Annual Pittston Memorial Library fundraiser features samples from area businesses

PITTSTON – Pittston Memorial Library, once again, celebrated area food establishments, wine-makers and caterers by holding the seventh annual Taste of Greater Pittston Nov. 17 at the Cosgrove Center.

“We have about 20 vendors here varying in all kinds of restaurants and catering facilities, home-brewers, professional brewers, desserts and it’s a nice community event,” said Lisa Joyce, chairperson for one of the library’s more popular fundraisers. “Not only does the fundraiser benefit the library, but it benefits our community and creates awareness and PR for vendors and the library.”

Each year, the event date has had a history of changing, according to Joyce. “We do evaluate when we’re having it from year-to-year to see what other events are happening and this year we moved it to November.”

Lenny Pribula and his wife Nit, a native of Thailand, recently opened Greater Pittston’s latest restaurant, Nit Thai Takeout, near the corner of Williams Street and the Pittston Bypass.

Pribula brought along food samples from the couple’s restaurant.

“The Joyces asked us to take part in the Taste of Greater Pittston,” Pribula said. “They’ve been in our restaurant and they seem to enjoy the food so they asked us to join. We’ve gotten a good response from people today and they seem to love the peanut sauce, which is homemade from scratch.”

Food, drink and desserts were served from 2 to 5 p.m. while a steady stream of the public tasted food and drink. Fellow vendors were seen sampling food from each other.

Debbie McCulloch, of Pittston Twp., and her daughter Ashley Ferrese, first-time attendees of the Taste of Greater Pittston, were happy they came.

“We were never here before and we’re here to try all the tastes of Pittston,” McCulloch said. “We’ve been here since it opened up and it’s definitely worth the price; you could eat all day.”

“So far, very good,” Ferrese said of her food experience at the Taste of Greater Pittston. “A lot of things I’ve tried that I never had outside of coming here. I’d come back next year.”

“We’ve tried everything,” mother and daughter boasted. “We’re having fun trying it all.”

Joyce was happy with the participation and public response and looks forward to next year’s event.

“This isn’t the biggest library fundraiser, but it’s a nice event,” Joyce concluded.

Jamie Joyce hands her 2-year-old son James an Italian cookie from LaFratte’s Catering at the Taste of Greater Pittston at the Cosgrove Center Nov. 17.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Taste-of-Pittston-1.jpgJamie Joyce hands her 2-year-old son James an Italian cookie from LaFratte’s Catering at the Taste of Greater Pittston at the Cosgrove Center Nov. 17. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Nikki Dennis, who was working for the White House Diner, takes a minute to sample food.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Taste-of-Pittston-2.jpgNikki Dennis, who was working for the White House Diner, takes a minute to sample food. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Ray Bartolai, Bartolai Winery vice president, right, chats with David Fusco, who is associated with Broad Street Winery.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Taste-of-Pittston-3.jpgRay Bartolai, Bartolai Winery vice president, right, chats with David Fusco, who is associated with Broad Street Winery. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Michael Quinn, left, of West Pittston, samples wine from Sarah Donahue and her dad John, right, of Linden Street Winery.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Taste-of-Pittston-4.jpgMichael Quinn, left, of West Pittston, samples wine from Sarah Donahue and her dad John, right, of Linden Street Winery. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Debbie McCulloch, center, and her daughter Ashley Ferrese taste a sample of soup from Wilkes-Barre Area Career Technology Center culinary arts student Kieran Rinish.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/web1_Taste-of-Pittston-5.jpgDebbie McCulloch, center, and her daughter Ashley Ferrese taste a sample of soup from Wilkes-Barre Area Career Technology Center culinary arts student Kieran Rinish. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch