I don’t know about you, but I’m still suffering from the food fest from Thanksgiving Day. I know I’m not the only one in this boat because I know we all overdo it on Thanksgiving Day.
Overeating aside, I hope everyone had a great holiday with family and friends, I know I did.
How about the size of the Times Leader on Thursday? The paper was loaded up with Black Friday sales and after my sixth flyer; my head was spinning.
Honestly, without a game plan for Black Friday and even looking through page-after-page of advertisements, I was still clueless.
I think I’m losing my touch on buying that perfect gift for someone. Really, I was pretty good at that and now, I’m at a loss.
I know many people have a plan of attack for Black Friday. People study ads on Thanksgiving Day like someone at the horse racetrack going through the racing forum to place their next bet.
The last few Black Fridays, I was sent out in the evening to photo those stores opening up Thanksgiving Evening. One stop was Best Buy were the lines were always long. It always seemed shoppers would head for the electronic items like flat screen TVs.
My usual position was to get the store manager to let me in so I would get a shot of the onslaught of shoppers rushing for their favorite Door Buster.
Last year there had to be 60 of the same Samsung TV model all lined up in the main isle. But it just wasn’t Samsung, LG, Vizio and others were all over the store in large quantities.
In my research, a lot of those electronics manufacturers do sell a lot of older technology as a Door Buster and not newer models.
To think that you can buy a 65” TV for under $500 was unthinkable just a year or two ago. If that’s the case, what will an 82” TV sell for next year since you can purchase one now for $1,800?
That’s another thing, how big could they possibly go size wise?
I remember years ago when my brother designed a house with a legitimate theater room equipped with a 100” projection TV. I’m sure that cost a few thousand dollars at the time.
If you’re a techno-geek like me, I love the fact technology costs are coming down like they have. Picture quality is getting better and crisper and the colors are more brilliant then ever before at reasonable prices.
We have 4K TVs and I saw one manufacturer is making 8K TVs and broadcasters are not capable of sending a signal in 8K – so why buy something that can’t be used to its level?
Yesterday was Small Business Saturday and I know that the Greater Pittston Chamber of Commerce and Pittston City’s Main Street coordinator Mary Kroptavich worked hard to help merchants downtown and the surrounding area.
It was the 10th Small Business Saturday and to add a little spice, downtown merchants held a scavenger hunt set up by the Chamber and Mary involving over 20-businesses and I’m hoping it was a complete success.
I know Pittston Mayor Lombardo and others in government are doing their best to attract as many businesses to the downtown.
Next Christmas season, there were be more stores in town with progress being made at the Mark Data building and the former Cooper’s restaurant being converted to a first-class hall.
There’s always something to be looking forward to when it comes to the City of Pittston.
Saturday evening was the annual Toy Truck Parade ushering in Santa Claus to the lower Pittston Tomato lot.
With the official city Christmas tree lit and today being Dec. 1, we’re heading down the stretch to Hanukkah and Christmas.
Speaking of the tree lighting, how about 14-yr. old Mikey Ash? What a kid and I couldn’t have been happier to see him being named Pittston’s first Christmas Ambassador. I met Mikey and his mom and dad prior to the parade and he was just over the moon about the big event.
Mikey was born with a rare genetic disorder and has a lot of issues, but when you’re in his presence, it is he that makes you feel good and puts a smile on your face. His mother Nikki said Christmas is second to none and I believe Mikey brings Christmas joy for the entire year.
Speaking of an entire year, another 52 weeks will be in the books and on to Barbara Walters’ favorite number – 2020. Were we all not worrying about Y2K just yesterday?
The year 2000 was a mystery and we didn’t know would happen when the clock struck midnight on Jan. 1. We seriously all held our breath when the hands stuck 12. It was a crazy time for sure.
The Irishman
There was a lot of hubbub in Greater Pittston when the movie The Irishman was finally airing on Netflix. Social Media was abuzz about the film and the conscience is, it’s been well received.
With Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci and Martin Scorsese directing, you’d believe the movie would be a huge success.
One thought as I watched the movie, I wasn’t viewing a Hollywood fictitious mob movie, it was local history and it was real – very real.
Quote of the week
“Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike.” – J.K. Rowling
Thought of the week
“The most painful thing in losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.” – Ernest Hemingway
Bumper sticker
“Man, when you lose your laugh you lose your footing.” — Ken Kesey
