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Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) is offering a special railroad passenger excursion, the Northeast PA Railfest Flyer, at Railfest 2018.

Labor Day weekend, Saturday, September 1 and Sunday, September 2, is Railfest 2018. This special, two-day event is filled with fun and unique activities celebrating our railroading heritage. Steamtown NHS works with numerous partners to present this end-of-summer family-friendly festivity featuring live music, special displays, shop demonstrations, train rides, and much more.

On Saturday, September 1, diehard rail fans will relish in a 5-6 hour long exclusive excursion experience on two passenger railroads running the Northeast PA Railfest Flyer. Enjoy the first section, from Steamtown NHS to Moscow, PA, in the foothills of the Pocono Mountains. There you can tour the historic passenger and freight depots, then enjoy a light lunch (hotdog, snack, and soda included in the cost) on the station grounds.

From Moscow you will be bussed to historic Lackawaxen, PA, where you will board more vintage railroad equipment for a trip along the scenic Lackawaxen River. This Flyer section, operated by The Stourbridge Line, will terminate in Honesdale, PA, where awaiting busses will transport you back to Steamtown NHS. Tickets are limited and are sure to sell quickly. For more information on this special excursion, please visit: http://www.laurellines.org/railfesttrip.html.

For a more leisurely Railfest, adults (ages 16 and above) may purchase a special one-day or a two-day Railfest pass at the Steamtown NHS information booth upon arrival. Please note that America the Beautiful passes are not accepted for admission to this special event.

And for those seeking a more relaxed, family-friendly Railfest train ride experience, enjoy a round-trip excursion to Moscow PA, on either Saturday or Sunday.

Excursion tickets to Moscow may be purchased in advance by calling 570-340-5204 or stopping by the Steamtown NHS Fee Booth, Wednesday through Sunday from 9:30am until 4:00pm. Please note that the Fee Booth is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. However, ticket reservations may be secured on those days by calling 570-340-5206 and providing the requested information; park staff will return your call on Wednesday morning to complete your purchase.

All excursions are powered using historic diesel locomotives that pull vintage passenger railcars. While excursions to Moscow PA may be handicapped accessible, please state any accessibility concerns/needs before finalizing your ticket purchase.

We look forward to seeing you at Railfest 2018!

United Way of Susquehanna County (UWSC) has completed its annual allocation process thanks to the dedicated community volunteers who donated their time and expertise in evaluating the nonprofit application requests for funding under the Community Impact Model which places greater emphasis on outcome measurements that demonstrate measureable positive improvement over time. UWSC Allocation Committee members include: Theresa Allen, Sara Armetta, Ruth Burke, Joel Levy, Cassidy Robinson, and Kim Smith.

Pictured (l-r) are: Ingrid Balsamo (Commission on Economic Opportunity), Nancy Perri (Women's Resource Center), Michael Cipilewski (Salvation Army), Cynthia Beeman (Susquehanna County Interfaith), Bill Goldsworthy (American Red Cross), Sherry Nealon (Voluntary Action Center), Jesse Newman (Area Agency on Aging), Marlea Hoyt (Area Agency on Aging), Sue Stone (Susquehanna County Free Library Assoc.), Gretchen Hunt (Commission on Economic Opportunity), Kelly Cross (Voluntary Action Center), Ann Jones (Maternal and Family Health Services), Tiffany Benedict (Women's Resource Center), Michael Zimmerman (Family Service Assoc.), Robin Cobb (United Way of Susquehanna County).

In 2015, UWSC announced its transition to the Community Impact Model placing a stake in the ground around targeted priorities leading to real change. Guided by the UWSC volunteer Advisory Committee it was determined that UWSC moving forward would focus on funding initiatives that "Help Children Do Well", specifically programs that address improving access to high-quality early education, childhood wellness, promoting family stability and mentorship. In addition, UWSC will continue to fund safety net services as defined as emergency aid provided to individuals and families who face an immediate threat to their well-being as a result of a crisis.

To that end, the following nonprofit agencies serving Susquehanna County residents will receive UWSC funding for Community Impact work: Maternal and Family Health Services; Voluntary Action Center; Women's Resource Center in partnership with Children's Center of Susquehanna County; Area Agency on Aging; Susquehanna County Interfaith; Susquehanna County Free Library Association.

The following agencies will receive funding for Safety Net services: American Red Cross; Salvation Army; Area Agency on Aging; Interfaith; Commission on Economic Opportunity; Women's Resource Center; 2-1-1 Help Line administered by Family Services Association.

To learn more about each of these agencies and the programs being funded through UWSC please visit our website at unitedwayofsusquehannacounty.org.

As we have entered the third year in this process it has brought our entire community together to make a powerful, positive impact where we live and work. As most are well aware, the economic climate of the past few years has taken its toll. Given our increasing unemployment rate, the poverty rate (especially among children), volatile financial markets, budget cuts and constraints at all levels of public sector funding, and the need for services has sky-rocketed while the capacity to deliver services has diminished for most non-profit human service agencies. The result is that more and more of us and our neighbors are struggling and problems continue to worsen.

The reality is that despite all our best efforts, the United Way may never be able to raise enough money to meet the growing needs of our community. As the saying goes, "It's time to work smarter, not just harder." While developing resources through our annual campaign will always be necessary and critical, to advance the common good for all, we need to think differently and consider new approaches on how we invest the donations entrusted to us on behalf of the community.

If the United Way truly wants to make a significant difference and ensure our work has a greater, lasting impact, our goal should not be about 'meeting' existing and growing needs. Instead, our work has begun to shift toward focusing on 'reducing' needs. Our soup kitchens, food pantries, counseling centers, drug and alcohol programs and other such critical services are valuable resources and assets. Remarkably, most are doing "more with less" to serve our community. While we can all agree that it is important as a community we advocate for them and be thankful they are serving those most in need, wouldn't the community we call home be better and stronger if fewer people needed to stand in line at the soup kitchen? If fewer families didn't need the food pantries? If more homeless individuals and families had a safe place to call home? If fewer people were affected by abuse, addiction or mental illness?

How do we solve or prevent a problem at its cause instead of just treating the symptom? It is really a very difficult question but the pursuit of an answer, while challenging, is worthy and just. United Way has begun to take a fresh look and approach to improving our community and changing lives. The United Way's strategic plan is a long-term proposition. It all starts with a dream. Dreams become vision. Vision inspires change. Change will improve impact. Better impact will strengthen our community.

Thank you to all who support our vision and work.