PD News

May 14, 2008

Cherry Blossom Festival

Leonard Cumbo Grand Marshal for Saturday parade

Tony Callaio, Dispatch correspondent

He’s been a permanent fixture for 55-years in

West Pittston and to many, he’s the guy who drives the silver SUV playing his beloved Italian music while chomping on his favorite cigar. Those near to him know him as a lovable, compassionate man with a great sense of humor. He’s Leonard Cumbo, and this year’s the selection committee of the West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival has chosen him to be the 2008 Grand Marshal.

The festival opens next Saturday, May 17, with a parade at noon. At the same time, Lee Strubeck, the “Piano Man,” gets things started on the river common along

Susquehanna Avenue

in West Pittston . The festival continues next Sunday, May 18, with activity beginning at 11:30 a.m. on the river common.

Cumbo received a phone call from Cherry Blossom Festival General Chairman, Mark Kolmansperger, that he was chosen as the Grand Marshal. There have been many distinguished marshals over the years and Leonard is thrilled to receive such an honor.

 “I want to thank the committee for choosing me and it’s an honor to even be considered,” said Cumbo. “There have been a lot of people on the long list of grand marshals and to be included is really something.”

 That long list of past marshals include: Roy Stauffer, Robert “Red” Campbell, Irene Campbell, Manny Gordon, Dr. John Testa, Thomas Dale, Mickey Melberger, Jake Sobeski, and George Miller to name a few.

 Even though this 1947 Pittston High School graduate is retired, he keeps very active in the community. He is the current president of the Holy Name Society at Immaculate Conception Church, West Pittston ; treasurer of the Italian American Association; co- chair of the Mother of Sorrow Procession at St. Rocco’s Church, Pittston; and past-president of the Serradifalco Society.

 Leonard and his wife, the former Florence Angelella, are the proud parents of five children and all of his children, daughters Karen Joseph and Carmelita Sherin, along with sons, Michael and Joseph and the late Leonard, Jr., have been proud of their dad.

 “When the boys were younger, I used to spend a lot of time at the West Pittston Little League umpiring games,” Cumbo recalls. The Little League is just down the street from his

Boston Avenue

home.

 Cumbo has never been too far from home, whether working for Tabone and Barbera, Pittston, or the S.G. Mastriani Construction Company that built the Graden Village Apartments. “That was a great project and I’m proud I served as building superintendent during construction,” added Cumbo.

Cumbo, who calls himself as a “people person," is looking forward to being a part of the Cherry Blossom Parade where he can see all the happy faces of residents of West Pittston .

 

Schedule of Events

 

Saturday, May 17

Noon – Parade, Lee Strubeck at festival grounds

12:45 - Welcome, Mayor Bill Goldsworthy; Remarks- Mark Kolmansperger, Festival President

1:00 – Little Miss Cherry Blossom Contest

2:00 – Dance Theater of Wilkes-Barre

3:00 – Pittston David Blight Dancers

4:00 – Puppen Meister Puppet Show

5:15 – TBA

Sunday, May 18

11:30 a.m. – Welcome, Brian Thornton, WP council president; Star Spangled Banner – Brooke Chervenitski

11:40 – Eleanor Grant Singers

12:00 – Lip Sync Contest

12:45 – Bethany School of Music

1:15 – 10th Street 6th grade Drama Club

1:45 – WA Drama Club “Footloose”

2:10 – Without Walls Modern Dance Company

2:40 – Rothrock Kung Fu

3:15 – Fender Bender (Local rock band)

4:00 – NE Academy of Dance

4:30 – Jeanne Pizano ( Nashville recording artist and lead singer for Flaxy Morgan)

5:15 – Cherry Pick Winners

5:30 - Closing

 

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