Now that spring is around the corner, although you could not tell with the week we just had, Greater Pittston is starting to wake up.
High school spring sports seasons began last week and it won’t be long before you hear, “Play Ball.”
Track and field, softball, tennis and lacrosse are a few of the sports played in the spring.
If you recall the spring of 2018, a substantial snowfall delayed spring sports with snow on the ground followed by muddy conditions.
I think the groundhog was fibbing this year. We are already six weeks past his prediction date of an early spring. How many of you really believed the groundhog when you were growing up? I was totally in when he made his predictions.
At least the sun is getting higher and brighter in the sky and when, it does snow, it melts fairly quickly. If we get 3” of snow or less from now on, I won’t shovel.
St. Patrick’s Parade a success
The Pittston St. Patrick’s Parade seemed to go off without a hitch this year.
The temps were chilly and there was a slight wind blowing, but all in all, it wasn’t a bad day.
I had to cover the Leprechaun Loop 1-mile walk/run at 11 a.m. so I made sure I crossed the river before the bridges closed. My first stop was registration where participants signed up.
At first, it didn’t seem like many were running or walking this year, but when it was time to start the race, the numbers picked up.
It wasn’t the same without race starter Joe Curry firing off his race gun but Joe Heffers did a great job subbing for Curry.
The Leprechaun Loop is a nice event. Runners don’t have to worry about running a longer race and walkers don’t seem to mind the mile.
The fun part is seeing participants dressed as leprechauns or in Irish garb.
After the walk/run, the streets seemed a bit barren and I worried about the crowds not coming out this year. With the parade beginning at noon, by 11:40 a.m. it still looked dismal.
That all changed over the next 20 minutes when folks began pouring into Main Street and, before I knew it, there was a sea of green everywhere.
Restaurants and bars take advantage of parade day by opening up early … some places as early as 9 a.m.
It goes without saying the alcohol was flowing just as early.
The Knights of Columbus had its bash going, the Tomato Bar had the overflow tent up over its patio, Cooper’s was serving food and drink and there were private parties, as well.
The Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce had a gathering, as did the UFCW Federal Credit Union. Reilly and Associates had food and a front row seat as everyone sat or stood at their second-floor window.
I stopped by to take a photo or two during the parade from the second floor. It was a great vantage point to view the parade – and much warmer, too!
Everyone is so hospitable on Parade Day. It’s a great way to start spring and to get back outdoors after a long winter.
This year St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Sunday; it’s a pity Pittston couldn’t have had the parade on Saturday, March 16.
The problem is coordinating the Pittston parade with the Wilkes-Barre parade and the Scranton parade, with the latter being the granddaddy of them all.
The Pittston parade crowd was definitely into the spirit of the holiday, okay sometimes too spirited, but in the end it wasn’t a bad day at all.
PJ Melvin was in his element and looked great as the Grand Marshal. The bagpiper bands are always a treat to see and hear.
The Oscar Mayer Weinermobile made the parade for the second year, but I was a bit disappointed the vehicle looked so dirty; it definitely needed a bath.
How about the large shamrock balloon? It was like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. The handlers did a great job of negotiating Main Street and took their time when lowering it under the banner hung near the Tomato Festival lot.
Things got a bit hairy as they approached me near the Dime Bank Bldg. when the balloon started to drift a bit towards me.
As the saying goes on parade day, “It’s a great day to be Irish.”
Special section
Next week, the Sunday Dispatch will publish a special section on progress in the City of Pittston. I wrote several articles for the edition that includes an extensive interview with Mayor Michael Lombardo.
Mayor Mike, fresh off the loss of his dad, put his game face on and got through the interview. He could have cancelled or postponed our meeting, but he didn’t. Mike is a lot like his father, professional to the core.
The mayor has spearheaded so many projects in Pittston starting with his first eight-year tenure as mayor. Even with time passing and other mayors coming and going between his two terms, he’s always had the pulse of Pittston on his mind.
Currently in his second year as mayor, Lombardo feels he has a lot to accomplish before he’s done for good.
Quote of the week
“An optimist is a man who sees everything half as bad and twice as good as it is.” – Heinz Ruehman, German film actor
Thought of the week
“Flowers always make people better, happier, and more helpful; they are sunshine, food, and medicine to the soul.” – Luther Burbank, American botanist
Bumper sticker
“Self-respect is the cornerstone of all virtue.” – John Herschel, English mathematician, inventor