PITTSTON — An annual scarecrow festival at the Pittston Memorial Library on Oct. 26 brought out over a hundred families for a variety of activities that highlighted the best of the autumn season.
Kim Hughes, of Plains, who remembers coming to the library with her mother as she was growing up, took the opportunity to return to the library with her daughter Lucy, just 18 months old.
Hughes, a teacher at Pittston Area, who said she had not been back to the library “for many years,” was happy to see neighbors and fellow teachers at the event.
“It’s been a perfect way to spend a fall Saturday morning,” she said.
Hughes’ mother and Lucy’s grandmother agreed.
“We have our whole day planned around this event,” said Pam Piazza, of Jenkins Township.
Piazza, a book lover, looks forward to many future trips to the library, so that she can get Lucy started as early as possible reading.
Lucy seemed to love every aspect of the event, including the colorful scarecrows, painted pumpkins and opportunities for playing.
Rosemarie Butera, a member of the Friends of Library that hosted the event, said it was a wonderful chance for children to celebrate the Halloween season in a safe environment.
Butera, who brings homemade treats to many events hosted by the library, looked around as people took time for a snack in the library’s community room, saying, “There were several food items — the brownies and hot cocoa — that were free. Hot dogs were only $2.”
Jennifer Uscanga, of Dupont, enjoyed the chance to get out of the house on a Saturday morning.
Uscanga’s daughter Malia, 2, is confined to a wheelchair and enjoyed the chance to see other people, as well as the colors that filled the event area.
Her other children, ages 9 and 2, also enjoyed the event, taking time for hot chocolate and a snack.
Maria Capolarella-Montante, a member of the library’s Friends group, said the event reflected the community spirit from which the library had evolved.
As Capolarella-Montante, sporting a scarecrow-themed hat and broad smile, provided information to those attending, she looked back on the library’s start in a single room and evolution to a community hub providing not only the chance to check out a book, but to have fun and meet neighbors.
“We have a young staff with new ideas,” she said.
She said older, long-term staff members provide a sense of history and stability.
And, although parts of the event were seemingly competitive — a pumpkin decorating contest and the scarecrow contest which themed the event — everyone was a winner last Saturday, as family and friends joined together enjoying food, conversation and fun for what many say has become an annual tradition.
