For details, please contact:
Joseph Musheno ’78
Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology Department Chairperson
570-702-8933

Patricia Atkins, Waverly; John Atkins, Waverly; Dr. Ann L. Pipinski, President and CEO, Johnson College

First Night Scranton is an annual family-friendly, arts-oriented New Year’s Eve party that brings performers from all over the world to downtown Scranton. The evening includes music, storytelling, dancing, crafting, and a midnight fireworks show to ring in the New Year.

First Night utilizes unconventional spaces throughout downtown Scranton, from bank lobbies to art galleries. Ms. Andrea Talarico, First Night Scranton Co-Chair, searched for a permanent solution to marking venues for the event. Ms. Talarico states, “Choosing Johnson College to build the venue markers was a perfect way to reach out to area students and involve them in this important community event.”

Over two and a half months, Johnson College’s Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology students worked on designing, constructing, and painting twenty-five wooden venue markers. Each marker is numbered and can be lit from the inside clearly displaying the venue number. Ms. Talarico explains, “Since First Night is an evening celebration, lit signs serve as an aesthetically appealing way to make event locations clearly visible. Also, venues change from year to year. The new markers offer portability and durability.”

Mr. Joseph Musheno ’78, Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology Chair, states, “A lot of work was involved but it was a fun and rewarding project for the students.”

Details about First Night Scranton 2010, including where to purchase admission buttons, can be found at www.scrantonfirstnight.com. For information about Johnson College and its Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology program, please visit www.johnson.edu.

From left to right: Vincent Rowe ’11, Honesdale, PA; Christopher Smith ’11, Havertown, PA; Denny DeWolf ’11, Tunkhannock, PA

Sterling Oddo, a representative from NAPA, gave the students a brief overview of the company’s vision, resources, and locations. NAPA is a leader in its industry with more than 380,000 parts, 6,000 store locations, and 64 distribution centers.

Mr. Oddo exhibited a variety of tools. At the close of the demonstration, students were able to examine these items and take a look inside the NAPA Tool Truck. Each student was also presented with a NAPA Student Discount Card. The card offers significant savings, allowing them to build up their own professional tool collection while still in college.

David Manasek, President of Manasek Auto Parts, Inc./NAPA Auto Parts, values the partnership between NAPA and Johnson College. Mr. Manasek explained to the students, “The quality of education you are receiving here at Johnson College is a great asset to you in the job market today. You have great instructors who care about your future.”

For more information on Johnson College’s programs of study please visit the College’s website, www.johnson.edu, or call (570) 342-6404 or (800) 2WE-WORK.

Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology students examine some NAPA Tools.
From left to right: Michael Zangardi ‘11, Scranton, PA; John Abbott ’11, Susquehanna, PA;  Lawrence Foster ’11, Philadelphia, PA; Jeffrey Walter ‘11, Factoryville, PA; Simon Frailey ’11, New Milford, PA

From left to right: David Manasek, President of Manasek Auto Parts, Inc./NAPA Auto Parts; Michael Novak, Diesel Truck Technology Chair; Robert Murray ‘82, Automotive Technology Chair; Andrew Zwanch ‘82, Precision Machining Technology Chair; Sterling Oddo, NAPA; Joseph Musheno ’78, Carpentry & Cabinetmaking Technology Chair; Adam Turner, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Technology Chair

Johnson College’s Carpentry and Cabinetmaking Technology program prepares students as entry-level tradespeople in layout, estimation, construction, erection of residential construction including installation of trim, furniture, stairs, and cabinets.

From left to right: Michael Biduck ’10, Inkerman; Brendan Bonner ’10, Springfield; Timothy Gaughan ’10, Scranton; Cory Simon ’10, Hallstead; Mr. William Senepedis, Professional Surveyor