Category Archives: March 2023

ATHENA Leadership Award winner announced

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Shown with this year’s ATHENA Award recipient Laura Ducceschi are, from left: Kristine Augustine, vice president, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce; Bob Durkin, president, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce; Laura Ducceschi, president & CEO, The Scranton Area Foundation and 2023 ATHENA Award recipient; Donna Barbetti, and Mari Potis, director of membership and events, The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce.

The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce has announced Laura Ducceschi, MBA, MA, CAP, CFRE, president & CEO of The Scranton Area Community Foundation, as the 2023 ATHENA Leadership Award recipient.

The ATHENA Award, sponsored locally by Michael A. Barbetti LLC Certified Public Accountants, honors an exceptional individual who has achieved excellence in their business or profession, has served the community in a meaningful way, and has assisted women in their attainment of professional goals, and leadership skills. Laura Ducceschi embodies these characteristics wholeheartedly.

For over 10 years, Ms. Ducceschi has made significant strides as a nonprofit leader to make lasting and meaningful changes in the region. Since being named president and CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation, the organization has witnessed exponential growth. Under her leadership, the Foundation has established programs like NEPA Gives, The Center for Community Leadership, NEPA Moves, Women in Philanthropy, and the NEPA Animal Welfare Collaborative.

Ms. Ducceschi is actively involved with numerous communities. Currently, she serves on the Geisinger Advisory Board, the University of Scranton Advisory Board, NEPA Grant Makers Steering Committee, the Lackawanna County Women’s Commission, The Chamber’sLackawanna Industrial Fund Enterprises (LIFE) Board of Trustees, and is a Board Governor for the Indraloka Animal Sanctuary. In addition, she serves as a mentor for the Kirby Center for Entrepreneurship, is a Schwartz Mack Foundation trustee, and participates with the Funder’s Network racial equity group.

“Ms. Ducceschi is no doubt making positive and inspiring advances in the local nonprofit sector by implementing projects and programs that support our community,” says Bob Durkin, president of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce. “We commend her for the work she has done so far and congratulate her as the 2023 recipient of this prestigious award.”

The ATHENA Award will be presented to Ms.Ducceschi at The Chamber’s International Women’s Day Luncheon on March 8, held at Marywood University, and is sponsored by The Honesdale National Bank. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.ScrantonChamber.com.

The ATHENA Award was first presented in 1982 in Lansing, Michigan, and has grown to include presentations to more than 5,000 individuals in hundreds of cities in the United States as well as in Canada, China, Russia, and the United Kingdom. The award takes the form of a hand-cast bronze sculpture symbolizing the strength, courage, and wisdom of the recipient.

The ATHENA Award® Program is nationally underwritten by General Motors and National City Bank.

Cheryl’s Cuisine: March 2023

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By Cheryl Radkiewicz

There’s nothing like pasta to satisfy you during these Fridays in Lent. Yes, we also have pizza, pierogi, tuna and other seafood, but pasta fills a void.  So, this month I’m sharing some of my favorite meatless pasta recipes to expand your repertoire for what can become the “same old, same old” meals.

In our house we have pasta at least twice per week….one is always Aglio Olio (oil and garlic) and the other is usually a clam sauce….my husband prefers red clam sauce, I prefer white.

Having been raised in an Eastern European family, we weren’t exposed to REAL Italian cooking, however, my Baba used to top her spaghetti with butter and V-8 juice.  It has a nice mild flavor and is easy on digestion.  The bonus is that it also takes just minutes to cook.

The first two dishes are from a restaurant, Villa Virella, which was open in Blakeslee in the 1970’s and 80’s.   It was truly one of my favorite places on earth.    The owners also gave cooking classes, which I frequented as often as I was able.

Salsa Pepperoni:
(Pepper Sauce)

4 large sweet peppers (red or green or both)
4 oz. sweet butter
½ cup olive oil
3 cloves garlic, halved
8 anchovy fillets
1 Tbsp. capers
2 Tbsp. tomato paste
2 cups half and  half
1 cup Pecorino Romano cheese

Clean and cut peppers into thin strips.  In a fry pan heat butter and oil.  Add garlic in large pieces and saute’.  Discard garlic.  Add anchovies to oil and simmer a few minutes.  Stir in capers and peppers and cook, uncovered, until peppers become soft.  Add tomato paste and stir.  Pour in half and half and cheese. Place hot linguine in a bowl along with some sweet butter and top with pepper sauce.  Serve immediately.  Note: This can be prepared in advance to just adding the tomato pasta. You can then keep it in the pan or refrigerate.  Keep out the half and half until right before serving.  

***

Tonno Con Cappellini:
(Tuna Sauce)

6 Tbsp. olive oil
2 tsp. chopped garlic
½ tsp. dried hot red pepper flakes
1 – 35 oz. can pureed Italian tomatoes
½ tsp. salt
1-7 oz. can tuna in olive oil

In saucepan saute’ olive oil, garlic, and hot pepper together.  Add pureed tomatoes, salt and tuna.  Simmer for 45 minutes.  Serve over Cappellini.

***

Noodles Lorraine:

1-8 oz. pkg. egg noodles
2 Tbsp. butter
1 large onion, chopped
2 eggs, beaten
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. nutmeg
2 cups Swiss cheese, diced small
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Cook noodles. Saute’ onion in butter.  In large bowl combine eggs, salt and nutmeg.  Add noodles, butter and onion mixture,  and cheese.  Mix well.  Place in 2 -quart baking dish.  Bake 45 minutes until golden brown.

***

Mushroom Stroganoff:

1 medium onion, finely chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
3 Tbsp. butter
1 pkg. cremini or portabello mushrooms, sliced
1 can vegetable broth (1 ½ cups)
¼ cup dry white wine or sherry
1 ½ cups sour cream
3 Tbsp. flour
8 oz. medium egg noodles, cooked
1 bunch parsley, chopped

 In skillet over low heat, saute’ onions in butter until soft.  Raise heat to medium.  Add mushrooms and continue to saute’ until mushrooms are browned. Remove onions and mushrooms and set aside.  In same skillet add vegetable broth and wine to drippings.  Let boil and reduce to 1/3.  Lower heat and combine mushroom mixture adding to pan.  Mix sour cream and flour until smooth. Add to mushrooms and cook until thick.  Serve immediately over noodles.  Garnish with parsley.  Serves 4.

***

Pasta with Swiss Chard:

2 Tbsp. olive oil|
5 anchovy fillets, chopped
3 large garlic cloves, chopped
Pinch of hot pepper flakes
12 oz. Swiss chard, cut into coarse pieces, stems included
2 c. hot water
2 Tbsp. butter
¾ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
1 lb. pasta (short, like a penne or farfalle)
½ cup grated Romano cheese
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese

In large frying pan, heat olive oil over low heat.  Add anchovies and garlic to pan; mash with back of spoon 1-2 minutes or until anchovies dissolve.  Add hot pepper flakes, Swiss chard and water.  Cover, increase heat to medium and cook 8-10 minutes or until chard is tender.  Stir in butter.  Season with salt and pepper.  Remove from heat and cover to keep warm.  

Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender, but still firm.  Drain.  Pour pasta into large serving bowl and toss with cheeses.

***

Pasta in Gorgonzola:

½ cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1 ½ cups heavy cream
6 oz. Gorgonzola cheese (or any blue cheese)
1 lb. pasta, such as fettucine

In medium frying pan toast walnuts 2-3 minutes over medium heat until lightly browned, shaking pan so as not to burn.  Set aside.  In large saucepan, boil cream over medium heat until reduced to about 1 ¼ cups, about 3-5 minutes.  Do not let boil over.  Stir in Gorgonzola until melted.    Once pasta is cooked, drain and pour into serving bowl…Toss together and sprinkle with walnuts.

Calendar of Events: March 2023

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Spring training

Sandlot Spring Training 2023 will be offered for six weeks for boys ages 6-14 March 18 and 25, and April 1, 8, 15 and 22 on Saturdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. and from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. or on Sundays from 2 to 3 p.m. on March 12, 19 and 26 and April 2, 16 and 23.

For girls ages 6-14 sessions will be on the same Saturdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. or Sundays from noon to 1:30 p.m. on the same dates.

Cost is $150 per player. Contact CDD027@aol.com or 570-445-1155 to register or with questions.

Mini Golf tournament

North Pocono Public Library and North Pocono Rotary will hold the second annual Mini Golf Classic on Sunday, March 5,  at the library in Moscow from noon to 4 p.m.. Anne Bray of the NP Rotary is chairperson. All proceeds benefit Children’s Programs at the library. A fun and 18-hole course will weave its way through the library stacks and conclude with a chance at a $500 hole-in-one grand prize. Golf is $10 for adults & $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets are now on sale at the Circulation Desk, via Rotary & Library Board members, or online at minigolfclassic2023.eventbrite.com.

Elvis Experience

Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple and JZ Tours will present “The Ultimate Elvis Experience starring Shawn Klush” on April 14 at 8 p.m. in theHarry & Jeanette Weinberg Theatre. The popular tribute artist, who hails  from Pittston, last appeared at the SCC in 2015 to a nearlv sold-out crowd

Tickets start at $40.75 (includes fees) with VIP Ticket Packages also available. They are available for purchase at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster.

AARP Chapter meeting

Local AARP Chapter 3731 will begin its 2023 season on Monday, March 6, at 1:30  p.m. at Asbury United Methodist Church, 720 Delaware St., Scranton. All are invited to socialize with new friends, hear educational speakers, enjoy refreshments, and join in bus trips. Speaker is Jenny Shoener from the Albright Memorial Library who will introduce the many free senior services the library provides to the community. Yearly membership fee is only $10.  For additional information, call David 570-892-1619.

Griffin Pond gala

Griffin Pond Animal Shelter will host its first annual “Second Chance” Gala at The Barn of Glistening Pond, 421 Pine Hills Road in Falls, on Saturday, March 18, from 6 to 10 p.m. This event is a black-tie event, with a live band (Pitch Perfect), an open bar, dinner, and raffles. The event will honor District Attorney Michael McGrath, a dedicated prosecutor who has made a significant impact in the fight against animal cruelty. 

Tickets are $125 each or a table that seats 8 people for $900. Sponsorships are available for this event. Only 200 tickets are available for this event. Tickets can be purchased in advance at http://www.griffinpondanimalshelter.com under the upcoming event tab.

Contact Sherry Crolly, development director, at 570-586-3700 ext. 522 or fundraising@griffinpondanimalshelter.com. Complete details are available at www.griffinpondanimalshelter.com. All proceeds will benefit the shelter’s pet medical fund.

St. Joseph breakfast

The Women’s Society of St. Joseph Melkite Catholic Church,  N.St. Frances Cabrini Ave., West Scranton, is sponsoring its annual St. Joseph Day Breakfast on Sunday, March 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., including Eat In or Take Out. The meal includes eggs, scratch pancakes, home fries, olives, honey-baked ham, bread, juice and coffee. Cost is adults $12 and children ages 6-10 are $6. Take Out cost is  $10 or $6 with no beverages. Fragrant St. Joseph Bread will be available in two loaf packages for $5 until sold out. Tickets will be availabke at the door. For more information, rectory 570-343-6092, melkite.scranton@gmail.com, facebook or melkitescranton.org.

Psyansky classes

SS Cyril and Methodius Ukrainian Catholic Church, Olyphant will  offer Ukrainian Pysanky classes on Sundays, March 12 and 26, at noon and at 3 p.m. in the Parish Hall with plenty of free parking. The two-hour beginner class will teach the basics to create a  traditional Ukrainian pysanky egg. The cost of each class is $25 for each person.  Supplies are included. 

Class size is limited and you must call Tammy Budnovitch at 570-766-1919 to register in advance., Please leave a message with your name, phone number, and the date/ time requested.

Lenten concert

 In a 74 year tradition of inspiring prayer and meditation through music, the Catholic Choral Society will present its annual Lenten concert on Sunday, March 26, at 4 pm. at the First Congregational Church of Harford, UCC, 5016 Creek Road, Harford, PA 18823. Pastor of the church is Rev. Dr. Will Hagenbuch.

The Mountain View Chimette Bell Ringers will be the guest performers,

The concerts are open to the public free of charge. There will be a good will offering. 

Brenda Grunza and Lois Ostrowski are co-presidents of the Catholic Choral Society. Ann Manganiello is music director of this group while Linda Houck is accompanist. 

The group, marking its 74 season, is composed of  members from Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wayne, Susquehanna and Wyoming  counties who will perform inspirational music in the Lenten tradition at the March concert. 

Further information may be obtained by calling 570-575-1040 and also at www.catholicchoralsociety.org

Killer Queen concert

Magic City Productions will present Killer Queen on Wednesday, March 29, at 7:30 p.m. at the Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple. The tribute to Queen which features Patrick Myers as Freddie Mercury will take place in the SCC’s Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Theatre.

Tickets for Killer Queen start at $35 (plus fees) and are available for purchase at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, or via Ticketmaster.  For more information or to view a full schedule of events, visit SCCMT.org.

Tom Papa Comedy Tour

The Scranton Cultural Center at the Masonic Temple will present the Tom Papa 2023 Comedy Tour on March 10 at 7:30 p.m. in its Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Theatre. With more than 20 years as a stand-up comedian, Papa is one of the top comedic voices in the country finding success in film, TV, radio and podcasts as well as on the live stage. He is a regular guest on “The Joe Rogan Experience” podcast and the late night TV shows.

Tickets range from $42.40 – $64.55 with a VIP package that includes access to a post-show meet and greet and

premium seating for $165.55. All ticket prices include fees. Tickets are available for purchase at the Fidelity Bank Box Office at the SCC in person or by calling (570) 344-1111, via Ticketmaster. For more information, visit SCCMT.org.