Wow, what a whirlwind last four weeks have been for me. So many Christmas events covered in the Greater Pittston area alone has been incredible.
There have been Christmas parades, Christmas tree lighting ceremonies, Santa sightings, Christmas services, and Christmas plays.
A lot of joy has been spread throughout the valley and it’s been a lot of fun. I’ve had the chance to meet a lot of great people along the way and what I love the most is the enthusiasm of the children waiting for the big day to arrive.
I’ve covered several Toys For Tots donation locations but one that was very touching and heartfelt was Anthony Marranca and his gang and their annual Thanksgiving day touch football game. This year, Anthon had the idea that everyone playing in the game should bring a toy. The group then partnered with the West Pittston Salvation Army and its Toys For Tots program.
Marranca’s team efforts collected nearly 450 toys and the group vows to continue on next year.
I’ve never seen such generosity in giving as I have this year. I can’t image a child going through Christmas without a gift. Toys For Tots boxes were full everywhere.
The PA girls basketball team donated hats, gloves and scarfs and attached them to meters and poles downtown for anyone to take. This is the third year the girls have conducted the program.
One of my more recent assignments was covering the Victory Sports League Christmas banquet. I’ve covered this event before with just photos; this year I had the chance to write an article. It’s one of the best parties.
Victory Sports is an offshoot of Challenger Baseball but for adults with physical and/or mental challenges. The participants play baseball, basketball, bowling and more during the course of the year.
I have so much fun covering the banquet and everyone is happy, dancing and dining while deejay Jack Bravyak spins tunes.
When you look around the room, there’s nothing but smiles — a lot of smiles.
The whole time there, I felt so good and all the smiles and happiness were infectious. If I needed a photo, someone would pose. Everyone was so gracious and more than happy to take a photo.
League President Fred DeSanto has done a great job for many years and has a board of directors that goes above and beyond to help participants.
If you ever get a chance to watch a baseball game next summer on Thursday evenings at the West Pittston Little League, do so. You won’t regret it.
Welcome, Connor Moffitt
With the exit of our good friend and former Sunday Dispatch employee Jimmy Fisher, I’ve had to sharpen my pencil because the extra writing assignments came fast and furious. I didn’t mind at all and, in fact, it was a breath of fresh air from the normal column work and photo assignments each week.
A replacement has been hired — Connor Moffitt. You’ll be seeing him more and move over the next few months. I’ve worked with Connor on a few occasions and he’ll do just fine once he gets his bearings and figures out the lay of the land. I’d like to wish him well in his new assignment. He’ll find out soon enough the people of Greater Pittston are warm and friendly.
Time flying
Time is just flying by. Christmas is now upon us and the New Year is right around the corner.
Many reading this will remember back in the 1990s when the year 2000 was approaching and we did not know if the world was going to stop. Would computers cease? Would banks have issues? It had the feeling that the end of the world was a possibility.
When you put things into perspective and realize that was 19 years ago, it’s mind-boggling.
The carousel of life keeps turning and turning and there’s no way to stop it. In the meantime, sit back and enjoy the ride.
In two days time, it will be all about family and friends and good times. It looks like we won’t have snow for Christmas (and that’s okay with me). That will upset a lot of people, especially the children. Santa needs snow.
Businesses should shut down between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Not a lot gets accomplished during that week so it would be nice if everyone had that seven-day stretch off.
Regarding Christmas: do you prefer to open gifts on Christmas Eve or would you rather open them on Christmas morning?
Back in a day, the family gift exchange was on Christmas Eve and then the next morning, presents from Santa were opened. I favor exchanging gifts with family on Christmas day and my daughter Tiffany always vetoes that idea.
No matter how you celebrate the holiday — with family, with friends or by yourself — I would like to wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas!
Quote of the week
“Love came down at Christmas; love all lovely, love divine; love was born at Christmas, stars and angels gave the sign.” – Christina Rossetti, English poet
Thought of the week
“Best of all, Christmas means a spirit of love, a time when the love of God and the love or our fellow men should prevail over all hatred and bitterness, a time when out thoughts and deeds and the spirit of our lives manifest the presence of God.” – Charles Dickens, English novelist
Bumper sticker
“Christ is the day that holds all time together.” – Alexander Smith, Scottish poet
