Bergstrom and Riley marry

CALLICOON, NY — Kate Bergstrom and Mike Riley were married on July 1 at Seminary Hill. Mauricio Salgado served as the officiant.

The daughter of Randy and Debra Bergstrom of Goleta, CA, the bride is a freelance theater director and creator, director of the Big Eddy Film Festival and an executive coach at Stand and Delivery.

The groom is the associate director of data anlytics at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and the son of the late Ann Ferry-Riley, and Thomas Riley of New York, NY.

Crispy, the dog, served as the flower girl, while Connor Katz was the ringbearer.

Ushers were Kayla Arnold Lyons, Elle Arnold, Cooper Sowle and Erik Cooper Sowle.

The couple spent their honeymoon in Bermuda and is at home in North Branch.

Mike Riley, left, and Kate Bergstrom were married on July 1.

Baking triumphs in Wayne County

HONESDALE, PA — Local home bakers recently competed in the baking contests at the Wayne County Fair. 

The winners of the Homemade Chocolate Cake Contest were: 

First place—Stephanie Powers of Honesdale

Second place—Diane Rickard of Honesdale

Third place—Karla Smith of Lake Ariel 

Taking home the prizes in the Incredible Angel Food Cake Contest were: 

First place—Diane Rickard of Honesdale

Second place—Tiffany Tyler of Honesdale

Third place—Shelley L. Robinson of Lake Ariel 

The prize-winners in the Blue Ribbon Apple Pie Contest were: 

First place—Stephanie Powers of Honesdale

Second place—Alisa Rickard of Honesdale

Third place—Karla Smith of Lake Ariel 

And finally, the top bakers in the PA Preferred Junior Baking, for cookies, brownies and bars:

First place—Irene Smith of Honesdale

Second place—Emma Preble of Honesdale

Third place—Truly Zablocky of Forest City 

All first-place winners are now eligible to compete at the 2024 farm show. 

The baking this year was amazing at the Wayne County Fair.

Dime Bank awards scholarships

HONESDALE, PA — The Dime Bank has awarded scholarships to six students from area high schools, based on their academic and leadership capabilities.

The schools the students hailed from include Wallenpaupack, Wayne Highlands, Delaware Valley, Carbondale Area, Scranton and West Scranton. 

The students must be furthering their education in the field of business, economics, finance, management or accounting to be eligible for the Dime Bank Directors Award Scholarship. Each senior received $1,000 to attend the college of their choice. 

WVIA wins four NETA Public Media Awards

PITTSTON, PA — The National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) has announced that WVIA has won four Public Media Awards in several different categories. 

The Public Media Awards honor work in community engagement, content, education and marketing and communications. 

WVIA’s works were selected as winners in the following categories: Education Resources for the Community, Cultural Feature, Integrated Marketing Campaign and Promotion.

WVIA’s original documentary “ROAR: The Story of the Southern Columbia Football Tigers,” released on May 12, won awards in Integrated Marketing Campaign and in Promotion.

“Careers that Work” won in the category of Education Resources for the Community. It is available in both English and Spanish.

WVIA’s short-take “It’s More Than Hair” won in the cultural feature category. The category recognizes media productions with dramatic impact of a condition or situation of historical significance. “It’s More Than Hair” is a celebration of Black hair and how acceptance of hairstyles historically linked to Black culture can foster community in NEPA. 

Learn more about WVIA and the awards at www.wvia.org/. 

PEEC awarded American Water Charitable Foundation Grant

DINGMANS FERRY, PA — Pocono Environmental Education Center (PEEC) has been awarded an American Water Charitable Foundation 2023 Water and Environment grant, supporting its work to provide local and regional students with educational programs focused on watershed stewardship. 

The grant is part of the American Water Charitable Foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program. The foundation, a 501(c)3 organization established by American Water, the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., aims to support high-impact projects and initiatives that further American Water’s commitment to ESG, as well as inclusion, diversity and equity.

Learn more about PEEC’s mission and community impact at www.peec.org. 

When a crisis means you can’t get to work

WAYNE COUNTY, PA — The Wayne County Community Foundation (WCCF) has received a $5,000 grant from the PPL Foundation. These funds will support community-empowering initiatives through the foundation’s Worker Crisis Fund. 

The Worker Crisis Fund is a partnership between the the WCCF and the Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance. The fund provides support to individuals running into barriers to employment that aren’t supported through other state and federal programs, such as car repairs and employment support.

“A little boost, in times of need, can make a major difference in the lives of local families,” said WCCF community grant writer Derek Williams. “Whether facing unexpected medical expenses, vehicle repairs or other barriers to employment, the Worker Crisis Fund and our collaborative partnership with the Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance can remove these hurdles for our neighbors experiencing economic hardships. We’d like to thank the PPL Foundation for their support of the Worker Crisis Fund and area workers in need of a hand.”

“We sincerely appreciate the support from PPL Foundation to ensure that barriers to employment are broken down for Wayne County residents,” said Ryanne Jennings, president/CEO of the WCCF.

To learn more about the Worker Crisis Fund or to make a donation to support the fund, visit www.waynefoundation.org/funds/worker-crisis-fund. 

The PPL Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization formed to support community initiatives in the areas served by PPL Corporation’s utilities. It supports nonprofit organizations that are engaged in innovative and groundbreaking work to create vibrant, sustainable communities; advance diversity, equity and inclusion; and support children’s success from cradle to career in both Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Learn more at pplcares.com. Learn more at www.pplcares.com.  

Wayne/Pike Farm Bureau sponsors farm tour

LAKE ARIEL, PA — Thirty-five Farm Bureau members and friends gathered at Kim and Andrew’s Farm Market for a Legislative Farm Tour on August 16.

Owner Andrew Gadomski led the group through the vegetable fields and high tunnels of Grapevine Hill Farms, where produce of all kinds is grown for sale at the stand.

 Legislators joining the tour were Rep. Joe Adams; Doug Miller, aide to Sen. Rosemary Brown; and County Commissioners Brian Smith, Jocelyn Cramer and James Shook.

Bedford takes reins as Monti assistant principal

MONTICELLO, NY — In 2008, Elizabeth Bedford began her teaching career at Monticello as a student teacher. Now, with nearly 15 years of teaching experience under her belt, she has returned to the district as assistant principal of the Robert J. Kaiser Middle School.

Bedford has taught a variety of grade levels, from elementary through high school, at Sacred Heart School in Newburgh, and the Enlarged City School District of Middletown. 

She holds multiple degrees in education.

“Being an educator at all levels has helped to prepare me for how to best empower our students to succeed,” she said. “Likewise, I have always collaborated with my colleagues in order to best prepare the students for the future. I am excited to collaborate with all the stakeholders to ensure the best academic and social outcomes for our students.”

Although her student teaching time in Monticello was short, it made an indelible impression on her, and she is happy to return to where her career began.

“I was fortunate enough to be a student teacher at Emma Chase Elementary School,” she said. “I was welcomed by the administrators, students, teachers, staff and families. I didn’t realize how rare that was until later in my career, and always thought about my time at Monticello fondly.”

With experience in elementary, middle and school levels under her belt, she realized she wanted to make a bigger impact. 

“It is truly a full circle moment for me to have begun my teaching career in the district and now start my leadership career. I am excited to be a part of the Monticello family again.”

She wants to make the school “a safe, positive, inclusive and welcoming environment for all students and families,” she said. “Likewise, I hope to further strengthen relationships with families and the community to create a collaborative educational experience.”

Sullivan 180 interns were hard at work

SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — The 2023 Class of Sullivan 180 interns worked in Callicoon, Barryville, Livingston Manor, Lumberland, Bethel, Liberty, Thompson and Woodridge. 

“In addition to connecting with peers, the internship program offers a great way to learn about Sullivan County and connect with other community members,” said Anne-Louise Scandariato, director of Community Engagement at Sullivan 180. “Interns work on expanding their communication, interpersonal, problem-solving and leadership skills while being part of a team.”

The Sullivan 180 Intern Program is an opportunity for youth between the ages of 16 and 20 to be part of the movement to change and shape the future of communities throughout Sullivan County. Interns care for public spaces on main streets and parks within their towns. 

In addition to taking care of public spaces, interns attend weekly development meetings to gain experience in leadership, networking, public speaking, hard vs. soft skills and communication. Interns also participate in weekly meetings to discuss current issues, meet with local leaders, develop leadership skills and explore career options. They will also choose, plan and implement a service learning project as a group. 

Two previous Day of Service projects included a cleanup day at Sleepy Hollow Trail in Monticello and a cleanup day and trail marking at Forest Reserve at Smallwood Trail. 

For more information about internships visit www.sullivan180.org/internships.