WingFest XIX to benefit Volunteer Hose Company of Throop

In what has become a Super Bowl day tradition, the Volunteer Hose Company of Throop will host its annual WingFest XIX fundraiser Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the fire hall, 401 Dunmore St., Throop.

WingFest XIX is organized by the fire company’s members and volunteers.

“WingFest is one of our largest fundraisers of the year and plays a vital role in supporting our volunteer fire company and the services we provide to the borough and surrounding areas,” said Jeremy Jarrow, vice president of Volunteer Hose Company of Throop, in an email.

The event features fresh wings from local vendors, cooked the day of WingFest. For a $15 donation, each wing order includes blue cheese and celery. A special Party Pan deal, featuring 50 wings for a $60 donation, will also be offered. Orders are takeout-only.

In addition to wings, draft beer will be available inside the hall, with consumption permitted in the hall only. The event will also include raffle baskets and gift card raffles throughout the day.

Tickets can be purchased by contacting any member of the Volunteer Hose Company of Throop or by donating via Venmo at @VHCT_27. Those purchasing tickets through Venmo are asked to include their choice of wing sauce in the notes. Walk-in tickets will also be available at the door, but presales are strongly recommended.

For more information and updates, follow the Volunteer Hose Company of Throop at its Facebook page, Throop 27 Engine & Rescue, and on Instagram at @27rescue.

County seeks public comment on plan for safer roads, travel

Lackawanna County seeks public input on a new “road map” for safer streets with a goal of halving the number of fatal and severe crashes throughout the county over the next 20 years.

The countywide initiative called “Safe Streets Lackawanna” aims to create a safer, more accessible transportation system for vehicle drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit riders, according to an announcement of the new plan.

Available online at lackawannacounty.org, the plan is open for public comment through Feb. 23. Comments can be submitted via email to Lackawanna County Planning Director Mary Liz Donato at donatoml@lackawannacounty.org.

Supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets for All (SS4A) program, the 107-page plan and two lengthy appendices “uses data, engineering best practices and community input to guide strategic safety investments,” and it has a goal of reducing by 50% the number of fatal and severe-injury crashes in the county by 2045, according to the announcement.

From 2019-2023, there were 399 “high-injury” crashes in the county that resulted in a fatality or serious injury. These included 87 fatal crashes and 312 serious-injury crashes. A 50% reduction in such high-injury crashes is an “ambitious and achievable” call to action aligning with the Federal Highway Administration’s Safe System Approach and Pennsylvania’s Strategic Highway Safety Plan; setting the goal will provide direction for policy, planning and investment decisions that will prioritize projects and programs that have the greatest potential to save lives and reduce harm, the plan says.

Catholic Choral Society of Scranton to hold Lenten concert

In a 70-year tradition, the Catholic Choral Society of Scranton will present its annual Lenten Concert on Sunday, March 1, at 3 p.m. at Shavertown United Methodist Church,163 N. Pioneer Ave., Shavertown.

In addition to the Choral Society, the concert will feature selections by the parish choir of Shavertown Methodist Church, under director Nancy Evans.

The concert is open to the public free of charge. There will be a good-will offering.

The Catholic Choral Society, marking its 70th season, is composed of 50 members from Luzerne, Lackawanna, Wayne, Susquehanna and Wyoming counties who will perform inspirational music in the Lenten tradition of the March concerts. Ann Manganello is music director and Linda Houck is accompanist.

Lois Ostrowski, Pittston, and Brenda Grunza, Nicholson, are co-presidents of the Catholic Choral Society. Board members assisting the co-presidents include Nancy Flannery, librarian, Kingston; Sheila O’Brien, Dunmore; Barbara Barrett, Dunmore; Kate Conaboy, Archbald; Rich Gibbons, Hunlock Creek; Connie Schulte, Clifford Twp., and Chris Koster, White Haven.

For more information, call 570-575-1040 and visit catholicchoralsociety.org.

Greater Scranton YMCA receives grant from Les Paul Foundation

The Greater Scranton YMCA  received a grant from the Les Paul Foundation for its Music Education and Guitar Lesson Program for children enrolled in the Y’s Before and After School Program.

The program will combine music education with hands-on guitar lessons, giving students the opportunity to explore their creativity while building self-confidence through the power of music.

“At the Y, we believe in nurturing the potential of every child and teen, and music is a powerful tool for that growth,” said Rich Surridge, president and CEO, Greater Scranton YMCA, in a news release. “Music education inspires creativity, builds confidence, and gives young people a voice. Through programs like this, rooted in our core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility, we’re creating safe, inclusive spaces where youth can thrive, belong and discover who they are. This is how we strengthen our communities and live out our mission each day.”

For more information about the Music Education and Guitar Lesson Program at the Greater Scranton YMCA, contact Brandon Whipple, senior program director, at bwhipple@gsymca.org.

Johnson College receives $3,000 Swipe Out Hunger grant

Johnson College has been awarded a $3,000 grant from Swipe Out Hunger to strengthen food security support for its campus community.

The funding will enhance the Refuel Station, Johnson College’s food and resource pantry. The Refuel Station is available to students, staff and faculty and currently provides access to non-perishable foods, pantry staples and guidance related to local food insecurity resources.

With this grant, the college will be able to supplement the variety of foods provided by the Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank, purchase additional shelving to expand storage capacity and acquire a mini-fridge to safely store dairy and other perishable items.

Swipe Out Hunger is a national nonprofit focused on addressing food insecurity among college students.