Scranton Family Papers on the Lackawanna Valley Digital Archive

 On October 24th and 25th at the University of Scranton there was a scan-a-thon conducted with members from the University of Scranton's Weinberg Library, U of S History students and their professor Dr. Adam Pratt, Lackawanna Historical Society, and members of the LVDA and Scranton Public Library working to create this new collection.

Two volumes of the George W. Scranton letters were scanned with the help of the history students. These same students created the metadata that will be used when these files go live on the LVDA! So look for this new collection in 2016 and for more to come. There are 19 volumes of these letters at the Lackawanna Historical Society and we hope to have the whole collection available to researchers.

Thanks to all who helped organize this great event!

National Chocolate Day

In honor of October 28th being National Chocolate Day I would like to present some yummy recipes from the Myrtle Street United Methodist Church cookbook.

Enjoy, bake, and eat lots of chocolate today if you can.  I supplied my staff with chocolate covered salt water taffy today in hour of this wonderful day.

Hahnemann Hospital

This photo dated May 24, 1905 shows the groundbreaking of Hahnemann Hospital.  This hospital eventually became what is Geisinger Community Medical Center today. I wanted to show this photo as a remembrance of that hospital and to celebrate the City of Scranton's 150th anniversary.

Hurricane Diane 60 years ago

It has been 60 years since Hurricane Diane caused so much devastation and flooding in the Lackawanna and Wyoming Valley's.  The flooding was widespread and even areas of the Pocono's flooded.  This flood  happened in August 1955 and is featured in the footage above.  This video is from WGBI-TV which is now WBRE-TV.   Besides this video there are other photos and video histories of the flood on the Lackawanna Valley Digital Archive.

Frace's Market in Clarks Green

This undated photo is of Frace's Market in Clarks Green. It can be found in the book History of the Abingtons which is part of the Celebrating Our Towns--Lackawanna Co. Centennial Books and Community collection. 

Diamond Jubilee of Scranton

Tomorrow is the 74th anniversary of the Diamond Jubilee celebration in Scranton.  We have a scanned copy of historical booklet in our digital archive.  The direct link is shown below.  This celebration happened 75 years from the incorporation of the city and this year Scranton is celebrating the 150th anniversary.  There are events and exhibits around town celebrating this important anniversary.

Diamond Jubilee

Favorite Dessert

A book of favorite Recipes by Ladies Auxiliary of Archbald Athletic Association contains one of my most favorite recipes.  I absolutely love no bake cookies.  This recipe calls them quickie's which may be what I'll call these from now on.  I also make my cookies with peanut butter as I believe peanut butter enhances any kind of dessert.  I remove the nuts though.  I'm just not a nut kind of woman.

To get back on track, this weekend is my birthday and while not a milestone I love to pig out.  I'll be making these cookies and probably eating the whole batch.  I will then run four miles to appease my guilt.  It will all be worth it as I always eat the best foods on my special day.

Pie season

Pies,Pies, everywhere!!

Pie making season is upon us.  We have just been through the unofficial start of summer where I'm sure you may have had a pie at your picnic.  So if you are planning on making some pies for Independence day, family picnics, reunions or other fun festive gatherings here are some wonderful pie crust recipes to get you started.  The hardest part of the pie is the crust so good luck, enjoy, and remember that pies freeze very well when left unbaked.

Scranton Public Library Commercials from 2005

From 1999-2008 the library hosted a community access TV station called Scranton Today so we decided to make library commercials using in-house talent and equipment. This video, part of the History of the Scranton Public Library collection, collects commercials from 2005 including blooper reels. If you look closely you can catch a glimpse of an ancient artifact; the library's web site as it was in the mid 2000s.

Thomson Consumer Electronics Company Cookbook

I love muffins,  They are so yummy and if you add in cream cheese, they can also be very moist.  I'm on a healthy eating plan right now and lots of food look good to me; but I love muffins! Yum.  So the Thomson Consumer Electronics cookbook stood out to me. Who doesn't like peanut butter and jelly and then make it a muffin.  Marvelous. Add to that the other two recipes on this page and I'm set for life! I'll have to bring some in for my staff and see if this recipe is a winner.

Community Cookbooks Collection in the Scranton Times

Our Community and Church Cookbooks collection was recently featured in an article in The Scranton Times. Read and find out what Martina Soden and others have to say about the project.