It’s hard to believe we are 11 months away from the USA celebrating the semiquincentennial and Greater Pittston resident and Exeter native, Cassandra Coleman, the executive director of AmericaPA250 has been a very busy woman in preparing Pennsylvania to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday next July 4.
It’s been a huge undertaking over the last seven years in traveling all 67 counties in PA and beyond in educating residents on our nation’s 250th birthday and PA’s own history.
Of course, this will come to a great crescendo on July 4, 2026, when all 50 states will have gigantic celebrations planned.
PA is no different, and in fact, the program Cassandra has been running over the past seven years has been studied by all other states. We lead the nation in the initiate of the America250 program.
Cassandra tells me her job won’t officially end on July 4 — she will have a lot of post-celebration duties to wrap things up.
In next week’s Sunday Dispatch, I will attempt to explain and layout the America250PA’s agenda over the next 11 months until July 4 from an exclusive interview with Cassandra.
This past week, a lager beer called Declaration was crafted and launched at crafted by Runaway Train Brewery in Honesdale, in partnership with America250PA, and Cassandra was front and center for the launch. Of course, her son Jimmy was right by her side.
As a matter of fact, Jimmy recited the Pledge of Allegiance while using sign language.
Our friend and newly crowned Miss Pennsylvania Victoria Vespico sang the national anthem.
The beer formula from the ingredients to the label have been well thought out aligning as much as possible to the state and utilizing ingredients native to PA.
Speaking of celebrations, I’d like to congratulate Hank Cassetori on his decision to retire after 64 years of cutting hair at his barbershop on Wyoming Ave., Exeter.
Hank has been a mainstay on Wyoming Avenue and it is our loss with his well-deserved retirement. Even his bout with cancer didn’t stop him years ago.
I’d like to wish Hank, and his wife Patty, a happy retirement. Job well done.
Since I’m passing around congratulations, I’d like to congratulate and wish WBRE’s Gianna Galli good luck and success after being named the new morning co-host with Tom Williams.
Gianna has made such great strides in the world of television graduating, what seems like yesterday, from college and roaming the halls at Pittston Area shortly before that.
After college graduation, it wasn’t long before she was reporting in front of the camera and an even shorter period of time she as at the anchor desk.
She really is a natural and in a very short time—a pro.
I don’t know what time she’d have to hit the sack to rise at a crazy hour to get to the station, but sitting by morning veteran, Tom Williams, she’s bound to learn from the master.
Congratulations again, Gianna, I’ll be looking for great things in your career.
You know, now that we begin the month of August, I hear a lot of moaning and groaning, “summer is over.”
Okay, I will agree with August being the last month of summer, but it’s hardly over. There is plenty of hot weather coming even though the average daily temperature began its descent a week ago or so.
We topped the peak of summer heat with average daily temperatures of 85. By the end of August, the average daily high is 78 degrees which is splendid weather.
What will be fall-like are the night temperatures when they dip down and often times you find morning dew on cars and grass.
Don’t forget, we always tend to have some Indian summer days in the fall and that feels great as well.
Don’t you find it amazing how summertime flies by and winter hangs on forever?
Even though we had a bunch of 90-degree days, it took a while before summer arrived. Spring-like weather wouldn’t let go and when it did, summer kicked in and we’ve had some great hot and humid days.
I’m hoping some of those warm days and nights take place on August 21 through August 24 when the 42nd Pittston Tomato Festival takes place.
I’ll be preparing the official guide to the Tomato Festival wrapping it up this week.
Congrats goes out to Ben Tielle for being chosen the 2025 Grand Marshal.
There will be plenty of great entertainment, including a Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks tribute band along with tons of local talent.
Sadly, the late Danny Argo was scheduled to appear at the bandshell, and with his passing ends and era of Italian pride that he brought to the festival.
There will be a few new events and for those of you that missed Sauce Wars, it is returning for 2025.
A new amusement ride company will be taking over this year so look for new rides.
The spaghetti-eating contest will be back again by popular demand. The event has been picking up steam each year since it has been introduced.
Let’s not forget to vote for your favorite ugly, small, big and perfect tomato.
The parade, the 5K race, the Little Miss and Mister contest will be back so get ready.
Quote of the Week
“The August sun sets with a different kind of fire — not the raw heat of July, but a quieter, richer glow that lingers longer in the sky and in our memories.” —Hank Rollins
Thought of the Week
“August, the slow hush begins. The birds sing softer, the breeze grows heavier, and the crickets take over. Summer, once bold and blazing, turns contemplative.” —Sarah Dessen
Bumper Sticker
“The summer night is like a perfection of thought.” —Wallace Stevens
