SCRANTON -- People throughout our area are celebrating America's 240th birthday in a variety of ways.
Independence Day got off to a quiet start at Lackawanna State Park. It's what Melissa McAloon , her fiancé Matthew Dougherty, and their dogs Cano and Jax wanted. They came from their home in Dingmans Ferry for a little fishing, and a lot of nature.
"It's gorgeous, nice and quiet basically," said McAloon. "Hear the birds chirping, all the animals outside, it's really nice, peaceful."
The camping areas were just about filled. Common areas, early on this Independence Day morning, were just about empty.
Others chose to spend part of their Independence Day indoors. About 50 young women are devoting the week to Lady Defenders basketball camp, on the campus of Summit University, near Clarks Summit.
"I really want to improve in basketball. I love basketball. It's my favorite sport," said Liza Manning of Mansfield.
Manning said she could be picnicking and watching fireworks with family, but this soon-to-be high school freshman wants to up her game.
There's another athletic event taking place on this Independence Day morning and it's eight stories above Adams Avenue in downtown Scranton.
Accompanied by a cellist from the Northeastern Pennsylvania Philharmonic, about 100 people took a yoga class on the roof of the Medallion parking garage.
"I think it's great having it up here, especially when it's a beautiful day," said Kristen Shemanski of Jessup. "The sun is out. There's a nice breeze. I think it will be awesome."
This is the third year for yoga on the roof, and this year's turnout tops the other two.
"The community here is amazing and they show up and support each other and I think there's a really strong yoga community," said organizer Hilary Steinberg.
Steinberg says that yoga community becomes even stronger when members unite for a cause. The rooftop class cost $10 and the money goes to educational programs run by the Northeastern Pennsylvania philharmonic.
