I almost did it, I almost got through fall and winter without getting sick, but here I sit on this sunny, but windy Friday, with sore eyes a stuffed head, blocked ears, and a red nose that would make Rudolph jealous.
To be honest, I’m actually shocked I didn’t get sick until now. All I have been hearing is how bad flu season is in Pennsylvania; as a matter of fact, they placed the state on one of the worst states for flu.
Granted, what I have is what my mother would have claimed — I have a head cold. Maybe I do, but when I get this head cold, it really hits me hard.
I could feel something coming on Thursday, but plowed through the day, but by evening, it was pretty evident where I was heading.
My nose was getting all stuffed up, and I didn’t have a box of tissues, so I had to revert to using paper towels. Not exactly the softest of paper products to use. By the third hour of clearing my head, I felt like I was using 80-grid sandpaper.
My only recourse to combat my illness was an almost empty bottle of DayQuil and a bottle of Tylenol.
For me, nothing usually works, and I just have to ride it out, but what I don’t get is that as many times I’ve had head colds, you would think I would have found a fast track to getting better.
So here I sit, typing away with sore, watery eyes and an achy body to get my work done for this Sunday’s Dispatch. Thankfully, I work from home and don’t have to infect anyone in my path.
Most people would say you get sick from being in contact with other people, which I’m sure is true, but I also believe if you’ve been exposed to harsh conditions outside, you can get sick that way.
Last Saturday’s Pittston St. Patrick’s Parade was a crazy day. We started the day with spring-like weather for the 5K Leprechaun Loop run, but somewhere between the start of the race and the beginning of the St. Patrick’s Parade, the weather began to change.
The clouds covered the nice sunshine, followed by crazy winds, followed by rain and snow.
I was caught off guard because the weather people said conditions would change until the afternoon, so I felt safe enough with a fleece jacket and no hat.
I just happened to run in to Joey Adonizio of Adonizio Funeral Home who was standing on the curbside waiting for his pop, P.J., who was named the 2025 Grand Marshal of the parade, to walk by.
By this time, the weather was getting a bit out of hand, so I told Joey, “I wish I had a hat with me.” Within 10 seconds, he dashed to his car and pulled out a brand new winter cap with Adonizio Funeral Home on it. It was a Godsend. Thank you, Joey, for stepping in.
When I put the hat on, I felt like I gained 15 degrees of heat, so I guess it’s true when they say you lose a ton of heat through your head.
Thanks also goes out to Sarah Donahue, for once again, getting the lineup of the parade just right. She works hard to put on a great parade, including making sure all units are lined up and ready to go once Main St. is cleared of 5K runners and 1-mile walkers.
This was the 12th Annual Pittston St. Patrick’s Parade, and if I’m correct, Sarah hasn’t seen one of them march down Main St. After letting the last unit step off, it’s impossible for her to race Downtown to see any of the fruits of her labor.
Maybe one day, she will be able to watch it like everyone else that lines Main St.
Greater Pittston is one of the communities where events truly bring people together for a good time. So many businesses had their doors open with food and beverages for all to enjoy.
The Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce annually holds an open house on St. Patrick’s Parade day. Michelle Mikitish and Brandi Bartush always prepare a nice spread of food and goodies.
I stopped at Done Rite Carpet on Main St. here there was plenty of pizza and other goodies.
It’s pretty much like that all over Main St. and it’s great to see the community come together for a fun and great occasion.
Even though it seems like Irish celebrations last for a whole month, there’s one more to go with the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of St. Patrick’s Dinner to be held at The Banks on Monday, March 17.
It’s the first time in quite a while that the dinner will be held back at Pittston. For many years, it’s been held at The Woodlands Inn & Resort.
I think bringing it back to Pittston is a great idea even though the Woodlands’ destination was not that far, it would be fun to have it back where it belongs.
Congratulations to Presidential Historian Larry Cook along with his wife Diane on the opening of the Larry Cook Historian Center for Presidential Research at the Hoyt Library.
I missed the event due to illness wishing I was there.
Quote of the Week
“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” —Bernard M. Baruch
Thought of the Week
“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” —Ralph Waldo Emerson
Bumper Sticker
“Believe you can and you are halfway there.” —Theodore Roosevelt
