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NEPA'S Most Wanted 6/14/2015

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Barry McManus

Wanted by: Scranton office, state Board of Probation and Parole.

Fugitive since: March 10.

Wanted for: Burglary, receiving stolen property, firearm not to be carried without a license. Sentenced to five years and five months to 13 years of incarceration. Paroled June 6, 2014.

Description: Black man, 28 years old, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 160 pounds, black hair, brown eyes.

Contact: Agent Terry Vieney, 570-963-4227.

Reynaldo Oquendo

Wanted by: Scranton office, state Board of Probation and Parole.

Fugitive since: March 5.

Wanted for: Fleeing and attempting to elude an officer and reckless endangerment. Sentenced to nine months and 22 days to three years of incarceration. Paroled Sept. 29.

Description: Hispanic man, 34 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 180 pounds, brown hair, hazel eyes.

Contact: Agent Gary Demuth, 570-614-7244.

Saleem Craig

Wanted by: Scranton office, state Board of Probation and Parole.

Fugitive since:

Feb. 20.

Wanted for: Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. Sentenced to 4½ to 10 years of incarceration. Paroled March 24, 2014.

Description: Black man, 34 years old, 5 feet 8 inches tall, 150 pounds, black hair, brown eyes.

Contact: Agent Joseph Harte, 570-614-7247 or 800-932-4857.

Louis Palumbo

Wanted by: Scranton office, state Board of Probation and Parole.

Fugitive since:

Nov. 21.

Wanted for: Theft by deception, theft of movable property and theft by unlawful taking. Sentenced to three to eight years of incarceration. Paroled Sept. 22.

Description: White man, 55 years old, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 150 pounds, brown hair, brown eyes.

Contact: Agent Joseph Harte, 570-614-7247 or 800-932-4857.

Edwin Leibensperger

Wanted by: Scranton office, state Board of Probation and Parole.

Fugitive since:

Nov. 18.

Wanted for: Possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. Sentenced to three to eight years of incarceration. Paroled Nov. 26, 2013.

Description: Hispanic man, 41 years old, 6 feet 1 inch tall, 250 pounds, bald, brown eyes.

Contact: Agent Joseph Harte, 570-614-7247 or 800-932-4857.


Lackawanna County, Turkish center host free community dinner

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SCRANTON — The Lackawanna County Arts and Culture Department and the Turkish Cultural Center of Pennsylvania’s Scranton branch will host a free community Iftar Dinner on Wednesday at the Electric City Trolley Museum.

The program will open with a short presentation on Turkish culture, followed by dinner. The event is designed to teach the community about Turkish culture and encourage more dialogue and friendship.

The dinner is open to the public, but seating is limited. People who want to attend must register by Monday by emailing arts-culture@lackawannacounty.org or calling 570-963-6590, ext. 102.

— KYLE WIND

Tunkhannock High School seniors don caps, gowns

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TUNKHANNOCK — For the 182 members of the graduating class of 2015 at Tunkhannock Area High School, Saturday was a day not only to celebrate accomplishments together, but also to look forward to what they would do after they parted.

Valedictorian Erin Rome reminded the class that even though this was a time of parting from friends and traditions created over a lifetime, it was not a time to be sad.

Erin said that two weeks ago, when the last song came on during the prom, the class formed a giant group hug and held hands in the air.

“This was the first time many of us realized our time at Tunkhannock Area really was coming to an end,” she said. “Teary-eyed, with a bittersweet happiness, we all tried to grasp and hold on to the song and each other one final time.

“If you are not satisfied with your life, it is the perfect opportunity during this transition to change,” Erin said. “Always remember who you are and where your journey began near this bend in the river, but do not be afraid to venture out of the pond and discover the bigger, better, awe-inspiring sea.”

“Being aware of the present is the key to feeling alive and exhilarated,” salutatorian Jill Patton said. “The most meaningful experiences don’t have to hold the most prestige.

“Our culture pushes us to attain greatness and reach for the stars,” but, she said, “Let’s not forget to appreciate the full happiness of each moment.

“The simple parts of the song are just as important as the melody,” Jill said.

Senior class adviser Lance Montross, who was the faculty keynote speaker, noted that community service is a trait that especially describes this class.

“You are a selfless group of individuals who always put others before yourselves,” Mr. Montross told the assembled students. “It’s your time, go create something great.”

Mr. Montross noted a tradition of selflessness extended back to their freshman year when they organized community cleanup days to help clear the devastation left in the wake of the 2011 flood.

Class President Molly Hampsey, who joined the district during her freshman year, said all of the students were about to experience the culture shock she received moving into a new school that was five times the size of her old school.

“You are your own problem,” Molly said, “but you’re also your solution.”

Superintendent Michael Healey encouraged the class not only to never stop dreaming, but to take a step toward one of their dreams every day.

“It’s the dreams that make us unique,” he said. “It’s the dreams that define who we are.”

To illustrate the extent of dreams that were present in the class, Mr. Healey had the students stand as he read through the opportunities that they were exploring in the future.

Students stood if they were going to college, beginning trade school, joining the military or entering an industry. By the end of the list, every student was standing.

Mr. Montross finished his speech before the crowd with a sentiment shared by the other teachers, and the parents in the audience. “I stand here with great pride,” he said, “I am certain you are prepared to cross the threshold into this big, crazy world.”

The graduates are: Adryana Jane Appleby, Brian Florey Beauchemin, Zachary Alan Beeman, Ashley A. Berlew, Amanda Kyle Blankenship, Brooke Lily Blankenship, Steven Michael Boyd, Nikki L. Bucciarelli, Karlie Marie Bulford, Lucas Dylan Burgess, Devin Zachary Byrnes, Seth Thomas Caines, Kory William Callum, Chance Lewis Carey, Kurtis Alan Carichner, Rylee Drian Carnright, Cory Ryan Case, Taylor Michael Case, Leila Sonta Marie Christofferson, Alexander Franklin Clark, Bernard D. Clark Jr., Elaina Marie Cognetti, Aidan Stephen Cronin, Brandon Lee Dailey, Alyssa Mary Daily, Katelynn Mae Darlin, Katherine L. Davis, Dakota Anthony Deininger, Richard Anthony DeMarchis, Bryan James DeRemer, Dustin Edward Dippre, Kayla A. Dobrinski, Chelsea Logan DonVito, Gerard Michael DonVito, Marco Dean Dougherty, Makayla Mae Drost, Cody Forrest Dunlap, Ashley Michele Dunn, Trevor Allen Dunning, Matthew Lawrence Dymond, Blair Marie Eaton, Ryan David Ell, Cody B. Fabiseski, Cody Joseph Faux, Renay Jean Faux, Summer Frantz, Shawn Michael Gallagher, Michaela Ann Garay, Dylan R. Grandinetti, Matthew Grebeck, Logan Fritz Green, Paige Cameron Gwyneth Greenley, Alysha Lee Gregory, Desirae Lin Gruszka, Felicia Marie Guiles, Molly M. Hampsey, Mykenda Reed Harvey, Jewel Nicole Hayward, Timothy Paul Heath, Anthony Howard Heise, Aubrey Ann Heise, Connor Anthony Hemme, Adam Seth Henning, Nicholas Brian-Timothy Heslin, Abbey Elizabeth Hirkey, Wendy Anne Hoover, Fawne Larae Hopfer, Krista Lee Hoskins, Catherine Vette Huhn, Aaron James Ide, Jessica Nicole Ide, Miryha Elizabeth Jarnagin, Brandon L. Jenks, Matthew James Keefer, Samuel Leon Kelly, Emily Paige King, Jordyn Michelle King, Daniel Glenn Kosty Jr., Terri Dianne Kovalick, Traci Marie Kromko, Ellen Marie Kuzma, Lindsey Nicole Kwiatkowski, Stephanie Lynn Lawrence, Mitchell T. MacDougall, Margaret Mary Faith Maloney, Samantha Marie Markovitz, Kayla Lee Martin, Anthony Joseph Marturano, Devin Shea Mason, Travis John McDermott, Michael Nicholas Mercurio, Kailyn Falon Mikula, Kaitlyn Olivia Mitchell, Ashley Jean Morgan, Christopher Anthony Morone, Malysses Monique Moy, Garry Ray Mussleman III, Shiv Naik, Matthew Clay Newberry II, Hayden Rebekah Nichols, Summer Marie Nolder, Katelyn Marie Osterhout, Sarah Kaye Passarelli, Vrajkumar P. Patel, Jill Loren Patton, Tara Lynn Patton, Thomas Joseph Pavlichko, Sabrina Elizabeth Peters, Morgan Elizabeth Phillip, Emma Eileen-Marie Pizzolanti, Joseph Nicholas Popiwchak, Blake Nicole Posten, Alex Elizabeth Prebola, Sarah Elizabeth Purdy, Megan Marie Quick, Aaron Robert Reeves, William Joseph Reidenbach, Jesse David Reinhardt, Keanyn Andre Richardson, Charles Lawrence Richter, Alex Jay Rigdon, Olivia Grace Romano, Jacqueline Rose Rombola, Erin Margaret Rome, Skyler Brooke Roote, Austin Raymond Rosengrant, Justine Catherine Rought, Ashley Nicole Rutcavage, Martin Michael Saporito, Miranda Dawn Schmidt, Sarah Ann Schork, Emily Marie Seaberg, Katherine Victoria Seaberg, Stefan Peter Sehne, Kaylee Mae Seward, Georgia May Sherry, Kayla Marie Kathleen Shotto, Daniel Frank Shurtleff, Brittany Marie Sickler, Jeffery Daniels Sickler, Jessie James Sickler, Lillian Louise Siglin, Cole James Simmers, Symantha Lyn Simmons, Kennedy Taylor Smales, Donald Evans Smith Jr., Jamie O’Brien Smith, Jessica Rose Sorokach, Brett Martin Stage, Eric Thomas Stamer, Brittany Ann Stempien, Justin Matthew Stonier, Shane David Straley, Garrett Michael Streeter, Elissa Mari Stretch, Zachary Erik Swilley, John Leonidas Tidball VI, Kasandra Mae Tilley, Alexis Nicole Tinna, Mya Helen Toczko, Jessica T. Tomsak, David Jon Trexler, K’Lisha La’Gale Turner, Kelcy Elizabeth Vandorick, Parker James VanGalder, Lucas Allen VerBeek, Erika Renae Wallace, Keith Robert Ward, Danielle Marie Weaver, Alison Rose Wetherbee, Mark Leonard Wiernusz, Aly

son Lynn Wilbur, Kristin Shelby Wilhelm, Alexander Dane Williams, Sean-Ryan Williams, Mitchell Leonard Winters, Nikki Lynn Winters, Jacob Scott Woodruff, Matthew Allan Wootten, Maegan Erin Wrubel, Austin Anthony Yanora, Gabriel Lucas Yerdon, Jessica Caroline Zackus and Alexander David Zelna.

Head of the class

Valedictorian: Erin Margaret Rome

Parents: Eric and Robin Rome

Activities: National Honor Society (VP), cross country, class steering committee, Friends of Rachel, piano

Plans after high school: Attend Lafayette College for chemical engineering

 

Salutatorian: Jill Loren

Patton

Parents: Lawrence and Nancy Patton

Activities: Newspaper (editor-in-chief), DAR good citizen, faith club, tennis

Plans after high school: Attend either King’s College or Wilkes University, to major in English and minor in women’s studies

Veterans News 6/14/2015

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League sets

SOS breakfast

Northeastern Detachment Marine Corps League and Museum’s annual Fathers Day SOS breakfast, June 21, 9-noon, detachment, 1340 Alder St., Scranton, $9, at door.

Legion Riders set Legacy Run

Dickson City Riders American Legion Post 665 annual Legacy Run, June 28, Eagle Hose Company, 1 Eagle Lane, breakfast and registration, 9-11 a.m., stops at two places along the approximately 80-mile route and returns to the hose company from 2-6 p.m. for a picnic, raffles and entertainment by Dashboard Mary, $20/rider, $15/passenger and $10/picnic only, rain or shine, cars welcome; 570-499-8369.

VAMC sets

open house

VAMC Wilkes-Barre’s Sumer of Service open house, July 1, 4:30-7 p.m., 1111 E. End Blvd.; William Klaips, William.Klaips@va.gov or 570-830-7042.

R-Vets accepting student applications

The R-VETS Program is accepting new student applications for the 2015 summer session until July 6. Must be a veteran, military member or spouse with a GED or high school diploma. R-VETS participants can take free classes, workshops on public speaking, resume writing, personal finances and Microsoft Office; Ashley Woodward, 570-961-4584 or rvets@marywood.edu.

VFW Post 4909

to hold sock hop

Dupont VFW Post 4909 sock hop dinner-dance, Aug. 1, 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 July 31; www.vfw4909.com.

Post 568 offers $1,000 scholarship

American Legion Post 568 offering $1,000 P.J. Freach/Buddy Keen memorial scholarship to high school seniors; must be resident of Minooka section of Scranton or son, daughter or descendant of an active member of post in good standing, accepted at or attending an accredited two- or four-year college or technical institute and of good moral character. Candidates may obtain application from any post member, complete and submit with official high school transcript, including SAT or ACT scores, or official college transcript to: Jack Donelan, 3028 Colliery Ave., Scranton, PA 18505, by Aug. 7.

Meetings

SQUADRON 665

Sons of the American Legion Squadron 665, today, 1 p.m., election of officers, noon-4 p.m.

SAL DISTRICT 11

District 11 Sons of the American Legion, today, 2:30 p.m., Post 665, Dickson City, agenda: election of officers.

POST 5544

VFW Post 5544, Tuesday, 7 p.m., post home, Jessup; smoker follows.

NEPA COAST GUARD

NEPA Coast Guard Veterans Association, Wednesday, 6 p.m., Perkins Restaurant, Route 315, Pittston Twp.; Neil Morrison, 570-288-6817.

POST 4909

Dupont VFW Post 4909, Aug. 3, 7:30 p.m., post home; Home Association meeting

follows.

Reunions

USS IWO JIMA

USS Iwo Jima (LPH2/LHD7) shipmates reunion, Sept. 13-16, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Baton Rouge, La.; Robert G. McAnally, 152 Frissell St., Hampton, VA 23663, 757-723-0317 or yu

jack@megalink.net; ussiwoji

mashipmates.cfns.net/

USS LONG BEACH

USS Long Beach CGN-9 Association Inc. reunion, Sept. 14-20, Wyndham Jacksonville Riverwalk, 1515 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville, Fla., room rate, $96, including taxes, must ID yourself as a member of the reunion, reservations: 904-396-5100; Don Shade, 866-352-2469 or 716-569-2314, lbcgn9@aol.com or www.usslong

beach-assoc.org.

SECOND DIVISION ASSOCIATION

Second (Indianhead) Division Association is searching for anyone who served in the Army’s 2nd Infantry Division at any time, for information about the association and 94th annual reunion in San Antonio, from Sept. 22-26, contact secretary-treasurer, Bob Haynes, at 2idahq@comcast.net or 224-225-1202.

USS INDEPENDENCE

USS Independence CVA-62 26th reunion, Oct. 14-18, Phoenix, all Navy, Marine and air squadrons and their families are welcome; USS Independence CVA-62, 65 Pioneer Ridge Road, Canton, NC 28716, 828-648-7379 or ussindycva-62@hotmail.com.

Merli Center

■Today: Flag Day/Veterans Home Week. Coffee, 9 a.m.; Eucharistic ministry, 9:15; Flag Day ceremony with food and beverages, 2 p.m.; Army birthday happy hour, 3.

■Monday: Morning social, 9 a.m.; Bible study, 9:30; blackjack, 10; McDonald’s dine-in by the Merli Salaski Committee, 12:15 p.m.; Italian festival with music by Jim Cerminaro, food and beverages, 2 p.m.

■Tuesday: Veterans Home Week bingo, 10 a.m.; employee appreciation cookout, 10; volunteer ministry visits, 2 North, 1:15; choir practice, 1:45; Catholic service, 3; pizza from Mamma Mia’s and movie, “Korea, the Unfinished War,” 7.

■Wednesday: Morning social, 9 a.m.; exercise sit and stretch, 10; resident welfare fund, 1 p.m.; country hoedown with Wildfire, food and beverages, 2.

■Thursday: Morning social, 9 a.m.; chapel, 10; arts and crafts, 10; 3 North cookout, noon; Arabian night with belly dancers, special treats and music, 2 p.m.; Steppin Out musical program with fresh fruit, 7.

■ Friday: Morning social, 9 a.m.; Veterans Home Week horse races, 10; carnival day at GMVC with EJ the DJ, photo booth, cupcakes, ice cream sundaes, homemade lemonade and games, 2 p.m.; Villa Capri Car Show, 6-9 p.m.

■ Saturday: Coffee and doughnuts by the Friends of the Forgotten, 10 a.m.; birthday bash with Janice Gambo Chesna, birthday cake and ice cream, 2 p.m.

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

South Side Farmers market heads outdoors

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The Southside Farmers Market moved outside Saturday for the first time this year, at the Scranton Iron Furnaces.

With fresh flowers, baked goods, grass-fed beef and some early produce, a steady stream of customers wandered in to shop.

Stephanie Milewski, owner of No Bull Ranch in Mount Cobb, has been selling her steroid- and antibiotic-free Berkshire pork and Angus beef for two years.

“This market is a nice small community of farmers and others,” she said. “We see the same people every week and get to know our customers.”

During the colder months, the market was held indoors on Cedar Avenue, but produce was limited to root vegetables and small amounts of greenhouse-grown vegetables.

Now in its sixth year, the South Side Farmers Market is coordinated by United Neighborhood Centers of Northeastern Pennsylvania’s Elm Street Revitalization Project, which identified the South Side area as lacking in fresh food options. For that reason, vendors are not charged a fee.

“We want to bring fresh, affordable produce, and quality food, to the area,” said Elm Street Coordinator Katie Kearney. “Plus, we get to bring people to this historical asset — the Iron Furnaces.”

Robert Sundeen, who lives in New York City and Scranton, picked up some honey and other items.

“It’s the only one open, and I’m glad it’s here,” he said.

Morgan Evans and Elizabeth Davis hit the market almost weekly. They like it because it is within walking distance and Saturday is a convenient day for them. They like the variety of products — from kale to kombucha. There also are some new things. Randy Ryan has a table offering samples of what he called Rainbow Juice, a fresh vegetable and fruit juice made through a process that preserves nutrients and enzymes.

The market will be at the Iron Furnaces every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Oct. 3.

Contact the writer:

dfalchek@timesshamrock.com

Police investigating North Abington Twp. crash

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NORTH ABINGTON TWP. — A motorist was hospitalized after a crash at about 6:45 p.m. Saturday near Craig and Kennedy Creek roads, the Lackawanna County Communications Center said.

The incident was initially reported as a two-vehicle crash but was later reported as a car having stuck a guardrail.

Waverly Twp. police responded to the wreck, but an officer at the scene would not provide any information about the incident.

— KYLE WIND

Opportunity main theme at Honesdale graduation

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HONESDALE — While the girls sat in red robes to the right of the stage, the boys wore black to the left, and relatives and friends jammed the gymnasium on Saturday to witness the 140th senior class of Honesdale High School graduate.

After graduating senior Jacqueline Knash gave the introductory speech, titled “Opportunities of the Past,” salutatorian Daniel Henry Koop followed with his address: “Present Opportunity.”

“Every moment is an opportunity,” he told more than 200 of his fellow graduating seniors and an audience of about 1,000. “The choices of today make tomorrow. This is the importance of ‘present opportunity.’ We have the ability to make whatever tomorrow we wish.”

In between speakers, the high school orchestra played “Seal Lullaby” by Eric Whitacre and the Senior Vocal Ensemble sang “Give Me Wings” by David Sprunger.

Valedictorian Donald T. McGinnis gave the last student speech, titled “Future Opportunities.”

“Now that we are all going our separate ways, I’m going to put a new challenge on all of you: don’t make this the highlight of your life,” he said.

“There are many, many opportunities out there for all of you,” he continued. “Let yourself succeed and don’t be afraid to take a chance. A wise old man once told me — or maybe it was my classmate Pat Hart, I get that confused a lot — you can’t get to the top by sitting on your bottom.”

In the final speech before the students received their diplomas, Wayne Highlands School District Superintendent Gregory Frigoletto took the podium.

“Seniors, today I challenge you to resist making hasty, in-the-moment decisions,” he said. “Take the time to think about your end goal and how your decision may shape your tomorrow. Ask yourself with every decision that you face, what is the wise thing to do? You may not know the answer, but please, take the time to ask the question.”

Contact the writer: pcameron@timesshamrock.com,

@pcameronTT on Twitter

 

The graduates are: Matthew J. Abbott, Owen Adams, Seth David Arnold, Elizabeth Aronica, Dominick A. Ayers, Alexis Bailey, Jonathan Richard Bates, Scott C. Bayly, Paris Renee’ Benoit, Megan Emily Benson, Amarís E. Bertot, Morgan Reilly Birmelin, Colby Dale Bothun, Cassandra N. Box, Henry Braverman, Jonathon Tyler Bresset, Candice P. Brickhouse, Justin A. Brown, Michael Bryant, Zoe Ella Buckingham, William Thomas Bunnell, Samuel Scott Burcher, Joshua E. Burkavage, Sofia Grace Byron, Tyler Nathaniel Canfield, Joseph G. Card, Nicholas A. Casazza, Krystal Dawn Chase, Alec Conor Cimahosky, Brielle Alexis Collins, Samuel Elijah Conley-Vaverchak, Austin James Corter, Cassandra Crisell, Shannon Lee Crum, David Dailey, Riley Darlington, Jessie Rose DeGori, Nicholas Ryan DeGori, Grace Ellen Deighton, Dustin J. Delgado, Barbara DeMeglio, Marissa M. Diehl, Megan Dulay, Brooke Kelly Dunn, Kendra Brianne Dyer, Mackenzie Taylor Egan, Courtney Lynn Elders, Makayla A. Elders, Shonna Marie Else, Alexander Esselman, Alex Michael Evanitsky, Dominick Richard Farina, Justin T. Fay, James Florance Jr., Damian Foshay, Erin Fowler, William Michael Franklin, Logan R. Freiermuth, Trevor Joseph Freiermuth, Vandergriff P. Fuller, Jacqueline Brooke Gallik, Margaret R. Galloway, Gabrielle Elizabeth Gardas, Cody Gelatt, Lauren Elizabeth Gonzalez, Mark Grandinetti, Emily Ann Grataski, Megan Elizabeth Gullone, Nicole Marie Haliscak, James Robert

Hall, Allison Rose Hardler, Nicholas Micheal Harlos, Patrick L. Hart, Stacey Ann Hart, Claire P. Harvey, Christopher W. Hazen, Alexandra L. Heddy, Gabrielle Heffron, Natasha Marie Hessling, Shea Elizabeth Hodder, Dylan James Hoffman, Kyra Sofia Hopkins, Alexandra Y. Huppunen, Rebecca Jean Irwin, Nicholas Michael Jennings, Jenna Leigh Johannes, Nicholas P. Johannes, Jasmine K. Johnson, Dominique Sarah Jonas, Melissa Jones, Alexander M. Kammeier, Cali Kenowsky, Artem Khalilov, Samantha R. Kielar, Alex Andrew Kille, Jacqueline Knash, Taylor John Knash, Kristina N. Koberlein, Trevor Michael Komar, Daniel Henry Koop, Tyler Kotran, Allen T. Kraft, Camden J. Kraft, Tristan Michael Kominski Krause, Lauren Elizabeth Krol, Dakota C. Kronyak, Jacob Krug, Michelle Krzemieniecki, Baily Paige Leet, John Jerold Lemon, Joshua Joseph LoBasso, Dakota William Long, Vanessa Lynn Lukondi, Travis C. MacDougall, Kaitlyn Nicole Mander, Evette Marie Maritato, Dylan Michael Marold, Brittany L. Maronna, Sky Amber Marte, Alison Paige Martin, Bailey A. Martin, Woodrow Augustus Martin, Anthony William Mascari, James Burrows Maxson, Trent Matthew McConnell, Robert Peter McCormick, Justin McDermott, Donald T. McGinnis, Ellen McGraw, Kyle Joseph McGraw, Reed Charles McLaughlin, Justin Robert McMillen, Alex J. Meyer, Alexa Shae Meyer, Olivia Meyer, Katie Ann Miller, Sydney Miller, Brielle Christine Mohn, Haliey Rose Mohn, Cody Thomas Mongovan, Molly Elizabeth Morgan, Kathleen Ann Murphy, Jacob John Odell, Morgan Eric Daniel O’Hare, Warron G. Oldham, Mary O’Neill, Ryan Daniel O’Neill, Matthew Clark Ordnung, Stephanie Anne Ostrow, Taylor Lynn Parenti, Evan Troy Pelletier, Alexis Marie Pfeil, Logan Lee Pingel, Neal Taylor Porter Jr., Devin Post, Shiann K. Potter, Julia Elizabeth Pucci, Ashlyne Marie Quidley, Shauna Morgan Quinones, Ashley A. Racht, Rylee Marie Randolph, Nathaniel Lawrence Redick, Brian Patrick Reed, Sean D. Reese, Stanley Thomas Rembish, Sean Rex, Shaun D. Rieman Jr., Thomas Rock, Daniel B. Rodriguez, Kayla Roesemann, Ashley Rose Romano, Angelia Loraine Rowland, Sully Michael Rutledge, Paige Faith Ryan, Jacqueline A. Sanchez, Chad Michael Scholl, Katherine Irene Schwab, Mollie Rose Semler, Alexandra Maria Simpson, Dustin Herman Smith, Ashley Nicole Snyder, Bayley N. Spoor, Jesse R. Staszewski, Thatius Ahmad Lee Stephenson, Matthew R. Stinnard, Shyanna P. Stoddard, Karl Florian Steven Surge, Hope Swartz, Aaron T. Swendsen, Matthew Lloyd Swendsen, Brooke Ann-Marie Swingle, Riley Patrick Terysen, De’Asia L. Thompson, Hunter A. Thompson, Kallista Thompson, Kayley Noelle Tracy, Anthony Tyahla, Joshua Tyler Utegg, Charles E. VanOrden Jr., Kevin Eric VanSickle, Vincent P. Vendetti, John W. Visci, Joseph B. Walsh, Owen Michael Walsh, Alexander Thomas Ward, Amber Marie Watkins, Jonathan William Werner, Keegan M. Werner, Emilee Tressa West, Cody R. Whitmore, Thomas Joseph Wolfe, Serena Viola Woolley and Melissa A. Young.

Head of the class

Valedictorian: Donald T. McGinnis

Hometown: Honesdale

Parents: Cindy and Kevin

McGinnis

Activities: Captain of basketball team, captain of golf team, Scholastic Bowl, Honesdale High School scholar of the year 2014-15, Honesdale High School Male Student Athlete of the Year

Plans after high school: Attending North Carolina State University to study nuclear engineering

 

Salutatorian: Daniel Henry Koop

Hometown: Tyler Hill

Parents: Sharon and Thomas Koop

Activities: Basketball, track and National Honor Society

Plans after high school: Attending Widener University to study computer science

Something should be done 6/14/2015


Taylor Legion disposes of used flags

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TAYLOR — More than a thousand American flags received final salute and last respects Saturday at the Taylor Memorial Cemetery, where they were burned and buried in a ceremony officiated by the Taylor American Legion Post 306.

White smoke filled the air as a few veterans and volunteers heaped armfuls of flags into three fires — two burn barrels and a fieldstone pillar.

Few organizations dispose of flags any longer, and the Taylor post found its flag-disposal workload growing. They handle flags from area cemeteries and municipalities, those collected by other posts, and from U.S. post offices. Typically, veteran groups, the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts, or groups such as the Marine Corps League dispose of flags.

The Taylor post’s commitment to the process and location next door to the historic cemetery — whose 1848 chapel is recognized as the oldest standing building in the borough — has made it the go-to organization in the region for flag disposal, usually the Saturday before Flag Day, which is today.

“I don’t want people wiping their hands on these old flags, tossing them in the corner of the garage or putting them in a landfill,” said Post 306 past commander Ed “Buckey” Kristoff. “Here, we have a ceremony on hallowed ground.”

A tarp among irregularly laid-out tombstones keeps the mounds of old flags from touching the ground. Included with the red, white and blue were a Pennsylvania state flag, some armed service flags and novelty flags from America’s past, like those with 13 stars. One flag had a Palm Sunday palm attached to it. A few neighbors and folks from the Legion walked over with flags of their own, or those that friends or family gave them. All are handled the same way, however.

An honor guard made its way over from the post. Mr. Kristoff presented a folded flag representative of the lot to past commander James Fuller for inspection.

“I find that this flag has served its purpose … carry on,” Mr. Fuller said.

A recording of Taps is played and everyone pauses to salutes flag. With help from a propane torch, volunteers start up the three fires. Flags made of synthetic materials create acrid fumes as they melt. The ashes are collected, put in a box and buried along the cemetery fence.

Contact the writer:

dfalchek@timesshamrock.com

Mountainview graduation

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Class of 2015 graduation at Mountain View was rolling along smoothly on Saturday morning until valedictorian Sabrina Fallon hinted that something a little unusual was about to happen.

“We’re sorry if we made Mr. Presley lose all his marbles,” she apologized to the high school principal on behalf of her classmates. “We hope someday he gets them back.”

Then, as the students’ names were called to accept their diplomas, a congratulatory handshake from Rob Presley included the gift to him of a single, blue marble from each graduate.

Mr. Presley, at first taken by surprise, quickly took the return of his marbles in stride, casually depositing them in his left pants pocket as he gratefully shook each graduate’s hand.

The ceremony opened with video highlights of the senior’s school year, followed by the seniors marching to the high school auditorium stage accompanied by “Pomp and Circumstance” played by the school band.

In his remarks, Mr. Presley warned the students they can no longer expect “daily objectives listed on the board” or “multiple choice questions hinting you should choose letter C.”

“Believe your destiny is to do great things,” he urged them. “Don’t let fears hold you back. Dream big. You might as well take a shot at doing what you love. Explore every passion, and don’t have regrets. Leave the world more interesting for your being here.”

Sabrina Fallon told her classmates, “Today is not the peak of your success, but the beginning. I know all of you will steer your lives toward something worth sharing.”

Salutatorian Keith Maitland assured the seniors that they “all earned the honor of graduating in front of your family and friends.”

Class secretary Jolie Winemiller added, “We will always remember the second family we made here.”

All the speakers reviewed many of the highlights and accomplishments of the class of 2015, in academics, the arts and sports.

Diplomas were distributed by district Superintendent Karen Voigt and board of directors’ President Thomas Stoddard.

Special diplomas were awarded in memory of class members Ebon Foose and Swann Kushmore, who lost their lives several years ago.

The weather cooperated for the traditional tossing of the caps in front of the school following the ceremony.

The graduates are: Garrett Adams, Shylabeth Adams, Micaela Allen, Frank Alvord, Christopher Andzulis, Jacob Baranski, Edward Bognatz, Anna Bowman, Bryan Boyko, Allen Call, Garrett Cameron, Dylon Carpenter, Joseph Cerra, Jesse Chidester, Kyle Chidester, Bradley Compton, Maryrose Costigan, Matthew Cowan, Delaney Esslinger, Nikolas Estabrook, Sabrina Fallon, Keegan Ficarro, Caitlin Fish, Gabriel Fontana, Aaron Freeman, Ariana Gabriel, James Goodenough, Lindsay Hanas, Kyle Heide, Joseph Higby, Matthew Hodgins, Malinda Holgate, Jacob Holtsmaster, Annie Johnson, Courtney Kashetta, Alan Kiefer, Lucas LaRue, Ryan Lavin, Carly Lewis, Daniel Liford, Keith Maitland, Hayley Maloney, Aaron Mason, Richard Miller, Sydney Miller, Jourdaine Newhart, Bryan Owens, Amber Paduck, Jairus Parry, Trystan Phillips, Alyssa Royce, Joanna Schwarztrauber, Dylan Slater, Mario Snyder, Paige Spencer, Brittany Staudinger, Nicholas Stone, Katelynn Taylor, Emily Tracy, Allison Virbitsky, Brittany Wallace, Makenna Whitaker, James White, Sunny Wilder, Elliot Williams, Franklin Wiltbank, Jolie Winemiller and Amanda Wright.

 

 

Head of the class

Valedictorian: Sabrina Fallon

Parents: Paul and Pauline Fallon

Hometown: Lenox

Activities: FBLA, NHS, SGA, Tri-M Music Honor Society, Science Olympiad, Envirothon, band, volleyball, basketball cheerleading, track and field

Plans after high school: University of Pittsburgh to major in biomedical

engineering

 

Salutatorian: Keith Maitland

Parents: Bill Maitland and Carol Harvey

Hometown: Lenoxville

Activities: Track and field, cross country, scholastic team, drama club.

Plans after high school: Attend Clarion University, majoring in computer science

 

Business Buzz, June 14, 2015

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Gerrity’s food drive launches new brand

Through July 4, Gerrity’s will run a social media food drive called “You Share, We Share.” Every time someone posts a picture of a Best Yet product, Gerrity’s will donate a Best Yet item to the Weinberg Regional Food Bank. The campaign is built around Gerrity’s new store brand, Best Yet, which replaces its former store brand, Shurfine. The change comes as a result of the bankruptcy and sale last year of Associated Wholesalers Inc., Gerrity’s former supplier. Gerrity’s new supplier, C&S, carries the Best Yet brand, and will supply all of Gerrity’s nine locations.

Cabot starts scholarship: Cabot Oil & Gas Corp. has awarded $50,000 in scholarship money to Scranton Preparatory School as part of Pennsylvania’s Education Improvement Tax Credit program.

Hospice cuts ribbon: Hospice Advantage had its open house and ribbon-cutting ceremony at its office in Clarks Summit. The hospice offers palliative care, comprehensive care and counseling services to terminally ill patients and their families. Located at 700 S. State St., Clarks Summit, the hospice’s office opened in January.

Bank branch opens: Fidelity Bank had a grand opening of its new Pittston branch Saturday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event included a “Family-Fun Day,” composed of refreshments, activities and prizes. The branch officially opened June 1.

Alliance conducts survey: The Northeastern Pennsylvania Alliance, as the regional coordinator for the Northeastern Pennsylvania Partnerships for Regional Economic Performance Network, and the three Workforce Investment Boards that serve the region are conducting an online survey that employers will use in searching for workers. Training providers will use the survey results to determine training needed to match the labor force with the current and future needs of employers. The survey is available at www.nepa-

alliance.org to residents of Carbon, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Pike, Schuylkill and Wayne counties until June 30.

Company creates decal: Luposello Enterprises, a Milford-based wholesale distributor of imprinted merchandise, created a removable “For Sale” decal to serve as an alternative to the plastic “For Sale” sign that gets taped to a vehicle. The decal includes an area to write vehicle, price and contact information. In the Milford area, the decals are available at Luhr’s True Values or Shakelton Napa Auto Parts Stores, or visit Lowes.com.

Foundation supports program: People’s Security Charitable Foundation gave a $2,500 grant to Lacawac Sanctuary and Field Station. The grant supports the youth and environmental sciences afterschool program, implemented to provide low- to moderate-income youth at risk for academic failure in Lackawanna County with out-of-school educational opportunities in areas including biology, ecology, environmental science and math.

Board needs members: North Penn Legal Services has openings for client representatives to serve as board members. Client board members can expect to meet four times per year. Two meetings are in person and usually held at or near the Pittston office. Legal services will arrange a ride if needed and will pay mileage if not needed. Each board member is responsible for reading meeting materials, helping the staff make important decisions, and deciding on policies that guide the legal services’ work. If interested or for more information, email Vicki Coyle, North Penn Legal Services executive director, at vcoyle@northpennlegal.org.

Association honors organizations: The American Heart Association recognized 10 companies and organizations in Northeast and northcentral Pennsylvania as Platinum or Gold-Level Award recipients in the Fit-Friendly Worksites recognition program. Platinum-Level award winners include BlueCross of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Wilkes-Barre; and Geisinger Health System, Danville. The local Gold-Level award winner is Marywood University. The Fit-Friendly Worksite program is free, and offers companies tools to create a healthier workplace environment.

Bank donates socks: Bank of America conducted a sock drive during the month of May, and collected more than 1,000 new pairs of socks to donate to the foster youth and their families with which the Lackawanna County Office of Youth & Family Services works.

Hospital gets distinction: Wilkes-Barre General Hospital’s bariatric program earned the distinction of an Aetna Institutes of Quality program effective April 1. Institutes of Quality facilities show excellence in care and a commitment to continuous improvement, and offer an exceptional value to Aetna members. The hospital will receive recognition on Aetna’s online provider directory, which aims to help members choose facilities that give consistently high-quality and high-value care.

Department gets accreditation: Regional Hospital of Scranton’s Echocardiology Department earned accreditation from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission. The commission granted the hospital a three-year term of accreditation in echocardiology in the areas of adult transthoracic. The hospital underwent a review of its operational and technical components from a panel of experts. The commission grants accreditation to facilities that provide quality patient care in compliance with national standards through a comprehensive application process, including detailed case study review.

SUBMIT BUSINESS BUZZ items to business@times-shamrock.com or The Times-

Tribune, 149 Penn Ave., Scranton, PA 18503.

State budget due in two weeks

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HARRISBURG — For nonprofit agencies that rely on state aid to help parents, the poor and the sick, it’s happening again: a state budget seems unlikely to be approved before the deadline in two weeks.

Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and the Republican-controlled Legislature appear far apart on a state budget due June 30.

An impasse after that deadline would leave state government without authority to spend money and create a great deal of uncertainty about the continued flow of state aid. In 2009, a partisan budget battle left food banks, child care centers and social service agencies without funding for months.

For Pennsylvania to maintain full spending authority after the deadline, lawmakers must pass and Mr. Wolf must sign a budget package that includes a fiscal bill detailing where tax revenue comes from and a school code that distributes state aid to school districts.

Mr. Wolf and GOP legislative leaders discussed budget issues last week, but still grapple with such basic concepts as the size of a revenue deficit that needs to be addressed.

Mr. Wolf pegs the deficit at $2 billion due to an overreliance on one-time revenue sources, while GOP lawmakers contend the deficit is much smaller, in the $1 billion range, as tax revenues ticked up in recent months.

Priorities differ

Senate Majority Whip John Gordner, R-27, Berwick, said a three-way budget agreement is preferable, but failing that, Senate and House GOP leaders are prepared to pass a budget by June 30 built on revenue from selling the state-owned liquor stores and public pension cuts.

Senate Republicans have repeatedly said curbing public pension costs for state government and school employees must be addressed before new tax revenue can be considered. House Republicans view the sale of the state-owned liquor stores as a revenue bonanza for Pennsylvania’s chronic fiscal troubles.

That scenario would leave Mr. Wolf with several options, including signing the budget, vetoing the entire budget or exercising a veto of certain parts of the budget to compel continued negotiations over the summer. Another option is passing a stopgap budget to keep basic state government operations functioning for several months.

Mr. Wolf has proposed an ambitious budget with additional spending and tax hikes, including using a portion of severance tax revenue to restore earlier cuts to public education under his predecessor Republican Tom Corbett. A hike in the state personal income tax from 3.07 percent to 3.7 percent would pay for substantial school property tax relief under Mr. Wolf’s proposal.

The governor’s priorities are for a severance tax, closing the deficit with recurring revenue and property tax relief for the middle class and seniors, said Wolf spokesman Jeff Sheridan.

“He is not going to accept a status quo budget that is built on smoke and mirrors,” said Mr. Sheridan.

“We do have different directions on many issues,” said House Speaker Mike Turzai, R-28, Pittsburgh.

People don’t want to recognize pensions are a school cost, but they are, said Rep. Tina Pickett, R-110, Towanda.

But Rep. Sid Michaels Kavulich, D-114, Taylor said moving state government and public school employees to a defined contribution pension plan from the traditional defined benefit plan won’t provide savings.

Bad memories

Those with memories of earlier budget stalemates in 2009, 2007 and 2003 are paying attention. Nonprofits struggled to stay afloat and pay bills during the prolonged 2009 stalemate.

“I’ve been hearing from my schools,” said Sen. John Blake, D-22, Archbald. “They are obviously concerned about if it goes past June 30. Any time we have a budget impasse it puts pressure on nonprofits.”

However, the situation doesn’t appear as dire as in 2009, said Gary Drapek, president of the United Way of Lackawanna and Wyoming counties. It would take a stalemate lasting into August for state aid checks to stop, he said.

A flap emerged last week over a letter sent by a Department of Labor and Industry official to the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind and other nonprofits concerning budget contingency plans, saying in part the state wouldn’t pay retroactively for services provided during a period without a budget.

Sens. Lisa Baker, R-20, Lehman Twp. and Mario Scavello, R-40, Mount Pocono, criticized that statement. The letter was not authorized by the governor’s office which wasn’t even aware it had been sent, said Wolf spokesman Jeff Sheridan.

The labor and industry secretary plans to send a letter to clarify any confusion resulting from the matter, he said.

Lawmakers gambling

As a way to generate new revenue, Senate GOP leaders are advancing legislation to allow casinos to offer Internet gambling and run satellite operations with a limited number of slot machines.

Legalizing Internet gambling could yield an estimated $700 million annually, said Mr. Scavello.

“I am not a big fan of expanded gaming,” said Mr. Blake. “I think we have enough of it. Whenever we do this, there is a danger to the strength of an existing facility.”

Meanwhile, a key piece of the budget puzzle has yet to be finalized.

The state Basic Education Funding Commission plans to issue a report this week recommending a new formula for distributing $5 billion in basic education funding to school districts. The commission’s recommendations would need approval from the lawmakers and governor to take effect.

Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com

Why it matters that so few mutual fund managers are women

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NEW YORK — Diversify. The financial industry says you have to do it with your investments. But when it comes to who’s running mutual funds, diversity can be tough to find. Fewer than 10 percent of all managers are women, according to a recent tally by Morningstar.

Women make up similarly small percentages across the spectrum of investment professionals, from money managers to analysts to consultants, according to a study by the State Street Center for Applied Research. After surveying hundreds of professionals around the world, the think tank found that women approach investing in a complementary way to men.

Suzanne Duncan, the center’s global head of research, recently talked about why that means better-balanced mutual fund management teams could lead to better results. Answers have been edited for clarity and length.

Q: Why should I care that so few mutual-fund managers are women?

A: It’s about the return on investment.

Men and women approach investing very differently, but in a complementary way, so diversification can make a difference when it comes to managing money.

It’s about how we’re wired biologically to define and measure success. Male mutual-fund managers tend to focus on outperforming their benchmark or their peer group. They want to be in the top quartile. The female definition of success is not that. It is to achieve the long-term goal. For the professional, that could be her organization’s long-term goal. Or, for the individual investor, the most common long-term goal is to comfortably retire.

Q: It doesn’t seem like there’s much research saying that women are better investors than men, in the short- or the long term.

A: The more important question in our view is: Are men, together with women, better investors? There isn’t research about that, specifically for investment performance, because the sample size is too small. There aren’t many teams of men and women managing money. It just doesn’t happen in today’s world. But research has been done about highly successful teams in other areas, and it’s not about high IQ. It’s about diversity.

Q: How else did you find that male fund managers differ from women?

A: Men, on average, tend to take credit for their decisions when they’re successful. And when they’re not successful, they blame others. Women are the opposite. We don’t take credit when we’re successful, and we blame ourselves when we fail.

We asked portfolio managers around the world: Tell us about a recent successful investment that you made and why were you successful. The No. 1 reason men gave was “my experience.” “My analytical abilities” was No. 2. “My ability to strip out my emotions from my investment decisions” was No. 3. My, my, my. All factors that are internal to them. The next question we asked was: Tell us about a recent investment you made that was not so successful and why. The No. 1 reason was “the markets took a turn for the worse.” No. 2 was “bad luck.”

It’s a coping mechanism to deal with fear. We asked the portfolio managers how many months of underperformance it would take to be fired. The average response was 18 months, a very short-term basis. So we end up building this entire system ... on a very short-term basis. And we are taking away from the ability to focus on what we should, which is the long-term goal.

Q: Are you seeing more of a push to get more women into these roles?

A: Yes, there’s the 30% Club (a group that advocates getting more women on boards of directors). The CFA Institute just had their first-ever Women in Investment conference. Gender diversity has picked up momentum in a pretty meaningful way. As we’re out there doing face-to-face interviews, we find that it is top of the list in terms of not only awareness but also execution on what to do about the issue. And that’s new. That’s largely since the financial crisis.

Q: Do you think it’s because of the crisis?

A: The crisis was a very powerful inflection point. Everyone is taking a step back. It started with a conversation between spouses, and that’s trickling through the whole system. Males have been mainly responsible for the decision making in couples’ finances ... and after the financial crisis, couples said, “We just lost a lot of money. Can we start talking about partnering and making decisions together as opposed to the male making decisions in isolation?”

That is trickling through the financial adviser community, where the first movement has been. Now the mutual-fund managers, who are selling their product to the financial advisers, now they’re paying attention.

Elk Lake graduates say farewell

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DIMOCK — “Be well rounded,” advised chemistry teacher Thomas Kotch as he addressed the 78 graduates of the Elk Lake High School class of 2015 during commencement exercises on Saturday morning.

Warning against the human tendency to “become cloistered in a world of our own specialties,” Mr. Kotch told the graduates to endeavor to become well-balanced, worldly people.

“My advice to you is not to be a one-dimensional person,” he said. “Your life should contain coordinates for practical skills, some fine arts and literature, and some science and math.”

Mr. Kotch concluded by thanking the graduates, noting, “You have all made me a better teacher.”

Valedictorian Haley Skinner had her own advice for her classmates.

“No matter what you do or where you go,” Haley said, “go forward with the promise of hard work.”

“No great thing will ever fall into your lap,” she said. “Opportunities may appear, but success can only blossom if you put forth the effort necessary to succeed.”

Salutatorian Kyrston Swingle also spoke of success, commenting on the characteristic grit and determination that will enable her class to do big things.

“Life is full of challenges,” said Kyrston. “There will be lots of things to knock us down and throw us off track, but we will persevere and we will go far.”

While all the speakers expressed great optimism for the future, class President Linsey Dudock took a moment to reflect on the past.

“Always remember those daily hellos,” she said, “remember the endless amounts of laughter you have shared with your friends in the cafeteria, the card games in the library, kickball games in gym class and that last sports game you played in high school.”

The ceremony concluded with the conferring of the diplomas by Superintendent Kenneth Cuomo and the members of the Elk Lake School Board.

Principal Brian Mallery noted that of the 78 graduates, 34 would be attending a four-year college or university, 10 will be attending a two-year technical institution and three will be joining the military. Other graduates’ plans involve entering the workforce and working on the farm.

The graduates are: Jessica Ackley, Logan Adams, Austin Adams, Hailey Bomboy, Alex Bonavita, Tyler Brewer, Kathleen Burke, Emily Burns, Brodyn Bushnell, Keeley Carney, Scott Carson, John Chavis, III, Courtney Chew, Sabrina Clark, Blaise Cleveland, Christopher Cook, Timothy Crego, Edward Cumens, Adam Curry, Briana Deacon, Kyler DeGrote, Celia DeWitt, Breanna Dilmore, Nicholas Donero, Jr., Julia Doyle, Alexis Drab, Rachel Drazba, Linsey Dudock, Makenna Ellis, Gianni Ferrari, Emily Forba, Mari-Josephine Hollister, Alicia Hunter, Shyanna Jenks, Mackenzie Jones, Mykaela Kalinowski, Emily Kasson, Lukus Keener, Bobbi Kelder, Shane Kelder, Kyle Kelley, Julie Klein, Samantha Lauer, Makala Mack, Leopoldo Martinez-Cases, Shania McClain, Brittany Mershon, Natalie Newhart, Leah Ofalt, Zachary Osborn, Rebecca Phillips, Emily Podminick, Kelly Severcool, Dalton Sherman, Haley Skinner, Mark Smith, Mercedes Spickerman, Curtis Spila, Miryah Staff, Ashley Steele, Megyn Stevens, Kyrston Swingle, Haley Teed, Codi Teel, Benjamin Townsend, Travis Tucker, Jennifer VanEtten, Zachery VanWinkle, Brittany Veina, Lauren Vermeulen, Sheldon Vibbard, Olivia Vosburg, Alex Wagner, Christopher Warfle, Wyatt Warner, Brittney Webb, Merrick Whitney and Brett Wildoner.

Head of the class

Valedictorian: Haley Kathryn Skinner

Parents: Jerry and Julanne Skinner

Activities: Drama (president), forensics (captain), band member, Sweet Adelines, National Honor Society (president), Scholastic Team (captain), prom steering, student council, yearbook, French club (president), National French Honor Society (president) and class treasurer

Plans after high school: Attend Gettysburg College to study mathematical

economics

 

Salutatorian: Kyrston Swingle

Parents: Joe and Carolyn Conboy

Activities: Scholastic Team, student council, prom steering, National Honor Society, yearbook editor

Plans after high school: Attend Lackawanna College, the School of Petroleum and Natural Gas to study Petroleum and Natural Gas Business Administration

Community Events Listings, June 12, 2015

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Carbondale

Electronics recycling: Electronics recycling day, June 21, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., City Hall parking lot near the fire house, no fee for electronics fully intact, nominal fee stripped items.

Jubilee Mass: Silver jubilee of ordination Mass of Thanksgiving for the Rev. Charles P. Connor, Scranton Diocesean priest/professor of systematic theology and church history at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Emmitsburg, Maryland, Sunday, 4 p.m., St. Rose of Lima Church.

Clifford

Car wash: Clifford Vacation Bible School benefit car wash, Saturday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Lenoxville Church, Route 374, $5/wash or vacuum.

Dunmore

Clergy dinner: Dunmore Knights of Columbus clergy appreciation dinner for Catholic priests in borough Monday, cocktails, 6 p.m., dinner, 6:30; La Buona Vita, 200 Reilly St.; Dennis Lalley, 570-342-5496.

Honesdale

Volunteers needed: Volunteers needed for Honesdale Roots & Rhythm Music & Arts Festival, June 20, 9 a.m.-11 p.m., Central Park, set up, gear sales, donation collection, tear down, work with sustainability team, T-shirts/free meal pass for 4-hour plus volunteers; Brian Fulp, bfulp@himalayaninstitute.org or 570-309-7860.

Lackawanna County

College/career boot camp: Elm Park Family Life Ministries/NEPA Career and College Counseling Associates college and career boot camp, June 22-26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Elm Park Church, Scranton, $25, $5/day; educational workshops, career track field discussions, transportation to campus tours, lunch, refreshments, college fair, daily giveaways; 570-342-8263 by today.

Final bike sale: St. Joseph’s Center final bike sale, Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon, 2019 Boule­vard Ave., Scranton, proceeds will buy adaptive bikes for children with special needs; donations or gently used bikes, 570-963-1260.

Mayfield

Chicken barbecue: Whitmore Hose Company chicken barbecue, Sunday, noon until supplies gone, hose company building, Depew Avenue; takeouts available; $10, Mayfield Borough Building or members; home delivery, call 570-876-3776.

Flag installation: Mayfield Lions Club flag installation along main streets to mark Flag Day, Sunday, 6 a.m., club building.

Midvalley

Softball fundraiser: Rollin’ Thunder Gold Travel Softball Team 100-inning marathon softball game Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Jessup Youth Sports Complex, to raise funds for travel expenses to college showcase tournaments and NFCA softball clinics; donations appreciated of monetary, raffle gift cards, food items such as hot dog and hamburger buns, pizza, and prepared foods; details: 570-687-4735.

North Pocono

Bus trip: North Pocono Fire & Rescue Mutual Aide Association’s Honor Guard laying wreath at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, June 20, 4:15 p.m., bus leaves North Pocono Middle School, 8 a.m., reservations closed.

Pike County

Shred event: Safe Haven of Pike County Inc. community shred day, June 26, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., 106 Broad St., Milford, $5 minimum fee for each box; 570-296-5588.

Regional

Run/show: Montage Mountain Ski Patrol poker run, June 28, registration, 10:30 a.m., Pavilion at Montage Mountain VIP parking lot; ride, 11 (estimated return, 2 p.m.), $20/motorcycle registration; water park tickets 1/2 price for riders, $19.99 for guests, Villa Capri Cruisers Car Club classic car show, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Brian, 570-954-4270.

Bus trip: St. John Vianney, Montdale/St. Lawrence Church, Old Forge, bus trip to Sight & Sound, “Joseph,” Aug. 14, pickup, 6:30 a.m., St. John, 7, St. Lawrence; $98/adults, $59/3-12; bus, show, all-you-can-eat dinner at Shady Maple, stops at Kitchen Kettle Village and Rockvale Outlets; JoAnn, 570-881-9916.

Scranton

Class reunion: Scranton Technical High School class of 1980 35th anniversary reunion, July 11, 6-10 p.m., Pine Hills Golf Course, Taylor; $35, buffet dinner, cash bar; invitations mailed, reservations close Sunday; details: Mike Olek 570-236-9682.

Upvalley

Dance recital: Gina Tomassoni School of Dance presents “Keep On Dancin,” June 28, 6 p.m., Mid Valley High School auditorium, Underwood Road, Throop; $12/adults, $7/students, advance or at door, benefits the Easter Seals Society of NEPA and Covenant House, New York City; 570-876-3437.

Wayne County

Nutrition presentations: Wayne County Area Agency on Aging nutrition presentations with Lynn Guiser, dietitian: July 16, Northern Wayne Senior Group, Crosstown Highway, Lakewood; July 22, Honesdale Senior Center, 323 10th St. Aug. 7, Hamlin Senior Center, Route 590, township building; Aug. 19, Hawley Senior Center, Bingham Park; all 11:30 a.m.-noon; lunch reservations, 570-253-4262, at least two days in advance; transportation needs, 570-253-4280; http://aging.waynecountypa.gov.

West Scranton

50/50 bingo: St. Mary’s Sisterhood of St. Michael’s Ukrainian Orthodox Church 50/50 bingo, June 28, 1-4 p.m., 540 N. Main Ave., raffles, refreshments; 570-961-1795.

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.


Food distribution event slated for county residents

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OLD FORGE — Food will be provided to Lackawanna County families Wednesday at the Borough Building.

The distribution is provided under the Federal Emergency Food Assistance Program administered by the Scranton-Lackawanna Human Development Agency Inc.

Residents should bring their own bags or boxes to the Borough Building, 310 S. Main St. Distribution will begin at 10 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Organizers said a variety of canned and bottled food and beverages will be available.

— STAFF REPORT

Business Briefcase, June 14, 2015

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Wednesday: Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce 147th annual dinner, featuring a keynote address by David Abrams, chairman and owner, Keemotion, co-managing owner, Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, 5 to 8 p.m., Genetti Manor, 1505 Main St., Dickson City.

Small-business retention seminar, University of Scranton Small Business Development Center and Hill Neighborhood Association, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the university’s DeNaples Center. There will be a panel of economic development specialists from various agencies who will explain various loans and grants which an owner may be eligible for. Also, owners are welcome to discuss business plans, employees, parking, zoning or whatever issues that require attention by an owner.

Pocono Mountains Hospitality Scholarship Golf Tournament, Mount Airy Golf Club at Mount Airy Casino Resort. Continental breakfast and registration starts at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start at 9 and a luncheon and awards ceremony at 2 p.m. The format is four-person scramble. The tournament costs $130 per person and $500 a foursome. To register, complete the golf tournament registration form and fax it to 570-421-6927 or email it to ann@poconos.org. For more information on the tournament, contact Ann Pilcher, tournament chair, at ann@poconos.org.

“Donor Retention Education” seminar, hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Northeastern Pennsylvania Chapter at Hilton Scranton, 100 Adams Ave. Registration and lunch begin at 11:30 a.m.; workshop runs from noon to 1 p.m. The seminar aims to provide key elements that make women powerful prospects, and how an organization can tailor its fundraising efforts to reach this demographic. Registration costs $20 for Association of Fundraising Professionals members, $25 for Nonprofit & Community Assistance Center members, $30 for nonmembers. For more information, contact Lee Ann Chamberlain at 570-655-5581, ext. 221, or lchamberlain@nepa-alliance.org.

June 23: Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber’s Celebration of Community Leadership, 5 to 7 p.m., F.M. Kirby Center for Performing Arts. The celebration will feature the 30th Anniversary ATHENA Award presentation to Lori Nocito and I Believe Award presentations to John Maday and others to be announced.

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

Tarnowski's moving kielbasa shop

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Tarnowski’s Kielbasa is moving into an expanded location nearly 10 times the size of its old location as business grows.

The business formerly had a small store at 4 Broadway St., Nanticoke. It will open in a larger location on July 1 at 579 E. Main St., Nanticoke, the former home of Janison’s Flowers.

The expansion is needed to keep up with the demand for kielbasa, a traditional favorite food for many families in the Wyoming Valley.

“We did not have nearly the room that we wanted to do as many things as we wanted,” said Anastasia Vishnefski, who owns the business with her husband, John. “Around the holidays, we sell tons, literally tons, multiple tons.”

The art of making kielbasa goes back nearly 70 years and three generations for Tarnowski’s Kielbasa.

John Vishnefski’s grandfather Tad and his brothers Chester, Leo and John Tarnowski started the business in 1946 in Glen Lyon, where the kielbasa smoker is still located. The new location will include a bigger smoker.

Since John and Anastasia Vishnefski took over four years ago, business more than doubled every year, she said.

“We had no more room. Really, we were just running out of space,” she said. “This is such a great location and we were serious about staying in Nanticoke. We believe in Nanticoke.”

Tarnowski’s sells fresh and smoked kielbasa as well as Italian, hot Italian, fresh and smoked turkey kielbasa, kielbasa loaf and three kinds of sticks.

“We’re going to be doing more now that we will have a nice big smoker,” Mr. Vishnefski said.

Tarnowski’s will participate in the Plymouth Kielbasa Festival in August. That festival and the second annual Edwardsville Pierogi Festival are good boosts for business, Mr. Vishnefski said.

“The first Pierogi Festival last year was such a success,” she said. “We were sold out, packed up and home by 9 p.m. on Saturday when it went until 10 p.m. because we didn’t have anything else to sell.”

While kielbasa competition is fierce in Nanticoke and Plymouth, Mr. Vishnefski said, “I think there is plenty of kielbasa business to go around.”

“People have their favorites,” she said. “People travel and come and see us.”

Contact the writer:

dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com

Lackawanna County Sentencings 6/12/2015

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Judge Margaret Bisignani Moyle recently sentenced the following defendants in Lackawanna County Court:

■ Jacquan Richardson, 30, Scranton, to six to 12 years in state prison for robbery and theft.

■ Richard Molnar, 32, Scranton, to nine months to two years in state prison for simple assault.

■ Josh Jezorwski, 28, Scranton, to one year to two years in state prison for simple assault.

■ Luis Chantell Ortiz, 27, Scranton, to 120 days to one year in state prison for false identification to law enforcement.

■ Thomas Diehl, 29, Carbondale, to four to eight years in state prison, lifetime registration as a sex offender and sex counseling for aggravated indecent assault of a child.

Judge Vito Geroulo sentenced:

■ David Ruffin, 25, Carbondale, to three months to one year in state prison for institutional vandalism.

■ Deon Moore, 29, 1044 Genet St. Apt. 18G, Scranton, to three to 12 years in state prison for possession with intent to deliver.

■ Kenneth Leon Lighty, 28, 534 N. Irving Ave., Scranton, to one to two years in state prison for possession with intent to deliver.

■ David John Malewich, 42, 317 Wheeler Ave., Apt. 1, Scranton, to 21 months to six years in state prison for possession with intent to deliver.

■ Kevin Pope, 50, Scranton, to time served to 18 months in Lackawanna County Prison for drug paraphernalia possession.

■ Holly Pierce, 43, 110 Frank St., Dunmore, to six months of probation for theft.

■ Ryan Gongliewski, 21, 674 Pratt Hollow Road, Nicholson, to six months of court supervision including three days of house arrest and a $1,000 fine for DUI.

■ Claudia Martinez-Rojas, 57, 1319 Pittston Ave., Scranton, to 201 days to 18 months in Lackawanna County Prison for promoting prostitution.

■ Jessica Gilson, 34, 639 Alder St. 1st floor, Scranton, to three days to six months in Lackawanna County Prison and $1,000 fine for DUI.

■ Nicole Shupp, 29, 3358 Kearney Ct. Moosic, to five days to six months in Lackawanna County Prison and a $300 fine for DUI.

■ Bryant Titus, 28, Dunmore, to six months to two years in state prison and a $50 fine for resisting arrest and public drunkenness.

■ Philip Digenova, 29, Bartonsville, to one to two years in state prison for theft.

Judge Michael Barrasse sentenced:

■ Michael Hull, 46, 307 Neptune Pl., 1st floor, Scranton, to 13 to 46 months in state prison and two years’ probation for possession with intent to deliver.

■ John Theodore Olszyk, 37, Wilkes-Barre, to one to three years in state prison for criminal trespass.

■ Amanda Williams, 34, Scranton, to one to four years in state prison and one year probation for drug paraphernalia possession, harassment and possession with intent to deliver.

■ Albert Haasz, 25, 310 Oak St., floor 2, Dunmore, to 18 months to three years in state prison for conspiracy to commit theft and possession with intent to deliver.

■ Christopher Pinko, 29, 1025 Corbett St., Scranton, to 25 to 54 months and $1,169.99 in restitution for possession with intent to deliver, drug paraphernalia possession and theft.

■ Anthony Pinto, 36, 229 Putnam St., Scranton, to 14 months to three years in state prison and two years’ probation for possession with intent to deliver.

■ William Bish, 39, 20 Penny Lane, Binghamton, New York, to 12 days in Lackawanna County Prison for possession of a controlled substance.

■ Justin Slack, 21, 2029 Jackson St., Scranton, to six months of court supervision including three days of house arrest and a $1,000 fine for DUI.

■ Melissa Thomas, 30, 1421 Prospect Ave., Scranton, to 60 days’ probation and a $200 fine for disorderly conduct.

■ Shawn Festa, 28, Scranton, to one to three years of in state prison and two years probation for criminal trespass.

Pets of the Week 6/14/2015

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

 

pets

Smokey is a 4-year-old , grey, neutered male cat. He is shy, but very friendly.
Contact the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter at 586-3700 if your pet is lost or goes astray. Staff Photo by Ted Baird

 

 

pets

The Fonz is an 8-month-old Hound/Labrador mix. He is playful and friendly.
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:

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