Greater Pittston is a beehive of activity with construction and it seems workers are hustling to get as much done before the cold and snow arrive.

A drive over the Water Street Bridge into West Pittston reveals all the major work going on on Luzerne Avenue going towards Wyoming Avenue. I call it ground zero.

There have been sewer lines replaced, runoff drains and lines installed, gas lines changed out and a new water main placed. Curbs and sidewalks are currently being redone, and in the middle of all of this, a house and a church are being demolished.

Businessman Joe Agolino, owner of Agolino’s Restaurant, has been as patient as can be and he will even admit he is very lucky he acquired the lot where the former West Side Bank sat for decades. If that didn’t happen, his business could have been in serious jeopardy, as the original parking lot is right in the middle of all this construction.

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Down the street on Luzerne Avenue, Crest Cleaners owner Michael LaNunziata said he has his hands full. Just a week or so ago, a dump truck took down power lines essentially ripping the power lines feeding the cleaners right off the side of the building.

Throw in a major water main break weeks ago, it’s safe to say businesses are stressed to the max. When will the light at the end of the tunnel happen? I spoke to a construction foreman and he said the project probably wrap up next spring.

Apparently after the curbs and sidewalks are installed, the task of digging up the roadway will take place. I was told the pavement isn’t just going to be ground down and repaved, but the pavement will be dug up totally and graded. A layer of stone will be put down, then the paving will happen.

The new streetscaping is promised to showcase the borough and planners say when people travel over the bridge from Pittston, it will look fantastic.

It’s not just West Pittston going through a metamorphosis. Construction continues on Interstate 81 to the rail lines on Oak Street in Pittston and Dupont.

It may be an inconvience and a temporary setback, but when it’s all done, it will be great. Look at downtown Pittston, the city looks great and continues to improve – so hang in there, everyone.

Small Business Saturday

This week Sunday Dispatch reporter Jimmy Fisher and I took a downtown tour of merchants that will participate in Small Business Saturday on Nov. 26.

Pittston’s Main Street Manager Rose Randazzo accompanied us to at least 15 stores downtown, many of which will offer discounts during the day.

Pittston will never see the heyday of yesteryear in terms of the number of merchants downtown, but it is getting very close. Way back when, there were a lot more storefront buildings that were knocked down and replaced with parking lots or smaller buildings, so just by pure numbers, there may never be as many stores decades earlier.

Randazzo would love to see Main Street filled with shoppers on Saturday.

There was a humorous moment when we entered one store and Randazzo said, “Smell this store – doesn’t it smell like old Pittston?”

Those who are old enough will know what she meant by that term.

I felt the same way a few stops before Randazzo made that comment. I remember when I’d shop downtown with my parents, some of the store floors creaked when we walked on them. Back in those days, most stores didn’t pipe in music, so the sound of the wooden floors was magnified.

Pass the mashed potatoes

I can’t believe Thanksgiving is upon us already. It’s always been my favorite holiday. There’s nothing better than a great meal with family.

The best part is there are no gifts to buy for this holiday.

My mother put out a spread for Thanksgiving, and man, could she cook and bake. She did Thanksgiving the old-fashioned way by waking up in the middle of the night to put the turkey in the oven. I woke to the most delicious aroma filling the house. It was mouthwatering and I never ate breakfast because I wanted to save room for the big meal. Mom opened up the dinner with a pan of lasagna or homemade ravioli. Hey, I’m Italian, what can I say?

No matter how you celebrate the holiday, I hope it’s a bountiful one with lots of family by your side. I know I’ll be thinking of my mom and dad and reflect on Thanksgivings gone by.

Quote of the week

“Let honor be to us as strong as obligation as necessity is to others.” – William Pitt, British statesman.

Thought of the week

“Success is measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life… as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed.” – Booker T. Washington, American educator.

Bumper sticker

“To the artist there is never anything ugly in nature.” – Auguste Rodin, French artist.

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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.