Category Archives: April 2019

Local Twirlers Perform in NYC Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

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Double R Twirlettes (1)

Members of the Double “R” Twirlettes recently performed in the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The Twirlettes marched up Fifth Avenue and twirled for approximately two million spectators who lined the parade route.

It was the 11th consecutive year the Twirlettes were invited to perform in the parade that is considered the oldest and largest St. Patrick’s Day parade in the world.

The Twirlettes are under the direction of Kathleen Mercatili. Pictured are members who performed in the 2019 parade.

Kneeling from left: Hannah McHugh, Alexandra Taffera, Jocelyn Bringhurst, Lydia Monroe, Kristen Griffiths, Virginia Miller, Natalie Buchinski and Kali Mercatili.

Standing, same order: Autumn Major, Madison Doyle, Sara Swavola, Morgan Tullio, Lindsey Kausmeyer, Lindsay Griffiths, Eliyana Kubelis, Jordan Gioupis, and Kathleen Mercatili, director.

Dunmore’s Bridget Walsh Finishes Off DeSales Hoops Career in Style

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Bridget Walsh action shotBy Steve Svetovich

Dunmore resident Bridget Walsh, Scranton Prep graduate, wrapped up her DeSales University basketball career in the “Sweet 16” tournament with her team losing to Ithaca, 76-75, in Brunswick, Maine, Friday, March 8.

Daughter of Michael and Cathy Walsh, Dunmore, Bridget played four years of Division III basketball for DeSales.

She dropped in 19 points, including 7-for-7 from the free throw line, in the nail biting loss to Ithaca.

DeSales advanced to the “Sweet 16” with its 22nd consecutive win over Middleburg.

The DeSales senior was a big part of the team in her junior season when she appeared in 27 games, including 18 starts, averaging 6.6 points per game. Bridget, a center-forward, averaged about nine points and nine rebounds and three blocks per game this season.

She became the school’s all-time shot blocker with 182, beating the previous mark of 155. Bridget broke she single season DeSales record for blocked shots with 80, beating the previous mark of 55.

Bridget is currently applying to different graduate schools where she would like to receive an assistantship in sports management or sports information. She would also like to be a graduate assistant women’s basketball coach. “That is a dream of mine,” she said. “I want to coach women’s college basketball.”

Bridget has a 3.3 grade point average at DeSales. She is editor-in-chief of “The Mintrel,” the campus newspaper. She was sports editor for the past two years.

Bridget Walsh team“I want to stay involved in college athletics,” she said. “I have been in love with college athletics ever since I got here. I would love to help student-athletes in the future. I want to get involved in sports information or management on the college level.”

The DeSales senior is a member of Character U, a program at the school that helps transition freshmen from high school to college life.

“It’s nice to see the kids grow,” she said.

The talented center-forward talked about the success of the team. “We played a lot of basketball this summer in preparation for the season,” she said. “We stressed defense and averaged a lot of points per game. A lot of our points came from the result of our defensive pressure. It was huge with our transition game. Our defense was a big part of our success.

“Our defense and connection on the court was the biggest reason for our success. We had three seniors leading the way and a great freshman class which was crucial coming in.”

DeSales, coached by Fred Richter, finished the season 27-3.

“We learned so much from coach Richter,” said Bridget. “He taught us not only about basketball, but to be a better person and a success in life. He teaches us what we need to do to run our lives after college and basketball.”

The senior stalwart said she owes a lot of her success to her parents.

“My parents taught me to make the most of opportunities and not take anything for granted. My parents both worked hard in life to help provide me with opportunities. They taught me to be the best version of myself.”

Bridget played four years of basketball at Scranton Prep and was first team All Conference as a senior.

She is a sports communications major with a minor in journalism and sports management at DeSales University.

Artist of the Month: Marie Barbuti

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Artist of the Month - Marie BarbutiMarie Barbuti has been named the April Artist of the Month from the Dunmore Activity Hub.

“Since 1992, I have had the privilege of being part of the oil painting class at the Dunmore Senior Center, “ Marie says. “First it was located on Chestnut Street, and then became part of the Dunmore Community Center on Monroe Avenue.”

Marie usually paints a variety of subjects, most of them out of her imagination, and a few from photos of nature. She loves doing portraits of people and animals, and she has given several of those paintings away to friends and family.

“Painting at the center, whatever your choice—oil, watercolor or acrylic, is a delight,” Marie reports. “If you help with a problem area, our instructor, Jill Swersie, is always pleasant and willing to help you. The students are great—very friendly, and everyone is supportive of each other’s works.”

Ms. Swersie resides in the Poconos, and travels to be at the center every Monday from noon to 4 p.m. A free sketching class is offered from noon to 1 p.m.

Class members participate in several shows a year, with food, drink, and sometimes live music, and many of the artists have sold their paintings.

“Painting is a wonderful and inexpensive therapy,” Marie points out. “Please don’t feel you have to be a Michelangelo, DaVinci, or Kinkade to join our class. All you have to do is want to try something new in a relaxed atmosphere, have fun and make some friends.”