Jessica Cornia, owner of travel agency Smile Destination by Jessica, holds her nephew, four-month-old Wesley Granteed, son of West Wyoming Fire Dept. Chief Dave Granteed and wife Ashley.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
The Rubino family of West Pittston, Joe (left), Mary (center), and Joelle, had fun looking over all the vendors of the annual West Wyoming Fire Dept. Crafts Show at the fire hall on Saturday, Nov. 13.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Mary Frances Doran, of Pittston, looks over homemade products with her granddaughter, eight-year-old Gabriella Doran.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Lori DeAngelo, left, gives her niece Cassidy Graham, owner of t.w.e.n.t.y.s.e.v.e.n, specializing in handcrafted art, clay and fabric, a hand at setting up her booth for craft show.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Joyce Crawford, of Kingston, center, looks over jewelry from Paparazzi Jewelry with owners Samantha Crawn, left, and Madicon Crawn, right, looking on.
Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
WEST WYOMING — The residents of West Wyoming are hoping to bring new life to a park that sits next to the borough’s fire station on Shoemaker Avenue, commonly known as “the back road.”
David Granteed, a lifelong resident of West Wyoming and a new dad, thought it would be a great idea to bring back lights to Ralph Daily Park’s Christmas trees, as well as adding activities to bring the community closer.
At a recent holiday craft fair held for the fire department, which occupies the space right next to the park, Granteed said he was excited about the willingness of residents to work together. He said he was also excited for the borough to work with the fire department for the betterment of the borough.
Granteed and his wife, Ashley, are hoping that their son, Wesley, just four-months-old, will someday look forward to spending time at the park, making memories that revolve around West Wyoming.
Councilman Dan Skok said he had encouraged Granteed to bring back the borough’s Parks and Recreation board.
“I told him as a true family man with a wife and a child, it would be the perfect fit,” Skok said.
Granteed, who is also a borough firefighter, plans to go before council at their next meeting with a list of people willing to sit on the Rec Board or be vigorously involved with its activities.
“Dave has been active in town activities for many years and is now ready to become more involved,” Skok said, “A new year brings a new mayor; a new councilman, Paul Orzel and my first year as an elected council member. Some great things are happening in West Wyoming.”
Randy Colarusso, who is a current councilman, voted in as a write-in, will be taking his seat as mayor in January.
Skok said he first believed that council would have to vote to reinstate the Rec Board, but learned a previous ordinance was still in effect which would allow it to simply be re-started.
“The important thing,” he said. “Is that we have enough people willing to help.”
Granteed will have to go before West Wyoming council later this month to present the idea to them. Individuals sitting on the board needed to undergo clearances and receive the approval of council.
Bringing light to the park
One of Granteed’s first step in bringing renewed life to the borough is to get businesses or individuals to sponsor a tree in the park.
The only requirement is to simply decorate one of about 25 trees at the park and to include lights in that decoration.
On Dec. 5, the borough will hold a somewhat unique tree lighting ceremony in which the trees will “go live” at the same time, bringing a burst of multicolored lights to Dailey Park.
The event will include caroling and a visit with Santa.
In a bit of a twist to the holiday event, the Grinch will also be on hand to visit with children.
Granteed said he plans to use a drone to take a video of the dark park suddenly lit with color.
The trees will remain lighted throughout the holiday seasons and Granteed pictures people going by on the back road enjoying the display.
He said its been at least five years until there were lights at the park.
He is also hoping to light up the park’s pavilion.
“If something can be lit up at the park, we hope to do it,” he said.
He did have some concerns about cost, but is hoping that as the project moves forward and continues in future years, donations will be ample.
Craft fair
The West Wyoming Fire Company held its annual holiday craft fair last Saturday, with vendors on hand, most offering handmade or homemade goods.
Jayne Hromek, who oversees the Fire Company’s ways and means committee, said residents said they appreciated the opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping and to visit with their neighbors.
This year, vendors were especially grateful, because last year’s craft show was canceled due to the pandemic.
Marie Pardini, of West Wyoming, who sells handmade home goods, said it was her second craft fair this year.
Pardini has been coming to the West Wyoming craft fairs since she can remember, and said it was one of her favorite places.
Not only is business great, she said, but people are nice.
Among customer favorites was a bowl holder, which allows people to safely microwave without getting burned.
Other vendors offered everything from baked goods to cosmetics to Christmas ornaments.
West Wyoming fire company will hold its next craft fair on April 9.
Trunk or Treat
Granteed’s first foray into organizing a borough event was a trunk-or-treat event for Halloween earlier this year.
The event also served as an opportunity for the fire department to provide information about the fire department and fire safety to youngsters, against a back drop of fun.
It includes an extensive touch-a-truck event, as well as a “smoke house,” which teaches youngsters the proper way to react in a fire.
Putting that together with colorful costumes and free candy, the event went even better than expected.
Granteed said that with such a great response from area children and families, he is hoping that other like-minded borough residents will join him in providing more activities and resources for youngsters.
He looks forward to putting together more events that benefit both the borough and the fire department.
Those interested in holiday and other events can follow Dave Granteed’s Facebook page, which will provide links to information about the borough.
