CLARKS SUMMIT — Ilana Rosenthal keeps getting stronger from an off-season ankle injury.

The Wyoming Seminary senior and two-time state singles champion learned she needed to improve during the past 10 days.

Susan Arp found herself seeking an immediate boost in her game in Monday’s championship match at the Birchwood Tennis and Fitness Center.

Both responded like champions, winning their third straight District 2 girls tennis singles titles.

Rosenthal defeated Cara Evans 6-2, 6-0 in the Class 2A final after the Montrose sophomore had a lead on her when their team district match was halted earlier this month.

Crestwood’s Hannah Ziegler split lengthy matches with players from Class 3A team champion Abington Heights, earning a meeting with Arp for the third straight year and taking a three-game lead in the first set of the final before Arp rallied for a 7-5, 6-2 victory.

“I love the challenge,” said Rosenthal, who simply overwhelms most high school opponents. “I’m ready for the challenge.”

The challenge came from a meeting of unbeatens and from Evans showing she could match up with Rosenthal. When Wyoming Seminary had enough points to beat Montrose as a team, the No. 1 singles match was just getting interesting with Evans leading 5-3 in the first set, winning more games off Rosenthal than anyone had all season.

Rosenthal dropped just two games this time, but there many long points and games along the way.

“Cara’s a great player,” Rosenthal said. “She hits really well. We had a great match with a lot of really good points. I think last time I played her in team districts, I think I just didn’t have the right game plan against her.

“After playing that match, I was able to form some things coming into this match. I came off really strong in the beginning and I think I carried that energy through the whole match.”

The result is Rosenthal heading back to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state tournament feeling like she is playing the best tennis of her career. She was the No. 1 singles player and scored the clinching point for a state team title as a freshman before winning her two state singles gold medals the past two years.

“I think I’m playing better than I have ever before, even before my injury,” said Rosenthal, who has added power to her already prodigious finesse, in part from working out.

Both Rosenthal and Evans started Monday with semifinal victories over players from Scranton Prep’s District 2 team champions, who are also defending state champions.

Rosenthal downed Alyssa Wigley 6-0, 6-1 as part of a tournament in which she won 30 of 33 games.

Evans, who matched Rosenthal’s three 6-0, 6-0 wins Friday, had more of a challenge from Lily Lengyel in a 6-4, 6-2 semifinal victory.

Abington Heights also had two semifinalists and Ziegler ended up facing them both.

Whereas Arp was starting the day with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Wallenpaupack’s Sarah Niemiec, Ziegler was on the court for more than an hour and 45 minutes to get past Rona Hanumali 7-5, 3-6, 6-1.

“It was a long day,” Ziegler said. “The first two sets were obviously tough for me, but the third one I kind of made a little change. I upped my game and kind of upped my attitude as well.

“ … I was doubting myself in the second set, but I was able to put a smile on my face and push through that.”

As a result, Ziegler made her second straight finals appearance.

Ziegler jumped in front, winning the first three games of the final and holding a 4-1 lead in the first set before Arp won 12 of the remaining 15 games.

“I started lobbing and mixing up the pace and keeping her moving forward and backward,” Arp said. “I kind of toned down my own stuff on going for winners.”

The familiarity from previous district meetings also helped.

“She plays a really good game,” Arp said. “She has super strong ground strokes. She’s definitely a baseline player, but she’s tall so she’s really good at the net and serving, too.”

The semifinals are set for the District 2 girls tennis tournament, with the returning champs from both Class 2A and Class 3A in the hunt to bring home another district title.

In 2A, Wyoming Seminary’s Ilana Rosenthal began her quest for a third straight championship at both the District 2 and state levels, cruising through the early rounds as the number one seed to reach the semis.

Rosenthal has yet to drop a game in this year’s tournament, beating Montrose’s Erin Tillotson in the first round, Alexis Mazzotta of Honesdale in the second round and Catlin Finn from Dallas in the quarters all by 6-0, 6-0 scores.

Her opponent in the semis will be Scranton Prep’s Alyssa Wigley. The two met just last week in the District 2 team finals, with Rosenthal winning 6-0, 6-2, and also clashed in the 2022 district title match with Rosenthal winning there.

The other Class 2A semifinal will feature Lily Lengyel of Scranton Prep and Cara Evans from Montrose. Evans is a returning district finalist, losing to Rosenthal in last year’s championship match.

All four Class 2A semifinalists won their quarterfinal matches 6-0, 6-0.

In the 3A competition, second seed Hannah Ziegler of Crestwood is the Wyoming Valley Conference’s lone semifinalist, beating Wallenpaupack’s Alaina Burke in the quarterfinals.

Ziegler, the District 2 runner-up in Class 3A last year, will take on Sona Hanumali from Abington Heights in the semifinals.

On the other side of the bracket, two-time defending district champ Susan Arp, an Abington Heights senior, will square off with Wallenpaupack’s Sara Niemiec in the semifinals. The two faced each other in last week’s team title match, with Arp claiming victory 6-0, 6-3.

Arp, who beat Ziegler in three sets last year to win the district title, defeated Jessica Willson from Delaware Valley 6-1, 6-1 to make the semis.

The semifinals and finals are both on Monday at the Birchwood Racquet Club in Clarks Summit, with the semifinal matches beginning at 1 p.m. and the finals to follow after.

FIELD HOCKEY

Wyoming Area 3, Dallas 0

The Warriors remained unbeaten on the year with just one game remaining on the schedule, shutting out Dallas on Saturday afternoon.

Lyla Rehill scored all three goals for Wyoming Area, with Lucia Campenni adding an assist on the last one.

Davyn Bonvie made 14 saves for Dallas.

GIRLS SOCCER

Nanticoke Area 3, Western Wayne 1

Ella Alles scored twice to lead Nanticoke Area to a nonleague victory.

Emily Duda added a goal and an assist for the Trojans. Natalee Atkins had two assists.

Holy Redeemer 6, Hanover Area 0

Isabel Sikora netted a hat trick in a Holy Redeemer victory.

Avery Kozerski scored two goals and added two assists for the Royals. Annalie Werner scored once.

BOYS SOCCER

Wilkes-Barre Area 2, Lake-Lehman 0

The Wolfpack handed Lake-Lehman their first loss in over a month. Johnny Mendola scored both goals for Wilkes-Barre Area.

Sam Reese and Robbie Miller had an assist apiece, and Joe Egidio made 15 saves to reach 600 career saves.

Andrew Chapple made 12 saves for Lake-Lehman.

Field Hockey

Wyoming Area 3, Dallas 0

First Quarter — 1. WA Lyla Rehill, 6:37. Second Quarter — 1. WA Rehill, 1:16. Fourth Quarter — 1. WA Rehill (Lucia Campenni), 5:48.

Shots — WA 19, DAL 2. Saves — WA 2 (Rylee Muniz), DAL 14 (Davyn Bonvie). Corners — WA 9, DAL 0.

Girls Soccer

Nanticoke Area 3, Western Wayne 1

First Half — 1. NAN Emily Duda (Natalee Atkins), 39th. Second Half — 1. NAN Ella Alles (Atkins), 55th; 2. WW unknown, 78th; 3. NAN Alles (Duda), 78th.

Shots — WW 2, NAN 12. Saves — WW 5, NAN 1. Corners — WW 4, NAN 9.

Holy Redeemer 6, Hanover Area 0

First Half — 1. HR Avery Kozerski (Elyse Kunec), 34:27; 2. HR Isabel Sikora (Lia Limongelli), 17:02; 3. HR Sikora (Sydney Sapulak), 4:29; 4. HR Sikora (Kozerski), 1:34. Second Half — 1. HR Annalie Werner (Kozerski), 35:47; 2. HR Kozerski (Limongelli), 33:39.

Shots — HR 20, HAN 0. Saves — HR 0, HAN 14. Corners — HR 6, HAN 0.

Boys Soccer

Wilkes-Barre Area 2, Lake-Lehman 0

Second Half — 1. WBA Johnny Mendola (Sam Reese), 53:22; 2. WBA Mendola (Robbie Miller), 60:38.

Shots — WBA 14, LL 15. Saves — WBA 15 (Joe Egidio), LL 12 (Andrew Chapple). Corners — WBA 6, LL 1.

The Abington Heights and Scranton Prep boys golf teams are headed back to the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association Championships.

The Comets and Cavaliers left no doubt with decisive victories in subregional championship matches Thursday at Fox Hill Country Club.

Abington Heights won in Class 3A boys, Scranton Prep won in Class 2A boys and Abington Heights fell short in Class 3A girls in the District 2-4 Subregional matches needed to determine spots in the six-team fields at the Oct. 23 state championships.

All of the participating teams had previously won district titles.

Robby Lucas led the way as Abington Heights routed Athens 318-357 in the Class 3A boys match.

Lucas, who later that night was named Homecoming king during ceremonies at the football game, shot an even-par, 35 on the front nine. He finished 3-over-par for the day.

The Comets, who were fifth in the state a year ago, got a 77 from Robert Munley, who had the team’s best back nine score with a 38.

Cade Kelleher added an 80 and Luke Swank an 87 in the format, which uses the best four scores out of five players. Robert Bingham shot a 90.

Athens was led by Dylan Saxon with an 80. Eli Hicks shot 90, Ty Owen 91, Brady Darrow 96 and Brooke Lyon 104.

Scranton Prep also won by 39 strokes, rolling over Mifflinburg 324-363 in Class 2A boys.

Brendan Bell led the way with a 76, breaking 40 on both sides when no other player in the match was able to do it once.

Ben Walsh had a pair of 40s for 80. Ben Boyanoski shot 40 on the back for an 83 and Cole Powell had 40 on the front for an 85. Jack Pavuk also posted an 85, which was the best score any Mifflinburg player could manage.

The Cavaliers placed third in the state last season.

Kamden Eicher had the 85 for Mifflinburg. Cub Dietrich shot 86, Wilson Abram 89, Addison Norton 103 and Remmington Noll 106.

Jersey Shore topped Abington Heights 278-287 in Class 3A girls.

Girls golf uses the top three scores. The Comets would have had the better score if four were used.

Cailyn Schall’s 79 proved to be the difference.

Mifflinburg also used a 96 by Kylie Schall and a 103 by Hannah Heaton. Gracelyn Harsanyi shot 114.

The Abington Heights score came from 94s by Kate Peters and Liz George and a 99 by Brianna Moffatt. Margot Grad shot 107 and Grace Bennett had a 129.

Abington Heights will play on the Penn State White Course at the state tournament while Scranton Prep plays on the Blue Course.

The majority of the players for the two schools in the team tournament will have already competed in the 36-hole individual championships Oct. 21-22.

CLARKS SUMMIT — Nick Bradley accounted for the first five touchdowns Thursday night, Oct. 10, as Abington Heights celebrated Homecoming with a 41-0 rout of visiting Wallenpaupack in a Lackawanna Football Conference Division 1 game.

Bradley ran for three scores in the second quarter, then passed for two touchdowns in the second half.

The win allowed Abington Heights to improve to 2-3 in the division and 4-4 overall.

The first Abington Heights possession ended in a Logan Downey interception, but the Comets scored on their remaining six drives, picking up 22 first downs along the way.

Abington Heights outgained Wallenpaupack, 192-67 on the ground, 226-76 through the air and 418-143 total.

Bradley led the way by hitting 17 of his 24 passes for 226 yards. He also picked up 29 yards on five carries, scoring on three straight attempts during the second quarter.

Shane Brower caught eight passes for 124 yards while also contributing five tackles and an assist on defense.

Shawn Theodore and Gavin Anders combined for the other nine catches and each had a touchdown.

Dom Vergnetti was the leading rusher with 17 carries for 74 yards.

Gavin Padula led the defense with six tackles and three assists.

Anders, Cayd Sespico, Vergnetti and Jocsan Muentes joined Padula and Brower by being involved in at least a half-dozen defensive stops each.

The only time Wallenpaupack got inside the 30, which did not occur until the Comets had a 34-point lead late in the third quarter, Rocco Sarafinko intercepted to end the threat.

Abington Heights called passes on the first eight plays of a 12-play, 68-yard drive that spanned parts of the first and second quarters.

Bradley was 3-for-7 for 50 yards on the drive, instead scrambled for four yards on one of the planned pass plays, then scored on a 1-yard sneak.

Wallenpaupack’s Logan Caruso blocked the kick.

The Comets increased the lead to 20-0 at halftime on the other two Bradley touchdown runs.

Abington Heights went 68 yards in six plays, the last of which was a 17-yard bootleg by Bradley. During the drive, Vergnetti carried three times for 21 yards and Bradley found Brower for completions of 12 and 16 yards.

Sespico stopped a third-and-two play for a loss to get the ball back for the Comets with 1:45 left in the half.

Bradley connected with Brower for 50 yards and again for 12 yards to the 4. From there, he looked to pass to the right, then scrambled to the left side and into the end zone to score with 13.6 seconds remaining.

Abington Heights took the second-half kickoff and moved 60 yards in 11 plays.

Bradley completed three third-down passes in the drive, including a 3-yard touchdown to Anders with 6:11 left in the third.

Abington Heights was 11-for-13 on third-down conversions and also picked up a fourth down on its only attempt.

The fourth-down conversion came in the next scoring drive.

Sarafinko returned his interception 34 yards, then the Comets moved 57 yards for the score.

Bradley found Theodore on the fourth down, then two third downs, one of which was a 13-yard touchdown.

The only quick strike by the Comets came when Tyler Sacks broke a 57-yard run up the middle on the second play of the last possession.

Xaiden Schock and Caruso led Wallenpaupack defensively. Schock had nine tackles, including one for a loss, and two assists. Caruso had six tackles and five assists.

The Buckhorns dropped their fourth straight to fall to 1-4 and 3-5.

SCOTT TWP. — Where else in Northeast PA can you go on a hayride while getting confronted by scary characters, walk through a haunted carnival, or brave a twisted asylum? You can find them all at Reaper’s Revenge on Green Grove Road.

This place, which was voted America’s Best Haunted Attraction, allows you to journey through five attractions for one price.

“We just went through every single attraction, and we have given the entire mountain a face lift,” said co-owner Todd Fedyshyn. “From start to finish, there wasn’t anything that we didn’t look at and just try to make it better, make the scenes better, lighting, audio, video, whatever it is. We kind of went more of a holistic approach to the whole mountain.”

Fedyshyn wanted to make the attractions organic and give it a “beautiful fall feel.” The lights are small and filled with lumens in order to give a bright night-time experience.

The haunted hayride lets you embark through 66 acres of forest as you sit on a tractor-pulled hay wagon. Watch for creatures and bloodthirsty zombies.

Next, take a walk through the Lost Carnival. Step right up as you go through tents inhabited by clowns, freaks and other oddities.

Then, delve into multiple dimensions where everything comes off the walls in the attraction called Delirium.

Then, enter a former light bulb factory in Pitch Black. This building is so dark you can’t even see the hand in front of your face. The back story is the factory owner loses his wife and employees after a horrible electric accident. The lights in the building never worked again, but a few brave souls have been reported to enter the building but were never seen again.

The last attraction is Sector 13. Escape cannibalistic mutants, who were made that way by a bio-nuclear attack. There is terror in every turn as you make your way through a maze of madness and mayhem.

Most of the props are in-house. Some of them are bought but Reaper’s Revenge puts their own twist to them.

“We have an amazing team that works all year to develop props and paint stuff,” said Fedyshyn. “We have an old artistry department that handles crafting, props, or different animations.”

A bonfire to sit around and listen to music gives an opportunity to warm up from the chills from the haunts and crisp weather. There are three nearby food joints to enjoy. Foods include pizza, hot dogs, and cheesesteaks.

New this year, Reaper’s Revenge has become more kid-friendly as children and parents can come over during the day and enjoy a family hayride called Lil Grim’s. An attendant on each wagon will tell a story. Children will receive a pumpkin before they leave. There are also food, face painting, ans paintball for extra charges.

This fun-filled adventure is available from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays in October. No infants are allowed. The experience is not recommended for children under age 5.

Before becoming a co-owner of Reaper’s Revenge, Fedyshyn built four other haunts with his family. He was first hired at Reaper’s 12 years ago as a second full-timer.

“If you work hard, you can make your dreams come true,” he said.

The Abington Heights girls turned in the strongest performance among the 18 District 2 teams that made the trip to Bethlehem for one of the state’s premier races.

Anna Pucilowski led the way for the Comets, placing 15th out of 345 in the Girls Gold race. The Gold races featured the strongest fields of the three races conducted for each gender.

Pucilowski’s time of 18:29.2 was the 17th best posted out of 1,034 girls that competed on the day.

Abington Heights finished sixth in the Gold field of 35 teams and runners from four other schools.

Haverford won with 138 points. The Comets had a score of 254.

Reese Morgan was 47th, Kiera Crowell 55th, Calli Gilboy 71st and Marley Gilboy 75th, all placing in the top 22 percent of the field to form the five-runner team score.

The Abington Heights girls are unbeaten in Lackawanna League dual meet competition this season.

Abington Heights was 12th out of 39 teams and third among the seven District 2 entries in the Boys Brown race.

Jack Shoemaker led the Comets, placing 68th out of 410.

Both Scranton Prep teams ran.

The Cavaliers were 30th in the Boys Brown race, but Vince O’Malley’s 30th-place finish was the second-best by a runner from District 2.

The Classics were 19th of 35 teams in Girls White.

Sophia Boland led the way by placing 63rd of 307.

WILKES-BARRE — A pair of dynastic runs in District 2 girls team tennis from a pair of Lackawanna Conference powers continued on Tuesday.

Scranton Prep held off top-seeded Wyoming Seminary to win the Class 2A district team championship, while Abington Heights was able to take down Wallenpaupack to hoist the Class 3A district title.

It was the third consecutive district title in girls tennis for Scranton Prep, which will now get to go defend its state championship from a year ago.

Abington Heights, meanwhile, collected its seventh straight district title on Tuesday, unbeaten in district tournament competition since a loss in the 2017 finals to Hazleton Area.

The Prep-Wyoming Seminary final was the fourth straight time the two schools met for a district championship, with Prep winning the last two and Seminary winning in 2021 on the way to a state title.

The Classics were able to make it a three-peat on Tuesday, with Alyssa Wigley and Emma Cuck cruising to wins in No. 2 and No. 3 singles.

The championship-clinching point came with an unfortunate injury forcing the Wyoming Seminary doubles team of Jophie Li and Kimi Li to retire in the No. 2 doubles match, awarding the match to their opponents Hannah LaCoe and Nicole Krakovich and the championship to Scranton Prep.

Krakovich and LaCoe had captured the first set 6-2, and Prep’s other doubles duo of Ella Cohen and Grace Devine was up a set when play was halted, putting the Classics in the driver’s seat.

Scranton Prep made their way back to the finals with a win over Wyoming Area in the semifinals, with three 6-0, 6-0 singles victories.

“I think our girls rose to the occasion, they all played extremely well,” said Scranton Prep head coach Kendra Croker Brunner.

Scranton Prep will head to the state tournament, starting on Oct. 22 against the District 11 champion, which has yet to be determined.

Wyoming Seminary breezed to the finals with a semifinal victory over Tunkhannock, but the top-seeded Blue Knights were toppled in the finals for their first District 2 loss of the year.

Ilana Rosenthal won the first set of her No. 1 singles match against Scranton Prep’s Lily Lengyel 6-0, and had a 5-3 lead in the second set before play was halted.

Rosenthal will look to singles competition next, with the District 2 girls tournament starting on Friday. The senior standout is not only the two-time defending District 2 champ, but a two-time defending PIAA champion as well.

“She’s ready anytime, anywhere …t he go is there, no matter what,” Wyoming Seminary coach Raphael Cooper said of Rosenthal. “I get one last year to watch her do her magic, and I hope she’s successful.”

The Comets, seeded second in the Class 3A field, first defeated Delaware Valley in the semifinals before turning away Wallenpaupack to bring home a seventh straight district title.

Wallenpaupack, the fourth seed, fought its way through to the finals by taking out top-seeded Crestwood in the semifinals, but the Buckhorns couldn’t end Abington Heights’ reign atop the district.

Susan Arp and Sona Hanumali got the ball rolling for Abington Heights with straight-set victories in the first two singles matches.

The clincher came from Mary Booth and Samantha Rosenstein, the Comets’ No. 1 doubles team, who took Victoria Latek and Cadance Danelski 6-3, 6-3 to seal the deal.

“It’s really fun to see the girls playing well and working hard,” Abington Heights coach Kelly Arp said. “They love playing together, and these girls have grown together as players every year, little by little.”

Abington Heights will open up the Class 3A state tournament on Oct. 22 against the second-place team from District 3.

District 2 Class 2A

Girls Tennis Championship

Scranton Prep 3, Wyoming Seminary 0

Singles — 1. Ilana Rosenthal (SEM) led Lily Lengyel 6-0, 5-3; 2. Alyssa Wigley (SP) def. Addison Priebe 6-0, 6-2; 3. Emma Cuck (SP) def. Elisabeth Moules 6-0, 6-2.

Doubles — 1. Ella Cohen/Grace Devine (SP) led Lizzie Weaver/Cecilia Pons 7-5, 1-0; 2. Hannah LaCoe/Nicole Krakovich (SP) def. Jophie Li/Kimi Li 6-2, 2-1 (retired, injury).

District 2 Class 3A

Girls Tennis Championship

Abington Heights 3, Wallenpaupack 0

Singles — 1. Susan Arp (AH) def. Sarah Niemiec 6-0, 6-3; 2. Sona Hanumali (AH) def. Alaina Burke 6-2, 6-3; 3. Amishi Amit (AH) led Olivia Kogan 7-6 (8).

Doubles — 1. Mary Booth/Samantha Rosenstein (AH) def. Victoria Latek/Cadance Danelski 6-3, 6-3; 2. Bernie Mullin/Jenna Follansbee (AH) led Soleil Wright/Samira Feller 6-4, 5-1.

Class 2A Semifinals

Wyoming Seminary 3, Tunkhannock 0

Singles — 1. Ilana Rosenthal (SEM) def. Molly Keiser 6-0, 6-0; 2. Addison Priebe (SEM) led Addy Pineau 6-2, 4-0; 3. Elisabeth Moules (SEM) led Tal Pineau 6-2, 1-0.

Doubles — 1. Lizzie Weaver/Cecilia Pons (SEM) def. Miranda Anderson/Ivy Jayne 6-0, 6-0; 2. Jophie Li/Kimi Li (SEM) def. Zoe Powers/Sarah Appleby 6-0, 6-2.

Scranton Prep 3, Wyoming Area 0

Singles — 1. Lily Lengyel (SP) def. Emma Kratz 6-0, 6-0; 2. Alyssa Wigley (SP) def. Molly Kratz 6-0, 6-0; 3. Emma Cuck (SP) def. Sarah Williams 6-0, 6-0.

Doubles — 1. Ella Cohen/Grace Devine (SP) led Erica Gilligan/Selena Nova 6-1, 3-0; 2. Hannah LaCoe/Nicole Krakovich (SP) led Natalie Leibman/Lily Kasa 6-1, 1-0.

Class 3A Semifinals

Wallenpaupack 3, Crestwood 0

Singles — 1. Hannah Ziegler (CRE) led Sarah Niemiec 6-4, 5-1; 2. Alaina Burke (WAL) def. Camerone Carlos 6-0, 6-1; 3. Olivia Kogan (WAL) led Ella Richards 6-1, 4-4.

Doubles — 1. Victoria Latek/Cadance Danelski (WAL) def. Paicey Clower/Darin Khuseyn 6-1, 6-1; 2. Soleil Wright/Samira Feller (WAL) def. Kendall Petrosky/Lucy Malia 6-1, 6-1.

Abington Heights 3, Delaware Valley 0

Singles — 1. Susan Arp (AH) vs. Noelle Holderith 6-3, 3-6; 2. Sona Hanumali (AH) def. Jessica Willson 6-3, 6-0; 3. Ceanna Williams (DV) led Amishi Amit 6-0, 3-4.

Doubles — 1. Mary Booth/Samantha Rosenstein (AH) def. Kate Tamplin/Emma Strickler 6-0, 6-0; 2. Bernie Mullin/Jenna Follansbee (AH) def. Michelle Zakharova/Ava Capeci 6-1, 6-4.

EXETER — The Pittston Area and Wyoming Seminary golf teams could have considered themselves warned.

Four days earlier in the District 2 Individual Championships at Elkview Country Club, Abington Heights had the top four scores in the entire Class 3A field, making the Comets a clear winner even if an all-star team had been created from the rest of the district, let alone in a matchup against one opponent.

Similarly, Scranton Prep was better than the rest of District 2 combined with four of the top five finishers in Class 2A.

Even a change of venue to Pittston Area’s home course and the presence of two reigning district champions and a defending state champion in the Wyoming Seminary lineup could not slow down the Comets and Cavaliers.

The two long-established Lackawanna League powers were dominant Friday at Fox Hill Country Club, establishing big leads on the front nine and extending them on the back nine.

Abington Heights stopped the winningest team in Pittston Area golf history 305-335 for the Class 3A title.

Scranton Prep won a meeting of unbeaten conference champions 304-331 over Wyoming Seminary in the Class 2A match.

The Cavaliers were third in the PIAA championships in Class 2A last season and the Comets were fifth in Class 3A with four of Friday’s five players in the lineup. Thus, they each arrived at Fox Hill with much higher aspirations.

Both will still need to get through a subregional match with District 4 champions to reach their six-team PIAA state fields and return to Penn State.

“These guys got their feet wet,” Abington Heights coach Frank Summa said. “This is basically the same team trying to go back. So, basically with all the seniors we have on the team now, going forward, they saw what it’s like.

“ … They saw the course for the first time last year. And, it should be to our advantage. We’re going to play that course on Monday and Tuesday (Oct. 21-22) with four of the (individual state qualifiers) and then, of course, play it again as a team on Wednesday.”

With postseason championship play underway, teams moved from their six-man lineups of the regular season to the five-team lineups used in PIAA tournaments. They still counted the best four as the team score.

Abington Heights wound up with the two lowest scores of its match with Pittston Area and all five Comets finished better than the second-best Patriot.

District individual champion Cade Kelleher led the way with a 73 and Robert Munley added a 74. Kelleher was even on the front, then Munley was even on the back as the only players to accomplish that in the 3A match.

Noah Gruber led Pittston Area with a 76.

“We called him our anchor,” Patriots coach Jason Miller said of Gruber, who was in the fifth spot, playing three foursomes behind the rest of the Class 3A match with the No. 5 players from each team, including Class 2A. “He’s been solid all season.”

Luke Swank and Robby Lucas had 79s for Abington Heights. Though his score was not used, Robert Bingham finished strong for an 83.

It was too much for the Patriots.

“The kids worked really hard to get to this point,” Miller said. “The last nine weeks of their lives have been putting in the time, the effort and the practice. They’ve been here grinding, hitting balls.”

Chris Scavo shot an 84, Andrew Nocito an 87 and Patrick Ruane an 88 to complete the Pittston Area score. Nick Cook shot a 98.

Scranton Prep’s Cole Powell shot the day’s only even-par round, with a 71. He was 2-under on the back, including birdies on 15 and 17 and seven birdies.

Powell got back to even par by bending in a 15-foot, left-to-right putt on 17, the course’s most difficult green.

“I felt pretty good,” Powell said. “On the front, I was struggling with putting, but on the back, I feel I did that pretty well. I got a lot of putts to fall.”

Brendan Bell added a 74, Jack Pavuk 79, Ben Walsh 80 and Ben Boyanoski 82.

District Class 2A girls champion Anna Zapletalova led Wyoming Seminary with a 73. Nick Werner, the district 2A boys champion and defending state champion, had the second-best back nine of the match with a 37 to wind up at 76 after a slow start, by his standards.

Ayden Wilkinson shot 87, J.P. Hay 95 and Leo Nockley 101 for the Blue Knights.

The Mountain View Garden Club recently visited the Cutler Botanic Garden in Binghamton, N.Y., which serves as an extension to Cornell University and a teaching center for horticulture and environmental issues.

From there, the club traveled to Gourdlania in Ithaca, N.Y., where they explored the garden and learned how gourds are grown and dried. The club members also had the opportunity to make something using a gourd such as a light, basket, pendant and more.

Anyone wishing to become a member and take advantage of the club’s meetings, events and environmental information can find the application at www.mountainviewgardenclub.org. Click on the “Membership Application” button.

LA PLUME — Countryside Conservancy announced its latest property acquisition, the 420-acre Peck Preserve in Lenox Township, Susquehanna County. This property features a 40-acre lake at the center with rock outcroppings and cliffs around the perimeter of the preserve.

Financial assistance for the purchase of the property was provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Bureau of Recreation and Conservation via the Keystone Recreation, Park and Conservation Fund. The sellers discounted the sale price by 50% to provide the match for the DCNR grant, and other related project costs were matched by the Eureka Foundation and the Robert H. Spitz Foundation (administered by the Scranton Area Community Foundation).

The property had been in the Peck Family for three generations dating back to the 1920s. Abigail Peck, on behalf of the sellers, commented, “After decades of wanting to somehow make my Mom and Dad’s dream come true, and honor my Grandparent’s intent when purchasing this property, of preserving this beautiful place, my family and the Countryside Conservancy have worked together for the last several years to finally make this dream come true!”

In the coming months, the conservancy will plan and build parking and sustainable hiking and biking trails, and the property will be open to the public once those features are in place.

To become a member and receive updates on the Peck Preserve and help Countryside do even more of this important work in Lackawanna, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties, visit countrysideconservancy.org.

Countryside Conservancy is a nonprofit land trust dedicated to protecting and connecting greenspace in and near the Tunkhannock Creek Watershed for public benefit now, and for future generations.

SCRANTON — Actors Circle will present “The Miss Firecracker Contest” by Beth Henley, at Providence Playhouse, 1256 Providence Road. Directed by Kandis Hill, show dates are Sept. 26-29 and Oct. 4-6. Thursday, Friday and Saturday performances start at 7 p.m., and Sunday performances start at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $15 for general admission, $12 for seniors and $10 for students. Thursday, Sept. 26 tickets are $10. Pay cash at the door or buy online at www.actorscircle.com. Call 570-342-9707 for reservations.

Presented through a special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service Inc., Actors Circle is supported in part by a grant from The Lackawanna County for the Arts and Culture.

This boisterous and bold comedy takes place as the summer air is beginning to heat up in Brookhaven, a rural town in Mississippi. Residents prepare with excitement for their annual Miss Firecracker Contest, a beauty and talent pageant held every summer on the Fourth of July.

The show is produced by Jeff Ginsberg and Linda C. Griffiths, with Ava Roberts as stage manager.

The play stars Jordan Joubert as Carnelle, Scott Madeline Giardina as Popeye Jackson, Britt Demming as Elain Rutledge, Kilber Rubio as Delmount Williams, Paul Kantor as Mac Sam, Poshi Walker as Tessy Mahoney and Jessica Fernbach as the understudy.

Through a new local initiative that begins in October 2025, art aficionados will be able to take a self-guided tour through a variety of art studios belonging to local artists. The initiative, which is aimed at bridging the gap between artists and the community, will also feature dedicated exhibits at the Gathering Place and the Waverly Community House. A variety of demonstrations will be held by the artists themselves in their own studios, and their work will be available for purchase.

“I think this is an important event for our community. We are lucky to have so many talented artists in our area. Supporting the arts is a big part of the Waverly Community House’s mission, so we are thrilled to be part of this event,” said Kathy Wright, program and events coordinator for Waverly Community House and committee member.

The tour will consist of travel from one studio or designated location to the next. Brochures will be provided, and information will also be available online.

Artists will hail from Clarks Summit, Clarks Green, Waverly Township, Dalton, Glenburn Township, Ransom Township, South Abington Township, Newton Township, and North Abington Township.

“This studio tour offers a special chance for the community to connect with the creative process and develop a deeper appreciation for the arts. It also allows for more personal, interactive engagement with artists. By supporting them through their patronage, community members help sustain their work, allowing artists to keep creating locally and enriching the area’s creative culture,” said Cunningham.

Supported mediums include painting, photography, pottery, glass, fiber art, sculpture and woodworking.

“Art is such a small word but its reach is infinite. Art creates wonder, it educates, it gives us a reason to contemplate and most of all it brings people together. It is a large part of the Gathering Place. Art has no prejudice against age, race, gender or ability. Everyone can enjoy art and everyone can create art. The Gathering Place is very excited to be part of this project,” said Dori Waters, president of The Gathering Place.

“Now is the time, as it has been for years, to follow the lead of other NEPA communities in launching our own annual art studio tour,” said Peter Hoffer, committee member. “Highlighting the many accomplished artists living and working among us will further enhance cultural life in the Abingtons. I can count over 20 active artists within a ten-mile radius of my home and studio in Waverly. Several artists are married couples and work at the same location. These local artists have all shown a lifetime dedication to their art and have received notable recognition. As a participating artist and longtime Abington resident, I am pleased to be a part of this promising and exciting project and look forward to the development.”

Entries open on Oct. 1, and the deadline to enter is Dec. 31. Those interested in applying can visit artoftheabingtons.com and fill out an application.

Artists must submit four photos of their art and one photo of their studio on the website. There is an application fee of $25.

The tour dates are planned for Aug. 15, 16 and 17, 2025. On Aug. 15, the scheduled time is 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. On Aug. 16 and 17, the scheduled time is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“I am very excited about this. I think the artist studio tour is a great way for working artists to connect with the community and share their work in a relaxed and inviting setting. It’s a chance for art lovers and collectors to discover beautiful pieces right in their own backyard, meet the artists behind the work and enjoy a memorable day out,” said Cunningham.

“You may not think you need to see it, but you do,” claims Christy Lemire, Roger Ebert film critic, and I agree wholeheartedly.

Based on a true story, “My Penguin Friend” will restore your faith in human nature, in this sweet and beautiful tale of the healing power of rescuing another creature in need and how it transforms a village, and you will be treated to the stunning scenery of the coastline from Argentina to Brazil. Take a break from the constant stream of news about the challenges of our present time and immerse yourself in a tale about human goodness.

”My Penguin Friend” is showing again at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 and at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7.

I am so glad I saw this gentle and inspiring film. You may need to see it, too.

Another Fall Film Festival winner is “Swan Song,” the story of Canadian ballerina Karin Kain, who was the popular star of the ballet Swan Lake for her whole career, who now is the director of a performance of that opera, giving her a chance to interpret it in new ways. Not only do we get a chance to see the backstage challenges of producing a ballet, but we also learn of the total joy and satisfaction of making it her own. Karin Kain sees the swans as abducted women and she also celebrates diversity by allowing all ballerinas to keep their own skin tones – two of the ways she changes the ballet.

You still have a chance to see it at noon on Tuesday, Oct. 8. Another beautiful story!

In addition to film festival, another very special event is a free showing of the 1953 film classic “The Big Heat” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29.

Sponsored by The Knee Center and Dr. David Cooper, it stars Glen Ford, Gloria Grahame and a young Lee Marvin, telling the story of Detective Dave Bannion who is investigating the suicide of a police official. He soon finds himself marked for death, leaving his family in mortal danger.

Thank you, Dr. Cooper for bringing this film to the big screen at the Dietrich Theater and making it free for all who attend.

Then on Saturday, Oct. 5, as Tunkhannock celebrates its Fall Fest, the Dietrich Theater will host a quilting presentation at 11 a.m. called “Airing of the Quilts” from the Collections of the Wyoming County Historical Society.

During this program, Lalaine Little will share with us how in the early twentieth century, Wyoming County was a vibrant center of creativity. In partnership with the Wyoming County Historical Society, the Pauly Friedman Art Gallery at Misericordia University displayed a selection of historical quilts from Northeastern Pennsylvania, and gallery director Little will take us on a journey through some well-known and unique patterns from this collection.

Admission is free, thanks to underwriting from the Endless Mountains Heritage Region and the Wyoming County Commissioners.

The Dietrich also has four beautiful quilts on display in the theater’s Earnshaw Gallery. They were hand-quilted and appliqued by Martha Miner of Tunkhannock. The late Debbie Rhinard of Tunkhannock had these quilts that her grandmother, Martha, made in her collection and after she passed, her estate decided to donate them to the Dietrich to help raise money for the theater, an organization that Debbie cared about deeply.

As someone who has dabbled in hand-quilting, I can tell you, Martha’s craftmanship and use of color are remarkable. These quilts will be displayed at the Dietrich through Nov. 11, when raffle winners are drawn.

In addition to beautiful quilts, the Dietrich will be filled with beautiful music that weekend with a classical guitar concert with Jay Steveskey at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6. During this program, Jay invites you to experience classical music from the Baroque Era through the 20th century, mixing traditional classics with familiar, popular favorites.

Admission is free and this concert is sponsored in memory of Jessie Reppy Keker by John P. Keker.

So whether you are interested in experiencing a film festival movie, a classic on the big screen, cultural presentations or live music, we do it all for you at the Dietrich.

Jewish Family Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania was one of the recipients of the 2024 Spring Community Needs Grant from the Scranton Area Community Foundation. The grant in the amount of $2,500 will assist with general operating support for JFS programs and services. From left: Laura Ducceschi, president/CEO of the Scranton Area Community Foundation; Arthur E. Levandoski, JFS Marketing & Development; Sheila Nudelman Abdo, JFS executive director; Heather Greene, JFS business manager; and Barbara O’Hara, Scranton Area Community Foundation board member.

ALIFT (Assisting Loggers Immediately Fund Trust) board members Mark and Connie Ridall, far left and far right, congratulate Brandon Groves and Chip Mertz during a fundraising event last month at Rock Mountain Sporting Clays in Meshoppen. The two had tied in the shooting competition, and ALIFT raised over $4,000.

The Scranton Chapter of UNICO National inducted its newest member at the monthly members meeting in Colarusso’s, Dickson City. From left: chapter president Mike Linko, sponsor Annette Strubeck, member Nicholas Muchisky, sponsor Alex Strubeck, membership chair and former national president Mary Marrara, and installing officer Chris DiMattio.

Clarks Summit Borough recently held a tire recycling event. From left are: Council President Germaine Carey; Borough Manager Virginia Kehoe; Councilwoman Kathleen Simrell; Abington Heights High School students Owen McVety, Ireayo Osuntokun, Ben Colarossi and Zack Riggall; and Councilwoman Roni Lopez.

Durkin elected to serve on ACCE board

Robert F. Durkin, president of The Greater Scranton Chamber of Commerce, has been elected to serve on the board of directors for ACCE, the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, an association of over 9,000 professionals who work for and with more than 1,300 chambers of commerce based out of Alexandria, VA.

Members of ACCE’s board of directors represent more than 50 organizations, including many of the world’s largest and most influential regional chambers of commerce.

“We are pleased to welcome Bob Durkin to the ACCE Board of Directors,” said Sheree Anne Kelly, ACCE president & CEO. “Durkin’s expertise and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to optimize our industry’s opportunities and leverage the ever-growing momentum for innovation, catalytic leadership, and economic vitality within our communities.”

Smith Hourigan Group joins Classic Properties

The Smith Hourigan Group founded in 1975 by Ruth K. Smith and part of the Century 21 brand for 45 years has joined Classic Properties as of Aug. 1. Kevin Smith and David Hourigan, both owners and brokers of the previous firm, will continue in management with Classic Properties.

Steve Farrell, the owner and broker of Classic Properties said, “We are delighted to bring Kevin and David and their successful agents and staff into the Classic Properties team. Together we will better serve homeowners and buyers throughout the area. Adding the Smith Hourigan Group with its history in Luzerne County to our strength in Lackawanna, Monroe, and Wyoming Counties increases our reputation as the listing leader in the region.”

Kevin Smith said, “David and I are proud to continue our service to generations of customers under the Classic Properties name. Classic offers our agents and clients advanced technology and a larger base to achieve quicker and enhanced success.”

David Hourigan added, “After many years of serving clients in this area, I’m delighted to work with Steve Farrell’s team and offer our customers the benefit of a larger, nationally and internationally connected real estate firm.”

With the merger, Classic Properties now boasts over 180 agents and staff in six regional offices of northeast PA. The expanded firm has an annual sales volume of $365 million. It will serve customers from offices in Kingston, Mountain Top, Shavertown, Clarks Summit, North Pocono and the Pocono Mountains. The Classic name has been synonymous with marketing Northeast PA’s most valuable properties since 1983.

Four from Foley Law Firm recognized

The 31st edition of The Best Lawyers in America has been released and four lawyers from The Foley Law Firm are included in this year’s edition.

Thomas J. Foley Jr. has been recognized in Best Lawyers since 2010. He has achieved recognition this year in four categories: Medical Malpractice Law – for Plaintiffs; Personal Injury Litigation – for Plaintiffs; Railroad Law; and Workers’ Compensation Law – for Claimants.

Kevin P. Foley has been recognized in Best Lawyers since 2016. He has achieved recognition this year for Litigation – Insurance; Medical Malpractice Law – for Plaintiffs; and Personal Injury Litigation – for Plaintiffs.

Michael J. Foley has been recognized in Best Lawyers since 2010. He has achieved recognition this year for Medical Malpractice Law – for Plaintiffs; Personal Injury Litigation – for Plaintiffs; and Workers’ Compensation Law – for Claimants.

Thomas J. Foley III has been recognized in Best Lawyers since 2019. He has achieved recognition this year for Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs.

Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America is determined through a comprehensive peer-review survey.

Elan Skilled Nursing and Rehab welcomes executive director

Elan Skilled Nursing and Rehab announces the appointment of Executive Director Rasonia Nicholes. Nicholes joins Elan with more than 20 years of experience in nursing and long-term care leadership. She replaces longtime Executive Director Mary Rose Applegate, who retired earlier this year after more than 40 years of service.

“I am excited to join the team at Elan, and I look forward to working with the staff to position this facility as the number one senior care provider and the employer of choice in the area,” Nicholes said.

Nicholes most recently served as vice president of clinical services for a retirement community, providing clinical oversight for three long-term care facilities and two personal care homes, as well as clinical consulting for four independent living facilities. Over the course of her career, she has held roles as a nursing home administrator, director of nursing, nursing instructor, adjunct faculty clinical instructor, and director of care delivery.

Nicholes is a Registered Nurse, Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, Licensed Personal Care Home Administrator, and a Certified Dementia Practitioner. She earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Mountain State University and a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Phoenix.

Wright Center doctor honored

Dr. Jignesh Y. Sheth, senior vice president and chief medical and information officer at The Wright Center for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education, was selected as a 2024 Trailblazer in Building and Infrastructure by City and State Pennsylvania.

The multimedia news organization acknowledged Dr. Sheth’s visionary leadership, strategic planning, research and meticulous attention to detail in transforming 10 buildings across Lackawanna, Luzerne and Wayne counties into The Wright Centers’ welcoming and comprehensive community health centers.

“I’m honored to be recognized as a 2024 Trailblazer in Building and Infrastructure,” said Dr.Sheth, who is dual board-certified in internal medicine and addiction medicine. “This achievement reflects the collective efforts of our dedicated team, who share a commitment to creating spaces that truly serve our communities’ needs. Our goal has always been to ensure that our health centers are not just functional but also welcoming environments where patients feel valued and cared for. This recognition is a testament to the power of collaboration, thoughtful design, and a patient-centered approach in transforming health care delivery.”

City and State also highlighted Dr. Sheth’s focus on blueprints and designs, such as selecting the soothing color schemes of waiting and examination rooms, fiscal responsibility and contractor coordination, as well as how he oversaw the projects while continuing to provide care to his own patients and ensuring that The Wright Center’s community health centers maintained uninterrupted services despite the extensive construction. Dr. Sheth sees adult patients at The Wright Center’s Mid Valley location in Jermyn.

Dr. Sheth earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery with honors in biochemistry, medicine and public health in 2004 from Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College in Wardha, India. He later received a Master of Public Health with a specialization in health promotion in 2006 from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.

After completing his internal medicine residency in 2009 through the Scranton-Temple Residency Program, now The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education, Dr. Sheth joined The Wright Center as an internal medicine primary care physician and lead physician for population management and reporting.

The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) recently presented the 2024 Innovative Research in Primary Care Award to Dr. Sheth. The award, which honors a health center clinician who has been active in primary care research or evaluation in community practice, prevention, public health, care coordination, or the clinical practice of medical services, was presented during NACHC’s 2024 Community Health Institute (CHI) & Expo Conference held Aug. 24-26 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Dr. Sheth and his wife, Hetal Sheth, live in Clarks Summit with their children, Zian, 9, and Jiaa, 5.

North Branch Land Trust names director

North Branch Land Trust is announced the advancement of Emma Thompson as its conservation and stewardship director. Thompson joined the Land Trust in 2023, bringing with her a dedication to conservation and a drive to inspire others with the same passion.

With a robust background in conservation and stewardship, Thompson has worked in environmental consulting and served as a forester with the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of Forestry. She holds a graduate degree in forestry and an undergraduate degree in public and urban affairs with a focus on public policy, leadership, and social change from Virginia Tech.

“In her year at North Branch Land Trust, Emma has shown a desire and ability to learn the mission and how best to carry it forward. Emma has developed a good rapport with current and prospective easement landowners, our members, visitors,committee members and the Board. Emma’s professional experience allowed her to hit the ground running with the various aspects of this position and this advancement to Director will allow her to engage in even more ways to conserve and steward our precious lands and waters in Northeast Pennsylvania,” said Ellen Ferretti, executive director.

Thompson’s work will encompass engaging private landowners to aid them in permanently conserving their forests, farms, meadows and waters throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. Since her start at North Branch Land Trust, Thompson has helped conserve 200 acres through private conservation easements. Thompson will also oversee the annual monitoring of conserved lands and preserves, implement management plans and collaborate with Land Trust staff to enhance visitor and educational experiences at the Trust’s preserves.

“I am proud to be advancing in my role at North Branch Land Trust. This organization does incredibly impactful work for all people not just our landowners and I am excited and honored to be a part of that mission,” Thompson said.

Outside of her professional life, Thompson enjoys embracing Pennsylvania’s outdoors with her dogs, as well as hiking, hunting, biking and kayaking.

IM and pediatrics physician joins Wright Center

Dr. Stephen S. Long Jr., an internal medicine-pediatrics (Med-Peds) physician, recently joined The Wright Center for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education. He is now accepting patients of all ages at two of The Wright Center for Community Health’s primary care community health centers.

Dr. Long is available for appointments at The Wright Center for Community Health’s Clarks Summit primary care center, 1145 Northern Blvd., South Abington Township, on Mondays and Tuesdays and the Mid Valley primary care center, 5 S. Washington Ave., Jermyn, from Wednesdays through Fridays.

To schedule an appointment with Dr. Long, visit TheWrightCenter.org or specifically call the Clarks Summit location at 570-585-1300 or the Mid Valley location at 570-230-0019.

A member of the American College of Physicians, American Academy of Pediatrics, and National Med-Peds Resident Association, Dr. Long received his medical degree from the Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. He returned to Northeast Pennsylvania after completing his Med-Peds residency at MaineHealth Maine Medical Center in Portland. A Bethlehem, Pennsylvania native, he earned his Bachelor of Science in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology and philosophy from the University of Scranton.

Dr. Long has also embraced an institutional academic leadership role in faculty development which will allow him to thoughtfully guide and contribute to the professional growth and development of his physician colleagues, while fostering an environment of continuous lifelong learning and improvement.

Dr. Long lives in Moscow with his wife, Juliette Meyers, an Archbald native recently hired by The Wright Center for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education as an art therapist. A Valley View High School graduate, she received a master’s degree in art therapy and a bachelor’s degree in communications and media studies from Marywood University.

SCRANTON — The Wright Center for Community Health hosted a ribbon cutting and open house on Tuesday, Sept. 3, to celebrate the opening of its newest community health center in Dickson City.

The new full-service, family-friendly office at 312 Boulevard Ave. opened for patient care on Tuesday, Sept. 3, with a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house. Along with members of the public, Dickson City Borough councilmen Jack Horvath and Richard Cesari; Borough Manager Cesare Forconi; Drew Popish, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s northeast regional director; and Thom Welby, state Rep. Bridget Malloy Kosierowski’s district director, attended the event.

Doctors Supriana Bhandol and Ajit Pannu, who will lead the new location, offered health center tours during the open house. Both doctors are graduates of The Wright Center for Graduate Medical Education’s Regional Family Medicine Residency and began providing care to patients at The Wright Center for Community Health in Scranton in November.

The new location occupies the former medical offices of doctors Cynthia M. Oleski and Giovanni Ramos. After deciding to relocate, the doctors contacted The Wright Center, which has been providing responsive and inclusive whole-person primary health services across the region for decades, to ensure that patients would not experience any interruptions in care.

The Wright Center for Community Health in Dickson City will be open 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, offering affordable, comprehensive whole-person primary health services for people of all ages, from pediatrics to geriatrics. Services will include checkups, physicals, screenings, treatment of common illnesses and injuries, and more. To make an appointment, call 570-489-4567 or visit TheWrightCenter.org.

In addition to the Dickson City location, The Wright Center also opened its first primary care community health center in Wyoming County on Monday, Sept. 9, at the former Tyler Memorial Hospital, 5950 U.S. Route 6, Suite 401, Tunkhannock. With these new locations, The Wright Center will operate 12 community health centers, including a mobile medical and dental unit called Driving Better Health, serving patients of all ages, income levels, and insurance statuses in Northeast Pennsylvania.

The Wright Center for Community Health offers a sliding-fee discount program. Based on a family’s size and income level, the program reduces barriers to care and ensures everyone has access to affordable, whole-person primary health services.

“Empower Her seeks to inspire and inform women who are interested in becoming more involved in their communities, whether that is getting involved in advocacy efforts or running for office,” said JoyAnna S. Hopper, director of the University’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service and associate professor of political science. “The program’s focus is on helping women in NEPA see the value that their lived experiences can bring to government and activism, and to help women to figure out how to use their day-to-day experiences, education, and skillsets to become more involved.”

According to Dr. Hopper, women continue to be underrepresented in politics at the national, state and local levels.

“We know that this underrepresentation is partly due to fewer programs and opportunities focused on encouraging and helping women to run for office. A healthy democracy is one that includes fair representation for women and women’s issues. Programs like Empower Her and Ready to Run are aimed at helping us get closer to a more effective and representative government in NEPA,” said Dr. Hopper.

Empower Her is part of the Ready to Run Northeastern Pennsylvania (NEPA) program that is run by Scranton’s Center for Ethics and Excellence in Public Service, in collaboration with the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University, which offers non-partisan, campaign training programs that target women in in Bradford, Carbon, Columbia, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Monroe, Montour, Northampton, Northumberland, Pike, Schuylkill, Sullivan, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming counties.

The participation fee for Empower Her: Political Pathways for Women is $15. Some scholarships are available, and students can attend free of charge. The event will take place in room 405 of the DeNaples Center on campus.

To register, visit scranton.edu/readytorun or email ceeps@scranton.edu.