Category Archives: September 2015

Hugenbruch recognized as Dunmore seniors start new groups

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By Steve Svetovich

Hugenbruch Recognition Pix

Jeanne Hugenbruch recently with a Certificate of Recognition for her efforts and dedication to senior citizens.

The highly recognized Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe, located at 1414 Monroe Avenue, will be holding several new activity groups as the fall season approaches. The award winning Jeanne K. Hugenbruch holds the title of executive director.

Hugenbruch recently was awarded the 2015 Secretary’s Award for Excellence in Nutrition for Older Pennsylvanians from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging. The prestigious award recognizes those who work to improve nutrition programs within the state’s aging network and are committed to strengthening the quality of life of older Pennsylvanians.

Hugenbruch, always an advocate to improve nutrition programs for senior citizens, was recognized for her innovative ideas in planning nutritional, balanced meals for the senior citizens at the Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe.

Lackawanna County Commissioners Ed Staback and Jim Wansacz presented Hugenbruch recently with a Certificate of Recognition for her efforts and dedication to senior citizens.

Always an innovator, Hugenbruch continues to plan new groups as well as new meals for the seniors who attend the Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe. Some of last month’s menu items included beef stew, Greek lemon chicken, Italian Veggie Ricotta Frittata with Ciambotta, fish steak with peppers, cheese tortellini alfredo, veggie stuffed meatloaf, pasta with meat sauce, stuffed chicken breast, fish filet Italiano, chicken sauté in peanut sauce, pork with lentils, eggplant Parmesan, chicken Parmesan, steak and cheese hoagie, roast turkey sandwich, French chicken ratatouille, pork cutlets with butternut squash and a Cowboy Day dinner featuring ham steak with red-eye gravy and roasted seasoned spuds. And that is just a small sample of the featured meals!

One of the new groups will be a Celebration of Life series that begins this month. Once a month, the Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe will have a special afternoon luncheon with live entertainment. There will be more information coming.

“This will be a lot of fun and will put a smile on your face,” said Hugenbruch.

A Pinochle Group began last month and meets Tuesdays after lunch around noon.

The Wii Bowling Tournament was delayed because the disc was not operable.  However, a new disc was received and the tournament began on Aug. 4. Two winners will each receive a $25 gift certificate this month. The winner with the highest total score and the winner with the highest total average will each receive a prize valued at $25. If you miss a day, you can make it up on a Friday. The program will run through the end of this month.

Caring Matters was held on Aug. 25 at 10:30 a.m. Caring Matters provided a bingo game and refreshments. Country-Western Day was held on Aug. 4. The Assistive Tech Resource Center visited the Dunmore Activity Hub on Aug. 11 to talk about eligibility for the Telecommunications Device Distribution Program (TDDP) and other services offered. April Murphy spoke about nutrition on Aug. 18. The very popular ballroom dancing group returns this month at the Hub.

“We welcome all of our new site council members,” said Hugenbruch. “We had a great meeting recently and brainstormed ideas to make this place hop. We have a lot of new things happening and coming up soon. Enjoy the weather and plan on joining us at the Hub soon.”

Other activities at the Hub last month included bingo, crafts, speakers, chair exercise, Bible Study, big bingo, volunteer time, sketching, Stretchin’ with Gretchen, yoga and oil painting. Winner takes all with Big Bingo which is Wednesdays at 9 a.m. All money collected will be given out in prizes.

“Bring your friends,” said Hugenbruch. “The more that play, the better the prizes.”

A Volunteer Recognition Dinner was held Saturday, Aug. 29, from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. There was live entertainment from the duo, Roger and Joe, and a dinner provided by Chef Bill. The event was only $5 for seniors and $8 for friends. Members of Site Council, the Board of Directors and anyone who helps at the site on a regular basis were able to attend for free.

Nolan Lukey is kitchen coordinator at the Dunmore Activity Hub and Cafe. Shirley Martinelli is reservationist. Lottie Collins is Site Council president. Carol Angerson is lead volunteer. For more information, call 570-207-2662.

Little Sisters of the Poor Night at PNC Field

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The residents of the Little Sisters of the Poor’s Holy Family Residence attended the third annual “Little Sisters of the Poor Night” on Tuesday, Aug. 18, as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders faced off against their division rivals, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, at PNC Field in Moosic.

LSP RailRiders 2015

Pictured from left are a few Holy Family residents who attended the third annual Little Sisters of the Poor Night at PNC Field: Ann Marie Walsh, Anne Gross, Sister Theresa Louisa, l.s.p., Frances Norton, and Sister Maureen, l.s.p.

The residents, whose attendance was made possible by a fundraiser conducted by the development and communications office at Holy Family Residence, enjoyed the festivities as well as hot dogs, soda and other refreshments.

Prior to the 7:05 p.m. game time, Sister Maureen, l.s.p., provided an on-field interview about Holy Family Residence and the Sisters’ mission of serving the elderly poor throughout the world. Sister Laurelliya, l.s.p., threw out a ceremonial first pitch of the game.

La Festa Italiana Celebrates 40th Year

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As La Festa Italiana celebrates its 40th year, the annual end-of-summer festival in downtown Scranton is expanding its schedule by opening on Friday evening for the very first time.

La Festa take place over Labor Day weekend—Friday through Monday, Septe. 4 – 7—on the Courthouse Square in the heart of the city. The event hours are: Friday, 4-10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Monday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. As usual, more than 80 vendors will be offering great Italian food, and continuous live entertainment will be featured on multiple stages around the square. There is no admission charge.

This year’s event also coincides with First Friday in the city, giving visitors a full array of entertainment, culinary and cultural activities at nearby venues—all within walking distance.

La Festa’s inaugural Friday night will feature one of the festival’s most popular acts, the Duprees, who will perform on the main stage at 7 p.m.  The Duprees are well known for their romantic interpretations of beautiful love songs. They have made a career out of giving new life to old hits. Starting out in the early 60’s, in Jersey City  the Duprees were discovered by George Paxton of Coed Records and former big band leader. Impressed with their smooth vocal quality, he had them record Jo Stafford’s 50’s ballad “You Belong To Me” with big band arrangements. It was an instant national hit and the group’s first million seller.

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La Festa Italiana will conclude with a superb act that will be making its debut performance at the event—the Bronx Wanderers. The group will hit the stage on Monday, Sept. 7, at 6:30 p.m. Consisting of a father and his two sons, the Bronx Wanderers are living the American rock n’ roll dream by performing 50’s, 60’s and 70’s hits, including a tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons.

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A variety of other continuous live entertainment for both young and old tastes will be presented on the Mohegan Sun Main Stage, the ShopRite Picnic Tent Stage, the Spruce Street Stage and the Children’s Stage each day.

Among the many other acts that will perform are the famous Poets, Italian tenor Christopher Macchio, comedian Uncle Floyd, Ray Massa’s EuroRhythms from Ohio, Chris DiMattio’s tribute to Sinatra, a Connie Francis tribute featuring Nikki Rasmus, Deano Noto’s tribute to Billy Joel, Los Vega New York Italian Show Band, the Italian Continentals, the Magics, Gene Dempsey Orchestra, Paul LaBelle’s Exact Change, country recording artist Dani-Elle plus many others including jugglers, magicians, street acts, cooking demonstrations, favorite local bands and dance groups.

The annual Mass in Italian will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Sept. 6, in St. Peter’s Cathedral, located one block from the festival site. Reverend David Cappelloni, La Festa chaplain, will be the principal celebrant. The Most Reverend Joseph C. Bambera, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Scranton, will preside and give the homily. The Mass will also be televised live by CTV, Catholic Television of the Diocese of Scranton. Fireworks will be displayed on Sunday night.

A new tradition will also continue this year. While Coney Island has its hot dog eating contest, and Philadelphia is the site for Wing Bowl, La Festa will crown a Cannoli Eating Champion. The contest will take place at 3 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 7  in front of the main stage.

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In celebration of La Festa Italiana’s 40th year and the City of Scranton’s 150th birthday, two local yoga studios are hosting special events to benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center. On the festival’s opening night, Friday, Sept. 4, at 7 p.m., Jaya Yoga Studio is holding “Glowga On The Square,” a one-hour event—taught with glow sticks—on the grass near the fountains on the North Washington Ave. side of the Square. Then on Saturday, Sept. 5, Mind Body Spirit Co-op will lead a session at 11 a.m. on the grass. Participants are asked to meet in front of the stage on Linden St. on Courthouse Square.

For both events, all levels and children are welcome. Recommended donation is $10 per person. All proceeds will go to the Children’s Advocacy Center. Checks should be made out to La Festa Italiana; credit cards also accepted. Participants for both events are asked to register at the merchandise tent on North Washington Ave.

For more information and the complete entertainment schedule, visit www.lafestaitaliana.org.

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La Festa Italiana will literally hit the ground running with the James R. Minicozzi Memorial 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Sept. 5. The race is being sponsored by the Scranton Chapter of UNICO, the Italian-American service organization, and proceeds will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Northeastern Pennsylvania. Pre-registration for the race must be received by Aug. 27 by contacting Jack Trapani at (570) 878-3780 or unico5k@gmail.com by or sending the $20 entrance fee by check made out to UNICO National Scranton Chapter, P.O. Box 278, Dunmore, PA 18512. Registration will also be accepted the day of the race from 8-9:30 a.m.

Festival patrons are also invited to Lackawanna Railfest ’15, hosted by the nearby Steamtown National Historic Site Sept. 5-6. Shuttle transportation will be provided between La Festa and Steamtown. For details on Railfest, visit www.nps.gov/stea.