Yesterday was Small Business Saturday and the Sunday Dispatch printed a huge article on all the downtown stores. Dispatch writer Jimmy Fisher did a yeoman’s job putting that article together.

West Pittston Tomorrow ran a full-page ad regarding locally owned merchants in the Garden Village. I do hope they had a successful start to the holiday season.

With the exception of the Insalaco Plaza on Wyoming Avenue, businesses in West Pittston are spread apart and not concentrated like Main Street in Pittston.

West Pittston is fortunate to have not one, but three hardware stores like Old Mill Pine, Evan’s Hardware and Driscoll’s Hardware. It boasts two ice cream parlors with Blue Ribbon Dairy and Ballyhoo Ice Cream & Candy.

Related Video

There are restaurants like Agolino’s, Nardone’s, The Brunch House, Antonio’s, The Mediterranean Café, and even Subway, owned by the DeSanto family.

There are several hair salons in town and let’s not forget Crest Quality Cleaners and how it has fought through several floods, water main breaks and a major street project.

It’s not just Pittston and West Pittston, but every town has locally owned businesses that need to be supported, not just through the Christmas season, but the entire year.

Changing for good

They say change is good. After all, wasn’t that the sentiment of the 2016 presidential election?

The Sunday Dispatch has a new home and it’s one that many folks will like.

For as long as I can remember, the Dispatch has been located on New Street in Pittston and the very large building served its time well there. At one point in time, it housed a printing press and 35 staffers.

Our new home is perhaps where it should have been the entire time, on downtown Main Street – 71 Main St. to be exact, right across from Rite Aid.

Having the Dispatch’s presence downtown will make it easier to find and, of course, be closer to all the action Main Street has to provide.

It’s never easy giving up an old home, but only one-tenth of the building on New Street was being utilized, so it makes sense to leave it behind.

A lot of great memories came out of 109 New St. and a lot of people played a big role in the ongoing success of the Dispatch. Founded in 1947, the Dispatch quickly became the leading news source for Great Pittston.

As the paper moves into its new office and a new era begins, the Sunday Dispatch will continue to be the leader in local sports, news and information.

And so it begins

Now that we are past Thanksgiving, we’re in the homestretch for Christmas, Kwanzaa and Hanukkah. You probably got a glimpse of what the holiday rush will be just a day or two before Thanksgiving. The grocery stores were buzzing with shoppers looking for last-minute food items for Turkey Day.

It doesn’t feel like the holiday season just yet, even with the cold temps and snow we received last week. Maybe I’m still in summer mode and in denial that winter is here.

Eight days ago was crazy with a 70-degree day and a 31-degree night. Talk about three seasons in one — summer in the afternoon, fall in the evening and winter at night.

It appears most weather prognosticators are predicting a colder, wetter winter. I’m not up for that. Last winter was more my style. I love northeastern PA for three seasons but, once the leaves have fallen, I’d just assume hibernate like a bear than live through the fourth season.

A fallen giant

I had the pleasure and honor of covering the Pittston Area gym court dedication in the name of Gene Guarilia on Jan. 30, 2015. Gene passed away last Sunday at his home.

Gene meant a lot of things to a lot of people — whether he was a teammate, fellow coach, teacher or bandmate.

Except for some health issues, Gene had a colorful life playing basketball, teaching youth at Pittston Area and rocking out to some of the best tunes with any of the three bands he played with.

Gene was so happy that day in 2015 and I’m glad I got to freeze moments in time to honor such a great guy. His smile was as big as his stature. He will be missed for sure.

Quote of the week

“It is better to be hated for who you are than to be loved for someone you are not.” – Andre Gide, French writer.

Thought of the week

“Frequently the more trifling the subject, the more animated and protracted the discussion.” – Franklin Pierce, American president.

Bumper sticker

“A man isn’t poor if he can still laugh.” – Raymond Hitchcock, American actor.

Gene Guarilia shared the evening the Pittston Area gym court was named in his honor in 2015 with his children. Behind Gene are, from left, Michael, David and Marlene. Callaio
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Callaio.jpg.optimal.jpgGene Guarilia shared the evening the Pittston Area gym court was named in his honor in 2015 with his children. Behind Gene are, from left, Michael, David and Marlene. Callaio

http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/web1_Callaio-Headshot-315-4.jpg.optimal.jpg
Support local businesses when you can

The Sunday Dispatch has a new home and it’s one that many folks will like.

Our new home is perhaps where it should have been the entire time, on downtown Main Street – 71 Main St. to be exact, right across from Rite Aid.

Having the Dispatch’s presence downtown will make it easier to find and, of course, be closer to all the action Main Street has to provide.