I didn’t grow up with the tradition of the seven fishes. Maybe we were on a tight budget, but we only had one fish … smelts. Yep, smelts.
My grandma Callaio would dip the smelts in butter and then flour before frying them up.
I wasn’t a big fan of the tiny fish, but it was something the rest of the family looked forward to each year.
I got wind of some big news a week or so ago that Pittston has been selected to have a private screening of the movie, “Feast of the Seven Fishes.” It will be shown Thursday, Oct. 17 at The Slope Amphitheater on the grounds of the Pittston Memorial Library.
In case you did not hear the second big announcement in that last sentence, the amphitheater finally has a name – The Slope. Why not? It’s a term familiar to our rich history in the coal mining industry. I kind of like it.
Pittston’s Main Street coordinator Mary Kroptavich said Robert Tinnell, writer/director of “Feast of Seven Fishes,” will be on hand at the amphitheater to screen the movie, followed by a meet and great, including a Q&A session inside the library’s community room.
According to the Internet Movie Database (IMDB), the storyline is, “A slice of life story that follows a large Italian family on Christmas Eve as they prepare for the traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes, reminisce about the past, and seek love in the future.”
The movie stars Skyler Gisondo (“Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb,” “The Amazing Spider-Man”), Madison Iseman (“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” “Goosebumps 2”) and Joe Pantoliano (“Risky Business,” “The Sopranos”).
Matt Mariano, who has local ties in Hazleton scored the movie. Mariano has also scored music for TV shows like “Alexa & Kate,” “Now We’re Talking,” “The Millers” and “Raising Hope.”
West Pittston winemaker Leo Sperrazza will offer some of his best red vino for the event and Sabatelle’s will prepare food platters.
“This is exciting to be one of 10 to 15 sites selected to private screen the movie,” Kroptavich said. “We were called by the production company to ask if we’d screen it here in Pittston.”
The movie will be released to selected movie theaters and video on demand nationwide on Nov. 15.
The amphitheater showing is free to the public, but Kroptavich warns there are only 300 tickets available.
You can pick up a ticket at Art e Fekts Gallery or Sabatelle’s or call the gallery at 570-299-5954 to have a ticket mailed to you.
The long range forecast for Oct. 17 is partly cloudy skies with a high of 54 degrees and a low of 41.
“I’m not even looking at the forecast,” Kroptavich said humorously. “I’m not even looking.”
It will be a great night for all who attend.
Crystal ball
As I write this column, the big football game of the decade between Wyoming Area and Southern Columbia hasn’t yet happened.
There have been press conferences, press releases and a systematic flow chart of who can park where and in what lot.
I understand it’s a big game but years ago, local football games were packed with thousands piling into the stadium bleachers.
Is it overkill in prepping for this game? Perhaps. But something this big hasn’t happened since Jimmy Cefalo ended his high school football career at the West Pittston field in 1974.
You knew it was football season in West Pittston when you saw the old yellow wooden horses set up on the side streets from September through Thanksgiving.
Driving around the Garden Village to find a spot was always a chore because every available spot on streets within a three-block radius would be taken.
Then there were residents who would put garbage cans, patio chairs or their own wooden horses in front of their homes so they would be sure of a parking spot when they got home from work.
Even though this is one gigantic game for the Warriors and the streets will be filled with parked cars whose drivers did not park in designated parking lots, it was a common occurrence way back when — well, at least for five home games each football season out of a 10-game schedule.
It’s an inconvenience for one night and only one night but, boy oh boy, does it bring back memories.
Columbus Day
Columbus Day will be observed tomorrow, Oct. 14, but as we all know, Oct. 12 is the real Columbus Day. It’s also my mother’s birthday. Mom would have been 92.
It seems like once a week, someone will stop me and say something sweet about me mentioning my mom in my column.
Most who have complimented me about mom never knew her, but they can relate to my words because they are their words, as well. Feelings for your mom are eternal and, no matter how long she is gone, you can always hear her voice or touch or remember her cooking or decorating for the holidays. Mom will always be there for you and be that little voice in your head when you make decisions, if an issue comes up with your children or even when you bake her famous apple pie.
Life keeps marching on but thank God we have memories of Mom – warm, loving memories.
Happy birthday, mom!
Quote of the week
“Our birthdays are feathers in the broad wing of time.” – Jean Paul
Thought of the week
“Cherish all your happy moments; they make a fine cushion for old age.” – Booth Tarkinton
Bumper sticker
“Autumn’s the mellow time.” – William Allingham
