Calendar of Events: February 2020

Posted on February 5, 2020 by The Dunmorean

JackAttack Blood Drive

Jack Callahan was diagnosed with AML Leukemia two weeks after his first birthday. Throughout his 112 day stay at Janet Weis Hospital for treatment, he received four rounds of chemotherapy as well as many blood and platelet transfusions. Jack is now in remission and doing well.

Jack is just one of many brave kids who have battled cancer in our area. He and many other depend on blood donations from volunteer donors as part of their treatment.

A blood drive will be held in honor of Jack’s second birthday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 7 at the Dunmore Community Center.

Walk ins are welcome but there is a limit as to how many people can donate at this event. Anyone interested in encouraged to pre-register online.

UNICO Charity Ball

The Scranton Chapter of UNICO National, the largest Italian American Service Organization in the United States has announced that Diane Alberigi was named UNICAN of the Year for 2019, according to Jim Brogna, chapter president. The annual black tie optional UNICO charity ball will be held on Feb. 29 at Fiorelli’s Manor, Peckville. with cocktails at 6 p.m. and dinner at 7. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 570-499-1534.

“Race Under the Roof” Indoor Triathlon

Marywood University’s Pacers Aquatics Club will host “Race under the Roof” Indoor Triathlon on the University’s campus. The triathlon will take place on Saturday, February 22, 2020, from 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. The cost of the event for participants is $25 for the general public and $10 for Marywood students, faculty, and staff. Spectators can enjoy the event at no cost. To register, please visit https://bit.ly/2FT9Uiw.

A race for all abilities, the triathlon offers a relay, swim/bike, and bike/run option, as well as a t-shirt for all participants, and group awards. The triathlon is a 10-minute swim, 25-minute bike, and 20-minute run, which all take place inside Marywood’s Center for Athletics and Wellness. Participants’ performances will be based on time, making it ideal for all abilities from beginners of all ages to Ironman Triathlon finishers.

Marywood’s Pacers Aquatic Club is in its inaugural year. Team members range in age from 5-18 years, and there are more than 100 members on the team. Coached by Beth Cholish, alumna of Marywood University, the team practices at the University Monday through Friday from 5-7:30 p.m. each day.

Snowball Roll

Marywood University’s campus ministry office will host its fourth annual “Snowball Roll” fundraiser, to benefit the alternative break service trip program, on Thursday, Feb. 6, . at 1 p.m., at University Avenue, on the University’s campus. This fundraiser is open to the public. Participants can purchase “Snowballs” for $2 for a chance to win. Nearly 2,000 numbered balls will be rolled down University Avenue. The first 50 balls to cross the finish line will win prizes, which include cash, Apple Air Pods, themed baskets, and gift cards to numerous local restaurants and stores.

To purchase “Snowballs,” visit alternativebreak@m.marywood.edu, or purchase directly in the office of campus ministry. Participants do not need to be present to win.

For additional information, please contact Ann H. O’Brien, L.S.W., assistant director for service learning and community service, at (570) 961-4593, or email aobrien@marywood.edu.

Marywood Admitted Student Program

Marywood University will hold Admitted Student Day on Saturday, March 21, 2020, from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the Nazareth Student Center.. This event is for students who have been admitted to Marywood University. To attend, please register at www.marywood.edu/admitday.

The program will begin with a 9 a.m. registration in the Fireplace Lounge at the Nazareth Student Center. The events will include department visits, information sessions with student leaders, admissions and financial aid representatives. Check out what it’s like to live on campus, with tours of our residence halls. Guests will enjoy complimentary breakfast and lunch, and a Q&A session will be held for parents of admitted students.

For additional information about Marywood University’s Admitted Student Day, visit www.marywood.edu/admissions/visit-campus/, or call the office of admissions at Marywood University, at (570) 348-6234.

TEDxScranton

Marywood University will host TEDxScranton on Saturday, March 7, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., in the School of Architecture on the University’s campus. TED (technology, entertainment, and design) is a nonprofit organization devoted to “Ideas Worth Spreading.” It will include TED talks, video, and speakers, including Matt Artz, Monica Simon, Jeremy Ciliberto, Suzanne Kapral, Cole Hastings Goldstein, Lisa Reynolds, Mason Crawford, Laurel Radzieski, Steve Gavin, Jourdan Cole, Jack Goddard, Glynis Johns, and Jamie Smith. For information about the TEDxScranton conference at Marywood University, visit facebook.com/events/1302657786576265/. For information about the speakers at the event or to purchase tickets, visit tedxscranton.com/.

West Scranton Reunion

West Scranton High School Alumni Class of 1970 will hold its 50th Class Reunion on Friday, June 5, at Colarusso’s LaPalazzo, Birney Avenue, Moosic, from 6 to 10 p.m. The menu will include appetizers, buffet, and cake. There will be an open bar. Jack Martin will be DJ. Tickets are $65 per person.

Send a check or money order to: Chris Mensky, 1348 Dartmouth St., Scranton, PA 18504 and make it payable to: INVADERS 1970 CLASS REUNION. Final count must be made by May 27.

Choral Competition

The Keystone Chapter of UNICO National is sponsoring its second annual High School Choral Competition with six choral groups competing on March 1 at Lackawanna College. Doors open at 1:30 p.m. and the program begins at 2. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for students and children five and younger are free. For tickets, contact Toni DiVizio at 570-344-2388 or any Keystone UNICO Member.

Proceeds from this event will benefit local charities and scholarships. Dunmore High with Frank Jones Directing is participating. There will be monetary prizes awarded to the first place large group chorus and the first place small group chorus. In addition, there will be a Peoples Choice award winner decided by the audience.

Anna Talutto Sparks Dunmore Off Bench

Posted on February 5, 2020 by The Dunmorean

Athlete of the Month - Anna Talutto

By Steve Svetovich

Dunmore junior Anna Talutto knows her role.

She comes off the bench for the Lady Bucks and sparks the team.

And she does more than a good job at that.

Daughter of Joe and Lori Talutto, the junior point guard came off the bench to hit five 3-pointers and score 19 points to lead the second-ranked Lady Bucks to a 68-28 win over Old Forge, Thursday, January 23.

Dunmore sophomore Moriah Murray added 15 points in the win.

Anna, 17, has helped the Lady Bucks to a 16-1 record at press time under veteran coach Ben O’Brien.

Anna is a three-year member of the Dunmore basketball team. She is also a member of the Dunmore soccer team and is a football cheerleader.

She is a member of the Spanish Club and French Club. The junior scholar-athlete has a 92 academic average. Her favorite subject is history.

Anna is averaging 8.0 points and 3.0 assists off the bench for Dunmore.

As the first girl off the bench, Anna said she has learned a lot from coach O’Brien. “He always tells me to keep sharp mentally and work hard. He says it will pay off in the end.”

Anna said her parents keep her focused too. “They tell me to be mentally tough and keep playing my game.”

The talented junior is not sure where she will attend college, but she would like to continue playing basketball or soccer and possibly major in physical therapy.

The two-sport athlete plays the wing on the Dunmore soccer team. This was her third year on the team. She was a second-team soccer all-star as a sophomore. She was a first-team all-star pick this year.

She said basketball is her favorite sport because of playing it longer. She has played in local AAU basketball leagues since age 12. She played for J.B. Hoops, the NE PA Flames and the NE PA Elite.

Anna praised the late John Bucci, the former Bishop Hannan basketball coach who started J.B. Hoops. “I learned a lot from him. He had me playing my game and working hard. He made me put a lot of time in. I was heartbroken when he died.”

Anna talked about her position, point guard. “You need to be assertive to play point guard. You can’t hold back from making the big play. You can’t be afraid of an open lane. You need to be confident.”

She enjoys being the sixth girl off the bench. “While on the bench, I focus on the game. So when I go in the game I can can be fresh and full of energy.”

Confident and full of energy, Anna said she enjoys listening to music and would like to see Post Malone in concert.

She talked about her goals. “The biggest one is that I want to be successful and never stop working hard.”

And her team goal. “We want to continue getting better and push our teammates to be the best.”

The team oriented spark plug said she loves Dunmore. “The community is the best by far. Dunmore is amazing. We get so much support from everyone. Without all this support, it just wouldn’t be Dunmore. I love the school, the people and the town.”

St. Joe’s Recognizes Direct Support Professionals of the Year

Posted on February 5, 2020 by The Dunmorean

Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, IHM, President and CEO of St. Joseph’s Center and Patricia Tetreault, President of the St. Joseph’s Center Board of Directors, recognized the Direct Support Professionals of the Year for their dedication to the mission of St. Joe’s at the recent Center board meeting at the IHM Center. Shown seated from left: Linda Edlund, Jessica Benke, and Michelle Miles. Standing: Patricia Tetreault, Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, IHM; Marie Woody, Jennifer Mackey, Linda Riley, and Richard Kane.

Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, IHM, President and CEO of St. Joseph’s Center, and Patricia Tetreault, president of the St. Joseph’s Center Board of Directors, recognized The Direct Support Professionals of the Year for their dedication to the Mission of St. Joe’s at the recent Center Board Meeting at the IHM Center.

Phan Inthavong, who has worked at St. Joseph’s Center Intermediate Care Facility for the past 19 years, is a Direct Support Professional at the Main Center who has a unique ability to really get to know the people he works with. He uses that information to help create a nurturing, positive environment that’s filled with energy and fun.

He will tell you the individuals he works with push him to do his very best every day. He understands peoples’ differences and will always adjust his style, his routine, his life in order to celebrate those differences.

Phan immigrated to the United States with his family when he was two years old. He enjoys visiting his three brothers in Philadelphia, Boston and Baltimore. He has two dogs, Comet and Kingston and enjoys taking them for walks.

Michelle Miles works in Community Support Services at St. Joseph’s Center. She has followed a person-centered approach since she began working at St. Joe’s 10 years ago in the Dickson City CLA. There are many examples of how Michelle utilizes her time with the individuals she serves. When asked to highlight a mission moment, Michelle said, “It’s hard to pick just one moment. Working in this department has opened my eyes to the capabilities of individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. Being able to support my clients in their community is so rewarding.” Michelle has a fiancé Nick and has been engaged for one year on Christmas Day. She is kept very busy with taking care of her five year old daughter, Myla, and her two year old son, Carter.

Linda Edlund works as a Direct Support Professional at St. Joseph’s Center Adult Day Services. “I love people and everyone we care for. Disability disappears and abilities come through. I see the person and I am humbled to have a job like this for the past 11 years,” says Linda. She always puts the client’s needs above hers; she is always the first one to arrive and the last one to leave.

One day, while listening to music, one client reacted favorably as Linda rattled coins, so she found a tambourine for the client. This prompted more interaction and the two share the same interest in “live music.”

Linda recalls this special moment of sharing interests as her mission moment. Linda has two children and one four-year-old granddaughter who brings so much joy to her life!

Jessica Benke has worked in the Community Living Arrangement for four years. “I love my clients and I love to work” Jessica says with a smile. One of the residents Jessica works with is deaf. She downloads apps and attends specialized trainings to help facilitate her communication with this resident so that she can provide the highest level of care that he deserves.

Jessica has attended many training sessions through the Office of Developmental Programs and the Scranton School for Deaf and Hard of Hearing to learn more, and notes, “…it helps to alleviate his frustration when I am able to identify his needs and help him right away. This is my mission moment,” says Jessica.

She was chosen for this recognition because epitomizes Saint Joseph’s core values in her daily work. Jessica was born and raised in Scranton and lives at home with her Mom, Dad and her brother.