What happens to that word? Will April showers bring May flowers? Whether we have to wait until May or not, the calendar pages will soon turn to April. April, can you imagine that 4 months have already passed this year? Without a doubt, spring is a welcome time of year (sorry, winter warriors!). The new month brings a long list of opportunities, outdoor adventures, learning opportunities, and opportunities to support important and meaningful causes.
Let's start by looking at my educational experience. From April 1st to April 5th, crisis intervention training will be conducted by the Carbon, Monroe and Pike Crisis Intervention Team. This is a 40-hour training course for police officers and community members that equips them with supportive crisis intervention tools. The same course will be held April 8-12 at the Geisinger Behavioral Health Center in Northeast Moosic through the Northeast Pennsylvania Crisis Team. For more information, please contact Cherianne Scala at Cheriannem@theadvocacayalliance.org. Both programs are provided free of charge.
On Wednesday, April 3, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Northampton County Community College's (NCCC) Band of Brothers & Psychology Club will host “Combat Stigma” PTSD and TBI Awareness in Keystone Hall (202 A/B) A viewing party will be held. Questions: veterans@northampton.edu.
Pocono Mountains United Way is offering two different courses during April. The first is “Healing: An Equity Leadership Practice,” his one-hour virtual session offered April 4 (3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) and is free to attend. In-person sessions (NCCC) and virtual sessions focused on learning about people with limited assets, limited income, and employment (ALICE) will be held on April 19 (9:30-11 a.m.) will be held and will also be provided free of charge.
If you would like to learn more about the history and experience of the Passover meal at the Seder, as well as the many practices of the Seder tradition, the Passover Experience at the Seder is a free educational program offered on Saturday, April 13th from 2 p.m. . Held at the Middle Smithfield Township Community Center (MSTCC, Milford Road), it is sponsored by Stroudsburg Rotary and the St. John's Columbians. This program is open to all and refreshments will be provided. For more information or to participate, please call 570-420-7164 or email rose198810@hotmail.com. His MSTCC on Thursday, April 11, will also feature a program on fishing in Delaware presented by Friends of the Delaware National Recreation Area. It begins at 6:30 p.m., and more information is available at info@friendsofdewanps.org.
On Tuesday, April 30th, the Monroe County Children's Roundtable will once again host a community night at the Monroe Campus of Northampton Community College (NCCC). The event is free, runs from 6pm to 8pm, and features a number of community services and agencies.
The Eastern Monroe Public Library is hosting an indoor event to celebrate National Library Week. On Sunday, April 7, at 2 p.m., the film “A Man Called Otto” starring Tom Hanks (PG-13) will be shown as part of the Words & Film Sunday Matinee. For those interested in music, the library offers his April BookHouse @ EMPL program. The program will include a concert by the Mountain Winds Woodwind Quintet, sponsored by Friends of the Library, on Friday, April 12 at 7 p.m.
There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy a variety of experiences with peace of mind! The 5K Run & Walk and Combat Stigma Run & Walk will be held at NCC on Saturday, April 6th. Registration/Questions: Alexis Sullivan, vetements@northampton.edu or 610-332-6097.
Earth Day falls in April, and the annual Earth Day Festival will be held at the Pocono Environmental Center (PEEC) on Saturday, April 27th from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $5 per vehicle. For more information, call 570-828-2319. On Sunday, April 28th, the National Park Service will host a Junior Ranger Program from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM (age restrictions apply). More information is available from DWGNRA headquarters on River Road. Please call us at 570-426-2452.
Finally, two events supporting Safe Monroe (formerly Women's Resources), whose mission is to end domestic abuse and sexual abuse in Monroe County. The first is “Plant the Town Red,'' an annual flower sale that offers geranium and impatiens plants and hanging she-baskets. Deadline to order is Friday, April 26th. For more information, visit safemonroe.org/event/geranium2024. The pick up date is May 10th.
A big event for Safe Monroe is GALA, a celebration of celebration, hope, and safety. It will be held on April 27th at the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center. Tickets are $150 per person and can be purchased at www.safemonroe.org. It's only a month away!
Debbie Kulick is an EMT and writes a weekly news column for the Pocono Record.
