Calendar of Events: December 2018

Nutcracker DunmoreBTOS5312Nutcracker Performances

Ballet Theatre of Scranton and Marywood University present the 43rd annual free performances of The Nutcracker Dec. 26, 27 and 28th at the Marywood Sette LaVerghetta Theater at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. each day.

Sponsored by Fidelity Bank, free tickets are available to the general public two hours prior to the specific performance at the Marywood box office.  

Become a Nutcracker sponsor for seating benefits by visiting www.balletscranton.org or call 570-347-2867.  

Trolley Museum Events

In the true spirit of the season, the Electric AliCity Trolley Museum will hold a series of holiday events and trolley runs. The very popular “Santa on the Trolley” excursions are scheduled for December 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23.  

Departure times for these rides are: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. Reservations are required. The 10-mile ride for all of the special excursions travels to the Trolley Works Building at the PNC Field and then back to the Museum.

On Saturday, Dec. 15, will be a Children’s Holiday Celebration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with activities such as arts and crafts, Mrs. Claus, a magician, refreshments and music.

For reservations, call 570-963-6590.

Breakfast with Santa at Allied Services

Santa-walk-5Allied Volunteers are offering their annual “Breakfast with Santa” on Saturday, Dec. 15, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Graff Community Room at Allied Services.

The all-you-can-eat breakfast will include eggs, French toast, sausage, cereal, coffee, tea and juice while Christmas music plays throughout.  All will have the opportunity to sit with Santa and receive a gift. Admission is $7 for adults and $5 for children.

Reservations are a must and can be made by contacting P.J. Kilvitis at 570-348-1398.

Gov. Casey Lifetime of Service Event

The Governor Robert P. Casey Medal for a Lifetime of Service event, originally scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 15, was postponed due to inclement weather. The event has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Dec. 11, at 6 p.m., at the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center.

Book Sale and Swap at Marywood

booksMarywood University continues to promote books and reading through its biannual book swap and sale to be held in the Learning Commons Lobby from today and Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Friday, Dec. 7, from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., on Friday, December 7, 2018. This event is free and open to the public.

A wide selection of titles and genres will be available. The book swap and sale is sponsored by the English Club and Library Services. Book donations are being received on the first floor of the Learning Commons.

For additional information, please contact Annette Fisher, associate professor of library services, at (570) 348-6211, ext. 2365, or email fisher@maryu.marywood.edu.

Marywood Transfer Day

Marywood University will hold an on-campus Transfer Day program on Thursday, Dec. 13, from 2 to 6 p.m.  for college students or former college students considering transferring to Marywood University. Transfer students are welcome at all stages of their college careers. In a single visit, visitors can discuss financial aid and scholarship options, transfer credits, take a tour of campus, and complete an application for admission.

Transfer Day will be held at the Office of University Admissions in the Liberal Arts Center, on Marywood University’s campus. Spring semester classes begin on Wednesday, Jan. 16.

For additional information, or to register for Transfer Day, call Marywood University’s Office of University Admissions, at (570) 348-6234, or visit www.marywood.edu/admissions.

pennDOT-logoPENNDOT Innovations Challenge

With the Dec. 31 entry deadline quickly approaching, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) are reminding high school students grades 9-12 to submit their entries for PennDOT’s Innovations Challenge. This year’s challenge asks students to look at innovative methods, aside from laws and educational campaigns that can be developed in the next five to 10 years to get drivers to slow down in work zones. For complete Innovations Challenge details, visit www.penndot.gov/innovation.

Holiday Concert

Marywood University’s String Project will hold its Holiday Gala Concert on Thursday, Dec. 13, at 6:30 p.m., in the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts. The performance is free and open to the public. Marywood University’s String Project is an after-school, pre-collegiate string program for students ages 7-18. Participants take small-group lessons in violin, viola, cello, and double bass; participate in orchestra; and perform in concerts according to their experience level (beginner, intermediate, or advanced).

Winter Nature Camp

The Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center will hold this year’s Winter Nature Camp from Dec. 26 -28  from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lackawanna College Environmental Education Center (LCEEC), 93 MacKenzie Road, Covington Township, PA 18444. Children will explore winter through science experiments, track animals in the snow, get up-close to live turtles, and build a campfire.

There will also be plenty of outdoor play, fun winter-themed games, crafts, and snacks. The program is open to children ages 5-11. The cost is $115 for all three days or $45 per day. Pre-registration is required. To register or for more information, please contact Michelle Wheeler at (570) 842-1506.

326Choir and String Concert at Marywood

Marywood University’s music, theatre, and dance department will hold its Concert Choir and String Ensemble Concert on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 7:30 p.m., in the Sette LaVerghetta Center for Performing Arts. The performance is free and open to the public.

Rick Hoffenberg, D.M.A., cochair, and associate professor of choral conducting will lead the Concert Choir, along with Tsukasa Waltich, pianist, and Edward Loch, Ellen Rutkowski, and Tsukasa Waltich, sectional conductors. The String Ensemble will be led by Sophie Till, M.M., clinical assistant professor of violin and viola, and Christiane Appenheimer-Vaida, lecturer for the music, theatre, and dance department at Marywood University.

Dunmore sisters featured in annual “Nutcracker” production

conwaygirls2016

This year’s performance of “The Nutcracker” will feature a sister act from our borough of Dunmore. Catherine Conway (kneeling left), Mae Conway (kneeling right) and Elizabeth Conway will be a part of the company presenting the Ballet Theatre of Scranton’s 41st production of “The Nutcracker.”

To date, “The Nutracker” has been staged 270 times, and 4,800 regional dancers have taken the stage to bring this Christmas gift to the community.

This year, Elizabeth Conway will take on the role of the Sugarplum Fairy, reprising her role from last year. Also featured in the production will be Selena Knowlton as Clara and Kegan Lance as the Nutcracker Prince.

BTOS and Marywood University will present the annual free performances of “The Nutcracker” Dec. 26, 27 and 28th at Marywood’s Sette LaVerghetta Theatre. There will be shows at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. each day.

Free tickets for the general public will be available two hours prior to the specific performance at the Marywood box office.

PLEASE NOTE: A maximum of 4 tickets per person per performance will be distributed on a first-come first-served basis.

Interested in becoming a Nutcracker sponsor? Seating benefits come to all those who support this annual holiday tradition! Visit www.balletscranton.org or call 570-347-2867  

Holy Cross Class of 2016 Commencement

Senior 16

Holy Cross High School will hold its 2016 commencement on Friday, June 3, at Sette LaVerghetta Center at Marywood University with 115 seniors graduating. Commencement speakers will include The Most Rev. Joseph C. Bambera, Bishop of Scranton; Benjamin D. Tolerico, Holy Cross principal, and Msgr. David L. Tressler, Diocesan Secretary for Catholic Schools, superintendent of schools.

Honored guests will be Ms. Kathleen A. Gilmartin, assistant superintendent of schools; Mrs. Michele Long, assistance superintendent of schools, and Msgr. Thomas M. Muldowney, Vicar General, Diocese of Scranton.

HAGGERTY ZOE

2016 Valedictorian Zoe Haggerty

A Baccalaureate Mass will be held on Thursday, June 2, at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Scranton, with Rev. Cyril D. Edwards as principal celebrant and homilist.

Valedictorian of the Class of 2016 is Zoe Haggerty, daughter of David and Rebecca Haggerty, South Abington Township, who will major in biochemistry and philosophy at the University of Scranton.

At Holy Cross, she has been president of the National Honor Society, and a member of Crusaders for Compassion, Modern Foreign Languages Club, PJAS, Pro Life/Mission Club, Scholastic Bowl, cross country team and track and field team.

Salutatorian is Samuel Collura III, son of Sam and Maria Collura of Carbondale. He will major in petroleum and natural gas engineering at The Pennsylvania State University. At Holy Cross, he was a member of the National Honor Society, Modern Foreign Languages Club, Pro-Life/Mission Club, Scholastic Bowl, and basketball team.

COLLURA SAM

2016 Salutatorian Samuel Collura

Members of the 2016 Holy Cross graduating class include: Alyssa Marie Alfano, Kayla Marie Rose Angelo, Alexandria Jane Arbie, James John Backus, Melissa M. Berardelli, Abigail Elizabeth Bloom, Aaron Jeffrey Bogdanski, Bridget Lynn Boginski, Dominique Bonavoglia, Nikolaos Michael Boniello, Alexandria Borgia, Richard James Boyle, Christine Maria Brannon, Emily Sharon Burden.

Devon Catherine Carey, David Michael Carter, Molly Anne Cerep, Matthew Phillip Cicco, Sean Francis Collins, Samuel Peter Collura III, Casey Michael Connolly, Antonia Rose Corma, Alexandra Nicole Covaleski, Isabelle Crotti, Gabriella Sunni Day, Jacqueline P. Dende, Reilly Marie Dugan, Claire Elena Duncan, Felicia Elizabeth Dzielak, Emily Margaret Faith, Emily Anne Fisher, Ryan R. Fisher, Alyssa Marie Flannery, Lauren Ashley Franklin and Kathleen Brady Fricke.

Gabrielle Rose Geldhof, Andrew Evan Gownley, Lexie Ann Green, Mackenzie Anne Greenfield, Edward Peter Gregorowicz, Jocelyn Nicole Griffin, Julie Marie Haefele, Zoe Rose Haggerty, Sierra Elizabeth Hembury, Alexis Lynn Holeve, Taylor Zdislava Karkut, Kayle Marie Kincel, Kevin C. Kizis, Olivia Yvonne Klein, Ashley E. Kneier, Erin Elizabeth Kranick, Emily Rose Kuchwara and Courtney Elizabeth Kuschke.

William Edward Legg, Noah J. Leopard, Karl James Lewis, Moriah Lukasik, Eric Joseph Macarski, Thomas Vincent Malone, Angelo Mancinelli, Cierra Christina Marino, Matthew James Marsh, Edward J. Carlacci Mazaleski, Rachel Angelica Mazur, Courtney Ann McDonnell, Shannon Marie McDonough, Jake H. McGovern, Sierra McKenzie McPhillips, Joshua Thomas Blaise Megliola, Rachel Mariea Merritt, Joshua Paul Mesaris, Dylan Richard John Michalek, Brooke Miller, Brendan M. Mizok, John Jeffrey Montefour, Luke Gerald Monteleone, Cindy Vazquez Morales, Nina Marie Mucciolo, and Robert Joseph Murphy Jr.

Matthew R. Nealon, Gannon Joseph Richards Palmiter, Patrick John Pastore, Patrick John Pastore, Emily Grace Pettinato, Abigail Elizabeth Phillips, Michael J. Pope III, Allie Elizabeth Rainey, Justin David Daniel Reed, Caitanne Mary Robinson, Emily Nichole Robinson, Michael Liam Rogers, Karalyn Ann Rook, Laurel Ann Schuster, Monica Seamon, Monica Rose Shaffern, Alex John Shattin, Austin Thomas Shattin, Alyssa Marie Sheehan-Fazio, Tze Chi Shiang, Nathan Robert Skrutski.

Jeffrey Robert Smicherko, Brian Gregory Sokol, Timothy James Sokolowski, Sarah E. Sporko, Joshua S. Strony, Andrei Y. Svistunov, Sarah Rachel Tanana, Isabelle Madeline Tokash, William Trainor, Nicholas John Vaccaro, Robert Charles Warner III, Larissa Webster, Thomas R. Williams, Chad Stephen Yurkovic, and Zachary John Zaluski.