Ziti dinner to benefit WP man with Cystic Fibrosis

“If I don’t get the lung transplant, I’ll be dead in a year.” These are the haunting words of Walter Popish, a 35-year old West Pittston resident suffering from Cystic Fibrosis. It is the same disease that took the lives of his brother John in 1996 at the age of 25 and his sister Stacey in 1976 at the age of 7-months.

Walter knows only too well of the horrors of this disease and he’s bound and determined to stay one step ahead of it. “I want to see my son Cody, 13, graduate from high school,” said Walter.

That’s one wish both he and his wife, Michelle (Salerno) want so badly. If Walter can hold his own, get his lung transplant, it could, in his own words, “buy me 15 more years.”

Walter’s in-laws, Angelo and Linda Serino, have been working hard at putting together a fund raiser to help with expenses in traveling to-and-from his primary hospital, Hershey Medical Center and now, The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. With travel, food, and lodging, it has cost up to $1,000 each trip.

In 2005, Walter was forced to stop working, in ’06 he was officially declared disabled and in 2007, the disease really began to take its toll and he is now on oxygen 24-7.

Walter has been a public servant as a volunteer firefighter and EMT who had your back for many years and now it’s our turn to pay Walter back.

There will be a Ziti Dinner to benefit Walter Saturday, February 14 at the Moose Lodge, Exeter Avenue, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tickets will be available at the door.

If you cannot make it to the dinner and would like to donate, you can send a check to the Walter Popish Benefit Fund, c/o UFCW Federal Credit Union, 377 Wyoming Avenue, Wyoming, PA 18644.

It’s times like this when the hearts of all West Pittstonians and Greater Pittstonians alike band together to lend a helping hand.

The Popish/Salerno families thank everyone in advance for their support and would especially like to thank the Moose Lodge and members of the former Goodwill Hose Company for being a huge help.

WA Diamond Club

There will be a Wyoming Area Diamond Club meeting tomorrow, February 8 at 7:00 p.m. in room 129 at the secondary center. All parents from grades 7-12 are urged to attend. Plans for the upcoming season will be finalized.

Valentine Rose Sale

West Pittston Hose Company will, once again, be selling roses for Valentine’s Day. You may purchase your flowers on Friday, February 12 from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.; Saturday, February 13 from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, Valentine’s Day from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the old CVS building located behind Stackhouse Auto Electric.

Red roses are $25.00 for one dozen and pastel roses of the same color are $25.00 for two dozen. Baby’s Breath is $5.00 a bunch. Make sure you get there early because last year they sold out on the last day of sales.

WA Softball

The Wyoming Area Softball Parents will hold a meeting on Wednesday, February 10, at 7:00 p.m. at Sabatini’s Pizza in Exeter. Plans for “Meet the Warriors” and the Ziti Dinner will be finalized. ALL parents for players in grades 7th thru 12th are urged to attend. For any questions, call Drew at 655-8756.

Senior Parents

The Parents of the 2010 senior class will meet Thursday February 11, at 7:00 p.m. in room 129. All parents of the senior class are welcomed and encouraged to attend. Upcoming fundraisers for the “All Night Party” will be discussed. If you have any questions, please contact Michael Coco at 654-2620.

Class of 1961

The West Pittston Class of 1961 will conduct their first meeting in preparation of their upcoming 50th Class Reunion.

The meeting will be held on Thursday, February 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the West Pittston Municipal building on Exeter Avenue. All classmates are welcomed and urged to attend.

Pancake Dinner

Trinity Episcopal Church, the corner of Spring Street and Montgomery Avenue, will conduct their annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake, Egg and Sausage Dinner on Tuesday, February 16 from 3:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Take-out and seating will be available.

Dinners are $6.00 for adults and $4 for children under 10-years old. Tickets available at the door or in advance by calling 654-3261.

WA Class of ‘85

The Wyoming Area Class of 1985 will conduct a planning meeting for their 25th reunion on Thursday, February 18 at 7:00 p.m. at Gober’s Deco Lounge on Wyoming Avenue, Exeter.

Anyone interested in assisting with the reunion is asked to attend. Any questions can be directed to Lee Forlenza at 570-883-0961 or Lforlenza@Geico.com.

Library Challenge

Patrons of the West Pittston Library are reminded of the $5,000.00 challenge donation received recently by anonymous donors. If you have not sent in your annual campaign donation yet, please do so. It will count toward the challenge.

The challenge began January 1 and ends May 1, 2010. The library is confident that the challenge can be met. You can drop any donations off at the library or mail to the library at 200 Exeter Avenue, West Pittston, 18643.

Library Fundraiser

The Library is participating in the Bon-Ton Community Day being held on February 27.Booklets are available for $5.00 at the Library. The $5.00 donation stays with the library and you receive a $10.00 coupon plus several 20% coupons that can be used on the 27th at any Bon-Ton store.

Women’s Club

The West Pittston Women’s Club is taking reservations for the Swoyersville Dinner Theater to see Annie on Sunday, March 14. The deadline for reservations is February 21. Friends are welcome. For reservations call Doris at 654-7752.

Graduation Booklets

The Wyoming Area Scholarship Celebration Committee is seeking anyone who has a copy of the following Wyoming Area Graduation Booklets: 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970 and 1971.

If anyone has a copy of any of these, please call and speak directly to Mrs. Rabel, guidance secretary, at 655-2836X2339 to make arrangements to bring the copy in to her so she can make a copy of said booklet as the owner waits. The copy will be returned to the owner immediately after said copy is made.

Rams Board

The Board of the West Pittston Rams announces two openings for a secretary and a vice president of concessions for 2010.

Responsibilities begin immediately to include monthly planning meetings. These are12-month positions requiring dedicated, motivated volunteers who want to improve and guide the operations of the West Pittston Rams football and cheerleading family.

Cheerleading Event

The Board announces that on Saturday, September 25, 2010, the Rams will host the WVWYFCC 2010 League Cheerleading Competition. The Rams will be hosting the cheerleading squads from the 9-member towns for this daylong event, which will prove to be a major fund-raiser to support the Rams operations.

Fire Dept. Drive

The fund drive letters have been sent out for the Fire Department and the fundraiser is underway.

Our fire department is 100% volunteer and donations mean everything to their survival.

Please mail your contribution to: West Pittston Fire Company, P.O. Box 3130, West Pittston, PA 18643.