This is it… no turning back now, 2018 is pretty much in the books as we now set our attentions on 2019.
This is my 54th column of the year, 52 weekly columns and two special edition columns. I average 950 words per column with the latest version of “My Corner, Your Corner”. The original column averaged 1250 words. It’s a lot of thoughts to keyboard for sure.
Later in 2019 will mark my 20th anniversary of this column and that’s pretty mind-blowing especially for a guy that turned down the offer to write it, three times. My answer was, “Who cares what I have to say” and “I’d have no idea what to write each week.” Needless-to-say, it’s been an honor and privilege to write for you.
I imagine there are a lot of people that are saying, “Good riddance to 2018” looking forward to putting it in the past.
Maybe there are others that had the most, incredible year ever and don’t really want to 2018 to end.
For me, there were highs and lows for 2018 and like a lot of people; I hope to make changes in 2019.
There’s always room to complete goals, start new ones, eat healthier, get physically fit, possibly change careers – I mean, 365-days is a lot of time to get things done.
I’d like to travel more this year if possible. Over the last 12 springs, I’ve enjoyed working at a world-class women’s tennis tournament at Charleston, SC. Charleston is my adopted home away from home and it’s a lovely city. If you’ve never been there, I’d suggest you make it a stop. You won’t regret it.
Twenty-yrs. ago, I felt there was a lot of time to travel and it’s funny how you get into a routine and before you know it, 20-yrs. goes by in a blink of an eye.
I can see why people have bucket lists. I don’t really like to do things myself, especially travel. After all, it’s much better to experience new things with someone else along for the ride. Besides, you need someone to say, “Remember the time…?” or “How about when we…?”
By the end of a year, we’re tired and worn out and January 1 is always a day when you can plant the idea of starting anew.
For many, sadly, there will be no 2019. According to Times Leader’s obituaries, the readership area loses between 350 to 450 people each month.
Here is a list of Greater Pittston notables we lost in 2018:
Dr. Anthony Bruno, Jan. 21, West Pittston, noted physician; Thomas Burke, Sr., Jan. 22, Yatesville, retired State Police; Joe Keating, Jan. 15, Pittston City mayor; Pittston’s Brian Musto, Jan. 15, promising attorney died at 28 from cancer; Roger Orlandini, Jan. 28, former owner of R&J Diner, Wyoming; Joe Saraceno, Jan 21, longtime Wyoming Area educator; Marilyn Fessler, March 31, West Pittston, longtime banker; Jimmy “Dyce” Allardyce, May 7, West Avoca’s finest; Jim Ide, May 26, Exeter, owner of Action TV; Sam Marranca, May 5, West Pittston, former owner of Café Italia; Regina Tirpak, June 25, Exeter, longtime Wyoming Valley West educator; Angelo Falcone, July 2, Pittston, co-owner Falcone Beverage; Andy Hreha, July 28, Wyoming, Wyoming Area standout athlete.
Other notables include: Thomas Opeka, July 11, Pittston, longtime Wyoming Area educator; Annie Galli, Aug. 17, Wyoming, battled cancer for nearly two-decades; Mary Teresa Gavigan, July 31, Pittston, longtime garment industry and Seton Catholic bookkeeper; Warren Reed, Aug. 24, Wyoming, longtime executive at WNEP; Bill Arnold, Sept. 7, West Pittston, everyone’s favorite Walmart greeter, five days after his wife Mary died Sept. 2; Ruth K. Smith, Sept. 3, West Pittston/Harvey’s Lake, real estate pioneer; musician Diane Jones, Oct. 21, Pittston, Diane along with her husband Vernon, opened Tomato Festival; James “Spot” O’Donnell, Nov. 22, former Dispatch pressman; Wyoming Area educator Willy Players, Nov. 11, West Pittston, died a few months after wife Clara, a huge community volunteer.
Exeter native and local attorney George Oschal lost his daughter Julia Crossley, son-in-law Johnathan Crossley, granddaughter Riley and unborn grandson, Jaxon from a fire on Dec 10.
No doubt I’ve missed other notables that we lost in 2018 along with your loved ones, but we will never forget any of them as we move forward.
As for me, I won’t be ending 2018 with a bang, but instead, a very bad cough that has gone on way too long. It’s the second round for me in the last few months and I still have to get through January and February, not my favorite months of the year.
If it wasn’t for the fact that days are getting longer, I’d be perfectly happy snuggling up with a bear in den somewhere and taking a two-month nap.
I have no use for winter – none. My apologies to skiers, snowboarders, ice skaters, ice fishermen, and snowshoe walkers. Unlike all of those just mentioned, I will pray for no snow and above average temperatures.
During winter months, I think often of what life would be like living in a very warm climate. Maybe a quick trip to the south could do the trick in getting me through winter. For now, I’m stuck.
Donna Brenner, former Cookie Corner owner, supplied this week’s quotes; she’s a fan of the quotes in the column so I asked her to submit her favorites.
Quote of the week
““Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365 page book. Write a good one.” – Brad Paisley, American country musician
Thought of the week
“In the end, it’s not the years in your life, but the life in your years.” – Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the United States
Bumper sticker
“Be the change you want to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi, Indian philosopher
