Tag Archives: 2015

Shakespeare Festival Kicks of 4th Season

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The fourth annual Scranton Shakespeare Festival will open its 2015 season on June 26, 27 and 28 with “Romeo and Juliet.” Performances will be at 6:00 p.m. at Nay Aug Park in Scranton.

Artistic director Michael Bradshaw Flynn said it has come time for the SSF troupe to branch out from the comedies—”A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “The Comedy of Errors” and “Twelfth Night”—presented during the first three seasons.

In addition to Shakespeare, the world premiere of “Robin Hood the Musical” by Tony-nominated playwright Douglas Carter Beane will be presented the weekend of July 10-12 at the Royal Theatre of the University of Scranton. Last summer, SSF presented the world premiere of Beane’s production of “Fairy Cakes.”

Rounding out the schedule are: “Commedia Rapnzel” and “Loose Cannon,” both of which have been selected for the New York Fringe Festival, and “The Tavern” by George M. Cohan. These plays will be presented in repertory throughout the season.

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The full 2015 SSF schedule runs as follows:

June 26, 27 28: “Romeo and Juliet,” 6:00 p.m. nightly at Nay Aug Park

July 10, 11 at 8:00 p.m., July 11 at 2:00p.m., July 12 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.: World premiere of “Robin Hood the Musical” at the Royal Theatre

July 17: “Commedia Rapunzel,” 6:00 p.m.; “Loose Cannon,” 8:00 p.m at the Royal Theatre

July 18, 19: “Commedia Rapunzel,” 2:00 p.m.; “Loose Cannon,” 8:00 p.m at the Royal Theatre

July 24: “The Tavern,” 8:00 p.m. at the Royal Theatre

July 25:  “Commedia Rapunzel,” noon; “The Tavern,” 2:00 p.m.; “Loose Cannon,” 6:00 p.m.; “The Tavern,” 8:00 p.m. at the Royal Theatre

July 26: “Robin Hood the Musical,” 2:00 p.m. at the Royal Theatre; “Romeo and Juliet,” 6:00 p.m. at Nay Aug Park

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All performances are presented free to the public. Theatergoers at Nay Aug Park are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and/or blankets.

Credit for all photographs goes to the Scranton Shakespeare Festival’s Facebook page.

Marywood Architecture Students Debut Product Design Studio

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Marywood University interior architecture and architecture students have been chosen to take part in a sponsored studio this summer. Under the advisement of Stephen Garrison, assistant professor of interior architecture and design at Marywood, students will join other universities including: Florida State, Auburn University, University of Oregon, and Appalachian State University. The program is run by a furniture company based in Dallas, Texas called Groovystuff.

Marywood Architecture_Stephen Garrison

Stephen Garrison, assistant professor of interior architecture and design at Marywood, will advise students during this summer endeavor. (Courtesy: Marywood University)

Groovystuff represents a breakthrough approach to the nurturing of home furnishings design talent in partnership with leading U.S. colleges and universities. Recognized with the 2013 ICON honor for “Industry Contribution & Influence,” the Groovystuff foundation was established in 2010 by Chris Bruning to improve the competitiveness of consumer products in the U.S. The foundation provides students with job opportunities and presents professors with an invaluable opportunity to network with retailers, designers, manufacturers, suppliers, journalists, and industry professionals at the High Point Market.

The work created during the studio will be exhibited in a sponsored booth at the High Point Market in North Carolina this fall. High Point designers, manufacturers, and retailers will judge the attending students’ work. The winning entry will go into production with Groovystuff, and students will be able to earn royalties on their sales.

Little Sisters of the Poor Honor Blakers at Annual Golf Tournament

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Little Sisters of the Poor 2015 Golf Committee Photo

Committee members gather in preparation of the Little Sisters of the Poor’s ninth annual golf tournament. Seated: Robert Blaker, Joan Blaker, Lisa Blaker, and Jackie Galvin. Standing: Mother Maureen, l.s.p.; Kim Simchak, Gene Cosgrove, Janet Skibinski and Sister Marie Therese, l.s.p. (Courtesy: Jackie Gavin)

The Little Sisters of the Poor at Holy Family Residence will honor Mrs. Joan Blaker and the late Mr. Fenton Blaker at their ninth annual golf tournament Saturday, June 13 at the Scranton Municipal Golf Course in Lake Ariel. In addition to this major fundraiser, the Little Sisters also honored the Blakers at a Spirited Art party at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, June 5 at Holy Family Residence, 2500 Adams Ave., Scranton.

Joan and Fenton are the parents of Robert Blaker, the Holy Family Residence’s current maintenance director and co-tournament chairperson. Joan and Fenton were selected to receive this honor because of their love and devotion to the elderly poor at Holy Family Residence during their employment and retirement.

Joan, who served as the front desk receptionist, always provided a friendly smile to visitors as they stopped by to visit their loved ones and friends. Joan has retired from her long time position continues to volunteer her talents to Holy Family Residence. Each year she assembles and decorates Christmas trees throughout our home. Since the golf tournament’s inception, Joan has also created and donated the contents for many raffle baskets.

Fenton Blaker, who served as the Holy Family Residence’s the maintenance director for many years, always took great pride in his work. After his retirement, he continued to volunteer his time and energy at the Holy Family Residence with his wife.

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Golf tournament registration begins at noon with a shotgun start at 1:00 p.m. The format is captain and crew. Singles will be placed on a team. The cost is $100 per golfer which includes green fees, use of a cart, an official tournament shirt, a gift bag, a pre-tournament refreshment reception, a light meal during the tournament and a post-tournament dinner at the course clubhouse. Golfers will also have a chance to win prizes based on their performance in the tournament including a new car courtesy of Matt Burne Honda of Scranton.

Several types of golf and sponsorship packages, which are great advertising vehicles, are also available including hole signs for $100 and sponsorships of $250, $500, $750 and $1,000. There will also be a grand raffle of the Sisters’ famous gift baskets as well as prizes valued at more than $100.

The Spirited Art party, a very popular program for creative and non-creative types, provides individuals and friends an opportunity to create paintings while sampling beverages and snacks such as wine and cheese. It will also provide non-golfers with an opportunity to support the Little Sisters’ fundraising efforts and honor the Blaker family. The cost is $35 per person and includes an instructor led class, paints, smocks, brushes, easels and canvases. The Little Sisters will also provide a snack and non-alcoholic beverages. Attendees are welcome to bring their own wine and snacks as well. Seating is limited. Reservations are due by Monday, June 1.

All proceeds from both events will be used to replace more than 300 windows in Holy Family Residence.

To make a reservation or provide a contribution for either fundraiser, please contact Mrs. Jackie Galvin, M.S., director of development and communications, at (570) 343-4065 ext. 3144 or scdevelopment@littlesistersofthepoor.org. Golf registration is also available at www.littlesistersofthepoorscranton.org.

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Also serving on the committee are Tournament Co-Chairmen Patrick J. Sheridan and Chris James as well as Debbi Bean, R.N., director of nursing; Charlie Butler; Atty. Jim Conaboy; Atty. Kevin Conaboy; Mike Crossin; Theresa Durkin; Tracy Genell; Bill Hughes; Kathy Hughes; MaryCarol Kanton; Pete Kanton; Deacon Ed Kelly; Ann Kwak; Pat Salmon; Kim Simchak; Tim Speicher; and Dave Tressler.