Artist of the Month: Patricia Reilly

Posted on March 4, 2020 by The Dunmorean

Patricia Reilly was born and raised in Dunmore. She enjoys creating one-of-a-kind pieces that are displayed on the walls in her own home and given as gifts to friends and family.

Patricia Reilly, who has been named March Artist of the Month at the Dunmore Activity Hub, was born and raised in Dunmore. She married Jack Reilly, a conductor for New Jersey Transit, and the two relocated to New Jersey where they raised three children, Debra, David and Jacklyn.

After retiring, 17 years ago, they moved back to Pennsylvania to the small quaint town of Bangor.

Painting has always been one of Patricia’s hobbies. She enjoys creating one-of-a-kind pieces that are displayed on the walls in her own home and given as gifts to friends and family.

When the Dunmore Activity Hub offered oil painting classes she did not hesitate to join. She even got her husband to try his hand in oil painting, and it turns out he paints quite well.

Patricia’s grandchildren, Damian, Ashlynn, Avery and Gabriella have inspired some of her most recent pieces.

The class is taught by the talented Jill Swersie. Patricia says, “She has given us guidance and encouragement to become the painters that we are. When you’re at the Hub,

you not only make friends, you become a family. How great is that!”

Apply Now for Swift Scholarship

Posted on March 3, 2020 by The Dunmorean

The Scranton Area Community Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2020 James F. Swift Scholarship, which provides local high school seniors graduating from a Lackawanna County high school $4,000 per year for each recipient for up to four years to assist with continuing education expenses. Twenty area students will be selected for this prestigious scholarship through the James F. Swift Scholarship Fund administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation.

Created in 2002 through a gift by James F. Swift to the Scranton Area Community Foundation, the James F. Swift Scholarship Fund has awarded over $2,982,000 since 2008, benefiting over 220 local students to date. Following Mr. Swift’s death in 2006, the Scranton Area Community Foundation gratefully received an unanticipated and significant gift from his estate to the scholarship fund which has allowed a great number of students from Lackawanna County the opportunity to pursue their academic and professional goals through higher education.

Applications for the James F. Swift Scholarship will be accepted until 4 p.m. on March 16, 2020. Applicants must apply online at https://www.scholarsapply.org/james-swift/.

State Grant to Fund Safety Efforts in Dunmore School District

Posted on March 3, 2020 by The Dunmorean

Dunmore School District was among the recipients of total of $554,407 in state grants been awarded to area school districts to support and implement school safety efforts, state Reps. Kyle Mullins and Marty Flynn, both D-Lackawanna, announced last week. Dunmore’s grant totals $35,000.

“There should be no limit to the extent to which we go about protecting our children,” Mullins said. “Students and school-based professionals deserve to feel safe at school, and they deserve to know their state leaders will continue to work with school districts to secure these critical grants.”

“I am pleased to see this funding approved to allow our schools to be proactive in keeping kids safe,” Flynn said. “The programs and equipment will not only enhance school security, but also ensure students have the safest learning environments.”

Other school districts that received funding are: Abington Heights, $40,000; Mid Valley, $35,000; Valley View, $75,900, and Scranton, $368,507.

The funds will be provided through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency’s School Safety and Security Committee. This committee is the result of Act 44 of 2018, and is responsible for establishing the standards schools must meet when performing school safety and security assessments.