December 16, 2015 – Sen. Baker, Rep. Mike Peifer, Pike County Chief Clerk Gary Orben and Pike County Commissioners Richard Caridi and Matthew Osterberg marked the retirement of long-time Pike County Commissioner Karl A. Wagner Jr., who decided not to seek reelection after 16 years in office.
December 15, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker visited Ellen Memorial Health Care & Rehabilitation Center in Texas Township to celebrate Millie Compton’s 100th birthday. Also spending time with Millie were long-time friend Bruce Mackle and Robert Zabaty, the owner of the center.
December 15, 2015 – Sen. Baker and Wayne County Commissioners Wendell Kay, Jonathan Fritz and Brian Smith offered remarks celebrating the career of Wayne County Register & Recorder of Deeds Ginger Golden, who retired after 28 years of service to the county.
November 17, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker welcomed Western Wayne Middle School eighth grader Ezra Tetreault to the Capitol where he served as a guest Senate page. Ezra, 13, of Salem Township, Wayne County, is the son of Kevin and Patricia Tetreault.
November 8, 2015 – Along with Marley’s Mission President Gene Talarico and Pennsylvania Department of Aging Secretary Teresa Osborne at the Equines for Freedom event in Newton Township. The organization is partnering with Marley's Mission to offer hope and healing for area veterans.
November 7, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker and Rep. Mike Peifer presented citations to Randolph "Skip" Gregory and Centa Quinn for their long time efforts on behalf of the Pike County Public Library. The Great Gatsby Dinner Party and Fundraiser was held at Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Resort on Lake Wallenpaupack.
November 7, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker attended a veterans expo at Misericordia University and met a youth chorus coordinated by Gina Major of Dallas. The chorus, comprised of singers from several local school districts, sang “Let There Be Peace On Earth” at the program.
November 6, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker was one of four legislators who participated in the Chamber of the Northern Poconos Legislative Breakfast program at Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Resort in Pike County. For 90 minutes, Baker, and state Reps. Mike Peifer, Rosemary Brown and Sandra Major took questions from members of the Wayne and Pike counties business and government community. Pictured are the legislators along with Gary Beilman, chairman of the chamber’s board of directors and Debbie Gillette, the chamber’s executive director.
November 6, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker was on hand in Mountain Top, along with Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski , and local officials from the Mountain Top area and the Crestwood School District to greet Congressman Lou Barletta and to tour the area and talk to community members, business owners, and volunteer first responders.
November 4, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker was proud to be on hand to present a Senate citation to Jacob Schall during his Eagle Scout Court of Honor ceremony at the Lehman-Idetown United Methodist Church. Schall, of Troop 241 in Lehman Township, is the son of Ben and Ronalee Schall of Jackson Township.
October 30, 2015 – Along with fellow legislators, other officials and the family of Eric J. Williams, Sen. Lisa Baker spoke at the ceremony dedicating the bridge over the outlet of Lily Lake in Conyngham Township, Luzerne County, in honor of Williams. The corrections officer was killed while on duty at the United States Penitentiary at Canaan, Wayne County. The sign that was posted reads: “Officer Eric J. Williams Memorial Bridge.”
October 29, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker participated in a lunch meeting at the Wright Township Municipal Building with transportation managers from various businesses operating in the Crestwood Industrial Park and local elected officials.
October 28, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker was on hand at the Chamber of the Northern Poconos annual Community Leadership Awards Dinner at The Inn at Woodloch that highlighted civic and business leaders in Wayne and Pike counties. Several awards, including three special posthumous tributes for Annetta DeYoung, Thomas Kennedy and General Dan O'Neill, were given.
October 22, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker spent some time reading “Not Norman: A Goldfish Story,” by Kelly Bennett to students at the Lake-Lehman Early Learning Center. The program was part of Jumpstart's Read for the Record, a national campaign to bring preschool children together with community leaders to read the same book, on the same day, in communities all over the world.
October 21, 2015 - The Rev. Peter Raser, pastor of the Factoryville United Methodist Church, was invited by Sen. Lisa Baker to serve as the Senate of Pennsylvania’s guest chaplain during today’s Senate session. Raser and his wife Amy, both pictured with the senator, are the parents of three daughters.
October 20, 2015 – Joseph C. Bambera, the 10th bishop of the Diocese of Scranton, offered the opening prayer during the Senate session. He was a guest of Sen. John Blake and took a moment to meet with Sen. Blake, Sen. Lisa Baker and Sen. Mario Scavello, all of whom represent a portion of the 11 counties that encompass the diocese.
October 20, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker took part in the annual ?Disabilities Day event at the Capitol where people can be connected with service providers. Here, the senator gets a better understanding of the challenges facing the visually-impaired.
October 19, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker joined Sens. Pat Vance and Gene Yaw in welcoming the Red Land, Pennsylvania Little League team to the Capitol. The team won the American Little League World Series tournament before losing to Japan in the championship game in South Williamsport, 18-11.
October 9 ,2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker, Reps. Mike Peifer and Rosemary Brown and other officials break ground on land that will become the home to a 93-unit affordable senior citizen housing complex in Westfall Township that will help meet a critical housing need in Pike County.
October 7, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker offered remarks and expressed her appreciation for the good and hard work being done in Wayne County during the annual meeting of the county’s association of township officials. The program was held at Lukans Farm Resort in Palmyra Township.
October 5, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker attended a ceremony at Lake-Lehman High School celebrating student athlete Connor McGovern’s selection to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl.
October 4, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker spent some time at the Noxen Fall Festival benefitting Southern Wyoming County community efforts. While there, she shared homemade apple crisp with Clifford Nulton.
October 4, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker and Rep. Aaron Kaufer participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Jewish Community Alliance of NEPA’s Sidney and Pauly Friedman Center for Jewish Life in Kingston.
October 2, 2015 – The Pike County Association of Township Officials held its annual meeting at the Lackawaxen Inn. Among those who attended and spoke were, from left, Pike County Commissioner Matt Osterberg, Rep. Mike Peifer, Pike County Commissioners RichCaridi and Karl Wagner, Sen. Lisa Baker, Rep. Rosemary Brown and Lehman Township Supervisor John Sivick, who is also the association’s president.
October 2, 2015 – At the Greater Pike Community Foundation’s Barbara J. Buchanan Community Service Award Dinner at the Inn at Woodloch Pines, inn owner John Kiesendahl was honored for his work in Pike and Wayne counties. From left are Kiesendahl, Buchanan, Sen. Lisa Baker and Rep. Mike Peifer.
October 1, 2015 – At Kalahari Resort for the annual NEPA Alliance awards dinner. NEPA Alliance President Jeffrey Box and Pocono Raceway President Brandon Igdalsky along with Sen. Lisa Baker and Pocono Raceway mascot Tricky. Igdalsky gave the keynote address.
September 30, 2015 – A group of homeschoolers and their parents from Wayne County toured the Capitol and met with Sen. Lisa Baker and Rep. Sandra Major.
September 30, 2015 – Along with Sen. Lloyd Smucker, left, Sen. Lisa Baker toured the Associated Builders and Contractors Facility in Manheim. Joining them in the photo are: Jim Stephens, president of Clark Food Services; Kirby Sensenig, president of Richard L. Sensenig Co.; and Dave Sload, director of education of the Associated Builders and Contractors’ Keystone Chapter.
September 28, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker celebrated the expansion of Pulverman’s world-class metal fabricating facility in Dallas along with Congressman Lou Barletta and company President Randy Mark.
September 27, 2015 – Pike County Commissioners Matt Osterberg, Rich Caridi and Karl Wagner were on hand at the Blooming Grove Township Volunteer Fire Department roast beef dinner to see Sen. Lisa Baker present a Senate citation to Gail Masker recognizing her 55 years of service to the department.
September 26, 2015 – With Annie and visitors getting ready for the annual Christy Mathewson Day parade in Factoryville.
September 25, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker stopped by the Allied Services 22nd annual Autism Golf Classic at Huntsville Golf Club. While there she was able to help honor the Maslow Family for their years of dedication to Allied Services Heinz Rehab Hospital's pediatric programs. Left to right are: Allison Maslow, Bill Conaboy, president/CEO of Allied Services Integrated Health System, Hillary Maslow, Eric Naud, Sen. Baker, Allied Services Vice President for Corporate Advancement and Communications Jim Brogna, and Richard Maslow. Eric was the event’s keynote speaker, discussing his advocacy for acceptance versus tolerance for individuals with autism.
September 21, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker welcomed Bobby Robbins, of New Milford, to the Capitol and presented him with a Senate citation for his efforts at the 2015 Special Olympics World Games held this summer in Los Angeles. Bobby earned a silver medal in golf level 3, unified team play.
September 21, 2015 – Some Pennsylvania residents who participated in the 2015 Special Olympics World Games, held this summer in Los Angeles, met with Sen. Lisa Baker on the step of the Capitol. They proudly wore their Special Olympic medals, shirts and jackets.
September 20, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker visited with students from Marywood University's nutrition program as they offered healthy snacks and tips during the Equines for Freedom Run/Walk at the Lake Carey Volunteer Fire Department in Wyoming County.
September 12, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker was on hand at the ceremony celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Nicholson Bridge in Wyoming County. The concrete deck arch bridge spans the Tunkhannock Creek. The three-day event included music, a parade, history lessons and the annual Bridge Day celebration.
September 11, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker joined Sen. John Yudichak, Rep. Gerald Mullery, Luzerne County Community College President Thomas P. Leary and others for the annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony at the school in Nanticoke.
Sept. 11, 2015 – Sen. Baker recognizes one of her favorite senior advocates and master tomato gardeners John O'Rourke of Kingston with a certificate.
September 9, 2015 – Celebrating the 53rd Annual Luzerne County Fair in the Back Mountain with fair officials and Reps. Eddie Day Pashinski and Karen Boback.
September 8, 2015 – Celebrating Dick Morgan Jr.’s 80th birthday at his Kingston Township home.
August 29, 2015 - Remembering our greatest Generation at American Legion Post 672 in Dallas where Sen. Lisa Baker and veterans gathered to remember the 70th anniversary of World War II.
August 29, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker stopped by the Wood residence in Jackson Township to support the annual Screw Cancer Brew Hope fundraiser for the Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults.
August 25, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker was among those taking part in the Susquehanna County Economic Development Board and The Progress Authority's Annual Economic Development Breakfast Meeting at the Montrose Bible Conference.
August 22, 2015 – Sen. Baker enjoyed the annual Oktoberfest celebration at The Alpine Wurst & Meat House in Texas Township, Wayne County. Music, food, local artisans and, of course, adult beverages were available. Some guests and employees came dressed in their lederhosen and finest Bavarian clothing.
August 22, 2015 - Senator Lisa Baker attended the third annual Wayne County Historical Society’s Canal Festival at the Delaware & Hudson Canal Park at Lock 31, a mile west of Hawley on Route 6 in Palmyra Township. The event included music, a picnic and demonstrations in quilting, blacksmithing, fly tying, spinning and weaving and is intended to showcase life during the 1800s on the canal.
August 19, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker provided a legislative update to dozens gathered at the Checkerboard Inn in Kingston Township for the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Officials Annual Luzerne County Convention. Here she took some time to meet with Fairmount Township supervisors and get an up-close view of their new truck.
August 19, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker took some time during the 159th Annual Harford Fair to look at some of the fruits and vegetables.
August 15, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker, along with Wayne County Coroner Edward Howell, Wayne County Sheriff Mark Steelman and Wayne County Prothonotary Edward “Ned” Sandercock at the Rockport Hunting Club’s pig and beef roast in Dreher Township.
August 13, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker presented Roger Hammer, the driver of High Octane, with his trophy for winning the Sen. Lisa Baker Trot at the Wayne County Fair. Also on hand were Rep. Sandy Major and Wayne County Fair Director Roger Dirlam. The 153rd Wayne County Fair in Dyberry Township drew more than 80,000 visitors this year.
August 13, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker led a program on the role of elected officials in our communities at the annual Pennsylvania State Police Troop P Camp Cadet Program at Camp Kresge in Dennison Township, Luzerne County. Between 80 and 90 Cadets, including this group from Wyoming County that posed with the senator, participated.
August 11, 2015 – Local, state and federal officials and members of the business community gathered at the grand opening ceremony for Kahr Arms, which moved its headquarters from New York State to a 620-acre site in Blooming Grove Township, Pike County. Among those on hand for the event were, from left, Reps. Mike Peifer and Rosemary Brown, Pike County Commissioners Matt Osterberg and Rich Caridi, Karh Arms CEO Justin Moon, Sen. Lisa Baker and Sen. John Rafferty.
August 10, 2015 - The new Dallas Area Municipal Authority composting site in Lehman Township, Luzerne County opened with a ceremony. Pictured, from left to right, are: Amanda Blaine, Harveys Lake Environmental Advisory Committee; Harveys Lake councilmen Daniel Blaine and Bill Hilburt; DAMA Executive Director Larry Spaciano; Sen. Lisa Baker’s Field Representative Tom Yoniski; Sen. Lisa Baker; Dallas Borough Mayor Tim Carroll; Dallas Township Supervisor Frank Wagner; DAMA employee Paul Ungvarsky; DAMA Treasurer John Oliver; and DAMA solid waste division Supervisor Bill Feher. (Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Skrapits.)
August 8, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker caught up with some of her high school classmates at Appletree Terrace at Newberry Estates for the Dallas High School classes of 1979, 1980, and 1981 reunion.
August 7, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker was on hand to cut the grapevine marking the opening of the Rail-Trail Council of NEPA's newly redecked bridges on the D&H Rail-Trail in Clifford Township, Susquehanna County. DCNR funding was matched by the community to make this project happen.
August 6, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker participated in the annual Triton Hose Company Fireman's Parade in Tunkhannock.
July 28, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker presented a certificate to Dallas Township Police Chief Robert Jolley and Dallas Township Police K-9 Officer Brian Feeney that honored and remembered K-9 Officer Aron's service to the Police Department and the entire Back Mountain community. Aron, a seven-year-old German Shepherd that had served with the department since 2010 after she came to America from Slovakia, passed away on June 8.
July 26, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker stopped by the Patterson Grove Campground in Huntington Township to help Arline Dennis celebrate her 100th birthday. Dennis, of Union Township, will turn 100 on Nov. 23. Baker presented Dennis with a Senate Citation marking the milestone.
July 26, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker, Congressman Lou Barletta, Rep. Karen Boback, 'Miss Harveys Lake' Allyson Sebolka and others were on hand for the annual Lake Fest event at Harveys Lake. The three-day event celebrates the history, beauty, and people of Pennsylvania’s largest natural lake. It also serves as a fund-raiser with proceeds benefitting the police and fire departments as well as holiday parties for children.
July 25, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker was the guest speaker at the Korean War Veterans Association of Wyoming Valley’s Annual Memorial Service at the Luzerne County Courthouse.
July 24, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker, Rep. Karen Boback, Cassandra Coleman from the governor’s Northeast Regional Office, Gary Baker with the state’s Department of Community and Economic Development and Misericordia University President Thomas Botzman on the college campus in Dallas Township. They were on hand to mark the undertaking of a sidewalk project to improve safety along Lake Street. The project begins in Dallas Township at the school’s archway, with the five-foot wide sidewalk extending south along the east side of Lake Street to the intersection of Center Hill Road and will connect to the sidewalk that already exists in the Dallas Borough’s downtown.
July 23, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker and Rep. Sandra Major attended the opening day of the 67th annual Clifford Township Volunteer Fire Company’s picnic and carnival. The three-day event included fireworks, a parade and plenty of food, entertainment and fun for families and serves as a major fundraiser for Station 18.
July 11, 2015 - Sen. Lisa Baker with some items up for bid at the 69th Annual Back Mountain Library Auction. The event is the largest fundraiser each year for the library.
July 9, 2015 – Local, state and federal officials gathered at the open house for the business incubator facility known as the Stourbridge Project in Honesdale. Sen. Lisa Baker attended and offered comments praising the way the community came together to back the endeavor and the collaboration of so many agencies, organizations and individuals.
July 9, 2015 - Sen. Lisa Baker participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Bonner Chevrolet showroom on the 600 block of Wyoming Avenue in Kingston. The 83-year-old family dealership’s growth meant a new, larger showroom was necessary. The new showroom can showcase 25 cars while there was only room for seven in the former showroom, further down Wyoming Avenue.
June 25, 2015 – The Rev. William Hagenbuch, pastor of the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Harford, Susquehanna County, served as guest chaplain of the Pennsylvania Senate. He was the guest of Sen. Lisa Baker. Joining the pastor and senator on the Senate floor for a photo are Ethan Rodrigues and Tanner Stout, who will be fifth graders in the Mountain View School District, and his mother Dorothy Hagenbuch.
June 23, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker welcomed Pike County resident and artist Yolanda Goldsack to the Capitol. Goldsack, of Dingman Township, painted “Prayers for the Children of Nickel Mines” and presented a copy of that piece of art to Baker. On the Senate floor, with the painting, are, from left: Brian Goldsack, Sen. Lloyd Smucker, who represents the Village of Nickel Mines, Lancaster County, where five students were killed at a school shooting in 2006, Yolanda Goldsack, Sen. Baker, Bob Goldsack and Denise Ayala.
June 23, 2015 – Wayne and Pike County participants of the American Legion Keystone Boys State, a unique week long summertime educational program, met with Sen. Lisa Baker on the floor of the Senate. Front row, from left, are Michael Rogers of Honesdale, Joe Paparazzo of Paupack, Myles Arenson of Lords Valley, Sen. Baker, Jason Otway and Shawn Otway, both of Greentown. Back row, from left, are Justin Pranga of Shohola, Rex Schweighofer of Honesdale, Brandon Haraldsen of Milford and Cris Forelli of Damascus.
June 14, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker was in Lackawaxen Township attending the Central Volunteer Fire Department’s Flag Day event, which included first responder demonstrations, live birds of prey and a flag raising ceremony by local Boy Scouts. The senator posed for a picture with members of the company and the Ladies Auxiliary.
June 13, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker and Rep. Sandra Major participated in the annual Waymart Area Pride & Patriotism Parade. The two legislators took some time to meet with local firefighters and pose for a photo in front of an antique fire truck.
June 12, 2015 – At the Hilton in Scranton, Sen. Lisa Baker and 24 others were honored as the NEPA Business Journals’s Top 25 Women in Business. Pictured, from left, are: Barbara Toczko-Maculloch, Community Bank; Katrina Foster, KKPR Marketing and Public Relations; Senator Baker; Mary Malone, Greater Hazleton Chamber of Commerce; Maureen Metz, Metz Culinary Management.
June 11, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker provided a legislative update to the Back Mountain Police Association and recognized 2015 as Year of the Law Enforcement Officer. Here she is at the event held in the Kingston Township Municipal Building with Ross Piazza, vice president of the association and Martin Maransky, the association’s president.
June 9, 2015 – During the Fifth Annual Apprentice Day at the Capitol, Jason O'Connell, of Honesdale, visited Sen. Lisa Baker’s office. O’Connell was in Harrisburg with the Keystone Mountain Lakes Regional Council of Carpenters.
June 9, 2015 - Lori Lesante with Community Services For Sight, and Sara Peperno with the Greater Wilkes-Barre Association for the Blind, visited with Sen. Lisa Baker during the Pennsylvania Blind Association’s Advocacy Day at the Capitol. The Association For the Blind, based in Exeter, provides services and advocacy for blind and visually impaired people in Luzerne, Wyoming, Wayne and Pike counties.
June 9, 2015 – Sens. Mario Scavello and Lisa Baker and Rep. Rosemary Brown with Barley Creek Brewing Company owner Trip Ruvane, second from right, at the Taste of Pennsylvania Brewers event at the Capitol. State-based beer companies, including Barley Creek, in Pocono Township, and Susquehanna Brewing in Jenkins Township, were on hand showing off their brews.
June 7, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker and Rep. Karen Boback presented citations from the Senate and House to officials at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Dallas Township honoring the church’s 90th Anniversary
June 6, 2015 – Sen. Baker meets with first responders from throughout the Back Mountain during Lehman Township, Luzerne County’s Community Safety Day.
June 3, 2015 - Sen. Lisa Baker stands between Wallenpaupack Area High School seniors Nick Schroeder, left, and Tony Litz, right, on the floor of the Pennsylvania Senate chamber. When they won the 2015 National Automotive Technology Competition, they became the first team from Pennsylvania to the annual event.
June 3, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker stopped by the Wilkes University Science in Motion informational display in the Capitol Rotunda’s East Wing to meet with Wilkes University Science in Motion staff and discuss the initiative. Among those on hand were Karen Baranoski, left, Science in Motion instructor, and Peter Stchur, right, Science in Motion director.
June 1, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker celebrated the 100th Anniversary of Pennsylvania’s Worker's Compensation Law with the Pennsylvania Bar Association and the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry at an event in Hershey.
May 31, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker presented Eagle Scout Jared Casaldi, from Boy Scout Troop 281, with a Senate citation marking the accomplishment. Jared, of Lake Township, received his citation at a ceremony at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Luzerne as friends, family and troop leaders looked on.
May 25, 2015 - Sen. Baker was on hand for the annual Memorial Day program in Sterling Township, where she presented Sterling Townships Supervisors Melvin Wheeler and Tim Tuite with a Senate citation commemorating the Wayne County municipality's bicentennial.
May 25, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker, U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, Rep. Karen Boback and others participated in the 76th annual Daddow-Isaacs American Legion Post 672’s Memorial Day Parade and Service in Dallas.
May 22, 2015 – Sen. Baker spent some time with seventh graders at the Dingman Delaware Middle School where she hosted a mock Senate session as part of Pike County Bar Association Law Day. Students served as senators and learned what it was like to hold the position and advocate for a bill. Teacher Jennifer Shiner, back row, left, organized the event.
May 20, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker, along with Alex Fried, Rep. Karen Boback and John Plowman, at the Hunters Sharing the Harvest networking reception at the Wyoming County Fairground.
May 18, 2015 – Sen. Baker was the keynote speaker at the eighth annual Western Wayne Middle School Memorial Day event honoring local veterans. Dozens of veterans gathered for an assembly and lunch with the students, who also honored state police from Blooming Grove as law enforcement officers of the year and Joseph Totsky as educator of the year. The American Legion’s Paul A. Sweeney Memorial Post 807 from Hamlin and the students organized the event, which included the school’s chorus and band.
May 17, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker presented a Senate Citation to Alexander McCarthy, of Dallas, in recognition of becoming Troop 281’s newest Eagle Scout during an Eagle Scout Court of Honor at the Irem Temple in Dallas as his family looked on.
May 16, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker joined members of the Honesdale Lions Club for the dedication of the drinking water fountain at Central Park in Honesdale.
May 16, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker attended the annual Relay for Life of the Greater Lake Region held at Wallenpaupack Area High School near Hawley.
May 16, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker attended the Mountain Top Relay for Life event held at the Crestwood High School track.
May 9, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker participated in the ribbon cutting ceremony and program marking the re-launch of the Stourbridge Rail Excursions from Honesdale to Hawley. Standing in front of the engine with the senator are Wayne County Commissioner Jonathan Fritz, right, and Tom Myles, center, the train’s operator.
May 9, 2015 – Enjoying the Back Mountain Police Association’s Kid’s Fishing Derby at Frances Slocum State Park. Along with Sen. Lisa Baker are Kingston Township Police Officer Michael Huntzinger, Robert Buschinski and Nathan Buschinski.
May 8, 2015 - Sen. Lisa Baker and Thomas Quinn of Ye Olde Clock & Gift Shoppe in the Dallas Shopping Center.
May 6, 2015 - Law enforcement students from the West Side Career & Technology Center in Pringle visited Harrisburg on May 6. The trip included entrance to the Senate gallery to watch some of the day’s session and a chance to meet with Sen. Lisa Baker. The students also received a Capitol tour with the Capitol Police. Pictured, from left, are: Sen. Lisa Baker, students Kelsey Hawk, Gabrielle Witten, Yulissa Rodriguez, James Kulp, Destinee Ktytor, Ray Inguanzo, and instructor William Bevan Jr.
May 6, 2015 - Nicholas McIntyre, of Dingman Township, has wrapped up his spring semester internship for State Sen. John Rafferty, R-44th. McIntyre, 20, is a political science major at Ursinus College and has been based in Sen. Rafferty’s district office in Collegeville, Montgomery County. On May 6, McIntyre was welcomed to the Senate floor for a photo with Sen. Rafferty and Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20th, who represents McIntyre’s home county of Pike. The son of Patricia and Darrell McIntyre, Nick graduated from Delaware Valley High School in 2013.
May 5, 2015 – Sen. Baker welcomed Maddie Olshemski of Shavertown to the Senate floor during a Capitol visit by fourth graders from Good Shepherd Academy, which is located in Kingston.
May 4, 2015 – Sens. Lisa Baker and John Yudichak welcomed Borton-Lawson employees to the Capitol. In addition to a tour, the group also sat in the Senate chamber as guests of the two senators and were introduced by both senators to their colleagues during session. The engineering company is based in Plains Township and has offices in State College, Bethlehem, Lemoyne and Wexford. Pictured from left, front row: Carl McGloughlin, Scott Bush, Yudichak, Monica Marshalonis, Baker, Chad Keating and Ryan Rostocki. Back row: Chris Borton, Dave Vogel, A.J. Speicher, Craig Bound and Matt Archey. Listen
May 1, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker and other dignitaries took part in the ribbon cutting ceremony marking the dedication of the Monsignor Andrew J. McGowan Center for Healthy Living in Jenkins Township. The facility serves as the new home of the Commission on Economic Opportunity’s Weinberg Northeast Regional Food Bank, which serves those in need in four area counties: Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna and Wyoming.
April 22, 2015 – Sixth grade students from Susquehanna Prep, in Forty Fort, toured the Capitol and visited with Sen. Lisa Baker.
April 22, 2015 – A group of residents from the 20th District visited Harrisburg as part of a tour group that left from Honesdale. They posed for a photo on the Capitol steps with Reps. Mike Peifer and Sandra Major and Sen. Lisa Baker.
April 21, 2015 – Northeast Pennsylvania Conservation Officers Walter Buckman , Frank Dooley and John Cummings, with the Fish and Boat commission, stopped by Sen. Lisa Baker’s Harrisburg office to discuss issues and legislative initiatives.
April 20, 2015 – Nursing professors Margarete Zalon, left, from the University of Scranton, and Donna Snelson, right, from Misericordia University, stopped in to see Sen. Lisa Baker at her office at the Capitol as part of Nursing Lobby Day.
April 20, 2015 – As part of the Pennsylvania Coalition of Domestic Violence Lobby Day, Michele Minor Wolf, executive director of the Wayne County Victims Intervention Program, right, and VIP staff members , from left, Randi Bannon and Denise Larson, stopped in to Sen. Lisa Baker’s office at the Capitol to discuss domestic violence services and the budget.
April 20, 2015 – School board members and Pennsylvania School Boarda Association leaders visited the Capitol to discuss Basic Education funding, charter schools, pension reform and other important matters affecting the state’s school districts. From left, Blue Ridge School Board President Lori Bonner; Kathy Swope, president-elect of Pennsylvania School Boards Association; Sen. Lisa Baker; and Robert Schwartz, school board member from the Wallenpaupack Area School District.
April 20, 2015 - Delaware Township, Pike County officials stopped in to Sen. Lisa Baker’s Capitol office to say hello and discuss issues. Supervisors Tom Ryan and Jeff Scheetz and staff members Krista Predmore, Robin Jones and Catherine Bram were in Harrisburg for the Annual Pennsylvania State Association of Township Officials Convention. Supervisors and township employees from throughout the 20th Senatorial District later met up with the senator at the PSATS reception.
April 18, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker joined others at the 13th Annual Spring Gala and Auction fundraiser for Family Service Association of NEPA. The gala, held at Mohegan Sun Pocono, celebrated the association’s 120th anniversary. The night’s theme was “Where We Were… and Where We Are Going.”
April 18, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker took part in the Mountaintop Little League’s Opening Day Ceremonies.
April 17, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker spent some time reading books to children at the Little Meadows Learning Center in Dallas.
April 17, 2015 - Celebrating the Week of the Young Child at Wyoming Valley Children's Association in Forty Fort by reading a couple of books to the children, including “The Little Engine That Could.”
April 17, 2015 – Senator Lisa Baker visited the new location for ABC Kiddie Corner in Exeter. While there, the senator read the children the book “Number One Sam."
April 16, 2015 – Amy Smith, of Damascus Township, Nancy Haggarty, of Texas Township, and Sen. Lisa Baker at the Wayne Economic Development Corporation annual meeting and dinner held at the Bryn Mawr Conference Center in Oregon Township.
April 14, 2015 – Professor Ed Ackerman and students from Luzerne County Community College visited Senator Lisa Baker and other legislators during a visit to Harrisburg as part of Community College Lobby Day at the Capitol.
April 13, 2015 – The Wyoming Seminary Preparatory School Wrestling squad visited Harrisburg and was recognized in the Senate Chamber by Sen. Lisa Baker. The team was also presented with a Senate Citation honoring its accomplishments. Among them was winning first place in the 2015 Pennsylvania Independent Schools Athletic Association Wrestling Tournament, which was the Blue Knights’ ninth consecutive state title. The team also captured second place in the 2015 National Preps Wrestling Tournament. Nine members won state titles and five were crowned national champions. Head Coach Scott Green, assistant coaches and the squad also toured the Treasury Vault and took the Capitol Tour in addition to spending time with Sen. Baker.
April 9, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker and Rep. Mike Peifer presented Salem Township (Wayne County) Supervisor Jim Swingle with citations from their respective legislative chambers honoring him for his induction into the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors Hall of Fame. Swingle was first elected in 1980 and has been serving since 1981. He’s currently the chairman of the Salem Township Board of Supervisors.
April 9, 2015 – Senator Lisa Baker, Rep. Sandra Major and other Wayne County community leaders and breast cancer survivors and their families gathered at Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale to kick off the Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition's 67 Women, 67 Counties traveling photo exhibit, which remains open to the public through April 19. Sen. Baker offered remarks at the event and listened to survivors tell their stories and medical professionals talk about the importance of early detection and advances in the field.
April 2, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker attended the Leadership Wilkes-Barre program and gave a presentation on the vanishing voter held at King’s College. U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, State Reps. Aaron Kaufer and Karen Boback, and Luzerne County Manager Robert Lawton were among those also at the event.
March 31, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker welcomed farmers from throughout the 20th Senatorial District to the Capitol while they were in Harrisburg for the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau’s State Legislative Conference.
March 31, 2015 – As part of the sixth annual Penn State Capital Day event, several Penn State University students spent some time with Sen. Baker and had the chance to have their photo taken with her on the floor of the Senate. Sen. Baker, center, is joined by, from left, students Max Saltzman, Logan McHale, Drianna Buonocore and Alexandra Necolettos. Drianna is from Lackawaxen Township, Pike County, Max is from Livingston, N.J., Logan is from Emmaus and Alexandra is from Marietta, Ga.
March 27, 2015 – Senator Lisa Baker and Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis were on hand for the 150th anniversary celebration of the Sylvania Lodge #354 in Shickshinny. At the event, Baker presented the Masonic Lodge with a Senate citation recognizing the milestone.
March 26, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker and Anthony T.P. Brooks joined State Rep. Aaron Kaufer, right, at the Open House event marking the opening of Kaufer’s district office in Luzerne.
March 19, 2015 – The senator welcomed Katrina Lynn, of Berwick, to the Senate floor and discussed legislative priorities. Katrina is interning with the Pennsylvania Pharmacists Association and is finishing up her Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Wilkes University.
March 18, 2015 – The Delaware Valley High School Jazz Ensemble performed at the Capitol as part of Music In Our Schools Month. Under the direction of Lance Rauh, the band’s 22 members performed several selections for Capitol visitors and legislators including Sen. Baker and Rep. Mike Peifer, who both stopped by to listen.
March 10, 2015 - Senator Lisa Baker, R-20th, presented a Citation from the Senate of Pennsylvania to John Janosik of Palmyra Township, Pike County, for serving as a volunteer firefighter for 50 years. Janosik, who started with the Central Volunteer Fire Department in Lackawaxen Township as a junior firefighter at the age of 12, was praised by Baker for his unselfish dedication to saving the lives of others. She thanked him for his service with both the fire department and the fire police.
March 10, 2015 - Catching up with Roger and Ruth Altemire, of Greene Township, at the Chamber of the Northern Poconos' Luck Of The Irish dinner and raffle fundraising event at Ehrhardt's Waterfront Banquet facility on Lake Wallenpaupack.
March 2, 2015 - Sen. Lisa Baker welcomed several health care officials from across the state to the Senate on March 2 to mark the upcoming Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week in Pennsylvania. Among those attending was Nadine Greco, from Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale, who also serves as the president of the Tri-State Society for Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, a multi-disciplinary professional association that serves Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Baker, R-20th, introduced a Senate Resolution, which the Senate unanimously approved, designating the week of March 8-14 as Pulmonary Rehabilitation Week in Pennsylvania. Pictured, back row, from left: Sen. Baker; Greco, of Dunmore; Joy Reardon, Pinnacle Health, Harrisburg; Von Sheivert, Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp Hill; and Sen. Thomas McGarrigle, R-26th. Front row, from left: Ruth Akers, Bryn Mawr Hospital; Jill Fox, Somerset Hospital; Denise Sheffield, JC Blair Hospital, Huntingdon; and Diane Ortega, Pinnacle Health, Harrisburg.
February 18, 2015 - Sen. Lisa Baker welcomed Dallas High School cross country team members Lindsey Oremus and Ally Rome, along with their coach Matthew Samuel, to the State Senate. The students were presented with Senate Citations for their 2014 State PIAA Class AA Girls Individual Cross Country Championship performances. Rome, a junior, captured first place. Oremus, a senior, finished second at the Nov. 1 championships in Hershey. The duo from Franklin Township finished nearly 20 seconds ahead of the rest of the field.
February 5, 2015 - Senator Lisa Baker, far right, welcomed a group of 20th Senatorial District residents to her Hawley District Office for a reception to celebrate their photos being chosen to grace the pages of her “Scenes from the 20th Senatorial District” calendar. Winners include, from left, Jeanette Niebauer, Dallas Township; Jeffrey Sidle, Hawley; Kim Erickson, Cherry Ridge Township; Eileen Chorba, Beach Lake; Katie Larsen-Lick, Fairview Township; and Cindy Innella, Shohola.
February 3, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker attended a reception held by the Special Court Judges Association of Pennsylvania. Among those in attendance were several magisterial district judges and legislators from the 20th Senatorial District. Pictured, from left, are State Rep. Rosemary Brown, Magisterial District Judge Paul Menditto from Pike County, Sen. Baker, Magisterial District Judge Bonnie L. Carney from Wayne County, and State Rep. Mike Peifer.
January 23, 2015 - Sen. Lisa Baker attended the 40th Anniversary Luncheon of Victims Resource Center in Wilkes-Barre. The event honored past board members and volunteers. The organization serves Luzerne, Carbon and Wyoming counties. The senator presented the center’s Executive Director Janet McKay with a certificate of appreciation honoring the milestone.
January 23, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker attended the retirement ceremony for Donna LaBar at the Chamber of the Northern Poconos office in Honesdale. LaBar received a certificate from Baker for her years of dedication and service to the Greater Wayne County business community.
January 22, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker attended the annual Pennsylvania Fairs and Showmen convention in Hershey. While there Baker, center, caught up with, from left, Wayne County Fair President Roger Dirlam, Mike and Judy Kmetz from the Luzerne County Fair and a visiting dignitary from New York State.
January 16, 2015 – Sen. Lisa Baker attended and spoke at an announcement at the Luzerne County Courthouse regarding the county’s plan to transfer ownership of Moon Lake Park to the State Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Among those attending the announcement, from left, Sen. John Yudichak; DCNR Secretary Ellen Ferretti; Patrick Solano, who served as the acting secretary when the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources was first created; Baker; and Nicholas Lylo, a district forester with DCNR.
January 15, 2015 - Sen. Lisa Baker was the featured speaker at the monthly dinner meeting of The Rotary Club of Hawley held Jan. 15 at the Settlers Inn in Hawley. Baker discussed the new legislative session and took questions from the audience regarding education funding, transportation, attracting businesses to the region and fixing the state’s pension crisis. After the event she answered more questions and posed for pictures with Rotarians, including this one that shows, from left, Juan Espino, of Hawley, Sen. Baker, Melanie Tek-Visgilio and Tom Visgilio, both of Palmyra Township, Pike County.
January 11, 2015 – Sen. Baker attended the annual White Mills Sportsman’s Festival sponsored by the White Mills Fire Department in Wayne County. While there, the senator won the hat she’s wearing in this photograph. Joining the senator, from left, are: Henry Rimlinger, Gary Brown and James Sibley. The fundraising event included a gun raffle and other prizes geared toward sportsmen.
January 8, 2015 – Sen. Baker was the guest speaker and offered advice and insights to future leaders at Wyoming Seminary’s Business Club meeting inside the school’s Settler Learning Resource Center.
January 7, 2015 – Members of Girl Scout Troop 30862 from Forty Fort visited Sen. Baker’s Dallas office to attain their "Finding Common Ground" badge. The senator assisted the scouts by exploring civil debate, understanding compromise and group decision making.
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