Pittston Dispatch // PD Columnists // Maria Montante - Maria Remembers

Sunday October 04, 2009 | 01:00 AM

We have all experienced the situation when there is more than one activity scheduled in one day. Wanting to do it all but finding it impossible because of the time element, we bemoan “Everything happens in one day!”

Luckily on September 19 with three events on the calendar that I truly wanted to attend the time frame of morning, afternoon and evening allowed attendance to all.

Chet and I left the house at 9:45 a.m. with the sun shining, a slight breeze stirring creating a little chill. The smell and feel in the air made it a pre-autumn day.

Our destination was to the Marywood College Chapel to first recite the rosary with the members of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Enthronement Guild followed by the monthly meeting. This is a special time for we are connecting and planning future events to honor the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and it also gives us the opportunity to see and talk to Sister Celeste Sinissi, Sister Moderator, who was the CCD director at St. Rocco’s Church for many years.

It was well after lunch time (with no lunch) when we were on the road again. The road being I-81 with traffic moving at a steady pace and the tractor trailers, which seem to be three blocks long, bobbing in and out of lanes.

Maybe it was a good thing there was no lunch for this interstate always gives me agita.

Back to Pittston to attend the Second Annual Pittston Riverfest 2009 on the River Front Park sponsored by the Greater Pittston Cultural Coalition Inc.

The number of cars parked in Cooper’s lot was encouraging for it meant the activity was being well attended.

The first person who greeted us with a warm handshake and big smile was Mayor Keith Moss of Duryea. The mayor has been involved with the walking trail connecting Duryea and Pittston from its early inception. One could plainly see how delighted he was with the event.

Taking a few more steps we were greeted by Joe Savokinas and his granddaughter Dominique DelPriore. Joe one of the original planners and founder of the event is a mineral rock enthusiast who began collecting some 45 years ago. His collection is so extensive that his plan for the future is to create a museum.

A mining exhibit of pictures and artifacts were displayed in Cooper’s Cabana. Following the exhibit visitors were given the opportunity to board a wagon drawn by a tractor along the walking trail to the Knox Mine Disaster Site where a monument has been erected in tribute to the coal miners who perished in January 1959 when the Susquehanna River broke through the mine.

The park was lined with displays of rug making, arrow head making, historical pictures of Pittston, Indian artifacts from local excavation archeological sites, soap making, quilting, chair caning, scrimshaw, educational programs and hands-on educational displays and much more.

Attorney Jan Lokuta, organizer of tours of our local churches, was painting a mural of the city skyline and invited interested painters to pick up a brush to add their personal touch to the painting. Sitting beside Jan was a youngster Michael Branley with brush in hand intently painting one of the buildings. His mom explained that Michael loves to paint and could do it all day.

Through it all the sun continued to shine casting golden stripes on the waters of the Susquehanna. Tiny ripples appeared and one could image that the fish were jumping or dancing to the lively music provided by members of the Perspective Church located on Broad Street and pastored by Rev. Washington.

As I stood on the River Front Park many memories flooded back to the origin and the people who stood firm on the creation of the park. Today, it was being used for what it was intended and hopefully will continue to be used as a recreational site for future activities.

Many thanks to the founders of the Riverfest: Joe Savakinus, John Dziak, Char Overton, John Orlandini, Al Pesotini and Keith Moss.

The grand finale of the day occurred at the First Presbyterian Church on Broad Street to see the performance of Jim Malcolm an internationally famous folk singer of traditional Scottish songs and songwriter.

It was a learning experience since my knowledge of Scottish music is associated with the bagpipes.

The artist sang of his homeland with a touch of Scottish brogues bringing smiles to the descendents who were remembering grandparents speaking in that manner.

It was most interesting and heart warming watching the faces of those who were associating with the words and music.

The night was for remembering and embracing as Christie Hunter Hastie, the organizer, related as she introduced “Scotland’s own and ours for the night” (“Scotland’s ain and oors fer the nicht”).

Her voice quivered as she proudly stated she was named for a granny born in Alva Scotland and was told he had a gorgeous tenor voice.

On Saturday night neighbors gathered on the porch to hear him sing the “auld Scots sangs.”

Jim Bell, a descendant of Mrs. Margaret Devlin Johnson Bell who migrated to this country in 1904 with thirteen children to join her husband James Bell, found the concert and performance outstanding.

The evening was especially meaningful to him as photos and newspaper clippings related Mrs. Bell ’s family was the largest to arrive in America. She was presented a medal by President Theodore Roosevelt.

A “Where’s Margaret” contest to identify Margaret Devlin Johnson Bell granddaughter of Margaret Bell was held with the winner receiving a Jim Malcolm CD.

People who knew Margaret were disqualified. I spotted her in her Scottish plaid jacket at the intermission but was too late.

The concert was well attended as people came from New York State, Delaware and various parts of the state.

Familiar faces were Warren Pollard wearing a kilt and looking quite distinguished, Bill Hastie, Margaret Lumley, Violet Lumley, Megan Hastie, Charlie Valenti, Jean and Norman Evans, and Edyth Kepics.

It was a grand night not only for the Scots but for Pittston as well.

And now for the “Then Some” which occurred at the Pittston Farmer’s Market. I stood selecting cucumbers when I felt a tap on the shoulder.

A charming lady with a lovely smile asked if I was Maria.

She is a nun, a former Pittstonian, who wished to remain unnamed but who related she receives the Sunday Dispatch weekly at Danville where she is currently residing in retirement. After reading the paper it is passed on in the convent.

Sister Irene Lolli, a Dominican Sister, enjoys reading about the Pittston of the past and was very complimentary to me and Ed Ackerman.

Thank you, Sister, I send a hug and kiss and hope to meet you at the market one day.