Mayfield
The borough is gearing up for the holidays with its 37th annual Toys for Tots collection drive and its annual Santa visit.
Mayfield has Toys for Tots collection boxes at the Borough Building, 739 Penn Ave., and Tuzze’s Pharmacy, 509 Poplar St., according to the borough. Mayfield isn’t involved in the distribution of the items, but anyone with questions can call the borough secretary at 570-876-4391.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be visiting the borough Dec. 14, delivering treats to borough children with help from Mayfield’s volunteer hose companies.
The North Pole couple will begin their trek at 4 p.m. in the west side of town, continuing through every street in Mayfield.
Parents of sick or homebound children can request an in-home visit by calling 570-766-2959 before 1 p.m. on the 14th.
In case of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled to Dec. 15 at 5 p.m.
— FRANK WILKES LESNEFSKY
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570-348-9100 x5181;
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Scott Twp.
The township’s Police Department is raising money to add a police dog.
Full-time Officer Ed Frescoln bought a 4-month-old Belgian Malinois . Its breeder said the dog has a very good drive, sparking Frescoln’s interest to make Nika a police dog.
Township Administrator Carl Ferraro estimates the cost at about $35,000 for the dog’s training, equipment and modifications to police vehicles.
The department raised about $10,000 in the past few weeks after sending letters to businesses and posting information on its Facebook page, Ferraro said.
Proceeds from a basket raffle at the fire company’s Santa Breakfast at 9 a.m. Dec. 8 at the fire hall will be donated for the dog’s training and other expenses.
Ferraro believes the police dog would be a good fit in the community.
“We have a lot of rural, wooded areas,” he said. “In addition to tracking narcotics and explosives, the dog would be able to track missing people. The benefit of finding one missing person who wandered away from home would make the entire program worthwhile.”
— ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
rtomkavage
@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9100 x5365;
@rtomkavage on Twitter
Scranton
A Santa train attraction called the North Pole Limited, a one-hour trip organized by the nonprofit Iron Horse Society, will depart from Steamtown National Historic Site on three weekend days in December.
Festive passenger cars will ride behind historic steam locomotive Baldwin No. 26 on an hourlong round trip to the North Pole, as Santa visits with children on the train.
Some of the trips are sold out, but tickets are still available for:
Dec. 14: noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m.
Dec. 15: 10 a.m., noon, 1:30 and 3 p.m.
All North Pole Limited tickets and reservations are made directly through the Iron Horse Society website at theironhorsesociety.com/santa.
North Pole Limited ticket sales support the society’s mission to promote awareness and preservation of railroad heritage at Steamtown National Historic Site, off Lackawanna Avenue and Cliff Street in downtown Scranton.
For information on Steamtown’s activities, hours and schedules, see www.nps.gov/stea.
— JIM LOCKWOOD
jlockwood
@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9100 x5185;
@jlockwoodTT on Twitter
City council last week introduced or adopted legislation approving appointments and reappointments to various city boards and authorities.
Council introduced legislation to:
n Reappoint Katherine J. Gilmartin of Capouse Avenue to the Historical Architecture Review Board, with her term expiring Oct. 11, 2022.
n Reappoint Nell O’Boyle of Arthur Avenue to the Historical Architecture Review Board, with her term expiring Oct. 11, 2024.
n Appoint Walter Barron of Luke Avenue to the Human Relations Commission, with his term expiring Oct. 11, 2024.
n Reappoint Aja E. Wentum of Harrison Avenue to the Human Relations Commission, with his term expiring Aug. 24, 2023.
n Appoint John J. Harrington Jr. of Lilac Lane to an unexpired term on the Scranton Parking Authority. The term expires June 1, 2022.
n Appoint Thomas Tansits of Terrace Drive to an unexpired term on the Scranton Parking Authority. The term expires June 1, 2021.
n Appoint Todd Pousley of Rundle Street to the city Planning Commission, with his term expiring Dec. 31, 2022.
n Appoint Michael S. Cummings of Crown Avenue to the Redevelopment Authority board, with his term expiring Oct. 1, 2024.
Council adopted legislation to:
n Reappoint Thomas J. McLane of Stafford Avenue to the Shade Tree Commission, with his term expiring Oct. 29, 2024.
n Reappoint Magisterial District Judge Terrence V. Gallagher of Oram Street to the Scranton Housing Authority for a term expiring Sept. 27, 2023.
— JEFF HORVATH
jhorvath@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9141;
@jhorvathTT on Twitter
The Electric City Trolley Museum will host several special holiday events in the coming weeks.
On Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, guests may ride the trolley with the popular Elf on the Shelf. Trolley departure times for the day are 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 a.m., and 12:30 and 1:30 p.m.
The Friday event also features arts, crafts, storytelling, letters to Santa and face painting from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The popular trolley excursions featuring Santa begin Saturday and continue Dec. 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22. Departure times for these rides are 10 and 11 a.m., and 12:30, 2 and 3:30 p.m. Reservations are required.
The museum will host a children’s holiday celebration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Dec. 14. The event will feature arts and crafts, a magician, refreshments, music and a visit from Mrs. Claus.
For information or to make reservations, call the museum at 570-963-6590.
— JEFF HORVATH
jhorvath@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9141;
@jhorvathTT on Twitter
South Abington Twp.
Matthew McDonnell and his family want to make Christmas brighter for children in the hospital.
They will host Matthew’s Hope 4 Miracles Toy Drive from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at South Abington Park, 642 Northern Blvd.
New, unwrapped toys, including plastic dolls, action figures, Lego kits, Matchbox cars, pop-up toys and art supplies, will be collected for children with cancer at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia.
Any small toys children can use bedside would be ideal, Linda McDonnell said. Gift cards may also be sent to Child Life Department, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 515 Osler Circle, Wood Building, 5th Floor, Philadelphia.
The township gave the family permission to decorate a tree in the park with plastic ornaments.
When someone puts an ornament on the tree, named the Tree of Miracles by Matthew, they will be asked to think about the children in the hospital and say a prayer, Linda McDonnell said.
“Matthew wanted to do something a little more meaningful than just dropping off the toys,” she said.
Matthew McDonnell, a pediatric cancer survivor, founded the nonprofit Hope 4 Miracles to raise awareness and money for cancer research.
— ROBERT TOMKAVAGE
rtomkavage
@timesshamrock.com;
570-348-9100 x5365;
@rtomkavage on Twitter
AROUND THE TOWNS appears each Monday, spotlighting the people and events in your neighborhoods. If you have an idea for an Around the Towns note, contact the writer for your town, or the Yes!Desk at 348-9121 or yesdesk@timesshamrock.com.