Category Archives: December 2017

Local Book Lover Makes Donation to United Neighborhood Centers

Posted on by
Reply

Isabella Luciani

Scranton Prep senior, Isabella Luciani, daughter of Robert and Heather Luciani of Dunmore, has had a lifelong love of reading. Through her various volunteer efforts, she has come to realize that some children are not as fortunate to be surrounded by books like she was as a child.

As a result, she has collected over 700 new and gently used books for children of all ages and donated them to Angel’s Attic, a part of Scranton’s United Neighborhood Centers.

After completing a service project this year with Project Hope, a summer camp for children of low income families also run by UNC, Isabella chose Angel’s Attic because she was inspired by the children she met.

She also liked the fact that children can go and choose their own books.

“I believe if they are able to choose their own book they will be more likely to want to read it.” Luciani said.

United Neighborhood center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping local low-income families.

 

Artist of the Month: Bill Graziano

Posted on by
Reply

Artist of the Month - Bill GrazianoBill Graziano is the December Artist of the Month at Dunmore Senior Center. Graziano decided to tackle his “bucket list” after retiring 10 years ago.

“Since oil painting was far down on the list, I didn’t get to it until several years ago,” Bill explains. “Dolly Michalczyk suggested the Dunmore Senior Center, known as HUB, to me. She told me just to bring a canvas and some brushes.” At that time, the paints were supplied.

“To my surprise, Dolly was absent upon my initial visit,” Bill remembers. “Still, I found everyone to be most welcoming and friendly. I was also happy to find other men in the class.”

Bill says the instructor, Jill Swersie, is “the BEST!” He says she is helpful and encouraging.

“Jill often tells us that if you don’t put paint on the canvas, we can’t correct it.,” Bill says. More experienced fellow students often offer helpful suggestions as well.

Recalling his first attempt, a Tuscan scene, Bill says, “My nickname for it is ‘beginner’s luck,’ as it actually turned out pleasing to the eye. Others that followed were not as lucky, but each painting became an exercise in painting techniques for me.”

Graziano has tried different styles and subjects while seeking his comfort zone—landscapes, nostalgic scenes, romantic, modern, and even abstract. He enjoys them all, but favors landscapes.

“But as far as completing a picture, I don’t think an artist ever thinks he is finally done,” he confesses.

His class has participated in art shows, both at the center and in the local community at First Friday events. At shows, he not only exhibits, but offers paintings for sale.

Bill still considers himself “an art student,” and does not plan to sign any of his paintings until he feels he has graduated to “artist.” He looks forward to continued growth.

Graziano says the HUB is a great community center, offering many different programs and opportunities for fun and new friendships.

“We are very lucky to have such a new and beautiful facility right here in Dunmore,” he says.

 

Dunmorean Honored with Woman of Excellence Award

Posted on by
Reply

VoyagerVideoPR_SageLindsay Barrasse, Dunmore, of Voyager Video was the recipient of the 2017 SAGE Award for Woman of Excellence. This award honors a woman whose character, conduct, service, leadership and achievements, personally and professionally, contribute to the current and future development of the Greater Scranton community.

The award was presented at The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce Gala on Thursday, Nov. 2. The SAGE Awards celebrate the outstanding efforts of the local business community.

Award finalists and winners were chosen from more than 100 applications submitted by businesses across northeastern Pennsylvania. More than 500 guests attended The Chamber’s premier event, which was held at The Theater at North.  

All of the awards, with the exception of the People’s Choice Award, were judged by individual judging committees comprised of volunteer judges. Each judge independently scored the applications using a point system and award winners were selected.  

sageFor the past four years Lindsay has been an active member of The Junior League of Scranton which is organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Lindsay also serves on the NAMI of Scranton and Northeast Region board and is the organization’s Social Media and Communications Chair.

This is Lindsay’s third year serving as the Vice President Secretary of The American Advertising Federation of Northeast Pennsylvania and the fifth year on the board overall.

Nationally she is a member of The United Nations Association (UNA-USA), the U.S. National Committee for UN Women, Friends of the ASC (American Society of Cinematographers), a support of the New York Women and Film organization and Directed By Women.

Lindsay also heavily involves herself in the Northeast Pennsylvania Arts Community donating countless hours with the Arts on The Square and Holiday Market Events, The Throop Arts Fest, The Scranton Fringe Festival, The Northeast Film Festival (formerly Belin Film Festival), Fire At The Iron Furnaces, Bonfire At The Iron Furnaces, The Rainbow Alliance of NEPA and The Boss Ladies of NEPA.