4 NEPA women break stigma of pole dancing with new Scranton studio opening Oct. 30

From a press release: A studio specializing in an often misunderstood art form, pole dancing, will open soon in downtown Scranton. Four local women – Ashley Matthews of Dunmore, Anjannette Roczniak of Old Forge, Shyla Lintz of Pittston, and Francesca Goldsack of Gouldsboro – teamed up in the depths of the COVID-19 pandemic to open […]
Scranton Fringe Festival hosts COVID-19 vaccine clinic at AfA Gallery on April 22

From a press release: The Scranton Fringe Festival is partnering with the Rite Aid of Hamlin to host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic for the general public on Thursday, April 22 at the AfA Gallery in downtown Scranton from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. A minimum of 200 doses of the Pfizer vaccine will be administered by representatives […]
Historic Hawley building becomes the Hawley Hub for art, theatre, dance, yoga, and more

From a press release: The Hawley Hub, an innovative new project taking place in downtown Hawley, is putting out a call for all dreamers, makers, movers, shakers, and self-recreators. The Hawley Hub has reclaimed the old Murray building on Main Avenue as a multi-purpose space for the community with an emphasis on the arts and […]
La Festa Italiana in Scranton canceled due to coronavirus concerns

First it was the Scranton St. Patrick’s Parade – then the coronavirus came for the Italian Festival. This morning, Lackawanna County and festival organizers announced that La Festa Italiana, scheduled for Sept. 4-7 on Courthouse Square in downtown Scranton, has been canceled. The massively popular Labor Day weekend event typically brings more than 80 food […]
Staying safe as states start to reopen and assessing risk when reconnecting with friends and family

Editor’s note: Now that states are relaxing social distancing restrictions, people desperately want to see friends and family, go to a restaurant, and let our kids have playdates. Even grocery shopping sounds fun. But how can you do that and still stay safe? Here, an epidemiologist who is immune-compromised himself walks you through some decision-making. […]
How to shop safely at the grocery store amid the coronavirus pandemic

Wear a mask, but skip the gloves. Don’t sanitize the apples. And if you are older than 65, it’s probably best to still order your groceries online. As a food virologist, I hear a lot of questions from people about the coronavirus risks in grocery stores and how to stay safe while shopping for food […]
How drawing helped a Penn State professor cope with his mental illness and combat stigma

I’ve lived much of my life with anxiety and depression, including the negative feelings – shame and self-doubt – that seduced me into believing the stigma around mental illness: that people knew I wasn’t good enough, that they would avoid me because I was different or unstable, and that I had to find a way […]