Calendar of Events

Animal Vaccination Clinic

In Pursuit of Grace, an animal based community outreach program, will host a  low cost vaccination clinic for dogs and cats. It will be held from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1702 Cedar Avenue in Scranton.  The event will be hosted in a partnership with Dr. Michael Zajac of Bunker Hill Veterinary Hospital.  

Rabies shots will be $6. Distemper shots will be $14. All pets must be on a leash or in a cage. All pets must be under control at all times. Flea and tick medication will also be available for purchase.

In Pursuit of Grace Annual Fundraiser

In Pursuit Of Grace will host their fourth annual fundraiser from 7-10 p.m. on Nov. 17. The event will be held at the Vault and Tap Kitchen located at 301 N. Main Avenue in Scranton.

The fundraiser is an event open to all ages, and all proceeds will benefit In Pursuit Of Grace programs. Admission is $10, which includes pizza, wing bites, soda and more. There will also be a cash bar, a basket raffle, 50/50, and entertainment by D.J. Mike C.  

Day to honor St. Gianna Beretta Molla

The Scranton chapter of the Order of Malta is sponsoring a day to honor St Gianna Beretta Molla on Saturday Nov. 7, at the University of Scranton. The day will begin at 10:30 a.m. with mass in the Madonna Della Strada Chapel on Monroe Avenue.

Robert White from the national Shrine of St. Gianna will give a presentation about her life. There will also be an opportunity to venerate relics of St. Gianna. Immediately following mass, there will be a brunch at the forum in Lahey Hall at the Panuska College of Professional Studies at the corner of Linden and Mulberry Street in Scranton.

There is a free will offering for the event.  The suggested donation is $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. For more information about the program, please call (570)341-7941.

Cast Your Color Vote Event

The CASUAL (Colon cancer Saves Unlimited Adult Lives) Day planning committee will host a Cast Your Color Vote for CASUAL Day 2016 on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 5-7 p.m. at the Courtyard Marriott in Moosic.  Attendees will be able to cast their color vote to decide the 2016 CASUAL Day t-shirt color.

Light refreshments and prizes will be awarded to individuals on the night of the event. Guests are asked to wear past CASUAL Day t-shirts and pins.  All are invited to attend.  For more information, go to www.cancernepa.org or call the Northeast Regional Cancer Institute at 1-800-424-6724.

Pasta Dinner for Geno Comonie

A pasta dinner will be held for Geno Comonie, a lifetime resident of Olyphant who has been battling Multiple Myeloma, a form of bone cancer. The dinner will be held on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Eureka Hose Co. Firehouse at 700 block of East Grant Street in Olyphant. This event will ease some of the burden of his mounting medical bills. There will also be raffle gifts and 50/50 tickets available for purchase.  

Sit-down dinners will be from at 4-8 p.m. Take out dinners are available from 3-5 p.m. Tickets are sold in advance for $10 each, but a limited amount of tickets will be sold at the door. Each dinner includes: pasta, salad, rolls, dessert and refreshments.

Call Kim Atkinson at (570)383-9552 for more information or to make a donation.

Rock ‘N the River Benefit Concert

The Lackawanna River Corridor Association will host a benefit concert from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 6 in the ballroom of the Hilton Scranton and Conference Center. All proceeds will help the LRCA continue its mission to involve the citizens of the Lackawanna River watershed with the conservation and stewardship of the river, its tributary streams and water resources.

The Wanabees, Friends of the Family, Rogue Chimp, Coal Town Rounders, Clarence Spady, George Wesley and Tim McGurl will provide the evening’s entertainment. This concert will be a wonderful, eclectic performance for all to enjoy.

There will be a cash bar, food,  and raffles at the event. Tickets cost $15 if purchased in advance, $10 for students and members, or $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at the following locations: The Bog, Duffy Accessories, A&G Outfitters, Pizazz Salon, Minooka Pub and the LRCA office or online.

For more information, visit http://rockntheriver.eventbrite.com

Spirit of Hope Celebration  

The Northeast Regional Cancer Institute and the Board of Ambassadors and Associate Board will host its fourth annual Spirit of Hope Celebration from 7-10 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6 in the Keystone Grand Ballroom at Mohegan Sun Pocono.

The event will feature cocktails, food stations, desserts, music and a live and silent auction. Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased by calling the Cancer Institute at 1-800-424-6724 or by visiting www.cancernepa.org. This year’s Tribute to Courage honorees are James Barrett McNulty and Evie Rafalko McNulty.

The Spirit of Hope Celebration benefits the Cancer Institute’s Patient Navigation Program. This program helps low income and un/underinsured individuals in northeast Pennsylvania get their recommended colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer screenings.

Boy Scout Troop 57 Pasta Dinner

North Scranton Boy Scout Troop 57, chartered by the Mary Mother of God Parish, will hold a pasta dinner from 3-7 p.m. on Nov. 7 at the Holy Rosary School Auditorium, located at 316 William Street in Scranton. Dinner includes penne rigata, meatballs, salad, Italian bread, dessert and drinks.

Prices are $9.00 for adult and $6.00 for children. Take outs will be available, and there will be a silent auction during the event.

Troop 57 is currently holding their fall registration. The Troop meets on Thursdays at the Holy Rosary Center on West Market Street from 6:30-8 p.m.

Café and Thrift Sale

The Dunmore Presbyterian Church Board of Deacons will hold a cafe and thrift sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Dunmore Presbyterian Church.

Featured cafe items will be baked goods, sloppy Joes,, hot dogs and beverages Tables are available at a cost of $20 per table. If you’re interested in a table, please call the church office (570)343-6807.

Canadian Brass Performance

Marywood University continues to celebrate its 100 years with a performance by the world-renowned Canadian Brass. The performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 in Marywood’s Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts.

VIP tickets are $50 and include reserved seating, a post show cocktail reception, and a meet and greet with Canadian Brass members. General admission tickets are $15, but a center section seat can be reserved for $25. Student tickets can be purchased for $5 with a valid student ID.

For more information on the Canadian Brass performance at Marywood University, visit www.marywood.edu/mtd/ or contact the box office at (570) 348-6211, ext. 6097. Online ordering is available for credit card purchases only and will be available until 6 p.m. on Nov. 7. Tickets can also be purchased with cash payments on the day of the performance at the box office.

Night at the Races

The Friends of the Arc Auxiliary are sponsoring a Night at the Races on Friday, Nov, 6 at St. Mary’s Center. There will be a basket and gift certificate raffle and refreshments, and a cash bar will be available until 10 p.m.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Races will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door.

Sands Casino and Outlet Shopping Bus Trip

The members of the Association Jeanne Jugan of Holy Family Residence will sponsor a bus trip to the Sands Casino and Outlet Shopping complex in Bethlehem, on Saturday, Nov. 21.

The bus, which will be provided by Martz Trailways, will leave the parking lot of the residence, 2500 Adams Ave., Scranton, at 10 a.m. and return to the residence at 6 p.m. All bus ticket proceeds will be donated to the Little Sisters of the Poor to purchase Christmas gifts for the residents of Holy Family Residence.

Bus tickets are $35 which includes $20 of slot play, a $5 food voucher and a coupon book for the outlet stores. To make a reservation please contact Mrs. Jackie Galvin, M.S., director of development and communications, at (570) 343-4065 ext. 3144 by Nov. 13. Attendees must be 21 or older to attend. Valid photo ID required.

Holiday Craft Fair

The Dickson City Cub Scout Pack 21, chartered by the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, will be holding a holiday craft fair at LaSalle Academy on its Dickson City campus. Lunch will be available for purchase. A bake sale will also take place during the event.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.on Saturday, Nov. 14. Interested parties can contact Sarah Kovolenus at kovolenus4@nullgmail.com. Proceeds will benefit the Dickson City Cub Scout Pack 21.

Home for the Holidays in Bucktown

Home for the Holidays in Bucktown is a community event that will support local shopping, feature cookies with Santa and holiday photos, Christmas caroling, and a special tree lighting ceremony. This holiday event will be held from 1-6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29, at the Dunmore Corners.

For more information, email dunmorepride@gmail.com or visit their Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1662306490678331/.

Marywood Biannual Book Swap

For the past 16 years, Marywood University has been promoting books and reading through its biannual book swap. The University’s fall book swap will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12, in the Fireplace Lounge in Marywood’s Nazareth Student Center. This event is free and open to the public.

The book swap is sponsored by the English club and library services. Book donations are being received by Annette Fisher, associate professor of library services. For additional information please contact Sr. Christine Mihelich, assistant professor of English at Marywood, by phone at (570) 348-6219, ext. 2978, or email cmihelich@marywood.edu.

Living Christmas Village

The Grace Bible Church in Dunmore will host its seventh annual Living Christmas Village for the community from 4-7 p.m. on Dec. 5 and 6.

This free event for families will feature live music from the Dunmore High School jazz band and chorus, Penn State Worthington’s jazz band and choir, and other local artists.

The walk-through village includes an interactive journey through Biblical times, Santa’s Workshop for children, puppets, a live nativity scene, hot cocoa and cookies and much more.

Everyone in the community is encouraged to stop by to walk through the Living Christmas Village. For more information please call the Grace Bible Church at (570) 342-5651 or visit http://www.gracebiblepa.com.

Home for the Holidays in Bucktown

All of Dunmore is invited to join the fun as we celebrate our great, small town community with an inaugural event called: “Home for the Holidays in Bucktown.”

The Dunmore Pride Committee and many local family owned small businesses will be hosting an afternoon of events for children and the inner child in all of us

From 1-6 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 29., Drinker Street at Dunmore Corners and several neighboring streets will be filled with holiday cheer. Santa will arrive and offer goodies for the kids. His elves and other holiday characters will be also be at the event to welcome the crowd.

home for holidays adThere will be face painting, pictures with the Saint Nick, caroling, storytime, hot cocoa, milk and cookies, and more.  Additionally, many businesses will be offering sales and specials to complete “Support Small Business Weekend” shopping.

The day’s events will culminate with Dunmore’s Inaugural Christmas Tree Lighting.

If you are a Dunmore business owner, there is still  time to contribute to the event.  Monetary donations will be gratefully accepted by the “Dunmore Pride Committee” c/o The Wonderstone, 101 E. Drinker St. Dunmore, PA 18512.

For more information, contact the committee via dunmorepride@gmail.com.

Holy Cross earns second win of the season

By Steve Svetovich

The Holy Cross Crusaders football team took home its second win of the season with a 20-0 shutout over the Columbia Montour Vo-Tech Rams on Saturday, Oct. 10, at Monsignor Crotti Field at Saint Anthony’s Playground in Dunmore.

The Crusaders struck early in the first quarter by scoring 12 points. With a strong defense prevailing the entire game, the Crusaders never looked back.

Cory Miller, a junior, fired a 30-yard touchdown toss and Josh Mies came back with a four-yard touchdown burst on the team’s next possession as Holy Cross built a 12-0 lead with 29 seconds left in the first quarter.

The extra point kick attempt failed after the first touchdown. A pass attempt on a two-point conversion attempt failed after the second touchdown. The tough Holy Cross defense forced four turnovers in the contest.

Mies was outstanding from the backfield. He finished with 170 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. He also excelled on the defensive side of the ball. He snatched a key interception in Holy Cross territory late in the second quarter.

After a punt on the opening possession, Mies rushed for 33 yards on four runs. Miller tacked on three more yards on a run to set up a first down at the 30 in enemy territory. Rolling out right, Miller then hit tight end Bailey Simrell for the clutch 30-yard touchdown pass.

Holy Cross got the pigskin back after another punt. Miller, improving every week, led the Crusaders on a nine-play, 69-yard drive. The drive was capped by the Mies four-yard touchdown burst with 29 seconds left in the half.

Columbia Montour Vo-Tech had the ball on the Holy Cross five following a 35-yard pass completion early in the second quarter. However, the Rams fumbled on the next play and Holy Cross pounced on the football. The Rams were able to drive into Holy Cross territory late in the second quarter, but a big play Mies interception put an end to it with 1:29 left in the half.

Mies continued his heroics early in the fourth quarter when he broke a tackle and rambled 14 yards into the end zone for a score with 9:18 left in the game. Miller then completed a pass to Mies for the two-point conversion and a 20-0 Holy Cross lead.

The Holy Cross tight defense held Columbia Montour Vo-Tech the rest of the way and head coach Josh Watters and his Crusaders earned a second win, doubling last season’s total. The team totaled 230 rushing yards and 59 passing yards in the win.

Over the past few weeks, the Crusaders overall record has fallen to 2-7 following three losses Carbondale, Mid Valley and Old Forge. Holy Cross is 1-3 in Lackawanna Football Conference Division III at press time.

The team still has shown steady strides of improvement from last season and is looking to finish the 2015 football season strong. Their next contest will be a home game against Lackawanna Trail at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7.