Veterans Day brings thoughts of Duryea’s Ed Matt

As I was driving to work on Veterans Day, I heard a remix of the song “Home” by Michael Bubl�. It is such a beautiful song to begin with, but the rendition I heard on Magic 93 was even more touching as it had been edited to include sounds bites from military families sending greetings to their loved ones who are serving our country.

As I listened to the strong but concerned sound in the voices of the numerous husbands, wives, and children included in the song, it made me start thinking more about the brave men and women who have served our country in the past and the ones who do today. As I was thinking about people I know who have served our country honorably, one particular Duryea resident came to mind. His name is Ed Matt.

Anyone who knows Ed knows that his service to the United States did not end after World War II. In fact he still serves us honorably today.

Whether he’s leading the members of the Duryea American Legion as its commander in one of the many community events they sponsor annually, assisting the members of the Duryea V.F.W. Post 1227, volunteering his time with the Duryea Boy Scouts, or organizing coloring contests and Christmas parties for children, Ed has always been and continues to be a man that Duryea can count on!

Blood Drive

The members of the Duryea American Legion Brennan Regan Post 585 Ladies Auxiliary, the Duryea American Legion Brennan Regan Post 585, and the Duryea V.F.W. Post 1227 would like to thank everyone who participated in their American Red Cross blood drive last week.

Raffle Winners

Congratulations to the following winners of the Duryea V.F.W. Post 1227’s recent raffle: 633, Ann Marie Morgan, $50 bond from First Liberty Bank; 408, Lisa Knick, $50 bond from M&T Bank; 2865, D&S Barton, $50 bond from PNC Bank; 1697, Anna Komar, 100 tickets from Phoenix Performing Arts; 2921, Dave Gretz, $200 gift certificate to Design Hearing Instruments; 515, Buddy Novak, 200 gift certificate to Design Hearing Instruments; 1378, Resavy, $50 gift certificate to Pizzazz Flowers & Gifts; 1594, Barbara Eyat, $50 gift certificate to Anzelmi Optical; 754, Becka Samon, $50 gift certificate to Ben Domiano Optical; 1183, Paul Colwell, $50 gift certificate to John A. Fisher, O.D.; 124, Marie Cromey, $50 gift certificate to Pittston Tire & Auto; 343, Mucciolo, $25 gift certificate to Weis Markets; 1340, Champi, $25 gift certificate to AuRants; 888, Diane Dobroskie, $25 gift certificate to AuRants; 221, Panko, $25 gift certificate to Homeland Tactical III; 173, Keppick, $25 gift certificate to Homeland Tactical III; 1749, F. Rava, $25 gift certificate to Balchune Construction; 2546, Barbara Clarke, $25 gift certificate to Rehoski’s Market; 380, Sue Peet, $25 gift certificate to Komensky’s Market; 3000, Kilyanek, $25 gift certificate to Mr. Z’s Pharmacy; 457, Krefski, $25 gift certificate to Sunshine Market; 261, James Gaughan, $25 gift certificate to Zach and Rocco’s; 274, Dawn Toole, $25 gift certificate to Vince’s Pizza Express; 3023, Donlin, $25 gift certificate to Arby’s; 3479, Pliska, $25 gift certificate to Arby’s; 3324, Holy Rosary Sisters, $25 gift certificate to G+G Express Marts; 1635, Larroa, dinner gift certificate to Nardone’s Restaurant; 1299, P. McGlynn, $25 gift certificate to Rinaldi’s; 1347, Joe Danko, $25 gift certificate to Salerno’s Caf�; 2509, Anastasie, $25 gift certificate to Moosic Diner; 3300, Vihroski, $25 gift certificate to Arcaro & Genell’s; 269, Marriggi, $25 gift certificate to Old Forge Quick Lube; 455, Burte, $25 gift certificate to Rossi’s Market; 158, Arrey Marcinko, pizzas from PaPa John’s; 375, Kinney, $25 gift certificate to Jhon’s Place; 309, Moran, $25 gift certificate to Brutico’s; 1415, Ed Kreczkevich, $25 gift certificate to Quinn’s Market; 1365, Pernot, $25 gift certificate to Advance Auto Parts; 1383, Graziano, $25 gift certificate to Tomlinson’s Floral & Gift; 1708, Bob W., $25 gift certificate to Birney Beverage; 1193, Yvonne Ziemba, $25 gift certificate to Revello’s; 1752, Tony Barlik, $25 gift certificate to Kresge’s Hardware; 70, Yager, $20 gift certificate to Cadden Old Forge Beverage; 137, Obester, $20 gift certificate to Larry’s One Hour Cleaners; 3033, Kobal, $20 gift certificate to Anthony’s; 653, Peg Burton, $25 gift certificate to Osmalia’s Gulf Station; 2875, Connie Davis, $20 gift certificate to Uniforms for All Sports; 91, Spathlef, $20 gift certificate to Town Tavern; 2869, D&S Barton, $20 gift certificate to Julia’s Restaurant; 439, Tomeo, $20 gift certificate to Bronzed Bunz; 2542, Maslowski, $20 gift certificate to Wal-Mart; 2532, Yazinski, $20 gift certificate to Cee Kay; 1432, Lilian Witkowski, $25 gift certificate to Duryea Auto Parts; 262, Bosak, $20 gift certificate to CFM Store; 2836, Gallagher, $25 gift certificate to Dee-N-Hair; 1495, Champi, one grooming at The Pet Salon; 879, Poplarchick, $10 gift certificate to My Sister’s Kitchen; 464, Nykaza, $200 gift basket from Joe’s Quik Mart; 3047, Alice Schield , hair cut from Hair Shapers; 2770, Rosann Rutledge, TBA; 665, Wheeler, TBA; 1283, Pokorney, TBA; 321, Mason, TBA; 2874, Brenda Adams, TBA; 3467, Pliska, TBA; 1435, Grossman, TBA; 1433, Peg Urban, TBA; 131, Shirley Milazzo, TBA; and 1753, Tony Barlik, gift basket from Joe’s Quik Mart.

Polish Alliance

The Duryea Polish National Alliance Lodge 187 will not meet today. The next meeting will take place in December.

Dinner Today

The Rev. G. Scott Boghossian and the parishioners of St. Michael the Archangel Byzantine Catholic Church invite the community to celebrate the feast day of their parish’s patron saint at their annual dinner today from 1-3 p.m. in the church hall, 205 N. Main St., Pittston. The menu includes roast beef, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, cake, and coffee, tea, or a soft drink. The dinners are $8 for adults and $6 for children under 10. Takeouts will be available too. There will also be a raffle at the dinner. The public is invited to attend.

Crime Watch

The Duryea Crime Watch will meet Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the Duryea Municipal Building, 315 Main St. Duryea Police Chief Nicholas Lohman will be present to discuss any concerns or problems residents may have.

Christian Women

The Christian Women of Holy Rosary Church will meet Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in the church hall, 127 Stephenson St. The meeting agenda includes the upcoming bake sale and the Christmas party. All dues for this year will also be collected at this time. The hostesses for this meeting are Gloria Barlik and Dolores Nitowski. Helen Rava is the president, and the Rev. Charles Rokosz is the moderator.

Sewer Authority

The Duryea Borough Sewer Authority will have a special meeting Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Duryea Municipal Building, 315 Main St., to pass the 2010 budget. The regular monthly meeting will take place following the budget meeting. The public is invited to attend.

Bake Sale

The Holy Rosary Church Confraternity of Christian Women will have their semi-annual bake sale in the lower church hall Saturday, Nov. 21 following the 4 p.m. Mass and Sunday, Nov. 22 following the 8, 9:30, and 11 a.m. Masses at the church, 127 Stephenson St. Anyone who is donating baked goods should bring them to the lower church hall Saturday morning.

Prayer Service

Holy Mother of Sorrows Polish National Catholic Church and Sacred Heart of Jesus Church will have a community Thanksgiving prayer service Saturday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. at Holy Mother of Sorrows PNCC, 212 Wyoming Ave., Dupont. The Rev. Dawid, pastor of Holy Mother of Sorrows PNCC, will lead the services, and the Rev. Verespy, pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, will be the homilist. Both parish choirs will join voices in praise and thanksgiving. A collection will also be taken to benefit the Pittston Food Bank. Refreshments will be served in the church hall following the service. The public is invited to attend.

Christmas Party

The Christian Women of Holy Rosary Church will have their Christmas party Sunday, Dec. 6 at 5 p.m. at the V.F.W. Post 1227, 492 Stephenson St. Admission is $20 per person. In lieu of grab bag gifts, cash donations will be collected for the needy. To make a reservation please call Debbie Orner at 457-8721 or Nancy Rafferty at 457-3781 by December 1.

Legion Auxiliary

The Duryea American Legion Brennan Regan Post 585 Ladies Auxiliary will meet Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the post home, 329 Main St. All members are urged to attend.

The auxiliary would also like to remind families of auxiliary members to please update any membership statuses by calling the post at 457-4242 or mailing a note to the post home at 329 Main St., Duryea PA 18642.

The members of the Duryea American Legion Brennan Regan Post 585 and its ladies auxiliary will have their annual Christmas party for the members’ children Saturday, Dec.12 at 1 p.m. at the post home, 329 Main St.

Duryea Bingo

Duryea bingo takes place every Monday at the Germania Hose Company, 430 Foote Ave. The doors open at 4:30 p.m. and the games begin at 6:30 p.m. There is a guaranteed $1,000 jackpot every week.

To make a reservation for complimentary transportation, please call 342-5052 by 1 p.m. on bingo game day. For weekly bingo information, please call the Germania Hose Company Monday evenings at 451-3750.

PD Area Notes