I’ve said it before and I’ll say again, at least my life isn’t boring regarding my work.
For me, my week started on Saturday, March 19, when my old friend, Fr. Paul McDonnell asked if I could cover the Feast of St. Joseph Mass at the Oblates of St. Joseph Seminary in Laflin.
Each time my phone rings from Fr. Paul, I never hesitate to take his request, especially when it has to do with the patron saint, Joseph.
I’ve covered that special Mass on several occasions, and it always seems Bishop Bambera of the Diocese of Scranton is the celebrant.
The Mass is always around his birthday and each year I wish him a Happy Birthday and he always seems to be surprised anyone would remember. It’s kind of a running thing each year for me anyway.
Fr. Paul, Fr. Joe, Fr. Johnson, and Fr. Ray always do a great job with any kind of service at the Oblates. We in Greater Pittston are lucky to have such a great facility in our area.
The gym was always used for basketball leagues, craft shows and more over the years.
The next day, March 20, I had the honor of shooting the first-ever Luzerne County’s Got Talent Show at the F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts.
Being the first of anything, I didn’t know what I was getting in to, but let me tell you, it was a great afternoon.
We have such amazing talent in our area, it’s really eye opening. There were singers, musicians from a horn player to pianists to guitar to flute. There were several dancing acts as well. I was hoping for a comic, but not this year.
It seemed that a lot of the artists were younger than I expected, but I bet over the next few years it will change, especially when people see that first prize was $1,000. That’s not a bad payday for a 2 ½- to 3-minute audition.
The show took a good portion of the day to not only photograph it, but to get to my computer and edit it to send it to the paper.
On Monday, March 21, I went to the Wyoming Area Catholic School to see a former Harlem Globetrotter entertain the students in a show of basketball skill as well as offer a motivational speech.
I left the gym with my ears buzzing. The kids laughed and cheered the entire time, and it was great fun and a fantastic break for the students.
Tuesday evening, March 22, I attended the Spring Fling/Easter banquet for Victory Sports, a league for challenged athletes as they kicked off the summer season with a bang.
Whenever I get the call for these great group of athletes, I stop what I’m doing to get there to photo the fun, food and dancing – and boy do they dance.
Our good friend Richie Kossuth and his duo keyboard/singer partner Brandon John always entertain for the night and just about everyone gets on the dance floor and even some make their way to the stage to pound on Richie’s drum kit, right Christina Wesley?
I’ve been attending so many times now I am getting to know more names and faces.
I hope all the athletes have a great summer.
On Wednesday, I made my way to the Pittston Memorial Library to meet with Howard Grossman and Lois Ostrowski to discuss their Sustainability Campaign. It’s never easy running a nonprofit and the library always seems to need their share of donor to help keep the place running.
Years ago, libraries received tons of funding on the federal, state, and local levels but a lot of that has dried up over the years, so for now, they have to reach out the public to keep them alive.
The have so many programs for young and old, not to mention the beautiful John P. Cosgrove Center where, if it wasn’t for a Capital Campaign years ago to put the huge addition on to include the Cosgrove Center, there would not be a more central focal point for public affairs meetings, movies and shows.
Thursday night was another night to showcase the Art e Fekts Gallery on Main St., Pittston. This time the art exhibition was for photographers. I must say, the gallery was pretty filled that night.
Art e Fekts has grown over the years since inception, and it’s proven time after time that it is the central of the art district in Pittston for a reason.
Regarding the arts in Pittston, if you talk to Mayor Lombardo, you haven’t seen anything yet with much more to come.
With all that is going to happen in the city, I wish I was born 20 years later so I could enjoy all that is about to happen.
Speaking of the Mayor, I was in his office at 9 a.m. to discuss a few more programs he and the city are rolling out.
If anything, you’ll always learn something from the mayor and his enthusiasm is always infectious.
You’ll read and see photos of just about all of the assignments I mentioned above in this week’s Sunday Dispatch edition.
Each week is different as you can see and I never know what the next week will bring, but whatever it is, you’ll know about it.
Quote of the week
“My wish for you is to continue. Continue to be who you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness.” – Maya Angelou
Thought of the week
“Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” – St. Francis of Assisi
Bumper stick
“Live life a little less ordinary.” – Benedict Cumberbatch
