Shawna, one of the beneficiaries of the new St. Joseph's Center Adult Day facility in Luzerne County, is pictured during the program's dedication ceremonies held this spring. She is surrounded by, from left, Marilee Bamford-Barone, Jennifer Mackey, Donna Wilce, Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, and John Cognetti. Last summer, St. Joseph's made the decision to expand Adult Day services the Wilkes-Barre area to meet the needs of individuals residing in Luzerne County.

Shown above during the recent dedication and blessing of St. Joseph's Center new Adult Day Program facility, located on Laird St. in Wilkes-Barre, are, from left: Peter Kanton, board member; Ann Rink, administrator of Community Programs; Father William Pickard, chaplain; John Graham, board member; Jennifer Mackeg director of Adult Day Programs; Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, president and CEO of St. Joseph's Center; Maryellen Desiderio, administrator of ICF/IVIR; Robert Gordon, vice president and CFO, St. Joseph's Center; and Atty. Joseph Price, board member.

WILKES-BARRE – St. Jospeh’s Center has a history of providing day options for individuals who have reached the age of 21 and have graduated their school-age educational programs.
The Center operates a program for 30 individuals at the Main Campus in Scranton. In 2003, the program expanded to accommodate an additional 90 clients at the South Blakely Street Campus in Dunmore.

This past May, St. Joseph’s formally dedicated it’s new Wilkes-Barre program, with the capacity to serve 30 individuals with severe profound intellectual disabilities, including some who may use wheelchairs for mobility.

The primary focus of the program is to enhance individual self-care and activities of daily living skills and to expand community-based opportunities.

“St. Joseph’s Center is pleased be able to provide Adult Day Program Services that accommodate the needs of individuals who reside in Luzerne County,” said Immaculate Heart of Mary Sister Maryalice Jacquinot, President and CEO.
For more information on the Luzerne County campus, call (496-4200 or 208-4457).

*Published in The Catholic Light, July 28th, 2011

Board members of Lourdesmont School gather to plan a celebrity bartender night at Bistocchi’s Restaurant, Dunmore, scheduled Thursday, 5 to 7 pm. Celebrity bartenders will include Dunmore Mayor Patrick Loughney, Vinny O’bell from Penn Security Bank, attorney Frank Castellano, John Mackey of Flowers by John Mackey, John and Dave Perry of Perry’s General Contracting and Jimmy Haggerty of Joyce, Jackman and Bell Insurance. Proceeds will benefit Lourdesmont.

 From Left: Karen Thomas; Marilee Barone; John A. Antognoli, Ed.D, executive administrator; Mr. Haggery; Alice Vanston; and Sister Monica Nowak, coordinator of administrative services.

“Board Member John Cognetti and Shannon Trivett of Hinerfeld Commercial Real Estate have udated our website to include much more information. Check it out: www.stfranciskitchen.org”

John Cognetti Contributes to Scout Troop 66

POWER! (Proffesionals Organized and Working to Enrich the Region) Scranton recently gathered at Pennstar Bank inside The Mall at Steamtown to celebrate the holiday season. From left are, Heather Ryder, Assistant Branch Manager, Melissa Rosiecki, Business Banking Officer, and Jessica Warholic, Retail Branh Managment Trainee, all to Pennstar Bank

More then 60 POWER! members gathered at the event where monetary and toy donations were collected. The Marines were present to accept the donations from POWER! members. From left are, Cpl. Jose L. Pepin, Daniel and Michele LaMagna and Cpl. Joshua Anderson.

Networking at the event from left are, Jonathan Kalasinski, Assistant Manage, Sandone Tire Car Care Centers; Julie Ropoach, corporate sales, Woodlands Inn & Resort; and Michael Detter, Senior Associate, Hinerfeld Commercial Real Estate.

St. Francis of Assisi Kitchen recently honored its volunteers who help prepare and serve the daily free meal to to area needy. The kitchen board of directors hosted an appreciation dinner for the volunteers and board members served the meal. The event featured a full-course menu, entertainment, gifts and prizes. From left are, seated, Gloria and John Dee, Pat Dalton, Walter and Lilliam Dever; standing, Pat and Ann Lavelle, Jon Johns, Avi Ruzi, Joan Halle, Dorthy Ruzi, Blanche Tomaselli, Jerry Johns; and Judy Cosgrove, board member.

Enjoying dinner are, from left are, seated, Suzanne Druffner, Verna Burke, Vera Hughes, Stella Darcy and Richard Calomino; standing, Dr. Jospeh Kelly, Board President; Monsignor Joseph P. Kelly, Director; and Lisa Davis, board member.

Also enjoying the event are, from left, seated, Mary Ann Preskin, Ellen Dorse, Rose Ann Twosend and Andy Semprat; standing, Barbara Green; John Cognetti, board member; Peggy Howley and Ed Katusak.