PD Chatter

Lori Nocito takes part in White House series - 01/29/2012
Lori Nocito, executive director of Leadership Wilkes-Barre, recently participated in the White House Community Leaders briefing series, a day-long program conducted by the White House Office of Public Engagement ...

Boyer named by state subject matter expert - 12/25/2011
Robert J. Boyer, of Wyoming, professor of criminal justice at Luzerne County Community College, has been chosen by the PA Department of Education to serve as a subject matter expert for reviews of new criminal justice programs at ...

Exeter student is named Merit semifinalist - 10/30/2011
Elsbeth Turcan of Exeter is one of two Holy Redeemer High School seniors that have been named semi-finalist in the 2010 National Merit Scholarship Program.

Cipriani publishes article in international journal - 10/23/2011
West Wyoming’s Joseph A. Cipriani, Jr., Ed.D., O.T.R./L., professor of occupational therapy at Misericordia University, had an article published in the international journal, Nursing and Residential Care, in Oct ...

Locals participate in Mayhem at the Monster Bash at the Music Box - 10/23/2011
The Music Box Players will present Mayhem at the Monster Bash, a Music Box Murder Mystery, on October 28, 29, and 30 at the Music Box Dinner Playhouse, 196 Hughes Street, Swoyersville. Mayhem at the Monster Bash was written by Pau ...

Avoca girl donates her hair to Locks of Love - 10/16/2011
Kayleen Dolan, daughter of Robert and Lynn Dolan of Avoca donated eight inches of her hair to Locks of Love in June. Melissa Jadus of Melissa’s Tressa Bel ...

UNICO dinner aids flood victims - 10/16/2011
Wilkes Barre Chapter of UNICO National held a pasta dinner to aid people affected by the recent flooding in the Wyoming Valley. Marianacci’s Restaurant catered and prepared the food.

Local receives Nate Alston Student Scholarship - 10/09/2011
Sara Hunter, a resident of Avoca, is a recipient of a 2011 Nate Alston Student Scholarship from the Professional Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA). Hunter will be presented with the $2000 scholarship at the ...

Baiera family helps flood victims - 10/09/2011
The Baiera family at Color-World Paint, Floor and Wall Center, Pittston, is giving away free Mold Magic Cleaner to help control mold growth, to assist victims of the 2011 flood. Limit one per household while supplies last. Color-W ...

JA’s fifth annual Taste of Success this Thursday - 10/02/2011
Junior Achievement of Northeastern Pennsylvania Inc (JA NEPA) will hold its 5th annual Taste of Success gourmet fundraiser presented by Pennstar Bank from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 6. "This year’s Taste of Success wil ...

Kulas named Expressway Recruiter at Miseri - 09/25/2011
Sarah Wilkins Kulas of Avoca, has been appointed as an Expressway Accelerated Degree Program recruiter in the Center for Adult and Continuing Education at Misericordia University. Kulas worked at Marywood Univer ...

Polish in Luzerne County focus of new exhibit at Wilkes University - 09/25/2011
The Luzerne County Historical Society Museum in cooperation with the Polish Room at Wilkes University announces the opening of a new exhibit, The Polish in Luzerne County. The exhibit is a celebration of the history of the Polish ...

Grabiec awarded the Paderewski Gold Medal - 09/18/2011
Gregory John Grabiec, son of Attorney and Mrs. Sherwood P. Grabiec of Avoca, was awarded the Paderewski Gold Medal during the 2011 National Guild Piano Auditions held at Mar ...

Bishop comments on flood, church attendance - 09/11/2011
The mandatory evacuation order affecting thousands of Wyoming Valley residents includes many Diocesan priests and parishioners who have been forced to leave their rectories, churches and homes in order to seek safety and shelter e ...

Fundraiser to benefit Alzheimer’s at Oakwood - 09/04/2011
Oakwood Terrance will hold a jewelry sale fundraiser to benefit Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Monday, September 12 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Charming Charlie, the Shoppes at Montage, 2551 Montage Boulevard, Moosic. ...

Items sought for Polish in Luzerne County Exhibit - 08/28/2011
The Luzerne County Historical Society is looking for photographs, documents, objects and stories relating to the Polish in Luzerne County. Items which tell the story of the Polish people who settled in the area will be considered ...

Leo J. Jordan receives Leadership Award - 08/21/2011
The American Bar Association Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section will honor Leo J. Jordan of Lewisville, Texas, originally from West Pittston, with its first James K. Carroll Leadership Award, which recogn ...

Jenkins Township Lions Club announce Scholarship winners - 08/21/2011
The Jenkins Township Lions Club announced their 2011 scholarship winners at an awards presentation at Tony’s Pizza on Tuesday, August 9.This years scholarship winners were Julie Musto,King’s College, $500; Shaelynn Dragon, College ...

Chef Blaise Alan Dente is honored by AAC - 08/14/2011
Blaise Alan Dente, CCC (Certified Chef de Cuisine) chef/co-owner of Dente’s Catering Service, Pittston, was recently inducted into the American Academy of Chef’s as an Honorary Fellow. The American Academy of Ch ...

Maida chosen as finalist in Miss Pennsylvania Pageant - 08/07/2011
Marina Maida, 14, has been chosen as a State Finalist in the National American Miss Pennsylvania Pageant to be held August 7-8 at the Harrisburg Hilton Hotel in Harrisburg. Marina has been a State Finalist the p ...

Homza to compete in Miss Pennsylvania Pageant - 07/31/2011
Linnae Homza, 18, has been chosen as a State Finalist in the National American Miss Pennsylvania Pageant to be held August 7-8 at the Hilton Harrisburg Hotel in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Hughestown Lions honor Fred Pierantoni - 07/31/2011
Lion Fred Pierantoni was honored with the Hughestown Lions Club Melvin Jone Fellow Award last week. The award is the highest honor the club bestows.

Christmas in July at Mirenzi Agency in Dupont - 07/24/2011
Monica Coyne of Duryea is still enjoying the beauty of Christmas while working at Joseph J. Mirenzi Agency, Dupont.

9-year-old first in Talent Olympics in Poconos - 07/17/2011
Alena Carabetta, 9, daughter of Jason and Franceen Carabetta recently competed at Talent Olympics held at the Fernwood Resort in the Poconos. Alena competed in the 7 to 9 age category in the modeling competition.

Dr. Michael Imbrogno honored with award - 07/10/2011
Dr. Michael Imbrogno of Wyoming Valley Pediatrics honored with an Immunization Champion Award from the Pennsylvania Immunization Coalition at the 17th Annual Pennsylvania Immunization Conference on June 30. Dr. Imbrogno’s commitme ...

Urban recognized by U.S. Achievement Academy - 07/03/2011
Peter Urban, of Exeter, has been recognized by the United States Achievement Academy as a student of excellence in history and government. He has been chosen for the “National Social Studies Award” and acknowled ...

Kaminski graduates college with dual degrees - 06/26/2011
Nicholas J. Kaminski, Pittston Township, recently graduated Cum Laude from Cabrini College, Philadelphia with dual degrees in Psychology and Sociology. He was a recipient of the 2011 Who’s Who Award which is giv ...

Gets superior rating in piano - 06/26/2011
Jonathan J. Renfer recently attained a superior rating in piano at the National Federal Junior Festivals sponsored by the National Federation of Music Clubs.

Fr. Ted Brady, SJ, celebrates 50 years as a priest - 06/19/2011
Fr. Theodore E.A. Brady, SJ, who now resides at the St. Claude Colombiere Jesuit Community residence in Baltimore, will mark his 50th anniversary as a priest June 18.

Music Box to hold summer theatre workshops - 06/12/2011
Music Box dinner theatre announce the following Theatre Workshops:

Irish in Luzerne County exhibit extended - 06/12/2011
The Luzerne County Historical Society Museum’s exhibit, Thousands are Sailing: The Irish in Luzerne County, will remain on display through August 20. The exhibit traces the experiences of Irish immigrants who left their homeland a ...

Music Box Theatre to present ‘Musical Memories’ - 06/05/2011
The Music Box Repertory Theatre presents The Music Box 30th Anniversary Musical Memories, highlights of 30 years of wonderful musical theatre, June 16 to 19 and 23 to 26,

Schall inducted into Alpha Epsilon Delta - 05/29/2011
Jonathan Schall of Wyoming was recently inducted into Alpha Epsilon Delta, the national honor society for health pre-professionals at The University of Scranton. Schall is a sophomore at the Jesuit University.

Misericordia announces valedictorians for 2011 - 05/29/2011
Misericordia University announced four class valedictorians for 2011. It is the first time in the history of Misericordia that four students represented the graduating class as valedictorians. Misericordia University Class of 2011 ...

Christopher Carey included into Who’s Who - 05/22/2011
Local residents were among just 59 undergraduate students at The University of Scranton who have been included in the 2011 edition of "Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges."

Falls Senior Center donates to Blue Chip animal shelter - 05/22/2011
Members of the Falls Senior Center, sponsored by the Area Agency on Aging for Luzerne/Wyoming Counties made a donation to Blue Chip Animal Rescue Shelter. The Falls Senior Center members contribute to their local community by volu ...

PA’s Anthony Capozucca selected to attend HOBY - 05/15/2011
Anthony Capozucca has been selected to join 245 leaders representing many high schools from throughout central and northeast Pennsylvania at the Central Pennsylvania Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership Seminar (HOBY) ...

Misericordia University students present research posters - 05/15/2011
Misericordia University recently sponsored the annual Student Research Poster Presentation Day at the Anderson Sports and Health Center on campus.

O’Donovan presents academic work at Susquehanna - 05/08/2011
Michael O’Donovan of Pittston presented the results of his research and extended coursework at Susquehanna University’s Senior Scholars’ Day on April 20. O’Donovan is a senior majoring in biology at Susquehanna. ...

Jumper receives first place for wine - 05/08/2011
Terry Jumper, originally from Glendale\Pittston Township, receives first place for his Brunello wine. He is standing with Vince from the Vendemmia Foundation in South Philadelphia at the recent awards dinner.

Old Forge Eagle Scout is NE Chapter Winner - 05/01/2011
The 2010 Northeast Chapter Winner and recipient of the distinguished SAR Eagle Scout Medal was Jason Sniegowski.

Gabby Thomas inducted in King’s Kappa Delta Pi - 05/01/2011
West Pittston resident Gabby Thomas, a sophomore at King’s College, was recently inducted into Kappa Delta Pi, a national education honor society. Thomas is one of 48 King’s students inducted into the honor soci ...

O’Donovan presents research at national conference - 04/24/2011
Michael O’Donovan of Pittston was one of 33 students from Susquehanna University who recently presented research at the 25th annual National Conference on Undergraduate Research at Ithaca College

Dr. Kathio meets with Pakistan Diplomat - 04/24/2011
Strengthening the relationship and livestock trade with America, Dr. Inayat H. Kathio met with top Pakistan Diplomat and U.S. Senator on Foreign Relations.

PA students collecting for SPCA today at Kmart - 04/17/2011
Pittston Area National Honor Society members, Billy Ardoline, Joseph Coyne, Ronnie Musto and Steve Stravinski will be collecting monetary donations for the Luzerne County SPCA today from noon to 2 p.m. at the Pittston Commons (Kma ...

King’s Theatre Dept. to perform ‘Some Canterbury Tales’ - 04/10/2011
The King’s College Theatre Department will present a full-dress production of Kenneth Pickering’s adaptation of Chaucer’s best known tales, “Some Canterbury Tales.” The play will be performed at 7:30 p.m. April 13-16 in the King’s ...

Pittston artist to be in Misericordia exhibit - 04/03/2011
The Misericordia Speech-Language Pathology (SLP) Department is hosting a reception to introduce the works of artists from Verve Vertu Art Studio on display in a new exhibit in the College of Health Sciences Building, 100 Lake St., ...

Wyoming Area Drama Club to present the musical ‘Annie’ - 04/03/2011
The cast of Annie performs one of their musical numbers for their upcoming shows. The Wyoming Area Drama Club and Thespian Troupe 4795will present the musical on April 8 and 9 at 7:00 p.m. and April 10 at 2:00 p.m. at the Wyoming ...

Sperazza named Pet Services ‘Volunteer of the Year’ - 03/27/2011
RJ Sperazza son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Sperazza of Pittston has been awarded the 2010 Volunteer of the Year Award at "Pet Services by Denise" in Duryea. RJ had been the runn ...

Misericordia graduate nursing student gets national scholarship - 03/27/2011
Lauren Murphy, R.N., of Laflin,, a graduate nursing student in the Adult Health Clinical Nurse Specialist program at Misericordia University, was named by the Clinical Nurse Specialist Foundation as the recipient of the Nancy and ...

Rynkiewicz awarded Navy Achievement Medal - 03/20/2011
Petty Officer Jason Michael Rynkiewicz, was awarded the United Stated Navy Achievement Medal for his initiative and exceptional work ethic and loyal duty which significantly improved the Ship’s readiness and abi ...

Boy Scout Troop 352 honors new Eagle Scouts - 03/20/2011
Boy Scout Troop 352 honored their three newest Eagle Scouts at a ceremony held at the First United Methodist Church, West Pittston. In the ceremony, Jordan Pringle, Danny Valenti, and Dillon Cason were presented with their Eagle A ...

Demuro to hold book signing at Laflin Library - 03/13/2011
The Laflin Public Library is pleased to have author and illustrator, Angela DeMuro, for story time and book signing on Friday, March 18 at 5:30 p.m. Children ages three and older are invited to attend as Angela, with special guest ...

Adonizio inducted into International Honour Society - 03/06/2011
Peter J. Adonizio, Jr. has accepted membership in Golden Key International Honour Society and was honored during a recent new member recognition event at Temple University, Philadelphia.

King’s College students participate in student teaching - 03/06/2011
Ten local residents are student teaching as part of their education curriculum at King’s College. They are among 89 King’s students student teaching in area schools during the current semester.

Morgan Banaszek takes first in poster contest - 02/27/2011
Congratulations to Morgan Banaszek of Duryea for receiving a First Place: Ninth Grade Group Certificate of Achievement for recognition of artistic excellence. The poster contest was part of the Red Ribbon activi ...

Pittston’s McGowan places first in MATHCOUNTS competition - 02/27/2011
Connor McGowan of Pittston, a sixth-grade student at Wyoming Seminary Lower School, will be one of two area students representing Luzerne County during the state MATHCOUNTS competition in Harrisburg on March 18 and 19.

Wilkes University to hold math contest on April 2 - 02/20/2011
Wilkes University will host the Luzerne County Council of Teachers of Mathematics 63rd Annual High School Mathematics Contest on Saturday, April 2. The contest will begin at 9 a.m. in the Rite Aid Auditorium of the Stark Learning ...

Donates to Locks of Love for third time - 02/20/2011
Kira Nicole Meager, daughter of Ron and Dena Meager of Plains Township, has donated 16 inches of her hair for Locks of Love. This marks the third time Kira has donated her hair totaling 38 inches.

Charity Collectors Fest starting February 18 - 02/13/2011
The Charity Collectors Fest will begin on February 18 and run through February 21 at Mohegan Sun Casino. Music entertainment will be provided by the Mud Pond Boys on Sunday, February 20 from 3 p.m. The fest will help the following ...

Music Box to hold auditions starting Feb. 20 - 02/06/2011
The Music Box Repertory Company will hold auditions for “American Stars of Tomorrow,” an original production for young performers ages 7-20. Auditions will be Sunday, February 20 and Monday, February 21 at 6:30 p.m. All boys and g ...

Historical Society looking for items for exhibit - 01/30/2011
The Luzerne County Historical Society is looking for photographs, documents, objects and stories relating to the Irish in Luzerne County. Items which tell the story of the Irish who settled in the area will be considered for inclu ...

Help needed to find lost Husky - 01/30/2011
An eight-year-old white Husky named Abby has been missing since Friday, January 21, at 11 a.m.

Valley Lodge No. 499 to present scholarships - 01/23/2011
Valley Lodge No 499, Free and Accepted Masons, in West Pittston announced that it will present up to three $500 scholarships in memory of Brother Casimir J. Dylo. Kaz was a Past Master of Valley Lodge and was well known and respec ...

Bloomsburg Theater to present ‘Macbeth’ at Sem - 01/16/2011
Wyoming Seminary Upper School’s Buckingham Performing Arts Center, North Sprague Avenue in Kingston, will be the venue for BTE’s new production of "Macbeth," William Shakespeare’s great tragedy of the Scottish king and his queen a ...

Music Box to hold auditions for ‘Nunsense’ - 01/09/2011
Auditions for the musical “Nunsense” will be held on Sunday, January 16 and Monday January 17 at 7 p.m. All roles are open to women ages 16 and over. Please bring sheet music of a song of your choice and you will be asked to read ...

Chuck’s Auction Service raises $13,500 for two organizations - 01/09/2011
Chuck’s Auction Service and their Friday families raised $13,500 to support the efforts of two organizations in Northeast Pennsylvania during the 2010 holiday season. The Commission on Economic Opportunity’s People Helping People ...

Limelight Players present ‘High School Musical’ - 01/02/2011
Limelight Players will perform the musical, “High School Mucical” on January 6, 7, 8 and 9 at the Phoenix Performing Arts Centre in Duryea.

Hearing aid service provides ‘perfect Christmas gift’ for priest - 01/02/2011
In recognition of Father Hugh McGroarty’s 65th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood, Paul John Caprari, director of Professional Hearing Aid Service, LLC., presented him with a new custom “all in the ear” hearing device.

WA’s Dauber qualifies for Music Conference - 12/26/2010
Wyoming Area senior, Jessica Dauber recently qualified for the Music Educator’s National Conference All-Eastern Wind Ensemble.

Employees vote Pride ‘Best Places to Work’ - 12/19/2010
Pride Mobility Products recently earned the distinction of being named among the Best Places to Work in PA for the eighth consecutive year.

Girl Scouts conduct food drive - 12/19/2010
Girl Scouts from Cadette/Senior Troop 30173 and several members from Junior Troop 34829 recently held a two-day food drive at Redner’s Supermarket in Pittston.

Holy Redeemer High School releases honor roll - 12/12/2010
Anita M. Sirak, principal of Holy Redeemer High School, Wilkes-Barre announced that the following students from the Pittston area have attained High Honors and/or Honors for the First Quarter:

Avoca’s Galvin named to ‘Top 20 under 40’ - 12/05/2010
Jackie Borthwick Galvin was recently named to the Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal’s exclusive “Top 20 Under 40” listing for 2010.

Highland Manor collects food for Pittston Food Pantry - 12/05/2010
The staff of Highland Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Exeter, reached out to the community this November to collect food donations for the Greater Pittston Food Pantry. Area business, physician’s offices and Highland Mano ...

Benefit show to be held December 3 at PA H.S. - 11/28/2010
A show to benefit the Pittston Area Class of 2011 All Night Party will be held on December 3 at 7 p.m. at the Pittston Area Senior School auditorium. Comedy Hypnotist Eric Mina will perform. Tickets are Students K-12 $10, Adults $ ...

Local residents participate in business forum - 11/21/2010
Pittston area residents Alicia Demarco, Robert Groom, Matthew Kotch, Tina Lispi, Elizabeth Rafalko, and Marco Stallone

Kotch receives Msgr. McGowan Cornerstone Scholarship - 11/21/2010
The Monsignor McGowan Cornerstone Committee awarded Matthew Joel Kotch of Pittston a Monsignor McGowan Cornerstone Scholarship. Kotch, a senior finance major at King’s College, was one of seven students selected for their communit ...

Seminary students receive AP Scholar awards - 11/14/2010
Forty-four current students and recent graduates of Wyoming Seminary have been named AP Scholars by the College Board in recognition of their exceptional achievement on the college-level AP (Advanced Placement) Examinations. About ...

Caprari family donates hearing aids - 11/14/2010
Professional Hearing Aid Service, LLC presented two hearing aids to Carol Pelchar of Wilkes-Barre.