Category Archives: June 2016

Local youngsters compete in fishing derby at McDade Park

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fishing derby photo

Lackawanna County Commissioner Patrick M. O’Malley and Parks & Recreation staff members participate in the presentation of trophies to the winners in the 4 – 8 age category at the 24th annual fishing derby held recently at McDade Park.  Over 80 children participated in the event.

Front from left Oliver Stewart, Old Forge, first fish caught; Noah Smith, Dunmore, fifth place for largest fish; Madison Kilmer, Carbondale, first to limit caught; Willow Ritter, first place largest fish, and Harmony Ritter, fourth place largest fish caught, both of Scranton; Gianna Loyek, Olyphant, second place largest fish caught; and Sarah Williams, Scranton, third place largest fish caught.

Back row: Commissioner Patrick M. O’Malley, John DeNunzio, Rich DeStefano, Norm Coupland, Jerry Melvin and Bennie Pritchyk, Parks & Recreation staff; and William Davis, Deputy Director of Parks & Recreation.

 

Committee appointed for County Fair

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Christopher DiMatteo

Christopher DiMatteo was chosen for his work with Scranton’s LaFesta Italiana. (Photo Credit: Michael Straub Photo.)

Christopher DiMatteo of Dunmore is among 13 individuals appointed by the Lackawanna County Commissioners recently to serve on the steering committee for establishing a County Fair.

 

The committee has  been charged with the development, organization and implementation of a fair, designed to be an economic, recreational and social engine for Lackawanna County.

“The creation of a County Fair is about family and community. It is an opportunity to provide old-fashioned fun that everyone can enjoy at reasonable prices.  The fair will offer something for everyone – food, activities, crafts and entertainment.  It is a “win-win” for residents, visitors and vendors,” said Commissioner Patrick M. O’Malley.

“County Fairs have been very successful in many regional communities.  The individuals involved in planning our fair are in tune with what needs to be done to develop this event that has been very worthwhile, enjoyable and financially rewarding activities in locations,” said Commissioner Jerry Notarianni.

“There are many talented individuals in Lackawanna County.  The people that we’ve selected to organize a County Fair have the insights and contacts to make this a success, something we can be proud of, and an activity that will be economically beneficial,” explained Lackawanna County Commissioner Laureen A. Cummings.      

The individuals named to the steering committee are: Corey Susz, former President of the Kiwanis Wyoming County Fair; Atty. Armand Olivetti, Edward G. Staback, former State Representative, former Hunting & Game Commission Chairman and Lackawanna County Commissioner; Ronald Williams, former Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Director of Agriculture; Michael Taluto, Safety Press Officer for Penn DOT; Jim Rodway, Lackawanna County’s Director of Community Relations; and Donna Grey, Luzerne County Fair 4-H Chair.    

Also, Christopher DiMattio, LaFesta Italiana; Jess Meoni, graphic designer; Marc Gaughan, former Director of the Moscow Country Fair; Sherry Pritchyk, Fund Raiser/Event Planner; Terry Schettini, Penn State Cooperative Extension Administrator; and Robert Noldy, Hartford Fair volunteer.    

The genesis for a County Fair came from the “Big Idea” Task Force created by the Commissioners in May 2015.

Residents who wanted to make a real difference in the landscape of Lackawanna County submitted an application and information to participate in the planning process for committees in a number of segments.

The committee members will be involved in the design, site selection, vendors’ recruitment, activities, entertainment, fee schedule and other facets required to launch this event.

BlackOut Design celebrates relocation

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BlackOut Design Grand Opening 4.25.16

Guests mingle and enjoy live music by the Coal Town Rounders at BlackOut Design’s grand opening on April 25.

BlackOut Design recently celebrated the relocation of its headquarters with an open house during which more than 100 of the firm’s clients and friends came  together to tour the 1,800 square foot facility located at 527 South Blakely Street, Dunmore. Jack Reager is president of BlackOut.

Spread across three stories, the office space was gutted and renovated to provide efficient, modern work space designed to accelerate decision making and improve communication. While these kinds of offices are the norm for large marketing agencies in metropolitan areas, they are rare in smaller markets like here in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

As part of its commitment to supporting the community, BlackOut Design sourced local talent for both the design and construction of the new space as well as for the grand opening. “From carpenters and painters to musicians and caterers, everyone who helped us through this process has been amazing,” said Reager.

Recently there have been dozens of studies linking the success or failure of personal interactions, performance, and innovation in the workplace to physical space. By combining emerging data with organizational metrics such as total sales or number of new product launches, scientists can demonstrate a workspace’s effect on the bottom line. For businesses like BlackOut, this means no cubicles, beige walls and florescent lighting. Instead, highly networked, shared, multipurpose spaces are the offices of not only the future, but of today.

The new headquarters houses separate areas for both design and development work as well as for strategic planning and business development activities. Each of these designated areas looks and feels differently through the use of varying pieces of furniture (swivel chairs and standing desks versus café tables and benches) but also through the incorporation of different colors, textures and lighting. A client sitting area feels less like a doctor’s waiting room and more like the foyer of a home. And the second floor holds a convertible conference room, designed to ensure when we get around a table with our clients, it feels like home.

“We came to BlackOut with a website that needed to be completely rebuilt from the ground up. Their team’s expertise, innovation, hard work, and patience resulted in modern site that is client-focused and highlights our full-service solutions. We know it wasn’t easy, but they came through in a big way, ” said Borton Lawson Engineering Marketing Manager, Lucy Boardwine.

BlackOut Design is a full service marketing agency with deep experience integrating online marketing with traditional concepts. The agency develops campaigns that span multiple media, all from under one roof.