage level peaked.

Mr. Sanders, on the other hand, wants to raise the federal minimum wage to $15. Economist Alan Krueger, Ph.D., one of the nation’s foremost authorities on minimum wage, thinks raising minimum wage to $12 over the next several years should not have any meaningful net negative effect on employment and the economy and will be beneficial to millions of workers. But a federal minimum wage of $15 may well be counterproductive and may have considerable deleterious effects on employment. This does not, however, suggest high-wage states and cities cannot establish a $15 minimum wage.

Seattle is a prime example for that.

Recent legislation from New York and California also emphasize the importance of local conditions in going over and above the federal minimum wage. But at a federal level, an across-the-board $15 minimum wage over the next few years is by and large untenable. Consider Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. Currently, the median wages are little more than $18. Even if they increase over the next five years, a $15 minimum wage will represent about 75 percent of the median wage and will likely cause substantial negative effects on local employment.

Spending plans

Both Mr. Sanders and Mrs. Clinton have put forward ambitious and largely desirable spending plans. Most of Mrs. Clinton’s initiatives seem to be paid off through tax increases on the richest income earners and some unspecified tax savings through closing of tax loopholes. Her plans are estimated to increase federal spending by 2 percent over the next 10 years, compared with Mr. Cruz’s 6 percent increase and Mr. Trump’s 3 percent increase (without including his debt elimination plan).

Mr. Sanders’ plan is, however, way more expensive. According to the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, after the costs for free college tuition, infrastructure development and free health care costs are factored in, Mr. Sanders’ plan will increase federal spending by $20-$30 trillion over the next 10 years — a 40-60 percent increase in federal spending. Although Mr. Sanders plans to raise revenue through taxes on the richest and high-income earners, a Wall Street speculation tax and some tax on the middle class to partially pay for the move toward single-payer health care system and free health care, his proposals will significantly increase the budget deficit.

But will Mr. Sanders’ plans work? Will it create more jobs, create more income and reduce income inequality?

Mr. Sanders’ campaign often points to the calculations of Gerald Friedman, Ph.D., a University of Massachusetts professor, which demonstrate that Mr. Sanders’ plan will indeed succeed and achieve the goals it is aspiring. Dr. Friedman claims that under Mr. Sanders’ policies the economy will grow at a sustained rate of 5.3 percent over the next 10 years and will create 300,000 new jobs per month.

Some leading economists have doubts. Christina Romer, Ph.D., and David Romer, Ph.D., of the University of California, Berkeley, have recently argued that this is virtually impossible given that the U.S. is a mature economy and we are currently operating at or near full employment. Unemployment may fall even more from the current rate of 5 percent, but there is very little evidence the economy has significant slack that can make a sustained annual growth of more than 5 percent even remotely possible.

Only once in the modern era have we experienced such a growth spurt — when we were recovering from the Great Depression and the unemployment rate was 25 percent, not 5 percent. A key ingredient of a very high economic growth is the growth of productive capacity. Currently, our normal productive capacity is growing at the rate of around 2 percent. Mr. Sanders’ policies are not likely to increase it substantially to make the rosy growth projections a reality. Moreover, the tremendous increase in government spending may have the potential to be inflationary, which most likely will prompt the Fed to raise interest rates and consequently thwart growth.

If the economic policies are not realistic or are not based on proper economic foundation, no matter how laudable the goals are, they do not boost confidence in the candidates who are supposed to steer the world’s largest economy.

SATYAJIT GHOSH, Ph.D., is a professor of economics and finance at the University of Scranton.

On the ruddy cusp of the 2008 Pennsylvania primary, I enraged local Democrats by writing out loud what the national media pretended not to know — Illinois Sen. Barack Hussein Obama would handily win the party’s presidential nomination.

Scranton is “Clinton Country,” I was reminded by inflamed supporters of then-New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. Many suggested I’d be happier working in a market where subscribers are so threatened by strong, competent women that they turn to closet Kenyan Muslims for comfort.

Some even compared me to Rush Limbaugh. Seriously.

Why the ire? I dared declare that Mr. Obama — a black man now serving a second term in the White House — was so far ahead in collecting popular votes and electoral delegates that Mrs. Clinton had no chance of catching up.

I didn’t endorse Mr. Obama. I defended the scoreboard.

There was talk that “superdelegates” — free agents with authority to negate democracy on a whim — might crown Mrs. Clinton at the convention. I argued that such a subversion of the will of voters would expose the two-party system as a racket run by ruthless elites. Mrs. Clinton won Lackawanna County and Pennsylvania in a landslide but lost the nomination to Mr. Obama.

Tuesday’s primary is a timely reminder that we keep score for good reason. Ask Donald Trump. The Republican front-runner enters the Pennsylvania race as the overwhelming favorite to win the state and the GOP nomination, yet he’s at risk of being robbed in Cleveland. Establishment Republicans are scrambling to deny Mr. Trump the nomination at a contested GOP convention in July.

For all their flammable blather on Fox “News,” in hard-right publications and on Corporate Hate Radio, I doubt the Republican establishment has the stones to fire Mr. Trump. Either way, he embodies the End of American Politics As We Think We Know It. I don’t like Mr. Trump. He’s a bully, a boor and manifestly unqualified to assume the most complex job on the planet.

That said, I thank God and Baby Jesus that Mr. Trump is in this race.

Mr. Trump is a long-overdue wake-up call to all Americans — Republicans, Democrats, other voters and nonvoters and the media that feed him for profit at the expense of American ideals. It’s long past time we take presidential politics seriously. The Leader of the Free World can’t be a professional narcissist who struggles to spell “Ukraine” and admires Vladimir Putin.

Mr. Trump is not a politician. He is a cranky Frankenstein created by crooked politicians and the media he denigrates at every campaign stop. Mr. Trump says out loud what politicians and others have whispered for decades. No matter that most of what he spews is ugly and untrue. He speaks plainly to his base, to hell with the consequences. So far, Mr. Trump has suffered none.

If you’re waiting for Mr. Trump to utter the magic blasphemy that undoes his candidacy, you haven’t been paying attention. He is the Teflon Donald, and his meteoric rise is testament to how low our national barometer has fallen. The forecast: Cloudy with a 100 percent chance of hard rain.

Hillary Clinton — whose ascension to the presidency was erroneously assumed in 2008 — can’t wait to dance with Mr. Trump under angry skies. Love or hate her, the 68-year-old former first lady, senator and secretary of state is obviously the most qualified candidate. Some vehemently disagree, including Sen. Bernie Sanders — a 74-year-old independent Democratic socialist who held a Thursday rally at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple.

Hundreds turned out for Mr. Sanders in Scranton, which should concern the Clinton camp even as its candidate pulls away. Mr. Sanders has the slimmest of chances, but he’s happy playing long odds and has no reason to fold until his campaign is broke. The longer Mr. Sanders stays in the race, the further left he can pull Mrs. Clinton — a victory in itself.

Meanwhile, the most honest candidate in the race is also its most shameless charlatan. Mr. Trump declares that our political system is a racket run by ruthless elites. He is right, but also an exceptionally ruthless elite. If Mr. Trump collects more popular votes and delegates than his opponents, he deserves to be the GOP nominee.

If Mr. Trump collects enough votes to win the presidency, America deserves him.

CHRIS KELLY, The Times-Tribune columnist, married a strong, confident woman. Contact the writer: kellysworld@timesshamrock.com. Read his award-winning blog at blogs.thetimes-tribune.com/kelly.

Nearly 50 community members journeyed together through the “desert” of slavery, persecution and, finally, freedom, at Temple Hesed’s Community Seder on Saturday.

Gathered around a U-shaped table, they ate, sang, prayed and read lines from the Haggadah, the text that sets the order of the Seder and a focal point of the dinners. The hypothetical desert was the auditorium at the temple on Knox Road in Scranton.

Both Jews and non-Jews were invited to the community Seder, led by Rabbi Daniel Swartz and Rabbi Marjorie Berman. The Seder marks Passover, the most celebrated holiday in the Jewish faith, which commemorates the ancient Israelites’ liberation from bondage in Egypt. Passover began Friday evening.

The Seder is carried out by a community or multiple generations of a family and involves retelling of the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt, as recounted in the Book of Exodus in the Bible.

Before the ceremony began, Rabbi Swartz encouraged everyone to shake hands and meet one another.

“You are now in the presence of loved ones and friends,” he said.

They drank four cups of wine or grape juice. The cups were equivalent to the size of an olive, the Aramaic measurement for a wine glass.

Next, they broke flat matzo bread to place it in a bag that would be hidden. The Seder is not officially over until the bag is found.

Every food item carries with it heavy symbolism: the unleavened matzo is for the slaves’ haste in fleeing Egypt; the parsley or bitter herbs for the bitterness of slavery; the saltwater that the herbs and vegetables were dipped in recalls the slaves’ tears; green vegetables for the coming of spring and rebirth; and shank bones, representing sacrifice.

Each ancient tradition the Temple Hesed community celebrated Saturday reflected current struggles.

The word “Egypt” in Hebrew means “narrow place,” said Rabbi Berman — noting the reference was not only geographically correct for the fleeing Israeli slaves but also emotionally significant.

“Spiritually and psychologically, we can be in a narrow place,” she said. “Pass through into the openness.”

Contact the writer: kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter

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

Bronco is a young adult, male, Bulldog mx. He is very friendly, energetic and walks nicely on a leash.
Contact the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter at 586-3700 if your pet is lost or goes astray. Staff Photo by Ted Baird

Nina is a sweet but shy female Calico cat. Once you gain her trust, she is very friendly and enjoys being pet.
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:

JERMYN — Borough residents can get rid of extra trash between now and May 21.

During the borough’s cleanup month, sponsored by the Jermyn Shade Tree Commission and borough council, residents can include extra refuse with their garbage on regularly scheduled pickup days. There is no limit, but garbage must be placed in bags or in cans at least 24 hours before regularly scheduled pickup.

Residents are encouraged to continue recycling using the blue bins.

The borough also will host an electronics recycling drop-off from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 14, at the borough community center, 440 Jefferson Ave.

— JON O’CONNELL

HARRISBURG — During a six-year boom period, the natural gas industry emerged as a major user of water in the Susquehanna River Basin, according to a new report by an oversight agency.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission reported last week that gas drillers used more than 13 billion gallons of basin water for their operations from 2008 through the end of 2013, mainly in the Marcellus Shale region in the basin’s northern end. The study period ended before the sharp drop in natural gas prices and subsequent decline in number of drilling rigs in the region.

Drillers used an average 6.7 million gallons of water a day from the river, tributary streams and groundwater during 2008-13, comparable with average daily use by amusement parks, golf courses, ski areas and other recreational uses in the basin.

This is somewhat less than the average daily use of 8.6 million gallons of water by manufacturing industries.

Electric power generators, which include nuclear plants, remain by far the largest water users in the basin, withdrawing an average of 86

million gallons of water a day.

By way of comparison, 100 million gallons of water would form a column of water the area of a football field and the height of an 84-story building.

A salient point about the gas industry’s water use is how it’s concentrated in a small geographic part of the basin which covers parts of three states. The basin encompasses Northeast Pennsylvania, except for Monroe, Pike and Wayne counties and small slices of eastern Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. Those areas are in the Delaware River Basin.

Some 70 percent of the water withdrawn by the industry came from six watersheds: the Susquehanna River above Sunbury; West Branch; Wyalusing Creek; Tunkhannock Creek; Pine Creek; and Sugar Creek.

The commission approved nearly 2,500 requests for natural gas-related water withdrawals in this period, with 80 percent of those approvals located in Bradford, Susquehanna, Tioga and Lycoming counties.

The report concludes that the basin’s water resources are sufficient to accommodate the water demands of the natural gas industry. The commission’s monitoring programs haven’t detected “discernible impacts” on the basin’s water quality from natural gas development, but vigilance is needed, according to the report.

“The primary concern related to water needs for hydraulic fracturing has not been conflict between industry and other human water needs, but rather for impacts to the Basin’s aquatic ecosystems,” said the commission’s executive director Andrew Dehoff.

The multi-state agency has special powers to regulate consumptive water use in the basin. Consumptive water use includes evaporation, irrigation, manufacturing processes or being trucked away or diverted out of the basin.

The commission meets periodically to consider applications for withdrawal of set amounts of surface water and ground water from the basin.

On the agenda for the commission’s May 4 meeting at Grantville are: applications by Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. to withdraw water from Martins Creek in Harford Twp.; and Susquehanna County and Sugar Hollow Trout Park and Hatchery to withdraw groundwater from wells in Eaton Twp., Wyoming County.

“They (gas drillers) are a significant portion of the range of users that didn’t exist before,” said Bernie McGurl, executive director of the Lackawanna River Conservation Association.

The report shows the main river has the capacity to handle the gas industry water withdrawals, but area conservationists are concerned about the impact on the headwater streams closer to the drilling sites, said Mr. McGurl.

He stressed the importance of using treated mine drainage water from the Old Forge borehole in the future to meet the gas industry’s water needs.

The drilling water is contaminated with chemicals and must be treated differently than water used by a golf course, said Scott Cannon of Plymouth, a member of the Gas Drilling Awareness Coalition.

“It is recycled at some point, but it ends up in a pit, an injection well or it remains at the drill site underground,” he said.

Shale-development-related water is tightly and effectively regulated, said David Spigelmyer, president of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, an industry trade group. Coalition members pioneered water reuse and recycling technologies and the commission report reflects their success, he said.

The gas drillers compete for basin water with three nuclear plants at Berwick, Three Mile Island and Peach Bottom, said anti-nuclear activist Eric Epstein of Three Mile Island Alert.

“They (drillers) need water, they need a lot of it and they want it year round,” he said.

Three Mile Island Alert wants the commission to set priorities for water use.

“Water is a valuable commodity,” said Mr. Epstein. “At some point, not all (water) users are equal.”

Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com

A 16-year-old boy charged with raping, stabbing and robbing an elderly woman in Wayne County last year wants his case moved to juvenile court.

Azaiah Tahir Williams, 791 Country Place Drive, Coolbaugh Twp., underwent an evaluation by Allentown psychologist Frank Dattilo, Ph.D., and the doctor’s report is expected sometime soon, Mr. Williams’ attorney, Richard Henry, said. Once that is submitted, the court can schedule a hearing to determine if Mr. Williams should be prosecuted as a juvenile or as an adult.

District Attorney Janine Edwards said Friday she had not yet received the report.

State police charged Mr. Williams on Oct. 1 with attempted homicide, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary and theft for the Sept. 24 assault of an 83-year-old Dreher Twp. woman. He waived his right to a preliminary hearing on Nov. 16.

The Times-Tribune does not identify victims of sexual assault.

State police said Mr. Williams knocked on the woman’s door on Carlton Road and “let himself in.” He stabbed her multiple times with a 7-inch, steel-blade steak knife, took her credit card and bank deposit slips and raped her, state police said.

State police caught Mr. Williams when his aunt, Adrienne Staton, discovered the victim’s credit card and financial documents in his bedroom.

The day after Mr. Williams waived his preliminary hearing, Mr. Henry filed a motion to have his client evaluated by a psychologist, which President Judge Raymond L. Hamill ordered.

The victim is recovering and is doing “OK,” Ms. Edwards said.

Mr. Williams remains in the Wayne County Correctional Facility in lieu of $1 million bail.

Contact the writer:

jkohut@timesshamrock.com,

@jkohutTT on Twitter

MONDAY UPDATE

brings

Times-Tribune readers up to date on past or pending stories of interest. To offer a suggestion for a Monday Update, please email metrodesk@timesshamrock.com with

“Monday Update” in the

subject line.

Potential delegate

supports Cruz

A story published in The Sunday Times incorrectly reported the Republican presidential candidate that Charles Brewer, a delegate candidate in the 10th Congressional District, intends to support at the Republican National Convention. If chosen as delegate, Mr. Brewer, Greenfield Twp., Lackawanna County, said he intends to support U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz on all ballots.

DELAWARE WATER GAP — A 24-year-old man died Saturday in a motorcycle crash along Route 611 in Delaware Water Gap, Monroe County.

Daniel Joseph Creasy, Glen Gardner, New Jersey, was traveling about a half mile north of the Northampton County line when the crash occurred, state police said in a news release.

Mr. Creasy traveled into the oncoming lane and struck a Jeep Wrangler driven by Frank R. Besson, 20, Scotch Plains, New Jersey, about 3:30 p.m., state police said.

Mr. Creasy was wearing a helmet and other protective gear, but sustained fatal injuries. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

State police continue to investigate what led to the crash.

Carbondale Area

Declan Caviston, Madison Cost and Madison Mushensky took home third place in March at the annual Computer Fair at Keystone College.

“There were quite a few schools there, so placing third was quite an achievement,” Declan, an eighth- grader, said. “I wasn’t expecting it to be that big, and it was a very fun and rewarding day.”

The fair, held March 17, was sponsored by the Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit. It’s an annual competition to showcase technologically talented students from local schools.

“This was my first time experiencing anything like this,” he said. “They did breakout sessions using Kahoot, a scavenger hunt using QR codes and a Google Earth scavenger hunt that were excellent.”

Other students who competed include Zoe Zazzera, Aislinn Toolan, Joanna Tierney, Nathan Houman and Daniel Skasko.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter

Career Technology Center

Serena Fuller, a junior at West Scranton High School and a health occupations student, competed in the medical terminology category at the SkillsUSA competition.

She went on to win a silver medal at the state level, where she was tested on medical terminology, medical abbreviations, body systems and diseases. Serena works part time at the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center and enjoys baby-sitting. She hopes to attend Marywood University to study nursing.

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

Delaware Valley

Brandon Minetti, a 10th- grade honor roll student, was recently selected as student of the month.

In addition, he was picked as an automotive technology participant for the Skills USA competition.

He is active with the mountain biking club, snowboarding and ski club and junior varsity soccer.

“Being involved has made me a more well-rounded person,” Brandon said.

His community is important to him as well. He donates his time to the local food pantry and at the Cliff Park golf course.

— LISA ZACCAGNINO

lzaccagnino

@timesshamrock.com

Dunmore

The high school’s Spanish club will hold its second annual Cinco de Mayo 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, May 7, at Dunmore High School.

Senior Emily Russavage, president of the Spanish club, is organizing the race and hopes that it will be well attended.

“This year, the race is personal for us as the profits will help one of our own seniors,” she said. “We need help from the Dunmore community to ensure that this event is a success.”

Fifty percent of race proceeds will be donated to senior Patrick Dougherty, who is battling cancer.

In addition to the race, there will also be pre- and post-race massages, raffles and T-shirts. The 5K will start at 9 a.m., with registration beginning at 7:30. Registration cost in advance is $25 for adults, $15 for Barrier Breakers and $10 for students. If registering the day of the race, the cost is $30 for adults and $20 for students. Participants may register in advance at runsignup.com/cincodemayo.

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

Elk Lake

J.J. Heft was a participant in the district and state levels of the Skills USA competition.

“I was first place in districts and placed fifth at states,” he said. “My competition was architectural drafting.”

There were 10 people competing in the category.

J.J. is a member of the volleyball team. In his spare time, he works at his family business, Heft Buy & Sell, Montrose.

Next year, plans to be studying architecture at the Pennsylvania College of Technology.

— LISA ZACCAGNINO

lzaccagnino

@timesshamrock.com

Forest City

Regional

Desmond Lee and Matt Lee collaborated on their senior project, “Project Rebuild Kitchen,” which took place at the White’s Crossing Volunteer Fire and Rescue Company in Simpson.

After assessing the kitchen area, they gathered the needed materials. Their next step was ripping out the previous kitchen and then adding walls so the department was able to have a cold storage area.

Desmond volunteers at Forest City Area emergency services, while Matt works at a farm and is also employed by Jerry’s Tire and Auto in Carbondale.

Desmond plans to study diesel truck mechanics at Johnson College in the fall. Matt will be diving straight into the workforce after graduation.

— LISA ZACCAGNINO

lzaccagnino

@timesshamrock.com

Lakeland

Brooke Stearns excels both musically and dramatically.

A recent student of the month, senior Brooke is a flute player who was named drum major. She also played the role of Grace Farrell in Lakeland’s production of

“Annie.”

“The guidance and example of my peers and teachers have made a huge impact on me,” said Brooke. “I am especially grateful to my music teacher, Miss Ruth Flannigan.”

Brooke is senior class vice president, member of the National Honor Society, student council, newspaper club, drama club, band and chorus.

After high school, she plans to continue her performing career at the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in theater arts.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter

Mid Valley

Dylan Tackley perfected his country accent and character gestures to play Will Parker in Mid Valley’s production of “Oklahoma!”

The junior originally joined the drama club in seventh grade but left. Watching a friend perform inspired him to get back into acting.

“We are one big family” he said, adding this year was special to him because he worked alongside some of Mid Valley’s best actors, who will be graduating this year.

Dylan plays soccer and enjoys music. He is a member of mock trial, band, chorus, Spanish club and the art club.

After high school, he plans to attend Bob Jones University in South Carolina for pre-law.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter

Montrose Area

Junior Ivy Chance performed in the school play, “Game of Tiaras,” on April 8 and 9.

Ivy played Cinderella. She and the cast practiced from the end of February up until opening night. She started getting involved in plays in fifth grade. Her first play was “Willy Wonka.”

She encourages anyone who wants to get involved in drama club to “just try.”

Ivy plans to continue acting after high school.

She is also involved in dance and Girl Scouts, and was recognized as student of the month in March.

— AUTUMN GRANZA

agranza@timesshamrock.com

Mountain View

Bridgette Reed uses art as self-expression and to raise awareness.

A junior and treasurer of the art club, Bridgette recently created a sculpture for the school’s art show, Arts Alive, which was held on April 14. She dedicated the piece to her best friend who committed suicide in November. She sculpted butterflies to spell out “Hope,” with the “H” designed as the suicide awareness ribbon.

“I like to make art to inspire people or motivate people to do things,” Bridgette said.

Bridgette also helps the art club plan events in which members of the community come and paint a canvas while enjoying refreshments. The art club tries to host a sip-and-paint event at least once a month.

She will travel to New York City with the club on May 7. Members will see a Broadway show, take a tour of the Museum of Modern Art and look at the architecture of St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Bridgette is also vice president of Students Against Destructive Decisions.

— AUTUMN GRANZA

agranza@timesshamrock.com

North Pocono

Senior Joshua Toth is a high honors students and member of the National Honor Society who has consistently ranked near the top of his class.

At graduation, Joshua will have completed 10 Advanced Placement courses, earning recognition by the College Board as an AP Scholar with distinction.

He was also nominated for the Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award from the University of Rochester for excellence in the sciences.

A National Merit semifinalist, Joshua is a devoted member of Science Olympiad; he serves as captain of the chemistry team and has won awards in competition at regional and state levels. Joshua also placed in the top 10 at Marywood University’s Math Competition and competed with the American Regions Math League at Penn State University. Joshua was nominated and attended the Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Washington, D.C., his junior year.

The son of Paul and Lorraine Toth, he is a member of the Gifted Enrichment Program, a four-year member of the varsity golf team, and volunteers at Logan Memorial Cemetery and the Jefferson Twp. Recycling Center. Joshua, two golf teammates and his coach organized and conducted a youth golf camp as a fundraiser for the golf team. He participates in the Anthracite Golf League, plays guitar, skis and earned a black belt in martial arts.

Joshua plans to attend college to work toward a doctorate in bioengineering after high school.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter

Old Forge

As his senior project, junior Nick Lisowski is helping organize the Tee Time for Kiel golf tournament.

A member of the golf team, Nick said it’s a tradition for teammates to help with the tournament.

The eighth annual tournament continues to support Kiel Eigen, who in 2006 suffered a spinal cord injury during a freshman football game. The tournament is June 12 at Sand Springs Country Club.

For more information, visit the tournament’s Facebook page by searching for Kiel Eigen Golf tournament.

At Old Forge, Nick is also the treasurer of the French club and a member of the trout club and math and science club.

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

Riverside

East Elementary fifth-grade student Alontae Custus finds reading to be a very helpful and enjoyable activity.

This school year, Alontae has accumulated 212 Accelerated Reader points.

“I love reading mysteries like ‘Powerless’ by Matthew Cody,” he said. In addition to reading at school, Alontae also enjoys it at home. “Reading is important because it helps to advance your grammar and vocabulary,” he added.

— LISA ZACCAGNINO

lzaccagnino

@timesshamrock.com

Scranton

For the third year, the West Scranton High School community service club volunteered at the Scranton Half Marathon.

This year, students were stationed at the finish line, handing out water and blankets to the runners as they finished the 13.1-mile race.

Students who volunteered at the event included Joe Kane, Robbie Hobbs, Cassie Merrill, Kavon Sanders, Brelen Holden, Tyler Soto, Miguel Sanchez, Jemhan Biricik, Glenn Soto, Lissette Ramirez, Dakota Sherman and Kaitlynn Petroziello.

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

Scranton Prep

Junior Mariah Yankowski will attend the Congress of Future Medical Leaders this summer in Boston.

Mariah is looking forward to meeting world-renowned researchers and scientists, along with students who share her interests, she said.

As a Type 1 diabetic, genetics is especially interesting to Mariah, who hopes for a career in the field.

At Prep, Mariah is a member of the Prep Players and the anime club.

— SARAH HOFIUS HALL

shofius@timesshamrock.com, @hofiushallTT on Twitter

Summit Christian Academy

Sarah Lynott and her class toured the Crayola Factory on a recent field trip.

“We watched crayons get made. We saw a big screen on a projector and we saw what they were doing. They scraped off wax, made little crayon boxes, and we got to watch it all. It was fun,” Sarah said.

Her favorite crayon color is green.

A kindhearted and caring girl, she consistently comes in each day smiling and enthusiastic about what she is about to learn, according to her teachers. Whenever she completes her work early, she asks if she can help others with theirs.

“It makes me feel good because I get to help others do things they don’t know how to do but I can help them with,” Sarah said.

— LISA ZACCAGNINO

lzaccagnino

@timesshamrock.com

Valley View

Senior Lindsey Beggin is Valley View High School’s student of the month for art.

She was picked for the award, sponsored by the Valley View Student Council and Blakely/Peckville Lions Club, because of her performance in the classroom over the past four years.

“I especially enjoyed ceramics class,” she said. “Every project I made is a lasting memory I’ll have of my time at Valley View.”

Lindsey is a member of the National Honor Society, student council, SADD, Spanish club, biology club and art club, and is football cheerleader. After high school, she will attend Penn State University Park.

— KATHLEEN BOLUS

kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter

Wallenpaupack Area

Zoe Cykosky, a junior, was a first-place winner in Public Speaking II at the Future Business Leaders of America State Leadership Competition in Hershey.

Zoe is now preparing for the National Leadership Competition, which will take place in Atlanta at the end of June.

She has a passion for public speaking and tennis.

“One of the goals of FBLA is to develop confidence,” Zoe said. “I created a speech on how confidence has affected my life and was able to relate my speech not only to tennis, but also to my experience in FBLA last year.”

Following a first-place finish at states a year ago, Zoe finished second out of 100 FBLA competitors at the National Leadership Competition in Chicago. She feels her previous experience competing at the national level has allowed her self-confidence to increase.

“This club has set the foundation of my future and has allowed me to continue to grow into the person I am today,” she said.

— AUTUMN GRANZA

agranza@timesshamrock.com

Wayne Highlands

Eighth-grader Jared Peer used the principles of design to create a new school logo for the Damascus Area School.

Jared used the skills he learned in art class to submit a design. He and six other students made it to the final round. Jared was then chosen as the winner in a schoolwide vote.

“My inspiration for my design came from the Marvel Comics Superman logo,” Jared said.

Despite his inspiration, Jared is a bigger fan of Batman.

Jared also enjoys playing basketball and soccer.

— AUTUMN GRANZA

agranza@timesshamrock.com

Western Wayne

Fifth-grader Luke Janis-

zewski helps student council and the kindness club make school a kinder place.

Luke helps younger students get to their classrooms on a daily basis, and encourages and comforts new students. Luke also befriends students with special needs, making sure no one is left out.

— AUTUMN GRANZA

agranza@timesshamrock.com

DUNMORE — The state Department of Transportation’s road-work schedule this week includes:

■ Interstate 81, bridge deck patching and bridge approach repairs: today, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., I-81 south over Layton Road at mile marker 193, left lane closed; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., I -81 north over Layton Road at mile marker 193, alternate lane closures as needed.

■ Route 307, Covington Twp., lane restriction; bridge approach patching, Friday, 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

■ Route 407, Abington Road, Benton Twp., single lane; crack sealing, today to Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

SR 435-S.R. 435-Roaring Brook Twp.-Single Lane-Crack Sealing-Monday 04/25/2016-Tusday 04/6/2016-7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SR 1015-Worthy Church-Benton Twp.-Single Lane-Patching-Monday 04/25/2016 -Friday 04/29/2016-7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

SR 2003-Cortez Rd. -Jefferson Twp.-Single lane-Pipe and Head wall replacement-Wednesday 04/27/2016-Thursday 04/28/2016-7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

SR 3003-Newton Rd -Newton TWP-Single lane-Base repair-Monday, April 25, 2016-Friday, April 29, 2016-6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

SR 4009-Lily Lake Road-Abington TWP-Single lane-Base repair-Monday, April 25, 2016-Friday, April 29, 2016-6 a.m. to 4 p.m.

— STAFF REPORT

The Rotary Club of the Abingtons is teaming up with another nonprofit to give a second life to bicycles sitting neglected and unused in garages, sheds and homes.

Through Pedals 4 Progress, the club will collect repairable bikes on Saturday and Sunday to distribute in developing countries — including Nicaragua, Moldova, Vietnam, Albania and Costa Rica — for a nominal fee. This is the second year the club has collaborated with the organization. Last year, they collected 25 bikes, which were distributed in the Philippines.

This year’s collection also coincides with the club’s inaugural Bike Weekend fundraiser, a 7-mile Family Fun Ride and 30-mile Sickler’s Road Ride, on Saturday. Events kick off at 9:30 a.m. at Sickler’s Bike & Sport Shop, 298 Noble Road, South Abington Twp.

Deborah Kennedy, Rotary Club of the Abingtons president, encourages residents with bikes just taking up space in garages or sheds to donate.

The club was looking for a project that would not only have a local impact but also an international one, she said.

Years after he finished a stint as a Peace Corps volunteer, Pedals 4 Progress creator David Schweidenback realized that perfectly good bikes were being thrown away. He thought back to his time in the global service organization and how productive his Latin American landlord was because he rode a bike instead of walking everywhere or waiting for public transportation.

He collected 12 bikes in 1991, shipped them overseas and began changing lives. The bikes give people in developing countries the opportunity to be successful in their own right, Mr. Schweidenback said.

“All they want is a decent job — a future that looks brighter so their kids will do better than them,” he said.

Twenty-five years later, Pedals 4 Progress, with the help of many local community organizations like the Rotary Club of the Abingtons, has shipped almost 150,000 bikes to every continent but Antarctica, he said.

And the organization works.

Rivas, Nicaragua, received more than 20,000 bikes from Pedals. When the organization started sending bikes, the average student completed only fourth grade, said Mr. Schweidenback. The kids didn’t have time to walk to school and get home in time to help with chores or on farms, he said.

“Today, 25 years later, the average kid completes high school because they can ride into school, do their studies, ride home and still have time to do their chores,” he said.

The Rotary Club is also collecting sewing machines, another life-changing donation drive Pedals holds. The machines help people in developing countries start businesses and teach students to sew. They also will help create school uniforms many students need to attend class. Last year, the club sent six machines.

Mr. Schweidenback asks that people donate $10 along with the bike to help defer transportation costs. Besides hefty shipping costs, there are high fees to transport donations to the organization’s warehouse in western New Jersey.

New bike owners are charged $10 for the bikes. The cost encourages them to take care of their new form of transportation, he said. Anyone who can’t afford $10 upfront can make monthly payments.

“We lift entire communities up,” he said. “We give them a chance to support themselves.”

For details, visit www.p4p.org or www.abingtonrotary.org.

Contact the writer:

kbolus@timesshamrock.com, @kbolusTT on Twitter

Pedals 4 Progress

Bike collection schedule:

■ Saturday: Sickler’s, Noble Road, Clarks Summit, 9 a.m. to noon.

■ Sunday: South Abington Recreational Park, Northern Boulevard, South Abington Twp., noon to 3 p.m.

Bikes must be in repairable condition. A $10 donation is suggested with the bike to defer transportation and shipping costs.

Rotary bike weekend

■ Saturday: beginning at 9 a.m., Sickler’s, Noble Road, Clarks Summit.

■ Family Fun Ride, 7 miles on the Trolley Trail; cost, $25; Sickler’s Road Ride, 30 miles, road bikes and helmets required; cost, $30.

■ The first 100 participants will receive a T-shirt and bag of cycling goodies. Funds will support the addition of a bike repair station at the Trolley Trail trailhead that will feature tools and air for tires.

■ Register online at bikereg.com/rotary-of-the-abingtons-bike-weekend. Details: email abington

rotaryevents@gmail.com.

Voters in Moosic and Taylor will decide whether they want to increase their school property taxes. In Carbondale, it will be a question of a minor change to the Home Rule Charter.

Across Lackawanna County and the rest of Pennsylvania, voters will weigh in on — of all things — the proposed abolition of the Philadelphia Traffic Court.

In Tuesday’s primary election, as the high-profile races for the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations occupy center stage, county voters also will find one or more referendums on their ballots.

All voters, including those registered as independents or to third parties, are eligible to vote on referendum questions. A voter not registered as a Democrat or Republican will receive a nonpartisan ballot with only the question or questions when checking in at their polling place, county elections director Marion Medalis said.

The most-watched referendum is probably in the Riverside School District.

Registered voters in Moosic and Taylor, the two boroughs served by the district, will be asked if they favor hiking school district real estate taxes by an additional 4.47 mills, or 3.93 percent. A mill is equal to $1 in tax for every $1,000 of assessed property value.

A “yes” outcome actually would

result in a potential increase during the 2016-17 school year of 8.93 mills

or 8.16 percent.

That’s because the state Department of Education

has already approved the district’s application to increase taxes over a pre-determined cap, known as the Act 1 Index,

giving the school board the ability to enact a 4.46-mill

hike regardless of what voters decide.

Riverside officials have warned of cuts if the referendum fails.

Although Superintendent Paul M. Brennan

said he is unaware of any organized opposition to the referendum, the district also knows asking people to agree to take more money out of their pockets is a hard sell.

“It’s basically a desperation move from the school district where we’re at a dangerously low fund balance and at a dangerously low health insurance reserve,” Mr. Brennan said.

The ballot question in Carbondale asks voters whether the Home Rule Charter should be amended to alter how the city handles its annual financial audit.

If the referendum is approved, the accountant or accounting firm hired to perform the audit could be appointed for up to six

consecutive years and would be eligible for reappointment after three years. The current language limits the appointment to two years and bars reappointment for five years.

The question also would drop a requirement for the city to publish an annual audit summary in favor of making the audit available for public inspection at City Hall.

Carbondale officials anticipate the change will result in lower audit fees, with additional cost savings through elimination of the publication mandate.

City Clerk Michele Bannon said there have been few questions from citizens about the referendum. She expects it to be approved.

“Our taxpayers are always very grateful when we look for ways to save some money,” she said.

Two statewide referendum questions will appear on every ballot in the county, although only one will count.

State lawmakers decided earlier this month to delay a referendum about increasing the mandatory retirement age for judges from the primary until the general election Nov. 8. The decision came too late for Lackawanna County to remove the question from its ballots.

The statewide question that will matter asks whether the Pennsylvania Constitution should be amended to get rid of the traffic court in Philadelphia.

While its functions were transferred to the Philadelphia Municipal Court in 2013, the traffic court is still officially enshrined in the state constitution, meaning statewide voter approval is necessary to abolish it.

Mrs. Medalis said the referendum questions will appear on the front of all Republican and nonpartisan ballots and most Democratic ballots. They will appear on the back of the Democratic ballots in Carbondale, Moosic and Taylor, and those ballots will be clearly marked with instructions to vote both sides, she said.

Although nonpartisan and third-party voters are eligible to vote on the questions in the primary, very few will take advantage of the opportunity if recent past elections are a guide.

In the 2014 primary, less than 7 percent of the county’s nonpartisan voters turned out to vote on a question about replacing the county’s three-commissioner form of government with a county executive and council.

Only about 6 percent went to the polls during the 2013 primary when voters approved the question to study the form of government and elect members of a study commission.

Contact the writer: dsingleton@timesshamrock.com

Ballot questions

PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT 2

ABOLITION OF THE PHILADELPHIA TRAFFIC COURT

Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to abolish the Philadelphia Traffic Court?

RIVERSIDE SCHOOL DISTRICT

REAL ESTATE TAX REFERENDUM

Do you favor the Riverside School District imposing an additional 3.93% increase in real estate taxes equaling 4.47 mill(s) above the Act 1 Index and referendum exceptions granted under Section 333(f) of the Taxpayer Relief Act of 2006?

CITY OF CARBONDALE

BALLOT QUESTION

Should Section III of the City of Carbondale’s Home Rule Charter be amended to extend the appointment period for the independent auditor to six years and reappointment eligibility to three years; and eliminating the requirement of publishing an annual audit summary in favor of requiring the audit be available for public inspection at City Hall?

Primary info

Polls open: 7 a.m.

Polls close: 8 p.m.

Who to call: Voters who have problems voting or see questionable practices can call:

• Lackawanna County: 570-963-6737

• Luzerne County: 570-825-1715

• Monroe County: 570-517-3165

• Pike County: 570-296-3426

• Susquehanna County: 570-278-4600, ext. 4090

• Wayne County: 570-253-5978

• Wyoming County: 570-996-2224

Update:

Officials say two large brush fires that crews have been battling in the Poconos were intentionally set.

The Bureau of Forestry said Sunday it's offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for setting a pair of blazes Wednesday in the Canadensis area.

The smaller fire was contained over the weekend. But the larger blaze has spread to more than 5,600 acres and burned at least four structures. The fire has forced the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources to call for an evacuation of a community in Porter Township.

Officials say 160 firefighters are battling the blaze, including a crew from New Mexico known as the Smokey Bear Hotshots.

Authorities say low humidity, rugged terrain and flammable fuel has continued to hamper firefighters' efforts.

Previous Report:

PORTER TWP. — Crews went door-to-door Sunday evacuating primarily seasonal cabins in the path of a massive brush fire burning in the Pine Flats section of Delaware State Forest in Pike County since Wednesday.

Three homes and one cabin have been destroyed already, said Robert Martynowych, a forester in neighboring Weiser Forest District, who is assisting in the effort. No residents or fire crew members have been injured.

“It’s one of the worst fires I’ve seen in my nearly 20 years with the state,” Mr. Martynowych said.

The Sixteen-Mile fire, named after a region in the forest, has already burned 5,600 acres of land, and officials closed a portion of the forest to the public. Another nearby brush fire, called the Bear Town fire, which was burning on mostly private land, has been contained and damaged 700 acres, he said.

Mr. Martynowych said everyone heeded the evacuation, but one resident didn’t have a place to go and was given accommodations by Pike County officials.

Crews from the state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry are battling the blaze, along with local crews, including Hemlock Farms in Pike County and out-of-state crews from Maryland, Ohio, New Jersey and a Smokey Bear Hotshots crew, a high-level forest fire-fighting team from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service based in New Mexico.

Mr. Martynowych said 160 firefighters were battling the blaze on Sunday. Members of the team work 16 hours, then sleep eight, he said.

He said the blaze was intentionally set in the Sixteen Mile Run area on Wednesday and the department is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading the arrest and conviction of a person or people responsible for either of the two fires.

A perfect storm from Mother Nature is keeping the fire burning and making it hard to control, Mr. Martynowych said. Nearly 50 percent of the trees in the forest are dead because of gypsy moth infestations over the past few years. That, combined with dry, windy conditions with low humidity, make the forest a tinderbox. Also, because most trees haven’t sprouted leaves yet, when precipitation falls, it is quickly evaporated by the sun the next day.

Tall burning trees are throwing embers across fire control lines, making fire-fighting extremely dangerous.

Mr. Martynowych said equipment such as a feller/buncher, which cuts and bunches trees, often used in the logging industry, is helpful because the operator is in a cab protected from falling, flaming limbs. Helicopters and fixed-wing airplanes are being used to drop water.

District Forest Manager Timothy Dugan decided to close a portion of the forest to the public. The area bounded by Route 402, Highline Road, Pine Flats Road and Hobday Road is closed until further notice. In a news release he said visitors to other portions of the forest should use “caution and discretion.”

Pike County issued a ban open burning on Sunday.

The Delaware State Forest totals 83,519 acres in Pike, Monroe, Northampton and Carbon counties.

Contact the writer:

jhealey@timesshamrock.com

Meet Quentin Colo

School: North Pocono

Parents: Leeann and Ralph Colo

Plans: To pursue a bachelor’s degree in economics or biochemistry, earn an MBA and go to law school.

In terms of academics, North Pocono senior Quentin Colo is a powerhouse. Since his sophomore year, he has taken 10 Advanced Placement courses —five of them during his senior year— and maintained a 4.27 GPA, earning him a place in the top one percent of his class.

That being said, Quentin’s real passion exists outside of his academic life. Since he was young, Quentin has been fascinated by the legal process.

“When I was younger I used to watch ‘Judge Judy’,” he said. “I used to rush home from school to watch it.”

In high school, Quentin found a way to develop that passion by participating in his school’s mock trial team.

“I would not have spent my last four years doing anything else with anyone else,” he said of the team.

His passion and dedication have led him to pursue as many opportunities as he could to develop himself. This year he served as captain of the mock trial team and last summer he interned for Judge Margaret Bisignani Moyle where he observed the decisions on cases that encompassed a wide range of legal topics.

In addition to his position on the mock trial team Quentin has served as senior class president and participated on the school’s cross country team. His progress as a runner is what he takes the most pride in.

“More than academics I am proud of my own personal work on the school’s cross country team,” he said. “Sure I am not the fastest runner on the team, but being a participant has allowed me to lose nearly 40 pounds.”

After graduation Quentin wants to attend the University of Notre Dame, Georgetown University or Fordham University and eventually go to law school.

“I hope to start off my legal career working for the District Attorney, preferably in a city like New York,” he said.

No longer will the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey elephants be paraded around in circles, holding the tail of the pachyderm in front of them.

They will not lumber to their feet when the ringmaster shouts, “Wake up elephants!”

And they certainly will not have to balance on their heads or on one another for applause.

Instead, the majestic creatures will leave the 145-year-old spectacle to retire in Florida, at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Center for Elephant Conservation. After over a century of being a symbol of “the greatest show on earth,” the elephants will move down south following their appearance at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre Twp. this weekend.

Ringling Bros. initially announced last March that the Asian elephants would retire by May 2018, but this January, they decided to expedite the process and move the animals to the sanctuary two years ahead of schedule.

To Ringling Bros. assistant elephant manager, Ryan Henning, the announcement came as a shock to him at first.

“Obviously it’s bittersweet, this is what we do,” Mr. Henning said. “Our primary job is to take care of the elephants. They’ve been a part of the show for 146 years. The emotion is bittersweet, but it’s about conservation and our cancer research program that is taking place, we are excited for our animal family members and new opportunities for our animal care team. This transition will focus on conservation to make sure that these guys will be around for many generations.”

For those who still line up outside of the circus to protest the captivity of the great endangered pachyderms, the liberation of the Asian elephants from Ringling Bros. is long overdue. But for the Feld Entertainment Co., it is an acknowledgment that elephants in the circus make many people uncomfortable and offers a strategic chance to focus on its elephant conservation center.

In recent years, several cities and counties passed laws banning the use of elephants for entertainment, creating complications for the circuses touring with pachyderms.

“We’re in the entertainment business, not in the business of fighting city hall,” Mr. Henning said. “A lot of politicians are caving in to extremists, which may make it more difficult to travel with animals to certain cities.”

But for animal rights activists, such as Rachel Mathews, counsel for the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Foundation Captive Animal Law Enforcement Division, this is just the beginning of their fight. Since its inception 36 years ago, PETA has worked toward the removal of all animals from entertainment outlets, such as zoos, aquariums and circuses.

“The reaction has been two-fold,” Ms. Mathews said. “First of all, the public has made clear that it no longer supports taking baby elephants from their mothers, shackling and beating them and whipping them into submission. That said, there are still so many animals in the circus. Until the day that the last animal is in the circus, PETA will continue to protest and document the cruelty.”

Although the circus has decided to let go of the stars of the show, they will continue to use many other animals. According to Mr. Henning, the Circus Xtreme show alone uses five female Asian elephants, seven two-humped camels, 18 Bengal tigers, a few horses and ponies, a miniature donkey, snakes and 18 poodles — which are cared for by 40 or so trainers.

An international treaty prohibited the trade of Asian elephants in 1975, so all elephants currently used in the circus were born and bred in captivity.

These elephants have been around people their whole lives, but not every elephant goes into show business. Others are kept in the Florida sanctuary for socializing, studying the elephants and maintaining the elephant population.

Circus set for Mohegan Sun

Location: Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza, 255 Highland Park Blvd., Wilkes-Barre Twp.

Show times: Thursday and Friday, 7 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, 1 and 5 p.m.

Tickets: Start at $15. All seats are reserved. Tickets are available at the box office by calling 800-745-3000 or at ticketmaster.com. 

The history of the elephants in the circus

1881: The first elephant causes the merging of the Barnum & Bailey circuses.

1882: Jumbo, often referred to by P.T. Barnum as the largest elephant in the country, joined the circus. His name later became synonymous with supersized.

September 1916: Mary the circus elephant, who faced criminal charges for trampling an elephant trainer, was hanged in Unicoi County, Tennessee, after being found guilty.

June 1995: The Ringling Bros. Center for Elephant Conservation opens in Florida.

September 2011: People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals releases video footage on the Ringling Bros. violent training methods when a whistleblower shares photographic evidence from the training ground.

March 2015: Ringling Bros. announces the phasing out of its elephants by May 2018.

January 2016: Feld Entertainment announces the elephants will retire to the conservation center in May 2016.

May 1, 2016: The elephants will perform their final show at the Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza.

Sources: TIME, Ringling Bros. CEC

Archbald

Planning meeting: Borough Special Events Committee organizational meeting for Archbald/Eynon Memorial Day Parade, Tuesday, 7:30 p.m., Gina Tomas­soni School of Dance, 280 Main St., Eynon, for anyone interested in volunteering to help with any aspect of this community event or any group/organization interested in participating; if unable to attend the meeting but interested in helping or participating, contact Councilwoman Maria Tomassoni, 570-877-7180.

Dickson City

Tax office: Dickson City Real Estate Tax Office opens Wednes­day-Thursday, 4-6 p.m. (in addition to regular hours) to accommodate residents who want to make payment during the discount period.

Factoryville

Church dinner: Factoryville United Methodist Church Elec­tion Day dinner, Tuesday, 4:30-7 p.m., College Avenue and Wil­son Street, $8.50/adults, $5/5-12, free/under 5; takeouts, 570-945-9302.

Sportsmen meet: Factoryville Sportsmen’s Club meeting, Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., clubhouse, returns for the May “SuperGun” event need to be made to Bruce Weisenfluh, see Paul for tickets for the Henry Rifle Raffle.

Honesdale

Women meet: Women’s Club of Honesdale meeting, Thursday, 7 p.m., Chamber of Commerce Visitor’s Center, presentation to the three high school students who were awarded this year’s Women’s Club scholarships, election of officers follows reception for students and their families; other agenda: updates on July Art and Antique show and plans for annual Hones­dale beautification plantings.

Jefferson Twp.

Hoagie sale: Jefferson Twp. Volunteer Fire Company Primary Election Day hoagie sale, Tues­day, 8 a.m., fire hall, Cortez Road and Route 348, Mount Cobb; ham and cheese, turkey and cheese, Italian and roast beef, $5.

Madison Twp.

Soup/salad: Madisonville Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary soup and salad lunch and dinner on Tuesday, 11:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m., fire hall, Route 690; also wimpies and dessert; takeouts available, Carole, 570-241-3518; Lois, 570-877-8952.

Poconos

PEEC events: Pocono Environ­mental Education Center events: Tweets and Treats, Sunday, 9-11 a.m.; plant sale, May 7-8, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; introductions to blacksmithing, May 15, 10 a.m.-noon; National Trails Volunteer Day, June 4, 9 a.m.-noon; and Meditation and Mindfulness, June 11, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 538 Emery Road, Ding­mans Ferry; 570-828-2319 or www.peec.og.

Regional

International dinner: United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA International dinner, Thursday, 6 p.m., St. John Neumann Parish, 633 Orchard St., Scranton, to honor new citizens and ESL students.

Waverly Twp.

Spring show: Waverly Commu­nity House Greenhouse and Kitchen Show, 1115 N. Abington Road, launch party, Friday, 5:30-7:30 p.m., $35, in advance at the Comm office or at the door, and show, Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., variety of vendors; $5/suggested donation, light snacks and beverages served in the Canteen, all proceeds benefit the new Comm­Kids Interactive Learning Center.

CLIPBOARD ITEMS may be emailed to yesdesk@timesshamrock.com or mailed to Clipboard, c/o the YES!Desk at 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, 18503. YES!Desk, 570-348-9121.

WAVERLY TWP. — People now eligible, or soon to be eligible, for Medicare can get free help on federal programs available this week at the Waverly Community House.

Partnering with the Voluntary Action Center, the Comm will host an informational workshop from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the facility’s south wing, 1115 N. Abington Road.

The “New to Medicare” class, led by Apprise Program counselors, is designed for those considering retirement, who are nearing age 65 or who already receive disability benefits.

For information or to reserve a seat, call the Comm at 570-586-8191, ext. 2, or email info@waverlycomm.org.

— JON O’CONNELL

Christian Pilosi whipped up some “plant-based shark bait,” and went fishing.

The owner of Eden — A Vegan Cafe, located on Adams Avenue in Scranton, on Thursday pitched his business during a live casting call for the ABC television show “Shark Tank,” a reality TV program in which business owners seek real-life partnerships with successful entrepreneurs.

“I think it would make great TV. I think we have a good story,” Mr. Pilosi said while seated in his cafe Sunday.

About two years ago, the cozy little cafe that has carved its niche offering comfort food like vegan/vegetarian burgers, pizza and cheesesteaks, almost drowned.

After resounding support from a global vegan/vegetarian community resuscitated Eden, business has been booming, he said. Now he thinks the mainstream quick-serve meal market is ready to devour his model.

“What we do, we can do anywhere,” the businessman from Old Forge said. “What we do is very duplicatable, which is what a franchise needs to be.”

In “Shark Tank,” host business moguls Barbara Corcoran, Mark Cuban, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John and Kevin O’Leary hear business pitches from aspiring entrepreneurs.

The show draws millions of viewers. It’s known for enthusiastic, often off-the-wall pitches that sometimes garner big capital investments in exchange for one of the “sharks” owning stock in the company.

Mr. Pilosi is asking for $600,000 to develop a national franchise plan for Eden. In return, an investing shark would own 30 percent of his company.

“I would love to see them in other places than just in Scranton,” said faithful customer Brooke Lamberti, a 15-year-old from Factoryville. “It’s traditional comfort food at amazing prices.”

She had once experimented with both vegetarian and stricter vegan diets. She’s since abandoned both, but still eats at Eden at least once a week with friends, she said.

Natalie Nee of West Scranton switched from a vegetarian to vegan diet about seven years ago to combat high cholesterol and pain from rheumatoid arthritis — a move that she says saved her life. Eden prepares some of the few dishes she can share with her family.

“I’m the only vegan in a houseful of men,” she said. “My husband and my sons ... they go to the restaurant with me and they eat right off the menu.”

Mr. Pilosi was among about 350 to 400 people to pitch their plans Thursday at Pier 94 in New York City, he said. Now, he waits until May 5 — coincidentally his daughter Trinity’s 13th birthday — to learn whether he advances to the next round. It’s unclear how many rounds it takes before he can appear before the sharks on television, but there’s at least one more to include an in-depth interview.

Increasingly diet-conscious consumers make franchising Eden viable, he said, and he just hopes the sharks think so, too.

“It seems like vegan food really started to take off,” Mr. Pilosi said. “We just got lucky that it happened at, I think, the exact right time, and that’s what I want to convince the ‘Shark Tank’ people.”

Contact the writer:

joconnell@timesshamrock.com,

@jon_oc on Twitter

While the busy ballroom bustled around them, Stan Slominski and Jeanne Bosher sat at a cafe table quietly enjoying each other’s company, some wine and light fare during the 16th annual Evening of Fine Food and Wine.

Seated in the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple during a fundraiser to support its operations and restoration efforts, Mr. Slominski flicked on his iPhone to reveal a yellowed photo of the pair dressed to the nines in 1963 before his senior prom at the now-defunct South Central Scranton Catholic High School.

After high school, they married other people and raised children. Only recently, each mourned the deaths of their spouses.

After meeting at a class reunion last year, Mr. Slominski, now of Maryland, and Ms. Bosher, now of Hanover Twp., have been seeing each other again. He drives up from Maryland about once a month to visit as long as they can come up with a few local destinations. On Sunday, it was enjoying savory food and good drink at the cultural center.

“We usually have a full schedule,” Ms. Bosher said, chuckling.

Chefs from restaurants around the region prepared bite-size dishes for more than 240 guests who meandered four floors of the 180,000-square-foot, circa 1930 building.

Guests, who paid $100 a ticket, sampled meals like charred octopus with skate cheeks and roasted tomatoes served up by Carmen’s at the Radisson chef Chris Chludzinski, and appetizers like porcini mushroom ravioli with bechamel sauce and baby arugula garnish by Angelo’s in Dunmore, while sipping wine paired to suit each plate.

At each stop, hosts from local media companies offered bits of history about each room.

In the second-floor Ladies Parlor, The Times-Tribune staff writer Josh McAuliffe noted three exits to the room where women gathered while their husbands, secretive masons, met behind closed doors. One exit door looked more like a broom closet.

“It’s not actually a closet at all, but contains a ... hidden trapdoor,” he said. Secret passageways and hidden doors throughout are just one of the things that make the building so unique, he said.

The cultural center continues to raise funds to tackle lofty restoration projects billed around $2 million.

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