TimesLeader.com

Rooney views Pittston through his lens - 11/15/2009
Gene Rooney, owner and proprietor of Rooney’s Irish Pub at 67 S. Main Street, Pittston, is a genuine Renaissance Man. He’s a poet, pilot, photographer, carpenter, dive master, executive body guard and ex-cop. This is just a small ...

We are community - 11/08/2009
The Greater Pittston YMCA Board of Directors is inviting residents in the Greater Pittston area to An Evening of Honors.

Keep cool - 11/01/2009
From we what hear some voters will bring a lot of anger with them to the polls on Tuesday. That’s understandable, given the seemingly never ending string of corruption coming out of the Luzerne County Courthouse, not to mention th ...

Thanks, Doc - 11/01/2009
More than 40 years. More than 400 high school football games in all sorts of weather. Thousands of physical exams. Who knows how many turned ankles, pulled muscles, bruised hips.

Guy’s Day - 11/01/2009
Father’s Day won’t come again until June but you could call today Guy’s Day.

Winter Wellness - 10/25/2009
Warm up this winter with some great new programs at the Greater Pittston YMCA.

Tradition abounds at St. Rocco’s - 10/18/2009
When the Italian American Association of Luzerne County processed from St. Rocco’s Church to the statue of Christopher Columbus on South Main Street last Sunday following the 11 a.m. Mass it was the fourth procession from the Tomp ...

Fit to be tried - 10/11/2009
The Greater Pittston YMCA is challenging area residents to get moving.

Enjoying the Dispatch in Ocean City - 10/04/2009
Jimmy Salerno holds a copy of the Sunday Dispatch on the balcony at the board walk in Ocean City, Maryland.

Fix this, before it’s too late - 09/27/2009
Before we find ourselves sending reporters and photographers to cover a major pile-up at the intersection of Oak Street and Route 315 in Pittston Township, we believe it is our duty to call attention to this dangerous situation.

YMCA mourns loss of board member - 09/27/2009
The Greater Pittston YMCA mourned the loss of Board Member Mike Matosky this week.

Thanks, Steve - 09/20/2009
We shudder to think where the Sunday Dispatch would be without the help and support of photographer Steve Lukasik.

The arts, pork and trains - 09/20/2009
Artists complained the lack of a state budget is holding up funding for the arts. They staged a mild protest with the slogan: “Imagine a world with no art.”

Scholarships available - 09/13/2009
The Greater Pittston YMCA is working to give all families a chance to enjoy our facility.

Share your bounty - 09/06/2009
An old joke goes like this:

Got a job? Give thanks - 09/06/2009
It’s hard to find good news in an unemployment rate that has climbed to 9.7% but government figures released last week indicate that while unemployment is on the rise, it is rising at a slower pace.

It’s a dog’s life for Molly Cipriani - 09/06/2009
Don’t tell Eileen Cipriani’s Bichon Molly it was a poor summer weather-wise. Molly got plenty of use out of the family swimming pool.

Making school fun - 09/06/2009
The Greater Pittston YMCA will start its half-day school program for two, three, four and five-year-olds the week of September 14 and enrollment is still open!

My battle with obesity - 08/30/2009
After my obesity column appeared in last week’s Dispatch, I received many phone calls, emails and letters asking what motivated me to drop all the weight. Here is my story.

Our Cat: No Name Grey Markarian - 08/30/2009
Twelve or more years ago, a young grey cat began to visit us. He would come to our back door and sit there until some sort of meal was produced by my sympathetic, cat loving wife, Inge.

Spouses can apply on line, too - 08/30/2009
You probably already know that when it comes time to apply for retirement, you can do it online at www.socialsecurity.gov/applyonline. But did you know that spouses can appl ...

All our children - 08/30/2009
We love the photo of little Maddy Leftkowski, especially her engaging smile, on the front page today but we would have preferred not to publish it.

A couple of Pittston angels in Florida - 08/30/2009
Pittston’s Joe and Teresa DiLorenzo are pictured here with John Rogers, center, at St. Jude’s Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Florida, where the two locals serve as ushers during their winter stay. Rogers, a former State Trooper from ...

Obesity: Complex problem? I don’t think so! - 08/23/2009
There has been much talk and debate about national health care. I am not going to discuss politics or the pros and cons of universal health care, that is in the control of the politicians.

Learn to swim - 08/23/2009
It’s never too late to get your feet wet.

Display Dispatch at the Grand Canyon - 08/23/2009
Nicole and Victoria Pierson of Port Griffith display a Sunday Dispatch at the West Rim of the Grand Canyon, the site of the Skywalk. Nicole and Victoria, along with their parents Joe and Diane, ventured onto this glass-bottomed pl ...

Family needs helping hand - 08/23/2009
Down in south Pittston, at the ‘Fork in the Road” as the old timers say, in the back of the Falcone Beverage building, a group calling themselves the South Pittston Social Club sprang up a year or so ago seemingly out of nowhere.

Go to town - 08/23/2009
Hope you don’t need a reminder about what to do today to have fun.

Sauce Wars - 08/16/2009
It’s time to test your taste buds! The Greater Pittston YMCA is hosting the Second Annual Sauce Wars at the Pittston Tomato Festival. The Festival runs Thursday, August 20, to Sunday, August 23. Each year the YMCA hosts a booth at ...

Charles C. Cumbo - 08/16/2009
Charles C. Cumbo, 68, of Orlando, FL died August 9, 2009 after a short battle with cancer.

They made it happen - 08/16/2009
If you enjoyed the fireworks over the Susquehanna, you have these sponsors to thank:

Gymnastics Is Back! - 08/09/2009
The Greater Pittston YMCA is offering a sneak peek at its fall sports program line-up.

Grablick’s truck brings back memories - 08/09/2009
Photographer Bill Tarutis shot this photo recently just to try out his new “Lensbaby.” He describes it as a selective-focus lens that blurs everything except a movable “sweet spot” that you can place anywhere you would like in the ...

Y exercise? August swim special is a great way to get fit - 08/02/2009
The Greater Pittston YMCA is challenging individuals to jump in and get fit with our new August Swim Special.

One squirrely summer - 08/02/2009
And we thought the stock market was crazy. How about the weather?

Monument repairs are necessary - 08/02/2009
It’s a difficult time to conduct a fund raiser but next Saturday’s walk to raise money for repairs to the Wyoming Monument is a project that we cannot afford to ignore. The monument commemorates the 1778 Battle of Wyoming and a ce ...

Personalize your workout - 07/26/2009
Does your workout plan need a boost? The Greater Pittston YMCA can help!

Honor Manny - 07/26/2009
Most people remember Manny Gordon’s famous “Enjoy! Enjoy!” but few may recall the rest of the sentence: “… the great outdoors of Northeast Pennsylvania.”

Frontier supports YMCA - 07/19/2009
Frontier Communications employees donated their time last Sunday to help spruce up the interior of the YMCA.

Come together - 07/19/2009
The most charming thing about the people of Greater Pittston is the way we come together. Whether in times of tragedy or times of celebration, folks who live around here have a special bond.

Martini zucchini a rare one - 07/19/2009
Albert Martini Sr., of Exeter, stopped by the Sunday Dispatch with an unusual zucchini he grew in his backyard garden.

School Days at the YMCA - 07/12/2009
The Greater Pittston YMCA will begin enrollment for its 2009/2010 childcare programs this month.

Farewell, Fathers - 07/12/2009
Rev. Gregory Finn, OSJ, pastor at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Pittston, and Rev. Johnson Kochuparambil, OSJ, assistant pastor, will assume new duties at St. Gabriel’s Church, Hazleton, on July 15.

All aboard! - 07/12/2009
In case you missed the article in last week’s paper, a train excursion – pulled by a restored No. 425 Baldwin Light Pacific steam locomotive – is planned Sept. 6 from Duryea to Jim Thorpe.

Free fun, just when we needed it - 07/12/2009
Anyone who attended the “Fireworks over the Susquehanna” last Sunday night will tell you it was fabulous, the best ever.

Sorry ‘bout that - 07/12/2009
Pardon our enthusiasm.

Gettin’ better all the time - 07/05/2009
The weatherman wasn’t all that kind, but that did not stop the Northeast Fair from setting a one-day attendance record last weekend. “Final figures are not yet in,” said Joe Pupa of the Pittston Twp. Volunteer Fire Department and ...

PA Board handled this well - 07/05/2009
It could not have been easy to do, but the members of the Pittston Area Board of Education acted properly in firing Superintendent Ross Scarantino Monday night.

Charity steam ride - 06/28/2009
The Greater Pittston YMCA is inviting residents on a train ride.

Loftus death the end of an era - 06/28/2009
The last major figure in the Luzerne County Democratic organization’s era of supreme power was buried Friday. Robert A. Loftus, long-time Pittston Mayor, successful businessman, banker and county chairman died at age 91.

Always ‘Mayor’ Loftus - 06/28/2009
He was “Bob” to a small circle of people, “Dad” to only two, and “Mayor” to thousands.

Many to thank for Northeast Fair - 06/28/2009
As a Pittston Township resident, I wish to commend The Sunday Dispatch for providing extensive coverage of the Northeast Fair.

Thanks, Sisters - 06/28/2009
For 132 years (see story, page 7) the Sisters of Christian Charity taught thousands of students at St. Mary’s Assumption School. Today, that comes to an end. While the school will go on, the departure of Sister Esther Falzone brin ...

Camps underway at the Pittston YMCA - 06/21/2009
Camp is underway at the Greater Pittston YMCA.

Community service at its best - 06/21/2009
Who says community service is a thing of the past?

NE Fair a real bargain - 06/21/2009
You’ll find few summer bargains better than the Northeast Fair which opens Tuesday at the fairgrounds in Suscon and runs through next Sunday night.

Dads don’t ask for much, usually get it - 06/21/2009
What’s the difference between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day?

A young man dies; and a hero emerges - 06/14/2009
“Most men lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.”

Building Strong Kids - 06/14/2009
The Greater Pittston YMCA is helping our community one neighbor at a time.

Trooper Miller, an example of ‘bold courage’ - 06/14/2009
During the past 40 years, many heroes have been carried out of Charley Trippi Stadium at Pittston Area High School. Friday morning, one was carried in.

Summer at the YMCA - 06/07/2009
The Greater Pittston YMCA is kicking-off its summer session by teaching mothers and daughters to defend themselves.

Problem must be addressed - 06/07/2009
The story on the top of page 3 today details a situation that Pittston City and West Pittston Borough officials must address and address soon.

Visiting Pittston Library with thoughts of a healthy heart and a healthy life - 05/31/2009

YMCA applauds Pre-K graduates - 05/31/2009
The Greater Pittston YMCA hosted graduation this week for its pre-kindergarten class.

Summer Fun at the Pittston YMCA - 05/24/2009
Want to become a lifeguard? The Greater Pittston YMCA can help.

What’s going on in this photo? - 05/24/2009
What do you think is going on in this photo?

Thanks, Joe Keating; welcome, Jason Klush. - 05/24/2009
The reign of Joe Keating as mayor of Pittston City came to such an abrupt end last week there’s a danger the citizens of the city will overlook the progress made during the last three-plus years. That would be a shame.

Pittston YMCA’s ‘Silver Sneaker’ builds senior strength - 05/17/2009
Seniors at the Greater Pittston YMCA are proving that to be physically fit you need only be young at heart.

On the high road, mostly - 05/17/2009
One thing evident as we’ve closely observed the campaigns of the 17 judicial candidates – reading everything written about them, paying attention to every television, radio and print ad, and talking with several of them, particula ...

Be there - 05/17/2009
The new Pittston Little League will be dedicated at approximately 5:45 p.m., Monday, May 18. It is located at the corner of Church and Prospect streets. We can think of no better place to be at that time.

United Way Day of Caring - 05/10/2009
The Greater Pittston YMCA received a makeover Thursday thanks to the United Way.

Joe kept his promise - 05/10/2009
Except for the oxygen tank, his constant companion, Joe Tavaglione was the picture of health. His attitude had a lot to do with that.

Don’t forget single moms - 05/10/2009
Sadly in today’s day and age fathers walk away from parental responsibilities all the time. Mothers, however, usually aren’t afforded that option.

An open apology to ‘Buttons’ Alberigi - 05/03/2009
Back in the winter when the Wyoming Area school board made a baseball coaching change I accused director Dave “Buttons” Alberigi of lying to me when he said baseball was not singled out for a coaching change, bu ...

Mixed review on trout season, but it’s ‘pun’ - 05/03/2009
It’s time to “reel” in a few fish “tales”. You know, “cast” a line for a story or two. Maybe we could “hook” into a big one before it gets away. And then again, maybe I should leave the fish puns for now and head to the backbone o ...

Swim program for children with autism - 05/03/2009
Children with autism are having fun and learning safety in the pool.

Voters need their privacy - 05/03/2009
With the primary election only 16 days away we’d like to make a suggestion. We’d like to see an element of privacy returned to the voting process.

Stay cool - 05/03/2009
The Water Street Bridge is going to be closed all week for repairs. Drivers, please be patient.

Don’t miss the festival - 05/03/2009
There’s something new at the West Pittston Cherry Blossom Festival this year.

Power into summer - 04/26/2009
Looking for a great way to step up your fitness routine? Try Power 42.

Ink in my blood - 04/26/2009
One of the benefits of “getting old” is the ability to look back on your life and try to put some pieces together.

It’s back to the drawing board for drug group - 04/26/2009
You can almost hear the frustration in Carmen Ambrosino’s words in the story on page 7 about the drug information day for parents that wound up being cancelled on Saturday.

Libraries play unique role during hard times - 04/19/2009
Seventy years ago, Franklin Delano Roosevelt challenged Americans to greatness in riding out the Great Depression. In his words to the nation he dared men and women to rise up and take stock of the strength they carry within them. ...

Spring into action - 04/19/2009
It is an exciting time at the Greater Pittston YMCA. Spring is here and the Spring II sessions are about to begin.

Every day is Earth Day - 04/19/2009
Earth Day is Wednesday. The tradition began in 1970 and was celebrated by 20 million people. The same year President Nixon created the EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, which was promoted to clean up and protect the environmen ...

Healthy kids, happy parents - 04/12/2009
It’s tough. Ungluing the kids from the video games and television set is not an easy task. However, with spring in full swing, it’s time to get kids outdoors and moving.

An Easter message - 04/12/2009
Officially the United States is not a Christian country. After all religious freedom was the reason the early colonists came here. And religious freedom was one of the first principles the Founding Fathers addressed when they crea ...

Just like walking on water - 04/12/2009
A day of sunshine, a day of peace,

A sad baseball beginning - 04/12/2009
Now for another rite of spring, one lot more frivolous – baseball.

Join the indoor cycling craze - 04/05/2009
It’s addicting.

A message as Easter draws near - 04/05/2009
As I’ve entered my fifties, I find myself reflecting on the past more often. Many professionals preach not to dwell on the past but rather peer ahead at the future with optimism and excitement. I do abide by that philosophy, howev ...

Sweet - 04/05/2009
Major League Baseball opens tonight with the Philadelphia Phillies as defending World Series Champs. We could get used to that.

Litter getting out of hand - 04/05/2009
Earth Day is more than two weeks away (April 22) but we cannot wait that long to say a few words about how filthy Pittston City and some of the surrounding communities are.

A neat idea in Old Forge - 04/05/2009
It’s too late for this year but we’ve become aware of an unwritten rule in the borough of Old Forge that’s worth considering in other local towns.

It’s our heritage on display - 03/29/2009
If there is anything that unites the people living here it’s our common heritage as sons and daughters of deep coal miners. Very few natives of Northeastern Pennsylvania cannot trace their roots to the coal mines.

Thinks Dennis should be on WA school board ballot - 03/29/2009
I can’t believe candidates for the Wyoming Area school board would use such an excuse to keep Jimmy Dennis out of the school board race. To the best of my knowledge not one candidate ever filed a petition or complaint to have an o ...

What happened to that New Year’s resolution? - 03/29/2009
If you are like me, you made a dozen New Year’s resolutions and one of them was to get in shape.

Well done, Jimmy Steer - 03/22/2009
This afternoon at the Tribeca Conference Center, James A. “Jimmy” Steer will be recognized as the recipient of the Joseph F. Saporito Award for Lifetime Service. The Duryea resident has done “it all” on behalf of the citizens of h ...

How about a river earmark? - 03/22/2009
These days there is an emphasis for riverside cities like Pittston and Wilkes-Barre to tie revitalization of their downtowns to the river. On June 19 Wilkes-Barre will celebrate the opening of its new River Common – the $20 millio ...

This Patrick is all set for St. Patrick’s Day - 03/15/2009
Patrick Francis, of Laflin, son of Paul and Katie Francis, is all decked out for St. Patrick’s Day. Patrick will celebrate his first birthday on March 23.