For as long as I live, I’ll always wonder what life would have been like if I had moved out of Greater Pittston.

Don’t get me wrong — I enjoy living in Northeastearn Pennsylvania, especially this time of the year when the trees change colors. For those living south or southwest, the most common comment I hear is how much they miss the changing of the seasons.

But of those who have stayed put and never left the area with the exception of vacations, how many think they missed the boat by not leaving?

I don’t know what makes someone feel so compelled to leave or even have the nerve to walk away from a comfort zone like family and familiarity of one’s hometown.

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Probably every generation born here has had its detractors of the area. The most common critics are high school seniors. Most can’t wait to leave The Valley, but when all is said and done, many do come back.

I’ve always admired those that went away to college, enlisted in the armed services or just decided to leave the area on a whim. Everyone knows someone that decided it was time to move on, and many made it work.

I suppose some people leave for various reasons like a bad relationship, work commitments or even to escape winters.

Then there are some who want to reach for their dreams. One such person is Dale Pavinski, a former West Wyoming resident.

Dale grew up locally, went to college, got a teaching job at Wyoming Area and was on his way to having a career in education, and possibly settling down.

But something was burning deep inside. He, like model and actress Amanda Booth, had a passion he felt worth pursuing – Dale wanted to act.

He made the decision to leave teaching and headed west to Los Angeles to grab the brass ring.

Most people in the acting field say don’t give up your day job while chasing your dream. The only place to try to make it in Hollywood, is Hollywood.

Dale is a physically fit guy with a certain look that probably has opened up a few doors for him. He shaves his head and has a strong likeness to fellow actor Vin Diesel. That resemblance got him the staring role in a spoof of the series starring Diesel, “The Fast and the Furious,” called “Superfast!” His character name was Vin Serento, of course. That movie, which premiered in 2015 and is available on Netflix, has given him credibility in the industry.

Dale rented out a theatre at Movies 14 in Wilkes-Barre, where he had a private showing of “Superfast!” with about 200 of his closest friends and family.

Since “Superfast!,” Dale has appeared in TV shows like “NCIS,” “NCIS Los Angeles,” “Battle Creek,” “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D,” and “Driving Arizona.” This week, he will guest star in a series on NBC titled “Blindspot.” The epsisode airs at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9.

He will also guest star in an upcoming episode TV show called “Shooter,” which is currently in post-production.

Much to the dismay of his mother, Doreen, Dale seems to play a lot of bad people. He’s been on the wrong side of the law so many times, I’m starting to wonder if he had a shady past! I guess he’s so convincing as a bad guy that his acting must be that good. As Dale said, “Always the bad guy.”

Over the last few years, Dale is credited with not only acting, but producing, directing, writing, editing and even cinematography.

I love hearing stories about people who are doing well in their lives. And of course I will always admire those who left the comforts of home to reach for the stars.

Dale, like Amanda, knows how Los Angeles can swallow one up and spit one out in a heartbeat, but they are driven to succeed in a rough-and-tumble business where the percentages of succeeding are minuscule at best.

Good luck to our friend Dale. Keep fighting, keep working, and keep digging, but in the meantime, we will tune in on Wednesday to see who you will bump off or if you live to see another episode.

Quote of the week

“Often the difference between a successful person and a failure is not one has better abilities or ideas, but the courage that one has to bet on one’s ideas, to take a calculated risk and to act.” – Dennis Miller, American comedian. This quote is dedicated to Dale and Amanda and everyone else willing to take a risk.

Thought of the week

“Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God.” – Maya Angelou, American poet.

Bumper sticker

“Autumn, the year’s last, loveliest smile.” – William Cullen Bryant, American writer.

http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Callaio-Headshot-315-1.jpg.optimal.jpg

Former West Wyoming resident Dalve Pavinski poses in front of the ‘Superfast!’ movie poster, in which he stars. Pavinski held a private screening of the movie for family and friends at Movies 14 in Wilkes-Barre when it premiered in 2015.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Pavinski-Super-Fast-1.jpg.optimal.jpgFormer West Wyoming resident Dalve Pavinski poses in front of the ‘Superfast!’ movie poster, in which he stars. Pavinski held a private screening of the movie for family and friends at Movies 14 in Wilkes-Barre when it premiered in 2015. Tony Callaio File Photo | Sunday Dispatch

My Corner, Your Corner

Tony Callaio

Tony Callaio’s column My Corner, Your Corner runs weekly in the Sunday Dispatch. He can be reached at tonyc150@verizon.net.