Category Archives: February 2016

March for Life remembers decision to legalize abortion

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The Little Sisters of the Poor and Holy Cross High School sponsored a local “March for Life” and prayer service on Friday, Jan. 22, to recognize the 43rd anniversary of the United States Supreme Court’s decision to legalize abortion.

LSP--Pro-Life Service 2016.JPG

Seated at front: Genevieve Succolosky. Standing from left to right: Jackie Dende; Tom Dzwonczyk; Gannon Palmiter; J.J. Backus; Kathy Yaklic; Deacon Ray Pieretti; Mother Theresa Louisa, l.s.p.; Audrey Roche; Christina Brannon; Meghan Healey; Elizabeth Arbie; Dorothy Densevich, and Judy Messoline.

Calendar of Events: February 2016

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Pizza Fritta Sale

An Ash Wednesday Pizza Fritta sale will be held on Feb. 10 by SS. Anthony and Rocco Parish in the parish hall at St. Rocco’s Church, 122 Kurtz St. Cost is $1.25 each for five for $5. Pre-orders will be taken until Feb. 8 by calling Nancy Magnotta at 570-343-4978. Pre-order pick-up times are noon to 3:30 p.m. Pre-orders are recommended. Walk-ins are welcome, but quantities are limited.

UNICO Valentine Social

Keystone UNICO will sponsor a Valentine Social on Thursday, Feb. 11, from 6 to 9 p.m. at La Buona Vita. Doors will open at 6 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:45 p.m. Cost is $20 per person. Dinner will be Cathy Gavin’s popular dinner buffet and entertainment will be provided by Skip Monday. A cash bar will be available. Deadline for reservations is Monday, Feb. 8. Pre-paid reservations are required by sending a check made payable to  Keystone UNICO and mailed to Mark McDade, 102 Ridgeview Drive, Scranton, PA, , 18504.

Inaugural lecture at Marywood

Marywood University’s department of campus ministry, the science department, and the theology department will sponsor a lecture series on Pope Francis’s Encyclical Letter, Laudato Si (Praised Be You): A Conversation on the Care of “Our Common Home.”  The Inaugural lecture will be given by Rabbi Daniel Swartz of Temple Hesed on Wednesday, Feb. 3, at 6 p.m., at the Swartz Center for Spiritual Life, Room A. This event is free and open to the public.

Marywood’s Holocaust and Genocide Studies Center presents art exhibit

EREZIN and KURDISTAN – A Journey will be on exhibit in the Suraci Gallery through Feb. 28, as the inaugural presentation of Marywood University’s Holocaust and Genocide Studies Center. Designed as virtual construct, the Center will serve as an educational force, primarily reaching high school and college age audiences. A gallery talk, given by Dr. Michael Mirabito, will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m. in the Suraci Gallery. This event is free and open to the public.

DHS Crimson Company’s “Circus McGurkus” Carnival

Put on your hat, your socks and your shoes or come any-which -way that you choose and join us on March 5, 2012 from 10:00am – NOON for the Circus McGurkus Carnival!! Admission is $10.00 per person.

You may come dressed up as your favorite Dr. Seuss or storybook character.All of the Dr. Seuss storybook characters will be there to greet you. We have many fun activities planned for boys and girls! There will be a story corner, plant your own Truffle Tree, coloring and sticker activity, face painting, goodie bags, crafts, games, basket raffles, and a “Green Eggs” hunt to name just a few of the fun activities we have planned. Delicious refreshments will be served. Rich Banick will also be there to take professional photos with our “Seussical” characters!

We hope you can join us on Saturday March 5th, 2016 – from 10:00am – NOON  at the Dunmore High School Cafeteria – Admission $10.00 per person

Beth Haas Lecture at Marywood

Marywood University’s science department will host guest lecturer, Beth Haas, Ph.D., who will present “Random walks in virtual places: Modeling molecular diffusion on bacterial membranes,” at the local meeting of the American Chemical Society, which is sponsored by Marywood University. The lecture will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m., in the Center for Natural and Health Sciences, Room 203.

Pocono Mt. Bible Conference Youth Retreat

Pocono Mountain Bible Conference will be hosting its annual winter youth retreat, Make or Break: American Idols during the of Feb. 5-7. Registration begins at 4:30 pm on Friday, Feb. 5. This event is open to all teenagers, 13-18 years of age. The cost is $50 per camper. The weekend offers speakers, music, games, contests and more. With music provided by the Cross Creek Community Church, Shavertown, on Friday evening, the mood will be set for fun and worship. Saturday entertainment will be Cristabelle Braden and Illijam, with their Reanimate Tour.

Speakers for the weekend will be Dave Weiss, Jimmy Lee and Matt Macking.

Registration, information on the camp and directions to the camp can be found by logging on to www.camppmbc.com or at www.facebook.com/camppmbc. Phone calls can be directed to Camp Director Matt Macking (570) 328-1648.

Cancer Institute raises awareness for colon cancer

Northeast Regional Cancer Institute’s 13th Annual C.A.S.U.A.L. (Colon Cancer Awareness Saves Unlimited Adult Lives) Day is set for Thursday, March 31. C.A.S.U.A.L. Day is a dress down day to raise awareness for colorectal cancer in Northeast Pennsylvania.  Participants dress “casual” while wearing a specially designed pin and/or t-shirt.  All proceeds from the event stay in NEPA and go towards the Cancer Institute efforts to raise awareness and support colorectal cancer screenings for low income, un/underinsured individuals through their Patient Navigation Program.For more information about C.A.S.U.A.L. Day, and how you can participate, please call the Cancer Institute at 1-800-424-6724 or visit www.cancernepa.org.

 

Holy Cross senior guard leads on court and in classroom

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alfano2

By Steve Svetovich

Senior point guard Alyssa Alfano is an unsung hero as the Holy Cross Lady Crusaders at press time have won 14 of the first 15 basketball games.

At press time, Alyssa, daughter of Sherri Alfano and the late Tony Alfano,  is seventh with a 13 points per game scoring average in Lackawanna League Division III. Her teammates, Abby Anderson and Lexi Walsh, average 16.7 and 12.8 points per game, respectively, giving the team a potent 1-2-3 punch.

And Alyssa leads the Lackawanna League Division III at press time with a spectacular .923 free throw percentage.

A team player all the way, Alyssa also averages 3.5 assists per game as the floor leader.

Her younger sister, Amanda, is a sophomore member of the Lady Crusaders basketball team coached by veteran Barry Fitzgerald.

Alyssa, 18, has played AAU travel basketball since she was in the fifth grade. Last summer she played for JV Hoops. She was an all-tournament selection last summer while helping a team comprised of mostly Holy Cross players win the 2015 Luzerne-Lackawanna Challenge sponsored by Januzzi’s Pizza.

Alyssa is a four-year member of the Holy Cross Lady Crusaders basketball team. She played with a fractured finger for the second half of her sophomore season. She also had an ankle injury during her junior year that kept her out of the first five games.A member of the softball team as a sophomore, she is a member of the Service Club, Foreign Languages Club and Student Council. Her favorite subject is Latin.

Very polite and humble, Alyssa also believes in giving back to the community. She received the Presidential Service Award for over 100 hours of community service work. She also received a Service Award for Habitat for Humanity.

Alyssa helped the Lady Crusaders win the James Akens Memorial Tournament at North Pocono High School. Holy Cross defeated North Pocono in the title game. Alyssa was named to the all-tournament team. Teammate Abby Anderson was MVP in the tournament.

Alyssa, small in stature but very quick, is an honor student with a 3.3 grade point average. She hopes to play basketball and study athletic training in college.

alfano1At press time, she has scored over 700 points in her varsity basketball career at Holy Cross. She talked about what it takes to excel at the point guard position. “You have to handle the ball well and know how to distribute the ball,” she said.

Alyssa said she learned a lot from coach Fitzgerald.  “He teaches me to communicate well with the other players on the team, so we can all be on the same page.”

Her mom, a school teacher, has been a big influence on her game and academic success. “She always tells me if you don’t keep trying, then you won’t succeed.”

Her grandparents, Hank and Joan Gerrity, are very close to Alyssa and come to every basketball game. “They always teach me about dedication,” she said.

Alyssa was also close to her late grandparents, Philomena Alfano and Tony Alfano Sr.

Alyssa’s late dad, Tony, a dedicated father and husband, died when she was 10. But he was a constant support and his steady influence is always there. “He told me you have to love what you do and be happy doing it.”

Alyssa, who scored a season high 19 points against Carbondale, said she enjoys running in her spare time and studied dance for several years. She enjoys music and would like to see Taylor Swift in concert.

She talked about her goals. “Well, right now I want to help my team win the league and district titles. I would like to play basketball in college and eventually have a career in athletic training.”

Alyssa, always dedicated and team oriented, said she has enjoyed her four years at Holy Cross as she nears graduation. “Holy Cross is like one great community. The kids reach out to help each other. We are all very close. The teachers and administration do anything they can to help you.”

And with Alyssa’s efficient passing, scoring and ball handling, the team remains confident with her at the point guard for the rest of her senior season.