Local YMCAs to host EnhanceFitness sessions

Posted on June 1, 2016 by The Dunmorean

YMCA The Greater Scranton, Greater Carbondale, Greater Pittston, Wayne County and Wilkes-Barre Family YMCAs have announced the dates for the first session of Enhance Fitness. Session one will begin June 6.

The five regional YMCAs received a two-year, $100,000 grant from the Highmark Foundation to support the implementation of the nationally recognized EnhanceFitness program. Awarded in December 2015, the grant will help the five Ys implement the program over a two-year period and is the largest award the Y has received for EnhanceFitness.

EnhanceFitness is a proven, community-based senior fitness and arthritis management program. Its purpose is to help older adults become more active, energized and empowered for independent living. The program is recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, US Department of Health and Human Services, US Administration on Aging and the National Council on Aging.

Through the grant, the EnhanceFitness program, comprised of three 60-minute classes per week over a 16-week session, will be offered to participants at no cost. Additionally, participants will be provided with a membership to the Y during their time in the program.

“The five participating YMCAs are ecstatic to have been awarded funding from the Highmark Foundation to support the implementation of EnhanceFitness,” said Meghan Carnevale, Mission Advancement & Marketing Director, Greater Scranton & Wilkes-Barre Family YMCAs. “Thanks to the Foundation, our Ys will be able to better serve older adults from our respective communities suffering from arthritis through a proven, nationally recognized YMCA of the USA Signature Program.”

For registration information, please contact:

Greater Scranton YMCA: Paula Scotchlas, pscotchlas@greaterscrantonymca.org, (570) 342-8115

Greater Pittston YMCA: Scott Jamieson, sjamieson@greaterpittstonymca.org, (570) 655-2255

Greater Carbondale YMCA: Kyreek Johnson, kj002307@gmail.com, (570) 282-2210

Wayne County YMCA: Tine Hoehn, tmhoehn@ptd.net, (570) 253-2083

Wilkes-Barre Family YMCA: Linda Reilly, linda.reilly@wbymca.org, (570) 823-2191

Dunmore couple volunteers at Autism Awareness Night

Posted on June 1, 2016 by The Dunmorean

By Steve Svetovich

Gary and Lynne Duncan get a lot of satisfaction working in a helping profession as rehab therapists.

But one of their biggest thrills each year is volunteering at the annual Autism Awareness Night every April in Minooka.

The 11th annual Autism Awareness Night was held Saturday, April 30, at Divine Mercy Parish Hall, Minooka.

Several hundred attended to support autism awareness.

“It is the one event of the year I would never miss,” said Gary Duncan, an occupational therapist for a Traditional Home Health, Dunmore. “It is the single most important event I attend each year. It is the most important autism support event of the year. I would never miss it. It is the one event I absolutely never miss.”

Duncan, who heads the Neighborhood Watch Group in Dunmore, is one who volunteers at events he believes in. “And I believe in this,” he said. “It is the number one fund raising event for autism in this area. It is for a great cause.”

Lynne Duncan, a speech therapist at Allied Services, Scranton, has volunteered at the annual event since its inception. “I think it’s all great,” she said. “It is a wonderful event, and I wouldn’t miss it. It’s just fabulous.”

All money raised from the event went to support autism awareness.

Autism and autism spectrum disorder are both general terms for complex disorders of brain development.

These disorders are characterized, in varying degrees, by difficulties in social interaction, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviors.

These include autistic disorder, Rett syndrome, childhood disintegrative disorder and Asperger syndrome.

Autism spectrum disorder can be associated with intellectual disability, difficulties in motor coordination and attention and physical health issues such as sleep and gastrointestinal disturbances. Some persons with autism excel to a very high degree in visual skills, music, math and art. Some excel at a genius level in these areas.

Autism has its roots in early brain development. However, the most obvious signs of autism and symptoms tend to emerge between 12 and 18 months of age.

Some infants and toddlers begin to develop normally until the second year of life, but then regress.

Autism Speaks continues to fund research on effective methods for earlier diagnosis, as early intervention with proven behavioral therapies can improve outcomes.

Increasing autism awareness is a key aspect of this work and one in which our families and volunteers play an invaluable role.

Autism now affects one in 68 children, including one in 48 boys.

Autism is the fastest growing serious developmental disability in the a United States.

Autism receives less than five percent of research funding of many less prevalent childhood diseases.

Boys are nearly five times more likely than girls to have autism.

There is no medical detection or cure for autism.

There are more than two-million individuals in this country with autism. Government statistics report a 10 to 17 percent increase for the diagnosis in recent years. There is no established explanation for the increase, although improved diagnosis and environmental influences are two reasons considered.

Betsy Walsh is president of the Minooka Lions Club.

Mari Walsh is chairman of the Board of Directors of the Minooka Lions Autism Awareness Foundation. Rita Castaldi is vice chairman. Joe Castaldi is treasurer.

And Gary and Lynne Duncan continue to volunteer for something the couple really believes in.

“We feel strongly about this,” said Gary Duncan. “We support this cause all the way.”

Calendar of Events – June 201

Posted on June 1, 2016 by The Dunmorean

Italian Language Hour

SIAMO, The Italian-American Heritage Society of Northeastern Pennsylvania, will host its next Italian Language Hour on Sunday, June 26, at the Taylor Community Library, 710 S. Main St., Taylor, beginning at 2 p.m. SIAMO’s Italian Language Hours are designed as practice time for speakers of Italian of all levels, including beginner. Some knowledge of the Italian language is necessary to participate as this is not a class. For more information, visit www.siamonepa.com.

Leadership Lackawanna Celebration

Tickets are still available for Leadership Lackawanna’s annual Celebration of Leadership event to held on Thursday, June 16, at 5:30pm at The Leonard Theater in downtown Scranton. Celebration of Leadership is Leadership Lackawanna’s annual signature event. The event pays tribute to the leadership of our area by recognizing three individuals with awards. It also highlights achievements from the past year and honors the participants in the Leadership Lackawanna Core Program Class of 2016, the 33rd graduating class. The event includes business networking, live music, raffles, dinner stations and cocktails, a community service project showcase, and the presentation of certificates to graduating participants. Tickets are $50 for alumni and $65 for the general public. Reservations can be made by calling (570) 342-7711 or by visiting LeadershipLackawanna.com

Ss. Cyril and Methodius Rummage Sale

Parishioners of Ss. Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church, Olyphant, met recently to plan the sixth annual rummage sale for September 23, 24 and 25 at St. Cyril’s Grade School, 133 River St., Olyphant. Contact Laurel Telep at (570) 383-0319 regarding raffle prizes or donations. Rev. Nestor Isawiw is pastor.

Sandlot Baseball Tryouts

The Sandlot Baseball Academy travel baseball tryouts will be held on June 12 for ages 8 to 11 at Dunmore Little League from noon to 2 p.m. and for ages 12 to 17 at Dunmore High School from 3 to 5 p.m. There is no cost for the tryouts. Contact CDD027@aol.com or 570-445-1155 to register for tryouts or with questions.

Elmhurst Volunteer Fire Co. Picnic

Elmhurst-Roaring Brook Volunteer Fire Company will host its annual picnic on June 22-25 on the grounds located off Route 435 in Elmhurst. Grounds will open on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at 6 p.m., and on Saturday at 5 p.m. Homemade food will be available.

Entertainment includes, on Wednesday, June 22, car show with D.J. Paul; Thursday, June 23, parade at 7 p.m. and music by Take 3; Friday, June 24, music by Hell Yo preceded by the Crystal Band of Scranton, and on Saturday, June 25, music by Old Friends. Proceeds from this event help fund fire/rescue services.

Marywood Master of Fine Arts Exhibit

Marywood University’s 2016 master of fine arts in graphic design and illustration thesis exhibition features students from the “Get Your Master’s with the Masters” program in graphic design and illustration. Thesis work, study tour books, and additional projects will be on display, with an opening reception on Saturday, July 16, from 4-5:30 p.m., in the Mahady Gallery, in the Shields Center for Visual Arts, on the University’s campus. This exhibit and its opening reception are free and open to the public. The exhibition will be open from July 18 through July 21, from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

WEC and SBDC Small Business Program

The University of Scranton Women’s Entrepreneurship Center (WEC) and Small Business Development Center (SBDC) are teaming up to offer “StartUP” a 4-week certificate program designed for women with lower incomes, those in transition or those trying to make a better life for themselves and their families, the program will offer women support and guidance in determining if entrepreneurship is an option for them. The series will be held in Scranton on Mondays, beginning June 6 and ending June 27, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The series is offered free of charge. Space is limited and applications are reviewed first come, first served. To obtain an application, call Francene at 570-941-4168 or e-mail francene.dudziec@scranton.edu.