We are zeroing in on St. Patrick festivities in the City of Pittston, kicking off with two events yesterday: the Little Miss and Little Mister Leprechaun contest at noon, and the always fun Pub Crawl in the evening.
It’s always fun covering the Little Leprechaun contest with the children all dressed up in their favorite Irish outfit. Parents are all excited to see their children involved in the contest with great anticipation and beaming smiles on their faces.
Most children are pretty good about getting interviewed by the event host Sarah Donahue, a good Irishwomen herself.
Just like the Tomato Festival Little Miss and Mister Tomato contest, you never know what will come out of the mouths of kiddos. It’s usually pretty funny and never fails to entertain.
Of course, with that said, there are some children that get skittish and clam up without uttering a single word.
All winners get to participate in the St. Patrick’s Parade the following week in Downtown Pittston.
Every parent believes their child is the winner and I never envy the judges, but someone has to win and the majority will have to try again next year if they are in the age range.
I can honestly say I’ve only covered one or two Pub Crawls, and they are a hoot.
Needless to say, there is plenty of Irish bagpipe music from the Wyoming Valley Pipe & Drum Band traveling from pub to pub, as well as plenty of spirits flowing.
I’m pretty sure there are a few participants ending up with a hangover the next day.
Occasionally accompanying the bagpipers are Irish step dancers. I can say that is always entertaining.
Next up is the big day itself, the 12th Annual Pittston St. Patrick’s Parade on Saturday.
You can read all about it and thank ad sponsors of the special edition in this week’s Sunday Dispatch.
There is a tentative line up of parade participants with four Pipe & Drum bands and two Irish Step Dance teams.
Naturally, the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick will be walking in the parade as well. They have their big St. Patrick’s Day dinner at The Banks this year, the first time in many years that they’ve brought back the dinner to Pittston. For years it’s been held at the Woodlands Inn & Resort, so this is a big deal.
If you think about it, St. Patrick’s celebrations begin in late January when announcements begin to advertise the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Dinner by announcing the honorees, and the Pittston St. Patrick’s Parade committee getting the word out about all of their festivities. Naturally, all the celebrations go right to St. Patrick’s Day itself on March 17.
So next weekend, have a great and safe time. Try not to let the little ones too close to the street as people toss candy to the curbs.
And for those that will be partaking in the spirits, drink sensibly, please don’t drive, hand those keys off to a friend, or take an Uber home.
A lot of people will be out and about and we don’t want to see anyone hurt. I understand there will be plenty of policemen from the city out and about as well.
Happy St. Patrick’s Parade day, and congrats to the organizers and those participating in the 12th annual parade.
We hear warmer weather is coming our way and I, for one, can’t wait. Temps in the 40s, near 50, are hoodie weather for me.
Spring sports will be underway soon enough and even though we won’t truly have spring-type weather for a bit, it’s sure nice to move slowly out of winter.
So move over basketball and wrestling and say hello to baseball, softball, track & field, tennis and golf.
Congratulations go out to Eric Zangardi for expanding The Cycle Yard for spinning to adding a Pilates room. She had a grand opening yesterday at her studio at the Waterfront Warehouse.
Eric has had The Cycle Yard at the Waterfront Warehouse for the last three years and was one of the first businesses in the totally revamped building.
Good luck, Erica, and best wishes on the expansion of The Cycle Yard.
And then there were three.
There are now three candidates running for the district magisterial job in the West Pittston Borough building.
Atty. Joseph Carmody has held the job for many years. Twenty-two years, I believe. Carmody has reached the age of retirement for magistrate judge and must vacate the position.
Running for the judgeship are Judge Carmody’s son, Atty. Matt Carmody, Atty. Laura Dennis-Bovani, and now, Atty. Bob Boyer.
I am not sure of the dynamics of three running for the job, but it sure makes the race interesting. Good luck to all three candidates.
Personally, I’d like to thank those that nominated me for the Times Leader’s Best of the Best Awards for Best Columnist and Best Sports Coverage. What an honor and privilege to be acknowledged by readers for both categories. This year is my first nomination in the sports category.
I cover a lot of sports and it’s one of my favorite things to do.
Quote of the Week
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore, Dream, Discover.” — Mark Twain
Thought of the Week
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
Bumper Sticker
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
