Click here to subscribe today or Login.
Decisions, decisions, decisions. We face decisions every day, every hour, every minute of our lives. Sometimes we make good decisions and sometimes we make bad ones. Some people never have a problem second-guessing themselves and others just over analyze a decision.
I left the Sunday Dispatch for a new venture and, after not too long, missed my home of 15 years.
I missed the familiar faces I’d see job after job. I missed being a part of a newspaper that I grew up with and read from a very early age. I missed the philosophy of the Dispatch of getting as much exposure as possible for the area’s two school districts, including Greater Pittston’s love of Pittston Area and Wyoming Area sports.
It was decision time again for me. What to do?
After placing a call to the Times Leader’s Community News Group Editor Dotty Martin about the possibility of having a discussion regarding my possible return to the Sunday Dispatch, a meeting was set up and we aired our feelings. At the end of our meeting, the ball was in Dotty’s court.
I am happy to report the Dispatch has decided to accept me back — back home where I belong.
I hope to be doing much of what I did before my brief hiatus from the Dispatch like photography, writing features and who knows, maybe a surprise or two.
I’d like to thank Dotty and staff of the Dispatch for allowing me to return and I’d like to thank you, readers of the paper, for telling me how much I was missed. It’s good to be home.
Pittston St. Patrick’s Parade
How about that St. Patrick’s Day Parade! Hats off to this year’s organizers for putting together a parade that rivals the best.
If it weren’t for the cold temps and the wind chill factor, the crowd would have been as large as last year’s inaugural event.
I thought I might as well take my camera and I’m glad I did. I shot over 500 photos to capture the joy and happiness of the holiday.
Often times, I’ll post my photos on my Facebook page for all to enjoy. I posted approximately 70 photos and, if you are familiar with Facebook, a member could “Like” a photo posted. To date, Msgr. John Bendik and the ever-popular Jerry Mancinelli are neck-in-neck with over 160 people liking their photos.
Msgr. Bendik always steals the show when he’s present and really, what event in Pittston would be a party if Monsignor didn’t show up? If you can’t see him, you can hear him with that jovial laugh that is so distinguishable.
Jerry was riding along in the car featuring District Magistrate Alexandra Kokura-Kravitz and you really had to question who was the politician — as identifiable as Monsignor’s laugh is, Jerry’s smile is his signature.
The party never stopped once the parade was over. Many of Pittston’s fine establishments partied until the wee hours of the morning.
With downtown improving each and every day, don’t be surprised to see a lot more special events drummed up by Mayor Jason Klush, Mike Lombardo and gang. Things are certainly looking up for Pittston and I, for one, can’t wait to see what’s coming next.
Help for West Pittston family
A relief fund has been established in the name of John Dombrosky whose family was affected by a recent arson fire at their home on Luzerne Avenue. Dombrosky, his wife, and their 9-year old daughter lost just about everything.
The fund has been set up at the West Pittston Branch of the Fidelity Deposit and Discount Bank on the family’s behalf to help them recover from their losses.
Make your donations payable to the “Dombrosky Family Fire Relief Fund.”
Wyoming Area Kiwanis event
The Harlem Ambassadors basketball team will at Wyoming Area at 6 p.m. on Friday, March 27. Tickets are $9 for adults, $7 for students/senior citizens, and free for children under 4 years of age. The event is sponsored by the Wyoming Area Kiwanis.
The “K” Family All-Stars, featuring members of Kiwanis along with special guests, will challenge the Ambassadors.
There will be a dinner immediately following the game at the cafeteria. Tickets for the buffet will be $10 per person with children under 4 years of age allowed to eat for free.
For more information, call 570-407-0173.
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny
Breakfast with the Easter Bunny, sponsored by Tracey’s Hope animal rescue, will take place from 9:30 a.m. until noon on Palm Sunday, March 29 at St. Michael’s Byzantine Catholic Church, 205 N. Main St., Pittston.
Cost for the breakfast is $6 per child and $8 per adult. There will be pictures with the Easter Bunny for children from noon until 3 p.m. by Pixel Perfect Photography. Cost per picture is $10.
In addition, there will be an Easter Egg Hunt held from noon until 3 p.m.
Prizes and raffles followed by Pet Pictures with the Easter Bunny will be held from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Tickets for the breakfast can be obtained by calling Janette at 570-677-8503 or mail check payable to Tracey’s Hope Easter, 113 Foote Ave., Duryea, PA 18642.
Birthdays of the week
March 15: Jay Duffy, Edward Esposito, Sarah Mack. March 16: Dom Aritz, James Parry, Karyn Goldsworthy, Carley Mulhern. March 17: Pat Callaio, Rachel Gross, John Hayduk, Joyce Bubblo Nardozzi. March 18: Rick Notari, Mike Jallen, Anthony Chiampi. March 19: Brittany Thomas, Sarah “Jeter” Dalton. March: 20: Cathy Callaio. March 21: Jackie Galvin, Alissa Dennis, Brian Overman, Patti Aufiere, Megan Kuffa.
Quote of the week
“I have concluded that wealth is a state of mind and that anyone can acquire a wealthy state of mind by thinking rich thoughts.” – Andrew Young, American politician, diplomat, activist and pastor.
Thought of the week
True friendship isn’t about being there when it’s convenient — it’s about being there when it’s not.
Bumper sticker
Laugh as much as you breathe and love as long as you live.